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One card that can help you earn more points and miles — which translates to more free flights and free hotel stays — is the Capital One Venture Business card. It’s an easy-to-use card perfect for travels who want to simplify their points and miles collecting. Here’s everything you need to know about the card to help decide if it’s for you. It’s a solid business card for those who don’t want a high annaul fee card but want some added perks besides just getting miles when you spend money.

What Is It?

The Capital One Venture Business card is the new rebranded version of Capital One’s Spark Miles. But it has some noteworthy improvements that I think make it worth adding to your wallet. Here’s a look at the card’s main perks:

• A welcome offer of up to to 150,000 miles
• Standard 2x miles on every purchase
• 5x miles on travel purchases (via their portal)
• $50 annual travel credit
• $50 annual statement credit
• Up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• Hertz Five Star status
• No foreign transaction fees

The annual fee for the card is just $95, which means it’s effectively free once you factor in the two statement credits. With a default 2x miles for every dollar spent, that makes this card a solid choice for everyday spending. And without a ton of differing spending categories, the card is very easy to use, making it perfect for travelers new to the points and miles game.

Rental Car Perks

In addition to giving you Hertz Five Star status, which lets you skip the counter at select locations while also offering a wider selection of cars, the card also offers rental car coverage when renting a car for business reasons. You’ll need to charge the full fee to your card and also decline the company’s collision damage waiver, but once you do that, you’ll be covered for damage due to both collisions and theft.

While I don’t often rent cars for work, I appreciate the free collision coverage and being able to skip the line (especially at busier rental locations).

Travel Partners

With this card, you’ll earn Capital One miles. You can use them like you would any other rewards program: to get cash back, book travel directly, or transfer them to travel partners.

The easiest option is to redeem your miles for travel in the Capital One travel portal, which works like booking through Expedia or any other online travel agency. Doing so is very straightforward. You simply search for and book your flight, hotel, or rental car and choose “miles” as your payment method. It’s basically like using your miles as cash, at a value of one cent per mile.

Both options are super easy to implement, which is why this is a great card for newbies. And if this is the only way that you’ll use your miles, go for it! Using them is better than letting them sit around.

However, you can usually get more for your miles when you transfer them to Capital One’s transfer partners.

The ability to transfer to travel partners is what makes Capital One miles valuable. While the actual value varies based on what you book, you can usually find airline and hotel redemptions worth much more than the aforementioned 1 cent per mile.

Transferring to travel partners is a bit more work than using the portal, but there are more tools than ever to help you maximize your miles (such as point.me for finding flights and Awayz for finding award hotel stays).

Here are their current hotel and airline transfer partners:

• Accor Live Limitless
• Aeromexico Rewards
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Avianca Lifemiles
• British Airways Club
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Choice Privileges
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Guest
• EVA Air
• Finnair Plus
• Flying Blue
• I Prefer Hotel Rewards
• Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• TAP Miles&Go
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• Virgin Red
• Wyndham Rewards

Who Is This Card For?

This card is best for business travelers who are looking for an easy-to-use card to help them earn points and miles. While I personally think the Capital One Venture X Business card is a better card, it comes with a higher annual fee so, if you want a solid travel card for your business and don’t need the upgraded perks of the Venture X card, this is the Capital One card for you. And since the credits cover the annual fee, the card is essentially free!

The new Capital One Venture Business card has an amazing welcome offer, a respectable 2x on every purchase, and some solid perks for regular travelers. And with its low annual fee, this card is a no brainer for travelers looking for a new business card. I just wouldn’t wait too long — this huge welcome offer isn’t gonna last forever!

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Balancing travel and remote work will always be one of the biggest challenges on the road. When you’re a digital nomad, it’s always a struggle to balance sightseeing and also get your work done in a nice, quiet environment. No one wants to spend hours searching for a coffee shop or be in one that is uncomfortable. It is something I’ve struggled with a lot in the past.

Working from the road used to mean hunching over a tiny hostel common room table or arguing with an Airbnb host who swore their internet was “super fast” (only to find out it couldn’t even load a basic email).

But, as remote work has expanded post-pandemic, a ton of coliving spaces have popped up that combine the benefits of a coworking space with the social atmosphere of a hostel (but without the dorm-style basic amenities). They are meant for those digital nomads who want a nice place to stay where they can not only get work done but also meet other travelers (as remote work can be isolating since you’re doing it alone)!

The biggest and most popular platform for remote workers doing this is Outsite, which has a lot of beautiful locations around the world.

And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know about them and my experience staying with them on a recent trip to Bordeaux.

What is Outsite?

Founded in 2015, Outsite is a global network of coliving and coworking spaces designed specifically for remote workers, location-independent entrepreneurs, and digital nomads.

They started with a single house in Santa Cruz, California, aimed at people who wanted to surf and work. Today, they have over 5,000 members and 50 locations you can choose from.

Currently, anyone can book a stay at Outsite but if you’re a member, you get access to more perks and better rates. You can pay a yearly membership of $199 or pay once for a lifetime membership at $499. Perks include access to members-only locations, 1 week free in new destinations, 50% off in flash sales, 40% off extended stays, new member mixers, a job & sublets board, and some lifestyle perks.

It’s easy to use, too. You just browse their website, filter by destination or the type of vibe you want (beach, city, mountains), and book your private room.

How Does Outsite Work?

Outsite operates like a boutique hotel meets a coworking space. When you book an Outsite, you are booking a private bedroom. Most rooms have their own private en-suite bathrooms, though some budget-friendly rooms share a bathroom with one other person.

Every location features massive, beautifully furnished communal areas. You get to enjoy fully-equipped chef’s kitchens that you could never afford in a solo Airbnb. Plus, you get spacious living rooms, outdoor patios, and often roof decks or pools (location depending).

Every single location has a dedicated coworking space built right into the house. I’m talking ergonomic chairs, plenty of outlets, monitors you can plug into, and blazing-fast, enterprise-grade Wi-Fi. You can wake up, make your coffee, and be at a proper desk in a state of deep focus within five minutes.

Plus, there’s a social aspect to all Outside locations. Every location has a dedicated Community Manager. Before you even arrive, you are added to a local WhatsApp group and locations organize weekly events like family-style dinners, group weekend trips, Friday night tapas crawls, and morning yoga sessions. You really get a lot of chances to meet people.

And the community manager is a great resource. During my stay at their Bordeaux location, they were available to share tips, suggest places to eat, and just be there to answer any questions I had. It was really helpful.

What I Like About Outsite

First, the properties are really nice. Their place in Bordeaux had modern furniture, comfy chairs to work from, laundry facilities, and even a small gym. The rooms were really nice too. I had a private desk, a comfy bed, and a really lovely bathroom (the water had GREAT shower pressure!).

The shared kitchen was super clean (cleaners come daily) and the counter space was huge. It was the kind of kitchen I wish my house had. You could cook some really good meals here. (Coffee and tea are always provided for free!)

Plus, I love the design. The spaces are designed with natural light, plants, and local art. It feels incredibly far removed from the sterile environment of a corporate hotel. It feels like you are staying at your very wealthy, very cool friend’s house.

However, for me, the main draw for using Outsite is the community aspect. Being a remote worker means you’re often working alone. Whether in a hotel or a coffee shop, it’s just you and your community. It’s hard to meet people.

At Outsite, you are surrounded by your fellow digital nomads who can relate to your life experience. They aren’t backpackers on a trip wondering why you are sitting on your computer all day when you should be exploring. Because everyone is there to work and live, there’s a shared bond. You’re there to work and have fun. Most people at the Bordeaux location were there for at least two weeks. Our community manager organized a bunch of weekend events to help people get to know each other, too.

Things to Think About

First, Outsite is not a budget backpacker option. If you are used to spending $15 a night in a dorm room in Southeast Asia, Outsite is not for you. You are paying a premium for the private room, the guaranteed workspace, and the community curation. That said, when you factor in the cost of renting an Airbnb plus buying a monthly pass to a local coworking space, Outsite likely comes out cheaper.

Second, the popular locations book up fast. If you want to spend July in their Lisbon house or January in their Costa Rica location, you need to book months in advance. You can’t always be spontaneous with their most sought-after properties.

Frequently Asked Questions About Outsite

Do I have to be a member to book a stay? No! Anyone can book a stay at Outsite. However, if you plan on staying for more than a few days, the $199 annual Membership pays for itself almost immediately through the discounted nightly rates.

Is there an age limit? There is no official age limit, but you must be at least 18 (and in some locations, 21) to book. The vast majority of guests are working professionals in their late 20s, 30s, and 40s. It definitely skews a bit older and more professional than your average backpacker hostel.

Is there a minimum number of nights required? For most locations, the minimum stay is just 2 nights, making it easy to pop in for a weekend. However, some specific locations (especially in major cities with strict local housing laws like New York) may require a 30-day minimum stay.

Can I bring my pet? Generally, no. Because it is a shared living environment with communal kitchens and living spaces, most Outsite locations do not allow pets to ensure the comfort of all guests (and to prevent allergy issues).

Living the digital nomad life shouldn’t mean sacrificing your career progression, your comfort, or your social life. You shouldn’t have to choose between traveling the world and having a comfortable desk chair, or seeing new cities and having a consistent group of friends. I met some cool people while I stayed with them in Bordeaux.

Outsite is a great platform for people who want the perks and comforts of a private home, the productivity of an office, and the social life of a hostel. I think sharing a home creates a sense of intimacy, and you will absolutely make some friends out of it.

Be sure to check them out on your next trip and go find your tribe!

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

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Drones are huge. And, while there’s lots of restrictions around them, a lot of travelers take them on road because they produce some amazing sweeping aerial shots.

There’s lots of amazing brands out there but one that I think is super cool is the Antigravity A1. Released in late 2025, attempts to render the traditional gimbal obsolete for a vast segment of creators. By leveraging a dual-lens 360-degree capture system, the A1 records everything in every direction simultaneously. The result is a “fly now, frame later” experience that feels less like piloting a drone and more like directing a virtual camera in a pre-recorded digital environment.

I was sent one to use and want to share my experience and why I like this product so much.

Two Lenses = No Blind Spots

What make’s Antigravity 360’s so special is the two lenses. Most drones feature a single lens that points forward. However, the A1 features two ultra-wide-angle lenses positioned on the top and bottom of the central fuselage that each captures a 200-degree field of view. When those images are combines, they overlap to create a seamless 360-degree sphere.

And, in the final exported footage, the drone itself is digitally removed, creating the illusion of a camera floating in mid-air with no visible means of support.

The sensors themselves are 1/1.28-inch CMOS units. While smaller than the 1-inch sensors found on some “Pro” level photography drones, they are massive compared to typical 360 action cameras. This allows for significantly better low-light performance and a higher dynamic range, capturing details in the highlights and shadows that would typically be lost in the harsh contrast of a midday sun.

Most countries require drones weighing 250 grams or more to be registered and subject to stricter flight rules. Antigravity clearly understood the importance of this threshold because they made the A1 to weigh exactly 249 grams with its standard battery meaning it’s not considered a commercial drone so you don’t have to register it.

And the drone feels remarkably sturdy. It utilizes a high-grade carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer that offers a better strength-to-weight ratio than the standard ABS plastic found in cheaper models. The folding mechanism is satisfyingly tactile, clicking into place with a precision that suggests long-term durability. When folded, the drone is roughly the size of a large smartphone, though about three times as thick.

The Flight Experience

The Vision Goggles: These are sleek, lightweight, and feature dual 4K micro-OLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate. The latency is nearly non-existent and they have integrated head tracking. Because the drone is recording in 360 degrees, you aren’t limited to seeing what is in front of the drone. When you turn your head to the left, the goggle feed pans to the left. If you look down, you see the ground passing beneath you. This provides a sense of presence and spatial awareness that is simply impossible with a traditional fixed-camera drone.

The drone uses a single-handed motion controller. You point the controller where you want to go and pull the trigger to accelerate. Tilt your wrist left to bank, or raise the nose of the controller to climb. It is an incredibly intuitive system that allows even a novice to fly through complex environments within minutes. For professional FPV pilots who prefer the precision of manual acrobatic flight, the A1 does support a traditional “Mode 2” stick controller, but the motion controls are so fluid that most users will likely never switch back.

Here’s a video of the drone in action:

Camera Performance

The marketing for the Antigravity 360 proudly displays “8K Resolution.” In a traditional camera, 8K means every pixel is packed into a 16:9 rectangle. In 360 video, those pixels are spread across a full sphere. When you “reframe” that 8K sphere into a standard flat video, you are looking at a “crop” of the total image.

The color science is noticeably improved over previous 360 cameras. The A1 features a “Vivid” profile for those who want punchy, social-media-ready colors, and a 10-bit “Log” profile for professional editors who need to match the footage to other cameras in a color-grading suite. The stabilization, powered by Antigravity’s “FlowState” algorithms, is nothing short of miraculous. You can fly in 20mph winds, and the footage remains as steady as if the camera were on a tripod.

The Editing App

The “Antigravity Studio” app allows you to download footage wirelessly (at speeds up to 80MB/s) and reframe your video using your phone’s gyroscope. You simply watch the video and move your phone around to “film” the scene in real-time. The app also features “Auto-Frame,” an AI tool that identifies subjects and automatically generates a cut that keeps them in focus. For a solo creator, this effectively provides a virtual camera crew that never misses a shot.

Battery Life

Battery technology remains the bottleneck for all small drones. The A1’s standard Intelligent Flight Battery provides a theoretical 24 minutes of flight. In real-world conditions with moderate wind and constant recording, expect closer to 19 or 20 minutes.

While 20 minutes sounds short, the “work per minute” is much higher than a traditional drone. Because you don’t need to re-fly a path to get different angles, a single 20-minute flight can yield the same amount of usable footage as three flights with a Mavic. For those who need more time, the “Pro Battery” (which pushes the weight over 250g) offers a staggering 39 minutes of flight time, though it does compromise the drone’s agility slightly.

In terms of flight dynamics, the A1 is a “cinewhoop” style flyer. It is stable and predictable rather than aggressive and twitchy. It has a top speed of roughly 36 mph, which is plenty for following bikes or cars, but it won’t keep up with a professional racing drone. The “Turtle Mode” is a life-saver; if you crash and end up upside down, the drone can flip itself over using its propellers, allowing you to take off again without a “walk of shame” to recover the aircraft.

Who is this for?

The Antigravity 360 is a niche product that is rapidly becoming mainstream.

• Extreme Sports Athletes: For skiers, mountain bikers, and surfers, the A1 is a game-changer. You can set it to “ActiveTrack” and just go. Because it’s 360, it will never lose you, even if you go under the drone or take a sharp turn.
• Real Estate Videographers: The A1 is perfect for interior tours. It can fly through a house, and in post, you can look at the architecture, the floors, and the ceilings in one seamless take.
• Travel Vloggers: The portability and the “invisible drone” effect make it the ultimate travel companion for those who want high-production-value shots without a full crew.

The Antigravity 360 (A1) is the most exciting drone I have tested. By removing the need for a gimbal and the stress of manual framing, it allows the pilot to focus on the one thing that truly matters: the story they are trying to tell.

While the image quality isn’t quite at the level of a high-end cinema drone, and the lenses are admittedly delicate, these are small prices to pay for the creative liberation the A1 provides. It bridges the gap between traditional cinematography and the immersive world of VR.

If you are a creator who is tired of the same old “drone shots” and want to push the boundaries of what is possible in the air, the Antigravity 360 is an essential addition to your toolkit.

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!

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Even long-term travelers who talk about how they “aren’t tourists” do the same – just at a slower pace and while trying to spend less money. 

And there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s just the nature of travel. While we all imagine dropping into a place, befriending locals, and having this crazy time like we’re in some movies. But that doesn’t happen. Because we’re just passing through and, for the most part, locals don’t want to become friends with tourists. In fact, most locals don’t interact with tourists. (I mean it does happen but it’s not the norm.)

If you really want a deep travel experience, you need to stay. If you want to understand a place, you need to stay. The most transformative travel experiences I’ve ever had involved contributing something and staying somewhere long enough to build real relationships. It was being embedded in a place rather than just passing through.

I think that more travelers should give back when they travel. In the old days, it was hard to find out what organizations and opportunities were legit, vetted, and actually made the lives of locals better.

Now, there’s a ton of companies that can help you not only find meaningful volunteer jobs when you travel but also paid jobs when you travel and one of the best ones is Global Work & Travel. Use code NOMADICMATT to unlock a discount on your next trip.

What Global Work & Travel Does

Global Work & Travel is the world’s largest gap year company and has been placing people on working holidays, volunteer programs, teaching positions, internships, and more for nearly 2 decades. They’ve helped over 116,000 people and they cover destinations across, the UK and Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.

Even for experienced travelers, moving abroad can be difficult. Finding employment as a traveler, securing permanent accommodation or getting stuck in shared rooms for months on end, transport costs in a new city, interview after interview competing against locals… This is just the beginning of what long term travelers need to consider. 

Fortunately, companies like Global Work & Travel provide the scaffolding or safety net that makes working abroad possible for people who don’t want to figure everything out themselves. They handle job matching, pre-departure support, visa guidance, placement, and ongoing assistance through their gWorld portal, a personal trip management app that keeps everything organized in one place. For first-timers especially, having that support structure can be the difference between actually going and endlessly deliberating. The programs they offer span a wide range:

• Working Holidays – Get paid job matches in countries like Australia, Canada, UK, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan before you even leave home. Global Work & Travel also helps you set up necessary bank accounts, tax numbers, accommodation assistance, visa support and more. Duration: 4+ months. Ages 18–35 depending on nationality.
• Volunteer Abroad – Work with exotic wildlife, immerse into incredible cultures, teaching, community work, construction and more across many countries. Open to ages 18–85, from as little as 1 week.
• Teach Abroad – Gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification and paid job match. Included is accommodation, cultural activities, visa application support, bank and tax set up assistance to ensure everything goes smoothly. Teach English in Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Mexico and more. Ages 18–80.
• Au Pair – Become a local by living with a host family in Europe, UK, Australia, New Zealand, or North America. Accommodation, and most living expenses are usually covered. 
• Summer Camp – Ever seen the movie Parent Trap? Well, this is pretty much it. Work as a guide, camp counsellor or otherwise at camps in the USA, France, Canada or the UK for 3–6 months. Accommodation and meals included. 
• Internships – Real-world placements in international firms. Give your career a head start with specialized international work experience.  

Why I Think Working Holiday Makers Are the New “Digital Nomads”

For the past decade, “digital nomad” has been the aspirational version of long term travel. Work remotely, earn in a strong currency, live somewhere cheaper, repeat.

But that model only really works for a small subset of people. You need a remote job, a certain income level, and often a level of career stability that most younger travelers simply don’t have yet.

Working holidays flip that.

Instead of bringing a job with you, you get one when you arrive. You integrate into the local economy instead of floating above it. You meet people through work, not just coworking spaces or short-term hostels. And you build a life somewhere, not just a temporary routine.

In a lot of ways, working holiday makers are having a more grounded and accessible version of what people think digital nomad life is. You’re not just passing through, you’re actually living there. You have coworkers, a schedule, a reason to stay longer than a week, and a chance to build real lifetime connections.

It’s also far more realistic for most people. You don’t need a remote business or years of experience. You just need the willingness to go and the right setup to make it happen.

That’s why I think we’re seeing a shift. Less “how do I work remotely?” and more “how do I actually live and work abroad for a year?”

And that’s exactly where structured programs like Global Work & Travel come in. They remove the biggest barriers, finding a job, navigating visas, getting set up, so people can actually make that shift from idea to reality.

For a lot of travelers, this isn’t just an alternative to digital nomad life. It’s a more sustainable, accessible, and realistic way to actually live and work abroad.

Why I think Volunteering Matters

Volunteering abroad has a complicated reputation, and it’s worth being honest about that. There are lots of bad volunteer programs out there in the world. Programs that don’t really give back and are designed to make travelers “feel” like they did something but really are just profit driven campaigns. Global Work & Travel’s vets programs in the areas such as wildlife conservation, community development, education, and healthcare in the locations and countries it operates so you know the program you sign up for is legit.

The case for ethical, well-structured volunteering is genuinely strong. When you work alongside local Zanzibar communities on problems they’ve defined as priorities, or with wildlife and conservation in South Africa or Elephant rehabilitation in Thailand — something shifts in how you understand the world. Not only are you helping to give back to a place but you also understand the true needs of a the people and ecosystems living there, but also helping overcome the struggles they go through. It opens your mind and shifts your perspective.

Their Global Animal Welfare Fund also channels resources directly into conservation projects at their partner sites, so the impact extends beyond individual placements.

What I Love About Working Holidays

Working holidays let you truly experience a country instead of just visiting it. You immerse yourself in the culture by living like a local every day. You meet more people both locals and fellow travellers while building real friendships. Best of all, you get paid to travel, so you can stay much longer instead of rushing through in a few weeks. This lets you experience local life deeply, discover hidden spots, and understand how people really live in different places. You also build valuable skills, boost your resume with international experience, and make long-term travel more affordable since your income covers the costs. Plus, you gain a real cultural understanding that no short holiday can match. All that while stil getting paid? Not bad right?!

Working holidays turn travel into a true lifestyle, not just another 2 week vacation.

What I Like About How Global Work & Travel Operates

Global Work & Travel are the world leaders in long term travel and offer a ton of options for travelers looking to volunteer, work, or spend extended time in a destination. Some things I like about them.

1. Their lifetime deposit policy is genuinely unusual: if your plans change, your deposit doesn’t disappear. It stays on your account indefinitely and can be transferred to a different program or destination
2. The gWorld portal is genuinely useful. This pre-departure tool that helps you with your visa application, access exclusive deals, connect with others on your program, and even begin language learning before you arrive.
3. They have transparent 24/5 worldwide human support. When something goes wrong abroad, being able to reach a human in local time is worth more than any amount of pre-trip planning.
4. With over 619k followers on Instagram, it’s easy to connect with and make friends with people before you go. 
5. A structured start to your trip is the best way to save money, time and stress. The Global network and support are there to help and guide you from start to finish. Use code NOMADICMATT for a discount on your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior experience to work abroad with Global Work & Travel? For most trips, generally nothing more than basic work experience is required. Teaching programs include TEFL training, and volunteering can be started from no experience.

What’s the minimum age? Most programs are open from age 18. Working holiday visas typically cap at 35 depending on the destination country but volunteer and teach programs are open to ages 18–80.

How long does the whole process take? It varies by programs and destination. Most people book their trips 6-12 months in advance for proper planning, job matching and visa quotas. You can get started for as little as $1 here.

Is my money safe if things change? Global Work & Travel and their lifetime deposit policy means your initial payment doesn’t expire. They are also members of many consumer protection services to further support travelers.

Can I go as a solo traveler? Yes, and this is actually one of the most common scenarios. The gWorld Community and programs group connections mean you’ll be meeting others in the same position quickly.

Travel has always been best when it’s been more than tourism. The moments that stay with you — that you actually tell people about five years later — are never the ones where you queued to see a famous landmark. They’re the ones where you connect with people. They are the moments where you did something. 

Global Work & Travel makes doing something deep accessible in a way that genuinely wasn’t available a decade ago. If you’ve been thinking about doing something like this but the logistics have felt too complicated, check them out and use code NOMADICMATT to unlock a $100 discount on your trip.

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!

The post Why This Company is One of the Best for Finding Work appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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After 19 years, I finally went back to Ko Lipe, the Thai island I spent close to a month on in 2006. Back then, it was one of those super off-the-beaten-path destinations that few but the most intrepid travelers visited, where electricity only ran a few hours a day, basic bungalows right on the beach cost something like $2 USD, and there really was a last boat for the season.

There was much to do here but that was the point. You hung out on the beach, read a book, went snorkeling, went back to the beach, drank beers at the one beach bar on the island, rotated meals between the five restaurants there, and went to bed early.

It was paradise – and a place a lot of people got stuck. Days easily turned into weeks here.

If you asked me what the highlight of all my travels was, I would be the time I spent on Ko Lipe. I made incredible friends, lounged around, got to know the locals, learned a bit of Thai, and, overall, lived that idyllic backpacker life we all dream about.

Over the years, I’ve avoided going back to Ko Lipe because the memory of my time there is so strong that I didn’t want to ruin it. Any re-visit would simply be trying to recreated a magic that couldn’t be recreated because the people that it special wouldn’t be there. I’d be chasing travel ghosts. And, since I know my sleepy paradise has been developed greatly over the years, I was also too afraid seeing that would make me sad.

Tourism in Thailand tends toward the unsustainable. No island really develops in a good way. It’s all build, build, build.

And I didn’t want to see my Ko Lipe like that.

But as I was planning my recent trip through Southeast Asia, returning to Ko Lipe made sense. I was heading down the Indian Ocean side of Thailand on my way into Malaysia and I’d pass by it.

And, since I was looking for a lively place for New Year’s Eve, it seemed liked the best choice. I knew there would be travelers there and there were no other nearby islands that would work, especially since Ko Lipe has a boat to Langkawi, which was my next stop.

So, I sucked it up and went.

And I’m sad to report that Ko Lipe took the Ko Phi Phi model of tourism and is now extremely overdeveloped.

Unsustainably so.

Most of the island is now paved over, the old dirt footpaths having become concrete for the cars and construction trucks. Swaths of palm trees are now the sites of high-end resorts with pools (on an island with no natural water supply). Construction of more resorts continues at a fast pace. The coral around the island is dying, a victim of all the boats, anchors, pollution, and overfishing. Beaches are now lined with boats, their exhaust spilling into the ocean, leaving a shiny film you can see as you swim. And the restaurants cater to tourists looking for bad Western food, not great Thai cuisine.

The island’s boom has displaced many locals, who were forced to sell to mainland developers, and much of the island’s workforce is now from the mainland. They see little of the benefits this tourism boom.

So lies Ko Lipe, another victim of Thailand’s all too common overdevelopment and exploitation of limited resources.

I met lots of people there who loved the island. If it’s your first time, I can see why you would love it. After all, the area is postcard perfect, the water is perfectly an azure blue, the sand is a beautiful white, and since you’re surrounded by a national park, a lot of tours take you to some secluded islands.

And, in comparison to Ko Phi Phi, Krabi, or Phuket, it is less developed so I can’t fault someone stepping here for the first time going “wow!”

But, as I reflect on the island and its overdevelopment, I have come to the same conclusion I have about Ko Phi Phi: people shouldn’t visit.

I’m not against growth, but I’m against this kind of growth. It’s not sustainably managed and going there will only tax the island’s limited resources even further. You can’t put the genie back in the bottle and no local is going to say “sure, I’ll stay broke so you can an idealized vision of the world.”

But this is not the way.

And, with so many other islands to visit that are well managed (Ko Lanta, Ko Jum, and Ko Mook, to name three nearby), I think you should skip Ko Lipe.

A visit there will only make things worse.

It pains me to say that, because it was such a beautiful place, and my original visit had a huge impact on my life. But if we’re going to be good stewards and travelers, sometimes you just have to say enough is enough.

And Ko Lipe is a place where enough is enough.

Go somewhere else that is better managed.

Because your choices do have an impact.

Riding elephants in Thailand went away when consumers became more conscious of it. Eco lodges got big because of consumers. Overtourism is talked about by consumers as much as it is by locals.

Maybe if enough people start to do something, Ko Lipe will change.

I doubt it but one can hope.

But, at the very least, by not going you are at least no contributing to the problem.

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I’ve been in love with France ever since my first trip to Bordeaux in 2010. Friends I had met back in Thailand showed me around the area and introduced me to French culture. It was my first time in France and I loved the food, the wine, and the people.

But that love became an obsession when, after Bordeaux, I stepped out of the Paris metro and onto the Champs Élysées. The lights, the energy, the mystique! There was magic in the air. I felt like I had known the city my entire life and I was simply returning home.

Since then, Paris has had a firm grip on my heart. Over the years, I spent countless visits exploring France and Paris in particular. I’ve run tours in the city and I spent a few months living there in 2019.

Last August, after yet another sojourn, I thought to myself, “What if I moved back?”

I was growing a bit tired of the NYC dating scene, the rising cost of living, and felt like creatively, I was in a rut. With AI coming for creators like me and the industry changing, I was a little lost on what, career wise, would come next.

In short, I needed a change.

And Paris seemed like the best place to go.

It’s cheaper than NYC, I had friends there already, I’ve always wanted to learn French, it would make a great base for exploring Europe, and I could start writing my next book there. There’s nothing like a change in scenery to get the creativity flowing!

But the question remained: how do you move to France?

After all, they don’t have a digital nomad visa, and you’re limited to three months if you visit on your regular Schengen tourist visa.

Well, it turns out that it’s not actually that hard. (And while I can only speak for Americans, I suspect the criteria are similar for Canadians, Aussies, Kiwis, and other “developed” nations.)

If you want to move to France, you have four main options:

• Student visa
• Long-term visitor visa
• Entrepreneur
• Talent visa

The student visa is pretty straightforward. You need to enroll in a full-time university program and show you have enough funds to support yourself (around 600 Euros per month). A friend is currently there on this visa, as she is doing a nine-month intensive French program to become fluent. You still have to apply for the visa, but if you’re enrolled in an accredited school, you’ll likely get approved. Another benefit to this visa is that you can work part-time on it!

But this visa is contingent on being in school, so if you leave or quit, it’s voided. However, when you are done, you can change this to a “job seekers” visa, which can give you up to another six months in France (or more depending on how long your program was).

I thought about applying for the entrepreneur visa, but the application process is pretty complex and can take months to be approved. You have to set up your business in France — and that is a lot of paperwork. You have to show that your business makes money, has clients (at least one of them being French), and can support you full time (you have to make at least the French minimum wage). They will scrutinize your assets and financials a lot and you’ll need to register your business in France and pay French taxes.

Additionally, France offers a talent visa. If you’re an expert in your field (with verifiable accreditations and accolades), this could be a good visa to apply for, especially if you plan to stay in France for a long time and want to physically work there. But, again, you’ll need to have some source of income and plan to do physical business in the France. If you’re not an academic but someone in the arts, you have to show how you are going to add to the “culture of France” in some way.

While I would meet the requirements for both those visas, the process for either would have been time consuming, and, since I’m not sure France is going to be my forever home, I decided not to go through that process.

So I went with the long-term visitor visa, officially called VLS-TS visiteur. This allows me to stay up to 12 months in France and is renewable in the country. It does come with a lot of restrictions, however: I can’t physically work here and I am not allowed into the French social welfare system.

It’s also the visa a lot of Americans (and most retirees) are coming in on. If you have passive income or retirement savings and just want to live in France, this is a good option for you. It allows you to set up a bank account and it can be renewed pretty much indefinitely.

The paperwork for this visa (which I’ll get into in a bit) essentially comes down to whether or not you can support yourself. French authorities want to make sure you won’t be a burden on the system.

My biggest question centered around whether or not I could “work” on this visa. A lot creators and digital nomads are applying for — and getting — this visa.

But remember: you aren’t allowed to work on this visa so how are you going to work if you can’t work?

So let me take a moment to talk about “work” from a legal standpoint.

As I mentioned, there’s no digital nomad visa that allows you to work in France. And the French tax office said last July that remote work is considered taxable — but there are no official laws that. That’s just their opinion and there’s been no progress in codifying that opinion. In fact, my visa doesn’t even come with a tax number, so it’s impossible for me to be taxed. I couldn’t pay taxes even if I wanted to.

The visa office asks how you’ll support yourself when you are in France and one of the sources of income they accept is “income from work.” I was very open that my means of support would be the income from this blog and my books.

The system there really hasn’t caught up to remote work. It still defines “work” as something you do physically that could take away a job from a French person.

So could I run walking tours in Paris? Nope. Could you work at a café? Nope.

But does writing this blog post count as work? After all, no one is paying for it. It’s a free resource. Does going to a café to work on the next great American novel count? What about my weekly newsletter that has affiliate links (that generate income) in it? Is writing that considered work?

The gray area is considerable, so the best thing to do is to talk to a lawyer. I recommend Daniel Tostado (yes, that’s his real name), one of the biggest American-French immigration lawyers in Paris. He has a huge law firm and regularly meets with government officials to clarify the rules on this. He gave me some solid advice.

For this long-term visitor visa, the application process is pretty easy. You go to the French government website, fill out your application, take the application number to the TLScontact website, and make an appointment. (France outsources the appointment process to this company, which then sends everything to the French consulate for approval.)

The main things you’ll want to demonstrate are that you have accommodation for 90 days on your application and enough income to support yourself. They just want to make sure you aren’t going to be a burden on the system. I went overboard. Here’s what I brought to my appointment:

• The application (you need to bring a printout)
• A confirmation of the appointment
• Extra passport photos
• Proof of accommodation (this can be Airbnbs, hotels, or someone’s home — if it’s the latter, make sure that they are the owner!)
• A letter attesting I won’t work
• A financial summary letter explaining why I am moving there and my source of income
• Health insurance that meets French legal requirements (I used Mondassur.)
• Three months of bank statements showing regular deposits
• A second bank account, my tax returns, and my W-2

I didn’t need the second bank account, tax returns, or W-2 (they weren’t required) but the woman at the appointment said the more proof you had the better and it wouldn’t hurt. And another friend who got this visa didn’t bring beyond what was asked in the application form. But I wanted to take no chances!

At the appointment, the staff double-checks your paperwork, takes your biometric data, collects the fees, and then sends your passport to the embassy for processing. Officially, it takes up to 15 days to process your visa, but everyone I know seems to get it back within a week.

The worst part was not knowing if you are approved until your passport is returned. While you can track the progress of your application, you don’t know the verdict until your passport is back in your hands. While I was waiting (and anxiously spiraling), I looked on Reddit and found that most denials were for lack of income or issues with their accommodation, which seem to be the two most important things to have perfect on your application.

Once you get your visa back, you can enter France any time after the start date. After you enter, you have 90 days to register your visa with the state (they give you a little QR code with instructions). This allows you to “officially” be on this long-term visa. (It’s a more paperwork kind of thing.)

Once that is done, there’s nothing else to do and you can stay in France (and Europe) until your visa expires!

So, if you’re considering moving to France, these are your options. But, as always, I’m not a lawyer and this is not legal advance. In regard to work and other issues or questions, it’s important that you seek legal counsel and get their expert opinion!

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One of my favorite ways to explore Tokyo is by taking an Airbnb Experience. Led by locals and long-term residents, these tours give you a front-row seat to Tokyo’s food culture, nightlife, history, and crafts in a way you rarely get when wandering on your own. I’ve done a lot of Airbnb Experiences in Tokyo over the years and think they are often even better than traditional tours you find on Get Your Guide (though Arigato Travel is next level and the best traditional tour company in the city so don’t miss out on them).

To help you pick from the endless Experiences you can find, below are my favorite in Tokyo that combine cultural immersion, hands-on learning, and just the right amount of fun:

Learn to Make Authentic Sushi with a Trained Chef

Sushi-making classes are common in Tokyo but this Airbnb Experience stands out because it’s done in an omakase restaurant. This class is given by a sushi master (or his apprentice). You don’t just learn how to shape rice or slice fish; you learn why certain cuts matter, how chefs season rice differently depending on style, and how to pair ingredients to highlight texture and flavor. The class is hands-on and surprisingly approachable. It’s a small group experience done in the morning so you can have a filling and fun breakfast experience before going out to explore Tokyo. I absolutely loved it.

Shibuya Nightlife with Unlimited Drinks

This is my favorite nightlife tour in Tokyo. The host, Suemi, and her friends provide the absolute best time. This Shibuya nightlife tour one takes you to 3-4 izakaya spots that are very untouristy and filled without locals. You get unlimited food and drinks and it’s a really great experience. My guide, Shugo, was outgoing, spoke conversational English, handled large group dynamics well, was entertaining, explained the culture of izakaya restaurants in detail, and stayed past when the Experienced ended. He was great!

Additionally, Suemi and her friends also run an unlimited Sake tasting class, which is the best Sake class I’ve done in Tokyo. They go into incredible detail about how sake is made and use a lot of visuals so it’s really easy to understand. It’s a small group of six, which made the Experience really personable. If you take a Sake experience, take this one. (They also un a whiskey tasting experience that I haven’t done this one yet but I bet it’s just as good).

Shinjuku Izakaya Tour

This experience is similar in spirit to the Shibuya nightlife tour but set in one of Tokyo’s other major nightlife hubs. Shinjuku is packed with tiny izakaya spots, many of them hidden in narrow alleyways or upstairs spaces you’d never think to enter on your own. On this tour, Yuma (a knowledgeable sake sommelier) takes you to several of these small, local spots and walks you through how izakaya culture really works.

You’ll try different styles of sake along the way and learn how to read menus, what to order, and how locals typically drink and eat in these settings. Yuma is outgoing, fun, and very good at explaining things clearly without overwhelming you. It’s social, relaxed, and a great way to experience Shinjuku nightlife without feeling lost or intimidated.

Historic Tokyo Walking Tour

This is one of the most educational experiences I’ve done in Tokyo. Instead of focusing on the usual tourist areas, this tour explores quieter neighborhoods that retain a strong connection to the city’s past. The host is a lecturer specializing in Japanese history and traditional culture, and it really shows in the depth of information shared throughout the walk.

You’ll visit places like Nezu Shrine, walk through its tunnel of red torii gates, explore the old streets of Yanaka, and learn about the Edo period, the Meiji Restoration, and how the role of the samurai changed as Japan modernized. It’s a 2.5-hour walk that never feels rushed and gives you a much clearer understanding of how Tokyo became the city it is today. I learned a lot from this tour.

Tokyo Coffee Culture Tour

Tokyo has an burgeoning coffee scene and this tour does a great job of showing it to you. You explore Jimbocho and Kanda, two very under visited neighborhoods, to learn about both old-school kissaten and modern specialty cafés. You’ll learn about brewing techniques, flavor profiles, and how Japan developed such a meticulous approach to coffee.

The tour includes visits to historic cafés, specialty shops leading Tokyo’s third-wave movement, and even wagashi shops where you’ll learn how traditional Japanese sweets pair with coffee. It’s a really thoughtful and unique afternoon experience.

Organic matcha Tea Ceremony

This one-hour experience is a great introduction to matcha and Japanese tea culture. You’ll learn about the history of matcha, its role in Japanese society, and how to tell high-quality matcha from lower-grade varieties. The host walks you through the traditional preparation process step by step. You’ll whisk and taste authentic matcha in a calm, traditional setting that feels worlds away from Tokyo’s busy streets. It’s short but memorable, and it gives you a much deeper appreciation for something you’ll see everywhere while traveling in Japan.

Tokyo Ramen Tour

Ramen is synonymous with Japanese food, and this tour helps you understand why it inspires such devotion. Over the course of about three hours, you’ll visit multiple ramen shops, each highlighting a different style or approach.
You’ll learn about ramen’s origins, modern trends, and regional variations while tasting everything from classic bowls to more experimental or fusion styles. The guide explains broth types, noodle textures, and toppings in a way that’s easy to follow. Come hungry as this tour will absolutely fill you up!

Shibuya and Harajuku Street Art Tour

This tour takes you through Shibuya and Harajuku to see murals and installations hidden in alleyways and less obvious spaces. Street art is a much quieter, more underground scene in Tokyo (they Japanese aren’t so keen on murals on their buildings) so learning about where it is allowed and how the culture thrives in such a restrictive environment is really interesting. he tour also includes visual examples of murals before and after they were created, which adds helpful context. I think it is one of the most interesting and unique Airbnb Experiences and gives you a really good look at a side of Japan most people don’t see!

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I’ve been traveling for close to twenty years. In that time, the airline industry has changed a lot. The use of points and miles has become widespread, round-the-world tickets have gone the way of the dodo, airlines have consolidated, and there has been an explosion of budget airlines.

Over the last few years, the cost of airline tickets has steadily risen. They get more and more expensive while their prices often seem illogical.

Since ticket pricing is an arcane and misunderstood subject, I want to take some time to explain why your airplane ticket costs what it does.

A Look at the Airline Industry

Ticket prices have increased over the decade for several reasons. For starters, the industry has consolidated a lot over the last few decades. Thanks to bankruptcies and mergers, there are now only three major alliance airlines (American, Delta, and United) in the United States. And, with the recent bankruptcy of Spirit and the merger of Alaska and Hawaiian, there’s even less competition outside the Big 3.

In Canada, there are only two major airlines – WestJet and Air Canada.

In Europe, Air France–KLM, British Airways IAG, and Lufthansa control the bulk of the market. (Though, thankfully, in Europe, there are lots of budget airlines to choose from.)

As airlines have partnered up, merged, or gone bankrupt, there is little incentive to provide low fares to win your business. After all, when only one or two airlines are flying a route, airlines know you don’t have much choice. Less competition means higher prices.

Secondly, the price of airline fuel has increased tremendously. Back in 2017, jet fuel cost $1.37 per gallon. In 2024, it is $6.49 per gallon! Airlines have simply passed that fivefold increase on to the consumer.

Thirdly, airline taxes and security fees have increased a lot, adding to the cost of your ticket. Ever fly into London? Half the ticket price is made up of fees and taxes!

Finally, demand fell following the 2008 recession, and to compensate, airlines reduced both the number of routes they offered and the frequency of their flights. Fuller planes mean more passenger revenue and fewer costs for the airline.

That trend greatly accelerated during COVID. When COVID shut down global travel, airlines mothballed many of their older planes and laid off many of their staff. When travel restrictions were lifted and more people started flying again, they didn’t have enough planes or staff to return to a pre-COVID schedule. This decrease in the supply of flights, coupled with the surge in demand for travel, meant that airlines had little incentive to lower prices.

According to Rick Seaney of Farecompare.com, “Before 2008, things were in favor of the passengers. After the 2009 crisis, the scale of justice tipped towards the airlines.”

Taken together, a consolidated airline industry that is facing more costs is simply less likely to generally offer lower fares.

How Airlines Determine Pricing

Prices go up and down for many reasons. There are four major factors that drive prices are competition, supply, demand, and oil prices.

Together, those four things affect something called “the load factor.” Airlines want to fill their planes and maximize profits, and they do this by calculating a plane’s load factor. Essentially, this is the percentage of seats sold on a flight. They want this number to be as high as possible.

To get the highest possible load factor, airlines will constantly change prices based on the four categories above in order to get people to buy tickets.

Airlines use dynamic pricing models and artificial intelligence (AI) to figure out the maximum value they can get for each seat. Have you ever wondered why airlines seem to callously raise their prices after a big event spikes demand? They aren’t. The AI is. All it sees is sky-high demand and adjusts accordingly to its programming. More demand = higher prices.

These advanced computer systems constantly compare booking trends to past sales history, major events, concerts, sporting events, weather, and competitor behavior. They can look at consumer searching and booking behavior and process lots and lots of data and change prices on the fly (no pun intended) in hopes of getting the best price possible.

All of this is why one day a flight may cost $100, then $400 the next, and then back to $100 the day after that. As people buy seats on a flight, airlines raise prices, and when demand falls (at a certain price point), they lower prices until fewer and fewer seats are available, then they will raise prices again. It’s a delicate balance designed to ensure maximum revenue. It’s why prices are cheapest for 5 AM flights, more expensive over the holidays, and through the roof during peak season or if there’s a major sports event in town.

After all, you can’t add more seats to a plane, so all they can do to raise revenue is charge higher fares!

It’s also why prices might change in seconds. It’s not because they are tracking your cookies, it’s because the AI is responding to real-time changes in seats. Think about it. How many booking companies are out there? Lots! All of them are reserving seats. Millions of people fly each day and, with limited routes, it’s easier to fill planes, so the AI doesn’t need to discount fares as much as it had to in the past.

On a US domestic flight, there might be 10–15 different price points. If the load factor is low and demand is low, an airline will increase the availability of cheap fares. If the load factor is high and demand is high, the airline will raise prices.

As Rick said, the airline is advantaged now.

But it’s not impossible to find a cheap ticket. There are many, many ways to find cheap airfare. To avoid being the person who paid the most for their ticket, the main thing to do is to be flexible.

Airlines are constantly changing prices to increase revenue, hoping to get people into the highest price buckets possible. “About three months before, airlines start to manage those bottom price points,” Rick says. That means airlines begin to look at historical trends and current seat sales to figure out whether they will release those really rock-bottom fares or keep prices high.

If you’re booking inside a month, you’re playing into the airline’s hands. When your dates are no longer flexible, you’ll pay whatever they charge.

To find out how to navigate this system and get a cheap flight, check out these articles I wrote:

• How to Get Cheap Flights
• How to Use Airline Credit Cards for Free Flights
• How I Search for Airline Tickets

The days of cheap airfares are long over. They aren’t coming back, and the prices you see now are the new normal for airline tickets. They are simply going to cost a lot more, especially if you don’t find the sweet spot when prices are their lowest.

But by understanding how tickets are priced, you can avoid being the person who pays the most.

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Not only do I have a bunch for my personal expenses but I have a couple for this business too. One of my favorite business credit cards is the Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card. It’s Capital One’s top-tier business product. I love it because there’s a big welcome offer, lounge access to over 1,300 airport lounges, annual travel credits, and a simple 2x reward on all spending (which ensures you are always earning multiples miles per dollar spent).

To help you decide if this card is for you, here’s my full review of the card and why I love it so much:

What is the Capital One Venture X Business Card?

The Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card is a travel rewards card issued by Capital One. It comes with a $395 annual fee that is way lower than the other premium business cards out there. And I think you can easily get way more value than the annual fee costs. Here’s a quick look at the main perks:

• 150,000 miles after spending $30,000 in the first 3 months
• 2 miles per $1 on all purchases, no category restrictions
• 5× miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 10× miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• $300 annual travel credit (through Capital One Business Travel)
• Every year, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date.
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass lounges, after enrollment
• Up to $120 statement credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry
• No foreign transaction fees

Using Your Capital One Miles

Capital One miles can be redeemed in a few ways. One is by booking travel directly through Capital One’s portal. While I usually don’t recommend booking through credit card portals, to fully benefit from the Venture X’s travel credit (and to get the 5x and 10x miles offers) you’ll need to use their portal.

Another option is to use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase. For 90 days after making such a purchase, you can reimburse yourself at a redemption rate of one cent per mile. After 90 days, and for all other purchases, you can use miles as cash back, at a redemption rate of 0.5 cents per mile (but avoid doing this, as it’s not a good value).

You can also use your Capital One miles in the Capital One Entertainment portal to book tickets for concerts, sports events, and more. Occasionally, Capital One offers cardholder-only events and presale opportunities too. While you’ll get just 0.8 cents per mile for tickets (not the best value), it’s still a fun and unique way to redeem miles.

However, you’ll get the most out of your miles by transferring them to Capital One’s 15+ airline and hotel partners. While the actual value varies based on what you book, you can usually find airline and hotel redemptions worth much more than the aforementioned one cent per mile. (The process is pretty straightforward and can be done through your Capital One account.)

Here are Capital One’s current travel partners:

• Accor Live Limitless
• Aeromexico Club Premier
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France/KLM Flying Blue
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Choice Privileges
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Airways Guest
• EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
• Finnair Plus
• I Prefer Hotel Rewards
• Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• TAP Portugal Miles&Go
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• Virgin Red
• Wyndham Rewards

Pros of the Venture X Business Card

As someone who travels constantly for work, I’m always looking for ways to earn miles faster and make airport life a little less painful. I like this card for the simple 2x miles on everything. I use a lot of other cards that can get you 3 or 4x on certain categories like advertising or non-portal travel spend like flights and hotels. But when it comes to dining, museums, transportation, etc, there’s not a lot of ways to get more than 2x per dollar spent on a business card. So, I use this Venture X for anything I can’t get more than 2x per dollar.

Here’s a deep dive into some of the main perks:

$300 Travel Credit
Each year, you get a $300 credit toward bookings made through Capital One Business Travel (flights, hotels, or car rentals). If you’re already booking travel regularly, this credit is basically free money — and it immediately drops your effective annual fee from $395 to $95.

The catch? You do have to book through Capital One’s travel portal. It’s powered by Hopper, so the interface is clean and prices are usually competitive. I’ve found some good deals there.

Lounge Access
You get access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges. Capital One’s own lounges are actually great — spacious, modern, good food — though they’re still limited location. But they are expanding how many they have and I personally think they are way better than the other lounges competitor banks have. You also get Priority Pass access t o over 1,300 lounges globally, which is a common but really nice perk.

Anniversary Bonus
Every year on your account anniversary, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles (worth about $100 toward travel). It’s a nice “thank you” that helps offset the annual fee even further.
 

Should You Get This Card?

The Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card is best for small- to medium-sized business owners who travel regularly and can put at least $30,000 to ensure they meet the welcome offer requirements.

Overall, I think the Capital One Venture X Business is one of the best-value premium business cards out there right now. It’s not as benefit-packed or as flashy as the Amex Business Platinum or the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but it’s easier to use, has a less expensive annual fee, gets you lounge access, and an easy to understand earning structure.

It’s one of the cards I use the most often for my business. I highly recommend getting it.

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Travelers can be a fickle group of people to buy gifts for. We’re constantly coming and going, we usually don’t carry a lot of stuff with us, and no two travelers are alike. Finding the perfect gift for the traveler in your life can be tricky.

While a plane ticket is never a bad idea (I’m a window seat in case anyone is thinking of getting me one), I’ve put together this ultimate gift guide for travelers as there’s a lot of great travel gear out there these days that helps people travel cheaper and better.

Even me, the gear-adverse traveler, likes a lot of this stuff!

This is stuff I actually think is super useful. No nonsense. No fluff. Just the best gifts for intrepid travelers and globetrotting nomads.

Gifts Under $25

1. A Travel Lock

This simple item is one of the most important for the budget traveler. Since many hostels have lockers, backpackers need to have their own travel lock when they’re on the road. While you can usually rent them at hostels, those prices add up after a while. I never leave home without a lock because I know it will come in handy.

2. Loop Earplugs

Anyone who has ever stayed in a hostel knows that a quality pair of earplugs is a necessity. From chronic snorers to late-night drinkers to copulating couples in creaking bunks, hostels are known for their less-than-quiet accommodation. I suggest investing in good earplugs and not just the cheap foam ones. Not only will they help you sleep, but they’re great for bus trips and flights as well as wearing as you explore louder, more hectic cities.

3. Travel Adapter

Nothing is more tedious than arriving at a new destination only to realize you can’t charge your devices because the electrical outlets are different. That’s why you’ll need a travel adapter. They’re a simple accessory. There’s a million out there but this is one I use as it covers every region of the world and comes with USB ports too. It’s cheap, easy to use, and lightweight. Everything you need in an adapter.

4. Zbiotics Pre-Alcohol

Zbiotics Pre-Alcohol is a pre-drink probiotic that helps you really avoid those rough mornings after drinking. A friend of mine introduced it into our friend group over a year ago and I’ve been hooked ever since. It really does work. I take it with me whenever I travel and have gotten other friends, fellow travel writers, and even a tour guide in Peru onto it. It will make your next mornings bright and it helps me ensure that I’m not feeling too bad to do stuff the next day. I love this product. It works. If you or a traveler on your gift list drinks, take it. You can save 10% off with the code NOMADICMATT.

5. Scratch Travel Maps from Landmass

Scratch maps are a fun way to keep track of your past travels while helping you stay inspired as you plan your future trips. You simply scratch off the parts of the world you’ve been. Simple. Easy. Landmass is my favorite company that makes these, though there are plenty of other companies that make them now so you can find them in all sorts of sizes and colors.

6. Passport Holder

A passport holder is a must-have for any avid traveler. Not only does it protect your passport from wear and tear, it makes your travels much more convenient. Most passport holders have slots for your travel credit cards as well as any cash you have, making it a safe and convenient way to keep your valuables secure while you travel. While there are tons of expensive and fancy passport holders out there, a simple one will get the job done and save you money in the process (money you can spend on more travels!).

7. Hand-drawn Food Maps

These are unique, hand-drawn typographic maps of food from Legal Nomads and artist Ella Frances Sanders. They make a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves to eat and travel (and who doesn’t!). They come in a variety of sizes too! Jodi’s maps are the best! (Use code NOMADICMATT to save 10%)

8. How to Travel the World on $75 A Day (and Other Travel Books!)

Want to travel more for less? Pick up a copy of my New York Times bestselling guide to budget travel and never overpay for travel again! With this book, you’ll get an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide to planning a trip on a budget. And, with super detailed sections to regions around the globe, you’ll be able to navigate every region around the world like a pro! This book takes all the knowledge from this website and puts it all into one place with even more details and resources! And it’s not just for long-term travelers either. The tactics and strategies you’ll learn apply to a trip of any length of time!

9. Celiac Travel Cards

My friend Jodi from Legal Nomads created these helpful travel cards for anyone traveling with Celiac disease. They are in-depth resources that communicate your concerns to restaurant staff in a way that allows anyone traveling with the disease to have a worry-free meal. If you or someone you love has Celiac disease, these travel cards are a useful resource! (Use code NOMADICMATT for 10% off!)

10. Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is a convenient liquid-free alternative to regular shampoo. It’s a useful minimalist solution for budget travelers who travel carry-on only and an eco-friendly choice as well. Natural dry shampoos absorb the grease and oil in your hair, keeping it clean while you’re on the road — and with minimal effort too. It works for all types of hair and hair lengths as well so you don’t need to shave your head or do anything drastic either.

11. Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are an awesome tool to help you stay organized while you travel. Whether you’re a budget backpacker or traveling with half a dozen suitcases, packing cubes will keep you organized as you travel the world. They come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to store items big and small. If you know a traveler who needs a hand staying organized, this is the gift for them!

12. HostelPass

For the traveler heading to Europe, consider gifting a HostelPass. This discount card offers over 130 discounts to hostels in 40 cities throughout 15 countries in Europe. With HostelPass, travelers can save up to 40% on accommodation. It’s the discount card I wish existed when I first started backpacking around Europe and is perfect for budget traveler planning a trip around the continent.

13. Trip Chaser

In this fun travel game (created by my friends Dalene and Pete) you have to prove who’s the most travel-savvy by buying, bartering, and gambling your way to various destinations. Just like actual travel, expect both stumbling blocks and enriching experiences along the way. You’ll rely on the luck of drawing a good event card, or proactively buying travel insurance to save you from the unexpected! It’s a family-friendly game for 2-6 players and perfect for everyone who loves to travel!

14. DryFox Quick Dry Travel Towel

Unless you’re only staying at hotels or using Airbnb, you’re going to need to bring a towel when you travel. Having a lightweight, quick-drying towel makes a huge difference when you’re on the road since regular towels are too bulky and heavy (and they take a long time to dry). Get a travel towel for your next trip so you can travel light. They’re a compact, quick-drying solution that every backpacker needs.

(Use code “nomadicmatt” for 15% off your purchase!)

15. Menstrual Cup

Menstrual cups are reusable, eco-friendly feminine hygiene products. While I can’t speak to their effectiveness personally, tons of female travelers I know are huge fans. It can be a hassle trying to find the products you need while abroad, making this a simple, effective, and affordable addition to your toiletry kit.

Gifts Under $100

16. Trtl Travel Pillow

Travel pillows are perfect for those long-haul flights, delayed buses, and airport naps. Every traveler needs to have a travel pillow on hand to maximize that downtime and time in transit, and Trtl pillows are the best on the market. They help prevent jet lag and make even the longest, most uncomfortable trip a little more bearable.

17. Travel Headlamp

This is a handy tool for both backpackers and anyone looking to do any hiking or camping. In a hostel, a headlamp is helpful if you need to check in or out but don’t want to disturb your fellow travelers. For outdoorsy folks, they’re useful for hiking, setting up camp in the dark, and for emergencies.

18. External Battery

These days, we all travel with numerous electronic devices like phones and tablets. It can be hard to keep them all charged. An external battery solves that problem. Two high-output USB ports make this external battery incredibly convenient, and it can charge most phones up to 6 times in one go!

19. LifeStraw

Environmentally, pollution from single-use plastics is something every traveler has witnessed. And, monetarily, when you’re traveling, continuously buying water gets expensive. Do your part to help the planet by traveling with a reusable filter. LifeStraw is an awesome brand with a built-in water filter. The filters last 5 years so you save money on changing them too.

Gifts Over $100

20. Suavs shoes

Suavs shoes are super versatile and durable, making them perfect for traveling. Whether you’re just exploring the city or in need of something that looks a bit fancier, these shoes can do it all so you don’t have to pack multiple shoes. They are flexible, light, washable, and breathable. I love them! (They look great too!)

21. Travel Backpack

If you’ve got a budget traveler on your holiday list, a travel backpack is the gift that keeps on giving. A well-made bag will last for years and through dozens of adventures. Having a reliable travel backpack is one of the most important items for a traveler.

My favorite bag is the Flash 55 from REI but other companies that make high-quality bags include Osprey, Nomatic, and MEC (for Canadians).

Some bags worth checking out are:

• Men’s Osprey Farpoint 40
• Women’s Osprey Fairview 40
• Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Travel Backpack

(For a different backpack, check out my guide finding the right backpack for more options!)
 

22. Travel Clothing from Unbound Merino

These travel clothes are some of the most versatile on the market. Made from merino wool, Unbound offers clothing that can be worn daily for weeks (and months!) without getting smelly. They are perfect for the traveler who wants to pack lighter. I really love the material, they’re comfortable, they hardly ever need a wash, and they last forever!

23. MacBook Air

This is my favorite travel computer. It’s light, it’s powerful enough for regular use, and the battery life lasts a long time. While an iPad might be another potential travel choice, I find the Air much more versatile — especially with their new M4 chip. You can just do a lot more with it. When I’m on the road, this is the laptop I travel with.

24. Noise-Canceling Headphones

These are ideal for those long flights or bus trips as they block out background noise so you can read, work, or sleep without being disturbed. The wireless Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are fan favorites and my go-to brand. They are comfortable, rechargeable, and do an amazing job at removing background noise. If you’re on a budget, consider the QuietComfort 25 instead.

25. Kindle

While I personally prefer to read physical books, I can’t argue against the convenience and simplicity of the Kindle. Hauling around physical books is a pain if you’re traveling often. With a Kindle, you can pack over 1,000 books into a single device and many versions can also use apps and access the internet. It’s a wonderful gift for the avid reader.

26. GoPro Hero 12

Every traveler needs a camera, and few are as versatile and durable as the GoPro. They’re incredible for photos and video no matter the climate. They’re waterproof and are perfect for both everyday city exploring as well as more extreme and adventurous activities. They’re just awesome. If the Hero 12 is too pricey, grab the 10 or 11. They’re almost as good and a bit cheaper!

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Or, when smartphones became widespread, searching for a SIM card kiosk to buy a physical SIM, trying to poorly communicate with staff in a language I didn’t know, and spending 20 minutes swapping out tiny plastic chips.

Luckily, things have changed and life is incredibly easier thanks to eSIMs. Rather than needing a physical SIM card, you can download an app that gives you tons of high-speed data. In a world where we need to be connected for so many reasons (for example, everything in China is paid through an app, so you need data), eSIMs are great.

One company that’s become a major player in this space is Holafly. They offer unlimited data, quick setup, and global coverage without the hassle of finding a physical SIM card.

In a world of seemingly never ending eSIM companies, they are one of the best. In this blog post, I will tell you why!

Who is Holafly?

Holafly is a Spanish-founded company that started back in 2017 and is now based in Dublin. They offer eSIMs that you can install on your phone via QR code. Once activated, they let you connect to the internet abroad using local carrier networks. What sets Holafly apart from a lot of other providers is that over 200of their plans come with unlimited data and are priced by days rather than gigabytes. You can personalize the days from 1 up to 90 days in over 200 destinations. Holafly’s coverage is also pretty extensive. They offer service in over 200 destinations, which includes most of Europe, Asia, North America, and Latin America.

How to Set Up Holafly

The process of setting up Holafly is incredibly straightforward. Here is how to do it:

Check your phone first – Make sure your device is unlocked and supports eSIM (most recent iPhones and many newer Androids do). Have a Wi-Fi connection handy for setup.

Save the email & QR – Keep the QR code and order info somewhere safe.

Install the eSIM – While on Wi-Fi, open the confirmation email and scan the QR code from your phone camera or tap the activation link. There are three options:

• Scan the QR Code
• Manual Installation
• One-Button Install for iOS 17.4 or above

On arrival, enable data roaming for the eSIM – Go to Cellular/Mobile Data settings, select the Holafly line and turn on Data Roaming and Mobile Data for that line. (Turn off Mobile Data for your home SIM to avoid accidental roaming charges.)

Holafly partners with local carriers, so your connection depends on whichever network is strongest in that region. Note that Holafly’s eSIMs are data-only. You can keep your home SIM card in your phone for texts or calls, while Holafly handles all your data. Apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, and Telegram will still work with your regular number, so you can message friends and family just like you would at home.

The “unlimited data” promise is what draws most people in, and for good reason. Most eSIM companies sell data in small bundles, which adds up quickly, especially if you’re using maps, social media, or video calls. With Holafly, you just pay for the number of days you need and get unlimited data during that time.

Plans start at around $4 USD per day, though they are cheaper if you get more days or choose their new subscription options Holafly Plans.

Plus, Holafly offers 24/7 customer support multilingual, hotspot capabilities, 15+ regional plans, a global plan, no hidden costs, and an incredible 6 month flexible refund policy.

I think it’s one of the best eSIM options for travelers who want reliability and ease of use. It’s especially great for people visiting multiple countries or anyone who relies heavily on mobile data — bloggers, remote workers, or digital nomads. The connection has been consistent, speeds are good, and the ability to set everything up before I even leave home is a huge time-saver

At the end of the day, that’s really what makes Holafly appealing: simplicity. You don’t have to think about data, SIM cards, or network compatibility. You just scan, activate, and go. For travelers like me, that convenience is priceless.

Use the code MATTK to get 5% a discount on any eSIM for your next adventure!

Terms and Conditions:

• For Website or App
• 5% on eSIMs and 10% off on Holafly Plans for the first 12 months
• No minimum purchase requirement
• All customers
• No usage limits
• Can’t combine with other discounts (except Holafly Plans annual subscription 22%)
• Active from now, no end date

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!

The post HolaFly eSIMs: A Better Way to Stay Connected When You Travel appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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Years ago, the website Earth Porm reposted my article “The Ultimate Guide to Traveling When You’re Broke.” As I went through the comments on the post, I was dismayed by the mean and dismissive comments people shared as well their misconceptions about travel.

These comments made me realize that, despite all the detailed websites and books on how to make travel affordable and accessible, too many people still believe the notion that travel is expensive, unsafe, and impossible unless you are rich.

Too many say, “I can’t. It’s impossible” and become cynical about travel. The notion that travel is expensive couldn’t be further from the truth (I wrote an entire book proving that very point.)

Yet people still have all kinds of misconceptions about budget travel and staying safe abroad.

So, today, I want to debunk 7 of the most common travel myths I’ve encountered over the years:
 

Myth #1: Travel is Expensive

Everything costs some money — and that includes travel. But the idea that travel is only about fancy tours, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated. Traditionally, subtle marketing language made everyone believe that “a fun vacation is an expensive vacation.” After decades of being bombarded by those insidious ad campaigns, our collective consciousness still equates travel with luxury. Heck, I used to believe this too.

But the fact of the matter is you don’t need a trust fund or a high-paying job to have an amazing trip.

You’ll need to learn how to plan a trip.

You’ll need to save money.

But you don’t need to be rich to travel. You just need to be creative and have the right priorities.

And it can even be done on minimum wage. Sure, it may take longer to save for your trip, and you may need to make sacrifices, but if you want to travel — whether for two weeks or two years — you can find a way to make it happen. Here are some starting points that can help you lower your costs and travel on a budget:

• How to Use the Sharing Economy
• 61 Travel Tips to Make You the World’s Savviest Traveler
• How to Find Cheap Flights
• How to Change the “I’m Too Poor to Travel” Mindset
• How to Find Cheap Accommodation

Myth #2: Travel Credit Cards Will Ruin Your Credit

Collecting points and miles is the art of using travel credit cards to gain free travel by using your regular spending. No extra purchases. No jumping through loopholes. Just earning free travel by putting your date nights, groceries, gas, and other regular expenses on a travel card.

I can’t count the number of free flights and hotel stays I’ve had over the years. By collecting points and miles, I’ve been able to travel for a fraction of the price it would have cost otherwise, opening up tons of possibilities for budget travel.

While applying for credit cards will cause a temporary dip in your credit score, that dip gets corrected within two months if you keep paying off your bills. Unless you’re looking to make a huge purchase (like buying a house) in the near future, that minor dip will not affect you. Over time, having more available credit will actually improve your credit score. And I mean what’s the point of building up a credit score if you don’t use it? You work to build a good credit score for the purpose of doing things with it.

I have over a dozen credit cards (though I only actively use three) and a credit score of 797 out of 850. As long as you pay your card off each month, you don’t need to worry.

Here are some resources to help you get started:

• How I Earn 1 Million Frequent Flier Miles Each Year
• A Beginner’s Guide to Points & Miles
• How to Pick the Right Credit Card
• The Ultimate Guide to Points & Miles

Myth #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

Couchsurfing is a sharing economy app that facilitates cultural exchange. Locals offer a free space in their home (sometimes just a couch) which travelers can use to then visit the city and learn about about the destination.

While staying in a stranger’s house might not be for everyone, it’s nevertheless a safe and fun way to travel (not to mention an affordable one). Much like Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have reviews and profiles you can read to make sure you’re staying with someone you feel you’d get along with. It’s really not much different than Airbnb (except it’s free!).

Of course, if you’re not ready to stay with a stranger you can also use to app to meet people for activities instead, such as a meal, coffee, or a museum visit. It’s a great way to benefit from the app without having to stay with someone.

As long as you use common sense, read reviews, and trust your gut, you’ll be able to use the app safely while saving money and having fun. There are families who host people, solo female hosts who only host women, as well as expats looking to connect with fellow foreigners.

Couchsurfing and websites like it have vibrant communities. Because, contrary to what the news and media like to report, not everyone out there is a secret murderer looking for their next victim. Most people are good, kind people just looking to make friends and learn new things. Don’t let fear limit your opportunities.
 

Myth #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

Hitchhiking is a relatively common way to travel in many countries around the world. It was also a common (and safe) way to travel the US and Canada for a long while too.

The idea that hitchhiking is dangerous dates back to the 1950s when the FBI led a scare campaign to get people to stop the practice, in part because civil rights activists were hitchhiking to rallies. The FBI’s campaign permanently embedded in the mind of people that hitchhiking is dangerous by claiming that most hitchhikers were murderers.

Combined with a narrative pushed by the media that the world is unsafe, hitchhiking continues to be perceived as a dangerous activity — even if it’s not.

My friend hitchhiked solo around the US.

Kristin from Be My Travel Muse hitchhiked around China

I’ve hitchhiked in Europe, the Caribbean, and Central America and met wonderful, interesting people in the process.

Hitchhiking, like Couchsurfing, is about using common sense. Make a note of license plates, have a phone in case of an emergency, and travel with a friend if you’re not comfortable going solo. And remember, you don’t have to get into any car that stops. Use your judgment and follow your instincts and you’ll be able to meet lots of interesting people while still staying safe.
 

Myth #5: Travel is Dangerous for Women

While both men and women face risks on the road, women often encounter additional hazards that require caution and awareness. But that doesn’t mean women need to stay home or only go to super-safe destinations.

The “if it bleeds, it leads” approach to reporting over the years has highlighted only the negative stories of female travelers. This style of reporting bolsters the perceptions that the world is so scary that solo female travel is very, very unsafe and should be avoided.

Fortunately, that’s not true at all. You have a higher chance of getting hit by a bus than you do of ending up like in the movie Taken.

But don’t just take my word for it. Here’s an excerpt from a post on women’s safety:

If I look back on the times when people have told me “Don’t go there!” or “You might die!” it’s mostly advice from people who have never been to those places and have never done any research on them. The press is hugely influential. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read international press coverage that is flat-out wrong. You need to find trustworthy sources and advice from people who know what they’re talking about. I once mentioned to my parents that I had plans to go to Rwanda. My concerned father told me, “You’re not going.” He was obviously worried about Rwanda’s tumultuous past. Had he done his research, he would have known that Rwanda is the safest country in East Africa. Once he researched it, I never heard another word about it. The crime rates in your backyard can be just as bad as the destination you’re headed to, if not worse.

These days, there are tons of powerful, independent female creators traveling to all corners of the world — including off-the-beaten-path countries. Heck, many of them are more adventurous than I am! Here are some to follow for inspiration:

• The Blonde Abroad
• Never Ending Footsteps
• Be My Travel Muse
• Somto Seeks

Myth 6: Budget Travel is Only Possible if You are Young and Single

Too many people believe travel is something you can do only if you’re young or single. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I understand that when you are older, you may want more luxury than a budget backpacker. And I know that family travel requires more planning than solo travel. B

ut travel is not solely the purview of the young.

At the end of the day, age doesn’t matter. I’ve seen families and seniors backpacking around the world, staying in hostels, or driving RVs.

You don’t need to be limited by age or your relationship status. Here are some articles that prove both families and seniors can travel on a budget:

• Why Don and Allison Gave Up a Normal Retirement
• This 72-Year-Old is Backpacking the World
• How a Family of 4 Traveled the World on $130 a Day
• How Amanda Educates Her Kids from the Road

Myth #7: You Can’t Work Overseas.

We often think of working abroad as an challenging process not worth the effort. It’s something that requires interviews, visas, and a polished résumé. But, for the kind of jobs that you’ll get as a traveler, that’s not true.

If you want to work and are flexible about what you’re willing to do, you can find employment almost anywhere. You can get a working holiday in countries like Australia or New Zealand, become an au pair, teach English, or even volunteer in exchange for room and board.

Sure, you might not get a fancy or well-paying job. But if your priority is travel then what does that matter?

Farms, schools, bars, restaurants, cafes, and the tourism industry are almost always looking for staff — especially in areas with a seasonal influx of tourists. You won’t get rich, but you will get to see the world. If you want to learn more about your options, here are some blog posts to get you started:

• 15 Ways to Work Overseas
• The 9 Best Places to Teach English Overseas
• How to Travel and Work Around the World with WWOOF

These travel myths come from years of being indoctrinated with the belief that travel has to be expensive and the world is scary.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

With a little research, you’ll discover that traveling the world is much safer — and much more affordable — than most people think.

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!

The post 7 Common Travel Myths That are WRONG appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

View the full article

I used to hate renting apartments from websites like Airbnb or VRBO. As a solo traveler, I preferred the social atmosphere of hostels. You met people, hostels ran activities and they were where you were “supposed to stay” as a backpacker.

When I did want something other than a hostel, I used a hospitality network liked Couchsurfing or simply stayed with friends.

But, after close to two decades as a nomad, there are times when I like my privacy and the ability to “create a home.” I like to cook, want to relax on a couch, and just chill.

While apartment rentals often contribute to overtourism (discussed more below), there are still plenty of real hosts out there who are renting places they live in.

Below is a detailed guide about how they work, how to pick the perfect apartment, and how not to contribute to overtourism / make locals upset!

How Do Apartment Rentals Work?

Apartment rental sites allow locals to rent out an individual room, shared space, or entire home/apartment. The host lists their place online, posts photos, writes a description, hits publish, and, presto, they can start to make extra money with the unused space.

The booking process is like booking any other type of accommodation online. You search the database, find a place you like, create an account, and request a booking. When the owner accepts, you are sent a confirmation.

Apartment rentals represent the space between hostels and hotels. If you are traveling on business and want the comforts of home, you probably aren’t going to stay in a hostel. But hotels may be too expensive or too impersonal for you. A rented apartment is a perfect compromise.

Traveling with friends or a big group? This is definitely the option for you. Squeezing a bunch of people into a rental home/apartment will be much cheaper per person than a room in a hostel or hotel. Plus, you get space to spread out and relax. Dorm rooms and cramped hotels don’t give you a lot of “me” time.

If you don’t want a full apartment but are looking to save money, Airbnb has a new feature called “Rooms” which lets you search for listings in people’s homes or guest houses. It’s like how Airbnb used to be — people renting out extra rooms or guest houses for added cash. You always get your own room and, sometimes, a private entrance. You’ll also get to interact with your host, who can provide lots of insider tips and insight to your destination.

I’ve used Rooms a lot in the last couple of years — in LA, Rome, Paris, Nice — and, to me, as a solo traveler, it’s a much better way to travel. I highly recommend doing this as a way to combat the negative effects of these platforms (more on that below). Additionally, as hostels have gotten a lot more expensive over the years, Rooms are often cheaper than hostels! You get to stay and meet with a local and save money! Win-win!

How to Pick the Right Apartment

Unfortunately, as accommodation rentals have exploded into the mainstream, it’s become harder and harder to find great hosts. A lot of hosts now own multiple properties and live elsewhere. That means you often deal with property managers and never get to interact with the actual owner. Additionally, a lot of apartments aren’t quite as nice in reality as they appear in the photos. In order to find suitable accommodation, I use the following criteria when looking for a place to stay on these platforms:

1. Do they have positive reviews? – If other people stayed there, had a good time, and found the apartment as advertised, you probably will too.
2. Do they have multiple listings? – This is important because many people use these sites to be property managers. They buy a bunch of apartments and then re-rent them on Airbnb. I try to avoid these places because they cause a lot of problems for the local rental market and lack the personal touch that comes when hosts rent out their own apartments.
3. Do they have accurate photos? – Any listing that doesn’t include a lot of (quality) photos is probably hiding something (or at the very least misrepresenting the accommodation).
4. Are they an active user or Superhost? – Active users are good users, so see when they last logged on. If it’s been a while, your query might go unanswered.
5. Is their calendar updated? – While listings only show up in a search if they are available, hosts don’t always update their calendar. If someone hasn’t updated their calendar in 30 days, I tend to skip it. There’s nothing worse than going to book a place, only for them to cancel and say, “Whoops, sorry, it’s not available!”
6. Are they verified? – Verified accounts are less likely to be people of suspicious quality, as the listing site has at least found some background information on them.
7. Have they been someone else’s guest before? – If they were someone’s guest and that went well, it’s likely that they will be reliable.

These rules are helpful guidelines, but at the end of the day, you have to go with your gut. I don’t need a listing to meet every point. I once had a host who hit only a couple of these points and she turned out to be my favorite host! And sometimes, in places without many hosts, you might have to be a little loose with this list.

But the more points a place meets, the comfortable I feel renting.

How to Avoid Overtourism
Over the years, Airbnb and other apartment rental websites have dramatically raised the price of rents and pushed out the locals you want to interact with as people have started to buy multiple properties in order to rent them out to tourists. It’s a big problem.

In many places, like Lisbon and Venice, most locals can’t afford the price of rent anymore. And it’s not just cities. Rural areas are now becoming affected too.

There have been strong protests against Airbnb (and similar sites) in Barcelona. Throughout Europe you often see “Airbnb go home!” graffiti. Japan cracked down on Airbnb. NYC has strict laws against it now too. Residents in Mexico City have protested. Every day brings a new story about the pushback against these websites.

Given local pushback and the issues with over tourism and the housing market, I strongly encourage you to only use Airbnb or similar services if you are renting a room in someone’s house, especially in large cities in Europe. As I mentioned above, Airbnb has a new feature called “Rooms” which allows you to easily search for rooms in people’s houses where they actually live. They are verified listings and a much better way to use the platform. It’s like how Airbnb used to be before it grew so big — people renting out extra rooms or guest houses for added cash. I highly recommend it.

However, if you can’t, try as hard as you can to make sure that the place you are renting is either a licensed B&B (if it’s only used for tourists) or someone’s house that they actually live in. This way you won’t add to any local housing issues!

Help end overtourism. You have the power. Don’t displace the people you want to visit!

A Note on Safety

These sites run on trust. All these companies try to verify both buyer and seller to ensure no one ends up robbing anyone else, but you sometimes hear reports of sex parties, robberies, or creepy hosts.

However, apartment rental companies do provide a window that allows you to get your money back if you get a place that’s not as advertised. Just call their 24-hour hotline and they will set you up somewhere else (you can also reach out on social media to get the conversation started). They also hold your money in escrow so that if the place isn’t as advertised, you’ll get your money back. You never hand it over directly to the host.

All types of accommodations have risks (cleaners can steal from hotel rooms, dorm mates can take clothes from hostels, Couchsurfing hosts can get creepy), which is why these rules are important. I don’t think apartment rentals are any less safe than your other options, and the benefits greatly outweigh the perceived danger.

The Best Sites to Find a Rental Apartment

I think these are three best sites for finding an apartment:

• https://www.airbnb.com” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Airbnb
• Vrbo
• Campspace (for finding private campsites)

Another option for long-term travelers is house sitting and pet sitting. In exchange for looking after someone’s property or pet while they travel, you get access to free accommodation. It’s a great option for slow/long-term travelers looking to stay in one location for longer periods of time. Check out this post to learn more about it!

Apartment rentals, when done right, are safe, affordable, and help you have a more authentic experience. Use the tips above and try one on your next trip. You’ll save money, get away from the tourists, and have a better trip!
 

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

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I love road trips. You get in car and can just head off anywhere you want. There’s a freedom to a road trip that you can’t get with trains (and, don’t get me wrong, I love train travel too). Small towns, beautiful parks, historic buildings….whatever you see, you can stop for and can stay as little or as long as you’d like!

Over the years, I’ve been on dozens of road trips. Some destinations are just meant for them (think New Zealand, Ireland, Iceland, the United States, South Africa, etc, etc.).

However, when you don’t have your own car, renting one can be a pain in the ass. No one likes doing it and we all (rightly) worry we’re getting ripped off. There’s always a lot of questions that go with renting a car.

Where can I find the best deals?

How do I know this cheap car rental site is legit?

What are things I should watch out for?

And what about insurance? Do I really need that? Or is my credit card’s insurance good enough?

In this post, I am going to share my tips and advice to help you find a cheap (but reliable) car rental and how to avoid common pitfalls that many travelers make.

Step 1: Join Rental Company Mailing Lists & Loyalty Programs

Most rental car companies advertise deals to their subscribers first. As soon as you know that you’re going on a road trip, join the mailing lists of the major car rental company. That way, you can snag any deals on offer as soon as they are announced.

To find the main rental car companies in your destination, simply visit the website of the airport you’re arriving at and see what car rental companies are available there.

Additionally, like airlines, many car rental companies have loyalty airlines that offer perks like discounts, bonus upgrades, and free rentals. Enterprise, Avis, Alamo, and Hertz are some of the major players on the market that offer free loyalty programs. Sign up for them so you don’t miss out on any perks, offers, or upgrades.
 

Step 2: Search for a Car with Discover Cars

While you can certainly check each car rental company individually for a deal, the best way to compare prices is to use an aggregator. These websites compile information from every car rental website so you don’t have to spend time manually comparing prices before you book.

Discover Cars is the best car search aggregator to use as it pulls more cars from more websites to ensure you find the best deal (it searches over 500 websites for deals). It cover 165 countries and 50,000+ locations worldwide!

You can use the widget below to check prices and get a quote quickly and easily to compare rental car deals with DiscoverCars comparison tool for cheap rentals:

 

Be sure to compare weekly and daily rates as well. For example, if you need a car for 4 days, compare the price for a 7-day trip as well. Sometimes it’s cheaper to rent for a whole week and just return the vehicle early.
 

Step 3: Check for Discounts & Deals

Some car rental websites share discounts directly on their website. For example, b oth Budget and Avis have “last minute deals” sections on their website where you can find incredible discounts as long as you’re flexible with your dates and destination.

Most major car rental companies also offer discounts and deals to certain groups as well. For example, Avis offers up to 35% off to AARP members (AARP is an interest group in the U.S. for people 50 and over) while Budget offers up to 35% off to veterans. Check and see if there are any discounts or deals you qualify for before you book, such as corporate discounts, government discounts, senior discounts, or discounts that stem from any hotel or airline programs you are a part of.

Many travel credit cards also have perks or discounts for car rentals.
 

Step 4: Check the Sharing Economy

Now that you’ve found the best deal, it’s time to do a quick comparison with sharing economy websites like Turo. Turo is like Airbnb but for cars. Locals list their vehicle and a price per day and you can browse the options and book a vehicle. It’s not available everywhere (they’re currently only in the United States, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada) but you can find it in most major cities. Depending on your needs and the duration of your trip, you might be able to find a cheaper deal.

Renters need to be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and have proof of a good auto insurance score. You can either pick up the car, have it dropped off, or meet the owner somewhere to get the keys.

Prices can be as low as $25 USD per day, making it an affordable option if you book early.

And, if you’re looking for an RV, check out RVShare, which is similar to Turo but focused solely on RVs and campervans. They have the largest inventory out there.

There’s also the website Imoova.com, where you relocate people’s vehicles for them. You’ll be on a deadline as vehicles need to be delivered by a certain date, however, rates are usually just $1 per day — and many include some money for gas too.
 

Step 5: Book Your Car (and Book Early!)

Book early. Like booking flights, the closer you are to the date, the more expensive the car will be — assuming there are any left to rent! The recent pandemic saw car rental prices skyrocket as people shifted from trips abroad to road trips at home. The best time to rent a car is when you know you need to rent a car! Don’t wait.

You can click here to get a quote directly from DiscoverCars aggregator for global rental comparisons.
 

9 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Rent a Car

Now that you’ve found a cheap car rental, here are some considerations to keep in mind before you book your rental:

1. Are there driver requirements? – Some countries charge extra if a driver is under 25 years of age. Others require a certain amount of driving experience before one can rent a car (usually one year). Each country has different requirements, so make sure you read the fine print before you book. You can learn more about getting an international driver’s license on this blog post.

2. What does your travel insurance policy require? – Car companies always push you to get extra insurance when you rent a car. But should you? That depends on whether you have your own travel insurance with collision coverage, your own car insurance, or coverage through your travel credit card.

Some travel insurance companies and credit cards want you to decline the insurance from the rental agency, while others insist you get it and make a claim with them first. Before you rent a car, make sure you understand what is required by your existing travel insurance plan. The credit cards listed here have really good car insurance coverage.

3. What is not included? – Once you find a rental car, companies usually try to sell you all kinds of extras. GPS, liability insurance, satellite radio, a children’s car seat — these are just some of the extras not included in most rental cars. Find out what is and isn’t included, so you aren’t surprised when picking up your vehicle.

4. Do you need to fill the tank at the end? – Some rental car companies allow you to drop off the car as is but that is really rare. Most insist you fill up the tank beforehand. If you don’t, they charge you a highly inflated fee for the gas when they fill it up. I always just fill the tank back up before I drop the car back off.

5. How can you avoid getting scammed? – Before you head out on your trip, take pictures and videos of the car. Specifically, the bumper, windshield, and tires as these are the most likely areas to get damaged. That way, when you return it, they can’t blame you for any pre-existing damage. I always walk through with the person handing me the car and do a walk through with someone when I drop it off.

6. Do you have unlimited mileage? – Unlimited mileage is slowly becoming standard. However, it’s not always the default, check that you have unlimited mileage for longer road trips. Otherwise, you’ll be counting miles so you don’t get billed extra.

7. Do they charge for an extra driver? – If you’re going on a road trip with friends or family, chances are you’ll be sharing the driving. Unless you’re going with a spouse or domestic partner (which some companies include as an additional driver for free), that means you need to pay a fee for an extra driver, usually $10-20 USD per day! Limit your extra drivers if that’s the case, otherwise you’ll be charged a fortune. Also, keep in mind that it’s illegal to charge fees for extra drivers in some places (such as California).

8. Where is the pickup/drop-off location? – Most travelers pick up their rental cars at the airport. While convenient, airports charge companies fees for operating there — fees that get passed onto the customer. It’s worth checking around to see if there’s a difference in price for off-airport locations. If they are easy to reach, chances are you can find a cheaper price there.

9. Is the car automatic or manual transmission? – If you’re from the US or Canada and are used to driving an automatic vehicle, you might be surprised when renting a car abroad, as manual transmissions are standard in most other parts of the world. Because of this, renting an automatic-transmission car is usually more expensive. Double-check that you’re renting a vehicle that you can actually drive (don’t take chances trying to teach yourself on a rental car).

Road trips are one of the best ways to explore a new destination and the freedom of having a car is unrivaled, allowing you to get off the beaten path and into all kinds of adventures. And knowing a few things before you rent a car can save you a lot of time, hassle, and expensive pricing.

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!

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There’s a lot of tours in New York City (I’ve highlighted my favorites here) but I think one thing people don’t do enough of is Airbnb experience. Most of us know Airbnb through their stay features but they also have a lot of experiences where you can get a local to show you around. I actually like these experiences more than traditional tours because they have locals who share something they are passionate about, they are small groups, and they are usually a bit more off the beaten path.

I don’t think people take these tours enough and they are always one of my favorite things to look for whenever I travel anywhere in the world. New York City has a ton of options you can choose from. Here are my favorites:

Explore Brooklyn’s Pizza Scene

Pizza and NYC go hand in hand like bread and butter and this Brooklyn pizza tour run by travel writer Dani Hienrich takes you to some of the best spots in the city while also giving you a really detailed history of pizza in the city (who knew slives weren’t a thing until the 1940s!). I’ve taken a lot of pizza tours in the city and I think dani runs the best one because she explains the history, is super fun, and it’s a more off the beaten path tour so you’re not being herded around in a large group of twenty.

Sketch Masterpieces at the Met Museum

In this fun experience, you visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and meet,X, a seasoned artist who will guide you on a sketching journey. You’ll begin with a friendly introduction and sketching warm-ups, then walk through selected galleries pausing to draw iconic sculptures and artworks of your choice. Along the way, he’ll also explain the history of sculpting and painting techniques and the sotry behind some of the exhibits. It’s definitely a fun and hands on way to explore the MET.

Explore African American History

On this walking tour in Lower Manhattan, you’ll meet your host Larry at the National Museum of the American Indian and then walk through a tapestry of hidden Black New York: from the site of Bowling Green (where enslaved Africans helped build the city), to remnants of Fort Amsterdam, and to the location of the 17th-century enslaved houses. You’ll pass Wall Street to learn about its slave-market past, visit Federal Hall and a former free-African oyster house, walk through Foley Square (site of the original execution grounds), and conclude at the African Burial Ground National Monument. Larry is one of the best tour guides I have ever had. He’s so fun, engaging, funny, and filled with a ton of knowledge. I love this tour and learned a lot on it. It’s such a cool and unique way to see lower Manhattan. He also runs an amazing Harlem tour too!

Create and Taste a New York Pizza

If you want to do more than eat pizza, visit Paulie Gee’s, where your host Logan will guide you through the history of New York–style pizza before you shape your own dough, choose from a variety of sauces and toppings, fire your creation in a wood-fired oven. Afterwards, you’ll sit down to eat your creation as well as some other famous dishes from the restaurant. It’s run and interactive and Logan is a really interesting and personable host. Located in Greepoint, it’s an area most tourists skip so afterwards be sure to explore this locals only part of town.

The next time you’re in NYC and looking to do something fun and unique be sure to look into Airbnb Experiences as they are really fun and interesting. I’ve done a dozen or so of these and these ones I think are the absolute best out of those. But if you find one you love be sure to email me about it so I can check!

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to New York City!

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Airbnb Experiences are like the holy grail of tours: they are unique, off-the-beaten path, and run by locals who just want to share something they love. They aren’t cookie cutter walking tours or activities lead by a guide holding an umbrella. I absolutely love Airbnb Experiences. They are one of my favorite things to do in any city and, frankly, I don’t think nearly enough travelers do them. Whenever I run polls about them, half usually say they have never heard of them!

Now, I am telling you about them and urging you to add them into your itinerary on your next visit to Paris. Paris has a huge amount of Airbnb experiences and I’ve probably done between 20-25 of them. Here is my list of the top Airbnb Experiences in Paris:

Rediscover Jacqueline Marval

Jacqueline Marval was an impressionist painter who hung around Matisse, influenced Picaso, and was then largely forgotten to history. This exclusive gallery tour hosted by Paris-born curator Camille showcases her family’s 40-year effort in collecting Marval’s art and showcasing her legacy to the world. She tours you through their gallery, telling you about Marval’s life story and the history behind each piece. I didn’t know anything about Marval before this and it was really interesting to learn about her story and see her beautiful paintings. She was super talented. The experience also culminates with champagne served on a secluded terrace. All in all, this is an amazing experience to learn about a forgotten artist in the beautiful setting. Plus, Camille is well integrated into the Parisian art scene and can give you suggestions on what galleries and temporary exhibits to visit.

Savor French Wine and Cheese in a Hidden Shop

This was an amazing and intimate wine and cheese tasting hosted by certified expert, Erwan. In this cozy, no-classroom atmosphere, you’ll sample six unique French wines paired with six cheeses and fresh bread. Erwan shares the stories behind each bottle, making this experience both educational and delightful. I’ve taken a lot of wine and cheese classes in Paris and this was one of the best. The wines and cheeses are super unique and tasty and Erwan really gives you a detailed but easy to understand overview of wine and cheese in France. He’s super personable and funny and I think this is one of the best wine and cheese experience in Paris.

A Frenchie Food & Wine Experience

If you want something more high end, check out this tasting experience at Altro Frenchie by Greg Marchand. He’s a famous chef from Chef’s Table. You start at Frenchie Caviste with a sparkling aperitivo on the terrace, before a head sommelier guides you through a tasting of three distinctive wines from the cellar. Then you’ll move next door for a chef-curated tasting lunch. I think gives you a lot of value for the price. You get four glasses of wine, cheese, and a flatbread to start followed by a huge tasting menu (six courses) with even more wine. It’s really, really good value if you’re looking for a high-end food experience.

Secrets of the Tower with Eiffel’s Descendant

In this experience, you join Savin Yeatman-Eiffel, a filmmaker and direct descendant of Gustave Eiffel, at the base of the Eiffel Tower for a look at the building of the Eiffel tower through his family’s eyes. You’ll uncover the scandalous debates that surrounded its creation, view rarely seen family photos, sketches, and heirlooms from a private Eiffel archive. I think this a really interesting way to learn about the Effiel Tower. Not only do you get the historical information that every other tour is going to give you but you get added insider family perspective you are definitely not going to find anywhere else. (Note: You don’t go up the tower on this tour.)

Black Presence in Paris: A Historical Tour

This is a wonderful tour that teaches you about the contributions of Black people in France, a subject not a lot of standard history walks touch upon. Beginning at the Panthéon, the host, Binkady, shares the lives of trailblazers like Josephine Baker, Félix and Eugénie Éboué, and a formerly enslaved man who triumphed over Napoleon. Along the way, you’ll uncover the influence of Black women writers at the Sorbonne, then finish outside the Luxembourg Palace, where you’ll hear about pioneering Black leaders such as Severiano de Heredia and Gaston Monnerville. I learned a lot on this tour and X is areally engageing and interesting tour leader. He used to work for the Opera so has a lot of insight into seeing shows throughout the city.

Inside Paris’s First Microbrewery

I think this is an excellent Experience that ticks all the right boxes. It’s unique (first microbrewery in Paris), in an area of the city most tourists don’t visit, and led by a passionate local (the owner, Antoine). Antoine tells you about his story, the story of microbreweries in Paris, the brewing process, and what they sell and why. He was engaging, funny, and told good stories. We also got a good sampling of beer. This is a 5-star experience and the exact kind that exemplifies what makes Airbnb Experiences so special.

Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Paris!

For more in-depth information, check out my guidebook to Paris written for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel around Paris. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, transportation and safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today!

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I’ve been taking walking tours since my first backpacking trip in 2006 when I joined a hostel’s free walking tour around Prague. I was hooked and, over the years, I’ve taken hundreds upon hundreds of tours run by dozens upon dozens of companies. There are tons of walking tour companies out there, but one of my favorites is Context Travel.

Context was founded in 2003 and I’ve been using and recommending them since 2010 when I first stumbled across one of their tours in Rome. I walked with an art historian around the Vatican, where I not only learned about the Vatican itself, but the stories behind the art. Since then, I’ve done countless tours with them.

What has always set Context apart is that rather than use regular people trained as guides, they use experts (those with MA- or PhD-level degrees!) in their fields to lead you around. This way, you get someone who really knows w hat they are talking about. You get someone who can share the little details that only an expert in their field would know.

During a recent trip to Paris, I did Context’s Paris WWII History Tour. Now, I know a lot about Paris. I’ve been visiting for 15 years, lived there for a short period, have probably done over 50 tours there, and have read so many books on the city that I sometimes feel like I’m studying for a degree in Paris history.

But my interest in the city is primarily based around the 1920s (I love the Jazz Age!) and medieval times. I don’t know a lot about World War II Paris. Sure, I know some things from my general studies, but I don’t know a lot of specific knowledge, so I was excited to take this tour to learn about an important time period in recent Paris history.

The tour takes you from St. Germain through the Luxembourg Gardens over to the Latin Quarter then up to Marias before ending at the Hotel de Ville. It chronicles the start of the Nazi occupation, daily life during this time, the resistance movement, what happened to the Jews, and, finally, liberation. (It lasts about three hours.)

As I mentioned before, what makes Context Travel so special are the expert guides and my guide, Gil, was no exception. He’d been in France for close to twenty years, has a degree in politics and literature, and had been a guide for over a decade. (Note: There’s a couple of guides that run this tour, and they are all experts.) He knew all sorts of arcane details and brought an iPad filled with photos and first hand material.

We began in St. Germain discussing how the Germans entered Paris so quickly and how, in the beginning, life remained relatively the same as they set up power. Local Parisians sort of continued their day-to-day life (albeit with restrictions). Since France fell so quickly, the fighting never got to Paris so the city was never damaged.

As we walked, we stopped at buildings that were used during the war (the current Mandarin Oriental hotel used to be the Gestapo headquarters…creepy), and discussed how eventually the resistance formed and operated in the city. The tour moves forward in time as you walk, and Gil talked about collaborators, the eventual removal of Jews, and how larger French army wins in Africa led to crackdowns in the city. Finally, we got to the Hotel de Ville (city hall) and the grand finale as Parisians and Resistance fighters liberated the city from Nazi rule in August 1944. The pictures of people and first hand documents he had really helped paint the picture of life and resistance in WW2 Paris. I walked away feeling like I learned a lot.

And that’s why I Context Travel. You really get minute details and facts and a deep dive. There are tons of walking tour companies out there – and I recommend a wide variety – but Context has always stood out for the quality of their tour leaders. You aren’t getting a guide trained in a script, but someone with deep subject matter knowledge. One of my favorite tours was walking down NYC’s famed 42nd street with an award-winning architect. From architects to historians to artists to chefs, the guides here are trained experts and that’s pretty rare.

Context is great for travelers who want a real deep dive into a subject or place. Whether you are doing a tour of the Louvre or a walking neighborhood tour like this, you’ll get a level of detail not found in other tours. After all, with tours lasting up to 3 hours, there’s a lot of information covered. Plus, they also have full-day and half-day tours you can take as well as day trips outside Paris.

It had been awhile since I’d done one of their tours and I’m super glad that the quality that I fell in love with is still there. Context primarily runs private tours, meaning they are perfect for a group of people or families looking for a private tour, but they also have a number of tours where you can join existing groups. And, if you just want to do your own thing, they have a ton of audio tours to choose from too. They operate in 70+ cities and cover everything from all the famous places you want to see to unique off-the-beaten-path places.

I’ve loved them since I started using them and, in the last couple of years, they have expanded a lot so I want to re-highlight Context Travel as a company to use on your next trip. Definitely consider them for your next trip.
 

Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Paris!

For more in-depth information, check out my guidebook to Paris written for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel around Paris. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, transportation and safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today!

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Spain has long been associated with sun-drenched beaches, vibrant cities, and world-famous cuisine. While Barcelona, Madrid, and Ibiza are famous for a reason, the true soul of Spain is often found in its remote corners. One of the areas I love the best is Northern Spain, with its green mountains, rugged coastline, and medieval villages, offers an entirely different perspective. It doesn’t get as many visitors as the hotspots in the south but it is just as beautiful in my opinion.

If you want to see a quieter side of Spain, consider stepping off the usual tourist trail and heading north after your flight to Madrid. Spend a few days in Madrid (which is amazing) and then train it north for a week or more to wander along paths the Romans once carved into mountains, explore deserts few travelers know, and hike to villages where traditions persist centuries after empires have fallen.

Today, I want to share three destinations that I love: Las Médulas, the Bardenas Reales, and Santillana del Mar. Each offers a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and cultural immersion, and each is accessible enough from Madrid.

1. Las Médulas

Nearly two millennia ago, Roman engineers transformed this landscape in search of gold. Using a technique called ruina montium (“wrecking of mountains”), they channeled water through tunnels to collapse entire hillsides, revealing the region’s gold deposits. The result is a surreal landscape of jagged red cliffs, hollows, and gullies, softened by forests of chestnut trees and dotted with walking trails. Today, Las Médulas is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to human ingenuity and the enduring power of nature. Hiking through the gullies and Roman galleries, it’s easy to imagine the labor and vision required to reshape this rugged terrain.

What I love about Las Médulas is the quiet. Even in high season, you can find stretches of trail where the only sounds are your footsteps and the rustle of leaves. The views from the ridges are spectacular, and the scent of chestnuts lingers in the air. It is a place that makes you slow down, not just to take photos but to let the history and the stillness sink in.

Highlights and Trails

• Senda de las Valiñas (4km loop): This gentle trail winds through shady chestnut groves and past openings to Roman tunnels. It is perfect for an easy morning walk that still gives you a sense of the site’s scope. Stop often to look up at the cliffs; the red soil against the greenery makes for striking photos.
• Mirador de Orellán: A short but steep climb leads to a platform overlooking the scarlet ridges and valleys. Sunset is my favorite time here when the fading light turns the cliffs almost orange. There is also a small gallery where you can see how the Romans dug into the rock.
• Galería de Orellán: If you enjoy a bit of adventure, explore this restored mining tunnel. Standing inside, you can imagine workers hauling out earth by torchlight.
• Senda Perimetral (14km loop): For committed hikers, this path circles the whole archaeological area. You will pass secluded forests, small farms, and the occasional wild boar track. It is long but not difficult, and you will often have it to yourself.
• Castro de Chano: A short drive away, this pre-Roman hillfort shows that the story of Las Médulas stretches back much further than the Romans.
• Mirador de Reirigo: A lesser-known lookout with a quiet bench and sweeping views across chestnut forests and distant hills.

Practical Details
Where to Stay: Ponferrada is only half an hour away and has a wide range of hotels and guesthouses.

Best Season: Autumn for golden foliage and crisp air. Spring brings mild weather and blooming wildflowers.

Tip: Bring water and a snack, especially if you plan to attempt the longer hikes. Maps or a GPS app will help you stick to the marked trails.
 

2. Bardenas Reales

Heading south from Pamplona, the landscape changes dramatically. Rolling farmland gives way to dry plains and eventually a semi-desert of ochre mesas and dramatic ravines. This is the Bardenas Reales, a 42,000-hectare natural park in Navarre. This place is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and an area of active military use, yet shepherds still graze their flocks across the plains, and wildlife such as griffon vultures and foxes thrive. The park’s isolation means you will often have most of the trails to yourself.

The first time I visited, I was surprised at how varied the scenery was. From a distance, it looks barren, but once inside, you notice details: rippling patterns in the clay, hardy flowers clinging to cracks, the occasional sheepdog trotting behind a herd. The sense of space is exhilarating. It is a destination that invites wandering and rewards those who take their time.

Sights and Routes

• Castildetierra: This slender rock pinnacle is the park’s symbol. Photographers love it at dawn when soft light highlights its delicate shape. Even if you are not chasing the perfect shot, it is worth lingering to watch shadows shift across the flats.
• La Blanca Baja Loop (34km): A drive or bike ride along this track gives you a full tour of the park’s central zone. Stop at overlooks to admire canyons, mesas, and wide basins where storms sometimes leave shallow pools.
• Piskerra and El Rallón Hike: This moderate route climbs into the heart of the badlands. Expect rugged paths and thrilling views from the top ridges. Bring plenty of water, as there is no shade once you leave the lowlands.
• Balcón de Pilatos: A high vantage point where griffon vultures wheel on warm air currents. Watching them soar over the ravines is an unforgettable experience.
• Cabezo de las Cortinillas: A quieter formation reached by a short track. The colors of the rocks shift from pale cream to copper depending on the sun.
• Río Aragón Corridor: Follow the green strip along the river for a softer side of the park. It is good for birdwatching and a break from the dry heat.

Practical Details
Where to Stay: Tudela is the nearest town, with comfortable lodgings and excellent local restaurants serving Navarra specialties.

Best Season: Visit in spring or early autumn for pleasant temperatures. Wildflowers appear after rain, adding touches of color to the plain. Summer can be extremely hot.

Tip: There are no services inside the park, so stock up on water, sunscreen, and snacks beforehand.
 

3. Santillana del Mar

Santillana del Mar is one of my favorite spots in northern Spain. It is located in Cantabria, roughly 30 minutes inland from the coast. Its cobbled streets, well-preserved medieval architecture, and charming plazas make it one of the most picturesque villages in the region. The town also serves as a gateway to one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe, the Altamira Cave, famous for its Paleolithic paintings. Wandering its narrow streets is like stepping back in time, and staying overnight allows visitors to enjoy the tranquility once the day-trippers depart.

What makes Santillana special is how alive it feels. Despite its ancient walls, there is nothing dusty about it. Small bakeries sell buttery sobaos, shopkeepers greet you as you pass, and horses sometimes clop through the lanes. The rhythm is unhurried and warm.

Things to See and Do

• Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana: A Romanesque gem with serene cloisters and intricate capitals. Take your time exploring the arches and stone carvings.
• Altamira Cave Replica: The original cave is closed to preserve the art, but the replica is impressive. Standing beneath the ceiling of bison and horses gives you a glimpse of human creativity from 14,000 years ago.
• Museo de Altamira: A museum next to the cave that expands on the region’s prehistoric culture. The exhibits are engaging and family-friendly.
• Plaza Mayor: The central square is framed by stone houses with wooden balconies. It is a perfect spot for coffee or a late-afternoon glass of cider.
• Nearby Trails: From the village, you can wander into the surrounding hills where meadows meet oak woods. Some paths continue toward the coast, giving sweeping views of the Cantabrian Sea.
• Cuevas de El Soplao: A short drive away, this cavern is filled with spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, and unusual formations called helictites.
• Comillas: A neighboring town with Modernist architecture, including Gaudí’s Capricho, only 20 minutes by car.

Practical Details
Getting There: Buses run from Santander or Bilbao in about 45 minutes. Renting a car gives freedom to explore nearby coves and valleys.

Best Season: Spring and autumn bring mild temperatures and fewer crowds.

Spain’s headline attractions deserve attention, yet its lesser-known landscapes and towns reveal something richer. They remind us that beyond Spain’s beaches and bustling cities lies a country where history, geography, and everyday life converge into experiences worth lingering over. Whether you are tracing Roman tunnels in Las Médulas, riding a bike across the dusty tracks of the Bardenas, or sipping cider in a Cantabrian plaza, each moment adds a new layer to your understanding of Spain.

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With so much of the year spent in the cold and dark, the never-ending light that summer brings does not go to waste. Whether it’s on the many islands that dot the country’s coast, at their rustic cabins in the woods, or lounging in the city parks, Swedes flock outdoors.

I’ve been to Sweden many times (including spending an entire summer in Stockholm) but have always focused on the southern part of the country. However, with a desire to see something different this visit, I decided to explore the north, starting at the top in Luleå and working my day down. 

If you want to get off the beaten path in Sweden, this itinerary gets you out of the main tourist hubs and highlights the less-touristy side of the country. Here’s my suggested 10-day itinerary:

Day 1 & 2: Luleå

Luleå is home to just 50,000 people and is the last “big” city in the north before you get into Lapland (the northernmost region of the country and home to the indigenous Sami). The city doesn’t take long to see but the surrounding area is what most visitors come for. It’s known for the Gammelstad Church Town as well as its diverse and expansive landscape, ranging from dense forests and tranquil lakes to an archipelago that has over 1,300 islands!

Here are my suggested things to see and do in Luleå:

The Archipelago – Luleå’s archipelago is a hotspot during the summer. Lots of people come from the south to stay here and you can lounge on beaches, go sea kayaking, boating, and hiking and area locals spend many weekends here to take advantage of the nice weather. The most popular islands are Kluntarna, Brändöskär, Junkön, and Småskär.

Gammelstad Church Town – Gammelstad Church Town has over 400 red wooden cottages surrounding 15th-century church. It was originally built as overnight lodging for parishioners who traveled long distances and offers a glimpse into Sweden’s rural past. You can wander through narrow lanes with well-preserved cottages, see the medieval stone church, and learn about the traditions of church towns.

Gammelstadsviken – Gammelstadsviken is a nature reserve with a large freshwater lake and vast marshlands and one of the best birdwatching spots in Sweden as over 80 different species live here. There’s lots of trails to choose from and it’s not too far from Lulea.

Norrbotten Museum – This museum showcases the region’s culture and history. It’s a small, free museum with displays from Sami culture to industrial heritage that gives you a well-rounded picture of northern Sweden.

Hike – Summer is the perfect season for hiking in and around Luleå. The area has numerous trails that are ideal for easy-going day hikes, and Visit Luleå provides an excellent hiking guide to help you choose a route. A few suggested hikes are Hertsöleden (easy, 8km), Fäbodaleden (intermediate, 10km), and Vitån (challenging, 12km).

The Ice Track – In winter, a six-kilometer ice track is made around the city center. You can skate or kicksled around it. The track is free to use and is carefully maintained throughout the winter. Kicksleds are free to borrow as well.

Where to Stay in Luleå – Clarion Hotel Sense is an affordable hotel right in the center of town. The rooms are comfy, there’s lots of space, and the breakfast buffet has everything you could ever want. There’s even a gym too.

If you’re looking for a good place to eat, the harbor has a number of nice restaurants. I particularly enjoyed Bistron.

Day 3 & 4: Umeå

Head south four hours to Umeå. Founded in 1622 by Swedish King Gustav II Adolf, Umeå is the cultural capital of northern Sweden. It is now a city of 100,000 people known for its huge university (almost a third of the city’s population are students). With so many students here, the city has a young, vibrant feel and there’s lots of affordable restaurants and bars. (And, like everywhere on the coast, there’s easy access to nature.)

Here are my suggested things to see and do in Umeå:

Västerbottens Museum – Here you can explore the cultural and natural history of the Västerbotten region, from local traditions to its maritime heritage. There are documents, textiles, and over 8 million photographs here. The museum also features an open-air section with historic buildings from across the country.

Guitars the Museum – Guitars houses one of the world’s largest private collections of guitars and rock memorabilia, with an emphasis on the 1950s and 60s. Even if you don’t know a lot about guitars (I certainly don’t), it’s still a cool place to visit as you’ll learn a ton about the rock and roll scene. Guided tours are available, which I highly recommend as you’ll get much more out of the experience.

Kulturväven – Kulturväven is Umeå’s cultural hub, hosting everything from concerts and performances to art exhibitions and community events. Inside, you’ll find a library, cinema, and event spaces. Check the website to see what’s on during your visit as there is always tons happening.

Umedalens Skulpturpark – This is a vast outdoor art park featuring sculptures by renowned Swedish and international artists. The works are set against a serene backdrop of meadows, forests, and open landscapes. It’s free to visit.

Hike – From short woodland walks to longer routes along rivers and hills, there’s lots of hikes around the area. Popular hikes include sections of Isälvsleden, a 60-kilometer trail that follows an old glacier path (you can do it in sections); Tavelsjöleden, which boasts lots of caves and mountaintops; and Holmörundan, a 13-kilometer hike on the near island Holmön. To get these trails though, you’ll need to rent a car.

Strömbäck Kont – This nature reserve just south of Umeå is easily accessible by (infrequent) buses if you don’t have a car. The reserve blends smooth rock outcrops, sandy coves, and quiet pine forests, offering a mix of trails that range from rugged to stroller-friendly. There’s lots of bays around, you can go swimming, and, depending on the time of year, gorge on wild blueberries.

Strandpromenaden – Strandpromenaden is a relaxing riverside walkway perfect for a stroll, complete with benches and cafés along the way. The path connects several parts of Umeå, making it a pleasant way to get around the city on foot. I came here at sunset and it was especially pretty, with golden light reflecting off the river.

Where to Stay – Hotell Björken is right next to the university and is just a five-minute drive to the central station. The rooms are stylish, modern, and well-lit and the hotel won’t break the bank either.

For places to eat, check out Bodegan and Eljest. Facit Bar is a great spot for inventive drinks.

Day 5: Örnsköldsvik

Head south to Örnsköldsvik, the gateway to the High Coast. Called “Ö-vik” by locals, Örnsköldsvik is a coastal town known for its mix of outdoor adventure and modern industry, with hiking, kayaking, and skiing all within easy reach. There’s not a lot to do here so I recommend just spending one night in the town.

Here are some suggested things to see and do during your visit:

High Coast Trail – This 130-kilometer trail takes 5–7 days to complete but covers the entire High Coast, making it an epic and incredibly scenic adventure over mountains, rugged coastlines, and forests. If you want a shorter hike, it’s possible to just hike sections of it. There’s lots of options.

Kayaking & Swimming – The waters here are calm and there’s lots to see around the archipelago. A two-hour rental is 300 SEK, while tandem kayaks cost 400 SEK. If you prefer to swim, Gullviks havsbad is the best beach in the area. It’s a sandy beach with volleyball nets, food nearby, and a BBQ area.

Where to Stay – If you’re staying in town, you can stay at Elite Hotel, which is a beautiful hotel on the harbor with a huge and delicious breakfast. If you want to stay out of town, FriluftsByn is an expansive campsite with a great restaurant and bar and a hot spot for campers and roadtrippers.

Day 6: Skuleskogen National Park

Skuleskogen National Park, set along Sweden’s High Coast, is a sprawling wilderness where ancient forests meet the rugged Baltic shoreline. Visiting here was easily the highlight of my recent trip. Located just thirty minutes south of Örnsköldsvik, this park spans over 7,400 acres and has birch and pine forests, marshes, coastal beaches, granite mountains, and awesome views of the Baltic.

The highlight of the park is Slåttdalsskrevan, a massive rock crevice that cuts through the bedrock. It’s around 200 meters long and 30 meters deep. For safety reasons, you can’t walk through it anymore but, if you come via the north side, you get a better view and can walk in a little bit. (The south entrance is completely closed off.)

You could easily spend a few days here if you like to hike and camp, but at a minimum you’ll want one full day. To help you make the most of your visit, here are a few tips and considerations:

1. There are three entrances: South, North, and West, with the South gate being the busiest. Get there early if you’re driving as the parking lot is very small. To get to the park, you will definitely need a car. There are no other options.

2. The South gate trail to Slåttdalsskrevan is the shortest, however, the West gate trail provides the best diversity of landscapes (and fewest crowds).

3. If you want a relaxing hike, the coastal trail is not strenuous and has serene pebble beaches, rocky headlands, and quiet pine forests. It sees the fewest hikers too.

4. Hiking north to south (or vice versa) takes about five hours. Doing the South Gate to the crevice and back takes around three hours. There and back on the West trail is about four hours. I’m pretty fit and hike a bit fast so take that into consideration but I found the trails a lot easier than the suggested times (I stopped a lot for photos and video content).

5. Bring your own food and water as there are no facilities once you’re inside. Double check the weather too so you can dress appropriately.

6. If you’re visiting in summer, bring bug spray as I found there to be loads of mosquitoes.

Day 7 & 8: Sundsvall

Home to just under 60,000 people, Sundsvall is just a 90-minute drive south of Skuleskogen National Park. After being devastated by fire in 1888, the city was rebuilt almost entirely in stone, earning its elegant nickname Stenstaden (“the Stone City”). Perched between forested hills and the Gulf of Bothnia (the northern part of the Baltic Sea), the city was historically a hub of the timber and paper industries. Today, it’s best known for its easy access to outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and exploring the nearby High Coast.

Some things to see and do during your visit include:

Kulturmagasinet (The Culture Warehouse) – This cultural center is housed in old harbor warehouses that have been converted into a museum, library, and art space. Inside, visitors can explore exhibitions on Sundsvall’s history and local art, as well as take in temporary exhibitions and events. Be sure to check the website for the latest events. 

Norra Berget (The Northern Mountain) – This is an open-air museum and park located on a hill overlooking the city. It features 40 historic buildings from around the region, including wooden houses and farmsteads. There are lots of exhibits that showcase historic life and culture in northern Sweden. It’s a really good spot to bring kids.

Himlabadet Water Park – This family-friendly water park has indoor pools, saunas, and multiple water slides. There’s a small toddler area, a climbing wall that curves out over the pool, and even a surfing simulator that lets you try your hand at surfing real waves.

Sidsjön Lake – Just a 10-minute drive from the city center, Sidsjön is a peaceful lake surrounded by walking and cycling trails. In summer, you can swim, fish, and paddle here, making it the perfect place to lounge away an afternoon (if you’re visiting in winter, you can skate or cross-country ski here).

Alnön Island – Connected to Sundsvall by a bridge, Alnön is known for its sandy beaches and volcanic geology. The island is perfect for a day trip, offering swimming, small villages to explore, and scenic drives.

Where to Stay – Lilla Hotellet is an affordable locally-owned three-star hotel. It’s quiet, small, and has a cozy breakfast nook where you can fill up before you head out to explore.

Day 9 & 10: Uppsala

Uppsala, Sweden’s fourth-largest city, is just under four hours south of Sundsvall by car. It’s a lively, energetic city home to almost 250,000 people and is known for its big student population (Uppsala University is here, a prestigious university founded in the 15^th century). Owing to its big student population (and larger population in general), there’s much more to see and do here beyond just enjoying nature and there’s a lot of affordable restaurants and bars.

Here are some of my favorite things to do:

Uppsala Cathedral (Domkyrkan) – Scandinavia’s largest church, this impressive Gothic structure dates back to the 13th century. It’s the final resting place of Swedish kings, scientists, and archbishops, with soaring spires that dominate the city’s skyline. Inside, visitors can explore ornate chapels, admire medieval frescoes, and see the tombs of King Gustav Vasa and Carl Linnaeus (a famous scientist known as “the father of modern taxonomy”).

Uppsala University & Gustavianum – Founded in 1477, this is Sweden’s oldest university. With over 50,000 students, it’s a massive institution with lots to see and do in its own right. The Gustavianum Museum, for example, showcases artifacts and Viking treasures. If you’re on a budget, this area of town is where you’re going to want to eat as all the cheapest bars and restaurants are here.

Uppsala Castle (Uppsala Slott) – A Renaissance-era castle overlooking the city, Uppsala Castle was once the site of royal coronations and political intrigue. The castle was actually built after a peasant uprising, as King Vasa I decided more fortifications were needed to prevent future uprisings. Today, it’s home to museums and exhibitions where you can explore the original remains of the first castle built here, learn about the castle’s history, and even admire historic art.

Botanical Garden & Linnaeus Garden – Dating back to the 18th century, this is the largest botanical garden of its kind in Sweden. The Linnaeus Garden, a reconstruction of famed botanist Carl Linnaeus’s own 18th-century teaching garden, offers insight into how he classified species during his time as a botanist. In spring and summer, these gardens are particularly lively and colorful, making for a calming place to relax with a book or take a stroll when the sun is shining.

Gamla Uppsala (Old Uppsala) – Just north of the city, this ancient site features massive Viking burial mounds, a museum, and a church that was once a pagan religious center. This was a key political and spiritual site during the Viking Age, with ties to Norse mythology and early Swedish kings. Visitors can climb the burial mounds for sweeping views of the landscape. If you want to dive deeper into Viking-era history, the small Gamla Uppsala Museum is a short but worthwhile stop.

Carolina Rediviva Library – The university’s main library, housing treasures like the Codex Argenteus (“Silver Bible”). Built in the 19th century, it is one of the largest research libraries in Scandinavia, with over five million volumes. Its exhibitions display rare manuscripts, maps, and early printed books. For anyone interested in history, literature, or rare artifacts, this library is a must-see (if you’re not a history buff, though, you can probably skip it).

Where to Stay – If you’re backpacking, Uppsala City Hostel is the best hostel in the city. While the bunks are basic, it’s in a great location so you can easily get around. If you prefer a hotel, Botanika Uppsala is located right next to the botanical garden, which is the oldest in the country.

This trip is best done by car, but it could also be done by train and bus if you don’t want to rent a car. And, depending how much you want to hike, you can easily add in more days (there are a ton of multi-day hikes here, after all). Plus, there’s plenty of islands in the archipelago to stop at, so you could really turn this itinerary into a multi-week trip if you wanted. It’s really up to you!

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This is a guest post by Raimee Iacofano from Raimeetravel.

Growing up in Michigan, Ludington was THE place to be. Every summer, my family would pack up the car, blast some classic rock (think Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, and the occasional Lynyrd Skynyrd singalong), and head west for beach days, lighthouse climbs, and the BEST Superman ice cream you’ll ever have. It was tradition for us each year because my grandparents called Ludington home.

As a kid, it felt like pure magic. Falling asleep to the sound of waves, chasing seagulls barefoot in the sand, and sticky fingers from melting cones that somehow always dripped down to my elbow. Ludington wasn’t just a vacation spot for us, it was a special place to make our family memories!

But then life happened. I grew up. Things changed. I started traveling the world, chasing new coastlines, and eventually moved across the country to California. My summers became less about beach towels and bonfires on Lake Michigan and more about airports, new countries, and ticking places off my bucket list.

And yet, Ludington was always tucked in the back of my mind. No matter how many cliffs I hiked in Ireland, or temples I wandered through in Asia, part of me wanted to come back. To see if it still held the same magic or if I’d outgrown it.

Finally, this summer, I returned for the first time in over a decade. And… WOW. Ludington is even more special now. It’s charming and peaceful, yet absolutely packed with things to do. If you’ve been sleeping on West Michigan (or Michigan in general), this is your official wake-up call.

I thought this trip would be a little nostalgic, maybe a quiet walk down memory lane. Instead, Ludington completely surprised me with rooftop dinners, breweries with fire pits, gorgeous hiking trails, and so many nearby adventures. Honestly, there’s so much here that you could stay for a week and still leave with a list of things for “next time.”

Here’s how I spent my time and everything I’d recommend if you’re planning your own trip to Ludington.

Things to Do in Ludington

1. Beach Days & Lighthouse Treks
First stop: Stearns Park Beach. It’s totally free and walkable from downtown, which I love. We set up with a ton of snacks, people-watched, and even played a little shuffleboard (yes, there’s free shuffleboard courts right by the beach!). The sand is soft, the vibe is laid back, and the water is that endless deep blue that makes you forget you’re not at the ocean.

If you’re up early, or willing to stay late, walk the breakwall to the Ludington North Breakwater Light. The lighthouse is stunning during both sunrise and sunset, and each gives the lake a completely different mood. Pro tip: if you head out around 9 a.m., you’ll catch the SS Badger, a historic coal-fired car ferry, making its way across Lake Michigan to Wisconsin. The tradition is to wave goodbye to the passengers onboard, and it feels like stepping into a moment straight out of small-town Americana.

For something more adventurous, head to Ludington State Park. It’s often called the “crown jewel” of Michigan’s state parks—and I get it now. Twenty-five miles of trails wind through forests, dunes, and beaches, with stops at both Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake. The highlight? Hiking out to Big Sable Point Lighthouse. It’s about two miles each way, but the walk is gorgeous and the payoff is huge: a tall, striped lighthouse from the 1800s standing guard against the waves. It’s the kind of spot that makes you pause and think, “Wow, I can’t believe this is in Michigan.”

2. Museum Time (because I secretly love history)
One of my favorite travel quirks is that I always end up in at least one museum—no matter where I go. In Ludington, I found two gems:

• Historic White Pine Village: An outdoor museum with over 30 historic buildings, from a one-room schoolhouse to an old-fashioned courthouse. Walking around felt like stepping back into a simpler time, and it gave me a whole new appreciation for Michigan’s roots.
• Port of Ludington Maritime Museum: Perfect if you love Great Lakes history, lighthouses, or boats. It’s in a former Coast Guard station and has such a fun mix of interactive exhibits and vintage charm.

Bonus: both spots are super photogenic so bring your camera.

3. Water Adventures & Nature Fix
If you’re an outdoorsy person, Ludington is basically paradise. You can rent kayaks at Hamlin Lake for a peaceful paddle, or grab a pontoon boat if you want more of a party-on-the-water vibe. Paddleboards are another fun option—great workout, and you get a totally different perspective of the lake.

Not into water? There’s also mountain biking, disc golf, and plenty of hiking trails. Ludington really is the best of both worlds: small-town charm mixed with endless outdoor adventures.

Where to Eat & Drink in Ludington

I’ll be honest: I wasn’t expecting Ludington’s food scene to be this good. But WOW. From breakfast spots to breweries, I was seriously impressed.

Breakfast & Casual Bites

• Café 106: Cozy and cute, perfect for brunch. Their omelets hit the spot after a morning walk.
• House of Flavors: The most iconic ice cream shop in town. I grew up eating Superman here, but this trip I discovered Carrot Cake ice cream and let me tell you—it changed my life.
• The Sandbox at Stearns Beach: Right by the water, serving gourmet sliders, seasoned fries, and ice cream. Perfect beach & chill food!

Dinner with a View

• STIX: Near the state park, with a massive biergarten, live music, and even lawn games. It’s part-restaurant, part-entertainment hub.
• Blu Moon Bistro: Adorable rooftop patio with seasonal dishes. This is where I had the best Reuben sandwich of my life (and I don’t say that lightly).
• Jamesport Brewing Co. & Ludington Bay Brewing: Two great breweries with outdoor patios—perfect for golden hour.
• The Perch on Hamlin Lake: A newer spot perched (literally) on a bluff overlooking the lake. Come for dinner, or just grab cocktails on their lower-level patio. Bonus: you can even arrive by boat.

Something Sweet + Coffee

• Kilwin’s: Fudge + chocolates = heaven.
• Red Rooster Coffee: Cozy, friendly, with iced lattes that hit the spot after a hot day.
• HumaniTea: If you’re a tea drinker, or just need a reset between activities, this place is perfect.

Where to Stay in Ludington

There’s a vibe for every type of traveler here.

• Camping: Ludington State Park has beautiful campgrounds that keep you close to nature.
• Downtown: Stay at a historic inn, hotel, or B&B for easy access to beaches and restaurants.
• Lakefront: For something special, look at Hamlin Lake rentals. I stayed at Sunset Bluff Resort, and it was perfect.

We had a little yellow A-frame house with cozy cabin vibes but all the essentials. The best part? A private fire pit right by the water. Every night, we roasted s’mores, watched cotton candy sunsets, and cracked open local beers from Ludington Bay Brewing. It was the kind of place that instantly melts the stress away and makes you feel like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Best Local Shops in Ludington

I always carve out time to wander through local shops when I travel—it’s one of the best ways to get a feel for a town. In Ludington, I found some gems along Ludington Avenue and South James Street:

• Sexy Nomad: My favorite! A beautifully curated shop with vintage clothing, Moroccan jewelry, ceramics, and handmade treasures. It felt like stepping into a global market—but right here in Michigan.
• Sister Bees: Women-owned and full of natural skincare, beeswax products, and Michigan honey. Such a thoughtful place for gifts.
• The Windowsill Used & New Books: Cozy, welcoming, and filled with great reads. I picked up a romantasy novel (obviously). The staff was so kind, and it reminded me why I always stop at indie bookstores when I travel.

Coming back to Ludington as an adult was like re-reading a childhood book and discovering new magic between the lines. It felt grounding, nostalgic, and fresh all at once. There’s something powerful about revisiting the places that shaped you and realizing they’re just as beautiful—sometimes even better—than you remembered.

If you’ve never been to West Michigan, or it’s been a while, put Ludington at the top of your list. It’s a small town with a big heart, stunning landscapes, and a community that makes you feel right at home.

Trust me! I’m already planning my next trip back. And maybe, just maybe, it’ll become a tradition again.

For more planning info, check out PureLudington.com.

Raimee Iacofano grew up in Michigan. Eight years ago, she set off to travel the world and has worked helping creators improve their social media (she even worked for me for a few years). She’s since started her own enterprise helping people travel smarter and off the beaten path. When she’s not roaming the world, she lives in LA. Follow her amazing videos on Instagram and TikTok and download her free guides on her website, Raimeetravel.

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Ruin bars are all the rage in Budapest and have been around since the founding of Szimpla Kert, the mecca of all ruin bars, in 2002. These bars are built in Budapest’s old District VII neighborhood (the old Jewish quarter) in the ruins of abandoned buildings, stores, or lots. This neighborhood was left to decay after World War II, so it was a perfect place to develop an underground bar scene. These places were very off the beaten path, rough around the edges, and catered to artists, students, and alternative people.

But they became very popular and well known by 2010 and have nice gone mainstream, though their setting has not changed.

From the outside, these bars look like normal buildings. They don’t have large signs pointing the way, you don’t hear any loud noise, and there’s no line of people waiting to get in. But once you walk in and enter the inner courtyard, you find yourself in the middle of a hip, artsy, and funky bar bustling with crowds talking, dancing, and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere. Large bouncers, along with posted signs, ensure that people are quiet on their way out so as to not disturb the neighbors.

Each of these ruin bars has its own personality, but they all follow a few basic principles: find an old, abandoned place, rent it out, set up a bar, fill it with flea market furniture, have a few artists come in to leave their mark on the walls and ceiling, add in some weird antiques, serve alcohol, and watch people flock in.

When you’re in these bars, you feel like you’re drinking at your local thrift store. None of the furniture matches. It’s all old. It’s eclectic. It feels like they just ransacked your grandmother’s house. The ceilings are all designed differently and the places haven’t been repaired or fixed up, and there are still holes in the walls and visible pipes everywhere.

Though the Ruin Bar movement has become mainstream, many of the bars have done a good job of keeping their character and staying true to their roots — even as they fill up with more tourists.

Here is a list of the best ruin bars of Budapest:
 

Szimpla Kert

This was the original ruin bar. It opened in 2001, starting this trend. It’s one of the biggest ruin bars and still one of the most popular. Once an abandoned factory, now there’s a large open courtyard, a top floor filled with eclectic furniture, cocktail bars, music, and even an old, stripped-down Trabant (a communist car) to have a drink in. All the rooms have a different theme. They also sell pizza, which, after a few drinks, makes for the perfect walking-home snack. Everyone I take here says it’s one of the coolest bars they’ve ever been to. If you just visit one bar, make it this one.

Grandio

Grandio is a ruin bar and hostel in one. It’s famous for its outdoor, tree-filled courtyard but is mostly filled with travelers and people on bar crawls since it’s also a hostel. This is a good place to start your night and meet other travelers. During the day you can find locals relaxing here with a drink in the garden. It’s not quite as rowdy as the other bars and, since it’s smaller, it has a bit more of a laid-back and intimate vibe.

Dürer Kert

A former university building, this ruin bar and music venue lets you tap into your inner college student as you drink a few beers while playing foosball, Ping-Pong, darts, and a French game called pétanque (it’s fun). The courtyard garden is a good spot to enjoy all the live music that happens in this bar. The space is really big and there’s a lot of activity here. Plus, I love how the art and paintings on the wall.

Instant-Fogas Complex

The Instant-Fogas Complex is located in an entire apartment building and the biggest ruin bar in the city. There are over 20 rooms, 18 different bars, multiple dance floors, and 2 gardens. It’s one of the more club-like ruin bars. In Instant, you can sit in what were once individual apartments and relax on furniture that looks like it was found on the street. They’ve knocked down many of the walls to connect the apartments and make space for the DJs and dancing. Given its popularity and the fact that it’s more “clubby,” drinks here are a little more expensive than in other ruin bars. If you want to dance away the night, this is the bar for you.

Doboz

I’m not entirely sure if this place fits into the ruin bar culture. It was much fancier and trendier than the other bars I visited. It was like being in a “real” bar. However, I was taken there as part of a ruin bar tour, and, regardless, I loved this place. You walk into the courtyard and are greeted by a tree with a red-eyed robot attached to it. It looks like a Transformer is about to attack you. There are two main rooms: one red, the other blue. They play a lot of dance music, and this place fills up toward the end of the night. The only downside is that it has more limited opening hours than other bars.

Mazel Tov

This is one of Budapest’s newest ruin bars. Mazel Tov (located in the old Jewish quarter) is a community center and restaurant serving traditional Jewish cuisine by day. At night, the courtyard is a party with DJs and live entertainment entertaining guests. There’s also a restaurant here. I wouldn’t call this a “ruin bar” in the traditional sense but it’s a nice atmosphere, the decor is nice, and it’s got great drinks. It’s fancier than all the others so don’t expect something so “rough and tumble.”

Csendes Letterem Café & Bar

If you’re looking for a more laid-back vibe to balance out the party atmosphere of some of the other ruin bars but don’t want to sacrifice the cool vintage aesthetic, this is the bar for you. It’s located right in the heart of Budapest and is the perfect place to relax and share drinks with friends or settle in for an evening of conversation. The bar also serves food and has Wi-Fi, so you’ll often find digital nomads mingling here.

Budapest may sell itself on history and thermal baths, but the ruin bars are by far the most unique thing about this city. Even if you don’t drink, come spend time at these ruin bars because they are such a funky way to see a popular and totally unique aspect of life in Budapest (you can even take a self-guided tour of a few bars that includes skip-the-line entry). You’ll meet a lot of locals when you visit too! So, don’t miss them.
 

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If you fly Delta frequently and want to earn toward elite status while enjoying more travel perks than their Gold card offers but don’t want to pay the high fee of the Reserve, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is likely the best fit for you. It’s a step up in both annual fee and benefits, giving you tools to reach Medallion status faster, plus credits that can offset travel costs.

Here’s my review of the card!

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Overview

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card has an annual fee of $350. (See Rates and Feees.) That is a pretty high annual fee for a lot of people but I would say that if you fly the airline enough to hit their gold status then you are definitely going to want this card over their other ones as it will give you a lot of perks and make your Delta flying experience better.

This card offers:

• Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
• 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels
• 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
• 1x Miles on all other purchases
• Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
• $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year
• 1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
• $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee
• 15% off award travel redemptions on Delta flights
• Up to $120 Resy credit (up to $10 monthly in statement credits)
• Up to $120 Rideshare credit(up to $10 monthly in statement credits)
• First checked back free

How to Redeem Delta SkyMiles

Delta uses dynamic pricing for their rewards. That means that the number of points it takes to book a flight isn’t a set number. Instead, the rate varies based on the cash price of a flight. You can also redeem your points as cash at checkout at the rate of 1 cent per mile but I never find that a good redemption and only rarely ever do that. I only ever do this if I am low on points and don’t have enough to redeem a flight but want to save money off the cash price.

The 15% off on award redemptions makes flights a lot more affordable so be sure to have your card connected to your SkyMiles account. If you are flexible with your dates, you can use their award calendar to see the best points fare as mixing and matching your dates can lead to better deals.

Additionally, Delta offers a lot of award sales so keep an eye out for them. Thrifty Traveler and Point.me are two good websites that can send you alerts. I find Delta miles to be the best for U.S. domestic economy and comfort plus redemptions. Unless there’s a sale, I never book for business or international flights. The redemption value is terrible.

Is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Worth It?

For regular Delta flyers aiming for Medallion status, the The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a clear upgrade from the Gold card. The companion certificate alone can offset the annual fee. Add in the TSA PreCheck credit, higher earning rates, and MQD boosts, statement credits, and the 15% off rewards and the card pays for itself. I’m a huge fan of this one. I have the business version of it as I have the Reserve for personal use since I am heavy Delta flier but if you’re not, then get this Platinum card.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Companion certificate each year
• MQD earning through card spend
• Higher earn rates on Delta and hotel purchases
• TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
• Free checked bag for you and companions
• 15% off award flights

Cons:

• Higher annual fee at $350
• No Sky Club lounge access
• Companion certificate is domestic main cabin only

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is best for travelers who fly Delta often and are either chasing or maintaining Medallion status. Between the companion certificate, free checked bags, and the ability to earn MQDs on spending, it offers more than enough perks to justify the higher fee for frequent flyers. If you want lounge access or premium upgrades, however, you might want to look at the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card card instead.

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• How to Redeem Your Points
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

If you fly a few times a year, you know the pain points: baggage fees that add up quickly, boarding last and finding no overhead bin space left, and earning miles at a snail’s pace. That’s where the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card can really change your travel experience. I’m a believer that if you fly one airline at least a few times per year (or have a favorite airline), you should at least get the airline’s lowest tier credit card as it comes with enough perks to justify the cost and will make your travel experience better.

If you’re a Delta casual flier who wants solid perks with a $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150, Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the card for you. (See rates and fees.)

In this review, we’ll break down the benefits, costs, and potential drawbacks so you can decide if this card is worth adding to your wallet.

[TOC]

What is the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card ?

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is Delta’s most basic credit card offering and is for people who want to make their airport and flying experience easier but don’t want to pay a high annual fee. The annual fee for this card is $150 per year but is a $0 intro annual fee the first year.

This card offers:

• Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
• 2x miles on Delta purchases
• 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide
• 1x miles on all other purchases
• Free checked bag on Delta flights
• $200 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year
• 15% off Award Travel redemptions on Delta flights
• Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
• Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights
• Up to $100 Delta Stays credit
• 20% back on eligible in-flight purchases savings in the form of statement credits.

Using Your Delta Points

Delta uses dynamic pricing for their rewards. That means that the number of points it takes to book a flight isn’t a set number. Instead, the rate varies based on the cash price of a flight. You can also redeem your points as cash at checkout at the rate of 1 cent per mile but I never find that a good redemption and only rarely ever do that. I only ever do this if I am low on points and don’t have enough to redeem a flight but want to save money off the cash price.

The 15% off on award redemptions makes flights a lot more affordable so be sure to have your card connected to your SkyMiles account. If you are flexible with your dates, you can use their award calendar to see the best points fare as mixing and matching your dates can lead to better deals.

Additionally, Delta offers a lot of award sales so keep an eye out for them. Thrifty Traveler and Point.me are two good websites that can send you alerts. I find Delta miles to be the best for U.S. domestic economy and comfort plus redemptions. Unless there’s a sale, I never book for business or international flights. The redemption value is terrible.

Is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Worth It?

If you fly Delta two or three times a year and don’t have elite status, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card can pay for itself just through the free checked bag benefit as that can save up to $70 on a round-trip per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. Add in priority boarding, the 15% award discount, and occasional statement credits, and you’re getting solid value for a relatively modest annual fee.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card hits a sweet spot for casual-to-regular Delta fliers. The free checked bag alone can offset the annual fee, and the priority boarding and award discount make travel more pleasant and affordable. While it doesn’t offer premium perks like lounge access, it delivers enough value for its price point. If you fly Delta but aren’t ready to commit to a high-fee premium card, this is an easy choice to consider.

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• How to Pick a Credit Card
• How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending
• How to Redeem Your Points
• And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips!

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The post Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

For Delta loyalists who want a VIP experience, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is your best option. I’m a huge fan of Delta and I fly them almost exclusively when I’m traveling around the United States. I find them to have the best in-flight experience, food, entertainment, and seats.

If you’re a Delta fan and fly them a lot, then I really think the Reserve card is must to have. While it has the highest annual fee, it also has most comprehensive set of benefits, including Sky Club access, upgrade priority, and faster elite status earning. It’s very much worth the cost and I have gotten way more value out of it than the fee.

Here’s my review of the card!

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Overview

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is Delta’s premium card that offers frequent travelers a host of benefits and perks and is meant for people who fly a lot on the airline and want more perks as well as faster elite status earning. The annual fee is $650 (See Rates and Fees.) but I think the perks of the card outweigh the cost.

This card offers:

• Earn 125,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
• 3x miles on Delta purchases
• 1x miles on all other spending
• 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and unlimited visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
• Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
• Free checked bag on Delta flights
• Earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card
• Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year
• Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Up to $240 Resy credit (up to $20 monthly in statement credits)
• Up to $120 Rideshare credit(up to $10 monthly in statement credits)
• Up to $200 Delta Stays credit
• 15% off Award Flight redemption through delta.com and the Fly Delta app
• 20% back on eligible in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit

In short, there’s a lot of perks with this card and I find that, unlike a lot of other premium cards, they are useful perks! I love the the MQD boost, the hotel credit, the the 15% back on award redemptions, and especially the lounge access. I tend to use the majority of the perks on this card, making the value of it well worth the fee.

Using Your Delta Points

Delta uses dynamic pricing for their rewards. That means that the number of points it takes to book a flight isn’t a set number. Instead, the rate varies based on the cash price of a flight. You can also redeem your points as cash at checkout at the rate of 1 cent per mile but I never find that a good redemption and only rarely ever do that. I only ever do this if I am low on points and don’t have enough to redeem a flight but want to save money off the cash price.

The 15% off on award redemptions makes flights a lot more affordable so be sure to have your card connected to your SkyMiles account. If you are flexible with your dates, you can use their award calendar to see the best points fare as mixing and matching your dates can lead to better deals.

Additionally, Delta offers a lot of award sales so keep an eye out for them. Thrifty Traveler and Point.me are two good websites that can send you alerts. I find Delta miles to be the best for U.S. domestic economy and comfort plus redemptions. Unless there’s a sale, I never book for business or international flights. The redemption value is terrible.

Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Worth It?

If you’re a frequent Delta flyer who values lounge access, wants to earn elite status quickly, and appreciates upgrade priority, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card can be worth every penny. For casual travelers, however, the $650 fee will be hard to justify, especially with limited category bonuses.

Pros:

• Sky Club access and Centurion Lounge access with Delta flights
• Companion certificate
• MQDs at double the Platinum earning rate
• Upgrade priority
• Free checked bag and priority boarding
• 15% off award flights

Cons:

• High annual fee
• Few bonus categories for everyday spending
• Lounge access has visit limits

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is for the most dedicated Delta travelers who want the best experience possible. Between lounge access, upgrade priority, and rapid MQD earning, it offers elite-level travel without having to fly your way there entirely. If you’re in airports and on Delta planes regularly, the Reserve delivers unmatched perks.

If the fee is too high or you don’t fly Delta enough, check out the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card which may better suit your needs at a lower cost.

Stop paying full price for travel!

Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It's how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I'll show you:

• How to Pick a Credit Card
• How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending
• How to Redeem Your Points
• And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips!

Get the guide

The post Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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