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North Atlantic right whale baby boom

Finally, there’s good news coming from our oceans. According to researchers at the Center for Coastal Studies, three North Atlantic right whale mother and calf pairs were recently spotted in Cape Cod Bay — after zero North Atlantic right whale newborn sightings in 2018 — hinting at a mini baby boom this year.

TWO MORE RIGHT WHALE CALVES SEEN IN #CAPECOD BAY! On 4/11/19 the CCS #rightwhale aerial survey team saw 2 more mom/calf pairs in the bay, bringing the number of calves observed by CCS this season to 3. The moms are EgNo 4180 & EgNo 3317. More at https://t.co/SvNe25Hntf pic.twitter.com/qGIa5RV7dl

— CoastalStudies (@CCSPtown) 12 avril 2019

The North Atlantic right whales were hunted nearly to extinction back in the late 1800s, and were listed as endangered in 1970. Although whaling is not a threat for the species any longer, human interaction is. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, “The leading causes of known mortality for North Atlantic right whales are entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes.”

The coastal waters of South Carolina, Georgia, and northeastern Florida are the species’ calving areas. The coast of New England is their foraging area.

According to The Scientist, seven new calves have already been spotted off the southern US coast this year, which is an encouraging sign for the future of the species, but does not mean that the North Atlantic right whale is out of danger. There are only 450 North Atlantic right whales and the species would need more than seven new calves to thrive again.

There exist three species of right whales in our oceans: the North Atlantic right whale, the North Pacific right whale, and the Southern right whale (pictured above). According to the NOAA Fisheries, there are fewer than 200 North Pacific right whales left.

H/T: BBC

More like this: 10 hotels that are perfect for whale watching this spring

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Notre Dame Cathedral is on fire

A massive fire said to have started around 6:30 PM in Paris at the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is raging through the roof. The spire has collapsed, but no injuries have been reported at this time.

Firefighters are trying to keep the blaze under control. Paris police are asking people to stay clear of the area, and tweeted: “Notre Dame Fire in progress. Avoid the area and facilitate the passage of emergency vehicles and intervention of the @prefpolice.”

Notre-Dame de #Paris I Incendie en cours. Évitez le secteur et facilitez le passage des véhicules de secours et d'intervention de la @prefpolice.

— Préfecture de police (@prefpolice) 15 avril 2019

The fire is possibly linked to construction work underway at the site.

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One of Paris’ most popular and recognizable landmarks, Notre Dame was completed in the 12th century and is considered to be both an architectural marvel and important religious symbol.

H/T: CNN

More like this: 12 things I wish I knew before visiting Paris

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The biggest 4/20 parties in the US

April 20 is the unofficial-official cannabis consumer holiday. Even people who don’t partake know that 4/20 is a reference to marijuana, as seen by weed-friendly areas and hotels advertising as “4/20-friendly.” It’s a celebration, however, that’s usually enjoyed with a couple of friends or small group at home or in a semi-private section of a public park far, far away from children. Except, however, in a couple of notable cases.

Ten states and Washington, DC, allow recreational cannabis, but not all have gone so far as observing 4/20 in a public manner. Yet in the biggest, most cannabis-friendly cities in the US, there are large public 4/20 parties with live music, food, and seminars. These parties are excuses to stock up from the best dispensaries in the US and take in all that there is to see. These are the four biggest 4/20 celebrations in the US any cannabis lover needs to hit up.

1. Mile High 420 Festival — Denver, Colorado

Photo: Mile High 420 Festival

Denver’s Mile High 420 Festival has been a draw for people around the country since Colorado became the first state, along with Washington, to legalize recreational marijuana. In recent years, more than 50,000 attendees have gathered to celebrate all things cannabis at the free event, making it the largest free 4/20 event in the world.

Where: Civic Center Park

When: April 20, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Attractions: Local and national live music acts, including T.I. and Jermaine Dupri, are scheduled to appear. Dozens of Denver’s best food trucks will also be lined up in the park, and, this being Denver, there will be beer gardens (Red Stripe is the official beer sponsor for 2019).

Need to know: Bags aren’t allowed, but small fanny packs are. There’s also a note on the event’s website reminding everyone that public consumption of marijuana is illegal in Colorado.

Cost: Free

2. 420 Hippie Hill — San Francisco, California

Photo: 420 Hippie Hill Festival/Facebook

Sometimes gatherings just happen. The 4/20 gathering on Hippie Hill in San Francisco has been happening organically in some capacity since the 1970s — decades before California legalized medicinal or recreational marijuana. Things have gotten a little more organized thanks to community groups and cooperation with the city, and you’ll find a lot has changed if you’ve been in years past. There are even adequate porta-potties now.

Where: Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park

When: April 20

Attractions: There’ll be basic food stands and waves of like-minded people with random pockets of live music and a stage with bands.

Need to know: While public consumption in California is illegal, Hippie Hill has long had a reputation for being smoke friendly, especially on April 20.

Cost: Free

3. National Cannabis Festival — Washington, DC

Photo: The National Cannabis Festival/Facebook

The National Cannabis Festival is more than just a festival, it’s a week-long celebration with events, music, and food. The events, parties, and educational seminars throughout the week all lead up to the big day in Washington, DC, though. The NCF started in 2016 as a way to celebrate legalization efforts as well as educate the public. It has only grown since then, all just one mile from the US Capitol Building.

Where: RFK Stadium

When: April 20, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Attractions: The musical acts include Ludacris, Action Bronson, DJ Biz Markie, and more. There will also be a ton of food and vendors onsite.

Need to know: There’s no re-entry once you get onto the grounds, so be prepared to stay and purchase food (water is free). The grounds are considered a public space, so public consumption is technically illegal.

Cost: $55 for general admission, and $65 at festival doors

4. Cannabis Cup — Sacramento, California

Photo: High Times Cannabis Cup/Facebook

Run by High Times, the Cannabis Cups of years past were held in Amsterdam. Now, thanks to the recent spread of legalization stateside, it’s held in the capital of California. Tens of thousands of ticketed visitors are expected to show up, and there are large acts and what High Times calls “canna-infused experiences.” Plus, of course, the Cannabis Cup awards.

Where: Cal Expo Fairgrounds

When: April 20, from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and April 21, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Attractions: You’ll be able to bear witness to a grower being crowned best cannabis, and live music from a killer line up including Rae Sremmurd, Schoolboy Q, Soulja Boy, Too $hort, Afroman, Willy J Peso, and King Kahali.

Need to know: You can bring your own weed (it’s legal to carry up to an ounce in California), and there is no alcohol sold or allowed in the event.

Cost: $75 for a full weekend pass ($160 for VIP), $50 for a single day pass ($100 for VIP)


More like this: The 5 best cities in the US for a cannabis-inspired vacation

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How to get hiking permits

Backpacking season is here, and it’s time to start planning out your summer backcountry trips. US national parks are among the most beautiful places for backcountry hiking and camping — and also the most popular. To control crowds and properly prepare trekkers for the hazards of the wildlands, the National Park Service requires backcountry permits for camping outside of developed campgrounds. If you’re ready to venture beyond car camping and RV hookup sites, here’s everything you need to know about getting a backcountry permit to camp in US national parks.

Why you need backcountry permits for national parks

Photo: Vitalii Nesterchuk/Shutterstock

The first step to obtaining a backpacking permit, or any other type of permit, for US national parks is to familiarize yourself with the website Recreation.gov. Here you’ll find a detailed map containing permit requirements for national parks, national monuments, and other federally operated public lands that require prior authorization to venture into. Backcountry permits are generally required for camping outside of the drive-in camping lots. Additionally, certain activities like rock climbing and ice climbing almost always necessitate a permit of some kind. This varies by the park, so always check with the specific park you plan to visit in advance to see what their requirements are.

Keep your permit with you while in the backcountry, and be prepared to show it if you come across a ranger. A handy trick among veteran backpackers is to pin their permit onto their tent once they’ve set up camp, so as to immediately state their legitimateness and fend off any unnecessary questioning. Also, keep in mind that even though you’re in the backcountry, most parks still have designated camping areas. Don’t plan to throw your tent up on the side of the trail whenever you get tired. There may not be anyone around to enforce this policy, but you’re a total jerk if you don’t follow it.

Note that your permit is only valid for the number of people registered at the time of issue. If your crew grows by a person or two before the trip, you’ll have to pay an additional per-person fee to add them to your permit — and there may not be any more space available on the days you have chosen. So plan your trip in advance, get confirmations from everyone who is going, and refrain from sending out that last-minute text to friends who were on the fence when plans were made. They’re either in or they’re out. In winter, permits are still required in most situations where they are in the summer — though you generally don’t need the advance reservations common in summer. You will, in most cases, pick up your winter wilderness permit at the same permit station inside the park you visit.

Permits for rock climbing in US national parks

Photo: Greg Epperson/Shutterstock

Yosemite and Zion national parks are bucket-list destinations for many rock climbers. Because of their popularity and the inherent risks of rock climbing, both parks limit the number of people who can climb in the best-known spots each day. Camping at the Half Dome base requires a general backcountry permit. In Alaska, Denali National Park does the same for its most sought-after climbs, including Mount Foraker.

Because of the hordes of climbers Zion sees each year, the Utah park implemented a Zion Wilderness Express membership program for frequent visitors. It’s free, valid for three years, and can be obtained by visiting the Zion Canyon Wilderness Desk inside the park. A permit is not required for day climbs, but is for all overnight bivouacs and costs $5. You can reserve your permit up to three months in advance to ensure your spot, or take a chance on the 33 percent of daily permits made available the day before they’re valid. If you plan to come in the summer, don’t bank on these being available; make your reservation in advance.

Permits for backpacking in national parks

As noted above, a backcountry permit is required for overnight camping throughout the national park system. Some parks offer permits for specific trails or sections of the park, and you should check the website of the park you want to visit during your planning process for availability on the most hiked routes. If the early season permitting has ended, remember that there are walk-up permits issued at each park. If you are flexible in your plans or willing to take alternate trails, your odds of landing a permit are much higher. Here are the general permitting processes for six of the most-visited national parks. The rest of the parks in the system have similar, often identical, processes to one of these parks.

Yosemite National Park and the John Muir Trail

Photo: Tobin Akehurst/Shutterstock

So many people are following John Muir and answering the call of the mountains that California’s Yosemite National Park was forced to implement an Exit Quota System that limits the number of people on the John Muir Trail and separates them from general backpackers and trekkers in the rest of the park. If you want to hike from the trail’s Northern Terminus and are flexible on dates, you can apply for the lottery system through the Yosemite Conservancy. Permitting for the John Muir Trail requires you submit your application at least 168 days in advance of your trip, and even then, the approval rate hovers around three percent. That said, the trail is accessible via trailheads outside the park managed by other agencies who have their own permitting processes, often not quite as stringent.

A general backcountry access permit is required for all backcountry trails inside the park. The park grants 60 percent of these permits through advance applications received 24 weeks before your intended start date, awarded via a lottery system during busy times. Hiking Half Dome requires a separate permit from the John Muir Trail permit and general backcountry permit, despite being doable as a day hike. The preseason lottery is open throughout the month of March for the forthcoming summer season, with an additional 50 individual day permits being granted on a rolling basis to walk-ups.

Cost: $5 per person for the John Muir Trail and general backpacking permit, plus a $5 processing fee once confirmed

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

The permitting process for backpacking Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the much-visited park straddling Tennessee and North Carolina, is generally as simple as making a reservation. It’s also among the most affordable backpacking permits in the national park system. Your groups of up to eight people can make reservations in advance for each night you plan to camp, though you can’t spend more than three nights at any campsite and can only stay one consecutive night at each backcountry “shelter.”

Because of the nightly reservation process, and in order to help new trekkers become accustomed to the backcountry, the application process requires you to submit start-to-finish plans for your trip. Veer off-route and you’re likely to find yourself up the creek without a paddle because the other groups out there in the backcountry are likely following the itinerary and will have reserved the spaces at forthcoming campgrounds. Part of your trek here is likely to cross the Appalachian Trail, and it’s important to note that the permit for backpacking in the park is separate from the through-hiking permit required for trekking the Appalachian Trail.

Cost: $4 per person, per night and $20 max per person

Grand Teton National Park and the Teton Crest Trail

Photo: aaronj9/Shutterstock

Grand Teton National Park has a similar setup to Yosemite for its popular Teton Crest Trail. The Wyoming park awards one-third of its total annual summer permits in advance, beginning the first Wednesday in January. The remaining permits are available by walk-up at the permit desk in the park and are available one day in advance. The ranger will sit your group down and play you this fine video about the park, and what you’re getting yourself into, before issuing the permits. To apply for a permit, visit the dedicated page at Recreation.gov. Reservations are taken between mid-February and mid-May for the summer season.

Cost: $45 per advanced permit, paid after completion of the reservation, and $35 for a walk-up permit

Grand Canyon National Park

Photo: blazg/Shutterstock

Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is the second-most visited of any in the system, behind only Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As you can imagine, the scenic viewpoints tend to get backed up from spring through fall, and the park attracts a hefty amount of eager backpackers looking to get below the rim. All overnight backpacking and camping, beyond the designated campgrounds, requires a permit obtained from the park’s Backcountry Information Center.

The center begins accepting applications 10 days prior to the first of each month, for the four months ahead. Re-read that sentence just to make sure it sticks. You likely won’t get a permit applying for a trip coming up in two weeks. April to May and September to October are the busiest times, and your odds of obtaining a camping permit are greater outside of those times. Fill out a permit request form to get the process started. The park’s popular Phantom Ranch lodge, located at the bottom of the canyon, awards overnight permits via a lottery system.

Cost: $10 per permit plus $8 per person, per night below the rim, and $8 per group, per night above the rim

Glacier National Park

Photo: Dan Breckwoldt/Shutterstock

Glacier National Park has extensive backcountry trail systems which access a total of 65 different campsites. Reservations for this Montana jewel open on March 15 for trips between June 15 and September 30, though weather conditions tend to allow some campsites at lower elevations to open earlier than others. While the massive amount of trail mileage and high number of campsites can accommodate a lot of people, Glacier sees nearly three million annual visitors and isn’t fond of large groups. It issues only five permits each year for groups with more than eight people.

The good news is that the lack of larger groups makes more room for small groups, and applying for a permit is generally a successful endeavor if you get in early because it fills 50 percent of the season’s permitting through its website. The other 50 percent of permits are issued to walk-ups. Once approved, the park will email you a confirmation, which contains info on picking up your permit once you arrive at the park. Unlike some other parks, Glacier does not mail permits out in advance.

Cost: $10 application fee per permit and there’s $30 fee once you’re approved, plus a $7 per night camping fee

Rocky Mountain National Park

Photo: Sean Xu/Shutterstock

Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is the third-most visited in the system, clocking roughly 4.6 million annual visits. However, the vast majority of these visitors drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road and maybe do a quick day hike, leaving the expansive high country wide open to those willing to work a bit harder. Apply for a permit in advance of your trip and pick it up at either the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center or the Kawuneeche Visitor Center when you arrive. The reservation application allows you to reserve specific campsites, providing backup options in case your first choice is booked on your trip dates.

Cost: $26 per permit


More like this: How to plan the ultimate trip to America’s newest national park

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Hiking Peaks of the Balkans

Standing at the summit of Mount Taljanka in Kosovo, your thighs will burn and the wind may feel strong enough to knock you off your feet. You’ll look out on the valley below to see no roads or towns, only a green pasture encircled by layers of mountains reaching back to the horizon. It will feel as though you’ve stumbled on some secret land, hidden in Europe’s southeast corner. But there’s a moment like that every day on the Peaks of the Balkans trail.

Peaks of the Balkans makes a 119-mile loop intersecting the borders of Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. The path snakes through the Dinaric Alps, or “Accursed Mountains,” and crosses some of the most pristine wilderness left in Europe. Throughout the journey, trekkers stay at family run guesthouses, making the trail as much a cultural experience as an outdoor adventure. This combination, and a re-discovery of the Balkans among travelers, is likely to soon make the Peaks of the Balkans, or POB, a fixture of European hiking trails. Here are five reasons why you should hike Peaks of the Balkans now.

It’s not on the Balkan backpacker bucket list.

Photo: Tomas Laburda/Shutterstock

Only a generation after the political instability of the 1990s and early 2000s, the Balkan peninsula is experiencing a travel boom. Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania are all seeing an uptick in tourism, and for good reason. The region is a backpacker’s paradise; it hosts castles, museums, beaches, mountains, nightlife, and cafe culture for half the price of Western Europe. Indeed, the region’s capital cities are some of the very cheapest on the continent.

But the Peaks of the Balkans trail remains relatively unknown…for now. One reason the trail isn’t on many travel radars is its inaccessibility. Unlike the backpacker hotspots, transportation in more remote sections of the Balkans continues to prove challenging. Day hikers around Theth, Albania, might occasionally cross paths with POB trekkers, but even this “touristy” stop on the trail is a jarring three-hour 4×4 ride over rocky mountain passes from Shkodra and up to four hours from Tirana, Albania’s capital.

On my 13-day trip, my hiking group only ran into about a dozen other tourists. These rare encounters usually occurred in a field of wild blueberry or strawberry bushes as we all paused to forage. It was a much quieter experience than in the popular mountains in northern Montenegro. But it’s only a matter of time before development reaches the isolated area and the trail’s main starting points become easier to access.

You can experience Europe’s true wilderness.

Photo: TPGryf/Shutterstock

Most legs of the Peaks of the Balkans stretch from one small, seasonal village to another. Between those start and end points, trekkers will find few man-made interruptions to the scenery. When my group wandered on a family’s summer homestead in Kosovo’s Rugova Valley, it was an occasion for celebration. The grandmother invited us to drink “mountain tea” under a tarp layered with drying herbs. The younger generation, teenagers dressed in brand-name clothing, invited us to join in on their daily volleyball game — after the dogs brought the sheep home, of course. But with the exception of families living off the land, the rugged Accursed Mountains remain wild.

Montenegro and Kosovo have both set aside significant portions of their land as national parks and Albania works to protect its golden eagles. In Montenegro’s Prokletije National Park, you’ll find some of the largest Eurasian brown bear populations on the continent. The trail also covers regions with the highest concentration of rare plants, like the alpine edelweiss. A Swiss member of my hiking group spotted his national flower near the summit of Mount Hajla. It was the first time he’d ever seen edelweiss in person. Moving through the heart of the mountains with no development in sight, it’s hard to believe you’re still in Europe.

Guesthouses make it a richer experience.

Photo: Victoria Sanderson

If you want to haul in your supplies and camp along the trail, there are plenty of beautiful valleys to pitch a tent in. But you’d be missing one of the best parts of the trail: meeting families living in the mountains. Usually run by one extended family, the guesthouses offer hikers an opportunity to witness life in the rural Balkans, even if there is a range in comfort levels. I tossed and turned trying to stay warm in a stone shepherd’s hut in Doberdol, Albania, but my lasting memory of the village will be watching the young men build a new stone home using only basic tools and the weight of stones they pulled from the river.

In Kosovo, I slept in a 100-year-old family home built by hand and played tag with the host’s children. Most evenings I feasted at family tables on creamy stuffed peppers, homemade börek (a savory pastry), freshly plucked grapes, and day-old sheep’s cheese. These intimate settings often led toasts of strong raki liquor and local stories of blood feuds, legends, and struggles for independence.

Staying at guesthouses is not just a highlight of the POB. It also provides support to the local economy. “Many local people who had previously left their land due to unemployment and lack of economic possibilities, have recently returned and invested their time and energies on Peaks of the Balkans tourism,” said Mend Zavalani, a veteran POB guide. The trail, he said, “has brought a big positive impact in the region.”

It’s a true challenge.

Photo: Victoria Sanderson

Peaks of the Balkans is not a cake walk. Most people complete the full circuit through all three countries in 10 to 13 days, but each leg includes a significant ascent and descent. The peaks of Trekufiri, Hajla, Taljanka all measure more than 6,500 feet high. My guides also included an optional climb to Mount Arapi, which features a long, steep scrambling section.

For me, Arapi was a challenge. The last push to the top tested my fear of heights — and of falling into a crevasse. Near the summit, a fog rolled in while I struggled to stay upright and I heard my guide mutter, “Oh shit.” This vote of confidence turned me off Arapi. About five yards from the tippy top, I found a flat surface just large enough for one person to stand on and stopped. The rest of my group went on, took their summit photos, and I rejoined them on the way down. Now, I can boast that I almost fell off a mountain and died in Albania.

If you’re looking for a relaxed walking holiday, the Peak of the Balkans probably isn’t your trail, but if you want to test yourself and try something more challenging, the Accursed Mountains are the place to go.

It’s a trek through a complex history.

Photo: Victoria Sanderson

For most hikers, Mend Zavalani noted, “Realizing that the idyllic landscape was a battlefield just two decades ago” is difficult. But 20 years ago, hiking around the disputed borders of Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro would have been life-threatening. Political instability triggered by the collapse of Yugoslavia in 1992 eventually led to the Kosovo War of 1998. Outbreaks of ethnic violence continued to occur into the early 2000s as Montenegro and Kosovo declared their independence from Serbia in 2006 and 2008.

Today, the former adversaries maintain a hard-earned peace. “Life,” said Zavalani, “has found its equilibrium,” but you’ll encounter remnants of the recent conflicts on the trail like monuments to fallen soldiers and deserted bunkers. Any adult you meet will have their own personal story to share. Traveling slowly through the complex region gives you time to take in the history.

How to plan before you go

The path is well marked in most sections, but hiring a guide gives you an interpreter who can help arrange guesthouses and also supports the local economy. When I first started researching the hike, I wanted to go it alone. It only took me a single day with my guides to realize that would have made everything much more difficult. If you have a GPS and truly want to attempt the trail alone, be prepared to carry your supplies — as there are few shops along the main trail. There is also very little cell phone service to call for help in case of an emergency. A solo POB hike should only be attempted by experienced hikers with backcountry knowledge.

I used the Zbulo guiding service and booked my trip online a couple of months in advance. The guides at Zbulo helped mark the original trail and were early supporters of the project, but there are other options available online.


More like this: Why the Alps you need to visit are actually in Eastern Europe

The post The Peaks of the Balkans trail may be Europe’s last, unspoiled wilderness appeared first on Matador Network.

Orbitz will pay your travel taxes

“Doing taxes” and “going on vacation” usually live at opposite ends of the enjoyment spectrum. While saying “I’d rather do my taxes” is reserved to describe unpleasant activities like dinner with your in-laws, “having a drink on a beach in Florida” is used a generic way to describe doing anything but work.

This year, Orbitz is somehow putting them together, and saving you money in the process.

As April 15 looms large over American taxpayers, Orbitz is giving you a reason to get excited about Tax Day. If you book a hotel or hotel and flight package using Orbitz on April 15, Orbitz will refund you all of the taxes and fees associated with your purchase. If you’re not big on reading the fine print, that’s often up to 25 percent of your total cost.

Much simpler than filing a 1040, no?

While you may stress or agonize over the changes in the tax laws, and aren’t sure if you’ll get a nice refund or have to write a painful check, Orbitz’s offer is pretty straightforward. Log onto its website, set up an Orbitz rewards account (or log into one you set up four years ago and forgot about), and shop away.

Once you make your purchase, check your Orbitz account 48 hours later and you’ll have Orbucks — Orbitz’s currency used to make purchases on the site — equivalent to your taxes and fees. No, it’s not straight-up cash, but at least with this refund, you won’t have the temptation to do something silly with your money like save it or pay down debt.

Better to use the refund for a trip somewhere like Florida or the Cayman Islands, which, at 17 percent and 21 percent, have two of the highest travel tax rates in the world. Read between the lines there, and you’ll get the most money back if you book trips to those destinations. Bermuda (19 percent), Turks and Caicos (18 percent), and Sri Lanka (19 percent) will also net you some pretty nice refunds.

Doing your taxes may not be fun, but once you’re done you can reward yourself with some good old-fashioned vacation planning — and you’ll be getting a refund you won’t have to wait weeks to receive.


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The post Orbitz will pay your hotel and flight taxes this Tax Day appeared first on Matador Network.

Amsterdam airport food guide

Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport is just 14 kilometers (about 8.5 miles) from the city. It’s convenient and easy to navigate — a blessing you won’t get at many of the other top 15 largest airports in the world. And when it comes to eating, it’s more than easy to get the right foods to keep your future jet lag at bay (although if you just want a drink and some fried food, that’s easy to find as well). It’s also one of the only airports in the world where getting fish isn’t a mistake.

These are the best places to eat and drink in every section of Schiphol International Airport.

Pre Security

Café Rembrandt: Taking its name from the famous artist from the Netherlands, Café Rembrandt has the vibe of a typical Dutch cafe to get one last taste before you head out. Sandwiches, soups, omelettes, and breads are on the menu to fill you up and make your jaunt through security a little less draining.

Crossroads: A variety of foods from a restaurant that has nothing to do with the Bone Thugs N Harmony song “Crossroads.” There are Dutch pancakes, American hot dogs, and dishes that draw from Nordic and Basque cuisines. You can eat at Crossroads anytime, as it’s open 24/7.

Per Tutti: It’s hard to go wrong with a pre-flight pizza. Per Tutti has grab-and-go options if you’re running late, or you can sit in and enjoy some pizza, pastas, or salads.

Lounge One

Bubbles Seafood and Wine Bar: Depart the country in style with some sparkling wine. This Champagne bar has all the bubbly you could ask for, and you can pair it with seafood like fresh oysters, sushi, or, of course, the Netherlands’ famous salted herring.

Leon: A beloved British chain, this outpost is the first Leon in continental Europe. The food is on the healthier side of fast, with options like kale and peanut salad, grilled chicken, and baked fries.

La Place: While nothing beats a true farmers market, you can get out of the airport headspace for a bit at La Place, which is part fresh bread and fruit market, part Italian-inspired restaurant.

Upper Floor Bar: Get above it all with beer, wine, or a cocktail (or all three) while you look down at the people scrambling like ants searching for their gate. Also has quick snacks if you’re looking to keep your hunger at bay while you drink.

Two Tigers: A sushi and ramen noodle bar that’s fast without losing too much quality.

Lounge Two

Heineken Bar: Maybe you went for it and did the Heineken experience in Amsterdam, and maybe you still can’t get enough of the city’s most famous beer. Heineken Bar is like a bar from the future dropped into an airport where you can sip your beer in peace while staring at the screen on the interactive bar and tabletops.

Moods: Comfort food with a big mood. Beer, burgers, eggs, and fresh juice.

Street Food Market: A collection of three restaurants bundled together like a traditional street food market. There’s The Oven (pizza), The Grill (meat and vegetables), and The Market (ready made items like Dutch-style cakes).

Lounge Three

Bread!: The explanation point in the name says it all. This place is about bread and everything that goes between two slices.

Vit: Detox and recharge with fresh juices, smoothies, and natural food-based meals.

D Pier

Harvest Market: The freshest sight you’ll see in the sterile environment of the airport. Open 24/7, Harvest Market has light breakfast foods like cereal and fruit, quick lunches like sandwiches, and more filling options like steak and pizza.

Murphy’s Irish Pub: Irish pubs are everywhere in this world, and you always know what to expect. Murphy’s is no different. Grab a Murphy’s stout and some bar food.

Holland Boulevard

Tastes from the Lowlands: All Dutch everything. Dutch wine and beer, Dutch snacks like croquettes, Dutch pastries — you name it.


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Eagle Creek ‘Quit Your Job’ contest

If you’ve officially had it with your current job and are thinking of giving it all up to become a nomad, just hold on a little bit longer. Travel and outdoor brand Eagle Creek, in conjunction with G Adventures, is offering five beleaguered workers an all-expenses-paid, two- or three-week trip to wherever it is they most want to go in the world.

Eagle Creek will tour nine cities across the United States for auditions. The audition consists of one question, and your odds of winning are entirely dependent on your ability to answer it better than anyone else: “If you could quit your job tomorrow and travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?” The tour to find the five winners kicks off in Austin, Texas, on April 13, and continues across the country to both coasts through May and June. Find a list of dates on Eagle Creek’s website.

When a winner is selected by the brand’s panel of “travel experts,” they will have six to eight weeks to pack their things and be ready to jet. “We truly believe that travel changes you,” Eagle Creek’s President Roger Spatz said in a press release announcing the contest. “You always come back different. We want to inspire more people to break their routine, maybe take a short leave from their job and get out of town. Not everyone can quit — and we know that — but everyone can explore the world around them a little more, and maybe even make the world a better place.”

In advance of the auditions, Eagle Creek put together a bundle of study materials to help you in your quest to earn a spot, which the brand aptly dubbed the “Tools to Quit.” Among them are a Powerpoint presentation to give your boss about why you really need to travel and a pre-written letter of resignation to hand over once they tells you that your wanderlust is none of the company’s business. In case you’re stressing about how to pay the bills after this meeting, the brand wants you to know that quitting your job is more of a marketing headline than a requirement. You’re eligible to enter as long as you can take a two-week trip.

H/T: KTLA

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Clearest waters in the United States

Swimming pools are nice and all, but nothing beats swimming in wild waters, be they rivers, springs, or oceans. Whether you bathe for ritual purposes, for exercise, for the fun of it, or because it’s so trendy some call it “the new yoga,” wild swimming is best enjoyed in clear water where you can see the marine life and the rock formations below you. There are many bodies of crystal-clear water in the US, but we selected the nine most beautiful to encourage you to take a plunge in the great outdoors as soon as the sun is out.

1. Yosemite, California

Photo: canadastock/Shutterstock

Yosemite is one of the few national parks to allow swimming in most waterways. It’s easy to enjoy the Merced River, which is popular not only for taking a dip but for kayakers and rafters, too. A mellow spot on the Merced is at El Capitan Meadow, with waters so calm you can float. Another popular swimming location is the alpine Tenaya Lake, on Highway 120 between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. As with every wilderness swimming location, it’s important to follow the park’s safety rules and to keep the sites pristine by respecting environmental regulations.

2. Devil’s Den, Florida

Photo: ADRIAN DIAZ CADAVID/Shutterstock

Devil’s Den — a 50-foot-deep sinkhole near Gainesville — is a unique place to take a dip. Subterranean snorkeling and scuba diving experiences are key here; general swimming is actually not allowed if you don’t have a mask. Due to the cave conditions, the clear water is always a perfect 72 degrees. As the temperate water evaporates into the ambient air, it emits steam which likely inspired the cave system’s name. Snorkeling and scuba gear are available to rent. Neither crocodiles or alligators reside in Devil’s Den, just a few fishes and a turtle named Nelson. There are, however, ancient rock formations, 33-million-year-old fossil beds, and stalactites.

3. Warren Falls, Vermont

Photo: Lloyd Wallin Photography/Shutterstock

Vermont’s Mad River has some of New England’s most accessible swimming holes. In the , Warren Falls is a fan favorite, with two pretty, medium-sized, waterfalls crashing into the pristine, if frigid, rock-enclosed pool at the bottom. The water in the swimming area ranges from turquoise to clear emerald, depending on the season’s vegetation. It’s a safe and welcoming place to swim, though the cliff divers jumping from the top of the falls might give pause. Because it’s so idyllic, it gets busy on weekends, but it’s well worth the voyage — and you can bring dogs.

4. Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada

Photo: tusharkoley/Shutterstock

Lake Tahoe straddles the border between California and Nevada. It’s a giant lake that’s also extraordinarily deep; in fact, it’s the second deepest lake in the US after Crater Lake in Oregon. That means the water is cold. It also has a long shoreline with diverse beaches ranging from sandy to rocky. Sand Harbor on the north shore in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park is a favorite for swimming (as well as boating and fishing). The beach is sandy and slopes gently, allowing for easy entry into the crisp, clear blue water. There are also some interestingly shaped boulders that people like to jump from.

5. Havasupai Falls, Arizona

Photo: ronnybas frimages/Shutterstock

At the bottom of the Grand Canyon, on a part of the usually muddy brown Colorado River, is Havasupai Falls. After what feels like a million miles of hiking, a series of waterfalls crashes into some of the bluest water you’ll ever see. The most famous of the falls is Havasu Falls, which drops 98 feet over the orange travertine canyon walls to form a clear aqua swimming hole. This part of the Grand Canyon is tribal land, and the Havasupai people who live there regulate visitation to the falls and their nearby Supai Village. You need a permit to camp as there is a minimum stay length, and the permits are pretty hard to get. They’re issued via an online National Park Service lottery beginning on or around February 1 every year. The permits are not cheap, either — rates are about $150 per night, per person. But this is a trip of a lifetime: to swim under the falls is awe-inspiring and unforgettable.

6. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Missouri

Photo: Missouri State Parks

Set in the Ozarks’ St. Francois Mountains, Missourians love to visit Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park to swim in the enclosed pools on the East Fork Black River. The shut-ins, named because the river is literally shut in by igneous erosion-resistant rock, which renders the pools crystal clear. Some of the pools are placid while others foment to the point of emulating urban water park-type chutes and wave pools.

7. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, Florida

Photo: Discover Crystal River Florida/Facebook

A warm-water shelter for vulnerable manatees, Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is appropriately named. The water is so clear that you can see the bottom of the spring from the boardwalk. From April 1 to November 14, swimming in the springs is unrestricted. During manatee season, November 15 to March 31, the springs are often closed to swimmers to protect the manatees from human contact. However, you can swim with manatees in the springs’ adjacent canal, and there are plenty of tour operators that take snorkelers, divers, swimmers, and wildlife lovers to interact with the animals outside the refuge.

8. Sebago Lake, Maine

Photo: Phillip Sunkel IV/Shutterstock

Sebago Lake State Park, located at the foothills of Maine’s White Mountains, was one of the nation’s five earliest designated state parks. The park’s 45-square-mile lake fills an ancient granite basin fed by Ice Age glacier runoff. Most of the beaches are almost white, fine-grain sand. One of the more popular beaches for families is Songo River Beach at the lake’s north shore. In addition to swimming and other water recreation, you can camp, cross-country ski and snowshoe, hike, and bike. Swimming is seasonal due to the water’s freezing winter temperatures, but ice forms later on this lake than on those nearby. The park is open year-round and there’s a small fee to get in.

9. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Oahu, Hawaii

Photo: Pung/Shutterstock

Once upon a time, the Hawaiian royalty used this stunning ocean bay for recreation and fishing. Today, Hanauma Bay State Park is an area dedicated to the conservation of marine wildlife such as tropical fish and rare corals. Still, you can swim, snorkel, and dive with spinner dolphins and sea turtles who call the bay home. Multiple companies offer tours to the park, usually including a shuttle there and back to developed areas, but these don’t include the $7.50 park admission fee. Be aware that the park is closed on Tuesdays — a weekly chance for quiet during the deluge of visitors.


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London’s phone booths sculpture

Britain’s red phone booths are not a functioning lifeline these days, but they have been an icon of the country since their inception in the 1920s and evoke a lot of nostalgia. Those who long for the days when there was one on every street corner love artist David Mach‘s 1989 sculpture titled “Out of Order” that uses 12 of them in a playful way. The large red booths seem to fall onto each other much like a row of domino tiles.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the popular structure was closed to the public while being refurbished and is now back to its pristine self — as ready for Instagram as it ever was. The installation is located on Old London Road in the southwest suburbs of Kingston upon Thames.

Photo: Kiev.Victor/Shutterstock

The artist, David Mach, seems pleased with the makeover. “I’m very happy to see ‘Out of Order’ being refurbished,” he said. “It’s one of my best outdoor sculptures. I love these boxes and isn’t it funny that even in these times and although they were removed from the British landscape, I feel they still bind us as a nation.”

H/T: Lonely Planet

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