Travel Gear Deals/europe Luggage Rules/visa-free Sri Lanka

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.

Here Come the Gear Sales

There are a few times a year when seasonal changes combine with holiday weekends to create a perfect storm of clearance deals on travel gear and clothing. We’re about to hit one of those weekends in the USA as summer ends and the Labor Day holiday hits. You’ll find a great selection on the virtual sale rack at the likes of REI, Moosejaw, and Backcountry, or for an even bigger selection, see what’s on sale in the outdoor recreation section of Amazon.

Standardized Luggage Rules in Europe

What’s old is new again in Europe as of next week when all airports will return to a standard 100ml maximum for carry-on liquids. They’re also trying to standardize carry-on and personal item luggage maximums that have sometimes differed by airline. Be sure your carry-on is not more than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm from September 1, with a weight of 10 kilos or less. (Note that this is smaller than most American carrier standards and 10 kilos is only 22 pounds.) The dimensions of your small under-seat personal item should not exceed 40cm x 30cm x 15cm. See more details here.

The Best Season for Pacific Mexico

Now that most kids are back in school in North America and we’re months away from winter getaway high season, this is an ideal time to visit the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Crowds are thin and lodging prices are low, but the ocean water is warm. Plus a plate of fish tacos and a bucket of Pacificos has gotten cheaper lately. Because of complicated political issues involving proposed legislative independence changes, the Mexican peso has tanked recently and is at 19.5 to the dollar—from below 17 before the most recent election. Find your perfect hotel in Mazunte, Mazatlan, or Puerto Vallarta.

Visa-free Sri Lanka

Starting October 1, citizens of the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, India, and 29 other countries will be able to enter Sri Lanka visa-free. “Government officials said the updated policies were designed to boost tourism and strengthen international ties, making Sri Lanka more accessible and attractive to visitors from key destinations.” See the full story here.