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What bartenders think of cocktails

As bartenders, we can be a judgy lot. It’s not intentional, it’s just what years of being a fly on the wall has taught us. At the end of the day, you should order what you want because you like it. But if you are curious, read on to see what your bartender really thinks of your cocktail order.

1. Long Island Iced Tea

A post shared by Finchs Pub (@finchspub) on Jun 7, 2018 at 9:49am PDT

Amateur hour. If you order a Long Island, it is typically for one of two reasons. 1) You don’t know what else to order. 2) You want to get drunk as fast as possible. There is no legitimate reason why a person would order a LIIT.

2. Espresso Martini

A post shared by Sydney Weekender (@sydneyweekender) on Jun 7, 2018 at 10:06pm PDT

Enjoy that hangover tomorrow. Yes, they taste delicious, but the combo of booze, caffeine, and sugar is tougher on your body than Cuervo shots.

3. Mojito

A post shared by Danielle "Danni" Berglund (@danniberglund) on Jun 7, 2018 at 6:19am PDT

Damn you. There is something about preparing Mojitos that pisses off bartenders. I suppose it is the time-consuming muddling process, but there are plenty of muddled cocktails that don’t bother us to make. Perhaps it’s that Mojitos tend to be ordered when the bar is at the busiest, or that they’re so damn refreshing that as soon as you make one, everyone else wants one too.

4. Dry Martini

A post shared by Ligeia (@ligeiashell) on Jun 7, 2018 at 11:00am PDT

You are a sophisticated alcoholic. A Dry Martini is essentially three shots of chilled vodka/gin served in a fancy glass. Martini drinkers can hold their booze with flair.

5. Vesper Martini

A post shared by BelRoy's (@belroy_s) on Apr 30, 2018 at 3:13am PDT

You know what you are doing. A Vesper is a great drink, and it became famous for being one of James Bond’s cocktails of choice. Similar in booziness to a regular Martini, but with a bit more balance, thanks to the addition of Lillet or Cocchi Americano. It is often considered the “original Martini” which lends a sense of history to your drink order.

6. Old Fashioned

A post shared by Rumour Kitchen & Bar (@rumourtotnes) on Jun 8, 2018 at 2:59am PDT

Classic, but boring. Over the past decade, the Old Fashioned has become ubiquitous, and the default drink order for a certain type of urban-dwelling, typically male young professional. There’s nothing wrong with an Old Fashioned, but it’s just as the name suggests: unoriginal.

7. Manhattan

A post shared by Whisky Flavour (@whiskyflavour) on Mar 19, 2018 at 12:44am PDT

Classic, but not boring. The Manhattan exists in the same world as the Martini; it’s a perfect drink that’s an exercise in simplicity, while still allowing for a range of customization. Bourbon or rye? Twist or cherry? The Manhattan is the Old Fashioned’s more sophisticated cousin.

8. Negroni

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Traditional hats around the world

What we wear can say a lot about us, including where we’re from. Hats have been integral to traditional dress throughout history, signifying everything from social or political status to local weather patterns. Numerous hats have even become icons of their countries of origin. From fur caps designed to combat brutal winter to military headdresses turned fashion statements, here are 11 intriguing hats with equally fascinating backstories from around the world.

1. The sombrero

Photo: Barna Tanko/Shutterstock

Some hats have purely aesthetic value. Others, like the sombrero, have more utilitarian origins. Mexico’s signature wide-brimmed hat was designed to protect wearers from the sun, taking its name from the Spanish word for “shadow” or “shade.” Technically, a sombrero can be any brimmed hat to Spanish speakers, but the word typically conjures images of Cinco de Mayo celebrants and mariachi bands. Although the hat’s exact origin is unknown — one popular theory traces it back to the Mestizo cowboys of Central Mexico — it has historically been linked to socioeconomic status. Wider brims, decorative elements, and more expensive materials like felt as opposed to straw were all indicators of wealth.

2. The fez

Photo: Berke/Shutterstock

Often identified with Moroccan and Middle Eastern men’s dress, variations of the fez have been found everywhere from Cyprus to Serbia. The brimless, flat-topped felt cap was popularized during the Ottoman Empire when Sultan Mahmud II banned turbans and made the fez standard military garb as part of a modernization effort. The campaign was so successful that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk later banned the fez in order to distinguish the Republic of Turkey from its former Ottoman rule. Dye made from crimson berries native to Fez, Morocco originally gave the hat its characteristic hue, which also explains its name in English. Funnily enough, the fez is actually known as a tarboosh in Morocco.

3. The Aussie bush hat

Photo: Janelle Lugge/Shutterstock

First used by military personnel in 1885, the Aussie bush hat has been a staple of the Australian Army uniform since 1903. It isn’t just for soldiers, however; generations-old hat manufacturer Akubra and others have sold Aussie bush hats as fashion pieces since the early 1900s. The classic Akubra hat is wide-brimmed and made with rabbit fur felt — picture Crocodile Dundee’s signature headwear minus the crocodile teeth — though Akubra has become a proprietary eponym for generic Aussie bush hats, much like Kleenex is a catch-all for tissues and Band-Aid is for adhesive bandages.

4. The tam o’ shanter

Photo: Axelator/Wikipedia

Scottish men have worn bonnets since the 16th century, but the tam o’ shanter was not known as such until Robert Burns published a poem by the same name in 1790. It’s a close relative of the Glengarry bonnet and Balmoral hat, both of which preceded the tam o’ shanter as infantry gear. The floppy Scottish hat was worn exclusively by men until the 1920s when derivative hats called tams were introduced as women’s fashion in Europe and America. It’s also loosely associated with the traditional Rastafarian beanie, which goes by the name “tam” as well.

5. The Tyrolean hat

Photo: AVN Photo Lab/Shutterstock

Also known as the Alpine or Bavarian hat, the Tyrolean hat comes from Central European countries such as Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It originated in Tyrol, a region located between present-day Italy and Austria, and remained a fashion staple throughout the 20th century. The Tyrolean hat was commonly made from green felt and featured feathers, flowers, or other ornaments in the hatband. It’s no longer worn day to day, but the traditional headdress remains a proud emblem of Tyrolean and Bavarian culture to this day, especially when Oktoberfest rolls around.

6. The ushanka

Photo: Purino/Shutterstock

It makes sense that the hat most associated with Russia, land of notoriously frigid winters, is made entirely of fur and almost completely surrounds the face. The ushanka is known for its characteristic earflaps and derives its name from the Russian word for “ears” (ushi). Warm headgear offering near-total coverage was crucial for soldiers in Russia and Eastern Europe over the years, and the modern-day ushanka was created as part of a winter-uniform redesign for the Red Army. No longer a cultural and political symbol of the Soviet Union, this insanely cozy hat is now worn casually and is mainly manufactured out of artificial fur known as “fish fur.”

7. The Greek fisherman’s hat

Photo: Edouard Hue/Wikipedia

Everyone from John Lennon to Vladimir Lenin has rocked the Greek fisherman’s hat. The traditional wool, visored cap has humble origins as a mariner’s accessory, dating as far back as the early-19th century. It was quickly adopted by merchant navy sailors and was ubiquitous in coastal Mediterranean villages by the turn of the 20th century. Still, the Greek fisherman’s hat did not reach peak popularity until after John Lennon was seen wearing one, as well as American musicians such as Bob Dylan.

6. The conical Asian hat

Photo: Aurelia Teslaru/Shutterstock

The conical Asian hat is not specific to one country or even region in Asia. Rather, hats of similar design have cropped up in several countries between East and South Asia. It’s a practical hat that was designed to shield wearers from both sun and rain, making it an excellent choice for farmers everywhere from Vietnam to Japan. In the past, bejeweled or otherwise ornamented conical Asian hats were also worn by nobility.

9. The kufi hat

Photo: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

The kufi hat is a brimless, close-fitting cap worn throughout North, East, and West Africa, as well as parts of South Asia. It’s part of the national costume for many West African men and is often associated with religious dress elsewhere. Crocheted kufi hats are popular throughout the Muslim world while patterned hats are preferred by African Christians and Jews. In the US, wearers also represent a variety of faiths. Although the kufi hat is more commonly seen on men, it is considered a unisex accessory in a handful of traditions.

10. The beret

Photo: Victoria Chudinova/Shutterstock

Similar floppy hats first appeared in Europe as far back as the Bronze Age, though the actual beret was not mass-produced until the 19th century. It was massively trendy in both France and Spain, and the military beret was even adopted by several European armies after WWI. Despite the fact that American jazz greats like Thelonious Monk and historic figures like Che Guevara have all famously sported berets, this simple, yet stylish, cap will always be a French icon in the eyes of the world.

11. The bowler hat

Photo: Kath Watson/Shutterstock

Thomas and William Bowler designed this quintessentially British hat in the mid-19th century. It’s believed to have been created as an alternative to the top hat, which was particularly problematic for groundskeepers who rode horseback past low-hanging branches. The bowler hat took off among working-class men across the UK and later America, soon spreading to the upper class. In the early-20th century. Bowler hats have also been a major part of Bolivian women’s dress since their introduction to South America in the 1920s. As the story goes, bowler hats were shipped across the pond for male railway workers but ended up being too small, thus creating a trend among local Quechua and Aymara women that is still relevant today.


More like this: Traditional wedding attire around the world

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Westminster Abbey opening attic

There’s a new reason to visit one of London’s oldest, best-known attractions. Everyone knows about Westminster Abbey’s ornate chapels and royal tombs, but few are aware that above it all sits a medieval attic, known as the “triforium”. Sir John Betjeman, former poet laureate of the United Kingdom, once called it “the best view in Europe”, though few have actually been able to experience it, as the attic has been closed to the general public for the past 700 years.

On June 11, however, the triforium is opening as a new museum, call the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries. The space will showcase 300 artifacts from the Abbey’s 1,000-year history, and be accessible by a brand new tower, designed by architect Ptolemy Dean. The tower blends a contemporary aesthetic with gothic elements, like stained glass shards incorporated into the windows, and a star-shaped layout inspired by a motif found in the Henry VII Lady Chapel.

Once inside the attic, visitors will find hundreds of relics organized into four themes: Building Westminster Abbey, Worship and Daily Life, Westminster Abbey and the Monarchy, and the Abbey and National Memory. Some pieces visitors might want to pay special attention to include a lifelike funeral effigy of Henry VII, the coronation chair of Mary II, and a 300-year-old stuffed African Grey parrot that was a companion of Frances Stuart. For royal wedding enthusiasts, the wedding certificate of Prince William and Kate Middleton is also on display.

The dean of Westminster Abbey, John Hall, said in a statement that “people will be amazed and thrilled at the space and the views, as well as the astonishingly rich collection of objects on display.”

For fans of British history, the attic doesn’t seem likely to disappoint. And hey, it only took 700 years.

H/T: Smithsonian.com

European museums considering returning stolen colonial artifacts

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Zipline above Niagara Falls

While less ambitious travelers can get a good view of Niagara Falls from both the US and Canadian sides of the border, the best vantage point is doubtless from above. That’s why Wild Play Element Parks has installed four zip-lines across Niagara Falls. At 220 feet high, traveling 40 miles per hour across 2,200 feet, you’ll be hard pressed for a better view, or a more thrilling experience.

The ride starts at Niagara Parks Grand View Marketplace and ends at the Ontario Power Company building right at the base of Horseshoe Falls. And if you’ve never ziplined before, don’t worry; an expert will be guiding you the whole way.

Zip-line flights will be available this summer until October at $50 per person. Make sure you’re prepared to savor every moment, as the ride only takes 30 seconds!

H/T: Travel & Leisure

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Entire lake evaporates in Hawaii

Hawaii just can’t catch a break. Although Kilauea erupted about a month ago, Hawaii’s Big Island is still feeling its effects. Lava from the volcanic eruption has completely evaporated the water of Green Lake, the Big Island’s largest freshwater lake. The evaporation began on June 2nd when lava flowed into the lake, boiling the water away. For anyone in the area, it would have been a hard spectacle to miss as the boiling water turned into a thick white plume, reaching high into the sky.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that “by 1:30 p.m. [local time], the steam plume had ceased, and by 3 p.m […] lava had filled the lake and apparently evaporated all the water.”

Prior to the evaporation, Green Lake — also known as Ka Wai a Pele — was 200 feet deep, and a popular swimming spot. Now, Google Maps reviewers are mourning the loss of the lake, debating what steps should be taken for its preservation or restoration, and cracking jokes about its demise.

So far, lava from the Kilauea eruption has covered about 7.7 square miles and formed a delta in Kapoho Bay. Here and elsewhere across the island, the eruption has made a huge impact on Hawaii’s geography and forever altered its landscape.

H/T: Live Science

More like this: Hawaiians urged not to roast marshmallows over volcano lava

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Best glamping in the US

When it comes to camping, you usually fall into one of two groups: either you love it or you hate it. Those who love it can’t wait to escape to nature, breathe fresh air, and partake in outdoor adventures. If you fall into the other camp, though, the thought of sleeping on the ground, fighting off insects, and lugging a tent, sleeping bags, food, bug spray, cooking equipment, and more — in other words, roughing it — seems like a really bad way to spend a weekend. If you’re getting itchy just thinking about the bugs, glamping was meant for you.

Glamping is the modern meld of nature and luxury. The prep and setup are taken care of for you; and all you need to do to is show up. Glamping, or glamorous camping, isn’t just tents and yurts. You’ll find luxurious outdoor adventures in treehouses, shipping containers, eco-lodges, and other creative abodes.

1. Safari-Inspired Tents, Yellowstone, Montana

Photo: Under Canvas Yellowstone

When visiting Yellowstone Park, you can immerse yourself in nature while staying in a luxurious safari-inspired tent at Under Canvas. You’ll wake up to the wonder of Montana, just minutes from the Yellowstone National Park. The safari-inspired tents have all the amenities, including a wood burning stove. Other niceties include daily housekeeping, fresh towels, bathrooms, and king-size beds.

In addition to the Yellowstone location, Under Canvas has properties near Moab, Glacier, Zion, Mount Rushmore with the Great Smoky Mountains and Grand Canyon opening in 2018.

2. Vintage Trailers, Asheville, North Carolina

Photo: Asheville Glamping

One way to go glamping is to stay in a luxurious (and spacious) 31-ft vintage trailer that includes a four-person hot tub. Asheville Glamping remodeled The Silver Bettie, a 1955 vintage trailer to include a modern kitchen, tiled bathroom shower, a bedroom with a memory foam mattress, and living room. Air conditioning and heating keep the trailer at an ideal temperature year-round. There are plenty of dishes and cookware to create your own meals on the propane cooktop. There’s even wifi available for the smart television. Located on a three-acre urban property, you’ll find a fire pit with firewood provided.

Or, if a vintage trailer isn’t your style, try one of their domes, yurts, teepees, safari tents, or airstreams, with a tree house coming in 2019.

3. Upcycled Shipping Containers, Jupiter, Florida

Photo: Headwaters Jupiter

Head to Headwaters Jupiter for an eco-friendly retreat in an repurposed shipping container. The main lodge consists of three used shipping containers, surrounded by native Florida plant life, vegetable and herb gardens, and hiking and biking trails. Bikes, canoes, and kayaks are included for exploring the trails and the Loxahatchee River.

You’ll stay in a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home constructed from used ocean-going shipping containers. The containers are built to handle extreme weather and are perfect as a recycled home in hurricane-prone South Florida.

4. Canvas Cabins, Philipsburg, Montana

Photo: The Ranch at Rock Creek

At The Ranch at Rock Creek, they combine a cabin with a tent to create a canvas cabin glamping experience at a five-star dude ranch in Western Montana. The Sweet Grass Cabin has a cabin living room with two canvas tent bedrooms including two full baths. It’s a 1,300-square-foot outdoor oasis.

You’ll cruise around camp easily with the personal cruisers or mountain bikes that are provided. All guests have access to bikes, kayaks, and canoes to complement your adventure.

5. Teepees, Torrey, Utah

Photo: Capitol Reef Resort

You’ll enjoy 58 acres of paradise in Torrey, Utah at the Capitol Reef Resort. Stay in one of their teepees where you’ll find style and comfort decorated in traditional western furnishings. Bathrooms are just a few steps away.

If teepees aren’t your preference, Capitol Reef Resort also offers guestrooms, luxury cabins, and Conestoga wagons for other authentic glamping experiences.

6. Private Island, Little Raccoon Key

Photo: Little Raccoon Key

Or, maybe you’d like to stay on a private island. Little Raccoon Key is a reef island off the coast of Georgia. While glamping on your private retreat, you’ll enjoy a mini dolphin tour, as well as immerse yourself in the abundant marine, land, and bird life of the island.

Once you arrive on the island, your glamping experience includes staying in a 26 by 15-foot canvas tent. The camp is run by solar power, but there are lanterns and plenty of batteries if you need them. Inside the tent, you’ll find a memory foam mattress and pillows, fresh linens, a wood burning stove, dishes and pans for meals, a coffee/tea kettle, board games, and books. The shower and toilet are located outside of the tent.

7. Tree House, Petaluma, California

Photo: glampinghub

Staying in a tree house is a unique glamping experience. You’ll climb three levels of staircase that meander through the trunks of a tree where you’ll find a raised deck overlooking the California countryside. The tree house itself is rustically decorated on two levels: a living area downstairs and a canopied queen-size bed in the loft. The windows on all sides give up views of the grove, plus an Arabian horse farm, and local rolling hills and forests. There’s a separate toilet room in the treehouse with a chemical potty. The shower is located in the barn. Breakfast is served in the main house. The listing for the tree house is available at Glamping Hub.

More like this: Camp Cecil: Luxury camping on an uninhabited Mexican island

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Dive the wreckage of the Titanic

When the Titanic was still on the high seas, you had to have pretty deep pockets to fully experience the vessel. Now, you might need even deeper pockets to visit its shipwreck. Blue Marble Private, a London-based travel company, is planning to offer diving trips to the wreck starting in 2019. Another travel company called The Bluefish is also planning Titanic dives for 2019. Blue Marble’s eight-day experience will set you back $105,129 per person, so if you’re looking for a nice budget vacation, this isn’t it.

Blue Marble claims that the price is equivalent (after inflation) to a First Class passenger ticket on the Titanic’s inaugural voyage back in 1912, which would have cost $4,350. So what exactly do you get for your money? You can expect three days of diving, with each dive lasting approximately three hours. You can look forward to the opportunity to spot bioluminescent creatures during the descent, and spend three hours exploring the remains of the 269-meter-long ship. You’ll also assist the crew aboard the expedition yacht, and in the submersible. Just because it’s a private, pricey experience, doesn’t mean they won’t put you to work!

Both tour companies are sensitive to the fact that the Titanic is a grave site, and not simply a tourist attraction. “The people who tend to want to go are very respectful,” said Bluefish founder and CEO Steve Sims. “And you can only do eight to nine civilians on a ship. So you’re not getting a bunch of giggling teenagers who are spending over $100,000 to go along and get selfies.” Bluefish and Blue Marble place a heavy focus on the trip’s scientific significance, and to assess the decay of the ship.

Indeed, these voyages could be one of your last chances to ever visit the Titanic. A study in 2016 claimed that “extremophile bacteria” could eat away the remainder of the shipwreck within the next 15 or 20 years. So take out a second mortgage, or put your child’s college education on hold, and start saving for that ticket.

H/T: CNN Travel

More like this: Belfast: Home of the Titanic

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Free things to do in New York City

As someone who was born and raised in New York City, I often get asked by other people for recommendations on things to do. As one of the most iconic urban centers in the world, it can get pretty expensive. But just because you’re in the Big Apple doesn’t mean you have to bring out the big bucks. Here are 10 experiences worth having — and none of them will break the bank.

1. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and see the sunset.

A post shared by Brooklyn Bridge, NYC (@brooklynbridgeig) on Jun 4, 2018 at 6:59am PDT

The Brooklyn Bridge was constructed in 1883, making it one of the oldest bridges in the United States. It’s a mix between a suspension and cable-stayed bridge and connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, and it’s a local favorite to walk across. The best way to tackle this is by starting out from the Manhattan end a little before sunset so you have enough time to take pictures of and on the bridge while it’s still daylight out. Marvel at the sights on either side while the sun begins to set and make it to Brooklyn Bridge Park right as the colors blend and the painted sky really behind the iconic New York City skyline.

2. Catch a flick outdoors.

A post shared by A+E District Miami (@aedistrictmiami) on May 27, 2015 at 10:16am PDT

Grab a blanket and see some of your favorite movies outdoors at one of NYC Parks’ many movie showings throughout the city. Some of the films on the agenda this summer include Wonder Woman at John Jay Park in Manhattan, The Lego Batman Movie at the Paradise on Earth in the Bronx, Black Panther at Brookville Park in Queens, The Lion King at Brevoort Playground in Brooklyn, and West Side Story at the Greenbelt Recreation Center in Staten Island. And unlike the regular movie theaters, bringing your own snacks is encouraged, so feel free to go crazy on the Red Vines.

3. Go on a location hunt.

A post shared by Roisin (@roshie74) on Jun 4, 2018 at 3:34am PDT

A ton of popular movies and television shows were shot in New York City, and going on paid group location tours, like the Sex and the City bus tour, is a tourist favorite. But there’s a sense of accomplishment to navigating and finding spots on your own — and the price is just right. So download Google Maps and make a list of what you want to see. There’s the iconic Friends apartment building, the Met steps where Blair and Serena spent their mornings before school on Gossip Girl, the Plaza Hotel where Kevin McAllister from Home Alone and Eloise caused chaos, and so many more.

4. Have your own “Night at the Museum.”

A post shared by Am Museum of Natural History (@amnh) on Mar 12, 2018 at 4:11pm PDT

Museums in NYC typically close around 5 pm, which isn’t a lot of time if you’re trying to see a lot at different locations. But over the summer, places like the Natural History Museum and The Guggenheim open up their doors beyond normal admission hours to allow visitors to experience a whole new side of the museum. Instead of running around trying to cram multiple museums in one day and rushing your visits at all of them, you have the opportunity to take your time and truly take everything in. A lot of museums in New York are always free (the displayed price is often a suggested donation), but many of the ticketed museums also offer free nights during weekdays in summer.

5. Hear the Bard’s tales under the stars.

A post shared by The Public Theater (@publictheaterny) on Dec 29, 2017 at 4:58pm PST

Warm weather means everyone wants to head outside, and thespians are no exception. Actors post up all around town in public spaces to put on shows and usually, it’ll be one of Shakespeare’s works. Even if you’re not a huge fan, the shows are worth seeing because the theatrics of these live public shows are often more interesting than a conventional play. Shakespeare in the Park is a popular event that occurs every summer; plays like “Much Ado About Nothing,” “A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream,” and “King Lear” will be performed at the open-air Delacorte Theater in Central Park. It’s free, but you’ll still need tickets to get in. To get them, register for the online lottery or wait in line on the day of a performance.

6. Tickle your funny bone.

A post shared by Knitting Factory Brooklyn (@knittingfactorybk) on May 9, 2018 at 10:56am PDT

Founded in 1987, the Knitting Factory holds free stand-up comedy shows every Sunday. The venue is great for discovering up-and-coming comics, but you might also see established comedians like Ilana Glazer and Hannibal Buress return to their old stomping grounds to perform.

7. Climb and zip through greenery.

A post shared by NYC Parks (@nycparks) on Jul 1, 2016 at 1:42pm PDT

The Alley Pond Adventure Course offers free climbing and zip lining every Sunday between May and October. You can either pick the 9:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. slot, and reservations aren’t required unless you want to go in July or August. Generally, if you arrive a half hour before it starts, you should be able to get in. For reservations during the second half of the summer, it’s done through a lottery system where you have to register, specify the number of participants up to a maximum of 4, and then the tickets will be given out at random.

8. Hit up a street festival.

A post shared by New York City Poetry Festival (@nycpofest) on Jun 29, 2017 at 11:17am PDT

Every weekend, many city blocks will be closed off to car traffic for some sort of festival. The New York Poetry Festival celebrates the written word, while the Coney Island Mermaid Parade pays homage to the wondrous creatures of the ocean. It’s not uncommon to walk along random streets and suddenly find yourself in the midst of throngs of people and hundreds of stalls selling everything from food to clothes. Be sure to search online to see if there’s a themed festival going on while you’re here or just hit the streets and see what you find.

9. Treat your ears.

A post shared by SummerStage (@summerstage) on Feb 13, 2018 at 9:07am PST

Summer is a season for music festivals and outdoor concerts, and thanks to our prime location, we actually bring in the biggest acts in the world for these free events. Programs like The TODAY Show and Good Morning America have weekly concerts with Top 40 artists like Imagine Dragons, Alicia Keys, and Pitbull. Then there’s SummerStage, a festival that’s run by the City Parks Foundation. Every week, different acts are booked to perform in Central Park. You could find yourself listening to the stylings of a hot new DJ or an up and coming indie band — there’ll be something for everyone.

10. Stay in shape.

A post shared by Sumati&Greg (@sumatiandgreg) on Jun 21, 2017 at 5:36am PDT

In a city so full of people obsessed with wellness, there’s no shortage of free fitness classes available, so why not try something that’ll keep you healthy and could be fun? Take a yoga class in the middle of Times Square or Zumba in South Street Seaport. For those people who are less inclined to sweat in public, head indoors to where many gyms offer trial kickboxing, tai chi, pilates, and general body conditioning classes.

More like this: 7 ways to make your trip to New York cheaper

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When to buy flights from the airline

Online travel agencies desperately want — and need — you to book your travel through them. It’s their bread and butter, and they’re willing to package everything from hotel rooms to rental cars to restaurant reservations on top of flights in order to lure you in. When it comes to flights, you can even count on earning those rewards miles when booking via an OTA.

Airlines, of course, would prefer you to book directly through them. For you to do just that, certain airlines have made it much harder to buy flights on OTAs, primarily by not allowing the websites permission to display the price for their fares.

Though OTAs dominated the airfare-booking business for quite a few years with promises of the cheapest fares imaginable, the trend over the past few years has been moving towards booking directly with the airlines.

Are airlines blocking flyers from claiming points when they book through an online travel agency?

No. In terms of actually collecting miles, you can book through whatever OTA you want and rack up those points in the process. However, each OTA (and some are owned by the same company) operates very differently. The only instance where you can’t earn reward points when booking with an OTA is when buying pre-packaged vacations, such as all-inclusive cruises and tours.

That said, while you can in fact earn miles from the airline while booking through a third party site, you can only use those frequent flyer points to purchase a ticket off of the airline’s direct site or an affiliate. So when it comes time to redeem, booking through the airline is more beneficial.

Cost and convenience

When it comes down to it, booking directly through the airline is almost always more convenient. If the price changes after you buy your ticket, many airlines will get you the difference back. Southwest, for example, refunds the difference directly to you or applies it as credit towards future airfare. Expedia and Travelocity both offer a Price Match Guarantee, but only if you find the lower fare within 24 hours of booking.

On top of ease and affordability, there are many other reasons that make it worth your while to book directly with the airline. Sometimes, you might find a lower last-minute fare on an OTA, or occasionally, you may find a glitch in the system offering an outrageously low fare, but the best deals are almost always found when you book directly through an airline’s website. That said, here a few things to keep in mind:

Airlines sometimes offer special perks when you book directly through them, particularly if you belong to their rewards program. Loyal customers who book through the airline’s website might get extra miles, free wifi, food and drink credits, airport lounge access, or priority boarding. If you have their credit card, you might earn benefits, such as statement credits or cash back when using the card to book directly through the airline’s website.

When booking through an OTA, you might not be able to choose your seat until check-in. Also, the best seats will be prioritized for customers who are loyalty members with the airline and book directly through the airline.

Some airlines — such as Lufthansa — impose surcharges when booking on an OTA, in an attempt to have more flyers book directly through their site.

When you book directly on an airline’s website you have more leverage when it comes to delays, booking changes, and cancellations. If you call the airline after having booked through an OTA, there’s a chance you’ll be directed back to the OTA when service can be subpar and confusing. In some cases, you’re directed back and forth between airline and OTA. Problem-solving when communicating directly with the airline is a lot easier.

Many airlines have a ‘best rate guarantee’ or ‘lowest price guarantee’. This may not take the fares of other airlines into consideration, but it’s still a great perk, particularly if you’re a member of their mileage program. Some airlines will gap the difference and also provide a travel voucher.

Airlines sometimes offer discount codes so you’ll be more inclined to book directly with them. These codes won’t be useful on OTAs.

When to book through an online travel agency

There are certain situations where booking through an OTA is beneficial. If you’re trying to book a complicated itinerary with multiple flight combinations, an OTA may be the way to go. One airline may not offer certain route combinations that are available on an OTA, particularly for multi-stop international trips. It’s also convenient when trying to book flight and hotel combinations. In specific scenarios, such as during major storms, customer service may be more accessible with OTAs.

If you have a travel rewards credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture, booking through an OTA allows you to pay for your flight and earn points on the card, and also earn miles through the airline rewards program when you actually fly. You can, of course, pay with that same card when booking directly through the airline if you don’t have their airline-specific credit card. But OTAs today often offer comprehensive rewards programs in order to compete with the airlines. Orbitz, for example, has a program where it offers back 1% on flights, and its rewards point system is pretty easy to understand — 1 Orbuck equals $1.00 USD.

All the OTA programs vary in what they offer and how valuable and useful the rewards actually are. Some also offer great email notifications of price changes, which can be helpful when shopping around. Hopper tracks flight prices for you and notifies you when they are at their lowest-expected price, which is something you definitely aren’t going to find from airlines. If you are booking with an OTA, consider first using an aggregator such as Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak, or Momondo, which also compare fares from OTAs.


The world's 7 longest nonstop flights

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Cargo spill threatens marine life

Quite the clean-up operation is underway off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, after 83 shipping containers fell from a cargo ship. The Libyan-registered ship, called the YM Efficiency, was en route to Sydney from Taiwan on Thursday when rough seas caused a myriad of debris, including diapers, sanitary products, and car parts to spill into the ocean.

While the debris is expected to wash up on beaches for the next several months, the greater fear is for nearby marine life. Port Stephens EcoNetwork’s Nigel Dique told the Australian Associated Press that “there were broken clocks, bits of structural plastic material, lots of jars and food items packaged in plastic […] certainly turtles and whales and large marine creatures think they are food and swallow the stuff.” Whales, turtles, sharks, seabirds, among other marine animals, are thought to be at risk.

Many locals and volunteers in the communities affected by the spill have taken a proactive approach, rallying to clean up their beaches that are covered in plastic debris.

Although they were asked not to get involved in the clean-up by Roads and Maritime Services Director Angus Mitchell, locals are taking matters into their own hands because they believe the government won’t act soon enough. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the state’s Environment Protection Agency, however, are working to ensure all hazardous material is cleaned up.

H/T: SBS News

This 51-year-old man just began swimming 5,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean

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