Money-saving Tips When in Rome

Monday, March 10, 2008
Rome, Italy

Read more about Italy in International Living Postcards—your daily escape

On this latest Italy trip, I was scouting properties in Abruzzo and Molise. To reach these southern regions, you’ll probably fly in and out of Rome. It can be costly, so here are a few money-saving tips:

Get Your Credit Card Provider to Pay YOU $25

Monday, Feb. 18, 2008

Get more expat advice in International Living Postcards—your daily escape

I hate the foreign transaction fees that banks charge when you use a credit card overseas, especially when the banks embed the fees in the exchange rate.

Like me, some lawyers and their clients decided these fees are abusive. They filed class action lawsuits against Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, and the banks that issue the cards. The court consolidated these class actions in 2001, and last year the lawyers cut a deal. In the settlement, the banks deny the claims and assert they did nothing wrong, improper, or unlawful. But they’ll pay up just to get rid of the lawsuit.

You CAN Get a 90-day Tourist Visa for Panama

Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008
Panama City, Panama

Read more about Panama in International Living Postcards—your daily escape

Last May, the Panamanian government passed a new law, completely out of the blue, reducing the amount of time tourists could spend in the country. U.S. and Canadian tourists, who were always accorded 90 day stays upon entering the country, were suddenly only given 30. Sure, many applied for and got extensions of up to 60 days, but what a pain…who wants to deal with red tape in a government office when you ought to be sipping cervezas on the beach?

Steenie’s 10 Best-value Destinations for 2008

Monday, Jan. 21, 2008

Read more about international travel in International Living Postcards—your daily escape

Some people salivate at the phrase “luxury travel.” Even with a lottery win, I wouldn’t want to ski at Gstaad, play roulette at Monte Carlo, or blow $400 in a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Quite frankly, I’d rather overnight in a viper pit than some ludicrously priced boutique hotels. Especially the ones designed for needy, pretentious types preoccupied by status.

Why Pay More for Your International Flights?

Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007

Learn more about retiring overseas in International Living Postcards--Sunday Edition

Vicki and I recently booked two round trips, one from Chiang Mai, Thailand, to Los Angeles on China Airlines, the other from Seattle to Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Delta. Both trips cover about the same distance, and economy fares cost us $900 each. In Thailand, I booked the flight through a travel agent, and I found my U.S. flight on www.expedia.com. But here's the weird part--even though economy fares were the same price, business class on China Airlines was $2,000, while business class on Delta was over $6,000.

How to Take a Permanent Vacation

Last chance! You can still try the Latin America Insider for $1…but only until midnight tonight. Hurry!

Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007

Learn more about retiring abroad in International Living Postcards

Go to Club Med and you’ll spend $100-200 a day per person, all in. That's a lot of money, but when you're working hard, the special relaxation time might be worth it. Club Med takes care of everything--you just kick back.

World's Best Vacations

Stay on your own private island…in a uniquely-styled, early-1900s bungalow…complete with fireplace and antique furnishings…and have your every meal and whim catered to for less than the cost of a cramped homogenized room at a nearby chain hotel…

World's Most Romantic…Everything

The world's most romantic hotel is a cantilevered castle built into a cliffside on Italy's Amalfi coast. Every room faces the sea with a sweeping view.