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The best airport lounges in the US

If there is ever a time to splurge and treat yourself to lounge access, it’s during the holiday season, when airports around the United States are as busy as can be. So, if you’re tempted to leave behind the hectic terminals and frustratingly uncomfortable boarding areas for a luxurious lounge with all sorts of perks, these seven airport lounges in the US are the spots to do it.

1. United Polaris Lounge, Houston, TX

Photo: United

The airline-specific United Polaris Lounge in The George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is unbeatable. Those who can afford to fly United Polaris or first or business class on Star Alliance partner carriers are able to find respite in this exclusive escape that looks like a beautiful boutique hotel. At IAH, the United Polaris Lounge is located in Terminal E by gate E12. The outstanding lounge is complete with a full bar, buffet, WiFi, fancy shower suites, and private relaxation rooms for napping (in Saks Fifth Avenue bedding) or just unwinding as you watch airplanes take off in the distance. United Polaris was the first US airline lounge to offer sit-down dining, and you can enjoy Southern food specialties.

The only way to access the luxurious Polaris Lounge at IAH is to be flying on a Polaris flight. If that’s way out of your budget, don’t fret. The United Club is right next door and anyone can get a day pass for just $50. It may not be as glamorous, but there is WiFi, outlets at each seat, and sometimes even kale salads.

2. American Express Centurion Lounge, San Francisco, CA

Photo: The Centurion Lounge/American Express

American Express Centurion lounges can be found in several airports across the country, but the one at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is probably the most lavish. If you have an American Express Centurion Card, Platinum Card, or Business Platinum Card, you can access this lounge and enjoy the complimentary food carefully curated by Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-winning chef Christopher Kostow. If you’re flying with up to two friends, they can join you in the lounge for free.

There’s also complimentary WiFi and outlets, shower suites, soundproof space for children, and workspaces. The lounge is located in Terminal 3 by gate 74. Holders of other American Express cards can purchase a day pass to the Centurion Lounge for $50 — much less than your average meal created by a Michelin-starred chef.

3. Virgin Atlantic JFK Clubhouse, New York, NY

Photo: Virgin Atlantic/Facebook

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Terminal four is reminiscent of a nightclub in the meatpacking district with plush red couches, a cocktail bar, and pool table. If you didn’t have time to get a blowout before heading home for the holidays, don’t worry; the lounge is complete with a Bumble & Bumble salon that has an array of complimentary mini-treatments and a variety of other services available for a fee.

The menu at Virgin Atlantic’s JFK Clubhouse puts airport restaurants to shame. Guests can choose what they’d like from a menu of dishes, such as dim sum, burgers, chicken tikka masala, and more.

You have complimentary access to this lounge if you’re flying Virgin Atlantic Upper Class or are a Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold member. Elevate Gold members, first or Main Cabin Select on Virgin America, can enter for $75 per adult. You can also get into the lounge if you’re a Delta Diamond, Platinum, or Gold Medallion member on a same-day nonstop flight to the UK operated by either Virgin Atlantic or Delta. Singapore Airlines First Class Suites passengers and first- or business-class passengers on TAM can also get into the lounge.

4. Airspace, Cleveland, OH

Photo: Airspace Lounge/Facebook

The Airspace Lounge at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is an excellent place to relax before your flight and one of the cheapest lounges to hide out in an American airport. Admission isn’t all-inclusive like other lounges; each guest may select from a complimentary light meal or alcoholic drink with additional light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available for free.

The fee to enter the Airspace Lounge at the Cleveland main terminal is just $20 with $7 from the entrance fee credited toward your food or bar bill. Anyone can visit the lounge regardless of what kind of ticket, airline, or credit card they have; however, American Express Platinum Card holders receive complimentary access with a guest at all Airspace Lounge locations.

The space is compact, but there are several semi-private conference rooms available if you need a quiet place to work. Each seat is complete with a power outlet, and the complimentary WiFi is fast and available throughout the area. Visitors will enjoy the panoramic view of CLE’s runway as they wait to catch their flight.

5. The Star Alliance Lounge, Los Angeles, CA

Photo: Star Alliance

The Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is located on the sixth level of the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. The mega space is complete with a movie theater and library. There’s complimentary WiFi throughout and even iPads available for use. For a drink, head to the balcony bar overlooking the terminal or the outdoor bar and deck that’s complete with a waterfall. All beverages and food are complimentary.

If you’ve got first-class tickets on a Star Alliance carrier, you’ll be able to relax in the VIP room, which is often frequented by celebs. The Star Alliance Lounge at LAX is accessible for any business-class or first-class ticket holder flying on a Star Alliance carrier or Gold members flying with any other ticket on a Star Alliance flight.

6. Alaska Airlines Board Room, Seattle, WA

Photo: Alaska Airlines

The Alaska Airlines Board Room at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a two-floor lounge with plenty of room and great views of Concourse C. Access includes an array of complimentary food and the beloved Alaska Airlines Bloody Mary. If you prefer caffeine, you’re in luck as the lounge has unlimited Starbucks coffee.

The cozy lounge is an ideal place to revive and is fully equipped with charging stations, reliable WiFi, and free access to the digital version of The New York Times. Day passes can be purchased by anyone for $50. If you purchase a membership (starts at $295) within a month after buying the day pass, you’ll be refunded for the cost.

7. American Airlines Flagship Lounge, Miami, FL

Photo: American Airlines/Facebook

The American Airlines Flagship Lounge at Miami International Airport (MIA) offers premium services to flyers from qualifying flights. First-class travelers can enjoy excellent sit-down meals at the dining area in the Flagship Lounge, which is located in Terminal D near gate 30. Guests who aren’t flying first-class can still enjoy an upscale buffet, specialty cocktails, and wine.

The renovated space is accessible for qualifying AA and Oneworld carriers’ first- and business-class passengers, as well as AA Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum elites. There is WiFi throughout and shower suites for travelers who need to freshen up.


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New floating supermarkets in Dubai

As if yacht-owners don’t have a cushy enough life already, now they don’t even have to leave their boats to buy groceries. Carrefour, one of the largest supermarket groups in the world, has just launched a floating store off the coast of Dubai. “Bites and More by the Shore,” tailored to yachters and jet skiers, carries over 300 items including food, pharmaceuticals, beauty products, and drinks. Mainly, it will benefit boat and jet ski owners off Dubai’s Kite Beach, Jumeirah Public Beach, and Al Sufouh Beach.

According to the press release, “Jet skiers and passengers in small sailing crafts can sail up to the Aqua Pod and order at the window counter, pay and receive their packed items.” You can even call ahead by dialing a special number or by using an app, and a skiff will deliver the order to your large boat within 45 minutes.

A floating food and drink service naturally raises concerns about pollution, but “Bites and More by the Shore” is completely sustainable. The store itself is powered by rechargeable batteries and will only provide customers with biodegradable paper straws and bags. It is also designed to vacuum any nearby floating debris into its holding tank to be safely disposed of upon returning to shore.

Weather permitting, the floating supermarket is open six days a week from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

H/T: Insider

More like this: Why Dubai is the best trip to dip your toes in Arab culture

The post Dubai’s new floating supermarket will sell to boaters who can’t be bothered to leave their yachts appeared first on Matador Network.

NYC breweries to visit this winter

Winter has arrived in New York City, so it’s time to pack on those layers and do our best to stay warm for the next several months. While there are fun activities you can do outside for free, sometimes you just need to stay inside and hand over a few more bucks to keep warm. Luckily, everyone seems to like drinking beer, so there should be no protests from your group. NYC is no stranger to the brewing scene, so there’s plenty of breweries that’ll help you hide out from the winter weather this season — here’s our list of the seven best.

1. Threes Brewing

Photo: Threes Brewing/Facebook

This brewpub is smack in the middle of the Gowanus and Park Slope neighborhoods, and it’s close enough to other Brooklyn attractions that you can combine a day of sightseeing with visiting one of the coolest breweries in the borough. The main bar serves cocktails and wine, but what you’ll want to pay attention to is the 24 line draught system, containing both Threes’ own brews and a rotating selection of beers from other breweries both local and out-of-state. Threes focuses on German lagers, Belgian farmhouse ales, and hop-forward American ales, and the names of its brews are cheeky and fun, such as the Are We There Yet? and the Unreliable Narrator. The backyard is a big hit in the summer, but during winter, the space is enclosed, and heaters are installed so you can have all the benefits of open space without freezing. For food and coffee, Threes has partnered with the Meat Hook and Ninth Street Espresso.

Where: 333 Douglass St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

2. Fifth Hammer Brewing Company

Photo: Fifth Hammer Brewing Company/Facebook

Good beer and cute dogs are a great way to attract people, and Fifth Hammer has both. The open industrial space is a 15-barrel brewery with a constant rotation of beers, both its own brews and special collaborations. Prices range from $3 to $14 depending on glass size, so it’s all within an affordable amount for the quality you’re getting. If you’re able to visit on a Wednesday, from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM there will be a “Beer for Ears” event in Fifth Hammer’s tasting room, with live music to accompany the tasting. It’s dog-friendly, so there’s always a chance you’ll be able to make new furry friends — and maybe even bond with others over a mutual love of booze and adorable pets.

Where: 10-28 46th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101

3. Bronx Brewery

Photo: The Bronx Brewery/Facebook

Brooklyn and Queens are major dominating players in NYC’s brewery scene, but the Bronx is also throwing its hat into the ring. Located in the Mott Haven neighborhood, the Bronx Brewery’s building has had a long history before it became home to the local brewery; it was an ironworks showroom, a garment manufacturer, and a vending machine warehouse. Today, you can visit for free tours on the weekends or hang out in the taproom and try out some of its staples, such as the Well Earned pilsner, Built for This pale ale, and No Resolutions IPA. When it’s warmer out, visitors can head outside to the backyard where you’ll likely find a DJ, live performances, and food trucks. As a bonus, the Bronx Brewery partners with local organizations to help give back and improve the community. Its tagline, “No Nonsense Ales,” is a perfect summary of a business that keeps everything nice, easy, and simple.

Where: 856 E 136th St, Bronx, NY 10454

4. Brooklyn Brewery

Photo: The Brooklyn Brewery/Facebook

The ubiquitous Brooklyn Brewery logo is known to most, whether they’re a beer aficionado or not. The brand is well-known for a reason, so you can’t go wrong when choosing one of its beers — New York Comic Con even partnered with Brooklyn Brewery to make its Brooklyn Defender IPA the official beer of convention. On weekdays, there are small group tours for $18 where groups will learn about the brewery’s history and have a guided tasting. If you visit on the weekend, there are larger free tours held every half hour — these are pretty popular, however, so expect a wait. Only small bar snacks are available, but from time to time there are food trucks outside whose food you can bring inside to eat while you sip your beer. There are also frequent events happening in the tasting room, such as a holiday night market, skee ball tournament, and New Year’s Eve party.

Where: 79 N 11th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

5. Rockaway Brewing Company

Photo: Rockaway Brewing Co./Facebook

The trek out to Long Island City is worth it to visit Rockaway Brewing Company, a homebrewing-project-turned-business. Just minutes away from the beach, the 3,600-square-foot space currently has four of its classic brews on tap and four specialty ones, made with ingredients such as watermelon, pine, and anise. The space also hosts various events like karaoke, markets, and tie-dye nights. The vibe here is very relaxed; to get a weekend tour, just ask your bartender for the low-down.

Where: 46-01 5th St, Long Island City, NY 11101

6. Circa Brewing Company

Photo: Circa Brewing Co/Facebook

Beer and pizza are a great combination, and anyone who disagrees is just plain wrong. Circa Brewing Co., a 6,000-square-foot brewery and wood-fired-pizza restaurant, serves to prove this point. The menu includes foods like steak and eggs, wraps, and salads, but you’ll want to pair your housemade beer with Neapolitan-style pizzas that use every ingredient under the sun.

Where: 141 Lawrence Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

7. Brooklyn Cider House

Photo: Brooklyn Cider House/Facebook

While technically not a beer brewery, Brooklyn Cider House is a cidery and Brooklyn’s first at that. It’s also a bar and restaurant, so you could easily spend several hours here with a group of people. There are four delicious core hard ciders, and the menu has a chart that’ll help you decide on what to get depending on if you’re looking for something crisp, dry, sour, or sweet. Drafts are reasonably priced at $7 a pop, and you can even get bottles of cider to go at $10 each. There are also limited release ciders that rotate out on a seasonal basis, such as the Solstice ‘18. Visit on the weekends for brunch, where you can have a traditional American breakfast or a new take on Spanish dishes, all made with farm-fresh ingredients. If you decide to go for the prix-fixe dinner, you’ll enjoy four courses and dessert, as well as traditional Basque “cider catching” in the barrel room. BCH hosts events regularly, including tastings, educational workshops, and harvest celebrations. Oh, and there’s cider doughnuts, too.

Where: 1100 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237


More like this: 8 free or inexpensive things to do in NYC this winter

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SA Airlink flights to St. Helena

If this flight existed in 1815, Napoleon’s stay on this remote island might not have been so miserable. St. Helena, where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled and later died, is one of the most far-flung islands in the world, and they didn’t send him there because it was easy to reach (or escape). Until late 2017, the only way to get there was via the Royal Mail Ship RMS St. Helena en route from Cape Town. Now, visiting this island in the South Atlantic is easier than ever with the introduction of a weekly flight by SA Airlink. The South African airline has added regular flights to this new route, offering service from Johannesburg to St. Helena every Tuesday and Saturday between December 2018 and April 2019.

These are also the best months to visit the island of just 4,500 people, both weather-wise and with regard to wildlife. During this season, massive whale sharks come to St. Helena during their migration, where they can often be spotted hunting for plankton near the coast. It’s also a great location for diving — just steer clear of the sharks — and hiking through the island’s many dramatic natural landscapes.

“The expansion of flights,” said Helene Bennett, the island’s Director of Tourism, “opens up plenty of opportunities for prospective visitors to the island. During the summer season, visitors can expect to see the island’s incredible mix of heritage and walking, and the chance to spot spectacular marine life including magnificent whale sharks.”

H/T: Lonely Planet

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The post One of the world’s most remote islands just got a lot more accessible appeared first on Matador Network.

Traditional fish pie in Mousehole

As wild winds and stormy seas signal the arrival of winter, the Cornish village of Mousehole (pronounced Mowzel) near Lands End welcomes the weather with Stargazy pie. It looks like any other pie with a buttery, flaky crust except for one small detail: There are fish heads and tails poking out of the top crust, giving the illusion that fish are swimming through it.

Eating a pie full of fish heads is not to everyone’s taste; it’s a very special tradition for this little village in Britain. Variations on the pie are served throughout England, but every Stargazy pie can be traced back to one small fishing community and its story of how it avoided famine in the 1500s.

The story of Tom Bawcock

Photo: ian woolcock/Shutterstock

In the past, when storms raged around the coast of Cornwall, fishermen couldn’t make it out past the harbor to fish. Each storm season was a threat to the entire region as people in the village would starve without the fresh catch. That was the case one December in the 16th century.

According to legend, Mousehole faced a particularly stormy December one year. As food became increasingly scarce, it was clear that the villagers would starve by Christmas. An old fisherman named Tom Bawcock decided to do something about it. He took his boat out and sailed through narrow Mousehole Harbour to face the stormy seas beyond the walls. The villagers noticed his boat was gone, and they lit lanterns and candles in the windows to guide him back to safety.

Somehow, Bawcock was successful. He caught a full boatload of seven types of fish before heading back home to safety. Mousehole welcomed him back as a savior and baked his entire catch into a massive fish pie. The fish heads and tails were arranged to poke out of the top of the pie to prove that there was indeed fish in it. Ever since that day, Mousehole celebrates Tom Bawcock’s Eve on December 23 with Stargazy pie.

This being a legend, there are a couple of competing theories as to how December 23 became fish head pie day in Mousehole. One alternative, yet wildly less entertaining, story is that the local fishermen gave thanks each Christmas and looked forward to the following year by baking a huge pie. Another legend is that villagers in Cornwall simply baked everything into pie, and that’s what protected the region from the Devil because he was terrified it would happen to him.

The truth, like pretty much every truth in history, is probably somewhere in the middle. It’s the Tom Bawcock story that really stole the heart of the Cornish people, though.

On Tom Bawcock’s Eve, there’s a lantern parade through the village, and one of the locals dresses as Tom carrying the pie. The villagers sing traditional songs, and a verse is recited in the local dialect before the pie is served to the fishing community and visitors:

A merry plaas you may believe

woz Mowsel pon Tom Bawcock’s Eve.

To be theer then oo wudn wesh

To sup o sibm soorts o fesh!

Wen morgee brath ad cleard tha path

Comed lances for a fry,

An then us had a bet o scad

an starry gazee py.

Nex cumd fermaads, braa thustee jaads

As maad ar oozles dry,

An ling an haak, enough to maak

a raunen shark to sy!

A aech wed clunk as ealth wer drunk

En bumpers bremmen y,

An wen up caam Tom Bawcock’s naam

We praesed un to tha sky

Where to eat Stargazy pie

Photo: Ship Inn Mousehole/Facebook

A Stargazy pie is traditionally made from seven types of fish. Generally, this is white fish such as ling, hake, haddock, or coley, mixed with herbs and lemon zest. A layer of grated eggs and mashed potato is included, followed by a pastry lid.

You’ll find variations of Stargazy pie across England, but as a Cornishwoman, I recommend eating the authentic dish in Mousehole on December 23 at the Ship Inn. There, Stargazy pie is offered free on a first-come-first-served basis, but donations to local charities are appreciated. The tradition is centered on this pub, and it’s the best place to taste Stargazy — if you’re lucky enough to get a piece.


More like this: The most popular Christmas desserts around the world

The post It’s not Christmas in Mousehole without this fish head pie appeared first on Matador Network.

Life in the most affordable US city

Millennials will never be able to afford houses.

This is the doomsday premonition of a lot of headlines these days — written mostly by people in New York and San Francisco, talking mostly to people in New York and San Francisco.

Granted unreachable home prices aren’t exclusively the domain of NYC and the Bay Area; half of 18- to 34-year-olds in the United States spend over 30 percent of their income on housing, and 12 million people across age ranges spend over half.

But outrageous rents and grossly inflated home prices aren’t a problem everywhere. Peruse any list of “America’s Most Affordable Cities” and you’ll see loads of locales with average rents under $800 and median home prices under $150,000.

You’ll also see loads of sexy names like Dayton, Ohio, or Wichita, Kansas — cities people only know because of the NCAA tournament and that one line from “Seven Nation Army.”

People reading these lists usually disregard said affordable cities, dismissing them with a flip, “Yeah, but who’d ever want to live there?” without ever setting foot in town. So after seeing Fort Wayne, Indiana — known only to sports geeks as the place the Pistons played before Detroit — atop a Niche.com list of America’s most affordable cities, I set out to see if Fort Wayne was indeed a viable alternative to overpriced big city life.

An affordable place where city living is easy

Photo: Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

Northeastern Indiana isn’t exactly a place people vacation. It’s a pretty, hard-working, pastoral landscape of rolling hills and picturesque farmhouses. But the shores of South Beach it is not. Still, there was a certain rural beauty to the place in mid-fall, where a drive into the city brings you past landscapes that feel like they jumped straight out of a Mellencamp song.

It’s not at all an expensive place to live. The median home price is a smidge over $103,000, and the average rent is $592. That’s with a median salary of around $39,000, which may seem low if you live in major metros but goes a lot farther here.

Its downtown is small but surprisingly cosmopolitan, where during a short walk from the city’s snazzy new minor league baseball stadium to Gnometown Brewing I passed Fortezza and Conjure Coffee, full of bundled-up mobile workers buried in their laptops, sipping on house-roasted coffee drinks and local craft beer. It could have been the middle of Portland — except my latte was less than $3.

The downtown streets were devoid of the cacophony of honking horns and jackhammers. The air was cold but smelled like air instead of car exhaust. The entire downtown experience just felt simpler.

After about 10 minutes, I arrived at Gnometown Brewing to learn the finer points of making beer from Brewmaster Mike Flaherty, who, in between teaching me how to appropriately add hops, told me about life in Summit City.

“It’s easy, it’s affordable, and there’s just about everything here,” he said once, then again in not so many words, several times throughout our conversation.

Is Fort Wayne really a city with “everything”?

“Everything” is a subjective idea. Beer and baseball might be enough for corn-fed Andy Dwyer types like myself. But some would contend a city needs more than that to be “livable.”

“Everything” to some means culture. To that, Fort Wayne could raise you a ballet and an art museum, as well as two regional universities at Indiana Tech and Purdue University Fort Wayne.

It’s also home to the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library, the largest of its kind east of Utah. It’s one of the city’s largest visitor draws, boasting endless rows of phone books, census records, and photo journals from across the US and Canada. It’s a completely free place to do some of the most personally fascinating research possible and an easy place to lose yourself for a day researching family history.

Photo: Junk Ditch Brewing Company/Facebook

Restaurants are always at the top of a city’s quality of life factors, and Food & Wine recently named Fort Wayne one of its “Hipster Hotspots” for its burgeoning restaurant scene. The city has enough options to keep casual diners entertained, with spots like the new-Latin Proximo, Shigs in Pit Barbecue, and farm-to-table Tolon all offering a sensational variety for a city its size. I also enjoyed the food at the Three Rivers Distilling, brunch at Junk Ditch Brewing, and craft cocktails in the cave-like Copper Spoon, which could hold its own with anything from New York. Over five days, I didn’t have a single bad meal.

Photo: Copper Spoon/Facebook

“Everything” can also mean recreational opportunities, which I found in abundance in Ft. Wayne. The city sits at the confluence of three rivers — the St. Joseph, St. Mary’s, and Maumee — and you can follow each one out of town or into regional parks in a matter of minutes. Biking down the city’s Rivergreenway, I sped through bright fall colors, past old bridges and waterside warehouses into forested parklands. And aside from a couple of families out for a weekend stroll, I didn’t have to fight other cyclists to enjoy it.

But it all boils down to the people.

Amenities are great to put on a magazine’s livability checklist. But what a city really must have to make it livable is great people. And, as one might expect from the Midwest, the people are what make Fort Wayne such an inviting place.

My first night in town I went to a show at the recently renovated Clyde Theatre, an old Art Deco movie theater that was renovated this spring and turned into a first-class performance venue. It was during this concert that I chatted up the bartenders at the Clyde, who seemed not only surprised but also downright mystified that I was visiting from Miami.

Photo: Clyde Theatre/Facebook

“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone visiting from there,” the tattooed blonde working the main lobby bar told me as she handed me a Sun King beer. “But if you like dive bars and live music, there’s tons to do.”

The blonde woman and her burly, bearded coworker then wrote down all the bars and music venues I needed to hit. Throwing out the names of a few breweries and restaurants too. It was the kind of enthusiastic midwestern friendliness we just don’t see in big cities.

Later that night my new friends from the Clyde invited me to Mad Anthony Brewing, where I found a bar jam-packed with younger people who’d moved back from Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, and other big cities. Nearly all of them were saying that they’d found nothing in those places that was worth more than what they had in Fort Wayne.

“It was rated the most affordable city in America,” they told me with the same pride a Duke alum might tell you US News ranked it higher than Stanford.

From there we visited a blur of live-music venues and laid-back bars until finally settling down at the Brass Rail, a grungy dive with a live metal band. My friend from the Clyde introduced me to a mild-mannered guy slouched over a beer. His name was Rick Kinney, the man responsible for the rebirth of the Clyde.

“I loved your venue,” I said. He smiled and nodded and told me a little about how he started the project. By 2:30 AM he was inviting me to Sunday brunch and another show at the Clyde. A day in, and I’d made three new friends. As young people often cite meeting people and making friends as the hardest part of relocation, in Fort Wayne, this didn’t seem to be a problem.

A city optimistic about its future

Photo: Electric Works

“This is going to be big,” Kevan Biggs told me as we stood atop the rickety rooftop of the old GE campus just northeast of downtown. The October sun lit up the reds and yellows of the trees that stretch into the skyline a mile or so away. “Fort Wayne is on the verge of becoming something really special, and we’re going to be a big catalyst of that.”

The cataclysm he’s talking about is Electric Works, a $300 million multi-use project that aims to turn the dilapidated old GE campus — now a sprawling brick industrial park spanning 39 acres — into a thriving urban hub. It’ll use the classic formula of combining residential, commercial, and hotel space to give Fort Wayne a rehabbed relic to attract young professionals, complete with a rooftop bar. It’s a project much in the mold of the Crosstown Concourse in Memphis or Bull Street in Columbia, South Carolina.

Biggs’s optimism is uplifting, brimming with civic pride. But the reality is Fort Wayne isn’t exactly exploding. Just over 1,500 people a year have moved here since 2010, a respectable figure but hardly putting it on the verge of becoming the next Nashville.

Photo: Electric Works

But as housing becomes more expensive in big cities, Biggs — and developers like him in smaller cities — are banking on millennials flocking to smaller cities. And the restored brick and industrial chic at Electric Works is exactly the kind of place that he expects to draw them.

I’m not sure my time in Fort Wayne had me sold on moving, but if I were looking for an affordable place to live, it wasn’t lacking. Yes, it was a bit cold. And no, it didn’t have the diversity or energy of my home in Miami. But there wasn’t a moment there where the city felt minor league. The food was great, sports were energized, the bars were fun, and the people were friendly. Best of all, I think I spent $400 during the entire weekend on food and entertainment, which could easily be spent in one night at home. So imagining a life here was not so impossible — if I ever got sick of big city stresses and want something easier with the same amenities, I could do a lot worse than Fort Wayne. And I wouldn’t have to mortgage my future to do it.


More like this: 9 cities you should move to while you can still afford them

The post Is your city pricing you out? Here’s what life could be like in America’s most affordable city appeared first on Matador Network.

Best ski resorts for gay ski week

The dates of Gay Ski Week vary by resort, but one thing is consistent across the board — the word “ski” is used very loosely in practice. You can hop on one or two planks and hit the mountain as much as you wish — there’s always a group of diehards ready to hike the bowl if that’s what you’re into — but the real action begins with the après-ski scene around 3:00 PM and stretches deep into the evening. Parties last anywhere from a few days to a full week, but you’ll learn on night one why dancing, drag, and fine dining are better at altitude. Here’s everything you need to know about the best gay ski weeks.

Aspen Gay Ski Week, Aspen, Colorado

January 13-20, 2019

Photo: Aspen Gay Ski Week

Aspen is the anchor of the Gay Ski Week concept, hosting its annual week-long ticketed event since 1977. Don’t show up unless you’re ready for a full-on throwdown. The event is a three-way mashup of a festival, conference, and drag party, complete with an opening cocktail reception at the Hotel Jerome and town-wide decor that would make the artists of San Francisco’s Castro District proud. The event offers guided on-mountain tours of both Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands throughout the week, nightly dinners, and après-ski events, but what you really come for is the parties. The legendary AGSW Downhill Costume Contest takes place on January 18, and there are dance parties and after-hours events on the daily. Passes start at $375.

Utah Gay Ski Week, Park City, Utah

February 21-24, 2019

Photo: Utah Gay Ski Week

Elevation Utah heads to Park City to throw the best LGBTQ party in the state each February, a long weekend that is at once both raging and fantastically quaint. Park City is the epitome of everything a ski town should be: chalet-style lodging that almost convinces you that you’re in Switzerland, fine-dining establishments set in buildings that look like they used to be a schoolhouse, a bus that drops you right at the slopes, and, even in Utah, a baller après-ski scene.

The one party you absolutely cannot miss is called GEAR. On the second to last night, don whatever eccentric gear you have — preferably made of leather — and hit the dance floor at O.P. Rockwell until the chafing sets in. The night before is the infamous STAG party. A VIP Weekend Pass runs just $170, and you’ll save 40% off that price if you happen to live in Utah. You can also buy individual event passes. Utah Gay Ski Week grew popular enough that Elevation now hosts additional Gay Ski Week parties in Mammoth Lakes, CA, (March 13-17) and Tremblant, Quebec, (January 31-February 3) should one of those locations be more to your liking.

Telluride Gay Ski Week, Telluride, Colorado

February 23-March 2, 2019

Photo: Telluride Gay Ski Week/Facebook

Aspen gets all the glamour. Not only is the town the spitting image of all things expensive and chic, but it also gets the cheesy movies, the iconic writers, and lest we forget, the most notorious gay ski week. It may not seem fair, but don’t go booking that private jet just yet. There’s actually a small town down in southern Colorado where you can dress up just as provocatively, party just as hard, and spend at least as much money for accommodations. That town is Telluride, which played host to the filming of a far more badass movie and is also known to throw a killer party now and then. Plus, the on-mountain experience is better than Aspen’s, proven beyond a doubt by the selfie you’re bound to take as you ski right by Oprah’s mountain home.

Telluride Gay Ski Week mixes dog-sledding and ice skating with drag queens and dance parties, a combination sure to whet your fire even if you only spend one day on the hill. There are daily après-ski parties and group skiing, and you definitely want to hit the Friday night drag show at the historic Sheridan Opera House.

Whistler Pride & Ski Festival, Whistler, BC, Canada

January 20-27, 2019

Photo: Whistler Pride and Ski Festival/Facebook

Whoever said “everything is bigger in Texas” clearly hasn’t been to Whistler. Whistler/Blackcomb has over 8,000 skiable acres, making it North America’s largest ski area, and the parties in the three villages that make up the resort’s extensive base area are equally as huge. Whistler Pride & Ski Festival, the town’s annual pride event, takes over the village each January. After your pick of fetish parties, dinner parties, dance parties, and the closing party, you’re definitely not going to return home refreshed and rejuvenated. And that’s before you even get any skiing in.

At some point, you may realize you didn’t spend enough time taking in the mind-blowing natural beauty of the BC high country, but it’s all good — your crew likely has plenty of photos of you minimally dressed and shrieking with a mountain in the background. And if not, you can stare longingly out the window as you nurse your aching head on the Sea-to-Sky Highway while riding back to the Vancouver airport.

Arosa Gay Ski Week, Arosa, Switzerland

January 19-26, 2019

Photo: Arosa Gay Ski Week/Facebook

Before you ask where Arosa is, there’s something you need to know: It basically pioneered the gay ski week concept before there was even a label for it. Its location in Eastern Switzerland is more than worth the trip because the resort is hands down the world’s most gay-friendly ski area. The flag flies here all season, literally, not just for one week each January — so if you’re a skier looking for the right time to make a jaunt overseas, this might just be the moment. Arosa Gay Ski Week is not only a celebration but also a full-on right of passage for Europe’s gay skiing community. The fact that you’re partying above the treeline with the Weisshorn and Rothorn in the background only amplifies the awesomeness.

A top-tier pass runs about $225 and offers access to the constant schedule of parties, demos, and private get-togethers throughout the week. The event is known for its disco parties but also allows for plenty of time to sunbathe in the Tschuggen hut, relax over cocktails in the base area, play a game of ice hockey, and maybe even get some skiing in.


More like this: The 7 best places for gay travel

The post The best resorts for gay ski week appeared first on Matador Network.

Family hiring travel photographer

If you’re a photographer looking to get paid to travel the world and take pictures, you don’t have to hit it big with a famous magazine. All you have to do is follow this rich family around the world all year and photograph pretty much anything they want. Not that you had any doubts, but the $100,000 salary — in addition to the travel perks — should erase any hesitations. Perfocal, a photographer booking service, was contacted by the family with the unique request.

Photo: Perfocal

After Perfocal provided an email, a family member followed up with more details.

Photo: Perfocal

The family recently lost its semi-permanent photographer and is now looking for a replacement to capture all the magical travel moments in their lives. Clearly quite wealthy, the family owns properties in Europe, North and South America, and Australia. The terms of the job are fairly straightforward. “We need someone to travel around the world with us and take photos,” the email says. “It is important that the selected person is able to leave home at short notice and be okay with potentially traveling for most of the year, sometimes coming home for no more than a few days at a time.”

While it might sound like a lot of work, the benefits are pretty enticing. According to the email, “The photographer will be expected to travel for up to three months at a time, should work up to 10 hours on days of work, and will receive full sick pay and 30 days of holiday during the year.” All food and accommodation expenses will also be covered for the duration of the year.

The perfect candidate will also have at least five years of experience shooting for the rich and famous and must be prepared to undergo a comprehensive background check and interview process.

The family is choosing to remain anonymous due to the high-profile nature of the husband’s job, but since their first trip is planned for February 2019, they’re hoping to fill the position by then. Perfocal founder Tony Xu said, “We process many different types of quotes through the site every week; however, it’s been a while since we’ve seen one this enticing!”

H/T: PetaPixel

More like this: 11 female photographers shaking up our perspectives on India

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The difference between types of yoga

Yoga is certainly a flexible practice. Yogis young and old, new to the practice or advanced in their ability to practice asanas (physical posture), can find classes, teachers, and experiences that fit their goals, even if those goals are ever-changing. Since it was first practiced, yoga has grown like a tree with many branches, and as a result, there are many different types of yoga that you can try all over the world. There are some branches that challenge you physically, and others that don’t involve physical movement at all.

If you’re looking to add yoga to your next vacation or trip, consider trying a new style of yoga. Exploring different parts of the body or styles of meditation can open your mind to a new way to connect with your physical body and the mind. Here’s a list of six different styles of accessible yoga. The locations are merely suggestions; a quick Google search can help you find classes near you, retreats around the world, or even festivals that celebrate a unique style of yoga.

1. Ashtanga yoga — Mysore, India

Photo: Josu Ozkaritz/Shutterstock

Ashtanga is one of the oldest yoga traditions. While ashtanga is a vigorous physical practice, it was developed as “yoga of the mind.” Ashtanga yoga consists of six series; each series includes a set of sun salutations, standing, seated, and closing poses. Mastering the first series can take years, and it’s recommended that yogis practice six days a week.

Mysore is a popular style of teaching ashtanga yoga, named after the place where it was developed. In the Mysore style, each individual completes a set of asanas at their own pace. They rely on their breath to move them throughout the different poses; the instructor will provide one-on-one instruction when appropriate.

Many yoga practitioners complete their teacher training in ashrams throughout Mysore and India. Yoga was developed through spiritual texts in India and many teachers believe it’s most appropriate to train in the place where yoga began.

2. Vinyasa yoga — Melbourne, Australia

Photo: Yoga 213/Facebook

In the world of yoga, ashtanga begets vinyasa. Vinyasa is the type of yoga that most Westerners think of when they’re first introduced to the practice. Vinaysa is a Sanskrit word, meaning “connection.” Practitioners connect their breath with different movements throughout the flow, and there’s a lot of focus put into the physical body. Teachers will instruct the students to inhale and raise their leg or exhale and twist their torso.

While you may be able to expect a similar class if you go to a Bikram or a Kundalini class, teachers have more freedom to change the environment and style of their vinyasa class. Melbourne, for example, has a studio, Yoga 213, where hip-hop lovers can boogie and get their flow on at the same time. As yoga has become more popular, teachers have brought in animals, drinks, and other gimmicks to make the classes more fun and appealing to new yogis. Classes may also have a theme that will strengthen one part of the body or work toward a more advanced “peak pose.”

3. Bikram yoga — Los Angeles, California

Photo: Set and Flow Yoga/Facebook

Bikram is the original form of “hot yoga” that’s offered in vinyasa classes around the world today. Bikram yoga consists of a rigid 90-minute practice that includes 26 asanas and two breathing practices. The practice is done in a room that’s heated to 40 degrees Celsius. Students sweat profusely throughout, and regular practitioners enjoy the feeling of getting a good workout after the practice is complete.

Los Angeles is the home of Bikram yoga; in the 1980s, Bikram Choudhury introduced the practice to Hollywood elite. Now, Bikram is practiced all over the world, but if you’re in Los Angeles, visit Modo Yoga LA or Set and Flow Yoga.

4. Yin and restorative yoga — Bali, Indonesia

Photo: The Yoga Barn – Bali/Facebook

Yin yoga is an alternative to a sweaty, flowing practice. Rather than practicing with a yang (masculine, active, and hot) energy, yin takes a softer approach. Yogis hold poses that stretch out different areas of the body, but with a focus on comfort overreaching their “edge.” Each pose is held for at least one minute, and sometimes for as long as 10 minutes. Restorative yoga is a similar practice that puts an even stronger emphasis on comfort, relaxation, and restoring the body after an active day.

At the Yoga Barn in Bali, practitioners can attend a variety of classes throughout the day. Yin, restorative, and myofascial release classes offer a more relaxing 90-minute practice. Sound healings, yoga nidra, and meditation classes provide a similar sense of calm and relaxation without any movement at all. Bali, specifically Ubud, is becoming one of the hottest places for people to practice yoga and attend wellness retreats that include activities like yoga and surfing. The Yoga Barn is one of the dozens of yoga studios that vacationers can visit in Ubud.

5. Kundalini yoga — Costa Rica

Photo: jevelin/Shutterstock

No matter what style of yoga you practice, breathing is just as important as the physical poses. Pranayama (breathwork) can work wonders for the physical body. In Kundalini yoga, practitioners complete different forms of pranayama, asana, and mantra to bring the feminine and masculine energies in the body together. Whereas ashtanga is “yoga of the mind,” Kundalini is “yoga of awareness.” Rather than sweating and flowing through different asanas, practitioners can expect to move through different mantras and meditations on the different chakras.

Costa Rica is the Western Hemisphere’s Bali; many yoga practitioners go to Costa Rica for yoga and wellness retreats such as Blue Osa. The Central American country is even home to yoga festivals, like Envision. Participants can attend workshops and classes taught by teachers trained in many different types of yoga.

6. Acroyoga — Vancouver, Canada

Photo: Tyshchenko Photography/Shutterstock

Acroyoga is an exciting combination of yoga and acrobatics that encourages a loving, welcoming community. Acro yogis meet up at “jams” to “play,” practicing poses in groups of two or even three. It’s a strong, often spontaneous practice where newbies and travelers can join in at a moment’s notice. Acroyoga is also a feature at many festivals around the globe and is also considered part of the circus arts community.

If you’re interested in acro, you can most likely find a meetup on Facebook. Tight-knit acro communities can be found in cities around the world. Vancouver has one of the biggest acro communities in the Western Hemisphere. Acro classes are taught weekly, and jams meet up throughout the city. Vancouver is also the home to a three-day acro fest led by over a dozen teachers.

Want to branch out?

Again, the styles mentioned above are just a small representation of the yoga world that’s accessible to beginners. If the next city you travel to offers a style of yoga that you’re unfamiliar with, give it a try! Every yoga class is an opportunity to deepen the connection between your body, mind, and soul. Keep an open mind and enjoy the adventure.


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Get holiday gifts at this REI sale

It’s well into December and you haven’t crossed anything off your holiday shopping list. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We combed through all of the items on offer from REI’s Save Now, Be Done Sale and found the best gifts. The sale ends on Monday, December 10, so start shopping.

Gift wrap a massage.

Photo: REI

Shop the sale

This is probably the most practical gift that you’ve never thought of giving. When quads are aching after a day of skiing bumps, the Addaday massage roller will be very welcome. Trust us on this one and buy a handful of these for the skiers and athletes in your life. At 40% off — the Type XT roller is just $17.93 — you will knock a lot of presents off your list and make the recipients very happy.

The best stocking stuffer

Photo: REI

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There’s just something appropriate about stuffing a sock on the mantle with, well, a sock. And when it’s a soft and warm merino wool sock from Farm to Feet, it’s also the perfect present on a morning of gift giving. All Farm to Feet socks for men, women, and kids are 30% off.

Warm hands, warm heart

Photo: REI

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Keeping your hands warm is just about the toughest, and most important, part of your ski attire. Gauntlet gloves have waterproof and breathable Gore-tex shells, and long cuffs to keep the snow out of your wrists. And they’re just $41.89, which is 40% off the already-low REI Outlet price. Do yourself or your giftee a favor with a new pair of gloves or mittens this winter. It’ll be the best investment, or gift, of the season.

You can keep your hat on.

Photo: REI

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Super warm, reversible, and you can fit it in your pocket. What more can we say? Thirty percent off, that’s what — at $27.99, down from $40.

Tools, tools, tools

Photo: REI

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Some people just love tools — and the more specialized the tool, the better. If they can fold it up and take it with them everywhere, better yet. All Gerber knives, shovels, multi-tools, forks, and even fire-starters are 30% off right now. The Suspension NXT Multi-Tool pictured here is just $20.89.

Perfect for the hill — and après

Photo: REI

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Get your loved ones the layer they need to stay warm out on the hill. This Odlo Performance top looks like a hip, form-fitting turtleneck. But when the wind is howling, and it’s snowing sideways, it becomes a warm base layer with a protective face mask. You can’t give a more practical gift to the skier or boarder in your life — and right now it’s down 30% from $100 to $79.99.

This down hoodie is a steal.

Photo: REI

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Yes, this ultra warm, lightweight, water-resistant down jacket with a hoodie is 50% off, available for just $93.99. It comes in three colors, and there are men’s and women’s versions.

A welcome change from fleece

Photo: REI

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These pullover hoodies are a refreshing change from fleece. They come in perfect tones of garnet red, nocturnal blue, and shark grey. They’re toasty warm, and right now, they’re 25% off at just $44.99.

The best gift for a new parent

Photo: REI

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Experienced parents know that the very best way to get back in shape after welcoming a baby into the world is with a solid, high-quality jog stroller. They also know that it’s one of many expenses that will keep adding up. Give the new parents you know a gift they’ll cherish: a BOB Revolution Flex stroller. Regularly priced at $450, it’s now 30% off at $314.99.

For the older kid, a bicycle

Photo: REI

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There’s no better gift for the kid in your life than a bicycle. And Diamondback has been making good looking, high-quality, well-priced kids’ bikes for decades. This holiday season, REI has made them even more attractive — irresistible, in fact — with a 40% discount. The girls’ Clarity bike is down from $300 to $178.99, and the boys’ Insight is down from $309 to $184.99.

New Year’s resolutions

Photo: REI

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If your New Year’s resolution includes getting outside and hiking more, then click through to see the multiple Keen styles on sale for men and women. Keen’s high-quality and ridiculously comfortable hiking footwear — together with good-looking styles for a variety of terrain — have made it one of the best-selling makers of outdoor footwear. And REI has it all for at least 20% off. These Women’s Terradora leather waterproof hikers are $111.89, down from $135.95.

Get ready for summer camping, right now.

Photo: REI

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We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. The best time to get gear for summer hiking is right now — as it’s when you’ll find the best deals. REI is offering this Trailogic TN4 tent for 40% off, down from $379.95 to just $224.99.

You’ve got the tent. Now sleep in it.

Photo: REI

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Hurry up and buy these Sea to Summit sleeping bags because quantities are limited and, at clearance pricing, they are going fast.

Matador’s “What to pack” team works with top brands whose values we believe in, and we scour the internet to bring you the best deals on gear. When you buy the products we’ve reviewed, we earn a small affiliate commission.


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