When you feel like you’ve lost touch with who you are and what you want, nothing beats hitting the road to see the world and reconnect with yourself. But, while travelling can create amazing memories, it’s not guaranteed to deliver the answers you need… unless you do it right. Dreaming about your own Eat, Pray, Love ‘travel to find yourself’ experience? Here are four ultimate trips to try.
Unsettled
What is it: Two-week or one-month group immersive experiences in the world’s most inspirational locations. Destinations on offer include Bali (Indonesia), Medellin (Colombia), Lima (Peru), Cape Town (South Africa), Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Barcelona (Spain)
What does it involve: You’ll travel on your own to a completely different country where you will live in a villa-style setting with a group of 15 to 20 complete strangers. And while they may be strangers, you’re likely to find that they understand you better than even your closest family and friends. Why? Because Unsettled attracts societal rebels like you – that’s people who appreciate there must be more to life than the 9-to-5 grind and are on a mission to find their purpose, feel alive and become the best version of themselves possible.
While you’ll have your own personal space (everyone gets their own private rooms) and freedom to go off on your own as much as you like, Unsettled also provides you with ample opportunities to feel like part of a tight-knit community. As a group, you’ll go on local adventures, immerse yourself in the culture, enjoy group meals out and take part in group workshops on any topic you like.
And if you can’t take time off work, that’s no problem. Most Unsettled experiences include access to a local co-working space, so you can work when you need to.
Unsettled attracts societal rebels like you – that’s people who appreciate there must be more to life than the 9-to-5 grind and are on a mission to find their purpose, feel alive and become the best version of themselves possible.
Unique selling point: The community – we’ve tried the Unsettled experience ourselves and can promise you that it feels like a homecoming if those in your everyday life just don’t understand why you can’t settle for an average existence.
Downside: Unsettled trips aim to give you the space, context and community you need to find yourself and start figuring things out. This means there is no hand holding or specific personal development work to help you figure things out. However, if you are self sufficient and have great initiative for seeking out the experiences you need to try to help you get the answers you want, you’ll have an amazing experience.
How much does it cost: The exact price depends on the location and if you sign up for a two-week or one-month experience. On average, prices vary between US$2,000 and 3,000.
Find out more about Unsettled.
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Remote Year
What is it: It’s the ultimate around-the-world-in-one-year experience. You’ll travel around the world’s most vibrant cities with a group of other professionals and spend one month at a time in a different country before moving on to your next destination. But if the thought of taking a whole year out is a little too daunting, you can also opt for four- and six-month experiences.
If you sign up for the 12-month program, you’ll travel around all the continents, living and working in cities, such as Hanoi (Vietnam), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Valencia (Spain), Cape Town (South Africa), Santiago (Chile) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
The four month programme offers a chance for you to travel around one continent, while the six month programme will take you to three different continents.
You’ll travel around the world’s most vibrant cities with a group of other professionals and spend one month at a time in a different country before moving on to your next destination.
What does it involve: You’ll take your work on the road while exploring new countries and cultures with a close-knit group of likeminded people, who will inevitably become ‘family’ over the course of the year. You’ll have ample opportunity to explore new passions, learn new skills, complete personal goals and develop meaningful relationships with your community.
And because you’ll be combining work with play, each trip includes 24/7 access to a workspace in every city.
There’s also the option to take part in social or professional events, get involved in community volunteering programmes and dive into carefully curated local adventures.
Unique selling point: That’s obvious – Remote Year offers a whole year away from your daily routine, takes away the hassle of arranging a round-the-world tour for yourself and provides you with a group of friends to go on your adventure with. They’ll even work with you to develop a plan for convincing your boss to let you work remotely for a year.
Downside: If you want to travel to find yourself BUT you have a job that isn’t compatible with remote work, this isn’t the trip for you.
How much does it cost: We’re not going to lie and say it’s cheap – it’s not. But you’re paying for a hassle-free once-in-a-lifetime experience. The 12-month programme costs US$5,000 up front, followed by monthly payments of US$2,000.
Find out more about Remote Year.
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Be Here
What is it: We like to think of Be Here as a type of travel concierge for women who want to live in a different country but don’t want the hassle of finding all the essential elements they need to call that new country ‘home’.
Locations include: Bali (Indonesia), Barcelona (Spain), Austin (USA), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Prague (Czech Republic), Budapest (Hungary) and Berlin (Germany).
What does it involve: Be Here will set you up with a beautiful private, furnished apartment, co-working space and modern fitness studios, all in a centrally-located part of town that’s both safe and close to the action. All you have to do is show up and start your new life.
Be Here also has on-the-ground city hosts to help you get familiar with your new city and have the most authentic ‘travel to find yourself’ experience possible.
We like to think of Be Here as a type of travel concierge for women who want to live in a different country but don’t want the hassle of finding all the essential elements they need to call that new country ‘home’.
Unique selling point: This is a true Eat, Pray, Love type of experience because you’ll be going it alone – no group members and no itinerary – which means you can do what you want, when you want to and how you want to do it, without having to think about anyone else. It’s also only for women and you can stay for as long as you like.
Downside: You’re on your own – it isn’t a group experience. This isn’t necessarily a problem if you’re desperate for space and time to yourself. However, if you’re looking for camaraderie in a new country where you know no-one, it could be an issue.
How much does it cost: The exact price depends on the city of your choice, the amenities you would like to have access to and how long you’d like to stay. Prices start from US$1,000 per month for accommodation only.
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FOUND
What is it: FOUND is a 21-day immersive experience for wellness entrepreneurs who are looking for more balance in life and to really figure out what the heck they are doing. If you’re thinking of starting a business or already have a business, but feel like things aren’t flowing as they should be, this could be what you’ve been looking for.
What does it involve: You’ll head to the beachside village of Canggu in Bali for a 21-day life and business overhaul. You’ll take part in workshops and mentoring sessions during weekdays and have the weekends to explore the island. But even though the weekdays are dedicated to solidifying your business idea, you’ll also enjoy early morning meditation and fitness sessions.
After 21 days in paradise, you’ll leave with a clear plan for your business, greater confidence in what you’re doing in life and a new network of like-minded wellness entrepreneurs.
If you’re thinking of starting a business or already have a business, but feel like things aren’t flowing as they should be, this could be what you’ve been looking for.
Unique selling point: This is a trip for those who know that a wellness business is what they want to do with their life. You’ll have access to a team of wellness heavyweights, such as Natalia Bojanic and Damian Soong – the founders of Form Nutrition – and yoga teacher and blogger Cat Meffan. If they can’t lick your wellness business into shape, no-one can.
Downside: The focus of this experience is creating a business that works in harmony with the life you want. This means that if you’re looking for a carefree trip in which you get lost in being in a new country and allow fate to guide you towards what you would like to do in life, this probably isn’t the experience for you.
How much does it cost: Room prices range from £1,000 to £3,000 for the three weeks
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Have you been on a life-changing travel experience? Let us know what it was and how you found it in the comments below.
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