This Summer’s Secret Travel Hack: Klarna

June 4, 2024

Summer is here and it is predicted to be another record-breaking year in terms of the number of people traveling. I feel like I’ve been hearing this for the last three years! And yet what is different is how consumer preferences have changed: all that pent-up demand of overly zealous travelers has calmed as people are being more thoughtful in their choices, looking for more flexibility and spontaneity, and the travel industry is about to see that shift.

Klarna, the AI powered global payments network and shopping assistant, conducted a survey focused on consumer travel habits and trends, and according to the findings, 97% of people will travel this summer (the majority of these travelers will be Baby Boomers and Gen X), but the cost of living crisis is affecting summer travel plans with consumers being more sensitive when choosing where to spend their money. As such, consumers are planning to travel to locations closer to home with 71% planning to vacation in their home country, 22% will take a shorter trip this year, 32% will look for cheaper accommodations, and 25% will look for more affordable transportation options.

Beyond that, other trends I’ve noticed are that travelers are looking to escape the heat by heading north and planning “coolcations,” while also looking for more “quietude” destinations to escape the hustle and bustle of typical hot spot destinations. Scandinavia has seen a surge in bookings this summer because of its “quietude” and more moderate climate. For instance, Norway is one of this summer’s hottest…I mean coolest destinations.

So this summer I’ve partnered with Klarna, a game changer for smart shopping and interest-free payments, to help you travel smarter and make the most of your travel budget. From booking flights and accommodations to travel essentials, Klarna is a one-stop-shop for traveling this summer – Klarna works with over 500k+ merchant partners like Airbnb, Expedia, Bookings.com, Hotels.com, and Uber to provide flexible payment options, making travel expenses more manageable.

Fun fact: With Klarna, travelers can split their payments into four interest-free payments over 6 weeks, alleviating the burden of paying for travel-related purchases. Klarna’s Pay in 4 flexible payment option is a great alternative to traditional credit cards when booking travel, which typically accrue high interest rates. Additionally, Klarna’s Search & Compare feature allows travelers to compare prices on all their travel needs and get the best available deal before making a purchase – it even has a money manager tool that enables consumers to set a personal limit on their spending to stay within their budget!

Given the findings from Klarna’s travel report and current travel trends, I’ve curated a summer travel itinerary featuring the best on and off-the-beaten-path spots to eat, experience, and stay on Route 2: the Great Northern, which is the perfect answer for all travelers’ current woes.

I’ve also curated my list of top essentials to take on any trip which you can easily shop for in my collection on Klarna.

Klarna transforms the way we think about booking travel by offering interest-free payments when you pay in 4 and empowering adventurers to book spontaneously AND responsibly. It’s the ultimate travel hack!

And now for your next “coolcation” with quietude.

U.S. Route 2: The Great Northern Road

You could start East in Maine and head west or start West in Washington and head East. I’m starting west as the state of Washington really kicks off what is going to be an automotive odyssey driving through stunning landscapes from dense forests, mountain peaks to an expanse of high desert. Washington is one heck of a way to start!

Travelers note: In every state you travel through, always make certain all your luggage or anything valuable is in your trunk or cannot be seen by looking in your car.

Washington

Seattle –This is most likely the city you will be flying into to begin your journey. Here are a few of my favorite spots to enjoy that will make a great bon voyage!
Walk the Waterfront Park – Walk along Elliot Bay with views of Puget Sound and the snowcapped (even in summer) Olympic Mountains. Start at Pikes Place Market and just keep walking you’ll encounter busy public piers, quiet lawns, playgrounds, and outdoor sculpture parks.
Ivar’s Acres of Clams – This is the last you’ll see of seafood from the source until you hit Maine so make the most of it. Ivars has been a Seattle institution since 1939. Their Waterfront location and wild caught seafood makes for a perfect celebratory meal.
Big John’s PFI – Family owned since 1971. Stock up on international and eclectic road snacks you know you won’t see for at least four states.
Inn at the Market – The hotel feels like a secret and peaceful hideaway with quick access to most of Seattle’s top attractions including Pikes Place Market and the Waterfront.
Snohomish – Great town to stop and stretch those legs. Snohomish is a treasure-hunting mecca, home to more than 150 stores! Star Center Mall is the largest at 5 floors and 200 dealers.
Stevens Pass Greenway – Part of Route 2 this 90 mile National Scenic Byway allows you to “Pass” up to an elevation of 4,000 feet. All along the way are soaring mountain peaks, waterfalls and old growth forests.
Leavenworth – An international twist to a classic American road trip, Leavenworth is a small village located in the mountains where all the buildings are Bavarian in architecture.
The Nutcracker Museum – This charming quick stop has 9,000 nutcrackers, or 20 more than your mom. Some go back centuries.
München Haus –The Big Bobs Bratwurst and a soft Bavarian pretzel. Vegans will be happy to know they have Beyond sausage.
Cave B Estate Winery in Quincy – Makes sense to enjoy a winery in a state known for them. At Cave B All 25 of their wines are 100% sourced from their Cave B vineyard, super local. In 2023, Winemaker Freddy Arredondo was awarded “Top 4 WA Winemakers” by the Seattle Wine Awards.
Spokane – The place to be is Riverfront Park no matter what your age or ability is. It has a carousel, a SkyRide over the Spokane River, and a waterfall – a 40,000 sq feet playground with a three story slide tower and splash pad as well as the Providence Playscape, an all-inclusive playground that supports physical, social and sensory needs.
Montvale Hotel – Spokane’s oldest and most historic hotel. Centrally located in the arts and entertainment district and walking distance to the Riverfront. The unique second floor lobby has a cozy old world feel with leather club chairs, go over your itinerary and map with a glass of wine and call it a night.