Go World Travel is reader-supported and may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this piece.
If someone had told me I would be swimming with turtles, sliding down a mountain in a basket, swimming in the Blue Lagoon, dancing in the rain in the St. Lucia Rain Forest, or drinking from an ice glass in an ice bar in my sixties, while travelling the world on my own, I would never have believed them.
How a Beach Shack Stay Inspired My Travel Life
After returning back to the UK after the pandemic, I was stunned by the price of property and found myself priced out of the property market. Deciding not to panic and think outside the box, I rented a little holiday shack on the beach for a season. It was heaven.
From my little wooden veranda I could hear the waves crashing against the shore. I could see the incredible sunsets as the sky turned from a turquoise blue, through to vibrant oranges, reds and purples, before turning an inky black filled with a million diamond stars.
I had breakfast on the veranda, lunch on the beach and dinner on the barbecue. Life was pretty perfect.
However, I knew it was only a temporary solution so I set myself a challenge. Could I travel full time, for the same price as renting a small flat, and living costs, in England?
My budget was £1500 per month.
From Victorian Convent to Buddhist Monastery
My first stop was a beautiful Victorian convent by the sea with a double room and en suite, plus three meals a day for £250.
My second stop was somewhere I returned to several times, not just because it was free, but because I loved it! It was a Buddhist Monastery, where board and a room was free, in return for working and taking care of the Monks and Nuns. It was one of my favourite places I stayed.
Best Tips & Tools to Plan Your Trip
I met so many inspirational people from all over the world, from 18 to 80. Many of them only possessed what they carried in their backpack. Some of them ‘Monastery hopped’ going to countries around the world such as Thailand, Portugal, France, India, Italy and staying for free in return for a little work
Camping, Treehouses and Cruises
After that I headed for the west country staying in wooden camping pods, a tree house and my little tent for a few months before setting off on adventures further afield.
I found a two week cruise around the Mediterranean for £799 going to France, Spain, Portugal and some Mediterranean islands. Lounging by the pool, chatting in the hot tub, going to shows, eating fabulous food. What’s not to love?
Just a few days back in England (stayed at the Monastery) and I found a cruise going to Norway, Iceland and The Arctic Circle for just over a thousand pound for three weeks. Not bad when you consider it is travel, accommodation, food, entertainment and so much more. Waking up in the middle of a fjord where you felt you could reach out and touch the mountains, remains one of my greatest memories.
Even though it was summer there was still snow on the top of the mountains and I took a trip to a glacier. I went to an ice bar in Norway where you drank out of ice glasses and in Iceland I swam in the incredible Blue Lagoon, definitely one off my bucket list!
Read More: Why Norway’s Trollfjord Should Be On Your Bucket List
Venturing from Europe to the Caribbean
I travelled anywhere, by any means, as long as it was within my budget. I spent seven fabulous weeks driving around France in the summertime. Then I flew to Spain for a couple of months to an apartment in Malaga for the wintertime (apartment was 500 euros a month).
I scoured last minute deals and managed to find what I think was my deal of the year. A cruise from England stopping at Madeira, Antigua, St Lucia, St Kitts, and Barbados for £1200.
As I had saved some money from staying at The Monastery I had a little extra to spend on having fun, so slid down the side of a mountain in a basket in Madeira and sailed on a schooner in Antigua.
In Barbados, where the waters are so warm and so clear I ticked another bucket list, swimming with turtles. But my best was yet to come!
In St Lucia I took a trip to the unimaginably beautiful Rain Forest. It was so hot and humid you could barely breathe… and then the rain came. Not just ordinary rain, but like giant crystals falling from the sky. Everyone just danced in the rain, it was absolutely magical! The atmosphere was electric with people singing reggae songs and dancing, absolutely soaking wet!
Read More: Viking Ocean Cruise Visits Nine Caribbean Islands
Returning to England
I have been back in England for six weeks and living in a gorgeous little three hundred year old cottage, far away from where I lived before, but I am having fun exploring new areas. I have written a book about my adventures Growing Old, Growing Free, started a blog.
And am a writer for an online magazine for women over sixty. I hope I can inspire one person to get out there and live their dreams, you are never too old.
Never once was I lonely, travelling on your own means you either talk to people, or spend a long time on your own! In fact, it is the people I have met that have provided me with some very special memories I will never forget.
Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat! None of us know what is around the corner so we need to make memories when we can. This past year I have made enough to last a lifetime.
Read More:
Author Bio: Lily has been a writer for over 20 years and now writes articles for online magazines. She also has just written a book about travelling solo around the world, Growing Old Growing Free and has a a blog https://growingoldgrowingfree.blogspot.com
- Discover Claremont, California Along Historic Route 66 - December 6, 2024
- Three Sites to Soothe the Soul in Kyoto, Japan - December 5, 2024
- 13 Essential Tips For Women Traveling in Morocco - December 4, 2024