A Few Good Resources by Country and Region
I’ve always been an information hound and have used a broad range of materials and media to best figure out how to know and enjoy a country. Alicia, my wife, is probably better at this than me so she deserves mention as her perspective often sweeps over mine. Along the way we’ve discovered some cool resources, including expat blogs, virtual country communities and other resources that better prepare us as venturing travelers.
The resources are arranged by county and my comments on the resources are precisely that, meaning my own.
The roster that follows is subjective and selective and accordingly reflects my likes and biases. I welcome your own suggestions on good resources so send what you think of value to me and include your own critical note or observation.
Globally Focused Resources
Over the last few decades I’ve resorted to doing more internet based research and talks with fellow venturers to plan “away” adventures in different parts of the world. I still regularly pull up print pieces and books to help plan good times away but digital resources are very much the current norm. So, this section will provide links to a few resources that I think are worth the weight and which speak to travel and living abroad around the world. The reality is that most of the “good” sites actively promote services or things to help “us” plan time away and are almost all monetized sites. Wile this one is not I will include some of them if I think they hold value.
International Living: I’ve subscribed to International Living for the last few years and recommend it to people looking for a global window on the live abroad expat world. I do get tired with their promotional barrages but it’s still worth the subscription cost to read the stories of how people like us are living abroad across the planet.
InterNations: This is a subscription site (rates from €8 to €15/month) that connects expats around the world. It links expats in more than 400 cities and provides opportunities to identify and link up other expats to share experiences and assist each other. I subscribed using the free trial period (one month) and found that it provides solid information on forums, events, groups, and other activities. It also supports messaging, provides city guides and seems to have a positive membership response.
MeetUp: This site has been around for some time and has expanded its global footprint. As their site explains their goal is to help you “find groups that host online or in person events and meet people in your local community who share your interest.” I did a search of book clubs and food/wine events in Madrid and it did OK with one line event descriptions but not enough to whet my appetitive without doing a bit more legwork.
Retirement Travelers—Flex-Pat Living
This set of videos by John and Bev show and does this pair justice as they speak to their philosophy of living and traveling which they call Flex-Pat Living. Their primary goal is to help interested people live cheap and well while living abroad. Their philosophy is to “share a new approach to international living without the hassles of residential visas to other countries, large financial commitments and having to relocate your permanent home.” This “youthful” and energetic senior couple began their global travels after completing a two-year journey in an Airstream that traveled across all 50 states and 51 National Parks. After this odyssey they decided to expand their travel and go abroad. They sold their home, downsized, and travel to new locations as the spirit moves them. Their videos cover a broad spectrum of topics and countries and reflect their lifestyle as they “believe in laughing, loving, and living our lives to the fullest.” I like their approach and think we can learn from them and others who are truly venturing boomers.
Digital nomads are not a new phenomenon. In fact they are growing in number around the world as people respond in different ways to work and life during the pandemic. I believe we’re fortunate to have a new generation of digital nomads who use social media to share real-life experiences and lessons learned. I recently took a look at a cool site managed by Mark Wolters, a veteran traveler and nomad. Mark already has a large following of global venturers and digital nomads. His Wolters World site includes several short and interesting videos, including one on the 5 Scary Truths about the Digital Nomad Life. It is worth the time to check out this digital veteran and this video that speaks bluntly to some of the underbelly aspects of the digital nomad life.
Europe
Like most experienced senior travelers, I’ve used a lot of travel guides to help plan my travels, both near and far. I made my first trip to Europe in 1967 and spent a lot of time at the public library preparing. I was worked a lot of hours as a shelver and film tech so I had a legitimate excuse to linger over books and other materials. I compiled my own travel guide that consisted of tidbits from magazines, books, and newspapers–all print materials. The librarian also gave me some old Baedeker Guides and a very used Frommer’s $5 Day in Europe handbook to take and I thought I was prepared. Wrong. I continue to use guides but increasingly relied on other resources, from classic issues of Gourmet Magazine to Internet and other resources. You probably have your own favorites, but nothing beats Rick Steves for getting you straight on Europe. Check out Rick’s site first and then look at the others. There are others to include but my wife and I have met Rick at the LA Travel Fair a few times and very much admire his message and approach. There will be others so send me your best.
Spain
James Blick, a New Zealander by birth and an Iberian by sentiment, puts out a very cool site named Spain Revealed. about living in and understanding Spain. James and Yoly (wife and co-traveler) move around Spain from their base in Madrid to find new places to enjoy tapas, have a vermouth or cane, and meet with locals. They have a blast doing whatever they do and we can share it via his blog, videos, occasional classes, and linkages to other resources. James Blick is a Top Gun resource for anyone serious about Spain. He recently held a ZOOM session on the new Digital Nomad opportunities in Spain that he co-hosted with an experienced attorney. His honesty shines through in his videos, including one that speaks to life in Spain once the honeymoon ends. His videos and blog output make it clear we most often learn most from those who have traveled beyond the expat life to live on distant shoes.
Portugal
IndoKochers Abroad: This blog by Rustam and Efti Kocher features real-world information and stories about their move to Portugal and their new travels abroad. There are detailed personal vignettes with photos that dive into their expat experiences, good and bad, with people and settlement issues.
The Hot Goddess: The Brits and so many others have found new lives in Portugal. The expat population in Portugal is one of the largest in Europe as the living is good and the price is right. I came across a blog called The Hot Goddess: Reimagining an authentic life as an ageless, midlife woman. Living, loving, traveling, and retiring solo. Natalie Y. Wester is a retired school teacher and her stories of personal transformation are honest and make good reading. She provides on point information on many topics, from banking to getting the right resident papers, learning the language, finding new friends, finding a place to live, and enjoying midlife in Portugal. I have yet to find another “blog” type resource specific to living in Portugal that is as engaging and informative as hers.
Geeky Explorer: Bruno is an Azorean who runs a great blog that focuses primarily on the Azores, Portugal, and Spain although he also has some great pieces on Vietnam, Mexico, and other cool places to visit. His more than a hundred blog pieces constitute a deep well that focus of tips to make your travel smarter, cheaper, and more insightful. Fore example, I condensed his relatively recent piece on The 21 Best Day Trips from Barcelona that we will use when we dock in Barcelona later this fall. We want to explore the rural and mountainous region northeast of Barcelona and his roster of rural towns, sights, and markers calls to us.
