Happy Thursday!

I hope everyone is enjoying the last few weeks of summer! I'm getting ready for a big trip in less than two weeks and I cannot wait. I'll share all the details next week :)

Firstly, make sure you check out the giveaways below because there are SO MANY this week.

Today, let’s talk about booking tours and activities — one of the best ways to make your trip more memorable.

Here’s what I recommend when it comes to timing:

• Book about a month before your trip. By then, your travel dates are set, and you’ll have a better idea of what you actually want to do.
• Book early only for popular attractions. If it’s something like a timed-entry museum, bucket list experience, or anything you know will sell out, book it as soon as you’re sure of your dates.
• Check cancellation terms. Most tours, especially on Viator, will let you cancel up to 24 hours before the tour starts. You can book knowing you can always change your plans and get your money back.

Here are a few platforms I recommend for booking:

✅ GetYourGuide – My favorite app for booking activities. You can find walking tours, day trips, skip-the-line tickets, and more. If you download the app with my link, you’ll get 5% off your first booking with my code EXPONENTIALTRAVELS5. Plus, it’s easy to manage everything from your phone.

✅ Viator – A trusted site with a huge selection of tours around the world. It’s especially good for city tours, boat trips, and day excursions.

✅ Eatwith – A unique way to connect with locals through food. You can take cooking classes, join dinner parties in private homes, or go on food tours in over 130 countries. It’s one of the best ways to experience culture beyond just sightseeing.

✅ WeGoTrip – Perfect for independent travelers. It’s an AI-based app that gives you instant access to audio-guided tours (with attraction tickets included). You can start, pause, or stop anytime, and you don’t even need internet once it’s downloaded.

By using a mix of these platforms, you can book activities that fit your style — whether that’s guided tours, local food experiences, or flexible self-guided adventures.

Ready to book a tour? Respond to this email and let me know what you're booking!

As always, you can follow along with my current travels on Instagram and Facebook, or reply to this email if you want to chat!

Have a great weekend :)

Sarah

Some links in this email are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click the link or make a purchase through the link. This is at no extra cost to you.

Travel Giveaways

​Visit Jamaica is giving away a five night trip for two to the Princess Senses The Mangrove all-inclusive resort. Enter to win by August 29, 2025.

​thebacklabel is giving away a three day trip to San Diego. Enter to win by August 30, 2025.

Uniqlo is giving away a trip to Japan. Download their app and create an account by August 31, 2025 to enter.

​Tour Radar is giving away an eight-day Ecuador tour (flights not included). Enter to win by August 31, 2025.

​Redwood Empire Whiskey is giving away a trip for two to San Francisco. Enter to win by August 31, 2025.

​Best of Breck is giving away a trip to Breckenridge for their Oktoberfest celebration. Enter to win by August 31, 2025.

​Indus is giving away an 4-nights Maldives stay (flights not included). Enter to win by August 31, 2025.

​Home Run Inn is giving away a trip to Chicago including the chance to throw our the ceremonial first pitch at a Cubs game. Enter to win by August 31, 2025.

21+: Seaglass Wine Company is giving away a five-thousand dollar Visa Gift Card ($5,000.00) for a coastal getaway. Enter to win by August 31, 2025.

Reminder: American Airlines is giving away a trip to the FIFA World Cup 26 Final. Enter to win daily until September 1, 2025.

​Norwegian Cruise Lines is giving away a four day cruise for two to Great Stirrup Cay. Enter to win by August 31, 2025.

​Enter to win a 3-night stay for two at The Somerset on Grace Bay in Turks & Caicos. Enter to win by August 31, 2025.

​Off! is giving away the ULTIMATE NATIONAL PARKS BUCKET LIST BUNDLE. You need to purchase an Off! product and upload the receipt, or can mail in a free entry. Submit your entry by August 31, 2025.

​Parents is giving away a $100 Amazon gift card for back to school. Enter to win once per day until August 31, 2025.

​Real Simple is giving away $25,000 in their Small Space, Big Style sweepstakes. Enter to win by August 31, 2025

​Southern Living is giving away $25,000 in their Build Your Backyard Escape sweepstakes. Enter to win by August 31, 2025.

​Travel + Leisure is giving away $25,000 in their Pack Your Passport sweepstakes. Enter to win by August 31, 2025.

YouTube

My latest YouTube video is up! It's about Osaka and Nara in Japan. It's full of deer, castles, and more!

Make sure you subscribe to my channel!

Check it out here:

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Travel News

Seattle was just named the most walkable city in the US - read more from Travel + Leisure.

The safest island to travel to in the Caribbean? Aruba. Read more from yahoo! news.

Travel Resources

Travel Insurance: SafetyWing is my go-to for travel insurance because it covers so much, is easy to purchase for days or months, and is affordable. Many credit cards also include travel insurance. Personally, I get SafetyWing on top of my credit card insurance. Learn more about SafetyWing and the benefits of using them in my blog post about travel insurance.

Flytographer: Flytographer is my go-to for vacation photos. You can book a local photographer in cities around the world for quick, professional shoots that capture your trip without the stress of taking your own photos. Plus, you can save $25 on your first shoot with this link! Learn more and see examples in my blog post about Flytographer.