If you’re already planning your next affordable vacation, you should be thinking about how you can plan it in an affordable way. There’s no need to spend all your spare income on your vacation, which is what many people do. Instead, you should make the most of the best tips and tricks out there that’ll help you to save money and book a vacation that offers you real value for money.

Use Kayak to Find Cheap Flights

Kayak is a great site for finding flights that are cheaper than you’ll find elsewhere. Sometimes, you can find flights cheaper here than on the websites of the airlines providing those flights. So if you want to find cheaper deals, it makes sense to take this approach. Flights can often be the most expensive part of a trip, so finding cheap deals is essential.

Try to Travel Off Season

Traveling at the right time of the season is really important. If you’re traveling in the middle of summer when everyone else is also heading abroad, you’re going to pay a premium. If your schedule is flexible enough to allow you to travel at any time of the year, it definitely makes sense to travel off season because that’s when you will always find the best deals.

Browse a Variety of Vacation Homes Online

These days, there are so many vacation homes available online, and that makes it great for people like you who want to find bargains. By comparing them all and seeing which are cheapest at which times of the year, you can seek out a deal that offers real value for your money. That’s why it always makes sense to spend time browsing and comparing online.

Volunteer for Cheap or Free Travel

If you’re willing to work for your affordable vacation, you could always do some volunteer work and get a trip for free or very cheap. This is obviously not going to appeal to everyone but if you’re into ethical travel and you like the idea of leaving a positive impact behind when you leave, it’s something that you should definitely look into and consider. It’s not all hard work either; volunteering is often a lot of fun.

Look for Good Deals at Certain Times of the Year

There are certain times of the year when travel companies will provide great deals. These are usually around annual holidays but sometimes they will decide to conduct a flash sale with lots of cheap deals for no apparent reason. Black Friday is another time of the year when most of the major travel companies will offer some very good, if not also very limited, deals.

Everyone needs a vacation because it gives you the chance to get away from your everyday life and take things easy for a while. It’s a chance to rest and recuperate or simply do something that you wouldn’t normally have the chance to do in your usual daily life, so make the most of these affordable vacation tips.

Miami is a popular tourist destination, and for good reason. You have all of the vibrancy, things to see and attractions of a big city, but it’s right on the coast giving you stunning beaches and ocean views. But while millions visit every year, there are a few locations you can go to that are a little further off the beaten path. Check out these hidden gems if you want to do something different on your trip!

El Fresco Courtyard

El Fresco Courtyard is a cool, outdoor hang out that even a lot of the locals don’t know about. It’s filled with the artwork of Daniel Fila (known as ‘Krave’) who also maintains and runs the spot. It’s filled with picnic tables, interesting plants and a mini stage which comes in useful for impromptu performances. There are  food vendors and a bar so you can eat, drink, relax and enjoy the performances. It’s located on the outskirts of Little Havana, so something to check out if you’re in the area.

The Kampong

There are a number of gorgeous botanical gardens in Miami, which are great for checking out the incredible Floridian plants and flowers. The Kampong is a little different though, it’s inspired by Spanish and South East Asian influences, and home to one of the largest saltwater mangrove forests in the area.  It’s completely detached from the rest of the city giving it a quiet feel, perfect if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. And best of all, it provides you with the best views of Biscayne Bay.

Caladesi Island State Park

Caladesi Park island is one of the few relatively unknown islands along the Gulf Coast, accessible only by boat or a ferry. It’s one of the few untouched islands along the Gulf Coast, and is well worth the extra effort to get there. The journey offers you a amazing views of the the white sandy beaches and clear blue waters, something you could do if you were looking to rent a boat in Miami. Otherwise, there are lots of boat trips you could hop on to take you over to the park. There you can take a walk along the island’s pristine beaches or a kayak trip through the bayside mangrove forest.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is less crowded than other popular Miami beaches. This is mainly due to the location, to reach it you need to  drive across the Rickenbacker Causeway to the end of Key Biscayne, but again it’s worth the extra effort. You can go on a tour of the lighthouse and keeper’s quarters at Cape Florida Light. You can go fishing, and do all of the other fun beach activities that you could enjoy at the more popular beaches. Water sports, snorkeling, swimming and kayaking. You can enjoy some sports and games on the beach, or kick back on a lounger and soak up the amazing Florida sunshine!

Do you have a favorite hidden gem near Miami? Tell us about it and comment below. 

Digital nomads are always on the lookout for their next big adventure. However, planning these adventures and making sure they go as smoothly as possible can be rough. Below, we’ll talk about planning your next trip the easy way so you can work and travel seamlessly.

Deciding Where to Go For Work And Travel

When deciding where to go, it’s important to consider what you’d like to do on your trip. You’ll be working, so you’re going to need a variety of places nearby; libraries, internet cafes, co working spaces, and similar places can help. Then, consider what you want to do when you’re not working. Is it a specific type of activity you’re interested in? Maybe you just want pure beach relaxation, or maybe you want to be able to surf, scuba drive, and take part in lots of other water sports. Maybe you want great shopping, or food. Make sure you consider what it is you envision for your adventure.

Also think about whether you’re looking for serious adventure or something a little softer during your downtime? You could do extreme sports or simple hikes. Your accommodation can make a big difference to how productive you are on your trip. You’ll want wi-fi, or the ability to access the internet in some way – hostels and hotels will need to be vetted first to ensure they are suitable for work. You might even choose to stay in a condo like one from ChristopherColumbusCondos.com or a villa if you want more privacy, but make sure you enquire about wi-fi or consider taking a dongle.

Assessing Your Experience and Skills

If you want to take risks on your trip, you’re going to want to assess your experience and skill. Make sure you seriously consider what is reasonable to expect of yourself while you’re planning on working and traveling, and what you’ll still enjoy even though it might be tough. You will want to make sure you have enough time to complete your work and then enjoy the day. You might even need to get used to working at night time. Whatever you choose, you’re going to need to be committed, determined, and flexible. If this is your first adventure as a digital nomad, it’s probably best to head somewhere for a low intensity trip, and be prepared to take your time in one place.

Budgeting

Budgeting is crucial if you want to have the best time, even if you’ll be earning while you’re away. Consider the following:

• • How much will you likely be able to work/earn while you travel?

• • How much do you want to spend over the course of your trip?

• • What are you comfortable with spending on food/drink/activities?

• • Will you be buying souvenirs, or booking expensive/unexpected things when you’re out there?

• What do other travelers recommended you plan to spend?

Thinking about the above will ensure you have enough cash and have the best time without worrying about it.

Visa Requirements

Read up ahead of time to find out what the visa requirements are for the place you’re planning on staying and working. It will depend on your nationality, where you’re going, what type of job you plan on doing, and other factors. Do extensive research to make sure you have everything in place before you travel.

Are you ready to plan your next (or even your first) digital nomad adventure? Leave a comment!