Has a long, monotonous day at the office ever prompted you to Google “I want to work remotely and travel?”

As we move deeper into the cold months of winter, it’s hard not to dream about working remotely from a warm kopi (i.e. coffee) shop in Bali. So this week, we were lucky enough to talk with bloggers, travelers, and Knackpackers Natasha and Cameron, who have who turned that dream of remote work into a reality.

Living in Banff for half of the year and traveling for the other half, these two make a living by sharing their experiences on their awesome blog The World Pursuit. Consequently, they’re also experts on balancing remote work and travel. This week, they gave us some great advice for thriving while working remotely. 

And by the way, they wrote a great review of their Knack Pack. Check it out here, along with a whole bunch of other super useful tips for travel and remote work. 

You guys travel for half the year (and spend the other half in Banff). What are the most significant challenges of working on the road? And does having a home base make travel easier?

The greatest challenge about working on the road is creating a functional workspace. We often try to find Airbnbs with good sunlight and a good table or desk while we travel. However, that's not always a guarantee, so we spend plenty of days without working while we travel. We can do this and not stress since we have a home base to return to where we can work reliably. At home, we each have an individual office set up to be our ideal workspace.

When you're away from home on long trips, what are a few items that you could never go without?

We love to travel with a great bag with a laptop sleeve like the Knack Bag. It's also great to have items that create a better workspace, such as a laptop stand, keyboard, and mouse. A pair of noise-canceling headphones are a lifesaver for a noisy cafe or long plane rides. And of course, an e-reader means we can travel with a library of books.

photo credit: The World Pursuit

I imagine that working on the blog and traveling at the same time is a balancing act. Do you have any advice for creating a work-life balance and preventing burnout?

It would be best if you accept that you won't see and do everything. We can enjoy a destination merely by working in a lovely cafe or walking through a new neighborhood. It's the same advice we give to everyone for travel, and that's especially true when you're working on the road. If you love a destination, you can always return.

Digital security is super important to keep in mind when you're traveling anywhere. Can you recommend any tools/software to protect your sensitive information - or even just to stay organized?

I use password generators to create my passwords and then store them in a digital keychain. That keychain gets a password change every month. It's also essential to use 2FA logins for all your important accounts.

Check out our ultimate guide to digital security when traveling.

Of the 86 countries you've visited, which one do you think would be the best for digital nomads and remote workers, and why?

It all depends on the nomad! When you're happy, you work your best. We love the mountains, so that's where we work out best. However, for universal appeal, it's near impossible to beat Bali. The island has something for everyone.

What aspect of traveling has kept you guys coming back for more, for nearly a decade?

Atmosphere. We all travel for the romance of experiencing new destinations. It's tough to beat the feeling of being lost in a new environment, landscape, culture, and destination. It's why Japan remains one of our favorite destinations globally because the culture is so different from anywhere else.

photo credit: The World Pursuit

What aspect of traveling has kept you guys coming back for more, for nearly a decade?

Atmosphere. We all travel for the romance of experiencing new destinations. It's tough to beat the feeling of being lost in a new environment, landscape, culture, and destination. It's why Japan remains one of our favorite destinations globally because the culture is so different from anywhere else.

Quick questions:

Which bag is better for travel - wheeled luggage or backpack?

Backpack

Aisle or window seat?

AISLE! Access to the bathroom and the ability to stand up is everything. We'll even book aisle seats across from one another when we travel. 

Mountains or beaches?

Mountains because of the number of activities available. However, if we want to relax you can't beat the sunshine and warmth of the beach. 

AirBnb or HostelWorld?

Airbnb

Want more remote work and travel content? Check out this interview with The Professional Hobo.

Thanks, Natasha and Cameron, for sharing letting us live vicariously through - and learn from - your travels!