“Europe is too expensive.” “I can’t afford to live in France or Spain.” “I’d love to spend time in Italy, but it will cost too much.” It’s a commonly held belief that spending any amount of time in Europe is prohibitively expensive. But it’s just not true.
Sipping cava while watching the late spring sun dip below the horizon Malaga’s harbor on Spain’s south coast…exploring the vineyards of France’s Bordeaux region, where rolling hills covered in vines stretch as far as the eye can see…climbing to the top of the Moorish São Jorge Castle in Lisbon to take in breathtaking views of the bustling city below…I’ve done all these things…and none of it cost me a fortune.
The trick with Europe is to take your cues from the locals. You simply need the inside track on the best places to go and to save. And that’s what this month’s issue delivers.
Whether you’re planning a two-week or a three-month adventure, we’ve got you covered. In this month’s cover story, we asked our on-the-ground correspondents in France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal to share their money-saving tips and tricks for spending spring in Europe on a budget of $2,700 a month (or less). They reveal all here.
One of the many great things about Europe is that it’s so easy to get around. Budget airlines and efficient train networks mean hopping from the jewel of Spain’s Costa Brava where you can rent from $450 a month to the romantic German city of Heidelberg to the Venice of Portugal is easy. And, in fact, there’s a way to explore this charming continent…without paying a cent. And all you have to do is talk to people. Marsha Scarbrough shares all the details here.
If your Europe stay will be more permanent and you’re looking for that perfect home in a picturesque French village, Stewart Richmond has uncovered bargain buys from $15,440. Sunny, sophisticated…and affordable. That’s the Europe you’ll find in this month’s issue…
It’s nice to sit in the sun and listen to the roar of the ocean, watch the surfers and the waves, maybe have a cold beer,” Joel Benitez says with a smile. “Two beers here at the beach is about $3, compared to $8 at a bar back in Canada. Am I sitting here dreaming about the ice and snow I left behind? Not really!” he laughs...
Costa Rica's stunning natural beauty, happy and relaxed way of life, and warm tropical weather draw many people to relocate there. People are happy. They laugh. They make it a priority to spend time with family and friends. Even so, when Jack Crook and his wife, Jodie Cook, retired and moved to Costa Rica in 2013, they knew they wanted to find something to keep them busy.
Night has fallen in Heidelberg. The hills cradling the city are a silhouette. The twinkling lights of the Old Town reflect on the Neckar River. Partygoers clink wine glasses on the balconies of elegant villas...
More than any other destination that International Living covers, Panama is—hands down—the most popular. And there are so many reasons why…Nowhere else can you enjoy such a comfortable life…
Nearly 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall much of Eastern Europe, what was behind the Iron Curtain anyway, remains shrouded in mystery for North Americans. But those intrepid travelers who’ve made it there...
One morning at 7:45, when I was waiting for a bus in my adopted hometown of Cuenca, Ecuador, a shaggy street dog jumped up onto the bench beside me. It made me comfortable, because...
Did you know you can download and read your entire April issue as a PDF? Simply click on the link below and discover the secrets to retiring and investing overseas. Download your April Issue 2018 PDF here.