Monthly Archives: May 2026

The United Kingdom remains one of the world’s top 10 tourist destinations, with visitors from American cities such as Savannah providing the largest number of visitors to the UK.  U.S. citizens only need a passport and an electronic travel authorization (ETA) to enter Britain.  However, many foreigners living in the United States may need to obtain a visa to visit the British Isles.

“Great Britain packs so much greatness into its pint-sized shores: crumbling castles, soaring cathedrals, quaint villages, timeless landscapes, and history galore,” Lonely Planet reported. “The story of England stretches back more than 5,000 years, which means it’s impossible to escape the past here.  As you wander historic urban centers, mysterious monoliths, misty landscapes, rugged coastlines and national parks, you’ll discover a country filled with unparalleled places to visit.”(https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-england)

Officially known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the UK encompasses more than 240,000 square kilometers, 12,700 miles of coastline, and almost 70 million people.  Britain is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, the North Sea, the Irish Sea, and the Celtic Sea.  Four countries make up the UK–England, Scotland, and Wales (collectively, the island of Great Britain) plus Northern Ireland–and numerous other small islands that complete the British Isles.  The UK’s only land border is with the Republic of Ireland, an independent country which covers most of the island of Ireland.

Uruguay – the “Switzerland of South America” – remains one of the world’s highest-ranked countries for foreign retirees.  Visitors from the Atlanta area are drawn to its low living costs, high quality of life, political stability, stable economy, moderate climate, healthcare access, favorable tax policies, and highly-developed modern infrastructure.  Fortune ranked Uruguay as the best country to retire abroad, noting its easy process for obtaining a retirement visa and range of retiree benefits. 

One of the smallest countries in South America, the Oriental Republic of Uruguay borders Argentina, Brazil, and the Atlantic Ocean.  About 90 percent of its 3.5 million people are of European descent (largely Spanish and Italian), creating a culture with strong European characteristics.  International Living magazine ranks Uruguay among its safest retirement destinations globally. “Most Uruguayans are descendants of immigrants,” the publication noted, “and tend to be tolerant of newcomers who are respectful of the culture and seek to fit in.  Uruguay also enjoys less economic disparity than other parts of the region, International Living continued. “Strong protections for workers, a public healthcare system, and social programs for those in need help maintain the country’s high level of social stability.”