🌍 Still not sure how to pick your next destination? 🤔
Here are some tips that might help you out 🔎
Having endless opportunities has never been so challenging. Nowadays, we can choose to go anywhere in the world, and except for the budget 💰, there are usually a few other constraints that limit us.
Having this freedom comes with increased pressure to make the right decision and take advantage of better places or countries. During the last few years, I realized that finding a new destination is not only about budget or timing ⏰, so in this newsletter, I will share some tips that have helped me choose my future destination better.
Have you ever visited a picturesque town and thought to yourself, "This place is so charming, but I don't think I could live here permanently”? 😍 Or have you ever stayed in a cozy Airbnb and wished that the next-door neighbor would turn down their late-night party music? 😴🎶
These are the kinds of factors that are easily manageable when it comes to short-term travel. If you only plan to spend 5 or 7 days in a place, you're more likely to compromise to enjoy your vacation. However, when you're considering a long-term stay, these factors become more crucial and require careful consideration. 🏖️🤔
So here lies the challenge: even if you can't find the "perfect" destination that perfectly aligns with your lifestyle, it's essential to establish non-negotiables and prioritize your needs before embarking on your journey. By doing so, you will discover that your options become clearer, allowing you to focus on finding places that truly resonate with you rather than trying to fit into locations that don't align with your preferences. 🌍✨
Understand your habits and way of living and embrace them. 🌟
New year, new me works only for the beginnings of a new year; when it comes to slow traveling, it will probably be a new destination, same me. 🗓️✨
Even if you go to a new place, most probably you will still be you, meaning maybe you will still love to take your morning jogs in the nearest park 🏃♀️, or enjoy working at a proper desk 💻 rather than on a sofa or attend crazy parties 🎉 every weekend while making new friends. Or perhaps you'd love to continue cooking every day 🍳 and want to be close to the local market🛒 to always have the freshest ingredients.
Indeed, you won't be able to have it all, but going through this process will bring you closer to your desired destination.
💡 The golden rule that I learned the hard way by experiencing what I don't like to discover what I want is that: No matter who you are or what your favorite habits are when planning for long-term stays, you should choose your destination based on your profile, needs, and values instead of trying to fit into a trendy destination or unique accommodation.
So, here are some questions ❓ that might help you define better what you want:
How do you usually spend your free time ⌛?
Big city life 🌃 or slow living in the countryside🐞?
How important is access to nature, parks 🏞️, or recreational areas to you?
Do you love crazy nightlife 🥂 and a lot of opportunities to socialize?
Do you want to immerse yourself in any specific cultural aspects or local traditions 🍝?
Do you like playing sports 🏄🏻♂️? Which sports do you enjoy the most?
Are you more into hiking 🥾 or enjoying the seaside 🐋?
Do you plan to work full-time💻 or have flexible working hours?
✅ By answering these questions, you'll gain clarity on your preferences and priorities, enabling you to make a more informed decision when choosing your ideal long-term destination.
Remember, slow travel is about embracing your authentic self and creating a fulfilling lifestyle that aligns with your values. So, be true to yourself and design your journey✈️ accordingly.
Play with the seasons 🌦️🌸🍂❄️
Selecting your destination based on the season might help you answer some previous questions.
Embrace the high season: If you don't mind crowds and higher prices, you can choose a popular destination for that month. For example, you can spend a month in Algarve in August, enjoying the bustling atmosphere and vibrant activities. 🏖️🌞🌊
Escape the high season: If you're seeking relaxation and a more peaceful experience, consider going to less popular destinations during that period. For instance, you could spend your summer in serene places like Sweden or Germany, away from the tourist hustle and bustle. 🌳🏰🌻
Find a middle ground: Look for a destination that offers the best of both worlds – the advantages of the high season and a taste of local vibes. For instance, you could choose to spend August in Crete but avoid the southeastern and northeastern parts of the island to enjoy a blend of popular attractions and local charm. 🏖️🏛️🍷🌴
Based on your profile, you can choose one of these options and begin shortlisting destinations. 📝✅
Define your own criteria 📋
Once you have narrowed down your choices based on country or region, it's time to start shortlisting accommodations and analyze them using various criteria, such as: 🏨🔎
📡 Facilities: Assess the amenities and services the accommodation provides, such as Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, or a gym.
🗺️ Location: Evaluate the proximity to attractions, city centers, or natural landmarks that align with your desired activities.
🏃🏻 % match with your desired activities plan: Check if the accommodation is situated near places where you can engage in the activities you enjoy.
📌 Proximity to other attractions: Consider whether the accommodation is conveniently located near other points of interest or sightseeing spots you'd like to visit.
🤔 Any other criteria you find relevant: Customize your criteria based on your personal preferences, such as specific dietary needs, pet-friendly policies, or quiet surroundings.
By using these criteria, you can assess potential accommodations based on your lifestyle and traveling habits, ensuring that you find the perfect place to stay during your long-term journey. 🏠🌍✨
⚠️⚠️ Hurry up ⚠️⚠️
Since the summer season 🌞 officially started, in this newsletter, we will explore big city life 🌇 in some long-term accommodations available in August and September. So get ready to discover them, and don't forget that if you want to book any of them, you should hurry up 🏃🏻♂️ since summer availabilities are usually booked faster ❌
Spain 🇪🇸
🌇 If you enjoy long summer days and looking to have a cultural immersion in one of Spain's most beautiful cities, Seville is the right place for you. Here you'll find the perfect mix of historical charm, vibrant traditions, and a lively atmosphere.✨
🎁 Bonus! Here are some amazing accommodations in Madrid that will let you fully experience the vibrant heart of Spain! 🇪🇸
Turkey 🇹🇷
☀️ Summer in Turkey can mean beautiful beaches, fancy resorts, and vibrant nightlife, and the coastal city of Izmir has it all. 🌴🌊 Located on the Aegean Sea, Izmir offers a fantastic destination for those seeking a summer getaway with a mix of relaxation and entertainment. 🏖️🎉
France 🇫🇷
Coastal France in August is one beautiful and vibrant place to be, and two cities that perfectly capture the essence of summer in France are Montpellier and Marseille.
Montpellier, located in the south of France, is a charming city known for its historic architecture 🏛️, lively atmosphere 💃🏻, and proximity to beautiful Mediterranean beaches 🌊.
Marseille also boasts stunning natural beauty with its famous Calanques. These rugged limestone cliffs and turquoise waters create a breathtaking backdrop for hiking 🥾, swimming 🏊🏻♀️, and enjoying the outdoors. 🏞️
📢 Starting with this newsletter, I am glad to announce that I will start including a new platform for booking accommodations, Flatio.
Flatio is a rental housing platform for digital nomads, offering hand-picked, mostly deposit-free, and reasonably priced accommodations in over 300 destinations, mainly in Europe. 🏡🌍 So if you want to find out more, you can explore their listings and also check out this newsletter's listings, where you will find some of them 😊🔍.
💌 Don’t forget! If you enjoyed our newsletter, please subscribe and share it with a friend! We're here to help you find the perfect long-stay accommodations and make your travel dreams come true.🏡
If you have specific destinations or are curious about certain topics, just let us know! We're happy to consider them in our newsletter and provide tips and tricks for slow traveling. 🗺️✈️
Remember, our goal is to ensure that you find your perfect long-term accommodation without additional hassle.
Stay tuned for exciting updates, travel inspiration, and helpful information in our upcoming newsletters.
See you next time, fellow nomad! 🤗
I'm looking for medium term accommodation in Austria this coming winter, any tips for that please?