Most Showstopping Locations for People to Retire Abroad

Planning overseas retirement? You’ve come to the right place, then! If you’re an abroad fan, chances are you already have a top destination you’ve visited many times that seems like the ideal place to spend your golden years. Even if you haven’t picked a location yet, don’t worry. We’ve compiled a list of the five most scenic places to retire abroad.

What Are the Top Places to Retire Abroad

A couple in search of their top place to retire abroad

To be fair, beauty takes different forms for each individual. To some, the most beautiful place to retire abroad is a quiet mountain village, whereas other individuals prefer spending their golden and twilight years in bustling cities. With that in mind, we’ve tried to include places on our list that are considered to be among the most scenic locations in Europe. Are you ready? Let’s check out our list of top destinations to retire overseas.

Porto, Portugal

Porto, Portugal

Porto offers exceptional medieval charm to its visitors. Colorful terracotta-roofed buildings and narrow alleys, along with countless cathedrals, make this location our first destination to retire abroad. The best thing about this destination is that beauty can be found outside the city, for there are plenty of places nearby that offer stunning views.

Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany is considered the most scenic area throughout Italy. People who plan to retire in Italy will undoubtedly appreciate the exuberant buildings in Florence, many of which were built during the Renaissance. Those who seek less bustling locations might want to consider Montalcino, set on a hilltop overlooking the Italian countryside.

San Sebastián, Spain

San Sebastián, Spain

San Sebastián is located in the Basque Country area in Spain. Its cobblestone streets, Michelin-starred restaurants, and lush hillside make this stunning location a must-visit for any passionate traveler. There are plenty of things to see and do here, which makes the destination suitable for anyone who wants to retire abroad.

Provence, France

Provence, France

Provence is a renowned region in France where charming towns, endless vineyards, and sandy beaches are more than abundant. Those with exquisite taste will fall for the region’s distinct cuisine, idolized throughout the country. City birds can consider Nice or Cannes as their abroad retirement destination, while quiet villages like Ansouis will undoubtedly appeal to those who seek tranquility and scenic hilltops.

Lucerne, Switzerland

Lucerne, Switzerland

The medieval city of Lucerne in Switzerland is our final overseas destination for retirement. Lucerne is the place for you if you want to spend your golden years in vintage houses surrounded by steep mountains. There’s also a river here, and you can even take boat trips on the lake to entertain yourself. A wonderful place to retire, isn’t it?

Why Consider Retiring Abroad?

Why consider overseas retirement? Firstly, it allows you to enjoy new experiences. Surrounding yourself with unfamiliar things will add excitement to your life. Plus, you’ll have the chance to take up new hobbies or explore old ones. Last but surely not least, choosing to retire abroad allows you to pick your weather paradise. Choose a warm or cooler place, depending on your preferences, and live life to the fullest!

The Largest Collection of Standing Totem Poles Is in Ketchikan, Alaska

Some 80 sculptures in Ketchikan, Alaska tell the ancestral stories of Indigenous clans. These represent the world’s largest collection of standing totems and they tell different stories. Indigenous peoples have been carving totem poles in the area for thousands of years, and those standing now are preserved and watched over by an organization dedicated to sharing Southeast Alaskan Native culture.

Standing Totem Poles Tell Stories

Chief Johnson’s totem pole According to the mythology of the Tlingit people, long ago a Raven wanted to marry Fog Woman, who was the daughter of Chief Fog-Over-The-Salmon. After the chief granted his permission, the Fog Woman and Raven lived happily for the next two seasons. However, in the winter, a food shortage tested the couple with hunger. Raven struggled to find food, so Fog Woman wove a basket and filled it with water. When she washed her hands in the basket, Raven saw salmon swimming inside, and that was the first salmon ever created.

Still Visiting the Ketchikan Community

Totem poles Fog Woman kept producing salmon this way, and for a time, she and Raven lived happily once again. Eventually, the two began to fight. One time, Raven got angry and he hit Fog Woman’s shoulder with dried salmon. Fog Woman would not stand the disrespect and left with Raven chasing after her. However, every time Raven tried to grab her, his hands would go through her, as if she was made of fog. Finally, she reached the water and all the salmon she had dried went with her. While Raven never saw Fog Woman again, salmon comes rushing back every year to feed the community of Ketchikan.

The Ancestral Traditions of the Tlingit

Today, the legend of Raven and Fog Woman is memorialized in one of the most prominent totem poles in Ketchikan, Alaska. It’s a 55-foot-tall Chief Johnson pole. The current iteration is a replica built in 1989 by Tongass Tlingit carver Israel Shotridge. It sits outside the former home of Chief George Johnson, next to Ketchikan Creek, which is their ancestral fishing grounds. The original pole was carved by an unknown person and is currently held in storage at the Totem Heritage Center. It was raised in 1901 and stood until 1982. It was then removed and replaced for the replica.

Tlingit totem house

Chief Johnson’s totem pole is just one of more than 80 standing totem poles scattered around Ketchikan in southeastern Alaska. More are carved and erected every year as artists honor respected community members. Totem poles are part of a rich tradition in Ketchikan and an important part of Tlingit culture. They represent the ancestral traditions of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people, and Chief Johnson’s pole is made from one single western red cedar log.