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The journey
to your holiday doesn’t have to feel like lost time. With the right approach,
travelling can become part of what you remember about the break. You might
watch familiar scenery turn into open countryside or enjoy having several
uninterrupted hours with your travelling companions. Choosing a slower or more
scenic way to reach your destination can also remove some of the pressure to
arrive quickly. Instead of treating travel as something to endure, it can add
character and variety to your time away.
Exploring Scenic Routes by Road
Driving
gives you freedom to shape the journey around what interests you. A trip
through Wales, for example, could take you along mountain roads and through small towns instead of
keeping you on major roads.
Plan a
couple of worthwhile stops before leaving. A lakeside walk or lunch in a market
town can break up a long drive while giving you experiences you would miss if
you focused entirely on arrival time.
Taking Time to Enjoy the Countryside
Countryside
holidays suit travellers who want the journey and destination to flow together.
Staying close to footpaths, villages and local attractions means you can
explore without spending much of each day driving.
Choose
accommodation with places worth visiting nearby. From a cottage in the
Cotswolds, you could walk to a neighbouring village to try a new restaurant rather
than driving between attractions. You gain more time outdoors and can notice
details, from local architecture to changing landscapes, that often disappear
when you rush between stops.
Setting Sail on Cruises from Southampton
Starting a
cruise from the UK, like Southampton, can remove the need to arrange flights
and airport transfers. Once you board, you can unpack and settle into your
accommodation while the ship begins moving towards your first destination.
When you look at cruises from Southampton for your
next holiday, consider the experience between ports as carefully as the
itinerary itself. A Norwegian cruise might let you watch the scenery become
increasingly dramatic as you approach the fjords. Sea days also give you time
to enjoy meals and deck space without planning another transfer.
Discovering the Joy of Slow Travel
Slow travel
means spending enough time somewhere to experience more than its main
attractions. You can use the approach even when you only have a week away. Limit
the number of bases you choose and keep transfers manageable. On an Italian
rail holiday, staying several nights in each city reduces repeated packing and
checking in. You also gain time to return to a favourite café or explore
residential streets.
Let the Journey Shape the Story
The hours
between home and your destination can add a different dimension to a holiday. A
quiet train ride gives you time to switch off, while a winding road or changing
coastline creates memories before you arrive. Thinking about how you want to
travel, rather than simply how quickly you can get somewhere, can also change
the rhythm of your break. You may cover fewer miles, but you can experience
those miles more fully. When the journey has its own purpose, your holiday no
longer needs to wait for check-in before it feels as though it has begun.
Spain is definitely famous for its beach holidays, delicious tapas and
beautiful cities, but venture beyond the resorts and you'll find a country made
for outdoor adventures. Take one trip and walk between whitewashed Andalusian
villages. Take another and you’re in the midst of pine forests in the Pyrenees.
There are plenty of reasons for active travellers to return again and again. If
you're planning your next Spanish escape, here are some of the outdoor
experiences worth putting on your list.
From Mountains to Volcanoes: A Landscape for
Every Adventure
When you travel through Spain, it can feel like several destinations all
rolled into one. If you head north, you can marvel at the dramatic peaks,
alpine lakes and mountain valleys of the and the Pyrenees. Or travel south to the
AndalucÃan landscape of limestone gorges and sun-baked hills. Then there are the Canary Islands - with Tenerife's Mount Teide
National Park offering volcanic rock formations and a chance to see Spain's
highest peak. Over in Lanzarote, Timanfaya National Park looks almost
otherworldly.
Walking trails through Spain's landscapes and history
Walking a trail in Spain rarely means seeing nothing but countryside -
it can feel like part of the holiday. The famed Camino
de Santiago combines long-distance walking with centuries
of history, churches, medieval towns and sociable evenings in local
restaurants. Elsewhere, you’ll find coastal trails can take you from quiet
coves to fishing villages where you can enjoy a lunch with freshly grilled
sardines.
From skiing to snorkelling: Outdoor activities
for every season
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you don’t need to wait until July or
August to experience Spain. Temperatures tend to be milder in spring and autumn,
so these are excellent times for walking and cycling. Along the coast,
travellers can try kayaking, surfing, snorkelling and diving. And in winter,
skiers flock to mountain areas such as the Sierra Nevada.
From beaches to cycling trips: Make outdoor experiences part of a holiday
If you’re keen on outdoor experiences, there’s no need to plan a
hardcore expedition. Many Spain holidays will
enable you to combine a comfortable base with
day trips into the outdoors. You could spend the morning cycling a coastal
route, explore a national park the next day, then leave another afternoon
completely free for the beach. You could also hire a car to open up Spain’s
quieter viewpoints, trailheads and coves away from busy resorts.
Discover a new Spain with every visit
You don’t have to repeat the same holiday every time you revisit Spain –
each region has a different food culture, landscape and pace. In Asturias and
Galicia, for example, you can look forward to green hills, rugged Atlantic
coastline and quaint fishing villages. Valencia and Catalonia both combine
Mediterranean scenery with mountains and historic towns, while AndalucÃa offers
fragrant olive groves, dramatic sierras and Moorish architecture.
Find your next Spanish adventure
There’s a reason why so many outdoors enthusiasts keep coming back to
Spain. Beyond the usual tourist spots, you'll find everything from volcanic
trails, mountain villages, wild coastlines through to centuries-old walking
routes. The best part is that you don't need to experience everything at once –
just pick one corner this time, explore it properly and save another adventure
for next year.
There’s something particularly giddy
about opening a new calendar and knowing there are a few adventures waiting for
you somewhere in the months ahead. They don’t all need to be booked, paid for
and planned, of course, as some of the pleasure comes from simply knowing
you’ve got so many options.
A little forward thinking and holiday
planning, however, can help you decide where
you’d like to go, what you actually want from your time away and how those
trips might fit around everything the year ahead is likely to throw your way.
Start with how you want to feel
It’s tempting to begin travel planning
by scrolling through destinations, but starting with the experience can lead
you somewhere more interesting. Maybe you’re craving a week where the most
strenuous decision is choosing which beach to visit or perhaps you’d prefer a
long weekend filled with galleries, restaurants and streets you’ve never walked
before. Both equally valid options that offer completely different experiences.
Think about who you’ll be travelling
with too, because a romantic break for two has a very different rhythm from a
family holiday or a trip with friends. Even holidaying
in a familiar destination can feel completely
different depending on whether you want to explore from breakfast until bedtime
or leave plenty of room for slow mornings and long lunches.
Build a wish list rather than a timetable
A travel wish list is a good way to
collect those half-formed ideas that usually disappear into forgotten browser
tabs. Include the ambitious ones alongside the easily achievable trips. Japan
might sit next to Edinburgh, an island-hopping adventure next to a quiet
weekend in the countryside.
The point isn’t to promise yourself
you’ll do everything in a single year. It’s about creating a pool of
possibilities. When a free weekend appears or you start discussing the summer
holiday, you’ve already got ideas worth exploring rather than automatically
booking the same familiar trip again.
Look further ahead
Once a few favourites begin to emerge,
it’s worth looking at the calendar. Coordinating annual leave, school holidays
and several people’s schedules becomes much easier when you’re thinking months
ahead rather than trying to make everything work at the last minute.
If next year is already on your radar,
browsing 2027 holidays can help turn a vague idea into something more tangible.
You don’t necessarily have to book immediately. Sometimes simply seeing what’s
possible makes it easier to decide which trips deserve a place on the calendar.
As plans become firmer, it’s also sensible to check current travel advice from the government
for any destinations you’re
considering, particularly when looking further afield.
Keep a few weekends empty
Finally, don’t go too far. The danger
of becoming an enthusiastic planner is accidentally planning the fun out of the
year. A calendar packed months in advance leaves very little room for that
sunny Friday when someone suggests escaping for the weekend.
So, leave some blanks. Get the bigger
adventures on the horizon, keep a wish list simmering in the background and
allow the occasional trip to happen simply because the opportunity presents
itself. The best travel year is rarely the one with the meticulously
planned holiday itinerary.
Winter can be a brilliant time to get away
with friends. Snowy landscapes, festive celebrations and seasonal activities
offer plenty of reasons to plan a trip together, whether your group prefers an
active holiday or a few days exploring somewhere new.
From days on the slopes to Christmas
markets and Arctic adventures, there are winter breaks to suit different
budgets and travel styles. Here are some of the best options for your next
group getaway.
Ski trips for groups who love adventure
For friends who enjoy an active holiday, group ski holidays combine
time outdoors with a lively social scene. Days can be spent skiing or
snowboarding before everyone meets back at the resort for dinner, drinks or
après-ski.
Ski resorts can also work well for groups
with mixed experience levels. Beginners can book lessons while more confident
skiers head for more challenging pistes, making it possible to spend parts of
the day doing different activities before meeting up later.
The French Alps have several resorts suited
to groups, including Val Thorens, which offers extensive skiing and a lively
après-ski scene. Austria is another popular choice, with resorts such as St
Anton combining varied slopes with plenty to do once the lifts close. Groups
looking beyond the Alps could also consider Andorra, where resorts such as Pas
de la Casa offer skiing alongside a busy selection of bars and restaurants.
Festive city breaks full of winter
atmosphere
You don't have to head to the mountains to
enjoy a winter holiday with friends. Many
European cities take on a completely different atmosphere during the colder
months, with Christmas markets and seasonal events adding plenty to a
traditional city break.
Vienna is a good option for groups
interested in food and culture, with Christmas markets held across the city
alongside museums, historic coffee houses and impressive architecture. Prague
offers a similarly festive setting, with its Old Town Square market surrounded
by some of the city's best-known landmarks.
Strasbourg is another destination worth
considering, particularly in the run-up to Christmas. Its long-running festive
markets spread across the historic centre, giving groups plenty of
opportunities to explore different stalls while stopping for regional food and
warming drinks.
Lapland adventures for something
different
For a winter trip that goes beyond the
usual city break, Lapland
offers a chance to experience the Arctic landscape together.
Husky sledding is one of the region's
best-known activities, giving groups the opportunity to travel through snowy
forests behind a team of huskies. Snowmobile tours provide a faster way to
explore the wilderness, while evening excursions can take you away from
built-up areas in search of the northern lights.
Finland: a magical winter escape for
friends
Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland is a good base
for groups who want to fit several winter experiences into one trip. Friends
can head out on a reindeer safari, book a husky excursion or spend an evening
searching for the northern lights.
Accommodation can be part of the experience
too. Staying together in a cosy cabin gives groups somewhere to relax after a
day outside, while the surrounding forests and snow-covered landscapes provide
a very different backdrop to a typical European break.
Whatever your group enjoys, travelling
together in winter can turn the colder months into something to look forward
to. From skiing in the Alps to exploring Lapland, the best trip is one that
gives everyone plenty to experience together while still leaving room to pursue
their own interests.
Guest rooms, vacation cabins, and temporary
accommodations don’t always have the most comfortable mattresses. Replacing a
mattress may be unnecessary, especially when the bed is only used occasionally.
A wool mattress pad or topper offers another option, adding a layer of
cushioning while helping create a comfortable sleeping surface for different
guests.
Wool is also naturally breathable and can
help regulate temperature, which is useful in rooms used throughout different
seasons. Here are some brands to consider when shopping for wool bedding for
guest spaces and travel properties.
1. Home of Wool
Home of Wool specializes in handcrafted
bedding made with wool and natural fabrics. Its wool mattress pad
is designed to sit on top of an existing mattress, adding extra cushioning
without requiring a complete bed replacement.
The topper is filled with wool and is
available with natural fabric choices, including organic cotton, linen, and
virgin wool. Elastic straps help hold it in place, which can be particularly
useful on a guest bed where different sleepers may use the room throughout the
year.
Home of Wool also offers custom sizing.
That makes the topper worth considering for cabins, older bed frames, RVs, and
other spaces where mattress dimensions may differ from today’s standard sizes.
2. Holy Lamb Organics
Holy Lamb Organics offers natural bedding
made with materials such as wool and organic cotton. Its range includes wool
mattress toppers that can add softness and cushioning to an existing sleep
surface.
This approach can work well for guest
bedrooms because the underlying mattress can remain in place while the topper
provides an additional comfort layer. The brand also produces wool pillows and
comforters, making it possible to use similar natural materials throughout the
bed.
3. Shepherd’s Dream
Shepherd’s Dream is strongly focused on
wool bedding, with products ranging from mattresses to toppers and pillows. Its
wool toppers provide another option for improving a bed that feels too firm
without immediately investing in a new mattress.
For cabins and vacation properties, this
can be especially practical when a mattress is still supportive but could
benefit from additional surface comfort. Wool’s temperature-regulating
qualities also make it suitable for properties used in both warmer and cooler
seasons.
4. Woolroom
Woolroom has an extensive wool bedding
collection that includes mattress toppers, protectors, pillows, comforters, and
mattresses.
Its wool toppers are relevant for guest
rooms where temperature comfort is a priority. Wool can absorb and release
moisture while remaining breathable, helping create a comfortable sleep
environment without relying on thick layers of synthetic foam.
The company offers different topper
options, giving shoppers some flexibility depending on how much additional
cushioning they want to add.
5. Sleep & Beyond
Sleep & Beyond is another relevant
brand for shoppers interested in wool toppers rather than replacing an entire
mattress. Its range includes wool mattress toppers alongside pillows and
comforters.
This makes the brand particularly suitable
for smaller bedroom updates. A topper can be added to a guest bed when needed,
while matching wool bedding can help create a more consistent sleep setup.
Choosing a Wool Mattress Pad for Occasional Beds
For a guest room, cabin, or vacation
property, consider thickness, sizing, attachment style, and care requirements
before choosing a topper or pad. The condition of the existing mattress matters
too: a topper can improve surface comfort, but it won’t correct a mattress that
has lost its underlying support.
For beds that are still in good condition,
wool offers a simple way to add cushioning, breathability, and year-round
comfort without replacing the entire mattress.
There are some people who are incredibly easy to shop for. And then there are the people we love dearly who leave us completely stumped. They don't need more things. They may already have everything they want. Or perhaps they're walking through a season where another traditional gift simply doesn't feel quite right.
Sometimes what we really want to give someone isn't another thing at all. We want to give them the feeling of being remembered. And maybe one of the loveliest ways to do that is through their mailbox.
The Cabin Letters were created at our fifth-generation family cabin on the shores of Lake Champlain as a monthly invitation to slow down, notice ordinary beauty, and make life just 1% more restful. Each month brings an actual letter alongside original photography, an illustrated field map and story, and a small invitation toward rest—all arriving the old-fashioned way. And while you can absolutely join The Cabin Letters for yourself, I've been thinking about all of the people in our lives for whom this might make an especially meaningful gift.
Here are ten of them.
1. The Mom Who Says She Doesn't Need Anything
You know the conversation.
You: "What would you like?" Response: "Oh, honey, I don't need anything."
And she probably means it. Instead of giving her another object to find a place for, give her something to look forward to each month. A letter to read. A photograph to display. An illustrated field map with a story to enjoy. A little moment that is simply hers.
2. The Grandmother Who Loves Receiving Mail
There is something particularly special about sending tangible mail to someone from a generation that remembers when letters were simply part of everyday life. The Beautiful Edition of The Cabin Letters was created especially with the later seasons of life in mind, with reflections on memory, legacy, beauty, connection, and continuing purpose. And unlike a gift opened once, The Cabin Letters membership gives her another envelope to anticipate next month. And the month after that.
3. The Friend Going Through a Difficult Season
Sometimes we don't know what to say. A friend receives a diagnosis. Someone we love is grieving. Life takes an unexpected turn. We can't fix it, and another "How are you?" text can sometimes feel painfully inadequate.
The Bravely Edition was created for difficult health seasons, chronic illness, pain, and diagnoses—not with simplistic answers, but with encouragement centered around faith, beauty, meaning, hope, and courage. Sometimes sending something that says I am still thinking about you is its own kind of gift.
4. The Friend Who Lives Far Away
Maybe she moved. Maybe you moved. Maybe life simply placed hundreds—or thousands—of miles between two people who once lived around the corner from one another. A monthly letter membership can become a beautiful way of closing a little bit of that distance. You may not be able to sit together over coffee this month. But you can make sure something lovely is waiting in her mailbox.
5. The Woman Building a Life on Her Own
I care deeply about this one. The Belonging Edition is written especially for those navigating singleness, with reflections on friendship, home, purpose, community, and creating a deeply meaningful life exactly where you are.
6. The Person Who Has Everything
No clutter. No guessing sizes. No wondering whether they already own one. No quietly trying to find out what they want without ruining the surprise. Instead, you're giving them an experience that unfolds throughout the year. And because the contents change each month, there is always something new waiting inside.
7. Someone in Assisted Living or a Nursing Home
This was one of the people I thought about while creating The Cabin Letters. Something addressed specifically to them. Something arriving in their mailbox. Something to open, read, display, talk about, and perhaps save. The Beautiful Edition was intentionally created for older adults and those in later seasons of life because those seasons deserve to be celebrated—not overlooked.
8. The Person Who Needs Permission to Rest
Maybe she's caring for children. Or aging parents. Or both. Maybe she's building a career, teaching a classroom, running a household, walking through a difficult season, or simply carrying more than most people realize. Every Cabin Letter includes a 1% More Restful card. Not a challenge to reinvent her entire life. Just one small invitation to make a little more room for rest. Sometimes that is exactly the reminder we need.
9. The Person Who Loves Cozy, Thoughtful, Old-Fashioned Things
The person who loves bookstores. Handwritten notes. Old houses. Little cafés. Beautiful paper. History. Photographs. Cabins. Stories. Places with memories attached to them. If you've already thought of someone while reading that list, I think we would get along beautifully.
The Cabin Letters were made for people who still believe there is something special about holding a story in their hands.
10. You
Yes, you. Because we are often very good at choosing thoughtful things for everyone else and strangely reluctant to do the same for ourselves. You don't need a special occasion to put something lovely on the calendar. You don't need to earn rest. And you certainly don't need someone else to decide that your mailbox deserves something more interesting than bills and advertisements. Maybe this is the year you give yourself something small to anticipate. One envelope. Once a month. From a little cabin beside Lake Champlain.
A Gift That Keeps Arriving
The Cabin Letters are available as a monthly membership or as prepaid 3-, 6-, and 12-month gifts. Each month includes a handwritten letter from the edition selected, an original fine-art photograph, an original hand-illustrated field map and story, and a 1% More Restful card with Scripture on the reverse.
It isn't meant to be another box of things. It is meant to be a pause. A story. A little beauty. And the quiet delight of opening the mailbox and discovering that someone thought of you.
Perhaps someone came to mind while you were reading this. Or perhaps that someone was you. Either way, I'd be honored to send a little piece of our Lake Champlain cabin their way.
Explore The Cabin Letters and choose the edition that meets you—or someone you love—right where they are. Click HERE to begin!
You do not need a passport to see
somewhere new. Fewer than half of Americans hold a valid passport, yet the
country opens the door to beaches, rainforests and islands with nothing more
than a photo ID. One rule did change recently: as of May 7, 2025, you need a
REAL ID-compliant license or another accepted document to board domestic
flights. Here are the best places to travel without a passport, and exactly how
to plan each one.
Why You Can Travel Without a Passport as a US Citizen
A passport proves your identity when you
cross an international border. Inside the United States and its territories,
you never cross one. That means a driver's license or state ID covers you for
flights, ferries and road trips.
Two paths make passport-free travel
possible. First, US territories are American soil, so arriving there is a
domestic trip. Second, certain closed-loop cruises let you sail abroad and
return on the same ship using a birth certificate and government ID.
US Territories: The Caribbean and Pacific Without a Passport
American territories give you tropical
weather and foreign scenery while keeping the paperwork simple. You fly in with
the same ID you use at home.
●
Puerto Rico. Think rainforest hikes in El Yunque, the bioluminescent bays of
Vieques, and Old San Juan's blue cobblestones. The US dollar is the currency
and English is widely spoken.
●
US Virgin Islands. St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix deliver white sand and world-class
snorkeling. Nearly two-thirds of St. John is protected national park land.
●
Guam.
This Pacific island mixes Chamorro culture, Spanish-era history and warm water
diving. It sits closer to Asia than to Hawaii.
●
Northern Mariana Islands. Saipan and Tinian offer quiet beaches, wartime history and sharp coral
drop-offs for divers.
●
American Samoa. The most remote option, home to a national park spread across volcanic
islands and coral reefs.
One practical note for data-hungry
travelers: coverage can get patchy and roaming fees add up fast on island
trips. A prepaid US data plan like Holafly
keeps your maps and messages running from the moment you land, without hunting
for a local SIM.
Hawaii and Alaska: Bucket-List States, No Passport Needed
People forget that the two states least
connected to the mainland are still domestic. You board with a REAL ID, not a
passport.
Hawaii gives you volcanoes, surf towns
and six main islands to island-hop. Alaska delivers glaciers, grizzlies and the
midnight sun. If you fly direct, you never leave the country, so the trip stays
passport-free.
Closed-Loop Cruises: Go Abroad and Still Skip the Passport
A closed-loop cruise starts and ends at
the same US port. Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, US citizens
can take these sailings with a birth certificate and a government-issued photo
ID instead of a passport.
These routes reach surprisingly far:
1. The Bahamas. Nassau and private cay
stops, often on short three or four night sailings from Florida.
2. Mexico. Cozumel and the Riviera Maya on western and eastern Caribbean
itineraries.
3. Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. Multiple
islands on one loop, all from a US home port.
My honest advice: still bring a passport
if you own one. If you miss the ship or have a medical emergency abroad, flying
home without a passport becomes a real headache. The ID-only rule is a
convenience, not a safety net.
Mainland Road Trips Worth the Drive
You do not have to board a plane at all.
The lower 48 states hold enough variety to fill a lifetime of vacations, and a
car is all you need.
Chase red-rock canyons in Utah,
Spanish-moss coastlines in the Carolinas, or desert springs in New Mexico. If
you want a slow, flexible version of this, our guide to touring the USA in an
RV walks through routes, budgets and gear that make long-distance trips easier.
What You Still Need to Pack Instead of a Passport
Passport-free does not mean
document-free. Bring the right paperwork and you avoid problems at the gate or
the gangway.
●
A REAL ID or accepted
alternative for every domestic flight since May 7,
2025.
●
A certified birth certificate for closed-loop cruises, paired with a photo ID.
●
Proof of ID for minors, since children on cruises usually need a birth certificate too.
Check your cruise line's exact rules
before you book. Policies vary slightly between operators, and the ship, not
the destination, decides what boards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a passport to visit Puerto Rico or the US Virgin
Islands?
No. Both are US territories, so you
travel there with the same ID you use for any domestic flight. No passport
required.
Can I take a cruise without a passport?
Yes, on a closed-loop cruise that starts
and ends at the same US port. You will need a birth certificate and a
government-issued photo ID.
What ID do I need to fly within the United States now?
Since May 7, 2025, you need a REAL
ID-compliant license, a passport, or another accepted document to board a
domestic flight.
Is Hawaii a passport-free destination?
Yes. Hawaii is a US state, so a direct
flight there is a domestic trip that needs only a valid ID.
Should I bring a passport even if it is optional?
If you already have one, yes. It is your
fastest way home if a cruise emergency forces you to fly back from a foreign
port.
The Bottom Line on Places to Travel Without a Passport
A missing passport is no reason to stay
home. Between the territories, Hawaii, Alaska, closed-loop cruises and the open
road, you can reach beaches, rainforests and glaciers with a simple ID. Pack
the right documents, double-check your cruise line, and go.
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