Choose Exploration Over Excess with Exodus Travel

From fast fashion to fancy frappes, Exodus Travels, a world leader in active and cultural tours in 100+ countries, is challenging consumers to invest in memories, not materials next year with their “Adventure Challenge.”

According to a recent OnePoll survey, North Americans are spending approximately $1,497 per month—$18,000 per year—on optional luxuries such as eating out, rideshares, drinks, and gym memberships. However, studies have been indicating for years that experiences are more effective for maximizing happiness than short-term purchases, increasing our self-worth through positive encounters, connecting us to others and generating mood-enhancing anticipation. Need further convincing? A recent analysis conducted by the Center for Generational Kinetics found that 74% of Americans are prioritizing experiences over products or things.

So, before you throw down for another Grande mocha Frappuccino or yet another gadget you don’t need, Exodus Travels challenges you to consider not what your hard-earned money can buy in 2020, but where it can take you instead:

Forego fast fashion for an Egyptian adventure

While splurging on a new pair of designer jeans might be novel and exciting for a moment, the feeling is—more often than not—fleeting. Exodus’ Nile Cruise is available for less than $1,866, which is what The Bureau of Labor Statistics says consumers spent on clothing in 2018. Scale back on the latest fashion trends for the sake of experiencing Cairo, Aswan and the pyramids of Giza, with art, temples and tombs among the sites to behold. Spend time along the Nile with a stop at the Valley of Kings on the West Bank, home to the tombs of more than 62 Pharaohs, and onboard a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailing boat—all of which look better on Instagram than any #OOTD post.

Trade your lunch money for a culinary quest

According to OnePoll, consumers spend approximately $173.62 buying their lunch each month—that’s roughly $2,083.44 a year! This 2020, brown bag your midday meal and spend the savings on a spectacular 10-day Vietnam Food Adventure. Enjoy Pho for breakfast in Hoam Kiem, indulge on fresh seafood while cruising Halong Bay and savor Banh Vac (white rose dumpling), a Hoi An specialty. Stay in a family-run guest house on the Mekong Delta, go cycling in search of fresh herbs and, thanks to a cooking class led by renowned local chef Dang Phuong Nguyen in Thu Dau Mout, learn the skills to up the ante on your lunches at home—so you can keep pocketing cash for your next big adventure.

Brew your own coffee—and wake up in Marrakesh

While a daily cappuccino can certainly feel like a minor expense, a survey by Money Matters found the average consumer spends a jaw-dropping $1,100 a year on gourmet coffee—meaning those jonesing for a getaway can find one in the bottom of their morning cuppa. Brew your own joe at home for 12 months and reward your restraint with an 8-day adventure to Marrakesh and the Sahara. Start with a camel ride to a Bedouin camp, where stargazing and sleeping in the Sahara are followed by a walk through the High Atlas Mountains and a visit to the village hammam at Tijhza. From there, move on to Marrakech to explore the souks, visit Koutoubia, the largest mosque in the city, or venture via horse-drawn carriage to Yves St Laurent’s Majorelle gardens—all for the price of a daily cup of coffee!

Pass on post-work drinks for a weeklong Italian happy hour

For those who enjoy after-work cocktails, a change in routine could be rewarded with a superior substitute: sipping Prosecco or Chianti in Italy. OnePoll’s study shows people spend an average of $188.68 on alcohol monthly. Opt-out of even half of those nights on the town in favor of a long weekend in Italy’s Prosecco Hills instead, and enjoy happy hour somewhere really special. Take four days strolling through vineyards and small communities, along hillsides and to the peak of Monte San Giorgio, all the while getting a taste of the area’s history and natural beauty. Meet top local wine producers in the Prosecco region and visit historic locales such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Villa Barbaro, in Maser. Or, spend a week in Villa Casalta, a renovated farmhouse in the Italian countryside on Exodus’ Chianti Walking + Wine tour. Relax with walks throughout Renaissance cities and medieval villages, expand your palate during a class at the Tuscan Wine School, and gain an appreciation for the grape while taking plenty of time to sample the area’s world-renowned varietals.

Ignore auto-aspirations for the road less traveled

Everybody loves a road trip, but there are so many more imaginative ways to see the world. This year, instead of splurging on a new car that depreciates as soon as it leaves the lot, keep your beater for another year and take off to Tahiti with one of Exodus’ NEW small-ship voyages—and enjoy those memories forever. For the average cost of a new set of wheels—about $38,000—travelers can venture with a best friend in tow for the ultimate vacation. Journey to the Seychelles, where you can discover Zanzibar before uncovering other regional highlights like Assumption Island, known for its abundant marine life, and Astove Atoll, where its nature is as rich as its history. Or, if you’d prefer to dive into the Maldives, explore the ocean waters with manta rays at Rasdhoo, whale sharks around Ari Atoll and the diverse marine life of Fotteyo Kandu.