Sabbatical planning - three-month stints in different countries
Our take
The article delves into a refreshing shift in travel planning, focusing on the idea of taking a three-month "sabbatical" to experience different countries before the family expands. This approach stands out because it’s thoughtful, not just about ticking off places, but about integrating local immersion into a flexible framework. For those of us who’ve often chased the same destinations, this model offers a compelling alternative—balancing depth of experience with the freedom to return home without the pressure of constant movement.
What makes this strategy particularly appealing is the emphasis on choosing destinations that align with a relaxed, "home base" mindset. By dedicating roughly three months to each location, the couple can truly absorb the culture, build meaningful connections, and avoid the exhaustion that often accompanies back-to-back adventures. This approach also speaks to a growing desire among travelers to prioritize quality over quantity, ensuring that every week spent exploring feels purposeful and restorative.
It’s worth noting that this plan acknowledges the financial realities behind such a lifestyle. The idea of renting apartments or staying in short-term rentals, alternating between places, is practical yet ambitious. Moreover, it highlights a shift in mindset—from seeing travel as a series of conquests to viewing it as a series of experiences that enrich daily life. This perspective could inspire others who feel stuck between ambition and the desire for balance.
Looking ahead, this sabbatical approach invites us to reconsider what it means to travel sustainably. It challenges the notion that more countries equals more memories, instead suggesting that deeper stays foster stronger bonds with places and people. As we reflect on these ideas, it’s clear that thoughtful planning can turn a sabbatical into a meaningful chapter in our personal journeys.
My wife (31F) and I (32M) are planning an extended sabbatical. We have always loved to travel and we want to have a big adventure before we embark on having kids. We have both traveled Europe and the US quite extensively. I spent a semester abroad in London and solo traveled 16 countries. My wife has backpacked a couple multi-week trips through Europe after college. We also have taken three or four week-long trips per year these past eight or so years. Some of our recent favorites have been Oregon, New Mexico, New York, Belgium/Netherlands, Maine, Boston, and Rome.
We are not big on the backpacking lifestyle and not looking to hit as many countries as humanly possible in 12 or 18 months. But instead, we are thinking of spending 3 months in a location and using that location as a home base to travel the region from. This should allow us to live “local-ish” but also still take day/long weekend/week-long trips to other places on our list. We would not be working, so we would be able to really relax and enjoy our current environment.
We would spend ~90 days in each location and mix in a few weeks back at home between stops to rest up and see our friends and family. Of course traveling like this will be more expensive than a traditional trip across the globe. Paying for 3 month apartments and then also ~30 days of Airbnbs while not at our primary location and then coming back to the US between each leg. We are prioritizing having a home base to feel like we can come “home” and relax as to not feel like we are just living out of a suitcase.
Our current choices are:
- Amsterdam, Netherlands: August – October
- Melbourne, Australia: December – February
- Osaka, Japan: April – June
- Florence, Italy: August – October
- Mexico City, Mexico: December – February
Where else should we consider in prime parts of the year?
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