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🚨🍜🌏Schengen Checks + Save BIG on Asia Tours!
Published 2 days ago • 23 min read
Olá from The Costa Del Sol
Hey there Reader,
Greetings from a stunning apartment in Fuengirola, nestled on Spain’s Costa del Sol, halfway between Málaga and Marbella.
I’d never heard of this gem before, but it’s won us over!
It’s laid-back, free from tourist crowds, with an authentic Spanish vibe—think great bars, restaurants, and cafés at reasonable prices.
We’re brushing up on our Spanish and getting by pretty well, if I do say so myself.
This week, I had a flood of topics to cover—way too many for one newsletter!
Don’t worry, the rest will make it into next week’s edition.
Here’s what’s in store this week:
Schengen border checks are back—we’ll tell you where and how to handle them.
Next, we’ve got essential advice on what to do if you face an evacuation during your holiday.
Curious about AI travel apps? We’re diving into whether they’re effective, the best ones out there, and tips for using them wisely.
Our weekly travel tip focuses on cloud storage—perfect for keeping your trip photos and documents safe.
Plus, we’re thrilled to share a huge exclusive discount from one of our partners on Asian tours.
And there’s more!
We’re introducing a new way to stay for free worldwide, sharing our latest tips on maximizing the benefits of city cards, and providing an update on my Benable experience.
There’s so much to explore, so grab a coffee (or a cerveza, since we’re in Spain!) and dive in below. ⤵️
But before you do, I had some feedback from fellow travelers on last week's content.
First up,exchange rate tips. Ziggy says that while the rates are good at Ho Chi Minh City's airport, watch out for sleight of hand when they give you your Vietnamese Dong. The notes have lots of zeros, and some (quite different) denominations look similar. COUNT YOUR MONEY CAREFULLY before signing it off. That same advice goes for any exhange - Indonesia is another place we found that "practice" quite prevalent.
Apparently, as of this month, the requirement to carry two red warning Triangles is being replaced by either battery or plug-in (cigarette lighter sockets) Magnetic Amber/Yellow flashing roof-top lights with a 25klm or 30klm (cannot remember) passing speed limit, the same as any other amber/yellow service vehicles.
A big thanks to everyone who writes in and gives us tips. Much appreicated.
*Note: Some of the links in this email are from our partners, including AMAZON. If you purchase a product or service using those links, we get a SMALL commission to help pay for the website and this newsletter. But we promise - you won't pay any more than you would if purchasing directly. You can read our full disclosure here.
Schengen Zone Border Checks Are Back: What You Need to Know
The Schengen Zone’s all about zipping between 29 European countries without passport hassle, but that free-flowing vibe is hitting a speed bump.
According to a recent Travelobiz article, 10 Schengen countries are reinstating or extending border checks in 2025, disrupting the dream of seamless travel and increasing the likelihood of issues if you don’t have all your ducks in a row.
EU Governments are citing migration, security threats, and large events as reasons.
Here's the details.
Germany
Germany has been at it since September 2024, with checks at borders with Poland, France, and others, which are expected to continue at least until September 2025.
Things are hotting up in Spain, and so are the deals from our partners. For anyone looking to travel to Asia, make sure you check out the deal below BEFORE you book.
In last week's newsletter, I highlighted our comprehensive review of TourRadar and the many benefits of booking a multi-day tour with them. One of those benefits is the exclusive deals they often offer with top-notch tour operators.
Plus you get all the other TourRadar benefits such as generous payment plans, 24/7 customer support, and more. (Read about those extras here.)
Realistic Asia, is a trusted operator that crafts immersive small-group adventures, blending local culture, food, and unique experiences for unforgettable trips. They score an impressive 4.5 on Trip Advisor from almost 800 reviews.
With prices starting at just $389, there's something for every taste and budget.
But here's an EXTRA BONUS - use our Exclusive partner code: travelbug25, at the checkout and get an extra 25$ OFF!
From local immersion in Bali's temples, culinary classes in Hanoi, to island hopping in Thailand, there’s something for everyone—family, adventure, culture, sustainable, beach, romantic, luxury, or slow travel.
The tours are worth checking out, if only for inspiration for your next trip.
(Note: the company also runs tours in Malaysia, South Korea, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bhutan, and the Philippines)
We’ll keep passing on these exclusive deals as they come, so stay tuned for more budget-friendly adventures!
NordVPN is one of the best known and effective VPNs you can buy (See this week's Tip for more info and why it's a great choice for online protection while traveling).
SNCF (French Railways) bookings are now open for travel between 1 September and 13 December 2025. Tickets for popular routes are always in demand so get in quick.
And, since we've been discussing travel safety over the past few months, I figured I'd pass on the advice to the rest of you.
Emergencies can pop up anywhere.
We got evacuated from a town in Ecuador many years ago as the nearby volcano was blowing it's top, and we fled wildfires in Montana on our 2018 cycle tour across the USA.
Cover-More says don’t mess around—act fast if local authorities say “go.”
I’d add: don’t second-guess, hoping it’ll blow over. Better to be safe than sorry.
Stay glued to local news, or your insurer’s app, if they have one, for real-time updates.
If Cover-More is your insurer, their 24/7 emergency team can hook you up with transport or local contacts.
Any insurer worth their salt offers similar support, so contact them pronto and get their advice on what to do next.
Oh, and hang onto every receipt—extra hotels, flights, even that overpriced airport sandwich—because you might want to claim those costs later.
One tip Cover-More doesn’t mention: always have a small “go bag” with essentials like your passport, charger, and medications, just in case you need to make a quick escape.
Your Action Plan
Before You Jet Off:
Grab travel insurance with solid emergency evacuation coverage. Read the policy’s fine print—boring but crucial.
Download your insurer’s app (like Cover-More’s) and turn on notifications for alerts.
Save emergency numbers somewhere you can get to them quickly: Eg. local authorities and your insurer’s hotline. (We have this programmed into our emergency contacts on our phones.)
Check Smartraveller or similar for destination warnings.
While You’re Traveling:
Keep an eye on local news, or travel apps for any brewing trouble.
Carry a charged power bank—dead phones are useless in a crisis.
Register your trip with your insurer for faster help if things go south.We have our location turned on in the Covermore App so they know where we are and can send real-time alerts of any risks.
If the Worst Hits:
Follow evacuation orders ASAP—no heroics.
Call your insurer’s emergency line for help with transport or accommodation. E.g., Cover-More will assess the situation and may be able to work with local resources and tap into their local network of support providers to assist. They'll then guide you through the emergency evacuation process, arrange transport, accommodation and other essentials to get you to safety.
Snap photos of receipts for any unexpected costs.
Stay calm and clear-headed; panic just makes things worse.
In a Nutshell:
Holiday evacuations are rare but a real possibility—think natural disasters or unrest.
Cover-More’s advice (applicable to any insurer) boils down to:
Acting fast
Staying informed, and
Leaning on your insurer’s emergency support.
Prep ahead, stay alert, and keep records to navigate any crisis like a pro.
If you're an Aussie and taking an overseas trip soon, then we recommend you consider purchasing for your travel insurance from Cover-More. They've helped us out of a tricky situation more than once which you can read about here.
AI Travel Apps: Handy Tools, But Double-Check the Details!
Planning a trip can be a blast. It's one of my favorite things to do besides actually taking the trip.
And if there are shortcuts to take to create the perfect itinerary, I'm all for it.
If you’ve been with us for a while, you know I love exploring new tools. The fast-evolving world of AI has me captivated (though slightly cautious), and I’ve discovered numerous AI platforms that save time and effort.
AI travel apps are the latest tool I'm dabbling in. They're like having a super-smart travel agent in your pocket, whipping up itineraries and ideas faster than you can say “vacation.”
But a word of warning— AI tools might be game-changing but they're definitely NOT foolproof.
In fact, AI totally makes things up...or hallucinates, which could really ruin your day if a "hidden gem, quirky cafe" turns out to be a parking lot.
One tool told me I'd find particular items on the second floor of a market in Saigon. Trouble was, I know that market well, and there is NO 2nd FLOOR!
I recently read an AFAR article where a journalist tested four AI tools:
Mindtrip (You can join for free and see the Marbella day-trip it created for me here)
Gondola AI - Which helps you to maximize your rewards.
The writer praised the quick, personalized plans the different tools produced but noted they need human tweaks to avoid duds like closed spots or wonky routes.
There are also Apps like:
Layla(Annual subscription but you can have a 3-day Free trial) - AI planner but with human support.
iPlan.ai- An app with both a free and pro plan. I wasn't particularly impressed with the free version and not prepared to pay atm until I learn more.
Roam Around (App for destination-specific itineraries) - I was able to get 1 generic itinerary for a day trip to Marbella, but was then prompted to buy "tokens". 1 token = 1 trip and the price is about 10 to 20 cents per token.
TripGenie by Trip.com - This platform actually provided me with the most comprehensive and interesting itinerary for a day trip to Marbella, aside from Mindtip above. And it's free in the Trip.com app.
Vacay (chat-based suggestions) are also worth a spin. This site is free for personal planning and I quite liked the way it presented the results.
Note - not all of the products above give you a lot of control of your input as per my advice below, but if they do, here are some tips.
The trick to using AI effectively?
Learn how to craft killer prompts and always double-check the details.
To get spot-on results, be super specific:
Eg. “Plan a 5-day budget trip to Tokyo, March 2025, for solo travelers into street food and anime.”
Start prompts with “Act as a travel agent” to set the tone and get professional advice.
Add constraints like “no tourist traps” or “family-friendly,” or "find hotels for less than $100/night" to narrow things down.
If AI’s suggestions feel off, tweak them—ask, “Why this spot?” to catch errors.
Cross-check everything on Google Maps, Tripadvisor, or official sites—AI can “hallucinate” fake places or outdated hours.
Here's my prompt for our visit to Valencia to both Vacay & TripGenie
"Act like a travel agent and create a 5-day itinerary for Valencia in early July. I favor self-paced walking tours and public transport. Make the daily itineraries logical in sequence, include plenty of rest and refreshment stops, and suggest budget-friendly and informal cafes, restaurants, and bars. Try to time entry to popular sites to miss the crowds and determine if a 5-day Valencia card is worthwhile for my visit."
The TripGenie itinerary is packed with way more sites and simply ignored the Valencia Card part of the question.
I wouldn't take either at face value, so there's still quite a bit of work to be done before I'm happy with my plans.
At the end of the day, you can't beat suggestions from bloggers who've recently been and walked/experienced the suggested itinerary themselves - Like we do.
AI Checklist:
Be specific: Include destination, dates, budget, and vibe (e.g., “3-day budget hiking in Colorado”).
Set a role for the AI: Use “Act as a travel planner” for focused output.
Add constraints: Specify “under $100/night” or “vegan dining.”
Verify always: Check suggestions on Tripadvisor or official sites.
Refine prompts: If results are meh, try “Fewer activities, focus on relaxing beaches.”
Takeaway: Apps like Mindtrip, TripGenie, and Vacay MAY supercharge your planning with fresh ideas, but craft clear prompts and verify details to dodge inaccurate and misleading results.
I don't think any of the platforms I've tried are anywhere near foolproof just yet, but I am happy to use some of them as a supplementary tool.
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
Keep Money and funds safe
Stay prepared in case of disaster
Ways to Cut Your Accommodation Costs
Secure Your Online Security with 2FA
VPN Tips for Globetrotters
This week, we're discussing cloud storage.
Travel Tip N14 - Unlock the Cloud: Your Data, Safe and Accessible Anywhere
Cloud storage is a lifesaver for everyone, but for long-term wanderers hopping from one destination to another, it’s a game-changer.
Physical storage like USBs or hard drives is a hassle when you’re living out of a backpack, and losing one can spell disaster.
Here’s how to use cloud storage to keep your files safe, organized, and accessible, no matter where your adventures take you.
What Is Cloud Storage?
It’s off-site storage hosted by a third party, letting you save files—photos, documents, travel itineraries—to a remote server via the internet.
You can access them from any device, anywhere, without lugging around gadgets.
Sync.com ($8/month, 2TB) are great for travelers needing extra room and security.
We use Dropbox Plus for its easy syncing and sharing.
What to Look For With Your Cloud Storage Provider?
Security: 256-bit AES encryption and two-factor authentication (2FA) are musts.
Price: Free plans work for light users, but paid options are worth it for more storage. We are currently using about 600 GB of our 2TB in Dropbox, most of which is pictures.
Access: Ensure multi-device support (phone, laptop, web) and offline access for spotty Wi-Fi. We have my laptop and three phones hooked up to our Dropbox account and our "Important Travel Documents - Passport copies/insurance." set to 'offline access.'
Ease of Use: Look for intuitive apps and fast syncing—Dropbox’s interface is a breeze.
Data Sovereignty: Check where servers are located for privacy laws.
Best Practices:
Organize Smart: Create folders by trip or category (e.g., “Travel Documents,” “2025 Bookings” "EU2025 Trip") for quick access.
Review & Archive: Monthly, delete duplicates and archive old files to free space.
Use Selective Sync: Sync only essential files to your device to save local storage (Dropbox’s feature shines here). I have the folders I use regularly stored on my laptop, and everything else is accessed from Dropbox as needed.
Backup Regularly: Auto-upload photos via mobile apps to avoid losing memories. Both our phones upload our pictures to Dropbox automatically.
Risk Management:
No internet? No panic.
Enable offline access in apps like Dropbox or Google Drive for key files, but always carry a small, encrypted USB drive as a backup for critical documents (such as passport scans and visas). I also use this to transfer and print hard copies of tickets/bookings, etc, when changing countries (It just makes it easier to prove tickets out etc. if asked.)
Split storage across two providers to avoid a single-point failure. We also have some important files secured in our Google Workspace Drive.
I know...I know. I keep raving about how wonderful house-sitting is. But I'm feeling extremely privileged and grateful at the moment, so hear me out.
Picture arriving in Portugal on April 27 and, by the end of June, only paying for three nights’ accommodation.
Total cost in over two months (65 days) = 250 USD/390 AUD = less than 4 USD/6 AUD/day
That’s the brilliance of housesitting and, more specifically, using the Trusted Housesitters platform (which has the most amount of international sits by a mile.)
I won't lie. It would be incredibly difficult for us to afford traveling in Western Europe for months on end without housesitting.
Even “affordable” Portugal demands a minimum €80 for a basic room in the popular destinations—think small, no fridge, no kettle, no chance to brew morning coffee or make a quick sandwich, and certainly no space to pen this newsletter.
Now, contrast that with the unique homes we’ve housesat recently:
A HUGE, stylish, central Lisbon apartment boasting a gourmet kitchen perfect for culinary adventures,
A charming Carvoeiro villa with an easy-care garden and a car for exploring the Algarrve, and
A spacious Fuengirola flat on the Costa del Sol with all the mod cons, a large terrace overlooking a park, and a dedicated study for comfortable work.
These one-of-a-kind properties, often costing €300+ daily—if they’re even available to rent—come completely free in a monetary sense.
All we need to do is behave like responsible adults.
We keep the property tidy (as we would any rental), ensure any pets have food, water, a clean litter box, and some playtime if they’re in the mood, and maybe water some plants or pick up the mail.
That's basically it!!
But I get that people have concerns about pet or home responsibilities while on holiday.
It's definitely not something that will suit a holiday spent moving locations every day or two, and being constantly on the go.
But that's not the way we roll. We are way beyond visiting destinations for a couple of days at a time and only scratching the surface.
But we're not 'tied down' by our responsibilities either.
We only choose to sit in destinations we want to visit anyway, with low-maintenance pets that allow at least 6-8 hours out daily.
This lets us savor destinations at our own pace, not as rushed “turbo tourists." We get to stay longer and experience more.
And we love a kitty curled up on the sofa with us, as we unwind after a day of exploring.
Nor are we the "hired/un-hired help."
The distinctive homes we sit—each with character no 5-star hotel can match—create a win-win-win situation.
The homeowners we sit for are beyond grateful we are there for their pets and to keep their home secure while they're off enjoying themselves - equal partners in a carefully vetted exchange.
And the pets love the relationship too - their own home, their own routine, and two extra humans to give them love.
We are not unique by any means.
Thousands of slow travelers worldwide enjoy this lifestyle, and there are countless unique sits available every day of the week.
Our spreadsheet showcases our savings and a small snippet of the variety available!
Then, if you decide you want a piece of this lifestyle, use our exclusive promo code at the checkout for a 25% discount - CODE: TRAVELBUG25
Got questions? We’re always here to help!
Just reply to this email and we'll get back ASAP.
In the meantime, we have a bunch of free resourcesavailable on our website to get you started
And, if you really want to jumpstart your housesitting adventures, grab our flagship course - The Housesitter's Roadmap. It has everything you need to get set up amd become a sought-after housesitter fast - Plus a load of discounts and bonuses, you won't find anywhere else.
How Our Travel Plans Are Shaping Up
No changes this week. So here's what our summer looks like now:
We're currently in Fuengirola, near Malaga and Marbella in Spain: Caring for a sweet cat in a well-equipped 3-bedroom apartment. i'd never heard of this place before, but it really is fabulous.
Then we have 18 Days in a Villa with a pool near the beautiful town of Calpe caring for three easy-care kitties. We'll have easy access to all the sites in the area, but stay out of the tourist fray. If we had to pay for this accommodation, we'd be up for at least 2000 USD...more like 3500 in the same standard with the same facilities. (You can see all our accommodation savings through housesitting here.)
8 days in central Valencia with a kitty called Meatball.
A small gap sits between atm where we haven't quite decided on the best option. Malta, Madrid and Warsaw have potential atm.
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.
Who knows??? We keep changing our mind about what stops we want to make before heading back south for the winter. But, likely as not, the Universe will send us some signs very soon.
Travel Bloggers, Websites, Info and Newsletters You Might Like
First, I wanted to highlight a new platform for accessing 'free' accommodations.
Swaphouse iis a free home exchange platform designed for remote workers and digital nomads seeking authentic, budget-friendly travel.
Unlike HomeExchange.com, which charges a $220 annual membership for unlimited swaps and uses a GuestPoints system for flexibility, Swaphouse is completely free, with no fees or points.
The focus is on reciprocal home swaps for work-friendly homes with fast Wi-Fi and dedicated workspaces.
Compared to housesitting, where you care for someone’s home (and often pets) without a swap, Swaphouse lets you trade your residence for another’s, offering a mutual, cost-free stay.
We can't use it because our property in Australia is rented long term.
But, if you work from home and own or rent a residence (with permission to swap), Swaphouse is ideal for blending work and travel.
With no membership costs and minimal requirements—just a home with reliable Wi-Fi and a designated workspace—it’s perfect for exploring destinations worldwide while saving big on accommodations.
The platform currently has over 1860+ properties on the platform in 75 countries, across 6 continents. (There are some lovely ones in Spain, Portugal, Malta, the USA, Bali, Mexico, Germany, London, and many more desirable (and expensive!!) destinations.
And, the number of properties is growing rapidly. (They've added almost 400 since the ned of March, 2025.)
It's free to join, so why not have a look at Swaphouse and maybe start your workation adventure this summer!
Secondly...
Since I had such a great experience with the Lisbon Card (and other city cards in the past), I thought I'd pull together a blog with some tips on how to maximize the value from these type of products.
Another quick update on my Benable experience (The new social sharing platform I invited you to in recent newsletters.)
It's actually really easy to use. It's a bit like Pinterest in that if you're into beauty products, homewares, etc. there are loads of lists in those niches. Not so much travel but there are quite a few.
As we've been in transit, I only publsihed 1 new list this week, although I have a couple of mega lists in progress.
We gained over 100 new followers which is way faster than any of our other social accounts.
I switched the notification emails from instant to weekly, so I'll analyze that data each weekend.
By using our links when you book, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you - This allows us to produce free content that helps you travel better and longer for less. Affiliate Disclosure
We're long-term travelers sharing our passion for independent, budget travel. Every newsletter gives you travel tips from experts, lessons from the road, great deals, and carefully curated travel products & services.
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