✈︎ A Trip We Will NEVER Forget...

Good morning ☀️ from Booked It On Points: A curated collection of travel tips and personal stories by me, Allie→ because you’re meant to experience meaningful travel no matter life’s constraints 👊🏽

🎒 Toothbrushes and Packable Day Bags

The Suri Toothbrush – Yes, they are expensive and no we are not bougie. But, we do live a lifestyle where we are intentional with almost everything we purchase and this fits the bill. A slim case that charges and cleans with uv light sold us. The battery lasts for weeks and we aren’t needing to fiddle with cheap plastic caps or wrapping our toothbrush in a paper towel.

Matador Refraction Packable Bag – Compresses to almost nothing in your luggage, then expands to a full day bag when you need it. Perfect for day trips when you don't want to haul your main bag around the city. Allie used it as her personal item. It worked out well for our Turkey trip!

✈︎ Travel Story

 🇹🇷 What We Learned in Turkey (Beyond the Anchovies)

Istanbul was a trip to remember. To start, we visited 2 continents in 1 day- Europe to Asia on a 20 minute water ferry and the kids were giddy about it. We did this food tour which was worth every penny. We love starting a trip with a food tour. Not only do we get to eat (always a yes) but we get to explore the city on foot and understand the food/culture scene right from the beginning.

We spent 5 hours making mezzes in a Turkish grandmother's kitchen. Somehow the kids held their attention (and their appetites). What we couldn't handle was dinner's grand finale: 23 anchovies rolled in cornstarch, unceremoniously dumped on our plates. We smiled politely. We rearranged them. We failed.

Travel isn't always comfortable. That's kind of the point.

The Cappadocia hot air balloon ride was a bucket list experience that was absolutely worth it. The experience was unlike anything we’ve experienced. The view was exactly like you see when you Google image Cappadocia and it’s a one and done for me…because, heights. Here is the company we used: Turquaz Balloons. We have no affiliation with them, just had a great experience.

Sometimes the hard-to-reach places deliver the biggest rewards. Those extra layers of difficulty mean fewer crowds and more authentic moments. If everyone could get there easily, everyone would be there. That’s exactly how we feel about this trip.

November shoulder season is magic. Manageable crowds. Pleasant weather. Locals who actually have time to talk to you. Peak season has its advantages, but there's something special about visiting when a place can breathe.

Say yes to grandmothers' kitchens. Wherever you are, whoever's offering to teach you their family recipe—say yes. These are the experiences that stick with you long after the museum visits blur together.

✈︎ Travel Links

🎥 Geo took the T-66 LiteWay Backpack from Tomtoc on his hike through the Balkan Mountains—and, naturally, made a story of the whole experience just for you. If you’re curious about the bag or just want a few laughs, you take a watch.

📍 Practical Tips During The Shutdown: If you're planning to fly anytime soon, you need some survival strategies. CNN's comprehensive travel guide breaks down exactly what passengers should do to protect themselves during the ongoing flight crisis caused by the government shutdown including booking backup tickets on different carriers, understanding why booking directly with airlines is crucial, consider avoiding layovers, and what to do if you get stranded at an airport when the FAA's 10% flight reduction is in full effect.

✈️ New routes worth watching: Delta just launched seasonal nonstop service from JFK to Lagos, Nigeria running through March, and WestJet is adding Vancouver to Austin service starting May 2025. Plus, JetBlue became the only airline flying JFK to Bonaire in early November.

🌍 November is still shoulder season gold. We just got back from Turkey and can confirm—fewer crowds, better weather, locals who actually have time to chat. Airbnb says prices tend to be lowest September through November, with lodging rates dropping as much as 46% compared to summer.

That’s it for this week. We’re settling back into our school and work routines here in our Greek island paradise.

Have a great week!

Allie & Geo