We're about leave for an extended (10+ weeks) stay in Italy.

Was thinking of bringing a firestick in case some of the AirBnBs where we stay aren't equipped.

Is there any thig special we might need so we can watch the shows we're accustomed to seeing here stateside?

Do I need to get a device or app or something to open other VPN availability?

Thanks for any advice

You'll get blocked bigly by most of the US-based streaming services for being out of country. Since I'm not aware of a method to load a VPN client directly on a device like a Firestick, the only real option is to get a small travel router and set it up as a VPN client (with all traffic from connected devices routed through the tunnel) back to a VPN server that you run at your house. I do this using OpenVPN on a Linux machine at my house. Wireguard is another good option that folks seem to like these days.

With this setup, all of the traffic from the Firestick will go through the VPN tunnel back to your house and it will appear to the streaming services that you're sitting in your living room. Note that another gotcha is trying to use streaming services on a cell phone or tablet with embedded GPS. You'll get busted by location services even with the above VPN setup, so streaming sticks and the like only for this to work.

Or we'll just read some books.., lol

Seriously, thanks for the info.

Honestly, I always get a kick out of watching local TV or whatever channels the hotel has. Assuming I even turn the TV on.

I've made a few good discoveries this way like the "France 24" channel for instance.
https://www.france24.com/en/

And I absolutely love NHK news.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/list/

When I was in Colombia last month, I even managed to get the US State of the Union Address live with Spanish translation over the top.

I live abroad and use a Fire Stick exclusively. I have the ExpressVPN app downloaded on it...just turn it on when you need it. I use it to watch YouTube TV, the ESPN app, etc. It also lets me access Netflix content from different regions.

I'll be darned, didn't know you could do that.

Do what he said.

TXCityAggie said:

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I live abroad and use a Fire Stick exclusively. I have the ExpressVPN app downloaded on it...just turn it on when you need it. I use it to watch YouTube TV, the ESPN app, etc. It also lets me access Netflix content from different regions.

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Thanks. I'll check this out.

Troypoint.com along with the associated YouTube and Rumble channels is a really good reference for Firestick and other Android based streaming platforms.

I have switched from Firestick to the onn 4K Pro streaming boxes but the installation and operation with regard to VPN is very similar. I have used IPVanish and SurfShark VPNs on both platforms with really good results.

3 Best VPNs For Firestick & Fire TV

Troypoint YouTube channel

https://rumble.com/user/troypoint

Oh how I miss Slingbox

Thanks for the info. This looks like something I can do. Ordered one off of Amazon last night. I'll be heading to Germany and Spain in a couple of weeks. Would love to catch some Aggie baseball.

aggie orbitalwelder said:

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Thanks for the info. This looks like something I can do. Ordered one off of Amazon last night. I'll be heading to Germany and Spain in a couple of weeks. Would love to catch some Aggie baseball.

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It's a little awkward setting up the router the first time but you'll get the hang of it. I suggest you experiment at home with it before you go. Figure out how to use the Repeater function towards your house WiFi. Once that's done, you can move on to trying to setup a VPN. It supports two primary types "Open VPN" and "Wireguard". Wireguard has the better performance if you can do it. Just make sure the VPN you pick supports manual configuration of Wireguard.

It's alot easier to use a VPN vs the router.

Where we live if you try to use the router you get automatically blocked until they get a tech out to look at the new line isp etc.

Just Connect nordvpn to the device(s) and then stream normally. You really don't need the router. Just hook every decide up to the VPN on the same Network or get a dedicated IP.

You guys are making this way to complicated w a router. Again, if we try to plug in a router like mentioned above, our entire service goes out.

Tldr: We live overseas and without a VPN Have no access to US cable so we use them everyday. If we try to Connect through a bridge router the entire Network and ISO goes to **** and required a visit.

Also, if you stream Xfinity etc. Have that connection established in the phone or lap top prior to visiting. Then to screen mirror just make sure the device and TV are set to that same local rea Network and boom screen mirroring for the win.

Bayou City said:

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It's alot easier to use a VPN vs the router.

Where we live if you try to use the router you get automatically blocked until they get a tech out to look at the new line isp etc.

Just Connect nordvpn to the device(s) and then stream normally. You really don't need the router. Just hook every decide up to the VPN on the same Network or get a dedicated IP.

You guys are making this way to complicated w a router. Again, if we try to plug in a router like mentioned above, our entire service goes out.

Tldr: We live overseas and without a VPN Have no access to US cable so we use them everyday. If we try to Connect through a bridge router the entire Network and ISO goes to **** and required a visit.

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With all due respect, you're making it seem harder than it is to do what I suggested but you do you.