Greetings, Travel Tip-Seekers!

Here are this week’s tips curated for you from our reliable sources in the travel industry and from general interest newsletters, websites, and publications.Thanks for reading. Happy trails!

I keep up with @JamesVisitsMuseums on Instagram, TikTok. and YouTube. It’s a candy store for the curious mind—and the armchair traveler. James Lee is a physicist and calls himself an undying fan of museums.

This guy is no slouch. And he is a nerd, lucky for us. He has put together a map of the weird museums of the world, but it’s under his copyright so I can’t show you here. Just visit him on the socials and see what he’s uncovered. 11 Titanic museums. A samurai museum in Berlin. A lawnmower museum. The list is eclectic and I’m here for it!

On July 29, American Airlines updated its Contract of Carriage. No announcement, no press release, just the fine print. They no longer allow you to change your mind and get your money back if you book a non-refundable ticket within 7 days of departure. Before the change you could book up to 24 hours before flight time and if you changed your mind within 24 hours of booking you could get a refund, even if you booked a non-refundable ticket.

You know how the airlines love to copy each other, especially when they’re taking away a benefit. Now Delta is the only airline that lets you book last-last minute, but maybe not for long.

Abolitionist Frederick Douglas’ son is credited with claiming Highland Beach, Maryland in 1893, where freed men and women were allowed to swim without being shamed or even arrested. Whether by custom or segregation laws, “blue spaces” like beaches, lakes and waterways were historically off-limits to enslaved people and their descendants.

Even traveling musical giants like Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday and Little Richard weren’t welcomed on the sand at Myrtle Beach, and could only visit a 4-block strip called Atlantic Beach until Civil Rights changed things. Martha’s Vineyard was an exception. Never segregated by law, Black families were able to purchase homes there in the 1800s, leading to a vibrant community of multiple generations. The most famous current homeowners? The Obamas.

You’ve heard the expression “crammed in like a cattle car” to describe economy seating? No? That’s what it feels like sometimes. But discomfort is not the only issue.

Sitting for long periods (more than 4 hours) in cramped conditions (like an economy seat) can lead to DVT. Deep Vein Thrombosis. Even in younger adults. This is a medical journal so the writing is rather turgid. But you’ll get the idea.

My friend David Bloom, an NBC correspondent covering Operation Iraqi Freedom in 1993, hunkered down in an M1 tank for hours and died of a pulmonary embolism (which started as DVT) before his Army unit ever reached Baghdad. Two little kids. Horrible.

But it can be prevented. David wasn’t wearing compression socks. And he couldn’t get up and walk around. You can, and you should. Taking aspirin isn’t recommended by the CDC, but staying hydrated is. Everyone’s different, and if you’ve had surgery recently, or have other medical conditions that could be affected, please get checked out. And don’t drink alcohol on the plane! I know it’s tempting but very dehydrating.

Since there are no Citibanks in the entire state of Texas, I decided to close my account last month. But I still have ATM cards from two other banks. I travel with both of them, and I keep them separate.

One goes in the safe with my passport, the other one in my e-vest or wallet. There are so many ways to get stranded on a trip. Don’t let the fact that your only ATM card went missing stop you from having a good time. And shopping it up!

Happy, safe, comfortable, and hydrated traveling to you!

Jeannie Edmunds

Chief Operating Officer

Two trips to San Miguel de Allende this Fall have already sold out.

Now, we’ve opened up another chance for you to experience the #1-Rated International Destination (Conde Nast Traveler) during Mexico’s loveliest and liveliest festival. And most poignant too.

The ever-beautiful San Miguel is even more so during this fall trip—where every shop and restaurant is decked out in garlands of marigolds and elaborate, imaginative tributes to the spirit of the season.

All the details here.

TOMORROW Sept. 2nd. 2 pm ET. Spain: Barcelona, Seville and Cordoba. RSVP here.

Don’t worry. With so many SOLD OUT trips, we’re adding more soon!

Click on a square to see our trip listing.

REMEMBER: We offer interest-free monthly payments