💎 ✈️These Under-the-Radar Escapes Are Everything Right Now 🤩

Hey there , Wanderers!

This is your boarding call for a better kind of summer. Not the kind where you overpack stress and underuse PTO. We’re talking about slow mornings in sun-drenched cafés, swims that reset your soul, and destinations that feel like secrets kept just for you. 🌍✨ This issue? It’s your travel mood board come to life - less hustle, more hammock. We’ve picked out dreamy spots, smart tools to ease the journey, and a few surprises to spark your wanderlust. No chaos. No crowds. Just curated escapes designed to help you breathe deeper, explore slower, and love every second of the journey. Ready to check in? 🧳☀️

Travel Trivia 🧐
Question: 🧠 Which country spans the most time zones in the world?

A. Russia
B.United States
C. France
D. China

Find the Answer at the bottom of the Newsletter. Travel Trivia 🧐

✈️ AI in Travel: How Artificial Intelligence is Reshaping the Journey

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how we plan, book, and experience travel. From smart itinerary planning to real-time language translation, AI is making travel more personalized and seamless than ever. Tools like ChatGPT and AI-powered travel assistants can now craft custom trip plans based on your preferences, suggest hidden gems, and even rebook flights when plans change.

Hotels and airlines are also embracing AI — think facial recognition for faster check-ins, chatbots handling customer service, and dynamic pricing models that optimize deals. Meanwhile, AI-driven tools are revolutionizing trip research, with platforms like GuideGeek and Layla offering instant, chat-based travel advice.

Use www.travelreport.ai to get a Detailed travel report for your next Trip.

🛡️Health & Safety Tips for Travel:  Fall Edition

As the weather cools and the crowds thin, autumn travel opens up a whole new world—think wine country, golden forests, and off-season deals. But just because things are quieter doesn’t mean you can totally relax on safety. Here’s how to stay savvy on the road this season:

🚨 1. Wildfire Awareness

Heading to the western U.S., Mediterranean, or parts of Australia? Late summer and early fall are prime wildfire seasons.

What to do:

• Check air quality forecasts on IQAir or AirVisual

• Pack a KN95 mask (great for smoke & flights!)

• Monitor local alerts (download MyRadar or Windy)

👉 Wildfire Safety Tips – Red Cross

🍂 2. Fall Allergies Can Follow You

That crisp air can carry pollen and mold—especially in rural or forested areas. If you’re prone to allergies, plan ahead.

Pack This:

• Non-drowsy antihistamines

• Saline nasal spray

• Sunglasses to shield eyes from airborne allergens

👉 Travel Allergy Tips – Mayo Clinic

🧊 3. Shoulder Season = Slippery Surprises

Cooler temps can bring slick roads, early frost, or rainy trails—especially in the mountains.

Stay Safe:

• Waterproof boots with solid grip

• Layers: synthetic or merino wool for warmth

• Travel insurance that covers weather-related delays

👉 Mountain Safety – AdventureSmart

🦠 4. Foodborne Illness in Cooler Climates

Cool temps don’t kill all bacteria—especially in countries where food safety standards vary. Fall street food still needs caution.

What to do:

• Choose hot, freshly cooked items

• Skip raw dairy or undercooked meats

• Pack rehydration salts in case of stomach upset

👉 CDC Traveler’s Diarrhea Guide

🛡️ 5. Digital Safety While Traveling

With more people working remotely while traveling, cyber risks are rising.

Tips for Digital Security:

• Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi

• Enable two-factor authentication for key apps

• Carry a data blocker if charging devices at airports or cafés

👉 Cyber Travel Tips – CISA

✈️ Want custom safety tips for your destination?

Enter your travel dates and location to generate a free 30-page travel safety report tailored to you.

👉 [Get Your Travel Report HERE]

🌍Spotlight Destinations:🌍

1. Meteora, Greece – Monasteries in the Sky

Rising like stone giants from the Thessalian plains, Meteora is one of Greece’s most surreal landscapes - towering rock pillars crowned with ancient monasteries. 🏛️🌄 Skip the crowded islands and head inland for a mystical experience. Hike the scenic trails between the clifftop monasteries, witness golden-hour light hitting the sandstone formations, and breathe in silence that feels centuries old.

What to do:

 • Hike the loop trail from Kastraki village

 • Visit at least 2 of the 6 active monasteries (Varlaam and Great Meteoron are stunners)

 • Take in the sunset from Psaropetra lookout

🌟 Bonus: September and October bring cooler temps and fewer tourists - perfect for long hikes and spiritual quiet.

🔗 [Travel Guide to Meteora - Visit Greece]

🔗 [Best Hiking Routes in Meteora - That Backpacker]

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2. Ghent, Belgium - Fairytale Meets Cool

Often overshadowed by Bruges and Brussels, Ghent is a medieval marvel with a bold, creative pulse. 🏰🎨 Explore cobbled streets, hop on a canal boat under Gothic towers, then dive into its dynamic food scene—from riverside mussels to trendy vegan cafés.

Don’t Miss:

 • The Gravensteen Castle (with epic rooftop views)

 • Street art in Werregarenstraat (aka Graffiti Alley)

 • Belgian fries + a local craft beer on the Graslei

✨ Bonus: Ghent is lit (literally!) in the evenings thanks to its award-winning light plan—making it magical to explore after dark.

🔗 [Ghent City Guide – Visit Flanders]

🔗 [Top Things To Do in Ghent – The Culture Trip]

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3. São Miguel, Azores 🇵🇹 – Europe’s Hawaii (But Secret)

Tucked in the middle of the Atlantic, São Miguel is Portugal’s best-kept secret: volcanic lakes, lush tea plantations, hot springs, and wild coastal cliffs - all wrapped into one island. 🌋🌿

Experience the Magic:

 • Kayak across Sete Cidades’ twin crater lakes

 • Soak in geothermal pools at Furnas or Caldeira Velha

 • Hike through hydrangea-lined trails to waterfall viewpoints

🌈 Bonus: Shoulder season (Sept-Oct) brings mild weather, vibrant green landscapes, and fewer crowds-plus epic whale watching!

🔗 [Azores Travel Planner - Boundless Roads]

🔗 [Top Hikes on São Miguel -Getaways Azores]

💳Rewards & Travel Hacks: Fall 2025 Edition

As shoulder season kicks in, so do some of the best travel deals of the year - if you know where (and how) to look. Here’s what’s hot in the world of points, perks, and pro-level hacks:

⸻

🎯 Zero-Fee Sweet Spots

Flying low-cost? Don’t skip rewards. Airlines like Avianca LifeMiles, BA Avios, and Flying Blue still offer shockingly low off-peak redemptions - like 6k-10k miles for regional hops or shoulder-season Euro flights.

Why it’s smart: These programs don’t add huge surcharges, meaning more value per mile.

🌟 Tip: Look for “mixed-cabin” flights - business long-haul + economy short-haul can slash redemption rates.

⸻

🏨 Boutique Hotels, Big Redemptions

Marriott’s “Homes & Villas” and Hilton’s “LXR” boutique collection are the new sweet spots for luxury on points - especially in Southeast Asia and Portugal.

Look for:

 • Standard pricing drops in late October

 • Off-the-radar gems like Kyoto townhouses, cliffside villas in Madeira, or Thai jungle retreats

👉 Hot Hack: Stack with Amex Offers or Chase Travel promos for up to 10-15% back.

⸻

📦 Stopovers Are Back (and Better Than Ever)

Airlines like Icelandair, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates let you add a multi-day stopover - often at no extra miles.

That means:

 • 1 trip = 2 destinations

 • Built-in adventure without burning extra points

🧠 Pro Hack: Some stopover programs come with free hotel nights or city tours (hello, Doha + Dubai).

⸻

🔁 Double Dip with Pay Yourself Back

Got Chase Ultimate Rewards? Their Pay Yourself Back tool now includes Airbnb, dining, and even travel experiences.

Use Case: Book an Airbnb or rail pass, pay with Chase Sapphire, then “erase” it with points at up to 1.5¢ value each.

📌 Quick Math: 20,000 points = $300 off Airbnb stays if you hold Sapphire Reserve.

⸻

🧳 App-Based Loyalty Perks You’re Probably Missing

Download the airline or hotel app before you travel - it can unlock hidden bonuses like:

 • Free upgrades at check-in

 • Early boarding or seat changes

 • In-app bonus points for mobile bookings

 • VIP support during travel delays

🔑 Featured App: Lufthansa’s new app offers same-day standby and live upgrade bids.

Travel Trivia Answer: C. France

France holds the record for the most time zones—a total of 12!

How? Thanks to its far-reaching overseas territories spread across the globe, from the Caribbean to the Pacific and even Antarctica. So while Paris stays on one clock, France’s global footprint means it spans nearly half the planet in time. 🌍⏰

Links and Guides:
To assist you in planning your next adventure, here are some valuable resources:

• CDC Travel Health Notices

• Travel Advisory and Alerts

• World Nomads Travel Insurance

• Lonely Planet Travel Guides

TripAdvisor Reviews and Recommendations

Summer might be winding down, but the world’s still wide open. 🌎✨ From wild trails in the Azores to golden hours in hidden Greek villages, now’s the time to embrace the magic of the in-between season - less rush, more wonder. Got a place on your mind? A trip you’ve been dreaming about? Email us - I’d love to hear where your curiosity is pulling you next. 💌🧭 [email protected]

Until next week,

Keep exploring, stay inspired, and never stop chasing the good kind of lost.

Sasha ☀️

Editor, Travel Report Weekly