Matador Network's Blog, page 1027

‘Parks and Recreation’ pop-up bar

Loyal fans of Parks and Recreation are in a for a (late) treat. Although the show ended four years ago, a pop-up bar dedicated to the comedy series is headed to Chicago.

Complete with Andy’s shoe-shine stand, the pit, and maybe even a special appearance by Li’l Sebastian, Chicago arcade bar Replay Lincoln Park will turn its space into a Parks and Rec mock-up of Pawnee, Indiana, starting August 30 until October 20.

If you visit, you can sip a drink at the World’s Smallest Park and enjoy a breakfast buffet happy hour at The Glitter Factory, Tom Haverford’s favorite strip club. There’s never been a better way to treat yo self, especially if you catch a Mouse Rat performance or attend one of the fun events planned, like the Harvest Festival.

While we can’t guarantee that Amy Poehler or one of Leslie Knope’s political heroes, like Michelle Obama, will be making appearances, we’re trying to channel positive energy. We’re pretty confident that Nick Offerman will be parked in the corner sipping whiskey, most likely with a chainsaw by his side. At the very least, if you missed your chance to donate to Leslie’s City Council campaign the first time around, the Replay’s tip jar can serve as your redemption.


More like this: ‘Game of Thrones’ may be over, but the mead boom is just beginning

The post Meet Li’l Sebastian at this ‘Parks and Recreation’ pop-up bar appeared first on Matador Network.

The most beautiful cheap hostels

You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars a night to get eye-popping hotel pictures for your Instagram. Just ask the folks at Hostelworld, the hostel-booking platform that just released its annual list of the most Instagrammable hostels around the world. It’s chock-full of spots with stuff like rooftop swimming pools, oversized hammocks with mountain views, and bamboo bungalows on the beach. Though getting to some of these places might not be cheap, they’re all alarmingly affordable when you get there. And they’ll all change any perception you had of what hostels really look like.

1. 248 Street Hostel — Chiang Mai, Thailand

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Once upon a time, finding a bedroom sink made from an old tire would be the sort of low-rent travel experience you used as a humorous benchmark. Not in repurposing-happy 2019, when it makes your hostel an Instagram star! Just ask the folks behind this hostel five minutes from Old Town Chiang Mai, that in addition to sinks made out of old tires, boasts an old motorcycle in the lobby and the most stunning hostel rooftop bar in the world. The soft purple light matches the glittering lights of the city beyond, as does the glowing swimming pool adjacent to the bar. During the day, you can enjoy drinks with a clear mountain view too.

2. Selina La Fortuna — La Fortuna, Costa Rica

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Hostel glamping? Sure, why not. This Selina property in a town named after its luck in NOT being destroyed by a volcanic eruption offers small, rentable private tents that look like miniature versions of the kinds of things you see on glamping safaris. They make for a rugged jumping off point to Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal and Reserva Ecológica Catarata Río Fortuna and their abundance of hiking, canopies, and other adventures. Back home, guests can lounge around a colorful pool, enjoy the bar, or take a yoga class. It also has traditional dorm options, for those who might not be so tent-inclined.

3. USA Hostels Ocean Beach — San Diego, California

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Hostelworld thought so much of this hostel in San Diego that it made it one of the 20 official “party hostels” for the company’s 20th anniversary. It’s also the lone American entrant on the list, a colorful beachside dorm perfect for surfers or beach bums who don’t want to break the bank. From the hostel, you can catch a free shuttle to all of the big San Diego attractions. Or you can just rent a surfboard and spend the day trying to ride the Pacific Ocean. Not into surfing? There’s beach chairs so you can just lay back and watch.

4. Casa Elemento — Minca, Colombia

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Don’t make the mistake of thinking this hostel deep in the Colombian jungle is an Instagram one trick pony. Granted, the massive hammock — which the hostel says is the world’s largest — boasts epic views out over the mountains and seems tailor-made for social media. But once you’re done getting your requisite hand-heart picture on the hammock, the hiking trails nearby offer even more opportunity for spectacular tropical photography. There’s more here than just nature and views, though; you’ll also find a Friday night barbecue with freshly baked breads and smoky grilled meats, as well as beds made from jungle pine and a new “Relax” dorm with mattresses thicker than a lot of luxury hotels.

5. Gili Meno Eco Hostel — Gili Meno, Indonesia

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It’s like all of the breezy, common minimalism of living on a deserted tropical island, without the terrifying realization you have to build a shelter with only your belt buckle and an old Snapple bottle. This Gili Meno hostel has already done all of the work for you, so just show up and set up shop in one of these bamboo beach huts with soft tropical breezes. Another leg up this hostel has on desert-island-stranding: the Shanti-Shanti beach bar where you can enjoy a fruity cocktail by the ocean and a weekly pizza night with homemade, wood-fired pizzas.

6. Calle 11 Hostel — Santa Marta, Colombia

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The closest you’re ever getting to living like Pablo Escobar for $8 a night is at this old villa in the historic beach town of Santa Marta. This sweeping villa looks like it stepped right off the set of Narcos, which makes sense as legend has it this was a one-time cartel palace. Now, it’s a Mediterranean-style gem, only two minutes from the beach and close to attractions such as Tayrona Park, the Lost City, Minca, Palomino, and La Guajira. It also affords you the opportunity to lounge by the pool like a cartel hanger-on, enjoying a massage and a glass of wine for a fraction of what it would cost at a hotel.

7. El Rio Hostel — Santa Marta, Colombia

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“Influencers” take note: Santa Marta is the Instagrammable hostel capital of the world. Somehow this town of half a million people has more hostels on this list than the ENTIRE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. It makes sense, though, when you’ve got spots like this where you can literally rent a hammock for the night, in an 18-“bed” dorm that comes complete with a locker and mosquito net. If you’d like something a little more traditional, the private rooms are jungle cabanas that feel like honeymoon suites at a deep, deep discount. El Rio is about half an hour from Santa Marta’s legendary beaches too, and can set up surf lessons if you feel so inclined.

8. Travellers Oasis — Cairns, Australia

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Tropical North Queensland is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and if you’ve blown your vacation budget on diving day after day, this is the ideal place to sleep. It has a relaxing pool area surrounded by tropical murals, and is only a short trip to the Daintree Rainforest where you can immerse yourself in lush South Pacific foliage. The Oasis is also a short walk to the city’s esplanade and all of its nightlife offerings. Plus, it has a barbecue area if you want to grill out with some of the locals.

9. Selina Nosara — Nosara, Costa Rica

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To all outside observers, this thatched-roof hostel looks like a luxury jungle oasis filled with lavish pools and light-wood decks. And while it does have all of the photogenic accoutrements of a $700-a-night property, it’s still a hostel with private rooms for under $100. It might not be the cheapest hostel, but it is right along Playa Guiones in the heart of downtown, and features a health-food restaurant right on site. Selina also has its own private surf club too, so you can enjoy the waves without throngs of other visitors.

10. Combo Venezia — Venice, Italy

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When you’re in Venice, it doesn’t get much more immersive than staying in a converted 12th-century convent. Live among centuries-old bricks while you gaze out porticos to a stately courtyard, or make new friends under the arches of its ancient-stone bar. The rooms themselves are a stark contrast, featuring sleek, modern, Italian decors with light wood, dark leather furniture, and state-of-the-art appliances. There’s also a waterside cafe for all of your food-posting needs, completing an entire hostel full of world-class photo-ops.


More like this: The 15 coolest hostels in Europe

The post The 10 most Instagrammable hostels in the world appeared first on Matador Network.

Cheap flights in September

What’s a fall getaway without a little music? Like when all the leaves are brown and the sky is gray, there’s really only one song you can have on the stereo. Or if it starts raining on you during a November road trip and you don’t immediately put on Guns n’ Roses, you’re probably dead inside.

The point is every vacation needs a pertinent soundtrack, and this September you’ll have an easier time than ever finding songs to pair with your destination. How do we know? Because our BFFs at Skyscanner did what they do best and scanned millions of historical airfares to figure out which cities both in the US and abroad would see flight prices drop the most next month. And most of them are leaving us with songs stuck in our heads.

Here at home, you can annoy everyone on your remarkably cheap flight to Kansas City (down 8% to $274) by playing Fats Domino’s Kansas City Here I Come without the use of headphones. Better still, plan a trip to the other side of Missouri and send a link to this Broadway classic to your best traveling buddy, since flights to meet you in St. Louis will be down 4% to $328. You’ll know the way to San Jose is cheaper this month too, down 4% to $284. Or you can be there when the sun comes up on a sleepy little town down around San Antone, as flights to China Grove’s nearest airport will be 9% cheaper at $295. The rest of the domestic leaders…

Honolulu, Hawaii — $550 (13%)
San Antonio, Texas — $295 (9%)
Kansas City, Missouri — $274 (8%)
Kona, Hawaii — $391 (5%)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida — $244 (5%)
St. Louis, Missouri — $328 (4%)
Sacramento, California — $327 (4%)
Hartford, Connecticut — $300 (4%)
San Jose, California — $284 (4%)
Seattle, Washington — $289 (3%)

The musical associations around the world aren’t quite as obvious, but you’ll still be getting good use from the Yesterday soundtrack you downloaded when you go back to the USSR on a flight to Moscow that’s down 17% to $686. You can also saunter into Rick’s Café in Casablanca and ask Sam to play As Time Goes By again, assuming there is a Sam there and you’re not the hundredth person to ask that day. Flights there are down 15% to $840. No particular songs about Athens come to mind, but you can never really go wrong with an $806 flight (down 14%) and Yanni Live at the Acropolis. The rest of the best international deals…

Sofia, Bulgaria — $694 (20%)
Amman, Jordan — $869 (19%)
Zagreb, Croatia — $683 (19%)
Vienna, Austria — $755 (17%)
Moscow, Russia — $686 (17%)
Casablanca, Morocco — $840 (15%)
Krakow, Poland — $756 (15%)
Athens, Greece — $806 (14%)
Kiev, Ukraine- – $802 (13%)
Bucharest, Romania — $752 (13%)

Unlike literally every song we just mentioned that will be running through your mind for the next hour, none of this is guaranteed. So it might be best to check back with Skyscanner in September and see if these deals really hold true. Or put on your “Searching the Internet for Flight Deals” Spotify playlist and scour the web yourself, we won’t tell you what to do. Either way, this fall is shaping up to be full of magical, music-filled adventures. It’s up to you to find the cheapest one.


More like this: The best places to travel this September

The post Flights to these cities are about to drop big-time in September appeared first on Matador Network.

New Disney World announcements

Some pretty exciting developments are coming to Disney World, with new major announcements about fan-favorite franchises. The past few months have seen some major changes at Disney, with the unveiling of the new Star Wars Park features and speculation abounding about additional parks and experiences. Now, at Disney’s D23 exhibition and on their blog, they’re spilling the beans about everything coming down the pike.

Photo: Disney Parks

According to the Disney Parks blog, the reported Star Wars hotel now has an official name: the “Star Wars: Galactic Cruiser” hotel, with guests checking into a ship called the Halcyon. During your stay, you’ll interact with franchise characters and even participate in plotlines that develop during the course of your visit.

Photo: Disney Parks

Fans of Moana will be able to look forward to a new experience at Epcot called the “Journey of Water.” Disney hasn’t released many detailed about this except to say that guests will be able to “interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting.”

One of the most exciting new developments, however, might be the Avengers Campus. The Campus reportedly takes guests on a journey around the world, through cities like Paris, California, and Hong Kong, with the Avengers recruiting guests to join them. Like the other announcements, exact details on the new hero-themed land are scarce, but that just gives us something to look forward to in the coming weeks.

Since D23 is still underway, expect more news and developments to be released soon.


More like this: Where to travel according to your favorite Disney Princess

The post Disney World makes big announcements about new Star Wars, Avengers, and Moana attractions appeared first on Matador Network.

Road and mountain biking in Sicily

Sicily is Italy’s biggest island and offers much to explore amongst its almost 10,000 square miles. While food is generally top of mind for visitors, Sicily is home to ancient structures stretching back thousands of years, stunning natural reserves, and rugged coastline. The best way to take it all in is on a bicycle. Given the undulating terrain, a decent fitness level is advised, but routes cater to experienced and beginner cyclists alike. These biking routes will let you explore the region’s impressive scenery, food, and history — and are the ultimate way to experience the island.

Preparing for a bike trip across Sicily

Photo: Marco Crupi/Shutterstock

Some basic bicycle knowledge will help your journey. Knowing how to change a flat tire is a must — also, always have spare tubes with you. You should also know how to clean the sprocket, that spiky wheel pulling the chain. Other essentials include knowledge of road rules, a lot of water, a map, and the right equipment, including a good helmet.

Food-wise, pack calories but plan to eat meals in the towns you visit. Sicilian cuisine is very healthy and rich in flavor. It’s also more affordable than some other regional Italian cuisines, another factor that makes a bike trip here an ideal vacation. Rent a bike in Catania from one of the many shops available, including Zeronove and Catania en Bici. Expect to pay between $20 and $50 per day, depending on bike style and brand. Companies like Cycling Sicily offer guided tours that can include lodging and airport transfers, as well as bike rental if necessary.

Nature reserves and sweeping views in the northwest

Photo: Wead/Shutterstock

Suggested bike type: road

Distance: 16 miles, 1,700-foot total elevation gain

Highlights: nature reserves and the historic Tonnara coastline

This ride in the northwest corner of the island is doable in a day or less. Start from the northern entrance of the dello Zingaro Nature Reserve, founded in 1981 as Sicily’s first such designated area. The views on the ride look east to the opposite side of the Castellammare Gulf, and to your right, the sloping hillsides head straight down into the sea.

Inside the reserve, you’ll likely encounter at least one of the 39 species of birds, mostly of prey, that call the park home, including the peregrine falcon. Hop on the bike and head north. The route gently rises one-third of the way. The coastline is typical Sicilian, with the landscape rolling straight to the sea, though you won’t see sand. It’s very green until the hottest periods of summer but nearly devoid of trees, lined instead with thick bushes and shrubs with grass and flowers carpeting the ground — another characteristic of the Sicilian landscape. The narrow road has little traffic, with the breeze over your ears standing as the only sound beyond the waves on the rocks when you are closer to the water.

From the first nature reserve, take the Strada Provinciale 63 (or SP 63) north. It’ll end in San Vito lo Capo. From San Vito take the SP 16 south. The easy, downhill arrival in San Vito lo Capo — midway on a short stretch of coast facing north — is quite anonymous, but the spot is worth a pull-off. The white sand and crystal-clear water provide great views for snorkelers.

From there, head south counterclockwise to the Monte Cofano Nature Reserve. The right turn to reach Monte Cofano Nature Reserve is actually unnamed; it’s basically the right turn as soon as the main road starts diverging form the coastline before arriving at the village named Castelluzzo. The road is virtually flat, with small villages and crops to the side, and you can hop into the water nearly anywhere for a quiet dip. The road stops inside the Mount Cofano Oriented Natural Reserve, which is right by the 16th-century Torre del Cofano. Mount Cofano is in the middle of the reserve, with limestone rock offering a unique change in the coastal scenery.

September is an ideal time to do this ride as the annual Cous Cous Fest, an international festival full of shows and music, takes place in the beginning of the month, and the International Kite Festival happens towards the end. Temperatures are cooler, and much of the summer tourist crowd has gone back to school. Don’t leave before trying some Marsala, the fortified wine produced not far south in the homonymous D.O.C. area.

Sicilian Baroque architecture in the southeast

Photo: trabantos/Shutterstock

Suggested bike type: road

Distance: 27 miles, 1,000-foot total elevation gain

Highlights: the architecture of Ragusa and Noto

The Sicilian Baroque is recognizable because the architects and artists who designed the region’s development, many trained in Rome, accentuated the decorative and often dramatic characteristic of the Baroque style. The aesthetic is so valued here that after a devastating earthquake hit in 1693, artists and artisans were called in for reconstruction.

Your job is to bike through this aesthetic, starting in Ragusa, a small hilltop city in the southeast of the island. Called La Città dei Ponti (The City of Bridges) for its three historic and scenic bridges, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002. Approach the city’s 18th-century Duomo di San Giorgio from the east. The Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista influenced the post-earthquake urban planning of the western part of the city where it’s located. The Cathedral, built in 1777, sits on a really wide platform to make for the sloping ground. The arches at its bottom, with small cafés and storefronts, create a vibrant foreground base to the setback façade, also wide and asymmetrical.

From Ragusa, cycle east to Noto and towards the coast along SP 23. This part of the ride is mostly downhill following an initial hike up. Stout, dark-green olive trees dot the landscape along with short drywalls forming the geometrical shapes of plots and properties. The color palette of the countryside is limited — white, green, and light brown — but colors are saturated in stark contrast to the narrow road. It’s safe, but pay attention as bicycles are not a common sight. You’ll turn onto SP 28, SS 17, and lastly Highway 115 for the final push.

Noto, also listed as UNESCO World Heritage site, is a big town on a flat landscape, characterized by narrow roads and two-story buildings and quite a few small piazzette (small town squares) that seem to pop out of nowhere. Unique, baroque-style palaces and churches around Noto include the 1727 San Domenico Church, with its striking pink, convex façade combining curves, columns, and openings, as well as the 1776 Cattedrale di San Nicolò. Noto has been called the “perfect baroque city” by some historians. Beyond the architecture, you can savor local focaccia with various fillings at one of the many trattorie on the east side of town. Wash them down with Nero d’Avola wine, made around the corner in Avola.

Riviera of the Cyclops in the east

Photo: Serghei Vlasenco/Shutterstock

Suggested bike type: road

Distance: seven miles, 200-foot total elevation gain

Highlights: Catania and the surrounding coastline

This easy ride on Sicily’s eastern coast avoids major roads while keeping the sun out of your eyes as you pedal through the city of Catania, as well as the residential waterfront areas north of the city center. Begin on the SS114 in Catania and veer onto Via Acicastello just north of the city. This road will merge with Via Angelo Musco and eventually Via Antonello da Messina and Via G Pezzana. All are essentially the same road as they pass through different beach towns. The route ends at the small fishing village Aci Trezza — though you could take it further to Capo Mulini if you’d like more of a push.

In Aci Trezza, have lunch at one of the restaurants along the seaside, enjoying the view dominated by the Cyclopean Isles. This is the location where Homer places Odysseus’s misfortune with one of the Cyclops, Polyphemus. The sea stacks of the small archipelago were formed by thousands of natural stone pilasters made by cooling lava. The biggest of them is the islet where supposedly Odysseus spent some time, and it is specifically mentioned by other historic authors such as Pliny and Virgil.

Parts of Catania itself aren’t very bike-friendly, but the city is rich in culture and history. The San Gaetano alle Grotte church and its tunnels, constructed in the seventh century, are an expansion of a church from 260 AD. The Achilliane Thermae Roman baths from the third century lay under the Duomo and are preserved, untouched. The Roman Amphitheater, half unearthed, is also worth stopping at before heading north on the bike route.

Mount Etna via mountain bike

Photo: Alberto Masnovo/Shutterstock

Suggested bike type: mountain

Distance: variable

Highlights: the mountain landscape

Mountain bikers should visit Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano at 10,912 feet. Located just north of Catania, the trails here are among the island’s most accessible off-road trails, though unless a bus takes you up to the top, be ready for a steep uphill to start the ride. Whether you pedal up or only down, the ride is challenging and quite a workout, but it’s worth it to ride dirt trails through the moon-like mountainous landscape.

A ride here can vary from a quick day trip to a multi-day excursion, and it can be guided. Guided tours will leave from designated areas in the city. If you head out on your own, you’ll need to drive to Parco Dell’Etna and park near one of the trailheads, which are visibly marked.

Etna dominates the skyline of the entire region, and on a clear day, you’ll have views for miles, including towards the sea looking east. The smell of sulphur may dominate the air, but the scent dissipates as you make your way down the hill. As you pass the Giovanni Sapienza Refuge, on the southern slope, you’ll be among a cluster of craters in the hillside creating a giant “Y,” most of which you can bike to. Further down you’ll find vineyards and orchards. The terrain is rugged, steep, gritty, and changes color from rust to black. Also, the weather changes quite suddenly, and fog isn’t uncommon even in the warmer season. Lastly, remember that Etna is an active volcano. Make sure there are no safety warnings in place before you ride.


More like this: Catania in Sicily is a blend of three distinct cultures, and it’s beautiful

The post A biking guide to Sicily’s natural and historic treasures appeared first on Matador Network.

Visit Costa Rica's Pacific coast

Costa Rica’s natural wonders are drawing more travelers than ever. Many of them head to the country’s northwest corner to surf and dip into hot springs on the Nicoya Peninsula or zip-line and raft in nearby Montezuma, overwhelming destinations like Playa Tamarindo and Jaco during the December to April dry season. To escape the crowds and tune into the more rustic, untapped side of Costa Rica, head south of these locations to the country’s mid-Pacific coast.

No matter the time of year, the towns of Manuel Antonio, Dominical, and Uvita prove that Costa Rica is the ultimate destination for both adventuring and relaxing. Start your journey in the town of Manuel Antonio, a three-hour drive from the capital city of San Jose and just over an hour south of Jaco, and work your way down to Uvita. Along the way, you’ll explore wildlife, national parks, and waterfalls — and have plenty of time to relax on the beach with a cold pipa (coconut). Here are the top things to do there.

Hike and surf at Manuel Antonio National Park.

Photo: PAUL ATKINSON/Shutterstock

If you’ve come to Costa Rica hoping to glimpse sloths, racoons, and monkeys, do not miss Manuel Antonio National Park. The park is teeming with dense wildlife — howler and squirrel monkeys, iguanas, and hundreds of species of birds also live in what is actually quite a small natural reserve.

The park sits right on the beach in Manuel Antonio and can easily be accessed after a morning surf session. You can choose to either relax on the gorgeous, rustic beaches or hike through the rainforest to experience the density of the jungle. For a more challenging adventure, hike the Punta Catedral trail, which offers beautiful views and steep inclines. The park is open from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM and is closed Mondays. Guided tours are available for scuba diving, zip-lining, or getting offshore in a catamaran.

Jump off the Nauyaca Waterfalls.

Photo: Judith Lienert/Shutterstock

After visiting the park, head less than an hour south of Manuel Antonio to one of the loveliest cascades in all of Costa Rica, the Nauyaca Waterfalls, located outside of the town of Dominical. Beyond stunning scenery, the falls offer the opportunity to swim or, for those feeling gutsy, even jump into the water from the top of the catarata (waterfall) into the pool below. The surrounding flora is thick and teeming with life. If you have a waterproof camera, or at least a waterproof case for your smartphone, bring it along for the 2.5-mile trek through the jungle to the waterfalls. If hiking isn’t your jam, for $70 you can ride in on horseback.

Horseback riding is in fact the most unique way to see Costa Rica — even beyond the Nauyaca Waterfalls. Companies such as Bahia Adventures take visitors on guided rides through Rancho de Merced, up through the hills outside of Dominical and Uvita, or along the beach. Plan to spend about $50 per person for a tour.

Another easy-to-access waterfall is the Uvita Waterfall, located just north of Uvita, off Calle Bejuco, with a quick five-minute hike necessary to get to the base. Plan to pay 1,000 colones, fewer than $2, for access to swimming, relaxing, or even sliding down the waterfall into the water. Pack your bag full of ice and Pilsen, a local Costa Rican beer, and relax at the falls for a couple of hours on a hot afternoon.

Try the gelato, coffee, and other tasty things — including beer.

Photo: Sibu Cafeteria/Facebook

Small food stands called sodas can be found across Costa Rica. While stopping at one for lunch is an essential Tico — that means “Costa Rican” — experience, nowhere outside the capital is the quality and variety of food options available stronger than it is along the Pacific coast, particularly near Dominical and Uvita. The southwest region is also home to one of the country’s top craft breweries and some cozy cafes and bars. A few top finds include:

Sibu Cafe : You can’t miss this spot as it’s located directly off the main highway north of Uvita. Espresso can be surprisingly hard to find in Costa Rica, but the serving here is top-notch, particularly when paired with a passionfruit cheesecake or something heartier like fresh Dorado fish with rosemary potatoes. After ingesting nothing but black drip coffee and rice and beans — gallo pinto, in local parlance — for breakfast across much of the country, you’ll be delighted to indulge in finer delicacies.
Gelato: This cleverly named ice cream parlor is right next door to Sibu. Its ice cream is made from 100 percent natural ingredients, and you can find vegan options, as well.
Fuego Brewing Company : Located in the bohemian surfer town of Dominical, this is the best stop for a locally crafted beer, especially after a salty surf session. Its claim to fame is using natural spring water tapped from the source itself. If you’re a true beer lover and looking for an experience, take a tour of the brewery and sample all of the craft beers they create in-house.
Barba Roja : Not sure how “red beard” is relevant to this place, but it is a catchy name. This restaurant in Manuel Antonio is one of the top places in Costa Rica for cocktail-fueled, coastal sunset views. It also hosts live music and, on some nights, dueling pianos.

Conquer your fear and get on a surfboard.

Photo: Jorge A. Russell/Shutterstock

To the uninitiated, surfing can appear an intimidating prospect. You need to try surfing in Costa Rica as the country is famous for its swells and steady waves. Manuel Antonio, Dominical, and Uvita are all perfect stops for those looking to hop on a surfboard, and lessons abound for beginners in all three locations. Playa Dominical (in Dominical) is a great place for newbies, as is Playa Manuel Antonio. If you plan to head out on your own, check Magic Seaweed to get the surf report as the waves can get massive, and you don’t want to be caught in a huge swell. Or maybe you do, in which case these beaches are also for you.

The region, Dominical in particular, is home to multiple destination surf camps, including Dominical Surf School and Sunset Surf. A camp can be a good way to progress with an instructor or group, as you’ll have multiple days to practice and experience different waves and conditions. It’s far pricier than simply renting a board from one of the beachside stands, but if you can afford to drop $1,000-1,500 for a week, you’ll likely save yourself multiple bouts of profanity-laden frustration on the water.

Take a yoga class.

Photo: Danyasa/Facebook

Costa Rica has multiple Bali-esque wellness flavors to it, with the pervasiveness of yoga studios being one of the most visible. Danyasa is an eco-resort and yoga retreat center that also offers yoga classes open to the public. The studio is hidden off the main road in Dominical, located right next to the Fuego Brew Company. Its classes are inclusive and fun, free of pretension, and the space is beautiful. Take a traditional hatha-style class to stretch out your surfed-out muscles, or indulge in a more exotic experience like a cacao ceremony.

Spot humpback whales at Marino Ballena National Park.

Photo: nuriajudit/Shutterstock

Sloths and monkeys are found inland and are commonly seen by even tourists not possessing the keenest of wildlife-spotting eyes. Whales and dolphins are less commonly spotted in the area, Marino Ballena National Park being the exception. Here you can spot humpback whales passing through twice annually on their migration path from north to south and vice versa. Dolphins are common throughout much of the year, as are sea turtles and stingrays, all of which you can experience on a free guided tour. Amusingly, at low tide, the coast of the park itself takes on the shape of a whale’s tail.

If you want a closer look at the whales outside of migration season, which typically runs most of the year from July to March, book a boat tour out into the gulf. Costa Rica is known to be home to over 30 different species of whales and dolphins, including the sought-after humpback whale. Come during Costa Rica’s winter season from July to December, and you’re all but guaranteed to see these beautiful creatures playing in the water.

Drink a pipa on the beach.

Photo: Gerardo C. Lerner/Shutterstock

If you’re used to crowded, hotel-lined beaches, prepare to be astounded by the bare, empty coastlines of Costa Rica. Due to various building laws, the coastal areas are almost all completely free of overdevelopment. The mid-Pacific coast of Costa Rica has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, so when a day to yourself is in order, grab yourself a cold pipa coconut drink from a beachside vendor and a good book, and plop your towel down on the nearest beach.

The post Adventure and chill vibes on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast appeared first on Matador Network.

Mummy back in Bolivia

A 500-year-old Inca mummy of a girl is finally returning home to Bolivia, after being donated to the Michigan State University Museum in 1890. The girl, known as Nusta, lived in the Andean highlands during the late 1400s, and was buried in a stone tomb with sandals, beads, and feathers. Now, the museum has finally returned the mummy to Bolivia.

The mummy will be housed in a refrigerated chamber at the National Archaeology Museum in La Paz, before a new round of testing is conducted on it. The objects uncovered alongside the mummy, including a small clay jar, pouches, maize, beans, grasses, and cocoa, will be displayed in La Paz through November 2. The mummy itself is well preserved, and experts believe Nusta was an important member of her ethnic group due to the style of her tomb.

William A. Lovis, the MSU professor who took charge of the repatriation efforts, said, “It’s possible that the girl was an important person and that the objects placed with her had as much sacred importance as they had a useful purpose. Another possibility is that her death was an Inca sacrifice to appease or an offer to Inca deities.”

Describing the rationale behind the sudden return of the mummy to Bolivia, Lovia said, “I came to the conclusion that, if nobody was going to be doing any work with either the artifacts or the human remains and if we were not going to display the human remains, it would be better served to return them to Bolivia.”

The move comes as museums around the world are increasingly under pressure to return looted or donated artifacts to their home countries. As we can see, some repatriations go much more smoothly than others.


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Where to watch tango in Buenos Aires

Born in the dockyards of Buenos Aires over a century ago, Argentine tango has become inextricably tied to the city’s cultural identity. The sensual partner dance evolved from a roguish competition of fancy footwork between men and was only truly embraced by many porteños (the inhabitants of Buenos Aires) after it found fame in Europe. Now, the Argentinian capital celebrates the art form with an annual international tango festival, but there are plenty of places to see the sultry dance year-round. From watching dance shows set on sublime stages to viewing social dance gatherings in clubs during milongas — here are nine spots that we recommend travelers check out to watch tango in Buenos Aires.

1. Astor Piazzolla Theatre

Photo: LongJon/Shutterstock

If you want to be wowed by Argentine tango, you should seek out tango espectáculo stage shows. These grand, precisely choreographed productions incorporate difficult lifts and tricks from professional competitive dancers. The tango show at the beautifully restored Astor Piazzolla Theatre, which presents a variety of Argentine tango dance numbers, is the best spot for it. This particular tango show pays tribute to renowned musician Astor Pantaleón Piazzolla — his iconic tango songs have featured in Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance multiple times. The show runs each evening at 10:00 PM and costs just less than $40 USD for each adult ticket.

Where: Florida 165 Galería Güemes, C1005 AAC, Buenos Aires, Argentina

2. Faena Hotel

Photo: Faena Hotel

The Rojo Tango Show at the Faena Hotel features a cast of athletic dancers who perform contemporary Argentine tango choreography alongside live musicians and singers. While some tango espectáculo shows seat hundreds of guests, the Rojo Tango Show takes place in an intimate venue. This exclusive atmosphere adds to the performance’s price tag, but you can save money by only purchasing show admission — rather than the dinner and show combination ticket. The dinner and show experience begins at 8:30 PM and will set you back $260 USD, while the 90-minute show alone starts at 10:00 PM and shaves the price to $220 USD.

Where: Martha Salotti 445, C1107 CMB, Buenos Aires, Argentina

3. La Ventana: Barrio de Tango

Photo: La Ventana

For a more traditional Argentine tango show, head to La Ventana in the neighborhood of San Telmo. You will see couples dancing in synchrony during the Traditional Tango and Folklore Show, following the music of either a quintet or a larger orchestra. La Ventana also offers a ticket that includes dance lessons, for those who would like to try tango before sitting back and admiring the pros. Daily tango lessons cost $90 USD. The 90-minute show begins at 10:00 PM with ticket prices starting at $70 USD.

Where: Balcarce 431, C1064AAI CABA, Argentina

4. Café Tortoni

Photo: Petrenko Andriy/Shutterstock

Café Tortoni is famous for its selection of delectable treats and its beautiful decor, but it is also well-known for its Argentine tango performances. The cafe houses a small stage for Argentine tango shows in the 55-seat Alfonsina Storni Room, where a few different performances take place throughout the week. Tango Sensations, which runs daily from Monday to Friday, is a good bet — and you’ve got two chances to see the show each evening. The first seating is at 8:00 PM, followed by the next at 10:00 PM; admission for either showing only costs about $13 USD. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the Argentine tango, you can easily visit the Argentine Tango Museum located above the cafe.

Where: Av. de Mayo 825, C1084 CABA, Argentina

5. Salón Canning

Photo: Salón Canning Tango/Facebook

When you check out the Argentine tango scene at milongas rather than at tango espectáculo shows, you’ll often find more locals than tourists and admission rarely exceeds $10 USD. Although many dancers fill the club, you can pull up a seat to watch the dancers during the milonga with no need to participate. Just be sure to show up after the dance lessons or you may be encouraged to join. One such milonga is Milonga Parakultural at Salón Canning. Arrive early to snag a table near the band, and watch the couples swirl around the wooden dance floor. Classes run at 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM before milongas begin at 11:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. If you have the energy, stay until the venue closes at 4:00 AM.

Where: Raúl Scalabrini Ortíz 1331, C1414DOA CABA, Argentina

6. La Catedral Club

Photo: La Catedral Club/Facebook

The high ceilings of La Catedral Club are humbled by mismatched furniture strewn around the space. The dancehall remains open from 11:00 AM to 4:00 AM each day of the week, attracting a loyal young crowd of 20 to 30-somethings. La Catedral Club has a relaxed atmosphere, and visitors can enjoy food from the on-site bar and kitchen. The club is welcoming, low-key, and particularly inviting to beginning dancers — you will see dancers of all levels here. You can get into La Catedral for as little as $2 USD.

Where: Sarmiento 4006, C1197 AAH, Buenos Aires, Argentina

7. La Viruta Tango Club

Photo: La Viruta Tango Club/Facebook

La Viruta Tango Club, affectionately referred to as “La Viru,” has been a gathering spot for dancers since 1994. Located in La Palermo district, this club has one of the city’s largest dance floors, which fills up with dancers of all ages and backgrounds. Admission to milongas at La Viruta includes bilingual dance classes in English and Spanish that are meant to suit dancers of all experience levels. If you’d rather not dance, you’re welcome to arrive whenever, just note that the later you stroll in, the more likely you’ll find more advanced dancers in your company. La Viru’s hours vary, depending on the day of the week. It closes around midnight on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; it stays open until 6:00 AM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Many tango orchestras play at the venue during the evening, providing live music for the large audience of social dancers.

Where: Armenia 1366, C1414 DKD, Buenos Aires, Argentina

8. El Beso: The House of Tango

Photo: El Beso/Facebook

El Beso, or “The Kiss,” is all tango, all the time. Different members of the dance community organize milongas and classes throughout the week. Each milonga will attract a unique dance crowd, but the most popular is Las Morochas, which caters to more experienced dancers. Traditionally, milongas don’t start until at least 10:00 PM and even then, the dance floor doesn’t get busy until after midnight. While it’s prudent to arrive fashionably late to these social dance gatherings, you don’t have to be a night owl to enjoy milongas at El Beso. This dance hall frequently hosts milongas that begin in the late afternoon, finishing in the early evening around 7:30 PM. But if you’re happily buzzing on tango, stay. El Beso also runs milongas that last until 4:00 AM.

Where: Riobamba 416, C1025 CABA, Argentina

9. La Boca

Photo: BonnieBC/Shutterstock

Unlike what many outsiders believe, there aren’t tango dancers on every street corner in Buenos Aires. But if you’re lucky, you’ll spy couples dancing during the day in a few specific areas, especially in the neighborhood of La Boca. Caminito, a well-known, colorful street museum, often host street performers, who will occasionally invite spectators to dance with them (and often request payment for photos that are taken of them.) Although this turns away some potential visitors, strolling La Boca is a unique Argentina experience.

Where: Caminito, Buenos Aires, Argentina


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National Cheap Flight Day

It is purported to be “the Black Friday of airfares.”

National Cheap Flight Day is upon us, and unlike National Margarita Day, National Cheese Pizza Day, and National Pork Belly Foie Gras Blintzes Day, this one might actually be worth paying attention to. It is, according to historical data, the day the summer spike in airfares begins to cool down, and many airlines celebrate with some absolutely insane deals.

The “holiday” itself isn’t all that old, dreamed up a few years ago by Cheapoair when its people did some digging and found the year’s previous cheapest day for airfares was August 23.

“This begins the end of the summer season, and August 23 we’re gonna see a little bit better discounts than are typically out there,” says Tom Spagnola, Cheapoair’s global VP for supplier relations. “It’s just a day that fits. It’s not quite the end of summer, there’s a major holiday right after it, and now you get into some majorly cheap deals people can book.”

Because Cheapoair discovered it first, it has more or less led the charge on National Cheap Flight Day, arranging one-day-only deals with many of its partners in honor of this traditional flight low point. Spagnola said this year that Mexico, Thailand, and “the main European countries” will have the most eye-popping discounts. Though the site’s social media has also been teasing Argentina deals hard.

But is it really the cheapest day of the year to book flights? Or is it just a dressed up National Light Beer Day with better deals?

While historic airfare data is nothing to sneeze at, the deals it predicts might not be worth skipping work for, like three-for-one Tickle Me Elmos.

“It’s like the stock market,” says Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights. “In 2017 the single best day for stocks was March 1 when the Dow went up 300 points. But if your advisor had told you to invest all your money March 1, 2018, you’d have gone to bed very unhappy because stocks went down 400 points that day.”

Cheapoair’s data shows airfare has had a little more historic correlation than stock prices, though. Along a linear timeline, average airfares do, in fact, historically begin to drop from their summer highs on August 23, continuing into September and sometimes into October.

So while today may not be THE cheapest day of the year for airfares, it is at the very least the beginning of a welcomed trend.

Still, though averages may be dropping, average airfare isn’t always the best harbinger of when to find the best deals. Last year’s most headline-grabbing deal — an LA to Bali business class round-trip for $670 that usually sold for $4,500 — ran a week before National Cheap Flight Day. And Keyes says “average” does not always equate to “cheapest.”

“We don’t want average flights, we want cheap flights,” he says. “Say you have tickets for sale for $400 and $500 today, and the average is $450. Then tomorrow I have tickets for $300 and $900, and the average is $600. Studies that look at averages would say the second day is worse, but you and I know that the second day is when we can get $300 flights. And there’s no way to predict when that happens.”

That’s not to rain on your National Cheap Flight Day parade. That’s just to say if you somehow get slammed at work today and aren’t able to scour Cheapoair for its one-day-only deals, all is not lost.

“My advice is don’t focus too hard on any given day as predictive,” says Keyes. “People say National Cheap Flight Day is the cheapest day to book, but there are a lot of respectable days to book.”

Even Spagnola concedes there may be deals down the road, too.

“We’ve been able to achieve better deals in this one-day window,” he says. “But of course, if we get to early November and the airlines can see they’re struggling, you’ll see some pretty aggressive fares.”

Still, a giant, one-day, industry-wide fare sale is at least worth taking some time to browse. And if you, like many people, have an abundance of time on a summer Friday, both Spagnola and Keyes recommend booking a great deal as soon as you see it. You’ll still have 24 hours to cancel, which gives you enough time to weigh your buyer’s remorse and see if anyone else wants to go with you.

“General rule of thumb is the better the fare the shorter it’ll last,” says Keyes. “So it’s best not to dawdle.”

Even if you do dawdle, and you miss out on that dream $400 trip to Thailand, don’t let it drag your weekend down too much. Sunday is National Banana Split Day, after all, so you’ll still have that to look forward to.


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The best sleep vacation retreats

Nevermind jam-packed itineraries and long days full of exhilarating activities. What millennials really want when they say “I need a vacation” is some uninterrupted sleep for a change.

For the average 9-to-5er, the whole purpose of a summer getaway is to relieve stress and come back feeling refreshed. But once you factor in jet lag, night flights, new environments, notoriously bad hotel beds, and the like, travelers are often faced with even more stress on holiday than what they left home with.

A third of Americans are sleep deprived, according to a Centers for Disease Control study, and millennials are reportedly losing more sleep than anyone. Healthline states skimping on the recommended seven-to-nine hours can lead to memory loss, moodiness, a weakened immune system, overeating, and high blood pressure — all things you don’t want to be dealing with when you’re supposed to be sightseeing and drinking Mojitos.

These days, the tourism industry is cashing in on the epidemic with retreats specifically designed to help clients catch up on their z’s. Ahead, six sleep-inducing destinations so dreamy you won’t even feel guilty about spending your entire vacation in bed.

1. Sandpearl Resort — Clearwater Beach, Florida

Photo: Sandpearl Resort Clearwater Beach/Facebook

This coastal oasis on the Gulf of Mexico offers a special spa package for sleepyheads called Nap Therapy. In this unique massage session, you’re actually encouraged to doze off. The Sandpearl Resort combines hydraulic beds meant to simulate zero gravity, aromatherapy, and a constant light massage to give sleep seekers a top-quality snooze.

Where: 500 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach, FL

2. Westin Hotels

You won’t need to travel across the country for this amenity. Westin Hotels’ Sleep Well package is available in 30 states — not to mention Canada, the US Virgin Islands, and Guam — so you can save those precious vacation days and opt for a long weekend sleep retreat instead. The package includes a complimentary stress-relieving lavender balm, $100 in spa credit, and $10 off the hotel’s special Sleep Well dining menu, which features oatmeal tabbouleh, poached eggs, an array of bedtime snacks, and calming teas.

Where: Nationwide

3. Carmel Valley Ranch — Carmel, California

Photo: Carmel Valley Ranch/Facebook

For some, a gentle massage just won’t cut it. Chronic insomniacs might consider a trip to Carmel Valley Ranch in California’s postcard-perfect Monterey Peninsula, where Dr. Bee Epstein-Shepherd awaits to hypnotize you to sleep. The resort’s Hypno-Health & Wellness package is intended to “reduce stress and to promote deeper, sounder sleep.” In addition to a good nap, you’ll also take a few sleep-inducing tricks home with you.

Where: 1 Old Ranch Rd, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA

4. One Square Inch of Silence — Olympic National Park, Washington

If the best sleep you’ve ever gotten was surrounded by nature (or if your budget simply doesn’t allow for luxurious spa treatments and sleep packages), then consider pitching your tent in the official quietest place in the US. Deep in Hoh Rain Forest, located within Washington’s Olympic National Park, is somewhat of a silent sanctuary. One Square Inch of Silence is a haven for light sleepers, offering the least amount of noise pollution in the lower 48. So, save a penny and let the surrounding lakes, streams, and therapeutic wilderness sounds lull you to sleep.

Where: 3002 Mt Angeles Rd, Port Angeles, WA

5. The Benjamin — Manhattan, New York

Photo: The Benjamin/Facebook

The mother of all sleep retreats is, ironically, in the city that never sleeps. The Benjamin in New York City offers a Rest & Renew program that includes a pillow menu with Swedish memory foam, five-foot body pillow, water-filled, and seven others; noise machines; black-out curtains; triple-pane windows to block out the buzz below; and an around-the-clock sleep team. You can sign up for work-down calls, in-room pampering, and get a guided meditation session on-demand.

Sleep expert Dr. Rebecca Robbins created a customized design for The Benjamin’s rooms “to align with what we know to be effective for optimal sleeping environments,” she told Well & Good. Rest assured you won’t find guests with puffy eyes checking out of this Midtown East refuge.

Where: 125 E 50th St, New York, NY

6. Canyon Ranch — Tucson, Arizona

You could call Tucson’s Canyon Ranch resort the desert’s premier spiritual and holistic wellness retreat. Think tarot card readings and crystal healing therapy. Here in the land of cacti, a licensed therapist is on-call to help guests “improve [their] sleep hygiene.” The hotel’s Sleep Enhancement experience entails a 50-minute consultation with an expert to assess sleep problems and determine the remedies — a nightly valerian tea, maybe?

Where: 8600 E Rockcliff Rd, Tucson, AZ


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