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Amazing synagogues

Houses of worship represent some of the world’s most brilliant architecture. Religious monuments like Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral and Istanbul’s Blue Mosque attract millions of visitors every year, both as important cultural landmarks and active places of prayer. Fewer synagogues around the world are immediately recognizable though many are considered top attractions by the cities that host them. Here are seven breathtaking synagogues from around the world that you should definitely visit.

1. Jubilee Synagogue, Czech Republic

Photo: Pres Panayotov/Shutterstock

Despite being sandwiched between banana-yellow and creamsicle-colored buildings, the Jubilee Synagogue is the only thing you see when you walk down Jerusalem Street. Its red-and-gold-striped facade is complemented by splashes of color, such as the periwinkle accent that surrounds the focal rosette window and Star of David. Wilhelm Stiassny designed the synagogue in 1906 in the Moorish Revival Style, adding Art Nouveau touches like vine motifs and wrought light fixtures. Stiassny named the holy site in honor of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria’s silver jubilee. Prague’s youngest synagogue, Jubilee synagogue is also one of the most important Jewish landmarks in Prague. It welcomes worshippers year-round and visitors every day, except Saturdays and Jewish holidays between April and October.

2. Subotica Synagogue, Serbia

Photo: Ivan

Subotica, located near the Serbia-Hungary border, plays host to one of the few remaining examples of Hungarian Art Nouveau architecture on Earth. The Jakab and Komor Square/Subotica Synagogue is the creation of architects Dezső Jakab and Marcell Komor. It was built at the turn of the 20th century as a place of worship for Neologs, one of two predominant Hungarian Jewish communities, and named a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1990. The synagogue’s brick-and-ceramic exterior is topped with a strikingly gilded dome, but the best view is on the inside, where you’ll find bright orange accents and a beautiful floral motif.

3. Great Synagogue, Hungary

Photo: Yury Dmitrienko/Shutterstock

Also called Dohány Street Synagogue, this massive Hungarian landmark is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. It holds a whopping 3,000 seats and sits smack dab in the heart of Budapest’s old Jewish quarter. Dohány Street bordered the Nazi ghetto during World War II, witnessing unspeakable tragedy, and the synagogue complex includes a cemetery, memorial park, museum, and Heroes’ Temple to commemorate the Hungarian Jews who lost their lives during the World Wars. Countless lighting fixtures hang from the high-vaulted ceiling and run overhead the pews, giving the interior a luminous quality that is magnified by the bright frescoes surrounding the Torah Ark.

4. Uzhgorod Synagogue, Ukraine

Photo: Rbrechko/Wikipedia

This synagogue in western Ukraine was built in 1904, when the region belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It blends design elements of the Moorish Revival and Byzantine Revival architectural movements as envisioned by architects Gyula Papp and Ferencz Szabolcs. Uzhgorod Synagogue doesn’t look like much compared to some of the other synagogues on this list, but it more than makes up for its appearance with its killer acoustics. The synagogue has been used as a local concert hall for decades and has proudly hosted the Regional Philharmonic Society with the Transcarpathian Folk Choir.

5. The New Synagogue, Berlin, Germany

Photo: Ugis Riba/Shutterstock

Established in 1866, this synagogue spent years at the epicenter of Jewish life in Berlin. It was the largest synagogue in Germany at the time it was built, designed to accommodate growing numbers of Eastern European immigrants, and its highly-anticipated inauguration was even blessed with Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck of Prussia’s presence. Sadly, the synagogue had been all but demolished by the end of World War II, sustaining particularly bad damage during “Kristallnacht,” during which fires were lit inside the synagogue and the Torah scrolls were defiled. Still, it was one of few Jewish temples to survive the pogrom at all. Though what we see today is a truncated reconstruction of the original, the towering Berlin Synagogue and its golden dome remain icons of German Jewish heritage.

6. The Great Synagogue of Florence, Italy

Photo: irisphoto1/Shutterstock

This spectacular synagogue is a grand display of copper domes, tall archways, and a sleek marble facade. Its design also borrows from Moorish and Sephardic traditions, and the interior is covered with elaborate frescoes and mosaics. But the synagogue lives up to its “great” name in more ways than just its appearance. It was an emblem of freedom when it was founded, shortly after the emancipation of the Jewish community post-Napoleonic occupation, and has been a haven for the city’s prolific Jewish populations since 1882. Tours of the synagogue — which saw major renovations after World War II and the 1966 flooding of the Arno River — are welcome every day except Saturday, as long as services are not being held.

7. Szeged Synagogue, Hungary

Photo: Judy Ben Joud/Shutterstock

Szeged Synagogue’s exterior will catch your eye as you pass by, but it isn’t until you step inside that you realize just how amazing this holy site is. Beneath its majestic domes and cupolas are lavish carvings, paintwork, and stained-glass windows that exemplify Renaissance- and Baroque-style opulence. Szeged Synagogue was completed in 1902 when city life was blossoming in Szeged and the local Jewish community was thriving. It’s way too beautiful to skip if you’re traveling through the area and stunning enough to merit a trip if you’re passing through southern Hungary in general. Stop by from Sunday to Friday between April and October to see for yourself.


More like this: 7 amazing Russian churches that seem right out of a fairytale

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9 top snorkel spots worldwide

Anyone reasonably confident in the water can enjoy the relaxing, sometimes exhilarating, activity of snorkeling. Unlike SCUBA, snorkeling doesn’t require you to do extensive training or pass a medical exam. Whether you have an inner ear problem or another issue, or just haven’t had the time to get certified, snorkeling is an alternative way to explore hidden underwater worlds – without the heavy gear or the scary thought of running out of air.

If you’re at a pristine beach, sometimes just putting on a mask, snorkel, and fins is the only way to closely approach marine life. Just floating face down on the surface can reveal a world of incredible beauty. In others places, snorkelers can get the rush of encountering such awesome marine creatures as whales and manta rays. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico

Photo: Leonardo Gonzalez/Shutterstock

A World Heritage site, the Sea of Cortez is one of the planet’s most diverse marine environments. Also known as the Gulf of California, the narrow ocean channel separates the Baja Peninsula from Mexico’s mainland. It’s a key breeding ground for marine mammal, and more species of whales and dolphins have been recorded here than anywhere else. Commercial fishing has taken its toll, but the 2009 establishment of Cabo Pulmo Marine Park revitalized local wildlife populations within a few years.

Baja’s cactus-strewn desert coasts are the backdrop for endless miles of tranquil sandy bays and shallow reefs. Aside from Cabo Pulmo, with its schools of tornadoing jacks, the islets off La Paz are home to a large colony of California sea lions. These feisty critters are only too happy to show off to visitors with their zooming acrobatics and cheeky antics. For hardcore adventurers, ecotourism outfit Pelagic Life offer multi-day trips from La Paz searching for whales, orcas, sharks, and mobula rays.

2. Great Astrolabe Reef, Fiji

Photo: ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock

Encircling Fiji’s fourth largest island, Kadavu, the Great Astrolabe Reef makes up one of the largest barrier reefs on earth.

Staying in a waterfront Kadavu resort, epic snorkeling is possible right off the beach. More adventurous trips take place on the current-swept outer reef, where you can search for the marlin, tuna, and trevally that patrol the sheer vertical walls along the reef’s edge. Fiji is the world’s soft coral capital, and Astrolabe’s underwater gardens are a vivid display of fluorescent pinks, violets, blues, and greens. Shimmering schools of small fish turn at once in a brilliant, unified flash, should a snorkeler attempt to dive down among them.

3. Vava’u, Tonga

Photo: Martin Prochazkacz/Shutterstock

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to swim side-by-side with one of the ocean’s largest and most emotionally advanced inhabitants, make it your mission to meet the humpback whales of Tonga’s Vava’u island group.

The 60 islands of Vava’u form a network of secluded bays where the whales, after an exhausting migration from their Antarctic feeding grounds, stop to give birth, rest, and play. Tonga is one of the few places that permits swimming with humpback whales. Only four people are allowed in the water at a time, ensuring intimate, eye-level encounters with these gentle giants. Snorkelers have the chance of a life-changing interaction with the curious calves, as their mothers watch over them with an apparent mix of pride and protectiveness.

4. Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Photo: Emily Hamley/Shutterstock

1,200km from Perth, along Western Australia’s Coral Coast, Ningaloo Reef isn’t the easiest or cheapest place to reach, but its remoteness provides the possibility to explore world-class tropical reefs, often without a single other snorkeler in site.

Most tourists only arrive during the April to September whale shark season. Whale shark expedition boats are accompanied by spotter planes, so getting in the water with the world’s biggest fish is almost guaranteed. It’s humbling to be so close to these huge animals in their own domain. With a 4WD vehicle you can also access the untouched reefs along Ningaloo’s rugged coastline, home to manta rays, reef sharks, turtles, dolphins, and even the shy, endangered dugong.

5. Kicker Rock, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Photo: Ksenia Ragozina/Shutterstock

A two-hour boat excursion from San Cristobal Island, Kicker Rock is in fact the remnants of an extinct volcano cone – now a dramatic basalt monolith towering 500 feet above the Pacific Ocean.

The Galapagos have plenty of incredible snorkeling spots, but Kicker Rock ranks with the best. It’s one of the few areas accessible by day-trip where the archipelago’s famous hammerheads school in relatively shallow waters. Kicker Rock’s abundance of large animals make for a surreal, underwater safari-style experience. Even if the hammerheads don’t make an appearance, you’re likely to come across Galapagos sharks, white spotted eagle rays, massive turtles, and the occasional friendly sea lion.

6. Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll, Maldives

Photo: divedog/Shutterstock

Possibly the best place in the world to get up close with manta rays in mind-boggling numbers is the Maldive’s Hanifaru Bay. Its crystal clear tropical waters become a veritable buffet for the plankton-eating giants between May and December each year.

You might see 200 mantas at a time. In a spectacular ‘cyclone feeding’ event, mantas fly together in formation and perform barrel rolls with mouths wide open, sucking in their microscopic meals. These huge, majestic, and intelligent beings are social and curious by nature, often approaching awe-struck humans at close range seemingly just to get an eyeful.

7. Crystal River, Florida, USA

Photo: Joost van Uffelen/Shutterstock

There’s something mesmerizing about close encounters with marine mammals. They’re intelligent and charismatic, and often appear as fascinated with us as we are of them. One of the most enigmatic marine mammals is the manatee, a gentle, slow moving sea-grass eater weighing up to 1,200 pounds.

Florida’s Crystal River is the only place in the US where swimming with endangered manatees is legal. Guided encounters take place in cool, spring-fed estuaries that offer refuge for the world’s largest manatee population. Pontoon boats navigate the river’s twists and turns looking for manatees grazing the shallow river bottom. Once in the water, you should keep as still as possible. Eventually the manatees’ curiosity will overrule their shyness and they’ll often approach snorkelers, face to whiskery face. Despite their size, manatees are incredibly endearing, making meeting them in the wild a quietly thrilling experience.

8. Misool Island, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Photo: Ethan Daniels/Shutterstock

The Pacific Ocean’s Coral Triangle is the epicenter of marine biodiversity. Here, the 1,500 islands of Raja Ampat make up Indonesia’s premier diving destination. Most islands are uninhabited, covered in lush jungle. Misool Island has a scattering of small villages and most of Raja’s land-based accommodation. There are a couple of homestay options for travelers on a budget, but Misool Eco Resort is Raja’s most luxurious, eco-conscious retreat.

Misool’s villas are on stilts over a dazzling turquoise lagoon, creating a snorkeler’s paradise at the doorstep. Wake up and explore the lagoon and house reef, which is one the world’s richest shore dives. Pristine hard corals grow right up to the surface, buzzing with swarms of flitting fusiliers, parrotfish, turtles, and octopus. You may even spot the tiny, adorable epaulette, or ‘walking’ shark, casually strolling along the reef at low tide. The lagoon is a sanctuary for a local population of baby black tip reef sharks.

9. Vilanculos, Mozambique

Photo: irmelamela/Shutterstock

Despite being a popular winter retreat for South Africans, Mozambique isn’t well known on the international dive scene. Yet the country has the longest stretch of Indian Ocean coastline in Africa, with miles of unexplored, often unnamed beaches and Africa’s best tropical diving and snorkeling.

Among the great destinations along the Mozambique coast is Ponta du Oro, not far from the South African border. If you’re prepared make the 445 mile trek north of the capital Maputo, Violincellos will reward you with crowd-free, world-class snorkeling. A short speedboat ride from shore, Two Mile Reef’s calm conditions invite hours of leisurely discovery. Healthy coral communities shelter brightly colored clown fish, surgeon, snapper, and moray eels. Look out into the blue for passing tuna, barracuda, potato bass, and kingfish. Whale sharks, manta, and devil rays also visit the reef occasionally.

10. Bimini, Bahamas

Photo: Martin Voeller/Shutterstock

The Bahamas are undoubtedly the top spot in the Caribbean for big fish encounters, which have sadly become rare elsewhere in the region. The enlightened Bahamian government managed to preserve big fish populations, placing a ban on shark fishing and on the sale and export of shark products, focusing instead on sustainable shark tourism.

Shark geeks should head to the Bimini islands for adrenaline-pumping free swimming with Caribbean reef and other shark species in amazing visibility. If you’re a shark-phobe wanting to face your fears, experiences like this can completely change your perspective. Fear will give way to admiration for these graceful predators with an unfortunate image problem.


More like this: How to go SCUBA diving without being certified

The post The 10 best places to snorkel if you can’t SCUBA dive appeared first on Matador Network.

How to get travel insurance

When you travel, it’s vital to have insurance, but it can be tough to get if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Many travel insurance companies don’t offer coverage to people who are sick or have been in the past. So how do you organize a policy that will cover your back during your well-deserved vacation? We’ve put together an outline of why insurance is important and tips on how to get the coverage you need — even with a pre-existing medical condition.

Why insurance is important.

Travel insurance is designed to compensate you for things that may go wrong with your travel. This includes theft, cancellation, and accidents or illness. The most important aspect of travel insurance is the medical coverage. If you get sick when overseas and have no medical insurance, your medical expenses can be huge. But since insurance companies make their money from people who rarely submit claims, people with existing medical conditions represent a higher risk — and companies make it hard for them to get coverage. Follow these tips on how do manage the process and get that coverage.

1. Be honest.

One of the most important things to do if you have a pre-existing medical condition is, to be honest with the insurance company and the tour operator. If you fail to disclose a pre-existing condition and then fall ill on vacation as a consequence of it, you may not be covered for treatment. Either you or your family will end up with a large bill, and you may even have difficulties getting repatriated to your home country.

2. Speak to your doctor.

If you have a medical condition such as cancer or heart disease, you should speak to your doctor before you travel to ensure your illness is under control. Your physician can advise you whether it’s safe to travel and identify any issues that might affect you. For example, if you’re a diabetic and your blood sugar level is unstable, you’ll need to work on making sure it’s within agreed limits to minimize the risk of running into trouble on vacation. High altitude can affect people with heart problems, so if your vacation involves a trek in the Himalayas, you’ll need to talk with your physician before booking it.

What your physician can also do is ensure that you have an up-to-date prescription and medication to take with you. This is vital, as some drugs, including those bought in a pharmacy, are illegal in several countries – but a prescription will enable you to travel with them. You should also get certification from your doctor stating that you are fit to travel, as this will help you when buying insurance.

3. Find the right coverage.

Some insurance companies do not cover people with a serious medical condition at all. Others will provide coverage if there is a doctor’s letter stating you are fit to travel. And some will only cover you for medical conditions unrelated to your current problem.

You may find costs are higher if you have a medical condition, so be prepared for this when budgeting for your vacation. Cancer charities in the UK have successfully campaigned to get the cost of insurance reduced for people with medical conditions, so do some research. You may find the expense lower than anticipated. Another expense to consider is coverage for people traveling with you. Some companies insist that all parties traveling with you have the same insurance coverage. That way, if there is an incident, your family or friend will be able to accompany you and have their expenses reimbursed by the same company.

When you start shopping for travel insurance, begin by asking the companies informally about their offers for people with existing medical conditions. Some companies will ask if anyone has refused you travel insurance – but, during an informal request, this should be not a requirement.

4. Have your paperwork and answers ready.

If you had a problem that required surgery or had another medical condition that is now under control, most insurance companies will cover you if you have certification from your physician. Your doctor’s letter needs to state that the problem has been resolved by treatment or, for example, that you no longer have cancer.

Be prepared for a lot of questions. For example, if you have cancer, insurance companies will ask at what stage you were diagnosed. The company will want to know the dates of treatment and what medication you take. If you are unsure, ask your doctor to give you the information. This is needed to make an assessment of whether you are at a high risk for insurance coverage.

5. Read the small print.

Once you have an offer, read the small print and make sure the insurance covers you for medical emergencies and treatment abroad. Make sure repatriation costs are included, especially if you are traveling overseas.

Be clear what is and is not included in your insurance policy. For example, if you have a heart condition, you might not be covered if you have an angina attack. Check that the policy covers you for everything you need. This is important if you do some sporting activities such as skiing, as they are not always covered by standard insurance policies.

Each time you travel you will need to go through the same process, as medical conditions can and do change. But above all, you should not let insurance issues get in the way of traveling somewhere special if you have a medical condition. By working with your doctor to ensure your condition is stable and by getting good insurance coverage, you’ll be able to travel to that dream location… and enjoy it.

More like this: Yes, you should probably get travel insurance

The post How to get travel insurance when you have a medical problem appeared first on Matador Network.

How coffee is prepared in the world

Kickstarting the day with a cup of joe is customary in every time zone. Over one billion cups of coffee are consumed around the world every day, with America alone consuming around 400 million servings daily. Nearly every country has its own coffee culture, with traditional recipes made from different brewing techniques, bean blends, and spice preferences. From early-morning java to after-dinner espresso, these seven beverages will give you a taste of the many ways coffee is prepared and enjoyed across the globe.

1. Türk kahvesi, Turkey

Photo: Rugged Studio/shutterstock

Turkish coffee is made from finely ground, unfiltered beans and served in brass or copper pots known as cezves. The grounds are poured with the coffee and meant to settle at the bottom of your cup, a traditional porcelain vessel called a kahve finjani. Sugar is added to the cezve before the water boils, giving Türk kahvesi its characteristic sweetness, and cardamom is sometimes incorporated for extra flavor. More than just a dietary staple, coffee facilitates social interaction in Turkish culture, particularly as a gesture of hospitality from host to guest.

2. Café Touba, Senegal

Photo: George D Manta/Wikipedia

Café Touba is made similarly to drip coffee and flavored with Guinea pepper, or djar, and occasionally cloves. It was popularized in the 1880s by Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, founder of the Islamic Mouride Brotherhood, and takes its name from the holy city of Touba. Originally believed to have medicinal value, this sweet and spicy coffee drink is now enjoyed throughout the morning and afternoon in Senegal. Touba stands are found on every street corner in Dakar, and the unique beverage is even starting to appear in other West African countries.

3. Cà Phê Trứng, Vietnam

Photo: Tonkinphotography/shutterstock

Also known as Vietnamese egg coffee, this caffeinated treat could almost pass for dessert. Egg yolks are whisked together with condensed milk and sugar, creating a custard-like topping that makes this slow-brewed beverage a nationwide favorite. Any dark, strong blend will work, although robusta beans are most commonly used for Cà Phê Trứng, which is traditionally strained through a stainless-steel Vietnamese coffee filter. Egg coffee can be enjoyed either hot or iced and is an absolute must-try for visitors to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

4. Cafe de Olla, Mexico

Photo: ProtoplasmaKid/Wikipedia

Cloves, anise, and cinnamon give Cafe de Olla its signature flavor. Spices, coffee grounds, and minimally-processed sugar called piloncillo are brought to a boil in earthen clay pots called ollas, then strained through a mesh sieve. Some add chocolate or swap piloncillo for dark brown sugar, but the beverage’s fragrant aroma is always recognizable, as are the clay mugs in which it is traditionally served. Now a household staple, Cafe de Olla was popularized during the Mexican Revolution to energize soldiers and was a favorite of the revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata.

5. Kaffeost, Finland

Photo: StockphotoVideo/shutterstock

Adding dairy to coffee is normal the world over. Most opt for milk or cream, but in parts of Scandinavia, cheese is the preferred add-in. Kaffeost, or “coffee cheese,” originated in Finland and can also be found in the north of Sweden near the Finnish border. It’s a relatively firm, mild cheese that takes on a creamier consistency and sweeter flavor when topped with hot coffee made from finely ground beans. Coffee cheese is generally made in large blocks, and leftovers can either be frozen or topped with fresh berries and paired with this truly singular drink.

6. Kopi Luwak, Indonesia

Photo: Vassamon Anansukkasem/shutterstock

Kopi Luwak is among the most expensive coffees on the market, retailing at hundreds of dollars per pound. It’s made from coffee cherries that have been partially digested and then expelled by Asian palm civets, weasel-like mammals native to Indonesia. After that, it’s processed using a French Press, a drip coffee maker, or even an espresso machine. Kopi Luwak is a traditional drink everywhere from Sumatra to Bali, and was initially coveted as a luxury item. The hot beverage has come under ethical scrutiny more recently, though, since with its increased popularity came mass production that inspired some producers to cage wild civets, often in deplorable conditions, in order to feed the global demand.

7. Espresso, Italy

Photo: mavo/shutterstock

It’s virtually impossible to place a Starbucks order without speaking Italian. Much of the coffee terminology used in the US comes from Italy and much Italian coffee centers on espresso. Espresso machines push pressurized steam through finely ground beans, yielding highly-concentrated coffee with a frothy top layer. Espresso-based beverages include everything from caffè macchiato (espresso with steamed milk) to caffé mocha (espresso with chocolate) and caffè doppio (double espresso shot). When in Rome, or anywhere else in Italy, do like the locals and have milk-based coffee drinks with breakfast and straight espresso after dinner.


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The post 7 unique ways people drink coffee around the world appeared first on Matador Network.

Tapas in Spain

“Is this tapas?”

This is one of the most-asked questions by foreigners whenever they eat something in Spain. And I won’t blame them — tapas are surrounded by legends and guides that only serve to make the experience unnecessarily complicated. This article won’t be an ultimate guide but will try to at least solve some of the most common doubts and kill a few myths. As with everything in Spain, remember things will be different depending on the region. Play it safe by sticking to the always useful when-in-Rome strategy. Or, as we say in Spain: donde fueres, haz lo que vieres.

What are tapas?

Photo: etorrres/Shutterstock

What are tapas exactly? A tapa is a bit of food usually served when you order a drink. While their size can vary, they’re usually smaller than what you would have for a complete meal (there are some glorious exceptions to this, however). There are no rules for their shape and content either; they are sometimes meant to be shared and eaten with toothpicks, but they can also be small individual dishes with their own little cutlery or something you can eat with your hands.

They will also take different forms depending on where you are in Spain. Basque Country’s pintxos are one of the most popular variants: they usually come on top of a piece of bread and use a toothpick to keep all the components together.

Are they free?

It depends. We can divide tapas into two groups: the free tapa and the tapas you order and pay for. You’ll get the first one just by ordering a drink and it can be anything, from a small bowl of olives to a fully-cooked dish of callos. In those regions where the free tapa is decently sized (Andalusia, Galicia, and León will keep you satiated, for example) it is possible, if you choose the bar wisely, to have lunch or dinner paying only for drinks. But you might end up a bit tipsy.

Then we have the tapas you need to pay for; these are ordered the same way you would order your drink or something from the menu. Tapas bars usually have a list of the available options somewhere visible or directly on the menu. Note that these tapas you order and pay for are usually meant to be shared among several people.

What’s not acceptable is to be served something without you having asked for it and then charged for it if you eat it. If they do this to you, don’t ever go back to that bar or restaurant and leave an angry review on TripAdvisor.

How should I order and pay for the tapas?

The bar itself will make its own preferred modality clear. If there’s a list or a menu, you can choose from there; if you see the tapas disposed at the bar, you can just point at the ones you want. Nothing too complicated, as you can see. In Spain’s official tourism website they say there are places where you can directly grab the things you want from the bar, but I’ve never seen that happening and none of my friends from different regions of Spain has seen it either. Play it safe and talk to a waiter before acting as if the bar was some kind of buffet.

When it comes to paying, usually the waiter kept track to what you have eaten and will tell you how much you owe. If you’ve eaten pintxos, however, you might encounter a different method — they count the sticks left on your plate and make the calculation. No, it’s not a good idea to make some of these sticks disappear to try and pay less. Waiters are not stupid.

Is it compulsory to eat them at the bar?

Photo: Takin’ Shotz/Shutterstock

You might encounter some tapas place with this rule, but it’s not the usual. You’ll have the same tapas rights if you sit on a table.

Can I choose which tapa I want?

Obviously, if you pay for it, you can. The free tapa is usually chosen by the bar you find yourself in, but there are some regions — Almería, for example — or particular bars where they will offer you several options to choose your free tapa from. If you don’t like what you’ve been served for free and won’t eat it, tell the waiter right away. If you’re lucky, you might get something different in exchange.

What foods can be tapas?

Photo: Angela Aladro Nick/Shutterstock

Anything. The content is not essential, the concept is — a rather small portion of food. The free tapa can range from something as simple as a bowl of chips to a fully-cooked meal like meatballs, ensaladilla or the callos we mentioned earlier. But anything is susceptible to becoming a tapa. The most common ones? Spanish tortilla (not Mexican!), patatas bravas, or alioli (potatoes with different sauces), croquetas, olives, squids, Galician empanada… Each region will also offer some of its most typical foods as tapas.

When did Spaniards start eating tapas?

Which came first, Spain or tapas? It appears it was Spain — tapas, as we know them now, are kind of recent, as they started after the Spanish civil war.

But this doesn’t mean that’s the origin of tapas. It seems that tapas come from an old tradition of eating small bites of food to keep hunger at bay. The funniest theory says everything started when the king Alfonso X of Castile was prescribed to drink several glasses of wine during the day but didn’t want to end up drunk already at noon. His solution? Eating a bit of food with every glass. There are other theories and legends: those bites of food served to hide (tapar in Spanish means ‘to cover, to hide’) the effects of alcohol; the tapa was used to cover the glass and prevent flies from jumping into the drink; etc. Just pick your favorite one!

Do I have to throw the napkins to the floor?

Please, don’t. Especially if the floor is clean and no one else is doing it. But, even if you are in one of those bars where locals throw everything to the floor (it’s becoming less and less common, but they still exist), it’s an ugly thing to do and many places are trying to end it. So just leave the napkin on the table.

Is this how Spaniards eat all their meals?

No. At home, we prefer to eat full-size dishes instead of having to cook five different things. We do sometimes say we will have lunch or dinner “de tapas” at home, but it usually means “let’s see what leftovers we have in the fridge.”

What’s ir de tapas, de tapeo or tapear?

Photo: Yulia Grigoryeva/Shutterstock

Different ways of saying the same thing, really. The free tapa is something nice that comes as a gift when you order any beverage at a bar. But if you’re with more people and you intend to have lunch or dinner by eating tapas, you can talk about those three things. Ideally, tapeo will take you from one bar to the other, and from free tapa to free tapa, but this isn’t always possible nor practical. You can tapear by staying all the time in the same place just by ordering different tapas to share with your friends. You won’t end up as tipsy as with the free tapas strategy, but you can still say you’ve been tapeando or de tapas.

Can I tapear any time of the day?

The free tapa doesn’t really depend on the time of day, but if you want to have lunch or dinner de tapas is probably best to try and do it at lunchtime or dinnertime. In Spain, this means from 1-1:30 PM to 3:30 PM and between 8:30 PM and midnight.

Is it a good idea to go to a tapas bar outside of Spain?

Not really. Actually, even the concept of a tapas bar is strange because in Spain most bars will have tapas. There are some places specialized in tapas called taperías, but ‘tapas bar’, as an expression, is redundant. I’m not saying the food won’t be tasty, but it will probably be far from the real experience and you’ll likely pay too much.


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The post Everything you always wanted to know about tapas but were afraid to ask appeared first on Matador Network.

Isle of Muck looking for teachers

The name might not, sound too appealing but Muck Island is offering a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity for teachers. A primary school on the remote Scottish island posted on Facebook looking for a principal teacher.

The post reads that the school is “looking for a primary, principal teacher to come and live and teach on the beautiful Isle of Muck.” The island, the smallest of the Small Isles in the Inner Hebrides, is two miles long and a mile wide, with no shops or mains electricity (power is supplied by solar and wind energy). The only way to access Muck is by ferry from Mallaig, which takes an hour and 40 minutes.

Whoever is awarded the job will be expected to live on the island full-time, which would bring Muck’s total population from 40 residents to 41. He or she will be responsible for six primary schools and three nursery students. Since older students are educated on the mainland, student numbers in the island’s schools remain relatively small.

In an effort to attract teachers to the island, the job advertisement also states, “The island is ideal for nature lovers, with many species of birds…Muck enjoys stunning views of the mainland and the other Small Isles, as well as Skye and the Outer Hebrides.”

If the opportunity to teach on a beautiful, remote Scottish island isn’t enough to entice you to move to Muck, the salary is a generous £41,418 a year, plus a relocation package of up to £6,500.

H/T: The Scotsman

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Most remote living areas

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in the northernmost community in the world? The coldest? The driest? Well, these people don’t have to imagine. Whether it’s living at the literal top of the world in Svalbard, or in the hottest place in Ethiopia, they spend their daily lives in some of the most inhospitable places on earth.

1. Svalbard, Norway

Photo: LouieLee/Shutterstock

Although closer to the North Pole than to Norway, the Svalbard archipelago is home to the northernmost settlement in the world. With a population of just over 2,000, the town of Longyearbyen is the archipelago’s largest residential community. Its residents share Svalbard with roughly 2,500 polar bears. While the bears rarely venture into the town itself, any resident leaving the borders of Longyearbyen is required by law to carry a firearm for defense. Initially a coal mining community, now many of Longyearbyen residents work in museums, hotels, or restaurants.

If you’re considering a move to Svalbard, you should be prepared for very long days, and very long nights. And by “really long”, I mean “never ending.” From April to the end of August, one day blends into the next, as the sun never sets over Svalbard. This might sound appealing, but it can really puts a damper on snow-dependent activities like dog sledding and snowmobiling, for which the archipelago is well-known. Besides, it can really mess up your sleep schedule.

By the time you’re sick of the constant sunlight, it’s time for endless winter. From November through February, the sun disappears completely, and Svalbard is plunged into a long, long night. For stargazers and winter sports enthusiasts, however, this is the best time to visit. Just make sure you bring your gun license and a pair of thermal underwear.

2. Coober Pedy, Australia

Photo: Torsten Pursche/Shutterstock

Coober Pedy is another mining town, but unlike Longyearbyen, it’s underground. Located over 1,000 miles from Australia’s capital city of Canberra, the aboveground temperature in Coober Pedy can reach up to 120 degrees in the summer, with little rainfall. Despite the oppressive heat, the terrain was a rich source of opal mining, and after World War I, people slowly began turning discarded mines into permanent residences to escape the temperatures above ground.

While the underground homes have internet and electricity, water is often scarce due to the dry climate. 80% of the local population live inside the sandstone. While an observer might think their living situation is dark and claustrophobic, residents enjoy churches, bars, and bookstores in their subterranean town, and are thankful for an escape from the heat.

3. Dallol, Ethiopia

Photo: Radek Borovka/Shutterstock

The Afar people of Dallol probably wouldn’t have much sympathy for the residents of Coober Pedy. They call their town the “Gateway to Hell”, as it can reach temperatures of 145 degrees, and is considered to be the hottest inhabited place on earth. Since Dallol sits above an active volcano, standing in one place for even a few minutes can melt your shoes.

The town is 300 miles away from the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. To adapt to the unforgiving climate, the Afar people utilize paint colors on their homes, objects, and clothing, that reflect the sun. They have also harnessed the climate’s usefulness, devising a technique to heat their water while also cleansing it of bacteria.

4. Oymyakon, Russia

Photo: Vladimir Sevrinovsky/Shutterstock

If you’ve braved the heat in Dallol and are eager for a cooldown, the quickest way to lower your body temperature would be to travel to Siberia. In Oymyakon specifically, temperatures fall to minus 90 degrees in winter, and it can be deadly just breathing the outside air. This hasn’t deterred the Yakut people, however, who have lived in the Oymyakon area since the 13th century.

It should come as no surprise that locals — numbering only 500 — don’t exactly dress like we do. They cover themselves in merino wool and animal fur, which provide more warmth than even the most expensive Canada Goose jacket. They also use slitted goggles made from animal hooves, to protect against 100 mph winds. And it’s not just about clothing. They sustain themselves on a steady diet of reindeer and horse milk, and ox meat, which supplies the body with micronutrients and enough calories to fight the elements.

5. Atacama Desert, Chile

Photo: Skreidzeleu/Shutterstock

Some areas of the Atacama Desert haven’t seen precipitation in 400 years. Despite the dryness, however, the Atacameno tribe has lived in this desert since before the Inca Empire. The area’s terrain is often compared to Mars’s, and indeed, NASA uses the desert to test their instruments for Mars missions. The soil is drier than any other on earth — so dry there are no living organisms in it. Farmers must lay the horns of freshly killed cattle to attract insects, which then fertilize the land to increase crop yields. Much like the ingenuity of the Afar people, the Atacameno tribe has figured out a way to create water out of thin air, capturing moisture using fog nets.

6. Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

Photo: Adwo/Wikipedia

Ittoqqortoormiit is the remotest inhabited community in the western hemisphere. Home to 450 intrepid citizens, the town is composed of colorful wooden buildings, painted bright blue, red, yellow, or green, across a coast of pink and grey rock. It’s one of the only places in the world where residents are allowed to hunt polar bears for meat, as the Greenland polar bear population is actually quite substantial.

There is only one guesthouse in town, a pub that opens one night a week, a general store, and a post office. However, if you’re looking for some adventure at the edge of the world, Nanu Travel offers dog sledding, kayaking, hiking, and hunting excursions. The only way to reach Ittoqqortoormiit is by plane from Akureyri, Iceland, or Kangerlussuaq, West Greenland.

7. La Rinconada, Peru

Photo: Hildegard Willer/Wikipedia

If you’re looking for a place to retire, La Rinconada would probably be last on your list, and yet the population has grown to over 50,000. Perched atop Mount Ananea in the Peruvian Andes, La Rinconada is 16,732 feet above sea level, and the highest town in the world. Due to the altitude, the weather is freezing year-round, and completely without plumbing. The only reason this is a town at all? A gold mine.

Working in the mine is considered a last resort for may Peruvians, as laborers are exploited and often go without pay. Once a month, they are allowed to keep whatever ore they can carry out of the mine.

If you do decide to visit the highest town in the world — keep in mind, there are no hotels — you’ll have to travel along a mountainside road, made treacherous by dirt, rocks, and ice. And once you arrive, you might have trouble catching your breath, as the air is dangerously thin.


7 unique communities people actually live in

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Chernobyl to hold music festival

The site of the world’s most famous nuclear disaster in 1986, Chernobyl has long been associated with devastation. The event was classified as a ‘level seven’ on the International Nuclear Event Scale (the highest level), and 32 years later, locals are still suffering the consequences from the radiation fallout. But, in an effort to really change its public perception, Chernobyl is hosting a summer music festival on August 31st, called Chernobyling.

Chernobyl has become popular with tourists. The idea for the festival originated with Dominik Orfanus, founder of CHERNOBYLwel.com, which organizes guided tours around the area. He observed that “tourists wanted to know about the life of a worker in Chernobyl…a festival seemed to be the best way to make this happen, and help the zone at the same time.”

Proceeds from the festival will be donated to residents of Slavutych, a town built to house nuclear power plant workers and their families, and to those affected by the original Chernobyl incident who have remained in the area.

Chernobyling will take place both at the power plant site itself, as well as in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. It will feature DJs, street art demonstrations, free shows, geocaching challenges, and a variety of bands, including rock, metal, and electronic. The festival also plans to have a moment of silence for victims of the Chernobyl disaster, encourage reflection, and offer tours by international experts.

H/T: Lonely Planet

30 years after the Chernobyl disaster, this is what Pripyat, Ukraine looks like

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Nudist park day in Paris

Summer is here and picnic season is underway, though this might not be the kind of picnic you’re used to (or maybe it is?). Naturists — those who enjoy public, social nudity — are looking forward to gathering in Paris to celebrate the first-annual Journée Parisienne du Naturisme (Parisian Day of Naturism). The Bois de Vincennes is Paris’ largest public park, and on June 24th it will host hundreds of naturists from around France and the rest of Europe.

The celebration is being organized by the L’Association des Naturistes de Paris, with the hope that it will merely be the first of many annual gatherings. If you’re wondering about the itinerary, the event runs from 10 AM to 6 PM, including an 11:30 AM yoga class, followed by the picnic itself. The naturist section of the park opened for only two months in 2017 but has re-opened for six months in 2018, as part of the city’s open-minded, progressive vision for public spaces.

Currently, France is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations for nudists. Two million naturists visit its free beaches each year, which include a swimming pool that allows nudity three nights a week. There will also be a naturists’ clubbing party at Point Ephémère, and the city’s first naturist restaurant opened just last year.

Whether you’re participating or simply attending for “intellectual observation”, make sure to mark your calendar.

H/T: Lonely Planet

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Foods of Philadelphia

Saying “yous guys” and adoring the E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles, are just a couple hallmarks of those who have grown up in Philadelphia. But one of the main examples of our city’s distinct culture is our celebration of food. With Pennsylvania Dutch, Italian, and early American roots, the cultural influences all combine to create a smorgasbord for the palette. If you’ve moved away, you’ll understand how the cravings for certain foods kick in pretty quickly. Here are just a few of the foods we locals enjoy when we go home to Philadelphia.

1. Cheesesteaks

A post shared by Chef Austin Torsiello (@cheftorsiello) on Jun 13, 2018 at 10:06am PDT

Sure, you can find them in other locales, but there’s nothing like a true Philly cheesesteak. The thinly sliced griddled meat topped with cheese, onions, and peppers, wrapped in a freshly made bun with a side of marinara sauce… heaven. It’s little wonder that first on the agenda of a trip home to Philly is a b-line for a cheesesteak from any place that’s named after the owner, like Giuseppe’s, Geno’s, or Tony’s.

2. Ice cream with jimmies

A post shared by Eatadelphia (@eatadelphia) on Jun 5, 2018 at 6:21am PDT

If you venture outside of Pennsylvania and order ice cream with jimmies, you’ll get a blank stare. There’s something comforting about ordering you mint choc chip cone and the server asking if you want jimmies rather than sprinkles.

3. Shoofly pie

A post shared by The Kiffle Kitchen Bakery (@kifflekitchenbakery) on Apr 10, 2018 at 7:00am PDT

It’s always a disappointment if Philadelphian relatives come to visit you out of state without toting at least two homemade shoofly pies. The gooey molasses bottom, cake middle, and crumbly sugar topping — all held together within a flaky, homemade pie crust — tastes like home.

4. Hoagies

A post shared by Baker Street Bread Company (@bakerstbread) on Sep 29, 2017 at 4:51pm PDT

Like our cheesesteaks, the taste of just-baked Italian bread makes all of the difference to our hoagies. Whether you take yours with oil, vinegar, or mayo (or all three together), the thinly sliced cold cuts and freshly shredded lettuce are a combo that tells you you’re home in Pennsylvania.

5. Black licorice

A post shared by Coleman Geiger (@geigerdesign) on Apr 16, 2018 at 5:08pm PDT

Good & Plenty’s tiny sticks of black licorice are a must movie candy and hard to find out of state. They taste even better if you bite off the outer layer and then slowly chew the inside.

6. Soft pretzels

A post shared by @phillypretzelfactoryusa on Jun 12, 2018 at 2:15pm PDT

The smell and texture of soft pretzels wrapped in a warm paper bag is a true cornerstone of our city’s culture. Whether you grab yours from Wawa, The Philly Pretzel Factory, or from someone selling them on the street, it’s a classic staple.

7. Spiced wafers

A post shared by Joseph A. Gervasi (@josephagervasi) on Oct 21, 2016 at 2:49pm PDT

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you end up ripping into the black and orange box eating an entire sleeve of them within an hour of landing. We’ve all been there.

8. Tastykakes

A post shared by Chava as in HA-VA, the C is