​

Hello Reader,

Ugh—I sort of hated typing that subject line and putting the words grateful and black Friday in the same sentence. Sorry. However, there is room to hold both inside of me, which is why I decided to leave the subject line and send this email.

I'm getting ready to hop on a plane on the busiest travel day in the US to spend a few days with family in South Dakota. I'm going to take the advice that I provided recently on a local radio show and go to the airport early. I will be patient and just enjoy the hustle and bustle of the airport before the holiday. I'm also likely going to have a few cocktails. :)

Gratefulness

Have you ever thought - I want to be a nicer, kinder more positive person? I think that all the time, but it seems like I never follow through with all my ideas and thoughts because I'm too busy. Busy-ness is a disease...a pandemic of sorts and I want to put effort into not letting it dictate me. So in that vein - I want to say how grateful I am for all of you. I don't know you, you probably only occasionally open these emails I send you - but I see you, and I'm grateful for you and your interest in travel and living an extradinary life. If it weren't for you, I would lack purpose and joy. Thank you for being here and being a traveler. And put quite simply - thank you for following my life and travels. I hope you get as much value from following me as I get immense value out of it.

Black Friday

Buckle up...Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Women Led Wednesday, Small Business Saturday...it's exhausting. I feel like pretty soon we will have commerce day named for every day in December. I actually remember when Black Friday was only a term known by the retail industry insiders...and now...this.

Regardless - there are some great travel deals out there right now AND some great deals on brands that I love. So I"m jumping on the BlackCyber Week Express and going to share some with you below.

If you are traveling for the holidays - be patient, safe travels, and enjoy the food, drink, and loved ones! Drop me a reply and let me know what you are doing for Thanksgiving!

Happy Travels!

​

Game-Changing Travel Gifts You Didn’t Know Existed

Gift a Local Tour Guide!

For the independent travelers in your life, consider this cool travel experience gift – a local tour guide! Tours By Locals makes it easy to find reliable, experienced, and inspiring local tour guides in 190 different countries. It’s a way to craft your own unique tour and do what you want to do on your timeline. I used them on a recent trip to Merida, Mexico, and they were the highlight of our entire trip! You can simply get your traveling friend a Tours By Locals gift card and then let them choose the guide they want to hire! Check out all the destinations they cover here.​

Gift a National Parks Pass

There's nothing better than visiting our National Parks! This is a perfect gift for the outdoor explorer in your life! Why go to just one park when you can go to them all!

Scrubba Travel Laundry

This is my new favorite piece of travel gear for 2025! Scrubba wash bag allows a machine-quality wash anywhere in just minutes. With the Scrubba bag, I can say goodbye to hotel sink laundry! The bag has the washing instructions printed on it; all you need is water and some soap. It also doubles as a dry bag! Being able to do a few pieces of laundry while traveling means you can pack fewer clothes, travel lighter, and save money on laundry!

Self Cleaning Travel Washcloth

Is this a weird gift...yes it is - but I freaking love it. Trust me when I say that this is one of my favorite essential but cheap travel gifts. I personally am a washcloth person, and I don’t like to use the ones in hotels with liquid soap (which you frequently find in a hotel room). But this gem is really tiny and weightless and suds up so easily with just a little drop of liquid soap! The best part is that it’s completely odor-free and super fast drying, plus it has the texture of a loofah sponge. A little gentle exfoliation never hurt anyone on the road! It’s great for camping trips and backpacking too.
​

Phone Strap

For some reason this phone strap phenomonen hasn't really arrived in the US yet - but after seeing it in other parts of the world I decided to try it and I love it! Never be in fear of dropping or losing your phone again while on vacation! I used carry my phone in my pocket when I traveled – but I was always in fear of it getting stolen or dropping it somewhere in nature where I would lose it…like off a kayak! Secure your valuable phone around your neck or slung as a cross body with this cool phone strap. It’s easy to use and ‘install’ – It secures through your phone case

​

Black Friday Deals

Here's deals on some of my favorite brands I use for travel.

Vim and Vigr Compression Socks - buy 2 get one free + free shipping
​My favorite compression sock company with cutest designs. Good for long flights or car trips, recovery after hiking/cycling, and any time you are on your feet for a long time.

Cotton Carrier - 25% off sitewide​
If you are a photographer and adventurer - this harness is the perfect solution to carry your camera but still remain agile and hands free. Or great for people who want to carry a camera and distribute the weight evenly on your shoulders.

Oboz Hiking Boots - 25% off​
I've been using Oboz hiking boots, travel shoes, and winter boots for the last 8 years and I love them. This is a great chance to get a de3al on the Bridgers or winter boots that I love!

Peak Design - 20% off​
Some of the best camera backpacks and sling bags! They are always innovating and creating sleek comfortable camera carrying solutions!

Wallaroo Hats - 30% off​
Protect yourself from the sun and look great doing it! Check out the new Wallaroo hats for 2025! Runs Nov. 29 - Dec. 1

Ireland Walk Hike Bike - 15% off Guided Hiking Tours​
This is the company I utilize when I run my tours in Ireland - they are awesome and they are local - which I love. They are offering 15% off their tours for 2025 for a limited time!

All Trails Hiking App - 50% off AllTrails ​
Just $35.99 $17.99 for one year - A great gift for the hiker in your life! Download offline maps, get alerts for wrong turns, and utilize live tracking for safety.

​

Ottsworld Tours

​Women's Hiking Tour in Nepal​

Dates: September 16 - 29, 2025
Cost: $2790 ( $400 Deposit)
Max People: Women Only

This trip is going to be epic! If you have ever wanted to travel with me - this will be a great opportunity to experience my favorite travel style - active adventure travel. However - I don't think this is all just hiking in the world's most majestic mountain range. It's also loaded with cultural opportunities to interact directly and learn about the Nepalese culture. We'll have local female guides and will be hiking through small communities where you can learn about how they live daily and understand their spirituality. You'll gain a unique insight into Nepali women's lifestyle. This really is an incredible opportunity, and I hope you'll consider joining me! If you are on the fence about it, don't hesitate to contact me, and I'll be happy to tell you more about it and answer your questions.

​

​

All of my other tours are full for 2025. However, next month, I will announce two new tours to Japan. Stay tuned!

Japan Hiking & Culture - Fall 2025
Japan Cat Themed Tour - Fall 2025

I was just in Japan last month doing the final research for these tours. I've got some incredible cultural and adventure experiences lined up in lesser known parts of Japan for these itineraries! Make sure you are signed up to receive my Ottsworld Tour emails here. to be the first to know of the Japan openings.

Ottsworld Blog Posts

I recently updated this article that lays out all of my favorite travel gear and gifts!

Ottsworld Travel Discounts

If you want to experience Ireland but couldn't make one of my tours this year - check out Ireland Walk Hike Bike - they do custom tours, group tours, and self-guided itineraries through the west coast of Ireland! Use code OttsWorld2023 for 5% off their offerings.

Get $100 off at Adventure Life on your next custom trip anywhere in the world. Just tell them Ottsworld sent you!

Get 5% off your Patagonia travels with my friends at Chile Nativo! They will be running my Patagonia ebiking trip and I love them! Use code Ottsworld for 5% off ANY of their regular, non-custom programs (including W hiking and puma tracking).

If you plan a trip to Japan, check out OKU Japan for its incredible multiday hikes and cultural activities in lesser-known areas. Get a 5% Discount for people using code OTTSWORLD5.

​​​​​

If you've been finding value in these newsletters and the info I've been sharing, please forward this along to any travel-loving friends whom you think might find them useful!

Use these helpful links to book your next trip:

• Get my Free ebook Where to Go & When​
• Read through my 99 Travel Tips before you go
• Book your travel insurance with the company I use, Allianz Travel Insurance​
• Check out my Gear Shop on my Amazon Store​

Did you know that you can get my blog posts into your inbox as soon as they are published? Click here to sign up!​!​

This newsletter contains some affiliate links. If you choose to purchase items through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.