How to travel frequently with a full-time job

COSA TROVERAI IN QUESTO POST:

How to travel frequently: Be flexible with your dates

Sometimes, with enough notice, you can take time off even if it doesn’t align with public holidays.

I usually have a rough idea of when I want to travel, for example, I like going to countries with mild or warm temperatures around November and March, when it’s still very cold here in Italy, but I don’t have specific dates.

So, I go to SkyScanner, select the whole month option instead of exact dates, and I can find the most affordable destinations and dates. Be alert: good deals come to those who look for them. Every once in a while, you’ll come across great unplanned travel offers. It’s up to you to decide: will you seize the opportunity or let it slip away?

How to travel frequently: Don’t overthink it, just go!

Don’t spend days thinking about the deals you’ve found. The prices will likely go up by then. Try to think in advance about the places you’d like to visit. The secret here is not to overthink it. For Malta, I paid just 25€ for a round trip with this technique: I saw it, and I bought it. Be careful with your browser’s search history. Flight and hotel booking sites can increase prices every time you search for the same flight.

How to travel frequently: Use weekends

Making the most of weekends is the mantra you’ll read everywhere on this blog. I’m a big fan of weekend trips to explore the beauty that’s “right under your nose.” Being in Bologna, I’m in a very strategic location in Italy, and it’s the perfect starting point for places like Tuscany, Marche, Friuli, Lombardy, and Veneto.

Taking a long weekend by using just one vacation day (either the following Monday or the previous Friday) works really well. It allows you to travel more and take a nice, unforgettable break in the middle of a regular work month.

How to travel frequently: Take advantage of public holidays

This point might seem to contradict the previous one, but I realize not everyone can leave whenever they want. Also, during public holudays, flights and hotels are generally more expensive, but you have to find a compromise, right?

If you take time off around public holidays, you can travel for longer while using fewer vacation days. For example, I was away for Christmas and New Year’s for two weeks while using just three days off, because most of the days in between are holidays anyway.
Usually, I alternate between traveling during holidays to save vacation days and taking trips at random times to save a lot on flights.

How to travel frequently multiplying your trip

Turn long layovers into mini-trips. See if you can combine other destinations with the cheaper ones (budget flights to the East could be a great opportunity to visit the UAE)… In general, take a moment to see if there’s a way to get even more value from your trip without compromising on the destinations you’re visiting.

How to travel frequently with evening flights

I’m one of those people who can sleep anywhere. However, this might not be a great technique for everyone, as I know some people struggle to sleep on airplanes. After a long day at work, I take an evening flight, head straight to the airport, and I’m tired enough to fall asleep on the plane. If the flight is long enough, I save on a hotel night and am ready to start exploring my destination once I land.