View in browser

Friday Around

the Planet

June 24, 2022

Hello from Spain, where for the past few weeks I've been fulfilling a promise I made to myself during the pandemic:

Once it was safe to travel again, I wanted to spend weeks walking the Camino de Santiago, winding my way through Portugal and Spain, experiencing all the small towns and cities (and their food and music) on the way to the route's end in Santiago de Compostela.

I think a lot of us emerged from the pandemic grateful to get out and see this beautiful world we live in, but wanting to be more intentional about it. Instead of racing to the next passport stamp, spending time to connect more with the places and people we visit in a way that is helpful, not harmful to those communities.

The summer headwinds of airline and airport staff shortages, canceled flights and rail strikes might make travel feel more hectic than ever. But maybe those challenges are also a reminder to ourselves to slow down and think about how we approach our travels.

Melissa Yeager
 Senior news editor

Slow travel along the Camino de Santiago

The centuries-old pilgrimage is on pace for a record number of pilgrims this year

I'm thrilled to say though the kilometers took a toll on my feet, after two years of fantasizing about wandering through northern Portugal and Galicia, the trip exceeded all my expectations.

The 268km journey let me savor walking along the coast and through vineyards. It allowed me to drop in on cafes, devour pimientos de Padrón (blistered peppers) and drink Vinho Verde. Here's why I wasn't alone on the pilgrimage.

Remember the inspirational chef and traveler on his birthday, June 25, now Anthony Bourdain Day

You can't be in a rush to visit Quimet & Quimet, the Anthony Bordain-acclaimed tapas spot in Barcelona. The line stretched down the sidewalk when I arrived Monday night on the advice of my colleague Sasha Brady. Wherever you are in the world on Saturday, I hope you'll share a meal with someone in honor of the chef who inspired us to connect more deeply to the places we visit.

Reservations (and hiking boots) required for this Andorran restaurant

Speaking of good meals connecting to a beautiful place, I also had another amazing meal I literally had to hike to in Andorra.

The microstate probably isn't first on your mind, but it is a three-hour bus ride from Barcelona and probably best known for its skiing and tax-free shopping. It also has some beautiful hiking and a network of Refugi (mountain huts) you can hike between.

One of these places, Refugi Borda de Sorteny, takes lunch reservations. Those spots fill up quickly for their meal which includes an appetizer and main course as well as dessert if you choose to indulge. (Which, you're hiking, so why not?)

After lunch, work off the meal by completing the rest of the loop that offers spectacular views as you trek by waterfalls.

More travel news you can use

Yellowstone announces partial reopening

A small bit of promising news after the devastating flooding that closed Yellowstone National Park. The park announced a partial reopening of its south loop with a new access system based on license plate numbers.

Traveling to London?

Britain is experiencing its largest rail strike in 30 years with more than 40,000 staff taking part. The first took place Tuesday and Thursday of this week with the next one planned on June 25.

Here's how to navigate London if the British capital is in your travel plans.

Helping Black women facing breast cancer heal through travel

I love this beautifully reported story by Juhie Bhatia about how two sisters founded a unique foundation to honor their sister who passed from breast cancer. The foundation helps Black women facing breast cancer heal through travel and wellness opportunities.