Stop Scrolling + Buy Lottery Ticket

May 28, 2026
A pair of binoculars sitting on a ledge

Destinations and reads that got my attention

I don't usually gravitate toward group travel, but a few of these trips genuinely made me stop scrolling. Small expedition ships, food-focused itineraries, and destinations I hadn't thought about before.

These luxury small ships have me buying lottery tickets. Some of these itineraries work because the ships are small enough to reach places big cruises physically can't.

If The Ship Fits, Sail It [SmarterTravel]

I don’t travel for birdwatching, but these locations are convincing enough to make me think about it.

Best destinations for birdwatching in South America [Journey Era]

These itineraries made me hungry almost immediately, and they’re more affordable. National Geographic recently picked Crete for its Best of the World food list, but the Slovenia + Croatia route looks especially good too.

Europe's best tours for foodies [Which?]

Destination Tip

Not every Switzerland itinerary needs to revolve around Zurich or Geneva. Bern’s rail connections make it an easy starting point for exploring the Alps and taking in the landscapes of lakes, mountains, and small alpine towns. And Bern holds up on its own too, with a perfectly preserved UNESCO-listed medieval old town and a unique urban river culture.


Some inspiration that felt worth passing along