Lithuanian-born Karolina Valeikaite, 23, and Italian Marco Coppola, 25, had never left Europe when they embarked on what was meant to be a two-month backpacking stint starting in Morocco.
But by using their combined photography and graphic design skills, as well as years of experience in the hospitality industry, the couple turned their trip into an eight-month adventure across SouthEast Asia, staying in some of the most luxurious five-star resorts in the world — for free.
Their envy-inducing Instagram snaps have earned them an Influencer-worthy following of more than 60,000 on their respective accounts @outsideboxx and @gypseetravel, from a base of around 1,000 between them when they left London.
Eventually, they began earning money from sponsored content jobs from luxury hotels and brands.
They calculated that during their travels — to Morocco, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Thailand — over a period of just two months they had stayed in accommodation worth over £20,000.
So how did they do it?
Business Insider caught up with the couple, who are now back in Europe and living with Coppola's family and dog.
Scroll down to find out how they went from "backpackers to influencers" in a matter of months.
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