Latest news with #ThePassportCouple
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's How Millennials Are Planning Their Travel in 2025 — Is It Saving Them Money?
surveyed 2,500 American millennials and found that 76% of them considered affordability the most important factor when deciding on summer travel plans for 2025. The respondents noted that they were seeking out budget airlines, embracing off-peak season travel and sharing accommodations. Explore More: Read Next: Here's how millennials are planning travel this year and whether these options can help them save money. The study found that 58% of millennials planned to work while traveling since they have either remote or hybrid roles. The concept of 'workcationing' has gained popularity, with 73% of millennials planning to stay two weeks or longer at their destination. However, there are some pros and cons to consider with this travel approach. Check Out: Working while traveling is a great way to still earn income. Plus, it can allow you to extend your stay. If you're planning to work while traveling and want to embrace house hacking, this option can help save money while you travel. You can sublease your unit or rent out a portion of your home when you travel to ensure a steady income while you're away from home. This means that you'll be earning money through your job and home as you go on trips. However, 'workcationing' could come with some challenges. 'It sounds like the holy grail of balance, but the reality is often quite different,' said Georgia Fowkes, a travel advisor at Altezza Travel. 'Remote work does offer flexibility, but whether or not you'll save money really depends on your discipline.' Without a structure and clear boundaries between work and leisure, you can burn through money with this option. While you may have an income coming in, you could stay on the road longer and spend more money than you expected to. 'It turns your trip from a true vacation into another workweek in a different location, and it depends heavily on things like reliable Wi-Fi, time zone compatibility and being disciplined with your schedule,' said Alicia Walter, a travel expert and co-founder of The Passport Couple. You also risk having your work suffer due to time zone issues and challenges in finding the proper workspace. You may not be as productive as you would like to be, and this could lead to other financial problems. With 67% of respondents admitting to using AI-powered tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to make travel plans, it's clear that these programs are like modern-day travel agents. These AI tools are helpful for building travel itineraries, discovering local activities and booking accommodations. But there are some things to be aware of. You can plan a trip with AI and build the ideal itinerary for your goals, but you'll want to use the right prompts and ensure that you cross-check prices to get the best deal. You don't want to blindly use chatbots and then end up with a more expensive trip. And AI assistance doesn't have to end once your trip is booked. Walter pointed out that ChatGPT has helped answer random money-related questions while on the road, such as figuring out local tipping customs or determining the best way to get from the airport to the city center via public transportation. Social media platforms are influencing where millennials travel, with 71% sharing that they rely on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube for destination ideas. Here's what to consider about using social media to choose travel destinations. Fowkes emphasized that social media is a highlight reel, not a budget planner. 'Those picturesque spots trending on TikTok are often overrun and overpriced,' she said. When someone posts a gorgeous photo of a trip, remember that they're choosing what to show and there's more to the story. The harsh reality is that travelers can easily blow their budgets trying to replicate the curated experience of an influencer, especially since a person promoting a location could've gone there for free in exchange for the mention. You'll want to ensure that you verify the prices in advance so that you don't overspend on an overrated experience. Walter shared that she has found some amazing, affordable gems, such as Berat, Albania, and Budva, Montenegro, through Instagram and TikTok. However, she warned that once a destination goes viral, the prices can increase rapidly. A budget-friendly location can suddenly become packed with tourists and overpriced due to a lack of availability. Your best bet is to use social media as inspiration, but conduct your own research to find options that align with your travel style and budget. 'Micro adventures' are also on the rise, per the study, with 54% of millennials stating that they preferred shorter and more frequent trips over longer summer escapes. Notable activities gaining traction include camping weekends, shorter road trips and visits to national parks. Here are some benefits to choosing shorter vacations. Fowkes emphasized that 'micro adventures' can allow for a quick getaway to recharge, relax and reclaim lost inspiration. And it can save money. A long weekend in Mexico City, rather than a two-week European grand tour, will be much cheaper. When planning a shorter trip, you can be more flexible with your timing and look out for deals. This can be a budget-friendly option if you avoid peak weekends and plan in advance. You could also escape for a weekend without taking any time off from work by going on a Friday or working remotely for a few hours. It's also worth mentioning that you can combine travel planning strategies on this plan to maximize your savings. For example, you can use social media as an inspiration for travel options, which you then filter through AI-powered tools to make a final decision. Then you can determine whether it's possible to work remotely from the destination or whether it's worth checking out for a weekend. More From GOBankingRates 5 Types of Cars Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying This article originally appeared on Here's How Millennials Are Planning Their Travel in 2025 — Is It Saving Them Money?
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's How Millennials Are Planning Their Travel in 2025 — Is It Saving Them Money?
surveyed 2,500 American millennials and found that 76% of them considered affordability the most important factor when deciding on summer travel plans for 2025. The respondents noted that they were seeking out budget airlines, embracing off-peak season travel and sharing accommodations. Explore More: Read Next: Here's how millennials are planning travel this year and whether these options can help them save money. The study found that 58% of millennials planned to work while traveling since they have either remote or hybrid roles. The concept of 'workcationing' has gained popularity, with 73% of millennials planning to stay two weeks or longer at their destination. However, there are some pros and cons to consider with this travel approach. Check Out: Working while traveling is a great way to still earn income. Plus, it can allow you to extend your stay. If you're planning to work while traveling and want to embrace house hacking, this option can help save money while you travel. You can sublease your unit or rent out a portion of your home when you travel to ensure a steady income while you're away from home. This means that you'll be earning money through your job and home as you go on trips. However, 'workcationing' could come with some challenges. 'It sounds like the holy grail of balance, but the reality is often quite different,' said Georgia Fowkes, a travel advisor at Altezza Travel. 'Remote work does offer flexibility, but whether or not you'll save money really depends on your discipline.' Without a structure and clear boundaries between work and leisure, you can burn through money with this option. While you may have an income coming in, you could stay on the road longer and spend more money than you expected to. 'It turns your trip from a true vacation into another workweek in a different location, and it depends heavily on things like reliable Wi-Fi, time zone compatibility and being disciplined with your schedule,' said Alicia Walter, a travel expert and co-founder of The Passport Couple. You also risk having your work suffer due to time zone issues and challenges in finding the proper workspace. You may not be as productive as you would like to be, and this could lead to other financial problems. With 67% of respondents admitting to using AI-powered tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to make travel plans, it's clear that these programs are like modern-day travel agents. These AI tools are helpful for building travel itineraries, discovering local activities and booking accommodations. But there are some things to be aware of. You can plan a trip with AI and build the ideal itinerary for your goals, but you'll want to use the right prompts and ensure that you cross-check prices to get the best deal. You don't want to blindly use chatbots and then end up with a more expensive trip. And AI assistance doesn't have to end once your trip is booked. Walter pointed out that ChatGPT has helped answer random money-related questions while on the road, such as figuring out local tipping customs or determining the best way to get from the airport to the city center via public transportation. Social media platforms are influencing where millennials travel, with 71% sharing that they rely on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube for destination ideas. Here's what to consider about using social media to choose travel destinations. Fowkes emphasized that social media is a highlight reel, not a budget planner. 'Those picturesque spots trending on TikTok are often overrun and overpriced,' she said. When someone posts a gorgeous photo of a trip, remember that they're choosing what to show and there's more to the story. The harsh reality is that travelers can easily blow their budgets trying to replicate the curated experience of an influencer, especially since a person promoting a location could've gone there for free in exchange for the mention. You'll want to ensure that you verify the prices in advance so that you don't overspend on an overrated experience. Walter shared that she has found some amazing, affordable gems, such as Berat, Albania, and Budva, Montenegro, through Instagram and TikTok. However, she warned that once a destination goes viral, the prices can increase rapidly. A budget-friendly location can suddenly become packed with tourists and overpriced due to a lack of availability. Your best bet is to use social media as inspiration, but conduct your own research to find options that align with your travel style and budget. 'Micro adventures' are also on the rise, per the study, with 54% of millennials stating that they preferred shorter and more frequent trips over longer summer escapes. Notable activities gaining traction include camping weekends, shorter road trips and visits to national parks. Here are some benefits to choosing shorter vacations. Fowkes emphasized that 'micro adventures' can allow for a quick getaway to recharge, relax and reclaim lost inspiration. And it can save money. A long weekend in Mexico City, rather than a two-week European grand tour, will be much cheaper. When planning a shorter trip, you can be more flexible with your timing and look out for deals. This can be a budget-friendly option if you avoid peak weekends and plan in advance. You could also escape for a weekend without taking any time off from work by going on a Friday or working remotely for a few hours. It's also worth mentioning that you can combine travel planning strategies on this plan to maximize your savings. For example, you can use social media as an inspiration for travel options, which you then filter through AI-powered tools to make a final decision. Then you can determine whether it's possible to work remotely from the destination or whether it's worth checking out for a weekend. More From GOBankingRates 6 Big Shakeups Coming to Social Security in 2025 This article originally appeared on Here's How Millennials Are Planning Their Travel in 2025 — Is It Saving Them Money?
The Herald Scotland
26-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
'A target': Why more Americans are hiding their nationality abroad
Though Wells doesn't believe she and her husband, 56, would be unsafe in Seoul, "there's just too much going on" with the political climate that makes her uncomfortable. "I'm not sure. I'm just anxious and I'm rarely anxious," she said. The Wells aren't the only travelers who hesitate to identify themselves as Americans when abroad. A growing number of U.S. travelers worry they'll face hostility when overseas - that their American label will make them unwelcome by others inflamed by President Donald Trump's comments or policies. Some are anxious, while others are embarrassed about being associated with the volatile political landscape in the United States. A survey in April by Global Rescue found that 72% of the 11,000 respondents - the majority of whom are based in Canada and the United States - believe Americans will be "perceived more negatively abroad in 2025 due to recent U.S. international policy proposals." The concern follows recent U.S. foreign policy moves and an outspoken president who has stirred tensions with other countries, from trade wars to stricter immigration policies to high-profile deportations - along with rhetoric about annexing Greenland and Canada. As some foreigners have turned to boycotting the United States, American travelers are wondering how far the stigma will go when they travel internationally. "We would proudly wear that Fourth of July T-shirt with the American flag overseas, and we had no issues," Wells said. "Definitely not (now) - that's like wearing a target on our backs." Treading lightly as an American Although domestic travel and nearby getaways like the Caribbean are set to boom this summer, not every American is giving up their major international trip, according to Expedia's Summer Travel Outlook. Searches for long-haul destinations like Italy, Spain and Japan are up, and the perennial tropical locales of Cancun, Mexico, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, remain strong among Americans, the travel platform found. When Americans are abroad, however, they're cautious about how they're seen once in new borders - if they even mention where they're from. Alicia Walter, 29, and Nate Stark, 41, have been traveling around the world for the past five years. Just recently, they've noticed a new kind of reaction from people upon learning they're American. Since the November election, conversations with locals have often turned to Trump - a subject the couple said tends to spark strong opinions. When the full-time travel content creators, who share their trips as The Passport Couple, were in the quaint Italian village of Santa Severa early in May, a local asked why they were visiting and wondered whether they were "trying to escape Trump." The couple politely laughed it off. "It just seems like every single time we say we're from the U.S. now, it comes back to (Trump), which is a lot more than it used to be," Walter said. The couple said the political discourse doesn't make them feel unsafe or nervous to travel abroad, but they introduce themselves as Californians to steer the topic from being directly about the United States. "We never bring unnecessary attention to the fact that we're American." They do their best to evade diving into any political discussions and stay courteous. "We just always try to avoid the conversation," Walter said. "We just are super-vague about our responses." Other travelers take a bolder approach. Alessandra Riao, a tour guide based in Naples, Italy, said she has noticed more Americans with whom she works are "genuinely concerned" about how Europeans will react to them. Last month, two American visitors told her they were considering wearing pins that read "I didn't vote for him." 'A taboo conversation' Riao added, however, that she has yet to witness or hear any locals react negatively toward tourists. "Neapolitans are famously welcoming, and political differences rarely get in the way of personal connection," she said. "While the concern is real before the trip, it usually fades once they experience the warmth and openness of the city." Part of that, she noted, could be because many people's livelihoods depend on tourism. Jack Napton, a traveler from Tahoe, California, had a similar experience to what Riao has reported on his trip to several European countries in April. Beforehand, he was worried about possible backlash as not only a tourist but an American one at that. He was most "concerned" about visiting Spain after having read several articles about the country's movement against overtourism, including locals spraying travelers with water guns at protests. After two days exploring Barcelona, Spain, Napton was surprised at the lack of political discourse. "This is where I had heard there might be anti-Trump sentiment, (and) nothing," Napton, 79, said after the trip. "I was on two different tours, with people from multiple countries, no political talk at all." In Athens, Greece, one of Napton's taxi drivers spoke of Trump and was "all for it." But keeping an open mind, Napton wasn't offended by the polite conversation, even if it was an opinion he disagreed with. In fact, he said, that's why he likes to travel. Even when locals do bring up Trump, Stark and Walter reflected on why it makes them uncomfortable. They think it's Americans who feel as if political topics are "taboo conversation" compared with people in other cultures. "If someone were to say that in the U.S., just like on the street to a stranger, that is potential for a heated conversation," Walter said. The couple have no plans to curb their international travel, however. "Any country we've ever visited, even countries that have more political tensions with us, they've still been very welcoming to us as tourists," Stark said.
Business Insider
23-04-2025
- Business Insider
We're Americans who have visited 47 countries. Our favorite is an underrated gem we loved so much that we moved there.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Alicia Walter, 28, and Nathan Stark, 41. The couple has visited 47 countries and moved from San Diego to Tirana, Albania, in 2023. Together, they run The Passport Couple, a travel-advice blog. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Alicia: My husband and I have traveled through much of Central and South America, parts of Africa, a good portion of Europe, and most of Southeast and East Asia. We've visited 47 countries, but our favorite is Albania, an underrated country in the Balkans. Albania is absolutely gorgeous and still feels untouched by mass tourism, especially compared to other European destinations like Barcelona, Paris, London, Rome, and even Prague. The food is some of our favorite anywhere, and the locals are incredibly welcoming and have treated us like family. It's not perfect. The country is still developing after its communist era ended in the 1990s, so you'll still see bunkers scattered across cities. A major earthquake near Tirana, the capital, in 2019 also destroyed many homes, apartment buildings, and businesses, so there's still a lot of ongoing construction. That's part of what makes it so unique — every time we return, it feels like discovering a new place. Albania has stunning nature and good weather Alicia: Albania is across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, bordering Greece and Montenegro. It's a relatively small country, probably about the size of Portugal. You can easily road trip the entire country in a week or two. It has a mild climate, typical of the Mediterranean region. Winters are generally mild, and summers can get quite hot inland, but along the coast, the weather is much more comfortable. The country is probably best known for the Albanian Riviera — a stretch of coastline along the Ionian Sea with crystal-clear blue waters. Theth National Park is also stunning. We drove through it in the fall, and it felt like a magazine. Albania has mountains, including the Albanian Alps, the Korab Mountains, and the Tomorr Mountains. While there aren't any ski resorts, the mountains get snow and are great for hiking. It's just so beautiful here. Every time we head out into nature, away from the city centers, we're blown away by how stunning it is, and how little we'd heard about it before. Albania's architecture is quite diverse. In towns like Berat, known as the city of 1,000 windows, you'll find well-preserved Ottoman architecture — white stone buildings with dark-tiled roofs and wooden-shuttered windows, some dating back nearly 2,000 years. In contrast, Tirana's architecture is a mix of styles. There are remains of communist-era buildings and new, modern developments with many green spaces. Living in Albania is incredibly affordable Alicia: We moved to Tirana in February 2023. We had been traveling full-time for three years, just living out of suitcases, and wanted to settle in Europe. We live in a brand-new apartment complex in a fully furnished 740-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit. We pay 450 euros, about $520, in monthly rent. Utilities — internet, water, and electricity — cost us around 100 euros, or $115, monthly. Housing in Albania is way more affordable than in the States. In 2019, before traveling abroad, we lived in San Diego and rented a 630-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit about an hour from the city center for $1,250 a month — the cheapest rent we could find. The value for money here is incredible. International food in the city can be a bit more expensive, but traditional Albanian meals are super affordable. You'll usually get five or six shared dishes, served family-style, along with a liter of wine, or some beers, and rarely spend more than $50. Public transportation is also great and affordable in Tirana. Nathan: I've been surprised to see how many electric-vehicle taxis are here; they have become the main ride-share form. Alicia: The city was recently added to Google Maps, which has made navigating even easier. Riding a bus within the city costs just 40 cents per ride. There are shuttles for trips to other towns — we took one to the port city of Durrës for about $10. We can walk most places and don't really need a car in Tirana Alicia: Our neighborhood is super walkable, with bike lanes and sidewalks almost everywhere. Our day-to-day needs are within walking distance, which is amazing coming from San Diego. We've got a grocery store just down the street, a bakery where we can get fresh bread for about $1, and a produce stand nearby for fruits and veggies. There's even a bookstore that sells English books about a 25-minute walk from us. There isn't much of a nightlife scene in Albania. Though to be fair, we're not big nightlife people ourselves. Instead, people here really value what are known as "third spaces." Many Albanians live in multi-generational homes, where extended families live together. These third spaces are often green areas within apartment complexes, like shared courtyards, where everyone gathers, especially around sunset. There's something called "xhiro," which is like an evening social hour. At that time, everyone heads outside: kids play; parents chat; neighbors catch up. People often go to cafés, which are a big part of the culture here. They'll order an espresso and a glass of water, and just sit and relax for hours. There are some trade-offs to life in Albania, but the pros outweigh the cons Nathan: The money we save on food and living expenses in Albania has greatly affected our lives. It's allowed us to travel and invest more in our travel business. Part of the reason we left the US to pursue this dream is that we simply couldn't afford to do it there. There are some trade-offs to living here, though. For example, we have to go to different places to get everything we need: one store for dry goods, the produce market for fruits and vegetables, a bakery for bread, and another grocery store just to get coffee. Convenience can be a challenge. We also don't have shipping here. There's no reliable way to get packages delivered because we don't have proper addresses — just a street name that everyone on the street uses. Still, there are a lot of advantages to living here. A big one is Albania's visa policy. US citizens get a 365-day visa on arrival. Plus, our Schengen visa days reset whenever we leave Albania and travel to the EU. For example, we can take a $100 flight to Rome for the weekend, and when we return, we can start fresh with more time in the EU. Alicia: Beyond that, locals have been incredibly supportive and genuinely helpful to us getting settled here. Ultimately, our dream is to buy a home in Italy, but there are a lot of steps before we get there. Right now, we're just really happy here in Albania.
