Travels With Jim and Rita
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".
Episodes
49 episodes
Episode 49 - Learning Italian and Buying a Villa: Linda McCarley's Path to European Living
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 49
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31:22
Episode 48 - Why Your Next Adventure Should Be on a Floating Resort
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 journ...
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Season 2
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Episode 48
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30:49
Episode 47 - The Transformative Power of Women's Travel
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 retrea...
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Season 2
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Episode 47
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31:33
Episode 46 - Breaking Through Barriers: How Lori Bruton Found Hope Through Travel and Writing
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 transforma...
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Season 2
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Episode 46
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29:45
Episode 45 - Paradise Found in Panama
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 45
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29:30
Episode 44 - The Traveling Duo’s New Game Plan
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 cr...
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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22:47
Episode 43 - Living the Dream in Panama with Dave and Debora
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 em...
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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31:10
Episode 42 - From Business Trips to Cultural Exchanges Across Europe
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 stree...
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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30:49
Episode 41 - Will I Get "Gringo-ed" in Foreign Countries?
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" a...
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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30:56
Episode 40 - Exploring Panama’s Charm: Retirement, Road Trips, and Relocation Insights with Julie Tallman and Roy McGinnis
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 t...
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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33:41
Episode 39: Discovering Hidden Gems and Coping with Surprises in the Baltics
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 Ri...
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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26:17
Episode 38 - A Story From Jim's Senate Days and Holiday Cheer
Ever wondered what life was really like behind the scenes at the US Senate? Picture this: a snowy evening in Washington DC, a bustling tech support subculture, and a cast of unforgettable characters like Rob and Becky. Join us as we pause our h...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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10:55
Episode 37 - A Comment on Moving for Political Reasons and Our Tour of Poland
Join us, Jim and Rita, as we explore the decision to establish a home base in the U.S., balancing family ties and future surgeries while considering the allure of new experiences abroad. Listen in as we discuss whether leaving the country due t...
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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30:35
Episode 36 - Health Update, and a Look at Berlin, Prague, and Budapest
After a whirlwind journey through Eastern Europe, we found ourselves in an unexpected twist when Jim faced a serious health challenge in Latvia. Amidst these challenges, we hold onto our zest for travel, with hopeful plans for a springtime excu...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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24:05
Episode 35 - An Unexpected Adventure
Ever wondered how a seemingly innocent meal could turn your dream vacation into a medical nightmare? Join Rita and me as we recount our wild ride through Eastern Europe that left us grappling with mysterious, severe pains striking at the worst ...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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12:29
Episode 34 - Solo Horseback Adventures and Serbian Hospitality with Julie Tallman
Julie Tallman has spent over 15 years navigating the globe on horseback, forging unforgettable connections and experiences. This week, Julie brings us a heartwarming tale from her recent adventure in Serbia, weaving through the countryside on a...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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33:39
Episode 33 - Jenifer Breaux's Journey from the Army to a Travel Business
What happens when a retired Army veteran channels her passion for exploration into a thriving luxury travel business? Meet Jenifer Breaux, owner of JB Travel Pros, who shares her incredible journey from her roots in northeastern Ohio to becomin...
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36:37
Episode 32 - Discovering the Art of Travel Through Julie's Lens
Ever wondered how a childhood passion can blossom into a prolific career? Join us as we chat with Julie Diebolt Price, a seasoned travel writer and photographer who transformed her early love for snapp...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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32:49
Episode 31 - Transformative Travel and Personal Growth: Neo Johnson's Inspiring Journey
Can one transformative trip change your entire life? Neo Johnson's story suggests it can. Starting from a dark period in 2019, Neo recounts how a tragic loss prompted his journey towards a life filled with...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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38:23
Episode 30 - Culinary and Travel Adventures with Amy Piper
What does it take to leave a stable career in Corporate America and become a globetrotting travel writer? Join us as we journey with Amy Piper, who did just that! Amy's transition is nothing short o...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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37:58
Episode 29 - Building a New Life Through Travel and Creativity
Ever wondered if a shared love for travel could reignite the spark in a long-term marriage? Meet Zeke and Terri Mead, who were on the verge of divorce after 25 years together until the COVID-19 lockdown forced them into close quarters. Discover...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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42:27
Episode 28 - Living the Dream: A Family's Global Adventure
What happens when a young couple swaps their wedding vows for an epic global adventure? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Seth and Sarah, who did just that—and came back with more than souvenirs. This episode unveils their incredible...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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32:26
Episode 27 - From Farm Life to Caravan Adventures: Mandy and Tui's Nomadic Journey
Imagine going from the daily grind of dairy farming and city commuting to embracing the freedom of life on the road. Meet Mandy and Tui Travers, native New Zealanders who, after a life-altering accident at 60, decided to sell their home and emb...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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39:18
Episode 26 - Six Months Later: What Has Worked, What Has Not
Can eSIM technology transform your travel experience for good? In the 26th episode of "Travels with Jim and Rita," we celebrate a significant milestone by sharing the tech and travel hacks that have shaped our journey over the past six months. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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35:21