I’ve always loved summers. I imagine that family vacations, trips, days at the beach, and living in the Balearic Islands have had something to do with it. Well, these days I prefer autumn. Or spring. I still enjoy summer, that remains true. But the crowds, heat waves, and lines wherever I go have made me prefer to take my vacations at another time.
In this post, I'm sharing two travel deals for when everyone else returns to their routine. Advantages: cheaper prices and fewer people.
The adventure is worth it for its own sake.
AMELIA EARHART
First course: Rome
There are plenty of options for affordable travel, both in the summer and starting in September. If we focus on the ninth month of the year, we find Rome at a very tempting price.
You can't waste a minute if you want to grab this deal, so I’ll get right to the point:
Flight Menorca - Rome. Friday, September 27th. We leave in the afternoon, 4:25 PM. With a bit of luck, you won’t even need to take time off work. We’ll arrive just in time (theoretical arrival at 6:00 PM) to check in at the hotel and find a great spot for dinner. Margherita and Four Cheese pizza, please.
Flight Rome - Menorca. Monday, April 30th. It’s a bit early, but not too bad. 9:20 AM. By 10:50 AM you’ll be back in Menorca, with time to get home, unpack, and start the laundry. Plus, you’ll still have a full day off at home. Since it’s a workday, it could be a good time to run some errands or just relax.
Both flights are with the low-cost airline par excellence, Ryanair. You know the deal — to get these super low prices, you have to travel light and accept not choosing your seat, among other things. I recommend this post if you don’t know how to travel with just a carry-on. For me, all these little inconveniences are worth the price. Total price €45.77. A steal, right?
If you’re not lucky enough to live in Menorca, you can get similar prices flying from Barcelona. Departure Barcelona - Rome on Saturday, September 14th at 2:00 PM and return on Tuesday, September 17th at 2:40 PM. For €49.51.
Rome, besides its nickname as the "Eternal City," has tons of historic monuments to discover: the Pantheon, the Colosseum, and of course the Vatican City with its Sistine Chapel. It’s worth visiting or revisiting, if needed.
Second course: Morocco
If you haven’t been to the African country yet, I highly recommend it. Just under two hours away, you have a land full of surprising sights, smells, and tastes. I went last year, and I absolutely loved it.
Flight Palma - Fez. Monday, October 12th. Early morning departure, 9:05 AM, theoretical arrival at 9:50 AM. Here, we gain the advantage of a time difference. Book a free tour for that day, and you’ll get your bearings in the souk. You’ll be amazed at how much you can do in just one day.
Flight Fez - Palma. Thursday, October 15th. Another early return flight: 10:45 AM. You won’t have to wake up too early. You can even enjoy breakfast in the riad’s courtyard before heading to the airport. We’ll lose that extra hour we gained earlier. Arrival in Palma at 1:30 PM. Perfect timing to catch a connection home if you need to get back to Menorca.
Round trip for €46.85. Not bad for discovering a different culture so close to home.
Fez, the oldest city in Morocco, has an amazing souk. A free tour there is a must if you don’t want to get lost in its alleys. There are super affordable riads (traditional lodgings) and you can book excursions to the Merzouga desert. However, keep in mind that it's an 8-hour bus ride. Trust me, pack a box of Fortasec just in case. Better safe than sorry.
Step out of the routine
If your current budget or your ability to take time off doesn’t allow you to take either of these deals, I have one last suggestion. Grab your agenda and plan, right now, a way to break out of the routine. Whether it’s with a friend, a partner, a family member you haven’t seen in a while, or just by yourself. It could be trying out that taco place you’ve been eyeing, signing up for a ceramics class, choosing your next book or visiting a museum or gallery in your city. Many times, you don’t have to go far to step out of the routine and enjoy a special moment.
See you soon and happy reading!
We’re afraid of change. We’re afraid of staying the same. We’re terrified of anything outside the ordinary, or a change in routine.
JOHN KATZENBACH
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