If you’re ever planning to live in a foreign country – either on a temporary basis or as a full-time resident – there will be many things to learn and deal with. As US citizens, we are so blessed with many environmental, technological, and socio-economical advantages that populations the world over cannot even imagine. So […]
Sunrise from our deck in Playa El Rompio, Panama House sitting in Panama, looking out at the sparkling Pacific Ocean, Ron and I wake up in the mornings to the sound of the waves kissing the soft sandy beach. Panamanian coffee in hand, we sit out on the spacious deck and take in the fresh […]
Another typical retirement community comprised mostly of North American expats . . . golf carts, fancy resorts, high-end dining . . . in a foreign country that’s “Americanized” because it has many of the conveniences of home . . . NOT! That description might be what some people expect Boquete, Panama to be like. However, […]
Whitewashed Spanish hill towns are light, they are bright, they are historic, they are the world-famous hill towns of the Andalusía Region of southern Spain. With their gleaming white-washed homes and businesses, noteworthy churches, ruins, and narrow streets leading to delightful shops, restaurants, and museums, they make a day trip by car a highlight for […]
White-washed hill towns . . . elegant palms and stately cypress . . . regional tapas and wines . . . exuberant flamenco dancers . . . and enormous cathedrals . . . flowery outdoor shopping districts. Those few words describe the southern coast of Spain.
What to See in London in Three Days See London in three-days? Is that even possible? London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Steeped in historical significance and legendary traditions, but a world leader in fashion and architectural design, it’s difficult to decide what to see if you only have a […]
Closets full of clothes – some that hadn’t been worn for at least a year . . . furniture that no longer fits your décor . . . household items that have been passed down from other family members – all taking up precious space somewhere in the house or storage unit. We love living […]
Seriously, retirement may not be in your best interest. And not everyone who retires loves the idea of not having to go to work, so why not take steps to a happy retirement. However, because right now you’re in the middle of a dreadful week . . . and the stress and long hours have […]
What if I can’t keep up with other family members while hiking the Jungfrau in the Bernese Alps? What if I’m not strong enough for kayaking the wild, wind-swept waves in Byron Bay, Australia? What if my husband and I can’t find anyone who speaks English in the jungles of Panama? What if we rent […]
Strolling the streets and passageways of our favorite hill towns of Tuscany gives one the sense of historic wonder and present-day commercialism at the same time. It is an astounding feeling to realize that you are standing on cobblestone streets that were chiseled out and carefully placed by workers centuries ago while peering in windows […]
Exploring the Aztec Ruins, archaeologists crouch on their hands and knees in the heat of the day, delicately brushing the sand out of contours and grooves. The Aztec Ruins National Monument near Farmington, New Mexico is an ongoing archaeological dig site that dates back to the 12th century. The unearthing process is tedious and difficult, […]
“Once in a while it really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have been told to.” – Alan Keightley Like many people, my husband and I looked forward to retirement. But the more we thought about it over the years, it was beginning to seem like more […]
All aboard the historic Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, seemed to be the chant of the 1925 steam engine as it billowed out black and white smoke. Soot filtered through the air landing on anything in its way. Welcome to the colorful journey […]
Climbing the stairways of medieval monuments has become one of our favorite ways to explore European cities. It not only challenges us physically, but it seems to immerse us into the culture by giving us a better perspective of the history, the craftsmen, and the engineering of medieval architecture. When we visited Paris this spring, […]
On a recent trip to one of the top travel destinations in the world, Italy, Ron and I finally realized one of my dreams, hiking in Cinque Terre. We spent three days on Italy’s Ligurian coastline in Cinque Terre National Park. I share our adventure in the following article as a guest writer for one of our […]
What is it about Florence (or Firenze) and the Italian Renaissance that keeps calling us back? Even when our travel agenda is not targeted on Italy, we still make it back to that country because we look forward to going to Florence. Getting off the train at the Santa Maria Novella train station, we felt […]
Italy’s Cinque Terre on it’s Ligurian coast has been on our travel radar for several years. Touted as having spectacular beaches and challenging hiking trails, we decided we really should see it for ourselves. This spring when we were in Turin (an overlooked but phenomenal city at the base of the Italian Alps), we hopped a […]
The word “Disneyland” conjures up images of crowds of tourists, many with mouse-eared caps and fairy wands, scurrying about to get to the next amusement ride. However, it can be a great staging site for exploring the French countryside. This picturesque region of France is also a tranquil setting of swans and lily pads, […]
Standing on the front of the boat, it felt somewhat like a “Titanic” movie moment. Arms outspread, breathing the fresh sea air, I was filled with exhilaration and excitement to be out in the water on our 300-person tour boat to see the incredible engineering marvel on our cruise through the Panama Canal. Ron had […]
When we left the lush rain forest and geothermal area of Arenal to explore Costa Rica’s iconic Pacific coastline, we drove two-and-a-half hours to Liberia, the second largest city in the country and the hub for the northwestern coast. When we reached Liberia, we exited the freeway and headed south towards the Pacific beach towns. […]