ILA Magazine: Discover How to Stay in Luxury Properties All Over The World… For FREE! Subscribe Now and Save 35% about subscribing to International Living Magazine Imagine lounging on your deck, cold beer in hand, while the turquoise waters of Koh Samui lap the shore in front of you…Or picture yourself in the hustle and bustle of Penang, which plays host to 85,000 street food stalls…
Perhaps a mountain getaway is more your thing—you’ll be spoilt for choice in Chiang Mai, a city known for its ancient temples and long list of outdoor activities, from abseiling and paragliding to dragon boat rides and hot springs…
Outside of Southeast Asia, you’ll find property bargains galore in countries like Spain, Italy and Greece, which are bursting with Old-World charm and culture. Wind your way through cobblestone streets, past quaint cafés, taking in the smells of freshly baked bread and strong coffee…Or picture a life for yourself in the South of France, spending your days sipping wine and eating cheese…
Or, if you’re yearning for a cooler climate, venture north to Ireland, Scotland or Wales—where the rugged landscape is unrivalled…
Further afield, retirement havens in Central and South America continue to attract expats from all over the world—from sleepy villages in Costa Rica to beachside resort towns in Mexico. Wherever you’re looking for, you’ll find it in International Living Postcards.
It's a dog’s life. One of the most common questions we are asked when we are heading off on travels around Europe is: “What about the dogs?” When my wife Lorraine and I retired to France from Australia three years ago, we brought our Dalmatian Scooter with us and within a few weeks of finding somewhere to live, we adopted an old English Setter named Diego who had been in an animal shelter for seven years waiting for us...
Before making the move to Malaysia back in 2000, Gerry Steiert, 58, and his family had never been overseas. “We had no idea what to expect,” admits Gerry’s wife, Beth, “but we all fell in love with Penang.” The Steierts initially planned to stay for just a year but ended up staying for nine. They then spent time working in schools in Thailand and Saudi Arabia, but Penang was never far from their thoughts…or hearts.
A stream of shimmering sunlight hits the Vltava River running through the centre of Prague. Reflections of medieval buildings shimmer along the riverbank on the new town side of the city. There are 17 bridges in Prague and the pedestrian Charles Bridge is the most famous and popular.The river separates the old town from the new. For that picture-perfect shot you have to get up before sunrise...
When Keith and I first started to consider an overseas retirement, Portugal wasn’t top of our list. As an International Living magazine subscriber, Keith’s curiosity had been piqued by Ecuador. But, having spent some time there checking it out, he decided that as much as it had to offer, we were better suited to a European lifestyle. We first considered France. We’d visited over the years, I speak the language and other...
Anyone who thinks that the southern Thai province of Krabi isn’t a great place to visit simply hasn’t been there. The area offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as scuba, trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing, white water rafting, zip lining, golfing, and oh yeah…about 130 islands, of which some have been named the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Which one will I choose? I am selecting a ‘picture on a plate’ cake from the amazing array at the dessert buffet at the Dhara Dhevi Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand. No, not one but five delights are carried back to my table. Chocolate encased tubes oozing with a chocolatey sticky concoction, creme brulee, petite bowls of rich, creamy custard that tickle the taste buds, shapes and flavours of all descriptions that take your fancy.
When most people think of Spain, images of flamenco, bull-fighting, paella and sangria come to mind, but these are actually traditions and recipes from the south of Spain. Bull-fighting is banned in Catalonia now. And although you can get paella and sangria there, it’s mostly just for the tourists. The large autonomous region of Catalonia in the northeast corner of Spain, of which Barcelona is the capital...
People often ask me if there is a single place I can suggest as a retirement destination in France. I love so many places that it is almost impossible to answer but there is one city which seems to tick every box. You may never have heard of it and it is probably off the radar for people starting their search for the ideal retirement lifestyle. The city is Pau (pronounced “poe”) way down in the south west of the country...
Malaysians love a good party! Give them any reason to have a celebration and everyone will attend. Penang, an island off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, is a multicultural island with a blend of Malays, Chinese and Indians. It’s normal to see all three of these ethnicities dining side by side, walking to school together, shopping at the wet market, living daily life together...
The Kingdom of Cambodia is a country on the rise with tourism booming like never before as visitors flock to explore its magnificent temples, charmingly exotic cities, colonial beach resorts and relaxing riverside towns.But Cambodia is much more than a tourist destination, in fact it has quickly become one of the region’s top spots for expats of every age...