Travel Tips

travel destinations for US expats

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.

Travel Tips Archives

Laidback Living and Golden Sands on Nicaragua’s Pacific

Laidback Living and Golden Sands on Nicaragua’s Pacific

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April 22, 2016

It may well be the best little beach town in the world... With 22 beaches for you to enjoy and a surge in foreign residents and travelers, San Juan del Sur, on Nicaragua's southern Pacific coast, is perfect for any lover of ocean views, warm waters, and fun in the sun. After eight years of living here full-time, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Even if I'm away for only a few days, I find myself missing it. Many people come here to visit and end up staying or going home to plan their permanent return.

The Quest to Find the Perfect Beach View For My Hammock

The Quest to Find the Perfect Beach View For My Hammock

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April 14, 2016

I’ve enjoyed hammocks all over Central America. It’s a way of life in this region, standard home furnishing, and a pastime enjoyed by all. Truck drivers stuck at customs checkpoints string them under their tractor-trailers. Families on front porches take quick naps—nothing puts a baby (or anyone for that matter) to sleep faster than a gently swinging hammock.

5 Great Towns in Rural Italy

5 Great Towns in Rural Italy

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March 28, 2016

It’s the country that brought us Leonardo Da Vinci, mouthwatering cuisine from pizza to pasta, enchanting art and culture, world-class fashion capitals, wine, and the very best of it, and perhaps most importantly the concept of la dolce vita (literally translated as “the sweet life”). It’s where you’ll find history-steeped Rome with its well-kept ancient monuments and food culture…Venice with its air of mystery and its famous masquerade balls…and Florence with its art and culture and vineyard-covered surroundings.

Festivals in Thailand

Festivals in Thailand

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January 7, 2016

Thailand really is the land of festivals. There seems to be a different major holiday every month. And Chiang Mai is the place to celebrate most of them. For some reason, tourists gravitate to this part of the country by the thousands to partake in everything from Songkran to the Lantern Festival. Like the rest of the world, Thailand celebrates New Years Eve and New Years Day with parties, fireworks and everything else that goes along with this crazy part of the year on December 31 and January 1.

The Prettiest Beach Towns on Brazil’s Northeast Coast

The Prettiest Beach Towns on Brazil’s Northeast Coast

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November 21, 2015

A recent trip to Brazil’s Northeast coast was where I fell in love with this country. Culture…food…music…art…dance…beautiful weather, and beautiful people—it has it all. And I discovered two of my favorite Brazilian towns—Pôrto De Galinhas and Olinda. The towns are a 90-minute drive from one another, with the city of Recife (the capital of the state of Pernambuco) nestled between the two.

Top 5 Activities To Do in Roatán

Top 5 Activities To Do in Roatán

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October 29, 2015

Roatán, the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras, is surrounded by the beautiful Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and also boasts a lush, verdant landscape above water. As you fly toward the island on a direct flight from the U.S. or Canada, you’ll notice how much of this paradise remains undeveloped. Natural beauty abounds on Roatán. Homes built on the gorgeous jungle-covered hillsides overlook the turquoise Caribbean water and even beachfront homes enjoy privacy and tranquility.