Matador Network's Blog, page 172
May 6, 2024
8 Storybook Thatch-Roof Cottages You Can Stay at in the English Countryside
Nothing quite captures the eccentricity of rural England like a thatch-roof cottage surrounded by grassy downs and village pubs. Crafting roofs from straw or reeds goes back donkey’s years although most of the remaining bungalows date to the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. As well as being the muse of artists, thatched roofs are kind to the environment and help regulate temperatures in all four seasons. Come rain, shine, or snow, these cozy thatched cottages are the perfect excuse for a duvet day.
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We hope you love these thatched roof Airbnbs! 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.
Quirky thatch-roof cottage in BuckinghamshirePhoto: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: AirbnbSee more photosThis Grade II listed thatched stone cottage combines traditional and contemporary elements. Heavy beams maintain warmth even in the middle of winter and a practical log burner is cocooned in the original stone fireplace. The master bedroom has a roll-top bath overlooking the vast private lawn and a dining patio. Between countless National Trust properties, Bletchley Park, Whipsnade Zoo, and Silverstone, Wing is an ideal base for a vacation in the home counties.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $310 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: AirbnbSee more photosThis idyllic Hampshire hamlet hideaway is only 50 miles from London and 15 minutes from Highclere “Downton Abbey” Castle. It sits at the end of a private lane overlooking three acres of paddocks. The property has been modernized with a contemporary kitchen and deluxe en suite bathrooms without uprooting the original timber beams. The backyard has a Wendy house for the kids and a hot tub for starlit soaks.
Seven guests, three bedrooms
Price: $273 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: AirbnbSee more photosThis bonnie 18th-century thatched cottage for couples sits amid working farmland and cider orchards most of which are at your disposal to roam. The interiors retain the house’s olde-worlde character through slate flooring and low-hanging oak beams although upgrades have brought the kitchen and bathroom into the 21st century. You’ll need your own wheels to plan day trips to Dartmoor and England’s finest beaches.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $214 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: AirbnbSee more photosThis one-of-a-kind Airbnb is one of England’s last-remaining Cotswold stone cottages with a thatched roof. It’s located in the market town of Chipping Campden from where the Cotswolds Way stretches to Bath. Highlights include an open fire and a stone kitchen plus countless nooks and crannies to investigate. Guests staying for four nights or more will receive a complimentary hamper packed with local goodies.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $368 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: AirbnbSee more photosThis adorable thatched cottage is a 30-minute drive from Dartmoor National Park and the pristine beaches of North Devon. Even better – it’s just a two-minute stroll to Chulmleigh’s gastropubs and restaurants. Parts of the home date to the 18th century while the sunroom is a welcome addition. This opens out onto a huge yard complete with a barbecue and table tennis.
Five guests, three bedrooms
Price: $161 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: AirbnbSee more photosThis teeny tiny Airbnb with a thatched roof sits within the perimeter of the New Forest National Park where ponies roam freely across the moorland. The kitchen facilities are rudimentary but between these and the barbecue, there is enough to cover basic meals. The micro-cottage is dwarfed by 1.8 acres of meadows plus a fish pond and designated areas for dogs to play off-leash.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $190 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: AirbnbSee more photosVenture to the northwest coast to one of England’s lesser-known beauty spots. This two-bedroom thatched house cottage sits on 14 acres of private property where noise disturbance is limited to chirping sparrows and hooting owls. Fishing is permitted in the lake with approval from the host. The closest pubs are less than a mile away and it’s only half an hour by train to Liverpool.
Seven guests, two bedrooms
Price: $223 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: AirbnbSee more photosThis Guest Favorite Airbnb is a stone’s throw from Kingham’s high street and what’s considered the poshest local in Britain. But don’t worry – if you forget to book a table at The Wild Rabbit you can rustle up a farmers’ tea in the AGA and feast fireside or out in the private garden. The cottage is chicly appointed with antiques and dainty crockery. The host provides a light breakfast of coffee, tea, and croissants.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $276 per night
May 3, 2024
Travelers Are Avoiding Red Luggage Due to Popular ‘hack,’ but It’s All a Lie
There’s a new travel video going around social media talking about the way bags are loaded onto planes, and it’s making some travelers say they’ll never buy red luggage again.
But one airline made it clear: the video is a total lie.
In the original video, posted on TikTok, the caption asks “do you know why red bags are loaded first?” And the answers given run the gambit, ranging from the logical (“They’re loaded first so that they can spot the last set of bags when offloading”) to the macabre (“It’s so if the plane crashes the red bags will fall out last so that it can signal to the planes that it’s there”) to the downright heartwarming (“because red is first on the rainbow.”)
@airportlife_ Boeing 737 loading!#airport #aviation #aircraft #plane #flight ♬ i like the way you kiss me – Artemas
But whatever the reason is, the conclusion viewers drew from the video was that if red bags are loaded onto the plane first, that means they’ll come out of the plane last — and thus owners of red suitcases will wait the longest at luggage carousels to get their bags. In the comments, many viewers regretted their color choices, with one viewer going so far as to say “I should have seen this video before buying my red suitcase.”
However, viewers also called out the video as incorrect, with some commenters saying they worked for airlines and would never have time to sort bags by color. But one video promptly shut down the conversation, proving without a doubt that loading bags by color never happens. And it’s from the most reputable source: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the oldest continually operating airline in the world. It was founded in 1912, so needless to say, it has plenty of data on best practices to pull from.
And it doesn’t beat around the bush. In the video, the baggage handler makes it clear: the color of your suitcase doesn’t matter one bit when it comes to loading bags.
@klm @AirportLife
KLM’s response mirrors what commenters who worked for airlines said on forums like Reddit. “110% false,” reads one comment. I worked ramp for 5 years. If we had taken the time and brain power to load bags based on color I’d still be loading flights from 2015.”
So what does determine the order in which your luggage is loaded? The answer is complicated, and depends on factors like the airline and the airport. But having red luggage won’t change the speed with which your bag comes out. As it turns out, most airlines use a fairly logical system, loading bags belonging to passengers with tight connections last, so they come off first. At some airports, all luggage gets sent to a central area, where it’s scanned and sent either to the pick-up carousel or the next flight. At others, luggage belonging to passengers with short connections may bypass the middle step entirely, going straight from one plane to the next one. It just depends on the airport and airline.
Your bag’s durability is probably far more important than its color. Photo: Maurizio Milanesio/Shutterstock
This doesn’t mean your bag won’t ever miss your connection, but it does reduce the chance of it happening (though many airlines will give you compensation if your bag is late, too). Whether you’re traveling with just a carry-on or do plan on checking a bag, more important than the color may be the durability. As you can see from the video, bags get stacked on top of one another, bumped around, and roughly moved between conveyer belts and stowage compartments. So if you’re getting new luggage, you may want to prioritize luggage that’s been put through the wringer during testing more than anything else.
More like thisAirports + FlyingFlight Attendants Explain Why Airline Dress Codes for Passengers Exist
Need new luggage (red or otherwise)? Check out Matador’s tested recommendations: How This Hardshell Roller Got Me to Switch From My Carry-On Backpack Lifestyle This Luxury Suitcase Is Made From Airplane-Grade Aluminum Away’s Carry-On Luggage Is the Best Roller Case For Your Money This Luggage Has the World’s Best Features, and It’s Currently on Sale These Two Genius Bags Replaced the Four Camera Bags I Used to Carry Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L Is the Best Travel Backpack for Your Money
The Red Luggage Travel ‘hack’ Is a Complete Lie
There’s a new travel video going around social media talking about the way bags are loaded onto planes, and it’s making some travelers say they’ll never buy red luggage again.
But one airline made it clear: the video is a total lie.
In the original video, posted on TikTok, the caption asks “do you know why red bags are loaded first?” And the answers given run the gambit, ranging from the logical (“They’re loaded first so that they can spot the last set of bags when offloading”) to the macabre (“It’s so if the plane crashes the red bags will fall out last so that it can signal to the planes that it’s there”) to the downright heartwarming (“because red is first on the rainbow.”)
@airportlife_ Boeing 737 loading!
But whatever the reason is, the conclusion viewers drew from the video was that if red bags are loaded onto the plane first, that means they’ll come out of the plane last — and thus owners of red suitcases will wait the longest at luggage carousels to get their bags. In the comments, many viewers regretted their color choices, with one viewer going so far as to say “I should have seen this video before buying my red suitcase.”
However, viewers also called out the video as incorrect, with some commenters saying they worked for airlines and would never have time to sort bags by color. But one video promptly shut down the conversation, proving without a doubt that loading bags by color never happens. And it’s from the most reputable source: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the oldest continually operating airline in the world. It was founded in 1912, so needless to say, it has plenty of data on best practices to pull from.
And it doesn’t beat around the bush. In the video, the baggage handler makes it clear: the color of your suitcase doesn’t matter one bit when it comes to loading bags.
@klm @AirportLife
KLM’s response mirrors what commenters who worked for airlines said on forums like Reddit. “110% false,” reads one comment. I worked ramp for 5 years. If we had taken the time and brain power to load bags based on color I’d still be loading flights from 2015.”
So what does determine the order in which your luggage is loaded? The answer is complicated, and depends on factors like the airline and the airport. But having red luggage won’t change the speed with which your bag comes out. As it turns out, most airlines use a fairly logical system, loading bags belonging to passengers with tight connections last, so they come off first. At some airports, all luggage gets sent to a central area, where it’s scanned and sent either to the pick-up carousel or the next flight. At others, luggage belonging to passengers with short connections may bypass the middle step entirely, going straight from one plane to the next one. It just depends on the airport and airline.
Your bag’s durability is probably far more important than its color. Photo: Maurizio Milanesio/Shutterstock
This doesn’t mean your bag won’t ever miss your connection, but it does reduce the chance of it happening (though many airlines will give you compensation if your bag is late, too). Whether you’re traveling with just a carry-on or do plan on checking a bag, more important than the color may be the durability. As you can see from the video, bags get stacked on top of one another, bumped around, and roughly moved between conveyer belts and stowage compartments. So if you’re getting new luggage, you may want to prioritize luggage that’s been put through the wringer during testing more than anything else.
More like thisAirports + FlyingFlight Attendants Explain Why Airline Dress Codes for Passengers Exist
Need new luggage (red or otherwise)? Check out Matador’s tested recommendations: How This Hardshell Roller Got Me to Switch From My Carry-On Backpack Lifestyle This Luxury Suitcase Is Made From Airplane-Grade Aluminum Away’s Carry-On Luggage Is the Best Roller Case For Your Money This Luggage Has the World’s Best Features, and It’s Currently on Sale These Two Genius Bags Replaced the Four Camera Bags I Used to Carry Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L Is the Best Travel Backpack for Your Money
I Wore This Shirt and Hoodie at My Sweatiest. Yet, They Never Stank.
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.
Everyone sweats. There should be no shame associated with the fact that your body, like everyone else’s, perspires. Sweating allows your body to maintain an appropriate temperature by cooling down your skin, therefore it’s essential for your proper functioning — especially now that the world is heating up at an alarming rate. The only problem with perspiration is that is tends to smell bad. Of course, antiperspirant, meant to prevent sweating, and deodorants, used to help mask the odor of sweat, work to a certain extent, but it can take a lifetime to find the one product that works perfectly for you, if that even exists. What I have discovered, however, is that certain clothing can help. Specifically, Merino wool clothing.
At 38 years of age, I’m still looking for the antiperspirant or deodorant that will work for me. That may be because I’m shopping at the local health store in order to avoid supposedly bad-for-you ingredients such as parabens, triclosan, phthalates, propylene glycol, and aluminum. While I shower and apply my granola deodorant daily, the fact that I walk between three and six miles every day, and bike, garden, exersize, and hike regularly, means that I’m sweating, and eventually stinking. It’s nothing a quick shower and a change of clothes can’t fix, but before that can happen, the situation can be embarrassing. I have tried several types of anti-sweat shirts in the past, with various levels of satisfaction, but I have hit the jackpot with Ibex’s Merino wool clothing.
Earlier this year, I was gifted two Ibex Merino wool clothing items: the 24-hour Short Sleeve Low Crew and the Shak Hoodie. On Ibex’s website, all of these items promise to have “odor-control” or “antimicrobial” virtues that allow users to wash them less often.
I decided to put the 24-hour Short Sleeve Low Crew and the Shak Hoodie to a long-term sweat experiment to test out the brand’s promises: I wore them in both extremely sweaty and social situations for weeks without washing them once. You can call me a dirtbag, but I like to think of myself as a very thorough reviewer.
Ibex’s Shak Hoodie
Photo: Natasha Hall
Thumb holes on Ibex's Shak Hoodie. Photo: Natasha Hall
Zippered pockets and the two-way frontal zipper on the Shak Hoodie. Photo: Natasha HallI started by wearing the Shak Hoodie daily from the day I received it, i.e. February 14, 2024. I decided that, for the purpose of this experiment, I would wear it daily, but not necessarily all day, every day. For example, I wore it in the morning after getting out of bed and before my shower, during my work day at home to stay warm, to go on my daily walks, to bike, to cover up after aerobic classes, to garden, to meet friends at the café, etc. In the nearly three months of my acquiring the hoodie, I washed it once. And that was six days ago, i.e. April 26, 2024. Before stuffing it in the washing machine, I sniffed all the areas that should be stinking after such a long usage, and I can attest that there there was no hint of body odor. The only reason I washed it was to test out how this 100-percent Merino wool garment reacted to being machine-washed on a regular cold cycle. The answer is: It did not shrink, nor did it lose its color, lose its shape, or change textures. It remained exactly the same.
What I like about Ibex’s Shak Hoodie beside the fact that it’s stink-freeWhile the antimicrobial quality of the Shak Hoodie is its best asset, it’s not its only great feature:
This hoodie keeps you warm by virtue of the fact that it’s made of Merino wool, but also thanks to clever design elements like its high neck that can be zipped all the way, and its thumb holes that prevent any drafts from coming in.The zippered pocket, which are not only practical to keep your hands warm but also to keep all your belongings safe.Despite being made entirely of wool, the Shak Hoodie is very flexible and does not get in the way of movements, no matter what you’re doing. It’s made of wool, but it’s not itchy.It’s extremely good quality. After extensive use, I can’t find any stray stiches or areas that have stretched out or lost their shape.It’s true to size.The choice of colors that Ibex offers for this hoodie may be limited but they are true to what you see on the website. I picked the color Sitka and it’s exactly what I expected it to be.Ibex’s 24-hour Short Sleeve Low Crew
Photo: Natasha Hall
Much like with the Shak Hoodie, I wore the 24-hour Short Sleeve Low Crew shirt for weeks without washing it. But I upped the antes by wearing it in super sweaty situations like step classes, uphill bike rides, hikes, and heavy-duty gardening in the sun, as well as in social settings with a pair of jeans. While I did not wear it daily, I wore it at least three times per week in a variety of situations from March 8, 2024, to April 26, 2024, when I stuck it in the wash with the Shak Hoodie. It seems inconceivable that this shirt, which was in direct contact with my skin for so long, would not stink after what I put it through, but it did not. Not even a little bit. The fact is I couldn’t even smell my deodorant on it. Ibex delivers on its promises — and some.
What I like about Ibex’s 24-hour Short Sleeve Low Crew apart from its odor-free featureBecause I’m busty, I wish the neck line of this shirt was a little lower for it to look less boxy and more flattering. Apart from this one design element, the 24-hour Short Sleeve Low Crew has some great assets:
It’s not ichy or stiff despite being 100 percent made of wool.It dries very fast after a sweaty session, never leaving you cold.It’s true to size.It has no tags or labels that could itch or create discomfort. Instead, the information for the shirt is printed on the inside.Like for the Shak Hoodie, the choice of colors is restricted but the ones available are rich and beautiful. I chose the color tobacco, which is very much like a mustard yellow, and it looks exactly like what is displayed on the website.More like thisTechnology + GearThe Best Sun Protection Shirts Our Editors Tested for Summer Adventures
Take the Train Between These Two South Florida Cities for a Car-Free Seaside Escape
South Florida hosts abundant outdoor fun and active adventures. That’s in addition to its notably vibrant nightlife scenes, consistently sunny skies, and seemingly endless beach destinations. Thing is, I-95 can be a nightmare of congestion and parking is rarely free near the beach. For those who don’t want to be tied to a rental car during their getaway, Florida’s Tri Rail train service takes travelers from Miami to West Palm Beach and makes stops in many spots along the way. Here’s how to plan an epic vacation in two major SoFla cities — Fort Lauderdale and Delray Beach — two walkable destinations with reliable public transit-equipped, sans car.
Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.
Start your journey in Fort Lauderdale — a city known for the arts, shopping, and dining
Photo: Jillian Kain Photography/Shutterstock
The Fort Lauderdale and Delray Beach areas are easy to navigate even without your own automobile wheels. If it’s too far to walk, use the circuit service in Fort Lauderdale and the Freebee service in Delray Beach. Both on-demand app-based services will get you around town at a lower cost than a rideshare service.
Sailing through Fort Lauderdale’s 300 miles of waterways and canals via the city’s Water Taxi Service from 10 AM through 10 PM daily is a relaxing, unique way to explore the city from a beautiful setting. The captains and crew onboard operate like tour guides, offering insider local insight into the area while you’re gliding along the water (and many of these highlighted sights can only be seen by boat!).
These covered boats arrive approximately every 35 to 45 minutes at each stop, traveling northbound and southbound between 20 stops in the city — including popular destinations like the shops and restaurants on Las Olas Boulevard, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, and a few waterfront bars and restaurants perfect for a sunset dining and drinking experience. Choose between a few ticket pass types, including the full-day pass for $40, a reduced-price evening pass, and the multi-day pass.
Wander down Las Olas Boulevard, an east-west running street that runs all the way to the beach and serves as one of the most popular shopping and dining districts in Fort Lauderdale. This palm-tree-lined street and promenade is very walkable, making it a great place to spend an afternoon stopping into shops and exploring on foot. Stop into one of the cute fashion boutiques or grab a bite at one of the bustling sidewalk cafes. Admire the artwork at one of the local galleries, or grab a drink in one of the buzzy bars.
Photo: Darryl Brooks/Shutterstock
For an unparalleled wellness experience, the 4,000-square-foot Conrad Spa at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach. The standout personalized service alone might be enough reason to embark on a restorative journey here — but the deliciously recharging treatments certainly make it worth spending an afternoon indulging in self-care.
Visitors can choose from various treatments, from body wraps to facials, massages, couples treatments, and nail services inspired by the natural elements in the oceanfront environment. Pre- and post-treatment, use the locker room area’s rainfall showers and steam rooms. There’s also an indoor relaxation lounge with fresh, healthy snacks and drinks (including bubbly). While on-site, spa guests can also enjoy the resort’s amenities like the pool, hot tubs, and high-tech fitness center.
Outdoor adventure lovers – or those seeking a serene escape – should visit Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (known informally as Fort Lauderdale’s “Central Park”), which is located steps away from the beach and a great place to hike, bike, fish, kayak, or just sit down and relax in the fresh air with a picnic. It’s even accessible via the water taxi service.
For some insight into the area’s history, visit Bonnet House Museum & Gardens tucked away along Fort Lauderdale Beach along the miles of modern-day beachfront development. Across more than 35 acres of breathtaking natural beauty, visitors can embark on a self-guided or guided tour of the property, which includes the main house, outdoor spaces, and grounds showcasing the distinguished albeit mysterious Bartlett family’s history and eclectic belongings — including prized artwork like paintings, sculptures, and floral collections.
Where to dine in Fort Lauderdale
Photo: Felix Mizioznikov /Shutterstock
Grab a coffee and a pastry at the Instagrammable Ann’s Florist & Coffee Bar, and wander around inside, admiring the adorable floral-themed goodies and beautiful bouquets at the on-site shop. Be sure to try out the “sparkling wine vending machine” for a special and fun experience.
At Louie Bossi’s Ristorante Bar Pizzeria on Las Olas, dive into one of the in-house, daily-made pasta dishes, bread, gelato, pastries, or cookies. If the weather is nice, grab a seat on the back patio, bursting with fresh flowers and surrounded by exposed brick facades, making the dining experience feel like a real trip to Italy.
For upscale Italian fare in a breezy, elegant environment, stop by Vitolo at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, which aims to blend old-world culinary traditions with a modern South Florida spirit. This ocean-adjacent restaurant serves a range of exquisite dishes like fresh burrata, pizza, and seafood in a setting that’s extremely accommodating of dietary restrictions. If the weather is nice, try to get a spot on the outdoor Terrazza, which encapsulates an atmosphere reminiscent of a rustic Roman trattoria adorned with design touches like lush lemon trees and antique wine barrels.
Olive & Sea is a tasty, water-taxi-accessible rooftop restaurant serving fresh Mediterranean cuisine overlooking the Intracoastal waterways. It can be a great place to pop in for a happy hour drink or sunset cocktail, weekend brunch, romantic dinner, or any outing paired with an impressive backdrop of panoramic water views.
Photo: Brian Logan Photography/Shutterstock
Fort Lauderdale nightlifeWind down after a night out (or amp yourself up for a night on the town) with a craft cocktail in Room 901 at the Hyatt Centric Las Olas. This reservations-only speakeasy-style bar is unmarked, which helps to create an exclusive atmosphere inside. It’s nestled into a corner of the ninth floor at the Hyatt Centric Las Olas hotel and feels like taking a step back in time. Vintage decor and dim lighting set a sultry mood in an intimate space where guests will enjoy an experience featuring highly personalized service via a private bartender. Choose from a specially curated menu of light bites and a lineup of hand-crafted signature cocktails for an unforgettable experience in one of the trendiest destinations in the city.
Visit Spinnaker After Dark at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach (even during the daytime) for a handmade craft cocktail with a stunning view of the Intracoastal Waterways and the Atlantic Ocean in a laid-back setting. It’s a great spot to grab a happy hour drink and watch the sunset.
For buzzy rooftop vibes, visit Rooftop @1wlo, where visitors can admire sights of the Fort Lauderdale skyline in a lush setting in a spirited atmosphere above Las Olas Boulevard. The open-air patio setting features eclectic lounge and bar seating and has been described as feeling like “a garden in the sky” with its lush decor and vivacious atmosphere. It’s a vibrant destination to grab a bite or a drink and people-watch.
Spend the night at the W Fort Lauderdale
Photo: Diamond PR
Photo: Diamond PR
Photo: Sobe Vegan
Photos: Olivia HardenThe luxurious and trendy 440-room (100% of which offer water views) W Fort Lauderdale is lively and fun — but not overzealous. It’s set in a great location just a few steps from the beach. The building itself appears to mimic the appearance of a ship’s sail, and there are other subtle design touches on-site that also pay homage to its beachy location, like the blue and white wavy carpeting in the guest rooms, which appears to mimic the movement of the ocean below your feet.
Visitors will check in at the fourth-floor lobby, which is dubbed “The Living Room” by W brand standards (and it does feel more like a friend’s eccentric living room than a traditional hotel lobby) and boasts a bar helmed by friendly bartenders serving traditional cocktails and bites with a South Florida twist.
There are two pools on the property. “WET East” is perched on the roof facing the ocean, featuring transparent pool walls and a menu of delightful vacation cocktails set to the sounds of DJs spinning on weekends in a “high-energy sunbathing mecca” that’s fun for any age. And across the property, “WET West” feels like a more serene and secluded sun-soaked oasis with Intracoastal waterway views and an infinity-edge hot tub.
Amenities included in the price of an overnight stay include access to W-branded bike rentals to explore beyond the hotel (for those who want to leave, that is), access to the bright and clean fitness center, and complimentary admittance to the daily beachfront fitness classes like sunrise beach yoga or Bootcamp.
The hotel’s on-site spa, AWAY Spa, is a vibrant respite from the sun and offers wellness experiences ranging from traditional massages to the “Quick Fix” menu of offerings like a 10-minute neck, back and shoulder massage or a 15-minute eye brightening facial touch-up. There’s also a full “glam station” for those seeking a professional hair and makeup session.
The property feels more like a hip art gallery or museum than a hotel, with its numerous art installations scattered throughout the common spaces, including eye-opening sculptures, thought-provoking paintings, and tantalizing interior design visuals. It’s a Fort Lauderdale experience in and of itself.
Taking the train to Delray Beach
Photo: Microfile.org/Shutterstock
Travelers can use the Tri-Rail to explore nearly 74 miles between Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties for an affordable rate. The trains are air-conditioned, double-decker cars, and most Tri-Rail trains are even equipped with one dedicated bicycle car per train set. Trains arrive every 30 minutes during weekday peak hours and 60 minutes off-peak, including weekends and holidays. On weekends, tickets cost a discounted flat fare of just $5 for a whole day of unlimited use in any direction. On weekdays, it’s $3.75 for a one-way fare between these two cities. It’s a seamless, five-stop, 30-minute Tri-Rail train ride to the Delray Beach station from the Fort Lauderdale station.
What to do in Delray BeachThis vibrant, artsy South Florida city sits halfway between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Delray offers a smaller, more intimate community-feeling vibe than its larger city counterparts — but still boasts ample entertainment and adventure opportunities enjoyed in larger cities.
Visitors will encounter residents and tourists of all ages and backgrounds. There is no shortage of trendy spots here to dine, drink, relax, play, and explore — from the bustling downtown area known for its galleries and buzzy nightlife to the relaxing beaches with clean air, sand, and salty seas.
Photo courtesy Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority
Stroll down Atlantic Avenue, the city’s main drag, boasting shops, restaurants, art galleries, and bars. Soak up the sunshine on the beach, or walk the paved pathway that parallels the sandy shoreline and showcases sights of the sparkling ocean. Delray Beach is also known for its bustling art scene, brimming with charming art galleries featuring the works of local and international artists.
History buffs and pinball fanatics should check out Silverball Retro Arcade — a retro pinball museum featuring over 100 classic pinball machines and arcade games like Skee Ball, free to play once on-site.
Visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens and take a guided tour, or stroll solo along the meandering pathways through the 16 acres divided into six vibrant gardens inspired by traditional Japanese design. It’s gorgeous — and a unique opportunity to become immersed in Japanese history and culture through exploring the grounds or participating in a traditional tea ceremony.
Dining and nightlife in Delray Beach
Photo courtesy Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority
Delray Beach has many interesting spots to grab a bite, from fresh seafood to unique international cuisine options. Stop into the City Oyster & Sushi Bar waterfront restaurant for a fresh sushi and seafood lineup. For more waterside views, visit Deck 84 — a casual but elegant eatery set by the Intracoastal Waterway serving “classic American fare with a coastal twist,” with great happy hour specials and frequent live music.
Those seeking somewhere hip and artsy should visit Dada, set inside a historic house dating back to 1924. Admire the eclectic vintage decor and dine on global dishes in what’s self-described as a “nonconformist setting.” The bohemian vibes extend outside to the property’s beautiful open patio and lawn space — grab a table in the fresh air if the weather’s nice because it’s a great spot for people-watching.
When the sun goes down, Delray’s nightlife scene heats up. Grab a drink and try something new at The Wine Room Kitchen and Bar. This tasting hall-style outpost offers visitors the opportunity to explore and diversify their palette over a variety of varietals without committing to an entire glass or bottle. The self-serving mechanism is stocked with a constantly rotating selection of nearly 200 wines — doling out tastings in 1 oz, 2.5 oz, or 5 oz pour sizes. Visitors can grab a glass and pair it with one of the global cheeses and charcuterie boards on-site, expertly curated by international cheese expert (and James Beard Award-winner) Max McCalman.
For an active and fun social outing, visit THRōW Social — an Instagrammable, vibrantly flamingo-pink-themed lounge and bar space that feels like something straight out of a movie set. Cheeky decor, including faux-grass walls, neon signs with saucy phrases, and jungle-themed wallpaper, make this spot a buzzy space to hang out with friends for many hours. The outdoor courtyard space has a similar, spirited vibe with a retractable roof for shade and an abundance of games (think: axe-throwing, adult-sized Jenga, cornhole, and more).
There’s a fun cocktail menu with plenty of choices, but the crowd favorite is called a “Patrón Tree” and is exactly what it sounds like — four different flavored margaritas served by way of miniature Patrón bottles in a tree-like, tower-shaped structure.
For relaxation, visit the 8,000-square-foot, award-winning spa at The Seagate Hotel & Spa for a rejuvenating experience like a massage, facial, or body treatment. Plus, spa guests are granted all-day access to the pool, steam room, tranquility room, whirlpool, pool bar, and on-site fitness center.
Spend the night at The Ray
Photo courtesy The Ray
Photo courtesy The Ray
Photo courtesy The Ray
Photo courtesy The RayThe Ray Hotel Delray Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton is known by both locals and visitors to be a trendy and spirited spot to spend time in Delray Beach. Featuring a modern design inspired by the hotel’s boisterous and artsy surroundings in the Pineapple District of downtown Delray, it feels modern and grown-up — but with an inkling of naughtiness felt in the atmosphere.
It’s just a mile from the beach and two blocks from Atlantic Avenue, the city’s bustling primary road. With just 141 rooms, there’s an intimate vibe on-site immediately felt upon strolling off the street into the airy lobby, whic is decorated with lush plans, golden lighting, and tropical, bohemian-feeling furniture.
Don’t miss the 22,000-square-foot rooftop pool deck, which features an upscale bar and restaurant, or the impressive fitness center, equipped with plenty of cardio and weights equipment to keep in shape while on the road.
There are two on-site restaurants, a lobby bar, and a coffee shop — and additional amenities like a golf cart transportation service, complimentary beach loungers, hotel bikes, and rentable surfboards and paddle board equipment for guests.
Rooms at The Ray are bright and airy, boasting sunbathed balconies or terrace spaces for relaxing in the fresh air. Roms are outfitted with upscale design features like handwoven rugs, elegant glass furnishings, and vivid wall art. Overall, it’s an upscale and zesty place to spend a night or enjoy a drink or dinner in Delray Beach.
Or, those searching for somewhere more “home-like” to set as a home base can book a stay at Crane’s Beach House — a charming boutique property just steps from the beach that features house-style suites and villas. Guest accommodations here include fully equipped kitchens, separate bedrooms and living rooms, patios or balconies, a separate dining room area, and a lushly landscaped outdoor garden. It’s a great spot for longer stays and those seeking a kitchen to cook in.
May 2, 2024
Disney World Becomes the First US Theme Park With a Michelin-Starred Restaurant
Victoria & Albert’s, within Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, just became the first restaurant owned and operated by a US theme park to be awarded a Michelin star.
The dining experience transcends everything you’d expect from a typical theme park restaurant, offering an intimate and unparalleled foray into the world of fine dining. It’s fast becoming one of the hardest reservations to snag, not only in Florida but in the US at large.
The lavish dining room. Photo: Walt Disney World
The dining room’s decor embraces timeless elegance, drawing inspiration from the Victorian era. The walls, adorned with soft hues of gray and gold, provide a serene backdrop for the meticulously curated artwork, each piece chosen to complement the overall ambiance of refined luxury. Overhead, a grand rotunda dome bathes the space in a warm glow.
Victoria and Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Photo: Walt Disney World
Chef de cuisine Matthew Sowers has curated a multi-course tasting menu that celebrates contemporary American cuisine with a global influence. Each dish is a symphony of seasonal ingredients, prepared with meticulous technique and presented with artistry. Sowers has spent nearly 20 years working at the restaurant.
Head sommelier Israel Perez has also dedicated over two decades to the establishment. His wine list, with a collection of over 500 wines from 35 regions, offers a sommelier-guided journey through diverse varietals and vintages that perfectly complement the tasting menus.
“Just like a dance, there are many tiny steps that come naturally after years of dedication. Everything is done with purpose, and it is beautiful when the tempo is perfect,” says Perez at the awards ceremony.
Wagyu A-5 Miyazaki with potato rosti and romesco. Photo: Walt Disney World
Chef preparing a dish at Victoria and Albert's. Photo: Walt Disney World
Spectrum of Chocolate, an ombré delight featuring specialty sourced chocolates with accents of vanilla, Champagne, and Grand Marnier. Photo: Walt Disney World
Guajillo Spice cocktail. Photo: Walt Disney WorldDrawing on influences from Asia to the Nordics, there are two tasting menus to choose from, a seven-course and a nine-course, from $295. Wine pairings start at $115. Each menu showcases Sowers’ masterful creativity. The second adds two main courses, offering an even more comprehensive exploration of Sowers’ culinary repertoire. This menu pushes the boundaries of flavor and technique, showcasing the chef’s ability to blend global influences with American ingenuity. It is a true chef’s table experience.
John Berko, director of food and beverage for Walt Disney World Resorts, Executive Chef Kevin Chong, Chef de Cuisine Matthew Sowers, Culinary Director Scott Hunnel and Sommelier Israel Perez, maître d’hotel at Michelin star ceremony, Tampa. Photo: Walt Disney World
“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by Michelin for the innovative dining experience our team brings to life here at Victoria & Albert’s,” says Sowers. Sowers praised everyone working at the establishment, recognizing that the star is very much a team effort.
Victoria & Albert’s has a strict dress code. Guests are expected to dine in semi-formal to formal attire, and children under the age of 10 are not permitted in the dining room. Many Disney resorts offer babysitting services which can be booked in advance.
The World’s Biggest Naked Cruise Returns in 2025
For most people, a vacation is a change to shed the stress and challenges of everyday life for a while. But for roughly 2,300 people in February of 2025, a vacation will be a chance to shed something else: clothing.
The cruise, called “The Big Nude Boat,” is the latest offering from Bare Necessities, a company that charters nude cruises around the world. The 2025 Big Nude Boat sailing runs from February 3 to February 14, departing from Miami, Florida, and making stops in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Dominica, Martinique, and St. Lucia. The cruise will be aboard the Norwegian Pearl, owned and operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines but chartered by Bare Necessities.
The Big Nude Boat cruise will be onboard the Norwegian Pearl, but guests will need to be dressed when the ship is in port. Photo: Wangkun Jia/Shutterstock
If the idea of heading out on a naked cruise seems a bit too much like something from a rated-R movie, think again. Bare Necessities hosts only “naturist” cruises — cruises meant for people who prefer socializing and living in the nude in a completely non-sexual way. That’s opposed to “lifestyle,” or swingers cruises, meant more for people who associate nudity with intimate or flirtatious behavior.
In fact, The Big Nude Boat has strict rules against anything that could make fellow passengers uncomfortable, clothed or not. Naturally, “fondling or inappropriate touching of personal body parts or those of someone else” is completely off limits. Other no-go behaviors include taking photos of anyone (dressed or otherwise) without their permission, doing anything dangerous or rude to other guests, or wearing “lingerie, fetish-wear, [or] excessive genital jewelry.”
Cruise-goers on the naked cruise need to follow other rules related to decorum and hygiene, too. While on board, cruisers must be dressed in the dining rooms and sit on a towel everywhere on board (including staterooms), rather than putting bare bottoms on shared surfaces. And the nudity only extends so far. While cruisers can be completely nude on “at sea” days, when anchored in port, or on a few select excursions, guests need to be dressed while the ship is docked at ports, and on any of the traditional excursions. Nudity is also not allowed on the cruise shuttles or while port authorities are on board.
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Pricing for the naked cruise is only slightly more expensive than what you’d pay for a standard cruise of a similar length on the Norwegian Pearl. The Big Nude Boat starts at $2,000 per person for an inside cabin, while a 14-day cruise with similar destinations through Norwegian starts around $1,800 with taxes and fees.
While the Big Nude Boat is the world’s biggest naked cruise — the Norwegian Pearl is nearly 1,000 feet long with a crew of 1,100 — it’s not the only option for naturists from Bare Necessities. Also coming up are smaller cruises through Greece and Vanuatu, though each sailing is capped at around 220 guests. Nudists looking for a more intimacy-focused naked cruise may want to consider options from a company like Lifestyle Cruises (slogan: “Surrender Yer Booty.”) No matter what cruise you pick, don’t forget your ocean-safe sunscreen.
The Inland Empire Is California’s Underrated Outdoor Adventure Hotspot
Tucked away in the southeast corner of California are 27,000 square miles of overshadowed land that other states would tout as their main adventure destination. There is no debate that California reigns supreme as the outdoor adventure hub in the lower 48, so it’s no wonder that places get overlooked, but this neglected adventure hotspot, claiming 16% of California’s landmass, is home to rock climbing, skiing, National Parks, glamping, kayaking, hot springs, boating, hiking, fishing, desert bathing, photography, off-roading… Feel free to catch your breath and process that shortlist of what the Inland Empire offers its visitors.
Planning an outdoor adventure road trip around the Inland EmpireThe eastern boundary of this massive swath of land stretches from Riverside in the northwest to Temecula in the southwest. Drawing two straight lines across the map eastward until you run into the state borders of Nevada and Arizona, you now have the boundaries of the Inland Empire. Within this landscape, there are 13 endangered animals, two mountain ranges, a very salty lake, a couple of forests, two deserts, and countless Joshua Trees lining the dirt backroads. The Inland Empire is overwhelmingly big —
so, where do you start?
Photo: Dalton Johnson
When picking flights, snag yourself a window seat to gawk at the Pacific Ocean as you fly over Los Angeles into “the” Ontario airport. Now that you are in Southern California it’s time you learn a little bit of the local lingo. You’ll start to pick up on the overuse of “the”; the highway number, the hotel name, the rock climbing spot, etc. Head to your preferred car rental and grab your road-tripping vehicle. Make sure to select a capable ride that also has decent mileage so you can explore the Inland Empire without breaking the bank.
From the Ontario airport, stay your first night in the outskirts of Riverside so you can wake up early and hike San Gorgonio Peak, the highest point of the Inland Empire and Southern California.
Tips for a great hike up San Gorgonio Peak:
Mentally prepare for a long day, 18 miles round trip, and 5,000 feet of vertical gainPack at least two liters of water and snacksIf you are feeling ambitious, try to reach the summit for sunrise for 360-degree views of the LA area. You can backpack in the area if you can snag a permit, which allows you enough time to watch the sunset from the summit.Use sunscreen, it’s easy to get sunburnt here even on cloudy daysI haven’t seen the big bear, but the lake is dreamy
Photo: NikTheMechanic/Shutterstock
Once you have had enough city life and are ready to escape to a mountain paradise, hop on the 215 to the 18 for fifty miles to reach Big Bear. This dreamy lake destination in the Inland Empire got its name from a grizzly bear population that was eradicated in 1845 and is now home to a small, and typically unseen, black bear population. Big Bear has boomed in popularity extending beyond ski season into summer. During the summer months, Big Bear is a destination lake for residents around the Los Angeles area to escape the heat and cool off while splashing around in kayaks, fishing, or stand-up paddleboarding.
While many recognize Big Bear for the skiing and lake access, Big Bear offers hikes that overlook the evergreen landscape surrounding the azure lake leaving you with a visceral feeling, especially at sunrise or sunset. So, pack your boots and camera, because, who knows, you might be lucky enough to spot one of the black bears eating berries or a cotton candy sunset. Several of the hikes around Big Bear are in the 30-minute to 2-hour range, so you can easily stack a few hikes into a single day. If you are in search of a Big Bear experience different than most, come during the shoulder season. During autumn and spring, Big Bear has fewer visitors and is often filled with colors from either spring flowers or fall foliage.
A few places around Big Bear you don’t want to miss:
Pine Knot should be on your beach list and the perfect spot for a kayak. You can rent kayaks around town or head to the marina so you do not have to fumble around with transporting a kayak in your rental car.For a stellar hike, the 2.7 miles out and back on Castle Rock Trail offers a grand view of the lake and surrounding area.Rock climbers head to Castle Rock to test your trad placements or Holcomb Valley Pinnacles to clip some boltsWhere to stay: Big Bear is more developed than the rest of this road trip and boondocking isn’t advised. Make sure to book your campsite next to the lake well in advance or find a cute cabin in the woods.The place where two deserts meet
Photo: Dalton Johnson
The Inland Empire is home to two deserts, the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. To properly experience both tack some miles onto the odometer and drive a loop around the northeast region of the Inland Empire. Throughout this loop, you can visit the southern parts of Death Valley National Park, folic in vast desert landscapes without another soul around, camp for free under the stars on BLM land, hike in the Mojave National Preserve, and wander the lands where a giant sloth used to roam, Joshua Tree National Park. If you go clockwise through the desert, you’ll surely be a little bit tired, so before your head nods while you drive, snag a coffee at Joshua Tree Coffee Roasters and head into the national park for some adventure.
Joshua Tree National Park contains the convergence of both deserts which can be seen along with Joshua trees and the Cholla Garden. At first glance, Joshua Tree appears to be extraterrestrial, but it’s full of rock climbers, highliners, hikers, influencers, van lifers, gray nomads, and road trippers. It’s also an epic place for stargazing. This mix of granite mounds and desert attracts all kinds of humans from a wide breadth of backgrounds. So, if you are looking for a stellar adventure in the place where two deserts meet, make sure to stop in at Joshua Tree.
Note: If you are familiar with California deserts, you would refer to the Sonoran Desert of California as the Colorado Desert, a specific sub-desert of the Sonoran.Coachella Valley is not only for festivals
Photo: Felipe Sanchez/Shutterstock
While Coachella attracts a crowd ready to dance and Stagecoach brings the cowboys and cowgirls, Coachella Valley offers way more adventure than it does festival life. Maybe hard to believe, but the warm weather of Coachella Valley is another massive area that contains Palm Springs, an endangered family of big horn sheep, the northern section of the Salton Sea, and the rock climbing have Lynn Hill claimed as “her favorite climbing place” the Tahquitz mountains. So, you can believe this is an ideal spot to winter over while the rest of California’s outdoor destinations are under snow.
What to do in Coachella Valley:
Find and photograph the Bighorn sheep, they are typically spotted around the winding hill climb of Highway 74 to Coachella Valley VistaIf golf is your thing, Coachella Valley is home to 124 courses, so don’t forget to pack your clubs and polo shirtRock climbers can cut their teeth in Lynn Hill’s favorite stomping grounds, TahquitzWhere to stay: When in Coachella Valley park your van at Caliente Springs Resort for a night of hot spring soaking and warm showers to clean up before you head back to the city to finish your tripCheck out Matador’s guides to hiking in the Coachella Valley and the best hotels in Coachella ValleyDon’t forget to look up at night
Photo: kesterhu/Shutterstock
As you leave the Los Angeles area behind, be sure to look up at night. If you have a clear night, your eyes will adjust and the city glow will fade into the Milky Way. Stretching across the night sky throughout the Inland Empire, the night sky is a main attraction for astrophotographers and city slickers looking to set their eyes on Orion, Cassiopeia, Ursa Major, and so many more constellations residing in the northern hemisphere skies.
Tips for capturing astrophotography:
Find a spot far from light pollution that ideally has rock formations you can stand onBring a tripod and mirrorless camera or use a current iPhone with night modeFind the Milky Way core, this changes throughout the yearSnap photos by trial and error, try different landscapes and anglesAttempt to put a person in the frame, hence the first tip, make sure they hold steadyWhere to stay: Throughout this road trip, access to free camping on BLM Land is omnipresent. Your best bet for up-to-date information is to download iOverlander and head to the nearest spot. Pro tip, download your maps to the locations so you can access them offlineMore like thisWineFor an Epic Southern California Wine Weekend, Look to the Inland EmpirePeak Baggers Take Note: Colorado’s Famous 14ers Just Got Shorter
For many mountaineers, summiting the tallest peaks is the ultimate badge of honor. In several states, that means tackling 14ers, a term used to describe mountain peaks higher than 14,000 feet. Peak bagging, as the activity of chasing those great heights is called, is especially popular in Colorado, whose 50-plus 14ers number more than any other state. But a new study by researchers at the National Geodetic Survey just shrunk Colorado’s highest peaks.
The study, published in the Journal of Geodesy, set out to analyze the current summit elevations of Colorado’s 14ers using two types of data: Light Detection and Ranging (LiDar), which uses remote sensing to evaluate the Earth’s surface, and geoid models, which measures elevation based on sea levels. The takeaway? In general, the summits of Colorado’s famous 14ers are more than five feet shorter than they were once recorded to be.
There are two reasons for this: For one, environmental changes such as rising sea levels are impacting mountain elevations. But the researchers also found that the original estimates for Colorado’s peaks, which dates back to the 1950s, were about three feet too high.
According to the new data, none of the 58 peaks in Colorado that were originally considered to be 14ers were eliminated, and no new peaks were added to the list. There were, however, changes to the order of Colorado’s tallest peaks. Notably, Huron Peak in the Sawatch Range of the Rockies now ranks the lowest, barely qualifying as a 14er at 14,004.1 feet. Mount Elbert remains the tallest peak in the Sawatch Range, North America’s Rocky Mountains at large, and Colorado’s highest summit at 14,437.6 feet. It’s also the second tallest peak in the contiguous US after California’s Mount Whitney — whose summit measures 14,505 feet.
Mount Massive, Mount Harvard, Blanca Peak, and La Plata Peak round out Colorado’s five tallest 14ers, towering between 14,423.9 and 14,343 feet. Two summits also received a special mention for being just shy of 14er height: Grizzly Peak A at 13,994.9 feet and Sunlight Spire at 13,994.3. Capitol Peak, known as the hardest Colorado 14er to summit, ranks 31st on the list at 14,136.3 feet.
There’s another helpful piece of data included in the findings: All peaks listed also come with “uncertainty estimates” ranging from six to eight centimeters given the difficulty of gathering elevation data in rugged mountainous areas.
Explore the UK by Foot and Train With This Comprehensive Listing of Hikes From Train Stations
There’s a way to spend time exploring England, Wales, and Scotland’s countryside without having to rent a car and learn to drive on the left-hand side of the road. The rail network in Britain is incredibly vast and allows travelers to go just about anywhere, even to very rural locations, for the price of a train ticket or a BritRail Pass. Even better is that train stations in Britain are often very close to hiking or walking trails, or work as a trailheads. That means you can see huge swathes of country, including its lesser-visited bucolic nooks and crannies, by using two affordable, convenient, and incredibly sustainable modes of transport: the train and your two feet.
A new website will help you plan such a trip: Railwalks. All you need to do is to visit the website, select the area you’d like to explore, go through the list of resources available, and pick a walk you can take from the train stations in the area. The walks listed include linear, loops, and station-to-station walks, so you can still catch a train at the end of your day (or days) roaming.
Caerfai Bay on the Wales Coast Path. Photo: Charlesy/Shutterstock
One of the most famous and most scenic walk in Britain is the 870-mile-long Wales Coast Path which you can easily reach by rail. All the information to get to the trail by train is available on Railwalks by selecting Wales as your preferred area and looking at what the From Rail to Trail resource offers.
Photo: Railwalks
Photo: Railwalks
Photo: Rail to TrailThe same goes for the world-famous Lake District in the county of Cumbria in the northwest of England. A series of rails trails have been developed so you can visit this magnificent part of the country in the most sustainable way there is. All of the information you need about the Lake District’s rail trails is available on Railwalks.
Steve Melia, the founder of Railwalks, started by creating his own compilation of walks by rail on his website The Green Travel Writer and then collaborated with Slow Ways, an organization whose goal is to create a national network of walks that connect all of Britain’s cities, towns, and national parks. Together, by combining their data, they are expanding the knowledge of previously little-known walking routes for everyone to enjoy. Both Railwalks and Slow Ways are crowd-sourced and rely on hikers to share their favorite walking routes or their newly discovered hikes with them so the network never stops growing.
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