We're currently travelling around Southeast Asia with our two kids and I've been trying to keep on top of our budget for the trip.Started with a spreadsheet but quickly lost the will to live. Having to update it every day, or whenever I remembered, was a pain.

Couldn't really find anything that would help us manage budgets for multiple destinations, so I decided to build an app.

It's called Lastara and it's now in beta. I'm looking for a few people travelling long-term or planning to travel who wouldn't mind giving it a try and letting me know what they think. Good or bad, all feedback welcome. Just complete the sign-up below.

https://lastara.co.uk

Thanks :)

After a rough few years my luck has really turned around recently. I’m wanting to plan a 2 week (at least) vacation. The locations we are considering so far are: Australia, Thailand, Bali, South Africa, Dubai. Does anyone have any advice? Where’s the best country you have ever visited? This might be my last child free trip so I don’t mind about long plane journeys, just really want to go all out and make it the trip of a lifetime. Am also flexible about what time of the year we travel. Open to any kinds of suggestions. Doesn’t necessarily need to be one of the locations I’ve mentioned above but I’ve done a lot of travelling already so needs to be somewhere I haven’t already been. USA, Canada, Norway, Spain, Ireland, Italy, France and Greece, Canary and Balearic Islands I’ve already ticked off my list in my 20s between travelling and working abroad.

We recently got back from long term travelling through Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, and spent a lot of time beforehand trying to work out how best to school our kids on the road.

We’re definitely not experts, but we wanted to share some real examples of what worldschooling looked like for us, in the hope that it might inspire others thinking of doing something similar.

This post would be far too long if we included everything, so I’ve chosen just a few examples.

In Japan, Sengaku-ji Temple in Tokyo was our favourite experience. Our girls learned the story of the 47 Ronin and copied out a sutra to receive a goshuin stamp. Although it was a less famous temple, the visit turned into a history, religion, and hands-on cultural experience.

In Vietnam, it’s hard to forget the feeling of crawling through the Cu Chi Tunnels. It gave the girls a much more real understanding of the Vietnam War and led to some great conversations about history. It’s not an easy subject to talk about!

In Hong Kong (and really everywhere in Asia), we used conversion cards at markets so the girls could work out prices in Canadian dollars while haggling. It made currency conversion and maths feel real because there was an actual souvenir on the line.

In Cambodia, Siem Reap and the temples around Angkor were possibly the best experience of the trip. There was just so much to absorb: Khmer history, religion, architecture, and the importance of preserving such incredible places.

In New Zealand, while visiting Mount Cook, we saw glaciers, valleys, and evidence of ice shaping the landscape. We live in Canada and see things like this all the time, but something about being in a different country sparked questions about glaciation, erosion, and climate change.

Some days were more structured and intentional than others, but the best learning often came from being somewhere new and following the questions it created.

If you’re interested in reading more real examples, we’ve written about over 60 from our trip here. If nothing else I hope it gives even seasoned travellers a bit of inspiration!

I’d love to hear some of the experiences that you have found to be the most useful for worldschooling on your travels, to make this into a thread I can keep returning to for ideas!

Hi r/longtermtravel,

I'm a solo developer and I built Mochilo, a planner for keeping a long trip in one place. It started after my girlfriend and I both booked a flight to the same place because neither of us knew the other one already had. On a trip with dozens of bookings, the inbox-plus-screenshots system stops working fast.

What I think helps on long trips:

• Every booking in one place: route on a map, stays, flights, rental cars and other transport, with connecting legs shown as one journey
• Bookings from your inbox: an optional AI helper turns booking confirmations (PDF) and receipt photos into trip entries, so you don't type everything in
• Country info for each stop: currency, time zone, plugs compared with home, emergency numbers, roaming and a visa check for your passport
• Spending over the whole trip: expenses in any currency, a cost rundown over the year, and splitting costs if you travel with others part of the way
• Expenses work offline and sync once you're back online
• Flight alerts for delays, gates and baggage belts, plus a calendar subscription so the plan shows up in your calendar

It's in open beta. Everyone who joins now gets features that will be paid later, like the cost rundown, flight alerts and trip exports. There's no subscription, and the AI is optional. Everything works without it.

👉 Sign up: https://mochilo.io/p/LONGTERMTRAVEL

On iPhone? Join the TestFlight beta: https://testflight.apple.com/join/bBKwgr2S

On Android? The app is in a closed test. Email [hello@mochilo.io](mailto:hello@mochilo.io) with the Google account you use for the Play Store and I'll send you an invite.

I'd love to hear what's missing for trips that last months, and how you keep track of yours today. Comment here or email [hello@mochilo.io](mailto:hello@mochilo.io). Honest criticism very welcome.

Never have enjoyed working for other people, but I think that's most ppl. Currently in Mexico to save $ (spending about ~1k a month) but don't wanna spend all the 50k. I think I would need to return to USA if it got bellow 25k~ maybe so I have some room to get a job in office.

My skills are mostly software dev + design. Some motion graphics but nothing advanced.

Have NOT been working for almost ~ 4 years, living off savings. Tried a few things, nothing worked so far. Have always wanted to build my own thing. Did do some freelance years ago but nothing in a while.

I have considered going to Asia so I could extend my runway but I enjoy LaTam more than SEA. Maybe will head to Peru at one point. My dream is to build games but that's so difficult to do but I think I wanna keep trying my own stuff for at least another 6-12 months. So I would be at ~30k total net-worth if I do that and it doesn't work (gonna go with ~1.5k burn rate per month). I am keeping up with AI, it's incredible but also can basically do most of my old job(s).

I'm okay with risk. But curious if others have been or are in similar predicaments?

Hey everyone! I’m looking for travel buddies or a group of people who are down for regular trips, ideally around 7 to 12 days each!
I love exploring hidden gems, discovering new places, trying different cuisines, experiencing nightlife, and doing adventurous activities like skydiving, scuba diving, and anything that gets the adrenaline going!
The idea is to find like minded people who love traveling, are open to spontaneous adventures, and want to make some amazing memories together.
If enough people are interested, we could even create a travel group, plan trips together, and potentially save money on accommodations, activities, and group bookings.
If this sounds like your kind of adventure, hit me up!

Hi everyone!

I'll have about two months free between January and March 2027 and would love some recommendations on where to spend that time!

I'm a black woman in my late 20s traveling solo from the US. I'm looking for somewhere relatively affordable where I can slow down, explore, experience a different culture, and hopefully learn some new skills along the way.

I'm interested in fashion, sewing, floral arrangements, art, technology, and entrepreneurship. I'd love to take a few classes, visit local markets, explore interesting businesses, and potentially connect with local artisans or designers.

Vietnam is currently at the top of my list, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hoi An, but I'm also considering Japan, Thailand, and Bali. I'm definitely open to other suggestions!

My ideal trip would be a mix of relaxation, cultural experiences, creativity, and a little personal development. I'd prefer private accommodations rather than hostels.

I'm hoping to keep the entire trip around $3,000–$3,500 USD, including flights, if possible.

For those who've traveled through Asia or spent an extended period abroad:

• Where would you recommend spending 1–2 months?
• Are there any underrated cities or towns worth considering?
• Any recommendations for affordable sewing, floral design, or other creative workshops?
• How was your experience traveling solo, particularly as a woman?
• Any advice on finding affordable, comfortable accommodations for longer stays?

Would love to hear your experiences and recommendations. Thanks in advance!

Hi all,

I have the blessing of being able to work remote from anywhere. I work a 4 day week so I have plenty of time off to explore. I would like to spend a couple of months somewhere maybe from March onwards. I wouldn't be opposed to moving month to month or every 6 weeks. Ideally somewhere coastal where I can enjoy a slow paced life. I wouldn't mind if there was a city nearby but I don't need to be in the middle of a city necessarily. Ideally somewhere I can bring my little dog too. I've lived in Lisbon before so we can cross that off the list. I'm from Ireland so somewhere in the EU would be nice but I'd also consider further afield. Also somewhere safe for a female on her own. Where might you choose in my position?

Just positive mindset no bullshit and never quit attitude understanding buddy

Hi everyone. I have a situation and I’m looking to expand my thoughts on the subject. I live on the East Coast in the United States. My lease ends at the end of the year and I will not be renewing my lease. I have decided that I will travel instead. I would ideally like to travel January– August of 2027 and return for a new work opportunity. I can spend a month in one place or all months in one place, or I can decide as I go with a rough plan. I really want to allow myself to be free. The only thing is I would like to visit places where I could find rentals or hotels for cheap by the month etc. I would love to take my dog with me for the journey. I am looking for suggestions of places where my dollar could go fairly far, very cheap cost of living, is safe for a solo traveler, and very dog-friendly. Any ideas are welcome!! 🤗

I’m 37F, a US citizen, and have worked remotely for over a decade. I’ve been traveling solo in some capacity since I was 18 and have visited around 40 countries. Travel has been a big part of my adult life, but lately I’ve been questioning what I want my everyday life to look like.

I lived in a big US city for nine years and loved it for most of my 20s. I had friends, community, events, routines, and access to so much. I cooked, worked out regularly, and felt more content, while still traveling a lot. But after living there for a while, I knew it was time for something new. Since leaving in October 2020, though, I’ve bounced around quite a bit. I tried living in a couple other US cities, including four different places in one of them, with stretches of nomadic travel in between. I then spent about a year and a half in Spain. I honestly thought Spain might be where I’d build my next chapter, as living abroad had been a longtime goal of mine, and I had finally made it happen!

There were things I loved, and I made friends there, but it was also a difficult stretch. I lost stable work after moving, experienced a break-in at my apartment, and the bureaucracy was challenging on top of everything else I was navigating. I eventually left because the break-in really shook me, spent some time with family and friends in the U.S., and am now traveling in Southeast Asia because my money goes farther here while I sort out next steps.

I know I’m fortunate to have these options. But I have found myself getting tired of moving and starting over.

I miss the ordinary things: having a kitchen to cook in, seeing familiar faces, making plans with friends, going to the same workout class, and having somewhere that feels like mine. I feel like I’ve lost touch with the version of myself who had a fuller, healthier everyday life, and I’m trying to find her again.

The confusing part is that when I’m settled, I start craving travel. When I travel for long stretches, I crave stability. I’ve spent time wondering whether I just haven’t found the right place or perhaps the right balance.

I’m considering a home base in the U.S. I’d love a walkable neighborhood, access to cycling and parks, and a community of people around my age. I’m also looking for a more stable job, as the uncertainty of freelance work has added to the feeling of being unsettled. I still want to travel. I just think I want somewhere to come back to.

I’m not entirely sure what I’m looking for from this post, but I’m curious about other people’s experiences. The more I read posts here, the more I relate to what people call the “traveler’s curse,” ha. What has your balance looked like if you’ve gone through something similar?

TL;DR: I’m location-independent but unsure what direction to take in life. I don’t just want a new city. I want a community, project, skill, or way of living that could help me find my people and build a life. I’m hoping to discover possibilities I didn’t even know existed, so I’d love to hear about experiences that changed things for you, especially unconventional ones.

Where I’m at

I’ve been moving between countries for over a year, supported by a remote income. It’s paid decently, but it isn’t sustainable long-term, and I don’t have a solid profession or skills I can reliably build a future on. I’m not sure which direction to take.

On a more personal level, I’ve never really had a social life or a close circle of friends. I feel like I’m missing some basic social and life skills, and even though I want friendships, relationships, interests, and practical abilities, I don’t really know how to go about building them.

It’s a strange position to be in: I can go almost anywhere, yet I don’t feel equipped to make the most of it. I want to learn, grow, connect with people, develop real skills, and become an active participant in life rather than watch it pass me by.

What I’m looking for

Not just a city. I’m worried that if I move somewhere, rent an apartment, and wait for life to happen, I’ll end up isolated and drifting again. I don’t want to keep travelling just for the sake of travelling, but I also don’t want to settle somewhere only to find myself stuck in the same situation.

I think I need an anchor: something to get involved in, people to share an experience with, a skill to learn, a project to contribute to, or a community that gives everyday life some structure.

Places like Da Nang appeal to me because of their large international communities. There’s something comforting about being around others in a similar stage of life, figuring things out in their own way. I know some people prefer to integrate locally, but that kind of community is what draws me. Unfortunately, my passport makes visiting Bali and a few other places difficult, so I’m looking for alternatives with a similar atmosphere, or something completely different.

Co-living or shared living could work well too, but I’m not after the typical digital-nomad or tech networking scene. I’m more interested in communities where people share experiences, get involved in things together, and build meaningful connections.

What I’d love to hear

I’m hoping to discover possibilities I don’t even know exist yet. The kind of thing someone tells you about that makes you think, “I never knew something like that was even an option. I want to experience that.”

I’d love to hear about places, communities, living arrangements, jobs, skills, subcultures, or unexpected opportunities that helped you find your people, discover a direction, develop new abilities, or simply start enjoying life in a way you hadn’t before.

Unconventional paths are especially welcome. So are the times in your life that felt genuinely legendary, and what you think made them that way: the place, the people, the timing, or something you did differently. I’m less interested in lists of popular destinations or general “find a hobby” advice, and more interested in what actually happened to you and why it worked.

What experiences, communities, or ways of living would you point someone like me toward, and why?

Thanks, and wishing you all prosperity in every aspect of life 🖖

​

I'm considering some cities ,but I'm still not sure where to have my first long term experience,as a Digital Nomad:

Brazil: Rio de Janeiro or Florianópolis. The advantage is that,these cities are already in my country,all I would need is a plane ticket and one month's salary to begin my life.

Colombia: Medellin. I know there are a lot of other Digital Nomads,over there. The pictures of the city are gorgeous, and I heard that the weather is delicious ,all year round. With no worries about a cold winter or a very hot summer. This place also has an advantage because I have a Mercosur passport . So the Visa and immigration process would be quite gentle, compared to other destinations . Also,the plane tickets are quite cheap, from where I come from. I speak fluent Spanish,so it would be a little bit harder to get scammed.

Thailand: Chiang Mai or Pattaya. This is one of my dreams. It's a great country, with very friendly people and amazing beaches. Chiang Mai is known to have a strong Digital Nomad community with a lot of events and opportunities to know other Digital Nomads. The bright side is, that there would be a lot of other people in the same situation I would be, so I wouldn't feel so lonely. The downside is, that they demand a huge quantity of money on the savings account for the Destination Thailand Visa , the Visa process seems to be a little bit trickier than the other places and a lot of people from my country are becoming victims of human trafficking, in Thailand, so it seems a bit creepy .

Vietnam: Da Nang. Seems like another beautiful place in Southeast Asia ,with a lot of other Digital Nomads, with just as the same opportunities and events in Chiang Mai. I heard Vietnam is a great place to save money, I had many Vietnamese friends in my life and they seem like great people. The Visa process would be quick and easy. But, the downside is that the plane ticket is very expensive, and the tourist visa only lasts for 3 months. I take laws and rules very seriously and I wouldn't feel comfortable in doing visa runs every 3 months, on a 3-month tourist visa.

I would like to know other opinions, from other Digital Nomads, what they think about these cities and destinations, how was their experience in these places, in which of these places would you recommend.

Long story short, I have just gotten out of a long term relationship and quit my job and plan on backpacking for 3-4 months. I’m a 30 year old man living in Australia only speaking English (but wishing to go somewhere that the native language isn’t English

I planning on bringing one bag 7kg.

Beyond that I am hoping someone can convince me to go one over the other. Perhaps share some travel vlogs or reels of people traveling in either place?

I’m planning on going around (flexible) December and returning march.

Budget is flexible 25,000 AUD or $17000 USD… hopefully less but I understand South America is more expensive than SEA… heck I’m open to other options if there are suggestions

I’m not looking to do anything too fancy, honestly I’m just wanting to get out of my own head and experience other cultures. I usually hate tourist traps….

Thanks in advance for the help

Hi,

I often see that people who travel long term either have remote jobs, own companies, have investments that allow them to stop working, have large savings to keep them going, or have houses/apartments they rent.

I used to work remotely which allowed me to travel a bit, but I burnt out badly. The longing for travel isn’t gone though.

So I’d love to hear from those of you who have different ways of finding your travels - seasonal jobs, crafts, creative ways of earning money, etc. just curious to learn about all the different ways of making it work and perhaps get some inspiration for myself:)

I've been thinking about how long-term travel is often portrayed as the ultimate escape from the usual routine. No office, no repetitive days, new places whenever you feel like moving.

But I wonder what happens once the excitement wears off and traveling becomes your normal everyday life.

Do you eventually start missing having a home, familiar faces, and a stable routine? Or does the freedom genuinely make up for all of that?

I'm especially curious to hear from people who've been traveling for a year or longer.

Looking back, are you actually happier than before you started traveling? And what's something about this lifestyle that nobody really warned you about?