Thank you for being here and for continuing to read One Savvy Traveler.

There are now just over 7,800 of you, and I don’t take that lightly. I hope 2026 brings you trips that feel less rushed, better timed, and genuinely worth the effort.

Let’s start the year with something practical.

There’s a short stretch every year when familiar places feel… different.

Not empty.
Not asleep.
Just calm enough to be themselves again.

Early 2026 has several of those windows.

Most travelers miss them because they plan in seasons.

Savvy travelers plan in weeks.

Here’s how to recognize and use those windows.

This is one of the most misunderstood periods in travel.

People assume “nothing is happening.”
In reality, everything is happening at a human scale again.

In cities like Paris, Madrid, or Vienna, this is when:

The weather isn’t perfect. That’s the point.

Imperfect weather keeps casual travelers away. What’s left is a city that breathes.

Savvy move:
Choose one neighborhood. Stay longer than you think. Walk mornings and late afternoons. Let the city come to you.

Early March is one of the most reliable “quiet wins” on the calendar.

Days get longer.
Energy improves.
But spring pricing and spring crowds haven’t arrived yet.

This is when places like Rome, Lisbon, and even Istanbul feel balanced again.

You can do more without feeling rushed.
You can see more without planning harder.

Savvy move:
Plan one anchor experience per day. Nothing more. Let the rest stay flexible.

These weeks are often ignored by travelers waiting for “better weather” or school breaks.

That hesitation creates opportunity.

Cities are fully open.
Cultural life is active.
Crowds are lighter than what follows immediately after.

Places like Florence or Seville feel layered again, not compressed.

Savvy move:
Avoid changing hotels. Fewer moves = more presence.

This isn’t about saving money.
It’s about how places behave.

During these weeks:

You don’t need to do as much to feel satisfied.

That’s why trips taken in these windows often feel complete even if you see fewer things.

Before booking anything for early 2026, run your plans through this filter:

1. Reduce density by 30%.
If your instinct is 10 sights, plan 7.

2. Favor depth over coverage.
One city done well beats three done quickly.

3. Choose hotels for location, not status.
Being able to walk back mid-day matters more than star ratings.

4. Leave one full day intentionally unplanned.
Not as a backup. As a feature.

These aren’t rules.
They’re levers.

If you’ve ever loved a place but thought,
“I’d never come back in peak season,” early 2026 is probably the version you’re remembering.

So before locking anything in, ask yourself:

Do I want the most popular moment… or the most pleasant one?

They’re rarely the same.

A quick favor to ask:

​YouTube remains a huge priority for me this year.

The response and traction the channel received in 2025 blew me away, and I'd love to maintain that momentum. If you have a brief moment to help the channel, please:

Like/comment on this latest video.
Subscribe to the channel.

It would significantly boost its growth.

If you'reply' to this email and let me know you did, I'd like to personally thank you.

Thanks again for being here. I’m looking forward to sharing more well-timed ideas with you this year.

— Alex

One Savvy Traveler is your weekly dose of destination inspiration, curated hotel picks, hidden gems, and insider intel, read by over 7,000 savvy travelers around the world.

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