Yes. I get paid to travel, but... It wasn't always that way. I had a normal job doing normal things and quite frankly... I got bored. I wanted more and I knew the only way more was going to come was if I went after it myself. So, I flew to the Seattle area to convince the folks at Rick Steves' Europe to hire me and eventually... They did! I haven't looked back for a second.
Now I am embarking on really starting my own travel consulting business to keep me busy while I am home. Things are a bit tight financially and I am fighting the demons of worry and self-doubt, but I know that I only have one life to live and I want to get it right. I don't need a new car, a house, or even cable - I just want to see the world!
I realize that I took things to the extreme a few years ago, when I decided to quit my teaching job and take a job as a tour guide with Rick Steves' Europe. Maybe that is a bit of a stretch for you, but... I bet you could take at least one BIG trip this year.
Have your own set of excuses regarding why you can't travel in 2017? Let's talk!
#1 - I don't have enough money to travel
This is probably the number one excuse I hear from my many friends who are envious of my travels, but claim that travel is not within their reach. There is a common misconception that travel can be expensive (and it can be), but... My bigger question is: What are you spending your money on now? Do you have to have the latest and greatest? Do you eat out a lot? How often do you need a Starbucks fix? These are all small things, but they add up quickly and can easily eat up your (hidden) travel money.
The good news! You CAN afford to travel. Start now by setting up a travel savings account and have some money drafted from your paycheck every month. It sounds simple, but it adds up quickly and pretty soon you'll have enough of a cushion to get your travel dreams off the ground.
If your budget is tight, let that factor into your decision about where to travel - Spend more time in cheaper countries (like Germany) and less time in more expensive countries (like Switzerland). Choose small pensions and B&Bs over expensive hotels and picnic instead of eating al fresco. This tip alone (and a little self-control) can save you a TON Of money.
Traveling on a budget also means more opportunities to interact with the local culture so it's a win-win! No excuses!
#2 - I don't have enough time off
Most Germans get 5 weeks of paid vacation starting out. I realize that's a foreign concept to most Americans, but utilize what you have and make the most of it. I meet SO many people each year that wait until they retire to travel and their number one comment is always "I wish I started sooner when I was in better shape". Travel can be grueling and if you are waiting for "enough" time to travel, it will never come... Enough is a lifetime and I'm still not sure that you could see everything.
Tomorrow is never guaranteed. I've had several tour members that faced a reality check like cancer, a heart attack or a stroke. Things like this are scary and are a stark reminder that we aren't invincible, that we won't live forever and that we need to do NOW what we say we'll do "one day".
If you are going to spend the money on a plane ticket to Europe, I recommend two weeks. If that's not feasible go for one week and make one major city your home base (like Paris or London) and consider a few side trips to give you a taste of the European countryside.
A week is enough to give you a taste of Europe and leave you wanting more. No excuses!
#3 - It isn't safe to travel right now
Every year before I jet off to Europe people (including my mom) say "be careful over there". The perception is that Europe is now full of terrorists and refugees lurking on every corner. The picture the media paints is simply not true and those of us that choose to stay home in order to stay safe are fooling ourselves.
Each year when my European friends come over to the US for the Rick Steves' guide summit, their friends warn them not to go near schools or movie theaters because that is where people in America get shot. That seems outlandish to us, but... That is what the media portrays and it's easy to turn a few isolated incidents into fear.
Don't let fear keep you home this year. Know that the world is full of mostly good people living everyday lives like you and me. They might speak a strange language and do things a little differently, but all in all travel breeds understanding (NOT fear) and I think our world could use a little more of that right about now.
No excuses! Start making your travel plans now and pass this post along to all your friends who keep saying they want to travel "one day".
Now I am embarking on really starting my own travel consulting business to keep me busy while I am home. Things are a bit tight financially and I am fighting the demons of worry and self-doubt, but I know that I only have one life to live and I want to get it right. I don't need a new car, a house, or even cable - I just want to see the world!
I realize that I took things to the extreme a few years ago, when I decided to quit my teaching job and take a job as a tour guide with Rick Steves' Europe. Maybe that is a bit of a stretch for you, but... I bet you could take at least one BIG trip this year.
Have your own set of excuses regarding why you can't travel in 2017? Let's talk!
#1 - I don't have enough money to travel
This is probably the number one excuse I hear from my many friends who are envious of my travels, but claim that travel is not within their reach. There is a common misconception that travel can be expensive (and it can be), but... My bigger question is: What are you spending your money on now? Do you have to have the latest and greatest? Do you eat out a lot? How often do you need a Starbucks fix? These are all small things, but they add up quickly and can easily eat up your (hidden) travel money.
The good news! You CAN afford to travel. Start now by setting up a travel savings account and have some money drafted from your paycheck every month. It sounds simple, but it adds up quickly and pretty soon you'll have enough of a cushion to get your travel dreams off the ground.
If your budget is tight, let that factor into your decision about where to travel - Spend more time in cheaper countries (like Germany) and less time in more expensive countries (like Switzerland). Choose small pensions and B&Bs over expensive hotels and picnic instead of eating al fresco. This tip alone (and a little self-control) can save you a TON Of money.
Traveling on a budget also means more opportunities to interact with the local culture so it's a win-win! No excuses!
#2 - I don't have enough time off
Most Germans get 5 weeks of paid vacation starting out. I realize that's a foreign concept to most Americans, but utilize what you have and make the most of it. I meet SO many people each year that wait until they retire to travel and their number one comment is always "I wish I started sooner when I was in better shape". Travel can be grueling and if you are waiting for "enough" time to travel, it will never come... Enough is a lifetime and I'm still not sure that you could see everything.
Tomorrow is never guaranteed. I've had several tour members that faced a reality check like cancer, a heart attack or a stroke. Things like this are scary and are a stark reminder that we aren't invincible, that we won't live forever and that we need to do NOW what we say we'll do "one day".
If you are going to spend the money on a plane ticket to Europe, I recommend two weeks. If that's not feasible go for one week and make one major city your home base (like Paris or London) and consider a few side trips to give you a taste of the European countryside.
A week is enough to give you a taste of Europe and leave you wanting more. No excuses!
#3 - It isn't safe to travel right now
Every year before I jet off to Europe people (including my mom) say "be careful over there". The perception is that Europe is now full of terrorists and refugees lurking on every corner. The picture the media paints is simply not true and those of us that choose to stay home in order to stay safe are fooling ourselves.
Each year when my European friends come over to the US for the Rick Steves' guide summit, their friends warn them not to go near schools or movie theaters because that is where people in America get shot. That seems outlandish to us, but... That is what the media portrays and it's easy to turn a few isolated incidents into fear.
Don't let fear keep you home this year. Know that the world is full of mostly good people living everyday lives like you and me. They might speak a strange language and do things a little differently, but all in all travel breeds understanding (NOT fear) and I think our world could use a little more of that right about now.
No excuses! Start making your travel plans now and pass this post along to all your friends who keep saying they want to travel "one day".