The Grown-Up's Guide to Running Away from Home, Second Edition: Making a New Life Abroad (36 page)

Adventures in Mexico (AIM)
. This newsletter by an American expat who’s lived in Mexico for decades offers tips on budget travel and affordable retirement in Mexico.
www.mexico-newsletter.com
.

Living, Studying, and Working in Italy: Everything You Need to Know to Live La Dolce Vita
by Monica Larner and Travis Neighbor (Owl Books, 2003). Helpful insights for those considering Italy as a destination.

International Living
, 5 Catherine St., Waterford, Ireland;
www.internationalliving.com
. Newsletter and webzine offers insights on various countries abroad, especially those that are especially affordable. The company promotes a variety of live-abroad seminars and real estate programs.

Transitions Abroad: The Guide to Learning, Living, and Working Overseas
, 18 Hulst Road, Amherst, MA 01002; (413) 230-3597. Cultural travel magazine includes jobs and internships that are more applicable to younger travelers, but adult adventurers will find helpful information as well.

Traveler’s Guide to European Camping
by Mike and Terri Church (Rolling Homes Press, 2004). Campground descriptions, itineraries, driving tips, camping strategies, and information on renting an RV or tenting economically in Europe.

Your Money or Your Life: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence
by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin (Penguin Books, 1999). Powerful inspiration, along with practical methods for transforming your life by achieving the financial independence that lets you follow your dreams.

O Come Ye Back to Ireland
by Niall Williams and Christine Breen (Soho Press, 1989). American/Irish couple give up a busy New York lifestyle to farm in the west of Ireland.

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
(Vintage Books, 1991). Is there anyone who hasn’t heard of this book? If you’re interested in France in general, not just Provence, you’ll be fascinated.

Gone with the Wine: Retirement Adventures in France
by Rosanne Knorr (iUniverse, 2003). The whimsical tale of expats living in France’s Loire Valley, with insights on daily life, history, and the culture.

Rick Steves’ Europe Through the Back Door 2007
by Rick Steves (Avalon Travel Publishing, 2006). A perennial favorite for its emphasis on practical travel that advises avoiding tourist traps to focus on the local people and cultural activities.

Frommer’s Guides Series
(Frommer’s). General travel guide that provides some hotel and restaurant suggestions.

Karen Brown’s Country Inn Guides
series (Fodor’s). An excellent series of insightful tips on bed-and-breakfasts and small inns. Individual books cover various European countries, including Italy, Germany, England, Scotland, France, Spain, and Scandinavia, plus Mexico and California.

Michelin Guides
series (Michelin Travel Publications). The company publishes “Green Guides” for tourism information and “Red Guides” for hotels and restaurant suggestions. Well regarded for information in a handy travel size.

Insight Guides
series (Langenscheidt Publishers). Beautifully designed, easy-to-read guides that don’t provide names of hotels or restaurants but do provide lush photos to give a wonderful feel for the area covered.

Culture Shock!
series (Graphic Arts Center Publishing). Helpful and fascinating input on customs and etiquette. Books cover numerous destinations, including Australia, Borneo, Britain, France, India, Israel, Japan, Norway, Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, and many more.

Do’s and Taboos Around the World
, edited by Roger E. Axtell (John Wiley and Sons, 1993). Is it all right to make the “OK” sign? Should you cross your legs or keep your feet on the floor? This book will tell you.

Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: The Bestselling Guide to Doing Business in More than Sixty Countries
by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway (Adams Publishing Group, 2006). Designed for businesspeople, but the information is also handy for anyone wanting to understand cultural differences.

Survival Kit for Overseas Living
by Robert L. Kohls (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2001). Recommended for anyone wanting to increase their chances of success in the live-abroad experience.

A Traveler’s Literary Companion
series (Whereabouts Press). Each book of short stories covers a specific country or city, among them Costa Rica, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Prague, and many more.

International Voluntary Work
by Victoria Pybus (Vacation-Work, revised edition 2007). Lists and information on volunteer opportunities overseas.

World Volunteers (3rd edition): The World Guide to Humanitarian and Development Volunteering
by Fabio Ausenda and Erin McCloskey (Universe, 2006). Details many of the organizations and projects available for short- and long-term volunteer efforts.