5 WAYS TO WANDER: š²Bike Dutch, Budget Flights 101, & Bathroom Nostalgia
14 March, 2025 | Welcome to 5 Ways to Wander. Here are five fresh ideas to inspire your next adventure!
#1 This Weekās Travel Hack:
āļø Mastering Europeās Budget Airlines. Low-cost airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air make European travel ridiculously affordableā¦ if you know the rules.
Hereās how to avoid paying more than you planned:
ā Check in online. Or theyāll charge you.
ā Travel light. Mostly, only a carry-on is permitted and extra baggage is expensive.
ā Watch for sneaky airports. They often land at secondary airports which are F-A-A-R from the city.
ā Bring your own snacks. Unless you enjoy ā¬5 Pringles.
[You Might Like: The Ultimate Guide to Cheap Flights in Europe]
#2 Destination of the Week:
š²š¹ Valletta, Malta. Tiny but mighty, Valletta is the EUās smallest capital , yet it packs more history per square meter than most entire cities.
Built by the knights of St. John in the 16th century, this golden-hued fortress city is a UNESCO World Heritage site with grand baroque architecture, meticulously gridded alleyways, and phenomenal harbor views.
As you walk through its honey-colored streets, you stumble upon ornate blue-green-red balcony boxes, expansive courtyards, and historic sites like St. Johnās Co-Cathedral (which, btw, houses a Caravaggio ).
There’s history, sunshine, and that vibey Mediterranean charm ā all in a city you can cross on foot in 30 minutes.
[You Might Like: How to Spend 3 Amazing Days in Malta + Travel Tips]
#3 Cultural Insight:
š² Dutch Bicycles: A National Obsession. Did you know that the Netherlands has more bikes than people?
Biking in the country is a way of life. With 23 million bicycles for 17 million people , the Dutch pedal everywhere ā rain or shine, in suits or skirts, to run errands, or for a night out (often balancing a crate of beer on the back rack).
ā”ļø Bike lanes?Ā Immaculate.
ā”ļø Helmets?Ā Not really a thing (but somehow, everyone survives).
If you ever find yourself in Amsterdam, donāt make the rookie mistake of wandering into a bike lane ā youāll be shown no mercy.
Why the popularity? Because it’s fast, eco-friendly, and in a country as flat as a stroopwafel, it just makes sense.
[You Might Like: Why Visiting this Popular European City Left Me Disappointed]
#4 Travel Quote to Ponder:
š āNot all classrooms have four walls.ā
ā Anonymous
[You Might Like: 42 FREE Things to Do in Manchester (Especially #37!)]
#5 Question for You:
āWhatās the most bizarre bathroom situation youāve encountered on a trip?
(I once ended up in a bathroom in Norway with a microwave š¤)
[You Might Like: How to Visit London, Paris, Rome ā Without Leaving Home]
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