Matador Network's Blog, page 120

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 29, 2024 11:44

Things We Love: The Matador Team’s 10 Favorite Pieces of Travel Gear and More This Month

The best thing about August isn’t the searing heat – it’s the fact that summer has matured and there’s been (hopefully) plenty of time to get out and test new gear. Matador’s editors tested everything from socks and underwear to luggage to mountain bike gloves this month, and below is the stuff we loved most. The editor who recommended each is listed, so if you have beef – or a competing product – you know who to contact. Preference was given, as it should be, to brands working towards more sustainable production methods.

We hope you love the gear we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase.

Farm to Feet socks hiker in farm to feet socks

Photo courtesy Farm to Feet

The coolest thing about doing things the right way is that “the right way” generally follows the same steps, no matter the industry. You’ve likely heard of the “farm to table” food movement, which prioritizes locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients over mass-produced mega-agriculture. Farm to Feet is doing the same thing with socks. The company’s US-based supply chain sources merino wool and other natural fibers from within 300 miles of its North Carolina production facility. These materials – from farms that prioritize animal welfare – are turned into comfy, trek-worthy socks in a facility that follows the Brand + Retail Module of the Higg Index, a guidance practicum built around sustainability, welfare, and workers’ rights. Once your pair has reached the end of its useful life, send it back to Farm to Feet and they’ll recycle as much of it as possible into something new. -Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor

Buy: $14.73

Minus 33 pocket pouch travel underwear minus 33 underwear

Photo courtesy Minus 33

Speaking of merino wool, the stretchy, sweat-resistant, durable fabric has made its way into just about every type of activewear and travel clothes, so why not underwear? Minus 33 produces a great pair of men’s travel boxers made of merino wool that prevents your undercarriage from getting all “swampy,” even on long flights. The frontside pouch adds more room so that you can stay comfortable longer while sitting on a plane, trekking, or passing the time in a hotel conference room. Also, in the true spirit of travel clothing, the boxers are built to wear more than one day, meaning your luggage stays lighter. – Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor

Buy: $44.99

Sterling Pacific 40L Cabin Travel Case sterling pacific suitcase open

Photo courtesy Sterling Pacific

While I used to prefer traveling with a backpack (I owned a few from Patagonia and Cotopaxi) rather than a carry-on rolling suitcase, as I get older I find it more and more tiresome to carry the weight of all my stuff on my shoulders. In 2023, I was given my first ever carry-on roller suitcase: the stylish and luxurious aluminum 35L Cabin Case from Sterling Pacific – and it changed the way I travel. It made me look a lot more put together, saved my sore shoulders, and allowed my clothes to remain less wrinkled than in a travel backpack. In 2024, I tested, and promptly fell in love with, the improved version of Sterling Pacific Cabin Case: a sleek 40L, four-wheeled carry-on that is zipper-free and made of extremely durable aluminum. Unlike the 35L version, Sterling Pacific’s 40L Cabin Case exists in two colors: in aluminum and jet black, and while both are very snazzy, the black version is incredibly chic. — Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor

Buy: $2,150Jack Wolfskin’s Pack & Go Shell Jack Wolfskin jacket: Pack & Go Shell

Photo: Morgane Croissant

When I travel, I tend to prepare for every possible scenario, especially when it comes to the weather. That means that I always pack a bathing suit, water-resistant hiking boots, and a rain jacket, whether I go to Iceland in July or the Mediterranean in January. The problem with that kind of over-preparedness is that my luggage tends to always be fuller and heavier than I’d like it to be. In order to reduce the weight of my suitcase and manage the space inside it, I now travel with the Pack & Go Shell from Jack Wolfskin, a soft, waterproof, and windproof rain jacket that weighs just only 11.6 ounces and easily packs into a small pouch that is smaller than a toiletry bag. Once folded up into its own pocket, the jacket takes very little room in a backpack or a suitcase. — Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor

Buy: $34.74+Bridgedale socks

Photo: Amazon

Bridgedale socks have earned a strong reputation among hikers, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts for their exceptional durability. Initially, the price point might seem steep, but the brand’s century-long commitment to crafting high-quality socks justifies the investment. I have ten or so pairs in various colors for a range of outdoor activities – but truth be told, I wear Bridgedales daily because they are so darn comfortable and supportive. – Katie Scott Aiton, Lifestyle Editor

Buy: $27.99Bluefin Cruise SUP inflatable stand up paddle board SUP with gear

Photo: Amazon

My husband and I recently purchased two of these for ourselves as a wedding present. We’ve been researching inflatable paddle boards for some time, and Bluefin came out on top. One of the best features is the spacious backpack-style bag, which is comfortable to carry, although heavy. The board itself is quite a load when inflated, but I can manage it. The bag has enough room for a towel, clothing, water bottle, and everything you need for a decent paddle session. The board is also incredibly sturdy. They feature a reinforced Flex Reduction System, which creates a sturdy platform. Even my husband, who has never paddled, stood on his first try. The pump is an excellent double-chamber unit, and although you get a workout inflating the board to the recommended pump level of 15-18 PSI, it’s relatively easy. I also like how the pump deflates too, making packing up a breeze. Although these are an investment, if you are close to a body of water and enjoy paddling, you get high quality for the price tag. Katie Scott Aiton, Lifestyle Editor

Buy: $512.02OLUKAI Ohana Women’s Beach Sandals olukai sandal

Photo: REI

Living in the southern United States, my go-to footwear has always been, and will always be, the flip-flop. I pack a pair for nearly every trip and wear them every single day—from walking the dog in the unbearably hot and sticky summers to hiking in Alaska (yes, I am that person). All this to say, flip-flops are an essential part of my wardrobe. After doing some intense research, I purchased Olukai Ohana sandals. I wanted a pair that would last, offer good foot support, be ethically made, and waterproof for pool days and river trips. I can honestly say these are the best flip-flops I’ve ever owned, meeting all the criteria I was looking for. Olukai, based in Hawaii, is B-Corp certified and focuses on sustainability.

The company uses gum rubber with 30% recycled materials, offers two vegan products, and has a nonprofit dedicated to preserving local Hawaiian history and culture. The arch support provides ample comfort for my flat feet, the footbed doesn’t slip in the Tennessee humidity, and the soles offer excellent grip when hiking. The shoes dry quickly and were so comfortable that there was no break-in period. Since getting them in early August, I’ve walked miles in these sandals, and they’ve been so comfortable that I’ve even started wearing them at my standing desk. Whether I’m on an adventure or just walking around my neighborhood, these flip-flops make the perfect pair. – Kelsey Wilking, newsletter nerd

Buy: $75Pander Belt Bag

Photo: Amazon

I prefer belt bags when walking around a city while traveling because they give me quick access to my wallet and phone, allowing me to keep them in sight at all times. I purchased this belt bag last August, and it’s been a solid find, showing no wear and tear despite numerous international and domestic trips. Recently, I wore it to Disney World, and it was the perfect bag for running around from park to park. It has three small inner pockets for easy storage of essentials like Disney tickets, gum, and hand sanitizer. The external shell is easy to clean and wipe off, plus it’s waterproof, made from recycled nylon. The lining is made from recycled polyester pulled from already recycled water bottles. It’s also compact and easy to pack. The outer zipper pocket provides quick access to hotel keys, adding to its convenience. For its small size, it packs a punch in terms of how much it can hold. My 16-year-old niece even asked, “Is it a Lulu?” No, I’m not that cool, but this dupe has proven to be a quality and more affordable option. – Kelsey Wilking, newsletter nerd

Buy: $15.99Hestra Mountain Bike Gloves

Photo: Suzie Dundas

Hestra is a Swiss company that’s been around for almost 100 years, known mostly for their nearly indestructible high-end leather ski gloves. I bought my husband a pair of those 10 years ago when we started dating, and he’s still wearing them – and he skis a lot. So when I learned they made mountain bike gloves, I knew I wanted to try a pair.

It’s pretty hot where I live in Tahoe, so I opted for the “Ergo Grip Race Cut,” with a thin fabric and no padding. For my first ride, I did a 12-mile ride, gaining about 2,000 feet over six miles of climbing on a day that started around 50 degrees but had climbed into the 80s by the time I pedaled back to the car. And while the Hestra gloves felt at first like they’d be too warm, they were perfect. Though they felt thicker than my normal light summer gloves, they were extremely breathable, and noticeably soft on my hands. It felt like a soft blanket fabric against my hands on my downhill, without any of the hand fatigue or rubbing that can come from a six-mile non-stop send. I also have a lot of allergies and found myself with a bit of a snot issue in windier sections, but the gloves have a built-in nose wipe with a soft fleece fabric that didn’t leave my nose red and raw.

The gloves have friction pads on the index and middle for breaking and seat dropping, and the touch-screen compatibility is quite sensitive and works very well. My only complaint would be they fit so well that they can be little hard to pull off at first, but as with all gloves, they loosened up after a few rides. My hands are on the small-ish side of medium and I wear a size 7, so a size 8 may be a good starting point for most women. Men, maybe try a size 9. All gloves are unisex, and with six sizes, it’s a lot easier to get a perfect fit than with gloves that only come in small, medium, and large. – Suzie Dundas, outdoor editor

Buy: $68.95Grayl GeoPress Water Bottle grayl water bottle

Photo: Suzie Dundas

Another piece of gear I picked up in August is the GeoPress Water Bottle from outdoor brand Grayl. It’s clever as can be and I’m incredibly excited to put it to the test on my upcoming hiking trip. It’s a durable, two-later water bottle; the two layers nest inside themselves. When you need to filter water, you take off the outer layer and scoop water from a stream or lake. Then, you take the inner layer – the bottle you actually drink out of – and push it down into the outer layer, slowly nesting the two bottles back together. The pressure pushes the dirty water through the built-in filter, making it available to instantly drink or pour into a bottle for someone else who isn’t lucky enough to have their own GeoPress.

I’ve used a lot of water filtration systems in the backcountry, and using your hands to hold a water filtration bag closed because it popped on the second day isn’t very fun. The GeoPress is a super quick method for filtering water, and it appears so far to be just as durable as my go-to Nalgene. I plan on putting it through the wringer this fall for a more detailed review, since at $99, it’s pricey for a water bottle (or water filter). But it’s one of the products I’ve been most excited about all year, given its cleverness and potentially extreme usefulness. – Suzie Dundas, outdoor editor

Buy: $99.95More like this Road Trips Taking a Road Trip in an EV? Here's What to Bring With You

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 29, 2024 10:56

This Aruba Resort Will Teach You and Your Partner How to Truly Relax

“This is so relaxing.” That was all Cameron, my date to the Caribbean, could say as we stood on the 13th-floor balcony of the Radisson Blu Aruba, watching the sunset over Palm Beach on our first night on the island. The sky shifted from blue to light pink to deep purple. The lights from the strip of restaurants and shops below shimmered. Cameron was right. It was relaxing — a feeling I haven’t experienced in a long time.

This wasn’t my usual travel style. I’m more accustomed to riding bikes, sleeping in tents, and bumping down dusty dirt roads. But I usually return home feeling just as chaotic as I did before I left. I needed an actual vacation, and the Radisson Blu ended up being the perfect place to embrace slow travel and enjoy a romantic getaway.

Cameron lives in Houston, and I’m currently based in Brooklyn, so we don’t get to spend too much time together. As we lounged on the beach and sipped our morning coffees in Aruba, the overwhelming stress of work — the deadlines, the emails, and the impending meetings — started to fade. It was a rare chance to just be together without distractions or distance.

A lot of this is thanks to the environment that the Radisson Blu Aruba team has created and fostered. It’s one of the only hotels in Palm Beach that’s operated and managed by local residents, rather than expats, and every detail has been carefully considered. From the warm welcome at the front desk to the serene pools, the Radisson Blu invites you to unwind completely, even if you’re not used to lounging.

The rooms at the Radisson Blu Aruba

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Radisson Blu Aruba (@radissonbluaruba)

The Radisson Blu Aruba, a former condo complex, has 183 rooms. You can choose from one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, all of which have a living room and kitchen, complete with a dining table, coffee maker, full-size fridge, and flatscreen TV.

The pool- and ocean-view rooms are especially romantic, with balconies where you can sip wine and watch the sunset, but all of the suites are spacious. Their luxurious furnishings were hand-picked by the general manager and designed specifically for the hotel. Various shades of blue and white create calming spaces that blend modern simplicity with a touch of Caribbean charm. Having enough space to unpack and reduce room clutter adds to the sense of relaxation that the Radisson Blu provides, and the option of having separate rooms allows for a bit more privacy, which can be nice on an extended vacation.

Rates start at $360 per night for a one-bedroom suite and scale up to $2,000 per night for a three-bedroom suite.

The amenities at the Radisson Blu Aruba

Photo: Radisson Blu Aruba

The pools — yes, plural — are the stars of the show at the Radisson Blu Aruba. There are two main pool areas: the rooftop, adults-only infinity pool and the courtyard pool area. We spent most of our time at the infinity pool where heat-resistant loungers in shallow water allow you to relax for hours without overheating (though that’s not an excuse to skimp on sunscreen). But the courtyard pool, though family-friendly, also offers plenty of quiet corners for couples seeking a more secluded spot — including the adults-only whirlpool.

Photo: Radisson Blu Aruba

While the hotel isn’t beachfront, there’s a designated beach area for hotel guests about a five-minute walk from the property. There’s also a shuttle that will take you there if you’re lugging a beach bag or want to skip the walk on a humid day. Be sure to reserve your seats in advance if you want to lounge under an umbrella.

Back at the hotel, there’s a fitness center with enough equipment to do both cardio and a solid strength workout, as well as the Vede Renacer spa which offers couples treatments. Cameron and I booked a 60-minute massage that left me in a daze. The hotel staff also rotates through a variety of programming — ranging from yoga and pool aerobics, to wine and paint nights, to aloe scrub making — that guests can sign up to join.

The restaurants at the Radisson Blu Aruba

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Radisson Blu Aruba (@radissonbluaruba)

Sunset Bistro is the Radisson Blu Aruba’s main restaurant, located on the hotel’s third floor by the infinity pool. There, you can order anything from giant club sandwiches to local cuisine while you relax in the shade admiring sweeping views of the beach.

The bistro’s breakfast buffet has plenty of variety — mini pastries, pancakes, bacon and sausages, even an omelet bar — but is not included in the room charge. For lunch, you’ll find light and refreshing options like yucca fries, ceviche, and mango lemonade, as well as American classics like burgers. Every afternoon of my stay, I washed down my food with a local beer like Chill, a light lager that’s similar to Corona.

But my favorite spot at the Radisson Blu was The Clover, a coffee shop by the lobby. It has pastries, smoothie bowls, and Venezuelan-inspired dishes like arepas. For quick bites and beverages by the pool, there’s also the Aqua Breeze Pool Bar. Located by the courtyard, Aqua Breeze is open until 8 PM for drinks and snacks between dips.

Things to do in Aruba

Photo: Steve Photography/Shutterstock

Aruba isn’t an easy island to get around without a car. There are no rideshares, but you can schedule cabs to take you where you need to go. We chose to join an open-air Jeep tour with De Palm Tours to experience Aruba’s most popular sites instead. You can arrange these excursions through the hotel’s concierge in the lobby.

It takes about an hour to get from one side of the island to the other. In between the cities and resort areas, you’ll find desert landscapes and quiet beaches. Highlights include Arikok National Park, which is home to ancient rock formations and deep caves, and Baby Beach, where we snorkeled among boxfish and other colorful marine life. The California Lighthouse, about a 10-minute drive from the Radisson Blu, is another worthwhile stop. There, you can climb a couple flights of stairs to the top and catch one of the only views of the entire island.

How to get to the Radisson Blu Aruba

Photo: Radisson Blu Aruba

Aruba is a popular destination, so many cities have direct flights. Once you arrive at the Queen Beatrix International Airport, shuttles run to the various accommodations. On a shared shuttle through De Palm Tours that stopped at every hotel, it took about 40 minutes to get to the Radisson Blu Aruba. If you arrange a direct transfer, it’s only a 15-minute drive.

More like this Beaches and Islands Why You Should Look to Aruba for Your Next Relaxing, Culturally Immersive Caribbean Vacation

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 29, 2024 10:00

From Cozy Cottages to Autumnal Cabins, These Are the Best Airbnbs in the US for Fall

Fall in the US transforms the nation into a patchwork quilt of warm colors. The air is crisp and peppery, sunsets are more vibrant, and you never feel guilty about sipping a spiced latte. It’s unsurprising that many of the greatest romantic comedies of all time are set in the fall; there’s something particularly magic about this time of year. It’s also, in my opinion, the best season for a long weekend getaway. And you don’t need to go far. Across the States, apple orchards and pumpkin patches are gearing up for harvest, and at higher elevations, you can already see leaves starting to turn. This is the perfect time to plan a fall trip. To help you out, Airbnb has made suggestions for the top trending places to visit this year, and I’ve gone through and picked some of the best cottages and cabins that scream autumn. All you need to do is pack your warmest flannel, cozy slippers, and enjoy the finest leaf peeping the country has to offer.

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

Serene romantic cabin near Stowe, Vermont

Photo: Airbnb

Near Stowe, this Airbnb puts you in one of the best destinations in Vermont for leaf peeping. The leaves are at their most colorful from early September through late October. The romantic cabin sleeps five and is set among the trees with mountain and riverfront views. You can get rugged up and sit out on the deck and stargaze, toast marshmallows on the fire pit with a cup of cocoa, or cozy next to the wood-burning stove.

Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $327 per night

Architectural eco-friendly retreat in the woods in Rhinebeck, New York

Photo: Airbnb

If you’re looking for something with a wow factor, this stunning architectural home in the woods is one of Airbnb’s top suggestions for fall in New York state. It’s situated under two hours from the city, minutes from Rhinebeck, and only 45 minutes from the Catskills. If you’re a runner and looking for a challenge (especially if you’re doing the New York marathon in November), you can still sign up for the Rhinebeck Fall Foliage half marathon or 5k run, which takes place on October 12. At least the beautiful autumnal leaves will distract you from the endurance. Afterward, you can return to this eco-friendly retreat, which is set on 30 preserved acres of land.

Four guests, studio
Price: $475 per night

Luxury tiny home with stunning views near Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Photo: Airbnb

This area in North Carolina is one of Airbnb’s top trending destinations for fall. The South’s magnificent fall foliage is a must-see. The elevation differences within the state allow for a longer viewing season and make it an epic place for a leaf peeping road trip. The dramatic new colors appear first in the higher areas, such as Blowing Rock, where this Airbnb is, in late September or early October. The luxury home is on 10 acres and offers breathtaking fall long-range mountain views. This Airbnb will be booked quickly, so secure your reservation.

Six guests, two bedroom
Price: $355 per night

Modern A-frame mountain retreat near Blue Ridge, Georgia

Photo: Airbnb

Blue Ridge, Georgia, is a picturesque town in the foothills of the Southern Appalachians. This region offers a stunning display of fall foliage. As the temperatures cool and days shorten, the deciduous trees in the region begin to transform, painting the landscape in vibrant hues of red, orange, yellow, and purple. You can enjoy the colors from this new modern mountain A-frame, which is secluded but close enough to downtown Blue Ridge for shopping and meals out. This Airbnb is one of the rental site’s top five percent of homes, which means it’s been awarded for exceptional guest reviews and host communication.

Six guests, three bedroom
Price: $301 per night

Tiny timber frame home called Honeycrisp Cottage in Putney, Vermont

Photo: Airbnb

This cottage is called Honeycrisp, which screams fall Hallmark movie. The timber frame home is on nine acres overlooking a forested mountain. It’s close to Putney, where you can enjoy apple picking at Green Mountain Orchard, go wine tasting at Putney Mountain Winery, or simply sit back and enjoy the Vermont foliage.

Four guests, two bedroom
Price: $221 per night

Cozy updated lakeside cottage in Anderson, South Carolina

Photo: Airbnb

Anderson, South Carolina, is another of Airbnb’s fall destinations of choice. Aim to go around mid-to-late October to see the leaves at their best. This little cottage is also close to Paris Mountain State Park (under and hour’s drive), where you can hike through scenic trails, enjoy breathtaking views, and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the autumnal landscape. It’s surrounded by trees, so despite its proximity to amenities, it’s private. If you’re brave, you can swim in the nearby private cove or stay warm and enjoy S’mores by the fire pit.

Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $160 per night

Little red cabin in the heart of the White Mountains, New Hampshire

Photo: Airbnb

The White Mountains of New Hampshire offer a breathtaking display of fall foliage, transforming the landscape into a vibrant tapestry of colors. It’s another region perfect for road trips. For a scenic drive, explore the Kancamagus Highway. This route winds through the heart of the White Mountains, offering stunning vistas of fall-colored trees, cascading waterfalls, and picturesque bridges. Stop at Sabbaday Falls or Albany Covered Bridge for unforgettable photo opportunities. You can hike the Presidential Range, too. This mountain range is home to some of the highest peaks in New England, including Mount Washington, the tallest mountain in the Northeast. From here, you can take in the panoramic views of the surrounding foliage. After a day of fall activities, you can return to this charming cabin. It sleeps up to four guests and has a lovely fireplace, where you can relax and watch movies.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $185 per night

Beautiful A-frame cabin in a private community in Skykomish, Washington

Photo: Airbnb

Skykomish and The Cascade Mountains offer a picturesque escape amidst fall’s vibrant hues. This A-frame cabin is within a private community called Timberlane Village, seconds from some of the best hiking spots in the central cascades. This classic A-frame is the perfect retreat for those looking for a home away from home with easy access to trailheads and, in winter, the slopes.

Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $295 per night

Quiet A-frame cabin in the Twain Harte woods, Twain Harte, California

Photo: Airbnb

Twain Harte is an ideal place to base yourself if you’d like to enjoy the fall colors of the Sonora Pass. It’s around an hour’s drive to the pass from this family-owned two-story A-frame. In this area of California, you’ll see a stunning display of bright gold aspen trees around early September. The cabin has a large deck where you can have a morning coffee surrounded by trees, or if it’s cold out, you can enjoy the woodland views from every window in the home.

Five guests, three bedroom
Price: $147 per night

Off-the-grid treehouse in Columbia Falls, Montana

Photo: Airbnb

Airbnb also has Columbia Falls on its list of top fall destinations in 2024. Situated in the Flathead Valley, the charming town of Columbia Falls is the perfect place to experience the beauty of Montana’s changing seasons. The vibrant display of fall trees creates a breathtaking backdrop for outdoor activities and scenic drives. It’s also within driving distance of Glacier National Park (30 minutes), which comes to life at this time of year with bears, elk, and deer preparing for winter. This treehouse puts you within touching distance of the treetops, and with floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll feel fully immersed in nature and the breathtaking views.

Four guests, two bedroom
Price: $300 per night

Catskills cabin in Margaretville, New York

Photo: Airbnb

Yes, it’s a popular go-to for leaf peepers, but the Catskills region remains a beloved destination for a fall weekend away. One of the best ways to experience the fall foliage in the Catskills is by immersing yourself in the great outdoors. You can hike through the Catskill State Park, where you’ll encounter scenic trails winding through colorful forests, or stroll through the villages that dot the region, admiring the colorful leaves that adorn the historic buildings. This cabin is on eight acres in the Catskill Mountains and is close to local shops, breweries, live music, apple orchards, pumpkin farms, and incredible restaurants of Margaretville. You might, however, find it hard to leave the hammock or fireplace in the cabin.

Five guests, two bedroom
Price: $366 per night

30-acre A-frame lake house near Champaign, Illinois

Photo: Airbnb

This 30-acre property is located just outside Fithian near Champaign and is surrounded by farmland. This means fall farm stores, pumpkin patches, and apple orchards galore. At the Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, with its award-winning cheeses and the Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch, you’ll get all you need for a fall harvest. Back at the private farm estate, you can relax and watch fireflies by the lake or stargaze with the Airbnb’s telescope. This is a great rental for a fall family gathering or group getaway.

14 guests, three bedroom
Price: $338 per night

1-bedroom log cabin minuets from Woodstock Village, Vermont

Photo: Airbnb

This woodsy retreat is minutes from Woodstock Village and a short drive to Hartford, a top Airbnb destination for fall foliage in New England. The log cabin, called Fern Gully, sleeps four guests and is set amidst 12 secluded acres of forest. The interior is the perfect blend of rustic cabin charm and modern comforts.

Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $350 per night

Book NowMore like this Epic Stays 20 Beautiful Last-Minute Airbnbs for a Labor Day Staycation

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 29, 2024 00:14

August 28, 2024

These 7 Countries Are Now Easier for US Travelers to Visit in 2024 and Beyond

Depending on what countries you’ve visited, if you’re a US citizen traveling abroad, you may not even know that most people need visas to visit different countries. That’s because the US has political agreements with lots of countries that have tourist-heavy economies, like Mexico, Iceland, Australia, and South Africa (to name just a few), acknowledging that travelers are welcome to freely visit without the governments strictly tracking their comings and goings. The number changes as visa requirements change, but it’s generally accepted that if you hold a US passport, you can travel to roughly 180 countries without a visa.

That still leaves a good handful of countries left to explore, however — and for those, US passport holders will need a visa.

What is a travel visa? countries open to american travelers - visa form

Photo: Song_about_summer/Shutterstock

A travel visa is an official document issued by a country’s government, granting a foreign national permission to enter, stay, or transit through its territory for a specified period. The visa, typically attached to a passport, lists the purpose of your travel (like tourism, business, or study) as well as dates by which you need to enter and leave the country. Application processes for a visa usually include the need to provide information on your travel dates and hotels/destinations, a photo, personal information related to your home and past travel, and potentially, additional information for background checks.

There are many reasons why countries may require visas for some or all travelers. Some countries require all foreign travelers to have a visa, especially in places with nascent tourist industries, where visa data and fees can be used to analyze and fund tourism efforts. Some countries may require visas as a way to reduce illegal immigration, and others countries may require visas only from people who are citizens of countries with whom it has complicated or strained diplomatic relations. Related to this is visas a punishment, perhaps in response to countries imposing sanctions or imposing their own travel visas.

In a friendlier sense, visas can also be a tool for controlling tourism, especially in countries concerned about overtourism. That’s the case for countries like Bhutan, which requires visas for all travelers to restrict the number of tourists and preserve its unique environment and culture.

How to get a travel visa person filling out form - countries open to american travelers

Photo: Nach-Noth/Shutterstock

The process for securing a travel visa varies from country to country, and can range from a quick stamp at the airport to a multi-step, multi-week ordeal. After you’ve determined that you need a visa (there are sometimes visa exceptions for short stays or business travel), you’ll need to fill out an application form. Most countries allow you to fill out and submit this form online via an embassy website, but not all. You’ll likely need to provide contact info, details of your travel plans, a passport-style photo, and a scan of your passport, at a minimum. From there, it depends on the country, as some issue e-visas within 24 hours, while others may take weeks to process and mail you a formal paper visa.

The other option you may encounter is visa on arrival, meaning you can fill out a form when you arrive (either in paper or online) and get your visa while passing through passport control. That’s an option for Americans traveling to a handful of countries include Madagascar, Mauritania, and Bangladesh, among other places.

Countries that relaxed visa requirements for US citizens in 2024

As a general rule, a good way to get more tourists is to relax visa requirements, either by making visas easier to get or eliminating them entirely. Fortunately, many countries around the world have already done just that in 2024, likely to bring a share of the post-COVID tourism boom to their own economies. If you want to travel to any of the countries below, it’s now easier than ever to get a visa, making them just as easy to visit as countries where US citizens can travel without any visa at all.

Sri Lanka

Photo: Vova Shevchuk/Shutterstock

Sri Lanka recently announced a significant change to its travel visa policies, particularly benefiting US citizens and other international travelers from Western countries. Beginning on October 1, 2024, visitors will be able to get a visa on arrival, instead of having to apply for an electronic travel visa in advance of their trips. The visa is also now free, with the country waiving the $50 fee.

The move is part of Sri Lanka’s strategy to increase international arrivals and strengthen its tourism industry, which has been recovering since the pandemic. Tourism boomed around 2018 and 2019, but an economic crisis that started in 2019 set the country’s economy back. The current visa-on-arrival program is set to run until April 2025, after which the government will likely evaluate its impact on the tourism industry before deciding on future visa policies.

North Korea countries open to american travelers - north korea

Photo: Kanokratnok/Shutterstock

While the country has yet to make an official statement, outlets like the BBC and The Guardian reported that tour operators based in North Korea have announced they’ll be running tours for Western tourists, starting in December of 2024. Presumably, that’s a sign that the country will be reducing its regulations around tourism. Since 2020, the country has been fully closed to tourists, but even before that, it was extremely difficult to get a visa to visit. Based on reports from tour companies, it’s likely that guests will be limited to the town of Samjiyon, in the mountains near the border with China. It’s all but certain that visitors will also be limited to traveling only under the close guidance of a tour company, as the country is known for closely controlling its public-facing image and access.

While North Korea will likely never be one of the top countries open to American travelers without restriction, the announcement is the first step in many years to welcome tourism of any kind to the country.

China

Photo: Javen/Shutterstock

China has recently streamlined its visa application process for US citizens, reflecting a broader effort to make the country more appealing to US travelers, especially since nearby countries like Japan and South Korea don’t require visas of any kind. As of January 1, 2024, US passport holders seeking a tourist visa to China are no longer required to submit previously mandatory documents, including proof of a round-trip air ticket, hotel reservations, and in some cases, an invitation letter.

The announcement applies not just to US passport holders, but to citizens of 54 additional countries. It also eliminated visa requirements entirely for visitors from six other nations, including France and Germany. It comes on the heels of multi-million dollar investments in cultural and tourism draws, including the expansion of some of the largest museums in the world.

Syria

Photo: Cardinal illustration/Shutterstock

Syria isn’t a country that tops most people’s tourism wish lists, but it’s just beginning to build a tourism industry, and hoping to targeting relatively wealthy US travelers. The country introduced significant changes to its travel visa rules for US citizens, switching to an electronic visa system launched in May 2024. This allows US citizens to apply for a visa online, streamlining the process. Prior to May 2024, the process was far more cumbersome and rigid, with in-person applications through Syrian embassies or consulates. Prospective travelers also needed to submit a range of documents, including lengthy details of their travel plans. They’d also have to get a security clearance from a licensed Syrian travel agency — something that could take months due to the tense diplomatic relations between Syria and the United States.

Now, the application form is online (click “FAQ” on this page). One rule that remains in place is that US travelers must travel with a licensed tour company. While that may limit where in the country you can go, it also means you have the assistance and services of your tour company to handle the on-the-ground parts of the application, such as the security clearance process.

Of course, as of August 2024, the US State Department recommends against travel of any type to Syria, warning “Do not travel to Syria due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping or hostage taking, and armed conflict. Exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detention.”

Thailand

Photo: guitar photographer/Shutterstock

Thailand has always been known for being a country fairly open to American travelers, but it made a change in 2024 that allowed Americans to stay even longer. In 2023, the country announced that it would extend the time you could stay on a visa from 30 to 60 days. Fortunately, Americans are exempt from needing visas, though they’re still limited to staying for 60 days (and asking for an extension to stay another 30 more). The change went into effect on July 15, 2024. Thailand also announced that many travelers who do need visas can get them on arrival, including passport holders of Mexico, India, Ethiopia, and about a dozen more.

If you want to stay more than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a different visa, such as the country’s popular digital nomad visa, which is valid for five years.

Pakistan

Photo: Adeel Ahmed photos/Shutterstock

In August 2024, Pakistan made significant changes to its travel visa policies for US citizens (and nationals of more than 120 other countries). It joins the ranks of countries open to American travelers by offering free electronic visa via an online process, issued within 24 hours of submitting the application. You can entry the country multiple times over the course of 90 days. The visa application form is also shorter, with just 30 questions asked of visitors, as well as some basics like a photo and copy of your passport.

Also announced in the August Pakistan tourism announcement was the news that visitors from some countries can now get a visa on arrival, rather than needing to do the form in advance. So if you’re a passport holder from one of the Gulf countries, you can just pick up your visa when you land at the airport.

Brazil

Photo: RudiErnst/Shutterstock

Brazil is a massively popular country with lots of outdoorsy and urban destinations appealing to US travelers, which is probably why the country decided to lean into that popularity and permanently waive the visa requirement for US passport holders in 2019. But just a few years later, it announced that it would reinstate the former policy, requiring travel visas for citizens from the US. But in 2024, the country announced it would delay that transition and continue to be one of many countries open to American travelers without a visa through at least the end of December 2024.

As of last check, the government was planning on again requiring visas for trip starting in April of 2025. But after delaying the implementation for more than year, it’s quite possible it could decide to push that date even further out.

When it comes to travel rules and regulations, remember that visa rules are always changing. Some countries may even change their policies season by season. And remember that this isn’t a complete list of all the countries that relaxed their tourist visa regulations or countries open to American travelers. So if there’s a country you’ve been wanting to visit, give it a Google, and you may find that it changed to be a little more welcoming to travelers, too.

More like this News A New Six-Country Visa Means Easier Travel to the Middle East

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 28, 2024 20:31

How to Sail Through Indonesia’s Most Remote Corners on a 16th-Century Wooden Ship

As I watched the Indonesian port city of Labuan Bajo fade into the horizon from the aft deck of Katherina, the bars on my phone gradually diminished before vanishing altogether. I’d spend the next 10 days cruising the coasts of Flores, Komodo, and Alor with SeaTrek Sailing Adventures, during which time my iPhone would be no more than a paperweight with a fancy camera.

A week and a half offline initially seemed daunting, but something remarkable happened around the third day of the cruise: the itch to check social media and emails melted away like ice under the tropical sun. The sensory feast I was experiencing — fresh espresso with sunrise views, gin-and-tonics set against pink sunsets, and sweeping views of verdant islands, sea-borne volcanoes, and crystalline water — banished any desires to stare into a handheld screen.

The beaches were some of the most beautiful I’d ever seen. Photo: SeaTrek

Without buzzes and beeps from my pocket, I was fully present for SeaTrek’s daily parade of travel delights. After breakfast spreads of fresh dragon fruit, mangos, bacon, toast, and eggs, I donned snorkeling gear to marvel at fish and coral as vividly colored as a tie-dyed tapestry. Midday most days found me reading in the sun or chatting with crew members and fellow passengers. After lunch, I’d set out on the ship’s tender to explore beaches and villages. And in the evenings, deep sleep washed over me after lively communal dinners and riotously beautiful sunsets. When Katharina finally returned to Labuan Bajo, I was half-tempted to throw my phone on airplane mode and extended my OOO notification.

After checking off most experiences on Indonesia’s well-trodden backpacker trail, including Bali’s paradisiacal beaches, Gili Trawangan‘s all-night parties, and Java’s UNESCO-protected temples, I yearned for more remote reaches in the world’s largest archipelago. In the islands east of the Wallace Line (the imaginary line that divides Southeast Asia from Oceania) like Flores and Komodo, flora and fauna more closely resemble the species of Australia than mainland Asia. Indonesian provinces we’d visit, like East Nusa Tenggara, are nearly untouched by tourism and as culturally distinct from Bali as Ireland is from Russia. This uniqueness led me to prioritize the region, as Indonesia is a nation of more than seventeen thousand islands, and would require lifetimes to fully explore.

Locals on one of the Maluku islands, a destination visited on SeaTrek trips. Photo: SeaTrek

SeaTrek voyages, plying the seas around the Spice Islands, Raja Ampat, Borneo, and Flores, were particularly appealing to me for their bugis pisini: traditional wooden watercraft recognized by UNESCO and constructed by hand on the island of Sulawesi. The ships are made from teak and mahogany and have been used for centuries to ferry cargo and people across Southeast Asia’s island-speckled seas. In the “Age of Exploration” of the 16th and 17th centuries, bugis pisini were the engines of Southeast Asia’s wealthy spice trade. Their spacious holds ferried nutmeg, more valuable than gold by weight, as well as cinnamon and clove to ports on the Asian mainland. From there, camel caravans would port the spices across the Central Asian steppe to Europe.

SeaTrek has two bugis pisinis: the 24-passenger Ombak Putih and the 12-passenger Katharina. Exploring remote regions of Indonesia on a sailboat resembling those used in the medieval-era Majapahit Empire made my trip both poetic and memorable in a way that would have been impossible aboard a generic steel-and-fiberglass cruise ship.

komodo dragons and crew on indonesia sailing trip with seatrek

SeaTrek staff in Komodo National Park with the namesake lizards. Photo: SeaTrek

Today, UNESCO recognizes bugis pisinis as part of Indonesia’s intangible cultural heritage. In accordance with ancient custom, a Makassar imam blessed both ships after construction was completed.

The route I chose, The Remote Ring of Fire, showcased Komodo National Park, home to the world’s largest lizards, and the lush, sun-soaked islands of Flores and Alor.

Ship accommodations and crew seatrek katherina

The Katherina, one of two SeaTrek traditional ships. Photo: SeaTrek

Indonesia’s islands are ringed with far-reaching swaths of pristine and thriving coral reefs, and most Indonesian cruise lines lean heavily on scuba diving offerings. SeaTrek doesn’t cater to divers, but stunning snorkeling excursions are a daily activity on the Indonesia sailing trips. While offering guests access to marvelous reefs and impressive marine life of the Banda Sea is a significant focus, SeaTrek also highlights the culture, cuisine, and above-water splendor of the archipelago.

There are even hints of animistic religions from Sulawesi throughout the ship. When you’re on board, look closely at the prow to find a pair of dried goat feet, a custom long believed to bring good luck to sailors.

While SeaTrek’s bugis pisini designs pay homage to centuries past, both ships have luxury accommodations and first-in-class safety and navigation equipment. As with all boats, cabin space is tight, but I was pleasantly surprised to find plenty of space for my clothing and toiletries, plus the extra camera gear I’d brought along.

A double berth inside the Katherina. Photo: SeaTrek

Reflecting Katherina‘s aesthetics writ large, my cabin was simple but pleasing, with polished teak walls, tasteful nautical artwork, and comfortable beds. Every cabin has a private bathroom, with surprisingly hot and forceful showers, as well as air conditioning to keep temperatures comfortable in the evenings. The crew tidied up my room and bathroom daily while I was off exploring a village, snorkeling, or relaxing on the beach.

If you’re like me, the only time you’ll spend in your cabin will be the nocturnal hours adrift in the Land of Nod. The ship’s gentle lulling knocked me out within minutes of my head hitting the pillow each night, but the engine’s hum could be irritating for light sleepers. Bring earplugs if you’re sensitive to noise.

The shaded couches on the main deck served a sunny and breezy reading nook during the days and the go-to corner for cocktails and conversation after dinners. When I needed a break from the sun, I’d head to the ship’s common room, adorned with a well-stocked bar, an excellent espresso machine, and plush couches. After dinner, I’d occasionally grab a chess set from the common room and test my mettle against the crew members. Be forewarned: a few of those boys are bona fide aces, so think twice before putting any rupiah down on matches.

Seatrek katherina crew - indonesia sailing welcome drinks

The vibe on board is friendly, with none of the social separation between guests and crew you’d find on larger ships. Photo: SeaTrek

I spent at least an hour per day soaking in the sunshine and admiring the views from the ship’s “weather deck” — the breezy upper tier facing the ship’s bow. Occasionally, I borrowed one of SeaTrek’s yoga mats and squeezed in an al fresco workout on the deck, using an overhead bar by the ship’s helm for pull-ups.

For some camaraderie over a cigarette or Bintang beer, sneak past the kitchen to the ship’s stern, where the deckhands maintain an unofficial clubhouse. Crew members hail from across the country, from big cities like Jakarta and Medan to villages on islands I had never heard of. I spent several fascinating evenings chatting with them about the nation’s mind-bending variety of religions, cuisines, and languages.

Dining and drinking chef on seatrek trip

Photo: SeaTrek

I used to imagine cruise-ship food as close kin to airline food – bland and uninspiring. But, boy, did SeaTrek’s cuisine surprise me. The cooks were magicians, whipping up varied and complex meals in a kitchen as tight as a mobile diner’s. At the crack of dawn, they bought fruit, produce, and seafood from local villages, ensuring each meal was fresh and novel.

The fare was a mix of Indonesian staples like nasi goreng and other spicy stews paired with Western comfort chow like fried chicken, steak, and grilled fish. The morning buffet included fried eggs, sausages, porridge, assorted jams for toast and bagels, and Southeast Asian delicacies like dragon fruit and lychee. Guests can also request a traditional Indonesian breakfast like babur ayam, or rice porridge with chicken.

seatrek fish dish served on Indonesia sailing trip

Dishes were made fresh every day with local ingredients from the islands. Photo: SeaTrek

Australians are heavily represented among SeaTrek’s guests, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from traveling with Aussies, it’s that they don’t easily suffer bad coffee. Fortunately, the complimentary espresso machine in the common room was as sleek as the La Marzocco machine in my local hipster coffee shop in Brooklyn. Coffee is freshly ground daily and sourced from Sumatra, Java, and Bali farms.

When the hour called for alcohol rather than caffeine, the on-board bar had a small but thoughtful selection of spirits, beers, and wine. Guests were also welcome to bring their own bottles to store at the bar. Though Franz, the barman, had never tasted alcohol, he nonetheless invented impromptu tiki cocktails to impress even the most veteran of Trader Vic mixologists. If you’ve a penchant for gin, make time to try Balinese gin, infused with rare jungle botanicals.

Daily activities Seatrek beach paddleboarding

Photo: SeaTrek

What I adored most about cruising with SeaTrek was that I could pack my day with activities if I so pleased, or limit my daytime activities to lounging in the sun, sipping espresso, and reading on my Kindle. And both schedules were equally heavenly. Each day, the SeaTrek team organized an itinerary of snorkeling, on-shore village excursions, and meals, all included in the cruise price.

Every evening after dinner, the tour leader, Arie, gave PowerPoint lectures on the islands’ history. He’s spent more than 20 years at sea and was able to tailor the daily seminars to topics requested by the guests, such as the history of bugis pisinis, the region’s endemic flora and fauna, or the local culinary history of the islands.

Eastern Indonesia is home to underwater metropolises populated by more species of fish, crustaceans, and coral than marine biologists could ever hope to catalog. Snorkeling was like immersing myself in a gargantuan, carefully curated aquarium, with a seemingly endless array of clownfish, parrotfish, blue starfish, and sea turtles. We usually snorkeled after lunch, and the crews’ years of collective experience allowed them to find pockets of sea teeming with marine life. While they’re quite rare, visitors are sometimes lucky enough to see dugongs, similar to manatees, grazing on kelp beds around the reefs.

Photo: SeaTrek

The ship anchored near Komodo National Park for the first few days of the cruise, and hiking through Komodo’s forests offered up-close encounters with not only Komodo dragons, but a menagerie of rare birds, Timor deer, and giant rats. A few days later, after sailing further east around Flores, we trekked to highlands villages where locals speak endangered languages and live much the same way their ancestors did millennia ago. In the village of Watublapi, about an hour by car from the coast, the community leader ceremonially blessed our group and threw a welcome party, complete with locally made palm wine, betel nuts, and a Florense dance troupe.

SeaTrek indonesia sailing guests and locals dancing together during a village visit.

SeaTrek guests and locals dancing together during a village visit. Photo: SeaTrek

Other afternoons found our small group taking quick boat rides to remote beaches on cays devoid of inhabitants, save for birds, crabs, and lizards. I spent blissful hours on empty beaches sunbathing, flying my drone, and strolling the sand in search of sea glass and cowrie shells, feeling light-years removed from the frenzy of civilization.

Our cruise ended with a nighttime beach party. Photo: SeaTrek

On the last night of the cruise, crew and guests celebrated with a farewell beach party, complete with coolers of Bintang beers, Christmas lights on palm trees, and enough barbecued lobster, whole fish, and shrimp to supply Bubba Gumps’ franchises for an entire year. The guitars, tambourines, and ukuleles came out after supper, and crew and passengers alike launched into Bintang-fueled jam sessions of Bob Marley and John Denver ballads remixed with Indonesian pop standards. Arie sang so soulfully that I encouraged him to forsake his life at sea and take a shot at The Voice Indonesia.

Pro tips for SeaTrek cruises indonesia sailing - village on alor

A drone hot from a village on Alor. Photo: Johnny Motley

All SeaTrek Indonesia sailing trips leave from Labuan Bajo, just a 90-minute flight from Bali, and I’d recommend staying in Bali for a few days before the cruise to adjust to the time change. Flights are easy to book online, but the SeaTrek team is on-hand to assist if needed.

The SeaTrek team emails a packing list to guests in the weeks before departure, but make sure to pack reef-safe sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, several bathing suits, and attire suitable for the tropical heat. That may include long-sleeved shirts or hoodies to protect your skin from the sun. A rash guard or water shirt may be good so your back doesn’t get sunburned while snorkeling. Bring plenty of books, as nothing is more glorious than a good read paired with a lazy tropical breeze. Be sure to download books in advance since you’ll be without Wi-Fi. That said, while most people use the trip as a digital detox, 4G service is intermittently available on some cruise routes.

seatrek indonesia sailing - woman weaving

Bring cash to buy goods from villages you’ll visit. Photo: SeaTrek

Withdraw cash before departure, as good manners call for tipping the captain and crew before parting ways. You can show your appreciation in either US dollars or Indonesian rupiah. Envelopes for anonymous tipping are distributed on the last day, and the amount you give is discretionary. Cash is also helpful for buying crafts, souvenirs, water, and snacks in the villages, so bring rupiah with you during shore excursions.

Pack your best camera. Every day brings views worthy of an Apple screensaver, and you’ll want photographic evidence to make your friends at home envious. I packed my drone and shot some of the best aerial photography of my career.

SeaTrek costs katherina seatrek at sea

Photo: SeaTrek

Ten days of Indonesia sailing on the remote Ring of Fire trip cost $6,150 and included all meals and activities. SeaTrek also offers 12-day and eight-day cruises, such as the “SeaTrek with Whale Sharks, Corals, & Dragons” route around Komodo, or the longer “SeaTrek with Orangutans and Dragons” route through Komodo and Borneo. Prices vary depending on the route, but all are under $10,000 per person.

The trip was a splurge for me and the type of vacation I can only afford every few years, but the adventure was worth months of saving and cutting costs. For three gourmet meals per day, the novelty of sailing through remote islands on a bugis pisini, and a full schedule of adventures paired with the crews’ local insight and guidance, I considered the deal a bargain, especially given the prices of luxury cruises elsewhere.

Locals and tourists in Komodo area - indonesia sailing

SeaTrek provides access to people and experiences it’d be next to impossible to find on your own. Photo: Johnny Motley

My parents recently spent 10 days in the Mediterranean with Silversea Cruises, spending almost twice as much per person as I did on my Indonesia sailing trip with SeaTrek. And after trading notes with them, I can confidently say that I had far more fun than they did.

More like this Beaches and Islands These Islands Near Bali Are Still Uncrowded Slices of Paradise

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 28, 2024 07:16

August 27, 2024

Matador Creators Spotlight: Robert Isenberg on How to Make a Living as a Travel Writer

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital content creation, Matador Creators is the platform that empowers individuals to share their stories with the world. In this hub the team provide a supportive community and a range of tools allowing members to turn their passion into thriving careers in the travel media industry.

Here we talk to one of our members: Robert Isenberg on how to work with editors, craft a good story and make a living as a travel writer.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Matador: Tell us a little about your background and what you feel sets you apart from other travel writers and content creators?

Robert Isenberg: I’m a writer and filmmaker based in New England, and I’ve done a wide range of work — mostly magazine-style journalism, but I’ve also written stage plays, published poetry, directed narrative films, photographed weddings, performed sketch comedy, and produced a mess of short documentaries. I love trying a little of everything. I feel the skills for each pursuit cross-pollinate with all the others. First-person essays are my favorite, especially when mixed with travel.

Robert Isenberg in the Forbidden City, Beijing

A selfie in front of the Forbidden City, Beijing. I was recently sent here to help research a guidebook to China. Photo: Robert Isenberg

How did you initially hear about Matador Creators and land a press trip?

I’ve followed Matador for years, and I even published a piece about cycling in Taiwan back in 2020. I also applied for several press trips, taking each rejection in stride. I know how rich and diverse the Matador Creators talent pool is, and I’m accustomed to pitching dozens of ideas monthly. Landing the Newport trip was a real honor, not least because I got to celebrate my adoptive state.

How long have you been working with travel brands and media, and how did you get started?

Depending on how you measure it, I’ve published stories about travel, off and on, for about 24 years. Some were small but mighty, like a 400-word sidebar about cycling the Great Allegheny Passage in a Moon Handbook. Others have been outstanding privileges, like long-form features for BBC Travel. Most of my professional work is hyper-local, published in the weeklies and glossies or wherever I was living at the time. But these behave a lot like travel pieces, helping locals discover the nooks and crannies of their hometowns.

What three tools do you rely on most when creating your travel content?

The readership is most important. Who are they, and what are they looking for? How familiar are they with a place, and what do they know and not know already? Second, I try to keep an eye out for surprises — to upend stereotypes, to humanize experiences, and often to find gentle humor. Third, I love local lore. What do the people who live in a place think about? Perseverate over? Treasure? Regret? I’m amazed at the things people will tell a complete stranger, and I try to respect that trust.

How has working with Matador helped your work in travel?

I routinely refer prospective editors to that Taiwan piece. This is exactly the kind of trip I love, and I tried to write it in a breezy, instructive way. This press trip to Newport also broke the ice with a lot of hospitality folks I wouldn’t have easily found otherwise, despite their living and working just 45 minutes from my front door.

What advice would you give someone interested in becoming a travel writer or content creator?

The bad news is that it’s certainly hard to make a living. I’ve coupled my travel work with myriad other projects for years. Rejection is part of the process, and it’s never fun. The good news is you don’t actually have to travel far. Most travel editors want experts in a given place, which translates to “people who live there.” I’ve written gobs about Rhode Island for travel publications, and when I lived in Costa Rica or Pittsburgh or Phoenix, I wrote about them as well because I learned their ekistics inside and out. It’s more romantic to take a jet to some distant island you’ve barely heard of, but to get started, pitch what you know, earn an editor’s esteem, and get more visionary with each new idea.

Robert Isenbeg at the Great Wall of China

A passerby was kind enough to take this picture in Mutianyu. I love history and architecture, and my first visit to the Great Wall was a spirit-moving experience in cherry blossom season, no less. Photo: Robert Isenberg

What are some of the biggest misconceptions or challenges about being a travel writer or content creator?

Most of the authors we remember are sprawling memoirists of the Cheryl Strayed and Ernest Hemingway set. I love this kind of personal work, and the Pico Iyers and Kira Salaks of the literary world have inspired much of my own work. But those kinds of epic volumes are hard to complete and even harder to get published. Most travel writing is functional; people want to know what a place is like, what they’ll find when they get there, where to book a hotel, and what to watch out for. It’s short and invitational and has little to do with the author. I love almost all quality travel writing, from listicles to passionate memoirs. But for every On the Road, there are about a million 500-word blurbs about the best restaurants in such-and-such city. Keep at it long enough, and one can eventually lead to the other.

What are a few recent stories you’re particularly proud of? Robert Isenberg

Photo: Robert Isenbeg

I was lucky to find a niche a few years ago, writing about cycling. Travel is a big part of this niche, but the bicycle lends itself to a lot of other types of writing as well. Travel writers are often wise to find a similar love, something they love and can write about in a fresh, authoritative way. It could be freediving. It could be baking gourmet cupcakes. It could be a certain diaspora, religious or ethnic, that no one has adequately documented in a given language. A community and geography emerge out of that subject, along with a readership. This has led to my latest book, Mile Markers: Essays on Cycling, which was just released. The bicycle has gotten me all kinds of places, and writing about it has taken me infinitely farther. A niche is a wonderful way to proclaim your knowledge and abilities, especially in the era of blogs and podcasts, where not a single gatekeeper stands in your way.

Here are some of my favorite published articles.

”Taiwan’s Cycling Route #1 Has Everything You Want in a Bike Ride” for Matador Network

”The 19th-Century Hipster Who Pioneered Modern Sportswriting” for Longreads

”A guide to biking in Reykjavik” for Momentum MAG

More like this Travel Matador Creators Spotlight: Alexa Moore on Breaking Into Today's Travel Creator Industry

Where to see wildflowers in Salt Lake City When to see wildflowers in Salt Lake City Wildflower photography tips Wildflower viewing tips What to do in Salt Lake City Where to eat and drink in Salt Lake City Where to stay in Salt Lake City How to get to Salt Lake City How to get around Salt Lake City

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 27, 2024 23:15

Everything You Need to Know About Salt Lake City’s Insane Wildflower Season

On the western slope of the Wasatch Range, Salt Lake City is well known for its giant lake and for being a winter playground, with an abundance of chairlifts, backcountry ski runs, snowshoeing trails, and more snowy activities within reach less than an hour from downtown. But locals know that Salt Lake City has just as much outdoor adventure to offer during the warmer months. In fact, from the expansive canyons of the neighboring Wasatch Range to the foothills that form the edge of downtown, Salt Lake City is a hotspot for summer wildflowers.

If you visit Salt Lake City between mid-June and August, rainbows of wildflowers brighten the surrounding slopes and line their trails. It’s a spectacle so delightful that it’s almost overwhelming — in the best way. Here’s the lowdown on Salt Lake City’s wildflower season, including when to see them, where to go, and what to do when you’re not admiring the flora.

The best places to view wildflowers in Salt Lake City

Four areas of greater Salt Lake City stand out as wildflower hotspots. You can head into the mountains to hit the trails in Big and Little Cottonwood canyons, stay in town and visit Red Butte Garden and the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, or experience them all.

Albion Basin salt-lake-city-wildflower-season

Photo: Sarah Boles

When I first set out to experience the wildflowers of Salt Lake City, every person I spoke with and every article I read seemed to agree that Albion Basin at Alta Ski Area in Little Cottonwood Canyon was the all-around best place — not just in Salt Lake City but in all of Utah. After visiting, I can confirm that Albion Basin is a winner to me, as well.

For being tucked in the back of a canyon, Albion Canyon is fairly accessible. To reach Alta Ski Area, you drive southeast of downtown, enter Little Cottonwood Canyon, and take the road all the way up. At the Albion Basin, you have options. You can park there and hike up to Albion Meadow, where you’ll find the greatest concentration of wildflowers. It’s a gradual climb on a trail that switches between dirt and rock, shaded and exposed, but the whole thing is lined with wildflowers and towering spruce and fir trees. From Albion Meadow, a side trail leads up to a parking lot. That’s the second option: If you need a shorter hike to reach the meadow, you can drive there from Albion Basin, although parking is very limited.

Photo: Sarah Boles

Once you reach Albion Meadow, wildflowers stretch in all directions as far as you can see. You can continue on this trail as long as you like. It eventually leads to a turn off for Cecret Lake and continues over the mountains into Big Cottonwood Canyon to my second favorite place for wildflower viewing around Salt Lake City. If you feel content after exploring the meadow, you can also return back to the basin the same way you came.

Early morning and late afternoon provide the best lighting for wildflower photos at Albion Basin. But let’s be honest, the basin is gorgeous any time of day. Keep in mind, once you reach Albion Meadow, you lose your shade, so pack your hats, sunnies, protective clothing, and sunscreen.

Alta: Alta Ski Area, Highway 210, Alta, UT 84092

Lake Mary Trail salt-lake-city-wildflower-season

Photo: Sarah Boles

Southeast of downtown Salt Lake City, at the end of the road up Big Cottonwood Canyon, sits Brighton Resort. On summer weekends, the parking lot fills with vendors and shoppers at the Big Cottonwood Flea Market, and the air fills with the sounds of live music and the smells of local barbecue. Past the resort, you’ll find the trail for Lake Mary.

Substantially steeper (especially at the beginning) than the trail at Albion Basin, you’ll follow the dirt and rocky path up the mountain, weaving around boulders, under gondolas, and through a disc golf course. Plan for a rocky, wet crossing just below Lake Mary. I brought extra socks as the shoes I packed were not waterproof. The way up was fine, but I happily changed into dry socks after crossing this area on the way down. This is the only hazardous part of the hike, as the rocks get slipperier the more people step on them to cross.

Photo: Sarah Boles

Once you reach Lake Mary and admire its beauty, you can follow a trail to circumnavigate it or continue on for an extra mile to reach two more lakes: Lake Martha and Lake Catherine. I recommend pushing on all the way to Lake Catherine for killer canyon views. Plus, the final lake is where you’ll find the greatest density of wildflowers, at times taking over the trail.

Once you get your fill of wildflowers at Lake Catherine, continue above it to a lookout point, or cross over the ridgeline and head down into Little Cottonwood Canyon where you’ll eventually connect with the Albion Meadow. You can head back the way you came for an approximately 4.5-mile hike, and treat yourself to some loaded fries or barbecue at the resort.

Brighton Resort: 8302 South Brighton Loop Road, Brighton, UT 84121

Red Butte Garden salt-lake-city-wildflower-season

Photo: Sarah Boles

To enjoy Salt Lake City’s wildflowers closer to downtown, head straight east to the foothills of the Wasatch Range to explore the Red Butte Garden at the University of Utah. There, you’ll find 21 acres of developed gardens separated into themes, as well as five miles of hiking trails up into the foothills.

While the garden features plants from around the world, the best places to find wildflowers are in the Red Butte Garden Natural Area. If you’re pressed for time, head to the Meadow and the Oak Tunnel.

Red Butte stays open until 9 PM during the summer, making it a great place to watch the sunset over downtown Salt Lake City in the valley below. The Water Conservation Garden area winds its way up the hill and offers multiple comfortable seating areas. You’ll find similar gorgeous views on any of the hiking trails in the Red Butte Garden Natural Area.

Red Butte Garden: 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Bonneville Shoreline Trail salt-lake-city-wildflower-season

Photo: Sarah Boles

Another place to enjoy wildflowers close to downtown Salt Lake City is along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST). This trail runs over 100 miles from the Idaho border south, following the shoreline of the ancient glacial lake that once covered the area.

The BST has many access points in Salt Lake City, including near the Natural History Museum of Utah and Red Butte Garden. From the BST, you can venture into the hills up a variety of offshoot trails, making this area another popular area to catch the sunset, as well as view wildflowers at lower elevations than in the canyons.

The best times to view wildflowers in Salt Lake City

Photo: Sarah Boles

The start of wildflower season in the Salt Lake City area depends on the weather. Often, when the snow melts, wildflowers begin to bloom in mid-June at lower elevations and at the end of June up in the canyons at higher elevations.

Your best bet is to go during July. The hills (foothills and mountains alike) are alive with vibrant colors at this point at all elevations. Even better, if you’re in town over the weekend, that’s when the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation holds its annual Wasatch Wildflower Festival. For two weekends in July, the foundation hosts a celebration at each of the canyons’ four ski resorts: Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, and Solitude.

By August, wildflower season in the foothills has passed. However, the sun illuminates the golden color of the grassy slopes, which contrasts perfectly with bluebird skies. Higher elevations in the canyons usually go strong through August — and, once schools start up again, you can take advantage of less-crowded trails.

Wildflower photography tips

Photo: Sarah Boles

The great thing about photographing wildflowers is that they look gorgeous from every angle. Take advantage of that by playing with your perspective. Shoot the same flowers from the front, the back, the side, and from above.

Play with the composition of your photo. Albion Meadow provides sweeping views of thousands of wildflowers. This gives you the opportunity to capture that immenseness with wide and panoramic shots, as well as the up-close and personal vertical shots that capture the unique textures and patterns of the flowers.

Look for interesting backgrounds for your flowers. Sure, a tight shot of a wildflower is interesting with other flowers out of focus in the background, but challenge yourself to find wildflowers with other objects behind them, like the sky, a boulder, or a tree. The contrasting texture and dull color of a granite boulder or fir tree’s bark will make the flowers’ unique beauty and color stand out even more.

Wildflower viewing tips

Photo: Sarah Boles

Leave No Trace

As with all outdoor recreating, while viewing Salt Lake City’s wildflowers, you should practice Leave No Trace principles. This includes packing out what you pack in, staying on trail, following local rules regarding pets, and not picking the wildflowers.

Altitude

Downtown Salt Lake City sits at over 4,000 feet above sea level, with the visitors center at Red Butte Gardens at just over 5,000 feet. The parking lots for the aforementioned ski resorts sit at over 8,500 feet. Keep in mind that, depending on where you’re visiting from, you may need time to acclimate to the altitude, even in the city. Plan for slower hikes and allow yourself to take frequent breaks, hydrate, and give yourself some grace if your lungs burn.

Wildlife

Before hitting the trails, review what to do if you find yourself face to face with wildlife. Hint: your reaction to a moose coming at you should be different than if it’s a mountain lion, and both live in the area.

Things to do in Salt Lake City

Photo: Sarah Boles

If you want to explore more of what Salt Lake City has to offer beyond its wildflowers, consider purchasing the Salt Lake Connect Pass. It comes in 1-day, 2-day, and 365-day options, and gives you entry to 18 different experiences around the city, including the Natural History Museum of Utah, Red Butte Gardens, Clark Planetarium, and Discovery Gateway Museum. The app provides you with a checklist of places that you’ve visited and those you’re still eligible to enter, as well as maps and visitor information, all in one easy-to-use place.

Natural History Museum of Utah salt-lake-city-wildflower-season

Photo: Sarah Boles

If you only have time for one non-wildflower adventure while visiting Salt Lake City, head to the Natural History Museum of Utah. Let’s start inside. Before you even have to present your ticket, you can enjoy the floor-to-ceiling windows (several stories tall) that display a gorgeous view of downtown Salt Lake City and the Oquirrh Mountains.

If you only have an hour to explore, head straight to the Past Worlds exhibit. This experience spans multiple levels of the museum that flow together seamlessly along a path that winds through millions of years of history. One highlight: you’ll encounter a multitude of interactive spots for adults and kids to explore the dinosaurs firsthand.

Natural History Museum of Utah: 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Delta Center salt-lake-city-wildflower-season

Photo: Sarah Boles

Having grown up in the ‘90s in Chicago, I enjoyed reliving some core childhood memories by visiting the Karl Malone and John Stockton statues on the back side of the Delta Center during my visit. The Utah Jazz still call the center home and will soon share it with an NHL team that relocated to Salt Lake City. As you plan your visit, check out what teams are in town or concerts are planned at the center. Light rail drops you off right in front, it’s a short walk from many downtown hotels, or you can try out the city’s electric scooters to get there.

Delta Center: 301 S Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Salt Lake City festivals salt-lake-city-wildflower-season

Photo: Sarah Boles

Check out the events tab at Visit Salt Lake to see what events might be happening when you plan to visit. Salt Lake City has a wide variety of annual festivals, including Utah Pride in June, the Wasatch Wildflower Festival in July, and the Sandy Balloon Festival in August.

Where to eat and drink in Salt Lake City

Felt Bar & Eatery salt-lake-city-wildflower-season

Photo: Sarah Boles

There’s a common misconception that Salt Lake City is a dry town. Let me dispel that myth: Salt Lake City has no shortage of unique and fun bars downtown. If you’re looking for cocktails (or mocktails) as well as small plates to share with friends on a night out, head to Felt Bar & Eatery. Make sure to order a watermelon sashimi for the table; it’s gorgeous and delicious.

Felt Bar & Eatery:341 S Main St STE 101, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Hallpass Food Hall salt-lake-city-wildflower-season

Photo: Sarah Boles

If you find yourself near the planetarium or the Delta Center while in Salt Lake City, swing by Hallpass for a locally curated meal or drink. Watch a game at Beer Zombies draft room and beer garden or explore the other vendors inside. My personal favorite is SkinnyFATS, which offers a split menu of comfort foods and options for those who want to eat cleaner. Tu-Nuts is my go-to order there, made of ahi poke in a cucumber boat.

Besides the fact there’s something that will make every stomach happy, the best part of dining at Hallpassis is that it’s located in The Gateway, an open-air mall and gathering space. Take your food to-go, head outside, and eat at one of the swinging picnic tables or around a firepit.

Hallpass: 153 S Rio Grande St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

The Copper Onion salt-lake-city-wildflower-season

Photo: Sarah Boles

From shareables to specials to dessert, The Copper Onion serves the total package. Located in the heart of downtown, right off of Main Street, it has a large outdoor seating area, as well as a warm, intimate atmosphere inside. The Copper Onion is a great place for high-quality seafood dishes, although meat-eaters can’t go wrong with its iconic Copper Onion Burger. Whatever you do, if the carrot cake is on the dessert menu, order it.

The Copper Onion: 111 E Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Cupla Coffee salt-lake-city-wildflower-season

Photo: Sarah Boles

Located a block from the convention center, a light rail station, and many downtown hotels, Cupla Coffee is the perfect place to start your morning in Salt Lake City. Choose from an extensive menu of caffeinated beverages, including coffees, teas, lemonades, and hot chocolates. But don’t sleep on the food menu. As a self-proclaimed bougie toast connoisseur, I highly recommend Cupla’s Medi toast. Dine inside and pursue the bookshelves and board games while you wait for your order, or sit alfresco in the fenced-in outdoor patio.

Cupla Coffee: 77 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Where to stay in Salt Lake City

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City salt-lake-city-wildflower-season

Photo: Sarah Boles

The Kimpton Hotel Monaco is a boutique hotel with a modern yet cozy feel and decor that ties in the natural beauty from the surrounding mountains and lake. The ground floor has several common areas with seating, chess and checkers boards, and a daily happy hour.

But the hotel’s biggest boon is its location: It’s conveniently positioned near shops and restaurants, a light rail station that connects to the airport, and the Walker Center. If you get a room on the north or east side of the hotel, you’ll have a view of the neon sign above the Walker Center, which forecasts the next day’s weather each night based on what color it illuminates.

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City: 15 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

How to get to Salt Lake City

Photo: Sarah Boles

For those of us not within driving distance, Salt Lake City has an updated, international airport (SLC) that’s a Delta hub, meaning lots of flight options. I recommend reserving a window seat when you fly in and out of SLC to bookend your trip with beautiful views. The airport is located close to downtown and adjacent to the Great Salt Lake, providing you with unparalleled scenes of the city and lake from the air on your descent.

SLC: W Terminal Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84122

Getting around Salt Lake City

Photo: Sarah Boles

Even though Salt Lake City has public transportation in place, accessing the wildflowers in the canyons requires a vehicle. The public bus lines up in the canyons don’t run outside of the snowy season, and you might have a hard time securing a rideshare from downtown to the resorts (and especially back) during summer. Plan to rent a car from the airport, or drive your personal vehicle, if you intend to search for wildflowers in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.

It’s also difficult to access some attractions via public transportation. There are no direct routes from downtown to areas near the foothills, like the botanical garden, natural history museum, and zoo. If you rent a car, you can still take advantage of the ample bus lines, light rail, and electric bike and scooter rentals to move around downtown. (There’s an ever-expanding system of bike lanes in downtown Salt Lake City, and the drivers from the area are used to sharing the road.) That way you don’t have to worry about parking, especially on the weekends.

If you plan on using electric scooters during your trip, note that they’ll power down if you enter a zone where they’re prohibited. The University of Utah is a massive prohibited area, making it very difficult to check out the campus or access the botanical gardens, natural history museum, or Bonneville Shoreline Trail from downtown. When you download the app to rent a scooter, be sure to check out the prohibited zones securing a rental.

More like this Travel The Olympics Will Return to Salt Lake City in 2034. The City Is Already Better to Visit Than Ever.

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 27, 2024 17:00

Why It’s Worth It to Travel Abroad for a Concert (Hint: It’s About Far More Than the Music)

Life is about the journey, not the destination, as the cliché goes. I’ve found that the same rings true for the act of travel itself. Jetting off to an unfamiliar place always evokes a sense of excitement, and when done with a good friend in tow — especially if the voyage is centered around a shared passion or hobby — all the better. For me, this recently looked like hopping a flight to Madrid for a 48-hour whirlwind concert trip for none other than the Eras Tour.

Although traveling for concerts is no new phenomenon, Taylor’s global tour has shot concert travel into the stratosphere. AP News reported that Americans accounted for 20 percent of ticket sales at her Paris shows in May, as well as 10,000-plus places at her subsequent Stockholm show alone. (Side note: I fully hear, appreciate, and can even agree with some of the arguments surrounding the reasons for not doing this — carbon footprint, environmental impact, and simply leaving tickets for locals in said cities — but this is a personal essay about the positive reasons for doing so, so don’t @ me).

Contrary to the millions of die-hard Swifties around the world, I wasn’t necessarily planning on traveling for the concert. However, on a rainy Saturday in April, I found myself watching the recorded version on Disney+, and gave into the curiosity of looking up tickets for upcoming dates. I texted my friend Courtney, who had deemed the idea of getting to the show as a pipe dream for months, and proposed the idea. “I’m supposed to be in France around that time anyways,” I said. “Well, I mean, I have miles to use,” she replied. “But I can’t imagine there’ll be any affordable tickets.”

To our complete and utter shock, there were. A quick search on viagogo, the European equivalent of StubHub, revealed tickets in Lisbon and Madrid were less than $200 — $168 in the latter, to be exact. We decided to spring for Madrid (and spend a little more for better seats, as the price difference was marginal). In just a few simple clicks, we were set to go to Spain in less than three weeks’ time.

Before we get into the nitty gritty of traveling for the concert, a bit about my relationship with my friend Courtney: we both work in the same industry, and we’ve been friends for about six years. She’s one of my most trusted pals, makes me laugh like no other, and is truly one of the most loyal and reliable friends I’ve ever known. The past few years have brought some big personal changes to our lives, namely hers, in that she’s gotten married, had a beautiful son, and moved out of the city to the suburbs. Although I don’t see her as much as I’d like, she remains one of my nearest and dearest friends, and any opportunity to spend time with her is one that I immediately jump on.

Vicki Denig, left, and Courtney at a Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert in Madrid. Photo: Vicki Denig

So when traveling to Spain for 48 hours was on the table, how could I not take the plunge? Sure, I was beyond excited to see the Eras tour, but the chance to really spend quality time with one of my best friends and reconnect after a few distant years of the pandemic, in one of our favorite European cities nonetheless? I couldn’t sign myself up for the jaunt quickly enough.

Traveling to Madrid for Taylor Swift

The day of departure, we met at JFK airport clad in tacky-yet-comfortable leggings (we’re post-30 and geriatric, cut us a break) and backpacks filled with beads. Yes, we were those people. We caught up briefly over exuberantly priced airport beverages, boarded our flight a little less sober than we started, and began our journey to the land of tapas and sangria. The flight itself included numerous additional beverages, borrowing bracelet-making supplies from teenagers, and playfully fighting over wasting beads (“that phrase requires too many vowels, we’re running low!”).

Photo: Vicki Denig

Once in Spain, the following two days were filled with sun, strolling, and simply enjoying the company of a dear friend grown slightly distant. We wandered the streets of Malasaña, grabbed wine and cocktails at some of the city’s most famous haunts (shoutout to La Venencia and Salmon Guru), and stuffed our faces with patatas bravas; tortilla española; and foamy, ice cold Estrellas. The irony of it all? It took traveling 3,500+ miles overseas to realize that despite our recent life changes, the seeming “distance” between us actually wasn’t, and isn’t, so distant at all.

estrella beer and cocktails at salmon guru in madrid

Photo: Vicki Denig

The night of the concert, we boarded the subway with anticipation and headed out to Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. We were slightly worried our tickets wouldn’t work, as Ticketmaster had stated that the name on the ticket needed to match the person entering—though thanks to the Gen Zers on TikTok, we learned this likely wouldn’t be an issue (again, cue geriatric millennials over-agonizing about every last detail). We approached the venue with hearts racing, and breathed a huge sigh of relief upon being told to proceed through. The next 3.5-plus hours were filled with singing, laughing, and even a few tears (if “All Too Well 10 Minute Version” doesn’t get you, do you even have a soul?). By the time the show ended at midnight, drenched in sweat and lower backs aching, we somehow yearned for more.

Photo: Vicki Denig

We left Spain with hearts singing, literally and figuratively, and still talk about the concert almost daily nearly three months later. The concert certainly offered one of the most fun nights I’ve had in recent memory, but the reconnection it brought to my friend — and the ripple effects still being felt — were worth every penny. Would I do it again? Let’s just say I’m ready for it.

We hope you love the things we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.

Why you should consider traveling to Madrid for a concert

It’s relatively easy to get to from most major U.S. cities: Contrary to some of the more northern and western European cities, Madrid is one of the closer cities to get to from the continental United States. For example, the flight time from NYC to Madrid clocks in right around the same as that to Paris or London (about 7 hours). Best of all, many major US cities offer direct flights to Madrid, meaning no lengthy layovers (or added stress about connections, lost luggage, etc.)

Your money will go much further than in other European cities:

As much as I love Paris, London, Copenhagen, and other Scandinavian cities, Madrid is significantly cheaper, meaning that scoring comfortable accommodations will run you a lot less — and, most importantly, your food and beverage budget will feel seemingly limitless.

There are plenty of places to discover beyond the concert venue:

Whether visiting museums or strolling through lush city parks is more your thing, the good news is that Madrid has something for every type of traveler. If you’re the former, be sure to hit Museo del Prado and/or Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas while in town, and if you’re a nature lover, El Retiro park promises to leave a lasting impression. For those looking to simply get lost in a neighborhood filled with concept stores and hipster coffee shops, Malasaña is where it’s at.

You’ll get to enjoy one of the best food and beverage scenes in all of Europe:

One of the greatest joys of visiting Madrid is simply getting lost in its streets, posting up and random tapas bars, and eating as many croquetas, boquerones, and servings of pan con tomate as you could possibly desire — all washed down with an ice cold Estrella or generous pour of tinto de verano, of course.

More like this Travel How an International Trip to See Blink-182 Led to Disappointment, Then Redemption

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 27, 2024 16:41

All the Chattanooga Outdoors, Arts, and Dining You Need for a Long Weekend

I moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, nearly three years ago after a lifetime in Alaska. My relocation criteria was unambiguous: I wanted to live somewhere with a vast and varied food scene, plentiful outdoor adventures, and a robust arts and culture landscape that would encourage my adult daughters to visit often. On paper, Chattanooga checked all of the boxes.

For a Southern city that could easily be eclipsed by nearby Atlanta or Nashville, fast-growing Chattanooga holds its own, anchored by lightning-speed internet and picturesque scenery. While I soon fell into an overworking rut after moving there, a recent long weekend of exploration reminded me exactly why Chattanooga is an excellent place to retire — or visit, for that matter, whether for two days or two weeks.

From restaurants and nightlife to nearby wilderness opportunities, here’s a window into Chattanooga’s must-experience nature, culture, and dining.

Get an inside look at Chattanooga’s outdoors

Ruby Falls chattanooga-outdoors-arts-dining

Photo: Danielsen_Photography/Shutterstock

Just a few miles from downtown Chattanooga, you’ll find the tallest and deepest underground waterfall in the US inside of a cave located deep under Lookout Mountain. Hear the love story of how Ruby Falls was both discovered and named on a tour that’s highly choreographed, entertaining, and heart-rending. The trip will take you down a glass elevator through a half-mile path ending with the waterfall and a light show — not for extreme claustrophobes.

Ruby Falls: 1720 S. Scenic Hwy. Chattanooga, TN 37409

Chickamauga Dam

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by chattanoogaguidedadventures (@chattanoogaguidedadventures)

Take a two-and-a-half-hour paddle down the Chickamauga Dam on the guided Lock Kayak Tour hosted by Chattanooga Guided Adventures. Perfect for beginners and beyond, you’ll learn the history of how boats move from one reservoir to another by creating a makeshift elevator using water. Keep an eye out for plenty of waterbirds along the way — you’re bound to see plenty of blue herons, ospreys, and the occasional sandhill crane on your journey.

For a longer excursion, consider the Nickajack Bat Cave Sunset Kayak Tour, which starts with a roughly half-hour drive out of the city to Marion County. There, you’ll learn about the important role that gray bats play in helping farmers with pest control as you paddle to the mouth of Nickajack Cave. On arrival at the cave, expect to be awed as 100,000 bats emerge at sunset, ready to begin their workdays.

Tennessee Riverpark chattanooga-outdoors-arts-dining

Photo: Marcus E Jones/Shutterstock

Connecting the Chickamauga Dam to downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee Riverpark is a 13-mile paved system of picturesque open spaces, picnic tables, shelters, two boat ramps, and parks. Head to Coolidge Park on the riverfront, home to a renovated 100-plus-year-old carousel, an interactive water fountain, and a rock wall.

From there, rent a kayak, paddleboard, or bike from one of 43 stations at Bike Chattanooga Transit System, which has both motorized and non-motorized bikes. After, visit nearby Renaissance Park, the former site of manufacturing plants that’s been reimagined to include native plants, and to pay homage to cultures and events that are unique to Chattanooga.

Tennessee Riverpark: 4301 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Walnut Street Bridge chattanooga-outdoors-arts-dining

Photo: Deron Levy/Shutterstock

Chattanooga plays host to one of the longest pedestrian only bridges in the world: Walnut Street Bridge. Built in 1890, the bridge connects downtown with the North Shore neighborhoods. Don’t miss the opportunity to cross the roughly half-mile structure on foot, admiring the Tennessee River below and Coolidge Park to one side.

Walnut Street Bridge: 1 Walnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Sculpture Fields at Montague Park chattanooga-outdoors-arts-dining

Photo: Marcus E Jones/Shutterstock

In Chattanooga’s Southside neighborhood, stroll around 33 acres of green space on a well-maintained walking path to see more than 50 large sculptures by local artists. An outdoor museum with over 1.5 miles of trails, Sculpture Fields at Montague Park is a beautiful and quirky reminder of the city’s diverse cultural history. The museum is open daily and free to all — even your pooch (although dogs must be on leashes).

Sculpture Fields at Montague Park: 1800 Polk Street, Chattanooga, TN, 37408

Get cultural and stay entertained

The Edwin Hotel and Whiskey Thief

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by The Edwin Hotel (@theedwinhotel)

Adorned with nearly 100 pieces of predominantly local art, The Edwin is a boutique hotel where even the elevator doors are bedazzled. Visitors are welcome to roam the public areas to admire the curated collection — in fact, the hotel recommends carving out a few hours to do so. While the art is captivating, the views from the rooftop bar, Whiskey Thief, are just as arresting. Order a smattering of shareable dishes to see how the menu makes Appalachian flavors shine, along with a creative cocktail (or two) made with Tennessee whiskey.

The Edwin Hotel: 102 Walnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Wine Over Water

Chattanooga enjoys countless arts and music festivals throughout the year, including Wine Over Water, a now-bustling event held outside on the Walnut Street Bridge in August. More than 200 wines from around the world, including non-alcoholic options, are paired with food from local vendors. Enjoy the live music and take your seat on the bridge and relax.

Wine Over Water: 1 Walnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Comedy Catch at the Choo Choo

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by The Comedy Catch (@comedycatch)

Comedy Catch is a long-running venue at the Choo Choo Hotel where top comedians have performed live since the 1980s. See who’s performing when you’re in town, or stop by for an open mic night. While you have to be 18+ to see the show, all performances are rated online from Clean Comedy to Rated R, so you can pick the comedy stylings that best suit your taste. While there, enjoy dinner and a beverage as you get your funny bone tickled.

Comedy Catch at the Choo Choo: 1400 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402

Feast on Chattanooga’s culinary scene

Boathouse Rotisserie & Raw Bar

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Boathouse Rotisserie & Raw Bar (@boathouse_cha)

Expect a lunch-hour wait at Boathouse — the food is just that good. Order seafood dishes like the ahi tuna poke bowl with avocado, jalapeno, and wasabi mayo, and enjoy peeling shrimp or shucking oysters outside on the patio overlooking the Tennessee River. If seafood isn’t your thing, try the rotisserie chicken, smoked brisket, or pork nachos. Boathouse is conveniently located next to the Riverpark — perfect for taking a scenic stroll or bike ride after your meal.

Boathouse: 1459 Riverside Dr #4312, Chattanooga, TN 37406

State of Confusion

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by State of Confusion (@confusionchattanooga)

Known for its Peruvian ceviche, State of Confusion is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Brunch on the patio, complete with live music and indulgent dishes like fried chicken funnel cake, is a highlight. Along with STIR, another great Chattanooga brunch spot that also serves excellent espresso martinis and other cocktails, State of Confusion partners with the CHATT Foundation, helping to provide relief for people experiencing homelessness and low-income families.

State of Confusion: 301 E Main St, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Ernest Chinese

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Ernest Chinese (@ernestchinesechatt)

Ernest Chinese is a reboot of the former popular restaurant The Flying Squirrel, now named in memory of the owner’s beloved cat. The upscale restaurant elevates classic Chinese dishes like egg fried rice, dan dan noodles, and gong bao chicken. If you want to do dinner and drinks, stop by during happy hour to enjoy one of the many tiki drinks on offer — like the Death Rattle, served in adorable, locally made ceramic cups — at half the price.

Ernest Chinese: 55 Johnson St, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Tony's Pasta Shop & Trattoria (@tonyspastashop)

Tony’s is located in the Carriage House inside the Bluff View Art District, which is home to several eateries, outdoor spaces, an art gallery, and a bed and breakfast. Its Sicilian pastas and breads are handmade, and its sauces are elevated with tomatoes and herbs grown from its garden. Starters like the fried salmon medallions and calamari are worth the trip alone, while the view of the Tennessee River makes it too good to miss. Tony’s is also easily walkable to the Hunter and Houston museums, so it’s a perfect stop on a cultural sightseeing day.

Tony’s: 212 High St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Wooden City

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Wooden City Chattanooga (@woodencitychattanooga)

From the blistered Hungarian peppers to the wood-fired bone marrow, Wooden City will have you channeling your inner Anthony Bourdain. Tuck into small plates and pizzas with a group, or keep house favorites like the spicy lamb rigatoni all to yourself. In addition to beer and spirits, Wooden City has an extensive wine list, with non-alcoholic beverages as a bonus.

Wooden City: 203 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Company

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Company at Kinley Chattanooga (@companychattanooga)

The Kinley Hotel throws down a proverbial welcome mat for all its guests, but it also has a secret side: Company. A speakeasy with a talented team of mixologists, Company revisits Chattanooga’s 1900s roots when over 30 legal distilleries flourished there before the Prohibition era. Enjoy a Prohibition-style cocktail and a light bite like truffle fries or deviled eggs in the dimly lit room with a copper bar top.

Kinley Hotel: 1409 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37402

More like this Travel Where to Eat, Play, and Stay in Chattanooga