TRAVEL HEALTH INSURANCE

LONG-TERM TRAVEL: SAFETYWING

People are always asking me what travel insurance they should get when they go fully nomadic—beyond short trips. SafetyWing was developed by digital nomads for digital nomads. There’s no term limit to the SafetyWing plan which is great for people like me who are on the road full-time. After 364 days you may simply re-purchase the SafetyWing coverage. It can also be purchased from anywhere—even if you’ve already started traveling. It’s also available for most nationalities with the exception of Iran, North Korea, and Cuba.

The SafetyWing plan includes access to a highly-qualified global network of doctors and hospitals and emergency medical evacuation. SafetyWing also covers some travel woes which is unusual with other long-term travel insurance plans. SafetyWing has coverage for lost checked baggage, travel delays, travel interruptions, natural disasters, political evacuation, and more. The policy is administered by one of the largest insurance companies in the world—Tokio Marine which has 24/7 customer assistance.

The SafetyWing plan is just $37 for 4 weeks of travel medical coverage (costs go up for the 39+ crowd) in 180 countries. They even cover most motorbike accidents which is unusual for travel insurance. Other awesome bucket-list-worthy things are included too including glacier walking and safaris. Oh, but hot air ballooning as the pilot isn’t included so you best go ahead and be a passenger as you float over the rocky peaks of Cappadocia.

TRANSPORTATION

If you’re flying internationally check rates from Qatar Airways as I find this to be the most comfortable airline for flying from the U.S. or Europe to Asia. Another airline to consider for long-haul flights is Etihad Airlines. For flights around Australia get the best prices on Budget Air.

To book flights, trains, and buses around Southeast Asia with foreign credit cards I always use Baolau or 12Go.Asia for the fairest prices. Both websites are very easy to use and always have a variety of itineraries and price options. Sometimes they have different routes so check both to see which timings are best for your itinerary.

On Bookaway.com you can search, compare, and book ground and sea transportation. The platform offers over 2,500 routes in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe. The website is super easy to use but if you do run into trouble there’s always a friendly customer service person who can help you via 24/7 support chat.

INTERNATIONAL MONEY TRANSFERS

Unfortunately, I’ve had my wallet stolen a few times while traveling and Wise has been a complete lifesaver when I need access to cash from my bank while overseas. I was able to get funds into my Spanish bank account from my American bank account free of charge with my first transaction within three days. Use my Wise link to sign up and make your first transfer of at least £200 and up to £500 completely free of charge!

TRAVEL CREDIT CARD

My favorite travel credit card is the Capital One VentureOne® credit card. No foreign transaction fees and efficient online customer service. Loads of reward-earning potential. Earn unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase. Earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

ACCOMMODATION

Booking.com is my favorite platform to use for hotel reservations as there are no hidden fees, oftentimes no credit card is needed to book, great customer service, and most reservations can be canceled or changed free of charge. Booking.com also has listings for bed and breakfasts, and guesthouses, both of which tend to support locals.

Sign up for Airbnb (or sign up with a new email address) to get $40 off your first stay of $75 or more by using my Airbnb referral link. Airbnb supports locals in the places where you visit and usually offers the most unique accommodation options.

Hostelz.com is the world’s largest free database of hostels and compares rates from booking websites like Hostelworld, Booking, Gomio, and other accommodation sites. Hostelz.com shows the price difference between each site and allows users to book directly through the booking platform that offers the lowest fare. If you’re traveling on a budget then hostels are an excellent choice, especially if you’re traveling solo and keen to meet other travelers to share experiences and explore with.

I’m a firm believer that the best way to learn about the culture and traditions of the places we visit is through locals. Homestays are the most authentic way to truly live like a local as we travel. I find hosts through Homestay.com which has more than 50,000 homestays in 160+ countries. It’s an affordable way to travel too as the average room price per night is $31.

If you seek a skill-acquiring travel experience check out the options on BookYogaRetreats.com, BookYogaTeacherTraining.com, BookDetoxRetreats.com, BookSurfCamps.com, BookMeditationRetreats.com, and BookCulinaryVacation.com.

If you’d like to try out being a digital nomad for a month overseas while working pro bono with a local NGO that fits your high-level skills look no further than Venture With Impact! Receive $50 off when you use the discount code VWIalumniLola. I joined the program in Chiang Mai, Thailand in April 2018.

TOURISM EXPERIENCES

Urban Adventures is part of the Intrepid Group, the world’s largest travel B Corp and global leader in responsible travel. Urban Adventures offers half-day to multi-day trips in almost 100 countries around the globe, all of which are led by locals and crafted in a way to support sustainable tourism. Their collection of In Focus tours works exclusively with NGOs to build authentic travel experiences with grassroots charities.

Lokal Travel is a marketplace for finding and booking unique local excursions. All of their experiences are operated by locally owned businesses that are committed to preserving culture, impacting the environment, and supporting locals. They truly live up to the motto of traveling further. Currently, they have activities in Asia and Latin America. 80% of all booking fees are kept in the local community.

I Like Local boasts that they give travelers the chance to see the real world through their immersive and impactful travel booking platform. Hundreds of off-the-beaten-path experiences are available around the globe from tours, homestays, farm stays, food experiences, and more all offered by locals.

TourRadar offers over 20,000 tours from around the world organized by 500+ local tour operators. TourRadar has a Best Price Guarantee with no hidden booking fees, free cancellation insurance, plus 24/7 customer support.

GetYourGuide offers tours with locals around the world including UNESCO Heritage Sites and world-famous places such as The Vatican and Toledo! They are the world’s largest online platform and offer over 33,000 experiences in over 7,500 places so you’re sure to find a memorable travel adventure that fits your itinerary.

Viator has thousands of tours and activities in hundreds of destinations worldwide, many of which are led by local tour guides. It’s also possible to book mainstream experiences through the platform at competitive rates. Viator is a preferred booking platform for travelers worldwide.

Klook offers thousands of hand-picked travel activities and attractions and is a popular booking platform for Asian tourists. You can even buy your tickets to Tokyo Disneyland through Klook! They have a best-price guarantee and will match rates you find elsewhere.

The Trip Guru is a travel platform featuring local experiences that are sustainable and authentic. There are over 1,000 tours to choose from around Asia and also the States and Australia.

Take Me Tour is a marketplace of tours in Thailand hosted by locals. Each of their experiences is unique and authentic. The best way to have a transformative travel memory is by supporting locals in the communities you visit. Get $6.00 off of your first experience with a local in Thailand by using the exclusive discount code MFLTLTPROMO.

If you’re interested in receiving a Sak Yant blessing while in Thailand I recommend booking the ancient tattoo ritual with Where Sidewalks End. They’ve created authentic tours led by locals that help travelers receive sacred yantra blessings from Arjans in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Bangkok, and Ayutthaya.

TRAVEL PRODUCTS

I live in my Girlfriend legging sets that are all made from post-consumer recycled water bottles. Get 30% off your first purchase of $95 or more from the eco-friendly sportswear brand.

Modibodi reusable period panties are environmentally and socially sustainable. They’re made from natural fibers such as bamboo and microfibre nylon. The absorbent patented technology bit is 3mm thick and is barely noticeable, they feel just like any other pair of panties. There are a few absorbency options to select from based on your flow, most of which can manage the quantities that would typically require 2 tampons, so around 15ml. The innovative brand operates the excellent Give a Pair Program that provides women-in-need at women’s shelters across Australia with free pairs of Modibodi period panties.

For ethical essential oils check out the offering from the Australian brand Eco Modern Essentials. Orders over $30 ship for free internationally!

If you’re looking to limit your single-use plastic consumption head to Life Without Plastic to order ethically sourced products that can replace your plastic items. They have an abundance of travel-friendly products such as bamboo utensils, water purifiers, glass straws, bamboo toothbrushes, cotton yoga mats, and more!

These are the travel essentials that I have used over the last four years of full-time travel that I wholeheartedly recommend to other travelers. They’re all available on Amazon.com which has the best prices. 

  

 

  

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