Jack's Flight Club ✈️ Travel News & Inspiration
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Përshëndetje, JFC-ers!
This week’s aviation news has been dominated by tragic news from Singapore Airlines, which has left many of us wondering how safe it really is to fly through severe turbulence. The response from pilots around the web is that this is exactly what they’re trained for, so our best bet is to buckle up whenever possible, just in case there’s a sudden bump.
The incident has also brought to light other questions, for example, are certain routes are more turbulent than others? Yep! Is climate change affecting turbulence? Maybe! Can’t we use technology to avoid turbulence? We already do!
While all this is unlikely to reassure already nervous flyers, we can only hope that greater precautions and new research will continue to improve the safety of air travel.
Safe travels,
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Setting The Scene For Summer
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By Katy
A seasoned budget traveller, Editor Katy has already been to every country in the EU, and is gradually ticking off the rest of the world - when she can bear to leave her cats.
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Sound the klaxons! It’s (more or less) summer—arguably the most exciting season of them all for us here at JFC! Let me tell you why.
Firstly, because we’re in the business of helping people travel. Many of us are ready to scoot off at any time of year, but we know that plenty of you are restricted to getting away during school breaks and public holidays. Thankfully, the coming months have plenty to offer in that department.
Airfares trend a little higher during July and August, but there are still absolute bargains to be found—that’s where our expert Flight Finders really get to have fun!
Word to the wise, though: the cheapest fares will often land you in pricier destinations where you’ll have to splurge on hotels and meals out, like Scandinavia, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean. If you’re on a budget, I’d always recommend double-checking Numbeo’s Cost of Living index before you pull the trigger on a booking.
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Secondly, it’s race season! You might remember that last year, we sponsored Lupine Travel’s inaugural Trans-European Race from London to Istanbul. It seemed only right that we test out the product, too, so nine intrepid JFC team members hit the road and joined 100 others traversing the continent.
To say we had a great time would be an understatement. What better way to see so much of Europe than by travelling overland and being challenged to reach unexpected destinations along the way?
Well, ideally we’d have spent more than a week out on the road, but then it wouldn’t have been a race! With our taste for spontaneous travel and a new city (or three) every day truly whetted, it seemed only right that we do it all again this year. Without further ado, it’s time for…
The Albanian Connection!
Once again, we’ll be kicking off in London, this time making our way to Tirana over the course of 7 days from 17th-24th August. But if last year taught us anything, it’s that the most determined of racers won’t take anywhere near as long to reach the finish line—especially when there’s the promise of a prize!
The majority of the checkpoints we have to hit along the way will only be revealed on race day, but we do know one thing already: they’ll all be film-themed, starting with In Bruges. Unsurprisingly, that’s got us all speculating about other possible stops.
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Perhaps we’ll get a slice of La Dolce Vita in Rome, or a spooky visit to Transylvania? Having studied a semester of German Film at university, there’s a large part of me that’s expecting a stop in Berlin!
As memorable trips go, this will be up there with the best, so don’t hang around if you want to come along! There are only a few more spots available for this year, so sign up ASAP. And the fun doesn’t end in Tirana, since the next two races have already been announced.
Lupine’s Race Director James has obviously been feeling creative, because next year we’ll be starting off in Tallinn and speeding our way south to sunny Barcelona over 6 days. May 2026 is where things get most interesting, however, with a 5-day race along Japan’s high-speed railways! No doubt there’ll be competition for spots on both, so I recommend registering your interest now!
Aside from the fun of the race and the destinations themselves, one of the best parts of the experience was meeting so many like-minded people. Last week, I caught up with travel-mad Sam, who is taking part again this year. Not going to lie, I might have been looking for a few strategic tips…
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Hi Sam! Can you please tell the Detour readers a bit about yourself?
I’m a mother of three very grown up children and granny to 2 little ones. I’m married and live in the Hertfordshire countryside. I was formally diagnosed with ADHD during the pandemic, which explains my need for wild adventure and change! I LOVE heat and water. I love making impulsive travel decisions! It’s so much fun. We’ve just booked Northern Spain for the next Bank Holiday weekend. It’s an area I’ve wanted to visit for years.
Have you travelled anywhere because of JFC?
I have been a JFC member for a while now. When I get notifications to somewhere I’d like to go, I always follow the instructions in the link. I now use Google Flights ALL the time, thanks to JFC!
Why made you want to take part in the Trans-European Race in 2023?
I produced a bucket list of 60 things for my 60th birthday last year. On it was the desire to travel as far away as possible, from the UK, by train. Another was to go on a European adventure. I was reading a JFC email soon afterwards and there was the race. Perfect! Fate! I signed up immediately.
Another item on my bucket list is to launch “Travel for Grownups”. It’s an Instagram account I want to use to share my travel knowledge with the empty-nester generation, like me, who have spare cash, are fit and able, and no longer have to travel in school holidays!!!
Did you have a certain strategy for racing to Istanbul? How did that play out?
To have so much fun! And I really didn’t expect to do well, just enjoy it. I tried to work out possible routes and book places on trains in advance. I contacted friends who lived in various European countries, including France, so I had my metro tickets in advance (it’s a faff in Paris!). I built a WhatsApp group of friends who wanted to help. This was invaluable throughout the trip. They were on various tasks throughout! They absolutely loved it and felt quite bereft when it was over!
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Didn’t we all! Which stop(s) along your route did you like most? Any recommendations for spots that JFC-ers shouldn’t miss?
Paris, Venice (I was there for one hour and 38 minutes - hahahahaha). Whirlwind stops, it felt so liberating to be travelling alone and explaining to people along the way what I was doing. The waitress at the café in Paris had to find my contact as I’d arrived 2 hours earlier than anyone else!! In Venice, I sat and listened to an orchestra in St Mark's Square with a ham and truffle sandwich and an Aperol Spritz. Most expensive sandwich I've ever bought, but my god it was good!!!
What made you decide to do it all again this year? Do you think you’ll take part again in 2025 and 2026?
NOTHING would stop me!!!! The race in 2023 was honestly one of the best weeks of my life. And I’ve had some pretty good weeks… James is brilliant too. So clever and inspiring. 2025 YES! And 2026 YES!
Some advice for anyone taking part in this year’s race and future races:
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- Travel light…REALLY light. You’ll be lugging this stuff around a lot.
- Have 2 powerful battery packs—fully charged—as getting to electricity is not always easy.
- Footwear: Crocs and Birkenstocks. End of.
- Take a coat/wrap, as travelling by coach can be chilly with the aircon.
- Have some locally currency, Belgrade took NO CARDS and NO EUROS. I nearly missed my bus, were it not for a kind local who bought me a ‘PLATFORM’ ticket. This was required to get onto your bus!!!!!
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Aside from the race, what has been your favourite travel experience/destination so far? What under-visited places would you recommend to our readers, and why?
I’ve travelled extensively. I don’t slum it, though, not at my age!
I LOVE chartering a catamaran for a week, with a skipper. This is nothing like as expensive as you’d think—I use Dream Yacht Charter. We hire a bareboat with skipper, or a catamaran as they are so stable. It’s no more expensive than a hotel and WAY, WAY more fun!!! The skippers are always great, and their local knowledge is invaluable.
Approaching land by sea is the best. You can go anywhere—even uninhabited corners… Drinks and BBQs on board while watching the sunset, fishing… It’s bliss! I’ve done this in the Seychelles, Bahamas and Whitsundays so far, and I loved them all for different reasons.
My other hobby is scuba diving, and I’ve done this in Jamaica, the Gili islands and the Maldives. All of these experiences were just mind-blowing. I’ve just completed the PADI Reef Conservation course under the tuition of a Marine Biologist in the Maldives. Fascinating, educational and heart-warming.
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I love tropical waters. My father was the island dentist on Tortola in the BVI, so I was lucky enough to live in the Caribbean for a couple of years as a child. I remember every minute even though I was only 5–7 years old. I’ve visited the Bahamas, St Lucia, BVI and Jamaica. All wonderful, and all completely different. You can travel for MILES in the Bahamas in 6 feet of water!!!
Under-visited…hmm. I think I’d just say, go by boat!!! This is the best way to visit anywhere “under-visited”. Also approach locals - they have the non-touristy info.
We’ve hired skippers on their own small boats to take us to the best places on a day trip. In Jamaica, we were taken to a tiny island and I had the best lunch in my life. Lobster, prawns, etc., just picked from the ocean and cooked on a barrel BBQ. No facilities—just a couple of picnic tables. It cost 15 quid…for 2!
Wow, you really know how to travel in style! Do you have any final words of wisdom for our Detour readers?
Here are my top travel tips:
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- Prepare all your clothes ready for packing and then do a cull!!! Reduce it to below your weight allowance so you have room to bring back souvenirs. I love going to local supermarkets abroad and buying traditional food items, often things that cost WAY more in the UK.
- Shop locally when you’re away. Many countries rely massively on trade from tourists, and spending your money at markets and small shops is much appreciated.
- Ask locals for help with choosing restaurants. I asked the girl who worked in the hotel shop in Crete and went to some fantastic restaurants- full of locals!
- Learn to say hello, goodbye and thank you in the local language.
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Thanks so much for chatting to me, Sam. I look forward to seeing you again at the starting line on 17th August!
Click here for more information about Lupine Racing.
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Q: “How best to use two weeks to see a good range of everything and a few new countries if possible. Flying in and out of Jo'burg in April. Been to Cape Town and covered the south of SA a couple of times already.
So, contemplating a couple of nights to see Jo'burg, Kruger, would love to see Victoria Falls (ZiZa and Botswana??) or Namibia. Would love a few relaxing days too - Mozambique or a relaxing place elsewhere??
Thank you!!”
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Answered by Joanne
Member Experience Lead Jo hails from sunny South Africa and loves sharing her top tips for escaping the tourist crowds. When she's not busy helping our members, Jo can usually be found watching Barbie or playing Fallout (again).
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Hey there, reader! Two weeks will never be long enough to see everything, but I’ll give you a rundown of my favourite spots in Johannesburg and beyond.
Starting off with Gold Reef City—this is more than just a theme park! Yes, the Miner's Revenge ride was trauma inducing, and it may or may not make you cry. But it goes beyond that, too; there is a tour into the mine shaft, a mining museum (which is more interesting than it sounds!), crystal and precious stone scratch patches, and even the Apartheid Museum.
You can opt to stay overnight at the park, as well, which is well worth it if you’re lucky enough to catch a show—I got to see Trevor Noah there! Or if you’re so inclined, try your hand at either the slots or tables. Personally, I'm a blackjack girl! Maybe lady luck will favour you…
Next up is Wits Origins Center paired with the Cradle of Humankind. The Maropeng/Sterkfontein caves are absolutely amazing; you get to see active archaeological digs, and the museum is incredible.
It’s a strange emotional experience, leaving you feeling incredibly small and insignificant, but also acknowledging how impactful you actually are. The area around the caves is so unassuming, it’s a stark juxtaposition between how plain it looks vs how important it is. You’ll deserve a gentle refreshment break/craft beer tasting at Copperlake Breweries after that!
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Maybe there’ll also be a day when you’re just interested in a nice, slow-paced walk in the city. 10/10 would recommend the Walter Sisulu Botanical gardens, which is a stunning and peaceful contrast to the city life buzzing around it. The park boasts tons of birdlife and tours, as well as a lovely restaurant on site.
Or for a bit of beachy downtime, you don’t even need to head down to the coast. A 2-hour drive from JHB will have you in the Valley of Waves at Sun City. Sun City is internationally best known for its golf courses (they have 2—for no reason! Surely 1 is enough?). They also have the Maze of the Lost City, which is the largest permanent maze in the Southern Hemisphere. And then there are loads of safari options in the area, as well as a nightclub and a casino on site with plenty of accommodation options.
The only food recommendation I'm prepared to put a star on is Fahrenheit. If you're a meat eater, you need the Thunder Fillet!
Feeling adventurous? How about a bungee jump…? You might be wondering how that's possible in an area not particularly known for its deep ravines. I’ll be honest, the landscape is pretty flat, and if you stand on a chair you can see your dog running away for about 7-10 business days!
Well, us South Africans are a creative bunch, so we use towers. It's not only bungee, you can also wall climb and SCAD free-fall in the same place. If that’s your kind of thing, that is…
But honestly, the part of the country I love most is the Mpumalanga province, on the way up to Kruger National Park. You’ll want to follow the Panorama Route all the way there to make sure you catch all the best bits. Breathtaking gorges, huge waterfalls, weird rock formations—the list goes on. You can really spend ages taking it slow and soaking it all in!
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If you’re set on bagging an extra country, consider Mozambique. It’s a tricky country to fly to on a budget, but from Jo'burg you can drive to the capital, Maputo, in around 7 hours, or take a bus in 9 hours. There’s loads to see in the historical capital itself, but it’s the coastline you absolutely have to see!
The ocean in Mozambique is as clear as it gets and as warm as a bath. The best-of the-best can be found further north on Bazaruto Island, with its 2-mile long coral reef literally teeming with life. But as you’ll likely be tight for time, I’d stick to peaceful Inhaca Island, which you can reach by boat from Maputo.
Hopefully that’s given you a few ideas, reader. South Africa really is vast, so take your time and enjoy every bit! Let us know how you get on, and send us a few pics when you’re back :-)
Do you need travel advice from the JFC community? We're here to help!
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All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across the web this week.
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