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Introduction

Can you believe that I travelled to 60 countries! First I actually want to just give thanks to God because wow. I can’t believe I have been able to travel 60 countries! 60?!? and all without a single press trip. Pats back** When people find out I’ve travelled to over 60 countries, the first thing they ask is:

“Wow, do brands pay for all that?”

The honest answer? No. And unless I’m saying it for content purposes, I don’t really like to say it when I meet people. I have travelled to 60 countries without a single brand deal, and I’m glad I have because it’s a clear indication that you can travel and do the things you love without a sugar daddy or without being an influencer. You don’t need brand collaborations to see the world; you just need to act with strategy.

Now, before I get into the detail, I have to say brand trips will be nice and hopefully I will get to do one someday.

I’ve had many opportunities for brand trips in the past. The schedule just hasn’t aligned for me yet. I was asked to work with EasyJet Holidays to go to Turkey another for a food tour in Serbia and more recently a press trip in Greece. However, as many of you already know, I’ve been living abroad and it just hasn’t aligned with a busy schedule.

While the opportunities have been there and I’m greatful to be getting noticed. I just haven’t yet been able to align my busy work schedule with a trip where I’ve been flown out for an influencer trip or a paid campaign. Doesn’t mean I won’t be I believe when the time is right God will make sure everything is aligned for MBV, and when it does we will be all going together for sure! For now I want you to know that if you want to travel, you can, and I’m about to share how I travel to 60 countries without a single brand deal or a sugar daddy… because no.

Where It All Began…

This is more of a post on how to travel than anything. I’ve been travelling for over 10 years strategically, and on my own terms. It’s something I promised myself to do once I got my British passport. The challenges I faced in obtaining my British passport was real, so when I got it I knew it was my right to actually use it. Otherwise, what is the point right? And I have used it! I’ve travelled with group travel companies, like GoJolley, Ajala Travels and more (a firm believer of buying back into my community) and with friends, loved ones and my most favourite way to travel – solo.

This post is to inspire you to really get out there and travel. To do the things you love. Explore while you can and when you can. Don’t wait for people because honestly your timeline is different. And your life is different and you deserve to do the things you love, if it is travel. Which I believe it is otherwise you wouldn’t be here reading this with me today. Then keep on reading how I have travelled to 60 countries without a single brand deal!

Not Every Trip Was Out of My Own Pocket

Haha you thought I was going to say something else right! No.

While I haven’t taken any brand trips. I have been blessed and grateful to work internationally from diplomatic postings, trade missions to conferences, and official international engagements. I’ve been able to go to Switzerland, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Tunisia and more.

These trips have given me the opportunity not only to travel, but to explore new countries, and experience local culture and food.

But the harsh reality is:

These are a handful of countries. And many of the countries I’ve travelled to have been funded personally and travelled on my own accord. How have I done this? Well my travels have been done strategically, mostly on a budget. I have planned my travels and made it a priority.

Yes I mean it when I say strategic planning, a full-time busy job, and a deep love for travel food, culture and discovery.

If you have at least two of these then you are in right place.

Why I’m Sharing This?

Because it’s easy to do comparisons. Trust me I’ve been there. It’s part of the reason why my platform has come and gone. As well as with my recent career going international. I’ve just not felt like I can share in a way that made sense to me. But I want you to know this.

It may feel like everyone is being flown out. And honestly its so easy to think:

“I haven’t had or don’t have brand deals, can I even call myself a travel creator?” I’ve done this to myself many times.

But I had to remind myself what I have been blessed with. Which is a lot. And I want to remind you that your journey is valid. Your travels are amazing and you can travel. Go travelling the world if you want to. You can do it even without external validation.

You don’t need 10k followers; to go travelling the world you just need know how to travel and that starts with a good old plan and the drive or willingness to go.

How do I know this? Well because I’m a living breathing example that you can travel to 60 countries without a single brand partnerships.

How Did I Afford to Travel This Much?

I Worked Full-Time

My travels haven’t just been funded by vibes it was backed by a career. I have prioritised travelling. I have a good amount of annual leave days (30 days) and I use them strategically around public holidays.

I would say if you really want to travel, you need to prioritise your travel. Don’t waste your holidays at home do that at the weekends. When you book time of work, book a trip!

I Budgeted for Travel Like It Was Rent

No constant brunching. Designer hauls, flashy big cars are just not my thing. I chose flights instead of dinner dates every week and over fast fashion. Every trip was a conscious investment in myself, me travelling the world was and contuines to be something I love doing.

If you want to travel you have to go without with one thing whether it’s a coffee everyday, a designer handbag anything that makes the cost add up. Only you can decide and prioritise where your money goes.

I Took Advantage of Annual Leave and Living Abroad

UK bank holidays? I turned them into long weekends abroad. The benefits of living in Europe have allowed me to do day trips. And then living in Singapore as a student has allowed me to explore many South East Asian countries.

I learned to use my free time as a student and stretch 30 days of annual leave into 7–10 trips per year with proper planning. If you really want to travelling the world you are going to want to make use of your weekends and maybe consider doing a few “red-eye” flights to maximise your trips.

Want to know when you you can book your holidays use the cheat sheet I’ve created below for free to know when you should book your holidays for.

I Travelled Solo (and Smart)

I stopped waiting on friends. I’ve wanted to visit places that are often not always considers the typical girls trips or family trips. I wanted to travel to India, Senegal, Colombia, Jordan and many more. All countries that I wouldn’t have gone to if I didn’t go solo or with a travel group company.

If you really want to start travelling the world you will have to consider leaving your friends and just going. Go with a travel group or go solo it will give you so much freedom and expose you to people you are supposed to meet.

You can also purchase my leave your friends and go solo guide for free here also.

I Used Flight Deals & Travel Hacks

Skyscanner, Google Flights, Hopper I’m your girl.

Most if not all of my personal trips have been heavily influenced from me being flexiable with my dates, travelling during off-peak times, and random Wednesday departures. These tips have saved me thousands over the years. You need to play around with sites like sky scanner fly out the cheapest days and set alerts for your flights. It can make all the difference.

I Travelled Through Work Too But That’s Not The Whole Story

Living abroad and travelling for work helped me yes. I am very grateful to of travelled to several countries through work. But those trips were never about luxury. They were about purpose, policy, and real-world engagement.

The other 50+ countries? Me, my card, my calendar, and my conviction.

If you can get an international role abroad this will really help you travel more. I have a list of the international roles here.

The Unexpected Perks of Self-Funded Travel

• I grew my confidence. I know I can navigate anywhere when I am travelling the world now by myself from Morocco to Cape Verde, Ghana to Singapore.
• I have built authenticity. No pressure to perform. Just vibes and real stories of my travel experiences.
• I have earned trust. With my audience. With myself. And brands that have reached out to me.

Final Views on Travelling the World

If you’re dreaming of travelling but feel like it’s only for influencers with brand deals, I want you to hear this: You don’t need to be an influencer a content creator to travel. And you certainly don’t need permission. You just need to dream big, a plan and a willingness to put things into action.

I didn’t wait to be flown out.

I built a life where I could fly myself around the world. For some that’s empowering and for others it can be intimidating.

The good news is that you can also travel to 60 countries. You can even travel to a 100 countries you just need to trust, believe in yourself and get in planning.

Coming Soon: Solo Travel Starter Guide 2.0

I’ll be soon launching a brand new version of my Solo Travel Starter Guide. It will be filled with more of everything I’ve learned from travelling to 60+ countries (most of them solo, with a travel companies and self-funded). Stay tuned it’s going to be a good one.

Speak soon,

Adebola MBV xj