This is the final chapter of our 3-part Tesla Series, where we are bringing the journey all the way back home to Niagara Falls, Ontario to explore the AC Revolution! Make sure you hit that Subscribe button so you don’t miss our upcoming deep dives into the hidden history of the region.

In this episode of the Rudderless Travel Podcast, we take you inside the newly transformed Niagara Parks Power Station alongside expert guide Victor North to unpack the true legacy of Nikola Tesla

A Childhood Dream Realized

Growing up in Toronto and visiting Niagara Falls over the years, whether through school trips and losing games of rock-paper-scissors with my brothers to take the next visiting family member, the massive stone building of the power station was always there, but it was closed to the public. Today, it has been completely transformed.

What is truly mind-blowing is that this massive industrial marvel started as the vision of a boy. As Vladimir Perić told us back in Belgrade, when Tesla was just a kid, he saw a lithograph of Niagara Falls and boldly declared that when he grew up, he was going to put a wheel on it.

Fast forward decades later, and he did exactly that. Walking into this beautiful architectural space, you realize it wasn’t just magic that powered the modern world—it was intense, dangerous engineering designed to prove that the impossible was, in fact, possible.

My 3 Fave Moments From The Episode

1. The Visionary’s Wheel: Hearing Victor North validate the famous story of Tesla seeing a picture of the falls as a child and promising to harness its power.

   “Yeah, he had seen I believe it was a lithograph of Niagara Falls... Our facility maybe represents grand success of all of that effort, as we took everything learnt from the Adams Plant, brought it over here and tried to perfect it.”

   

2. The Factor of Distance: Understanding the true victory of Tesla’s Alternating Current (AC) over Edison’s system, which was the incredible ability to transmit power over massive distances.

   “So the biggest impact of the AC polyphase system of Tesla versus Edison’s DC is the transmission distance. So the Edison camp, they had developed models and plans for the falls that involved heavy industrialization right here at the falls... These are significant distances that were just not possible under the Edison model.”

   

3. The Corporate Hijack: Unpacking the tragic irony of Tesla’s modern legacy, where the Tesla Motor Company has become the most common point of contact people have with his name, even though it has absolutely nothing to do with the man himself.

   “I suppose, not to be flippant, but the one thing that visitors tend to take away and I’m very glad they do take away is that the Tesla Motor Company is named after the man that has no direct connection to the man... sometimes we have guests arriving they’ll see the big posters of Tesla outside they’ll come in and say ‘There’s no way I’m paying admission to come to the museum owned by Elon Musk.’”

   

Tesla didn’t just defeat Edison; he essentially engineered the framework of our modern existence. Walking through the Niagara Parks Power Station is the perfect way to cap off our series. From his childhood home in Smiljan, Croatia, to his incredible archives in Belgrade, Serbia, and finally here, his alternating current literally shifted the course of human history.

Did you know that the Tesla Motor Company has absolutely no connection to Nikola Tesla himself? Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it!

Leave a comment

Make sure you hit that Subscribe button right now so you don’t miss our next adventure as we launch our North Star series and explore the hidden history of the Underground Railroad in St. Catharines!

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

In Winnipeg, Indigenous culture isn’t locked behind glass in a museum exhibit. It is alive and breathing, from the new self-governing urban reserve hotel where you rest your head and the locally sourced food on your plate, to the craft beer in your glass and the person paddling right next to you down the Red River.

In today’s edition, we are unpacking:

👉🏾 My 5 Faves: The ultimate Indigenous & Métis-led hit list!

👉🏾 A floating conversation on the Red River that completely changed how I look at history and language.

👉🏾 Crazy flight deals. 😎

Unlearning, Relearning, and Hidden City Secrets

Winnipeg’s roots run deep. The name itself comes from the Cree words win-nipee, meaning “muddy water,” and for over 6,000 years, the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, now known as The Forks, has been a historic gathering place. When you stand at the Oodena Celebration Circle looking at the ceremonial fire pit and the sculptures, you can really feel the weight of centuries under your boots.

After our time on the water, we hit the pavement to explore the local neighbourhoods. We grabbed a couple of hot dog combos and cold lagers at Kilter Brewing Company, which honestly felt like sitting in a lush cabana. We also stopped by Good Neighbour Brewing Co., Manitoba’s first all-female and 2SLGBTQ+ owned brewery, for a crisp Czech-style pale lager and some tempura pickerel from Next Door!

Every conversation we had was an education. It was about eating, walking, drinking, and experiencing the living, breathing culture of the First Nations and Métis people who built this province.

My 5 Faves

1. Wyndham Garden Winnipeg Airport (Odeakiing) & Manoomin Restaurant: Owned by Long Plain First Nation on the Madison Urban Reserve, this hotel features front doors that face east to greet the sun, and every sign is written in English, Braille, and Ojibwe.

   Over at their Manoomin Restaurant, you can fuel up with a Bison Skillet loaded with seasoned bison meatballs, or grab the house-fried Bannock Taco. You will need plenty of napkins for this!

   

   👉🏾 If you want to hear the story behind this incredible menu, check out my interview with Chef Jennifer Ballantyne on Episode 23 of the Rudderless Travel Podcast. (October 27, 2026)

2. Turtle Tours & The Moccasin Walk: In addition to the Parks Canada Tour I took last time, these guided walking tours by Turtle Walking Tours and Saint Boniface Museum (Moccasin Walk) are the absolute best way to understand the ground you’re standing on.

   

   Turtle Tours uncovers thousands of years of Indigenous history at The Forks, while the Moccasin Walk takes you through Saint-Boniface to learn about the Red River Métis, even showing you Louis Riel’s grave and the extreme lengths (like digging decoy graves) his people went to protect it.

   

   👉🏾 You can hear more of those raw, powerful stories with our guide Chris Barrett on Episode 22 of the Rudderless Travel Podcast. (October 13, 2026)

3. Feast Café Bistro: Run by Chef Christa Bruneau-Guenther, this West End spot is one of the only Indigenous-owned and operated First Nations restaurants in the country. Her braised bison short rib with smoked wild blueberries and juniper maple demi-glace is so ridiculously good that I literally refused to leave Winnipeg without eating it again. Fair warning: you may need to be rolled out the front door.

   

4. Wild Loon Adventure Company: Garrett Fache runs this outdoor adventure company, which was recently named Sustainable Tourism Business of the Year. We launched a canoe from St. Vital Park and paddled upstream on the Red River while Garrett taught us how to treat nature like a close friend through his Métis heritage.

   

5. La Brasserie Nonsuch Brewing Co.: This Métis-majority owned spot in the Exchange District is named after a historic 17th-century ship. With its gorgeous green interior and fantastic, higher-ABV Belgian-style brews, the vibe here is so chill it was the other place I was excited to return to!

   

👉🏾 Indigenous & Métis Experiences in Winnipeg: A Rudderless Guide to Culture, Food & Tradition

👉🏾 20+ Things To Do In Winnipeg Canada On A Weekend Getaway

👉🏾 Amazing Places To Stay In Winnipeg

Unpacked Travel Insider

Cayman Islands under $398 🇰🇾

Destination: Grand Cayman (GCM)

Airlines: Air Transat, American, Delta, Southwest, WestJet

Best Time to Book: October to November, January to February (Full availability September to June, varies by city)

Heat Scale: 🔥🔥🔥 (We think this fare will last less than 48 hours!)

Why We Love It: Low fares to one of our favourite islands with some of the best beaches in the world!

Deal Summary: Need some island time? Head to Grand Cayman! You will find the best availability this fall and winter, including nonstop options from Miami, Orlando, and Toronto. Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on bag. You can upgrade to Main Cabin for seat selection and voucher cancellation flexibility.

Thrifty Tip: Spend time relaxing at Seven Mile Beach, then take a short boat excursion out to Stingray City to swim alongside wild stingrays!

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip, *nonstop):

American Departure Cities: Akron (CAK) $396, Albany (ALB) $356, Allentown (ABE) $356, Appleton (ATW) $396, Atlanta (ATL) $394, Austin (AUS) $390, Baltimore (BWI) $356, Bloomington (BMI) $396, Boston (BOS) $372, Buffalo (BUF) $356, Burlington (BTV) $356, Cedar Rapids (CID) $396, Charleston (CRW) $356, Charlottesville (CHO) $356, Columbia (COU) $396, Dayton (DAY) $396, Erie (ERI) $356, Evansville (EVV) $396, Fargo (FAR) $396, Flint (FNT) $396, Fort Wayne (FWA) $396, Green Bay (GRB) $396, Harrisburg (MDT) $356, Hartford (BDL) $356, Kalamazoo (AZO) $396, Kansas City (MCI) $396, Lansing (LAN) $396, Lexington (LEX) $396, Lincoln (LNK) $396, Madison (MSN) $396, Miami (MIA) $286*, Milwaukee (MKE) $396, Moline (MLI) $396, Nashville (BNA) $390, New Orleans (MSY) $390, Omaha (OMA) $396, Orlando (MCO) $386*, Peoria (PIA) $396, Pittsburgh (PIT) $350, Portland (PWM) $356, Providence (PVD) $356, Raleigh (RDU) $392, Roanoke (ROA) $356, Rochester (ROC) $356, Rochester (RST) $396, Scranton (AVP) $346, South Bend (SBN) $396, Springfield (SGF) $396, Springfield (SPI) $396, St. Louis (STL) $396, Syracuse (SYR) $356, Tampa (TPA) $334, Traverse City (TVC) $396, Washington D.C. (DCA/IAD) $368, Wausau (CWA) $396, Westchester County (HPN) $356, Wichita (ICT) $397.

Canadian Departure Cities: * Montreal (YUL): $344 CAD

• Ottawa (YOW): $343 CAD

• Toronto (YYZ): $353 CAD* (Nonstop)

👉🏾 Book Fares with Google Flights (Leave the “from” city blank to find your local airport!)

Hawaii under $598 🌺

Destinations: Honolulu (HNL), Kauai (LIH), Kona (KOA), Maui (OGG)

Airlines: Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest

Best Time to Book: October to February (Full availability September to May, varies by city)

Heat Scale: 🔥🔥🔥 (We think this will last 24 to 48 hours!)

Why We Love It: Huge nationwide sale to the Hawaiian Islands from tons of cities, including smaller regional hubs!

Deal Summary: Get an island escape on your calendar! You will find excellent availability right through the winter, with nonstops from several major hubs. Fares work in reverse from Hawaii as well! Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on bag.

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip, *nonstop):

American Departure Cities: Albany (ALB) $475, Anchorage (ANC) $487, Atlanta (ATL) $423, Austin (AUS) $403, Baltimore (BWI) $429, Baton Rouge (BTR) $513, Birmingham (BHM) $475, Boise (BOI) $375, Boston (BOS) $575, Bozeman (BZN) $375, Buffalo (BUF) $423, Burbank (BUR) $320*, Charleston (CHS) $435, Chicago (MDW $553 / ORD $423), Cleveland (CLE) $423, Colorado Springs (COS) $403, Columbus (CMH) $423, Dallas (DAL/DFW) $343*, Daytona Beach (DAB) $523, Denver (DEN) $403, Des Moines (DSM) $433, Destin (VPS) $474, Detroit (DTW) $561, El Paso (ELP) $375, Eugene (EUG) $377, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $423, Fort Myers (RSW) $435, Fresno (FAT) $363, Grand Rapids (GRR) $433, Greenville (GSP) $475, Gulfport (GPT) $513, Hartford (BDL) $475, Houston (HOU/IAH) $403, Idaho Falls (IDA) $597, Indianapolis (IND) $423, Jackson (JAN) $463, Jackson Hole (JAC) $597, Jacksonville (JAX) $475, Kalispell (FCA) $597, Kansas City (MCI) $403, Knoxville (TYS) $475, Las Vegas (LAS) $384*, Little Rock (LIT) $475, Long Beach (LGB) $324*, Los Angeles (LAX) $304*, Louisville (SDF) $469, McAllen (MFE) $573, Medford (MFR) $513, Memphis (MEM) $475, Milwaukee (MKE) $403, Minneapolis (MSP) $543, Monterey (MRY) $542, Myrtle Beach (MYR) $475, Nashville (BNA) $439, New Orleans (MSY) $413, New York (JFK/LGA/EWR) $475, Norfolk (ORF) $475, Oakland (OAK) $312*, Oklahoma City (OKC) $403, Omaha (OMA) $383, Ontario (ONT) $324*, Orlando (MCO) $423, Palm Springs (PSP) $371, Panama City (ECP) $475, Pasco (PSC) $577, Pensacola (PNS) $475, Phoenix (PHX) $384*, Pittsburgh (PIT) $439, Portland (PDX) $376*, Providence (PVD) $443, Raleigh (RDU) $423, Redding (RDD) $587, Redmond (RDM) $473, Reno (RNO) $371, Rhinelander (RHI) $475, Rochester (ROC) $475, Sacramento (SMF) $324*, Salt Lake City (SLC) $516*, San Antonio (SAT) $403, San Diego (SAN) $313*, San Francisco (SFO) $312*, San Jose (SJC) $312*, San Luis Obispo (SBP) $542, Santa Ana (SNA) $343, Santa Barbara (SBA) $363, Sarasota (SRQ) $475, Savannah (SAV) $475, Seattle (SEA) $396*, Spokane (GEG) $363, St. Louis (STL) $379, Tampa (TPA) $423, Tucson (TUS) $367, Tulsa (TUL) $432, Wichita (ICT) $403.

Canadian Departure Cities: * Calgary (YYC): $432 CAD

Edmonton (YEG): $574 CAD

Kelowna (YLW): $592 CAD

Montreal (YUL): $541 CAD

Regina (YQR): $549 CAD

Saskatoon (YXE): $584 CAD

Toronto (YYZ): $493 CAD

Vancouver (YVR): $364 CAD

👉🏾 Book Fares with Google Flights (Leave the “from” city blank to find your local airport!)

Washington, D.C. First Class under $395 🏛️

Destinations: Washington, D.C. (BWI, DCA, IAD)

Airlines: Air Canada, American, United

Best Time to Book: September to October, January to February (Full availability August to February, varies by city)

Heat Scale: 🔥🔥🔥 (We think this will last less than 48 hours!)

Why We Love It: First Class fares for not much more than economy prices!

Deal Summary: Take your D.C. getaway to the next level with a nonstop First Class flight! Best availability this fall and winter. Deals work in reverse from Washington, D.C. These fares are only about $100 more than a Main Cabin fare in many cases, making it well worth the luxury upgrade.

What’s Included: Two free checked bags, seat assignment, and the ability to cancel for a voucher. These first-class recliner seats are wider, plush, and offer extra legroom. You will also get priority check-in and boarding, premium snacks, and alcoholic drinks. Flights over 900 miles include full meal service!

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip, *nonstop):

American Departure Cities: Albany (ALB) $362*, Atlanta (ATL) $394*, Boston (BOS) $307*, Buffalo (BUF) $346*, Charlotte (CLT) $378*, Cincinnati (CVG) $319*, Cleveland (CLE) $307*, Columbus (CMH) $333*, Detroit (DTW) $340*, Greenville (GSP) $358*, Hartford (BDL) $358*, Louisville (SDF) $353*, Manchester-Boston (MHT) $357*, Minneapolis (MSP) $384*, Myrtle Beach (MYR) $392*, Norfolk (ORF) $370*, Pittsburgh (PIT) $307*, Portland (PWM) $392*, Providence (PVD) $329*, Rochester (ROC) $392*.

Canadian Departure Cities:

Toronto (YYZ): $366 CAD* (Nonstop)

👉🏾 Book Fares with Google Flights (Leave the “from” city blank to find your local airport!)

Unlock More with Your OWN Thrifty Traveler Account ✈️

These deals are brought to you by Thrifty Traveller. Thrifty Traveller Premium is a flight & hotel deal alert subscription service (not a booking site) where real human experts, not algorithms, find incredible deals from over 250+ cities. Imagine scoring savings like NYC to Tokyo business class for just $1,500!
Mandatory Disclaimer: #Ad #Sponsored.

🔥 Special Announcement: National Cheap Flight Day Flash Sale! Starting tomorrow, August 18 through August 20, Thrifty Traveller is launching its biggest sale of the season! You can score 30% OFF your first year of Premium (just $90.99/yr, regularly $129.99/yr) or Premium Plus (just $132.99/yr). If you want real humans hunting down error fares and business class steals for your home airport, do not wait on this limited-time offer!

Winnipeg is a city that challenges you to connect, listen, and unlearn. If you have been holding off on visiting because of an old, internet-fueled reputation, it is time to go see what you are missing in the Heart of Canada.

When you travel to a new destination, are you more excited to dive into local history on a guided walking tour, or are you heading straight to the local craft brewery and food scene?

Leave a comment

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

This is Part 2 of our 3-part Tesla Series, where we are decoding the mind of the genius in Belgrade! Make sure you hit that Subscribe button right now so you don’t miss a single step of this incredible journey.

In this episode of the Rudderless Travel Podcast, we take you inside the UNESCO-recognized archives of the Nikola Tesla Museum alongside curator and researcher Vladimir Perić to set the record straight on who Tesla truly was

Inside the "White City"

Belgrade, oh Belgrade! The name “Beograd” actually translates to “White City,” which it was... until I arrived about 14 or 15 years ago. I kid, I kid. But seriously, as you may remember from the last episode, my partner Gordana is from Former Yugoslavia, and I’ve been here so many times now that I have my own group of friends—like Ljuban and Jagoda, George, Emilija, and Sunicica. Every time I arrive in town, they drop everything to come hang out with me. Let me tell you, once you have a Serbian friend, that’s a friend for life!

Now, I knew the Nikola Tesla Museum existed. I’ve taken pictures of it from the outside, mentioned it in a Belgrade article, and even had coffee with Emilija just down the street at Kafeterija. But I’ve never actually been inside. Until now.

This isn’t just a museum; it’s practically a mausoleum. Housed inside these walls is an urn containing Tesla’s actual ashes. Surrounding him is his life’s work—over 160,000 original documents, his personal clothes, his custom-made measurement instruments, and the secrets to unbuilt inventions that the world is still trying to understand

My 3 Fave Moments From The Episode

1. Decoding the Mind: Exploring his massive archive of over 160,000 documents to uncover the secrets of his unbuilt inventions, and why his Long Island project remains such a mystery.

   “For example, Long Island still stands like a mysterious project... when you look at the archive for the Long Island project, you see that a lot is missing... he had a lot in his mind. And he was trying to protect his knowledge and everything. Always afraid of some kind of [theft]... So he built documentation that is not so easy to read and not so accurate.” — Vladimir Perić

2. The Man Behind the Myth: Setting the record straight on who Tesla truly was by looking past the “mad scientist” rumors and focusing on his surprisingly normal everyday habits.

   “When you look at the archive, you will see, for example, the receipts from the grocery store. He kept everything. Now we are really happy that he did that... because you have scientific work, but also you have regular habits. He was buying orange juice and bread like every other person.” — Vladimir Perić

3. Predicting the Future: Realizing that 125 years ago, Tesla was already visualizing the modern world, from environmental concerns to global wireless networks.

   “125 years ago, he was calling the usage of coal as barbaric... I think he will be a little bit happy about electrical cars... but I think he would be much more happy with smart mobile phones and the network. Because it’s his idea.” — Vladimir Perić

Standing in the Nikola Tesla Museum, looking at the very instruments he built with his own hands, you realize that he wasn’t a mad scientist at all. He was just a man forced to live in the present while his brain was entirely living in the future.

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If you enjoyed this edition, please hit the heart icon, share it with a friend, and don’t forget to subscribe to catch Part 3 of our Tesla Series, where we head to Niagara Falls, New York, to stand at the exact spot where Nikola Tesla won the War of the Currents!

Until next time...

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

Gordana and I just got back from our second visit to Winnipeg, Manitoba! While we were in “The Peg,” we had loads of incredible Indigenous experiences, plus we attended the wild Icelandic Festival in Gimli, Manitoba. It was an absolute craziness: shield-wall demonstrations, Norse folklore, strong man competitions and deep Scandinavian heritage. Of course, we’ll write all about the Winnipeg adventures in an upcoming edition, so stay tuned!

But all that Scandinavian heritage made me think about Stockholm and Oslo, both of which we’ve already unpacked here on Rudderless Travel. For some reason, we never unpacked Copenhagen, the third Scandinavian city I’ve visited... so far.

With its canals, dedicated bike lanes, self-driving trains, and imperial architecture, Copenhagen is like a mix of Amsterdam and Sweden but with a rebellious, Viking-approved soul that is entirely its own.

In this edition:

👉🏾 How I almost got laughed out of a Copenhagen bakery for ordering “a Danish”

👉🏾 The one essential resource I forgot to “pack” for my last road trip (and the app that will save you hundreds in foreign traffic fines!).

👉🏾 Keeping the fire hot with our structured flight deals.

Damn You, Canadian Doughnut Shops! 🍩

People won’t stop smiling at me, the trains drive themselves, and it’s the birthplace of The Little Mermaid and LEGO.

With its gorgeous canals, dedicated bike lanes, and imperial architecture, Copenhagen is just as grand as Sweden, but it constantly reminds me of Amsterdam Maybe it’s the sheer volume of bikes, the multi-story bike garages, or the picturesque waterways. But don’t let the cozy café culture fool you—the history here is delightfully dramatic.

We are talking about legendary fortresses like Christiansborg Palace sitting on Slotsholmen, an island that has served as Denmark’s central power for over 800 years. Or Rosenborg Castle, where three life-size silver lions literally stand on guard around the coronation thrones.

My 5 Faves

1. Nyhavn: The absolute perfect place to end a long day of exploring. Long before it was this postcard-perfect port of colourful houses and cafes, it was a chaotic commercial harbour. We’re talking sailors, pubs, and ladies of... easy virtue. Today, it has traded the seediness for great food and live jazz.

2. The Little Mermaid: I am completely in love with this statue. There is something so captivating about her sad, lonely expression as she sits on her rock, staring longingly toward the shore. Made of bronze and granite, she was a gift to the city in 1913 from brewer Carl Jacobsen.

   

3. Emmery’s (and the Great Pastry Lie): Emmery’s is a fantastic organic bakery, but escúchame: the “Danish” pastry does not exist in Denmark. I almost got laughed out of the shop for asking for one! Damn you, Canadian doughnut shops—I’ve been duped! Save yourself the humiliation and order by name: Høj Snegl (High Snail) or Tebirkes (Poppy Seed Roll).

   

4. Tivoli Gardens: Located right in the heart of the city, this historic amusement park was founded in 1843 and is a national treasure. Both Hans Christian Andersen and Walt Disney spent time wandering these gardens for inspiration. You can still feel that vintage, fairytale magic in every corner.

5. Freetown Christiania: Exit the EU and step off the grid into Copenhagen’s alternative “Free Town” in Christianshavn. Tucked inside a military barracks fence since 1971, it has a rebellious, 70s hippy vibe. It’s famous for Pusher Street, where vendors openly sell “plant products” that rival Amsterdam. Just no photos or filming here—the locals don’t play!

   

👉🏾 The Greatest Things To Do in Copenhagen Itinerary (2 Days, Viking Approved)

👉🏾 Amazing Places To Stay In Copenhagen.

👉🏾 Save Up To 70% On Car Rentals with Discover Cars.

Tips, Tricks & Hacks or Travel Gear, Apps, Tech and Services

Tripiamo

The one thing I forgot to pack for my last road trip...We always remember the universal adapter, but we usually forget to ‘pack’ the knowledge of how to drive where we’re going if planning to rent a car abroad.

I recently added Tripiamo to my essential travel resources, and it’s a game-changer for anyone planning a European road trip. It’s an easy-to-use app for short-term travellers with guides that are actually validated by professional driving schools in each country. My favorite part is the immersive practice. You can virtually drive through the tricky situations that usually confuse tourists before you even get behind the wheel. It’s the best way to avoid those confusing foreign traffic fines and just enjoy the scenery.

Plus, it potentially pays for itself by saving you from just one accidental traffic ticket!

Unpacked Travel Insider

🌴 Costa Rica under $399 (Liberia - LIR / San José - SJO)

Best time to book: September - October, April - May (Full availability: August - May — varies by city)

Heat Scale: 🔥🔥 (We expect this deal to last less than 48 hours!) 😍

Why We Love It: Rare pricing from many cities including some in the $200s!

Deal Summary: Pura Vida! Pack your bags for Costa Rica. You’ll find the best availability this fall and next spring, with nonstop options from Miami and Toronto. Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on. You can easily upgrade to Main Cabin to get a free seat assignment and the flexibility to change or cancel your flight for a voucher.

Departure Cities:

• U.S. Departures 🇺🇸 (All fares round-trip, *nonstop): Albany (ALB) - $397, Atlanta (ATL) - $353, Baltimore (BWI) - $367, Boston (BOS) - $363, Buffalo (BUF) - $385, Burlington (BTV) - $399, Chicago (ORD) - $345, Denver (DEN) - $298, Greensboro (GSO) - $347, Houston (IAH) - $291, Jacksonville (JAX) - $337, Miami (MIA) - $333*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $337, New Orleans (MSY) - $321, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $375, Rochester (ROC) - $395, Syracuse (SYR) - $395, Tampa (TPA) - $353.

• Canadian Departures 🇨🇦 (All fares round-trip, *nonstop):

  • Montreal (YUL) - $363 CAD

  • Ottawa (YOW) - $363 CAD

  • Toronto (YYZ) - $336* CAD

💺 Washington, D.C. First Class under $395 (BWI / DCA / IAD)

Best time to book: September - October, January - February (Full availability: August - February — varies by city)

Heat Scale: 🔥🔥 (We expect this deal to last less than 48 hours!) 😍

Why We Love It: Premium luxury at economy prices! Nonstop First Class fares for only about $100 more than a standard Main Cabin ticket.

Deal Summary: Take your D.C. getaway to the next level with a nonstop First Class flight! This is the perfect time to fly in comfort this fall and winter. And yes—these deals work in reverse from Washington, D.C.!

What’s Included: You’ll get wider, plush leather recliner seats with extra legroom, priority check-in and boarding, two free checked bags, free seat selection, and the ability to cancel for an airline voucher. Plus, enjoy complimentary snacks, premium meals (on flights over 900 miles), and free alcoholic drinks on board! Thrifty Tip: Explore outside the Beltway and visit the U.S. Naval Academy in historic Annapolis, Maryland!

Departure Cities:

• U.S. Departures 🇺🇸 (All fares round-trip, *nonstop): Albany (ALB) - $362*, Atlanta (ATL) - $394*, Boston (BOS) - $307*, Buffalo (BUF) - $346*, Charlotte (CLT) - $378*, Cincinnati (CVG) - $319*, Cleveland (CLE) - $307*, Columbus (CMH) - $333*, Detroit (DTW) - $340*, Greenville (GSP) - $358*, Hartford (BDL) - $358*, Louisville (SDF) - $353*, Manchester-Boston (MHT) - $357*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $384*, Myrtle Beach (MYR) - $392*, Norfolk (ORF) - $370*, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $307*, Portland (PWM) - $392*, Providence (PVD) - $329*, Rochester (ROC) - $392*.

• Canadian Departures 🇨🇦 (All fares round-trip, *nonstop):

  • Toronto (YYZ) - $366* CAD

Unlock More with Your OWN Thrifty Traveler Account ✈️

These deals are brought to you by Thrifty Traveller. Thrifty Traveller Premium is a flight & hotel deal alert subscription service (not a booking site) where real human experts, not algorithms, find incredible deals from over 250+ cities. Imagine scoring savings like NYC to Tokyo business class for just $1,500!

NATIONAL CHEAP FLIGHT DAY SALE (AUGUST 18-20)!

There has never been a better time to upgrade your travels! For a limited time, get an exclusive 30% OFF Thrifty Traveler Premium. That drops the price to just $90.99 for your first year (or $132.99 for Premium Plus)—saving you about $40!

Why do we love them?

• Exclusive Award Space: They find those impossible-to-get Delta SkyMiles and Delta One opportunities that you can’t find anywhere else.

• Cash and Points & Miles: They cover both cash fares and points/miles deals, so there’s value no matter how you like to travel.

• Deals Up to 11 Months Out: Giving you plenty of time to plan your trip around the fare.

• Step-by-Step Booking: Every single alert includes booking instructions verified by real humans (not bots!), making it incredibly easy to secure the deal.

• Just one great flight deal can easily save you hundreds and pay for the membership many times over.

Thank you for being part of this community and exploring the world with Gordana and I! Let’s connect on Instagram and YouTube for more daily behind-the-scenes chaos

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P.S. If you’re planning to rent a car through Discover Cars to take a scenic road trip beyond Copenhagen’s self-driving trains, do yourself a massive favour and grab the Tripiamo app before you go. It is the best “cheat code” to master foreign driving laws, stay safe, and avoid those painful, budget-ruining traffic tickets!

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

This is Part 1 of our 3-part Tesla Series, where we are tracing the spark from his birth all the way to the monumental power station in Niagara Falls. Make sure you hit that Subscribe button right now so you don’t miss a single step of this incredible journey!

In this episode of the Rudderless Travel Podcast, we travelled to the village of Smiljan to track down the wild, reckless kid who jumped off a stable roof with an umbrella and discovered electricity by petting his cat.

A Spark In The Dark

When you think of Nikola Tesla, you probably picture the car, the mad scientist rumours, or the war of the currents (AC/DC not the band, the Tesla VS Edison drama) But to truly understand the man, you have to come to his roots.

Gordana’s grandmother actually lived in the neighbouring town of Gospić, where she spent a massive chunk of her childhood. Let this sink in: her grandmother lived about an eight-minute drive from Nikola Tesla’s childhood home. Can you f-ing imagine that?

So, en route to the Adriatic Sea, we visited her childhood home, hung out with her cousins, and then headed over to the Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre where another one of her cousins happened to work.

Standing in the lush, peaceful green fields of Smiljan, looking up at the attic where he slept, the legend finally felt real. It was here, surrounded by the fierce Bura winds, that a boy catching frogs in the creek first learned that energy comes directly from nature.

To help me unlock the secrets of his childhood and the true impact of this land, I sat down with Dino Jamičić, the promotional activities coordinator at the Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre

My 3 Fave Moments From The Episode

1. The Midnight Storm: “They say that he was born precisely in midnight and there was a thunderstorm... the maternal nurse said to his mother, oh, he’s gonna be a child of a storm or something like that. But his mother said to her, no, he’s gonna be a child of light.” — Dino Jamičić

   

2. The Reckless Genius: “Why would they lie about some of the trivial stuff and fun stuff like that? Of course. For example, him jumping from the rooftop of the stable... there’s a lot of things that are just trivial, childish things that we just try to preserve this humane side of Nikola Tesla.” — Dino Jamičić

   

3. The Mother of Invention: “It’s interesting that his father was a very educated man... but his mother was illiterate. So it’s very interesting for him to say that kind of stuff. But his mother could recite songs and poems very, very from the back of her head, from her memory.” — Dino Jamičić

Sometimes the biggest sparks in history don’t come from massive laboratories or million-dollar budgets. They came from being surrounded by stunning nature, a wild imagination, and a little static electricity from a childhood cat.

Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it!

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If you enjoyed this edition, please hit the heart icon, share it with a friend, and don’t forget to subscribe to catch Part 2 of our Tesla Series, where we decode the mind of the genius in Belgrade!

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

But for me, Zagreb means something more.

Not only was this city my very first introduction to Europe over 20 years ago, but it has consistently served as the gateway to my next adventure. From here, I’ll head off to Cologne to see my cousin, pop over to Belgrade to catch up with friends, or set off to explore a completely new city, country, or even continent.

While many tourists rush straight to the Croatian coast—and you absolutely should, as places like Pula and Rovinj are breathtaking—spending a couple of days in this capital city is absolutely worth it.

In this edition:

👉🏾 Lost in translation and how I accidentally ordered iced tea all over the city.

👉🏾 My 5 Faves: The Ultimate Zagreb Hit List—featuring a 1925 luxury hotel, towering cathedrals, and a meat-lover’s paradise.

👉🏾 Unpacked Travel Insider: Huge savings on flights to the Bahamas, Costa Rica, France, and Spain!

Falling in Love with Travel

When I first visited Zagreb over 20 years ago, it was my first-ever trip to Europe, and I spent the entire time walking around with my jaw on the floor. I was constantly looking up at the architecture, looking down at the streets, eating incredible food, and drinking local beer. Surrounded by different sounds, a different language, and different smells…

I believe this was the moment I completely fell in love with travel!

Fast forward to today, and I’ve really tuned into the rhythm of the city., swearing like a local amongst the best of them.😎 If you want to experience the true soul of Zagreb, you have to do what the Zagrebčani (the locals) do: sit in one of the numerous cafes and just watch the world go by. Honestly, I think there are more cafes per metre here than actual people! But, I don’t care, I love this and miss it terribly when I’m back home in Toronto.

It is the perfect place to grab delicious Croatian dishes like Black Risotto before finishing your evening in one of the local bars or clubs. (Also, fun fact: the necktie was actually invented in Croatia. It’s called the kravata!)

My 5 Faves

1. Zagrebačka katedrala (Zagreb Cathedral): You cannot miss this magnificent church dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Saint Stephen, and Saint Ladislaus. Built on the site of a 12th-century cathedral that was desecrated and destroyed by invading Tartars in 1242, the current church was constructed between the 13th and 16th centuries. Standing at a massive 105 meters, it proudly holds the title of the tallest building in Croatia.

   

2. Kamenita vrata (Stone Gate): Located in the Upper Town (Gornj Grad) part of Zagreb, these stone gates are the historical remnants of the ancient city walls that once protected the old town of Gradec during the 13th century. Make sure you have your camera ready, because the Stone Gates offer the absolute best views of old Zagreb.

3. Vincek slastičarnica: You know I always reserve spot number three for food or drink! This family-owned dessert specialist has been up and running for 40 years. Owned and operated by the Vincek family, they have single-handedly changed the cake and pastry image of the city. They are celebrated both locally and nationally for their quality, which is why you absolutely must try their famous custard slices served with whipped cream and quality chocolate.

   

4. Kula Lotrščak (Lotrščak Tower): Also located in the old town of Gradec, this fortified 13th-century tower was constructed to guard the southern gate of the town wall. The tower gets its name from the Latin phrase “campana latrunculorum,” which translates to “thieves’ bell”. This refers to a bell that was hung in the tower to signal the closing of the town gates for the night.

5. Crkva sv. Marka (St. Mark’s): Built during the 13th-century Romanesque Period, this church venerates the life and mission of St. Mark. Since its construction, the church has only been able to preserve a window on the south wall and the foundation of the bell tower. Architecturally speaking, the church features beautiful Gothic arches, a gorgeous shrine, and its iconic south portal—which is arguably one of the most stunning architectural works in all of Croatia.

   

👉🏾 A Fantastic 48-Hour Zagreb Itinerary

👉🏾 Amazing Places To Stay In Zagreb

👉🏾 Save up to 70% On Car Rentals With Discover Cars!

Unpacked Travel Insider

The Bahamas (NAS) 🏖️ Spring Break Savings

Best time to book: October - May (Full availability: August - June)

Deal Summary: We found your cheap flight to the Bahamas! Availability is wide open through June, which means you can even score spring break dates from many cities. Nonstop options from several airports are included. Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on. You can easily upgrade to Main Cabin to get free seat selection and the ability to cancel for a voucher. Thrifty Tip: Take a trip out to Rose Island and feed the pigs at Da’Pig Beach!

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip, *nonstop): U.S. Departures 🇺🇸: Albany (ALB) - $419, Allentown (ABE) - $404, Asheville (AVL) - $335, Atlanta (ATL) - $398*, Austin (AUS) - $379, Baltimore (BWI) - $379, Bangor (BGR) - $419, Birmingham (BHM) - $375, Boston (BOS) - $405, Buffalo (BUF) - $409, Burlington (BTV) - $419, Charleston (CHS) - $385, Charleston (CRW) - $419, Charlottesville (CHO) - $419, Cleveland (CLE) - $363, Columbus (CMH) - $379, Dallas (DFW) - $379, Denver (DEN) - $409, Detroit (DTW) - $379, Erie (ERI) - $419, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $308*, Greensboro (GSO) - $369, Hartford (BDL) - $419, Houston (HOU) - $409, Houston (IAH) - $409, Indianapolis (IND) - $379, Jacksonville (JAX) - $353, Memphis (MEM) - $409, Miami (MIA) - $318*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $409, Nashville (BNA) - $373, New Orleans (MSY) - $373, New York (JFK) - $370*, Norfolk (ORF) - $365, Orlando (MCO) - $358*, Philadelphia (PHL) - $409, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $395, Portland (PWM) - $419, Providence (PVD) - $409, Raleigh (RDU) - $347, Richmond (RIC) - $351, Roanoke (ROA) - $419, Rochester (ROC) - $419, Scranton (AVP) - $404, St. Louis (STL) - $397, Syracuse (SYR) - $419, Tampa (TPA) - $361, Washington, D.C. (DCA) - $391, Washington, D.C. (IAD) - $391, Westchester County (HPN) - $401.

Canadian Departures 🇨🇦: Toronto (YYZ) - $411*

Costa Rica (LIR, SJO) 🦋 Pura Vida & Natural Hot Springs

Best time to book: September - November, April - May (Full availability: August - May)

Deal Summary: Make a trip to Costa Rica happen! Less than $399 to get to this tropical paradise is tough to beat. You’ll find the best availability this fall and next spring, with nonstop options from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, NYC, and Toronto. Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on. You can upgrade to Main Cabin to get a seat assignment and the flexibility to change or cancel for a voucher. Thrifty Tip: Spend some time relaxing at the natural hot springs near Arenal Volcano!

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip, *nonstop): U.S. Departures 🇺🇸: Allentown (ABE) - $337, Austin (AUS) - $337, Baltimore (BWI) - $379, Boston (BOS) - $385, Buffalo (BUF) - $391, Charleston (CRW) - $337, Charlottesville (CHO) - $337, Cleveland (CLE) - $333, Columbus (CMH) - $337, Dallas (DAL) - $390, Dallas (DFW) - $389, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $333*, Hartford (BDL) - $385, Indianapolis (IND) - $337, Jacksonville (JAX) - $387, Miami (MIA) - $349*, Nashville (BNA) - $337, New Orleans (MSY) - $385, New York (JFK) - $383*, Norfolk (ORF) - $337, Orlando (MCO) - $275, Philadelphia (PHL) - $387, Phoenix (PHX) - $399, Raleigh (RDU) - $321, Richmond (RIC) - $385, San Juan (SJU) - $326, Washington, D.C. (DCA) - $349, Washington, D.C. (IAD) - $345.

Canadian Departures 🇨🇦: Montreal (YUL) - $383, Toronto (YYZ) - $389*

France & Spain (BCN, MAD, CDG/ORY) ⚽ World Cup Fever & Soccer Season Deals

Best time to book: October - November, January - February (Full availability: September - February)

Deal Summary: Does today’s World Cup match have you thinking about a trip to Europe? Here’s your cheap ticket to France or Spain! We are seeing quick connections with the best availability this fall and winter, plus nonstop options from several cities. Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on. We highly recommend upgrading to Main Cabin to get a checked bag and the ability to cancel for a voucher. (Note: LEVEL fares include a carry-on up to 22 lbs. You can buy a Comfort Package from ~$110 to include meals & a checked bag). Thrifty Tip: Read our guides to Barcelona, Madrid, and Paris to help plan your trip!

Departure Cities (Lowest round-trip fares across all destinations, *nonstop available): U.S. Departures 🇺🇸: Baltimore (BWI) from $515, Boston (BOS) from $466, Chicago (ORD) from $486, New York (JFK) from $457, Newark (EWR) from $457, Orlando (MCO) from $491, Seattle (SEA) from $475, Washington, D.C. (IAD) from $515.

Canadian Departures 🇨🇦: Calgary (YYC) from $505*, Halifax (YHZ) from $516, Montreal (YUL) from $450*, Ottawa (YOW) from $520, Quebec City (YQB) from $499, Toronto (YYZ) from $455*, Vancouver (YVR) from $565

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What is a destination that completely changed your perspective on travel and made you fall in love with it, just like Zagreb did for me?

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Zagreb is a city that deserves so much more than just a quick layover or place to change trains at Glavni Kolodvor train station. Take the time to wander its vibrant markets, look up at its towering cathedrals, and yes, sit back and enjoy a coffee (or a local beer) in one of its thousands of cafes.

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

What happens when you trade the highly curated hunt for the best poutine in Quebec City for an extreme, unfiltered wilderness adventure? You get a travel writer who refuses to be put in a box.

In the latest episode of the Rudderless Travel Podcast, we are wrapping up our breathtaking Québec Maritime road trip in the Gaspésie region. Right in the city of Gaspé, I sat down with Pamela MacNaughtan, the creative force behind Urban Guide Quebec.

Pamela has a fascinating dual identity. She is an urban guide tracking down boutique hotels and culinary staples, but she is also a wild Canadian adventurer who thrives on extreme nature and slow-paced travel. During our interview, she dropped some of the most raw, unfiltered travel truths I have ever heard on the show.

The Feral Writer & The Invisible Wall

What makes Pamela’s voice so credible is her absolute narrative honesty. She openly admits to ignoring SEO and Google Analytics entirely, choosing instead to write unfiltered stories about the places that actually inspire her. As she put it perfectly on the show, “I’m just out here I’m just out here being feral and trying to write... I’m just raw dogging life like writing about it”.

That raw honesty poured out when she talked about a 27-day Route 66 road trip she took with her 79-year-old mother. Originally treating it like a standard work trip, Pamela opened her laptop in their hotel room in Joliet, Illinois, on the very first night to take notes. But in that moment, something shifted. She recalled, “it kind of felt like I had just raised a wall and so I had just raised a wall i she was over on the other side of the wall and I was in my little cocoon”.

In a split-second decision that changed everything, she admitted, “I closed my laptop and I didn’t open it again for the rest of the trip”.

By putting the content creation on hold, she shattered the glass box she had placed her mother in. She finally got to experience her mom not just as a parent, but as a whole, chaotic, hilarious person—laughing as she watched her 79-year-old mother act “like a chaotic 2-year-old” while struggling to drink out of a Stanley cup. They navigated Illinois using only physical road signs, laughed every single day, and created memories that sustained Pamela when she eventually had to become her mother’s full-time hospice caregiver after a bout with sepsis.

As Pamela beautifully stated, that trip taught her the ultimate lesson in travel and life: “we’ve got today today’s going to be a great day we’ve got today if you’re not here tomorrow you know what you’re not here tomorrow it’s okay because we have today”.

My 3 Fave Moments From The Episode

1. Poutine vs. Putain (The Ultimate Tourist Mistake): Pamela doesn’t just do broad strokes when she writes; she gets highly specific. But she also sets the record straight on Quebec’s culinary culture. First of all, she firmly reminded us that the beloved dish of fries, curds, and gravy is pronounced poutine (poo-TEEN).

   “By the way it’s poutine it’s not putain okay putain is a hooker so sorry i saw someone put that on Threads and they’re like I didn’t like the putain and I was like you didn’t like the hookers yeah me neither ”

2. The Golden Rule of Maple Syrup: She also shared the ultimate rule for visiting a traditional family-run cabane à sucre (sugar shack): you have to put maple syrup on everything. According to Pamela, it doesn’t matter what is on your plate. She passionately declared on the show:

   “Well one of the for sugar shacks is you put maple syrup on everything do you know what I mean like it’s just people are like ‘Really?’ I said ‘Yes put it on your tourtière you drizzle it into your pea soup you put it on your eggs.’ I’m like ‘Put it on everything you don’t have to put a ton of it on but you need to at least drizzle maple syrup on on at least everything if you’re gonna if you’re in a sugar shack.’ Like come on”

3. Seeking the “Chalet” Soul: Pamela seeks a deep, authentic connection when she travels. She told me a beautiful story about staying at the Refuge Val d’Iré chalets near Le Bic. These aren’t your standard cabins; they are historical chalets rescued from across Quebec, literally taken apart, labeled joint by joint, transported to the coast, and meticulously rebuilt.

She described the profound feeling of sitting by the wood stove or on the balcony overlooking the bay, and how the experience completely changed her travel style. She passionately explained the magic on the show:

“It’s the history right it’s the history you could almost imagine like you’re in someone’s home or in someone’s cabin right you can imagine you know like a grandmother in the kitchen cooking for you you know you’ve got a a wood stove so you’re putting your fire in the wood stove there’s um balconies each of their chalets have a balcony that overlook uh Rose Bay out back kind of thing so you can go sit out there with your coffee in the morning or at night or it’s just very relaxing and um they have it spread out enough that it feels secluded uh most of the time and it’s yeah it’s just it started an addiction almost a chalet addiction if you would right I think they broke my chalet cherry in Quebec and then since then everyone winter myself or myself and a friend will be like ‘Oh time to shalet.’ Like do you never forget your first”

Why It Matters: Whether she is guiding us through the historic neighborhoods of Quebec City, getting vulnerable in a chalet in Le Bic, or braving the polar north, Pamela proves that the best travel writing isn't just about what to do—it's about why it matters

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Coming Up Next... Stay tuned, because in the next episode, we are heading all the way to Croatia to talk about a man you may or may not know named Nikola Tesla! You definitely want to hear that one

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

At the time, since I was already in Portugal, I thought I would take the opportunity to cross continents and explore the famous White City. First impressions straight from the airport to the train to the streets: Casablanca is one hectic place, and the rules of the road that we are used to back home in Canada are, let’s say... non-existent.

But in all that beautiful chaos, I managed to discover some real gems. One of the biggest gems? The food. If you have never had Moroccan lamb cooked in a Tagine, damn, that is so good. Or what about Moroccan mint tea? I fell in love with it so much that Gordana and I bought a traditional silver teapot while exploring the medina. We even regularly grab more fresh Moroccan mint tea from a fantastic herb greenhouse called Richter’s in Uxbridge, about 55 minutes outside of Toronto.

In this edition:

👉🏾 Fender benders, rolling oranges, and the wild 15th-century pirate history.

👉🏾 My 5 Faves: The Ultimate Casablanca Hit List.

👉🏾 Crazy discounted flight deals.

Pirate Harbours & Beautiful Madness

I mentioned earlier that the rules of the road here are practically non-existent. One evening, from our Airbnb window, we heard a few fender-benders and loud yelling. By the time Gordana and I made it to the window to take a peek, two cars were literally ‘kissing’ bumpers in the middle of the intersection, and a local merchant had an overturned cart with bright oranges rolling all over the streets. It was pure, unfiltered madness, but honestly? I LOVE it!

That wild, chaotic energy makes perfect sense when you look at the city’s past. Casablanca has always been a place of intense action, even serving as an independent safe harbour for pirates back in the early 15th century. The Portuguese eventually took over, building a military fortress in 1515 and naming the surrounding village “Casabranca”—meaning “White House”. Fast forward through earthquakes and French colonization, and the city ultimately emerged as Morocco’s powerful economic centre and Africa’s biggest harbour

👉🏾 Things To Do In Casablanca In 48 Hours | 2 Days of Bliss

👉🏾 Amazing Places To Stay In Casablanca

My 5 Faves

1. Hassan II Mosque: Casablanca has a lot of mosques, but there is one you absolutely cannot miss—the Hassan II Mosque (and honestly, considering its size, it’s kinda hard not to miss it!). It features the most elegant details and architecture that every local in Casablanca takes pride in. If you’re interested in seeing the mosque, you can take a private half-day tour of the city where a professional guide will help you appreciate every intricacy of this amazing building.

2. Rick’s Café: Designed to recreate the bar made famous by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the 1942 movie classic Casablanca, Rick’s Cafe is one of the best places to stop by during or after a long stroll through the busy Old Medina. It offers the best Moroccan food and is conveniently situated just outside the Old Medina, perfectly away from the hustle and bustle.

3. Sqala Restaurant: Before you call it a day, treat yourself to real Moroccan food at Sqala. It can easily be found on Boulevard des Almohades right inside the Sqala—an 18th-century fortified bastion at the north of the city’s business and economic centre. Remember that incredible Moroccan lamb cooked in a Tagine that I mentioned earlier? Yeah, this is exactly the kind of place to get it!

4. Habous (New Medina): This is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Morocco and an absolute must-see. Alive with activity and filled with the sounds of haggling and busybodies, it’s packed with markets where tourists and locals shop for fresh produce, fabrics, and traditional items sold at relatively fair prices. Make sure you pick up a scarf or a piece of jewellery for your friends and family back home. Or, you know, a traditional silver teapot for yourself!

5. The Royal Palace (The King’s Palace): A prized piece of history in Morocco and an impressive feat in Islamic architecture. One of the many palaces of King Mohammed VI, this architectural landmark is located near the New Medina. While only royals can get inside, tourists love to visit and photograph the palace’s exterior, which boasts that signature Moroccan tilework you see all over the country.

   

Unpacked Travel Insider

Aruba (AUA) 🌞 Island Bliss & Peak Season Deals 🇦🇼

Best time to book: October, January - February (Full availability: August - May)

Deal Summary: Treat yourself to a tropical getaway in Aruba! We are talking hundreds in savings, including availability during peak season. You can score nonstop flights from Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, & NYC. Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on. You can upgrade to Main Cabin for a seat assignment and the flexibility to change/cancel for a voucher. Thrifty Tip: Need a reset? Aruba is the perfect wellness destination!

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip, *nonstop): U.S. Departures 🇺🇸: Atlanta (ATL) - $430, Austin (AUS) - $427, Baltimore (BWI) - $396, Boston (BOS) - $396*, Charlotte (CLT) - $430, Columbus (CMH) - $430, Dallas (DFW) - $430, Detroit (DTW) - $430, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $396*, Greensboro (GSO) - $430, Indianapolis (IND) - $430, Jacksonville (JAX) - $430, Louisville (SDF) - $404, Miami (MIA) - $408*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $449, Nashville (BNA) - $412, New Orleans (MSY) - $412, New York (JFK) - $356*, Norfolk (ORF) - $430, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $396, Raleigh (RDU) - $430, Richmond (RIC) - $430, Rochester (ROC) - $396, Syracuse (SYR) - $396, Tampa (TPA) - $430, Washington, D.C. (DCA) - $396, Washington, D.C. (IAD) - $396.

Canadian Departures 🇨🇦:

• Toronto (YYZ) - $410

How to Book:

👉🏾 Check Flights on Google Flights

Hawaii (HNL, LIH, KOA, OGG) 🍹 Big Price Drops & Rare East Coast Deals 🇺🇸

Best time to book: August - November (Full availability: August - April)

Deal Summary: Take advantage of these cheap flights to Hawaii! We are talking about big price drops, including some especially rare pricing from several East Coast airports. Best availability is through the fall, with nonstop options from several cities. Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on. You can upgrade to Main Cabin for a seat assignment and the flexibility to change or cancel for a voucher. Thrifty Tip: Watch the sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā National Park in Maui!

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip, *nonstop): U.S. Departures 🇺🇸: Albany (ALB) - $475, Anchorage (ANC) - $474*, Atlanta (ATL) - $423, Austin (AUS) - $403, Baltimore (BWI) - $423, Birmingham (BHM) - $475, Boise (BOI) - $351, Bozeman (BZN) - $375, Buffalo (BUF) - $475, Charleston (CHS) - $423, Chicago (MDW) - $433, Chicago (ORD) - $423, Cleveland (CLE) - $423, Colorado Springs (COS) - $403, Columbus (CMH) - $423, Dallas (DAL) - $343, Dallas (DFW) - $343, Denver (DEN) - $403, Des Moines (DSM) - $433, Destin (VPS) - $474, El Paso (ELP) - $373, Eugene (EUG) - $377, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $423, Fort Myers (RSW) - $423, Fresno (FAT) - $359, Grand Rapids (GRR) - $498, Houston (HOU) - $349, Houston (IAH) - $349, Indianapolis (IND) - $423, Jackson (JAN) - $475, Jacksonville (JAX) - $475, Kansas City (MCI) - $403, Las Vegas (LAS) - $384*, Little Rock (LIT) - $475, Long Beach (LGB) - $324*, Los Angeles (LAX) - $296*, Louisville (SDF) - $432, Medford (MFR) - $477, Memphis (MEM) - $475, Milwaukee (MKE) - $403, Myrtle Beach (MYR) - $475, Nashville (BNA) - $423, New Orleans (MSY) - $403, New York (JFK) - $443, New York (LGA) - $443, Norfolk (ORF) - $475, Oakland (OAK) - $312*, Oklahoma City (OKC) - $407, Omaha (OMA) - $403, Ontario (ONT) - $324*, Orlando (MCO) - $423, Palm Springs (PSP) - $347, Panama City (ECP) - $475, Pasco (PSC) - $477, Pensacola (PNS) - $475, Phoenix (PHX) - $384*, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $423, Portland (PDX) - $376*, Providence (PVD) - $443, Reno (RNO) - $377, Richmond (RIC) - $469, Sacramento (SMF) - $296*, Salt Lake City (SLC) - $436*, San Antonio (SAT) - $403, San Diego (SAN) - $312*, San Francisco (SFO) - $296*, San Jose (SJC) - $312*, San Luis Obispo (SBP) - $486, Santa Ana (SNA) - $343, Santa Barbara (SBA) - $339, Sarasota (SRQ) - $475, Savannah (SAV) - $475, Seattle (SEA) - $356*, Spokane (GEG) - $351, St. Louis (STL) - $403, Tampa (TPA) - $423.

Canadian Departures 🇨🇦:

• Calgary (YYC) - $432

• Toronto (YYZ) - $436

• Vancouver (YVR) - $387*

• Winnipeg (YWG) - $498

How to Book:

👉🏾 Check Flights on Google Flights

Palm Springs (PSP) 🌴 California Dreaming & Mountain Views 🇺🇸

Best time to book: September - November (Full availability: August - April)

Deal Summary: Score a getaway to Palm Springs with these low fares! We are talking cheap flights to one of our favourite places in California this fall, with the best availability through the season. Nonstop options from some cities. Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on. You can upgrade to Main Cabin to get a seat assignment and the flexibility to cancel for a voucher. Thrifty Tip: Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for spectacular mountain views, then stroll along Palm Canyon Drive for shopping, dining, and local art!

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip, *nonstop): U.S. Departures 🇺🇸: Albuquerque (ABQ) - $252, Austin (AUS) - $238*, Birmingham (BHM) - $260, Boise (BOI) - $211, Bozeman (BZN) - $227, Cedar Rapids (CID) - $286, Chicago (ORD) - $250*, Cleveland (CLE) - $261, Colorado Springs (COS) - $248, Columbus (CMH) - $261, Dallas (DAL) - $244, Denver (DEN) - $255*, Des Moines (DSM) - $260, Durango (DRO) - $289, El Paso (ELP) - $252, Eugene (EUG) - $275, Fargo (FAR) - $268, Greensboro (GSO) - $296, Kalispell (FCA) - $296, McAllen (MFE) - $260, Memphis (MEM) - $290, Milwaukee (MKE) - $266, Minneapolis (MSP) - $271, Monterey (MRY) - $288, Nashville (BNA) - $238, New York (LGA) - $247, Oakland (OAK) - $203*, Oklahoma City (OKC) - $257, Omaha (OMA) - $261, Orlando (MCO) - $247, Philadelphia (PHL) - $235, Phoenix (PHX) - $235, Portland (PDX) - $216*, Redmond (RDM) - $290, Reno (RNO) - $188, Sacramento (SMF) - $203*, Salt Lake City (SLC) - $271, San Antonio (SAT) - $275, San Francisco (SFO) - $196*, San Jose (SJC) - $203, Santa Barbara (SBA) - $188, Seattle (SEA) - $236*, Sioux Falls (FSD) - $280, Spokane (GEG) - $261, St. Louis (STL) - $261, Syracuse (SYR) - $296, Tucson (TUS) - $256, Tulsa (TUL) - $287.

Canadian Departures 🇨🇦:

• Calgary (YYC) - $254

• Toronto (YYZ) - $297

• Vancouver (YVR) - $288

How to Book:

👉🏾 Check Flights on Google Flights

Iceland (KEF) 🌋 Volcanoes, Glaciers & Rare Half-Off Fares 🇮🇸

Best time to book: September - October (Full availability: August - December)

Deal Summary: Fly nonstop to Iceland with these rare low fares! It is hard to top these half-off fares flying Icelandair, with the best availability through late summer and fall. Fares are Economy Light, which includes a carry-on. You can upgrade to Economy Standard to get a free seat assignment and a checked bag. Thrifty Tip: Read our guide to Iceland, and make a pit stop at the Reykjavik Costco after you land to avoid high food and drink prices in Iceland!

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip, *nonstop): U.S. Departures 🇺🇸: Baltimore (BWI) - $358*, Boston (BOS) - $358*, Chicago (ORD) - $395*, Denver (DEN) - $445*, Miami (MIA) - $495*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $395*, Nashville (BNA) - $445*, Newark (EWR) - $345*, Orlando (MCO) - $495*, Raleigh (RDU) - $395*, Seattle (SEA) - $445*, Washington, D.C. (IAD) - $345*.

Canadian Departures 🇨🇦:

• Toronto (YYZ) - $455*

How to Book:

👉🏾 Check Flights on Google Flights

Unlock More with Your OWN Thrifty Traveler Account ✈️

These deals are brought to you by Thrifty Traveller. Thrifty Traveller Premium is a flight & hotel deal alert subscription service (not a booking site) where real human experts, not algorithms, find incredible deals from over 250+ cities. Imagine scoring savings like NYC to Tokyo business class for just $1,500!
Mandatory Disclaimer: #Ad #Sponsored.

Casablanca isn’t a city that eases you in; it pulls you directly into its beautiful, unapologetic chaos. From its 15th-century pirate history to the towering Hassan II Mosque and the bustling medinas, it is a city that commands your attention. It’s a place with rich culture, incredible architecture, and some of the best food you will ever taste.

What is the wildest thing you’ve ever witnessed while trying to navigate the traffic in a new destination? Or, more importantly, have you ever tried an authentic Moroccan lamb tangine?

Leave a comment

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

Today, we're standing at Pointe-au-Père in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Quebec, to uncover the story of the Empress of Ireland—a tragedy of equal scale that history almost completely forgot.

14 Minutes….

In our last episode, we were exploring the Côte-Nord region, learning about the giants of the St. Lawrence River in Tadoussac and watching whales from the silent shores of Cap-de-Bon-Désir. To get to our next stop, we hopped on a ferry and crossed the massive river, leaving the North Shore behind to reach the Bas-Saint-Laurent region.

Arriving at the Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site is visually staggering. Not only is it home to the second tallest lighthouse in Canada, but you are immediately greeted by the Onondaga—a massive Cold War submarine that you can actually go inside.

But we were there for something much deeper. Sitting down with Raphaël Cousineau-Mori at the Empress of Ireland Museum, I learned how a collision with a coal ship ripped the side of the luxury liner open like a tin can.

My 3 Fave Moments From The Episode

1. The Corporate WWI Cover-Up: Why isn’t this tragedy taught in schools? Because the Canadian Pacific company had a massive PR nightmare on their hands, the timing of global events gave them a convenient way out.

   “The other reason why it was forgotten is that three weeks after the sinking the war started... you’re the biggest transportation company in the world, your most luxurious ship just sank, and then you have a cover up.” — Raphaël Cousineau-Mori

   

2. The Tragic Irony of the Return Voyage While the Titanic was filled with high-society tourists and hopefuls seeking a new life, the demographics on the Empress added another layer of heartbreak to the disaster.

   “I did not find a job, I miss my family or I came here, I made some money and I have enough to bring my family here... mostly lots of immigrants that were going back for a trip.” — Raphaël Cousineau-Mori

   

3. Dr. James Fried Grant’s Silver Watch The museum is filled with artifacts pulled from the freezing depths, but seeing the engraved silver watch of the very first doctor to treat the survivors gave me absolute goosebumps.

   “So there’s an engraver on the back, says to Dr. James Fried Grant, an appreciation for his work on the night of May 29... he was actually one of the first to [fall] at the Empress of Ireland and the first picked by the crew of the store staff. People came in injured and he was helping them.” — Raphaël Cousineau-Mori

   

The Empress of Ireland was a giant lost in 14 minutes, but through the objects recovered and the stories of the descendants, the memory is finally staying above water.

Have you ever visited a historic site that completely changed your understanding of Canadian history? Drop a comment below, share this post, and let’s discuss!

Leave a comment

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

But then Sunday happened.

Canada beat South Africa in the Round of 32, taking us straight into the Round of 16! Here in Toronto (one of the host cities), and right across the country, it has been absolutely bananas. Gordana and I caught the game against Switzerland at a FIFA Fan Festival, and the energy was palpable.

With all this national pride, how could I not make this edition about a place here in Canada? Enter St. John’s, Newfoundland. I have been to this city twice, and I absolutely love the East Coast. If you remember, we’ve talked about Newfoundland before in this Substack when I visited beautiful Fogo Island Inn.

But this time, we are focusing on the capital. From the moment I first arrived in St. John’s, it felt like coming home—come from away (great play btw). It is a place with deep Irish roots, but more importantly, it is filled with that warm, always-smiling friendliness where a local will literally walk you halfway to your destination just to make sure you don’t get lost.

Who knows? Canada might be playing Morocco in the Round of 16. Maybe I’ll talk about Casablanca then...but in today’s edition, we are unpacking:

👉🏾 How I became an Honourary Newfoundlander (yes, it involves kissing a fish).

👉🏾 My 5 Faves: The Ultimate St. John’s Hit List.

👉🏾 Unpacked Travel Insider: Insane flight deals to fuel your next escape!

Getting “Screeched In”

St. John’s isn’t just a place with deep Irish roots; it is actually one of the oldest settlements in North America, officially coming into existence as a city in 1830. My second visit to St. John’s was to attend the Travel Media Association of Canada conference. What made this trip even more special—aside from being back to this wonderful province—is that I ended up taking home my very first award!

But you can’t visit St. John’s without partaking in a little local tradition. Drinking in St. John’s has been made even more fun by turning it into a ceremony called ‘screeched in’, which is strictly for visitors to Newfoundland. To become an honorary local, the visitor drinks a shot of Screech, makes a small recitation, and kisses a cod—or any other ugly fish held to your lips.

It is not an obligatory ceremony, but it marks the success of the Screech-in and makes for a very good memory. If you are a fan of drinking, Christian’s Bar is one of the oldest bars on George Street and a great place to have a great time and do the ceremony.

My 5 Faves

1. Signal Hill & The Narrows: Signal Hill is an excellent spot for some incredible panoramic views of St. John’s colourful jelly bean houses and the hill with The Rooms and The Basilica-Cathedral of St. John the Baptist along the hillside, as well as Fort Amherst. You can also see the mighty waves crashing up against the steep rock walls of The Narrows. You’ll also find Cabot Tower here, where the first trans-Atlantic wireless message was received in 1901.

2. Cape Spear: There is something amazing about standing at the Easternmost point in all of North America. This is where the sun first rises at the start of each morning. Constructed in 1836, the Cape Spear lighthouse located here is also the oldest surviving lighthouse in the province.

   

3. Quidi Vidi: I first tried their beer at the Fogo Island Inn restaurant while large icebergs drifted in the distance. I learned those beers were actually brewed right here in St. John’s by a local, independent brewing company. Love the beer, love the location by the lake.

4. George Street: This must-visit is an almost two-block-long street completely full of bars, clubs, restaurants, and pubs. It is the perfect place to grab a drink and is also the location for the Mardi Gras celebration and the six-night George Street Festival. Get “Screeched In” right here....

   

5. Bay Bulls & O’Brien’s Whales and Birds Tour: Just outside of St. John’s is this small fishing community where O’Brien’s offers incredible tours. We were lucky enough to see an iceberg here, and at the end of the tour, the host even broke out into song, singing classic Newfoundland folk tunes that distinctly reminded me of the songs I heard in Dublin, Ireland

   

👉🏾 12 Things to Do in St. John’s Newfoundland in 48 Hours

👉🏾 Amazing Places To Stay In St. John’s, Newfoundland

Unpacked Travel Insider

Lisbon, Portugal (LIS) | Lose Yourself in Lisbon! 🇵🇹🍷

Best time to book or length of deal: June through September (Purchase within the next 2-3 weeks).

Deal Summary: Get ready to explore the beautiful hills and historic streets of Lisbon for way less than the usual $1000! Incredible round-trip fares are offered by United, Delta, American, Air France, KLM, Air Dublin, Finnair, British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa, Norse Atlantic, and TAP Air.

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip): U.S. Departures: Albuquerque (ABQ) - $691, Asheville (AVL) - $602, Atlanta (ATL) - $611, Austin (AUS) - $727, Baltimore (BWI) - $730, Boston (BOS) - $561*, Charlotte (CLT) - $750, Chicago (ORD) - $556*, Cincinnati (CVG) - $604, Cleveland (CLE) - $712, Dallas (DFW) - $563, Denver (DEN) - $614, Detroit (DTW) - $666, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $430, Hartford (BDL) - $679, Houston (IAH) - $655, Indianapolis (IND) - $702, Jacksonville (JAX) - $710, Kansas City (MCI) - $666, Las Vegas (LAS) - $619, Louisville (SDF) - $650, Miami (MIA) - $555*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $700, Nashville (BNA) - $601, New Jersey (EWR) - $774*, New Orleans (MSY) - $581, New York (JFK) - $774*, New York (LGA) - $672, Oklahoma City (OKC) - $610, Omaha (OMA) - $631, Orlando (MCO) - $661, Philadelphia (PHL) - $755*, Phoenix (PHX) - $658, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $669, Portland (PDX) - $692, Raleigh (RDU) - $604, Richmond (RIC) - $721, Sacramento (SMF) - $718, St. Louis (STL) - $790, Salt Lake City (SLC) - $701, San Antonio (SAT) - $820, San Diego (SAN) - $579, San Francisco (SFO) - $554, San Jose (SJC) - $681, Seattle (SEA) - $602, Tampa (TPA) - $730, Washington DC (DCA) - $502, Washington DC (IAD) - $341 (*Nonstop flights indicated).

Canadian Departures:

• Calgary (YYC) - $653 CAD

• Montreal (YUL) - $722* CAD

• Toronto (YYZ) - $671* CAD

• Vancouver (YVR) - $680 CAD

👉🏾 3 Days in Lisbon | The Ultimate Lisbon Itinerary

👉🏾 Amazing Places To Stay In Lisbon

New York City, New York (EWR, JFK, LGA) | The Big Apple Awaits! 🇺🇸🗽

Best time to book or length of deal: August through November, January through March (Purchase within the next few days).

Deal Summary: Fly nonstop to NYC for less! Availability includes summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve from many cities. Works in reverse from NYC. Fares are offered by Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest in Basic Economy (includes a carry-on). Upgrade to Main Cabin to get a seat assignment and the ability to cancel for a voucher. Thrifty Tip: Get the most out of your trip to NYC using our guide.

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip): U.S. Departures: Albuquerque (ABQ) - $236*, Atlanta (ATL) - $216*, Bangor (BGR) - $250*, Buffalo (BUF) - $148*, Burlington (BTV) - $242*, Charleston (CHS) - $196*, Charlotte (CLT) - $296*, Charlottesville (CHO) - $238*, Chattanooga (CHA) - $238*, Chicago (MDW) - $170*, Chicago (ORD) - $170*, Cincinnati (CVG) - $240*, Cleveland (CLE) - $176*, Columbus (CMH) - $260*, Dallas (DAL) - $216*, Dallas (DFW) - $216*, Daytona Beach (DAB) - $236*, Denver (DEN) - $266*, Detroit (DTW) - $148*, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $166*, Fort Myers (RSW) - $176*, Grand Rapids (GRR) - $256*, Greensboro (GSO) - $298*, Houston (HOU) - $168*, Houston (IAH) - $168*, Huntsville (HSV) - $258*, Indianapolis (IND) - $298*, Jacksonville (JAX) - $196*, Las Vegas (LAS) - $276*, Louisville (SDF) - $238*, Melbourne (MLB) - $256*, Miami (MIA) - $166*, Milwaukee (MKE) - $238*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $288*, Myrtle Beach (MYR) - $238*, Nashville (BNA) - $146*, New Orleans (MSY) - $236*, Norfolk (ORF) - $242*, Omaha (OMA) - $196*, Orlando (MCO) - $176*, Panama City (ECP) - $298*, Pensacola (PNS) - $298*, Phoenix (PHX) - $286*, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $186*, Portland (PDX) - $298*, Portland (PWM) - $180*, Raleigh (RDU) - $216*, Richmond (RIC) - $248*, Roanoke (ROA) - $298*, Rochester (ROC) - $180*, San Diego (SAN) - $296*, San Francisco (SFO) - $298*, San Juan (SJU) - $278*, Sarasota (SRQ) - $246*, Savannah (SAV) - $206*, Seattle (SEA) - $298*, St. Louis (STL) - $290*, Tampa (TPA) - $156*, Washington, D.C. (DCA) - $148*, Washington, D.C. (IAD) - $156*, West Palm Beach (PBI) - $176*, Wilmington (ILM) - $196* (*Nonstop flights indicated).

Canadian Departures:

• Montreal (YUL) - $273* CAD

• Toronto (YYZ) - $266* CAD How to Book: Click Google Flights to adjust your departure city and find the cheapest dates.

👉🏾 48 Hours in New York (My Brooklyn Itinerary)

👉🏾 Amazing Place To Stay In Brooklyn

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (GCM) | Cayman Calling! 🇰🇾🐠

Best time to book or length of deal: August through September, January through March (Purchase within the next few days).

Deal Summary: Visit the Cayman Islands for less! Includes availability through late summer and next winter, which is peak season. Fares are offered by American and Delta in Basic Economy (includes a carry-on). Upgrade to Main Cabin for a seat assignment and the ability to change or cancel for a voucher. Thrifty Tip: Unwind with calm water and stunning sunset views at Rum Point Club.

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip): U.S. Departures: Albany (ALB) - $340, Allentown (ABE) - $322, Austin (AUS) - $330, Baltimore (BWI) - $336, Boston (BOS) - $342, Buffalo (BUF) - $336, Burlington (BTV) - $336, Charleston (CRW) - $336, Columbus (CMH) - $340, Harrisburg (MDT) - $340, Hartford (BDL) - $340, Indianapolis (IND) - $340, Miami (MIA) - $286*, Nashville (BNA) - $330, New Orleans (MSY) - $330, New York (JFK) - $342, New York (LGA) - $342, Newark (EWR) - $342, Norfolk (ORF) - $350, Orlando (MCO) - $388, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $330, Portland (PWM) - $336, Providence (PVD) - $336, Raleigh (RDU) - $350, Richmond (RIC) - $350, Roanoke (ROA) - $336, Rochester (ROC) - $336, Scranton (AVP) - $331, Syracuse (SYR) - $340, Washington, D.C. (DCA) - $336, Washington, D.C. (IAD) - $336, Westchester County (HPN) - $340 (*Nonstop flights indicated).

Canadian Departures:

• Toronto (YYZ) - $348 CAD

How to Book:

👉🏾 Click Google Flights to adjust your departure city and find the cheapest dates.

Unlock More with Your OWN Thrifty Traveler Account ✈️

These deals are brought to you by Thrifty Traveller. Thrifty Traveller Premium is a flight & hotel deal alert subscription service (not a booking site) where real human experts, not algorithms, find incredible deals from over 250+ cities. Imagine scoring savings like NYC to Tokyo business class for just $1,500!
Mandatory Disclaimer: #Ad #Sponsored.

Could you handle the “Screeched In” ceremony? More importantly, are you brave enough to kiss a cod just to become an honuorary Newfoundlander? Let me know in the comments below! 👇🏾

Leave a comment

If you found this St. John’s hit list helpful, please share this post with your favourite travel buddy.

If I can leave you with one piece of advice for the East Coast: do get “Screeched In”, do try the local beer, and absolutely do try the lobster. St. John’s and Newfoundland and Labrador, in general, is an amazing place full of history, stories, myths, and incredible nature and wildlife. Most importantly, it’s about the people—I came back to Toronto with new friends from St. John’s!

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

But as you push further towards the Côte-Nord to kick off our Quebec Maritime road trip, the geography changes in a heartbeat. You aren’t just on a river anymore; you are standing at the gateway to the Atlantic—the massive St. Lawrence River. The air is cooler, sharper, and you can literally taste the sea salt on your lips.

In this edition:

👉🏾 We’re unpacking the magic of Tadoussac and Les Bergeronnes.

👉🏾 We are getting inside the bones of prehistoric whales, chasing the adrenaline of the open water, and learning the beautiful art of patience on the rocks.

👉🏾 We are sharing our 3 Fave Moments: Prehistoric belugas, hidden hands, and the ‘zombie’ vibe of the coast.

Quick travel hack before we dive in: Do not let a summer heatwave on land fool you! Once you get out onto the St. Lawrence River on a Zodiac, it is absolutely freezing. Make sure you pack those extra base layers and a toque before hitting the water!

From Adrenaline To Silence

Driving down Route 138—famously known as the Whale Route—you immediately sense that you are entering the territory of giants. If I didn’t know I was in Quebec, I’d swear I was standing in Nova Scotia or Newfoundland.

There are two distinct ways to meet a whale in this region, and Gordana and I were lucky enough to experience both. First, we hit the water out of Les Bergeronnes on a Zodiac with Croisières Essipit, an incredible Innu-run operation. The second you leave the marina, the adrenaline just spikes. Our captain, Antoine, didn’t baby the boat either; we were skimming across the waves with the freezing wind hitting our faces. We saw some seals and some Minke whales. Unforgettable.

Then, just 20 minutes north of Tadoussac at Cap-de-Bon-Désir, the vibe completely flipped. You step out onto these massive, ancient plates of pinkish-grey granite that slope directly into the sea, and everyone is just... silent. You are standing perfectly still, hypnotized by the horizon, waiting for a giant to come to you! I’ll explain why in a second.

👉🏾 8 Days in Quebec Maritime: Top Attractions, Scenic Drives, and Hidden Gems

👉🏾 Amazing Places Too Stay In Quebec Maritime

3 Fave Moments From The Episode 🐋

1. The ‘Hand’ Inside the Flipper: “Like the same finger as... Yeah, it’s like a hand. But they cannot move it anymore. The only thing that moves is the shoulder. And then it’s like covered with skin and muscle. So you don’t see that they have fingers like that.” — Christine Stadelmann, Marine Mammals Interpretation Centre (CIMM)
   
   Walking into the CIMM felt like stepping back into my childhood trips to the Science Centre. Christine pointed to a display of a whale’s flipper with the skin stripped away, and it blew my mind that the bones look like a massive skeletal human hand. Millions of years ago, whales actually lived on land and still carry the vestigial pelvis bones of their ancestors.

   

   But stepping back into the present, the CIMM also hit me with a harsh reality. Seeing a display detailing how they pulled 15 kilograms of rubbish; plastics, bags, and cords from the stomach of a sperm whale named Valleau was heartbreaking. We absolutely have to do better to protect our home.

2. Felix, the 10,700-Year-Old Beluga: “A woman found him, like in her... backyard. When she tried to like, she did some work in her backyard. And so they found it and they thought it was maybe a cow or something. And then they realized actually that there was some marine mammal.” — Christine Stadelmann

   

   Can you imagine doing some casual gardening and digging up a prehistoric whale? Felix the Beluga is basically a time capsule. Because he was encased between two layers of clay, he was perfectly preserved for over 10,000 years. It shows just how drastically the geography here has shifted—what is now someone’s backyard was once the bottom of the Champlain Sea.

3. The ‘Zombie Silence’ of Cap-de-Bon-Désir: “When you’re on the shore and looking at the whales, well, you’re more in a contemplation place. Like you stand on the rocks and you just wait for the whales to come at you... everyone is like silent and you’re looking on like the direction you can look at, like a clock.” — Eloïse Lavoie, Parks Canada.

   

   These people are crazy patient. Unlike the Zodiac where you chase the encounter, here, the deep underwater Laurentian Channel brings the food and the whales right to the shoreline.

This trip to the Côte-Nord was incredibly humbling. From the haunting, massive bleached skeletons hanging in the dark at the CIMM, to the high-speed, freezing salt spray of the Zodiac, and finally, that quiet, hypnotic wait on the granite rocks at Cap-de-Bon-Désir. It’s an experience I will never forget. A place that forces you to realize how small we truly are compared to the giants of the water, and how much responsibility we have to protect their home.

I want to hear from you: Have you ever had an encounter with nature that completely shifted your perspective on our world or your place in it? Drop a comment below and tell me your story!

Leave a comment

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

I cannot express the emotions I have right now with Canada being one of the host countries and games being played right here at home! All eyes are on my city. I get emotional watching those classic aerial shots—this time, it’s my city, and I get all choked up seeing it! Plus, I’m excited to finally have a home team to officially cheer for: Team Canada!

(Though I will still cheer for Portugal because it’s in my genes and, well, Ronaldo; Brazil because it’s in my past; Germany because of past World Cup bonding memories—more on this in a second; Argentina because of the G.O.A.T. Messi; Spain; and former Yugoslavian countries like Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina because of Gordana, of course). The energy here in Toronto is palpable! I love it!

Quick story! I was in Germany hanging out with my cousin Santana from Cologne back in 2014. We were in a bar in Bonn watching Germany slaughter Brazil 7-1! I will never forget that energy; it’s permanently engraved in my mind. I was also in Germany when they won the World Cup! Amazing. Interestingly, I’m watching Germany play as I write this! I feel like that child again, playing the midfield position out on the pitch!

Speaking of soccer, yesterday I watched Morocco play, and I was so impressed with their game. Seeing all the colours, flavours, and languages mixing in my city right now immediately reminded me of the vibrant, colourful spices of Marrakech.

In this edition:

👉🏾 24 Hours of craziness in the Red City

👉🏾 My 5 Faves, The Ultimate Marrakech Hit List.

👉🏾 Insane flight deals to fuel your next escape!

24 Hours of Craziness in the Red City

Marrakech is an absolute explosion of bright colours, loud music, the taste of exotic food, the smell of herbs and spices, the softness of silk and leather goods, and the heat of the hot sun touching your skin. It’s nuts! It highlights an incredibly rich culture, and in fact, it is a place that first caught my eye years ago while watching The Amazing Race.

There are so many experiences Marrakech, and Morocco as a whole, has to offer. From waking up in beautiful Riad-style accommodations (traditional Moroccan houses with peaceful interior gardens or courtyards) to exploring the old Medina, it offers a typical Moroccan market experience with a wild side. You can easily lose yourself shopping for rugs, carpets, and leather goods, or watch acrobats, monkeys, and snake charmers right in the street. I kid you not! Did I say it’s nuts?

5 Faves

1. The Marrakech Medina: The chaotic heart of the city. This is where you come to completely lose yourself in the winding alleyways, inhale the wild scent of spices you never heard of, and hunt for beautiful silk and leather goods.

2. Koutoubia Mosque: The spiritual compass of the city. This iconic, towering minaret anchors the city skyline. No matter where you get turned around in the city, you can always look up and find your way. My CN Tower equivalent.

   

3. Jemaa el-Fnaa: Pure nighttime craziness. This bustling main square completely transforms as the sun goes down, coming alive with storytellers, musicians, and endless food that will truly test your culinary boundaries. Sheep heads (with the eyes still in) anyone?

   

4. Saadian Tombs: A peaceful step back in time. Hidden away for centuries, this historic and tranquil resting place for the Saadi Dynasty features some of the most intricate and stunning tile work you will ever see.

   

5. Bahia Palace: An architectural masterpiece. When the energy of the city gets to be too much, the 150 rooms leading out to tranquil courtyards and lush green gardens offer the perfect quiet escape from the chaos of the streets

   

👉🏾 Best Things To Do In Marrakech: The Ultimate 24-Hour Tour Guide

👉🏾 Amazing Places to Stay In Marrakech, Morocco!

Unpacked Travel Insider

Lima, Peru (LIM) | Machu Picchu Calling! 🇵🇪📷

Best time to book or length of deal: October through December (Purchase within the next 48 hours!).

Deal Summary: You gotta love exploring Machu Picchu and saving big on flights along the way! Make your way to Peru with this incredible sale for less than $600. Fares are offered by Air Canada, American, Delta, and LATAM.

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip): U.S. Departures: Austin (AUS) - $494, Baltimore (BWI) - $476, Boston (BOS) - $510, Charlotte (CLT) - $564, Chicago (ORD) - $553, Columbus (CMH) - $561, Dallas (DFW) - $593, Miami (MIA) - $583*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $573, New York (JFK) - $561, New York (LGA) - $553, Newark (EWR) - $553, Orlando (MCO) - $544, Philadelphia (PHL) - $553, Raleigh (RDU) - $514, San Francisco (SFO) - $507, San Juan (SJU) - $445, St. Thomas (STT) - $537, Tampa (TPA) - $524, Washington DC (DCA) - $469, Washington DC (IAD) - $474 (*Nonstop flights indicated).

Canadian Departures:
Calgary (YYC) - $591, Halifax (YHZ) - $593, Montreal (YUL) - $553, Ottawa (YOW) - $585, Quebec City (YQB) - $514, Thunder Bay (YQT) - $539, Toronto (YYZ) - $514, Vancouver (YVR) - $550

How to Book: Click Google Flights to adjust your departure city and find the cheapest dates.

San Diego, California (SAN) | San Diego Sun! 🇺🇸☀️✈️

Best time to book or length of deal: June through September (Purchase within the next 2-3 weeks).

Deal Summary: Get ready for some sun in Southern California for way less than the usual $400! Fares are offered by United, American, Delta, JetBlue, and Frontier.

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip): U.S. Departures: Albuquerque (ABQ) - $302*, Asheville (AVL) - $292, Atlanta (ATL) - $441*, Austin (AUS) - $217*, Baltimore (BWI) - $276*, Boston (BOS) - $277*, Charlotte (CLT) - $398, Chicago (ORD) - $247*, Cincinnati (CVG) - $190, Cleveland (CLE) - $198, Dallas (DFW) - $118*, Denver (DEN) - $72*, Detroit (DTW) - $521*, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $461*, Hartford (BDL) - $299, Houston (IAH) - $377*, Indianapolis (IND) - $398*, Jacksonville (JAX) - $299, Kansas City (MCI) - $476*, Las Vegas (LAS) - $56*, Los Angeles (LAX) - $239*, Louisville (SDF) - $298, Miami (MIA) - $379*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $279*, Nashville (BNA) - $314*, New Jersey (EWR) - $210*, New Orleans (MSY) - $271*, New York (JFK) - $204*, New York (LGA) - $251, Oklahoma City (OKC) - $192, Orlando (MCO) - $277*, Omaha (OMA) - $418*, Philadelphia (PHL) - $401*, Phoenix (PHX) - $50*, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $278, Portland (PDX) - $165*, Raleigh (RDU) - $233, Richmond (RIC) - $289, Sacramento (SMF) - $137*, St. Louis (STL) - $398*, Salt Lake City (SLC) - $169*, San Antonio (SAT) - $363*, San Francisco (SFO) - $56*, San Jose (SJC) - $137*, Seattle (SEA) - $178*, Tampa (TPA) - $291*, Washington DC (DCA) - $304*, Washington DC (IAD) - $201* (*Nonstop flights indicated).

Canadian Departures: Calgary (YYC) - $381* CAD, Montreal (YUL) - $490* CAD, Toronto (YYZ) - $712* CAD, Vancouver (YVR) - $522* CAD How to Book:

Click Google Flights to adjust your departure city and find the cheapest dates.

New York City, New York (LGA, JFK, EWR) | The Big Apple Awaits! 🇺🇸🍎✈️

Best time to book or length of deal: June through September (Purchase within the next 2-3 weeks).

Deal Summary: Get ready to take a bite out of the city that never sleeps for way less than the usual $400! Incredible round-trip fares are offered by Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, and United.

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip): U.S. Departures: Albuquerque (ABQ) - $231*, Asheville (AVL) - $104*, Atlanta (ATL) - $92*, Austin (AUS) - $143*, Baltimore (BWI) - $178, Boston (BOS) - $176*, Charleston (CHS) - $171*, Charlotte (CLT) - $188*, Chicago (ORD) - $177*, Cincinnati (CVG) - $199*, Cleveland (CLE) - $98*, Dallas (DFW) - $82*, Denver (DEN) - $156*, Detroit (DTW) - $157*, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $178*, Hartford (BDL) - $156*, Houston (IAH) - $143*, Indianapolis (IND) - $269*, Jacksonville (JAX) - $198*, Kansas City (MCI) - $341*, Las Vegas (LAS) - $204*, Los Angeles (LAX) - $251*, Louisville (SDF) - $232*, Miami (MIA) - $194*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $220*, Nashville (BNA) - $192*, New Orleans (MSY) - $210*, Oklahoma City (OKC) - $302*, Omaha (OMA) - $196*, Orlando (MCO) - $159*, Philadelphia (PHL) - $198, Phoenix (PHX) - $289*, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $178*, Portland (PDX) - $294*, Raleigh (RDU) - $157*, Richmond (RIC) - $198*, Sacramento (SMF) - $322*, St. Louis (STL) - $289*, Salt Lake City (SLC) - $243*, San Antonio (SAT) - $329*, San Diego (SAN) - $340*, San Francisco (SFO) - $298*, San Jose (SJC) - $299, Seattle (SEA) - $277*, Tampa (TPA) - $197*, Washington DC (DCA) - $177*, Washington DC (IAD) - $170* (*Nonstop flights indicated).

Canadian Departures: Calgary (YYC) - $421* CAD, Montreal (YUL) - $392* CAD, Toronto (YYZ) - $362* CAD, Vancouver (YVR) - $470* CAD

How to Book: Click Google Flights to adjust your departure city and find the cheapest dates.

Unlock More with Your OWN Thrifty Traveler Account ✈️

These deals are brought to you by Thrifty Traveller. Thrifty Traveller Premium is a flight & hotel deal alert subscription service (not a booking site) where real human experts, not algorithms, find incredible deals from over 250+ cities. Imagine scoring savings like NYC to Tokyo business class for just $1,500!
Mandatory Disclaimer: #Ad #Sponsored.

Just like a high-stakes World Cup match on the pitch, navigating the winding alleys of the Marrakech Medina is pure adrenaline and beautiful chaos. Truthfully, my love for the game is pretty much just an extension of my deep love for travel and the human connections that unite us all!

I want to know: who are you cheering for, and what jersey are you wearing? Let me know your team in the comments below! 👇🏾

Leave a comment

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

We are continuing our road trip through Quebec, landing in the Saguenay, Lac-Saint-Jean region in the little town of Alma. This area, well Saguenay in general is famously known for their incredibly delicious blueberries. But we found something here that might just be sweeter than the fruit itself: a place called Le Saint-Crème.

In this episode, we sat down with Vincent Lavoie, a young entrepreneur who took the Sainte-Marie-de-l'Isle-Maligne Church and breathed new life into its stone walls by converting it to an ice cream and sandwich shop and a modern 10-room hotel structure directly beneath the church's original vaulted ceilings. What it is really like to eat a Montreal smoked meat sandwich on an old confessional door.

Travel Tale: A Sanctuary for the Soul... and the Stomach

Standing on the shores of Lac-Saint-Jean, it feels more like a vast, ever-changing sea than a lake. Right off the Véloroute des Bleuets sits the Sainte-Marie-de-l’Isle-Maligne Church. Outside, it’s a 1938 stone masterpiece; inside, the cold air gives way to the warm, sweet smell of sugar. Weird I know.

This is the vision of 22-year-old Vincent Lavoie. In 2022, he bought the church, started an ice cream shop, and eventually used a 3 million dollar investment to construct a modern 10-room hotel right inside the nave. “It’s like a building inside another building,” Vincent explains, sitting beautifully beneath the original vaulted ceilings and ancient stained glass.

Initially skeptical, locals, surprisingly even priests, now embrace it as a community hub, with the religious community beautifully gifting Bibles for the guest rooms. The former church is perfectly positioned for active travellers, as it also offers secure indoor bike lock-ups for summer cyclists and drying rooms for winter snowmobilers.

Thast said, I’m not going to lie; eating a Montreal smoked meat sandwich and sipping a blueberry slushie on a table made from an old confessional door felt a little weird. Surrounded by holy water fonts and pictures of Jesus, I had to ask myself: is this right? Is this sacrilege? I’d love to hear your comments on this below!

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But as I watched the locals gather, it hit me. The real sacrilege would have been letting this beautiful building go quiet forever, or paving it over for a parking lot…as the song goes. Instead, one man managed to turn stone into sugar, and that is a miracle worth visiting.

My 3 Fave Moments From The Episode

1. The “Building Within a Building”: Vincent took a massive 3 million dollar risk by constructing a modern, 10-room hotel directly inside the church’s nave. He described the mind-blowing architecture perfectly: “So we’ve kind of had like a second floor inside the church. So it’s like a building inside another building”.

   

2. Dining on Confessional Doors: It felt a little weird eating a Montreal smoked meat sandwich here, but Vincent respectfully repurposed the church’s history rather than destroying it. As he told us, “We are not religious... but we’ve [kept] like everything from the stained glass to... the doors of the confessional... So everything has like a new function, a new life and everything”.

   

3. The Community’s Blessing & The Bibles: The ultimate proof that this renovation wasn’t sacrilege is how the locals embraced it. Even priests and older parishioners return to visit, and in a beautiful show of support, the local religious community actually gifted the hotel Bibles to place inside the guest rooms.

👉🏾 Discover Why Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Should Be Your Next Quebec Getaway

👉🏾 Amazing Places To Stay In Sagueney-Lac-Saint-Jean

As we left Sainte-Marie-de-l’Isle-Maligne, we realized that what Vincent is doing here is a true high-wire act. He is essentially balancing a $3 million debt, the heavy expectations of a traditional community, and the weight of 80 years of history on his shoulders.

But there is a bizarre kind of peace inside those walls. Whether it is the silence of a modern structure sitting inside a church nave, or the way the morning sun hits the sweets through those original stained-glass windows, you can feel that the heart of this place is still beating. It is just beating to a different rhythm.

Maybe Le Saint-Crème is exactly what a town like Alma needs—a way to keep its history alive by giving people a reason to walk through the doors again.

If you had the chance, could you sleep in a converted 1938 church, or would dining on an old confessional door feel a little too weird for you? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! 👇🏾

Leave a comment

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

If you are anything like me, you have probably fallen into the trap of treating Buffalo, New York, like a pit stop. For years, every New Years we’d drive over from Toronto, spend the night at the casino, do some discount shopping at the outlet malls in Niagara, pop over to Buffalo for a quick basket of wings, and then leave. On a weekend the downtown streets looked awfully empty, so we assumed there was nothing else to do here.

After collaborating with Visit Buffalo, I not only learned the story of “Buffalo” Wing —which I had been ordering wrong every single time I visited! I also discovered that all the real action in Buffalo lies in three distinct neighbourhoods outside of the downtown core: Allentown, Elmwood, and the up-and-coming Silo City. It has amazing Black history, an awesome art gallery, and a lot of other incredible food options outside of wings.

Behind the smokestacks and the industrial façades (which honestly feature some gorgeous, historic building architecture) lies a city with a deeply rebellious, creative heartbeat, rich in architecture, and musical history that completely blew me away.

In this edition of Rudderless Travel: Unpacked, we are diving into:

👉🏾 Buffalo’s identity: Neighbourhood, Buffalo Wings VS Chicken Wings (there is a difference)

👉🏾 My 5 Faves, which you don’t want to miss on your next “drive through

👉🏾 Crazy Error Flight Deals to get you exploring this world.

Grab yourself a cold brew and some wings, cause obviouslly when you are in Bufflo you would simply ask for wings (they know what you want

The Spark That Changed Everything

Most people don’t know that on November 15, 1896, Buffalo became the centre of the scientific universe. At exactly midnight, a massive surge of alternating current (AC) electricity travelled 40 Kilometres (25 miles) from the Adams Power Plant built using the brilliant patents of Nikola Tesla and surged directly into Buffalo. The city’s streetcars came to life, streetlights flickered on, and Buffalo officially became the first electrified city in the world. They called it the “City of Light.”

Buffalo is a place where industrial grit meets incredible warmth. There is a reason they also call it “The City of Good Neighbours.” Believe me, the locals are quick to welcome you into their favourite watering holes, foodie spots or even their personal garden (more on this in a second).

In 1964 at the Anchor Bar, Teressa Bellissimo first deep-fried some leftover wings, tossed them in a simple concoction of hot sauce and melted butter, and served them with celery and blue cheese. Thus, the Buffalo wing was born.
A standard “chicken wing” can be breaded, baked, or slathered in any sweet sauce from barbecue to honey garlic. So, when you’re in Buffalo, simply ask for “wings”—they’ll know you don’t want regular chicken wings.

The downtown area can feel a bit empty on the weekends because it’s primarily a business centre, but when you do find yourself in the downtown core, make sure to look up. The architecture is absolutely spectacular. You’ll spot the iconic Liberty Building, featuring two Statue of Liberty replicas standing proud on its roof. Just nearby is the French Renaissance Hotel Lafayette, designed by Louise Blanchard Bethune, America’s first professional female architect and the stunning Guaranty Building, a skyscrapers covered in ornate terracotta.

But the crowning jewel of Buffalo’s architectural reinvention is the Richardson Hotel. Formerly a 19th-century mental institution designed by H.H. Richardson, its peaceful grounds were landscaped by none other than Frederick Law Olmsted (the mastermind behind Central Park).

My 5 Faves

1. The Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum + The Freedom Wall:

   Tucked away near the downtown core in the historic Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor, this legendary venue is the only continuously running, all-Black-owned music venue in the United States. Found in 1918, this historic landmark has hosted legends like Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Miles Davis.

   Just down the street at East Ferry Street and Michigan Avenue, you’ll find The Freedom Wall. Commissioned by the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, this massive, striking public art mural features powerful, larger-than-life portraits of 28 iconic civil rights leaders, both national and local. From Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King Jr. to Buffalo’s own Mary Talbert and William Wells Brown.

   

2. Buffalo AKG Art Museum:

   Speaking of the Freedom Wall, if you love modern and contemporary art, this museum is an absolute must-visit. Formerly known as the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, this world-class institution recently underwent an impressive physical and artistic expansion.

   

3. Gabriel’s Gate:

   We already mentioned the Anchor Bar as the historical birthplace of the wing, but if you want to eat where the locals go to eat wings, you need to head over to Allentown and grab a table at Gabriel’s Gate. Located in the beautifully preserved brick row house dating back to 1864, it features wood-burning fireplaces, original tin ceilings, and a spectacular backyard patio.

4. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House:

   I brought up archetecture earlier but I felt i needed to mention this house seperately as it is widely considered to be one of the finest residential designs of Wright’s entire career. Built between 1903 and 1905 for Buffalo executive Darwin D. Martin, this massive estate is a masterclass in organic architecture.

   

5. Delaware Park & Garden Walk Buffalo:

   Also designed by the legendary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Delaware Park is a massive green sanctuary. It was actually designed in 1868 as the crown jewel of America’s first coordinated urban park and parkway system, which Olmsted designed specifically for Buffalo.

   If you love plants and community stories, try to time your visit with Garden Walk Buffalo. It is the largest free garden tour in the United States, featuring over 300 passionate local gardeners who open their private backyards to the public. It is a beautiful testament to how locals turned a rough economic period into a stunning, flower-filled tradition.

   

👉🏾 18 Things to Do in Buffalo, NY, on Your Next Weekend Getaway

👉🏾 Amazing Places To Stay In Buffalo

👉🏾 Watch our video on YouTube 👇🏾

Unpacked Travel Insider

Colombia: Colorful Streets and Tropical Vibes! 🌴 🇨🇴

• Best time to book: Purchase within the next few days (we think this deal will only last a short while!).

• Deal Summary: Explore the incredibly colorful, historic old town of Cartagena! Best availability this summer. Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on; upgrade to Main Cabin to get a seat assignment and the ability to cancel for a voucher.

• Thrifty Tip: Take a walk down the streets of Getsemaní and enjoy a mix of street art, café culture, and a vibrant nightlife atmosphere.

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip, nonstop):

Albany (ALB) - $484, Atlanta (ATL) - $476*, Augusta (AGS) - $591, Austin (AUS) - $351, Baltimore (BWI) - $378, Birmingham (BHM) - $591, Boston (BOS) - $355, Bristol (TRI) - $591, Buffalo (BUF) - $484, Burlington (BTV) - $566, Charleston (CHS) - $543, Charleston (CRW) - $564, Charlotte (CLT) - $410, Charlottesville (CHO) - $564, Chicago (MDW) - $374, Chicago (ORD) - $364, Cincinnati (CVG) - $575, Cleveland (CLE) - $594, Columbia (CAE) - $591, Columbus (CMH) - $581, Dallas (DAL) - $588, Dallas (DFW) - $568, Denver (DEN) - $446, Destin (VPS) - $590, Detroit (DTW) - $410, Evansville (EVV) - $591, Fayetteville (FAY) - $591, Fayetteville (XNA) - $593, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $274*, Fort Myers (RSW) - $591, Fort Wayne (FWA) - $591, Gainesville (GNV) - $591, Greensboro (GSO) - $591, Greenville (GSP) - $566, Gulfport (GPT) - $591, Harrisburg (MDT) - $485, Hartford (BDL) - $474, Houston (IAH) - $556, Huntsville (HSV) - $591, Indianapolis (IND) - $585, Jacksonville (JAX) - $372, Key West (EYW) - $591, Knoxville (TYS) - $591, Las Vegas (LAS) - $460, Los Angeles (LAX) - $498, Louisville (SDF) - $570, Miami (MIA) - $274*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $578, Mobile (MOB) - $591, Montgomery (MGM) - $591, Myrtle Beach (MYR) - $591, Nashville (BNA) - $408, New Orleans (MSY) - $450, New York (JFK) - $536*, Norfolk (ORF) - $544, Orlando (MCO) - $380, Pensacola (PNS) - $591, Philadelphia (PHL) - $568, Phoenix (PHX) - $598, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $354, Providence (PVD) - $344, Raleigh (RDU) - $343, Richmond (RIC) - $450, Roanoke (ROA) - $591, Rochester (ROC) - $484, San Antonio (SAT) - $577, San Diego (SAN) - $466, San Francisco (SFO) - $450, San Juan (SJU) - $326, Sarasota (SRQ) - $591, Savannah (SAV) - $591, St. Louis (STL) - $592, St. Thomas (STT) - $432, Syracuse (SYR) - $484, Tallahassee (TLH) - $591, Tampa (TPA) - $328, Washington, D.C. (DCA) - $378, Washington, D.C. (IAD) - $381, Westchester County (HPN) - $550, Wilmington (ILM) - $591. (*Nonstop flights are indicated).

Canadian Cities (All fares round-trip, nonstop):

• Montreal (YUL) - $528* CAD

• Toronto (YYZ) - $523 CAD

Dublin, Ireland: Summer Magic in the Fair City! 🍀 🇮🇪

• Best time to book: Purchase within the next 2–3 weeks before these summer fares vanish.

• Deal Summary: Spend your summer soaking up Dublin’s rich history, legendary music, and pints of liquid gold! Widespread availability for a fraction of the normal $1000 price tag.

• Thrifty Tip: Walk down the cobbled streets of Temple Bar, enjoy a stout at Kelly’s Cellars, or check out the breathtaking Long Room at Trinity College.

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip, nonstop):

Albuquerque (ABQ) - $802, Asheville (AVL) - $604, Atlanta (ATL) - $569*, Austin (AUS) - $698, Baltimore (BWI) - $789, Boston (BOS) - $576*, Charleston (CHS) - $610, Charlotte (CLT) - $643, Chicago (ORD) - $762*, Cincinnati (CVG) - $654, Cleveland (CLE) - $735*, Dallas (DFW) - $880*, Denver (DEN) - $698, Detroit (DTW) - $643, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $729, Hartford (BDL) - $702, Houston (IAH) - $670, Indianapolis (IND) - $856, Jacksonville (JAX) - $888, Kansas City (MCI) - $821, Las Vegas (LAS) - $770, Los Angeles (LAX) - $865*, Louisville (SDF) - $798, Miami (MIA) - $666*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $691, Nashville (BNA) - $722, New Jersey (EWR) - $570*, New Orleans (MSY) - $554, New York (JFK) - $625*, New York (LGA) - $644, Oklahoma City (OKC) - $821, Omaha (OMA) - $799, Orlando (MCO) - $905*, Philadelphia (PHL) - $790*, Phoenix (PHX) - $689, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $654, Portland (PDX) - $785, Raleigh (RDU) - $721, Richmond (RIC) - $698, Sacramento (SMF) - $830, St. Louis (STL) - $842, Salt Lake City (SLC) - $830, San Antonio (SAT) - $843, San Diego (SAN) - $821, San Francisco (SFO) - $865*, San Jose (SJC) - $821, Seattle (SEA) - $801*, Tampa (TPA) - $613, Washington DC (DCA) - $648, Washington DC (IAD) - $771*. (*Nonstop flights are indicated).

Canadian Cities (All fares round-trip, nonstop):

• Calgary (YYC) - $881 CAD

• Montreal (YUL) - $868* CAD

• Toronto (YYZ) - $502* CAD

• Vancouver (YVR) - $992* CAD

Denver, Colorado: Escape to the Mile High City! 🦅🏔️

• Best time to book: Purchase within the next 2–3 weeks (these Rocky Mountain fares won’t last long!).

• Deal Summary: Unbelievable nonstop fares to Colorado’s spectacular peaks! Massive summer and autumn availability. Fares are Basic Economy but some airlines feature Main Cabin perks.

• Thrifty Tip: Make sure to check out the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre for a scenic morning hike or a legendary open-air show.

Departure Cities (All fares round-trip, nonstop):

Albuquerque (ABQ) - $197*, Asheville (AVL) - $149*, Atlanta (ATL) - $76*, Austin (AUS) - $76*, Baltimore (BWI) - $298*, Boston (BOS) - $199*, Charlotte (CLT) - $76*, Chicago (ORD) - $97*, Cincinnati (CVG) - $98*, Cleveland (CLE) - $99*, Dallas (DFW) - $66*, Detroit (DTW) - $70*, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $179*, Hartford (BDL) - $269*, Houston (IAH) - $66*, Indianapolis (IND) - $98*, Jacksonville (JAX) - $379*, Kansas City (MCI) - $74*, Las Vegas (LAS) - $66*, Los Angeles (LAX) - $64*, Louisville (SDF) - $323*, Miami (MIA) - $88*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $98*, Nashville (BNA) - $98*, New Jersey (EWR) - $178*, New Orleans (MSY) - $158*, New York (JFK) - $147*, New York (LGA) - $147*, Oklahoma City (OKC) - $76*, Orlando (MCO) - $92*, Omaha (OMA) - $73*, Philadelphia (PHL) - $98*, Phoenix (PHX) - $66*, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $198*, Portland (PDX) - $68*, Raleigh (RDU) - $178*, Richmond (RIC) - $212*, Sacramento (SMF) - $88*, St. Louis (STL) - $76*, Salt Lake City (SLC) - $70*, San Antonio (SAT) - $68*, San Diego (SAN) - $66*, San Francisco (SFO) - $78*, San Jose (SJC) - $343*, Seattle (SEA) - $70*, Tampa (TPA) - $160*, Washington DC (DCA) - $144*, Washington DC (IAD) - $163*. (*Nonstop flights are indicated).

Canadian Cities (All fares round-trip, nonstop):

• Calgary (YYC) - $388* CAD

• Montreal (YUL) - $592* CAD

• Toronto (YYZ) - $593* CAD

• Vancouver (YVR) - $705* CAD

How to Book:

1. Click the button below to open Google Flights.

2. Adjust the departure city to your home airport.

3. Click the dates to find the cheapest green prices in calendar view. Availability may vary depending on your home airport.

4. Follow the direct airline booking links. (For better availability from some cities, search for 8–9 day trips).

👉🏾 Book with Google Flights

Unlock More with Your OWN Thrifty Traveler Account ✈️

These deals are brought to you by Thrifty Traveller. Thrifty Traveller Premium is a flight & hotel deal alert subscription service (not a booking site) where real human experts, not algorithms, find incredible deals from over 250+ cities. Imagine scoring savings like NYC to Tokyo business class for just $1,500!
Mandatory Disclaimer: #Ad #Sponsored.

Thanks for riding shotgun with us. Buffalo proves that if you look past the industrial grit, you’ll find a city with a massive soul.

P.S. Remember, pack a bib if you’re tackling those wings!

Leave a comment

— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

And what if the twisted, crooked cedar trees in the Enchanted Forest don’t grow straight because they were caught mid-dance, frozen in time by the sound of a little girl’s flute?

As Karl Chevrier beautifully puts it: “The more you look ahead, the further you’re gonna see... but the more you look behind, you can see everybody coming behind living from what you left behind.”

Welcome to Obadjiwan–Fort-Témiscamingue, situated in the stunning Abitibi-Témiscamingue region of Quebec. On paper, it is a historical fur trading post. But if you dig below the surface, you will find 6,000 years of Indigenous history, a broken promise, and a philosophy that might just save our modern minds.

👉🏾 We are stepping onto the rugged shores of Lake Témiscamingue to bust some historical myths.

👉🏾 Explore the back-breaking reality of the early Canadian trade.

👉🏾 And learn what it truly means to look seven generations into the future.\

Available Where ever you enjoy podcasts!

The Voyageurs: Why I’m Too Tall to Be a Voyageur…(and why I’m grateful for that) 🛶

You would think that men doused in skunk oil, rowing this massive Canot de Maître (a Master Canoe) which stretches 11 to 12 metres long and weighing a crazy 270 kg, all the way to Montreal and back would be these big, well built manly men (sorta like me).

But the reality is they were short. To squeeze into those birchbark canoes alongside tons of cargo, the average height limit was under 5’10”. At 5’11” I would have been left on the dock! Thank goodness.

To survive, these men had to carry at least two 90-pound (41 kg) packs of furs over rocky, muddy portages. Their average life expectancy was incredibly short, and their bodies were routinely broken by hernia, arthritis, and absolute exhaustion. Trust me, my hands and my back are far too delicate for that kind of work!

The Hudson’s Bay Company motto was Pro Pelle Cutem—”A skin for a skin,” or more literally, “For the pelt, at the risk of the skin (your skin).” It was a high-stakes gamble of life and death, all for the sake of European hat fashion.

Myth-Busting: The Truth About the Trade 🦊

In this episode, I sit down with local expert Émile Falardeau to dismantle some massive historical narratives. We often look at the fur trade through a very specific, colonist-approved lens, but did you know that alcohol was actually a luxury mostly reserved for European consumption, and was rarely used for trade, if at all?

Unlocking Ancestral Wisdom with Karl Chevrier 🌲

The true highlight happened when I met Karl Chevrier, an Anishinaabeg traditional craftsman and member of the Timiskaming First Nation.

Karl is a master of forest chemistry. Standing next to the skeleton of a massive birchbark canoe, he explained how his ancestors used spruce gum, cedar wood, and birch bark to build vessels that could navigate wild, unforgiving waters.

But Karl’s teachings go go beyond chemistry. He shared the Anishinaabe philosophy of the Seven Generations:

It is a beautiful, striking contrast: the European traders driven by the sickness of greed, taking everything until the beavers were nearly extinct, versus a culture built on taking only what you need to survive.

My 3 Fave Moments From The Episode

1. The Enchanted Forest (La Forêt Enchantée): Walk among the famously twisted, spiral-grown cedar trees. Whether you believe the ecological science or the legend of the lonely girl’s flute, the energy here is undeniable.

   

2. The Birchbark Canoe Workshop: If you get the chance to watch Karl Chevrier work, do not pass it up. Seeing raw forest materials transformed into a floating piece of art is spiritual.

   

3. Lake Témiscamingue Sunset: Watch the sun go down over this massive, deep body of water that behaves more like an inland sea than a lake.

   

👉🏾 Read // Watch // Listen: [add article]

👉🏾 Read: Your Guide to Abitibi-Témiscamingue: Restaurants, Attractions & Hidden Gems

👉🏾 Book: Amazing Places To Stay In Abitibi-Témiscamingue

👉🏾 Read: Unpacking Abitibi-Témiscamingue: A Day-by-Day Weekend Guide + The Latest Flight Deals 🇨🇦

👇🏾 Watch:

Thank you for riding shotgun with me into the heart of Abitibi-Témiscamingue.

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— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

I’d love to hear your feedback! How is the length? The content? What would you like to see more or less of? I really want to ensure you continue to get massive value from this publication! :)

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Speaking of exciting milestones, Season 2 of the Rudderless Travel Podcast has officially launched! I sincerely hope you get a chance to tune in when you have some time. We worked incredibly hard to unpack some deep human stories this season including our three-part Nikola Tesla series, the historic Underground Railroad corridor led by the incredible Harriet Tubman, and the tragic story of the Empress of Ireland, a luxury ship that sank in just 14 minutes that almost nobody knows about.
👉🏾 You can listen to the podcast here.

In our first episode of Season 2 (Episode 9), we unpacked the legendary story of Bled’s Cream Cake in Slovenia. So for this edition, I thought we could take a look at the capital city itself: Ljubljana.

In this edition:

👉🏾 Dragons and Cobblestones: My personal journey through Ljubljana.

👉🏾 My 5 Faves: From the Triple Bridge to the best local bites.

👉🏾 Unpacked Insider: Incredible flight rates to get you to the heart of the Julian Alps.

Dragons and Cobblestones:

What other place has a dragon for their protector? All I can think about is the mother of dragons from Game of Thrones. It’s a city that started as a Roman colony called Emona around 50 AD, but its foundation story seems to be tied to the legend of Jason and the Argonauts. According to Greek mythology, Jason stole the golden fleece (a magical, gold-winged pelt of a divine ram) and fled up the Danube and Sava rivers until they hit the marshes of the Ljubljanica. While there, Jason happened to fight, defeat, and kill a monstrous dragon. So, instead of fearing the dragon, the city embraced it. The dragon became Ljubljana’s ultimate symbol of power, courage, and protection.

You see that history everywhere, especially on the iconic Dragon Bridge which was built in 1901. Anyone who knows me knows I love bridges, both their practical and symbolic use (as in connecting communities). The architect, Giorgio Zaninovich, originally wanted to put winged lions on the ends of the bridge, but they swapped them for dragons instead. It’s a place where legend and daily life live side-by-side, completely car-free, making the city centre feel less like a hectic city and more like a giant pedestrian walkway.

For the record, I spent about forty-five minutes in my hotel room practicing how to say “Ljubljana,” but let’s just say my tongue does not naturally function that way!

My 5 Faves

1. Franciscan Church of the Annunciation: Built in the mid-17th century, this eye-catching pinkish-red church is the focal point of Prešeren Square. It was originally run by the Augustinians, but today it stands as a prominent symbol of the city centre.

   

2. Ljubljana Castle: Rising dramatically over the city, it is easily Ljubljana’s most visited monument. Take the funicular up for the view, but make sure to check out the Puppet Museum inside. I love puppets—even as an adult, I find them completely hypnotizing to watch!

   

3. Cutty Sark Pub: The absolute perfect place to finish your day. It’s an off-the-grid pub that only locals go to, and a personal favourite of Zmaja. Grab a cold Union or Laško beer on their outdoor patio and soak up the lively evening atmosphere.

   

4. The Triple Bridge (Tromostovje): Plečnik’s ultimate masterpiece. Connecting the historic medieval town to the modern-day capital, this is more than just a crossing—it is the beating heart of Ljubljana. I’ve never seen anything like it.

   

5. Ljubljana Central Market: A central hub for over 80 years. This open-air market is packed with local food stalls, crafts, and is the perfect place to try traditional Slovenian dumplings (Štruklji) and people-watch.

   

👉🏾 Read: How To Pronounce Ljubljana – 2 Days in The Capital City of Slovenia

👉🏾 Stay: Amazing Places To Stay In Ljubljana

👉🏾 Watch // Listen // Read: Bled’s Cream Cake | History of Slovenia’s Best-Known Dessert | EP. 9

Unpacked Travel Insider

The Canadian Rockies Escape 🏔️🌲

Calgary, Canada (YYC)

Best Time to Book: July – September (Full availability: June – November — varies by city)

Deal Summary: Head to beautiful Banff this season! These fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on bag. One quick connection gets you there with the best availability running through September. Works in reverse if you live in Calgary. Upgrade to Main Cabin to get free seat selection and the ability to change/cancel for a voucher.

U.S. Departure Cities (All fares round-trip):
Atlanta (ATL) - $398*, Austin (AUS) - $341, Boston (BOS) - $376*, Burbank (BUR) - $399, Chicago (ORD) - $297*, Colorado Springs (COS) - $360, Denver (DEN) - $360, Detroit (DTW) - $332, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $397, Fort Myers (RSW) - $389, Houston (IAH) - $337*, Los Angeles (LAX) - $393*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $316*, Nashville (BNA) - $350, Palm Springs (PSP) - $322, Phoenix (PHX) - $383*, Portland (PDX) - $344*, San Diego (SAN) - $387*, San Francisco (SFO) - $365*, Seattle (SEA) - $318*, Washington, D.C. (DCA) - $350, and Washington, D.C. (IAD) - $350.

*Nonstop flights are indicated.

Canadian Departure Cities (All fares round-trip):

Edmonton (YEG) - $240*, Kelowna (YLW) - $317*, Regina (YQR) - $264*, Saskatoon (YXE) - $284*, Thunder Bay (YQT) - $382*, Toronto (YYZ) - $379*, Vancouver (YVR) - $237*, Victoria (YYJ) - $344*, Winnipeg (YWG) - $330* *Nonstop flights are indicated.

👉🏾 Book Calgary with Google Flights

👉🏾 Read: Your Complete Guide to Visiting Calgary: Attractions, Restaurants, Hotels, and Things to Do

👉🏾 Watch // Listen // Read: Calgary Stampede: The Untold Stories & Indigenous Roots with Marsha Gordon | EP. 7

Summer in the City of Light 🇫🇷✈️

Paris, France (CDG)

Best Time to Book: May – August (Full availability on full-service airlines)

Normal Price: $1,000+ (Grab it for half off!)

Airlines: United, American, Delta, Air France, French Bee

Deal Summary: Fly to Paris during prime late spring and summer! These fares represent an incredible opportunity to explore the Seine, sit at roadside bistros, and wander the Louvre when the weather is warm. Lock these in quickly—fares this cheap to France will disappear in 2–3 weeks.

U.S. Departure Cities (All fares round-trip):
Albuquerque (ABQ) - $551, Asheville (AVL) - $566, Atlanta (ATL) - $702*, Austin (AUS) - $571, Baltimore (BWI) - $431, Boston (BOS) - $547*, Charlotte (CLT) - $560, Chicago (ORD) - $548*, Cincinnati (CVG) - $571, Cleveland (CLE) - $552, Dallas (DFW) - $543, Denver (DEN) - $566, Detroit (DTW) - $772*, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $551, Hartford (BDL) - $556, Houston (IAH) - $578*, Indianapolis (IND) - $552, Jacksonville (JAX) - $549, Kansas City (MCI) - $501, Las Vegas (LAS) - $540, Los Angeles (LAX) - $558*, Louisville (SDF) - $555, Miami (MIA) - $418*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $713*, Nashville (BNA) - $540, New Jersey (EWR) - $692*, New Orleans (MSY) - $625, New York (JFK) - $432*, New York (LGA) - $442, Oklahoma City (OKC) - $551, Orlando (MCO) - $452, Omaha (OMA) - $555, Philadelphia (PHL) - $702*, Phoenix (PHX) - $558*, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $551*, Portland (PDX) - $468, Raleigh (RDU) - $434, Richmond (RIC) - $512, Sacramento (SMF) - $560, St. Louis (STL) - $566, Salt Lake City (SLC) - $512, San Antonio (SAT) - $550, San Diego (SAN) - $566, San Francisco (SFO) - $568*, San Jose (SJC) - $556, Seattle (SEA) - $567*, Tampa (TPA) - $498*, Washington DC (DCA) - $502, and Washington DC (IAD) - $551*.

*Nonstop flights are indicated.

Canadian Departure Cities (All fares round-trip):

Calgary (YYC) - $604* CAD, Montreal (YUL) - $613* CAD, Toronto (YYZ) - $600* CAD, Vancouver (YVR) - $592* CAD

• *Nonstop flights are indicated.

👉🏾 Book Paris with Google Flights

Tapas, Flamenco & Spanish Sizzle 🇪🇸💃

Madrid, Spain (MAD)

Best Time to Book: May – August

Normal Price: $1,000+ (Unbelievable savings!)

Airlines: United, American, Delta, TAP, Iberia, Air Europa

Deal Summary: Ditch the tourist traps and head straight to the Spanish capital for a fraction of the cost. These heavily discounted summer fares will get you to Madrid’s historic plazas, world-class art museums, and late-night tapas bars on full-service carriers. Act fast—these will be gone in 2–3 weeks.

U.S. Departure Cities (All fares round-trip):
Albuquerque (ABQ) - $499, Asheville (AVL) - $457, Atlanta (ATL) - $618*, Austin (AUS) - $411, Baltimore (BWI) - $414, Boston (BOS) - $551*, Charlotte (CLT) - $542*, Chicago (ORD) - $430*, Cincinnati (CVG) - $471, Cleveland (CLE) - $438, Dallas (DFW) - $483*, Denver (DEN) - $477, Detroit (DTW) - $579, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $434, Hartford (BDL) - $438*, Houston (IAH) - $472, Indianapolis (IND) - $455, Jacksonville (JAX) - $428, Kansas City (MCI) - $419, Las Vegas (LAS) - $452, Los Angeles (LAX) - $433*, Louisville (SDF) - $441, Miami (MIA) - $420*, Minneapolis (MSP) - $502*, Nashville (BNA) - $403, New Jersey (EWR) - $411*, New Orleans (MSY) - $552, New York (JFK) - $692*, New York (LGA) - $531, Oklahoma City (OKC) - $443, Orlando (MCO) - $420*, Omaha (OMA) - $413, Philadelphia (PHL) - $528*, Phoenix (PHX) - $430, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $458, Portland (PDX) - $458, Raleigh (RDU) - $458, Richmond (RIC) - $458, Sacramento (SMF) - $448, St. Louis (STL) - $443, Salt Lake City (SLC) - $484, San Antonio (SAT) - $438, San Diego (SAN) - $438, San Francisco (SFO) - $391, San Jose (SJC) - $402, Seattle (SEA) - $411, Tampa (TPA) - $503, Washington DC (DCA) - $408, and Washington DC (IAD) - $441.

*Nonstop flights are indicated.

Canadian Departure Cities (All fares round-trip):

Calgary (YYC) - $802 CAD, Montreal (YUL) - $610 CAD, Toronto (YYZ) - $709 CAD, Vancouver (YVR) - $811 CAD

• *Nonstop flights are indicated.

👉🏾 Book Madrid with Google Flights

Unlock More with Your OWN Thrifty Traveler Account ✈️

These deals are brought to you by Thrifty Traveller. Thrifty Traveller Premium is a flight & hotel deal alert subscription service (not a booking site) where real human experts, not algorithms, find incredible deals from over 250+ cities. Imagine scoring savings like NYC to Tokyo business class for just $1,500!
Mandatory Disclaimer: #Ad #Sponsored.

Thank you for joining me on this Slovenian detour. Thank you so much for being a part of this community! I appreciate you!
P.S. If you’re struggling with the pronunciation, just remember: Loo-blee-ah-nah. Say it fast enough and with enough confidence, and you’ll blend right in. Good luck!

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— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

Yeah, that’s a no for me as well. I am Rudderless-by-nature; I’m not the biggest fan of tour groups. I march to my own drum and prefer the path less travelled. I like to be lost, physically, in a new city, sure, but it’s largely symbolic.

Ashlyn is a different breed. While the adventures we talk about in the show are extreme, she spends a large amount of time not only training and research but coaching those looking to simply get started with the right gear, the vital do’s and don’ts, and the art of preparation.

In this episode of the Rudderless Travel Podcast, we’re stripping away the intimidation. We’re talking about how to stop being a “checkbox tourist” and start becoming a purposeful traveller.

The Lost Girl…🥾

Ashlyn George, who was supposed to be a high school teacher, has spent the last seven years following her curiosity through more than 55 countries across all seven continents. I first met Ashlyn on a TMAC pre-conference media tour, seven of us piled into two SUVs for a four-hour trek north of Saskatoon. We landed at Kâniyâsihk Culture Camps, right where the gravel ends and the cell signal disappears.

It was there, deep in the Boreal forest, that we really bonded over everything from sniffing beaver castor (which surprisingly smells like strawberry jam) to learning the ancient art of hide tanning. Hanging out in the tipis at Water’s Edge and sharing stories of the road, we didn’t just find a guest for the show—we found a life long friend.

My 3 Fave Moments From The Episode

1. The Bear Encounter: Ashlyn takes us deep into her solo 120-kilometre trek on the Boreal Trail, where she found herself in a “triangle” with a mama bear and two cubs in the pitch black. She elaborates on how her farm-girl upbringing in a town of 12 people provided the grit to stay calm when most would have spiralled into panic. It is a raw look at what happens when your safety nets disappear and your survival depends on preparation and presence.

2. Athabasca Sand Dunes Craziness: Navigating one of the most remote corners of the world (including getting there) requires more than just a map. We discuss the logistical challenge of traversing shifting, massive peaks that change with the wind. Ashlyn explains why being “Hyper-Prepared” with technical gear and offline navigation isn’t about being afraid; it’s the exact thing that gives you the freedom to embrace the deep wilderness.

   

3. The Lost Girl Philosophy: “Be scared, be nervous, but be curious.” (which became the motto for the show) Ashlyn distills her entire travel philosophy into this one sentence. We explore how she moved past her own deep-seated anxieties to visit all seven continents by her 30th birthday, proving that adventure is a personal metric. It isn’t about how high the mountain is, but how far you were willing to push your own boundaries to see what was on the other side.

👉🏾 Full Article: Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Adventure Travel for Beginners with Ashlyn George | EP. 11

Whether you’re heading to the local park or planning a solo trek through the Saskatchewan wild, remember that the most important piece of gear you own is your curiosity.

— Stay Rudderless

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Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

For those who are new to this Substack, a big part of these conferences is the Marketplace. Imagine a speed-dating scenario, but instead of looking for love, I’m having 15-minute meetings with Tourism Board reps and DMOs from across the Country. Why? To build long lasting relationships and create the campaigns that allow me to bring the most unique, purposeful, and human-led stories directly to you here on Substack.

But before we dive into the city, I have some exciting news to share. This year’s conference was extra special because I walked away with First Place for the Host Destination Story at the TMAC Awards Gala! It’s an honour to be recognized for the stories we tell across the Rudderless Traval outlets, and it only motivates me to keep digging deeper into the soul of every place I visit. Then unpack them with you!

In this edition:

👉🏾 We’re diving into the soul of Richmond

👉🏾 My 5 Faves spots I visited during the conference

👉🏾 Amazing error flight deals

Richmond’s Fishy Story…🍤

Richmond is a vibrant suburb of Vancouver sitting right where the Fraser River meets the Pacific Ocean, bringing this unique blend of urban energy and coastal serenity. It’s a city of neighbourhoods, like the historic Steveston, a fishing village with Japanese roots dating back to the 1870s. By the early 1900s, thousands of Japanese Canadians were the backbone of the local economy, helping Richmond become the “Salmon Capital of the World.”

Today, that influence is preserved in its historic buildings. Places like the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Once the leading producer of canned salmon in British Columbia, as well as the Steveston Interurban Tram and the Britannia Shipyards. Then there’s the modern, neon-lit downtown core, where you’ll find the absolute best Asian cuisine in North America, from world-class sushi to the legendary “Dumpling Trail” Richmond refuses to be just one thing, and admittedly, I love places like that

My 5 Faves

1. Richmond Night Market: I absolutely love this place! It’s the largest night market in North America and will make your senses go crazy…in a good way. As part of the conference, we went on a “dine-around” tour, and after our spectacular dinner, we ended up here, wandering through the stalls of grilled squid, “rotato” chips, and mango desserts. I’m almost sorry I already ate…more below.

2. Fuggles Beer: We took a tour of the brewery were they taught us about beer. Personally, I’ve done a million of these tours, but what I find interesting is the brewery’s story and what makes them special. Whether it’s their Mango Ale or the classic Pilsner, it’s all about the passion behind the pint. That said, this is my fourth confence tour on the beer bus and I can still hear my friends screaming “Beer bus! Beer bus! Beer bus!” at the top of their lungs, It’s an annual conference tradition!

3. Steveston Seafood House + Harbour Boardwalk: We had a preset menu here that was absolutely delicious. I had a tough choice between the lamb (my favourite meat) and the Lobster + Crab Ravioli. Since I was on the west coast, I went with the seafood—lobster claw, crab, tarragon, and fire-grilled tiger prawns in a rose cream. Damn it was incredibly fresh. For dessert? A New York Cheesecake with blueberry compote. Yeah thats how I lobster roll (ok I’ll stop)

4. Minoru Park & The Chapel: This is the green heart of Richmond. It’s a beautiful spot to escape the conference craziness. The Chapel at Minoru Park is a cute little gem featuring white-painted wood and stained glass known mainly as a wedding venue, which makes sence with it and the parks background.

5. V+ Club Karaoke: This was a wild night, friends. Usually, I’m an onlooker or a backup singer, but in these private rooms equipped with nightclub-grade sound systems and professional microphones, (and several beers) I finally jumped in. I co-sang ABBA’s Dancing Queen with two of my dearest travel content creator friends and finished the night with a deep (Barry-White) rendition of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’. I didn’t stop believing but still can’t sing.

   

👉🏾 Amazng Places To Stay In Richmond, BC

Unpacked Travel Insider

Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman (GCM) 🇰🇾

Best time to book: August - September & January - February

Deal Summary: Unwind on some of the best beaches in the Caribbean! We love this deal because it includes availability during peak season next winter. Nonstop flights are available from Miami, NYC, and Toronto.

Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on. Upgrade to Main Cabin for a seat assignment and the ability to cancel for a voucher.

• Thrifty Tip #1: Rent a car and visit the Cayman Crystal Caves! It’s just a quick ~30-minute drive from George Town.

• Thrifty Tip #2: Book this deal for less than 19k Delta SkyMiles round-trip from several cities. Find the lowest Delta fares in Google Flights, then book on Delta.com.

U.S. Departure Cities (All fares round-trip):
Albany (ALB) - $320, Allentown (ABE) - $320, Austin (AUS) - $378, Baltimore (BWI) - $320, Boston (BOS) - $312, Buffalo (BUF) - $320, Burlington (BTV) - $320, Erie (ERI) - $320, Greensboro (GSO) - $378, Harrisburg (MDT) - $320, Hartford (BDL) - $320, Miami (MIA) - $286*, Nashville (BNA) - $382, New Orleans (MSY) - $370, New York (JFK) - $298*, New York (LGA) - $312, Newark (EWR) - $312, Norfolk (ORF) - $378, Philadelphia (PHL) - $320, Phoenix (PHX) - $360, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $312, Portland (PWM) - $320, Providence (PVD) - $320, Raleigh (RDU) - $378, Richmond (RIC) - $378, Rochester (ROC) - $320, San Diego (SAN) - $394, Syracuse (SYR) - $320, Washington, D.C. (DCA) - $320, Washington, D.C. (IAD) - $320, Westchester County (HPN) - $312. (*Nonstop)

Canadian Departure Cities:

• Toronto (YYZ) - $397* (Nonstop)

How to Book:

👉🏾 Click here to open Google Flights.

Mexico, Cancún (CUN) 🇲🇽

Best time to book: May - June & January - February

Deal Summary: Up for a trip to Cancún? Catch a cheap flight using this sale! We love it because it includes peak season availability for less than $399. Nonstop flights are available from several major hubs.

Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on. Upgrade to Main Cabin for seat assignment and the ability to change/cancel for a voucher.

• Thrifty Tip: Cancún resorts not your vibe? Visit some of our favourite cities nearby like Playa del Carmen or Tulum.

U.S. Departure Cities (All fares round-trip):
Albany (ALB) - $355, Allentown (ABE) - $340, Baltimore (BWI) - $355, Boston (BOS) - $376*, Buffalo (BUF) - $355, Charleston (CHS) - $327, Charleston (CRW) - $355, Charlottesville (CHO) - $355, Chicago (MDW) - $382*, Chicago (ORD) - $382*, Dallas (DAL) - $375, Denver (DEN) - $329, Erie (ERI) - $355, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $322*, Harrisburg (MDT) - $355, Hartford (BDL) - $355, Houston (HOU) - $307, Houston (IAH) - $307, Jacksonville (JAX) - $319, Manchester-Boston (MHT) - $355, Miami (MIA) - $322*, New Orleans (MSY) - $319, New York (JFK) - $340*, Newark (EWR) - $340*, Norfolk (ORF) - $327, Oakland (OAK) - $367, Orlando (MCO) - $352*, Philadelphia (PHL) - $336, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $355, Portland (PWM) - $355, Providence (PVD) - $355, Reno (RNO) - $355, Richmond (RIC) - $327, Rochester (ROC) - $355, San Francisco (SFO) - $308, Scranton (AVP) - $340, Syracuse (SYR) - $355, Tampa (TPA) - $356*, Washington, D.C. (DCA) - $355, Washington, D.C. (IAD) - $344, Westchester County (HPN) - $355. (*Nonstop)

Canadian Departure Cities:

• Toronto (YYZ) - $399* (Nonstop)

• Vancouver (YVR) - $389

How to Book:

👉🏾 Click here to open Google Flights.

Florida, Fort Myers (RSW) ☀️

Best time to book: May - February

Deal Summary: Jump on a low fare to Fort Myers! We love this because it’s a great chance to book a cheap Florida trip for next winter. Includes some Thanksgiving weekend availability from MSP and deals work in reverse.

Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on. Upgrade to Main Cabin for seat assignment and the ability to change/cancel for a voucher.

• Thrifty Tip: See the beautiful islands of Southwest Florida, like Marco Island, Sanibel Island, Gasparilla Island, and more!

U.S. Departure Cities (All fares round-trip):
Atlanta (ATL) - $229, Boston (BOS) - $196*, Buffalo (BUF) - $186*, Charleston (CHS) - $158, Cincinnati (CVG) - $218*, Detroit (DTW) - $238*, Hartford (BDL) - $196*, Manchester-Boston (MHT) - $230, Minneapolis (MSP) - $218*, New York (JFK) - $196*, New York (LGA) - $216*, Newark (EWR) - $216*, Portland (PWM) - $240, Raleigh (RDU) - $236, Richmond (RIC) - $236, Rochester (ROC) - $240, Seattle (SEA) - $216, Syracuse (SYR) - $220, Westchester County (HPN) - $236. (*Nonstop)

Canadian Departure Cities:

• Toronto (YYZ) - $229

How to Book:

👉🏾 Click here to open Google Flights.

Unlock More with Your OWN Thrifty Traveler Account ✈️

These deals are brought to you by Thrifty Traveller. Thrifty Traveller Premium is a flight & hotel deal alert subscription service (not a booking site) where real human experts, not algorithms, find incredible deals from over 250+ cities. Imagine scoring savings like NYC to Tokyo business class for just $1,500!
Mandatory Disclaimer: #Ad #Sponsored.

We definitely have a few great destinations on deck based on conversations from this conference and last year’s and I can’t wait to unpack them with you! But the award is just the blueberry compote on the cheesecake.

P.S. If you’re heading to the Richmond Night Market, go early and bring cash—your stomach will thank you.

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— Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

Last year, as a pre-tour for the Travel Media Association of Canada conference, I found myself four hours north of Saskatoon, at the point where the gravel roads end and the cell signal vanishes. For a city boy from the biggest city in the country, seeing that tiny satellite icon pop up on my iPhone was very unsetteling. It’s the feeling of realizing your safety nets are gone but you’re standing on 6,000 years of history.

But as it turns out, losing the signal was the greatest gift I could have asked for.

Imagine a place where the voices of ancestors still echo through ancient forests. Where every ripple on the lake tells a story, and the very ground beneath your feet holds centuries of wisdom. What if unlocking the secrets of a destination meant not just seeing new places, but deeply connecting with the heart and soul of its original stewards?

In this edition:

👉🏾 In this episode, we dived deep into: Treaty 6 Territory and the vision of kâniyâsihk Culture Camps.

👉🏾 We learned about the importance of immersive land-based teachings, from beaver tracking to traditional fishing

👉🏾 And we tried our hand at the ancient art of hide tanning.

#winteriscoming. How would you survive?

Losing My Signal to Find My Direction: A City Boy in the Boreal Forest 🦫

Why kâniyâsihk Exists: kâniyâsihk Culture Camps isn’t just a place to “see” culture; it’s a place to live it. It exists because the connection to the land is a lived experience, one where the Boreal forest sets the pace and the lake sets the food system. As Kevin Lewis explains, land-based learning is continuity. It’s the difference between knowing about the land and being able to survive on it.

In the episode Kevin shared a sobering story that redefined the stakes. He spoke of a former student of his, a young man in the 11th grade, who tragically passed away due to exposure in the wintertime. Kevin and his father actually went out to the exact spot where the young man was found. Standing there, his father asked a profound question: “What are we teaching our youth in these schools? This shouldn’t happen”. This young man’s life, his future family, and his career were cut short simply because nobody had taught him how to create a sustaining fire. Knowing how to build a responsible fire to cook, stay warm, and bring the community together is a vital skill.

Traditional Fishing: Fishing on Ministikwan Lake doesn’t start with a boat; it starts on the shore with the tedious, work of untangling the nets. It’s a group effort that requires patience and fosters conversation before you even hit the water.

We headed out to place the nets with intention, returning the next day to harvest what the lake provided. But the lesson didn’t end with the catch. We learned to fillet the fish with zero waste, even discovering how the scales are transformed into intricate jewelry. It’s a beautiful, sustainable cycle where everything is used and nothing is taken for granted.

The Beaver: Then there’s the beaver, nature's engineers.

Zachary Boyden brought the laughs, but he also brought the truth about survival in the bush. From trapping animals and understanding how they interpet their surroundings, including weather, to hunting and fishing. We even hand a chance to smell the beaver’s balls! That castor is considered “gold” for trappers and surprisingly, it smells like jam.

The 13 Steps of the Hide: We also rolled up our sleeves for the ancient art of hide tanning. This is a difficult, time consuming 13-step process: Skinning, Stringing, Fleshing, Drying, Scraping, Braining, Smoking – part one, Folding, Soaking – in warm brain again, Wringing, Stretching until soft, Sewing into sock tube amd Smoking – part two, the final stage. The most fascinating part? “Braining.” The animal actually provides the very tool needed for its own preservation such as using the animal’s brain to treat the hide helping to soften it.

My 5 Faves:

1. The Pipe Ceremony: Before breakfast, Kevin invited us to participate in a sacred pipe ceremony inside the matriarchal tipi. The tipi’s 15 poles symbolize a woman’s strength, and when a friend asked where someone struggling with their identity should sit between the men’s and women’s sides, the answer was beautifully simple: “Wherever they feel comfortable”

   

2. The “Lake-to-Table” Fishing Experience: There is something deeply grounding about untangling the nets together on the shore before placing them in the lake. Returning the next day to retrieve the fish, fillet them, fry them up, and eat them together was the ultimate lesson in community and survival.

   

3. Potato Island & Storytelling: At kâniyâsihk, learning moves through stories. “Potato Island” is a literal landmark used to teach direction, rooted in a legend about a woman who married a shape-shifting horse and gave birth to twins known as the “underwater horses”.

   

4. Fish Scale Art & Food Sovereignty: We learned to fillet the pickerel and whitefish we caught, ensuring absolutely nothing was wasted. Transforming fish spines and scales into intricate jewellery is the ultimate lesson in sustainability and food sovereignty.

   

5. Making Lifelong Friends: Experiences like this bond people in ways you just can’t predict. I am not only forever bonded with the other travel content creators who attended the camp with me, but I also made lifelong friends in Zak, Darla, and Kevin, whom I still keep in touch with over social media today!

   

👉🏾 Full Article: Kâniyâsihk Culture Camps: Exploring Indigenous Land-Based Teachings | 10

👉🏾 Amazing Places To Stay In Saskatoon

👉🏾 A Visit to Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatoon | EP. 4

If you were dropped in the Boreal forest today with nothing but the clothes on your back, what is the ONE survival skill you wish you had? Let me know in the comments below! 👇🏾

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Also please let us know your thoughts on these episodes, you feedback will help me shape future episodes!

Next up is SASKATCHEWAN: Be Scared, Be Nervous, Be Curious | 11, I’ll be sitting down with the incredible Ashlyn George (whom I met at kâniyâsihk Culture Camps), the creator behind The Lost Girl’s Guide to Finding the World. We are diving into her 120 km solo trek through the boreal forest, her terrifying encounter with a triangle of three bears in the pitch black, and learning how to get comfortable with being very uncomfortable. You do not want to miss this one, so be sure to subscribe to the Rudderless Travel Podcast wherever you enjoy your podcasts!

In Canada, the chances of running into someone who doesn’t talk about the weather are pretty low. But here, you are taught how to survive off the land and prepare for the harsh elements so well that if you are asked, “How many winters are you?”, you simply reply with your age. It’s a beautiful perspective on resilience.

Thank you for riding shotgun on this journey. It’s a powerful reminder that we don’t just visit places; we become who we are because of them.

Misawac Kawi Na’wapamitin (Cree for “Until we meet again”)

—Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us

But beyond the spires, Cologne has always been a special place for me because it’s where my cousin Santana calls home. Every time I’m in Europe, I try to meet up with her, and although I’ve been here and to Bonn several times, this trip was extra special. The last time I saw her was just before the pandemic; since then, she has had a son, and I finally got to meet my new little cousin!

I also managed to catch up with her brother, Justus. He lives in another town, and usually, our schedules never quite align when I’m passing through. But this year, we managed to coordinate our schedules and took an incredible family road trip to Luxembourg! I wrote all about that adventure here (full article and, video to come!).

On the days when Santana was at work, I put my travel content creator hat on and explored the gritty, creative soul of the city.

In this edition of Rudderless Travel: Unpacked:

👉🏾 We’ll dive into a 2,000-year-old history that sits comfortably beside gritty street art!

👉🏾 I’ll share my top 5 favourites (including a fragrance that changed the world).

👉🏾 I’m dropping some “error” flight deals to get you flying despite those high gas prices!

Cologne Refuses to Conform

I’ve visited quite a few cities in Germany, and I’ve always felt a certain serious, structured vibe—similar to the classical music vibe of Vienna. Back in 2014, I was in Europe during the World Cup. Nothing beats seeing a cities and people decked out in team colours, but not in Germany, In most places, the celebrations felt controlled. Like the trains, are expected to be “on time” and they most always are, scoring goals is also expected. No need to celebrate.

But not in Cologne.

Cologne refuses to conform to that “stiff” German stereotype. I was in a bar in Bonn with Santana when Germany destroyed Brazil 7-1. Five goals in 29 minutes! The World Cup celebration went on all night long, That wild, unbridled energy lives with me forever, I’ll never forget it buit aside from family, that spirit is why I keep going back.

It’s the feeling of walking across the Hohenzollern Bridge, the rhythmic sound of trains creeping past you, and the sight of thousands of “love locks” on the fence. It’s the Kölner Dom rising up and dominating the skyline, grounding the city in a history that dates back to the Roman Empire. Even the name “Cologne” is a legacy; which the world knows it through “Eau de Cologne.” In 1709, an Italian expatriate created a scent here that was meant to smell like an “Italian spring morning after the rain”—a light, citrusy rebellion against the heavy musks of the time.

This is what I mean by always rebelling against the norm.

That relaxed vibe is everywhere. While I was at Matrosengrill enjoying a classic Wiener and fries, a bee landed in my beer, got drunk, and passed out. Being a polite Canadian, I rescued the little guy and put him on a napkin to recover.

He didn’t.

But needless to say, that’s Cologne: even the wildlife knows how to have fun.

My 5 Faves:

1. Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom): As I said off the top, it’s a UNESCO site and my absolute favourite cathedral. Coming out of the station and seeing those spires for the first time is truly intimidating and grand. In the courtyard in front, they have a full-scale model of the Kreuzblume (the very top part of the spires). Seeing it on the ground makes you realize just how massive this structure is—even if it looks small from 150 metres up!

2. The Altstadt (Old Town) Fish Market: The brightly coloured houses look like something straight out of a Wes Anderson film. It’s a creator’s dream for photography. Plus, it has those classic picturesque, typical European pedestrian side streets where you can wander without worrying about cars.

   

3. Zum Spanferkel: If you want authentic German comfort food, this is it. Tender suckling pig slow-roasted on a spit and served on a crusty roll. It isn’t fancy, but it’s the ultimate soul-warmimg snack.

4. Schokoladenmuseum (Chocolate Museum): You had me at Chocolate Museum. For a sweet tooth, this is essential. Explore cocoa history through a giant tree model and a 3-metre chocolate fountain. You can even book a tasting tour if you’re feeling extra indulgent.

5. Papa Joe’s Jazz Bar: A legendary Cologne staple. Santana and I once spent hours here, lost in live jazz and a steady flow of Kölsch. If you know me (and Gordana) for that matter we are huge fans of jazz music!

   

👉🏾 The “Rudderless” Master Guide to Visit Cologne: A Canadian’s Favourite Non-Conformist Haven

👉🏾 Amazing Places To Stay In Cologne

Unpacked Travel Insider

Calgary & The Canadian Rockies 🇨🇦

Airpot: YYC
Best time to book: May - June, September - October.
Deal Summary: Lace up your boots for Banff—only an hour’s drive from Calgary! Nonstop flights at half the normal price to the Canadian Rockies.

U.S. Departures (All fares round-trip, nonstop):
Atlanta (ATL) - $371, Boston (BOS) - $354, Chicago (ORD) - $264, Denver (DEN) - $395, Houston (IAH) - $391, Los Angeles (LAX) - $356, Minneapolis (MSP) - $257, Palm Springs (PSP) - $337, Phoenix (PHX) - $384, San Diego (SAN) - $388, San Francisco (SFO) - $285, Santa Ana (SNA) - $335, Seattle (SEA) - $268, Washington, D.C. (IAD) - $378.

Canadian Departures:

• Edmonton (YEG): $259*

• Kelowna (YLW): $305*

• Ottawa (YOW): $385*

• Regina (YQR): $305*

• Saskatoon (YXE): $252*

• Vancouver (YVR): $259*

• Victoria (YYJ): $349*

• Winnipeg (YWG): $331*

👉🏾 How to Book: Check Google Flights

👉🏾 Your Complete Guide to Visiting Calgary: Attractions, Restaurants, Hotels, and Things to Do

👉🏾 Calgary Stampede: The Untold Stories & Indigenous Roots with Marsha Gordon | EP. 7

Puerto Rico Sunshine 🇵🇷

Airport: SJU
Best time to book: June - October.
Deal Summary: Have fun under the tropical sun! Several departure cities, summer availability, and no passport required for U.S. citizens.

U.S. Departures (All fares round-trip, nonstop):
Albany (ALB) - $301, Albuquerque (ABQ) - $341, Allentown (ABE) - $292, Appleton (ATW) - $398, Atlanta (ATL) - $326, Austin (AUS) - $355, Baltimore (BWI) - $361, Baton Rouge (BTR) - $305, Boston (BOS) - $322, Buffalo (BUF) - $334, Charlotte (CLT) - $378, Chicago (ORD) - $384, Dallas (DFW) - $373, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $290, Miami (MIA) - $290, New York (JFK/EWR) - $326, Orlando (MCO) - $344, Philadelphia (PHL) - $334, Tampa (TPA) - $340, Washington, D.C. (IAD/DCA) - $352.

Canadian Departures:

• Montreal (YUL): $399

• Toronto (YYZ): $399

👉🏾 How to Book: Check Google Flights

Rare Jamaica Sale 🇯🇲

Airport: MBJ
Best time to book: October - February.
Deal Summary: Rare, widespread sale to Montego Bay! Over 120 cities for less than $399 during peak season. Book ASAP; this won’t last long.

U.S. Departures (All fares round-trip, nonstop):
Chicago (ORD) - $317, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $317, Miami (MIA) - $317, New York (JFK) - $317, Newark (EWR) - $387, Orlando (MCO) - $381, Atlanta (ATL) - $351, Boston (BOS) - $347, Dallas (DFW) - $382.

Canadian Departures:

• Toronto (YYZ): $392*

👉🏾 How to Book: Check Google Flights

Florida Gulf Coast Escape 🇺🇸

Airport: TPA
Best time to book: May - June, August.
Deal Summary: Theme parks and beaches! Cheap flights to Florida’s Gulf Coast with solid availability when the kids are out of school.

U.S. Departures (All fares round-trip, nonstop):
Atlanta (ATL) - $96, Austin (AUS) - $236, Chicago (ORD) - $168, Dallas (DFW) - $242, Minneapolis (MSP) - $218, Nashville (BNA) - $238, New York (JFK/LGA) - $196, Newark (EWR) - $206, Washington, D.C. (DCA) - $254.

Canadian Departures:

• Toronto (YYZ): $239

👉🏾 How to Book: Check Google Flights

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If you find yourself in the Altstadt (Old Town), make sure to visit the Historisches Rathaus. It is Germany’s oldest city hall, boasting over 900 years of history, including its striking Gothic tower built between 1407 and 1414. If you time it right, you can catch the 48 bronze bells playing every hour on the 3’s (9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM, and 6 PM). It’s the kind of soundtrack that reminds you to stop being so uptight and just relax.

Join the Conversation!

Are you a “Cathedral” person or a “Hidden Alleyway” person? Cologne has both in spades, but I want to know what grabs your soul first. Leave a comment below and let’s chat!

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—Stay Rudderless

Rudderless Travel: Website | YouTube | Podcast | Threads | Instagram | Work With Us