📓 A question for you, flight chaos, and Christmas markets
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A question for you, flight chaos, and Christmas markets
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Hey friend,
We're writing this from Tennessee, where the first real cold snap just hit. You know that feeling when you wake up and the air actually bites a little? Yeah, winter's officially knocking on the door. We've been home for a bit catching up on work (turns out running a business requires occasionally sitting still), but we're already planning our next move.
Our truck's been waiting patiently for us in Austria while getting a new clutch, and we're flying back to Europe in a few weeks to drive it back to the UK for December. Which brings us to a question we threw out to our Patreon members last week, and now we want to hear from you.
The original plan? Visit 25 Christmas markets in 25 days. Chris's idea, obviously. Sara (the voice of reason) pointed out that might be a little ambitious. Which, is fair. So now we're thinking The 12 Days of Christmas Markets instead. A slower, more follow-along series where we actually soak in the lights, the food, the music, and share a bit of the Christmas spirit from every stop along the way.
So here's the question: What Christmas markets should we stop at? If you have any recommendations or people we should seek advice from, let us know! Hit reply and let us know what sounds most fun to you.
Have a great week, y'all!
Pro Tip:
If you’re booking one of these flight deals, don’t wait until the weekend. Airlines quietly pull the best fares midweek once seats start to move, and with the FAA cuts, rebooking options could get tight. Grab the deal while it’s live, then use the 24-hour free cancellation window to double-check your plans. *Always double-check your airline's 24-hour cancellation policy before booking a flight.
Look, we know a pill case doesn't sound like the most exciting thing to feature, but hear us out. When you're on the road full-time, the little things matter. And this thing has honestly made our lives so much easier.
Before we found this, our supplement and medication routine was chaos on the road. This pill case is waterproof and doesn't pop open. It's simple but tough and that's what makes it so easy to use.
We genuinely use this thing every single week, and if you click our link you'll get 15% off this canister and anything else on Matador's site. Full transparency: we do get a small commission if you buy through our link, but we're sharing it because we actually love it, not because we have to.
Nashville → Istanbul for $558, 57% off (normally $1,300+)One stop in London on British Airways. A rare find for Istanbul with only a single layover. Good meals, comfy seats, and the best mix of East and West waiting when you land.
Is there a city you wish we would feature for flights? Email us back and well put it on the next email!
We find all of these through Going. It is worth setting up alerts for your home airport. Most of these deals won't last long, so if one catches your eye, don't sit on it.
‼️What to Do If Your Filght Gets Canceled During the Government Shutdown
The FAA just mandated flight reductions at 40 major U.S. airports because of the government shutdown. It started at 4% on Friday and will hit 10% by this week if this keeps going. Air traffic controllers and TSA agents have been working without pay for over a month, and staffing shortages are getting real.
Here's what you need to know if you're flying soon:
Which flights are being cut: American, Delta, and United have all announced their cancellations through mid-November. Short regional flights are getting hit hardest. Check your airline's website for the full list.
Should you cancel preemptively? Probably not yet. Flights aren't super full right now (pre-Thanksgiving is usually quiet), so there's room to rebook if your flight gets canceled. But if this drags into Thanksgiving week, that's when it gets messy.
Your rights if your flight is canceled: All major airlines are waiving change and cancellation fees right now, even for basic economy. You can get a full refund if they can't rebook you on something comparable. You don't have to accept a voucher.
Pro move: If you live near multiple airports, book your main flight at one and hold a backup award ticket at another using miles. You can cancel the miles booking for free if you don't need it.
Make sure your phone number and email are updated in the airline's system so they can text you immediately if something changes. The faster you know, the better your rebooking options.
This McDonald’s in Porto, Portugal might be the most beautiful one in the world. It’s filled with chandeliers, stained glass, and old-world details that make it feel more like a historic café than a fast food stop.
Pick & Cheese is opening in New York next year. It’s a conveyor-belt cheese bar from London, and somehow we’d never heard of it until now. Think sushi belt, but with American farmstead cheeses.
Is Hamburg Worth Visiting? Our First Time in Germany
Hamburg surprised us in the best ways. We showed up not really knowing what to expect, and this city grabbed us right away.
In the video we wander through the Speicherstadt, get lost in the Miniatur Wunderland, hike up a WWII bunker, hunt down good coffee, and see a side of northern Germany that feels totally different from the rest of the country.
Want flight deals worth booking and travel updates that don't sound like marketing?
Join 10,000+ readers getting Field Notes. We're full-time travelers finding deals we'd actually book, bookmarking things worth your time, and writing honest updates from the road. You get the deals, the links, and the real stories—weekly.