'I spent £9,000 on 12 holidays in a single year - everyone should travel more'
A woman spent £9,000 on 12 holidays in a single year and believes that everyone should take a break from work at least once a month.
After finishing her studies and landing a job, 24-year-old Mel Anyamene made a New Year's resolution to visit a new country every month in 2023. She has so far visited places like Malaga, Dubai, Lisbon, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, Miami, Nigeria, St. Lucia, Grenada and Cyprus.
Mel, who lives with her parents, said: "I made a New Year's resolution to travel to 12 countries in 12 months in 2023. I wanted to explore more. The money will come back experiences won't. I'm supposed to be enjoying myself. Everyone should be taking time off at least once a month."
When Mel was growing up her parents would take her to different parts of the world each year, infecting her with the travel bug that she has to this day. In November 2022, Mel decided to take on a travel challenge and booked a trip to Malaga, Spain, in January. Her mum, Ifesi, paid for a holiday in Dubai in February 2023.
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Mel went to Paphos during her year of travelling (Mel Anyamene / SWNS)
The 24-year-old said everyone should travel (Mel Anyamene / SWNS)The young woman uses a British Airways Amex card to earn points for cheaper flights. Living rent-free with her parents helps her afford her travels as well. She enjoys "affordable luxury" when she is away, spending £360 on a bohemian luxury hotel - La Zambra, Malaga, and a return flight. "I'm more of a hotel person," she admits.
In March, Mel embarked on a solo weekend trip to Lisbon for just £35 return flights and enjoyed a cooking class in the Portuguese city. She was offered a sponsored trip to Romania, which she took for free, and then visited Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Montenegro in April. "Croatia was absolutely amazing. I always did a boat trip everywhere I could," she shared.
Mel also loves to visit interactive museums on her trips. She makes the most of her 30 days of annual leave which run from September to August and bank holidays by going away over the weekends.
In June, she flew to Miami before visiting family in Nigeria in August, using her British Airways points to get a return flight for just £100.
Mel shared: "I used a British Airways Amex card and started racking up points. Then I could pay with points." She enjoyed a family holiday in St Lucia and Grenada in September, describing St Lucia as "a beautiful place. It's so colourful and so vibrant." Mel also visited Cyrus in October and has trips to Milan, Italy, and Nigeria lined up for the end of the year. She admitted: "It's full on. I'm used to jam packed days. I'm used to being on the go."
She estimates her 12 trips this year will cost around £9,000 in total, but believes others could travel for less. Over the years, she's visited 33 countries and already has holidays to Greece, Norway and Thailand planned for next year. However, she won't be taking on quite as many trips in 2024. She revealed: "My parents say I need to relax. I'm lucky I don't have to pay rent. Travelling is an education. I'm thankful I have done it."
In September, she visited St Lucia and Grenada for £2,100, including flights and hotel, with no extra spending. In October, she flew to Pharos, Cyprus for just £35, spent £180 on a hotel, and £250 on other expenses. November saw her in Milan, Italy, with £35 flights and a £130 hotel. And in December, she jetted off to Nigeria, with flights costing £400.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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