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  • 🌊Waterfalls, Wine Towns & Blue Caves for Your Wandering Soul🍷🧚‍♀️

🌊Waterfalls, Wine Towns & Blue Caves for Your Wandering Soul🍷🧚‍♀️

TravelReport Weekly Issue 038

Author

Rabia Karimi
July 11, 2025

Hi besties!

Is it just me or is summer flying by way too fast? 🕊️

This week, I wanted to slow things down with places where water isn’t just scenery — it’s soul fuel. Rivers you can float beside, waterfalls you can shower in, and cool blue caves that feel like a portal. It’s about stillness, sparkle, and stories whispered in ripples.

If you’ve been craving a chill, water-kissed escape — you’re in the right inbox. 💦

Travel Trivia 🧐
Question: 🌴 Travel Trivia Time!

Which Balkan spring is known for its crystal-clear, deep turquoise water and icy-cold temps — and is rumored to be bottomless? 🧊🌍

A) Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
B) Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
C) Blue Eye Spring, Albania
D) Skadar Lake, Montenegro

👀 Hint: It’s a glowing sapphire in the mountains near Gjirokastër.

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

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🛡️ Travel Safety Highlights 🔐

Travel slow, travel smart, travel cute:

Gjirokastër, Albania

  • 👟 Cobbled streets can be slippery — sturdy shoes are a must!

  • 🚗 Road signage can be sparse — consider hiring a local driver if doing day trips.

  • 🧊 Blue Eye Spring is cold and deep — safe to swim but avoid diving in.

Misol-Ha, Mexico

  • 🐒 It’s jungle, baby — bring bug spray, grippy shoes, and don’t leave food out.

  • 🚙 Book a licensed guide if combining with Palenque — some areas are remote.

  • 🌧️ Trails get muddy fast during rain — travel earlier in the day for drier footing.

Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

  • ❄️ Water stays cold — wear a wetsuit for longer swims.

  • 🧭 Hiking trails are well-marked but download a trail map offline just in case.

  • 💶 Cash preferred in small villages — bring some Euros even if most places take cards.

🌊 Travel Trend Watch: Water Healing is the New Wellness 💧🧘‍♀️✨

Okay bestie, let’s talk trends. It’s not just about going somewhere pretty — it’s about going somewhere that feels like a deep breath.

Here’s what everyone’s secretly chasing:

  • 🐚 Cold plunges with a view — not spa tubs, but spring-fed rivers, glacier lakes, and natural pools

  • 🌿 Sound healing by streams — forest and waterfall meditation retreats are so hot right now

  • 🧘‍♀️ Aquatic breathwork sessions — yes, this is a thing. Guided float + breathing = ocean therapy

  • 🌈 Chromatic water vibes — travel is being chosen for color, like teal cenotes, milky blue lagoons, or ink-black volcanic lakes

  • 🫧 No-screens water moments — think: “leave your phone in the cabin” lake dips, cave swims, and barefoot water walks — all for mental softness

🌟Spotlight Destinations:🌍

  1. 🏞️ Gjirokastër, Albania 🇦🇱

    Vibe: Cobbled charm + cold springs + Balkan beauty

    If you’ve never heard of Gjirokastër, get ready to brag about discovering it first. Nestled in southern Albania and framed by mountains, this UNESCO-listed stone town is filled with slate-roof houses, Ottoman alleys, and views that stretch across the Drino Valley.

    Spend your mornings sipping coffee on a balcony overlooking the castle, your afternoons exploring cold spring-fed rivers nearby, and your evenings with local raki and slow, soulful music.

    ✨ Don’t miss: A trip to Blue Eye Spring (Syri i Kaltër) — a deep, icy pool of aquamarine water so clear it looks fake. Jump in… if you dare. 🥶

  2. 💦 Misol-Ha, Chiapas, Mexico 🇲🇽

    Vibe: Jungle waterfalls + secret caves + ancient echoes

    Hidden in the heart of southern Mexico’s lush jungle, Misol-Ha is a 115-foot waterfall that cascades into a circular pool framed by dense greenery and mist. The vibe is pure cinematic magic — think Indiana Jones but make it healing.

    Swim at the base, walk behind the curtain of water into a secret cave, and feel the power of the fall thunder in your chest. Pair your visit with a trip to nearby Palenque’s ancient ruins and cool down after temple hikes.

    ✨ Don’t miss: A nighttime stay at the nearby eco-lodges — you'll fall asleep to the sound of frogs, monkeys, and rushing water. Pure jungle lullaby.

  3. 🧊 Lake Bohinj, Slovenia 🇸🇮

    Vibe: Glacial peace + paddleboard mornings + Alps serenity

    Overshadowed (literally) by Lake Bled’s fame, Lake Bohinj is Slovenia’s best-kept alpine secret. Located in Triglav National Park, it’s quieter, more wild, and kissed by icy mountain streams that keep the water glass-clear and chill all summer.

    Spend the day paddleboarding, taking the cable car up Mount Vogel for panoramic hikes, and then picnicking beside the water with fresh cheese and plum brandy. It’s Alpine magic without the crowds.

    ✨ Don’t miss: A visit to Savica Waterfall, tucked deep into the woods. It’s 20 minutes uphill, but trust — the view is worth every step.

✈️ 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! 💌
Wishing you cool toes, clear minds, and a view so peaceful it makes your phone feel irrelevant. Share this with your flowy-dress-wearing, crystal-carrying, waterfall-loving bestie — or keep it all to yourself, no judgment. 😉

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

Travel Trivia 🤩
Answer: ✅
C) Blue Eye Spring, Albania 🇦🇱
The Syri i Kaltër, or Blue Eye, is a natural spring with water so transparent and blue it feels unreal. Divers have gone down over 50 meters… and still haven’t found the bottom. 🌊✨