Where have you travelled in 2007?

[phil]

Where have you fellow escape artists travelled to this year? And where do you still plan to travel to?

- Started the year off right with 1-week sea kayaking in Costa Rica
- Two weeks in China, a pure "business" trip (well I love the business so its doesn't seem like work), quite a mind opening experience in a foreign land
- Relaxed in Albequerque, Santa Fe, and southern Colorado for 2 weeks
- Hung out with friends in Wisconsin for a week
- Road trip from California to Oklahoma
- Drive down the California coast and hang out at a resort in Santa Barbara
- Hiking in Yosemite
And in the coming months:
- Week on the north coast of California
- Week in Denver
- Week in Las Vegas
- Thanksgiving at a resort in Scottsdale AZ

[final_id]

I went to Meridian, Mississippi, to buy a mattress. :o

[Christoph]

This is off focus, but combines the last 2 years so I don't look so pathetic. I'm not in the most 'positive' of cash flows either. I hit Denver, Colorado Springs (Manitou Springs is by far my fav place in CO) San Diego, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Laughlin, Vegas, Yuma, and other misc places in NE, IA, SD, and MN. I make it a point to get at least 2-3 weeks major vacation per year. I don't care if I don't have the money because I think the experience I will have years from now outweigh any short burden due to money.

Some of the neatest places I've been to were had when I was about 13. I've been in the White House, and a lot of the other 'high-level' buildings in DC...I would kill to go back now!!

My unworthy 2 cents :(

[wildsoul]

I picked up Tim's book this year because 2007 has been about extreme overworking and underearning, in the sense that my overhead's gone up a lot. So I haven't been doing any travel just for fun. But I always take at least one extra day off when I travel for work, just to enjoy the city I'm in.

Feb:
Las Vegas. Stayed at THE Hotel at Mandalay Bay, which is my favorite super-quiet hotel. Funny, but I can't remember where we all went for dinner this trip. Obvioiusly, no where very memorable!

July:
Santa Fe. Stayed with my work friends at their spectacular home in the hills. Several colleagues moved there this year, as you can get double the home compared to CA. They're trying to convince me to move, too. But other than my friends, I don't think the town of Santa Fe is all that great.

Aug:
Chicago and Milwaukee. Packing my bags today for a conference I'm speaking at in Chicago this week. Afterwards, a dear friend is driving down from Milwaukee for a night in the windy city before we go up to Milwaukee for the weekend.

I'd like to go to NYC just for fun this year. A 4-day trip would be ideal, to go dancing where my DJ friend works, hang with another old friend, and get some shopping in! I'm going to have to look into making that happen.

[cheez avenger]

Well, my treks won't start until 2008. Those will be my international ones.

2 weeks in Mexico--I'll be based in Guadalajara (I've got family there which means free room and board :D ). Next, I'll be heading over to Mexico City (gotta check them pyramids out!) and finally Guanajuato (I've gotta check out the famous mummies of Guanajuato). This will happen in March of 08.

My mom and sister beat me to it and are already there! :)




I'm stoked just thinking about it!

Apologies in advance to the OP, I know you said "current"... but that's where I'm at right now. ;)



-cheez avenger

[jdlk]

Trips this year weren't exactly mini-retirements but those jam packed style ones.

February - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (all-inclusive)
April - Ottawa, Ontario (business & hockey game)

And in 18 days I'm leaving for a month and half backpacking trek across Europe over 11 countries

[final_id]

I have a question for you folks who are off on interesting and exciting trips: how are you funding them? I mean, have you succeeded in getting the Tim Plan (TM) into commission, or did you have a different type of income previous to finding the book? I have never actually been free to take vacation, and certainly wasn't able to fund anything "fun" to do when I DID have office-closed type time off (though generally it was "expected" that we ... go in to the office anyway). Is the Tim Plan (TM) something which extremely high-paid executives, alone, are finding feasible? I am realizing I'm not amid members of my social class, here. If you can afford (in time and money) a month and a half in Europe (for example) why do you NEED the Tim Plan (TM) in the first place?

[Peter Bowen]

I have a question for you folks who are off on interesting and exciting trips: how are you funding them?

Sold off my businesses to retire at 36.

South Africa 4000km road trip along the coast from Durban to Cape Town.

Ireland for an 18 month sabbatical (5 months in)

Cheers

Pete

[jetpacklife]

I've done a week in each of these:

Switzerland
Istanbul Turkey
Rome
Portland, or
Seattle, wa
Northern Cali

probably 3 more trips this year:
Texas
Spain
Caribbean

[final_id]

Sold off my businesses to retire at 36.

South Africa 4000km road trip along the coast from Durban to Cape Town.

Ireland for an 18 month sabbatical (5 months in)

Cheers

Pete


So Pete, you didn't really "mini-retire" according to Tim's plan, right? You're more traditional -- able to maximize a big block of income in a way that I have failed to do -- and so the "counter-cultural" lessons of the 4HWW book are really not necessary for you, right?

I don't mean to judge -- you can be counter-cultural or mainstream-cultural all you want for all I care! -- but I'm trying to figure out models for my own plans for the future. I don't have businesses I can "sell off" to retire early. I've got a rusty thumb, like King Sadim (get it, "Midas" backwards?). That's why I'm Sad, I'm King Sad-I'm, har har har ...

[jdlk]

I'm still a 9-5 code monkey here in Canada. I was fortunate enough to get 4 weeks paid vacation this year (special circumstance) and had a few overtime hours banked as vacation days.
Also 25yrs old single and debt-free so the disposable income might be higher than average...but my trip is only going to cost ~4000 including flights, eurail, hostels, food & drink....admitedly not a mini-retirement however.

[yuugen]

I don't have much savings or cashflow yet. I consider my "mini-vacations" that freedom to take off work whenever I need to...when I feel a little sick or stressed, to go see friends who are in town, when I need to look at apartments, etc.

[Peter Bowen]

So Pete, you didn't really "mini-retire" according to Tim's plan, right? You're more traditional -- able to maximize a big block of income in a way that I have failed to do -- and so the "counter-cultural" lessons of the 4HWW book are really not necessary for you, right?

I don't mean to judge -- you can be counter-cultural or mainstream-cultural all you want for all I care! -- but I'm trying to figure out models for my own plans for the future. I don't have businesses I can "sell off" to retire early. I've got a rusty thumb, like King Sadim (get it, "Midas" backwards?). That's why I'm Sad, I'm King Sad-I'm, har har har ...

I didn't know about mini-retirements until I had already started and read the book. It all made sense retrospectively because I had been working myself to death and wanted something different but didn't want to stop working forever.

I'm easing out of mini-retirement right now (about a year was enough) and enjoying consulting work arising from my muse (http://www.nomore247.com)

This work has an ongoing component in that I take a profit share stake in the businesses I systemize in exchange for upfront fees - it'll fund the next mini-retirements.

Cheers

Pete

[James Grey]

Iraq – S. Korea – Indonesia – Thailand – Kuwait – Singapore – Jordan – US – Germany – Mexico - Hmmmm… I think that I am forgetting some

[captaink]

Based in Switzerland, so keep that in mind:

- Travel to a spa in Vals, Switzerland. Great Place and a truly relaxing day.
- Canyoning in Amden, Switzerland.

- Travels to Germany, visiting friends and family, including a trip to a movie theme park.

- Traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia. One week vacation.

::captaink::

[gsimd]

A month in Southern France.

A month in San Diego.

A few days in North Carolina (for the Dwell Home and some BBQ).

Michael
http://www.familyhack.com

[jdlk]

I'm off to Europe today! Have a good month all. My muse should be ready to launch about a month after my return. Can't wait to share with you all.

Keep the 4hww spirit alive.

[Alexa]

Nicaragua is one of the most under-utilized countries in Latin America in terms of tourist potential. Part of this is because of the negative image left over from the 70's and 80's, but almost all of it is undeserved now. Besides being far less expensive than neighboring Costa Rica, Nicaragua has fewer tourists, better surfing, and more deserted tropical beaches. What's not to love?

[daveinmtl]

just got back from 2 1/2 weeks in ukraine, russia, and amsterdam

had a long weekend in vegas and califonia earlier this year (extended a business trip)

looking to extend a business trip for a weekend in florida in october

[final_id]

Dave in Mtl ... is that Montreal? You're in Montreal and you're visiting locations that also have beautiful women. Did you find that your four-hour lifestyle contributed to, or interfered with, establishing meaningful romantic relationships with members of the opposite sex?

I ask for purely personal reasons -- I've always had a hard time reconciling the two (an alternative viewpoint about lifestyle and income; versus getting a date with an attractive woman) and I'd appreciate any pointers that might help alleviate my difficulties.

Maybe you aren't after the same thing, in which case, sorry to have assumed ...

[gsimd]

If any of you are traveling with kids, check out "10 Essential Packing Rules for Traveling with Kids". Many miles went into this post. I hope it helps you all live the 4hww mobile lifestyle.

http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/packing-rules/

Best,
Michael
http://www.familyhack.com

[MikeFromMarz]

Not as much travel this year but moved across the US to Portland, OR from Minneapolis this spring. In '07 have also have been to Boston, NYC and (how is this for exotic) Madison, WI!

I have plans in 08 to travel to Costa Rica and possibly Sweden/Norway though. I'm trying very hard to keep as mobile as possible (My girlfriend and I rent, travel light, don't own much "stuff"!) :)

[daveinmtl]

Dave in Mtl ... is that Montreal? You're in Montreal and you're visiting locations that also have beautiful women. Did you find that your four-hour lifestyle contributed to, or interfered with, establishing meaningful romantic relationships with members of the opposite sex?

yes I am in Montreal... and I have visted locations with beautiful women... but also with my girlfriend...

establishing meaningful relationships with the opposite sex, in my opinion, is a matter of your attitude... then again- advice from me may not be the best... I'm divorced...

I am working towards a four hour lifestyle... but what I have now is a job in sales which takes me to interesting places... so I get to go to moscow for meetings... then add on some personal time off...

but if I had a four hour lifestyle... and was single... I would definitely go to eastern europe for meeting women. Kiev would top my list.

[Webzu]

I went to Arizona in April to thaw out (living in Minnesota). Then I went home to Costa Rica in June. October was busy travel for me, I went to London, then to Chicago to compete in the Urbanathlon, then I was in Panama from the 22-28th.

That's it for 2007. I'm planning a trip to Scotland in March 2008!

[Tom in Budapest]

but if I had a four hour lifestyle... and was single... I would definitely go to eastern europe for meeting women. Kiev would top my list.

See my username ;)

As of Jan 1 I lived in Germany - then Marseille, Naples, Vienna, Budapest, NYC, Port of Spain (Trinidad) for Carneval, all over the Dominican Republic, Boston, moved to Budapest; then Rome, Naples, Nice, Barcelona, Serbia, back and forth to Rome and Vienna a couple of times, NJ for a college reunion...that might be all. Most of that travel was either with or to meet beautiful women. If you're not trying to get married, you can have a very active dating life. If you are trying to get married, try something else. Barcelona is my new favorite city in the world.

Living off of savings and working on getting established as a freelance writer in addition to trying to build muses and whatnot. If all goes as it should I'll have a bar here in Budapest within six months that also generates passive income and free me up to do it again, and again, and again...

Cheers
Tom

[EnjoyingLife]

We have been in California from February until May, 90 days exactly as that is what our tourist visa allows. We (husband, me and 3 kids) are from the Netherlands. We went for 1 week to Las Vegas. And the rest of the time rented an appartment-long stay in Anaheim, which was just as expansive as renting a house in Orange County.

We went back to The Netherlands in the summer and found out about the 4HWW book, which was a huge relief, as it made me feel better about my lifestyle. (Some people actually made me belief, what we did was no good in the long run, esp. with our kids, who are 2, 4 and 5 years old - all boys).

In The Netherlands we have rented an RV for 5 days and went to a christian convention (Opwekking).

In October we went back to the US and made a 7 day stopover in Montreal, Canada. And we will be staying here for 90 days again. We have been from here to Palm Springs for 1 week. You can find some good deals on eBay from people who have a TimeShare. We paid $250 for a nice resort for 4 people (and slept there with 5), for 7 days.

BTW we have an internet company (webhosting & programming) and as long as 1 of the partners is locally in Amsterdam with the servers & clients, the others can work worldwide. One of the partners has a girlfriend in Thailand, so he likes to go there twice a year for about 2-3 months.

[jaime]

I am retired and get a great pension. I have three part-time jobs that are extremely flexible so I can travel but not for an extended amount of time. Besides, it's getting harder to travel with all of the TSA/CPB hassles. Anyhow, in 2007 I went to Florida, Thailand twice, China twice (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macau), France, Netherlands, Ecuador for Spanish study :) , and Brazil once.

This year I am burning some frequent flier miles to go to India at the end of the month and then to Brazil for Portuguese study in late March. In June I'll be in Portugal for a volunteer vacation. And this weekend I'm leaving for Florida.

I like Tim's philosophy of studying languages and doing something physical while traveling. I can speak three languages (not including English) so I love to study languages in the country but hate team sports. I work out on a daily basis but it is hard to do this in a foreign country unless the hotel has a gym.

[phil]

Thanks for sharing about your wonderful travels.

I'm starting the year off right. Heading off tonight for a week of dog sledding and cross country skiing in Minnesota.

[time_for_a_change]

i'm still a 9-5er but i always make it a point to go away at least for a week. i try to maximize my days so i can take more vacations (i.e. plan around holidays and summer fridays so i don't have to use vacation days). anyway, i'm by no means rich or wealthy, but once i have it in my mind to go someplace i make every point to go and i find ways to go. anyway, this year i confined my trips to the U.S:

Business:
Dallas, TX (weekend trip)
Chicago, IL (weekend trip)
Though these were business trips, i still made the most of the time and the trips were relaxing

Leisure:
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Miami
all of these were at least 3-5 days each

I would probably go more places, my husband actually limits us lol he's constantly in the "but we can't afford" or "we have more important things to do" so he'll talk himself out of it and i'm not going to travel alone (unless i go with my mother or friends which i have done in the past)

2008 plans:
Vegas (i LOVE vegas)
Italy
Spain
Bahamas
Miami
and wherever else i can go lol

[time_for_a_change]

oh and i just started ready tim's book so i didn't even realize that i was already on the right track. now if i can go away for months at a time.....

[overseasplease]

2007 - U.S. - Netherlands - UAE - Iraq - Kuwait - Thailand

Back to Thailand/possibly Nepal too in Feb. 2008 should be a busy one.

[bradfordplip]

ok, let see... home is the midwest US

January - UK
March - Las Vegas NV, Los Angeles CA, Maui & Kauai HI
June - Chihuahua Mexico
July - England, Wales, Scotland, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy (Sicily)
July to December - India - Rakasthan, Delhi, Agra, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Pondicherry
October - China, Czech Republic, Germany
November - Sri Lanka
December - UK, East Coast (NJ,NY,CT,MA,VT), Canada (Quebec and Ontario)

Plans for 08 so far...

Feb/Mar - UK, France, Germany, Czech Rep, India, China
Apr - Brazil

I was lucky in 07 - it was a good year for travel

[FreeDeez]

2007 was a slow year. I started as an English teacher in South Korea,

then England

Croatia

San Francisco

Tahoe

Home to Texas

2 month road trip to:
Yellowstone
Orgeon
Redwoods
Yosemite
Grand Canyon
Hopi Reservation
Flagstaff and Sedona

Leaving for South America in two months!!