Matador Network's Blog, page 1342
May 17, 2018
Nonprofit hotels to stay at
Travelers looking to put their tourism dollars towards a good cause have seemingly ever-increasing opportunities to do so. Eco-tourism opportunities abound and you can now contribute to environmental charities to offset carbon emissions from your flights, But a number of hotels and lodges around the world are taking the the whole “doing good” mantra a step further by operating on a non-profit basis and putting positive returns back into the community instead of the owner’s pocket. Plus, they’re all incredibly beautiful and make for a worthwhile stay even on top of their do-good efforts.
1. Hotel Con Corazon
Locations: Granada, Nicaragua, and Oaxaca, Mexico
Photo: Hotel Con Corazon/Sophie Wolters
Hotel Con Corazon is on a mission to send kids to school. Every dollar in profit that the hotel makes from its two locations is invested back into programs within the local community that assist children in completing school, setting them up for a brighter future. They support an average of 250 children each year by sponsoring costs incurred through their education.The brand also has a penchant for sustainability — their Oaxaca location features low-flow faucets and showerheads, and the hotels source products locally whenever possible. The brand plans to open ten additional locations in the coming decade, with two currently in the works. Its second Nicaragua location will open in León, along with its first Costa Rica location in Rincón de la Vieja.
2. Rockhouse Hotel
Location: Negril, Jamaica
Photo: Rockhouse Hotel
The Rockhouse Hotel is also out to provide educational benefit. In 2004, the hotel’s owners kicked off the Rockhouse Foundation, which has remodeled a number of schools in Western Jamaica and has invested in literacy programs for the area’s youth.
3. Hotel Sol y Luna
Location: Catacaos, Peru
Photo: Hotel Sol y Luna
The founders of Peru’s Hotel Sol y Luna use their profits to fund the Sol y Luna Intercultural School, which provides educational opportunities not otherwise available to many kids in the country’s Sacred Valley.
4. The Purpose Hotel
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
The Purpose Hotel isn’t built yet — but the idea for change struck such a chord with the public that the project’s Kickstarter campaign raised over $679,000 — nearly twice the hotel’s baseline target amount. The idea of The Purpose Hotel is to use each room, and everything inside the hotel (art, bed linens, soaps,etc.) to raise funds for charities such as Compassion International or The Giving Keys.
5. Cicada Lodge
Location: Nitmiluk National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Photo: Cicada Lodge
The Cicada Lodge puts their profits where their business is. The lodge, run by Australia’s indigenous Jawoyn tribe, invests in the Jawoyn Association’s efforts to train local youth in hospitality career fields and benefit the surrounding national park.
6. Singita Pamushana Lodge
Location: Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
Photo: Singita Pamushana Lodge
Singita is a brand known for offering tours that contribute to local wellbeing; they recently ran a safari in Serengeti to benefit women’s empowerment in the region. Their lodge, which offers access to the The Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve’s 130,000 acres in southern Zimbabwe, seeks to benefit a landscape increasingly vulnerable to habitat loss. The Malilangwe Trust, set up by the owners of the Singita Pamushana Lodge, receives the profits from the lodge to put towards conservation programs and reintroducing endangered wildlife to the area.
If you want to make a difference on your next trip but aren’t traveling to where one of these hotels is located, check out Hotels For Hope, an organization which works directly with hotels to partner them with nonprofit organizations in need of funds. 
More like this: 7 easy things you can do to be a more sustainable traveler at hotels
The post These 6 non-profit hotels give back to their communities appeared first on Matador Network.
Most frustrating airports
Airports around the world suffer from design flaws so glaringly problematic you’d think they were created for some patience-testing prank show. Long distances between terminals, confusing layouts, and overcrowding due to poor planning are common complaints when it comes to the most frustrating airports in the world. To add insult to injury, some of the busiest international hubs are the worst offenders, particularly in the US. Do your best to avoid these seven airports if the run-of-the-mill stresses of air travel are all you can handle.
1. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Paris, France
Whoever designed CDG must have thought clear signage was meant to be decorative and decided to go in a different direction. It’s easy enough to get between the ticketing area and boarding gates, but connecting passengers have to pay attention and hustle if they intend to get through the airport in a timely manner. Terminals are not only physically separated by narrow corridors that make pulling a wheelie suitcase or a pushing a cart impossible, but they are also connected by unreliable shuttles and split into confusing subdivisions, so you never quite know where you’re going or how long it will take to get there. Expect to get lost or held up while traveling through CDG and budget for some extra time before your flight.
2. LaGuardia Airport (LGA), NYC, US
It’s no secret: LGA sucks. There’s no direct subway connection from NYC, so you’re doomed to start your trip by sitting in traffic and stressing out about missing your flight. The traffic problem isn’t limited to just cars, however; LGA also regularly experience air-traffic jams. Due in part to the close proximity of the JFK and Newark airports, this congestion often results in annoyingly long taxiing times. That said, the pre-boarding experience isn’t much better, especially if you have to deal with the run-around of getting between terminals after you’ve already cleared security. LGA is pretty underwhelming down to its last overlooked detail, like the simple fact that there are too few restrooms in Terminals A and B.
3. Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Manila, Philippines
The largest airport in the Philippines, NAIA is a known nightmare. Millions of people pass through the Manila airport each year, which seems like way more than it was built to accommodate. The airport is always overcrowded, meaning excessively long lines for security and immigration, not to mention stiff competition for the limited seating at the boarding gates. Amenities, in general, weren’t high up on this designer’s list of priorities; food options and shopping outlets are practically nonexistent past security. Mostly what you’ll see at NAIA are people queuing up and waiting around while wearing exasperated expressions.
4. Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Frankfurt, Germany
FRA seriously challenges the cliche about German efficiency. Put simply, it makes no sense. The airport is connected by a maze of escalators, elevators, staircases, and tunnels that lead passengers through a seemingly random series of detours past ticketing, security, customs, passport control, and boarding. FRA is massive, so getting to your gate or terminal can feel like a hike. Then, even with all that extra space, there’s a good chance you’ll have to walk directly through a shop or restaurant to get to your gate. Unfortunately, the airport’s size is a burden for both departing and arriving passengers. Often, planes land a decent distance from the physical airport structure, and shuttle transfers to the terminals can take as long as 30 minutes.
5. São Paulo-Congonhas Airport (CGH), São Paulo, Brazil
CGH isn’t just frustrating; it’s downright dangerous. The runway is notoriously problematic, both because it’s shorter than a standard runway and because it suffers from drainage issues when it rains. Slippery runways have caused serious accidents in the past, and the airport has been shut down due to inclement weather before. While these design flaws are most problematic for pilots, CGH is also guilty of making transit hard on its passengers. Like others on this list, the airport is too small for its high number of travelers, which leads to never-ending queues that bleed together and become incredibly confusing on top of plain tedious.
6. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles, US
LAX could be the official sponsor of Craigslist’s Missed Connections. The airport’s sprawling design is so easy to get tangled up in it has cost countless travelers their connecting flights over the years. Clearing customs, re-checking bags, and getting past TSA while navigating the crowds at LAX can take hours. There’s always a ton of foot traffic, and very often the line at security is so long it spills out into the ticketing area and delays passengers mid check-in. In truth, the whole entrance is a mess given that the infamously bad LA traffic doesn’t let up at the airport. LAX intends to add new gates to the Tom Bradley Terminal by 2019 but has announced no plans for the total redesign it so desperately needs.
7. Heathrow Airport (LHR), London, UK
There’s no time to dawdle at Heathrow, one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. The sheer volume of travelers can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to the long, snaking customs and immigration lines that make the airport feel at once too large and claustrophobic. There aren’t a lot of windows or natural light at Heathrow either, which adds to the cramped and overcrowded atmosphere. Another small but significant detail that qualifies LHR as one of the most frustrating airports on the planet is its ineffective signage. There’s so much going on between the shops, restaurants, and entertainment outlets that have been crammed into the airport that signs directing passengers to the boarding gates simply get lost. Sometimes LHR feels more like a mall than an airport, albeit still not one where you’d choose to spend the day.
More like this: 9 US airports where you can still get a kickass meal
The post The 7 most frustrating airports around the world appeared first on Matador Network.
Weekend escapes for female adventure
While female-only outdoor adventure companies (Wild Women Expeditions, Adventure Women, etc.) have been around for decades, this type of service is becoming a more popular option for women who are looking to connect with others interested in adventure-centric travel. And as the demand for such excursions continues to grow, there is an increasing number of companies who offer this type of experience. From camping with friends to joining an organized group, we’ve found some incredible options for female-focused outdoor weekend excursions in the US.
Do it yourself ideas
Planning your own no-boys-allowed adventure weekend in the US is easy — each state has a magnitude of outdoor activities. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Bike or drive the White Rim Trail, Canyonlands, Utah
Photo: Oscity/Shutterstock
If you’re looking to check out completely, there’s no better off-the-grid spot than the White Rim Trail that winds through Canyonlands National Park. This 101-mile loop through Canyonlands is definitely a rugged adventure that will require a bit of research, and the campgrounds book out many months in advance, but it’s at the top of our list for those who are looking for an outdoor challenge. Canyonlands National Park is a place to feel insignificant in the powerful presence of mighty Mother Earth.
Matador Network contributor Katie Botwin shared a little about her experience camping in the park: “We arrived at our campsite fairly late, with stomachs growling and tired muscles, but in good spirits. Final rays of light from the evening sun disappeared behind the canyon walls, as we set up our tents and stuffed our bellies. When we finished, we looked up to a sea of stars above us, sparkling like the sun playing on tips of wind-ridden waves. We lay down in the red dust and talked for hours about how tiny we felt — and how important it is to feel that way every once in a while.”
Relax and reconnect in the sand dunes, Bullards Beach State Park, Bandon, Oregon
Photo: Zhukova Valentyna/Shutterstock
The Oregon coast allows the perfect combination of stunning coastline and plenty of options for outdoor sports. At Bullards Beach State Park, you can rent a cabin or a yurt, hike the surrounding sand dunes, bike down the beach, and relax and connect with your friends over a long weekend. Be sure to hit up Brandon Baking Co for morning coffee, the local fish market for lunch, and Alloro Wine Bar to sample some of Oregon’s wine.
Hike in Boulder, Colorado
Photo: Kris Wiktor/Shutterstock
Boulder, Colorado has made a name for itself as adventure central, and there’s a good reason for it. Just a quick 40-minute drive from the Denver International Airport, you’ll find access to skiing, climbing, trail running, and hiking. Cut down on trip planning and book a room at the new Adventure Lodge, where you can connect with other active people who are looking to meet up for group activities. The lodge is located just a few miles outside of town but it feels like you’re staying in the middle of a peaceful forest. With a community vibe and daily adventure tour options, this is a great spot to convene with your favorite women.
Join a group
There are many reasons to join an organized crew instead of planning your own adventure. Many female-only groups emphasize the connection of friendship as a focal point and encourage women to gather and celebrate their strengths while engaging in the outdoor activities they love.
If you are visiting a new town, head over to REI to see what trips they are offering. Check to see if there are any Facebook groups for women who like the outdoors in your location. If you are a runner, many of the running shops in the US will host female runs on weekends with the option to stay for breakfast or happy hour afterward. Joining a group is a great way to meet adventure-spirited people with minimal planning or effort. Here are a few suggestions for the US.
Spruce up your mountain biking technique.
Photo: Ladies AllRide Mountain Bike Skills
The Liv Ladies All Ride group offers women-only mountain biking skills camps in eight different states around the US. Here, you can join a group of women, try your hand at mountain biking, or learn new skills.
Build confidence in your outdoor skills.
Photo: Women’s Wilderness
The Women’s Wilderness group promotes a positive message, encouraging girls and women of all colors, backgrounds, gender identities, and sizes to join together to spend time in the outdoors. This summer, they have their third annual event: Summit Sisters. It runs from June 22nd to the 24th in Colorado. Enrollment is open and the price includes outdoor workshops, camping, and meals.
Sign up for a women’s only run.
Photo: Run Like a Diva
Throughout the US, there are many women-only running races that range from 5ks to full marathons. Imagine running a marathon after which you were offered flowers, chocolates, and a massage when you crossed the finish line. Check out all the races in this listing. Our favorites are Run Like A Diva races; the organization have various races across the US and Canada and look like a ton of fun.
Book a splurge trip
Regardless of your skill level or experience, women-only trips provide a supportive environment to try new activities and appeal to those who enjoy spending time in the outdoors. Sometimes you just want to hand over the reins and let an experienced outfitter plan your next trip and that’s where female-focused trip-planning companies come into play. Here are a few splurge trips worth looking into.
Adventure Women
Photo: AdventureWomen
Adventure Women is one of the most established female-only adventure companies. It offers a variety of expeditions that focus on building friendship and exploring cultures across the world. Most of their trips are overseas, but they do cater to those who want to explore the US. This summer they have a trip on offer to Southern Oregon and Northern California to explore Rogue River and Redwood National Forest and Crater Lake National Park.
Adventures in Good Company
Photo: Adventures in Good Company
Adventures in Good Company hosts a full range of women-only trips with both US and international destinations. They might well have invented the term “slackpacking,” which refers to hiking all day with a light backpack and then ending the day at a hostel with a warm shower. Check out their extended weekend trips on the Appalachian Trail or their excursions to Sedona, Arizona. Plan ahead as these trips fill up fast.
Wild Women Expeditions
Photo: Wild Women Expeditions
Sometimes, it can be overwhelming to narrow your focus when planning an active trip. Through the Wild Women Expeditions group, you can browse the trip options by activity. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to sail, have dreamt about riding horses, or are working to enhance your yoga practice, this could be a perfect place to start.
More like this: Don't assume I'm not adventurous because I'm a woman
The post The best weekend escapes in the US for female outdoor adventures appeared first on Matador Network.
Affordable wellness retreats
You don’t need to bring in a six-figure salary or be sitting on mounds of cash to indulge yourself in a little “me time.” Many resorts across the world embrace the gift of self-care, offering affordable packages in beautiful settings. For those looking to relax, recharge, or renew, here are 9 wellness retreats you can actually afford.
1. Maderas Village, Nicaragua
Photo: jackgreystone/Maderas Village
This stylish beach getaway has a shared art studio space, meditation areas, and a freewheeling ambiance urging visitors to choose what they want to do when they want to do it. Breakfast and lunch are served a la carte, allowing folks to move through the day at their own pace.
Photo: jonbrandoncruz/Maderas Village
Add-ons include yoga classes for $10, surfboard rental for $10, horseback rides for $15, and even a disc golf getaway (including lunch and beers) for $30. Single beds are available for those traveling on their own.
Cost: from $30 USD per night
2. Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River, Costa Rica
Photo: Rio Perdido
If traveling with a pal or two, Rio Perdido can be an affordable treat. This luxurious escape in the mountains of Guanacaste offers a “build your own” getaway for those looking for a stimulating wellness retreat.
Photo: Rio Perdido
Adventure options including zip-line tours, hiking, mountain biking, and whitewater tubing while those looking for more relaxation can opt for a massage or long soak in hot springs next to the Rio Perdido river.
Cost: from $218 USD per night
3. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, US
Photo: Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs opened in 1898 just an hour outside of Santa Fe. The mineral springs were sacred to the eight Pueblo Indian communities which have frequented them for over 3,000 years; the pools are still considered to have healing properties.
Photo: Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
A package for two includes two nights’ luxury accommodation, extended soaking hours, choice of spa service, unlimited mud bath and mineral pool soaks, as well as daily yoga.
Cost: from $169 USD per night
4. Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Photo: Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas
The Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat is for those looking to start or expand their classical yoga practice — with the added bonus of beach time. Located just across the bay from Nassau, the ashram offers both singular experiential courses and yoga vacation retreats from just $20 USD per day, which include meals, yoga classes, workshops and beach access.
Photo: Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas
Accommodations are extra and range from bring-your-own-tent spaces to deluxe hotel-style rooms. The longer you stay, the cheaper it gets.
Cost: from $70 USD per night
5. Yoga Breaks, Spain
Photo: Yoga Breaks in Spain
These active getaways combine group yoga, meditation, and pilates with outdoor adventures ranging from hiking and mountain biking to stand-up paddleboarding. Accommodations vary from a 300-year-old olive farm to boutique hotels near the beach depending on the time of year. Stay and activities are all-inclusive, making this a safe, great escape for single travelers.
Cost: from $763 for a 5-day package
6. Aegialis Hotel & Spa, Amorgos Island, Greece
Photo: Amorgos Aegialis Hotel & Spa
Perched on a cliff above the Aegean Sea, all the rooms at the Aegialis Hotel & Spa look out over the blue water and white sands of Aegiali Beach. The hotel hosts a constant run of retreats featuring celebrated yogis and offers other types of general wellness retreats such as hiking packages and full-on spa vacations.
Photo: Amorgos Aegialis Hotel & Spa
A four-day hiking package includes guided hikes around the island, spa access, cooking classes and body treatments ranging from pedicures to seaweed wraps.
Cost: from $378 for a 4-day package
7. Serenity Eco Guesthouse & Yoga Retreat, Bali, Indonesia
Photo: Serenity Yoga Canggu Bali
This family-run, eco-friendly guesthouse is just five minutes from Canggu beach on Bali. Six-day retreats featuring yoga and surfing workshops, cultural excursions, massage, and classes in farming and cooking are available.
Photo: Serenity Yoga Canggu Bali
Healthy, homemade meals are included and any downtime can be spent soaking in the pool. Backpackers are also welcome for shorter stays ensuring the company here is as interesting as the surroundings.
Cost: from $500 USD for a 5-day retreat
8. Tavoos Garden & Wellness Center, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Photo: Tavoos Garden and Non-profit Center
Tavoos is a non-profit wellness center in Siem Reap which is well-known for its restaurant. Retreats run from 2-6 days and feature meditation, massage, aerial yoga, and detox juicing with additional options such as evening painting classes — with wine!
Photo: Tavoos Garden and Non-profit Center
Visitors here can feel good about the self-work they do but also know their experience has benefited others; 100% of the profits from the center’s retreats go to their water program, which digs wells to provide water for local families.
Cost: From $140 USD for a 2-day retreat
9. Museflower Retreat & Spa, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Photo: Museflower Retreat & Spa
Located in Chiang Rai, this all-inclusive natural-living retreat is an ideal escape for those looking to let go and be one with nature. Museflower hosts a variety of yoga, meditation, wellness and spa retreats, as well as workshops and trainings.
Photo: Museflower Retreat & Spa
The on-site vegetarian restaurant has selections from the retreat’s organic farm and guests are encouraged to explore the temples and hills surrounding its quiet, meditative setting.
Cost: from $400 USD for a 4-day retreat
More like this: 9 incredible health and wellness retreats in Thailand
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Guide to Kissimmee, Fla. as a family
On the water
In the air
With the animals
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Just south of the hubbub of Orlando, everything slows down. This is a place where Old Florida vibes run fresh. A place where families can disconnect — and reconnect. It’s where paddles ripple the headwaters of the Everglades, where ziplines and hot air balloons are a standard means of travel, and where you can hang out with gators, dolphins, and the slow-moving sloth.
This place is Kissimmee, and it’s built to be explored by kids of all ages. Here are three ways to do it.
This post is proudly produced in partnership with Experience Kissimmee.
On the water
Rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands, marshes, the open sea — water in all its varieties is never far when you’re in Kissimmee. Whether you’re taking it easy on a slow tubing adventure or zipping across the water’s surface on an airboat, just make sure to hold on tight.
Cruising on an airboat at Boggy Creek Airboat Rides
You’ll get whisked across the water at speeds up to 45 mph…
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Cruising on an airboat at Boggy Creek Airboat Rides
What: You’ll get whisked across the water at speeds up to 45 mph, on a 17-person airboat or one all your own. This is quintessential Florida wetland, full of exotic birds, turtles, and alligators. Sunset and night tours make it easy to spot those glowing eyes!
Where: Boggy Creek Airboat Rides
Swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove
The kids will come back home talking about their new best friend…
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Swimming with Dolphins at Discovery Cove
What: The kids will come back home talking about their new best friend, and that new best friend has a bottlenose and fins. They’ll wade into the lagoon, and a trainer will usher over the dolphins for hugs and belly rubs. Soon enough, the kids will grab on tight to a dorsal fin and off they go!
Where: Discovery Cove
Catching a trophy bass on Lake Toho
This is the headwaters of the Everglades, and here…
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Catching a trophy bass on Lake Toho
What: This is the headwaters of the Everglades, and here, the bass reigns supreme — you can’t throw in a line without causing a stir. Take the kids out on a guided angler tour, and let them cast one firsthand. There are plenty of outfitters in the area, and tours run from a quick couple of hours to an all-day adventure on Lake Toho.
Where: Lake Toho
Paddling the headwaters of the Everglades
The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek will take you on a guided tour through Florida’s cypress forest…
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Paddling the headwaters of the Everglades
What: The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek will take you on a guided tour through Florida’s cypress forest, on a stand-up paddleboard, kayak, or canoe. You can also rent whatever watercraft suits you and hit the headwaters of the Everglades on your own. If the kids aren’t afraid of a little out-in-nature darkness, stargazing tours are available, too.
Where: The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek
Parasailing over Walt Disney World Resort
10 minutes of incredible views over the most magical place on Earth…
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Parasailing over Walt Disney World Resort
What: 10 minutes of incredible views over the most magical place on Earth, that’s what. One- or two-person “flights” are available, the kids safely lifting off from the boat and sailing over the water. You’ve told them they can be anything they want to be — and here, that just so happens to include a seagull.
Where: Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre
Learn more
Photos provided by: Sea World Parks & Entertainment, Experience Kissimmee, and Stephanie Young Merzel
In the air
If you thought the waters of Kissimmee were something else, wait until you get into the air. Just be prepared for the kids to be over their swingsets — you can install a zipline in the backyard, right?
Swinging, swooping, jumping, and dipping on a zipline roller coaster
This is the only zipline roller coaster in the country…
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Swinging, swooping, jumping, and dipping on a zipline roller coaster
What: This is the only zipline roller coaster in the country. You’ll ride the ropes at up to 20 mph, taking this adventure to a whole ‘nother level. The treetops of St. Cloud, only minutes from Kissimmee, never looked so good — or so blurry.
Where: Forever Florida
Taking a night helicopter tour over fireworks
A half-hour helicopter ride over the city lights of Kissimmee…
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Taking a night helicopter tour over fireworks
What: A half-hour helicopter ride over the city lights of Kissimmee sounds like a honeymoon-in-waiting, but throw in fireworks lighting up the sky — area theme parks put on displays nightly — and the kids will be distracted long enough for you two to take your moment.
Where: MaxFlight Helicopter Services
Floating through the sky in a hot air balloon
There’s something soothing about hot air balloons…
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Floating through the sky in a hot air balloon
What: There’s something soothing about hot air balloons. They force you to slow down, taking in the waters, Ferris wheels, roller coasters, and the headwaters of the Everglades below. This is the kind of adventure the whole family can enjoy at once — why not go where the wind takes you?
Where: Orlando Balloon Rides
Experiencing a zero-gravity roll on a roller coaster like you’ve never seen
This isn’t your grandpa’s roller coaster. The Incredible Hulk Coaster is…
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Experiencing a zero-gravity roll on a roller coaster like you’ve never seen
What: This isn’t your grandpa’s roller coaster. The Incredible Hulk Coaster is greener, meaner, faster, bigger, and truly incredible — it goes up to 67 mph, has seven inversions, two subterranean trenches, and sends you on a zero-gravity roll. You’ll, in essence, be unstoppable. Next stop? Space launch.
Where: Universal’s Islands of Adventure
You’ll safely take to the skies — with a guide, no experience required…
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Hang gliding at Wallaby Ranch
What: It may call itself a ranch, but this is a hang gliding flight park. You’ll safely take to the skies — with a guide, no experience required — soaring 2,000 feet in the air for 15 minutes. And if you want to control the glider, give ‘er a shot! Or hang back and enjoy the ride. (If Al Roker can do it, so can the kids.)
Where: Wallaby Ranch
Flying like the aces of yesteryear
Allied pilots received their fighter training in these aircraft…
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Flying like the aces of yesteryear
What: Allied pilots received their fighter training in these aircraft, and now you will too. The North American T-6 Texan is lovingly called the “pilot-maker,” and the kind of trace you leave is up to you: Are you a straight shooter, smooth and level, or are you in it for the loop-de-loops? (An actual pilot will be with you, so anything is possible.)
Where: Warbird Adventures
Learn more
Photos provided by: Forever Florida, @annalieseew, Wallaby Ranch, MaxFlight Helicopter Services, Universal Orlando Resort, and Experience Kissimmee
With the Animals
Kissimmee’s motto is “a community of neighborhoods for families.” It just so happens that those families are sometimes made up of alligators, dolphins, sea turtles, sloths, and giraffes.
Walking through a big cat sanctuary
It’s important the kids know that wildlife isn’t simply here for their entertainment…
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Walking through a big cat sanctuary
What: It’s important the kids know that wildlife isn’t simply here for their entertainment — it deserves our protection, too. This big cat and wildlife sanctuary does just that, and a walking tour will teach the kids how they can be mindful of the planet and its creatures. You’ll see lions, tigers, leopards, and cougars, and the kids will get a chance to ask as many questions as they please.
Where: Central Florida Animal Reserve
Playing trainer for a day at Gatorland
Kids 12 and up can get a taste of what it’s like…
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Playing trainer for a day at Gatorland
What: Kids 12 and up can get a taste of what it’s like to be an animal trainer at Gatorland. They’ll be handling baby turtles, meeting alligators and crocodiles (tame ones!), and taking care of creepy crawlies and reptiles.
Where: Gatorland
Horseback riding through the Old Florida wilderness
Get out of Florida’s waters and head inland, where you’ll…
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Horseback riding through the Old Florida wilderness
What: Get out of Florida’s waters and head inland, where you’ll find open prairie, cypress forest, old oak hammocks, and wide open lakeshores. You could hike it all, but it’s much better — and easier to take in — on horseback.
Where: Lazy H Ranch
A privately guided VIP expedition through the African savanna…
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Trekking through Wild Africa
What: A privately guided VIP expedition through the African savanna — we’d tell you what it’s like, but we don’t have anything to compare it to. A guide will take you on a three-hour trek through the Safi River Valley, where you’ll spot giraffes, rhinos, hippos, and crocodiles — and that’s just the big ones. And you thought Florida was about beach naps and swimming pools.
Where: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Encountering sloths at Wild Florida
The kids will finally abandon the selfies. At Wild Florida…
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Encountering sloths at Wild Florida
What: The kids will finally abandon the selfies. At Wild Florida, it’s time for “slothies.” You’ll get some up-close-and-personal time with these turtle-paced creatures, and if you spring for the VIP experience, you’ll be able to hold and feed them, too.
Where: Wild Florida
Learn more
Photos provided by: Wild Florida, Experience Kissimmee, Alexas-Fotos, and Andrea Bohl
This post is proudly produced in partnership with Experience Kissimmee.
The post 3 incredible ways to experience Kissimmee, Fla., as a family appeared first on Matador Network.
Hawaii volcano erupts
Hawaii was placed on red alert for airplanes flying over the area on Tuesday after Kilauea sent plumes of ash and volcanic smog in the shape of a cloud 12,000 feet up into the air. The warning from the state of Hawaii comes amid fears that a major eruption from the volcano is either underway or possible in the coming days.
Reuters reported on Tuesday that the ash carried as far as 18 miles from the eruption site, and authorities have warned both residents and tourists on the island that the volcano could continue to be hazardously active in the coming days. “At any time, activity may become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent,” said the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in a statement. An “unhealthy air” advisory was also put in place for the residents of the area surrounding the volcano.
Shifting winds are expected to spread ash and volcanic smog across the island throughout the day on Wednesday. According to Reuters, the most hazardous conditions are being experienced in and around the village of Pahoa, about 25 miles down the eastern flank of the volcano, where lava has spewed from the ground and made escaping from the area a daunting but necessary task for residents. Even so, the past 12 days have seen no reports of casualties as a result of the volcanic activity.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 37 homes and buildings on Hawaii’s Big Island have been destroyed as a result of volcanic activity since the eruptions began on May 4, and 2,000 residents in the areas surrounding the volcano have been evacuated from their homes. It is yet to be clear whether additional evacuations will be necessary.
H/T Reuters
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10 adventures in Ventura, CA
If you’re not from out West, or haven’t spent much time here, you may have a vague notion of the California coast as a kind of paradise of outdoor adventure. Beefy waves crashing on fine sand rising into steep, green and gold hills, with super cool beach towns right in the middle of it all. If this is your mental picture of the region, you’re spot on — all that’s missing is a name. Welcome to Ventura.
Everything from the land to the sea to the dinner table is here and ready for action, tucked away in this seaside enclave not too far up the coast from LA. Start with these 10 ideas to get outside and get pumped, and you’ll see why Ventura deserves a dot on your mental map of iconic California.
1. Shouting “Thar she blows!” to a pod of whales
Photo: Doug Mangum for Island Packers Cruises
If you run into a herd of early risers lining the Ventura Harbor, they’re probably about to hop aboard an Island Packers boat for some hang-time with the whales that pass right by Ventura. It’s not uncommon to see blues, fins, humpbacks, and orcas here, as well as untold numbers of seals, dolphins, and over two dozen other critters as they feed in the waters off the Channel Islands.
Since you’re up so early anyway, join ’em. Just witnessing the majesty of a whale breaching and swimming with its pod is not something you’ll soon forget.
2. Hiking and camping on Santa Cruz Island…
Photo: David Fulmer
Channel Islands National Park — right off the coast of Ventura — is made up of five islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara. Though they’re not far from the mainland, the islands have had millions of years to become totally unique in their biodiversity and wildlife. An hour-long boat ride from Ventura will get you to Santa Cruz Island, where you can take a guided hike with a national park volunteer or head off on your own. Or both.
The bluff at Cavern Point offers an incredible view, and just below it you can camp overnight in pretty much the middle of nowhere. Bring in your own gear and supplies — there are no services available, but who needs ‘em when you’ve got the stars and the adorable island fox for company?
Note: Though this is a national park, Island Packers runs the boats to and from the islands. To get here, you’ll need to reserve a spot on an excursion via their website.
3. …and kayaking to sea caves while you’re there
Photo: Claire Fackler/NOAA
If you’re willing to put in a little elbow grease, you can (and should!) kayak around the Channel Islands’ sea caves. They’re as mysterious and beautiful as you’re picturing, yep, and they don’t require pro skills to reach.
There are guided excursions available, but for a self-guided kayak tour, you’ll want to stick to Santa Cruz Island. It has two popular spots for kayaking: Scorpion Anchorage, with a sand and cobblestone beach, is perfect for beginners, with access to the many caves and coves that make up the island. Prisoners Harbor has fewer visitors and access to coves for sea creature viewing, but it’s better for the more experienced.
Note: Island Packers can transport kayaks to the island, but a reservation is required.
4. Hopping on a bike and cruising the coast
Photo: Pexels
How’s this for ready-made adventure? Grab a bike of your choice from the Ventura Bike Depot, and hop on the coastal bike path at the west end of Main Street. You might not realize it when you’re still in town, but the seaside journey has begun. Soon you’ll come to where the Ventura River meets the Pacific, a beautiful area that’s technically a wilderness park. Around the corner is Surfers’ Point (a popular surfing spot, photo opp, you-name-it opp) and the Ventura promenade, where you can walk the length of the Ventura pier, and take five to spot dolphins and other wildlife.
Turn around and check out the entire city in all its glory before hopping back on your wheels and passing through San Buenaventura State Beach. Make sure to stop for some oysters at The Jolly Oyster before the pedal back — a trip so nice you won’t mind making it twice.
5. Going on a hunt for the best Mexican food this side of the border
Photo: Visit Ventura
Mexican food fuels Ventura, and the Downtown/Ventura Avenue area is where aficionados of the cuisine like to chow down. Instead of a pub crawl, consider this a grub crawl. Start at Corrales (the homemade hot sauce is killer), and then scarf down a monster breakfast burrito on Lalo’s patio. Afterward, head to Ventura Avenue, aka the Avenue, the city’s original drag. You’ve only just begun.
Find where the Avenue meets Main Street and head north to Johnny’s Mexican Food. This is the place to stop for a true Ventura original: the corn burrito. Grab a michelada (think Bloody Mary with beer instead of vodka) at Taqueria Tepatitlan, and admire the local art on the walls. Follow it up with a stop at Ortiz Taco Time for off-the-charts carne asada, and finish up with a burrito or enchilada plate at Casa De Soria — locals line up for this place, so you know it’s legit. You came hungry, right?
6. Fishing from the Ventura pier
Photo: Harold Litwiler
Nothing brings on the nostalgia like grabbing a fishing pole and heading down to the pier, Lassie in tow, with a bag stuffed with sandwiches — or, you know, since you’re not on an episode of Andy Griffith, grab your friends, a cooler, and do like grandpa did, only 21st-century style on the Ventura pier. He’d be proud.
Stop in at Eric’s Tackle Shop on Thompson Boulevard or Ventura Sportfishing at the Ventura Harbor, grab your gear — you can rent equipment — and book a day or even overnight excursion on a chartered boat. Or simply walk out and cast a line off of the pier, DIY-like. You’ve been saying you wanted to detox for a while, right? This is one of the best ways to do it.
7. Scoping birds with the Audubon Society
Photo: Pacific Southwest Region USFWS
Ventura has a Mediterranean climate, meaning the weather rarely ventures into extremes in either direction — aka, it’s wonderful pretty much all the time. Birds know this and love it as much as the humans do, making use of the Ventura River to rest, nest, and preen for birding enthusiasts — or potential mates, whichever. Either way, whoever cares to take part in excursions hosted by the Ventura Audubon Society can reap the showy, feathery rewards.
The society runs frequent trips to the Ventura area’s many natural habitats, like Camino Real Park — its barranca is used as a corridor by migrating birds — and the Settling Ponds, where ducks, grebes, and gulls call home.
8. Bringing the pup to Arroyo Verde Park
Photo: Visit Ventura
The 132-acre Arroyo Verde Park is incredibly popular with dogs, at least judging by all the bouncing tails and happy faces you’ll encounter here any and every day of the week. Their human counterparts don’t seem to want to stay away, either, especially on weekends — bring your furry travel companion along to romp with its fellow canines, and don’t forget your running shoes so you can take a tour of Ventura’s wild side. On the edge of the park are several popular hiking trails that’ll take you up the city’s hillsides (so your workout is as good as Fido’s).
9. Surfing with the pros
Photo: Visit Ventura
Ventura has seen surfing superstars like Timmy Curran and Matt McCabe shred the waters off its coast, and tons of others have followed in their almost-literal wake. If you can manage a decent barrel roll and can hang a full ten like a pro, hit up Emma Wood State Beach; if not, no worries — try the more mellow waters at Mondos not too far away.
Surfers’ Point, near downtown Ventura, is a popular spot to catch a wave early, too. And if you’re in it for the spectating, it’s a fantastic spot to watch surfers bobbing (or biffing) in the morning mist.
10. Going on a thrift store safari along Main Street
Ventura is the place to be for thrift store treasure hunters. Along Main Street, tucked between top-notch restaurants and fashion boutiques, you’ll find the best of ’em, all operated by nonprofits in the name of various charities. Get lost in the controlled chaos, don your safari hat, and get digging — next to the plate emblazoned with a portrait of Santa Claus sits a stein with your name on it. A little unexpected piece of Ventura to call your own.
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May 16, 2018
Airline launching $199 India flights
WOW Air has built their reputation on getting Americans to Europe and back for super cheap. The airline is also partly responsible for convincing so many of us to check out Iceland without breaking the bank. Now, the budget carrier is stepping it up notch by offering flights to India starting at $199 one-way or $398 round trip. This means that if you can cram everything you need into a bag that fits under the seat in front of you, and don’t mind running the risk of being stuck in the middle seat, you can get from the US to India and back for less than $400. On a budget carrier such as WOW Air, checked bags and advance seat assignments will cost extra.
WOW’s one-stop service to Delhi, India begins December 8th, 2018 and departs from a number of major US cities including Newark, Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Detroit, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The catch is that you have to fly through WOW Air’s hub in Reykjavik, Iceland on the way (as if you needed a reason to visit Iceland too).
The service will be WOW Air’s first ever route to Asia and, at the moment, stands as the cheapest option for most Americans looking to travel to India. Should you want to upgrade your flight, Premium fares start at $699, according to The Points Guy. The premium option gives you in-flight food and drinks and two checked bags. This also gives you access to faster boarding, a foot rest, a wider seat, and at least 37 inches of legroom — which may come in handy on this jaunt to the other side of the planet. Tickets for these ultra-cheap flights to India are on sale now via WOW’s website.
H/T: The Points Guy
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Where US National Parks are
Building a road trip around visiting America’s National Parks is a dream for many, but the logistics of such an endeavor can be quite intimidating. The map below, posted to Reddit by user fraillimbnursery, provides a bit of a jumping off point of sorts. It shows where the National Parks are located by county, with clear labeling of how many parks each US state is home to. Clearly, the Western part of the country hosts the majority of the National Parks. Anchored by Everglades National Park, Florida is the biggest player out east.
Photo: Reddit
An extremely high percentage of Alaskan counties, and about half of the counties in California, are at least partially occupied by a National Park. Obviously, Utah and Colorado also hold their own. Yellowstone National Park occupies the northwest corner of Wyoming and stretches into Idaho and Montana, and you’ll have plenty to keep you busy should you plan a road trip through the rest of Montana, South Dakota, and Washington.
One surprising find is that more than twenty states in the union, primarily in the eastern part of the country, don’t contain a National Park at all. This is largely because there isn’t as much available land out east. “The federal government doesn’t own as much land in the eastern part of the country,” explained Redditor Begotten912. Also not shown on the map are National Monuments, and federally-protected land such as National Forests.
Another element this map misses out on is state parks and other protected land that isn’t owned or managed by the federal government, of which the eastern part of the country has plenty of.
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Learn from Japan
Despite being influenced by the rest of Asia, Europe, and North America, Japan retains very rigid customs and traditions that have deeply ancient roots. I had the pleasure of living in Japan on two occasions, in two different cities, some years apart, which gave me insight into the incredibly unique modern-day Japanese culture. Every time I travel to Japan I learn a new lesson that I bring back with me to the US. Here are six of them.
1. Omotenashi: Japanese hospitality
Photo: Xiuren/Shutterstock
The Japanese word, omotenashi, is hard to define in English, but it can be loosely translated as “hospitality”. The philosophy of omotenashi embodies warm, honest service for the purpose of giving. Exceptional politeness exhibited by customer-service employees is a result of this cultural concept, not based on the expectation of a tip (there’s no tipping in Japan). When in Japan, you’ll notice that train station cleaners bow at departing trains and that welcoming staff at department stores, as well as taxi drivers, wear white gloves. These are just a few of the ways that omotenashi is reflected in modern Japanese society.
Meanwhile, in the US, no such concept compares to that of Japan. For decades our service industry has relied on tips as an excuse not to pay hospitality staff a decent wage. Without a transparent wage system, our servers’ hospitality often only extends to their success in making a target wage. If the US adopted an idea similar to omotenashi, perhaps our hospitality industry would become a little more democratic and we’d all treat each other a little bit better — without a promise of a kick-back.
2. The wabi-sabi philosophy
Photo: KPG Payless/Shutterstock
Wabi-sabi , describes the way in which one appreciates beauty in simplicity and decay, by accepting the natural cycle and imperfection of everything in this world. Wabi-sabi originates from Zen Buddhism. In stark contrast to the widely-held American values of extravagance and luxury, wabi-sabi embraces modesty. Japanese Tea Ceremony or Chado is the quintessential example of the wabi-sabi aesthetic. Ceramics used ceremonially are handmade: the texture of them may not be smooth, the glaze may be uneven, but these traits make the tea bowl more valuable than something that was produced by a machine because they’re expressive of the work that went into the creation. The US would benefit from a shift away from our culture of constant upgrading, which would not only save resources but would help us be more in tune with the natural world.
3. Waste not, want not
Photo: PhotoBeard/Shutterstock
In the western world, we waste like there’s no tomorrow. In fact, The US is one of the world’s top producer of waste. Something breaks, we buy a new one. When something becomes dated, it goes in the trash. There’s a Japanese word, kintsugi, which has gained popularity in zero-waste communities here in the west in recent years. Kintsugi means ‘golden joinery’ and is commonly utilized for cracked or broken ceramics. The repair of the object is not seen as flawed, but rather as something of beauty, representative of the object’s history. The concept of kintsugi has also been popular with self-help and lifestyle therapists such as psychologist Tomás Navarro. His book Kintsugi: Embrace Your Imperfections and Find Happiness – The Japanese Way, talks people through how to apply the ancient principles of this art in their day-to-day lives.
4. State-of-the-art waste management
Photo: Promsil Phongjit/Shutterstock
Japan is famous for its extensive recycling system and lack of public trash receptacles. When I lived in Japan, I was required to meticulously clean and sort all of my trash into over a dozen categories for the weekly trash pick-up. Memorizing said categories was the hard part. Each town in Japan has a different guide for their recycling and special transparent bags to put everything in. If you make a mistake when sorting, your trash may not be picked up that week, or, even worse, you’ll get fined. Recycling in Japan is no joke, their waste management model is well beyond that of the US, and should really be adopted internationally.
5. Public transportation from the future
Photo: IamDoctorEgg/Shutterstock
On top of the multifaceted rail systems that zip through the hearts of cities out to remote areas of the Japanese countryside, almost every station is immaculately clean. Prices are based on distance rather than a flat rate, like the New York City subway. There is a variety of trains at different speeds that travel to the same destinations, so you can select your transportation speed depending on your budget. For example, the most expensive trains are shinkansen (bullet trains). A shinkansen ride from Tokyo to Kyoto is a quick two hours, versus a five-hour ride on the slower trains, but you’ll pay double for the convenience.
The US is designed for cars, which has negative effects on the ozone layer and contributes to the US holding the second-place ranking in the world for carbon dioxide emissions. With more efficient public transit, we could simultaneously reduce our emissions and traffic. Japan’s privatized train systems are a prime example of profitable and effective public transportation. Their use is incentivized by pricey highway tolls and high gas prices. Of course, the US is much larger than Japan, but the Japanese model could be applied to American cities and expanded if proved economically viable.
6. Nutritious, seasonal diets
Photo: Stockmelnyk/Shutterstock
Japanese staple foods include rice, fish, soups, soybean products, noodles, and loads of vegetables. Unlike the red-meat-heavy diets of Americans, Japanese eat smaller portions of more healthful ingredients. Meals in Japan are of a modest size when compared with their US counterparts. In Japan, there’s a saying, “Hara Hachi bu”, meaning “only eat until you’re 80% full”. Overall, Japanese foods contain less sugar, oil, and fat. Their preparation is likely to consist of either boiling, grilling, pickling or just eating raw. Japan has one of the lowest obesity rates in the world. The nation’s notoriously high life expectancy can be partially attributed to their diet. On top of that, Japanese food changes with the seasons, which is not just comforting, but better for the environment.
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