🌎 World Aware

Welcome to World Aware, your weekly roundup of global news and insights that actually matter if you travel internationally, live abroad, or you're thinking about it.

This chapter may be ending...

Did you catch this week's video about the lessons we've learned and the experiences that changed how we view ourselves and the world?

It's still hard to believe that we've been traveling full-time for over 30 months. This was always my dream, but I honestly never thought it would happen.

We've seen so many incredible places since we left the U.S. in 2017, and since we left Ecuador in 2023: Angkor Wat, Seville, Granada, Rome, Athens, Paris, London, Prague, Vienna, Sydney, Auckland, Fiji, Bangkok, Albania, and so many more unforgettable places.

Our bucket list has truly been on fast forward.

When we were on our Leap in Panama City last November, one of our members told us about how he backpacked through Latin America during the 1970s (without speaking any Spanish).

I can't imagine how different and exotic that experience was compared to how easy it is to travel full-time now:

• Translator apps make it easy to communicate
• ATMs make it easy to get money
• Credit cards and mobile tap make it easy to spend money
• Currency conversion apps make it easy to know how much you're spending
• Apart-hotels, AirBbB, VRBO, etc. make it easy to find places with a kitchen so we can eat healthier and spend less on food
• Uber, Grab, Bolt, etc. make it easy to find transportation (and not get price gouged)
• eSIMs make it easy to stay connected
• The list goes on...

Air travel is one of the few things that hasn't improved much since the 1970s. It still takes too long to travel long distances, and with less legroom and fewer perks.

A transporter sure would be nice. Or a sub-orbital space plane. Or a Hyperloop.

Anything that would allow us to travel long distances in less time with more comfort would be greatly appreciated. Can someone get to work on that, please? 🙏

Traveling full-time wasn't Amelia's dream. Her dream was to live abroad, which made Ecuador an easy sell. She prefers more stability and she really likes her daily routines. And she really DISLIKES living out of a suitcase.

When we left Ecuador, I convinced her to give it 3 months. If she didn't like travelling full-time after that, we could move back to Ecuador or someplace else.

She has thoroughly enjoyed exploring the world and checking off so many bucket list destinations, but I think she's about reached her full-time travel, living out of a suitcase limit.

We're not really sure what that means yet, but next week's video should give you an idea about what we're thinking.

Travel will continue to be a significant part of our lives. We'll probably just slow it WAAAAY down so we can have a homebase somewhere and travel lighter.

It'll be interesting to see what we do and where we end up. At this point, your guess is as good as mine, but we'll enjoy bringing you along with us as the future unfolds.

Let the adventure continue...

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Set Sail With Us 🛳️

We already have 14 people signed up for the inaugural Turtle Travel Club Flotilla next April 2027.

This will be our first club cruise and it's open to all club members. It's for 7 nights leaving from Miami and stopping at several eastern Caribbean Island nations. The full details and booking instructions are available inside the community.

Amelia and I will organize group meetups, share meals, join excursions, play games, and dance the night away as we explore the Caribbean together and bond over shared experiences.

The special rates Amelia negotiated expire on June 5th so if you're going to sign up, now is the time. It just takes a small, refundable deposit made to the cruise line to secure spot.

For full details and booking instructions, visit the Turtle Flotilla Booking Info space inside our Mighty community.

It'll be so much fun getting everyone together for a week of festivities and frivolities at sea! Come set sail with us next April! 🐢 → 🛳️

World Aware News

Here's what we learned about the world this week...

Expat News

Americans Are Moving Abroad to Cut Healthcare Costs

More Americans are relocating overseas because healthcare and prescription drugs cost far less outside the U.S. One American with severe asthma said her medication costs dropped from $36,000 a year to about $3,000 after moving to France. Others also point to stricter food standards and more walkable cities in Europe as part of the appeal. [Source]

Medicare Usually Does Not Cover Americans Living in Europe

Americans retiring in Europe can usually keep Medicare, but most coverage does not apply overseas. Many expats keep premium-free Medicare Part A as a backup for future care in the U.S., while deciding whether to continue paying for Part B requires weighing costs against future penalties and coverage gaps if they return home. Retirees abroad may also need separate local or private insurance to cover everyday healthcare needs in Europe. [Source]

Japan Is Rising on Americans’ Relocation Wish Lists

Japan ranked among the most searched countries for Americans considering a move abroad, though practical challenges like language and work culture lowered its overall ranking. Americans increasingly prioritize political stability, job opportunities, and cultural familiarity when looking overseas. Americans interested in Japan may find strong quality of life, but adapting to local culture and workplace expectations remains a major consideration. [Source]

Films Are Inspiring More Americans to Consider Life Abroad

A growing number of Americans say films set in places like Greece, Italy, and France have influenced their interest in moving overseas or pursuing second residency options. Movies such as Mamma Mia! and Under the Tuscan Sun helped popularize slower lifestyles, walkable communities, and Mediterranean living, while countries featured in those films now offer residency or investment visa pathways. [Source]

Travel News

Hantavirus Cruise Outbreak Timeline & Map

Health officials are tracing passengers from the MV Hondius after a hantavirus outbreak led to three deaths and multiple confirmed infections among passengers and crew. Most travelers have now returned to their home countries, while a smaller group remains aboard the ship as it heads to Rotterdam for disinfection. Investigators are examining whether the Andes strain may have spread person to person during the voyage, which would mark an unusual transmission pattern for the virus. [Source]

Jet Fuel Crisis Is Raising Flight Costs and Disrupting Summer Travel

A global jet fuel shortage tied to conflict in the Middle East is driving up airfares and forcing airlines to cut routes ahead of the summer travel season. Canadian and U.S. carriers are already reducing capacity, while higher fuel prices have added financial pressure across the industry, including the collapse of Spirit Airlines. Travelers planning international trips this summer may face higher prices, cancellations, and fewer flight options, especially on long-haul routes. [Source]

Spirit’s Collapse Could Mean Higher Airfares for Americans

Spirit Airlines shut down after soaring jet fuel prices and years of financial pressure pushed the budget carrier past its limits. Analysts say the loss of one of America’s largest low-cost airlines could reduce competition and make domestic flights more expensive, especially for budget-conscious travelers. Unlike Europe, where discount airlines thrive in a more competitive market, U.S. carriers face higher costs and tighter control from major airlines. Americans looking for cheap flights may now see fewer options and rising ticket prices across many popular routes. [Source]

Travelers Are Shifting Toward Cheaper and Less Crowded Summer Destinations

A new travel analysis found that many summer travelers are looking beyond traditional hotspots in search of lower prices and fewer crowds. While cities like Málaga, Lisbon, and Rome remain popular, lesser-known destinations including Dortmund, Cork, and Turin are gaining attention for cheaper flights and hotel costs. Travelers booking summer trips may find better value by choosing secondary cities, traveling in late August or early September, and avoiding peak weekend departures. [Source]

Most Tourist Areas in Turkey Remain Open Despite Regional Tensions

Turkey’s main tourist destinations, including Antalya, Bodrum, and Cappadocia, are still considered safe for travelers despite rising tensions in the Middle East. However, authorities continue to warn about terrorism risks in parts of southeast Turkey, Ankara, and Istanbul, and advise travelers to avoid demonstrations and areas near the Syrian border. Travelers with upcoming trips may want to monitor government advisories closely, as regional instability could still affect security conditions or travel plans with little notice. [Source]

That's all for this week. Let me know if you have any questions.

Safe travels.

JP (Amelia Says Hola)​
​AmeliaAndJP.com | TurtleTravelClub.com​