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Tired of the mundane, nine-to-five, rush hour traffic and cold weather? Hungry for adventure? Nothing broadens your mind like travel. For those with an adventurous spirit, travel allows for embracing new cultures and ways of doing things, and leads to a happier, richer, fuller life.
International Living’s editors and correspondents travel the world searching for the best retirement destinations. They clock up a lot of air miles and in their time on the road (and in the air) and by doing so have found the best ways to travel for less in interesting places overseas.
Maybe you’d like to shop in chic markets in Paris…golf on Ireland’s famous links…have a suit custom tailored in Bangkok (and delivered to your hotel) …experience a fiesta in Mexico, or surf some great waves in Costa Rica.
Well, good news: You can afford all of that…even on a modest budget.
It might surprise you learn that it doesn’t take a fortune to enjoy a rich travel experience abroad. Traditionally, travel was prohibitively expensive due to high air fares and accommodation costs, but not anymore. The truth is you simply need to know where and how to do it. And we can show you how.
So, there is no need to put off that dream around the world trip any longer, because now you can make it a reality.
The articles below will give you new ideas about places to visit…and live. Find out more about ways you can save money when you travel, where to find the best hotels in the world at affordable prices, and get some insider knowledge to take you off the beaten track. Our writers also reveal their top travel ideas that won’t cost the earth, but will make you feel like a millionaire and inject some excitement into your life.
We’ve all spent enough vacations lying on the beach…day after day…only to return to the office feeling like we’ve somehow wasted our precious time away. How many people do you know who stand at the water cooler recounting the time they led a team of dogs across the Norwegian snow plains…or were guided up beginner-level Read more...: The World’s 10 Best Travel Adventures
Italy is home to the Cittaslow movement which combines “Slow Food” with the art of leisurely good living. As delectable dining is one of the great joys of Italy, make time to discover at least one or two of the network’s 70 small towns. Most Cittaslow communities come with historic treasures, but the big attraction is their strong sense of identity and spirit of place. To be accredited, they must have less than 50,000 inhabitants. With an emphasis on regional recipes, traditional agricultural practices and seasonal local produce, it’s an authentic taste of Italy guaranteed to make your tastebuds zing. Here are four inland and coastal gems to whet your appetite.
By now it’s no secret that Ecuador is a very affordable place to live. In fact, my life in the little mountain town of Cotacachi is so inexpensive that I can support my family of four as a part-time freelancer.
Living in the tropics is a dream for many, and Chiang Mai, Thailand, is still a popular destination for those seeking a year-round hot climate, along with a low cost of living. Although far from any white sandy beaches, Chiang Mai still has plenty of activities to keep you busy, both in the city and the surrounding countryside.
“I’m going to write a book about living in Arenal,” Christine Baskin told me. “And I’m going to call it 50 Shades of Green. I mean, just look at all those colors,” she exclaimed as we drove around the huge Lake Arenal.
The Central Valley is a popular retirement destination in Costa Rica. Over 70% of Costa Rica’s population lives here. They are drawn to it by the superb quality of life that the Central Valley offers. Here are five things that you can attribute to the better quality of life in Costa Rica’s Central Valley.
I was born in the 50s, so magazines played a huge role in my life. Of course, I cut my teeth on the magazines my parents always had around…Life, Reader’s Digest, Look, Mechanics Illustrated, Field and Stream, and the like.
Recently, we had some friends visit us in our home in Cuenca, Ecuador. They only had one day before leaving for Lima, Peru, so we did our best to show them around our beautiful hometown in less than 24 hours...
Belize is a charming little country with one foot planted in the Caribbean, the other in Central America. In addition to an abundance of natural beauty, the offshore World Heritage Mesoamerican barrier reef, and a multitude of Maya ruins, Belize offers expats an outstanding residence program for retirees. Another plus, English is the country’s primary language. For these reasons—and others—an increasing number of expats are moving to this laidback, democratic country.
The southern part of Mexico’s Caribbean coast is a mostly undeveloped stretch of stunning, isolated beach called the Costa Maya. Unlike the tourist-driven beaches of the Riviera Maya further north, this length of coastline snuggles up against lowland jungle for some 62 miles and is largely inaccessible by road.