Hey there, Travellers!

The time has finally come for me to face a hard truth; my favourite carry-on backpack is on its way out. The straps are fraying, bits are falling off, and it now opens of its own volition.

I picked up my trusty Herschel about 5 years ago for a bargain price, and it's been on nearly every trip with me since then. It's the perfect size for a long weekend, there's a lovely, padded laptop sleeve inside, and it is actually a nice colour (or was, before I got it all mucky).

So now I need your help, readers! Since this is the prime time of year to snap up new gear, I'm looking for your carry-on backpack recommendations. Do I stick with my beloved Herschel, or is there a new kid on the block?

Let me know in the comments, or reply to this email!

Happy travels and safe landings,

Some winters are best seen in motion, and Switzerland’s panoramic train promises just that.

Winter. My spirit does not gleefully jump at the fading light, soggy gloves, and single-digit temperatures on either side of zero.

Nor does it dance with the bare-naked trees when I picture gusts of tiny needles hitting my face. Or the sting of the cold in my ears that haunts me long after I’ve slammed the door to the frozen world outside. 

Yet for every scratchy woollen layer, stiff finger, and runny nose, there exists a winter worth savoring. The one from the warmth of a window. 

Windows offer an intimate glimpse of the outside world when we step inside, away from the hustle. They serve as a projector, reeling back micro-moments of “humanness” that we might not necessarily catch on a check-box trip; a dog leaping through a fresh blanket of snow, waddling toddlers bundled in bulky snowsuits, a street vendor meticulously hanging the last strand of tinsel on their awning.

Call it travel voyeurism. The joy of a quiet, captivating secret beyond the glass. 

There may be no better window from which to watch the season unfold than on the Glacier Express—and that’s exactly where I found myself earlier this year.

The world’s “slowest express train,” the Glacier Express winds unhurriedly through some of Europe’s most iconic winter scenery, linking the ritzy resorts of Zermatt & St. Moritz.

With 360 panoramic windows, it’s a photographer’s dream, though you’ll want one hand free for a glass of champagne and the extravagant meals provided onboard. 

Chugging through alabaster valleys, alpine villages, and towering mountains, the journey takes eight hours to complete. Pine forests and pastures peel back in slow motion, revealing wooden hamlets and steeples tucked into the valley below.

Inside, the carriage felt like a cocoon: warm air hissing through the vents, windows fogging then clearing with every shift in altitude. I spotted someone two rows up wrapping their hands around a warm mug.

An elderly couple to the left were speaking about the construction of the route; entire teams lived in alpine huts for months, blasting through rock metre by metre with picks and dynamite. 

Keep reading for Akasha's essential Glacier Express tips...

As soon as the temperatures begin to drop, the requests for winter sun recommendations start piling up in our inbox. And we don't blame you at all; sunny trips are about the only thing that get us through those dark and dreary months!

Some of you are just in need of a quick, cheap winter break, while others are on the hunt for good spots to combine a vitamin D top-up with a bit of remote working. As a general rule, we’d suggest you head south for extra daylight and temperatures above 16 °C. If you want a little more to go on, we’ve drawn up a short-list of exciting winter sun spots beloved by the Jack's team and Community alike.

Cadiz, Spain

Temperatures: 16-18 °C in January - March

Why should I visit? It's supposedly the oldest city still standing in Europe, dating back to the 12th century. Beautiful cathedrals, Roman ruins and authentic tapas bars are tucked away around every corner in the narrow alleyways of the Old Town.

The locals also know how to throw a party, rehearsing all year for their world-famous Carnival that takes places over 11 days in late February - March.

Mauritius

Temperatures: 22-27 °C in November - March

Why should I visit?

The Azores

Temperatures - 16-17 °C in November - March

Why should I visit? - You'll find it hard not to rush outdoors and breathe in the Azores’ fresh mountain air. The islands are made for hiking, with trails leading you to waterfalls, around volcanic craters, and along the craggy coastline. And although you may never have heard of a lava tube, we bet you’ll want to snoop around inside one now that you know it’s possible on São Miguel Island.

We’d also recommend visiting a local winery or two - just for science, of course. Despite the extreme growing conditions out there in the middle of the Atlantic, wine has been made there for hundreds of years.

Keep reading...

• Polar night has begun across the northern Arctic. This week, parts of Alaska and northern Norway joined Svalbard in a months-long nighttime. The sun won't show its face again there until mid-to-late January.
  
  
• Travelling to watch sports is nothing new, but 2026 may see an unexpected sport inspiring trips far and wide.
  
  
• No trip to Istanbul is complete without considering scooping up a friendly local feline. Not quite strays nor pets, the city has a truly unique relationship with cats.
  
  
• And finally, would you hike eight hours up an Alp to reach a museum? No? Me neither. Even a really good one.