Seriously, where does that leave me? Travel is my alpha and omega. It is my raison d’être. if we all have little ’projects’ in life, like baking, children, motorbikes. gardening, DIY, mine is surely travel. I’m not good at sitting still and, from a young age, have been filled with an insatiable curiosity. As far as I’m concerned, the world isn’t big enough for me to see in a lifetime…
Established as a non-profit, the idea was to connect people around the globe - between those who had a couch to spare (and were happy to host) and those who were looking for one. And this wasn’t just about affordable travel either - it was also a way of getting immersed in local culture. Today, it’s beloved by millions, myself included.
Having travelled in some of the poorest countries in the world has made me incredibly grateful for what I have. I may not be a wealthy woman by western standards (I don't own a car, a home or earn a hefty salary) but compared to women my age in Africa, South America and Asia I'm doing well. And since I believe that we all have a responsibility in life to "give back" I was immediately drawn to the charity "Lend With Care..."
When you're planning on taking a trip, finding a flight is going to be one of your major expenses, so it pays to do a bit of research before you book something. Flying super cheap as a courier (I used to fly from London to NY, delivering documents, back in the 90's, for as little as $150 round trip) is over. But don't despair, there are still ways to make sure your flight ticket doesn't break the bank. Here are some of my tips...
If there's one thing you can't leave home without, it's travel insurance and I can't emphasise this enough. One of the first pieces of advice I give to someone planning a trip is, don't even think of hitting the road without it. When you're on the road, you have to hope for the best but prepare for the worst – and, as I found out over the years, things can and will go wrong, just when you're least expecting it...
