Travel Past 50

07/31/2026

We're heading to Sicily this October — and we'd love for you to join us (readers save $250 with code TP502026). Also in this week's newsletter: the Bayeux Tapestry makes its first-ever trip outside France, the D-Day beaches earn UNESCO status, and what we're reading this summer. Full post here:

Since 2010, we've traveled to more than 80 countries. Our goal for our newsletter is to help you travel more, better, and for less money. We do that through our travel tips posts and destination guides. Sign up to see how we can help you achieve your travel goals.

07/15/2026

Alaska is too big for one story. 🐋⛰️
We just published our take on sailing the Inner Passage aboard a small ship — the American Constitution — and why going small changed everything: closer wildlife encounters, tighter fjords the big ships can't touch, and onboard naturalists and Tlingit cultural interpreters who turned sightseeing into something deeper.
Glacier Bay, Sitka's totem poles, a jet-boat run to LeConte Glacier, humpbacks, bears, and a lot of really good salmon — it's all in the post, plus what to pack and when to go. American Cruise Lines
📖 Read it here:

Curious what a small-ship Alaska cruise is really like? Here's the ship, crew, food, and Inner Passage itinerary from our trip with American Cruise Lines.

07/07/2026

In 1794, Glacier Bay was buried under ice 4,000 feet thick. Today that ice has retreated over 65 miles — and left behind one of the most fascinating parks in Alaska. Here's why it belongs on your list:

Kris spent 36 hours in Glacier Bay — and came away astonished. Her guide covers the glaciers, the Huna Tlingit history, the wildlife, and how to visit by cruise or on your own.

06/24/2026

Ever heard of Jerez de la Frontera? It's one of those Spanish cities that quietly holds an extraordinary amount of culture — sherry bodegas, Carthusian horses, deep-rooted flamenco, and now: Spain's Gastronomic Capital of 2026. 🍷🐎

I just did a radio segment on Jerez and I loved every minute of the conversation. We wandered through Andalucía, talked trains across Spain, and eventually landed on what makes this city so special and so underrated.

🎧 Give it a listen: https://on.soundcloud.com/XBwB7Uzp7TdVcfBmXr

And there's more coming — a follow-up interview is in the works focused entirely on the food scene and the chefs putting Jerez on the culinary map.

Have you been to Jerez? Drop a comment — I'd love to hear your experiences! 👇

Our US-based correspondent, Kristin Henning visits southern Spain and enjoys the city of Jerez del la Frontera in Cádiz province. Jerez was just named Spain's Gastronomic Capital of 2026. So food – a

06/15/2026

Sitka National Historical Park is Alaska's oldest federally designated park, best known for its remarkable collection of Tlingit and Haida totem poles displayed along a mile-long trail through a coastal rainforest. The park also preserves the site of the 1804 Battle of Sitka between the Tlingit Kiks.ádi clan and Russian colonial forces, and houses a cultural center where Alaska Native artists demonstrate traditional carving, weaving, and beading. Click through to the post for photos and a practical guide for visiting this Sitka attraction.

A complete guide to Sitka National Historical Park — totem poles, Tlingit history, the visitor center, and practical tips for cruise and independent travelers.

06/11/2026

Wildlife in Alaska, so far. Sea otter, sea lions, bald eagle, and mountain goat. Not including sightings of brown bear, humpback and orca whales, and all sorts of birds.

06/10/2026

Happy place, on the water near Haines, Alaska. A good introduction to the glacial mountain scenery and nature all around.

06/08/2026

Be sure to allow an extra day or two in Juneau, before the start of your journey. The Alaska State Museum’s collection showcases both natural and human history. We enjoyed a temporary exhibit: retrospective of Dorothy Grant’s haute couture, bringing Indigenous fashion to the world stage. Added bonus: our visit overlapped with the biennial Indian Celebration. Many artist pop-up booths and performances, a great way to learn how designs represent family and clan history.

06/06/2026

Great minds think alike. The day the New York Times features gazpacho happens to the the same day we updated our recipe: How We Make it at Home

Spain's signature gazpacho is our favorite summer food. The cold tomato soup has infinite variations. Here's Kris's gazpacho recipe, adapted over the years and using Minnesota farmers' markets' best seasonal produce.

06/03/2026

I had a lot of fun putting these together. Some are pretty funny, others are pretty smart. A good mix if you're interested in travel.

Tom's personal collection of 115 travel quotes — inspiring, funny, and a few you've never seen before. Curated from 16 years and 80+ countries of travel.