Learn My Travel-like-a-Local Secrets

...Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on,
deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.
Miriam Beard

During twenty-five years of traveling around the world, I have learned that traveling-like-a-local is the best way to see the world inexpensively, safely, comfortably, and purposefully. Yet after years of scouring bookstores, taking travel seminars, and surfing websites, I have never found anywhere that reveals the secrets I have learned. So I decided to develop the following classes for my "Travel like a Local" seminar series:

A Whole New Way to Travel: Exchanging, Volunteering, Learning Vacations, and other Adventures Abroad

Want to travel for next to nothing while getting immersed into the heart and soul of a new country? Tired of seeing the world through bus or cruise ship windows? If so, attend this class and discover dozens of extremely low-cost alternatives to the beaten travel path, including:

• Studying languages, surfing, cooking, dancing, ecology, herbal medicine, history, or archaeology for as little as $10/day.
• Volunteering to put your skills and passions to work.
• Setting up and finding great home exchanges.
• Staying for free, or next to nothing, in a room in someone's home.

Alternative Title: The World's Best Kept Travel Secret

Escape the Rat Race: Live, Retire, and Work in the World's Best Places

Have you dreamed of living in another country? Want to learn what it takes to successfully transition to a new way of life abroad? If so, take this class and discover how to:

• Earn a living outside of the USA (including teaching English, freelance journalism, and running a business abroad).
• Use your home and investments to fund your adventure.
• Live in popular retirement spots in Mexico, Europe, and Costa Rica or off-the-beaten-path havens in Ecuador, Argentina, Panama, and Nicaragua, and Thailand.
• Buy property abroad.
• Find medical care outside your home country.
• Set up your new home abroad.

Alternative Titles: Escape the Rat Race: Live, Work, Travel, Study, and Retire Abroad; The World's Best Places to Live, Work or Retire

Travel the World for Less than Staying at Home

Do you think that you need to have lots of money to travel? Think again. In 25 years traveling around the world, Paul has met hundreds of retirees, young backpackers, and unemployed professionals who have passed on tips to traveling the world for as little as $20 a day, including how to:

• Earn income to help you extend your travels.
• Fly almost anywhere, anytime, for less than $1000 roundtrip.
• Get great award travel without purchasing high-cost products.
• Find nutritious, delicious meals for under $5.
• Negotiate substantial reductions and upgrades with hotels, airlines, and other travel providers.

Alternative Titles: Travel the World in Comfort for Less than $50 a Day; Travel the World for $20 a Day; Travel the World for Practically Nothing; Travel the World for Free

An Insider's Guide to California's Best Hidden Tours

Join seasoned tour guide Paul Heller as he shows you how to set up and enjoy hundreds of unique hidden tours (mostly free) showcasing the best that California has to offer, including:

• Behind-the-scenes glimpses of the Golden State's finest amusement parks, factories, neighborhoods, breweries, wineries, aquariums, sport stadiums, and caverns.
• One-of-a-kind opportunities to see, touch, and learn about exotic animals.
• An inside peek at some of the world's finest public and private universities and research facilities.
• Visits to some of America's finest 20th century architectural landmarks, including the homes of some of our country's finest authors.

Alternative Titles: A Guide to Great California Tours; "Wow, I didn't know that was there"

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling, Living, and Retiring in Mexico

Want to discover why Paul Heller, a seasoned Mexican traveler, believes that Mexico is the world's ultimate place to live and travel? If so, take this seminar and learn Paul's secrets for:

• Discovering hidden colonial cities, beach towns, and natural landmarks.
• Studying Spanish, arts and crafts, surfing, cooking, and other subjects.
• Living successfully in Mexico. (Topics include: finding high quality healthcare, buying a home, making a living, and adjusting to life below the border.)
• Traveling cheaply, safely, and comfortably around the country.
• Making friends and doing business.

Upcoming Seminars

NOTE: The names of the classes and descriptions of these classes vary depending on the venue. If you have trouble finding the classes on the colleges' websites, send me an e-mail and I'll help you.

NOTE #2: Almost all of these classes are offered through adult education programs. As such, the classes are designed to be available after working hours (evenings and weekends).

Saturday, March 22, 2008
Combo Class
How to Travel the World in Comfort for Less than Staying at Home
A Whole New Way to Travel

Monday, March 24, 2008
Escape the Rat Race: Live, Work, and Retire in the World's Best Places

Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Insider's Guide to Hidden California Tours

Wednesday, March 26-Thursday, March 27, 2008
Travel the World for Practically Nothing
Escape the Rat Race

Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Travel the World for Practically Nothing

Thursday, April 3, 2008
Escape the Rat Race

Santiago Canyon College, Orange CA

Friday, April 4, 2008
Travel the World for Practically Nothing

Ventura Community College, Moorpark CA

Saturday, April 6, 2008
Travel the World for Practically Nothing

Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona

Monday, April 7, 2008- Thursday, April 10, 2008
How to Travel the World in Comfort for Less than Staying at Home
Escape the Rat Race: Live, Work, and Retire in the World's Best Places
A Whole New Way to Travel
The Ultimate Guide to Living, Working, Traveling, and Retiring in Mexico

Saturday, April 12, 2008
The Ultimate Guide to Living, Working, Traveling, and Retiring in Mexico
A Whole New Way to Travel

Saturday, April 19, 2008
Travel the World for Practically Nothing
The Ultimate Guide to Living and Traveling in Mexico

Monday, July 21, 2008- Thursday, July 23 , 2008
How to Travel the World in Comfort for Less than Staying at Home
Escape the Rat Race: Live, Work, and Retire in the World's Best Places
The Ultimate Guide to Living, Working, Traveling, and Retiring in Mexico

Saturday, August 2, 2008
Combo Class
How to Travel the World in Comfort for Less than Staying at Home
A Whole New Way to Travel

Monday, August 4, 2008
The Ultimate Guide to Living, Working, Traveling, and Retiring in Mexico

Tuesday,  August 5, 2008
Escape the Rat Race: Live, Work, and Retire in the World's Best Places

More Details

• My Biography (Paul Heller)
• Seminar Time Lengths, Goals, Objectives, and Activities
• Short Seminar Descriptions (at different word lengths for your class catalog or flyer)
• Short Biographic Sketches (at different word lengths for your class catalog or flyer)
• Resume

Want me to teach a seminar to your group?

• Here is some information about my requirements to teach seminars (fees, materials, etc.)

Send me an e-mail at paul@thebigbluemarble.com if you'd like me to teach one of these exciting seminars to your group or if you'd like to subscribe to my free newsletter and receive announcements about future travel seminars.