How To: Make your remote working dreams a reality
Hi, I’m Helena, a digital nomad working for Tandem Collective!
I’ve been working remotely from different locations around the world since the beginning of 2022. I’m very lucky to have a travel and co-working buddy, who happens to be my long-time bestie, and we’ve chosen to organise our trips independently. However, not everyone has this option - travelling solo, as well as remote working, can be a daunting prospect, but thanks to a growing number of companies jumping on the digital nomad trend, it’s now very possible to become part of freelance communities around the world. Read on for our round-up of some of the best-known companies offering curated experiences for remote workers!
Remote work programmes
Remote Year
The concept: Remote Year is one of the biggest names in the remote work travel industry, with 5000 members across more than 50 nationalities, and offers travel programmes in over 80 destinations. Digital nomads can opt for 1 month, 4 month and 12 month trips (where you visit 1 country per month). In each location, you’ll join a community of 50-80 remote workers and get support from a local guide, who is on hand to help you find your feet and get the most out of your chosen destination. To book a trip, you must be a member, however Remote Travel offers one of the most comprehensive support packages, including socials and networking, microadventures and local excursions, professional development webinars, job boards, as well as a dedicated travel advisor.
What’s included:
24/7 access to a co-working space with WiFi
Accommodation
Transport
Local leader
Community experiences
Development workshops
Destinations: Global, including Europe (Greece, Spain, Portugal, Albania and Turkey), Central and South America (Mexico, Columbia, Peru, Argentina, Brazil), South Africa and Asia (Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, India).
Price: 1 month trips range from $3000-$4000 (USD), whilst a 12 month, around-the-world trip costs around $32,000 (USD). In order to book a trip, you must be a member and membership packages range from $19 to $99 per month, with the higher tiers offering greater discounts and incentives.
USP: Remote Year scores highly on Trust Pilot and you can read reviews here. It also attracts a diverse community of digital nomads: 38% of members are People of Colour, 12.5% identify as LGBTQ+ and 67% are women solo travellers.
Recommended for: First-time digital nomads, solo travellers, solo women travellers.
WiFi Tribe
The concept: WiFi Tribe is a smaller, more intimate community of 1000 remote workers from 62 nationalities, and you can expect to cohabit with a group of 12-25 people on each “Chapter”. WiFi Tribe refer to their programmes as “Chapters” instead of trips, “...because the periods of time we spend together become integral parts of our stories.” WiFi Tribe is a curated community of digital nomads, based on shared values, and is therefore more selective in comparison to other programmes. There is, in fact, an application process which includes a video interview and MBTI test! The rationale behind this is to cultivate a community of like-minded travellers who will live and work well together, an approach which is valued by its members: "WiFi Tribe ensures that the community members all share the same values. Their efforts in maintaining the program's vision are impressive." You can choose between 4, 6 and 8 week “Chapters”. WiFi tribe’s “Chapters” offer more freedom and flexibility, in comparison to other digital nomad programmes, as activities, such as weekend trips, happen more organically and are planned as a community.
What’s included:
Accommodation and bills (shared and private options available)
WiFi
Internet backups
Space to work within accommodations
Destinations: Upcoming locations include Chile, Patagonia, South Korea, Morocco, Bolivia, Japan, Montenegro, Hungary, Scotland and Kenya.
Price: A Chapter costs between $1,200-$2,800 USD. There is also a mandatory annual membership fee of $500 per year.
USP: Values-based community, freedom and flexibility. You can find out more about the company ethos and member experiences by listening to their podcast.
Recommended for: Digital nomads seeking like-minded people and who value more freedom and flexibility and a less structured and more organic approach to remote coworking.
Hacker Paradise
The concept: Hacker Paradise combines the benefits of Remote Year and WiFi tribe, offering flexible itineraries for 2-12 month travel options. It shares the values-based ethos of WiFi Tribe, as their community is “hand-selected” through an application process, and has a preference for smaller groups (15-20 people per trip). Similarly to Remote Year, Hacker Paradise offers a comprehensive support package and encourages community building and the pursuit of adventure!
What’s included:
Accommodation (Private room)
Co-working space
Local facilitator
Community events
Personal and professional development opportunities
Added conveniences, such as local SIM cards with data
Destinations: A variety of destinations across central and South America, South Africa, Asia and Europe.
Price: 2 weeks from $1690, 1 month from $2490, and 3-12 months from $1990 per month. Similarly to Remote Year, they offer programme only options for those who want to organise their own stay, whilst tapping into the digital nomad community.
USP: Small group travel, values-based, community building, socials and adventures. Find out more here.
Recommended for: Digital nomads who are looking for a more holistic support package with a small group feel and emphasis on socials, experiences and adventures, as well as professional development.
Helena with Tandem Collective founder Naomi, in Roseto, Italy.
Each year, the freelancers of Tandem Collective come together for a retreat in the beautiful town of Roseto on Italy’s sunny coast. Gelato, sunshine, good food, reading, swimming, writing, and resting; it’s a chance for us all to meet in person, have fun, and unwind together. A retreat can be the perfect opportunity to creatively recharge!
Retreats
Outpost
The concept: Outpost started in Bali in 2016 and now offers co-living and co-working opportunities in 3 Bali locations, and in Sri Lanka, aimed at creatives and entrepreneurs. The website has a slightly more corporate feel in comparison to other programmes (though is still very much in keeping with the digital nomad culture and ethos), and they do, in fact, run team retreats in paradise! These are curated and fully customisable escapes for whole companies and teams wanting to come together to connect, get creative and unwind in an idyllic setting. Whilst Remote Year and WiFi Tribe emphasise found community, Outpost feels more geared towards individuals and teams. It also has a more high-end, upmarket vibe, so will appeal to those who like a bit of luxury!
What’s included: The basics - accommodation, access to co-working spaces, events and trips. You can purchase bolt-ons, such as a wellness package including yoga classes and treatments.
Destination: Destinations are limited to Bali (Canggu, Ubud and Ubud Penestanan) and Sri Lanka (Weligama Bay).
Price: Approximately $1,500 for a one month stay in a private room at one of the retreat locations.
USP: You can find location guides, stories and digital nomad tips and articles about co-living and co-working on their blog here.
Recommended for: Solo digital nomads, entrepreneurs and teams working on their next big idea, or in need of some inspiration and thinking time in a remote setting.
Unsettled
The concept: Unsettled markets itself as a global community “for those who ask the bigger questions, embrace uncertainty and value meaningful human connection.” They offer 1-2 week and 1 month retreats for digital nomads - there’s no age limit, no CV or job requirements - “as long as you’re not an a**hole, you’ll fit right in”. Whilst specialising in shorter retreats for individuals and teams, they offer a similar package to other programmes, including accommodation, access to workspaces and local experts, as well as experiences and professional development workshops. Their retreats are facilitated and curated, as opposed to being super structured, promising flexibility, spontaneity and opportunities for self-development. You can read about what a typical day in the life of an ‘Unsettled’ looks like here.
Destinations: Upcoming destinations include Thailand, Tuscany, Bali, Ibiza and the Camino De Santiago!
Price: These retreats are on the pricier side, starting from £2000 for a 1 week in Italy or £2,400 for a month in Bali.
USP: Open, flexible community which embraces unconventional living. Find out more about their ethos here.
Recommended for: Digital nomads at any stage in their career, with a desire to do life differently!
The Nomad Escape
The Nomad Escape - The Nomad Escape specialises in business retreats aimed at entrepreneurs and start-up founders, offering escapes around Europe and beyond. They sell short retreats for individuals and teams, combining professional development with socials and experiences. For example, their ‘Level Up Club Business Retreat’ in Madeira includes daily workshops with experts, networking and even personal trainers! Prices start at 2399 Euros.
Social impact
Venture with Impact is a coworking retreat with a social impact focus, that engages people on a 30 day skills-based volunteering project, while they work remotely. Ideal for those who wish to “travel with purpose” and contribute positively to the countries they are visiting. Venture with Impact will personally match you with a volunteer placement, as well as providing workspace and accommodation. There’s a strong emphasis on cultural immersion, from sampling local dishes to access to cultural events - there’s even the opportunity to learn the local language via a designated tutor. Destinations include Mexico, Portugal, Columbia and Thailand and the programme fees start at $2000.
Other options
Coworkstations - Offering month long retreats in cities around the world
Behere - For solo women travellers
WiFly Nomads - Short, business and professional development retreats in Bali
Selena - Curated, flexible stays and cultural experiences around the world
Wrap-up
In summary, the market has A LOT to offer digital nomads in terms of experiences, and will only continue to grow as more and more freelancers decide to become citizens of the world! Of course, there are pros and cons to remote work travel programmes, and they’re not cheap, so it’s important to do your research and shop around!
Start by asking yourself, what’s your main purpose for doing this? Is it to see as much of the world as you can whilst working, or are you a solo traveller looking to connect with like-minded people? Or is it more about finding focus and inspiration away from the day-to-day? The good news is that there will likely be a programme suited to your specific needs and circumstances.
Whilst on the more expensive side, most programmes claim to have done the maths and calculated what you would spend on trips and experiences if you were to do this on your own, and you can always test this by doing research and drawing up your own budget. Safety is also a consideration, especially for women solo travellers, so you might mix and match, opting for organised programmes in certain locations and going it alone in others - there’s always the option of tapping into digital nomad programmes without the co-living element and the big companies like Remote Year and Hacker Paradise offer these light options.