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Past editions of our weekly newsletter, sharing travel news and inspiration with the JFC community

The Detour

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

Katy - Editor of The Detour

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Winging Your Way to Yellowstone National Park

San Diego native Olivia left home two years ago to live on the road. Since then, she's had homebases everywhere from Quebec to England to New Orleans, but she always ends up back on the West Coast. When she's not hiking through the desert or the woods, she can usually be found exploring her current city and scoping out the best bars and coffee shops.

By Olivia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Travel Tips

Win A Glamorous Night Out In London

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

In Partnership with The Nudge

Caribbean Island Hopping Without Breaking the Bank

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

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

Answered by Genora

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

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

Lucca-ing for some advice&hellip;

Flight Finder Akasha finds phenomenal flights faster than you can decide where you want to take a trip to next. A pro at finding the best of the best fares, she's also a master at sharing must-visit spots for when you land.

By Akasha

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

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

Reader's Corner

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

Travel News

Winging Your Way to Yellowstone & Caribbean Sailing Without Breaking the Bank

Hey there, Travellers!
As usual, I've spent much of my free time this week planning for future trips. Quelle surprise!
Next week, my husband Dave and I will be jetting off to Germany for a couple of days. Those of you in the UK and Ireland may have heard of a Wowcher Mystery Holiday, where you pay &pound;99pp and the destination is up to the luck of the draw (kind of). I'd never done one before, so we reckoned it was about time.
Unfortunately, our luck didn't bag us 2 weeks in Bali, rather 2 nights in D&uuml;sseldorf. But honestly, I'm still pretty excited! Despite living in Germany for years, I've never been to the city before &mdash; only the airport&nbsp;&mdash; so it's all going to be new.
If you've got any D&uuml;sseldorf tips for me, or if you've ever taken a mystery trip and have a tale to tell, <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-202-fear-of-flying-beijing#comments">let me know in the comments</a> or by hitting&nbsp;'Reply'.
Happy travels and safe landings,

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In Partnership with Babbel

How a One-Day Course Cured My Fear of Flying

I never in a million years thought I&rsquo;d be sitting in a window seat, on &ldquo;a flight to nowhere,&rdquo; listening to a pilot calmly instruct us to squeeze our butts over the intercom. Yet, here I was, circling Heathrow on a faux-flight, surrounded by a cabin of strangers clenching in an awkward synchrony&hellip;
For the 1 in 6 of us who fear flying, the real question isn&rsquo;t whether you prefer take-off or landing, but: &ldquo;how will I survive this?&rdquo; and apparently survival starts with your glutes.
The fear of flying starts the moment you book &mdash; the creeping dread as you shuffle through security, the way your body locks at that first &lsquo;bing bong&rsquo; of the seatbelt sign. I know. I used to resign myself to meeting a tumbling death in the first ten seconds of turbulence.&nbsp;
So when British Airways&rsquo; Flying with Confidence course crossed my desk at work, I volunteered to be a personal guinea pig for a&nbsp;&ldquo;life changing&rdquo; experience aimed at curing your fear of flying.
Disclaimer:&nbsp;British Airways did not pay me, sponsor this review or bribe me with tiny pretzels and peanuts. I paid full price for this course, and all opinions and occasional panic are 100% mine.

<h2 dir="ltr">Flight School: Turbulence, Sounds, and Control</h2>
Mainly held in Heathrow and Gatwick, the course is piloted by, well, pilots (and psychologists, too). There are a few flavours to choose from&mdash;Primary, Premium, Premium Plus, or Private&mdash;depending on your budget and nerves. I signed up for the primary course, which meant a day of technical and psychological sessions with about 100 fellow nervous flyers. Perks? Unlimited tea, coffee, snacks, and lunch.
The day is broken into 3 parts, and honestly, it felt a little like flight school lite.
The morning kicked off with some breathing exercises, which would be the foundation for controlling anxiety throughout the day.&nbsp;
The technique is called &ldquo;Breathe &amp; Squeeze,&rdquo; basically a combo of deep breathing and contracting your glutes, aiming to slow your heart rate and muscle tension.
Next, pilots Nigel and Niven gave a presentation that broke down all aspects of aviation. From ailerons and roll, to rudder and yaw, lift and drag. Personally, I found this the most helpful part of the course. I&rsquo;m usually not one to grasp concepts to do with physics &mdash; ask anyone who sat near me in school &mdash; but somehow Nigel and Niven made it click.&nbsp;

They managed to make a deep dive into aerodynamics entertaining. It was seriously in-depth, and I found myself appreciating just how much training, knowledge, and precision go into every single flight &mdash; and wondering why I ever thought my fear knew better.&nbsp;
&ldquo;What if the engine falls off?&rdquo;&nbsp;
&ldquo;What if passengers bring extra baggage on board and it affects the weight of the plane?&rdquo;
&nbsp;&ldquo;How can there be a safe landing if you&rsquo;re flying across the Atlantic?&rdquo; 
&ldquo;What if we get struck by lightning?&rdquo; 
&ldquo;What if there&rsquo;s something wrong with the left phalange?&rdquo; Ok, I &mdash; or should I say Phoebe from Friends &mdash; made that one up, but if there was a left phalange, we&rsquo;d worry about it.
We had all of our questions answered and more, and I even walked away with some new flight-nerd facts with which to impress my colleagues.&nbsp;
Did you know that it&rsquo;s the wing that enables the aircraft to fly, not the engine? Now you do.&nbsp;
Did you know that the wings undergo an extreme stress test? They do, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/x25xeSqNYF8">look</a>!
How many wings does an aircraft have? 2? 4? Wrong. It has one.&nbsp;
Do you know how much weight the paint on an airplane adds? Two tonnes.&nbsp;
Most importantly, though, we gained a greater understanding of the numerous noises inside and outside the cabin (&ldquo;Noise is good&rdquo; was another mantra throughout the day), as well as the phantom threat haunting the skies. It strikes precisely when you&rsquo;ve let your guard down and placed your drink on your lap: Turbulence.&nbsp;

Enter the third chant of the day, &ldquo;Turbulence is uncomfortable, not dangerous&rdquo;&nbsp;
They asked who among us has ever experienced severe turbulence. My hand smugly shot up along with a few others, as if to vindicate every intrusive table-gripping thought we&rsquo;ve ever endured.&nbsp;
Trick question. According to the pilots, they&rsquo;ve never encountered severe turbulence in all their years in the sky, just garden-variety bumps that feel terrifying to us mere mortals because we don&rsquo;t understand what&rsquo;s happening. Which, frankly, felt like a personal attack.&nbsp;
Imagine the plane is like a spoon in jelly, they told us. The jelly is the air&mdash;usually smooth until something stirs it. Then it wobbles. The spoon jiggles, but it won&rsquo;t break. Planes work the same way. Air, they reminded us, has fluid properties.&nbsp;
Just because you can&rsquo;t see it, doesn&rsquo;t mean it&rsquo;s not there, and like boats resting on a sea of water, planes rest on a sea of air. Sometimes, like water, the air gets choppy. It feels dramatic, sure, but really it&rsquo;s just physics being physics. And dangerous? Not even close.&nbsp; 
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/how-the-flying-with-confidence-course-finally-beat-my-fear-of-flying">Keep reading&hellip;</a>

Travel Tricks

It's said there are three great quests in life:&nbsp;1)&nbsp;To find love.&nbsp;2)&nbsp;To find meaning.&nbsp;3)&nbsp;And to win an insane competition for&nbsp;the ultimate luxury night out for four people&nbsp;involving wine, cocktails, and unique luxury dining experiences.&nbsp;
Which, our friends over at London's finest city guide&nbsp;<a href="https://thenudge.com/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thenudge.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1756982549610000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2x3wyahJgW_cUf8P1PJEUh" rel="noopener">The Nudge</a>. can help with.&nbsp;
What&rsquo;s involved? Well, first you and three (incredibly grateful) buddies will start with cocktails at Mexican-Japanese&nbsp;Los Mochis, City, where you&rsquo;ll have&nbsp;&pound;100 to spend on&nbsp;stunning drinks&nbsp;either in their world-class Agaveria and lounge, or on their panoramic rooftop terrace should the weather see fit.
Then, things move onto&nbsp;<a href="https://thenudge.com/london-restaurants/luna/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thenudge.com/london-restaurants/luna/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1756982549610000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3lvjEBZSFm_iEUDx-BSP0f" rel="noopener">LUNA</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;an intimate omakase restaurant&nbsp;perched on the 9th floor, overlooking the city.&nbsp;With only 12 seats in the whole restaurant, your group will be taking up a full third of the jewel-box space. And what follows will be a dozen courses from a theatrical, boundary-pushing menu that fuses storytelling with spectacular food. Expect welcome cocktails, some incredible food, wine pairings, and no bill at the end.
To enter, you don't need to guess how many jellybeans there are in a jar, or solve a riddle, or do a backflip - just click below&hellip;

From Art to Auckland, and Back to the Aegean

The Detour Editor Katy is a budget travel aficionado who has already travelled to more than 50 countries. Whether she's at home or on a foreign adventure, she has a particular talent for stumbling upon tasty Georgian restaurants.

By Katy

In this week&rsquo;s Reader&rsquo;s Corner, I&rsquo;m bringing you a mash-up of topics that have landed in my inbox this week.&nbsp;
First up, it&rsquo;s Beijing. Last week, Flight Finder Kristi asked for your Beijing tips for her upcoming trip, and one of them in particular caught my attention. Aside from the must-see Forbidden City and early-morning panda visits, The Detour reader Fiona recommends exploring the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.babagoeschina.com/beijing-798-art-district/">798 Art District</a>.
I looked it up and all I can say is, wow! Factories and warehouses repurposed as galleries, alleyways splashed with street art, and sleek hipster caf&eacute;s &mdash; you&rsquo;d be forgiven for thinking this was Berlin as opposed to Beijing. We love hearing about the spots that don&rsquo;t usually make it into the tourist brochures, so please keep the recommendations coming.&nbsp;
Next up, it&rsquo;s the turn of the Chinese airlines&hellip;

&ldquo;Greetings!
I am currently in Ireland, but am looking for a flight from London to Auckland, NZ. I can get a good price with China Southern, or with Air China. How would you rate these airlines? I would appreciate an honest opinion.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Thanks so much&rdquo; - Dianne

Hi Dianne, this is a great question. The lowest fares we see to Auckland from the UK generally do involve Chinese Airlines, but most of us on this side of the world aren&rsquo;t very familiar with them.
Our resident Aussie, Larissa, flew home to Sydney with China Southern last year, and rated the airline a rather resounding, &ldquo;fine.&rdquo; There were no bells or whistles, lots of noodles, and a rather lengthy stopover in Guangzhou, but ultimately no major issues either. You can find her&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfc-honest-airline-reviews-china-southern">full breakdown of the experience here</a>.
A couple of other Jack&rsquo;s team members have flown China Eastern in recent years and gave pretty similar reviews, but unfortunately we&rsquo;re yet to board Air China. <a href="https://youtu.be/561YLjn7W2M?si=PNBs1lyHdGwnXKdg&amp;t=506">This recent review</a> on YouTube makes it look pretty decent, especially considering the low fares.
I hope that gives you some confidence to go ahead and book &mdash; I sure would!
And finally, we'll wrap up with a return to the Aegean...

&ldquo;Hello, my husband and I are celebrating our 25th anniversary in 2026 and so are friends of ours.&nbsp; We want to see the Greek Islands and are open to cruising, ferries, whatever is the best means of transport.&nbsp; My husband is getting a knee replacement sometime this fall and we're hoping he'll be more mobile. Any recommendations?&rdquo;

Hi reader &mdash; if I&rsquo;m not mistaken, you might have asked a similar question a couple of months back. In case you missed it, Flight Finder Fran put together her <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-182-disastrous-flight-delays#:~:text=Sparkling%20Seas%20for%20a%20Silver%20Anniversary">top suggestions for your gorgeous Greek getaway</a>. We hope you have a wonderful time (and send us some pics when you get back)!

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 css-1kubl8f css-1kubl8f">Here's your <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/baby-puffin-throwing-wildlife-rehabilitation">annual dose of Icelandic&nbsp;"awwww!"</a> </li>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 css-1kubl8f css-1kubl8f">Sometimes, the last thing you want to do after a long trip is talk to a human at a hotel reception. Are <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/inside-japan-henn-na-robot-hotel/">Japan's robot hotels</a> the solution? </li>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 css-1kubl8f css-1kubl8f">As destinations go, "hell" isn't commonly considered one of the good ones. But just in case it does take your fancy, <a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/wanderlust/entrances-to-hell">these 10 entrances to the underworld</a>&nbsp;are worth checking out. </li>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 css-1kubl8f css-1kubl8f">And finally, after 19 years and a lot of controversy, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kazakhstan-borat-ad-tourism-very-nice/">Kazakhstan has decided that "Very nice"</a> might not actually be so bad.</li>
</ul>

Curing Your Fear of Flying & Discovering Artsy Beijing

How&rsquo;s it goin&rsquo;, eh?
Canadian Flight Finder Kristi here taking over The Detour for a week.
Apparently, I can&rsquo;t just move countries without immediately finding new and exciting ways to wear out my hiking boots. Case in point: last spring I dragged myself and Flight Finder Kash (and my camera) across Kyrgyzstan&rsquo;s mountains, where the scenery was jaw-dropping, and the altitude was&hellip; let&rsquo;s just say&nbsp;humbling. I&rsquo;ve put together a photo journal below so you can enjoy the peaks with me (but without the blisters).&nbsp;
I recently moved back to Canada, and with that comes a new personal mission: to spend more time exploring this vast and majestic backyard. From coast to coast (and plenty in between), I&rsquo;ll be digging into what makes Canada such a dream destination &mdash; for both international visitors&nbsp;and those of us lucky enough to call it home.
Oh, and because I clearly don&rsquo;t learn, I&rsquo;m off to China in a month. I've picked out my Great Wall route already, so now it's time to work out what to do in and around Beijing itself.
Any recommendations that I should absolutely not miss? (Bonus points if it involves dumplings.) Just hit 'Reply' or <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-201-the-grid-kyrgyzstan-canadian-road-trip#comments">leave a comment</a> to keep me on the right path.
Happy travels and safe landings,

Kristi - Canada's Queen of Flight Finding

A 9-day Journey Through Central Asia&rsquo;s Wildest Stan

Flight Finder Kristi is a born and bred Canadian, who has recently returned to her beloved mountains after travelling the world as a digital nomad. When she isn't on the move, she is writing about travelling, or dreaming about travelling, or saving up for&hellip; you get the point :-)

By Kristi

I know why you&rsquo;re here. You want an adventure that doesn&rsquo;t come with souvenir shops or matching tour group hats. You yearn for something wild, untamed, and just a tad off the grid.&nbsp;
So buckle up, babe. We&rsquo;re headed to Kyrgyzstan &ndash; and what unfolds from here is anything but predictable.
In a world that feels mapped and measured, only 0.185% of the world&rsquo;s population will ever set foot on these remote, rugged steppes. And if you dare to make it all the way to <a href="https://inbetweentravels.com/kel-suu-lake/">Kel-Suu Lake</a>? We're talking a microscopic 0.00018%.&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s right. You&rsquo;ll be standing in a spot so rare, 99.99982% of humanity will never breathe its air. I did it, and it was pretty freaking cool.&nbsp;
In fact, it felt so surreal, I knew I had to document it &mdash; the beauty, the breakdowns, the blisters, and the magic. What followed was an epic journey with my best friend: nine days of wild terrain, questionable bathrooms, and moments that cracked me wide open.
Here&rsquo;s the journey, told in snapshots and field notes:

Travel Tales

<h3>Day One: Bishkek, Purple Pants &amp; <s>Culture</s> Toilet Shock</h3>

<h6>Itinerary:</h6>
Rolled into Bishkek at 5 a.m. after a full day of travel &mdash; delirious, puffy-eyed, and, in retrospect, wildly under-prepared for cultural differences. The airport? A sea of local men. Us? The only foreign women in sight. I was clad head-to-toe in purple (yes, including an iridescent violet suitcase), standing there like a glittery grape thinking, &ldquo;Oh wow, we are definitely not in <s>Kansas</s> Canada anymore.&rdquo;
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:&nbsp;</h6>
The surreal moment of trudging through customs in full lilac glam, feeling both wildly out of place and exactly where I was supposed to be. Plus, nothing could have prepared me for arriving in Bishkek just as the sky turned gold. The sunrise views at the foothills of the <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/EarthPorn/comments/a0trjf/seeing_the_7000m_giants_of_the_tian_shan_mountain/#lightbox">Tian Shan mountains</a>?&nbsp; Pure magic.

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge:&nbsp;</h6>
Kyrgyz toilets. Oof. Stopped at a gas station, asked for the bathroom, got pointed down a dirt path to a shed. Opened the door to find&hellip; a carved-out hole in the wood floor. No seat, no instructions, just gravity.
(Runner-up: Figuring out how to drive in Bishkek, where traffic rules seem more like suggestions and roundabouts are survival games.) 
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest Thing I Saw:&nbsp;</h6>
A car so overloaded with boxes, crates, and maybe furniture(?) it looked like a small, fast-moving mountain. 
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most Surprising Thing I Ate:</h6>
A full Georgian <a href="https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/khachapuri-georgian-cheese-bread.html">khachapuri</a> &mdash; basically a canoe of cheesy, eggy, buttery bread &mdash; consumed entirely by me. No shame. 10/10. Would do it again.

<h3>Day 2: Getting Out Of Dodge (But in our Peugeot)</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:</h6>
Fled Bishkek in our trusty (read: slightly wheezy) Peugeot and made the 4-hour drive to Kyzart Village &mdash; the gateway to <a href="https://www.journalofnomads.com/horse-riding-in-kyrgyzstan-song-kul-trek/">our horse trek</a> and the unofficial start of &ldquo;Are we lost yet?&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:</h6>
Trotting into our first yurt camp amongst the &ldquo;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8DMdlvNecw/?img_index=1">velvet hills</a>,&rdquo; and hiking through herds of wild horses to chase the setting sun. Also, the feeling of sweet relief when we met up with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/san_cho_tours?igsh=djJtaDVndmtkNnAx">our trek guide, Sancho</a>, and he was even more fun in person. We did a ton of internet research, and it really paid off!
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Ate our first &lsquo;surprise meal&rsquo; that was cooked for us. No idea what was in it, but it was warm and didn&rsquo;t fight back.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The car engine threw a tantrum mid-highway. No roadside assistance, just the mechanic (me: a travel writer), the open road, and the bag of tools thrust my way along with the rental contract.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Attempted to buy gas with zero Russian language skills. Thank you, Google Translate, for preventing a preemptive mental breakdown.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Kash, my travel partner and colleague, would probably say that her greatest challenge was battling a complete stomach revolt. Multiple toilet stops, questionable facilities (if any) &hellip; yet she still got on the horse. Absolute legend.</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest Thing I Saw:</h6>
Actual lightning bolts in the same valley as us &mdash; close enough that our guide casually suggested turning off our phones. Is that science? No clue. Did we do it immediately? Absolutely. Also: wild horses roaming like they owned the place. Because they do.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most Surprising Thing I Ate:</h6>
A mystery meat broth that was either beef, yak, or&hellip; probably something else with hooves. I didn&rsquo;t ask. I just slurped and hoped for the best.

Hot tip: Pack snacks. Your stomach may not always be ready for full-immersion cuisine.

<h3>Day 3: Sorest Butts From Here to China</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:&nbsp;</h6>
Five hours on horseback in the rain to our next <a href="https://www.livetheworld.com/post/jailoo-tourism-sleeping-under-the-starry-sky-pel6#google_vignette">jailoo</a> (high mountain pasture).
Slipping and sliding over a 3,400m mountain pass. Questioning every life choice that led to this moment &mdash; and why we didn&rsquo;t think to bring waterproof gloves.
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/kyrgyzstan-snapshots-from-an-expedition">Keep reading...</a>

From Eh to Zed - Seeking Saskatchewan

Open Google Maps. Search &ldquo;Canada&rdquo;. 
From your couch, your car, or your bed, you&rsquo;ll see the exact same thing as someone sees in Italy, Iran, or anywhere else. It's an unfathomable beast, dwarfing any neighbour to the south. Its lines of latitude pulled taut like a bowstring &mdash; until shattering into a sea of ice and stone, Canada unspooling into the Arctic.
So why, in a country this immense, do we keep circling the same few spots &mdash; Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal &mdash; when there&rsquo;s so much more to be seen and experienced?&nbsp;
This spanking new segment,&nbsp;Eh to Zed, is your digital pass into Canada&rsquo;s hidden pockets and sweeping horizons. Brought to you by not just the team here at JFC, but (hopefully!) by your fellow Jack's Flight Club Travellers in every corner of the globe, too.&nbsp;
To kick things off, Kristi wants your suggestions. Give her a hand, would ya?&nbsp;
<hr>

After a few years of living out of a suitcase and chasing Wi-Fi around the globe, I moved back home to Canada. And to take full advantage, I want to start exploring our country like I&rsquo;ve never seen it before. Because let&rsquo;s be honest &mdash; Canada is ridiculously gorgeous, and somehow I&rsquo;ve barely scratched the surface.
Sure, I grew up doing the classics: Banff, Lake Louise, Waterton, the Icefields Parkway... They&rsquo;re stunning, but they&rsquo;re also the playlist I&rsquo;ve had on repeat since childhood. I wanted something fresh.
Enter: the Kootenays&hellip;

On the suggestion of the Jack's Community, I took a week-long road trip that turned into the kind of adventure you can&rsquo;t plan on Google Maps. I&rsquo;ll admit, we hit a national park or two on the way from Calgary (yes, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU2s-3OJrSO/">Lake Louise at sunrise is worth the hype</a>). But the real fun was in our theme: &ldquo;the murderiest motels we could find,&rdquo; complete with roadside oddities and foggy hikes creepy enough to warrant a horror movie soundtrack.&nbsp;
Balancing out the spooky vibes? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKz1VafpY0U/">Blissful soaks in natural hot springs</a> and the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigbangbagels">best bagels in the west</a>.

That trip got me hooked on the idea of crowdsourcing my adventures. Instead of chasing the &ldquo;top ten&rdquo; lists,&nbsp;I want to chase your stories. The hidden gems, weird detours, places that surprised you most. I&rsquo;ll take your recommendations, hit the road, and report back.
First up: Saskatchewan.
I know, I know. Flat jokes, endless fields, etc. But there's <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNx6Hsb2LcE/">so much more</a> to these prairie lands.
So please, readers, <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/eh-to-zed-seeking-saskatchewan#comments">head to the comments</a> and give me the wild, wonderful, and maybe even a little weird corners of Saskatchewan just waiting to be found!

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">The walkout that made waves: <a href="bbc.com/news/articles/cvg3ze0yxy0o">Air Canada&rsquo;s strike</a> cracked open a long-shut door &mdash; paying crews for &ldquo;the minutes before wheels-up&rdquo; &mdash; and could reset industry norms. </li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Forget squashed seats: Europe&rsquo;s getting a <a href="https://www.euronews.com/travel/2025/08/22/a-new-night-bus-network-is-coming-to-europe-and-its-interiors-are-seriously-stylish">next-gen night bus</a> with interiors so sleek you might actually want to stay awake just to enjoy them&hellip; </li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Vodka on the&nbsp;<s data-stringify-type="strike">rocks</s>&nbsp;clouds? Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/flight-attendant-secrets-how-to-sleep-on-a-plane-air-new-zealand/fd7ffb2c-aeaf-4726-b26d-ffa97606e159">world&rsquo;s loftiest cocktail bars</a>, where your martini comes with sky-high panoramas. </li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">And finally, in far northern Canada,&nbsp;Churchill proves that even <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/churchill-manitoba-canada-small-town-northern-lights-polar-bears-beluga-whales-6891410">the teeniest towns can host&nbsp;massive&nbsp;spectacles</a>: auroras, beluga pods, and polar bears &mdash; oh my!</li>
</ul>

Off the Grid in Kyrgyzstan & Searching for the Next Great Canadian Road Trip

Open Google Maps. Search &ldquo;Canada&rdquo;. 
From your couch, your car, or your bed, you&rsquo;ll see the exact same thing as someone sees in Italy, Iran, or anywhere else. It's an unfathomable beast, dwarfing any neighbour to the south. Its lines of latitude pulled taut like a bowstring &mdash; until shattering into a sea of ice and stone, Canada unspooling into the Arctic.
So why, in a country this immense, do we keep circling the same few spots &mdash; Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal &mdash; when there&rsquo;s so much more to be seen and experienced?&nbsp;
This spanking new segment,&nbsp;Eh to Zed, is your digital pass into Canada&rsquo;s hidden pockets and sweeping horizons. Brought to you by not just the team here at JFC, but (hopefully!) by your fellow Jack's Flight Club Travellers in every corner of the globe, too.&nbsp;
To kick things off, Canada&rsquo;s Deal &amp; Content Lead Kristi wants your suggestions. Give her a hand, would ya?&nbsp;
<hr>

That trip got me hooked on the idea of crowdsourcing my adventures. Instead of chasing the &ldquo;top ten&rdquo; lists,&nbsp;I want to chase your stories. The hidden gems, weird detours, places that surprised you most. I&rsquo;ll take your recommendations, hit the road, and report back.
First up: Saskatchewan.
I know, I know. Flat jokes, endless fields, etc. But there's <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNx6Hsb2LcE/">so much more</a> to these prairie lands.
So please, readers, head to the <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/eh-to-zed-seeking-saskatchewan#comments">comments</a> below and give me the wild, wonderful, and maybe even a little weird corners of Saskatchewan just waiting to be found!

From Eh to Zed: Canada, Mapped - Seeking Saskatchewan

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

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

<h2 dir="ltr">Bozeman (BZN)</h2>
Montana
Why fly here?
Bozeman offers a little of everything: it&rsquo;s not as close to the park as Jackson or West Yellowstone, but it&rsquo;s pretty close. It doesn&rsquo;t have as many flight options as SLC, but it&rsquo;s got quite a few. It&rsquo;s not the cheapest choice, nor is it the most expensive. If you&rsquo;re looking for the middle ground between the other options, you just found it!
Bozeman is a good-sized city with all the amenities you could need, but a lot of folks prefer to drive down from BZN to the small town of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.visitgardinermt.com/">Gardiner, Montana</a> and stay there instead. It&rsquo;s just a few minutes from the North Entrance, which is the closest to Mammoth Hot Springs (pictured below).

If you plan to visit Yellowstone in winter, this should be your top pick &mdash; that North Entrance is the only one open during the snowy months.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Distance: 1.5 to 2 hours from the North Entrance</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://bozemanairport.com/#:~:text=Directions%20From-,BOZEMAN%20YELLOWSTONE%20INTERNATIONAL%20AIRPORT,-NON%2DSTOP%20DESTINATIONS">Available routes</a>: Solid coverage around the US, and the closest city that offers routes with budget airlines. No international non-stops.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Airlines: Alaska, Allegiant, American, Avelo, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, United</li>
<li>Rental Car Agencies: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Go Rentals, Hertz, National, Thrifty</li>
</ul>

With by FAR the most options for routes and airlines, this is also typically the best choice for people flying into Yellowstone from overseas. We&rsquo;re talking hundreds of dollars cheaper than the other airports at times! And while it&rsquo;s not exactly convenient, the drive is totally doable in one day, so you need not spend any extra cash on hotels if you don&rsquo;t want to.&nbsp;
And since you&rsquo;ll already be in Utah, you could even tag another week or two onto your trip and see the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.visitutah.com/plan-your-trip/recommended-itineraries/the-mighty-5-ultimate-journey">Mighty Five parks</a> while you&rsquo;re there.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Distance: 6 hours from south entrance</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Available routes: Regular non-stops all over the US, several to Canada and Mexico, and international non-stops to London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Seoul.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Airlines: Alaska, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JSX, JetBlue, KLM, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, United, WestJet</li>
<li>Rental Car Agencies: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless,Thrifty, plus <a href="https://slcairport.com/parking-and-transportation/rental-cars-2/#:~:text=Off%2DAirport%20Rental%20Car%20Agencies%20(with%20shuttle%20service)">other options off-site with shuttle service</a></li>
</ul>

<h2 dir="ltr">Honorable Mentions</h2>
That STILL wasn&rsquo;t all your Yellowstone airport options! The previous four are the most popular, but if none of those quite satisfy you, here are four other sleeper picks to peruse...
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Idaho Falls (IDA): 2 hours from the West Entrance. It&rsquo;s another option with only limited domestic routes, but it comes with a side of pretty Idaho scenery. This is the closest airport to <a href="https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/hiking-backpacking/craters-of-the-moon/">Craters of the Moon</a>.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Denver (DEN): 8-9 hours from the East Entrance. SLC is a better road trip starting point for Yellowstone, hands down, but the Denver airport is massive. If you&rsquo;re coming from somewhere with minimal flights to the US, this might be your best pick.</li>
<li>Billings (BIL): About 2.5-3 hours from the North Entrance. It&rsquo;s further from the park and has fewer routes than Bozeman, but might be worth a look if you like the pros and cons of BZN but can&rsquo;t find a good flight.</li>
<li>Cody (COD):&nbsp;One hour from the East Entrance. This one didn't make the cut because it only flies one route (Denver), and only with United, who doesn't include a carry-on. But if you don't mind packing light and stopping at DEN, this one can get you pretty close to the park.</li>
</ul>
And if you want to get the&nbsp;best&nbsp;deal on your flight to Yellowstone, you know who to follow :-)
<hr>

<h2>FAQ</h2>
<h3>Q: "Can you fly to Yellowstone National Park?"</h3>
A: Yes! You have several airports to choose from, and all offer rental cars and tour options.
<h3>Q: "What's&nbsp;the closest airport to Yellowstone National Park?"</h3>
A: West Yellowstone Airport (WYS) is the closest to Yellowstone National Park.
<h3>Q: "What is the cheapest airport for Yellowstone National Park?"</h3>
A: It depends where you're coming from, but most likely Salt Lake City (SLC) or Denver (DEN).
<h3>Q: "What is the best airport to fly into for Yellowstone National Park?"</h3>
A: That depends on whether you want to prioritize price, proximity, or flexibility! The closest airport to Yellowstone NP is West Yellowstone airport, while Salt Lake City and Denver have the best choice of domestic and international flights.

Your Guide to Flying into Yellowstone

<h3>A 9-day journey through mountain storms, remote trails, and the heart of Central Asia&rsquo;s wildest Stan.</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:&nbsp;</h6>
Five hours on horseback in the rain to our next <a href="https://www.livetheworld.com/post/jailoo-tourism-sleeping-under-the-starry-sky-pel6#google_vignette">jailoo</a> (high mountain pasture).
Slipping and sliding over a 3,400m mountain pass. Questioning every life choice that led to this moment &mdash; and why we didn&rsquo;t think to bring waterproof gloves. I did think to bring a waterproof rain skirt though, which led to lots of teasing (on my friend&rsquo;s part) and then lots of smugness (on my part).
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:&nbsp;</h6>
Stretching out on a blanket under a waning moon with a stranger I&rsquo;d just met, swapping stories and chatting about life. Later, curled up in my yurt, warmed by a manure fire (yes, that&rsquo;s a thing), reading my book while rain poured outside.

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Trying to mount my horse again. I&rsquo;ve never been so aware of my glutes. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">My poor travel partner was down for the count &mdash; fever, chills, couldn&rsquo;t move from the bed. We worked with the camp to bring her hot water bottles like we were running a medieval infirmary.</li>
</ul>

Pro tip: Pack muscle rub, wool everything, and more meds than you think you&rsquo;ll need.

<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Navigated a fog-choked, icy mountain pass where visibility was no greater than one horse&rsquo;s butt-length ahead. Horses were slipping toward the cliff&rsquo;s edge. Honestly, terrifying. Also: somehow epic.</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest Thing I Saw:</h6>
Wild horses and their foals galloping across the hills. Also, standing in fog so thick I could barely see my own boots &mdash; it felt like we&rsquo;d ridden straight into another dimension.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most Surprising Thing I Ate:</h6>
<a href="https://www.traveltokyrgyzstan.com/post/how-to-make-manti-central-asian-cuisine">Manti</a>! Aka Kyrgyz dumplings &mdash; hot, fresh, doughy little pockets of joy.

<h3>Day 4: Polar Dipping in Paradise</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:</h6>
Wrapped up our horse trek with one last ride (and a dip) in Song-Kul Lake. Then things took a turn: my friend needed medical attention, so our guide went allllll the way back to the Kyzart Village, retrieved our rental, and then drove it through ice fields and over that same 3,400m pass. We barely survived on horseback all the way back to the start again. Plot twist: it was a &ldquo;4x4&rdquo; in name only. Scariest drive of my life.&nbsp;
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:</h6>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8kwzU6tY17/">Galloping along the shore of Song-Kul</a> like a shampoo commercial goddess.
Oh &mdash; and taking my horse, Sulu, in for a swim. Yes, a polar dip. Yes, I stayed on. No, I&rsquo;ll never recover from the icy temps.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The drive back over the icy pass was an adrenaline-soaked nightmare. At one point, I genuinely thought: &ldquo;Well, this is how I go&rdquo;.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The bathrooms? Somehow&nbsp;still getting more rustic.</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest Thing I Saw:</h6>
A legit Kyrgyz beer run mid-emergency evac. Our driver tossed beer (stored in a 4L Sprite bottle, obviously) across a river to some locals at a neighbouring yurt camp. It was so cool to see yurt camp bartering.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most Surprising Thing I Ate:</h6>
Hands down, the best bread of my life. Served at our guide&rsquo;s mother&rsquo;s house after making it back in one piece to Kyzart. 10/10 fresh, warm, crusty perfection..

<h3>Day 5: A Brief Foray Into Kyrgyz Healthcare</h3>

Itinerary:&nbsp;
Took my friend to a town doctor, which happened to be in some random woman&rsquo;s kitchen, picked up some meds, drove 3 hours to <a href="https://www.centralasia-travel.com/en/countries/kirgistan/sights/narin">Naryn</a>, the last real signs of civilization in the mountains.&nbsp;
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:&nbsp;</h6>
I got the craziest and best massage of my life in an abandoned (looking) warehouse in town, while her friend played Candy Crush, and they chatted above my barely covered bottom.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):&nbsp;</h6>
<ul>
<li>Driving through the mountains! Many semi-truck accidents where the vehicle was just abandoned in the middle of the highway.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Finding a doctor in the middle of nowhere, getting a prescription from said &ldquo;doctor&rdquo; and translating it from Kyrgyz-Russian to English. All while having no idea if we had actually explained Kash&rsquo;s symptoms correctly, or what the prescription was even for.</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest thing I saw:&nbsp;</h6>
A Coca-Cola ad&hellip; made entirely out of loose stones. Because why not? When life gives you rocks, use them for branding!
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most surprising thing I ate:&nbsp;</h6>
Vegetables! And not just any veggies, but the crispiest, hottest, spiciest tempura eggplant, after days of meat/bread/dairy overload.

<h3>Day 6: Off-Roading So Far It Became &ldquo;Off-Mapping&rdquo;</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:&nbsp;</h6>
Took the road less travelled (literally) to <a href="https://www.journalofnomads.com/kel-suu-lake-kyrgyzstan/#:~:text=before%20Kel%20Suu.-,Kok%20Kiya%20Valley,-is%20worth%20it">Kok-Kiya Valley</a> and spent the night at a mountain camp. No fancy roads here&mdash;just adventure!
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight(s):&nbsp;</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Drinking mugs of vodka while snow flurried around the cozy gathering yurt.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">A Kyrgyz guide leading a tour group took me under his wing, and he even convinced me to stand up and give a toast&mdash;which turned into such a special moment.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">My friend, Kash, was getting sicker and finally had to make the decision to return to Bishkek for medical care. This only made the &lsquo;highlights&rsquo; list because it pushed me to make friends with the receptionist at our mountain inn, who decided last-minute to join me on the expedition.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):&nbsp;</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Off-roading using GPS coordinates found on the internet = a legit survival game.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Showing up at the yurt camp to find&hellip; no yurts. Nada. We had to get creative. There&rsquo;s nothing quite like trying to talk an innkeeper into letting two unexpected guests stay, on a very limited budget (no ATMs in the middle of nowhere), in a language I don&rsquo;t speak!</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Sweating gas usage like it was liquid gold&mdash;I may or may not have ended up talking a border official into donating a sneaky Coke bottle of fuel.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest thing I saw:&nbsp;</h6>
Golden marmots everywhere! As soon as we hit 3000 meters, these little guys were popping up like it was their own personal party.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most surprising thing I ate:&nbsp;</h6>
Yak and horse meat. Not my favourite, but I tasted it!

<h3>Day 7: Return to Civilization (Sort of)</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:&nbsp;</h6>
Started the day on horseback to the stunning <a href="https://www.journalofnomads.com/kel-suu-lake-kyrgyzstan/">Kel-Suu Lake</a>, then braved six hours of off-road mud madness back to Naryn. And then treated myself to a bonus two-hour drive to the town of Kochkor to get a head start on the cross-country drive the next day.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:&nbsp;</h6>
Waking up to sunshine sparkling on fresh snow like some kind of high-altitude fairytale. Arriving at Kel-Suu, right near the Chinese border, and realizing: I actually made it. Just me, my determination, and a wildly unreliable (knowledge of how to read) GPS.&nbsp;
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):&nbsp;</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Oh, where to begin? A casual mud marathon of a drive</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">A snow-glare sunburn that lit my face on fire</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">White-knuckling it through pitch black mountain passes.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Bonus round? Rolling into Kochkor at 11:15pm with no hotel, no internet, no backup plan, and no idea if Kash was even still alive. I ended up calling a random guesthouse number I had scribbled down and winging a conversation in Russian to ask if I could crash at their place. As you do.

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest thing I saw:&nbsp;</h6>
Yak everywhere! Just strolling up to Kel-Suu without a care in the world.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most surprising thing I ate:&nbsp;</h6>
Chips and granola bars... for lunch and dinner. Turns out, everything was closed. Moral of the story? Never underestimate the power of stuffing snacks into every bag, pocket, and glove compartment you&rsquo;ve got.

<h3>Day 8: Banyas, Beds, and Bliss in Bishkek</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:&nbsp;</h6>
Wrapped up the trip with a four-hour drive back to Bishkek. Made a pit stop for some shockingly good KFC, and marvelled at the boundless poppy fields along the way. Checked into a swanky 4-star hotel with a bed so comfy it should be illegal, reunited with Kash, then hit up a <a href="https://liamapollodoherty.com/2021/08/18/big-up-the-banya/">banya</a> for some serious steam healing.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:&nbsp;</h6>
The banya experience was enlightening. I made fast friends with a savvy local who schooled me on leaf-whacking etiquette&mdash;yes, that&rsquo;s a thing. I loved pushing myself outside my comfort zone. Also&hellip; room service! Mattress! Pool!
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):&nbsp;</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Battling the chaotic traffic and sneaky speed traps of Bishkek (apparently speed limits are mere suggestions here).&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Hitting the banya solo, despite warnings that it would make me look &ldquo;like a real loser.&rdquo; (A helpful expat explained to me that in Kyrgyzstan, going to the banya is a community activity, and is more about spending time with friends than anything else.)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Finally, reuniting with Kash, who&rsquo;d taken a sketchy taxi back from Naryn&mdash;cue a dramatic &ldquo;You&rsquo;re alive!&rdquo; door-opening moment.</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest thing I saw:&nbsp;</h6>
Endless fields of wild red poppies stretching into the mountains, looking like nature&rsquo;s very own red carpet.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most surprising thing I ate:&nbsp;</h6>
That KFC&mdash;crispy, juicy, and basically the best fried chicken I didn&rsquo;t know I needed.

<h3>Day 9: From Yurt Pads to Pillow-Tops</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:&nbsp;</h6>
Took a breather in Bishkek&mdash;tracked down a long-lost relative who&rsquo;d moved here in the 90s, <a href="https://www.livetheworld.com/post/three-most-iconic-bazaars-of-bishkek-uiob#google_vignette">wandered the markets</a>, and squeezed in one last blissful massage.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:&nbsp;</h6>
Shopping for Russian Matryoshka dolls like a pro. Returning the rental car with no new dings (basically a miracle). Plus, staying in a 5-star hotel without needing to sell a kidney&hellip;
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenges:&nbsp;</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">People, people everywhere. This was especially jarring after 8 days in the wilderness.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Shopping was a full-contact sport, with crowds swarming every aisle.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Trying to nab a taxi in the chaos of downtown Bishkek? Pure madness.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">And the markets? A five-story maze stuffed to the brim with everything from samovars to knock off sneakers.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest thing I saw:&nbsp;</h6>
A Soviet-era sickle, tucked away in a corner of the market. Did I buy it, even though I was travelling carry-on only, and then had to buy another suitcase to get it home? Absolutely.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most surprising thing I ate:&nbsp;</h6>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/chocolate_yahya/?hl=en">Chocolate from Yahya&rsquo;s</a>. Lemon-yuzu, raspberry-balsamic, tea-infused&mdash;you name it, I devoured it. Basically, Yahya&rsquo;s is my new addiction.

In the end, it wasn&rsquo;t just the altitude that took my breath away &mdash; it was the wildness of it all. The endless mountains. The strangers who became companions. The freezing fog, the burning thighs, the mysterious meals. Kyrgyzstan didn&rsquo;t just push me out of my comfort zone &mdash; it obliterated it, and replaced it with something far more raw, real, and unforgettable.
Adventure isn&rsquo;t always Instagrammable. It&rsquo;s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes smells like yak milk and muscle rub.

Kyrgyzstan: Snapshots from an Expedition

"Hi, we&rsquo;ve been doing house swaps for the past 10 years (32 so far!) but our teenagers would love to go to Costa Rica in 2026 (our 14 year old son dreams of plucking exotic fruits direct from the tree&hellip;) and there&rsquo;s only one house in the whole country on the site we use!
I love reading the questions &amp; advice from other JFC-ers &amp; JFC staff but can&rsquo;t see anything specific for CR.
Does anyone have some advice for up to 6 weeks (July-August - it would have to be 3-4 weeks if we travelled at Easter) of exploration, including some relaxing but also some proper adventures? Ideally with a budget of up to &pound;1000 per week for the 4 of us (we&rsquo;re happy to go budget if there&rsquo;s the chance for a few moments of more comfort!)
Thank you!"&nbsp;- Louise, Mike, Ella &amp; James

Hi there, Travellers! Flight Finders Kristi and Kash here, and together we have lived in and/or visited Costa Rica over a dozen times!
Kash's favourite Costa Rica rec is the Osa Peninsula, and that sounds like a great fit for your trip. Tucked away on the country&rsquo;s Southern Pacific coast, it's the most biologically diverse place on the planet!

To get here, you'll have to drive or catch a bus to Sierpe from San Jos&eacute;, and from there take a 1hr boat ride. You'll be treated to the most scenic rides through lush mangroves until you reach the Pacific Ocean&mdash; if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of some dolphins swimming by the boat.
Make sure you've got empty pockets, though, you'll have to wade your way to shore since the boat can only get so close.
Once you arrive, you'll discover pretty quickly that it was worth the effort to get here. Where else can you see scarlet macaws, capuchin monkeys, and a toucan from your breakfast table?

Travellers mainly come here for the epic hikes of Corcovado National Park, and although this place is pretty remote, there&rsquo;s more lots to do. Some of our favourites include snorkelling at Cano Island, and a night tour through the jungle.
Tip: Some businesses here will try to convince you that you have to pay $90 for a guide to take you through the park, but it's entirely optional. You can go on your own, so long as you have a good sense of direction!
If your son's dream is plucking exotic fruits from trees, he'll be in competition with the local wildlife. When I said above that they are everywhere, they really are! It was probably the most tropical place I've ever visited, and the best part was seeing all the animals in their natural habitat.

I stayed <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Hotel_Review-g313830-d10055059-Reviews-Las_Brisas-Drake_Bay_Osa_Peninsula_Province_of_Puntarenas.html">here</a>, and it was basic, but the view was worth it!
Passing over to Kristi for a breakdown of some road trip route suggestions &mdash; and her unsolicited Costa Rica Bucket List &mdash; to help you plan your trip.
You mentioned wanting to visit both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Personally, I&rsquo;m a big fan of the Pacific side, so I&rsquo;d stick to that. If I were you, I&rsquo;d land in Liberia instead of San Jos&eacute;, and head straight to the beaches in Guanacaste for a few days to recover from your long trip.&nbsp;
Once you've settled in, make your way inland to one of the two nearby volcanoes, Rincon de la Vieja or Arenal. Both are worth a visit, but Arenal is the classic &ldquo;storybook&rdquo; volcano &mdash; plumes of ash and all. Don&rsquo;t skip the hot springs or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@charontourrr/video/7513276002135444758?lang=en&amp;q=monteverde%20cloud%20forest&amp;t=1755127144133">Monteverde Cloud Forest</a> while you&rsquo;re in the area!

From there, head down to Puntarenas and through the lively surf town of Jaco en route to the southern National Parks. Along the way, you&rsquo;ll cross the <a href="https://mytanfeet.com/activities/rio-tarcoles-crocodiles-costa-rica/">Puente T&aacute;rcoles</a>, where you can watch crocodiles sunning themselves below. 
I would stop for a few days of exploration in <a href="https://explorerspassage.com/chronicles/costa-rica-manuel-antonio/">Manual Antonio National Park</a>, before moving on to spend a few lazy days in Uvita, home to Playa Ballena (one of my all-time favourite beaches, with calm, bathtub-warm water without a hawker in sight!). From Uvita, you&rsquo;re just a short hop to Corcovado National Park.
I&rsquo;ve always rented a car in Costa Rica and found it essential for reaching the quieter, hidden beaches (or natural rock waterslides!). Sure, some roads are slow, and I would recommend getting off the roads before nightfall, but by the time you factor in arriving early, flying, deplaning, and driving to/from the airport, it often balances out.

If it were me, I&rsquo;d choose the March/April option&mdash;spring generally has less rain than summer (which they call their &ldquo;little green&rdquo; season). I&rsquo;d also pick <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAhoqEgoyMDI2LTAzLTA5KAFqDAgDEggvbS8wNGpwbHIHCAESA0xJUnoDWVlaGioSCjIwMjYtMDMtMzAoAWoHCAESA0xJUnIMCAMSCC9tLzA0anBsegNZWVpAAUgBcAGCAQsI____________AZgBAQ">these flights with a stopover in Canada</a> instead of the USA. Yes, the layover may be longer, but it&rsquo;s nice to break up the trip with a true overnight stop, get a hotel room, and arrive refreshed.
You can fly into either Liberia or San Jos&eacute; for about the same price, but I recommend Liberia &mdash; it&rsquo;s closer to the beaches, smaller, and a much more pleasant arrival experience.
Here&rsquo;s Flight Finder Kristi&rsquo;s Costa Rica bucket list in case you're still short of ideas (though somehow we doubt it)...&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/costa-rica/stays/treehouses">Live (for a week) in a treehouse</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Catch a scuba diving liveabord out to Cocos Island to swim with <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@oliverroggisch/video/7303309970177625377?lang=en&amp;q=coco%20island%20hammerhead&amp;t=1747090260508">schools of hammerheads</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Float in the bathtub-warm waters of Playa Ballena</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Learn kite-boarding with other newbies in windy Bahia Salinas</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Hike on Arenal's still-smoking volcano. Or for a bolder experience, Poas Volcano is the closest you can get to a live crater in the world.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Soak in a bubbling mud pot in Rinc&oacute;n de la Vieja National Park</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Play tug-of-war with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVLEzScLsWP/">rehabilitated jaguars</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@the2travelers.com/video/7466274947908963630?lang=en&amp;q=sloth%20manual%20antonio&amp;t=1747089983339">Spot wild sloths</a> in screensaver-picture-perfect Manual Antonio National Park</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Get woken up by Howler Monkey alarm clocks</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Learn to surf near Jaco. And then treat yourself to a well-deserved mango con leche batido at the<a href="https://www.instagram.com/tacobar_cr/?hl=en"> TacoBar</a>.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Zip (and plunge) down <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@oliversniecphotos/video/7239902178586971398?lang=en&amp;q=natural%20waterslide%20costa%20rica&amp;t=1747089001920">natural rock waterslides</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Frolic with the whales in Drake Bay</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Witness a mass sea turtle nesting event with tens of thousands of turtles in the Nicoya Peninsula</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Spot a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmc2UmBn1hl/">shy, iridescent quetzal</a> in the wild</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">And finally,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbAvkMMuoI_/">spelunking the caves of Barra Honda National Park</a>!</li>
</ul>

We hope that helps you plan your trip, Louise!
There&rsquo;s so much to the country that there are undoubtedly even more jaw-dropping vistas and tranquil cloud forest moments to be found. If any of you other lovely readers have tips for this family of intrepid travellers, please drop your tips in the comments below!

How to Spend a Month in Costa Rica

Last February, I went on a 10-day trip to Sri Lanka with my little sister, aiming to explore the country and surf as much as we could. After landing in Colombo, we knew we had to make our way towards the heart of the country, and then down the coast to find the best weather and surfing conditions.
As a major fan of train travel, and having seen how cool the Sri Lankan railway system is, I started looking at train connections.
We had to hop on a train as soon as we landed &mdash; after a 15-hour flight &mdash; to reach Kandy by the end of the first day. Knowing we&rsquo;d be glad of some comfort, I booked a first-class ticket for that 2-and-a-half-hour trip. Of course, we couldn&rsquo;t miss the Kandy&ndash;Ella train either. We needed to see what the hype was all about! After reading reviews online, we opted for a first-class ticket for that stretch, too.

All our reservations in advance were made through <a href="https://www.visitsrilankatours.co.uk/train-tickets-1.html">this website</a> &mdash; the only downside of it is that they charge way more than what you&rsquo;d pay at the train station.
Feeling a mixture of guilt and curiosity from choosing comfort over adventure for our first two trips, we decided that we&rsquo;d book the rest on the spot and travel in 2nd or 3rd class.
So, how did it go? As you might imagine, not as planned.
<h2 dir="ltr">Colombo to Kandy train</h2>

Our flight from Istanbul landed in Colombo 4 hours late, which made us miss our first train to Kandy by a mere 15 minutes. Fantastic. The next train was going to leave in an hour, so we bought new tickets at the station &mdash; 2nd class, this time.
Colombo Train Station really wasn&rsquo;t too challenging to navigate, despite our fears! We made our way to the platform and realized that our train was already waiting for us, so we hopped on and managed to grab two seats together.
There were no other tourists in sight, just the usual food vendors, and a bunch of friendly local commuters smiling at us. Despite not having air conditioning, the carriage had large, opening windows and tiny fans hanging over our seats to keep us cool.

The ride was smooth, and we had such a fun time chatting with the people sitting across from us. They did their best to give us travel tips despite the language barrier &mdash; which was both helpful and truly reflected the locals' well-known hospitality.
Their care for us really showed when my sister went to the toilet during a train stop. When she hadn&rsquo;t returned before the train started moving again, our new friends looked genuinely panicked: &ldquo;Is she okay? Did she get off the train?!&rdquo;
At that moment, I realized I was so glad to be sitting in 2nd class and not surrounded by tourists in 1st.
Oh, and talking about toilets &mdash; the ones on this train, in 2nd class, were some of the cleanest and best-smelling I have experienced in a long time (*ahem*, Trenitalia!).

C&rsquo;mon, just look at that little pink bum gun!
<h2 dir="ltr">Kandy to Ella train</h2>
The ride in first class was&hellip; something else.
As soon as we entered the cabin and heard people speaking loudly in English, we knew we were in for a very different kind of experience. Gone were the shy smiles and helpful gestures, replaced by overpriced samosas and oversized suitcases flying around the carriage.
The seats were slightly bigger and comfier than our in 2nd class, the windows were wider, and the a/c was on &mdash; as well as the same tiny fans hanging over our heads. The carriage was spacious, which allowed us to move around and hang out by the (open) door as we pleased, taking turns with the other tourists.

What was supposed to be a 7-hour ride, however, turned out to last 9-and-a-half hours, so by the 8th hour, we were glad to be sitting in comfier seats. On the downside, as night fell and the perpetual a/c kept blowing above our heads, we were forced to change our shorts for trousers. We put on our hoodies so as not to catch a chill, and even opened our windows to let in some heat from outside.
<h3 dir="ltr">Would we ride the Kandy to Ella train again? </h3>
Probably not &mdash; the amount of tourists undoubtedly affected the overall experience.&nbsp;
Would we recommend it at least once in a lifetime? Definitely, but maybe riding the opposite way, from Ella towards Kandy, to avoid the crowds coming straight from Colombo.
Would we recommend riding in first class? Most likely yes, and probably for any 6+ hour train trip that you take around the country.

<h2 dir="ltr">Weligama to Colombo train</h2>
This was the last train journey on our trip, which we rode in 2nd class, after buying the tickets at the station (the train only offered 2nd and 3rd class).
We ended up sharing the carriage with a mix of tourists and locals. By this point, we were worn out from the trip and a few days of surfing. With the heat beating down, the usual little fans above our heads just weren&rsquo;t cutting it, so it ended up being our most uncomfortable train ride yet.

<h2 dir="ltr">The verdict about Sri Lankan train travel</h2>
Overall, we loved our train experiences in Sri Lanka, and we&rsquo;d suggest every curious traveller give it a try at some point. 
As much as we valued the first class comforts, connecting with the locals in second class on our first day made all the difference. It sparked our curiosity to venture beyond the tourist-packed routes and discover the more authentic, less crowded journeys in the future.
Have you ever travelled by train in Sri Lanka? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!

The Truth About Traveling by Train in Sri Lanka

Hey there Travellers,
As though racing overland across Europe weren't enough, I met several people last week who were not only travelling from London to Tallinn within 7 days, but who also had side quests scheduled in.
By that, I mean the family who did an escape room in every city they visited. Or the racers who went to concerts along the way (Oasis, Ed Sheeran, Rag'n'Bone Man to name a few). The sisters who went on a hike in the Black Forest&nbsp;after leaving London a day late due to seeing Oasis!
That got me thinking about my own little travel side quests, and the things I look for and do in every place I visit.
I'll be honest, I usually hunt down a Georgian restaurant wherever possible (Stockholm, Vilnius, Tallinn, Bishkek, Amsterdam, Berlin, Edinburgh, London...), and visit supermarkets just to get a feel for the place. But maybe I need a more niche travel side quest, like finding <a href="https://www.boredpanda.com/interesting-vending-machines-dispensers/">unusual vending machines</a>.
So, dear readers, what are your favourite travel side quests? Be it trying the local beer or skydiving in every country you visit, we want to know! <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-199-road-tripping-solo-avoiding-fines-abroad#comments">Jump into the comments</a>, or reply to this email.
Happy travels and safe landings,

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The Solo Road Trip Survival Guide: New Zealand Edition

Based in California, Flight Finder Jake loves nothing more than traveling, saving money, and doing both things at once!

By Jake

&ldquo;You realize Wellington is, like, 6 hours away, right?&rdquo;
My roommate at the Rotorua hostel seemed skeptical about my upcoming plans. He had just spent the last five minutes explaining his ambitious scheme to defraud Chase Bank out of 3 million dollars (it involved real estate loopholes), but now he was looking at me like I was the crazy one.
The rest of my New Zealand itinerary was met with similar misgivings. It takes a lot of driving to cover two islands in two weeks, and some people think of six hours in the car as a wasted day. But such is the life of a solo road tripper. &ldquo;Hero&rdquo; might be too strong a word to describe those of us who prefer open roads to closed itineraries, but then again, it might not be.
I&rsquo;ve always enjoyed traveling unfettered, A/C in my hair and the sun at my back, so here are a few tips I&rsquo;ve picked up to help you survive your own solo drives.

<h3>Know Your Car, Love Your Car</h3>
Don Quixote had Rocinante. The Lone Ranger had Silver. Me? I had a rented Suzuki Swift. Pure white, which is a solid enough color for a rental. White paint reflects light, keeping the interior a little cooler in the summer. A black car, on the other hand, will bake you alive on an open highway.
Another benefit of a white paint job: The reflected light helps to hide faint scratches. I wouldn&rsquo;t rely on it, though. If you&rsquo;re sticking to your home country, your car insurance will almost certainly cover you, no matter what you&rsquo;re driving. But international travelers should spring for the coverage offered by the rental company.
Seriously, get the liability coverage. It might feel like a scam, but nothing ruins a road trip like a five-digit repair bill. That $150 insurance fee doesn't seem so bad comparatively.
A flat tire can also be a major mood killer, so make sure you&rsquo;ve got roadside assistance lined up. You can usually get that service as an add-on when you&rsquo;re renting the vehicle, but a motor club membership (like <a href="https://www.aaa.com/stop/">AAA</a> in the US) is almost always the best investment. They have partner organizations all over the globe, plus you can sometimes get a discount on the car rental if you show your member card.
When you pick up the car, you&rsquo;ll be tempted to take off as soon as possible. You&rsquo;re excited to be somewhere new, you&rsquo;re feeling a bit cooped up after the plane ride, and the open road is calling your name. I also had a time limit after landing in New Zealand&mdash;I had to get from Auckland to Pōkeno before the <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1596412-d10455544-Reviews-Pokeno_Takeaways-Pokeno_North_Island.html">famous ice cream shop</a> closed for the evening.

But, wherever you&rsquo;re rushing off to, you can still spare 5&ndash;10 minutes to check out your new rental. Take pictures (or, even better, a video) of the exterior from every angle so they can&rsquo;t charge you for pre-existing scratches, fiddle with the mirrors, and adjust the seat until your legs can stretch comfortably to the pedals. That last one is especially important if, like me, you&rsquo;re over 30 and have to treat your body with kindness. Spending 3+ hours crammed into a poorly adjusted driver&rsquo;s seat will do awful things to your knees and ankles, trust me.
If you&rsquo;re in your early 20s and still feel invincible, at least mess with the headrest before you drive away. You might have ligaments of twisted steel, but neck pain comes for us all.
Keep in mind that, as a solo road tripper, your car is your castle. Accommodations come and go along your route, but the vehicle is a constant. Think of it as your hotel room on wheels and set it up accordingly!
I had my backpack on the floor of the front passenger seat, upright and unzipped so I could reach into it without taking my eyes off the road. I kept one water bottle in the center console cupholder, one in the door cupholder, and one on the passenger seat with my car snacks (vital for mid-drive munchies). In the back seat, a plastic bag for trash, to be emptied surreptitiously at unlocked dumpsters. My suitcase lived in the trunk with my jacket and hiking boots, hidden away from prying eyes and schlepped into a new hostel room every night.
Overkill? Maybe. But that little white hatchback was my transportation, dining room, and base of operations all in one, and keeping it in order made the whole trip smoother. And when I spotted a small wooden sign reading &ldquo;<a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/southland/koropuku-falls-track">RAINFOREST TRAIL</a>&rdquo; by the side of the road, I knew exactly where to find my boots.

<h3>Be Your Own Best Friend</h3>
One fun thing to do on a road trip is call a friend and make them listen to your chattering over speakerphone. It&rsquo;s a pretty great way to kill a bit of time and get some much-needed social interaction. But, unless you have some very patient friends and a robust cell network, you&rsquo;ll mostly be spending time on your own.
In the car. With nothing to do.
On a long solo drive, solitude can be your worst enemy. Well, no, your worst enemy is an overzealous gas station attendant who won&rsquo;t let you use the bathroom unless you buy something. But solitude is up there. Luckily, the 21st century has plenty of ways to cure boredom.
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/the-solo-road-trip-survival-guide">Keep reading...</a>

Navigating Tourism Rules and Regulations in 2025

<h3>Slowing Down the Speed of Our Wanderlust. This is how tourist fines ask us to pause.</h3>

You&rsquo;ve heard the protests, seen the headlines, &ldquo;The new tourist fines sweeping Europe&rdquo;.&nbsp;
But depending on who you ask, the new rollout of tourism rules and regulations can feel like a total killjoy or long-overdue protection against an industry that&rsquo;s been eating itself alive.&nbsp;
Reading the list below, it&rsquo;s easy to roll our eyes when we&rsquo;re the ones passing through. But how would you feel if the beach you grew up hearing the waves at night now echoes with drunk tourists music and drones overhead? That street you grew up on where you learned to ride your bike? It&rsquo;s now blocked with selfie-stick traffic impeding your route to work.&nbsp;
And your favourite caf&eacute;, the one that knows your order by heart? They tell you that you&rsquo;ll have to wait longer because tables are being saved for tourists that tip better and stay all day.&nbsp;
Through this lens, it&rsquo;s easier to see that these new waves of tourist fines are less about punishing visitors, and more about meeting a destination and its locals on their own terms. So, presuming you want to be a conscientious traveller and not become enemy #1 in your chosen destination, here&rsquo;s everything you need to know.

<h2 dir="ltr">Flip-flops behind the wheel in Europe</h2>
Rule / Fine: Up to &euro;200 if police deem your footwear unsafe, despite no outright ban.
In countries like Spain, drivers are expected to maintain proper control of the vehicle at all times. Loose footwear like flip-flops can jeopardize pedal control, so officers can fine you if they judge your sandals to compromise safety.
Traveller Tip: Always pack a pair of light sneakers or secure sandals to slip on when you hit the open road.
<h2 dir="ltr">No Swimwear Off the Beach (Europe, including Barcelona, Sorrento, Albufeira, Cannes, Venice)</h2>
Rule / Fine: Up to &euro;1,500 for walking around in swimwear outside beach zones. It's just polite, really!
Traveller Tip: Keep a lightweight cover-up handy &mdash; say, a breezy shirt or sarong &mdash; for when you step ashore and into town.
<h2 dir="ltr">Public Drinking (Spain, UK, Baltic states, Canada &amp; more)</h2>
Rule / Fine: Up to &euro;3,000 for alcohol consumption in non-designated public areas.
Party hotspots like Ibiza and Mallorca in particular are trying to curb rowdy public behaviour by outlawing open-air drinking away from bars and restaurants. But beyond that, many countries or local authorities have blanket bans on carrying open containers of alcohol in public.&nbsp;
Traveller Tip: Check the local laws at your destination before cracking open a nice cold beer. If in doubt, sip your sangria indoors, at a bar&rsquo;s outdoor terrace, or in your hotel.

<h2 dir="ltr">Sunbed Reservation Abuse (Spain)</h2>
Rule / Fine: Around &euro;250 for reserving a sunbed with a towel and abandoning it.
Resorts are cracking down on the old 6am towel trick to keep things fair and tidy for all beach-goers.
Traveller Tip: We&rsquo;re not sure what to say about this one&hellip; Don&rsquo;t get lost?&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Collecting Shells or Pebbles (Greece &amp; Sardinia)</h2>
Rule / Fine: Up to &euro;1,000&ndash;&euro;3,000 depending on location.
Coastal ecosystems are fragile. Pocketing natural souvenirs threatens biodiversity and local ecosystems.
Traveller Tip: A picture says a thousand words. Take one, take a thousand &mdash; just leave the shells be.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Swimming in Venice&rsquo;s Canals (Italy)</h2>
Rule / Fine: Around &euro;350 fine &mdash; and up to &euro;1,000 if other violations apply.&nbsp;
Repeat after me, &ldquo;Canals aren&rsquo;t for swimming, they&rsquo;re for boats and sewage!&rdquo; Banning swims protects both visitors and historic waterways &mdash; and probably protects you from at least a dozen infectious diseases.&nbsp;
Traveller Tip: Stick to gondolas, or <a href="https://gillianlongworthmcguire.substack.com/p/gillian-knows-best-guide-to-beaches">head to the Lido</a> if you must get your feet wet.
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/navigating-new-tourism-rules-the-2025-travellers-cheat-sheet">Keep reading...</a>

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 css-1kubl8f">From Iceland to Hawaii, Antarctica to Australasia, some of the most spectacular places in the world are disappearing before our eyes. <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/travel/article/20250812-an-ethical-guide-to-last-chance-tourism">Here's how to see them before it's too late</a>,&nbsp;without making matters worse. </li>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 css-1kubl8f">Who needs tongue twisters when you've got <a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/hardest-to-pronounce-town-name-in-every-state-map">Zzyzx</a>? </li>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 css-1kubl8f">It's probably not something to base your entire trip around, but it's certainly a nice boost when you realise you'll be travelling through one of <a href="https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/08/10/10-cleanest-airports-in-world-2025/">the cleanest airports in the world</a>. </li>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 css-1kubl8f">As conspiracy theories go, the <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/scientist-says-solved-bermuda-triangle-131700547.html">Bermuda Triangle</a> has been pretty persistent over the last half century. But now an Australian scientist claims to have worked out the mystery. </li>
<li class="MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 css-1kubl8f">And finally, if Antarctica is indeed on your bucket-list, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/chile-antarctica-pilot-influencer-ethan-guo-688309131f177e7e6850c93a32c55478">this travel influencer</a> has shown us exactly how&nbsp;not&nbsp;to get there&hellip; unless you want a very extended stay with the Chilean military, that is.</li>
</ul>

Welcome to your travel library!