Europe

France isn't just about Eiffel Tower selfies; it’s a country that deserves a serious deep dive without the pretension—or the heavy price tag. We’re here to help you snag cheap flights to France so you can spend less on airfare and more on what actually matters: endless glasses of Bordeaux, buttery croissants, and authentic French food. Whether you’re planning a culture binge in the romantic streets of Paris, hunting for sunshine along the French Riviera, or wandering through the vineyard-lined hills of Provence, we’ve got the insider intelligence to get you there for less.

Is this the definition of a first world problem?

Montreal

Forget everything you thought you knew about Canada being a polite, freezing expanse. This place is seriously epic, stretching from Vancouver's gorgeous coastline and the towering Rockies right over to the hip coffee shops of Montreal and the rugged East Coast. 
The only problem? It’s massive. Luckily, this is where we step in. We find those great-value Canada Flights that prove you can tackle this stunning country without turning your bank account into a frozen wasteland.
Whether you're flying in from overseas or grabbing a domestic flight for a quick poutine run, our in-house Canadian crew is here to lend their expertise. So stop guessing when to book and where to go: our guides are your secret weapon for getting the most bang for your loonie, eh!

Canada

Forget everything you thought you knew about Canada being a polite, freezing expanse. This place is seriously epic, stretching from Vancouver's gorgeous coastline and the towering Rockies right over to the hip coffee shops of Montreal and the rugged East Coast.

Naples

Why should Italy be next on your list? Because it's the place where "living la dolce vita" is not just a slogan—it's the only way to operate. Travel to Italy means surrendering yourself to world-class authentic Italian food that will ruin your neighborhood pizzeria for you forever. We're talking freshly rolled dough, delicious ragus, and gelato that’s a mandatory daily pleasure, all served up with a side of next-level atmosphere.
But an Italy vacation is so much more than just a culinary tour; it's an effortless deep dive into culture through the ages. The art, the fashion, and the sheer, undeniable style of it all are so effortlessly chic, they'll make you want to immediately uproot your entire life.
One day, you could be standing awed by thousand-year-old historic sites in Rome or Florence, and the next, you're sipping an Aperol Spritz on the Amalfi Coast. From the rugged beauty of the Dolomites to secluded beaches, Italy offers a perfect backdrop for any adventure, whether you're seeking romance in Venice or a vibrant city break. It’s an inspiring destination that checks every box, and our affordable Flights to Italy make those Rome, Florence, and Venice dreams a reality.

Italy

"Living la dolce vita" is not just a slogan—it's the only way to operate in Italy. Our affordable Flights and travel guides will have you soaking in ancient history, sipping on spritzes, and splashing in the sea in no time.

Toronto

Olbia

Bologna

Pisa

Ottawa

Nice

France

We’re here to help you snag cheap flights to France so you can spend less on airfare and more on what actually matters: endless glasses of Bordeaux, buttery croissants, and authentic French food.

Quebec

Italy, Sardinia & the French Riviera 🍷 in $750s-$800s RT 

Edinburgh

Scotland is far more than shortbread, bagpipes, and weather that requires three waterproof layers, and you're about to see that for yourself! Finding cheap flights to Scotland is entirely possible, whether you’re planning a culture binge in the historic streets of Edinburgh, catching a gig in buzzing Glasgow, or heading straight for the mystical Scottish Highlands. This is your definitive insider's guide, packed with everything you need to outsmart peak season pricing, uncover epic castles, sample the best local whisky, and turn that bucket list trip into a budget-friendly reality.

Scotland

Scotland is far more than shortbread, bagpipes, and weather that requires three waterproof layers, and you're about to see that for yourself!

Marseille

Marseille 🥖 at £66 rtn from Edinburgh

Dublin

Ireland is infinitely more than just four-leaf clovers and endless rain; it's a land of jagged coastlines, legendary pubs, and locals who could talk the hind legs off a donkey—all accessible without spending a fortune. From the history-soaked streets of Dublin to the rugged expanse of the Wild Atlantic Way and the vertigo-inducing heights of the Cliffs of Moher, our flight alerts ensure you spend less on flights, and more on the experiences that actually count.

Ireland

Ireland is infinitely more than just four-leaf clovers and endless rain; it's a land of jagged coastlines, legendary pubs, and locals who could talk the hind legs off a donkey—all accessible without spending a fortune

Beauvais

Beauvais 🎨 at €44 rtn from Dublin

A premium economy pick and mix with a gazillion POVs!

New York

The United States is a travel heavyweight, packing everything from dazzling skylines and buzzing neon cities to natural wonders so epic they make your camera feel inadequate. It's the land of big ideas and even bigger distances—which is precisely where Jack’s Flight Club comes in. We’re here to help you skip the seriously long bus rides and the soul-crushing flight search by finding the cheap flights for you and proving you don't need to break the bank just to cross a few time zones.
Whether you're planning a swift weekend trip to the Big Apple, a surf session on the West Coast, or a grand tour of the national parks, we've got your back. Our Navigators love sprinkling in a generous helping of insider knowledge to make your trip count—because life’s too short to pay silly money for flights you can’t even brag about.

United States

The United States is a travel heavyweight, packing everything from dazzling skylines and buzzing neon cities to natural wonders so epic they make your camera feel inadequate. It's the land of big ideas and even bigger distances.

Amsterdam

If you’re still picturing the Netherlands as just one giant postcard of windmills and wooden shoes, you’re missing out on one of Europe’s most dynamic corners. This is the place where historic canal-side cycling meets cutting-edge urban design and a bar culture that’s second to none. We’re scouting the routes to land you the best Netherlands flight deals, whether you’re plotting a culture-heavy weekend in Amsterdam, exploring the industrial cool of Rotterdam, or getting lost in the medieval charm of Utrecht. Don’t just scroll through photos—book the cheap flights to the Netherlands and find out why this place is so much more than just the stereotypes.

Netherlands

This is the place where historic canal-side cycling meets cutting-edge urban design and a bar culture that’s second to none.

Frankfurt

Germany

Florence

Madrid

Sick of looking out the window at the same old gray sky? We get it. Sometimes you just need to swap reports and Teams chats for tapas and a questionable sangria that tastes suspiciously like pure sugar. Spain isn't just one place; it’s a million different escapes waiting to happen, from the scorching beaches and Moorish architecture of the south to the mountains and wine regions up north.
We’ve been hunting down Flights so cheap, you won't even care whether your boss notices you're gone. Consider this your official notice: your next spontaneous trip is calling, and it sounds suspiciously like "Hola."
But we’re not just going to drop you off at the gate with a map and a shrug. On this page, you’ll find all the insider intel—hand-crafted articles, honest reviews, and destination guides—to help you navigate everything from the world's best paella to how to avoid tourist traps. 
We've done the legwork and gathered the secrets of Spain, so you can stop scrolling through boring forums and start perfecting your siesta game. If a trip is worth taking, it’s definitely worth taking for less.

Spain

If you're looking for a destination where the default settings are fiesta and siesta, Spain is the one. You're in for legendary food, charming, sun-drenched streets, and mind-blowing architecture, and that's before you even hit the beach.

Warsaw

Poland is the sort of place that makes you wonder why you’ve been spending your travel budget on the usual suspects when you could be exploring some of Europe’s most underrated urban hubs. From the fairytale spires of Kraków and the modern, resilient energy of Warsaw to the hidden, cobblestone magic of Wrocław, this is a country that consistently punches way above its weight. So stop scrolling, and get booking your cheap flights to Poland to discover a destination that’s equal parts historic, affordable, and surprisingly cool.

Poland

From the fairytale spires of Kraków and the modern, resilient energy of Warsaw to the hidden, cobblestone magic of Wrocław, this is a country that consistently punches way above its weight.

Baltimore

Chicago

Philadelphia

Boston

Geneva

If you think Switzerland is strictly a playground for the ultra-wealthy, it’s time to rethink the itinerary. The Swiss Alps and the crystal-clear shores of Lake Geneva are surprisingly attainable when you have the right intel, and we spend our time hunting down the best Switzerland flight deals so you don’t have to. We ensure your travel budget stays firmly focused on the actual experience—like sampling artisanal cheese in Bern or catching a scenic train ride through the Jungfrau region—rather than getting eaten up by airfare. Skip the inflated holiday packages, use our tracking to snag cheap flights to Switzerland, and prove that the quintessential Alpine escape doesn’t have to carry a premium price tag.

Switzerland

If you think Switzerland is strictly a playground for the ultra-wealthy, it’s time to rethink the itinerary. The Swiss Alps and the crystal-clear shores of Lake Geneva are surprisingly attainable when you have the right intel!

Basel

Belgrade

Serbia

Bucharest

Romania

Riga

Latvia

Palma De Mallorca

Seattle

Prague

Czech Republic

Venice

Rome

Barcelona

Portland

Hamburg

Las Vegas

San Diego

Orlando

Tampa

Atlanta

Phoenix

Denver

Salt Lake City

Europe 🏰 in $770s-$1050s RT

Manchester

Forget the stereotype that England is nothing but endless gray drizzle, overpriced tourist traps in London, and people obsessing over the weather. We’re here to help you get past the postcard clichés and uncover the real magic, from the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and the moody peaks of the Lake District to the buzzing, eclectic streets of Manchester. We’re always hunting down the best England flight deals so you can save your cash for the actual essentials—like proper pub grub and a decent pint. This is your insider’s guide to booking cheap flights to England, and proving that the best of the UK is well within reach if you know how to search for it.

England

We’re here to help you get past the postcard clichés and uncover the real magic, from the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and the moody peaks of the Lake District to the buzzing, eclectic streets of Manchester.

Limoges

Limoges 🍷 at £51 rtn from Manchester

Bristol

Toulouse

Toulouse 🥐 at £57 rtn from Bristol

We saw so much, and when I say this trip (our honeymoon) was exceptional I am not exaggerating, but there is so much still to see. I need another trip to Paris to experience the sites we weren&rsquo;t able to make it to.

When I say our honeymoon was exceptional, I am not exaggerating!

We booked round-trip tickets on Icelandair from Portland to Paris in April. We can’t wait to experience spring in all three countries! Thank you so much for pointing out this really reasonable fare. We could sure use a break.

Postcard from Nancy Anderson

Got a Ryanair flight from Birmingham to Paris Beauvais. To get to the centre of Paris, there’s a bus from the station for €18. Stayed for 4 nights at St Christopher’s Inn Gare du Nord (€118 with breakfast - 15% off deal). Travelled by train to Lille for €36 (www.sncf-voyageurs.com/fr). 3 nights there at CÀLM Appart Hostel (€102 with breakfast). Flixbus to Amsterdam for £9.71 (TrainPal app). Stayed at St Christopher’s Inn The Winston for 4 nights (€116 with breakfast - 15% off deal). Train to Brussels for £43 (TrainPal app). Stayed at Generation Europe Youth Hostel for 5 nights (£128 with breakfast). Flixbus to Strasbourg (£19). Stayed at Auberges de Jeunesse for 1 night (€56 with breakfast). Back to Paris by Flixbus (£32) and stayed at St Christopher’s Inn Canal for 7 nights (€206 with breakfast - 15% off deal). EasyJet flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Birmingham for £51. I highly recommend all of the hostels. Superb staff, facilities, and breakfasts 😋

Postcard from Rob Wynn

Your email came at the perfect time. Ive been wanting to go on a trip with my mum for a while. She has trouble flying so knew it would have to be business/first class for any flight. So to see this email! I hopped skipped and jumped to the flights and booked it! We&#39;re going istanbul whoop whoop! We both love Turkish culture (my mums been, I havent) ,I would have definitely missed these flights if i didnt sign up to your emails.

Thanks, 😊
J

Postcard from Janelle

Looking forward to a hopefully snowy Christmas!

Postcard from CarefreeGoer97896

Went to Amsterdam a couple of years ago and have wanted to go back since.  When I saw the Eurostar sale, I had to book again! This time I’m off to Rotterdam. Thanks!!

Postcard from Zakia

Belgium

Oman

United Arab Emirates

Sweden

Finland

Welcome to the rabbit hole.
International borders are strange and sometimes confusing things, changing over time and often on seemingly bureaucratic whims. And once you start digging into the wheres and whys, it's hard to look away...
Here are a few of our top picks for the world's weirdest borders:
<h2 id="the-longest-hole-in-one">The longest hole-in-one</h2>

Ever shanked a golf shot so bad it took an hour to land? Seriously!&nbsp;
On the northern border of Finland and Sweden, you&rsquo;ll find Green Zone&rsquo;s 18-hole golf course. The quirk? Seven holes in Finland and 11 in Sweden, meaning golfers need to walk across the border multiple times per round.&nbsp;
And since there&rsquo;s a one-hour time difference between these Nordic neighbors, your shot technically takes an hour to get to the other side &mdash; or even appears to travel back in time.
<h2 dir="ltr">Reading between the lines</h2>

A good book, a teary opera. Both have the ability to transport you into their stories instantly, but what if they could transport you across state lines&hellip;&nbsp;
On the skirt of Vermont and Quebec, that&rsquo;s precisely what happens at the <a href="https://www.haskelloperahouse.org/">Haskell Free Library &amp; Opera House</a>. The only indication you&rsquo;ve swapped maples for stars? A black line cutting through a rickety floorboard.
It was built by a wealthy Canadian, Martha Stewart Haskell (no, not that one), after inheriting a fortune from her late husband. A gift to the community, it was intentionally built to straddle the border between the US and Canada as a symbol of friendship and cultural welcome mat for the border communities. It&rsquo;s often referred to as &ldquo;the only library in the US with no books&rdquo; since most stacks are indeed on the Canadian side.&nbsp;
Sadly, under the current administration, Canadians are no longer allowed to use the US sidewalk that leads to the library's grand entrance. Instead, they are required to travel to a US legal port of entry first&mdash;a stark contrast to Martha Stewart Haskell&rsquo;s vision. One must enter through an emergency exit, walk up three flights of stairs through the opera house on the second floor, and descend three more flights of stairs to reach the main office before ever even touching a book.&nbsp;
In response, the library has begun building an entirely <a href="https://www.haskelloperahouse.org/canadian-door.html">new entrance for Canadians</a>, mainly with the help of private donations.
<h2 dir="ltr" id="a-matryoshka-doll-of-borders">A&nbsp;matryoshka doll of borders</h2>

You&rsquo;re probably familiar with enclaves, one sovereign territory entirely encircled by another. San Marino, the Vatican, and Lesotho spring to mind. But what about an enclave within another enclave?&nbsp;
Enter Madha. Entirely within the UAE, this Omani territory is completely cut off from Oman on all sides. Dead center in Madha is a counter-enclave, the tiny Emirati village of Nahwa, belonging to the UAE. This geographical puzzle is commonly known as the <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/nahwa-sharjah-uae-counter-enclave">UAE-Oman donut</a> and is one of only two counter-enclaves in the world.
It all came about in 1969, when borders were being established by the British. Madha swore allegiance to the Sultanate of Oman, while Nahwa swore their allegiance to one of the seven emirates.
To make things even more complicated, 30 km north is Musandam, another Omani exclave separated from the rest of the country by the UAE. Known as the "Norway of Arabia," visitors who want to see its <a href="https://www.arabianwanderers.com/musandam-trip-all-you-need-to-know-for-a-trip-to-khasab">famous fjords</a> usually fly from Muscat. Otherwise, you&rsquo;re looking at crossing six border checkpoints (passing through Madha/Nahwa) just to drive to and from Oman.
<h2 dir="ltr">Shared custody</h2>

On the border of France and Spain, there&rsquo;s a sliver of land in the middle of a river called <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-42817859">Pheasant Island</a>. It's no bigger than a football field and uninhabited, but from February to July it's Spanish&hellip; and from August to January, French.&nbsp;
In 1659, this was considered neutral land. And when the Treaty of the Pyrenees was signed here, it put an end to the 24-year war between the countries.&nbsp;
Day-to-day management is delegated to the local mayors of the border towns Hendaye &amp; Irun&mdash;mostly consisting of cutting the grass and chasing illegal campers off the land. And no, there are and never have been pheasants.
<h2 dir="ltr">A little to the left</h2>

Meet the undisputed champion of border lore. Remember when we said there are only two counter-enclaves in the world? This is the other, and the most bizarre.&nbsp;
No corner of the towns <a href="https://youtu.be/xv8t0x34A8w?si=Aw5IyGnH7FS8FTbu&amp;t=68">Baarle-Nassau and Baarle-Hertog</a> is safe from the patchwork white crosses that mark the border between the Netherlands and Belgium. It&rsquo;s a town of roughly 10,000 and made up of 22 enclaves belonging to the Belgian municipality of Baarle-Hertog, surrounded by the Dutch municipality of Baarle-Nassau, with 7 counter-enclaves. Because of this, you can cross the boundary 30 times in just 5 kilometers, with the border running straight through streets, supermarkets, and schools.
It&rsquo;s a place where couples can sleep in the same bed while being in two separate countries and where residents have moved their front doors just a smidge to pay less tax.

Have you ever visited one of these barmy borders? Are there others we should add to the list? Let us know in the comments!

The World's Weirdest Borders

United Kingdom

It&rsquo;s marathon season around the world. Each weekend seems to reveal a new crop of very sweaty, healthy folk wondering if their knees will ever be the same again. And if you&rsquo;re one of them &mdash; well done!&nbsp;
But once you&rsquo;ve done a few of these, surely you need a change of pace; a new incentive or a change of scenery, perhaps. Good news: I have just the suggestion for all you fit foodie travellers! Bake a tasty race into your future trips, combining local delicacies with your athletic endeavours, and see somewhere new along the way.
From ultramarathons involving tacos, to downing vintage wines in French vineyards on the trot, there&rsquo;s something for every (slightly crazy) runner. Here are our top picks for food-and-drink-themed races around the world.
<h2 dir="ltr">NYC Pizza Run, New York</h2>

&ldquo;New York&rsquo;s Sauciest Run&rdquo; sounds a little messy to us, but in the best of ways. The 5k race involves three laps around a city park, with scoffing a slice of essential for passing &ldquo;Go&rdquo; each time around.
 2025 saw the 15th edition of the race, which took place in Brooklyn&rsquo;s Forte Green Park in September. The 2026 race hasn&rsquo;t been announced just yet, but keep your eyes peeled for updates on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nycpizzarun/">the race Instagram page</a> (or their website).
<h2>Treviso Tiramisu Run, Italy</h2>

In under half an hour by train from Venice, you can be in Treviso, the home of tiramisu. Each October, dessert makers and tasters from all over the world converge on Treviso to compete for the crown in the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tiramisuworldcup/">Tiramisu World Cup</a>. And the cocoa-dusted icing on the cake is <a href="https://www.lamezzaditreviso.com/la-10k/iscrizioni-10k/">a sweet 10k</a>.
You can work up a hunger running through the ancient canal-lined city, before settling into that creamy coffee hit when you&rsquo;re done. Top it off with a spritz in a peaceful piazza, and it sounds like a pretty good weekend, if you ask me.
However, if you&rsquo;re less into the race and more into the recipes, judging the World Cup may be more your speed. Applications haven&rsquo;t opened yet, but you can <a href="https://tiramisuworldcup.com/en/judges/">subscribe to their newsletter</a> to get updates.
<h2 dir="ltr">Marathon du M&eacute;doc, France</h2>

This one is for all you long-distance runners who like to get a little silly (and a little squiffy). Touring the vineyards of southern France with 8,500 other runners, you&rsquo;ll have to visit 23 stops along the 42.2 km course. Each stop is hosted by a different winery offering samples of their finest vintage, and if you&rsquo;re lucky, maybe also a little hors d'oeuvre to line the stomach.
This might all sound a little highbrow, especially when you see oysters on the menu along the way. That illusion is quickly shattered when you realise that fancy dress is mandatory, and you only have 7 hours to complete the course. Easy for a seasoned marathon runner, perhaps, but how often have you done it on a <a href="https://www.aladyofleisure.com/marathon-du-medoc/">stomach full of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild</a>?&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Glasgow Bun Run, Scotland</h2>

A non-competitive half marathon combining tasty baked goods and a summer jaunt around Scotland&rsquo;s best city (yes, I said it), the <a href="https://www.letsdothis.com/gb/e/bun-run-glasgow-266453">Glasgow Bun Run</a> is making its debut in August 2026.&nbsp;
The key here is fun and buns, with no prizes or racing element involved. It&rsquo;s essentially an organised bakery crawl, where delicious treats from the city&rsquo;s many independent bakeries are both your challenge and your reward.&nbsp;
Fingers crossed the Scottish summer plays ball; otherwise, you could be in for some seriously soggy croissants. 
<h2 dir="ltr">Ciderthon, Henley-on-Thames, England</h2>

If you liked the sound of the Marathon du Medoc but wished it wasn&rsquo;t wine, the <a href="https://www.ciderthon.com/">Ciderthon</a> might be for you. Don your fancy dress and weave your way through the English countryside via a series of cider sampling stations. Serious runners can opt for a half marathon, while fun runners can stick to an easier 5k.
While the runs are the main events here, it&rsquo;s actually a whole summer weekend bash, with live music, an open-air cinema, camping, and a morning pilates session to loosen you up before your jog. Oh, and plenty of cider behind the bar.
<h2 dir="ltr">Taco Bell 50K, Denver or D.C.</h2>

This one is exactly what the name makes it sound like: <a href="https://tacobell50k.com/">an ultramarathon combined with tacos</a>. And not just any tacos; Taco Bell tacos.
Here&rsquo;s the scoop: there are ten taco stops along the course, and all entrants must eat from at least 9 of them. Specific menu items are non-negotiables by certain stages of the race, and indigestion remedies are strictly forbidden. Ouch!
Anyone mad enough to take part has 11 hours to complete the challenge. If that sounds too easy, there are optional extra challenges involving the evocatively named Diablo sauce, or drinking a total of 2L of Baja Blast during the course without puking.
Personally, I&rsquo;ll be skipping this one. But if it sounds up your street, you can choose from Denver or DC.
<h2 dir="ltr">Beer Lovers Marathon, Liege, Belgium</h2>

Beer lovers, rejoice, for <a href="https://www.beerloversmarathon.be/en">there is a race for you, too</a>. Sixteen Belgian beers over the course of 42 kilometers, complete with DJs to keep the hype going at every stop. The beers on offer come from local craft brewers and big names like Chouffe alike.
Don&rsquo;t worry, you can line your stomachs with the snacks at each checkpoint too, plus there&rsquo;s a big ol&rsquo; pasta party in the evening to top up on carbs afterwards. And in case you&rsquo;ve not had enough beer by that point, the Li&egrave;ge city tour the next day will see you off with breakfast and a beverage.
This year is the race&rsquo;s 10th edition and will celebrate with a theme close to all our hearts &mdash; travel! So pack your favourite national dress and prepare to hit the trail.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Krispy Kreme Challenge, Raleigh, North Carolina</h2>

Now to end with a spot of dessert. If running 5 miles in an hour sounds like a casual weekend warm-up, why not throw in the added challenge of <a href="https://krispykremechallenge.com/">shoving 12 Krispy Kreme donuts in your face</a> at the halfway point?&nbsp;
Personally, I can think of a few reasons why that sounds like a poor choice. But over 2600 brave runners took on the 2026 challenge in Raleigh, all in the name of raising cash for the local children&rsquo;s hospital.&nbsp;
The race has been going for 22 years already, and has contributed over $2.4 million dollars to the UNC Children&rsquo;s Hospital funds. Sure, some of this year&rsquo;s participants were bested by the dough along the way, but their valiant efforts still counted towards a $160k donation. On the downside, they&rsquo;ll probably never be able to look at a donut the same way again.
 Which of these races would you pick, readers? Tell us about your foodie race dreams (or nightmares) in the comments!

Food and Drink Runs Around the World

Portugal

Austria

Norway

Hi there, Travellers,
February has whizzed by, and somehow we've reached the end of the month already!&nbsp;
While January was full of meeting members old and new at travel shows, this month has been all about bringing together everything we learned from you. The feedback was so great to hear, so please continue to get in touch with ideas.
One thing we know makes a difference before booking a big trip is getting the inside scoop from someone who's been there, done that&mdash;and that applies to which airlines we fly with, too. Two of our most-viewed articles are our reviews of lesser-known airlines,&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfc-honest-airline-reviews-saudia-airlines-and-more">Saudia Airlines</a> and <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfc-honest-airline-reviews-china-southern">China Southern</a>, and we'd like to keep sharing the intel.
So if you've had a memorable airline experience (for the right or wrong reasons), or you've flown on an airline you weren't familiar with beforehand, <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/home?contribute=airline">send us a little airline review</a> to help the Jack's Community go further.
Happy travels and safe landings,

Will EES Give You Border Control Nightmares This Summer?

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.

Answered by Katy

<blockquote>
&ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to know your views on the new EES system which is due to roll out in April &lsquo;26. I&rsquo;m a UK passport holder travelling to Kos in August and concerned about the potential delays at passport control.&rdquo;
</blockquote>

Hey there, Traveller! Great topic, and very timely too.&nbsp;
Since October 2025, countries in the Schengen Zone have been rolling out the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). By collecting your biometric data upon arrival (photo &amp; fingerprints), countries within the zone are aiming to track visitors more consistently and ensure that nobody is overstaying their welcome.&nbsp;
This doesn&rsquo;t feel like anything new in terms of border control techniques (I&rsquo;ve been attempting not to make silly faces in photos at international borders for years), so you&rsquo;d think it wouldn&rsquo;t be a big deal. However, when you try to get <a href="https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/what-is-the-ees">29 countries</a> to roll out one system across 500+ airports, all major ferry ports, land border crossings, etc., things get a little complicated.
Anyone entering the Schengen area on a non-EU passport will now need to go through the process of biometric checks upon arrival. Well,&nbsp;probably.&nbsp;
Like you, reader, airports and border control agents are getting anxious about the surge in summer visitors possibly leading to utter chaos at immigration. For that reason, the EU has confirmed that, although April 9th is still the legal deadline for implementation, all countries have the <a href="https://etias.com/articles/eu-entry/exit-system-full-implementation-still-april-9,-with-flexibility">ability to pause the EES checks</a> for up to 90 days after that date. They&rsquo;ve also given the possibility of a further 60-day extension on that, with early September as the final final deadline.
All that to say, you may not even have to deal with the new EES system upon your arrival in Kos. But if you do, there&rsquo;s no knowing whether it&rsquo;ll be hellish or plain sailing. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2734116543610856/">We asked our Facebook community</a> for their experiences so far, and it really was a mixed bag.

&ldquo;Really quick with lunchtime arrival in Vienna on February 16th. Through in under 10 minutes.&rdquo; - Susan
<hr>
&ldquo;Straight through in Lille, took seconds, and in Fuerteventura they had specific machines for people who hadn&rsquo;t previously done theirs and no queues at all.&rdquo; - Sally
<hr>
&ldquo;Barcelona last month - easy peasy and done in no time.&rdquo; - Liz
<hr>
&ldquo;Alicante in January, returned Feb&hellip;no issue.&rdquo; - Lesley

<h2 dir="ltr">The confused</h2>

&ldquo;Been through Faro (where we did our prints and photos done on the way in) and Rome Ciampino. In Rome when I scanned my passport an official told me to go with him, I was a bit worried but it was just to get my passport stamped and I went straight through. Unfortunately because he was dealing with me, he missed my husband who had to go through the whole process and was almost last through! Teething problems!&rdquo; - Fiona
<hr>
&ldquo;Two very different experiences. One was 2 hours (Tromso), and the other was all automated with self-service scanners! I was pleasantly surprised at Tenerife.&rdquo; - Sophia
<hr>
&ldquo;When I went to Spain, there were some new, very confusing lines, and none of the staff really knew which queues to put people in. When I got to the desk at the front, a grumpy man told me to look into the camera, then do my fingerprints, and that was it. It took around 30-40 minutes, I think, but that was mostly down to the lack of organization; they had people switching queues constantly.&rdquo; - Lauren
<hr>
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been through various, and I think depends upon destination. Montpellier in France is a regular trip, and time-wise for me at least, nothing is out of the ordinary. Did experience about an hour delay at Prague, where they seemed to be struggling, and it took about 40 mins at CDG Paris.&rdquo; - Simon
<hr>
&ldquo;We went through with Eurostar in Paris on Wednesday. It was fine and quick for me, but then our train was delayed because so many people, who had arrived at the time the email and tickets told them to arrive, were stuck in big queues at security.
I think, to be honest, it was the bag scanning that slowed it down there, as the staff manning that section could not have been less helpful.&rdquo; - Danielle

&ldquo;Scanner took a while to scan the passport, and the fingerprint scanner didn't work at all no matter how hard or soft you pressed! (Leeds/Bradford) so had to go the usual route anyway, and the queue was enormous!! So it wasn&rsquo;t just us that had a problem.&rdquo; - Jules
<hr>
&ldquo;2 hours to get into Krakow&hellip;&rdquo; - Beverley
<hr>
&ldquo;A nightmare in Lanzarote. Not clear what to do. Those that didn't scan their passports couldn't then get through passport control at the gate. All UK flights were delayed last night.&rdquo; - Anon
<hr>
&ldquo;Scanners "down" at Lanzarote on way in and took ages to get them back up, so there were big queues. There was no one easily found to ask questions of, and I could see that some of the questions might take some folk down rabbit holes&rdquo; - Karen

The main thing I&rsquo;m taking away from all these stories is that it really varies wildly from airport to airport. Anyone arriving in the Schengen Zone on a non-Schengen passport this summer should plan to queue for at least 30 minutes at border control. If the EES system is in use, many people will be going through for the first time and will need to register their details, causing delays. If it&rsquo;s not in use, you&rsquo;ll still have to wait for a manual check and/or stamping.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re on a tight schedule, book seats close to the front of the plane so you&rsquo;re first off. Don&rsquo;t stop to use the facilities on your way&mdash;plan ahead and use the toilet on the plane before landing. And it&rsquo;s always worth making sure you have your roaming or eSIM sorted in advance so you can keep on top of your transport plans during delays.
Waiting in a line for hours isn&rsquo;t fun for anyone; however, I would suggest doing your best to go into the situation expecting it but not dreading it. It is what it is, and it will be over eventually. That sentiment may be particularly beneficial for anyone heading to Lanzarote, it seems!
But if you&rsquo;re lucky, reader, Kos will have you through border control in under ten minutes, and you&rsquo;ll be sailing off into the Grecian sunset in no time.

It&rsquo;s worth noting that the EES system is linked to the new <a href="https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/about-etias/what-is-etias">Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)</a> in Europe, similar to the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/eta">Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)</a> that the UK brought in this week. While visitors to the UK need an ETA already, ETIAS will only be necessary from late 2026 and won&rsquo;t be a problem for your August trip. However, keep an eye out for updates if you&rsquo;re travelling again later in the year.
I hope this helps you feel a little more prepared for your upcoming trip, reader. It may not be plain sailing, but it shouldn&rsquo;t be the end of the world. Do let us know how it goes once you&rsquo;re back!&nbsp;
Have you been through the new EES system already? <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/will-the-new-ees-system-give-you-border-control-nightmares-this-summer#comments">Share your experiences in the comments</a>!

Reader's Corner

Calling All Vicarious Travelers...

We love seeing the bargain Flights you, our fantastic Community, have bagged, and hearing stories from your trips. It helps us all travel vicariously through each other when we can't be out on an adventure ourselves.
Here are some of our fave moments of escapism from the last month:

"Always wanted to do a safari and the cheap flight offer defo made it doable for me!! Best trip ever!" -&nbsp;Postcard from DynamicVoyager84378

Kenya

"Had a brilliant time, it was amazing!" -&nbsp;Postcard from Calts63

Slovakia

"Took a very romantic road trip from Athens to see the ancient ruins and monasteries, something I had wanted to do for so long! The food was also absolutely fantastic!"&nbsp;- Postcard from PassionateHolidaymaker60896

Greece

"I had two weeks of a lifetime solo in Barbados after working through the Christmas period. I&rsquo;d never have been able to afford it otherwise and I stayed with a local in the country. After a few days of getting the bus, I hired a car and really saw the island. I made friends who live there, and now I&rsquo;m absolutely dying to go back. It was an amazing trip, I saw so much!"&nbsp;- Postcard from Polly!

Barbados

<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/postcards">Head to our Postcards wall</a> to see more!
We'd love to have your pics and tips joining them up there. <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/home?contribute=postcard">Send us a Postcard</a> to let us know about an awesome trip you found through Jack's, or share all your tips, tricks, and tales in <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/home?contribute=story">a travel story</a>.&nbsp;

Travel Tales

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from around the Jack's Community this month.
<ul>
<li>Help! Jack's Traveler Samina from our Facebook community needs your tips for her upcoming <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2741791856176658/">family trip to the Seychelles</a>. Go give her a hand, would ya? </li>
<li>Cheap flights to Asia sometimes mean a long layover in China&mdash;but don't let that put you off! <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DU2m52MDD5r/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1">Our Navigators shared their top tips</a> for making the most of it. </li>
<li>Now we didn't mean to get you all riled up, but when we asked <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2726200921069085/">where you'd&nbsp;never travel to</a>&mdash;not even if it was free&mdash;there were plenty of opinions flying around. </li>
<li>Jack's Traveler Nina shared some <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVJi-7mkWYg/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1">stunning pics</a> from her recent trip to Northern Vietnam. The rest of us immediately went to book flights. </li>
<li>Layovers, who'd have 'em? Community members shared their thoughts, feelings, and experiences on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2722718518083992/">transiting through the USA</a>. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2723282631360914/">AMA: Ask Masuma Anything</a>. Jack's member Masuma answered all our questions about her recent trip to Sri Lanka, and, boy, were we envious! </li>
<li>And finally, Navigator Akasha challenged an unsuspecting Jack's member on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVORuEBjPKK/?hl=en">a fundamental part of plane etiquette: manspreading</a>. We think he passed the test.</li>
</ul>

Community Chatter

Community Dispatches & European Border Control Chaos

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&ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to know your views on the new EES system which is due to roll out in April &lsquo;26. I&rsquo;m a UK passport holder travelling to Kos in August and concerned about the potential delays at passport control.&rdquo;
</blockquote>

Hey there, Traveller! Great topic, and very timely too.&nbsp;
Since October 2025, countries in the Schengen Zone have been rolling out the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). By collecting your biometric data upon arrival (photo &amp; fingerprints), countries within the zone are aiming to track visitors more consistently and ensure that nobody is overstaying their welcome.&nbsp;
This doesn&rsquo;t feel like anything new in terms of border control techniques (I&rsquo;ve been attempting not to make silly faces in photos at international borders for years), so you&rsquo;d think it wouldn&rsquo;t be a big deal. However, when you try to get <a href="https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/what-is-the-ees">29 countries</a> to roll out one system across 500+ airports, all major ferry ports, land border crossings, etc., things get a little complicated.
Anyone entering the Schengen area on a non-EU/Schengen passport will now need to go through this process upon arrival. Well,&nbsp;probably.&nbsp;
Like you, reader, airports and border control agents are getting anxious about the surge in summer visitors possibly leading to utter chaos at immigration. For that reason, the EU has confirmed that, although April 9th is still the legal deadline for implementation, all countries have the <a href="https://etias.com/articles/eu-entry/exit-system-full-implementation-still-april-9,-with-flexibility">ability to pause the EES checks</a> for up to 90 days after that date. They&rsquo;ve also given the possibility of a further 60-day extension on that, with early September as the final final deadline.
All that to say, you may not even have to deal with the new EES system upon your arrival in Kos. But if you do, there&rsquo;s no knowing whether it&rsquo;ll be hellish or plain sailing. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2734116543610856/">We asked our Facebook community</a> for their experiences so far, and it really was a mixed bag.

It&rsquo;s worth noting that the EES system is linked to the new <a href="https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/about-etias/what-is-etias">Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)</a> in Europe, similar to the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/eta">Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)</a> that the UK brought in this week. While visitors to the UK need an ETA already, ETIAS will only be necessary from late 2026 and won&rsquo;t be a problem for your August trip. However, keep an eye out for updates if you&rsquo;re travelling again later in the year.
I hope this helps you feel a little more prepared for your upcoming trip, reader. It may not be plain sailing, but it shouldn&rsquo;t be the end of the world. Do let us know how it goes once you&rsquo;re back!&nbsp;
<hr>
May 2026 EES update:
The EU Entry/Exit System has now been in place for over a month, and its flaws continue to dominate travel news. As we inch closer to summer travel, non-EU nationals are understandably anxious about delays and disruption. So what can you expect?
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">An April statement on the website of the Greek Embassy in the UK suggested that Greece has suspended the EES system this summer for incoming UK citizens. British travellers make up the largest number of international visitors to the country from outside the EU, so the move is designed to prevent long lines in those smaller, island airports. </li>
<li dir="ltr">This does not mean that tourists from the UK won't face checks&mdash;the usual passport control will be in place.&nbsp; </li>
<li dir="ltr">Visitors from other countries, such as Canada, the USA, Australia, and further afield, will still have to register for the EES system in Greece with their fingerprints and a biometric photograph. </li>
<li dir="ltr">Portugal and Italy have announced that they do not&nbsp;plan to follow suit, despite extensive EES-related delays causing travellers to miss flights out of the country. </li>
<li dir="ltr">Popular summer spots like Faro, Lanzarote, Milan and Lisbon have all recently been called out as airports where an influx of flights landing at the same time has led to hours of queuing. If you're planning a self-transfer trip, where you book an onward connection separately, allow several hours to get through passport control (twice!).</li>
</ul>
All that said, the experience is inconsistent. So far this year, I've travelled through Berlin, Brussels, and Amsterdam airports without any major to-do.
Admittedly, the line at passport control arriving into Brussels was a little slow, but having already provided my biometrics in Berlin a month earlier, I flew through without any issue once I reached the front. The delay wasn't helped by the fact I had to run back to the bathroom beside the gate to retrieve my forgotten suitcase, either...
Amsterdam certainly wasn't making the best use of its 12 border gates with only three operational. However, there was absolutely no need for me to arrive at the airport earlier than usual, despite the warnings on my easyJet app to do so.
Berlin, however, was super efficient. 5 minutes in the line, an apology from the border guard for keeping me waiting. I think I even made it through faster than some of the EU citizens waiting to use the eGates!
So what have our members reported over the last couple of months?

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"Arrived at Verona Airport on 15/04/26 - there were maybe 15 kiosks. It was easy/quick to register and then to go through e-gate. No delays whatsoever."&nbsp;-&nbsp;PassionateHolidaymaker55469
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"12/04 - Arrived at Charles de Gaulle, quite early though - 08.00. Prints and photo in less than 5 minutes. On departure 15/04, scanned passport and straight through - easy."&nbsp;-&nbsp;NomadicHopper67104
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"Nightmare at Malaga on landing. Followed the queues as directed, machines refused to work so we finally joined the back of the original passport control queue. Waste of time and very confusing for those trying to do the right thing. Just about to head off to Faro but I&rsquo;ve read that the new machines have been suspended to be rolled out later this year when it&rsquo;s not so busy."&nbsp;-&nbsp;IndomitableTourist33491
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"We've been through Geneva Airport all winter and it's been a NIGHTMARE!!"&nbsp;-&nbsp;AnimatedExpeditionist08802
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Have you been through the new EES system yet? Share your experiences in the comments!

Will the New EES Give You Border Control Nightmares this Summer?

Mexico

Guatemala

Fiji

Sri Lanka

Hey there Travellers,
Like much of the world this week, Katy's off on holiday, so I get the special honor of sending out the first Detour of 2026 🎉
New Year's Eve, for many folks, is a time of reflection! It's the perfect excuse to dig through some old memories and take stock of those meaningful moments.&nbsp;
So that's our theme for this week: memories.&nbsp;This Detour is chock full of them &mdash; from this year's highlights, to nostalgic travel tattoos from trips long past.&nbsp;
Let's make 2026 another great year, Travellers! And let us know in the comments which travel memories you're hoping to create in the next twelve months &mdash; maybe we can help :-)
Wishing you a safe and happy New Year,

Olivia - Sub-Editor of the Detour

Permanent Souvenirs: Our Travel Tattoo Tales&nbsp;

You know a trip is worthwhile when that bittersweet thought crosses your mind: I wish I could bottle up this moment and keep it forever.
It&rsquo;s the feeling that drives souvenir sales and fills up your photo albums, but for travelers who&nbsp;really want to keep those memories close, there&rsquo;s another option &mdash; having that memory permanently added to your body.
Despite the discomfort of traveling with a fresh tattoo, getting inked on the road is a time-honored tradition. Captain Cook&rsquo;s sailors are said to have returned home from Polynesia sporting some new body art. Even 700 years ago, religious pilgrims to the Middle Eastern Holy Land were <a href="https://www.palestine-studies.org/en/node/1235759">getting small tattoos as evidence of their journey</a>. By the 19th century, the list of folks with travel tattoos even included <a href="https://www.rct.uk/collection/exhibitions/japan-courts-and-culture/the-queens-gallery-buckingham-palace/features/royal-tattoos">British royalty</a>.&nbsp;
Nowadays, there&rsquo;s an entire culture built up around travel tattoos. Some shops in touristy areas even&nbsp;depend on the demand. And just like in centuries past, there are still a myriad of motivations behind the decision.&nbsp;

During my (rather formative) few months in New Orleans, I realized I&rsquo;d regret it forever if I didn&rsquo;t leave that city with an inked reminder. Next thing I knew, I was face-down on a leather table, surrounded by NOLA-typical spiritual decor, while a stranger put me through excruciating pain for so long that I felt like my soul was leaving my body.
Unfortunately, in my case, that meant I was having a panic attack, desperately trying to keep still while hyperventilating and gasping through the pain. I tried to focus on a fixed point in the room to ground myself, but ended up locking eyes with a large, weeping statue of Santa Maria. It seemed less unnerving than the taxidermied animals, the bloody crucifixes, or the clutter of figurines stuck with nails or covered in bones and teeth.&nbsp;
When it was finally over, I paid the artist with shaking hands and basically ran out of the shop. I cannot even describe the headspace I was in. The relief was so strong that I felt like an entirely new person. All I wanted was a drink and a place to sit down.
Fortunately, that&rsquo;s not a tall order in New Orleans &mdash; I popped over to Bourbon Street and entered the first bar I saw.&nbsp;

Midway through a whisky, while listening to a bartender&rsquo;s story, I realized my new tattoo had started bleeding. There was a gruesome, oozy red smear running down my leg and trickling onto the floor of the bar.
&ldquo;Sorry, could I just get a napkin?&rdquo; I say, interrupting the bartender. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m bleeding onto your floor.&rdquo;
She casually handed me a napkin without even pausing her story. She had no reaction at all to hearing a patron say they were bleeding onto the floor of her bar at 2pm on a Monday.&nbsp;
I guess that&rsquo;s business as usual on Bourbon Street!
The tattoo has long since healed, but whenever I look at it, I remember what a wild time it was. I had no idea it would be that intense, but I&rsquo;m honored to have been given such a distinctly NOLA experience &mdash; one that really embodies the chaotic excitement of my time in the city. It&rsquo;s how I got hooked on travel tattoos!
So, as a person with so much access to well-seasoned travelers who understand the value of overseas memories, I just&nbsp;had to ask the Jack&rsquo;s Flight Club staff and Community for a few more tales.
And I heard some great ones! Like the new tradition started by our reader Zo&euml; and her wife, which started out as a space-saving measure:

&ldquo;My wife and I have a tradition of getting a tattoo on every *far* trip. Makes the long haul flight home worth it&hellip; Wanting to collect &lsquo;souvenirs&rsquo; whilst living in a small flat at the time was the original inspiration. We&rsquo;ve collected them from Thailand, Bali, and Singapore so far. Many more on the travel wishlist.&rdquo; - Zo&euml;

Or our Jack&rsquo;s Navigator Henry&rsquo;s story, about a priceless memorial that only cost &euro;15:

&ldquo;When I was 19/20, I lived in Spain and became friends with a good group of people. I moved back when someone at home died, but while I was at home, one of my friends in Spain died (very tragic, I know). So when I came back to visit my friends, one of them mentioned that another guy was starting off as a tattoo artist, and he needed guinea pigs to get the business&nbsp; going, so I said I would volunteer one night we were out. So the next day, we went to Seville and got this done. It is of course the song of Liverpool Football Club. But the tattoo is actually for everyone who is no longer with us. The words of the song make more sense than whatever I will say here 😂 It took 3 hours and cost 15 euro.&rdquo;&nbsp;- Henry

Our writer Akasha&rsquo;s tales of stick n&rsquo; pokes in Central American hostels could probably fill an entire novel:

"After almost an hour with my face wedged in the crook of an old Maltese man&rsquo;s pungent armpit as he bent over backwards attempting to tattoo my ribcage, eighteen-year-old me was hooked.&nbsp;
'For each country I visit, I&rsquo;m going to get a tattoo to commemorate it,' I excitedly told my boyfriend at the time. He rolled his eyes. He was the typical Irish lad, one that would 'go on holidays' once every 5 years to Benidorm or Magaluf. Something about the Irish pubs there.
He probably didn&rsquo;t expect that by my twenties, I&rsquo;d be lying on a sagging mattress in the jungles of Guatemala, a Czech apprentice straddling my torso, carving her gun of pain into my arm for four hours without a break.
Or that I&rsquo;d let a French guy hand-poke a reiki symbol onto my wrist in exchange for covering a bar shift.&nbsp;
Stick and poke became my preferred way. So naturally, my ears perked up when a German tattooist blew into the hostel I worked at in Chiapas. It&rsquo;d take me a few weeks to propose a trade he simply couldn&rsquo;t refuse: I&rsquo;d bleach his dreadlocks in return for some artwork."

"This was probably my most painful one. Not from the needle but from the cup of rubbing alcohol he poured over my raw skin, and the violent slap that followed. A sick and twisted joke because it was midnight and I couldn&rsquo;t scream without waking the hostel guests.
And while I haven&rsquo;t managed to stay true to my promise of getting inked everywhere I&rsquo;ve wandered, I&rsquo;ve done a pretty good job of collecting permanent stamps.
Mostly, the ink I&rsquo;ve gotten along the way is a map itself - of the girl who showed up clueless and curious, reckless and scared, but booked the ticket anyway."&nbsp;- Akasha

And lastly, our Detour queen Katy shared the story of her first tattoo, a remnant of a teenage adventure in the Netherlands:

"When I finished high school, I didn&rsquo;t go on the big group trip clubbing in Ayia Napa. That wasn&rsquo;t my thing at all. I wanted to see some of the world before starting university, not just the inside of a bar, surrounded by people I&rsquo;d mostly never see again.&nbsp;
Instead, myself and some of my closest friends decided to go Interrailing around Europe for 5 weeks. As is common when leaving high school in Scotland, most of us were only 17 at the time. We couldn&rsquo;t even (legally) drink in bars at home, so a month of European rules was exciting. And when we realised that we&rsquo;d even be old enough to get tattooed in The Netherlands&hellip;
Well, let&rsquo;s just say a few of us decided to give it a go &mdash; a fact my mum only found out three years later, when I was lazily lying in bed with my leg hanging out from under the sheets.
When getting your first tattoo, there&rsquo;s a lot of pressure to make it meaningful, so I opted for something I knew would always be important to me &mdash; music. I was right, playing music is still part of my life. But perhaps more important is the fact that I got it while on a memorable adventure with people who are still part of my life."&nbsp;- Katy

When I look at all of these stories together, there&rsquo;s a common thread: Most things in life are temporary. People enter and exit, chapters close, and that return flight is always rapidly approaching. I can go back to New Orleans, but I can&rsquo;t go back to that trip. Travel, by definition, has to be ephemeral.&nbsp;
We might be staking our money, time, and energy on a very short-lived experience, but we often return home permanently changed. I think travel tattoos owe their prolonged popularity to that change &mdash; they can help make the outside match the inside.
So if you feel the same, and have a travel tattoo (or several) of your own, feel free to send them our way. Maybe you&rsquo;ll see them in part two :-)

Jack's Gone Global: Where We Went in 2025

As you might expect, the Jack's staff is always jetsetting around the world! 2025 was no different &mdash; We traveled everywhere from the Caribbean to the Arctic Circle.&nbsp;
Here's a few highlights from another fantastic year of travel...

<h2 id="lapland">Lapland</h2>
Hannah Deals &amp; Content

&ldquo;We took a day-trip over to the <a href="https://arcticsnowhotel.fi/en/">Arctic SnowHotel </a>during our trip, as well as snowmobiled through the forests, and took reindeer and husky rides on a tour with the Snowmobile Park company &mdash; they were great and included proper snow gear in their prices, so would highly recommend.
And last but not least, the northern lights! While you can hunt for them on a guided tour, it gets pricey. Instead, we stayed just outside of the city (towards Ounasvaara) in an AirBnB and were lucky enough to spot them dancing above the house most nights we were there.&rdquo;

<h2 id="lapland">Fiji</h2>
Larissa Deal &amp; Content Manager EU

&ldquo;Fiji was such a surprise to me! I went for a family celebration and didn&rsquo;t have many expectations (given I knew a lot of the holiday would be resort-bound), but we managed to do a decent amount in Nadi and the surrounding <a href="https://www.koroyanituheritagepark.org/plan-your-trip">Koroyanitu National Heritage Park</a>. My highlights were DIY-ing a hike through the park to an incredible waterfall lookout, and visiting the <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qs6PyZGqz5nm2PF9A">Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple</a> - the intricate paintwork inside was incredible!&rdquo;

<h2 id="lapland">France &amp; Scotland</h2>
Andrea Member Experience Team Leader

&ldquo;My trip to France and Scotland healed parts of me I didn't know needed healing. The little girl in me who thought she might never make it to Europe and visit her dream city and the grown girl in me that found her soul city.
My favorite moment of my adventures was being able to see and touch the Eiffel Tower. I knew that I would cry the moment I laid eyes on her and I very much did! LOL The tears were joy and marvel and finally realizing that I did it, I made it, I was standing in Paris!! I was looking at a monument I had only seen in books and movies. I checked a place off of a very long bucket list. I had macarons and croissants from French boulangeries and strolled along streets with beautiful architecture. I spoke terribly broken French from the years of Duolingo that I had been doing and I was out of this world happy.
However. My favorite place was Scotland. I had never traveled and felt at home anywhere the way I did there. The buildings, history, slight gloom and chill in the air. The beautiful stone streets and castles, this was my place. A place I felt very happy and comfortable, where I could wander for hours and not feel tired. I am still day dreaming about my time there and thinking of the things I want to do and see when I go back. It was on my bucket list and still is. There's so much more I need to see and experience (highland coos, for example!)&rdquo;

<h2 id="lapland">Sri Lanka</h2>
Fran&nbsp;Deals &amp; Content/Social Media

&ldquo;We loved our train experiences in Sri Lanka, and we&rsquo;d suggest every curious traveller give it a try at some point. I even wrote <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/the-truth-about-traveling-by-train-in-sri-lanka">an honest guide</a> about it. It sparked our curiosity to venture beyond the tourist-packed routes and discover the more authentic, less crowded journeys in the future.&rdquo;

<h2 id="lapland">St. Croix</h2>
Olivia&nbsp;Deals &amp; Content/Detour Sub-Editor

&ldquo;The highlight was definitely the Cruzan Rum Distillery, which you can read more about <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-179-st-croix-historic-distillery">in my article here</a>. Between the informative tour, the historic setting, our lovely guide, and drinks enjoyed at a breezy, palm-lined patio bar, we couldn&rsquo;t have been more pleased. There&rsquo;s a reason every guide to St. Croix name-drops this spot, and I can happily add myself to its list of fans&rdquo;

<h2 id="lapland">The Netherlands</h2>
Gabi Product Team

&ldquo;I had such a great time in the Netherlands. I started off in <a href="https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/discover-the-netherlands/visit-the-cities/the-hague">Den Haag</a>, where I decided to try haring (the famous raw herring, just a full fish) which not everyone loves but I&rsquo;m absolutely crazy for (I really love pickled stuff). I spent the rest of my time wandering around the city center, renting bikes with nerdy names, and cycling to some pretty spots like Haagse Bos. That same day I rode all the way to Scheveningen, which turned out to be a super lovely beach with a big pier. I sat there with a hot Chocomel in hand, feeling very Dutch. It also POURED rain the minute I hopped on the bike.&rdquo;

How about our readers? Where did you travel in 2025? Let us know in the comments :-)

France

Italy, Sardinia & the French Riviera in $750s-$800s RT

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Europe in $770s-$1050s RT

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