Travel + Leisure’s Traveling As column features interviews with travelers who share their experiences of traveling the world. Burnt out in corporate America Kelly Benthall After putting her finances in order, she retired at age 53 and began traveling the world in Airbnbs. Her husband Nigel joined her. Here’s her story…
I lived in Texas, and worked in oil and natural gas. As time went on, and the kids left, my job became extraordinarily stressful—to the point that I had to be wheeled out on a gurney through the lobby, hooked up to an EKG. My doctor told me that my job was trying its best to kill me after all the years I felt like I had to achieve.
After I realized this, Nigel and I hired a financial adviser who gave us sound advice and projections. I had always imagined that I’d retire at 65, and then play golf. Nigel did not have a plan for retirement. It took me several years to change his mind. At 53, I retired.
My stress levels returned to normal after the job ended.
I didn’t grow up traveling. Our family would take our modified van from Texas to Ohio every year to see my grandmother—that was our big trip. When I was in my early 20s and got married for the first time, I did not have a passport. We just went to Mexico. I eventually said yes to all the trips that were offered at my job because I wanted a global view. I enjoy learning foreign languages and interacting with people from other countries. One of my contractors became pregnant and could not go to Kalimantan (Indonesia) because she was too sick. I had no idea what she did, but I still went.
Traveling is a more peaceful and tranquil experience for me [than being at home]. I enjoy every detail because it is new and unique. I just relax and enjoy it. I am not a playground tourist—I don’t go to all the major tour sites. I may walk by and enter, but I prefer to just hang out in a café and chat with people.
Nigel and myself had the idea of moving to Australia when we retired. travel the worldLiving for a whole month in Airbnbs.
Kelly Benthall
In 2023 we did a test run, spending a whole month in Mexico. This was to ensure that we could live together. At that time, we were married for seven years.
We stayed in the middle of the jungle in Tulum in a very intimate space—the door between the bedroom and kitchen was glass, so there was no privacy at all. We did Pilates together on the roof every morning, and we cooked dinners. We bought and decorated a tree for Christmas. And we did a great job—I was very proud of us. So, we returned and started to plan our global trips.
I watched as many YouTube videos as I could and listened carefully to the advice of others. I started by visiting some local agencies. However, I prefer places with a local feel. Airbnb is better than any other platform because it allows us to connect with local hosts. Also, we can easily search for the things that matter to us, such as outdoor space. Some of the nicest places we’ve stayed at had rooftop pools and weren’t too expensive. It’s easy to rent a place when you can see the reviews and don’t have to sign a contract.
Also, it’s affordable. This is where we’re staying. Aix-en-ProvenceWe got a 70% discount on our long-term stay at. We could either stay for one week or six weeks at the same price. How had I never heard of this? This is what has made all of this possible and I am grateful.
Kelly Benthall
We began in DubrovnikNigel’s mother aged 87 was also with us. The language was so different. We took a walking tour led by someone who could speak English to get a feel for the place. It was a film set. We learned how to climb and descend its hills. We lived in a neighborhood with local bodega shops. The older men would play buće The evenings we would play (bocce), and then go and sit down with the players.
Our Airbnb host suggested that we help harvest grapes in a small vineyard, despite the fact that we did not speak the language. Tax issues make it difficult to hire many people, so they depend on volunteers. It was a hot and hard job, but an interesting way to learn more about the culture.
Since then, we have also cleaned up trash from beaches in Mauritius. It’s not something you think about when you visit for a short time. This is one way we can connect with locals. They know that we are not only using the service and then leaving. We want to be more involved in our community. We’d like to eventually work with children, but it will take longer to gain their trust and learn the language.
We usually begin by locating the nearest airport. finding a local market. We will explore and see what locals do. We would go to the community center in Seville and check out the classes that people were taking. We were able to easily get involved in the neighborhood, as they all gathered outside at night. It’s how we usually get used to a new place.
We also enjoy wandering around and getting lost. We can ask questions because we stay in one place so long. We go on day trips several times a week. The other day, we took the train to Avignon and went wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Kelly Benthall
Our Airbnb host was a great person in Mauritius. We were invited to stay at their home because they lived right across the road. They invited us to spend New Year’s with them. It was wonderful. We stayed in Lecce For a month, we drove to different coasts. We spent some time south of the city, where I met a lady who took a photo of me from behind as I was drinking wine and watching a sunset. We extended our stay because she invited us to dinner the following night. Except for one child, no one spoke English. We sat together with the hosts and the other guests sat far away because they were aware that we didn’t share the same language. By the end we were able use Google Translate to communicate and also through the child. It was a memorable experience, and I keep in touch with the children.
It’s a comfort to me to use spreadsheets for planning our travels. The spreadsheet is color-coded according to the region. It’s based on the cost of living in the U.S. and we don’t want spend too much money on flights. We’re currently in Europe and will do the Schengen shuffle as needed because we cannot stay for too long.
Nigel’s mother and family are in England. This is where we started. Nigel’s mother and six of our children are in England, along with one daughter and two grandkids. We have kids in California, Utah and Texas. So we travel around the U.S. for three months.
We must stay in each destination for a full month to qualify for the discount. We wanted to stay longer in Provence We’ve been here for three months because we hadn’t been there before. We’re also going to England, since I have never been to my husband’s country. We’re then going to spend a whole month on a roadtrip. Ireland. There are quite a few Airbnbs in the area, which cost about $65 per person/night. Even hostels are not available for that price.
On this road trip we could stay at bed-and breakfasts, but I do not want to mix with everyone all the time. I need a private space with a kitchen. We use local produce to cook. It’s cheaper and gives us more privacy. In hotels, we can’t have that. On Christmas Eve in Mauritius we went to a restaurant for a nice dinner. I thought: “Oh, I had forgotten how nice hotels were because you are served rather than having to serve yourself.” I’m not sure I could live in one.
We’ll then go back to our spreadsheet and make a decision. I already know that we’d like to visit Asia and New Zealand. Also, we want to visit Bali and South America. We have a lot of big plans.
Kelly Benthall
There are certainly challenges. I miss my family and friends, and the ability to visit them. We book an extra room in our accommodation so that we can invite people to visit. It can be isolating to not make an effort.
The problem is not simply that you’re in a different country. At this age, being retired is strange. Initially, I felt guilty for doing nothing. It’s OK for me to be bored. I enjoy it. In this chapter I have become a great deal more creative, and a whole lot more introspective. Nigel wants to get out and do stuff, and I always have to remind Nigel that we’re going to be here for quite a while. You don’t have to see it all at once. We are not tourists. We are here to tour and also act as locals.
It’s complicated to answer where we are from. They also ask what we do—not so much overseas as they do in the U.S. We’re fortunate to have this lifestyle, but it’s difficult to explain to people in a way that doesn’t sound braggadocious. I tell people that we’re searching for places we can call home, and are seeking adventure and exploration.
Because I have a background in behavioral psychology, I enjoy being able to understand other people’s perspectives and walk in their shoes. It has been eye-opening. In Texas, we say hello to everyone. France is a friendly country, but people will still say hello. Bonjour That’s all. You don’t become their friend automatically. It depends on our location.
After a month, a place feels like home. It always feels like we should stay longer because, just as we get to know the place well enough to find everything, it’s already time to leave. The local fishmongers and wine bars are closed, so it’s time for us to move on. The high season is too expensive, and I dislike crowds.
It’s been a great experience for me to observe and absorb cultures. Traveling is a great way to learn respect for others. There are so many family and friends who don’t get what we do. If everyone went out and explored, we could all break down the perceived barriers. You begin to realize that others may have stereotypical views of you. I don’t think I should force my opinions on anyone, but I feel strongly that it is something everyone should do.
