Matador Network's Blog, page 143

Tickets for Joshua Tree’s Stunning Stargazing Festival Sell Out Fast. Here’s Where to Get One

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places in the US to go stargazing. Every October, the park hosts a festival celebrating its dark skies. Tickets for the event go on sale today, but you’ll have to move fast to score a pass. This is one of the hottest stargazing festivals in the country.

This year will mark the ninth Night Sky Festival, which will be held from Friday, October 4, to Saturday, October 5. The two-day event, in partnership with Joshua Tree National Park, Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center, and other local organizations, celebrates the park’s stunning dark skies.

Traveling to Joshua Tree? Check out Matador’s California accommodations guides: These Unreal Joshua Tree Airbnbs Open to California’s Second-Largest National Park Stroll to Joshua Tree National Park in Minutes From This Cute Tiny House Airbnb This Joshua Tree Airbnb Retreat Has Its Own Private Outdoor Saloon The 6 Best Hotels Near the Entrances of Joshua Tree National Park
9 dreamy oceanfront Airbnbs up and down the California coast 10 soulful beach Airbnbs for the perfect SoCal yoga retreat

The festival offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages. Attendees can enjoy stargazing through telescopes, participate in educational talks, and learn about the importance of preserving dark skies. As a community, Joshua Tree has worked hard to minimize light pollution and preserve the integrity of the night sky.

While the festival is located at Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center (a local observatory equipped with high-powered telescopes), just outside the park’s north entrance, it is a good idea to find lodging in Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, or other nearby towns, as this popular event tends to draw a crowd. You can also camp in the park. One of the best spots is Cottonwood but consider Jumbo Rocks if it’s full. All campgrounds require reservations, so again book in advance.

Tickets go on sale today, Monday, July 1, at 8:00 AM PDT.

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Inspire Your Next Road Trip With the Most Wishlisted Airbnb in Each State

Part of the fun of staying with Airbnb is that now and then, you uncover a treasure that could never have been found anywhere else. It’s not always possible to pack up and go the instant you stumble across a cool property, and that’s what Airbnb’s “Wishlist” tool is more. The tool apparently gets quite a lot of use – and has helped to popularize some of the most unique and inspiring vacation homes around. These are 50 of the most wishlisted properties, one in each state, for 2024.

We hope you love the most wishlisted Airbnbs for 2024! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

On the list are legendary properties like the Zion EcoCabin, a Utah retreat that overlooks the national park of the same name, and the Joshua Tree invisible house in California, which looks like an alien ship dropped off a monolith that was then tipped by the wind. Cool surprises include the Lion’s Lair treehouse in Kentucky with its elevated forest-view patio, and the egg-shaped Zome dome house in Kansas. A few beachside properties made the list, but many are tucked away in the hills or out on open country where views abound and space isn’t much of a factor.

Whether you’re planning a road trip or just seeking some architecture-inspired inspiration, these Airbnb properties will take your mind far away from your desk.

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Will Sanitizing Your Luggage Keep You From Getting Sick? A Doctor Weighs In

This summer, as part of a pilot program, JFK Airport’s Terminal 7 is equipped with Clean, a luggage-disinfecting system that uses UV-C light to “eliminate 99.9 percent of viruses, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens from luggage surfaces in seconds,” a press release explains.

The system is a machine that resembles a TSA luggage scanner. When bags go through Clean via a small conveyor belt, they are blasted with a special kind of ultraviolet light that denatures the DNA of the bacterias and viruses that may be present on their surface, effectively killing them.

Clean charges travelers $7 to sanitize one piece of luggage, and $10 for two. Members of some airline loyalty club can use Clean to sanitize two pieces of luggage for free.

Do people actually disinfect their luggage?

For some travelers, a luggage-disinfecting system like Clean is a godsend. A quick look at a November 2023 thread titled “Do you clean your luggage after a trip?” on Rick Steve’s Europe’s travel forum reveals that many travelers do indeed worry about the cleanliness of their baggage.

“After this last trip, I wiped our suitcases (both hard and soft-sided, wheels & handle included) down with anti-bacterial wipes, emptied out and sun-aired them,” explains user CanAMcherie from Washington.

In an email, Arsen Misakyan, frequent traveler and co-founder of LAXcar, reveals to me a similar post-trip routine. “I’ve been disinfecting my luggage after every trip for about 5 years now, a habit I started after COVID-19.” Misakyan uses Clorox disinfecting wipes to clean handles, zippers, and wheels, then sprays the exterior with Lysol disinfectant. Afterwards, he airs out the luggage to ensure it’s dry before storing it. When asked if, given the chance, he would use Clean, despite the price, he responded enthusiastically.

“I think the new luggage disinfecting system at JFK is a fantastic idea, especially at $10 for two pieces of luggage. This cost seems reasonable for the peace of mind it offers. I would definitely pay for this service to ensure a higher level of sanitation than I can achieve manually. It’s convenient and adds an extra layer of hygiene, which is crucial in today’s travel environment.”

Disinfecting your luggage to stay healthy

Clean’s motto on their website is “Don’t get sick, get Clean”, but does disinfecting your bags with Clean, or wipes or sprays, really keep you from getting sick? And does your luggage even need to be sanitized? I asked Dr. Lawrence Loh, a public health physician and adjunct professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, Canada.

“UV-C light for the purpose of disinfection has been shown to be effective in controlled experimental settings. However, the World Health Organization and other national health agencies indicate that it should be used as an accessory modality to primary cleaning methods. That’s because real-world results can vary depending on the surface it’s used on, the length of exposure, and the intensity of the light,” he explains.

Not only is luggage extremely varied in its shapes and materials (some are textile, some are plastic, some are leather, some have ridges, some are smooth, etc.) potentially impacting the efficiency of UV-C lights for the intent of sanitizing, but Clean promises a near-perfect result in 15 seconds, which may not actually be enough, Loh says.

But beyond the efficiency of Clean, disinfecting your luggage after a trip is not the best mean of preventing sickness. “In preventing infectious diseases while travelling, I wouldn’t start with luggage. That’s pretty low risk,” Loh says. “Your luggage is mostly handled by you. It’s not a high-touch surface compared to something like say public screens or doorknobs.”

According to Loh, better ways to stay healthy during your travels is first and foremost, to wash your hands with soap regularly. His other recommendations include wearing a mask in crowded areas during respiratory spikes, being up to date with vaccinations, and practising food safety.

Clean VS. Sanitized

One clarification that needs to be made about Clean is that the system may sanitize your luggage, but will not actually remove the dirt and stains from it. If your rolling suitcase was dragged through dirt, dust, or even dog poop, a few seconds under a UV-C light won’t make a difference. You’ll need to get a wet and soapy cloth to take care of it. “The presence of opaque dirt impacts the effectiveness of UV-C light”, Loh explains.

The same goes for bed bugs, a much more realistic threat coming from inside your luggage. UV-C light would not address what’s inside. Neither would external household disinfectant, or soap and water.

In an email conversation, Amber Haggerty, frequent traveler and blogger at VegetarianinParis.com, explains, “I travel often and started using a heated container to sanitize my luggage after the news of Paris’ bedbug woes. I chose the Ranger Bed Bug Heater from Amazon, instead of a chemical sanitizer or insecticide because I believe they’re safer and more reliably able to kill any bedbugs that might be lingering in my luggage.” Haggerty added that is she unlikely to use the luggage-disinfecting system at JFK because it only cleans the surface of the luggage — unless it’s free, in which case she would reconsider.

One golden rule for every traveler is this: no matter if you disinfect your bag (with Clean or something else), wash it with soap and water, or just leave it as is: Don’t. Put. It. On. The. Bed.

“Treat your luggage as a used pair of shoes: don’t put them on the bed or anywhere you want to keep clean,” Loh says.

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Underground (Literally) Experiences in Missouri You Won’t Want to Pass Over

What do weddings, an escape room, and classic American literature have in common? In Missouri, also known as the Cave State, you’ll find the answer underground.

Thanks to its karst-heavy landscape, Missouri is home to a vast network of more than 6,000 caves, both natural and human-made. These subterranean landmarks are natural playgrounds for geology buffs, but all visitors will be fascinated by their limestone and dolomite formations. What’s more, many of the state’s caves hold their own exciting, unexpected claims to fame.

From a tram ride that makes caving both fun and accessible to a superlatively deep cavern hidden below a theme park, here’s why a visit to Missouri isn’t complete until you head below the surface.

Underground tours to remember

Photo: Fantastic Caverns

Start your Missouri caving adventures with something unexpected at Bonne Terre Mine, one of the most impressive human-made caves on Earth. This site was once the world’s largest producer of lead ore. The mine closed in 1962 and has since filled with spring water, creating a massive underground lake you can explore on a guided boat tour. You’ll see the remains of the mine’s top two levels and learn about the site’s history.

Swap the boat for an electric golf cart and zoom along the 2.5-mile Nature Trail to reach Lost Canyon Cave, part of Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve. Admire mesmerizing waterfalls and geological formations, then stop at the cascade-side Bat Bar for a Bat’s Blood (vodka and strawberry peach lemonade) as the watering hole’s namesake mammals fly around. Tickets include access to the nearby Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum.

To add some fitness to your cave experience, head to Crystal City Underground just south of St. Louis. There, you can paddle on a 150-acre subterranean lake with Marsan Kayak and Canoe Tours. The journey takes about three hours as you float through the abandoned and flooded Pittsburgh Plate Glass silica mine. Along the way, keep an eye out for memorable landmarks such as the Birth Canal, Gilligan’s Island, The Squeeze, The Car Wash, and the largest opening in the mine, Townsend Center.

Across the state in Springfield, Fantastic Caverns was discovered in 1862 when John Knox and his dog came across an ancient underground river. It’s the only cave in North America with a complete ride-through tram. On the 55-minute tour, you’ll traverse the riverbed and pass fascinating rock formations and sinkholes.

One-of-a-kind caving experiences

Photo: Silver Dollar City Company

The entrance to one of the deepest caves in Missouri (500 feet) passes through an 1880s-themed park. Beneath Branson’s Silver Dollar City lies Marvel Cave, a registered National Natural Landmark so enormous a hot-air balloon once floated inside. Guided tours are included in your park admission and run every half hour. To start, you’ll walk through the grand Cathedral Room, the largest cave entrance room in the US (look up to admire its 20-foot ceiling). Later, keep an eye out for the 40-foot underground waterfall.

Stark Caverns, near Lake of the Ozarks, has two unique underground offerings: a blacklight tour and an escape room. In the blacklight glow, you’ll watch as kaleidoscopic calcite-rich fluorescent minerals light up the caverns. Be sure to book a full tour to see all the incredible geological formations, including Moonshiner’s Dam and the Wishing Well.

In Missouri, real cave fanatics can hold their nuptials inside a show cave at Bridal Cave, a breathtaking display of nature near Lake of the Ozarks. Ceremonies take place in a dramatic chapel with stalactites serving as a natural wedding arch. Packages start at $795, complete with a Champagne toast and a lifetime cave pass for the newlyweds.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to sleep in a cave — but without sacrificing comfort — you’re in luck. Caveland, a 15,000-square-foot cave in Festus, is launching soon on Airbnb. Its former skating rink has been reimagined as a three-bed, one-bath rental, positioned in the front of the cave’s chambers.

Another adventure awaits fans of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer at the Mark Twain Cave Complex. Twain grew up in Hannibal, where the labyrinth-style cave system is located, and visitors will discover a whole new underground world. It’s the oldest operating show cave in Missouri and has been a National Natural Landmark since 1972. It’s said that this cave, originally known as McDowell’s Cave, inspired “McDougal’s Cave” in Twain’s iconic novel — and the renowned author left behind his signature there.

Brews and bites below the surface

The Cave. Photo: Lake of the Ozarks CVB

At the oldest bar in Missouri, you can enjoy a pint 50-plus feet below Earth’s surface. O’Malley’s Pub in Weston operates out of a subterranean limestone brewery cellar (and hosts tours on Saturdays). Be sure to check the pub’s events calendar to catch live music when you visit.

For a chill afternoon, head to Cave Bar and Grill, a seasonal establishment located within a 3,300-square-foot-cave near Camdenton. Dock your boat at the lakefront and go for a swim in the site’s massive pool. This is the largest swimming pool in the south Lake Ozark area and extends into a natural cave. Once inside, dig into a gluten-free “grotto style” catfish po’ boy, fried cheese curds, and a Caesar salad while live music sets the vibe.

There are countless reasons to love Missouri, but the Cave State’s unconventional underground experiences are high on the list. Talk about getting a deeper look at a destination — literally.

KLM’s New Direct Flight Connects Amsterdam to Portland, Oregon

Travelers from the Pacific Northwest will have a new option for reaching Europe this fall with the launch of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ direct service between Portland International Airport (PDX) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).

Starting October 27, 2024, KLM will offer a year-round connection between the two cities. KLM’s flight schedule matches seasonal demands. Flights will operate three times a week during the winter months, on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. To accommodate the anticipated rise in summer travel, KLM will increase the frequency to five times a week, adding service on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

This addition expands KLM’s North American network to 21 destinations and offers passengers a direct link between Portland and Amsterdam and the opportunity to connect seamlessly to KLM’s extensive European network and destinations beyond. The service will run on the Boeing 787-Dreamliner aircraft.

If you are considering booking a trip to the Netherlands’ capital, fall is a beautiful season to visit. Not only are there fewer tourists and more affordable accommodations, but it’s also visually stunning. Amsterdam is one of the leafiest cities in Europe, and come fall, the cobbled streets and canals are lined with golden trees. The cultural calendar is also packed with events, such as the five-day rave, Amsterdam Dance Event, and the annual Amsterdam Light Festival.

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I’m a LGBTQIA+ and Autistic Solo Traveler. Here’s What It’s Like.

Many peer-reviewed and widely accepted studies have shown that autistic individuals are far more likely to identify as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community as compared to non-autistic individuals. And some researchers estimate that up to 35 percent of people with autism fall into that category. That’s more than four times the generally accepted estimates of overall LGBTQIA+ self-identification within the greater population, which is currently about seven percent of people in the US.

Why there is such an overlap between autism and LGBTQIA+ identification is enough to warrant its own lengthy article, but I’m a mere drop in the autistic ocean in this case, as I belong to both communities. I also happen to be a frequent solo traveler who works in the tourism industry.

 

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Both are intrinsic parts of my complete identity and impossible to separate, and have led me on a personal journey to rationalize and compartmentalize both when it comes to planning travel. Both autism and sexual orientation are invisible at first glance to those around you, but may soon become apparent as someone gets to know you.

Being autistic means that there is a hefty amount to consider in terms of travel pre-planning and organization to ensure everything you’re considering booking will match your needs, or at least be able to accommodate you in some form or another. There’s also a lot to keep in mind while traveling itself. Minimizing triggers, balancing social and alone time to avoid burnout, and avoiding certain places that might cause overstimulation are all critical parts of planning a travel itinerary. That may mean visiting certain attractions at off times or buying tickets in advance to avoid long lines and crowded areas. It can be exhausting just to think about, but these are essential skills I’ve had to learn to perfectly balance to get the most out of my trips without being mentally fatigued by the end of them.

Being queer while traveling also takes a lot of pre-planning. But it’s a different kind of planning from being autistic, as it can require a significant amount of extra caution, depending on where you’re planning on visiting.

Some countries are friendlier to non-traditional couples than others. Photo: Luna Vandoorne/Shutterstock

While the impact you’ll feel from discriminatory laws, customs, and practices in various countries depends on where exactly you fit into the LGBTQIA+ community, those laws are often symbolic of wider societal issues regarding prejudice and bigotry. Some countries have even criminalized the act of being gay, punishing people for being themselves (in some cases, with death). So there’s a huge need to think carefully about your personal safety while traveling. Asking a trusted friend from a destination you’re thinking of visiting or conducting your own thorough online research is perhaps the best way to cast away any doubts or concerns you may have when considering a particular travel destination.

With that in mind, I daresay that traveling with my disability feels easier than traveling with my sexuality. While being autistic does open up a lot more vulnerabilities and room for a margin of error, I have never felt like it explicitly stood in the way of my travels. It’s not something I feel the need to tell everyone I meet, but is also not something I feel the need to hide from anyone, either.

Additionally, while masking (trying to minimize autistic behavior) is an important facet of most autistic people’s lives, I find myself using it much less during my adventures. Being a tourist abroad seems to come with the perk of others often lowering their expectations that you’ll conform to their local social standards. It’s especially true when traveling to destinations that don’t speak the same language you do.

In some countries, being alone and keeping to oneself fits in more with the local culture. Photo: David CJ/Shutterstock

Similarly, there are times when you’ll encounter cultures that embrace or welcome certain autistic traits that may be seen as a social deficit in your own country. For example, upon moving to Japan, certain aspects of the culture were harder to adapt to, but many fit in perfectly with my own unique set of autistic traits, like being reserved and keeping to myself in public settings.

Being a person with autism often comes up in conversations when I’m meeting new people abroad, as it is now the main focus of my work and travels. Sometimes, I’m met with ableist remarks, but in the majority of cases, that’s from a place of ignorance rather than intolerance. And because of that, I’m more than happy to correct and educate those people, as I do feel that misunderstandings and misconceptions surrounding autism (and, more generally, neurodivergence) are still rife in societies across the world.

However, being part of the LGBTQIA+ community makes me think more acutely about the dangers I could put myself in by being too open with others. There’s never been a single instance I can think of where disclosing my disability during a trip may have put me in danger, but the same can’t be said for disclosing my sexuality. In fact, if you do want to travel to many of the amazingly beautiful places the world has to offer that are less tolerant, it’s usually wiser to keep quiet regarding it.

 

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Many queer individuals simply choose not to visit those destinations because of that, and their sentiments are completely valid. Still, others do visit, but remain quiet on private matters. I find myself usually taking the middle ground, and think adapting based on the location is the best approach. That said, there are plenty of places I would not currently consider visiting due to safety concerns, not always exclusively related to LGBTQIA+ issues.

I’ve found that it’s important to get a feel for the people you’re with before deciding whether to open up, even in the safest of countries for LGBTQIA+ travelers that seem welcoming. In general, backpacking and staying in hostels generally alleviates my unease, and I’ve found hostel-goers to be a welcoming community generally open to different walks of life. Naturally, there will always be exceptions, but knowing that intolerant people are in the minority can be heartwarming.

This writer has found hostels to attract generally accepting travelers. Photo: LightField Studios/Shutterstock

Traveling as someone who belongs to a minority group always presents its own unique sets of challenges, and when you belong to two or more, it can seem like the challenges are twofold. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Traveling while autistic and gay creates one complex issue, with a lot to consider from various angles that can change depending on each trip. Some aspects provide no direct obstacles, and some may even work in your favor, as I noticed in Japan.

Traveling can teach us about the world, but can also be our chance to teach others about meeting people from different backgrounds. Opening myself up to travel, to new people, and to new experiences has not only helped me work on my own personal development, but also helps foster the space to build a much more inclusive and welcoming world than what we have today.

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This Website Will Reimburse You if Your Camping Trip Gets Rained Out

There’s a saying in the outdoor world that “There’s no bad weather, only bad gear.” But even if that’s true, being sheltered inside a tent instead of hiking because of a non-stop downpour of rain isn’t exactly a fun way to spend a weekend.

Unfortunately, with how hard it can be to get campground reservations, you’ll probably have to make plans for your camping trip way before you have any idea what the weather will be. But popular campground booking website Hipcamp just introduced a new optional feature that could help travelers feel better about making camping plans months in advance: a “weather guarantee.”

The Hipcamp weather guarantee was announced in June 2024 and is an optional add-on to bookings. Interestingly, if you add on the Hipcamp weather guarantee, you’ll be automatically reimbursed for the cost of your trip if SensibleWeather.com shows rain in your destination, even if you still go on the trip. So it doesn’t cancel your trip, meaning you’ll get reimbursed if you go. SensibleWeather.com uses NOAA forecasting on a day-by-day basis, so you only get reimbursed for the days it actually rains. Unlike with a cancellation, the money returned to bookers comes from Hipcamp, not the campground hosts. So property owners don’t get penalized with the new policy.

 

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The exact amount travelers will be reimbursed for rain guarantees varies based on the cost and length of the stay, as does the actual cost to buy the policy. The cost and details will be shown during the booking process, at which point campers can choose to add the weather guarantee to their bookings, or continue without it.

An appealing aspect for travelers may be that there’s absolutely no paperwork required to activate the policy. “The Weather Guarantee is an optional purchase during online booking that proactively reimburses up to 100% of the total trip cost if rain is forecast during their stay,” reads the announcement. “Reimbursements are made automatically, with no claims required.”

The rain camping guarantee is only available if you book via Hipcamp

Hipcamp represents stays on private land only, not state or federally owned campgrounds. Photo: AnikonaAnn/Shutterstock

Hipcamp is an online platform akin to an Airbnb for camping, allowing campers to discover and book unique campsites on private land. This means you can find glamping sites, RV spaces, cabins, tiny houses, domes, and yurts, alongside traditional tent campsites, all offered by individual landowners. Like Airbnb, Hipcamp listings have real-time availability and user reviews to streamline your trip planning.

Some campgrounds are available on Hipcamp as well as other booking sites, but you won’t find state or national park campgrounds listed on the website. So if you’re concerned about rain, you may have to choose between staying at your favorite public campground, or finding a private option nearby via Hipcamp.

How to make camping in the rain more fun

One of the more interesting parts of the weather guarantee is that you don’t have to cancel your trip. Even if you go, you get reimbursed. But camping in the rain can be miserable if you end up cold and wet instead of dry and cozy. As the saying goes, the best way to prepare for camping in the rain is to have the right gear.

Have a weather-ready tent

Photo: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

If you’re camping in the rain, you may want to skip the ultralight summer tent and bring a heavier four-season tent made for snow and wind. You’ll want to make sure that tent has good ventilation, as warm bodies inside combined with cold and moisture outside can lead to condensation (a.k.a. water) inside your tent if you don’t have plenty of airflow. If you use a tent that has a separate rainfly, make sure the tent vestibule has a bathtub-style bottom so no rain comes in through the sides. Using a tent footprint or tarp under the tent can also protect the bottom of the tent from potential leakage and mud.

A good option is the Abisko Dome tent from Fjällräven, a brand that makes gear for camping in northern Sweden (where it’s cold and wet). Smartly, the Abisko Dome tent has the fly/tent cover attached to the actual tent, so the inside doesn’t get soaked if you have to set it up in the rain. But it’s pricey, at $900 for a two-person. A more budget-friendly pick is the Nemo Aurora Highrise, which has an extra-tall vestibule (helpful if you’re spending more time inside the tent than planned) and an internal hanging pocket that turns your headlamp into an overhead light. It’s priced around $399.

You can also look at gear websites like REI’s Used Gear page (for REI Coop members only) or GearTrade to pick up a used waterproof tent at a lower price.

Pack more clothing

This may not work for backpackers, but car campers should pack extra clothing if there’s a chance of rain in the forecast. Hiking a few miles in the rain with wet socks and a soaked t-shirt isn’t as much of a problem if you know you have dry replacements waiting for you back at camp. You may also want to bring a towel to help your soaked clothes dry quicker. Just lay the towel out, lay your wet clothing on top of it, and roll your wet clothing up in the towel like a burrito. Then, twist the towel/clothing tube as much as you can to wring out excess water. If you don’t have anywhere to hang your clothing after that, you can put it over the headrest of your car seats and leave a window cracked to encourage airflow.

An extra pair of hiking shoes may also be a good idea, even if you have waterproof hiking boots.

Have a back-up hiking plan

Photo: Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock

Even if your rain jacket is keeping you dry, hiking in the rain is usually not as fun as hiking in good weather. So rather than doing one long hike, consider piecing together a few shorter hikes so you can get back to your campsite quicker in case of rain. You could also swap hiking for other outdoor activities that don’t involve going quite the same distance, like practicing outdoor photography, painting or drawing in nature, plant and flower identification, or practicing backcountry camping skills. Of course, camping in the rain doesn’t mean you have to stay outside all day, and you can always find an indoor activity to fill your time instead.

AllTrails can be a great resource for finding alternate nearby trails, and phone apps like PlantSnap, Merlin Bird ID, and Rock Identifier can help create fun on the trails without having to stray too far.

Hang out in a sheltered area away from camp

Most campground areas have shared facilities, which means you don’t need to stay in your assigned tent area. If you’re at a campground with trees or other protected areas, carry a lightweight camping chair, bring a poncho, and set up shop in a sheltered area while the rain pours. A book or e-reader won’t add much bulk to your bag, and relaxing with a good book as the rain falls around you can be peaceful and romantic — at least for an hour or so.

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For Years I’ve Used This Disney Wallet Rather Than a Fancy Travel Wallet and It’s Done Just Fine

The nature of wallets and what one needs to travel with are rapidly changing. From e-tickets to cashless economies, the global economy is transitioning to having most things buyable, storable, or accessible via smartphones. Even public transport cards are being replaced with digital alternatives in some places around the world. But between being old-fashioned and living on-and-off in cash-driven countries in the Global South, I still use a traditional wallet to function around the world. Not a fancy or expensive travel wallet, but a small one I bought 20 years ago during my work and travel at Disney World. With Mickey Mouse smiling back at me, this wallet has done just fine ever since. Here are the things I like about it, and the few things I would change if I could.

We hope you love traveling with a Disney wallet! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Things I appreciate about my Disney wallet

Photo: Debbie Gonzalez Canada

A unique wallet is a conversation starter

My Matador colleagues and I were discussing some fancy travel wallets, including one with RFID blocking technology (meaning, it can help prevent unauthorized access to your e-passport and credit cards). I ended up admitting I use a leather Disney wallet that I bought 20 years ago, and other people admitted to their own peculiar wallet choices. The whole thing made me realize that the best feature of my Mickey Mouse wallet is how well it works as a conversation starter. It works like a charm with most children and even adults. It is also useful to spot judgemental people (by that I mean a person who would roll their eyes and judge me as a “grown-ass woman with a Mickey wallet”), which fortunately my travel colleagues are not.

It carries everything I need, except for a passport – and I wouldn’t want it to

For some, the definition of a travel wallet is that it must fit your passport. But I wouldn’t want to bring out my passport everytime I bring out my wallet, even in travel-specific situations, such as in the airport or a bus/train terminal. Being brought up in a country where pickpocketing is normal, I learned that putting every valuable in one place can be asking for trouble. My passport travels hidden in my backpack’s pocket, and that tactic has served me well so far.

The Mickey Mouse wallet has enough room for:

A photo ID card (e.g., an Argentinian ID or a driving license), which in some countries you always need to carry with you.Cash, including the majority of paper notes I’ve seen around the world, with the exception of the largest ones, such as British banknotes.Four cards (in my case, two debit cards, a credit card, and a health insurance card)An external pocket for an additional card, which is ideal for a public transport pass.A small pocket for coins… which, to be honest, I mostly use to carry small amulets.It forces me to be a minimalist (which I am not)

I wish I could Marie Kondo my packing list, but I am usually carrying too much just in case. If the wallet wasn’t so small, I would collect lots of paper shit from my travels, from maps to museum tickets and gift receipts. The minimal size forces me to clean my paper pile often, and I am grateful for that.

It is surprisingly long-lasting

My Disney wallet is made out of leather and fabric, and it’s in pretty good shape considering how much I use it and how little attention I’ve paid to the leather. I am surprised that even the red glitter that dots Mickey’s shorts is still around – I was not betting on that when I got it almost two decades ago.

What I would change about my Mickey Mouse wallet if given the choice

There might come a point when I really need a wallet with RFID blocking technology. I don’t think Mickey alone will melt away the sophistication of pickpocketing, petty crime, and identity theft.
I sometimes wish I could wash or somewhat clean the fabric parts of the wallet, but it’s not too bad considering how much I’ve used it.
If I were designing it from scratch, I would add maybe one centimeter in length, so British notes and the like would fit in more comfortably.

Our favorite Disney wallets

For the Disney lovers out there, I did my best to find current offerings. Aside from options at the Disney store, some of the best looking options for Disney wallets are offered by Kate Spade and Loungefly.

Kate Spade leather wallets with vintage Minnie and Mickey designs:

Photo: Amazon

Kate Spade New York x Disney Minnie Mouse Leather Card Holder
Buy NowKate Spade New York Disney X Minnie Mouse Zip Around Wallet
Buy NowKate Spade New York Disney X Mickey Mouse Large Continental Wallet
Buy NowDisney x Loungefly Collection:

Photo: Amazon

Villians
Buy NowMickey
Buy NowSketchbook
Buy NowDisney wallets from the Disney Store:

Photo: Disney Store

Donald’s Anniversary
Buy NowMickey Mouse Summer
Buy NowInside Out 2
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Things We Love: The Matador Team’s 9 Favorite Pieces of Travel Gear and More This Month

Summer, and therefore summer travel and all the outdoor adventure it brings, is in full swing in the northern hemisphere. Yet depending on where you travel this season, you could face triple-digit temperatures, chilly rainy days (that may or may not keep you indoors), or perfect temperate weather. We’ve seen it all this month.

The global Matador Network team is constantly testing gear, speaking with founders, and learning more about the people who create the things that make travel easier. Some of those things don’t live up to their claims in real-world trials. Others very much do. The latter are the ones that we recommend to friends, readers, and anyone who will listen to.

This month, that included a versatile travel jacket, day packs, truck bed camping mattresses, and more.

We hope you love the gear we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

On CloudFlyer 4

Photo: On

On offers a wide range of stylish and colorful athletic shoes, but the quality is unfortunately very inconsistent. I’ve tried four different models, and only two have proven durable enough to justify the high price. The first are the Cloudtrax hiking boots, and the second are the CloudFlyer 4 running shoes, which have become my favorite sneakers — both for getting out in the world and staying close to home.

The CloudFlyer 4 are very light and have a plushy interior and thick outsoles, making for an extremely comfortable, cushy experience no matter what you’re doing. While I don’t run, I do walk extensively every day, and from day one the CloudFlyer 4 shoes have never been painful or irritating.

The CloudFlyer 4 is stylish enough to work with athletic wear, a pair of jeans, shorts, or even a casual denim skirt so that you can stay comfortable, no matter the situation. The range of colors available also make it easy to match these shoes to everything in your wardrobe. — Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor

Buy: $139.95 to $179.95

Mystery Ranch Super Market Day Pack

Photo: Mystery Ranch

Mystery Ranch’s Super Market Day Pack strikes a great balance of style and practicality. The unusual shape of the pack (wider at the top than at the bottom), as well as the range of beautiful colors available, are what first caught my eye. After using it on a couple of trips and for everyday errands, I can attest that it’s not only pretty, but also functional. Mystery Ranch’s Super Market Day Pack can hold 22 liters of stuff, including a laptop (up to 15 inches) in the padded laptop sleeve, and a large water bottle in the special insert that, surprisingly, is located inside the pack. Both the main pocket and the front pocket are extremely spacious and zippered, while the small third pocket located in the back (also zippered) is the ideal spot for smaller and precious items like a phone and passport.

The pack is made of 100 percent textured polyester, but feels soft and extremely durable. The only issue with the material is that it will keep your back very hot if you carry the pack for extended periods of time in warm weather. Note that while the outer material is not waterproof, the main pocket is lined with weather-resistant material.

Mystery Ranch’s Super Market Day Pack works great as a day pack to go to the office, the beach, or hit the grocery store. It also works as an overnight bag for a night away, or even as a personal item during flights. I took it on over 10 flights and it fit perfectly under the seat in front of me every time, even in smaller regional aircrafts — Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor

Buy: $89

Arc’teryx summer performance hiking gear

Photo: Arc’teryx

The UK has experienced one of the wettest seasons in decades this year, so I needed some lightweight hiking gear that I could layer. The Cerium Hybrid Hoody by Arc’teryx is part of the brand’s recent performance collection, and it’s ideal for variable weather conditions. It’s feather-light, well-insulated, and has exceptional airflow. There’s a handy stash bag in the pocket, so you can quickly reduce it and put it in your day pack if the sun comes out. Arc’teryx’s Essent Utility Leggings are also great for short hikes and multi-day adventures. I have these in black and cherish the side pockets that are perfect for your cell, valuables, or snack bar. They are butter-soft, high-waisted, and provide excellent support. — Katie Scott Aiton, Editor

Buy Cerium Hybrid Hoody: $239.83

Buy Essent Utility Leggings: $140

Luno Air Camping Mattress

Photo: Luno

The Luno Air Mattress is a comfortable car camping mattress designed for your truck bed. It’s made of a durable, waterproof nylon material that’s easy to clean. The mattress inflates to about four inches tall and folds up into a compact bag for easy storage. It comes with an electric pump for inflation, but you can also deflate it manually. I drive a 2006 Toyota Tacoma with a 6-foot bed, and the mattress we ordered was custom-made for our truck bed size and wraps around the tire wells seamlessly.

My wife, our toddler, and myself slept comfortably on the Luno Air Mattress on a recent camping trip, and there was still room for our small dog. It makes car camping much more comfortable, especially compared to sleeping on the ground or a thin air mattress in the back of the truck, as we’d done for years prior to getting this new setup. In general, the mattress helped us avoid the usual aches and pains that come with car camping at age 40 – a big plus for keeping us out camping as often as we’d like to be. — Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor

Buy: $329.99

Allyz travel insurance app from Allianz

Photo: Allianz Partners

A travel tool I loved this month isn’t a piece of gear, but a piece of tech. Travel insurance company Allianz released a new app called Allyz that allows policy holders to manage their travel insurance policies and file claims, effectively making the experience closer to that of home or auto insurance. I hold an annual travel insurance policy with them, something I’d never tried until this year, and plan to continue doing so in the future – and through the app I was able to easily work through a claims process recently and get all the information I needed for my policy. Because I already had a policy, all I needed to do was download the app and create an account. Filing a claim took about 10 minutes. Because it’s an annual policy, the options for what can be covered and how it’s handled are broader than typical travel insurance plans, taking some of the stress off when travel mishaps inevitably happen. — Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor

Download

Fjallraven Kajka

Photo: Fjallraven

I’ve been using the same backpacking pack for years, but switched to a Kajka this summer. I dislike bags that are overengineered, with pockets for every little thing, and the Kajka hits the balance between thoughtful and simple. There’s one huge interior pocket (with top or full-front access), ideal for lining it with a garbage bag or shoving in a large bear bin. It has the requisite water bottle pockets on each side, as well two large large side compartments big enough for extra layers, a sleeping pad, or a pair of insulated camp shoes. That allows you better distribute weight to the sides, rather than the back, which makes for a more comfortable carry.

Other features I liked were velcro loops to hold hiking poles, a brain (top compartment) that doubles as a day pack or flips in front of your chest for each access to gear like camera lenses or snacks. It’s also wildly sustainable, with a birchwood frame and recycled materials, eco-friendly waterproofing (which can be reactivated at any Fjallraven store for free for the life of the product), and a solid repair program, so you don’t need to throw the whole bag out if you damage the frame or need a compression strap replaced.

I found it comfortable right out of the store with minimal adjustments. The smaller size has tapered straps and shorter hip belts to fit smaller torsos, and the larger size accommodates up to a 55-inch waist – but they’re unisex otherwise. The 55L size should be good for the vast majority of backpackers, unless you’re carrying unusual or extra-large gear. — Suzie Dundas, Commissioning Editor

Buy: $325

Kula Cloth

Photo: Kula Cloth

Never had I ever used a Kula Cloth – which made me pretty late to the game compared to many hikers and backpackers.

What is a Kula Cloth, you ask? In a nutshell, it’s a wipe for peeing in the woods, serving as an alternative to using toilet paper (which creates backcountry waste, or has to be carried out), or to drip-drying, which can leave you with a soggy butt. One side of the cloth is absorbent and antimicrobial, the other is the clean side (so don’t wipe with that).

It clips to the outside of your backpack with an extra clip to fold it in half, theoretically keeping the “pee” side away from everything else when not in use. It weighs basically nothing, and you can toss it in the washing machine with the rest of your clothes when you get back from your hike.

After having used one, I can attest that it’s a welcome addition to your hiking backpack, and way more hygienic and eco-friendly than packing toilet paper in and out. Obviously, it’s for urine only – if you need to poop in the woods, you’ll still need to do that the old-fashioned way. — Suzie Dundas, Commissioning Editor

Buy: $17+

Decathlon Quechua SH500 Mid Winter Hiking Warm Socks

Photo: Decathlon

When I bought these pairs of socks from Decathlon Spain, they seemed too cheap to be any good (two pairs for $20), but they surprised me big time. They’ve even outperformed more expensive wool socks from the same brand (which I also bought, but don’t use). These Quechua socks have kept my feet warm and dry in the hectic weather of Buenos Aires this June, no matter how horribly humid and cold it gets. — Debbie Gonzalez Canada, SEO Editor

Buy: $19.99

Madison Creek Blowing Rock Vintage-Washed Cotton Jacket

Photo: Madison Creek Outfitters

Madison Creek’s Blowing Rock has become my go-to travel jacket over the past couple of months. The lightweight poplin fabric was versatile enough with the sleeves pulled up and collar pulled down to be comfortable going on an early flight from Denver to the midday heat of Jamaica — and handled the snowy weather on the way back with ease when fully zipped up. On a spring week in LA, it transitioned seamlessly from day to night. The name comes from Blowing Rock, North Carolina (one of the highest peakest on the Eastern Blue Ridge Parkway), and is inspired by the 1980s pigment garment-dyed jackets that had a nice patina.

While the aesthetics are a nice bonus, it’s the utility that makes it the ideal travel jacket. It has two zippered front pockets, one internal zipper pocket, and two snap-closure side pockets. That’s plenty for securely holding travel documents, and keeps things close for when you quickly need to get from customs to a taxi to your accommodations. Plus, the jacket packs tight and doesn’t take too much luggage space when it’s in my suitcase instead of on. — Nickolaus Hines, Managing Editor

Buy: $295

American Airlines Rewards Members Can Now Use Their Points for a Flight to the South Pacific on Fiji Airways

A new world of travel possibilities has opened up to American Airlines rewards members. Fiji Airways, Fiji’s flag carrier, has joined American Airlines AAdvantage travel rewards program, allowing rewards members to now use their points to book a trip to the South Pacific, including the Fiji archipelago and its 330 dreamy islands.

The South Pacific is a large region that consists of the islands of Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia, of which Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, and dozens more paradisiacal island nations are part.

Fiji Airways flies nonstop to Nadi on Fiji’s main island from three US cities, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Honolulu. From Nadi, Fiji Airways flies to other Fiji destinations, to a multitude of South Pacific islands, as well as to the east and south coasts of Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and even Japan.

In the US, Fiji Airways is associated with American Airlines, so if you don’t live in either of those three US cities, you can still reach Fiji, and all the other destinations served by Fiji Airways, easily, albeit, with one or more stops along the way. You can also book your trips on the websites of either Fiji Airways or American Airlines.

Map: Fiji Airways

At the 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards, Fiji Airways ranked as the 14th best airline in the world, well ahead of any US airlines (Delta Air Lines ranked 21st while American Airlines ranked 78th). In 2024, Fiji Airways was given the titles of the best airline in Australia/Pacific, the best economy class in Australia/Pacific, the best airline staff in Australia/Pacific, the best cabin crew in Australia/Pacific, and the best business class onboard catering in Australia/Pacific.

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