Europe

Bristol

England

Turin

Italy

Birmingham

Turin 🍕 at £31-£38 rtn from Birmingham and Bristol

Boston

United States

Palermo

Dallas

Houston

Sicily 🌋 in $420s-$630s RT

London Stansted

Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria 🍕 at £40 rtn from London Stansted

Oslo

Norway

Bergamo

Bergamo 🍕 at €68 rtn from Oslo Torp 

Toronto

Canada

Bologna

Northern Italy 🍋 in $710s-$740s RT

Not to talk smack about Osteria Ama but can you ever beat the real thing? 

Philadelphia

Milan

Milan 🍝 at $527 RT

No need to go too far to enjoy blue skies and the sea

Postcard from ExuberantMover34782

First time in Italy and we choose to visit Milan. A quick mid week visit to eat some really good pasta, pizza and tiramisu! 

Postcard from Zakia

Fantastic heads up for the easyjet sales!

Postcard from Alison

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

Hey Jack &amp; team,
I booked this snack to Vienna from Copenhagen, dec 12 to 15!
Super excited to go with my husband and baby 🐥

Postcard from Elizabeth

Pizza, seafood, street food, Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, Capri - so much to look forward to (never mind the mild temperatures instead of Canadian winter!) Naples here we come!

Postcard from Chris

Czech Republic

Switzerland

Iceland

Wales

Spain

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

Slovenia

Hey there, Travellers,
I hope you're all enjoying these quieter few weeks between seasonal fervour, when the vampires have returned to their coffins, but the turkeys are blissfully unaware of what is to come.&nbsp;
Here at Jack's, there's little rest for the wicked (or naughty, or nice), as the buzz is already building towards the B word&nbsp;(Black Friday). It's basically our version of Christmas, and we're currently trying to work out what to put on our lists.&nbsp;
For a little inspiration, I turned to <a href="https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/about-us/our-awards/2025-award-winners/">Wanderlust's Reader Travel Awards</a>. The country named 'Most Desirable in the World' will hardly come as a surprise, and it's definitely on my "strong maybe" list for 2026. But there's one destination I think I'll find hard to ignore if Flight Santa drops a bargain in our laps&nbsp;&mdash; the world's 'Most Desirable Region', Alberta.
Our Canadian team happen to be experts in the area, and, quite frankly, won't shut up about it. Keep reading to see why, and get a taste of the great Canadian outdoors, courtesy of Marshall. Or if there's somewhere else you're hoping for a great Black Friday bargain to, <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-211-a-year-in-canadian-hikes-the-long-road-to-rome#comments">let us know in the comments</a>.
Happy travels and safe landings,

From Eh to Z: From the Trail - Marshall&rsquo;s Year in Hikes

This new series,&nbsp;From Eh to Zed,&nbsp;is your digital pass into Canada&rsquo;s hidden pockets and sweeping horizons. Brought to you by not just the team here at Jack's Flight Club, but by your fellow Jack's Travellers in every corner of the globe, too.
In this edition, Navigator Marshall is dragging you (willingly, we hope) across some of Canada&rsquo;s most underrated, jaw-dropping trails. Bring your sense of adventure &mdash; and maybe a change of socks. Things are about to get outdoorsy&hellip;&nbsp;
<hr>

One of our Canadian Crew, Marshall is equal parts adventurer and amateur naturalist &mdash; the kind of guy who&rsquo;ll chase a flight deal to the edge of the map, then stop midway to ID a mushroom. Be it on the trails or the high seas, he's happiest on an adventure.

By Marshall - Navigator

Howdy readers! This week, I&rsquo;ll be walking you through some of my top hikes I&rsquo;ve scratched off my list this year. While the cold snap may be imminent here in Alberta, and the luxury of lush, green forests soon to be a daydream, it&rsquo;s never too early to start prepping for next season.
These highlights are from backcountry trips (hikes where we camped overnight), day hikes, and nature walks. For those of you who aren&rsquo;t avid outdoor enthusiasts, feel free to reach out in the comments below with any questions, or if you&rsquo;ve got some worthy hikes to share :-)
So, grab your bear spray, a baggie of GORP (Good Ol&rsquo; Raisins and Peanuts), and let's get into it!
<h3 dir="ltr">May 18th - <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/cox-hill-ridge">Cox Hill, AB</a></h3>
To get our rusty legs warmed up, we chose a moderate, gradually inclining trail tucked along the Jumpingpound Ridge near The Dawson Day. Touted as a great winter hike, we figured it would be a safe choice.

Yet, spring kicked off with a SLIPPERY start this year. Feeling confident, we decided to tackle the hike anyway (bold move for someone in runners).&nbsp;
Everyone in the party had some slips, which was great comedic relief to distract us from the whiteout conditions.
Positives: No one on the trail
Negatives: No trail
Tip: AllTrails was our only way to be sure we stayed on track. I highly recommend this app if you&rsquo;re going out into the wilderness (or looking to brag about your stats). You can also download maps beforehand to track your progress even without service.
<h2>Taking on the Pinnacle of thru-hikes</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr">Jul 6-9th - <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/the-rockwall">Rockwall Trail, BC</a></h3>
This is one of the premier through hikes in Canada. And with it right in my backyard, it's been a bucket list item for as long as I can remember. I&rsquo;ve made two separate attempts to take on this 55km beast, both kiboshed by inclement weather and forest fires.
This time, I was determined to see it through.

Day 1: Numa Creek
The mountains looked dauntingly high, but spirits were higher. After a breakfast of champions on the drive up (an A&amp;W bacon &amp; egger and a large dark roast), we strapped up our gear and tied our shoes. We took our time on the first stretch, anticipating the climb to come; we knew it would be pointless to exhaust ourselves early.
Day 2: Numa to Tumbling Creek
With over half of the total elevation gain completed on day one, we were acutely aware of just how much this hike would challenge us.&nbsp;
Sore would be an understatement here, but that&rsquo;s what they invented painkillers for. Climbing to the ridge felt like a battle for each step. While I&rsquo;m not exactly the specimen of human fitness, I pride myself on my ability to tackle most inclines, but this was truly on another level.

You don&rsquo;t need to zoom much to see that our backpacks were roughly the same size as the boulders we encountered... 
What you&nbsp;can&rsquo;t tell is that it felt like they weighed the same, too (the synthesizer and portable projector dangling off the side probably contributed to that).
Once we reached the plateau, it was smooth sailing. With strong winds pushing us forward, we bathed in the sunlight and absorbed the splendor of this colossal range. It felt bittersweet to reach this point; we knew this was the hike's apex, so we took our time coming down into Tumbling Creek.
Day 3: Tumbling Creek to Helmet Falls
Beautiful trail, check.
Sore feet, double check.

Just when we thought the dramatic landscapes were behind us. BOOM, another, arguably even more incredible row of mountains pierced the sky in front of us...
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/eh-to-z-from-the-trail-marshalls-year-in-hikes">Keep reading...</a>

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

&ldquo;Hi Jack's Flight Club,
I wonder if you could help me with a trip idea! My husband and I have tickets to the England Six Nations rugby game in Rome on 7 March.
Direct flights from London around the weekend are incredibly expensive. We are lucky enough to have some spare leave, so have been thinking about travelling to Roma more slowly during the week before.
Ideas so far have included travelling all the way by train from London with several stops along the way; or flying to Venice instead and getting a train to Rome from there instead.
Is there anything the team would recommend?
Kind regards,
Mel&rdquo;

Ciao, Mel! We&rsquo;re absolutely on the same page as you here &mdash; why pay over the odds for a trip lasting only a few days if you can make it into a longer and even more memorable excursion?
I&rsquo;d highly recommend travelling there by train if you&rsquo;re the kind of people who enjoy the journey as much as the destination. You might have already read our&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/trans-european-race-updates">mildly unhinged blog</a> from the time that nine of the Jack&rsquo;s team raced across Europe from London to Istanbul on public transport. Okay, you won&rsquo;t need to run for tight connections or hit certain checkpoints like we did, but much of the spirit remains.
Travelling by train gives you the chance to stop off in places you&rsquo;ve never heard of and gawk out windows at the towering, jagged Alps while sampling a local snack or two. Those mountain landscapes stretching from Switzerland to Slovenia have to be my favourite. Try to plan your route to include the&nbsp;<a href="https://kittymeetsworld.com/glacier-express-or-bernina-express-which-is-better/">Bernina Express and/or the Glacier Express</a> for a real tour of the region&rsquo;s epic snowy peaks.

Having spent a week during each of the last three summers gallivanting along the rails in Europe, I&rsquo;d recommend looking into <a href="https://www.interrail.eu/en/interrail-passes/global-pass">Interrail passes</a>. You&rsquo;ll still need to account for seat reservation fees on certain routes, but the pass quickly becomes worthwhile if you stop off in a few spots along the way. Keep an eye on the Interrail site over the upcoming sale periods &mdash; I got a cracking discount last festive season.
On that note, we&rsquo;ve already had a few airline sales rolling in over the last week, and we&rsquo;re guaranteed to see more over the next month. Even if you take the train to Rome, a cheeky discount on those in-demand flights home won&rsquo;t do any harm. Alternatively, you could wait to see where else in the region goes on offer, and let the airline gods decide for you!
In case you&rsquo;re in need of a little more Italian inspo before you impulsively hit &lsquo;book&rsquo;,&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/italy">check out our Italy collection</a>, featuring articles and past editions of The Detour designed to make you crave a pizza and spritz. Sorry, not sorry.
How do&nbsp;you think Mel and her husband should make their way to the big match? Since all roads lead to Rome, there really are no wrong answers. <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-211-a-year-in-canadian-hikes-the-long-road-to-rome#comments">Share your wisdom</a> in the comments!

Reader's Corner

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;Cheap&rdquo; and &ldquo;skiing&rdquo; don&rsquo;t really belong in the same sentence. But according to&nbsp;Euronews, <a href="https://www.euronews.com/travel/2025/11/05/bulgaria-georgia-andorra-where-are-europes-best-value-ski-destinations">here&rsquo;s your best</a> bet to get your&nbsp;woosh on without your bank balance doing a downhill run too. </li>
<li>British Airways just announced they're dropping 7 billion to get&nbsp;<a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/pressrelease/details/24228" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/pressrelease/details/24228" rel="noopener noreferrer">Starlink Wi-Fi on board</a>. On one hand&nbsp;✨fast internet✨. On the other, RIP to the only place we could hide from our Slack messages. </li>
<li>Your &ldquo;just 5 more minutes&rdquo; wait at the gate might become &ldquo;just 10&hellip; 15&hellip;1122&rdquo; Here&rsquo;s what the longest USA government shutdown in history&nbsp;<a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://www.afar.com/magazine/will-flight-delays-mount-as-faa-warns-of-staffing-concerns?utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=DailyWander_Actives_110625&amp;utm_term=Daily%20Wander%20Newsletter%20%28365%20Actives%29" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.afar.com/magazine/will-flight-delays-mount-as-faa-warns-of-staffing-concerns?utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=DailyWander_Actives_110625&amp;utm_term=Daily%20Wander%20Newsletter%20%28365%20Actives%29" rel="noopener noreferrer">means for your flights</a>. </li>
<li>Many people travel for concerts, others for jaw-dropping hikes. But for some, it&rsquo;s all about flying across the world to stare at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://uk.style.yahoo.com/most-beautiful-mosaics-world-160000315.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=YW5kcm9pZC1hcHA6Ly9jb20uZ29vZ2xlLmFuZHJvaWQuZ29vZ2xlcXVpY2tzZWFyY2hib3gv&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAF9vGIJvN-TwZv7T_e8RwxMxRlkIXBVsbUMRtJOsqWIccTEILFPdyPVXzP8tzLVg0M3KzwqJidUBd26qjh9EH4sbdBKv3CustYDEY1osrD2UhdM99ZfugcUNZyvpExgucGGH3KQqO8vTlqhm76xwbNN64LAoLJdENnnLCzDyR9GV" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://uk.style.yahoo.com/most-beautiful-mosaics-world-160000315.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=YW5kcm9pZC1hcHA6Ly9jb20uZ29vZ2xlLmFuZHJvaWQuZ29vZ2xlcXVpY2tzZWFyY2hib3gv&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAF9vGIJvN-TwZv7T_e8RwxMxRlkIXBVsbUMRtJOsqWIccTEILFPdyPVXzP8tzLVg0M3KzwqJidUBd26qjh9EH4sbdBKv3CustYDEY1osrD2UhdM99ZfugcUNZyvpExgucGGH3KQqO8vTlqhm76xwbNN64LAoLJdENnnLCzDyR9GV" rel="noopener noreferrer">t</a><a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://uk.style.yahoo.com/most-beautiful-mosaics-world-160000315.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=YW5kcm9pZC1hcHA6Ly9jb20uZ29vZ2xlLmFuZHJvaWQuZ29vZ2xlcXVpY2tzZWFyY2hib3gv&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAF9vGIJvN-TwZv7T_e8RwxMxRlkIXBVsbUMRtJOsqWIccTEILFPdyPVXzP8tzLVg0M3KzwqJidUBd26qjh9EH4sbdBKv3CustYDEY1osrD2UhdM99ZfugcUNZyvpExgucGGH3KQqO8vTlqhm76xwbNN64LAoLJdENnnLCzDyR9GV" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://uk.style.yahoo.com/most-beautiful-mosaics-world-160000315.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=YW5kcm9pZC1hcHA6Ly9jb20uZ29vZ2xlLmFuZHJvaWQuZ29vZ2xlcXVpY2tzZWFyY2hib3gv&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAF9vGIJvN-TwZv7T_e8RwxMxRlkIXBVsbUMRtJOsqWIccTEILFPdyPVXzP8tzLVg0M3KzwqJidUBd26qjh9EH4sbdBKv3CustYDEY1osrD2UhdM99ZfugcUNZyvpExgucGGH3KQqO8vTlqhm76xwbNN64LAoLJdENnnLCzDyR9GV" rel="noopener noreferrer">eeny tiny super old</a><a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://uk.style.yahoo.com/most-beautiful-mosaics-world-160000315.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=YW5kcm9pZC1hcHA6Ly9jb20uZ29vZ2xlLmFuZHJvaWQuZ29vZ2xlcXVpY2tzZWFyY2hib3gv&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAF9vGIJvN-TwZv7T_e8RwxMxRlkIXBVsbUMRtJOsqWIccTEILFPdyPVXzP8tzLVg0M3KzwqJidUBd26qjh9EH4sbdBKv3CustYDEY1osrD2UhdM99ZfugcUNZyvpExgucGGH3KQqO8vTlqhm76xwbNN64LAoLJdENnnLCzDyR9GV" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://uk.style.yahoo.com/most-beautiful-mosaics-world-160000315.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=YW5kcm9pZC1hcHA6Ly9jb20uZ29vZ2xlLmFuZHJvaWQuZ29vZ2xlcXVpY2tzZWFyY2hib3gv&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAF9vGIJvN-TwZv7T_e8RwxMxRlkIXBVsbUMRtJOsqWIccTEILFPdyPVXzP8tzLVg0M3KzwqJidUBd26qjh9EH4sbdBKv3CustYDEY1osrD2UhdM99ZfugcUNZyvpExgucGGH3KQqO8vTlqhm76xwbNN64LAoLJdENnnLCzDyR9GV" rel="noopener noreferrer"> tiles</a>.&nbsp; </li>
<li>And finally, speaking of super old - Egypt has finally flung open the doors to the new&nbsp;<a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://aje.io/epqwu8" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://aje.io/epqwu8" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grand Egyptian Museum</a>. The project that took so long to finish, we&rsquo;re pretty sure some of those mummies have become grandmummies in the meantime.</li>
</ul>

Pick of the Clicks

A Year in Canadian Hikes & The Long Road to Rome

Panama

Hey there, Travellers,
It seems like 2025 is flying by, and all of a sudden, we've landed in awards season again. This week, we've got Japan Airlines winning Skytrax's <a href="https://simpleflying.com/worlds-best-economy-seat-2025/">'Best Economy Seat' award</a>, while CN Traveller has published its <a href="https://www.cntraveller.com/article/readers-choice-winners-2025">2025 Readers' Choice Awards</a>.&nbsp;
Most of the winning hotels and resorts in the latter are far fancier than my trips can ever aspire to, but I will admit that they're onto something with the <a href="https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/friendliest-cities-in-uk">'Friendliest City in the UK'</a>.
Today, I wanna know the friendliest city you've ever visited, anywhere in the world! What was it that made it stand out?&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-207-ligurian-lounging-latin-america#comments">Share your picks in the comments</a>, and who knows, maybe we'll start our own awards!
Happy travels and safe landings,

Cinque Terre? Never Heard of Her. Meet Sestri Levante.

Sun-drunk and still, there&rsquo;s a kind of conversation that drifts between people when you&rsquo;re half lost in sunlight.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;m somewhere along the Ligurian Coast, slathered in SPF and sand, strategically flopping from front to back, playing the part of a rotisserie chicken. Pollo Allo Spiedo, with a pinch of ADHD.&nbsp;
&ldquo;If this place could be bottled, what would the label say?&rdquo; I glance over at my best friend, nothing short of a sun goddess. Palms facing upward, the freckles on her face greet the rays like an old friend.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Hmmm, I guess, real, authentic, low-key, maybe a little quiet, or maybe that&rsquo;s just because it&rsquo;s the end of the season?&rdquo; she responds dazedly.&nbsp;

I sit upright and take in the view before me.&nbsp;
A constellation of boats sways hypnotically to the mellow strum of the chittara battente, a sound that comes from nowhere and everywhere all at once and what would come to be the bass line of the town itself. Across the street, laundry sways, music-tossed, on lines between the buildings.&nbsp; 
This beach is empty, except for us and an elderly woman in a two-piece shuffling toward the sea. I watch the years wash away the moment the water touches her skin.&nbsp;
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not catchy,&rdquo; I reply, &ldquo;but I think I&rsquo;d put 'We are here too' on the label.&rdquo;&nbsp;
And as if to echo my thoughts, I catch a woman in my periphery, stomping toward us, head-to-toe in glamorous winter gear. She tells us the sun loungers we&rsquo;re lying on cost 40 euros for the day. Otherwise, get lost.&nbsp;

It&rsquo;s the first time I&rsquo;ve heard anyone speak English since I&rsquo;ve been here.&nbsp;
She softens when we attempt an apology in Italian and tell her we&rsquo;ll be on our way. Folding her arms, and flicking her scarf, she shivers from a September wind perhaps only Italians can feel. Certainly not two Irish girls in bikinis. 
&ldquo;Why you come here?&rdquo; she arches her brow and points to the ground, as if the sand here in Sestri Levante is somewhat lesser than its neighbors, Portofino and the Cinque Terre. With zero crowds to elbow through, I&rsquo;m beginning to suspect it's better.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Oh, I saw it on a map, I wanted to see what it would look like in real life&rdquo; That gets me a quizzical smile, and she softly points us in the direction of the free beach, Baia del Silenzio.&nbsp;

I&rsquo;m not one for sun holidays, but like Giovanni Descalzo, the poet who named it, I find myself spellbound by the bay's cerulean crescent.&nbsp;
The shoreline is a ribbon of gold and citrus, limoncello-hued houses leaning shoulder to shoulder, their illusionary <a href="https://www.portofinocoast.it/en/the-illusion-of-colour/">trompe l&rsquo;oeil facades</a> trembling in the water like a painter&rsquo;s spilled palette. 
It wasn&rsquo;t exactly as silent as the name promised, but the pace matched every image evoked by the phrase &ldquo;il dolce far niente.&rdquo;&nbsp;

<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/meet-sestri-levante">Keep reading...</a>

Last week, we dipped into our Facebook Community to see what the hot topics were and who needed help planning their next big trip. When we spotted <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2607558869599958">Traveller Yvonne's question</a> about what to see and do over 10 days in Panama, we couldn't leave her hanging.&nbsp;
Here's what you, dear readers, recommend for a fantastic Panamanian adventure:

&ldquo;Ride the Panama Canal train to Colon (once per day leaving 09:30 I think) Visit Portobelo near Colon and visit the Statue of Black Christ amongst other things Visit Miraflores Lochs and the visitors centre. We got a reputable driver who drove us to the railway station in Panama City, then met us at Colon and we continued the trip with him.&rdquo; - GallantHiker69332
<hr>
&ldquo;Try 3 nights in Panama city and then 3 nights at the Gamboa rain forest resort ending with 4 nights at a 5 star resort. We both had a ball. The Mall in the city is enormous and well worth a visit. Try the train up the canal is another trip. Have a lovely holiday.&rdquo; - BoldNomad53378
<hr>
&ldquo;I spent some time on the western side of Panama a few years ago, and it was really lovely. The town, Boquete, looks like it jumped right out of a postcard and onto a map. Its cooler climate, incredible coffee and vibrant expat community make it super popular for retirees as well as adventure tourism. A hike to the Lost Waterfalls and the Pipeline Trail is an absolute must, or a night summit on Volcan Baru if you are looking for something challenging.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/75357a73bb405934cec47d4d2570d5db149a28ae" width="454" height="341" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
The city of David isn't much of a looker, but if you take the westward coastline you'll hit Santa Catalina, one of the best surfing spots in the country. It's also a jumping-off point for Coiba National Park, which has world-class scuba diving and snorkelling. You can also take boat rides from Boca Chica to islands like Bolano, Partido and Gamez too!
I found <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.journeyera.com%2Fcategory%2Fpanama%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExNmR2SVhnR1RRVGVmSjRvNQEe0cBRhlEb1WjDAlLy7Fuo9GHENVDT_6RwEIk2fDL02_lx7HR7R9Kdu6rEJqo_aem_qNWQqmSzjPFEsDkx8GIndw&amp;h=AT1n17aQ04OSiBE31JBQ5QBehWqSvGu93U0C82B0PJ7OgWn3enHx_uzVmscSCb-FqVVu6l2scDIgagwDoldG18G8iNfAvzHpZJMIPS4pE1sCwGR_-QvskVVUwF-eZCjY6qoWO7ItMws4Mw&amp;__tn__=R]-R&amp;c[0]=AT2dDVYL_XSlNCoHf7MgKmTuDKXaEXkF0PlgFT7mj9b1V2_kDB6PELwAEUEKR7fb0eDzw8bs4uCxdjEhKX5FPjtBL3Uv07E7ItIPwbb8lTQlF1v70-o0HYLDx7T7Pn2KLO87AsEng1sSHGqKPuqAGuDEh5quxTqMltkz5yQOMQ">this blog</a> really helpful for inspo on what to see and do. Hope you have a fab trip!&rdquo; - Akasha

And in case you're still hungry for more, Yvonne, <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-184-iceland-lapland-copenhagen-and-prague-epic-multi-stop#:~:text=Pandering%20to%20my%20Panama%20dreaming" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here are some other tips</a> we scooped up earlier this year. Do send us a postcard and let us know how it goes!
Rounding off this week's Reader's Corner, Liz is sharing her epic plans for a big birthday trip, and asking for your help to fill in the gaps:

&ldquo;So for my 50th birthday in January, I am taking a one-month trip to South America! Some of my ancestors are from there, so I am following their trail and eventually meeting up with family still living in Lima. My grandma, Gladys, was born in Montevideo, so I am spending my birthday there. 
Whilst I have some ancestral places to see in every destination, I&rsquo;m after tips for things to do and recommendations on food etc in the locations I am visiting. Here is my itinerary, which was so much fun to put together. Any tips will be gratefully received! 
South America Adventure
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">1/1 Heathrow to Barcelona flight</li>
<li dir="ltr">1/1 Barcelona to Santiago, Chile flight</li>
<li dir="ltr">2/1 to 5/1 accommodation Santiago</li>
<li dir="ltr">5/1 Santiago to Montevideo flight</li>
<li dir="ltr">5/1 to 8/1 accommodation Montevideo (50th birthday 7/1)</li>
<li dir="ltr">8/1 Ferry Montevideo to Buenos Aires</li>
<li dir="ltr">8/1 to 10/1 accommodation Buenos Aires</li>
<li dir="ltr">10/1 Buenos Aires to Cuzco&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr">11/1 Bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo</li>
<li dir="ltr">11/1 to 14/1 accommodation Ollantaytambo</li>
<li dir="ltr">13/1 Machu Picchu</li>
<li dir="ltr">14/1 bus to Cusco</li>
<li dir="ltr">14/1 Cusco to Arequipa</li>
<li dir="ltr">14/1 to 15/1 accommodation Arequipa</li>
<li dir="ltr">15/1 bus from Arequipa to La Paz</li>
<li dir="ltr">Arrive 16/1</li>
<li dir="ltr">16/1 to 18/1 accommodation La Paz</li>
<li dir="ltr">18/1 bus La Paz to Puno</li>
<li dir="ltr">18/1 to 20/1 accommodation Puno</li>
<li dir="ltr">19/1 visit Uros straw islands Lake Titicaca</li>
<li dir="ltr">20/1 boat from Puno to Taquile island</li>
<li dir="ltr">20/1 to 22/1 accommodation Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca</li>
<li dir="ltr">22/1 boat from Taquile island to Puno</li>
<li dir="ltr">22/1 to 23/1 accommodation Puno</li>
<li dir="ltr">23/1 bus from Puno to Lima</li>
<li dir="ltr">Arrive 24/1</li>
<li dir="ltr">24/1 to 27/1 accommodation Lima</li>
<li dir="ltr">27/1 Flight Lima to Heathrow</li>
<li dir="ltr">Arrive UK 28/1</li>
</ul>
Transport total: &pound;1484 Accommodation total: &pound;692
Total &pound;2176 + &pound;150 for Machu Picchu&rdquo;

Wow, what a quest, Liz! We're sure you'll have a fantastic trip retracing your family routes regardless, but if anyone has suggestions for exciting stop-offs or must-try restaurants, <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-207-ligurian-lounging-latin-america#comments">head to the comments</a> or hit 'Reply'.
Let's make Liz's big birthday unforgettable!

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li>Surfing blind &mdash; how one <a href="https://www.afar.com/magazine/a-blind-traveler-learns-to-surf-in-hawaii">traveller learned to read the waves</a> like Braille. </li>
<li>This weekend marks the launch of the EU&rsquo;s new entry/exist system. <a href="https://www.euronews.com/travel/2025/10/10/eu-announces-launch-date-for-entryexit-system-heres-how-travellers-can-prepare">Here&rsquo;s what the changes will mean</a> for anyone travelling on a non-EU passport. </li>
<li>The mystery of the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xrd29r5ywo">3-year around-the-world cruise</a> that is yet to set sail. </li>
<li>Watch out, there&rsquo;s a <a href="https://www.afar.com/magazine/longest-flights-in-the-world">new longest non-stop flight in the world</a>, and it&rsquo;s a pretty random route! </li>
<li>And finally, taking a trip often means missing your furry pals back home. But fear not, cat tours are becoming a thing! While <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cattourto/?hl=en">North America</a> has been at it for a while, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPg3dYqkWrU/">200 feline fans took to the streets of Brighton</a> on Sunday for the first one in the UK, where tales of the city were interspersed with&hellip; Well, tails of the city.</li>
</ul>

The Sweetness of Ligurian Lounging & Lusting After Latin America

I sit upright and take in the view before me.&nbsp;
A constellation of boats sways hypnotically to the mellow strum of the chittara battente, a sound that comes from nowhere and everywhere all at once and what would come to be the bass line of the town itself. Across the street, laundry sways, music-tossed, on lines between the buildings.&nbsp;

This beach is empty, except for us and an elderly woman in a two-piece shuffling toward the sea. I watch the years wash away the moment the water touches her skin.&nbsp;
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not catchy,&rdquo; I reply, &ldquo;but I think I&rsquo;d put 'We are here too' on the label.&rdquo;&nbsp;
And as if to echo my thoughts, I catch a woman in my periphery, stomping toward us, head-to-toe in glamorous winter gear. She tells us the sun loungers we&rsquo;re lying on cost 40 euros for the day. Otherwise, get lost.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s the first time I&rsquo;ve heard anyone speak English since I&rsquo;ve been here.&nbsp;
She softens when we attempt an apology in Italian and tell her we&rsquo;ll be on our way. Folding her arms, and flicking her scarf, she shivers from a September wind perhaps only Italians can feel. Certainly not two Irish girls in bikinis. 
&ldquo;Why you come here?&rdquo; she arches her brow and points to the ground, as if the sand here in Sestri Levante is somewhat lesser than its neighbors, Portofino and the Cinque Terre. With zero crowds to elbow through, I&rsquo;m beginning to suspect it's better.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Oh, I saw it on a map, I wanted to see what it would look like in real life&rdquo; That gets me a quizzical smile, and she softly points us in the direction of the free beach, Baia del Silenzio.&nbsp;

I&rsquo;m not one for sun holidays, but like Giovanni Descalzo, the poet who named it, I find myself spellbound by the bay's cerulean crescent.&nbsp;

The shoreline is a ribbon of gold and citrus, limoncello-hued houses leaning shoulder to shoulder, their illusionary <a href="https://www.portofinocoast.it/en/the-illusion-of-colour/">trompe l&rsquo;oeil facades</a> trembling in the water like a painter&rsquo;s spilled palette. 
It wasn&rsquo;t exactly as silent as the name promised, but the pace matched every image evoked by the phrase &ldquo;il dolce far niente.&rdquo;&nbsp;

A fisherman drifts past in his canoe. Sunbathers in all directions sprawl out on the sand&mdash;skin so tanned they could double as a designer handbag straight off a Milan runway.

I catch the occasional seagull&rsquo;s cry and the distant, incongruous honk of a Vespa.&nbsp;
In front of me, a man hunches over a sand sculpture, his hands shaping and reshaping as though trying to capture a memory that slips through his fingers. I imagine a story behind his labour &mdash; a love once found on these shores, long ago, lost to time. Or maybe, more simply, he just really likes the female form.

One street over, locals weave in and out of bakeries, pharmacies, and wine bars dressed in autumn coats and scarves. A surreal contrast to the eyeful of neon Speedos I can&rsquo;t unsee.&nbsp;
As we stroll past Trattoria da Turin, I watch a group of German tourists dining al fresco, seduced by waiters dishing out oven-toasted focaccia and steamed mussels.&nbsp;
The whirl of rosemary sweet-talks me into saving this spot for later. It didn't disappoint.&nbsp;

Via XXV Aprile, the main pedestrian street, was a pleasant surprise.
Sure, you&rsquo;ll find a few tacky tourist shops selling magnets and tea-towels of the pope, but mostly it&rsquo;s independent artisan shops and chic clothing boutiques selling all things leather, cashmere, and ceramics.&nbsp;

Not to mention a handful of traditional slow-turning gelaterias.&nbsp;
I start the week with vegan strawberry and chocolate, full of intentions to end it the same way. But then I saw the pistachio&nbsp;gelato -&nbsp;surely my lactose intolerance could take a short break from reality, too?

On caf&eacute; patios, elderly women huddle together over steaming cups of coffee and curling cigarettes. Their gossip comes to a crescendo whenever familiar figures walk past. I could easily waste my days watching them.&nbsp;
For dinner,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/DON+LUIGI/@44.2707418,9.390941,676m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x12d497d41fdb6463:0x23940afc1c63e043!8m2!3d44.270738!4d9.3935159!16s%2Fg%2F11qb5jstf2?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTAwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D">Don Luigi&rsquo;s</a> chalkboard and dim lighting lure us in. I settle on a glass of Arneis and the trofie al pesto&mdash;it'd be rude not to; Liguria is <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/pesto-perfect-italy-liguria">the birthplace of pesto</a>, after all.

One bite in, and I see God.
I ask Her life&rsquo;s biggest question; why do people keep going back to the same old tourist traps when places like this exist?&nbsp;

Cinque Terre? Never heard of her. Meet Sestri Levante.

Australia

Hey there, Travellers,
Rarely ones to rock the boat, fancy Middle Eastern airline Emirates has been causing a bit of drama recently among their bougiest customers.&nbsp;
The airline plans to prevent travellers from collecting or spending rewards points on <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/emirates-skywards-kids-first-class-policy-b2829003.html">kids sitting in first class</a>. That in itself may not seem like a big deal, but it's sparked a debate about whether the young'uns should even be allowed in premium cabins.
So what do you think, readers? Are you happy to share your slice of paradise at 38,000 ft with children? Let us know <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-204-month-in-melbourne#comments">in the comments</a> or in the inbox.
Happy travels and safe landings,

Win A Glamorous Night Out In London

It's said there are three great quests in life:&nbsp;1)&nbsp;To find love.&nbsp;2)&nbsp;To find meaning.&nbsp;3)&nbsp;And to win an insane competition for&nbsp;the ultimate luxury night out for four people&nbsp;involving wine, cocktails, and unique luxury dining experiences.&nbsp;
Which, our friends over at London's finest city guide&nbsp;<a href="https://thenudge.com/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thenudge.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1756982549610000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2x3wyahJgW_cUf8P1PJEUh" rel="noopener">The Nudge</a>. can help with.&nbsp;
What&rsquo;s involved? Well, first you and three (incredibly grateful) buddies will start with cocktails at Mexican-Japanese&nbsp;Los Mochis, City, where you&rsquo;ll have&nbsp;&pound;100 to spend on&nbsp;stunning drinks&nbsp;either in their world-class Agaveria and lounge, or on their panoramic rooftop terrace should the weather see fit.
Then, things move onto&nbsp;LUNA&nbsp;-&nbsp;an intimate omakase restaurant&nbsp;perched on the 9th floor, overlooking the city.&nbsp;With only 12 seats in the whole restaurant, your group will be taking up a full third of the jewel-box space. And what follows will be a dozen courses from a theatrical, boundary-pushing menu that fuses storytelling with spectacular food. Expect welcome cocktails, some incredible food, wine pairings, and no bill at the end.
To enter, you don't need to guess how many jellybeans there are in a jar, or solve a riddle, or do a backflip - just click below&hellip;

In Partnership with The Nudge

Rails, Restaurants &amp; Road Trips: One Month in Melbourne

When incredibly wise Travellers like yourselves join Jack's Flight Club, we ask which destinations are on your wishlist (you can update those in your <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/settings/profile">Members Lounge profile</a> btw). The top ten is surprisingly consistent across all regions, with countries like Spain, Japan, Italy, Thailand, Canada, and the USA firm favourites for everyone.&nbsp;
But there's another li'l place you might have heard of that pops up time and time again: Australia. And since we've been seeing sooo many great&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/flights">Flights</a> there recently, it only seems right that we revisit one of our fave reader questions from a couple of years ago&hellip;

Q: Off to Melbourne in November for over a month. Do you have any tips that will help us make the trip better?

Good choice, reader, Melbourne is a cracker! It has newly been crowned Australia&rsquo;s largest city, yet still lives in Sydney&rsquo;s opera-house-shaped shadow. A month is a long time, but we&rsquo;re more than happy to recommend a few ways to maximise your stay.
Getting around
Don&rsquo;t worry about buying a transport pass for getting around. Many of Melbourne&rsquo;s most popular tourist attractions are located in and around the CBD (central business district) and the Docklands. Not only does this mean it&rsquo;s pretty walkable, but it also means a lot of the places you want to visit are within the city&rsquo;s <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/free-tram-zone">Free Tram Zone</a>.

For the full hop-on-hop-off tour experience, stick to the <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/australia/articles/the-best-stops-along-melbournes-free-tourist-tram/">City Circle Tram</a> (no. 35). It provides plenty of history and cheesy chat at no extra cost, plus the added charm of an old school tram. The main downside is that it&rsquo;s marketed squarely at tourists, so it&rsquo;s likely to be packed full of slightly lost-looking rucksack wearers during summer in particular.
As you&rsquo;re staying for over a month, reader, you&rsquo;re likely going to be spending time outside the CBD, too. We recommend picking up a <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki">myki travel card</a> for those days when you&rsquo;re travelling on trains, buses and trams outside the Free Tram Zone.
Food, glorious food
Usually we wouldn&rsquo;t suggest disappearing down back lanes to escape the hustle and bustle, but we&rsquo;ll make an exception in Melbourne. It&rsquo;s famous for &ldquo;European-style&rdquo; cobblestone laneways featuring <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/art/where-to-find-the-best-street-art-in-melbourne">bold street art</a> and hole-in-the-wall bars and restaurants that spill out onto the street.
The city has earned itself a reputation as a foodie paradise, and it&rsquo;s in these backstreets that you&rsquo;re going to stumble across the&nbsp;<a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/melbourne/eat-and-drink/restaurants/laneway-dining">cr&egrave;me de la cr&egrave;me</a>. From a simple pastrami on rye to Malaysian street food and Italian fine dining, there's a treasure trove of cuisines hidden away in the labyrinth.

But how do you choose where to start when the world is (somewhat literally) your oyster? Here are a few JFC favourites to help you get started:
<ul>
<li><a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.instagram.com/lunecroissant/?hl=en&amp;lid=wzftnohjnk2d">Lune Croissants</a>: Never thought you&rsquo;d queue round the block for a cruffin? Think again. They are (somewhat controversially) home to the&nbsp;<a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.escape.com.au/destinations/australia/victoria/melbourne/lune-croissants-yes-melbournes-best-croissants-are-worth-the-queue/news-story/e5655d69f8ee6cec8697345ac1763f41?lid=e6gftdokyxjw">best croissants in the world</a>&mdash;including any in France. Our in-house Aussie, Larissa, recommends going mid-morning to avoid the mad rush.</li>
<li><a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.instagram.com/hardwaresociete/?hl=en&amp;lid=0si0cege4man">Hardware Soci&eacute;t&eacute;</a>: Fancy Aussie brunch with a French twist. So fancy, in fact, that they even have caf&eacute;s in Paris and Barcelona, so you know it&rsquo;ll be worth the wait. It&rsquo;s walk-in only, so the earlier you get there, the better.</li>
<li><a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.instagram.com/brunetticlassico/?hl=en">Brunetti Classico</a>: A true Melbourne institution for anyone with a sweet tooth. It&rsquo;s an authentic, family-run Italian caf&eacute; known for its cakes, pastries and gelato. Even if you don&rsquo;t have time to sit in, stop by their gelato bar for a scoop or two!</li>
</ul>

Out and about
We jumped into the <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/577601325929066/search/?q=melbourne">JFC Facebook Community</a> to see what our members were recommending for Melbourne, and the number one thing that came up again and again was a day trip along the <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://fullsuitcase.com/great-ocean-road-best-stops/">Great Ocean Road</a>.
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/melbournes-best-eateries-and-the-great-ocean-road">Keep reading...</a>

Travel Tips

Celebratory Escapes &amp; Italian Dreaming

"Hello, I am writing because I am looking for the best option to take my girl on a trip over Thanksgiving. My girl is turning 15 this December, and would like to take her on a trip for her quincea&ntilde;era (15th birthday).
I am a cancer survivor I just had my tests and everything looks good so we want to celebrate both lives, her birthday and my clear results. Please advise me about how to find a good deal for 2 tickets to New York, Paris, or some dream city like this. We are in Austin, Texas. Thank you in advance for your time" - Maria&nbsp;

Allan is your expert on the inner workings of the airline world. If you&rsquo;ve ever seen a debut deal on a brand spanking new route, or a bonkers drop on an old classic, you've got him to thank!

Answered by Allan

Hey Maria!&nbsp;
Thanks so much for getting in touch and asking for help finding an awesome trip. First off, big congratulations for surviving cancer, as well as for your daughter's birthday. It's always worth celebrating!
Unfortunately, Thanksgiving can be a really expensive time to fly. Fares to Europe, which we like to see under $550 RT, are frequently closer to $1,000 RT. That being said, there are still good options out there if you're a bit flexible to come back on the Monday or Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Here are a few suggestions:
<ul data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-list-tree="true" class="p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__bullet p-rich_text_list--nested" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a target="_blank" data-stringify-link="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAhopEgoyMDI1LTExLTI0KAFqCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptcgwIAxIIL20vMDVxdGoaKRIKMjAyNS0xMi0wMSgBagwIAxIIL20vMDVxdGpyCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptQAFIAXABggELCP___________wGYAQE" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAhopEgoyMDI1LTExLTI1KAFqCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptcgwIAxIIL20vMDVxdGoaKRIKMjAyNS0xMi0wMigBagwIAxIIL20vMDVxdGpyCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptQAFIAXABggELCP___________wGYAQE&amp;tfu=EgIIACIA&amp;curr=USD" rel="noopener">Paris</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAhoqEgoyMDI1LTExLTI1KAFqCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptcg0IAxIJL20vMDJfMjg2GioSCjIwMjUtMTItMDIoAWoNCAMSCS9tLzAyXzI4NnILCAMSBy9tLzB2em1AAUgBcAGCAQsI____________AZgBAQ" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAhoqEgoyMDI1LTExLTI1KAFqCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptcg0IAxIJL20vMDJfMjg2GioSCjIwMjUtMTItMDIoAWoNCAMSCS9tLzAyXzI4NnILCAMSBy9tLzB2em1AAUgBcAGCAQsI____________AZgBAQ" rel="noopener noreferrer">New York</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAhopEgoyMDI1LTExLTI0KABqCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptcgwIAhIIL20vMDRqcGwaKRIKMjAyNS0xMi0wMygAagwIAhIIL20vMDRqcGxyCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptQAFIAXABggELCP___________wGYAQE" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAhopEgoyMDI1LTExLTI0KABqCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptcgwIAhIIL20vMDRqcGwaKRIKMjAyNS0xMi0wMygAagwIAhIIL20vMDRqcGxyCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptQAFIAXABggELCP___________wGYAQE" rel="noopener noreferrer">London</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://www.google.com/travel/flights?tfs=CBsQAhopEgoyMDI1LTExLTI1KAFqCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptcgwIAhIIL20vMDZjNjIaKRIKMjAyNS0xMi0wMigBagwIAhIIL20vMDZjNjJyCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptQAFIAVIDVVNEcAF6dENqUkljVGt3Tm05U2NqQm9VRlZCUXpsVlRXZENSeTB0TFMwdExTMHRMUzEyZEhWaE0wRkJRVUZCUjJwTlNYZG5TMnBQTWtGQkVneEJRekV3TkRKOFFVTTRPVEFhQ3dqUTZRTVFBaG9EVlZORU9CeHcwT2tEmAEBsgESGAEgASoMCAISCC9tLzA2YzYy&amp;tfu=GgA&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0CAUQtY0DahgKEwjguvu_zeKPAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ2AM" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights?tfs=CBsQAhopEgoyMDI1LTExLTI1KAFqCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptcgwIAhIIL20vMDZjNjIaKRIKMjAyNS0xMi0wMigBagwIAhIIL20vMDZjNjJyCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptQAFIAVIDVVNEcAF6dENqUkljVGt3Tm05U2NqQm9VRlZCUXpsVlRXZENSeTB0TFMwdExTMHRMUzEyZEhWaE0wRkJRVUZCUjJwTlNYZG5TMnBQTWtGQkVneEJRekV3TkRKOFFVTTRPVEFhQ3dqUTZRTVFBaG9EVlZORU9CeHcwT2tEmAEBsgESGAEgASoMCAISCC9tLzA2YzYy&amp;tfu=GgA&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0CAUQtY0DahgKEwjguvu_zeKPAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ2AM" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rome</a></li>
</ul>
If you do need to travel only that week, the best options I can find are:
<ul data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-list-tree="true" class="p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__bullet p-rich_text_list--nested" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAhonEgoyMDI1LTExLTI0agsIAxIHL20vMHZ6bXIMCAISCC9tLzBkNmxwGicSCjIwMjUtMTEtMzBqDAgCEggvbS8wZDZscHILCAMSBy9tLzB2em1AAUgBcAGCAQsI____________AZgBAQ&amp;tfu=EgIIACIA" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAhonEgoyMDI1LTExLTI0agsIAxIHL20vMHZ6bXIMCAISCC9tLzBkNmxwGicSCjIwMjUtMTEtMzBqDAgCEggvbS8wZDZscHILCAMSBy9tLzB2em1AAUgBcAGCAQsI____________AZgBAQ&amp;tfu=EgIIACIA" rel="noopener noreferrer">San Francisco</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://www.google.com/travel/flights?tfs=CBsQAhopEgoyMDI1LTExLTI0KAFqCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptcgwIAhIIL20vMDk0N2waKRIKMjAyNS0xMS0zMCgBagwIAhIIL20vMDk0N2xyCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptQAFIAVIDVVNEcAF6dENqUklSV1ppYTNjd1VFcDVlVEJCUTNSNFoyZENSeTB0TFMwdExTMHRMWFozZVc0eE1VRkJRVUZCUjJwTlUxZHJSV2xLZHpKQkVneEJRVEl5T0RkOFFVRXhPVGdhQ3dpcDJBUVFBaG9EVlZORU9CeHdxZGdFmAEBsgESGAEgASoMCAISCC9tLzA5NDds&amp;tfu=GgA&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0CAUQtY0DahgKEwiQ74jQ8uKPAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ5wE" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights?tfs=CBsQAhopEgoyMDI1LTExLTI0KAFqCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptcgwIAhIIL20vMDk0N2waKRIKMjAyNS0xMS0zMCgBagwIAhIIL20vMDk0N2xyCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptQAFIAVIDVVNEcAF6dENqUklSV1ppYTNjd1VFcDVlVEJCUTNSNFoyZENSeTB0TFMwdExTMHRMWFozZVc0eE1VRkJRVUZCUjJwTlUxZHJSV2xLZHpKQkVneEJRVEl5T0RkOFFVRXhPVGdhQ3dpcDJBUVFBaG9EVlZORU9CeHdxZGdFmAEBsgESGAEgASoMCAISCC9tLzA5NDds&amp;tfu=GgA&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0CAUQtY0DahgKEwiQ74jQ8uKPAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ5wE" rel="noopener noreferrer">Milan</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://www.google.com/travel/flights?tfs=CBsQAhopEgoyMDI1LTExLTI0KAFqCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptcgwIAhIIL20vMDFjeF8aKRIKMjAyNS0xMS0zMCgBagwIAhIIL20vMDFjeF9yCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptQAFIAVIDVVNEcAF6eENqUkliRVpST1Zkbk5FRk1WREJCUkdwaU5FRkNSeTB0TFMwdExTMHRMUzEyZEhSb01VRkJRVUZCUjJwTlUyRm5SSEppYzBOQkVnNVhUak0wTm54WFRqTXdNREVqTVJvTENKU1FBaEFDR2dOVlUwUTRISENVa0FJPZgBAbIBEhgBIAEqDAgCEggvbS8wMWN4Xw&amp;tfu=GioaKAoSCSO2tFH_t0lAEcj1sjqRTUzAEhIJ2mGYPaMkP0AR5HpZneiCWcA&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0CAUQtY0DahgKEwiQ74jQ8uKPAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ8wY" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights?tfs=CBsQAhopEgoyMDI1LTExLTI0KAFqCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptcgwIAhIIL20vMDFjeF8aKRIKMjAyNS0xMS0zMCgBagwIAhIIL20vMDFjeF9yCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptQAFIAVIDVVNEcAF6eENqUkliRVpST1Zkbk5FRk1WREJCUkdwaU5FRkNSeTB0TFMwdExTMHRMUzEyZEhSb01VRkJRVUZCUjJwTlUyRm5SSEppYzBOQkVnNVhUak0wTm54WFRqTXdNREVqTVJvTENKU1FBaEFDR2dOVlUwUTRISENVa0FJPZgBAbIBEhgBIAEqDAgCEggvbS8wMWN4Xw&amp;tfu=GioaKAoSCSO2tFH_t0lAEcj1sjqRTUzAEhIJ2mGYPaMkP0AR5HpZneiCWcA&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0CAUQtY0DahgKEwiQ74jQ8uKPAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ8wY" rel="noopener noreferrer">Boston</a></li>
</ul>
Prices over this period can be so expensive, but I hope this helps. Airfares will keep going up and down over the next couple of months, so if none of these seem quite right, keep an eye on <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/explore?tfs=CBwQAxobEgoyMDI1LTExLTI0KABqCwgDEgcvbS8wdnptGhsSCjIwMjUtMTEtMzAoAHILCAMSBy9tLzB2em1AAUgBcAGCAQsI____________AZgBAbIBBBgBIAE&amp;tfu=GioaKAoSCSrcEvZ26FBAEQUAANdVuDxAEhIJIFv1CFdpNMARAAAgRZX_YMA&amp;hl=en-US&amp;curr=USD">Google Flights</a>.&nbsp;
Congratulations again to you and your daughter, I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time, wherever you celebrate.<a aria-label="Yesterday at 19:05:09" data-stringify-type="replace" data-stringify-text="[7:05 PM]" data-stringify-requires-siblings="true" data-ts="1758218709.118079" data-sk="tooltip_parent" class="c-link c-timestamp" href="https://jacksflightclub.slack.com/archives/C036V7GU4RK/p1758218709118079?thread_ts=1758009535.703689&amp;cid=C036V7GU4RK"></a>
<h3>La Dolce Vita</h3>
Here are some of the fantastic tips you shared for Akasha's upcoming Italian jaunt. Spritzes at the ready!

&ldquo;Sestri Levante is one of our favourite coastal towns &mdash; we live nearby in Pontremoli. Lucca is also a gorgeous day trip, with cycling or walking the city walls highly recommended.
Another hidden gem nearby: the Appenines and Lago di Santo, with magical forest walks and swimming in a crystal-clear lake.&rdquo; - VivaciousCosmopolitan17217
<hr>
&ldquo;Lucca is a gorgeous town - definitely recommend cycling or walking round the walls. Also Restaurant de Ubaldo for the wacky interior and friendly staff. They do a music festival every summer in the town square, pretty cheap tickets for some big names in an incredible setting - plus you can pop out for cheap drinks from the local bars.&rdquo; -&nbsp;Thrill-seekingSolivagant80929

Over to you! Got any tips, questions, or recent travel stories to share with your fellow readers? Pop them <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-204-month-in-melbourne#comments">in the comment section</a>. Nothing's off limits (except the things that are, obviously)!&nbsp;

<ul data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-list-tree="true" class="p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__bullet p-rich_text_list--nested" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">First came Boaty McBoatface, then came Gritney Spears and David Plowie. Now, I present to you, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgv80mxry1o">Ctrl Alt Deleaf</a>. </li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">"Hold on to your hat, it's about to get windy!"&nbsp;- the words somebody should have said to their now cold-headed travel buddies at Yellowstone National Park. </li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">The World Stone Skimming Championships might sound fairly wholesome, but this year's competition found itself thrust into headlines thanks to a scandal we can only describe as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp982r99rrmo">Pebblegate</a>. </li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">From spores to shore, this mycologist just made history by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/07/mushroom-kayak-plastic-alternative">rowing&nbsp;a fungus kayak</a> across the open waters of the Atlantic, inspiring eco-innovation talks. </li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">And finally, Fat Bear Week has begun once again! It's a grizzly competition, and we wouldn't be surprised if the claws come out. Who&rsquo;s the chonkiest?&nbsp;<a href="https://explore.org/fat-bear-week">You decide</a>!</li>
</ul>

One Month Down Under & Celebratory Escapes

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Martinique

Guadeloupe

Dominica

Germany

Gr&uuml;&szlig;e aus D&uuml;sseldorf, Travellers!
Thanks to your excellent suggestions over last week, I've got a packed schedule for my short time on the banks of the Rhine. As soon as we arrived yesterday, we headed into Little Tokyo, D&uuml;sseldorf's very own Japanese quarter, for a lunchtime bento box and a stroll through the Old Town.
Today's plans involve some serious public transport nerdery in nearby Wuppertal, where I'll be riding the famous Schwebebahn. For those not in the know, that's the <a href="http://theguardian.com/travel/2025/jun/09/riding-high-in-germany-on-the-worlds-oldest-suspended-railway">world's oldest suspended railway</a>.&nbsp;
Once we've had our fill of public transport (if that's even possible), it'll be time to use our two feet on a <a href="https://www.duisburg.de/microsites/visit_duisburg/discover_the_city/industrial_heritage/tiger-turtle.php">walking rollercoaster</a>. I'm expecting some great views and sore glutes after that! Don't worry, I'll report back on whether the burn is worth the reward.
Meantime, Flight Finder Olivia has put together all the essential info for making your Yellowstone dreams a reality, while Genora is helping you navigate the Caribbean, and Kash needs some more of your Italian wisdom.
Happy travels and safe landings,

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Winging Your Way to Yellowstone National Park

San Diego native Olivia left home two 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. When she's not hiking through the desert or the woods, she can usually be found exploring her current city and scoping out the best bars and coffee shops.

By Olivia

If you&rsquo;ve only heard of one US National Park, there&rsquo;s a pretty good chance it&rsquo;s Yellowstone. Visitors have been flocking here to witness the wide open plains, roaring waterfalls, roaming bison, and geothermal weirdness since 1872.
In addition to being the first national park, it&rsquo;s also one of the largest &mdash; almost half the size of Slovenia &mdash; which can make it a bit daunting when you&rsquo;re in the early stages of planning.&nbsp;

The first decision you&rsquo;ll need to make? Where to begin your adventure! Because this massive park has a total of five entrances, Yellowstone visitors can fly in and out of several different airports dotted around the region. Each one comes with its own pros and cons, but all are within a day&rsquo;s drive of the park.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;m here to break down some of the most popular airports near Yellowstone and help you decide which one is right for your trip. Before we get going, keep these three things in mind:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Each one of these towns host plenty of tour companies, so non-drivers can also take their pick from any of these options.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Aside from one stretch of park inside the North Entrance, Yellowstone is closed from October-May due to weather. We&rsquo;ll be focusing on the fully operational months here.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Have a look at <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/yellowstone-national-park-map">this park map</a> to get your bearings. Note the entrances at the edges of the park; that&rsquo;s what we&rsquo;re measuring to get our drive times.</li>
</ul>
Now without further ado, here's where to fly into Yellowstone!

<h2 dir="ltr">West Yellowstone (WYS)</h2>
Montana
Why fly here?
Proximity to the park! This is the closest airport to Yellowstone. You can leave the airport parking lot and be at the West Entrance in less than ten minutes, and you can make it all the way to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XVtdU6iuH_E">Old Faithful</a> in under an hour. The town itself is pretty small but has plenty of accommodations, so you don&rsquo;t have to sacrifice comfort for convenience either.

The catch? Severely limited flight options. Routes only go through Denver and Salt Lake. But if you don&rsquo;t mind stopping in one of those cities and splurging for the rarer flights, you&rsquo;ll be rewarded with the most seamless park access that a visitor can get.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Distance: 5 minutes from the West Entrance</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Available routes: Non-stops to DEN, SLC (May-October) exclusively</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Airlines: Delta, United (regional networks only, not the primary airline)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Rental Car Agencies: Avis, Budget</li>
</ul>

<h2 dir="ltr">Jackson Hole (JAC)</h2>
Wyoming
Why fly here?
You&rsquo;ll be right between Yellowstone and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm">Grand Teton National Park</a>, its slightly less famous but just as beautiful neighbor (pictured below). This is the closest airport to Grand Teton, but it&rsquo;s also one of the most convenient options for Yellowstone.

Jackson Hole is a <a href="https://visitjacksonhole.com/stay">charming mountain town</a> that grew around visitors like you, so this option is perfect for people who want a comfortable homebase with accessibility to both parks. Spend your days hiking and paddling, then come on back for fine dining or local brews!&nbsp;
Routes are still a bit limited here, but way more varied than West Yellowstone&rsquo;s. Plus, take-offs and landings come with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfHzQyMs39P/">absolutely stunning views</a>.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Distance: 1 hour from the South Entrance</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Available flight routes: <a href="https://www.jacksonholeairport.com/flights/">Daily flights</a> to some major US airports, no international non-stops</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Airlines: Alaska, American, Delta, United</li>
<li>Rental Car Agencies: Avis/Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National</li>
</ul>

<h2 dir="ltr">Salt Lake City (SLC)</h2>
Utah
Why fly here?
Salt Lake isn&rsquo;t exactly close to the parks, but it&rsquo;s the closest major city with a big international airport. That all means it's usually the cheapest airport to fly into Yellowstone. And that extra time in the car won&rsquo;t be a slog &mdash; this is an <a href="https://www.yellowstonepark.com/road-trips/road-trip-itineraries/salt-lake-city-to-yellowstone-road-trip/">established road trip route</a>.

With by FAR the most options for routes and airlines, this is also typically the best choice for people flying into Yellowstone from overseas. We&rsquo;re talking hundreds of dollars cheaper than the other airports at times! And while it&rsquo;s not exactly convenient, the drive is totally doable in one day, so you need not spend any extra cash on hotels if you don&rsquo;t want to.&nbsp;
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/your-guide-to-flying-into-yellowstone">Read more...</a>

Caribbean Island Hopping Without Breaking the Bank

"I am looking for tips, tricks and advice on island hopping in the Carribbean. I have signed up for a 1-week singing retreat on Dominica at the end of February 26.
Ideally, I would spend the 8 weeks before the retreat exploring the islands. I want to avoid the US- governed/administered islands.
I am a budget traveller who hates resorts. I am happiest mingling with the locals, enjoying their art, culture and music.
Public transport on the islands is just fine, but what about on water? Commercial flights and ferries add up real fast. Is there a way to find a boat that takes passengers from island A to island B?
Thanks for any advice." -&nbsp;Kerstin in Wakefield, Quebec

Genora loves spotting a great flight deal&hellip; and then putting it to good use! She's lived in more than five countries to date, and enjoys adding new places to her ever-growing travel bucket list.

Answered by Genora

Hi Kerstin, a singing retreat in Dominica sounds amazing!
And I totally get wanting to do some sightseeing beforehand. To stay on budget and avoid the US-run islands, I&rsquo;d suggest focusing on the Lesser Antilles. The FRS Express runs a reliable ferry corridor connecting Guadeloupe -&gt; Dominica -&gt; Martinique -&gt; Saint Lucia.
One option is to fly into St Vincent &amp; the Grenadines (SVG) &mdash; flights are usually cheaper via the US, but sometimes you&rsquo;ll find good routes with a stop in Toronto or Ottawa. From a base in Kingstown, you can ferry-hop to Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, and Union Island on local ferries (usually around US$10&ndash;20 per leg).
From there, take a short flight (about 45 minutes) from SVG to Saint Lucia. If you time it right, try to land there on a Friday for the legendary Gros Islet Friday Night Street Party.
Next, catch the FRS ferry to Martinique (~90 minutes), then continue north through Dominica and up to Guadeloupe, where you can do easy side trips to Les Saintes and Marie-Galante. Afterward, head back down to Dominica for your retreat.

FRS also runs ferries to islands like St Kitts and Montserrat, but those routes tend to be pricier. This route works nicely because your biggest transport cost will be the international flight from Qu&eacute;bec to SVG. After that, it&rsquo;s just one short SVG &rarr; Saint Lucia flight, and the rest is ferries - usually &euro;19&ndash;31 for FRS depending on fare class. I&rsquo;ve attached an <a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://www.frs-express.com/fileadmin/user_upload/frs-express-des-iles/documents/BROCHURE_INTERACTIVE_FRS-ENG-web.pdf" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.frs-express.com/fileadmin/user_upload/frs-express-des-iles/documents/BROCHURE_INTERACTIVE_FRS-ENG-web.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">FRS brochure</a>&nbsp;that might come in handy.
If you&rsquo;d prefer to avoid commercial ferries altogether, there&rsquo;s also the option of yacht hitchhiking or crewing through sites like <a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://www.crewbay.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.crewbay.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">CrewBay</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://www.findacrew.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.findacrew.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">FindACrew</a>. These usually work on a cost-sharing basis, but you&rsquo;d need to stay flexible on timing (don&rsquo;t expect same-day departures). If you go that route, take safety seriously: verify the captain&rsquo;s ID/registration, and make sure they&rsquo;re clearing through official ports only.&nbsp;
And then there's the option of mail boats, which <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/the-mailboat-chronicles-sailing-the-bahamas-like-a-local">Kash wrote about a couple of months back</a>. They are definitely the slow way to travel, and harder to find. But if you're up for doing some research, you might strike gold.
I hope this helps you plan, Kerstin! If any of you other intrepid island hoppers have some tips to share, please <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-203-winging-to-yellowstone-caribbean-sailing#comments">hop into the comments</a>.

Lucca-ing for some advice&hellip;

Flight Finder 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.

Hello, lovely readers. Are you feeling the shift of seasons? I sure am! 
Here in Ireland, September&rsquo;s light quietly sets in. The festivals of Samhradh&nbsp;(that&rsquo;s summer&nbsp;as gaeilge) slowly slip away, and cloudbursts loom over the four corners of my thatch cottage - as if to see whether I&rsquo;ll be the one to break the season open with the first fire in the stove.
Not yet. 
No match will be struck until I&rsquo;ve squeezed in every last ounce of summer into my suitcase! Cue a gals trip to Italy with my BFF. And that&rsquo;s where we need your tips on what to see and what to skip.
After hearing so much praise from our members about Lucca&rsquo;s medieval charm (thanks for the <a href="https://jacksflightclub.com/jacks-flight-club-review">Postcard </a>James!) we thought we&rsquo;d go and see what the fuss was about.

Afterward, we&rsquo;ll head for Liguria&rsquo;s shimmering coast, skipping Cinque Terre&rsquo;s touristic chaos. Instead, we'll plop ourselves under the peaceful parasols of a place known to locals as "la citt&agrave; dei due mari"&nbsp;- the city of two seas,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="https://www.google.com/maps/place/16039+Sestri+Levante,+Metropolitan+City+of+Genoa,+Italy/@44.2801422,9.3695474,10810m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x12d496ff0e5eaf51:0xa6cc1c02c290cc18!8m2!3d44.2726936!4d9.4094511!16zL20vMDgyZzc3?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkwMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/16039+Sestri+Levante,+Metropolitan+City+of+Genoa,+Italy/@44.2801422,9.3695474,10810m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x12d496ff0e5eaf51:0xa6cc1c02c290cc18!8m2!3d44.2726936!4d9.4094511!16zL20vMDgyZzc3?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkwMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sestri Levante</a>. We stumbled upon this seaside town on Google Maps purely by chance, and zooming in on the&nbsp;&ldquo;Bay of Silence&rdquo;&nbsp;we were sold.
For us, it&rsquo;s all about authenticity, slowing down, and, of course, the people (and food) you encounter along the way.
Been to either spot? I&rsquo;m dying to hear your favourite hidden corners, hikes, caf&eacute;s, stories, sunset spots &mdash; we're all ears, just let us know <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-203-winging-to-yellowstone-caribbean-sailing#comments">in the comment section</a>.
Grazie Mille!

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Petty, or justified? One traveller&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/travel-stories/plane-passengers-petty-hack-to-create-space-for-carryon-sparks-plane-etiquette-debate/news-story/f11030c8a05718d4787e3d5a3b4c52ab">reaction to a lack of overhead bin space</a> has the internet divided.&nbsp; </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The population of near-extinct mountain gorillas has increased from about 300 to over a thousand &mdash; here&rsquo;s a look inside the <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/virunga-national-park-century-anniversary-mountain-gorilla">violent, complex struggle that made it happen</a>. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">From pastries atop a Kosovan mountain, to whatever this man in Crete happened to harvest from his garden that morning, Guardian readers are sharing their <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/sep/05/readers-favourite-food-experiences-meals-europe">favorite culinary experiences across Europe</a>. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Hotel prices in <a href="https://www.thestreet.com/travel/multiple-airlines-cancel-flights-to-us-city-amid-alarming-trend">this popular US city</a> have ballooned by 70% in the last decade, causing tourism to plummet &mdash; and airlines are taking notice. </li>
<li>And finally, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/made-friend-on-international-flight-became-pen-pals-2025-9">wholesome lessons</a> from a 95-year-old solo traveller. Pen and paper at the ready!</li>
</ul>

Italy

£30-£39 rtn

Sicily in $420s-$630s RT

£40 rtn

€68 rtn

Northern Italy in $710s-$740s RT

Milan at $527 RT