Updated:
Aug 04, 2025
8 min read
Hey there, fellow travellers,
It's time to dust off Flight Finder Lauren's advice on what to pack when backpacking around Europe. That's because tomorrow marks the start of another race across Europe with Lupine Racing, this time from London to Tallinn, Estonia.
Brutalist architecture will be taking the lead in this race, with (as yet undisclosed) checkpoints designed to show off some of the continent's concrete masterpieces. If this year's racers are anything like me, they'll have already been studying this map of the finest examples to try and work out where they're off to!
Jack's Flight Club has been sponsoring the races since the first one, from London to Istanbul, in 2023, and I've loved every minute of being involved. There's nothing better than catching up with the community of racers along the way — many of whom are also JFC members — so I'll be running a social evening and pub quiz for three nights in the mid-way city.
I can't wait to get out on the rails again with my trusty Interrail pass and see what the week has in store for us. Fingers crossed nobody falls foul of Deutsche Bahn this time around… (If any of you have any good Deutsche Bahn disaster stories, please do let us know in the comments!)
Happy travels and swift connections,
Katy - Editor of The Detour
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I Tried the Weirdest Foods at the Calgary Stampede So You Don't Have To
By Kristi
Flight Finder Kristi is a born and bred Canadian, who has recently returned to her beloved mountains after travelling the world as a digital nomad. When she isn't on the move, she is writing about travelling, or dreaming about travelling, or saving up for… you get the point :-)
Every July, my hometown of Calgary transforms into a cowboy fever dream known as the Calgary Stampede — ten glorious days of belt buckles, bull riding, and a shocking number of rhinestones.
On the surface, it’s a rodeo. A big one. One of the most famous in the world, actually.
But the Stampede is more than just boots and bulls. It’s a full-blown celebration of agriculture, community, and Indigenous culture, where horses race, tipis stand tall, and ranchers show off prize-winning livestock like proud parents at a kindergarten talent show.
And while you might show up for the rodeo or the music or the racing, you’ll stay — and spiral into a food coma — for the wildly inventive and slightly unhinged Stampede midway eats.
I braved the midway with a single mission: try the weirdest foods I could find so you don’t have to.
What follows is a journey of grease, sugar, confusion, delight, and mild gastrointestinal distress. Oh, and worms.
Buckle up, cowpokes.
Let’s start with the headliner. Yes, this is classic Canadian poutine — gravy, cheese curds, fries. But topped with real roasted mealworms.
Crunchy. Nutty. Existentially alarming.
If you can get your head around them, the worms were passable.
Would eat again? Only on a dare. 1.5/10
Take the best part of poutine, deep-fry it, and give it a cute little dipping sauce. These were molten inside and squeaky outside — proof that Canada knows how to make its national snack even less heart-healthy.
10/10, no notes.
Except maybe bring antacids.
Is this weird? No. Is it a spiritual experience on a 30°C Stampede day? Absolutely. It's like being kissed by a Hawaiian breeze while someone fans you with palm leaves. I’d abandon my family for another cone.
Don’t expect the most sour pineapple flavour, but it’s a light and delicious snack.
7/10
Hot take: This slaps harder than you’d expect.
Think garlicky cream sauce, mozzarella, and so many pickle slices. It's like someone dared a pregnant woman to design a pizza, and then it ended up being genius.
Would pair well with a cold beer and questionable decisions.
7/10
Your Favourite Spots in Mexico
By Katy
Detour Editor Katy is a budget travel aficionado who has already travelled to more than 50 countries. Whether she's at home or on a foreign adventure, she has a particular talent for stumbling upon tasty Georgian restaurants.
Last week, I put out a cry for help on all things Mexico. Having suddenly been faced with awesome flights on offer all over the country, I realised that I simply didn't know where I would choose if I had been ready to hit 'book now'.
Between your emails, comments, and Instagram story replies, I now have a pretty good idea of where I'd like to go, and topping that list is...
In her article on lesser-known spots to visit in Mexico, Flight Finder Kash also agrees that Oaxaca and the surrounding area is not to be missed. Here are her recommendations for getting out into nature nearby:
It pays to keep your ears (and your plans) open when looking for lesser-known places in Mexico.
Thousands of miles away in Guatemala, I overheard two backpackers whispering about their most memorable travel experiences.
They spoke of a distant, magical place high in the mountains of Oaxaca, and I made sure to scribble the name down in case I ever made it there – San Jose del Pacifico.
“Man they weren’t lying about the views” I muttered to myself minutes after climbing off the bus. Below me, cascading clouds drifted into a distant purple horizon, and it took a minute to register that I was literally higher than the clouds.
It turns out that the magical quality wasn’t all down to the views. Hongos Magicos (magic mushrooms) are the currency here and have deep roots in the indigenous culture.
Deep within the forest, you’ll be able to pick your own mushrooms (under the guidance of a shaman), before embarking on a mystical journey.
Temazcal (sweat lodge) ceremonies, zip-lining, coffee tours and hiking trails are also easy to find for those who’d rather skip the trip. San Jose del Pacifico is also a convenient stop between Oaxaca City and up-and-coming coastal surfer towns like Mazunte.
Hugging the cliffs of the Oaxacan mountains sits Hierve el Agua – a sacred site to the Zapotec, an ancient civilization dating back 2,000 years.
A trick of nature, it first appears to be a frozen waterfall. But, look a bit closer, and you’ll see it's actually a build-up of calcified rock.
On top of this petrified waterfall lies no better view – a freshwater infinity pool at the edge of the world with the deepest colors of turquoise and green.
With plenty of trails through the valley, it’s a hiker’s dream. I’ve even heard of hidden caves around here that you can swim in (if you can find them!).
Aside from Oaxaca, a couple of other names popped up more than once: Taxco, the silver capital of Mexico, and Mérida, often called the safest city in the country. But the Mexico is huge, and there are seemingly countless paths less travelled by the foreign visitor. So, while my next trip to Mexico may indeed land me in Oaxaca, I'll probably have to plan a few more to see all these pueblos mágicos!
Tell us about your favourite spots in Mexico in the comments, or ask a question you'd like answered in the next edition of The Detour.
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