EscapeArtist Travel Articles . More Travel Articles - Travel Article Index On This Page - Travel Articles - Regions Haiti Through Italy Articles Listed Alphabetically By Nation & Region | Haiti | Holland |  Honduras | Hong Kong | Hungary | Iceland | India | Indonesia | Iran | Ireland | Isle Of Man | Italy | Haiti . Building A Bridge Home - Haitian Internet -  By Henri Deschamps Building A Bridge Home - Haitian Internet - Henri Deschamps is the creator and editor of Haiti Global Village, Haiti's premiere online community. We always enjoy Deschamps innovative and often courageous writing as well as his very creative website.  Here the prodigal son of Haiti talks about returning to his homeland.   Turning Haiti Into A Tropical Paradise - Investing in Haiti -  By Doug Casey Turning Haiti Into A Tropical Paradise - Investing in Haiti - ...in essence, it's possible to transform a hellhole like Haiti into the kind of place you'd want to move to, no matter where you now live, regardless of other considerations. If there were ever a true free market country, the place would be so overrun with rich people that workers now making $1 a day would be in demand at $15 an hour... Doug Casey has a plan to turn Haiti from a basket case into a tropical paradise - Is this just a pipe dream or is it a possible reality?  Doug Casey's reputation is world renown, his expertise is amazing. . Holland . Life in Amsterdam: On vases, first drinks & decorated bikes - Living in Amsterdan -  By Kate Robbins Life in Amsterdam: On vases, first drinks & decorated bikes - Living in Amsterdan - I find that it's better to let people get their fascination with Amsterdam's seedier side out of their system right away. After a few hours of red light tourism, during which they stare at bored, scantily clad women sitting beneath red lights, they're ready for something new.  Then I get the chance to show them what Amsterdam is really like. You see, there's a lot more to the Netherlands and the Dutch people than prostitutes & pot. Here are a few things you should know if you're considering a move here...   Honduras Actualities:  $18 a night lodging in Alicante…the world’s best dancing girls… waiting for the Bay Islands Chunnel…no more tolls in Mexico -  By Ken Layne Actualities:  $18 a night lodging in Alicante…the world’s best dancing girls… waiting for the Bay Islands Chunnel…no more tolls in Mexico - Click Here - $18 a night…stylish lodging in Alicante. Weary of public transport after a day stuck in Madrid’s airport, I splurged on a taxi and went straight to El Barrio, Alicante’s old town. Like all Alicante locals I met in this off-season, my driver spoke nothing but Spanish. It was good to have to make myself understood. I requested the Pension Las Monges, which I’d heard was like a boutique hotel with eight lovely and individual rooms. With much confusion but more good will, the driver took me right to the place, almost, because it’s within the old pedestrian zone beneath Alicante’s shabbily magnificent Castillo de Santa Bárbara, which roosts over the seaside town. The driver gave me directions I could almost understand: through the arch, right one block, past the plaza. And there it was. Ken Layne, Alicante, Spain (more) .. Buy a piece of Lenin's house -  By The Online Edition of International Living Magazine Buy a piece of Lenin's house - Buy a piece of Lenin's house -  This page includes real estate, tours, "Quiet and secluded, Utila is the perfect alternative to Roatan " Editorials, & Travelers' Bulletin Board    Entrepreneurs abroad; Big business on little Utila  - Doing Business in Honduras -   Entrepreneurs abroad; Big business on little Utila  - Doing Business in Honduras - American Chris Phillips turned a postgraduate stint on the Bay Island of Utila into a personal and professional success story. Here he tells International Living how he combined his vocation and avocation to create a profitable business and a slow-paced Caribbean lifestyle .. Honduras, Barbados, or Malta - Real Estate in Honduras -  By International Living Honduras, Barbados, or Malta - Real Estate in Honduras - More opportunities from International Living.  Acquire a seventeenth century château, Italian restaurant, or beach front property in Honduras, Barbados, or Malta; including email addresses, phone numbers and web sites where you can find out more information on the place or establishment that you are interested in.   Honduran Mainland: Cheap Properties - Honduran Mainland: Cheap Properties -  By Lee Harrison Honduran Mainland: Cheap Properties - Honduran Mainland: Cheap Properties - This is La Ceiba, a Caribbean port city on the northern coast of Honduras.  Home to more than 100,000 people, it’s a town that has everything: a pleasant central square, a large, modern mall, new supermarkets, food markets, a cinema, fast food restaurants, and waterside dining.  They even have a North American-run real estate office right on the town square.  The lush cloud forest is just a few miles to the south, with an awesome peak known as Pico Bonito overlooking the region.  The Caribbean beaches stretch from La Ceiba for more than 100 miles to the west and almost 300 miles to the east. Aug./06   I Dream Of The Sea ~ Diving In Roatan ~  By Dawnelle Salant I Dream Of The Sea ~ Diving In Roatan ~ by Dawnelle Salant - Landing in La Ceiba, it’s hard to believe that the small, primitive airport services international flights. La Ceiba is the third largest city in Honduras, and a great base to start your explorations. Home to Dole Fruit Company, the city offers a beach, proximity to nature and more urban activities, such as night clubbing.   Look to the Honduran Mainland -  By Lee Harrison Look to the Honduran Mainland - Look to the Honduran Mainland - This is La Ceiba, a Caribbean port city on the northern coast of Honduras. Home to more than 100,000 people, it’s a town that has everything: a pleasant central square, a large, modern mall, new supermarkets, food markets, a cinema, fast food restaurants, and waterside dining.  They even have a North American-run real estate office right on the town square.  The lush cloud forest is just a few miles to the south, with an awesome peak known as Pico Bonito overlooking the region. The Caribbean beaches stretch from La Ceiba for more than 100 miles to the west and almost 300 miles to the east.  Jul/06   Our Life on Roatan - A Leisurely, Luxurious, Affordable Caribbean Dream.  By Judith Allred Our Life on Roatan - Our Life on Roatan - A Leisurely, Luxurious, Affordable Caribbean Dream. You smell the perfume of the white ginger and watch the palm fronds sway in the southeastern trade winds… slip into quiet, blue water that feels like velvet on the skin… walk along the white sand and scoop up shells, adding to a collection already spilling onto the patio table... Experiences like those -- a daily pleasure on Roatan, Honduras -- are, really, what enticed us to invest here.  Sept./06   Profiting from the two-market system or How to find the best beachfront deals in Honduras right now - Real Estate in Honduras -  By Kathleen Peddicord Profiting from the two-market system or How to find the best beachfront deals in Honduras right now - Real Estate in Honduras - Does it make sense today to buy real estate in Honduras? Yes. Be you a developer, an investor, or simply in search of a new home in the Caribbean...yes.  I spent last week on Roatan. Here’s what I discovered...   Property Picks: Your own 17th century château, Italian restaurant, or beach front property in Roatan, Bay Islands: Invest now...  a full recovery may be around the corner - Investing Overseas -  By David Morgan Property Picks: Your own 17th century château, Italian restaurant, or beach front property in Roatan, Bay Islands: Invest now...  a full recovery may be around the corner - Investing Overseas -  Buying property on Roatan can be risky if you're in too much of a hurry. If you get too excited and move too quickly, you could lose your shirt. My advice? Come down here and spend some time. Give yourself the chance to decide if this is where you want to spend some of your time. And, by all means, be sure to get an attorney before you put any money down or sign anything.    Sellers motivated a year after Hurricane Mitch: Bay Island properties on offer for 30 percent off - Real Estate in Honduras -   Sellers motivated a year after Hurricane Mitch: Bay Island properties on offer for 30 percent off - Real Estate in Honduras - Property on Honduras' Bay Islands remains a smart buy today. A year after Hurricane Mitch devastated the Honduran mainland - breezing past Roatan & Utila, leaving them virtually untouched - properties continue to sell for well below market value - 30 % to 50 % below.   Roatan Revisited - Living On The Island Of Roatan -  By Lyle Burke Roatan Revisited - Living On The Island Of Roatan - Roatan - is an island of pristine beaches, lush jungle covered hills, welcoming people, unique cultures, world renowned diving and an endless array of activities. It is Caribbean and it is inexpensive Caribbean. The island of Roatan, the most developed of the Bay Islands Archipelago, is located only 40 miles northeast of mainland Honduras. Lyle Burke and his family lived on Roatan, where he was inspired to start Tropical Pathways Tours, a tour company that brings wantabe expats to the prime destinations and provides expert advice.   Secrets of a real-estate developer: “How I built a profitable Roatan resort on a shoestring budget” -  By Frank Canale Secrets of a real-estate developer: “How I built a profitable Roatan resort on a shoestring budget” - Six years ago, Frank Canale started Sundancer, one of the most successful small scale real-estate developments on the island of Roatan. "For a number of years, I developed real estate in Arkansas and Colorado... retirement and golf communities mostly. But after my wife and I had children, I knew I wanted to bring them up in a more relaxed, more family-oriented place, and my wife and I wanted to try home schooling. We also wanted to go somewhere warm and I was looking for a place where I could make a living with a small real estate project. With these things in mind we began our search for a place to relocate".    The advantages of Living Overseas: a new and refreshing way to look at Offshore  By Edmund J. Pankau The advantages of Living Overseas: a new and refreshing way to look at Offshore - Edmund J. Pankau writes about the broader meaning of offshore, this time in terms of the real advantages to the ordinary person seeking a lower cost of living, a better quality of life, reasonable and fantastic real estate, lower taxes, and ground floor business opportunities. "In recent years, Central America has become the Florida, California and Arizona of the 1950’s.  Remember when you could buy beachfront property in Florida for a song? When prices in California were dirt cheap?  Well, those days are now in full bloom just a little further south of the border.  The slower paced climate of Central American has awakened to the realization that is can revitalize its economy by becoming the retirement center of the western world. All of the things that made Florida and California boom are now happening in Belize, Honduras and Costa Rica, as is starting to emerge, Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador and Guatemala."   The Best Places in the world to Retire - Retire Overseas -   The Best Places in the world to Retire - Retire Overseas - These days, you can buy low everywhere, especially in Southeast Asia. It is unclear when these economies will turn around. This has been good the world over for the dollar investor. Now let's see who's at the top of our list    The Caribbean's Last Frontier: Great-Value Investment and Lifestyle Opportunities in Honduras' Bay Islands - Honduras Bay Islands - The Caribbeans Last Fronteir -  By Barbara Perriello The Caribbean's Last Frontier: Great-Value Investment and Lifestyle Opportunities in Honduras' Bay Islands - Honduras Bay Islands - The Caribbeans Last Fronteir - If you've always dreamed of owning a Caribbean escape, a place you can retreat to a few weeks or a few months a year… maybe full-time eventually, I have good news for you: It's not too late to make a smart investment in the Bay Islands of Honduras.   Utila: Roatan's quiet neighbor is an escapist's paradise -   Utila: Roatan's quiet neighbor is an escapist's paradise - Getting home by boat  - Bargain-basement offerings - Travel: Portuguese notebook: Enjoy Lisbon on the cheap -    Why Honduras? -  By Richard Wesley Miller Why Honduras? - Why Honduras? - Small town living in Central America, by Richard Wesley Miller. From the May/Jun 96 issue of Transitions Abroad -   Hong Kong . Before You Jump - Thinking About What You Need To Know Before Moving Abroad  ~  By Samuel Atlee Before You Jump - Thinking About What You Need To Know Before Moving Abroad  ~ Thinking about living overseas for the first time? Wondering what you should investigate? Pondering how your family will react to their new environment? This month Samuel Atlee outlines some of the experiences he had when locating to Hong Kong with his family.   Birth of a Freelance Travel Writer Abroad - Modest living while enjoying the expatriate life -  By Anika Scott Birth of a Freelance Travel Writer Abroad - Modest living while enjoying the expatriate life - Between train, plane, and car trips to all corners of Europe, Anika Scott is at her computer at her home in Central Germany. In this article Ms. Scott tells how she got started, how to get residency and work visa permits, and how she puts pen-to-paper (or keyboard-to-bytes), where she gets her ideas, and how she makes her income. Many resources are supplied to help anyone who has the insatiable need to tell the stay-at-homes about the ordinary and the extraordinary abroad.   Buy a Rolls Royce for the price of a Chevy - and other ways to profit from an international lifestyle - Ways to profit from an international lifestyle  -  By Gary Scott Buy a Rolls Royce for the price of a Chevy - and other ways to profit from an international lifestyle - Ways to profit from an international lifestyle  - Often a crashing currency also comes attached with an economic crisis. This creates an even better opportunity. In the case of my Rolls, I took advantage of an English economic crunch (which drove the price of luxury cars down and forced many diehard owners to sell), a weak pound, and a U.S. customs loophole. Three distortion opportunities like this are the best.So talk to a tax attorney experienced in international structures, keep and eye on currency fluctuations (right now the Euro is still relatively weak, although it has moved up in recent weeks, which helps create European bargains), and look for distortions relating to fun things you want to be involved in.   Global Nomadic Housing For Expatriates ~ Part One - Self-Contained Living -   By Colin Reedy Global Nomadic Housing For Expatriates ~ Part One - Self-Contained Living - Global Nomadic Housing for expats?  Why not?  Design your living space & workshop and take it with you...   Maverick designer Colin Reedy tells us how.  "I felt like I had enough information to start designing. I searched for examples of prior efforts to modify shipping containers for housing.   The companies that sold the containers sometimes made modifications like windows or doors for the contractors to use at construction sites, but nothing interesting. I found images from Hong Kong where people were living in containers set on huge metal frames in an apartment-like arrangement. Not much had been done to the containers except stairway access.   The best examples I found were not for shipping containers, but from mid-century efforts at modular housing or “utopian” mass housing."   Pearl of the Orient - A Guide to Relocating Living and Working in Hong Kong - Read The Guide to Relocating Living and Working in Hong Kong - It is common knowledge that Hong Kong is exotic, an excellent business center and that it is the gateway to China's booming economy; what is less known is that the city of Hong Kong is the city whose population has the world's highest IQ per capita and that it is a very civilized and stimulating place to live. This report, in eBook format, provides current insider information on moving to and living in Hong Kong - written by someone who has done exactly that. In the process, he learned what it takes to live and be happy in great city. The author is a British expat who has found happiness in the Orient and believes you will too. . Hills, Mountains And Sea ~ The Adventure Side Of Hong Kong ~  By Antonio Graceffo Hills, Mountains And Sea ~ The Adventure Side Of Hong Kong ~ by Antonio Graceffo - Trekking up a steep knife-edged ridge, covered in late season grass, the slope gently dropped off on either side. To my right, the green rolling hills were expansive, filling the horizon with a never-ending panorama of undisturbed nature. To my left, an easy bluff eventually gave way to a sharp drop of approximately sixty meters, ending on a sandy beach. Jan/06   Living And Teaching In Singapore And Hong Kong: What You Need To Know - Living And Teaching In Singapore And Hong Kong: What You Need To Know ~  By Mark Newton Living And Teaching In Singapore And Hong Kong: What You Need To Know - Living And Teaching In Singapore And Hong Kong: What You Need To Know ~ They opened the heavy steel door and I peered inside. A sudden realization gripped me and I felt my emotions begin to stir.  ‘A furnished studio apartment,’ they had said.  ‘Close to the school,’ they had promised. I fought the sudden urge to collapse onto the nearest available poultry house and turned to smile patiently at their expectant faces.   My Secrets to a Lifetime of Making Money in Overseas Real Estate - International Investing -  By Gary Scott My Secrets to a Lifetime of Making Money in Overseas Real Estate - International Investing - by Gary Scott - If we can now buy a ranch in Argentina (or Uruguay, or New Zealand, or name your spot,)  for ten cents on the dollar of what a similar property inside the United States would cost us, and if we can carry on commerce from anywhere we are, how long do you imagine it's going to take your neighbor to realize the very same thing? As one writer put it, "those folks who buy that ranch in Argentina today are going to have grandchildren who will think they were a genius." Gary Scott tells us more, in an article from the best of International Living.   Offshore Stock Exchanges - Special Feature From LowTax Online TaxWire -   Offshore Stock Exchanges - Special Feature From LowTax Online TaxWire - Click Here - In an ongoing effort to provide a cross-section of the best offshore information on the internet, EscapeArtist seeks out the best online resources. We are really excited about a new website and news letter called,Low Tax Online NewsWire - In this issue or Escape From America we present a Special Feature from the NewsWire on Offshore Stock Exchanges. Countries such as Bermuda, Ireland, Jersey, Cyprus (maybe), Hong Kong (already) and Mauritius are cleaning themselves up for what could be a glittering future. This report includes some of the offshore jurisdictions with Stock Exchanges, their Regulatory Basis Including Listing Rules, Trading and Settlement, Costs of Listing and additional resources.   Residence, Immigration & Work Permits - Special Feature From LowTax Online TaxWire -   Residence, Immigration & Work Permits - Special Feature From LowTax Online TaxWire - Click Here - In an ongoing effort to provide a cross-section of the best offshore information on the internet, EscapeArtist seeks out the best online resources. We are really excited about a new website and news letter called, Low Tax Online NewsWire - In this issue of Escape From America we present a Special Feature from the NewsWire on Residence, Immigration & Work Permits. Countries covered are: Bahamas, Bermuda, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong,  Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Mauritius and Panama.  An excellent resource from a valuable newsletter.  If you intend to invest offshore you need current information from an effective source, the LowTax Online TaxWire is as good as it gets. Their international editorial staff provides up to date information from around the world.   The ‘Freest Place in the World’ How Hong Kong Can Help You Unlock China’s Treasure Chest  By Johnson Chien The ‘Freest Place in the World’ How Hong Kong Can Help You Unlock China’s Treasure Chest  You may have seen the film National Treasure, in which Nicolas Cage has to unlock a multi-layered puzzle to find a vast treasure. China is like that for many investors - a virtually limitless treasure chest with an enormous number of investment opportunities,  if only you can find the darned key.  Finding the correct keys to access China’s treasures is no easy task. The good news is that Hong Kong is not only the gateway to China, it holds the golden key to China’s many treasure chests.   The Telecommunications Revolution -  By Kenny Howse The Telecommunications Revolution - Global Telecommunications Technology - Perhaps there is no easier or better way to make money from anywhere we choose to live than to take advantage of the advances in global communications. In any event each of us can certainly save money by taking advantage of the advances even if we only choose to use the new technology to call home. . Hungary . An American in a Refugee Camp -  By Charu Newhouse An American in a Refugee Camp - An American in a Refugee Camp - by Charu Newhouse - I’m often asked how and why I went to the camp.  It’s relatively simple, my background is in human rights and international relations. After bartending and waitressing my way through Europe, I was interested in doing something a bit more meaningful.  I’ve always felt the need to give something back to the countries I’ve traveled through and lived in.  After all, those countries have given me some very profound experiences. So when I arrived in Budapest, I grabbed a telephone book and found out the Hungarian Red Cross was just down the street from my hostel.  I went there with an interest in refugee work anywhere in Eastern Europe and they in turn dropped me off at Debreceni Menekült Tábor, the Debrecen Refugee Camp. . Budapest - Budapest is on a Roll -  By Thomas Dombrowski Budapest - Budapest is on a Roll - An article on Budapest by an expatriate living there.  Budapest - Paris of the East - The Pearl of the Danube, The Little Paris, The City of Baths - It's a good place to be. . Dream Retirement Overseas - Customize your own dream retirement overseas -   Dream Retirement Overseas - Customize your own dream retirement overseas - Overseas Retirement, denistry in Budapest, investments in Mexico, moving to Belize.   “Limitless potential & unfettered capitalism”  the new Budapest, a land of opportunity - The new Budapest, a land of opportunity  - By Ken Layne “Limitless potential & unfettered capitalism”  the new Budapest, a land of opportunity - The new Budapest, a land of opportunity  - "In the past 10 years, central Europe has metamorphosed from a travel frontier and Cold War relic to a thrilling part of plain old Europe. Hungary, like the Czech Republic & Poland, is a member of NATO and by 2004 is expected to be part of the European Union. The rusty old infrastructure is being modernized at a pace unheard of farther west.  A telecommunications zealot in Budapest once told me this work was easy, because the phone system was 40 years out of date, so rather than slowly improve the existing wires and equipment, everything was replaced with the newest technology.”   Living in “Strange and wonderful” Budapest - Where the living is increasingly pleasant...and still very cheap - By Ken Layne Living in “Strange and wonderful” Budapest - Where the living is increasingly pleasant...and still very cheap - Budapest, where the living is increasingly pleasant...and still very cheap - "The best arrangement I ever had in this city of 2 million was living a block from the river off Szabadság Bridge, just west of the Hotel Gellért on Bartók Bela. It was an elaborate, dusty three-bedroom apartment with 18-foot-tall ceilings and a living room the size of a fine restaurant, and I got the luxury of walking across the Danube each morning on my way to work. I shared the place with two colleagues, for a total of $160 a month. On warm spring nights, we would open the huge windows to the street below, an endless circus of squeaking trams and honking Ladas, and let the Danubian breeze flow through while we conjured the ghost of Bartók and let his spooky Gypsy string quartets play through the boom box. On $800 a month, I lived better than I have in San Francisco, New Orleans, or Washington on $3,000."   Looking For Something A Little Different? ~ Journey Thru Hungary ~ BySteve Phillips Looking For Something A Little Different? ~ Journey Thru Hungary ~ By Steve Phillips - Funny little piece about having your teeth done in Hungary. Of all the countries in the former East bloc Hungary seems to have come out of the gloom of communism with some luck and success. The people are considered some the most beautiful in Europe as well. Take the train to Budapest.   New breasts, a new nose, or a tucked tummy for a fraction of what you’d pay in the United States - By Andrew Der New breasts, a new nose, or a tucked tummy for a fraction of what you’d pay in the United States - Budapest is one of the best places in the world to have plastic surgery. A strong dollar, modern medical facilities, and inexpensive prices to begin with mean you can have common procedures, such as laser treatment, collagen injections, liposuction, breast augmentation, nose surgery, and facelifts, done for much less than what you’d pay in the United States... 40%-70% less, in fact.   On The Road - - Budoia To Budapest- For travellers who miss the pre-EU border checks and passport stamps - By Diane Taylor On The Road - - Budoia To Budapest- For travellers who miss the pre-EU border checks and passport stamps - For travelers who miss the pre-EU border checks and passport stamps as souvenirs, a trip to the edge of the Balkans should satisfy their nostalgia.  On a recent spur-of-the-moment, 5 day soggiorno intended to just explore the northeast corner of Slovenia, we decided to keep on going.  Budapest isn't that far.  The following are some road tips gleaned from making a 1500 km. odyssey into, around, and out of the Magyar Zone.   Plastic Surgery in Hungary - By Andrew Der Plastic Surgery in Hungary - Plastic Surgery in Hungary - While Budapest is fascinating and provides a myriad of opportunities, you will want to save more rigorous sightseeing and budget accommodations for another trip.  At this point you have given yourself permission to pamper yourself for two to four weeks so you will want to arrange accommodations to do just that without sacrificing value.  Living well is comparatively inexpensive in Budapest and you will find most transportation, dining and entertainment to be priced near communist era prices. - - - Many of the minor procedures have only one to two week recovery times allowing for numerous possibilities.  You might want to consider scheduling any rigorous activity before the surgery.  Only you can decide where and when you may or may not want to be seen with any bandages, but that is also a problem you would have at home.  Instead, deal with the dilemma in pleasant and comfortable surroundings..   The Fulbright Teachers Exchange Program - A Step By Step Guide - By Pamela Campbell and Igor Smirnov The Fulbright Teachers Exchange Program - A Step By Step Guide - After spending 8 years teaching in Europe, this time I decided to go on a Fulbright exchange. As a Fulbrighter," you don't have to quit your job, sell your house or make any major changes. And you can still cut your tax bill by deducting all related expenses for yourself and the accompanying family members (air fare, travel gear, etc.). One English teacher from Rosemount, Minnesota says that one year as a Fulbright foreign-exchange teacher in Hungary left her so invigorated that she took a leave of absence and a pay cut to stay a second year.   Travel - Budapest – A Tale of Three Cities - By Rick Chapo Travel - Budapest – A Tale of Three Cities - Travel - Budapest – A Tale of Three Cities ~ Located in Eastern Europe, Hungary is diverse and beautiful country. The undisputed treasure of the country is Budapest. Over 2,000 years old, Budapest is a large city containing traces of the various forces that have ruled it over time. Romans, Turks, Goths and many others have conquered the city. Somehow, the various influences work in such a way as to make the city sparkle.   Iceland . The Warm Pleasures Of Cold ~ Iceland Offseason ~  By Brandy Bauer The Warm Pleasures Of Cold ~ Iceland Offseason ~ By Brandy Bauer - The road out of Reykjavik passes along several coastal towns shrouded in morning mist, then transforms into a two-lane path that stretches among craggy volcanic outcrop. Even though it is almost mid-morning, the sun has yet to peer out from under its blanket of darkness; only a small pink-gold band can be seen on the horizon. On either side of the road, tiny mounds of stones dot the ground, like miniature houses for the gnomes the Icelandic people are said to believe in.   India . A Trip To The Konark Sun Temple, Orissa ~ Travels In India ~  By Rajdeep Bhattacharjee A Trip To The Konark Sun Temple, Orissa ~ Travels In India ~ by Rajdeep Bhattacharjee - After a brief stay at New Delhi, I decided to travel to Konark Sun Temple which is located in the state of Orissa near the sacred city of Puri.The World Heritage Konark Sun Temple is dedicated to the Sun God or Surya as it is pronounced in India. It was a warm welcome at the Bhuvaneshwar Airport with temperature at 38-degree Celsius. Soon after getting out of the airport, I moved to May Fair Lagoon, a better hotel in the capital of Orissa and stayed inside my room to refresh myself.    Elephanta ~ The Abode Of Shiva ~  By Manju Dubey Elephanta ~ The Abode Of Shiva ~ by Manju Dubey - During the early days of Hindu philosophy, cave temples became the symbol of piety and extreme religious leanings. Many cave temples were made during this period. At this point in time there was a mix of followers of different religions such as Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Religious tolerance and openness is evident by the fact that devotees of any of these religions carved out the idols of their favorite deity. So it is not common to find Hindu, Buddhist or Jain cave temples harmoniously existing together since time immemorial. The journey to the Elephanta Caves is like a journey back in time, the caves are remarkably well–preserved.   Escape To Sundarbans….Indian Flexability ~  By Rajdeep Bhattacharjee Escape To Sundarbans….Indian Flexabiltiy ~ by Rajdeep Bhattacharjee - Journey to India is not complete if you do not travel to the northeastern part of India .And as you travel to the Eastern part of this unique land, you should take out some time to visit the 1330.10 sq.kms swampy delta of the two mighty Indian rivers, Brahmaputra and the Ganges known as Sundarbans, famous across the world for being the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. The name Sundarban is derived from Sundari Trees, once found in abundance in this swampy delta island.   Finally In Mumbai - India's Financial And Commercial Capital ~  By Rajdeep Bhattacharjee Finally In Mumbai - India's Financial And Commercial Capital ~ by Rajdeep Bhattacharjee - It was early Sunday morning when my Air India flight landed at the Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport and I was excited to be finally in the city that never sleeps! The sheer chance to explore the city that is always on the move, a city that is so different from any other cities of India made me really excited from inside. Arguably, the most modern city in India, Mumbai is the commercial & financial capital city of India.   Gateway Of The Gods ~ Haridwar ~  By Manju Dubey Gateway Of The Gods ~ Haridwar ~ by Manju Dubey - Kerala is referred to as God’s own country in India, but I don’t see how we cannot refer to the little state of Uttaranchal when talking of God's country. It has the majestic Himalayas and the graceful Ganges flowing across it, as well as abundant flora and fauna. It’s the abode of nearly all the Hindu Gods and Goddesses. One such place is Haridwar or the Gateway of the Gods. Legend says that for some reason Lady Ganges was very mad and in a destructive mood. When she was about to flow in from the heavens in fa ury and touch the earth such large-scale destruction was unparalleled.   Goa—where Asia meets Europe and expat hideaways cost from $14,000 -  By Steenie Harvey Goa—where Asia meets Europe and expat hideaways cost from $14,000 - Goa—where Asia meets Europe and expat hideaways cost from $14,000 - Most people associate colonialism in India with the British. However, Goa’s 450 years of European settlement followed a different pattern. This was Portugal’s first colony in Asia, and the state only gained its independence in 1961. According to one taxi driver, many Goans still consider themselves as “separate” from the rest of India.   Indian Desert Safari -  By Lynne Reynolds Indian Desert Safari - Indian Desert Safari - The brochure noted it as a highlight - a two and half day camel safari into the Thar Desert in the Indian state of Rajasthan, once a collection of princely kingdoms.  Deserts are so quiet, peaceful; I was hoping this one would be living, - full of flowers, plants, animals and colourful people and I signed up immediately.   Jaipur: A Land Of Color, Culture And Bonhomie ~ Travel To India ~  By Manju Dubey Jaipur: A Land Of Color, Culture And Bonhomie ~ Travel To India ~ by Manju Dubey - When I was a child India was nothing but a land of fairy tales, of Kings & Queens, palaces and intrigues. Well often times when you travel across India you tend to come across remnants of diversity in culture. But once you move across from Delhi towards Rajasthan you can see the majesty of the Rajas who ruled this desert kingdom. Rajasthan - the first thought that comes to mind is the splash of color and vivacity of the people who live there. Can you ever begin to imagine a desert, which is alive? I could not … until my nieces came over to India to visit us.   Life In India Without The Trappings Of Power ~ Getting Around Power ~  By Manju Dubey Life In India Without The Trappings Of Power ~ Getting Around Power ~ by Manju Dubey - India when viewed through the eyes of a Westerner is quaint, archaic, mystic and charming on the one hand. On the other, it is a mosquito-ridden, poverty-ridden and full of religious zealots. But to me India is a home like none other. Travelling within the country fills me with pride and marvel: the uniqueness of this beautiful land which is so rich in culture. These are oft-repeated cliches from Indian authors. But the mystic, the charm and the cultural diversity are what make India today what it is.   Nagarhole ~ A Visit Worth Remembering ~  By Manju Dubey Nagarhole ~ A Visit Worth Remembering ~ by Manju Dubey - Our holiday was nearing and the children were clamoring to go. Collectively we hit on the idea of visiting the nearest tourist destination with a back to the nature feel. The kids decided we should visit wildlife sanctuaries. Out of the 400 odd sanctuaries, National Parks and reserve areas, we decided to visit the one nearest to our hometown and with an economical cost. So Nagarhole was it! The journey began at six in the morning, with a slight mist and our eager heads popping out to see any wild animal by chance. The tiger is shy of any human contact, but any animal sighting would have been welcome.   Northeastern India - Destination: Guwahati ~  By Rajdeep Bhattacharjee Northeastern India - Destination: Guwahati ~ by Rajdeep Bhattacharjee - Exploring India is always an experience of a lifetime and it may not be possible for one individual to cover the whole Indian subcontinent during lifespan. As many of us travel to experience and share some of the unique locations, I am trying to experience India’s northeastern region, which is still a mystery and is least explored.   Northeastern India - Destination: Shillong ~  By Rajdeep Bhattacharjee Northeastern India - Destination: Shillong ~ by Rajdeep Bhattacharjee - The northeastern region of the Indian subcontinent is a remote and one of the most beautiful locations, which is yet to be explored. As communications being improved in recent times, the region is very fast turning out to be a Traveler’s Paradise with more and more tourists flowing in to explore the virgin landscape and amazing tribal culture.   One Week In The Coastal Paradise Of Western India ~ In Goa ~  By Rajdeep Bhattacharjee One Week In The Coastal Paradise Of Western India ~In Goa ~ by Rajdeep Bhattacharjee - As I was wondering where to escape to during this time of the year, I received a call from Catherine, a friend of mine from Kolkata who wanted me to join her on a trip to Goa. Wow!!! I just jumped out of the chair and said yes immediately. As we were both camping at different locations, we decided to meet up at Mumbai Airport. It was on the morning of 24th October, I took the newly introduced Spice Jet flight from New Delhi and reached Mumbai in the afternoon and was joined by Catherine who was waiting for me since morning.   Outsourcing to India -  By Siddharth Srivastava Outsourcing to India - Outsourcing to India - They have been labelled as “adventure workers” who have been joining the Indian work force from the U.S. and Europe.  For some tim India’s outsourcing and information technology firms have been hiring foreigners at higher and middle levels for their expertise.  However, now, workers from abroad are seeking lower-end jobs as well, such as answering phones at call centres, for a fraction of what they would earn in their home country.    Set Your Sights On Asia’s Sleeping Elephant - India ~  By Sean Brodrick Set Your Sights On Asia’s Sleeping Elephant - India ~ by Sean Brodrick - Many people think China is THE growth story in Asia. And sure, China has a lot going for it. But don’t look now, because the high-flying dragon might be overtaken by a “sleepy” elephant - India. Subscribers to TSI’s VIP trading service Renegade Investor already know the good news on India - they’ve received a recommendation on an Indian stock traded on the NYSE with great potential. In this issue, we’ll look at another Indian stock that’s on the launch pad. It’s a leading automaker in what will soon be the world’s most populous nation... it’s exporting to 70 countries and adding more customers... it grew sales by 29% and earnings by 50% in the most recent quarter... and yet it’s selling for relative peanuts.   Spirituality And Old City Charm Is Synonymous With Varanasi ~ More Travels To India ~  By Manju Dubey Spirituality And Old City Charm Is Synonymous With Varanasi ~ More Travels To India ~ by Manju Dubey - What’s so mystical about Benares? It’s the people and their way of life. At dawn the sweet chime of bells ringing in the temples and the chant of the mantras awaken you. Hundreds of temples can be found in Benares. A city so steeped in traditions, religious ceremonies and yet at the same time it has been the home of great scholars especially literary and also related to the sciences and astrology. My mother believed in all that was Benarsi or that belonged to Benares not because it was the city of her birth but due to the deep seated belief in its traditions and way of life.   Tendong Hill ~ Unfolding The Himalayan Folklore ~  By Arijit Karmakar Tendong Hill ~ Unfolding The Himalayan Folklore ~ by Arijit Karmakar -  India is the land of a million Gods and a billion mortals. Here legend is a part of history and faith is unquestioned, thus I begin my journey in search of a folktale, where the entire human race was saved from the wrath of Gods when they took refuge in a mountain. I am heading for Tendong Hill in Sikkim. Sikkim is tucked in the North Eastern part of India and is surrounded by Nepal, Tibet (China) and Bhutan. It is overlooked by the mighty Himalayas and its guardian deity is the third highest mountain in the world - Mt. Khanchendzonga.   The Valley Of Gold? ~ Ford's Plans To Turbocharge Himalayan Tourism ~  By Qiwi Lin Lisolet The Valley Of Gold? ~ Ford's Plans To Turbocharge Himalayan Tourism ~ by Qiwi Lin Lisolet - Today I shook hands with Alfred Ford, great grandson of the legendary Henry Ford. What's most surprising is that this wasn't in Aspen or St. Moritz, but in the small Himalayan town of Manali, a town Mr. Ford plans to put on the world tourism map with the construction of an ambitious new ski resort.   Think India - Think Holiday At Kerala ~  By Rajdeep Bhattacharjee Think India - Think Holiday At Kerala ~ by Rajdeep Bhattacharjee - It was late last week while wrapping up my tour to Mumbai that I suddenly felt my inner call for Vagamon, branded as one of the world’s 50 must see destinations by the National Geographic Traveller Magazine. The prompt decision led me to change my return schedule to New Delhi and landed me in Cochin Airport the next day with my only intention being to spend a night at Vagamon. Upon arriving, I decided to head for Vagamon Heritage Resort, a resort on top of a hill. Situated at a distance of 100km from Cochin International Airport, the journey to the resort was a cool experience as I was passing through paddy fields, rubber plantations and green just about everywhere. The Vagamon Heritage Resort is 1100m above sea level, surrounded by tea gardens and amazingly beautiful valleys and it is a trekker’s paradise. . Indonesia . Dragons at Sea ~ Breathing Fire with the Monitor Lizard - Eastern Indonesia -  By Andrew Greene Dragons at Sea ~ Breathing Fire with the Monitor Lizard - Eastern Indonesia - Andrew Greene has spent the last decade traveling the globe in search of distant places, unique faces, and unimaginable cultural events. As a teacher in San Francisco equipped with a large dose of cultural curiosity his adventures have provided experiences and insights not easily found here in the west. As he states, “Adventure travel is not synonymous with taking unnecessary risks, but rather with a willingness to venture down the path that you didn't intend to find.” His experience in Indonesia searcing out the famed Komodo Dragon is indeed distant, unique, and unimaginable.   Indonesia ~ Adventure ~  By John Spampinato Indonesia ~ Adventure ~ by John Spampinato - Almost everyone in economy class looked out their window trying, I’m sure, to envision the infamous assault from the perpetrator’s point of view. We did too. Things looked pretty quiet down there now. And then, while pondering this contrast, we suddenly hit the mother of all air pockets and for a few heart-stopping moments it felt exactly like it must have to Yamamoto’s raiders fifty years ago to the hour.   Let It Go And Let Bali - Robin Sparks Looks At The Expat Scene In Bali  - Being In Bali  ~  By Robin Sparks Let It Go And Let Bali - Robin Sparks Looks At The Expat Scene In Bali  - Being In Bali  ~  The rhythmic clanging of hammers hitting the bamboo shafts in the kul kul tower pull us in. Women in tight sarongs and lacey tops stride regally under three foot towers of offerings on their heads. Like the ladies back home bringing food to the church potluck, they are bringing food to the gods, which they will share with others. We kneel on bare earth before a shrine. Made places the offering of food and flowers she has brought on the ground and lights a stick of incense. We hold out open hands to receive holy water sprinkled from a flower petal by the old pumanku, a priest's assistant, and tuck flower petals behind our ears - even two year old Lode knows the routine. "What should I pray for?" I ask Made. "Whatever you want. No problem!" she says.   Looking At Real Estate In Bangkok, Bali & The Philippines - Real Estate In Bangkok, Bali & The Philippines -  By Doug Casey Looking At Real Estate In Bangkok, Bali & The Philippines - Real Estate In Bangkok, Bali & The Philippines - I then went to Bangkok, a hot and crowded place, but my favorite city in this part of the world, probably even ahead of Hong Kong. Poor planning got me there in the middle of the Thai New Year, which meant everything was shut down for a week, and I didn't get a chance to see a lot of property. On the other hand, the whole city goes wild with a water festival; you walk down any street and after five minutes you're completely soaked from squirt guns and buckets of water thrown at you, day or night. It's great fun. Bangkok reminds me of L.A. without the social problems. If you're thinking of living in the Orient for a while, this is the place. - Doug Casey looks for real estate in the Orient.   The Bali Trilogy - The Bali Trilogy - Bali is an island of mystery and magic and tourists see only what´s on the surface and are never allowed to look behind the scenes. As my wife & I got to know every region intimately, we began to realize that there was much more to discover about Bali and that the stuff hidden beneath the surface was much more fascinating - and often lots more dangerous - than all the usual stuff that tourists are ordinarily allowed to see. . Musings on Living in Jakarta - Living in Jakarta -  By Jeannie Fairfax Musings on Living in Jakarta - Living in Jakarta - Jeannie Fairfax writes, "I live in a distinctly Indonesian neighborhood, or, "kampung."  And, although bordering Jalan Sudirman, one of Jakarta's largest, most important thoroughfares, here in "Ben-Hill" (Bendungan-Hillerman) I can safely wander the curving, crooked paths day or night and feel far away -- in another world from the city." And with keen wit and intuitive observation she tells about the push cart vendors selling fruits, vegetables, dinners, houseplants, herbs, and about other people who make noise in front of her house.   Real Estate in Bali – A Truly Magical Island ~  By Henk S Blom Real Estate in Bali – A Truly Magical Island ~ Real Estate in Bali – A Truly Magical Island  Bali’s indigenous population of just over 3 million welcomes around 1.5 million foreign tourists (figures for 2004). There are almost 40,000 foreigners living or working in Bali who are extremely happy and satisfied with their decision to be on this magical Island. Some have learned it the hard way while others made sure they were well informed about the location before any commitment was made.   Robin Sparks In Bali - Looking At The Expat Scene In Bali -  By Robin Sparks Robin Sparks In Bali - Looking At The Expat Scene In Bali - I move into a house in the midst of the rice paddies above the old artist village of Bali called Penestanan. It is like moving into a zoo, so full of creatures that I must wear earplugs at night to sleep. The house is a large traditional Balinese home open to the outdoors complete with a lush garden and lotus pond stocked with fat goldfish. Like most homes in Bali, it comes with a "helper" or pembante. The cost of my magnificent home in paradise? One million five hundred rupiahs, which at this writing equals about $175 a month.   Sacred Mountain Sanctuary ~ An Indonesian Resort ~  By Sylvia Sacred Mountain Sanctuary ~ An Indonesian Resort ~ By Sylvia - Well, what can I say, it's Bali and my mind races to the people, the beauty, the peaceful green setting. Sacred Mountain Sanctuary is located in the highlands of Bali. The resort offers a perfect enviroment for meditation as well as trekking into the nearby mountains. The resort has become a favorite within Indonesia earning a silver medal in the Tri Hita Karana Award Competition - an award for hotel excellence. Remember, if you make a reservation through the above article and you mention that you saw the resort on Escapeartist.com you will get 15% off on all room-rates.   So You Want To Retire In Paradise - Thoughts On Bali, Singapore And New Guinea ~  By Bruce E. Pohlmann So You Want To Retire In Paradise - Thoughts On Bali, Singapore And New Guinea ~ by Bruce E. Pohlmann - Once upon a time, there was a man with a band of children, a lovely wife and a house in Bali. Life was good, but this man thought that life could be better if only he didn’t have to work. This is the story of that man and his dream. Bali. For some people the name says it all - warm seas, soft sands, cold beers, vibrant colors, exotic sounds, friendly people, large smiles, laughing children, a multitude of inexpensive small hotels and homestays. Bali. A land of wonder and magic set in the warm waters of the Bali Sea and the Indian Ocean. Hand planted rice, homemade religious offerings, vibrant cloths used in ceremonial clothes.   Sumbawa ~ Another Kind Of Paradise ~  By Bruce E. Pohlmann Sumbawa ~ Another Kind Of Paradise ~ by Bruce E. Pohlmann - It is a dilemma that every traveler faces – especially every traveler who wants to tell his friends about the Hidden Paradise he’s discovered: the very fact of giving a name - or a face - to the place you love changes it till it becomes a place you hardly like. Talk about how unspoiled somewhere is, and you’re almost inviting its despoliation. When someone gives you the address of the unknown Shangri-La he’s found, you’re forced to wonder whether he’s serving its interests or his own.   Sumbawa ~ Another Kind Of Paradise Part II ~  By Bruce E. Pohlmann Sumbawa ~ Another Kind Of Paradise Part II ~ by Bruce E. Pohlmann - For some reason, mostly, I guess, due to the distortions of perception common to those who live in small villages, I had the impression that Sumbawa Besar would be a wonderland of shops, restaurants, hotels and perhaps even a bookstore.  The reality is that it’s the sleepy little capital city of a large, sleepy island. After an uneventful night at the Hotel Tambora with only one offer of a woman (“I’m married.” “It doesn’t matter.” “It does if you know my wife.”), and a breakfast of toast and bitter coffee, I’m ready to head back to my little village of Sekongkang.   The Practicalities Of Moving To Bali ~ Thoughts On Living In Bali ~  By Bruce E. Pohlmann The Practicalities Of Moving To Bali ~ Thoughts On Living In Bali ~ by Bruce E. Pohlmann - This is a follow-up to my last two articles about living overseas, in particular living on the island of Bali. I suppose, being a frequent lurker and participant on a number of Bali internet forums, that I shouldn’t have been surprised at the number of people that wrote to me asking about moving to Bali, but I was. The following are the most common questions that potential expatriates have in regards to moving to Bali. All prices and fees are in United States dollars unless otherwise noted.   Torn Between Two Lovers - Thoughts On San Francisco And Bali ~  By Robin Sparks Torn Between Two Lovers - Thoughts On San Francisco And Bali ~ By Robin Sparks - Robin Sparks writes about some of her experiences in Bali and what it felt like to return to the US after the bombings in Indonesia. She talks about some of the changes that have taken place in the U.S. since she left and what life might be like in Bali and San Francisco. She talks with some expats about what someone should expect when they relocate overseas: how will the conflicting demands of wanting things from home cross with the new enviroment of living overseas.   Iran . Esfahan nesf-e jahan ~ Half the World ~ A Woman's Sojourn to the Islamic Republic of Iran - Sojourn to Iran -  By story and photos by Brandy Bauer Esfahan nesf-e jahan ~ Half the World ~ A Woman's Sojourn to the Islamic Republic of Iran - Sojourn to Iran - Earlier this year, Brandy Bauer took her her vacation and flew to Iran. "From the moment I started reading Persian mystical poetry in graduate school, I was haunted by a proverb in one of my books. Esfahan nesf-e jahan. Esfahan is half the world.  How could I possibly pass up the opportunity to see the other half I’d been missing?" She found warm hearts   Ireland . An Extended Vacation ~ Galway, Ireland ~  By Kelly Jenson An Extended Vacation ~ Galway, Ireland ~ By Kelly Jenson - Article talks about what can happen on your way from one place to the next. A visit to a friend in Ireland turns into a lesson on what travel can mean and how travel experiences can change your perspective on life. Sometimes missing a plane, overspending and worrying can yield gold - but not always.    And Now: 15 Months in Ireland - Take Count -  By Lori Alexander And Now: 15 Months in Ireland - Take Count - Lori Alexander's first article appeared in the pages of Escape from America Magazine in October 2001. This is the third in her series of articles about moving-to, settling-in, getting-accustomed-to, living abroad in the not-so-magical, but down-to-earth country of Ire. In this article, Lori surfaces the apparent, but real contrasts between americanisms and worldlyisms, or, let's be specific: Irelandisms. As in Ireland. It's different. Every country is different. It's a wonderful world.   At Doolan's Bar in Waterford - I only understand half of what they're saying -  By Bill Bonner from the Daily Reckoning At Doolan's Bar in Waterford - I only understand half of what they're saying - By Bill Bonner from the Daily Reckoning - "The music style might be best described as Irish self- pity. The songs were political. Sentimental. Maudlin. When they weren't describing some guy who had to leave Ireland to find work in Florida, poor fellow, they expressed the familiar Irish themes: irredentism, patriotism and pathetic proletarianism. They were sung in that whiney Irish tenor voice that brings a mist to your eyes -- if you are in a particularly lugubrious mood or an alcoholic stupor."   Belfast: gracious 18th-century city living from $20,000 - Surprising opportunities and bargain -basement real-estate prices for investors -   Belfast: gracious 18th-century city living from $20,000 - Surprising opportunities and bargain -basement real-estate prices for investors - Low prices lure investors - Gentry homes in quiet suburbs - Coastal cottages from $30,000 - Contacts  -  Plus an article on Cruising along the Dalmatian coast -   Blind Date ~ Ireland- Top O' The Mornin' -  By Lori Alexander Blind Date ~ Ireland - Top O' The Mornin' - Prior to her very, very early "retirement" and her move with her Irish husband and two young boys to their North County Dublin village of 8,000, Lori Alexander was a Behavioralist and Program Coordinator for a large California day program. About this article, Lori says, "We have just passed our year anniversary here, and have basically run the adjustment gauntlet."  Her article entails an overview of the honeymoon phase, her initial shocks, homesickness, and a year after.  "I have begun to feel as though I have a  place here, some idea of what is expected of me, and where I fit in.  I want to stay who I am, hang onto what was instilled in me my first thirty years, and now Ireland is becoming a part of that tapestry."   “Celtic Tiger” notwithstanding, can you still buy a lovely Irish cottage for less than Ir£40,000? Yep... Real Estate in Ireland -  By Steenie Harvey “Celtic Tiger” notwithstanding, can you still buy a lovely Irish cottage for less than Ir£40,000? Yep... Real Estate in Ireland - Ten years ago, nobody had heard of the “Celtic Tiger.” Entire chunks of the Emerald Isle languished on the back lists of real-estate agents, and homes really did sell for half the cost of nothing. Although job opportunities were few, that’s when we decided to move to Ireland, lured by Celtic magic and rumors of properties that were veritable steals. And the rumors were right - we found the perfect little whitewashed cottage overlooking the tranquil waters of Lough Key for a bargain price Ir£10,000 ($13,200).    Doing the Dishes in County Kerry: My Brilliant Waitressing Career -  By Lynette Chiang Doing the Dishes in County Kerry: My Brilliant Waitressing Career - Click Here - After a brilliant and fruitful career in advertising, escape artist Lynette Chiang writes about the comedy of waitressing in County Kerry, Ireland, bicycling in Currabeg, falling in love at first sight, and getting the boot for unrequited devotion to job, although, she recovered quickly, she says. Lynette recently made her way to Costa Rica to work in advertising.   Escape To Dublin -  By Dale Heinen Escape To Dublin - Escape To Dublin - "...this was the place that spawned the monumental new playwrights Conor McPherson and Martin McDonagh, it was also the home of two seminal theaters, the Abbey and the Gate. I would find more funding, more public support for my plays, wonderful actors, writers on the verge of discovery, and a burgeoning film industry which would throw open its arms when I was ready to segue into film directing." Playwright Dale Heinen talks about the new Dublin.   Exciting New Version! - The Survivor’s Guide to Living in Ireland -   Exciting New Version! - The Survivor’s Guide to Living in Ireland - Now with over 150 pages of facts, anecdotes, and references Includes Dictionary of Irish Slang and Phrases.Over 60,000 former U.S. citizens now call Ireland home. Don’t move to Ireland without considering this insightful book.   From Pub Culture Into The Graveyard Of Ambition ~ A Rainy Day In Galway ~ By Will Sullivan From Pub Culture Into The Graveyard Of Ambition ~ A Rainy Day In Galway ~ By Will Sullivan - Will Sullivan has written a very good portrait of a moment he had while living in Galway. Ireland's west coast is one of the places I've visited that left a deep impression on me; it was the atmosphere of the place that sticks: heavy dark clouds, the rain, the green countryside and the friendly and open people that live on the coast. If you like pubs, rain, and dark days then Will captures the feelings that go with Ireland very well.   How one reader found a secluded escape on Ireland’s charming southwest coast - By Andrew Der How one reader found a secluded escape on Ireland’s charming southwest coast - "I spoke with Jane Liggett a few days ago. She’s been an IL subscriber for years. Jane lives in Tampa, Florida, where she’s in the real-estate business. She manages several rental units, refurbishes old properties, and owns some land. But she spends every spare minute she can in her new home on Ireland’s Iveragh peninsula. This area is one of the most beautiful places in the whole country…there are lovely little towns, high cliffs that drop straight to the Atlantic ocean, the country’s tallest mountains, and crystal-clear lakes and rivers. This is one of our favorite areas er.in Ireland, and we’ll be going back there this summer   Ireland: The best place to start a business in Europe, a tax haven following in Hong Kong's footsteps - Doing business in Ireland - By Joel Nagel Ireland: The best place to start a business in Europe, a tax haven following in Hong Kong's footsteps - Doing business in Ireland - For hundreds of years, Ireland wanted nothing more than to be left alone. And for decades after the country's independence from Britain in 1921, politicians led Ireland down a path of protectionism and isolationism… right into decades of depression. They cut off trade and kept out efficient non-Irish businesses.  But now, through a turn of events over the past 30 years, this is one of the best places in the world to start a business. In fact, a U.S.-based operation that relocates to Ireland can cut its taxes by about 66 percent.   Ireland’s Cosy Southeast ~ Ireland's Warmest And Driest Spot ~ By Deirdre Nuttall Ireland’s Cosy Southeast ~Ireland's Warmest And Driest Spot ~ by Deirdre Nuttall - When people see Ireland’s rugged, spectacular west coast, they are often so overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of it all that they sell their homes and move, sure that their life is going to be filled with rainbows and ocean waves and red-haired beauties and great Guinness outside thatched pubs.   Ireland’s wild wild west - Connaught - the country’s most picturesque region - By Kathleen Peddicord  Ireland’s wild wild west - Connaught - the country’s most picturesque region - “To hell or to Connaught.”  So was Oliver Cromwell’s offer to criminals and other unsavory characters in the 17th century. At the time, popular opinion probably would have been in favor of the former. Today, Connaught, Ireland’s wild west, is indisputably the country’s most picturesque region.  This is the Ireland of postcards, the Ireland you have pictured in your mind before ever stepping foot on the Emerald Isle.   Irish expatriate reveals: Seven things I wish I'd done before I moved overseas - Seven things I wish I'd done before I moved overseas - By Lief Simon Irish expatriate reveals: Seven things I wish I'd done before I moved overseas - Seven things I wish I'd done before I moved overseas - (1) Organize your cash, (2) Keep your credit cards, (3) Pay electronically, (4) Use the credit union, (5) Set up your own U.S. phone/fax number, (6) Renew you IDs and (7) Bring your adapters..   Live in one of the friendliest places on Earth… where a 3-bedroom bungalow can cost $76,200 - By Steenie Harvey Live in one of the friendliest places on Earth… where a 3-bedroom bungalow can cost $76,200 - The Irish property market is a crazy thing right now.  I don’t know how else to describe it. In the past four years or so, prices have risen several hundred percent. In fact, in sought-after areas such as Dublin and the southern coast, prices have gone up 50–100%…per year! We’ve been waiting for the real-estate market to crash for the past few years, just as many people in the States have been waiting for the bottom to fall out of the stock market.  I think it will happen…even though it hasn’t yet.   Living In Ireland ~ Making Ireland Home ~ By Dhara Baiden Living In Ireland ~ Making Ireland Home ~ by Dhara Baiden - he memory is vivid: my Northern Irish traveling companion, Steven, and I were on a train from Verona, Italy chatting candidly about our six months with Up with People and the various adventures we had encountered as backpackers.  A romance seemed inevitable as our trust and respect for each other matured throughout train journeys, ancient ruins, stays at hostels, and all the other delights that come with nomadic student travel   Looking Down the Barrel of My Second Irish Winter - Settling In - By Lori Alexander Looking Down the Barrel of My Second Irish Winter - Settling In - Lori is the mother of two living in Dublin, Ireland, going on two years.  For Lori, the thought of settling in, planting roots in a foreign land, starting anew in every aspect, began with apprehension. Lori's concerns deeply reflect on the concerns shared by all people of a postmodern culture. We're a transient people, moving on average every five years. Lori is about to experience her second Irish winter, a prospect made more foreboding by the strange land she's trying to settle into. But now, after a year, she says,  "All of my realizations have persuaded me to get past my American - Expat - anthropology lovin’ cut-and-dried preconceptions and start understanding the real Ireland."   Luck Of The Irish ~ The Emerald Isle ~ By Dawnelle Salant Luck Of The Irish ~ The Emerald Isle ~ by Dawnelle Salant - It’s easy to see where the phrase “Luck of the Irish” originated. Part of their luck lies simply in inhabiting one of the most beautiful islands on the planet. For such a small country, there is an astounding amount of beauty, history and culture. My short ten day visit was enough to only skim the surface of all that the Emerald Isle has to offer.   Overseas Buyer’s Guide to Real Estate in Ireland - By Tracey Meagher Overseas Buyer’s Guide to Real Estate in Ireland - Overseas Buyer’s Guide to Real Estate in Ireland - Lying on the edge of Europe facing out to the Atlantic Ocean sits Ireland, one of Europe’s smallest countries and often described as "The Emerald Isle".  A beautiful country characterised by vibrant, colourful cities set amidst endless unspoilt green fields, Ireland is now officially the best place in the world to live.  An essential in depth guide for anyone considering purchasing real estate in Ireland.   Resonant, Lonesome Donegal: Travels in Dunfanaghy, Ireland - Travel to Ireland - By Christopher Deliso Resonant, Lonesome Donegal: Travels in Dunfanaghy, Ireland - Travel to Ireland - Donegal,  the wind-swept  and  rugged northernmost  province of Ireland, is arguably also Ireland’s most  beautiful region.  A stark and  serene beauty pervades the barren fields and rocky  hills that make up the  majority of Donegal. The author writes, "Legs aching from the hilly ride, a firm wind tearing through the clear autumn sky, I saw an impressive feature of the Celtic past -- one of the high, rounded ‘Viking signal-towers’ utilized in the 8th century to watch for maurauding Norsemen. All alone on the edge of  the world,  with the waves pounding off of the black crags and no sign of human existence save for this one forgotten tower, I felt supremely at peace with the world."   Retirement Life in Ireland: Enjoy free transportation, free utilities, and great tax breaks - Retire in Ireland - By International Living Magazine Retirement Life in Ireland: Enjoy free transportation, free utilities, and great tax breaks - Retire in Ireland - Information on retirement -  Real Estate in Honduras - Buy in Tegucigalpa before July   The big boom in Irish property is bound to bust … sell yours now! - By Brian Durrant The big boom in Irish property is bound to bust … sell yours now! - by Brian Durrant. House prices in Ireland as a whole have risen by 29 percent in the last 12 months.  The boom in Irish house prices has been further fueled by Ireland's entry into the EMU. The one-size-fits-all interest-rate regime in Euroland has required Irish rates to converge on Continental European rates independent of the fact that the Irish economy needs an interest-rate stimulus like a hole in the head. To cut interest rates when an economy is overheating is similar to depressing the accelerator rather than the brake when a car is careening downhill.   The best beach town on Ireland’s southern coast: rent a house here for as little as I£430 a month - Living in Ireland - By Michael Palmer The best beach town on Ireland’s southern coast: rent a house here for as little as I£430 a month - Living in Ireland - Hands down, the best place to stay for a week or two, or longer, on Ireland’s southern coast (and certainly one of the best places to visit in the whole country), is the small town of Kinsale, a 30-minute drive south of Cork city. And right now is one of the best times in recent years to rent property here.   Travel; A Gaelic Night at the Opera: Ireland's Aidafest - By International Living Online Edition Travel; A Gaelic Night at the Opera: Ireland's Aidafest - It's festival time in small-town Ireland, the annual excuse for drink and merriment. In September, the big occasion is for lonely hearts, who may find the partners of their dreams at Lisdoonvarna's Matchmaking Festival in Clare. And the first week in October is your chance to buy a horse at Ballinasloe, County Galway's biggest horse fair   Isle Of Man . Residence, Immigration & Work Permits - Special Feature From LowTax Online TaxWire - Moving to the Isle of Man -   Residence, Immigration & Work Permits - Special Feature From LowTax Online TaxWire - Moving to the Isle of Man - In an ongoing effort to provide a cross-section of the best offshore information on the internet, EscapeArtist seeks out the best online resources. We are really excited about a new website and news letter called, Low Tax Online NewsWire - In this issue of Escape From America we present a Special Feature from the NewsWire on Residence, Immigration & Work Permits. Countries covered are: Bahamas, Bermuda, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong,  Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Mauritius and Panama.  An excellent resource from a valuable newsletter.  If you intend to invest offshore you need current information from an effective source, the LowTax Online TaxWire is as good as it gets. Their international editorial staff provides up to date information from around the world.   Italy . A toehold in sun-kissed, seductive Italy for less than $100,000 - By Steeney Harvey A toehold in sun-kissed, seductive Italy for less than $100,000 - A toehold in sun-kissed, seductive Italy for less than $100,000 - Romantic cities. Timeless hill towns. Snowy mountains, idyllic islands, and a rivetingly beautiful coastline—most people realize Italy is a vacationer’s paradise, but owning or renting a home here can cost far less than you probably imagine. Steeney Harvey   A Trip To Magna Grecia ~ The Many Faces Of Southern Italy ~ By Marialena Lioulia A Trip To Magna Grecia ~ The Many Faces Of Southern Italy ~ by Marialena Lioulia - Visiting the southern part of Italy has been a desire of mine for quite some time: I have visited Italy three times in the past twenty years, but never the deep south of Italy. Entering Italy from Greece is not much of a problem, since both air and links can get you across the Adriatic Sea in no time. This time I embarked on a ferry for Italy from the Greek port of Patras - my destination was Brintisi, a 14 hour trip   A Woman, A Child, And An Italian Hill Town ~ Taking Off For Italy ~ By Patricia Hill A Woman, A Child, And An Italian Hill Town ~ Taking Off For Italy ~ by Patricia Hill - Last year, after deciding that I needed a break from what had become a stultifying routine of work, household maintenance, and small-town social life, I sold my house and most of my belongings and took my 9-year-old daughter to Europe for eight months. I wanted to expose her to more of the world and its inhabitants than the small corner she was growing up in. I also wanted to grab the chance to spend a lot of time together before she entered adolescence. We spent the month of September in London, and then took off for Italy, where I intended to spend the winter traveling, reading, and just hanging out.   Affording to Live in Italy with an Italian Mortgage - By Rhiannon Williamson Affording to Live in Italy with an Italian Mortgage - Affording to Live in Italy with an Italian Mortgage - It’s all very well mortgage companies in the UK or US telling us that we can re-mortgage out principal residence, release equity and use this money to buy a home overseas if we want to – but what about those people who actually want to live abroad, how can they raise the finance to buy abroad and afford to live abroad?    Apartment Hunting in Venice ~ Learning The Ins And Outs Of Renting In Venice ~ By Shannon McGrath Apartment Hunting in Venice ~ Learning The Ins And Outs Of Renting In Venice ~ By Shannon McGrath - The first inhabitants of Venice were known as the Ligurians and the city and culture they established would spread across Europe and Asia. Venice has to be one of the most beautiful cities to live in but also one of the most difficult, as the infrastructure of the city has been slowly worn away by the elements. This month read about how to look for an apartment in Venice and what you need to know about leases, water, heat and rental agencies   Arrividerci Oporto: an insider's guide to living artfully … and eating well … in Florence - Living in Italy - By Scott McDonagh Arrividerci Oporto: an insider's guide to living artfully … and eating well … in Florence - Living in Italy - by Scott McDonagh, You'll remember that we had two goals when we arrived in Florence: to find an apartment and to find a good restaurant. Once we had lodging, in search of gourmet pleasures we went. And we found what I've dubbed with confidence “the best restaurant in the world.”   Asilo Nido & Scuola Materna - Education In Italy ~ By Deirdré Straughan Asilo Nido & Scuola Materna - Education In Italy ~ by Deirdré Straughan - When we arrived in Italy in December, 1990, Rossella was 16 months old. I had been full-time at home with her for most of her life, except for two months of increasingly long hours in a parents' cooperative daycare center at Yale in late 1990, when I needed time to pack up our house and make other arrangements to move. Ross, although the youngest in the group, had been quite happy in daycare; she enjoyed being with other kids. So when we got to Milan, I decided it was time for me to go back to work, and I wasn't worried about her reaction to more daycare.   Astray On Italy’s Ravishing Riviera… Real Estate In Italy - By Steenie Harvey Astray On Italy’s Ravishing Riviera… Real Estate In Italy - Right now, in fact, Lunigiana offers an incredible array of bargains that disappeared elsewhere in Tuscany decades ago. Attractive village houses in good condition are plentifully available for $105,650 to $176,000. If you follow Italian real estate, you’ll know there are no worrying fluctuations in the Tuscan property market — prices continue going up and up and up.   Buying Real Estate in Italy ~ A legal Overview - By Tracey Meagher Buying Real Estate in Italy ~ A legal Overview - Buying Real Estate in Italy ~ A legal Overview  ~ Italy is well known for its red tape and this of course can include property transactions. However it does not mean that the system is worse than others and to some extent it could be considered safer. Generally, there are three steps involved in buying a property: proposal of purchase, preliminary purchase and final purchase.  There are certain legal precautions that can be followed throughout each stage to protect your interests and ensure your purchase goes successfully.   Cinque Terre - Italy's Traffic-Free Riviera - By International Living Cinque Terre - Italy's Traffic-Free Riviera - Cinque Terre - Italy's Traffic-Free Riviera - A sleepy, romantic, and inexpensive town on the Riviera without a tourist in sight. That's the mirage travelers chase in busy Nice and Cannes. Pssst! Paradise sleeps just across the border in Italy's Cinque Terre.   Cremona, Italy ~ Violin Making ~ By Will Sullivan Cremona, Italy ~ Violin Making ~ by Will Sullivan - Cremona, Italy is located in the north of Italy, near the borders of Germany and France. The sound and beauty of making a great violin are well described in the above article. Will has written a great snapshot of an Italian city most people have never heard of.   Living In Italy - The Definitive Guide For Relocating To Italy - Click Here - Not everyone can become an Italian, but you can still live in Italy and learn to act like an Italian. Q: If you live long enough in Italy can you become Marcello Mastroianni? A:  Perhaps not, but you can wear a hat like Marcello, ride in a Lamborghini, eat spaghetti, and learn to gesture artistically with your hands when you talk. Italy is the source to which like salmon we all swim back to as if to our spiritual home - - Those who doubt this have only to visit Rome in the summertime when it seems that the entire world has swum back with the intention of spawning on the Spanish Steps.  Ah, Italy, Che bella! If you don't want to live in Italy you're already half dead. See a doctor! Or better yet, if you want to get well and be quickened, read this eBook and move to Italy. It's the appropriate thing to do.  . Finding a Home In Italy - By Shannon McGrath Finding a Home In Italy - Finding a Home In Italy - Local papers also advertise apartments and houses for rent, but word of mouth is the Italian way.  Universities have message boards where apartments or rooms for rent are commonly posted.  Aimed at students, these often have shorter leases, but can contain some of the best deals out there.  However, if you want something long-term it’s still worth asking.  These same message boards and newspapers are a great place for you to post an ad for specifically what you are looking for.  Going these routes will get you a cheaper deal, at least cutting out the cost of the agency..   Dining Out In Rome ~ Discovering Rome's Restaurants ~ By Mauri Artz Dining Out In Rome ~ Discovering Rome's Restaurants ~ by Mauri Artz - This is not your typical guide to dining in Rome. Two years ago, my family and I spent a year living in Rome’s historical center. Prior to living in Rome, we had visited there several times. We often followed the restaurant recommendations of travel books, magazines, and hotel concierge desks. Some of our eating experiences were wonderful, albeit expensive. Other recommendations weren’t so spectacular   Fugitive (from Bureaucracy) - By Escape From America Magazine Fugitive (from Bureaucracy) - Fugitive (from Bureaucracy) - An American's incredibly funny ongoing quest for Italian citizenship. A very informative and very humorous account of one man's quest for Italian Citizenship. Michael Brouse writes from Rome, where he now lives as an Italian citizen   Growing Healthy In Sardinia ~ Europe's Healthiest Population ~ By Emma Bird Growing Healthy In Sardinia ~ Europe's Healthiest Population ~ by Emma Bird - Sardinians do indeed look much younger than they are. My boyfriend is 37 and friends who haven’t yet met him expect him to arrive in prim, conservative clothes. “Dove Mario? Where’s Mario then?” Valentina asked me in the Cagliari gelateria where we were celebrating her birthday. “Over there”, I replied, pointing to a normal-looking bloke that just happened to be my boyfriend. “Oh” she said, “But I thought he was old. He just looks like one of us.”   In Italy On Line -   In Italy On Line - Special thanks to In Italy Online the 4,500 page website on Italy for permission to reprint Fugitive (from Bureaucracy) one our favorite articles on Italy.  The artilce is an example of the resources you'll find on the In Italy Online website.  A website that has more on Italy than any website we know of.  Bring Italy into your house, visit In Italy Online ~   Italy In Winter - From Rome To Venice ~ By Matthew Atlee Italy In Winter - From Rome To Venice ~ By Matthew Atlee - Traveling around Italy in the winter, so I'm told, is a great idea because the summer crowds are gone and you have a greater opportunity to see the art and history of the country. The weather is cool to cold but the sites are great and the food is even better. If you've always wanted to go but were afraid of the crowds, you should try Italy in the winter.   Italy's Riviera - By Rick Steves Italy's Riviera - Italy's Riviera - Cinque Terre - Italy-9s traffic- free Riviera   It’s a Nice Life, But… - Living In Italy ~ By Deirdré Straughan It’s a Nice Life, But… - Living In Italy ~ by Deirdré Straughan - What would it be like to live in Italy. Most people dream about just that. The great food in the south of Italy, the green fields and beautiful cities of Tuscany and the mountains of the north - all of these locales have attracted foreigners for centuries. But that's how most people see it from a far. Maybe life in Italy would be boring and cramped. The above article explores what it's like to live in Italy from day to day.   Living In Italy - Beyond the Illusion - By Ruth Halcomb Living In Italy - Beyond the Illusion - Living In Italy - Beyond the Illusion ~ Italy has never ceased to captivate people from other countries, especially speakers of English. They begin to see their former homes as sunless and dull, their former lives as restricted and puritanical. They see themselves changing in expected ways, becoming perhaps more alive, even hedonistic or, in other instances, more scholarly or more deeply religious. For a few the changes are intimidating, but often the newcomer begins to see Italy as a new kind of home and looks for ways to stay longer or permanently.   Living In Italy - Moving to Italy - By Gary and Peg Kirkpatrick Living In Italy -Moving to Italy - For those Americans wanting to live in the land of Dante, home of Michelangelo, the birthplace of Columbus, there is good news:  unless you want to buy property in the center of a major town, Italy can be a bargain.  All it takes is patience and flexibility in choosing a residence.   Living In Sardinia - Between Africa And Europe ~ By Emma Bird Living In Sardinia - Between Africa And Europe ~ by Emma Bird - It was 10.15pm on a hot summer evening in Sardinia. I had arrived on the island five days previously and had just finished my second lesson teaching English to a small group of adults in a private language school. All 10 of them patiently waited for my boyfriend to show up, refusing to let me hang around in the dark by myself. Then he rang. He was going to be another 45 minutes because of traffic problems. I relayed this back to the students. For the next 30 seconds a frantic conversation ensued between them. Then it was decided. “Tu vieni con noi,” Milena told me, taking me firmly by the arm and marching me towards her car, a white Fiat 500, now 44 years old but still going strong. “You come with us.” No ifs or buts. We would go to the local pizzeria en masse, have food and drink and Mario would collect me there.   Lunigiana ~ Tuscany’s Hidden Gem ~ By Bill Breckon Lunigiana ~ Tuscany’s Hidden Gem ~ by Bill Breckon - The scenery, with steep-sided valleys wooded with chestnut and European oak and overlooked by mountain crags and ruined fortresses, is unexpected and breath-taking, yet the unspoilt villages and towns of Lunigiana are close to the sea and the resorts of the Golf of the Poets (where Byron and Shelley stayed) and less than an hour from the marvellous walled city of Lucca and from Pisa airport. And the nearby autostrade take you to Florence in less than two hours   Moving Your Business Offshore - Offshore/Onshore Reports - Offshore Business - By Tax-news.com editorial staff  Moving Your Business Offshore - Offshore/Onshore Reports - Offshore Business - In an ongoing effort to provide a cross-section of the best offshore information on the internet, EscapeArtist seeks out the best online resources. We are really excited about a new website and news letter called, Low Tax Online NewsWire - If you want to know about investing offshore we recommend that you subscribe to the NewsWire. It's written by professionals and provides up to date information that is accurate. By subscribing to the "LowtaxOnline NewsWire" you will be able to receive all important international tax and offshore stories in one compact e-mail, conveniently sent at midnight GMT every Thursday so as to be available around the world before the end of the working week. This LowtaxOnline TaxWire on Moving Your Business Offshore was a Special Feature for Friday 5th January 2001 It was compiled by Tax-news.com editorial staff in London and New York Robert Lee and Mike Godfrey.   My Florence ~ But Not At First ~ By Victoria Lucia My Florence ~ But Not At First ~ by Victoria Lucia - To study abroad or not to study abroad? I wrestled with this question on my way to class, in class, and before I fell asleep, only to find that no matter how many times I weighed the pros and cons, the pros emerged victorious. Florence had a reputation for being alive with culture. There would be churches, museums, pasta, debonair Italian men, and enough wine to fill the Grand Canyon.   Naples -Falling For Italy’s Raffish Old Rogue ~ By Steenie Harvey Naples -Falling For Italy’s Raffish Old Rogue ~ by Steenie Harvey - A balmy winter night. I’m drinking wine and scoffing seafood risotto outside a restaurant called Ettore on via Santa Lucia. Somebody is late hauling their laundry in - towels and teacloths flutter like ghostly banners from a washing line strung between two balconies across the street. This is a pure southern Italian cliché - right down to the honking Vespas and neighborhood minstrels. Carrying accordions and a double bass, another three are now preparing to give diners a serenade.   Opening A Business In Rome ~ One Expatriate’s Observations ~ By Sarah Yeomans Opening A Business In Rome ~ One Expatriate’s Observations ~ by Sarah Yeomans - My first impression of Rome was that it was a lawless land, where you could make up the rules as you went along, as long as it didn’t attract the attention of the occasionally alert police officer or government official. Everything around me seemed to reinforce this impression, from the “creative” parking solutions, such as parking on a curb, to the seemingly helter-skelter methods of immigration control   Overseas with a Toddler: Traveling in Italy - Mama Mia - By Maura Madigan Overseas with a Toddler: Traveling in Italy - Mama Mia - This timely article by Maura Madigan dispels some of the misconceptions and fears surrounding life outside the USA. Maura's article focuses on the benefits for children living an international life, such as increased cultural awareness and tolerance of differences and indifferneces. She says, "It’s the chance for them to experience life, not prefabricated kiddie fun." Why not show them the world. Maura, her husband, and their two-year-old daughter are on the road again after living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on a three year work contract. By the time their daughter was 18 months old, she had lived in three countries. Maura writes that many people, including friends and relatives, think it's outrageous to move and travelabroad with children.  They keep urging them  to settle in the US, but they don't feel that travel and fun need to end once children enter the picture.   “Passion Of Rome” - Semester Abroad ~ By Nicholas Pellicani “Passion Of Rome” - Semester Abroad ~ by Nicholas Pellicani - Rome has been called the Caput Mundi, or Capital of the World.  While its present day relevance has diminished of late, it still conjures up images of Julius Caesar inspiring, elaborate papal processions, and Mussolini yelling from the balcony.  A semester abroad allowed myself the opportunity to stroll through the beautiful piazza’s and feast on the world’s best food, but I was not prepared for the impression one magical night would leave on me.  It would be a calm, modest, yet deeply spiritual night shared by thousands, which would forever make Rome a part of me.   Prehistoric Underpants - The Iceman Of Bolzano, Italy ~ By Bonnie Burns Prehistoric Underpants - The Iceman Of Bolzano, Italy ~ By Bonnie Burns - They say he died 5,300 years ago.  It must have been a shock to the two German tourists who found him sticking out of a melting alpine glacier.  The mummy, Iceman, now rests in the northeast part of Italy in a town called Bolzano.   Real Estate in The Italian Lake District - By Lisa Abdolian Real Estate in The Italian Lake District - Real Estate in The Italian Lake District ~ The Lake District is one of the most romantic places in Italy. Surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains, the deep glacial lakes provide an oasis of calm and serenity. Hillsides are covered with olive groves, lemon trees or date palms and banana trees. Rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and an assortment of wildflowers provide colourful additions to the green hills in the summertime.   Renting month to month in sunny, southern Europe - By Steenie Harvey Renting month to month in sunny, southern Europe - Renting month to month in sunny, southern Europe - inger in beautiful Italian cities like Rome and Florence. Portugal is another good bet for a longer stay—winters here are mild, trains go everywhere, and you can do a lot of exploring from an Algarve base or the Lisbon coast.   Short Term Work Resources ~ Resources for  Locating Jobs Abroad - Jobs Overseas - By Susan Griffith Short Term Work Resources ~ Resources for  Locating Jobs Abroad - Jobs Overseas - Transitions Abroad has collaborated with Escape from America Magazine to bring escape artists a broad and exhaustive compilation of job opportunities in over 30 countries all over the world, including a regional guide to the Mediterranean, Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. In addition to that treasure, this page and the next offer sound leads to serving in a voluntary capacity, as well as teaching overseas at some of the world's most prestigious schools.  In following issues of Escape from America Magazine, we will be adding to this valuable resource on a regular basis.  We know how important our Jobs Overseas section of your  magazine is, and we're doing something about it. Check it out.   Sunday in the City: An Early Morning Run - By Alan Epstein ~ Photographs by Diane Epstein Sunday in the City: An Early Morning Run - Take an early morning run through the streets of Rome. Alan Epstein takes us through Rome as few others have the ability to do.  His book "As The Romans Do" is a book every intended and current expatriate will want to read.  Alan and his family live in Rome and make it abundantly clear that they intend to stay. This fine sketch of Rome is rendered all the more dynamic by the excellent photographs of Diane Epstein.   Ten Days Under the Tuscan Sun and in the Shade of Umbria - By Adrian Leeds - Photos by Erica Simone Ten Days Under the Tuscan Sun and in the Shade of Umbria - Ten Days Under the Tuscan Sun and in the Shade of Umbria - It was simple enough to get there from Paris -- EasyJet was easy and cheap...a little more than a one hour flight to Pisa from Orly Airport at 6 a.m. without much ado or hassle for about 100€ round trip. The little Pisa airport was a simple, too. A two-minute shuttle took my daughter and I to our rental car at the Hertz lot -- a bright blue Fiat Panda that seemed to have "we're in Italy" written all over it. The luggage fit perfectly in the trunk and off we went.   The Double Escape - Escaping from Britain to Italy ~ By Jonathan Anderson The Double Escape - Escaping from Britain to Italy ~ By Jonathan Anderson - When I came to Italy in 1983, I was escaping from the gloomy Britain of Margaret Thatcher. I could see no brightness in any future for me there, so together with my brother, I left England. We were searching for complete change, adventure and the chance to make a new start in life with a different flavor. Certainly, we found all these things and much more by moving to Italy. Over twenty years later we are both still very happy to be living here, and thriving with our respective families.   The Fugitive : An American's ongoing quest for Italian citizenship - By Michael Brouse The Fugitive : An American's ongoing quest for Italian citizenship - This article appeared in the first issue of Escape From America Magazine - It was dubbed as "An American's incredibly funny ongoing quest for Italian citizenship. A very informative and very humorous account of one man's heroic crusade for Italian Citizenship." Michael Brouse writes from Rome, where he now lives as an Italian citizen.   Time In Venice - October In Venice ~ By Suzy Fischer Time In Venice - October In Venice ~ by Suzy Fischer - We woke up on that perfect Venice October day and went down to a breakfast of bread and coffee as is the Italian custom.  We did not know yet that it would be the most perfect of Venice fall days, with the sun still warm, and mostly just the townspeople left to go about their days after this summer's mad rush.   Traveling And Teaching On The Mediterranean  -  Mallorca, Sardinia and Rhodes ~ By Ron Jenkins Traveling And Teaching On The Mediterranean  -  Mallorca, Sardinia and Rhodes ~ By Ron Jenkins - Traveling and teaching on the Mediterranean sounds like something from the Ancient world. That distinctive Mediterranean blue water mixed with rejuvenating Mediterranean air. It makes me think of a Chirico painting or a glass of retsina with a small plate of olive oil, tomato and feta.   Trieste, Italy ~ A Friendly City Off The Beaten Track ~ By Dulcy Blattner Trieste, Italy ~ A Friendly City Off The Beaten Track ~ by Dulcy Blattner - I'd been thinking about a visit to Trieste for years, ever since my father shoved a folder of papers in my hand saying, "I guess you should have this now." The folder contained the location of a grave in Trieste's cemetery, along with decades of correspondence between my grandfather and the cemetery's caretakers. The grave was that of my father's sister – my aunt – who died before reaching her first birthday.   Via Francigena ~ Trekking The Pathway To Paradise ~ By Brandon Wilson Via Francigena ~ Trekking The Pathway To Paradise ~ by Brandon Wilson - In the entire world, reportedly, there were three roads to Paradise in early Christendom. The first is the Camino de Santiago that meanders 500 miles across northern Spain. This has been trekked by millions of faithful for centuries on their way to pay homage to the remains of the apostle St. James in Santiago de Compostela. Of course, the path from Rome, center of the Holy See, to Jerusalem must appear in this sacred trinity. But in second position and gaining in popularity is the Via Francigena (The Frankish Route). Only recently has this important trail, whose origins date back at least as far as the seventh century, received the recognition it so richly deserves.   When In Rome…..Eat Ice Cream ~ Italian Adventures ~ By Dawnelle Salant When In Rome…..Eat Ice Cream ~ Italian Adventures ~ by Dawnelle Salant - Our first stop in Italy was a place I’d never heard of before, and in keeping with what I usually find of unknown places, it quickly became one of my favorites. Cinque Terre is a series of five small fishing villages positioned on the steep breathtaking cliffs of the Ligurian Sea.  The villages - Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, are definitely one of Italy’s hidden delights. . More Travel Articles - Travel Article Index

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