If you want to see every post I’ve written, starting with the most recent, this is the place to start!
I’ve been traveling the globe solo, and many of my posts share thoughts and resources specifically for other solo travelers. If you’re a fellow solo traveler, or you’re thinking about solo travel, this is a collection you will find of interest.
If you’re looking to read blog posts about specific destinations, click the country of your interest below to go to it’s blog page and get country-specific reviews and thoughts.
Sometimes I write posts where I give insider information on certain cities I’ve visited, which may be more along the lines of places to go, how to save money, etc. If that’s your main interest, check out this compilation of posts.
In 2020, I was traveling in New Zealand as the coronavirus pandemic brewed, and, got stuck there. If you want to read about what this time was like and traveling during this time, check out this page.
At the heart of international travel is learning about the many different cultures and ways of being around the world. The posts compiled on this page speak, specifically, about the cultural observations I’ve had.
Many of my blog posts are about things I’ve discovered about myself or about being, while I’ve traveled. If you’d like to focus on posts that only have self-discovery themes, click the button below.
How To Start Traveling Full Time
Heather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business Strategist
“Where do I start?” is a question I hear a lot.
One of the toughest things to do when you’re working full time, and you know you want to travel full time, is figure out where to start. There’s planning, there’s work, there’s logistics, there’s your home….it’s easy to get caught up in the many things that you’ll need to do and to lose sight of making it actually happen. Here are a few tips to help you figure out where to start:
At the Islas de Rosario, Colombia, in 2019.
Copyright, 2021. Heather Markel.
1. Determine The Duration Of Your Travels
Getting some understanding on the amount of time you want to travel allows you to put other areas into perspective. From here, you can determine what kind of travel this is, how much money you need, and some of the other logistical pieces. For example, if you’re planning shorter term travel, you might not have to deal with what to do with your current home and stuff. So, figure out travel duration first. Is it weeks, months, a year…?
2. Figure Out The Type Of Travel You Plan To Do
Now that you know how long you want to travel, you can more realistically decide if you’re taking a career break, finding yourself, recreating yourself, or something else. Feeling like the travel has a purpose can help you take those first steps towards making it happen.
3. Determine Your Work Options
If you plan to travel for a year or less, you might be able to get unpaid leave or a sabbatical, and return to work when you’re done. This is a great option to remove the stress of “what will I do next?” if that’s on your mind. If, however, you want to travel indefinitely, and you want to generate income while you travel, the world is so much more open to remote work than ever before. So, you could see if your current job will allow you to work remotely. If not, you could begin applying for another job that does. Or, you could become a digital nomad and pick up other types of work as you travel. Or, you may want to focus on traveling and not work at all – it’s important you know this to figure out your budgeting options.
4. Get The Map And Make A List Of Places To Go!
This, actually, can be the toughest decision you’ll make! Once you can travel anywhere in the world, you’ll realize there are a lot of options. Are you going to a faraway place you’ve dreamed of but was too far to go for vacation? Are you going someplace you’ve been on vacation but wanted to stay longer? The world is your literal oyster.
Cape Town, South Africa. Copyright 2021, Heather Markel.
5. Commit To A Timeframe
Now you can determine when you want to go. This might be down to weather – do you want to do summer or winter activities, or something inbetween? Is there an event in the place you’ve chosen that you want to be in time for? Is there a class you want to take that has specific dates? Is there a volunteer project held only certain times of the year? Figure out the priority and your timeframe becomes clear.
6. Write Down The Biggest Things (Fears) Holding You Back
Normally, what stands in the way of traveling full time, besides money, are our fears, or questions about the future, or what other people will think. List yours out. Write them down on a sheet of paper. For example, “I’m afraid I’ll be lonely,” “I’m not sure I’ll find food I like,” “How will I tell XXX I want to do this?” “I’m afraid of letting go of routine, what will I do each day?” once you know your fears, you can turn them into questions, and research the answer.
Like these tips? Have a question? Leave a comment below!
Want to Learn About Full Time Travel?
This is an amazing lifestyle! If you’re looking forward to ditching your desk and discovering your destiny through full time travel, click the button to get started!
![Could taking time away from work be one of the smartest decisions you make for your career and your life?
In this episode of How to Travel Full-Time, I explore why intentional time away, including a career break, sabbatical, or travel reset, may become an important part of the future of work.
Inspired by the Harvard Business School Managing the Future of Work episode, "Why Time Away May Be the Future of Work," this conversation looks at how longer careers, workplace burnout, artificial intelligence, and rapid professional change are challenging the traditional idea that we should work continuously until retirement.
But taking time away is not only about recovering from burnout.
A well-planned travel reset can give you the space to reconnect with yourself, reconsider what you want from your career, and decide what your next chapter should look like.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why the traditional 40-year career model is beginning to crack • How burnout can be information, not personal failure • Why vacations often do not solve deeper dissatisfaction • How travel creates distance, perspective, and clarity • Why taking time away does not have to damage your career • How a travel reset differs from a vacation or permanent full-time travel • What keeps accomplished professionals from taking extended time off • Why time away could become part of a long-term career strategy
If your life looks successful from the outside but no longer feels aligned with the person you have become, this episode is for you.
🎧 Subscribe to this podcast for more conversations about travel resets, extended travel, burnout recovery, career reinvention, midlife transformation, and using travel as a catalyst for personal change.
🌍 Sign up for my upcoming free webinar (https://heatherbegins.com/future-webinar-interest/) , How To Use Travel To Transform Your Life, Even With A Busy Career [https://heatherbegins.com/future-webinar-interest/]
Link to HBR podcast: Click here (https://www.hbs.edu/managing-the-future-of-work/podcast/why-time-away-may-be-the-future-of-work)
💬 Question for you: Have you ever considered taking one to six months away from work? What's the biggest thing stopping you?
#TravelReset #CareerBreak #FutureOfWork](https://heatherbegins.com/wp-content/plugins/feeds-for-youtube/img/placeholder.png)
As I work remotely, I’ve never had a chance to travel full time since I usually mix travel with a bit of work at my destination. I personally don’t think being a full-time traveler is my calling, since I still enjoy the comfort of home after a good, long trip. Also because I have cats at home, and they’re pretty much very domesticated so I can’t just leave them for good or anything. LOL 😂
I hear you! I am in love with all the cats and dogs I meet and would like to have one but can’t due to traveling. One day!!
Hi Heather, Thank you for this helpful, practical, and inspiring article. I especially love the image of Isla del Rosario, one of my favorite places to visit when I travel to Colombia. Your bulleted list truly makes some important decisions seem less difficult!
Glad you enjoyed it!