Leisure - Expat Magazine

On International Nelson Mandela Day, we are taking action and contribute our part to the world by making an impact — on our neighbour's child, our community, country, or, why not, in a different country. For 67 years, Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected president of post-apartheid South Africa, was advocating human rights, defending peace, and promoting social justice. In recognition of Mandela's heroism, simplicity, and resistance, Expat.com explores the opportunities of charitable work around the world, and ways to pass the messages of reconciliation and peace through actions. From making a new friend abroad to serving a humanitarian cause, “it always seems impossible until it's done”.

Originally from Romania, Alina moved to Denmark to pursue her education and eventually settled down there. However, she moved to Tallinn, Estonia to be with her (now) husband and give life there a try. Since moving there nine months ago, she has fallen for the country as well, and she tells Expat.com just what it is that makes Estonia so appealing.

Commemorating the French National Day, July 14 is a public holiday in France. So if you have just landed in France, you would not want to miss the fireworks – which by the way are quite impressive – or the massive military march. What could be a better way to discover the French way of life than mingling in the celebrations, just like the French do?

While some people may be seeking the biggest and most modern cities to relocate to, other expats are searching for a different kind of city life — one that allows them to step back in time. If you are looking for a city with an enticing past to discover, as well as museums  and ancient ruins to wander around, look no further. We have put together some of the most historical cities, where you can experience the past while living in the now.

If you are a tea aficionado in Thailand, fear not, as it turns out Thailand has a unique tea culture — from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, there is no shortage of places and types of tea to experience. As the adoration of tea is spreading worldwide, popular culture has come to embrace teas such as the matcha green tea and the Taiwanese speciality bubble tea-based beverage. John, an American expat in Thailand, guides us through Thailand's tea culture and gives us tips on where to find the finest teas in the country.

There is nothing worse than packing an oversized and heavy suitcase during a trip. Whether you are trying unsuccessfully to fit your luggage into the overhead compartment on your 30-minute flight, pulling a clunker of a suitcase with broken wheels through the hotel lobby, or trying to carry that same suitcase in your hands as if it were an outsized toddler, not packing correctly can lead to some serious discomfort.

Thinking about moving to Germany? You have probably started your research about the country already — the climate, the job market, the formalities, and the leisure activities. But here's some fascinating information about Germany that you may have missed (and will boost your decision making).

Europe is full of cities on the move, be it improving infrastructure, to heightening inspiration. Savills Investment Management's measure of the most dynamic cities in Europe highlights the cities with the best prospects for commercial investment, though it is a good indicator of a city's development for anyone hoping to move there. London topped nearly all five of the metrics used by Savills to take the overall top spot, and the UK as a whole features strongly across the different categories.

As you're sitting in an office on a rainy day, your thoughts may drift to relaxing on a beach with a cocktail in hand, but not just for a holiday – what if that was your life? Though many of us have dreams about packing up and moving to a paradise island, here are some of our bloggers who have made the dream a reality.

Sometimes cycling in a city is not only an environmentally-friendly and healthy way to get to work, it can also be the quickest way to get there. Whether you just love cycling, or are looking to get to work without having to deal with public transport or the inevitable rush-hour traffic, here are some of 2017's most cycle-friendly cities, according to Copenhagenize.

Though you may not move abroad for a country's climate alone, it can definitely be one of its most attractive features. For those coming from colder climes, warmer year-round temperatures can seem very appealing, while anyone living in extreme heat may see the appeal in a more temperate year-round climate. Here are some of the places with the best year-round climate.

While the yogis around the world are taking their positions on International Yoga Day, Expat.com speaks to Nathalie, a body and mind yoga and fitness instructor, about the benefits of yoga and her decision to move to Mauritius. After having lived in Belgium, France, Spain and Singapore, Nathalie decided to come to Mauritius and discover her roots while she's praising a holistic approach to health and life.

Having spent a number of years in the Netherlands and Belgium, Brit Nicholas Parrott decided to continue his European adventure in Hendaye, France, where he has been living since June 2016. He shares with Expat.com just what it is that makes Hendaye such a unique an appealing town.

As the global trends towards health and fitness have picked up over the past years, with a vast population who won't stop talking about their clean eating journey, CrossFit classes, and seven-day-detox plans, it's hard to suppress the urge to become more active in our day-to-day lives. One of the easiest ways to get active is to shake up our commuting routine — after all, there must be more productive ways to use our time than staring at our phones on the bus or the subway.

Ahlem is a blogger and the founder of Digital Nomads Media. Born in France to Algerian parents, she grew up in a multicultural environment — it's this setting that sparked her love for languages and travelling. Ahlem has lived in Mumbai, London, Madrid, Dublin, Lisbon, and currently she lives in Barcelona. A sales manager at Google for six years in the field of online advertising and marketing, Ahlem created the site last year after leaving Google to pursue her own passions. She is a digital nomad who writes about her travel experiences and entrepreneurship on her blog.