Hello from Bali,
We just wrapped up or Leap to Bali and were sad to see all the Turtles leave this morning.
We had such a great time getting to know everyone, seeing some unforgettable sights, and experiencing what it's like to live here for a few weeks.
There are still a couple of spots left on our Leaps to Prague (May) and Riga (June) if you would like to join the Turtles for a different kind of travel experience.
We also just launched our new TurtleTravelClub.com website (focused on slow travel) and redesigned our old AmeliaAndJP.com website (focused on moving abroad) to make it easier for you to find the things that are most interesting to you.
This is the first website I've built from scratch in over 7 years. It was fun to exercise those mental muscles again, and hard to believe it has been that long. Time really flies!
That's all for this week. Be sure to check out the News for Global Citizens below, especially if you have upcoming travel plans.
NOTE: If you use a VPN and the links don’t work, try disabling it or switching servers, or visit AmeliaAndJP.com/NewsArchive to view this newsletter in your browser. More and more web hosts are blocking VPN IP addresses these days. Sorry for the hassle.
News for Global Citizens
Here's what we learned about the world this week...
Expat News
Thinking About Retiring Abroad? Safest Countries for 2026
Here are the safest countries to retire in 2026, focusing on places where you’d get political stability, low crime, solid healthcare, and an overall high quality of life. These are places that make it easier to relax, stretch your retirement budget, and actually enjoy day-to-day living without constantly looking over your shoulder. Source
The Best Places to Retire in 2026
This list of the best places to retire in 2026 goes beyond the usual “cheap and sunny” formula and looks at what actually matters once you’re living somewhere day to day. Things like healthcare, affordability, safety, and overall quality of life. Some well-known spots show up, but a few quieter, less-hyped places stand out for being genuinely livable long term. Source
The Best Countries for Expats Who Care About Healthcare
If access to quality, affordable healthcare is high on your priority list, some countries stand out far more than others. Around the world, there are places where you can get excellent care, shorter wait times, and far lower out-of-pocket costs than you might expect (often without sacrificing modern facilities or highly trained doctors). For many people considering life abroad, healthcare ends up being one of the biggest deciding factors, and knowing where the systems actually work well can make the idea of moving feel far more realistic and less intimidating. Source
Some Countries Will Literally Pay You to Move There
There are countries that actively offer relocation incentives to attract new residents, such as cash grants, tax breaks, housing support, or help starting a business. These programs are usually designed to boost local economies or revive smaller towns, and they’re often aimed at people who can work remotely, start something locally, or commit to staying a few years. Source
Travel News
A New Rule Could Stop You From Flying to Singapore
If Singapore is on your travel radar, there’s a new rule you’ll want to pay attention to before heading to the airport. Travelers now need to meet additional entry requirements before boarding, and airlines can deny boarding if everything isn’t in order ahead of time. For you, that means a little extra prep, such as double-checking forms, timelines, and documentation so you're not caught by surprise at the airport. Source
You Might Want to Use Your Credit Card Points Sooner
If you’ve been hoarding credit card points for a “someday” trip, now might be the time to rethink that strategy. Airlines and hotels can change redemption values at any time, and points don’t always hold their value the way cash does. For you, that means those points sitting in your account today could buy less travel tomorrow. Using them sooner can help lock in value, cover flights or hotels you’d otherwise pay cash for, and make trips feel more affordable, especially as travel costs continue to rise. Source
Some Countries Have Banned Americans from Entering
Travel restrictions don’t always flow in just one direction. If the U.S. tightens its borders, other countries can respond by limiting or banning entry for Americans as well. That kind of policy shift can affect where you’re able to travel, retire, or even just spend extended time abroad. For anyone thinking long term about life outside the U.S., it’s a reminder that visas, entry rules, and political decisions can change quickly. Source
Looking for a Safer, More Welcoming Place to Travel?
If feeling comfortable and accepted matters to you when choosing where to travel, this ranking is a reassuring read. It names the safest country for diverse travelers, looking at how welcoming a destination is across race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation, along with overall safety and quality of life. The takeaway is simple: some places are doing a much better job creating environments where you can just be yourself and enjoy the experience without added stress. Source
How to Plan a Solo Trip You’ll Actually Enjoy
Traveling alone can be incredibly rewarding, but it tends to work best when it’s planned with intention. Thinking ahead about things like where you’ll feel comfortable, how you like to spend your days, and how much structure you want can make a huge difference. For you, solo travel isn’t about being constantly on the move; it’s about creating space to explore at your own pace, stay connected when you want to, and feel confident navigating a place on your own. When done right, traveling solo can feel less lonely and more freeing than you might expect. Source
These Two Countries Are Leading Africa’s Tourism Boom
Tourism across Africa is growing fast, and Morocco and Egypt are currently out in front. Both countries are attracting travelers with a mix of history, culture, food, and increasingly better infrastructure for visitors. From ancient cities and iconic landmarks to modern airports and accommodations, they’re becoming easier and more appealing to explore. If you’ve been curious about traveling in Africa but weren’t sure where to start, these destinations are shaping up as some of the most accessible entry points. Source
These Are the Cheapest Places to Travel Right Now
If you’re trying to travel without blowing your budget, some destinations are giving you a lot more bang for your buck than others. Right now, there are places where flights are cheaper, accommodations are more affordable, and daily costs like food and transportation stay refreshingly low. For you, that can mean traveling longer, upgrading your experience, or simply stressing less about money while you’re there. It’s especially appealing if flexibility is part of your travel style and you’re open to going where the value is strongest, not just where everyone else is going. Source
More Travelers Are Planning Trips to Learn New Skills
Instead of just sightseeing, more people are traveling with a purpose and using their trips to learn something new. These “skillcations” might revolve around cooking, photography, language learning, diving, hiking, or other hands-on experiences that leave you with more than just photos. For many travelers, the appeal is depth over speed: staying longer, engaging more deeply with a place, and coming home with a skill that sticks. It’s a shift away from checking boxes and toward travel that feels more meaningful and memorable. Source
That's all for now. Let us know if we can help you in any way by replying to this email.
JP (Amelia Says Hola)
AmeliaAndJP.com
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