#traveldiary

[zocher]

Basel, Switzerland

[diaprincess]

June 25, 2025

Crystal clear beaches here *in Antique, Philippines ೃ༄ superb 🙌🏻🌼

[janientjie]

[nmnomad]

Sculpture of Padre Antonio José Martínez in Taos Plaza. Martínez was born in Abiquiu in 1793. He became a parish priest in Taos in the 1820s. He witnessed the tumultuous transition from Spanish colony to Mexican territory to American territory. In terrms of work drama, Martínez went head to head with Archbishop Lamy. Evidently, Lamy didn't appreciate Martínez' criticism, because he excommunicated him in 1858.

I am not sure who put a pumpkin (or gourd) on his head. Wasn't me.

[upthespiralstaircase]

Winter land. by Manon Vacher Via Flickr: Facebook | Tumblr | Instagram

[cheaptripsguide]

How to Find Last-Minute Cheap Flights in 2025 (Proven Hacks)

✈️ 10 Insider Tricks for Last-Minute Flight Deals

1. Use the "24-Hour Drop" Strategy

Airlines often slash prices 24-48 hours before departure

Best for: Midweek flights (Tuesday/Wednesday departures)Tools: Google Flights "Track Prices", Hopper alerts

2. Search Incognito + Clear Cookies

Airlines hike prices if they see repeated searches Pro Tip: Use VPN to change location for better deals

3. Target "Empty Leg" Flights

When: Sunday evenings & Monday mornings Why: Business travelers cancel bookings, freeing up seats 2025 Trend: United now shows "Likely to Drop" tags

4. Book Through Discount Airlines

Best for last-minute: Spirit ($19 fare sales) Frontier (App-exclusive deals) Southwest (No change fees)

5. Try Skiplagged (Hidden City Ticketing)

Save up to 60% by booking connecting flights Example: NYC→Miami→Orlando (exit in Miami)

6. Check Alternate Airports

Major Savings Examples: Fly into Oakland instead of SFO Choose Burbank over LAX Use Fort Lauderdale (FLL) vs Miami

7. Leverage Credit Card Perks

2025's Best Cards: Chase Sapphire: 25% bonus on last-minute bookings Amex Platinum: $200 airline fee credit

8. Use AI-Powered Deal Finders

New Tools: Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) Premium Matt's Flights AI deal predictor

9. Volunteer for Bumping

Get $500+ vouchers when overbooked Best airports: DEN, ORD, ATL

10. Check Foreign OTAs

Often cheaper than US sites:

Kiwi.com

Skyscanner (set to "Everywhere")

💰 2025-Specific Savings Data

Average last-minute savings: $87 (Domestic), $231 (International) Best day to book: Sunday at 1 PM ET Worst day: Friday evenings

[hun-ting-ton]

Création inspirée par les dessins de mon carnet de voyage réalisé dans les Pouilles (Italie).

Y sont représentés des éléments végétaux omniprésents dans la région (agrumes, cactus, algues, fleurs colorés, …), ainsi que des éléments marquants de sa culture et de son architecture. A savoir : des frises, sculptures et autres ornementations animales qui embellissent les façades, les portes et les monuments des centres historiques. Cela va des oiseaux imaginaires, aux dragons, en passant par les lions et les mystérieux monstres marins médiévaux. On y trouve également des figures récurrentes des fameuses céramique des Pouilles (les poissons colorés, les visages masculins et féminins, le Maure, …). Et enfin, un Christ surprenant à l’œil surdimensionné qui figurait sur un crucifix particulièrement original et un masque de la Commedia dell’arte aperçu sur la splendide façade Art nouveau d’un théâtre de Bari. Au niveau chromatique, je me suis inspiré des couleurs vives de l’art latino-américain afin de souligner les nombreuses similarités entre ces deux régions du monde (architecture baroque, symboles catholiques omniprésents dans les ruelles, couleurs vives des céramiques et peintures, cactus, spontanéité des rapports humains, etc.).

******

A creation inspired by the drawings in my travel diary made in Puglia (Italy).

It depicts plant elements very common in the region (citrus fruits, cacti, seaweed, colorful flowers, etc.), as well as significant elements of its culture and architecture. Namely: friezes, sculptures, and other animal ornamentation that embellish the facades, doors, and monuments of historic centers. These range from imaginary birds to dragons, lions, and mysterious medieval sea monsters. It also features recurring figures from the famous Pugliese ceramics (colorful fish, male and female faces, the Moor, etc.). And finally, a surprising Christ with an oversized eye that appeared on a particularly original crucifix and a Commedia dell'arte mask seen on the splendid Art Nouveau facade of a theater in Bari. On a chromatic level, I was inspired by the bright colors of Latin American art in order to highlight the many similarities between these two regions of the world (baroque architecture, Catholic symbols omnipresent in the alleys, bright colors of ceramics and paintings, cacti, spontaneity of human relationships, etc.).

[dorothyrichwanders]

Innsbruck, Austria: Alpine Spring in Technicolor

how do i even explain what it feels like to drink morning coffee in a medieval town square surrounded by alps still capped with snow while spring flowers burst through every available patch of soil??

innsbruck in april is a MOOD. the old town buildings are painted in these candy-colored pastels that pop against mountain backdrops in a way that seems almost deliberately cinematic? like someone designed this whole city specifically for instagram but did it centuries before social media existed.

wandered through the hofgarten yesterday where crocuses and early tulips created patches of color against fresh grass. students from the university sprawled on blankets, soaking up sun between classes, their laughter mixing with church bells.

the thing about april here is the light. it's different—clearer, somehow, making the golden roof (literally a roof decorated with 2,657 gold-plated copper tiles from the 1500s!!) shine like it was installed yesterday. spring rain washes everything clean, and when the sun returns, the whole city gleams.

speaking of rain—got caught in a sudden mountain shower while hiking nordkette (the casual MOUNTAIN RANGE that serves as the city's backdrop). ducked into this tiny wooden shelter where an elderly austrian couple shared their thermos of tea and homemade apricot cookies with me. we didn't share a language but somehow had a 40-minute conversation anyway?

innsbruck exists in this perfect balance point between austrian tradition and youthful energy. one minute you're examining medieval architecture, the next you're in a thoroughly modern café where the barista has more tattoos than exposed skin.

april means you can ski in the morning and sit in a sunny piazza in the afternoon. it means watching snow melt into rushing streams that wind through the city. it means feeling like you've discovered a secret that summer tourists will never know.

innsbruck in april feels like being in on a secret the rest of the world hasn't discovered yet.

[triponly]

Daydreaming about the Netherlands… 🌷✨

From vibrant cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam to quiet, picturesque towns like Giethoorn, this country is a mix of old-world charm and modern innovation. 🚲

Take a canal tour, visit the Van Gogh Museum, or bike through tulip fields. It’s truly a traveler’s paradise.

[galbalmuhet]

Utrecht...

[farezhub]

Each step in a new land whispers, 'You are part of something much larger.' 🌍✈️

[zocher]

Kaiserburg Nürnberg mit Sinwellturm in Nürnberg, Germany

[travelessentials606]

The Top Sports Watches for Hiking: Essential Gear for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Hiking is an exhilarating outdoor activity that connects us with nature and challenges our limits. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a novice explorer, having the right equipment is crucial to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. One indispensable gadget every hiker should consider is a reliable sports watch. These wrist companions not only keep time but also offer a wide array of features tailored to enhance your hiking experience.

Our top picks for the best sports watches for hiking provide a combination of durability, functionality, and convenience. With built-in GPS navigation, altimeter, barometer, and compass, these watches help you track your routes, measure altitude, and predict weather changes. Some models even include heart rate monitors and fitness tracking features, keeping you informed about your physical performance during the hike.

Designed with robust materials and water-resistant capabilities, these watches can withstand the toughest hiking conditions, ensuring they endure the challenges of nature with you. Some notable brands offering exceptional sports watches for hiking include Garmin, Suunto, and Casio.

Before embarking on your next hiking adventure, consider investing in a high-quality sports watch. Having essential data and features at your wrist will not only boost your confidence but also contribute to a safer and more enjoyable experience amidst the great outdoors. Remember, the best hiking memories are made when equipped with the right tools! for more https://travelessentials.info/best-sports-watches-for-hiking/

[geniogoods]

Keep Memories Alive: DIY Scrapbook & Travel Album Ideas

There’s something magical about turning pages filled with photos, notes, and tiny keepsakes from adventures. ✈️✨

A DIY memory scrapbook is your own time capsule — more intimate than your phone gallery, more creative than a photo book.

Our latest blog shares step-by-step tips to craft a travel scrapbook album that’s unique, heartfelt and totally you.

💌 Read the full guide: 👉 See the ideas here →

[nmnomad]

Elizabethtown’s heyday was short-lived and intense. The post office opened early in the summer of 1868. There were 3,000 men working gold claims within one year. Prospectors built cabins on top of, or adjacent to, their mines. There were a couple of hotels, five stores, seven saloons, a brewery, three dance halls, two churches, a school, a flour depot, and a drugstore by 1869. The saloons boasted dance floors, gaming tables, and bars that were 100-200 feet long.

[petr-1980]

🌴 10 Reasons I Fell for the Bahamas It was supposed to be just a quick escape – sun, sea, a drink in a coconut. But the Bahamas completely flipped my travel expectations. Pink beaches, swimming pigs (yep, real ones), two oceans meeting at one narrow bridge, and rum that tastes like liquid summer.

If you think the Caribbean can't surprise you anymore, these 10 reasons will absolutely change your mind 👉 🔗 venclikovi.com/10-reasons-why-youll-fall-in-love-with-the-bahamas

P.S. Swimming with pigs? Totally weird. Totally worth it. 🐷🌊