Sharing practical tips, honest reviews, and real-life stories to help you travel smarter - and stretch your budget further. Want in? Get weekly Friday updates with Tanya’s travel hacks, destination guides, and exclusive resources - straight to your inbox.
We Drank Ti Punch With Strangers🌺and Flew Home in Business Class
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Dear Reader We just got back from two weeks in Guadeloupe, and I think it might be my new favorite Caribbean island. Not only is it culturally rich, but nature is on a whole other level there. We are currently in the depths of winter, and I bet there are a few of you looking for that next sunny destination... If you are.. keep reading. This week's includes:
☀️This trip started with a simple goal: chase sunshine and go somewhere a little off the beaten path. It's been a goal to explore more of the Caribbean recently, even when it means a longer connection to get there. It’s not just about vacation anymore - it’s about experiences that shift your perspective. Guadeloupe did exactly that. On Christmas Eve, we were picking up a traditional holiday meal made by a local Creole woman - Nenette. Instead of simply handing us the food, she invited us inside for a Ti Punch. It’s a local drink, and hers was made with homemade gooseberry syrup, local rum, and fresh lime. What could have been a quick stop turned into a genuine moment of connection. And it wasn’t a one-off. Time and again, people on the island made us feel like friends, not tourists. It was honestly astounding. The island itself completely caught us off guard - it’s clean, organized, and feels incredibly safe. We’ve traveled all over the Caribbean and Central America, and Guadeloupe stands apart. There’s pride of ownership here, and the kind of laid-back energy that doesn’t feel built for tourists. It’s just… real. My husband loved the quiet beaches (and the local Gwada beer). My son was fascinated by the real plane crash site tucked into the jungle. And I’ll never forget waking up to crashing waves and looking out over the ocean with my morning coffee. If you’ve been curious about Guadeloupe, or are just craving something fresh and culturally rich, I wrote a post that dives into the good, the surprising, and who I think this island is perfect for. 👉 Read: 6 Reasons Guadeloupe Is Worth Visiting in 2026On our way home, we upgraded to business class on Air Canada for just over $200 per person. Here’s the trick: we didn’t book it ahead of time. Instead, we waited until right before check-in, when airlines often release last-minute upgrades at deeply discounted rates. If the cabin isn’t full, they’d rather fill the seats than leave them empty. Sometimes we bid. Sometimes we just refresh the app and wait for a lower price to appear. And sometimes it doesn’t happen at all, but when it does, it’s an absolute game-changer for comfort on long-haul flights. ✨Moral of the story? Unless you need the upgrade confirmed in advance, it’s worth playing the waiting game. I know it feels early, but if a Christmas trip to Europe is on your 2026 bucket list, planning ahead makes a huge difference - especially when it comes to budget and accommodation. Some of the best Christmas market hotels get booked up almost a year in advance (I’m already seeing bookings roll in for places we stayed in Cologne, Colmar, and Strasbourg). If you want to get a handle on where to go, how many cities you can fit into a week, and tips for booking flights and trains; I’ve put together a super helpful starting point: 👉 Read: Planning a Christmas Market Trip to EuropeAnd if you’re not already in my free Facebook group, now’s a great time to join! There are 19,000+ travelers in there asking questions, sharing photos, and dropping tips from past trips. We’re already seeing planning threads start for next season. Don't hit snooze on this opportunity! 🎄 Join the group here → Facebook Group: Christmas Markets in Europe If you’ve got your eye on Europe for late next year, this is your reminder that now is when the magic starts. I've got a 'spotlight on subscriber' coming up later this month, along with some other great travel tips and tricks. For now, have a great weekend! Talk soon,
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The T Word on Travel
Sharing practical tips, honest reviews, and real-life stories to help you travel smarter - and stretch your budget further. Want in? Get weekly Friday updates with Tanya’s travel hacks, destination guides, and exclusive resources - straight to your inbox.
Dear Reader This month’s Spotlight on Subscriber takes us somewhere full of color, warmth, and a few surprises along the way. ☕ Colombia might not be on everyone’s radar, but after hearing about this trip, you might want to move it up your list. My friend (and neighbor!) Courtney recently spent 10 days exploring Medellín with her family - with a bonus day in Mexico City that started with an earthquake and ended at the zoo. From cable car rides over the city to climbing 700 stairs for sweeping...
Dear Reader I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a calm start to the New Year. ☀️ We were soaking up some sunshine in Guadeloupe, which is why my newsletter went a little quiet for the past two weeks. I’m freshly back now, and this trip ended up being a real gear test. We connected through Montreal, dealt with snow and ice, then landed straight into tropical heat and humidity. That contrast made it very obvious what worked and what didn’t once we arrived. Here’s what actually earned its...
Dear Reader 🎄The holidays are coming in hot… and so are the travel deals. This week’s email is full of the good stuff: Black Friday Travel Deals A Holiday Teaser What I'm Packing for Christmas (again!) 🎁 BLACK FRIDAY DEALS I'M ACTUALLY EXCITED ABOUT Unbound MerinoI'm always oversharing about how much I love merino wool products. Whether its Christmas Markets, hot sticky climates, or busy travel days.. these products live up to the hype. Unbound Merino just started their once a year only sale...