Travel The World On A Dime
Traveling the world tops my bucket list and I hope that I can fulfill this dream way before I die.
I would also like to have the freedom to spend as much time as I like (and that my passport stamp allows) in my favorite cities.
I'd want to live like a local and not be restricted by limited work vacation days or money.
Airfares are costly and there's really nothing much we can do about it except to research the cheapest airlines and track the fares before we book our tickets.
The only other major trip expense we can control is accommodation.
I remember fondly my graduation trip to Europe.
I wasn't making money then and stayed at budget student hostels with shared bathrooms that would run out of hot water in the middle of a shower.
It was fun but definitely an experience left to a younger age group.
Now that I'm all grown up with a child and a husband, I expect a certain level of luxury when I travel.
And no it doesn't have to be 5 star luxury but it would be nice to have all the basic comforts like a private bathroom.
Also a kitchen or some sort of microwave is very useful when traveling with a young child.
I would be broke if I were to travel the world and stay at luxury serviced apartments and hotels.
So I chanced upon the idea of doing a vacation swap.
I live in one of the most visited cities in the world - New York City.
My apartment is tiny but can comfortably house 2 adults and a toddler.
And it's located in midtown New York - walking distance to a lot of attractions.
Recently I had to go on a trip to Singapore to visit my best friend who just had a baby.
Singapore is a nice city but hotels are expensive there.
Not to mention the fortune that we already spent on the flights! I began searching around online for vacation rentals.
I found a nice two bedroom apartment in a central location in Singapore.
Through our email communications, I found out that the lady who was renting out that apartment was going to New York during the timeframe that we were going to Singapore.
So we agreed to do an apartment swap.
At first I was a little concerned over the logistics of picking up and returning keys and safety since we were dealing with someone we've never met.
We had our valuables stored away from our apartment and also issued detailed instructions to our doorman on giving out the keys.
We also gave detailed instructions to our 'tenant' on laundry, damages etc.
Everything actually worked out in the end.
We got to stay at a fantastic location in Singapore for free and our newfound friend got to stay in New York for free.
So to all you would-be world travelers on a budget out there, I have a challenge for you.
OK maybe the title of my article may not be 100% accurate because you probably still have to spend on airfares but don't you think a house swap might work? You get to stay for free and you get to live like a local.
And that, in my opinion is the best way to travel!
I would also like to have the freedom to spend as much time as I like (and that my passport stamp allows) in my favorite cities.
I'd want to live like a local and not be restricted by limited work vacation days or money.
Airfares are costly and there's really nothing much we can do about it except to research the cheapest airlines and track the fares before we book our tickets.
The only other major trip expense we can control is accommodation.
I remember fondly my graduation trip to Europe.
I wasn't making money then and stayed at budget student hostels with shared bathrooms that would run out of hot water in the middle of a shower.
It was fun but definitely an experience left to a younger age group.
Now that I'm all grown up with a child and a husband, I expect a certain level of luxury when I travel.
And no it doesn't have to be 5 star luxury but it would be nice to have all the basic comforts like a private bathroom.
Also a kitchen or some sort of microwave is very useful when traveling with a young child.
I would be broke if I were to travel the world and stay at luxury serviced apartments and hotels.
So I chanced upon the idea of doing a vacation swap.
I live in one of the most visited cities in the world - New York City.
My apartment is tiny but can comfortably house 2 adults and a toddler.
And it's located in midtown New York - walking distance to a lot of attractions.
Recently I had to go on a trip to Singapore to visit my best friend who just had a baby.
Singapore is a nice city but hotels are expensive there.
Not to mention the fortune that we already spent on the flights! I began searching around online for vacation rentals.
I found a nice two bedroom apartment in a central location in Singapore.
Through our email communications, I found out that the lady who was renting out that apartment was going to New York during the timeframe that we were going to Singapore.
So we agreed to do an apartment swap.
At first I was a little concerned over the logistics of picking up and returning keys and safety since we were dealing with someone we've never met.
We had our valuables stored away from our apartment and also issued detailed instructions to our doorman on giving out the keys.
We also gave detailed instructions to our 'tenant' on laundry, damages etc.
Everything actually worked out in the end.
We got to stay at a fantastic location in Singapore for free and our newfound friend got to stay in New York for free.
So to all you would-be world travelers on a budget out there, I have a challenge for you.
OK maybe the title of my article may not be 100% accurate because you probably still have to spend on airfares but don't you think a house swap might work? You get to stay for free and you get to live like a local.
And that, in my opinion is the best way to travel!
Source...