Plan Your Escape: Secrets of Traveling the World for Less Than the Cost of Living at Home

by Wayne Dunlap

Overview

Do you dream about traveling the world or living somewhere for a few weeks to a month or more but don't know how you could afford it or even think it is possible? Now you can do it! We shatter common misconceptions about travel revealing proven secrets the travel industry does not want you to know. We also show you how to unhook from your routines, achieve your travel dreams, fall in love all over again, and give your life more meaning. Plan Your Escape, Secrets of Traveling the World for Less Than the Cost of Living at Home is a comprehensive step-by-step "how-to-do-it" guide essential for turning your travel dreams into reality making travel an adventure, not a problem. We show you how traveling the world or living somewhere for 1-2 weeks or 2-6 months can be safer, easier, and more affordable than you think. This book gives you the practical resources and advice missing in travel guidebooks. We reveal hundreds of cost-saving tips and bargain-finding strategies so powerful we were able to travel the world for months, which we could never have afforded otherwise. With these tips, worth 100's of times the cost of this book, you can stretch your typical vacation costs to cover a month or more of travel. In many places in the world we learned how to do it for less than a $100 a day for the both of us and we show you how you can too! My wife, Pat, who joined me on our worldwide travel adventures calls this the how-to-do Eat, Pray, Love book. She says: "Having had it all, but choosing to run away with my husband and best friend, has been the most rewarding lifestyle change one can make and has brought us closer together." My wife and I sold our business, rented our home, and traveled the world for 2 years visiting 51 countries and are members of the exclusive Travelers' Century Club. In total we have visited 100 countries and island groups on 6 continents as well as 43 states in the U.S. We have done home exchanges and taken 26 cruises on 12 different cruise lines on ships ranging from 10 to 3,000 passengers as well as over 70 trips together taking cars, trains, buses, organized tours, and independent travel all over the world. Traveling is our passion! We met scores of people along our worldwide journeys who asked hundreds of questions. We realized many people dream of taking a travel adventure but felt it would be too expensive with too many unknowns or didn't know the best way to pack or where to begin to make it actually happen. This detailed book combines real-life answers with countless hours of research from travel experts. We address the concerns you may have as well as the ones you may yet be aware of. We wish we had this book when we started. We show you how to start out slow, choose the right trip for you, and work up to longer trips or stays. We present ideas about how to get a reluctant partner interested in travel and how to bring you closer together even on a 24/7 basis. Plan Your Escape is the travel-planning guide Americans need. You too can unhook from your current routines and live your travel dreams.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781456795696
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	10/24/2011
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.57(d)

About the Author

Wayne & Pat Dunlap have been fortunate to live their dreams and are members of the exclusive Travelers' Century Club. In total, they have visited 100 countries and island groups on 6 continents as well as 43 states in the U.S. Recently, they escaped their 9 to 5 routine, rented their home, and traveled the world for 2 years visiting 51 countries. They have taken over 70 trips taking cars, trains, buses, and organized tours. They have also done home exchanges and taken 26 cruises on 12 different cruise lines on ships ranging from 10 to 3,000 passengers. They now enjoy most of their traveling independently on their own.

Wayne has a burning passion for travel and being a former Economics professor, also has a sincere desire to help others learn how to Unhook from their 9 to 5 routines and realize their travel dreams and to better afford it. Wayne was a business owner, executive of high-tech companies, and an Economic professor after his PhD program at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He is listed in Who's Who Among American Professionals.

Pat is a winner of Entrepreneur of the Year for San Diego and says: "Choosing to run away with my husband and best friend, has been the most rewarding lifestyle change one can make and has brought us closer together."

You can follow their worldwide travels and sign up for FREE cost-saving travel tips and bargains on their:
World Travel Blog: http://www.UnhookNow.com
Travel Book Website: http://www.PlanYourEscapeNow.com

Read an Excerpt

Introduction

We thought had it all! But we spent our lives working to pay for all of it with much of our weekends maintaining all the stuff. One day we had enough. We wanted to fill our car with gas, drive anywhere until it stopped, and start a new life.

Why? Is the American dream enough? There had to be more to life. We learned much more about ourselves traveling around the world for two years visiting 51 countries (and are members of the exclusive Travelers' Century Club, having visited 100 countries and island groups on 6 continents as well as 43 states in the U.S.). Believe us, there is so much more to life than we thought.

Come take a dream journey with us. Close your eyes. Remember it's just a dream. Image you are traveling the world cruising the islands of the Caribbean, having a margarita under a palapa on a warm sandy Mexican beach, staying a couple of weeks in the Alsace wine villages in France, visiting beautiful exotic island beaches in Thailand, wandering the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, enjoying sexy tango dancers in the streets of Buenos Aires, climbing the steps of the Great Wall in China, admiring the grand spectacle of the Great Pyramids of Giza, hiking in a rain forest in Costa Rica, witnessing the glory of Argentina's Iguazu Falls or America's Grand Canyon, adventuring the ancient rock-carved city of Petra or the magical ruins of Machu Picchu, living a month in a villa in Tuscany, and more.

How about simple delights like falling asleep on a white sandy beach under a palm tree while listening to the waves gently wash ashore, pulling into an exotic port of call on a cruise ship, watching the sun set over the ocean while having a wonderful dinner, swimming with dolphins in warm ocean waters, learning to cook real Italian food (or just eating it!), having a picnic on a sunny day tasting fine wines overlooking elegant vineyards, or waking up to days full of promise and excitement? How about not having to go home after a wonderful vacation?

Keep your eyes closed... your dream continues. Imagine places you have always wanted to see. In your dreams, the world is at your feet and month after month you travel to places you have only dreamed about, spending time to get to know the place and people not as a tourist but as a traveler experiencing and learning much more how to enjoy your life. The world is a wonderful place! Now, stop reading... actually close your eyes and take a dream travel journey - you know the one you have wished for.

Finished dreaming? Welcome back to the reality of your job, errands, meetings, traffic, long days, bills, family, house, shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, mortgage/rent, pets, maintenance of your yard and stuff, repairs, projects, the ringing phone, demanding people, negative news, obligations, commitments, expectations, worries, routines, and everything else keeping us from living our dreams.

One day is much like the next wishing for the weekends that end too soon because we need to take care of so many things. We change jobs or routines, take short vacations, move the furniture around, buy new things, stay busy with errands, and try to relax watching too much TV. In spite of everything we do it never seems quite enough. Think about it... if our coveted 'lifestyle' routines were so fulfilling and desirable, wouldn't there be shelves of books about "The Joys of Living a Routine"?

Something is missing... what about our dreams? What if your dreams can actually be your reality where everyday is an experience you choose and you wake up excited about the day? Can you really live your dream?

You can! My wife and I did it. We unhooked from what was expected of us and traveled the world for 2 years visiting 51 counties. In total, 100 countries and island groups in our lifetime. The experience has permanently improved our lives... much more than we ever could have imaged!

Plan Your Escape Now!

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Don't Wait for 'Someday'
Why We Procrastinate - Inertia and Fear
Overcoming Fear of Travel
Turning Dreams and Goals into a Plan of Action

Chapter 2 Travel Can Improve Your Life
Renew Your Playful Spirit and Love of Life
Improve Your Health and Creativity
Have an Adventure
Letting Go - A Reevaluation of What is Important
A New Perspective of What is Important to Enrich Your Life
A New Start

Chapter 3 Additional Benefits of Travel or Living Away Somewhere
A Transition To Your Next Phase of Life
Chance to Slow Down and Discover New Experiences
Live Your Dream
A Better Mid-Life Crisis
Chance to Volunteer and Contribute
Learn Better Ways to Live Your Life and Give It More Meaning

Chapter 4 Traveling the World Can Cost Less Than Living at Home
Travel on Less Than $100 a Day for a Couple
Eliminate a Large Amount of Expenses from Your Normal Life
Other Priceless Returns on Your Travel Investment

Chapter 5 What to Do with Your House and Possessions
Renting Your House
Home Exchange and House Sitting

Chapter 6 How Planning Can Enhance Your Experience
Deciding Where to Go
Doing Your Homework is Fun
Organized Tours vs. Independent Travel On Your Own
Flexibility
Making a Commitment

Chapter 7 Finding Great Travel Bargains
Big Savings Traveling During Off Season
Follow the Disaster
Last Minute Travel
First Learn to Recognize a Good Price
Online Bounce Back Offers
Online Auctions
How to Save on Flight Costs
Spending Less for Lodging
Save Money on Meals and Enjoy Local Experiences
Save Money While Seeing the World on Cruises
Finding Bargains on Car Rentals
Public Transportation
Bargaining
Local Deals and Other Tips to Save

Chapter 8 Being a Friendly Traveler and Good Travel Partner
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff!
Being a Friendly Traveler Will Make Your Experience Better
How to Be a Good Travel Partner and Bring You Closer Together
How to Ease Your Partner into Loving to Travel with You

Chapter 9 Paying Your Bills While You Are Away
Paying Your Bills Automatically While Traveling
Eliminate Junk Mail

Chapter 10 Security - Staying Safe on the Road
Travel Insurance
Avoid Becoming a Target
Keeping Your Money and Important Items Safe

Chapter 11 Staying Healthy
Healthy Lifestyle
Healthy Habits While Traveling
Vaccinations

Chapter 12 Money and Credit Cards
ATM Debit Cards
Credit Cards
Contact Your Bank Before Leaving
Why Taking U.S. Cash Is Necessary
Traveler's Checks
Getting the Best Exchange Rate
Doing the Conversion Math in Your Head

Chapter 13 How To Pack Lighter and Still Be Prepared
Leaving It Behind
Choice of Suitcase
Security Tips for Your Luggage
Travel Gear and Accessories
Travel Documents and Money
How to Make Your Travel Wardrobe Work for You
Suggested Travel Wardrobe (Women's and Men's) - Take Less and Have More
Important Packing Tips to Make Your Trip More Enjoyable

Chapter 14 Keep Your Clothes Clean And Fresh
Laundry Options
Easy Procedure for Washing Your Clothes
Other Clothing Maintenance Tips

Chapter 15 Staying in Touch with Family and Friends
Ways to Save Money Staying Connected by Phone
Talk Cheaply with Skype
E-mail and Social Networking
Bringing Your Computer Laptop or Tablet/Netbook Along
Blogging Made Easy

Chapter 16 Take Travel Photos Like a Pro
Choice of Camera
Using Your Camera's Pre-programmed Modes to Get Better Photos
How to Use a Histogram to Improve Your Photos
Using Basic Composition Rules to Make Sensational Photos
Best Lighting Secrets Revealed
Taking Great Photos in Low Light Situations
Taking Memorable Photos of People
How to Care for Your Camera and Photo Accessories
Organizing and Editing Your Photos
Sharing Your Photos - Sending Large Numbers of Photos
How to Get Started Taking More Memorable Photos

Chapter 17 Getting Started on Your Travel Adventure - A Step-by-Step Guide
Transform Your Dreams into an Action Plan
Five-Month Planning and Preparation Guideline

Chapter 18 See You on the Road

Appendix A Travel Advice From Experienced Travelers Who Have Traveled the World and Changed Their Lives

Appendix B Sample Travel Card

Appendix C Measurement Conversions
Some Easy Ways to Convert from Metric
Temperature Conversion Table - Celsius vs. Fahrenheit

Appendix D Recommended Reading

Appendix E Contacts and Resources - Helpful Travel Websites and Apps

What People are Saying About This

Ariela Wilcox

Over the last 15 years of my Literary Agency rarely have I seen an author give an audience the VALUE they receive in Wayne Dunlap's book, PLAN YOUR ESCAPE. From HIDDEN SECRETS the Travel Industry doesn't want you to know to MONEY SAVING TIPS and even how to FALL in LOVE with your significant other again, PLAN YOUR ESCAPE has it all!

Consumers will find websites and solid information to save time, money, and headaches. Those who always thought it would be too expensive to visit or live abroad for 2 weeks or more will be in for a BIG SURPRISE. Wayne lets the audience on more than a few secrets he and his wife discovered, including that it may be LESS EXPENSIVE to UNHOOK NOW from all the day to day drudge and RE-VITIALIZE your life by following in Wayne and Pat's path! If you love to travel, love exploring other cultures, and want to be inspired to TAKE a CHANCE and really LIVE a full life... You MUST read Wayne Dunlap's PLAN YOUR ESCAPE, SECRETS OF TRAVELING THE WORLD FOR LESS THAN THE COST OF LIVING AT HOME. (Ariela Wilcox, President, The Wilcox Literary Agency)