Travel with a Pen Quick Links

This is one of the greatest travel hacks for all my 9-5 people who love to explore! 🪐 This year, while working full time, I travelled to a new place each month, visiting local, regional and international destinations - including a 25-day trip to Japan! 🤯 How did I do it? I stacked my PTO, weekends and public holidays to maximise my vacation days! And now, I'm giving you my blueprint and travel planning strategy 💙 These are some suggestions but feel FREE to mix and match according to your preference! Happy Travels! 🪐 #travelhacks #vacationplanner #ptohacks #workandtravel

OGs will remember that I started my travel blogging journey by taking a 3-day road trip across 3 countries in 2018 for less than $40! Those were the good days!🥹 I don't think that's possible anymore but if you're looking to make 2026 your year of travel, despite your budget, I've got tips for you! Maybe you're a new traveller looking to explore more or build a robust travel history, here are some places to start! 🌸 I always recommend starting with what you have, from where you are. If you're travelling from Lagos, for example - the starting point of the places listed here - you can try exploring your neighbourhood first, before venturing to other states and neighbouring countries. ➕️ A trip combination in the region is worth it. For example, you can do a road trip from Nigeria to Ghana or even IVC, stopping in Benin and Togo along the way! 🐚 Make use of layovers: for example, you can book a trip to Rwanda via Kenya Airways and stay a night or two in Nairobi. These two countries are visa free for Nigerians, so they're perfect. I do recommend spending more time in both places though but if you're on a time or money budget, this is an option. ⏰️ Timing matters. Research and book tickets off peak seasons to get the best deals available! On this page and on my blog, I share relevant travel information to help you plan your trip, regardless of your budget! So stick around to learn more!

Share this with your spouses and partners, and follow me for more marital advice! Studies have shown 👩🏽‍🎓 that soft life is a mandatory requirement for wives everywhere. Marrying a professionally relaxed wife brings blessings, not just one blessing, but many blessings to your home 🙇🏾‍♀️ And the church said what? 🔊

March and April are peak months in Japan but it is still possible to experience the beauty of the country without feeling overwhelmed. Here's how: ⏰️: If you want to stick the main tourist loop, try going in early March. The weather is still a bit cooler but it's beginning to warm up and many places will be less crowded compared to when cherry blossoms begin to bloom. You might also catch some early blossoms too 🌸 🐦: Become an early bird or a night owl. Many places are considerably less crowded in the mornings and at night. 🐚: Travel slow. Skip the day trip if you can and stay overnight. It gives you the chance to experience places relatively quieter before day trippers arrive and long after they've left. 🚧 Go off the beaten path: where you don't need to get up at 4am. The streets are quiet all day long! 🥾: Go hiking or cycling: for less crowded spaces and beautiful nature. As you plan your 2026 adventures, be mindful. be respectful. be responsible. Happy Travels!

In an age where the predominant message is to quit your job to travel the world, I'm here to tell you that you don't have to! It's okay to work a job you love and travel when you can It's okay if travel is only just a hobby It's okay to find a balance that works for YOU It's okay to post about that one trip all year long - I do it and will continue to do it! Do you and enjoy your life the way you have designed it!💙

And I couldn't get enough of this gorgeous mountain! I saved a visit to the Fuji Five Lakes area for my second trip to Japan - and spent 3 nights in the area. Mount Fuji was clear and visible throughout our stay! Morning, afternoon and evening! It was phenomenal! I read that Fuji-san is only visible about 80 days of the year. I guess we were lucky to have this majestic view for 4 consecutive days!

Another collection of some of my favourite places in the world 🌎 ⁣ ⁣ 🐘 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐝𝐠𝐞, 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐚-𝐓𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐚: absolutely stunning property, excellent service, no single supplement (when I went), delightful safaris! I love this place so much and can't wait to return!⁣ ⁣ 🌸 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧, 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐰𝐨𝐧: I wanted a hanok stay during my trip to Korea and this place delivered! Modern, but with all the characteristics of a traditional hanok? Yes, please!⁣ ⁣ 🐘 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐢 𝐎𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐝, 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐢: Rustic accommodation in the mountains of Chiang Mai. Elephants, riverside fun, friendly people, good food! Thailand is amazing and this is one reason why!⁣ ⁣ 🦍 𝐋𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚, 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐳𝐞: a relaxing and cosy gateway to Volcanooes National Park. ⁣ ⁣ 🌻 𝐓𝐚𝐰𝐢 𝐋𝐨𝐝𝐠𝐞, 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐢 (𝐋𝐨𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐤): a charming lodge situated just outside Amboseli National Park, busy waterholes, and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro⁣ ⁣ 🐴 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛, 𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐮𝐤𝐢: Luxury accommodation at the foot of Mount Kenya. Beautiful grounds and excellent views of Mount Kenya.⁣ ⁣ 🐆 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐢 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩: Rustic self-catering accommodation close to Amboseli National Park. Excellent wildlife viewing right on the property! We tracked cheetahs on foot with a Masaai guide and it was the most exhilarating experience!⁣ ⁣ Which ones are you adding to your to-stay list?⁣

As a Nigerian, I know the drill all too well - endless embassy queues, document, the anxiety of waiting for approval ✅️, and on and on it goes... After visiting multiple countries with my Nigerian passport, I've narrowed down the destinations that made the visa process a breeze! Have you had any experience with the countries above or are there any other countries you think should be on this list? Let me know in the comment section below!

Africa is HUGE 🌍 - 54 countries full of epic adventures, beaches, safaris, and city escapes. Plan your 2026 getaway like this: 🐘 Safari in Kenya + chill beaches in Zanzibar 🏖️ 🌿 Rwanda & Uganda for wildlife and lush landscapes 🌍 Ghana, Togo & Benin or Senegal for culture, history & good vibes 🏙️ South Africa + Namibia for city life, mountains & wine 🌤 Morocco + Egypt for Northern African charm and culture 👣 Seychelles (which can be combined with Kenya or Ethiopia) for slow and perfect beach days! 🍃 Zimbabwe + Zambia + Botswana for natural world wonders There's more and something for every traveller! From luxury lodges 🏨 to camping under the stars ⛺, there’s something for everyone. Save this for your 2026 travel inspo 📌, share it with your travel buddy ✈️, and follow for more adventures in Africa and around the world! Which of these spots are you adding to your bucket list?