We live in a world that’s constantly going through a rapid change in all areas including work. The cravings for freedom and independence have had a great impact on people’s career choice. With the endless numbers of possibilities that the Internet has offered us, it’s no surprise more and more people decide to flee the stressful whirlwind of mortgages, car payments, and strict office policies. They’re brave enough to ditch 9-5 jobs and pursue their passions. Let us introduce you to a lifestyle of digital nomads, people who have decided to forge their online career while travelling the world.
It's not a vacation
Getting up in the morning on some remote beach, with nothing but the sun and the sound of birds singing in the background is a dream office for most people. However, as lovely as that sounds, the lifestyle of digital nomads isn’t only about visiting places and sipping cocktails on rooftops. It’s hard work. They’re dedicating hours and hours of the day (and sometimes night) to building their online careers. As the popularity of this kind of lifestyle is constantly on the rise, the competition has become really intense. So if being a digital nomad is your dream job, be prepared to put in a serious amount of time and effort into making it a sustainable reality.
Getting the right travel health insurance
Exploring the world as a digital nomad is exciting, but getting the right medical treatment can sometimes be quite challenging. There are two types of insurance – travel insurance and health insurance. Digital nomads need something in between. It’s essential to be covered for emergencies when abroad. Just think what would happen if you found yourself in Australia and needed an urgent visit to the dentist? In case that happens, look for a good dental practise in the area and check their terms and conditions. Having full coverage of medical expenses, including routine check-ups is simply a must for everyone who decides to pursue their career as a digital nomad.
Pros and Cons of being a digital nomad
Like everything else, being a digital nomad has its advantages and disadvantages. You should study them all carefully before you decide to pursue this lifestyle. This will help you see things as they really are and not as your Instagram feed suggests.
Pros:
Excitement. If you can't imagine yourself doing the same thing over and over, day after day, then the lifestyle of a digital nomad is perfect for you. Frequently changing locations means that you'll be encountering new people and situations every day, making sure every day is unique and exciting.
It’s cheap. Or at least cheaper than where you’re currently based. When you’re on-the-go, you don’t have to worry about rent and utilities. With the expansion of b&b-s all around the world, it's easy to find a cheap place to stay anywhere you like.
Personal growth. Maybe the biggest reward this kind of lifestyle has to offer is life lessons. Meeting new people and their cultures will broaden your horizons more than any office job ever would.
Cons:
Lack of security. Like any other job, this one too comes with some possible risks. Struggling to find clients, problems with a computer, and financial issues are just some of them. For this reason, it’s important that you save some money before hitting the road in case you need to cover for some unforeseen expenses.
Providing your own benefits may be a deal breaker for some people. There’s nobody else to take care of your retirement plan or health insurance. You have to do it on your own.
Productivity drop. Not having fixed working hours is surely fantastic. However, this lifestyle requires a great deal of self-discipline. You’ll have to resist the temptations like going out with your friends in order to finish that new project. Given the looming deadlines, you’ll have to learn to say ‘no’ more often than you think.
There you go. Hopefully, these useful tips will help you decide whether or not this lifestyle is for you. Think carefully about what attracts you the most but account for the downsides of the job as well. Getting clued up about both the advantages and disadvantages of being a digital nomad will ensure you see the big picture. Remember, life is not Instagram. It’s so much more than that.
Guest post by Fiona Adams // Follow her on: Facebook, Twitter
Lanzarote is one of the Canary Islands located in the ocean near West Africa. It is known for its volcanic landscape and an artist and environmentalist Cesar Manrique. Similarly, as to Barcelona, where Gaudi's work is everywhere, here on Lanzarote you will see many works of Cesar Manrique. Lanzarote is the fourth largest island and third most populated after Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Escape to Lanzarote to seek sunshine, beautiful coasts, breathtaking lava fields, palm-filled valleys and cactus gardens.
The spectacular house build around the volcano is a place with art collection of Cesar Manrique. It perfectly showcase his vision to blend natural landscape with architecture. On the upper floor you will find large rooms with windows, whereas the lower ground consist of five lava bubble rooms connected by small tunnel halls.
Well preserved Cesar's home and studio located in a village Haria, where he lived until his death in 1992. In here you will sneak peak to his personal life, his travel collection, books he read as well as his work studio.
An area of the largest cactus plantation on the island, this cactus garden was a work of Cesar Manrique. In fact, many of the sites in Lanzarote is Cesar's work. JardÃn de Cactus has around 4,500 specimens of 450 different species, of 13 different families of cactus from the five continents. A great place to admire the different types of cactuses, volcanic views at the background as well as have a coffee break.
James del Agua is a place where mankind work and nature came together, a harmony that Cesar Manrique was able to play with the volcanic landscape and turn it to a dream. His signature colours are white, blue, green and black. It is an experiential cave with concert hall, restaurant, coffee shop and a crystal clear pool.
Cueva De Los Verdes is a long lava tunnel and a tourist attraction nearby Jameos del Aqua. The cave lies within the Monumento Natural del MalpaÃs de La Corona, a protected area of the Canary Islands.
Located 400 meters high at north of the island, this viewing point is another Cesar's work blending nature with architecture. It is camouflaged on the rock in a way in which only a genius of Manrique’s magnitude could conceive. The Mirador takes over El RÃo, the narrow stretch of the sea separating Lanzarote from La Graciosa.
7. Orzola cliffs
Orzola cliffs are located just nearby the Orzola village at the northern tip of Lanzarote and it is a getaway to get cruises to the neighbouring island of La Graciosa and other islets. The beaches around here are predominantly stoned, but driving through the area, you will be able to stop to many sandy spots.
8. Mirador de Guinate
Driving north from Haria village, you may stop by Mirador de Guinate. A beautiful high view point to admire the ocean and the nearby La Graciosa island. It is an alternative place for a view point to Mirador del RÃo and what is the best is that is is empty of tourist and you don't have to pay entrance fee.
9. Tequise market
Tequise market is a flea market located in a historical village of Tequise. It spreads around the whole main square and you can find anything from food, clothes, handmade things to souvenirs. Tequise market are happening only on each Sunday from morning to about early afternoon. So make sure to get here early to soak up the local atmosphere.
Museo Lagomar is a modern house complex incorporated with lava and now it serves as an art gallery, restaurant and bar. The house is located on a hill in Nazaret village.
This new build complex serves an ethnographic museum showcasing how people in Lanzarote work and what are they producing. You may shop local products through traditional market or stop by for a meal at a restaurant. The beautiful white and green complex is free to visit!
12. Lanzarote Vineyards
Do you know that Lanzarote has a large area for wine production? Driving towards La Geria, you will pass a totally different scenery, hundreds of vineyards spreading across the nearby national park. Visit wine shops, wine museums or wine tasting sessions. Explore the different grape growing methods on Lanzarote and maybe get a wine a souvenir with you back.
Timanfaya National Park is located in the south-west part of an island and it covers roughly about 51 square kilometres. The large area is entirely made up of volcanic soil and at the main touristic center of the park, you may visit El Diablo restaurant overlooking the black volcanic landscape as well as taste food made on an active volcano. This restaurant was also created by Cesar Manrique.
In order to get to the park, you will have to either book a travel coach or hire a car. No public transport gets here and make sure to visit the place in the morning or after 3pm, otherwise you will have to queue to get in (yes, even cars will have to queue). The entrance fee to a park covers also a bus ride around the park. Unfortunately you won't be able to walk or drive through the park yourself, so you will see the park only from a bus window.
14. El Golfo
El Golfo is a small seaside village famous for this green lagoon, so called Charco de Los Clicos. Other than this spectacular natural phenomenon, you can admire the beautiful hard waves hitting the cliffs. Stop by for a coffee or lunch break and enjoy the sea views.
15. Los Hervideros
Not too far from El Golfo, you may stop by Los Hervideros. It is an area stretching around the west coastline of an island and a great place to admire the shaped cliffs and underwater caved produced by the solidification of lava and erosion.
At the south tip of an island, you may stop by Museo Atlantico. An artificial underwater art museum with many sculptures. This museum is about 12m deep and require you to know how to dive. Alternatively, you may get lessons prior going down to the museum. Sculptures are made by Jason deCaires Taylor and it is the only underwater museum in Europe.
Graciosca island is located 2km north from Lanzarote. The island is part of the Chinijo Archipelago and Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park. Make a day trip on this island to admire the view from other side as well as to enjoy sandy beaches, that may lack on Lanzarote. There is a ferry leaving from Orzola village approximately every 30 minutes.
18. Haria village
Haria village is a small picturesque and enchanting village where you may find Cesar Manrique's home and museum. It is a definitely worth the stroll around here.
19. Arecife
Arecife is a port city located at the south of the island and it is considered as the administrative/capital town for Lanzarote. Here you may do some shopping, visit its sandy beaches or visit a castle. A day trip here is enough I would recommend.
Best beaches in Lanzarote
The nature of Lanzarote is beautiful. Not only because of its volcanic landscape, cactus gardens, palm trees, but also for its coasts and beaches. The beaches may not be miles long sandy beaches, as elsewhere, but the surrounding makes it beautiful. I think other Canary Islands may be better for beach holidays if you are looking purely for beach chilling and calm water. In Lanzarote, you will come across both sandy, rocky or black sand beaches due to the volcanic activities in here. Below is a list of some of the beautiful beaches you may see in here, perfect for either chilling or even surfing or other water activities.
1. Papagayo Beach
2. Playa Blanca
3. Puerto del Carmen
4. Costa Tequise
5. Famara beach
6. Caleton Blanco
7. Playa de las Conchas
Costa Tequise
Orzola
El Golfo
Famara beach
Where to stay?
What I have noticed about staying in Lanzarote is that this island is very family friendly. You will see many families with young children coming over for a vacation. Hence why there are also hotels and resorts marked as "Adults only" to accommodate those who are seeking for more quite recreational place. Either that, you will find many hotels predominantly around the coastline. During my one week long stay in Lanzarote, I have changed accommodation three times. Nevertheless, the island is small and you can easily get around from one end to another one in about 40 minutes, changing locations helped me to more explore each area of the island, as well as it kept me excited to check in to new places. If you are looking for full resorts, definitely check hotels via my link to get some discount. Book hotels and resorts to get a full recreational vacation as well as the benefits of having a pool or a bar. Because the ocean may be cold (depending on when are you travelling there), so having the option to tan and chill by the pool is always a great idea.
The other option to hotels and resorts is obviously Airbnb or even if you dare, hire a van and camp around the island. Book Airbnb for more local experiences, if you would like to live in the middle of the island and be surrounded by nature. If you have checked my Instagram feed or stories, you may have seen that we have stayed in a little dome in the middle of the hill for couple days and it was y best highlight of the trip.
How to get around
Lanzarote island is not that big and easily well connected by roads. The roads are pretty new and well preserved. In my previous post, I have shared with you all you need to know to hire and plan a road trip on Lanzarote. From where to hire, how much it costs to benefits of making a road trip across the island.
I strongly suggest hiring a car, because the island is small and the car will allow you to travel to places that buses or coach tours may not go. Other alternative solutions are to use local buses, taxis or book tours.
Besides this, I would recommend to buy a discounted package of tickets for attractions. The offer is for 3 to 6 sites to visit. You will not only save a bit of the full priced tickets, but you will also be able to skip the queue to the attractions. In addition, the tickets will be valid usually one week from the day of a purchase, so you are not obligated to visit all the sites in one day. Not to forget to mention, that you don't need to get the tickets online, as they can be purchased at any site on a day.
As seen on Instagram
Lanzarote Travel Vlog
Travel basics
Time: Same as in the UK
Flight time: 4h from the UK
Currency: Euro
Main language: Spanish
International dialling code: 0034
Warmest month: August (25 C on average)
Coldest month: January (17 C on average)
Tip: Purchase a discounted ticket bundle for attractions Clothing: Pack a scarf, cardigan or a light jacket as it may get windy and cold at evenings or at certain parts of the island
World wanderer, self-taught photographer, and passionate digital marketer. Bridge Of Memories takes you on a personal journey through fashion, photography, beauty and travel journeys around the world. Written and captured by Thuy Phamova, based in UK and CZ.
