The Travel Shepherd Team

Michael and Karin Shepherd love to share their travel adventures and expatriate lifestyle. They have a lot of experience in doing so.

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Travel Advisory

Up close and personal with an archeological dig--is that your idea of romance and adventure like in all the stories? Read how to do it at this blog post

Wherever you journey you will get the most from the experience by enjoying the local food and drink. Everything tastes better when you are happy and relaxed. Read more at Taste the Place, Greek Island Wine

Also we have a villa to rent in Aliki, Paros that includes olive oil and vegetables grown on the premises. Greek island villas

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Travellers love e books--add ebookstore to your Google Account

Recent Events

We try to keep up with interesting events in our two blogs:

Greece

Prague

We have found that if you will be staying three or more days in one place an apartment or house is better value than an hotel. For the same or less money they have more space and the benefits of a kitchen. As well you can chose the location to suit you. Just search for apartments in any large city.

Greece villas - Collection of sizes and locations in the Greek Islands.

About The Travel Shepherd Team

Michael Shepherd
aka Paroshep

Karin Shepherd

In the Beginning:

A long time ago Michael and Karin were married in the Old Scotch Church outside of Portland, Oregon, USA. For their honeymoon they chose Mexico over Hawaii and the world has never been the same since.

Through out their lives together there were countless international connections. Karin eventually worked in International Service Training for a major electronics company where she established many friendships around the world. Michael joined Rotary International and worked on many committees especially as long time Chairman of Student Exchange for his club. Michael and Karin hosted many students and other foreigners both through Rotary and with other programs.

When their own children were grown they did a Home Exchange with fellow Rotarians from England. They fell in love with the quaint stone and brick villages and became intrigued with the idea of actually living and working in a foreign country.

The Growing Years:

Almost five years later in 1996 it actually happened after unlimited research, planning, saving, setbacks and successes. We sold our home, said goodbye to family and friends--most of whom thought we were foolish or crazy--and moved a container of possessions to Ballydehob, Ireland.

We have written about our time there and adjusting to rural Irish culture., but I have not yet organized the articles and newsletters in one place. You can find some of it at www.IrelandTravelInformation.com and a variation on our Expatriate page.

About five years later our economic and personal situations had changed and we cast about for a new directions. We headed south and east to the sun and air of the Greek islands. The first two years it was summers only, then one very long winter as well and then back to traveling as much as possible in the winter and operating a small hotel in the summer.

We have very extensive personal newsletters of this period. Good reading for anyone contemplating life on an island anywhere. This page describes our early times as Paros expats.

As retirement age approached we gradually slowed down labor wise. Now after more than 10 years--twice the time we spent in Ireland--we have thoroughly done the Greek island lifestyle and want to broaden our horizons.

Where we're going:

Well, frankly we don't know where we are going. We are only planning in 3 to 6 month segments. In October 2011 we heading back to our favorite city, Prague. By February we hope to decide where to spend the summer and have an idea about the next autumn and winter.

You can help us decide! Sign up for a workshop on Paros and we will be there.

We frequently visit our roots in the USA.

What we are doing now:

We have two blogs where we try to post anything of interest.

Greece

Prague

Where we want to go:

Nepal Trekking -- Asian Journey Treks - specializes in Adventure Trekking, Climbing & luxury tours in the Himalayas of Nepal as well as cultural & pilgrimage holidays in Tibet, Bhutan. They offer both fixed departures and customized holidays at affordable cost.

We have two sets of friends who frequently visit the Ukraine. They say it is quite an experience and especially economical.

Kazantip -- Find hotels, vacation and holiday rentals in Popovka, near the Kazantip Festival. Book your villa, apartment or hotel online.