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From knowing the best spots to catch a sunset, to mastering the language—going where the locals go and doing what they do uncovers a whole new side of a city. Paris, especially, is a joy when you know it well. Let’s get started.
“We decided to sell our Lisbon apartment and look for a house with some land, but we ended up buying a farm,” Bill says. In central Portugal, the quaint village of Figueiró dos Vinhos is where they found their dream home, casa da lomba. Situated on a large plot of land with fruit trees, vegetation, and even a bio pool, the property offers the couple...
All around the world communities celebrate the holiday season in unique ways, and one of the joys of expat life is getting to experience those traditions. Read how IL's contributors are celebrating Christmas in their adopted countries—France, Colombia, Belize, Italy, and Costa Rica.
All roads lead to Rome, but I was driving in the wrong direction. The hot and dusty chaos of the Italian capital disappeared from my rear view mirror. Heading eastward, I was entering a different kind of Italy. Green, mountainous, traditional, and laidback. An Italy still somewhat undiscovered by the masses who take to the Amalfi Coast, the Lake region...
There's something magical about a white Christmas. Being cozy by the fire…watching kids playing in the snow….having a hot drink after being out and about shopping for the holidays. But on the other hand, you do have to contend with gloomy skies and bone-chillingly cold weather. So why not trade the boots for sandals, the big coats for swimsuits?
My wife, Vivien, and I never miss the opportunity to hit the road and get out and about in Thailand, particularly when the route takes us deep into lesser known parts of the Thai Kingdom. While Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world, its largest region—nearly one third of its landmass—is still off the beaten track.
When people want details about my life in Costa Rica, I never fail to brag about its excellent medical and dental services. There’s a multitude of choices on tap for locals, expats, and tourists alike. Newcomers here are often pleasantly surprised by the attention that doctors and dentists give to their patients.
When trying to decide where to put your money for retirement, the first question you need to answer is: “What do you want your money to do?” If the answer is market-type growth, then you do not need any type of annuity. You need to keep your money in market-type investments and manage and oversee the heck out of them.
Picture yourself lying on a deserted beach sipping your favorite cocktail and enjoying the ocean breeze. No computer…no telephone…no stress. Sound tempting? Folks often dream of retiring to an island in search of romance, fun, and adventure...
I live in Pak Nam Pran, in the region of Pranburi, Thailand. It’s a relatively undeveloped stretch of coastline just a few hours from the capital, backed by protected forest and mountains. It’s not big, but its physical surrounds make it a world-class kiteboarding location, which draws a lot of in-the-know travelers to the area.