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Emerald Lakes, Cloud Forests & Alpine Escapes to Chill Your Soul 🏔️❄️✨

TravelReport Weekly Issue 036

Author

Rabia Karimi
June 27, 2025

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Hi besties!

Look, I love summer as much as the next iced-coffee-obsessed wanderer — but sometimes, you just want to cool off. Not with AC… but with a breath of pine air, a dip in a glacial lake, or a hike that ends with hot chocolate and a blanket.

This week, we’re going up — into the highlands, the clouds, and the kind of nature that presses pause on your nervous system. Let’s chase cool breezes and magic vibes together. 💫

Travel Trivia 🧐
Question: 🌴 Travel Trivia Time!
Which destination is home to Lake Louise, one of the most photographed glacial lakes in the world? 🛶💙

A) Whistler, Canada
B) Jasper, Canada
C) Banff, Canada
D) Vancouver, Canada

👀 Hint: It’s where the lake is bluer than your ex’s texts.

👉 Hit reply with your guess—no Googling! 😉
Find the answer below 🤭

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🛡️ Travel Safety Highlights 🔐

Because cool escapes should come with warm peace of mind:

Banff, Canada

  • 🐻 Pack bear spray for hiking — it’s rare to see one, but always be prepared.

  • 🌡️ Even in summer, temps drop fast at night. Bring layers!

  • 🦌 Wildlife = adorable but unpredictable. Don’t feed or approach.

Monteverde, Costa Rica

  • 🌫️ Cloud forest = slippery trails — waterproof hiking boots are a must.

  • 🕷️ Use eco-lodges that provide mosquito netting and don’t leave doors open — the bugs are bold.

  • 🧭 Cell signal can be spotty. Download offline maps and trails.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

  • 🚲 Rent a bike with brakes you trust — the lake loop is easy but hilly.

  • 💧 Tap water = safe. Bring a bottle and refill everywhere.

  • 💳 Most places take cards, but bring a bit of cash for lakeside stands.✅ Understand the true benefits of travel insurance here…

🌬️ Travel Trend Watch: “Cool Girl Summer” Escapes 🧊💅

Not everyone wants beach clubs and blazing sun. Here's the lowdown on what the in-the-know girlies are doing instead:

  • 🏔️ Altitude adventures — Think Swiss villages, Andean hideaways, Rocky Mountain cabins. The air is crisp and the outfits are layered.

  • 🍄 Forest bathing 2.0 — Now with cloud forests, waterfalls, and mindfulness retreats. Monteverde and the Azores are trending hard.

  • 🌫️ Misty moods = the moment — Moody photos > sunny selfies. Cloudy hikes, foggy viewpoints, and pine-filtered light are all in.

  • 🔥 Campfire culture — Fancy glamping is out; real cabins, marshmallows, and cozy nooks are back in.

🌟Spotlight Destinations:🌍

  1. 🏞️ Banff, Canada 🇨🇦

    Vibe: Turquoise lakes + majestic stillness + campfire coziness

    Banff is where Mother Nature flexes — hard. Think glacial lakes so blue they don’t look real, mountains that make you feel tiny in the best way, and elk crossing the road like it’s NBD.

    Start your day with a sunrise canoe ride on Lake Louise, where mist curls off the water and your only soundtrack is the dip of the paddle. Hike up to Lake Agnes Tea House (yes, it’s real, and yes, there’s warm scones at the top). Then, hit the Banff Upper Hot Springs for a soak under the peaks.

    ✨ Don’t miss: The Icefields Parkway drive. Every turn is a postcard. Stop often. Breathe always.

  2. 🌳 Monteverde, Costa Rica 🇨🇷

    Vibe: Cloud forest enchantment + hummingbirds + jungle daydreams

    Monteverde feels like the jungle cast a calming spell. Perched high in the Costa Rican highlands, this cloud forest is where warm mist swirls through mossy trees, and every leaf feels alive.

    Start with a canopy walk across hanging bridges — it’s giving Tarzan core but with more camera straps. Then, slow down with birdwatching (yes, you will gasp at a resplendent quetzal) and a visit to a family-run coffee farm. At night? Glow-in-the-dark fungus and nighttime jungle walks. It’s weird, wild, and wonderful.

    ✨ Don’t miss: The hummingbird gallery. Hundreds of tiny jewel-toned birds flitting around you like nature’s glitter.

  3. 🧺 Lake Bled, Slovenia 🇸🇮

    Vibe: Fairy tale realness + rowboat romance + castle-core energy

    You’ve seen it: that perfect little island church floating in a still blue lake, surrounded by Alpine peaks. That’s Lake Bled — and yes, it’s even prettier in person.

    Mornings are for rowing to the island (yes, you row it yourself — cute arm workout!). Afternoons are for lakeside picnics with local cheese and kremšnita (Bled’s famous cream cake). And evenings? Hike to Ojstrica Viewpoint and watch the golden hour light up the whole valley.

    ✨ Don’t miss: Ring the church bell on the island — legend says it grants wishes 🛎️💫

✈️ Points & Miles Tip of the Week 💳

How to Fly to Costa Rica (and back!) with Points + Perks

Let’s talk about getting tropical without dropping $$$:

  • 🎯 Use Avianca LifeMiles to fly United or Avianca to Costa Rica

    • Economy from the U.S. for as low as 10,000 miles one-way

    • Business class = ~20,000–25,000 miles (still a steal!)

  • 🔄 Transfer from Amex, Citi, Capital One or Bilt

  • 🗺️ Best hubs: Houston (IAH), Miami (MIA), Newark (EWR), D.C. (IAD)

  • 💡 Pro tip: LifeMiles search engine is meh — use United to find availability, then book on LifeMiles site (or call)

  • 🎁 Pair with travel cards that offer lounge access — perfect for that long layover before the jungle

💡Points Tip of the Week: Try stacking your booking: book a flight with miles, pay taxes with your travel card, and book a boutique stay with points + perks. Win-win-win. Amex Platinum: Incredible perks, like lounge access and travel insurance.🚀 

🌞Best Summer Travel Destinations for 2025✈️

Looking to plan your perfect summer getaway? LVK Travel's latest blog post highlights the top destinations that are capturing travelers' hearts in 2025. From the timeless allure of Paris and London to the historic charm of Rome, Athens, and Florence, these cities offer a rich tapestry of culture, history, and cuisine. The blog also provides insider tips on boutique accommodations and unique experiences to make your trip unforgettable.

That’s all for now, besties! 💌
May your trail mix be bougie, your boots broken-in, and your phone full of misty mountain pics. Forward this to the friend who needs a cool-down escape — or just a dreamy five-minute scroll.

Stay safe, travel smart, and enjoy every moment of your journey. Until next week, happy travels! 🌍✨
Rabia ✨
Editor, Travel Report Newsletter

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Travel Trivia 🤩
Answer: 😮
C) Banff, Canada 🇨🇦
Lake Louise is Banff's crown jewel — framed by the Victoria Glacier and surrounded by rugged peaks. It’s where romance meets geology meets omg this doesn’t look real energy.