Wherever We May Roam - Travels With Jim and Rita
Not all travel is created equal. Some people take a two-week vacation and call it an adventure. Others disappear for months—or years—without ever really “coming home.” We discuss the challenges, rewards, and drawbacks of travel both domestically and overseas. Information for the would-be expat, digital nomad, roving retiree, or just plain traveler. We can help you find the travel style that is right for you. But this isn’t just theory. Drawing on over 16 years of real-world experience, Jim and Rita Santos share practical, honest advice on what it actually takes to travel longer, smarter, and with fewer surprises. Host Jim Santos is a published travel writer with over 200 articles and eight books (jimsantos.net). He and his wife Rita lived in Ecuador for 6 years, and have tried every style of travel - including selling their home at one point to travel full-time. They and are currently enjoying the roving retirement lifestyle, taking trips of 2-3 months and returning to their home base to visit family and friends - and plan the next journey! Jim is also the host of the popular "International Living Podcast".
Episodes
59 episodes
Episode 59: Season End, Slow Travel Sneak Peek
A medical detour changed our itinerary, but it sharpened our belief in slow travel and why roaming creates better stories than any checklist. We close out season two by sharing a vivid sneak peek of our upcoming book on how to plan, budget, and...
Episode 58 - Castles, Creepy Laundry Rooms, and an Airbnb Disaster
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, revealin...
Episode 57 - Navigating Ireland's West Coast
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 th...
Episode 56 - The Courage to Speak: Tales from the Road Less Comfortable
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 tr...
Episode 55 - From Belfast to Roscommon: Castles, Coastlines, and Cultural Discoveries
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 fe...
Episode 54 - Is Affordable Healthcare Worth Leaving Home For?
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...
Episode 53 - Beyond Cruise Ships: The Freedom of Charter Sailing
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 phot...
Episode 52 - Navigating the UK: From London Streets to Scottish Hills
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 th...
Episode 51 - Beyond Vision: The Sensory Art of Travel Writing
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...
Episode 50 - Portugal and Spain: The First Leg of Our European Adventure
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...