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  • Volcano Villages, Arctic Fjords & Desert Dreams — The Remote Route Awaits 🏜️🌋❄️

Volcano Villages, Arctic Fjords & Desert Dreams — The Remote Route Awaits 🏜️🌋❄️

TravelReport Weekly Issue 037

Author

Rabia Karimi
July 04, 2025

In partnership with

Hey bestie!

Sometimes the best travel stories start with a tiny plane, a long road, or a boat with questionable Wi-Fi. But the payoff? Unreal.

This week, we’re going remote — to places where the air feels different, the views go untouched, and your soul does that soft exhale thing. Think: volcanic villages, tundra silence, and desert skies littered with stars.

If you’re craving disconnection (the good kind), this is your sign.

Let’s go way off the map. 🧭

🧠 Travel Trivia 🧐
Question: 🌴 Travel Trivia Time!
Which remote destination in Egypt is famous for natural hot and cold springs, ancient mud-brick ruins, and being one of the most isolated oasis towns in the world? 🏜️✨

A) Bahariya
B) Siwa
C) Aswan
D) Kharga

👀 Hint: Cleopatra may have bathed here… and it’s still dreamy today.

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

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🛡️ Travel Safety Highlights 🔐

Colchagua Valley, Chile

  • 🚗 Rent a car to explore — but drive cautiously on rural roads, especially at night.

  • ☀️ Sunscreen is a must — the UV index is higher than you think.

  • 🧴 Carry hand sanitizer and drink bottled water when in small villages.

Isfjord Radio, Svalbard

  • 🐻 You’re in polar bear country — never explore without a guide or proper protection.

  • 🧥 Weather is unpredictable — bring layers + waterproof gear, even in summer.

  • 🚫 There’s no roaming signal. Download all offline maps + emergency numbers in Longyearbyen.

Siwa Oasis, Egypt

  • 💧 Stay hydrated and shaded — desert heat can sneak up on you.

  • 🚐 Book transfers with reputable companies — it’s a 9–10 hour drive from Cairo.

  • 👘 Respect local customs — Siwa is conservative; cover shoulders and knees.

  • Understand the true benefits of travel insurance here…

🧊 Travel Trend Watch: "The Further, The Better" Energy 🧭🌌

This isn’t “off the beaten path.” This is off the grid, off the radar, and absolutely worth it. Here’s what trendsetters are chasing in 2025:

  • 🚤 Slow-boat arrivals — Think reaching places by ferry, snowmobile, or 4x4. The harder it is to get there, the more magical it feels.

  • 🌌 Celestial travel — Stargazing is trending big — especially in dark-sky reserves, desert camps, or Arctic hideaways.

  • 🏜️ Desert minimalism — Travelers are trading crowded souks for remote oasis towns with simple luxuries: date palms, hammams, silence.

  • 🐾 Wildlife + wilderness — Ethical polar bear tours, llama hikes, and fox-watching are giving safari-level thrills without the over-tourism.

  • 🔗 Digital dead zones — Remote destinations that force disconnection are now a flex. "No Wi-Fi here" is the new 5-star review.

🌟Spotlight Destinations:🌍

  1. 🌋 Colchagua Valley, Chile 🇨🇱

    Vibe: Rustic wine country + rolling hills + volcano views

    You’ve heard of Napa. You’ve maybe even done Mendoza. But Colchagua Valley? It’s South America’s under-the-radar wine paradise. Just a few hours south of Santiago, this quiet region is home to bold reds, charming estancias, and yes — llamas roaming between the vines.

    Mornings are for horseback rides through misty hills. Afternoons: slow wine tastings under eucalyptus trees. Evenings? Stargazing beside a fire with a glass of carménère (Chile’s signature grape).

    ✨ Don’t miss: The Lapostolle Residence for ultra-private vineyard stays, and the open-air Colchagua Museum (it’s shockingly good).

  2. ❄️ Isfjord Radio, Svalbard 🇳🇴

    Vibe: Arctic solitude + polar bear watch + next-level silence

    Welcome to Svalbard, Norway’s wild northern outpost — closer to the North Pole than to Oslo. And way out here, on the edge of the Isfjorden, lies Isfjord Radio, a converted radio station turned eco-lodge where foxes roam the tundra and the Wi-Fi is (mercifully) weak.

    To get there? A boat or snowmobile from Longyearbyen. To stay? Warm cabins, gourmet meals, and views of icebergs drifting like thoughts. It’s the end of the world… and yet somehow, the beginning of something.

    ✨ Don’t miss: The polar plunge into the Arctic Ocean (yes, they give you robes and hot drinks after — you got this!).

  3. 🏜️ Siwa Oasis, Egypt 🇪🇬

    Vibe: Desert mirage + ancient springs + date palm paradise

    Tucked near the Libyan border and surrounded by the Great Sand Sea, Siwa is Egypt’s most surreal oasis. Few tourists make it this far — which is exactly the point. Sand dunes ripple for miles, Berber culture thrives, and freshwater springs dot the golden landscape like secret jewels.

    Swim in Cleopatra’s Bath. Wander through mud-brick ruins. Sip sweet mint tea as the sun dips behind a date palm grove. And at night? Stargaze under skies so clear they feel painted.

    ✨ Don’t miss: The Mountain of the Dead — climb it at dusk for panoramic views and centuries-old tombs bathed in orange light.

✈️ Points & Miles Tip of the Week 💳

How to Book a Euro-Summer Water Escape Using Just 15K Miles

  • 🛫 Use Air France/KLM Flying Blue Promo Rewards

    • Monthly promo offers 15,000-mile one-way flights to Europe

    • These rotate but often include routes from major U.S. cities to Paris or Amsterdam

  • 💼 From there: cheap European budget flights or trains to Slovenia, Albania, or southern Italy

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

  • 🌐 Book early! Promo seats go fast and taxes/fees can vary from $80–$200

  • 🧳 Bonus: Pair with a Capital One Venture X or Amex Platinum for lounge access and travel protections

💡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! 💌
Here’s to your next magical detour, your bravest “book it” moment, and that soft exhale you only get miles from anywhere.

Forward this to the adventurer in your life (or keep it bookmarked for when the city noise gets loud).

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

Travel Trivia 🤩
Answer: ✅
B) Siwa, Egypt 🇪🇬
With over 200 natural springs, historic ruins, and golden sand dunes stretching into infinity, Siwa Oasis is a desert dream — and still one of Egypt’s best-kept secrets.

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