Can’t travel? Get Prepping for Your Next Adventure 

Adventure Travel Inspiration

These days, inspiration to travel is EVERYWHERE. From The Times travel section, to TikTok, it’s almost impossible to avoid hot air balloons on the horizon or pretty people leaving footprints on spotless beaches. I love getting inspiration from Instagram, but there are so many ways you can get your #travelinspo. Start on the socials (Instagram and TikTok are the most visual) and follow travel accounts and brands. Some of my best trips have been based on travel companies’ itineraries that I have then adapted to suit my needs, and you can do the same.

Other places to find inspiration are magazines like Wanderlust, (a personal fave!) which is great for travel photography and tips. Obviously, there are also plenty of bloggers and content creators who are great for getting inspiration from too. A few of my faves are: Sorelle Amore, Hey Nadine, WheresTara and BackpackingBananas.

Making travel plans can be really exciting; grab all your magazines, brochures, social feeds and an empty notebook. It’s good to have a laptop or phone handy to search for locations on the map and visa information online (so you know how long you can spend somewhere). Start by making a list of your favourite locations that you want to visit and then plot them on a map (paper or online!) and see if there is anywhere else around that area you want to visit. Overlanding is a great option for getting to close-by destinations and seeing more of a country, it’s something I always recommend as it’s great for adventure travel! I will do a separate post on this, but Asia and South America are perfect for it. Next, note down where you want to visit and then check out each country’s visa to see how long you can spend there. It is also useful to research how much people tend to budget for a month in that country; it gives you more of an idea of how much money you will need to save for your desired length of stay. Speaking of saving…

Start Saving

I suck at saving (honestly I’m shit). However, if I can do it, you can too (probably much better than me). People have different methods of saving and it’s best to try a few things to see what’s best for you. Personally I like to keep cash as I’m less likely to spend it (or so I tell myself). Alternatively, it can also work well to have a separate savings account that you can move your money into and then “forget about”. Once you have an estimate of how much you will need for each country you plan to visit you can work out exactly how much you will need to save. To make it easier, break it down into months and then you can set yourself a monthly goal (it seems much more manageable this way!)

Talk About It

One of the best things you can do is speak to other people who have travelled or are thinking about travelling. Ask questions in forums and reach out to bloggers and friends. People love to talk about their adventures (Um hey… hi) and you can get personalised recommendations from people for the type of trip you want and any places you want to visit. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find out information and it means you can really get into the details of a destination. Most of my big adventures were planned by checking out blogs and speaking to people.

When people talk about travel, especially adventure travel, it can seem impossible or even idealistic. The reality is it can be hard, especially leaving behind friends, family and home. It’s more than worth it but it can be nerve-wracking to take that first step and start your journey (trust me, I have many dignity-lacking stories). At first, it may seem impossible, but many things do, until they’re done. However, like anything that is worthwhile, once you risk the first step, you reap the rewards. The first time I was on a plane soaring half-way around the earth, I gazed out the window thousands of feet up in the air and I’ve never felt more alive. The rush you feel of having achieved something, having made it this far, is worth all the planning, nerves and money.
Prepare by talking to people about how you feel, address any potential problems that may arise before you leave, giving yourself plenty of time and don’t be afraid to reach out. There is always someone that understands and can offer the perfect advice for your life-changing adventure.