Table of Contents
Introduction
How I travel so much without quitting my job? It’s so easy and simple that I just thought of it today. I wanted to answer the most often asked question that I get. Have you ever asked yourself:?
“How do I you travel so much without quitting my job?”
I get it. Sometimes (just sometimes) it feels like travel is this secret society that no one talks about. Like maybe people who travel are hiding something lol. Maybe they don’t want you to enjoy life the way they do. Or maybe it just seems like you need loads of money or unlimited time off to see the world.
Well I have so much in store for you because I’m here to tell you the truth. There’s no secret society, no streams of unlimited money, and the usual public holidays you and I get. Whatever view you had that was limiting you to not travel is just not true. So stop limiting yourself. I’ve travelled to over 55 countries all while working full-time. I kept my job, skipped the influencer path, and used real strategy to travel the world.
This post is for the 9-5ers, the annual-leave-maximisers, the people balancing dreams with deadlines. If you want to travel more without putting your career on pause, this is the perfect post for you.
And if you are on a look out for some ideas then check out this 36+ Perfect Destinations to Visit Each Month of the Year
1. Be Strategic With Annual Leave
Working in the public sector has its perks, one being generous annual leave. I get around 30 days annual leave a year. I know my American peeps don’t get this. I’m sorry! But even with that, I’ve learned to plan trips around weekends and public holidays to stretch my days.
And this is the thing. I never just take random days off. I plan around long weekends and quieter work periods. Sometimes, one smartly placed annual leave day can turn into a 4-day trip. And you can do the same I’ve created two FREE printable holiday calendars to help you plan smarter:
Download Your Free Travel Planners
Plan smarter and make the most of your time off with these beautifully designed printable planners:
- 🇬🇧 UK Bank Holidays 2025–2026 – Perfect for planning around weekends and long breaks.
- 🇺🇸 US Federal Holidays 2025–2026 – Ideal for maximising your Paid Time Off (PTO).
Tap below to download your calendar and start booking smarter trips today!
Use these to map out your leave (depending where you are in the world) and make every day off count. You can use the PDF to print it out, save on your phone and makes notes.
And A Real Life Example: How I Stretched 8 Days of Leave into 2 Weeks
Let me show you how I planned a real trip around bank holidays. For my trip to Rwanda, Uganda, and Zanzibar, I only used 8 days of annual leave, but thanks to two UK bank holidays and weekends, I managed to travel for 14 days total.
Here’s how:
- Bank Holidays: Easter Monday and Early May Bank Holiday
- Weekends: 4 weekend days
- Annual Leave: Just 8 days booked
That was 14 full days abroad, without needing to quit my job or ask for special leave. And I planned it using the exact calendar you can download above.
2. Travel Around Work Commitments
I’ve been blessed to have the opportunities to travel for work and if I can I always make the most of them. If I’m sent somewhere, I try to add on a day or two to explore. It’s one of the easiest ways to see new places without touching much annual leave.
I also treat travel the way some people treat mortgages or house renovations. I plan for it, I budget monthly and use a dedicated travel savings account. My views is that I to do what I LOVE I have to prioritise travel over impulse buys. If it matters to you, you’ll find a way – trust me.
3. I Plan Trips Like a Military Operation (In a Good Way)
I’m kinda of ashamed (not really) to admit that Skyscanner is basically my Instagram. I check it constantly, I am always looking for my next flight. And I will go on there daily and check ‘Everywhere’. I’ve always been curious about traveling so I’m not picky about where I go also. Once I see something I like I then set flight alerts, and play with dates. Google Flights is also helpful, but Skyscanner is my absolute go-to.
Don’t book the first flight you see. Be flexible, start early, and pounce when the right deal comes up. Apps like:
- Splitwise, an app that allows you to keep track of expenses and balances with your friends, family on trips etc.
- Hopper, an app that helps you find and book the best prices on hotels, homes, flights, and car rentals.
- Eurostar’s snap sales have helped me lock in affordable weekend trips around Europe.
- Viator or GetYourGuide to pre-plan my activities. You don’t have to pay straight away! Theres more apps in my Taste The World: A Beginner’s Guide to Global Gastronomic Adventures E-book, which has a ton of apps and much more.
4. Prioritise Destinations That Fit Your Life
You don’t have to fly long-haul to feel like you’ve “really” travelled. Some of my favourite breaks have been short-haul trips flight for less than £70 to Croatia or a £25 getaway to Ireland.
Travel within your reach. It doesn’t have to be luxury. It just has to work for you.
Not every trip has to be a long haul flight and honestly if you’re like me it doesn’t have to be the “luxiooours” destinations that ‘everyone’ is going to. Forget Dubai, Bali or even Amsterdam and go somewhere that isn’t on everyones radar. You can easily take short breaks that are affordable for you like a £50.44 flight to Croatia or a £25 flight to Ireland.
The most important thing is to do whats within your reach… expand your horizons! And please don’t wait to travel and see the world. Your life starts now.
5. Accept That You Can’t See Everything at Once
You’re not in a race. Not every country needs to be ticked off in one year. I have been traveling well over a decade. It takes time please don’t rush.
I’ve wanted to go to Brazil for the longest time, and was recently asked to go with a friend. But I turned it down. Why? Because I already had a few countries lined up that year and couldn’t justify another big trip. It just wouldn’t make any economical sense to anyone.
It’s about quality over quantity. And it’s okay to travel slower. It’s more meaningful.
6. Let Go of Travel Guilt
You don’t need to justify your trips to anyone. If travel is something you LOVE, then do it. But just because someone else is travelling it doesn’t mean you have to. Don’t let someone else’s life be the driving force. It won’t last.
You might not see travel as your go-to. It might be brunches. Meeting at friends, whatever it is. Don’t shame someone from doing what they absolutely love!
In this life you are allowed to rest. You’re allowed to explore. Taste the world. Don’t let other people’s limitations become yours.
Conclusion
You don’t have to quit your job to see the world. You just need to be more intentional with how you use your time, money, and mindset.
I’m living proof that you can build your career and your passport at the same time.
Travel doesn’t have to be a two-week holiday in Bali. It could be a long weekend in Croatia, five days in Colombia, a solo retreat in Ireland, or a work trip to South Africa with a few extra days tacked on.
You’re allowed to design a life filled with adventure without quitting your job, your goals, or your growth.
If this post helped you, subscribe to the blog for more tips. And don’t forget to download your free bank holiday travel planners.
MBV x
