Travel is a multi-billion dollar industry. Everybody loves to travel! But most people tend to make excuses as to why they cannot travel. The two main reasons people believe they will be stuck wasting away in a cubicle forever instead of traveling the world are time and money. Let’s discuss why time and money should be the last things that keep you from experiencing the wonders of this great big ole world.
Traveling the world is one of the best ways that you can gain a good perspective of other cultures while discovering new things about yourself. However, in some societies, travel and vacationing don’t rank highly on life’s priority list. This is often the case in most of the western world. We always seem to be too busy to get away.
Aha! But did you know that traveling can be inexpensive, fun and rejuvenating? It’s true! Even in our capitalistic society, some companies have realized the benefits of travel and offer trips to their employees. These forward-thinking companies understand that when an employee is rested and refreshed, he/she tends to work more efficiently. However, many companies want their staff to work as much and as hard as possible while paying them as least as possible. These types of companies do not place a lot of stake in vacation. If your employer is more like the latter, don’t fret. You can still find the time and money to travel.
For people traveling on a budget, hostels are inexpensive accommodation options. Staying in hostels will allow you to see the world without spending much money. Plus, you may meet lots of like-minded new friends to share in the fun. Be sure to exercise caution and make safety a top priority while staying in a hostel. Staying in a group and making smart choices will help minimize the likelihood of an unpleasant experience. There are also home rental and couch surfing options as well as opportunities for you to work on a farm in a beautiful place in exchange for lodging. Simply do a quick Google search to find more information about these options. Traveling with someone that you can split the cost of a hotel room with is also a good idea. Join a hotel rewards program to earn points you can use towards discounting future stays.
Another inexpensive way to travel is to book your airfare in advance by six months or more. This will often give you the best prices, especially if you are going to be traveling during holiday and peak times such as Thanksgiving, Christmas or summertime. You can also find great fares at the last minute. Keep your eye on airlines’ sales. There are also a number of discount airlines that almost always have low rates. You can go directly to the airlines’ websites and/or use Google to narrow done your options. Try www.google.com/flights to assist you. Joining a frequent flyer club will help you rack up miles to discount future travel. You could even earn free flights. With so many frequent flyer clubs out there, it is best to look into them and do your own research. Some frequent flyer clubs are geared toward business people while others are geared toward the average family. You just need to do some research to find out which ones will work best for you.
Speaking of frequent flyer clubs, one way to enjoy your trip is to hang out in the airport lounges. These are lounges that are exclusively designed for airline card members. They often require a yearly fee; however, they can be relaxing and rejuvenating in a hectic airport. It’s up to you to decide if it’s worth the money or not.
Driving to your destination can be an inexpensive option. A good road trip, especially with people who can share the cost of gas, can be a great, fun way to see more as you travel.
Finally, let’s talk about time. Getting time off to travel can sometimes be difficult. However, if you approach your boss with a proposition that your travel might help your work, it is more likely that you’ll be able to get the time off. For example, let’s say you are a teacher. You might look for educational opportunities while traveling and report back to your boss what you learned.
These are just a few examples of ways that you can leverage your time and money to travel more and see the world. Just go out there and do it, and experience new and exciting cultures!