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When it comes to air travel, the class you choose can make or break your journey. Whether you're a budget-conscious traveler or a luxury-seeking jet-setter, the decision between premium economy and economy can be a tough one - and there&rsquo;s more to it than just the price!&nbsp;
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details, let's first define what we mean by premium economy and economy class (because it&rsquo;s not always obvious!)
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/74bb7347883e6bb009661a0fee37f94f1c0f0ecb" width="755" height="755">
Premium economy is a hybrid between economy and business class, offering a step-up in comfort and amenities without breaking the bank. You&rsquo;ll have a more comfortable experience that includes additional legroom, improved in-flight entertainment, meal options, etc. but without the eye-watering price tag of business class.
Economy class, on the other hand, is the most budget-friendly option, with fewer frills but still providing the essentials for a safe and comfortable flight.&nbsp;
Think of premium economy as a way to upgrade your flight experience, while still keeping costs reasonable. It's a great option for travelers who want a little extra comfort, but don't want to splurge on a business or first-class ticket. Economy class, on the other hand, is perfect for budget-conscious travelers or those who prioritize cost over comfort.
<h2>Sit Back and Relax: Comparing Comfort and Amenities</h2>
Premium economy is not a huge upgrade from economy class, but does offer a few extra perks to make your flight more comfortable. One of the biggest differences between premium economy and economy is the seating and legroom.&nbsp;
In premium economy, you can expect more spacious seats with extra legroom, making those long haul flights a little more bearable, especially for taller passengers and those with back or joint pain. While in the economy, seats are narrower and have less legroom, but are still comfortable enough for short to medium flights.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/c1ab722be30c091ef99f1d38acf42368446815dd" width="1183" height="795">
But comfort isn't just about legroom, it's also about convenience and the in-flight experience. Premium economy typically offers at least 2 checked bags, priority boarding, a smaller cabin, and amenity kits. Plus, you get more meal options and better in-flight entertainment. So, you won't have to settle for a sad, dry sandwich and a terrible movie.
And let's not forget about those little extras that can make all the difference. Premium economy often offers goodies like noise-canceling headphones, blankets, and pillows. So, you can arrive at your destination feeling fresh and well-rested, instead of feeling like you've just been through the wringer.
<h2>Breaking Down the Cost: Is Premium Economy Worth the Extra Bucks?</h2>
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room: cost. You might be wondering, how much more expensive is premium economy compared to the basic economy class? Well, it all depends on the airline and the route, but on average, you can expect to pay around 1.5-3 times more for premium economy.&nbsp;
For example, if an economy class ticket costs $500, a premium economy ticket for the same flight could cost anywhere from $750 to $1000. But before you start counting your pennies, let's see if it's worth it.
First, think about your travel style and budget. If you're all about saving money and have no problem sitting in a cramped seat for hours, then economy might be the way to go. But, if you're the type of traveler who values comfort, extra legroom, gourmet meals, or just traveling with more luggage, then the extra cost for premium economy might be worth it.
And don't forget to consider the length of your flight. If it's a short hop across the country, the extra cost for premium economy might not be worth it. But, if you're flying across the ocean for 10 hours or more, the extra comfort could make all the difference, especially on overnight flights.&nbsp;
<h2>Fly More, Spend Less: How Premium Economy Affects Frequent Flyer Programs</h2>
The type of class you fly in can make a big difference in your frequent flyer status. Flying in premium economy may cost a little more upfront, but it can pay off in the long run with added frequent flyer benefits. And who doesn't love free upgrades and extra perks?
​​Frequent flyer programs reward travelers for their loyalty to a specific airline. The more you fly with them, the more miles you earn and the closer you get to elite status. Elite status means more perks, such as free upgrades, priority boarding, and access to exclusive lounges.
So, what's the catch? Usually, the more expensive the ticket, the more miles you'll earn. This is where premium economy comes in. While it's more expensive than economy class, it's often less expensive than business class. And, despite being a lower class than business, you'll still earn more miles than you would in economy.

<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/b2f98507c13cd2e6003806becd8500629168319b" width="1210" height="805">
For example, let's say you're a member of <a href="https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/overview">Delta's SkyMiles</a> program. If you book a round-trip ticket from New York to Paris in economy, you'll earn a total of 5,510 miles. But, if you book the same trip in premium economy, you'll earn 6,930 miles &ndash; that's an additional 1,420 miles!
Another example is <a href="https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/aadvantage-program.jsp">American Airlines' AAdvantage</a> program. If you book a round-trip ticket from Los Angeles to London in economy, you'll earn 7,020 miles. But, if you book the same trip in premium economy, you'll earn 8,880 miles &ndash; that's an extra 1,860 miles!
Keep in mind, every airline's frequent flyer program is different, so it's a good idea to check out your specific airline's program to see how premium economy class affects your benefits. In general though, flying in premium economy can help you fly more and spend less on future trips.
<h2>Who has the best premium economy cabin?</h2>
The airline industry is constantly evolving and improving their premium economy offerings. But if you're looking for the cr&egrave;me de la cr&egrave;me of premium economy, then look no further than Emirates and Cathay Pacific. <a href="https://www.emirates.com/english/experience/cabin-features/premium-economy-class/">Emirates</a>' premium economy cabin offers fully-reclining seats, gourmet dining, and ample legroom, making it a top pick for luxury-seeking travelers.
And let's not forget about <a href="https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_IE/flying-with-us/flight-classes/premium-economy-class.html">Cathay Pacific</a>, whose premium economy cabin boasts spacious seats with extra legroom, and a range of dining options, including dim sum and congee. It's no wonder that Cathay Pacific's premium economy has an almost permanent spot on the award boards.

<h2>Premium Economy vs. Business Class</h2>
So, you've got some cash to burn and want to upgrade your flying experience. The big question is, do you settle for the middle ground with premium economy, or go all out with business class?
Well, premium economy is like the Lexus of flying. It's not as fancy as business class, but it&rsquo;s comfier than a Civic (aka economy).
While business class is like the Rolls-Royce of flying. You get to stretch out on a flat-bed seat with fluffy bedding, chow down on gourmet food curated by a fancy chef, lounge around like a boss at the airport. And if you're lucky, you might even get your own private cabin with aisle access, a privacy barrier, and a chauffeur to drive you to the airport (because walking is so yesterday). Oh, and those noise-canceling headphones? Standard issue in Business Class.
So, how do you score a deal on these fancy flying options? Easy-peasy: book in advance, be on the lookout for <a href="https://jacksflightclub.com/travel-hub/heres-when-airlines-run-sales">sales or promotions</a>, and join <a href="https://jacksflightclub.com/">the club</a> to get notified about discounts. If you're feeling lucky, you can even try bidding for an upgrade, but we&rsquo;re not making any promises there.&nbsp;
Most importantly, do your research on different airlines, because the quality of these classes can vary greatly between airlines. It can sometimes be like comparing a 5-star hotel to a Motel 6.
<blockquote>
We've put together a guide to give you a better understanding of the <a href="https://jacksflightclub.com/travel-hub/business-vs-first-class-flights">differences between business and first class</a>. We've even done the research for you and compared different airlines' products, so you don't have to!
</blockquote>
At the end of the day, the choice between premium economy and economy class is all about what works best for you. It all comes down to your personal preferences and travel goals.
 If you&rsquo;re looking for added comfort and amenities, premium economy is the way to go. However, if you&rsquo;re more focused on saving money, economy class may be a better fit. Whichever class you choose, happy travels!
. . .
Still have questions? Feel free to drop us a message on support@jacksflightclub.com and we'll be happy to help.
. . .

The Airline Upgrade Dilemma: Economy vs. Premium Economy

United States

I&rsquo;ve had an anxiety disorder for a pretty long time. It&rsquo;s not an easy problem to solve, but most articles mention things like breathing exercises and positive affirmations. When you have severe, debilitating anxiety, that can feel like suggesting a Band-Aid for a broken leg.
Anxiety can hold you back, especially when you throw traveling into the mix, with all its triggers: it&rsquo;s uncomfortable, sometimes risky, and often full of unwelcome surprises. And it doesn&rsquo;t help to see folks on social media travel the world, seemingly with ease, in situations that you know would leave you ill.&nbsp;
This is my story about how I learned to balance anxiety with an incessant need to explore, with <a href="#real_advice">some tips at the end</a> for conquering these struggles yourself.
<h3 dir="ltr">So, you&rsquo;ve got an anxiety disorder.&nbsp;</h3>
The first time I had a panic attack, I didn&rsquo;t understand what it was.
My dad and I had been planning to drive out into the California desert to see&nbsp;<a href="https://www.visitcalifornia.com/experience/salvation-mountain-slab-city/">Salvation Mountain</a>, the psychedelic painted monument that marks the entrance to the hippie haven of Slab City. I was into both artsy hippie stuff and the desert as a teenager, so this was a holy grail location for me.
But rather than being excited to finally make it out to Slab City, I was laying on my bedroom floor, wondering if I was about to die.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;ve never had a panic attack, it&rsquo;s hard to understand how it feels. It&rsquo;s like drowning. The first sign is a blood rush to my ears, and then I lose my hearing. My face and hands go numb. Usually I feel nauseous; always I feel faint.
When this happens to me now, I can think myself through it.&nbsp;You&rsquo;re having a panic attack. It&rsquo;s okay. It will pass.&nbsp;
But for the first half dozen panic attacks or so, I didn&rsquo;t know what was happening. I actually thought I was having a severe medical emergency. I also thought it was triggered by fear, so I found it embarrassing and impossible to admit.
So when I had a panic attack that morning before going to Salvation Mountain, I didn&rsquo;t really know how to explain myself to my dad. I just told him I didn&rsquo;t feel well. He was obviously frustrated, but agreed we could go another time. (We never did.)
It wasn&rsquo;t until college that I realized that these were panic attacks, and that I had an anxiety disorder. An actual&nbsp;disorder. A diagnosed chemical imbalance in my brain was causing this to happen. Not some random bout of cowardice.
Categorizing this problem as a disorder made it easier to deal with. Where I used to wallow in self-loathing at my inability to cope, now I said, &ldquo;Okay, you have this disorder. What are you going to do about it?&rdquo;
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/5c9d9bcad5edcf4149b8860b00b02d5641fa85b6">
<h3 dir="ltr">Pushing through the pain.</h3>
I didn&rsquo;t travel very far from home prior to working for Jack&rsquo;s Flight Club, but when I did travel, the anxiety traveled with me. It followed me through hotel rooms all across the western US. I panicked in Sedona, in Idaho, in Salem, Oregon. All over Washington state. In nice hotels and not-so-nice hotels.&nbsp;
For the first half of my twenties, sleeping in a hotel room meant spending hours on the bathroom floor, feeling like I was dying. And that was a trade I was willing to make, over and over and over again if it meant I could visit somewhere new.
I eventually started to make peace with these panic attacks, more or less. I learned that getting angry with myself, or being upset that I was ruining my trip, or worrying that I&nbsp;might have a panic attack, all made it worse. It was better to just accept it. I&rsquo;d be on edge, and then I&rsquo;d feel the sickness in my stomach and the blood rush in my ears, and I&rsquo;d think Well, here we go. Let&rsquo;s get this over with.&nbsp;
By the time I turned 25, I could spend all night panicking, and then get up the next morning like everything was normal. I had it down to a science.
I needed to travel. Even if it wasn&rsquo;t far. I didn&rsquo;t want to have panic attacks, but I couldn&rsquo;t stand to stay at home. What&rsquo;s a rough night or two, compared to the benefit of seeing the country?
I could cope with it. I learned some of the triggers and the tricks to getting around them. Food has always been a big trigger for me. If I am in a hotel room in an unfamiliar place and I don&rsquo;t have access to bland, digestible foods that I can eat with an unsettled stomach, I am practically guaranteed to spiral.&nbsp;
Thus entered the emotional support tortillas: they&rsquo;re cheap, don&rsquo;t need refrigeration, and can slide flat into my bag. Best of all, I can eat them even if my stomach&rsquo;s upset. I have not gone on an overnight trip without tortillas in years, and they have kept my typical anxiety from ballooning into panic more times than I can count.&nbsp;
If it works, it&rsquo;s not stupid.&nbsp;
So after having panic attacks in several of western America&rsquo;s finest motel rooms, what does an inexperienced traveler with a panic disorder decide to do?&nbsp;
Go to Alaska. Alone.
Naturally, I brought multiple packs of tortillas.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Maybe my anxiety ISN&rsquo;T some horrible curse?</h3>
This part of the story&nbsp;ought to see me hyperventilating in the Alaskan wilderness somewhere. It ought to end in disaster.&nbsp;
But it didn&rsquo;t. And contrary to what I&rsquo;d feared, it was my anxiety that saved me.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/492ebc156606c1dc67876edae11a0603a15e7200">
I didn&rsquo;t panic on that trip, but I sure did panic beforehand. I had several sleepless nights in the days leading up to it. I memorized not only the address of where I was staying, but the entire layout of the area. You could have dropped me anywhere within two miles and I could have walked home. I memorized the locations of hospitals and police stations. The address and phone number of where I was staying. All the bus routes. Anything that could have helped in a crisis.
This was, I thought, &ldquo;crazy person behavior.&rdquo; It was driven by pure panic. I planned for every possible contingency, and I berated myself the entire time.&nbsp;You&rsquo;re insane. No one else would need to do this. Normal people don&rsquo;t memorize entire neighborhoods before a trip.
It seemed crazy riiiiiight until my phone died on the way back from a hike. I couldn&rsquo;t get a taxi, so I would need to take the bus. It was raining. It was dark. I had no phone. I was not staying in an area with stores that were open late. It&rsquo;s not like there were payphones, or hordes of other folks around to give me directions. I was completely alone, in Alaska, in the dark and the rain, with no cell phone or car or map and no one in a 500-mile radius who knew that I was there.&nbsp;
So I just&hellip; went home. I knew the way. I knew where the closest bus stop was, and I knew how to get back to my room from my own bus stop. And I only knew these things because I was &ldquo;crazy&rdquo; enough to prepare for such a situation.
This was the first time I thought of my anxiety as anything other than a burden. It had&nbsp;saved me. This thing that I had spent the last twenty years HATING myself over, with which I was getting into constant mental arguments. The thorn in my side. My cross to bear. It saved me.
This situation made me see my anxiety differently. It was always just the thing that was holding me back from fully enjoying traveling, and it offered nothing in return. But that trip to Alaska made it click for me &mdash; my anxiety is the part of my brain that wants me to stay safe.
It&rsquo;s sort of like an overzealous parent. You might resent them. They might be wrong. They might even be harmful sometimes. You can&rsquo;t listen to it every time, or even most of the time. It&rsquo;s wrong more often than it&rsquo;s right. But&hellip; at the end of the day, it just wants to keep you safe.
Understanding that my anxiety was a survival reflex and not a character flaw changed how I approach it. We&rsquo;re less combative now, me and it.&nbsp;
I was already learning how to live with my anxiety, but now I was beginning to accept it too.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">So&hellip; now what?</h3>
Like any normal person with an anxiety disorder triggered by travel, I began traveling full time as a digital nomad.&nbsp;
And believe me, there are times when I want to shriek about the little personal hell I have created for myself. Every single time I go anywhere &mdash; a day trip, a move to my next apartment, a flight, a train, you name it &mdash; there is a little voice in my head screaming at me: I can&rsquo;t do this.
A few years ago, I would have gotten angry with that voice. I would have let it drown out my own thoughts until I was ill. But now I just say, &ldquo;Yes, you can. You&rsquo;ve done it a dozen times. And we&rsquo;re going to do it again, and it&rsquo;s going to be fine.&rdquo;&nbsp;
And every single time, I am glad I did not listen to that little voice. I sometimes take its advice, and plan a little more or take some extra precautions. I can always use those reminders. But I refuse to listen to it when it wants me to just run and hide. I am happy to say that since that panic attack before Slab City, I have not bailed on a single trip due to anxiety.&nbsp;
I eventually did get to Salvation Mountain, having been haunted for years by the fact that I&rsquo;d missed out on it the first time. So I drove there by myself and stood in front of it, ten years later. I was waiting for some kind of epiphany, I guess, but that epiphany never came. It&rsquo;s a lovely place maintained by some fascinating people, and I had a great time in Slab City. But that sort of cosmic, now-the-balance-has-been-restored feeling didn&rsquo;t come. It was just a nice day.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/38dd107bdde019993c0abb060d5479273c76e1da">
Sometimes you simply grow beyond the need for that feeling. I am not the same kid who broke down over a day trip to the desert.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">I promise I wrote all of this for a reason.</h3>
You can't sugarcoat the psychological effect that a disorder like this can have on you, even when you&rsquo;re not actively experiencing an episode. It colors your world, and wreaks havoc on the way you perceive yourself.
But here&rsquo;s what I actually came here to say: If you&rsquo;re reading this, and any of that tedious description of my various panic attacks sounds familiar, then I&rsquo;m talking to you. I could have just written a list of advice for traveling with anxiety, but I know it&rsquo;s more complicated than that. This is a full-on internal battle for some of us, and winning it goes deeper than just checking off tips in a listicle.
So I want you to know that I get it. You&rsquo;re not alone, even if it seems like everyone else around you can &ldquo;handle&rdquo; more than you can.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;m not gonna lie and say that &ldquo;anxiety is a gift!&rdquo; or &ldquo;focus on the positives!&rdquo; because that&rsquo;s empty and flat. But I will throw at least one motivational quote at you: you are probably tougher than you think you are.
If you really, truly want to travel and anxiety is all that holds you back, you can overcome it. It might suck&nbsp;a lot of the time. It might be harder for you than it is for your loved ones. It might limit the sort of trips you can take and dictate what you need to bring. But it doesn&rsquo;t have to stop you.&nbsp;
I went from being on the floor, incapacitated, over a day trip, to successfully traveling through a good chunk of North America and Europe. It took me ten years, but I did it. And so long as that infectious &ldquo;travel bug&rdquo; is worse than your disorder, so can you.

<h3 dir="ltr"><a id="real_advice"></a>Some actual, concrete tips for travel anxiety.</h3>
Start small. Your comfort zone is expanded in baby steps. Spend a weekend just a few hours&rsquo; drive or train ride away, then a few hours flight away, and THEN go bigger. Don&rsquo;t jump straight into Indiana Jones-esque adventuring. Book tour groups, and stay in safe and comfortable places. You can work yourself up to more daring stuff later if you really want to.
Get to the root of your triggers. Mine are mostly food and sleep, so I tackle those needs individually (with safe snacks and white noise apps, mostly). Don&rsquo;t try to pack light if you need comfort items to assuage your anxiety. That extra money for a checked bag is a small price to pay if everything in there goes towards keeping your head together. I know some people pride themselves on packing light, but you don&rsquo;t need to be one of them.
Let yourself go a little nuts before the trip. Make that massive list. Make that spreadsheet. Do that research. And for the love of all that is good &mdash; buy whatever travel insurance or free-cancelation upgrades you need to calm yourself down.
At the same time, do your best not to overbook. Schedule in rest days, which is good advice for anyone anyway, but especially important if you might be out of commission for a day or two and still want to see everything.&nbsp;
Make peace with the fact that it&rsquo;s going to be uncomfortable. You will probably never become a light and breezy traveler, and that&rsquo;s okay. What you can do is get lighter and breezier about the fact that you&rsquo;re internally freaking out. You&rsquo;re gonna be nervous, possibly even ill for part of the time. And that is okay. Even for all my horrible motel experiences, I still remember the incredible things I did on those trips more than I remember how hard those nights were.
But&hellip; you can take all this advice, and you might still end up hyperventilating on the floor. So what? It&rsquo;ll pass.&nbsp;
And in the midst of your panic, I hope you look back and remember that it used to take much less to put you there.&nbsp;

What’s it REALLY like to travel with anxiety

Canada

Rocky Road Realities: My Top 10 Missteps While Camping in the Canadian Rockies

Featured

There are over 3 million travel hungry members in our community, here's a taste of the discussions, advice and stories being told.

Community Stories

Frequent travelers tend to be pros at efficient packing, and you just know that means they have opinions on the best carry-on bags available. When we asked the Jack&rsquo;s Flight Club Community for their ultimate cabin bag, the kind that still passes as a &ldquo;personal item&rdquo; on budget airlines, the opinions came rolling in, and the camps became clear.
Personally, I love my Herschel backpack for work and play &mdash; it&rsquo;s got good volume, inside pockets for water bottles, toothbrush, cables etc., and a delightfully furry, padded laptop sleeve. The inside lining is water-resistant, so it&rsquo;s super easy to clean when your moisturizer explodes. And then there&rsquo;s the handy zip-closure front pocket for those little things you want easy access to.&nbsp;
But, alas, my favorite red rucksack is nearing the end of its life. Like any good Millennial, I&rsquo;ve checked Vinted for replacements. But when a second-hand bag in great condition costs nearly the same as a brand-new one in the style you actually want, it makes you think twice.
So, where does the Jack&rsquo;s Community recommend I invest my backpack budget? The loudest voices sing an avian chorus:
<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.osprey.com/">Osprey</a></h2>

&ldquo;I've had an Osprey Farpoint 40 for the last few years, and so far it's passed every test with flying colours. It's had dozens of work trips, backpacking in Japan, hiking in Iceland, travelling around Europe visiting 28 countries in 28 days with 100s of buses, coaches and trains, numerous trips to the US &amp; Canada and here's the thing: nothing has broken 😱😱 no broken zips, no frayed ends, no rips, nothing. And I have not been careful!
It also opens up fully laid down which is a great plus. If the 40 is a little big, Osprey have brought out a smaller Sojourn backpack in the same style, which I bought my gf and she loves. The Farpoint is probably a 4/5 on comfort when carrying but easily a 5/5 on endurance. I think there is a "trek" version they've recently brought out that is presumably more comfortable. I've also gotten away with it as cabin baggage on easyJet many times, even though it's technically too big (only been fined on 2 occasions out of maybe 25?). Hope this is useful for people!&rdquo;&nbsp;-&nbsp;UninhibitedBackpacker38333
<hr>
&ldquo;I bought my Osprey 40 litre Fairview pack 3 years ago and have been using it nearly year round ever since. It opens flat so I can see everything inside, has enough compartments and easy access whilst on the move. I have travelled for several 3 month trips and it takes everything I need and more, and is comfortable for a nearly 60 year old like me to carry!&nbsp;
There are no signs of wear and tear. 100% recommended.&nbsp;
Good luck, it's a tricky and important decision!&rdquo; - Claire

Pros: Osprey bags are practical, supportive, and clearly have staying power. There are a few nice colorways to choose from, for those who like their functionality served with at least a little pizzazz.
Cons: They&rsquo;re not the cheapest; Navigator Lauren&rsquo;s fave Fairview is currently clocking in at around &pound;115/$140/&euro;150. And while they do come in different colors, they&rsquo;re hardly serving up that enduring <a href="https://www.fjallraven.com/eu/en-gb/bags-gear/kanken/">K&aring;nken</a> style. Maybe more for the outdoorsy types than purely savvy travelers?
Next up, the zero frills, zero fuss crew:
<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://cabinmax.com/">Cabin Max</a></h2>

&ldquo;The cabin max bird and stars is amazing, I&rsquo;ve used it for a few trips and I also use it at work!&nbsp;
It easily fits clothes and toiletries in for a whole week for one person, with room to spare for a drink and snacks. Though I haven&rsquo;t tried to fit a proper jacket in there yet as it&rsquo;s only been used for warmer trips.&nbsp;
But it still looks brand new after being used almost every day since the start of May. It even has a clip on bit for you to pop glasses/goggles/sunglasses into, and the front zip up pocket has extra compartments and a tether that clips onto items for extra security. It has a little padded slot for a tablet or such and buckled straps in the main section to hold items in tight for you to fit in extra! I love it.&rdquo; - Danielle
<hr>
&ldquo;Another Cabinmax fan here, especially the Metz 20L that fits the Ryanair bins. Sturdy and it fits a huge amount of stuff!&rdquo; - DauntlessHolidaymaker17406

Pros: Cabin Max cater to nearly every airline&rsquo;s dimensional whims. It&rsquo;s all in the name: you&rsquo;ll get the max cabin space possible (without paying extra). Plus, they&rsquo;re super affordable and come in a variety of jazzy colors and styles, some even a little more stylish than purely functional.
Cons: Not ideal for lugging around on your back all day &mdash; the shoulder straps are all you&rsquo;ve got in the way of support, so don&rsquo;t bring the kitchen sink. And yes, they are on the cheaper side, so pay close attention to design elements like laptop padding and secure closures.
And now we&rsquo;ve got a PSA from Navigator Fran, who, surprisingly, is not being sponsored for this rave review:
<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.cotopaxi.com/">Cotopaxi</a></h2>

&ldquo;So I have a couple of Cotopaxis, but the ones that I use the most are the Cotopaxi Allpa 28L and the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L. The thing that I love the most about them is that they open fully like a suitcase, but they&rsquo;re backpacks. That&rsquo;s the key thing for me because I hate having to put my hands inside a backpack without seeing what I&rsquo;m touching. Everything gets messy, whereas if your backpack opens completely like a suitcase, it makes everything much more orderly.&nbsp;
Another thing that I love is the material. The external material, especially the front, has a kind of waxy feel, but it&rsquo;s not actually wax, so you don&rsquo;t need to treat it. Even though it&rsquo;s a soft backpack, it's made with sturdy materials, so even if it gets thrown around, it feels like the things inside won&rsquo;t get hit too hard.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/a4a6e696d247b91ff1b2f8c198c762c9f99997cd" width="501" height="626" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
I really love all the pockets inside and outside. That&rsquo;s important for me for storing things properly and for accessibility. The Allpa 28L I have is the new model, and it comes with a side pocket, which I absolutely love. I use it for my water bottle, flip-flops, thin sneakers &mdash; whatever fits. That pocket only exists on the newer version Cotopaxi released last year. My 35L is the older model, so it doesn&rsquo;t have it, and I really miss it. I&rsquo;m honestly considering upgrading my 35L just for that pocket (lol Cotopaxi I love you pls send me one).
Another key thing is: the 35L one has back support, which is crucial for me. It has the adjustable chest buckle and the waist strap, while the 28L doesn't have the waist strap. I&rsquo;ve walked endless kilometres with it, and it&rsquo;s essential that the weight sits on my hips and not fully on my back.
I also love the little loops on the outside where you can attach a lock or hang things. Anything with a carabiner can go there &mdash; a portable speaker, flip-flops, whatever. I really love the colours too. They&rsquo;re veeeeeeery fun and stylish.&rdquo; - Fran

&ldquo;The Cotopaxi Allpa is AMAZING. I will not have another bag, ever. The 35L one is still Euro airline friendly, and I've lived out of it for months.&rdquo; - Layla

Pros: Cotopaxi bags are clearly super reliable and practical. Plus, you gotta love their <a href="https://uk.cotopaxi.com/collections/del-dia-collection">&lsquo;Del D&iacute;a&rsquo; collection</a>, made from a patchwork of leftover fabrics. That means you get a completely one-of-a-kind bag, which can come in pretty handy during the shuffle of international travel.
Cons: That price, though. You&rsquo;re looking at &pound;140-&pound;200 new on the Cotopaxi website. If you dig around online, you&rsquo;ll no doubt be able to find them a little cheaper, but they&rsquo;re still far from a budget-friendly option. More of a long-term investment, perhaps.&nbsp;
Also, you might be joining a cult that it&rsquo;s really hard to leave if you buy one.
Now, not to be confused with the Max competition above, the Jack&rsquo;s Community is also fond of&hellip;&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.cabinzero.com/">Cabin Zero</a></h2>

&ldquo;Hello! I love my cabin zero. The 28L one is small enough for under Ryanair seats, and you can get them in a variety of sizes. Happy bag shopping!&rdquo; - Daniella
<hr>
&ldquo;I absolutely adore my Cabin Zero military backpack. I used it for 6 months to travel through Asia next to my larger backpack, used it as hand luggage while making short trips. Very roomy, holds a bottle, can be locked and has a separate space for a laptop.&rdquo; - BoldHiker86402

Pros: Once again, we&rsquo;ve got bags designed to beat airline restrictions. Looking for a carry-on that&rsquo;ll fit under the seat in front of you? Just filter by &lsquo;Underseat&rsquo;. They&rsquo;re functional, affordable, and they come in pretty much every color. 
Cons:&nbsp;What they offer in color, they kind of lack in actual style. Maximizing functional bag space is key here, and every model appears to be a cuboid bag designed to fit perfectly in a bag sizer.

<h2 dir="ltr">Honorable mentions</h2>

&ldquo;My Decathlon Quechua NH500 is a dream. Survived my Lupine Racing trip!&rdquo; - DauntlessVacationer96089
<hr>
&ldquo;I swear by my Eastpak Travelpack. Two separate compartments, laptop sleeve, functions as a rucksack or carry bag. Full rectangular form so you can max out the space. Comes in a bunch of colourways, even a few waterproof.&rdquo;&nbsp;- WayfaringHopper65951
<hr>
&ldquo;I absolutely love my <a href="https://solgaard.co/products/lifepack-venture-backpack-with-closet?variant=42373594448045">Solgaard</a>. It's durable, eco-friendly, and comes with a warranty and collapsible closet.&rdquo; - Britny
<hr>
&ldquo;Herschel is hard to beat in terms of price &amp; fun colours. My two suggestions are:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://bellroy.com/products/lite-travel-pack?color=clay&amp;material=dura_lite_nylon&amp;size=30l#slide-0">Bellroy travel bags</a>. The water proofing is no joke!</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.incase.com/collections/backpacks/products/arc-travel-pack">Incase travel bags</a>. Unlimited pockets for everything, but zippers could be better.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Bonus suggestion for&nbsp;<a href="https://uk.beistravel.com/collections/backpacks">cute styles &amp; functionality</a>. The backpacks don't have padding, though.&rdquo; - Ramir</li>
</ul>
<hr>
&ldquo;Came across the shop &ldquo;<a href="https://thepropertyof.com/collections/backpacks">Property of</a>&rdquo; during a layover in Amsterdam. Such a fantastic blend of style and practicality. It was next for me after my Herschel. I used the Karl on my 6-week South America trip (hand luggage only: and included a suit). Also completed the 5 day Salkantay trek with it, so comfortable for all day. The back completely zips open; a detachable hip belt, looks unreal&hellip; works for me.&rdquo; - TrailblazingTripper71477
<hr>
&ldquo;I am currently in Bali. I&rsquo;ve travelled with <a href="https://www.samsonite.co.uk/backpacks-with-wheels/">this hybrid carry-on wheeled backpack</a> since at least 2011. I first bought it in an outlet store, then when the telescoping handle failed after 8 years.&nbsp; I purchased a replacement from Amazon in 2019. At that time, it was $73.
For me, it's well worth it. Soft like a backpack but constructed of rugged water-resistant nylon, it's backpack straps are hidden in the back zipper compartment, waiting for you to hit that rocky dirt road that doesn't take the wheels well. It has many compartments, including a good computer sleeve.&rdquo; - Nancie

If, like me, you&rsquo;re in the market for a trusty new travel bag, hopefully the wise words of the Jack&rsquo;s Community have helped you. Whether you&rsquo;re looking for an investment, or just something to get you through the next long weekend getaway, you have plenty of options here.
The winner? Personally, I&rsquo;ve already got a larger rucksack with waist straps that's suitable for a week of Interrailing. What I&rsquo;m really looking for is that handy under-seat bag fit for a weekend away, which may incidentally also look a little bit cool. Right now, I&rsquo;m torn between a cheaper Cabin Max and sticking with my fave &mdash; only time (or a really good offer) will tell.
Let us know below if we've missed anything. Or if you have a favorite full-sized, wheeled cabin bag that fits in the overhead bins, share your tips in the comments.

The Best Underseat and Carry-On Bags for Budget Travel

Community Hub

Your weekly dose of travel news and inspiration from around the Jack's Flight Club Community

Take The Detour...

Norway

Wales

Switzerland

Czech Republic

Italy

Spain

Iceland

Season's greetings, Travellers!
First off, to all those celebrating this week and next, I wish you a very happy festive period! Be it munching on <a href="https://www.trafalgar.com/real-word/hanukkah/#:~:text=pressure%20to%20convert.-,Morocco,-Jews%20in%20Morocco">Hanukkah&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.trafalgar.com/real-word/hanukkah/#:~:text=pressure%20to%20convert.-,Morocco,-Jews%20in%20Morocco">sfenj</a> in Morocco, celebrating Christmas with a slice of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seriouseats.com/bibingka-filipino-rice-cake-5196489">Filipino Bibingka</a>, or hibernating with Netflix and a pizza, may your bellies be full, and your hearts be warm.
If you're anything like me, this last week has involved a lot of wrapping up (pun intended) before the end of the year. Turns out, it's no different for airline staff, as the big names have been dropping their January sales this week, ready to turn their out-of-office on until next year.
So, if you're keen to lock in a 2026 trip before the year is out, <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/flights">jump into the Members Lounge</a> and check out all the Flights we've been finding. And if you've already sorted your travel plans for the new year, <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-217-window-seat-bernina-express-festive-factoids#comments">tell us where you're heading in the comments</a>!
Happy travels and safe landings,

Katy - Editor of The Detour

The Bernina Express: A Window Seat to Remember

Navigator Akasha finds phenomenal Flights faster than you can decide where you want to take a trip to next. A pro at finding the best of the best fares, she's also a master at sharing must-visit spots for when you land.

By Akasha

No white-glove service or curated grandeur here. For everything the Glacier Express is, the Bernina is not. And that&rsquo;s exactly why I loved it.&nbsp; 
After basking in&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/winter-through-a-window-glacier-express">the glitzy carriages of the Glacier Express</a>, my travel mates and I jump off in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N90gGX4XmY">Pontresina</a>. An idyllic alpine village that seems to share Swarovski snow with its high-end neighbor, St. Moritz.
We're only here for a brief stay, long enough to flop ourselves on the feathery pillows at <a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/ch/schloss-wellness-family.en.html?aid=311076;label=schloss-wellness-family-siL34lTXiXePMOAsMWnZvgS626015091330:pl:ta:p1:p21,093,000:ac:ap:neg:fi:tikwd-39525692859:lp1007850:li:dec:dm:ppccp=UmFuZG9tSVYkc2RlIyh9YX-SVbABBf1_TwNC0YE2R9c;ws=&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=16290144&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD_Ls1IHc1tG-hFCUouPWpGQ-mSEB&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAo4TKBhDRARIsAGW29belcNbwzE1f0hVJhkhtDPjhaLonN4OLgz1qGhNRNTQVM3qimnrrAu4aAoP9EALw_wcB">Schloss Hotel &amp; Spa</a> before catching <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ie/experiences/bernina-express/">the Bernina Express</a> across the Alps.
But first: bundling up for a quick hike and horse-drawn carriage into the pine-clad peaks of<a href="https://www.pontresina.ch/en/guide/mountains-and-valleys/the-val-roseg"> Val Roseg</a> &mdash; the kind that makes you forget the world and your onward ticket.

Whoever dreamed up winter clich&eacute;s clearly had the Roseg Valley in mind. From underneath heavy fur and wool blankets, we wave our mittens at passing horses and hikers.
The only sounds are the soft snort of the horse and the snow crunching under its hooves.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s a snow-globe kind of serenity as we make our way to the gingerbread-perfect <a href="https://www.roseg-gletscher.ch/en/">Roseg Gletscher</a>, lured in by its legendary dessert buffet and views over the Roseg Glacier.
But snow globes always settle eventually, even metaphorical ones. With dessert plates empty, fingers numb, and daylight thinning, it's time to trade the trail for the tracks and hop on the Bernina Express.&nbsp;

The Bernina is the Glacier Express's wilder, less polished counterpart, forgoing the bells and whistles in favour of raw switchbacks and dramatic elevation changes.
It feels more like a local train that just happens to be a&nbsp;<a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1276/">UNESCO World Heritage Site</a>, passing through some of the Alps' most stunning scenery.
The train does offer first and second class cabins, but our pockets were a feeling a little light after breathing the Swiss air for almost a week.
We opted for second class; it had everything we needed, including phone chargers and openable windows. Surprisingly, we had the cabin mostly to ourselves.

Unlike the Glacier Express, it's less about being served an experience and more about moving through one.&nbsp;You're far outside the sightseeing bubble, sharing space with locals on grocery runs.&nbsp;
Now and then, I spot lone stone huts in the distance, snow-dusted and silent. I wonder who owns these quiet outposts in such a vast landscape that barely notices our humming train. I imagine the winters and wars they have weathered.
How many hands has their hearth warmed, and how many lovers have stolen a brief embrace on their doorsteps?
The views don't let up as we climb, looping past glaciers, lakes, and peaks. The highest point, 2,253 meters, is one of Europe's loftiest railway crossings.
When the line was built in the early 1900s, just like the Glacier Express, local workers braved avalanches and thin Alpine air to carve tracks into impossible slopes.

Cresting the Bernina Pass, the world outside our window shifts again. Snow melts into emerald green as glaciers give way to forests. Pines blur past, villages flash by &mdash; fast, alive, and totally unstoppable.
The pretty town of Poschiavo lives in between worlds. Sitting north of the Italian border, the language, food, and daily rhythm sway toward the&nbsp;&ldquo;dolce vita&rdquo; lifestyle.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, many locals left to work abroad, often as pastry chefs or traders in Spain and Portugal. Those who returned quietly transformed the village with their earnings, giving Poschiavo a&nbsp;<a href="https://spritzience.com/poschiavo-in-2-hours-the-ultimate-mini-guide/">surprisingly elegant feel</a>.
Nowadays, you'll find artisan boutiques and ancestral ateliers, like <a href="https://www.stone-artposchiavo.ch/en/">StoneArt Swiss</a>&nbsp;run by Angelo Boninchi. He works with local Val Poschiavo marble and regional stones like serpentinite and nephrite jade to create everything from countertops and sculptures to one-of-a-kind jewelry.
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/winter-through-a-window-the-bernina-express">Keep reading for essential Bernina tips...</a>

Travel Tales

Festive Facts from Around the World

The 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.

By Katy

As soon as December arrives, some of the Jack's Navigators kind of lose the plot. In particular, our Member Experience Lead, Jo, gets a little carried away with all the festivities, and this year, she decided to share Christmassy facts from around the world with the team.
In the spirit of the season of giving, I thought I'd gather all our fave nuggets of seasonal wisdom together in one place to share them with you. And where better to start than with the cute little&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inspirationswholesale.co.uk/blog/christmas/what-are-gonks-where-are-they-from/">gonks</a> that have been creeping into Christmas decor in recent years?
The eyeless infiltrators started life in Scandinavia as nisser, small spirits that live in a family&rsquo;s house or barn and secretly act as their guardian. All would go swimmingly if a nisse felt appreciated - they would protect the family and its animals from evil, and they might even do the farmyard chores.

You don&rsquo;t want to offend a nisse, though. One too many tea breaks or forgetting to leave out the obligatory <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-risengrod">bowl of porridge on Christmas Eve</a> is enough to get you in the bad books, and that&rsquo;s when the pranks start. Tying cows&rsquo; tails together and turning objects upside down sounds fairly silly and mostly harmless, but word has it they&rsquo;d also break things or even attack people.
These days, nisser are considered friendly Christmas spirits who might still pull a few pranks here and there (much more elf on the shelf). They became the bearers of gifts in Denmark in the 1840s, with Sweden and Norway following suit later in the 19th century. The <a href="https://backyardgoats.iamcountryside.com/ownership/julbock-swedens-legendary-yule-goat/">Yule Goat</a> had previously held the reins on Scandi Christmas, but now they occasionally show up to hand out gifts together.

The festive season in the Czech Republic is all about finding love for the new year and predicting marriage. If you're in the market and bored of Tinder, here are a few tips:
Shoe chucking:
Stand with your back to the door (any door will do) and chuck a shoe over your shoulder. If the toe lands pointed towards the door, then it is meant to signify that you will marry in the new year. If the toe points any other direction, better luck next time!
The elder tree shimmy:
Třesu třesu bez, pověz ty mi pes, kde můj mil&yacute; dnes! (Shake, shake, shake the elder tree, tell me, dog, where my love will be!) 
These are the words that single ladies may want to recite while standing under an Elder tree and giving it a good shake. Once you're done, stand quietly and listen out until you hear a dog barking. Whichever direction the sound comes from is the direction from which your future husband will appear.
Barborky&nbsp;a.k.a. cherry tree twigs:
On St. Barbara's Day, which lands on the 4th of December, cut a twig off a cherry tree and place it in a vessel of water. If the twig blooms before Christmas Eve, there's a good chance we'll be hearing wedding bells in the new year!

Ti&oacute; de Nadal (a.k.a. Caga Ti&oacute;, a.k.a. Poop Log) is a festive wooden log that appears in houses around Catalonia each Christmas. No Ti&oacute; is complete without little stick legs, a painted cheerful face, and a traditional Catalan&nbsp;barretina hat. Every family has their own unique log, some with a simple charcoal face while others are more intricately decorated.
Ti&oacute; de Nadal becomes part of the Christmas celebrations from the 8th of December (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) and stays till Christmas Eve, placed in his own special corner of the home. The kids in the house are responsible for keeping their festive friend covered with a blanket to stay warm, and for keeping him fed. Tangerines, cookies, nuts are ideal to 'prime' him for the big day.&nbsp;
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/festive-facts-from-around-the-world">Continue reading festive factoids...&nbsp;</a>

Festive Frolics

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li>Imagine spending all day in bed while sipping champagne, followed by a hot shower and a plushy robe. Now imagine doing it <a href="https://simpleflying.com/7-most-luxurious-long-haul-first-class-seats-book-today/">40,000 feet up in the air</a>. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">KLM is <a href="https://simpleflying.com/the-uks-regional-airline-klm-announces-flights-to-19th-airport/">expanding its "UK presence"</a>&hellip; but not where you might expect. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Soon you&rsquo;ll have to pay a <a href="https://secretroma.com/en/trevi-fountain-fee-en/">small admission fee</a> to see the iconic Trevi Fountain, which offers visitors a glimpse of Rome&rsquo;s incredible ancient history. But don't worry, it&rsquo;ll still be free to check out the Las Vegas replica, which offers a glimpse of the Guy Fieri restaurant across the street... similar enough, right? </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Scottish adventurer Alice Morrison has become the first recorded person to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/saudi-arabia-walking-british-yemen-tv-presenter-b2884877.html">walk the entire length of Saudi Arabia on foot</a>. The journey was so long, even her camel had to wear shoes.&nbsp; </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Romania has revealed plans for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/dracula-land-theme-park-bucharest-romania-b2881606.html">vampire-themed amusement park</a>, featuring a replicated Victorian London, Mardi Gras carnival, and &mdash; of course &mdash; Dracula&rsquo;s castle. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">And finally, a recent study chose this European city as the world&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timeout.com/news/this-underrated-european-city-has-been-named-the-worlds-most-relaxing-place-to-live-in-2026-121725">most relaxing place to live</a>. Any guesses before you click?</li>
</ul>

Travel News

Take the Window Seat on the Bernina Express & Jack's Festive Facts

China

Japan

South Korea

Vietnam

Kyrgyzstan

Kazakhstan

Uzbekistan

Hey there Travellers,
You'll all be glad to know that I made it back from Portugal last weekend without so much as a drop of wine spilled down my front.
However, it's safe to say that my jeans were feeling a little tighter after a few days of sampling the Portuguese cuisine. Nobody warned me that I'd still be dreaming of that mustardy <a href="https://tasteporto.com/pt/portuguese-francesinha-the-deconstructed-version/">pica-pau</a> sauce a week later!
And no sooner had I returned than, once again, the good old&nbsp;Pastel de Bel&eacute;m was named <a href="https://www.tasteatlas.com/best/foods-by-category">sweet pastry of the year</a> for 2025. But would you visit just for its custardy goodness?&nbsp;
A few weeks ago, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2654233541599157">we asked our Facebook Community</a> what food they'd travel abroad for time and time again. For me, it's an authentic&nbsp;<a href="https://polinachesnakova.com/blog/2020/3/29/imeruli-khachapuri">Imeruli khachapuri</a>, for others it's a Costa Rican breakfast, or Indian street food.
So tell me, dear readers, what's the tasty treat that you'd hop on a plane for right now? <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-216-island-life-bc-and-diy-pan-asian-adventure#comments">Let us know in the comments</a> (so we can organize a grand Jack's Food Club tour, obviously).
Happy travels and safe landings,

Win 5 Nights in Dreamy Puglia

We&rsquo;ve teamed up with DAYMADE to give one lucky Jack's member an unforgettable 5-night escape for 2 to Puglia &mdash; flights, hotel, sunshine, all sorted.
It&rsquo;s totally free to enter. Just pop your details in, and you&rsquo;re in the draw.
Someone&rsquo;s going&hellip; why not you?

In Partnership with DAYMADE

A Taste of Island Life: Day Trips from the British Columbian Capital

A San Diego native, Olivia left home a few years ago to live on the road. Since then, she's had homebases everywhere from Quebec to England to New Orleans, but she always ends up back on the West Coast.&nbsp;

By Olivia

This week, Jack's released a new <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jacks-guide-to-victoria">city guide to Victoria</a>: British Columbia's provincial capital, located at the southern end of Vancouver Island.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The island,&rdquo; as it's colloquially known, is truly the jewel of the Pacific Northwest. It's roughly the size of Belgium, and packed with seaside villages and lush woodlands. Everywhere you turn, there are rocky coastlines, moss-covered pine trees, and boardwalk caf&eacute;s.
While the charming capital city is worth a few days on its own, it'd be a shame to stay in town when there's so much beauty right in your backyard. And you don't have to look very far to catch views around here! Even a quick stopover in Victoria comes with some pretty lovely day trips.&nbsp;
So if you find yourself contemplating a visit to the island (and any cheap YYJ fares that you just so happen to see in your inbox), allow me to introduce you to some local sights...
<h3 dir="ltr" id="butchart-gardens">Butchart Gardens</h3>
This is THE day trip from Victoria &mdash; the one pretty much every visitor takes.&nbsp;

<p dir="ltr" id="its-not-hard-to-see-why-the-butchart-gardens-cover-55-acres-of-land-in-beautiful-floral-displays-descend-into-the-manicured-sunken-garden-meander-through-a-forest-of-japanese-maples-and-admire-fountain-after-bubbling-fountain-while-its-worth-seeing-at-any-time-of-year-springs-rose-blossoms-and-autumns-bright-red-foliage-make-for-especially-colorful-visits">It&rsquo;s not hard to see why!&nbsp;<a href="https://butchartgardens.com/">The Butchart Gardens</a> cover 55 acres of land in beautiful floral displays. Descend into the manicured Sunken Garden, meander through a forest of Japanese maples, and admire fountain after bubbling fountain. While it&rsquo;s worth seeing at any time of year, spring&rsquo;s rose blossoms and autumn&rsquo;s bright red foliage make for especially colorful visits.
You can reach the Butchart Gardens from downtown Victoria in about 30 minutes by car, or with a one-hour bus ride aboard the 75 or 30.
<h3 dir="ltr">Nanaimo</h3>
Pronounced nah-NYE-mo, this is the second-largest city on the island. It&rsquo;s got a much more small-town feel, with a cute downtown and Old City Quarter.

Other than whale-watching and ferry connections, its biggest claim to fame is the Nanaimo bar: a chocolatey, coconutty, custardy treat that just might ruin you for every other caf&eacute; dessert.
You can get to Nanaimo from Victoria by city bus or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.islandlinkbus.com/">Island Link</a>, but driving the full ~90 minutes yourself is much more fun. The highways will take you through several charming villages worth the stop &mdash; my favorites are Cowichan Bay, Duncan, Chemainus, and Ladysmith. Expect cozy shops, dockside restaurants, small local museums, and tons of gorgeous bay and island views.
<h3 dir="ltr">Provincial and Regional Parks</h3>
The island may only have one &mdash; difficult-to-reach &mdash; National Park, but it&rsquo;s covered in Provincial and Regional Parks. These protected areas include dense, mossy woodland, waterfalls, tons of lakes, and rocky coastlines.

I could fill an entire article just with outdoor day trips from Victoria, but a few highlights within a mere half-hour&rsquo;s drive include Thetis Lake (Canada&rsquo;s first nature sanctuary), Mount Wells (known for wildflowers and a challenging summit hike), and Goldstream (massive trees and a beautiful waterfall).
<h3 dir="ltr">Sidney</h3>
One of my favorite things about Vancouver Island is the abundance of lovely coastal towns, and Sidney is one of the coolest and most accessible from Victoria.
Unique highlights here include the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea (a small but very well-done aquarium), a fish market frequented by the local seals, and a pier that offers an excellent view of the Gulf. On clear days, you can even spot Washington&rsquo;s Mount Baker across the water.

It&rsquo;s also home to the Victoria airport, and the first big town you&rsquo;ll see if you arrive at Swartz Bay on the ferry. This means you&rsquo;ll likely pass through Sidney anyway, so take some time to look around!
<h3 dir="ltr">Salt Spring Island</h3>
If you only take one more ferry during your trip, it should be the one to Salt Spring! This island is around the size of Aruba, and it&rsquo;s become quite the artistic outpost on the Gulf. The main town, Ganges, is packed with galleries and nifty boutiques, plus there&rsquo;s a weekly street market each Saturday where local artists take to the sidewalks.
It&rsquo;s also one of the best hiking spots in the area &mdash; drive down to Ruckle Provincial Park and follow the trail along the coast for some gorgeous, peak Pacific Northwestern views.

To get there from downtown Victoria, either drive or take one of several direct buses up to Swartz Bay, then hop on the ferry to Fulford Harbour. You&rsquo;ll be much better off with a car on Salt Spring Island, but <a href="https://www.bctransit.com/salt-spring-island/schedules-and-maps/">buses do run every couple hours</a> and cover most of the highlights. 
Want to learn more about Victoria? <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jacks-guide-to-victoria">Check out the guide</a>.

Travel Tips

Silk Road to Sakura: A Choose-Your-Own Adventure

&ldquo;I am looking into planning the itinerary for our big trip to Asia and it is a bit confusing where to start and what to do with visas (China). But we are planning to fly less and use rail and buses to enjoy the scenery. 
Our departure airport is Manchester and we&rsquo;re aiming to be gone from the last week of March to about June. We definitely want to include: Uzbekistan, China, South Korea, Japan, and maybe Vietnam. Rough budget around &pound;2000.&rdquo;&nbsp;- Nehla

Answered by Akasha

Hi there, Nehla! Wow, what an adventure! Consider me officially jealous. Slow travel is by far one of the best ways to connect with the land and the people (and yourself!) on a deeper level. It&rsquo;s the anti-checklist trip.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;ve done some research and dug up your best options for traveling overland, and flying when necessary.
<h2 dir="ltr" id="stage-1-manchester-to-uzbekistan">Stage 1: Manchester to Uzbekistan</h2>
Currently, <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAho8EgoyMDI2LTAzLTI1KAFqDAgDEggvbS8wNTJid3IMCAISCC9tLzBkbDNncgwIAxIIL20vMGZzbXmQAY4CQAFIAXABggELCP___________wGYAQI&amp;tfu=EgoIABAAGAAgAigB&amp;gl=GB">one-way fares</a> from Manchester to Samarkand or Tashkent in March are pretty decent, in the &pound;240s&ndash;&pound;380s.
Uzbekistan is a firm bucket-lister at Jack&rsquo;s, with Detour Editor Katy the first of us to chart a course through its mesmerizing blue mosques and mausoleums.

&ldquo;In Samarkand, your journey will no doubt start at<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/mar/31/registan-samarkand-square-history-cities-buildings"> Registan Square</a>, the city's most iconic landmark. It is dominated by three ornately tiled madrasahs&mdash;Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Kari. Each one is a masterpiece, and pictures seriously do not do them justice.&nbsp;
There are hundreds of small alcoves and rooms to explore within the Madrasahs, not to mention handmade Uzbek crafts for sale. Needlework and embroidery are an integral part of the Uzbek culture, and you'll find gorgeous examples at shops all throughout the city.
If you look carefully, inside certain shops you&rsquo;ll spot narrow spiral staircases heading up. Follow them, and you&rsquo;ll emerge onto beautiful balconies overlooking the square, where you can grab a cuppa and watch the people go by.
Another highlight of Samarkand is <a href="https://www.baytalfann.com/post/the-beauty-history-of-shah-i-zinda">Shah-i-Zinda</a>, which is more or less a village of brightly-coloured mausoleums. To snap the best shots, plan to visit early in the day. The narrow pathways get pretty crowded, so a bit of patience is needed for unintentional photobombers.&rdquo; - Katy

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 2: Uzbekistan to China</h2>
Option 1: Flying from Uzbekistan to China
Obviously, <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/explore?tfs=CBwQAxopEgoyMDI2LTA0LTA4agwIAxIIL20vMGZzbXlyDQgEEgkvbS8wZDA1dzNAAUgBcAKCAQsI____________AZgBArIBBBgBIAE&amp;tfu=GioaKAoSCVmL8zotQUhAEXruTojanVpAEhIJfdK0362sN0AR9NydEDUQTUA&amp;gl=GB">flying from Uzbekistan to China</a> is the easiest and quickest option and will cost you around&nbsp; &pound;100-&pound;180. Flying non-stop, you can either fly to Urumqi (close to the border with Kazakhstan), Guangzhou, Xian or Beijing.&nbsp;

Option 2: Crossing overland into China&nbsp;
Alternatively, if you&rsquo;re up for an adventure, you can cross overland into China, either via <a href="https://caravanistan.com/border-crossings/kazakhstan/#kazakhstan-%e2%80%93-china-border-crossings">Khazakstan</a> or <a href="https://caravanistan.com/border-crossings/kyrgyzstan/">Kyrgyzstan</a>. It&rsquo;s more difficult to cross from Kyrgyzstan because the region that borders it is Xinjiang, which is <a href="https://caravanistan.com/east-turkestan/">quite tightly controlled</a>, and they don&rsquo;t usually let foreigners visit. You&rsquo;d have an easier time crossing from Khorgos (Horgos) in Kazakhstan. The road is better, and you can cross by bus.&nbsp;
While you&rsquo;re in Kazakhstan, you might want to consider crossing the steppes by train; this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2021/oct/22/across-kazakhstan-by-rail-a-photo-essay?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawOmN9FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5czdqRWlPU21WOWlvYmtzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl-dy5BRK4EbERMEiciMj5sJvKtWQcnvqEoTDjGx1kX5jg-U2dvxJt_U0Kr4_aem_karr_pNUs9Emx9HVMjFJ1g">dreamy photo-journal</a> certainly entices me to!
From Tashkent, you can take <a href="https://www.railrussia.com/routes/tashkent-almaty">a train overland to Almaty</a> (Khazakstan) in about 17 hours, and then catch a bus from <a href="https://thetripgoeson.com/almaty-to-urumqi/">Almaty to Urumqi</a> (China). The bus takes about 19&ndash;20 hours and costs around &pound;30 on average. This is by far the easiest way and beats trains with changes or separate border buses.&nbsp;
From Urumqi Railway Station, direct connections span Xinjiang regionally, as well as east to central China via the <a href="https://www.chinadiscovery.com/china-trains/urumqi-high-speed-train.html">Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-Speed Railway</a> &mdash; no transfers needed for most.
This 12-hour train route follows the ancient Silk Road via the oasis town of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RR-hlrRZrs">Turpan</a>. From here, it travels through some of China&rsquo;s wildest terrain, whizzing past lunar landscapes like the rainbow mountains of Zhangye and <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/gansu/dunhuang/attractions/mogao-grottoes/a/poi-sig/1496278/355964">the caves of the thousand Buddhas in Mogao</a>. This is one of the most important collections of Buddhist architecture in the world.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 3: China to South Korea</h2>
Option 1: Flying from China to South Korea
It&rsquo;s very <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/explore?tfs=CBwQAxooEgoyMDI2LTA0LTA4agwIAhIIL20vMDE5MTRyDAgEEggvbS8wNnFkM0ABSAFwAoIBCwj___________8BmAECsgEEGAEgAQ&amp;tfu=GgA&amp;gl=GB">easy to fly</a> between the two countries &mdash; expect to pay around &pound;60 one-way.
Option 2: China to South Korea via ferry
I imagine you'll train-hop from Urumqi across China to the Beijing area. From Beijing, hop on a high-speed train to Qingdao (3&ndash;4 hours, around &pound;40 for economy seats), where you can take <a href="https://4corners7seas.com/asia/china/china-korea-ferries/">a ferry to Incheon, South Korea</a>. The Weidong ferry sails every Mon/Wed/Fri at 17:30 and takes about 17&ndash;18 hours, costing around &pound;85+.&nbsp; 
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/silk-road-to-sakura-a-choose-your-own-adventure">Continue reading...</a>

Reader's Corner

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Storm Bram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/storm-bram-flights-trains-ferries-cancelled-weather-warnings-b2881568.html">brought chaos to travellers</a> in the UK and Ireland this week, disrupting everything from flights to trains to ferries. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">No photo can truly do the Northern Lights justice, but these <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2025/12/08/25-award-winning-northern-lights-photos-to-inspire-your-next-adventure/">25 award-winning photographers</a> have gotten pretty close. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Spirit&rsquo;s bankruptcy is <a href="https://simpleflying.com/is-american-spirit-merger-in-the-cards-new-court-filing-draws-speculation/">drawing rumours of an American Airlines buy-out</a>. Now, would their celebrity couple name be Spamerican or Amerit?&nbsp; </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">After several shipping containers full of fruit were <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/cruise-ship-iona-delayed-fruit-overboard-b2879752.html">accidentally plunged into waters off the Isle of Wight</a>, officials have warned locals not to eat any loose bananas they find washed up on shore. Darn it, there goes our whole lunch plan! </li>
<li>And finally, let's&nbsp;paws on a warm and fuzzy note: From donuts to shrines, this entire neighborhood in Tokyo is <a href="https://japanjourneys.jp/tokyo/lifestyle/things-to-do/cat-lovers-need-to-visit-yanaka-right-now/">themed around its feline residents</a>. It's&nbsp;purr-fect!</li>
</ul>

A Taste of Island Life in British Columbia & a DIY Pan-Asian Adventure

The Detour

All the inspiration and top tips you need to take that next big adventure

Travel Guides

Grab a hot chocolate, wrap up warm, and plan your next festive getaway with our seasonal travel inspo

Our expert Navigators share their top tips for booking the cheapest flights

Flight Hacking

Weird, wonderful, and adrenaline-fuelled adventures around the world

Adventurous Escapades

Cheap flight with an unusual airline? Here's what you're really getting into...

Airline Reviews

Sweden

Denmark

As soon as December arrives, some of the Jack's Navigators kind of lose the plot. In particular, our Member Experience Lead, Jo, gets a little carried away with all the festivities, and this year, she decided to share Christmassy facts from around the world with the team.
In the spirit of the season of giving, I thought I'd gather all our fave nuggets of seasonal wisdom together in one place to share them with you. And where better to start than with the cute little&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inspirationswholesale.co.uk/blog/christmas/what-are-gonks-where-are-they-from/">gonks</a> that have been creeping into Christmas decor in recent years?
The eyeless infiltrators started life in Scandinavia as nisser, small spirits that live in a family&rsquo;s house or barn and secretly act as their guardian. All would go swimmingly if a nisse felt appreciated - they would protect the family and its animals from evil, and they might even do the farmyard chores.
You don&rsquo;t want to offend a nisse, though. One too many tea breaks or forgetting to leave out the obligatory <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-risengrod">bowl of porridge on Christmas Eve</a> is enough to get you in the bad books, and that&rsquo;s when the pranks start. Tying cows&rsquo; tails together and turning objects upside down sounds fairly silly and mostly harmless, but word has it they&rsquo;d also break things or even attack people.
These days, nisser are considered friendly Christmas spirits who might still pull a few pranks here and there (much more elf on the shelf). They became the bearers of gifts in Denmark in the 1840s, with Sweden and Norway following suit later in the 19th century. The <a href="https://backyardgoats.iamcountryside.com/ownership/julbock-swedens-legendary-yule-goat/">Yule Goat</a> had previously held the reins on Scandi Christmas, but now they occasionally show up to hand out gifts together.

Iceland does things a little differently, of course, with not one but thirteen J&oacute;lasveinar, aka <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-the-thirteen-yule-lads-icelands-own-mischievous-santa-clauses-180948162/">Yule Lads</a>, and their rather unorthodox family. The Yule Lads come down from their mountain home one by one on the nights leading up to Christmas to give gifts.
Much like the nisser, their mean and violent tendencies have been softened over the centuries, so now they&rsquo;re just seen as mischief-makers. Their appearance has also changed with time - the story goes that their mother, Gr&yacute;la, is a troll, so they used to resemble weirdly proportioned elves, but have been increasingly depicted as human over time.
Icelandic children traditionally leave a shoe on their windowsill each night from 12th December until Christmas Eve in the hopes of getting a gift from the Yule Lads. Naughty kids needn&rsquo;t bother, however - unless they really want to get a potato (sometimes raw, sometimes rotten). And that&rsquo;ll certainly be your fate if you forget to leave out a <a href="https://whydyoueatthat.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/day-1-laufabraud/">laufabrau&eth;</a> &nbsp;for them, too.

<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC image</a> courtesy of <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pRuJpS">Joe Slabotnik on flickr</a>
So here are the 13 lads you&rsquo;ll want to be looking out for over the next week. Thanks to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicvisitor.com/blog/the-13-yule-lads-of-iceland/">nordicvisitor.com</a> for the clear explanation!
<ol type="1">
<li>Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote Clod) on 12th December &ndash; He sneaks into barns to steal milk from sheep.</li>
<li>Giljagaur (Gully Gawk) on 13th December &ndash; This Yule Lad has a taste for cow&rsquo;s milk and he&rsquo;ll take it straight from the barn.</li>
<li>St&uacute;fur (Stubby) on 14th December &ndash; The shortest of the lads, he swipes leftover food from frying pans.</li>
<li>&THORN;v&ouml;rusleikir (Spoon Licker) on 15th December &ndash; He licks spoons, of course.</li>
<li>Pottasleikir (Pot Licker) on 16th December &ndash; This guy will steal unwashed pots from the kitchen so he can lick them clean.</li>
<li>Askasleikir (Bowl Licker) on 17th December &ndash; He snatches bowls out from under beds and gobbles up any morsels of food.</li>
<li>Hur&eth;askellir (Door Slammer) on 18th December &ndash; He slams doors, and he&rsquo;ll do this all night if he finds any open.</li>
<li>Skyrg&aacute;mur (Skyr Gobbler) on 19th December &ndash; He&rsquo;s ravenous for skyr, Icelandic yoghurt, and will pinch any that's up for grabs.</li>
<li>Bj&uacute;gnakr&aelig;kir (Sausage Swiper) on 20th December &ndash; Hide your sausages or this guy will eat them.</li>
<li>Gluggag&aelig;gir (Window Peeper) on 21st December &ndash; He&rsquo;ll peep through windows in the hope he can steal something.</li>
<li>G&aacute;tta&thorn;efur (Door Sniffer) on 22nd December &ndash; You&rsquo;ll find this large-nosed lad sniffing doorways in pursuit of baked goods.</li>
<li>Ketr&oacute;kur (Meat Hook) on 23rd December &ndash; He&rsquo;s hungry for meat, so lock up your lamb chops!</li>
<li>Kertasn&iacute;kir (Candle Beggar) on 24th December &ndash; Finally, the last of the Yule Lads is known for making off with candles.</li>
</ol>
We&rsquo;re sure we&rsquo;ve already spotted a few of these guys out at work Christmas parties&hellip; looking at you, Spoon Licker!
But that&rsquo;s not all - their evil troll mother is like the Icelandic Child Catcher, said to venture around Iceland looking for naughty children to whisk away in her sack. The only thing all the legends agree on is that she and her husband Leppal&uacute;&eth;i were cannibals, otherwise it&rsquo;s up to us to decide <a href="https://guidetoiceland.is/connect-with-locals/regina/gryla-and-leppaludi-the-parents-of-the-icelandic-yule-lads">how many tails</a> and how many children they each had.
But one thing we know for sure is that together they own the giant <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/each-christmas-icelands-yule-cat-takes-fashion-policing-extreme-180961420/"> J&oacute;lak&ouml;tturinn</a>, or Christmas Cat. She stalks the darkness on Christmas Eve, preying on anyone who didn&rsquo;t get new clothes as a gift this year&hellip;

<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC image</a> courtesy of <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2knktqz">Vicious Bits on flickr</a>
The only thing better than Halloween is Christmas! The only thing better than that is an amalgamation of the two (Nightmare Before Christmas). A perfect mixture of weird and dark with sparkly joy. If this sounds like your kinda holiday, well then I have some good news for you: there's a Christmas tradition in&nbsp;Wales that's made to order!
The tradition of Mari Lwyd dates back to the end of the 18th century, but it&rsquo;s believed to have much older Pagan origins.&nbsp;A horse skull is mounted on a stick, decorated with ornaments and ribbons, and adorned with a large cloth to hide the person beneath. You'll find the former horse galloping door to door around Christmas, carried by a group of merry carollers, who also challenge the people inside with rhymes and riddles.
This ritual is known as&nbsp;pwnco, where the Mari Lwyd troupe tries to win entry to a household by outwitting its occupants in a battle of rhymes. You could call it some kind of ancient rap battle. If they succeed, the carollers are welcomed inside and treated to food and refreshments before moving on to the next house.
Mari Lwyd is considered good luck for every household it enters, so it&rsquo;s rarely defeated in a rhyme contest. Win or lose, most are happy to welcome them in!

The festive season in the Czech Republic is all about finding love for the new year and predicting marriage. If you're in the market and bored of Tinder, here are a few tips:
Shoe chucking:
Stand with your back to the door (any door will do) and chuck a shoe over your shoulder. If the toe lands pointed towards the door, then it is meant to signify that you will marry in the new year. If the toe points any other direction, better luck next time!
The elder tree shimmy:
Třesu třesu bez, pověz ty mi pes, kde můj mil&yacute; dnes! (Shake, shake, shake the elder tree, tell me, dog, where my love will be!) 
These are the words that single ladies may want to recite while standing under an Elder tree and giving it a good shake. Once you're done, stand quietly and listen out until you hear a dog barking. Whichever direction the sound comes from is the direction from which your future husband will appear.
Barborky a.k.a. cherry tree twigs:
On St. Barbara's Day, which lands on the 4th of December, cut a twig off a cherry tree and place it in a vessel of water. If the twig blooms before Christmas Eve, there's a good chance we'll be hearing wedding bells in the new year!
Water faces:
Head down to your closest body of water, like a pond, river, lake, or even a big puddle. Bend over the water and think seriously about marriage. After some time, you'll see the face of your future husband in the reflection of the water. We're unclear exactly how long 'some time' is, but that's the thing about superstitions &mdash; they're rarely very precise.

Ti&oacute; de Nadal (a.k.a. Caga Ti&oacute;, a.k.a. Poop Log) is a festive wooden log that appears in houses around Catalonia each Christmas. No Ti&oacute; is complete without little stick legs, a painted cheerful face, and a traditional Catalan&nbsp;barretina hat. Every family has their own unique log, some with a simple charcoal face while others are more intricately decorated.
Ti&oacute; de Nadal becomes part of the Christmas celebrations from the 8th of December (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) and stays till Christmas Eve, placed in his own special corner of the home. The kids in the house are responsible for keeping their festive friend covered with a blanket to stay warm, and for keeping him fed. Tangerines, cookies, nuts are ideal to 'prime' him for the big day. 
Every evening, the children gather around&nbsp;Ti&oacute; and sing him traditional songs while hitting him with a stick. It's all part of the process, honest! The better&nbsp;Ti&oacute; is treated by the children during his stay, the better their rewards come Christmas.
On either the night of the 24th or the morning of the 25th, Caga Ti&oacute; is taken from his corner and completely covered with his blanket, before being placed in the middle of the room. The kids then gently beat him with a stick one final time and lift the blanket to see what Ti&oacute; has "pooped" out for everyone. The little treasures usually range from sweets and small trinkets to toys and large presents.
Equal parts whimsy and delight, the&nbsp;Caga Ti&oacute; isn&rsquo;t just about making a cheery log &ldquo;poop&rdquo; gifts. It is designed to help children learn values like patience and generosity, while also enjoying the magic of Christmas.&nbsp;

We&rsquo;ll round off by heading back to Czechia for more seasonal superstitions. Christmas dinner is eaten on 24th December, and comes with an incredible plethora of food related customs and superstitions that need to be followed. It's quite the list and, if it were me, I would absolutely need to take notes and create a checklist. So, let's get stuck in:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">By chucking a piece of V&aacute;nočka (Christmas bread) into a well, your water will be good quality in the new year </li>
<li dir="ltr">To make sure your bees produce enough honey, you should also sprinkle a few V&aacute;nočka crumbs in front of the bee hive </li>
<li dir="ltr">Want your cows to be the best milk producers on the meadow? Feed precious Daisy a piece of bread on Christmas Eve! </li>
<li dir="ltr">Tired of evil lurking around every corner? Place honey on your Christmas table to protect your guests against bad luck and evil in the new year! </li>
<li dir="ltr">And if you don't place garlic&nbsp;under the table, are you even celebrating Christmas? These little cloves are believed to bring strength, and provide protection to everyone around the table. <img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/b64164ab45bafe9f989ed728b20e289b2ab6abd6" width="245" height="367" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> </li>
<li dir="ltr">Sweeter milk from your family goat? Give them a sweet treat on Christmas Eve! By sharing your apples with Sally, you'll be blessed with sweeter milk. </li>
<li dir="ltr">Traditionally, a meal called Kuba, made from onions, mushrooms, garlic, and barley, was served at Christmas dinner as part of the main course. Nowadays, it's often replaced by mushroom soup for supper. The mushroom portion of the meal is the important part, though, essential for providing strength and health in the new year! </li>
<li dir="ltr">On the 24th of Dec, dip a sheaf of grain into holy water (ideally not obtained by nefarious means) and sprinkle the water all over your house, both inside and out, to ensure that your home is safe from being burnt down over the next year! </li>
<li dir="ltr">Want enough eggs to feed an army? Heck yes, omelettes and the aforementioned sweetened goat milk cheese sounds delish. Well, in that case, you need to feed a variety of poppy seed, peas, wheat, and barley to your chooks on Christmas Eve to guarantee eggs for everyone!</li>
</ul>

What are your top festive facts from around the world? Drop 'em in the comments, or else Santa will bring you a lump of coal!

Jack's Festive Facts from Around the World

Whoever dreamed up winter clich&eacute;s clearly had the Roseg Valley in mind. From underneath heavy fur and wool blankets, we wave our mittens at passing horses and hikers.
The only sounds are the soft snort of the horse and the snow crunching under its hooves.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s a snow-globe kind of serenity as we make our way to the gingerbread-perfect <a href="https://www.roseg-gletscher.ch/en/">Roseg Gletscher</a>, lured in by its legendary dessert buffet and views over the Roseg Glacier.

But snow globes always settle eventually, even metaphorical ones. With dessert plates empty, fingers numb, and daylight thinning, it's time to trade the trail for the tracks and hop on the Bernina Express.&nbsp;

The Bernina is the Glacier Express's wilder, less polished counterpart, forgoing the bells and whistles in favour of raw switchbacks and dramatic elevation changes.
It feels more like a local train that just happens to be a&nbsp;<a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1276/">UNESCO World Heritage Site</a>, passing through some of the Alps' most stunning scenery.

The train does offer first and second class cabins, but our pockets were a feeling a little light after breathing the Swiss air for almost a week.
We opted for second class; it had everything we needed, including phone chargers and openable windows. Surprisingly, we had the cabin mostly to ourselves.

Unlike the Glacier Express, it's less about being served an experience and more about moving through one.
You're far outside the sightseeing bubble, sharing space with locals on grocery runs.&nbsp;

Now and then, I spot lone stone huts in the distance, snow-dusted and silent. I wonder who owns these quiet outposts in such a vast landscape that barely notices our humming train. I imagine the winters and wars they have weathered.
How many hands has their hearth warmed, and how many lovers have stolen a brief embrace on their doorsteps?

The views don't let up as we climb, looping past glaciers, lakes, and peaks. The highest point, 2,253 meters, is one of Europe's loftiest railway crossings.
When the line was built in the early 1900s, just like the Glacier Express, local workers braved avalanches and thin Alpine air to carve tracks into impossible slopes.

Cresting the Bernina Pass, the world outside our window shifts again. Snow melts into emerald green as glaciers give way to forests. Pines blur past, villages flash by &mdash; fast, alive, and totally unstoppable.

The pretty town of Poschiavo lives in between worlds. Sitting north of the Italian border, the language, food, and daily rhythm sway toward the &ldquo;dolce vita&rdquo; lifestyle.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, many locals left to work abroad, often as pastry chefs or traders in Spain and Portugal. Those who returned quietly transformed the village with their earnings, giving Poschiavo a&nbsp;<a href="https://spritzience.com/poschiavo-in-2-hours-the-ultimate-mini-guide/">surprisingly elegant feel</a>.
Nowadays, you'll find artisan boutiques and ancestral ateliers, like <a href="https://www.stone-artposchiavo.ch/en/">StoneArt Swiss</a>&nbsp;run by Angelo Boninchi. He works with local Val Poschiavo marble and regional stones like serpentinite and nephrite jade to create everything from countertops and sculptures to one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Even from this distance, the villages in the valley feel grounded, a world apart from the swanky streets I left behind in Zermatt.
No resorts, no Gucci gondolas, no pretending. For the first time in a week, I really breathe.&nbsp;The cold, icy air fills my lungs, and I'm drunk on the feeling of being completely untethered on these tracks.
This is the Switzerland I came for.&nbsp;

<h2 id="if-you-go-a-few-glacier-express-notes-worth-tucking-away">Essential Tips for Your Bernina Express Trip</h2>
Time Your Journey
Morning or late-afternoon rides give you the best light for photos. Midday can be bright but a bit harsh.
Pack Snacks &amp; Water
Unlike the Glacier Express, the Bernina has minimal onboard service. Bring a picnic or grab something at a station along the way.
Dress in Layers
The train climbs high Alpine passes. Temperatures can vary dramatically from valley to summit, especially if windows are open in the carriage.&nbsp;
Pick a Direction
Both directions are scenic, but traveling north-to-south (St. Moritz to Tirano) gives a sense of &ldquo;descending into Italy&rdquo; with greenery, villages, and palms appearing as you go.
Allow Time at Stops
Small towns like Poschiavo or Alp Gr&uuml;m are worth a quick leg-stretch or photo stop. Even a short wander will add to the experience. It's something I regret not doing on my own journey.
Charge Your Camera
The landscapes are dramatic and continuous &mdash; you won&rsquo;t want to miss a shot.
Embrace the Pace
Unlike luxury trains, the Bernina Express feels grounded and real. Relax, watch, and enjoy the journey.

Winter Through a Window: The Bernina Express in 12 frames

This article was originally published in the Detour in April 2024

Back in 2011, I hatched a scheme to road trip around the spectacular bits of the USA to scratch an itch for open roads, big skies and Americana.
I&rsquo;d already resolved to dodge the tyranny of checked baggage and see if I could pull off the trip with only a cabin bag, but a combination of logistics, laziness and mischief set me off down another path. Could I minimise my expenses even further by not booking any accommodation either?
60 days and 8,000 miles later, I was a convert to car camping&mdash;the practice of sleeping in the car you&rsquo;re travelling in.

But wait, why not just hire an RV or camper van? Why not just take a tent?
Well, if you really want to enjoy the open road, your ride needs to be vaguely suitable for, shall we say, &lsquo;spirited&rsquo; driving. Big old rattly wheezy Winnebagos don&rsquo;t cut it. All that extra weight and stuff to cart around. They need hookups and maintenance and the facilities emptying. Channel your inner Reacher and reject the unnecessary!
Tents are just more bulk to transport. They don&rsquo;t have radios or air-con, take work to erect and strike, and when they get wet from rain&mdash;or more often covered in dew and condensation&mdash;they&rsquo;re a massive pain to keep dry. You also need to book ahead to lay claim to a pitch, which locks you down even more. You&rsquo;ve already got a perfectly functioning roof on your car, so why carry a second one around?
OK, but motels aren&rsquo;t that expensive, are they? Sure, you can find a bed for the night for well under $100. But the luxury of 4 walls and dubious decor often comes hand in hand with the less picturesque side of town and needing to wedge a chair under the door. They&rsquo;re rarely out in the wilds or off the beaten track, so you have to waste time away from the good bits just to pay for the privilege of a place to sleep.
Driving your own luxury motel around is starting to sound pretty good, right?
You get to choose where to watch the sun go down, you get to choose where to wake and greet the sunrise. You get to wake up where no-one else is snoring, breaking camp, or banging doors, and check-in/check-out is whenever the heck you feel like it.
So how does it work in practice? Here&rsquo;s what I learned.

Choose your vehicle wisely
You need a vehicle with one of two things; a passenger seat that reclines alllll the way back, or something with a load space where you can fold the rear seats down and get a nice flat zone to lay out. If you can, get something with decent ground clearance, as some of the best spots for parking up might need you to navigate gravel or tracks.
But the passenger seat is the one that really matters, because you don&rsquo;t want to be bashing your knees on the steering wheel all night!
Choose your kit
You&rsquo;re going to need some basics to make bedding-down comfy. Chances are you&rsquo;ll be picking up your vehicle from a car hire near the airport, so it shouldn&rsquo;t be too hard to find a superstore nearby. I wouldn&rsquo;t go all in on hi-spec specialist technical outdoor gear&mdash;it can get expensive really quickly, and you&rsquo;re really only looking for comfort, not performance. Your vehicle will do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to insulation.
Top of the list is a good-quality inflatable mattress and a sleeping mat. Depending on your preference, either a set of blankets or a sleeping bag comes next. Blankets can be a good bet for layering options. Grab a pillow, too, if you&rsquo;re feeling luxurious. I left all my stuff laid out in the car during the day to get plenty of air.
Other things I found useful were a quick dry towel (<a href="https://hitchhikers.fandom.com/wiki/Towel">Ford Prefect was right</a>), eye mask (if you don&rsquo;t want to wake at dawn), a torch (something clockwork or easy to recharge), some sleeping gear that&rsquo;s loose and comfy, and finally, some slip-on shoes for nighttime excursions.

Choose your spot
Car camping works best where you&rsquo;ve got lots of wild, open, natural spaces&mdash;think Oregon, Wyoming, Idaho rather than New Jersey, New York or Florida (&lsquo;gators don&rsquo;t make great camp mates).
If you&rsquo;re travelling somewhere well-developed, most of the land will be built on, occupied, or fenced off for farming, so it&rsquo;s tough to find a spot. It&rsquo;s exponentially tougher to find spots in long-settled areas where there is lots of agriculture and fencing.
Scout in daylight as you're driving around. An hour or so before sundown, start taking mental notes of where might be appropriate. You&rsquo;re looking for tracks, turnouts/lay-bys, quieter rural roads. Go with your instincts the first time you see a spot that looks good.
Don't be tempted to roll the dice and keep going in search of something better. If you find a spot, it's probably sound, and you don&rsquo;t want to be turning around an hour later to head back to the first place you saw, but this time in the dark.
You need some daylight to properly scout your spot and check for obvious hazards. Potholes, animal tracks, sharp rocks and vegetation, sudden drops or water runs. Big, obvious &ldquo;Private Property&rdquo; signs, anywhere with buckshot or bullet holes. You also don't want to be right by the roadside unless it's really untravelled. If you can find spots by streams or lakes, then you have nature's own refreshing cold shower waiting for you in the morning, too.
Bedding down
It stands to reason that there ain&rsquo;t no facilities for ablutions in the backwoods, so plan ahead and see to your business earlier in the day, or be a good camper, leave no trace and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/troop-resources/leave-no-trace/teaching-leave-no-trace/033-dispose/">pack it out</a>.
When you&rsquo;re ready for lights-out, turn off the interior alarm on the car. There&rsquo;s nothing more aggravating to you (or the landowner whose house you didn&rsquo;t see over the way) than rolling over in the night and setting the car alarm off!

Wind the windows down a touch so you have some flowing air, then lock up and put the keys in the central glove box&mdash;somewhere easy to reach, and not down the bottom of your sleeping bag.
If you&rsquo;ve gone hardcore and hired a two-seater, top tip: try to find a steep incline or hill to park on with the car facing up the hill. You can use the slope angle to get surprisingly flat in the passenger seat - even in bucket seats!
The Upside
I was lucky enough to find some incredible overnight spots on my trip, and I loved the rhythm of early nights and rising with the sun at 4 or 5 in the morning. It meant I got way more daylight hours and had some of the most popular tourist spots in America to myself.
Not shelling out a minimum of $50 every night for a motel/hotel probably saved me at least $3,000 during my trip. I parked outside McDonald&rsquo;s and used their Wi-Fi. I bought and made sandwiches from local stores rather than paying for hotel catering. I avoided campground fees and maintenance and all the baggage of a camper van.
Car camping won&rsquo;t be for everyone (it&rsquo;s a long way from glamping), but if you enjoy the road, your own company and just doing it differently, I thoroughly recommend it!

Big Skies, Open Roads & Americana

If you&rsquo;ve ever driven down the heavily trafficked Interstate 10 through Eastern Arizona, you have probably encountered a few billboards for a mysterious roadside attraction:&nbsp;
&ldquo;THE THING? YOU&rsquo;LL BE AMAZED!&rdquo;
&ldquo;THE THING? IT&rsquo;S A WONDER!&rdquo;
&ldquo;THE THING? YOU WON&rsquo;T FORGET IT!&rdquo;
In a distinctive shade of sunny yellow, these cryptic billboards arrive every fifty or so miles down the highway and have been turning heads <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/nostalgia/comments/t9ju4y/the_thing_arizona_1967/">since the 1960s</a>. If you&rsquo;re a connoisseur of tacky roadside attractions like me, they&rsquo;re highly effective at making you memorize that exit number (exit 322) and flick that righthand turn signal when you see it.
When I finally arrive at the exit, a matching yellow building promises a museum and gift shop.

I enter to find a typical southwestern travel center. Think Native and Mexican goods, and snowglobes of landscapes that have never seen snow. I am directed to the far corner of the store, past the aisles of t-shirts and talavera pottery. In this corner, there is a door under a chain of neon lights.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Hi,&rdquo; I say to the woman sitting by the door. &ldquo;I want to see the Thing.&rdquo;
&ldquo;You&rsquo;re in the right place. Cash or card?&rdquo;
I am charged five dollars to see the Thing. I have not been given any further information about what I&rsquo;ve just paid for, but I still have a feeling this is a bargain.&nbsp;
Now, if there is any chance you&rsquo;ll ever find yourself on this lonely stretch of I-10, I suggest you stop reading here before I spoil the entire surprise. This is the sort of attraction that you have to enter blindly.&nbsp;
Ticket in hand, I go through the door with absolutely no idea what is on the other side. It opens into a long, colorfully lit hallway.

The first thing I notice is a giant statue of a dinosaur. The second thing I notice is a flying saucer surrounded by alien mannequins. These are tied together with a series of plaques and murals that begin with one bold declaration: Aliens visited Earth during the time of dinosaurs and conquered them using mind control helmets.
Okay. Definitely a bargain.
I read every word of every plaque, and the story unfolds. After eons of cerebral interference from the aliens, the dinosaurs gained sentience and started fighting back, and eventually their interplanetary enemies send the Chicxulub asteroid to wipe them out.&nbsp;
The aliens go home, they come back millennia later, they find humanity, and they proceed to guide us through our entire history, which is told through more displays (including a life-size model of Winston Churchill riding in a Rolls driven by an alien, because you can&rsquo;t prove that never happened).
All of this information is delivered with passionate seriousness and just enough &ldquo;What if&hellip;&rdquo;s to maintain plausible deniability.

I would have considered this money well-spent if the museum ended here. But this is all pretext, the preparation, the prologue &mdash; we haven&rsquo;t even seen the actual THING yet. A plaque before the final room informs me that the attraction&rsquo;s founder, Thomas Prince, acquired it in 1950 through methods that are &ldquo;shrouded in secrecy.&rdquo;
I enter the final room. Speakers are looping the X-Files theme. It&rsquo;s a darker room than the others, lit by the glow of something roped off in the corner.&nbsp;
As I approach the exhibit, I see a glass coffin containing a mummy. It&rsquo;s holding a second, child-sized mummy. They are ambiguously inhuman, in a way that suggests either unearthliness or advanced decay.
This is the titular THING: two mummies, supposedly unidentifiable as terrestrial beings. They&rsquo;re here to ground everything we&rsquo;ve just seen into some kind of tangible fact. The rest is just statues and storytelling, but here we have the evidence.

The exhibit ends here and I am guided by signs back into the glaring fluorescents of the gift shop.&nbsp;
&ldquo;What did you think?&rdquo; asks the lady who sold me my ticket.
I am still absorbing many things, including the fact that I just witnessed a truly Barnum-esque sideshow in 2025, that I am absolutely going to write about this for JFC, and that I&rsquo;ve drunk coffees that cost more than that experience.
&ldquo;I thought it was great.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Oh, good. I&rsquo;m so glad.&rdquo; She is visibly relieved.
I suddenly get the vibe that this woman has dealt with disappointed tourists many, many times.
Because THE THING? isn&rsquo;t designed to impress, not genuinely. Like most roadside stops along American interstates, the ridiculousness is the attraction. It&rsquo;s an entire niche culture built on irony. Not everyone understands it, but if you want to get the most out of an American road trip, you have to let yourself in on the joke.

You shouldn&rsquo;t show up to a spot like this and feel disappointed when it turns out to be silly &mdash; you should show up because it will probably be silly. Because there&rsquo;s just something special about driving through hours of Nebraska farm land and finding a <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/carhenge">replica of Stonehenge made out of vintage cars</a>, or going out of your way for the <a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/worlds-largest-ball-of-twine/2344/">world&rsquo;s largest ball of twine</a>. To paraphrase Ken Smith of Roadside America, a good highway attraction isn&rsquo;t about what it actually is, but the fact that <a href="https://www.routemagazine.us/stories/mystery-in-the-desert#:~:text=I%20say%20this%20a%20lot%2C%20but%20a%20good%20roadside%20attraction%E2%80%94it%20isn%E2%80%99t%20about%20what%20it%20is.%20It%E2%80%99s%20about%20what%20you%20remember.%20It%E2%80%99s%20about%20building%20a%20memory.">you&rsquo;ll always remember seeing it</a>.
When it comes to memorable hooks, it doesn&rsquo;t get much better than dinosaur mind control and alien mummies. And that was an intentional marketing ploy.&nbsp;
Do some Googling, and you can find a true, honest-to-God backstory for this funky exhibition. The aforementioned Thomas Prince is the source of those cryptic and eye-catching billboards, having displayed the Thing along the highway until his death in 1969.
The mummies were then purchased by Bowlin Travel Centers (a familiar name in these parts &mdash; nearly every service station seems to be under their jurisdiction) and Bowlin decided to dress up the mummies with a tale about aliens and dinosaurs.&nbsp;
After all, you gotta earn those five dollars, and sci-fi sells big in this part of the country. Just ask Roswell, New Mexico. Or Amargosa Valley, Nevada, where the mystique of nearby Area 51 drives folks towards UFO knick-knacks and a (legal) alien-themed brothel. If you&rsquo;re operating a funky attraction in the deserts of the Southwest, the real money is in making Ed Wood look like Spielberg.
But all of this only explains the events after Prince put the mummies on show. So&hellip; what are those mummies, then? Where were they found? Are they&hellip; real?

That&rsquo;s the thing about the Thing &mdash; officially, no one knows. There are a few competing theories (most involving some <a href="https://www.routemagazine.us/stories/mystery-in-the-desert#:~:text=%E2%80%9C%5BThe%20Thing%5D%20was,kinds%20of%20things.%E2%80%9D">arts and crafts</a>), but there are no definitive answers. If anyone at Bowlin has real concrete provenance for these figures, they&rsquo;re not talking. The secret of the mummies just might have died with Thomas Prince.
I think that&rsquo;s for the best. That last kernel of mystery makes it easier to forget every official bit of history and enjoy the gaff. A weary driver encounters enigmatic billboards, surrounded in every direction by miles of empty desert, and is offered a rare and glorious chance to suspend their disbelief to Fox Mulder levels.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s roadside gold, an exhibit so sincere in its irony that it has drawn in visitors for six decades. Because it&rsquo;s not about whether those mummies were clearly papier-m&acirc;ch&eacute;, it&rsquo;s about the fact that you&rsquo;ll remember them forever.
So if you&rsquo;re ever driving down I-10 an hour east of Tucson, hit the brakes at exit 322. You won&rsquo;t forget it.

Arizona's Out-of-This-World Road Trip Pitstop

While big, bustling Vancouver might be British Columbia&rsquo;s most famous city, it&rsquo;s not actually the provincial capital. That honor goes to Victoria &mdash; the smaller, more 19th-century town at the tip of Vancouver Island.
&ldquo;The island,&rdquo; as it's colloquially known, is roughly the size of Belgium and packed with seaside villages and lush woodlands. It&rsquo;s truly the jewel of the Pacific Northwest, and charming Victoria is your entry point.&nbsp;
In this guide, we&rsquo;ll give you an overview of the many ferries into Victoria, tips for arriving by air, and a tasting menu of everything you can do around town. I&rsquo;ve spent a few months in the area myself, so you&rsquo;ll be getting firsthand info!

<h1 id="t">Things to Know Before You Go</h1>
<h2 id="visas">Visas</h2>
Most visitors to Canada will need either a visa or an eTA. The kind of documentation you need will depend both on the passport you hold, and how you enter Canada (land, sea, or air). The Canadian government has an <a href="https://ircc.canada.ca/english/visit/visas.asp">online questionnaire</a> to help figure out what you need for your trip.
US visitors are exempt and only require a passport, while most UK and European visitors will require the eTA.
<h2 dir="ltr">Cash &amp; Currency</h2>
Like any city in Canada, Victoria uses Canadian dollars. The conversion rate at the time of writing (November 2025) means you&rsquo;ll pay about &pound;0.54, &euro;0.64, or US$0.74 per Canadian dollar.&nbsp;
Both cash and card are accepted almost everywhere in the city.

<h1 id="g">Getting There</h1>
As a city on an island nestled between multiple metropolitan areas, there are several routes into Victoria&hellip;
<h2 dir="ltr">Arrival by Airplane</h2>
Victoria does have its own airport, so you can fly straight to the city. Here&rsquo;s what to expect if you fly into YYJ:
From Europe:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: &euro;400-&euro;500 RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap Flights we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 0-1</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: &euro;286 RT</li>
</ul>
From the UK:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: &pound;350-&pound;500 RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap Flights we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 1-2</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: &pound;303 RT</li>
</ul>
From the USA:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: US$250-$350 RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap Flights we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 1-5 for the West Coast, 0-2 for everywhere else.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: US$212 RT</li>
</ul>
From Canada:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: CA$150-$200 RT for Western Canada, CA$250-$350 RT for everywhere else.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap Flights we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 2-3</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: CA$112</li>
</ul>
Vancouver Island also has international airports in Nanaimo (YCD) and Comox (YQQ), but Victoria (YYJ) almost always has the cheapest airfare to the island.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Arrival by Ferry</h2>
Alternatively, you could fly into Vancouver (YVR) or Seattle (SEA) and take a ferry to Victoria. Flights into those two cities are almost always way cheaper than flights into Victoria, so this will likely be your cheapest option.

<h3 dir="ltr">From Vancouver</h3>
There&rsquo;s a&nbsp;lot of need for boat-crossings in British Columbia, so the provincial government owns and operates a convenient network of ferries. If you fly into Vancouver and travel to the island from there, you&rsquo;ll be on boats that are part of the BC Ferries system.&nbsp;
The three mentioned here are larger boats that operate on strict daily schedules. Prices vary quite a bit depending on the type of ticket (walk-on or drive-on, round-trip or one-way, Saver or full-price, etc) but you can generally expect to pay around $50 CAD each way with a vehicle, and around $15 CAD if you walk on.
There are three direct routes you can take to reach the island from the Vancouver area:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (north of Vancouver to Nanaimo)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Tsawwassen to Duke Point (south of Vancouver to Nanaimo)</li>
<li dir="ltr">Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (south of Vancouver to the Sidney area)</li>
</ul>
For reference, Nanaimo is about one hour and forty-five minutes from Victoria, and Sidney is about 30&ndash;40 minutes. If you don&rsquo;t plan to drive on your trip, I recommend arriving through Sidney &mdash; there are multiple direct buses from the Swartz Bay terminal into downtown Victoria. Look for bus routes 70, 71, or 72.
For an even more scenic route, you can also take ferries from Vancouver to the smaller gulf islands, and island-hop your way to Victoria.

<h3 dir="ltr">From Seattle</h3>
International ferries are privatized and a lot more expensive, so they only really make sense if you&rsquo;re visiting from the US and want to skip the hassle of flying into Canada.&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s only one option for a direct boat ride from Seattle, and that&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.clippervacations.com/ca/">FRS Clipper</a>. The ride is just shy of three hours and takes you from the heart of Seattle to the heart of Victoria for about $130-$150 USD one way. This ferry is well-loved, but note that they don&rsquo;t allow vehicles, so you&rsquo;ll have to walk on. If you really need to bring your car, look into the <a href="https://cohoferry.com/seattle-to-victoria">Black Ball</a> ferry that leaves from Port Angeles.
Pro-Tip: If you really want to make an adventure out of your journey to the island, there are several seaplane companies that can hop you around the area.

<h1 dir="ltr">Getting Around Town</h1>
Once you&rsquo;ve completed the trek to Victoria, the hard part is over! The city itself is on the smaller side, and highly walkable. You can easily traverse all of downtown in a day, and attractions like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle are within a 30 minute walk of the city center.
For sights that are further afield, like Butchart Gardens, you can choose from rideshare or public transit. While scarce outside of Victoria, Uber and Lyft are both abundant in the metropolitan area. The city buses are surprisingly reliable for such a small city, but they don&rsquo;t accept contactless payment &mdash; you&rsquo;ll need&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bctransit.com/victoria/fares/how-fares-work/how-to-pay/">either cash or the Umo app</a>.
There are a few longer distance buses available (like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.islandlinkbus.com/">Island Link</a> that I mention below) but if you want to explore the island beyond those limited routes, you&rsquo;ll need to rent a car.

<h1 dir="ltr">Things to Do in Victoria</h1>

Now that you&rsquo;re ready to start enjoying the city, here are a few of its highlights:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Explore Downtown: Packed with boutiques, bars, and caf&eacute;s, plus beautiful harbor views and historic architecture, downtown Victoria is worth scheduling in some &ldquo;wander around&rdquo; time.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Royal BC Museum: The province&rsquo;s primary history museum, offering a look into the region&rsquo;s many cultures, as well as prehistoric flora and fauna.</li>
<li>Craigdarroch Castle: A stunning late 19th century estate, notable for its high-quality restoration and collection of stained-glass windows.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Beacon Hill Park: A 740k square meter city park with gardens, woodland, and seaside views, right outside downtown.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Parliament: British Columbia&rsquo;s provincial government buildings. Open to tours on weekdays, but worth admiring from the outside every day.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Empress Hotel: A historic ch&acirc;teau-esque hotel that hosts a very popular high tea.</li>
<li>Chinatown: The oldest Chinatown in Canada, and the second oldest in all of North America. Home to Fan Tan Alley.</li>
</ul>

<h1 dir="ltr">Day Trips From Victoria</h1>
Vancouver Island is surprisingly big, so it&rsquo;s no shock that there&rsquo;s plenty to see outside the city. The island is practically road trip heaven, with enough sights to fill up weeks of exploring.
For now, we&rsquo;ll assume you&rsquo;re using Victoria as your home base, so here are some options that are within a comfortable day trip distance from the city:
<h3 dir="ltr">Butchart Gardens</h3>
This is THE day trip from Victoria &mdash; the one pretty much every visitor takes.&nbsp;

It&rsquo;s not hard to see why! <a href="https://butchartgardens.com/">The Butchart Gardens</a> cover 55 acres of land in beautiful floral displays. Descend into the manicured Sunken Garden, meander through a forest of Japanese maples, and admire fountain after bubbling fountain. While it&rsquo;s worth seeing at any time of year, spring&rsquo;s rose blossoms and autumn&rsquo;s bright red foliage make for especially colorful visits.
You can reach the Butchart Gardens from downtown Victoria in about 30 minutes by car, or with a one-hour bus ride aboard the 75 or 30.

<h3 dir="ltr">Nanaimo</h3>
Pronounced nah-NYE-mo, this is the second-largest city on the island. It&rsquo;s got a much more small-town feel, with a cute downtown and Old City Quarter.

Other than whale-watching and ferry connections, its biggest claim to fame is the Nanaimo bar: a chocolatey, coconutty, custardy treat that just might ruin you for every other caf&eacute; dessert.
You can get to Nanaimo from Victoria by city bus or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.islandlinkbus.com/">Island Link</a>, but driving the full ~90 minutes yourself is much more fun. The highways will take you through several charming villages worth the stop &mdash; my favorites are Cowichan Bay, Duncan, Chemainus, and Ladysmith. Expect cozy shops, dockside restaurants, small local museums, and tons of gorgeous bay and island views.

<h3 dir="ltr">Provincial and Regional Parks</h3>
The island may only have one &mdash; difficult-to-reach &mdash; National Park, but it&rsquo;s covered in Provincial and Regional Parks. These protected areas include dense, mossy woodland, waterfalls, tons of lakes, and rocky coastlines.

I could fill an entire article just with outdoor day trips from Victoria, but a few highlights within a half-hour&rsquo;s drive include Thetis Lake (Canada&rsquo;s first nature sanctuary), Mount Wells (known for wildflowers and a challenging summit hike), and Goldstream (massive trees and a beautiful waterfall).

<h3 dir="ltr">Sidney</h3>
One of my favorite things about Vancouver Island is the abundance of lovely coastal towns, and Sidney is one of the coolest and most accessible from Victoria.
Unique highlights here include the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea (a small but very well-done aquarium), a fish market frequented by the local seals, and a pier that offers an excellent view of the Gulf. On clear days, you can even spot Washington&rsquo;s Mount Baker across the water.

It&rsquo;s also home to the Victoria airport, and the first big town you&rsquo;ll see if you arrive at Swartz Bay on the ferry. This means you&rsquo;ll likely pass through Sidney anyway, so take some time to look around!

<h3 dir="ltr">Salt Spring Island</h3>
If you only take one more ferry during your trip, it should be the one to Salt Spring! This island is around the size of Aruba, and it&rsquo;s become quite the artistic outpost on the Gulf. The main town, Ganges, is packed with galleries and nifty boutiques, plus there&rsquo;s a weekly street market each Saturday where local artists take to the sidewalks.
It&rsquo;s also one of the best hiking spots in the area &mdash; drive down to Ruckle Provincial Park and follow the trail along the coast for some gorgeous, peak Pacific Northwestern views.

To get there from downtown Victoria, either drive or take one of several direct buses up to Swartz Bay, then hop on the ferry to Fulford Harbour. You&rsquo;ll be much better off with a car on Salt Spring Island, but <a href="https://www.bctransit.com/salt-spring-island/schedules-and-maps/">buses do run every couple hours</a> and cover most of the highlights.

<h1 dir="ltr">Seasonality</h1>
Vancouver Island tends to follow the Pacific Northwest weather calendar, where there are basically two seasons: dry and sunny, or gray and damp.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;m a big defender of the PNW winter (hike through a mossy evergreen forest in the rain, and you will be too!) but the massive disparity in seasons means there&rsquo;s two very different sides to the region, so you&rsquo;ll need to plan accordingly.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">December&ndash;February</h3>
This is the peak winter season, but don&rsquo;t be scared off &mdash; temps are usually way milder in Victoria than in the rest of Canada (think 5&ndash;10 &ordm;C or 40&ndash;50 &ordm;F). The rain, while frequent, is typically just a drizzle. Snow is rarely more than a little slush.
If you don&rsquo;t mind cloudy skies and rainboots, this is still a good time to visit the city! A lot of tourism-based companies around the island (boat tours, gear rentals, etc.) shut down for the off-season, but Victoria itself never goes into hibernation. Plus, spots like Butchart Gardens and the Empress put on pretty lovely Christmas displays.
Visit later in winter, around February, and you might catch a &ldquo;fool&rsquo;s spring&rdquo; &mdash; breezy warm days start cropping up way before spring&nbsp;actually settles in for real.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">March&ndash;May</h3>
Once the weather&rsquo;s done with its fake-outs, skies start to clear and temps start to rise. March is still temperamental, clinging to winter, but April and May tend to offer a more genuine springtime experience.
And in Victoria, that means FLOWERS. Cherry blossoms kick off the season in late March, followed by tulips in April. Butchart Gardens is easily the best place to see floral displays, but the grounds outside Parliament offer some eye candy without leaving the city.

<h3 dir="ltr">June&ndash;August</h3>
Victoria really hit the jackpot in the climate department, because their summer is mild too! Temps stay around 18&ndash;28 &ordm;C, or about 64&ndash;82 &ordm;F, and rain is rare, leaving you with clear blue skies most days.
This is easily the best time to visit if you want to explore the island in all its green-and-blue glory. It&rsquo;s the season for boat tours, dining on caf&eacute; patios, and taking a dip in the (frankly insane) number of lakes and bays nearby.
Understandably, it&rsquo;s also peak travel season, so expect higher prices and bigger crowds.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">September&ndash;November</h3>
Like spring, fall is the transition between the dry and wet seasons. Visit in September, and you&rsquo;ll likely get the last breath of summer weather. October is a bit frenetic in terms of temperature, but the glowing fall foliage makes it worth the gamble.
By November, winter is settling in. You can still snag some sunshine, and that foliage doesn&rsquo;t disappear on Halloween night, but you'll definitely get a more drizzly experience as the month goes on.

<h1 dir="ltr">Travel Style</h1>
There are really two approaches to visiting Victoria: you can either stay in and around town, relaxing and meandering, or you can use it as a jumping off point to explore the island.&nbsp;
Choose the first option, and you&rsquo;ve got a laid-back city break that requires very little planning. You can easily get to all the main attractions in a 2&ndash;3 day trip without a strict schedule, making this a great town for the spontaneous traveler.
Choose the latter option, and you&rsquo;ll need to be a little more prepared, but it&rsquo;s nothing a casual road-tripper can&rsquo;t handle. The main roads on the island are well-traveled and won&rsquo;t present too much challenge, but start heading into the more remote regions (like Pacific Rim National Park, or the far north end of the island) and you&rsquo;ll start to really feel like an adventurer.

<h2 dir="ltr">Useful links</h2>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.bcferries.com/">BC Ferries</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://vancouverisland.com/things-to-do-and-see/parks-and-trails/">Parks and Trails Guide</a></li>
</ul>

Jack's Guide To: Victoria

Sometimes, we receive a question from the Jack's Community that sets our soul alight. The kind of question that excites us, ignites our wanderlust and transports us across continents.&nbsp;
This was one of those questions.&nbsp;
Navigator Kash fell so far down a pan-Asian rabbit hole that she's yet to fully emerge, so it's only right that we share all the goods she dug up along the way.
<hr>

Hi there, Nehla! Wow, what an adventure! Consider me officially jealous. Slow travel is by far one of the best ways to connect with the land and the people (and yourself!) on a deeper level. It&rsquo;s the anti-checklist trip.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;ve done some research and dug up your best options for traveling overland, and flying when necessary.

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 1: Manchester to Uzbekistan</h2>
Currently, <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAho8EgoyMDI2LTAzLTI1KAFqDAgDEggvbS8wNTJid3IMCAISCC9tLzBkbDNncgwIAxIIL20vMGZzbXmQAY4CQAFIAXABggELCP___________wGYAQI&amp;tfu=EgoIABAAGAAgAigB&amp;gl=GB">one-way fares</a> from Manchester to Samarkand or Tashkent in March are pretty decent, in the &pound;240s&ndash;&pound;380s.
Uzbekistan is a firm bucket-lister at Jack&rsquo;s, with Detour Editor Katy the first of us to chart a course through its mesmerizing blue mosques and mausoleums.

&ldquo;In Samarkand, your journey will no doubt start at<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/mar/31/registan-samarkand-square-history-cities-buildings"> Registan Square</a>, the city's most iconic landmark. It is dominated by three impossibly ornately tiled madrasahs&mdash;Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Kari. Each one is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, and pictures seriously do not do them justice.&nbsp;
There are hundreds of small alcoves and rooms to explore within the Madrasahs, not to mention handmade Uzbek crafts for sale. Needlework and embroidery are an integral part of the Uzbek culture, and you'll find gorgeous examples at shops all throughout the city.
If you look carefully, inside certain shops you&rsquo;ll spot narrow spiral staircases heading up. Follow them, and you&rsquo;ll emerge onto beautiful balconies overlooking the square, where you can grab a cuppa and watch the people go by.
Another highlight of Samarkand is<a href="https://www.baytalfann.com/post/the-beauty-history-of-shah-i-zinda"> Shah-i-Zinda</a>, which is more or less a village of brightly-coloured mausoleums. To snap the best shots, plan to visit early in the day. The narrow pathways get pretty crowded, so a bit of patience is needed for unintentional photobombers.&rdquo; - Katy

Tip: When it comes to your first glimpse of public transport in this area of the world, you&rsquo;re in for an absolute treat in Tashkent. Its <a href="https://twinperspectives.co.uk/the-most-beautiful-metro-stations-in-tashkent-2025/">metro stations are more like museums</a>. A myriad of mosaics and motifs, each spinning tales of the Silk Road and crumbled empires.&nbsp;

Option 2: Crossing overland into China&nbsp;
Alternatively, if you&rsquo;re up for an adventure, you can cross overland into China, either via <a href="https://caravanistan.com/border-crossings/kazakhstan/#kazakhstan-%e2%80%93-china-border-crossings">Khazakstan</a> or <a href="https://caravanistan.com/border-crossings/kyrgyzstan/">Kyrgyzstan</a>. It&rsquo;s more difficult to cross from Kyrgyzstan because the region that borders it is Xinjiang, which is <a href="https://caravanistan.com/east-turkestan/">quite tightly controlled</a>, and they don&rsquo;t usually let foreigners visit. You&rsquo;d have an easier time crossing from Khorgos (Horgos) in Kazakhstan. The road is better, and you can cross by bus.&nbsp;
While you&rsquo;re in Kazakhstan, you might want to consider crossing the steppes by train; this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2021/oct/22/across-kazakhstan-by-rail-a-photo-essay?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawOmN9FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5czdqRWlPU21WOWlvYmtzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl-dy5BRK4EbERMEiciMj5sJvKtWQcnvqEoTDjGx1kX5jg-U2dvxJt_U0Kr4_aem_karr_pNUs9Emx9HVMjFJ1g">dreamy photo-journal</a> certainly entices me to!

Tip: This website, <a href="https://caravanistan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caravanistan</a>, is a great resource for destinations all along the Silk Road. Here&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Ml8xrhk9Jwr00_GdccYtBrEYScU&amp;ll=41.93493861474455%2C79.74287294999999&amp;z=3">a handy map of border crossings</a> on the Silk Road.

From Tashkent, you can take <a href="https://www.railrussia.com/routes/tashkent-almaty">a train overland to Almaty</a> (Khazakstan) in about 17 hours, and then catch a bus from <a href="https://thetripgoeson.com/almaty-to-urumqi/">Almaty to Urumqi</a> (China) the bus takes about 19&ndash;20 hours and costs around &pound;30 on average. This is by far the easiest way and beats trains with changes or separate border buses.&nbsp;
From Urumqi Railway Station, direct connections span Xinjiang regionally, as well as east to central China via the <a href="https://www.chinadiscovery.com/china-trains/urumqi-high-speed-train.html">Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-Speed Railway</a> &mdash; no transfers needed for most.
This 12-hour train route follows the ancient Silk Road via the oasis town of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RR-hlrRZrs">Turpan</a>. From here, it travels through some of China&rsquo;s wildest terrain, whizzing past lunar landscapes like the rainbow mountains of Zhangye and <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/gansu/dunhuang/attractions/mogao-grottoes/a/poi-sig/1496278/355964">the caves of the thousand Buddhas in Mogao</a>. This is one of the most important collections of Buddhist architecture in the world.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 3: China to South Korea</h2>
Option 1: Flying from China to South Korea
It&rsquo;s very <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/explore?tfs=CBwQAxooEgoyMDI2LTA0LTA4agwIAhIIL20vMDE5MTRyDAgEEggvbS8wNnFkM0ABSAFwAoIBCwj___________8BmAECsgEEGAEgAQ&amp;tfu=GgA&amp;gl=GB">easy to fly</a> between the two countries &mdash; expect to pay around &pound;60 one-way.

Option 2: China to South Korea via ferry
I imagine you'll train-hop from Urumqi across China to the Beijing area. From Beijing, hop on a high-speed train to Qingdao (3&ndash;4 hours, around &pound;40 for economy seats), where you can take <a href="https://4corners7seas.com/asia/china/china-korea-ferries/">a ferry to Incheon, South Korea</a>. The Weidong ferry sails every Mon/Wed/Fri at 17:30 and takes about 17&ndash;18 hours, costing around &pound;85+.&nbsp;

Tip: It&rsquo;s easier (and cheaper) to buy tickets in person than online, and you&rsquo;ll want to arrive no later than two hours before departure to fill out customs declaration and boarding cards. The amenities on board are basic, so pack snacks accordingly, or consider splurging for a higher tier like Business or Royal class.

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 4: South Korea to Japan</h2>
Option 1: South Korea to Japan via ferry
Once you arrive in Incheon, you can then take an AREX train or subway to Seoul, which takes about an hour and costs around &pound;5.&nbsp;
At this stage, a few days of rest and rejuvenation probably wouldn&rsquo;t go amiss! In Seoul, a visit to <a href="http://google.com/search?q=siloam+sauna&amp;oq=Siloam+Sauna&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgBEAAYgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyBwgDEAAYgAQyBwgEEAAYgAQyBwgFEAAYgAQyBwgGEAAYgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEAAYgAQyDQgJEAAYhgMYgAQYigXSAQgxMTAwajBqN6gCALACAA&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">Siloam Sauna</a> offers traditional Korean spa relaxation for you weary travellers. Alternatively, a gentle hike up Achasan Mountain will do wonders for the spirit, and afterward, reward yourself with a quiet tea at <a href="https://firefortysix.com/2023/07/08/a-relaxing-afternoon-interlude-at-tteuran-teahouse-in-ikseondong/">Tteuran Tea House</a>.
From Seoul, you can then take <a href="https://www.koreantrain.com/train-seoul-busan">a highspeed KTX train to Busan</a> (stop off in the city known as <a href="https://southkoreahallyu.com/gyeongju-south-korea-things-to-do/">&ldquo;the museum without walls&rdquo;</a> if you have the time). From Seoul straight to Busan it takes about 2hrs 15 mins and costs around &pound;30.&nbsp;

Next up, <a href="https://whirled-away.com/ferry-south-korea-japan/">hop on an overnight ferry across to Fukuoka</a>. The ferry prices usually fall somewhere between &pound;46 and &pound;77 depending on the season and what kind of seat or cabin you pick. All in, you&rsquo;re looking at roughly &pound;76&ndash;&pound;108.&nbsp;
Another option is the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcleb7YgKGA">PanStar Cruise Line</a> to Osaka, offering a longer, more cruise-like experience that honestly might be worth the detour!
Option 2: Flying from South Korea to Japan
If you&rsquo;d rather get there fast, <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/explore?tfs=CBwQAxoqEgoyMDI1LTEyLTI0KABqDAgDEggvbS8waHNxZnIMCAQSCC9tLzAzXzNkQAFIAXACggELCP___________wGYAQKyAQQYASAB&amp;tfu=GgA&amp;gl=GB">flights from Seoul</a> to places like Tokyo, Osaka, or Fukuoka are typically pretty cheap and only take around 1.5&ndash;2 hours, with fares starting from &pound;40&ndash;&pound;70 if you catch a deal.

Tip: In Tokyo, instead of sticking to Shibuya, Asakusa, or Ginza, venture to neighbourhoods like Yanaka, Shimokitazawa, Kiyosumi‑Shirakawa, or Kichijoji for more local energy. 
<a href="https://monocle.com/travel/yanaka-neighbourhood-guide/">Yanaka</a> offers a quiet, nostalgic Tokyo with over 70 different temples, wooden houses and cozy eateries - and <a href="https://japanjourneys.jp/tokyo/lifestyle/things-to-do/cat-lovers-need-to-visit-yanaka-right-now/">most importantly, cats</a>!

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 5: Japan to Vietnam</h2>
Option 1: Ferry and Overland
This one is tricky. You can do it overland by heading back to China by ferry (although the <a href="https://www.shinganjin.com/en/schedule/">Kobe/Osaka&ndash;Shanghai service</a> was suspended this week due to ongoing tensions), and then travelling south by train.
If you want to go for it, just be aware that there&rsquo;s a time investment involved! The crossing takes 45&ndash;48 hours, then it&rsquo;ll be around another 10 hours by train from Shanghai to the Vietnamese border.
Trains crossing from China into Vietnam <a href="https://www.indochinatour.com/china-vietnam-tour/china-to-vietnam.html#:~:text=hub%20in%20China.-,The%20Train%20to%20Vietnam%20from%20China%20is%20Available%3A%20A%20Very%20Scenic%20Route%20from%20Nanning,-Instead%20of%20flying">were not reinstated after the pandemic</a>. That means you&rsquo;ll have to alight at Pingxiang, take a taxi to the border crossing, and then hop on a train from Dong Dang on the Vietnamese side to continue towards Hanoi.

Option 2: Flying from Japan to Vietnam&nbsp;
You can catch <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/explore?tfs=CBwQAxorEgoyMDI1LTEyLTI0KABqDAgDEggvbS8wN2Rma3INCAQSCS9tLzAxY3JkNUABSAFwAoIBCwj___________8BmAECsgEEGAEgAQ&amp;tfu=GgA&amp;gl=GB">a direct flight from Tokyo</a> to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City in about six hours, with economy fares that can drop as low as &pound;80&ndash;&pound;90 one way.
In Hanoi, I recommend starting your mornings early at <a href="https://lilystravelagency.com/quang-ba-flower-market/">Quang Ba Flower Market</a> to see the city come alive with traders&rsquo; fresh flowers before the crowds arrive.&nbsp;
You can also use buses, trains, or the app Grab (similar to Uber) to catch a motorbike or taxi to quieter districts or artisan villages like Bat Trang and Duong Lam.&nbsp;
In <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/story/0AUR6zBKq7ucyg">Bat Trang</a>, arrive in the morning to watch artisans shape pottery by hand, and try making a small piece yourself. In <a href="https://wander-lush.org/duong-lam-ancient-village-hanoi-day-trip/">Duong Lam</a>, take a bus or Grab through scenic rice paddies, then walk or cycle among clay-tiled houses and temples. Bring cash and wear comfortable shoes, and consider visiting on weekdays for a quieter, more authentic experience of local crafts and village life.

Tip:&nbsp;If you decide to go south, take a look at our <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfcs-guide-to-ho-chi-minh-city">Ho Chi Minh Guide</a> &mdash; it&rsquo;s packed with Katy&rsquo;s tips for your trip.

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 6: Homeward Bound</h2>
Flying back home
Once you&rsquo;re done exploring Vietnam, getting back to the UK is easiest via London: there are several direct flights from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to London, and from there it&rsquo;s just a quick hop on a domestic flight or train to Manchester.&nbsp;
Total flight times from Vietnam to London are roughly 13&ndash;14 hours for a direct route, with fares ranging from &pound;390s&ndash;&pound;600 depending on the airline, season, and how early you book. Currently, <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAho4EgoyMDI2LTA2LTE1KABqDAgDEggvbS8wZm5mZmoMCAMSCC9tLzBobjRocgwIAhIIL20vMDRqcGxAAUgBcAGCAQsI____________AZgBAg&amp;tfu=EgoIABAAGAAgAigB&amp;gl=GB">fares in June </a>are reasonable at &pound;396.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Rough totals</h2>
Overland/ferry-heavy route: &pound;1,400pp
Mostly flying: &pound;1,200pp

<h2 id="visa-notes">Visa Notes</h2>
Uzbekistan
<ul>
<li data-start="288" data-end="412">UK, EU, Canadian &amp; US Passports: Most will qualify for up to 30 days visa-free for tourism. Longer stays require a visa, usually via the official e-visa portal.</li>
<li data-start="288" data-end="412">Other passports: Many nationalities still qualify for visa-free entry or simple e-visas, but rules vary. Check your specific passport eligibility on the <a href="https://e-visa.gov.uz/">Uzbek government visa site</a>.</li>
</ul>
China
<ul>
<li data-start="640" data-end="900">UK, US &amp; Canadian Passports: A visa is usually required, depending on the exact duration and destination of your visit. The current process involves an online pre-approval form on <a href="https://www.visaforchina.cn/VIE3_EN/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">visaforchina.cn</a>, followed by an in-person biometrics appointment at a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre. Fees average about &pound;130. Allow 3&ndash;4 weeks total.</li>
<li data-start="903" data-end="1128">Other passports: Most European countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand, will qualify for 15-days visa-free entry to China. These rules change frequetly, and requirements, fees, and processing times can differ, so travelers should always check the rules for their specific nationality.</li>
</ul>
South Korea
<ul>
<li data-start="1150" data-end="1270">Most UK, European &amp; North American passports: No traditional visa needed for trips up to 90 days, but you must <a href="https://www.k-eta.go.kr/">apply for the K-ETA</a> before travel.&nbsp;Some passports may require a short-stay visa, so check the K-ETA site for nationality-specific entry rules.</li>
</ul>
Japan
<ul>
<li data-start="1150" data-end="1270">Most UK, European &amp; North American passports:&nbsp;Visa-free for up to 90 days. You may be asked to show proof of funds and onward travel/accommodation.</li>
<li data-start="1582" data-end="1742">Other passports: Japan offers visa-free entry to many countries, but not all&mdash;travellers should confirm whether their passport is on Japan&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html">visa-exempt list</a>.</li>
</ul>
Vietnam
<ul>
<li data-start="1760" data-end="1813">UK &amp; European passports: Most qualify for visa-free entry for up to 45 days.</li>
<li data-start="1816" data-end="1994">Other passports: Visa exemptions vary greatly by nationality. Many travellers will need an e-visa, which is generally straightforward to obtain via <a href="https://evisa.gov.vn/">Vietnam&rsquo;s official portal</a>.</li>
</ul>

Safe travels! I&rsquo;d love to know which routes you end up choosing! And <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/postcards">send us a postcard</a> on the road!

Silk Road to Sakura: A Choose-Your-Own Adventure

Guatemala

Brazil

French Guiana

Hey there Travellers,
It is nice to see that you're not an overly judgemental bunch. Last week, I asked you for&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-214-ultimate-carry-on-respectful-dressing">your take on "respectful dressing"</a> at 38,000 ft, and the feedback was generally pretty balanced: comfort is paramount, but (when you have the choice) there's no need to be sloppy.
There were a few exceptions, however. Some of you felt that travel is indeed a special occasion, so we should dress appropriately, while others were defiant in the face of budget discomfort &mdash; if the airlines won't rise to the occasion, why should we?
Needless to say, I'm not planning to wear my Sunday best this afternoon, when I board a Ryanair flight to Porto for my last foreign adventure of the year. I'll probably make sure there aren't any coffee stains down my front before I board, but I can't guarantee there won't be a splash of port wine there by the time I return.
Happy travels and safe landings,

Searching for Culture Without the Crowds in Guatemala

&ldquo;I&rsquo;m interested in traveling to Guatemala, and I know almost nothing about it except that it looks really beautiful. I&rsquo;m interested in when might be a shoulder season there, still pleasant but not high season, as I don&rsquo;t love big crowds. I love getting to know villages and local culture as well as experiencing nature - mountains, hiking, and swimming.&rdquo;

Hey there, traveller! You&rsquo;re in the right place. I spent about 6 months in Guatemala, so I&rsquo;ve got heaps of tips for you.
As a solo female traveller, I&rsquo;ll start with what I wish someone had said to me about travelling in Guatemala: It&rsquo;s hard, it&rsquo;s beautiful, and it&rsquo;ll change you. It&rsquo;ll challenge everything you think you know if you let it. 
Once you allow yourself to be moved by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyWikR-XQUU">layers of Maya history</a>, the insane resilience of communities, and truly feel the weight and warmth of a place shaped by such struggle and beauty, you cannot unfeel or unknow. And isn&rsquo;t that one of the reasons why we travel to places like this? To feel something real enough that it stays with us long after we&rsquo;re home?

But to do that, please take my advice and step outside the &ldquo;expat&rdquo; bubble, especially since you said you don&rsquo;t like big crowds. Overtourism can be a real issue here, especially in places like Antigua, and even more so on the shores of Lake Atitl&aacute;n, where I spent most of my time. 
It&rsquo;s easy to be swept up by blogs promising a &ldquo;hippie mecca&rdquo; of self-declared healers and &ldquo;sacred&rdquo; retreats in San Marcos la Laguna. But trust me, not all that glitters is gold. Sadly, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ubicomp.org/ubicomp-iswc-2023/attending/maya/">traditions of the Kaqchikel and Tz&rsquo;utujil</a> peoples have been watered down, mass-produced, and sold back as &ldquo;authentic.&rdquo; As a result, they are exploited, priced out, and often treated as background noise to the version of culture visitors prefer to consume. I won&rsquo;t go into detail here; that&rsquo;s another blog post in the making.

But if you are keen on visiting the lake, there are still a handful of towns that are a little less curated than San Marcos, San Pedro and Panajachel. They aren&rsquo;t entirely tourism-free but <a href="https://routinelynomadic.com/jaibalito-guatemala/">Jaibalito</a> and <a href="https://www.gypsysols.com/santa-cruz-la-laguna-lake-atitlan/">Santa Cruz la Laguna</a> offer more of a relaxing escape from the crowds, have a handful of locally run guesthouses, and some decent hiking (be sure to hire a guide). And San Juan, although firmly on the map, is <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/the-sacred-art-of-lake-atitlans-weavers">home to Maya women&rsquo;s weaving co-operatives</a> that specialize in naturally dyed textiles that align with the Mayan moon calendar.
These cooperatives play a pivotal role in the community, preserving traditional weaving techniques and improving the overall quality of life for the local women. You can take workshops here run directly by the families themselves. San Juan is also the unofficial gateway to the sunrise Indian Nose Hike; but again, remember to always go with a guide!&nbsp;
Many towns across the lake also have family-run Spanish programs or <a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/guatemala-homestay/">homestays paired with lessons</a>.&nbsp;

Since you mentioned that you &ldquo;love getting to know villages and local culture as well as experiencing nature/mountains&rdquo;, I&rsquo;d recommend certain parts of Guatemala that sit well beyond the Atitl&aacute;n&ndash;Antigua loop.
<a href="https://sightdoing.net/ixil-triangle-guatemala/">The Ixil Triangle</a> in the Western Highlands (Nebaj, Chajul, Cotzal) is one of the most culturally rich and resilient regions in the country. And being right up in the Highlands, your guide will be able to take you on some fantastic hikes.
The Ixil people live in the high, rugged <a href="https://www.highlux.co.nz/2017/09/exploring-the-sierra-de-los-cuchumatanes/">mountains of the Cuchumatanes</a>, which has historically kept them pretty isolated. This allowed them to maintain their unique customs, dress, and language longer than many lowland Maya groups who faced more colonial influence. 
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/guatemala-culture-without-the-crowds">Keep reading...</a>

Navigator Fran is an Italian globetrotter with a passion for remote destinations and snacking. Currently based in Brussels, she'll gladly tell you where to find the yummiest fries around the city.

By Fran

Every time someone asks me what was the most unforgettable trip I have ever taken, I can&rsquo;t help but think of the month I spent in the Amazon Rainforest,&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/navigating-the-amazon-in-three-weeks">navigating the Amazon River on hammock boats</a>.

It&rsquo;s been over four years since I waved goodbye to those 5am breakfast calls and pink dolphin spotting sessions, and &mdash; although I&rsquo;ve loved discovering other corners of Brazil and its incredible culture &mdash; my itch to return to the Amazon has been growing and growing.
So, while most of my friends will be enjoying Carnaval on the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Salvador de Bahia this February, I&rsquo;ve decided to embark on a voyage to complete my navigation of the Amazon River. This time, my dear friend Phil and I will navigate from Bel&eacute;m do Par&aacute; all the way to Macap&aacute;, in Amap&aacute; state, and then spend a week or so in the area.

How much do we know about Amap&aacute;? Virtually nothing. And while we&rsquo;re incredibly excited about the adventure ahead, information about what to do in the area is veeeeery scarce. For the record &mdash; this is all part of the fun when it comes to&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/the-south-american-countries-we-never-talk-about">discovering underrated corners of South America</a>, of course!
Now, if you <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/JxddvEALsmQ7YGrh6">take a peek at the map</a>, you&rsquo;ll see that the state of Amap&aacute; borders French Guiana. As a good ol&rsquo; Border Studies alumnus, hopping over the Oyapok River is already on my bucket list, and for the past couple of days, I&rsquo;ve been on the search for fun projects and detours around the area.
What made my Amazon escapade so special last time were the connections I made on the <s>road </s>river, and all the culture I was lucky enough to be welcomed into, allowed to listen to and photograph. 
So, now I turn to you &mdash; well-seasoned travellers who aren&rsquo;t scared of venturing off the beaten path and have visited French Guiana, Amap&aacute;, or even just Par&aacute;&rsquo;s hinterlands &mdash; do you have any advice for me? Let me know in the comments!
Muito obrigada, gente :-)

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li>Can you guess which once isolated nation is becoming the fastest-growing travel destination on the planet? Hint:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://travelbinger.com/how-uzbekistan-became-the-silk-road-capital-for-21st-century-travelers/" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://travelbinger.com/how-uzbekistan-became-the-silk-road-capital-for-21st-century-travelers/" rel="noopener noreferrer">It&rsquo;s a Stan</a><a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://travelbinger.com/how-uzbekistan-became-the-silk-road-capital-for-21st-century-travelers/" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://travelbinger.com/how-uzbekistan-became-the-silk-road-capital-for-21st-century-travelers/" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>. </li>
<li>Somewhere at the bottom of the sea, Norway&rsquo;s busy building the world&rsquo;s longest and deepest undersea road tunnel. It aims to replace current ferries on the west coast faster than you can say&nbsp;&ldquo;<a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/norway-longest-deepest-underwater-tunnel-spc" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/norway-longest-deepest-underwater-tunnel-spc" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rogaland fastforbindelse</a>&rdquo; </li>
<li>As if removing their 2 free checked bags wasn&rsquo;t enough, Southwest Airlines is aiming to become public enemy number 1 by <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/southwest-airlines-plus-size-policy-b2875948.html">charging&nbsp;plus-sized passengers</a>&nbsp;for two seats from January 27th, 2026. </li>
<li>Machu Picchu,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://www.remotelands.com/travelogues/alinja-castle-the-machu-picchu-of-the-caucasus/" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.remotelands.com/travelogues/alinja-castle-the-machu-picchu-of-the-caucasus/" rel="noopener noreferrer">but make it Caucasus</a>. Would you travel all the way to rural Azerbaijan to see this lost city dupe? </li>
<li>And finally, spotted over South Africa&rsquo;s skies: is it a bird, is it a plane, is it Santa?&nbsp;Actually, it is one of those things, we're just not sure which. Think: high-speed sleigh pulled by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRuDRGHDd_O/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRuDRGHDd_O/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D" rel="noopener noreferrer">a springbok and a zebra</a>.</li>
</ul>

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