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Americans Abroad: Sandra and Jeff's Travel Blog

Two Retired Americans traveling and living abroad, on a budget, one country at a time

American Expats & Senior Nomads

Our Blog about Traveling and Living abroad, on a budget, one country at a time

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Most Popular Posts

  • Cost of Living in Vlore Albania: Our April 2026 Expense Breakdown
  • A Real-World Cost of Living Report: Our First Year in Albania
  • Cost of Living in Sarandë, Albania: What We Actually Spent
  • ATM Fees in Albania (2025): What Travelers Need to Know
  • Best Merino Wool T-Shirts for Travel: I Purchased & Tested 3 Budget Brands vs 1 Expensive Brand
  • ResMed AirMini Review: Is This $1000 Portable CPAP Worth It? [Updated 2026]
  • Lisboa Card Review: A First-Timer’s Guide to Saving Money with the Lisbon Card

Most Recent Posts

  • 2026 Vlore City Bus Guide
  • Cost of Living in Vlore Albania: Our April 2026 Expense Breakdown
  • A Real-World Cost of Living Report: Our First Year in Albania
  • 8 Thoughtful Gifts for Moms Who Travel
  • Travel Expense Tracker Template for Full-time Travelers – designed by Full-time Travelers
  • Tired of your web host? It’s easier to switch than you think
  • Cost of Living in Sarandë, Albania: What We Actually Spent

Destinations

Central America

  • Rain, Tacos, and Humidity: Our First Weeks in Panama City
  • Our Tour of Panama Viejo
  • Our Visit to the Punta Culebra Nature Center – Smithsonian Wildlife Experience in Panama City
  • The retirement / vacation conundrum
  • We Wander around Panama City’s Old Town – Casco Viejo
  • Our Take on the Biomuseo in Panama City
  • Our Review of Studio Coliving Hotel in Panama City, Panama
  • Why we left Costa Rica early
  • Our Visit to a Coffee Farm Tour in Boquete
  • 7 Things We Did, or at least tried to do, in Boquete Panama
  • 11 Best Things to Do in San Jose Costa Rica [2025 Guide]
  • Our Visit to the National Theater of Costa Rica
  • Budget-Friendly San Jose Costa Rica 3 Day Itinerary
  • Navigating Culinary Crossroads: A Guide to Dining Out When Traveling
  • Our Puerto Viejo Accommodation Review: Brisas del Caribe
  • Dinosaurs to Butterflies: What to Expect at Costa Rica’s Natural Science Museum la Salle
  • The #1 Reason You Should visit San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Our Central American Travel Guides
  • Budget-Friendly Adventures in Mexico City: 9 Free or Nearly Free Museums, Parks and Public Spaces
  • Exploring Palacio de Bellas Artes – Mexico City, Mexico
  • Exploring Teotihuacán: Our Day Trip to the Pyramids from Mexico City
  • Budget-Friendly Places to Stay in San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Costa Rica on a Budget Travel Guide
  • Mexico City 5-Day Itinerary: Culture, Cuisine & Local Charm on a Budget
  • Mexico City Travel Guide
  • 3 Days in Mexico City: A Budget-Friendly Itinerary
  • Cost of Living in Mexico for 6 Weeks: Our Detailed Breakdown


Costa Rica

  • Why we left Costa Rica early
  • 11 Best Things to Do in San Jose Costa Rica [2025 Guide]
  • Our Visit to the National Theater of Costa Rica
  • Budget-Friendly San Jose Costa Rica 3 Day Itinerary
  • Our Puerto Viejo Accommodation Review: Brisas del Caribe
  • Dinosaurs to Butterflies: What to Expect at Costa Rica’s Natural Science Museum la Salle
  • The #1 Reason You Should visit San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Budget-Friendly Places to Stay in San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Costa Rica on a Budget Travel Guide

San Jose

  • 11 Best Things to Do in San Jose Costa Rica [2025 Guide]
  • Our Visit to the National Theater of Costa Rica
  • Budget-Friendly San Jose Costa Rica 3 Day Itinerary
  • Dinosaurs to Butterflies: What to Expect at Costa Rica’s Natural Science Museum la Salle
  • The #1 Reason You Should visit San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Budget-Friendly Places to Stay in San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Costa Rica on a Budget Travel Guide

Panama

  • Rain, Tacos, and Humidity: Our First Weeks in Panama City
  • Our Tour of Panama Viejo
  • Our Visit to the Punta Culebra Nature Center – Smithsonian Wildlife Experience in Panama City
  • We Wander around Panama City’s Old Town – Casco Viejo
  • Our Take on the Biomuseo in Panama City
  • Our Review of Studio Coliving Hotel in Panama City, Panama
  • Our Visit to a Coffee Farm Tour in Boquete
  • 7 Things We Did, or at least tried to do, in Boquete Panama


Affiliate Disclaimer

Cruising

  • 40 Best Things to Do Southampton UK
  • Pre-Cruise Planning Guide for Your Transatlantic Cruise
  • Fort Lauderdale Cruise Hotels: Budget-Friendly Stays [2025]
  • Port to Port: Our Journey Getting from Italy to Albania – A Step-by-Step Guide for Budget Travelers
  • Best Things to Do in Southampton (Cruise Port & Day Trips)


Europe

  • 40 Best Things to Do Southampton UK
  • A Day Trip to Praia de Faro: Golden Sands and Local Charm
  • Accio disappointment! Our not-so-magical Harry Potter walking tour in London
  • Albania – A Guide for Retirees, Slow Travelers & Senior Nomads
  • An Itinerary for Oxford England
  • Belém Walking Tour: Self-Guided Lisbon Itinerary for 15 Historic Sites
  • Best Times to Visit Lisbon: Weather & Prices for Budget Travelers Like Us
  • Does it Snow in Portugal?
  • England Travel Guide
  • Exploring Andover: A Budget-Friendly Adventure (Hampshire, England)
  • Exploring Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter Walking Tour: Our Experience with the GPSMyCity app
  • Free Belem Walking Tour: 15 Must-See Sites (Tested by Nomads Living in Lisbon)
  • Is Harry Potter Studio Tour Worth The Time And Money?
  • Lisboa Card Review: A First-Timer’s Guide to Saving Money with the Lisbon Card
  • My Portuguese Sandwich Recipe: Bringing Lisbon’s Flavors to Your Kitchen
  • Navigating Culinary Crossroads: A Guide to Dining Out When Traveling
  • Our 29-Day Detour to Derby, England: Budget Friendly Things to Do in Derby
  • Our Cost of Living in Durrës, Albania for 61 Days
  • Our List of the Top 8 Affordable Places to Stay in London England (2024)
  • Our Visit to the Azulejo Tile Museum Lisbon (& The Mistake We Made)
  • Port to Port: Our Journey Getting from Italy to Albania – A Step-by-Step Guide for Budget Travelers
  • Schengenicity 101: Navigating the Complexities of Extended Stays in Europe
  • Taking a Tuk Tuk Tour of Lisbon & Why The Splurge Was Worth It
  • Things to do in Faro, Portugal – Catedral de Faro
  • Travel Itinerary Changes – Last-Minute Flights vs Scenic Trains – Should We Ditch Seville for Paris?
  • What Is It Like to Visit Albania? Understanding Modern Albania: History, Culture, and Everyday Life for Travelers and Expats
  • Where to stay in Lisbon for budget travelers like us – 6 Best!
  • Where to stay in Lisbon; 6 Best Neighborhood PLUS Hotel Recommendations

Albania (Durres)

  • Port to Port: Our Journey Getting from Italy to Albania – A Step-by-Step Guide for Budget Travelers
  • Our Walking Tour of Korçë Albania: Coffee, Cobbles & Culture
  • Albania – A Guide for Retirees, Slow Travelers & Senior Nomads
  • Our Cost of Living in Durrës, Albania for 61 Days
  • What Is It Like to Visit Albania? Understanding Modern Albania: History, Culture, and Everyday Life for Travelers and Expats
  • 7 Amazing Day Trips from Tirana
  • ATM Fees in Albania (2025): What Travelers Need to Know
  • Three Days in Corfu Town: What You Can Do (and What You Can’t)
  • What was our Cost of Living in Pogradec Albania? (2025)
  • Retiring to Albania & How to Apply for Residency in Albania
  • Daily Life in Albania for American Expats and Senior Nomads
  • Cost of Living in Sarandë, Albania: What We Actually Spent
  • A Real-World Cost of Living Report: Our First Year in Albania
  • Cost of Living in Vlore Albania: Our April 2026 Expense Breakdown
  • 2026 Vlore City Bus Guide

Spain (Barcelona)

  • Exploring Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter Walking Tour: Our Experience with the GPSMyCity app


England

  • 40 Best Things to Do Southampton UK
  • Accio disappointment! Our not-so-magical Harry Potter walking tour in London
  • An Itinerary for Oxford England
  • Best Things to Do in Southampton (Cruise Port & Day Trips)
  • England Travel Guide
  • Exploring Andover: A Budget-Friendly Adventure (Hampshire, England)
  • Is Harry Potter Studio Tour Worth The Time And Money?
  • Our 29-Day Detour to Derby, England: Budget Friendly Things to Do in Derby
  • Our List of the Top 8 Affordable Places to Stay in London England (2024)

Andover

  • Exploring Andover: A Budget-Friendly Adventure (Hampshire, England)

Derby

  • Our 29-Day Detour to Derby, England: Budget Friendly Things to Do in Derby

London

  • Accio disappointment! Our not-so-magical Harry Potter walking tour in London
  • Is Harry Potter Studio Tour Worth The Time And Money?
  • Our List of the Top 8 Affordable Places to Stay in London England (2024)

Oxford

  • An Itinerary for Oxford England


Italy (Rome)

  • Port to Port: Our Journey Getting from Italy to Albania – A Step-by-Step Guide for Budget Travelers


Portugal

Algarve

  • A Day Trip to Praia de Faro: Golden Sands and Local Charm
  • Does it Snow in Portugal?
  • My Portuguese Sandwich Recipe: Bringing Lisbon’s Flavors to Your Kitchen
  • Things to do in Faro, Portugal – Catedral de Faro

Faro

  • A Day Trip to Praia de Faro: Golden Sands and Local Charm
  • Things to do in Faro, Portugal – Catedral de Faro

Lisbon

  • Belém Walking Tour: Self-Guided Lisbon Itinerary for 15 Historic Sites
  • Best Times to Visit Lisbon: Weather & Prices for Budget Travelers Like Us
  • Free Belem Walking Tour: 15 Must-See Sites (Tested by Nomads Living in Lisbon)
  • Lisboa Card Review: A First-Timer’s Guide to Saving Money with the Lisbon Card
  • My Portuguese Sandwich Recipe: Bringing Lisbon’s Flavors to Your Kitchen
  • Our Visit to the Azulejo Tile Museum Lisbon (& The Mistake We Made)
  • Taking a Tuk Tuk Tour of Lisbon & Why The Splurge Was Worth It
  • Where to stay in Lisbon; 6 Best Neighborhood PLUS Hotel Recommendations

North America

Florida

  • Fort Lauderdale Cruise Hotels: Budget-Friendly Stays [2025]
  • Pre-Cruise Planning Guide for Your Transatlantic Cruise

Oregon

  • A day at the beach – Newport, OR
  • Crater Lake National Park Travel Guide
  • Prineville Oregon, a hidden gem of a small town

Washington

  • International Mermaid Museum Review: A Hidden Gem on Washington’s Coast
  • Westport Winery Garden Resort: A Multi-Faceted Destination on Washington’s Coast


Canada

  • Exploring WWII Aviation History at the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Manitoba

Mexico

Guanajuato

  • A Budget-Foodie’s Guide to Guanajuato: Local Dishes You Can’t Miss 
  • An Itinerary for One Day in Guanajuato
  • Cost of Living in Mexico for 6 Weeks: Our Detailed Breakdown
  • From Chile to Guanajuato: Why Mexico City Was the Perfect Stop for Nomads Like Us
  • Guanajuato Travel Guide
  • How to Get to Guanajuato By Bus & What to Expect at the Bus Station
  • Top 10+ Places to Visit & Things to Do in Guanajuato
  • Where to Stay in Guanajuato City-Our Honest Guide for Expats & Nomads
  • Why We Chose Guanajuato: 5 Compelling Reasons to Visit
  • Why You Shouldn’t Visit Guanajuato (And Let Us Keep It to Ourselves)


Mexico City

  • 3 Days in Mexico City: A Budget-Friendly Itinerary
  • Budget-Friendly Adventures in Mexico City: 9 Free or Nearly Free Museums, Parks and Public Spaces
  • Cost of Living in Mexico for 6 Weeks: Our Detailed Breakdown
  • Exploring Palacio de Bellas Artes – Mexico City, Mexico
  • Exploring Teotihuacán: Our Day Trip to the Pyramids from Mexico City
  • From Chile to Guanajuato: Why Mexico City Was the Perfect Stop for Nomads Like Us
  • Mexico City 5-Day Itinerary: Culture, Cuisine & Local Charm on a Budget
  • Mexico City Travel Guide


South America

Argentina (Buenos Aires)

  • 11 Reasons Why Buenos Aires Is Worth Visiting & Why It’s Not
  • Buenos Aires Santiago Bus: Why You Should Take the Bus
  • Buenos Aires Travel Guide for American Expats & Retirees
  • Is the Palace of Running Water Buenos Aires Worth a visit?
  • Our Cost of Living in Buenos Aires Argentina for Two Months Report

Chile (Valparaiso, Vina del mar)

  • A day out in Viña del Mar, Chile
  • Buenos Aires Santiago Bus: Why You Should Take the Bus
  • Cost of Living in Chile: What We Spent Living Abroad for 6 Weeks as American Expats and Nomads
  • Local Exploration: National Maritime Museum and Cultural Quarter in Valparaiso Chile

Travel Resources

  • 18 of Our Top International Travel Hacks for Couples to Save Money while Traveling
  • 7 Things We Did, or at least tried to do, in Boquete Panama
  • 8 Thoughtful Gifts for Moms Who Travel
  • A Budget-Foodie’s Guide to Guanajuato: Local Dishes You Can’t Miss 
  • Best Times to Visit Lisbon: Weather & Prices for Budget Travelers Like Us
  • How to Get to Guanajuato By Bus & What to Expect at the Bus Station
  • How to Travel with a CPAP Machine: A Complete Guide for Every Journey
  • Jeff’s Carry-on Packing List
  • Lisboa Card Review: A First-Timer’s Guide to Saving Money with the Lisbon Card
  • Navigating Culinary Crossroads: A Guide to Dining Out When Traveling
  • Our List of the Top 8 Affordable Places to Stay in London England (2024)
  • Our Tried-and-Tested Amazon Packing List for Senior Nomads & Long-Term Travel
  • Our Visit to a Coffee Farm Tour in Boquete
  • Our Visit to the National Theater of Costa Rica
  • Our Visit to the Punta Culebra Nature Center – Smithsonian Wildlife Experience in Panama City
  • Port to Port: Our Journey Getting from Italy to Albania – A Step-by-Step Guide for Budget Travelers
  • Practical advice on safe and efficient travel tech management for fulltime travelers
  • Pre-Cruise Planning Guide for Your Transatlantic Cruise
  • ResMed AirMini Review: Is This $1000 Portable CPAP Worth It? [Updated 2026]
  • Schengenicity 101: Navigating the Complexities of Extended Stays in Europe
  • Shoes, glorious shoes; trainers, loafers and sandals…..
  • Shoes, shoes and more shoes
  • Stretching Our Travel Budget: Finding Affordable Places To Stay
  • Tips & Resource List for Travel Insurance for full time travelers
  • Top 18 Essential Travel Apps We Use as American Expats and Nomads
  • Travel Itinerary Changes – Last-Minute Flights vs Scenic Trains – Should We Ditch Seville for Paris?
  • Where to Stay in Guanajuato City-Our Honest Guide for Expats & Nomads
  • Where to stay in Lisbon for budget travelers like us – 6 Best!
  • Where to stay in Lisbon; 6 Best Neighborhood PLUS Hotel Recommendations
  • Which Budget-Friendly Country Should You Move to First?


Accommodation Reviews

  • Budget-Friendly Places to Stay in San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Fort Lauderdale Cruise Hotels: Budget-Friendly Stays [2025]
  • Our List of the Top 8 Affordable Places to Stay in London England (2024)
  • Our Puerto Viejo Accommodation Review: Brisas del Caribe
  • Our Review of Studio Coliving Hotel in Panama City, Panama
  • Stretching Our Travel Budget: Finding Affordable Places To Stay
  • Where to Stay in Guanajuato City-Our Honest Guide for Expats & Nomads
  • Where to stay in Lisbon for budget travelers like us – 6 Best!


Travel Tech Guides

  • How to Save Money AND Use Your Phone While Traveling Abroad
  • How to Travel with a CPAP Machine: A Complete Guide for Every Journey
  • Practical advice on safe and efficient travel tech management for fulltime travelers
  • Top 18 Essential Travel Apps We Use as American Expats and Nomads


About Us

US

We’re Jeff and Sandra, two retired Americans, living abroad, on a budget, one country at a time. Most days, we’re just doing what we’ve always done— making ourselves a home, working on projects, cooking, and running errands, wherever home might be at the moment.

Meet Sandra & Jeff
Vlore Community Events Calendar

Reader's Favorite Blog Posts

  • Cost of Living in Vlore Albania: Our April 2026 Expense Breakdown
  • A Real-World Cost of Living Report: Our First Year in Albania
  • Cost of Living in Sarandë, Albania: What We Actually Spent
  • ATM Fees in Albania (2025): What Travelers Need to Know
  • Best Merino Wool T-Shirts for Travel: I Purchased & Tested 3 Budget Brands vs 1 Expensive Brand

Reader's Favorite Destinations

Albania
Portugal
Panama
Costa Rica
Mexico
England
Argentina
Cruising

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© 2026 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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