Matador Network's Blog, page 1205

Stunning photographs of Iran

Based on what you hear on the news and read on your government’s travel advisory, you might not be too inclined to put Iran on the top of your “future holiday destinations” list. But we urge you to think twice about passing the nation over. With a rich cultural heritage dating back thousands of years, a striking geography varying from the snow-capped peaks in the northern provinces to the lush desert oases of the south, and a population eager to change your preconceptions with its disarming hospitality, Iran is well worth a visit. If you’re on the fence about checking out Iran, these remarkable sights are sure to convince you to give it a try.




1

The Historic Bazaar of Tabriz

The network of galleries that forms the Tabriz Bazaar Complex earned its UNESCO World Heritage Site title in 2010, thanks to both its historical importance as a cultural and commercial hub and its majestic, one-of-a-kind structure. The largest covered bazaar in the world, built almost entirely in red brick and covering an area of nearly 72 acres, is located at the continental crossroads of Europe and Asia and has played a crucial role in the development of the east-west trade routes. You’ll get lost among hundreds of shops as you walk under the grandiose timches, the domed arcades that host craftsmen keeping alive the carpet-making tradition, gold vendors, and spice traders.

2

Towers of Silence, Yazd

Iran was, until the fall of the Sasanian Empire in 651 AD, the cradle of Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions. Remains of ceremonial constructions can still be found today, particularly in the area surrounding the city of Yazd. The dakhmas, also known as towers of silence, represent one of the most intriguing traces of the Zoroastrian tradition and are located just 20 minutes south of the old town.

The purpose of these circular structures built on a dry, flat plain was to prevent the bodies of the deceased from being infected by evil forces and losing their purity. Zoroastrians believed that, from the moment of passing, a person was vulnerable to demonic infection, an event avoidable only through the process of excarnation. Dead bodies were transported on top of the towers to be devoured by vultures and freed from the danger of damnation. The guardians of the towers would then collect the bones and place them in ossuaries situated below the towers. Ritual exposure was prohibited by law in the 1970s.

3

Nasqsh-e Rostam, Fars Province

A long drive from Yazd to Shiraz will take you to the necropolis of Nasqsh-e Rostam, a complex of four imposing tombs sculpted directly into the face of a cliff. Close to Persepolis, Nasqsh-e Rostam contains the sarcophaguses of Achaemenid kings Darius I, Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I, and Darius II, dating to the fourth and fifth centuries BCE and preserved behind the engraved Persian crosses decorated with commemorative reliefs. Together with Sasanid-era Naqsh-e Rajab, another archaeological site of equal importance situated less than two miles away, Nasqsh-e Rostam is on UNESCO’s tentative list for World Heritage nomination.

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4

Amir Chakhmaq Complex, Yazd

Originally built at the beginning of the 15th century and restored multiple times over the course of its life, this marvelous three-story façade marks the heart of Yazd’s UNESCO-protected old town. The symmetrical layout is characterized by the sunken alcoves, which can be admired from any of the many restaurants and cafés located in the pedestrian square, the perfect place to stop for tea and nabot (rock candy) before getting lost once again among the many treasures of the covered bazaar.

5

Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse, Kashan

As a result of a devastating earthquake in December 1778, the city of Kashan, located just two hours south of Tehran, lost a great number of its architectural masterpieces. During the reconstruction, wealthy citizens, with the help of some of the most famous local architects, built the houses that have now become one of the main attractions in Kashan, open for visitors wishing to imagine the lavish lifestyle of the past’s rich elite.

The Historical Houses are concentrated on the eastern side of the old town, steps away from the Agha Bozorg Mosque, and while some have been converted into hotels, the most impressive ones work as open-air museums. A combination ticket allows access to three structures; among these, make sure you visit the incredible Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse, a Safavid-era traditional spa restored to its former glory after the earthquake. The octagonal bathing hall at the center of the building is surrounded by magnificent archways decorated with gold and light blue mosaics while the rooftop awaits with its collection of sand-colored domes from which you can observe the city.

6

Ganjali Khan Complex, Kerman

A caravanserai, a mosque, and a labyrinthine bazaar: the Ganjali Khan Complex, the centerpiece of the southeastern city of Kerman, is astounding. The complex encircles a large square where there are lush gardens and a fountain. Copper, textile, and spice vendors populate the arcades, trying to attract the attention of passersby while a traditional water cistern known as ab anbar peaks out among the low rooftops with its wind-catching tower.

One of the bazaar's galleries provides access to the Ganjali Khan Bathhouse, an architectural masterpiece made of domes, arches, and pools decorated with intricate tile work and paintings where 17th-century nobility could escape the outside heat. Transformed into an anthropological museum in the 1970s, the bathhouse now hosts a collection of statues representing real-life scenes from the past.

7

Vakil Mosque, Shiraz

Hidden behind the vast Vakil bazaar in the heart of old Shiraz, the Vakil Mosque is covered in magnificent tile work, reflected in the narrow central pool. Completed between 1971 and 1973, the Vakil Mosque is composed of 48 individually carved monolithic columns, incredibly detailed mosaics on the vaulted ceilings, and a minbar - the pulpit from where the Imams deliver their sermons - sculpted into a single block of green marble.

8

Persepolis

Persepolis, founded in 518 BCE, was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire, and its ruins are some the greatest architectural testimonies of early civilization. The “City of the Persians” is composed of 32 acres of terraces, palatial buildings, rock reliefs, and staircases and was awarded the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

The name of Alexander the Great is still met with a grimace by many of the locals, and although Persepolis remained the capital of Persia after the fall of the Achaemenid Empire, the attacks by the Macedonian conqueror caused its rapid decline. Luckily, the burning of Persepolis was only partial, and many of the authentic structures and artworks remain intact today. Persepolis can be visited as a day trip from Shiraz in combination with the necropolis of Nasqsh-e Rostam, only a few miles away.

9

Bafgh Desert

The Bafgh desert is one of the most accessible desert areas spread throughout the southern provinces, located less than an hour away from Yazd and reachable by car via a relatively well-maintained road. At the edge of the desert, a small group of cabins is available for those who want to spend the night, but for the more adventurous, hiking out and setting up camp between the dunes - wind permitting - is also possible. Travelers short on time often combine a visit to the Towers of Silence with a sunset trek in Bafgh Desert. Just ask your guesthouse to recommend a driver.

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10

Zoroastrian Fire Temple, Yazd

The Zoroastrian Temple of Yazd is very different from any other religious structure you'll see around Iran. Although the temple is dedicated to one of the oldest existing creeds, this building located south of Yazd’s old town was built recently, in 1934, to protect one of the nine Atash Behrams, the holy fires venerated by Zoroastrians. The sacred flame found inside the temple is said to have been burning since 470 AD, and it's the only holy fire present in Iran (the rest being in India). Open to non-Zoroastrian visitors since 1960, the Fire Temple of Yazd now includes a museum where a photo exhibition explores the history and traditions of Zoroastrianism in the country.

11

Jameh Mosque of Isfahan

Covering a surface of over 215,000 square feet, Isfahan’s UNESCO-listed Friday Mosque is the oldest preserved building of its kind in Iran, dating back to 841 AD. Located in the heart of the old city, this congregational mosque showcases the evolution of Islamic architecture over the course of 12 centuries. The four iwans (vaulted portals) might appear to mirror each other from the distance, but walk up closely to observe the uniqueness of each individual detail of this masterpiece.

12

Nushabad Castle

The mud castle of Nushabad might not be on your radar during the planning stage of your trip, but if you manage to find the time to head out of the city center of Kashan, it is surely worth stopping at this archaeological site. Positioned near the 1,500-year-old network of subterranean galleries known as the Underground City of Nushabad, the ruins of the Seljuk-era fortress were built to protect local families from enemy attacks and are one of the most impressive examples of adobe architecture. Climb one of the nine watch towers and admire the view over the village and nearby golden mosque.

13

Jameh Mosque of Kerman

The entrance of Kerman’s Friday Mosque is glorious. A double set of huge doors, decorated with blue and gold mosaics, opens to the central courtyard where red carpets are spread out in front of the iwan for the devout to kneel and pray. Erected in 1349, Kerman’s congregational mosque marks the center of the city and, although not considered one of the greatest religious buildings of the city, will impress you with both its sheer size and fascinating tile work.

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The post 13 amazing sights that prove Iran is a stunning destination appeared first on Matador Network.

Cities with the most Michelin dining

For true foodies, vacation destinations aren’t chosen based on beaches, nightlife, or museums but by the variety of high-quality food options. There’s nothing worse than showing up to a new city, craving a helping of delicious local cuisine, and then realizing that city’s culinary scene is actually kind of a letdown. This study, conducted by Alpha Travel Insurance, makes sure you always know which cities to add to your food bucket list. It uses the Michelin guide as its criteria and ranks the cities with the highest density of Michelin-starred restaurants. The Michelin guide awards stars — one, two, or three — to restaurants around the world with exceptional cuisine.

Photo: Alpha Travel Insurance

Photo: Alpha Travel Insurance

According to the chart, Japan is doing pretty well for itself. Tokyo is the number one city in the world when it comes to having the most Michelin-starred restaurants, with 229 total and 0.27 per mile. Wherever you happen to be in Tokyo, there’s a good chance that fine dining is just a few steps away. Making Japan’s position even stronger, Osaka comes in third with 99 Michelin-starred restaurants and 1.15 per square mile. Paris, which is already world famous for its cuisine, comes in second, with 113 Michelin-starred restaurants. The biggest surprise at the top of the list might be London. Not exactly world-renowned for its own cuisine, London ranks fourth with a total of 73 Michelin restaurants.

Photo: Alpha Travel Insurance

Photo: Alpha Travel Insurance

Of the cities involved in the study, Vienna came in dead last with just 14 star-worthy restaurants and only 0.09 per square mile (though last place on a list like this is certainly nothing to turn your nose up at). Zurich and Geneva follow closely behind. You can view the full, interactive list on Alpha Insurance’s website.

Thankfully, if you want to enjoy a Michelin-star meal but don’t have bottomless pockets, many of these restaurants actually have meals under $30.


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The post These cities have the most Michelin-starred restaurants appeared first on Matador Network.

Food and drinks made in monasteries

In the world of cloistered living, not all situations are created equal. Devout individuals have filled monasteries and convents for thousands of years, choosing to dedicate their entire lives to worship. However, certain monasteries and convents add another side to the religious life: food and drink. For these lucky few, the daily prayer and scripture are broken up by the occasional culinary — or even better, booze-filled — break. Although said devotees may not necessarily be imbibing themselves, monks and nuns have a long-standing history of producing alcohol, baked goods, and various other gastronomical delights tracing basically as far back as the concept of cloistered living has existed.

These are the best food and drinks coming out of monasteries around the world.

Cookies from the Iglesia de San Pelayo in Spain

The nuns of Iglesia de San Pelayo, located in the Spanish town of Santiago de Compostela, turn to cookies for their culinary cooking breaks. These simple, almond-flavored treats are baked by the nuns and are insanely addictive. Each cookie has a melt-in-your-mouth texture coupled with a soft interior and crunchy sugar on top, making them the perfect accompaniment to any coffee or tea break. Boxes are baked fresh every day and cost five euros, and they can only be purchased through the barred window at the entrance. We promise — this one’s worth it.

Chartreuse from Monastery of the Grande Chartreuse in France

Photo: Chartreuse/Facebook

Perhaps the most popular monastery-made drink for anyone familiar with cocktails, Chartreuse dates back to 16th century Carthusian Monks. In 1605, Francois Annibal d’Estrées first created the manuscript holding this precious, 130-botanical recipe. There’s both a green and yellow version, and the liqueur gets its name from the monastery, Grande Chartreuse, where it’s blended using a distillate made in the nearby village of Voiron, France. Best of all, Chartreuse is one of the most age-worthy liqueurs, developing in complexity and flavor in the bottle over time.

Belgian Blonde Ale from the Monastery of St. Benedict in Italy

The Monastery of St. Benedict first started brewing beer in 2000 when the Catholic Church inaugurated the location in Norcia, Italy. The monks, many of whom are from America, produced a Belgian Blonde Ale and a Belgian Dark Ale under the brand name Birra Nursia in the city of Norcia. Then, in 2016, the region was hit with the largest earthquake in the region in decades. It destroyed the monastery, but the monks are continuing to brew beer while rebuilding, and proceeds go to the efforts of the brewers.

Westvleteren beer from the Trappist Abbey of Saint Sixtus in Belgium

Photo: DanyL/Shutterstock

Founded in 1838, Westvleteren’s brewery is located in the Trappist Abbey of Saint Sixtus in the village of Vleteren, Belgium. Although only three beers are produced here, the brewery is known around the world for its quality beer, which is sold in small, weekly rations from the monastery doors. Saint Sixtus monastery was founded in 1831, just seven years before the brewery was created, and it’s the only Trappist brewery to have pre-World War copper vessels in its possession. Westvleteren currently has three non-monks on staff, mainly for manual labor. It’s the monks, however, who operate the brewery.

Buckfast Tonic Wine from the Buckfast Abbey in England

Buckfast Abbey, originally founded in 1018 and re-founded by French Benedictine monks in 1882, is run by the Catholic order of monks who follow Saint Benedict. Its famous recipe for Buckfast Tonic Wine originally comes from the French, though it was changed in 1927 to taste less harsh, mainly for commercial and consumer purposes. For production, the monks select a base wine and add what they call “inert substances,” one of which is caffeine. The drink has a much less monastic reputation, however. In Scotland, for example, it’s often associated with loud and ill-mannered behavior.


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The post These rare bottles of booze (and mouth-watering cookies) are only made in monasteries appeared first on Matador Network.

The best ice fishing destinations

Just because summer’s over, it doesn’t mean you can’t still go on an epic fishing trip. Fishing isn’t just about blue lakes, clear skies, and soaking up the sun in your boat. For many, winter is the real fishing season, and it’s easy to see why. Venturing out to a frozen lake, bundled in your warmest gear, and dangling a line through several inches of ice can be pretty thrilling. Since a snowy backdrop and thick boots might not feature in your typical fishing fantasies, however, it’s easy to forget that ice fishing is actually more than just a sport — it’s an adventure. Here are some of the best places in the world to go ice fishing.

1. Higgins Lake, Michigan

Photo: Susan Montgomery/Shutterstock

When you imagine fishing in Michigan, you probably think of the enormous Lake Michigan. But this inland lake, about two hours north of Lansing, is an ice fisherman’s dream and more manageable than any of the Great Lakes. Higgins Lake’s deep waters are home to a host of different fish, even in the coldest weather. You’ll find perch in great numbers closer to the shore, and you’ll likely spot trout near the center, but there are tons of other species to catch as well. Since the lake is so deep, however, it takes longer to freeze over, so you’ll generally want to wait until the January to venture here.

2. Devil’s Lake, North Dakota

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This massive lake in North Dakota is famous for the size and variety of the fish that can be caught here. It’s a prime location for trophy perch, walleye, and pike, and as you’ll soon notice, they’re pretty hefty. A large freshwater shrimp population means some pretty fat fish. The lake is also great for getting away from the crowds with over 180,000 acres to explore. Don’t let the size intimidate you, though. There are tons of bait shops and maps, and experienced guides are available if you don’t want to go it alone. Lodging is convenient here as well, with several hotels catering to anglers.

3. Lake of the Woods, Minnesota, Ontario, Manitoba

Photo: Nancy Bauer/Shutterstock

Widely considered one of the world’s best ice fishing locations, Lake of the Woods is situated right on the border between the United States and Canada, making it easily accessible to citizens of both countries. After the Great Lakes, it’s the largest freshwater lake in the US, and it’s famous for its high populations of walleye, northern pike, perch, whitefish, lake trout, and more. Plenty of fish houses are available throughout the lake, and they’re constantly being moved in accordance with where the fish are that day. Guides also regularly patrol the ice, helping visitors track schools of fish across the lake and choose the ideal spot to drop their lines. On the Minnesota side of the lake, you can stay at the Border View Lodge, which supplies guests with private fish houses, guides, and even heated porta-potties on the ice.

4. Ammassalik, Greenland

Photo: Jonas Tufvesson/Shutterstock

This might be the perfect excuse to go ice fishing and see the fjords all in one trip. Here, you’ll feel truly at one with nature as Ammassalik is one of the world’s most remote ice fishing destinations. A trip to these fjords in eastern Greenland will truly thrust you into the heart of the wilderness. Apart from the fact that you’ll probably be accessing the region by dogsled, you also won’t be fishing for any ordinary game. These fjords are home to the famous Greenland shark, which can weigh up to 440 pounds, and halibut weighing as much as 110 pounds. The easiest way to get there is via guided tour, which usually includes an array of Arctic excursions in addition to ice fishing instruction.

5. Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan

Photo: vovavent/Shutterstock

Lake Diefenbaker, which spans 145 miles, is famous in Saskatchewan, Canada, for its number of prime fishing spots and diversity of fish. In addition to walleye, there are both rainbow and lake trout, as well as pike, burbot, and sturgeon. The lake is particularly good for catching walleye, though you’ll want to visit at night to have your best shot. It’s also a great spot for trophy fishing with trout here having been known to exceed 10 pounds. Peak season generally occurs in January and February, so plan your trip accordingly.

6. Antero Reservoir, Colorado

Photo: Mountain River Lodge/Facebook

Located about 100 miles from Denver, Antero Reservoir is known mostly for its diverse population of trout, including large rainbow trout. Also calling the reservoir home are snake river cutthroat, greenback cutthroat, cutbows, kokanee salmon, and splake. Due to the unique fertility of the lake and abundance of shrimp, all of these fish have the potential to grow to trophy size early in the season. If you’re looking for a home base for your fishing excursions, try the Mountain River Lodge, which also offers a campground along the banks of the lake itself.

7. Lule River, Sweden

Photo: Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock

This is one of the most authentic ice fishing experiences you can get. Just a short drive from the town of Luleå in northern Sweden, the Lule River is known for its perch, pike, salmon, trout, and whitefish population. Fishing on the Lule in wintertime is a common pastime among locals, so expect to feel like part of the community when you venture out onto the ice. Several tours are available for beginners, often including snowmobile transport, lunch, hot beverages, and a guide to bring you to all the river’s best fishing spots. Experienced ice anglers can, of course, choose to go unguided, but the nearby Treehotel offers a fairly comprehensive tour for first-timers.


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The post The 7 best places in the world to go ice fishing appeared first on Matador Network.

How to drink Champagne like a local

Few drinks are as revered as Champagne. You could be celebrating a wedding in Wisconsin one day and then staying out until 4:00 AM in a New York City club the next, and there’s a good chance you’ll see people popping bottles of Champagne. Those same bottles are likely sitting in the finest restaurants around the world just waiting for someone to order them. Good luck finding anything else with that level of cachet.

But Champagne is more than just a beverage; it’s also a place. Every bottle of real Champagne comes from Champagne, France, on the northeastern edge of the country. If it doesn’t come from the designated Champagne region, then it’s not Champagne. Needless to say, people in Champagne have a different — and deeper — understanding of the beverage served around the world.

Matador Network caught up with three people who live in Champagne and/or work with Champagne wines to learn about how the bubbly is enjoyed in its home region. Because nobody knows Champagne like those who are there on the ground with it day in and day out. The experts we spoke to were Arnaud Richard, the director of marketing and communication of Champagne Laurent-Perrier; Christian Holthausen, the director of communications at Champagne AR Lenoble; and Marie Petit Loriot, the winemaker behind Apollonis Champagne Michel Loriot.

Temperature is key, as is how you reach that temperature.

Photo: Demkat/Shutterstock

Champagne should be served between eight and 12 degrees Celsius (46 to 53 degrees Fahrenheit). A properly chilled Champagne “expresses floral notes, whereas fruit or pastry-like flavors appear as the temperature increases,” Richard says.

Petit Loriot likes to serve at the slightly lower temperature of six degrees Celsius (42 degrees Fahrenheit). This is “because the temperature will increase in the glass during the degustation (tasting).”

Don’t panic if you forgot to chill your bottle. The number one rule on chilling it down is to never put it in the freezer. Instead, “place the bottle in an ice bucket for half an hour or store the bottle on its side in the bottom of your refrigerator for four hours,” Holthausen says.

Get rid of the Champagne flute.

Photo: Champagne AR Lenoble/Facebook

Pretty much every Champagne photo you see has the bubbly in a tall and skinny glass, known as a flute. Stop that. Everything you see is wrong.

“Champagne is a wine,” Halthausen says. “Champagne should be served in a wine glass. Flutes are an insult to the wines of Champagne.” AR Lenoble uses the Zalto Hand-Blown Universal Wine Glass.

“As the glass shape physically affects what we sense, it is primordial to choose the proper glassware,” Richard says. Flute and coupe glasses, the wide-mouthed glass that’s also commonly used for Champagne, are less than ideal. Richard uses a glass with a tulip shape where the glass curves in at the top because it allows bubbles to rise to the surface while the lip of the glass holds in the aroma of the wine.

“Even if there are bubbles,” Petit Loriot says, “the Champagne is first a wine.”

On glassware, Richard also offers this tip: “Always rinse the glasses with hot water before use, so the detergents do not destroy the bubble effect.”

Stop thinking of Champagne solely as a special occasion drink.

Photo: Apollonis – Champagne Michel Loriot/Facebook

Just because it’s associated with fancy parties doesn’t mean it’s not for everyday drinking, as well. As Petit Loriot says, “All occasions are good to drink Champagne! We say, ‘Champagne is the only beverage you can drink in any position (situation).’”

Champagne isn’t a unilateral beverage. 2017 was one of the highest sales years for Champagne, and there are bottles in pretty much every price range. Despite that, two-thirds of Champagne is sold from September to December, according to The Drinks Business. That’s not so in the homeland of the drink.

Like other wines, there’s a lot of variation between Champagne houses and producers. Champagne is primarily made with three grape varieties: chardonnay, pinot meunier, and pinot noir. The winemaker decides how much (if any) of each grape will be used, as well as how dry or sweet the wine is. The most common categories from dry to sweet are brut nature, extra brut, brut, and demi sec.

There are just as many different times to drink it as there are styles.

“There is no reason needed to enjoy a glass of Champagne with good friends and family!” Richard says. “It is also important to look at food pairings. Champagne is a wine, and it perfectly pairs with almost every food (and therefore occasions!).”

Find a Champagne that pairs with every dish you eat.

Photo: Champagne Laurent-Perrier/Facebook

“People in Champagne drink Champagne with everything,” Halthausen says. All of the variety in Champagne makes it a versatile drink for any dinner. All you have to do is find the right bottle.

“There are so many ways to pair Champagne with food,” Richard says. “Some of them are traditional, some are unexpected. We believe Champagne can pair with almost anything.”

Laurent-Perrier makes Champagne in just about every category. For pairings, Richard suggests an ultra brut with seafood and Parmesan cheese, Cuvée Rosé with spicy food and Chaource cheese, brut Champagne with foie gras terrine and poultry, and demi secs with sweet or savory desserts.

Like all wines that are good for pairing with food, however, the options are endless. “I think in Champagne, we have no limit to pair Champagne,” Petit Loriot says. There’s a Champagne out there for aperitifs, dessert, and cigar sessions, “even pizza and cheeseburgers,” she says.


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Marriott paying for new passports

If you’ve booked a stay at a Starwood hotel, including a St. Regis, Westin, or W Hotel between 2014 and 2018, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news: your personal data, including your name, passport information, address, phone number, and email may have been stolen. The good news: Marriott will pay for new passports for those affected.

In what’s being called one of the largest customer data breaches in history, up to 500 million people who booked through the hotel group’s online database may be at risk for identity theft. Marriott is doing what it can to help, however, by offering to reimburse victims for the cost of new passports.

“We’re setting up a process,” Marriott told MarketWatch, “to work with our guests who believe that they have experienced fraud as a result of their passports being involved in this incident. If, through that process, we determine that fraud has taken place, then the company will reimburse guests for the costs associated with getting a new passport.”

According to Marriott’s estimates, up to 327 million guests may have had their passport number compromised. Since each new passport costs $110, this could potentially lead to a huge expense for Marriott.

The hotel group is also offering a free identity theft monitoring program, so customers can keep tabs on the security of their personal information, and reach out if they believe there’s been any fraud.

H/T: Travel & Leisure

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First cannabis speakeasy in Vegas

The US banned the sale and consumption of alcohol from 1920 to 1933. Prohibition inspired — among many, many other things — speakeasies where illegal alcohol was sold. Now, 85 years after the end of Prohibition, a cannabis company is piggybacking on the popularity that speakeasies still have. The first “cannabis speakeasy” is opening in Las Vegas on December 10th.

Every state in the country has a speakeasy-style bar, but Nevada is the only state to cannabize it. The bar is called Dana’s Place, and it’s located in the Las Vegas ReLeaf dispensary and operated by Cannabiniers, a company that manages a number of cannabis brands. Dana’s Place serves Cannabiniers’ brands, which includes Two Roots Brewing (the first cannabis beer), Just Society (weed-infused coffee and tea), and BASKiN CBD creams. There’s only one catch: Thanks to Nevada’s laws regulating where you can consume legal recreational marijuana, none of the goods sold in the speakeasy have any THC in them.

The Nevada state government lays out the rules on where people can smoke, eat, vape, or consume cannabis in any way invented or yet to be invented. The first rule is that you can’t use marijuana in a public space, and the second is that you can’t use it in a moving vehicle. “Essentially,” the government explains on its cannabis website, “this means it can only be consumed on private property (at home, for example), and as long as the property owner has not prohibited it.”

Banning use in any “public space” is pretty broad — especially for visitors who don’t have a home to hide out in. Which leaves anyone who wants to taste the goods before committing to a purchase (as well as every person who wants to sell those goods) in a bit of a pickle. It also means Dana’s Place sticks to the rules just like every other “speakeasy” bar serving up legal alcoholic beverages today.

“The speakeasy style of the bar is especially fitting for the cannabis industry, as cannabis continues to come out of the shadows and enter into the mainstream space,” Kevin Love, the director of product development at Cannabiniers, told Matador Network. He added that people can still sample “non-infused versions of products,” and that the bar and a budtender give Dana’s Place “a very bar-esque feeling.”

Photo: Dana’s Place

Missing out on the full experience is a bit of a buzzkill, but it’s still a step in the right direction for people interested in learning more about what the US cannabis market looks like. At the very least, it’s a better way to learn about cannabis than true speakeasies were places to learn about alcohol. Dana’s Place is all about “taking the pressure off purchasing cannabis for the first time,” Love said.

Navigating the wild and varied world of legal cannabis in the US can be difficult. Washington, DC and each of the 10 states that allow recreational marijuana all have different rules regarding how much you can buy and where you can consume. In some ways, the states are still a better place to light up than Canada, but we’ve still got some kinks to work out.

This is the first in a series of planned Cannabiniers speakeasy bars in the works. The Vegas location, which is named after the Cannabiniers co-founder Ed Bernstein’s late daughter Dana, is a flagship of sorts located just 500 feet off the Strip.

For now, it’s just as hard to find a place to consume your legally purchased marijuana in Nevada as it has been since the state legalized recreational cannabis in 2017. But just like how faux speakeasies in the early 2010s made everyone better understand classic cocktails, maybe cannabis speakeasies can help people understand weed.


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Guy posts photo having sex on Giza

In a game of “weirdest places you’ve ever had sex,” this guy would win hands down. But, he would also win the “most disrespectful, idiotic tourist the world has ever seen” game. Danish photographer Andreas Hvid shared a video of himself and an unidentified female climbing Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza, smoking, and then taking their clothes off.

In the video’s caption, Andreas wrote, “In late November 2018, a friend and I climbed the Great Pyramid of Giza (a.k.a. Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramid of Cheops). Fearing to be spotted by the many guards, I did not film the several hours of sneaking around at the Giza Plateau, which lead up to the climb.”

Climbing the pyramid in this fashion is, of course, illegal. Tourists are allowed inside the pyramids and on certain designated paths, but straying from those prescribed routes is strictly forbidden.

Even more disturbing, Andreas posted a photo of himself and the woman having sex on top of the pyramid, with the desert and light of Cairo in the background. While many rightly view the picture as disrespectful, irresponsible, and downright gross, Andreas calls it “nude art.”

Unsurprisingly, not everyone is on board with Andreas’ brand of “art.” Among other displeased reactions, one person commented:

“On behalf of historians and archaeologists everywhere, I hope you both end up in jail.”

The photo and video were reported to Egypt’s prosecutor beneral by the minister for antiquities, and Egyptian authorities are now investigating the incident.

H/T: Unilad

More like this: 7 underrated sites in Egypt worth visiting, according to an archaeologist

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Wisconsin holiday food and drinks

While you can find eggnog, ham, and holiday chocolates all over the US this time of year, Wisconsin celebrates the holidays with a few unique dishes of its own. Here are nine foods and drinks that signify it’s the holiday season in Wisconsin.

1. Holiday cheese board

You know it’s the holiday season when Wisconsin cheese takes on a fancier flare. Gone are the days when you grabbed a cheddar cube from the fridge anytime you wanted. This time of year, our favorite cheeses are placed out on a plate or board, probably in the shape of a Christmas tree.

2. Fried turkey

More than just a Thanksgiving staple, fried turkey is a Wisconsin favorite all season long. Legend has it that Wisconsinites were the first to stick a beer can in a turkey and fry it. Whether that’s true or not, you know it’s still the best way to cook a turkey.

3. An old fashioned or two

We love an old fashioned all year long, but there’s something about this boozy brandy drink that makes us love it even more in the winter. Maybe it’s the rich caramel color, the bright red Door County cherry, or the way it warms your chest after just one sip.

4. Marinated venison

With deer hunting season coinciding with Thanksgiving, venison is the meat of choice in December in Wisconsin. Nothing warms you up on a cold winter night during the holidays like a plate of slow-cooked marinated venison. Initially, that is. In an effort to empty the freezer of all the deer meat, you’ll be sick of it by the end of the year.

5. Cranberry sauce

We harvest more cranberries than any other place in the US, and during the winter, we probably eat more than anyone, too. It wouldn’t be the holiday season in Wisconsin without cranberry sauce. Scooped on top of turkey and stuffing, this tart gelatin is a holiday staple.

6. Apple pies

When you catch a whiff of cinnamon and brown sugar wafting through the air you know it’s officially the holiday season, and, more importantly, you’ll know a warm apple pie is in the works.

7. Seven-layer bars

Chances are your mom makes some variation of seven-layer bars, or magic bars, for the holidays. Everyone uses graham crackers, nuts, chocolate, and sweetened condensed milk in their recipes, but some add coconut flakes, butterscotch chips, peanut butter, raisins, and more to perfect their family’s version of this holiday sweet.

8. Cheesy potatoes

It’s not the holidays without a big bowl of sliced potatoes dripping in cheese. Every family has a recipe and preferred type of cheese. If we’re being honest, the potatoes are just a vessel for delivering hot, gooey cheese to your mouth.

9. Cannibal sandwich

Raw beef sandwiches stacked with onions is Wisconsin’s version of steak tartare and is an annual concern for the Center for Disease Control. The fact that it’s also called “tiger meat” doesn’t help its image. Even so, it’s delicious enough for many people to make it a holiday tradition.


More like this: 9 signs winter is coming in Wisconsin

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Free public transport in Luxembourg

The free public transport movement is starting small for now, as it doesn’t get any smaller than Luxembourg, one of Europe’s tiniest nations. According to a new law enacted by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, who leads the coalition government, fares on trains, trams, and busses will be lifted starting next summer.

Indeed, it seems like this Democratic Party really knows how to get on its constituents’ good sides. In addition to free transport, it’s also pledged to consider legalizing cannabis and introduce two new public holidays.

In addition to making the country a more attractive destination for tourists, free transportation is an effort to reduce the stifling traffic that plagues Luxembourg City. While only 110,000 people live there, 400,000 commute into the city for work, making the congestion unbearable. It’s not just residents of Luxembourg contributing to the gridlock but commuters from other countries as well, like France, Belgium, and Germany.

This isn’t the first step Luxembourg has taken in the free transportation game either. This past summer, the government made busses and trains free for everyone under the age of 20 and provided free shuttles for secondary school students. And trains and buses are only the beginning. Starting in 2020, all tickets and associated costs will be fully abolished in hope of saving on fare collection and the policing of ticket windows.

We can only hope that other countries take notice and follow suit.

H/T: The Guardian

More like this: The 11 most beautiful train stations around the world

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