Why limit yourself to mediocre, subpar living environments when you have the capability of living on the summit of human experience? As a digital nomad, I have come to realize that my work lifestyle enables me to do exactly that.
However, there is a caveat to this luxury: you need to have traveled far and wide to know where those nooks and crannies of the world exist that put the imagery of idealized utopias to shame. You’re in luck because you won’t need to waste your time throwing darts at a map to figure that out anymore.
Europe: The Perfect Continent?
Working remotely and, simultaneously, traveling recreationally over the years; I have come up with a tiered ranking of the best to worst continents to travel through and Europe is at the very top of it. It not only is entrenched with millennia of cultural heritage but also sustains the best parts of modern civilization. Needless to say, Europe is the place to be. Then again, where exactly in Europe?
Here’s a list of five places you can wager to live in for a short amount of time and explore the best experiences known to man. The list will include anecdotal points that will make your nomadic heart yearn to pack a bag and leave right away. Topics like easy access to the internet, living expenditures, recreation, climate, and community will be extrapolated upon.
1. Germany
Germany attracts digital nomads like bees to honey. Its bustling nightlife alone is a reason enough. Places like Hackesche Höfe And Oranienburger Straße Berlin are mostly packed with bars, clubs, and food joints. They see travelers from all over the world spend some of their wildest nights there.
The country encourages leisure as an important facet of the human experience and calls upon all of its inhabitants and passersby alike to indulge in its eccentricities. Beyond a straight-up good time, Germany also offers a great networking environment for people like us. It stands as a hub of people from all walks of life and encompasses stories of the most interesting of individuals.
Inspiration is rife in all forms in Germany. From taking day trips in the Rhine Valley to wine tasting in Luxembourg, there are endless things to experience. What’s even more intriguing is that you can do all of this and have to pay minimal living costs compared to the rest of the world.
As a sweet cherry on top, Germany is popularly known due to its versatility when it comes to travel details. As a citizen of the EU, EEA, or the Schengen zone, you can live there for up to 90 days without even having to notify the government. If you plan, in contrast, to stay for a longer period you can do so by acquiring a Schengen visa. Germany also provides you with the opportunity to live there on a freelance visa.
All of the above points and more have made Germany a permanent part of my frequent travel expeditions.
2. Greece
The Greek islands ensure a party on a budget. The culture of Greece is intertwined with its cafes turned bars come sundown. The restaurants and tavernas provide quality food to nourish the soul itself. Dolmas, souvlakis, and gyros are staples of the street food scene. Every bite is elevated by the aroma of olive oil that courses through the veins of Greece. All of this under $30 is a steal if you ask me.
Another thing I found helpful traveling through Greece was the extensive network of Trains in the main cities. It is locally encouraged to take public transport as it is more environmentally friendly and cheaper than its private counterparts. I would recommend taking the buses as that is where the living happens. That is where you experience new people and their unique ways of existing.
Above all what Greece has that no place on earth does is its deep history of mythology and academic prowess. A great way to get to know a place’s culture is to peer into the past. How you can do it is simple: book a tour and do not look back. You would be surprised to find how enriching such experiences can be. If you find a discount that suits your bank balance, what else is stopping you from expanding the horizons of your perspective?
3. Switzerland
Although it might raise your heartbeat with its costs and expenditures, a well-planned trip to Switzerland deserves to be at the top of every nomad’s to-do list. It is the true definition of heaven on Earth. With its picturesque sites like Lake Geneva and the Upper Rhone Valley, Switzerland will leave you transfixed and there will be a lot more to see still.
Opulent is a word lacking still, the true meaning of how extravagant nightlife in Switzerland is. One of the best night scenes to be a part of is at Zurich: the club Kaufleuten will show you the best time of your life and keep you yearning for more. When Switzerland welcomes the most renowned people on earth, it shows them a good time in return as well. You as a part of that crowd are a dream to be fulfilled.
While all of this is a treat enough, there is something there for the reclusive as well. For example, I value small intimate experiences just as much, if not more so, as lavish indulgent ones. That’s why I have a personal favorite to share with you: The Papperla Pub in Zermatt. Their mulled wine dissolves into the music of the live performers and puts you in a trance for the rest of your night. Truly an experience of a lifetime.
If you haven’t already started saving money for your trip to Switzerland now, you better start soon. As great experiences are waiting to be had.
4. Spain
If you’re from the USA or Canada, like me, you can stay in Spain for up to 90 days without a visa as per the facilities provided in the Schengen zones of which Spain is one. Furthermore, Spain is looking to introduce a visa for digital nomads by 2023. This would allow a person working remotely to live in Spain for up to 5 years.
Once you’re in Spain there is a world to explore. When I went there I found the best way to travel to be by the opinion of the locals. The people of Spain are extremely polite and receptive. They want people to be aware of their culture and language better and so engage with tourists enthusiastically.
Spain offers a range of accessible destinations to choose from for a digital nomad. First stop: the Alhambra. The detailed art on the palaces of Alhambra will leave you awestruck. It is not only drenched in the history of the Islamic world but also contains architecture from the time of the Spanish Renaissance. The second place one should surely visit when in Spain is the Roman theater in Merida. With a capacity of 3000, this theater entertains people to this day even though it was built in 15 B.C. Its preserved architecture alone is a site to behold.
5. Portugal
Along with its temperate climate and delicious cuisine, Portugal makes life easier for you through its tourist policies. Their digital nomad visa allows you to fully submerge in their culture and lifestyle. The environment of the network is most enriched there and is augmented by the high-speed internet provided by the government.
Portugal isn’t just on this list due to accessibility reasons. It is also a great destination to explore for an adventurous trip. Medieval cities like Porto provide you with all the historical context you require to appreciate the mind and work of man. The relaxed vibe of the city under the glow of the nightlife fills your soul up to the brim.
Despite all these perks, the living expenditures in Portugal turned out to be extremely low. Food and transport are extremely affordable and easily accessible. Living in the metropolitan parts of Portugal is cheap compared to other countries and as you move further away from the main cities, the costs drop drastically still.
CONCLUSION
This is the final list. After dwelling for a while I have realized that all of what I look for in any travel destination is encompassed fully by these five destinations in Europe. They spill life from all of their edges and corners. A life that needs to not only be documented but to be lived by you.