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A bucket list for cheese lovers

A love of cheese is more than just an obsession. It’s a passionate affair with a delicacy rich in both history and culture, produced differently around the world but never lacking passion. Cheese fanatics the world over have created a running show of events, tours, and crazy experiences celebrating their fromage-affairs, always showcasing local styles and often incorporating ridiculous antics (and booze) to lure hungry travelers. Whether you hit one or all, it’s time to start planning your next cheese-themed getaway, stat, to start ticking off these bucket-list experiences.

A post shared by Mirkolino (@mirk0lino) on Jun 27, 2018 at 5:15pm PDT

1. Suffer (or savor) a serving of Casu Marzu at Agugliastra in Lanusei, Sardinia, Italy.

You’re hardcore about cheese about cheese. We get it — but this one might be your match. Casu Marzu is a take on pecorino cheese that is left to rot long enough that it attracts maggots, and only then is it served. Appetizing it isn’t, but the practice has built a cult following around Sardinia. It’s otherwise almost impossible to find, with the website for the Ogliastra region being the best place to identify where to experience Casu Marzu. The challenge is far from over once you’ve swallowed your pride and put down the maggot-rendered serving in front of you. Casu Marzu is known to stick around on your tongue and breath for hours afterwards.

Photo: 1000 Words/Shutterstock

2. Survive the Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake in Gloucester, England.

Gloucester hosts what has become the world’s most raucous cheese-themed party, an event that sends a massive wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down Cooper’s Hill with a horde of cheese fanatics tumbling, rolling, and diving after it. The winner is awarded a massive wheel of cheese to call his or her very own, but some don’t get to enjoy it until after a visiting the medical staff awaiting at the bottom of the hill — each year sees multiple injuries. Afterwards, the whole lot of entrants and spectators makes its way down to The Cheese Rollers Pub for celebratory drinks; the roll takes place annually on England’s Spring Bank Holiday.

Photo: Mark Martins/Shutterstock

3. Cruise the Vermont Cheese Trail.

Vermont produces more than 150 types of cheese, and the Vermont Cheese Council took it upon itself to map out how to try them. If you’ve ever been on a wine tour, the experience is similar except for the end result being a dairy-induced coma instead of intoxication. Follow the map across the state, stopping at cheese makers and specialty shops along the way, and eat to your heart’s content. All’s better if you drive to Vermont, as you can stuff the trunk full of your favorites and keep the experience going even after you’ve arrived back home.

Photo: Paxton & Whitfield

4. Rally your crew for Beer, Beer, and Morbier in London, England.

London’s Paxton and Whitfield is among the most celebrated cheese shops in the world, open since 1742 and the subject of much adoration from Winston Churchill. This private after-hours event affords you and up to seven of your friends entry into the cheese shop after everyone else has gone home for the day to sample cheeses paired with ales and learn tasting tidbits from a professional cheesemonger. At just over $1,000 for the group, it’s pricey, but you’ll take home a few samples as well as a tasting journal — register here.

Photo: The Mac and Cheese Fest

5. Gorge yourself at The Macaroni & Cheese Festival in California and New Mexico.

If the words Macaroni & Cheese immediately drew your eyes to this listing, we don’t blame you. The Macaroni & Cheese Festival happens four times per summer, with two events in California (Bakersfield and Avila Beach) and two in New Mexico (Farmington and Albuquerque). Local establishments compete to see who makes the best version, and attendees get to taste them all while enjoying craft beer and live music to boot. If that’s not a perfect day, we’re not sure what is.

Photo: New Caledonia

6. Surf and sample at the French Cheese Festival in Nouméa, New Caledonia, French Polynesian Islands.

You probably don’t associate the South Pacific with cheese, but the French Polynesian Islands actually ship in over 130 cheeses from mainland France for New Caledonia’s annual French Cheese Festival. It takes place in June, and there’s no shortage of fine French wines to complement. As an added bonus, you can stumble over to the beach and rest under a palm tree once you’ve reached your fill.

A post shared by Graubär & Blondi (@graubaer_blondi) on Jul 10, 2018 at 1:46pm PDT

7. Take the train to the Alpine Cheese Festival on the Grosse Scheidegg in Grindelwald, Switzerland.

Forget about fondue — these alpine cheeses are so good that melting them would be a crime. Sample the full spectrum high up in the Jungfrau in the small mountain town of Grindelwald, among the most beautiful settings in the world for a late-summer event. You’ll enjoy high-altitude cheeses, music, and pairings, as well as local butters and breads, while staring in awe at the surrounding peaks. This year’s event takes place Sept. 15.

Photo: iaminut/Shutterstock

8. Put down a serving of yak cheese in Tibet.

There are cheese experiences to savor, to look forward to, and to dream about long after they happen. Then there’s yak cheese, known for being so hard that it’s actually a challenge to eat it without causing damage to your teeth. If you can get past the hardness, the cheese actually has a sweet, mild flavor to it.

Photo: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

9. Relax over a plate of cheese curds in Wisconsin.

If you’ve made it through even a few of these experiences, you deserve to reward yourself with the simple perfection that is Wisconsin cheese curds. A basket of hot cheese curds and a cold PBR is a cheese pairing smashed head on with true Americana, and once you’ve tried it, you’ll know why the locals are so proud of such a seemingly simple concept. Whether you have them fresh or deep fried, you simply haven’t been to Wisconsin until you’ve wolfed down a plate.


More like this: South Korea has a whole theme park dedicated to cheese

The post The ultimate bucket list of experiences for cheese lovers appeared first on Matador Network.

3 under-the-radar NYC day trips

New York City has no shortage of things to do. You could spend years there and still not scratch the surface of everything it has to offer; locals are still uncovering new places after living there for decades. But, let’s face it — it can be a formidable foe to take on. And after a few outings of battling the beast, you’ll lose energy, get tired, and potentially burn out. You’ll want to get away from the hustle and bustle for a change of pace. Luckily, there’s more to New York than the five boroughs. Here are three of the best under-the-radar day trips for those of you who want to explore the region — and enjoy some peace and quiet.

1. Sleepy Hollow

Photo: Ruscombe/Shutterstock

No headless horseman to be found here. Sleepy Hollow is a village of around 10,000 people and is part of the larger town of Mount Pleasant. It was made famous by author Washington Irving’s story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” In his story, the main character, Ichabod Crane, is competing with Abraham Van Brunt for the hand of Katrina Van Tassel. Crane wants to marry Van Tassel so that he can get access to her family’s vast wealth. One night after a party, Crane’s intentions to propose end up being futile, so he heads home and encounters a rider — the Headless Horseman. Afraid beyond belief, he rides away on his own horse as quickly as possible but ends up seeing the Horseman again on a bridge. After that, Crane was never heard of again.

Things to do:

Luckily you won’t have to worry about being spirited away by supernatural forces. Walking through Sleepy Hollow will provide a window into the legend, and you can even visit the Old Dutch Church and bridge that Irving used as inspiration for Crane and the Headless Horseman’s meetings. While Irving lived in the nearby Tarrytown, he was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. It’s open to the public, and there are myriad famous figures buried there, such as Andrew Carnegie, members of Alexander Hamilton’s family, and several Rockefellers.

Speaking of the Rockefellers, you can also visit Kykuit, an estate that housed four generations of the Rockefeller family. John D. Rockefeller, the founder of the Standard Oil Company and the man considered to be the wealthiest person in America, ordered the mansion to be built. It took six years for the initial building to be completed and today stands at four stories with two basements and a large garden. Tours fill up fast so you’ll want to buy your tickets in advance.

Eat/drink:

Italian, Greek, Indian, Japanese — name a cuisine, and it’ll be here. Go for souvlaki or a greek salad at Lefteris Gyro, a family-owned restaurant with huge portions. For dessert, head on over to Main Streets Sweets, an old-school ice-cream parlor where everything from the ice cream to the sorbets to the milkshakes is homemade.

Getting there:

Around 50 minutes by Metro-North on the Hudson Line from Grand Central. (You’ll shave off a few minutes if you manage to catch an express train though!)

Best time to visit:

Halloween. It’s great year round, but if you’re in NYC in October, then that’s a perfect time to go to Sleepy Hollow, which embraces the spooky season in all its glory.

2. Appalachian Trail

Photo: Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock

Most people associate the Appalachian Trail — a 2,200-mile-long trail that passes through 14 different states — with Virginia, Maine, or even Pennsylvania. But a large 88.4-mile portion of the AT runs right through New York state. One of the most popular parts is Bear Mountain State Park; it also goes through Harriman and Fahnestock State Parks. You can visit any of the state parks, but Anthony’s Nose is a particularly cool viewpoint that’s accessible through the AT. You’ll get amazing views of Hudson Valley and Bear Mountain.

Getting there:

Just under two hours by Metro-North on the Hudson Line from Grand Central. If you’re using the train to get there, be sure to check schedules ahead of time. The trains usually only run to the AT areas on weekends.

Best time to visit:

End of spring through early summer. You’ll get warm weather, so you don’t have to bundle up, but it’ll still be cool enough that you’re not hiking in the sweltering heat, either.

3. West Point Area

Photo: gary718/Shutterstock

Originally named Fort Clinton, West Point is the oldest continually occupied military post in the country. During the American Revolution, President George Washington called it the most important strategic position. One of the more infamous figures in American history, General Benedict Arnold, was in command of West Point in the later part of the 1700s and attempted to hand control of the site over to the British Army. In return, Arnold would receive the title of Brigadier General in the British Army, as well as £20,000 — the equivalent of $26,000 today. West Point remained in American control, and while Arnold’s treasonous act was uncovered, he successfully made it to the British side and received a decreased reward of £6,000 ($7,800 today).

Things to do:

History buffs will love it here. Visit West Point Academy, the oldest military academy in the US, and tour the base. Then there’s the West Point Museum, whose mission is “to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret historically significant artifacts pertaining to the United States Military Academy, United States Army and the Profession of Arms.” You’ll come to understand how war tactics have changed over time and compare and contrast the strategies of the past to those of today. There’s also an exhibit that gives an overview of what life as a cadet looks like.

To prevent a history overload, you have two options: first, there’s Eisenhower Hall Theatre, a performing arts theater that puts on different plays and concerts. See “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder,” “Cinderella,” or “Jersey Boys.” Second, see if you can catch a football game at Michie Stadium. West Point’s football team is Division I, the highest level of US college football, so it’s sure to be a good one no matter who the team plays.

Eat/drink:

Zulu Time Rooftop Bar and Lounge is a place where you can blow off some steam, eat, and drink all with a nice vantage point. It’s located atop the historic Thayer Hotel, which was named after Sylvanus Thayer, also known as the “father of West Point.” Patrons of the hotel include Ulysses S. Grant, Washington Irving, and Edgar Allan Poe. While Zulu Time’s menu may seem small to some, it’s got great breadth.

Getting there:

About an hour to an hour and a half depending on whether you go by train, bus, or car. The closest train station is Peekskill, so take the Metro-North Hudson line to get there. Outside the station there are always cabs waiting, so hop in one for the quick 20-minute ride over to West Point or book one in advance. Short Line Bus offers daily service directly there from Port Authority, but it’s about $16 each way.

Best time to visit:

Fall. Anywhere on West Point’s grounds gives you an amazing view of the Hudson River, so the changing colors of fall will only enhance the experience.


More like this: The 10 best free museums in New York City

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11 tips for day hiking with children

Studies show that there are endless health benefits to spending time outdoors as children. Getting out in nature, away from TV screens, and into green spaces is essential for a child’s health and development. Being the proactive parent that you are, you put “Paw Patrol” on pause and pack up the family to hit the trails.

Suddenly, the idyllic day hike you imagined turns upside down when reality sets in — cranky children having melodramatic meltdowns and making you wonder why you even strapped on your backpack in the first place. Hiking with toddlers and young children can be a challenge, but these tips will help you achieve whine-free hiking this summer.

1. Choose a family-friendly trail.

When looking at your hiking options, select a trail that is suitable for your child’s age, skill level, and stamina. The goal shouldn’t be an ascent of Everest here, folks. Lower your expectations and be realistic about the distance your kids can handle. Be sure to save some energy for the return trip. Look for a trail with cool features that will keep your kiddos interested: a creek to dip their toes in, rocks to scramble on, a mini-summit to see the land from a bird’s-eye view. You can search for kid-friendly trails at AllTrails, a database of over 50,000 trails across the US.

2. Pick the right time of day to go.

Aim for a time of day when the weather is pleasant and the kids are well rested and ready to rock. A sleepy, cranky kid makes for a bad hiker, so be sure to work around naptime and only hike when everyone’s likely to be in a good mood. Early morning, when the sun isn’t too hot and energy levels are up, is typically a great time for a hike with the kids.

3. Dress for success.

Yes, your little angel may throw a fit if she doesn’t wear her Princess Sofia the First jelly shoes, but mama says “too bad.” Hiking requires shoes with sturdy support for all-terrain fun. Keen Footwear has a wide selection of shoes for active kids. For summer hiking, Big Kid’s Newport H2 is a light, comfy, quick-dry shoe that breathes but still protects the toes. With colors like ribbon-red gargoyle and purple heart periwinkle, this shoe is a fun alternative to the classic hiker boot. Before any hike, make sure the kiddos break their shoes in at home so their little feet don’t get blisters out on the trail.

4. Protect against the sun.

Even if it doesn’t seem that hot out, little ones can easily burn. Slather on that sunscreen and, of course, wear a hat. Dress the kids in lightweight, long-sleeved shirts made from breathable fabrics to protect them from the sun. Patagonia sells fun pink and blue hoodies with 50+ UPF sun protection. They are also quick dry, so moisture is wicked from the skin to keep kids cool and dry when they inevitably splash in a mud puddle or douse themselves in water.

5. Buy kid-sized gear.

Kids love having their own gear, so get your toddler a small pack to carry some lightweight items like a hoodie. While hiking, the weather can change quickly, so dress the kids in layers and pack a warm jacket in your backpack in case the temperature drops. Eddie Bauer and Columbia sell some brightly colored windbreakers and fleece jackets for even the littlest hikers.

While it’s great to be prepared, don’t bring too much stuff! Do know that whatever the kids bring in, you’ll end up carrying out. If you don’t want to feel like a pack mule, be kind to yourself by packing light and leaving extraneous stuffed animals or beloved toys at home.

6. Give your arms a rest.

True, carrying your kid for miles through the woods may be great for your biceps, but it sure is exhausting. If you anticipate hiking with your little one in your arms, a baby hiking backpack is a must. While there are many to choose from, The Deuter Kid Comfort 2 Child Carrier is among the most well-reviewed. Lightweight at only seven pounds with an adjustable harness, five-point child safety system, and plenty of pockets, the backpack can hold up to 48.5 pounds (weight includes your gear and kiddo). This weight restriction means that even older kids (not just babies) can comfortably fit in the carrier, giving the product far more longevity.

An alternative to the carrier is a durable jogging stroller. BOB strollers have heavy tires, good suspension and can easily maneuver through all kinds of rugged terrain. If you have young kids who can’t walk very far before they need a rest or a nap, this kind of stroller could be a hiking life-saver.

7. Pack snacks and drink lots of water.

Before you set out on your trip, get the kids to help with a little DIY trail mix. Set out pretzels, raisins, nuts, Goldfish crackers, and M&Ms, and let kids put together their own snack mixes for the hike. Healthy portable snacks such as apples, granola bars, and homemade chocolate protein balls are also good things to have on hand. Don’t forget to have a few emergency lollipops in your back pocket in case you need to bribe or coerce your children with high-fructose corn syrup. Pack the kids’ CamelBak water bottles, and be sure to take frequent water breaks.

8. Pack a first-aid kit.

Dr. Mom and Dr. Dad should have a few first-aid items on hand for possible toddler tumbles and scrapes. REI sells a hiking first-aid kit with an assortment of adhesive bandages and antiseptic towelettes for $13, or you can make your own first aid kit.

9. Gamify the hike.

Keep the kids engaged by turning the hike into an epic outdoor scavenger hunt. Check out Pinterest for free nature-themed hunts. Print out the list of things to gather (everything from pine cones to dandelions), glue the paper to a small gift bag, and voila! Kids can collect all the “treasures” they find and store them in their bags. Be sure to include a pencil or crayon so they can check found items off the list.

10. Become a junior naturalist.

Encourage your child’s natural curiosity by giving them a magnifying glass, kid-sized binoculars, a journal, and a small container (even an egg carton will do) for any cool things they find. Encourage them to make observations by using all their senses. “What does it look, feel, sound, taste, smell like?” Download cool nature apps like iNaturalist and Plant Snap Plant Identification to help identify plants and trees as you walk past them. For animals, insects, birds, and butterflies, check out: MyNature Animal Tracks, Meet the Insects, Audubon Birds, and Butterfly Collection.

11. Keep it fun.

Reward the kids for a great job done! Remember: hiking should be fun, so try to prevent possible PTHD (post-traumatic hiking disorder). Make the kids feel successful, and they’ll be excited to hike again in the future.


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12 side effects of living in Maine

Maine’s unofficial motto — “the way life should be” — is shorthand for a life in which your neighbors care about you, and you wake up to the sound of birds chirping. Even a short stint in our state changes how you see life and how you want to live. Here are some side effects of living in Maine that change the way you experience the world.

1. You get used to the quiet roar of the ocean lulling you to sleep every night.

A white-noise machine is not the same. If you live by the coast, you get used to Mother Nature providing your sleep soundtrack. You become a light sleeper because you never have to sleep through the noise of traffic or sirens in Maine.

2. And you get used to waking up every morning to the sound of birds chirping.

It feels like you are waking up inside a Disney movie. It is the most peaceful way to start your day. It gets you excited about life. It is a rude awakening when you leave Maine and are woken up by noisy neighbors.

3. You can identify a wide variety of nature sounds.

You know the sound of a loon call. You can tell the difference between a crash of thunder and a tree branch breaking and falling to the ground. Frogs croaking in the night can’t be confused with crickets chirping. And you hate the obnoxious sound of seagulls.

4. You can taste the difference between freshly caught and frozen seafood.

Your taste buds demand only the freshest seafood. You reject lobster rolls at even the most popular places out of state because you can tell that the lobster was frozen. Your non-Mainer friends think you are crazy, but you know better.

5. Your Maine accent sneaks out whenever you watch sports, or after a few drinks.

Sometimes you just can’t seem to pronounce your R’s. Even though you spent years actively trying to ditch your Maine accent, it sometimes slips out. Usually it happens after a few beers or during a Red Sox game. No matter how hard you try, reading the lineup of a New England sports team without a Maine accent proves to be impossible.

6. You fear the bite of the greenhead flies.

You know that being woken up from a blissful beach nap by the sharp pain of a greenhead bite is the worst, so you know to cover up if you want an undisturbed beach nap.

7. You bring sunscreen and bug spray everywhere in the summer.

You always need one or the other — if not both. Sunscreen is a must during the day, and at night, you need to protect yourself from the no-see-ums.

8. You bring a sweater everywhere, too.

You can’t really trust Maine weather since it changes so rapidly. You know that just because it is 80 degrees right now, that doesn’t mean that it won’t cool down to 60 degrees later. Even when the weather forecast looks promising, you can’t leave home without at least another layer — just in case.

9. You know how to prepare for days-long power outages.

You dread those massive winter storms that knock the power out for days, but you know how to prepare. You buy groceries, charge up all your devices, prepare the firewood, plan meals to cook over the fire, and have a plan to head to a friend’s house if the power takes too long to come back on.

10. You make detailed and comprehensive grocery lists.

When you go out of your way to go to the grocery store in town, you don’t want to forget anything. You have developed a system for keeping an accurate grocery list and making sure that you don’t forget anything. You have a grocery list in your kitchen at all times and everyone you live with knows that the only way to get the food they want is to add it to the list.

11. You have a desire to shop at Reny’s.

When you need something random, you think of going to Reny’s before you think of buying it online. Why would you shop online when you can go on “a Maine adventure” at Reny’s? Where else can you get sparklers, bicycles, shoes, and beef jerky? You always leave Reny’s with more than you planned on purchasing.

12. You are committed to being kind to your neighbors and contributing to the community.

You know all your neighbors by name, and you don’t mind helping them with minor chores. You get involved with community organizations and participate in local activities. You know that it’s the people that make Maine special, and you want to do your part.


More like this: You don’t know the real Maine unless you’ve experienced these 5 things

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Instagram model attacked by shark

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but is it worth a trip to the hospital and a potentially severed hand? Apparently, Katarina Zarutskie, a 19-year-old Instagram model, thought it was worth the risk. The college student and blogger, who shares travel and lifestyle tips on her Instagram, was on vacation in the Bahamas with her boyfriend and his family when the incident occurred.

On Compass Cay, a popular destination for tour boat operators that allow guests to swim with nurse sharks, Zarutskie spotted an area where the sharks were swimming. She saw multiple people in the water and, despite warnings from her boyfriend’s family, the influencer ventured into the water to get a photo with them. According to Exuma Online, nurse sharks are usually harmless to humans, and the tourism website promotes the opportunity to swim with them.

This particular frenzy of sharks, however, didn’t appreciate the company. When Zarutskie laid back in the water, a shark bit down on her arm and dragged her underwater. She immediately pulled her arm above water to prevent the blood from dripping and attracting more sharks; she knew flailing about and panicking would only make matters worse, and stayed impressively calm in the frightening scenario.

In the month since the attack, Zarutskie has been taking multiple antibiotics to recover from the bite and prevent infection. She does not blame the sharks for her injury, recognizing that, “they are wild animals and it’s an uncontrollable situation,” and calling the incident “a big learning lesson.”

We know Instagram models and influencers will go to dangerous lengths for their photos, but we can’t help but wonder: is it worth the likes?

H/T: BuzzFeed

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Scientists discover first color made

It’s almost impossible to imagine what the world looked like 1.1 billion years ago. We can conjure dramatic scenes of dinosaurs lording over the earth, strange landscapes, and volatile volcanoes, but we rarely consider the pigments that defined that world; and as it turns out, there was a whole lot of pink.

A team of researchers from the Australian National University have discovered the oldest known colors produced by living things, by grinding up pieces of marine shale. Belonging to cyanobacteria and used in photosynthesis, the pigments were found in shale of the Taoudeni Basin in Mauritania, and resemble the color of sunrise.

It’s thought that this batch of bacteria died and sunk down to the seafloor, where it fossilized. It remained there, preserved underground until about 10 years ago when a mining company dug it up. The molecules were discovered by Ph.D. student Nur Gueneli. “When held against the sunlight, they are actually a neon pink,” senior researcher Jochen Brocks told the BBC.

The pink pigment gives us an idea of what maritime life may have looked like a billion years ago. “The precise analysis of the ancient pigments,” said Gueneli in a press release, “confirmed that tiny cyanobacteria dominated the base of the food chain in the oceans…this helps to explain why animals did not exist at that time.” Apparently, the pink-hued bacteria simply wasn’t appetizing enough to constitute a meal, or sustain the diets of larger marine animals.

H/T: Atlas Obscura

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Soon you'll be able to rent scooters

You’ve probably noticed dockless electric scooters in cities across the U.S., especially in D.C., L.A., and Miami, but it’s not always easy to catch a ride on one. Usually, they require you to have a specific app on your phone that’s linked to a credit card, and when you’re on the go, that’s not always easy to set up or access. That’s why Uber is stepping in to help make scooter travel as convenient as possible.

Uber has invested $355 million in the scooter company Lime, and soon you’ll be able to rent one of these scooters right inside the Uber app. No official launch date has been announced, but when it does become available, you’ll be able to unlock any of Lime’s scooters in 70 U.S. cities and even a few international ones, including Paris.

It’s easy to see how these scooters could soon become a great way to travel within large cities. They’re easy to operate, more environmentally friendly than a standard Uber ride, and cheaper than many bike rentals. The rates for these scooters will start at $1, plus 15 cents per minute. So don’t be surprised if soon enough, bright green scooters become as ubiquitous in your city as UberX.

H/T: Condé Nast Traveler

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No Taxes? No Passport

If you owe over $51,000 in taxes, your vacations might be confined to the United States for a while. A 2015 law requires the IRS and State Department to deny passports to those with over $51,000 in outstanding, overdue tax debt, and over 362,000 Americans fall under this category. Working closely with the IRS, who provide names of those with outstanding debt, the State Department has already denied several passports under the law. While the regulation will prevent you from obtaining a new passport, or renewing an existing passport, it will not revoke up-to-date passports.

One of the law’s chief objectives is to incentivize Americans to pay their taxes, though it only seems to be working on a small scale. As of late June 2018, 220 people paid over $11.5 million in owed taxes to settle their debts in full, while 1,400 others set up payment plans to reduce their debts. IRS Division Commissioner Mary Beth Murphy told the Wall Street Journal that one debtor paid $1 million in tax debt specifically to avoid passport denial. That still leaves hundreds of thousands of Americans with outstanding debts, and some uncertainty surrounding the law’s effectiveness.

Critics of the plan argue that debtor notices often arrive at the same time as the State Department is notified of the debt, leaving an insufficient window of time for taxpayers to resolve their debt before passport denial.

While we can all probably agree that paying your taxes should be a priority, a threat to international vacations could be the motivation some people need.

H/T: The Hill

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The post Behind on your taxes? You could be denied a passport appeared first on Matador Network.

Call Me by Your Name tour in Italy

Many tourists visit Italy to live out their Hollywood fantasy of romance. Now, you can truly walk in the footsteps of two of Hollywood’s most passionate characters — Elio and Oliver, of “Call Me by Your Name.” Quiiky Tours, an Italian company that specializes in LGBT-themed travel, is making your dream a reality by announcing a new guided tour of Italy, inspired by the 2017 Oscar-winning drama.

“Call Me by Your Name” centers around two young men — a 17-year-old Elio, and 24-year-old Oliver, a grad student — and their burgeoning relationship in Italy, featuring locations like Milan, Crea, Garda Lake, Verona, Venice, and Bergamo. Fans of the film will be taken through all of these locations, spending eight days following in the footsteps of their favorite characters.

Prices for the tour start at $2,500 per person and includes accommodations, car rentals for the driving portion of the trip, and guided tours of Milan, Crema, Verona, and Venice. Some of the trip’s main highlights include a visit to Duomo Square in Crema — one of the film’s main settings, where guests can sit at the same bar table Elio and Oliver shared — bike tours through Crema di Lodi, and an excursion to Bergamo.

What’s not to love about a diverse, comprehensive tour of Italy, all through the lens of your favorite film?

H/T:

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The post appeared first on Matador Network.

The secret in Brazil

People hear “Brazil” and think samba, fútbol, and Rio. But there’s another story happening across the country. Taking place in one of Rio’s roughest favelas, Matador Studios’ Secret on the Hill follows Monique Silva, a young Brazilian American woman seeking to reconcile her relationship with her dad. In a country where HIV is stigmatized, her father’s concealment of his condition led to decades of psychological trauma. Monique’s journey back to Brazil to confront her father about his condition marks a brave turning point in both of their lives. We sat down with Monique and Matador cinematographer Blaze Nowara to discuss the film.

How did you guys come up with the idea to document this story?

[Monique] Blaze brought up the possibility of filming an original story for Matador. I quickly suggested sharing my story. I felt like it was an important story to share, not only because it’s about rebuilding a family relationship, but because it brings awareness to a health issue that’s still present in thousands of people’s lives.

Blaze, how did you feel about filming (and witnessing) such personal moments?

[Blaze] Being part of this experience was special for me. I knew how nervous Monique was to speak with her father about this topic. I felt privileged to witness the two of them connect and finally discuss something that has been on both of their minds for the longest time. I filmed multiple long Portuguese conversations having no idea what was being said yet at the same time was able to feel the incredible energy of a daughter and father bonding.

Monique, how has this experience changed the relationship between you and your father?

In the past I had doubts about him and our relationship. Talking about this previously forbidden topic was therapeutic for us both. It helped me understand his side a little bit better, and brought us closer together. I find myself being more open and honest with him, and we talk a lot more now.

What was the most challenging aspect of shooting the film?

[Blaze] There were two major challenges. The first challenge was approaching the topic with sensitivity. I was meeting Monique’s father for the first time. I didn’t want to shove a camera in his face. The last thing I would ever want would be for her dad to think that we are exploiting his situation.

The second challenge was filming safely in Rio. I had heard loads of horror stories from filmmakers and travelers about the rampant theft in Rio. I felt so welcomed by Monique’s family that after a few days of filming I let my guard down. On the fourth day we were robbed at gunpoint. Two men on a motorcycle pulled up next to us on the street, pointed a gun at us, and demanded my wallet and phone and Monique’s purse, which unfortunately had one of my cameras in it.

Did the robbery impact your filmmaking process?

[Blaze] The robbery happened on the fourth day of a two-week shoot. The first few days I was running around filming on the streets without a care in the world. After the robbery, everything changed. I was hesitant to take out my camera in public. I was constantly looking over my shoulder. Every passing motorcycle made me jump. Worst of all, Monique’s family was very worried about us. After the robbery, they forbade us from going to certain parts of the city and made us stay in a safer neighborhood in the city.

What did your mother say when you told her about the idea for the film?

[Monique] She got very excited when I told her about the film, and was super supportive. She knew I had been struggling with this for a long time. She actually thanked Blaze for facilitating the conversation between me and my dad. Also, she was the first person who saw the film when it was finished. She loves it.

What did your dad think about the film?

[Monique] He was a little hesitant at first when we spoke over the phone about the film. I wasn’t sure if he was going to be willing to talk about it with me, let alone on camera. I initially spoke to him about filming but didn’t talk about the topic of the film. Once we were at his place in Rio, everything flowed organically and he became more comfortable and open.

What was your favorite part?

[Blaze] I loved meeting Monique’s father. From the minute we met I felt comfortable with him and I think he felt the same way about me. I don’t speak Portuguese and he doesn’t speak English but we were able to hang out for hours gesturing and laughing together. We vibed and that made the filming process much easier.


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