I Launched a Free Newsletter

If you know me in real life or could surmise from my regular patronizing of Polish milk bars over the last two months, the sharp vicissitudes of fortune have been cast over Big Body. Like Thackery Binx in the early-90s Halloween classic Hocus Pocus (love Bette Midler) when the Sanderson sisters cast a spell over him in 1693, turning him into an immortal black cat. 

And like Binx, I’m also unsure if I’ll make it back to my previous form or remain destined to subsist only off of milk and tins of tuna fish (with the occasional watered-down lager or swig of street wine). 

So, I’ve launched a free newsletter for Pale Ale Travel. Yes, free, $0. Just to clarify, I didn’t do this because I’m living my personal mid-thirties Dickensian dream (nightmare?). Simply put, Big Body has a lot of time on his hands and this is one of those rare opportunities in life where I can dive head first into something I’ve always wanted to do (and bet on myself) – and that’s create until I can’t create no mo’. 

You can subscribe here:

Or, you can check things out first over at: https://palealetravel.beehiiv.com/ 

Pale Ale Travel Note: I’ll be back in Hong Kong by the end of August, so expect lots of Asia-related. 

What to Expect With My 2x Weekly Pale Ale Travel Newsletter

Loved walking by this every single night during my month in Warsaw.

To begin, this is a 2x weekly newsletter (Monday, Wednesday) that emphasizes short, digestible travel write-ups, such as: 

1. Destination spotlights (a new one each week!), 
2. Snappy restaurant, cafe, and bar features, and 
3. Assets…lots of assets. Travel itineraries, eating guides, restaurant mega-docs, travel checklists, and more. 

Like this 9-Day Poland Travel Itinerary that comes with a downloadable PDF (similar to my Osaka Eats Cheat Sheet) – check your email for the PDF after subscribing. 

Here’s a little preview of what the first week looked like:

• #1: This 🇵🇱Polish City on the Baltic Should Be on Your Travel Bucket List⚓
• #2: You Won’t Go Hungry (or Thirsty) in 🇵🇱Poland With This Guide (100+ venues).

2x per week feels like a fair and manageable cadence that I can commit to and ensure I’m continuing to put out informative, actionable content that you look forward to (and use) and I’m proud of. 

Oh, There’s an Accompanying Blog

I’m starting to physically resemble a pierogi even more than before thanks to two-plus months in Poland.

I’ve also built out an accompanying blog for this newsletter. You can find the complete archive here: https://palealetravel.beehiiv.com/. 

Similar to the newsletter, it’s filled (and will continue to be filled) with concise, short write-ups that don’t quite fit the bill for one of my superfluous (yet quirky) 3,000-word write-ups on the main blog. 

There are videos as well. I’ve been expanding and making a conscious effort to put out more visual content that allows you to get the “gist” of what you need to know about a place, experience, or establishment without having to sit down with several cups of tea and your best reading glasses.

Several posts I recommend checking out to begin with include:

• Polish Cuisine Heaven at These 3 Upmarket Eateries
• Where to Find 3 of Kraków’s Best Jagodzianki (Blueberry Sweet Buns)
• This Dutch Sandwich & Milk Bar Needs to Be on Your Amsterdam Bucket List

I’ve been writing every single day and am really proud of what I’ve put together.

Thank You For Your Continued Readership – It Means A Lot

A rare photo of Big Body (right) with with his brother (left – not the statue) in Gdańsk. The most memorable trip yet.

The reason I started Pale Ale Travel is to (hopefully) generate at least one little nugget of information that allows you to have a better vacation, trip, or move. 

I genuinely want to continue building a community of dedicated readers who are excited to open a weekly newsletter (even if it’s currently just my mother, brother, and one deskmate at my coworking office who tried to give me a shoulder massage once). 

I love writing. I love providing authentic commentary and tips about places or establishments I’ve actually been to and/or gourmandized at. And, I love receiving emails, comments, and feedback from you letting me know that you enjoyed trying a new restaurant (or food), were able to seamlessly ease into a workable routine, and felt more prepared for your new journey. 

Finally, don’t worry, this main Pale Ale Travel blog will still be rockin’ and roarin’. But it will continue to be a platform for long-form content. 

Thank you for your continued readership. It means a lot and motivates me to continue creating. 

I hope you join me on this ride. Once again, please never hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or topics about anything travel related. 

Travel well everyone,

Big Body