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Traveler influencers detained Iran

Two years ago, Jolie King and Mark Firkin embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. They dropped the daily grind, hopped in their Toyota truck, and began driving across continents. Since 2017, they documented their daily lives on The Way Overland — eating breakfast and camping in the truck, and hiking, surfing, and swimming in remote locations from Bali to Pakistan. Then, as The New York Times reported, in June of this year, their social media channels suddenly went dead.

Today, authorities have confirmed that the couple is being held in Evin Prison in Iran. They’ve been there for at least 10 weeks, and a fellow prisoner revealed that King, who has dual citizenship with Australia and Britain, has been in solitary confinement for much of that time. A third person, an academic also of Australian-British citizenship, is also being held at Evin.

Iranian authorities have not been forthcoming about why the couple were arrested, but one journalist in the country has reported that they were flying a drone in Tehran without a permit.

In a statement, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs vowed that it is working to secure the release of all three of its citizens currently being detained by Iran. Australia does warn its citizens to limit travel to Iran, citing concerns that they might be arrested for “attracting attention,” according to The New York Times.

The arrests coincide with a tense moment in relations between Iran and much of the West.

There’s still no word on when or if the couple will be released. King and Firkin originally hoped to arrive in the United Kingdom by Christmas.


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Seal helps bust drug ring Australia

Of all the ways you might expect to bust a drug smuggling operation, the assistance of a large seal probably wouldn’t crack your top 10, yet that’s what happened on Burton Island, a small island off the west coast of Australia.

When a yacht was found empty of occupants and dinghy on Stick Island, a search party was launched to find and rescue the troubled crew. The yachters, French and British nationals, were, however, not in trouble at sea, but on nearby Burton Island, allegedly hiding over $688 million worth of cocaine, ecstasy, and methamphetamine under seaweed.

When they were spotted trying to allegedly hide from the rescue aircraft looking for them, authorities made their way to Burton Island and pursued the pair. As the suspects were trying to escape the police and get to their dinghy, they woke up a huge bellowing seal who blocked their way.

Damien Healy, Geraldton Volunteer Marine Rescue Service vice commander, said, “The guys basically had the choice of going through the seal or getting arrested and they ended up choosing to get arrested.”

In addition to the two men aboard the yacht, three others who had been awaiting the delivery have been arrested as well.

Forty bags containing up to one ton of illicit drugs were found on the island.


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Fighter jets nearly collided

Skydiving is nerve-wracking enough without having to worry about getting hit by low-flying planes, but that’s exactly what happened to two skydivers in the UK. The pair got much too close to two US fighter jets when the F-15s mistakenly flew over a parachuting site in Cambridgeshire, England.

The jets passed right underneath the two skydivers. It was later revealed that the pilots were not made aware of the skydiving center as they should have been.

According to a report by the UK Airprox board, which monitors events in British airspace, “The controller believed he would have plenty of time to change the heading of the F-15s when they came on frequency. However, the frequency became busy just as they transferred [from one air traffic control to another] and so by the time the F-15 pilots checked in with the controller they were already about to fly over Chatteris.”

Several skydiving centers are based in the Chatteris airfield, a fact that pilots should have been made aware of.

Although the board was unable to determine exactly how close the jets came to colliding with the skydivers, the incident was still classified in the second-highest danger category. As reported by The Guardian, one of the parachutists was wearing a GoPro camera on their helmet and recorded the jets flying underneath them as they were falling at 120 mph.


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Air New Zealand angers Māori people

Much like LeBron James’ recent pursuit to trademark the phrase “Taco Tuesday,” this attempted trademark isn’t going over so well. Air New Zealand is ruffling feathers by trying to trademark an image of the words “kia ora,” which is the name of its in-flight magazine and, more importantly, the Māori greeting for hello.

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Although it’s only attempting to trademark “particular stylised forms” of the word, rather than the word itself, the Māori people believe the words belong to them and that any trademark attempt is akin to cultural appropriation. The Māori Council has even vowed to take the arline to court if it moved forward with the trademark, calling it “an insult to all Māori and New Zealanders.”

According to intellectual property rights expert Maui Solomon, the airline is going too far. “They’ve already appropriated the koru [fern] symbol for the airline many years ago […] They are overreaching.”

However, since the words are a common greeting between all New Zealanders, and are often used by a variety of government and private entities, the trademark is unlikely to be approved.

This week is Māori language week in New Zealand.


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The post Air New Zealand’s attempt to trademark indigenous greeting angers Māori people appeared first on Matador Network.

What to order at Plant City

It feels a little strange eating a vegan pepperoni pizza in an old strip club.

In a place where smoke and strippers once ruled, I’m face deep in a pizza made with dairy-free macadamia nut ricotta, calabrian chili, and meat-free agave fennel sausage. The sweet and spicy pie seems like the best $20 anyone ever spent in this spot.

My pepperoni pizza comes from from Double Zero, one of two upstairs restaurants in Plant City, the first plant-based food hall in the world. It’s the brainchild of Providence plant-based investor Kim Anderson and chef Matthew Kenney, who’ve put four of the chef’s most popular restaurants in a classic old brick building near the Providence River.

At one time, the building housed an old-school steakhouse and a strip club. Now you’ll find offshoots of Double Zero — an Italian concept — Bar Verde (Mexican), Make Out Café (DIY bowls and baked goods), the first New Burger, and a Nitro coffee shop. Together, the restaurants aim to show the world that a plant-based diet can be just as delicious as a traditional one, and far better for the planet.

“All the transportation globally combined doesn’t equal the greenhouse gasses from animal agriculture,” Anderson says as we sit outside on Plant City’s sprawling patio. “So if you’re going to be involved in trying to reduce climate change, you need to show people sustainable food can be beautiful and delicious and served in a really cool environment.”

Photo: Plant City

Her goal is working. After opening its doors in June, Plant City welcomed over 110,000 guests in just 10 weeks. And most of them weren’t vegans.

“It’s an idea whose time has come,” says Plant City’s executive chef Luis Jaramillo, who helmed the Ecuadorian favorite Fifty in Manhattan before coming onboard with Plant City. “Day after day I’d say 70 to 80 percent of the people we get in here are not plant-based eaters. It’s extraordinary.”

Still, news of a plant-based food hall spread quickly in the vegan community, and it’s become a major destination for those on an animal-free diet.

“For about an 80-mile radius, plant-based eaters drew a circle around this place as somewhere they needed to go,” Anderson says. “Our first weekend we had a gentleman fly in from Colorado who told us ‘Do you understand? I’ve been plant based for 20 years and I’ve been waiting for this.’ He got a hotel room and stayed three days because he wanted to try everything.”

An unlikely place for the mothership of plant-based eating

Photo: Plant City

Providence, with its rich Italian history and a food culture based on rich red sauces and hanging pork products, doesn’t immediately seem like a place where locals would flock to a vegan food hall. But Anderson, a Providence native who knew Kenney through investments in plant-based businesses, envisioned this concept for her hometown.

“I would come home [from New York’s] Double Zero and say ‘oh I wish I had that lasagna,’” she says. “So I decided why don’t we take [Kenney’s] four or five best restaurants that we love and put them in this gorgeous building and show people what plant-based food can be.”

What it can be, at least at Plant City, is a big, bright space full of colorful foods that are, in many cases, better than the meat-based counterparts. The ground floor is illuminated by big windows and light wood, and in addition to food stalls, the area has a small plant-based grocery store with over 650 items.

The upstairs is the antithesis of its pole-dancing past: an open-kitchen restaurant that exudes cleanliness and class. The whole place gives off a California vibe of health and light one might not expect deep in New England.

Photo: Plant City

On a late-summer Monday, the crowd doesn’t look particularly plant-based either. A table of men in suits look to be taking a lunch break over bowls from Make Out. A few tables of women are enjoying white wine and vegan pastas. A couple sits with their dog splitting a big plate of nachos and flavored mineral water.

“People aren’t afraid,” says Jaramillo. “It’s still all based on flavor. They’re made with the same passion a meat chef will bring to his steak. So this may not be your typical steak, but you have the same sensation of having an outstanding dish. Just be open-minded and think of everything that comes with eating plant-based.”

After my plant-based feast I wasn’t exactly looking for another meal, but I didn’t feel like I was going to slip into a food coma either. Not that I’m converting to veganism anytime soon — I still ventured into Federal Hill later in the night for chicken parm — but it did show me that cutting meat out is not only possible, but probably preferable. And if this is what plant-based eating looks like in 2019, it’s not an unappealing option.

What to order at Plant City, the world’s first plant-based food hall

During the course of my afternoon at Plant City, I ate a cheeseburger, nachos, pepperoni pizza, a burrito, lasagna, a pop-tart, and a chocolate croissant. In a traditional restaurant, I would have left with an aching stomach. At Plant City, I left feeling pretty good.

Photo: Plant City

Bar Verde: The plant-based nachos from Bar Verde use corn chips shortened with oil instead of lard. It’s covered with a cashew crema that tastes more like a warm, light milk, and a butternut squash cheddar that gives a sweet, creamy flavor instead of a punch-you-in-the-face cheddar. I finished half the plate and didn’t feel even a little bit gross.

The scenic highlight of the meal was the burrito from Bar Verde which, frankly, tastes pretty much exactly like a vegetarian burrito you’d get at any burrito shop, except the mole and cheese dripped on top are plant based. If you’re just dipping your toes into the world of veganism, this is the perfect dish to start with.

Photo: Plant City

Double Zero: After the nachos I went for pizza, which had calabrian chilis that gave off enough heat to satisfy. The macadamia ricotta doesn’t add the gooey, cheesy consistency some love in a pizza, but between that and the agave fennel faux-pepperoni it makes for a spicy, saucy pizza that isn’t even a little bit greasy. An ideal choice for pizza-dabbers.

Calling the sun-dried tomato lasagna a lasagna was a bit of a stretch, in that it had no noodles or meat and looked a little more like an artfully-layered cucumber salad. Nonetheless, sun-dried tomato marinara is exactly as complex and smoky as it sounds, and when combined with the sweetness of a pistachio pesto and cool cucumbers it creates fantastic flavor mix in your mouth.

Photo: Plant City

New Burger: The classic cheeseburger was the third item I tried. The reduced grease in both the vegetable patty and the butternut cheddar makes it smell savory instead of fatty. When biting in I got actual flavors — like the spices used in the patty and the sauce — and not a mouth full of fat like I might at Shake Shack. The burger fell apart almost instantly, though, as Anderson said they opted not to use any fillers. So plan on eating this one more like a Sloppy Joe.

Photo: Plant City Providence/Facebook

Make Out Café: The last things I tried were the plant-based chocolate croissant and pop tart, which have apparently been a godsend for vegans around the country.

“A lot of folks that are plant-based gave up on ever having a croissant or a pop-tart again,” Anderson said as I licked plant-based chocolate off my fingers. “So when word got out that we were serving these a lot of people started making the trip here for them.”

The croissant actually tasted more buttery than some traditional ones I’ve had, and the pop tart didn’t immediately taste like preservatives, which was new. Either of these could pass as full of butter or lard, but thankfully they were not. Though they didn’t weigh me down, Anderson burst my bubble by telling me the calorie count was about the same as traditional pastries.


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The post An inside look at the world’s newest entirely plant-based food hall appeared first on Matador Network.

How to plan a romantic vacation

There’s more to a couple’s trip than turning up and hoping for the best. Squeezing the absolute most out of your vacation together takes creativity and commitment. Research shows engaging in new activities with your partner increases feelings of closeness, so if you do things right, you’ll learn a thing or two about each other and create positive shared memories that last long after your holiday tan fades. So whether you’re a brand-new item, celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary, or heading off with a toddler or three in tow, here are 10 surprising ways to make your baecation the most romantic yet.

1. Go somewhere cold.

Hot, sultry climates have long been touted as the go-to option for romantic vacations, but don’t believe the hype for a minute. Sure, slathering lashings of sunscreen over your other half’s sweaty back may well ignite amorous intentions for some, but have you ever tried city sightseeing in 90-degree heat? What about trying to find a restaurant when you’re both hangry and overheated? And the sweat… sexy if you’re Channing Tatum dancing in a garage, not so great when your hair’s plastered to your forehead, and you can’t lift your hands because your underarms are soaked.

Cold places are absolutely the way to go. The climate is much more sightseeing-friendly, the crowds are generally smaller (unless you’ve gone to Lapland) and you have ample opportunity to snuggle up by an open fire, which is way more romantic than sitting on a beach surrounded by mosquitoes and drunk backpackers. Plus, colder places generally get dark earlier, which means you’ll have the perfect excuse to go to bed early if you catch my drift.

2. Pack a surprise gift for your other half.

People usually reserve gifts for seasonal holidays and birthdays, so imagine your partner’s delight when you whip out an impromptu treat the moment you arrive. It doesn’t have to be big, expensive, or fancy, it just has to be thoughtful, like a book you know they’ll love or something you can share together. Think a couples massage, a fancy coffee pack, or a chilled bottle of Champagne on arrival. If you’re stuck for ideas, throw your mind back to when you first started dating and see if there’s anything from your past you could gift, like framed photos from that time you went in a photobooth together. If you’ve just started dating, pick something thoughtful to help them enjoy the vacation better, like a one-of-a-kind scarf they can wear while sightseeing.

3. Make a mixtape.

Communication is a proven way to promote intimacy, but we often get swamped in discussing the boring day-to-day conversations about work and chores. Sometimes it’s tricky to change the subject and talk about something new — which is where a mixtape comes in (or since it’s no longer the ’90s, a Spotify playlist). Pack it full of all the tunes that mean something to you as a couple. Hearing a song from your past will trigger a memory, and you’ll both start reminiscing. As you chat, memories and feelings come flooding back, which helps you both connect and rekindle the romance.

Most people have at least one song they associate with the start of their relationship, but you can fill the mix with other tunes that were on the airwaves when you started dating. If you’re a brand-new couple, choose music you think you’ll both love and use the occasion to create your own soundtrack. Don’t forget to pack a mini speaker so you can play it in the evening over a glass of wine.

4. Learn some of the local language.

According to one survey from the language company Babbel in 2017, bilingual people are considered more attractive than people who speak just one language. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a slice of the action just because you slacked off during high-school French lessons. Learn a few key phrases and you’ll wow your other half, even if you’re just asking for the bill. It’s also a considerate move to at least try to communicate with the locals in their language, so not only are you impressing your other half, you’re being a good tourist.

A tip from someone who’s currently trying to learn to speak French? Confidence is key. Mumble your way through a sentence and it’ll be awkward for everyone when your audience responds with tu quoi? — so don’t be too ambitious here. Learn key phrases and belt them out with a smile. You may even find yourself on the receiving end of a complimentary after dinner shot for the effort.

5. Keep some secrets.

You could keep the entire getaway secret, which is a sure-fire way to impress your other half. If that seems like too much effort (or you’re rubbish at keeping secrets), then do something smaller, like plan a surprise day trip, a restaurant experience, or book one night in that fancy hotel you both decided against because it was too expensive. Pay attention to any hints they drop while planning your trip and you should have plenty of ideas for surprises. Just make sure you pay using your own account rather than the joint one because, firstly, they’ll see it on their statement and either guess your surprise or assume you’re having an affair. Secondly, it’s not so romantic if they have to pay for it themselves.

6. Go self-catering. Unless…

Forget expensive, busy hotels. Vacation rentals give you more flexibility. You’re not paying for room service or a breakfast buffet, so you can often choose somewhere bigger and more unique — like a modernist cabin or a treehouse. It also means you can have more freedom with mealtimes, not to mention more alone time together because you don’t have to see other guests or reception staff on a daily basis. Surprise your partner with breakfast in bed, or share a chilled bottle of bubbly on the balcony one evening while you listen to your playlist.

This said, self-catering isn’t for everyone. If the idea of cleaning up after yourself (or your other half) fills you with horror and sparks tension, then a boutique hotel or BnB is the better option. Unless you have kids, in which case, splash out on a romantic couples resort that specializes in entertainment for little ones, leaving you free to enjoy some alone time together without the guilt.

7. Plan an activity.

Novel experiences release dopamine. This means that after one exciting event, you’ll feel more open to trying new things and be in a better position to deal with itinerary hiccups or unforeseen events if they do occur. Hiking, volunteering, cooking classes, and sexy twister are all good choices because couples bond faster when they’re working together toward a shared goal as opposed to doing something passive, like sunbathing. And remember to acknowledge your partner’s ideas and plan together so you do something that you both enjoy. Unless it’s a surprise, in which case do your research.

8. Have sex (with purpose).

Away from the stresses of daily life, tension fades away and your mind is free to wander onto more libidinous topics — so grab the bull by the horns and approach your vacation sex with purpose. This means giving it the same degree of care and attention as everything else on your itinerary. Don’t just turn up, down a bottle of wine, and hope that it’ll be magical. While doing this a few times is fine, it’s not a sustainable approach because while booze increases desire, it decreases performance, enjoyment, and it’s a depressant, so make a concerted effort to limit your precoital alcohol intake. Planning also means making sure you pack the necessary accessories (lube and sex toys) and use vacation-induced adventurousness as an opportunity to try new things together.

9. Commit to vacation mode.

Vacations are all about fun and relaxation, but sometimes, taking the time to unwind is tough. The trick here is to get yourself into holiday mode before you set off. This means planning early, letting work know well in advance, setting up your out-of-office, and blocking your email account so you’re not tempted to peek while you’re away.

It’s also a great idea to really commit to the experience from the minute you check out of work. Have a nice dinner the night before, treat yourselves to a glass of wine on the plane, and look after yourself in those first few days by getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy, and staying off social media (which is proven to increase feelings of anxiety and takes your attention away from your other half). You should also actively avoid topics of conversation that pull you both back to the stresses of everyday life.

10. Leave the camera at home.

Bad news for Instagram addicts: A study from 2017 found that taking pictures prevents memories from sticking because you’re not focused on the events in front of you. Reminiscing over shared experiences helps you feel closer to your partner, so if you’re viewing your vacation through the lens of your camera, you could be limiting your ability to fully embody those moments.

It’s important to consider why you’re taking pictures. We’ve all seen (or been) those people who’re way too committed to getting that perfect shot even if it means battling crowds to get a photo that matches the one in the guidebook or spending way too long crouched in a squat to get just the right angle. In moments like this, you have to ask yourself: who is this for? Is your vacation for you or your followers? If social media is your business, then snap away — but that kind of dedication has no place in a couple’s trip. If the thought of no photos is unbearable, try to limit yourself. Agree to leave the camera in the room on certain days. Not only will this help you fully commit to the experience while you’re there, but you’re also showing your other half they’re all that matters to you at that moment.


More like this: 10 tips for your best-ever vacation sex

The post 10 surprising ways to make your baecation the most romantic yet appeared first on Matador Network.

What to see and do in Surfside

On the sliver of land across Biscayne Bay from Miami, Florida, lie the towns of Miami Beach and Bal Harbor. In between the two of them is tiny Surfside, with only 6,000 residents. It’s usually overshadowed by the energy of Miami Beach and, until recently, the swank shops of Bal Harbour.

But Surfside is a nice alternative to those two more traveled destinations, an option for adults and families who want a chill vibe away from the bustle of Miami, or anyone who’s into a little pampering, warm Atlantic waters, and a serene beach scene.

A glamorous history

Photo: Four Seasons at the Surf Club/Facebook

The city was incorporated in May of 1835 via the signatures of 35 members of the Surf Club, where the rich and famous gathered — and still do. Guests included Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner, Winston Churchill, and Dean Martin. The cream of the crop made their own little enclave, which emerged as a destination township after World War II.

In keeping with that posh history, Surfside’s motto is “Miami’s Uptown Beachtown.” And, indeed, just over two years ago the Four Seasons opened a hotel in Surfside called Four Seasons at the Surf Club. But a better descriptor of the beachside hamlet would be to call it a marriage of swank and sleepy, quaint and quirky.

Many of the residents are Orthodox Jewish, living in one-story, candy-colored homes three streets inland from the shore. However, you probably won’t get that far into the residential area. You’ll stay on the beach districts and the mile-long main street, which features nonstop restaurants, spas, and boutique shops. And just one block in from the sea are multi-story, mid-range to upscale spas, hotels, and condos overlooking an unobstructed white sand beach.

Community-oriented outdoor pursuits

Photo: Anton Mislawsky/Shutterstock

While Surfside still holds onto a bit of its glamorous vintage vibe, today it’s more focused on providing a healthy quality of life for residents, visitors, and the environment. One way it does that is promoting plenty of family-friendly, healthy activities for residents and visitors.

Next May will mark the third annual Paddletopia, where people of all ages can play for free on kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). There are yoga classes, street food vendors, book swaps, and crafty workshops for when you tire of water sports.

Following that, on the first four monthly Fridays of June through September, the town shows free, summery family films at the 93rd Street Beach. Every third Thursday from January to April, there’s a block party, which features activities from cooking demos to Zumba, on 95th Street between Collins and Harding Avenues.

You can also just relax on the wide white-sand beach that runs for a full serene mile, without commercial intrusion. The Atlantic water is warm and quite mellow. Walking and biking paths travel the length of the seaboard. A lifeguard is on duty outside the Community Center. It’s a truly idyllic place to relax, exercise, or both.

A haven for sea turtles

Photo: Heiko Kiera/Shutterstock

Surfside is also focused on what it calls its “most beloved residents,” the loggerhead sea turtles. Between May and November, during the turtles’ nesting season, Surfside keeps its street lights low and protects some areas of the beach. You might see adult and hatchling turtles on the shore.

A Sea Turtle Awareness program takes place in summer at the Crandon Park Visitors & Nature Center and at Haulover Park. There are even opportunities to work with rangers from Miami-Dade county to help release little turtle hatchlings into the sea. The county’s Sea Turtle Conservation program has seen more than a half-million hatchlings released into the sea since it was launched nearly four decades ago.

Strolling the Turtle Walk on 93rd Street between Collins and Harding Avenues, you’ll see Surfy and 12 other turtle sculptures, created by different local artists to pay homage to those well-loved creatures.

An eclectic mix of cuisines

Photo: Josh’s Deli/Facebook

Surfside features some of the United States’ most authentic and delicious kosher food spots outside New York City. That’s for good reason, as more than 2,500 of the 6,000 residents are of Orthodox Jewish heritage. A good place to try a classic deli with a modern edge is Josh’s Deli.

Nowadays, the town also has a booming multiethnic gastronomic scene. Beyond the posh restaurants in its oceanfront hotel, you can go for something a little more down to earth, like a Greek lamb burger or a salmon burger, at a place like Araxi Burger.

If you just want to cool off with a cold, frozen treat, try the house-made Latin American popsicles in flavors like coconut, dulce de leche (actually filled with more dulce de leche), or coffee filled with cream at Surfside’s branch of Morelia Gourmet Paletas.

Swank hotels and spas

Photo: Four Seasons at the Surf Club/Facebook

Surfside is home to some pretty stunning hotels, like Four Seasons at the Surf Club, which opened on New Year’s Eve in 1930 and has attracted famous guests from Elizabeth Taylor to the royal family to Sinatra. The hotel surrounds the jaw-dropping, famous Surf Club where the best-trained servers procure fancy-pants food and cocktails in the Champagne bar. The beachside Grand Beach Hotel Surfside is another upscale option, with ocean view suites and inspirational spa.

Even if you don’t shell out for these big hotels, stop in for a drink and the view. Regardless of where you stay, as long as you have a receipt from a licensed hospitality venue, every Surfside guest gets to use the Surfside Community Center. There, you’ll find a kids’ plunge pool, a lap pool, lots of 90-minute health and wellness classes — and the amenities are free. There’s also a solid on-site cafe and grill.

You could also just pop into a spa. Many of them dot elegant Surfside, which may be why locals look indisputably gorgeous. Surfside has the first Esmell salon outside Brazil. You can get your hair, makeup, or nails done by internationally recognized artists at Jean-Claude Biguine. There are medspas, barber shops, waxing studios… anything you need to try and look as good as the locals.


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The post Surfside, Florida, is a swank, sleepy escape a stone’s throw from Miami appeared first on Matador Network.

The best parks to visit in Philly

When outsiders think of Philadelphia, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, or maybe even the steps from Rocky may come to mind. They picture a big city where they can eat philly cheese steaks and visit the oldest indoor farmer’s market in the US.

What most people don’t know is that Philadelphia has one of the best park systems in the US, with over 10,000 acres of parks. With 95 percent of residents having a park within a 10-minute walk, the park system enhances the quality of life for everyone in the city. Philadelphia’s parks are imbued with history, ranging from the Revolutionary War to the Industrial Age, and continue to preserve the region’s natural beauty with their lakes, creeks, flora, and fauna.

Here’s a sampling of parks in and around the City of Brotherly Love to visit on your next trip.

1. Washington Square

Photo: Partigliani Photography/Shutterstock

Washington Square, a recognized national historical park, is just a block away from Independence Hall in Center City. It is one of five town squares laid out in 1682 by the surveyor for William Penn, Philadelphia’s founder. This park of over six acres is an oasis of green space in the heart of the city. Within its broad, tree-lined paths lies the monument of the “Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier.” The tomb was a mass grave for troops killed in the Revolutionary War, and it honors the soldiers and sailors of the Revolutionary War.

Before entering on the park’s western side, grab a cup of coffee or tea at the local Talula’s Daily — not to be confused with the famous sister restaurant, Talula’s Garden, next door — and go for a stroll around the interwoven walking paths of the park. Afterward, if you exit on the east side near Sixth and Walnut, you’ll see two additional massive green spaces that are part of Independence National Historical Park. After exploring these historic sites, you can continue walking down Walnut Street through Old City and stop at a secret green space known as the 18th century garden (between Third and Fourth Streets on Walnut Street).

2. Fairmount Park

Photo: Jorge Moro/Shutterstock

On the northwestern part of the city is the massive Fairmount Park. It’s the largest city park in Philadelphia, with over 2,000 acres of trails, historic mansions, landscapes, waterfront, lakes, and more.

Fairmount Park is split into an east and west side that are bisected by the Schuylkill River. Inside, there are lots of activities to choose from. You can go for a walk, jog, bike ride, or even go zip-lining. You can head over to the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, horticulture center, or even Philadelphia Zoo, which is part of the park.

Once you’ve explored those activities, you can watch rowers on the Schuylkill River with boathouse row in the background, admire the myriad public artworks or visit the museums throughout the park grounds. If you’re looking to stay through the evening, check to see if a concert is playing at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, a partially covered outdoor amphitheater.

3. Wissahickon Park

Photo: Aleksei Velizhanin/Shutterstock

Wissahickon Valley Park is a short 10-minute drive outside the city center of Philadelphia. Its 57 miles of trails are great for outdoor activities, including walking, mountain biking, and, once the snow falls, cross-country skiing. On some trails, you’ll even find off-road bikers and horseback riders — although permits are required for those activities.

If you’re looking for a flat walking trail, head to Forbidden Drive. In 2018, this trail was named Trail of the Year by Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation. You’ll feel transported as you walk along the path and admire the famous covered bridge and quaint Valley Green Inn. For a nice break, it can be relaxing to grab a warm meal at the inn’s porch or a refreshment at the near-by snack stand on the side of the inn. Call ahead to make sure they are open, as hours vary by time of year.

4. Rittenhouse Square Park

Photo: Jon Bilous/Shutterstock

Around the edges of Rittenhouse Square, you’ll find high-rise residences, an office building, restaurants, and luxury stores. In the square, tourists, residents, and workers gather to relax. Some hang near the reflecting pool, the park’s centerpiece; others sit on the edge of the oval plaza, eating their lunches or observing “Duck Girl,” a statue of a girl standing in the pool with a duck under her arms.

You can sit outside at Parc restaurant and enjoy a great meal and view of the park. If you go on a Tuesday or Saturday, you can usually stroll by the farmer’s market that is set up on the outer edge of the park. Enjoy the food as you walk around the park, sit on a bench, or stroll the nearby shopping district.

5. Rail Park

Photo: The Rail Park/Facebook

Phase One of the Rail Park, on the northern border of Philly’s Chinatown, opened in June 2018. The city has transformed an abandoned viaduct into an elevated park that runs a quarter of a mile. Eventually, the park will cover three miles of abandoned rail tracks, tunnels, and streets – and will be twice the length and twice the width of New York City’s High Line Park.

If you access it just off Broad Street on Noble Street, you’ll see a historic stamped-iron map that shows the factories, buildings, and rail routes that were central to the Industrial Age. It’s a unique park where you can relax on one of the giant bench swings that hang from steel girders and take in the cityscape.

6. Pennypack Park

Photo: Kyle Horvay/Shutterstock

Pennypack Park is a massive preserved green space that stretches nine miles across the northeastern section of Philadelphia and has plenty of trails for walking, jogging, and rollerblading. As you walk along the trails, you’ll see several historical sites, including the oldest stone arch bridge in the country, the Frankford Avenue Bridge. There are over 10 different entrances to the park, but not all feature parking, so be sure to visit one of the lots with parking if you’re going to drive.

7. Peace Valley Park

Photo: MJDownesphotos/Shutterstock

Peace Valley Park in Bucks County, north of Philadelphia, is less known than historic Valley Forge Park, also in Philly’s suburbs, but we’d recommend a visit. Its central attraction is Lake Galena. Covering 356 acres of the 1,500-acre park, the lake is an ideal spot to fish, rent a boat, or learn to sail.

If you’re more of a landlubber, you can walk or cycle along the 14 miles of paved and natural trails that wander through wildflower meadows, wetlands, and woods. Keep your eyes open for wildlife, wildflowers, and some of the 250 species of birds that frequent the park. For closer observation of aviary life, stop at the bird shelter.

For a learning experience, check out the Peace Valley Nature Center. It offers nature walks, moonlight hikes, and workshops. Finally, take a break at the picnic and playgrounds. When done, drive to the quaint downtown of Doylestown, a nearby suburb outside of Philadelphia.

8. Wintertime outdoor options

Photo: Alan Budman/Shutterstock

Most of the parks above are best visited during the warmer months when it’s not too cold — although, as we’ve mentioned, some like Wissahickon Park have cross-country ski trails. If you are in Philadelphia in winter, though, head to the more urban Dilworth Park, where you can go ice skating and explore its “Wintergarden” wonderland.

Or go to the Bluecross Winterfest on the Delaware River Waterfront, which is not part of the city or federal park system but is supported by a non-profit corporation. In summer you can rollerskate on the rink, but during Winterfest, you can ice skate, listen to music, warm up by the firepits, play in the arcades, and drink plenty of hot chocolate.


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Get paid to move to Molise in Italy

An extended vacation to Europe will usually set you back a couple of thousand dollars, but in this case, you’ll actually make money for spending time in Italy. The underpopulated Molise region in Italy is incentivizing people to move there by offering them $770 per month for three years. The only requirements are that the village must have fewer than 2,000 residents and the newcomer must promise to open a business.

In addition to paying new residents, the region will also pay each town $11,000 per month to put toward infrastructure and cultural activities. Beyond simply boosting the population, Donato Toma, president of Molise, explained to The Guardian that people also need “a reason to stay.”

Molise currently has a population of 305,000 and has seen a dramatic decline in recent years. Over 9,000 people have left the area since 2014, and 2,800 residents died or moved away in 2018 alone. This fall in population is largely due to a decrease in births — not a single birth was registered there in 2018 — and an increase in Italian immigration, particularly young people, to other European countries.


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The post This region in Italy will pay you over $25,000 to move there appeared first on Matador Network.

America suffers White Claw shortage

Well, America, are you happy? Your summer shenanigans on the boat, or the beach, or your own backyard, have depleted stocks of White Claw hard seltzer around the country. It was truly the summer of White Claw, now gone but memorialized forever on Instagram. At least the shortage didn’t start until the weather began to cool down.

Though I’m positive news of White Claw’s dwindling stocks sent some dedicated summer drinking enthusiasts spiraling (after all, it’s not cold quite yet), there’s no need to have a full scale panic attack yet: White Claw isn’t gone for good.

“We are working around the clock to increase supply given the rapid growth in consumer demand,” Sanjiv Gajiwala, White Claw’s senior vice president of marketing, said in a statement to CNN.

Though the company didn’t specify when it expected stocks to return to normal, you can rest assured that by the time the weather warms up again, your local liquor store will once again be carrying White Claw — probably even before.

Hard seltzer, and White Claw in particular, took over the alcoholic beverage industry this summer. According to CNN, sales of White Claw grew 283 percent this July alone. The fruit-flavored carbonated beverage is easy to drink, and low in sugar and calories, giving it a near-universal appeal. I shamelessly drank it on the beach all summer; it would probably be a challenge to find anyone who didn’t.

If there was ever a time for a spiked seltzer shortage, it’s now. Fall is the season of cider and red wine. A bubbly, colorful can of ice-cold White Claw doesn’t really fit the vibe. If you’re still clutching to the last vestiges of summer, the shortage might be a tad more distressing. Take heart. Hard seltzer brands like Truly and Bon & Viv (which you’ll recognize from its dual mermaid mascot) are still in full supply. Hard seltzer lives, and with it, the dream of an endless summer.


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