SLOW TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD $250 Visa Integrity Fee Could Make America One of the Most Expensive Countries to Visit Posted on July 20, 2025September 2, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters The proposed \$250 Visa Integrity Fee could reshape U.S. tourism, adding significant costs for international visitors. Industry leaders warn it may discourage travel ahead of major events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. This ongoing situation requires close monitoring as details remain unclear and potential impacts continue to unfold. Read more
SLOW TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD How to Avoid Being Turned Away at the U.S. Border Posted on July 14, 2025September 2, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters I’ve crossed more borders than I can count. But something has shifted. Under the Trump administration, even the most routine arrivals into the United States feel tense. I’ve read stories about tourists being turned away for vague reasons—missing hotel bookings, saying the wrong thing, having the wrong stamps in their… Read more
SLOW TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD Leaving America: What a Better Life Actually Looks Like Posted on June 1, 2025October 12, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters Most mornings feel flat, like I’m just going through the motions. I make coffee, scroll my phone, and nothing feels real. But then I think about the life I had when I lived abroad—how even simple things felt new and meaningful. I remember walking through markets, hearing languages I didn’t know, sitting in cafes with no pressure to rush. That life made me feel awake. I don’t want another quick trip or break from routine. I want a life that feels like it matters—where I’m curious again, where things make sense, and where I feel like myself. Read more
SLOW TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD Leaving America: The Truth About Staying in the U.S. for Family Posted on May 1, 2025October 12, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters I used to say we stayed in the U.S. for family. It sounded noble. Responsible. Like something a good daughter, mother, or sister would say. But after moving back from South Korea and spending a year and a half trying to make that reason feel true, I’ve started to question… Read more
SLOW TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD Leaving America: When You’re Living a Life You Don’t Want Posted on April 1, 2025October 12, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters After years of staying for family, I’ve realized leaving America—at least part-time—offers the space to feel present, free, and fulfilled. Living abroad isn’t about escape. It’s about choosing a slower rhythm, deeper connection, and a version of life that feels more honest than what I’ve settled for here. Read more
SLOW TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD Budget-Friendly Retirement: How to Enjoy Slow Travel Without Overspending Posted on June 20, 2024October 12, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters Retirement doesn’t have to mean rushing from place to place. After 30 years of slow travel as a military family, we’re rethinking full‑time travel and choosing longer stays, deeper connections, and a calmer pace. This guide breaks down what slow travel looks like—and why it works so well in retirement. Read more
SLOW TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD The Advantages of Slow Travel in Italy: A Better Way to a Dolce Vita Posted on April 8, 2024October 12, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters In an era of fast-paced travel, Italy invites you to slow down and savor life’s pleasures through the art of slow travel. This blog encourages you to unwind in the Italian countryside, where time stands still among the olive groves and vineyards. We’ll introduce you to agriturismos, where you can participate in the local harvest, quaint towns. Read more
SLOW TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD Leaving America: Where I’d Move If Democracy Breaks Down Posted on February 16, 2024October 13, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters Amid escalating U.S. political turmoil, I find myself contemplating options as the situation worsens. I’m not alone in considering relocation abroad to escape looming authoritarianism. While some may label me a fatalist, the thought of moving if democracy fails in America has crossed my mind. Read more
SLOW TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD How Life in the USA Feels After Leaving South Korea Posted on December 30, 2023October 13, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters I miss living by the ocean and the mountains. I miss being able to go hiking and hear monks chat echo across Palgongsan. I miss feeling anxious, excited, unsure, and overwhelmed– all at the same time. And I definitely miss being able to shop for fresh fruit and vegetables at a corner market in either direction. It doesn’t take long for reverse culture shock to be a genuine hurdle for settling back into life at home. American Reverse Culture Shock is a phenomenon that goes beyond the anticipated cultural adjustments of moving abroad and reintegrating back into life in the USA. Read more