Hi! We’re award-winning travel writers (and former lawyers), published in outlets like USA Today, The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star. In 2012, we launched "Sand In My Suitcase," our luxury travel blog. We've explored all 7 continents (even Antarctica!) and share trip itineraries, cruise reviews and hotel finds so you can travel smarter and in style. Join thousands of travelers who follow our adventures — and get exclusive tips and fresh inspo delivered straight to your inbox!
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🌎 June Wanderlust: Travel inspo, contests, cruise deals and more!
Published 5 months ago • 2 min read
Hello again fellow travelers,
We’re popping into your inbox with a mix of wanderlust-worthy goodies – think cruise contests you’ll want to enter, savvy travel deals and helpful news from around the globe.
Oh, and you’ll find a sprinkle of travel inspiration too, because dreaming about your next adventure is half the fun, right?
Trip Talk: Travel News You Can Use
A young woman in Bali makes a palm weaving for a temple offering
💡Top Summer Vacations Picks for 2025
What do Cyprus, Bermuda, Bali, the lush Azores (Portugal’s island chain in the Atlantic Ocean) and Oregon’s Cannon Beach have in common?
💡13 Airlines With Premium Economy Worth the Splurge
Long-haul economy flying can feel like a test of endurance. (We hate it!) For a bit more space and comfort (without the sky-high business class price) premium economy can be the sweet spot.
They include Emirates, Air New Zealand and All Nippon Airways.
EVA Air is also on their list, and we can vouch for it!
After trying both EVA Air in economy and more recently premium economy on EVA Air, there’s no going back. In fact, we’ve already booked another trip with them early next year to Thailand (premium economy, of course)!
For Europe and the Caribbean – Look at September or October
For Alaska – Think late April and early May, and then September and the beginning of October.
Repositioning cruises – These spring and fall cruises are often a steal!
Pssst! We’d also put a Mediterranean cruise in the off-season (November to March) on this list. Our November Med cruise? Surprisingly sunny, blissfully crowd-free – and absolutely delightful!
Awesome Cruise Contests
Free cruises? Yes, please! (And do let us know if you win one!)
🚢 Win an amazing Viking River cruise in France!
This grand prize is seriously magnifique. It includes an 8-day “Paris & the Heart of Normandy” river voyage, a 3-night land extension to Oxford and Highclere Castle (yes, where Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale was filmed) and roundtrip international Business Class flights for two.
Eligibility: Open to residents of the USA or Canada
Pssst! We’re not affiliated with this prize (or any of the other contests here). But you can read about our Seine River cruise in Normandy with Scenic. This is a gorgeous area of France!
Oh, we also love Viking Ocean Cruises (see our review) so we have no doubt this Viking river cruise would be fabulous too.☺️
🚢 Win a free Caribbean cruise!
This prize is from Expedia – and they’re giving away a cruise for two to the Caribbean. It’s valued at up to $5,000, with airfare included. Just sign up for their 7SEAS®Club email newsletter and you’re automatically entered.
Eligibility: Open to residents of the USA (including Puerto Rico), Canada and Mexico
“Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond and we cease to be alone.”
~ Wendell Berry
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By Janice and George | Luxury travel with a twist of adventure!
Hi! We’re award-winning travel writers (and former lawyers), published in outlets like USA Today, The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star. In 2012, we launched "Sand In My Suitcase," our luxury travel blog. We've explored all 7 continents (even Antarctica!) and share trip itineraries, cruise reviews and hotel finds so you can travel smarter and in style. Join thousands of travelers who follow our adventures — and get exclusive tips and fresh inspo delivered straight to your inbox!
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