San Diego continues on a record-breaking tear as one of the best vacation destinations in America.
Why wouldn’t it be?
Those with the West Coast on the brain resort to ‘America’s Finest City’ for their vacation needs over the controversies of San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Boasting gorgeous beach towns from Coronado to Oceanside, San Diego County is teeming with paradisal escapes, but even the city itself can be overlooked in favor of the world-famous San Diego Zoo, a tourist hotspot, Mission Beach, and wild nights out in the Gaslamp District.
Truth is, you don’t have to spend boring nights in tourists’ number one mistake, Hotel Circle, or overpay for beachside stays to have an unforgettable time in SoCal’s shining star.
Courtesy of Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
If there’s one knock on San Diego, it’s the fact this city doesn’t seem to know what a proper island is, often naming scenic peninsulas as ‘islands’, such as aforementioned Coronado, as well as local favorites, Shelter Island and Harbor Island.
The latter is mere steps from under-construction San Diego International Airport and home to a resort-style retreat with more posh amenities than a typical ‘airport hotel’.
Offering unmatched views of San Diego’s vibrant skyline and the calm, gleaming waters of the San Diego Bay, there’s no doubt the newly renovatedSheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is the perfect anchor for your next vacation.
Plus, you can watch planes land from your balcony without losing any sleep!
There Couldn’t Be A Better Base To Explore San Diego
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina has 2 towers on their surprisingly expansive grounds. I say this because you could easily swap “hotel” for “resort” in their name, especially with the current $60 food & beverage credit at Rumorosa, their Baja-inspired restaurant.
If you’re an avid San Diego vacationer and haven’t stayed here, you’ve been missing out. Located directly across from San Diego International Airport, these resort-style digs beat out all the hotels in the vicinity, including where my girlfriend works (shh! don’t tell her!).
From the moment you walk in, you’re treated like family. There was even a surprise of sinfully delicious macarons delivered to my spacious suite as a kind welcome gift.
If you’re new to Travel Off Path, you know we’re all about ‘no fluff’. So, when I say this was the most comfortable room I’ve stayed in recent memory, I mean it!
To put that in perspective, I just got back from a 6-country Euro-trip and stayed at multiple 4-star hotels and 5-star resorts.
Here, I was assigned a renovated King Suite on the 10th floor with sweeping skyline views and peripheral glimpses of the calm San Diego Bay – not to mention the surprisingly quiet airport, given the location.
Oh, wait. That was just the living room balcony. The bedroom balcony had even better views of the bay and a soothing, salty breeze as well.
Image courtesy of Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Overlooking the cityscape, you’ll gain an appreciation for your prime location. Whether it’s simply a stopover, a weekend getaway, or a full-fledged vacation, you’re in the right place.
A 5-minute drive puts you in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Little Italy. While it’s certainly not Rome, your tastebuds won’t know that while chowing down at Mona Lisa.
Little Italy is a sub-section of downtown, also home to the always buzzing Gaslamp Quarter with over 200 bars and restaurants.
Equally easy to reach, but in the opposite direction is Point Loma, one of my favorite districts, where you can discover all the delights of Liberty Station, former Naval housing converted into trendy restaurants, breweries, and even a 9-hole golf course fun for the whole fam.
But just outside the Sheraton is Harbor Island (ahem, peninsula), offering quite possibly the best city views of San Diego along with 2 renowned restaurants at each end, Tom Yam’s Lighthouse and Coasterra.
Oh, and last but not least, Balboa Park, home to a plethora of awesome museums, hiking trails, and the ever-so-famous San Diego Zoo, plus the closest beach, Ocean Beach, are both only an 11-minute drive.
A Taste Of Baja & Waterfront Brews
Any time you visit a Mexican restaurant, there are 2 things to test its authenticity. Order Tajin-rimmed Margaritas followed by guac, amirite?
If that’s a no-go, you’re in the wrong place. Thankfully, Sheraton’s Rumorosa passed the test before we ordered entrees, and our experience was leveled up from there.
Next up, we had to put ‘Baja’ to the test, so you know we ordered the Local Baja Ceviche (also on the Happy Hour menu,) and it was just as good as anywhere south of the border – and I visit Tijuana a lot!
We went slightly off-kilter for entrees by ordering Braised Beef Short Rib. It was still cooked to perfection, just not quite exuding ‘Baja’ vibes.
That being said, the best place to kick back and relax was newly opened Brewery X, offering a wide selection of craft beers and a great waterfront patio overlooking the adjacent marina, where you can enjoy nice strolls, book a jet ski, or indulge in ‘Sunset S’mores‘.
Just know the hard seltzers have a high alcohol content and sneak up on you! A couple of Shhh Wheat drafts and Huckleberry seltzers, tasty Dirty Fries were a great way to watch football with our friendly beertender.
If beers were slightly cheaper than the standard $10 pours, as a San Diegan, Brewery X would be my new go-to spot to watch my beloved Dallas Cowboys lose again…and again…and again.
It’s truly a great atmosphere whether you’re a hotel guest or not.
Note: There’s also Sunglow Cabana Bar accompanying the pool, but we were told it was closed during our stay.
Airport Convenience
To be frank, San Diego’s airport is a bit of a fustercluck right now. If you time it right, you won’t be bothered by the constant construction projects, but that’s never a guarantee.
In fact, I wrote an article earlier this year highlighting the ongoing headaches. While it has seemed to improve, the final product isn’t close to the finish line.
The next phase is a partial opening of Terminal 1 in Summer 2025, but the entirety isn’t expected to be complete until an undisclosed 2028 date.
This just adds one more reason (as if you needed one) to stay at Sheraton, where you could literally walk to your flight if you wanted to, but taking their free shuttle from 4:45 AM – 12:00 AM is a wiser decision.
As a local who passes by the airport frequently, I know traffic hasn’t been as bad as it was in early 2024. However, as a precaution, just know when it’s bad it’s realllyyyyy baaadddd.
**Travel Off Path was a guest of Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, who helped with the creation of this itinerary by hosting some of our accommodations and attractions. Our opinions, recommendations, and suggestions remain our own.**
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
The work-from-home craze has taken over the workforce worldwide as more and more countries create digital nomad visas to accommodate one of the latest travel trends.
But, some places are quite surprising when it comes to such a vast array of destinations digital nomads have at their fingertips.
Whether it be Latin America’s hidden gems, far-flung hideaways in Europe, or dirt-cheap yet culturally rich hotspots in Asia, there’s no limit to digital nomads’ new base.
That being said, as popular as the Caribbean may be for American travelers, many places in the region don’t fit the mold of what digital nomads tend to look for.
Startups just revealed the next digital hotspot for 2025 and although it’s mega popular for Americans, it’s worth questioning if the island’s well-documented safety issues and affordability tick off the boxes for digital nomads.
Is Jamaica Too Boujee For Digital Nomads?
According to Startups, there’s a 250% increase in remote work in Jamaica. As someone who visited Jamaica in the last year or so, I can see how such an immensely welcoming culture and obviously drop-dead gorgeous island would be enticing to wake up to every day.
The truth is not every digital nomad is bankrolling.
When I visited Kingston, I hung out on the upscale side of the city known as New Kingston, where Bob Marley’s mansion is located.
There are new developments dispersed across this district with some really nice apartments available to rent, but the issue digital nomads face is pricing.
Many apartments, even in notoriously sketchy Kingston, resemble U.S. markets with rents in the $1000’s – a far cry from what many scope out when there are many destinations you’re total cost will be under $1000.
Then there’s obviously Montego Bay, laden with high-end resorts, followed by quaint, yet trendy Negril, and the up-and-coming hotspot of Port Antonio, the most authentic of the bunch.
According to Nomads, Kingston ranks #110 globally for digital nomads, with expected monthly costs pushing $3,000.
Jamaica’s Safety Concerns
Jamaica is no stranger to welcoming visitors with open arms. I found this island to be one of the friendliest places I’ve ever been.
Unfortunately, Jamaica is also no stranger to travel advisories, especially related to the capital, Kingston.
Wandering Downtown Kingston and passing run-down streets on my Uber from the airport, it’s easy to see why.
The latest advisory issued in July highlights high crime levels and lackluster health care, including slow response times to emergencies throughout the country.
Kingston also received low marks for safety on Nomads but surprisingly high scores for overall contentment with glowing positive experiences.
If I ventured to guess, most nomads would reside in New Kingston, where there are ample co-working spaces like The Hub and trendy cafes offering delicious Blue Mountain coffee sourced roughly an hour away.
However, Startup highlights Negril as Jamaica’s top beach spot for digital nomads with plentiful oceanfront cafes.
Kingston isn’t so much a beach town, although I did find a secret beach tourists largely don’t know about, but it wouldn’t be the best spot to work from since the seaside eateries are hole-in-the-wall shacks along unkept dirt roads.
As for Montego Bay, Jamaica’s most popular vacation destination, you can find affordable apartments on Airbnb on the outskirts of the city for under $800, but a quick Google search shows co-working spaces are lacking here.
Jamaica’s Entry Requirements
Jamaica doesn’t offer a ‘digital nomad visa’, but Americans can visit as a standard tourist for 90 days visa-free, the perfect amount of time to soak up winter sun.
As stated, there are monthly listings on Airbnb, so this is likely your best bet. Just familiarize yourself with Jamaica’s neighborhoods first.
There is a full list of Level 4 no-go zones listed on the U.S. State Department’s latest travel advisory, many of which are in and around Kingston.
When I booked an Airbnb here, I found the wifi to be reliable, but preferred working from New Kingston cafes, such as Cafe Blue.
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
As the general hordes of holiday shoppers are in full force, we can surely all relate to avoiding crowds.
Whether it’s opting for Uber Eats, Amazon Prime, or traveling to places you didn’t know existed, the common denominator is all the same.
When it comes to Thailand, two places you want to avoid for these types of frustrations are definitely Phuket and Bangkok, albeit the latter is an urban sprawl, making it easier to find your inner Zen as needed.
Phuket, on the other hand, has been dealing with overtourism concerns, so that may be the last Thai beach paradise you’ll want to find yourself in to unwind.
The good news for you is there are many tranquil spots along Thailand’s mainland shores and numerous postcard-worthy islands.
Lonely Planet just highlighted a pair of such places – one on the mainland, along with a gorgeous island you may have never heard of.
Best of all, they’re both very affordable, virtually untouched, and studded with idyllic beachside bungalows up and down the pristine shores.
Ko Wai: Thailand’s Unspoiled Island Escape
The island life is appealing to all of us, and when it comes to Thailand, there seems to be a never-ending list of off-shore paradises from which to choose.
Lonely Planet showcased Ko Wai as one of the best alternatives to Thailand’s resort-lined beaches rather than embracing the unknown of unspoiled coastlines with traditional bungalows.
Before Thailand became a global icon where vacationers flock to the urban delights of Bangkok or the pristine beaches of numerous destinations, the latter looked a lot like Ko Wai.
Coming here now can be seen as a time capsule, especially as prices are still ridiculously low and landscapes virtually untouched.
Long-held local traditions are still in effect, so don’t expect to see billboard eyesores, mega cruise ships, or towering resorts.
Ko Wai perfectly sums up one of Thailand’s most popular types of travelers: those of us ballin’ on a budget!
Ranging anywhere from $15 to $45, check out Koh Wai Paradise, home to 30 thatched-roof bungalows or slightly cheaper Good Feeling Bungalows, where one recent visitor claimed it’s ‘Heaven on earth’.
Golden Beaches & Traditional Stays: Welcome To Bang Saphan Yai
Turns out Bangkok isn’t the only Thai getaway to go out with a ‘Bang’.
Bang Saphan Yai isn’t a place you’ll see highlighted in bold on the map like the country’s staples of Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok.
Small yet mighty in terms of untamed beauty, this quaint beach town is located in the trendy Prachuap Khiri Khan province, yet this side remains hush-hush for locals to enjoy.
Lonely Planet mentioned ‘sublime sunsets’ overpowering golden beaches lined with bamboo huts, and while bearing witness to the fiery skies is certainly a must, there’s a lot more to make your trip worthwhile.
One such way for an epic adventure is to take a $4 train from Bangkok to Hua Hin and make your way down by bus or train on 12Go.
The coastal views are a sight to behold and a far cry from beach crowds elsewhere, as this tranquil side of the country is a whole different vibe.
Upon arrival, there are ample beaches to scout for endless bliss in the sunshine, especially if bungalows are more your jam than ritzy resorts.
This is not to say that these traditional-style stays are run-down by any means, but don’t expect swim-up bars and silver platter room service.
And if you must visit an island, tour operators can make arrangements to visit lesser-known Ko Thalu. But, with idyllic huts, sensory overload markets, and snorkeling and kayaking the turquoise waters as options, there’s no harm in staying on the mainland.
Check out Sangjun On Beach Resort, which has $25 beachside bungalows with top reviews claiming, ‘Big balcony with a fantastic view of the ocean’ and ‘If you want absolute peace and quiet, this is the place for you’.
New Thailand Rule For U.S. Travelers
On the one hand, Thailand has done Americans a favor by extending their visa-free allowance to 2 months rather than the prior 30 days.
But now, there’s a new annoyance – dreaded forms!
That’s right; all Americans crossing into Thailand beginning in December have to fill out the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in advance, but the good news is there are no fees.
For deeper insight and peace of mind to ensure you dot your I’s and cross your T’s, check out our recent article covering the new entry rules and benefits.
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Though undoubtedly popular, Latin America can be tricky to navigate as a tourist:
Yes, locals are welcoming and incredibly hospitable (in their vast majority).
Culturally, it’s nothing short of fascinating, and the strength of the dollar will really get you far.
However, on the downside, you may be subject to safety concerns you wouldn’t typically experience back home.
It’s not the case for all of them, but in some Latin American countries, this may include violent crime, endemic corruption, even in law enforcement, and widespread gang activity, particularly in large urban centers.
There are of course exceptions: according to the U.S. State Department, there are at least 4 LatAm cities that are less risky, making them ideal for first-time visitors.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Starting with one of the most beautiful capitals in Latin America, Buenos Aires is widely known for its vibrant art scene, stately Belle époque architecture, evocative of Europe’s greatest manmade wonders, lush city parks, and vibrant nightlife.
The best part is, whether it’s strolling the colorful La Boca, chilling by the Japanese Garden, or going out for dinner at Puerto Madero, a lively dockside lined by redbrick buildings and upscale steakhouses, your chances of getting harassed, pickpocketed or robbed are surprisingly low.
While we would still advise you to not leave your hotel with valuable items that can get easily snatched in crowded spaces, or avoid deserted, poorly-lit areas at night, Buenos Aires is not the kind of the city you walk around constantly on edge.
In fact, when it comes to exploring, this North or South Buenos Aires guided bike tour is a great way to tick off the city’s main highlights while hearing unique city tales from a local.
As Washington officials themselves have ruled, U.S. citizens should simply exercise normal precaution during their time in Buenos Aires: it is one of a handful of destinations in the Global South to rank at Level 1––the same as Iceland, Finland, Switzerland and the like.
Merida, Mexico
A short two to three-hour flight from many U.S. hubs, Merida is the largest city and cultural heart of the Mexican state of Yucatan: it’s one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the country, and it’s developed a reputation over the years for also being the safest:
From a certificate issued by the Karolinska Institute of Sweden, proving its status as a ‘safe community’, to the U.S. State Department’s Level 1 classification, a list that includes countries like Iceland, Finland and the like, Merida has had consistently-high safety levels.
Violent crime and robberies occur at far lower rates in comparison to other mid-size cities in Mexico, and despite usual safety advice applying––as the official U.S. advice reads, take normal precautions––Americans are under no significantly-high risk in Merida.
Lucky for them, as it is host to a number of Mexico’s most culturally-significant landmarks, including the Cathedral of Merida, one of the oldest on this side of the pond, the well-preserved historic center, with its ornate facades, and Casa de Montejo, a 16th-century mansion.
For the budget travelers out there, you’ll be thrilled to learn Casa Montejo is free to visit, and it’s not something you want to miss: it’s been standing at its spot since the founding on Merida.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan is both a bustling city and historically-charged seaport, with the kind of lively social scene you’d expect from a well-frequented Caribbean resort zone and the vibrant culture you’d often associate with Latin America’s oldest, most traditional capitals.
The Spaniards originally settled it in the 16th century, and to this day, much of Old San Juan retains that colonial charm.
Its cobbled streets are lined by boutique shops and street food stalls, and even a monumental El Morro fortress could easily belong in Europe.
Elsewhere in the Isla Verde strip, the otherwise quaint cityscape gives way to casual beach bars, nightclubs, and luxurious casino hotels, so there’s something in San Juan for every type of traveler, whether it’s sun and fun or a cultural immersion you seek.
In addition, San Juan is considered to be generally safe.
As a U.S.-administered territory, Puerto Rico enjoys higher standards of living compared to independent Latin countries and lower crime rates; in other words, violence is not the daily reality facing most Puerto Ricans.
While you can definitely set out to discover San Juan’s winding streets on your own, we would recommend booking a walking tour––particularly one that includes food sampling––to optimize your visit and ensure you don’t fall for tourist traps.
This Old Town Foodie Walking Tour with Tastings costs $157, and it’s one of the top-rated activities in the city.
Santiago de Chile, Chile
The capital of Latin America’s longest, most unusually narrow state, Santiago de Chile, is a fast-developing metropolitan zone resting in the bottom of a valley surrounded by the towering, snow-capped Andes mountains.
Though it does have a beautiful colonial center and is host to a number of Spanish-built landmarks, like the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral, it’s a city most easily recognized for its thriving business districts, innovative skyscrapers, and disruptive modernism.
Walking around Downtown Santiago, with its cooler weather and gigantic, glass-and-steel high-rises looming over busy thoroughfares, one might be led to believe they’re in Chicago or Toronto instead––except it’s Spanish that’s widely spoken in the streets.
Regarding safety, while we wouldn’t advise you to leave your phone on a tabletop as you dine on an outdoor patio or wear valuables that may attract pickpockets, violent crime is less of an issue in Santiago compared to other Latin American metropolises like São Paulo or Medellin.
For an even safer experience, we would recommend you stay close to Downtown, where there’s a plethora of foreigner-friendly hotels to pick from and wide plazas that are well-surveilled: this fall, Mercure Santiago Centro is an affordable accommodation option costing $76 per night.
As the State Department reiterates, simply exercise increased caution when visiting, as you would in any big city.
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Mexico is the most popular vacation destination for American travelers. But that popularity comes at a cost….and a significant hit to your wallet.
Popular resorts like Cancun and Tulum are often big-budget destinations. But it doesn’t have to be that way!
Enter Puerto Escondido. The new hot Mexican beach destination for travelers who have a tight grip on their purse strings.
Puerto Escondido is home to bucket list-worthy beaches, it’s the top-rated surfing destination in Mexico (and one of the best in the world), and boasts outstanding natural beauty, too.
Here’s the thing: Budget travel doesn’t have to mean inferior travel.
I reckon you can have all the same cultural explorations, white sand beaches, and epic local grub at a fraction of the cost of a resort vacation in Cancun.
And to prove it, here’s a breakdown of the perfect trip to Puerto Escondido and how much it will cost:
Things To Do In Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is located on the Emerald Coast of Oaxaca and is known for its beaches and its epic nightlife scene.
One of the best beaches to explore in the area is Playa Carrizalillo, which is a calm cove perfect for swimming and kayaking.
This is one of the few beaches in Puerto Escondido where you could take out a paddleboard too.
Or Puerto Angelito. This is a more popular spot with tourists which means it is busier and has a more vibrant atmosphere.
But it’s a great place to eat seafood and sunbathe on the soft sand.
I love nothing more than spending time on the beach, swimming, and riding my paddleboard, but as an added bonus, these are some of the most affordable vacation activities: they don’t have to cost a penny!
Many turtles come back to the beaches along this stretch of the coast to nest.
Visiting the Baby Turtle Release Centre is a great way to learn more about these incredible creatures, and you can do your bit for their conservation by getting involved in the nightly turtle release.
You can hold the baby turtle as you gently release it into the sea and experience the site of hundreds of these tiny animals scuttling toward the water.
If you’re in Mexico’s surfing capital, you’re probably going to want to surf.
Surfers travel from all over the world to ride Puerto Escondido’s famous barrel waves.
If you’re an experienced surfer then the best and most affordable way to do this is to just hire a board and hit the waves.
If you’re new to surfing then it’s a good idea to take a lesson or two first. Puerto Surf has a great reputation and you can choose between private or group lesson options (with group lessons being the most affordable choice.) A group lesson will cost 750 MXN ($39) and a private lesson will cost 900 MXN ($47).
Getting To Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido boasts its own airport (PXM) Airport which is obviously the most convenient option, but you can’t fly here directly from the U.S. right now as it isn’t an international airport.
You’d have to fly to Mexico City and then take another flight from here.
The 2 cheapest airports to choose to fly this route in October are Houston and Chicago, at the time of writing.
From Chicago, from October 8 to October 15, flying economy class roundtrip, you can expect to pay $276.
This is flying with Vivo Aerobus, and as I mentioned above, you’d have a layover in Mexico City.
Or you could fly into Oaxaca (OAX), which is 131.3km away, with a range of transfer options available.
In October, you can fly directly to Oaxaca from Los Angeles, Dallas, or Houston. Flights from Los Angeles are currently the cheapest option.
You’ll fly with Volaris, and the flight time for this route is just 4 hours and 2 minutes.
There are flights with similar prices throughout October and November.
The drive time between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido is just under 3 hours if you want to hire a car or a private driver. (Fun fact! It took me longer to get to Tulum from Cancun airport via private transfer in May)
Alternatively, you could take a bus, which would take around 7/8 hours, but on the bright side, the journey costs less than $20!
Where To Stay In Puerto Escondido
Where I was most pleasantly surprised when putting this piece together was just how affordable accommodation is in Puerto Escondido.
There are hostels available in the city for as little as $15 per night, and these are popular with both backpackers and surfers.
A huge majority of these have great reviews. But as I wouldn’t stay in a hostel myself, I won’t list any here!
A 3-night stay in the 3-star Hotel Camino Del Sol from October 16 to October 19 would cost $189, based on 2 people sharing a superior king room. That’s just $63 per night, and the hotel has a pool, air conditioning, and is close to the beach.
If you want to splurge on a 4 star hotel then the Hotel DC Boutique and Spa is just 50 meters from the beach and boasts a rooftop outdoor pool, spa and wellness center, and on site bar and restaurant.
For the same dates this would cost $268 based on 2 people sharing, which works out at $89 per night.
Tor has been writing for more than 20 years and has visited 25 countries (and counting!) She specializes in European and family travel and never says no to new adventures.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Spain’s latest train cost a whopping $5.9 million to make travel faster, more efficient, modern, and fun zooming between the second most popular country on Earth’s most renowned cities.
Fortunately, you only have to pay a microscopic fraction of that at just $8…if you act fast!
All travelers love a good deal, no matter if you splurge on a stay at the Ritz or opt for space-age capsule hotels to stretch your budget.
There’s perhaps no better deal for train travel in Europe right now than Spain’s newly launched Renfe Avlo’s S106 trains, connecting travelers to 7 of the country’s top destinations.
Let’s Recap How Awesome Spain Is This Summer
Spain has always been popular, but it’s on pace to become”numero uno” in 2040 forcing France to say “au revoir” to first place.
Are my Rosetta Stone lessons paying off?
While they’re sitting fat and happy in second place for the time being, there are a ton of reasons why.
As travel has roared back, Spain has seen a massive surge in tourism from border to border and island to island.
Between legendary cities like Barcelona and Madrid brimming with history and sunny paradisal islands like Mallorca and Formentera, can you really go wrong?
As household names have become even more popular than usual, new hotspots have emerged as well.
Take Benalmadena, for example, a beautiful coastal city experiencing more visitors to the point where it’s reasonable to ask if there’s such a thing as a hidden gem in Spain anymore.
Digital nomads are partly to “blame” as Spain has become one of Europe’s best options for long-term stays for remote workers.
All of this and more is why it’s so enticing for new trains, such as Renfo Avlo’s latest addition, to provide more transit options to Spain’s top cities.
As Paris transforms into Olympic Land in the coming weeks, Spain will keep its true authenticity, making this iconic country even more appealing as a summer getaway.
Renfe’s New Speedy Routes To 7 Of Spain’s Best Destinations
Madrid? Barcelona? Valencia? Where will you go? Good news is you can go to all 3, plus 3 more.
Renfe is the national rail operator of Spain and Renfe Avlo is a low-cost, high-speed train service under the ‘Renfe’ umbrella.
If Spain is a must for you this summer, you’re definitely not alone. But how you get around is a key component to a fun trip.
This the most exciting new way to experience Spain by being able to check off 7 amazing cities ranging from iconic to lesser known.
These are the 6 new routes with a $8 introductory promo:
Madrid – València
Madrid – Zaragoza – Barcelona
Alicante – Madrid
Murcia – Valladolid
Valladolid – Alicante
Madrid – Murcia
That’s the plan for now, but rumor has it there are more to come!
There is no mention of an expiration date for the sale, but travel dates cannot extend beyond July 21, 2024 for promotional fares.
What To Expect On Board
You could argue Avlo is the “Spirit Airline” of train travel, or to put in European lingo, the “Ryanair of the rails”.
Although, it’s not quite no-frills – there are some nice amenities to make your journey more enjoyable especially after the upgrade to new S106 models.
Here are some added perks to expect on board:
Luggage compartments
Automatic vending machines dispensing hot and cold refreshments
Touch screens with exclusive PlayRenfre entertainment options
Power outlets (Don’t forget your adapter!)
Complimentary wifi access
Classes are divided into 3 sections:
Comfort (2×2 seating)
Standard (3×3 seating)
Tourist (3×3 seating)
Zooming from city to city at approximately 186 mph, you can explore so many cool spots in Spain, all while avoiding the hassle of airports in comfort, taking epic photos.
Rather than arrive 2-3 hours before departure, which airlines usually recommend, Renfe recommends just half an hour.
Like airlines, train tickets will need to be shown with a valid ID to match the exact name.
Before purchasing, you will need to create a new Renfe account online.
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Royal Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise lines in the world. In fact, it recently ranked as the number one cruise line for travelers in a new trends report.
If you’ve never been on a cruise before, Royal Caribbean is a great cruise line to choose because they offer something for everyone and have a good reputation and high customer satisfaction rate. Many cruisers are loyal to Royal Caribbean and don’t travel with any other cruise line.
Royal Caribbean made headlines last year when they announced Icon of the Seas, which will become the largest cruise ship in the world when it debuts in January 2024.
This ship will accommodate a staggering 5,610 guests on 18 passenger decks. The ship also features seven swimming pools, eight distinct “neighborhoods” to explore, more than 40 restaurants, cafes, and bars, and half a dozen water slides and attractions.
However, Icon of the Seas may not actually be the best choice for first-time cruisers.
This massive ship might be overwhelming if you’ve never been on a cruise before, and it’s only offering 7-night Caribbean cruises out of Miami, Florida in 2023.
Why Utopia of the Seas Is Perfect For Your First Cruise
Although Icon of the Seas received a lot of press because it will be the world’s largest cruise ship when it arrives, Royal Caribbean is debuting a brand-new ship called Utopia of the Seas in 2024 too.
This ship is actually a better choice for first-time cruisers.
Utopia of the Seas, which will begin cruising in June 2024, is part of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class of ships. These ships are chock-full of amenities, and Utopia of the Seas will have more than 20 dining options, 20 bars and entertainment venues, five swimming pools, water slides, and more.
However, it will be the only Oasis-class ship to cruise exclusively 3-night and 4-night Bahamas itineraries out of Port Canaveral, Florida.
This is one of the only extra-large ships to do such short itineraries. Most of the ships doing these cruises are older and smaller.
But Utopia of the Seas will give first-time cruises a taste of what cruising is like. You’ll get to enjoy all the amenities of an Oasis-class ship without having to commit to a 7-night (or longer) cruise.
Where Will Utopia of the Seas Go?
Utopia of the Seas will sail exclusively in the Bahamas from Port Canaveral during its first season. You’ll get to spend a day in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, as well as CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s own private island.
According to Royal Caribbean’s CEO Michael Bayley, this new ship is perfect for “vacationers [who] are looking to make every moment count by celebrating and recharging with their friends and family. We’ve combined the best of the best to create the world’s biggest weekend for everyone.”
Since all the sailings in 2024 are just 3 or 4 nights, first-time cruisers can spend a long weekend trying out this style of travel that is rapidly growing in popularity before committing to a longer cruise.
The Bahamas offer something for everyone, whether you want to spend a day relaxing on the beach, enjoy a tour of the island, or try an adventurous outdoor activity.
Royal Caribbean’s private island CocoCay has been named the best private cruise line island for three years running, and it offers two private beaches, swimming pools, more than a dozen waterslides, and various swim-up bars and dining options.
Hideaway Beach, an adults-only retreat, is also opening on the island in 2024.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
When you choose your next beach escape, odds are you’ll be looking where to spend blissful beach days in Mexico or the Caribbean.
One Caribbean nation that has soared to new heights in terms of tourism is the Dominican Republic.
Even the country’s cultural cities have become more popular, like Santiago de los Caballeros and the sprawling capital, Santo Domingo.
Near both cultural hubs are some of the most pristine beach resort towns you’ll find along Caribbean shores.
One that is super easy to reach and continues to thrive is La Romana, home to lavish resorts and stunning beaches.
Move Aside Punta Cana! La Romana Is The Place To Be
As someone who just spent 5 days at a luxe resort in Punta Cana, I can easily compare apples to apples since I also spent some time in La Romana.
If you’ve done any vacation planning along the East Coast or Caribbean, surely you know it’s sargassum season.
Sargassum is an unsightly brown algae that invades coastlines for miles and miles ruining your postcard-worthy photo-ops.
Punta Cana, including world-renowned Bavaro Beach, was teeming with icky piles of sargassum baking in the sun, creating not only an eyesore, but an unpleasant odor and constant annoyances trying to swim in the crystal clear waters.
Taking a day trip to La Romana was like flipping a switch from an okay beach vacation to the dreamy paradise you envision when splurging on a Caribbean getaway.
Perfect Conditions For The Ultimate Beach Escape
Not a flake of sargassum was spotted when I swam in various spots throughout the La Romana region.
Setting sail on a Catamaran from Bayahibe, there were stops away from shore to swim and snorkel.
Water conditions were absolutely perfect with warm temperatures and limpid visibility – no seaweed or trash in sight.
Like Zac Brown said, the ‘Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair’, the only worry here is stepping on Starfish as they’re a very protected and encouraged by tour guides not to touch.
The only portion not suitable for water activity are the ports of Bayahibe and Isla Saona, where the water is still very clear, but you will need flip-flops to avoid cutting your feet on jagged rocks.
Stunning Tropical Islands
Within close distance from the small resort town of La Romana lies a pair of stunning islands – Isla Saona, and Isla Catalina.
While I can’t speak to personal experience with the latter, tourists have left rave reviews with comments like, ‘Saona Island gets all the cred but this was an awesome excursion’.
Home to gorgeous beaches clear waters for snorkeling and diving, this short journey to the island is definitely worth checking out.
I went to Isla Saona. Beyond simply relaxing with endless poolside pinã coladas, this jaw-dropping island was the highlight of my Dominican vacation.
You are instantly welcomed by towering palm trees and sandy pathways giving access to what feels like secret beaches, and it was some of the clearest water I’ve ever swam in.
No sargassum, jellyfish, garbage, stingrays – nope, just picture-perfect blue waters and white sand.
La Romana’s Lavish Resorts
Punta Cana is great, but everyone wants to be here.
The same way Cancun is an awesome vacation spot since everyone knows about, that’s not to say you won’t have an awesome time in Puerto Escondido.
The same goes for Punta Cana and La Romana. The latter is a very popular resort town but doesn’t hold the same recognition.
Vacationers can come here expecting to have the time of their lives the same as you would in Punta Cana, but the experience may be even better.
With high-end all-inclusive resorts such as Hilton, Dreams, and Iberostar, you can’t go wrong, especially since the beaches don’t find themselves in the path of massive seaweed invasions.
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Travel can be as addictive as it is expensive. And I have the bank balance to prove it!
But if you want to travel more without spending a fortune, then one of the biggest ways to save cash is by choosing the right destination.
Picking a travel destination that offers budget hotel rooms, affordable costs on the ground, and perhaps most importantly, cheap flights are all great ways to save money.
Dollar Flight Club has revealed a list of the cheapest U.S. destinations to fly to in 2025. Meaning 2025 can be a big year in travel without breaking the bank.
Note: I’m often a little dubious about lists like this. However, Dollar Flight Club analyzed a full year of airfare data, took into account destinations with multiple departure points, and used seasonal travel data to look at airfare peaks, too.
Destinations were ranked based on the affordability of their airfare as well as the frequency of their flights and connections from major US hubs.
5. Nashville, Tennessee (BNA)
Nashville is the heart of the country and a paradise for music lovers. If you’re looking for old-school Southern hospitality and a huge dose of charm, then this is the place to be.
As well as epic live music venues, you’ll also find incredible heritage architecture. The growing art scene in the city means there is an abundance of galleries and art shows to enjoy, too.
The Dollar Flight Club report puts Nashville as the 5th most affordable destination in the U.S., with average flight prices of $190.
The best time to visit Nashville is in the spring, especially if you’re a music fan as this is when the most renowned music festivals take place in the city.
With this advice in mind, I looked for some sample prices for flights in April.
The cheapest flights available right now are from Chicago. Departing on April 1 and returning on April 8 will cost $178. This is based on economy-class flights with American Airlines.
4. Austin, Texas (AUS)
Austin is a modern city with an old-fashioned attitude.
You’ll be sure of a warm welcome here, and there is a thriving cultural and arts scene to immerse yourself in in the city, too.
Austin is known as the live music capital of the world, so if you’re looking for some of the best live music venues and festivals in the U.S., then that’s another great reason to put Austin on your bucket list.
The best time to visit the city is in March when the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival is taking place.
The cheapest destination to fly from Austin is Denver, Colorado. Return flights from March 12 to March 19 will cost $98. This is based on economy-class flights with Frontier Airlines.
3. Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS)
As an adult playground, Las Vegas is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the U.S. and one of the most domestically well-connected.
Which explains why it took 3rd place on this list.
Las Vegas is known for its casinos, mega resorts, and hotels. But it has so much more to offer. Think of a huge array of fine dining options as well as epic outdoor pursuits.
To take advantage of the cheapest flight and hotel prices, Dollar Flight Club suggests traveling in December and January.
Using this info, I looked at flights for January and found San Francisco is the cheapest departure airport. Flying out on January 8 and returning on January 15 will cost just $36 return.
This is based on an economy-class ticket with Frontier Airlines.
This is a city best known for its high-quality winter skiing nearby, but there are also amazing hiking trails to enjoy here in the summer months.
Looking for something a little more relaxing and, dare I say it, sedentary? The craft beer scene in Denver is highly regarded, so why not book a brewery tour or two?
The best time to visit depends on what you’re looking for. Try March for the tail end of the ski season or late summer for hiking.
Return flights from Salt Lake City are available in March for as little as $39. This is based on flights from March 1 – March 8 with Frontier Airlines, flying economy class.
1. Orlando, Florida (MCO)
Perhaps one of the most well-known and iconic vacation destinations in the U.S., every kid in the world dreams of visiting Orlando.
(And many adults want to go to heal their inner child too!)
The big attractions, of course, are Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. But Orlando also offers world-class shopping, restaurants, and outdoor activities too.
According to Dollar Flight Club, average flight prices are $150, and the best time to visit is in early January or early September to beat crowds and demand.
Based on this, I looked for January flight prices and found nonstop return flights from Atlanta with Spirit Airlines for $48. This was based on an economy class flight departing on January 8 and returning on January 15.
The very cheapest flights were from Durham, North Carolina. Departing on January 7 and returning on January 11 would cost $39. This is based on an economy-class flight with Frontier Airlines.
Tor has been writing for more than 20 years and has visited 25 countries (and counting!) She specializes in European and family travel and never says no to new adventures.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Buying gold in Turkey, especially gold jewelry, is gaining massive popularity right now with the amazing conversion rate against the declining Turkish Lira and the ability for consumers to purchase directly from sellers without a middleman.
Personally, I’m getting tired of wasting my money on cheap costume jewelry that will start to tarnish and break just after 1 or 2 wears. This fast fashion craze has people consuming accessories at an alarming rate. What at first seems like a good deal, only $89 for a pair of gold-plated earrings, becomes such a liability with how fast they go out of style and start to discolor.
After years of frustration with wasting my money on cheap jewelry, I decided to go on a mission to find great deals on gold in one of the most famous markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. My aim was to find good quality pieces for fair prices that would last for decades instead of a few seasons.
Below you’ll find tips on how to find amazing deals on gold, tricks to test the purity and authenticity of gold jewelry, and everything else I learned during my pursuit of quality gold at the Grand Bazaar in Turkey.
My Hunt For Quality Gold Inside The Grand Bazaar
For this mission, I needed an insider and gold expert to help me. My friend Alyne and I met up with the fourth-generation master jeweler, Nurhan Gümüş. This guy knows his gold, it’s in his blood. His great-grandfather was a gold jeweler in the Grand Bazaar in the 1800s, a profession his entire family has upheld ever since.
We met Nurhan at the southern Carsikapi Gate that leads into Kalpakcilar Caddesi, the gold jeweler’s road of the Grand Bazaar. Before we got into the nitty gritty of gold shopping, he simply took me for a walk up and down the covered streets so I could get a good idea of the immense variety available inside the market. Basically, any kind of silver or gold jewelry you’re looking for, you’ll find it here. If you can’t find it on display, you’ll meet vendors who will custom-make it for you or find you something similar within a few hours.
We spent the entire day inside the market browsing, testing, trying on, and eventually buying many gold pieces, including a vintage Rolex, gold earrings, and a gold necklace. I’m going to share every insider secret and tip I learned during our time with Nurhan, so you can follow in my footsteps with your own Turkish gold shopping spree.
Top 6 Tips For Buying Gold Jewelry in the Grand Bazaar
Ok gold lovers – Here’s what you need to know to be an informed gold buyer to best apply all the tips we have for you throughout this guide.
1. Is it Hallmarked? (stamped)
Make sure the item has the appropriate karat marking stamp, also known as a hallmark.
Examples are:
22k, or 916 18k, or 750 14k, or 585 10k, or 416
This indicates purity and is also a way of confirming the jewelers’ said details.
Best practice: Ask the seller to show you the hallmarks on the piece directly.
example of hallmark stamping with 18k gold (750 stamp)
2️. Know The Purity (what those hallmarks actually mean)
The purity of gold is determined by karat.
24 Karat gold is 99.9% pure and it descends as you go.
Percent of gold in:
24k = (99.9% gold content) 22k = (91.6% gold content) 18k = (75% gold content) 14k = (58.3% gold content) 10k = (41.6% gold content, which means less than half is gold)
Investing in gold jewelry without checking purity is a BIG NO. The price between something that is 22 karats and 10 karats will vary immensely.
3️. Figure out the Best Price (the tricky part)
The price of the gold jewelry is indicated by its purity as well as how much labor work has been spent while making the piece.
When buying a solid gold item, the best way to compare is apples to apples! Well in this case: karats to karats!
Similar-looking gold items with similar weights might be 1000s of dollars less or more.. HOW?? 🤔
Think of a 100-gram gold chain in 10 karats.. this contains 41.6 grams of gold. But on the other hand, a 100-gram chain of 18-karat gold contains 75 grams of gold!
This alone is a HUGE 34 grams of gold difference!
Best practice: Only compare the same karat items! If you are looking at a 14k chain, compare it to other 14k chains of the same weight.
4️. Determining Weight (How heavy is it?)
It is essential to check the weight of the actual gold item that you are buying. Since other gemstones, materials, or enamel colors can make the weight heavier, you might end up paying a higher price for less gold!
Best practice: Ask the jeweler to weigh it on a scale & take a note of that gram weight
5️. Color Shouldn’t Matter (Yellow, Rose, or White)
Gold can have color variations. Combining pure gold with specific alloy metals will create another color or tone.
Yellow gold has been the most popular tone throughout history. Rose gold & white gold are less popular depending on current trends & international locations.
Best Practice: The color of gold should not make the price cheaper or more expensive.
6. Do the math to get your per-gram cost
How to get your gram cost:
Take the total price of the item & divide it by the weight = YOUR PER GRAM COST
Use that to compare prices of items with different weights & same karat purity.
While the per gram cost does not take other things into consideration, like gems or other details the jewelry might have, or the shop owner’s cost of his storefront, it will give you a good baseline when shopping around.
BOTTOM LINE:
A lot is to be taken into consideration when making a jewelry purchase, but if you have the exact karats and weight, you can make a great base for comparison.
Nurhan Gümüs helping us find great deals on gold in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Türkiye
How to get an actual estimate of how much you should pay for gold jewelry
Below is an equation to use as a rough estimate, using the current rate of gold, to determine if the price they are asking at the Grand Bazaar is fair.
Step 1: Google today’s market rate for gold.
Step 2: Let’s say the market rate for the day is $50 per gram (pure gold). We will take that $50 and multiply it by the purity of the item we are looking at. For this example, we’ll use a piece of jewelry that is 18k gold. 18k has 75% pure gold content.
$50 X 0.75 (purity percent of 18k) = $37.50
$37.50 is the cost per gram of the gold material itself in an 18k piece with today’s rate of $50 per gram.
Step 3: Now, pretend the seller has shown you an 18k bracelet and you’ve put it on the scale to weigh it, and based on the weight and price, you can see he is charging $40 per gram. We can minus the raw cost of the gold from the above equation ($37.50), which means he is charging $2.5 per gram for labor and business costs.
Now, there is no ‘standard’ for how much profit a seller should be making, or how much dollars per gram he is charging for labor and business costs. This varies greatly depending on the actual jewelry itself, how much detail and design it may have, and other factors like his rent and other business costs. What the above equation allows you to do is be better informed about raw costs, compare apples to apples when shopping around, and to feel more comfortable about investing in gold.
Q&A – Buying Gold in Türkiye
Why should people consider buying gold in Turkey? Why not travel to Dubai to buy gold?
Dubai (UAE) and Turkey both have very vibrant gold jewelry industries and both countries export and import billions of dollars a year.
Dubai does have some slight cost advantages compared to Turkey when it comes to machine-made/engineered goods like chains. That’s due to the fact their small and medium-sized businesses have larger budgets available to them for machines to produce highly efficient, machine-made gold items.
Turkey, on the other hand, has two great advantages. One is in the handmade / artisan jewelry department due to the over 5000 year history of jewelry making in Anatolia (current day Turkey). Turkey has an unrivaled history of handmade jewelry that other countries cannot compete with.
The other advantage Turkey has over the UAE is a lower cost of the overall trip. You can stay in Istanbul for a month or longer for what your budget would be for just a few days in Dubai. We have curated a 3-day Istanbul itinerary for a perfect visit to the city, with a gold shopping experience in the Grand Bazaar included!
Sometimes, it’s not always about the lowest cost, but instead the overall experience.
How can we tell if the gold is real?
One of the easiest and quickest ways to tell if a piece of jewelry, let’s say a necklace in this case, is real solid gold or something else like brass with a cheap gold plating, is to rub a magnet on it.
Keep a small magnet in your pocket at the Grand Bazaar and use it yourself to test any pieces you are looking at. Real gold is not magnetic and it will not stick. Many other cheaper metals are magnetic and will stick immediately.
If the gold is real, how do we know what the karat value is? (Example: 10k, 14k, 18k, etc?)
Sellers at the Grand Bazaar can do an acid test right there in the shop. This involves the piece of jewelry being rubbed on a touchstone usually made of slate, then a specific karat formula of acid is used. So, a 14k gold bracelet will have its own 14-karat acid gold test. Once the acid is dropped on the stone, if the acid eats away at the markings on the stone, it means it is not the karat it states. If the markings do stay with the 14-karat acid, or whichever karat-specific acid test was used, then it’s legit.
There are a lot of gold shops in the Grand Bazaar. How do we find a good one? Anything specific to look for or to avoid?
The best way is to be an informed buyer and know about the basics of gold, i.e. the gram weight, the karat purity, and then checking that the said karat is hallmarked on the piece itself.
Knowing the basic pillars of information allows you to more properly compare when you go in and ask some questions. If you see the salesman can’t point out the markings, doesn’t know about an acid test, or can’t provide the basic information you’re looking for – you can safely assume they are not able to provide professional help. You should be wary of places like that. Most shops are professional and helpful, but of course, it’s a bazaar and an everchanging marketplace so the prices will vary.
X Avoid places that can’t pay much attention to you or can’t provide details quickly.
✓ Do business with stores that can quickly provide information about the pieces, can offer the acid test, and are willing to be patient.
Can I negotiate on price at stores inside the bazaar?
Yes. Always negotiate with sellers. That’s what has been done throughout history at the Grand Bazaar and it will never change.
However, it should be noted that sellers will have different costs of doing business and it may affect how much they can negotiate with you. A shop that has the most prime location and the highest rent in all of the bazaar may not have as much room as a second-level shop. There is no formula for how much to negotiate, but again knowing the basic market value of gold will help immensely in this situation.
Do jewelers in the Grand Bazaar take credit cards or only cash?
Both cash and credit cards are accepted by almost all of the shops inside the Grand Bazaar. There are a few smaller stores that may not take credit cards, but they will usually have a sign-up to inform you. Safe and secure ATMs are available both inside and outside the bazaar.
If you are using a credit card, many vendors will want to charge a processing fee. The fee is usually 2.5% to 3%, but should never be more than 5%.
Can I SELL my personal gold inside the Grand Bazaar?
Yes, there are places called “sarrafiye” in Turkish (gold buyers) located directly inside the bazaar.
Due to the Anatolian / Turkish culture of giving, gifting, & saving gold it’s very common for people to trade their coins, bracelets, & jewelry at these places. You can venture inside the Grand Bazaar and ‘shop’ your gold around to see who’s paying the best prices of the day.
What we bought
Istanbul really is the new cool, and we have the gold to prove it. Here’s what we got during our first mission at the Grand Bazaar (and we’ve got another trip planned this spring for a few more pieces)
Now, some people reading this might think I got ripped off with the Rolex because it ‘wasn’t purchased at an authorized Rolex dealer” but I need to remind you this is Turkey. Since then, I’ve had it verified and I am over the moon with the purchase, since it would have been considerably more if I had purchased it in the Western market.
One of the coolest experiences was getting to follow the seller through some tight alleyways, behind the scenes from the main bazaar, and got to watch how they cleaned our gold before giving it to us.
They showed us how each new piece of gold is cleaned and polished before being delivered to customers.
I could not have made this article without the countless hours and guidance from Nurhan, so I’d like to make a special thank you to him.
Nurhan Gümüş is an Armenian fourth-generation master jeweler in the Grand Bazaar. He’s the founder of GrandBazaarJewelers.com which focuses on wholesale B2B jewelry and TurkishJewelry.com which is the premier jewelry news & trends blog for Turkey. He was born in Istanbul and his family immigrated to the United States in 1980. In the U.S. he started apprenticing at the age of 12 in his family’s jewelry manufacturing business. He relocated back to Istanbul 13 years ago due to its international competitive advantage (and his advantage of being a native English speaker Master Armenian jeweler).
He currently helps entrepreneurs create their own jewelry line and offers one-on-one professional jewelry assistance. You can find him on IG @grandbazaarjewelers
We did the research for this article while being guests in Istanbul with Go Türkiye. While the tourism board graciously hosted our stay, our itinerary and elective activities, such as gold shopping, were on our own budget. Our ideas, opinions, and recommendations remain our own.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
