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.
Days like THIS keep us GOING 😎
Did you see this week's video about Why Europeans Think Americans are RIDICULOUS? We had a lot of fun recording it, and most people seem to have appreciated the humor.
Yesterday was a day of exploration here in Belgrade. Our intent was to walk all the way from Old Town to Ada Ciganlija, but the riverfront walk is under construction in several spots so we walked to the Galleria Mall and took a YandexGo (Serbia's version of Uber) the rest of the way.
Originally, Ada was a river island, but it was turned into a peninsula with a lake called Lake Sava (map) between 1957 and 1967.
Now, it's a popular beach and water sports area with a walking/biking trail around it.
We walked the entire loop around the lake yesterday for a total of 9 miles logged (including the riverfront walk to the Galleria Mall).
A few things stood out as we were walking around the lake...
First, it felt like we were back home in the midwest, or even Maryland. It reminded us a lot of beach lakes we visited in the U.S. when we were growing up, except that the beaches on Lake Sava are rocky rather than sandy.
And the nudist beach was surprising. That's something we've never seen, at least not officially, in the US of A. It was populated almost entirely by middle-aged men, which we found interesting for a conservative culture such as Serbia.
Finally, while exploration is part of our content creation job, it still feels liberating to be walking around, enjoying the sun and blue sky on a Thursday.
The worst day of exploration is better than the best day of working in a cubicle at a regular J-O-B.
Amelia surprised me when she said, "I know I complain about living out of a suitcase, but days like this make me really appreciate what we're doing."
After almost 3 years of full-time world travel, I can't imagine settling down in just one place for more than a few months.
If I can facilitate more days like yesterday, maybe I can convince Amelia to keep going a little while longer 🤔
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World Aware News
Here's what we learned about the world this week...
Expat News
More Americans Are Choosing to Move Abroad
A growing number of Americans are relocating overseas, drawn by lower living costs, affordable healthcare, safer communities, and a slower pace of life. Financial advisors say interest has shifted from retirees to younger families seeking better work-life balance and lower everyday expenses, with countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy among the most popular destinations. [Source]
Mexico Remains the Leading Destination for American Expats
Mexico continues to attract large numbers of American expats thanks to its proximity to the U.S., relatively affordable cost of living, straightforward residency process, diverse climates, and established English-speaking communities. [Source]
Americans Are Choosing Spain for a Better Quality of Life
More Americans are relocating to Spain, attracted by its lower cost of living, walkable cities, public healthcare, family-friendly lifestyle, and slower pace of life. Many are moving with young children or retiring there, while some also cite concerns about political polarization and school safety in the U.S. as factors in their decision. [Source]
British Family Finds Lower Costs and Slower Pace of Life in Bali
After years of postponing the idea, a British family sold their home and moved to Southeast Asia following a health scare that prompted them to rethink their priorities. Now living in Bali, their monthly expenses are far lower than in the UK, while enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle, a supportive community, and more time together as a family. [Source]
Travel News
Retirees Are Finding More Ways to Travel Without Overspending
More retirees are making travel a priority, and many are stretching their budgets by traveling in shoulder season, using rail tours, booking last-minute deals, choosing all-inclusive resorts or vacation homes, and taking advantage of discounts through memberships and loyalty programs. Flexible schedules also make it easier to grab airfare deals and explore less crowded destinations. [Source]
U.S. Passport Returns to Henley’s Top 10, but Its Global Access Continues to Slip
The latest 2026 passport rankings place the U.S. passport 10th in the Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 180 destinations after falling out of the top 10 in 2025. The report attributes the long-term decline to fewer reciprocal visa agreements as other countries expand travel partnerships while the United States tightens entry policies. [Source]
US Airlines Are Reshaping Flights Around Premium Travelers
Since the pandemic, major U.S. airlines have shifted their strategy toward attracting travelers willing to pay more for extra comfort, faster airport services, and exclusive amenities. Airlines are expanding premium cabins, upgrading lounges, and adding luxury touches because higher-end seats now generate some of their strongest profits. Economy travelers, meanwhile, are more likely to face higher fees and fewer included services. [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
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