Hello Reader,

🧭 Where in the World?

You guessed it: we’re still in Spain, though we’ve moved on from Andalucía to Valencia. We’ve been working on our respective stories about visiting the South of Spain over the last couple weeks. Now, in Valencia we’re continuing to walk a lot, discovering the city’s large beautiful parks, and poking around to find a few new restaurants, cafes and bars. Paella is in our future.

🧳 Our Latest Posts

We’re excited to share Kris’s new guide to Jerez de la Frontera. Three things were born in Jerez: sherry, flamenco, and the Carthusian horse. Recently recognized as Spain's Gastronomic Capital for 2026, this storied city in Cádiz province rewards curious travelers with world-class wine, extraordinary equestrian culture, and some of the best eating in Andalucía. Here's everything you need to plan your visit.

And, we just updated our Ultimate Guide to Packing Light for Travelers Over 50. If you're struggling with how to make it all fit into a carry-on, this post is definitely for you.

🛫 Get Going: Tours We Recommend For You

When you read the post above, you’ll see why we’re so enthused about working on a November program to two other incredible Andalucían cities: Granada and Córdoba.

Now's the time to register for our special week in Andalucia, in partnership with Elective Study Abroad. Join us for The Architecture and Cuisine of Andalusia! We can't imagine a better way to learn about Spain than in this relaxed setting with top experts in the history and culture of the region.

NOTE: Travel Past 50 readers save $250 with the code TP502026. There’s no single supplement. Plus we’ll happily help with suggestions for any of your pre- or post- travel extensions in Spain, our home away from home.

Read more about Elective Study Abroad programs and inquire today if you have any questions about our November small group options in Andalucia.

🗞️ Travel News From Around the Web

• Here's an interesting tidbit: some travelers are just abandoning their luggage instead of paying high baggage fees.
• According to Travel and Leisure magazine, the biggest concern for Americans who are considering traveling abroad? "How they'd be received as an American." Oh yeah, and those prices...
• And, we liked this essay from the Substack, Be Back by Dinner. It's a little remembrance of what travel was like before smartphones.

💸 This Week's Best Deals in Travel

• Black Diamond, one of our favorite outdoor gear brands, is having their Memorial Day Sale of up to 40 percent off, through May 25. For example, they make the best hiking poles.
• REI, where we get most of our outdoor gear, and a lot of travel clothing, is also having their Anniversary Sale, with a lot of stuff at 25 percent off. Also, members get an additional 20 percent off with the coupon code ANNIV26. Sale is on through May 25.
• Our favorite travel shoes from Xero are having a sale, including on our favorite style, the Prio. These are the ultimate light weight comfortable travel shoes. Don't miss the opportunity to get them at up to 30 percent off.
• This doesn't happen often, but the best Apple AirPods, the Pro 3 model, are on sale for $20 off at Amazon.

📖 What We're Reading

Tom has finished The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and is moving on to a book that has been sitting in his bedside pile for at least a few years. Really. Middlemarch, by George Eliot. Just this week, The Guardian named it as the best novel of all time. So there's that.

Kris says she is still behind in her reading, but her book group meets this week to discuss The Oceans and the Stars by Mark Helprin.

Finally, since we're in Spain now, we got around to updating our list of books about Spain that we liked.

You can see most of the books we recommend in one place at our Amazon book shop. If you'd prefer an alternative to Amazon, there is Alibris.com, where we frequently buy used books, and Bookshop.org, which supports independent booksellers. And, if you're into art books, like we are, check out the catalog at Taschen, the world's foremost publisher of art books.

If you buy a book through our links, we make a small commission at no additional cost to you.

❝Travel Quote of the Week❞

Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. – Orison Swett Marden

You can read past editions of our newsletter here.

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Have any feedback? Ideas for future posts or email topics? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at feedback@travelpast50.com.

Happy travels,

Kris and Tom

Tom Bartel and Kristin Henning ​Travel Past 50​ Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. Join our Facebook community.

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Are you planning to book a trip soon?

• See our favorite travel resources​
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• See the travel gear and books we recommend at our recently updated Travel Past 50 Amazon shop​
• Shop our favorite place for outdoor gear and travel clothing at REI Co-op​
• For your Spain travel, check out suggested itineraries at Spain's official tourism site​

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