Arizona plates have already taken over San Diego highways, which means only one thing – it’s the unofficial start to summer.
But this summer will be different than the rest as quite possibly the most highly anticipated hotel in America is set for a soft opening May 15th, followed by the official blue-ribbon cutting the following days.
A whopping $1.3 billion was spent to bring not only the largest hotel on the West Coast, but the first-ever resort to Chula Vista, a lesser-known city sandwiched between San Diego and the Mexico border, and one of the last remaining swaths of untouched land in Southern California for a secluded, paradisal escape.
As many vacationers seek out ritzy stays in Coronado and Del Mar and family-friendly fun in San Diego’s Mission Beach, it’s actually Chula Vista that’s destined to be California’s new summer vacation hotspot with the grand opening of Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center.
Chula Vista? Where?
Most often, San Diego tourists stay central in and around Balboa Park or venture west to nearby beaches or north to small beach towns or Legoland in Carlsbad, but few tourists even consider Chula Vista unless they’re passing through to have a wild night in Tijuana just across the border.
South Bay, as it’s known, hasn’t been a particular draw to outsiders unless they’ve seen a viral taco stand on TikTok, experienced a classic drive-in theater, or wanted to see the famous “wall”.
Chula Vista boasts a beautiful bay with lush green parks and a vibrant marina, but no proper beaches. Imperial Beach, the southernmost beach in the U.S., is more known for its hazardous conditions due to sewage run-off from Mexico rather than how its postcard boardwalk and the only other South Bay beach, Silver Strand, is a state-run beach with entry fees, and even so, there’s nothing the state can do to temper bacteria from spreading north.
As such, the South Bay didn’t have much of a selling point until this month. In fact, the most notable selling point before the Gaylord’s soon-to-be grand opening is Seven Mile Casino, a couple of blocks away, which gets its name from the 7-mile drive to downtown San Diego.
So, the Gaylord is actually one of the most convenient resorts to San Diego vacationers despite being in a different city.
“This is Chula Vista’s decade. We will have billions of dollars invested in the Chula Vista Bayfront over the next several years […] and we’ll be doing a substantial upgrade on dining, designing, and amenities that the city has never had before.
– Chula Vista Mayor, John McCann
The Gaylord Pacific: A Destination Unto Itself
According to San Diego Magazine, the Gaylord Pacific is set to debut 12 restaurants. Unfortunately, it’s not all-inclusive, but guests will have an array of options from the dry-aged experts at Old Hickory Steakhouse with sweeping bay views, sushi to-go at Taiyo so you snack poolside or fuel up for a sunny day spent floating the lazy river, and even Growlers Sports Bar & Taproom, boasting a 75-foot tv screen to watch the big game in peace away from noisy kiddos.
Gaylord has something for everyone, but it’s definitely family-friendly, with its 4+ acre water park featuring slides, a wave pool, and a massive water playground.
Not that you would ever want to leave the resort grounds, just last month, Sweetwater Park reopened to the public with miles of pedestrian walkways and bikeways lining the scenic bayside — the perfect place to take in the sunset if you don’t care to make the 20 minute drive to San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs.
The Gaylord offers a wide range of accommodations, from standard rooms with mountain, marina, or Pacific views to 89 spacious suites, including the posh Presidential Suite with an ocean-view balcony worth the sky-high price alone.
Grand opening weekend rates are as low as $350 per night, while mid-summer rates are in the $500s.
What Else To Do In Chula Vista
As a resident of Chula Vista, I have to say I love living here! Out of all the places I’ve lived in San Diego County, this city is my favorite.
Rather than follow the tourists who flood the Gaslamp Quarter, check out Chula Vista’s Third Avenue District, a pint-sized drag of breweries, dive bars, cafes, food trucks, taco shops, and my favorite restaurant in the city, Lime in the Coconut.
Eating in Chula Vista is a loophole for your tastebuds to enjoy authentic flavors of Baja without needing a passport. There are numerous hole-in-the-wall taco stands serving Tijuana-style tacos and mulas like famous Tacos El Gordo, or you can compare Jalisco flavors to Baja’s with newly-opened El Pastor Del Rica, owned by champion boxer Canelo Alvarez.
But Chula Vista isn’t just a place to eat; it’s a highly underrated place to explore the outdoors. The further East you go, the more you’ll want to come back to the coast to cool off during the summer months.
One of my favorite local secrets is Mountain Hawk Park in the Eastlake neighborhood of Chula Vista.
It boasts panoramic Otay Lake views backdropped by the staggering Otay Mountain range.
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 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.
Summer is upon us, and if you’re planning on taking that Transatlantic flight to revel in the Old World’s ancient allure, it’s probably places like France, Italy, and Spain that first pop to mind.
Gorgeous as it may sound, that idyllic vision of Europe with twinkling Eiffel Towers and Instagrammable, pastel-hue towns doesn’t always match the reality on the ground, especially once you factor in the hordes of tourists and the wallet-straining prices.
The average cost of a one-week vacation in Paris is a whopping $4,171 for two adults, and that’s if you’re careful with your spending. Village-hopping down the Amalfi Coast could set you back an equally troubling $4,155.
And let’s face it, it’s not like you’re investing all that money in a stress-free dolce vita, anyway.
The good news is, there’s a lot more to be discovered in Europe if only you’re willing to look beyondthat mainstream, glossy travel TikTok, and who knows, maybe you won’t need to burn through all your savings in the end, nor elbow your way through a crowd to take decent pictures of a particular landmark.
How about you start with these 4 (largely) unheard-of medieval gems?
Despite being mostly rebuilt following the devastation of World War II, which in fact started here, of all places, it exudes medieval charm. Walking through the ornate Green Gate, straight onto the Long Market, feels like stepping into a movie scene.
On the opposite direction, towards the waterfront, right on the banks of the Motława River, you’ll find rows of Late-Renaissance buildings and Europe’s oldest crane, built as early as 1442, as well as Rybka na Wartkiej, one of many traditional eateries serving pierogi and a killer breaded fish.
As far as prices go, Gdańsk is one of the least expensive city breaks across the pond: according to Budget Your Trip, tourists will normally spend $38 on meals, $9.14 on transportation, and $57 on hotels per day, bringing the total one-week cost to $521.
Brno, Czechia
When it comes to its spire-dotted cityscapes and astronomical clocks, we’re all familiar with Prague, but unless you’ve taken an interest in Czechia lately, chances are you’ve not been properly introduced to its less-famous sibling, Brno.
The second-largest city in the country, it has a well-preserved old center characterized by its cobbled streets and café-bordered squares—and may we add, a wide array of noteworthy historic monuments that rarely get the attention they deserve.
We’re thinking the eerie-looking, dark-stone Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, with its twin spires that seem to pierce through to the heavens, home to beautiful Baroque altars, the 13th-century Špilberk Castle, formerly a prison, and Villa Tugendhat, one of the first modernist complexes erected in Europe.
Compared to Prague, is a relatively-affordable destination as a whole: traveling on a budget, expect to pay a daily average of $40 on meals, $2.84 on public transport, and $66 on hotels, or a grand total of $522 if you’re staying an entire week.
Pécs, Hungary
Perhaps Budapest’s closest rival in both beauty and historical relevance, Pécs is a 2,000-year-old city in southern Hungary that traces its history back to a Roman settlement, and prides itself in being among the earliest centers of Christianity in Europe:
Its 4th-century Early Christian Necropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising an elaborate system of underground tombs richly engraved with Christian symbols.
The imposing Pécs Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, was raised in 1009.
Other important attractions include the (former) Mosque of Pasha Qasim, built by the Turks upon their conquest of the city, now functioning as a church, and Széchenyi Square, with its many fountains, stately edifices, and laid-back eateries.
Wondering how much vacationing in stunning, little Pécs costs?
Based on Budget Your Trip‘s cheapest estimates, that’s roughly $22 on meals every day, $7.95 on commuting, if any at all, considering how walkable it is, and $34 per night on accommodation, totaling $317 for the week.
Timișoara, Romania
A most elegant city in Western Romania, strongly influenced by Austrian-Hungarian architecture, Timișoara may not have the edginess of Bucharest or the Bram Stoker-esque appeal of Brașov, but it certainly has a lot going for it.
Timișoara’s Old Town revolves around the large central square, Piața Victoriei, flanked by majestic, soft-colored Habsburg buildings with decorative facades and wrought-iron balconies.
If you think Moscow’s St. Basil’s is the queen of Eastern European churches, Timișoara offers the next best thing.
Sitting on the south bank of the fast-flowing Bega River, the Metropolitan Cathedral has 11 towers in total, a distinctive patterned-tile roof, and a vibrantly-painted interior, sure to satisfy your craving for Orthodox grandeur while Russia remains off-limits.
Last (but not least), as a traveler on a budget, you’ll feel right at home here: be it tripe soup, grilled sausages, or cabbage rolls, meals will run you $39-a-day, whereas getting around town costs as cheap as $12, between buses and Ubers, and hotels average an economical $50 per night.
Overall, the cost of a week-long stint in Timișoara comes to around $562.
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.
Wanna know where to go on the cheap this summer? Me too!
I don’t know about you, but Tax Day had me seeing red. Call me stubborn, but fewer commas in my bank account won’t stop me from seeing the world.
As you know, many of the global icons we’ve all fallen in love with, such as London, Paris, and our very own New York City, come at premium prices, driving us to venture off to the lesser-known.
Skyscanner just released its ‘Smarter Summer Report‘—emphasis on “smarter.” The truth is many travelers waste their hard-earned cash with spur-of-the-moment decisions, like waiting until the last second to book a trip or not looking at alternative dates.
But Skyscanner has done all the research for us, revealing that one of America’s most underrated beach towns has the cheapest flights in the nation.
Better yet, once you arrive, you won’t have to break the bank either with affordable stays and fun, low-cost activities.
Wilmington, NC: Average Summer Airfare Is Only $105
You can barely have a nice night out anymore without hitting triple digits. My last date night totaled $86 with a tip, and that was just happy hour!
When it comes to traveling, it’s hard to believe round-trip airfare anywhere can average a smidge over $100, but that’s the case for Wilmington, North Carolina, not to be confused with another cheap East Coast city, Wilmington, Delaware.
North Carolina’s coastal gem flies under the radar from the busy hub of Charlotte, the epic comeback of Asheville, and perhaps the trendiest coastline in the country, thanks to the popular Netflix show of the same name, The Outer Banks.
Isolated from the vast space of map-dot towns making up a swath of barrier islands, Wilmington is not an Outer Banks beach. It offers a more charming aesthetic and city feel, and its own cluster of beautiful beaches within close reach.
According to Skyscanner’s ‘Explore’ feature, these 10 cities have nonstop flights under $125 round-trip in June before summer temps hit their peak in July:
Washington D.C. ($70)
Nashville ($74)
Detroit ($78)
Tampa ($97)
Rochester ($105)
Orlando ($108)
Houston ($112)
Minneapolis ($113)
New Haven ($119)
Providence ($120)
Downtown Delights: A Blissful “Riverwalk” & Historic Attractions
Unless much of the Outer Banks, Wilmington offers visitors a balanced mix of urban delights and quintessential southern hospitality, all while being a stone’s throw from vibrant blue-water beaches.
To be frank, Wilmington’s skyline is a little lackluster, but don’t let the drab colors deter you from experiencing the joys of downtown.
The Riverwalk is downtown’s heartbeat with a bustling pedestrian promenade and scenic waterfront views snaking down the Cape Fear River with sensational seafood eats, killer breweries, boat tours, and some unexpected thrills like the Museum of the Bizarre ($3 admission).
All in all, the buzzing Riverwalk is home to 200 shops, restaurants, and attractions.
Of course, with such splendid summertime weather, there are ample ways to enjoy the outdoors, but locals’ favorite to simply grab a patio seat at such popular hangouts like Elijah’s Oyster & Fish Camp to enjoy a fresh catch and sweeping waterfront views.
Wilmington is far from flashy, so don’t expect prices to be out of control. For example, even a Wine Tasting Cruise along Cape Fear only costs $45.
In fact, Wilmington is one of the most under-appreciated cities in the South in terms of all the fascinating historical sites, whether it be the 230-plus block National Register Historic District or Battleship North Carolina.
Wilmington’s Wondrous Coast
Downtown may boast the scenic river, but going east of the city are the real gems of lesser-known beaches and unheard-of islands.
Wrightsville Beach is arguably the most sought-after and easiest to reach, but surrounding Wrightsville lies barrier island sanctuaries and celebrity-favored hideaways, known as the “Hamptons of the South”.
Wrightsville is the best choice for a nice beachfront stay if you want to wake up to views of the Atlantic rather than cozy cafes dotting downtown. However, coastal prices are a far cry from downtown’s double-digit rates for chain hotels.
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 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.
Travelers rightfully question if the long-haul flight to Brazil is worth it, especially with the country’s new invasive entry requirements for U.S. passport holders.
In other words, save your paycheck!
As Rio has held a sketchy reputation in recent years with notable upticks in crime, it’s become clear the iconic beach destination is no longer the same must-visit getaway one might expect.
As gargantuan as Brazil is, there’s gotta be some overlooked gems, right? Airbnb just revealed where travelers are making plans this summer, and it’s not Rio or even Sao Paulo highlighting itineraries this summer.
Nope — it’s the lesser-known urban sprawl of Belo Horizonte; a safe, welcoming, foodie lover’s dream that was coincidentally one of my favorite trips the past few years, if not solely because of my new weekend vice, the puckery-mouthed sweetness of caipirinhas.
But, Belo Horizonte isn’t just a haven for cheap eats and cocktails too good to be true; it’s a vibrant urban playground with a buzzing maze of markets, affordable luxury, world-class nightlife, and a gateway to a timeless UNESCO-protected town worthy of a day trip at the very least.
Fly Direct To Belo Horizonte
Every traveler has to ask themselves if a trip is worth taking, whether it be due to costs or the amount of hours sitting idle in one space with the risk of crying children, bad movie selections, and the off-chance you get the middle seat.
I can attest that Belo Horizonte is very well worth the long journey, and I didn’t even take one of the pair of nonstop flights from U.S. soil.
As you might imagine, there are numerous nonstop flights to Rio and Sao Paulo, but Belo Horizonte doesn’t hold the same household recognition.
There are 2 direct flights from Florida, one being from Orlando (MCO) and the other being Miami (MIA).
Americans can fly with Sao Paulo-based Azul Brazilian Airlines from MCO 5 days per week, and the same goes from MIA 3 days per week re-upping in July.
Beyond Acaí: Feast On The World’s Most Underrated Cuisine
Chances are you’ve had an acaí bowl by now. This Brazilian treat would be like comparing a ground beef taco with shredded cheese to Mexico’s best.
Brazilian cuisine is full of depth and flavor, often deriving from ingredients you’ve never heard of. This is likely because their food is too challenging to replicate in the U.S., as it would lose its freshness if imported.
In case you missed it years ago, famed chef and world explorer Anthony Bourdain traversed Minas Gerais on an episode of Parts Unknown, the state that holds Belo Horizonte, and is heralded as Brazil’s food capital — and not that my word should top Tony’s, but it definitely lived up to the hype.
Not one meal was disappointing, whether it was cheap skewers of mystery street meat, a few “splurges” on fine dining, or perhaps Brazil’s most notable sinfully delicious snack, Pan de Queijo.
Anthony Bourdain said, “Greens, chickens, pigs, fruit, everything is at hand — the food of the yard. And eventually, it all ends up here at the wood stove, the center of the Miniera kitchen.”
I’d say that about sums it up. People of Minas Gerais are masters of making use of every tidbit of edible morsel and this was no more evident than my visit (and Tony’s) to Nonô, one of the few establishments open all night, welcoming all walks of life and serving up “peasant food” consisting of cheap meat cuts and slow-cooked stews for dirt-cheap prices.
But my real love from my Belo Horizonte trip was my discovery of caipirinhas, a dangerously delicious cocktail made of Cachaça, lime, and sugar that will have you hitting up Fogo de Chão’s happy hour when you get back home.
Enjoy Modern City Luxury And A Timeless Town Nearby
The lookout from Parque de Serra do Curral seems like the vibrant cityscape never ends. All you see is a sea of towering high-rises, but this is to your benefit as many of what you are see are cheap Airbnbs and luxury hotels.
Take the 4-star Royal Center Hotel Lourdes, for example. It’s only $51 per night this summer.
While you might be thinking Brazil is super hot in summer, think again. Belo Horizonte feels like spring with consistent 70-degree days across the summer months, which is all the more reason to explore, even though I could personally spend hours wandering the indoor Mercado Central, one of the city’s most popular attractions.
The centuries-old former gold-mining town of Ouro Preto is the perfect excuse to enjoy the nice weather by grabbing a cup of coffee at a sidewalk cafe or simply enjoying a nice stroll through the cobbled streets lined with sightly baroque buildings.
Ouro Preto is an hour away by bus and arguably Minas Gerais’ most postcard-worthy destination, even as culturally rich as Belo Horizonte is.
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 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.
Oh boy! It appears at least one budget airline smells blood in the water as Southwest just put the kibosh on their long-standing policy of “bags fly free”.
One might think when that shocking domino fell, it would kickstart a trickle-down fee-economics effect, but so far, so good for travelers’ wallets.
Time will tell if Southwest loyalists will stick around, but one competitor has decided to fill the gap by putting their well-documented strict (and controversial) baggage policies behind them, allowing travelers to check bags for free…at least for the summer.
Frontier Airlines, who were recently under public scrutiny for admitting to Senate they were compensating gate agents to target passengers’ bag sizes, resulting in extra fees or denied boarding, have now turned a corner.
According to a press release, not only will Frontier be offering free checked bags, but a whole bunch of other freebies that just might lure travelers back in to trust their airline.
“At the end of the day, travelers just want to be valued”. “We’re bringing back the things people love about flying – free bags, free seat selection, and flexibility – without the extra fees. No games, just great value.”- Barry Biffle, CEO, Frontier Airlines
Frontier’s Summer Of Freebies
Who could’ve seen this coming? The most notoriously stringent budget airline in the States is showing some grace.
Of course, one has the right to question if it’s in good faith or simply a marketing ploy, given how surprising Southwest’s sudden shift in policies was last week.
Regardless, every Frontier traveler flying fromtoday through August 18 has the chance to score some major freebies.
So, let’s break this down.
Free Economy Bundle:
Any avid budget traveler knows most airlines in this category have tiers to choose from, and that’s where most make the mistake of not reading the fine print.
For the time being, you won’t have to as all travelers will receive the perks of Frontier’s Economy Bundle:
Free carry-on bag (in addition to ‘Personal Item’)
Free seat selection
Free flight changes
One Very Important Detail: Don’t Miss The Deadline
Again, every time you book a trip with a budget airline, reading the fine print is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your budget flight indeed remains a budget flight.
I’m not talking about going line by line through the never-ending Terms of Service, rather reading the details of the itemized charges before checking out and making you understand your baggage allowance.
In this case, with the new promotion, all travelers will need to book their summer trip by March 24 or else you’ll miss out on the deal.
How To Score A Free Checked Bag
Scoring a free checked bag is slightly more complicated than other aforementioned freebies. Those are available from today through August 18, but the free checked bag promotion has a shorter window.
Unfortunately, spring breakers won’t be able to pack their beer bongs, novelty hats, and inflatable flamingos without paying a very confusing checked bag fee (see here).
The free checked bag requires a promo code: FREEBAG. Easy enough, right?
This code is valid for all bookings between May 28, 2025 and August 18, 2025 and the same March 24 booking deadline applies.
In the terms of the promotion, Frontier states: “To receive promotional pricing, customer must enter promo code FREEBAG during new flight purchase made by 11:59pm Eastern time on March 24, 2025 for travel from May 28, 2025 through August 18, 2025. Limit one free Checked Bag per person, per direction, weight limit applies“.
It doesn’t appear Frontier is limiting travelers’ free bags to only domestic routes, and they actually fly to some really cool international places, such as Punta Cana, Puerto Vallarta, and most recently, Aruba and Honduras.
My Experience Flying Frontier
I’ve flown Frontier too many times to count, but also too many times I care to remember — and it’s not just the bag-policing.
I’m not here to trash the airline, but when their CEO releases quotes like “We’ve always had heart” after paying gate agents to target their own customers and “If travelers show us the love, we’ll make these perks permanent”, I don’t know about you, but it rubs me the wrong way as a passionate traveler and journalist.
Especially, when I just tried to fly Frontier March 16 from San Francisco to San Diego with what should’ve been a seamless hour-and-a-half long flight only to be delayed for about 3 hours and ultimately cancelled ‘due to weather’, yet somehow Frontier’s San Francisco – Los Angeles flight still managed to take off that same evening.
Funny how that works.
Frontier left us with no option for a direct route back to San Diego in the coming days. The only other option was to take a 15-hour journey with a long layover for what should have been an hour-and-a-half flight.
My girlfriend and I reluctantly decided to bite the bullet by overpaying for a rental car and drove overnight back home to San Diego that there’s less than a zero percent chance Frontier will reimburse.
These are the type of situations you can find yourself in by flying not just Frontier, but budget airlines in general.
Free checked bag or not, if your airline leaves you stranded, you’ll be forking over a lot more than the amount you saved.
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.
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.
As the world reopens, restrictions vanish, and attractions fully reopen—Americans are visiting their favorite destinations despite rising gas costs and increased flight prices.
And according to Google, these destinations are the top-searched destinations in summer 2022 for Americans:
1. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park was the world’s first national park and is perhaps America’s most splendid. It was the most searched destination among Americans this summer.
Yellowstone National Park stretches over 3,472 square miles—with the highest peak at 11,358 feet. The park is so vast it’s bigger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined. In 2019, over 4 million tourists visited the national park.
Yellowstone National Park is also home to 67 species of mammals, 285 species of birds, 5 species of amphibians, and 16 species of fish.
Private non-commercial vehicle – $35 (valid for 7 days)
Motorcycle – $30 (valid for 7 days)
Single entry – $20 (valid for 7 days)
Annual pass – $70 (valid for 365 days)
2. The Glacier National Park
The second most searched destination for Americans in the summer of 2022 is the Glacier National Park. Located within the incredible Rocky Mountains—often referred to asThe Rockies—the Glacier National Park spans 1,583 square miles.
Furthermore, the Glacier National Park is notorious for its incredible hiking trails. Popular trails include the Grinnell Glacier Trail, Avalanche Lake via the Trail of the Cedars, Highline Trail: Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet, the Hidden Lake Trail, and the Iceberg Lake Trail.
There are currently—although the number is decreasing—26 glaciers in the Glacier National Park. The largest glacier is the Blackfoot Glacier. However, the 25 other glaciers are stunning. The national park remains incredibly popular; it attracted 3.05 million visitors in 2019.
After two years of COVID-19 restrictions, Disney World is open without restrictions.
Disney had a mask mandate at its theme parks for almost two years. But masks are now optional at Disney World. In addition, travelers don’t need to be fully vaccinated to enter Disney World.
However, Disney World suggests travelers presenting symptoms of COVID-19—such as fever, chills, fatigue, aches, shortness of breath, and congestion—should not enter the theme park.
Americans seeking a peaceful summer vacation should look no further than Lake Tahoe. The extensive freshwater lake is within the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The lake is over 2 million years old, and experts have tested the water as 99.994% pure.
If you’re looking for gorgeous beaches but don’t fancy heading to Florida, California, or Mexico, Lake Tahoe is an excellent spot.
The lake receives around 15 million visitors yearly, making it one of the most popular destinations in the United States. It’s not hard to see why!
Sand Harbor, Spooner Lake, and Cave Rock – $10.00 for Nevadans and $15.00 for everyone else.
5. Hershey Park
Last but not least, Hershey Park is the 5th most searched destination in the United States in the summer of 2022. Situated in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Hershey Park is a family theme park 95 miles west of Philadelphia.
In addition, the theme park includes an impressive 121 acres of outdoor activities mixed with green spaces, shady trees, and gorgeous summer sunshine.
The park also has a zoo, museum, 13 roller coasters, 15 water attractions, and 26 children’s rides.
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.
Delta Airlines CEO, Ed Bastian, has suggested air fares will increase by up to 30% in the summer months. With rising fuel costs, rising demand, and the end of the COVID-19 pandemic—travelers are witnessing rising air fares in the United States and the rest of the world.
When speaking to investors, Ed Bastian said: “We expect pricing this summer to be up probably somewhere between 25% and 30% on average,”
He added: “We’ve never seen anything of that scale.”
According to statistics, airfares in the United States are up by 25% in the previous 12 months. In fact, airfares jumped by a staggering 16.8% in April alone.
So what should travelers do? Read on to find out!
What Has Delta Airlines Said and How Will It Affect Travelers?
Delta Airlines has predicted its revenue in Q2 will be back to pre-pandemic levels for the first time, even with fewer flights than in 2019. They expect their revenue to be up 8% more than previously expected.
So this is good news for the airlines, right?
Sure.
But it’s not great for travelers like me and you.
The rising fuel costs are due to soar up to 22% above 2018 levels on a per-seat basis, which is more severe than the mid-April forecast of 17%. In addition, many airlines are contending with staff shortages that sometimes require higher worker pay.
As a result, Delta Airlines are raising flight prices to make up for the increased fuel costs.
Although thousands of travelers are complaining about the rising airfares on social media, many airline executives are reluctant to say it’ll deter travelers from traveling this year.
Speaking at the same event, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, said: “It you’re worried about pricing destroying demand, you are betting against history,”
He suggests air fares are only back to where they were in 2014 after adjusting for inflation.
Helane Becker, Senior Research Analyst at Cowen, told Bloomberg TV on Monday: “We’re worried about September and what happens in the fall. Avgas prices are going up and up. Airlines are finding labor costs are going up, fuel costs are going up, airport costs are going up. They are facing huge inflationary pressures and need to raise ticket prices and at some point, the consumer is going to say ‘okay, we’ve done our travel, and we’re done, we cannot (afford) to fly again,”
What About International Travel?
For the most part, the increased domestic demand in the United States is driving the rise in flight prices. Although some Americans are traveling overseas after the COVID-19 pandemic—numbers are still down on pre-pandemic levels.
So travelers can still find excellent deals of flights to Europe, South America, and even the Caribbean or Mexico.
Americans looking to travel within Europe will face the same issues with flight prices. According to Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary, flight prices in Europe may increase to a “high single-digit per cent.”
He said: “It seems to us that there will be higher prices into that peak summer period because there’s so much demand for the beaches of Europe and those price rises going to continue,”
The Fast Travel Rebound: How This Affects Travelers
Travel has returned back to pre-pandemic levels within North America in 2022, which is faster than many economists and travel experts expected.
In turn, this has enabled airlines to raise prices for travelers.
However, despite the sharp rebound, travelers are witnessing enormous waiting times and issues at airports due to airlines failing to prepare for the massive travel rebound.
There is also a massive shortage in pilots in the United States. Delta Airlines recently trimmed its summer schedule by up to 3% to enable more time between flights and a smoother service in light of the recent issues.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let the rise in prices put you off traveling in 2022. There are still excellent flight deals out there—especially to Mexico and Europe.
Yes, flights are skyrocketing in the United States. But with the world finally reopening, now might be the best time to travel overseas.
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.
Hear me out. I also used to think chartering a super yacht was something reserved for the ultra-rich and famous, and not something I would ever experience myself.
Most of us have seen Below Deck and imagined ourselves on a super yacht with our friends or family, sailing around gorgeous Mediterranean islands, eating fresh seafood with truffles and drinking fine wines. But then reality hits us that we probably don’t have an extra $20 million sitting in the bank to buy a 50-meter yacht.
However,there is a solution. One that doesn’t require much more money than you would spend on a 4-star All-Inclusive resort in Cancun for example. And I’m going to show you how to get it.
I recently got the chance to spend a week on a super yacht in Croatia, and I’m here to tell you all the juicy details.
Pricing (which is surprisingly lower than I thought), the perks that are included, exactly how to book it yourself, and why Croatia has recently become the hottest sailing destination.
While of course time on a super yacht is going to cost more than a Carnival cruise, I’m happy to report this bucket-list experience is within reach for many travelers, even easier if you have a group to travel with, and it will surely stand out from any vacation you’ve had before.
Let’s dive in.
Goolets – A charter company that offers luxury for less
I recently sailed with a European yacht company called Goolets, aboard their yacht called ‘Cristal’ throughout stunning Croatia.
Goolets is different than your average stuffy yacht charter company. They’re making a name for themselves in the yachting world because they make charting more affordable without skimping on the luxury. Where traditionally, it’s difficult to find a luxury yacht charter for under $250k a week, Goolets is offering charters for much less, but keeping the experience high-end.
This is what originally piqued my interest, their ability to compete in the market and offer a prime yacht experience for less, and of course, then I saw how extravagant Cristal really was.
I stepped aboard the Cristal in the middle of the enchanting city of Split, Croatia, which is an experience in itself, and immediately fell in love with how different the yacht world is compared to other types of vacations.
The Experience – What Sailing on a Yacht is Actually Like
I’m no stranger to traveling, I’ve been doing it full-time for the last 8 years, so when I say I am impressed by something, it’s a genuine declaration. I think anyone in the world would say they were superbly impressed by a week on a super yacht, but I’m going to tell you why.
The one-on-one service, the attention to detail, and the small intimate environment make it unbeatable in terms of memorable experiences. I was on the ship with 25 other people, which still felt social and fun, but extremely private at the same time. Everyone had their own space and freedom but was easy to connect when we wanted to.
The service on a super yacht is unlike anything you can find at a hotel, resort, or on a cruise. The staff has a psychic-like ability to predict what you need, when you need it.
To be honest, the service is so unparalleled, it kind of ruins you for other types of travel. Just imagine a team of staff that is excited about meeting your every need and executes everything from a simple drink to a towel refresh, to a gourmet meal with ease.
Here’s what I did on a typical day:
A day in the life of super-yachting
8:00 am – wake up to the light sound of the motor as we get ready to set sail from port and onto the Adriatic
8:30 am– Having breakfast upstairs while leaving city port, watching the cityscape and the coastal scenery.
10:00 am – Taking a coffee and a book on the sundeck as we’re cruising through open waters
1:00 pm – Lunch is served in the lounge, Tuna tartar, roasted sea bass with veggies, and lavender panna cotta to finish.
2:00 pm – We’ve set anchor in a crystal clear bay, time to go down the mega-slide, have a swim and get on the jet-skis.
4:00 pm – We’ve anchored in a quaint and charming Croatian island town. Taking the next few hours to walk around, try some local snacks, do some shopping, take some photos, and enjoy the quiet vibe.
6:00 pm – Cocktail hour on the bow deck with champagne, appetizers and martinis, watching the sunset, spending time with friends on board.
8:00 pm – 3-course dinner in the lounge of seafood salad, black truffle and caviar pasta, finishing with pistachio cannoli.
10:00 pm – Dance party on the sundeck with cocktails, followed by a dip in the hot tub.
Now, I know you came here for the nitty-gritty, so let’s talk numbers…
The Pricing – Chartering A Super Yacht In Croatia Is More Affordable Than You Think
When I say affordable, I mean it, but there is a caveat to having some friends, family, or a small group join you.
How does vacationing on a private super yacht, casually sailing through crystal blue waters of Croatia, being spoiled by attentive staff, with gourmet food and drinks included, for around $3900 a week sound?
That is how much a week-long luxury vacation is aboard the Cristal when all of her cabins are occupied.
Per person breakdown:
3900 euros
1 week
Gourmet breakfast, lunch, dinner included
All-inclusive drink package
This is based on the yacht having all 15 cabins booked, roughly 30 guests, as the price per week starts at 90k. Traveling as a group significantly reduces the cost per person, making this luxurious experience surprisingly affordable.
While you might be thinking “Okay, I can’t even wrangle my immediate family together for Christmas dinner, let alone a vacation in Europe”, here are some other ideas where getting a group of 20-30 people together for a trip is perfect:
Hosting a retreat or a workshop
Having your wedding aboard
Milestone birthdays, anniversaries, or other celebrations
Family or school reunions
Corporate Incentives
Groups, clubs, or teams you belong to
And of course, friends and family will make the most memorable vacation
The price changes based on occupancy, so for example if you have 10 people, it’s roughly $10k each, or 20 people around $4800 each.
Compare This To An All-Inclusive Vacation
To put this into perspective for you, here is a great example of a different kind of vacation you could take for the same amount of money, even if you only had 15-20 people on the yacht.
As I write this, I just returned from an All-Inclusive trip to Cancun, so I have my recent hotel bill to compare.
While an All-Inclusive resort in Cancun and a super yacht in Croatia are extremely different, it’s very important to note how similar they are in price.
I stayed at the Andaz, a 5-star resort tucked away in a gated community near Cancun called Mayacoba. 1 week here in an ocean view room is $4400 per person during shoulder season, coming in at the same for the Croatia super yacht experience with 20-30 passengers.
However, the value inclusions are strikingly different.
While I have nothing bad to say about the Andaz, the level of service and the level of experience are intensely contrasting.
At the Andaz, there is no personalized service; it’s just a normal, white-washed rectangle room in a spread-out compound with no real charm. The property itself, while good-looking, isn’t jaw-dropping by any means. And, well, it’s no yacht!
Yes, the Andaz doesn’t need you to gather 10 other couples for that pricing, but if you’re going down as a group for a wedding, to me the yacht trip makes way more sense.
What About Compared To A Cruise?
If we compare a super yacht experience to a luxury cruise experience, there are definitely more similarities, but also notable differences.
To compare apples to apples, I’ll have to compare to a luxury line, smaller ship vibe.
We are talking gourmet food, nice cabins, and no buffets in sight. (Sorry Carnival, you cannot be not included in this comparison)
A week sailing around the Med on a luxury liner with 200-2000 other guests will set you back $4500-$1200 per person. While some of the benefits, like sailing into different ports, beautiful sea views, and the gourmet food might be the same as the yacht experience, here is where they differ: the personalized service. Even on one of the highest-end cruise liners, the staff have too many other guests to attend to, changing the level of personalized service you receive.
Luxury Liner compared to Yacht Charter
Pros for Luxury Liner
More onboard amenities and services, like shows, lectures, or large pools
More options for having daily variety in dining
Pros for Yacht Charter
In most cases, the cost is lower on a yacht charter, with Goolets at least.
More one-on-one attention and service.
The other guests will be people you know.
A yacht can enter more diverse ports, even ones in the middle of town (like in Split for example) where a cruise liner usually has to park far away.
More customization of the trip, itinerary, menu, and schedule.
More private and exclusive.
On-demand access to water toys and equipment.
The clout of charting a yacht, plain and simple.
The yacht charter still takes the cake for pricing, exclusivity, customization, and overall experience.
What’s Included For $90k A Week?
Okay, you’ve got a bunch of excited friends and you’re ready to book the charter, but what is actually included for the 90k rental?
You’ll get:
Goolets concierge and planner (to help you plan and customize your trip)
The yacht rental with 15 cabins, sleeping 30 (for the Cristal ship, their other yachts have different configurations)
4 hours of cruising fuel per day
11 crew members to take care of your every need, including housekeeping, bartending, cooking, serving, laundry, and really everything else under the sun.
Unlimited use of the A/C
Wi-Fi on board so you are always connected
VAT/TAX on the rental
On top of the rental, there are food and drinks packages for you to add on and customize as well.
HALF BOARD (breakfast, lunch): 450 €/person/week
ADVANCED HALF BOARD (breakfast, lunch, and 3x dinner): 500 €/person/week
FULL BOARD (breakfast, lunch, and dinner): 650 €/person/week
So how we came to our $3900 per person per week price was:
The yacht rental with 30 people in May + plus full board meal plan + domestic drink package = $3900
You’ll also need to account for port/tourism taxes and tips.
The Spaces and The Vibe
This was my first time spending more than a few hours on a yacht, so I had a lot of questions. What are the rooms like? Is there a lot of movement? What are the amenities like? Are there places to work?
(Okay maybe that last question just applies to me, but with more people remote working than ever before, you never know!)
Cabins: The cabins are surprisingly spacious for the size of a yacht and how many passengers she fits. They were remodeled recently to be ultra-modern in color and vibe and have everything you need. The en-suite bathrooms are also bright with great lighting for makeup and showers larger than I had expected.
Outdoor Space: There are many decks to relax on, both in and out of the shade, front and back of the ship.
On the top sun deck, there is also a hot tub which is perfect for after dark or on cooler days. The outdoor spaces are a mix of couches, chaise loungers, bar with stools, and tables with chairs.
There is pretty much a space for everyone and every kind of activity.
Indoor space: We had most meals served inside the lounge area, a space with proper dining tables, couches, and another bar. This area is super modern, and luxurious, and a nice break to get out of the sun.
There are massive windows beside the dining tables, so you won’t miss a thing going on outside.
Goolets has also just installed a cinema room in the Cristal for the 2024 sailing season, perfect for dealing with bad weather.
Vibe: We luckily didn’t deal with any bad weather during our charter, so there were no rough waters or crazy movements to deal with, just a light rocking while we were cruising though open waters.
Everything was extremely relaxed and pleasant.
Croatia: The Premier Yacht Charter Destination of 2024
Why Croatia?
I have been a raving fan of Croatia for years. From their digital nomad visa that allows remote workers to live and work for extended periods of time, to their insanely good food that rivals Italy’s (hello truffles and olive oil), to their jaw-dropping beaches, historical cities, and vibrant culture – Croatia has it all.
Croatia was the most popular sailing destination in the world in 2022, and came in 2nd place for 2023, with over 38% of the worldwide yacht charter bookings, so it’s no wonder Goolets has positioned itself in the perfect market.
Croatia is cheaper than Italy, it’s arguably more beautiful than Greece, and it’s safer than many other Mediterranean sailing ports.
With over 1000 islands, you can easily pull your yacht right up to many different cities and towns, including:
Even if you don’t end up gathering 30 of your closest pals and chartering a super yacht anytime soon, you do need to add Croatia to your bucket list.
How To Book
It’s super easy and they help you the entire way through. Goolets has yachts all over the Med and is expanding into more destinations as we speak.
They have yachts for all sizes of groups and budgets. While the one I had the delight of sailing on, The Cristal starts at $90k per week, they also have yachts running from just $36k per week. For group sizes, they can accommodate as little as 2 people, all the way up to 36 guests.
Travel Off Path was a guest of Goolets who helped with the creation of this article by hosting our accommodation and attractions. Our opinions, recommendations, and suggestions 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.
So much for the Mayan calendar, huh? Well, you may question if yours is right too.
As many of us feel forced to sip pumpkin concoctions, throw on a dusty flannel from the back of the closet, and hit the back roads for incredible vibrant scenery this time of year, some places simply didn’t get the memo that the seasons have changed.
September 22nd may have marked 2024’s official start to fall, but summer vibes galore away from the endless amounts of autumn ‘leaf peepers’.
According to MySA, a local news publication in San Antonio, the marvelous beach town of South Padre Island is the place to be where summer has yet to end.
With perfect afternoon temps around hovering 80 degrees, the Gulf feels like bath water.
All the fall splendor can await back home; you’ll be mesmerized by your newfound island life of palm trees, white sand, and affordable beachfront resorts in this slice of Texas paradise.
34 Miles Of White Sand Beaches
There’s no shame in South Padre’s game; their tourism board proudly boasts their claim to fame front and center as a 34-mile-long barrier island with ‘white sand and clear emerald water’.
Now, even the colorblind can tell you Padre white is not Maldives white, so let’s temper expectations here.
And before carrying on, a little message for Crayola – Padre White is my original idea so I better not see my niece coloring with a new shade of crayon!
As a born-and-raised Texan, I can attest that anything, and I mean anything, is an upgrade from Galveston, another coastal town locals escape to for sun, sand, and definitely not white sand and emerald waters.
To sum up Galveston for you – last time I was there I stepped on a soiled diaper. ‘Nuff said?
South Padre may share the Gulf with Galveston, but they are apples and oranges in comparison.
Padre is a tried and true paradisal beach town hugging Mexico in a part of Texas that far too often flies under the radar, especially for the deals you can score in the off-season!
You may want to avoid the crowds of Spring Breakers here, but fall is pure bliss and ultimate savings for a nice vacation.
Tip: Isla Blanca is rated #1 on TripAdvisor out of South Padre’s beaches
Book A Beach Resort Under $100 Per Night This Fall
You can’t get much closer to Mexico than South Padre Island.
Many vacationers overlook this Texas escape for a sexier Mexican vacation with the likes of Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta across the border.
In doing so, travelers typically fork over their whole paycheck to stay there. If only they had known about Padre…
Beach resorts here are very affordable right now. In fact, if you were to book a last-minute vacation for September, you would be shocked!
For example, the Margaritaville Beach Resort is only $88 on select dates beginning September 30th, and even as low as $75 mid-October.
Better yet, there are many others to choose from in case the Parrothead vibes are a little too much to handle.
Here are 3 more outstanding resort deals this fall: (in order of lowest rate found on Google Travel)
Sand Rose Beach Resort – $60
Holiday Inn Resort at South Padre Island – $84
Peninsula Island Resort & Spa – $93
What To Do And How To Get Here
Despite MySA rejecting my job application for a Reporter role, they did pick the right Texas beach to showcase as a tourist destination since it’s so well-suited for all ages and interests.
MySA mentions wildlife is plentiful where Laguna Madre Nature Trail and Sea Turtle Inc. are excellent options for tourists to see the region’s vast array of animals, the ladder being an up-close-and-personal
Beyond lounging in the sun with the tide at your feet, there are many fun water activities to consider.
For the more adventurous, parasailing and jet skiing are always top choices, while those looking to relax can choose from snorkeling on their own or the numerous fishing or dolphin-spotting excursions like top-rated Captain Murphy’s Deep Sea Fishing.
Remember, this is a popular Spring Break getaway for a reason, so there are still lively bars to choose from in fall too, like Clayton’s, the ‘Biggest Beach Bar in Texas‘ or more casual digs, such as Tequila Sunset Bar & Grill.
I don’t know about you, but they had me at ‘Tequila’ and ‘Sunset’.
Reaching South Padre is easy peasy since they share an airport (BRO) with nearby Brownsville where United and American offer flights year-round.
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.
