Europe

Sweden isn’t just the sleek, high-design wonderland you see in glossy magazines—it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, packed with history and a café culture that’s arguably the best in the world. Whether you’re hunting for the best Sweden flight deals to experience the midnight sun in Swedish Lapland, wandering the historic streets of Stockholm’s Gamla Stan, or exploring the maritime charm of Gothenburg, we’ve got your back. Our navigators are on the hunt for the genuinely good value airfare that unlocks the magic of Scandinavia, giving you the insider tips you need to book smarter, save on the essentials, and secure cheap flights to Sweden.

East Coast vs. West Coast, Sweden Edition!

Boston

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.

Gothenburg

Sweden

Sweden isn’t just the sleek, high-design wonderland you see in glossy magazines—it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, packed with history and a café culture that’s arguably the best in the world.

Stockholm

Sweden ☕ in $480s-$490s RT

Baltimore

Copenhagen

Denmark is far more than just sleek architecture and an obsession with bike lanes—it’s an effortless blend of Scandi-cool design, cosy hygge culture, and historic harbour cities that don't need to shout to be impressive. Whether you’re planning a weekend of design-spotting in Copenhagen, exploring the ancient, cobbled streets of Aarhus, or chasing music festival highs in Roskilde, we’re constantly tracking the best Denmark flight deals to get you there for a bargain. Stop overpaying, snag some cheap flights to Denmark, and find out why this corner of Scandinavia is worth far more than just a quick layover.

Denmark

Denmark is far more than just sleek architecture and an obsession with bike lanes—it’s an effortless blend of Scandi-cool design, cosy hygge culture, and historic harbour cities that don't need to shout to be impressive.

Portland

Washington DC

Oslo

Norway has a knack for making almost every other landscape look a bit ordinary, and with the right intel, getting there doesn't have to cost a fortune. We’re deep in the data to find you the best Norway flight deals, clearing the path for you to trade your local view for the dramatic, towering fjords, the Northern Lights, or the historic charm of Bergen. Our insider strategy will help you score cheap flights to Norway and keep your travel budget focused on the important stuff—like exploring the vibrant streets of Oslo and experiencing the wild, untamed beauty of the Arctic north.

Norway

Norway has a knack for making almost every other landscape look a bit ordinary, and with the right intel, getting there doesn't have to cost a fortune.

Norway, Sweden & Denmark 🌲 in $430s-$550s RT

London Gatwick

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.

Alicante

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.

Dubrovnik

If you’ve spent the better part of this year staring at photos of the Adriatic and wondering if a Mediterranean escape is actually in the cards, we’ve got good news: the islands are closer (and cheaper) than you think. Croatia is the ultimate travel-sized wonder, balancing 1,000+ islands with historic hubs like Dubrovnik and Split that are best experienced without the premium travel price tag. We’re deep in the data to find the best Croatia flight deals, clearing the path for you to trade your daily commute for a swim in the Dalmatian Coast waters. Stop overpaying for the basics; use our intel to score cheap flights to Croatia and spend your savings on the stuff that actually matters—like that extra round of local wine in Hvar.

Croatia

If you’ve spent the better part of this year staring at photos of the Adriatic and wondering if a Mediterranean escape is actually in the cards, we’ve got good news: the islands are closer (and cheaper) than you think

Cagliari

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.

London Heathrow

Barcelona

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.

Belfast City

Northern Ireland

Berlin

Germany

Billund

Brussels

It’s rare to find a country that packs so much culture into such a travel-sized package, yet Belgium remains one of Europe’s most underrated escapes. Whether you’re nursing a legendary Trappist ale in a Brussels tavern, getting lost in the storybook canals of Bruges, or soaking up the historic, edgy energy of Ghent, you’re doing it all in one of the most accessible corners of the continent. We’re obsessively tracking the best Belgium flight deals to make sure you get there for less, leaving you more of your travel budget to spend on moules-frites and local chocolate. Skip the high-priced travel packages, secure your cheap flights to Belgium, and discover why this compact gem is punching way above its weight class.

Belgium

It’s rare to find a country that packs so much culture into such a travel-sized package, yet Belgium remains one of Europe’s most underrated escapes.

Bucharest

Romania

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

Luxembourg

Madrid

Toulouse

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.

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.

Inverness

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!

Across Europe 🚋 in £70s-£140s rtn

Paris

Stockholm and Oslo ❄️ at €78-€99 rtn from Paris Orly

Stockholm 🕺 at €90 rtn from Berlin

Edinburgh

Gothenburg ⛵ at £38-£44 rtn from Edinburgh

My wife and I booked a trip to Stockholm and Copenhagen in July of 2025 (thanks to Jack’s e-mails we got an amazing deal!!) for travel dates during the US Thanksgiving holiday later that year. I am a US citizen and my wife is a US permanent legal resident with a Russian passport. We were to fly Finnair from Los Angeles, CA to Helsinki, Finland and then to Stockholm, Sweden, to start our vacation. I did not need a visa and my wife received her Schengen visa literally the day before our travel was set to begin.
We got to Los Angeles International airport three hours before our flight and headed to the check-in counter. The check-in personnel was taking way too long to process my wife’s check-in. After about 10 minutes we were told that my wife was not allowed to board the plane to Helsinki (regardless of her valid visa) because Finland does not allow Russian citizens to enter the country for tourism purposes, even if you are simply transiting!!! This was not flagged by the Swedish embassy during visa application (they require a copy of the iteninary) or the travel agent!!
We had been planning for this trip for over 6 months and couldn’t believe this was happening. Fortunately, right at the airport, we were able to book a flight to Stockholm through London via British Air that was leaving a couple of hours after our Finnair flight (and it was below $600). So, I flew via Helsinki and my wife flew via London. We reunited in Stockholm about 19 hours later, both tired but happy that our vacation was still on. This was not the only odd thing that happened that day, however. Turns out, at the end of her flight to London, the plane was held up at the arrival gate because there was a fugitive from law on board that plane! Sitting across the aisle from my wife!! But that’s another story altogether...

Story from DynamicDrifter51140

Gothenburg: Visiting a European Christmas market had been a long term wish you helped me fulfil!

Thanks, Jack and your team!

Postcard from ojasJFC797105

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

Fantastic price for a return flight allowing me to take an unexpected weekend break and spoil myself with a beautiful (and special) hotel.. it wasn’t even on my bucket list of countries but I would go again.

Postcard from Wendy 

Hi, I booked my return trip to India yesterday over December and got it for 399 without a checked bag (and 458 with). This is a direct flight via BA from London &gt; Delhi &gt; London. Thought I’d share!

Postcard from Sangam

This was a great deal and we just flew SAS to Copenhagen. We booked this for a trip to Berlin! 

Postcard from Amanda

Canada

Iceland

Egypt

Fiji

Mexico

Hi there, Travellers,
For me, the travel experience starts long before I reach the destination. The speculating, the fare tracking, the booking, the planning, the bus to the airport, and even the flight itself&mdash;they're all part of the trip and the lasting memories.&nbsp;
But would I splash out on a flight just for the experience...? The <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/pan-am-returns-golden-age-aviation">new owners of the Pan Am brand</a> are sure hoping some of us will, as they look to relaunch commercial flights in the coming years, banking on nostalgia and reputation to carry them through. In the meantime, they're going to launch Pan Am as a lifestyle brand, and I must admit I'm much more likely to purchase a tote bag than I am a 5-figure-sum flight.
What do you think? Would you splash out on tickets with the new Pan Am for a taste of the 'Golden Age of Travel'? Let us know <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-239-where-to-escape-this-june-and-your-tales-from-the-road#comments">in the comments</a>.
Happy travels and safe landings,

Katy - Editor of The Detour

Hannah loves spotting a deal to somewhere she can add to her endless bucket list. When she&rsquo;s not busy writing up travel inspo, you&rsquo;ll probably find her buying some new vinyl or tackling her TBR list.

By Hannah

Summer&rsquo;s finally arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, so the temperatures are creeping up nicely, and we're all getting in that travel mindset. And if you get going now, you should still be able to avoid the peak of the summer crowds that&rsquo;ll arrive later on in the season.
Then down in the Southern Hemisphere, some countries are leaving their wet weather behind, and the sunshine is starting to appear again&mdash;aka, no emergency brolly packing!
Read through our choices of the best places to visit in June and take your pick between iconic cultural festivals across Europe, idyllic beach breaks off the African coast, and plenty more!

<h2 dir="ltr">Newfoundland, Canada</h2>
Why? Iceberg season
Key dates: Early June
Closest airport: St. John&rsquo;s (YYT)
So you&rsquo;ve heard of chasing storms and Northern Lights, but what about <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/newfoundland-coast-iceberg-alley">iceberg chasing</a>?
Iceberg Alley is a stretch of water off the coast of Newfoundland where massive icebergs drift through from Greenland each year &mdash; some are over 10,000 years old!&nbsp;
Iceberg viewing season starts in April over there, but it reaches its peak in May-June, when hundreds of travellers flock to the coast.
Of course, you might not wanna jump on a boat to see them (did you never see Titanic?!), but somewhere like <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLGQwTgSfd5/">Twillingate</a>, aka the &lsquo;Iceberg Capital of the World,&rsquo; has great viewpoints (yes, on solid ground) where you&rsquo;ll see the giants gently float past you.
The aptly named <a href="http://icebergfinder.com">icebergfinder.com</a> is a great tool to help you spot them too, with live location updates and pictures from other users.

<h2 dir="ltr">Dalarna, Sweden</h2>
Why? Swedish Midsummer&nbsp;
Key dates: 19th June 2026
Closest airport: Stockholm (ARN), or &Ouml;rebro (ORB)
<a href="https://sweden.se/culture/celebrations/swedish-midsummer">Midsummer</a> is one of Sweden&rsquo;s most iconic traditions, when the country comes together to celebrate the days being at their longest by dancing around a maypole wearing flower crowns and traditional outfits.
Celebrations happen all over the country, but the <a href="https://www.visitdalarna.se/en/everything-you-need-know-about-midsummer-dalarna">Dalarna region</a> is where you wanna be. When midsummer rolls around, tens of thousands of visitors flock to small towns like Leksand to celebrate the festival. 
The world&rsquo;s biggest celebrations happen there, featuring traditional fiddlers, choirs, folk outfits, and Sweden&rsquo;s tallest maypole to ring dance around. And as for&nbsp;<a href="https://swedishness.ch/blogs/midsummer-blogs/midsummerfood">the food</a>, a dish of pickled herring and new potatoes, followed by strawberry cake for dessert, is a must.

<h2 dir="ltr">San Francisco, USA</h2>
Why? Pride
Key dates: 27th-28th June
Closest airport: San Francisco (SFO)
June is Pride Month in the US, and let me tell you, <a href="https://sfpride.org/">San Francisco</a> goes all out.
This city has a lot of history surrounding the March; in 1978 Harvey Milk delivered his 'Hope' speech, and the flag we've all come to recognise was flown for the first time.
Nowadays, it&rsquo;s not America&rsquo;s biggest Pride festival (you&rsquo;ll have to head over to <a href="https://www.nycpride.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York</a> for that), but it certainly packs a punch with a massive parade travelling through the city, complete with massive floats and wildly colourful outfits.
And it&rsquo;s not just the parade to keep you busy &mdash; the city&rsquo;s iconic Civic Center becomes a hub for other festivities, with seemingly endless entertainment from singers, dancers, and drag queens who deliver on all fronts.
P.S. If you fancy a Californian road trip, you could start in&nbsp;<a href="https://lapride.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LA on their pride weekend</a>, spend 2 weeks driving through the state, and end in San Fran just in time!&nbsp;
Keep reading for more <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/the-best-places-to-visit-in-june">off-beat and unexpected June travel suggestions</a>...

Travel Tips

It's been a couple of months since we honed in on where you've all been visiting, the stories you've been sharing, and the questions you've been asking. So let's get to it!&nbsp;
First up, some of your Postcards from the frozen north...

My second trip to Svalbard with a Jack&rsquo;s deal. Now to look out for the third!

Postcard from EnterprisingHodophile92486

Postcard from IndomitableVisitant25453

Took a trip to Svalbard to see the walruseseses! A beautiful, but at times, somber, trip. Climate change is very real.

Postcard from SuperWhelk

For all you Svalbard superfans out there, SuperWhelk has some insider tips...
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"I stayed at Gjestehuset 102, in Nyben. It&rsquo;s right at the top of the hill! If you stay with them you get a 5% discount on some of the excursions, which makes the budget easier to manage. I cannot recommend the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cafehuskies">Huskies Cafe</a> enough, they look after retired sled dogs and the food and drink is superb. I went as often as I could! Every day, I did a boat tour to a different place. Hvurtigen &amp; Snowfox are good providers to look at."
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But it's not been all auroras and icebergs for Jack's Travellers! Let's thaw out with some postcards from cozier climes:

Wananavu trip! (Thats awesome in Fiji). Wayasawa Island was beautiful. Excellent snorkeling and great honestly with private beach. The main island was fun too. Highly recommend the Navua River rafting.

Postcard from ChrisC

Meant to stay in Oaxaca for 3 weeks. Ended up staying for 2 months. Absolutely loved the place.
The food. The culture. The people. The scenery.
Absolutely unbelievable place.
Not a chain restaurant in sight!

Postcard from Whodunnit

Once in a life time experience, met life long friends, explored the history and enjoyed every minute.

Postcard from Traverse905

And as Jack's members gear up for their summer trips, planning questions are beginning to roll in, like this one in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2827386050950571/">our Facebook community</a> from member Katy:
<blockquote>
"Can someone please talk me through e-sims please. I am going to Morocco on Saturday for about 10 days"
</blockquote>
We'd love to hear about your go-to eSIM solutions <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-239-where-to-escape-this-june-and-your-tales-from-the-road#comments">in the comments</a>. Providers, region vs global vs country packages, discount hacks&mdash;if you have a tip, please share!
Or if you have any other travel questions you'd love to get advice on from the Jack's Community or our Navigators, click the button below!

Tales from the Road

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel chatter from around the Jack's Community this month.
<ul>
<li>Jacks Travelers in our Facebook community have been <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2825021901186986/">showing off their photography skills</a>, and&nbsp;WOW&nbsp;are you a talented bunch! </li>
<li>Wanna go to Asia, but keen to avoid transiting in the Middle East? Your best choice could well be a Chinese airline like China Eastern.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYw6b5niIj0/">Here's Navigator Lauren's airline review</a> from her recent trip. </li>
<li>When asking for Malta tips, Traveler Rachel probably never expected that <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2802403230115520/">a whole other island</a> would come out on top.&nbsp; </li>
<li>In the battle of Paros vs Naxos, <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-238-planning-for-japan-reviewing-alaska-airlines#comments">the winner is... both</a>! </li>
<li>And finally, we don't&nbsp;think&nbsp;Dua Lipa is a Jack's member, but she's definitely one of us. We can tell by the <a href="https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/maps/dua-lipa/">Google Maps Lists</a> she's just shared, featuring her top recs for bars, restaurants, bookstores, and more around the world. And Dua, if you are a member, <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/home?contribute=postcard">send us a Postcard</a> from your next adventure?</li>
</ul>

Community News

Where to Escape This June & Your Tales from the Road

Portugal

Rwanda

Tanzania

If you&rsquo;re looking for some inspiration on the best places to visit in June, then you&rsquo;ve come to the right place!
Summer&rsquo;s finally arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, so the temperatures are creeping up nicely, but you should still be able to avoid the peak of the summer crowds that&rsquo;ll arrive later on in the season.
Then down in the Southern Hemisphere, some countries are leaving their wet weather behind, and the sunshine is starting to appear again &mdash; aka, no emergency brolly packing!
Read through our choices of the best places to visit in June and take your pick between iconic cultural festivals across Europe, idyllic beach breaks off the African coast, and plenty more! 
<h2 dir="ltr">Porto, Portugal</h2>
Why? Festa de S&atilde;o Jo&atilde;o
Key dates: 23rd June 2026
Closest airport: Porto (OPO)
Parties, fireworks, and hitting people with plastic hammers&hellip; that&rsquo;s the S&atilde;o Jo&atilde;o Festival!&nbsp;
Each year, on the night of June 23rd (Saint John&rsquo;s Eve), the streets of Porto come alive in celebrations that date back around 700 years. All throughout the city you&rsquo;ll find concerts, dancing, and <a href="https://cantocooking.com/porto-sao-joao-festival-guide-everything-you-need-to-know/#:~:text=3.%20What%20to%20Eat%20During%20S%C3%A3o%20Jo%C3%A3o%20Festival%20in%20Porto%3A%20A%20Feast%20for%20the%20Senses">traditional dishes</a> getting grilled up right before your eyes.
And while there&rsquo;s plenty going on in the streets, the Douro River is where you&rsquo;re gonna wanna be. Once the sun sets, you&rsquo;ll get the best views of massive firework displays and locals releasing thousands of glowing lanterns into the night sky.

<h2 dir="ltr">Rwanda</h2>
Why? Gorilla trekking
Key dates: All month
Closest airport: Kigali (KGL)
One word: gorillas.
June is the start of the high season for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, which means you&rsquo;ll be treated to mostly dry weather and great hiking conditions. Though you may want to pack an emergency poncho; it is a tropical rainforest after all!
Now we can&rsquo;t promise you&rsquo;ll be able to get <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUXhNc0d8gU">as up close and personal as Sir David Attenborough</a>. But once you have your <a href="https://www.volcanoesnationalpark.com/rwanda-gorilla-trekking-permit/">trekking permit</a> sorted (it&rsquo;s recommended you do this well in advance), you&rsquo;ll be able to go out looking for those endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
And of course, it&rsquo;s not just animals! Nope, this park got its name because the summits of not one, not two, but&nbsp;<a href="https://rwandaecocompany.com/the-five-volcano-mountains-in-rwanda/">five dormant volcanoes</a> lie within it. Make sure you&rsquo;ve got some comfy hiking boots!

<h2 dir="ltr">San Francisco, USA</h2>
Why? Pride
Key dates: 27th-28th June
Closest airport: San Francisco (SFO)
June is Pride Month in the US, and let me tell you, <a href="https://sfpride.org/">San Francisco</a> goes all out.
This city has a lot of history surrounding the March; in 1978 Harvey Milk delivered his 'Hope' speech, and the flag we've all come to recognise was flown for the first time.
Nowadays, it&rsquo;s not America&rsquo;s biggest Pride festival (you&rsquo;ll have to head over to <a href="https://www.nycpride.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York</a> for that), but it certainly packs a punch with a massive parade travelling through the city, complete with massive floats and wildly colourful outfits.
And it&rsquo;s not just the parade to keep you busy &mdash; the city&rsquo;s iconic Civic Center becomes a hub for other festivities, with seemingly endless entertainment from singers, dancers, and drag queens who deliver on all fronts.
P.S. If you fancy a Californian road trip, you could start in&nbsp;<a href="https://lapride.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LA on their pride weekend</a>, spend 2 weeks driving through the state, and end in San Fran just in time!&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Zanzibar</h2>
Why? High season
Key dates: All month
Nearest airport: Zanzibar (ZNZ)
<a href="https://www.discoverafrica.com/safaris/zanzibar/zanzibar-in-june/">June</a> marks the start of the long dry season (through to October) in Zanzibar, which means you&rsquo;re arriving on the island just in time for bright blue skies and plenty of sunshine.
Most travellers flock here for the <a href="https://passportnomads.com/best-beaches-in-zanzibar/">idyllic beaches</a>. And with endless stretches of soft white sand and glittering blue water, we can totally see why.
But it&rsquo;s not just about the beaches. If you can bring yourself to step away from your towel (I know, it&rsquo;s hard!), you can go scuba diving, kite surfing, island hopping, wandering around&nbsp;<a href="https://annaeverywhere.com/stone-town-zanzibar/">historic Stone Town</a>, and loads more.
And if you need tips on any of the above, you&rsquo;ll find loads of advice <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfcs-guide-to-zanzibar">in our guide to Zanzibar</a>. Tried, tested, and approved by Jack's Navigators!

The Best Places To Visit In June

Finland

Greece

Hey there, Travellers,
We were delighted to see yesterday that airlines aren't the only part of the industry where error fares pop up. <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/carnival-cruise-line-cancellations-travelers-b2976640.html">Carnival Cruise Line fell foul of a "glitch"</a> earlier in the week that saw fares slashed in half, and of course some eagle-eyed Redditors spread the word.
While we usually see airlines honouring error fares, Carnival opted not to, saying that it "fell far below any reasonable promotional fare." Despite getting a full refund, many affected travellers are upset as they'd already gone ahead and booked their flights out to the port of departure.
They clearly hadn't read <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/what-is-an-error-fare-and-how-to-book-one">our tips on what to do when you spot an error fare</a>. Spoiler: we always recommend waiting at least a couple of weeks before booking anything else in case the carrier chooses to cancel. Until then, give yourself a pat on the back and open a bottle of bubbly to celebrate!&nbsp;
Happy travels and safe landings,

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This&nbsp;special&nbsp;&pound;1 offer ends 20th&nbsp;May 2026, so don't miss out and start your Wanderlust journey today.&nbsp;

In Partnership with Wanderlust

With journeys spanning more than 30 countries and ten years, Akasha's best memories live in the pages of her passport. She always consults her tarot (and her cats) before any big trip. Currently based in Ireland, when she isn't travelling, she&rsquo;s probably drawing in a caf&eacute; somewhere.

By Akasha

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" id="a-little-to-the-left">A little to the left</h2>

Meet the undisputed champion of border lore. One of only two counter-enclaves in the world, and certainly 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.

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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;
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/the-worlds-weirdest-borders">Keep reading for more barmy borders...</a>

Travel Inspiration

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

Back in March,&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/will-the-new-ees-system-give-you-border-control-nightmares-this-summer">we shared what we already knew</a> about the new EU Entry/Exit System. It 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 got an EES tale to tell?&nbsp;<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>!

What a deal!!! When I saw it, I didn&rsquo;t even hesitate to book! It got me 20 days in the wonderful country of Chile, where I got to see my first desert (and the driest one at that), and finally see the Pacific again! A great trip, and the money I saved on the flight just meant more souvenirs to bring back home.

Miami to Santiago, Chile at $383 RT

Postcard from ShopaholicShrimp

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across the web this week.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://simpleflying.com/true-business-class-passengers-priority-emergency-evacuation/">Can fare class dictate</a> in what order you evacuate a plane? </li>
<li>Ever felt like you'd be able to keep raving a little longer, if only you could take a nap without getting thrown out of the club? <a href="https://secretberlin.co/en/the-infinite-now-kraftwerk-berlin-3/">Berlin has the solution</a>. </li>
<li>Young Americans, take the money-saving wins where you can get them with <a href="https://www.afar.com/magazine/tsa-precheck-offers-discount-for-young-travelers">discounted TSA PreCheck</a> this summer. </li>
<li>Yes, <a href="https://www.cntraveller.com/article/englands-eight-best-northern-seaside-towns">"England" and "beach holiday"</a> do go together, even in the north. Fish and chips obligatory. </li>
<li>And finally, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy82j0q383no">Magnus the walrus</a> spent weeks making waves around Scotland before disappearing back into the chilly North Sea. As it transpires, he'd simply had enough of us and decided to continue his Northern European tour across in Norway. Do send us a pic if you spot him!</li>
</ul>

Travel News

Weird and Wonderful Borders & a May EES Update

Oman

United Arab Emirates

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

Czech Republic

Wales

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jack's Festive Facts from Around the World

China

Kazakhstan

Faroe Islands

India

Bulgaria

Australia

Ecuador

Guam

Sometimes you just want to get off the beaten track and delve into the more isolated corners of the world. However, getting to these places can often be both challenging and expensive. We've put together a guide on how to get to some of the most remote places on earth for cheap.
This list is not an exhaustive guide, and we'd highly recommend doing your own research before making your way to the places below.
<h2>1. Gurbant&uuml;ngg&uuml;t Desert, China</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/0d61be165463a34e5e17d70fcc6d3f45503865cc" alt="Gurbantunggut Desert China" width="745" height="453">
Sandwiched between Kazakhstan and Mongolia, the Gurbant&uuml;ngg&uuml;t Desert is located in northwestern China. It is the country&rsquo;s second-largest desert behind the Taklamakan Desert and occupies 50,000 square kilometers of Northern Xinjiang.
It&rsquo;s one of the most arid areas of the world, but the nearby glacial mountains of Tian Shan are a major water source for the province, providing valuable hydration once the snow melts. Spring is the best time for a spot of desert trekking, when blooming flowers stand out against the sandy backdrop.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there">How to get there</h3>
To get to the Gurbant&uuml;ngg&uuml;t Desert, you can take a flight from London to&nbsp;&Uuml;r&uuml;mqi (URC), the capital city of Xinjiang province, with your choice of several Chinese airlines. Our team has tested out China Southern and China Eastern; <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfc-honest-airline-reviews-china-southern">here's what they had to say</a>.
Once at &Uuml;r&uuml;mqi, take a one-hour bus/train to the city of&nbsp;Shihezi, then another bus to&nbsp;Group 150 (yes, this is a place, named by the military) for another hour.
After arrival at Group 150, you'll need a taxi or a coach to cover the last 10 km. Easy peasy.
<h2>2. Supai, Arizona</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/65fb2c184ae2c2cff16974e8eedda9fd112aa41b" alt="Supai Arizona Waterfall" width="740" height="562">
The village of Supai, the capital of the Havasupai Reservation, has mail delivery service for its 43 households carried out by a team of mules.&nbsp;
That's because there are no roads leading to Supai! Unlike most rural destinations in the United States, this town is a full eight miles from the nearest drivable street and requires you to travel by foot (or hoof), or book a helicopter ride to reach the town.
<h3>How to get there</h3>
Start by flying into Las Vegas. From there you&rsquo;re going to want to rent a car for the 3-4 hour drive to the Hualapai Hilltop, which is essentially a car park. From there, you'll either need to hike the 8-mile trail or rent a mule to help you out. You could also splurge on a helicopter, but with surroundings this beautiful, why not take your time?
You'll also need to get your hands on a permit, which can be pretty costly ($455 as of 2026) and comes with set rules on how long you can stay.&nbsp;
<h2>3. Kolsai Lakes, Kazakhstan</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/e2d32256dd3781f6d6e68490a8fd73bd45369cd3" alt="Kolsai Lakes Kazakhstan" width="740" height="587">
Around 75 miles southeast of Almaty, near the northern foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains, sits the breathtaking Kolsai Lakes National Park. At its center are the Kolsai Lakes, often referred to as &lsquo;The Pearls of Tian Shan&rsquo;, an untouched, scenic area of Kazakhstan.
Of the lakes, Kaindy is perhaps the best known among travelers for its <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DKWmCA2I6n5/">eerie skeleton trees</a>.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-06">How to get there</h3>
The first part of the journey involves flying into Almaty Airport. From there, grab a&nbsp;marshrutka or taxi to Saty. You can also pick up organized tours from Almaty.
The first lake is fairly easy to reach by taxi or hitchhiking, thanks to a new asphalt road from Saty. You can then hike to the second, but make sure you take your passport, as you may encounter Kyrgyz border patrol along the way.
<h2>4. Faroe Islands</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/599e78da4b094f5f5dfc62f919c335bbf25635e9" alt="Faroe Islands Overview" width="740" height="584">
The Faroe Islands is a little easier to reach than some of the other locations on this list due to an increase in flights over the past several years, but don't be fooled&mdash;you're still visiting an isolated archipelago with a population less than half the size of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. It's remote travel made easy!
<h3 id="h">How to get there</h3>
Six of the islands are connected by road, so you can soak up the vast amount of snow-capped scenery from a rental car once you have arrived at the pocket-sized Vagar Airport. Atlantic Airways is the main airline connecting the Faroes with the rest of Europe, including Edinburgh, London, Copenhagen, Paris, Oslo, and more.
<h2>5. Changthang Plateau, Tibet</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/2ba3e4a730752e9c165232a8280588c805fb482f" alt="Chang Tang Tibet" width="740" height="534">
Changthang is located in the west of the Tibetan Plateau and sits at an altitude of over 4000 m. It&rsquo;s a truly wild and untouched 700,000 km&sup2; area of largely uninhabited land that experiences harsh, arctic-like winters. However, visiting between May and October opens up the chance to spot wild yaks, antelope, and snow leopards and see nomadic life in action.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-01">How to get there</h3>
First, fly to Leh, Kashmir, likely with a layover in Delhi. From there, you&rsquo;ll need to rent a car, as it's a four-hour bumpy ride out to the&nbsp;Tibetan Plateau.
<h2>6. Kungsleden, Sweden</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/7a98dcf5bbe5d33b356e8d02990d5a213f7eda0e" alt="Kungsleden Sweden" width="733" height="589">
Northern Sweden is perfect for the more ambitious, wilderness-loving travelers. Kungsleden, also known as the King's Trail, is a 270-mile-long hiking trail between Abisko (North) and Hemavan (South Sweden). The trail passes through the Game of Thrones-esque Vindelfjallen Nature Reserve, which has to be seen to be believed.
A series of huts located 6-14 miles apart are open during the summer, but the weather can be unpredictable and potentially treacherous all year round.
<h3>How to get there</h3>
Fly into Kiruna after a layover in Stockholm. From there, it&rsquo;s a 1.5-hour bus ride to Abisko, and then you're on your way. Don't forget to pack your rain jacket&nbsp;and&nbsp;sunscreen.
<h2>7. Andaman Islands</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/ab92fd1359b100882bae286c928ea023129a7435" alt="Andaman Islands Beach" width="740" height="634">
The beautiful (and largely untouched) Andaman Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, between India and Myanmar. The islands are home to numerous tribes, including the Sentinelese, known for their hostility towards visitors. Many of the inhabitants have had little contact with the outside world. Only a dozen or so of the 300 islands are open to visitors, so this is a must-visit if you're looking to tick off a major spot on that remote location bucket list.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-02">How to get there</h3>
Start by flying into Delhi or Bangalore, India. Then it's on to&nbsp;Veer Savarkar Airport, also known as Port Blair, which is the main airport for the Andaman Islands.
<h2>8. Rila National Park, Bulgaria</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/7ecf4aeddb4215bc1a29c829e244c98afc69922b" alt="Rila National Park Bulgaria" width="740" height="509">
Rila National Park is the largest nature reserve in Bulgaria, stretching across more than 800 square kilometers. Rila is practically made for fans of blue lakes, hiking trails, and epic views, and it&rsquo;s only 100 km away from the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. This makes it even cheaper and easier to visit!
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-03">How to get there</h3>
Fly into Sofia with a cheap and cheerful connection from anywhere in Europe, then hop on a bus from Sofia to Rila town. The trip takes around 2-3 hours from the central bus station.
<h2>9. Siwa Oasis, Egypt</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/211de9ede0a0c35dfc4bde40fd24c17744daa34e" alt="Siwa Oasis Egypt" width="739" height="629">
Siwa is the ideal location for all you desert daydreamers. Despite its arid appearance, Siwa is home to both olive and palm trees, with crystal-clear springs dotted throughout. Add to that the epic ruins of the Old Fortress, and it makes for quite the adventure.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-05">How to get there</h3>
First things first, fly to Cairo. From here you have a rather long drive of around 740 km to Siwa Oasis, which could take 10 or more hours. There are night buses leaving Cairo and Alexandria between 9 and 11 pm if you're up for a restless night, while shared minivan transfers travel during the day from coastal towns.
<h2>10. Guam, Micronesia</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/7f5402f0311141111d21f175a4feb6d3a4b7b42b" alt="Guam Micronesia" width="740" height="560">
If "remote" for you means "crystal clear lagoons and white sandy beaches," then the Micronesian island of Guam is what you need. The whole island is only 210 square miles, and it is surrounded by a massive coral reef that makes it the perfect place for avid scuba divers and snorkelers. Located in Typhoon Alley, visiting any time between August and October puts you at a higher risk of encountering a tropical storm. If you&rsquo;re looking to stay dry and soak up the max amount of vitamin D, visit in the dry season between December and June.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-04">How to get there</h3>
Getting there is actually pretty simple, if a little time consuming. Connecting flights to Guam are available through Honolulu, as well as a few major Asian hubs like Seoul, Taipei, and Tokyo.&nbsp;
<h2>11. Utqiagvik, Alaska</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/1a6391ed4175250800ac0bda639f27b0ab6fa577" alt="Barrow Alaska" width="695" height="613">
Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow, is one of those unique areas of the world that basks in 24-hour sunlight for over 80 days in the summer. Then, in the winter, locals endure a complete blackout for over 60 days. Located right at the tip of Alaska, you&rsquo;ll struggle to find more remote surroundings without driving for days through the mountains.
<h3>How to get there</h3>
Fortunately, the town has its own airport, meaning you only need to travel by plane to get there. Alaska Airlines runs daily flights between Utqiagvik and Anchorage in the $300s/&pound;200s. Find your flight to ANC, then take a quick hop upstate.
<h2>12. Cape York Peninsula, Australia</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/e79cdcc9eb6792d0187413954224a10a417e8b5a" alt="Cape York Peninsula Australia" width="740" height="547">
The Cape York Peninsula runs parallel to the Great Barrier Reef, north of Cairns. Its nearest city, however, is in Papua New Guinea and not Australia&mdash;that's how remote this place is! Tackling Cape York means spending several days in the bush in near complete isolation. It'll just be you, your travel partner, your jeep, and the scattered fuel roadhouses located every few hundred kilometers for company. The juice is so worth the squeeze if you like having your breakfast by pristine waterfalls, spending your days walking through rainforests, and chilling on deserted beaches by night.&nbsp;
<h3>How to get there</h3>
First, fly into Cairns. From there, your cheapest (and most exciting!) option is to rent a 4x4 and head out on your off-road adventure.
<ul></ul>
<h2>13. Galapagos Islands</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/bee8b60dc0e9532dee14d49cc2a3ddcfb15a8dfa" alt="Galapagos Islands" width="740" height="539">
Known for its rare wildlife, the Galapagos is a set of pristine islands off the coast of Ecuador. The islands and their surroundings are home to flamingos, sea lions, whales, rare birds, and, of course, the Galapagos Giant Tortoise.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-07">How to get there</h3>
To get to the islands, you first have to fly into&nbsp;Quito or&nbsp;Guayaquil, Ecuador. From there, it's just a quick flight over to Baltra in the Galapagos.

Where else would you include on the list? Is there anywhere crazy you'd like to know how to reach? Drop your suggestions in the comments :-)

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