South America

Maybe you've forgotten what the Paris of the Pampas is all about...

Boston

United States

Buenos Aires

Argentina

Orlando

Los Angeles

Buenos Aires 🤠 in $620s-$670s RT

Argentina so rarely pops up, so it's even better in premium economy!

Brussels

Belgium

Amsterdam

Netherlands

Buenos Aires 🌇 in €1250s-€1330s rtn

The best way to survive a 13hr+ flight? Do it in style ✨

Birmingham

England

Buenos Aires 💃 at £5852 rtn 

Lederhosen and tango is just something you can't unsee...

Miami

Cordoba

Cordoba, Argentina 🍇at $582 RT 

Monday has treated us to the best price we've seen to Argentina in years!

Halifax

Canada

Montreal

Toronto

Buenos Aires 💃 in $750s RT

Just hopping into your inboxes with a few wee Easter eggs for every type of traveller!

London Heathrow

Aruba

Monterrey

Mexico

Mexico City

Punta Cana

Dominican Republic

Argentina, Mexico, and the Caribbean 🌴 in £490s-£660s rtn

Prompted by email from Allan of JFC. So recently back in Buenos Aires, then on to Iguazu Falls, even better this time, and finished off in Rio. Anyone considering South America then you could do worse than choosing Buenos Aires and Palermo Soho in particular for your stay. Been to Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil in South America and Argentina is tops. You have to visit Mendoza and Iguazu if time permits. I will go back&hellip;. Patagonia and Antarctica is calling. Enjoy travelers 🙏

Postcard from DaredevilVacationer91256

Thanks for the heads up.  I&#39;m going to make it an adventure!

Postcard from Wendy

It was an amazing oportunity to visit my natal country and family

Postcard from Jero

Thank you SO MUCH for finding this for me! I’d been looking for a fare like this one so I could go visit my family (and still be able to afford a REAL vacation — and possibly some therapy — afterwards!) 

Postcard from Andrea G.

Chile

Falkland Islands

Ireland

Hey there, Travellers,
First of all, I'd like to wish a hearty Jack's Flight Club Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating today! Amid especially hard times with the war in the Gulf, we're sending good vibes for warm hearts and full bellies to all.
Jack's Navigator Akasha recently visited Oman and left the team envious with tales of the "best chicken of [her] life" and amazing hospitality she was given during an iftar meal. After getting a flat tyre while out on the road, locals in the small town she'd unexpectedly landed in rallied around to make sure she and her guide were taken care of.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/e361a0905149f7d03390cf5b2d62a1ecce0af37c" width="354" height="354">
While her trip was sadly cut short, the kindness and culture she felt in Oman has left her (and the rest of us) longing to return for more.
And for bonus festivity points this weekend, to anyone <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-is-nowruz-persian-new-year-food">celebrating Nowruz</a>, may your&nbsp;<a href="https://surfiran.com/mag/all-about-haft-sin-the-7-s-of-iranian-new-year/">Haft Sin tables</a> be bright and bountiful and the pastries sickly sweet! Save an <a href="https://www.sprinklepastry.com/2023/10/08/festive-nowruz-baking/">apple baklava</a> for me?
Happy travels and safe landings,

Katy - Editor of The Detour

Take Your Travel Inspiration to the Next Level

If you're reading this, that means you:
<ul>
<li>probably enjoy our weekly travel inspo and news from around the Jack's Community,</li>
<li>aren't already signed up to our Takeoff&nbsp;membership. Whaaaat?! 🤯</li>
<li>can <a href="https://jacksflightclub.com/eu-upgrade-spring-sale-2026?utm_campaign=spring-sale-2026&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=detour">bag 3 months of Takeoff for &euro;5 today</a>! (SOLD) 😏</li>
</ul>
Joining&nbsp;Takeoff not only gets you access to loads more fantastic Flights, but you also get all our Navigators' hot tips that go with them. So even if you're not ready to go all-in on that dream trip just yet, you're investing in future-you's epic travel era.&nbsp;
Give it a whirl! We think it's worth it, and hopefully you will too. And if not, you can cancel any time.

Jack's Promo

If you're reading this, that means you:
<ul>
<li>probably enjoy our weekly travel inspo and news from around the Jack's Community,</li>
<li>aren't already signed up to our Takeoff&nbsp;membership. Whaaaat?! 🤯</li>
<li>can <a href="https://jacksflightclub.com/uk-upgrade-spring-sale-2026?utm_campaign=spring-sale-2026&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=detour">bag 3 months of Takeoff for &pound;5 today</a>! (SOLD) 😏</li>
</ul>
Joining&nbsp;Takeoff not only gets you access to loads more fantastic Flights, but you also get all our Navigators' hot tips that go with them. So even if you're not ready to go all-in on that dream trip just yet, you're investing in future-you's epic travel era.&nbsp;
Give it a whirl! We think it's worth it, and hopefully you will too. If not, you can cancel any time.

If you're reading this, that means you:
<ul>
<li>probably enjoy our weekly travel inspo and news from around the Jack's Community,</li>
<li>aren't already signed up to our Takeoff&nbsp;membership. Whaaaat?! 🤯</li>
<li>can <a href="https://jacksflightclub.com/us-upgrade-spring-sale-2026?utm_campaign=spring-sale-2026&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=detour">bag 3 months of Takeoff for $5 today</a>! (SOLD) 😏</li>
</ul>
Joining&nbsp;Takeoff not only gets you access to loads more fantastic Flights, but you also get all our Navigators' hot tips that go with them. So even if you're not ready to go all-in on that dream trip just yet, you're investing in future-you's epic travel era.&nbsp;
Give it a whirl! We think it's worth it, and hopefully you will too. And if not, you can cancel any time.

If you're reading this, that means you:
<ul>
<li>probably enjoy our weekly travel inspo and news from around the Jack's Community,</li>
<li>aren't already signed up to our Takeoff&nbsp;membership. Whaaaat?! 🤯</li>
<li>can <a href="https://jacksflightclub.com/ca-upgrade-spring-sale-2026?utm_campaign=spring-sale-2026&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=detour">bag 3 months of Takeoff for $5 today</a>! (SOLD) 😏</li>
</ul>
Joining&nbsp;Takeoff not only gets you access to loads more fantastic Flights, but you also get all our Navigators' hot tips that go with them. So even if you're not ready to go all-in on that dream trip just yet, you're investing in future-you's epic travel era.&nbsp;
Give it a whirl! We think it's worth it, and hopefully you will too. And if not, you can cancel any time.

The Beginner's Guide to Antarctica

San Diego native Olivia left home three 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 scoping out the best bars and coffee shops.

By Olivia

As more and more travelers seek out untouched, uncrowded places, the &ldquo;beaten track&rdquo; just gets harder and harder to escape. Even the tallest mountain in the world has a line to the top these days!
Maybe that&rsquo;s why people are increasingly eager to travel&nbsp;alllllll the way to the very bottom of the Earth &mdash; to Antarctica, one of the most pristine, ethereally beautiful places on the planet.

It was nigh-impossible for tourists to set foot on its unforgiving, icy shores until the first passenger cruises started visiting in the late 60s. Back then, only a few thousand people made the journey per year. In the 2023&ndash;2024 season, that number was 122,072.&nbsp;
Despite the increase in visitors, strict environmental regulations and logistical nightmares have kept Antarctica exclusive, limited only to visitors traveling with an organized tour. So unfortunately, you can&rsquo;t exactly book a flight to McMurdo Station with British Airways. If you want to witness this raw, otherworldly landscape for yourself, you&rsquo;re going to need months of planning, tens of thousands in spare cash, and an unshakeable &ldquo;go with the flow&rdquo; attitude.
Fortunately, I&rsquo;ve scoured the internet, read account after account, watched video after video, and interrogated as many experienced visitors as I can find, and now I&rsquo;ve distilled all that information into one handy-dandy beginner&rsquo;s guide.&nbsp;
So if you&rsquo;ve just begun thinking about a trip to Antarctica and you need to learn the basics to decide whether it&rsquo;s the right adventure for you, then you&rsquo;ve come to the right place!&nbsp;
<h2 id="what-is-there-to-do-in-antarctica">What is there to do in Antarctica?</h2>
So&hellip; why do people want to go to Antarctica, anyway? What is there to actually do in this snow-covered desert?
For starters, I wasn&rsquo;t kidding about that otherworldly landscape:

You&rsquo;ll be surrounded by crackling glaciers, icy blue waters, and snowy hilltops rising up out of the sea. It&rsquo;s harsh and beautiful and utterly unique. There&rsquo;s a reason why one of the most popular Antarctic pastimes is photography!
Due to the environmental regulations and lack of human influence (no resorts down here!), it&rsquo;s also an incredible place to see wildlife. Antarctic animals are abundant and generally don&rsquo;t fear people. The big stars are the penguins (mostly gentoos and chinstraps), plus whales (humpbacks, minkes, orcas) and seals (Weddells and leopards). And if you&rsquo;re a birdwatching enthusiast with an affinity for seabirds, Antarctica is practically heaven.

What you see and do from day to day will heavily depend on which tour you choose &mdash; but don&rsquo;t worry, I&rsquo;ll dissect all that for you in the sections below. Generally speaking, your trip will begin in Argentina or Chile with visits to a few nearby islands, and then cross the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula.&nbsp;
You won&rsquo;t be allowed to explore on your own due to the regulations, but there are still plenty of ways to interact with the landscape. Lots of expeditions will include guided hikes, kayaking, and swimming stops along the way to let you get up close.
<h2 dir="ltr" id="how-do-you-get-to-antarctica">How do you get to Antarctica?</h2>
Unless you&rsquo;ve managed to hitch a ride with the researchers, there&rsquo;s really only one way to reach Antarctica, and that&rsquo;s by cruise ship.&nbsp;
You have two options when it comes to cruises:
Option #1: Book an Antarctic holiday with a global company like Princess or Viking. These trips are very similar to non-polar cruises, and you&rsquo;ll be aboard a large ship with tons of amenities and an emphasis on passenger comfort.
Pro: If you&rsquo;re older, lack mobility, are traveling with small children, or just want to make your trip as comfortable as possible, this might be the best option for you. You&rsquo;ll be sheltered from the elements as you watch icebergs roll past your window.
Con: These ships don&rsquo;t make landings, so while you&rsquo;ll get to admire glimmering Antarctic views, you won&rsquo;t get to set foot on the actual continent or interact with the land at all.
Option #2:&nbsp;Book an expedition cruise with a smaller company, aboard a smaller vessel, with a smaller group of travelers (usually around 100-200).
Pro:&nbsp;Weather permitting, you&rsquo;ll get to experience the polar desert up close, mingling with penguins and hiking over snowy drifts.&nbsp;
Con: These trips involve more planning, cost more money, and can also get tarnished very easily by the weather (more about that later).
Taking a larger ship is fairly straightforward (you can book them like any other cruise), and they don&rsquo;t have quite the same &ldquo;high risk vs. high reward&rdquo; nature as the expedition cruises, so I&rsquo;ll be focusing primarily on the latter for this guide.

<h2 dir="ltr" id="how-to-choose-an-expedition-cruise-to-antarctica">How to choose an expedition cruise to Antarctica</h2>
If you&rsquo;ve chosen to go with the more adventurous option and book an expedition cruise, the decision-making gauntlet has only just begun!
When sorting through the myriad of expedition cruise offerings, pay close attention to the&nbsp;itinerary. These cruises don&rsquo;t just sail you on down to Antarctica; they make stops all around the area! Popular landings include South Georgia, the Falklands, and the South Shetland Islands &mdash; all penguin-covered and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@marco.miglionico_/video/7570308173282774286">starkly stunning in their own right</a>.
Once you reach the continent, you&rsquo;ll be bouncing around the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Antarctic-Peninsula">Antarctic Peninsula</a>. This is the only section of mainland Antarctica onto which passengers can actually set foot.&nbsp;
Keep in mind, due to that pesky weather,&nbsp;your itinerary is a guideline and not a guarantee. This is where that &ldquo;go with the flow&rdquo; mindset becomes key &mdash; the itinerary you carefully selected could be thrown out the second you leave port if the captain hears of rough weather down south. So choose wisely, but don&rsquo;t marry yourself to anything too specific.&nbsp;
Pro-Tip: One experienced expeditioner suggested that the most reputable cruises are actually more vague about their itinerary, rather than offering exact promises that can&rsquo;t always be delivered.

Also look closely at the activities offered on each trip. During landings, different cruises will provide different ways to soak up your stunning surroundings. Common options include hiking (for getting up close), kayaking (for calm, wildlife-filled views), zodiac trips (for speeding around an entire area), and polar plunges (for freezing your toes off).&nbsp;
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/the-beginners-guide-to-visiting-antarctica">Read on for all the gory details,</a> like how to get there, when to visit, and how much it's going to cost...

Travel Tips

Here's Why Cork Should Be On Your Irish Bucket List

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

In the spirit of Paddy-not-Patty&rsquo;s Day (he was neither woman nor burger), <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10242279377299694&amp;set=gm.2759946561027854&amp;idorvanity=577601325929066">we asked the Jack's Community</a> for spots in Ireland that&rsquo;d turn someone green with envy should they be missed.&nbsp;
Naturally, the big hitters like Dingle, Dublin, and Cobh all made the list, but growing up on this whimsical, windswept little isle, I&rsquo;ve learned that there&rsquo;s actually a lot of ground to cover. And honestly, my biggest tip? If you&rsquo;ve come to Ireland for its rolling hills, craggy castles, and Celtic traditions, you&rsquo;ve got to get out of Dublin!
It&rsquo;d be remiss of me to not tell you what my county of Cork (and the city of the same name) has to offer. Honestly, there's no greater backyard when the sun peeks out. Kerry's a close second, but don't utter that in a pub packed with Corkmen&hellip;
<h2 dir="ltr" id="cork-city">Cork City</h2>

With historic streets steeped in<a href="https://www.independent.ie/life/if-not-for-collins-why-is-it-called-the-rebel-county/29469436.html"> tales of rebellion</a> dating all the way back to Viking settlers, there's a reason why we call Cork the "Rebel county."&nbsp;
It's the birthplace of Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins, and that spirit of defiance remains an integral part of its identity, which you&rsquo;ll no doubt notice on your visit.
Perhaps it's this same rebellious spirit that explains why our town's famous landmark, the&nbsp; <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/four-faced-liar-cork">"Four-Faced Liar"</a> refuses to conform too&mdash;a nickname it earned because no two of its faces ever seem to show the same time.&nbsp;
Today, Cork proudly aligns itself with causes supporting oppressed people, showing <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=744801264825412">solidarity with </a>Palestine by hosting powerful protests, <a href="https://www.corkcity.ie/en/council-services/news-room/latest-news/lord-mayor-welcomes-palestinian-mayor-and-nablus-delegation-on-historic-visit-to-cork/">visits</a>, and <a href="https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-41682872.html">exhibitions</a>, even among our Paddy&rsquo;s Day parades.&nbsp;
Revolutionary Irish leaders, Cillian Murphy, and butter&mdash;we've given the world a lot! Yes, really; we were once the world&rsquo;s largest exporter of butter (<a href="https://thebuttermuseum.com/">there&rsquo;s even a museum</a>; no, I&rsquo;ve never been).&nbsp;
From <a href="https://www.marinamarket.ie/">artsy markets</a> to fine dining, we're formally known as <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/where-to-eat-in-county-cork-ireland">the foodie capital of Ireland</a>, with heaps of gourmet festivals and heritage trails throughout the year.&nbsp;
The best include&nbsp;<a href="https://www.corkcity.ie/en/cork-on-a-fork-fest/">Cork on a Fork</a> in August, a citywide celebration of over 100 different events, including cooking demos, food trails, brewery tours, and pop-up experiences from some of the island&rsquo;s most revered chefs.&nbsp;

Speaking of chefs, one place I'd highly recommend is the Japanese takeaway <a href="https://www.corkcitydining.com/restaurants/miyazaki">Miyazaki</a>. It's run by a Michelin-star chef, Takashi Miyazaki, who uses the finest of Irish ingredients to bring you a treasure box of Japanese food. Netflixers may recognize this one from the <a href="https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/netflix-somebody-feed-phil-irish-food">Ireland episode of Somebody Feed Phil</a>.
Another local favorite includes Izz Cafe, <a href="https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/corks-izz-cafe-named-one-33385234">a Palestinian restaurant</a> named one of Ireland's best restaurants, and some of the yummiest Musakhan I've ever tried.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Sometimes, though, you just can't beat a traditional Sunday roast. We're fiercely loyal when it comes to the spud, but some notable ones worth sharing are The Elm Tree and Murphy's Rock, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whincuF1lXg">this YouTuber</a>.
Naturally, you&rsquo;ll want to bring a taste of Cork home, too;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.corkcity.ie/en/english-market/">the English Market</a> is where you&rsquo;ll likely want to head. Since 1788, this indoor Victorian market has been home to family-run stalls selling the freshest food from farms across the country. Specialty mushrooms, meat, and cheeses&mdash;you can find it all.&nbsp;
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/is-cork-on-your-irish-bucket-list-it-should-be">Read on for jazz festivals, cozy pubs &amp; bioluminescent lakes</a>

More Travel Tips!

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across the web this week.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Your Paddy&rsquo;s Day might have been wild, but was it &ldquo;wake up surrounded by Nepalese yaks&rdquo; wild? Here&rsquo;s a look at the <a href="https://www.timeout.com/news/i-visited-the-worlds-highest-irish-pub-where-guinness-comes-in-cans-and-yaks-transport-the-bar-stools-031726">highest-altitude Irish pub in the world</a>, where the beer is always extra strong (or else it explodes). </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">After years of being the &ldquo;happiest country in the world,&rdquo; <a href="https://www.euronews.com/travel/2026/03/11/learn-to-chill-like-a-finn-worlds-happiest-country-is-giving-away-finnish-lakeland-trips">Finland&rsquo;s offering free Lakeland retreats</a> to teach visitors their ways. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">American airports are still in chaos, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-says-it-may-be-forced-shut-down-some-airports-over-funding-standoff-2026-03-17/">plagued by shutdowns</a> and long TSA lines. Turns out your parents&rsquo; advice about arriving &ldquo;three hours before your flight&rdquo; is finally correct&hellip; if you&rsquo;re lucky enough not to get cancelled. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Rent payments got you down? Need a fresh start? <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/meggenharris/2026/03/14/8-countries-paying-people-to-move-there-in-2026/">These eight countries will pay you to move there</a> &mdash; and they include some pretty popular spots. </li>
<li>And finally, we all know long hauls are better in business class, but <a href="https://simpleflying.com/costs-fly-business-class-worlds-longest-airbus-a380-routes/">here&rsquo;s how much you&rsquo;ll need to shell out to make it happen</a>. We promise the prices seem lower when you&rsquo;re 12 hours into a 16-hour flight.</li>
</ul>

Travel News

Antarctica For First-Timers & Captivating County Cork

Uruguay

Romania

Greetings from Romania, Travellers!
Navigator Fran and I may be a week early for&nbsp;<a href="https://madisonsfootsteps.com/halloween-party-draculas-castle/">Vlad's annual outing</a>, but our brief foray across Transylvania has proven that there are plenty of reasons to hang around, even when the strings of garlic are optional.
The most obvious one, in my eyes, has to be the fiery Carpathian forests. We've spent a lot of time on trains and buses this week, but with these views, even 8+ hours on a Flixbus seems kinda reasonable.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/2eb78fbadba590a66c4f5b1ba18ae1d3d9ebfcdd" width="416" height="234" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
The city of <a href="https://www.mywanderlust.pl/things-to-do-in-brasov-romania/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brașov</a> was our home last night. It's the typical base for exploring <a href="https://www.itsalltriptome.com/romanian-castles-transylvania/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Transylvania's castles and palaces</a>, as well as a lovely spot in its own right &mdash; think medieval town walls, colourful lanes with cosy coffee shops, and a mountain viewpoint furnished with a Hollywood-style sign.
Our tracks took us onwards to Bucharest today, where we <a href="https://thenomadicflower.com/taking-the-friendship-train-bucharest-to-chisinau-by-night-train-2025-guide/">boarded the&nbsp;Prietania</a> to Chișinău, Moldova. But rest assured, I'm already planning a proper return. Give me a hand by dropping <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-209-montreal-munching-and-south-american-roots#comments">your Transylvanian tips in the comments</a>.&nbsp;
Happy travels and safe landings,

With a shared love of all things Canada and always trying the tastiest local snacks, Kristi and Fran are both known to jump on any cheap flight that will take them to a new corner of the world.

Written by Navigators Fran & Kristi

Grab a <a href="https://timhortons.co.th/product/double-double/#:~:text=A%20Canadian%20classic%3A%20two%20shots,Categories%3A%20All%2C%20HOT%20BEVERAGES">double-double</a>, pack your toque&nbsp;and get psyched for some frolicking in Canada's crunchy maple goodness.&nbsp;
When you think "Montreal," do you imagine strolling through cobblestone streets scattered with blossoms, the sound of jazz floating in the air? Are you drawn to cozy plaid-bedecked hiking under fiery fall foliage? Or do you believe that Canada is a winter wonderland meant to be experienced as you lazily snowshoe through a blanket of glittering white snow?
A good portion of our team is either Canadian, has lived here, or has traveled to Canada. We&rsquo;ve crowdsourced the best travel tips and wrapped them up in a neat little package for your upcoming trip.

<h3>Plateau Mont-Royal (the Plateau)</h3>
Located to the northeast of downtown Montreal, the neighborhood is renowned for its distinctive Victorian architecture, packed with colorful, narrow, two or three-story buildings with wrought-iron staircases and balconies. Head to Square Saint-Louis to see some of the oldest and prettiest examples of this style.
The two main boulevards are Saint-Laurent Street and Saint-Denis Street:
<ul>
<li>Saint-Laurent (or &ldquo;The Main&rdquo;)&mdash;a major commercial artery filled with shops, restaurants, and nightlife spots. It is also known for its street art and murals.</li>
</ul>

Grab brunch at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/patatimontreal/?hl=en">Patati Patata</a>, do a little shopping at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/evabvintage/?hl=en">Eva B</a>, and finish with drinks at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bar.darling/?hl=en">Le Bar Darling</a>.

Spotlight on: Saint-Laurent

<ul>
<li>Saint-Denis Street&mdash;famous for its European ambiance, featuring a wide variety of boutiques, bistros, and theaters.</li>
</ul>
Accommodation: In the Plateau, you can expect a mix of low-key hotels, a couple of hostels, and plenty of unique Airbnbs.

<h3>Mile End</h3>
Right next to the Plateau, this historical working-class neighborhood has transformed over the decades into a bohemian hub for artists, musicians, and young families. The area is well-known for its <a href="https://everythingzoomer.com/travelhub/2018/04/20/montreal-cafes/">caf&eacute; culture</a>, with numerous literary caf&eacute;s and <a href="https://tastet.ca/en/reviews/boulangerie-guillaume-a-superb-bakery-on-boulevard-st-laurent/">bakeries</a>. Here are the three most important streets in the area:
<ul>
<li>Laurier West Street&mdash;connects the neighborhoods of Outremont and the Mile End. It&rsquo;s the place to be if you&rsquo;re interested in shopping from local designers and small boutiques, or if you&rsquo;re looking for a trendy restaurant for brunch.</li>
</ul>

When you finish shopping at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ecoledepensee/?hl=en">&Eacute;cole de Pens&eacute;e</a>, grab Montreal's best brunch at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/larrys.gram/?hl=en">Larrys</a>.

Spotlight on: Laurier West

<ul>
<li>Fairmount Avenue &amp; Saint-Viateur Street&mdash;aka <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/the-famous-montreal-bagel">Bagel-land</a>. Besides the puffy, sesame-y deliciousness of their famous bagels, both streets are well known for a variety of caf&eacute;s, bakeries, and second-hand/boutique shops.</li>
</ul>

Snack at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fairmountbagel/?hl=en">Fairmount Bagels</a> or at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stviateurbagel/?hl=en">Saint-Viateur</a>&mdash;be careful <a href="https://www.seriouseats.com/what-are-montreal-bagels-the-best-fairmount-vs-st-viateur-rivalry-canada">which one</a> you choose, though&hellip;

Spotlight on: Montreal bagels

Accommodation: Around Mile End, you&rsquo;ll mostly find artsy design hotels and lots of Airbnbs.
<h3>Downtown</h3>
The neighborhood revolves around the <a href="http://placedesarts.com/index.en.html">Place des Arts</a> cultural complex, home to the Montreal Opera and Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Grands Ballets Canadiens. Plenty of festivals are also held in the area, such as the <a href="http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/default-en.aspx">Montreal Jazz Festival</a> and <a href="http://www.justforlaughs.com/">Just For Laughs</a> comedy fest.
You&rsquo;ll see all the city&rsquo;s biggest cultural institutions here: Montreal&rsquo;s central library, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the National Theatre School of Canada, right next to the main commercial area on <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/what-to-do/shopping/sainte-catherine-street">Saint Catherine Street</a>.
Accommodation: Downtown features a solid mix of high-end, business-type hotels, basic Airbnbs, and some hostels.

Pro tip:&nbsp;Downtown is predominantly anglophone, though a significant proportion of residents are bilingual.

This historic neighborhood located along the St. Lawrence River is one of the city's most popular destinations, thanks to the historic buildings, waterfront views, cobblestone alleys, and sites like the Notre-Dame Basilica.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s a little bit touristy, and it can get crowded, but the streets are gorgeous, and there are a bunch of top-notch art museums there. Plus, you can pop in and out of all the cute shops selling Qu&eacute;bec-made products. We recommend leaving your car at the hotel for this one, though, since parking is impossible and the area is well-connected to the metro.

Pro tip:&nbsp;If you don&rsquo;t feel like having food in the Vieux Port&rsquo;s pricey alleys, <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/discover-neighbourhood-montreal-chinatown">Montreal&rsquo;s Chinatown</a> is just a couple of steps (and a paifang gate) away&mdash;it's considered one of the best in North America!

Accommodation: The Vieux Port mostly has luxury boutique hotels.

<h2>Food in Montreal</h2>
<h3>Traditional Food</h3>
Central Canada&rsquo;s cuisine (Quebec and Ontario) has a unique mix of First Nations traditions, as well as French and British colonial influences. And, like any major city, Montreal is chock-full of great restaurants from all over the world, especially Lebanese, Vietnamese, and Italian food.
Qu&eacute;bec cuisine is known for French dishes like <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/article/the-meaty-history-of-quebecois-tourtiere/">tourti&egrave;re</a> (meat pie), ragout de pattes (pork stew), and pea soup.

But ask a Qu&eacute;b&eacute;cois about the most iconic Qu&eacute;bec dish, and they will tell you: poutine. Made of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy, you&rsquo;ll find variations with additional toppings like pulled pork, bacon, or foie gras. You can get poutine just about anywhere in the city, but our favorite spot is <a href="https://becomingtia.com/patati-patata/">Patati Patata</a>.&nbsp;
Speaking of sweets, get ready for plenty of maple syrup&mdash;a quintessential Canadian (and Qu&eacute;b&eacute;coise) staple&mdash;in desserts like tarte au sucre (maple pie) and pouding ch&ocirc;meur, but also in candies and as a topping for pancakes and waffles. It&rsquo;s a key ingredient in savory foods as well, such as caramelized onions, bacon, or even beans (it&rsquo;s called f&egrave;ves au lard&mdash;<a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/guest-post-from-4-88245">look it up</a>!).
<h3>Montreal Smoked Meat</h3>
A culinary tradition with roots in the city's Jewish immigrant community, Montreal&rsquo;s answer to pastrami features cured and smoked brisket that's thinly sliced and piled high on rye bread and topped with yellow mustard.&nbsp;
One of the most famous places is Schwartz's Deli, founded in 1928 and located on Saint-Laurent Street, but there are also some <a href="https://cultmtl.com/2024/05/best-smoked-meat-in-montreal-best-of-mtl-schwartzs-smoke-meat-pete-dunns-famous-snowdon-deli-lesters-deli/">great options</a> all around the Mile End neighborhood (the city&rsquo;s Jewish quarter). 
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfc-guide-to-montreal">Read more about Montreal...</a>

Tracing Roots across South America

Recently, we asked you well-traveled folks for tips on making Jack's Flight Club Traveler Liz&rsquo;s 50th birthday <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-207-ligurian-lounging-latin-america#:~:text=plans%20for%20a-,big%20birthday%20trip,-%2C%20and%20asking%20for">South America tour</a> unforgettable. And thanks to everyone who contributed, because our community Facebook group and inbox lit up!
Liz is planning to cover an unbelievable (some might say a CRAZY) amount of ground over the space of one month. She&rsquo;ll be tracing family roots across the continent, from landing in Lima and doing Machu Picchu, to celebrating her birthday in Montevideo, where her grandmother Gladys was born.
But like any curious traveler on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, Liz was keen to make sure she didn&rsquo;t miss out on anything along the way. 
Here are your top tips:
<h3>Uruguay</h3>

&ldquo;In Montevideo we went to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g294323-d15766778-Museo_Andes_1972_Crash_Memorial_Admission_Ticket-Montevideo_Montevideo_Department.html">Andes museum</a> and the <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction_Review-g294323-d1572959-Reviews-Museo_del_Carnaval-Montevideo_Montevideo_Department.html">Carnival museum</a> down near the port. If you&rsquo;re in the Carrasco area, there are <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurants-g294323-zfn21002103-Montevideo_Montevideo_Department.html">lots of nice restaurants</a>. Day trip to Punta del Este or Casapueblo.&rdquo; &mdash; Yvette&nbsp;
<hr>
&ldquo;Instead of ferrying straight to Buenos Aires, go first to <a href="https://discoveroverthere.com/things-to-do-colonia-del-sacramento/">Colonia del Sacramento</a>, a little UNESCO historic gem, for a nice dinner and some walking/shopping for leather goods. There&rsquo;s a fast ferry from there to BA.&rdquo; &mdash; Andy&nbsp;

Tip: Just north of Montevideo sits Canelones, Uruguay&rsquo;s wine region. It&rsquo;s especially well-known for Tannat. Bodega Bouza is one of many family-run wineries offering <a href="https://wareontheglobe.com/2019/02/08/bodega-bouza-the-perfect-romantic-day-trip-from-montevideo/">guided tours and tastings</a>.&nbsp;
<h3>Argentina</h3>

&ldquo;<a href="https://lucidkiwi.com/recoleta-cemetery/">Recoleta Cemetery</a>, <a href="https://www.travelyesplease.com/travel-blog-buenos-aires-japanese-garden/">Japanese Gardens</a>, and the <a href="https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/buenos-aires/museo-evita">Evita Per&oacute;n Museum</a> are must-sees.&rdquo; - Yvette
<hr>
&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t skip BA! It&rsquo;s got so much charm, and you can&rsquo;t understand the city without understanding football; it&rsquo;s like a religion&mdash;Messi's face is everywhere! And when the sun dips, the area of Palermo really comes alive. I loved the restaurant&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.es/Restaurant_Review-g312741-d866502-Reviews-La_Dorita-Buenos_Aires_Capital_Federal_District.html">&ldquo;La Dorita&rdquo;</a>, but honestly, any asado here could convert a vegetarian!&rdquo; - Hugo

Tip: In the neighborhood of San Telmo, check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/casaezeiza/?hl=en">Casa Ezeiza</a>. Its antique shops, art galleries, and vintage stalls are housed in a 19th-century mansion. The home was built in about 1876 for the aristocratic Ezeiza family, a prominent Buenos Aires lineage descended from Basque immigrants.
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/tracing-roots-in-south-america-community-tips">Keep reading...</a>

Reader's Corner

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 mui-1kubl8f">With new competition on the horizon in the Channel Tunnel, Eurostar is planning to up its game by <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2025/10/22/eurostar-launch-double-decker-high-speed-trains-europe-1-080-seats-24491362/">adding double-decker trains</a> to its fleet by 2031. </li>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 mui-1kubl8f">This week, we learned that even <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/black-bear-california-zoo-b2850147.html">bears just want to make friends</a>. </li>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 mui-1kubl8f">Beware the cheap cocktails on your next trip &mdash; <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c33p7vvyp2zo">methanol poisoning</a> is on the rise around the globe. </li>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 mui-1kubl8f">And finally, there's officially <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/21/climate/iceland-mosquito-discovery">no escape from mosquitoes</a>. The nibbly little beasts have just been found in Iceland for the first time, where residents were long protected by the bracing climate.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Argentina

Buenos Aires in $620s-$670s RT

Buenos Aires in €1250s-€1330s rtn

Buenos Aires at £5852 rtn

Cordoba, Argentina at $582 RT

Buenos Aires in $750s RT

Argentina, Mexico, and the Caribbean in £490s-£660s rtn

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Munch Your Way Around Montreal & Community Tips for South America

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