full-time travel Archives | BIG tiny World Travel

My Journey To Nomadic Freedom

Posted on September 3, 2020September 5, 2020 by BIG tiny World Travel in travel tips

I am Aaron, and for me; travel is the ultimate freedom. It is an escape from the known to the unknown. Travel is addictive and emotional. It is messy like a normal life, but exciting like there is no limit. While I took many quick trips around the USA as a kid and young adult, it took me 38 years of life to travel internationally. Why did it take so long? What was stopping me?

I took the typical path of getting college degrees, working my way up the ranks of the corporate world, and feeling unhappy. Work was not fulfilling me, and it was making me sick. I yearned for something more meaningful and something that made me happy. So at 38, I took my very first trip out of the country to Japan. While that was one of the greatest culture shocks I had ever had, it was the most incredible start to my travel journey. This is where I caught the travel bug that inspired the world trip, and the rest is history. I am free!

Aaron and Brianna posing at the top of the fortress in Omis, Croatia

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Aaron sitting at a viewpoint overlooking Brasov, Romania

The Uncertain Future of Travel – Where to Next?

Posted on August 20, 2020August 21, 2020 by Brianna Shade in travel tips

We love to travel, and for years, we looked forward to annual trips, international vacations, and local explorations. It just all came as a given, and we never questioned its prominent place in our lives. We never had to question the future of travel. When we departed last year for our grand world tour, we never could have imagined how it would end.

Now, we have been forced home due to global restrictions, and we’ve had to reconsider our future plans surrounding travel. Everyone has. Here’s what we think about the current situation and where we’re headed.

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How to Travel to Istanbul: All You Need to Know

Posted on August 6, 2020August 21, 2020 by Aaron Shade in travel tips, Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey is an incredible city that blends the cultures of Europe and Asia. It is located on both continents and divided by the Bosphorus Strait. The city is full of unique architecture, food, fascinating culture, and street cats. This quickly became one of our favorite destinations and we hope to see more of Turkey on our next European adventure. Istanbul is one of the most awe-inspiring cities we’ve been to so far. If you are visiting it for the first time, this guide will tell you everything you need to know to travel to Istanbul.

Aaron posing in front of a sign that reads "Istanbul" in a park in Istanbul, Turkey

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The Best Apps for Full-Time Travel Life

Posted on July 21, 2020August 30, 2020 by Aaron Shade in travel tips

Travel apps managed many aspects of our life of full-time travel, and we want to share with you the best ones we used regularly. These were critical in figuring out where we would stay next, how to get there, and what we wanted to see. They kept us on a budget and helped us find deals on flights. We even made friends on them and found entertainment on long layovers in airports. With so many apps out there, we have narrowed down the list to just the best.

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European Ruins: The Most Awesome Old Stuff

Posted on July 16, 2020July 15, 2020 by Brianna Shade in Europe, ruins

If you’ve been reading for a while, you’ll know that I simply adore ruins. It’s so fascinating to witness the evidence of the passage of time through something so carefully constructed being torn back down to its elements by the sheer force of nature. This juxtaposition of structure turned chaos is beautiful in its unique way, and I can’t get enough of it. If you share in my affinity for the elegance of decay, you’ll love these amazing ruins found all across Europe.

A gazebo frame at the Hotel Belvedere in Dubrovnik, Croatia

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Cairns stacked in front of mountains in Norway

Full-Time Travel Burnout: How to Avoid it

Posted on July 9, 2020August 6, 2020 by Aaron Shade in travel tips

Traveling full time is an amazing way to see the world, experience the cultures of many places, and meet people from all walks of life. It has a downside that most people don’t talk about: travel burnout. While we were on the road for many months, we kept our pace of cramming many activities into each day, walking tens of thousands of steps, and then crashing, just to do it all over again. That lifestyle is not sustainable and needs to have a better balance. Here are some tips on how you can avoid travel burnout and balance your full-time travels with some downtime.

Aaron laying down in front of a snowy waterfall in Norway

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Free Walking Tours – All You Need to Know

Posted on July 2, 2020August 6, 2020 by Brianna Shade in Budget Travel, Europe, Stories, travel tips

When you’re traveling indefinitely, it’s important to cut costs any way that you can. We’re really good at budgeting, and we found the best ways to pay almost nothing for lodging. And as for activities and the best ways to experience a new city, our go-to was definitely free walking tours.

Our tour guide, Diogo, in Porto, Portugal

Curious what they’re all about? We’ve got you covered! Read on to find out how to find them, what to expect, and why we love them so much!

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Mountain ridges as seen from an airplane

Are You Prepared to be a Full-time Traveler?

Posted on June 18, 2020June 19, 2020 by Brianna Shade in Planning, travel tips

Judging by picture-perfect, colorful squares on Instagram, the freedom of a travel lifestyle is presented as paradise – an endless parade of tropical breezes and fruity drinks, interspersed with exciting adventures that would make anyone envious. While travel is, indeed, amazing and life-changing and exhilarating and rewarding, social media paints an incomplete picture.

We have learned firsthand what living the life of travel entails. If you’re wondering if full-time travel is right for you – and if you’re ready for what actually awaits – here is what you can expect.
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Waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Visiting Plitvice Lakes in Autumn – Things to know before going

Posted on June 11, 2020June 10, 2020 by Aaron Shade in Croatia, Inspiration, Stories

In Croatia, Plitvice Lakes National Park is a must-see destination we were fortunate to see in the off-season of autumn. Plitvice’s stunning beauty brought us there, and we had an unforgettable experience. It was pure eye-candy to see so many waterfalls in one place. Here are some things to know before going and a short video of our experience in the park. Continue reading “Visiting Plitvice Lakes in Autumn – Things to know before going” →

Croatian flag on the wall of Dubrovnik, Croatia

45 Scenes from Croatia to Inspire Wanderlust

Posted on June 4, 2020June 3, 2020 by Brianna Shade in Croatia, Inspiration, Photography

We spent over six months touring all over Europe, and we enjoyed so many of its beautiful villages and cities. However, we weren’t expecting to end up adoring Croatia as much as we do now. Every new city had its own vibe and wonderful tidbits to discover, and the more we moved throughout the country, the more we found to keep us there.

These are just some of the many photos that represent the splendor of Croatia, and we hope they inspire you to visit and discover firsthand why we love it so much.