🌎 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.

Free Webinar: Ecuador Residency Explained

Join us TOMORROW, Saturday, June 27th for a free webinar about Ecuador residency visas.

Amelia will be chatting with Maite from Gringo Visas about the recent changes to Ecuador's visa application process, different types of visas, current income & investment requirements, application costs, and more.

👉 Click here to register for the free webinar...​

We had NO IDEA where this would lead...

Did you see this week's video about why we would still choose Ecuador in 2026?

It's hard to believe that it has been 10 years since we started seriously thinking about leaving the U.S.

That was back in the spring of 2016 when I was recovering from 2 spinal surgeries. I had a lot of time on my hands and the realization that a) we didn't like the direction the U.S. was heading, and b) we could no longer afford health insurance or our middle class lifestyle.

A year later, in March of 2017, we set foot in Ecuador for the first time and we haven't looked back since.

The lower cost of living and affordable healthcare resurrected our abysmal financial situation while the higher quality of life changed what we valued and helped us relax.

Ecuador gave us our lives back, and for that, we are truly grateful.

Living outside the U.S. also opened our eyes to the bigger picture.

Mainly, that the world isn't as scary or different as we're led to believe.

After 6 years in Ecuador, we gained the confidence to travel the world and explore more places than we ever imagined possible.

I always dreamed of traveling the world, but never thought it would actually happen. I thought it was a pipedream.

Not anymore!

We just arrived in Serbia, which is my 40th country and Amelia's 37th.

This also happens to be where my Great-Aunt Helen's parents were from (it was part of Yugoslavia back then) and I can already see her in the Serbian people.

Aunt Helen was my Great-Uncle Paul's wife and she was a hoot!

She lit up the room when she walked in! She always wore long, colorful dresses with her thick black hair tied up in a tight bun on top of her head. Jovial and gregarious are two words people would use to describe her.

She was heavily involved in the Serbian community in K.C. and when I was a kid, we went to the annual "Serbian Bazaar," a fundraiser she helped organize. Those are some of my fondest memories, especially her big hugs.

Now, I'm in her ancestral homeland and I'm reminded of her. Traveling not only brings exciting new things to see; it also helps us reconnect with our past.

Especially us Americans whose ancestors originated in Europe.

Back in 2016, we had no way of knowing where our decision to leave the U.S. would take us, but it set in motion a series of events that created room for serendipity.

And that's a huge part of the fun.

If you find World Aware helpful, forward it to a friend who’s thinking about traveling internationally or moving abroad.

If this was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here: World Aware ↗​

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.

Leap Alert: Querétaro, Mexico – Nov 6-20, 2026

We still have two spots available for the Leap to Querétaro, Mexico.

Querétaro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and we'll be visiting two other UNESCO sites during our 2 week trip.

If you're thinking about moving to Mexico, this is a popular spot for expats. Or if you just want to explore with a friendly group of travelers, this is a great way to do it.

We hope you'll join us for an unforgettable experience in Mexico!

👉 Submit your booking request here...​

World Aware News

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

Expat News

Ecuador Stuns Germany to Reach the World Cup Knockout Stage

Ecuador kept its World Cup campaign alive with a dramatic 2–1 victory over Germany, scoring the winning goal in the 77th minute after needing a win to advance from the group stage. Germany had already secured first place in the group, but Ecuador matched its early intensity and capitalized on its chances in front of a passionate, heavily Ecuadorian crowd. The historic result sends Ecuador into the knockout round. [Source]

Portugal’s Sense of Safety Continues to Attract Expats

Portugal remains one of the world's safest countries, but many expats say its appeal goes beyond low crime rates. The combination of strong community ties, political stability, accessible healthcare, and a relaxed pace of life has made the country an increasingly popular destination for people seeking long-term security and quality of life. [Source]

Retirement Savings Target Climbs to $1.46 Million

Americans now estimate they need $1.46 million to retire comfortably, according to Northwestern Mutual's latest planning survey, reflecting the impact of years of higher living costs and rising retirement expenses. While that figure is presented as a planning guide rather than a universal savings goal, many people say they expect to fall short, and about half worry they could outlive their savings. Higher retirement costs may mean reviewing your own savings plan sooner, or considering a move abroad for a lower cost of living and more affordable elder care. [Source]

Spain Reminds Foreign Property Owners to Stay Current on Taxes

Foreign homeowners in Spain are being reminded that non-residents have ongoing tax obligations beyond local property taxes, including filing an annual Modelo 210 tax return. Spanish tax authorities are increasing enforcement and may recover unpaid taxes directly from bank accounts, creating unexpected problems for owners who are unaware of the rules. If you own a home in Spain but live elsewhere, make sure you understand your filing requirements and keep your tax obligations up to date to avoid costly surprises. [Source]

Lower Fee May Make U.S. Citizenship Renunciation More Accessible

The U.S. has reduced the fee to formally renounce citizenship from $2,350 to $450, reversing a decade-old increase that followed a surge in expatriations linked to U.S. tax reporting rules. Interest in leaving the U.S. is growing, although many countries are tightening citizenship, residency and visa programs. If you're considering a move overseas, lower paperwork costs may make renouncing citizenship more affordable, but choosing where to live is becoming more complex as immigration rules continue to evolve. [Source]

Settling In Can Be Harder Than Getting the Visa

A new study suggests that some of the world's most popular destinations for expats can be among the hardest places to feel at home. Japan ranked as the least welcoming country for expats despite having relatively open visa policies, followed by Finland, Italy, South Korea, and Mexico, with researchers pointing to integration challenges rather than immigration rules. [Source]

Travel News

Medicare Leaves Most International Travelers Uncovered

Many retirees are surprised to learn that Medicare generally does not cover medical care received outside the United States, except in a few limited situations. If you become ill or injured while traveling overseas, you'll likely need to pay for treatment yourself, and prescription drugs purchased abroad are usually not covered either. Before your trip, check whether your Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan includes foreign emergency benefits, or consider buying travel medical insurance to help avoid unexpected medical bills. [Source]

Extreme Heat Is Disrupting Summer Travel Across Western Europe

Record-breaking temperatures are affecting much of Western Europe, with France, the UK, Spain, and Italy experiencing dangerous heat that has disrupted transportation and forced some attractions to adjust operations. Flight and rail delays have increased, some train services have been cancelled, and authorities are urging travelers to take extra precautions as the heat continues to spread. If you're visiting Europe this summer, check transport schedules regularly, plan outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day, and be prepared for weather-related disruptions. [Source]

UK Heatwave Disrupts Travel and Daily Life

A red heat health alert has been extended across parts of England as extreme temperatures continue to disrupt daily life. Train services have been reduced because heat can affect overhead power lines, while some schools, sporting events, and military training have also been cancelled or adapted. If you're traveling in southern England over the next few days, expect possible transport delays and check ahead for changes to local services and events. [Source]

Hotels Are Embracing the Rise of “Set-Jetting”

Hotels are finding new ways to attract travelers inspired by films and television shows, a trend known as "set-jetting." Some properties are highlighting their roles as filming locations, while others are offering itineraries and local experiences tied to popular productions or building on long-standing connections to iconic movies. If a favorite show has inspired your next trip, you'll likely find more hotels creating experiences that help bring those on-screen locations to life. [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​

P.S. Please do us a huge favor and make sure you're still subscribed to our YouTube channel. For whatever reason, YT has been unsubscribing our loyal viewers en masse. Thanks for checking 😊