Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers, Well, here we are again reflecting back on the previous month, which in this case is December in beautiful Chianti.Here in our little bit of Chianti in Tuscany, the Italians celebrate Christmas (Natale) in much the same way as we Brits with the traditional festive tree. … Read more
Moving abroad is not easy. You face new challenges, you get to know parts of you you didn’t know existed, you’re amazed at yourself and at the world. And with this change of scenery, there are some things that will forever change for you as an expat. I’m talking about little habits you took for … Read more
Holiday travels in the States these past couple of weeks gave us a chance to reconnect with extended family, old friends, and former business partners who reminded us, in turn, where we’ve come from…“You and I couldn’t wait to escape Baltimore,” one longtime friend who knew me back in the day reflected when we met … Read more
Is Panama 2016 still a top choice for retiring overseas? I was the first to suggest Panama as a good choice for any North American looking for a place to retire that was sunny and cheap.I made that recommendation for the first time 20 years ago. Back then, I didn’t recognize the flaw in the … Read more
Nobody comes to the Morvan for motorways, theatres, discos or shopping malls. We are 20 miles from the nearest cinema, although movies are occasionally screened at the Centre Médico-Social in Corbigny, which also offers tap dancing classes, sewing bees, tax advice and the annual flu jabs. Even so, there is plenty going on in a … Read more
Homesickness is a very common experience for expats in general, but more so during the festive period. For many of us, this time of year tends to revolve around family and friends, and is grounded in tradition and local customs. When we are abroad, and especially if we are in a location that doesn’t celebrate … Read more
Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers, The beautiful autumnal month of November will have you salivating over the earthy smells and taste of Tartufo Bianco (white truffles) and Porcini Mushrooms. Our local restaurants were grating raw Tartufo Bianco over buttered pasta. This is the very best way to eat these wonderful aromatic … Read more
Alex and his partner Greg were in marketing and advertising in London. In 2003, they decided to leave the rat race and head to France with the thought of making a property investment. They settled first in Aix-en-Provence, where they enjoyed the big student population, both French and foreign.Over the next four years, they drove … Read more
The advantages to raising children abroad are many, from a second (or even third) language to a second passport. Children raised overseas are generally self-confident, open-minded, and resourceful. They learn to make friends easily and to adjust and adapt quickly. If you’re hesitating making an international move because of children, you’re making a mistake.That, however, … Read more
Bookstores, universities, market squares, and cafés are four things that make a city worth spending time in. Some time ago in Krakow, we happened upon the world’s first bookshop, opened in 1610 and still a bookstore today. Walking around this city, we passed a half-dozen other bookstores, as well, including some specializing in rare and … Read more