This issue of our newsletter brought to you by Thrifty Traveler Premium Hello Reader, 🧭 Where in the World?Greetings from the Twin Cities in Minnesota, where major road construction season has begun. Despite the closing of the main Interstate highway connecting Minneapolis with St. Paul over the weekend, 25,000 people made their way to the State Capitol for Hands Off demonstrations. We hope others, like us, took the opportunity to support neighborhood restaurants along the cities' back streets. (Indochin on Grand Avenue in St. Paul serves excellent egg rolls, bún, and salt & pepper fried calamari.) 🧳 Our Latest PostsSpeaking of pepper, our inbox is peppered with questions about international travel in these days of political and economic upheaval. A couple quick observations: We have not experienced animosity toward American visitors. Quite the contrary, we frequently hear words of commiseration and encouragement. Travel builds bridges. Watch your exchange rates. Unfortunately, the U.S. dollar is down almost 10 percent against the Euro over the past couple weeks. Refer to this useful post about when and how to convert. Be aware of tightened controls at U.S. Customs. For privacy and security when re-entering the U.S., we advise shutting off your phone completely and disabling your Face ID unlock function. Immigration may ask to see your phone, but cannot force you give your unlock code or see what's on the phone without a warrant – although if anything should be clear of late, Homeland Security has sometimes not exactly been following the letter of the law. Here’s more on securing your identity when traveling. Read the very last section on what to do with your phone when crossing a border. 🗞️ Travel News From Around the Web
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📖 What We're ReadingTom is reading the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, which has a calming effect after reading the day's news. Kris has just started the rather long A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving, and is committed to breaking her recent habit of waking to the news and instead indulging in some fine fiction. For our previous book recommendations, check out this list. ❝Travel Quote of the Week❞Paris is always a good idea. – Audrey Hepburn Do you like this email? Please forward it to a friend! Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here. Happy travels, Kris and Tom P.S. What more can we do for you? Reply to this newsletter and ask us anything.
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Hello Reader, 🧭 Where in the World? We are busy back at home after a couple quick jaunts, including Kris's 50th college reunion. Though we didn’t have far to travel, the reunion brought the world closer to home. It was record-breaking attendance for a Carleton College reunion, and even our class (consider the disaffected era) exceeded expectations. Remarkably, the gathering wasn’t a trip down memory lane. The tone reflected the group’s engagement in the present and concern for the future....
Hello Reader, 🧭 Where in the World? We’re off to Vail, Colorado, and looking forward to some biking and hiking, eating, and wandering around gardens and art galleries. Elevation: 8,000 feet. Wish us well, and if you have experience in Vail, send us a note on what we should not miss! 🛫 Get Going: Tours We Recommend For You The last spots on our Ireland tour in October were snatched up quickly. If you missed that chance, you can join the waitlist for this year, or reserve your spot for 2026. 🧳...
Hello Reader, 🧭 Where in the World? Even a week after Memorial Day, we’re still suspended in that space between spring and summer, it seems. Judging from the activity in our TravelPast50 Community Facebook group, though, planning is underway for many of you! Discussions range from walking tours in Brugge, to riding the rails in Canada, to inbound USA travel, to speculation on this summer’s air fares and hotel rates. Do you have questions about your next destination, or helpful experience you...