Hey there, Travellers,

I have a secret: I like Star Trek. And since this week marks Star Trek's 60th birthday, I thought it only right to share a round-up of 10 of the galaxy's coolest vacation spots you'll never visit. No, Iowa is not on the list.

Today also marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, with memorial events taking place online and around the United States. If you’d like to honour the lives that were lost, one way to do that is by pledging a good deed on 911day.org. Whether it’s by donating to a charity or simply going out of your way to thank someone who deserves it, a little kindness can go a long way on a dark day.

Happy travels and safe landings,

Katy - Editor of The Detour

By Hannah and Akasha

Two expert Jack's Navigators with one simple goal: to inspire you to see more of the world while spending less on flights. 

Stopovers vs. layovers: is there actually a difference? Short answer: yes! 

Both involve a break in the journey to your final destination, but they differ in two ways: duration and purpose.

The primary purpose of a layover flight is to allow passengers to switch planes, and typically doesn’t give you much time to explore the layover city. A stopover is more of an extended break in your journey that typically lasts from 1 to 7 days before you fly onwards to your final destination. It’s basically a multi-city trip - but with little to no extra cost. 

This can be a bit complicated to plan, but the trick is choosing an airline that includes a free stopover program in one of their hub cities. Some make the process super easy, while others make it tricky to find concrete information.

Luckily for you, we’ve already done the digging. Here are a few of our faves to get you started...

Iberia

How long? 

1-9 nights

Where? 

Madrid

What’s included? 

Hotel stay offers: Travelers can get up to 25% off Meliá hotel stays (including early check-in or late check-out upon request). There’s also a free bottle of Perrier-Jouet champagne in it for you if you book a stay at Casa Faraona, or an included breakfast and guaranteed upgrade at the Rosewood Villa Magna Hotel.

Free public transport: All travelers are entitled to free transportation on metro, light rail, and urban and intercity buses for 2 days. Find more details here.

Discounted activities and attractions: Promotions include a complimentary dinner at a flamenco show, 20% off museums and up to 50% off theme park tickets. Find a full list of offers here.

How to book?

Iberia has a designated stopover page where you’ll enter in your route and travel dates as normal. Then you can choose whether to have the stop on your outbound or return leg, as well as how many nights you’d like to spend there. 

After You Land

You’ve got the entirety of Spain at your fingertips by flying into Madrid. But before making a beeline for one of hundreds of high-speed trains, allow a little time to explore Spain’s capital, starting with the classics: museums, parks, and palaces. 

Afterward, pick a platform and head for:

1. Salamanca: Bask in in the golden glow of this university town's famous sandstone architecture. There's something magical about wandering the streets of Salamanca. 

2. Burgos: Admire the jaw-dropping Gothic cathedral, meander along the picturesque riverfront, and soak up the laid-back aura of this historic northern treasure.

3. Zaragoza: Marvel at the stunning Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, dive into the city's rich Roman and Moorish tapestry, and savor the lively street life and mouthwatering local bites. It's considered Spain's best-kept secret, and we have to agree! 

4. Cuenca: Take in the gravity-defying hanging houses. These medieval structures, dating back to the 14th century, were originally built as summer houses for the royal family. Today, they are iconic symbols of the city

Fiji Airways

How long? 

1 - 4 nights 

Where? 

Nadi, Fiji

What’s included? 

Discounted resort packages: Fiji Airways’ stopover program includes resort packages in Nadi through partner properties like Landers Bay Resort, Crowne Plaza, Sofitel, Radisson Blue and more. Prices vary depending on the resort you choose but start from $226 per night (Shangri-La). Depending on the resort, you’ll get return airport transfers, all-inclusive food, boat transfers, and spa services. 

Discounted Activities: The airline also offers separate tours and activities at a discounted rate, including guided walking tours of Nadi, sailing trips, and cultural performances starting from $70. 

How to book?

To book a stopover with Fiji Airways you’ll need to book your trip as though it’s a multi-city, by clicking on the ‘Multi-city/Fiji stopover’ tab on its home page. For example, if you want your stopover on the outbound you’ll enter it in like this:

Home airport → Nadi → final destination and final destination → home airport

Or for the return leg, it would be like this:

Home airport → final destination and final destination → Nadi → home airport

After You Land

Nadi sits on the island of Viti Levu, and is a pretty big city by island standards. Luckily, they've got a great public transportation system, with trips around the island costing about a dollar. Highlights include the city's charming markets, Sabeto Hot Springs, and the Garden of the Sleeping Giant.

A hike up Mount Tomanivi (the highest peak in Fiji) is a must. A playlist of parrot calls and out-of-this-world views await anyone whomakes the 3-hr summit to the top. For something a little easier, you've got the choice of the Namosi Highlands or Colo-i-Suva Forest Park – both have gorgeous waterfalls and heaps of hiking trails. 

Read Navigator Larissa’s tips on Fiji beyond the resort here; it’s packed with helpful itinerary ideas for making the most of your time in the country. 

Turkish Airlines

How long?

20 hours - 7 days 

Where? 

Istanbul

What’s included? 

Free hotel stay: Economy passengers are entitled to a 1-night stay in a 4-star hotel, and business class passengers are entitled to 2 nights in a 5-star hotel or boutique. Breakfast included!

How to book?

To book a stopover with Turkish Airlines, go to the airline’s homepage as normal and click on ‘Stopover in Istanbul’ under the ‘Flight’ tab. There you can enter in your itinerary, select which leg to stopover on, and for how many days.

Note: The free hotel stay won’t be added automatically when booking your trip. Once you’ve completed booking, you’ll need to enter in your information on the airline’s stopover page and make an application at least 72 hours before the flight.

Keep reading for tons more airlines with great stopover programs, as well as a few we think you can skip...

Answered by Katy

Katy is a budget travel aficionado who has a