Matador Network's Blog, page 1095

What to see and do in Rotterdam

Amsterdam — the city famous for its canals, stroopwafel, and, of course, adult entertainment. The Dutch capital has more than earned its reputation for being one of the most interesting cities in the world, but its icon status has also made it incredibly crowded — to the point where the city is ditching the popular tours of its red-light district and some tourist-centric shops are shutting their doors, overwhelmed by over-tourism.

The city has been dubbed the “Disneyland of Europe” by continental and international tourists alike. This is a sign that as incredible as Amsterdam is, it’s time to look beyond the city limits to really discover the Netherlands and dive deeper into the local culture. Rotterdam, a city of about 650,000 known for quirky architecture and Dutch cuisine uninterrupted by a constant stream of tourists, is the place to do just that. While you should definitely consider using it as the base for your Netherlands vacation, you can also see Rotterdam in a single day trip if you’re still set on checking out Amsterdam first. Here’s how to make the most out of a stay in Rotterdam.

Rent a bike and pedal through town.

Photo: Z. Jacobs/Shutterstock

Getting to Rotterdam from Amsterdam is, in the rail-centric tradition of Euro travel, super easy. Just hop on the train from Schiphol heading east and you’ll be at Rotterdam’s Central Station in about 45 minutes. Once you get to Rotterdam, the first thing to do is to rent a bike from one of the docking points near the station — this is how locals get around, and it’s the best way to cover a lot of ground in only a matter of hours. While the city isn’t huge, you definitely want to have your own means of transportation because taxis are expensive, and at some point, you’ll crave a Jamaican Me Crazy burger from Burgertrut while on the other side of town. If you’re around five feet tall or are otherwise terrified of the giant Dutch bikes, you can also use your feet and walk around Rotterdam along the pedestrian roads. Pick up a Roaming Rotterdam brochure from the Central Station for €1.50 and you’ll get a map of all the hotspots worth seeing, adapted for walking.

Marvel at some of Europe’s most progressive architecture.

Photo: cla78/Shutterstock

A visit to Rotterdam will make you rethink the narrow canals and cobblestone streets that come to mind when you think of the Netherlands. The city was completely destroyed during World War II, and as it underwent its slow and at times painful rebuilding process, the locals decided to get creative. It’s now the country’s hub for modern, uber-progressive architecture. In a noticeable difference from Amsterdam, you’ll find only one central canal in all of Rotterdam. Rather, the city’s defining characteristics are its Dutch architecture and shiny office buildings.

The ideal place to revel in the city’s unique vibe is Kijk-Kubus, which translates to the Cube House, a furnished museum house that puts you inside this architecture and offers a glimpse at what it would be like to live in a twisted, funky house by the water. Then, check out Timmerhuis, which is designed to resemble a pixelated cloud with the help of small light-reflecting blocks. At night, Timmerhuis beautifully mirrors the lights of the buzzing city. Van Nelle Fabriek is worth a visit as well, just off the A20 highway and declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014. It was built in Dutch modernist style, and up until the ’90s, this building was actually a functioning tobacco factory. In the early 2000s, it got a shiny makeover and now is the home to dozens of media and design firms.

Photo: LP2 Studio/Shutterstock

Modern art lovers will also find plenty of museums to take in. Start with Museum Boijmans van Beuningen for contemporary art, including works from Rembrandt, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Salvador Dalí. Then continue on to Kunsthal, which houses no permanent collection but has included exhibits on artists like Andy Warhol and Chuck Close. If you’re a photographer (sure, a curated Insta feed counts, too) check out Nederlands Fotomuseum.

End your art tour of the city by riding the water taxi from Leuvehaven to Hotel New York. You’ll cross the Maas and get a sweet view of the skyline.

Spend the entire day and night eating.

Photo: nattawit.sree/Shutterstock

Any visit to the Netherlands won’t feel right without a stop for fries and mayo, which you can find anywhere in town. But if you want to sample as much varied fare as possible, head to Markthal (or Market Hall). This ultra-modern building is part apartment complex, part food hall, and it’s surrounded by colorful digital panels of artwork and flanked by two massive glass facades. The market features fresh produce, fish, flowers and other goods, along with several eateries, such as 21 Pinchos Tapas Bar and Andalus Fish. The people-watching isn’t bad either.

Photo: Little V/Facebook

Rotterdam is also home to a thriving multicultural food scene and especially delivers on Asian cuisines. There’s Little V for Vietnamese, Soi3 for Thai, Seoul Sista for Korean BBQ, and Kampong Express for Malaysian (be sure to try the coconut rice). Vegetarians can also get their fill at De Kade, a Chinese and Surinamese restaurant specializing in vegetarian and vegan food, in addition to some tasty meat dishes.

Photo: FG Food Labs/Facebook

Much like its architecture, Rotterdam has also embraced modern dining with fervor. Zinc, a French restaurant off the waterfront adjacent to Het Park, is all about organic, local ingredients and fine wine. The menu changes every two weeks and is told to you in person. There’s also FG Foodlabs, a Michelin-star restaurant where they are always experimenting with new combinations, flavors, and textures. The signature dish is the FG Nitro Lab style, where the diner grinds fresh herbs with a mortar and pestle, then adds liquid nitrogen, then adds yogurt ice cream and lime for a refreshing, if time-consuming, dessert.

If you do end up staying the night in the city, go to Lilith for a stack of Dutch pancakes (a very traditional dish) and a latte the following morning on your way back to the train station.

Head out at night — and be ready to dance.

Photo: GagliardiPhotography/Shutterstock

After dinner, hang out in the fresh air over a pint at Biergarten. The place is one of the best spots to mingle with locals though it does get busy when the weather is good, so head over early if possible. The dance scene is very active, so if you push yourself past a post-dinner pint you’d better be ready to move. Thanks to the city’s ethnic diversity, the afrobeat and dancehall scenes are super popular. Petit Afro is one of the local favorite choreographers who can teach you how to bust a move like a pro and gain control of your hips after a single class. If you’re into Latin dance, there’s plenty of salsa and bachata to be danced in town as well with weekend socials. Striktly is a fun dance spot to hit up every Tuesday at Stadhuisplein. You’ll find Kizomba every Tuesday at Coconuts right next door.

Photo: Stanislavskyi/Shutterstock

Before jumping on the train back to Amsterdam, snap a selfie with Kabouter Buttplug — buttplug gnome, and yes, you read that correctly. This statue should have been of Santa Claus but became famous because it looks like he’s holding something else other than a Christmas tree… Rumour has it that the artist did that on purpose.


More like this: What you should and shouldn’t do in Amsterdam’s red-light district

The post Why you shouldn’t leave the Netherlands without a day trip to Rotterdam appeared first on Matador Network.

Proposed Notre Dame roof redesigns

Since French President Emmanuel Macron announced a contest to redesign the roof of Notre Dame Cathedral, which was damaged last month in a fire, entries have been pouring in. Some are more feasible than others, and others are downright far-fetched, but they are all intriguing in their own right. From a massive swimming pool to a greenhouse, here are some of the craziest proposed designs.

1. Massive greenhouse

Photo: Studio NAB

In perhaps the most ecologically minded design that has been proposed, Studio NAB is suggesting building a greenhouse on the roof and an apiary to replace the destroyed spire. The structure would keep the lines of the former roof, and the timber that was burnt in the fire will be reused to create all the planters and facilities present in the greenhouse. The apiary would house the honey bees that survived the fire and function as a place for training beekeepers.

2. Quasimodo’s penthouse

Photo: Who Cares Design

Notre Dame’s most famous resident, Quasimodo, might finally have a place of his own if Who Cares Design gets their way. They proposed building a futuristic-looking, 8,000-square-foot, glass-roofed penthouse fitted with an indoor/outdoor pool, sauna, and spa, and surrounded by a beautiful rooftop garden. A helipad will also be featured in case the hunchback wants to take a little trip out of the city.

3. Public swimming pool

Photo: UMA

Stockholm design studio Ulf Mejergren Architects (UMA) believes the cathedral looks better without its spire and lead-clad roof, so it has proposed scrapping the idea of a roof altogether to an install open-air swimming pool at the top of the cathedral, instead. The public pool would have panoramic views of Paris and be surrounded by the statues of the 12 apostles that escaped the fire.

4. Gothic and biometric forest

Photo: Vincent Callebaut Architectures/Facebook

Vincent Callebaut Architects has a pretty ambitious vision for the cathedral, proposing the “Palingenesis project” — an effort to turn Notre Dame into a positive energy building, which produces more energy than it consumes. A new wooden frame would be covered with a three-dimensional crystal glass, which would absorb light and transform it into energy. A garden would also be planted, for the purpose of facilitating contemplation and meditation.

5. Stained glass

Photo: AJ6 STUDIO/Facebook

Alexandre Fantozzi of Aj6 STUDIO in Brazil wants to make Notre Dame shine by covering the roof in one of the cathedral’s most famous elements: stained glass. The beautiful and incredibly intricate rose windows of Notre Dame are some of the most beautiful parts of the cathedral, so Fantozzi wants to make the material the focus of its redesign proposal. On Instagram, he explains how his idea would make for a great connection between Earth and sky — a theme of religious importance.


More like this: 7 lesser-known Parisian architectural wonders you can check out for free

The post 5 crazy, amazing, and grandiose designs proposed for rebuilding Notre Dame’s roof appeared first on Matador Network.

Lesser-known Hong Kong street food

Hong Kong’s history with street food dates back to when it was just a fishing village, long before it was a financial center. By the early 1900s, quick and affordable meals served from small stalls lined the streets. It thrived through the decades, despite licenses and government regulations in the mid-20th century.

Today, there are more laws than ever governing what, where, and how street vendors can operate in Hong Kong. It’s still one of the best cities in the world to gorge on streetside meals, but things have changed — including what is served. There are popular modern dishes, then there are the ones that are falling to the wayside.

These are the seven classic Hong Kong street foods that are often overlooked, and in some cases, disappearing.

1. Cold Cake

Photo: Alison Fung

Cold Cake was a popular treat from the 1950s through the ‘70s. It’s made with a sweet batter that’s poured into a deep pan and cooked on a charcoal stove for five minutes with another metal plate sitting on top. The cake is then quickly cooled in ice water, which makes a soft and tender interior with a crunchy crust. Hawkers then sprinkle sesame, crushed peanuts, coconut shreds, and sugar onto the cake, which is folded in half and served in a brown paper bag.

Where to find it: Canton Road & Pitt Street, Yau Ma Tei, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM

2. Pantyhose milk tea

One of Hong Kong’s most famous drinks, pantyhose milk tea is widely consumed as afternoon tea regardless of whether you’re rich or poor. The name comes from the filter, which isn’t an actual pantyhose, but the cloth sock with a handle sure looks close enough. The tea is served in glasses with condensed or evaporated milk and sugar. The tea comes from British rule in the 1900s. The British put milk in their tea, but since milk is harder to come by in Hong Kong, sweeter condensed or evaporated milk was swapped in.

Where to find it: Lan Fong Yuen, 2 Gage Street, Central

3. Dragon beard candy

Photo: Osacr_Y/Shutterstock

Freshly made dragon beard candies have historically been popular treats for young children at Chinese operas. The candy’s name comes from its appearance. It’s made with sugar that’s strung out like cotton candy, and the thousands of thin sugar strands resemble the long white beard of a dragon. It’s all wrapped around a warm ball of crushed peanuts and coconut shreds.

Where to find it: Freshly made at 2/F Dragon Center, Yen Chow Street, Sham Shui Po

4. Onion candy wrap

Onion candy wraps, also called coconut candy wraps, originated in southern China in the 1930s and were popular street snacks in Hong Kong in the 1950s and ‘60s. It was easy to find: Just look for the large metal box used to store the ingredients. The name comes from its appearance. To make it, maltose candy is rolled into a shape that looks somewhat like a bundle of green onions, and then the candy is wrapped in a thin sweet bread. Sugar, coconut shreds, and sesame are added to the wrap.

Where to find it: On the bridge between Kowloon Train Station and Festival Walk, Kowloon, G/F 160 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai

5. Airplane olives

Photo: Alison Fung

Hong Kong’s buildings were much shorter before it became the concrete jungle that it is today. Hawkers would carry a bucket full of sweet dried plums marinated with salt, cinnamon, mandarin peels, and cloves that looked a bit like an olive. They’d walk down the streets and shout “airplane olives!” When someone wanted one, the vendor would toss the candy, each wrapped in a green wrapper, onto the balconies of homes. In exchange, the buyers tossed money onto the road. They don’t walk the streets anymore, but you can still find them around if you know where to look.

Where to find it: A hawker at 2/F Dragon Center, Yen Chow Street, Sham Shui Po

6. The boiling egg

This drink consists of a glass of boiling water, a raw egg, a teaspoon of sugar, and condensed milk. It’s locally described as a “monk jumping into sea.” The egg is dumped in the water, and as it cooks, a white layer will form as the cloak of the monk while the egg yolk looks like a man’s head. In the old days, workers around the harbors would drink these as an affordable energy booster.

Where to find it: Yee Shun Milk Company, 63 Pilkem Street, Jordan

7. Ding ding candy

Photo: Julie Mayfeng/Shutterstock

Ding ding candy gets its name from the sound made when vendors hammer small chunks of hard candy off of a long candy coil. It’s made with a mixture of steamed glutinous rice, malt, ginger, and sesame that’s hardened and pulled into a long, rope-like coil. Only a handful of vendors still hammer the candies into small bits while most are machine made today. It’s also known as deuk deuk tong.

Where to find it: Newspaper stand, Hollywood Center, 610 Nathan Road, Mong Kok


More like this: 9 mouth-watering street foods you need to try in Hong Kong

The post The 7 most underrated Hong Kong street foods you’ve never heard of appeared first on Matador Network.

Airbnb’s trending summer travel

A good way to know the under-the-radar destinations that are trending this year is to look at Airbnb’s booking data for this summer (between June 1 and September 2). The accommodation-sharing service is so incredibly popular that it’s in a unique position to show which destinations are piquing people’s interest, from China to Puerto Rico. Whether you use the list as a guidepost for where to go, or where not to go to avoid the crowds, is up to you, but understanding travel trends is always a useful exercise.

10. Bragg Creek, Canada

Photo: Nils K/Shutterstock

Visitors to the Canadian Rockies are probably familiar with Bragg Creek, and it’s no surprise that it’s seen 382% growth. Make sure to check out the Bragg Park Provincial Park on the banks of the Elbow River for an abundance of hiking, biking, kayaking, and other activities. And with plenty of open play areas for children, the area is also ideal for families and the perfect base for venturing into the mountains.

9. Yeosu, South Korea

Photo: wulfman65/Shutterstock

A port city located in the southern part of South Korea, Yeosu is also a gateway to over 300 small islands that surround it. Not only can you spend the day relaxing on Yeosu’s beach, but you can also explore the covered-wagon market called Gyodong-sijang, visit a 14th-century Buddhist hermitage, and enjoy some spicy pork bone soup — a local favorite. Since last year, Yeosu has seen a 408% increase in bookings.

8, 7, and 6. Dorado, Vieques, and Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

Photo: Danita Delmont/Shutterstock

These resorts are really putting Puerto Rico on Airbnbers’ radars. Dorado (449%) is located in the north, near San Juan; Vieques (425%) in the middle of the island; and Rio Grande (416%) to the east, near El Yunque National Forest, the popularity of these resorts is an encouraging sign of successful rebuilding after Hurricane Maria devastated the island.

5. Wuhan, China

Photo: chuyuss/Shutterstock

Wuhan is famous for its cultural sites and attractions, like the Yellow Crane Tower — a historic pagoda you can actually climb — Three Gorges Dam, Enshi Grand Canyon, and Wudang Mountain. It’s composed of three ancient towns and is home to several parks and lakes, which visitors could spend days exploring. The city is also known for its hot dry noodles and other food peddled by street vendors. Wuhan has experienced a booking growth rate of 454% since last year.

4. Marigot, St. Martin

Photo: thierry dehove/Shutterstock

Marigot’s Airbnb bookings have grown by 467%, and it’s easy to see why. Located on the island’s western shore, Marigot is home to several open-air coastal restaurants and the 18th century Fort Louis. The fort was built by the governor St. Martin to protect the harbor, with three gun batteries, and it still stands today. There’s also a twice-weekly produce market and boat charters that make Marigot the perfect base for exploring the rest of the coast.

3. Matsudo, Japan

Photo: a_text/Shutterstock

The third largest city in the Chiba Prefecture, Matsudo also came in third on Airbnb’s trending cities ranking, with a growth of 476%. The upcoming 2020 Olympics — taking place in nearby Tokyo — have likely contributed to Matsudo’s popularity, but the city is also known for its stunning cherry blossom promenade and the colorful gardens of Hondoji Temple.

2. Changsha, China

Photo: thanat sasipatanapa/Shutterstock

Changsha is an ancient city with a rich history and culture, and it’s perhaps most notable for being the birthplace of Chairman Mao Zedong. There are several museums for those who are historically inclined, including the Mawangdui Museum and Hunan Provincial Museum. It’s also home to Orange Island Park, with its famous statue of a young Mao. Changsha has experienced the second largest growth since last year, at 695%.

1. Valenciennes, France

Photo: Sergey Dzyuba/Shutterstock

Valenciennes had a booking increase of 704% since last year, making it Airbnb’s top-trending travel destination. A center for art and culture, Valenciennes is home to a world-renowned fine art museum, a 12th-century church called Église Saint-Géry, and a 16th-century Baroque-style library. There are also parks filled with miles of orchards, willow trees, and untouched countryside.

H/T: Lonely Planet

More like this: The best places to travel this July

The post Airbnb’s top 10 trending summer travel destinations for 2019 appeared first on Matador Network.

Dogs welcome at White Sands park

Stepping out of your vehicle onto fine gypsum crystals is the closest thing to walking on the moon that most of us will ever experience. At White Sands National Monument, dunes of white sand ripple across a vast expanse of open desert, ceasing only at the feet of the towering Sierra Blanca mountains. This 224-square-mile protected area of rolling gypsum dunes in southern New Mexico is the truest embodiment of the state’s catchphrase as the “Land of Enchantment.” But any dog owner knows that putting national parks on their bucket list is no easy task, as most parks prohibit dogs from the most famous sites and campgrounds. Thankfully, White Sands National Monument will welcome your dog with open arms, making it the perfect place to road trip this summer. Here’s what you need to know to plan a trip here with your dog.

They actively want your dog here.

Photo: Sandra Foyt/Shutterstock

It’s true. While many national monuments and parks will, at best, tolerate your dog if they have to and, at worst, ban them altogether, White Sands has devoted an entire page of its website to wooing four-legged companions — complete with a super corny photo that just might be Billy the Kid walking off into the sunset with a Boston Terrier. Leashed dogs are allowed on the hiking trails, and the park has even installed pick-up stations in case you don’t have an empty bag of chips on hand to clean up after your pet.

A few things to note about bringing your dog into the monument:

It can get quite hot here, frequently pushing the needle into the 80s and 90s, if not hotter. As such, it is both ill-advised and illegal to leave a dog unattended in your vehicle.
Make sure to give them plenty of water. Again, heat is a thing here, and you don’t want to have to cut a hike short because you didn’t bring enough water to share with the pup.
Don’t be a jerk. This applies to both the dog and the owner. No one wants to have a peaceful hike interrupted by someone else’s dog sneaking up behind them and nipping at their heels, nor do they want to be kept awake at night by barking. Keep your dog leashed at all times and monitor their behavior at the campsite.

Standing barefoot on gypsum feels amazing.

Photo: sunsinger/Shutterstock

The “sands” in the name are actually the gypsum you’re stepping on, superfine crystals of the stuff that will flow through your fingers almost like water. The monument is located in the Chihuahuan Desert while the gypsum is the area’s most visible remnant of the former Permian Sea, which millions of years ago covered much of what is now the southwestern United States. The entire monument looks like a scene from a Star Wars film — so much so that it wouldn’t be surprising if an AT-AT Walker approached from the horizon. The soft crystals will also be easy on your pup’s paws as the sand stays pretty cool. Absolutely do not lose track of where you are within the monument. The rangers here can easily recall stories of hikers who lost their place and disappeared into the emptiness.

Where to hike inside the monument

Photo: Alberto Loyo/Shutterstock

The monument has five well-maintained hiking trails. The Alkali Flat Trail is for the true hiker: five miles of trail moving past Lake Otero. It climbs across dunes and really exposes you to the elements, making for more of a workout than a typical five-mile hike through the woods. The dogs will have plenty of space to wear themselves out as they trounce through the sand. For a slightly easier trek, hit the one-mile Dune Life Nature Trail and take some photos of the badgers, reptiles, and desert succulents that call the area home. The Interdune Boardwalk Trail is accessible to wheelchairs.

Photo: White Sands National Monument/Facebook

The one hike you absolutely must do is the sunset guided hike, where a ranger will lead you across the dunes to witness a sunset that rivals the sunrise experience at Maui’s Haleakala National Park or Bali’s Mount Batur. Inquire about this hike at the visitor’s center as soon as you arrive.

Beyond the established hikes, the monument has several parking areas where your crew can get the dogs out onto the sand to stretch while you play your finest game of hand hour-glass with the gypsum — an activity that is even more addicting than it sounds. These parking areas are strategically placed near some of the monument’s most beautiful dunes and photo opportunities.

How to snap the perfect photo of the dunes

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Robert Dingle (@rob_ding) on May 12, 2019 at 5:18pm PDT

To correctly photograph White Sands National Monument, you need to do four things straight off:

Kneel down and take a close-up, side-angle shot of the sand rippling into the horizon, as seen above.
Stand back up and shoot the same shot again, capturing the peaks of the Sierra Blancas in the background to show the true contrast of the area.
Turn around and take another shot facing the other direction, and try to get as much barren desert into the shot as you can. Your friends back home likely won’t believe you took them all in the same place when comparing them side-by-side.
Enlist one of your travel partners to run about 50 feet ahead and coordinate a pose with them for one of those corny-but-kind-of-cool forced perspective shots you’ve seen on Instagram. If you can somehow work your dog into that shot, that’s absolute perfection.

Getting to (and staying in) White Sands National Monument

Photo: Michael Rosebrock/Shutterstock

Despite its New Mexico address, White Sands National Monument is actually closer to El Paso, Texas, (1.5 hours) than it is to Albuquerque (3.5 hours). Coming from the Texas side, the fastest route is to head north on I-10 out of El Paso and swing a sharp right onto US-70 on the north end of Las Cruces and continue until you see the entrance signs. For those coming south on I-25, exit onto US-380 in the tiny town of San Antonio instead of proceeding south to Las Cruces, and you’ll save yourself about 20 minutes of backtracking north.

Backcountry camping is available inside the monument and accessed via the aptly titled Backcountry Camping Trail. The 10 sites are available on a first-come basis, but you must pick up a camping permit from the visitor’s center before you hit the trail. Keep in mind that national monuments are not national forest, meaning dispersed camping and popping a tent anywhere at your convenience isn’t going to fly. If you plan to camp, show up in the morning to get your permit, do your hiking and exploring to tire out both yourself and your dog, and then settle in at the campsite for the evening.

If camping isn’t your thing, head an hour north to the town of Ruidoso to stay over. Alamogordo is adjacent to the park, but there’s not much there beyond a few chain motels and a collection of tired restaurants. Ruidoso, on the other hand, takes the natural contrasts of southern New Mexico even further by throwing a quaint, affordable, and super dog-friendly mountain town into the mix of desert and gypsum sands that you’ve already trekked through.


More like this: Everything you need to know about taking your dog into the great outdoors

The post White Sands National Monument is the best natural place in the US to take your dog appeared first on Matador Network.

Rosé All Day needs an influencer

We all know someone who’s obsessed with rosé — someone who would rather be drinking pink wine than actually working. Well, now that person can live out their fantasy. Rosé All Day wine is looking for a new #RoséAllDay influencer to create premium content for their brand. The winner will receive $10,000 and a trip to the Languedoc region of France for a content-creating vacation, which will include art directing, staging, and drinking tons of free rosé.

Darren Restivo, Principal of Biagio Cru Wines & Spirits, said, “The Rosé All Day brand was created based on the success and phenomenon of the #RoséAllDay lifestyle that has taken over our menus, our glasses, and our social feeds. To embrace the community from which we were born, we want to find someone who relates to this lifestyle to digitally encapsulate the Rosé All Day life.”

The contest launches on June 8 (National Rosé Day) and ends September 2. Entering is simple. First, follow @Rose_All_Day on Instagram, then post a photo with the #RoséAllDay hashtag and make sure to tag @Rose_All_Day. Anyone over 21 is eligible to enter. The five finalists will be announced on the @Rose_All_Day handle and asked to create one more image before judges choose the winner.


More like this: The 7 most exciting places to travel to drink wine in 2019

The post Rosé All Day wine will pay you to drink rosé and travel to France this summer appeared first on Matador Network.

Queen of England social media job

If you’re sick of your boss and wish you could work for someone else, the Queen of England might be your next employer. Her Majesty is looking for someone to handle her social media presence, and if you thought posting your own Instagram photos was stressful, just wait until you’re responsible for the Queen’s follower count. The Royal Household posted a job opening for a Digital Communications Manager, whose job will be to find “new ways to maintain the Queen’s presence in the public eye and on the world stage.”

You would be required to manage all of the Queen’s digital and social networking platforms, be responsible for covering state visits, award ceremonies, and writing feature articles for the new Royal website. The post also says that whoever is chosen will “help hone and shape our digital communications through analytics, monitoring and exploring new technologies. The reaction to our work is always high-profile, and so reputation and impact will be at the forefront of all you do.”

To qualify, you should be able to work in a fast-paced environment, possess excellent planning skills, and be able to adapt to ever-changing demands. The pay is around $38,000, with a 15% employer contribution pension plan after six months, 33 days of vacation, free lunch, professional development training, and of course, you get to hang out with the Queen. Applications will be accepted through May 26.

H/T: Refinery 29

More like this: All the British royal family’s residences that you need to check out

The post The Queen of England is looking for someone to manage her social media appeared first on Matador Network.

Swiss Äscher restaurant reopening

The iconic Äscher mountain restaurant is open for business again, after a new team has taken over management of the property. Originally built as a guesthouse in 1884, Äscher has become one of Switzerland’s most widely recognized restaurants as it appears to be clinging to the side of a cliff above the mountain village of Wasserauen. The previous owners left at the end of last season, saying that the building’s old infrastructure was unable to handle the large number of tourists coming to the restaurant every day.

Most visitors to Äscher arrive via cable car from Wasserauen, but more adventurous diners hike the steep path to the town of Seealpsee and then from there to the restaurant. Currently, several paths are still snow-covered, so if you plan on venturing to this cliff-hugging restaurant, you should check your route in advance.

The restaurant rose to prominence when it was named one of the five most interesting restaurants in the world by the Huffington Post in 2014 and then featured on the cover of National Geographic’s “Destinations of a Lifetime” special. Now, Äscher is incredibly popular with tourists from all over the world, as well as within Switzerland.

Äscher was slated to reopen last Thursday, but the opening was postponed due to the risk of avalanches.

H/T: Lonely Planet

More like this: 8 reasons why a train trip is the only way to see Switzerland

The post Switzerland’s iconic cliff-hugging restaurant is reopening appeared first on Matador Network.

Where and when to go to Iceland

If you’ve ever been to Iceland, you’ll know that what you don’t see in all those vibrant Instagram posts are the millions of tourists who visit the country every year. Take a drive around the infamous Golden Circle and you’ll find an anthill of visitors posing with cameras in front of every mountain, geyser, and miniature horse.

The recent tourism boom has left many wondering if the Land of Fire and Ice has become too popular a destination. A country once known for its remoteness, Iceland now receives an annual number of visitors of 2,224,600 (as of 2017), more than six times its population of 356,991 residents. However, with some careful planning, and a willingness to step outside the in-flight brochure itinerary, it’s still completely possible to experience Iceland in almost the same untouched glory that the Viking settlers did.

There are two main things to consider when planning for a tourist-free experience: location and time.

Location: Explore the Westfjords and the North.

Photo: Kiran Photo/Shutterstock

While the masses are busy flocking to the South Coast and the Golden Circle, escape to the lesser-trafficked regions of the country — namely the Westfjords and the North.

The majority of folks on a short visit to Iceland take one of two routes. Either they start in Reykjavík and travel along the South Coast, stopping in Vík or making it all the way to Höfn (just entering the eastern region) before turning back. Or they stay close to Reykjavík and sightsee around the Golden Circle — a relatively small loop near the capital with a high concentration of sights (Geysir, Gullfoss, and Þingvellir National Park).

Only a small portion of tourists travel the entire Ring Road, which circles the country, tracking, for the most part, near the coast. Because of this, the number of visitors found in the northern regions is dramatically lower than in the south or near the capital. For a peaceful experience, head north and visit Goðafoss, hike up the gigantic crater Hverfjall, or soak in the geothermal pools in Mývatn (the secret hidden twin of the Blue Lagoon — this spot is much less crowded by tourists and considerably less expensive). And don’t fret: You can still get your dose of shopping and culture in Akureyri, the “Capital of the North.”

Photo: Vitalii Matokha/Shutterstock

For an even more isolated experience, head all the way to the Westfjords, the most remote region of the country. This wild, mountainous land has, for the most part, been untouched by the growing tourism industry. A great percentage of the population is relatively traditional — with agricultural lifestyles rooted in well-preserved Nordic culture — and many don’t speak English.

Spend your time napping in moss patches, climbing local mountains, and catching glimpses of wildlife that only reveal themselves in quiet, sparsely populated places such as this. Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, the “Land of the Arctic Fox,” is unimaginably expansive, giving a new meaning to the concept of remoteness. Here, you can hike for days without crossing paths with a single other human. Aside from the Arctic foxes, Hornstrandir is a hub for Icelandic birds, including puffins.

For a truly solitary time, make sure to stop by the town of Þingeyri. This tiny town is as remote as remote gets — Þingeyri is surrounded by mountains, has just one road going through it, a handful of quiet residents, and a few scattered buildings, including a café called Simbahöllin that makes delicious waffles. Watch the milky white fog roll in and out of the fjord and take a walk along the rocky beach with no other humans in sight.

Towns like this are dotted all along the winding edge of the Westfjords. Those who say that Iceland is no longer wild and untouched haven’t been looking in the right places.

Time: Choosing the right time of year and day.

Photo: Panpilas L/Shutterstock

Blustering winter winds and frigid sub-Arctic temperatures may not sound entirely appealing; this is exactly why Iceland’s tourism season peaks from mid-June to August. However, trading needing an extra layer or two for having a markedly more peaceful vacation is a deal worth taking. If your dream is to explore Sönghellir Cave alone, or to see the Dyrhólaey rock arch deserted, just pack on some thick socks and thermals.

The weather during the spring and fall are not nearly as harsh as people assume. April temperatures hover around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, but the weather in Iceland is unpredictable any time of year, and some April days can reach nearly 75 degrees. October temperatures also tend to stay around 45 degrees but with a considerably smaller chance of a downpour. Winter in Iceland can be frigid, but you won’t need to go out and buy any fancy premium-grade expedition gear. Some long underwear, those ski pants in the back of your closet, and lots of warm layers will do the job just fine (and don’t forget the camera for northern lights hunting; the aurora borealis season peaks from September to March).

Photo: Piotr Krzeslak/Shutterstock

Visiting outside of the peak months also has the added benefit of dramatically more affordable airfare, accommodation, and car rental prices. In a country that’s relatively expensive, this is a huge bonus.

Even if you do end up choosing to brave the masses in the summer months, choosing the right time of day can help lessen the blow. Many locations, even the ones that every guidebook highlights, become pretty deserted once the sun sets. Fearing chilly temperatures and wanting to get back to their hotel beds, most tourists are long gone. Opt for a solitary nighttime stroll along Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and get the tripod out for some long-exposure shots at Diamond Beach. Take advantage of the darkness; this is the perfect time to explore for those of you who want an otherworldly Icelandic experience and don’t mind putting on an extra layer.


More like this: I came to Iceland for the solitude and all I saw were tourists

The post It’s still possible to visit Iceland without all the tourists appeared first on Matador Network.

Different types of biryani in India

Of all the culinary classics synonymous with the rich food heritage of India, biryani is in a class of its own. Variations on the simple rice, meat, vegetable, and spice dish can be found in every section of India, though it’s not quite known how it became such a staple.

One theory traces the origins to Persia (where berian means “fried before cooking”) and the Mughals, who brought the dish to the Indian subcontinent in the 16th century. Another is that it’s an evolution of the plov, or rice pilaf, brought to the region by the Macedonian Alexander the Great around 327 BCE. Yet another theory is that biryani has local roots in the simple rice and beef dish from the Hindu scripture Brihadaranyaka Upanishad around 700 BCE.

In the end, it’s immaterial considering the mishmash of indigenous flavors and local ingredients. There’s now a different biryani for every region of the country, making it a dish as diverse as India itself. There’s Bhatkali biryani with its fiery red chilies, Kashmiri biryani with its pungent asafoetida (fennel powder), and Beary biryani for its no-spice lightness. Not to mention Bhopali biryani, which is perfect for mutton lovers, and Mughlai biryani, which is served with almond paste and dried fruit the way 16th-century royalty liked it.

These are the eight essential types of biryani you need to know.

1. Lucknowi, or Awadhi, biryani

The crown king of all biryanis, Lucknowi biryani was created in Northern India by Mughal royals in Awadh around the 18th century, when culinary finesse rose to its peak in the royal kitchens. The rice is cooked separately in spices, and marinated chicken is added later in a separate layer and cooked in a vessel over a low flame in dum pukht style (meaning in a pot sealed with flour) for hours. Delicate whole spices like saffron and star anise play the role of showcasing, rather than overpowering, the rich flavors of the meat. The subtle fragrance stays on as an after-effect.

2. Kolkata biryani

Photo: Shankhanil Ghosh/Shutterstock

With the onset of the British rule, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah (ruler of Awadh) was deposed to Kolkata. Along with his entourage, the culture and traditions of Awadh came with him, and so did the biryani. In Kolkata, the addition of deep fried potatoes (to replace the more expensive meat) resulted in a new signature style. The result is the lightly spiced and slightly sweet Kolkata biryani. Nutmeg, cinnamon, mace, cloves, cardamom, and yogurt are used for marinating the meat. Rose water and saffron are its special ingredients.

3. Memoni biryani

This variation belongs to the western Gujarat-Sindh region of India. It is easily one of the spiciest varieties of biryanis available in the country. Soft mutton chunks form the base of the dish, along with yogurt, fried onions, potatoes, and tomatoes. This one is zesty and spirited.

4. Hyderabadi biryani

Photo: Narender Sanwariya/Shutterstock

Biryani reached Hyderabad with the invading army of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the late 1600s, and the chefs for Nizam (the monarchy of Hyderabad) developed 47 new varieties for royal consumption. The vegetarian version is called Tahiri biryani. The quintessential Hyderabadi biryani cooks raw goat meat and rice together until the meat flavors seep into the rice. Fried onions, mint, and coriander leaves add flavor, but it’s the strong spices and sourness that define Hyderabadi biryani.

5. Malabar biryani

Another special Biryani from Kozhikode region of Kerala, but this one is cooked in dum style (slow in the oven), making it moister. Varieties include mutton, chicken, prawn, and fish. Fried onions give it a brownish color, and it’s garnished with sauteed dry fruits. Spices never interfere with the taste of the meat. Aroma meets spice for a winning combination in this version.

6. Thalassery biryani

Photo: Santhosh Varghese/Shutterstock

This coastal Malabar recipe uses small-grain Khyma or Jeerakasala rice instead of Basmati, and it uses a lot of ghee. Fish or prawn are often used instead of the chicken or mutton used in other regions. All the main ingredients are cooked separately and mixed together later. Onion, ginger, garlic paste, lime juice, curd, coriander, and mint leaves are used, along with local spices. Chili content is low, and it is garnished with cashew nuts and sultana raisins.

7. Ambur biryani

Strong meaty flavors make up this kind of biryani. Coming from the Tamil Nadu region in Southern India, dried chili paste and whole spices are the trademarks of this biryani. The dish is usually accompanied by sour eggplant curry. Cooked in dum style using coconut milk, this recipe includes curd and mint leaves, and the taste closely resembles that of Lucknowi biryani. It’s considered light on the stomach.

8. Dindigul biryani

Photo: Arti Arun/Shutterstock

Another product of the Tamil Nadu region, this one uses jeera samba rice, which is ideal for absorbing flavors. Cube-sized meat pieces are used instead of large chunks. The distinguishing factor is the use of curd and lemon for a tangy taste. Pepper leaves are added to fire up the palate.


More like this: 11 Indian curries that are infinitely better than chicken tikka masala

The post Your guide to the essential biryanis across India appeared first on Matador Network.