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Washington to legalize human compost

Cremations are on the rise in the US, with the national cremation rate expected to reach 80 percent by 2035, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. Although cremation is more environmentally friendly than a traditional burial, the Pacific Standard reported that the process releases 600 million pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year, leading many to consider alternative means of burial.

Washington state legislators have just passed a new bill that would make the state the first to legalize “natural organic reduction,” a decomposition method that turns human remains into soil. The human composting process takes between four to seven weeks, and produces about one cubic yard of compost. If Governor Jay Inslee signs the bill into law, recomposition will become legal in Washington on May 1, 2020.

Katrina Spade, founder and CEO of alternative burial company Recompose, explains that the process involves placing the body in a moisture- and temperature-controlled vessel filled with wood chips, alfalfa, and straw, and after several weeks of microbial activity, the body breaks down into soil that can be given to the deceased’s family or used as regular soil. Last year, during a study led by Spade, six bodies were reduced to soil at the University of Washington.

H/T: Smithsonian.com

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Flight shame is guilting Swedes

We all know that flying is terrible for the environment, but very few of us actually choose to travel differently and reduce our carbon footprint — after all, few modes of transportation are as convenient and fast as air travel. But the Swedes are getting a serious case of “flight shame,” or “flygskam” and are acting on the guilt they experience around flying too much and choosing rail travel to shake off the nasty feeling.

According to the European Environmental Agency, a single plane trip emits an average of 285 grams of carbon dioxide, while trains only emit 14 grams — that’s 20 times as bad.

The movement was spearheaded by famous climate change activist 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, who refuses to fly and chose to take the train to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and the climate summit in Katowice, Poland. In the wake of Thunberg’s activism and push for more train travel, the hashtag #stayontheground has become increasingly popular on the social media accounts of famous Swedes.

To hammer the guilt in and attempt to shame people into better habits, “an anonymous Swedish Instagram account created in December has been shaming social media profiles and influencers for promoting trips to far-flung destinations, racking up more than 60,000 followers,” according to France 24.

According to SJ, the Swedish national rail operator, there has been a 21 percent spike in train travel bookings this winter, and the government is planning to offer night trains to major European cities by 2022.

It is not, however, clear that “flight shame” is the direct cause of the increase in train bookings. A new airline tax, introduced last year, may have led to a decrease in bookings, as well as the bankruptcy of Swedish airline NextJet, as fewer domestic flights are now available.

H/T: Lonely Planet

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Indian officials go through jungle

India takes its general election very seriously. There are 900 million eligible voters in the country and officials want to make sure that all of them get proper access to a voting station to make their voices heard in the world’s largest election — even the most far-flung residents. That’s why officials traveled 45 miles through the jungle to set up a special polling station deep in the Gir National Park and wildlife sanctuary in the state of Gujarat, so Bharatdas Darshandas, a 69-year-old holy man, could cast his vote.

Darshandas has lived in a remote forest temple for 20 years, and hasn’t missed a single election since 2002. He looks after the Shiva temple inside the wildlife sanctuary, which is home to the last remaining Asiatic lions.

While it’s not uncommon for election officials to travel in order to set up polling stations for voters in remote locations, such a trip for a single voter is unheard of. And clearly, Darshanas is appreciative. “The fact that the government is taking so much effort to ensure the casting of one vote speaks to the importance of each and every vote,” he said.

The 2019 general election is so significant that, a few days ago, one voter who mistakenly voted for the wrong party, chopped off his index finger. In India, voters don’t get stickers upon casting their ballot and have their index finger marked by a line of purple ink instead.

H/T: The Guardian

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Star Wars land reservations

One of the coolest events of this year is the opening of the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge theme park at California’s Disneyland. And because it’s so anticipated, it’s going to be busy. So busy, in fact, that to visit between opening day on May 31 and June 23, you’ll need to make a reservation in advance (at no cost). You can make a reservation starting on Thursday, May 2, at 10:00 AM, though spots are expected to go pretty quickly.

To make your reservation, you’ll first need to sign up for a Disney account, make sure you’re in front of a computer at exactly 10:00 AM PST on May 2, and most likely, already be in possession of Disneyland tickets. Another way to guarantee a reservation is to book a room at a Disneyland’s Resort Hotel, as guests staying at the resorts between May 31 and June 23 will automatically be given one free reservation per guest. Full details on how to obtain a reservation will be released on May 2 at 8:00 AM PST on the Disney Parks blog and Disneyland.com.

The Star Wars land reservations will give guests access to attractions like “Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run” and “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance,” the droid depot, the lightsabers workshop, and all the shops and food spots for a four-hour period.

Starting on June 24, a new system will go into effect, with reservations replaced by a virtual queue process. More information on the queue is to come.

H/T: Travel & Leisure

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Best cities for book lovers

Travelers who love reading can do better than carry a novel in their suitcase and pull it out at the beach or on the train to satisfy their literary cravings. Instead, they can plan trips according to their taste in literature and visit the sites of their favorite stories or drink in pubs where their go-to authors once conceived their fictional worlds. Whether it’s having a pint in Oxford, with the ghosts of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, or daydreaming about Dostoevsky’s masterpieces on the streets of St. Petersburg, some cities are just made for literary buffs to visit. Here are a few of the best cities in the world for book lovers.

1. Edinburgh, Scotland

Photo: f11photo/Shutterstock

Edinburgh was the first city designated as a UNESCO City of Literature in 2004 and was home to some of Scotland’s most famous writers, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, and Sir Walter Scott, author of Ivanhoe and more. The Scott Monument, located right on busy Princes street, is one of Edinburgh’s most recognizable landmarks, second only to Edinburgh Castle. Even if you’ve never read Scott, you’ve probably heard of the most famous author associated with Edinburgh: J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter fans will want to make their first stop at The Elephant House, which advertises itself as “the birthplace of Harry Potter” in its window front and whose bathroom is entirely covered in Harry Potter graffiti.

For a comprehensive view of Edinburgh’s literary history, you can visit the Writer’s Museum or take a guided walking tour of all the sites associated with the city’s literary legends. You’ll visit cafes, pubs, and other locations that inspired writers from Scott and Stevenson to J.M. Barrie, Ian Rankin, and Alexander McCall Smith.

And if you happen to be in Edinburgh in August, you can even catch the Edinburgh International Book Festival August 10-26. It’s billed as the “largest public celebration of the written word in the world,” bringing around 1000 writers and thinkers from around the world.

2. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Photo: RM Nunes/Shutterstock

With the advent of e-readers, physical bookstores have been slowly and sadly slipping into oblivion. In Buenos Aires, however, the tradition of reading paper books is alive and well. The city has approximately 23 bookshops for every 100,000 inhabitants, the third highest ratio in the world behind Melbourne and Lisbon. A bookstore tour of Buenos Aires is a must for literary aficionados, especially El Ateneo Grand Splendid, which is considered to be the most beautiful in the world. Spanning 22,000 square feet, with frescoed ceilings, red stage curtains, and audience boxes, it initially served as a center for tango when it was built in 1919 before its conversion into a bookstore in 2000.

The city is also well known as the home of internationally renowned writers like Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortazar, Roberto Arlt, and Adolfo Bioy Casares. Their tradition is kept alive by the annual Buenos Aires Book Fair, which lasts a whopping 20 days and is full of readings, workshops, book presentations, and conferences. This year, the fair begins on April 25 and ends on May 13.

3. Shiraz, Iran

Photo: eFesenko/Shutterstock

Iran isn’t typically considered one of the world’s literary capitals, but that’s likely due to the Western bias in our canon. The truth is, Iran’s literary tradition stretches back thousands of years. Persian poets hold an important place in the history and culture of Iran, particularly Abolqasem Ferdowsi, Khwaju Kermani, Saadi, and Hafez. The tombs of Hafez, Saadi, and Khwaju Kermani reside in Shiraz, and these tombs — particularly the Tomb of Hafez — are incredibly popular sites. Hafez’s tomb sits in the middle of a garden and attracts widespread attention from both locals and tourists coming to pay their respects.

Citing its status as a “city of poets,” Shiraz was nominated by the UN back in 2006 to be the year’s “second city of literature” behind Edinburgh.

4. St. Petersburg, Russia

Photo: Roman Evgenev/Shutterstock

Any fan of Russian literature is familiar with St. Petersburg, even if you’ve never been there yourself. It’s where Raskolnikov grapples with morality in Crime and Punishment, where an officer’s nose famously leaves his face in Gogol’s surrealist The Nose, and where Vronsky and Anna Karenina navigate their taboo affair. From Dostoevsky to Nabokov, St. Petersburg has been home not only to some of the greatest stories in the world but also the greatest authors.

Given the city’s rich literary history, there are several tours available that revolve around its fictional associations. One tour centers on Dostoevsky, stopping at key locations where he lived and worked, before diving into the real-world backdrops for his fictional stories. There’s even a “Dostoevsky Zone” — a collection of areas near Sennaya Square associated with his work. Other tours explore the worlds of Pushkin, Gogol, Brodsky, and others, taking visitors on a journey through the aesthetic inspiration for their work. The Pushkin Museum will be of particular interest to any Russian literature buff as this is where the famous author lived until he was killed in a duel.

5. Boston, United States

Photo: Marcio Jose Bastos Silva/Shutterstock

Since the inception of the United States, Boston has been the heart of the country’s literary and cultural scene. Classic American authors were known to gather in Boston bookshops to write and discuss their work. Nathaniel Hawthorne, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Ralph Waldo Emerson are particularly famous for their association with the Old Corner Bookstore, one of Boston’s oldest brick structures and a former publisher of some of the 19th century’s most famous authors.

The city is also known as the home of the Boston Athenaeum. Built in 1807, it’s one of the oldest and largest independent libraries in the country. The Boston Public Library is also notable as one of the first free libraries in the US. Literary buffs converge on the city every fall for the Boston Book Festival, which hosts bestselling authors and a range of readings and workshops. This year’s festival takes place October 19-20.

6. Dublin, Ireland

Photo: STLJB/Shutterstock

It’s no surprise that one of Dublin’s most iconic sites is a library. Apart from being visually stunning, the Trinity College Library is home to some of the world’s most ancient and valuable literary works — most famously the illuminated Book of Kells medieval manuscript. In the city’s streets, there are many homages to Dublin’s literary legends in the form of plaques, busts, and monuments. There is also a Writers Museum in Parnell Square dedicated to Dublin’s rich literary history, with a huge collection of works from writers like Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Brendan Behan, and W.B. Yeats. There’s also a Dublin Literary Pub Crawl, for those who prefer to mix their literary history with a little Irish whiskey.

The author most closely associated with Dublin is, of course, James Joyce, and there are several tours available that allow you to see the city through the eyes of Joyce’s characters. The most popular tour is probably the walking tour inspired by Joyce’s Ulysees, starting at The Palace Bar and ending at Sweny’s Pharmacy.

7. Oxford, England

Photo: David Ionut/Shutterstock

If libraries are a vital organ of any true literary city, then Oxford has more beating hearts than most any other. With over 100 libraries across the small city, there is quite literally nothing you can’t learn in an Oxford library. The Bodleian Library alone houses over 12 million books and receives around 1,000 new volumes each day. From contemporary buildings to 12th-century churches, libraries come in all forms in Oxford.

Given the abundance of books in the city, it’s no surprise that Oxford produced some of the world’s greatest writers. Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien was a student at Oxford’s Exeter College and later returned to live and work in the city for the majority of his life. C.S. Lewis, his close friend and author of The Chronicles of Narnia, had been an alumni of University College, Oscar Wilde was a student at Magdalen College, and Lewis Carroll — author of Alice in Wonderland — taught mathematics at Christ Church College.

The list of famous authors, intellectuals, and politicians produced by Oxford is incredibly long, but the Inklings stand out from the rest. The Inklings were an informal literary group formed in the 1930s, composed of Oxford-based authors who would meet frequently at the Eagle and Child Pub to discuss their work. Tolkien and Lewis were its most famous members, but it also included Owen Barfield, Hugo Dyson, Robert Harvard, Lord David Cecil, and Charles Williams. There’s even a picture of the whole crew hanging on the wall, so it’s pretty easy to imagine yourself sharing a pint with legends.


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Where to celebrate Pride in the US

Since the inception of the pride parade, no year has ever mattered quite as much as 2019. This is because exactly 50 years ago, the Stonewall Riots, one of the most pivotal events in LGBTQ culture, occurred in New York City. So, this year, to commemorate this culturally and historically important moment, every pride parade across the nation is promising to provide entertainment that is bigger and better than ever.

In order to take advantage of this historical moment, we’ve gathered a list of the very best pride parades from around the country — from the shores of San Francisco to the heart of the Midwest in Milwaukee. Whether you’re looking for star-studded celebrations (hello, Los Angeles) or you’re just there for the shirtless men (hello, Miami Beach), these are the most magical pride parades in the United States.

1. Sioux Falls Pride, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Photo: Sioux Falls Pride/Facebook

Though you may only head to South Dakota for its various national parks, perhaps it’s time to pay a visit to the state for something else — its pride parade. According to The Advocate, the attendance of this pride festival has grown from only hundreds of participants to thousands in a mere few years — suggesting, in fact, that Sioux Falls has something incredible to contribute to the LGBTQ community. On Saturday, June 15, members of the LGBTQ community and their allies can look forward to a parade and festival full of unique vendors, food, and activities at the Sioux Falls Pride.

2. Pridefest Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

For those members of the LGBTQ community living near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pridefest Milwaukee proves time and again to be one of the best pride events in the country, with a plethora of entertainers and events taking place each year. From June 6 to the 9th, visitors to PrideFest Milwaukee can expect to see a performance by Revamped Dance Company, a meet and greet with singer Jojo, and many other memorable pride-related events.

3. New York City Pride, New York City, New York

Photo: lazyllama/Shutterstock

As you can imagine, New York City Pride is one of the largest in the world, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors and participants each year. For those who are especially interested in the LGBTQ movement in America, the New York City Pride Parade ventures right past the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, where the famous Stonewall Riots took place in 1969. Not only that, but the history of this event is felt throughout the events of Pride Month in June; along with the parade, the volunteers at the nonprofit Heritage of Pride have been organizing the Rally, PrideFest, and Pride Island since 1984. This year, the Pride March will take place on June 30, and visitors can look forward to capturing a glimpse of event host Whoopi Goldberg and performances by Cyndi Lauper and Ciara.

4. San Diego LGBT Pride, San Diego, California

Taking place between July 12 and 14, San Diego LGBT Pride is one of the best events of its kind in the state of California. While at San Diego Pride, it’s essential that visitors stop by the She Fest, a female-centered event at the festival that curates relationships and experiences with women. Apart from that, expect to have a truly magical time at other festival events like the Pride 5K race, where rainbow gear and tutus are almost a required uniform.

5. San Francisco Pride, San Francisco, California

Photo: Frank Fennema/Shutterstock

Nearly rivaling NYC Pride in size, San Francisco Pride has risen through the ranks of pride events in the United States to become a favorite among the LGBTQ community. San Francisco has especially been a favorite over the years for those members of the LGBTQ community who enjoy live music. So far, the performers hitting the main stage at San Francisco Pride during the weekend of June 29-30 are Pabllo Vittar, Brazil’s most famous drag queen, and Amara La Negra, an international LGBTQ superstar.

6. Brooklyn Pride, New York City, New York

Prior to 1996, Brooklynites often had to venture into Manhattan to take part in a pride festival. Now, Brooklyn’s Pride festival nearly rivals that of its Manhattan counterpart, welcoming thousands of visitors every single year. On June 8, Brooklynites and outsiders alike are welcome to attend the Pride 5K, the Twilight Parade, the Multi-Cultural Festival, and a plethora of live performances by members of the LGBTQ community and their allies at Brooklyn Pride.

7. Atlanta Pride, Atlanta, Georgia

Photo: Atlanta Pride Committee/Facebook

Unlike other pride events taking place around the country, Atlanta Pride is meant to commemorate National Coming Out Day, which takes place on October 11 — meaning that the city’s pride doesn’t take place during the summer but during the weekend of October 11-13. This particular pride celebration feels even more inclusive than the rest with an accompanying Trans March and Dyke March to the typical Pride Parade, along with live entertainment and celebrations that last well into the night.

8. Rhode Island Pride, Providence, Rhode Island

More than anything, Providence, Rhode Island, is home to an incredibly tightknit community of queer people of all varieties — and this fact is fully represented in Rhode Island Pride, located in Providence. And, though it is smaller in scale compared to others of its kind, the all-night block parties and Illuminated Night Parade seems magical and inclusive enough to beat out the bigger competitors.

9. Austin Pride, Austin, Texas

Photo: Austin Pride/Facebook

For an entire week in August, Texans come together to celebrate the queer community in a truly magical way — with Austin Pride taking place August 2-10. Each year of the week-long festival has a theme, and in 2019, Austin is celebrating the LGBTQ community through the Boogie Wonderland theme — so bring your dancing shoes. After you’re done boogieing, bring the kids to the Drag Queen Story Time or buckle in and get ready to enjoy a plethora of games and events over Austin’s most colorful week of the week.

10. Bloomington Pride, Bloomington, Indiana

Often considered to be the very best college town pride parade, Bloomington Pride somehow manages to combine the culture of college life with that of the LGBTQ community in a positive, uplifting way. Taking place on Saturday, August 31, Bloomington Pride is an all-day celebration typically ending at the local queer bar, The Back Door, which is known for its raucous celebrations during this day.

11. Chicago Pride, Chicago, Illinois

Photo: Cafebeanz Company/Shutterstock

Even if you’re a seasoned pride festival attendee, Chicago Pride possesses the ability to completely sweep you off your feet. In fact, 2019 will be the first year that the city holds its Pride in the Park, with headliners like Iggy Azalea and Steve Aoki rumored to be greeting thousands of cheering LGBTQ fans on June 29. Before that, during the weekend of June 22-23, Chicago’s Pride Fest is yet another LGBTQ music festival that offers performances by industry superstars like Leann Rimes and Pabllo Vittar.

12. Kalamazoo Pride, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Despite its rather rough start, Kalamazoo Pride is now a haven for stellar drag performances from drag world superstars like Thorgy Thor and Pearl. During the weekend of June 7-8, visitors can expect a welcoming parade, vendors, and a host of activities that prove to be some of the best in the Midwest.

13. Boston Pride, Boston, Massachusetts

From May 31 to June 9, Beantown becomes Queentown with thousands of queer people descending on the town of Boston for a week-long celebration of LGBTQ culture. Throughout this week, festival goers can look forward to a Pride Family Movie Night, an athletic High Heel Dash, the Back Bay Block Party, and quite a bit of other events that work to forever instil the pride of this culture into the city of Boston — all thanks to Boston Pride.

14. Denver PrideFest, Denver, Colorado

Photo: Denver Pride/Facebook

Every year, the Mile High City welcomes nearly 400,000 visitors to its PrideFest — taking place this year June 15-16. Though the performers have yet to be announced, other activities like the Big Gay 5K Race and Dyke March or a walk through the Rainbow Alley — a safe space that features a health and counseling center, games, and a drag closet — are an annual event.

15. Houston Pride, Houston, Texas

Houston Pride welcomes everyone in the rainbow to enjoy its annual event — especially those who classify themselves as “space geeks and hippie freaks.” On June 22, the city of Houston comes alive with pride — doing so in a truly theatrical way, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots with a “Summer of ‘69” theme. And, though the events of the annual pride celebration are still unknown, revelers can expect themed parties and performances that last well into the night.

16. LA Pride, Los Angeles, California

Photo: Hayk_Shalunts/Shutterstock

It’s no surprise that this glittery destination is home to one of the best pride events in the entire nation — some say in the entire world. Set against the backdrop of West Hollywood during the week of May 31 through June 9, LA Pride features an impressive array of activities from LGBT Night at the LA Dodgers to the elegant Trans Brunch. Aside from these activities, visitors can look forward to a lively concert lineup — this year featuring Meghan Trainor and Ashanti among its headliners.

17. Capital Pride, Washington DC

More so than most other pride events taking place across the world, the Capital Pride event in Washington DC offers an activity for every queer person on the spectrum. Throughout the months of May and June, Washington DC holds a Youth Pride Day, Silver Pride (for those in the LGBTQ community over the age of 60), Trans Pride, Black Pride, Latinx Pride, API Pride, and a special event to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

18. Miami Beach Pride, Miami, Florida

Photo: Atomazul/Shutterstock

As you can likely imagine, Miami Beach Pride packs a sultry punch, and while it has already taken place (this year, Miami Beach Pride took place over the week of April 1-7), visitors to this infamous pride event can expect to enjoy events like the Miss Miami Beach Pride Pageant and LGBTQ pool parties. With that said, it might be time to work on your beach body.

19. Orlando Come Out With Pride, Orlando, Florida

If you’re looking to beat the cold temperatures of autumn, head to Orlando Come Out With Pride on October 12. While the entertainment has yet to be released, this celebration always proves to be quite massive, containing 100 vendors and a whole host of activities that are set to take place around the beautiful Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando.

20. Seattle Pride Parade, Seattle, Washington

Photo: Seattle Pride/Facebook

Throughout all of June, the city of Seattle celebrates LGBTQ culture with hipster-approved queer events like the Queer Art Walk, the Capitol Hill Clean Sweep, and multiple festivals with food, vendors, and live entertainment. Then, at the end of this month-long celebration, on June 30, the Seattle Pride Parade promises to entertain its LGBTQ spectators.


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Literary-themed homes on Airbnb

Stepping into your favorite novel used to be a feat of the imagination, but now you can actually stay in homes inspired by some of the world’s greatest literary works. Airbnb is renting several homes that look like they’re straight out of a piece of literature. In honor of World Book Day, the homes were being rented for just $17 — the average price of a book — per night for select dates throughout May, June, July, and on April 23. Unfortunately, given the popularity of the promotion, these dates are all booked up. The good news is that you can still reserve a stay for a future vacation — it’ll just cost you a bit more than $17. Here’s the full list of literary-inspired homes, along with Airbnb’s cheeky descriptions, in case you’re struggling to see the connection to the source material. You can book any of these houses on Airbnb’s website.

The Great Gatsby — Bridgehampton, New York

Photo: Airbnb

“It’s a beautiful day for a dip, old sport. This Long Island estate with its heated salt water pool, manicured lawn and luxurious interiors will whisk you away to another time. Whether spending the weekend mulling over past loves or staring out at the ocean that’s less than a mile away, you will do so in the lap of luxury. Don’t spend too much time forlorn, as there’s plenty to do in this Bridgehampton neighborhood.”

Big Little Lies — Palm Beach, Australia

Photo: Airbnb

“Things are not always what they seem. However in the case of this stunning home located in Palm Beach, Australia, what you see is what you get. With spectacular views of the beach and iconic Barrenjoey lighthouse, get a taste for how the other half lives without having to stress about school drop-offs or one-upmanship.”

Pippi Longstocking — Älmeshult, Sweden

Photo: Airbnb

“Your own sunny home in Småland, the very same province that inspired these tales of adventure. There’s no room for serious adulting here. Lighthearted fun is on the menu, with a lake and pier nearby. If you’re not up for an imaginary journey on the high seas, you’re less than an hour away from extraordinary nature at the Astrid Lindgren Park.”

The Notebook — New Bern, North Carolina

Photo: Airbnb

“Is a storybook weekend right by the river in North Carolina what you want? This Antebellum home is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, with a nearby dock that offers an easy jumping off point for a romantic boat ride for two. There’s no need to sit and wait, hoping and praying for your long lost vacation to show up; it’s here!”

Pride and Prejudice — Chawton, England

Photo: Airbnb

“Fond of walking? You’ll have plenty of room to do so in the charming village of Chawton, the very birthplace of this novel. In fact, the author was a nearby neighbor and is said to have visited this home socially. Keep an open mind for any chance encounters, take some time to mingle with the locals, and don’t judge a book by its cover!”

Charlotte’s Web — Cherryfield, Maine

Photo: Airbnb

“Set on a picturesque orchard, this historic barn house turned summer guest house is the perfect spot for weekend life on the farm. Enjoy nearby apple picking, scenic hikes, or a swim in the lake. Befriend the local deer or wild turkey, or even the orchard critters — no friend is too small.”

Interview With the Vampire — New Orleans, Louisiana

Photo: Airbnb

“This historic home, which has lived for more than 160 years, has been remarkably preserved in an elegant state of decay, featuring original fireplaces, a mahogany staircase and 14-foot ceilings with medallions. Should you wish to avoid daylight hours and roam the streets at night, it’s also conveniently located within walking distance of the French Quarter. No stranger to the limelight, this house has appeared on television and in magazines.”

The Handmaid’s Tale — Newton, Massachusetts

Photo: Airbnb

“This classic New England home is fit for a commander. Take a stroll into town or ride the train into Boston to enjoy all the city has to offer – just watch out for the secret police. Lucky for you, you can enjoy this picturesque home on a gorgeous tree lined street without stressing about dystopian horrors.”

Outlander — Edinburgh, Scotland

Photo: Airbnb

“Get swept back in time as you enter this home located in Edinburgh. Famous for its turrets and spires, which overlook Water of Leith, the historic building features a romantic one-bedroom hideaway. Without skimping on some modern touches, the apartment is tastefully designed to evoke romance and adventure from days gone by so guests can live the ultimate dream during their stay in this picturesque town.”


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Odd ice cream flavors in Puerto Rico

The town of Lares, Puerto Rico, is famous for two things: a short-lived revolution against Spain in the late 1800s called the Grito de Lares and the unusual and exclusive ice cream flavors of Heladería Lares.

One is a piece of violent history, the other a house turned ice cream shop selling garlic, cilantro, and even rice and beans flavored ice creams. Both are linked to the sense of orgullo, or pride, of Lares residents who are fiercely protective of their heritage and can trace their ancestors back for generations.

Salvador “Yinyo” Barreto, who opened Heladería Lares, was one such resident. His family owned a house across from the Lares Plaza where the revolutionary flag first hung. Over the years, Yinyo’s parents transformed the house into a hotel, restaurant, and dentist office. It wasn’t until 1968, on the 100th anniversary of the Grito de Lares, that Yinyo decided to open up an ice cream parlor.

He made all the typical flavors like chocolate, strawberry, coconut, and vanilla at first. Then, the discovery of corn ice cream led him to experiment with stranger batches like pumpkin, sweet potato, and carrot. Word spread about the man offering savory treats and notable figures, including presidents and movie stars, flocked to the city to try one of the 500 seasonal Barreto family recipes.

Photo: Heladeria Lares/Facebook

Yinyo worked every day until he was 81, living in an apartment above the shop. When not creating new flavors, he was singing, playing guitar, and entertaining guests. The shop was more than a place to get dessert, it was a local gathering spot. Children stopped by on their way home after school, finding joy in eating their vegetables in ice cream form. Sports teams celebrated their victories here, taking over the seats in the back and chatting for hours.

Yinyo lived to be 91 years old. When he died, the town mourned the loss of its favorite confectioner. Heladería Lares closed for three years pending administration of his estate, leaving a bacalao-flavored hole behind.

Despite being closed, the shop’s reputation continued to draw in visitors from all parts of the world with tourists arriving from as far as Africa and Japan in search of Yinyo’s ice cream. In an effort to meet the demand and preserve the city’s sweet claim to fame, Heladería Grito opened just a few doors down. The flavors aren’t as peculiar, but they’re just as delicious and are a welcome relief on hot Puerto Rican days.

In March 2017, Heladería Lares reopened, this time under the leadership of Alberto Barreto, Yinyo’s youngest son. Alberto is an entrepreneur in his own right, having successfully run a clothing and medical device store before returning to the family business. He speaks well of Heladería Grito, the shop’s competitor, maintaining that there’s enough room for two ice cream stores on one block.

Photo: Heladeria Lares/Facebook

In tribute to his father, Alberto runs the shop the same way Yinyo did for decades. He’s gotten multiple offers to franchise the business but refuses to do so. Yinyo knew people came to Lares for the classic Puerto Rican ice cream flavors, and if they could find them anywhere else, they wouldn’t make the hour-and-a-half trek through the mountains to get there.

“There’s a sense of emotion in it for me,” Alberto says. “I made a few aesthetic changes when we reopened, like updating the lights and air conditioning, but the story of my father’s life remains on the walls.”

Indeed, every inch of the shop’s wall space is occupied by a picture frame, award, or newspaper clipping documenting Yinyo’s legacy. Behind the frames are numbers that Alberto drew so he’d be able to hang each piece back up exactly where his father left it.

“I used to come here every weekend,” Alberto says. “I learned the production and creation of ice cream as a child.” Today, the tradition continues, with Alberto teaching his middle son the family recipes and hoping he’ll one day take over the business.

Photo: Heladeria Lares/Facebook

In the meantime, Heladería Lares continues to manufacture new flavors. There are seasonal options like avocado and coquito, a rum-based eggnog popular on the island at Christmastime, as well as flavors commissioned upon request. They’re currently working on an ice cream flavored like almojabana, a type of flour fritter made with rice and cheese, to be served at an upcoming festival by the same name.

“The reaction of the public when I reopened was extraordinary,” Alberto says. “It was very moving and personally gratifying for me to see the joy on people’s faces.” Alberto lights up while talking about the uniqueness of the space, a family home that inspired the entrepreneurial spirit of generations of inhabitants. “This place has a special energy to it,” he says with a knowing smile. As I sit and savor my ice cream in the historically significant shop, I can’t help but agree.

Before leaving, Alberto points me to a massive guest book to sign, indicating that it’s the latest of more than 15 others just like it, filled with messages from guests around the world expressing their gratitude for the space in all languages. I add my note to the collection, flipping through the pages and marveling at the global reach one small ice cream parlor has achieved.

Like the town it exalts, Heladería Lares and its remarkable ice cream flavors are a beloved part of Puerto Rican history, contributing to the charm that earns its nickname as the “island of enchantment.”


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Best certified US Neapolitan pizzas

Italians take their pizza quite seriously, and nowhere in Italy takes it more seriously than the city of Naples. This is a major surprise to absolutely no one, but what you might not know — unless you’re fortunate enough to spend your working hours stirring sauce and pounding out dough — is that there’s an organization whose sole mission is to make sure that Neapolitan pizza remains free of false bravado. The group is called the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana, and its mission is to“promote and protect, in Italy and worldwide, the ‘true Neapolitan pizza,’“ according to its website. As an official office of the Italian government, the AVPN certifies Neapolitan pizzerias around the globe and keeps this UNESCO-protected culinary delicacy true to its original form. Plenty of places claim to have the best Neapolitan-style pizza, but few are certified straight from the style’s home city.

Neapolitan pizza is, at its core, a very simple pie. It is more popularly known as the pizza margherita, but before you start claiming your long-time love affair with this style, it’s important to understand that a real pizza margherita is built from a very specific list of ingredients. That frozen piece of cardboard from your neighborhood grocery store isn’t going to cut it.

The authentic pie begins with the sauce. The base spread must be built from one of two varieties of Italian tomatoes: Roma or San Marzano. No substitutions are allowed. If, for whatever reason, disaster struck and tanked the production of these tomatoes for a short time, then the availability of true Neapolitan pizza would shrink. The cheese on an AVPN-certified pizza must be Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, a mozzarella sourced from semi-wild water buffalo in Italy’s Campania and Lazio regions. The dough should be made from high-protein wheat flour and preferably kneaded by hand though a slow-speed mixer is allowed.

The only other ingredients should be basil and olive oil — and, in some cases, a light dusting of parmesan. Statista lists that there are nearly 80,000 pizzerias in the United States. Of those, a mere 98 are certified by the AVPN as authentic Neapolitan. Only 29 states across the country have a certified Neapolitan pizzeria.

It’s no small task to be certified, and those that are will likely let you know it. But beyond certification, a pizzeria’s menu is another sign of authenticity. The best of the best focus on Neapolitan pizza and not much else. If your local joint has a buffalo chicken or Canadian bacon on the menu, odds are the chef has strayed from the passion of the OG pie that the AVPN works so hard to uphold.

If you want to make sure you’re getting the real thing, start with the best.

1. Settebello in California, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City

Photo: Settebello/Facebook

One of the fastest ways to gauge the Neapolitan-worthiness of a pizza restaurant is to look at what they’re serving to drink. If the place is pushing Coors Light and shots of Jager, not a good sign. Fine Italian wine presented by a server who can actually explain the grape? Now you’re talking. California is home to 18 of the 98 AVPN-certified joints in the country. Among stiff competition, Settebello has risen to the top by focusing on the basics: pizza margherita and very slight variations of it along with a selection of red wines to bring out the flavors. The brand’s simple formula saw success, and locations can now be found across the western US in California, Salt Lake City, and greater Las Vegas.

Where: Multiple locations

2. Porta Via Ristorante e Bar in Nashville

Live entertainment isn’t the only thing Nashville does well. Music City is also home to a stellar dining scene, and the true pizza hound should head straight from the airport to Porta Via Ristorante e Bar. Tennessee’s lone AVPN-certified pizzeria serves a small, carefully curated menu of Italian dishes, but your attention should be on the section called “Certificato.” Here is where the prize lives, the Margherita DOC, or Denominzione D’Origine Controllata. Order one for yourself along with a cup of zuppa, and don’t share any of it. Once you’ve finished, have a look at the restaurant’s damn fine cordials menu to help the awesomeness settle in before you head out to Music Row.

Where: 21 White Bridge Road, Suite 104

3. Pieous in Austin

Photo: Pieous/Facebook

Pieous is a humble joint, the type of spot where 100 percent of the owners’ time and effort goes into making pizza, and everything is essentially an afterthought. The restaurant is casual, and despite an appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, it remains a place for college kids and the local blue collar crowd. Don’t worry about the lack of a website; just consider that more time the restaurant spent on perfecting its recipe. This is Austin, after all, the kind of place that beats to its own drum. Pieous’s phenomenally pounded dough is the standout of its AVPN-certified pie. You’ll get more crust per capita here than anywhere else on the list. That doesn’t mean they’ve skimped on what’s in the middle, however. The sauce, basil, and mozzarella di bufala charge forward with a vengeance to complete the pizza margherita experience.

Where: 12005 W Highway 290, Austin, TX

4. Meanwhile in Belfast in Belfast, Maine

There are few places in the world where one can eat as good as people in Maine do on the daily. Portland is among the country’s top restaurant cities, though for the best pizza in the state, head north on Highway 1 to the town of Belfast. Here, at Meanwhile in Belfast, you’ll settle into a small dining room just steps from the harbor and be instantly transported across the Atlantic. The guy tossing your pie is as Italian as the tomatoes and cheese on top of it, and you’re going to need that serrated knife on your table to dig in because they don’t slice their pizza around here. The crust is built from sourdough and cooked in a wood-fired oven. Despite being a casual kind of place — this is Maine, so don’t forget your flannel — reservations are encouraged because the experience has developed cult status among East Coast pizza aficionados.

Where: 2 Cross Street, Belfast, ME

5. Il Ritrovo in Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Photo: Il Ritrovo Pizza/Facebook

Anyone who doubts the pizza chops of the Midwest beyond Chicago has never been to Sheboygan. This town of 50,000 people just north of Milwaukee has two AVPN-certified pizzerias. Il Ritrovo, in the heart of town off Pennsylvania Avenue, is a Wisconsin experience as memorable as a dog and brew at Miller Park. Substitute the dog for pizza and the brew for a bottle of wine, of course. The pies are as classy as the setting, and the specialità della casa is known as the Margherita Maxi e Bufala. The restaurant has an on-site deli and market, so you can take a bit of the goodness with you when you leave.

Where: 515 South 8th Street, Sheboygan, WI

6. Coda di Volpi in Chicago

Recall again the discussion about ambiance from above. Despite its simplicity, Neapolitan pizza maintains a level of sophistication — even in Chicago, where thick pizza and cold beer are a time-honored tradition. Case-in-point: Coda di Volpi in Lakeview. Chef Chris Thompson’s menu doesn’t brag about its AVPN certification, and it doesn’t need to. The wood-fired Margherita Di Bufala pizza shuts up any naysayers, right down to the fact that he serves the pies with authentic pizza shears so you can have the fun of cutting into it yourself. The pie is Italian, but the dining room is standard Chicago. So, lively, fun, and the perfect place to build a Saturday evening around. It’s an experience that’s almost as good as that time the Cubs won the World Series but without nearly as long of a wait.

Where: 3335 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL

7. Via Tribunali in Seattle

Photo: Via Tribunali Neapolitan Pizzeria/Facebook

Via Tribunali’s four Seattle locations — in Capitol Hill, Fremont, Georgetown, and Queen Anne — are cozy and warm. You can almost feel the heat of the pizza oven each time the staff exits the kitchen. They like their mozzarella di bufala in big, thick chunks on the pie here, melted in gooey puddles atop a thick layer of sauce. This is the kind of place you go on a first date when you can’t decide between formal and semi-formal, but know that the meal itself needs to stand as the focal point. Start with an insalata di parma, and order a margherita pie for both of you. Your date is sure to be impressed. The wine list is as authentically Italian as the pizza, which should help you loosen up the tongue and really turn on the charm.

Where: Multiple locations


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Cathay Pacific cabin crew theft

It’s one thing to take an extra snack or meal on a long flight, but Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific is dealing with outright thievery on its planes. A wide range of items is reportedly going missing from Cathay Pacific flights, including mini tubes of Haagen-Dazs ice cream, bottles of Champagne, and cutlery. Much of the blame is being placed on the cabin crew, but CEO Rupert Hogg believes the blame may lay elsewhere. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today program, “The bigger issue is a pilferage issue and it may not necessarily be around cabin crew. We are losing, I don’t know, wine or things like that from aircraft or somewhere in the supply chain.”

The airline is cracking down on petty theft, issuing an email to employees explaining that they can only take items for personal consumption, and removing anything else from the aircraft is grounds for punishment. “In view of an increasing number of reported losses of company property,” said the airline in a statement, “we have informed our cabin crew that random inspections will be carried out.”

Indeed, six employees — a mixture of senior and junior crew members — were placed under investigation Saturday and face possible disciplinary action after spot checks by security teams. “We are dealing with cases in a fair and reasonable manner in accordance with standard internal procedure,” said the statement.

According to the South China Morning Post, an unnamed flight attendant admitted that crew members often took food they believed would otherwise go to waste, though the rules prohibit the removal of any airline food.

H/T: BBC News

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