I look forward to hearing about Mallorca. I can't wait to explore some of the smaller Spanish cities. We're going to Girona after Barcelona in February.
You introduced me to Charlie Brown! Yet another way to explore living semi-retired. It didn't occur to me I could just keep going instead of settling overseas into a new country.
I just learned you are over on Medium. I love that platform also, but all I do is comment, never write articles over there. I'm interested to hear your take on Medium. Substack and Medium are so different.
Charlie is the best. Melisse and I actually spent a day with her and her husband earlier this year in Barcelona. We are going to do the same on the next trip.
I view Medium and Substack as complementary. I love them both. Ultimately, if it was not for Medium - and Ben Le Fort -- this newsletter would not exist or it would be much smaller.
I took a short coaching session on how to increase and engage my newsletter and found I'm doing everything wrong. Im giving myself a break because I don't have a professional writing background. The good news is the sunk-cost fallacy didn't take over. I probably should have started on Medium but never felt comfortable writing on there. I've heard of Ben Le Fort, but not read anything by him. Will take time to do so.
Yes, the community is really opening my eyes to several different alternatives. I'm excited to learn more from Charlie Brown about Portugal. It's where my husband agreed to move in the event we move forward in leaving the country.
Hi, Rocco, I really enjoy your newsletters both on Medium and Substack. Garden-variety - never! You have brought to my attention many things I am doing "right" in semi-retirement, and also many things I could do better. My recent trip to Winnipeg, for example: my total expenditure with all costs factored in came to under $3000. That involved a return airfare and accommodation at two different locations, meals, incidental expenses, and a convention fee. I thought that was amazing.
It also showed me the advantages of travelling within my own country: no currency exchange to worry about, my own type of bank always nearby, familiar foods and beverages, and the chance to try many others, as Canada is very much a multicultural country.
I'm planning to make a longer trip to Glasgow, Scotland next year, and the budget is already scary. I'm up to $5000 for a vacation just two days longer than my trip within Canada. The currency is a killer — $1.70 CAD for a British pound. Good thing I have almost a year to shake things out and cut potential costs. Many more of my Europe and UK friends will be there, however, which to me justifies the budget.
I think I also benefit from being attracted to Southern Europe, being able to travel in February or other off times and not being tied to a particular destination. That said, I do think it's possible to get deals - or lower prices than most people pay - no matter the time of the year by planning ahead and being a mix of savvy and lucky. Of course, luck often comes to the savvy. Or so I hope!
Either way, definitely tell us how the trip goes - planning as it nears and your experience of it. Scotland seems like it's incredible.
So on things Spain, that is an alternative to South Africa for us. No real language barrier and nearby.
We’ll be in Mallorca for two weeks from Sept 2 - some golfing, looking around and enjoy the local scene.
You're alive!!
I look forward to hearing about Mallorca. I can't wait to explore some of the smaller Spanish cities. We're going to Girona after Barcelona in February.
You introduced me to Charlie Brown! Yet another way to explore living semi-retired. It didn't occur to me I could just keep going instead of settling overseas into a new country.
I just learned you are over on Medium. I love that platform also, but all I do is comment, never write articles over there. I'm interested to hear your take on Medium. Substack and Medium are so different.
See how it works!
Charlie is the best. Melisse and I actually spent a day with her and her husband earlier this year in Barcelona. We are going to do the same on the next trip.
I view Medium and Substack as complementary. I love them both. Ultimately, if it was not for Medium - and Ben Le Fort -- this newsletter would not exist or it would be much smaller.
I took a short coaching session on how to increase and engage my newsletter and found I'm doing everything wrong. Im giving myself a break because I don't have a professional writing background. The good news is the sunk-cost fallacy didn't take over. I probably should have started on Medium but never felt comfortable writing on there. I've heard of Ben Le Fort, but not read anything by him. Will take time to do so.
Yes, the community is really opening my eyes to several different alternatives. I'm excited to learn more from Charlie Brown about Portugal. It's where my husband agreed to move in the event we move forward in leaving the country.
Hi, Rocco, I really enjoy your newsletters both on Medium and Substack. Garden-variety - never! You have brought to my attention many things I am doing "right" in semi-retirement, and also many things I could do better. My recent trip to Winnipeg, for example: my total expenditure with all costs factored in came to under $3000. That involved a return airfare and accommodation at two different locations, meals, incidental expenses, and a convention fee. I thought that was amazing.
It also showed me the advantages of travelling within my own country: no currency exchange to worry about, my own type of bank always nearby, familiar foods and beverages, and the chance to try many others, as Canada is very much a multicultural country.
I'm planning to make a longer trip to Glasgow, Scotland next year, and the budget is already scary. I'm up to $5000 for a vacation just two days longer than my trip within Canada. The currency is a killer — $1.70 CAD for a British pound. Good thing I have almost a year to shake things out and cut potential costs. Many more of my Europe and UK friends will be there, however, which to me justifies the budget.
I appreciate it, Carol.
I think I also benefit from being attracted to Southern Europe, being able to travel in February or other off times and not being tied to a particular destination. That said, I do think it's possible to get deals - or lower prices than most people pay - no matter the time of the year by planning ahead and being a mix of savvy and lucky. Of course, luck often comes to the savvy. Or so I hope!
Either way, definitely tell us how the trip goes - planning as it nears and your experience of it. Scotland seems like it's incredible.
You are the reason I moved over to Substack. And I love it. Keep on doing what you do. I soak up every word!
Ah, man! Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. As you know, I love your newsletter. I thought of it while at the farmer's market today!
Great minds collaborate together on Substack - I love it!