In all things we say “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” – James 4:15 NIV

What a blessing it is to travel! When it comes to buying consumer goods, I typically aim for the “buy it for life” kind of items if I can. A lot of our furniture cost less than $100 because it had some wear and tear that diminished its looks but thanks to their “good bones,” we gave them a new life—and a custom touch—through sanding and paint. With travel, though, I approach it differently. While I love finding a good deal, I’m more willing to spend money because I value the experience so much more than material things. God created such a beautiful and diverse world, and there’s so much to see. Our DINK(Duel Income, No Kids) travel bucket list is large and growing!

Last year, we took two domestic and two international trips. For each one, the key factors were our budget and the itinerary.

Budget  

We have a dedicated “Vacation Fund” because travel is an expensive priority for us. At the start of each year, we decide on the destinations we want to visit, this year Josh wants to only take Florida Trips. A few months before each trip, I research flights, lodging, and things we want to do like events and excursions. I typically book flights first since prices can fluctuate drastically based on dates. Once that and the lodging are paid I set aside money for food. The rest gets saved for when I start building our itinerary. I keep a running list of what we need to pay for and how much it’ll cost in Google Docs. 

Itineraries  

This is my favorite part of trip planning! Budgeting lays the foundation, but creating the itinerary is where the fun starts. We’re both big “scenery” people, so many of our activities involve being outdoors. I’ve also learned it’s great to only have one to three things a day to do so we can fully enjoy each place without being rushed. Once you add in dining and travel time you’ve got a good balance between busy and bored. If you’d like to view photos from our travels head over to the ChildfreeChristians Instagram page.

Our Top To-Do’s on Every Itinerary  

Free or Inexpensive ($30 or less):  

• Architecture – There’s a quote from Johann Walfgang von Goethe, “I call architecture frozen music.” That’s exactly how beautiful buildings make me feel 
• Grocery stores – I LOVE going to grocery stores to look at the types of food available.
• Thrift Stores – This is great for unique finds or just window shopping.  
• National and State Parks/Hiking – I’ll always sign up for exercise with beautiful views.  
• Botanical Gardens – Need to decompress after a long flight and being surrounded by people? These are the perfect places to go for easy, quiet walks.
• Building Tours – My love of interior design stems from my real estate photography days. (Click on a country to see the building tours we’ve done: Ireland, Panama, Costa Rica, Italy, USA.)  
• Walking Tours – Many times you can find these on eventbrite or through a simple google search, it’s also a great way to meet other travelers and chat with your local guide. 
• Festivals – Experiencing local celebrations is such a fun way to connect with a city. Our favorite so far? The El Tope festival in San Jose, Costa Rica, where horse owners from all over the country parade through the streets.  

Costly but Worth It:  

• ATV Excursions – AVT’ing for 2 hours through the desert and on the beach in Los Cabos, Mexico for my 30th birthday cost $200 but was worth every penny.
• Boat Tours – Whether it’s a budget-friendly cruise or a splurge like the 2-hour boat ride I took off the coast of France, these make for unforgettable memories.  
• Theatre Tickets – A newer addition to our travels, but I didn’t realize how much I’d enjoy the symphony in Dublin!  
• Massages – Not a must for every trip, but if it’s $1/min or less, I’m in. Self-care, anyone?  
• Bike/Scooter Rentals – So much to see and so little time! These are the perfect way to cover more ground without having to pay a tour company or private driver.

One thing that hasn’t been mentioned yet is transportation. This can quickly add up so once the itinerary is built, I’ll start mapping where everything is located on Google Maps. If something is really cool, but an hour away I compare the cost of using public transportation versus renting a car. Taking public transit can feel a little overwhelming, especially after a long flight when energy is running low. That’s when Uber often comes to the rescue. But if I can, I’ll use public transport for things like getting back to the airport. For example, in Rome, a taxi from Fiumicino Airport to downtown runs about $40, but the train is super easy and only $12 per person.

Key Takeaways/Tips:

• Don’t forget the little costs such as cell phone international data use or Ubers when you are too tired to walk.
• Write things down. Having a central place for all things pertaining to the trip will be a huge help. 
• Let your itinerary be flexible. Have an experience backup or two in case you’re tired one day. 
• Bring a bit of cash. A lot of times, as we are walking around a city, I will see a person and God will nudge me to give to them. That can be a meal, money, or purchasing a few items they may be selling. I always like to be prepared for this. 

If you want to read more about our finances the DINK Financial Foundations – The Base Budget and Bianca and Josh’s Financials: Updated Annually articles are good places to start.