Big adventures are coming

Hey, it's Lily, here to talk travel and trying something new, even challenging, this year. Plus money-saving tips! [View in browser]( [Bloomberg]( Hey, Pursuits readers! [Lily Girma]( here, your travel correspondent. Remember when I said that my first trip of the year would involve [snapping out of my comfort zone]( to go glamping in remote Alaska, and hopefully catch the northern lights? Well, mission accomplished. I was terrified of vacationing in a frozen tundra—after all, I’ve spent the past 15 years skipping winters and working remotely from the Caribbean—but it was worth it. On the eve of my birthday in January, my husband and I saw the [magical, flashing green lights]( beaming in the starlit sky from the middle of a boreal forest outside of Fairbanks. You’re probably thinking, who on earth goes to Alaska in January?! It turns out, plenty of people. All 20 igloos and five cubes at [Borealis Basecamp, a trendsetter in 2022]( with its clear roofs and windows, were sold out for the week—and all through the 2023-2024 season. An adventure center keeps guests busy with activities ranging from snowshoeing to ice skating when they’re not glued to the heavens. Our cozy snow-caked igloo at Borealis Basecamp. Photographer: Lebawit Lily Girma/Bloomberg But nature had more in store for us than we anticipated that weekend: -39F temperatures that a couple of Fairbanks locals told us they hadn’t experienced in six years and that they thought was due to climate change. I’m glad I wasn’t there when it [hit below -50F]( at the end of the month. If you’re wondering what that depth of cold feels like, it’s an uncomfortable, slow, burning sensation if you stay outside for more than 10 minutes at a time—even with multiple layers of clothing. Too cold to snowmobile for an hour, too cold for a leisurely hike in the forest, though we managed a very brief stroll outside the camp for some selfies. (And yes, later in the trip, my husband did throw hot water in the air and we watched it [turn into a cloud immediately](—so wild!)  The aurora borealis doing its cosmic dance at 1:23 a.m. Photographer: Lily Girma/Bloomberg It warmed up to -13F on the following days—toasty!— and we were able to play with adorable Alaskan huskies and go dog sledding, departing just outside the camp. I sat at the front, while my husband stood behind the musher, holding on to a bar for support, as we began piercing through the snow-covered forest, along narrow paths lined by giant trees. With no other structure or person in sight, our ears filled with the sound of the sled scratching the frozen ground as the dogs—“the senior crew,” the musher explained, that no longer race but take visitors on leisurely rides—gently pulled us forward. Fairbanks wasn’t just about outdoor adventures, though. We stopped at the [University of Alaska Museum of the North]( to learn about the history of region, from its Indigenous tribes to the detrimental arrival of Russian colonizers in the 18th century and subsequent purchase of the territory by the US for $7.2 million in 1867. (That would be worth more than $100 million today.) We caught the temporary “[Black in Alaska](” exhibit, which runs through April 1, featuring insights from more than 40 African American residents on what it’s like to live in “the Great Land.”  Photographer: Lebawit Lily Girma/Bloomberg This trip has convinced me that going completely against the grain of where I usually venture, is the best way to unlock the power of travel. Not just going off the beaten path or learning about a new destination, but choosing places where you get to conquer a long-held fear. Of course, I say this as someone who has no children and has prioritized tropical and buzzy destinations in the Caribbean and Central America in the past. Most American families look to the usual places that are close to home such as Florida [and the Caribbean](, or [Italy]( and [Spain](. Nothing wrong with that. Unless you’re Miami Beach, which has spent $250,000 on a slick campaign that declares it’s “breaking up with spring break.” Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP Others are warming up once more to the idea of [visiting Egypt](, particularly in the second half of the year when the Grand Egyptian Museum is set to open. Like many US travelers, I moved it down my bucket list after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent, ongoing devastation and war in Gaza, which borders Egypt to the northeast. Yet safety in Egypt has actually not been an issue for visitors, the data shows, as the country continues to upgrade its infrastructure and historical monuments. That’s good news for local businesses that need the crowds and the tourism revenue they bring. Is is safe see the pyramids in Egypt? The data—and travelers—say yes. Photographer: Sima Diab/Bloomberg Ultimately, travel decisions are a matter of perspective and personal choice. Among my other trips this year, I’m opting for a lesser-visited corner of Sicily, [at the foot of Mt. Etna](, where I’ll be joining a women’s writers retreat. I hear this region is one of the most distinct in Italy, but the trip itself is also a personal challenge to shake off the fear of starting to write that book I’ve had in mind. Let’s see if it works! White Lotus or no, Sicily has always been a stunner. Here’s 22 reasons to go to now. Photograph: Jacek Dylag/Unsplash My professional advice as you plan your own adventures this year: Don’t totally wing it. Gather sightseeing tips from the experts—yes, that’s us, but for instance, I found out about the Black in Alaska exhibit from [Travel Alaska](. And book well ahead: We almost didn’t get to stay at Borealis Basecamp because they sold out faster than I thought they would; agreeing to switch rooms mid-stay made it work. The same goes for airfare. Don’t get so busy that you procrastinate buying tickets, as I did with my Sicily trip. I even tried Kayak’s [new PriceCheck price comparison feature]( as a last ditch effort to unearth savings, but no dice. I do plan on trying the Ask Kayak chatbot and other similar AI tools for September wedding anniversary trip ideas that are affordable and short-haul. Whatever options turn up, I’ll make sure we go for the least predictable-to-us destination. Connect with Lily on[Instagram]( or[Twitter]( or [via e-mail](mailto:lgirma1@bloomberg.net?subject=Recent newsletter). More unexpected journeys From night trains in Europe to chasing the solar eclipse, here’s additional inspiration for traveling against the grain. [Not Exactly the Orient Express But Europe’s Sleepers Are Back]( Young Europeans are spurring the revival of night trains. [How to Find the Best Cities to Watch the Solar Eclipse]( On April 8, a total solar eclipse will occur across North America—it won’t happen in such a large swatch of this region until 2045. [36 Hours in Asunción, Paraguay]( An off-the-radar destination in South America for adventure travelers. [Spectacular Fields of Yellow Mustard Draw Visitors to Northern California’s Wine Country]( Brilliant colors signal the start of spring and the celebration of all flavors sharp and mustardy. [Looking for a Beach Vacation That’s High on Luxury and Value? Try Mauritius]( The island’s tourism industry is headed for a slowdown as revenge travel fades, with the potential to offer great value for visitors. Power players in the Kingdom Saudi Arabia has been pumping millions to raise its clout as a tourism destination, and it’s working—which you may find intriguing as an offbeat, challenging-to-you destination, or troublesome depending on your political views. Either way, the Kingdom is [abuzz with future projects]( and high-profile events.  Our own [Hannah Elliott]( is there right now in Alula, an ancient oasis in the northwest of the country filled with dramatic desert canyons and Petra-like archaeological sites—as well as the beginning of a very[boho-luxe circuit of resorts](. Stay tuned for her story. Tourists visiting the ancient archaeological site of Hegra in Alula. Photographer: Jeremy Suyker/Bloomberg Hannah made the initial journey to moderate a panel at the [Bloomberg Power Players Jeddah](, powered by Asharq, which took place at the Jeddah Yacht Club during the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The summit included some of the world’s most influential voices in sports, entertainment and technology. What’d we learn that may affect your future travel plans? McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said the [valuation of every Formula One team]( is now worth “well north” of £1 billion ($1.3 billion) as F1 rides a tidal wave of popularity in the US and a rapid growth in revenues. And Saudi Arabia is going big on its local football clubs as it works to open up to investors—and [draw international soccer fans.]( The flurry of player transfers last year, which brought top football stars including Brazilian Neymar and French striker Karim Benzema to local Saudi clubs, is likely to continue, said Vice Minister of Sport Bader Alkadi. Winner’s circle While we hope you think every article we write is a worthy read, the following are truly tops. Congratulations to the writers and editors behind Bloomberg’s prize winners in the 32nd Annual [North American Travel Journalists Association awards](. [Burnout Retreats Are the Latest Wellness Cure for White-Collar Wipeout]( [A Surge in Young Golfers Is Turning the Sport Into a Family Affair]( [The Travel Boom Hasn’t Been Inclusive. One Woman Is Finding Solutions.]( [Seven Money-Saving Tips to Beat Travel Inflation This Summer and Beyond]( [The Only Hack for Hotel Discounts That Still Works Right Now]( What else I’m enjoying The movie theater: I went on a Sunday cinema binge last month—a feat for me because I’d rather [enjoy streaming]( in the calm of my living room. Having spent many past winters as a roving travel writer in Jamaica, I felt I had to support [Bob Marley: One Love]( on the big screen. I was right to keep my expectations for the biopic low given that British actors were cast as Bob and Rita. The acting was decent, but the highlight was learning how Marley came up with some of his most famous tunes. A scene from the March on Washington in 1963. Photographer: Education Images/Universal Images Group Editorial A more satisfying movie was Ava Duvernay’s [Origin](, an adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s book [Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents](. A Pulitzer-prize winning reporter navigates grief while traveling to Germany, India and other places to research the history of racism, uncovering the links between slavery and racial segregation in the US and the Holocaust and then India’s caste system. There are scenes you’ll struggle to erase from your mind—and that’s the point. How much does it cost to win an Oscar? Approximately $25 million, according to [this fascinating Bloomberg Originals mini-documentary](. It pulls back the curtain on all that goes into campaigning and persuading the Academy to pick a movie—from ads and PR to the multitude of players up and down the chain who are pushing to make it happen. Fantastic viewing before [“Hollywood’s Biggest Night” this Sunday](. Watch How To Win an Oscar [Gifts of Africa]( by author Jeff Pearce offers a detailed history on the African continent’s contributions to the world, some of which are well known—for instance, it was the Egyptians who gave us writing, with hieroglyphics. Other feats, including its early explorers, have been obscured or downplayed. I’m only a couple of chapters in as it’s packed with detail, but I’ve been blown away, if unsurprised, by what I’ve learned so far about my continent’s greatness. So, you had some questions… We call for queries [weekly on our Instagram account]( and [via e-mail](mailto:askpursuits@bloomberg.net?subject=I have a question). Here’s what you were dying to know about this time around. Why do I always cry on airplanes? Ha! I also get super emotional on planes, tearing up for a multitude of reasons that I thought had to do with leaving loved ones behind and saying goodbye to a special destination—and not the cheesy rom-com that’s all of a sudden hitting harder than it should. But it turns out the emotional rollercoaster we’re on when flying could be due to a number of physical conditions onboard the plane, according to James Roy, a neurofeedback expert at [Brainworks Neurotherapy](. There’s hypoxia aka low oxygen levels in the cabins, which in turn can cause emotional responses and mood changes. Then there’s the impact of dry air, which means we may suffer from mild dehydration, which can also affect mood. Throw in the discomfort of being shut off from the world and not being in control, Roy adds—not to mention general stress and travel exhaustion—and all combined we’re more prone to bursting into tears on a plane. Eleven other things we never knew about flying … until we embedded a reporter undercover as a flight attendant. Illustration: Zohar Lazar Is it possible to plan a spring break trip at the last minute that isn’t going to cost so much money? For starters, skipping Miami is a good idea to not only avoid the high prices but also crowds so rowdy [the city is actively discouraging them to stay away](. Beyond that, we asked travel booking app Hopper for sample spring break airfares, and the good news is it’s still possible to nab last-minute deals—as long as you act fast. Roundtrip flights from New York JFK to Ponce, Puerto Rico, as of March 7 are as low as $129 roundtrip per person, while under $200 to Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale or Tampa, Florida. Fares from JFK to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic or Grenada are currently $250 and $326 respectively—but prepare yourself for sticker shock at [Caribbean resorts](. Fares drop even more if you’re heading to say, Charleston, South Carolina, or other small southern US cities. If you’re flying out of LAX, you can get similarly good deals to Florida destinations that aren’t Miami. Remember to try out the range of AI travel chatbots on [Kayak](, [Skyscanner]( or [Priceline]( for more ideas that fit your budget and preferences. [Google Travel's explore feature]( is also very helpful on turning up destinations you may not have ever considered. With some more time and planning—and yes, money—here’s six easy itineraries for island hopping around the Caribbean. Source: Frenchman’s Reef What is driving exorbitant hotel prices? It’s true—hotel rates have remained elevated since the pandemic. We addressed this issue last year, [looking at cities]( where rates are rising the fastest. We also looked at a [new normal of $1,000 a night]( at the latest luxury properties. Right now in March, nightly hotel rates in the US are averaging $242 a night, according to Hopper, and between $339 to $500 a night in Cancun and Punta Cana. The same goes for western European hotspots such as London and Florence, averaging $440 to $466 per night. The two major factors influencing high hotel pricing are quite sticky. Demand is outstripping supply in some markets. And there are ongoing staffing shortages; 67% of hotels in the US said they were experiencing this, with 12% saying they were “severely understaffed,” according to the most recent [survey]( by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. This means some hotels continue to limit inventory as a solution, which translates into higher prices for you. What can a sustainable paradise look like? Cancun has an answer. Courtesy Auberge Resort Collection In other regions, seasons have blended: [Demand is now year-round in the Caribbean]( when it used to be clearly seasonal which meant you could score deals at high-end properties during the summer. That’s not to say you can’t snag deals—you just have to be [more strategic]( and [flexible]( with your choices. If you’re picky about where you’re staying, book well in advance for popular resort hubs. If you’re heading to a city and you’re not picky about where you’ll stay, Hopper says you can even try booking 24 hours before check-in to get deals. You should also look into last minute drops from app [Hotel Tonight]( or [@hotel]( which posts deals that are bookable through its social media and promises bigger savings for users because the company does not spend on ads like online travel agencies do. Give it a shot and report back! New for subscribers: Free article gifting. 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