Poppin' Smoke

Where can your military retirement benefits take you?

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  • RV Travel
    • How to Use Military Campgrounds
    • 12 Awesome Military RV Parks to Try This Year
    • Best Military Campgrounds for Snowbirds
    • A Year of Full-Time RV Living (With Kids)
    • Using Workamping to Reduce the Cost of RV Living
    • Solo RVing Full-Time
  • Expat Life
    • Expat Retiree Interviews
    • Obtaining a Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
    • Moving to Spain from the U.S.
  • Destinations
    • CONUS
      • Annapolis, MD
      • Arches National Park
      • Best Unknown Vacation Spots in the U.S.
      • Flying Space-A via BWI
      • Flying Space-A via JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
      • Flying Space-A via NAS Norfolk
      • Flying Space-A via Seattle
      • Flying Space-A from Travis AFB
    • Germany
      • Flying Space-A to Ramstein
      • 7 Things to Do Near Ramstein
      • Military Retiree Life in Vilseck, Germany
    • Hawaii
      • Guide to Hawaii Military Resorts
      • Flying Space-A to Hawaii
      • Barking Sands Beach Cottages
      • Kilauea Military Camp
    • Japan
    • Korea
      • Flying Space-A to Osan Air Base
      • Military Retiree Life in South Korea
      • Staying at Dragon Hill Lodge
    • Portugal
      • Portugal Itinerary for “Slow Travel”
      • The Best Towns in Algarve
      • Retiree Life in Algarve, Portugal
      • Moving to Portugal as a Single Parent
    • Spain
      • Flying Space-A to Rota
      • Military Retiree Life in Rota
      • Moving to Spain from the U.S.
      • Obtaining a Spain Residence Visa
      • Review of Hotel Duque de Nájera
    • United Kingdom
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Expat Retiree Profile: Living in Romania as an American

Last updated February 27, 2023 | Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

Red rooftops along the city skyline in Cluj, Romania.

If you’re looking for an affordable location that offers modern conveniences, easy access to the rest of Europe, and many options for residence visas, Romania fits the bill. With a high quality of life, low cost of living, vibrant cities, and incredible nature, this beautiful country in eastern European has much to offer potential expats…. [Read More]

Flying Space-A to Sigonella, Italy: 10 Things You Need to Know

Last updated February 11, 2023 | Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

Snow-covered Mt Etna towering over Sicily

A military hop to Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella is the perfect start to an adventure on the island of Sicily! Starting with views of Mt. Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, as you land at the air terminal, Sicily is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Sicily also offers many unique… [Read More]

Barking Sands Beach Cottages: Discover A Secret Military Getaway in Hawaii

Last updated March 7, 2023 | 8 Comments This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

The towering cliffs on the coast of Kauai

If you’re searching for an escape that lets you enjoy the incredible nature in Hawaii without the crowds, look no further than Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) Barking Sands! Whether you want tranquil relaxation or adrenaline-filled adventure, this lesser-known military recreation area is the perfect spot. PMRF Barking Sands is a naval base on the… [Read More]

Disney World for Military Travelers: How to Save Money on a Magical Vacation

Last updated December 10, 2022 | Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

Members of the U.S. military community have many options for saving money on a trip to Disney World. From discount tickets to military rates at Walt Disney World resorts, plus a military-only resort right on the property, guest contributor and Disney expert Julie Chickery explains how military travelers can make a dream Disney vacation a… [Read More]

19 Great Gift Ideas for the Military Traveler in Your Life

Last updated March 8, 2023 | This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

A person's handing holding two gifts wrapped in brown paper

Searching for the perfect gift for a military traveler? Check out our suggestions! Our gift guide is organized into categories for travelers with different needs and interests. Some are fun, some are practical, all are informed by our 7+ years of world travel since military retirement. Use this list for your own gift-giving ideas, or… [Read More]

Flying Space-A from the Seattle AMC Terminal: 10 Things You Need to Know

Last updated November 9, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

If you want to fly Space-A to Asia, the Air Mobility Command (AMC) terminal at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (“Seattle” or “SeaTac”) is one of the best places to start your journey. Also called the “AMC Seattle Gateway,” this military passenger terminal truly is a gateway to the Pacific. It has multiple missions per week to… [Read More]

9 Things to Do Near Mildenhall: Easy Day Trips and Getaways

Last updated December 20, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

Yellow daffodils in front of a cathedral

Whether you’re stationed at RAF Mildenhall or just visiting, get ready to take advantage of everything this beautiful part of the UK has to offer! Mildenhall is located in Suffolk, England, about 80 miles northeast of London. Within a few hours, you can visit dozens of quintessentially English towns, stroll through beautiful forests and gardens,… [Read More]

Living in an RV in the Winter: Pro Tips to Stay Warm and Safe

Last updated March 3, 2023 | This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

A truck towing a fifth wheel past a snow-covered mountain

Year-round RV living doesn’t mean you need to snowbird every winter! With the right preparation, you can live in your RV quite comfortably, even in cold, snowy weather. Guest contributor, Julie Chickery, has expert tips for staying warm and safe in your RV, no matter where you spend the winter! If you plan to travel… [Read More]

Expat Retiree Profile: Testing the Waters in Switzerland

Last updated September 30, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

The turquoise waters of Lake Thun

Moving to another country is a major decision, and finding the right location requires a lot of research. It can also involve some trial and error to figure out if the country you chose is a fit for you and your family over the long term. If you have any doubts about that reality, ask… [Read More]

Kilauea Military Camp: Stay in Military Lodging on a Volcano

Last updated October 3, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

People gathered at a lookout point to watch Kilauea Volcano erupting at night

Where can your military benefits take you on Hawaii Island (the “Big Island”)? To a military resort called Kilauea Military Camp (KMC), located right in the middle of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park! Staying at KMC gives you prime access to the Park, which is the top attraction on the Big Island. It’s also an easy… [Read More]

7 Air Force Inns for a Fantastic Fall Getaway

Last updated August 16, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

A path through a canopy of colorful trees in autumn

Looking for a quick escape this fall? Plan a fun getaway by staying on an Air Force base! That’s right! Military bases can also serve as excellent “bases” for exploring a part of the country you’d like to visit. When traveling for leisure, eligible patrons can stay in military lodging on a space-available basis. Many… [Read More]

The Best Shenandoah National Park Waterfall Hikes for All Levels

Last updated August 6, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

A short waterfall surrounded by greenery in Shenandoah National Park

Some of the best hiking in the Washington, DC and Northern Virginia areas is in Shenandoah National Park. Boasting epic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and numerous sections of the famous Appalachian Trail, this national park is also known for its incredible waterfalls, which are the centerpiece for many hikes. In this guide from… [Read More]

Flying Space-A Via Nellis AFB: 7 Things You Need to Know

Last updated July 16, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

An airplane taking off with the Las Vegas skyline in the background

Did you know there is an Air Force base less than 15 miles north of the famous Las Vegas Strip? Nellis Air Force Base is the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. Primarily a training base, it does not have frequent missions on cargo planes, so you would need to get lucky to… [Read More]

Expat Retiree Profile: Living in Italy After the Military

Last updated August 4, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

Visitors to Italy fall in love with the amazing food, natural beauty, centuries of history and art, and the distinctive Italian culture. David Adams, a U.S. Air Force retiree, made Italy his home. David’s wife, Adri, is Italian, and after a post-military career working as a civilian at military bases in Germany, David fully retired… [Read More]

12 Awesome Military RV Parks to Try This Year

Last updated August 16, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links, from which Poppin' Smoke earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support of this free website.

A truck parked in front of an RV

For members of the military community who enjoy RV travel, military campgrounds are a great deal! A better value than comparable civilian facilities, they offer several advantages, including easy access to other base amenities, such as a commissary/Exchange, golf course, movie theater, fitness center, and recreational equipment rentals. Some military RV parks (also called “FamCamps”)… [Read More]

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Hi, my name is Stephanie! Since my husband retired from the Army in 2015, we have been using our military benefits to fly Space-A on military aircraft and stay in military facilities all over the world . . . (read more) .

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