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© 2025 Travels With Jim and Rita
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Discussing the challenges, rewards, and drawbacks of living overseas. Follow our decision to sell our home and live abroad until the housing market adjusts. Information for the would-be expat, digital nomad, roving retiree, or just plain traveler. Host Jim Santos is a published travel writer with over 200 articles and seven books (jimsantos.net). He and his wife Rita lived in Ecuador for 6 years, and are currently test-driving the roving retirement lifestyle. Jim is also the host of the popular "International Living Podcast".
58 Episodes
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Send us a text Our journey continues as we embrace "Plan B" - establishing a home base in Tennessee while still spending six to nine months a year abroad. This episode picks up our 10-week European adventure as we complete our circuit around Ireland, revealing both the magic and mishaps of extended travel. From our stay in a rustic farmhouse near New Ross (complete with a creepy dirt-floor laundry shed) to exploring magnificent Kilkenny Castle with its vaulted long hall, every stop brought n...
Send us a text The wild western coast of Ireland beckons with its dramatic cliffs, winding mountain roads, and villages where Gaelic still echoes through local pubs. Our adventure through this stunning landscape reveals both the tourist-filled hotspots and the authentic gems that make Ireland truly special. Setting off from our base in Oranmore near Galway, we discover that sometimes the most celebrated destinations don't quite match expectations. Galway's Latin Quarter bustles with tourists...
Send us a text Ever been more terrified of speaking in public than jumping out of a plane? You're not alone. Public speaking consistently ranks higher than death in surveys about our greatest fears, and as my wife Rita and I launch the second season of our travel adventures, I'm facing down this fear once again. As I prepare for three speaking engagements at the International Living Conference in Portland, that familiar anxiety creeps in. Despite having presented countless times before, my n...
Send us a text When our flight touched down in Dublin, we had no idea our carefully planned 29-day Irish adventure would begin with financial shock. Our supposedly bargain $18-per-day rental car suddenly required mandatory insurance at €58 daily plus a €31 fee for crossing to Northern Ireland—ballooning our anticipated $522 cost to nearly $2,500. Welcome to Ireland, indeed! Belfast greeted us with beautiful architecture at City Hall and Queen's University, but also with sobering reminders of...
Send us a text Ever wondered what happens if you need serious medical care while traveling abroad? When Jim's shoulder began failing him in Ecuador, he faced a critical decision that many Americans contemplating life overseas worry about – should he return to the familiar but expensive US healthcare system, or trust foreign doctors with his surgery? Jim takes us through his remarkable journey from initial diagnosis to complete recovery after undergoing shoulder surgery in Ecuador. The contra...
Send us a text Imagine pulling your sailboat into a tiny Greek fishing village where tourists rarely venture, dining at a local taverna where fishermen gather, and experiencing authentic Mediterranean life beyond the postcard views. For travel writer and photographer June Russell-Chamberlain, this freedom to discover hidden gems represents the magic of charter sailing. "The freedom to choose where you go and how long you stay," June explains when asked what draws her to this unique form of t...
Send us a text What happens when a couple of American retirees tackle the United Kingdom, complete with driving on the "wrong" side of narrow roads, navigating London's famous tube system, and an unexpected series of medical adventures? Join us as we share the highs and lows of our journey through Britain. London welcomed us with its iconic landmarks and efficient public transportation. Armed with the TFL Go app, we explored Westminster, the British Museum, and vibrant Camden Town while mast...
Send us a text What would it take to stop you from exploring the world? For Penny Zubula, even total blindness couldn't dampen her wanderlust. This remarkable travel writer navigates foreign countries with her photographer husband Simon and guide dog Splendid—proving that disabilities don't have to limit adventure. Penny's journey from Jerusalem-born, Montreal-raised TV host to acclaimed travel writer showcases an extraordinary life dedicated to experiencing new cultures. Through her website...
Send us a text Fifty episodes in, and we're still discovering what retirement travel truly means to us. After a health challenge forced us to pivot from our original three-year international adventure, we've established a new rhythm – a home base in Tennessee with 6-9 months of global exploration annually. Our latest journey began with a two-week exploration of Portugal and Spain that revealed surprising preferences and unexpected gems. The adventure started somewhat roughly – an overnight t...
Send us a text Travel writer Linda McCarley joins Jim and Rita to share her remarkable journey from childhood trips to Scotland through her recent decision to purchase a villa in Tuscany. Born in Canada to Scottish parents, Linda's travel adventures began at just three years old, planting seeds for a lifelong passion that would eventually lead her to Italy. With refreshing candor, Linda reveals how her approach to travel evolved from standard tourism to meaningful cultural immersion—a shift ...
Send us a text Curious about cruise vacations but not sure where to start? Veteran cruiser Babs Dearmond joins us to unpack the fascinating world of cruise travel - from Caribbean beach-hopping to sophisticated global exploration. Babs shares her journey from first-time cruiser seeking winter escape to seasoned traveler who's sailed the Mediterranean, European rivers, and Asian waters. What began with a mother-daughter Caribbean adventure uncovered a passion for this unique travel style that...
Send us a text What's driving more and more women to travel solo or join women-only travel groups? This episode dives deep into the transformative power of travel with Sonja Thayer, founder of Rom-Soul Escapes, who specializes in creating women-focused retreats in Italy and Greece. Sonja shares her journey from backpacking through Europe in the 1990s to creating curated travel experiences that combine wellness practices with deep cultural immersion. She explains why retreat-style travel prov...
Send us a text What happens when you combine a passion for travel, a gift for storytelling, and a heart for helping others overcome their deepest struggles? You get Lori Bruton, our fascinating guest who shares her remarkable journey from trauma to transformation. Lori opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her path as an author, travel writer, speaker, and breakthrough coach. Her story begins with childhood road trips that sparked her love for exploration and continues through perso...
Send us a text Roy McGinnis and Julie Tallman return to the podcast with exciting news – they've officially committed to building a retirement home in Panama's Azuero Peninsula. After their initial exploratory visit left them enchanted with the rural charm of Petasi, they returned for two weeks to confirm their decision and put down a deposit on property in an expat development. Their journey through Panama reveals a country of surprising contrasts. Panama City dazzled them with its ultramod...
Send us a text Our podcast episode takes you on an informative journey through the ups and downs of travel life as Jim and Rita explore resilience in the face of unexpected health challenges. Discover their adventures that led them back to the U.S. after a critical health scare in Latvia and learn how they’ve adapted their plans to embrace a balanced lifestyle that accommodates health and travel. With honesty and playfulness, they share detailed insights into establishing a home base in Tenne...
Send us a text Retiring to Panamanian paradise might sound like a dream, but for Dave and Debora Haughton, it has become their fulfilling reality. They share their journey from Virginia to Pedasí, shedding light on the joys and challenges of expat life and embodying the warmth of community found in a new land. • Transitioning from a busy life in Virginia to the peaceful beaches of Panama • Discovering the beauty and culture of Pedasí • Embracing retirement through community involvement...
Send us a text Ever wondered what it's like to trade the familiar buzz of home for the charm of European living? Neil and Denise Johnson share their captivating stories of expatriate life, from the enchanting yet quiet winters of Sardinia to the vibrant streets of Milan and the cozy town of Słupsk. Get a taste of their unique experiences as they navigate cultural exchanges, like hosting a Thanksgiving dinner in Poland, and laugh along with them as they recount an unexpected hospital visit tha...
Send us a text Ever felt like a "gringo" in a foreign land, navigating cultural nuances and the occasional price gouging? We take you on a thrilling ride through the vibrant streets of Ecuador, sharing personal tales of what it truly means to "get gringoed" and why these experiences are often the exception rather than the rule. Join us as we explore how mutual respect and a splash of humor can transform everyday interactions into genuine connections, even when language barriers seem insurmoun...
Send us a text Embark on an exhilarating journey through Panama with us, as we uncover the diverse landscapes and cultures of this fascinating country. We kick things off welcoming our friends, Julie Tallman and Roy McGinnis. They captivate us with tales of their September 2024 exploration, weaving through lush mountain retreats like Anton's Valley and Santa Fe, and finding a surprising gem in Pedasi—a coastal village that might just be their future home. Julie and Roy's stories offer a charm...
Send us a text What do cobblestone streets, ornate architecture, and a surprise health scare have in common? They're all part of our unpredictable adventure through Eastern Europe! Join us, Jim and Rita, as we recount our travels from Warsaw to Vilnius and Riga. Our journey took an unexpected turn with a health challenge in Riga, but it didn't stop us from first exploring the city's vibrant history and culture. From the charming old towns and picturesque landscapes to the fascinating stories ...
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