Our daily expenses to explore two famous cities in Spain were USD58.44 / EUR52.04 per person per day. Our budget as always is USD50.00 so we were well over. We spent the whole of April in Spain, actually a little more: 31 days to be correct. First, we walked the...
All our blog posts in one spot
Need inspiration and direction to create the life they love? Looking for affordable travel experiences that are gentle on our planet and the communities you visit? Dive right in with a list of all the posts we’ve ever written – in chronological order. Have a look around and check out anything that piques your interest.
How to protect your personal data and avoid online identity fraud
The cybersecurity statistics are astonishing: According to The Identity Theft Research Center (ITRC) Annual Data Breach Report, 2022 had the second-highest number of data compromises in the USA alone in a single year. At least 422 million individuals were impacted. ...
One week in Western Slovenia: Cool things to see and do beyond Lake Bled
As a true Kiwi, there are few countries in the world Paul considers on par with or surpassing New Zealand when it comes to natural beauty. Iceland, Norway and Ecuador are strong contenders. And now we’re adding another one: Slovenia. We’d even argue that New Zealand...
How much does it cost to explore Trinidad and Tobago?
Have you ever wondered whether you could afford to visit the Caribbean? Below is our financial spend for our journey around Trinidad and Tobago in March 2017. Check out what we did during the nine days we explored Trinidad and Tobago.Sign up to receive our email...
How much money do you need to travel?
Travel can cost as much or as little as you like. How much money you need (to budget) for your next trip largely depends on how much comfort do you want how much time you’ve got; and where you are travelling. You see, a two-week vacation at a luxury resort in the...
Kumano Kodo/Nakahechi Route: Choose your perfect self-guided itinerary from 2 to 5 days
Keen to hike the ancient pilgrimage trails of the Kumano Kodo? Why not walk in the footsteps of emperors and other Japanese nobility, and choose the Nakahechi route (also known as the Imperial Route)? Whether you have five days (or more) or only two, are a beginner...
Budget like a pro: How much does it cost to hike the Kumano Kodo?
If you are looking to explore the natural beauty of Japan, the Kumano Kodo should be a must-do on your itinerary. In this article, we will break down the expenses associated with hiking the Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo - including transportation, accommodation,...
Kumano Kodo Guide: All you need to know to hike Japan’s ancient pilgrimage trails
Whether you're after a rewarding outdoor experience or an enriching spiritual journey with one-of-a-kind hospitality, the Kumano Kodo has it all. Hiking the Kumano Kodo was one of our absolute favourite experiences in Japan (and indeed, of all times). In this guide,...
40+ ways to cut your spending and reduce your household budget
You may have been made redundant and face financial hardship. Or you work towards achieving financial independence. Whatever your financial goal, cutting your spending is (almost) always part of the equation – at least temporarily. We’ve helped you take (and stay in)...
What to do if you are robbed while travelling
Recently on a Facebook group for digital nomads, someone posted they had just been robbed in Thailand. All their gear was stolen, and they wanted advice on what to do. The post got us thinking: (Almost) all we own is in our travel packs, each and every item has value...
10 Essential Travel Safety Tips for the Independent Traveller
How often do you use the expression safe travels to farewell a loved one? And how many times have you had someone else wish you a safe trip? Whether you take a two-week vacation, go on a business trip or explore around the world for a year, there is no checklist that...
Need insurance? Find a policy that suits your needs
Insurance is an integral part of managing risks. You can’t avoid unexpected events from happening, but you can limit their (financial) impact. Having insurance can massively improve a potentially disastrous situation or add insult to injury (so to speak) – if your...
Gift like a minimalist: 16 meaningful gift ideas for any occasion
Are you sick of giving gifts just because it’s Christmas, Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, and television commercials or societal expectations tell you it’s the right thing to do? Are you looking for gift ideas that are truly meaningful and appreciated by those on the...
How to explore the Caribbean independently and affordably
Want to travel in the Caribbean independently and on a budget? Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? True, some Caribbean islands can be VERY expensive. But there are plenty of affordable islands, and you don’t have to join a cruise to island-hop around the Caribbean....
48 Hours in Ljubljana: The perfect getaway for history and nature lovers
With quaint medieval and pretty Austro-Hungarian buildings lining the Ljubljanica River, the Ljubljana Castle and the surrounding Alpine mountains, Ljubljana is one of the most picturesque capitals in Europe. It is also one of the most advanced destinations when it...
How much does it cost to explore Curaçao?
Have you ever wondered whether you could afford to visit the Caribbean? Below is our financial spend on our journey around Curaçao recently. Check out what we did during the ten days we explored Curaçao.Download our comprehensive Travel Risk Register First designed to...
Cetinje, Montenegro: Why you should visit and what not to miss
When people plan a trip to Montenegro it’s almost guaranteed their itinerary will include the Bay of Kotor. They may even venture to the sights along the Southern Adriatic Coast (to Lake Skadar, Stari Bar or even Ulcinj). Yet one destination that is only 12 kilometres...
Discover the Baltics: One week in Lithuania
Are you planning to visit Lithuania and wonder what there is to see and do (in a week)? Whether you only have time for a flying visit or three weeks to explore all three Baltic countries we’ve got THE itinerary for you. Most people don’t know much about Lithuania, the...
Three weeks in the Baltics – An itinerary for independent travellers
If you’ve got three weeks to spare and wonder whether you should use them to visit the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, this article is for you. The Baltics had been on our travel bucket list for aeons, and we finally managed to visit all three of them...
12 Things you should know before you visit the Baltics
Our bus suddenly grinds to a halt. Somewhere in the middle of the Lithuanian countryside, a handful of people are eagerly waiting to get on. Among them, was a guy in his 40s. Faintly resembling Jason Donovan in Neighbours days, though with a moustache, he wears...
80 inspiring travel movies that bring the world to you
Being nomads, cooped up in New Zealand during the COVID-19 restrictions (of 2020 to 2022), we must admit had their challenges. And while it was only three years, we knew at the time, that we couldn't wait to just grab our travel packs and go wherever we’d like to go,...
Discover Japan’s Winter Magic: Comprehensive Guide to the 2024 Sapporo Snow Festival
Ever wanted to experience the magic of winter in Japan? Why not start with Sapporo's annual Snow Festival [Official website], where you can marvel at snow and ice sculptures, explore the city's rich cultural heritage, and indulge in delicious local cuisine? In this...
21 surprising things about Japan – Know before you go
Japan is a country where the ancient and modern seemingly coexist in perfect harmony. But there's much more to the Land of the Rising Sun than meets the eye. With a rich history and complex social norms, Japan may surprise even the most seasoned travellers. In this...
How much does it cost to explore Croatia?
Croatia was a big tourist destination before the War of Independence in the 1990s. After the war, as tourism slowly returned, it was considered to be one of the more affordable destinations in Europe. But things change. Some places – Dubrovnik and Plitvice Lakes...