*We recently hit two big milestones. This is the 150th weekly edition of the newsletter. Also, we won a “Best Travel Newsletter” GOLD award earlier from the North American Travel Journalists Association. Thanks for your support in getting us here!

Wipe Your Phone When Entering the USA?

In another example of politics impacting travel, we're now seeing international headlines like "Has the USA Become a Hostile Environment for Tourists?" and "Police State Immigration Intrusions Deterring Travel to U.S." Flight bookings from Canadians are down more than 70% on some air routes and we're seeing research studies saying the U.S. will probably lose at least $18 billion in tourism revenue this year alone due to political factors. The latest immigration actions aren’t helping: every major media outlet is reporting on phone and laptop searches when entering the country and advising people—even natural-born citizens—on how to avoid the snooping. This Wired article is the most comprehensive I’ve seen about what to do.

A Month of Pollution Left in Thailand

If you've been watching White Lotus and are thinking of flying over to Thailand where it takes place this season, you might want to wait at least another month. Throughout Southeast Asia, farmers burn their fields after harvesting crops and it's especially bad in Thailand. Most of the burning is in the north but when I was there once at this time of year, the haze extended all the way down to Malaysia, spoiling any island views on either coast. Here's a rundown on the timing from Nomadic Notes.

Travel Bargains in the Republic of Georgia

I was leading a group tour in the country of Georgia last month and spent a lot of time researching prices for food, drinks, transportation, and more while I was there. The country is a terrific value for travelers and if you decide you want to stick around, citizens of more than 75 countries can stay for up to a year on a tourist visa, no extensions required. See the details in my report here: Prices for Travelers (and Residents) in the Republic of Georgia.

Waterproof Walking Shoes

From the northern hemisphere down to the tropics, late spring and summer tend to be rainy season and an umbrella is not going to help your feet much in a downpour. If you want to still pack light but be prepared for rain, get a pair of waterproof hiking shoes or trail running shoes that look and function the same as the normal versions but have a waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry. Common shoe brands making them include Columbia, Adidas, Keen, Skechers, Oboz, and Merrell.

A weekly newsletter with four quick bites, edited by Tim Leffel, author of A Better Life for Half the Price and The World’s Cheapest Destinations. See past editions here, where your like-minded friends can subscribe and join you.