I ’ve always been attracted to the madness and energy of Bangkok. There’s something in the air in Thailand’s capital. Crammed with exotic sights, bustling markets, old temples, art-deco hotels and fast-food stalls on every corner, its rivers packed with boat traffic, and people everywhere… If you love cities, you’ll love Bangkok.

Halfway between Iceland and Norway you’ll find the Faroe Islands—an isolated North Atlantic haven of pristine natural landscapes, ancient traditions, and marine wildlife. Gaelic monks from Scotland and Ireland arrived here in the 6th century, but it was the Vikings who left a permanent mark. The Faroes still have a close cultural and political relationship with Denmark. Tiny and often uninhabited villages dot the 18 major islands, where you’ll also find waterfalls flowing over the sides of cliffs into the ocean below. Renting a car is the best way to travel and it gives you total freedom. Most of the islands are connected by car ferry, sub-sea tunnels, and two—Streymoy to Eysturoy—by a bridge.

I ’ve made a lot of expat friends since moving to Uruguay. And they say they like living here for many of the same reasons my Uruguayan-born friends do: First-world infrastructure; top-quality, affordable health care; beautiful beaches; safety and financial security…