Jack's Flight Club ✈️ Travel News & Inspiration
|
|
|
This Detour is brought to you from the comfort of a Frecciarossa train sailing towards the heel of Italy. The trip so far has seen us meandering between mountains, winding along riverbanks, and fighting with Wi-Fi connections in pitch-black tunnels (no rawdogging for me, thanks!). All in the name of travelling to Tirana by public transport.
We learnt the checkpoints we’d have to visit along the way at around 11:40 on Saturday morning, and by 11:45 those competing to reach Albania first were already dashing to the Eurostar terminal.
After hitting Bruges, we had to choose between visiting the Contra Dam in Switzerland, Rothenburg ob der Tauber in northern Bavaria, or the German capital, Berlin. Next up, all 180 of us would converge once again in Graz, Austria, before splitting off towards either Rimini in Italy or Timişoara in Romania.
And that’s where you find me now, on the final leg to Tirana, having opted for the comfortable train-based route that has allowed us to sip spritzes by the seaside and avoid long-winded, coach-based border crossings. Guess I’ll have to save all those Balkan-based delights for next year’s race…
|
Happy travels and safe landings,
|
|
|
From Rural Philippines to Dubai: Diaries Of A First-Time Traveller
|
|
|
|
|
By Iris
Discovering the world one cheap flight at a time, Flight Finder Iris loves nothing more than exploring all the hidden corners of a new city.
|
|
|
My first flight experience from Manila to Dubai marked a significant milestone in my life. As a solo, first-time traveller, I was a bundle of nerves, especially after watching an episode of Air Crash Investigation just days before my trip.
Luckily, I flew non-stop with Emirates in February 2022, just a month shy of my birthday. The 9-hour flight was a whirlwind of emotions; I couldn’t sleep, consumed by anticipation and a mix of excitement and anxiety. The thought of reuniting with my mom after over five years added to the emotional rollercoaster.
Growing up in a rural part of the Philippines, the leap to a metropolis like Dubai was monumental. Stepping into the vast, modern airport, my heart raced with a mix of awe and sensory overload, setting the tone for the glitz and glamour of Dubai. Seeing my mom waiting for me with flowers was a moment of pure relief and joy. The cab ride to her place was a visual feast, leaving me speechless as I absorbed the bustling city's sights and sounds.
|
Jet-lagged and emotionally spent, I crashed for 13 hours straight upon arriving. My first meal in Dubai — fattoush, manakish, and kunafa — was a special experience, shared with my mom after so many years apart.
Exploring Al Seef and the Burj Khalifa was eye-opening, a stark contrast to the rustic vibe of my hometown. The towering structures and modern marvels were a world away from the humble charm of my hometown. Adjusting to life here was both challenging and exhilarating. Modern amenities, efficient public transport, and an incredible variety of cuisines were exciting yet sometimes overwhelming.
As an introvert and a generally timid person, finding the right company in Dubai has been a struggle. The vibrant, fast-paced environment often felt intimidating, and forming new connections was challenging.
But I found peace in the quieter, laid-back corners of the city. Walks became my solace, and I often found myself drawn back to the calmer parts of Al Seef. Its charm and tranquility offered respite from the bustling city. Reconnecting with this side of Old Dubai felt like a comforting embrace, a blend of the familiar and the new.
|
Meeting people from various backgrounds broadened my horizons. Local activities like desert safaris, small anime and gaming conventions, and reading clubs became highlights of my new life. Over time, I discovered the hidden gems of the city — the serene beaches, vibrant street art in Al Karama, tranquil gardens, and cultural centers. These places offered a peaceful retreat from the city's hustle and bustle.
Living in Dubai has been a journey of personal growth for me. Reuniting with my mom and exploring the city together has created cherished memories. Dubai has become a second home, a blend of new experiences and my Filipino roots.
Now, I lead a more independent life away from my mom. I’ve learned self-reliance and found joy in the everyday beauty of the city. I frequent local markets, hidden cafés, and quieter parts of Dubai, discovering the balance between high-energy events and peaceful corners.
|
Despite the challenges, living alone has deepened my appreciation for Dubai’s vibrant, diverse life. From high-energy events to peaceful city corners, I’ve found a balance that works for me.
As I reflect on my journey, I realize how much I’ve grown. From the anxious solo traveler to someone who navigates the bustling streets of Dubai with confidence, and is eager to travel more places — to come out of my shell. Every step has been a learning experience. My time here has been a blend of excitement, nostalgia, and personal growth — a journey I wouldn’t trade for anything.
|
|
|
Doing National Parks Like A Pro
|
|
|
Q: "What's the best way to visit Yosemite and Sequoia?"
|
|
|
|
|
By Olivia
Flight Finder Olivia is a San Diego native, splitting her time between there and Seattle. When she’s not at her local coffee shop writing about slow travel, you’ll find her hiking or road tripping along the West Coast.
|
|
|
These two parks have some incredible sights, but really could not be more different in terms of planning!
Sequoia is on the wild side by US National Park standards — there are zero gas stations and fewer than 200 lodge rooms in both the main park and its sister, Kings Canyon. Most of the park is backcountry with minimal roads or maintained trails.
Fresno airport is the closest to the park (and Yosemite), and while there’s technically transit from there to the town of Visalia and then shuttles to Sequoia, they’re infrequent and pretty slow. You’re definitely better off with a car. You’ll enter through the town of Big Stump if you’re coming from the north, and Three Rivers if from the south.
|
Once you’re in the park, you can either drive yourself around or leave the car somewhere and take the smaller park shuttles to get around. Some areas are closed to cars during certain times of the year, so you might not have an option either way.
The less-built aspect of the park makes it an ideal pick for avid hikers and anyone looking to get off-grid. While there are still cabins, campsites, and popular trails, you’ll see more of the park if you embrace the back country approach.
So… what is there to see? Well, trees, mostly! Really, really, really big trees. The largest in the world, in fact! The 2,000+ year old General Sherman tree is not only the biggest tree, but one of the biggest living organisms on the planet.
Other highlights include a drippy cave of stalactites and a stunning view of the valley from Moro Rock. Next door in Kings Canyon, you’ll find similar pine forests, rock formations, and valley views, but they tend to be less crowded than at Sequoia.
|
Yosemite, while also beautiful, couldn’t be more different – this is one of the busiest US parks. It’s crowded, lodges and campsites are incredibly hard to book, and parking is typically impossible. You’ll need some serious prep and good advice if you want to make it work (and we can help with the latter!)
The most vital tip we can offer is to plan months in advance. Most visitors recommend getting accommodations inside the park to avoid the parking issues and to save yourself the 1—2 hours of getting in and out each day. However, this is no small feat, and it’s why you need to plan ahead.
For peak season (May—October), camp grounds open for booking five months in advance and often fill up in seconds. We’re talking Eras Tour levels of craziness here — if you want a campsite in the valley, you’ll need to get your friends all logged on at the same time, waiting for the window to open.
Lodges aren’t quite as intense to book, as they open up a full year in advance and have way more spots available. Definitely still book them as soon as possible, because even weekday off-season rooms fill up a month or two in advance.
They’re pricey, but you’re not just paying for the room. You’re paying for the parking spot. Yosemite’s general access parking lots are full by 9am at the latest. Having in-park accommodation means you can leave your car at your assigned spot and rely on the shuttle.
|
The next best option is to stay at one of the small towns outside the entrance, so you can at least skip the long drive from Fresno. These are still pricey and overbooked, but much more manageable. Arrive at the park before breakfast and you should be good to go.
Once your lodging is booked, double-check the park site to make sure you don’t need any more permits. You might’ve got the hard one, but some dates require extra reservations during peak times, and some hikes (like the one up Half-Dome) require a permit obtained through a lottery. Get your permits in order, and you won’t have many more issues — Yosemite has a lot of infrastructure, including several restaurants, a few gas stations, and cell service.
And now you can enjoy the views! There’s a reason so many people pack into this place. The two most iconic sights are Half-Dome and Yosemite Falls. Both have strenuous hikes to get you up close and personal, plus some easier ones for shorter trips. A good one to start with is Cook’s Meadow Loop, a quick 1-mile trail with great views of both the Falls and the Dome.
So there you have it! Hopefully this gives you a better understanding of what to expect from these parks. I’m hoping to make it up there this autumn, so you might just see some park pics soon :-)
|
|
|
All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across the web this week.
|
- Ever wondered what you'll get if you buy an item from lost luggage? Here's what £109 will get you.
- As Royal Caribbean's 9-month cruise nears its end, the epic voyage just can't stop making waves.
- Scotland's capital city looks set to become the next major tourist destination to introduce a tourist tax for anyone staying overnight in Edinburgh.
- And finally, remember that Japanese supermarket with the view of Mount Fuji so popular they had to block it off? Apparently the move was so effective, the store has opted to remove the barrier again.
But don't all rush there at once! The store has said that if tourists start running out into the road in front of traffic again, they'll have to put it up. For now, though, they just "want to see what happens."
We'll see you in the same place next month, when that barrier goes back up!
|
|
|
|
