Our good friend, Dane Sanders, came over a lot a couple weeks ago. So much that the kids started calling him Uncle Dane. 🙂
(Dane on the end next to me (and the super sweet Mike and Rachel Larson on the other side of Brian–awesome week with all three for dinner in one night!)
Every night Dane talked about this book he had just finished, The 4 Hour Work Week.
When he said the title, I almost wanted to hit him b/c ‘how can anyone have a thriving business only working 4 hours a week?!’ Since I teased him so much and gave him so much grief, I figured we should buy it and at least read it. And let’s just say that I devoured it in a couple of days! You have to buy this book! It’s AWESOME! The author, Tim Ferriss, blows my mind! (I’m sure Dane is laughing as he reads this!) I’m not going to give the book’s concept away, but if you are looking for ways to find more time with your kids—it’s a must read!
Brian and I have been planning our first mini retirement adventure ever since we came back from our camping trip (mini retirements are explained in Tim’s book)! We want to go somewhere exotic, abroad, cheap (cost of living) and life changing. We’re researching Bali, Portugal, Greece, Thailand…are we missing a place?
Where would you go with the kids (planning to stay for a month)?
I would suggest Italy or Southern France. Rent a house and explore the surrounding areas…such a classic “mini retirement” and something that could ease the kids into international travel. Trains go everywhere, so day trips and overnight trips would be possible. Can I go?
Italy! It does NOT fulfill the “cheap” requirement but I’ve been there twice and plan to go someday and spend some real time there.
My mom loves Thailand (cheap), friend loved Bali, and another place you may check out is Croatia!
Love that book too!! It’s at Costco for those who haven’t got it yet. Don’t overspend like I did at Borders 😉
I’m so glad to read all of this! We are planning our 10th anniversary trip (in 3 years) and we are planning to bring our children (will be 5 and 8 at that time). I wanted to go for 3 weeks. I was thinking exactly that – renting a house. I’ve read on various websites that it is called a “slow vacation” where you stay in one spot and really absorb the culture, surroundings, and how people in that area really live – not through scheduled tours with “tourist food”. Thanks for all the input and I will definitely get that book the next time I am at Costco.
Jessica, you’re the third person who has suggested Croatia! So interesting…but i’m totally leaning toward Italy after all your comments.
And J, you and Emily can totally meet us over there! Wouldn’t that be fun!…you could watch the kids while we go out for dinner…lol! 🙂
Hey MeRa,
In college, I studied abroad to Italy and Greece. Italy is such a place to go to, But Greece was so different. Travleing to different islands at Greece and eating the food…OMG! It was so good. It is still the Euro so cost is going to be the the same as Italy, but the food…I’m driven by the food! Hey, your kids can break dishes and not get in trouble! haha…But really, in Greece, if you travel all over to the different islands, it might be hard with two kids and lugging around luggage on and off the boats. If you stay in one place, no biggy! But if you are willing to struggle through it, it will totally be worth it. did I mention the food…
If you do go to Italy, I like Southern Italy better than Northern Italy. The food that is, in my opinion, tasted better in Southern Italy…I walked around so much, I think I ate twice as much here and ate Gelato everyday, and still lost 10 pds and was here for a month. Italy in general though is beautiful.
I’ll stop talking about food, either way, you guys will have so much fun with your kids. How can you not!
It’s funny how so many people are talking about Italy as that is y #1 spot for consideration when we take our anniversary trip with our kids.
Right now I would settle for Wapato, WA or Moscow, ID… but my dream would be, hands down, GREECE!!! The food, the water, the history, the beer, the beaches, the islands, the literature, and, hey, Greeks love kids! On the other hand, my cousin has traveled everywhere and her favorite place is Portugal! Happy Trails!
After talking with you the other night about the 4-Hour Work Week I ordered the book the next day. It came in the mail this weekend and I started reading it immediately. I fell asleep reading the book and awoke this morning full of inspiration for a different way of living! Thank you for the recommendation! As far as suggestions I have lived in Mexico for a month at a time several different times and love the colonial cities like San Miguel de Allende,Morelia and Oaxaca. I am visiting with a friend tonight that is living in Vietnam and will get more info about that scene. Jon and I are thinking about a long vacation over there because it is SO inexpensive and beautiful.
our neighbor once told us that Greece is the BEST place to take kids, but the people in Greece love little ones and will give to you beyond belief if you bring them with you. She said she didn’t know if her kids enjoyed it more than she and her husband even did. So cool to hear that you guys are suggesting it too!
Heather! I’m so glad you got the book! You are just going to die! And yes, you must tell us what your friend says about Vietnam!
And Lauren, your “eating” inspired travels are killing me! You are without doubt a kindered spirit! 🙂
On a missions trip with us! It’s always inexpensive and life changing. Love you guys!
Bali, in a heartbeat. Especially with the kids.
Oh, and I was completely skeptical about the 4HWW as well, but totally loved it!
Come to Disney World for a month!
Bali! Really! We’ve been doing a ton of research on going to Bali and just weren’t sure! How do I email you direct Liene so I can pick your brain! 🙂
Here’s another question for all of you still on this post…
Where’s a good place to go for a month when it’s on off wedding season (weather wise). We’d probaly take the trip sometime between october to april.
I’ve heard Thailand or New Zealand, but not sure on “cheap” for New Zealand. Anyone been?
South Asia is a good option. Even Tim Ferriss suggests it in both the 4hww and http://www.timferriss.com.
[…] Mini retirement plans – Where to go? The author is taken in with 4hww and is planning for a mini retirement. He’s trying to gather ideas and locations for trips at Me Ra Koh Photography Blog » Where Would You Go? […]
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