Remember Couchsurfing? It was a website that allowed you to stay with locals (for free) and always had a plethora of events and meetups you could attend no matter where you were in the world. It was one of the best ways to meet locals and travelers on the road. It was one of my favorite sites.

Pretty much everyone on the team here used it a lot over the years. My Director of Content, for example, was not only an avid traveler who went on multiple multi-day trips with strangers thanks to Couchsurfing, but he was also a host, and he was even featured in a calendar they made one year!

I used it to stay in places like Copenhagen, London, Oxford, Munich, Broome, Paris, Osaka, Athens, and so forth and so forth. I mean, I loved it. I met people in cities like Lyon just to hang out, did meet-ups in NYC, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and so many other places.

But ever since the site started charging around 2013, and then instituted a paywall during the pandemic, fewer and fewer people have used it. These days, it’s a shell of its former self.

While researching the latest edition of my book on budget travel (coming out in March 2025!), I rejoined Couchsurfing to see how active it was, and even in the largest metropolitan centers, there were barely a few dozen active profiles within the previous month. For example, London showed 229,457 total hosts but only 896 active hosts in the last six months — and only 496 active within the last month. That’s a big, big difference!

It’s a real shame as Couchsurfing really changed the way people traveled. It was as ubiquitous as Lonely Planet!

So, with Couchsurfing (and similar websites) pretty dead, where does one go to meet people now?

Answer: Facebook — which is honestly the last place I would have thought, because, well, it’s Facebook, and most younger travelers don’t use it as much as TikTok or Instagram. After all, Facebook also has a well-deserved reputation as the place your aunt posts memes or your crazy cousin rants about racist stuff.

But, whenever I sign into Facebook, I keep seeing posts from all sorts of groups in my feed, with people looking for travel buddies: backpacking Europe, backpacking Australia, digital nomads in (insert destination), find a travel buddy…the list of groups goes on and on.

I was skeptical of them at first, because when I took a deeper look at the posts, it always felt like they were just sleazy guys hitting on young girls and AI-generated girl accounts designed trap someone. “Hi I’m Anna from US looking to travel dm me” doesn’t strike me as something an actual person would say.

While female-only groups have been a legitimate way to meet people for a long time (Girls Love Travel being one of the most famous), the mixed-gender ones always felt a little sketchy. But they kept popping up in my feed.

So I looked into them more carefully to see if they really were spammy. While there were many fake profiles and creepy dudes (sorry, guys, but it’s the internet, and there are tons of those), sometimes I did come across real people who seemed generally interested in meeting others, however few and far between they were.

Are these groups really a good way to meet people? There was only one way to find out.

I used the group Find a Travel Buddy while in Europe and posted some of my tentative plans. I got hundreds of responses and direct messages, which was pretty overwhelming.

A lot of it was spam: people telling me to come visit them in India (I’m posting about Europe), people sending me hellos, a few marriage proposals, and some really inappropriate comments. (Side note: if I get those kinds of responses, I can only imagine what it’s like for women, who I often see edit their posts to ask people to stop coming on to them. Quite sad.)

But I waded through all the junk and eventually found real people to meet up with. In the end, I only met a few of them, as either my plans shifted or theirs did. But the interactions I had were really great.

I had an awesome night out in Freiburg, Germany, with a group of folks, and another with an Italian girl and her friends in Amsterdam. Each time, they took me around to places I wouldn’t have seen otherwise, and I got to meet locals. It was a good way to make new friends and find people to talk to.

Even though you have to wade through a lot of garbage, I think these groups are great, especially if you are traveling alone. While I don’t have the personality to go on a multi-day trip with a stranger, I did love the ability to meet people as I traveled.

If you’re looking to use them, here are some suggestions to minimize (but not eliminate) the garbage replies:

1. Be specific about where you are going and when (otherwise, people will spam ya with “come visit X!”).
2. Ask people who respond to be specific about themselves.
3. Be clear about what you are looking for (age, kind of travel partner, gender, etc.)

My current favorite groups are:

• Find A Travel Buddy
• Girls LOVE Travel
• Backpacking South America
• Digital Nomads
• Solo Trips & Travelers

From there, for safety, I would highly recommend looking at the profiles of respondents to make sure they are real and only meet in public places. Beyond that, have fun! These groups might not be as easy to use as Couchsurfing was, but at least there is something these days to help you meet locals and other travelers. I’m now a believer in and fan of these groups and will definitely be using them more on future trips.

The post How to Use Facebook Groups to Meet Other Travelers! appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

For many people, being able to work and travel is the dream. Logging on to your laptop from a new destination, spending your days off admiring the Wonders of the World, feasting on delicious cuisines. It should come as no surprise that there’s been a rise in remote work over the past few years (especially after COVID).

One of the best — and most popular — regions in the world to work remotely from is Europe.

Offering a diverse array of countries and cultures, incredible food, reliable infrastructure, and plenty of overnight trains and airport hubs that make it easy to get around, Europe is arguably the best region in the world to work remotely.

And with a growing number of countries offering visas specifically to remote workers and digital nomads, being a digital nomad in Europe has never been easier.

I’ve been a digital nomad for over 15 years and have spent countless months working and traveling around Europe. In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know about being a digital nomad in Europe.

The Benefits of Being a Digital Nomad in Europe

There are a lot of reasons why Europe is one of the most popular and sought-after destinations for digital nomads. Here are a few:

Variety – The major selling point for being a digital nomad in Europe is the variety. Depending on what list you use, there are between 40-50 countries in Europe. That means 40-50 different cuisines, languages, and landscapes. There are sunny beaches and rugged mountains, charming villages and lively cities. No matter what you’re looking for, you can find it in Europe.

Ease of Transportation – Between Flixbus and Ryanair, it’s possible to travel Europe for essentially pennies. There’s also a massive, interconnected rail system with both high-speed and overnight trains. And if you’re in the Schengen Area, there are no border controls so it’s super easy to travel between countries.

On a smaller scale, European cities have amazing public transportation that is fast, safe, and affordable. You don’t need a car here and can get pretty much anywhere using public transportation.

Location – You can reach Europe from the USA in as little as a five-hour flight. From here, you can fly directly to every continent. It’s a super convenient hub for those looking to travel long term with plans to visit other continents.

Climate – Europe has bustling beaches and snowy ski towns. You can see the Northern Lights up in Lapland or skip the winter entirely in the Greek Islands. It’s an amazing year-round destination offering tons of flexibility to digital nomads.

Language – English is widely spoken in much of Europe. While it’s always a good idea to try and learn as much of the local language as possible, being able to fall back on English when you’ve just arrived can be super helpful.
 

Things to Consider When Picking a Destination in Europe

Internet and Data Connectivity
If you’re working online, reliable Wi-Fi is vital. When booking accommodation, always check the reviews for comments about the Wi-Fi. If there is nothing mentioned, email the hotel/hostel/Airbnb and ask them for specific Wi-Fi speeds. There’s nothing worse than having slow internet when you’re trying to work!

Additionally, check to see if there are co-working space (or at least cafes) nearby so you can get out of the house, network, and see some of your destination instead of just working inside your accommodation all day.

Since you won’t be spending all day in the apartment and want to make the most of the digital nomad experience in Europe, it’s essential to have a reliable data plan to stay connected. This will allow you to safely explore places, check for local recommendations, make reservations, and use social media on the go.

The easiest and most modern way to stay connected is by acquiring an international eSIM card. It provides digital data access throughout your entire trip, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards. By using the Holafly eSIM for Europe, you’ll enjoy coverage in over 30 countries with unlimited data and a local number. With just one payment, you can seamlessly travel from one country to another without hassle. This solution will automatically save you time and money while reducing stress, thanks to their easy installation process.

Cost of Living
Europe has cities that run the gamut from super cheap to super expensive. There’s a world of difference between the cost of living in, say, Reykjavik, Iceland versus the cost of living in Krakow, Poland. That’s not to say you have to stick to cheap, affordable cities but rather that you need to budget accordingly. Maybe that means staying a few weeks in an expensive destination and then a few months in a cheaper one to balance things out.

Everyone’s budget is going to be different, but just make sure that you factor in the cost of living when planning where to go. Rent/accommodation, food, activities, and transportation all add up. Make sure you don’t go broke by researching costs before you arrive.

Community
Working remotely as a digital nomad offers a lot of freedom. But it can also be lonely. Make sure that the destinations you pick allow you to get out and meet people from time to time. Whether that’s at coworking space or using apps like Meetup.com or Couchsurfing’s Hangouts, it’s important to get away from the laptop regularly.

Moreover, if you’re running a business from your laptop then it’s important to also network with people in your industry in person. Make sure you pick a destination where that’s possible.

Activities
Finding a work/life balance is tricky. But it’s also vital. Burn out is common for people who travel full-time, and it’s also common for remote workers since there is no hard end to your day. To avoid burning the candle at both ends, make sure you schedule lots of time to sightsee and actually explore the destination you’re in. That means you want to visit destinations with lots of things to see and do. Walking tours, food tours, pub crawls, museums. Whatever you’re into, make sure the places you visit have things you actually want to see and do outside of work. It will make finding that work/life balance all the easier.

Transportation
Working from some remote island may sound relaxing, but if you have to buy an expensive flight each and every time you want to travel or go home to visit family, you’re going to break the bank sooner rather than later. When deciding where to go, consider how easy (and affordable) it is to get there. While Europe has plenty of trains and cheap airlines, some regions are more expensive to visit than others. Plan ahead so you can avoid blowing your budget on pricey flights or trains.
 

How to Stay Connected in Europe

The Internet in Europe is fast and readily available. Free Wi-Fi is available all around the continent, though having your own mobile data is a must. I visit Europe every year and I always make sure I have mobile data. It’s a must for using Google Maps, Google Translate, calling Ubers, and booking activities on the go.

And while Europe is super safe, having mobile data and the ability to make calls can be super helpful in an emergency.

The best way to access mobile data in Europe, as mentioned earlier, is through an international eSIM. It’s faster, more cost-effective, and easier to use than purchasing physical SIM cards. The installation and activation process is also very straightforward, and I’ll share the steps with you.

How to Get an International eSIM

1. Go to Holafly and search for the Europe plan.
2. Specify the number of days you’ll be staying. You have the flexibility to choose from 5 to 90 days (which is perfect for long trips as it will cost less than $1 per day).
3. If you have questions, contact support. Their support is available 24/7, which is super helpful in case something occurs before or during your trip.

How to Install your eSIM

1. First, verify that your phone has eSIM compatibility.
2. Next, buy the eSIM you want (as outlined above).
3. Once you place your order, you’ll get an email with a QR code. Scan that with your phone to finish the process. If there is an issue with the QR code setup, manual instructions are also emailed with your purchase.

Be sure to activate your eSIM on your phone before your next adventure. You’ll have data as soon as you land, ready to fully explore the beauty of Europe.
 

The Best Digital Nomad Cities in Europe

While you can pretty much work from anywhere in Europe, owing to the prevalence of reliable internet, some cities are better than others. Here’s a list of the best destinations in Europe for digital nomads:

1. Berlin, Germany – Berlin has been Europe’s primary digital nomad and freelancer hub for years. It’s a super cool, progressive city that provides easy access to the rest of
Europe. It’s safe, has efficient transportation, and has tons of things to see and do. If you want to live in a big city, this is likely your best choice.

2. Lisbon, Portugal – I fell in love with Lisbon the moment I arrived. While it’s become more popular with tourists in recent years, it’s the perfect choice for digital nomads who want to stay in Europe during the winter but don’t want to embrace the continent’s colder climates. You’ll find marvelous food, music, dance, lots of co-working spaces, and tons of creatives and entrepreneurs. If you love Portugal but want to stay somewhere smaller, try Lagos instead.

3. Budapest, Hungary – Budapest is one of the most underrated cities in Europe. It’s super affordable, there’s lots of cool museums, the food is hearty and delicious, and the nightlife is unrivaled. The ruin bars here are some of the coolest bars in the world. There are also plenty of spas that are actually very affordable. You get a lot of value here.

4. Tallinn, Estonia – Tallinn is like a more affordable version of Prague. It’s just as beautiful but costs way less and is way less crowded. They are very tech friendly here (it has the most tech start-ups per capita in Europe) and have a visa specifically designed for remote workers. It’s just a short ride from Helsinki, Finland and Riga, Latvia too, offering access to some of Europe’s most overlooked capitals.

5. Tbilisi, Georgia – Georgia is an up-and-coming backpacker and digital nomad hub. It doesn’t get a lot of visitors, but the people who do visit love it (myself included). Tbilisi has a young vibe and English is widely spoken, and the cost of living is low too. The food here is amazing and cheap, and there are plenty of coworking spaces here so it’s super easy to network and meet people. It’s a very friendly, welcoming country.

These are just a few of the best digital nomad hubs in Europe. There are tons of other amazing destinations all around the continent that offer affordability, reliable infrastructure, community, and more!
 

12 Budget Tips for Europe

While every country (and region) around Europe will be different, here are a few budget tips to help you keep you from breaking the bank:

1. Picnic – Europe is brimming with small shops where you can buy pre-made sandwiches or ingredients to make your own. Instead of eating out, grab some food and picnic. There are tons of greenspace and plenty of parks in every major city where you can picnic. It’s something you’ll see the locals do whenever the weather is nice.

2. Eat cheap – If you do want to eat out, stick to sandwich shops, pizza, kebab stalls, and outdoor street vendors. These places are cheap no matter where you go. You can usually find cheap eats for as little as 2-5 EUR.

3. Stay with a local – Hostels/Hotels/Airbnbs add up quickly. If you’re on a budget, stay with a local via Couchsurfing. It’s a great way to connect with a local who can share their insider tips and advice.

4. Take the bus – If you’re traveling around the continent, use Flixbus. They have routes all around Europe with prices starting at just 5 EUR. It’s not fancy, but they can get you pretty much anywhere in Europe!

5. Get a Rail Pass – If you’re going to be bouncing around Europe, consider getting a Eurail Pass. If you are traveling far distances and through many countries, they can save you a fortune.

6. Take the free city tours – Free walking tours can be found in pretty much every major city in Europe. They’re the perfect way to see the main sights of a city while connecting with a local guide that can share their tips and suggestions.

7. Fly cheap – Wizz and Ryanair are two of the cheapest airlines in Europe. If you’re flexible and book early, you can find flights around Europe for as little as 10 EUR!

8. Pack light – Budget airlines charge extra for luggage. If you’re going to be flying around Europe during your trip, travel carry-on only. You’ll not only save money on luggage fees but you’ll save time since you won’t have to wait for your baggage when you arrive. You’ll avoid getting your bag lost too!

9. Hitchhike – If you’re an intrepid digital nomad, hitchhiking around Europe is definitely an option. In many countries, hitchhiking is perfectly safe. It might take you a while to find a ride, but if you’re patient and flexible it’s an amazing way to meet people as you travel. Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Romania are all countries where it’s easy (and common) to hitchhike. Check out Hitchwiki for more info.

10. Avoid popular cities in the summer – Summers in European cities are energetic and beautiful but they’re also crowded and expensive. If you’re here in the summer, avoid the big tourist hubs (London, Paris, Barcelona, etc.) and head to smaller cities. You’ll find things less crowded and less expensive.

11. Head east – Eastern Europe has everything you’ll find in Western Europe but for a fraction of the price. Poland, Albania and the Balkans, Romania, and Georgia all have everything you’ll need as a digital nomad and are much cheaper than countries in Western Europe.

12. Bring a water bottle – The tap water is safe to drink in most of Europe, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
 

Do You Need a Visa to Visit Europe as a Digital Nomad?

While many tourists can visit Europe visa-free, if you’re going to be working during your stay, you need to apply for a visa in advance.

Often digital nomads will enter Europe on a tourist visa and then work without informing immigration. This is illegal and can lead to you being deported and banned from entering Europe in the future. For that reason, you’re going to want to apply for the proper visa if you’re going to be visiting Europe long-term and working as a digital nomad.

Fortunately, more and more countries are creating visas specifically for digital nomads and freelancers. Schengen countries that offer freelancer or remote worker visas include:

• Croatia
• Czechia
• Estonia
• Germany (the most popular destination)
• Greece
• Hungary
• Malta
• Portugal

You’ll need, among many other things, to prove that you have an income to get this visa. The exact amount varies between countries, but it’s at least 2,000 EUR per month (some destinations require you to have savings instead, upwards of 10,000 EUR).

There are also some non-Schengen countries that have visas. They include:

• Georgia
• Iceland
• Romania

Most of these visas follow a similar format: apply, pay a fee, submit proof that your business can stay afloat, then wait to be accepted. However, some have more stringent requirements. You’ll need to check with each country’s embassy for complete details.

Europe is an amazing destination for digital nomads. I visit every year and never get tired of its charm. With incredible sights, stunning landscapes, and a massive variety of cuisines and cultures, it’s impossible to get bored here. Just make sure to plan ahead when it comes to staying connected.

By doing your research and getting an international eSIM, you can ensure you stay productive, keep in touch with friend and family back home, and have the tools you need to make the most out of your experience!

Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

My detailed 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel while in Europe. It has suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.

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The post How to Be a Digital Nomad in Europe appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Staying safe on the road is a top concern for….well, everyone. No one wants to get scammed, hurt, or sick on the road. No one wants to get robbed.

And, when you are going somewhere you have never been before, it’s normal be cautious. You don’t know what to expect or how to play it safe. There’s a lot of unknowns.

While every country in the world is different, there’s some standard practices and common rules you can use to stay safe when you travel. Some of these rules are common sense, some were sadly learned from first hand experience!

Here are my 10 safety tips to ensure everything goes smoothly when you travel:

1. Learn about common scams

While scams are rare, they are out there, waiting for unwitting travelers to stumble into them. Most will only cost you a few bucks and a bit of embarrassment, but others can fleece you. Be sure to read up on your destination to see if there are any common scams to be aware of.

On my first trip to Thailand I was scammed multiple times on my first day. It was just a few bucks, fortunately, but it was still awkward and unpleasant. Since that trip, I’ve always made sure to be vigilant and research scams before I travel.

Common travel scams include taxis not using their meter because it’s “broken,” people trying to rope you into signing a petition (and then demanding a donation), or people selling fake (or overpriced) tickets to attractions.

Review this list of common scams before you go so that you’re ready for whatever is thrown your way.

2. Buy travel insurance

One of the very first things I do once I book a trip is buy travel insurance. I know, it’s not a fun part of travel planning and it’s a boring thing to read (and write) about. But buying insurance early guarantees I’m covered in case I need to cancel my trip, if my flight is canceled or delayed, and much more.

For just over a dollar per day you get peace of mind, knowing that, should something go wrong, you won’t have to deal with it (or pay for it) alone.

I never leave home without travel insurance. You shouldn’t either.

If you’re on a budget, SafetyWing is my go-to company for affordable plans.

If you’re really concerned and want someone to call in an emergency, check out Medjet.

Medjet has a security response membership, MedjetHorizon, with 24/7 security teams ready to help (and extract you if necessary). It can also get you moved home if you’re hospitalized. Most travel insurance plans just move you to the nearest hospital, but Medjet will get you to your preferred facility in your home country, no questions asked.

If you want to learn more, you can read my complete review of Medjet here.

You can get a Medjet quote here (there are super affordable short-term and annual memberships).

For more information on travel insurance, here’s a list of all my recommended travel insurance companies.

3. Know what your insurance will and will not do

Before you leave home, read over your insurance policy again. Every company is different, so it’s good to know exactly what is and is not covered.

For example, many travelers think that if they break their leg abroad, their insurance company’s medical evacuation benefits will get them home. That’s not always the case. Chances are, they will only get you to the “nearest acceptable facility” and make sure that you’re treated there. You’ll then be on your own to get home.

For security threats and natural disasters, insurance companies generally require what’s called a “hard trigger” before they can or will assist you. That means the government must declare an emergency or evacuation order. If that doesn’t happen, you will be expected to get home yourself, even if the situation is dire (and even if it costs thousands of dollars).

That’s why I always suggest Medjet to travelers who want to be sure they get home no matter what. It’s the ultimate in security and crisis response. There’s a 24/7 crisis line that can respond to a wider range of safety threats without the need for a hard trigger.

4. Save your emergency contacts

Once you have travel insurance, save the contact number in your phone. Save the emergency contact email in your inbox too. That way, you can find it quickly if you have a question or need assistance.

If you think you might not have Wi-Fi or cell phone service during your trip, write the number down in your phone on a notes app just to be safe. You might also want to keep a physical copy of both in your wallet too, just in case something happens to your phone.

Be sure to also email yourself copies of all your important documents, such as your passport and license, in case you lose your wallet. Having printed copies of them isn’t a bad idea either.

5. Prepare a Google Map

Once you’ve booked your accommodation, save it on Google Maps. That way, you can find your accommodation should you get lost and need to show the address to a driver. You might want to also take a physical business card from your accommodation once you arrive (it will have the address and contact info on it, which might come in handy).

Additionally, save other important destinations on your Google Map, such as the nearest hospital, pharmacy, grocery store, and embassy/consulate. If you feel comfortable doing so with a trusted person at home, you can also share your location through Google Maps. For many people, especially solo travelers, this provides peace of mind, knowing that someone in the world knows their whereabouts.

6. Download the Safe Traveler App

Once you’ve decided where to go (and if you’re from the US), sign up for the S.T.E.P. program. It alerts local embassies that you’re in the area in case a situation arises. Next, download the State Department’s Safe Traveler app. You just punch in the destinations you want to visit, and it will send push alerts to your smartphone regarding any important security concerns. That way, you’ll be forewarned should anything happen that you should be aware of.

7. Follow embassies on Twitter

If you use Twitter, follow your country’s embassy in the destination country. It will not only mention important local events and holidays but, should a situation arise, also publish updates and information there. Make sure you turn your notifications on so you don’t miss anything important.

Following local news companies on twitter is also a good idea, especially if there is a local english-speaking website that has a Twitter account. That way, you definitely won’t miss any important happenings.

8. Separate your cash and cards

When traveling, don’t keep all your cash and cards in one place. Keep some in your wallet, some in your day bag, and some in your accommodation. That way, if you lose your wallet or if your bag is stolen you still have cash and cards to fall back on.

It’s not uncommon for banks to cancel or put a hold on a credit card while you’re abroad either, so bring more than one just to be safe.

9. Ask locals for advice

When you check into a hotel or Airbnb, ask if they have any safety advice to share. Are there neighborhoods worth avoiding? Are there any scams they think you might encounter? Maybe some areas are safe during the day but not at night. Ask for input from locals; they’re in the best position to help.

That said, it never hurts to get a second opinion. Some locals might consider an area unsafe, while others don’t. Be sure to shop around for advice so you can avoid any biases. Travel is subjective, after all, so the more opinions you can get, the better.

10. Don’t share too much information

If you’re posting on social media, don’t post in real time. Wait a couple hours and then post. That way, would-be criminals can’t use that information to get your location and rob you or stalk you (this is especially important for solo female travelers).

Moreover, don’t give away too much info to random strangers. Avoid sharing your hotel name, and, if possible, avoiding telling people it’s your first time visiting the city/country as they may use that as an invitation to try and rip you off.

It may seem like the world is a dangerous place, with trouble lurking around every corner, but that’s only because fear sells. I’ve been traveling for over 15 years, and 99% of the time, things go smoothly.

But for the remaining 1% of experiences, it’s best to be prepared. By arming yourself with knowledge before you go and ensuring you have comprehensive insurance and safety coverage, you’ll be able to travel with confidence, knowing that you’re ready for whatever the road throws your way.

The post 10 Travel Safety Tips to Help You Stay Safe Abroad appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

As travelers of the world, we have a unique opportunity to break down barriers, foster cultural exchange, and create a positive impact on communities around the world. We can banish stereotypes of our own cultures, stimulate the local economy, and bring fresh ideas and perspectives.

Travel can be a life-changing experience — not only for the destination you are visiting but also for yourself. It helps us walk away a better version of ourselves and with a better understanding of the world.

Yet too often, travelers become the worst versions of themselves — throwing up on streets, being obnoxious to locals, demanding that places conform to their needs, contributing to waste and overtourism, and ignoring local customs.

Too many travelers treat destinations as their personal hedonistic plaything.

Therefore, in order to foster positive social exchange, get the most out of travel, and be awesome, I say that we travelers take the following pledge so we can be the kind of people other travelers want to know and locals don’t hate, as well as better for it:

1. I will read about where I’m going before I get there.

2. I will be respectful of local cultures and customs.

3. I will learn some phrases in the local language.

4. I will try one thing I’m afraid of.

5. I will not turn cheapness into a competition, since travel is not a race to the bottom.

6. I will eat the local food.

7. I will not haggle over less than a dollar.

8. I will not be a loud, obnoxious traveler that demands that locals conform to my values.

9. I will have patience.

10. I will be humble.

11. I will have no regrets about partying until dawn, but I will be respectful of my hostel dorm mates and their sleep.

12. I will learn to hold my liquor. If not, I will limit my intake.

13. I will understand that traveling is not an excuse to give up on personal hygiene.

14. I will not ask fellow travelers the same questions over and over again; instead, will get to know them beyond where they are going, where they’ve been, and how long they are traveling for.

15. I will not turn travel into a competition, since it is a personal experience.

16. I will not tell people how many places I’ve been – because no one cares.

17. I will not whine about how a destination was so much better ten years ago, nor will I listen to those who do. Because who cares? All you have is now. You can’t go back to the past.

18. I will not judge people on how often they return to a destination.

19. I will not be a smugly superior backpacker and judge others for how they travel.

20. I will not judge people for not packing light or eating comfort food when they feel homesick.

21. I will remember to get off Facebook, put my camera down, and enjoy the moment.

22. I will travel slow.

23. I will have no regrets about changing plans at the last minute.

24. I will go in any direction my heart desires and follow my wanderlust.

25. I will remember that this is a privilege.

26. I will not decide if I love or hate an entire country within a few hours of being there and interacting with a handful of people.

27. I will not drink and drive. Even on a motorbike. Even in Southeast Asia. Even if everyone else is doing it. Because I value my life and the lives of others and I’m not an idiot.

28. I will be respectful of the environment and limit my plastic consumption.

29. I will not ride animals nor visit an animal experience that involves petting or touching that exists solely for tourist purposes.

30. I will be grateful for every stupid, amazing, unexpected, breathtaking moment on the road and all the wonderful people who enrich my life.

We all have our own interests, preferences, and desires. But as we start the new year, let’s all make a commitment to be better travelers. Let’s be respectful, curious, and supportive. Let’s be the best versions of ourselves as we hit the road and experience everything this world has to offer.
 

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!

The post A Traveler’s Manifesto: 30 Travel Rules to Live By appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Planning a trip can be stressful.

Where do you start?

What’s step one? What’s step two? Will everything work out OK? Is there a best route to take? How figure out what to do? What do you book first?

There’s a lot to think about, especially if you’re going for a really long trip.

Taking time off and traveling around the world is a big life change, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Multi-month trips don’t just happen. There’s a lot of planning that is needed to make your dream a reality.

And that endless list to do can feel overwhelming sometimes.

So how do you manage to stop feeling overwhelmed?

It’s not as hard as you think — and I’ve developed a unique four-step process to help (patent pending):

First, buy your plane ticket to where you want to go first. (Not sure where you want to start? Simple. Start where the airfare is the cheapest.) All you need is the first flight.

Second, turn off the computer and stop visiting 93,754,302,948,320 websites about travel (except for mine — you should always read mine!). You’ll suffer from information overload if you don’t.

Third, go out with your friends and celebrate the start date of your trip.

Fourth, smile.

There – that’s it. You bought your plane ticket. You’re going. There’s no turning back. There’s no need to worry anymore. All other planning is secondary.

I once heard at an industry event that people will look at up to 20 websites over the course of 40 hours as they plan a two week vacation. That’s insane. You don’t need to do that much research.

No wonder I get so many emails from people saying “Matt, I feel like I’m in over my head.”

Information is power, but in our information-overload society, too much information leave us conflicted and powerless.

I understand you might be feeling a lot of anxiety planning your trip since you want to make sure everything goes right. I remember what it was like when I was planning my first trip. I had every guidebook under the sun in my room. I created spreadsheets. I researched everything. I had multiple itineraries drawn up. I had lists upon lists. I was constantly worried about having “the perfect trip.”

I’ve been there but I can tell you from years of experience that the more you plan your trip, the more anxiety you will face. You’re going to overwhelm yourself with so much information that you’re going to do nothing but stress over it.

Planning gives you a sense of ownership over your trip. There’s joy in that. It’s one of the best parts about travel.

But overplanning will lead to stress and I can tell you that, once you hit the road, all your plans will change anyway.

Someone will tell you about a new destination and you’ll race off there instead of going to Amsterdam.

You’ll wander the streets and into unexpected restaurants.

You’ll meet a group of people who will convince you to stay on that tropical island with them just a little longer.

All you should have when you leave is a general idea of what direction you want to go and plan your first few stops. After that, just let the wind take you.

(This rule applies even if you are just are taking a short trip. Come up with a few things you want to see each day and then just let the rest of the day fill itself in. Go with the flow!)

In 2006, my first itinerary through Europe was supposed to look like this:

Oslo –> Prague –> Milan –> Florence –> Rome –> Naples –> Corfu –> Metorea –> Athens –> Greek Islands –> Athens

But it ended up like this:

Oslo –> Prague –> Milan –> Florence –> Rome –> Venice –> Vienna –> Amsterdam –> Costa del Sol -> Barcelona -> Amsterdam –> Athens

Almost nothing worked out as I had planned. It worked out better. Cooler, more interesting things and people pulled me in a different direction.

A recent trip to Southeast Asia was completely changed when a friend said “Want to come meet me in Chiang Mai?”

Instead of flying to Bangkok, I ended up in Chiang Mai and then onward to Laos!

I have rarely ever kept my original plans. I don’t know many travelers who have.

After you’ve booked your flight, come up with a list of everything you need to do before you go (it won’t be as long as you think):

• Buy your backpack
• Purchase travel insurance
• Get your visas (if needed)
• Get new bank cards
• Book your hostel
• Cancel your cable (and other bills)

That’s the bulk of it — and most of this stuff can be done a few months before you go.

Go down your list.

Check.

Check.

Check.

Buy a book or two to pick up some general knowledge on how to travel and prepare for your trip.

Read a guidebook and get a good idea about where you’re going.

Develop a general plan and then fill in the details along the way.

Relax.

Breathe.

Everything will work itself out.

And, when it does, you’ll wonder why you stressed so much in the beginning.
 

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!

The post How NOT to Feel Overwhelmed appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I love trip planning. Reading about a destination, learning its history, and discovering all the cool things to see and do (and eat) is one of the many things I like about traveling.

When I first started backpacking, planning a budget trip was a challenge because you could only really rely on out-of-date guide books or questionable online forums.

These days, however, it’s never been easier to fill out an itinerary. Researching activities, reading reviews and booking excursions can be done months in advance from the comfort of home or as a last-minute decision if you like to travel spontaneously.

One of the websites I use a lot when I travel is GetYourGuide.

GetYourGuide is a marketplace for tours, activities, and excursions. It has everything from skip-the-line museum tickets and walking tours to winery tours and adventure activities — and everything in-between. That includes major “must-see” sights as well as off-the-beaten-path activities too.

Here’s everything you need to know about GYG to help you plan your next trip, have fun, and save money!

What Kind of Activities Does GetYourGuide Offer?

GetYourGuide has a ton of activities in destinations all around the world, but they usually break down into a few different categories:

Tickets – GYG sells tickets to museums, galleries, theme parks, and everything in between. These are often skip-the-line tickets, which are super helpful if you’re visiting a busy attraction.

Public tours – This is what most activities are, including walking tours, guided hikes, whale watching excursions, vineyard trips, etc. You pay a fee and join a small group of fellow travelers.

Private tours – From private walking tours to private guided hikes, if you have a larger budget (or are traveling with a small group), you can find all kinds of guides here that offer more exclusive activities.

Day trips – If you’re staying in a large city, you’ll find countless day trips (and even multi-day trips) further afield. These can be to national parks, wineries, beaches, and more. They usually include transportation to and from your accommodation as well as a meal.

Transportation – Airport transfers, private drivers, and public transportation passes can all be found on GYG.

For most activities, GYG is promoting a local operator. They’re just the middleman helping facilitate your planning. However, they also have their own “Originals” experiences that are created in partnership with a local operator and are only available to book on GYG. Originals experiences include Turning the Lights on at the Vatican Museums, Wine Tasting in the Eiffel Tower, and an exclusive before-hours tour of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.

My Experience Using Get Your Guide

I’ve used GetYourGuide in a few different destinations on my travels because they’re an easy place to find tours. I booked an awesome food tour in Bologna, another wine tour in Bologna (where the guy was just starting his company so I gave him some tips on how to succeed), and a day trip around the countryside in Slovenia.

Like most travel search engines, what’s great about GYG is that everything is in one place. This is especially important for experiences because most big cities have tons of tour operators. That means that if you’re searching just via Google, you’ll probably miss a lot.

So, I like that GYG puts everything in one place for me so I can bounce around and compare activities prices, durations, and more — all from one website/app.

I plan on using GYG on my upcoming trip to Japan as there are a ton of cool activities and tours available, from tea ceremonies in Kyoto to watching sumo training sessions in Tokyo to trying traditional Japanese archery in Hiroshima.

So, Is GYG Worth Using?

If you’re looking to simplify your travel planning and find cool activities for your next trip, GYG is a great place to start. You can not only find fun excursions and tours but you’ll be able to read reviews and compare prices to see if those activities meet your needs. It’s a simple, easy-to-use website and app that can really add depth to your travels.

And not only do they run their own unique tours and activities but they are a reseller for thousands of others. That means that you’re booking with local companies, ensuring most of the money you spend is staying in the community.

Whether you like to plan your trips in advance or stumble into new activities on the fly, GetYourGuide is a helpful website and app that can ensure you make the most of your time abroad. Foodies, history buffs, nightowls, backpackers, adrenaline junkies — GYG offers unique activities for every travel style and budget, allowing you to dive deeper into your destination, connect with local guides and other travelers, and have more unique experiences.

The post Get Your Guide Review: Is It Actually Worth Using? appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Traveling the world is like becoming a child all over again. You don’t know what to do, where to go, or how to function.

How do you stay safe?

How do you get around?

How do you communicate?

What are the cultural norms you have to follow?

In each destination, you start from scratch and have to relearn how to do the most basic of life skills.

You have to rely on the kindness of strangers. Without them to guide and teach you, you’d be lost. From locals who give you rides to people who help you when you get hurt to those who just tell you where to go or invite you into their homes, you need their guidance and assistance the same way a child needs an adult’s.

Every day on the road, you are learning what to do for the first time and how you have to rely on other people — just like a child.

Sure, this constant relearning is one of the tiresome aspects of travel. It’s a lot of mental work to constantly figure out whom to trust, how to behave, and how to get around. It is why long-term travelers always eventually slow down (and why people who travel too fast burn out). After a while, you just can’t be doing this every day. Your mental energy gets depleted. The brain burns out.

But it’s through this process that you really grow up. You come to understand the world the same way you grew to understand your hometown.

First, you get to learn how different countries operate. As the quote by Henry Rollings says, “A great way to learn about your country is to leave it.” By repeatedly seeing how other places operate, you get a sense of what your home country does right — and wrong.

It also gives you an infinite number of chances to improve yourself and how you do things.

We live the majority of our lives on autopilot. We get up, we go to work, we run errands, we watch Netflix — and then we do it all over again the next day. We know where to eat, where to shop, how to get around, and what places to avoid. We know the exact route to get to the grocery store and we’ve done it so many times that we just can kind of zone out on the way there as we think about the million other things we have to do.

In our day-to-day lives, we follow routines. Our minds don’t constantly need to do “the work” of figuring out how to live.

And any book on psychology will tell you how important that is to function as an adult. We need routine because we only have so much bandwidth per day to make decisions. Routines allow our brains to work better and focus on more important tasks. Without auto-pilot, we couldn’t function.

But, on the road, you have no routines. Every place and situation is new. Everything you do requires active decision making.

Think about just finding somewhere to eat. In a new destination, if and when you find a restaurant, you don’t know what to order, what’s good, what’s bad. All of it is a mystery. Every time you want to have a meal, you have to decide: Does that place look sketchy? Am I going to like that food?

It’s exhausting.

But relearning how to decide where to eat, over and over again, helps you improve those processes. In this case, you get to know the universal clues on what makes a restaurant good. You learn how to eat alone. You learn what you like.

Whether it’s finding something to eat, ascertaining how to get around, figuring out how to locate information, or learning to trust people, I think because we travelers have to do it so much, we develop enough different mental pathways that we become better at decision making in general than most people. We just have more experience.

The same is true in dealing with people. Because language isn’t universal, I have to figure out every day how to communicate with people who don’t understand me (and vice versa).

But in doing that so many times, I’ve gotten better at reading people than I would have if I had only ever encountered those who live in my hometown. That constant, taxing work — while draining — has produced dividends over a lifetime by being better able to communicate and interact with and understand a variety of people.

And in the end, all this work makes you a more independent, confident, and mature person. You grow up with a better sense of who you are, what you want, and how the world functions.

Traveling may be a lot of work. It may be mentally taxing. And it may make you feel like you’ve regressed as an adult as you wander helplessly from destination to destination. But, in the end, all that rewiring makes you a better person.

The post A Quick Thought on The Nature of Travel appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I love trip planning: reading books, researching routes, hunting for flights. Those are the fun parts of trip planning because they get you excited for your upcoming travels.

But there is one vital component of trip planning that is far less enjoyable: researching travel insurance.

As boring as it is, it’s one of the most important (and most overlooked) steps for any traveler.

We all know it’s no fun to be unprepared when life throws unexpected curveballs at you. That’s especially true if you’re abroad when it happens.

Over the past 17 years of backpacking the world, I’ve had all kinds of unexpected situations arise, from minor inconveniences like delayed and canceled flights to getting stabbed in Colombia.

While bad things don’t happen often on the road, they can — and do — happen. And as unpleasant as they are to think about, it’s important to be prepared for those situations.

That’s where travel insurance comes in. For just a few dollars per day, you not only get coverage for emergencies but peace of mind, allowing you to travel confidently and without worry.

While I’ve talked about my favorite travel insurance companies before, today I’d like to delve into a slightly different kind of travel insurance: medical evacuation coverage.

This type of policy kicks in when the worst happens and you need emergency medical evacuation while traveling.

You fall and break your leg on a remote mountain. A sudden natural disaster affects the tropical island you’re visiting. Political turmoil overwhelms the country you’re in. These are all situations when an evacuation might be required.

Yet not all travel insurance companies handle them equally — and many companies won’t actually evacuate you all the way home, but rather to the nearest “acceptable” location.

There is one company, however, that guarantees you get home every time: Medjet.

Medjet is a membership service offering medical transportation that ensures you get all the way home should disaster strike.

But what is a “membership service?” And how do you guarantee you get home should something happen?

In this review, I’ll go over what exactly the company offers, the pros and cons of using it, and its COVID policy to help you decide if Medjet is for you and your trip, budget, and travel style.

Do you even need medical evacuation coverage?

First off, you’re probably wondering whether you even need medical evacuation coverage. To many, it sounds like overkill. Odds are you’ll be fine, right?

Sure.

Yet each and every year, over 10 million travelers are hospitalized abroad — and 2 million of them require medical transport.

Contrary to popular belief, travel insurance companies like World Nomads or SafetyWing don’t offer much when it comes to emergency evacuation. This isn’t through any failings on the part of these companies (they’re great, and I never leave home without travel insurance). It’s just that they’re focused on comprehensive trip coverage, and there are limitations to what that includes.

Most travel insurance companies simply transport you to the nearest acceptable facility — which might not be very acceptable at all (though it’s still better than nothing).

I learned this firsthand when I got stabbed in Colombia and went to the nearest medical facility. While I did get basic medical care, some of what I experienced there was a bit concerning. It was also challenging to navigate the situation with the little Spanish that I knew, so I quickly headed home to receive more comprehensive care.

In short, you don’t think you need medical evacuation coverage until you do.

So, what is Medjet?

Medjet is the answer to getting home. The company is careful and quick to point out that it’s not an insurance company but rather a membership program.

If you’re hospitalized 150 miles or more from home, Medjet arranges and pays all costs for medical transfer to a hospital that you choose within your home country. Again, this is different from other travel insurance policies, under which you cannot choose where you end up (and you aren’t even guaranteed to end up in your home country!).

Additionally, Medjet does not require the transport to be medically necessary. For most medical transfers, you’re only moved if the facility that you’re currently at cannot provide adequate care. With Medjet, even if you are in a facility that can take care of you but you want to go home or to a different facility, Medjet will transport you.

In short, Medjet is a white-glove medical transport service for travelers who want care above and beyond what is typically offered by travel insurance companies.

What does Medjet cover?

Since they focus solely on medical evacuation, Medjet’s coverage is pretty straightforward.

Its base plan is called MedjetAssist, which provides comprehensive coverage and everything that most travelers will need. As long as your attending doctor determines it is safe for you to be transported, Medjet covers your transfer to the facility of your choice in your home country. It also covers transportation for one travel companion.

If you’d like expanded coverage, you can opt for the MedjetHorizon plan, which includes an emergency medical cash advance (some foreign hospitals demand cash payments upfront), and medical transfer if you’re under 150 miles from home but your local hospital isn’t capable of treating you. MedjetHorizon also includes security and crisis responses, such as in the case of kidnapping, evacuation due to natural disasters, and more.

Here you can see MedjetAssist as compared to MedjetHorizon:

As you can see, MedjetAssist is usually enough for most travelers’ needs, but if you’re concerned about additional security and crisis responses, you can add MedjetHorizon to your policy for additional peace of mind.

In addition, you can choose a variety of options, such as who is covered, length of time, domestic or international coverage, the type of policy (MedjetAssist or MedjetHorizon), and other add-ons.

Here’s an overview of the types of plans that you can choose from:

Once you’ve decided what plan suits your needs, it’s very easy to sign up, with a flowchart to walk you through the process.

Here’s what the sign-up process on the website looks like:

As you can see, a one-year MedjetAssist policy for an individual traveling both internationally and domestically costs just $315 USD. That’s just $0.86 cents per day.

There are also significant volume discounts for longer policies, so you pay less per day on annual and multi-year plans.

Multi-member policies also are quite affordable. For example, an annual family membership for global coverage costs just $425 USD and may include a primary member, a domestic partner or spouse, and up to five dependent children up to age 19 (or up to age 23 for full-time students).

What’s not covered?

Medjet is primarily for medical evacuations, meaning that the plans don’t cover trip cancellations or delays, lost or stolen baggage, or any other minor mishaps that might happen on the road.

This means that in addition to a Medjet membership, you’ll also want to purchase standard travel insurance. You can read about my favorite travel insurance companies for more information and suggestions.

How does Medjet work?

Using Medjet is easy and straightforward — as it should be — since you’d only be using it in an absolute emergency. Once you’re admitted to a hospital abroad, you (or a travel companion) contact Medjet, where staff is available 24/7/365. They then communicate with hospital personnel to determine if you’re stable enough to be transported.

If you’re determined eligible for transfer, Medjet will reach out to your hospital of choice to see if there will be space for you upon arrival. Assuming that’s also a yes, then medical transportation is arranged, and you’re on your way.

Another great thing about Medjet is that one travel companion can come with you on your flight home, at no extra cost to you.

There are no claim forms to fill out after the fact — Medjet handles everything right up front. And Medjet includes COVID-19 coverage, so if you’re hospitalized abroad for COVID-19 and need to be repatriated, Medjet has you covered (with some restrictions).

You can read Medjet’s full COVID policy here for more information.

Pros and cons of Medjet

Pros of Medjet:

• Gets you home (not just to the nearest “acceptable” medical facility)
• Does not require government-issued warnings or medical necessity to initiate evacuation
• Offers global coverage for COVID-19
• Offers coverage for those up to age 74 (with extended coverage for those up to age 84)
• Offers short- and long-term coverage options (8–365 days)
• Has no pre-existing condition exclusions
• Offers language translation assistance
• Has no restrictions on the number of trips (for an annual policy)
• Covers one travel companion’s transportation too

Cons of Medjet:

• Is only available to travelers from North America (US, Canada, Mexico)
• Does not cover trip cancellation, trip delay, or baggage loss
• Is limited to two transports per year
• One cannot start a membership while on a trip
• Does not cover transportation from the site of an accident (strictly hospital-to-hospital transfer)

Who is Medjet for?

Medjet is for anyone who wants to have every base covered while traveling. While Medjet has historically appealed more to travelers aged 55 and over, with so many people stuck abroad during the height of the pandemic, younger travelers are more aware of the benefits of being able to return home if the worst happens.

So, if you don’t want to navigate a foreign medical system if hospitalized abroad, then Medjet is for you, no matter your personal circumstances.

That said, Medjet especially appeals to:

• Travelers who want care that goes above and beyond
• Anyone going to remote regions, politically unstable countries, or places with regular natural disasters (though services may be limited in countries with a US travel advisory of level 3 or 4)
• Travelers who want peace of mind (great for appeasing family members, especially those with college students studying abroad)
• People with pre-existing conditions that are concerned about being hospitalized abroad
• Digital nomads and expats that will be abroad for extended periods of time
• Retired travelers (Medjet covers those up to age 84 with a Diamond membership)
• Motorcyclists taking their own bike on an extended trip (additional coverage will send their bike home in event of an accident)

Want to learn more about Medjet? They joined us for an hour-long conversation about travel safety and travel insurance. It’s full of great tips and info, and you can check it out below:

While standard travel insurance companies cover the basics, sometimes the basics aren’t enough. If an emergency occurs and you want a guarantee that you’ll be sent home — and not to the nearest “acceptable” medical facility — join Medjet.

The plans are affordable and the comprehensive, white-glove service provides extra peace of mind. By supplementing your regular travel insurance with a service like Medjet, you’ll be prepared for whatever the road throws at you, allowing you to travel with confidence. To me, that’s well worth the price.

The post Medjet Review: Why Travelers Need Better Evacuation Coverage appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Before my first trip around the world, I was driving through Boston with my friend Mike. I was talking about how excited I was about my upcoming travel and how I was looking forward to seeing all the changes that would happen in Boston while I was away.

Where would my friends be in life? How would they have changed? What jobs would they have? New hobbies? New relationships? What would the city be like?

The possibilities seemed endless.

“Matt, everything will be exactly how you left it,” he said. “Look, when I studied abroad, I thought the same thing. But in truth, nothing will be different when you come home. Everything and everyone will be the same.”

“A lot can happen in a year, Mike.”

“I’m telling you, Matt,” he continued, “life will be just the way you left it. You’ll see.”

When I came back home eighteen months later, I realized that he had been right. While I had changed, home hadn’t. My friends, now heading into their late twenties, still had the same jobs, were going to the same bars, and were mostly doing the same things. They were still the same people I had left before.

Moreover, Boston itself just felt the same. It had the same vibe as it had had before. There was still construction everywhere, and the restaurants were still the same.

Mike had been right. While I had grown, home felt like it remained frozen in time.

And while I still loved my friends, family, and city, I realized I didn’t fit into Boston anymore. It felt small to me. I had outgrown living there.

However, the worst part was I now had this fire in me that I couldn’t express to anyone I knew. I yearned to try new things, go new places, and meet new people. But my friends couldn’t understand why I was so depressed about being back. They didn’t want to hear about my trip or all the cool things I did while they had commuted to and from work.

To my parents, it was like I was equivocating on my place of birth. To my friends, it felt as if I was now “too cool” for them.

But it wasn’t that.

As Benjamin Button said, “It’s a funny thing about comin’ home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You’ll realize what’s changed is you.”

After the initial excitement of being home wore off, I had become restless. I had post-travel depression.

Returning home is hard and few people address the reality that it’s often an anticlimactic end to a life-changing experience.

After a year of mind-blowing adventures, you‘re back where you started — sitting on a couch, back in your apartment or your old bedroom, bored, anxious, and jittery. Your friends don’t understand the new you, don’t want to hear your stories, or don’t get why you feel so uncomfortable.

“What? You don’t like it here anymore?” they’ll ask.

But it’s not that you don’t like it.

It’s just that you went from 100 to 0 faster than you can process.

You feel as if you came back to the exact spot you left. You’ve gone from backpacking the world and trekking in jungles to sitting in a cubicle. One minute you’re your dream you, the next you’re the old one back in an office that yearned to be free. And you feel like you never really escaped your old life after all.

And that’s depressing.

Anyone who has ever traveled the world has felt this.

After you come home, when the initial hugs are hugged out, the stories told (to those who will listen), and the reunions over, many of us find that our true home is being surrounded by the unknown.

Every time a friend comes home from traveling, their first question to me is always, “How do you cope with post-travel depression?”

There is no real cure for the post-trip blues. The only real way to get over post-trip depressions is to stay busy. You talk people online, go to meet-ups, or plan your next trip. Keep that energy you had on the road going. Go out, sightsee in your own town, take road trips, find a hobby…do something.

Because the more you stay still, the worse your depression will be.

But it only ever fades as more time passes. There’s no cure other than time. It’s like getting over a relationship. Sure, you can stay busy but it’s only as time progresses that you slowly begin to move on.

When you were traveling, you viewed every moment as an adventure. View your life back home as one too. Stay busy. Stay active. Try new things. Keep that adventurous, can-do attitude.

When you do that, home will feel a little less suffocating.

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!

The post Post-Vacation Depression: Why It’s Often Hard to Come Home appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

This post was written by Vanessa Van Edwards, bestselling author and behavioral investigator at Science of People. Years ago, she shared her tips on how to be more interesting while traveling. Today, she’s back to talk about using body language cues when you travel.

Many travelers focus on language skills to communicate across cultures. And that’s helpful, but it’s not enough! An even better travel skill is to know how read and speak the universal language of cues.

While researching for my latest book, Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication examines how people use body language gestures to communicate. From tilting your head to showing your open palms, you can demonstrate specific intentions universally.

Here are a few universal cues you can use to communicate intention no matter where you are in the world.
 

1. The Head Tilt

Want to show you are listening, paying attention and engaged? Use a head tilt. This is a universal cue of openness. This is because when we want to hear something better we tilt our head to expose our ear. This also warms up pictures. Take a look at these two photos of the same person. The head tilt instantly warms her up:

• Use a head tilt to show: “I’m listening” or “Tell me more.”

2. Fronting

Fronting is when you angle your body to signal attention. Specifically, we point our three T’s (toes, torso, and top) toward whatever we’re paying attention to. Our physical orientation cues others as to our mental orientation. Fronting is a great cue to know what someone is thinking about.

• When someone is about to leave, they’ll turn their toes toward the exit.
• When two people are having a great discussion, their entire bodies align as if their toes, hips, and shoulders are on parallel lines.
• When someone is hungry, they often front toward the buffet.

You can use fronting to show what you are paying attention to and watch other’s fronting angles to see where their mind is going.
 

3. Eyebrow Raise

When we raise our eyebrows, we signal that we want to see more. It’s as if we want our eyebrows to get out of the way to see something or someone better. The eyebrow raise is a positive social cue. Universally, the eyebrow raise is a sign of acknowledgment. Researchers have found that we also raise our eyebrows to show an intention to communicate. This is because raising our eyebrows increases the distance at which it’s possible for an observer to detect our gaze direction.

This is the fastest way to communicate interest, curiosity, and attention. We can use it as a shortcut in many scenarios. For example:

• When we’re seeking confirmation—we might raise our eyebrows in a soft question: “Does this make sense?”
• When we’re actively listening. Researchers found that an eyebrow raise can be used to demonstrate agreement in conversation.
• When we want to emphasize a point. When you raise your eyebrows, others are cued to pay attention and are more likely to make eye contact with you.

Special Note: The eyebrow raise can also be used to show romantic interest. If you are in a bar or club, only use the eyebrow raise if you have romantic intentions.

4. Distancing

When we don’t like something, we have the urge to physically distance ourselves from it. When we think something is threatening or dangerous, we want to get as far away from it as possible. If you see a sudden distancing behavior beware that you just made someone uncomfortable. Always be on the lookout for sudden distancing behaviors. Like:

• Stepping back.
• Leaning back in a chair.
• Turning your head or body away.
• Scooting back.
• Turning away to check your phone.
• Angling backward.

5. Open Palms

Want to gain trust? Show your open palms to immediately put others at ease. This is because our primitive brains interpret closed hands as potentially brandishing a weapon. Open hands give us more credibility and can be used situationally:

• Use hand gestures that incorporate the open palm during a conversation.
• Extend an arm with an open palm to signal to the other speaker that it’s their turn to talk.
• Instead of pointing with your finger (which can be considered rude in many countries), use your open palm to point in your desired direction.

Pro Tip: Pay attention to a person’s hand gestures! If they are being open and friendly, their hands will generally show open palms.
 

6. The Smile

Smiling is one of the most universal facial expressions that signal friendship and openness. A smile can be used as a greeting and be an invitation to conversation. During a conversation, you can smile to nonverbally encourage the other person to continue speaking.

Pro Tip: How do you spot a genuine smile from a fake one? Look for the characteristic “crow’s feet” on the sides of the eyes, which can often be seen when someone has a big-mouthed smile on their face. When approaching someone or trying to build new relationships while traveling, watch for the real smile versus the fake smile. This can also signal you to positive or negative intentions.

A fake smile is characterized by closed lips and a lack of crow’s feet, and it can indicate someone is just being polite.
 

7. Fidgeting

Fidgeting comes in many different forms, but they are always distracting. Any repetitive behavior can be fidgeting:

• Playing with the hair.
• Picking the fingernails.
• Clicking a pen.
• Bouncing the foot.
• Dangling keys in the hand.

People who fidget generally don’t feel enough stimulus from their environment and seek to create it on their own. Or their inner anxiety makes them have uncontrolled movement. Look for signs of fidgeting if you’re in the midst of a conversation. If you spot it, perhaps it’s time to change the subject or the venue.

If you are a fighter, be aware that this can be distracting to your listener. It also can make you seem nervous — which always puts others off as well.
 

8. Neck Rubbing

When a person rubs their own neck, it’s a self-soothing cue and can mean they are nervous, anxious, or unsure about something. We tend to self-massage ourselves because it provides physical touch—you can think of a neck rub like a mini self-hug.

Other self-soothing cues come in different forms:

• Rubbing the forearm or upper arm.
• Running the hands through the hair.
• Rubbing the hands together.
• Massaging the upper legs.

If you notice one of these cues, take a moment to think about what triggered it. Perhaps they’re unsure of future travel plans. Maybe they feel unfamiliar with a location. Use this information to your advantage!
 

9. Mirroring

Mirroring is when you match a person’s body language cues. This is a great way to build connection because we tend to like people who act similarly to us. Try mirroring the body language cues from someone else:

• Crossing a leg over the knee.
• Nodding when they nod.
• Returning a friendly arm touch.
• Using the same open palm gestures they do.

When mirroring, the key is to be subtle. Overdo it and you risk coming off as unnatural! We have more on mirroring in our body language guide as well.

Pro Tip: You can also mirror verbal language, too! Try repeating unique words a person likes to use: “That was fantastic!” or “I’m doing swell.”
 

10. The Wave

Are you in a new country and not sure how to greet someone? The wave is a universal greeting that can be used in virtually all countries. Waving creates instant trust because the open palms are showing. It’s a great way to instantly signal, “Friend!”

Waving is also an ideal greeting to use if you’re unsure how strangers normally greet each other. It’s ideal to stick to waving at first, but once you know the local culture’s customs, a bow or cheek kiss might be more appropriate depending on your situation!

You can use these universal cues to speak for you – no matter the language or culture. Want to learn all 96 cues? Be sure to check out my latest book Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication.

Vanessa Van Edwards is a behavioral investigator and bestselling author. Over 42 million people have seen her on YouTube and in her viral TED Talk. Her behavior research lab, Science of People, has been featured in Fast Company, Inc., USA Today, and on CNN, CBS, Entrepreneur Magazine and many more. Her much anticipated new book, Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication just released wherever books are sold.
 

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