Two Suitcases

The authors retired, downsized, and set off to see the world. Viewing retirement as two stages, with travel leading the first, and home life anchoring the second, they pursue the first stage, downsizing and getting away. Striking out to California, then internationally, each chapter shares how they make a traveling retirement work, combining the details of budgeting, travel planning, and what life is like in each new setting. . A chapter is devoted to Airbnb and similar platforms,...
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The authors retired, downsized, and set off to see the world. Viewing retirement as two stages, with travel leading the first, and home life anchoring the second, they pursue the first stage, downsizing and getting away. Striking out to California, then internationally, each chapter shares how they make a traveling retirement work, combining the details of budgeting, travel planning, and what life is like in each new setting. . A chapter is devoted to Airbnb and similar platforms, showing how to read between the lines of listings and find the right rental. They experience the ups and downs of driving in other countries, driving on the left, and driving in major cities. It may make you want to take a taxi. Shopping, cooking, and the pleasures of staying in one place for an extended period are punctuated with being invited for tea at an estate in Scotland and watching cassowaries in Australia. Staying in most destinations for a month results in chance meetings, casual advice, and new friends. The final chapters include experiences taking tours, and some of the "hiccups" of travel.