Even if you’ve never been there, Italy is one of those places that tugs at the heartstrings. And once you have been there, you’re always looking for reasons to go back. Imagine being able to spend every springtime in Rome, Venice, or Florence…can’t you just picture yourself meandering beside the Arno River on a perfect May evening when all the terracotta roofs and ancient palaces are bathed in that special Florentine glow?
If you have ever wanted to rebel against a hectic lifestyle and slow down to enjoy life, Italy should be top of your list of considerations. In this special report, you’ll discover four of the most fitting places to do just that. The message from Italian living is clear: Slow down, stop rushing, and enjoy the simple virtues of life. And you can do that very easily in Italy with its romantic cities, timeless hill towns, snowy mountains, idyllic islands, and a rivetingly beautiful coastline.
La dolce vita is what Italians call the sweet life. You could be living it for less than you perhaps think—even in desirable regions like Tuscany and Lazio.
The trickiest thing about France will be deciding which part of it holds the most allure for you. It could be the wild, rocky shores of Celtic Brittany, steeped in heritage and tradition…or sun-drenched Provence, with its rolling hills and lavender fields, broken by the turquoise sea of the Côte d’Azur…or the castles and sleepy villages of medieval holdings in the Dordogne… France has all the ingredients that we at International Living look for: a good climate, unspoiled countryside, top-notch culture, excellent health care, affordable real estate (despite the strength of the euro, France can still has lots of cheap property), colorful traditions and history, and, of course, the glitter and sophistication of Paris. It’s not surprising that France is the world’s favorite destination, receiving in excess of 82 million overseas visitors each year. France: The Owner’s Manual will provide you with all the information you will need to turn your dreams of moving overseas into reality.
Beyond France’s famous Riviera playgrounds lies “the other South of France”: a lavender scented landscape of sunflowers and starry nights made famous by artists like Van Gogh and Cézanne. In this special report, we’ll tell you about some of the towns and villages in the South of France that offer very affordable living, without sacrificing any of the beauty and elegance that this country is famed for.
France has all the ingredients that we look for at International Living: good food, good wine, haute couture, a good climate, unspoiled countryside, a glittering culture, excellent health care, colorful traditions and history. The trickiest thing will be deciding which bit of France holds the most allure for you. We look at IL’s favorite destinations in France in this special report. France has never been hotter as a potential place to live for discerning, budget-minded, future expats—either part-time or full-time.
From glamorous Paris to sun-soaked Provence and beyond, France will never go out of fashion. And there are bargains around for those who value its historic treasures and gourmet pleasures.
It doesn’t take newcomers long to realize that Belize has a very unusual culture. It’s a land of Mayan temples, colonial mansions, jungle lodges, and seaside condos. Though the predominant language is English, your next-door neighbors might speak Spanish, Creole, French, German, or any of a dozen other languages. Belize is a country where you can dine out on Mexican food while Garifuna music plays in the background. Escape to Belize will take you step-by-step through this stable English-speaking, democracy and give you a head start in enjoying its benefits.
Nicaragua is one of the most beautiful countries in the Americas. It boasts a dramatic Pacific coastline; long, gentle Caribbean beaches; volcanoes and freshwater lakes that dot the hilly inland. Colonial cities like Granada and León offer visitors a taste of days gone by. And Managua is rapidly becoming a real First-World city with top-notch theaters, a range of international restaurants, and an emerging art scene.
Ranked one of the best places in the world to retire in International Living’s annual Global Retirement Index, there is only one place in the world where you can enjoy an affordable overseas retirement, live right on the beach at affordable prices, yet remain within minutes of the U.S. by car… With its moon-lit fiestas, languid white-sand beaches, ancient colonial towns set in the rugged Sierras, and Mayan pyramids rising from the misty Yucatan jungle, it’s no wonder so many people are starting new lives in Mexico. And armed with your Escape to Mexico Manual, you will be ready to start your new life south of the border.