Let’s be honest, do you ever lie in the sun in the park or your balcony with your eyes closed and dreaming of the Caribbean sun kissing your skin? Of exploring a faraway and hardly accessible place? Of deciding on a trip and actually leaving the next moment? Of spending all your time with adventures and friends instead of your computer and boss? I am perfectly aware, that money can neither make me happy, nor can it buy everything – but if I won the lottery, I would like to have a plan at hand. Or better, 10 plans.
1. Buy a Private Island
Imagine a tropical beach clear of other travellers and their screaming children, your own private palm tree garden and a neverending supply of coconuts. Your own island will serve as a fantastic holiday resort for you and your friends, as a relaxing hide-out and a lucrative source of income in case you decide to rent it out when you are not there yourself. Check our guide to buying your own island from last year.
2. Fly around the world in a private jet
Being able to go wherever you want to go, whenever you feel like it is probably the most valueable luxury there is. Admittedly, flying a private jet is not necessarily the smallest footprint we could leave with our travels. But as the new millionaires we are, we can easily give an appropriate amount to balance our jets’ carbon emission. To see how much, try this online calculator.
3. Purchase a Mediterrean villa and throw a non-stop party for all my friends
My own house by the beach – no, my own villa by the beach. The Spanish island Mallorca would be a wonderful place for that. Even though it is often referred to as a party destination, the island also has beautiful beaches and villages. I would buy the perfect villa on a tucked away beach, spend the summer there with all my friends and spoil them with endless parties, Spanish BBQs and delicious watermelon cocktails served on my beachside terrace. Of course, we would take the private jet to fly there. Until that day, at least I get to follow my options here.
4. Run a hostel on a small beach
A more laid back solution would see me running a cozy hostel on a small beach n Australia, or Hawaii or Costa Rica. My boo would offer surf lessons for backpackers, while I take care of our pet sloth and invite the local people over for free sunset yoga sessions by the ocean. Oh sweet serenity.
5. Explore Antarctica
A proper expedition to Antarctica belongs to the most expensive trips available, but also to the top 10 things of my to do list. During this trip I would kayak past icebergs in polar water and get really close to the local wildlife. I would hang out with wild penguins and seals and watch the Southern lights in the sky. I can barely imagine what it feels like to stand on a continent uninhabitated by man.
6. Explore the world like Margaret Mead
Mrs. Mead was a cultural Anthropologist who studied the islands and culture of the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. And while “discovering others” is highly outdated in our modern society, it would still be great to sail around the South Pacific and meet its local people. Exploring never gets old.
7. Restore a vintage camper van and drive around the world
An around the world trip is one thing, but covering the same distance by land and sea is another. A restored camper van will turn into a mobile home which will take you to the most remote places you could think of. Regular break downs will force you to seek the help of locals and hitchhiking travelers will substitute the radio when it lacks reception again. Restoring your own vehicle gives you the opportunity to go crazy on interior – my van would have a furry steering wheel, fairy lights and a big comfy bed on the roof. How would yours look?
8. Travel Non-Stop, Forever
This is quite an obvious one – but at some point every traveler will turn home eventually. To attend her brother’s wedding, or to celebrate her best friend’s birthday party. Every time we go away and experience things on our own, we miss out on the special moments that happen back home. With a wheelbarrow full of cash this problem seizes to exist. I would simply fly all my friends and family in, so I can travel non-stop but still be a part of these important moments.
9. A flight to space
Tropical islands might be hard to reach and Antarctica super expensive, but space is still the ultimate destination for someone who can do anything. Who knows, space travel could be next big thing. The views on Earth are stunning and you will witness breathtaking sunrises and -sets every couple of minutes. A leisurely spaceflight with Virgin Galactic will cost you a mere US$250,000, and the agency Space Adventure even plans to offer private expeditions to the moon.
10. Invest in a Social Enterprise
Last but not least, giving some of the wealth away for charity is probably the most important plan to have. Maggie Doyne proved that you don’t need to be a millionair to help thers in need, but for this idea that Frankie told me about, a certain seed capital would be of great help. The project could be called ‘Bikes for Bikes’ – charity bike shop for beautiful Dutch bikes. And for every sold bike another one is given to a child somewhere else in the world. To us it is a simple means of transportation, but elsewhere it will bring inexplicable joy and help kids to get to school easier.
To live big, one has to dream big. What would you do if you won the lottery?
This is a post by Kathi Kamleitner.
Kathi Kamleitner was a regular contributor at Travelettes from 2013 to 2019. Originally from Vienna, Austria, she packed her backpack to travel the world and lived in Denmark, Iceland and Berlin, before settling in Glasgow, Scotland. Kathi is always preparing her next trip – documenting her every step with her camera, pen and phone.
In 2016, Kathi founded Scotland travel blog WatchMeSee.com to share her love for her new home, hiking in the Scottish Highlands, island hopping and vegan food. Follow her adventures on Instagram @watchmesee!
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