Monthly Archives: November 2024

Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa and sixth largest in the world, continues to grow in popularity as a tourist and business destination for residents of Raleigh and the Research Triangle.  Known as the “Giant of Africa” -- every fifth African is Nigerian and its former capital, Lagos, is the largest city on the continent -- Nigeria is a regional powerhouse that dominates West Africa.

While the U.S. State Department advises travelers to reconsider visiting Nigeria due to risks of crime and terrorism, the warnings are largely confined to certain areas of the country.  “After they have spent a day or two in Nigeria, most visitors are surprised to see that the country is so much more than its reputation for scam artists and kidnappings,” Lonely Planet reported (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/things-to-know-before-traveling-to-nigeria). “Shake off that image.  The moment you step out of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) – the default port of entry for most international visitors – you’ll immediately sense that you’re entering a world of wonder and contrasts.”

Residents of Portland and the Pacific Northwest region who want to experience the biodiversity of the Amazonia rain forests and businesspeople seeking access to natural resources are the top visitors to Suriname.  Once known as Surinam, the nation just north of the equator borders Brazil, French Guinea, Guyana, and the Atlantic Ocean.

“South America's smallest country, Suriname is a warm, dense convergence of rivers that thumps with the lively rhythm of ethnic diversity,” Lonely Planet reported (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/the-guianas/suriname). “From Paramaribo, the country's effervescent Dutch-colonial capital, to the fathomless jungles of the interior, you'll get a genuine welcome to the country – whether from the descendants of escaped African slaves, Dutch and British colonialists, Indian, Indonesian, and Chinese indentured laborers, or indigenous Amerindians.”

During the 19^th and 20^th centuries, the region was a Dutch plantation colony that primarily produced sugar.  Dutch Guinea became a country under the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1954, and then gained independence in 1975 as the Republic of Suriname.  Still, the legacy of Dutch rule remains strong in Suriname’s society and culture.  It is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the Americas, as most of its 600,000 residents are descendants of African and Asian slaves brought to the area by Dutch settlers.  Suriname is the only country outside of Europe where Dutch is the official and primarily-used language.

Brazil’s popularity as a retirement destination for foreigners has grown as the government continues to fine-tune its retirement visa program.  Sandy beaches, lush tropical jungles, friendly people, and low prices make South America’s largest country an attractive destination for tourists and retirees from Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.

The Federative Republic of Brazil’s culture is shaped by a blend of European, African, and indigenous influences.  The former Portuguese colony is known for shimmering beaches, Amazon rainforests, rugged mountains, and oceanic islands.  Brazil is the only predominantly Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas.  However, English speakers are rarely found outside the major cities, so language barriers can present a challenge.  High crime in urban areas, poor infrastructure, and political uncertainty also remain persistent problems.

The number of foreign visitors visiting Kenya has grown to more than 1.5 million people each year, with citizens of the United States helping propel that surge.  Some 220,000 Americans visit Kenya each year – more than those from any other country.  Residents of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana visit Kenya for African vacations, to pursue business opportunities, to visit family, or to participate in volunteer activities through non-profits and church groups.

From Indian Ocean beach holidays to inland wildlife safaris, the Republic of Kenya saw tourism surge by more than 80 percent in the post-COVID era. “Kenya is a dream travel destination for its abundant wildlife, spectacular beaches, outdoor adventure, culture, and cuisine,” AFAR magazine reported recently. “The country boasts 22 national parks, as well as 28 national reserves, five national sanctuaries, and dozens of community-run conservancies.”

The volcanic hills, jungles, lakes, and rivers of Uganda – home to mountain gorillas, tree-climbing lions, and exotic flora and fauna – continue to draw visitors to the East African nation.  Dubbed the “Pearl of Africa” more than a century ago by Winston Churchill, its natural beauty and vibrant culture make Uganda a unique destination for travelers from the Salt Lake City area.   

The landlocked Republic of Uganda is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Tanzania.  The former Buganda kingdom and British protectorate became an independent nation in 1962.  Since then, Uganda suffered through decades of political conflict and oppression, particularly during the brutal reign of Ida Amin in the 1970s.  Social unrest continues: the U.S. State department recommends that Americans “reconsider travel to Uganda due to crime, terrorism, and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.”

Greece – one of the world’s top 10 tourist destinations – attracted more than 33 million visitors in 2023, including over 1.4 million Americans.  Residents of Louisville and other cities across Kentucky come for its cultural treasures, sunny beaches, spectacular islands, and the longest coastline in Europe.

Officially the Hellenic Republic, Greece is located on the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula.  Bordered by Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Turkey, its coastline stretches more than 13,600 kilometers (8,500 miles) along the Sea of Crete and the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean seas.  The country also includes thousands of islands: some uninhabited, some covered in forests, others offering deep caves within massive rock formations – and all featuring sandy beaches and clear sparking waters.

Considered the cradle of Western civilization, Greece is the birthplace of democracy, Western literature and philosophy, theater, mathematics, science, and the Olympic Games.  More than 2,800 years ago, Greece was comprised of independent city-states.  It later became part of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires before emerging as a modern nation in 1830.  After decades as a kingdom and dictatorship, the current parliamentary republic was founded in 1975.  

Singapore, the modern city-state located just off the Malaysian peninsula, draws leisure and business travelers from Cincinnati and across the globe with its modern amenities and spectacular natural beauty.  The island nation offers travelers amazing beaches, state-of-the-art accommodations, exciting nightlife, and unique culinary experiences that rival those of “The Crescent City.”.   

Now known as the Republic of Singapore, the tropical archipelago was known for centuries for the marine trading post Temasek.  In the early 1800s, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles of Great Britain established a port of call in Singapore, eventually transforming the island into a major trading center and a British colony.  Occupied by Japan during the World War II, Singapore separated from Britain in 1959 and became a sovereign nation in 1965.  Today the “Switzerland of Asia” is a global financial and corporate center that ranks among the most prosperous nations around the globe.  Despite being one of the most densely populated countries in the world, Singapore boasts clean modern streets, low crime rates, futuristic skyscrapers, and one of the world’s busiest ports.

Thailand’s popularity as a retirement destination for foreigners has been boosted by the recent addition of a 10-year long-term retirement visa.  Warm weather, majestic mountains, sandy beaches, lush tropical jungles, vibrant marketplaces, spicy food, state-of-the-art healthcare, and low prices make this exotic Southeast Asian kingdom an attractive destination for retirees in Detroit and the state of Michigan who are ready for the next chapter of their lives. 

More than 70 million people live in Thailand, including three million foreigners -- with retirees making up a significant percentage of those expats.  The U.S. State Department estimates that some 30,000 American expats live in Thailand (including retirees).  A U.S.-Thailand tax treaty that avoids double taxation exempts Social Security and other U.S. pension payments from Thai taxation.  Discounts on already-low prices for seniors on public transportation, museums, and some tourist destinations add to the appeal for those living on fixed incomes.

The African nation of Sudan is a hidden gem, with huge deserts, hospitable people, and twice as many pyramids than Egypt.  However, few tourists from the Milwaukee area visit the country: continuing armed conflict with neighboring countries, domestic unrest, and terrorism have kept Sudan off most travelers’ itineraries in recent years.

Located in Northeast Africa, Sudan borders the Red Sea, the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, and South Sudan.  The White Nile and the Blue Nile merge at the capital city of Khartoum to create the River Nile, the world’s longest river.

The area known as Sudan has been inhabited for several millennia.  From 780 B.C. through 350 A.D., it made up part of the Kingdom of Kush (which also included part of Egypt).  Over time, Egypt took political control of Sudan and introduced cultural influences that remain today.  By 1896, the United Kingdom and Egypt were exercising joint control of Sudan until the new Republic of the Sudan achieved independence in 1956.  Arab Muslims dominated the northern part of Sudan, while African Christians and other groups dominated the south.  Sudan was the largest country in Africa until South Sudan seceded in 2011.  Today Sudan covers more than 720,000 square miles, making it the third largest African nation.  Official languages are Arabic and English.

Spain – the world’s second most popular tourism destination -- attracts visitors from Jacksonville and the Northeast Florida region with its sunny beaches, historic sites, art museums, and cultural features.  More than 85 million people visited the country in 2023, making Spain second only to France for foreign visitors.

“From sun-drenched archipelagos and bustling urban cities to snowcapped mountains and semi-arid deserts, Spain epitomizes geographical diversity,” Tripadvisor reported recently (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g187427-Spain-Vacations.html). “As the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, this vast country offers some of Europe’s most dramatic landscapes, as well as some of its tastiest cuisine.”

The Kingdom of Spain is the largest country in Southern Europe, encompassing the majority of the Iberian Peninsula; several archipelagos such as the Canary Islands in the Atlantic and the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean; and two cities in northern Africa.  Spain enjoys almost 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) of coastline ranging from grand resorts to quaint fishing villages.  The country is bordered by France and Andorra to the north and Portugal to the west.