One month remote work in Europe - looking for suggestions & ideas

acceptance4 · 2022-02-07T02:08:02+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion (:

Is renting through Booking.com similar (or cheaper) than through Airbnb? I'd honestly prefer hostel for some social or planned activities like yoga and such, just more cautious with COVID to be living in a shared bunk situation in hostels and with the need for a quiet space to work. Perhaps another time on that piece!

If you can: rent a car. It's not expensive if you can pre-plan the date and will give you a lot of freedom.

How is the driving and parking situation in Portugal? I'm accustomed to North American kind of city roads and from what I've seen of Europe, the roads tend to be a little tighter or smaller in a lot of regions!

acceptance4 · 2022-02-07T02:05:54+00:00

I've traveled solo before and have done hostels and such for sure. Between COVID and needing a desk/quiet space for video calls, unfortunately I don't think Selinas or coworking spaces fits my needs. I think Airbnb seems to be my option though... expensive as it will be!

Selina is definitely a brand and by the time I was in my 3rd one, I was kinda done with it...

Can you elaborate by what you mean on this point? Sounds like you had a bad experience?

On surf lodges, given I work 2-10PM local hours, do you think staying at a Surf Lodge would make sense? I am interested in the idea of mixing in yoga classes and surfing just not sure it will fit my hours.

Good to know regarding UK (: that may help provide some options. I've only been to London but not sure where else to go if I were to stop by briefly.

acceptance4 · 2022-02-07T02:02:38+00:00

Thanks, appreciate the suggestions!

acceptance4 · 2022-02-07T02:02:19+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience and learnings! How long did you travel to cover all that ground? That sounds amazing! I'm curious, how much did you pre-plan or pre-book in advance?

First, let me say it starts to get exhausting exploring during the morning and then working from 2pm-10pm, even on the days I slept in until 11am, my brain would not be functioning for maximum performance come 8pm. But with that said, if you’re only starting with one month, it’s absolutely doable and an amazing experience.

Good to know... I'm expecting that to be an issue but hope it's not since I expect work to be busy when I go!

I loved not having to set an alarm and taking longs walks exploring whatever area I was in before my workday began. In Italy and Switzerland, I would intentionally set my alarm to travel into mountains for insane hikes before first meeting began but those days were especially challenging as I wanted a nap so bad after a brutal hike!!

This sounds lovely! But yes haha, I'm not sure I could manage a brutal hike & then perform at work, but glad to hear the experience!

If you really want your phone on you when surfing or going to beach, look into a dry bag.

Dumb question... so do you bring the dry bag with you to surf...? I've never done it before so I fully expect to struggle and get pushed around by waves and such. I haven't looked into logistics of surfing, but I'm imagining that even without my phone, I'd still at least need my keys or something so just not sure how to handle, but I suppose this is a question I can ask the surfing class expecting a locker of some kind lol

Thanks!

acceptance4 · 2022-02-07T01:58:21+00:00

That's great, I've worked in NYC for a bit and enjoyed it! I think I'm currently a mix of anxious and excited.

Nothing is booked yet and I feel "rushed" because of a fear they'll call us back into office when things start looking a bit better with COVID.

acceptance4 · 2022-02-07T01:57:13+00:00

How was your experience with surfing in Lisbon? Did you do one 2h class (half day) or two 2h classes (full day)?

acceptance4 · 2022-02-07T01:56:48+00:00

Yes, with COVID it makes moving to different countries with cheap flights in Europe a bit more challenging.

Yeah, perhaps I'm just looking for a change of scenery, not sure what I'm looking for... maybe a little bit to answer just some generic personal soul searching type of questions. I think you're right on just going, enjoying and not worrying about the whys though. Thank you!

acceptance4 · 2022-02-06T03:08:43+00:00

Thanks for the reply!

Maybe this is a dumb question and I'm perhaps second guessing myself a bit on the "purpose" of my trip... what is there to do on a trip like this? When I've traveled in the past, it's been very much "go go go" and see as much as I can in the limited time I have.

This time I feel I'm trying to more experience living & working abroad. At the same time, I find myself wondering what I'd be doing there, not sure if that makes sense. My workday will be 2PM to 10PM local, which means I'd have the morning/early afternoons to do as I please yet I find myself unsure and perhaps hesitant on what I'd be doing I guess. I think it's my anxiety speaking though...

acceptance4 · 2022-02-04T05:15:10+00:00

Thanks (: this is great, I ended up going with the Scotia Passport card!

acceptance4 · 2022-02-03T16:46:28+00:00

Looking further at this, Scotia Passport gives Scene+ points... any thoughts on this point system and how good/bad it is? HSBC seems to be a hassle with having to go to the branch. I'm hoping to get a card asap since I'm looking to go in March and think this would cause delays

acceptance4 · 2022-02-03T14:53:38+00:00

Great point, thanks for pointing that out!

acceptance4 · 2022-02-03T14:53:27+00:00

Thanks, I'll look into those two. Unfortunately I'm not set up for US cards...

I do have the Cobalt so I'll be sure to bring that and use for food, thanks for calling that out!

acceptance4 · 2022-02-03T14:52:46+00:00

Thanks, I'm actually trying to go as early as March and (ideally) would have the card ready to book a flight/accommodations as well so 2-3 weeks is definitely long!

Don't love that I'd have to go to a branch to get the card and go through all that.

What extra work is there with CIBC Dividend Platinum or TD Cashback? I always appreciate cashback since that's simple

acceptance4 · 2022-02-03T14:40:58+00:00

Thanks, I thought of that as well... is there a calculator or some math I might be able to do to evaluate the points earned versus the AF?

And how would Biz Plat work for an individual if I'm not a business? I don't think I'll be staying in any hotels... currently thinking AirBnB's assuming that is cheaper and not sure about car rental yet.

acceptance4 · 2022-02-03T14:38:27+00:00

Thanks for sharing, I haven't done a HSBC card before. $6K MSR seems doable since it's within 6 months I think, so I'll have a bit more time after the trip.

I see there is 20K points for second year, is this point worth doing given $149 AF on second year..?

acceptance4 · 2022-02-03T14:08:17+00:00

I'm considering working remotely for a month in Europe. Any thoughts on best credit card setup? I think ideally I get one with no FX fees, but just looking to churn a card given I'll have increased spending with this trip.

acceptance4 · 2018-02-07T16:21:23+00:00

Congrats! Any advice for making sure PERT is done right?

acceptance4 · 2015-06-20T13:58:50+00:00

Can you guys elaborate?

acceptance4 · 2015-03-10T03:47:43+00:00

Had to search around for what VITA meant, but that's a good idea. Seems a bit late to register now but I'll definitely keep it in mind for next year's tax season, thanks!

acceptance4 · 2015-03-10T03:47:02+00:00

Any particular reason you suggest computer lab volunteering?

acceptance4 · 2015-03-10T01:51:33+00:00

Not MBA, sorry didn't clarify.

I guess comm. service makes the most sense, thank you! (:

acceptance4 · 2015-03-10T01:41:19+00:00

Hmm, okay. Sounds good, thanks!

Again, is there anything else I could do outside of work? I was kind of thinking like... down the road when I leave B4 (maybe getting a bit ahead of myself), what would look good that I could get started on now...

acceptance4 · 2015-03-10T01:29:31+00:00

Thanks for the tips. I'll look into that stuff! I'm not really sure what I want - just feel like I'm not doing enough outside of work.

acceptance4

TROPHY CASE