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Game of Thrones castle on sale

If there was one Game of Thrones house that never had any luck, it was House Tully, who was pretty much all butchered at the Red Wedding. But if for whatever reason you still wave the trout banner — or you just want to live in Westeros — the castle at Riverrun is up for sale.

Gosford Castle in County Armagh, Northern Ireland is the on-screen home of House Tully and now part of it can be yours. Considered to be Northern Ireland’s largest castle, the Norman-revival designed dwelling was built in the 1800s for the second Earl of Gosford and was occupied by the Earls of Gosford until 1921; the Ministry of Agriculture purchased the castle afterwards, holding ownership until it was sold to a development company.

Gosford Castle Development Limited has divided the castle up into several sections and started auctioning them off piece by piece. One was sold last month, and now a new one is up for grabs. The 3,500-square-foot section has been converted into six luxury apartments: the Inner Bailey, the Great Hall, the Old Keep, the Dining Room House, the Library Wing, and the Round Tower, and each of those have several of their own apartments.

HBO mainly used Gosford Castle to film scenes that took place at Riverrun during season 3. If you’re a Thrones fan, you might recall the scene where Robb Stark beheaded one of his bannerman, Rickard Karstark, for treason. They also returned to film the siege of Riverrun, where Jaime Lannister helped the Frey armies take the castle from the remaining Tullys in season 6. Thankfully, you won’t have any blood on the grounds if you purchase the castle — HBO’s cleaned that up for you so all you’ll have is amazing new digs and bragging rights.

Bids start at £500,000, but if you can’t spare the change, there’s other things for Thrones fans to be excited about. HBO president Casey Bloys recently announced that the final season will be released in the first half of 2019, instead of midsummer as it has for the last few seasons. And filming on the upcoming prequel is rumored to begin filming, partially in the Isle of Skye.

H/T: Winter is Coming

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Why to visit Bhutan for its people

Even if you don’t recognize the Kingdom of Bhutan by name, you’ve definitely seen pictures of it. The landlocked South Asian country between China, Tibet, and India straddles some epic Himalayan mountains, and the scenery is some of the most photographed in the world. While the landscape is truly spectacular, most people would struggle to list a single other feature of the country; its culture, politics, and people are almost always overlooked in favor of lush green hills, snow-capped peaks, and dazzling temples. On my recent journey to Bhutan, I tried to correct this through meeting and getting to know local Bhutanese people; it was only then that I felt I began to understand this place. Here are just some of the people I met during my travels — people who showed me that Bhutan is about so much more than its mountains.




1

This grandpa was on babysitting duty the day we walked through this small village near Punakha. He was pleased to see us, it seemed, and cracked a large smile, which is why I noticed many teeth missing. He gestured to his betel nut, which when chewed gives off a tiny buzz and thus is a bit addictive, or at least a not-so-great habit. But despite its negative effects on the teeth, it’s very common to see people nibbling on the little nut throughout Bhutan.

2

At Bhutanese schools, kids learn English from the get-go and have a very diverse curriculum that I naively didn’t expect from a rural nation. This girl was about 12 years old and her workbook title was "How we know for sure the Earth is tilted on its axis."

3

Speaking of children, these kids were - as children everywhere are - ridiculously cute. My wife connected with this little guy and played a game spinning him around by his hands. When she returned him to earth, dizzy as anything, the expression on his face - “What's happening to me!” - had his family in stitches. As we sat with them I got the sense that family was a shared experience here - not behind your fence or inside your home but with your community and the people around you.

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4

Bhutan, thanks to its very popular fourth king, measures the country's success in a profoundly different way than most. Rather than Gross National Product (GNP), the classic economic indicator, Bhutan measures Gross National Happiness (GNH) to determine its progress as a nation. I don't know the rankings by heart, but from personal experience, I can imagine Bhutan is doing very, very well. In this case, my friend accidentally farted - loudly - as he walked up to me, which cracked these folks up.

5

The country’s high happiness factor is not to say that life isn’t challenging here. The mountain conditions in Bhutan can be unforgiving, especially in winter. This old farmer moved slowly, selling his vegetables at the busy Sunday market near Wangdiphodrang. Despite his shy manner, he was beloved by all the other market sellers, and there was constant conversation and laughter as fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and chilies were bought and sold.

6

As a Buddhist kingdom, Bhutan hosts a population that is more than three-quarters Buddhist. The famous Buddhist master Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, and three nights here in the 8th century. All monks in Bhutan, following their nine-year academic education (to Masters level in Buddhist philosophy) are obliged to then undertake the same three-year (or more) retreat before becoming teachers themselves. Many begin their training at very young ages; here, a young monk pops into the costume closet to try a few things on for the annual festival at the Gangtey Monastery.

7

This father and son have worked the fields all their lives and had rough, shorn hands and crooked backs, which made them groan while stretching out between harvesting. Our stay here, in the province of Haa, was ripe with a lot of belly laughs. Both men are wearing a gho, which is tied with a belt called a kera, the national dress of Bhutan. I bought a gho on the last day of our trip and wore it out to dinner with our guides. It was surprisingly comfortable and has the biggest pockets I’ve ever encountered - “the biggest pocket in the world,” the locals claimed. This particular image was my favorite from the entire trip.

8

This girl was the daughter of the Gangtey Monastery painter, who prepares the ornate framing for the temple's displays. His workroom was a real treasure trove of interesting Buddhist artifacts, and his daughter was thoroughly enjoying trying on different masks and costumes with the young monk from the photo above.

9

This is Tenzin, his mother Sonam, and his ever-smiling, laughing grandma. At one of our farm stays, we were lucky enough to spend time with Tenzin - a true madman and creative genius entirely unconcerned with social norms - and witness his mom's and grandma's attempts to keep him in line.

10

This guy offered us some of his family's antique Buddhist objects to buy; when we declined, he didn’t seem at all bothered and struck up a long, cheerful conversation with our guide. Our entire trip was full of long and cheerful conversations actually - with locals, with our guides, with our homestays. My wife and I still keep in touch with our guides, and we hope to see them again one day, as we most certainly will be returning to this magical place.

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The post Why you should visit Bhutan to experience its people — not just its mountains appeared first on Matador Network.

Macallan giving scotch to commuters

Public transit is stressful, especially in a city as hectic as New York. Luckily, The Macallan is here to help numb that stress. Starting today and running through Friday, July 27, Macallan is making New Yorkers’ commutes a little more interesting by offering free drams of its single-malt to weary travelers at Grand Central Terminal, ahead of National Scotch Whisky Day on Friday.

While you’re there, you should try on the VR headset, as well. The headset will transport you to the distillery’s home in Speyside, Scotland, and give you a chance to take a brief journey through the distilling process before returning to your less-interesting trip to work.

When you don the VR headset and enter a giant cube, you’ll immediately feel a nice, soothing breeze and smell fresh grass. A story about Easter Elchies Estate in Speyside, where Macallan has been based since 1824, will unfold in 4D, and you’ll have a bird’s-eye view of the scenic landscape. Then, in truly interactive fashion, you’ll have complete control over which parts of the distillery to “visit” by waving your hands.

To take advantage of the VR distillery experience — and of course, the free scotch — visit Grand Central Terminal any day (or every day) before Friday, July 27.

H/T: Condé Nast Traveler

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A Smurf village opened in Belgium

It might have been a while since you’ve seen the Smurfs on TV, but now you can do even better than watch the Smurfs — you can feel what it’s like to live like one. In celebration of the Smurfs’ 60th birthday, the Brussels Expo is featuring The Smurf Experience, which will transport you into the world of the popular Belgian cartoon characters. This immersive experience will include holograms, magnifying sets, special effects, and even virtual reality.

A post shared by Smurf Experience (@smurfexperience) on Jul 17, 2018 at 6:33am PDT

The Smurfs, created by Belgian artist Peyo, initially debuted in 1958 as an animation of human-like elves. There are over a thousand Smurfs characters — including Poppa Smurf, Baker Smurf, Lazy Smurf, etc. — who have been popular with children for decades now, as well as a cult favorite among adults.

A post shared by Smurf Experience (@smurfexperience) on Jun 8, 2018 at 9:35am PDT

Between the Smurf Village replication and the virtual-reality ride, the exhibition occupies over 1,500 square meters of space. It will bring visitors through mystical forests and mushroom-shaped houses and allow them to speak with Smurfs, dance the Smurf dance, and even fly on a stork’s back. The Smurf Experience also aims to spread Smurf values of tolerance, solidarity, and friendship and show visitors the importance of protecting the environment.

The entire experience lasts about two hours, with tickets running $20 for adults, $16 for teens, $12 for kids, and full-family tickets at $60.

H/T: Lonely Planet

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Planning an Arctic trip to Svalbard

When you tell your friends you’re taking a trip to Norway, their faces might light up with jealousy, assuming you’ll get to take that same picture everyone does on Trolltunga above a fjord. But when you clarify that you’re visiting Svalbard above the Arctic Circle, a destination with more polar bears than people, that envy will probably turn to outright confusion. To many, a sub-zero trip to the world’s northernmost settlement hardly sounds like a vacation one would willingly take. But Svalbard is actually the perfect trip for the intrepid traveler with opportunities ranging from dog sledding to spelunking in glacier caves to sleeping below the northern lights. Unlike many holidays, though, you have to do a significant amount of preparing in order to have the best possible time there. Here are five essential considerations you need to prepare for before you embark on your epic trip to the top of the world.

Consider the season.

Photo: ginger_polina_bublik/Shutterstock

Given the archipelago’s extreme northerly latitude, seasons in Svalbard are rather unique. Rather than the conventional autumn, winter, spring, and summer roundup, Svalbard has three distinct seasons — Polar Summer, Dark Winter, and Sunny Winter. Your trip will be dramatically different depending on when you decide to visit. Polar Summer (May 17 – September 30) is ideal for those looking to experience the Midnight Sun, or 24 hours of daylight. It can be a truly surreal, memorable experience, but you should keep in mind that several snowy, glacial excursions are fairly limited during the Polar Summer — and you’ll probably have a few sleepless nights.

Conversely, during Dark Winter (October 1 – February 28), Svalbard plunges into a months-long polar night (with no sun between November 11 and January 30). While this is certainly daunting and eerily reminiscent of the Long Night in Game of Thrones, this is also the prime season for northern-lights viewing. Seeing the polar lights is inevitable during this time of year, so if the aurora borealis is on your bucket list, the Dark Winter is your best bet.

For a perfect sweet spot between the two extreme seasons, we recommend visiting during the Sunny Winter (March 1 – May 16) though it’s definitely the most popular time for travel here. The season closely resembles the day/night balance we’re accustomed to; days are long and bright, but the sun does set at a reasonable hour. And don’t worry about the snow melting. Temperatures won’t rise above freezing until at least mid-May.

Cover every inch of your body.

Photo: ginger_polina_bublik/Shutterstock

No matter what season you visit, Svalbard is cold. That’s not exactly surprising, considering it’s closer to the North Pole than it is to mainland Norway. While basic winter apparel — a down jacket, gloves, boots, etc. — is a no-brainer, there are other essentials you should keep in mind. When packing your suitcase, you should not only consider the temperature, but also the dry Arctic wind. It can easily cause frostbite to exposed skin, especially when you’re on a snowmobile or dog sled. To avoid frostbite, every inch of your body should be covered. A neck warmer will be your best friend. Merino wool socks and thermal underwear are pretty much must-haves, and there’s no such thing as too many layers. On my recent trip to Svalbard, I wore thermal underwear, a light undershirt, a North Face fleece, and a goose-down jacket pretty much everywhere I went, and I never felt overdressed. A balaclava for your face is another surefire way to protect yourself from the wind. It might make you look like a burglar, but since the crime rate on Svalbard is basically zero, you won’t get any suspicious looks.

Choose your excursions wisely.

A post shared by Eben Diskin (@ebenflow_) on Apr 10, 2018 at 2:12pm PDT

If you’re coming to Svalbard to spend a week in Longyearbyen, the main settlement of about 2,000 residents, you’ll quickly contract cabin fever. Aside from a few museums — which are definitely worth a visit — there’s not much to do in town. You’ll quickly learn that Longyearbyen mainly serves as a base of operations for explorers, scientific researchers, and vacationers, serving as a launching point for excursions into the wilderness. The complexion of your trip will depend primarily on what activities you sign up for. These range from leisurely bus tours, geared toward an elderly demographic, to 13-day dog-sledding trips that require setting up remote camps and constructing polar-bear defenses.

My friends and I wanted an authentic, rugged Arctic experience, but we also wanted to actually come home in one piece. We booked a half-day dog-sledding excursion and a guided snowmobile trip to a glacial cave. Once we had the lay of the land, we rented our own snowmobiles and spent our last day exploring the valleys north of town. It’s probably a good idea to get snowmobile insurance, however. Someone in our group (who shall remain nameless), managed to flip his snowmobile twice, cracking the windshield. If not for insurance, he would have been on the hook for nearly $2,000. This balance of guided and unguided excursions is perfect for first-time Arctic adventurers. Svalbard’s main tourism website is great for browsing all the available excursions and choosing ones that are a good fit for you.

Acquire permission to rent firearms.

Photo: FloridaStock/Shutterstock

If you thought you got odd looks when you told people you were going to Svalbard, try going through the rifle-rental process. There are a large number of polar bears on Svalbard, and to travel anywhere outside the borders of Longyearbyen, you are legally required to carry a firearm to defend against them if necessary. The process of getting rental permission isn’t difficult, but there are several steps to be aware of.

First, you’ll need to get a Letter of Good Conduct from your local police station, basically stating that you’re not a deranged criminal. “And why do you need the letter?” The woman at the police station asked me. “Well,” I said, trying to think of the least ridiculous-sounding answer, “I need it so I can rent a rifle to defend myself against polar bears in the Arctic.” She raised her eyebrows, studied my record — probably shocked to find that I was not, in fact, deranged — and signed my letter. I emailed it, along with a brief application, to the Governor of Svalbard and had my certificate of permission two weeks later. Thankfully, I never had to fire a shot, and you likely won’t need to either.

Go out on your own.

Photo: ginger_polina_bublik/Shutterstock

The whole point of a trip to Svalbard is to quench your thirst for adventure, to explore one of the most remote corners of the world. For the most memorable, adrenaline-pumping experience, don’t just rely on guided excursions. Rent a snowmobile for a day and lose yourself (not literally, of course) in the epic glaciers and valleys. Svalbard’s wilderness gives new meaning to the “Great White North”. Armed with snacks, a faulty GPS, and about six layers of clothes, my friends and I ventured across the Adventdalen, a stunning valley not too far from Longyearbyen. Besides the rare lonely cabin in the distance, or herds of Arctic reindeer, there was nothing to tie us back to the familiar world. Only rising and falling peaks, frozen lakes, and rolling white hills.


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Disney sand sculpture in Belgium

If traveling to Florida or California is not an option for you, don’t despair. This summer, you’ll be able to see your favorite Disney characters and landmarks in Belgium in the form of incredible sand sculptures. On the Grande Plage beach in Ostend, Belgium, artists from around the world are creating a fantasy world inspired by characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars stories.

Photo: Disney Sand Magic

Photo: Disney Sand Magic

Over 240 trucks hauled a hefty supply of special sand for the Sand Magic Festival, recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest festival of its kind. Forty artists worked tirelessly over the course of a month to create these impressive sand sculptures. In all, 150 sculptures were made, ranging from two to six meters in height. Among the popular sculptures are Daffy Duck, Yoda, Bruce, and the great white shark from Finding Nemo.

Photo: Disney Sand Magic

Photo: Disney Sand Magic

The Sand Magic Festival opened on June 23 and will run until September 30, so there’s plenty of time to catch your favorite Disney sand characters. It remains to be seen, however, how wind and rain will affect the displays, so it may be safer to visit sooner rather than later.

H/T: Reuters

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French churches you can sleep in

The days of the nondescript hotel-chain rooms are over. From stunning Airbnbs to quirky accommodations such as bubble hotels, lighthouses, and even underwater hotels, there are plenty of options for travelers who don’t want to spend the night in a boring, cookie-cutter room with bad art on the walls. An increasingly popular trend is staying in spiritual dwellings turned boutique hotels, from temples in Asia to renovated churches, convents, and monasteries in Europe. You don’t need to identify with the religion to enjoy your stay at these former holy places; it’s all about tranquility, stunning architecture, and a unique cultural experience. One country that has a large concentration of these converted places of worship is France; here are six beautiful French churches you can stay the night in.

1. Sozo Hotel, Nantes

Photo: Sozo Hotel/Facebook

Photo: Sozo Hotel/Facebook

At the Sozo Hotel, a boutique hotel set in a former 19th-century chapel, you won’t complain if you have to sleep in one of the two smallest rooms — you might have less space, but there’ll be a colorful, stained-glass rose window by your bed. Not that the other 21 rooms are any worse. Six of them are located on the top floor of the hotel, closest to the vault of the original church, so stone arches hang over the beds and arched windows are the main source of light. Four other rooms have either a view of the choir stalls or are situated right under the chapel’s apse for a celestial cocoon feeling, while the 11 remaining rooms are located between the stone walls of the church, on the chapel and sacristy side of the hotel. Rooms start at $163.

2. Fourvière Hôtel, Lyon

Photo: Fourvière Hôtel/Facebook

Photo: Fourvière Hôtel/Facebook

Photo: Fourvière Hôtel

The old convent of Visitation, a monastery built in 1854, was renovated and transformed into the gorgeous Fourvière Hôtel in 2015. The stunning building housing 75 clean-line, minimalist bedrooms and suites is built around a large cloister. The hotel’s reception is located in a former chapel, transporting guests into a peaceful setting upon their arrival. There are two restaurants (one of them, Le Bouchon, serves traditional Lyonnaise cuisine), a large swimming pool, and a spa. Rooms start at $186.

3. Abbaye de Sainte-Croix, Salon de Provence

Photo: Garrigae Abbaye de Sainte-Croix/Facebook

Photo: Garrigae Abbaye de Sainte-Croix/Facebook

Photo: Garrigae Abbaye de Sainte-Croix/Facebook

You would want to sleep in Abbaye de Sainte-Croix, a 12th-century abbey, just for its location: perched on a hill and in the middle of a pine forest, with a panoramic view over the region. But the abbey itself, restored in the 1970s, is just as amazing. The monks’ former cells were turned into comfortable, luxurious suites, all the while keeping the original architecture intact. The hotel has its own restaurant, a swimming pool, and a spa. Rooms start at $233.

4. Fontevraud L’Hôtel, Fontevraud-l’Abbaye

Photo: Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud/Facebook

Photo: Fontevraud TV/Vimeo

Founded in 1101, this abbey used to be the home of 3,000 nuns and monks. Centuries later, Napoleon turned it into a prison and, after decades of decline, it was restored and turned into a cultural center. Fontevraud L’Hôtel is in one of the former priories, and the rooms maintain that monastic vibe with modern, minimalist decor that highlights the architecture. The hotel’s restaurant that opens onto the priory’s cloister has one Michelin star, so don’t skip a meal. One of the highlights of staying in Fontevraud is the opportunity to wander around the abbey at night, when all tourists have left and you have the place all to yourself. Rooms start at $153.

5. Hôtel Mercure Poitiers Centre, Poiters

Photo: AccorHotels

Photo: AccorHotels

Photo: AccorHotels

This former 1854 Jesuit chapel is now a four-star hotel. Not all the rooms at the Hôtel Mercure Poitiers Centre feature the 19th-century chapel’s architecture, but if you ask for one, you’ll get it (depending on availability and your willingness to spend more, of course). If you want to splurge and fully take advantage of the beautiful setting, book the suite located at the very top of the old chapel. No matter what room you book, you’ll still be able to enjoy the amazing architecture in the hotel’s restaurant that has been set up in the chapel itself — large lancet windows, arches, and columns are sure to make your breakfast pop. Rooms start at $111.

6. Le Couvent des Minimes, Mane

Photo: Le Couvent des Minimes Hôtel & SPA L’Occitane/Facebook

Photo: Le Couvent des Minimes Hôtel & SPA L’Occitane/Facebook

Photo: Le Couvent des Minimes Hôtel & SPA L’Occitane/Facebook

Founded in 1613, Le Couvent des Minimes (a convent), reopened as a hotel and spa in 2008. The restoration of the building kept the original architecture and facade, as well as the terraced botanical gardens, but gave the rooms all the modern commodities needed and a touch of contemporary design. You’ll be tempted to just stay within the property and enjoy the swimming pool, spa with L’Occitane products (at an extra charge), one-Michelin star restaurant, and bucolic walks in nature, but it would be a shame. The Couvent des Minimes is also perfectly located to explore the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence mountains and the region’s famous lavender fields. Rooms start at $229.


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“Full House” house off limits to bus

One of TV’s most recognizable landmarks in San Francisco is about to be restricted to tourists — at least, if you’re on a tour bus. The house facade that became famous on the ’90s sitcom Full House, is now off limits to tour buses. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency voted recently to ban commercial vehicles from a section of Broderick Street, where the house is located, following complaints by neighbors. 1709 Broderick Street became widely-known as the residence of TV’s Tanner family, and was often featured in exterior shots throughout each episode. The show wasn’t, however, actually filmed inside the house, but rather on the Warner Brothers Studio Lot in Los Angeles.

The ban prohibits vehicles with more than nine seats from driving up Broderick Street between Pine and Bush. Tourism to the area has increased dramatically following the release of the spin-off series Fuller House. Disgruntled neighbors estimate that as many as 1,500 people per day show up to ogle and snap pictures of the famous house, causing congestion and blocking driveways.

The house has changed owners a few times, and was most recently purchased by Full House creator Jeff Franklin in 2016 for $4 million. Reports claimed that he planned to remodel the interior to match the Full House set, but it isn’t clear yet if those plans have come to fruition. For his sake, though, it might be better if fans weren’t peering through his windows, trying to catch a glimpse of the Tanner family kitchen.

H/T: Lonely Planet

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Philadelphia slang: the need to know

Every city in the United States has unique expressions and slang, and Philadelphia is no exception. Here you’ll find there’s a slew of colloquialisms that will make absolutely zero sense to an outsider, and that’s because they’re born from the expansive history and diverse culture of the city. If youse guys (meaning all of you), ever plan on coming to town for a long weekend or want to move here because you love cheesesteaks wit whiz, then here are 10 expressions that will make you feel like a local.

1. Yo

Yes, “yo” is said just about everywhere in the country, but it’s almost exclusively how we say “hello” in Philly. The greeting of “yo” can vary in meaning, though, depending on intonation. Whether it has an angry or joyous tone tells us the kind of day or week you’ve been having. A curt “yo” is mostly used when someone bumps into you on the street. A long, drawn-out “YOOOOO!” is the best way to greet an old friend.

2. Jeet?

Perhaps the nicest thing your mother or grandma can ask you, “Jeet?” means “Did you eat yet?” The answer to that question is simple as you can always eat more here.

3. Wit Whiz

And speaking of eating, when in Philly, you’ve got to try a cheesesteak. A true cheesesteak connoisseur knows that the chopped steak sandwich on a long roll comes either wit whiz (gooey, bright orange-yellow fake cheese) or without. Choose your camp but don’t look like an outsider when ordering.

4. Center City

In New York or Chicago, people head downtown, but not in Philly — we go to Center City.

5. Wawa

Wawa is a chain found throughout Philly, the suburbs, and South Jersey, and you’ll want to memorize this name; it’s basically a religion here. During the summer, Wawa throws its annual Hoagie Festival, where you can get a 12″ hoagie for $5. And if you’re lucky, you can nab a funky tie-dye Hoagie Festival T-shirt to wear when you’re munching down on your footlong.

6. Water ice

Another local favorite treat is water ice — but water is pronounced as “wood-er” — which other states often refer to as Italian Ice. Head to Rita’s or Philly Flavors for a taste of this delightful summer treat.

7. Down the shore

When Memorial Day weekend arrives, Philadelphians go down the shore, meaning, we head to the New Jersey beaches: Wildwood, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, or if you’re feeling lucky, Atlantic City. The shore is the best part of summer. During the day, you crack open a beer and get your summer tan on while kids bob up and down on waves before hitting up the boardwalk at night.

8. The Linc

Lincoln Financial Field, aka “the Linc” is the home of Philly football legends and recent Super Bowl champions, the Eagles. All sports stadiums are in South Philadelphia, but the throne of Philadelphia is the Linc. After a game, you can head over to Xfinity Live, a complex with five bars, including a beer hall and a mechanical bull to either relish in victory or drink away a loss.

9. U City

Philly is a smart city; we’ve got an Ivy League school right in West Philadelphia. The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), along with Drexel University, is housed in the neighborhood of University City, which is known in Philly as simply “U City.” This mini metropolis is where all the college kids live.

10. The MFL

Philly doesn’t have the best subway system in the world; in fact, not counting the trolleys in West Philly, there are only two lines: one that runs left to right, but veers upwards after Old City, and one that runs up and down. The Market-Frankford Line, known colloquially as the “MFL” runs from West Philly (69th Street station, which is pretty much Upper Darby) to Frankford station in the Northeast. You’ll need to get to know this line well if you want to explore the city.


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World’s strongest gin made in Sweden

There’s a new leader in the gin world when in comes to producing the strongest product, and that’s Swedish distiller Smögen. Smögen is a small craft distillery that produces single malt whisky and gin, and it recently released its record-breaking new gin, Strane Ultra Uncut, which lays claim to a staggering 82.5 percent ABV.

Smögen previously held the title for the strongest gin until February 2018 with their Strane London Dry Gin Uncut Strength (76 percent ABV), when they were dethroned by Scottish distiller Twin River, who broke their record with a bottle reaching 77 percent. Ever since, Pär Calndeby, lead distiller at Smögen, has been determined to reclaim his title, and has worked hard to tweak the original recipe to increase its ABV. The result is a return to the top of the gin-strength rankings. To reach 82.5 percent, Candleby changed the still production and doubled the amount of botanicals.

To get your hands on some of Smögen’s record-setting gin, you’ll have to travel to Sweden or the UK. The rest of the world, at least for now, just isn’t ready.

H/T: Liquor.com

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