IL Magazine: Discover the World's Best Retirement Haven for 2022 + 24 more
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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.
When visiting Hoi An, Vietnam there are some obvious must sees and do's. You must visit some of the old cultural sites in the Unesco World Heritage Ancient Town and you must have couture clothing and shoes made for a fraction of the price it would cost you to buy them back home. But how do you get off the beaten path in a town so well-trodden by tourists? Check out these five out of the ordinary experiences:
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.
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.
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.
When most people think of Costa Rica, they picture white-sand beaches, rainforests, monkeys frolicking in the trees, and clear-blue ocean. And that’s all true. This little tropical country is full of natural beauty.
Mexico has been a firm favourite with expats looking for a retirement haven where they can make the most of their retirement. Mexico’s close proximity to the U.S. as well as its cost of living make it an ideal expat haven. From real estate to groceries, entertainment to healthcare, life in Mexico simply costs less...
Asia covers a lot of land area and encompasses hundreds of natural scenic wonders. Towering mountains, white-sand beaches, and virgin rainforest parks make up some of the most beautiful natural attractions in Asia. Below are 10 worth your consideration.
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.
Living in Paris is wonderful, but it’s not the cheapest place on earth. This came home to me recently when, after having a simple cup of coffee in a café, I got socked with a €6 bill. Almost 7 dollars, for a not-so-big cup of coffee. Argh. Not all of Paris is so exorbitant, of course.
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.