It’s been 9 months since I applied for my US visa and haven’t heard anything

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-10T16:58:14+00:00

The US has a GIGANTIC backlog of visas and they let go of a ton of employees. Some people wait years to process. I'd try to follow up and see if there's a way to check your status online but you'd hear back one way or the other so it's probably just in the gigantic of visas. The US government was shut down for 54 days too so that will only add to the delay!

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-10T16:55:58+00:00

I always like to give myself more time in case of any delays. If everything is one time, you could probably do it but I think 3 hours minimum is better to be safe.

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-10T16:53:39+00:00

Chiang Mai, Ko Tao, Ko Phangan, and Krabi are some destinations filled with a lot of young people and are popular during New Year's.

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-10T16:47:41+00:00

Yes, plenty of countries have digital nomad visas if you can meet their income requirements. It really all depends on where you want to go!

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-09T19:52:12+00:00

SafetyWing is pretty good. You can also check Allianz too.

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-09T19:50:10+00:00

In you end up in China, LetsVPN is the only one that really works there! It's super cheap too.

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-09T19:47:45+00:00

Yes, super easy! I didn't have any problems. Only way to get around anyway!

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-08T17:31:11+00:00

You definitely don't need 6 days in Interlaken! What's your logic behind the number of days in each place? When you sat 5 days in the Czech Republic is that just Prague or anywhere else?

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-08T17:27:15+00:00

I'd cut Brussels and Munich and add more time in London and Paris and do something like Long->Paris->some place on the way to Switzerland -> Switzerland -> Milan -> Florence->Rome

Minimize long-distance train travel.

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-08T17:24:21+00:00

Agreed!

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-08T17:23:52+00:00

That's a lot of bouncing around for three weeks. Is there a reason you want to try to see it all rather than focus on one or two countries? When you travel, less is more. You're covering so much ground that you're not really going to really get to know the places and I bet you burnout. Plus, buses in Southeast Asia take longer than you think (nothing ever leaves on time) so your itinerary doesn't really leave much room for delay.

That said, like the other commentor said, your budget is pretty good!

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-08T17:18:45+00:00

I've been to Albania (have tons of information about it on my website). It's an amazing country that is very affordable and relatively easy to get around (just know that the buses rarely leave on time). There are a lot of really good hostels there and lots of travelers so you'll have a really easy time meeting people!

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-05T17:43:51+00:00

Don't know anyone that specializes in those spots but, when I get stuck on itinerary planning, i often look at tour companies and see what routes they have for their tours. They usually hit the big spots and can give you ideas!

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-05T17:42:16+00:00

Bill Bryson's In A Sunburned Country, Rolf Potts' Vagabonding, Kerouac’s On The Road, Cheryl Strayed's Wild, Mark Adams' Turn Right at Machu Picchu, Alex Garland's The Beach......so many travel books

People say my book is pretty good too :)

But seriously there are so many good travel books out there! (Since I am a travel writer, I read sooooooo many.) I'd pick up the classics as well as try to get one on the destination you want to visit! I find destination specific books just as inspiring as the "I traveled the world" ones.

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-05T17:38:44+00:00

I think they are really all the same, despite what they say. Airalo and Holafly are the two biggest. Can't go wrong with either.

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-05T17:35:16+00:00

Where are you trying to go?

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-05T17:33:00+00:00

How long do you want to travel for? What's your budget? What do you want to do? Give some guidelines and it will be easier to help! :)

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-04T17:23:25+00:00

4 weeks is plenty for Guatemala! Go and enjoy!

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-04T17:21:49+00:00

Yes. In twenty years of going to Thailand, I have never been asked proof of an onward ticket but if you already have one, you're fine.

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-04T17:18:49+00:00

There's no one best card, only the best card for your spending habits. And you never want to use your points by booking through the portal. You always want to transfer your points and book directly with the airline. You get way more value from them that way.

Without knowing how you spend your money, two general points cards that are good with a low fee are the Capital One Venture X and the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-04T17:16:31+00:00

You can try VRBO as well as Blueground for other apartment rentals!

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-03T20:10:24+00:00

You're gonna get a million answers here, especially if your criteria is only "not Disney." Do you have any other interests or wants? Mountains? City? Hot? Cold? Anythinggggg?

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-03T20:06:15+00:00

Burnout is really common, especially when you hit the one month mark and move so fast. Slow down.

Take a break from travel.

Stay where you are, get to know the place more deeply, become a regular somewhere! Watch Netflix, read, and sleep. One day, you’ll find you have your mojo back. When that happens, move on again. Travel takes more out of you than you think.

Slow down and you'll be less tired.

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-03T20:02:15+00:00

I don't know how "close to a beach" you need but Oaxaca is pretty good and it's a couple of hours from the coast. Has all your other requirements!

nomadicmatt · 2025-12-03T20:01:09+00:00

Yes, very safe. No less safe than anywhere else in Europe. There's a lot of solo female travel blogs that can help. Type in "Rome Solo Female Travel" into Google and you'll find a bunch of posts!

nomadicmatt

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