Saffron on Rose takes Paris, France.

Saffron on Rose takes New York City.

Saffron on Rose takes Seattle, Washington.

Saffron on Rose takes Melbourne, Australia.

Saffron on Rose takes Cape Town, South Africa.

Hi Loves!

I often get messages from all of you asking how I travel so much. Of course, I am grateful for every opportunity to travel , whether it be work or leisure but let me set the record straight on how I actually travel .  I get comments saying I am lucky to see the world, but the truth is I am no millionaire or celebrity and I am just a normal girl who strives to achieve her love for wanderlust. Oh, and a girl who knows how to budget her travels well and hustle to achieve her goals . To give you an idea, last year alone, I managed to take 6 international trips (Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Dubai, India) and this year I am not doing too bad either. ;)  (Zimbabwe, South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town), Europe (Sweden, Denmark, Paris), and more to go because the year is not over)!

I have compiled some of my top tips for budget travel and how to actually be able to travel without sacrificing an amazing time.

1. Stay at a hostel or air b n b or even do couch surfing. I know a vacation makes you want to crave a resort or a fancy hotel room but you can save so much if you choose to stay in a less expensive place. Most of the time I am traveling, I am barely even sleeping or in the room so for me it honestly does not even make sense to splurge on accommodation. A huge plus for staying at an air b n b is having a local experience of a place you are traveling to. Its also more comfortable and if you choose to , you can have snacks or make your own meals. I know hostels are not for everyone but as someone who has backpacked , I have to say my experience was so rewarding. I was able to meet so many incredible people from all over the world who became dear friends because of it and I have more positive to say about it than negative. It is also awesome for solo travelers because you can easily make friends. I personally do a lot of solo travel so this option does work well for my needs. Couch surfing is also an option if you absolutely want to travel on a budget. I have never personally tried this but I have heard some good things from friends but I would use caution if you are a female traveling alone.
2. Save up! If you want to always travel then give up other pleasures of life. You have to be willing to save on travel and flights but then skip on that handbag or new pair of shoes you’ve been wanting. It all comes down to budgeting and spending your money wisely!
3. Travel alone. I hear so many people say that they wait around for their friends or partner for travel plans but seriously do not wait. Also, do not be scared. There are so many destinations you can go to alone (I’m talking to you females!). I have traveled alone to over 6 countries and it was the best experience of my life. It taught me how to be independent, organized, and mature. (And trust me, I know many women who have done so much more, go ladies!!! #girlpower)
4. Use your miles. There are so many credit cards you can open up that will help you accumulate your miles. You can try Chase Sapphire which is great but there are also many other ones. You can check out a useful link I found about the best credit cards with mileage benefits here.
5. Sign up for travel deals and networks so you know when sales come up. I have signed up for ones with Jet Blue, South West, and other local airlines. And do not miss these deals! Then you have no excuse. ;) This is a really great website I have used for great hacks on travel deals, mileage, etc, check it out here.
6. Travel light. Seriously! When I was coming back from Australia I bought so much that I had to dump things otherwise I would be paying a hefty fee of 900 dollars. Make sure you pack light so you have room for shopping on your trip. This also helps to keep your mind and body in a better shape.
7. Make a journal! Write down your travel goals.  Remember, that you have to make it a priority to see the world…. There is so much to explore and I personally have that thirst for adventure so find it within you and go book a flight! ;)
8. Make sacrifices. With work , school, kids, jobs, commitments, I know its not easy to escape. But if you make me time once in a while, it will do you good and allow you to slow down and be happier with your self and life.
9. Don’t take taxis…go with uber instead at least! (If its offered!)  It can save you a little bit and its easier to use and in my experience, safer. Also, take advantage of great public transportation in some cities like New York, Sydney, or Tokyo, where it is amazing, I know this cannot apply everywhere but you can make the most of it if they have it and its safe / reliable .
10. Explore on your own or even take tours. I realized that that was a contradiction but you can save so much if you do a tour and if it covers a lot of places in a day. I did some in Paris that took me away from the main city to go and see Versailles. On the other hand, in a place like Seattle, I would recommend walking around the city because many of the attractions can be reached by foot. This is definitely something to keep in mind if you are trying to travel on a budget.
11. If you are in college, I recommend doing a study abroad or exchange program. It allows you to learn about a different country, culture, and explore yourself. Many universities have great programs where you can get financial aid and still fulfill your degree requirements. This is like killing two birds with one stone, because you get to have fun and travel but also get that diploma!
12. If you are seeking work or even adventure, then consider becoming an au pair or house sitter. There are awesome programs all over the world where you can live with hosts for free if you just take care of their kids or pets. This will allow you to see the world and get immersed in a new culture without breaking your budget.

Hope these tips helped you and please let me know how you manage to travel so much. I still wish I could travel more so I want to hear from you…what are your top tips on making the most of travel each year? And where would you like to travel to next?  Thanks for reading!

PS. I decided to include a few of my random travel pictures in this post…. Hope you enjoyed them ! xx

Love

Alisha