Travel
2017: The Year You Make Travel Happen
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions people make is to travel more. It’s right up there with eating better and going to the gym more.
And, like so many other resolutions, this one starts with the best of intentions and motivations but often fails.
When asked why, most people make up some reason involving time and money. They ran out of time, life got in the way, they forgot to ask for time off, work got too busy, they never saved enough, couldn’t find a cheap ticket, yada, yada, yada.
Tomorrow is the day to hit the gym, give up pizza, read more, or find that cheap trip to Paris.
But, when you dive deeper, you usually find people don’t follow through because they are too afraid to commit. They half-checked flights, looked up some hotels, and maybe even went to a bookstore to buy a guidebook. But when it came down to purchasing the trip, they hemmed and hawed and said, “Let me think about it a little. Maybe tomorrow.”
After all, change is hard. Getting out of your comfort zone is hard. It takes dedicated mental energy.
Turning a dream into a reality can elicit a sort of “ohh f%%k, this is happening” moment. There’s always a mix of excitement and fear. “Yes!” to doing it but also an “uhh, what did I get myself into?” feeling.
The second you buy your plane ticket, there’s no going back. You’re going. You’re locked in.
Soon you’ll be in a place you know nothing about, where you know no one, and (maybe) don’t speak the language.
The reality of that stops more people than you think from hitting “Book Now” because they aren’t sure they are “ready.”
Now, I know that you, dear reader, have a sense of adventure. You’re reading this blog, right? This is probably not your problem.
But time and/or money? These things probably worry you.
Someone literally asked me in an email last week: “Why do people still think travel is expensive?!”
When I read that, I screamed at my computer, arms flailing, yelling “Right? Why indeed? That is such a good question! I still can’t figure it out! It drives me insane!”
With all the blogs, magazines, apps, travel hacking websites, and deal sites out there, you would think the persistent myth that travel is expensive would have started to fade away by now. But it is still there. It’s hard to get rid of for the millions of people who grew up in the age of “travel = expensive hotel/resort vacation.” For the other millions in countries that are just getting the purchasing power to think about overseas travel, travel is very much still a luxury.
And luxury is synonymous with expensive.
However, there are travel deals all the time if you know where to look. 2016 saw some incredible cheap fares, and 2017 is shaping up to be no different. (There are some crazy $400 USD round-trip flights to Europe right now.) Additionally, the sharing economy has only grown in recent years, allowing you to bypass the old travel gatekeepers, and connect with locals for a cheaper trip.
So today, I’m going to get you somewhere in the world. I’m going to show you the secret to finding a cheap vacation so you can start 2017 off right and not back out of your resolution. Ready?
First, go to one of these websites: The Flight Deal, Holiday Pirates, or Secret Flying. Look for a cheap flight to a place you want to go to.
Second, book a flight. Lock yourself into a trip. Don’t worry about anything else. I promise you everything will work out. You can worry about a hotel, what to pack, day-to-day expenses, time off, what to do, etc., later. Those things don’t matter and there are many ways to cut those expenses! Worry about the logistics later.
Third, well, that’s all there is to it. There is no third.
Once you make the commitment by buying a flight, the rest is easy. Over and over again, I hear from travelers, “I was so worried about my trip. I built it up in my head so much and began to fret about all the ‘what ifs,’ but once I got on the road, it all fell into place and I wondered why I was ever worried at all.”
I know it seems scary to take the leap, especially when you are on your own. I know it can be unnerving to run out of your comfort zone. It’s basically this cartoon below, right?
Best description of the 20 seconds of courage challenge that @SteveKamb talks about. #20secondchallenge #nerdfitness pic.twitter.com/ItkkanqGNd
— Krissy Valentine (@WannabeFitGrl) December 20, 2016
The simple act of hitting “go” takes mental work!
But I’m here for you. This site is a virtual hand. I’m here to take the leap with you together. To be there to reassure you along the way, take away your fears, answer any of your questions, and provide support. (Plus, we have a whole community of people to help you too!)
How I’m Going to Help Make 2017 the Year of Travel
Today, I’m bringing back the case study project. I’m going to take five readers and help them plan their trip from start to finish. I’m going to help them each step of the way (as much as they need me to) and use their examples to show again that you don’t need to be rich to travel – or that you just aren’t limited to cheaper, developing countries.
To be one of those readers, you simply need to book a flight within 24 hours of this blog post going up. The first five people to do that and send me proof are in. It doesn’t matter where in the world you are, where you are going, or for how long. SPOTS ARE FULL! THANKS FOR APPLYING!
Just email a screenshot of where you are going, as well as the following information: your name, phone number, and age; a short bio; the ideal budget for your trip; and anything else I need to know. (Please keep it to no more than two paragraphs.)
There are no fees or strings attached. I’ll work with you via email, phone, and Skype to create a plan and help you stick to it so you can travel sooner than you planned and for less money.
I’ll feature these case studies on the blog when they are done as a way to help and inspire others (so you have to be OK with sharing your story on the website).
If you want to go somewhere but have always been a bit too afraid to pull the trigger, do so today, and let me help guide you out the door.
I will take your hand and we will leap together.
– Matt
P.S. – Looking for another way to kick start your new year? Over at the forums, we are doing our quarterly Travel Action Challenge, where you win prizes (like a $100 USD Amazon.com gift card) !
P.P.S. – If you would like to help underprivileged students travel more, we’re currently fundraising for a group of students to go volunteer in Ecuador. Help us reach our goal, change someone’s life by exposing them to the world of travel, and get some travel swag in the process. It’s a trip win!
Destinations
Endangered Heritage Attractions In the Americas
Let’s explore what heritage sites are in danger and why so we can understand what’s going on in our world.
We have reached a tipping point at many of our planet’s most beautiful and special destinations, and you may want to visit them before it’s too late. Whether it is environmental or human related issues affecting these historic and natural locations, they are in danger of being destroyed. The World Heritage Convention and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have picked these four heritage attractions as at-risk and in danger. These sites include the Everglades National Park and Belize’s Barrier Reef. Let’s explore what heritage sites are in danger and why so we can understand what’s going on in our world.
Belize Barrier Reef
Running Belize’s entire coastline, this living wall is protecting the environment from rough seas and is the largest reef system in the Northern Hemisphere. The reef is home to countless fish and coral species and is in danger from overfishing, poor water quality and development without environmental concerns. This is one of the planet’s best snorkeling and scuba diving spots and it may be destroyed by human interference soon. If we don’t enforce some strict environmental laws in the area soon, we may lose this amazing reef like we are already losing the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Chan Chan
In Peru an ancient civilization thrived before the Spanish Conquistadors invaded the area and even predated the mighty Incan civilization. The Chimu people built the largest mud brick city in the entire world at the site called Chan Chan. This incredible archeological dig is ever changing because rain and weather are turning the mud bricks slowly back into mud and the crumbling infrastructure will only increase over time. See this magnificent site before it’s gone forever. The Incas eventually conquered the Chimu people but they left a real mark on Latin America.
Everglades National Park
Located in Southern Florida and encompassing 1.5 million acres of swampland, The Everglades National Park is in danger because rising sea levels are saturating the freshwater table with seawater and many of the animals and plant life are dying off. The Everglades are home to many species of animals and foliage that thrive nowhere else on the planet. Home to alligators, crocodiles, manatees, and countless other rare species, the Everglades are in serious danger and so are all these beautiful animals. The rising sea levels are seriously affecting the region and it is beginning to show signs of deterioration.
Portobelo-San Lorenzo
This Caribbean port city was originally built to protect Spanish gold and other treasures so it was a favorite spot for pirates. Pirates ruled the Caribbean waters in the 17th and 18th centuries and no ship was safe from their plundering ways. The fishing town has some incredible ruins of the Old Spanish naval base to the large amount of sunken ships in the harbor. With plenty to explore and tourism increasing, this heritage site is in danger of being built over as there is no regulations in this region of Panama. Take in the Old Spanish architecture and the beautiful ruins before it’s too late.
Destinations
New Travel Alert for Europe During The Summer
The US State Department issued another and more widespread travel alert for much of Europe this summer.
The US State Department issued another and more widespread travel alert for much of Europe this summer. This comes on the heels of recent travel warnings for Europe, which are a response to increased chatter from terrorist organizations. There have been some major terrorist attacks and activity in Europe and specifically France in the past few years. Summer is the busiest travel season and many European nations count on this yearly boom for their gross national income.
Details
The travel alert is issued on May 1, 2017 and runs until September 1, 2017. The US State Department believes that with all the recent terrorism at busy tourist attractions in Europe and increases chatter show signs of impending danger. The extremists are hell-bent on spreading their fear and terror by attacking the western civilization at the heart of their freedom.
France
Recent attacks in France have made huge headlines and many people have been affected by these incidents. Paris is an international city with millions of tourists each summer, so a travel warning like this could hurt their bottom line. Will this travel alert make people reconsider their summer travel plans, only time will tell?
The Alert mentions Paris as a possible site where terrorism could occur and that should worry people with plans through that city.
Russia
Russia seems to be in continuous turmoil and this summer season is no different. The country has been the target of terrorists in the past and many of those are homegrown threats. If you have plans to visit Russia, I would check with the US embassy just in case.
Great Britain
Great Britain has many strong ties to the United States and that makes them and their territories targets of terrorist organizations. London is one of the most visited cities in Europe and now the State Department is warning US citizens about the threat of a terrorist attack in that city this summer.
Islamic State and al-Qaida
The two main terrorist groups responsible for all these threats and attacks are the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al-Qaida. They have plenty of operatives already in place all over Europe and these sleeper cells are waiting for the opportunity to strike. The US State Department doesn’t believe that these attacks are imminent but there are strong possibilities.
What You Should Do
If you already have travel plans for Europe this summer, it may be too late to change your plans. If this is the case, don’t worry, the odds of being in a terrorist attack are very minimal and just being smart will help you out. If you plan on traveling to the alerted areas, contact the local embassy or consulate and see if there are any new developments. Watch media and see if there are any new warnings.
Look for things that are odd or out of the normal but overall just try and enjoy yourself. Life is too short to let the terrorists win, let’s keep living our free lives and we will always win in the face of adversity.
Travel
Moving After A Divorce: What To Consider
Divorce is a reality for so many individuals at one point or another. Getting a new start is something that is frequently done after a divorce. This is truly a time of change that can create a multitude of stress. Children make moving after divorce almost impossible as seeing them regularly should be a priority. Couples without children can move to completely different parts of the world if they think this is best. Moving can be a new start for a person that has been in a marriage to reinvent themselves. The following are things that you should consider when moving after a divorce.
Figuring Out Where To Settle Down
There are some people that know exactly where they want to be after a divorce. Others might have to start doing research to see what cities appeal to them the most. Living in a city for a short period of time if possible can allow you to see whether the energy of the city works for you. There are so many options for rentals to explore a city that you can choose from. Look at everything from entertainment options to how much money you can save by moving.
A City With A Low Cost Of Living
Moving for the job of a spouse happens frequently and with no connections to a city, a person recently divorced will likely move. Remote work has changed the way the world operates with people flocking from large cities. The pandemic revealed all of the drawbacks of living in a large city including restrictions imposed by politicians that do not follow the restrictions themselves.
Living anywhere in the world can open up possibilities that you could not have explored if you were still married. Moving abroad can be a great way to save money towards retirement while improving your quality of life. Locations like Portugal and Thailand are great for digital nomads if you have the ability to earn online. Check with your Raleigh divorce lawyer if there are any stipulations that have to do with alimony or other payments that need to be made.
Employment Opportunities
There are so many job markets that are very healthy in today’s world. Freelancing can be an option until you find full-time employment. Keeping your current job is the best option but not all companies will offer or can offer remote roles. A transfer could be possible if you work for a company with locations across the country. Explore as many possibilities as you can to ensure you are gainfully employed when moving.
A City That Lends Itself To Your Hobbies
There might be a few hobbies that you are passionate about. Living near the water is great if you like to go kayaking, fishing, or go to the beach. The mountains can be perfect for a person that loves to hike and enjoy nature. Being able to enjoy all a city or town has to offer can be very important when it comes to enjoying your life after divorce.
A divorce can be a jarring experience that leads you to need some change. Moving to a new location can allow you to enjoy life to the fullest.
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