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🌄 Iceland in $630s-$650s RT from Vancouver 

Halifax

🧖‍♀️ Iceland at $550 RT from Halifax

Why have one golden hour when you can have five?

Denver

United States

Baltimore

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Iceland 🌞 in $380s-$440s RT

The PNW might have some pretty gorgeous Junes, but do they look like this?

Portland

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Iceland 🌄 in $410s-$420s RT

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Iceland ⛰️ in $780s-$790s RT

London Gatwick

England

Akureyri

Iceland 🏞️ in £50s-£80s rtn

Looking forward to NYE deep in snow ❄️ 

Postcard from Kate (and Jacob and George)

Loved my trip to Akureyri, so wonderful not to spend a day driving up from Keflavik to get there! Wishing the flights ran year round.

Postcard from Bobby

Easy Jet Sale! We flew to Akueryi and back from Reykjavik both on sale, £230 for 2 people, return, including 1 hold luggage between us.

We'd been thinking about going for a couple of years, when the sale came up, it was perfect timing.
We will have to return though - clouds every night so we didn't see any northern lights!

Postcard from Cameron

Love Akureyri, SO good to have the direct flight. Wish it started earlier in the year. 

Thanks for always sending the best deals. Although there’s a reason why I’m still living at home rent-free! I can’t resist 
Photo is from a trip to Iceland at the start of the year. Booked with a Wizz Air deal!

Postcard from Niké

Thank you - we can't wait for our pre Christmas snow trip to see the christmas lights and traditions in Akureyri 

Postcard from Antonia 

Singapore

Greece

Like many avid travellers, mosquitoes are the bane of any trip to warmer climates. Although we have them here in Scotland, they still don&rsquo;t seem to have learnt how to bite (unlike our <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/OutdoorScotland/comments/1fhulxs/midges_scotland_help/">demon midges</a>), so I&rsquo;m always underprepared. And apparently very tasty.
When you&rsquo;re travelling to an area with virus-carrying mosquitoes, you don&rsquo;t want to mess around. And even if an itch is the worst risk, one really annoying bite can make a trip pretty miserable.&nbsp;
An established repellent containing DEET is my go-to. However, I know there are alternatives and extras out there that can boost my mosquito-repelling powers, of which I wish to have many.
That&rsquo;s why I asked our worldly-wise Jack&rsquo;s Flight Club Community for tips on how to stop mosquitoes from biting me. Here&rsquo;s what they had to say:

<h2 dir="ltr">Sprays &amp; Oils</h2>

&ldquo;I use the mosquito wipes on my exposed body and it seemed to work just fine in South America where I frequent. A buddy told me BOUNCE dryer sheets also worked but I haven't tried it as the wipes do it for me along with the unscented deep woods spray.&rdquo; - Gallivanter
<hr>
&ldquo;Avon Skin So Soft works for us. Not sold as a repellent, but it does work!&rdquo; - SpiritedDiscoverer78933
<hr>
&ldquo;A friend who was in the army said they all use Avon Dry Oil spray. We&rsquo;ve used it ever since, and the only time anyone has been bitten was when they weren&rsquo;t wearing it. Smells nice too.&rdquo; - LiberatedTourist51024
<hr>
&nbsp;&ldquo;A friend who was working in India told me that a mix of dettol and baby oil was very effective and cheap.&rdquo; - AdventurousHiker36717

Avon Skin So Soft is a popular anti-midge solution here in Scotland. While not sold as a repellent, studies have indicated that <a href="https://bcmj.org/articles/mosquito-repellent-effectiveness-placebo-controlled-trial-comparing-95-deet-avon-skin-so">it can be around 85% as effective</a> as repellents containing DEET.&nbsp;
Mosquito wipes, on the other hand, contain chemicals like DEET or Picaridin, which is similarly effective to DEET and less likely to cause skin irritation.
<h2 dir="ltr">Natural remedies</h2>

&ldquo;Currently in India. The mozzies love to bite me wherever I go. I recently read a scientific article about studies with coconut oil &amp; derivatives of it repelling mosquitos. I use coconut soap, coconut shampoo, coconut oil after shower + eucalyptus &amp; citronella spray ..seems to work great &amp; all natural (+ coconut oil for sandflies is a must)&rdquo; - NomadicCommuter12627
<hr>
&ldquo;If you want to keep the mosquitoes off you keep a bag of limes along. Slice one open, squeeze it on any exposed skin, and that citrus smell will keep them away.&rdquo; - Rich

In particular, it&rsquo;s the fatty acids derived from coconuts that are good at making you less attractive to mozzies. So while there&rsquo;s no harm in washing with all the coconut-scented products under the sun and smelling like a pi&ntilde;a colada for your whole trip, double up with reliable mosquito sprays containing coconut compounds.
It&rsquo;s probably worth stating clearly that coconut oil alone could be a recipe for disaster in sunnier climates, offering little to no protection against UV rays.
Citronella is well-established as a repellent; however, its effects are not so long-lasting as DEET and other sprays. You&rsquo;ll likely need to reapply every couple of hours to ensure you&rsquo;re well protected, which isn&rsquo;t ideal when you&rsquo;re out and about. Lime juice has a similar effect, acting more as a short-term deterrent.&nbsp;
Combined, these seem to make for fairly effective options for short-term natural repellents when you&rsquo;re in a low-stakes environment.
<h2 dir="ltr">Marmite &amp; Vitamin B</h2>
A couple of our esteemed community suggested vitamin B, or its (very British) proxy foodstuff Marmite, as an effective solution for warding off mosquitoes:

&ldquo;I recommend eating Marmite every date before you go. It emits from your skin pores, they don't like it.&rdquo; - Keith
<hr>
&ldquo;I've also been told (and found) that natural source B complex with yeast is effective because they don't like the smell&hellip;&rdquo; - AdventurousHiker36717

As someone who mosquitoes find especially tasty, I tried the B complex tablet solution myself when I went to Cuba in 2017. Unfortunately, it made little to no difference for me, even when combined with repellent&mdash;I still remember the bite I got square in the middle of my forehead nine years on.
Taking vitamin B complex or eating a bucketload of Marmite (which is full of yeast and loaded with B vitamins) is not scientifically supported as a method of warding off bugs. <a href="https://entomologytoday.org/2022/11/21/vitamin-b1-not-mosquito-repellent/">Scientists have debunked the approach</a> as little more than a myth, indicating that oral insect repellents simply don&rsquo;t work.&nbsp;
So if you need a few extra B vitamins in your life or you're a fan of Marmite, it won&rsquo;t hurt you. But definitely don&rsquo;t rely on it!
<h2 dir="ltr">Clothing</h2>

&ldquo;To avoid getting bitten, cover up at dusk&mdash;long sleeves, long trousers, decent socks. Craghoppers Nosilife clothes are the best, as mozzies can't bite through them. Add mozzie repellent for any exposed areas, i.e. face, neck and hands. Squirt your room with mozzie killer just as you leave to go out for dinner. Yes, it's a bit of effort, but you will enjoy an itch-free holiday!&rdquo; - AnimatedBackpacker29290

For going out in nature in mosquito-infested areas, covering up is a must. As a bonus, spray your clothes with repellent to ward off any hitchhiking nibblers who might lie in wait until you strip.
<h2 dir="ltr">Bite Relief</h2>
Sometimes (often) we will still get bitten despite our best efforts. It&rsquo;s best to be prepared when you do:

&ldquo;I don't travel anywhere without Bug Bite Sting Relief; not a repellent, just a remedy when you get bit. I haven't experienced anything this doesn't fix, nothing from South America, innumerable islands or Europe. Dozens of countries, dozens of years!&rdquo; - AdventurousItinerant20681
<hr>
&ldquo;For bite relief, I've found&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifesystems.co.uk/products/bite-relief-click">electrostatic clickers like these</a> pretty good.&rdquo; - CarCamper

<h2 dir="ltr">Places With No or Few Mosquitoes</h2>
Now and then, it&rsquo;s nice to know that you just don&rsquo;t have to worry about getting bitten. There&rsquo;s only one country in the world where you&rsquo;re (pretty much) guaranteed to avoid mosquitoes, but other popular destinations can offer low-risk options, too.
<h3 dir="ltr">Iceland</h3>
If you want to be certain you won&rsquo;t be woken by that high-pitched drone circling ever closer or find yourself absentmindedly scratching your calf with your foot, Iceland is the way ahead. It&rsquo;s the only country in the world with no native mosquito population.&nbsp;
Even if a wee gang of the bitey beasts hopped on a flight to Reykjavik, there&rsquo;s little chance they&rsquo;d be able to hang their coat for long. Between short summers and long, chilly winters, mosquitoes simply don&rsquo;t get the chance to breed. That said, <a href="https://www.ruv.is/english/2025-06-30-icelanders-learn-to-live-with-biting-midges-447298">other bitey beasts are available</a>. Sorry.

<h3 dir="ltr">Antarctica</h3>
There&rsquo;s lots to consider before heading off on an <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/the-beginners-guide-to-visiting-antarctica">epic adventure to Antarctica</a>. Visiting is pricey, it&rsquo;s remote, and you need to pack a whole load of layers. But one thing you won&rsquo;t need to bring along is repellent.&nbsp;
Much like Iceland, the climate in Antarctica doesn&rsquo;t have the cozy conditions and standing water that mozzies typically enjoy. As yet, they&rsquo;ve not found a way to procreate on an iceberg, for which we (and the penguins) are grateful.
<h3 dir="ltr">Santorini</h3>
Let&rsquo;s be clear&mdash;there are mosquitoes in Santorini. But as warm island climates go, Santorini is a safer bet than most. With no rivers or lakes and generally dry conditions, as well as the gentle Aegean breeze, there just aren&rsquo;t that many spots for mozzies to set up home. You&rsquo;re most likely to have a run-in once the winds calm down in late summer and autumn.
We&rsquo;d still recommend that you take the usual precautions&mdash;body sprays and plug-ins for your accommodation should successfully ward off any determined nibblers.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Singapore</h3>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Singapore has a ruthless team dedicated to identifying and removing standing water anywhere. Apparently a common case is an old tyre, its shape inevitably results in a small pool of water somewhere, whatever angle it is stored at.&rdquo; - WanderingRoamer78745
</blockquote>
This is what we love to hear. To fight the mosquito population in Singapore, the government has, in fact, released additional mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia. These guys basically pass along their virus onto other mozzies and neutralise the spread of viruses like malaria and dengue fever. In some areas of Singapore, this has apparently led to a 98% decrease in the overall mosquito population!
Caveat:&nbsp;there are still mosquitoes around. You probably won&rsquo;t encounter many in the city and residential areas, but if you stray out into nature, be prepared.

Of course, there&rsquo;s an element of seasonality to mosquito populations in many destinations. We&rsquo;d always recommend you do your research before heading off on a trip and stock up on trusted, reliable products before you travel.&nbsp;
Before you head out for a day in the sun, apply sunscreen first, give it 15-20 minutes to absorb, and then apply your repellent. Check the instructions on your repellent of choice to see how often you need to reapply for the best protection.
So, dear readers, what did we miss? Are there any products or methods you swear by? Let us know in the comments to help other Jack&rsquo;s Travellers stay itch-free :-)&nbsp;

Mosquito Mayhem: Tips and tricks to avoid getting bitten on your travels

<h3>A budget-friendly trip to Iceland? Challenge Accepted!</h3>

Accommodation: Surprisingly, staying in an Icelandic Guesthouse isn't as expensive as you think, and you'll find tons out there highlighting some of the country's most affordable options. But that's not your only choice when it comes to a place to plop your head. <a href="https://www.twowanderingsoles.com/blog/iceland-campervan-rental">Renting a camper van</a> offers great value, combining the convenience of wheels and a bed. Otherwise, pack your tent and check out <a href="https://www.camping.info/en/country/iceland">this list of campsites</a>!
If you&rsquo;re traveling for a longer period, check out Iceland's <a href="https://utilegukortid.is/?lang=en">Camping Card</a>, it gives 28 nights of access to designated camping spots all around the country.
Alternatively, for a free stay, you could also look into <a href="https://www.workaway.info/en/hostlist/europe/is">volunteering opportunities</a> or <a href="https://housesitsearch.com/location/iceland">keep your eyes peeled</a> for any house-sitting assignments. And sometimes, even <a href="https://www.couchsurfing.com/places/europe/iceland">a stranger's couch</a> will do. Female travelers, take a look at the popular Facebook group called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/hostasister/">Host a Sister</a>. It's a global network of women who offer their homes to other female travelers.&nbsp;
Food:&nbsp;Eating out is expensive in Iceland, so instead of forking out your life savings for a roadside burger, aim for hotdogs (they're <a href="https://www.firefly.is/iceland-travel-info/best-cheap-eats-in-iceland/">much cheaper</a>) or better yet cook your food back at your base.&nbsp;
Activites: Thankfully, Iceland's waterfalls, black-sand beaches, geysers and mountains don't have a price tag. And if you're experienced enough of a hiker, ditch the tour-guide and head out into the wilderness for a solo hike. <a href="https://www.mountainguides.is/blog/solo-hiking-iceland">This guide</a> is a great resource for hiking in Iceland.&nbsp;
While the Blue Lagoon is the most popular, it's also the most expensive. Luckily, you'll find <a href="https://www.ontheroadiary.com/free-hot-springs-in-iceland/">a whole slew of hot springs</a> dotted around the country that are entirely free.
The island also has many caves too, <a href="https://www.islandihnotskurn.is/Places.aspx?ID=6">if you know where to look</a>.

After You Land: Budget-friendly Iceland

Czech Republic

Switzerland

Italy

Norway

Wales

Spain

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,

Katy - Editor of The Detour

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

Denmark

Sweden

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jack's Festive Facts from Around the World

Ireland

Howdy Travellers,
With Katy&rsquo;s last known location being Kosovo, she&rsquo;s a little tied up, racing the clock to reach Moldova on yet another Lupine Race.&nbsp;
So I&rsquo;ve been handed the mic this week &mdash; and I&rsquo;ve gone down a bit of a late-night rabbit hole.&nbsp;
Ever heard of&nbsp;Third Culture Kids? I hadn&rsquo;t until recently, but clearly Instagram&rsquo;s algorithm knows me better than I know myself.&nbsp;
Basically, Third Culture Kids (TCKs) are people who spend their formative years in places that are different from their parents' homeland. Children of immigrants, diplomats, missionaries, and military, they absorb bits and pieces of multiple places. And the &ldquo;third&rdquo; culture is a mishmash of both cultures.&nbsp;
It doesn&rsquo;t just stop at geography, though. They can be cultural chameleons with a knack for fitting in anywhere. Many are multilingual and can easily connect with people from all walks of life. But that comes with a flip side: a feeling of being too foreign for home and too foreign for here, and a restlessness that never quite lets you settle completely.&nbsp;
Personally, I came from Canada and grew up in Ireland. On paper, it might seem like a small cultural jump, but for me, it always made answering the question &ldquo;Where are you from?&rdquo; complicated. I&rsquo;d start with Canada, then add Ireland, realizing neither explanation really encapsulated the way I experienced the world.
I&rsquo;ve always felt out of step with the social rhythm and mindset of both places. A bit like standing in a doorway between two rooms. I can see and interact with both, but I never fully inhabit either. So discovering the term TCK was validating, and suddenly it made sense why I moved so much in my adulthood, hopping between countries, jobs, and cities.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;ve just discovered the book called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Third-Culture-Kids-Experience-Growing/dp/1857885252">Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds</a> by David C. Pollock and this <a href="https://tally.so/r/3jE4Z4">global online community called &ldquo;Home,&rdquo;</a> and I&rsquo;m so excited to dive deeper into the research and community.&nbsp;
So I&rsquo;m curious, how many of you are Third Culture Kids? Did you grow up living between cultures? How has it shaped your life and identity, your travels? Or maybe you&rsquo;re raising a TCK yourself&mdash;I'd love to hear your perspective in the comments.&nbsp;
From one doorway to the next,

Akasha - Guest Editor

It&rsquo;s not you, it&rsquo;s me: Breaking up with my nomadic lifestyle after years on the road

A San Diego native, Olivia left home a few 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.&nbsp;

By Olivia

It wasn&rsquo;t a decision, so much as a realization: I don&rsquo;t want to do this anymore.&nbsp;
I don&rsquo;t want to be constantly making new friends that I will never see again. I don&rsquo;t want to be shoving everything I own into a suitcase every couple of months. And if I have to harass my cell phone carrier about my international data one more time, I just might scream.
&hellip;Okay, let me go back to the beginning.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s hard to overstate how badly I wanted to travel as a kid. We&rsquo;re talking &ldquo;10-year-old who wanted a globe for Christmas&rdquo; levels of desire here. But it simply wasn&rsquo;t something my family did &mdash; I was well into my twenties before I even left the United States, and I&rsquo;d only left California a handful of times prior to that. Even the East Coast seemed strange and exotic. Europe might as well have been another dimension.

I was a very bored, very rambunctious little girl. I didn&rsquo;t just want to see the world, I wanted freedom. In high school, I once told a counselor that my post-grad plan was to buy a school bus, paint it psychedelic colors, and drive around the country. I was dead serious about this, and I was incensed when they laughed me out the door.
So ten years later, when I found myself with a stable remote job and nothing keeping me pinned down? It seemed foolish to waste the opportunity. I wasn&rsquo;t going to just take a measly trip or two, I was going 24/7, non-stop, wherever I wanted to go.
I took the plunge. I got to see places that I didn&rsquo;t think I would ever get to see. I even made it to that strange, alternate dimension called &ldquo;Europe.&rdquo; I could fill entire books with all the things that have happened to me in my years of living nomadically, and maybe one day I will.&nbsp;

That&rsquo;s not what I want to talk about today. You&rsquo;ve heard plenty of exciting tales from around the world (including some of mine, if you&rsquo;re a regular Jack&rsquo;s reader!) but today&rsquo;s story starts with the uglier side of traveling, the one that you discover very quickly when you&rsquo;re moving non-stop: burnout.&nbsp;
That sickening feeling when you look at your itinerary, at all the plans you excitedly made months ago, and you think &ldquo;Do I even&nbsp;want to do this?&rdquo;
When people talk about &ldquo;burnout,&rdquo; they&rsquo;re mostly referring to work stress, but it can happen with anything. Even the dream lifestyle you&rsquo;ve wanted since you were a kid. It can also make you feel a little like a Debbie Downer &mdash; sometimes it seems like everyone in the entire world is desperate to travel, and you&rsquo;re the odd one out if you don&rsquo;t think it sounds exciting.&nbsp;

And I understand that perspective! I remember when I was first getting started, and I saw a piece of advice on the <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalnomad/">r/digitalnomad</a> subreddit: &ldquo;You probably don&rsquo;t actually want to be a digital nomad.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Well that&rsquo;s stupid,&rdquo; I thought. &ldquo;Why wouldn&rsquo;t I? Why wouldn&rsquo;t everyone want to do this?&rdquo;
But&hellip; I get it now. Most people don&rsquo;t actually want to live like this. They want the freedom and the excitement that comes with living nomadically, but they don&rsquo;t realize how much of your life has to be dismembered in order to make it happen.
It&rsquo;s not just one big sacrifice that you make at the beginning, either. Sure, constant solo travel means you&rsquo;re giving up any chance at a stable in-person social life. You have to give up all the hobbies that can&rsquo;t fit into your luggage. You have to give up your home. That&rsquo;s the deal you make when you first take off.
However, I never thought about all the other sacrifices that just keep coming. Smaller, less significant sacrifices, but sacrifices nonetheless. You can&rsquo;t buy souvenirs from any of these cool destinations unless you want to lug them around for god-knows how long. You can&rsquo;t go to that concert tour because the dates don&rsquo;t line up with your itinerary. You find yourself buying&nbsp;another frying pan, because for some reason this kitchen doesn&rsquo;t have one and you had to jettison the last three frying pans you bought because you needed the luggage space and ugh.

When I first started living nomadically, none of these sacrifices &mdash; not even the major ones &mdash; seemed like a big deal. The allure of travel was so strong that it overshadowed any of the downsides, and it stayed that way for years. How could I be so stupid as to stop traveling, even to take a break? Didn&rsquo;t I remember how badly I always wanted this? How lucky I am to be in this position? How many people would kill for this lifestyle? How could I ever just&hellip; give it up?
To paraphrase the poet Frank Bidart, sometimes you can drink til you&rsquo;re sick but you can&rsquo;t drink til you&rsquo;re satisfied. Seasoned travelers know you cannot ever truly satiate the travel bug. You just have to make the conscious, difficult decision to actively ignore the sucker before it makes you sick. Because the travel bug might inspire you to get off the couch, but it doesn&rsquo;t always have your best interests in mind. If you let it call the shots for too long, if you start thinking life is something that exclusively happens anywhere but home, you start to miss out.
Recently, I was watching a YouTube video by the famous drag queen Trixie Mattel. She was talking about how she was grateful for her successful career and all the unique experiences it provided, but then she goes&hellip;
&ldquo;Sometimes I'm like, "Wow, I am living life in 4K fast forward, super speed&hellip; a whole life in a month, you know, and then sometimes I check in with friends from college and everybody has children&hellip; have I really lived life or has this prevented me from living my life? I don't know."

It was like a light bulb went off in my head. My twenties haven&rsquo;t exactly been average, to say the least, and I&rsquo;m grateful for that. I never wanted an average life. But the flipside is that you end up looking at your peers, the people you went to school with, and realizing there&rsquo;s miles and miles of distance between you, both literally and figuratively. You&rsquo;re burned out and lonely and no longer as easily impressed by your fast-paced lifestyle. And suddenly, that average life with the average apartment and the average social life and the average hobbies looks mighty aspirational.&nbsp;
Which brings us back to the beginning: I don&rsquo;t want to do this anymore.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;ve had that feeling plenty of times in the last few years, and I always told myself it just meant I needed to rest, maybe take a week off. The travel bug was persistent.&nbsp;
Besides the urge to take advantage while I still could, the thought of quitting entirely just plain made me nervous. I had set out to expand my comfort zone, and instead I created a new one, one where I felt safer while I was on the move. My single-minded pursuit of freedom had become its own kind of cage, and everything outside that cage seemed threatening. What if I have to commit to a long-term lease? What if I embarrass myself in front of a neighbor, and now I can&rsquo;t find solace in the fact that I&rsquo;ll never see them again?&nbsp;What if I get bored again like I did as a kid?
These fears have always kept me moving. But this time, the deep desire for some damn peace and quiet feels&hellip; different. Just like how the downsides to solo nomadding seemed minimal two years ago, now the downsides to being stationary seem like nothing. I handled living in a glorified shed for months in New Orleans, I handled losing my luggage in England with no cell service, and I handled five days in Alaska living off tortilla wraps. Sure, I can handle a long-term lease. Bring it on.
This summer, I drove from Utah to Canada by myself. These thoughts had already been floating around in my head, but while exploring Grand Teton National Park, I ended up talking to another woman on my hiking trail. We chatted for hours while we hiked up to a waterfall, and I told her all about my nomadic life on the road. Then I told her I was thinking of ending it. I hadn&rsquo;t said it out loud til that moment, but as soon as I started explaining the decision to her, it settled in my gut. Yep, I was done. As soon as I got to my next rental, I started shopping for long-term apartments.

It was a bit like breaking up with someone. You always know deep down that it&rsquo;s over well before you admit it to yourself.
So I guess this is my break-up letter to my nomadic lifestyle. We had some good times together. You taught me a lot about myself. I&rsquo;m smarter and stronger for having known you, and I don&rsquo;t regret a single second. I&rsquo;m lucky to have spent so much time with you and it hurts to say goodbye. Maybe one day, we can settle into casual friendship, and I will find excitement in the occasional airport chaos and overstuffed suitcase once again.
But right now, I have some gorgeous O&rsquo;Keeffe prints from Santa Fe that I&rsquo;ve been lugging around for god-knows how long, and all I want is a place where I can hang them up on the wall.

You Only Turn 40 Once

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

Answered by Jake

This week&rsquo;s Reader&rsquo;s Corner comes with an extra-special mission, travelers. A man&rsquo;s birthday is at stake here! Let&rsquo;s dive right into Ritchie&rsquo;s question:

&ldquo;Hey JFCers,
I can't believe it, but I'll be turning 40 next June. An avid traveller, there are still plenty of things I've not yet ticked off my list and my 40th is surely a good excuse to go big.
I've narrowed it down to two choices and I need to choose one:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">BC, Yukon, Alaska road trip.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Icelandic Highlands.</li>
</ul>
It doesn't have to be in June, and I appreciate that there are limitations at that time of year for Iceland - F roads aren't open, some campsites are closed. And with the Western Canada and Alaska option, if time allowed, I'd even consider a few days in Calgary for the Stampede if we were around in July.
I lived in Canada back in 2014 and travelled through every province, but I never made it into the territories. My wife and I love a road trip, and she's never been to Canada. The Yukon and Alaska have always fascinated me. I'd consider a mix of campervan/RV and motels along the way.
Iceland is our favourite destination to travel together to and we have been many times, in all seasons. However, the option to do the Highlands has never been possible due to budget or season.
We are typically budget travellers and aren't bothered about the finer things in life - we'd rather see cool stuff. I love photography and we appreciate a nice landscape. We'd have a fortnight available.
Help me choose!
Thanks,
Ritchie&rdquo;

Happy birthday, Ritchie&mdash;and congrats on the big 4-0! It just keeps getting better from here.
Iceland and Western Canada/Alaska are both pretty terrific places to visit, especially if you&rsquo;re looking for stunning scenery.&nbsp;
Knowing we have the most travel-savvy subscriber base out there, we asked the JFC Facebook community to chime in:

The people have spoken, and their choice is clear: the Yukon &amp; Alaska road trip takes it!
Personally, I think you guys nailed it. I <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/the-solo-road-trip-survival-guide?utm_source=JFC-Posts&amp;utm_medium=share&amp;utm_campaign=%5BJFC%5D-post-sharing&amp;utm_content=post">love a road trip</a>, and while Iceland is beautiful at any time of year, the scenery in Western Canada and Alaska just blows me away like nowhere else.
I&rsquo;ll also give a big thumbs-up to the potential stop in Calgary! I&rsquo;ve never been to the Stampede (Navigator Kristi is our&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-197-foodie-fever-dreams-magical-mexico#travel-tales">expert on that one</a>), but Jack&rsquo;s North American team met up for a little get-together in Kananaskis and had a blast hiking up the mountains. Just look at those smiling (and exhausted) faces!

You&rsquo;re not the only one dreaming of Alaska, either&mdash;I&rsquo;m taking a solo trip there myself in February. I&rsquo;ll be holed up in Fairbanks, hunting the northern lights and freezing my buns off, but you&rsquo;ll probably want to start down south by Anchorage instead. Coming from Western Canada, you can pass through <a href="https://www.roadtriplocals.com/blog/things-to-do-in-glacier-bay-national-park">Glacier Bay National Park</a> (and <a href="https://victoriastravelsandtribulations.com/2022/08/28/two-perfect-days-in-wrangell-st-elias-national-park-except-for-speedy-the-glacier-guide/">Wrangell-St. Elias</a> if you&rsquo;re feeling bold) on your way up the Panhandle. Take a quick detour south from Anchorage to <a href="https://danielleoutdoors.com/kenai-fjords-national-park/">Kenai Fjords</a>, and then you&rsquo;ll be ready to head north and hit the crown jewel: <a href="https://www.youralaskanadventures.com/blog/how-to-visit-denali-national-park-as-a-first-time-visitor-a-locals-guide">Denali</a>. You won&rsquo;t find better spots for photography anywhere!
What do you think, travelers? If you&rsquo;ve got more road trip tips for Ritchie&rsquo;s birthday bash, or you&rsquo;re an Iceland purist pushing back on the Facebook vote, just head to the comments or hit reply!

Reader's Corner

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">It&rsquo;s autumn for us folks above the equator, but one of the driest places on Earth is experiencing a very unusual (and colorful) springtime. Last week, a rare torrential downpour turned the Atacama Desert <a href="https://apnews.com/article/desert-chile-atacama-bloom-gabriel-boric-84e53ea84702abfb2f6c93c4970ebad5">into a wildflower rainbow</a>.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Millions of travelers rely on navigation apps, but how do brands like Google Maps or Waze decide what to show them? Here&rsquo;s a <a href="https://www.afar.com/magazine/how-digital-maps-decide-what-names-appear">peek behind the cartographers&rsquo; curtain</a>.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">A little Belgian train news: SNCB introduced some serious discounts for riders this week, but the policies are&hellip; <a href="https://www.brusselstimes.com/1780013/sncb-to-make-train-travel-cheaper-for-up-to-80-of-passengers-tbtb">a bit confusing</a>.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">&ldquo;Harvesting grapes on a vineyard in Southern France&rdquo; might sound like a cottagecore fantasy, but don&rsquo;t be fooled &mdash; it&rsquo;s back-breaking work. Nevertheless, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/oct/08/volunteer-grape-harvesting-vineyard-rhone-region-france-wine">volunteers return to this farm year after year</a> for the camaraderie (and probably the wine!)</li>
<li>Lastly, this Nordic archipelago may not recognize the concept of time, but that <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2025/10/08/arctic-maldives-a-european-island-spectacular-northern-lights-2026-24299571/">won&rsquo;t stop winter&rsquo;s light show</a> from arriving right on cue.</li>
</ul>

Breaking Up with the Nomadic Lifestyle 

Portugal

Japan

Peru

United Kingdom

Estonia

Latvia

Lithuania

Austria

Thailand

<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.

<h2 dir="ltr">Entry Fee for Day-Trippers (Venice, Italy)</h2>
Rule / Fine: &euro;5&ndash;&euro;10 entry fee; failure to pay can lead to &euro;300 fine.
Overwhelmed by mass day-trip tourism, Venice is trying to manage crowd flow and encourage longer stays by offering fee exemptions to hotel guests.
Traveller Tip: Book your visit in advance, or stay overnight, and keep your receipt handy.
<h2 dir="ltr">Selfie Zones &amp; No-Linger Spots (Portofino, Italy &amp; Hallstatt, Austria)</h2>
Rule / Fine: Up to &euro;275 for blocking walkways with a selfie; Hallstatt uses &ldquo;selfie fences&rdquo; to curb crowding.&nbsp;
Europe&rsquo;s quaint and cute villages are overloaded with visitors lining up for the same shot. This measure aims to restore flow and reduce stress for locals trying to get to work on time.
Traveller Tip: Capture your pic, then move on. Who knows, you might just find a hidden corner!
<h2 dir="ltr">Beach Behaviour Campaigns (Spain &amp; Portugal)</h2>
Rule / Fine: Ranging from &euro;750 for public urination to &euro;2,000 for beach smoking. Malaga&rsquo;s Improve Your Stay campaign enforces up to &euro;873 fines for bad conduct in the port city.&nbsp;
Fines can be as high as &euro;30,000 for anti-social behaviour like vandalism or street drinking; attending (or throwing!) unlicensed events can set you back a similar amount, while hitching a lift in an unlicensed taxi can result in penalties of &euro;600. And before you decide to go for a nighttime dip Benidorm, just consider whether you have &euro;1,000 to spare.&nbsp;
Traveller Tip: Follow the local code snippets posted in your hotel lobby or on billboards, or simply ask a local. But let&rsquo;s be honest &mdash; it&rsquo;s always better to just find a toilet, smoke away from others, keep the noise down at night, and generally not be a nuisance.

<h3 dir="ltr">Proof of Travel Insurance (Spain)</h3>
Rule / Fine: Fines for British travellers of up to &euro;6,900 for not having proper travel health insurance documentation when entering Spain.&nbsp;
To protect its healthcare system and keep tourists from becoming walking liabilities, Spain can now request proof of travel insurance at the border.
Traveller Tip: Buy travel insurance! And just in case your phone battery dies, pack a printed copy of your insurance documents so you can pull them out at passport control.
<h3 dir="ltr">Visitor Caps in Europe&rsquo;s Ancient Icons (Greece, Italy)</h3>
Rule / Fine: Acropolis (Athens) is capped at 20,000 visitors/day; pre-booking required, high heels banned with fines up to &euro;900. Pompeii (Italy): also limited to 20,000 visitors/day and the Colosseum (Rome): capped at 3,000 visitors at a time.&nbsp;
These heritage sites want to stay standing, not crumbling under the footfall. Regulating access protects their history (and makes your visit more enjoyable).
Traveller Tip: Book your tickets for the first thing in the morning to avoid the rush, and leave the stilettos at home.
<h3 dir="ltr">Tourism Balance (Japan)</h3>
Rule / Fine: Mount Fuji: &yen;2,000 entry fee (&pound;10/$13.50/&euro;11.60) with a cap of 4,000 climbers/day. Kyoto: &yen;10,000 fine for taking photos of geisha without permission; some alleys are even off-limits. Tokyo: A year-round ban on public drinking from 6pm-5am.&nbsp;
Traveller Tip: Book early. Ask before snapping. Stick to bars and caf&eacute;s, not the streets.
<h3 dir="ltr">Hiking Restrictions (Machu Picchu)</h3>
Rule / Fine: Timed-slot tickets are now mandatory &mdash; no more spontaneous hikes to Machu Picchu!
Peru is slowing tourism to protect both the trail and the ancient ruins from overuse and degradation.
Traveller Tip: Book your slot online well in advance. Check out Flight Finder Lauren's <a href="https://jacksflightclub.com/detour-145-machu-picchu">top tips for visiting the site here</a>.

<h3 dir="ltr">Digital Arrival Card (Thailand)</h3>
Rule / Fine: As of May 2025, all foreign visitors must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card at least within 72 hours before arrival. Earlier isn't possible.
This replaces the old paper form, and can be submitted online before you travel. You won't need to do this if you're just transiting in Thailand.
Traveller Tip: Set a reminder on your phone to do this 3 days before you arrive, save the confirmation, and breeze through immigration!
<h3 dir="ltr">Eco-Tax (Iceland)</h3>
Rule / Fine: A nightly, per-room eco-tax is in place nationwide to support environmental conservation to protect its glaciers and geysers.
Traveller Tip: Factor this small extra (approx. $5-$8) into your hotel budget; you&rsquo;re investing in the island&rsquo;s future. 
<hr>
 Follow these guidelines, and hopefully you won't find yourself stepping on any toes on your next trip.
Wear the right shoes in Cinque Terre, not because Italy wants to control your packing list, but because those paths are centuries old and prone to erosion. Skip the selfie in a geisha district, not because Kyoto wants to spoil your carefully curated feed, but because a working woman shouldn&rsquo;t be turned into a prop or have her picture taken without consent.&nbsp;
The result? A subtle but meaningful shift: travel is becoming less about extraction &mdash; how much you can see, collect, or post in a few days &mdash; and more about exchange: &ldquo;You bring the curiosity and respect, we&rsquo;ll reveal our truer selves beyond the tourist brochures.&rdquo;
And if that feels restrictive, maybe the question isn&rsquo;t whether the rules have gone too far, but whether the speed of our wanderlust has burned through the soul of the streets before we even noticed.&nbsp;

Iceland

CA$668-CA$688 RT

CA$568-CA$568 RT

Iceland in $380s-$440s RT

Iceland in $410s-$420s RT

Iceland in $780s-$790s RT

Iceland in £50s-£80s rtn

Mosquito Mayhem: Tips and tricks to avoid getting bitten on your travels

After You Land: Budget-friendly Iceland

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

Jack's Festive Facts from Around the World

Breaking Up with the Nomadic Lifestyle

Navigating New Tourism Rules: The 2025 Traveller's Cheat Sheet

Postcard from Kate (and Jacob and George)

Postcard from Bobby

Postcard from Cameron

Postcard from Bobby

Postcard from Niké

Postcard from Antonia