Scoring an amazing flight deal isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy. If you’re tired of overpaying, here’s how to book flights like a pro:
Flight search
Use Google Flights & Skyscanner – Set price alerts and search with flexible dates to spot the lowest fares. Flying midweek? Almost always cheaper. Same goes for early mornings or late evenings.
It always pays off to check the airlines and their cooperations to find deals or different price options.
Flexibility
Be open to nearby airports – major hubs tend to be pricier. Check smaller airports or even train & bus connections for better deals. Flexibility in dates and locations is really one of the best tips to save money on flights.
Points & Miles
Leverage Points & Miles – even if you’re not a travel hacker, simple credit card rewards can cut flight costs in half. Pro hackers use their every day expenses to collect thousands od reward points. But even if you don’t know all the ins and outs, having a credit card that offers a good reward programm will make a difference. You should have a goal if you do this, because points and miles do expire and it’ll help you stay in focus.
Also: never book through the travel portal of your credit card. Always transfer points to an airline. You will receive more value that way.
Timing
Book at the Right Time – prices tend to drop 1-3 months in advance for domestic trips, and 2-6 months for international flights.
This doesn’t work as well for public holidays or large scale events, as needs are higher during these times. These flights you want to book early.
Budget airlines are still great for domestic or short flights. They remain near unbeatable in that category, bur for every thing else: smart booking = mid-budget travel without compromise.
Bremen: where fairytales come to life! Explore this magical city and find out why it should be on your travel list!
Most people have never heard of this city in Northern Germany and with approx. 2.5 million visitors in 2024 it’s still a hidden gem and absolutely underrated. This is your chance to visit before it becomes too popular.
Why is Bremen a fairytale city?
I called Bremen a city of fairytales and that is quite literal! Bremen features in the Brothers Grimm tale „The town musicians of Bremen“, a fairytale about four domestic animals heading out to become musicians in Bremen. The fairytale is from 1819 and has been adapted by Disney in 1922 amongst others. I still remember watching the movie repeatedly as a child.
As fairytales tend to teach us about morale and social concerns, the tale features topics like aging, social injustice, migration, tolerance and freedom. So topics that are still very much relevant today and its a really beautiful story on top.
Do you believe we can still learn from fairytales?
In 2025 Bremen will open the Stadtmusikantenhaus (lit. Town Musicians House). I for one am curious to see it.
The town musician statue in Bremen
A city of literature
Bremen became a UNESCO city of literature in 2023. Cities of literature are part of UNESCO’s creative cities network that „aims to promote the social, economic and cultural development of cities“ (UNESCO).
The famous town musicians are of course part of the reason Bremen was awarded this status. But not only that. Bremen offers multiple libraries, theatres and hosts book fairs through out the year. A true culture and literature lovers heaven.
I personally like to visit the state and university library on campus or one of the book shops in the city centre.
River promenade Schlachte
Apart from cute cafes you can enjoy your book at the river banks of the Weser or in one of Bremens beautiful parks. The city offers lots of relaxing spots.
A city of magic
Bremen also has a magical atmosphere to it.
The old town with its historical buildings like the town hall of the cathedral create their own magical feeling, especially during the evening.
Town hall
And the famous Schnoor quarter and the Böttcher street let you immerse yourself into the world of Harry Potter. They just feel like Diagon Alley to me.
Böttcherstraße entrance from market place
She looks like she might lift the veil that prevents muggles to see the magical sight to the street, right?
Listen to the bells in Böttcher street or visit one of the tiny stores in Schnoor and watch magic happen at the manufacturers there.
Visit the city
Want to experience the magic yourself? Bremen is beautiful all year round, as there is always something happening in the city. From Christmas markets to summer fairs or sports events.
Want to know more about visiting my birth place? I created a guide for a weekend in Bremen.
London – the dream of many a traveler and a city of contrasts.
I am of the firm opinion that everyone should visit London at least in their life. Read along to learn why and what there is to see in this famous city.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‚affiliate links‘. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.
The classics
No week in London without at least some sightseeing.
You will start your trip with the absolute royal experience: by visiting Buckingham Palace. Arrive in the morning for Change of Guards or any time a day for a view of the building. Prepare for crowds, no matter the time. If you’re lucky you timed your visit with the yearly opening and catch a glance inside. From there its easy to get walk through St. James Park and see the Horse Guards. Whitehall and Westminster are a short walk away. Here you‘ll visit famous Westminster Abbey*, see Big Ben and House of Parliament.
From here head east towards Tower Bridge along the river Themse. The South Bank with popular London eye* and many a street artist is perfect for a walk. Stop by Borough Market and cross London Bridge into the City of London proper. Catch your first glimpse of Tower Bridge and visit St. Paul‘s Cathedral* on the way to the Tower.
My absolute favourite sight to visit was Tower of London*. I spent so much time walking all the parts and visiting every corner I could and it was absolutely worth it!
Cross Tower Bridge and head to Shakespeares Globe for some poetic vibes. Watch a show if possible.
I love getting around in London with public transportation and use my Oyster card everywhere. But you could also chose to use the Hop-on-hop-off busses to visit the different sights. These will probably take you two days to take it all in.
A walk in the park
London is a metropolitan city but still offers lots of greenery.
Classically you could head to Notting Hill, get a feel for the movie, or visit Kensington Palace and the Gardens. I would also suggest a walk through Hyde Park. Feel a little bit of these Bridgerton vibes there and imagine yourself strolling down these ways during that period.
From there its back to the busy streets via Convent Garden and into brilliant SoHo. From here its not far to Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. Perfect to visit in the evening and visit a show in West End.
If you chose to see some calmer streets, head to Hampstead, walk around Camden and visit Granary Square and Regent‘s Canal while your on the road. This would be perfect to see King‘s Cross as well.
London is the place if you want to feel like royalty. Various locations offer afternoon tea in movie-like atmosphere or you could try tea time on the river Themse during a cruise.
Mayfair, the Ritz, the Brown‘s Hotel*, there’s literally an afternoon opportunity for every taste or budget.
Visit the royal palace at St. James‘s or stroll through Regent‘s park. There is so much to see if you want the full royal experience.
Outside the city
Leaving the inner city for a day trip or even for half a day is a very fun thing to do if you have the time.
Enjoy a boat cruise to Greenwich and visit the royal observatory* and the campus of old naval college.
You could even combine it with an afternoon tea cruise. It’s been an absolute joy to get the first glance from the river and then enjoy walking and exploring from there.
If your heart longs for the English countryside, with its cottages and cobblestone streets, visit the Cotswolds. Just a short ride away and everything your cottagecore heart needs. I love seeing them in autumn, but its worth it any time.
A royal lover will probably love a trip to Windsor with Windsor castle* the seat of the royal family. So definitely enjoy this experience your trip!
Knowledge and experience
London offers some amazing free museums, that are always worth a visit. From famous natural history museum, to the science museum and the Victoria and Albert museum, you could spent days just visiting all the museums of the city. Outernet is also worth a visit.
For all the Harry Potter fans it’s not only a must to visit King‘s Cross, but also the Leavesden studios to see the World of Harry Potter. Definitely worth it and take an extra SD for all the photos you will take there.
The metropolitan London
London is also a very modern city. For all the urban feeling you should visit Canary Wharf or Battersea Power station.
I also recommend visiting one of the many sky bars and get a feel of the skyline from in the city. I recommend skipping the shard and heading to Sky Garden or OXO Tower.
Visit Bank to see the corporate side of London and enjoy an afterwork drink or food here.
No idea what and how to plan and nothing is really to your liking? Do you have special requirements and no idea how to find what you need? Chat me up at Instagram @AstheticofJess and I’ll help you plan your next dream trip.
Giving presents is an absolute joy. Here are some thoughtful presents, that will definitely come in handy for your favourite travel lover.
No matter if you are looking for birthday gifts, mother‘s day presents or anniversary gift, you will definitely find something in this post.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‚affiliate links‘. This means if you click on the * link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.
Scrapbooking and journaling
To a traveler, there is something that comes second to travelling itself: thinking back on vacations and planning future trips.
Travel diaries that include tools to track destinations, space for cherished photos, itinerary organization, and travel anecdotes will delight the recipient and help preserve wonderful memories. Various choices are available, ranging from bullet journals for unleashing creativity to pre-made options. The one I prefer is accessible at this link*.
Maps and bucket lists
Something similar and yet different are bucket lists and maps.
Get a large world map, where your traveler can either scratch off* countries traveled, pin* them or colour* them in. You can also get them made of wood* or with space for travel photos to really decorate their space. Scratch lists of bucket destinations* work quite similiar.
Us travelers take pride in the countries we visited and always challenge ourselves to see more. This gift idea supports our engagement perfectly.
In a pro Version you could get or make a large set made out of wood or material of choice and add little showcases or shelves for souvenirs. One for every country. Hand made gifts are always a joy.
Travel gadgets
You can make your favourite traveler‘s life easier and more comfortable by getting them a much needed travel gadget.
There is a gadget for absolutely ever taste and need and you will probably find something great. Just listen to their stories about their latest journeys. They will probably drop something that they would have loved to have then.
Audiobooks
Many of us love to listen to audio books or podcasts while on the road or waiting at the airport, as they take up no space in our luggage.
Why not gift something they enjoy?
Present them with the audiobook of their preferred tale or perhaps an educational audio course for self-improvement (hint: there’s a Valentine’s Day offer on this until Sunday, 16th February 2025, using the code LOVE2025). The options are abundant, demonstrating your consideration in the gift. You could also opt for a printed book, particularly if they are going on a beach holiday and have sufficient luggage. Personally, I enjoy having a physical book in hand at the beach.
Larger gifts
Some gifts aren’t for every day, but if you want to gift something a little more expensive, here’s some food for thought:
You could get your frequent traveler some high-quality luggage. If we’re on the road often, we need something durable that doesn’t wear down quickly and regularly need something new. The same is true for backpacking, hiking or camping gear. These things get expensive fast and there is always a need for them.
Get your good friend, partner or family member a partner credit card they can earn and redeem some reward points to exchange for airline miles or hotel bonuses. They will love to book flights and hotel cheaper and use the welcome bonus most credit cards offer. You may start looking here*. This is an absolute show of trust on your side and there are many different options, make sure to check them all out and do your own research. This is not a financial advice, just a personal opinion.
Why not travel with them?
Present your beloved traveller with a weekend retreat alongside you, allowing for the opportunity to bond through shared exploration or relaxation. Whether your preference leans towards adventurous escapades or serene spa visits, the abundance of weekend getaways offers diverse options without requiring extensive travel distances.
I trust you discovered some motivation to present a gift to a fellow voyager or perhaps something to treat yourself to!
Have fun with these!
Keep exploring, your Jess
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.
Weiterlesen
Cookies sind kleine Textdateien, die von Websites verwendet werden können, um die Benutzererfahrung effizienter zu gestalten. Das Gesetz besagt, dass wir Cookies auf Ihrem Gerät speichern können, wenn sie für den Betrieb dieser Website unbedingt erforderlich sind. Für alle anderen Arten von Cookies benötigen wir Ihre Erlaubnis. Diese Website verwendet verschiedene Arten von Cookies. Einige Cookies werden von Drittanbieterdiensten platziert, die auf unseren Seiten erscheinen.
Notwendige Cookies tragen dazu bei, eine Website nutzbar zu machen, indem sie grundlegende Funktionen wie Die Seitennavigation und den Zugriff auf sichere Bereiche der Website ermöglichen. Die Website funktioniert ohne diese Cookies nicht ordnungsgemäß.
Marketing-Cookies werden verwendet, um Besucher über Websites hinweg zu verfolgen. Ziel ist es, Anzeigen zu schalten, die für den einzelnen Nutzer relevant und ansprechend sind und damit für Publisher und Drittanbieter wertvoller sind.
Mit Präferenz-Cookies kann sich eine Website Informationen merken, die das Verhalten oder Aussehen der Website ändern, wie Ihre bevorzugte Sprache oder die Region, in der Sie sich befinden.
Nicht klassifizierte Cookies sind Cookies, die wir zusammen mit den Anbietern einzelner Cookies klassifizieren.
Do you really wish to opt-out?
Cookie-Einstellungen
Cookies sind kleine Textdateien, die von Websites verwendet werden können, um die Benutzererfahrung effizienter zu gestalten. Das Gesetz besagt, dass wir Cookies auf Ihrem Gerät speichern können, wenn sie für den Betrieb dieser Website unbedingt erforderlich sind. Für alle anderen Arten von Cookies benötigen wir Ihre Erlaubnis. Diese Website verwendet verschiedene Arten von Cookies. Einige Cookies werden von Drittanbieterdiensten platziert, die auf unseren Seiten erscheinen.
Notwendige Cookies tragen dazu bei, eine Website nutzbar zu machen, indem sie grundlegende Funktionen wie Die Seitennavigation und den Zugriff auf sichere Bereiche der Website ermöglichen. Die Website funktioniert ohne diese Cookies nicht ordnungsgemäß.
Marketing-Cookies werden verwendet, um Besucher über Websites hinweg zu verfolgen. Ziel ist es, Anzeigen zu schalten, die für den einzelnen Nutzer relevant und ansprechend sind und damit für Publisher und Drittanbieter wertvoller sind.
Mit Präferenz-Cookies kann sich eine Website Informationen merken, die das Verhalten oder Aussehen der Website ändern, wie Ihre bevorzugte Sprache oder die Region, in der Sie sich befinden.
