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Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia

The annual Golden Eagle Festival in western Mongolia, near the town of Ölgii, is fast becoming one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. The tradition of capturing and taming young eagles and training them to hunt wild animals such as foxes dates back many hundreds of years for the Kazakh nomads who live in this area of Mongolia.

Each year, hunters gather to celebrate this tradition, listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, at the Golden Eagle Festival. Adventure travel photographer Andrew Peacock was there in early October and captured these amazing images to tell the story of the festival.

For more images by Andrew Peacock, check out his Instagram profile.




1

Eagle hunters gather on the opening morning in a grand parade as the crowd builds around the arena.

2

An eagle takes flight from a handler on the rocky outcrop above the arena in response to calls from its owner far below. Depending on which circle the hunter is in when the eagle lands on their arm determines their score, i.e. six, eight, or 10, the maximum amount of points. Circle 10 is the farthest away from the hill where the eagles are released; therefore, it takes the hunter a stronger voice to call out to their bird, and it takes the bird a greater amount of time to reach its hunter. The game is timed, so hunters aiming for Circle 10 need to have a fast bird.

3

A few years ago, a young woman named Aisholpan made history as the first female to compete at the festival. She won the “Best Horse and Equipment” prize that year and was the subject of a popular documentary called The Eagle Huntress. Now, other young women like this hunter at the 2018 festival are following in Aisholpan’s footsteps.

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4

A hooded golden eagle is rested and tethered beside a ger between competitions.

5

This once-a-year event is an opportunity for locals to sell traditional clothing and textiles to visitors from Mongolia and overseas.

6

A young eagle hunter braces at the impact of an 18-pound eagle landing at full flying speed on his outstretched arm, protected from sharp claws by a thick leather glove called a biyalai.

7

An eagle hunter faces the judges’ podium and receives a top score of 10 in the competition. Hunters are judged by how well-trained their eagles are.

8

An eagle hunter has successfully called for his eagle to fly from the release point high on the nearby hillside to land on his arm. A piece of meat is used to entice the eagle to land quickly as the time taken to reach the hunter is taken into account in the judges’ score. Note that there were no live animals used as bait during the 2018 Golden Eagle Festival.

9

Since the release of the documentary The Eagle Huntress, the festival has become very famous. Each year, it attracts more and more visitors and journalists eager to learn more about the hunters and their way of life.

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10

Hunters keep their eagles' eyes covered by a small leather hood, or tomagha, to pacify them when not training or hunting.

11

One of the events of the festival is the Kumis Alu event, literally “pick up the coin.” This game is a real test of horsemanship as it requires the competitors to gallop a horse at full speed while reaching to pick up a coin wrapped in cloth placed on the ground.

12

Father and daughter eagle hunters wait and observe on the sidelines of the festival.

13

In this event, the aim is for the hunter to call an eagle from the rocky hill far away and entice it to land on the “prey” - an animal carcass being dragged behind the horse.

14

A man on horseback wearing a colourful traditional Kazakh cloak watches the events from the edge of the arena, waiting to compete.

15

Kokpar is a popular event where two horse riders grapple for possession of a decapitated goat carcass.

16

The beautiful Altai mountains near the town of Ölgii in western Mongolia where the Golden Eagle Festival takes place every year.

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Trendy “health foods” that are bad

Thanks to the global economy, someone in Indiana can go to the supermarket at any time of the year and buy a fresh avocado. Also thanks to the global economy, avocado farmers in Chile are exacerbating a regional drought with illegal pipes and wells in order to irrigate their fields. Avocados, along with other foods like almonds and coconuts, are increasingly becoming unsustainable as “healthy food” becomes more popular.

CDA, an appliance manufacturer in the UK, recently gathered information on trendy “health food” to see how the popularity of different crops is impacting the planet. It looked at avocados, quinoa, soy beans, bananas, coconuts, chocolate, peanut butter, and almonds. The impact these foods have on the producing regions ranged from deforestation to child labor to drought. For many foods, it wasn’t the production itself, it was the sheer amount of production driven by popular health trends over the past decade.

Take avocados, for example. The US alone imported six times as many avocados in 2017 than it did in 2001. It takes 370 liters (97 gallons) of water to produce around three avocados, according to CDA. The overwhelming majority of avocados are grown in drought-prone areas of Mexico and California. As demand shot up and avocados became a superfood put on everything from toast to ice cream, a lot more water started going to avocado farms.

Each food had its own downfall. Soybean farmers are cutting into South American rainforests, coconut farms are replacing coastal mangrove forests, the chocolate industry pays an estimated two million children less than $1 a day — the list goes on.

Don’t take this as a call to stop eating healthy. Processed foods have their own issues and a troubling carbon footprint. Think of it instead as a nudge to eat local goods as much as possible. What and how people eat says a lot about a culture, making eating locally one of the best ways to learn about a place. Besides, do you really need that avocado latte?

Photo: CDA

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Cycle for free stuff in Italy

The city of Bologna, Italy, is hoping to incentivize people to take more sustainable methods of transportation by offering free beer, ice cream, and movie tickets to those who ditch their cars.

Bologna, a city of 388,000 people in northern Italy, initiated a program called Bella Mossa, or “good job,” in 2017. It was developed by an urban planner named Marco Amadori to reward people who are walking, cycling, or using public transportation to get to their destination. Points are given for each journey on an app called Better Points, and those points can be swapped for goods at participating local businesses.

Bella Mossa is designed for locals, but sustainability-minded travelers can use it as well. Each person can log a maximum of four trips each day for 200 points each, with something like an ice cream costing 3,000 points. If making the world a little greener while earning free treats isn’t enough, the app also shows how much CO2 you’ve kept from entering the atmosphere. Cue the sustainability commuter competitions.

Around 100 businesses are participating, and they’re compensated by funds from Bologna’s city government and the European Union. Bella Mossa’s goal to reduce CO2 emissions appears to be working. According to the BBC, more than 3.7 million kilometers (2.3 million miles) have been logged in Bologna, and 16,000 reward vouchers have been claimed.

The program runs from April to September, so if Bologna is in your 2019 travel plans, prepare to get to stepping.

H/T: BBC

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Best Diwali celebrations

India is an obvious choice for anyone looking to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. But it’s far from the only option. All around the world, Diwali participants decorate their homes with oil lamps known as diyas and colorful mandalas called kolam. Fireworks spread across the skies of celebrating cities from Australia to the US to close out epic, days-long fairs. Whether you want to find a venue to observe the triumph of light over dark in a traditional fashion or simply wish to expand your cultural horizons, consider visiting these festive destinations between October and November for the ultimate Diwali gatherings.

1. Melbourne, Australia

Photo: Celebrate India inc./Facebook

Hinduism is among the fastest growing religions in Australia. Sydney has the largest Hindu population, but runner-up Melbourne takes first prize in Diwali festivities. Celebrate India puts on a massive event in Federation Square complete with Bollywood performances, food stalls, henna painting, and more. Then the whole thing ends with a bang in the form of a glorious fireworks display over the Yarra River. Join in on the fun this November 3rd from noon to 10:00 PM. The festival is free for celebrants of all ages.

2. Singapore

Photo: tristan tan/Shutterstock

Diwali is called Deepavali in Singapore, but the festival of lights still shines as bright. The best place to celebrate is Little India, which gets done up in lights and flooded with floral wreaths come Kartik, the darkest month according the Hindu calendar. The city is alive with the festival spirit from the end of October to early November with rituals like Thimithi, a fire-walking procession on Serangoon Road, held a week before the day of Deepavali. This year, visitors to Little India on November 6th can expect music and dance, performances on the history of the holiday, folk games, henna tattoos, and plenty of good food.

3. San Antonio, Texas

Photo: Anuja SA

2018 marks the 10th anniversary of the Festival of Lights in San Antonio, one of the grandest Diwali celebrations in the US. Floating candles illuminate the River Walk, and fireworks burst above the city, but the event also features performances and activities that celebrate Indian culture at large. Get your fill of bangles and barfi, a condensed-milk-based fudge, at the craft and food stalls, then dance the night away by the DJ booths. Brought to you by Anuja San Antonio and the city itself, the free Diwali SA festivities will be held at Hemisfair Park from 5:00 PM to midnight on Saturday, November 3rd this year.

4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Photo: Aureliy/Shutterstock

Deepavali is an official holiday in Malaysia, and capital city Kuala Lumpur does it right. Most of the Indian restaurants and shops close for observance, but the residents of the city open their doors to family, friends, and even strangers during Deepavali. Note that if you plan on attending an open house, a small offering of fruit or flowers is the polite way to do things. After sampling delicious home-cooked delicacies, head to Little India on the banks of the Klang River to see countless floating candles honoring Lakshmi and Lord Rama. Then, be sure to attend the 400-booth carnival at the Bukit Jalil Stadium on November 6th for the closing festivities. Admission is free.

5. Leicester, England

Photo: Visit Leicester

Leicester is reputed to host one of the best Diwali fests outside of India, running from October 28th to November 11th this year. To celebrate, make a beeline for the Golden Mile stretch of Belgrave Road where you’ll find the best Indian restaurants in town, as well as a massive street party and fireworks display come November 7th. When the actual holiday rolls around, wander over to the Diwali Village at the Cossington Street Recreation Ground for a slew of fun events starting at 6:00 PM. Annual highlights include food, crafts, and fashion bazaars; folk music and dance performances, including Bollywood demonstrations where you can learn a few moves; and activities catered toward children and families. For more information, check out the Leicester Diwali 2018 guide.

6. Trinidad and Tobago

Photo: StanislavBeloglazov/Shutterstock

These twin islands off the coast of Venezuela share large East Indian and Hindu populations, organizing grand Diwali celebrations with a bit of Caribbean flair. Clay pots, also called diyas, are filled with coconut oil and spread across the islands in the days leading up to Diwali, and colorful kolam drawings made from rice flour and chalk decorate everything from sidewalks to front porches. The festivities culminate in an event known as Divali Nagar, a night fair in Chaguanas, Trinidad, filled with food, music, dance, henna, and traditional fashions. Of course, there’s also a fireworks show.

7. Amritsar, India

Photo: Alexander Mazurkevich/Shutterstock

No list of dedicated Diwali destinations could ever exclude India. While the entire subcontinent takes part in the festivities, the Golden Temple in Amritsar might just be the most mind-blowing place to celebrate. Crowds of both Sikhs and Hindus gather around the holy Sikh pilgrimage site, which reflects thousands of glowing lights in its surrounding pool, as well as bright bursts during the fireworks display come nighttime. The festivities don’t end there, though. Candle-lighting rituals, prayers known as pooja, and street-food feasts carry on throughout the night. For a true taste of Diwali without any gimmicks, the Golden Temple is the place to be.


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The post The most amazing Diwali celebrations around the world appeared first on Matador Network.

11 foods to try in Tucson

Modern Tucson, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, was built on top of a 4,000-year-old farming village. How’s that for culinary distinctiveness? Taking cues from this history, chefs here have mastered the tastes of the Sonoran Desert. “Eating local” means savoring rare flavors like agave, prickly pear, and chiltepín. And while the taco will always have a special place in our hearts (as evidenced by its popping up multiple times on this list), there’s plenty of room for more.

1. Chiltepin Cold Brew – EXO Roast Co.

Photo: Julius Schlosburg for EXO Roast Co.

If there were ever a perfect place to enjoy your daily coffee fix chilled, it’s Southern Arizona. Head to EXO Roast Co. on North Sixth Avenue for energy-producing bottled cold brews. Their mesquite cold brew will definitely hit the spot, but it’s their sweet and spicy chiltepín-infused cold-brewed coffee that gets the most attention. The rare and tiny chiltepín chiles used in their brew are sourced from the foothills of the Sierra Madres, and their spiciness adds a little extra punch — on top of that caffeine hit.

EXO Roast Co. is open from 7am to 6pm daily, with live music some nights and the chance to get some late-day breakfast no matter the schedule. The EXO Bar is open Thursday – Saturday, 6pm – 11pm.

2. The Sonoran hot dog – El Guero Canelo

Cities around the US all seem to have their own take on the humble hot dog, but it’s the Tucson Sonoran hot dog that received the James Beard Award. And don’t you forget it.

How’s it different from the grub at your family BBQ? It’s not…assuming your uncle whips up a bacon-wrapped dog stuffed into a traditional Mexican-style bolillo bun and throws in jalapeño sauce (“just for a bit of a kick”) along with beans, grilled onions, tomatoes, mayo, and mustard. And, you know, he’s an award-winning chef.

And since that’s probably not the case, grab a dog at El Güero Canelo (three locations around Tucson; the fourth is a meat market). The owner, Daniel Contreras, is a baseball fanatic, so it should come as no surprise that he’d craft the perfect hot dog.

3. Tucson’s original Mexican restaurant – El Charro Café

Photo: El Charro Café

This place is practically a local a pilgrimage site. El Charro Café, the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family, has been serving residents of Tucson for over 95 years. Monica Flin, the café’s founder, is often credited as the creator of the much-loved deep-fried burrito, or chimichanga.

You can still visit the café’s original location in downtown Tucson on N. Court Avenue, as well as newer locations in the Foothills area and Oro Valley. The staples — burritos, tacos, and carne seca (their most famous dish aside from the chimi) — are too heavenly to be judged, and you’ll find a number of vegan and gluten-free options as well.

4. Raspados – all over the city

There’s no better way to cool down from the intense summer heat than with a raspado. Think a snowcone or shaved ice but fancier — none of those sugary rainbow syrups, but instead heaps of real fruit and real fruit juice. This intense frozen treat can be found throughout Mexico, Central America, and thankfully right here in Tucson.

Order your raspado with lechera, or sweetened condensed milk, for an extra sweet punch that pairs well with pineapple or strawberry. If you’re more in the mood for an ice cream raspado, look for the menu option that includes nieve. For more of an authentic Mexican flavor, try your raspado with a bit of lime juice, saladitos (salted, dried plums often coated in sugar or chili), or some sweet-and-sour chamoy sauce.

You’ll find raspados around Tucson, but it’s worth tracking down Crush Gourmet Raspados — which operates out of a roaming food truck — or heading to Oasis Fruit Cones for their famous strawberry and mango version.

5. Whiskey del Bac – Hamilton Distillers

Photo: Tim Fuller for Hamilton Distillers

There’s no better way to experience the true “spirit” of Tucson than by knocking back a bit of mesquite-smoked whiskey. Tucson’s Hamilton Distillers dry their malt over a mesquite fire using a tree native to the Sonoran Desert known as velvet mesquite — instead of peat — to create a flavor distinct to the American Southwest.

The distillery is Arizona’s only malt house, and it’s open for public tastings and tours. One-hour tours are offered on Saturdays for all ages, but only those 21 and over will be allowed to sample their famous Del Bac Dorado mesquite-smoked whiskey. (Note that reservations are required and can be booked online through their website.)

6. Traditional Mexican pastries – La Estrella Bakery

Panaderías, or Mexican bakeries, have mastered a sort-of fusion cuisine. Europeans introduced wheat to Mexico and brought with them their bread-making techniques, and then many an abuelita went on to add her own local ingredients — and baking tricks — to create a wide range of delectable sweet breads.

Tucson’s La Estrella Bakery has two locations to sample tasty croissant-looking cuernitos, elotes, hebillas, and lenos. Known as pan dulce, these Mexican sweet breads come in a variety of sizes, colors, and flavors. They’re often topped with a sugar-crust pastry and eaten with coffee, milk, or hot chocolate. They’ve become a staple throughout Mexico and Latin America — and right here in Tucson.

7. The Pico de Gallo Fruit Cup – Taqueria Pico de Gallo

Photo: Visit Tucson

You may be familiar with pico de gallo, that chunky Mexican salsa of chopped tomato, onion, pepper, and cilantro. But unless you’ve been to Tuscon — and specifically Taqueria Pico de Gallo — you don’t know the Pico de Gallo Fruit Cup. We’re talking huge chunks of coconut, pineapple, watermelon, mango, jicama (the exact ingredients vary depending on what’s fresh and in season) topped with lime juice and Tajín, a combo spice of chile powder, lime powder, and salt. That part’s optional, but the spice really brings out the sweet flavors in the fruit.

It’s the perfect snack, or makes for a great dessert to follow the excellent fish tacos that grace the menu here.

8. Craft beer infusions – Pueblo Vida Brewing Co.

If you’re looking to up your cred on your Untappd profile, get to Pueblo Vida Brewing Co. Finding rare beers doesn’t have to be a quest — just sit down in their taproom and get to ordering. It’s about working smarter, not harder.

The small downtown taproom offers a collection of local brews — IPAs, pilsners, stouts — but it’s Pueblo’s special weekly infusions that make headlines. Every Tuesday, they throw an extra-special ingredient into one keg of their traditional brews. The single-keg concoction is only available at their taproom, making it an actual “limited edition.”

One of their recent weekly creations was the Prickly Pear Pale Ale infused with fresh lemons — these are brews by a bunch of desert-dwellers, after all. And if you fall in love with the can’t-get-again taste, just grab a growler.

9. Bread crafted with heritage grains – Barrio Bread

Photo: Barrio Bread

Always using locally sourced grains grown and harvested in Southern Arizona, Don Guerra knows the art of the carb. Barrio Bread started out as a small garage operation and has become one of the region’s finest artisan bread-makers. Located in the Broadway Village Shopping Center, Barrio prepares its loaves using the ancient methods of slow fermentation and hearth-baking, resulting in final products that are totally Tucson. As if bread-making isn’t difficult enough, the loaves often come complete with stenciled designs that can only be described as fine art.

There are tons of options, but your eye will probably gravitate toward their apricot-cranberry pain au levain, their walnut-cranberry sourdough, or their specialty organic whole-grain bread containing 100% einkorn flour. What’s einkorn flour? Only the oldest wheat ever found. But the true Tucson winner is their signature loaf — made from a blend of locally grown White Sonora wheat — which you’ll recognize by the saguaro stencil on top.

10. Offal, Mexican-style – Tacos Apson

Yep, more tacos — but these are different. If you want to test your bravery, check out the offal cuisine at Tacos Apson. Far from being “awful,” the offal dishes here are actually quite delicious…if you can get past the fact you’re eating an animal’s internal organs.

Offal is packed with a lot of essential nutrients and vitamins — and it’s extremely affordable, though it’s an acquired taste (hey, so is beer!). Tacos Apson knows how to prepare offal dishes in a way that may change your mind, though. You’ll find a variety of unusual tacos with ingredients like lengua (beef tongue), tripe (stomach lining of a cow or sheep), and even huevo becerro criadillas (that’d be testicles). Those not as courageous should know they also have great carne asada, delicious seasoned beans, and a creamy, custard-y, caramel-y flan.

11. Vegan Mexican food with serious flavor – Tumerico

Photo: Sam Rush for Tumerico

Sometimes you want fancy results without putting in the fancy work — or opening the fancy wallet — and that leaves a teeny tiny sliver of restaurant options. Tumerico has hit that balance. It’s an ultra-casual setting where you can help yourself to free coffee as you dive into vegan, organic, and gluten-free options sourced from local farmers. This might be the freshest food in Tucson, highlighted by the fact that the menu is always changing with the seasons.

Arepas, sopes, tostadas — it’s all good. Drink it down with their turmeric lemonade to double up on the Tucson flavors.

The post 11 Tucson food and drink experiences that go beyond the taco appeared first on Matador Network.

Top reasons to visit Louisville

In a state that is renowned for its bourbon, horses, and history, Kentucky is quickly attracting more visitors for a new reason — it’s actually cool. Every year, millions of people descend on Louisville for the fastest two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby, one of the most iconic events in Southern culture. The city has seen a good deal of renovation and revitalization in its historic downtown area, and as a result, new life is being breathed in. Here’s the lowdown on what you’ll find in the South’s next big “it” city.

It’s more than a Southern hamlet.

Photo: Joe Hendrickson/Shutterstock

Most folks from Louisville don’t exactly identify as Southern. The city is a mixture of Southern and Midwestern tradition and innovation, blending together new and old ways to create one of the freshest new cities to visit in the United States.

Louisville isn’t just about exploring the downtown area. To really see the city, venture into its neighborhoods. Each offers a unique vibe and a different perspective on Kentucky’s biggest city, with the added bonus of being awesome places to chill. Downtown Louisville offers the chance to catch a glimpse of Old World America with sleek, historic buildings, colorful facades, and decadence. From Museum Row to any of the historic locations, such as The Brown Hotel or The Louisville Palace, a good walkabout can help you discover the fascinating history of one of the oldest cities in the United States, founded in 1778 and named after King Louis XVI of France.

Louisville is hip enough to abbreviate neighborhood names like SoHo. NuLu is another, as well as a hip, revitalized corner of town where you’ll find many of the craft beer bars, bourbon bars, BBQ joints, and street art mentioned above. The Highlands is yet another vibrant corner of Louisville, a beautiful blend of historic buildings with youthful vigor. Other great neighborhoods to check out include Old Louisville with its 19th-century historic Victorian homes, Butchertown, Germantown, and Schnitzelburg.

You can still partake in the Kentucky Derby Festival.

Photo: Thomas Kelley/Shutterstock

Move aside Fourth of July. Kicking off two weeks of Kentucky Derby excitement and entertainment, the Thunder Over Louisville is one of the largest firework displays in the United States. But it’s not just for the fireworks that 1.5 million people descend on Louisville. There’s also the Run for the Roses, better known as the Kentucky Derby, the fastest two minutes in sports. Dressed in their finest and often times frivolous apparel, millions flood into Churchill Downs to rub elbows with fellow Mint Julep drinkers, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, and watch the show. During this two week period, Louisville is transformed with over 70 special events. There’s something for everyone, whether it’s sports, outdoor concerts, hot air ballooning, marathons, foodie bonanzas, or just about anything else. Best of all, two-thirds of these events are free and kid-friendly.

It’s the urban capital of bourbon.

Photo: Joe Hendrickson/Shutterstock

Kentucky has a long and turbulent history with bourbon distilling, and though many of the distilleries that once flooded the countryside were forced to close during Prohibition, the spirit dominates the state today. Bourbon tourism is on the rise, and while you can trek along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail through lush, rolling hills and distillers deep in the woods, you don’t actually have to leave Louisville to enjoy some of the amber liquid.

Scattered throughout downtown Louisville, bourbon distillers have popped up left and right. You can take a bourbon history lesson at Evan Williams Bourbon Experience before enjoying a tasting. Other urban outposts include Jim Beam while legendary distillers like Stitzel-Weller Distillery, home to name brands like Bulleit and Blade & Bow, now have their distilleries up and running on the outskirts of the city. Smaller bourbon bars are popping up all over Louisville, and your trip isn’t complete without a stop at The Silver Dollar, SideBar Louisville, or Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen, where you can combine a shot of whiskey with bourbon-infused entrees.

It has the state’s best food scene.

Photo: teeramate7/Shutterstock

Often featured on foodie channels, Louisville’s food scene is making a big splash and drawing in hungry foodies — just be sure to bring your stretchy pants with you. Make a dinner reservation at Mussels & Burger Bar for an extreme burger (unless you want the mussels, of course). Devour a legendary and quintessential Louisville dish, a Hot Brown, at The Brown Hotel, but go nowhere else. Grab a bourbon smoked pecan ice cream from Louisville Cream or stuff your face with the best BBQ in town at Feast BBQ. And be prepared to go to heaven when you try a chicken and waffle sandwich at Four Pegs. Wake up with the “Ladies of the Morning” by splurging on the best donuts in town at Hi-Five Donuts, the city’s first female-owned and -operated donut shop, and see your donuts freshly dipped before your eyes. On Sundays, brunch at Gralehaus in the courtyard of its sister craft beer bar, the Holy Gale, which is located in a former chapel.

You can get your craft beer on.

Photo: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Even in bourbon country, craft beer has exploded in popularity over the last decade. The folks at Against the Grain Brewery rose to fame rather quickly, and it’s no wonder because they can whip out a new beer every week and many have done quite well with locals and visitors. With so many beers to try and so little time, one of the most popular brews is Citra Ass Down American IPA with its dose of tongue-in-cheek humor. A few blocks away, Apocalypse Brew Works brews beers for your survival. Its taproom, aptly named “The Fallout Shelter,” opened in 2012 as the world prepared for the end of days.

Located on the edge of NuLu, Goodwood Brewing Co. believes that if limestone and water is good enough for bourbon, it’s good enough for beer, which is why all of their beers either begin or end with limestone water or wood. Goodwood Bourbon Barrel Stout stands out as a local favorite. You can explore all of Louisville’s best craft brewers by hopping aboard Lou’s Brew Bus and letting someone else drive while you dive into a series of good brews.

There’s ample street art.

Photo: Joe Hendrickson/Shutterstock

Louisville is no exception to the street-art trend. Every neighborhood is spruced up with a wall mural here and a wall mural there. Having the cool effect of taking people to new neighborhoods they otherwise might not have ventured to, street art has the ability to bring people together. From the Kentucky Rushmore piece in the Highlands to the Chicken King in NuLu, there is enough street art in Louisville to keep you on the hunt for days. For the Insta-perfect picture, twirl around with the Sunshine and Shadow mural as a backdrop near Scarlett’s Bakery.

Location, Location, Location!

Photo: Joe Hendrickson/Shutterstock

Let’s admit it: Louisville isn’t known as being a tourist hotspot… yet. While there are a million great reasons to visit Louisville, the best of all is perhaps its location. Nestled along the Ohio River, Louisville is centrally located from a dozen big cities, which makes it a great weekend getaway or day trip from Cincinnati (1.5 hours), Indianapolis (2 hours), Nashville (2.5 hours), St. Louis (4 hours), or Chicago (4.5 hours). If you’re looking for a beer-cation, a bourbon exploration, or a foodie’s paradise, Louisville is the perfect destination.


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The post Louisville is the south’s rising star. Here’s proof. appeared first on Matador Network.

9 restaurants with a view in Chicago

Chicago has one of the best dining scenes in the country, with some extremely talented chefs doing really creative and innovative things. It’s also a city of exquisite views with a world-class skyline set along a gorgeous blue lakefront. So what could be better than combining that incredible food with those great views? Here are our picks of the restaurants with the best views in Chicago.

1. Signature Room at the 95th

Photo: The Signature Room at the 95th/Facebook

There’s just no way to put a list like this together without including The Signature Room, a classic Chicago restaurant with a view. The Signature Room is located on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building and features well-prepared cocktails, modern American fare, and panoramic views over the lake, skyline, and the city. You definitely pay a premium for the sky-high view here, but oh my what a view it is.

2. Cite’

Photo: Cité Chicago/Facebook

By law, no building in Chicago can be built on the lake side of Lake Shore Drive. However, one developer found a loophole and built Lake Point Tower, one of the tallest residential buildings in the world. Up at the top, on the 70th floor, Cite’ serves up excellent French-inspired American haute cuisine. With no other buildings near it, the views from Cite’ back toward the city skyline are unmatched by any other restaurant in the city.

3. Everest

Photo: Everest/Facebook

Modern commodities trading was born at the Chicago Stock Exchange, and the city is still the most important in the world in that game. Those traders have a gourmand’s taste in dining and the bank accounts to pay for it — and they can find that world-class food without even leaving the building where they work. Everest, a Michelin-starred restaurant on the 40th floor of the Exchange building, has been serving refined French cuisine alongside a stunning view for over 30 years. While a private elevator takes guests up, Everest is open to the public so anyone can dine there.

4. Riva Restaurant

Photo: Riva

Navy Pier sure is touristy, but its location jutting out nearly a mile into the lake gives it some stunning vistas back across the water toward the skyline. Of the many places to eat at Navy Pier, none is better than Riva, a fine-dining restaurant with a seafood-driven menu. The food is superb, and the views are million-dollar. If you are at Navy Pier and looking for fantastic food with a view to match, definitely go to Riva.

5. North Pond

Photo: North Pond/Facebook

There’s really only one word needed to describe North Pond, and that word is “lovely.” Set in a building originally erected as a warming shelter for ice skaters over 100 years ago, North Pond is located at the edge of a pond right in the middle of Lincoln Park — the actual park, although it’s in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, as well. While the restaurant is set in nature, the views of the city over the pond give you the best of both worlds. There really are no nicer views in Chicago that come with a tranquil atmosphere like this, and the Michelin-starred cuisine is some of the city’s best.

6. River Roast Social House

Photo: River Roast/Facebook

Right along the river in downtown Chicago, River Roast Social House has one of the most inviting patios in the city, with stunning views up and down the river. The food concept is just what you’d expect from the name, with meat, fish, and veggies all roasted to perfection then carved right at your table. River Roast also has an inventive cocktail program and a great selection of local and Midwestern craft beer. If seeing the Blues is on your Chicago itinerary but you’re not much of a night owl, check out the Brews & Blues Brunch with live music from some of the city’s best musicians. You can even get to River Roast by taking the Chicago River Water Taxi!

7. Terzo Piano

Photo: Terzo Piano/Facebook

Terzo Piano is a fabulous restaurant located at the Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Wing, and it has some incredible views and exceptional cuisine. A seasonal menu driven by local produce features wonderful Mediterranean-inspired food. The wine list has some of the best American wines available along with some old-world classics. All of this is enjoyed from a sleek, modern setting inside the Art Institute, looking down at Millennium Park and up at the skyline over Michigan Avenue.

8. Caffe Oliva

Photo: Caffe Olivia

A lot of the restaurants on this list tend to lean toward the fancier end of things, as is often the case with restaurants with super views. If you want to find an unbeatable view but with a totally laid-back vibe, check out Caffe Oliva located at Ohio Street Beach. As you eat and drink at Caffe Oliva, toes dug into the sand and staring out at the blue of the lake, you could almost picture yourself transported away to a beach in the Mediterranean. Then you turn around and see the Chicago skyline towering above you, and you’are taken back to reality. Fortunately, it’s a reality of great food and drinks with a fantastic view. This is Chicago’s most downtown beach, and it’s a tiny one that even locals sometimes forget about. It’s definitely worth checking out when the weather is right.

9. The J Parker

Photo: The J. Parker/Facebook

On the rooftop of Lincoln Park’s beautiful boutique Lincoln Hotel, The J Parker has some truly incredible views of the skyline and Lake Michigan, and some great comfort food to go along with it. Anyone looking for a city vista but not wanting to eat haute cuisine should head to The J Parker for great upscale takes on bar-food classics. If a well-made cocktail, delicious burger, and perfect view are what you’re after, this is the place to be.


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Where to go in Maine for lobster

When fall starts creeping into winter, it’s time for lobster lovers to visit Maine’s coastal towns. Sure, the weather can get a little dicey (the average temperature in November and December hovers around 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit), but that’s what sweaters are for. Bundle up and head north because late October, November, and December is the end of lobster season.

“A lot of people in the industry start to ramp up in late October because the lobster have mostly molted, so they aren’t hiding and their shells are harder,” Mark Murrell, the owner of the consumer lobster shipping company GetMaineLobster, tells Matador Network. “Plus the water is colder, so the meat is sweeter.”

Summer is undeniably the most popular time for people to go to Maine. Therefore, that’s also when the most lobster are sold. Many of those summer lobsters recently molted, so their shells are softer. Those are tasty to eat, as well, but it’s hard to compete with the rich meat of hard shell lobster — most of which is harvested later in the year.

There is, of course, one problem when visiting coastal Maine: the weather. This might go without saying, but Maine winters are rugged, so many lobster fishers keep their boats in the dock January through May. But before that happens, there’s a frenetic move to harvest as many lobsters as they can, which leads to the market being stuffed with end-of-season crustaceans. Whole lobster, tails, lobster rolls — you name it; there’s plenty of it. Autumn is, according to Sea Grant at the University of Maine, the peak season for lobster.

Start planning your lobster trip to Maine before the season ends and the new year starts. Some of the more touristy places close for the season, but prices also drop. These are the best coastal areas to visit and eat lobster until you pass out.

1. Wiscasset, Damariscotta, and Newcastle

Photo: Sea Basket/Facebook

The first weekend trip to take is to three neighboring towns. Start at Wiscasset, a town of 3,500 people just 45 miles north of Portland. Its tagline is “The Prettiest Village in Maine,” but it’s also been called the less flattering “Worm Capital of the World” because of the bait industry there. It’s most modern claim to fame, however, is that it’s the home of one of the most famous lobster shacks, Red’s Eats. Just across the Damariscotta River are the twin villages of Damariscotta and Newcastle. This little trio of towns is far less packed with tourists in the fall, but still has so much great lobster to eat.

Where to go

The Damariscotta River Grill serves fresh-caught seafood, as does Wiscasset’s Sea Basket Restaurant, which is known for its lobster stew. Oxbow Brewing Co. in Newcastle uses lobster from its local seafood shop to make a lobster beer. Fisherman’s Catch Seafood Market has lobster and more to take home with you.

2. The Kennebunks

Photo: Grace White Barn/Facebook

Five towns — Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Cape Porpoise, Goose Rocks, and Arundel — make up what’s referred to simply as “the Kennebunks.” They’re in the south of Maine, so it doesn’t get quite as cold, although “not quite as cold” for Maine is still pretty dang cold for many people. The historic districts of towns are filled with history and the occasional ghost story. If you scare easily, just know that the cure to any New England haunting is fresh lobster.

Where to go

Head to Federal Jack’s for beer made on site and lobster and other seafood served up with waterfront views. Fans of fine dining will feel right at home at The White Barn Restaurant in Kennebunk. Alisson’s in Kennebunkport has all the lobster you could ask for in a pub environment.

3. Portland

Photo: The Highroller Lobster Co./Facebook

Maine’s largest city has just over 66,000 people. It also happens to be one of the best beer cities in the country thanks to craft brewing stalwarts like Allagash Brewing Co. located right next to regional and beer-geek favorites like Bissell Brothers, Lone Pine Brewing, and an ever-growing number of others. The only thing in the town that comes close to rivaling Portland’s beer scene is its food scene. More often than not, the two collide into one delicious combo that’s worth the trip up to Maine every chance you get.

Where to go

Eventide Oyster Co. has some of the most famous lobster rolls in town (as well as a long list of oysters). The price is up there, but the brown butter roll stuffed with a healthy portion of lobster — paired with a beer from Maine Beer Co. — is worth it. Highroller Lobster Co. serves its Maine lobster in fresh brioche buns, as well as in less traditional ways like on a stick (the “Lobby Pop”) and in a taco where the shell is a fried cheese crisp. You’ll find the locals and a place of pure happiness at Becky’s Diner on the wharf.


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Best wine pairings with Italian food

Simply visiting Italy is pleasant. Add in all of the country’s famous food, and a trip becomes heavenly. Regarded as one of the best, if not the very best, food countries in Europe, Italy has long been known for its unmatchable culture surrounding food — and its cup runneth over with wine, too. Each region has its own special dish and a wine or two to match. To eat and drink like the locals, pair your Italian meals with wine from the same region. If you can’t get to Italy, these pairings are the next best thing. Here are iconic dishes from seven regions and the wine to pair with them.

1. Piedmont’s risotto al tartufo with Nebbiolo

Photo: Karl Allgaeuer/Shutterstock

When it comes to all things truffle, Piedmont is king. Every fall, Piedmontese locals gear up to harvest the cherished fungi, elevating the region’s food from good to outstanding. One of the most famous dishes to get the truffle treatment is risotto al tartufo. The rice-based risotto is rich and earthy, and the soil-driven flavors scream for an equally savory wine. Opt for a wine made with the Nebbiolo grape, such as Barolo or Barbaresco. Nebbiolo is Piedmont’s signature variety, known for its rustic flavors of rose petal and tar. The big tannins and floral notes in the wine are the perfect match for risotto al tartufo.

Look for wines from these wineries: Roagna and Vajra

2. Emilia-Romagna’s ragù Bolognese with Lambrusco

Photo: Tatiana Bralnina/Shutterstock

With food like Prosciutto di Parma and Bolognese sauce, meat is the defining ingredient in many dishes from Emilia-Romagna, which is in the northeastern part of Italy. That goes for the region’s pasta sauce, as well. It’s hard to get enough of the textured, spice-enhanced ragù Bolognese. A big, bold red wine might be the first pairing that comes to mind, but if you’re looking to drink like a local, grab a bottle of Lambrusco. It’s fruity, frothy, and insanely gulpable. This fizzy red wine is almost too easy to drink — especially with a heaping plate of ragù Bolognese in front of you.

Look for wines from these wineries: Quarticello and Lini 910

3. Tuscany’s ribollita with Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Bistecca alla Fiorentina with Chianti

Photo: hlphoto/Shutterstock

Choosing just one dish to highlight from Tuscany is impossible, and the same goes for the wine. To start, there’s ribollita, the region’s signature bread soup. It’s crafted from a hearty mix of carbs and vegetables then loaded with cannellini beans, kale, and a mix of chopped vegetables. The pairing for this savory soup is the region’s famous white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano. The wine is full of crisp citrus flavors and bright acidity that balances the wholesomeness of the soup.

For a heartier food and wine pairing, there’s Bistecca alla Fiorentina. It’s a thick cut of steak loaded with local herbs and served with lemon wedges and cannellini beans. Red wine shines in Tuscany — and also when paired with this dish. Look for a wine from the Chianti or Montalcino regions. Here, Sangiovese is the star, producing both of the above wines in an array of styles. For a more affordable option, stick to Chianti. Pro tip: For affordable options from Montalcino, look for bottles labeled Rosso di Montalcino. These wines are essentially baby Brunello, produced in the same fashion just aged less.

Look for wines from these wineries: Fontodi and Stella di Campalto

4. Liguria’s pesto Genovese with Vermentino

Photo: artem evdokimov/Shutterstock

There’s no place in the world like Italy’s northwestern coast. There are colorful hillsides crystalline waters; and salty, lemon-tinged pesto as far as the stomach can dream. Made from lemon juice, pine nuts, and an array of local spices, the pesto needs a local, high-acid white wine to stand up to all of the flavors within the sauce. Grab a Vermentino-based white, which has citrus-driven minerality and plenty of acidity. It’s a wine that’ll keep your mouth watering for more.

Look for wines from these wineries: Punta Crena and Il Torchio

5. Campania’s pizza Napoletana with Aglianico and Falanghina

Photo: Camo24/Shutterstock

There’s pizza, and then there’s pizza from Napoli. To really enjoy it, grab a glass or two of wine to wash it all down. Although your first instinct is probably to grab a glass of red, the high-acid white varieties of Campania are equally refreshing when served alongside cheesy pizza — especially slices loaded with vegetables. For a red-wine pairing, choose one that uses the Aglianico grape. For white, pick a wine made with the Falanghina grape.

Look for wines from these wineries: Antica Masseria and Ciro Picariello

6. Lombardy’s osso buco with Chiavennasca

Photo: Lisovskaya Natalia/Shutterstock

Osso buco is one of Lombardy’s most famous dishes. It’s centered around braised veal shanks, vegetables, and a white wine broth, and it’s generally served with risotto or polenta on the side. The meat’s fatty structure needs some hearty tannins in the wine pairing to balance it out, making the local Chiavennasca-based reds (that’s Nebbiolo in the local dialect) the perfect pairing. Of course, you can’t go wrong with pairing Lombardy’s méthode traditionelle-style sparkling wine, Franciacorta, as well. Because who ever said no to bubbles?

Look for wines from these wineries: Ar.Pe.Pe and Il Pendio.

7. Sicily’s arancini with Nero d’Avola

Photo: Alexander Prokopenko/Shutterstock

Arancini is Sicily’s best-known street food. It’s made of stuffed rice balls dipped in bread crumbs, deep fried, and then served with local ragu and mozzarella. It’s especially tasty when washed down with a regional red wine. The island’s wine production is synonymous with the Nero d’Avola variety, which makes fruit-forward, juicy reds with medium acidity. For a smokier flavor, check out the savory reds of Etna (known as Etna Rosso), produced from the Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio varieties.

Look for wines from these wineries: I Custodi and Arianna Occhipinti


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The “Iron Man of India”

India might be famous for the Taj Mahal, but the country’s brand new Statue of Unity will soon be on its heels. The “Iron Man of India” statue opened today, and at a height of 597 feet, it’s now the tallest statue in the world. Built to celebrate the 143rd anniversary of the birth of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the country’s first deputy prime minister, the statue is covered entirely in bronze and cost $289,500. Sardar Patel was famous for his leading role in the integration and unification of India’s disparate ethnic groups in the 1940s.

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Most impressively, the statue is actually twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty, nine times as tall as England’s Angel of the North, and 164 feet higher than the current world record holder — China’s Spring Temple Buddha. And it’s not just a standalone statue, either. Located in the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, in India’s Gujarat state, the statue will be connected by bridge to a museum and audio-visual gallery, a three-star hotel, and a garden dedicated to Sardar Patel. It was designed to withstand earthquakes, Category 3 storms, and winds up to 111 miles per hour.

While the government hopes the statue will increase tourism revenue, the “Iron Man of India” still has its critics. Mohan Gurumurthy, of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, told the Telegraph that Patel himself would “never approve millions to be spent on this statue.” Gurumurthy believes the project is a political maneuver to use Patel — a strong nationalist figure — as a propaganda piece for the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Shri Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, said that the statue is solely meant to represent “academic, historical, national, and spiritual values. My vision is to develop the place as a source of inspiration for ages to come.”

H/T: Yahoo Lifestyle

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