Welcome to Poppin’ Smoke’s “Veterans Living Overseas” interview series! In this series, we feature profiles of veterans who moved to a foreign country after military service. For those who love to travel, can’t imagine “settling down” after the constant changes of military life, or whose favorite duty station was in …
Japan is one of the most unique travel destinations in the world and well worth the time and effort to get there. Military travelers are very fortunate, because we have the privilege of taking Space-A flights (aka “MAC” flights) to Japan, allowing us to save hundreds – or even thousands …
You’ve flown Space-A to Europe. Now what? Patricia Kuenzi, Space-A expert and avid European traveler, shares her tips for pre- and post-flight lodging, ground transportation, and many other tricks for making the most of your time in Europe! It’s generally easy for Space-A travelers to travel from the Continental U.S. …
If you travel to Japan, one of the places you must see is the city of Hiroshima. It’s very beautiful, with many fun things to do and delicious local cuisine, but the historical significance is what makes Hiroshima worth visiting. We toured this incredible city and were charmed by its …
House sitting is a great way to save money while traveling, especially if you enjoy taking care of pets. Kim Hinson and her husband, Kenny, are military retirees who have been house and pet sitting for many years. Here’s what the experts have to say about how to become a …
Did you know there is a U.S. military hotel in Tokyo, Japan where you can stay for a fraction of the price of comparable civilian hotels? It’s called the New Sanno, and it’s a luxury hotel run by the U.S. Naval Joint Services Activity. If you plan to visit Tokyo, …
Mount Fuji has profound importance and a mystical quality to the Japanese people. They refer to it as “Fuji-san,” a name of respect for the sacred mountain. At an elevation of 12,388 feet, Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan and unmistakable in photographs. If you’ve ever flown into one …
Many people ask how we traveled for more than 8 years with only a carry-on suitcase and small backpack each. In our experience, it’s quite easy, but there’s no one-size-fits-all packing list. How you use the precious space in your luggage depends entirely on where you plan to travel and …