IL Magazine + 101 Travel Secrets FREE!
Subscribe now for Instant Access about subscribing to International Living Magazine
One of the most important things to research when choosing to vacation or live overseas is safety. Costa Rica is ranked 38th in the 2022 Global Peace Index, out of 163 countries, and takes the top stop in Latin America. Although Costa Rica is considered a very peaceful place, there are still some things you should be aware of.
It's largely thanks to these folks that Guatemala has such a rich and unique culture. And it's this culture that entices many of the expats who have made their homes here. "I love how different it is, and I want it to stay that way, too," says Jean Johnson who lives in the colonial city of Antigua. "It's like traveling into some epic or bygone landscape," says Portland-native John Kin, of traveling around the highlands.
Santa Fe is a lovely rural village in the highlands of Veraguas Province of central Panama. With a population of around 3,200, it truly has a small town feel and charm. With an elevation of around 1,500 feet, is also boasts a near-perfect climate. The daytime high temperature ranges from 75° F to 85° F and at night it cools down to 65° F to 70° F. These traits attract Panamanians seeking relief from the heat of the lowlands and foreigners seeking a slower pace of life in a mountain setting.
It’s impossible to escape the geese in Sarlat-le-Caneda. Images of these plump birds adorn shop windows, and products of all kinds are decorated with the likeness of the animals that have been adopted as the unofficial mascot of the area. Often known simply as Sarlat, this town with a population of about 11,000 is in the center of the Dordogne region of southern France. Sarlat offers big-city convenience and activities packaged in a small-town setting that make it a delightful location to visit...
by Carol Parks When it came to tropical islands, I always thought of myself as a Caribbean type. Close by… beaches…palm trees…warm…decent plane fares. That is, till I discovered this gem of an island in the Pacific. Okinawa mixes Japanese culture, a large expat population, and a Pacific island vibe into one distinct package. What’s Read more...: Okinawa: 7 Reasons to Love “The Hawaii of Japan”
So many of us grew up in an age when the Soviet Union, and Moscow by extension, was widely considered a second-world destination—poor, underdeveloped, and monolithically gray. Cast aside those images. Moscow, in particular, is a vibrant, first-world economy with a wealthy and expanding middle class—a place where you find outlets for every major fashion Read more...: 24 Hours in Moscow: What to See, Do, and Eat
Something that we have grown to love after more than eight years of living in Asia is wide variety of street food that is always readily available in this part of the world. Whether strolling the chaotic back alleys of Chinese cities or browsing the numerous markets of Chiang Mai, we have always been able to find an infinite number of inexpensive dishes prepared and served within minutes by friendly street vendors. Each country and city has its own specialties that cater to the locals as well as more adventuresome tourists that are looking for new taste sensations.
Malta is a tiny country, but it certainly makes a bold statement with its vibrant festivals. Most of Malta’s special celebrations revolve around saints’ days, fireworks, and holidays like Carnival. However, it might be the food-themed festivals that best capture this island nation’s Mediterranean charm...
With its rugged mountains meeting the brilliant-blue Adriatic Sea, Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Historic towns with centuries-old limestone buildings complete this enchanting landscape.
Spanish is the official native language of Panama. But what kind of Spanish do they speak? There are many types of Spanish, but Castilian Spanish is spoken in Panama due to Spain’s influence in Panama...