The Places Where We Go - Travel Planning Briefing July 20, 2026

Happy International Moon Day, a day that commemorates the historic Apollo 11 mission when humans first walked on the Moon.

This week, we're traveling to Bishop, California, for a week of exploring the Eastern Sierras. We've got way more on our itinerary than we can actually do, so we'll update you after our return for the new things we were able to explore during the upcoming week.

Latest Articles
​Europe Remains the Safest Destination for Long-Haul Travelers in 2026​

Latest Podcast
​Our new Campground Comparison AI Prompt​

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​How To Spend One Day in Gdansk, Poland - Travel Guide | Top Things To Do, See & Eat!​

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Your Adventure Agenda - Travel Tips

Start Planning Warm-Weather Getaways for Winter

Now is the perfect time to start planning your warm-weather getaways to destinations like the Caribbean or Hawaii.

When winter approaches and temperatures drop, it's natural to dream of sunny beaches and tropical adventures.

By beginning your planning early, you can secure great deals on flights and accommodations, ensuring a stress-free and budget-friendly trip.

Don't forget to reference top travel guides for Hawaii and the Caribbean to make the most out of your vacation with insider tips and recommendations.

Travel News Worth Knowing

GREEK TOURS TAKE OFF: Tour Operators Launch Odyssey-Inspired Journeys Through Greece​

With Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey expected to spark interest in the epic’s landscapes and legends, several tour operators are launching itineraries across Greece—and, in some cases, Italy. New trips from EF Go Ahead Tours, Unforgettable Greece, Audley Travel, and Goway connect travelers with places associated with Odysseus, including Ithaca, Corfu, Kefalonia, Mycenae, Delphi, and the Temple of Poseidon.

Experiences range from sailing among the Ionian Islands and visiting ancient ruins to private transfers, luxury hotels, wine tastings, and customizable stays, giving fans an immersive way to turn movie inspiration into a mythology-filled Mediterranean adventure.

CRUISE NEWS: Princess opens its largest-ever Europe cruise program for 2028​

Princess Cruises has opened 291 European departures across 150 itineraries for 2028, visiting 128 destinations in 37 countries. The season includes maiden calls in western Ireland, 32 overnight or late-night stays, and voyages ranging from seven to 53 days. Early-booking incentives are scheduled through October 12, 2026.

DISNEY NEWS: Disneyland Raises Food Prices—Here’s How Travelers Can Still Save​

Disneyland has increased food and beverage prices across the resort, with menu costs rising by about 8% on average and some items jumping more than 20%. Popular snacks now include $7 popcorn, $7.49 Mickey beignets and nearly $10 pizza slices.

Travelers can reduce dining costs by bringing their own food, requesting free water, sharing oversized meals and treats, or purchasing discounted Disney gift cards from warehouse retailers. Visitors may save even more by checking Disneyland’s ticket calendar and special-offer page for lower-priced dates before booking.

​LOS ANGELES: Petersen Automotive Museum opens a new “World’s Fastest” exhibition​

The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles opens “The World’s Fastest” on July 18. The exhibition examines postwar vehicles that represented important speed milestones and is scheduled to remain on view through August 2027.

The museum also opened its new Mullin Family Gallery. The gallery preserves public access to a selection of rare French Art Deco automobiles from the former Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, which closed in 2024. The retained collection includes vehicles associated with Bugatti, Delahaye, and other historically significant marques.

Travel Advisory Update

The Latest U.S. Travel Advisories include: Level 4 - Do Not Travel: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

​Featured Place - Torun , Poland​

Why Visit?​
​Torun, Poland is a vibrant city filled with historic landmarks and charming cobbled streets. Its Gothic architecture, traditional Polish cuisine, and lively pubs make it a must-visit destination for any traveler looking to experience the rich culture and beauty of Eastern Europe.

Top Things To Do:

• Explore the historic Old Town area, filled with charming cobblestone streets and colorful buildings.
• Visit the Copernicus Museum to learn about the famous astronomer who was born in Torun.
• Take a leisurely boat tour along the Vistula River for stunning views of the city's architecture and landmarks.

Travel Tip:​
Plan your trip during the summer months (June-August), when the weather is warm and numerous outdoor events and festivals are taking place. Additionally, taking a guided walking tour of the city is a great way to learn about its history and hidden gems from a local perspective.

Plan Your Visit:​
Check out our blog post on Torun, Poland for more ideas and tips on how to plan your trip

Plan Now, Go Later
Top Experiences in Six Months

We’re big on planning travel, typically six months in advance. With an eye on January 2027, here are some top things you can consider for your travel itinerary:

​Dolomiti Balloon Festival - Dobbiaco/Toblach, Italy - A scenic alpine hot-air balloon festival in the Dolomites, pairing winter mountain scenery with colorful balloon launches. (January 6-10, 2027)

​X Games Aspen - Aspen, Colorado, USA - A high-energy winter sports event featuring elite skiing, snowboarding, big air, superpipe, concerts, and mountain-town atmosphere. (January 24-26, 2027)

​Palm Springs International Film Festival - Palm Springs, California, USA - A major early-year film event that pairs awards-season buzz with a sunny desert destination. (January 7-18, 2027)

✈️ Don’t miss out on incredible travel savings. Sign up for FareDrop's Limited plan and receive top flight deals straight to your inbox. ​ Sign Up Now

Featured Travel Resources

General Travel Booking – We recommend Expedia​

Tour Company - We recommend Viator ​​

Rental Car – We recommend Discover Cars​

RV Overnight Camping – We recommend Harvest Hosts​

Credit Card Optimized for Travel - We recommend Chase Sapphire Visa​​

​Travel Insurance – We recommend Travel Insurance Masters​

Where We're Off To Next

July 2026: Camping in Bishop, California, and a visit to Bodie Ghost Town

August 8-9, 2026: Walking the 6th annual Serra Walking Pilgrimage from Santa Barbara Mission to Mission Basilica San Buenaventura. This year's hike has a record 400 walkers registered! (35-mile route)

December 2026: Exploring near Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park in California

January 2027: The NHL Winter Classic in Utah (pending ticket affordability)

If you have travel questions, feel free to reach out to us. You can reach us at comments@theplaceswherewego.com​

Happy travels, and we hope to see you at The Places Where We Go.

P.S. We'd appreciate it if you could share the newsletter with your friends who are also passionate about travel. Let's spread the word and inspire others to explore the world with us! - New subscriptions are free and easy with this link​

​Julie & Art​
​The Places Where We Go​

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