Europe

Bournemouth

England

Edinburgh

Scotland

East Midlands

Alicante

Forget everything you thought you knew about a good time, because Spain is here to show you how it’s really done.
So, why visit Spain? Well, for starters, the Spanish food is legendary. We’re talking about diving headfirst into world-famous tapas and stuffing yourself silly with paella until you need a mandatory post-lunch siesta. But it's not just about the incredible cuisine; it’s a whole vibe. The sun-drenched streets, the impromptu guitar music wafting from a bar, the late-night dinners that make your 9 PM reservation back home look like breakfast—it’s all part of the glorious, chaotic cultural heritage. If you're looking for a destination where the default setting is fiesta, this is it.
One minute you could be sipping sangria while lounging on some of the Mediterranean’s best beaches in Spain, and the next you’re exploring historic sites that look like they’ve been pulled straight from a fantasy novel—think the whimsical architecture of Barcelona or the Moorish marvels of Andalusia. From the buzzing city life to the quiet, rugged mountains, Spain offers such insane variety it’s practically showing off. And it doesn't have to break the bank either, since our Flights make affordable travel to Spain a reality.

Spain

If you're looking for a destination where the default settings are fiesta and siesta, Spain is the one. You're in for legendary food, charming, sun-drenched streets, and mind-blowing architecture, and that's before you even hit the beach.

Dublin

Ireland

Birmingham

Beauvais

France

Madrid

Bristol

Prague

Czech Republic

May bank holiday trips 🌹 at £31-£72 rtn from Bournemouth, Birmingham, East Midlands and Bristol

Glasgow

Prague 🏰 at £63 rtn from Glasgow

London Stansted

Brno

⛪ Brno at £43-£56 rtn from London Stansted 

You can always rely on this airline to keep the cheap fares coming! 

Bergerac

Biarritz

Bari

Why should Italy be next on your list? Because it's the place where "living la dolce vita" is not just a slogan—it's the only way to operate. Travel to Italy means surrendering yourself to world-class authentic Italian food that will ruin your neighborhood pizzeria for you forever. We're talking freshly rolled dough, delicious ragus, and gelato that’s a mandatory daily pleasure, all served up with a side of next-level atmosphere.
But an Italy vacation is so much more than just a culinary tour; it's an effortless deep dive into culture through the ages. The art, the fashion, and the sheer, undeniable style of it all are so effortlessly chic, they'll make you want to immediately uproot your entire life.
One day, you could be standing awed by thousand-year-old historic sites in Rome or Florence, and the next, you're sipping an Aperol Spritz on the Amalfi Coast. From the rugged beauty of the Dolomites to secluded beaches, Italy offers a perfect backdrop for any adventure, whether you're seeking romance in Venice or a vibrant city break. It’s an inspiring destination that checks every box, and our affordable Flights to Italy make those Rome, Florence, and Venice dreams a reality.

Italy

"Living la dolce vita" is not just a slogan—it's the only way to operate in Italy. Our affordable Flights and travel guides will have you soaking in ancient history, sipping on spritzes, and splashing in the sea in no time.

Bologna

Marseille

Faro

Portugal

Madeira

Exeter

Málaga

Cork

Liverpool

Venice

Girona

Cardiff

Wales

Belfast

Northern Ireland

Palma De Mallorca

Bergamo

Porto

Murcia

Santander

Reus

Rome

Stockholm

Sweden

Warsaw

Poland

Limoges

Kraków

Leeds Bradford

Riga

Latvia

Gdansk

Wrocław

Bratislava

Slovakia

Zadar

Croatia

Tirana

Albania

Košice

Manchester

Oslo

Norway

Gothenburg

Cologne

Germany

Dubrovnik

Corfu

Greece

Nantes

Almería

Newcastle

Barcelona

Chania

Newquay

United Kingdom

Rabat

Morocco

Castellón de la Plana

Zaragoza

Béziers

Turin

Rijeka

Klagenfurt am Worthersee

Austria

Hamburg

Bremen

Knock

Kerry

Shannon

Luxembourg

Verona

Split

Croatia, Spain, Italy, and more 🌞 in £/€30s-£/€40s rtn

💐 Prague at £50-£69 rtn from Bristol 

Did someone just accidentally launch a great big sale? 👀

Copenhagen

Denmark

Sofia

Bulgaria

Valencia

Minorca

Poznań

Marrakesh

Ostrava

Szczecin

Tangier

Malmö

Palanga

Lithuania

Linz

Perugia

Olbia

Alghero

Ibiza

Toulouse

Pisa

Trapani

London Luton

Glasgow Prestwick

Norwich

Naples

La Rochelle

Spain, Greece, Denmark, and more 🌞 in £20s-£30s & €30s rtn

Postcard from Tsitsi Bashorun

Thanks Jack! Your wizzair sale email has led to a spontaneous trip to Tenerife for 7 uni friends as a reunion. All booked within one hour. Lovely.

Postcard from Allon

that we booked our flights to Venice for early June, so thanks a lot for the tip!
Keep doing what you do, it's awesome and we love your way of communicating.

Postcard from Christina & Michael

Hey! I just booked flights to Gothenberg as part of this deal. I failed to find any for £61 but booked a 4-day weekend trip in August for £67 via TravelUp, thank you!

Postcard from Luke

Booked the business class to Sydney with Etihad for € 2.400.-! Finally I can go there from Amsterdam without arriving totally wrecked. Been dreaming about a deal like this! Normal rates are around 7k 🤩

Postcard from René 

Bhutan

India

El Salvador

Hi there, Travellers,
There's a lot going on in the world that might make you hesitant to travel right now, or, at the very least, rethink your plans.
Fares have jumped on long-haul routes, US airports are battling huge security lines, European airports are still learning how to navigate&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/will-the-new-ees-system-give-you-border-control-nightmares-this-summer">new EES protocols</a>, and the UK is hiking up its <a href="https://www.euronews.com/travel/2026/03/23/flying-from-the-uk-is-about-to-get-more-expensive-particularly-if-youre-travelling-long-ha">Air Passenger Duty</a>. Oh, and the airspace around the major hubs en route to Asia is an active war zone.&nbsp;
Yes, it's all a bit chaotic.&nbsp;But never fear; I'm here to remind you that travel brings us together, opens our minds, and broadens our horizons.
For those of you gagging to get away now more than ever, our flight ninja Navigators are still digging up gold every day. But if you'd rather stay closer to home and live vicariously through the Jack's Community, just keep reading&hellip;
Happy travels and safe landings,

Katy - Editor of The Detour

"I am looking to go to Bhutan next year after many delays have meant I have had to postpone. Do you have recommendations for tours as they are getting busier and busier? Thank you!" - Michelle, Jack's Traveler

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

Answered by Akasha

What a great question, Michelle! Bhutan is a firm must-see for so many adventurous travelers, so we're delighted that you're able to get planning despite those setbacks.
For those of you who don&rsquo;t know, the Himalayan kingdom is home to the iconic cliff-hugging <a href="https://www.earthtrekkers.com/ultimate-guide-hiking-tigers-nest-bhutan/">Tiger&rsquo;s Nest monastery</a> and is almost as elusive as its resident, the snow leopard.
Its terraced rice paddies, <a href="https://followalice.com/adventure-trips/discover-bhutan/posts/the-3-national-parks-in-bhutan-every-foreigner-should-visit">lush valleys</a>, and iconic Buddhist sites mostly remain inaccessible to travelers due to a lack of flight options and the idea that it's simply unaffordable to reach.&nbsp;

Photo from Jack's Traveler Karen in our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/1049373075418553/">Facebook Community</a>
In fact, the country only started welcoming international tourism in 1974, with a mere 274 people visiting that year. Compare that to 209,376 tourists in 2025&mdash;wow!&nbsp;
We won&rsquo;t fib; the mandatory guide requirement and daily sustainable development fee (more on that later) don&rsquo;t exactly make this the cheapest or most flexible of trips. But with a bit of planning, it&rsquo;s no pricier than visiting other expensive destinations or places with similar sustainable practices, like the Galapagos.&nbsp;
One of Bhutan's <a href="https://jswlaw.bt/understanding-the-four-pillars-of-gnh/#:~:text=Bhutan's%20Gross%20National%20Happiness%20framework,cultural%20preservation%2C%20and%20environmental%20conservation.">4 pillars of GNH</a> (Gross National Happiness), the <a href="https://www.visitbhutan.com/page.php?id=68">Sustainable Development Fee</a>&nbsp;is meant to promote high-value tourism with a commitment to carbon neutrality and cultural preservation. Simply put, your money directly supports free healthcare and education for its citizens and environmental conservation.
Thanks to a COVID-era discount, the fee currently stands at $100 per night, paid before your travel permit is issued. If you&rsquo;re planning a trip for next year, note that the cost is jumping back up to $200 a night after August 31st, 2027. Keep in mind, this payment does not cover accommodation, food, or guide fees, although some agencies include it as part of their package.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;ve done a bit of digging in our community Facebook group and the deep recesses of the internet to find out which tour agencies come most recommended. Here's what the people are saying...

Photo from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shuotography/?hl=en">Jack's Traveler Shuo</a> in our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10164439411700171&amp;set=gm.1229229984099527">Facebook Community</a>
<h3 dir="ltr">Excursion to Himalaya</h3>
Excursion to Himalaya&rsquo;s team consists of licensed guides, drivers, and local staff who know their country like the back of their hand. Tours last anywhere from 7 to 14 days,&nbsp;<a href="https://excursiontohimalaya.com/bhutan/">depending on the itinerary</a>.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll find iconic cultural and festival tours on offer as well as trekking tours and even bespoke tours for luxury travelers. Their <a href="https://excursiontohimalaya.com/tour/7-days-bhutan-tour-package/">7-day private tour</a> costs $1840 for solo travelers, $1540 per person in a group of 2, and 3+ persons pay $1420 each. Costs include entire room and board and the SDF fee.
<h3 dir="ltr" id="thunder-dragon-tours">Thunder Dragon Tours</h3>
This tour agency wasn&rsquo;t recommended by our members, but a handful of Reddit threads like <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/1r6w4vs/trip_report_8_days_in_bhutan_in_february/">this one</a> sing their praises for both affordability and flexibility.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.thunderdragontours.com/pages">Their website</a> offers a few examples of popular itineraries, but like many smaller tour companies, they&rsquo;ll only quote a price upon inquiry.&nbsp;
I reached out to their coordinator, Biswa, to find out more: 
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Our small team has been in business since 2019 and offers guided tours with customized itineraries. While we cater to all types of travelers, we specialize in solo travelers, female travelers, and senior citizens. Since all of the tours are customized according to preference, we don&rsquo;t have a fixed cost as it depends on the number of individuals and the type of accommodation and activities they&rsquo;d prefer.&rdquo; 
</blockquote>
When pressed a bit more, I asked if they could use their 7-day tour without modifications as a base for pricing. They told me they charge $150 per day for solo travelers ($100 each for groups of 2, $80 for 3-4). This includes accommodation in 3-star hotels and homestays, breakfast each day, all transport (including pickup), immigration assistance, and the guide&rsquo;s food and lodging. It doesn't, however, include lunch or dinner, as they emphasized flexibility for their guests in choosing their meal locations. It also doesn&rsquo;t include the SDF fee (an additional $100 per day) or entry fees to attractions. 
<blockquote>
&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t include entry fees as we try to give the flexibility for the guest to change places in the itinerary last minute or to add new places along the way,&rdquo;&nbsp;wrote Biswa.&nbsp;
</blockquote>
A rough estimate including the daily SDF fee and a budget of $30 per day for food and $100 for all attractions brings the total to $1960 for a solo traveler, $1610 per person for two, and $1470 for a group of 3-4.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Luxury Holiday Nepal </h3>
This tour company came recommended by member Kristen:&nbsp;
<blockquote>
&ldquo;We went in 2022 with a tour company called <a href="https://luxuryholidaynepal.com/">Luxury Holidays Nepal</a> and were very happy with them. One of the things that we appreciated with this tour company is that they negotiated with the Bhutanese officials to respect the rate that the tourist tax was at the time we booked it.&nbsp;
We bought the package when the (SDF) rate was $60 per day, and post-pandemic it jumped up to $200 per day, which would've been a significant expense had our tour operator not gotten them to accept the original rate.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Many of their group tours include excellent options for trekking and camping among a broader itinerary. You&rsquo;ve also got the option to start your tour in Nepal and end in Bhutan or to choose a more typical itinerary, such as Bhutan&rsquo;s Golden Triangle. 
For&nbsp;<a href="https://luxuryholidaynepal.com/majestic-bhutan-a-seven-day-bhutan-tour#package-options">a 7-day tour</a>, prices start at $1899 for solo travelers, $1399 per person for 2, or $1325 for a group of 3-5. This includes the SDF fee as well as full room and board. Keep in mind that since this is a group tour, you&rsquo;ll be joining an average group size of 15-20 people.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr" id="bhutan-green-travel">Bhutan Green Travel&nbsp;</h3>
At the Destinations Holiday &amp; Travel Show in Manchester, I just so happened to meet the BGT team in person. They welcomed me into their booth and handed me a very detailed brochure of over 34 <a href="https://www.bhutangreentravel.com/itinerary-types/">different itineraries</a>, including festivals, cultural tours, trekking, birdwatching, and photography. 
They&rsquo;ve been in business since 2011 and cater to both independent and group travelers. While many of their dates are fixed, they&rsquo;re still happy to craft bespoke travel packages.&nbsp;
Prices vary between low and high season. A 7-day tour in high season costs $2770 for solo travelers (single supplement applies starting at $50/night) $2540 per person for two, or $2130 for 3-6 people. This includes all room and board, transport, and excursions, as well as the SDF fee.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Exodus</h3>
A firm favorite among our community, Exodus is well-known in the travel industry for their immersive, small-group tours that work with <a href="https://www.exodus.co.uk/leader-awards-2025">a network of expert local guides</a>.&nbsp;
With a &ldquo;nature first&rdquo; ethos and B Corp stamp of approval, it&rsquo;s clear that <a href="https://www.exodus.co.uk/destinations/asia-holidays/bhutan-holidays">their tours in Bhutan</a> are a great choice for ethically conscious travelers. They offer a mix of festival-focused tours, including colorful <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrAzM9wZmoo">Thimphu Tsechu</a> (October) and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKov17GDFQo">Paro Tshechu</a> (March), as well as traditional itineraries outside the busy festival season. Their shortest group tours to Bhutan are 10 days, with prices depending on activities. <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/breaking-down-bhutan-how-to-find-the-best-tours">Keep reading for more info on tours, how to get there &amp; when to visit...</a>

Reader's Corner

Once again, we're sharing some of our fave, most inspiring Postcards you have sent in this month. From the glistening blue Indian Ocean to sparkling city lights, you all really know how to travel.&nbsp;

A cheeky spa weekend in Prague. The savings on spa and massage even covered the cost of the flight &amp; hotel!

Postcard from NomadicDiscoverer23028

Not as isolated as you&rsquo;d expect but the Andaman Islands have some of the most stunning beaches and some absolutely amazing scuba opportunities on what is a fragile yet beautiful tropical island paradise.

Postcard from Nadim

El Salvador is a great country. Amazing food and people.

Postcard from DaringCosmopolitan88259

Head over to our Postcards wall to check out where the Jack's Community has been recently, or add your own Postcard or Travel Story to share your travel memories with the crew :-)

Tales from the Road

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel chatter from around the Jack's Community this month.
<ul>
<li>We've been <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DV8PWGIDJQR/?img_index=7">comparing passport stamps</a>. Where's your favorite from? (Instagram) </li>
<li>From crypts to castles and cloisters, Traveler Katy has been gathering some <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2758021577887019/">top Neapolitan tips</a> over in our Facebook Community. (Facebook) </li>
<li>It turns out, there's more to Barcelona than just Gaud&iacute;, seafood, and the seaside. <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jacksflightclub/video/7612611676994637088?utm_campaign=tt4d_open_api&amp;utm_source=7055758955263295490">Skiing, anyone?</a> (TikTok) </li>
<li>The camper van crew showed up with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2751812515174592/">all their tips</a> to help Traveller Margaret plan an epic New Zealand trip. (Facebook) </li>
<li>Take a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWQyHB9DQ7_/?hl=en">volcanic sunrise hike</a> with Navigator Drew. (Instagram) </li>
<li>Mosquitoes&mdash;we've all got <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-228-scotland-by-public-transport-the-creme-de-la-creme-of-cable-cars#comments">our own tricks for warding them off</a>, it seems! (Jack's Members Lounge) </li>
<li>We <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2753016238387553/">swapped planes for cable cars</a> earlier in the month, with stunning pics pouring in from all over the world. (Facebook) </li>
<li>And finally, if you liked Jack's member Shuo's pics from Bhutan, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWWvPCOgFnw/?hl=en">this breathtaking compilation</a> from his recent trips&mdash;two of which he found through Jack's! Just sayin'... (Instagram)</li>
</ul>

Community News

Touring in Brilliant Bhutan & the March Community Buzz

Switzerland

Iceland

Season's greetings, Travellers!
First off, to all those celebrating this week and next, I wish you a very happy festive period! Be it munching on <a href="https://www.trafalgar.com/real-word/hanukkah/#:~:text=pressure%20to%20convert.-,Morocco,-Jews%20in%20Morocco">Hanukkah&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.trafalgar.com/real-word/hanukkah/#:~:text=pressure%20to%20convert.-,Morocco,-Jews%20in%20Morocco">sfenj</a> in Morocco, celebrating Christmas with a slice of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seriouseats.com/bibingka-filipino-rice-cake-5196489">Filipino Bibingka</a>, or hibernating with Netflix and a pizza, may your bellies be full, and your hearts be warm.
If you're anything like me, this last week has involved a lot of wrapping up (pun intended) before the end of the year. Turns out, it's no different for airline staff, as the big names have been dropping their January sales this week, ready to turn their out-of-office on until next year.
So, if you're keen to lock in a 2026 trip before the year is out, <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/flights">jump into the Members Lounge</a> and check out all the Flights we've been finding. And if you've already sorted your travel plans for the new year, <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-217-window-seat-bernina-express-festive-factoids#comments">tell us where you're heading in the comments</a>!
Happy travels and safe landings,

The Bernina Express: A Window Seat to Remember

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

By Akasha

No white-glove service or curated grandeur here. For everything the Glacier Express is, the Bernina is not. And that&rsquo;s exactly why I loved it.&nbsp; 
After basking in&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/winter-through-a-window-glacier-express">the glitzy carriages of the Glacier Express</a>, my travel mates and I jump off in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N90gGX4XmY">Pontresina</a>. An idyllic alpine village that seems to share Swarovski snow with its high-end neighbor, St. Moritz.
We're only here for a brief stay, long enough to flop ourselves on the feathery pillows at <a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/ch/schloss-wellness-family.en.html?aid=311076;label=schloss-wellness-family-siL34lTXiXePMOAsMWnZvgS626015091330:pl:ta:p1:p21,093,000:ac:ap:neg:fi:tikwd-39525692859:lp1007850:li:dec:dm:ppccp=UmFuZG9tSVYkc2RlIyh9YX-SVbABBf1_TwNC0YE2R9c;ws=&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=16290144&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD_Ls1IHc1tG-hFCUouPWpGQ-mSEB&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAo4TKBhDRARIsAGW29belcNbwzE1f0hVJhkhtDPjhaLonN4OLgz1qGhNRNTQVM3qimnrrAu4aAoP9EALw_wcB">Schloss Hotel &amp; Spa</a> before catching <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ie/experiences/bernina-express/">the Bernina Express</a> across the Alps.
But first: bundling up for a quick hike and horse-drawn carriage into the pine-clad peaks of<a href="https://www.pontresina.ch/en/guide/mountains-and-valleys/the-val-roseg"> Val Roseg</a> &mdash; the kind that makes you forget the world and your onward ticket.

Whoever dreamed up winter clich&eacute;s clearly had the Roseg Valley in mind. From underneath heavy fur and wool blankets, we wave our mittens at passing horses and hikers.
The only sounds are the soft snort of the horse and the snow crunching under its hooves.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s a snow-globe kind of serenity as we make our way to the gingerbread-perfect <a href="https://www.roseg-gletscher.ch/en/">Roseg Gletscher</a>, lured in by its legendary dessert buffet and views over the Roseg Glacier.
But snow globes always settle eventually, even metaphorical ones. With dessert plates empty, fingers numb, and daylight thinning, it's time to trade the trail for the tracks and hop on the Bernina Express.&nbsp;

The Bernina is the Glacier Express's wilder, less polished counterpart, forgoing the bells and whistles in favour of raw switchbacks and dramatic elevation changes.
It feels more like a local train that just happens to be a&nbsp;<a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1276/">UNESCO World Heritage Site</a>, passing through some of the Alps' most stunning scenery.
The train does offer first and second class cabins, but our pockets were a feeling a little light after breathing the Swiss air for almost a week.
We opted for second class; it had everything we needed, including phone chargers and openable windows. Surprisingly, we had the cabin mostly to ourselves.

Unlike the Glacier Express, it's less about being served an experience and more about moving through one.&nbsp;You're far outside the sightseeing bubble, sharing space with locals on grocery runs.&nbsp;
Now and then, I spot lone stone huts in the distance, snow-dusted and silent. I wonder who owns these quiet outposts in such a vast landscape that barely notices our humming train. I imagine the winters and wars they have weathered.
How many hands has their hearth warmed, and how many lovers have stolen a brief embrace on their doorsteps?
The views don't let up as we climb, looping past glaciers, lakes, and peaks. The highest point, 2,253 meters, is one of Europe's loftiest railway crossings.
When the line was built in the early 1900s, just like the Glacier Express, local workers braved avalanches and thin Alpine air to carve tracks into impossible slopes.

Cresting the Bernina Pass, the world outside our window shifts again. Snow melts into emerald green as glaciers give way to forests. Pines blur past, villages flash by &mdash; fast, alive, and totally unstoppable.
The pretty town of Poschiavo lives in between worlds. Sitting north of the Italian border, the language, food, and daily rhythm sway toward the&nbsp;&ldquo;dolce vita&rdquo; lifestyle.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, many locals left to work abroad, often as pastry chefs or traders in Spain and Portugal. Those who returned quietly transformed the village with their earnings, giving Poschiavo a&nbsp;<a href="https://spritzience.com/poschiavo-in-2-hours-the-ultimate-mini-guide/">surprisingly elegant feel</a>.
Nowadays, you'll find artisan boutiques and ancestral ateliers, like <a href="https://www.stone-artposchiavo.ch/en/">StoneArt Swiss</a>&nbsp;run by Angelo Boninchi. He works with local Val Poschiavo marble and regional stones like serpentinite and nephrite jade to create everything from countertops and sculptures to one-of-a-kind jewelry.
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/winter-through-a-window-the-bernina-express">Keep reading for essential Bernina tips...</a>

Travel Tales

Festive Facts from Around the World

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

By Katy

As soon as December arrives, some of the Jack's Navigators kind of lose the plot. In particular, our Member Experience Lead, Jo, gets a little carried away with all the festivities, and this year, she decided to share Christmassy facts from around the world with the team.
In the spirit of the season of giving, I thought I'd gather all our fave nuggets of seasonal wisdom together in one place to share them with you. And where better to start than with the cute little&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inspirationswholesale.co.uk/blog/christmas/what-are-gonks-where-are-they-from/">gonks</a> that have been creeping into Christmas decor in recent years?
The eyeless infiltrators started life in Scandinavia as nisser, small spirits that live in a family&rsquo;s house or barn and secretly act as their guardian. All would go swimmingly if a nisse felt appreciated - they would protect the family and its animals from evil, and they might even do the farmyard chores.

You don&rsquo;t want to offend a nisse, though. One too many tea breaks or forgetting to leave out the obligatory <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-risengrod">bowl of porridge on Christmas Eve</a> is enough to get you in the bad books, and that&rsquo;s when the pranks start. Tying cows&rsquo; tails together and turning objects upside down sounds fairly silly and mostly harmless, but word has it they&rsquo;d also break things or even attack people.
These days, nisser are considered friendly Christmas spirits who might still pull a few pranks here and there (much more elf on the shelf). They became the bearers of gifts in Denmark in the 1840s, with Sweden and Norway following suit later in the 19th century. The <a href="https://backyardgoats.iamcountryside.com/ownership/julbock-swedens-legendary-yule-goat/">Yule Goat</a> had previously held the reins on Scandi Christmas, but now they occasionally show up to hand out gifts together.

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

Ti&oacute; de Nadal (a.k.a. Caga Ti&oacute;, a.k.a. Poop Log) is a festive wooden log that appears in houses around Catalonia each Christmas. No Ti&oacute; is complete without little stick legs, a painted cheerful face, and a traditional Catalan&nbsp;barretina hat. Every family has their own unique log, some with a simple charcoal face while others are more intricately decorated.
Ti&oacute; de Nadal becomes part of the Christmas celebrations from the 8th of December (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) and stays till Christmas Eve, placed in his own special corner of the home. The kids in the house are responsible for keeping their festive friend covered with a blanket to stay warm, and for keeping him fed. Tangerines, cookies, nuts are ideal to 'prime' him for the big day.&nbsp;
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/festive-facts-from-around-the-world">Continue reading festive factoids...&nbsp;</a>

Festive Frolics

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li>Imagine spending all day in bed while sipping champagne, followed by a hot shower and a plushy robe. Now imagine doing it <a href="https://simpleflying.com/7-most-luxurious-long-haul-first-class-seats-book-today/">40,000 feet up in the air</a>. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">KLM is <a href="https://simpleflying.com/the-uks-regional-airline-klm-announces-flights-to-19th-airport/">expanding its "UK presence"</a>&hellip; but not where you might expect. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Soon you&rsquo;ll have to pay a <a href="https://secretroma.com/en/trevi-fountain-fee-en/">small admission fee</a> to see the iconic Trevi Fountain, which offers visitors a glimpse of Rome&rsquo;s incredible ancient history. But don't worry, it&rsquo;ll still be free to check out the Las Vegas replica, which offers a glimpse of the Guy Fieri restaurant across the street... similar enough, right? </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Scottish adventurer Alice Morrison has become the first recorded person to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/saudi-arabia-walking-british-yemen-tv-presenter-b2884877.html">walk the entire length of Saudi Arabia on foot</a>. The journey was so long, even her camel had to wear shoes.&nbsp; </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Romania has revealed plans for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/dracula-land-theme-park-bucharest-romania-b2881606.html">vampire-themed amusement park</a>, featuring a replicated Victorian London, Mardi Gras carnival, and &mdash; of course &mdash; Dracula&rsquo;s castle. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">And finally, a recent study chose this European city as the world&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timeout.com/news/this-underrated-european-city-has-been-named-the-worlds-most-relaxing-place-to-live-in-2026-121725">most relaxing place to live</a>. Any guesses before you click?</li>
</ul>

Travel News

Take the Window Seat on the Bernina Express & Jack's Festive Facts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Czech Republic

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