Happy Thursday!

I'm at the airport in Turkey heading home from an AMAZING three weeks in Sicily and Malta (with a little stopover here in Istanbul the last couple nights). I'll have a full review in next week's email.

If you can't wait, make sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook where I've been sharing the trip.

Until then...

Let’s talk about what to look for when booking hotels, Vrbos, or Airbnbs so you can avoid surprises and get the most value for your money.

Whether you're staying in a hotel or a home stay, it’s important to take a few extra steps before you book. Here’s what I always check:

• Location: Use Google Maps to see exactly where the place is. Look for public transportation, walkability, and nearby shops or restaurants. Something may look nice but be far from everything you want to do.
• Reviews: Always read recent reviews — not just the overall rating. Look for comments about cleanliness, noise, safety, and how the host or staff handled any issues.
• Amenities: Check for what matters to you — Wi-Fi, free breakfast, an elevator, kitchen, laundry, air conditioning, or heating. For Airbnbs, make sure it’s an "entire home” if you want privacy.
• Extra Fees: Look closely at the final price and make sure it includes taxes and any resort fees. Airbnbs especially can have high cleaning or service fees that make the price much higher than it first looks.
• Cancellation Policy: Make sure you understand the cancellation rules. I always book places with free cancellation in case plans change or I find somewhere better to stay.

Taking the time to do this research helps you stay somewhere safe and clean without going over your budget.

As always, you can reply to this email if you want to chat or have questions about booking great stays!

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

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YouTube

My latest YouTube video is up! It's about my first few days in Palermo, Sicily.

Check it out here, and make sure you subscribe to my channel!

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Travel News

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Travel Insurance

One of the things I get asked about the most is travel insurance. Should you get it, and if so, which one?

YES, you should have travel insurance, as you never know when things may go wrong. 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.