Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it wasn’t? What if you could reduce the cost of your accommodation to zero while still enjoying the comforts of home? That’s what house swaps promise. House swaps have been around for decades. It was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They became all the rage but then were soon eclipsed by sites like Airbnb. But as travel prices skyrocketed post-COVID, more and more people have turned back to house swaps as a means of saving money while they travel while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of an Airbnb). House swaps are exactly what they sound like. You sign up, list your home, and then swap with someone else in another city. They stay in your place and you stay in their place. The biggest and most popular platform for swaps is HomeExchange . And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with a house swa...
Big news everyone! The Nomadic Network (TNN) is back! TNN is the community we built for travelers back in 2019. TNN’s goal was to connect fellow travelers through in-person meetups all around the world.
In 2020, we shifted to virtual events, connecting you to a wide variety of voices that could teach you everything from budget travel to itinerary planning to travel insurance to finding friends to information about specific destinations.
We also ran 25 tours around Europe, the Middle East, and Mexico. Seeing all of these connections between like-minded travelers form true friendships was truly awesome and unforgettable.
However, last summer, I realized that I wanted to focus my time more on writing books. That meant that I needed to scale back all my business endeavors so I made the difficult decision to pause TNN while I figured out a way to keep it going while balancing my new goals.
I’m happy to say that I figured it out and TNN is back!
One of our amazing TNN chapter leaders who has been with us since the beginning offered to take the lead and keep the community and tours alive. So, I’d love to introduce you to the person who will be running TNN going forward: Lisa Field!
Lisa has been a proactive, inspiring community member who has stepped up time and time again over the years. Aside from hosting the Portland chapter’s monthly meetups, she attended at least 100 virtual events (!!), hosted a few events herself, and repped TNN at travel conferences. Here is us at TravelCon earlier this year:
In 2019, she began building a travel blog with international travel tips and hacks and joined The Nomadic Network (TNN) as a founding chapter leader in Portland. She’s even ran local tours, offering hikes and snowshoe trips around the Pacific Northwest.
So, when she offered to take over TNN, it seemed like a natural fit. Who better to lead the community into its next phase than a member of the community! That is, after all, the purpose of TNN. I wanted a place for travelers to find “their people” and change their lives for the better.
So, what does this mean for you?
I’ve given control of everything over to Lisa: the website, the infrastructure, the email list, and all social media accounts.
Moving forward, you’ll be hearing from her. She’s getting everything set up to start hosting events in the fall and tours again next year. She’s going to keep the ethos of the program the same so the same spirit and vibe you’ve been used to will live on.
TNN Community Events
First, it means TNN events are back. Starting this month, TNN will host a few events geared toward connecting travelers to people and resources that get them traveling differently, better, and more. These events will still be pay-what-you-can to allow for as many people to access them as possible.
Here are the first few:
- August Travel Happy Hour (Thursday, August 22)
- September Travel Happy Hour (Thursday, September 12)
- Value Travel: Finding the Balance Between Budget and Experience (Thursday, September 26)
- October Travel Happy Hour (Thursday, October 10)
- Depth Beyond Distance: Insights into Enriching Travel & Life (Thursday, October 24)
And, if you’d like to be a part of the Portland, Oregon chapter, they are hosting monthly in-person meetups around the city. You can sign up for that here.
2025 TNN Tours
These tours will be very similar to the TNN tours of the recent past. They’re still centered around traveling with like-minded travelers. They’ll still greatly prioritize hands-on cultural experiences and special, local interactions.
They’ll also still lean toward budget consciousness, however, all of the accommodations will be at least three-star (everyone wants/needs a good night’s sleep after all) and tour prices will include many expected gratuities, to make it easier.
Additionally, they’ll have an option for adding a carbon offset, and Lisa herself will be traveling on each and every tour herself!
Use the code “LAUNCH” to get $200 OFF when you register for any tour before Sunday, August 18th, 2024 at 11:59 PM PT.
Here’s a quick overview of the amazing tours happening in 2025:
India
(March 9–20, 2025) – Dive into India’s vibrant culture and history, from Delhi’s bustling streets to Agra’s awe-inspiring Taj Mahal and Jaipur’s stunning pink palaces. Savor a special dinner with a local family, witness the Taj Mahal at sunrise, and immerse yourself in village life with traditional crafts and lively Bollywood music.
A highlight? Celebrating the world-famous Holi festival in Jaipur, joining locals in a joyous, colorful celebration of good triumphing over evil. This unforgettable adventure promises royal elegance, cultural richness, and the enchanting beauty of everyday life in India. More details here.
Vietnam
(March 24–April 4, 2025) – Embark on our unforgettable 12-Day Vietnam Odyssey Experience, journeying from Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant streets to Hanoi’s ancient temples. Discover Hue’s imperial citadels, Hoi An’s lantern-lit charm, and Ninh Binh’s stunning landscapes with a local homestay. Glide through hidden caves on a sampan boat and hike through verdant rice paddies.
If you want, you can even choose to extend your adventure with a magical three-day add-on to Bai Tu Long Bay, drifting among Halong Bay’s emerald waters. This trip promises an immersive bucket-list experience of Vietnam’s beauty and culture. More details here.
Greece
(September 24-October 1, 2025) – Think you know Greece? Think again — there’s so much more beyond the typical highlights. We’re diving deep into this incredible country, from Athens’ vibrant contemporary art scene and street food delights to the charming villages of Tinos and the historic allure of Naxos.
In Athens, we’ll savor the city’s best street food and take a private tour of the iconic Acropolis. On Tinos, we’ll experience hands-on organic cooking at a historic farm, and in Naxos, we’ll taste local olive oils at the Eggares Olive Press.
For those craving more adventure, our optional Santorini three-day add-on includes a breathtaking caldera hike and a sunset catamaran cruise with dinner on board. More details here.
Peru
(October 23–Nov 2, 2025) – Journey through Peru starting in Cusco, you’ll explore the ancient Inca Empire, historic sites, and vibrant markets before venturing into the Sacred Valley. Enjoy a day of hiking on the renowned Inca Trail, leading you through lush cloud forests to the breathtaking site of Machu Picchu, where you’ll witness a sunrise over this iconic World Wonder. Discover the secrets of Maras’ salt mines and Moray’s agricultural terraces, then immerse yourself in local life with a homestay on Lake Titicaca’s Amantaní Island. More details here.
Morocco
(November 6–16, 2025) – Join us on a captivating and colorful journey through Morocco! Start with the vibrant city of Casablanca and its breathtaking Hassan II Mosque, wander through the enchanting blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, and then delve into the rich history and bustling markets of Fes after exploring the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. Traverse the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains to Arfoud, where an unforgettable Sahara Desert adventure awaits with a camel trek, traditional music, and mesmerizing stargazing under the vast desert sky. Experience the stunning landscapes of the Dades Valley and the High Atlas Mountains, stopping at local cooperatives and immersing ourselves in the region’s serene beauty.
Finally, explore Marrakech’s lively medina, with guided tours, vibrant markets, and time to shop, explore, and savor the vibrant culture. More details here.
Since 2019, the TNN community meetups have been bringing travelers together, fostering connections and friendships. So if you want to meet like-minded people to talk to, swap travel stories, learn from, visit while you’re on a trip, or possibly plan a grand adventure with — be sure to check out The Nomadic Network!
If you want to stay up-to-date on all things TNN, sign up here.
I’m excited that TNN will continue to connect travelers and communities across the globe!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- SafetyWing (best for everyone)
- InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
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