Hey there Reader,

Well folks, this is our final newsletter coming to you from the bustling streets of Saigon!

Next week we'll be writing from the beachy vibes of Vung Tau (don't worry, we'll still be eating our weight in Vietnamese food.)

This week we're tackling some practical travel matters:

• Food allergies abroad (spoiler: there's a solution that doesn't involve living on plain rice)
• Is lost luggage really the travel nightmare everyone makes it out to be? (Our battered backpacks have some thoughts)
• Emergency preparedness tips to keep you safer while traveling
• A shiny new resource on our website to make trip planning easier
• Plus the usual deals from our partners that help fund our coffee addiction (thanks for that!)

So let's get to it...

In This Week's Issue:

​Dining with Allergies Abroad? Solutions Exist!​

​Time-Sensitive Deals From Our Travel Partners (Worth 1000's this week!)

​Lost Luggage: Overblown Panic or Are We Just Lucky?​

​Travel Tips for Long-Term Trips: Emergency Prepareness.​

​Travel Tools That Saved Us This Week​

​How Our Travel Plans Are Shaping Up​

​Travel Bloggers, Websites & Newsletters You Might Like​

Dining with Allergies Abroad? Solutions Exist!

While Tim and I don't have food allergies ourselves, we often hear from family, friends and readers who face genuine fear when traveling, especially overseas in non-English-speaking countries.

Imagine the anxiety of not knowing if you can safely communicate your celiac disease, seafood or peanut allergy in a country where you don't speak the language.

Many travelers with dietary restrictions end up either over-restricting themselves (hello, plain rice for a week!) or taking dangerous risks due to communication barriers. Some skip certain destinations entirely, which breaks my travel-loving heart.

That's why we want to give you all a heads up about Equal Eats' updated translation cards for 2025.

Their design team - individuals with dietary restrictions, parents, chefs, wait staff, nutritionists, translators, linguists, and more - have consulted over 2,000 people to ensure their cards contain the most effective messaging possible.

For 2025, they've fine-tuned their already excellent product with:

• Enhanced fonts for critical terms,
• Larger language labels for quicker selection, and
• Improved spacing for better readability.

These might seem like small updates, but when you're tired, hungry, and trying to explain your dietary needs to someone who doesn't speak your language, these thoughtful details could be the difference between a stressful experience and a safe, enjoyable meal.

The translations available cover an impressive range of languages. You'll find all the usual ones - Spanish, French, Chinese etc, plus a bunch of rarer languages if you're heading further afield - e.g Swahili, Maltese, Bulgarian, Hebrew and Icelandic to name but a few of the 51 in total.

So if you, or anyone you know, has any dietary restrictions or allergies and are worried about overseas travel, then take a look at their huge range of plastic and printable cards (and their app) as a solution and strike one more worry from your list.

The links above automatically apply a 10% discount to their already reasonable prices—a small investment considering these cards could literally be lifesaving.
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Time-Sensitive Travel Deals From Our Partners

All of the following deals end sometime either before the next newsletter or very soon after.

As usual, you can find all the ongoing deals on this page.

These are the time-sensitive ones for April.

Cover-More - Want to win $5K?

How to Win 5K to help pay for your next trip.

1- Buy Cover-More travel insurance​

2- Use promo code: HOLIDAY

You'll then go in the draw to win $5k.

The offer ends at 11.59 pm AEST on 20 April 2025.

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TourRadar - MEGA SALE (up to 70% off!)

TourRadar (the largest platform for extended tours) is having one of its biggest sales of the year with up to 70% off on popular tours.

​Access the Discounts HERE​

Sale runs from April 1–22, 2025

From what I can see, there are big discounts on tours in Vietnam, Thailand, Egypt, india, Turkey, Croatia and loads more.

NOTE: I'm writing a full case study on TourRadar, comparing prices and analyzing the benefits of booking through the platform rather than directly. After giving both a thorough workout, I must say I'm very impressed with their customer service and price guarantees. Watch this space for more details.

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GAdventures - Love the World Giveaway Campaign!

The grand prize?

A $20,000 USD G Adventures travel voucher + $10,000 USD in flights!

Plus, they’re giving away eight bucket-list trips for two (up to $4,999 USD), with a new winner every week.

Bonus entries can be earned through Community Challenges, entrants should watch their inbox and the G Adventures Instagram for updates.

​Check it out HERE (After 12.01 on April 2nd in LA)

Competitions runs from April 2 to May 31, 2025

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Get Your Guide - Easter Deals (Up to 30% Off!)

Get Your Guide has a huge spring sale on for Easter with up to 30% off selected tours.

You can check them out HERE.​

I've not been given an expiry date on the deals, but since Easter Sunday is April 20th, you can assume it runs at least up til then.

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​Tiqets Exclusive Promo Code - Get 10% Off

Tiqets works with thousands of renowned museums, thrilling attractions, and hidden gems to offer unforgettable travel experiences.

Get 10% off with this special promo code for top attractions worldwide.

Promo code: TPTOPPICKS10

Where You Can Save?

Barcelona, Rome, Paris, Lisbon, Seville, Florence, Venice, Amsterdam, New York, Lisse, Madrid, London, Dubai, Milan, Sintra, and Dublin!

​Head over here to see how much you can save.​

Valid: Until April 30th, 2025

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Lost Luggage: Overblown Panic or Are We Just Lucky?

I've been seeing more articles about preventing lost luggage lately, including this comprehensive one from AFAR with 12 strategies to keep your bags safe.

But here's my confession: we ignore most of these "essential" tips and have never lost a bag in two decades of constant travel and lord knows how many flights.

Let's break it down:

• Luggage tags on both checked and carry on? Nope. We just double-check the airline stickers before they send them off down the belt. I mean, what would we put? We change phone numbers regularly and have no fixed address. And strict adherence to airline carry on rules means we're unlikely to have to check those smaller bags.
• Keep contact info and your itinery inside the bag? Never bothered.
• Nonstop flights? Rarely! Our 7-hour flight maximum rule means we're practically the connection kings. Although we do try and fly on the same airline or build in at least a 24-hour buffer if we have to re-check in.
• AirTags? Not Apple people, so no tracking devices for us.
• Detailed bag and content descriptions? Now that would be quite the story. But our depiction of our 30-year-old backpacks with decade-old clothes would probably make the airline suggest they're better off lost!
• Ship luggage instead? At those prices? No thanks.

We DO arrive early for check-in and secure loose straps under covers

And we do remove old stickers. Typically that's done while standing in the check-in line for our next flight which could be months down the track.

And I guess our luggage does stand out from the crowd - Nothing we've done in particular, but it is pretty unique for all the wrong reasons and I highly doubt anyone would bother to "accidentally" take it.

But that's about it.

So I have to wonder: Is the "epidemic" of lost luggage actually overblown when you consider the billions of bags checked annually?

36.1 million mishandled bags in 2023 sounds scary, but the stats actually show that's only 6.9 bags per 1,000 passengers – less than 0.7% if my calculations are correct!!!

Or maybe we've just been ridiculously lucky all these years.

Gosh, I hope I haven't just jinxed us.

What's your experience? Have you had luggage mishaps despite following all the rules, or are you like us – blissfully ignoring the conventional wisdom and somehow getting away with it?

Head over to our Facebook Group and give everyone your tips

Travel Tips for Long-Term Trips

If you've just joined our Travel Bug Community, you can find previous tips on getting ready for long-term travel on the newsletter archives page.

So far in our long-term travel tips series, we've covered the fundamentals: How to:

• Define your travel goals and bucket lists,
• Set your baseline,
• Create and refine your budget
• Find extra income streams while traveling
• Identify your support crew, and
• Perform an annual banking review
• Find accommodation for extended periods
• Implement long-term Health Management Strategies
• Money Safety 101

So without further adieu, here’s this week’s timely tip…

Travel Tip N10 - Emergency Preparedness for Travelers

Our hearts go out to those affected by the recent earthquake in Myanmar, which caused significant damage and loss of life both there and in Thailand.

The tremors reached all the way to Saigon. While we didn't notice anything from our 28th floor apartment, folks on the 49th floor reportedly felt significant shaking, and several buildings throughout the city sustained minor damage.

In times like these, we're reminded of how quickly situations can change while traveling and the importance of being prepared.

Natural disasters don't announce themselves, and as the recent earthquake demonstrated, they can affect regions beyond their epicenter.

While we always hope for the best during our travels, being prepared allows us to stay safer and—importantly—avoid becoming an additional burden on already stretched local emergency services.

I have to admit being a bit complacent in the regions we’ve been traveling in recently, but this tragedy was a reminder to get things in order.

Some of the information below comes, ironically, from an email Cover-More (our current travel insurer) sent just days before the earthquake.

I've combined this with our personal experience and research I've been gathering for a new Travel Safety product we're developing.

I'm now working through the checklist(s) and making improvements to our systems and the info where necessary. But I thought some of you with trips coming up might find it useful as is.

Essential Information to Keep Accessible

1. Emergency contacts: Store local emergency numbers, embassy/consulate contacts, and your travel insurance assistance hotline in your phone AND on a physical card in your wallet/handbag.
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2. Digital and physical copies: Keep digital and physical copies of your passport, visa, insurance policy, and prescriptions. Store digital copies in cloud storage that you can access offline.
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3. Local evacuation routes: Note emergency exits and assembly points when checking into accommodations. In high-risk areas, identify evacuation routes from your location.
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4. Offline maps: Download offline maps of your destination that work without internet access.
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5. Translation cards: Prepare basic emergency phrases in the local language, especially medical terms and requests for help. (or screenshots of Google translate)?

Essential Gear for Emergencies

1. Grab-and-go kit: Keep a small backpack with essentials that stays within arm's reach even while sleeping, containing. I’m not sure all of these items are necessary for all locations but it’s a starting point for your planning.
   • Flashlight/headlamp and extra batteries
   • Portable phone charger/power bank (fully charged)
   • Whistle for signaling
   • Bottled water and non-perishable snacks
   • Basic first aid supplies
   • Cash in small denominations of local currency
   • Prescription medications for 3-5 days
   • Compact emergency blanket
   • N95 mask (useful for dust after earthquakes)
   • Small multitool
   • Physical copies of essential documents in a waterproof bag
2. Clothing: Always have sturdy closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing accessible, even at night.
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3. Personal medication: Carry extra prescription medications and have a doctor's note explaining your needs.

People to Notify

1. Share your itinerary: Before departing, share your detailed travel plans with family or friends who aren't traveling with you.
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2. Check-in system: Establish a regular check-in system with someone back home. Utilize “safe” notifications on social media (eg. mark yourself safe in Facebook) if a disaster occurs.
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3. Travel companion plan: If traveling with others, establish meeting points in case you're separated during an emergency.
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4. Register with your embassy: Many countries offer registration services for citizens traveling abroad. We did this in a few countries, including Myanmar, in 2010 and in Saigon during COVID. But we haven’t bothered in recent years - maybe we should!
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5. Use your travel insurer’s app if they have one: One of the things Cover-More mentioned in their email was their app has location services, which allows them to proactively check on policy holders during emergencies.
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Actions to Take During Emergencies

1. Stay calm and assess: Take deep breaths, calm down, and quickly assess your situation before acting.
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2. Follow local guidance: Listen to and follow instructions from local authorities.
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3. Communicate efficiently: If cell networks are congested, try text messages rather than calls. Social media can sometimes work when calls don't.
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4. Document everything where possible: Take photos of damage, keep receipts, and note times of events for insurance claims.
   ​
5. Help others safely: Provide assistance to others if you can do so without endangering yourself.
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6. Conserve phone battery: Set your phone to low power mode immediately during emergencies.
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7. Be adaptable: Conditions can change rapidly; be prepared to modify your plans accordingly.

Local Emergency Numbers: Who to Call When

Local Emergency Services

• Know the local equivalents of 911: Not all countries use 911. Research and save local emergency numbers for police, ambulance, and fire services before arrival. This website is a good starting point.
• When to use them: For immediate life-threatening emergencies, medical emergencies, crimes in progress, or when you need immediate local response.
• Advantage: They have the Fastest response for immediate dangers; they have local knowledge and resources.
• Drawbacks - May be overrun in a serious disaster and language barriers may be an issue.

Embassy/Consulate

• When to call: For lost passports, legal issues, evacuation assistance during major disasters, if you're a victim of serious crime, or if you're detained.
• What they can do: Provide emergency loans, replacement passports, lists of local resources, contact family, and coordinate with local authorities.
• What they can't do: Pay medical bills, provide better treatment than locals receive, or override local laws.
• Timing: Not for immediate emergency response, but crucial for navigating systems or coordinating larger evacuations.

Travel Insurance Provider

• When to call: After immediate danger has passed, for guidance on covered medical facilities, evacuation options, repatriation, and expense pre-approval.
• Benefits: They can arrange and pay for appropriate medical care, coordinate evacuations if necessary, and advise on what's covered.
• Documentation: They'll guide you on what to document for claims.

Practical Tips

I'm not sure about all of these, especially the test call. What do you think??

• Program all numbers: Save local emergency services, your embassy, and insurance hotline with international dialing codes in your phone.
• Physical backup: Write these numbers on a card in your wallet and in your emergency kit.
• Test call: If using a local SIM, make a test call to emergency services when you arrive (hang up before connecting and explain if they call back).
• Consider language barriers: Learn how to request an English-speaking operator or have key phrases written in the local language.

In a serious emergency like an earthquake, the priority sequence is usually:

1. Local emergency services for immediate rescue/medical needs
2. Insurance provider for guidance once immediate danger passes
3. Embassy/consulate for longer-term assistance, especially if widespread disaster

Preparation isn't about expecting the worst—it's about handling unexpected situations with confidence and minimal stress. We had a few incidences in Africa & Central Asia especially, where calm heads saved the day.

By having at least some of these measures in place, you'll not only protect yourself but also avoid becoming an additional burden on local emergency services that may already be stretched thin during a crisis.

I hope you find at least some of this info useful and that you never have to use the systems you implement. But better to be safe than sorry.

We'll be bundling all this info up into a downloadable resource for you all soon (ish), so if there's anything you think we've missed or have suggestions for improvement, then emails us back and let us know.

Travel Partners That Saved Us Money This Week

This week our award goes to🏆​​Tiqets.

Not so much for saving money, but more for convience in accessing a resource that will save us buckets.

Lisbon doesn't have a City Pass on GoCity like other popular destinations like London, Paris and New Orleans. They can save you over 50% on a visit if you plan your days well and I'll probably grab one later if we get to Barcelona this trip.

But it does have it's very own 24, 48 or 72-hour Lisbon Card which gives free or discounted entry to 51 attractions plus transport around the city.

If I plan well, that can save me an absolute bundle. I'm figuring almost 100 Euro at least over three days. (I'll do a full review once I've done the full itinerary.)

It seems slightly more expensive to buy online unless you plan ahead well enough to get an early-bird ticket.

However, once I have the voucher, I can quickly exchange it at the booth at the airport and be ready to go rather than queue up to buy in person in the city.

I'm checking with local Lisbon FB groups if it's worth the extra few $, or I should just brave the queue.

Once I nail my itinerary to make the most of the pass, I'm also going to book:

This Pay-As-You-Wish walking tour with Guruwalks so I get my bearings

This Fado Show with Wine in a Historic Venue through Get Your Guide

This Voyage to the Wines of Portugal tasting experience on the banks of the Tagus and either a cooking class or traditional Portuguese meal like this Degustation dinner with EatWith. Or maybe I'll do all three if I have the energy.

While it won't be the height of peak season when we get there, some of the more popular activities book up and I don't want to miss out, so I want to schedule ahead.

Quite frankly, we need a month in Lisbon to even touch the surface, but it is what it is.

And, while we say we can always go back, it took us 27 years to return since we were there last!!!

How Our Travel Plans Are Shaping Up

Well, surprisingly, we've made no changes to our overall itinerary for our European stint this week, except I locked in the week of housesitting the 'Monkey,' the kitty in Almancil (in The Algarve,) before we head to Spain. It filled the gap magnificently!

But we haven't been entirely slack.

As mentioned above, I'm deep in the Lisbon research rabbit hole—trying to maximize that Lisbon Card value and eyeing some tasty food experiences through EatWith and wine tours via GetYourGuide.

Tim's handling the Armenia/Azerbaijan planning side of things.

So here's our confirmed itinerary for the next few months:

• Vietnam: Another couple of days in Saigon and a week in Vung Tau catching up with friends.
• Kuala Lumpur: 10 nights in a modern condo with a gym, pool, and three easy-care cats
• 3 days in London with friends
• Central Lisbon: 8 nights in a 3-bedroom apartment with McCloud the ginger cat.
• Carvoeiro, Portugal: 11 days of beach life with a lovely cat in the Algarve
• A week in central Almancil with a kitty called Monkey.
• Fuengirola, Spain: Caring for a sweet cat in a well-equipped 3-bedroom apartment near Malaga
• Spanish Coast: Catching up with friends around Alicante, Valencia, and Barcelona.
• 8 days in central Valencia with Meatball.
• Possibly back to the UK briefly to catch up with other friends.
• Caucasus Adventure: A few weeks exploring Armenia and Azerbaijan
• Tbilisi, Georgia: A 3-week sit in a great area with two cats
• Cambridge: 2 weeks in a house in the city center

House sits in Spain typically get advertised much closer to the dates than many other locations. I think we're about two to four weeks away from listings to appear that will fill our three-week gap between Fuencgirola and Valencia in June and July.

There are plenty of listings on THS in Alicante and its surroundings that frequently require sitters. So at this stage, I don't think we'll be forced to book a bunch of expensive accommodation.

For more info on how to visit expensive destinations with zero accommodation costs, visit our Housesitting Resources page on our website.

Travel Bloggers, Websites and Newsletters You Might Like

Introducing: Your One-Stop Travel Planning Hub!

This week, I want to highlight our website's new Travel Resource page:

​Effortless Travel Planning at Your Fingertips.

In response to feedback from subscribers and followers just like you, we've created a one-stop resource where you can easily plan and book every aspect of your journey through our trusted partners - flights, accommodation, tours, transport, rental cars, insurance, visas, and more.

Its purpose?

While our comprehensive travel resource pages remain perfect for first-timers wanting detailed information about each aspect of travel, many of you asked for a streamlined booking experience you can use, while still supporting our efforts.

So that's exactly what we've delivered!

If you're on our site, go to the Travel Resources menu item and it's the Trip Planning Cheatsheet that appears first on the list.

Rather than the multiple tab layout on the more comprehensive pages, you'll find brief summaries with links to the partners and platforms we use most to plan and book.

Alternatively, you can bookmark this page and return to it each time you're ready to plan and book another trip.

If you decide you need more detailed information, you can always navigate back to the full dedicated resource page via the website menu.

As always, it's a work in progress so please let us know what else we need to add - eSims and luggage storage are two that spring to mind, but you tell us.

Email: timshazz@catchourtravelbug.com​
OR drop a message on our Facebook page.

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That's all for now.

We're sorting out last-minute tasks in Saigon and getting ready for our trip to the beach in Vung Tau.

Happy Travels!

Tim and Sharyn

PS. If you enjoy receiving this newsletter, please feel free to BUY US A BEVERAGE. 😉 ☕🫖🍻🍷

Every $ helps keep us motivated and the show on the road.