Matador Network's Blog, page 110

Airbnb Releases Update Making App More Personalized, Gives Hosts Ability To Collaborate With Co-Host

Airbnb today unveiled its biannual product update. The 2024 Winter Release focuses heavily on personalization for both travelers and hosts, and new features include threaded messaging to help keep conversations in the app organized, along with a way for hosts to collaborate with a partner to help their listing succeed. Matador spoke with Airbnb’s VP, Design, Teo Connor to get the lowdown on what’s new and how the new Airbnb update will make both new users and Airbnb veterans feel more at home in the app.

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We hope you love the Airbnb 2024 Winter Release! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page.

Airbnb adds personalized recommendations and a guided ‘Welcome’ tour

Photo courtesy Airbnb

“To me, the most exciting aspect of this update is that the app is becoming a much more personalized experience,” Connor says.

Connor notes that up until now, the Airbnb app had taken a one-size-fits-all approach. No more, she notes, as the company today will drop an update that allows users to more easily identify properties based on their specific interests and needs.

“One of the features we’re launching that I’m really excited about is a new “welcome” tool,” Connor says. “What’s cool about this is that if you’re a new user to Airbnb and you’ve never used our platform before, we’ll actually welcome you – we’ll say hi and give you a tour around the app to help you learn your way around and book a home.”

This feature includes guiding users not only through the basics, but it also includes a screenshot tour of the user’s actual screen – so that they can follow along in real time to familiarize themselves with the app. Once a user sets their filters and makes a few bookings, the app will make suggestions for similar properties in places that user plans to head to in the future.

That could be certain locations, or it could be type of travel – say, family bookings, homes with accessibility features, or individual solo trips. The app will learn what you like, what you need, and where you tend to go, and begin to display properties that are more tailored to those things, rather than simply a list of homes available for rent in a certain search area.

“If you regularly book a trip to Tahoe in the fall, and you come to our app at that time, we should really be making suggestions to you that are relevant,” Connor says. “Now, we’re able to do that. This is really about us getting out of the way and helping you get through the planning stage much faster.”

Hosts can connect with a co-host to help manage their listings

Photo courtesy Airbnb

The most notable change for hosts is the launch of Airbnb’s Co-Host Network.Going forward, property hosts can hire people who live in their area to assist with hosting duties, making the hosting experience more turnkey for those renting on the platform. The benefits to the Co-Host Network run deeper, however. It’s now possible to make money hosting on Airbnb, even if you don’t have a property to rent out yourself.

Personal property hosts have a higher average star rating on the app than listings managed by larger property management companies, averaging a rating of 4.86 versus 4.62, according to data provided by Airbnb. Personal hosts are also likelier to become Superhosts or have their listing selected as a Guest Favorite, the company noted.

“With the cohost network, we’re going to help you find a person to come and help you run your Airbnb home in a very personalized way,” Connor says. “You can find folks that can help you do anything from setting up the listing, to managing the listing, to interacting with guests.”

This will help newer hosts, in particular, create listings that are professional and really showcase why their property is unique. Photos are always a big selling point, and through the Co-Host network it is possible to find not only someone who can take a good photo, but someone who knows what types of shots really sell a home to potential renters. Some Co-Hosts are existing hosts that have mastered the platform – and really help other people get up and running.

“You don’t actually need to be a homeowner to be an entrepreneur on Airbnb now,” Connor says.

If you’re interested in signing up as a Co-Host, or learning more about how it works, visit Airbnb’s Winter Release info page.

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Thinking about becoming an Airbnb host? Check out Matador’s complete guides to everything you need to know, do, and plan for: Everything You Need To Know To Become an Airbnb Host How To Set Up an LLC for Your Airbnb Rental Properties 9 weird things you can expect as an Airbnb host Everything You Need to Keep Stocked as an Airbnb Host

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How to Do an In-Flight Facial According to a Leading Board-Certified Dermatologist

“Come with me on the longest flight on Earth,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss in a recent video. If you don’t know anything about Idriss’ channel and love all things skincare, where have you been? Idriss normally comes to us from her bathroom on a Saturday morning where she chats about everything from retinol tips and tricks, approved ways to boost collagen, and the Korea skin booster salmon sperm facial. On this occasion, she’s offering advice on giving yourself an in-flight facial while on the grueling 19-hour flight from New York to Singapore.

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If you are new to her content, you might find yourself stuck in a hole. Her debunking and explainer videos, in particular, are worth losing a few hours of an afternoon over. Even if you’ve been using retinol like me for some time, I’m sure there are things you can learn from her layering tutorial or nighttime routine. She’s also very honest about cosmetic procedures, which is refreshing. And to top it off, Idriss is not only highly intelligent, she’s hilarious.

Her company has a new-ish range of products (some mentioned below). They have only just started shipping to the UK, so I’m yet to try these out, but I’ve heard cooing over the depuffer.

Start by exfoliating, says Idriss. Even if you’re boarding a flight sans makeup, you’ll need to clean off the gunk from pollution and the airport. Now, she cleans her face with micellar water (like she does at home) in another in-flight video. But to make things a little easier, she uses an exfoliating wipe here. I’ve written about TSA-approved products, including wipes, before for flights. Neither of us is a fan of using these when not traveling. They are not great for the environment, but they do the job in a pinch.

Next, Idriss uses one of her favorite products, SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion. The active ingredient of this toner is pitera. Pitera is a yeast-derived filtrate that contains over 50 essential vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and organic acids. These components help regulate the skin’s natural functions, promoting a more radiant and youthful complexion. This lotion isn’t cheap. To help you get bang for your buck, Idriss suggests using an affordable mister she purchased on Amazon. You’ll also see her use this device in her bathroom at home, and if you want to start using this toner and don’t have Kardashian money, I highly recommend investing in one of these.

She then de-puffs with her roll-on serum. The Depuffer works by targeting the root causes of puffiness and under-eye circles. Caffeine helps to reduce blood flow to the under-eye area, while hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps the skin. Niacinamide helps to improve skin tone and texture, reducing the appearance of dark circles. Matrixyl 3000 stimulates collagen production, improving skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Idriss uses this all over her face, including her jawline and neck. And if you are struggling with loose skin on your neck, or even if you’re in your 20s and not there yet, you must watch her deep-dive into how to get rid of sagging jowls. It’s never too early to start taking care of that area in particular.

Next up is her Major Fade Hyper Serum for that instant glow. This serum works by targeting the root causes of hyperpigmentation. Tranexamic acid helps to reduce melanin production, while niacinamide and kojic acid can also help to lighten dark spots. Glycolic acid helps to exfoliate the skin and improve skin texture. For more information on how your skin tone ages you more than fine lines and wrinkles, check out Idriss’ video on how your age does not define your skin type.

She then did an in-flight experiment with a CO2Lift carboxy gel mask. “If we’re being bougie, let’s be bougie to the max,” Idriss says. My bank balance would not thank me for trying this mask out, but it looks hella fun. It works by utilizing the principle of carboxytherapy, a non-invasive procedure that injects carbon dioxide into the skin, stimulating blood flow and oxygenation. But there are no injections here. It mimics the effects of carboxytherapy by delivering carbon dioxide to the skin through a gel-based mask. The best part? You get to mix it, and who does not like a DIY facial mask, especially when you’ve got time to kill on a 19-hour flight?

Idriss finishes off with cult-favorite Clarins Cryo-Flash. “Not only is it cooling, but it smells like a spa and loves my skin,” says Idriss. This might be another of those products that you put on your Black Friday list cause it’s spendy. But, in its defense, one pot will last you a good while. It uses a cooling effect to constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling, resulting in a more refreshed and alert appearance.

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This Luxury Italian Hotel Will Literally 3D Print Your Dreams

Hotel de La Ville, a luxury hotel in Rome, Italy, just announced a new offering that seems straight out of a sci-fi movie.

For 15,0000 euro, or about $16,300, visitors to the boutique resort, housed in a former 18th-century palace, can make “the dreamlike state tangible by translating the chemical activity of the brain into shapes and sounds.” (It’s also available at the luxury apartments at the Rocco Forte House next door, owned by the same company).

The “Dream Portraits” offering is a partnership between Rocco Forte Hotels and Matteo Nasini, an Italian artist known for his exhibitions that blend sound and sculpture. While sleeping, guests will wear a electroencephalography, or EEG headset, to measure electrical signals generated by the brain. While the EEG can’t record dreams, it does record when you’re dreaming, detected by measuring changes in the size, frequency, and type of brain waves generated. Using the patterns and waves generated, the artist will create a 3D printed porcelain sculpture, based on your individual patterns. While it’s not clear exactly how the artist will translate the EEG results into a form of art, it does seem likely that guests can expect interpretive, abstract art pieces. “The sculpture will become a memory in physical form, capturing each guest’s state of mind during their stay in Rome,” writes the release.

Rooms at the high-end Hotel de la Ville. Photo: Hotel de la Ville

Though the experience is pricey, that’s in-line with the artists work, which normally sells for a pretty penny.  Paintings from the artist range from 5,000 euro to 35,000 euro or more, while most sculptures are listed only as “price on request.” Both of the Rocco Forte Hotels properties are also on a five-star budget; rooms at Hotel de La Ville start around $1,100 per night, while apartments at the nearby Rocco Forte House start closer to $1,500 per night.

The promotion reflects a growing trend of high-end hotels appealing to art-loving travelers by incorporating museum-quality collections, curated exhibitions, and immersive art experiences into their offerings. Many of those experiences offer guests the chance to have unique encounters with art, from the Rammefjord Hotel that celebrates the art of former resident Edvard Munch to London’s Beaumont Hotel, where guests can stay in a three-story piece of sculptural art. By integrating art into their identities, the hotels are able to reach travelers who prioritize art and cultural enrichment as part of their luxury travel experiences — and don’t mind spending a significant amount of change to do it.

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Where to Eat in Torrance, an LA County City With an Ambitious Dining Scene

It’s easy to overlook Torrance, California. The modest city barely registers as a blip on the radar alongside the 110 Interstate, but it’s more than a place you pass en route to somewhere else.

From the moment you drive through the arches of the Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge — the city’s most famous landmark — and alongside a vast framework of mature, towering trees that line the homes on Torrance Boulevard, you know you’re in a corner of Southern California that appreciates its identity.

Torrance is diverse and ambitious yet clean, family-oriented, and nestled in the spirit of classic Americana. Even the high school is on point, chosen as a filming location for both Beverly Hill 90210 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

The affection only grows fonder with each bite of every meal you try in Torrance. The city has more than 200 restaurants within a footprint of roughly 21 square miles — that alone makes it a community worth taking a moment to explore.

Where to eat in Old Torrance

There’s nothing quite like walking the streets of Old Torrance in the morning, whether you’re admiring the street-art murals, visiting the two-block stretch of El Prado Park, or browsing vendors at the monthly Torrance Antique Street Fair. The scene is even better with a cup of coffee and something sweet to nibble on. Come dinnertime, the historic downtown is a safe bet for a date-night spot or otherwise memorable meal.

Torrance Bakery

Photo: Robert Kachelriess

The Torrance Bakery has been around for 40 years and counting, proving to be a stable presence that spans generations in Old Torrance. The operation has only grown over the years and now includes an adjacent sandwich shop and custom cake shop. The lines in the main bakery grow long but move quickly down an extended display case, giving customers ample opportunity to choose from pastries, cookies, brownies, doughnuts, and more. You may recognize the “crookie” from TikTok, a cookie dough croissant that went viral online.

Torrance Bakery: 1341 El Prado Ave, Torrance, CA 90501

Clutch and Coffee

Photo: Robert Kachelriess

Just a few doors down from the Torrance Bakery, Clutch and Coffee is like a diner and coffee shop in one. It resists the urge to lean too heavily into its motorcycle theme, offering a comfortable space for coffee and all-day breakfast plates. The Elvis toast is worth a visit alone, topped with bananas, peanut butter, and the crackle of black pepper on pieces of candied bacon. Soft, tender, pork shoulder takes the place of ham on the Eldon classic Benedict. The beverage list has a deep lineup of lattes and other coffee staples, but the frothy on-tap nitro cold brew is the most satisfying sip you’ll enjoy in between bites.

Clutch and Coffee: 1321 El Prado Ave, Torrance, CA 90501

Madre

Photo: Robert Kachelriess

It’s hard to find a better dinner date restaurant than Madre, which has a prime Old Torrance location on Cabrillo Avenue. The kitchen offers a fresh spin on Mexican and Latin cuisine, mixing traditional recipes with contemporary touches. Mole is the specialty, with hearty sauces served in a variety of formats, including a green version that brings out the flavor of grilled branzino. The house favorite, however, is the pecado del moles: chicken breast with white rice and three sauces on top. The agave spirits collection is Madre’s secret weapon, featuring a heavy emphasis on artisanal mezcals that aren’t always easy to find. Mix and match three into a flight with guidance from your server or bartender.

Madre: 1261 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance, CA 90501

Depot Restaurant

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When it comes to restaurants in Torrance, Depot is among the most iconic. As the name suggests, it stands in the spot once home to the railroad depot that helped establish the city in the early 20th century. Today, Chef Michael Shafer covers all the bases with a deep selection of daily seafood specials and juicy cuts of steak topped with gorgonzola cheese. The dining room is relatively formal by Torrance standards, but the bar and lounge by the main entrance is something of a locals’ hangout for loud conversation, martinis, and small bites.

Depot: 1250 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance, CA 90501

Where to eat at Charles H. Wilson Park

Torrance has more than 30 parks, including the Madrona Marsh and Nature Preserve with nearly two miles of walking trails. But Charles H. Wilson Park is the largest, featuring everything from a softball field and splash pads to an oversized, walkable treehouse and outdoor amphitheater for free concerts. It also has the most diverse array of food in one place.

Torrance Certified Farmers’ Market

Photo: Robert Kachelriess

Torrance is often singled out for its farmers’ market, which runs from 8 AM to 1 PM every Tuesday and Saturday, rain or shine. It’s one of the largest farmers’ markets in Southern California, taking over Wilson Park with more than 60 farms represented. It also has an unusually efficient layout, divided among fresh produce, retail items, and prepared foods to order. The latter is almost like an outdoor global food court with everything from dim sum to traditional Peruvian dishes represented.

Torrance Certified Farmers’ Market: 2200 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501

Where to get Japanese food in Torrance

Torrance has one of the largest Japanese-American communities in the country. It’s the home of Honda’s US headquarters (with a Collection Hall of exhibits open to the general public) and the former location for Toyota’s US headquarters. The business landscapes evolve, but the diverse array of Asian cuisine has only become more compelling over time.

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen

Photo: Robert Kachelriess

There’s a reason Torrance is nicknamed the “Ramen Capital of Southern California.” There are at least eight restaurants that specialize in the noodle dish, but you can’t go wrong with Hakata Ikkousha Ramen, tucked away in a strip mall of Asian businesses. There are no reservations here — you sign up on a digital screen by the door, and you’ll receive a text when a table is ready. The payoff is delicious ramen that simmers for hours, courtesy of award-winning Chef Kousuke Yoshimura. The classic tonkotsu is rich in flavor, thanks to pork bones boiled in the broth. Add some heat with a choice of four spice levels and a slice of cha-shu barbecue pork. Don’t forget the gyoza appetizer on the side.

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen: 21605 S Western Ave, Torrance, CA 90501

Miyabi Uni

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Miyabi Uni dabbles in fine dining, serving a high-end take on seafood while frequently spotlighting aggressively rich sea urchin. The ingredient is especially effective in rolls of Wagyu beef and toro (the fattest part of a Bluefin tuna). You can even chomp away at french fries with sea urchin butter on top. The main courses range from crisp and clean sashimi platters to inventive recipes that incorporate vast global influences, like pasta topped with spicy tomato sauce and various seafood. Executive Chef Toshi-san lets his creativity unfold in a modest but modern dining room with dark wood decor. The best seats are at the sushi bar, where it’s easiest to watch the kitchen team in action.

Miyabi Uni: 1231 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance, CA 90501

Where to eat in the Del Amo Fashion Center

Torrance is home to Del Amo Fashion Center, one of the largest shopping malls in the country. It was actually formed by two separate plazas that became so big that they finally merged together. Today, Del Amo Fashion Center is three levels tall with a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. At times, it’s like walking through a neighborhood of boutiques — and, of course, there’s plenty of food to choose from.

MB Grille

Photo: Robert Kachelriess

MB Grille hits all the right notes for those craving seafood. The restaurant is a bright, rustic space with tall ceilings and a covered outdoor patio, featuring an approachable menu based on a fresh catch, pulled directly from oceans and rivers throughout the world. Try a sushi roll or a fisherman’s stew of lobster, shrimp, scallops, crab, clams, calamari, and mussels in a San Francisco-style tomato broth. MB Grille knows flexibility is key, allowing customers to mix and match their own steak and seafood combinations with a choice of seasoning and two sides.

MB Grille: 21536 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503

Din Tai Fung

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Finding a place like this inside a shopping mall is a true delight. Din Tai Fung is a Michelin-recognized Taiwanese concept that, despite growing to nearly 200 locations throughout the world, retains a fierce dedication to authenticity when serving dumplings, noodles, and other dim-sum-inspired plates. Din Tai Fung is most famous for its xiao long bao (soup dumplings), traditionally rolled by hand and filled with a flavorful Kurobuta pork broth — although other versions contain crab or chicken. Just poke it with your chopstick to let out the steam before slurping at all down in one bite. There’s even a chocolate-filled dessert version.

Din Tai Fung: 21540 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503

Where to eat near Torrance Beach

Torrance Beach is an enticing enclave to enjoy the coastal California weather, stretching across 1.5 miles of shoreline and framed by cliffs that offer a sense of seclusion. The beach is very much a local spot, which has its pros and cons: It’s less crowded and more calm, with minimal competition for parking, especially in the paid lots. Then again, it lacks the bars and restaurants in flashier beachside destinations. Fortunately, there are a few spots to load up on calories just across the border of Torrance in Redondo Beach.

Good Stuff

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This SoCal favorite focuses on healthy ingredients, making it a top pick for a delicious breakfast before soaking in the sun at the beach. The restaurant uses cage-free eggs, hormone-free meats, and applewood-smoked bacon in various combinations that reflect a California sensibility for clean eating. If you’re in a rush, order a burger or teriyaki bowl to go — and enjoy a picnic on the beach.

Good Stuff: 1617 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Yellow Vase

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Yellow Vase is a photogenic cafe that serves coffee, pastries, and other light bites. It also doubles as a florist if you want to put together a colorful bouquet for a romantic day on the beach. Choose between paninis, egg scrambles, crepes, salads, and more. Bonus: There’s another Yellow Vase south of the beach in Palos Verdes Estates with a charming courtyard.

Yellow Vase: 805 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Where to get craft beer in Torrance

You can’t ignore the growing craft beer scene in Torrance, which began with Red Car Brewing and now includes at least 10 local producers. According to legend, the secret is in the water, sourced from artesian wells and two aqueducts, but you can’t discount the attention to detail and ingenuity of Torrance’s favorite breweries.

Smog City Brewing Co.

Photo: Robert Kachelriess

Smell the hops and feel the “daily breeze” that passes through the warehouse-like setting of the Smog City Brewing Co. It’s a beer lover’s dream come true. If you don’t know where to begin, order a flight, which includes four core favorites and a hazy IPA that changes every three months (and named after extreme weather events). The variety offers something for all, from an easy, drinkable Czech-style lager to boozy seltzers and slushies. Smog City opened in 2013 and has grown to four locations, although all of the beer is brewed in Torrance. Smog City West (22755 Hawthorne Blvd) is a second, smaller taproom in town, where you can hang out, play chess and bring your own vinyl for the turntable.

Smog City Brewing Co.: 1901 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501

Absolution Brewing Company

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Absolution Brewing was founded by the head of a software company who wanted to pursue his love of craft brews and have a line of American beers that matched those he loved back home in England. The Forbidden Blonde ale is a light and smooth “gateway” beer that leads to more adventurous recipes like the 405 West Coast IPA (named after the highway) and a rotating sour, made with fresh fruit. The social energy of the taproom spills outdoors, where visitors will find church-like pew seating, live music, and the occasional food truck. It’s family-friendly vibe with root beer and fruit sodas brewed in house for the kids, and a water station for doggies.

Absolution Brewing Company: 2878 Columbia St, Torrance, CA 90503

Where to stay in Torrance

Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach

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The Marriott is the complete package with ample parking in a multi-level garage and a convenient location next to the Del Amo Fashion Center. The rooms are clean and contemporary with views of the surrounding landscapes — and possibly a glimpse of the ocean. The morning breakfast buffet is worth an extra few bucks. Arrange a welcome platter of locally sourced charcuterie and cheese to greet you upon arrival. Foodies will also appreciate the on-site 21 Square Bar + Kitchen for light bites and late-night cocktails underneath string lights by a fire pit.

Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach: 3635 Fashion Way, Torrance, CA 90503

Bluestem Hotel

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The Bluestem Hotel is so cozy and intimate that you could easily miss it driving down Sepulveda Boulevard. The bold, modern exterior blends in with the shops and businesses that surround it, but step inside this boutique hotel and you’ll find a warm layout that combines stylish, contemporary decor with mid-century modern touches. Sliding doors open wide to a courtyard and fire pits, ideal for sharing a drink or enjoying breakfast with the morning breeze. The Bluestem is also conveniently located within range of Old Torrance, several parks, and everything else the city has to offer.

Bluestem Hotel: 2448 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501

Getting to and around Torrance

Photo: Joshua Ezell/Shutterstock

Torrance is just a 20-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but most visitors are navigating their journey through SoCal’s complex web of highways. Fortunately, Torrance is worth a road trip with reasonable driving times. Within a two-hour drive, it’s just 20 miles from downtown LA, 100 miles from Santa Barbara, and 120 miles from San Diego. You can also get to Torrance within four to six hours by car from Las Vegas, Phoenix, and San Francisco.

Once you’re in town, there’s no getting around needing a vehicle — a car is virtually required, although you can make due with rideshare services. Some areas, especially Old Torrance, are extremely walkable, and bikes aren’t out of place in residential neighborhoods or at The Strand by the beach. Torrance Transit is a low-cost bus service with routes throughout the city, as well as to Redondo Beach, Long Beach, downtown LA, LAX, SoFi Stadium, and other in-demand destinations.

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The US Is Finally Getting a Direct Flight to Greenland

Just four months ago, I reported that getting to Greenland from North America was getting easier than ever thanks to a brand new Air Greenland route between Arctic Canada and Nuuk, the capital of the autonomous territory. Back then, I said that the new seasonal route, which has been running since June 16 and will continue until October 23, 2024, was to revolutionize air travel between the North American continent and the largest island in the world. While true, this piece of news feels a lot less relevant since United’s recent big announcement: The airline will soon fly direct to Nuuk, Greenland, from one of the biggest air travel hub in the US.

According to an October 10 press release, starting June 14, 2025, United will operate a non-stop flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to Nuuk twice per week. This new route will be the only direct commercial air link between the US and Greenland. The route will be seasonal as tourism in Greenland is limited to around 4.5 months of the year, between June and October.

The news from United coincides with the launch of Nuuk’s new international airport which is to take place on November 28, 2024. Two more airports are scheduled to open in Greenland in 2026 in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq.

A trending destination for the past few years, Greenland, previously hard to reach, is making itself more easily accessible in order to attract more visitors — and it’s working. According to official statistics, “the number of foreign overnight visitors [in Greenland] has risen by more than 50 % since 2000, and the number of cruise line passengers stopping by Greenland has grown by around 150 % in the same period.”

Greenland is an outdoors adventure-focused destination that’s better suited for hikers, campers, kayakers, wildlife watchers, and the likes. 80 percent of Greenland is covered in snow and ice, and it is inhabited by only 56,000 people.

But Nuuk, Greenland, is only one of eight new exciting international destinations that United will add to its network in 2025. The other seven include:

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. United will be the only US airline to fly to Mongolia. The seasonal service will start on May 1, 2025, and will operate from Tokyo-Narita International Airport.Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The service will start on July 11, 2025, and will operate from Tokyo-Narita International AirportPalermo, Italy. The non-stop seasonal service will start on May 21, 2025, and will operate three times weekly from Newark Liberty International Airport.Bilbao, Spain. United will be the only US airline to fly directly to Bilbao, Spain. The non-stop service will start on May 31, 2025, and will operate three times weekly from Newark Liberty International Airport.Madeira Island, Portugal. The service will start on June 7, 2025, and will operate three times weekly from Newark Liberty International Airport.Faro, Portugal. The service will start on May 16, 2025, and will operate four times weekly from Newark Liberty International Airport.Dakar, Senegal. The non-stop service will launch on May 23, 2025, from Washington Dulles Airport and will operate three times per week. More like thisIn Greenland, Kayak Between Icebergs to Reach an Ancient, Rumbling Glacier

The Best Wine Bars in Athens for a Taste of Greece’s Long Viticultural History

Where to eat and drink is a high priority for many travelers. For those who work in the industry, that’s especially the case. I’ve been in the wine business for more than 10 years, first as a wine buyer for a retail store in New York City, and then as a journalist for the past seven years. Finding the best places to get a glass in a new destination is one of the first things I research. This past summer, I headed to Athens for the first time and was intrigued by the city’s wine scene before even hitting the ground.

Viticulture in Greece dates back thousands of years. However, the modern wine bar scene in Athens hadn’t really taken off until recently — about 15 years ago, to be exact. A handful of pioneering wine bars in the late 2000s led to a surge in noteworthy wine bars focused on quality. After surveying some industry friends for recs, and some on-the-ground research, these are the five wine bars in Athens you don’t want to miss, as well as two cocktail bars for a palate reset when you need a wine break.

The best wine bars in Athens

Best for natural wine lovers: Heteroclito

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Located in the historic city center, Heteroclito is a wine lover’s paradise — especially for those fond of all things organic, biodynamic, and low-intervention. Founded in 2012, this natural wine haven has a 200-reference list focused on Greek varieties and under-the-radar producers, and is known for housing a solid collection of hard-to-find bottles. Food items are small but well curated — think cheeses, nuts, and Mediterranean-inspired small plates. By-the-glass wine options change at the start of each month. Cozy up at the bar or grab a window seat and enjoy the people watching with a glass of something local in hand (and feel free to grab something for the road, as the bar also sells bottles to go).

Heteroclito:Fokionos 2, Athina 105 63, Greece

Best for variety and globally-sourced picks: Oinoscent

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Benchmark institutions like Oinoscent are largely to thank for the ascent of wine bars in Athens. It opened in late 2008 and moved to a larger space in 2012. Deemed one of the best vino-centric spots in the town, this spacious, industrial-feeling bar is characterized by high ceilings and concrete-colored walls. It also has one of the largest outdoor spaces in the neighborhood. Oinoscent’s well-curated selection hosts a variety of local and international picks, with 700 references to choose from in total and 50 rotating by-the-glass pours at all times. Best of all, Oinoscent is equally known for its show-stopping food menu, which has been spearheaded by chef John Tsikoudakis for the past six years. Pro tip: Don’t sleep on the scallops crudo and colorful beetroot salad.

Oinoscent:Voulis 45-47, Athina 105 57, Greece

Best for local Greek wine and a seriously good meal: Pelagos

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Situated in the Four Seasons Astir Palace in the Athens Riviera, Pelagos may be a bit off the beaten path. But the payoff — and unforgettable backdrop — are well worth the journey. Named after the Greek word for ocean, this Michelin-starred, wine-forward restaurant is best known for its signature Pelagos on Tour series, which takes guests on a journey of flavors through various regions of Greece without ever leaving their ocean-view seats. Spearheaded by chef Luca Piscazzi, the restaurant just unveiled its third edition of the tour, featuring food and wine picks from the Cycladic Islands of Santorini, Sifnos, and Naxos.

Although the restaurant’s signature meal highlights change, Pelagos’s rotating tours always highlight seasonal ingredients from land and sea, as well as an all-Greek wine pairing upon request (both six and nine-course menu options are available). Wine lovers will take delight in extensive offerings from benchmark Greek producers, including Hatzidakis and Vassaltis, as well as over 25 selections poured by the glass at all times.

Pelagos: Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni 166 71, Greece

Best for exploring a wide range of options: By the Glass

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Founded in 2012 Fotini Pantzia, By the Glass is a wine-focused bistrot located in the center of Athens just a few steps away from the National Botanical Garden. Housed in the Ralli Gallery, the bar’s tranquil location offers a quiet reprieve from the bustling city streets — white marble floors and high ceilings included. Over 200 wines are poured by the glass at all times, providing numerous options to pair with the bistrot’s hearty cuisine (both meat and veggie-forward options available). During warm weather months, guests can sit back and enjoy a seat in the bar’s massive garden surrounded by greenery and stone walls. In addition to the bar’s extensive by-the-glass pours (as the name implies), By the Glass also offers a reserve wine list, featuring myriad old vintages of classic Greek varieties.

By the Glass: Souri 3, Athina 105 57, Greece

Best for pairing with small plates: Pharaoh

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Co-founded by local food and travel journalist Fotis Vallatos, it comes as no surprise that Pharaoh has quickly captured the hearts of wine-loving Athens locals and visitors alike (as well as industry awards). Located in an industrial-inspired ambiance, Pharaoh’s 400 natural wine offerings are served alongside seasonal, flavor-packed small plates, which are prepared in the on-site wood-fired ovens, wood-fired stoves, and charcoal grill (all cooking is done without electricity or gas). Those looking to keep their visit wine focused can grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the selections of Perry Panagiotakopoulos, which highlight both locally-sourced Greek and globally-inspired picks from France, Spain, and beyond.

Pharaoh: Solomou 54, Athina 106 82, Greece

For when you need a wine break

Tiki drinks in Athens: Baba Au Rhum

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Baba Au Rhum is nothing short of an institution in Greece’s craft cocktail scene. Now celebrating its 15th year in business, this legendary cocktail bar’s offerings are broken down into two main categories, The Avant Garde Cocktails and The Rum Society, with subsequent sections featuring beers, wines, and spirits. In addition to its well-crafted—and XL-sized—drinks (all of which are served in uniquely designed tiki glasses), Baba Au Rhum is known for its colorful ambiance and emphasis on hospitality, which regularly garner the spot on The World’s 50 Best List. Beyond its craft libations, the bar proudly stocks over 400 rum references, but for those looking to imbibe in the bar’s signature drink, the team’s infamous Baba’s Zombie is where it’s at.

Baba Au Rhum: Klitiou 6, Athina 105 60, Greece

Best for drinks with a view: GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar at Hotel Grande Bretagne

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For me, few things in life beat a good hotel bar, and one as good as the GB Roof Garden at the Hotel Grande Bretagne promises to leave a lasting impression. Perched atop the hotel’s eighth floor at Syntagma Square, the bar’s spacious lounge area has both indoor and outdoor seating, which offer some of the best — if not the best — views of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Dress code is smart casual (no beachwear, flip flops, or athleisure), and non-guests of the hotel are welcome to grab a drink and enjoy the view. Go at night when the sites are lit up, and make this the spot where you get your gin martini fix.

GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar: 1 Vasileos Georgiou A, Syntagma Square Str, Athina 105 64, Greece

Newport Resort Offers Memorable On-Site Amenities and Easy Access to Door County’s Best Attractions

The 59-room Newport Resort in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, is a where you can spend a relaxing night while exploring surrounding Door County. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted with a friendly welcome and enthusiastic, personalized suggestions on what to do in the area from the front desk staff, who are genuinely happy to share insider insights into where they work and live.

Their excitement is contagious, and soon enough, you’ll find yourself eager to venture off and explore—but not before checking into a well-appointed suite that’ll feel like a home away from during your visit.

We hope you love Newport Resort! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

’Suite’ rooms at Newport ResortPhoto courtesy Newport ResortPhoto courtesy Newport Resort

The comfortable, affordable property – rooms start around $79 per night – offers spacious one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites with private, covered balconies, a fully equipped kitchen, and a cozy gas log fireplace. The separate living room area with ample seating makes it easy to wind down and watch a movie after an active day of exploring.

The compact but well-stocked kitchen was outfitted with all the cookware, utensils and tools to create a tasty, homemade meal on a night in. Even though it was the tail end of summer when I visited, I loved the ambiance of the fireplace in the living room and I enjoyed getting fresh air out on the deck.

Newport Resort offers awesome on-site amenities

Photo courtesy Newport Resport

The amenities on-site are so awesome that you might find it challenging to leave. Take a dip in the year-round heated indoor pool or hot tub. There’s also an outdoor pool open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Outside, in the backyard area, you’ll find a gazebo with multiple gas grills and a fireplace surrounded by outdoor patio furniture.

There’s a complete “arcade room” just off the lobby, lined with nostalgic video games, for those who want to release some friendly, competitive energy. There’s also an indoor and outdoor play area, which means families never have to worry about entertaining kids even when the weather isn’t ideal for outdoor exploration.

Those who prefer to engage in a battle of wits can head upstairs to the game room, where you’ll find various types of board games and card games. If visiting during warmer months, take advantage of the free bike rentals, which make it easy to get around town quickly. And the compact fitness center makes it easy to get in a workout while on the road.

Forgot something? There’s an on-site market that sells everything you’d need, from a snack to an adult beverage (I personally indulged in some wine from the market’s fridge), ice cream, and even gift-shop-style goodies you can bring home as souvenirs like clothing and stickers.

Another benefit of this property is that it’s conveniently located just steps from the heart of downtown Egg Harbor, meaning it’s exceptionally walkable to some of this quaint town’s best restaurants and attractions, including the harbor itself. But it’s also far enough from the “action” to feel peaceful.

Explore beyond the property, all across Door County

Photo: Matt Sampson Photography/Shutterstock

Newport Resort is a fantastic choice for families and couples seeking a clean and friendly home base in the Door County area—overflowing with adventure opportunities for all ages and interests.

In downtown Egg Harbor, don’t miss the beautiful views at Mezzanine’s rooftop restaurant space, which is a great spot to grab a bite or a drink with sights of the water. Door County Coffee is a must-stop for any caffeine fiend (I may have spent too much money on their single-serving-sized bags of coffee, which come in seemingly every possible flavor—including seasonal choices. I had to have one of each).

Right next door to Door County Coffee is Door County Candle, which is also nearly impossible to leave without purchasing anything. There’s a “pour your own candle bar” area for those who want to get crafty. Grab a drink at Door 44 Winery, named after its location on the 44° North Latitude (the “line” worldwide where the finest grapes are grown).

A sunset cruise with Sister Bay Scenic Boat Tours can be a memorable experience if the weather is warm, and while you’re in Sisters Bay, be sure to stop at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik for a tasty bite and to spy some real live goats grazing up on the grass roof. Don’t worry — they’re some of the most pampered residents in town during and outside their day job, perched on the roof.

Outdoor lovers will love wandering around The Ridges Sanctuary, Wisconsin’s oldest land trust, or visiting the Cana Island Lighthouse, where you can take a tractor or walk over the causeway depending on water conditions and climb this 97-step structure that dates back to 1869 and boasts some of the best views of the peninsula in town.

Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park also offers stunning views from its 850-foot canopy walkway, showcasing the bay of Green Bay from 250 feet above the water. Finally, one Door County experience that’s definitely not to be missed is a traditional “Fish Boil” dinner. I experienced this quintessential right of passage at the Old Post Office, one of the oldest establishments in the area. Here, you’ll enjoy a delicious, coursed-out meal focused on seafood and an entertaining and educational story right next to the water.

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In the Canadian Tundra, Wildlife Photography Tours Are Reshaping a Former Hunting Lodge

Louis spots the black bear first.

While we’d seen other bears during my week in Northern Québec, they’d all been on distant hills, appearing as blurry, bumbling black dots through my camera’s mega-zoom lens.

This time, however, the bear was near enough for us to photograph up close and personal. Just not too close.

Relying on decades of hunting experience, Louis Tardif, a member of Canada’s Naskapi First Nation, leads our approach. I clutch my camera and follow his lead, tiptoeing closer to the bear while maintaining a safe upwind position.

I hide behind rocks. I army crawl across the berry-strewn tundra ground, staining my pants dark purple. The bear doesn’t seem concerned with the slow-moving group of humans growing closer. It’s likely, in fact, the first time the young bear has ever seen people before.

Photo: Jenna Blumenfeld

In one thrilling instant, the bear pauses foraging and rises onto staunch hind legs. It stares at our group, lazily suspending two massive paws by its belly, claws dangling like chandeliers. Its satiny fur shines in the harsh midday sun, and I quickly check my camera’s settings using my newfound photography knowledge: f-stop low as possible, ISO 500, autofocus on.

I hold my breath and click. Perfect. Professional photographers would call it the “money shot.”

The bear moseys away. When it disappears behind an orange knoll, we jubilantly exhale, cheer, laugh, and exchange ebullient high fives. The weight of my camera seems heavier now, swollen with the photographic gold it now holds.

This is one of many powerful moments I experienced while participating in Leaf River Lodge’s first-of-its-kind wildlife photography tour in subarctic Nunavik, located a cool 850 miles north of Montréal.

The adventure begins: getting to Nunavik and the Leaf River Lodge

Photo: Alexis Pageau

Getting to Leaf River Lodge is an adventure in itself. The outfitter is based in Nunavik, a France-sized territory in Canada that’s home to just 15,000 people, 90 percent of whom are Inuit.

There are no connecting roads in Nunavik, as the region is striated with finger lakes, rivers, ponds, and other bodies of water. Travel by two Inuit-owned airlines, Canadian North and Air Inuit, is the only way to traverse this vast area. Guests can enlist Leaf River Lodge to book flights — owner Louis Tardif can help to secure the best flight rates and manage travel details.

My journey begins with a two-hour plane ride from Montréal to Kuujjuaq (pronounced “koo-joo-ack”), the largest community in Nunavik and the territory’s administrative center. Ideally, you’d take a connecting Twin Otter bush plane directly to Leaf River Lodge from the Kuujjuaq airport. But because the small aircraft are highly dependent on weather, it’s not uncommon for visitors to stay overnight in Kuujjuaq to await a plane-friendly weather window. (There are two reliable hotels in Kuujjuaq: the Auberge Kuujjuaq Inn and Hôtel De La Coopérative De Kuujjuaq.)

I squeeze into Air Inuit’s Twin Otter — a handsome, compact plane with two propellers. Sitting mere feet from the cockpit, I meet the guides for the week’s wildlife tour: the Québec-based wildlife photographer Jean-Simon Bégin and videographer and guide Alexis Pageau.

“This is a very safe plane,” Alexis, who likely saw a flash of fear cross my face as the plane’s dual engines roared, assures me in a strong French-Canadian accent.

The plane starts to accelerate. I nervously smile. Another passenger laughs, “All together now, this is a safe plane!” The Twin Otter’s wheels lift from the dirt runway, and we’re airborne, flying low over the tundra.

As I watch Kuujjuaq slip away from the Otter’s window, I feel that I’m headed to sea. For the next four nights, I’ll live in an ocean of untamed wilderness, where thousand-year-old migrating caribou paths lace the land, musk ox lurk in the underbrush, and autumnal hues burst across a tundra teeming with life.

How the Leaf River Lodge got its start

Photo: Alexis Pageau

The plane banks over a small cluster of white cabins near a flat, wide river, and we land on a sandy airstrip. Almost immediately after disembarking, Jean-Simon points out a trail of wolf prints molded into the wet runway, a print about the size of my palm.

“These tracks are fresh; they were probably made early this morning,” he says, peering expectantly across the horizon.

I follow his gaze. The drone of the Otter recedes as it returns to Kuujjuaq. I see no cell towers, no buildings, no roads, no trash even. I realize this is the most remote place I’ve ever been.

Founded in 1989 by Louis’s father, Alain Tardif, Leaf River Lodge nestles against the shore of the Rivière aux Feuilles, or “Leaf River” in English. It’s sandwiched between the tundra’s treeline and the north’s barren arctic, a region described as subarctic. Everything — from the food, to the building materials, to the solar panels that power most of the camp’s electricity — must be flown in by bush plane.

Louis tells a story of when his father built the camp in the 1990s. Alain enlisted the help of an Inuit friend to drag an excavator about 100 miles across the frozen tundra by snowmobile, as it was too large to fit inside an aircraft. During the trip, the two men were caught in a blizzard, forcing them to hunker down in a cramped prospector tent. Out of fuel and firewood, they lived on the brink of freezing until the storm broke nine days later. The trip took over a month, but they successfully arrived at camp, alive and with the excavator in tow. Louis and his team still use the machine today.

A new and ecologically improved business model

Photo: Alexis Pageau

Leaf River Lodge was initially a hunting camp, as it strategically intersects droves of migrating caribou that reliably travel over 600 miles south each fall. For decades, the camp was a big-game hotspot for trophy hunting — a sport that I, a vegetarian and lifelong animal lover, can’t seem to comprehend.

But due to rapidly dwindling herd size, Québec’s legislators banned caribou hunting in 2018 to allow populations to recover — a move that was great for the caribou but troubling for the many lodges who relied on big-game hunters for their livelihoods. While many hunting outfitters closed, Louis pivoted his business model.

“Unlike other camps, we had the infrastructure to adapt. We have running water, electricity, WiFi, cabins, flushing toilets, and hot showers — accommodations that travelers of all kinds want,” he says. Breakfast, a packed lunch, dinner, and dessert are also served at the lodge, although guests who intend to drink must bring their own alcohol.

Photo: Jenna Blumenfeld

Leaf River Lodge’s new wildlife photography tours — which run in the fall during the annual caribou migration — are designed with conservation and education in mind, and they present the Indigenous-owned business an opportunity to monetize caribou herds and other wildlife while also protecting them. It’s been a surprisingly seamless transition for Louis, who grew up on subsistence hunting and guiding.

“Photographing wildlife is the closest you can get to hunting them. It feels liberating to protect these animals and show them to people who really appreciate them,” he says, adding that he’d started to feel uneasy about hunting animals for sport since he adopted his dog.

Tracking caribou on the subarctic tundra

Photo: Jean-Simon Begin

I wake up at 6 AM. Soft light filters through the blinds of my cabin’s windows. I’m not a morning person, but as I wonder what kind of animals I’ll see today, I’m compelled to get out of bed early. I slip on my slippers and stand on my cabin’s patio, watching fog rise from the river’s frigid surface.

After breakfast, I dress in what I come to regard as my Leaf River uniform: leggings, hiking pants, a sweater, and, integrally, fishing waders and boots. We pile into a KingFisher boat, and with Louis at the helm, we expertly motor up the river to begin our search for caribou.

Within minutes, we see a lone buck nimbly swimming across the river. Louis kills the engine, and we silently float closer. The caribou climbs the bank, shakes off excess water like a puppy, and peers at our craft. I notice that his antlers are bright red and drip with bloody shreds of velvet. I lay my chest against the boat’s metal rim and snap a dozen photos of the caribou, capturing him as he aggressively flares his nostrils.

Jean-Simon explains that for most of the year, antlers are more organ than bone. Blood vessels feed the fuzzy, tender appendages until fall when a surge of testosterone severs the blood supply. This change encourages antlers to harden into sharp fighting spears in preparation for the late-October rut.

“They’ll only look this bloody for a few days,” he says.

Photo: Jenna Blumenfeld

We continue down the river, eventually anchoring on a small sandy shoreline. I shoulder my backpack and slide out of the KingFisher.

There are no trails here. The group bushwhacks through chest-high shrubs, clomping our waterproof boots across the surprisingly vibrant ground. This time of year, the tundra explodes with edible berries, Labrador tea, and bright oranges, reds, and yellows — a last gasp of life before the long winter descends.

Nearly every berry, I soon learn, is edible here, a fact that delights myself and my companions.

We start gorging on berries, grabbing handfuls of black crowberries, ultra-sweet wild blueberries, and, when we find them, the rarer, clementine-tasting cloudberries. I stuff handfuls of berries into my mouth and feel giddy, drunk even, the juice tinting my tongue and hands. I can’t stop thinking about the reality television series, Alone, where contestants are dropped in remote Canada to survive off the land, frequently relying on wild berries as sustenance. I bring up episodes of Alone, and the show permeates our conversation. We wonder how long a human can live on berries. We discuss whether we could eat the plentiful lichen surrounding us, if we had to.

“Carr-eee-booo!” Alexis yells, interrupting us as he excitedly points into the distance.

Suddenly sober and silent, we drop to the ground and follow the direction of his outstretched finger. A large group of caribou is headed our way. I lay on my stomach, balance my outstretched camera on a rock, and hold my breath as the herd meanders our way. I muffle a squeal of delight as a mouse-colored baby caribou and a watchful doe walk into view. Adorable details materialize: knobby knees, downy expressions, soft muzzles, and … who knew caribou have eyelashes?

Photo: Jenna Blumenfeld

The serene duo stands before what few trees grow on the tundra. I zoom in and take photographs.

Later, while editing the day’s photos, I realize I captured two wildly different caribou pictures that showcase this incredible animal’s many facets: The first powerfully masculine and intimidating, the second nurturing, peaceful, and resilient.

I start to understand why Jean-Simon said, “I have so many pictures of caribou; I definitely don’t need any more. But every time I see them I just keep taking hundreds of photos.”

A once-in-a-lifetime trip comes to a close

Photo: Jenna Blumenfeld

My time at Leaf River Lodge is defined by long, ambling tundra moments punctuated by pinch-me experiences that require gazelle-like focus. One moment I’m walking calmly through a pond, and the next I’m slithering toward a trio of willow ptarmigans, photographing their half-white, half-brown mid-molt bodies. Another time, I’m zoning out, reflecting on the day, when someone spots a trio of sprightly otters encircling each other on the river’s edge, causing photographer chaos to ensue.

In the evening, I sip Labrador tea with my new friends and learn tips to take better nighttime images. As Jean-Simon and Alexis discuss the difference between exposure and aperture, a lime-green aurora borealis pillar pierces the sky, as bright and shocking as a shard of Kryptonite. We collectively, audibly gasp.

This time, we don’t even try to photograph it. Some things are impossible to capture correctly. We set down our cameras and simply watch the northern lights wax and wane as they slip across a glittering, inky sky.

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In Stuttgart, Germany, Come for the Wine Festival and Cars, Stay for the History and Culture

My dad is from a small town in Massachusetts and has never been much for travel, but his eyes lit up like a child’s when I told him I was headed to Stuttgart, the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg in the Swabian region of southwestern Germany. A lifelong car buff, pop knew Stuttgart as the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Driving me to the airport, he gushed about the legendary car museums in his coarse Boston accent: “Christalmighty, Johnny Boy, you’ll see the most gawgeous Muhcedes and Pawsches evah made!” I could only imagine otherwise-polite Germans shuddering at his pronunciation of their cherished automobile brands (but I kept that to myself).

More so than cars, my mind dwelled on the upcoming Stuttgarter Weindorf, a raucous, al fresco wine festival held each year from late August to early September. And as a philosophy and literature nerd, I was looking forward to paying homage to Friedrich Schiller and Georg Wilhem Friedrich Hegel, two giants of German letters and sons of Stuttgart.

Photo: Johnny Motley

As expected, the Weindorf was a hoot — copious cups of crisp white wines, plates of schnitzel at long wooden tables — but exploring the rest of Stuttgart was just as delightful. It reminded me of a German version of a salt-of-the-earth city in the American Heartland, but with a few extra centuries of history. The automotive industry draws transplants from all over the globe. The rollicking bar culture in neighborhoods like Bohnenviertel and Marienplatz matches the fan fervor for VfB Stuttgart, one of Germany’s storied soccer teams. By the time I departed, Stuttgart was firmly one of my favorite cities to visit in Europe.

The Weindorf is an excellent reason to visit, but Stuttgart’s charms are year-round: the car museums, buzzing biergartens, mountainside vineyards, and wonderfully welcoming atmosphere.

What to do in Stuttgart

The Porsche Museum

Photo: Porsche Museum / Martina Denker

The Porsche Museum, in the shadow of Porsche’s main factory in the Zuffenhausen neighborhood, is 6-cylinder nirvana for car buffs. Designed by Austrian architectural firm Delugan Meissl, the museum appears to float above the ground when viewed from a distance—avant-garde architecture as sleek as the supercars housed within. The collection spans the full history of the Porsche brand, from early 20th-century motorized carriages to cutting-edge experimental race cars. Plan to spend about an hour exploring the museum and admiring the rocket-like steel chariots. When hunger strikes, stroll down the street to B’n’du, an outdoor currywurst joint favored by automobile factory workers on lunch break.

Porsche Museum: Porscheplatz 1, 70435 Stuttgart, Germany

The Mercedes-Benz Museum

Photo: SMG Werner-Dieterich

Mercedes-Benz is a major employer and part of Stuttgart’s economy, and the Mercedes-Benz Museum is one of the city’s beloved landmarks. The museum houses 160 cars, including a 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, the most expensive car ever sold at a cool $142 million dollars. Only one other model exists, and it’s in the possession of an undisclosed billionaire. The building’s design, a descending helix similar to the Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan, is as delightful to the eye as a cherry-red vintage SL Coupe. If you need a caffeinated pick-me-up or a pastry to nibble on, make a pitstop at the museum cafe overlooking the race car collection.

Mercedes-Benz Museum: Mercedesstraße 100, 70372 Stuttgart, Germany

Visit the Museum of Viticulture and take a wine tour

Photo: SMG Werner-Dieterich

Sip rare pours of Swabian wine while learning about German viticultural history at The Stuttgart Wine Museum. The museum space is in a former wine press building, and tours take visitors through the history of German and international wine-making with displays of wine-making tools of centuries past. A bar with a large array of Swabian wines graces the entrance, so feel free to savor fragrant vinos as you learn about them from the exhibits. You can also hop on an open-air bus in front of the museum entrance for a boozy tour of Stuttgart’s vineyards. The tour shuttles guests up into the mountains framing Stuttgart, and the views of the city and its trellised hills pair wonderfully with pours of trollinger and lemberger.

Weinbaumuseum Stuttgart: Uhlbacher Pl. 4, 70329 Stuttgart, Germany

Hiking and partying in Marienplatz

Photo: Johnny Motley

Whenever I arrive in a new city, I ask hotel receptionists and local barflies about the best nightlife neighborhoods. The consensus I received in Stuttgart was that Marienplatz, a hip young neighborhood in South Stuttgart, was a mainstay for beer- and schnapps-fueled hijinx. The main plaza in Marienplatz, the area with the train station, is lined with bars, restaurants, and cafes. After dark, the peripheral streets buzz with thirsty revelers well into the wee hours.

Marienplatz is charming during the day as well, especially for exploring the ancient vineyards embedded within Stuttgart’s urban landscape. If you’re up for a hike, walk from the Marienplatz train station to Karlshöhe Biergarten, a sunny watering hole overlooking sloping vineyards. The walk, about 30 minutes, takes you up Stuttgart’s iconic Stäffele, ancient stone staircases criss-crossing the vine-trellised hills. The reward at the end of the trek is a cold draught of Hofbräu Pilsner.

The Stuttgarter Weindorf

Photo: Pro Stuttgart / Tom Weller

Stuttgarters take to lively public festivals to gather and blow off steam. Cannstatter Wasen, which takes place each fall, is Germany’s largest beer festival after Oktoberfest in Munich. Stuttgart’s Christmas Market, dating back to the 1600s, is a schnapps-soaked winter wonderland complete with concerts, snow sculptures, and enough Christmas lights and tinsel to outshine the sun.

Then, of course, there’s the Stuttgarter Weindorf in the late summer. The wine festival takes place in the Marktplatz neighborhood, an important market quarter in Stuttgart since the Middle Ages. For the festival’s two-week duration, the Marktplatz transforms into a rustic village, with makeshift bars, restaurants, and shops constructed like the wooden cottages of the Swabian countryside. While the Weindorf began in the 1970s, Stuttgart has been a major wine-producing area since it was part of ancient Rome, and it was one of the largest wine-producing areas in the Holy Roman Empire by the 16th century. Vineyards still comprise 2 percent of the city’s footprint. The Weindorf is an excellent venue to learn about Swabian wines, which are primarily made with lemberger, spätburgunder (also called blauburgunder and the local names for pinot noir), and trollinger grapes for reds, and riesling, kerner, silvaner and müller thurgau for whites. Look for the pleasant hints of wet stone, a flavor Germans call bodagfährtle, in sips of trollinger and blauburgunder.

The revelry at the Weindorf starts around sunset and continues well past midnight. The restaurants in the Wine Village, modeled after country inns called besom, serve traditional, hearty Swabian fare. Must-try regional delicacies include maultaschen (a raviolo-like dumpling stuffed with potatoes, chives, and ground meat and covered with gravy) and blutwurst (blood sausage seasoned with spices and thickened with breadcrumbs).

Take a Day Trip to Esslingen

Photo: Borisb17 / Shutterstock

Esslingen am Neckar, 20 minutes by train from Stuttgart, is like a village lifted from the pages of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale: Gothic steeples soar above a stately town square, a castle crowns wine-terraced hills, and centuries-old pubs and shops with façades of fachwerk (exposed timbers alternating with white plaster) line the streets. While a sleepy town today, Esslingen was once one of southern Germany’s most important commercial cities. Esslingen connected the German kingdoms to Flanders via the Neckar River, and the city grew rich from the tolls collected from merchants transporting textiles, wine, and grains across Central Europe.

The pious denizens of Esslingen began construction on St. Dionys Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in southern Germany, in the 8th century. The Gothic-Romanesque masterpiece wasn’t completed until 1213. Marvel at the stained glass and masonry inside, then hike up the trails behind the church for full views of the steeples carved with stone tracery as delicate as paper doilies.

Lace up your boots and hit the trails for Esslingen Castle, a hilltop fortress overlooking the city. The hike is steep, but the view of the vineyard and the village are well worth the sweat. Better yet, there’s a top-notch biergarten, Restaurant Palmscher Bau, right next to the castle. The cold suds and roasted sausages taste even better after the trek. For a non-pareil tour guide in Esslingen, ask for Thomas Hale, an American expat fluent in German, at the Esslingen Visitors Center on the town’s central plaza.

You can explore most of Esslingen in a day. I suggest arriving before lunch and catching the train back to Stuttgart after dinner. Spend the first hours exploring the historical sites and walking trails through the vineyards overlooking the city. Then, as afternoon fades into evening, kick back in an outdoor wine bar or biergarten before strolling back to the train station.

The Markthalle Stuttgart

Photo: Johnny Motley

For a deep dive into Swabian cuisine, spend a morning perusing the Markthalle Stuttgart, a bustling indoor market built in 1914. While bombings destroyed much of Stuttgart during World War II, the Markthalle was one of the few historical buildings not reduced to rubble. It’s a brilliant example of Art Nouveau, a hallmark of Stuttgart’s urban texture.

In addition to Swabian wines, pastries, charcuterie, and farm-fresh produce, you can find international delicacies from Spain, Italy, and Asia in the Markthalle. Most market-goers come to buy their weekly groceries, and the market also houses several buzzy, small restaurants. Visit Markthalle Stuttgart: Dorotheenstraße 4, 70173 Stuttgart, Germany

Where to Stay in Stuttgart

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EmiLu Hotel, right around the corner from the Marktplatz, is beautiful, comfortable, and conveniently located. After pulling a double espresso from my in-room machine, I spent an hour each morning working on my computer in the lobby’s sunny alcove. After work, I walked over to the breakfast buffet — a spread of smoked fish, charcuterie, eggs, and muesli. If I wasn’t at the Weindorf filling my snout with wine, I usually grabbed a draught of local Stuttgart beer from EmiLu’s lobby bar before bed.

Rooms are handsome and full of natural light, with windows overlooking the busy streets of Stuttgart’s historic core. If you’re in town for the Weindorf, you’ll only have to stumble home a few blocks before you’re toes up in your comfy bed. Make some time to catch the sunset at EmiLu’s rooftop bar and to tie one on at Tatti’s, a glitzy cocktail bar right next door to the hotel.

EmiLu Hotel: Nadlerstraße 4, 70173 Stuttgart, Germany

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Matador Creators Spotlight: @Brokenbootstravel on How to Build a Successful TikTok Travel Account

Matador Creators is a platform that connects talented and passionate people who love travel. Whether you’re a seasoned writer, a budding photographer, or a skilled filmmaker, we’re always looking for new voices. By joining our community, you’ll have access to a wealth of opportunities. Network with like-minded travelers, collaborate on exciting projects and even land paid gigs and press trips.

Here, we speak with one of those creators: Ginna, who runs the BrokenBootsTravel TikTok account. We discussed with Ginna how she grew her TikTok from scratch, and how she monetizes from brand partnerships through her content.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Matador: How did you get started growing your TikTok?

Ginna: I actually began on TikTok when I first moved with my partner to Dubai. I was sharing some mini-vlogs of my day-to-day life, adjusting to the city and the new culture, and discovering things, and one of them went a little viral.

@brokenbootstravel Would you try Colombia’s national dish? Bandeja paisa originates from its namesake — the paisa region! This rehion generally consists of the central Andes and coffee growing regions, but bandeja paisa has become a staple throughout the country. Go check out the full video on YouTube! Probarías el plato nacional de Colombia? Bandeja paisa viene del region Paisa — los andes centrales y el eje cafetero, pero ahora esta comido por todo el pais! Mira todo el video ahora en YouTube! #bandejapaisa #colombianfood #salento #salentocolombia #colombiatravel #quindio #quindiocolombia #colombia #cocoravalley #32departmentsofcolombia ♬ Colombia Tierra Querida – La Orquesta de Ray & Benetia

Funnily enough, I think it was partly because I used bakhoor (scented wood chips you burn like incense) wrongly, and plenty of Dubai folks found the video and semi-roasted me in the comments. However, it was just the beginning of making new connections and continuing to learn about the culture and discover the UAE, which became the focus of my content. I soon found that consistency paid off, and I started making videos almost daily about different things I discovered in Dubai and beyond.

Are you in the TikTok creator program?

I was not in the TikTok creator program for a long time because it wasn’t available in the UAE. I mainly monetized through paid partnerships and brand collaborations. Now, I do a variety of things to earn money from my content — I’m connected through Adsense on my YouTube Channel and user-generated content for travel and lifestyle brands, and I continue to partner with brands I align with in my TikTok content.

Do you get approached by travel brands for partnerships?

Photo: @brokenbootstravel

I do. I have worked with several travel brands, but a couple of my favorites have been Wego, an online travel booking platform, and TreeCard, a step-counter app that plants trees as you walk. I’ve also worked with various Dubai and UAE-based brands, such as City Walk Dubai, Unwind Board Game Cafe, and many different restaurants — the Dubai food scene was like a journey around the world in itself.

What are your best-performing videos and have you noticed patterns?

I think a lot of creators will agree with me that sometimes my best-performing videos are surprising. I can work for hours on a video only for it to get a couple thousand views, but a random video I threw together will quickly gain hundreds of thousands.

@brokenbootstravel A quick translation for all my fellow Americans: 42 Celsius is 109 Fahrenheit. So maybe not hot enough to cook an egg, but I feel like I’m cooking from the inside out #cookingeggs #cookingoutside #dubai #dubaiheat #dubaisummer #recipes #fails ♬ original sound – Ginna – Broken Boots Travel

My most viral video to this point had nothing to do with travel or UAE culture. It was just my friend and I trying to fry an egg on the pavement in 40-degree heat in Dubai summer. I’ve noticed some things that help a video do well — a good hook, asking the audience to respond to something in the comments and building engagement. But sometimes videos will just totally flop or perform like crazy, and it’s a surprise to me as well.

Do you have tips for up-and-coming travel creators?

It’s important not to let views define your content. I’ve struggled to find a balance sometimes between creating what I want to create and feel passionate about and creating content that I know will do well. It doesn’t have to be one or the other, but it’s also ok for it to be sometimes. If you’ve made something you’re proud of, but it doesn’t fit with what you “usually” post, or you try a new approach, or you just enjoyed making, post it.

Maybe it won’t do as well as your regular content or algorithm-focused content, but the next quick video you make that goes viral will bring more eyes to everything you’ve made anyway. At the end of the day, continuing to put energy into creating things that make you feel fulfilled and creative keeps you going as a content creator and makes all your content better.

What are your next goals on social media?

@brokenbootstravel Did you know the Colombian island of San Andres is home to its own language — San Andres Creole? Luckily, I found a local profesor to teach me a little bit Sabías que la isla de San Andres tiene su propio idioma — creole san andresano? Tuve suerte encontrar una profesorita local para enseñarme #sanandres #sanandresislascolombia #sanandresislas #sanandresprovidencia #sanandresyprovidencia #sanandresisland #visitcolombia #explorecolombia #colombiatravel #colombia #colombia #32departmentsofcolombia ♬ Funny Song – Funny Song Studio & Sounds Reel

I’m currently on a mission to explore all 32 departments of Colombia, creating a long-form video in each department and sharing short-form stories on my TikTok along the way. I’ve really enjoyed diving more into the world of long-form, but it’s definitely been a bit of a switch from the short-form I was used to and has brought a new audience to my work. As I continue this project (and learn and share about how extraordinary Colombia is), I’m excited to find a balance between long-form and short-form and continue developing my content style. I’ve enjoyed incorporating voices besides my own into my content, and I want to continue to use my platform to share the voices of others.

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