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Saudia Arabia bull run

Although Saudi Arabia inspires more fear than laughter these days, the kingdom is attempting to turn around its reputation of rigidity and become a world-class entertainment hub. And one of the ways Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Shaikh, the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, is trying to do so is by taking a page out of Spain’s playbook and hosting a Pamplona-style “running of the bulls.”

In addition to the bull run, KSA also intends to host many other events, including e-gaming tournaments, a Jay-Z concert, musicals like Aladdin and The Lion King, an NBA game, magic shows (even though sorcery and witchcraft are punishable by death), and religious-inspired spectacles such as a Quranic recitation contest and a competition for the most beautiful Muslim call to prayer. Plans to open a Madame Tussauds wax museum are also in the works.

Turning Saudi Arabia into an global entertainment destination may be a tough nut to crack after Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 in what some think was a murder organized by the Saudi government.

No specific details such as dates and location have been provided yet on any of the proposed events.

H/T: BBC News

More like this: This ancient city in Saudi Arabia is like Petra without the crowds

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Japan’s robot hotel replaces robots

Machines might be putting humans out of work around the world, but hotel staff should be safe for a while. Japan’s Henn-na Hotel — or Weird Hotel — was the world’s first hotel run mostly by robots, but it has recently had to cull half of its robot workforce.

The hotel, which opened in 2015, employed 243 robots — some of which resembled dinosaurs — to manage every aspect of the hospitality experience, including check-in, luggage carrying, concierge, and even in-room robot assistants. But the hotel didn’t live up to the hype, and after three years of operation, the robots started malfunctioning and became obsolete.

The Wall Street Journal reported the story of Yoshihisa Ishikawa, who got woken up by the in-room assistant several times during his one-night stay as his loud snoring triggered the robot to ask, “Sorry, I couldn’t catch that. Could you repeat your request?” Other guests also complained that the robots were unable to perform simple tasks that a smartphone could handle — concierges were not able to provide guests with information that Siri took only seconds to produce. And it turned out that the droids at reception, including a couple of T-rex, could not make copies of guests’ passports without human help.

As these problems persisted, the hotel relied more and more on its human staff to perform tasks, and to keep the robots operating properly. Ultimately, the result was the firing of much of the hotel’s droids. Reception desks will now be run by humans, a real-life concierge will provide information, and a human bellhop will carry luggage. The gimmick only lasted three years.

H/T: Lonely Planet

More like this: 9 haunted hotels you can actually spend the night in

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Man walks across frozen Lake Baikal

Walking across a frozen lake can be nerve-wracking, but doing so on a lake whose surface is totally transparent is plain terrifying. One-mile deep at its lowest point, Lake Baikal in Siberia is the oldest and deepest lake in the world, and this Russian man decided to walk across it. Siberia gets pretty cold in the winter, so it’s safe to say the ice will hold, but given the glasslike surface of the water, he had to stare down into the watery depths at every step.

Armed with a selfie stick, the man filmed his slow journey across Lake Baikal. As he ventures away from the shore, you can see the rocks underneath growing smaller and smaller, really giving you a sense of exactly how deep this lake is, and how far the man would sink if he fell through (if he didn’t freeze to death first). “All of this made me feel like I was looking into a fairyland,” he wrote in the description of his video that he uploaded to Newsflare, “which never existed anywhere apart from dreams. Such a miracle.”

The walk is made even more dramatic by the several cracks and fissures in the ice. They might not indicate that the ice is about to cave, but they do plant some doubt in your mind and make the journey feel more precarious.

“It felt like I was standing on the water or walking on a very fragile glass,” the man wrote. “Despite this, I knew it’s safe to be there as the thickness of the ice is about 15 centimeters [six inches].”

H/T: Thrillist

More like this: 6 freezing destinations where people actually go ice swimming

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Best roadside lookouts in the US

Road trips are about a great many things. Cool playlists of the best song about every state. Excuses to eat more fast food in a week than you have since 2014. Gas station bathrooms. But they’re also about breaking up the monotony of the open road with a rest at a scenic lookout over something you’ve never seen before. It could be a mountain range, sprawling desert, or sweeping view of a modern city, but there’s something about scenic viewpoints that make us want to take a few minutes and appreciate the magic. After we post a picture, of course.

Each state offers plenty of these scenic overlooks, but we hit up locals and worked with the folks at Geotab — who found the highest paved road in every state — to find the best scenic viewpoints in every state that don’t require more than a car to reach.

Alabama: Vulcan Park, Birmingham

Photo: Rob Hainer/Shutterstock

The world’s largest cast iron statue isn’t just any 100,000-pound, 56-foot rendering of the Roman god of fire and forge. It’s a tribute to the iron-smelting past of the city below, standing atop Red Mountain as a reminder of where the city’s been and where it’s headed. A short drive up to Vulcan Park rewards you with the best view of the Birmingham skyline, as well as a historical museum that tells the story of the city.

Alaska: Atigun Pass

Photo: Leonie Wharton

This section of the Dalton Highway is not so much an overlook as an immersive glacial mountain experience, where you step out of your car and feel like you’ve dropped into the thick of the Alaskan wilderness. The road is at 4,757 feet above sea level, winding through the Brooks Mountain range before reaching its highest point at the continental divide. It’s been featured on Ice Road Truckers and recorded the coldest temperature ever in the United States at -82 degrees back in 1971.

Arizona: The Abyss at Grand Canyon

Photo: Nina B/Shutterstock

Almost any overlook at the Grand Canyon could qualify as the most scenic in Arizona, and many are so driveable you’ll end up sharing the view with every RV west of Texas. But this one along Hermit’s Rest Road just west of Mojave Point has a sheer 3,000-foot drop right off the edge, giving you the best perspective of both the depth and expanse of the Grand Canyon.

Arkansas: Lodge at Mt. Magazine State Park

Photo: Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

Mt. Magazine State Park in Northwest Arkansas is home to the highest point in the state at 2,753 feet. You’ll have to hike a bit to get to that vantage point, but drive up to the lodge inside the state park and you can get some fantastic views over the valley below. Catch it during a summer lightning storm, and it’s a panorama of skylit electricity that’s both awe-inspiring and a little scary.

California: Battery Spencer Overlook

Photo: canadastock/Shutterstock

Picking the best scenic overlook in California is about as easy as picking its best taco, but the view atop this winding road just north of the Golden Gate bridge combines the best aspects of the state’s scenery in one tidy view. You’ll see the green rolling hills, deep blue water, whispering fog, city skyline, and the state’s most recognizable landmark without having to even turn your head. If you’re adventurous, try cycling up here on a windy day; you’ll almost think the view is worth it.

Colorado: Rainbow Curve Overlook

Photo: Davis Tilley Photography/Visit Estes Park

Colorado is basically one giant scenic overlook of a state, so a Rocky Mountain road trip might have you making more stops to take pictures than you make for food and restrooms. The state’s highest drive (we mean that literally) is along the Trail Ridge Road in Estes Park, the highest continuous paved road in the United States. The road, like most in Colorado, is teeming with overlooks, but the one at Rainbow Curve boasts unique views of Horseshoe Park, Alluvial Fan, and the Beaver Ponds. And if you don’t agree with us, keep driving — you’ll find another one in 10 minutes.

Connecticut: East Rock Park, New Haven

Photo: Full Send Productions

Though people don’t typically associate sweeping urban views with Connecticut, East Rock Park on the border or New Haven and Hamden looks down on the iconic Soldiers and Sailors Monument, over the Mill River Valley, and onto the New Haven skyline and Long Island Sound. The park stands 350 feet above the city, and the easy drive to the summit rewards you with a bird sanctuary, rose garden, and botanical greenhouse.

Delaware: The Point, Cape Henlopen State Park

Photo: Visit Delaware

There aren’t a lot of places where you watch the sun rise and set over water in the same state. All of Florida. The Hawaiian islands. And The Point in Cape Henlopen State Park. Here you can drive up to the point at sunrise and see the sun come up over Delaware Bay, spend your day exploring the beaches, then return to see the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean with the historic lighthouses shining brightly in the golden evening.

Florida: Watson Island, Miami

Photo: Chris LaBasco/Shutterstock

In a state where most of the highest points are freeway onramps, scenic lookouts aren’t exactly abundant. But one of the cooler ones is on the minimally developed Watson Island between Miami and Miami Beach. Here you can pull right up to the shore and look west towards the massive Miami skyline, which is especially scenic as the sun sets behind it. Or gaze east at the cranes and cruise ships at the Port of Miami and the lights of Miami Beach in the distance.

Georgia: Brasstown Bald

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Georgia’s highest point is the rare peak that’s completely accessible by car, its observation tower and visitors center sitting right along State Route 180. This spot in the Blue Ridge Mountains is part of the Chattahoochee National Forest and marked the end of the now-defunct Tour de Georgia cycling race.

Hawaii: Haleakala Summit

Photo: Galyna Andrushko/Shutterstock

Maui might get one of the last sunrises in America, but it’s probably the best. Take a pre-dawn drive up to the top of the Haleakala volcano and you’ll see the orange light of morning peek over the Pacific Ocean and onto the volcano floor. Just make sure you make a reservation; the sunrise here has gotten so popular that you now must reserve a space to drive up between 3:00 and 7:00 AM. If you want to go any other time, though, it’s all yours.

Idaho: Galena Summit

Photo: Lee O’Dell/Shutterstock

Idaho, like any mountainous state, has no shortage of road-trip-highlight scenic overlooks. Though competition is tough, our pick is this spot just outside Ketchum on Highway 75. It stands 8,701 feet above sea level and offers views out over the entire Sawtooth Valley, a 15-by-30-mile wilderness surrounded by the jagged Sawtooth Mountains. From here, you can also see the headwaters of the Salmon River, which runs for 900 miles from here out to the Pacific Ocean.

Illinois: Montrose Beach, Chicago

Photo: Page Light Studios/Shutterstock

Though Southern Illinois does have some scenic rolling hills and a killer wine region, this beach a couple miles north of downtown Chicago provides the best perspective on the sprawling skyline of any beach along the lake. Here you’ll get the full expanse of Lake Michigan and the towers beyond, and if you’re up for a walk, you can head out to the jetty and join the fisherman for a better, unobstructed view.

Indiana: Horseshoe Bend

Photo: Visit Indiana

The tightest bend along all of the Ohio River is right next to the town of Leavenworth, Indiana, where barges and other commercial ships slowly navigate the treacherous turn. Visitors to this spot in Southern Indiana can stop at the Overlook Restaurant and enjoy the show while birds soar above the riverside cliffs.

Iowa: Mt. Hosmer

Photo: Iowa Economic Development Authority

Iowa is surprisingly scenic if you’re into stuff like sweeping bluffs over river valleys. Assuming that’s your scenic jam, head up the narrow winding road to the top of Mt. Hosmer, where a 450-foot bluff stands atop the Mississippi River. The mountain is named for Harriet Hosmer, a sculptor who won a foot race to the top during a steamboat layover in 1850.

Kansas: Schrumpf Hill

Photo: Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism

Along the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway you’ll see some of the last remaining tallgrass prairies in North America, which looks a bit like an African savannah minus the giraffes. The scenic landscape is best observed from the Schrumpf Hill overlook along Highway 177 south of Cottonwood Falls. Once you arrive, you’ll find a 360-degree view of the prairie and interpretive panels explaining the local plants and animals.

Kentucky: Devou Park, Covington

Photo: Jon Bilous/Shutterstock

Cincinnati has one of the most under-appreciated skylines in the country, but one trip to this park in suburban Covington will convince you it’s among the nation’s best. The hilltop green space looks down onto the Ohio River, across the many bridges that connect Covington and Cincinnati to the striking skyline beyond. Head to Devou Park at twilight to watch the city go from bright daytime colors to white blinking lights, an experience that’s especially enjoyable during the annual BLINK festival where light art installations take over the city.

Louisiana: Pointe-Aux-Chenes

Photo: bayoumamma

Bayou scenery may not be for everyone, but if you appreciate the serenity of a marshy wetland, you’ll find no better place to take it in than Pointe-Aux-Chenes. This little spot along Island Road near Houma runs along the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary and is a perfect place to pull off and look at migratory birds landing on the water. It’s not a striking mountaintop or a bright city skyline, but for rural Louisiana, it’s just about heaven.

Maine: Mt. Battie, Camden Hills State Park

Photo: Visit Maine

Hiking to the top of Cadillac Mountain might be the quintessentially Maine thing to do when looking for a scenic viewpoint. But that also involves, ya know, hiking. Not always fun in Maine year-round. So stay in your nicely heated car and head to Camden Hills State Park off Route 1 where Mt. Battie Road takes you to the top of the park. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of Penobscot Bay, Camden Harbor and the surrounding mountains.

Maryland: Black Walnut Point, Tuckahoe State Park

Photo: Jon Bilous/Shutterstock

Hard to argue with the mountain views from venerable Dan’s Rock in Western Maryland. But it’s also hard to climb all the stairs to go see it. Much easier, head to the end of Route 33 on the Eastern Shore and this point with 180-degree views of Chesapeake Bay. It sits on the southern tip of Tilghman Island in Tuckahoe State Park, and in addition to the sparkling water, you’ll likely see osprey, ducks, and a smattering of bald eagles.

Massachusetts: Western Summit

Photo: Eugene Michalenko, Mohawk Trail Association

Snow-capped mountains and steep valleys aren’t exactly the scenery most associated with the Bay State. But travel the Mohawk Scenic Byway and you’ll be treated to the kind of alpine scenery one typically associates with places further west, as well as views across the Connecticut River and into the towns below. The view from the West Summit viewpoint seems like a scene from somewhere in Wyoming, especially in winter where the snow drapes itself over the landscape and makes the tiny town of Florida, Mass, the picture of charming New England mountain town.

Michigan: Arcadia Overlook

Photo: ehrlif/Shutterstock

Near the top of the mitten southwest of Traverse City, highway M-22 runs along the coast of Lake Michigan and is one of the quintessential drives in the Great Lakes. Along this road you’ll find the Arcadia Overlook, also known as Inspiration Point, which stands 370 feet up with views over the shoreline. If you’re looking to stretch your legs a little after the drive, head up the 120 stairs to the top of the overlook for the best view in the state.

Minnesota: Palisade Head Scenic Overlook

Photo: Lisa Crayford/Explore Minnesota

Minnesota’s North Shore Drive is a little slice of the Pacific Coast Highway in the Midwest, a meandering scenic byway that runs 150 miles along the cliffs beside Lake Superior. A couple miles north of Silver Bay you’ll hit this scenic outlook, where from 180 feet above the lake you’ll see the Sawtooth Mountains to the northeast, the Split Rock Lighthouse to the southwest, and Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands south across the lake. If the viewpoint looks familiar, you probably recognize it from the final scene of the 1993 thriller The Good Son starring Macaulay Culkin and Elijah Wood.

Mississippi: Bluff Walking Trail, Natchez

Photo: Visit Natchez

The stroll along Mississippi River atop the bluffs of Natchez is the most scenic pedestrian route in Mississippi, a trip through both serene nature and the city’s history as it passes by several Victorian homes along Clifton Street. You can drive up to a lookout over the bluffs at Silver Street, a perfect spot for sunset over the mighty Mississippi. And if you’re up for a little cardio, traipse down a 200-foot staircase to the base of the bluffs.

Missouri: Lake Taneycomo, Point Lookout

Photo: James Little

Lake Taneycomo was created back in 1913 when the Power Site dam blocked off the White River in one direction, and the Table Rock Dam stopped it in the other. The result is one of the most beautiful fishing destinations in the state, best viewed by pulling off Highway 165 near College of the Ozarks in the appropriately named town of Point Lookout. From here you’ll see the gentle Missouri hills surrounding the lake, with the Table Rock dam standing in the distance.

Montana: Heaven’s Peak Lookout

Photo: tusharkoley/Shutterstock

If you’ve been to Glacier National Park, we don’t need to tell you about Going-to-the-Sun Road, the two-lane stretch of asphalt that bisects the park and surrounds you with towering white mountains. Along its 50 miles you’ll find mountain lakes, thick forests, arctic tundra, and the Continental Divide. You’ll also find the aptly named Heaven’s Peak, where the imposing glaciers stand over bright green forests, appearing so close you could almost run across and start climbing.

Nebraska: Carhenge

Photo: Nebraska Tourism

With a serious tip of the hat to the bizarre chimney rock at Scottsbluff, you won’t find a more unique viewpoint in Nebraska than the famous Carhenge. This stop along the famous Gold Rush Byway (US-385) is a complete replica of Stonehenge, made completely from old cars. The attraction also includes other sculptures made from old automobiles and automobile parts, and though it may not be a lookout in the traditional sense of the word, it’s the coolest roadside sight in the state.

Nevada: Mt. Rose Highway Scenic Overlook

Photo: Laura Rose Robb/TravelNevada

Nevada is a funny state for scenery because while most associate it with big swaths of desert, it’s also home to half of Lake Tahoe and some of the best mountain lake scenery in America. Views of the lake are especially nice along the Mt. Rose Highway where, during summer, you’ll see emerald mountains dropping into the deep blue lake, and in winter you’ll catch it all draped in a blanket of white.

New Hampshire: Mt. Washington Auto Road

Photo: Mt. Washington Auto Road

This 7.6-mile drive up the highest point in the northeast is the first and oldest man-made attraction in the US and is basically one giant scenic overlook. Here you’ll experience the bizarre weather in four different ecological zones, where you can go from sunny to raining to occasionally snowing on the same ride. Each overlook offers a different perspective on the mountain, and because it’s so short, it’s designed for you to pull over and explore each one.

New Jersey: Liberty State Park

Photo: Sorbis/Shutterstock

Not that we’re ones to dispute the natural beauty of the Meadowlands, but often the finest views in the Garden State are of another state altogether. Like the best rooftop bar in New Jersey. Or this park across the Hudson River from Manhattan, offering the best views of New York City in either state. It’s also easily accessible from Jersey City, Newark, or really anywhere a PATH train can take you. Or you can take a ferry across from Manhattan.

New Mexico: Anderson Overlook

Photo: The Perfect/Shutterstock

The Land of Enchantment has some fantastically striking scenery, from red rocks to sand dunes to snow-capped mountains. Finding places to view it isn’t always straightforward since this massive state is pretty sparsely populated and much of the scenery is on Native American reservations. If you find yourself along Highway 502 near Los Alamos, take a rest at Anderson Overlook, where New Mexico’s signature mountains, mesas, and valleys are all in abundance.

New York: Terrapin Point, Niagara Falls State Park

Photo: Niagara Falls USA

As we mentioned in our entry on New Jersey, the best views of New York City are actually in another state. The best views of Niagara Falls, however, are squarely in New York at Goat Island inside Niagara Falls State Park. Stand out at Terrapin Point and you’ll literally feel the 675,000 gallons of water that rush over the falls every second, and a trip at dusk provides some of the most spectacular sunset photography in America.

North Carolina: Looking Glass Rock Overlook

Photo: ExploreAsheville.com

Though the lookout at milepost 417 along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville is nothing to sneer at, with its Insta-perfect view of one of the largest masses of granite in the eastern United States, it’s still probably better known as a (figurative) jumping off point. The rock itself is a massively popular climbing destination, and the lookout also serves as the trailhead to Skinny Dip Falls, a commonly visited easy waterfall hike.

North Dakota: Painted Canyon Visitors Center, Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Photo: North Dakota Tourism

Just before you hit the town of Medora along I-94 you’ll find the best place to view the splendor of the North Dakota Badlands. If you’re enticed by the bright colors and jagged rocks, you can continue along I-94 to the 36-mile scenic loop that runs through the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where you might also catch prairie dogs and wild horses in their natural habitat.

Ohio: Scenic Overlook on the Scioto Trail

Photo: Tourism Ohio

The best viewpoints in Ohio are the ones you see just before getting your face peeled back on one of the epic roller coasters at Cedar Point. For a view that won’t require an hour-long line, head out US-23 to Scioto Trail State Park, where a drive through the rolling hills brings you to the creatively named Scenic Overlook right off North Ridge Road. It looks out onto the Ohio River valley and the surrounding woodlands and is, as you might have guessed, best visited in the fall.

Oklahoma: Quartz Mountain Resort and Nature Park

Photo: Quartz Mountain Resort/Facebook

While we wouldn’t exactly jump to call this the Jade Mountain of the heartland, this resort in the Wichita Mountains on Lake Altus offers viewpoints of twin mountains that are vaguely reminiscent of St. Lucia’s Pitons. Views from the road leading into the resort and from its 18-hole golf course are pure Midwestern lake paradise, and in a state where both elevation and water are at a premium, a resort that combines them both is easily tops for drivable scenic lookouts.

Oregon: Neahkahnie Viewpoint

Photo: Oleg Moskaliuk/Shutterstock

Just north of Cannon Beach along historically scenic US-101 sits the Neahkahnie Viewpoint, where you’ll stand on the side of a green mountain looking down onto the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean below. While the roadside view here is fantastic, for an even better vantage point drive a couple hundred yards up the road to the Neahkahnie Mountain Trailhead. Then take the eight-mile loop for one of the most scenic hikes in the state.

Pennsylvania: Loyalsock Canyon Vista, Worlds End State Park

Photo: Friends of Worlds End State Park/Facebook

Worlds End State Park is a bit of a misleading name as it’s pretty smack in the center of the mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania. The hikes here are the Keystone State’s finest, but if you’re not up for walking, head down Mineral Spring or Cold Run Road to this viewpoint where you might not be standing at the World’s End, but it sure will feel like it.

Rhode Island: Prospect Terrace, Providence

Photo: Go Providence

On the east side of Providence off Congdon Street you’ll find this hidden gem of a park, with perfect views of the city skyline and the colorful houses that lead up to it. The park is also the burial place of Rhode Island founder Roger Williams, whose iconic statue is the cornerstone of the park.

South Carolina: Wildcat Falls

Photo: Kevin Ruck/Shutterstock

Upstate South Carolina might not get the tourism hype of charmingly flat Charleston, but it also boasts the best scenery in the state, both on and off the road. Typically, southern waterfalls like this one along scenic Highway 11 near Cleveland are far off the road, but travelers can just pull off to the side of the road and enjoy the power of Wildcat Falls. Those willing to leave their cars for a minute can venture a little closer and get a stunning close-up picture of one of the state’s best natural sights.

South Dakota: Pinnacles Overlook, Badlands National Park

Photo: South Dakota Department of Tourism

The eerie, red-striped canyons and fingers of Badlands National Park are some of the most mysterious sights in America, best experienced at sunrise when the colors seem to change by the minute. Take a pre-dawn drive into the park and find the Pinnacles Overlook, which gives the most expansive perspective of the buttes, canyons, and gullies that make up the Badlands, providing the best place to set up a tripod and capture the spectacular sunrise.

Tennessee: Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

You likely won’t be the only person — or even the 100th person — in the flying-saucer-like observation tower at the top of Clingmans Dome. The third-highest peak in the eastern United States sits in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited park in America and a venerable logjam of people during the summer. That said, the crowds don’t flock here because the view is average, and the parking lot a mere 300 feet from the summit makes it easily accessible.

Texas: FM 170 (River Road)

Photo: jamsedel/Shutterstock

There’s a lot of driving to be done in Texas, and even the proudest Texan has to admit it ain’t all beautiful. But this stretch of road from Presidio to Study Butte runs right next to the Rio Grande as it winds its way through the mountains. The road has a number of scenic overlooks, but generally the higher you get the nicer the view. In true Texas style, take your time and stop to appreciate them all.

Utah: Summit, Scenic Byway 12

Photo: Paulista/Shutterstock

Utah is another place you could just pull over by the side of most highways and have a first-class viewpoint. But Scenic Byway 12 is the state’s asphalt crown jewel, running from Panguitch to Torrey through all the red rock and green forest that make this part of Utah so beautiful. The road climbs through the Dixie National Forest topping out at 9,000 feet, where you’ll have a sprawling view of Henry Mountains, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and striking red rocks of Capitol Reef National Park.

Vermont: Mt. Philo Summit, Mt. Philo State Park

Photo: vermontalm/Shutterstock

Vermont’s first state park was established atop the 968-foot Mt. Philo, a 237-acre swath of greenery with views of the Lake Champlain Valley and Adirondack Mountains. The park’s main road sits right off US-7 and is a short drive to the parking lot at the summit. Even before cars, the summit was accessible via an old carriage road, built to service the historic Mt. Philo Inn, which is still standing just outside the park.

Virginia: Culler’s Overlook, Shenandoah River State Park

Photo: Shenandoah River State Park/Facebook

In fall, the Shenandoah River Valley is an explosive tableau of reds, oranges, and yellows, one of the biggest leaf-peeping attractions in the Mid-Atlantic. Take a drive to Shenandoah River State Park and make a quick left onto Overnight Road, where a small parking lot sits next to the best lookout in the state. Here you’ll gaze over a meandering bend in the river while the colorful hills of the countryside spread out beyond.

Washington: Sunrise Point, Mt. Rainier National Park

Photo: Danita Delmont/Shutterstock

Getting up close and personal with the fifth-tallest mountain in the United States would seemingly be a task for someone with ice picks and crampons. Not the case at Mt. Rainier, where you can pretty much drive up to the base of the glacier at Sunrise Point where only a short field of evergreen trees separates you from the snow. Now getting to the top of that thing, that’s another story.

West Virginia: Peak of Spruce Knob

Photo: Jon Bilous/Shutterstock

Fun fact: America’s first national recreation area was Spruce Knob in northeastern West Virginia at the top of the Allegheny Mountains. The road to the peak was only paved in 2008, where the view offers a glimpse over the rows of mountains leading to the horizon. Just be forewarned that this summit is best visited during the summer. Though the winter views can be spectacular, the road there is not maintained.

Wisconsin: House on the Rock

Photo: The House on the Rock Attraction/Facebook

The House on the Rock is one of America’s great oddball attractions, a massive estate built atop a rock with… everything. There’s an organ room. A circus room. A doll carousel room. It’s like someone took Graceland, mixed it with the St. Louis City Museum, threw in a heavy dose of backstreets New Orleans, and placed in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. On a mountaintop. In Wisconsin. There might be prettier views in America’s Dairyland. But no way there’s a better viewpoint.

Wyoming: Clay Butte Lookout

Photo: Jim Parkin/Shutterstock

The Beartooth Highway holds the distinction of being the highest road in two different states, running from Red Lodge, Montana, to the northeast border of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. While it’s full of jaw-dropping views of the Northern Rocky Mountains, the best view is off Forest Road 142, which takes you to the Clay Butte Lookout. The road’s not exactly smooth, but it leads to a historic tower that’s been around since 1942.

More like this: This perfect road trip keeps you in 70 degree weather all year

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Best LGBTQ bars and clubs in the US

Since the opening of Seattle’s The Double Header in 1933, American gay bars have propelled the country’s LGBTQIA community into the mainstream, nearly singlehandedly removing the stigma and replacing it with a feeling of pride and joy. As opposed to your typical run-of-the-mill bar or club, gay nightlife institutions have long been celebrated for their open-minded approach to fun, welcoming anyone over the age of 21 and encouraging them to express themselves in whatever ways they wish. Not only that, but they’ve managed to cater to crowds that don’t typically get a voice — like the transgender community. Spending a night in a gay bar or nightclub possesses an inherently different ambiance — and therefore must be experienced.

From unforgettable and fun drag performances to themed nights catered to nearly every kind of queer, LGBTQ bars and clubs are designed to create truly memorable nights (and early mornings). With that being said, we’ve gathered the best gay bars and nightclubs in the US — from Seattle’s Pony to New York City’s Gym Sportsbar — that every person on the spectrum can truly enjoy.

1. Velvet Lounge, Santa Ana, California

Photo: Velvet Lounge/Facebook

Centrally located in Santa Ana’s Historic Arts District, the Velvet Lounge is the latest addition to Orange County’s LGBTQ scene. LGBTQ-owned and -operated, the bar and nightclub boasts some of the best drag shows in California — one smartly named “A Queen Is Born” — along with famous signature cocktails like the Red Velvet Cake Martini, modern American comfort food created by locally renowned chefs, and plenty of events to keep you coming back all year long.

2. Bar 1, Phoenix, Arizona

Unlike most bars frequented by everyone on the spectrum, Bar 1 in Phoenix, Arizona, encourages its guests to use their indoor voices. Whether they’re lounging by the cozy fireplace, playing pinball, or enjoying cocktails and conversation on the gorgeous outdoor patio, LGBTQ patrons will revel in the candlelit ambiance of this establishment. If you happen to feel a sort of nostalgia for old school music videos, then Bar 1 will also keep you entertained for hours with its endless reel of diva-esque music videos. Come for the famous Long Island Iced Teas, stay for the candlelit conversation.

3. Akbar, Los Angeles, California

Akbar is located on Los Angeles’s world-famous Sunset Boulevard and is quickly becoming the last of its kind in the city. Featuring a warm and friendly interior, Akbar has steadily become one of the more famous LGBTQ institutions in Los Angeles, complete with plenty of star-studded comedy nights and themed shows.

4. The Stud, San Francisco, California

Photo: The STUD/Facebook

For over 50 years, The Stud has been a prominent part of San Francisco’s LGBTQ scene — hosting one-of-a-kind parties, serving up delicious cocktails, and presenting some of the best drag and burlesque shows in California. The ambiance is so impressive at this San Francisco bar that RuPaul even made an appearance — along with countless other queer celebrities that have long celebrated The Stud’s important contributions to the LGBTQ community. Whether you’re dancing at one of its parties or making new friends over delectable cocktails, a trip to San Francisco is not complete without stopping for drinks and conversation at The Stud.

5. Gym Sportsbar, New York, New York

Calling all gay sports fans and athletes: Gym Sportsbar in New York City serves up the best of both worlds for gay sports fans, allowing them a place to watch and discuss their favorite sports in a queer-friendly environment. Not only that, but becoming a Gym Sportsbar regular has its perks — whether you decide to join the freestyle wrestling club, Metro Wrestling, or LGBT Bike Club, you’ll finally find the community where you belong. However, if you’re not as athletically inclined (or would rather just drink a cold beer in a comfortable chair) then Gym Sportsbar has you covered with televisions tuned to sports every hour of the day and an intimate lounge downstairs.

6. Cubbyhole, New York, New York

If you ask any lesbian (or straight person, for that matter) about the best lesbian bar in New York City, you’re likely to hear all about Cubbyhole, located in Manhattan’s West Village. Decorated in a multitude of lights and festive decor, Cubbyhole is always a lively and welcoming place for lesbians to meet and drink. Despite being incredibly welcoming to members of the LGBTQ community, what makes Cubbyhole one of New York City’s best bars is that it’s a fun environment for everyone looking for a good time on any night of the week. If you’re looking to save a few dollars, the bar offers a half-priced happy hour from Monday to Friday until 7:00 PM. Though it lacks any kind of special events, Cubbyhole makes up for it with its faithful patrons and West Village backdrop.

7. The Phoenix, Las Vegas, Nevada

Photo: The Phoenix Bar & Lounge/Facebook

With a giant phoenix painted over its doors, The Phoenix in Las Vegas, Nevada, immediately creates a unique ambiance for its patrons. Once inside, guests are greeted with a spacious bar — complete with a lounge area that doubles as a dance floor, pool tables, and an outdoor patio that’s inviting and secluded enough for conversation over cocktails. In addition to sipping mixed drinks on the dance floor, guests can play Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart on the massive projected screen located centrally in the bar. At the end of the day, The Phoenix appeals to older audiences in search of a true LGBTQ dive bar — and the younger Grindr generation who would rather dance and play video games all night long.

8. My Sister’s Room, Atlanta, Georgia

For more than 22 years, My Sister’s Room has been the number one lesbian bar in Atlanta, Georgia. Not only that, but the lesbian bar has become famous across the South for its fun atmosphere and local craft beers and wings that have been voted the best in Atlanta. In the days of dating apps, My Sister’s Room has managed to remain one of the best places for lesbians to meet in person in the country, as the drag shows, karaoke, and other special events provide the perfect conversation pieces.

9. Lipstick Lounge, Nashville, Tennessee

Though it is designed with lesbian women in mind, the Lipstick Lounge in Nashville, open since 2002, has become a destination for all humans. Over the years, the lesbian bar has become a place for everyone to come together for a night of karaoke, a calendar full of cheeky burlesque shows, Tex Mex cuisine, and city-famous signature cocktails.

10. Boxers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Photo: Boxers PHL/Facebook

Located in the heart of the City of Brotherly Love, Boxers is a gay sports bar that’s perfect to head to after a long day at work. Similar to Gym Sportsbar in New York City, Boxers offers a place for LGBTQ sports leagues and fans to meet. From women’s rugby to Spartans Wrestling Club, there is a sports league available for nearly every athletic interest. Or, if you prefer hanging around by the sidelines, Boxers has you covered with drink specials and LGBTQ sports events that don’t require any athletic ability.

11. Divas, San Francisco, California

Serving as the largest gathering place for transgender men and women in the entire country, it’s no secret that Divas in San Francisco has been making waves in the LGBTQ nightlife community. For the past few decades, “transgenders and their admirers” have sought refuge in this safe space, one of only a handful in the entire country. For trans people (and their admirers, I suppose), there are a number of activities to participate in at the bar and club — from drag and burlesque shows to late-night karaoke, dance parties, and stimulating conversation over Bloody Marys. With a no boundaries sort of atmosphere, you never know where your night is going to end at Divas — and that’s just the magic of the boundary-breaking bar.

12. Club Marcella, Buffalo, New York

Specially catered to the queer college crowd in Buffalo, Club Marcella has given itself a prominent place in the nation’s LGBTQ community. Mostly, Club Marcella has gained national attention for its cheeky underwear contests held every Saturday night — when men have the option to hit the dance floor in just their underwear. Especially for drag queens and kings looking to establish themselves in the queer nightlife community, the club seeks to propel these beginners with college drag nights where they have a chance to perfect their lip-syncing skills.

13. Big Chicks, Chicago, Illinois

Photo: Big Chicks/Facebook

For the past few decades, Big Chicks has opened its doors (and served its drinks) to anyone on the spectrum — after all, the bar’s motto is “men and men, women and women, and women and men.” Aside from being a revolutionary gay bar in Chicago’s Far North Side, Big Chicks is celebrated for its one-of-a-kind art hanging on nearly every corner of the establishment, depicting prominent divas in large portraits. In a move that speaks to the elegance and celebratory nature of the bar and club, it offers its patrons meals and desserts (like Buck Burger Nights) served up as a side with its signature drinks and world-famous drag events.

14. Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand, Waikiki, Hawaii

Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand has become not just a local favorite for the LGBTQ set but for the nation, as well. For over 44 years, the bar and nightclub has become the epitome of “aloha” to all of its patrons, who can sip a drink while taking in the stunning beauty of nearby Diamond Head State Monument and Waikiki Beach. To get the most out of your venture to Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand, you must come before sunset, as the colors over the beach are one of nature’s best displays. After your romantic sunset adventure, head to the dance floor where local DJs and musicians make every night that much more memorable.

15. Club Cafe, Boston, Massachusetts

Considered to be one of Boston’s best nightclubs for over three decades, Club Cafe features a top-rated restaurant, cabaret performances, and an electric dance floor. Aside from Club Cafe’s dance floor, it also houses the famed Napoleon Room, which provides an intimate setting for some of the best cabaret performers, performing artists, comedians, and musicians in the city. However, if you’re simply looking for the stereotypical LGBTQ nightclub, Club Cafe’s offerings will blow you away. Retro T-dances, drag bingo, RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing parties, karaoke, and trivia will ensure that every night spent at Club Cafe is one to remember.

16. Purdy Lounge, Miami, Florida

Photo: Purdy Lounge/Facebook

Located in a more remote part of Miami’s South Beach, the Purdy Lounge manages to bring forth a sense of nostalgia with its beer-hall vibe and eclectic mix of people and music in a lounge that’s become so popular that elbow room is a precious commodity during the weekend. On any given night, members of the LGBTQ community can dance and drink alongside local celebrities. The only requirement: that you honor the Miami tradition of dancing until the sun comes up — no matter where you may fall on the spectrum.

17. Darcelle XV, Portland, Oregon

Named after and owned by Portland’s most famous drag queen, Darcelle XV has been busy making drag more mainstream in the city since the 1960s. It’s no surprise that the nation’s oldest performing drag queen would create such an immersive experience for all of her guests — although the atmosphere has changed over the years. From one-man shows to burlesque and drag shows, this club is one of the best in the country for its ability to entertain any audience — and to draw a crowd of regulars intent on celebrating their lives out in the open.

18. The Dallas Eagle, Dallas, Texas

Since 1995, The Dallas Eagle has gained popularity as one of the best leather bars in the country. Since its opening, the bar has garnered the support of some of the most famous leather clubs and organizations in the world, along with the constant patronage of international Mr. Leather winners. Aside from sipping drinks in the inviting bar, guests can stock up on their favorite leather goods at the on-site Shades of Grey store located on the second floor.

19. Ego, Providence, Rhode Island

Photo: EGO Providence/Facebook

If you’re looking to dance the night away, head to Ego, Providence’s premiere LGBTQ destination. Whether you’re watching the college drag show on Detention Thursdays or celebrating the art of the twerk on Twerk Fridays, there’s no shortage of fun to be had for those looking to dress up and dance until the wee hours of the morning.

20. Bourbon Pub Parade, New Orleans, Louisiana

Set in New Orleans’ French Quarter, the Bourbon Pub Parade is regularly recognized as one of the country’s most prestigious gay bars and a center for big and bold drag shows. If you’re looking to pay a visit to New Orleans during Mardi Gras or Labor Day weekend, the Southern Decadence festival takes over the bar and surrounding streets in the French Quarter. If you can’t make it there for the festivals hosted by the Bourbon Pub Parade, then be sure to pay a visit on a Friday or Saturday night when the Queens of Illusions show off their performing chops.

21. Pony, Seattle, Washington

Serving as a tribute to the West Village and Castro bars of the 1970s, Pony in Seattle is housed in a 1930s-era gas station — now transformed into a beloved hangout space for hipsters and members of the LGBTQ community alike. Meeting somewhere in the middle, the bar and club blares punk rock, disco, new wave, and indie rock music for the Seattle queer hipsters to shimmy and shake to all night long. If you’re looking for a party in Seattle, put on your dancing shoes and head to the Pony.

22. Camp Bar, St. Paul, Minnesota

Photo: Camp Bar/Facebook

Unlike many other bars on the list, guests come to Camp Bar in St. Paul for the intimate atmosphere and queer conversation. Just within the past two years, Minnesota’s Twin Cities have become a destination for the LGBTQ community, drawing national attention for being one of the more gay-friendly Midwestern locations on the map. Whether you’re enjoying a beer on trivia night or singing along to a Cabaret production, a venture to Camp Bar is one that you soon won’t forget.

23. Club One, Savannah, Georgia

Club One brings drag and decadence to Savannah, Georgia. Home of the famous Lady Chablis, the drag queen who eventually garnered national attention for appearing in the book and movie versions of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Much to the enjoyment of guests from every corner of the globe, Lady Chablis makes regular appearances at the club. Aside from catching a glimpse of Lady Chablis, there are many reasons to pay a visit to Club One — whether you’re reveling in the fun and raunchy drag shows, cabaret nights, or laid-back cocktails and bingo.

24. Blackstones, Portland, Maine

Since 1987, Blackstones has been the heartbeat of the LGBTQ community in Portland, Maine. For those looking to wind down after a long day, or even meet singles in the area, Blackstones provides an excellent backdrop with its intimate atmosphere and dive bar aesthetic catering to a leather-and-Levi’s crowd.

25. Rain on 4th, Austin, Texas

Photo: Rain on 4th/Facebook

Far from a dive bar, Rain on 4th is an upscale lounge and club in a warehouse full of exposed brick and industrial accents. The main bar is connected to the dance floor, which regularly features pop music and grinding crowds eager to enjoy Austin’s nightlife. Outside of enjoying a night of pop music, guests can head to the outdoor patio with its own bar — or even enjoy a night of karaoke or LGBTQ-themed events.


More like this: 10 epic group tours for LGBTQ travelers

The post The 25 best LGBTQ bars and nightclubs in the US appeared first on Matador Network.

Best transit from airports to cities

You know what’s fun after flying halfway across the world on a hot plane with limited legroom and electrical plugs that go out halfway into your pre-downloaded season of Narcos? Trying to figure out the best way to get from a strange airport with signs in another language to your hotel. Should you struggle with your bags to save a few dollars on a train? Or try and find the often-elusive rideshare zone? Or just say eff it and go all backpacker on the bus?

Variables like the size of your group, how much time you have, and whether or not you’re on an expense account go into making this decision. But to help you along the way, MyVoucherCodes found the average travel times and costs of taxis, buses, rideshares, and trains at 35 of the world’s biggest airports, then ranked them all by ease of travel. We took a look at those numbers and, in the name of making your post-flight life a little easier, found the best options for transfers from all of them.

1. New York — JFK

Best option: Train — 50 minutes, $7.57

Much like with pizza, bagels, and… pretty much everything else in New York, the train system is painfully overrated, only finding its way to JFK a few years ago. That said, it’s far and away the best way to get into Manhattan as the fastest AND cheapest method. Taxis and rideshares take an hour, costing between $50 and $72, respectively. And the bus will take you an hour and a half in traffic.

2. Bangkok — Suvarnabhumi

Best option: Train — 30 minutes, $1.34

This train may not be fast, but driving into the city center from Suvarnabhumi Airport takes 45 minutes on a good day. Though the ride will cost you fewer than $7, it’s still about 15 minutes slower than the train, and may or may not include the slightly terrifying experience of having mopeds dart in front of you every 50 feet like they have a deathwish.

3. Chicago — O’Hare

Best option: Train — 45 minutes, $4.89

The ride on the blue line into the Windy City can be interminable and cold, but it’s still faster than navigating the car-filled expressways. Taxis and rideshares will take the same amount of time to the city center even in minimal traffic, costing $34 and $48 respectively. And it can take literally hours on a bad day. The CTA bus is your cheapest option at $2.20 but literally takes twice as long. And in the winter it’s one of the more miserable public transportation experiences in America.

4. London — Heathrow

Best option: Train — 50 minutes, $9

Heathrow is a bit of an exception to this matrix because if you’re willing to spend the $30 or so to take the Express train into London you can get there in 15 minutes. It’s still a far better deal than taxis and rideshares, which run $56 and $41, respectively. The London Underground — the train we’re referring to here — is slightly faster than the 55-minute shuttle bus. Plus it gives you the fun of giggling every time they say “Cockfosters.”

5. Singapore — Changi

Best option: Taxi — 30 minutes, $21.29

If you’re going to Singapore, chances are you’re not scraping by on backpacker money, which is why despite costing a full $20 more than the train, the time savings of a taxi make it the clear cut winner. You’ll get from Changi Airport to the city center in less than half the 66 minutes the train ride takes, and at just over $20, it’s not an enormous price for that kind of efficiency.

6. Dubai

Best option: Rideshare — 46 minutes, $18.64

Though riding Dubai’s futuristic metro system is a must on any visit — especially into the area around the Burj Khalifa — after a long flight it’s an experience best left for morning. The train won’t usually take you right to your hotel, necessitating another taxi or rideshare. And at under $20, the door-to-door rideshare option is easy and efficient. Taxis run around $35, however, so the train may still be a better option.

7. Toronto — Pearson

Best option: Train — 25 minutes, $9.11

The relatively new UPExpress train has changed the way Torontonians travel. Once they lowered the price, that is. It’s far and away the most efficient way of making the long 19-mile haul from Pearson into the city, which is a 42-minute ride that costs $55 in a taxi and $30 in a rideshare.

8. Paris — Charles De Gaulle

Best option: Train — 35 minutes, $12.59

CDG sits nearly 20 miles from the city of Paris, and though MyVoucherCodes put the drive at an average of 40 minutes, trips over an hour aren’t at all unusual. The train trip isn’t much better, clocking in at nearly the same amount of time. But it’s less than 25 percent of the $55 a taxi or rideshare will cost you, and it’s far less susceptible to traffic jams.

9. Rome — Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino

Best option: Train — 30 minutes, $12.15

The adventure that is riding with an Italian cab driver isn’t always the best way to start off your Roman holiday. Or at the very least it’s best left for once you’ve gotten into the city. Taxis from FCO to the center cost about $44 for a 40-minute trip, nearly double the cost of a rideshare.

10. Istanbul — Ataturk

Best option: Taxi — 45 minutes, $12.15

Istanbul’s train is a fantastic bargain at only 89 cents per ride, but when measured against the aggravation of hoisting your bags, finding the train line, and getting from a stop to your hotel, it’s hardly worth the $11 difference to save five minutes. Especially if your group has multiple people. The traditional taxi takes only 45 minutes to cover 14 miles and is over $7 cheaper than a rideshare.

11. Hong Kong

Best option: Train — 24 minutes, $13.73

Close call in Hong Kong as rideshares take only half an hour and typically cost under $30. If you’ve got more than one person, they’re probably the best option, but traveling solo, the train still gets you the 19 miles to the city six minutes faster. Taxis, however, can top $50 and are best to be avoided.

12. Dublin

Best option: Bus — 30 minutes, $6.63

Admittedly, there is a special novelty to riding in a cab that drives on the left side of the road. That novelty is not worth $34 and 10 extra minutes in traffic, however. The Airlink Bus — aka Route 747 — takes 30-40 minutes, stopping at the Busaras bus station, O’Connell Street in the city center, and the Heuston train station. Rideshares are an even worse deal than taxis, charging over $60 — or nearly 10 times the cost of the bus.

13. Prague — Václav Havel

Best option: Taxi — 38 minutes, $3.40

Since Prague is one of the most affordable capitals in Europe, getting from Vaclav Havel airport to the city center is astoundingly cheap whether you opt for a bus, taxi, or train. The train is a fat 85 cents cheaper and saves you 13 minutes over a taxi ride, but that time and money likely get eaten up getting from the station to your hotel. Opt for the taxi here, as rideshares average $16, a 500 percent markup for the fun of getting a ride from your phone.

14. Oslo

Best option: Train — $21.83

It’s not even a small exaggeration to say you’ll spend more on a rideshare from the Oslo airport than you did on that dirt-cheap Norwegian Airlines fare to get there. A ride into the city costs a whopping $164.27 via rideshare, making the $81 cab fare seem like a downright bargain. Do yourself a favor and skip them both, as even the bus takes only two minutes longer than a car and costs only $20.

15. Budapest — Ferenc Liszt

Best option: Bus — 35 minutes, $3.09

Eastern Europe has its old-world, untouched charms to be sure. The downside to that “rustic” charm, however, is that some places are a little behind the rest of the continent. Take Budapest, where Ferenc Liszt International doesn’t have a train nor does it have rideshares. With a taxi ride costing almost $25 for the same 35-minute trip, the bus is easily your best bet.

16. San Francisco

Best option: Train — 30 minutes, $9.44

The sticker shock of a $10 ride on public transportation is a nice “Welcome to San Francisco” for Americans used to hopping on the local light rail for $2. But it’s a far more palatable welcome than the $47.74 you’ll get in a taxi. Rideshares here aren’t a bad option if you’re in a hurry or have multiple people, running under $30 for a 28-minute trip. That’s assuming no traffic on the 101 North, though, which is kinda like assuming your plane won’t be delayed by fog.

17. Zagreb — Franjo Tuđman

Best option: Taxi — 28 minutes, $16.60

Check the rideshare prices when you arrive in Zagreb, Croatia, since the average isn’t much more than a taxi at $17.98 and may sometimes be cheaper. The airport doesn’t have a train (there’s that Eastern European charm again) but if you’re traveling solo on a tight budget — or think transportation money is better spent on beer — the train is only $4.46 and takes 40 minutes.

18. Las Vegas — McCarran

Best option: Rideshare — 21 minutes, $15.59

You’re going to drop a ton of cash in Vegas anyway, no need to start at the baggage claim. Literally, since the rideshare zone is a long walk through the hot desert sun to a garage across the street. It’s worth the walk, though, since cabs to the strip can run $50, there’s no train, and bus rides should really be left for your hungover, defeated trip home.

19. Helsinki

Best option: Train — 30 minutes, $6.08

Like its Scandinavian neighbors, nothing in Finland in cheap, an especially obvious fact when you learn taxis and rideshares run around $55 to cover the dozen miles from HEL to the city center. They may be five minutes faster than the train, but unless you’re in a massive hurry and the company is paying, you might even be better off taking the 45-minute bus ride for $7.51.

20. Orlando

Best option: Rideshare — 26 minutes, $25.05

Orlando is an interesting airport to analyze since most people arriving here aren’t going anywhere near the city center. Assuming you’re here to see the Mouse, your best option is to rent a car. But if you’re not up for dealing with Florida drivers on your trip to the happiest place on Earth, you’ll still need to get a taxi or rideshare. Orlando has no train to the airport, and though the bus is cheap do you really wanna ride a public bus with two kids screaming, “When do we see Mickey????”

21. Berlin — Brandenburg

Best option: Bus — 37 minutes, $3.09

You may be shocked to learn the famously efficient Germans don’t have a train to their most tourist-popular airport. Once you’ve recovered from this pain, in true Berlin underground fashion, the city hits you again with the pain of a seven-mile taxi that costs $28.70. Then AGAIN with rideshares at $35. Whew… ok that was intense. Anyway, the 25-minute car rides save you 12 minutes over the bus, so if you’re in a hurry to get to said Berlin underground, or are doing it with a group, a taxi might still be your best bet.

22. Krakow — John Paul II

Best option: Rideshare — 28 minutes, $9

Krakow, Poland, is nothing if not consistent as the 6.8-mile trip from John Paul II Airport to the city center takes between 26-28 minutes regardless of how you go. Rideshares run a couple dollars cheaper than taxis though during a price surge taxis will be better. The train and bus are delightfully cheap as well at $2.31 and $1.02, respectively. But with door-to-door service only a little extra, you may as well splurge.

23. Stockholm — Arlanda

Best option: Bus — 45 minutes, $10.65

Stockholm is like the Mrs. Robinson of airport transfers; any way you look at it, you lose. The bus is the only method that’s not making you post-date your rent check at $10.65 a ride, but it takes over twice as long as a 20-minute train ride. Taxis and rideshares hover around $60, so if you’ve got two people, that’s probably the best move. Traveling solo, the bus wins out based on cost alone, though you’ll probably blow that savings the first time you order a beer.

24. Los Angeles

Best option: Rideshare — 23 minutes, $27.27

Either the good people at MyVoucherCodes haven’t spent a good deal of time driving through Los Angeles, or they consider LA’s “city center” to be the 405 onramp at Olympic Boulevard. Though a 23-minute trip from LAX to downtown is laughable, and rideshares are a confusing, soul-crippling fustercluck, they are STILL the best way to get wherever it is you need to go in the City of Angels. Cabs run twice as much, the train hasn’t made it to the airport yet, and unless Sandra Bullock is driving, LA city buses don’t move too fast.

25. Edinburgh

Best option: Bus — 30 minutes, $5.63

Perhaps if you’ve got a whole troupe of fringe theater performers, a rideshare might be a better option as it’s still a reasonable $25 for a 25-minute ride — almost half what a taxi costs. That said, the bus is only an additional five minutes and saves you about $20, and with no train option, it makes the best sense.

26. Barcelona — El Prat

Best option: Train — 20 minutes, $4.64

If you’re going on a cruise or anywhere other than the traditional tourist hotspots, you may want to look into a taxi as they’re cheaper than rideshares and offer better precision than the train. That said, the train takes you within a short ride of pretty much anywhere in the city for less than $5, and even with a group of three to four people, it’s the more economical option. Even the Airport Aerobus — at about $6.50 — costs more and takes 35 minutes.

27. Vienna

Best option: Train — 15 minutes, $4.53

You know who makes the Germans look about as organized as a Caribbean police station? Austria, which managed to create a train that takes you from Vienna International to the city center in just over 15 minutes. That’s 10 minutes faster than any taxi, rideshare, or other automobile that’ll take 25 minutes in light traffic. And charge you $35 for the pleasure.

28. Miami

Best option: Rideshare — 17 minutes, $18.44

Miami is another interesting case, as ostensibly the Metrorail would be the best option at a scant $2.20 for a 15-minute ride downtown. The problem is, who goes to Miami to go downtown? So while the train is best if you’re a lawyer or want to hit a Heat game during a layover, a rideshare will be the best way to get you to the beach. It’s typically half the cost of a cab, and in a city where the busses are about as reliable as the local politicians, it’s the best way to get around.

29. Brussels

Best option: Train — 17 minutes, $9.94

Brussels transportation covers the 13 miles between the airport and the city better than almost anywhere in the world, where even plodding city buses get you into town in half an hour for $3.31. Though the train is triple the cost for only half the time, the difference between speeding on a train and stopping every three blocks on a bus is worth $6. Not worth it, however, is the nearly $50, 26-minute ride in a taxi. Or the $35 option in a rideshare.

30. Copenhagen — Kastrup

Best option: Train — 15 minutes, $5.61

Though not as jaw-droppingly expensive as taxi rides in the rest of Scandinavia, a 20-minute ride from CPH to anywhere near Tivoli Gardens is still costing you $37. The train is actually five minutes faster and costs one-seventh the price. Copenhagen doesn’t have rideshares, which might be part of why taxi prices are so high.

31. Boston — Logan

Best option: Rideshare — 12 minutes, $12.88

The Big Dig may have royally screwed Boston traffic for years, but now that it’s over, the Ted Williams tunnel makes for a quick, efficient trip out to Logan. Far more efficient than the T, which runs 35 minutes. You should also check rideshare prices when you arrive, as if you show up on Sunday right after yet ANOTHER last-second Tom Brady drive to glory, surge pricing might make taxis cheaper. Though you’ll still have to listen to the driver talk about the Patriots.

32. Lisbon — Portela

Best option: Rideshare — 16 minutes, $13.25

Lisbon might have the best-situated airport of any European capital, a brief 3.5 miles from the city center and a less-than-10-minute ride if you’re trying to catch an early morning flight. The 25-minute train ride might be cheaper at $1.55, but for 12 bucks, the extra time you’ll get in the city and reduced aggravation is absolutely worth the rideshare.

33. Amsterdam — Schiphol

Best option: Train — 17 minutes, $4.75

Once you get into Amsterdam, you’re almost always best to traverse this city by bicycle. Just not from the airport. Since the city is expensive, you’ve gotta save everywhere, and the extra two minutes a train takes versus a taxi or rideshare is minuscule compared to the $30-$40 difference in price. Taxis run about $43 and rideshares $35, and the bus, though about 15 minutes slower than the train, is still somehow more expensive.

34. Sydney

Best option: Train — 13 minutes, $13.29

The train into Sydney is both faster and cheaper than any automotive option and gives you the added bonus of getting to ride upstairs on a double-decker train! Even if your inner five-year-old isn’t leaping at this opportunity, your inner broke-ass-23-year-old will be because the ride costs about a third of a taxi or rideshare. And allows you to sit back and listen to dozens of sexy Australian accents the whole ride in.

35. Geneva

Best option: Train — 7 minutes, FREE

Switzerland might be the most painfully expensive place to visit in the world, but one thing the Swiss don’t hose you on is public transportation. If you stay at a hotel, hostel or campsite (see: NOT Airbnb) you get a free Geneva Transport Card, which lets you ride the trains and buses at no cost. Yes, your lunch of tomato soup and water will still cost $28, but at least you didn’t have to pay for your ride to get it. Take the victories where you can.


More like this: The 7 worst airports in the world for getting an Uber (and how to get one)

The post The best way into the city from 35 of the world’s biggest airports appeared first on Matador Network.

You can win this luxury country mansion in Alberta by writing an essay

If you’re in the market for a new home, you might not have to come up with the money for a down payment after all. You might just have to be a really convincing writer. Alla Wagner, owner of this Georgian Country Style mansion in Millarville, Alberta, is vacating her home due to poor health and wants to pass it along to a deserving heir. Since her $1.7 million home failed to sell by traditional means, she’s decided to start a “write a letter, win a house” contest wherein applicants are invited to submit a letter answering the question: “Why would moving to this lakefront dream home change your life?” The winner will be the proud owner of a 3,850-square-foot mansion with panoramic views of the Rockies, a one-acre lot, pond, and wine cellar that Wagner calls “a writer’s or artist’s paradise.”

Photo: Write a Letter, Win A House/Facebook

The contest will be open until early April with the possibility of extension depending on how many people participate. The entry fee is $19, and she needs at least 60,000 entries to cover the home’s $1.7 million value. Wagner intends to allow the public to vote on the 500 finalists, and then a panel of judges will narrow those finalists down to a single winner.

Wagner isn’t the first to try this home-selling tactic. In 2015, the Center Lovell Inn in the US held a writing contest to determine its new owner. That situation, however, resulted in complaints that the contest was rigged, the winner preselected, and prompted a police investigation into the contest’s legality.

To enter Wagner’s contest, follow the instructions on the official Facebook page.

H/T: CNN

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Turkish town given rainbow paint job

Kuşadası is one of Turkey’s most heavily trafficked towns, mainly because it’s the coastal gateway to Ephesus, Turkey’s busiest cruise port. Now, people have yet another reason to visit this coastal town. A community project called “Let’s Colour” by AkzoNobel’s Marshall paint brand aims to inject new energy into Kuşadası by revitalizing over 400 homes with rainbow colors. The colorful houses are in the hillside Tepe neighborhood, chosen because of its prominent visibility, and it’s already doing a great job of drawing attention.

The Tepe neighborhood was once widely avoided by locals and tourists alike. It was a dead-end that had fallen into disrepair; many moved away from the neighborhood, and those that remained worried for its survival. Since the colorful transformation, however, the Tepe has become a must-see landmark for tourists and photographers from all over the world, and its residents were inspired to open new shops, cafes, and tours.

Özer Kayalı, mayor of Kuşadası, said in a statement, “This is a crucial location for us, as it’s the first place seen by tourists when they arrive at Kuşadası port. It makes for a striking panorama, which is why we believe this project will make a great contribution to our community.”

The Kuşadası project is just one of nearly 2,300 similar “Let’s Colour” projects taking place in neighborhoods around the world. Right now, the website’s official counter estimates that over 81.5 million people worldwide have seen a positive impact on their community as a result of these projects.

H/T: Lonely Planet

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Tourist family trashes New Zealand

New Zealand is a country that takes protecting its natural beauty quite seriously; therefore, it didn’t take long for the disturbing behavior of a family visiting from England to raise alarm bells and pick up news coverage across the country.

The “holidaymakers from hell,” as they’re now known in New Zealand, are a family of twelve traveling and creating mayhem around the North Island. They are accused of stealing various items, including a Christmas tree, from a gas station; leaving trash on Takapuna Beach and becoming violent when beachgoers confronted them about their littering; abusing Burger King staff in the town of Hamilton; and wrecking a hotel room.

Members of the family were issued a deportation notice from Immigration New Zealand following the incident at Burger King, but, as of Tuesday, January 22, some members were still in the country, according to The New York Times.

Because the country is experiencing a significant increase in tourism (from 2.6 million visitors in 2015 to 3.8 million in 2018), New Zealanders are worried that the antics of this rowdy English family are just foreshadowing what’s to come in the next few years with the influx of tourists.

The New York Times reports that the New Zealand government plans to institute a tourist tax of 35 New Zealand dollars, about $23, to be split between conservation and infrastructure. The fee will come into place later this year.

One thing is clear — New Zealanders are not going to tolerate visitors causing a ruckus and trashing their pristine countryside.

H/T: The New York Times

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Amazing salt flats in South America

Earth’s most impressive salt flats could easily pass for alien terrain. The vast, arid expanses are typically formed by dried-up lakes and caked with enough salt to make you wonder if it’s been snowing. Even if they aren’t extraterrestrial, they’re certainly extraordinary. The iconic salt flat in Bolivia is so flat that NASA even uses it to calibrate instruments, and the whole thing looks like a mirror after it rains. Beyond Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, and Peru all have amazing salt flats of their own. Here are the most breathtaking, otherworldly salt flats in South America.

Salar de Atacama, Chile

Photo: Delpixel/Shutterstock

The largest salt pan in Chile is not far from San Pedro de Atacama, an adobe town at the heart of the Atacama Desert and travel hub for both domestic and international visitors. Salar de Atacama is known for its saline lakes and resident Andean, Chilean, and James flamingos. The flamingos feed on the brine shrimp that thrive in these harsh environments. These tiny creatures can tolerate extremely saline water, and survive in a state of suspended animation through periods when there’s no water at all.

You can drive to the salt flat yourself — just make sure to bring plenty of water. Tours can also be arranged in San Pedro de Atacama. Ask your guide about swimming — well, floating — in the salty Cejar Lagoon for an unforgettable, albeit chilly, experience capped off with the reflection of the Andes in the blue-green water.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Photo: Sara Winter/Shutterstock

Some people travel to Bolivia specifically to see Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world. It’s located in southwestern Bolivia, spread across roughly 4,085 square miles of the Altiplano at an elevation of just under 12,000 feet. The striking site is never more eye-catching than it is during the rainy season, from December to April, when rain covers the ground and creates a surreal mirror effect. When it’s dry, the ground is encrusted with bright white salt dried in a honeycomb-like pattern.

NASA has used the remarkably flat Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia to calibrate satellite sensors, citing the landscape’s similarity to an ice sheet as a boon. Although this slice of the Altiplano isn’t exactly hospitable, Salar de Uyuni is also a breeding ground for flamingos.

Salinas Grandes, Argentina

Photo: Diego Grandi/Shutterstock

A series of salt flats fill the basins of the Cordillera Domeyko, the Andean range that separates the Atacama Plateau in Argentina and Chile from the famous Atacama Desert. Salinas Grandes is a large, blindingly white tract of salt-crusted land dotted with long turquoise pools that beg to be photographed. It’s situated up a mountain almost 11,000 feet above the sea and spans the provinces of Salta and Jujuy. Day trips are common from Salta, but be prepared for a long day. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

Salinas de Maras, Peru

Photo: Ksenia Ragozina/Shutterstock

Salt flats are generally, well, flat. What makes this salt pan in Peru so fascinating is its tiered architecture, a cascade of salt ponds that have been around at least as long as the Incas. Today, when the water from the site’s approximately 3,000 pools is evaporated, locals harvest the salt to sell at market. Salinas de Maras is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas a little over an hour north of Cusco, which makes a good base for anyone interested in visiting the salt flats. Or you could order some Maras salt on Amazon and call it a day.

Salar de Arizaro, Argentina

Photo: Ryan Michael Wilson/Shutterstock

Not quite as big as aptly named Argentina’s Salinas Grandes, this high-plateau salt flat still takes up over 600 square miles, which makes it the sixth largest salt flat in the world. Salar de Arizaro is located in the Salta province in northwestern Argentina, just across the Chilean border from the Salar de Atacama. Cleary, this is the right part of the world to visit if you have yet to cross salt flats off your bucket list.


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