Retire and Go!

Millions of individuals retire each year, and retirement provides an opportunity for a fresh start. The possibilities are endless—even on a budget—for those prepared to open their minds and dream big. Russ and Emily Firlik, who had just retired from teaching, dared to rethink their more traditional retirement plans to embark on 9 months of slow travel in France and Italy, keeping a strict budget in mind and guided by their passion for the arts, history and architecture. This memoir details the author’s personal travel experience and includes insights and instructions for the thrifty long-term traveler. It will inspire others to dream big and plan their own adventures, while helping them with the practical details of sticking to a budget and anticipating the unexpected.

Retired educator Russ Firlik has had several peer reviewed articles published in professional journals. Currently he writes travel articles for travel magazines. He lives in southern Florida.

Russ Firlik
Foreword by Katrina S. Firlik
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 236
Bibliographic Info: 32 photos, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2022
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8780-3
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4538-4
Imprint: Toplight

Acknowledgments vi
Foreword by Katrina S. Firlik 1
Preface 3
Part One. Introduction 5
Part Two. Beginnings: Rome 13
Part Three. Living in Rome 30
Part Four. Tuscany and Florence 103
Part Five. Third Term: Living in Paris 139
Part Six. Conclusion 209
Recommended Reading: Books That Worked for Us 213
Recommended Viewing: Paintings We Sought Out During Our Slow Travels in Florence, Rome and Paris 214
Bibliography 219
Index 223

“Essential…fascinating, engaging, and inspiring read from first page to last…strongly recommended.”—Midwest Book Review