Weekly Newsletters
Everything we've shared — real decisions, real costs, and what actually worked (or didn't).
Updated weekly · Newest first
All newsletters
2026
No.16Coming soon
How We Choose a Town Before We Commit to Staying in It→
The decision starts with the region — everything else follows from there.
No.15Mar 27
We Kept Our US Phone Plan Abroad — Here's How it Worked→
No new SIM, no new carrier, no new number. Here's what we did — and what to think through for your own setup.
No.14Mar 20
What Happens When You Actually Need a Doctor in Europe→
Healthcare in Europe costs less than most Americans expect — even when you're paying entirely out of pocket.
No.13Mar 13
What the CPAM Process Actually Looks Like→
Applying for French national health coverage as Americans on a long-stay visa takes longer than you'd expect and runs entirely on physical mail.
No.12Mar 5
The Visa Rule That Affects Our Travel in Europe→
A long-stay visa lets you live in Europe. It doesn't mean you can travel freely across it. Here's what we actually have to track.
No.11Feb 26
Why We Use the Same Credit Card Every Time→
The primary rental insurance built into travel cards saves €200+ per trip.
No.10Feb 5
How We Decide the Best Way to Move Between Cities→
Trains, cars, planes, and cruises — costs, time, and convenience for slow travel.
No.9Jan 29
Using Public Transit Apps in France→
How we actually use them day to day.
No.8Jan 22
Running Into Closed Stores→
What we learned just trying to pick up the basics.
No.7Jan 15
Using a Rail Pass Between Cities→
How we moved between cities without booking every train in advance.
No.6Jan 10
How We Choose Neighborhoods for Slow Travel→
What matters (and what doesn't) when we're only somewhere for a few nights.
2025
No.5Nov 21
Paying for Travel in Europe→
How we've been handling day-to-day purchases.
No.4Nov 15
Everyday Prices in Lyon→
Why the bakery math surprised us right away.
No.3Nov 6
Slow in Southampton→
Why we always build buffer days before a cruise.
No.2Oct 23
Why We Chose France→
Why France won out over Portugal, Spain & Italy.
No.1
Welcome Letter→
What this is and how to use the Coffee Table.
Money & costs
No.11Feb 26
Why We Use the Same Credit Card Every Time→
The primary rental insurance built into travel cards saves €200+ per trip.
No.14Mar 20
What Happens When You Actually Need a Doctor in Europe→
Healthcare in Europe costs less than most Americans expect — even when you're paying entirely out of pocket.
No.7Jan 15
Using a Rail Pass Between Cities→
How we moved between cities without booking every train in advance.
No.5Nov 21
Paying for Travel in Europe→
How we've been handling day-to-day purchases.
No.4Nov 15
Everyday Prices in Lyon→
Why the bakery math surprised us right away.
Getting around
No.15Mar 27
We Kept Our US Phone Plan Abroad — Here's How it Worked→
No new SIM, no new carrier, no new number.
No.10Feb 5
How We Decide the Best Way to Move Between Cities→
Trains, cars, planes, and cruises — costs, time, and convenience for slow travel.
No.9Jan 29
Using Public Transit Apps in France→
How we actually use them day to day.
No.8Jan 22
Running Into Closed Stores→
What we learned just trying to pick up the basics.
No.7Jan 15
Using a Rail Pass Between Cities→
How we moved between cities without booking every train in advance.
No.3Nov 6
Slow in Southampton→
Why we always build buffer days before a cruise.
Health
No.14Mar 20
What Happens When You Actually Need a Doctor in Europe→
Healthcare in Europe costs less than most Americans expect — even when you're paying entirely out of pocket.
No.13Mar 13
What the CPAM Process Actually Looks Like→
Applying for French national health coverage as Americans on a long-stay visa takes longer than you'd expect.
Visas & rules
No.12Mar 5
The Visa Rule That Affects Our Travel in Europe→
A long-stay visa lets you live in Europe. It doesn't mean you can travel freely across it.
No.13Mar 13
What the CPAM Process Actually Looks Like→
Applying for French national health coverage as Americans on a long-stay visa takes longer than you'd expect.
Where to stay
No.16Coming soon
How We Choose a Town Before We Commit to Staying in It→
The decision starts with the region — everything else follows from there.
No.6Jan 10
How We Choose Neighborhoods for Slow Travel→
What matters (and what doesn't) when we're only somewhere for a few nights.
No.2Oct 23
Why We Chose France→
Why France won out over Portugal, Spain & Italy.