Somewhere warmer for the winter?

Have just been re-reading your posts and I could not bear to see bird shooting and trapping.

Have fed the birds today and sat looking out to the bottom of the garden with my binoculars, seeing the robins, blue tits, great tits, coal tits, blackbirds, wrens and collared doves etc.

Nor was I aware of 90 days out of UK for tax purposes?

I spend over 90 days out of the country and have never heard of this tax thing nor has my advisor 'advised' me of it but you do have to spend at least 90 days in the UK each year or you would be clobbered for tax!
Be aware of travel insurance. Most policies are for between 28 - 40 days. I pay an extra premium to extend mine. Also be aware of your home insurance details. I can only leave my property empty for a max of 60 days. I always have people staying for a few days here and there when I am away and have someone (DD) go in every couple of days to move things around a bit, pick up the bills post and check on heating etc..
Hope you find a suitable place for over wintering!

This is a very interesting and eye opening thread, I had no idea so many people casually rove about the world during the winter months.

What I would like to know is what kind of social life, if any, you people pursue. Do you mostly travel in a self sufficient couple or do you manage to engage with locals or expats wherever you go?

Last year we went to Malta over Christmas and we hated it, we didn't like the place and the possibilities for mixing with others seemed non existent. Similarly, although travelling around the Greek Islands sounds idyllic, I'd miss friends and people I really know and get on with. Is there an answer?

Azie09
I know what you mean about Malta, I didn't like it much, either, although I have to say that the hotel was fantastic, particularly with evening entertainment.
We don't spent as long now in Spain in the winter as we did.
We take the motohome to Spain at the beginning of winter, leave it there and fly back and forth when we feel like some sun. We have an airport 20 mins away.
As to the social life, well, you just meet people and start chatting. We have made friends with lots of people who just come up to our camper when they see an English number plate.
Obviously in the camping 'family' you see people year after year. We also have friends who have lived in Spain for years, so we mostly go to 'spanish' bars and restaurants when eating out.

I would echo Marmight's post.
Travel insurance for 60+ days costs a lot but is worth it for peace of mind, although you could get emergency treatment if the country you are visiting has a reciprocal arrangement. A problem could arise if you fell ill on the journey and had to be hospitalised somewhere en route, as has happened to a couple of people we know (they did have insurance).

If you go on your own Azie could you try a 'singles' holiday for older people?

We usually manage to 'make friends' on holiday - without spending all day every day with them, perhaps have a couple of excursions out or just meet them in the evenings for a meal or drink.

I preferred Malta to Tenerife.

Wintersday
Look at a company called: Trustedhousesitters ( all one word)
This might be your answer if finances are a bit stretched

wintersday and petra
I'd like to second this suggestion.
I'm registered with this site. Over the past year alone, I've visited Amsterdam, Zurich, South of France, Alicante and Costa del Sol all for the cost of travel and subsistence. And there's the added bonus of a beloved pet to care for, meeting new people, exploring new places and, typically, a ready introduction to a community of friends or neighbours. If you think this might be of interest, do PM me if you'd like to know more. Happy to help

Thanks Petra, for bothering to answer. This is well off my radar, I'm not beyond casual getting along with people but I do think the lifestyle portrayed must demand a level of self sufficiency I've never explored. Each to their own I guess.

AzieO9
must demand a level of self sufficiency
I think you would be surprised to know that my life when I'm away from the uk isn't that different to when I'm in the uk, other than I'm in the sunshine and eat outside more but of course I don't have the family and close friends nearby.
I listen to radio4 through the internet and watch uk tv in the evening.
Other than having to fill up with water and discharge waste and toilet water it's much the same.

Petra I meant self sufficient to cope without friends and family but of course the Internet changes everything from being able to watch UK TV and listen to the radio to being in regular contact. I must say having spent December in Australia, I was jolly glad to escape all British media, it's all so dire at the moment!

Enjoy that sunshine!

Australian tv is pretty dire though
but at least you can be outside more over there!

Costa del Sol is definitely a good place to try out for starters. Winter rentals are cheap - we rented off a Swedish couple and it worked out very well. Cheap flights from all airports to Malaga and very efficient coastal train from the airport. I would recommend doing a month first and stay away from beach side properties and try to rent in one of the towns. You will get sucked into the Spanish way of life and be amazed at how cheaply you can live over ther using the local shops. I used to love using the butchers and fruit and veg shops and always went to the local Spanish bars and restaurants. I always say to friends "if you are thinking about it - you have to do it" - just don't cut off your ties with home.

Australia was stunning and the people are lovely. It wasn't that expensive either as long as we didn't go mad eating out. We found some excellent Airbnbs.

We liked Singapore, we had 48 hour stopovers in each direction. It was warm, people were friendly, service was excellent and there was plenty to do including wonderful Botanical Gardens.

Mediterranean area isn't reliably sunny/calm/warm over the winter months - though obviously much better than home!
Have you considered South Africa? Flights expensive but dirt cheap once you get there! We rented an apartment with a great view across the bay to table mountain for the equivalent of about £220 per week. Meals out roughly £3 for lunch, £10 for dinner, £25 if you're really splashing out.

Anywhere!

We are off to Lanzarote next week, just a short break, but when DH retires we are seriously thinking of spending time there during the winter months, it’s easy and cheap to get to, so family can come over and join us for short stays.
You can also get there from most local airports so our DDs don’t have to schlep to the big airports. Plenty of reasonably priced villas to rent as well.
It’s safe to wander around, it’s restaurants are reasonable and if you try to find one off of the main areas you won’t be surrounded by Brits.
It also has an amazing promenade where we go that is about 6k long so it’s safe to go for proper long walks so that we don’t end up sitting on our backsides all day.
But you do have to sort your home and insurances out over here, it’s all about planning really.

In Florida at the moment and wish I could afford to spend winter here. I love the sun.?

Have you already decided on which place to visit? In my opinion, Algarve, Portugal is a great option. But make sure to visit around September to October because there are fewer tourists and the weather is still quite warm. It’s also very sunny there throughout the year, so you can enjoy trips to water parks and beaches. I know this because I’ve been there before twice. First, during a business trip and second, when my friend and I rented a property with the help of this Algarve villa rentals firm.

I think you have already selected your destination for visit. But in my observation, Morocco is at its most beautiful in spring (mid-March to May) when the landscape is green and lush, making for spectacular mountain hiking. Morocco is also lovely in Autumn (September to October) when temperatures are very pleasant. In my last visit to Morocco with family really enjoy this country. I recommend you to see the Morocco Attractions in the Autumn season, this is the best time for spending time in Morocco and the temperature is pretty good, not too cold and Warmer.

com eto Tunisia
www.medespoir.net/