Retire in Paradise

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Once only the province of the wealthy and famous, international travel is now far more prevalent as technology has reduced costs and made it possible for the number of people to travel the world to increase dramatically. You do not need not be rich to engage in traveling this way; a well-planned itinerary is as close as your computer keyboard plus you can find a good airfare if you plan ahead and travel in the of peak seasons, generally in fall and spring.

You’ll find the cheapest fares in winter and if you’re traveling to Italy or Spain, this can be a plus and with mild winter temperatures you can be really adventurous and footloose. Many people are happy to rent out their homes on the continent and often for short periods so if you search online you may find you can extend your stay as the costs come down.

Rentals will usually include kitchen equipment, linens, telephone, internet connections and laundry facilities so you won’t be loosing any home comforts .There is nothing like having a breakfast when you are on vacation especially when you prepare it yourself and it gives you a chance to use fresh produce from a foreign country.

With your own laundry facilities it is easy to keep your washing clean and if there is internet access you can send your friends e-cards which won’t cost anything. Experiencing a different culture is a great adventure and it’s the little things that really reach out and grab you; for example, European society is similar in many ways to American society but daily priorities are quite different.

Food is a much more drawn out event than our eat-and-run habit as meals are enjoyed slowly, seasoned with the friendship of your companions plus it is actually quite safe to go out at night in any major European city. Seeing and meeting people from other countries will open your mind to new ideas especially when you see things that you wish you had in your own country.

International travel exposes you to new cuisines and you may never taste an authentic Spanish Paella, French Pistou or Italian pizza unless you take the leap and immerse yourself in your travel destination of choice. Making the most of where you are staying is an important part of being an international traveler so when you are in cities make use of their transport systems which are generally very efficient and cheap.

With today’s many restrictions on baggage, plan for only carry-on luggage that way you will avoid lost luggage and the dreaded walking and waiting time at the carousel. However, if this is how you like to travel then restricting how much you carry with you is paramount and being able to fit everything you need into hand luggage can save a great deal of time at the airport.

Careful planning means you can pack everything you need for a month’s stay anywhere in a carry-on and it’s just as easy to find a foreign equivalent of an American drugstore and pick up any toiletries you may need. The less you take with you, the more adventurous it becomes and finding a new exciting destination is as easy as clicking a button.

Tags: Travel & Leisure