Matador Network's Blog, page 1071

Superyacht chef answers questions

Sailing around the world on a luxury ship can seem like a pretty unachievable goal for most of us, but Reddit user roundtheworldrachel found a unique way to make it happen. She works as a private chef on superyachts, cooking for rich and famous people. The job has led her to visit 115 countries, and given her all kinds of unique experiences both on board and ashore. Correctly presuming that her unique lifestyle would pique the interest of many Redditors, she launched an “Ask Me Anything” to address questions and give people some insight into what life is like aboard a superyacht. Here are some of the most interesting takeaways.

Question from von_Roland: “How did you get into that business? Did you go to culinary school?”

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Question from ncjjj: “Is it difficult maintaining long lasting relationships in this line of work? Who would you say are your best friends?”

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Question from Allittle1970: “Is there any romance between crew members? Any details you can share?”

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A follow-up question from Allittle1970: “Are they mostly quick hookups or long term relationships? Do they create enemies or alliances among crew mates? Is it like a reality show?”

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Question from Rudelbilung: “Do the owners/renters sometimes invite the crew to hang out with them? Or do you barely see them?”

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Question from 2pete: “How much time to celebs spend on their yacht? What do you do when they aren’t there?”

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Question from ForeverLurkingNoMore: “What’s your favorite country that you have visited and why? Any memorable experiences there?”

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Question from Panicless: “What was most surprising to you that you didn’t know before? What do you think is the most common personality trait of a yacht owner? What is the most requested food?”

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You can keep up with the adventures of roundtheworldrachel on her blog or Instagram.


More like this: How to live, work, and travel the world on a yacht

The post Superyacht chef who has traveled to over 100 countries answers questions on Reddit appeared first on Matador Network.

Arctic cruise ships seized by Russia

If your upcoming holiday plans involve a cruise through One Ocean Expeditions (OOE), your vacation could be in jeopardy. Two ships from the Canada-based cruise company — the MV Akademik Ioffe and MV Akademik Sergey Vavilov — were seized by Russian authorities and returned to Kaliningrad for unexpected repairs, leaving many would-be travelers stranded. OOE had leased the two ships from Russia, and often uses them to carry small contingents of passengers through the Arctic and Antarctic.

According to the OOE, last month “the vessel owners unexpectedly decided to return the vessels to Kaliningrad, Russia, for purported repairs. This was not communicated to OOE in advance.” Despite filing legal action, they conceded that, “It is now clear that no matter what the OOE does the vessels will not be provided for the upcoming 2019-20 cruising seasons, despite our contract.”

Matador Network editor Morgane Croissant saw her Arctic trip on the Akademik Sergey Vavilov operated by OOE canceled at the last minute this past May. “I received an email seven days before the departure. I was packed, ready to go. This was devastating news.” According to Croissant, refunds have been sent for the canceled expedition she was to be part of, but no financial compensation was offered to the travelers for their trouble. “It’s the second year in a row that this trip gets cancelled by OOE. Last year (in 2018), the Akademik Sergey Vavilov had a major mechanical fault, which could not be fixed in time. It’s getting old.”

After seizing the ships, Russia claimed that they needed to be returned to Kaliningrad as part of a modernization project. When the vessels will be returned to OOE (or if they will be returned at all) is still unclear.


More like this: 18 things you need to know before taking an Antarctic cruise

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Fortingall Yew threatened by tourist

The oldest tree in the UK has seen some tough times, but its toughest days may actually be the present ones. The Fortingall Yew, located in the Fortingall Churchyard in Perthshire, Scotland, is believed to between 3,000 and 5,000 years old. Many are concerned, however, that the tree’s days may be numbered, amid reckless treatment by tourists who visit it. People are snapping stems and tying tokens around branches, reducing its lifespan. A cage was even installed recently to discourage this kind of behavior, but visitors aren’t taking the hint — climbing over the cage to gain access to the tree.

Catherine Lloyd, coordinator of the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership, said, “They are attacking this poor tree, it’s stressed, and whether that’s the reason this poor tree is not doing very well at the moment, we don’t know.” Researchers have suggested that the tree has about 50 years left to live, but Lloyd believes that time may be even shorter due to tourism-inflicted stress.

In lieu of restricting tourism altogether, there’s not too much that can be done about the issue. Smithonian reported that the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, however, is using cuttings from the Fortingall Yew to grow new saplings, with eventual hopes to distribute them to churchyards around the UK by 2020. In this way, it can live on.


More like this: The 7 most fascinating flowers around the world you need to see in person

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What is umami

Of the five taste categories humans perceive, umami is far and away the least understood by most people. We’re familiar with salt and all of its various forms, and sweet and sour are givens. Bitterness is either loved or hated, but always known. But umami, with all of its mouth-watering savory goodness, is still a relatively vague concept even as the world devours and adores the most umami-rich cuisines.

“All food cultures have their own umami taste,” said Jaume Biarnés Digón, director and chef at the Yondu Culinary Studio, a cooking school you can visit that’s run by the natural umami brand Yondu. “When it comes to American cuisine, a grilled beef hamburger is an example of an umami bomb. I think the question is who has the best plant-based umami? Korea, China, and Japan are definitely the champions. Italy and Spain deserve a special mention, though, for their usage of tomato, the king of umami-rich veggies.”

This integral part of cuisine only started to be really understood in the early 1900s. In 1908, a Japanese professor named Kikunae Ikeda isolated an amino acid called glutamate from kombu seaweed. He called it umami, which loosely translates to “pleasant savory taste” or, more simply, “yummy.” One of the people who studied with Ikeda, Shintaro Kodama, found the chemical compound inosinate in dried bonito flakes in 1913, and in 1957, Akira Kuninaka, working with Yamasa Shoyu Research Laboratories, identified guanylate, a nucleotide responsible for the umami flavor of shiitake mushrooms.

The three can be found in various quantities in meat, fish, and vegetables. Glutamate is one of the most prevalent amino acids in protein, so, in general, high-protein foods have more of an umami flavor. Eating glutamate, inosinate, and guanylate makes our body think we’ve consumed protein (even if we’ve only eaten an additive), making everything taste ridiculously better and kickstarting our salivary glands.

“We all seek out umami every day without noticing it,” Digón said. “It is what makes things delicious and our body identifies it biologically as the taste of protein. That’s the reason Korean cuisine has become a thing in the Western countries and why Chinese and Japanese restaurants are already part of our culinary landscape.”

Humans learn to appreciate umami literally from day one. Breast milk contains loads of glutamate, as does amniotic fluid. We seek it out later in life as well, usually without even knowing. The Umami Information Center has a list of the most umami-rich foods. Topping the list are tomatoes (especially dried tomatoes), Parmigiano cheese, anchovies, cured ham, seaweed, mushrooms, and cultured and fermented foods (especially cheese and soy, fish, and Worcestershire sauces).

Despite all of these delicious foods, there’s one major misconception that damages the reputation of umami in the US: monosodium glutamate, better known as MSG. It’s simply a crystallized version of glutamate that can be easily added to food. Due to a racist letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1968, however, MSG became shorthand for bad and cheap Chinese food. The letter came from a doctor who blamed pain and heart palpitations on MSG-rich Chinese food. That led to “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome,” an entirely made up disease that’s still so prevalent today that celebrity chef David Chang dedicated a segment of his show Ugly Delicious to debunking it. Very few people have an actual reaction to MSG. In short: Don’t shy away from umami-rich foods or MSG. It’s a flavor enhancer that elevates even the most simple dishes.

And while there’s nothing wrong with MSG, there are lots of ways to taste umami straight from the source.

“The best way to learn more is traveling and being open to taste all kinds of local foods,” Digón said. “There is a unique umami taste in each part of the world waiting to be discovered.”

The cuisines from these five countries are a good start when looking to dive deep into dishes with lots of natural umami.

1. Japan

Photo: Manusaporn Bhamorbutr/Shutterstock

It’s only natural that the country most responsible for nailing down exactly what umami is has an umami-rich cuisine. A typical meal in Japan comes with a type of seaweed called nori, sesame, dried bonito flakes, and pickled vegetables. Dashi, a cooking stock that’s loaded with glutamate, forms the broth for miso soup and adds flavoring to a number of dishes.

The Japanese food most popular in Western culture is just as savory. Consider, for example, the fish in sushi, soba noodles and its tsuyu chilled dipping sauce, okonomiyaki with bonito flakes, and ramen.

2. Korea

Photo: Yeo Jung Kim/Shutterstock

Korean cuisine doesn’t shy away from umami. Fermented foods are glutamate-heavy, and kimchi — made with napa cabbage (umami), gochujang (an umami red chili paste), and anchovy fish sauce (ultra umami) — is at the pinnacle of foods that draw umami from fermentation. Gochujang sauce alone, which is often used in favorites like bulgogi, is made with ingredients like fermented soybeans and adds a savory touch to any dish.

3. Italy

Photo: Albert Gonzalez/Shutterstock

Italians have fully embraced tomatoes and made them their own since the fruit arrived from the Americas in the 16th century. Tomatoes can be found in countless classic Italian recipes, and it just so happens that tomatoes have the highest amount of glutamates of vegetables, beans, fruits, and potatoes — especially when you factor in dried tomatoes, which has a glutamate level just as high as, if not higher than, anchovies.

But Italians were no stranger to umami-filled foods by the time tomatoes arrived. Fermented fish sauces were popular in ancient Rome. Parmigiano, especially Parmigiano that’s been aged for a long time, is the only food other than seaweed that can compete with the glutamate levels found in dried tomatoes.

4. Thailand

Photo: Monster e/Shutterstock

Thailand and Vietnam are the homes of fish sauce. The most basic fish sauce is made with just anchovies and salt that’s fermented in large wooden vats for months before the juice is pressed out. A fish sauce and bird’s eye chili pepper condiment called prik nam pla is ubiquitous in Thai cuisine. Tom yum soup, made with soy, fish sauce, shrimp, and mushroom, is almost pure umami and fresh spice, while miang kum, a traditional wrap with shrimp and savory dips is not to be missed.

5. China

Photo: Alphonsine Sabine/Shutterstock

America’s misconceptions about the power of umami largely stem from racist beliefs about Chinese immigrants and their food. And while there’s nothing wrong with punching up a dish with a little MSG, much of Chinese food is already naturally high in glutamate, inosinate, and guanylate thanks to the abundance of ham, shiitake mushrooms, and seafood. Then there are the vinegars and soy sauces that traditionally accompany dishes. Either way it’s added, Chinese food has more than its fair dose of savory.


More like this: The world history of all your favorite condiments

The post The most umami-rich cuisines in the world appeared first on Matador Network.

Fears surrounding elephants

India is about to send four elephants on a rather uncomfortable, 1,926-mile train journey, and animal rights activists, among others, aren’t happy about it. The Assam state government is sending the elephants from Tinsukia (in the very northeast part of the country) to Ahmedabad (in the west), across the entire country, to participate in the Rath Yatra ritual at Jagannath temple. However, activists argue that the three-to-four day journey could be hazardous for the elephants, potentially even resulting in their deaths.

Photo: Google Maps

Temple trustee Mahendra Jha told the BBC that the temple had decided to borrow the elephants from Tinsukia for a period of two months following the death of three of their own elephants last year. Unfortunately, this “borrowing” act isn’t as simple as it may sound.

“Most of north-western India is reeling under a heatwave. There have been reports of people dying from heat during train journeys,” said Kaushik Barua, a wildlife conservationist. “The wagon in which the elephants will be transported is not climate-controlled. It will be hitched to a passenger train which will be travelling at a speed of 100km/h (62mph), so can you imagine the plight of the animals?”

“They can suffer from heatstroke, from shock, and even die,” Barua added.

Elephants are a protected species in India and there are laws surrounding their transport. No elephant can be forced to walk for over 18 miles at a time, or transported for over six hours at once. Guarav Gogoi, a congressional MP from Assam, is even petitioning the country’s environmental minister to intervene.

Assam’s wildlife officials are reportedly discussing a plan B for their transport, in the wake of the controversy.


More like this: 3 reputable elephant sanctuaries in Thailand

The post Elephants facing 1,900-mile train journey in India may die appeared first on Matador Network.

Jamaica’s Reggae Marathon guide

The trend for active vacations keeps growing, and we’re big fans of running in beautiful places or hiking on every vacation. But sometimes an exercise-oriented vacation can feel like transporting your neighborhood CrossFit to a random new location. That is, you don’t always get a real sense of the place you’re in when you’re participating in those healthy fitness activities.

When it comes to Jamaica’s Reggae Marathon, you won’t have to worry about that. The Reggae Marathon is pure Jamaica — complete with reggae and ska music energizing you throughout your run, dazzling ocean views, and an exciting contingent of some of Jamaica’s best runners. It’s Jamaica at its best.

Run with enthusiastic locals, including Jamaica’s fastest teenagers.

Photo: The Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon &10K/Facebook

I’ve been producing running races big and small, so I was intrigued to experience race production Jamaican style. I knew there were going to be a fair amount of internationals flying in for one of the most distinctive destination races. However, I didn’t expect to find almost half were locals from Kingston and nearby towns.

The Reggae Marathon in Negril, on Jamaica’s western point, brings together the running community from all over Jamaica, affectionately nicknamed “Jamrock.” The Jamdammers Running Club from Kingston, a four-hour drive from Negril, has been putting on the Reggae Marathon for the past 18 years. The next Reggae Marathon is this coming December 8, and registration is open.

The Jamdammers club was started in 1995 in Kingston, and the running community has followed its lead ever since. The club puts on over 10 races every year, with the Reggae Marathon being the crown jewel of the series. As races throughout the United States are seeing lower participation, the Jamdammers are seeing their numbers explode. Here, Jamaicans show up to stretch their legs for a cause, put down their best times, or claim that they are the fastest long-distance runner on the island.

After years of non-native winners and record-setters, race director Alfred Francis wanted to see more Jamaicans on the podium and in the record books. He was able to double the prize money if a Jamaican were to set the course record. Now, high schoolers from the around the country line up at the start line hungry to claim the prep podium. The stakes are higher than normal, with each winning high schooler receiving three new laptops. For a country short on education funding, this is a huge draw and fuels the competitive energy on race day.

Starting before the sunrise

Photo: Doug Hill

With a marathon, half marathon, and 5K race that many walk, there is a race for everyone. The beautiful course set in the west coast town of Negril follows the road along the legendary Seven Mile Beach. The race has an early start for a Sunday. As in, 5:15 AM early.

With temperatures in the 80s and a high humidity index, the early pre-dawn hours are the best time of day to chip away at the 26.3 miles of a marathon. Race officials shut down the main coastal road and let the runners have it all to themselves to run, walk, or skank to the reggae tunes.

Photo: The Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon &10K/Facebook

By the time runners have passed the numerous bands and massive sound systems along the course, they are ready for what awaits at the finish line: ice-cold Red Stripe beer and a fresh coconut on the beach. One hundred feet after crossing the finish line, runners plunge into the Caribbean for a fresh salt bath to soothe their hard-working bodies. There’s just no better way to start the rest of your day after pounding the pavement at sunrise.

You can learn to love plush resorts.

Photo: Sandals Negril/Facebook

As a person who fights hard to find the unbeaten path and an authentic local experience, the words “all-inclusive” usually have me running in the opposite direction. My travel consists of fluid itineraries, language barriers, and making things up as I go. A successful trip requires struggle and surprise. So I was a little wary when I learned we would be put up at the all-inclusive Sandals Negril resort.

My partner Carolyn’s ears, on the other hand, perked up the idea of chaise lounges on the beach, seven restaurants, spa treatments, and multiple swim-up bars. After four days of lapping up the comforts and good food at Beaches Negril, though, my tune had changed. Laying on a floating lounge in the pool interpreting the shapes of the clouds with the echoey dub beats drifting in the background, I saw for the first time the serene bliss of resort life. If you’re pushing your body hard by running a marathon while on vacation, it’s safe to say you’ve earned a little bit of pampering.

Reward yourself with roadside jerk shacks.

Photo: Enrico Powell/Shutterstock

As enjoyable as pool-side piña coladas are, I still wanted to get a slice of the authentic Jamaican experience. I found this through a trek and swim at Mayfield Falls, a locally grown lunch in the mountains at Zimbali Retreat and an exploration of bucolic life among sugarcane fields. I also stopped at a few of the many roadside jerk shacks, which are abundant on most routes. I asked a number of locals about their favorite jerk spot and quickly got a list. While chowing down on sweat-inducing scotch bonnet pepper jerk chicken and getting lulled into a food coma by the pit master chatting away in Jamaican patois, I felt a lot closer to local island life.

That’s also what made the Reggae Marathon so special. The race, like the island of Jamaica, is full of wonderfully kind, welcoming people who don’t seem jaded by tourism. Despite large visitor numbers every year, most Jamaicans are not jaded by the tourism; the Jamaicans I met were fired up to share their island’s culture embodying the true “one love” spirit. Running the marathon became less about ticking another race off my list or running it in good time but about doing something I love in a new place and connecting with locals who love to do the same thing.

And it felt real good. There are plenty of ways to have an authentic Jamaican experience around the island, but if you’re a running enthusiast, you won’t regret signing up for this marathon, exploring the west coast on foot, and pounding the pavement to the beat of reggae music.


More like this: Why Trail Running Festivals are the next big thing

The post Jamaica’s Reggae Marathon brings together the best of the island in one epic race appeared first on Matador Network.

Anthony Bourdain scholarship

In honor of the one-year anniversary of his death, Anthony Bourdain’s alma mater is offering a travel-based scholarship in his name. The Culinary Institute of America in New York will award the Anthony Bourdain Legacy Scholarship to one or more students per year to fund their study-abroad experience. Bourdain graduated in 1978 and received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in Culinary Arts from the school two years ago.

The scholarship was the brainchild of fellow chefs Eric Ripert and Jose Andres, who played a major role in its introduction. “We were both lucky enough to have traveled the world with Anthony,” they said in a statement, “and experienced firsthand the impact he had on our culture, both here and abroad. We hope that this scholarship will help his memory live on for students who want to experience the world as Anthony did — through cuisines and cultures everywhere.”

In an announcement about the scholarship, Tim Ryan, president of the Culinary Institute of America, said, “Anthony Bourdain opened the world of food and different cultures to all through his brilliant storytelling. He often came to campus to speak with students about food and world cultures, his career, and the importance of authenticity in being a chef. It is therefore fitting that his memory is being honored at the CIA through a scholarship for students interested in experiencing cuisines and cultures around the globe.”

The school is also planning to erect a permanent memorial to Bourdain on campus sometime later this year.

You can donate to the scholarship fund by visiting the Culinary Institute of America’s homepage.

H/T: Eater

More like this: The 13 wisest things Anthony Bourdain said about travel

The post Anthony Bourdain’s alma mater is offering a study-abroad scholarship in his name appeared first on Matador Network.

Best summer solstice celebrations

For many people around the world, the summer solstice is a major celebration — with festivities that build on ancient religious festivals commemorating the longest day of the year. Especially in more northerly latitudes, the non-stop daylight is cause for jubilation. This year, countries in the northern hemisphere’s solstice falls on June 21 — although the partying has already begun in some locations. From Canada to Spain to Finland, here are the most epic summer solstice celebrations around the globe.

1. Stonehenge, England

Photo: Andrew Roland/Shutterstock

Some of the most incredible photos you’ve probably seen of Stonehenge are with the sun hanging just above the horizon, shining through the mysterious stones. This phenomenon is particularly special on the solstice, when people from all over the world gather at the stones to watch the sunrise. The four day event — from June 18 to the 21st — features musical performances, camping in the surrounding fields, yoga, and the spiritual experience of witnessing a Stonehenge sunrise. That said, since the sun rises at on these celebratory days at 4:51 AM, you’ll have to get up pretty early in the morning.

2. Ottawa, Canada

Photo: Bing Wen/Shutterstock

The summer solstice isn’t the only Canadian holiday on June 21. It shares the day with National Aboriginal Day, which promotes the culture of the country’s indigenous peoples. The music, art, and food of the Metis, Inuit, and First Nations communities are on full display in this outdoor celebration. Taking place at Vincent Massey Park, June 20-23, the Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival also offers language workshops, traditional games, storytelling, and artwork contests to keep celebrants entertained well into the waning hours of daylight — and since it’s the longest day of the year, that won’t happen until well past 9:00 PM.

3. Menorca, Spain

Photo: lunamarina/Shutterstock

The summer solstice on this Spanish island has its roots in both Christian and Pagan history. In Pagan tradition, the shortest night of the year was marked by a “fire pray” since fire represented purification. And after Saint John the Baptist was born on June 24, King Clovis marked the occasion in the fifth century by officially naming that day “Saint John Day.” This combination of Pagan and Christian elements has resulted in the modern-day annual festival from June 20 to 24. Celebrants take to the street on horseback and revive the Pagan tradition by lighting bonfires and setting off fireworks.

4. Barcelona, Spain

Photo: Boule/Shutterstock

Not far from Menorca, on the Spanish mainland, the city of Barcelona also lights up on the day of Sant Joan, as Saint John is known in Catalan. In the days leading up to it, pyrotechnics vendors set up kiosks all over town and on the highways leading out of town, where you can get a hold of even bigger fireworks. On the night of June 23, alternately called Nit de Sant Joan or Nit de Foc, “night of fire,” around 50 bonfires are lit throughout the city. Locals hold parties on the beach where they let off fireworks for hours on end. They also explode them out of apartment windows and off of rooftops while kids set off fireworks in the streets. Everywhere you look, it’s bright, colorful, and exuberant chaos.

5. Stockholm, Sweden

Photo: Piotr Wawrzyniuk/Shutterstock

Unlike most of the world, where the solstice is a peripheral holiday not afforded too much public attention, Sweden’s summer solstice is a big deal. Like, a really big deal. After Christmas, Midsummer is the country’s most popular holiday. According to Swedish tradition, since Midsummer Night is the brightest night of the year, it is considered to be magical and a perfect night for telling people’s futures. Swedes ring in the long-awaited solstice weekend by making flower crowns, dancing around leafy maypoles, eating pickled herring and boiled potatoes, singing songs, and drinking schnapps.

6. Helsinki, Finland

Photo: Lea Bjorn/Shutterstock

Summer solstice in Finland is possibly the biggest party of the year. Many Finns take the entire week off to celebrate Juhannus, or midsummer. Juhannus is Finnish for Johannes, referencing the same Saint John who’s celebrated in Spain. In the early 1300s, the Catholic Church melded Saint John onto the god Ukko, who’d been the focus of previous, Pagan solstice rites. Like in Spain, fire is part of the fun, and bonfires are lit all over the lake-filled country. Since the other big part of Juhannus is alcohol, things can get messy — as drunken revelers swim from island bonfire to island bonfire. Up north, where the sun doesn’t dip below the horizon, the party only ebbs when the last ember is out or the last bottle of firewater (usually vodka) is empty. At least in Helsinki, there’s no swimming required. The biggest bonfire is on the island of Seurasaari, reachable by a pedestrian bridge.

7. Reykjavik, Iceland

Photo: Dennis van de Water/Shutterstock

Icelanders don’t get as crazy about the solstice as do the Swedes and Finns, but they do get 96 hours of consecutive sunlight. In Reykjavik, the sun “sets” at midnight and rises again at 3:00 AM, but for three days straight, there are no real periods of total darkness. Like the solstice itself, Reykjavik’s Secret Solstice is a nonstop, three-day celebration, from June 21 to 24. Musicians from all over the world come to Iceland for the event, from internationally known stars like Martin Garrix and Rita Ora to local Icelandic acts. Since Reykjavik’s solstice is a full-fledged music festival, tickets are purchased in advance. A more serene solstice experience can be found in the country’s beautiful landscapes — from the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach to any spot off the Ring Road.

8. Tyrol, Austria

Photo: AMB/Shutterstock

The alpine region of Tyrol, Austria, hearkens back to its age-old mountainous traditions on the summer solstice, lighting bonfires and candles at sunset — at 9:00 PM. Even if you’re not physically participating in the bonfire building, driving through the winding alpine roads while the mountains are ablaze is quite a sight. The tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, when Austrians used to celebrate Midsummer by paying homage to their ancestors, who worshipped the earth through fire. Now, people from all over Austria flock to Tyrol for the lighting.

9. New York City, USA

Photo: Ryan DeBerardinis/Shutterstock

If celebrating the longest day of the year by contorting your body into uncomfortable positions doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, a New York City solstice might not be for you. But for some, it is a little closer to home. In Manhattan, the solstice will be marked by thousands of people gathering in Times Square at 7:00 AM for a communal yoga session, which runs all day long until sunset. “On the northern hemisphere’s longest day of the year,” the website reads, “become part of this global celebration with one of the classes taking place all day.” To participate, you’ll have to register on the website. No, the Manhattanhenge phenomenon might not be quite as striking as the real Stonehenge, but seeing the sun rise and set between the skyscrapers is memorable nonetheless.


More like this: The ultimate Nordic road trip to take advantage of the midnight sun

The post The 9 most epic summer solstice celebrations around the world appeared first on Matador Network.

Hotels repurposed from businesses

Brand-new buildings and modern architectural marvels are necessities of humanity’s forward progress, but places are just more interesting when they hide years or even decades of history inside their walls. This is especially true when it comes to accommodations; a newly built hotel may sparkle with fresh, clean vibes, but a hotel that had a former life as some other type of establishment has more to tell. If you’re interested in staying in a hotel that had a former life as a bank, jail, firehouse, or theater, the nine spots below have plenty of tales, from creepy to inspiring, for you to dive into during your stay.

1. Marshall House Hotel — Savannah, Georgia

Photo: The Marshall House Hotel/Facebook

Savannah is said to be one of “the most haunted cities in America,” and Marshall House Hotel is perhaps the most haunted spot in Savannah. It once served as a Civil War hospital and convalescent home for soldiers who were badly injured in battle. Many unfortunately died during their stints, hence the dramatic and plentiful stories of hauntings, ghouls, and other paranormal activity.

Today, Marshall House Hotel is a beautifully restored boutique hotel located centrally in Savannah’s historic district. Its porches — complete with ceiling fans, rocking chairs, and perfect views for people-watching — beckon after a long day of strolling Savannah’s cobblestone streets, and few places capture the city’s old-style Southern charm quite like this one does.

If you’re not brave enough to spend the night, at least book a ghost tour that includes Marshall House Hotel on the itinerary so you can get spooked by this eerie establishment.

2. Ovolo Woolloomooloo — Sydney, Australia

Photo: Ovolo Hotels (Ovolo Woolloomooloo/Facebook

Located on the historic Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, Ovolo Woolloomooloo is a modern, no-holds-barred boutique hotel. Formerly the site of the first fish market in Sydney in the 1800s, today Ovolo Woolloomooloo is a hotel serving up views of Sydney Harbor to guests.

In its former life, the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf wore many hats: It was a major export point for Australia’s wool, it welcomed new arrivals who were emigrating to Australia, and it deployed troops for World Wars I and II.

3. Detroit Foundation Hotel — Detroit, Michigan

Photo: Detroit Foundation Hotel/Facebook

A former firehouse, Detroit Foundation Hotel joins in the big transformation the city of Detroit is currently experiencing. The hotel offers a variety of events, a trendy restaurant, and mod-luxe accommodations, but it wasn’t always a cozy place to rest your head: In its first iteration, Detroit Foundation Hotel was the place you called when something was going up in flames.

The hotel was fully converted from a fire station into a hotel, but touches of its past remain visible: In the onsite restaurant, the Apparatus Room, for example, you can spot the original firehouse doors.

4. Ace Hotel LA — Los Angeles, California

Photo: The Theatre at Ace Hotel DTLA/Facebook

The Ace Hotel LA is a former theater, located in the heart of LA’s Broadway theater district. The theater used to be known as the United Artists Theater. Today, a working theatre — with the original stage curtain — still exists at the hotel, restored from its former role as a 1920s movie place into a grand performance venue, with entrances next to each other. The hotel also holds performing arts memorabilia in the lobby and has a grand exterior similar to the decor on the outside of the theater.

The three-story theater lobby is ornately decorated and seats 1,600 people for programming such as live music, lectures, and other performances. Step back into the Hollywood glamour and relive the glory days of the big screen before going to sleep next door.

5. Old Bank Hotel — Oxford, England

Photo: Old Bank Hotel/Facebook

Located on Oxford’s famous High Street, the Old Bank Hotel is, unsurprisingly, a former bank. Perhaps the new owners found a stash of money hidden in the safe because today the hotel is a luxurious five-star accommodation option with 43 rooms and unparalleled views of the iconic landmarks of the beautiful city, such as the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera.

The site actually has a long history dating back to the 1200s, when the property was owned by an abbey, and wasn’t used as a bank until the 1700s. However, its timeless elegance exudes through the fortified walls to this day, giving guests a unique hotel experience in the heart of England.

6. Hôtel Mercure Poitiers Centre — Poitiers, France

Photo: AccorHotels

You don’t have to be religious to stay at Hôtel Mercure Poitiers Centre, a former Jesuit chapel that was built in 1854. Anyone can appreciate the striking, reverent architecture and the view from the nave, today bookable as the ultimate of the 50 rooms in the hotel. No vows of alcohol abstinence required here; there’s also a bar and restaurant onsite.

7. Monastero Santa Rosa — Amalfi Coast, Italy

Photo: Monastero Santa Rosa

At Monastero Santa Rosa, a former 17th-century monastery located between Positano and Amalfi, guests will enjoy the refined elegance of the order and solemnity once housed in this seaside spot. The Conca dei Marini monastery was once home to nuns who spent their days baking sfogliatelle, a type of cream-filled pastry. In the mid-1800s, the property ceased to be a religious establishment and fell into disrepair before it was purchased by a Roman hotelier and repurposed into a hotel in 1924.

Set among the Mediterranean splendor of the Amalfi Coast, Monastero Santa Rosa has multi-leveled gardens, a full spa, and a sparkling pool available to guests of the mere 20 rooms and suites available on the property.

8. Hotel Oderberger — Berlin, Germany

Photo: Hotel Oderberger

Berlin’s Hotel Oderberger was formerly known as the Oderberger Baths, an establishment designed at the end of the 1800s as a public bathhouse and swimming pool. It was closed from the mid-1980s through 2012, when renovations began, and re-opened in 2016. Today, there’s a historic indoor swimming hall for guests to enjoy, plus luxe rooms and a restaurant and bar on site.

For guests and curious travelers, free guided tours of the restored public bath are offered on every first Tuesday of the month.

9. Malmaison Oxford Castle — Oxford, England

Photo: Kit Leong/Shutterstock

Malmaison Oxford Castle gives a nod to its roots when it claims to be “better than your average prison” — and that it is, especially since you’re allowed to check in and out as you please and you thankfully get more space than a jail cell allows.

It’s also centrally located in Oxford, with nearby ruins of the Oxford Castle and plenty to do in the surrounding city. Major upgrades took place to transform the prison into the roomy, ultra-cool hotel it is today, meaning they can now claim to be on the “most wanted list.”


More like this: 6 beautiful French churches you can actually stay in

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Hong Kong travel during protests

Since March 31, news reports from Hong Kong have shown the streets lined with protesters marching against a controversial extradition bill. Two million of Hong Kong’s seven million residents have participated in the protests, according to the New York Times. While clips of police in riot gear and crowds being tear gassed are getting the most air time, they have made up a small part of what are largely peaceful protests. Beyond the occupied protest areas, Hong Kong is continuing with business as usual. This is everything travelers need to know about being in Hong Kong during the protests.

What are they protesting?

Hong Kong residents are protesting an extradition bill that proposes updating the existing extradition law to allow extradition requests to be granted to a number of countries, including mainland China. Mainland China and Hong Kong have different legal systems, and opponents of the bill say this could threaten freedom of speech in Hong Kong and make political critics of China vulnerable.

The timeline of the protests in Hong Kong

On June 9, organizers estimated that one million people took to the streets for a peaceful protest march against the Hong Kong Extradition Bill. This turned violent in the early hours of June 10 when a small group of protestors tried to storm the Legislative Council Building. A reading and debate of the proposed bill were delayed on June 12 as the protests intensified. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and bean bag rounds to disperse protestors. Over 70 people have been injured in the protests, including police, media, and protestors.

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced on June 15 that a reading of the bill would be suspended, but this did not deter the protestors. Another peaceful protest march was held on June 17, with organizers estimating two million attendees. Protestors called for the bill to be fully withdrawn and for Lam, who has since issued a public apology, to resign. At time of writing, the protests are ongoing but peaceful.

Where are the protests happening?

The protests have predominantly taken place in Hong Kong’s Central and Admiralty districts, particularly on Harcourt Road and around the Legislative Council Building. For travelers visiting Hong Kong at this time, consider staying in other areas of Hong Kong Island or Kowloon. Public transport services — such as the MTR subway, buses, and ferries — have been operating normally.

Is it safe to travel to Hong Kong during the protests?

Hong Kong is still one of the safest places in the world to travel, and the protests haven’t changed that. The UK Government Foreign Travel Advice suggested that travelers “remain vigilant and keep up to date with developments.” Travelers should exercise caution if they’re in areas near Admiralty and Central where the demonstrations are still ongoing. There are plenty of other places to explore in Hong Kong that are completely unaffected by the protests.

How the Hong Kong protests are impacting travel

Travelers can still visit highlight attractions like the Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island, the Ladies Market in Mongkok, and view the famous Hong Kong skyline from Tsim Sha Tsui promenade without being impacted by the protests.

However, should you be in the protest area, or in the event there is an escalation of the situation, there are some things travelers should be aware of:

Admiralty MTR station was shut temporarily on June 12, which led to many train services being delayed or re-routed. At the time of writing, Admiralty station has reopened, and normal service has resumed. If this happens again, use the Tung Chung Line or Tseung Kwan O Line to cross the harbor, and expect delays when using the MTR.
Some shops in the area shut early on June 11 and 12 to avoid disturbances, affecting areas that included Pacific Place Mall and the IFC Mall. If this happens again, choose to visit one of Hong Kong’s other malls: Elements in West Kowloon and Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong are great alternatives.
At the height of the protests, many protestors were wearing black, which led to some non-protestors being wrongfully targeted by police. It’s best to avoid an all-black outfit at this time.
Avoid taking photos of protestors where their faces are identifiable. Many protestors are taking personal precautions to avoid potential backlash in the future, and it’s important to respect this privacy.

Should you ever unintentionally end up in the protest area, both protestors and police will be able to help you exit the area. The protests are predominantly peaceful, but it’s best to steer clear if you don’t intend to partake.


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