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.

This morning I was on a Zoom with our local contacts on the island of Hydra, Greece, where I’m leading a trip in October. It’s in the 80s over there, and the locals are just not used to hot weather. Paris has been so hot the croissants are melting in bakery windows. I just made that up. But seriously, this summer’s heat is no joke. You think you know how to stay safe in a heatwave while you’re traveling? You may not have thought of this.

I swear. Trying to game the system to find the cheapest airfares is like guessing the number of jellybeans in a jar. The odds that you’re wrong are really, really high. It used to be “book on a Tuesday, fly on a Saturday.” Or “book after midnight when the airlines are all adjusting their fares.”

Now, according to Expedia, this is the best day to book and to fly. And optimal time to book international trips? Not six months out, but 31-45 days ahead. Ouch. I haven’t been doing that.

Check out this brilliant ad campaign by yet another Canadian airline I hadn’t heard of: Air Transat. They’re using real-time pricing for World Cup tickets to make their point and if this doesn’t win a Clio there is no justice!

Normally I wouldn’t recommend reading hospitality industry trade journals. They’re boring and full of statistics you don’t need. But since you’re probably using AI to help you plan independent travel, I thought you should know what you’re missing when you’re trying to book a hotel in an unfamiliar destination.

My recommendation? Do your homework after AI answers your prompts. It will take a while. In fact, it may take you a long time to cross-check Trip Advisor, Trust Pilot, Reddit, social media, and the hotel’s website. AI is improving every day, but if you’re looking for a unique experience, you either spend the time, or go with a group that organizes everything for you. I can think of one.

As a library lover with a Libby account, I download books from the app before I go on a trip. My husband subscribes to BookBub, which offers deep discounts (95%) on some Kindle books.

I’m traveling to Denver tomorrow, reading the last few chapters of "Love Conquers Fear: Humanity, AI, and the Age of Abundance for All.” Serial entrepreneur and big, out-of-the-box thinker Brett Hurt makes a compelling case that AI is “God’s final exam” for humanity, and he is 95% certain we will pass the test.

It’s dense, well-researched, and can take you down a bunch of rabbit holes, so it’s not for everyone. But I saw the author speak last week and came away inspired, and hopeful.

Thanks for reading. Happy trails!

Jeannie Edmunds

Chief Operating Officer

For all its raw, elemental beauty, Iceland also offers refined Nordic sophistication—world-class restaurants, striking architecture, cutting-edge art, and excellent shopping. It's a place of wonderful contradictions: wild yet welcoming, remote yet remarkably progressive (hello, most gender-equal country in the world).

All the details here.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico is Conde Nast Traveler's #1 Travel Destination in the World and a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site. The vibrant colonial architecture and cobblestone streets create an enchanting atmosphere—the perfect setting for discovering rich Mexican culture and exploring the shops, sites, and restaurants that are uniquely San Miguel.

The trip takes place during Mexico's Day of the Dead festival, which can truly change your perspective on mortality. Day of the Dead is a lively, life-affirming holiday when Mexicans make ofrendas to commemorate loved ones who have passed and visit cemeteries to sing to and party with those dear but departed.

We make our own offering at the hotel and spend time discussing our loved ones who have passed. It's moving and cathartic—and, we’ve found, something our travelers truly appreciate at this time in their lives.

All the details here.

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