Nomadic Matt's Travel Tuesday

= = {NAME}, ​ Greetings from NYC! This weekend, I head to Paris (I'll be playing tour guide to some friends who have never been) and then it's off to [TravelCon in Portland]( (I'll be speaking there). ​ One of the things that I've been thinking about a lot recently is the idea of “balance.” ​ On the one hand, I have a nomadic soul. On the other hand, I love being rooted in a place, having a good group of friends, having a routine, and going to the gym. ​ These two parts of me are in stark opposition and keeping them in balance is a constant struggle. (I wish I had a clone!) ​ I see this problem in many other long-term travelers. There comes a point where they feel lost and out of whack. They can't juggle all the plates anymore and they burn out. This is especially true for digital nomads. ​ Last weekend, I speaking at a conference in Toronto and said that you shouldn't try to work and travel simultaneously. You can simply never balance the two. It is a recipe for disaster. Anyone who ever tries burns out. (My co-panelists agreed.) ​ In the last couple of years, I've gone from traveler to homebody. Last year, I only went on three big trips and Toronto was my first trip in three months! For a travel writer, that's not a lot! ​ I think maybe I've been so committed to building a life in NYC that I've neglected my nomadic side, which might be why I've been so antsy lately. A wise friend told me to stop trying to have both extremes fully and just go at a pace that feels right. Want to travel? Book a trip. Want to stay at home? Stay at home. ​ All of which is my long-winded way of saying I’m going to spend July and August in Europe, exploring areas I've never been to before. Will I make it two months? Who cares? I'll come home when I'm ready! ​ And speaking of travel, [SafetyWing](=) is doing an amazing giveaway where one lucky winner will get a one-month workation in Mexico City! To enter, log into your SafetyWing account or [register using this link](=). You can enter the giveaway for free until May 16th. ​ UPCOMING FREE WEBINARS ​[How to Earn Free Travel By Paying Your Rent]( - Next month, we're hosting a FREE webinar with Bilt. Bilt has been my go-to credit card since it came out. Join me as I chat with the VP of Travel at Bilt, Richard Kerr, to learn more about this card and how it can help you travel for less! The event is on May 22nd at 12pm EDT. [You can sign up here](. ​ RECENTLY UPDATED RESOURCES Planning a trip? Here's a handful of updated articles that will help you make the most out of your next trip: ​ - ​[16 EASY Steps to Plan Your Next Trip]()​ - ​[What I Pack for My Travels](​ - ​[How to Buy the Best Travel Insurance](​ - ​[61 Travel Tips to Make You a Savvy Traveler](=)​ - ​[How to Become a Housesitter & Get Free Accommodation](​ - ​[How to ALWAYS Find a Cheap Flight](​ - ​[23 Ways to Cut Your Expenses & Have More Money for Travel](=)​ - ​[My Ultimate Europe Budget Guide](​ ​ NEWS & STORIES FROM AROUND THE WEB 1. [Hawaii is Removing Its Famous Stairway to Heaven]( - Overtourism and bad behavior from visitors has forced the island to remove this iconic attraction. ​ 2. [How Ryanair Is Using Social Media to Keep You Coming Back for More]() - A neat read on how Ryanair is "memeing" its way into our good graces. ​ 3. [Amsterdam bans New Hotels]( - To battle overtourism, Amsterdam is banning new hotels from being constructed. They're also putting a limit on river cruises too. ​ BOOK OF THE WEEK ​[The Beach by Alex Garland]() - This novel is focused on a group of backpackers and their search for paradise. It's one of the best travel books ever and, as I just saw Garland's new movie, it's been on my mind. It’s a fun, page-turning tale about how backpackers’ search for the “ideal destination” can end up ruining that ideal. [Get it on Amazon]() | [Get it on Bookshop]()​ ​ NEW BLOG POSTS ​[The Perfect 7-Day Japan Itinerary for First-Time Visitors](​ If you're short on time, this 7-day itinerary will help you see the country's main sights, though, hopefully, you go for more than just 7 days! ​ ​[How to Find the Perfect Apartment Rental]()​ ​ I recently updated this post with new tips and advice, especially in the age of high fees and overtourism. ​ QUOTE OF THE WEEK "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." - C.S. Lewis ​ *** ​ As always, if you have any questions, reply to this email. I'll be happy to help. ​ Sincerely, ​ Nomadic Matt ​ P.S. - Booking a trip soon? Here are some resources to use: - Book your flight with [Skyscanner](=). - Book your hostel with [Hostelworld](). - Book your hotel with [Booking.com](). - Book your travel insurance with [SafetyWing](. - Book your day tours with [Get Your Guide](). - Book your car rental with [Discover Cars](=). - Check out the [best travel credit cards](). By using our links when you book, at no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission. This allows us to produce free articles that help you travel cheaper and better. ​ ​ = = ​ ​ ​[Unsubscribe]( | [Update your profile]( | 2318 Santa Rosa Street, Austin, Texas 78702 | [Opt-out of preference-based advertising](​