Hidden Harbors, Citrus Hills & a Beach for Your Soul 🍋🌊💫

TravelReport Weekly Issue 035

Author

Rabia Karimi
June 20, 2025

In partnership with

Hi besties!

You ever crave a place you’ve never been? That quiet ache for somewhere warm, beautiful, and just a little secret? Same.

This week, I’ve rounded up three destinations that feel like the Mediterranean whispered them to me in a dream. Whether it’s sailing into a secret cove, sipping limoncello under citrus trees, or walking barefoot through sand that sings — these escapes are perfect for your mid-summer soul.

Ready to float? ☀️

Travel Trivia 🧐
Question: 🌴 Travel Trivia Time!
Which Mediterranean village is famous for a footpath called the "Sentiero dei Limoni" that winds through lemon groves with coastal views? 🍋🇮🇹

A) Amalfi
B) Ravello
C) Minori
D) Positano

🧐 Hint: It’s sweet, quiet, and smells like summer.

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

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🛡️ Travel Safety Highlights 🔐

Feel cute, travel smart. Here’s your peace-of-mind lowdown:

Symi, Greece

  • 🧿 Extremely safe, but paths can be steep and slippery — bring grippy sandals.

  • 🛥️ Rely on scheduled water taxis or ferries — they stop early in the evening!

  • 💧 Pack electrolytes — Greek summer = gorgeous but hot.

Minori, Italy

  • 🧳 Low petty crime, but keep an eye on bags in nearby Amalfi or when traveling by bus.

  • 🚶 Wear real walking shoes — cobblestones + lemon trail = sore ankles if unprepared.

  • 🍝 Be mindful of siesta hours — many places close midday and reopen late.

Playa Balandra, Mexico

  • 🌊 Watch tides — parts of the beach vanish at high tide.

  • 🌞 No shade or vendors — bring reef-safe sunscreen, water, and snacks.

  • 🐠 Stingrays love the shallows — shuffle your feet and wear water shoes.

  • Travel Insurance: Unexpected events can occur. Secure comprehensive travel insurance through providers like Insure My Trip to cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and more.✅ Understand the true benefits of travel insurance here…

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💫 Travel Trend Watch: “Sun-Kissed Seclusion” ☀️👒

Okay, bestie — here’s what’s trending quietly (aka before TikTok ruins it):

  • 🏖️ Secluded beaches > famous ones — Travelers are skipping Mykonos for Milos, Ibiza for Menorca, Tulum for La Paz. Why? More calm, less crowd.

  • 🌅 Golden-hour travelers — Early risers and late strollers are ruling the vibe. Travel influencers are pivoting to sunrise yoga, golden-hour swims, and twilight hikes — all for the light, and fewer people.

  • 🚪 Slow-entry destinations — Places that take just a little effort to reach (like ferry-only islands or cliffside villages) are trending hard. Because once you're there, it feels extra rewarding — and extra hidden.

  • 🎧 Vacationing like a local — Travelers are embracing the routine of a place: morning market runs, café rituals, and long walks. The magic isn’t in sightseeing — it’s in syncing with the local tempo.

🌟Spotlight Destinations:🌍

  1. 🛥️ Symi, Greece 🇬🇷

    Vibe: Pastel harbor dreams + slow island time

    Forget crowded Santorini — Symi is where the magic lives. Just an hour by ferry from Rhodes, this tiny Dodecanese island welcomes you with candy-colored neoclassical homes stacked above a jewel-toned port. It feels like a movie set... but quieter.

    Wake early and watch fishing boats glide in with fresh octopus. Wander through narrow alleys lined with bougainvillea and sleepy cats. Swim in secret coves only reachable by boat taxi. Afternoons melt into plates of grilled halloumi and chilled ouzo with sea views. It’s Greece, unplugged.

    ✨ Don’t miss: Hike the 500 Kali Strata steps from Gialos port to Horio — you’ll pass crumbling mansions, hidden courtyards, and photo ops at every turn.

  2. 🍋 Amalfi’s Quiet Sister: Minori, Italy 🇮🇹

    Vibe: Lemon-scented elegance without the Amalfi crowds

    Positano and Amalfi are stunning — but Minori is the coastal underdog that will steal your heart without stealing your peace. This tiny village along Italy’s Amalfi Coast feels like stepping into a postcard… that isn’t overrun by influencers.

    Spend mornings in a sun-drenched piazza sipping espresso and eavesdropping on Italian gossip. Visit ancient Roman villas tucked behind lemon groves. Feast on handmade pasta at a family-run trattoria that’s been serving locals since forever. The pace is slow, the light is golden, and the air smells faintly of lemons and sea salt.

    ✨ Don’t miss: The Sentiero dei Limoni (Path of Lemons) — a scenic footpath to neighboring Maiori with sweeping views, local farmers, and a lemon granita stand that will change your life.

  3. 🐚 Playa Balandra, Mexico 🇲🇽

    Vibe: Shallow turquoise magic + desert-meets-sea vibes

    Hidden in Baja California Sur near La Paz, Playa Balandra isn’t just a beach — it’s a vibe. The water is so shallow you can walk across the bay, the sand is soft as flour, and the scenery is straight-up surreal: red cliffs, turquoise sea, and cactus-studded hills all in one frame.

    No vendors. No resorts. Just you, the sea, and silence (plus a few curious stingrays). Rent a paddleboard, float until the sun kisses the sea, then grab fish tacos and mango smoothies in town. It’s that kind of healing.

    ✨ Don’t miss: Climb the viewpoint trail before sunset — trust me, the view is chef’s kiss 🌅

✈️ Points & Miles Tip of the Week 💳

Fly to Southern Europe in Style (and on Points!)

Want to get to Italy, Greece, or Spain in lie-flat luxury for pennies on the dollar? Here’s how:

  • ✨ Use Air France/KLM Flying Blue Miles

    • Monthly “Promo Rewards” offer discounted biz class flights to Europe (as low as 50,000 miles one-way!)

    • Book directly on airfrance.us or klm.com

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

  • 🗓️ Best routes: NYC, LAX, MIA → Rome, Athens, Paris, Barcelona

  • 📝 Pro Tip: Set a Google Flights alert & match it with Flying Blue promos for max value

  • ⚠️ Watch out for moderate taxes/fees (~$200–$250) — still a steal for biz class

💡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 it for now, besties! 💌
If this sparked some wanderlust, forward it to your travel crush or that friend who always forgets sunscreen. And if you visit one of these dreamy places… tag me (or at least journal it like you did).

Stay safe, travel smart, and enjoy every moment of your journey. Until next week, happy travels! 🌍✨
Rabia ✨
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Travel Trivia 🤩
Answer: 😮
C) Minori 🇮🇹

The Sentiero dei Limoni (Path of Lemons) is a stunning footpath that connects Minori to Maiori, winding through fragrant lemon groves and offering jaw-dropping views of the Amalfi Coast. It’s a local favorite and a total hidden gem — no tour groups, just citrusy air and coastal magic. 🍋🌊