Woman, 24, travels the world for FREE by going on luxury five-star holidays with rich, older men she meets online
Laura has racked up thousands of air miles and jetted off on adventures to Las Vegas, Paris, Madrid and Cyprus
SHE’S enjoyed a lavish break in Cannes, partied the night away in exclusive Las Vegas clubs and soaked up the culture in Madrid.
But Laura*, 24, hasn’t had to part with a penny - all of her swanky five-star holidays are funded by wealthy, older men she meets on the internet.
The Russian-native moved to London to complete her university studies, but has now seen more of Europe than she ever imagined thanks to , a dating website with a difference.
Launched in 2012, it matches young, attractive women with rich but lonely men who are willing to jet them off on dates to exotic places.
A cheeky Nandos and a trip to the cinema, this first date is not.
Laura decided to give the unconventional dating method a go after spotting the website online.
“I love to travel and I travel frequently so mingling with like-minded guys is great,” she told The Sun Online.
Laura created an online profile – where she describes herself as “worldly, young and happy” – and waited for admirers to get in touch.
Within a few months of joining, the university graduate had been whisked off to France for a week with a Belgium bank manager who was in his 30s.
“I prefer it when men get in touch with me,” she said.
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“If he is courteous I continue chatting to him and eventually a trip follows.”
Laura has since racked up thousands of air miles and jetted off on adventures to Las Vegas with an American lawyer, as well as Paris, Madrid and Cyprus.
“It may come as a surprise but a lot of the guys are young, in their 20s and 30s,” she said.
“Men in their 40s tend to travel more for work. My age limit is between 25 and 45.
"Younger guys interest me the most because we tend to like the same things such as clubbing and hitting the beach.”
Laura chats to the men online for about a month, but doesn’t meet them until she arrives at the destination.
What is Miss Travel?
MissTravel is the leading online dating site for those with a passion for travel.
The website states: "We match members around the world who are seeking travel companions.
"The thrill of exploring exotic destinations and immersing yourself in new cultures could only be better with someone by your side to share in the experience.
"Whether you’re a frequent flyer or first-time traveler, we’ll locate your perfect match."
The brand have also created a travel app that suggests must-visit places around the world.
The site was founded by Brandon Wade who also launched SeekingArrangement, WhatsYourPrice and OpenMinded.
“They all live in different countries,” she said.
“I make sure I feel comfortable with them before considering the trip.
“If I think a guy is weird or socially awkward I don’t even consider travelling with them.
“Also, I only accept hotel trips. I don’t feel comfortable staying in someone else’s house.”
Her safety is paramount.
“I don’t accept an invitation if I have safety concerns,” she said.
Laura and her date usually stay in four or five star hotels, and she estimates the trips cost upwards of £1,500.
“It won’t be less than £1,500 because of the hotel, flights, going out etc,” she said.
“The man might also buy me a designer bag, which will be another £1,500.
"He will also pay for spa treatments and a hairdresser while I’m away with him.
“I don’t pay for anything.”
Laura has confessed to sharing a bedroom with her dates but has remained coy on whether they get intimate saying, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
Laura's friends know she travels with strangers, but her family think she's flying solo.
She has shunned claims she is a gold digger and says men get a lot out of this set-up, too.
“A girl can travel alone, it’s easy – but men? If they are alone they don’t get into the good clubs," she said.
"They are absolutely nothing without the chick, trust me.
“Sometimes for them it’s not possible to go with other male friends or they don’t want.
"They don’t foot the bill in any sort of naivety.”
Laura insists she’s not looking for love at the moment but has more trips planned in the future.
“Love maybe, it can happen,” she said.
“It’s the experience of sharing something new with someone.
“I like anywhere classy. Upmarket clubbing destinations such as New York, Ibiza and St Moritz.
"The trips make me feel alive.”
But Laura isn't the first twenty-something to go on these no-strings-attached trips.
Brisbane beauty Jessica recently travelled to California for a luxury two-and-a-half week vacation with a man she met on the internet, and she didn’t have to pay for a thing.
While, Alyssa Ramos also travels the world for free with wealthy men.
*Names have been changed