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Where to Play, Eat, and Stay in Armenia, From City Life to Magic Monasteries

Landlocked Armenia occupies a special spot in the South Caucasus, one half of a larger region that’s known for being straddled by the Black and Caspian Seas. Geographically, it belongs to Asia. Geopolitically, it’s considered European. And as European destinations go, it most certainly qualifies as a hidden gem.

Free from the crowds that swarm many European nations, Armenia is a compact country whose size makes it easy to cover the main attractions, plus more than 300 sunny days a year for sightseeing. It’s full of history, spectacular landscapes, and fantastic food, all of which you can experience at a pleasantly affordable price point.

Ease of travel from continental hubs is another boon for travelers to Armenia. Flights from cities like Paris and Frankfurt take around four hours, while flying from Dubai, as I did, takes just over two. However you get there, these are some of the best things to do, places to eat and drink, and accommodations in Armenia.

Things to do in Armenia

Explore the capital city

Photo: Oscar Espinosa/Shutterstock

Armenia’s capital city, Yerevan, is a great base for exploring the country — it’s within a two-hour drive of most major attractions, and the city itself is very walkable for local sightseeing. I stayed in Yerevan for the majority of my trip and often found myself ducking down alleys and coming across small art galleries or cozy coffee houses. Armenia is also home to some of the purest water in the world, and there are free water fountains to ensure everyone is always hydrated.

One of the city’s foremost attractions is the Cascade Complex, an architectural stunner that seamlessly blends lush greenery with captivating art pieces at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. But even from the outside, the Cascade Complex provides much to delight the eye — the site’s 572 steps lead to a panoramic view of Yerevan and the iconic Mount Ararat across the Turkish border. Hidden within the complex is a series of escalators if, like me, you prefer an easier route to the top.

Photo: Geofox/Shutterstock

Several other attractions are centralized in Republic Square, formerly Lenin Square, which surrounds the Government House, the History Museum, and the National Gallery. This is also one of the best spots in the city to get a feel for Yerevan’s pace and enjoy a bit of people-watching. At night, the square’s fountains light up, and there’s music and light show. I watched the show on two different nights — the music varied, but the experience was fantastic both times.

Embrace the magic of Armenia’s monasteries

Photo: MehmetO/Shutterstock

Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity in 301 AD, and this long history can be found in the more than 4,000 monasteries across the country. Not wanting to suffer from monastery fatigue, I asked my guide to select his favorite few for us to visit — a task he found difficult. While I could list several here, the two below were my favorites, and both easy drives from the capital city.

Built in 642, Khor Virap is a monastery located a little under an hour south of Yerevan by car, near the Turkish border. It’s backdropped by the majestic Mount Ararat, which archeologists believe to be the final location of Noah’s Ark. St. Gregory the Illuminator, a fourth-century Christian apostle and the first bishop of the Armenian Apostolic Church, was imprisoned in a small dungeon here for 12 years — if you’re brave and don’t mind small spaces, you can descend steps to see his cramped cell.

Photo: Vladimir Zhoga/Shutterstock

Continuing southeast for another 50 miles, or a 1.5-mile drive, Noravank is a 13th-century monastery built in a narrow gorge among tall, brick-red cliffs. Several historic structures comprise the site, the most famous being Surp Astvatsatsin Church — you’ll know you’re looking at it when you spot a collection of intricate interior and exterior carvings. The church also houses the mausoleum of Prince Burtel Orbelian, who funded its construction, and his family.

You can visit both sites in a single excursion as a day trip from Yerevan, with several operators offering tours from the capital. I was glad to be accompanied by a guide to these monasteries, which made the visit far more enjoyable and educational and added context to what I saw rather than just walking around.

Go wine tasting

Photo: Ash Jurberg

Visiting monasteries can be thirsty work, so I’d recommend visiting one of the country’s many wineries for a tour and tasting after sightseeing. Frankly, wine tasting in Armenia is a history lesson in its own right — the world’s first wine was produced here over 6,000 years ago, so there’s a long winemaking tradition.

I enjoyed visiting Van Ardi, a family-owned, award-winning winery in the wine-making region of Aragatsotn, a 30-minute drive from Yerevan. The rocky volcanic soils and dry, windy microclimate are perfect for growing grapes.

After a short walking tour, I tried numerous wines made from grape varieties I’d never heard of, let alone tried, including Areni, Milagh, and Haghtanak. I’m far from a wine connoisseur, but with expert guidance, I learned a lot about Armenian winemaking — all accompanied by local cheeses and freshly baked bread.

Get a glimpse at the Symphony of Stones

Photo: frantic00/Shutterstock

Over 40 million years ago, lava from surrounding mountains fell down the Garni Gorge, creating an unusual formation called the Symphony of Stones, located about 45 minutes southeast of Yerevan. I walked half a mile along this natural monument, admiring nature’s wonders. In many other countries, a site like this would be full of influencers looking for the perfect Instagram photo, but this one was refreshingly free of them. The Symphony of Stones was well worth a visit and can be combined with a visit to the nearby Garni Temple, built by pagans in the first century AD.

Where to eat and drink in Armenia

The first thing I noticed about Armenian food during my trip was its incredible quality, color, and freshness. The cuisine was more akin to Mediterranean fare than I expected. Most meals started with a simple but tasty salad, fresh bread, rolled eggplant with yogurt, and local cheese. I was usually full after these dishes but would find room for a main … and sometimes dessert. I didn’t have a bad meal in Armenia, but a couple of my favorite restaurants are below.

Dolmama

Photo: Ash Jurberg

Dolma is a traditional Armenian dish that consists of minced meat or vegetables wrapped in grape leaves. The best I had was at Dolmama in Yerevan, where, in addition to the traditional varieties, I tried a raw lamb dolma and a quail dolma. This restaurant has a long list of celebs who have eaten there, including King Charles, Hilary Clinton, Kim Kardashian, and Vladimir Putin.

Dolmama: 10 Pushkin St, Yerevan 0010, Armenia

Vostan and Sherep

Also in Yerevan, I’d recommend Vostan and Sherep as two traditional Armenian restaurants that are within walking distance of Republic Square. Vostan is housed in a beautifully restored and ornamented 19th-century building, with courtyard seating that’s as pleasing as the meal itself — if you’re looking for souvenirs, the restaurant also sells a handful of tinned Vostar products that you can bring home.

Vostan: 8 Abovyan St, Yerevan 0010, Armenia

Sherep is a few minutes away from Vostan on foot. In addition to a mixed menu of classic Armenian dishes and more inventive fare, the restaurant also hosts exciting culinary events throughout the year. Be sure to leave room for dessert dine here (and at Vostan, too, for that matter) as there are many sweet sensations on offer.

Sherep: 1 Amiryan St, Yerevan 0010, Armenia

7Qar

Photo: Ash Jurberg

I had to include this restaurant due to its stunning view over the Garni Canyon, the pagan temple of Garni, and the Symphony of Stones. Plus, after I walked along the Symphony of Stones, I was hungry for some barbecue. Armenian barbecue, often called khorovats, comes in the form of both shish kebabs (skewers) and losh kebabs (patties) typically made from either lamb or beef. It’s often enjoyed during celebrations, which your trip to Armenia (and meal at 7Qar) might as well be considered. Best of all, the restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, both of which showcase the stellar views.

7Qar: Grigor Zohrap 30, Garni 2215, Armenia

Where to stay in Armenia

Holiday Inn Republic Square

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It’s rare to find an affordable option so centrally located in a city. The Holiday Inn is on the edge of Republic Square, the city’s focal point. You can walk pretty much anywhere within the city from the hotel, and there’s a wide range of food and shopping options within a few blocks. Many rooms have views of the square, so you feel like you’re in the thick of the action. One perk of staying at the Holiday Inn: the on-site restaurant offers a great breakfast buffet.

Holiday Inn Republic Square: 2 Amiryan St, Yerevan 0010, Armenia

Dilitown Resort and Spa

Photo: Ash Jurberg

If you plan on staying outside of Yerevan, look to the Dilitown Resort and Spa. I was fortunate to spend a night there, in the town of Dilijan, a few hours’ the capital city. This health and wellness resort is nestled within a national park and is the perfect place to rejuvenate. It has a wide range of treatments available to guests. I spent a few relaxing hours testing its ice baths, salt rooms, dry saunas, and more — because sometimes you need to treat yourself when on a holiday, and Dilitown Resort and Spa is nothing if not a treat.

Dilitown Resort and Spa: Andranik Street, 11 3rd lane, Dilijan 3903, Armenia

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New Alaska Airlines Route Makes It the Only US Carry Flying to La Paz, Mexico

Alaska Airlines is expanding its reach into Mexico by introducing nonstop service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to two exciting destinations: La Paz and Monterrey.

Starting November 20, 2024, Alaska Airlines will become the only US carrier offering service to La Paz. This will provide travelers with a convenient and direct connection to this beautiful coastal city, located roughly 100 miles north of the more tourist-heavy Los Cabos area. The new route will operate with up to three weekly round-trip flights, catering to the winter surge in demand for sunny getaways.

La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, is often overlooked, but it makes an excellent base for exploring the region. It’s not just a place to bookend a Cabos trip, though. La Paz is more of a big town than a city and has more of a local feel than the nearby overdeveloped resort hub. The bay is surrounded by the desert mountains of the Sierra de la Laguna, so you can hike with spectacular views of the mountains and the sea. You might even get to spot a whale shark if you visit between October and April. And it’s home to one of Mexico’s best beaches, Balandra — which has seven stretches of sand.

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Alaska Airlines’ second new destination, Monterrey, will be inaugurated in February 2025. Flights from LAX to Monterrey International Airport (MTY) will be daily and nonstop, making Alaska Airlines the sole US carrier offering this level of service to the industrial hub in northeastern Mexico.

This strategic move by Alaska Airlines strengthens its position as a major player in West Coast aviation. Come February, Alaska will service ten destinations in Mexico from LAX. The new routes provide travelers with more options for connecting to popular Mexican destinations while offering a flexible option for those seeking to explore California.

If you’re looking for a last minute summer deal to Mexico, Alaska also added almost one million additional seats for flights for the peak months of June, July, and August compared to 2023. West Coasters have more direct flights than ever to popular destinations such as Cancun, Guadalajara, Los Cabos, Loreto, Manzanillo, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo.

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Have TSA PreCheck? You May Not on Your Next Flight.

Earlier this month, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) added four new airlines to its list of TSA PreCheck participating airlines: Aer Lingus, Air New Zealand, Ethiopian Airlines, and Saudia. Of those, Aer Lingus is the largest in the US, flying to 16 US airports, as well as Barbados and Toronto. Ethiopian Airways is the national carrier of Ethiopia and flies from five US cities on the East Coast, and Saudi Airlines flies from DC, New York, and LA, as well as Toronto. Air New Zealand uses six US airports, mostly in major cities.

Fortunately, all airlines are part of major airline loyalty groups. Air New Zealand, Ethiopian Airways, and Aer Lingus are on Star Alliance, while Saudia is part of the Sky Team Alliance. Having the airlines participate in the TSA PreCheck program means that flyers who have Known Traveler Numbers (KTN) or Global Entry can automatically get TSA PreCheck added to their boarding passes, instead of having to use the general security lines.

Wait — airlines have to participate in TSA PreCheck?

An empty TSA PreCheck line next to a longer non-PreCheck security line. Photo: Joni Hanebutt/Shutterstock

What many travelers may not know is that TSA PreCheck isn’t determined exclusively by the security teams. An airline has to agree to participate in the TSA Precheck program. When travelers fly with a non-TSA PreCheck participating airline, they need to use the general security line, regardless of whether they have Precheck or not. That may mean you need to get to the airport a lot earlier than usual, since non-TSA PreCheck security lines tend to take a lot longer. According to estimates from TSA, the average traveler with PreCheck waits less than 10 minutes to get through security. Without PreCheck, it could still be quick — or it could be an hour or more.

Most major US carriers are TSA PreCheck participating airlines, but foreign carries may not be. That’s because PreCheck is a US-based program, and with the exception of one airport in the Bahamas, it’s only used within the US. So airlines that are mostly based in non-US airports may not have much reason to use it. But at this point, more than 10 years into the creation of TSA PreCheck, nearly all major airlines that fly to the US are using it. So don’t worry — if you have PreCheck, there’s a really good chance that the airline you’re flying with uses it. But it can’t hurt to check the list of TSA PreCheck participating airlines ahead of time if you’re flying a smaller airline, just in case.

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This Minimalist Travel Wallet Looks Sleek and Carries Only What I Need

To understand why I’ve used the Nomatic travel wallet for nearly 10 years, you first must understand who I was before. I was the butt-bulge guy – the one who could never sit comfortably for long periods without the wallet in my back pocket sending a ripple of asymmetrically-induced pain to my rear, up through my back, and finally, into my neck. I had a Costanza wallet, and it was bad. Like, real bad. Due to the lack of eyes in the back of my head, I never noticed how ridiculous it must have looked to anyone walking behind me. But after many years I did, at last, come to terms with the fact that I simply didn’t need to have 17 business cards, three months of receipts, and a photo collage documenting the life of my sister’s long-since-deceased dog with me at all times.

 

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It must have been my fourth or fifth time through international customs that brought this realization to light. In 2015, I first heard the term “digital nomad” and immediately clung to anything containing a variation of the phrase. This is how I originally chose the Nomatic wallet from the slew of minimalist travel wallets available. But it was the wallet’s eight years of durability and efficiency that led me to buy another one last year.

We hope you love the Nomatic Wallet! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you make a purchase..

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The Nomatic Wallet is perfect for those always on the go

Photo: Tim WengerPhoto: Tim Wenger
When you move around a lot, you start to pick up on the fact that less is more. Switching my wallet from the Costanza to the austere made ditching anything unnecessary simple. The Nomatic Wallet has but one pouch – an elastic card-sized pouch that comprises the entirety of the wallet itself. It’s big enough to fit up to 15 cards, though I tend to carry only about seven with me. That leaves room for business cards I pick up at conferences or while working on stories on the road.

A pull-tab that also serves as the wallet’s base helps you access cards inside the wallet. It pulls them up for easy access, so you don’t have to use your nails digging a card out of the middle of the pile. Once you’ve retrieved the card you need, push the stack back down, and you can easily slip the retrieved card back in once you’re done using it.The wallet has a separate slip for cash located on the outside of the elastic pocket.

That’s about it as far as the wallet’s features. It’s a minimalist wallet, after all. It’s slim, comes in black, light blue, or gray, and looks quite clean and presentable even after years of use. My first one began to wear after eight years of constant travel and daily use, and because the wallet only costs $19.99 I had no issue replacing it with another of the same. As is the primary appeal of minimalist travel wallets, the biggest win of the Nomatic Wallet is what you don’t see, don’t carry, and don’t have to deal with. I have only what I need – from a debit card to a credit card to my Global Entry ID and Driver License – and not the pain-inducing nonsense that tends to pile up when you have more space than you need.

What to note about the Nomatic Wallet

Photo: Tim WengerPhoto: Tim Wenger
One important thing to keep in mind about the Nomatic Wallet is that, due to its elasticity, it cannot return to its original form once stretched. If you immediately put 15 credit cards in it, you’re committed to keeping 15 with you going forward because the wallet will stretch to accommodate that number of cards and won’t be able to go backward. This means that a drastic reduction in cards or items in the wallet can lead to what’s in there falling out when inverted. The same is true of the cash slip – if I only have one or two bills, I’ll keep them in the card slot because I don’t want them to fall out of the cash slip.

Overall, I’m very happy with the Nomatic Wallet and have plans to change to another anytime soon. I’m on my second, and now that I think of it, may as well buy another just so I have it on hand down line.

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Sterling Pacific Has Dramatically Improved Its Luxury Rolling Aluminum Suitcases

We hope you love the products 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.

 

When a brand listens to its customers’ wants and needs and improves its products accordingly, the result can only be a success. This is exactly what Sterling Pacific, makers of luxury aluminum suitcases, did recently by adding four new designs to its previous offering of two.

Until June 2024, Sterling Pacific made and sold only two rolling aluminum suitcases, the 35L Cabin Travel Case and the 80L Check-in Travel Case, both of which were, and still are, standout baggage of excellent quality. That said, much like everything, there was room for improvement. I thoroughly tested the 35L Cabin Travel Case in late 2023 and the main issue with this piece of luggage was its wheels. While they ran very smoothly, there were only two of them, meaning that travelers always had to pull the case behind them. In my December 2023 review, I wrote: “Four independent swivelling wheels is a more standard design nowadays and it’s one that would improve the ease of use of this particular piece of luggage, allowing travelers to push the case alongside them when needed.”

Less than six months later, Sterling Pacific launched four four-wheel cases: two 40L Cabin Travel Cases and two 90L Check-in Travel Cases. All four new models feature four swivelling wheels that spin effortlessly, dramatically improving an already nearly faultless product. (note that both the 35L Cabin Travel Case and the 80L Check-in Travel Case are still available for purchase on Sterling Pacific’s website.)

But that’s not all.

Along with more and better wheels, Sterling Pacific’s new products got bigger. The carry-on versions took on an additional five liters of capacity while the check-in cases became 10 liters bigger. While some may worry that a bigger carry-on with non-recessed wheels might translate into a luggage that’s too big to fit in the overhead compartment, Sterling Pacific had thought of everything. “We’ve achieved this increase while still adhering to the maximum allowable carry-on size regulations on almost all major American airlines,” James Rodgers, Sterling Pacific’s President, explains in an email.

Photo: Jesse Adams

I have personally tested it on four flights outside of the US and was asked to check the suitcase only once, but I’m convinced it was only the result of a zealous check-in counter agent — I had a good look and the overhead compartments were plenty big for it. Unfortunately for me, despite using the luggage cover to protect it, this beautiful and luxurious carry-on got dinged a little in the process.

A change of look

Beyond the practical improvements are also some aesthetic ones. The 40L Cabin Travel Case and the 90L Check-in Travel Case come in two colorways: silver and black. Note that both models are made of airplane-grade aluminum, but instead of the generic silver color of aluminum, you can now opt for a jet back case that looks very much like what James Bond, or one of his enemies, would choose to travel the world. And it’s not just the case that’s black: the leather handles, the hinges, the wheels, the lining — everything is coordinated.

Photo: Morgane Croissant

The interior of the case has also undergone some positive changes. The lining, which is a twill in the 35L Cabin Travel Case and the 80L Check-in Travel Case, is a butter-soft suede-like fabric in the new 40L Cabin Travel Cases and the 90L Check-in Travel Cases, making the luggage feel even more luxurious. In the silver version, the lining is a dark brown, matching the color of the leather handles, while in the jet back luggage it is a deep black.

The new 40L Cabin Travel Case. Photos: Morgane CroissantThe 35L Cabin travel Case. Photo: Jesse Adams

There’s one change in the appearance in the new models that I’m still on the fence about. The 35L Cabin Travel Case and the 80L Check-in Travel Case were designed as vintage trunks, with a slim lid that stood open while packing, however, the new 40L and 90L models, while still zipper-free, open as a butterfly, with both sides of the case being of equal size, taking away the retro feel that I particularly enjoyed.

The specs

Sterling Pacific’s 40L Cabin Travel Case:

Dimensions in inches: 22.5 x 14 x 9 Volume in liters: 40Weigh in pounds: 12Price in USD: $2,150

Sterling Pacific’s 90L Check-in Travel Case:

Dimensions in inches: 32.5 x 19 x 10.5Volume in liters: 90Weigh in pounds: 15.7Price in USD: $2,650

 

Buy Sterling Pacific’s 40L Cabin Travel Case in silver now

Buy Sterling Pacific’s 40L Cabin Travel Case in jet black now

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Glamp With Tigers at This Wildlife Refuge in the Ozarks

Waking up to the roar of a tiger is an intimidating prospect. It doesn’t have to be, however, at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. That’s because here, you can glamp at a safe distance from the cats but still be close enough to take in the sights, smells, and sounds of their habitat.

The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a big cat sanctuary located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The sanctuary operates as a non-profit organization that provides a forever home to big cats that have been abused, abandoned, or who are former circus or other performance cats that are now retired. retired from performing. Other animals also take refuge here, but the tigers are the most prominent (and the coolest to see from a safe distance).

The tiger habitats at Turpentine Creek are designed to replicate the animals’ natural habitats around the world, at east as much as is possible in the Ozarks. The habitats are large and spacious, with plenty of room for the tigers to roam and explore grassy fields, trees, rocks, and pools of water.

 Glamping at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Glamping at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge offers a unique way to experience the beauty of the Ozarks and spend the night near majestic big cats. The tents are named after some of the refuge’s most popular residents: Bam Bam’s Bungalow and Tigris Tent. Both tents are suitable for families with children of all ages and are available from March to November.

Instead of wrestling with tent poles and sleeping bags, you’ll get to relax in a spacious glamping tent that comes with all the comforts of home, including:

Plush bedsLounge space with heat andair conditioningA mini-fridge, coffee maker, and microwaveEpic views and the real vibe of sleeping in the jungle

Of course, you don’t have to sleep there if the prospect sounds intimidating. Day tickets to the refuge are $32 for adults, $20 for kids, with kids under three in for free. It’s also possible to sponsor an animal or make a donation to the organization in other ways. Accommodations start at $200 per night, with the comfort of knowing your money is helping these animals live a better life.

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United Airlines Can Now Text You Live Weather Maps Showing Why Your Flight Is Delayed

If you’re a rule followers and arrive at the airport hours before your flight, nothing is more frustrating than a schedule delay, no matter how short. You’ve already been waiting for ages and have no interest in spending another minute in the airport. What makes such a situation even more frustrating, however, is not knowing why your flight is delayed. Is it the airline’s fault? Is it the airport’s fault? What’s going on? Travelers want to know.

Just three weeks ago, as I was traveling from Canada to Europe, my connecting flight from Vancouver to Amsterdam, was delayed by two hours, making my already-long layover stretch for eight insufferable hours. The delay also meant that I was going to miss my next connecting flight in Amsterdam. To say that I was unhappy that day was an understatement — I was livid. There were no explanations for the delay and I was furiously looking into how I could obtain financial compensation from KLM. When I learned, hours later, that my flight had been delayed coming from Amsterdam because it had to make a medical emergency landing in Reykjavik, Iceland, I was a lot less belligerent. Not only did my delayed flight was nobody’s fault, but someone had a much worse day than me. Knowing made all the difference.

United Airlines understands that keeping information from passengers in case of flight delays does nothing more than aggravate them, that’s why the airline, with the help of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI), now texts passengers links to real-time radar maps during weather delays. With a radar map showing weather in real time from across the flight path, air travelers can see for themselves the reason for a delay, and even anticipate one. Of course, it won’t fix the setback, but it’ll help passengers know who to blame: the clouds, not the United Airlines employees behind the desk at the airport.

This is not the only initiative from United Airlines meant to offer air travelers as much transparency as possible. The airline already informs passengers by emails or texts of timely flight details, including gate changes, boarding time, aircraft change, and more.

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A Meteorologist Says Why He Never Books Red-Eye Flights in the Summer

In a recent TikTok video shared by “WeatherChris,” a meteorologist explains why he recommends never booking a red-eye flight in summer.

@weatherchris Why you should NEVER book a night flight during the summer   (And what to do if you’re a giant idiot like me and end up doing it anyway) #weather #travel #meteorologist #flights #storms #aviation ♬ original sound – Chris BianchiMeteorologist

While frequent travelers may find the advice fairly obvious, it’s worth noting that summer flight delays are indeed the most common. Of course, the summer storms meteorologist Chris Bianchi discusses aren’t the only reason for the delays, which are also influenced by an increased number of travelers and limited airline and airport staff. More people traveling in the summer means more time spent boarding and disembarking planes, less free time for staff, and fewer available seats to accommodate travelers whose original flights get cancelled or delayed. And some airports are so busy that it doesn’t take much of an interruption for delays to start piling up, no matter what the time of year.

While it’s reasonable to think that flight delays would be worst in the winter, those storms are usually more localized, a representative for FlightAware told the Washington Post in July of 2024. Thunderstorms are wider spread and cause more significant operational changes, according to former pilot and FlightAware representative Kathleen Bangs.

Unfortunately, the later in the day your flight is, the more likely it is to be impacted by earlier summer flight delays. Even if the weather is ideal in your location, your plane, flight crew, or pilot may be coming from an airport that had delays. Delays can compound and back up over the day, and by the time your late-night flight rolls around, the plane could be hours behind schedule. Airlines can usually readjust overnight, meaning that morning flights are much less likely to have significant delays.

Photo: Salty View/Shutterstock

On TikTok, Bianchi had some advice that may be useful to travelers unfamiliar with two airplane tools: FlightAware and FlightRadar24. Both allow you to track your plane to see where its coming from, allowing you to see if delays with your plane are starting to pile up. Some airline apps have a similar functionality; for example, United’s newest app update has a “where is my plane coming from?” feature. However, FlightAware and FlightRadar24 generally have more in-depth reporting available.

WeatherChris’ second piece of advice for avoiding weather delays make sense, but may not always be feasible. He advises that if it looks like your plane is going to be delayed, you should book an entirely separate flight as a back up. The important part is to make sure it’s fully refundable, so you don’t have to pay for it if your original flight pans out. Most airlines charge extra if you want the flight to be fully refundable, and may require you to book something beyond a basic economy or economy fare for the privilege.

Photo: Grusho Anna/Shutterstock

However, there’s one rule that applies to every airline within the US: The that all airlines must provide a full refund if the customer cancels a booking within 24 hours of making the reservation. However, that rule goes out the window if you book your ticket within seven days of take-off, so it’s really more useful if it looks like a hurricane or major storm may impact flight operations — not for day-to-day weather events.

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This US National Seashore Can Charge $3,000 if You Need an Emergency Rescue

When most people visit one of America’s 63 national parks, or one of the other 366 sites managed by the National Park Service, they probably don’t think much about what happens if something goes wrong. Since all the park service sites are federally managed, if something goes wrong, you can just call for help, and someone will quickly come and rescue you. Right?

Well, that is right, mostly. But what would surprise people is if help came to get you, and while they were helping you, they handed you a bill for $3,000 to fund your rescue. But that’s exactly what may happen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore near Traverse City, Michigan, which covers 35 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan.

The park’s centerpiece is the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb, a massive dune that rises over 450 feet above the lake. Visitors can hike to the top of the park’s dunes for breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and surrounding landscape. And as well-known travel host Samantha Brown shared on TikTok, you can also hike down the dune to the lake level — but if you can’t make it back up on your own, you could pay up to $3,000 for your rescue.

 

@samanthabrowntravels Would you try this? #sleepingbeardunes #lakemichigan #michigan #traversecity @Traverse City ♬ original sound – Samantha Brown

That may seem unfair, but the national seashore makes it very, very obvious that the route down to the waterline is steep. According to the TiKTok video, the steep route down to the shoreline has a 33 percent downhill grade. That makes the trek back up particularly difficult, especially as the terrain is all sand, with absolutely no shade. All this is posted on signs atop the dunes.

Warning signs at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Photo: Bo Shen/Shutterstock

The National Park Services uses multiple methods to rescue hikers who can’t make it back up. Sometimes, they just send someone down on foot with food and water. If the water level is low and beach is wide enough, they can drive a vehicle down to the shoreline to rescue the hikers. But some retrievals are more complicated, requiring assistance from area firefighting organizations, complex pulley and rope systems, or even rescue via water, if getting someone out by boat is the only option. Park rangers have gone on the record saying that the park will not charge $3,000 for a Sleeping Bear Dunes rescue — but area organizations that may need to assist in the rescue certainly could.

According to park officials, there were 31 rescue calls in 2017 from the Lake Michigan Overlook and the Dune Climb in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore — more calls even than Yellowstone National Park in the same year. In more recent years, the number of rescues has dropped dramatically, with just 11 calls between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2023. That’s likely due to both roving members of a preventative search and rescue team, as well as the large signs warning would-be hikers of the hefty potential fine.

Do National Park Service sites usually charge for rescues?

Photo: NPS/Ally O’Rullian/Public Domain

The Sleeping Bear Dunes rescue policy is in line with most other national park sites, which generally do not charge for emergency rescues. However, parks can levy fines for recklessness or unsafe behavior, if that’s what led to the rescue. It can also charge visitors if they intentionally engage in any behavior that causes damage within the park site. The National Park Service accounts for the costs of rescues in its annual operating budget, and many search and rescue team personnel operate on a volunteer basis.

However, other organizations not affiliated with the sites that may be required for rescue are allowed to charge for their services, as is the case with Sleeping Bear Dunes rescues. For that reason (and many others), it’s always best to avoid putting yourself in situations where you’re unsure of your abilities and may not be able to get back to a trailhead (or any other place of safety) on your own. Knowing a bit of backcountry safety information can go a long way.

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A ‘City of the Future’ Is Being Built Around One of the World’s Busiest Airports

One of the biggest and busiest airports in the country may soon be more than just an airport — it may be a hub for a thriving “aerotropolis.”

If you’ve ever flown into Denver International Airport, you probably know it’s not actually in downtown Denver. It’s about a 45-minute drive from the airport to downtown Denver with no traffic, or you can take a $10 train ride from the airport and reach downtown in about the same time. That means there’s lots of undeveloped land around Denver International Airport, even though it’s one of the busiest airports in the world.

But if a development plan moves forward, flying into Denver may eventually look a bit different. Instead of seeing the airport surrounded by agricultural land and empty fields, travelers may soon see an entire functioning city, with the airport smack in the middle.

An “aerotropolis” is a city built around an airport as its central hub. The Colorado Aerotropolis proposal describes it as being focused on “collaborative, responsible development,” proposing to build a center that attracts businesses that can benefit from having air transportation steps away, including “advanced manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, renewable energy and healthcare” businesses. The project is supported by area partners ranging from Adams County, Colorado, to the City of Denver and City of Aurora, among others.

There’s currently not a lot of development around Denver International Airport. Photo: Ted Alexander Somerville/Shutterstock

While that may seem boring to travelers, having development near an airport creates economic growth in the region, which can lead to airport updates and expansions that make it easier and quicker to move through the airport as a traveler. And in the short term, it means you may not be bored if you have a long layover. In other cities with similar aerotropolises, you can tour a flight museum (Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta), see the world’s largest flower auction and marketplace (Amsterdam Airport Schiphol), or hit up designer shopping outlets and stay in a luxury Fairmont hotel at Vancouver International Airport.

In interviews about the new Colorado Aerotropolis, developers pointed to other major airports with similar development models as the goal of what they hope to create in Denver. Atlanta, for example, is currently building its own aerotropolis, with plans to have a tourism center within it. And other cities around the world already have similar models. Singapore’s Changi international airport is home to the Jewel, a massive entertainment and shopping development with an on-site hotel and the famous “rain vortex,” the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. And in Munich, Germany, a growing aerotropolis outside the airport is home to not just high-tech businesses and manufacturers, but also a large shopping area, a traditional beer garden and restaurants, a mini-golf course, and more.

Singapore’s aerotropolis is one of the most famous in the world. Photo: myphotobank.com.au/Shutterstock

The futuristic mini-city is the result of a ballot initiative in Colorado in which voters agreed to open 1,500 acres around the airport to development, with the goal of creating additional tax revenue and creating jobs for cities around the Denver area. It’s a long-term project, estimated to bring in tax revenue of about $630 million to the region by 2040.

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