Happy Birthday Itchy Feet plus a BLACK FRIDAY deal
Welcome to Season 2 of travel inspiration
Hi, my good friend.
Welcome back to Itchy Feet, a Travel-Inspired Newsletter.
As always, it’s a treat to have you here with me for the next five minutes.
Before we get rolling on today’s post, I have something VERY special to share.
(Reading time: 6 minutes)
1. Itchy Feet is officially 1-years-old
Yep!
November 27 marked one year since I hopped on the newsletter train.
It’s been a wild ride and I’m extra thankful this year because your readership has kept this project afloat.
So, Thank you, thank you, and thank you.
I have more special announcements:
2. Itchy Feet has been RENEWED for Season 2:
After a long discussion with the writer, newsletter manager, and owner (me), Itchy Feet is coming back for a second season of travel inspiration.
Writing a newsletter is fun.
But it’s also been a lot of work to stay consistent.
My creative juices have at least one more season left!
Love and support from my wife, readers, and fellow writers kept the ship sailing.
Season 2 will be a lot of fun.
2. There will now be a chat for everyone
One of the coolest features of Substack is the group chat feature.
I experimented with an exclusive chat for premium members only during the first season of Itchy Feet.
The results were mixed, so to be more inclusive, I’m launching a group chat for everyone.
The goal will be to spark connections between readers and hopefully grow more of an Itchy Feet community.
Check it out here:
3. Itchy Feet’s premium fees are going up.
Season 1 of Itchy Feet was mostly free. Season 2 will also be mostly free, but the goal is to add better content.
I also plan on improving the quality of my paid content. There will be more deep dives into relevant travel topics. I plan to post more this year.
So, premium Itchy Feet (access to EVERYTHING) is now $6 per month or $60 per year.
If you feel like upgrading to first class, I’ve got a great deal for you!
4. BLACK FRIDAY deal: Get a lifetime of Itchy Feet for 50% OFF
If $6 per month or $60 per year sounds a little steep, then you’re in luck.
In the spirit of the holiday season, I’m offering premium access to Itchy Feet for half off.
This deal goes into effect TODAY and runs for one week (until December 6)
That’s $30 OFF a year of travel inspiration. Woohoo!
🚨➡️ Take advantage of this steal of a deal here ⬅️🚨
4. A Thank You gift: A free city guide
I offer Trip Coaching on top of writing this newsletter.
As an extra Thank You for one year, I’m offering a free city guide to 3 people.
🤝 This is how it works: Respond to this email, send me a DM, or comment at the bottom of this post a city or town you want to visit, and I’ll write you a mini travel guide of what to Do, See, and Eat in that destination.
However, I’m only offering this to subscribers.
If you want it, sign up and be one of the first 3 people!
5. New content ideas coming this season
I have a lot of different ideas for this year. Some are a podcast, Itchy Feet en Español, and more interviews.
6. Ok, let’s get to it! (Thanksgiving Special Edition)
In case you missed it, the last edition of Itchy Feet was an exclusive interview with fellow Substack travel writer
.Click the link below to read it:
This week, let’s get festive. (Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrated!)
🤲 Did You Know?
You can give thanks to Abraham Lincoln for making Thanksgiving a national holiday. However, you also have to thank Sarah Josepha Hale.
Born in 1788, Hale was an influential writer, poet, and activist in the US.
In 1837, she became the editor of Godley’s Lady Book magazine. This became her platform to promote important causes like the end of slavery.
She also pushed for a national day of Thanksgiving. Up until then, only the Northeast celebrated the holiday.
Hale wrote to Lincoln directly, asking him to consider a national holiday.
This was in 1863, at the peak of the bloody Civil War raging throughout the country.
Sources say her persuasive letter was a major deciding factor in declaring a national day of Thanksgiving. Therefore, people call Hale the “Grandmother of Thanksgiving.”
Also: Sarah Josepha Hale wrote the famous children’s poem “Mary Had a Little Lamb."
Refer one friend: Get a Free Solo Travel Check-list PDF
Refer three friends: The PDF plus a personalized mini-city guide (written by me, you choose the city!)
Refer six friends: Both of these, plus a free 30-minute travel planning call with me
Use this link to begin referring folks to Itchy Feet. Thanks for helping this publication grow.
🎏 Culture Corner
The United States isn’t the only country with a national Thanksgiving holiday.
According to Wikipedia, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Liberia, and Norfolk Island also have some form of national Thanksgiving holiday.
In Liberia, Thanksgiving falls on the first week of November.
This year it was celebrated on November 7, 2024. In fact, the West African nation has been celebrating since 1883.
This happened when the tradition was brought back to Liberia by freed slaves and people of color from the United States who moved back home.
The Daily Meal says typical dishes include roasted chicken, green bean casserole, and mashed cassava. However, feasting isn’t always the focus. For some, it’s more about relaxing, while for others it’s a religious holiday.
🌆 Fun Things to Do in Plymouth, Massachusetts
400 years ago, in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, the first unofficial Thanksgiving took place between members of the Wampanoag Tribe and English Pilgrims.
According to Rome2Rio, this coastal New England town is 40 miles south of Boston. In 2017, I spent a few days here for the wedding of my good buddy Chris (who subscribes to this newsletter!) and Caitlin.
If I were to go back, here’s what I’d do:
Get your historical landmark fix: There’s no shortage of historical landmarks around Plymouth. The most famous sites include Plymouth Rock, Jabez Howland House, and the National Monument to the Forefathers.
Visit the Mayflower II: Located at the Plymouth Patuxet Museum, the Mayflower II lets you relive the experience of the original Pilgrims. The Mayflower II, built in 1957, offers daily tours.
Eat a lobster roll: Nestled along Cape Cod, Plymouth is a seafood destination. You've got plenty to choose from: oysters, lobster, fried fish, or clam chowder. Wood’s Seafood, the Cabbyshack, and Lobster Hut are the three top-rated lobster roll joints according to Google.
The Plymouth Waterfront Festival: There are many family-friendly festivals in Plymouth to enjoy throughout the year. If you’re going to any festival, you’ll want to be near the historic waterfront. The Plymouth Waterfront Festival usually happens in August and features duck races, live music, and over 200 craft vendors.
Escape to Myles Standish State Forest: You can go camping, hike (13 miles of trails), picnic, ride horses, or frolic on a lake at the Myles Standish State Forest.
Ok friend, that’s it for this week. Thank you for supporting Itchy Feet for 1 year! I am deeply humbled to be back for Season 2.
Much love,
-Daniel
Instagram / X / YouTube / Trip Coaching
P.S. Next week, I’m going to be on my honeymoon.
I will be traveling with my wife next week. An Itchy Feet post is coming next Friday, but it’s from the archives of previous travel writing.
P.S.S. If you liked this post, please share it. It supports my writing. Thanks! ♻️
Happy Birthday to itchy Feet Daniel!! Congratulations! A job well done!!!