Hello Reader,

🧭 Where in the World?

As this email sails out to you, we've just reentered the United States for the first time since Global Entry was suspended. (It went smoothly.) Since we headed to South America a mere three weeks ago, Global Entry services have been cut off, the Mideast war has taken off, and millions of people around the world are suffering consequences of warfare. We don’t know how many Americans are still trying to find their way out of conflict zones. Our little matter of U.S. passport control is insignificant.

Coincidentally, Argentina, where we're coming from today, has also been undergoing periodic strikes by air traffic controllers since we’ve been here. Let’s just say there is no isolationism in this day and age.

🧳 Our Latest Posts

Tom has just updated two mostly photo posts based on our recent visit to Santiago, Chile. He's put together photos from this trip, as well as from when we live there 15 years ago. If you like quirky art, check out the murals of the Bellavista neighborhood of Santiago and the home of renowned Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda.

Given Neruda’s dual role as poet and statesman and given the turbulent political history of Chile over the past 50 years, it was an appropriate and inspiring place to start our South America travels while so much was happening back home.

Next week we’ll report on more of Santiago, on the fine wineries we visited, and the side trip to Valparaiso and Isla Negra on the Pacific Coast.

🛫 Get Going: Tours We Recommend For You

While we’ve been following news from a distance, we’ll hasten to add we’ve felt safe in our travels over the past three weeks. (That’s a question we get a lot.) In fact, we’re already prepared for our next trips.

Kris will be focusing next on Jerez, Spain. Jerez is known for sherry wine, of course (jerez is the Spanish word for sherry), but it’s also been named Spain’s gastronomic capital of 2026. It’s a good thing Kris will be eating as she visits this corner of Andalucia. Meanwhile, Tom will find something to do elsewhere in Spain…before we meet up to poke around undisclosed corners.

In the fall, we’re very excited to be returning to Spain again. You can join us as we dive deep into Andalucia culture with Elective Study Abroad in Cordoba and Granada.

Or you can choose a similar program in Palermo, Sicily.

In either case, we’ll be happy to offer you our expertise in planning extensions before or after, in some of our favorite cities: Sevilla/Madrid for the Andalucia travel, or Rome/Florence for the Palermo course.

Space is limited and some spots are already booked.

Join us: October 4 – 11, 2026, Palermo and the Evolution of the City​

Join us: November 8 - 15, 2026, The Architecture and Cuisine of Andalucia​

Travel Past 50 readers get $250 off per person for any Elective course enrollments. Just use the exclusive code, TP50. Chat with us if you have questions. Note: space is limited for these small groups. Guarantee your spot with a $750 deposit today.

E-bike approach to Patagonia

Our friend Sherry Ott, experienced traveler, tour leader, and travel writer at Ottsworld.com, is repeating her popular e-bike trip to Patagonia. On this trip she partners with a local Chilean company to create an amazing ride on rural roads with majestic scenery, plus stays in posadas and estancias and meals included. This is the perfect pace for a Patagonia experience. Visit Patagonia Ebike Small Group Tour for more details, and email info@Ottsworld to chat directly with Sherry to express your interest.

🗞️ Travel News From Around the Web

• The big news for frequent international travelers like us has been the shut down of the Global Entry program, and the reports of three-hour waits to get through airport security. The TSA agents are working without pay (again) so be nice, and don't take out your frustrations on them or the border agents on your return. Even though it's inconveniencing us, being from Minnesota, we can't say we support the Homeland Security Administration in its current iteration. Best we can do is hope for some considered compromise.
• Speaking of Global Entry, the next best thing you can do to speed your reentry to the United States is use the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app on your phone. Load your passport and arrival info into the app, and you'll get expedited treatment at most points of entry. Only one app is needed for family groups traveling together. We were prepared to use it in Atlanta today, but didn't need to as the regular lines moved right along. We got through immigration in less than two minutes.
• Finally, all the pundits are saying that flight prices are about to take a jump due to rising costs of jet fuel (and every other petroleum product.) Our advice is make your air reservations for any upcoming trip as soon as you can, and choose a changeable fare. If prices drop later, you can cancel and rebook and generally get the difference back in a credit.

💸 This Week's Best Deals in Travel

• Thrifty Traveler, our favorite source for flight deals, has announced they're increasing their yearly membership fees effective tomorrow! So, if you're like us and like to fly as cheaply as possible, this is your wake up call. To get one of the best deals in travel. Use this link to get Thrifty Traveler premium for $20 off the current price, and if you do, you'll lock in that price for life. Trust us: if you use just one of their deals, you've more than paid for the membership.
• One of the secrets to easy traveling is packing light. Right now we're just back from a three-week trip to South America and we managed to only carry a small carry-on bag and personal item (mostly for electronics) for the entire time. Our secrets? Two things, really. Merino wool shirts and this clever travel washing bag and travel clothesline. A quick rinse of socks and underwear and an overnight hang and we're ready to go indefinitely.

📖 What We're Reading

Since we're here in South America, Tom's been practicing his Spanish with some of Pablo Neruda's poetry. English versions are certainly available. He's also finally got around to reading Hamnet, by Maggie O'Farrell, which I'm told has also been made into a movie.

Kris is reading The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. She says it's a real page turner.

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❞

I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train. – Oscar Wilde

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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: Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Join our Facebook community.

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