🧳 Want to move abroad? Here are the most searched places
According to a premier international cost of living site
Hi friend, I hope you had a great weekend!
Sorry, this post is coming a day late. Thank you for being patient and for taking the time to support my newsletter. I deeply appreciate you.
This week’s post is about 5-minutes long, so buckle up! 💺
In case you missed it, the last edition of Itchy Feet was all about travel advice.
Click the link below to read it:
This week, let’s talk about moving overseas.
On November 6th, 2024 multiple friends messaged me saying the same thing:
“I’m getting the heck OUT of the United States."
This was the morning after the US presidential election.
The recent election results were very sobering for many folks around the world.
Although I’m pretty sure my friends were only half-joking, there no doubt are people who will contemplate moving.
Moving abroad can be exciting whether it’s for a new job, the thrill of cultural immersion, retirement, or unfavorable election results at home.
If you’re thinking about living in a new country, Numbeo is one of the best resources available.
Numbeo lets you calculate the projected cost of living in nearly every country and city on Earth.
You can even compare the cost of living between multiple destinations.
They recently shared an immense report of which countries have been searched the most in 2024.
Overall, these were the most searched countries globally:
United States - 5.31%
United Kingdom - 4.37%
Canada - 3.76%
Spain - 3.76%
Germany - 3.41%
Italy - 2.61%
United Arab Emirates - 2.56%
Australia - 2.34%
France - 2.19%
Switzerland - 2.09%
Netherlands - 1.99%
You can even see the top 20 most searched destinations by country. For instance, here is the most searched destination by people in the US:
Canada - 3.47%
United Kingdom - 3.45%
Spain - 3.23%
Mexico - 3.13%
Italy - 2.62%
Germany - 2.30%
India - 2.24%
France - 2.17%
Japan - 2.10%
Australia - 1.85%
Philippines - 1.84%
Portugal - 1.81%
Brazil - 1.75%
China - 1.71%
Thailand - 1.64%
Switzerland - 1.45%
Turkey - 1.44%
Netherlands - 1.43%
Russia - 1.39%
Colombia - 1.38%
You can read the full article here.
Are you thinking of moving abroad? I’d love to know more! Leave a comment or send a DM.
🚀 Travel Quote of the Week
”Life is a voyage. Those who travel live twice!”
– Omar Khayyam
🤲 Did You Know?
The most thrilling train ride you might ever take is the Qingzang railway running from mainland China to Lhasa, Tibet.
The journey goes through the Tanggula Pass, which is 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) above sea level. It takes a mammoth 42 hours to complete the trip.
Side note: Tibet doesn’t let you travel solo. All visitors must arrive through a registered tour operator.
Refer one friend: Get a Free Solo Travel Check-list PDF
Refer three friends: The PDF plus a personalized mini-city guide (written by me, you choose the city!)
Refer six friends: Both of these, plus a free 30-minute travel planning call with me
Use this link to begin referring folks to Itchy Feet. Thanks for helping this publication grow.
🎏 Culture Corner
The next time you use someone’s bathroom in Holland (aka the Netherlands), chances are decent you’ll learn the date of a relative’s birthday.
Why? Because it’s common for Dutch people to have a birthday calendar in their bathroom.
This is because celebrating birthdays is often very important in Dutch culture.
According to Good Tuesday, these calendars aren’t by the main toilet but often hanging near the downstairs one in a cozy room.
However, if you’re a guest in someone’s house, it’s very bad manners to add your birthday to their calendar!
🌆 Fun Things to Do in Noto Valley, Sicily
Located in the southern area of Sicily, Val di Noto (the Noto Valley) is one of the islands' true gems. The region has eight signature towns.
All have a strong Late Baroque influence and in 2002 UNESCO declared them all World Heritage sites.
To arrive in Noto, first fly to Catania, Sicily.
It’s cheaper arriving with a connecting flight from a large airport hub like Amsterdam or London rather than a direct trip.
Rome2Rio says it takes about 19 hours to arrive at Catania from San Francisco.
I haven’t been to Noto Valley yet. Here’s what I’d do if I were to go:
The Noto Flower Festival: One of the eight towns is also called Noto. Each spring there’s Infiorata, a yearly flower festival that turns the town into a vibrant splendor. Artists paint the street in decorative floral designs.
Contemplate the gold stone: The town of Noto is also known as “the stone garden” for its impressive landmarks constructed with limestone that reflects like gold in the sun. Here you will find golden stone churches, monuments, and palaces. The Noto Cathedral, Nicolaci Palace, and Palazzo Ducezio are some notable landmarks.
Relax in Marzamemi: Marzamemi is a small hamlet hugging the Ionian Sea 30 minutes to the south of Noto. Wikipedia says its population is less than 400 people and fishing is its claim to fame. The most famous landmark is the Tonnaria di Marzamemi, a former tuna factory that connects to the bustling Regina Margherita square.
Indulge your sweet tooth in Modica: Modica is a 40-minute drive from Noto. The town was literally built into a mountain. Modica is renowned for its chocolate. Here you can take classes, visit the Chocolate Museum (Museo del Ciccolato di Modica), and even check out this year’s (2024) Chocolate Festival in December.
Try horse meatballs in Catania: This may be a taboo for some people, but horse meatballs are a signature dish on Plebiscito Street in Catania. Local deli shops (carnizzeri’s) and street vendors frequently offer this dish. You can expect your meatballs with minced meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese.
That’s a wrap for today, my friend! I have another post coming this Friday. It’s going to be extra special. I can’t wait to share it with you.
Much love,
-Daniel
Instagram / X / YouTube / Travel Planning
P.S. Need help planning a trip? Let’s work together.
I love planning trips and thoroughly do research every week, so let’s chat. Send me a message or learn more here.
The beat of the drum. To move or not to move. I'm sure so many are contemplating it. Good info for those interested, Daniel.