DAILY POSTCARD | TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2026 |
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Dear International Living reader, International Living brings together a far-flung network of writers and expats who spend their lives exploring the world and discovering what it really takes to live well abroad. Between overseas scouting trips, on-the-ground reporting, and International Living conferences, our team is always uncovering smart new ways to make travel easier, cheaper, and more rewarding. Many of those discoveries are collected in Secrets Travel Writers Never Share: 101 Ways—and Places—to Travel Better, Spend Less, and Enjoy the World More. Inside, you'll find a wealth of practical ideas, clever shortcuts, and insider know-how drawn from years of real-world experience. We've shared three of them with you today… |
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Right now—for a limited time only—we're giving away this travel book, called: Secrets Travel Writers Never Share: 101 Ways—and Places—to Travel Better, Spend Less, and Enjoy the World More. Grab your free copy—with this offer. |
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1. How to Hack Airport Security |
I have a couple of hacks for airport security. I carry a small bag that goes crosswise over my shoulder and across my chest. It's the size of a small fanny pack. OK, it is a small fanny pack, but I wear it across my chest instead of around my waist. Why? Two reasons. First, when I carry it this way, it's not quite a fanny pack and not quite a man bag, so I'm not quite as embarrassed. Second reason… it's utterly handy. It carries my travel documents within easy reach. And before going to the airport, I dump the contents of my pockets into it, along with my watch and all my jewelry. When I get to security, no time wasted emptying pockets, just put the bag in the bin. I've also found that in much of the rest of the world, a bag like this is common for men. It's secure, unobtrusive, and practical. Back to the airport… I also have a belt with a nylon buckle, so no need to remove it for the scanner or X-ray. I also retie my shoes with slack in the laces before leaving the house. This makes them instant slip-ons if they have to come off for security. I've actually gone weeks wearing them this way. |
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2. Get the Most From Your First Taxi |
By Jim Santos – Roving Correspondent, International Living |
You arrive at the airport in a new country or city, one of the first things you'll probably do is hop into a taxi. That initial taxi ride can be more than just a ride…it presents a great travel hack opportunity that my wife Rita and I have taken advantage of on more than one occasion. After a few friendly words and pleasantries about the weather, ask your taxi driver if he knows anyone who might be able to drive you around to a few popular sites. We have found that often the driver will volunteer himself or a friend (in Italy we often heard, "I have a cousin") to do the job. In Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay we were able to hire a driver for around $8 to $10 an hour to pick us up at our hotel and drive us to whatever we would like to see, waiting for us while we explored each site. This has also paid off, because the drivers sometimes know those off-the-beaten-path places that can make a trip so memorable. If you are out for the day, it is customary to buy your driver lunch, but since he knows all the best places to eat, this is a win-win situation as well. And don't forget to book them for your return trip to the airport—one less thing to worry about so you can enjoy your time abroad. |
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3. The Best Service and Best Hotel Rates |
Here's a hack I use: Find a newly opened boutique hotel, or one that recently reopened, post-renovation. Everything is brand new. Staff are keen to impress. And rates can be 60% to 70% lower in these early days as the hotel tries to attract customers and beat the competition. When I booked the Residence Kaštelet in Split, Croatia, it had just re-opened. Rates were about half what I would expect them to be in a typical season. I do this time and time again—even in established beachfront destinations like Tulum, Mexico. |
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