Are you deciding whether to take a few days off from work to travel abroad or if you rather pack your backpack and buy a one-way ticket to your new adventure? I know – it’s a hard one!

For most working people, it is much easier to book a 3-nights holiday somewhere in Europe than considering selling everything and leave the “normal life” behind to travel the world.

However, long-term travel has its own beauty in having a great amount of time to explore beyond the tourist attraction, experience the culture and live like a local. It’s only up to you, what you prefer!

What is a Short-Term Travel?

If you’re not ready to move out of the country, leave your family or quit the job, that’s perfectly fine! Short-term traveling allows you to experience the new country within a few days and gives you the opportunity to enjoy yourself, to unwind.

Short trips are perfect for people working 9-5, who have limited time off but still want to travel. Cheap flights, easy to find sightseeing spots and a ton of beautiful social media pictures.

All these are available within a simple click, so why would you stay at home?

Traveling is addictive and once you start, you just want to explore and experience more. This is where long-term traveling comes to your mind. Wouldn’t it be great not having to rush anywhere and explore beyond the crowded places?

Ever heard of Jules Verne’s novel – Around the world in 80 days? Personally, I think this would be too short, but it inspired people to find realistic alternatives – which can be quite funny like this one: Around the world in 80 hours.

What is Long-Term Travel?

Long-term travel described in one word is freedom. Freedom to do anything, anytime and anywhere. When you buy a one-way ticket, you might have a plan for the first week or two.

However, the more you travel, the more you plan on the go. While traveling, many times you might get lost in cities (voluntarily or not) instead of hunting for every touristy place full of people.

Benefits of traveling the world are countless. Being part of a local community, becoming much more open-minded and respectful to other cultures but also appreciating everything more are just a few examples!

However, a trip around the world isn’t always only about the good times. Things don’t always go to plan; traveling is getting you out of your comfort zone and you might feel lonely.

But on the other hand, it teaches you patience, good budgeting skills and how to travel light. It also connects you with people from all over the world, which is priceless.

All these awesome fellow travel bloggers pursued their dream, moved abroad and have been touring around the world while sharing their experiences on their blogs!

Why is Slow Travel Better?

Slow travel is about quality instead of quantity which I definitely prefer! Exchanging planned and scheduled trips for a more thorough exploration of the country and connecting with local culture, people, and their lifestyle is the most authentic experience you can get.

The benefits are fully enjoying every moment and appreciating what’s around you. By using bikes, buses, or trains instead of airplanes allows you to see more country views, landscapes, and you will have a far better and more adventurous experience!

Now, it’s only up to you which type of travel you prefer or should I say which one you can manage at the moment? But from my experience (long-term traveler talking), I wouldn’t change my travel lifestyle because every day is different.

About Melissa Giroux

Melissa Giroux founded abrokenbackpack.com in 2015. She is been living abroad since 2014. Originally Canadian, she has been living and working online in many destinations around the world. She is passionate about traveling, technology, entrepreneurship, and CrossFit.

She has traveled extensively in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. She is now living in Thailand.


☑ Book your flight: Who said you won’t be able to find cheap flights? My top saving tip is flexibility. If you're flexible, you should be able to find a cheaper flight. Check out Skyscanner or Google Flights for the hottest deals.

☑ Book your accommodation: Want the comfort of being at home or the luxury of a hotel? I love using Vrbo and Booking.com for those very reasons. If you're a solo traveler, Hostelworld offers a wide variety of hostels you should take a look at. Alternatively, if you're a budget traveler, sign up for Worldpackers to get FREE accommodation in exchange for work.

☑ Rent a car or an RV: Make your trip more comfortable by renting a car with DiscoverCars.com. This website allows you to compare car rentals around the world. If you're traveling in the United States, find an RV rental on RVshare.

☑ Stay safe: Travel mishaps happen – so, better be safe than sorry by covering your back with travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing, Genki or Heymondo as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers.

☑ Pack the essentials: Universal charger, check; power bank, check; passport, check! What else could you forget? I've put together this ultimate packing list just for you!

☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren't sure if you need a visa, it’s highly recommended for you to double-check. You can use iVisa - it's super useful and easy to use.

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