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Kick Start Your Travelutions For The New Year

By Akinlolu Oluwamuyiwa
20 January 2017   |   11:56 am
While we are all still talking New Year resolutions, have you considered your ‘travelutions’ for 2017?   When you experience new cultures, peoples and places, it changes you, so if you’re looking for transformation in your life this year, where better to start than by transforming your surroundings. Travel + resolution Travel + revolution is the next…

While we are all still talking New Year resolutions, have you considered your ‘travelutions’ for 2017?   When you experience new cultures, peoples and places, it changes you, so if you’re looking for transformation in your life this year, where better to start than by transforming your surroundings. Travel + resolution Travel + revolution is the next big step when it comes to modern day exploration, essentially referring to travel + resolution.

Being a green passport holder resident in Nigeria, it’s not easy to pack your bags and go! Traveling requires adequate planning and this puts off people from achieving their travelutions. Here are a few tips on how to make those travel goals happen this year. Do not let your green passport stop you from making 2017 your year of travel.

Save smart: Saving towards travel is very important for achieving your travel goals. Setting up a direct debit with your bank is the most effective way to do this and this way you don’t forget to put money in your travel account. You should also be realistic while setting aside money. If a trip to your dream destination costs N800,000 and you intend to set aside N100,000 per month, you should set up that direct debit in January i.e now

travelutions

Be a dealmaker: Subscribe to booking platforms that offer holiday+flight deals such as Wakanow and Travelstart Nigeria. Airlines also have deals from time to time and you could join their mailing list too. When visiting neighbouring countries at a go i.e. going on an Euro trip, use low-cost carriers or other means of transportation such as trains and buses.

 

Road trip it!: Neigbouring countries Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Benin Republic etc are all within your reach. It saves you a lot of money on transportation and many transportation companies take trips to these countries for an affordable price. There are also private cars available for hire if public transportation isn’t your thing. In the alternative, be bold and hit the road on your own. Do not forget to get the necessary documents i.e. laissez passer.

Swerve the visa: There is no stress like visa form filling/queuing at the embassy stress. Definitely the worst part of travelling. Best to start with visa free/visa on arrival countries. Did you now Nigerian passport holders can visit over 40 countries visa free/visa on arrival? Not everyday USA or Eurozone! Check out our suggestions below..     

travelutionsBarbados (Visa free for 6 months)

Burundi (Visa on arrival for 30 days)

Cape Verde (Visa on arrival)

Comoros Island (Visa on arrival)

Dominican (Visa free for 21 days)

Gambia (Visa free for 90 days)

Georgia (Visa on arrival)

Madagascar (Visa on arrival for 90 days)

Maldives (Visa on arrival for 30 days)

Mauritius (Visa free for 90 days)

 

  1. Get Hosted: This is a huge money-saver on accommodation and a great way to meet locals. If you don’t just happen to have friends living opposite a beach in the country of your choice check out hospitality/hosting sites such as Couchsurfing, Bewelcome, Warmshowers, Staydu, Airbnb, Globefreeloader, Staydon’tpay, Stay4free , Hospitalityclub etc. These hosting sites are sometimes tailored specific to the kind of traveler you are. For example while Warmshowers is for touring cyclists, Staydu is for budget travelers. Ensure to do adequate research and read reviews of your hosts before you get hosted!

Getaway at home: Sometimes, local travel is the way to go. Nigeria has so much to offer in terms of natural untapped sites if you have an open mind and an adventurous spirit. Far-flung countries have their allure but be like Dorothy. Click your heels and repeat after me, ‘There’s no place like home’.

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