For those who are new to my blog, I’m Tee McNeill, a luxury personal travel advisor and recently named Top Travel Specialist by Condé Nast Traveler. My approach to travel planning is typically very hands-on, and many of my clients have found this bespoke approach to be a game-changer.
The one thing that many people do not know about me is that I’m location independent. In December 2017, I left my home in the San Francisco Bay Area to travel the world full-time. I favor slow travel, which means that I like to spend a few weeks to a full month in each destination. This past year alone, I traveled to London, Dublin, Malta, Athens, and Portugal.
Related: Discovering Portugal: Four-part Series
The irony is that I’m terrible at planning my own travel. I procrastinate, agonize over where to go next, and drag my feet when I must decide between a luxury hotel or a vacation rental. This year I vowed to hire a personal assistant whose sole responsibility would be to plan my own trips!
That didn’t quite work out, so I’ve decided to mix things up a bit. I’ve opted to join Remote Year’s four-month program in Europe.
If you’re unfamiliar with Remote Year, in this blog post, I’ll be sharing more about how Remote Year works, the benefits of the program, and how I can help my clients participate in the program.
What Is Remote Year?
Remote Year is a program that offers remote workers and digital nomads an exciting opportunity to work while traveling the world. Founded in 2015, it has become a popular choice among those seeking adventure, cultural immersion, and personal growth.
Participants in Remote Year typically sign up for a 1-, 4- or 12-month program, during which they live and work in different cities around the world. Remote Year takes care of accommodations, co-working spaces, internal flights, and airport transfers. This takes most of the stress out of long-term travel, allowing you to focus on your work and your trip. In addition, participants receive on-site support from Remote Year staff.
While Remote Year takes care of many aspects of the work-travel experience, it’s important to note that you are still responsible for certain expenses not covered in the program fee.
Some of the costs not covered include:
- Meals and personal expenses
- Flight expenses to the first destination and back home
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Any additional activities or tours not organized by Remote Year
Speaking of activities organized by Remote Year, when you sign up for a program using my Remote Year affiliate link, you’ll earn a $100 credit! You can redeem it on anything from activities, tours, excursions, additional amenities and more while on your Remote Year trip.
The Key Benefits of Remote Year Programs
Credit: Selina.com/cowork
The Remote Year program provides more than just flights, accommodations and co-working spaces. Here are some of the things you can look forward to on your Remote Year Journey.
Co-Working Spaces: One of the key selling points of Remote Year is access to functional and comfortable co-working spaces. These co-working spaces are designed to cater to the diverse needs of remote workers. They will typically offer fast, reliable internet access, a variety of working environments such as quiet zones, meeting rooms, and communal areas, along with all the essential office amenities. During the pandemic, the Selina brand bought Remote Year, so now we have access to the Selina coworking spaces all around the world!
Work and Travel Balance: Remote Year allows you to maintain a healthy work-life balance while traveling. By offering centrally located accommodations, co-working spaces, and travel arrangements between destinations, you will be able to seamlessly integrate work and travel experiences.
Curated Living Arrangements: Accommodations are in apartment-style condos located in safe and walkable neighborhoods so that you can feel at home while exploring your new surroundings. From each accommodation, you will have easy access to cafes, bars & restaurants, popular sights, and the local transportation network.
Cultural Immersion: Engaging with local cultures and communities is an important part of the Remote Year program.
- City explorations: learn about the rich history and unique vibe of each city through guided tours and self-organized excursions.
- Cultural events: attend local festivals, performances, and exhibitions, immersing yourself in the arts and culture of the region.
- Community service: volunteer for an opportunity to give back to the local community and make a positive impact.
By exploring cities, attending cultural events, and interacting with locals, you’ll broaden your perspective and gain a deeper understanding of the places they visit.
Professional Development: You’ll find Remote Year program participants are typically a diverse group of professionals from a variety of industries and backgrounds. These unique perspectives and experiences enrich the overall experience and foster a collaborative and supportive environment. The program encourages collaborative learning and teamwork through workshops, brainstorming sessions, and group projects, contributing to a strong sense of community among participants.
Community building: Remote Year programs provide a sense of community and connection through the digital and in-person events they organize.
These include regularly scheduled networking events, workshops, guest speakers, professional and social events. You will need to have a paid membership to the Remote Year Community to attend most of these events.
My Remote Year 4-Month Journey Through Europe
While Remote Year offers programs all over the world such as Latin America, Africa, and Asia, I chose the 4-month Journey Through Europe. This program offers all of the above benefits but is tailored to four European cities. That means that I will be traveling through Istanbul, Turkey; Athens, Greece; Split, Croatia, and Tirana, Albania. These destinations have been carefully selected because they have a rich cultural history, breathtaking natural landscapes, and many interesting sights to explore.
Steps to Apply for A Remote Year Program
Currently, Remote Year has a Refer-a-Friend program to help you travel the world, too!
When you sign up for a 12-month, 4-month, or 1-month program, you will receive a $100 credit on experiences all over the world. This means that credit can be used to take a hot air balloon ride over the Aztec Pyramids, take a Yucatan Mayan Adventure, and so much more.
If you’re interested in learning more or signing up for a program, you can use my referral link to start the process. Be sure to fill out the form on the landing page to qualify as a referral.
Below are the steps to apply for the Remote Year program that’s best for you:
- Visit Remote Year’s Website: Begin by navigating to the Remote Year website and browsing through their range of programs.
- Select a 1-Month, 4-Month or 12-Month Journey: Choose your favorite journey and review the itinerary, costs, and requirements. Alternatively, use my Remote Year affiliate link at no extra cost to you, and earn a $100 credit.
- Complete the Online Application: Fill out the online application form, providing personal information and details about your remote work situation.
- Interview Process: If shortlisted, participate in an interview conducted by a Remote Year representative to evaluate your compatibility with the program and community.
- Acceptance and Payments: If selected, receive an acceptance letter and proceed to make the required upfront payment along with subsequent monthly installments.
Once accepted into the program, participants can look forward to a culturally enriching and professionally stimulating 4-month adventure through Europe.
Success Stories and Testimonials
Remote Year has garnered an impressive rating, with a score of 4.5 out of 5 on TrustPilot, with over 300 reviews. Reading through, I found a lot of people had a lot of positive experiences and transformative personal journeys.
Here are a couple of lovely reviews I came across.
One traveler, Stefani, enjoyed stepping out of her comfort zone and immersing herself in new cultures during her time exploring Europe. This is what she had to say about her Remote Year experience:
I found that spending time with people from different backgrounds showed my how easy it is to become absorbed in one’s own bubble and routine. The journey has encouraged me to live life more fully.
Another traveler expressed gratitude to their community leader, Omar Bravo, saying;
Omar made our 4-month trip a life-changing experience that has had a lasting impact on both our personal and professional lives.
Others appreciated the balance between work and adventure, cheering that workweeks are better with group dinners overlooking the Acropolis or sunsets over the Adriatic Sea. Not to forget the wonderful opportunity to bring their job to delightful places like the rooftops of Istanbul, the sidewalk cafes of Tirana, and the shores of Split!
There’s no doubt in my mind that the Remote Year 4-Month Journey Through Europe program will be a worthwhile investment in my personal growth, cultural exchange, and broadened horizons. I’m really looking forward to it!
Equally important is the fact that I will be able to scout out new luxury destinations for my clients. I know how much you appreciate my hotel site visits and walk-throughs. Any new videos will be posted to my YouTube channel.
The Benefits of Hiring a Personal Travel Advisor for Your Remote Year Trip
If you want to take your Remote Year journey to the next level, I can significantly enhance your Remote Year experience.
As a personal travel consultant, I will also leverage my expertise and knowledge to provide you with a number of benefits that will make your trip more enjoyable, efficient, and stress-free.
The most obvious way to best assist you is by helping you with your international flights to and from the first and last destination cities. And don’t forget that you will need help with obtaining specialized travel insurance designed for remote workers and help applying for specific travel visas.
Remote Year already has a robust marketplace where you can add-on many different tours and excursions, day trips, and extensions. You can even upgrade your accommodations!
But for those who want something different or more personalized assistance, I can provide you with invaluable recommendations for local attractions, cultural events, and experiences that may not be included in the standard remote year package. This means authentic off-the-beaten-path activities that match your personal interests, so you can maximize your experience in each city you visit.
Most importantly, I’ve been at this remote lifestyle now for several years, and I’ve learned a thing or two about how to ebb and flow from one destination to the next. Therefore, I offer guidance and practical support in managing your schedule, especially when it comes to coordinating work, travel, and leisure activities. This helps ensure you stay productive while exploring new destinations during your Remote Year trip.
Whatever path you choose, one thing is certain; Remote Year provides a unique and fulfilling opportunity to combine work and adventure. I wholly recommend checking them out!
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