Expert Tips for Duty-Free Airport Shopping: Wine & Spirits Edition

Once upon a time, I used to blow by the duty-free shopping section in airports.

As a budget traveler, I usually headed to my gate and kept my head down. Once in a while, I’d splurge on a celebrity gossip magazine or a sugary treat.

That’s started to change over the last few years.

With a slowly intensifying skincare routine, I’ve started to save on upscale brands in the duty-free section. I also take a closer look at the wine and spirits section, bringing home little bottles of soplica from Poland and limoncello from Italy.

Although I knew duty-free shops normally exclude local and national taxes, I didn’t realize that some brands funnel their steepest discounts toward duty-free shops. In some cases, products might only be released for duty-free sales.

In other words, there’s a lot out there that I didn’t know about duty-free shopping.

If you want to get more out of your duty-free shopping experience, especially when buying alcohol, you might want a little expert advice.

This week, I’m highlighting the industry expertise of Leila Stansfield, head of Bacardi’s Travel Retail sector. Here’s what Leila has to say about duty-free shopping, especially when it comes to alcohol purchases.

Tips on duty-free shopping from a Bacardi expert

You can find brand exclusives in the duty-free shop.

According to Leila, you can find never-before-sold offers in the duty-free section. If you like to drink a certain brand of spirits or wine, you could find a secret gem that you never knew the company released.

For any connoisseur, that’s a pretty unmatched offer—one that you might have passed up by rushing through the airport. If you’re a whiskey fan, make sure to look for bourbon and scotch products. They’re some of the most popular picks for duty-free exclusives.

Duty-free pop-ups are a thing.

With more passengers in airports than ever before, major spirits and wine retailers are taking note. To cater to travelers, they’re rolling out meaningful brand experiences for customers.

Leila has noticed a rise in duty-free pop-ups over the last few years—so take a look at your airport’s directory. There might be a mini-duty-free shop worth checking out on your five-hour layover.

Savings are actually high-value.

Along with exclusive offers, you’ll also find high-value deals at duty-free shops—and I’m not just talking about saving on taxes. According to Leila, duty-free shops offer savings worth up to 20%, which includes luxury brands.

If you usually avoid shopping for higher-end brands, you might be surprised by the deals you can find at the duty-free shop. What’s normally out of your budget might be affordable at the airport.

If you’re spending big, know that there are limitations.

Duty-free is only duty-free up to a certain price point. If you’re going to shop from more upscale brands, don’t forget to think about that tax-free cap.

For example, US duty-free stores are tax-free until you hit the $800 price range. After that, your next $1,000 in spending is taxed at a rate of 3%. Before you go wild in the duty-free shop, take a quick look at how much you can spend before Uncle Sam creeps back into the picture.

Don’t be shy about asking questions.

I’m rounding off this list with my favorite travel tip from Leila: the fact that duty-free staff sometimes have samples on hand. While it might just seem like just another brightly lit store, there’s a lot more skill and finesse going on than we think.

Most duty-free employees are very knowledgeable about the products sold in their store. In certain cases, they might even have samples in stock so that you can try out a drink before buying. Just remember that you might need to find a staff member who works in the wine and spirits section of the shop.

How to Use the Roadtrippers App for a Perfect Road Trip

When you think of difficult-to-plan trips, what comes to mind?

Usually, international trips with multiple border crossings and forms of transportation come to mind. From submitting visas to leaving enough time to catch a connecting flight, every little detail needs to be considered.

That being said, road trips are also up there—at least, in my opinion.

I’ve taken two off-the-cuff road trips; one from Saint Louis, Missouri to the Grand Canyon, and another from Saint Louis to New Orleans then back up through Appalachia.

I didn’t plan a thing for either—and I paid the price, usually by finding last-minute accommodations and meals. Most notable was a night spent at a roadside motel in Tennessee called the Plantation Inn where only bad things happened after dark. Very noisy, bad things.

I imagine few people set out on the open road with so few plans. (I was in my early twenties, okay?) That being said, putting together a solid road trip itinerary is a lot of work—and it quickly becomes more complicated as you add on roadside attractions, can’t-miss meals, and last-minute visits to friends in the area.

But this is 2025—which means there’s an app that’ll do that work for you.

Welcome to Roadtrippers, a road trip planning tool that’s been around for almost fifteen years.

What is Roadtrippers?

Launched in 2011, Roadtrippers is a browser and mobile-based tool that lets you plan road trips. Sounds pretty basic—but this tool is robust. You start out by planning your road trip via the browser webpage, then you send your itinerary to the mobile app.

Using your smartphone, you let Roadtrippers guide you on your way. It’ll sync to any device, so you don’t need to worry about losing your trip plans.

Think of it like a dual-threat road trip planning tool. One that first organizes and plans your trip and then hits the road with you.

How can you use Roadtrippers?

The basic introduction above doesn’t quite do this platform justice. With almost fifteen years of experience, the Roadtrippers crew has put together a pretty flawless setup.

Here’s how you can use the tool.

The most basic feature is creating a route based on your starting point and destination. (If you’re not sure where you want to go, you can also use Roadtrippers’ ‘explore destinations’ tool.)

You’ll then see a proposed route, which includes short detours, notable landmarks, places to camp, fuel and rest stops, unique hotels, and even shopping.

What I love about Roadtrippers is its visual design. The map is adorable, with icons for hotspots that catch your eye and get you excited about planning the trip.

I’ve found it to be pretty endlessly fascinating; every time you zoom in, you see something else that catches your attention.

If you don’t mind paying for a premium account, you can also use Roadtrippers’ Autopilot feature. This tool puts together an itinerary that includes things to do, places to stay, and restaurants.

What makes Roadtrippers perfect for road trips?

Aside from its visual appeal and multi-device functionality, Roadtrippers has a high-value premium membership.

I’m not usually a fan of paying for these types of services because they’re a little one-note, but Roadtrippers comes with serious premium deals from other road trip-adjacent companies.

A premium membership gets you perks like KOA camping discounts, 5 cents off every gallon at Flying J gas stations, free audio stories and books, and more.

If you’re an RVer, you can also take advantage of Roadtrippers’ RV-specific routes, suggestions, and camping guides. And speaking of guides, you can also explore the platform’s classic road trip guides, which cover some of the best routes in the United States.

3 Balkan Beaches for a Unique European Getaway

The Balkans are having a bit of a heyday.

This Balkans includes several countries in Europe’s southeastern region. You’re probably very familiar with the most well-known state: Greece.

The same is true for Croatia, which joined the European Union in 2013 and has since quietly become one of Europe’s more luxurious but laidback coastal destinations.

What about other Balkan countries, though? I’m talking about Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia.

They’re definitely on my radar, and not just as an alternative summer destination. In addition to rolling out some accessible digital nomad visas, these countries are also rolling out tourism infrastructure along the coastlines.

In case you’re new to the Balkans, the region is known for its rugged beauty, delicious food, welcoming culture (seriously—hospitality is very important in Balkan culture), and absolutely gorgeous coastlines.

(Except for Serbia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia—they don’t have any coastlines.)

As Mediterranean hotspots like Italy, Greece, and Croatia become more congested and pricey, Balkan beaches offer an escape from your usual escape. For now, let’s focus on the countries with coastlines.

I’m excluding Croatia for now; you’ve probably heard enough about its coastlines over the last decade.

3 Balkan beaches for summer travel

Albania

Known for its affordable prices, low crime index, ancient history, and rugged, wild coastlines, it’s hard to go wrong in Albania. Fly into the capital city of Tirana, then take a bus or private transportation to the coast.

Check out these beaches:

Bay of Grama: This famous bay is accessible only by boat, sheltering you in a cove smack in the heart of the Albanian Riviera. Just make sure you schedule transportation to and from Grama Bay beforehand—you’ll need a life by boat.
Saranda: Along with an unspoiled stretch of beach (plus a few more outside town), this coastal town also includes activities like castle tours, stone-cobbled streets, and wildlife tours.
Drymades: Delve into the wonders of the Ionian Sea while you lounge on golden sand at Drymades, near the town of Dhemi. Beware that it’ll fill up during high season—but that might be a plus if you like vibrant nightlife and plenty of #vibes.

Montenegro

Forget the Ionian Sea—Montenegro gives you the best of the Adriatic. You may have already heard of the Bay of Kotor, but keep in mind that this tiny country is also well-known for its inland wonders, including canyons, medieval towns, and a surprisingly rare set of indigenous plants.

If you head to Montenegro, explore these beaches:

Jaz Beach: Part of the Bay of Kotor, this cove offers a gorgeous, small-pebble beach with dramatic views. Prepare for crowds in the high season.
Becici Beach: Despite being close to the coastal town of Budva, Becici isn’t overcrowded. That’s partly thanks to its large size. Even with a promenade and a few resorts around, you’ll still feel awed by the crystal waters and towering mountains. Like Jaz Beach, this is a pebble beach.

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Neum Beaches in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Getty)

If you look at Bosnia and Herzegovina on a map, you’ll notice that Croatia’s coastline landlocks much of this country—but there are a few seaside towns with Balkan beaches that you might want to explore. I’ve picked my favorite, below.

I also want to point out that you need to do some research before heading into Bosnia and Herzegovina; some mountainous and rural areas are still dealing with landmines from the war in the 1990s.

On the coast, focus on this area:

Neum Beaches: This is the country’s official seaside resort town—but you’ll mostly notice locals hanging out. (That’s always a huge plus for me.) This area includes a few beaches to choose from, which are usually calm.

Decoding Vacation Rental Reviews: Airbnb, VRBO, & Beyond

I’ve covered the ins and outs of reading hotel reviews—but what about private rentals?

Compared to a hotel stay, there’s a lot that can go wrong with a private rental—and, more importantly, it’s harder to fix any issues.

When something goes wrong at a hotel, all you need to do is head down to the concierge and lay out your doubts. But at a private rental, whether booked on Airbnb, VRBO, or another platform, we aren’t nearly as empowered to handle mishaps.

That means it’s even more important to get a good sense of the rental before booking.

For the most part, pictures and lists of amenities paint a strong picture. Even the tone of the host’s description might tell you a few things about the property, like whether or not it’s professionally managed, how casual the hosts are, and more.

But the real treasure trove is in the reviews.

Want to nail your private rental selections like a professional travel agent? Start with the tips below.

How to read private rental reviews

Just like with hotels, skip those sensationalist reviews. Whether overly cheerful or actively sassy, sensationalist reviews usually mean that a guest was in a highly emotional state when they wrote it. That being said, if you see a ton of ultra-positive or negative reviews, then they’re probably accurate.
Make sure the reviews match up to the listing. Here’s what I mean: if you see a negative review about a broken window, you might notice that the rental’s description reads ‘windows newly renovated’, which means the issue has been resolved. If you have any outstanding questions, ask the host directly—and feel free to bring up what was discussed in the review.
If the reviewer isn’t similar to you, their feedback might not apply. Depending on the booking website, you might not have too much information on the person leaving the review. But if you do, then focus on reviews that were written by travelers like you, whether they’re similar age or the same type of traveler. In other words, value what your contemporaries say.
The most recent reviews are (usually) the most accurate. Recent reviews let you gauge what’s going on with that rental in real-time. Just make sure to consider the season. If you’re traveling in the summer, reviews from winter might not be entirely applicable.
Search specifically for topics that matter to you. You can use a keyword search in your browser to focus on topics that are important to you. Maybe that’s solid air-conditioning or a great view. Whatever your focus is, make sure to dig in with a few keyword searches. I recommend reading at least five reviews on the topic to get a good sense of things with a focus on more recent reviews.

My bonus tips for reading private rental reviews

If you stick to the five tips listed above, you’ll find a great fit in no time. But they’re far from the only tricks of the trade. As a long-time private rental fan, let me dig a little deeper into how I trawl those reviews.

If the pictures suck but the reviews don’t, it’s probably a solid pick. I’ve seen more than a handful of near-perfect, five-star-rated vacation rentals that looked subpar from the photos… only to be swayed by glowing reviews. If you’re struggling to decide on whether or not a rental is right for you because the pictures don’t grab you, but the reviews do, I vote you book it. Remember—most hosts aren’t professional photographers.
There’s usually a theme that you’ll pick up on. I read reviews partly because I like gossip. (Flips hair over her shoulder.) In my nosy digging, I’m usually able to pick up on an overall theme from the reviews. Maybe the walking distance to hotspots is a little longer than expected. Maybe an appliance is ridiculously noisy. So don’t be afraid to gloss over the reviews—you’ll probably pick up on an overall consensus.
If there are fewer ratings, give some grace. Last year, I booked an aparthotel that had a pretty low aggregate rating because it had only a handful of ratings—and one was a very sensationalist negative review that didn’t match the others. I took a chance and booked it anyway only to be very, very happy with my stay. Don’t let a lower rating turn you off from at least checking out a profile if there are only a handful of reviews.

The 10 Dating Apps You Need for Mingling Abroad

Who doesn’t dream about falling in love while traveling abroad?

Cue the Hollywood reel of images—

A couple dines on a cobblestone street with a bottle of wine between them; two strangers meet on a beach after an umbrella goes windborne; a traveler at a crowded bar locks eyes with a potential love interest across the room.

I could go on and on. And while it might seem like the stuff of movies, travel really does bring people together—sometimes for a long time, too.

One of my best friends (from the Netherlands) met her partner (from Spain) while on a family vacation in Indonesia. Ten years later, the couple is still together.

The same is true for me. I met my partner while in Latin America. Fourteen years later, we’re still arguing about the same nonsense (lovingly, of course).

Here’s my point: travel forges a deep bond—one that can last a long time if properly tended. And while many people make friends and start dating the ‘old fashioned way’ while on vacation, that’s not always the case.

Familiar apps like Tinder and eHarmony bridge the gap for millions around the world—but some apps are actually built specifically for an international experience. They cater to broader age groups, offer more language features, and make it easier to break the ice and establish an intercultural connection.

Can’t tell Bumble from Badoo? Here’s your crash course in using dating apps abroad.

A lot more than Tinder

There’s a dating app for every lover out there. I’m suggesting options that are used in regions that Americans frequent most often, including the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe. But know that this is just a basic introduction.

On top of that, keep in mind that some dating apps are pay-to-play, meaning you might need to pay a subscription for a fully optimized experience. Now onto the good stuff.

Popular dating apps that you can use abroad

You’ve probably heard of the names before—but do you know what makes each of these apps a solid pick in international waters?

Tinder: Perfect for casual dating. It’s the OG casual dating app and it’s still one of the most-used in the world. You can find matches on Tinder in over 190 countries worldwide and download the app in over 50 languages. That’s not all—Tinder also offers one of the more unique international dating app capabilities through its premium Passport feature, which lets you drop a pin and start matching with local hotties before you’ve arrived.
OkCupid: Shop for lovers till you drop. The charm of OkCupid is its massive user base, similar to Tinder. With singles in around 180 countries ready to look for love, you can find a plethora of potential mates. But it’s not just a numbers game for OkCupid—this app uses refined algorithms to help you find a quality match, which prevents you from drowning in those options.
Bumble: A great pick for the (straight) ladies. Okay, this app is also for men—but only women have the ability to swipe and match with a man’s profile. (It’s geared toward heteros but anyone can use it.) That makes this perfect for travelers because you can really curate your options. Plus, the premium subscription lets you use Travel Mode. Like Tinder’s Passport, that lets you change your geographic data to start swiping anywhere in the world.
Hinge: Catered toward long-term lovers. This dynamic platform isn’t quite like others in that it’s geared toward establishing long-term relationships. You can do that by setting up a multifaceted profile that digs deeper into your likes, with polls, prompts, and more. The cherry on top is that Hinge lets you drop your pin to explore matches anywhere in the world without paying for a premium membership. (That being said, you’ll probably pay for the premium to get the most out of this app.)
eHarmony: A solid pick for travelers anywhere. As a millennial, I usually think of Tinder as the OG dating app. In reality, that title belongs to eHarmony, which launched in 2000. It’s stayed at the forefront of online dating for a reason and is now operating in over 80 countries worldwide. It’s a top pick for singles in English-speaking countries, too, including the UK and Canada. Just know that eHarmony is best used for finding a long-term partner, similar to Hinge.

Best international dating apps

Because they were created and launched specifically for international lovers, these apps have a stronger focus on security, language versatility, and cross-cultural meetups.

Hily: Date anyone, anywhere, at any time. What if you’re interested in dating internationally beyond the scope of a vacation? If that’s the case, you can find a match on Hily. If you’re in the same city, you can take advantage of added safety features like live-streaming with your date before meeting up in person. If you’re on opposite sides of the world, you can also use that live-streaming feature to break the ice.
Meetic: Your European matchmaker. Though it doesn’t have a strong international reach it’s now live in 12 European countries, plus China and Brazil. Similar to eHarmony and OkCupid, Meetic is geared toward more serious singles who want to find a long-term match.
Zoosk: For 30-somethings to 70-somethings. Zoosk is available in over 80 countries and operates in over 20 languages, letting you really expand into new cultural territory. What I really like about Zoosk is that it offers a Millenial-focused dating pool, along with a Zoosk Seniors option. With a strong focus on like and dislikes rather than cold, hard dating data (like age, race, and religion), you can also get outside your dating box, so to speak.
Badoo: The tried-and-true veteran. This app has been around for well over a decade, even if many Americans haven’t heard of it. Badoo outshines the competition for a few reasons. First, it has a ‘bumped into’ feature that notifies you if potential matches are nearby. Like, ten feet away. That can help you establish a real-life connection that isn’t always possible with dating apps (at least, not right away). On top of that, Badoo is live in over 190 countries and has the most language capabilities that I’ve seen with over 47 options.

5 of the Coolest Whiskey Distillery Tours in Ireland: Must-See on the Emerald Isle

I heard about whiskey at least once a day during my two-week jaunt across the Emerald Isle.

On day three, it became apparent that whiskey is a lot more than a spirit to the Irish.

It’s also a source of pride and identity—similar to how Polish and Russians feel about vodka. Like vodka, whiskey is tied to social customs, history, traditions, and even national identity.

The word whiskey comes from the Irish uisce beatha, which translates to ‘water of life’. It was first brewed by monks who returned from the Mediterranean with a keen knowledge of distillation.

The first mention of whiskey comes from the Annals of Clonmacnoise, which was written in 1405. In reality, whiskey had likely already been around for a few hundred years.

Over the next centuries, whiskey production was closely tied to Ireland’s economy and cultural standing. It’s also been a hero of the island’s cultural renaissance, which took off following Ireland’s independence from Britain in 1921.

In short, to know whiskey is to know a deep part of Ireland, and one that is internationally recognized—whether or not you like to drink.

Part of the proof of Ireland’s great respect for whiskey is its standing in the US. As immigrants arrived from Ireland (and Scotland), they brought along their appreciation for barley and distillation, creating delectable offshoots like bourbon whiskey. (We even had a whiskey rebellion, y’all!)

But forget about the US for a moment—I want to focus on the Motherland of Whiskey. If you’re heading to Ireland anytime soon, I’d highly suggest touring a popular distillery. You can find them all around the island.

Best distilleries in Ireland

Midleton Distillery Experience, County Cork

If you’ll be passing through Cork, don’t skip the Midleton Distillery Experience. While you can take a Jameson Distillery tour in Dublin, you won’t actually get to see a working distillery.

At Midleton, you can explore where Jameson whiskey is brewed. You can also explore the Old Midleton Distillery, which was in operation throughout the 1800s until 1975.

That’s a pretty fine balance if you ask me. The tour explores the history of whiskey in Ireland, operations at the old distillery, and how modern whiskey is made. Uniquely, Midleton produces whiskey for Jameson and other brands like The Spot Whiskeys, Redbreast, Powers, and more.

The Teeling Whiskey Distillery, County Dublin

If you want to dig into Dublin distilling, I vote you skip the well-known Jameson tour for the Teeling Whiskey Distillery experience. (Or do both if you have time!)

Teeling is located in the Liberties, right in the heart of Dublin, and is one of the country’s newest large-scale distilleries, having opened its doors in 2015.

That might make it seem like this distillery is way too green to offer a solid whiskey tour—especially given the historical relevance of the drink. That being said, it has near-perfect ratings (I’m talking five stars with over 5,000 reviews on TripAdvisor) thanks to the tour’s scope and its passionate guides.

You’ll learn about the history of whiskey, the history of the distillery, and get to sample local whiskeys, other drinks, and traditional snacks.

Rademon Estate Distillery, County Down

Rademon Estate Distillery offers a strong historical tilt. The Rademon Estate was built back in 1667 and still covers the same massive 500-acre plot. Only 18 miles south of Belfast, it won’t take you long to reach the grounds.

You can expect a more intimate experience here, one that focuses in on the scientific elements of distillation. The company produces small-batch whiskies and gins and is fully operational, meaning tours need to be booked ahead of time.

You’ll get to take a closer look at a highly dedicated tinkering with a refined process that uses local ingredients. Plus, a gorgeous, rural setting.

Micil Distillery, County Galway

Once again, we have a multi-product distillery at Micil Distillery. In addition to whiskey, this family-owned company also distills poitín, gin, and cream.

Though the distillery is younger than Teeling (it opened in 2016), the family business started back in 1848 when the family patriarch started distilling his own poitín.

You can expect an in-depth tour that covers the history and distillation practices for the drinks listed above—one that has a casual, friendly atmosphere. You can even take home your own cask of whiskey that’s been slowly aging on the grounds.

Old Bushmills Distillery Tour, County Antrim

Last but not least, we have the oldest whiskey distillery in the world. Old Bushmills Distillery dates back to 1608—only two centuries after the first officially recorded mention of whiskey on the island.

Unsurprisingly, the tour digs deep into the distillery’s history, along with the cultural context of the spirit.

The coup de grace is the whiskey sampling portion of the tour, which lets you taste some of the top whiskeys at Old Bushmills. That means you’re getting a taste of whiskey as it’s been made in Ireland for over four hundred years.