It might sound far-fetched, but you can spend a week in nearly any country in the world for around $1,000. With enough patience and planning, you can make it happen. I’m a witness.
If you want to do it cheaply and meaningfully, you’ll have to plan in advance – probably about a year – so that you have time to earn the air miles needed, land a good Airbnb, and scout out a route. You’ll also have be flexible. You usually can’t go at Christmas or peak summer season. (which is usually better, anyway as low season = less tourists!)
I’ve visited Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America many times using this method. Let me give you a glimpse at how. I’ll use a Europe story (since Europe tends to be the most expensive continent) to demonstrate that–yes–you can even go on pilgrimage there on a budget!
Trevi, Italy
Before our baby turned 2 and we had to pay for another ticket, my wife and I decided a Europe trip was in the works. After consideration, we landed on beautiful Italy as our desired destination. We choose April for the springtime weather, low prices, few tourists, and air miles availability for flights.
After doing some online research, we decided to visit Trevi–a small village off the beaten trail yet close to a major city of entry (Rome) which allowed us to experience countryside life and avoid the crowds. We spent a day in Rome on either end, but otherwise, we rented a car and headed off the countryside just a couple hours drive away.
Once based in Trevi, we took day trips to towns and villages throughout the Umbria region, like Montefalco, Perugia, and Spoletto. We also spent a day in Assisi where Francis and Claire of Assisi began their work. Through the morning, we wandered through through the Basilica of St Francis and its chapels, gardens, and the alleyways of the old village. Distracted by rain on my face and whimpers from the baby strapped to my chest, I remembered these ancient words by St. Francis there:
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
More than all the moving around, we connected most deeply to small town life in the little village of Trevi we where stayed. Most of the time, we sat around and chatted with retirees and baristas in the main square of the town, sipping 1 Euro espressos. Everyone was incredibly kind to our little boy who was just learning to walk. Our Italian is bad, but we learned “bambino!” and “piccolo!” pretty quickly. Olive groves surround the little village, and we enjoyed walking through them in the evenings with the baby, then heading back for a meal at sunset. My wife and I made some local friends in a lovely little place called Pizzeria La Casareccia Di Angeloni and can’t recommend it enough. We also had a fabulous late night meal at Taverna del Sette, warming ourselves by the open flame oven inside and laughing until we cried.
On the way out, we took at day visit some of the major sites in Rome. Taking the pilgrimage lens, I was incredibly blessed to visit Mamertine Prison (Carcere Mamertino), where St. Paul spent his final days chained and dying, recording his 2nd letter to Timothy. This is where he wrote: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing…(4:6-9)” This unassuming little prison, hidden amidst the highlights of the Colosseum, St. Peter’s, and the Pantheon, is seared into my heart. My son slept on my chest as I descended into the underground chamber to pray. This was holy ground.
Alright, snap out of it. Back to the realities. How much did this journey cost? In my best estimation, the basics cost us about $958 for 2 people.
Let’s see:
| Expense | Cost | Notes |
| Airmiles and taxes | $117 (2 adults) | This doesn’t include the infant’s taxes and fees. |
| Hotel (Rome) | $20 | This was resort fee for 1 night after using points. |
| Airbnb (Trevi) | $213 | One week (small 1 bedroom flat) |
| Rental car | $128 (1 week) | We took a free upgrade to a giant vehicle, but I don’t recommend it as fuel is high and city streets are narrow. |
| Fuel | $140 | Estimates $20/day. |
| Food and wine | $350 | $50/day; set lunch out with most others in |
| TOTAL: | $958 | |
That doesn’t include museum entry fees, the religious trinkets I bought, nor other splurges like the shirt that says “I went to Italy and all I got was this lousy t-shirt”. (That’s a joke).
We speak multiple languages (though not Italian), so it wasn’t hard for us to get around. If you don’t, it’s all good! You might need to brush up, but I’m a firm believer that anyone can do it. Humankind has been doing harder things to survive throughout history. Plus, while awkward, it’s an empowering experience to figure your way out. It feels like work at first, but the experience at the end is incredibly rewarding.
To design a similar experience yourself, check my video toolkit: Pilgrimage to Any Country for Pennies. If you’re ready to take a pilgrimage near or far (or know someone who is), please sign up! In this toolkit, I lay out clear steps for how you can plan and create an unbelievably affordable trip like this one that is meaningful to who you are. It’s time to see the world. What are you waiting for?
