7 travel planning tips - and how we did it

of Michael Gimm Holdensen
13 minutes reading time

In our post The start of a life as a digital nomad, we were finally able to tell everyone about our plans for the future. In this post, I'll tell you about our itinerary for the trip.

We've had so many questions from so many people and it's amazing! My impression is that most people think our plans sound great, but at the same time they can't relate to the fact that we have nothing to return home to or haven't set a date for how long we will be travelling.

Many people have asked about our plans and how we're going to approach things. In this post, I will discuss the exact planning of the trip in the time leading up to our departure. At the same time, I will try to answer the very relevant questions we have been asked.

If you don't want to read the entire post, feel free to take a look at the points below. Simply click on the point(s) you would like to read to go to the relevant section.

 

How we planned our trip

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13 comments

Susanne Plesner-Bloch Pedersen 26 June 2021 - 08:39

Hey Michael....you don't know me, but on paper we are colleagues in JB. I am currently on leave (JB0230 plesner) - have been in Zambia and Kenya doing volunteer work. I just want to express my deepest respect for your decision - SHUT THE FUCK UP IT'S GOOD! We only live once and that's NOW! Wishing you all the best - and will look forward to following you. Kh plesner

Reply
Michael Gimm Holdensen 28 June 2021 - 08:11

Hi Susanne. Thank you so much for the kind words!
We're glad you're following us and commenting on the post. We hope we can spark some thoughts in people and at the same time get good input on our destinations along the way from you and anyone else who wants to follow along 🙂

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Maia 1 September 2021 - 21:53

Hi Michael and family.
You don't know me, but I went to primary school with Rie. Sounds like an amazing journey ahead of you! My husband and I dream of doing the same when our three girls are a little older.
It's very useful that you describe how you specifically plan the trip, thank you for that! Especially the tip about buying a car with German plates is brilliant!
Have a great trip. I look forward to following along.
Sincerely, Maia

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Michael Gimm Holdensen 1 September 2021 - 22:08

Hi Maia, that sounds like a great idea.
How old are the girls since you're expecting? Different sizes have different needs. For example, Carla (3) requires a little more when we go on trips, while Liva and Emma (11+8) require a little more when school is in session.

I'm glad you can use the blog for inspiration. I promise there will be much more to come 🙂

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Maia 5 September 2021 - 11:03

Hi Michael.
Our girls are 5 months, 3 years and 6 years old. We want to wait primarily so that the kids can remember the trip, but also to have an economy that can afford it
Vh Maia

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Michael Gimm Holdensen 5 September 2021 - 11:57

Hi Maia, that makes sense 🙂 .
We've also talked about how Carla probably doesn't remember the trip very well. But hopefully the blog can be used to relive and remember when she can read at some point.
Vh Michael

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Tina 23 January 2023 - 15:16

Hi Michael
Could you be tempted to do a post on finances - How did you manage your first year of travelling? How much did you spend? What is the reason why you have chosen to get a base again with a job and school? Of course, you decide if you want to answer 🙂 .

And thank you so much for the tip about Paxos, it looks VERY nice.
Vh Tina

Reply
Michael Gimm Holdensen 23 January 2023 - 16:21

Hi Tina
It's also my plan to follow up on some of the financial stuff at some point and we'd love to share. I just need to find some of that "time".
I can already reveal that even though we've tried to be economical, it hasn't been cheap 😀.
Regards. Michael

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Tina 23 January 2023 - 19:44

It sounds great, and yes, I can imagine it adds up, unfortunately.
And it's completely understandable, the rest of us are looking for that time too 🙂

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Jesper 3 March 2023 - 12:15

Hi Michael
You write that you relied on the return on your investments while travelling.
The tax authorities have informed you that you are not liable to pay tax on any returns on your investments as you have left the country.
But how does this compare to travelling around Europe for a year? Where did you become taxable while travelling and receiving returns? Because in principle, you should be taxed in the country you are staying in when you receive the return? But surely it's not possible (theoretically, of course) to register as a taxpayer in all the countries you visit?

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Michael Gimm Holdensen 3 March 2023 - 17:39

Hi Jesper, thank you for your question.
As we are registered as having left Denmark, our tax liability ceases if we have no property or income.
Returns from securities are not taxed.
Most countries, as far as I know, have a rule around 6 months stay. But even if we tried to pay taxes in one or more countries while travelling, it was hardly possible
That said, it's been a pretty bad period in terms of returns and we would probably have gained more by remaining taxable in Denmark. That way, we could have deducted the loss when we returned home.
But it has made things a little easier while we've been travelling.

During the period in Spain, I have been taxed on my income here.

If you ask me, there's a gap in the law. As digital nomads who have done what we have done, it is difficult (almost impossible) to calculate tax liability. On the other hand, we have no rights to anything in terms of doctors/hospitals, dentists, child benefit, school etc. We pay for all of that ourselves.
One could hope that the EU could create a setup where both tax and social security are included.
Hope that answers your question 🙂

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Ronni 6 March 2023 - 21:00

Hi there, mate. Very exciting reading! Do you know if short visits to Denmark will be possible under this model? For example, if you are in Denmark for a week to attend a family birthday party or similar. Or will it complicate the tax-free status?
Thank you so much
Ronni

Reply
Michael Gimm Holdensen 6 March 2023 - 21:40

Hi Ronni, you can stay in Denmark while you are registered as an expatriate. But not more than half of the year (in total).
The above only applies if you do not have assets in DK, income etc. from DK.

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