Europe and Morocco: two months of travel and remote work on a budget

Published November 16, 2022Updated October 5, 20266 min readEditorial integrity

As a digital nomadI travel about 5 to 6 months a year while working remotely full time. This fall, I wanted to revisit my favorite destinations in Europe and Morocco and travel for a long time on a budget.

This two-month trip allowed me to witness a world record in the Berlin marathon, hike through the villages of Cinque Terre, visit friends in Portugal, take part in a festival in the Agafay desert, surf the waves of Morocco and end my stay in the City of Light.

I managed to spend less than $900 on my flights while reaching a new Marriott Bonvoy Elite status and earning more points through it all. Here are the strategies I used to travel on a budget.

Several reviews, itineraries and hotel reviews will follow in the coming weeks and will be added to this article.

Destinations

My trip allowed me to visit the following destinations: Berlin, Milan, Cinque Terre, Lisbon, Porto, Paris and Morocco (Marrakech, Agafay desert and Taghazout).

Several guides will be added here on these travel experiences and destinations:

Transportation

Tips for flights

I managed book 8 flights for a total of $820. Adding in cabs, trains and buses to get from one city to another, the total for transportation remains under $1100. My strategies for traveling on a budget involve a combination of a few factors:

Flexibility in destinations and dates; I often took flights on Tuesdays, for example
Travel by carry-on only, save on baggage fees and wait time
Travel in shoulder season; Europe and Morocco are very pleasant to visit in the Fall

Europe and Morocco: two months of travel and remote work on a budget - Google Flights Recherche Europe

For my flights, I mainly used Google Flights strategically with the help of this guide and by exploring different options for the cities and countries I wanted to visit (Germany, Italy, Portugal, Morocco), then took the opportunity to add a few days in Paris since the price of the Paris-Montreal flight was incredibly low.

Here is the summary of my flights, the airlines used and the days of the week (which influence the price):

Flight	Date	Price	Airline
Montreal – Dublin (stopover in Toronto)	September 20, 2022	298 $	WestJet
Dublin – Berlin	September 21, 2022	62 $	Ryanair
Berlin – Milan	September 26, 2022	82 $	EasyJet
Milan – Lisbon	October 8, 2022	88 $	Tap Air Portugal
Porto – Marrakech	october 24, 2022	58 $	Ryanair
Agadir – Paris	November 11, 2022	50 $	Vueling
Paris – Montreal	November 20, 2022	182 $	Air Canada
Total	–	820 $	–

Airport lounges

Since I was a regular visitor to airports, I took the opportunity to visit the VIP lounges. My Scotiabank Passport^™ Visa Infinite +* Card gives me 6 passes a year to the lounges associated with Dragonpass. I spent time in airport lounges in Dublin, Berlin (where I met runner Eliud Kipchoge, shortly after he set a new world record!), Milan and Agadir.

This allowed me to save money on many meals and continue my work day since high-speed Wi-Fi was always included.

Accommodation

I often travel solo and like to join communities of digital nomads while having some comfort and fast Wi-Fi; this is what guided my accommodation choices. So I opted for properties tailored to young professionals with coworking spaces like the Moxy and Selina hotels.

Since lodging costs can go up very quickly when traveling for months on end, I booked a mix of hostels, hotels and apartments using the Booking.com and Hotels.com platforms where I often find good deals with the Genius and Hotels.com Rewards loyalty programs.

Marriott Bonvoy Hotels

I had a golden opportunity to reach a new Marriott Bonvoy Elite status, so I made the most of this trip to get there. Among other things, I stayed for free for 6 nights at hotels in Berlin and Milan by redeeming 79,500 points combined with the fifth-night-free trick and, finally, by using my annual free night certificate.

My stay in Berlin during a high-demand period alone helped me save nearly $2,000 on hotel bookings.

Here are my reviews of the hotels I visited on this trip, which will be added here as they’re published:

Using my paid stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, I earned over 18,000 points through this promotion since my reservations coincided with the offer period.

Travel Tips

Staying connected

Since I was changing countries almost every week, I opted for the quick and easy eSIM option with the Airalo application. I would buy the right package for the next destination often when I was at the airport or when I got there so I could instantly stay connected, which saved me a lot of time.

Only in Morocco, where I stayed for 3 weeks, did I buy a tourist SIM card from the provider Orange since it was much more affordable (11GB for $10, valid for one month).

In telecommuting mode, data also played an important role in places where Wi-Fi wasn’t strong enough; to be able to take calls or just not have to interrupt my work day.

Foreign currency withdrawals and payments

ATM fees as well as the 2.5% conversion fee add up quickly abroad, especially on long trips.

With a view to continuing to earn points while traveling, I most often used my Scotiabank Passport^™ Visa Infinite +* Card, which saved me the 2.5% conversion fee.

Compare

Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $350
Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite^+* Card, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

Legal

* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;

$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.

Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.

Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.

Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.

Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.

Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.

Savings at Shell

Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 3 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with an eligible Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:

Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power^® gasoline, or V-Power^® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.

Note: Highest value of 10 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.

Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)

Additional 3¢/L Fuel Discount Offer: Offer valid from October 5, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (“Promotional Period”), eligible Scotiabank credit and debit cardholders enrolled in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program who have linked an eligible Scotiabank payment card (an “Eligible Card”) to their Shell Go+ account will receive an additional instant fuel discount of 3 cents per litre on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell-branded retail locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories (the “Eligible Provinces”) excluding Shell Flying J locations. Fuel purchases made outside the Eligible Provinces are not eligible for this offer.

To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.

The additional fuel discount is in addition to the fuel savings available through the Shell Fuel Benefits Program and may be combined with other eligible fuel discounts, rewards programs, and promotional fuel offers unless otherwise stated in the applicable offer terms and conditions.

The additional fuel discount is available on up to 1,000 litres of eligible fuel purchases per calendar month for each Eligible Card. The 1,000-litre limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.

The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.

Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.

Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.

All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

3xWith the partner brand
2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$604

2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

When I needed cash, I used my debit WISE card at ATMs to avoid fees. In Europe I was able to keep the fees down to a few cents, and when I found an ATM, I could quickly transfer money from my bank account to my WISE account and then withdraw it. In Morocco, ATMs charged me 20 to 35 dirhams (less than $5 CAD), but I still managed to limit the fees by using my WISE card.

I explain how to use this card which has become an essential tool for saving money when traveling:

Use your Reward Points

Many credit cards offer the ability to redeem your points for travel expenses. So you can simply charge your travel expenses to your credit card without having to worry about using a particular booking platform. For example, I chose to use my American Express Cobalt^® Card knowing that I could later use my Membership Rewards points to obtain a Statement credit at a ratio of 1,000 points for $10.

Our credit card selection
Credit card	Annual fee	Welcome offer
American Express Cobalt^® Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$191.88	Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months Up to 15,000 points Get 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months	Apply NowCompare
American Express Platinum Card^® Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$799	Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 3 months Up to 100,000 points After $10,000 in 3 months	Apply NowCompare
American Express^® Gold Rewards Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$250	Welcome offerAfter $12,000 in 12 months Up to 60,000 points After $12,000 in 12 months	Apply NowCompare

Bottom Line

When working remotely, it is possible to travel for a long time at low cost. Thanks to travel tips and rewards programs, going to Europe and Morocco for two months did not cost much more than my daily life in Montreal. If you’re interested in low-cost, long-term travel, there are a few strategies you can use to make it happen!

Stay tuned for future reports on my experiences on this digital nomad trip.

Do you have any questions about these strategies? Let’s discuss in our Facebook community!

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