View An Island Where Birds Rule, Time Stands Still, and Survival Inspires 🌎🐧

Top 7 Verified Reasons to Bring Cash for International Travel

I traveled for 14 days in Europe visiting Poland, France, Portugal, and Spain. These are the top verified reasons to bring cash while traveling internationally:

1. Restaurant Tips: We paid by card for most meals. However, in the countries we visited, the card terminal never (99%) gave us the option to leave a tip. The only way to tip is with cash.

2. Attractions / Experiences: Castle and museum exhibitions with onsite ticket offices only took cash payments.

3. Street Vendors / Café: There are plenty of delicious snacks offered by street vendors all around the world. The cost can be cheap, but the vendors usually only accept cash.

4. Shopping: Many vintage shops in Portugal had a cash-only sign, while in Poland, the shop manager was willing to negotiate the price of some keepsakes when paying in cash.

5. Public Restrooms: In many places in Europe, public restrooms charge a small fee, typically payable only in cash.

6. Taxi Ride: Taxi and buses may only accept cash. Make sure you have enough cash for fares, especially where rideshare apps aren't available.

7. Prepare for Emergencies: Card terminals can fail, and credit cards can get fraud-blocked. Having cash ensures you can handle emergencies and make essential purchases without stress or worry.

Buy currency online with CXI for the quickest and most convenient way to get currency for your international travels. CXI was trusted with more than 1 million exchanges last year. Order currency in 3 easy steps to have it delivered to your home.

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Hello, wanderlust warriors! 🌍

Step into a world of contrasts: where an Arctic island hosts a million seabirds but only 20 people, where Icelandic hotels blend rugged lava with luxury, and where dark tourism challenges our understanding of history. This week, we’re exploring stories that push boundaries, ignite wanderlust, and offer a fresh perspective on the world around us.

Ready to uncover the extraordinary? Let’s begin!

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• Grímsey: The Arctic Island of 20 People and a Million Birds 🐧

• Where Luxury Meets Lava: Iceland's Dreamiest Stays 🏔️

• Secrets of La Plagne, France: A Ski Champion’s Guide to Thrills, Views, and Alpine Magic ❄️

• Exploring the Shadows: The Ethics and Pull of Dark Tourism 🖤

• Trading Cubicles for Paradise: 20 Remote Work Destinations That Save Big 🌎

📈 Trending news

• NYC New Year’s Eve 2024: Where to Celebrate and Ring in the Magic

• London’s 14 Must-See Christmas Light Displays: A Festive Wonderland Awaits

• Thoughtful Traveler Gifts That Impress (and Cost Under $25!)

• Is Egypt Safe for Travelers in 2025? What You Need to Know

• Discover Greece’s Top Hotels: Your Guide to Unforgettable Stays

Grímsey: The Arctic Island of 20 People and a Million Birds 🐧 read the full 1,756-word article here

Article published: December 3, 2024

How far would you travel to meet an island where seabirds reign supreme, Christmas lights stay up until February, and the Arctic Circle is marked by a 3,447kg concrete globe? Welcome to Grímsey, Iceland's northernmost inhabited point. This rugged slice of paradise—set 40km off the mainland—is home to just 20 hardy residents and over one million birds. Yes, you read that right: a million.

On Grímsey, puffins linger on basalt cliffs, Arctic terns defend their nests with dive-bombing precision, and black-legged kittiwakes outnumber humans by tens of thousands. But this isn’t just a birdwatcher’s dream—it’s a place of profound resilience. Locals live off the grid with a single diesel generator, fend off polar darkness with dazzling holiday lights, and welcome adventurers seeking untouched nature and unique Arctic culture.

And don’t forget the quirky twist: that Arctic Circle marker? It’s dragged south every year to keep pace with Earth’s tilt—and will dramatically tumble into the ocean in 2047.

Key Takeaways:

• 🌍 Gateway to the Arctic: Grímsey is the only piece of Iceland within the Arctic Circle, boasting unique landmarks that shift annually with latitude changes.

• 🐦 Bird haven: With puffins, Arctic terns, and kittiwakes in droves, Grímsey’s seabirds outnumber humans by 50,000 to 1.

• 🎄 Surviving the polar night: Locals fend off months of darkness with community spirit—and keep Christmas lights glowing until spring.

• 🏠 Resilient living: From self-run power to first-response emergency training, Grímsey’s tight-knit community thrives on independence.

Where Luxury Meets Lava: Iceland's Dreamiest Stays 🏔️ read the full 2,163-word article here

Article published: December 6, 2024

I dove into Condé Nast Traveler’s “The Best Hotels in Iceland, From Rural Lodges to Reykjavik Boutiques” and was captivated by Iceland’s exquisite ability to blend rugged natural beauty with cozy, minimalist luxury.

This article is a masterclass in showcasing hotels that are more than just places to stay—they’re gateways to the surreal landscapes of fjords, glaciers, and volcanic deserts. From the moonlike isolation of Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll to the Art Deco sophistication of Reykjavik’s Hotel Borg, these hotels redefine adventure and relaxation. Iceland isn’t just a destination; it’s an immersive escape, and these hotels are the perfect accomplices to every traveler’s fantasy.

Key Takeaways:

• 🌌 Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll: Offers lunar-like solitude in Iceland’s interior with sustainable lodges and geothermal baths. Arrive via snow-jeep adventures!

• 🐻 Hotel Rangá: Greeted by a taxidermy polar bear, guests here experience glacier views, continent-themed suites, and an observatory for aurora chasing.

• 🌋 ION Adventure Hotel: A bar with panoramic windows overlooks lava fields and the aurora—plus excursions to snorkel between tectonic plates.

• ✨ Hotel Búðir: A remote beachside gem where minimalist interiors amplify breathtaking glacier and bay views, perfect for pure Icelandic magic.

Secrets of La Plagne, France: A Ski Champion’s Guide to Thrills, Views, and Alpine Magic ❄️ read the full 2,204-word article here

Article published: December 7, 2024

Ever wonder what it’s like to ski in the stomping grounds of a world-class champion? Tess Ledeux, freestyle skiing prodigy and Olympic medalist, takes us behind the scenes of La Plagne, the French Alps resort she calls home. Her insider’s guide reveals more than slopes—it’s a mix of jaw-dropping views, adrenaline-pumping thrills, and melt-in-your-mouth Alpine cuisine.

Picture this: carving through pristine powder with Mont Blanc as your backdrop, then warming up with salted caramel crêpes by a roaring fire. Add a 120km/h bobsleigh ride, secret off-piste runs, and après-ski craft beers, and La Plagne becomes more than a ski resort—it’s a playground for adventure and indulgence.

Key Takeaways:

• 🌄 La Grande Rochette: Sunrise skiing at this 2,500m summit offers views of Courchevel, Méribel, and glacier-strewn peaks—pure, untamed Alpine magic.

• 🎿 Colorado Slope: Dive into a 1.5km descent with secret tree-side trails and thrilling Mont Blanc views, loved by locals.

• 🚀 Bobsleigh Bliss: Feel the g-force on France’s only Olympic bobsleigh track—120km/h of pure, icy adrenaline.

• 🍺 Le Brix Bar: End your day with local craft beers, charcuterie platters, and freestyle skiing on the big screen.

Exploring the Shadows: The Ethics and Pull of Dark Tourism 🖤 read the full 1,503-word article here

Article published: December 6, 2024

Dark tourism: a phrase that evokes intrigue, discomfort, and questions we’d rather not ask ourselves. At the recent Extraordinary Travel Festival (ETF) in Bangkok, Harry Mitsidis, founder of NomadMania, unraveled the layers of this controversial topic in a talk that challenged the audience to reconsider how—and why—we visit sites tied to humanity's darkest chapters.

Harry’s talk wasn’t just a list of destinations; it was a moral roadmap. He took us from the tsunami-devastated streets of Banda Aceh to the haunting remains of the Beslan school siege, unpacking the ethical dilemmas travelers face along the way. Is visiting these places a way of honoring history, or does it risk exploiting tragedy for spectacle?

Dark tourism isn’t about the morbid—it’s about understanding. Yet, as Harry reminded us, the most ethical choice isn’t always to go. Sometimes, respecting a site’s gravity means staying away entirely.

Key Takeaways:

• 🌍 What is Dark Tourism? It’s more than visiting places tied to tragedy—it’s about experiencing their stories with empathy and understanding.

• 🛑 Ethics First: Are you visiting to honor the past or chasing a grim spectacle? The answer defines your role as a traveler.

• 🏴 Must-Visit Sites: From Banda Aceh (tsunami resilience) to Jasenovac (WWII horrors), these locations confront humanity’s harshest realities.

• 🤔 When Not to Go: Harry’s most provocative takeaway? Sometimes, the best way to honor a site is by leaving it undisturbed.

Trading Cubicles for Paradise: 20 Remote Work Destinations That Save Big 🌎 read the full 2,392-word article here

Article published: December 2, 2024

I just devoured "I ditched my cubicle for 20 remote work paradises (and saved $12,000)" from World Day, and wow, talk about work-life reinvention. Author John takes us on a globe-trotting adventure through 20 cities that redefine the remote work experience, proving you can boost productivity while living your best life—oh, and save a cool $12,000 in the process.

From Lisbon’s cobblestone charm to Chiang Mai’s budget-friendly buzz, these destinations each offer a unique twist. Want to work from a thermal bath in Budapest or a beachside café in Bali? No problem. Prefer a futuristic skyline in Dubai or volcanic cliffs in Auckland? Also covered.

This isn’t just about escaping the 9-to-5 grind—it’s about creating a life where work and adventure collide seamlessly.

Key Takeaways:

• 🌍 Lisbon: Blend medieval charm with WiFi in this tech-savvy city where rooftop cafés double as inspiring workspaces.

• 🛖 Chiang Mai: Live like royalty on a budget while coding between temple visits and night market street food feasts.

• 🏞️ Auckland: Juggle high-tech workdays with volcanic hikes and wine-tasting getaways—nature and productivity in harmony.

• 🏝️ Nassau: Bahamas' BEATS program invites nomads to paradise with year-long stays, snorkeling breaks, and turquoise ocean views.

One last thing 🌍

Break free from the 9-to-5 grind and embrace a life where work powers your next great adventure.

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Ready to take the leap? Your journey begins today, and for a limited time, you’ll get 10% off your first month at Nomad Cloud Jobs. Because work should revolve around your life—not the other way around.

Until next week,

Pranam Lipinski
Editor-in-Chief
Nomad Cloud