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Finding the Perfect Partner for Your Gap Year Journey

travel

Did you know that 60% of gap year travelers find a travel buddy?

Embarking on a gap year is a chance to explore new landscapes, cultures, and work opportunities. Whether you dream of teaching English in Asia, working as an au pair in the USA or Europe, or working on an organic farm in South America, having a partner can enrich your journey.

Imagine celebrating breathtaking sunsets, overcoming language barriers together, and building relationships that will last a lifetime. While solo travel offers its own rewards, having someone by your side can double your fun, boost your safety, and help you navigate unexpected challenges. Sharing your adventure with the right person can make it truly unforgettable.

 

Tips on Finding a Gap Year Partner

1. Attend Gap Year Fairs and Events: These events are excellent opportunities to meet like-minded individuals who are also planning their gap year adventures. Engage in conversations, exchange contact information, and explore potential partnerships.

A few reputable ones are EF Gap Year, GoAbroad.com, GoOverseas

2. Join Online Communities: Participate in online forums, social media groups, and gap year platforms where travelers share their experiences, seek advice, and connect with others. You may find compatible partners who share your interests and goals.

For example, Fairytrail is a matching app for location flexible people. You can search for people doing a gap year and chat with them. 

There’s also Reddit and Facebook groups: r/gapyear, Gap Year 2023-2024

3. Reach Out to Your Network: Tap into your personal network, including friends, family, classmates, and colleagues, to inquire if anyone is interested in joining you on your gap year adventure. You may be surprised to find a compatible partner among your existing connections.

 

Finding the perfect partner for your gap year journey requires careful consideration, open communication, and a spirit of adventure. By networking and communicating effectively, you can find a companion who shares your passion for exploration and growth. Whether you embark on this journey with a close friend, a romantic partner, or a newfound acquaintance, the experiences and memories you create together will last a lifetime. So, embrace the adventure and find your ideal partner to embark on the journey of a lifetime.

Nomad Travel Buddy App Fairytrail

Redesigned Fairytrail Coming This May

fairytrailapp

Fairytrail is redesigned for finding nomadic friends and adventures worldwide!

For those interested in our journey, please read on. Or skip to the bottom to see what’s new.

 

How It Began

My name is Taige, a product manager living in San Francisco at the time. Many of my friends complained they don’t travel because they don’t have anyone to travel with, so they’d stay home and Netflix.

I’ve spent most of my career in marketplaces and built a couple apps before, so I thought it’d be fun to build a marketplace where people could match on adventures. Airbnb had recently launched Airbnb Adventures so there was existing inventory. We just had to connect those who were interested in the same activities. In the winter of 2019, we launched Fairytrail to help people match on adventures by Airbnb, GetYourGuide, and Viator.

We launched by posting in a few travel Facebook groups and saw some strong interest.


We had thousands of users and even started to get bookings!

As we were preparing to fundraise, Covid hit and our commission-based travel booking business model fell apart because people couldn’t travel anymore.

Instead of shutting it down completely, we made a pivot to become a friends and dating app because the vast majority of our members were single remote workers. The team disbanded, and I joined Indeed’s Incubator team. In the meantime, Fairytrail continued to grow.

Today, the Fairytrail community counts over 50,000 members and is the world’s largest social app for nomads.

 

Why We’re Building Again

I had considered other startup ideas during my time away from building Fairytrail. However, what drew me back to Fairytrail importance of the problem and our thousands of users.

 

Meaningful Work

It’s not easy out there, especially for people who aren’t always in one place. There’s a perspicuous lack of support and community for remote workers, nomads, and travelers. Having moved around a lot growing up and now a remote worker, I deeply understand the challenges and want to address the problem of loneliness.

There’s a Chinese proverb that says “happiness is doubled when shared. Sadness is halved.” Strong, supportive relationships are one of the biggest factors for wellbeing, and there’s nothing more meaningful to me than helping people find happiness through great relationships.

 

 

 

Strong Demand

I receive daily emails about app issues, which I take as a positive sign. It shows users are engaged and care enough to provide feedback. This motivated me to keep going.

 

Our Research

As I worked on a refresh of the app, it was clear users felt more strongly about making connections rather than discovering/booking adventures. 

Members were split on how they used Fairytrail. About 50% were using it for finding travel buddies and 50% were using it for short term and long term relationships.

 

Knowing the app brings hope in dark times is truly touching. 

 

What’s New

Fairytrail members inspired us to completely redesign the app with a focus on making connections and chatting. Here’s what you can expect.

 

Nomad specific features

Unique tools to help you meet fellow explorers. Profiles now display your nationality and mobility, whether hybrid or fully remote. To make it easier to plan meetups, you can now search users by their upcoming destinations.

 

Better user experience

No more adventure matching and other steps that create friction. Now, it only takes 1 minute to sign up and start connecting.

 

Solo travelers, couples, or families

You can now create an account for yourself, you and a partner, or even your entire family. Choose to match with other solo travelers, couples, or nomad families.

 

Real profiles

99.99% of Fairytrail users are real people. Our fraud detection, human moderators, and verification system help ensure a high quality environment and safety.

 

Free forever plan

Use Fairytrail for free forever after verification. Power users can opt for a silver or gold plan for a premium experience.

 

No more bugs

Completely rebuilt app. No more broken push notifications, payment errors, and photos not uploading.

 

Get The New App

The new Fairytrail app is now available in the App Store and Play Store. Existing users just need to update the app and log in. If you forgot your password or never created one, simply reset your password.

 

Thanks again for believing in us and your support.

Onward and upward!

Taige & The Fairytrail Team

Italy Nomad Visa 2024

La Dolce Vita: Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa 2024!

remote lifestyle, remote work, visa

Imagine you’re cozied up with your laptop, taking in the breathtaking views of Venice’s romantic canals or any other stunning Italian spot. Italy has opened its doors to remote workers like you, recognizing the shift in how we work and inviting digital nomads to soak in the country’s beauty while still clocking in online.

But hold your horses before you start packing your bags for the Italian adventure! Getting the digital nomad visa isn’t as simple as snapping your fingers. So, what’s the scoop on Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa? First off, you gotta be a non-EU citizen chilling outside of the European Union. 

This visa is tailor-made for skilled remote workers, whether you’re a tech whiz or a savvy entrepreneur, hustling for clients or a company based outside Italy. Now, let’s talk money. You’ll need to show you’re financially stable, flaunting a monthly income of at least €2,335, keeping in line with Italy’s wage standards.

Oh, and don’t forget your health insurance! It’s gotta cover you while you’re living it up in Italy. And of course, no shady business allowed – a squeaky-clean criminal record is a must.

Sure, the idea of working from Italy’s cultural paradise is tempting, but getting that visa? It’s a bit like mastering Grandma’s secret recipe – it takes some serious prep and attention to detail. 

Italy Adventure

Italy Adventure

 

How much does Italy’s “digital nomad visa” cost?

Right now, we don’t have an exact answer on how much Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa will cost. However, here’s a breakdown based on what we know.

Application fee: You’ll need to pay a standard processing fee when you apply. This fee is usually around $125, similar to other Italian visa fees. 

Residence permit fee: If your application is approved, there might be an extra fee for getting your residence permit.

Administrative fee: You might also need to cover costs for translating documents, getting them notarized, and sending your application.

 

Documents required for Applying for Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa:

To apply for Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa, you’ll need.

Passport-sized photos: You’ll need two recent, color passport-sized photos that meet specific size and quality standards.

Proof of income: Provide bank statements, tax returns, or other documents showing you make at least €28,000 a year.

Health Insurance: You’ll need comprehensive health insurance that’s valid in Italy for your whole stay.

Proof of accommodation: Show a rental agreement, hotel reservation, or other proof that you have a place to stay in Italy.

Criminal background check: You might need to provide a clean criminal record certificate from your home country or where you live.

 

Social security rules 

For digital nomads or remote workers holding visas and subject to the social security laws of a country outside the EU, the rules outlined in the bilateral social security agreements between Italy and that specific country will be followed. If there are no such agreements in place, the social security and insurance regulations outlined in Italian law will be applied, taking into account the duration of the residence permit. Additionally, digital nomads and remote workers will receive a tax identification number directly from the police headquarters. Digital nomads will also need to open a VAT number.

 

Another Italy’s clever idea to grow

Loved the way Italy is making efforts to grow. Last effort was a success for them when some of its towns were feeling a bit empty because not many people live there anymore. 

So, to help these towns grow again, the Italian Government came up with a clever idea! They decided to offer their old, empty homes for just one euro to people from other countries. These homes might need some fixing up, but it’s a great opportunity for folks who want to move to Italy and help make these towns lively again! And you know what? Lots of people from other countries thought it was a fantastic idea and took up the offer to become part of these communities. It’s like giving these towns a big hug and saying, “We’re here to help you grow.

 

Conclusion 

While the allure of working in Italy’s cultural richness is undeniable, navigating the visa process requires thorough preparation and attention to detail. So, if you’re ready to begin on this journey, make sure you meet the criteria and embrace the opportunity to experience Italy’s charm while pursuing your career goals.