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Wisconsin childhood memories

No matter how far away Wisconsinites end up, there are certain shared experiences that keep us connected to where we’re from. Whether it was hoping for snow days, learning you have an accent, or experiencing the magic (and pain) of every passing season, certain childhood memories unite cheeseheads across generations and geography. Here are 13 memories you have if you grew up in Wisconsin.

1. Praying for snow days.

We all had our lucky rituals to try to make a snow day happen. From staring up at the sky, willing with all our might to make snowflakes start to fall, to lucky socks and many other creative superstitions, we lived in hope of hearing our mom shouting “snow day!” at dawn.

2. Making the snake tail magically rattle at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

The cool kids knew exactly where the secret button was and made sure to push their way to the front of the line to prove it. Even if you didn’t get to rattle it on a school trip, at least when you visited with your out-of-town cousins, you got your time to shine.

3. Bringing home holiday treasures from a farm.

Whether it was cutting down a tree for Christmas, choosing the biggest pumpkin possible for Halloween, or picking fresh apples, strawberries, or cherries, Wisconsin’s far-reaching farmlands assured that kids across the state, from small towns to urban areas, would have a piece of nature for their holidays.

4. Freezing while sitting on the school bus as it’s stuck in the snow.

We tried telling the weather guy that he should have declared a snow day!

5. Learning that you have an accent.

We all remember the first time someone pointed out that we have a funny accent. It was likely an annoying cousin at a family reunion and they could probably tell just by the way we said what state we were from.

6. Experiencing four seasons during one sports game.

Playing sports growing up, we had to be prepared to play whether it rained, shined, snowed, or hailed, often all within the same game.

7. Coming of age at Summerfest.

Summerfest made us grow up, and fast. It taught us to gracefully land a kiss on the skyglider, all while keeping lookout for our parents or their friends when flying over the oldies stage as we muttered to ourselves, “That will never be me!”

8. Being jealous of the kid who had their birthday party in Wisconsin Dells.

If you were one of those lucky kids who got to blow out their candles among giant water slides and an even more giant Paul Bunyan, know that the rest of us are still envious.

9. Dining out at Supper Club for special occasions.

Cue the memories of wood-paneled rooms, maraschino cherries, kiddie cocktails, old fashioneds, broasted chicken, and Friday night fish fries. Wisconsin never felt so classy.

10. Watching Packer games on the TV without the sound.

Who needs national coverage when you could get game coverage, pronounced with the correct accent, right on the Packers Radio Network? As an added bonus, you could hear Larry McCarren unabashedly shout for two extra seconds of joy every time Donald Driver caught another Aaron Rodgers dart for a touchdown.

11. Eating cream puffs bigger than your head.

Summer wasn’t complete without a visit to the Wisconsin State Fair and getting lost among the cow pavilions while holding the largest piece of pastry you had ever seen in your life.

12. Swearing by your favorite custard place.

Whether it was in your own neighborhood or a drive across town, we knew which place had the best custard around, and made sure everyone else did, too.

13. Warming up Wisconsin-style at Packer games.

We all had that cool aunt who somehow managed to slip a flask of peppermint schnapps in her jacket and tipped a little in your hot chocolate with a wink between plays to keep you warm. It always seemed extremely impressive at the time, but now that we think about it, hiding a flask among 38 layers of clothing probably wasn’t that hard.


More like this: 9 abilities people from Wisconsin have over everyone else

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Visit Japanese whisky distilleries

A trip to Japan is high up on many travelers’ bucket lists, but the country is especially alluring to whisky drinkers. As the home of some of the best booze one can drink today, Japan boasts several name-brands and craft distillers worth a pilgrimage. Japanese whisky is becoming more and more of a mainstream trend, but unlike the famous spirits brands in Scotland or Kentucky, the crowds have yet to descend en masse to Japan’s distilleries. While you could spend a week drinking the finest spirits and cocktails without ever leaving Ginza district in Tokyo, you’ll earn real drinking cred by being one of the few to venture directly to the source.

1. Yamazaki

A post shared by Keizo Jindo (@keijin01) on Jul 18, 2018 at 7:40am PDT

Begin your tour of Japanese whisky distilleries where Japanese whisky itself began, at the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery on Honshu. The oldest distillery in Japan (founded in 1923), Yamazaki has created many of the award-winning whiskies responsible for drawing attention to Japanese distillers, including the eternal favorite among drinkers, the Yamazaki 12-Year-Old. Reserve your spot on a tour, then travel just 15 minutes from Kyoto by train to arrive at the distillery, where you’ll find a whisky library of over 7,000 bottles, a museum, and, of course, a tasting of Yamazaki’s world-renowned whiskies.

2. Yoichi

A post shared by Benjamin Theun (@benjamintheun) on Jun 24, 2018 at 7:21am PDT

Masataka Taketsuru was integral to building the Yamazaki Distillery and launching whisky in Japan, but his true goal was to emulate the Scottish distilleries he loved. So in 1934, he left Yamazaki to set up his own operation on Hokkaido, the northernmost of the four main islands in the archipelago. Wedged between the mountains and the sea, the Yoichi Distillery lives up to its Scottish inspiration, with coal-fired pot stills creating whisky full of peaty smoke and seasalt. It’s the complete opposite of Yamazaki — north vs. south, snow-dusted seaside vs. rolling forested hills, Yamazaki vs. Nikka (Yoichi is owned by Yamazaki’s primary competitor). The distillery only offers tour in Japanese, so unless you’re fluent, you’ll be relying on headphones and pamphlets to guide you through the facility. Don’t worry though, you don’t need to know Japanese to enjoy the taste of good booze.

3. Hakushu

A post shared by Suntory Whisky (@suntorywhisky) on Apr 21, 2017 at 12:59pm PDT

When the lights and sounds of Tokyo begin to overwhelm you, escape to the idyllic Hakushu Distillery. Suntory’s other must-visit facility is entirely integrated into its home in the Japanese Alps, about three hours west of Tokyo. The forest cloaks the distillery in a serene shroud, melted snow from the mountains makes its way into the whisky, and an onsite bird sanctuary fills the air with the sounds of nature. There are no tours in English, but headphones are provided for tourists — and besides, there’s no better way to escape the hustle and bustle than to wander through a remote, forested distillery while talking to no one but the birds. Just be sure to reserve a tour, since this popular distillery tends to fill up.

4. Chichibu

A post shared by Oskar’s Bespoke Tote Bags (@oskar_totebags) on Jul 14, 2018 at 4:56pm PDT

Yamazaki and Nikka make up the bulk of most people’s Japanese whisky knowledge, so do yourself a favor and expand that by visiting this small, independent distillery that blows away the competition. Launched by Ichiro Akuto, a scion of the beloved (and dearly departed) Hanyu Distillery and the mind behind the internationally coveted Ichiro’s Card Series whiskies, Chichibu represents small yet quality whisky in the country. You’ll have to arrange your own tour by calling the distillery, since there are no established hours for tours, but the extra effort is well worth it to see the epicenter of craft Japanese whisky.

5. Fuji-Gotemba

A post shared by The Elysian Whisky Bar (@theelysianwhiskybar) on Feb 1, 2018 at 1:01am PST

If you can’t be bothered to make time to travel to a distillery out in the middle of nowhere, hit Fuji-Gotemba on your way to the eponymous mountain. Located at the base of Mount Fuji, the Fuji-Gotemba Distillery was originally a cooperative operation between Canadian Seagram’s, the Scottish Chivas Brothers, the American Four Roses, and the local brand Kirin, though now Kirin owns the whole shebang. The facility claims to be the largest distillery in the world, including a bottling plant and a cooperage in its massive 1.7 million-square-foot space. Like the mountain it sits beneath, Fuji-Gotemba goes big.


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Airlines should charge for carry-ons

Flying is never going to be perfect. Or, really, anywhere close. As long as there are summer storms and mysterious “toilet malfunctions” that somehow ground a plane for three hours, the air-travel experience won’t ever be optimal.

But, admittedly, it could be better.

Sure, there are some problems that are really not solvable. Weather happens. Planes break. But there is one simple thing the airlines could do to solve a great number of problems in one fell swoop: charging for carry-ons instead of checked bags.

Before you take to the comments and start blasting me for proposing such a terrible idea — hear me out. Follow my trail of logic and economics, and see why flipping the baggage policy is actually the best thing airlines can do for everyone.

Flying is hell. And it’s all roller bags’ fault.

Since 9/11, flying has gotten exponentially worse, save for maybe the advent of on-demand episodes of Veep. Airport security, once a mere formality, is now more like waiting for a Disney ride on a busy summer weekend — except at the end, instead of Space Mountain you get groped by a stranger.

Once at the boarding gate, you struggle to find an open seat, stumbling over people’s luggage until you resign yourself to finding a table at the nearest Wendy’s. As soon as your flight is called, people rush to the gate like it’s Black Friday and they’ve only got four Tickle Me Elmos left in the cabin. They do this mostly because they don’t want to — gasp — gate-check their bag.

You then wait in the boarding line, which moves at about the same speed as your local DMV, then arrive at your already-cramped seat to find there is no room for your briefcase in the overhead bin because someone thought a hockey-equipment bag still qualified as a carry-on. You put it under your seat, legroom be damned, only to have your flight delayed because some woman with a roller bag big enough to carry a small child refuses to gate check it and paces the aisles until flight attendants threaten to take her off the plane.

If you’re lucky, the flight is smooth, but the flight attendants are already salty from having to argue with half a dozen people who refused to gate check. Before breakfast. Because the plane took so long to board it’s now delayed. So, everyone with a connection sprints toward the front door as soon as the wheels hit the ground. Once they’re done jamming the aisles, the other half gets up, and leaving the plane takes half an hour because people with inoperable hernias, for some reason, thought it was a good idea to pack 75 pounds of stuff into a bag that needed to be lifted over their heads then have to wait for help to take it down.

Eventually, you get off the plane, an hour after you wanted to, and nobody is happy.

But there is a very simple way to solve this all: charging for carry-on bags while making checked bags free.

Carry-on bags should be considered a luxury.

Let’s look at the scenario we just went through and see how fewer checked bags solves all the problems. Fewer jam-packed checked bags mean security lines move exponentially faster, with no liquids to remove and weeks worth of underwear to awkwardly unpack. People won’t worry about lack of bin space and won’t crowd the gate before it’s time. With fewer bags to hoist, boarding will move faster. Nobody will argue or needlessly search for bin space, so flight attendants will be nicer, and planes will leave earlier. People won’t feel as cramped when nobody has luggage under their seat, and getting off the plane will be a pretty seamless experience.

So how do you get fewer people to carry on large bags? Give them the double-edged economic sword with a financial barrier to carry-ons and a financial incentive to checked ones. It is simple behavioral economics.

Airlines aren’t going to give up their baggage revenue, but by flipping it around, they keep their money, and our flights are smoother. The original business wisdom said, “Pass the cost of baggage handlers on to the people who use them,” but clearly that hasn’t worked. What does work is charging for convenience. And not having to wait for a checked bag is very much a convenience.

Airlines do this for other conveniences, such as early boarding or seats near the front of the plane. So instead of charging $25 to the people who actually make the flying experience better by checking bags, charge it to the people who want the convenience of getting out of the airport early.

The extra fee will discourage people from carrying bags on. Free checked bags will encourage them to make the process easier. It also keeps legacy carriers from turning into Spirit, where everything costs money, and helps airlines’ general images by not making them look greedy. “Look,” they say. “We want you to have a free option. But we also want this flight to be more enjoyable while keeping our revenues constant.”

Personal items like purses and laptops will still be free. And roller bags, big duffels, or anything that might slow the process down can be free for elite and premium fliers like checked bags are now. Consider it another incentive. Airlines who already charge for carry-on bags have tags they issue at check-in when you pay, and passengers can’t clear security without them. So the system is already in place.

Look no further than Southwest Airlines for proof that fewer carry-on bags makes for a better experience. That airline — despite its chaotic sit-where-you-want boarding — doesn’t charge for checked bags and regularly has open bin space. Boarding is six minutes faster on Southwest, mostly because passengers opt to check bags free rather than lug them through airports and hoist them into overhead bins. Imagine if they charged money for carry-ons and still let you check two free. There’d be nary a roller board in sight.

People will complain at first and say, “I’m never taking THAT airline again.” But we all know damn well that if an airline shows up as the cheapest flight on Kayak, people are using that airline whether they like its bag policy or not. So, airlines, consider this an easy solution to a lot of your problems and possibly even a money maker. And the next time 200 people don’t rush the gate when you call for people in wheelchairs, you can thank me.


More like this: The real reason people crowd around the boarding gate, according to a psychologist

The post Why charging for carry-on bags might just make flying great — or at least tolerable — again appeared first on Matador Network.

Over-the-counter travel medications

It’s not easy to pack like a minimalist, especially when you want to stick to a carry-on, but unless you are looking forward to experiencing what medical care looks like in an unfamiliar country, you need to make some room in your luggage for the basics to stay healthy on the road. Many travel ailments can be solved with a few pills and a little knowledge about how to use them effectively. So, take out a few pairs of leggings and couple of bikinis and pack some over-the-counter medications instead — many of which can’t be found in several countries around the world.

Emily Scott is a Registered Nurse of eight years with a diploma in Tropical Nursing from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. She works as a labor and delivery nurse in Washington state and travels abroad frequently for humanitarian medical service. Emily has treated patients in seven countries, including Ebola patients during the outbreak in West Africa. She also deployed to Nepal after the devastating earthquake. She loves to travel off the beaten path — always with her trusty first-aid kit at her side.

1. Antidiarrheal, like Immodium

Always have this one in with you because if you’re struck down by travelers’ diarrhea, you likely won’t be in a state to run to the local pharmacy. This issue is common for travelers to many countries but can be avoided by following this simple mantra when you eat and drink: boil it, peel it, cook it, or forget it. If you do end up accidentally ingesting a local bacteria, remember that most travelers’ diarrhea will resolve itself with rest and lots of hydration. Antidiarrheals can help travelers feel secure enough to venture out into the world and manage the symptoms long enough to take a flight or public transport, but they do not treat the infection. Note that if you’re not improving or you cannot keep down fluids, it’s time to see a doctor.

2. Mild laxative, like Dulcolax

Travelers’ diarrhea is most tourists’ nightmare, but the opposite problem is also common. Travel disrupts your routines, changes your diet, and removes you from your comfort zone — all of which may lead to “vacation constipation” — yes, it’s a real thing. It can be prevented by staying active, eating plenty of fiber-rich foods, and drinking plenty of water. But if those methods fail after a few days and you’re uncomfortable, you can always turn to your medical kit. Remember to use laxatives sparingly, and contact your physician if the problem continues.

3. Mild pain reliever, like Tylenol or Motrin

You may end up sore in new and unique spots after dragging luggage around the airport, exploring a new city on foot, and sleeping in a bed that isn’t your own. Tylenol is generally better for headaches while Motrin is effective at reducing inflammation and swelling. So, if you twisted an ankle on cobblestone roads or woke up with menstrual cramps, reach for the Motrin. Be mindful not to take more than the dose recommended on the bottle as these meds can be rough on your liver and kidneys if used in excess.

4. Antibiotic ointment, like Neosporin

Unfortunately, we’re all just as clumsy on vacation as we are at home. Before you grab the ointment to treat a scraped knee or a finger cut, your first stop should be to wash it thoroughly with soap and water. Most minor cuts and scratches will heal just fine on their own, but antibiotic ointment can speed the process and prevent scarring. Just keep the cut covered if it’s in a place that can get dirty, and watch it for signs of infection (like redness, swelling, or fluid draining from the wound). And if it’s still bleeding after holding several minutes of firm pressure, you’ve outdone the powers of your first-aid kit and should see a doctor.

5. Antihistamine, like Benadryl or Claritin

You never know what environments or triggers you might encounter abroad, so it’s always good to have a dose of antihistamines on hand, especially if you’re prone to allergies. Fair warning: Some antihistamines, like Benadryl, will also make you drowsy, which isn’t ideal if you were hoping to spend the day sightseeing. If any allergic reaction continues to worsen or you have difficulty breathing, over-the-counter antihistamines won’t cut it, and it’s time to head to the hospital.

6. Sleep aid, like Melatonin

You may have reset your watch when you landed, but after flying all night and arriving on a new continent, your body has no idea what time zone you’re in. Fighting jet lag proactively is best: Expose yourself to sunlight at appropriate times, get plenty of exercise during the day, and avoid caffeine later in the day. But if you still find yourself wide awake way past bedtime, a sleep aid can help reorient your body clock. Melatonin is the supplement form of a hormone our bodies naturally make, and it’s not habit-forming, so you don’t have to worry about taking it a few nights in a row. It acts on the brain as a darkness signal, so take it half an hour before sleep and, hopefully, you’ll wake up in the right time zone.

7. Common-cold remedies, like Sudafed or Mucinex

There’s no way to treat the cold itself (it’s a virus, not a bacteria, so antibiotics are useless against it), but some over-the-counter medications can reduce the symptoms so you can still enjoy your trip. A decongestant nasal spray, cough suppressant, and/or expectorant can be helpful, depending on what specific symptoms you’re suffering from. As with all medications, use these for the shortest amount of time necessary, along with plenty of rest and hydration.

8. Motion-sickness medication, like Dramamine.

From planes to boats to anything used around the world for public transport, travelers often spend a lot of time being shaken about, so it’s necessary to have something that will prevent motion sickness. Be warned, though, that Dramamine will make you drowsy — so it’s your call if it’s worth going on a sailing trip that you might sleep through anyway.

9. Electrolyte tablets

It’s easy to get dehydrated when you travel. You may be distracted by all the fascinating sights while exploring your destination on foot or traveling in a country where clean water is hard to come by. If you suddenly notice you’re feeling lethargic, have dry mouth, or have a headache, you may be dehydrated. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on your urine — if you’re using the bathroom less than normal and your urine is dark yellow, you’re not drinking enough. Drop an electrolyte tab in your water bottle and let it dissolve. Not only will it help replenish what you’ve lost, but if you find some with a flavor you enjoy, it may encourage you to drink more water throughout the day. (Electrolyte tablets also come in handy for travelers’ diarrhea when it’s important to keep up with the fluid and electrolyte loss.)

10. Hydrocortisone cream

If you’re a hiker or you’re traveling to a tropical country, hydrocortisone cream is a must. It can treat and reduce itching from insect bites, poison ivy, and a variety of rashes. It’s smart to research which insects you’re likely to encounter and how to avoid them, but have your hydrocortisone on hand just in case.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is for general travel health advice and information only. It is not a replacement for a personal consultation with your doctor or a travel medicine specialist. Check with your physician for drug interactions with your prescriptions before taking any over-the-counter medications.


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Underrated UNESCO heritage sites

You’ve heard of the Vatican, Athens, and Iguazú — heck, you’ve probably been there. These sites draw the big crowds, thanks in part to the UNESCO statuses they gained for their cultural significance, natural beauty, or both. What you may not know is that there are 1,092 UNESCO World Heritage sites across the globe, each chosen for the same reasons. For reasons stemming from difficulty to access to a lack of hype in guidebooks, many of these sites see far thinner crowds than others. If you’re willing to travel a bit deeper, you can check out these eight amazing and underrated UNESCO sites around the world — and have the place nearly to yourself.

1. Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles, Africa

Date of Inscription: 1982

Photo: Janos Rautonen/Shutterstock

Madagascar gets all the attention for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife — DreamWorks even made a movie about it. But just north sit four islands making up the Aldabra Atoll, one of the largest coral atolls in the world. Aldabra boasts a range of habitats that easily rival the more famous island’s level of biodiversity. Due to its isolated location in the Indian Ocean, mankind has yet to disturb these habitats teeming with wildlife. Strict tourism regulations further protect the coral atoll and its population of over 150,000 Aldabra Giant tortoises — the world’s largest population of this reptile. If you’re lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of the white-throated rail, the last remaining flightless bird of the Western Indian Ocean.

2. Antequera Dolmens Site, Spain

Date of Inscription: 2016

Photo: milosk50/Shutterstock

Move aside, Stonehenge. Three megalithic tombs — the Menga and Viera dolmens and the Tholos of El Romeral — collectively represent one of the most remarkable examples of European prehistory and European Megalithism. Built in the Neolithic and Bronze Age, they’re hidden beneath the natural landscape, but you can find them by their location near natural landmarks La Peña de los Enamorados and El Torcal. The recent inscription of Antequera Dolmens in the southern region of Andalusia means it’s still largely unknown as a UNESCO site to the many visitors who flock to la Alhambra of Granada or the Alcazar of Sevilla.

3. Historic Centre of Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Date of Inscription: 1993

Photo: Dinozzzaver/Shutterstock

Maybe travelers miss this ancient hub of Islamic culture because of Uzbekistan’s proximity to Middle Eastern nations shown in the news for ongoing conflicts — or maybe they just can’t find it on a map. But you’ve definitely heard of the city’s most famous visitor: Marco Polo. The Italian merchant and his family set up shop here for three years due to its location along the Silk Road. While individual highlights like the beautiful brick Poi-Kalyan minaret, the Magoki Attori mosque, and the famous Ismail Samani tomb are highlights of 10th- and 11th-century Muslim architecture, it’s the entire urban center as a whole, the world’s most complete example of a Central Asian town, that stands out.

4. Huascarán National Park, Peru

Date of Inscription: 1985

Photo: Christian Vinces/Shutterstock

Once you’ve done your obligatory visit to Machu Picchu, head northwest to the striking landscape of the Cordillera Blanca — the world’s highest tropical mountain range. Here you’ll find over 100 glacial lakes, pockets of varying vegetation, and tropical glaciers set amongst the towering, snow-covered peaks. The spectacled bear and Andean condor call this breathtaking UNESCO site home. With natural beauty like this, you’ll wish you could, too.

5. Kakadu National Park, Jabiru, Australia

Date of Inscription: 1981 (Extended 1987,1992)

Photo: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock

The Great Barrier Reef might overshadow Australia’s Kakadu National park in popularity — but not in size. Kakadu is the continent’s largest national park and hosts a range of unique ecosystems, including mangroves, floodplains, and monsoon forests. Preserved within the park are cave paintings and rock carvings from the region’s Aboriginal population. They’ve inhabited the region consistently for over 50,000 years and continue the hunting-and-gathering tradition that began in the Pleistocene Era. A visit to Kakadu makes for a cultural and natural experience that shocks the senses.

6. Kluane/Wrangell-St Elias/Glacier Bay/Tatshenshini-Alsek, Canada/USA

Date of Inscription: 1979 (Extended 1992, 1994)

Photo: Maridav/Shutterstock

If you want to see the world’s largest non-polar icefield backed by towering, snow-capped mountain ranges, you won’t be heading to Yosemite, Yellowstone, or Banff. Get off the beaten path and trek out to this underrated UNESCO site comprised of four impressive national parks along the US/Canada border at Alaska. This is one of the last remaining places on Earth where natural evolutionary and environmental changes control ecological processes. Populations of animals endangered elsewhere, like grizzly bears and Dall sheep, self-regulate and thrive in this untainted environment.

7. Historic Centre of Morelia, Mexico

Date of Inscription: 1991

Photo: Carolina Arroyo/Shutterstock

At the foot of the Sierra Madre Occidental range sits Morelia, a 16th-century center that showcases the combination of the Spanish Renaissance and Mesoamerican experiences. It was also one of the major centers where forces clashed during the nation’s battle for independence in the 19th century. Morelia boasts over 200 historical monuments and buildings in one place, all constructed from the region’s characteristic pink stone. The architectural mastery demonstrated in the construction of this UNESCO heritage site makes it an underrated must-see for travelers visiting Mexico.

8. Wuyishan, Fujian, China

Date of Inscription: 1999

Photo: Lukasz Kurbiel/Shutterstock

Mount Wuyi gives visitors a look at both the biodiversity and history of China in one package. Temples and monasteries where neo-Confucianism blossomed line the epic gorges of the Nine Bend River, and Han dynasty rulers established a prominent administrative capital in the 1st century BC where an archeological site now stands. Located in the southeast province of Fujian, the area surrounding Wuyishan serves as a refuge for ancient wildlife species, many of which are native to China. While many travelers only see the Great Wall, the cultural and ecological significance of the Wuyishan make it worth the visit.


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Traveling Hot Cheeto adventures

It was sometime in March of last year. I was standing on a beach looking out onto the crystal clear water of Lake Tahoe. My brand-new Birkenstocks stood at the edge of the water, and my hand was elbow-deep in a new bag of Hot Cheetos.

I looked over at my best friend, Austen. We’re so close that it’s like we can read each other’s minds. Damn, this is a beautiful moment, her eyes said. I agreed, and then I did as most people would do in 2017: I took out my phone and snapped a photo.

However, I can never do anything conventional.

I had a slight obsession. I have a slight obsession. I love Hot Cheetos.

The photo had two of my fingers holding the prettiest, red-dusted chip I could find in front of the iridescent water and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains behind it. It was perfect.

Photo: Dayla Cook

Austen rolled her eyes and laughed. “You would,” she said. She never questioned my weirdness. I loved her for it.

I posted the photo on Instagram moments later, and I was electrified about the response it got. I don’t have a large following, but the comments and reactions from my small circle of friends to this silly Hot Cheeto photo were invigorating. I was making people laugh, one of my favorite things to do. That’s when my Travelling Hot Cheeto photo series started.

I began to see the potential that my photo series would have. I could entertain, eat Hot Cheetos, and travel in the process. For me, it was a potential goldmine. I was very optimistic. At the very least, I was hoping for a lifetime supply of Hot Cheetos. A girl can dream.

***

Now, I wasn’t a photographer by any means. I had no professional training. But I liked the thought of this simple act of wandering around the Earth, finding something beautiful and uncommon, and capturing it in a unique way.

Anna Mazurak, a prominent freelance travel photographer, is similar in that respect. In fact, I’d say we have a lot in common. She’s short and hates the cold. She loves to travel and explore. She fell in love with photography while traveling in college. She calls herself a vagabond and often finds inspiration in the exciting and unique.

“I don’t like sunset photos,” she told me. “I think they’re very boring.”

I totally agree.

Although Mazurak does not have a Hot Cheeto obsession like me, she does have her own photo series involving a traveling garden gnome. Alfred: The Globetrotting Gnome is an inspirational project I wish I would have found sooner. The premise of the series is similar to my own, a garden gnome that travels the world and stands in front of the most magnificent scenes.

It’s like Mazurak and I are soul sisters. Don’t tell Austen.

The photo series idea of mine blossomed into a mission  —  to take my Cheetos to the coolest places I could get to. I was on the hunt for beautiful, scenic backdrops for my Hot Cheeto obsession, and I had the perfect opportunity.

Austen and I were planning a road trip to commemorate the summer. Ten days in July with no expectations aside from getting on the road and seeing places we had never seen before  —  Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.

By the time our departure date rolled around, we had admittedly over-prepared to compensate for our procrastination. We stuffed whatever we deemed necessary into the car:  an extra tent, enough shoes for 10 pairs of feet, and an abundance of camping amenities. Austen said we packed way too many bags of Hot Cheetos. I would argue that we didn’t pack enough.

***

We left early in the morning on our first day, making our way through Nevada during the night and passing through the west side of Utah as the sun crept over the desert. We were driving through the Bonneville Salt Flats when we pulled over on the side of the road and I took my first Hot Cheeto photo of the trip. The scene was so simple and gorgeous. Pure, white, flat land backdropped by a rich, blue sky. The composition and colors were bold and brilliant. I was off to a good start.

Photo: Dayla Cook

Our first overnight stop was at the Antelope Island State Park of the Great Salt Lake in Utah.

The Great Salt Lake gets its name for a reason: It’s salty as hell, and because of that, fish and most aquatic species are unable to inhabit it, aside from the brine shrimp that seem to thrive. The shoreline is usually littered with bird carcasses. The Great Salt Lake, in the middle of July, is the foulest, smelliest, rankest place in the western United States. I speak from personal experience.

“Grab the Cheetos, and let’s get the hell out of here,” Austen said.

It only took two hours before we packed up the car and headed as far away from the lake as possible, a pilgrimage in search for fresher air. We didn’t even stick around for a photo. It was that bad.

***

The second leg of our trip was longer and more exhausting than the first stretch. We had been driving for hours and hours. Austen’s eyes would fixate on the endless road ahead as I munched on Hot Cheetos and bopped around to songs in the passenger seat, occasionally napping in between playlists.

After 18 hours of travel, we finally made it to Bryce Canyon National Park. We settled into our campsite, ready to wake up early and explore the park.

Bryce Canyon is phenomenal. The explosion of color paired with the texture of the rock was absolutely stunning. As we looked out onto the canyon, the sun rays cast light and shadows over a stone forest of unique rock formations. I had found another stunning backdrop for my Hot Cheeto; even better than the last, I thought.

Photo: Dayla Cook

The sunlight changed the landscape by the minute. We could have spent an entire lifetime there and probably would have never captured the same image twice. I didn’t even try to. My camera quickly filled up with photos of the view, with a Hot Cheeto and without.

After two days of exploring and admiring the jaw-dropping scenes of the canyon, we packed up the car again and headed to the next stop  —  Zion National Park.

While driving through Zion, I don’t think I closed my mouth once. I was in awe. Like Bryce Canyon, it was hard to pick the perfect scene for a Hot Cheeto photo because there were too many options to choose from. We were surrounded by imposingly tall mountains looming over us, threatening to drop boulders on our heads. I had never felt so small.

Photo: Dayla Cook

As the sun fell below the red rock, the shadows swallowed the lights of the tiny town of Springdale beneath, and we were, once again, settled into our campsite for the night, eager to explore the next day.

However, the triple-digit heat was suffocating even before the morning sun peeked over the mountaintop. In the early hours of dawn, in our tiny tent, Austen and I were careful not to touch each other to avoid pooling sweat between skin. As soon as we felt the scattered hours of intermittent sleep were enough, we packed up and left.

The heat of Utah was enough to turn us back in the direction from which we came. Although we were a few days early, we headed towards California to spend the last few days of our vacation where we knew we could relax. The California coast. Home.

***

When I look at photos from our trip, I will always remember how the air bit ever so slightly at the ends of my fingers and nose on the edge of the canyons, or how the sun kissed away the chill and lingered on my cheeks and eyelids turning everything pale gold in the valley of Zion. I’ll never forget the rancid smell of the Great Lakes or the questionable looks from fellow tourists who were curious about my obsession with posing Hot Cheetos in front of natural wonders.

I spent the rest of summer exploring and capturing my favorite kind of images. We visited the Grand Canyon, the Golden Gate Bridge, and my favorite dog-friendly beach near Half Moon Bay.

Photo: Dayla Cook

Even after the Cheeto dust is gone, I will always remember standing on my tired feet in my scuffed up Birkenstocks at the edge of a canyon, or perhaps an ocean, 26 years old, in love with the world and every rock and tree and Hot Cheeto in it. My Hot Cheetos can’t wait for the next adventure.

This article was originally published on Medium and is republished here with permission.

More like this: 16 must-see National Parks this year

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North Korea freezes tourist visas

Nothing says fall like Oktoberfest, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, sexy Halloween costumes, and… a visit to North Korea? If you were planning your next family vacation to North Korea (who isn’t?), you may have to choose another destination. Believe it or not, the North Korean government isn’t exactly encouraging of tourism, nor does it have a history of welcoming foreigners with open arms. While the UK Foreign Commonwealth Office and the US government have both issued travel warnings and advisories about traveling to North Korea, the North Korean government has now actually frozen tourist visa applications.

Currently, the only way to visit North Korea for most international travelers is via a tour company. One of those companies, Kyoro Tours, explained that no reason has been given for the visa freeze, but it expects that by “the end of this month the situation will be clear, applications will be unfrozen, and visas will be issued very quickly after that.” The company believes that the freeze may be due to the number of state delegations that will be present in Pyongyang in September for the 70th anniversary of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Carl Meadows, North Korea specialist at Regent Holidays, told Lonely Planet that Chinese tourists are the most likely to be affected. “We think that the government may be keen to limit the numbers of visitors to Pyongyang over this holiday period,” he said, “in order to ensure the best possible celebrations experience.”

So while you may not have to totally scrap your fall North Korea excursion, keep in touch with your tour provider to monitor the visa situation. The freeze only applies to in-progress visa applications, so if you’ve already received your visa, you’re in luck.

H/T: Lonely Planet

More like this: My love affair in North Korea

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The 15 best hostels in Europe

For some, that extra “s” in the word hostel means the difference between a clean, comfortable room and basically reliving their frat house days with people from 14 different countries. Though hostel quality used to run the gamut from “not that bad” to “sleep with a baseball bat,” in recent years, they’ve actually gone quite a bit upscale. A variety of boutique, modern properties have cropped up around the world, and you’d be surprised how cool hostels actually are in 2018. Now, you may choose to stay in a hostel not just for the affordability but also for the amenities, awesome location, and all around good vibes. Our team took a trip across Europe recently and found the 15 coolest hostels on the continent.

Photo: Copenhagen Downtown Hostel

1. Copenhagen Downtown Hostel

Copenhagen, Denmark

When you’re in a city where a sandwich can set you back over $15, saving money on food and transportation is huge. That’s what makes this hostel situated right near Tivoli Gardens and the other must-hits in Copenhagen so special. Not only will you probably never have to shell out for taxis, but you also get free breakfast and dinner every night, plus insanely cheap drinks at the bar. If that bar gets old, you’ll also get comped admission to Rust, a club not far away. Combine that with free daily walking tours and nightly foosball tournaments, and you may leave Denmark with a lot more money than you’d planned.

Photo: Oki Doki City Hostel

2. Oki Doki City Hostel

Warsaw, Poland

Hostels offer a lot of experiences you just don’t find at regular hotels. Like, say, how to make pierogi. Dumpling-making is but one of the many things you can learn at this hostel midway between old-town Warsaw and the main train station, which also offers nightly pub crawls and a staff surprisingly well-versed in the city’s history. The room décor is a cool blend of modern and colorful, featuring tributes to the city’s communist past. You’ll find walls with sections left unfinished in a sort of brutalist-chic motif and rooms wallpapered in newspaper clippings from Poland’s darker days.

A post shared by Bradley Parke (@pandaparke) on Apr 7, 2018 at 10:24am PDT

3. YoHo Hostel

Salzburg, Austria

If you’re in Austria, you’ve gotta watch The Sound of Music at least once, right? We’re alone here? Ok, well if for some reason you feel like refreshing yourself on some of Julie Andrews’ favorite things, this hostel in the heart of scenic Salzburg screens The Sound of Music EVERY. DAMN. NIGHT at 7:00 PM sharp. Because it’s Austrian. Also because it’s Austrian, the front-desk workers will speak pretty much any language you throw at them, so nobody in your multilingual crew feels left out. The décor is pretty austere — think Kindergarten classroom furnished by Ikea — but the location is fantastic, the bar has pictures of patrons on the wall dating back to the ‘80s, and you can even rent bicycles in the summer.

Photo: Mrs. Potts Hostel

4. Mrs. Potts Hostel

Cardiff, Wales

Hostels are wonderful for a great many things. Privacy usually isn’t one of them. But perhaps the biggest selling point of this perfectly situated hostel on St. Mary Street is that each bunk has curtains you can close so you won’t have to watch everyone in your dorm roll in late/wake up early. The location also tops any other hostel in Cardiff, being a short walk from Cardiff Castle, Principality Stadium, the National Museum, and countless theaters. Though it’s still a hostel, the place feels as warm and welcoming as the animated teapot that shares its name. So if you value privacy and hospitality, Mrs. Potts is your go-to in Cardiff.

Photo: Generator Hostel Venice

5. Generator Hostel Venice

Venice, Italy

The Generator chain of hostels is making its mark in Europe with its creative reinvention of old spaces, turning them into chic, trendy lodgings. Perhaps the best among them is this one set in an old brick Venetian warehouse where every room comes with a fantastic view. Some are of the Grand Canal, some of the hostel’s palatial gardens, and some of San Marco across the water. But absolutely none are of brick walls or parking lots. The interiors feature exposed brick and beams on the ceiling, giving a sense of the building’s history to its guests. It’s not the cheapest hostel on the continent — double rooms start at 60 euros — but compared to the rest of the city, it’s still a top deal.

Photo: Czech Inn Hostel/Facebook

6. Czech Inn Hostel

Prague, Czechia

This hostel in a hip, residential Prague neighborhood is the sort of place you check into and say, “Is this really a hostel?” The rooms are done up in modern — albeit cozy — furniture with oversized pillows, fresh linens, and headboards that are color coordinated with the throw pillows. Yeah, throw pillows in hostels are a thing now. There’s also a downstairs bar, which in America might be called a “speakeasy” but here is just a cool, dark drinkery with fantastically cheap drinks. Though you’re not in the city center, the neighborhood is fun to explore, and there’s a tram right outside that gets you to town in about 15 minutes.

Photo: Hostel Ruthensteiner/Facebook

7. Hostel Ruthensteiner

Vienna, Austria

This backpacker oasis in the heart of Vienna has been hosteling since before hosteling was cool, opening back in 1968 and claiming to be the city’s original independent backpacker’s hostel. But don’t let its age fool you, this place has been fully renovated over the past few years and boasts new hardwood floors; clean bed frames; and fresh, bright rooms. The common area also offers musical instruments if you’re the sort of person who likes impressing people from all over the world with your Dave Matthews covers. If you’re into cooking, the kitchen has fresh herb plants, so whatever you make will be almost-farm-to-table cuisine, served in the hostels calming outdoor garden.

Photo: Patio Hostel Bratislava/Facebook

8. Patio Hostel

Bratislava. Slovakia

The Slovakian capital of Bratislava might be the last great European bargain city. And lucky you, you cost-savvy Euro-traveler you, your insanely cheap hostel is literally steps from all of it. Patio is situated literally stumbling distance from the best bars and clubs in Slovakia, but it’s not just great because of the location. Its rooms are done up in pastel walls with outlines and silhouettes of everything from sea life to imaginary furniture on the wall. Some even come with hammocks — that aren’t a replacement for a bed! During summertime, the hostel hosts nightly barbecues, but if that’s not for you, there’s also a kitchen on every floor. Or you can just drink your dinner at the stylish new bar, but you should probably hit up the barbecue first.

A post shared by HostelsCentral (@hostelscentral) on Feb 22, 2017 at 9:09am PST

9. Franz Ferdinand Hostel

Sarajevo, Bosnia

It’s not a stretch to guess that most people born after 1980 think Franz Ferdinand is simply a creative band name. And there are probably a great many people who will check in here and be disappointed that instead of playing “Take Me Out” on loop, the hostel gives you a history lesson about the namesake of the band, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination led to World War I. Each room features big photo murals that help tell the story of this turning point in history, set atop spacious white rooms with clean, modern décor and pod-like beds dug into the wall. It’s only a couple minutes from the Old City in Sarajevo, so for a history lesson that also feels a little like a boutique hotel, this might be the best place in Europe.

Photo: Maverick Hostel & City Lodge/Facebook

10. Maverick Hostel Budapest

Budapest, Hungary

When the members of the Hapsburg dynasty built this mansion in the heart of Budapest, they probably never imagined it would someday house wandering, youthful travelers looking for a cheap place to stay. But if Budapest knows one thing, it’s that times change. So now, this historic mansion is possibly the most architecturally striking hostel in Europe. It features everything from Classicist to Gothic to Art Nouveau designs with a grand spiral staircase and tall, majestic windows in every room. There are even faux period-piece chairs in both the common areas and dorms, making this hostel feel like a historic hotel. The Maverick is also completely devoid of bunk beds, meaning you’ll never have to worry about stepping over a complete stranger to get to sleep. It’s just another way this place pays homage to the elegance and class its designers intended.

Photo: Arkabarka Floating Hostel/Facebook

11. ArkaBarka Floating Hostel

Belgrade, Serbia

This massive, wooden floating house on the River Danube in Belgrade’s Park of Friendship is the first fully functioning youth hostel built completely on the water. The sleek design makes it look a little like a Seattle tech billionaire’s luxe houseboat, but step inside, and you’ll immediately realize it has a much funkier vibe. The lobby-bar walls are hand-painted in bright colors reminiscent of a Mexican surfing bar or oceanfront cantina. It’s also set in a park full of joggers, roller-bladers, and dog-walkers, giving the place a much healthier and more recreational feel than hostels set in city centers. Many of the rooms have water views, and the free breakfast can be enjoyed on ArkaBarka’s sprawling outdoor terrace.

Photo: Chillout Hostel Zagreb

12. Chillout Hostel

Zagreb, Croatia

The award for originality in bunk bed wall design has to go to this hostel in the historic center of Zagreb. Many of the rooms are done up in grey faux-brick, including the bunk walls. This gives rooms the feel of an industrial loft and the bunks the feel of a cold-war prison cell. Fortunately, the top of each bunk is painted with a mural that looks like a hole busted through to the rest of the world, making each one as much a work of art as a place to stay. Chillout also features a cool cocktail bar and a restaurant — njummy — that’ll serve you traditional Croatian food without you having to leave the hostel.

Photo: Sunflower Beach Backpacker Hostels/Facebook

13. Sunflower Beach Backpacker

Rimini, Italy

A night at the Sunflower Beach is about as close as you’re getting to all-out spring break in Italy. Maybe it’s because Sunflower is about 500 feet from the sand, or maybe it’s because the bartenders enjoy pouring shots in your mouth, or maybe it’s because exactly nobody staying here has any intention of sleeping. The place is just an all-out beach party if you come during the summer. That’s not to say it’s a bad place to bunk; the rooms are clean and colorful with new furniture and well-maintained bathrooms. It’s just to say that if you’re looking for a beach party that also functions as a youth hostel, this is your spot.

Photo: Ostello Bello Milan Hostel/Facebook

14. Ostello Bello

Milan, Italy

Milan is another city where you’ll feel like you’ve spent $100 before you even sit down for your first espresso. For budget-conscious travelers, this hostel in the heart of the city on Via Medici 4 is an absolute godsend. Here, you not only get a clean, comfortable room for less than the price of a few beers in much of Milan, but you also get free breakfast, free tours, free WiFi, free trips to museums, and free food in the guest kitchen. With your meal and lodging expenses severely slashed, you’re free to spend a little more exploring this great city. The cost is a big reason why Ostello Bello has become a favorite among travelers, garnering it the Best Italian Hostel award in 2017 from Hostelworld.

Photo: Balmers Hostel/Facebook

15. Balmer’s Herberge

Interlaken, Switzerland

In the alpine adventure capital of Switzerland, it’s not as important that hostels have posh accommodations as it is that they provide a place for people to continue their adventures. Enter Balmer’s, a hostel that offers an outdoor tent city for low-cost glamping, an outdoor biergarten, and an on-premise club during summer. It’s a little like Ski Week in Aspen with a much lower price tag, a place where young travelers come to party as much as they do to ski, mountain bike, go canyoning, or hit an indoor ropes park. The rooms aren’t too fancy, just metal bunks with red-checked blankets and wood-paneled walls, but the idea here is to spend as little time in your room as possible, anyway.


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Winnipeg man boards wrong flight

It’s a huge fear for novice, nervous flyers: getting on what you think is the right flight and ending up on an irreversible journey to the completely wrong corner of the world. While extremely uncommon, that’s exactly what happened to Christopher Paetkau, a Winnipeg man who accidentally boarded a flight to the Arctic. To be fair, he wasn’t exactly planning on a tropical vacation, anyway. On Sunday, the adventure and wildlife photographer and filmmaker meant to fly from Yellowknife to Inuvik, both in the Northwest Territories. Instead, he accidentally boarded a flight to Iqaluit, Nunavit, over 1,400 miles in the opposite direction.

But how could this happen? Even if you’re experiencing a moment of complete absentmindedness, airport technology should prevent such a massive mix up. Well, when Paetkau arrived at the Yellowknife airport, computers were down at the airline kiosks, which certainly didn’t help the situation. “There were three airplanes that are sitting out there on the tarmac,” Paetkau told CBC News, “and also three boarding calls happening simultaneously… and they’re all final calls.” It’s easy to see how things could get a little confusing.

Noting the chaotic atmosphere, Paetkau asked the First Air flight attendant, “Is this flight going to Inuvik?” Her response, thinking the question was a joke: “Yeah, eventually.” When the plane stopped over in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Paetkau got his first pang of suspicion that he might be on the wrong flight. But it wasn’t until he asked another flight attendant how long it would be until they arrived in Inuvik that he realized his mistake. “What are you talking about?” She asked. “We’re not going to Inuvik; we’re going to Iqaluit.”

Some travelers might freak out and demand an emergency landing, but Paetkau just rolled with it. He took the full flight to Iqaluit before taking a return flight back to Yellowknife. It wasn’t a total loss, however. Paetkau said he became friends with the flight attendant, ran into a friend on the flight back to Yellowknife, and now has a pretty crazy story to tell.

He also adds that the airline “handled it perfectly. A different airline might not have.”

First Air responded by calling Paetkau a member of its family.

We aim to please! Since you're buds with our crew and Captain, you're friends with the entire First Air family too! We expect a holiday party invite of course! https://t.co/SLezZQKJ9j

— First Air (@FirstAir) August 13, 2018

H/T: CBC News

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Best beaches in Albania

On a winding stretch of mountain road between Vuno and Dhërmi, look for the sign for the Monastery of St. Theodore. Follow the road until it turns to dirt, then follow it some more until you find a squat church overgrown with brush. The few other cars parked nearby belong to travelers who have also heard of a pristine beach concealed between the base of the mountain and the sea. An aged attendant will emerge from the church to take your 200 lek (about $1.80) to park for the day, then point a bony finger to a footpath twisting its way further down the hill. Grab your bathing suit, towel, and anything else you might need — you won’t want to hike back up for hours (or maybe ever). For your efforts, you’ll earn a stretch of fine pebbles lapped by crystalline, gentle surf, with only a handful of other holidayers to share the space.

Albania’s best beaches lie in the southernmost region near the border of Greece, with the Riviera generally extending from Vlorë in the north to Ksamil in the south. The country can go toe to toe for most beautiful beaches with its neighbors along the Adriatic, Croatia and Montenegro. But unlike those neighbors, now seemingly on the lips of every beachbound world traveler, Albania’s coastline remains relatively unspoilt. Most of the tourists who do make it to the country come on ferries from Italy or on cheap flights from Germany. Locals express shock at meeting Americans, tipping their heads with a questioning look as if wondering how you got so lost you ended up in Albania. Tell them you’re here for the beaches, then head to one of these seaside secrets.

1. Ksamil

Photo: CA Irene Lorenz/Shutterstock

Two international airports serve Albania. One is in the capital, Tiranë, a good four-hour drive from prime coastline. Don’t fly there. Instead fly into the Greek island of Corfu, a short ferry ride away from Sarandë and Ksamil, your first stop in the Riviera. Mostly a family town for vacationing locals from other parts of the country, Ksamil has an utterly homey feel to it, with families flocking to the sea each morning and enjoying gelato and a small amusement park each evening. Many of the hotels surrounding the bay have their own stretches of beachfront with private beach chairs for rent (about 500 lek, or $4.50, for two sunbathers for the day), but the real prize are the islands not far from the coast. You’ll need to hire a boat to get out to the further Twin Islands, but a hearty swimmer can reach the closer ones unaided. During peak summer, a few cafes and bars operate outposts on the islands, but in the off season, you may have the island totally to yourself.

2. Borsh

Photo: Landscape Nature Photo/Shutterstock

Much of the Riviera is buffeted by mountains, which either run right to the sea or open into thin valleys, allowing just enough room for one small beach town. As you weave the short trip down to Borsh from the main mountain road, you’ll see the beach suddenly fire out in both directions. It’s one of the longest continuous beaches in the Riviera, so it offers plenty of room for stretching out without bumping into fellow sunbathers. Sleep away the day on a lounge chair, or take a long walk to hunt for beach glass (which is plentiful here) without encountering another soul.

3. Dhërmi

Photo: artem evdokimov/Shutterstock

Many of the beaches along the Riviera are populated by interchangeable fish shacks serving a mix of fresh seafood and Italian staples, but Dhërmi offers something slightly more unique to the hungry beachgoer: Pastarella Summer. The outpost of a popular Tiranë restaurant, Pastarella offers an Italian-influenced, seafood-heavy menu that’s simply fresher and better executed than similar restaurants around the area. But don’t expect to wait long for a table; this place is just as chill as any other spot on the beach.

4. Gjipe

Photo: Kawauso Okamoto/Shutterstock

A one-lane dirt road and a short hike maintain Gjipe’s seclusion, but you can skip all that hassle by simply hiring a boat from Dhërmi (just be sure to arrange a return trip before settling in at the beach). A couple of stands serve drinks and small bites, but you’re best off packing a picnic and camping out on a beach towel all day. Once you’ve digested your snacks (no swimming for at least an hour!), swim out to the low rocks along the western edge of the cove, where you can clamber up for a nice view, or go diving from if you’re feeling brave. No one would blame you for spending your entire trip here without ever seeing another beach.

5. Himarë

Photo: Sasenki/Shutterstock

Walking along the beach in Himarë, you could swear you were strolling along a boardwalk in a small American beach town — except in place of ice cream shops you’ll find the best gelato outside of Italy. Couples walk arm in arm, people play with dogs in the sand, families fish on the dock, popcorn vendors sell overflowing bags, and the excellent gelato is worth mentioning twice in as many sentences. Oh and there’s a pretty immaculate, sparsely populated beach where you can take it all in.


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