Nomadic Matt's Travel Tuesday

= = {NAME}, ​ Greetings from NYC! I'm back home after a full month of travel. Coming back to the cold weather is making me wonder why I left Thailand but, alas, I couldn't avoid it. ​ This week is IMM, a huge travel media event in NYC that I attend every year. I love attending because it's one of the few times all my colleagues are in the same room and I get to catch up with everyone. Even though I miss the beaches of Thailand, I miss my friends more and am excited to see them all. ​ Plus, next week I'm heading to Japan to go skiing with a group of friends so I also needed to swap my beach attire for ski attire. ​ I'm very excited about this trip for a lot of reasons: I want a "redo" from last year's trip where I got really sick, it's been years since I've been skiing, I've never skied in a foreign country, I love all things Japanese, and I'm going with friends who have never been to Japan. ​ I find traveling with "first-timers" invigorating. Watching their eyes light up at...well, everything, makes me excited. When something becomes "normal" for you, it becomes a little less magical. Even travel. (Yes, I realize the insane privilege in that statement.) I find whenever I show friends around, it turns old destinations into new ones again. Their excitement reminds me of my original excitement. ​ When their eyes light up over a good meal or their mind is blown by some architectural wonder I am reminded to stop and smell the roses and appreciate where I am, no matter how many times I've been there (or how normal the travel lifestyle seems to me). ​ And, given how we are at the start of a new year, I think that's a good lesson to remember. ​ COMMUNITY UPDATES 1. PLANNING A TRIP FOR 2024? A lot of people who replied to my annual survey said they are already planning trips for this year. If that's you, [this page has all my best planning tips and blog posts](=) so be sure to check it out when planning. ​ For specific company recommendations, [check out my comprehensive resource page](). The page lists all the companies I use when I travel. ​ 2. WANT MORE CHEAP FLIGHTS? [Going]() (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) is a site that finds incredible flight deals and sends them directly to your inbox. They're currently offering $24 off both premium and elite subscriptions through January 31st! (You can [read my review of Going here]().) ​ 3. I'M SPEAKING AT THE TRAVEL SUMMIT IN APRIL! This conference in Toronto is dedicated to points and miles. There will be Q&As, workshops, mixers, and tons of presentations! The conference is April 26–28, 2024. [Tickets are $399 CAD](. Use code NOMADICMATT to get $25 off. ​ ​ NEWS & STORIES FROM AROUND THE WEB 1. [12 Fantastic Day Trips from Austin]() - If you're heading to Austin, check out this post I wrote for 52 Perfect Days highlighting my favorite day trips! ​ 2. [The Best Travel Photos of the Year Have Been Announced]() - Here's a look at some of the best photos from the International Travel Photographer of the Year awards. ​ 3. [Los Angeles 3-Day Itinerary: The Perfect SoCal City Break]() - I shared my favorite things to see and do in LA in this guest post for As We Saw It. Check it out! ​ 4. [Airfare Hasn't Been This Cheap Since 2009]( - US domestic flight prices are at record lows...here's hoping international prices drop this year too! ​ ​ BOOK OF THE WEEK ​[Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin]() - On the surface, this novel is about two friends who work in the video game industry. On a deeper level, it's about friendship and love over the span of decades. It's artful, emotive, and beautifully written. While I didn't love the ending, as a whole this book is very good. [Get it on Amazon]() | [Get it on Bookshop]() ​ ​ NEW BLOG POSTS ​[The Chase Sapphire Preferred Review](​ The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of my favorite travel credit cards. In this review, I share how this card works and its pros and cons. ​ ​[How to Spend 24 Hours in Raleigh, North Carolina](​ ¢Â€Â‹ Here's how to spend 24 hours in Raleigh, North Carolina, including must-see sights and where to eat and drink! ​ ​[The 6 Best Hostels in Cusco]()​ Heading to Peru? Here are my favorite hostels in Cusco. All these spots offer fun, good accommodation, and a social atmosphere. ​ ​ QUOTE OF THE WEEK "I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them." - Mark Twain ​ *** As always, if you have any questions, reply to this email. I'll be happy to help. ​ Sincerely, ​ Nomadic Matt ​ P.S. - Booking a trip soon? Here are some resources to use: - Book your flight with [Skyscanner](=). - Book your hostel with [Hostelworld](). - Book your hotel with [Booking.com](). - Book your travel insurance with [SafetyWing](. - Book your day tours with [Get Your Guide](). - Book your car rental with [Discover Cars](=). - Check out the [best travel credit cards](). ​ ​ ​ = = ​ ​ ​[Unsubscribe]( | [Update your profile]( | 2318 Santa Rosa Street, Austin, Texas 78702 | [Opt-out of preference-based advertising](=)​