Posted: 5/5/21 | May 5th, 2021
In late 2019, we launched The Nomadic Network, a global initiative designed to connect travelers with like-minded people in their area in order to inspire, educate, and provide them with the tools they needed to travel cheaper, better, and longer.
We wanted it to be a global travel club with chapters around the world, something you could do in your own city but also on the road. (Want to make some local friends? Find a meetup in your destination! That kind of thing.)
Over 1,150 people attended our live events. In each city, we heard numerous stories about how happy members were to finally be able to exchange the travel stories they’d been dying to talk about with people who were just as excited to hear them.
But when the pandemic brought the world to a screeching halt in March 2020, it did the same to our in-person events.
Since then, we have been hosting virtual events. We’ve had over 120 events attended by thousands of people that included discussions, speakers, Q&As, and travel game sessions.
We’ve also hosted chapter-specific online happy hours for people to get to know others in their vicinity.
By doing these events, we’re continuing our mission to connect travelers with each other and resources that will help them travel cheaper, better, and longer when the world opens up again.
Since that seems to be happening soonish (we hope), we are planning on relaunching in-person events later this summer. Whenever it’s safe to do so, I’d like to create a giant event where we can all meet and hang out! (But one step at a time!)
Until then, we hope you join some of our free events. Today, I just wanted to share some of the cool events we have coming up!
- May Book Club with Rolf Potts: Marco Polo Didn’t Go There (5/5)
- Tips on Traveling Responsibly (5/18)
- How to Raise Kids with a Global Mindset (5/20)
- How to Get Free Accommodation with House Sitting (5/25)
- Long-Term Travel: How to Stay Mentally, Physically, and Emotionally Healthy (5/27)
- How to Travel Mindfully as a Family (6/1)
- June Book Club with Faith Adiele: Meeting Faith (6/2)
- How to Edit Your Travel Photos for Instagram with Lightroom (6/8)
- Turning Your Adventures Into Bestselling Novels (6/10)
- Gain Confidence Through Improv Comedy (6/15)
- How to Travel Solo But Never Be Alone (6/24)
We have more coming out constantly, so check out our full list of events here!
Moreover, we have some more regional happy hours coming up too, if you want to meet travel enthusiasts in your area:
- Pacific Northwest USA (5/5)
- Washington, DC (5/6)
- California (5/12)
- Canada (5/12)
- Midwest USA (5/13)
- Asia (5/19)
- Southeast USA (5/20)
- Europe (5/25)
- Northeast USA (5/26)
- Texas (5/27)
Finally, we’ve relaunched our travel forums! For years, we had forums on the website, and now we’ve fully integrated them with our new community network so everything is under one roof. You’ll be able to ask questions, share your advice, and connect with other travelers!
And, with travel picking up in parts of the world, now’s a great time to start asking questions on the forums again!
All this is free. You have to do is create a profile and you’re good to go!
Even if the pandemic has quashed our in-person events, it’s pretty amazing hosting these virtual events and being able to connect with travelers from around the world. It’s kept us inspired! It’s something we wouldn’t have done if not for COVID and, even when we start hosting in-person events again, we still plan on doing virtual events since it’s a great way to get people around the world together!
After all, one of the things COVID-19 has taught us (or at least it has for me) is that we shouldn’t take community for granted.
– Nomadic Matt
P.S. – We also have an awesome Instagram where we highlight travelers, upcoming events, and TNN members. Check it out!
P.P.S. – While this program is free, a lot of work goes into making it happen! If you’d like to support our community, please check out Nomadic Matt Plus, where, as part of your monthly membership, you can get untold travel stories, photos, weekly Q&As, free guides, courses, and more.
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
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