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A New Private White Lotus Themed Tour Brings Travelers on a Luxury Trip Through Bangkok and Koh Samui

Leaving the shores of Sicily, season three of HBO’s White Lotus is being filmed in Thailand. If you’re dreaming of a stylish beach vacation White Lotus style (minus the murder, scams, and sleeping around), you’re in luck because Unforgettable Travel, a premier luxury travel company, has just launched a White Lotus Thailand tour from Bangkok to the stunning island of Koh Samui.

Are you a fan of White Lotus? Check out Matador’s White Lotus accommodations guides:Stay in the Sicilian Hotel Where Season 2 of ‘White Lotus’ Was Filmed8 Maui Beach Hotels With the Best Views in Hawaii
Channel Your White Lotus Fantasy at These Thailand Airbnbs6 Thailand Hotels That Could Be Used for ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3

Due to labor disputes in Hollywood last year, the release date of the third season of White Lotus is likely to be delayed until 2025. But if you’d like to follow in the footsteps of your beloved characters with a backdrop to die for, you can join this seven-night tour between October and April.

Both season one (filmed in Hawaii) and season two (in Sicily) featured the luxury hotelier Four Seasons, so there’s a very good chance HBO will continue the partnership. There are four outposts of Four Seasons in Thailand — Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and the Golden Triangle. Unforgettable Travel’s tour features two of the award winning properties.

Photo: Four SeasonsPhoto: Four SeasonsPhoto: Four Seasons

The seven-day itinerary begins in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok where you will stay at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok. Situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the relatively new hotel is considered to be one of the best hotels in Bangkok. On-site, there are several restaurants and bars, including the acclaimed Thai restaurant Yu Ting Yuan. There is also a spa, a fitness center, and two swimming pools. The hotel is located in a quiet neighborhood, but it is still close to all of the major tourist attractions in Bangkok.

Photo: J.Thasit/Shutterstock

But you won’t have to worry about planning your sightseeing. Day two will be jam-packed with a private tour of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and Chinatown, and numerous opportunities to sample some of the best street food in Bangkok and do some shopping. All excursions have English-speaking local guides and a private driver. In the afternoon, you’ll be welcomed to join a traditional private long-tail boat and cruise down the Chao Phraya River before returning to the comfort of your suite at the Four Seasons.

There will be ample time to explore Bangkok on your own, too. Day three allows for personal time before hopping on a speed boat towards the Chakrabongse Villa, where you’ll enjoy dinner with a spectacular view of the Temple of Dawn from the riverside terrace before exploring Old Town Bangkok before bed.

The tour includes domestic airfare to and from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to the stunning island of Koh Samui.

Photo: lkunl/Shutterstock

This flight takes around an hour, and you’ll be chauffeured between your accommodations and airports by your private driver. In Koh Samui, you’ll be staying at the world-class Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui.

Photo: Four SeasonsPhoto: Four SeasonsPhoto: Four Seasons

Located on the northwestern tip of the island, the five-star resort has some of the best views of the Gulf of Siam and the surrounding islands. Here, you can relax by the infinity pool, soak up the sun on the private beach, or indulge in a treatment at the beautiful Secret Garden Spa. The resort will also take you on a private cocktail and canapés sunset cruise on the surrounding Andaman Sea while your final two days are free to use the resort facilities and explore the island at your leisure. The trip ends with a transfer to Koh Samui airport with the option to extend your tour to see more of the country.

Prices start from $7,744 per person.

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This Small Change Could Cut Aviation’s Carbon Footprint by 35 Percent

Recent studies published in journals including Science Direct and MDPI have shown that reducing the carbon footprint of air travel by as much as 35 percent could be as easy as rerouting the trajectory certain flights to fly above or underneath parts of the atmosphere where their path releases the most condensation trails, or contrails, in the sky.

While the majority of carbon emissions in the airline sector result from burning jet fuel, the contrails formed by the release of particulate matter, water vapor, and heat from planes form cirrus clouds that effectively act as a blanket trapping radiation in the atmosphere, the studies show. This results in about a third of aviation’s emissions, or about one percent of total carbon emissions globally.

The studies found that between two and 10 percent of flights account for the vast majority of contrails. That’s because these trails of condensation occur primarily in humid and icy parts of the atmosphere. By rerouting flights that pass through these areas, much of that “heat blanket” could be avoided.

In 2023, the New York Times reported on data showing that in many cases, pilots could be directed to fly over or under parts of the atmosphere where they’re most likely to produce contrails. What’s more, doing so wouldn’t cost airlines much money. Airlines could feasibly reduce 73 percent of contrails with just a 0.11 percent increas, according to reporting in MIT Technology Review.

Why the added fuel burn could be worth it

Burning more fuel releases more emissions, but the paper’s coauthor Marc Shapiro told MIT Technology Review, “ . . . what we’re showing in this paper is that the added fuel burn is a lot less than we expected.”

This is a point that deserves more attention. Jet fuel is nearly as flammable as diesel and is the primary source of carbon emissions in both commercial and non-commercial aviation. However, due to the small amount of extra fuel that would need to be burned to avoid creating contrails — far less than what is burned during take-off and landing of the flight, in most cases — the climate impact of this could be huge. This is especially true at scale, and played out over a multitude of years.

Even though electric airplanes and more efficient airplane design builds are under development, decarbonization of commercial flights is decades away, if it’s even possible at all. Unless humanity is going to stop flying entirely, small steps like reducing contrails will prove to be pivotal moments in making this high-impact industry slightly more sustainable.

Making a small portion of flights even a little cleaner could have a massive impact on the overall climate impact of aviation, which accounts for about four percent of humanity’s total carbon emissions and is among the most challenging industries to decarbonize.

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This Small Change Could Cut Aviation’s Carbon Emissions by 35 Percent

Recent studies published in journals including Science Direct and MDPI have shown that reducing the carbon footprint of air travel by as much as 35 percent could be as easy as rerouting the trajectory certain flights to fly above or underneath parts of the atmosphere where their path releases the most condensation trails, or contrails, in the sky.

While the majority of carbon emissions in the airline sector result from burning jet fuel, the contrails formed by the release of particulate matter, water vapor, and heat from planes form cirrus clouds that effectively act as a blanket trapping radiation in the atmosphere, the studies show. This results in about a third of aviation’s emissions, or about one percent of total carbon emissions globally.

The studies found that between two and 10 percent of flights account for the vast majority of contrails. That’s because these trails of condensation occur primarily in humid and icy parts of the atmosphere. By rerouting flights that pass through these areas, much of that “heat blanket” could be avoided.

In 2023, the New York Times reported on data showing that in many cases, pilots could be directed to fly over or under parts of the atmosphere where they’re most likely to produce contrails. What’s more, doing so wouldn’t cost airlines much money. Airlines could feasibly reduce 73 percent of contrails with just a 0.11 percent increas, according to reporting in MIT Technology Review.

Why the added fuel burn could be worth it

Burning more fuel releases more emissions, but the paper’s coauthor Marc Shapiro told MIT Technology Review, “ . . . what we’re showing in this paper is that the added fuel burn is a lot less than we expected.”

This is a point that deserves more attention. Jet fuel is nearly as flammable as diesel and is the primary source of carbon emissions in both commercial and non-commercial aviation. However, due to the small amount of extra fuel that would need to be burned to avoid creating contrails — far less than what is burned during take-off and landing of the flight, in most cases — the climate impact of this could be huge. This is especially true at scale, and played out over a multitude of years.

Even though electric airplanes and more efficient airplane design builds are under development, decarbonization of commercial flights is decades away, if it’s even possible at all. Unless humanity is going to stop flying entirely, small steps like reducing contrails will prove to be pivotal moments in making this high-impact industry slightly more sustainable.

Making a small portion of flights even a little cleaner could have a massive impact on the overall climate impact of aviation, which accounts for about four percent of humanity’s total carbon emissions and is among the most challenging industries to decarbonize.

More like thisTravelHow Outdoor Alliance Has Saved the Natural Places We Love For 10 Years, and How You Can Help

This State Is Home to 4 of the 5 Most Polluted National Parks

A new report from the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) studied the most polluted national parks in the United States — and four of the five top offenders are in one of the “healthiest” states in the US: California.

In 2019, most of the top five most polluted parks were among the least visited: Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Mammoth Caves, Indiana Dunes, Guadalupe Mountains, and Everglades national parks. But a new report shows the statistics have shifted, and California’s national parks are bearing the brunt of the damage.

California’s parks stand to suffer the most, per the new polluted parks report. Photo: NPS /Sequoia National Park /Public Domain

In order, the top five most-polluted national parks were:

Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks, CaliforniaJoshua Tree National Park, CaliforniaMojave National Preserve, California (not technically a national park)Yosemite National Park, CaliforniaCarlsbad Caverns National Park, New MexicoDeath Valley National Park, California

The study looked at data for 399 parks, representing 93 percent of the units managed by the National Park Service (data wasn’t available for some of the newer parks in the system). Data were provided by NPS, and analyzed to look at three issues regarding air quality (unhealthy air, air that causes harm to nature, and haziness), as well as four issues related to climate change (wildfire, droughts, sea level rise, and invasive species). The latter four categories likely explain why California’s parks topped the list, as California prone to droughts, wildfires, and sea level rise.

Unhealthy air is defined as air that can cause harm when inhaled. Of the 399 parks studied, 42 percent fell into the “significant concern” category, while another 338 were considered to have “unsatisfactory” air quality. This is the category for which California’s parks above topped the list.

Hazy skies is similar, but relates more to how it impacts the guest experience. “Reduced visibility can detract from a person’s overall experience in parks or wilderness areas, muddying color and clarity and hindering the enjoyment of a place’s natural beauty,” writes the report. Only four parks were of significant concern, but 387 were considered moderate. The top offender was once again Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, followed by Mammoth Cave (KY), Carlsbad Caverns (NM), Indiana Dunes (IN), and Hot Springs (AR) national parks.

Air that causes harm to nature is an extension of unhealthy air, but to a point where it’s causing harm to plants and animals. Per the report, this category is usually a combination of the effect of ozone on plants, and the impacts of harmful elemental deposits in soil, like sulfur. The finding found that 276 parks were of significant concern, while 110 were of moderate concern. Only six were of no concern.

California’s parks are at a high risk of damage form the effects of wildfire caused by climate change. Photo: NPS /Sequoia National Park /Public Domain

When it comes to climate change, the results are equally sobering. The report found that 113, or 28 percent, of parks are threatened by invasive species, 95 parks (or 23 percent) face wildfire threats, 75 parks face threats from droughts (18 percent) and another 48 parks, or 12 percent, face threats from rising sea levels. Sadly, five national parks face threats from at least three of these categories — and three of them (Lassen Volcanic, Yosemite, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks) — are all in California.

The report does attempt to explain why California’s parks are suffering, and much of it comes down to their location near California’s agriculture regions. “The adverse air quality conditions in these parks are generated by vehicle emissions, industrial operations and agricultural activities in regions like the San Joaquin Valley of California,” write the authors, “one of the most polluted areas in the nation where residents are frequently exposed to unhealthy air.”

Carlsbad Caverns was the only national park in the top five for air pollution that isn’t in California. Photo: NPS/Carlsbad Caverns National Park/Public Domain

According to Interim Campaigns Director for the Clean Air Program Natalie Levine, some of the reason California’s parks are hurting could be due to development in and around the Golden State. “National parks (and these five case study parks) are suffering the consequences from air pollution that travels from many miles away into the parks from industrial sources like coal plants, chemical and wood manufacturing, and oil and gas development and vehicles on a large collective scale,” she told Matador via email, “more than they are affected by in-park car traffic.”

Other important takeaways from the report include:

Roughly 90 percent of parks fall short of meeting recommended air quality standards.“On average, visitors to national parks miss out on 50 miles of scenery because of air pollution—a distance equivalent to the length of Rhode Island.” (Based on NPS deciview data.)The economic output of tourism from towns that are also threatened by poor air quality in parks equals roughly $50.3 billion.Drought threatens some of the country’s most iconic species, like bison at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota and the eponymous Saguaro cactus at Saguaro National Park in Arizona.

The famous bison of Wind Cave. National Park are under threat from drought caused by climate change. Photo: NPS Photo/Kim Acker>/Public Domain

But there’s some good news: NPCA’s analysis found that there have been slight improvements since the data was last complied in 2019. “The number of parks with significant concern levels in at least one of the air-quality conditions analyzed dropped from 96 percent to 70 percent,” reads the report. Those improvements were seen in two areas: unhealthy air, and hazy skies.

Aside from supporting climate-positive policy, there are immediate actions guests can take, says Levine of NPCA. “Immediate actions include sharing stories of going to parks on hazy or bad air quality days, learning more about your favorite park and the pollution sources that impact it, and advocating to your state and the federal government to hold those polluters accountable to clean up their air pollution,” she told Matador.

To learn what other actions national park visitors can take, visit the action page at NPCA.org.

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These Women Founded Groundbreaking Travel Startups – and Their Story Could Inspire Yours

With a hearty laugh, Alexis Bowen recalls the most unique moment in the acquisition process of her boutique travel marketplace. She and business partner Craig Zapatka were in Paris filming a promo shoot with marketers from the graphic design tool platform Canva the day their business, Elsewhere, signed an offer from Lonely Planet.

“We were literally excusing ourselves from the shoot to go the restroom to check out the contract,” Bowen says.

On that day in 2021, the pair were not yet a year into the startup journey, but their product had found resonance with post-pandemic travelers seeking authentic connections with places around the globe. By connecting travelers with local guides, Elsewhere began to help foster travel experiences that benefitted both the visitors and the communities being visited.

Elsewhere’s short-but-sweet acquisition story is the stuff of legend, though it’s certainly not the norm in the startup world. Visions of self-fulfillment, financial freedom, and, of course, a vagabond’s lifestyle provide the fuel for nearly every startup in the travel space.

“But a startup is an extreme and bipolar existence – you can live or die on any day,” Bowen says.

Susie Chau, founder of Carpe Diem Traveler, started her travel advising consultancy after taking a year-long sabbatical to travel the world. The knowledge gained and connections made through that experience and other travels gave her the desire to share her wisdom to help other travelers take better trips.

“I think more and more people are searching for businesses that have a soul, depth, and purpose to them,” Chau says. “They also see the value of connecting with and giving money to businesses that align with their values. It’s all about finding the thing that solves a problem or helps someone achieve a desire to get the profit, but you can infuse your values into the process.”

These two entrepreneurs offered five helpful tips for women looking to found a business in the travel industry.

Alexis Bowen co-founded Elsewhere. Photo courtesy Alexis Bown

Innovate by remaining dedicated and nimble

Data shows that up to 85 percent of travel decisions are made by women. They tend to be more interested in travel and more willing to make sacrifices to pursue it. Yet only one-third of businesses in the travel space are run by women. This stems from decades of gender-centric malfeasance in the business, but recent trends indicate that change is afoot – data now shows that 42 percent of US businesses now identify as woman-owned. The travel industry has seen a rapid increase in female founders since the Covid-19 pandemic.

“There is so much room to expand and innovate in the transformational travel space,” Chau says about why she founded Carpe Diem Traveler. “I’m passionate about helping professionals take sabbaticals to travel. For most sabbatical-takers, there’s a deeper purpose or catalyst for taking that journey. Digging into those conversations to design a trip that meets their goals and vision was so fulfilling.”

Chau found product-market fit by understanding the disconnect between travel advisors and the reasons why their clients travel.

“Particularly in North America, we put all our attention on the ‘where and what’ of travel instead of the ‘why and how,’” Chau says. “There is so much space to explore and guide the evolution of travelers thinking differently about how and why they travel.”

For Elsewhere, that innovation came in the form of timing. Launching in the heart of the pandemic gave Bowen the chance to help people come back to travel in a more meaningful way by connecting with locals to guide their journey. It turned out she wasn’t the only one with this line of thought, but was the first to bring it to market while embracing out-of-the-box marketing strategies. Lonely Planet first reached out to Bowen and Zapatka just over two months after Elsewhere was founded in 2020. The media brand’s ambitions remained ambiguous – until Bowen addressed the elephant in the room.

“We were like, why the hell are they talking to us?” she says. “They didn’t lead with anything about doing business together. After our third or fourth conversation, I asked straight out, ‘Why are you guys talking to us?’”

Run a lean machine

Six months in, Elsewhere was working to grow day-to-day sales. But the clients they landed were high-quality and values-aligned, which proved the brand’s product-market fit. Also, Bowen kept the overhead low.

“We were running such a lean machine that we were break-even month over month,” Bowen says. “We made some mistakes, but we were so young that there were more wins.”

This made it easy for the pair to meld with an “acquihire” arrangement, where the company was purchased but Bowen and Zapatka remained on board to run the operations.

At Carpe Diem Traveler, Chau used the pandemic to reframe her approach.

“Late last year I had a lightbulb moment that the same intentionality – and process I use with clients – can be applied to a typical vacation to make it so much more meaningful,” Chau says.

Susie Chau founded and operates Carpe Diem Traveler. Photo courtesy Susie Chau.

Embrace outside-the-box marketing strategies

Both Bowen and Chau advise founders to reach out to other founders for advice, and to never be afraid to do outreach. The lesson is to write and respond honestly and authentically, no matter who you’re talking to.

Bowen says that one of the things Elsewhere did well was lean into a self-hustle PR strategy. The brand embraced influencers early on, sticking key players on their trips in exchange for social posts and coverage. They targeted not just travel players but alsosustainability and tech influencers. The goal was to get as many eyeballs on the brand for as little money as possible.

“I also must have responded to hundreds of HAROs,” Bowen says, referring to the site Help a Reporter Out. This provided media placements and SEO-boosting backlinks. It also, spontaneously, connected Elsewhere with the graphic design tool Canva, who chose Elsewhere as the face of a startup success story campaign. This is what led to Bowen’s crazy, bathroom-bound acquisition experience. Canva flew Bowen and Zaptaka to Paris to film the promo, and it was on this trip that the contract from Lonely Planet came in.

“If you write a well-written and thoughtful email, people will respond,” Bowen says.

Thinking big-picture is key to unlocking your brand’s unlimited potential

The sudden drop in business during the pandemic killed many companies in the sector, but it also gave enterprising entrepreneurs the chance to bring fresh ideas to the table. When borders began reopening in 2021, it was the fresh thinkers who saw traction first.

“The return of travel after the pandemic was a really rough time for me and the industry as a whole,” Chau says. “Demand was amazing, but everything was more complicated with testing rules and many destinations, tour operators, and hotels were not ready for the tsunami of visitors. It created a lot of issues. Those challenges exacerbated some of the gut feelings about changes I wanted to make in my business that I pushed aside for years because it wasn’t “logical.”

At Elsewhere, Bowen knew their model worked and knew it benefitted local guides and communities. They’d watched similar concepts rise and fall, and had taken note of where they’d gone wrong. Still, following the acquisition Bowen had to reframe how she thought about her business and her role in it.

“We were a brand new startup, we had unlimited potential,” Bowen says. “It was really hard to think of Elsewhere as a subsidiary. We grew Elsewhere as a standalone brand, we care so deeply about it. We built this business to be our dream job, we thought of it as a lifelong career – those of us who build something travel build it for passion. So it was about giving up the idea that this would be a lifelong thing.”

But the opportunity to align with a legacy business in the industry proved to big an opportunity to pass up. Through it Elsewhere gained added brand recognition and more financial resources, even if they had to accept not being the company’s top priority at all times.

Believe in your ideas and in the ‘future of you’

Starting and growing a business takes resilience. This is true no matter the niche – and both Bowen and Chau note that you must be willing to get back up each time you’re knocked down.

“The biggest shift going from corporate America to owning a business is that you can’t solve all your problems or create all your strategies from your logical brain,” Chau says. “Listening to your intuition is critical to running a business that flows and feels aligned.”

Bowen emphasized the same point. “There’s ups and downs, and during the downs, you figure out ways to make things work that you wouldn’t have thought of before,” she says.

Elsewhere was acquired at nine months – a rapid turnaround even in the lightning-speed world of startups. Bowen emphasizes that the takeaway from her company’s first year is that yes, you should pursue your business idea, but be prepared to dive in fully and always look forward – because you never know who’s watching.

“I don’t think anyone realizes how hard starting a company is – you throw your life into it,” Bowen says. “Our acquisition wasn’t big in the grand scheme, but for us, it was massive. We weren’t building for an acquisition, but we knew the value of the company. Really, we were nobody, but they noticed right away that there was something there.”

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Japan’s Great Wisteria Festival Is Just as Pretty as Its Cherry Blossom Season

Japan’s cherry blossom season, which occurs between March and May depending on the weather and the region, is undeniably one of the best times of the year to visit the country. But if you miss the cherry blossom window in your preferred area, or if you can’t get enough colorful blossoms in your life, know that there are other blooming events that you can catch that are just as pretty. Japan’s Great Wisteria Festival, which takes place in the Ashikaga Flower Park between mid-April and mid-May every year, is a spectacular display of purple, pink, and white flowers that you don’t want to miss.

Where and when does Japan’s Great Wisteria Festival take place?
How to get to the Ashikaga Flower Park from Tokyo?How much does it cost to go to the Ashikaga Flower Park?What makes the wisterias in the Ashikaga Flower Park so special? What else is there to see in the Ashikaga Flower Park besides the wisterias?When is the best time to visit the Ashikaga Flower Park?Where to stay near the Ashikaga Flower Park?

Where and when does Japan’s Great Wisteria Festival take place?

Japan’s Great Wisteria Festival takes place in the Ashikaga Flower Park between mid-April and mid-May every year. The Ashikaga Flower Park is located in the city of Ashikaga, in the Tochigi prefecture, north of Tokyo.

How to get to the Ashikaga Flower Park from Tokyo?

The fastest and most-direct way to get from Tokyo to the Ashikaga Flower Park is to take the Shinkansen, Japan’s bullet train.

The Tohoku Shinkansen line, which departs from Ueno Station in Tokyo, takes you to Oyama Station in the city of Oyama, in the Tochigi prefecture. From the same station, the local Ryomo Line will take you to the Ashikaga Flower Park Station. Altogether, the trip takes a little more than 90 minutes, and there are multiple trains operating every day.

Since both the trains to get from Ueno Station in Tokyo to Ashikaga Flower Park Station are JR trains (Japan Railway), you can use your Japan Rail Pass. Without the Japan Rail Pass, this train journey would cost approximately $28 (JP¥ 4,180).

How much does it cost to go to the Ashikaga Flower Park?

The price of admission to the Ashikaga Flower Park varies according to the blooming of the flower and is at its highest in April and May, and at its lowest between July 1 and December 30. Admission for adults in April and May ranges from $6 to $15 (JP¥ 900 to JP¥ 2,200), while admission for children ranges from $3.35 to $7.35 (JP¥ 500 to JP¥ 1,100).

What makes the wisterias in the Ashikaga Flower Park so special?

The 160-year-ol Great Wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park. Photo: Ashikaga Flower ParkPink wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park. Photo: biaidgodlovesjs/ShutterstockThe Great Wisteria illuminated at night. Photo: Satao/Shutterstock

There are more than 350 wisteria trees in Ashikaga Flower Park, all blooming within the same time period, between mid-April and mid-May, creating a magnificent display of flowers ranging from purple to pink to white. Among the 350 wisteria trees is The Great Wisteria, an astonishing 160-year-old specimen whose wines extend over 600 trellis, and which blooms a bright shade of purple every year. While The Great Wisteria is the star of the festival, the 262-foot long white wisteria tunnel, and the immense pale pink wisteria vine, are also not to be missed.

While the park is usually open from 10 AM to 5 PM, the hours are extended in April and May for visitors to see the tree illuminated at night.

What else is there to see in the Ashikaga Flower Park besides the wisterias?

Tunnel of laburnums in bloom at the Ashikaga Flower Park. Photo: NH/Shutterstock

While the wisteria trees, especially The Great Wisteria, are what attract most people to the Ashikaga Flower Park in the spring, there are other types of blooms to see, including the beautiful yellow hanging flowers of the laburnums which form a bright tunnel, the 5,000 azaleas bushes, the many rose bushes, and more.

When is the best time to visit the Ashikaga Flower Park?

The Great Wisteria. Photo: doratoy/Shutterstock

From mid-April to mid-May is the best time to visit the Ashikaga Flower Park if you want to see the wisterias, laburnums, and azaleas in bloom; however, know that they don’t all flower at the same time:

The pink wisteria blooms from mid- to late AprilThe Great Wisteria flowers from late April to early MayThe white wisteria blooms in early May The laburnums flower from early to mid-MayThe azaleas bloom from late April to early May

Different blooms occur all year around at the Ashikaga Flower Park. If you can’t visit in April or May for the Great Wisteria Festival, you should still make the trip to the park for the roses, rhododendrons, and clematis from mid-May to early June, the iris and hydrangeas from early June to early July, the waterlilies throughout the summer, and much more during the rest of the year.

Traveling to Japan? Check out Matador’s Japan accommodations guides: These Kyoto Airbnbs Let You Experience Traditional Japanese Hospitality These Tokyo Ryokan Make for the Perfect Traditional Stay in Japan The Top Tokyo Hotels in Each Must-See Neighborhood 12 Tokyo Airbnbs in the Heart of the Incredible City

Where to stay near the Ashikaga Flower Park?

We hope you love the hotels we recommend! 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.

 

Accommodation options around the Ashikaga Flower Park are nothing to write home about, but if you don’t mind traveling a little farther out, you can experience a highly rated traditional Japanese hotel.

Photo: VioPhoto: VioPhoto: VioPhoto: Vio

See more photos

Temple Hotel Kannonin is a guest house within a temple complex that comprises three bedrooms, one shared kitchen (fully equipped), one full bathroom, and one shared living room. The guest house, built in a traditional style, with tatami floor, futon beds, and room partitioned thanks to shoji and fusuma doors, surrounds a beautifully landscape Japanese garden. There is also an open-air bath with views on a rock garden. Note that only one group can book the guest house at a time, so you’re never sharing with strangers.

Temple Hotel Kannonin is located less than one hour by train from the Ashikaga Flower Park. To get to the Temple Hotel Kannonin, take the local Ryomo Line from the Ashikaga Flower Park Station to Kiryu Station and then walk the 0.9 mile to the hotel or take a taxi.

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Channel Your White Lotus Fantasy at These Thailand Airbnbs

Thailand is a perennial favorite for its tropical islands, mountainous north, and ornate pagodas. These startling landscapes are quite literally back in the limelight since Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Samui have been confirmed as the filming locations for the third season of HBO’s White Lotus, tipping Thailand as the hottest destination for 2025. If past plots are anything to go by, you might feel more comfortable vacationing away from the hotels. These showstopping Airbnbs in Thailand are free from drama and high in red-carpet luxury.

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We hope you love these White Lotus Airbnbs in Thailand! 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.

Minimalist Airbnb in Koh Samui with a swim-up barPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photos“Suralai” means the “home of angels” and there couldn’t be a more fitting name for this luxury vacation rental. It rises from the mountains above Chaweng Beach on the eastern coast of Thailand’s second-largest island. The ginormous pool takes center stage although the terrazzo tubs and home gym aren’t far behind. Seeing as Koh Samui is a confirmed filming location for White Lotus, you might spot a star or two from your lofty perch.

Twelve guests, six bedrooms
Price: $2,396 per night

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Hole-in-one golfing Airbnb in PhuketPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosYou’ll be the leading character at this designer mansion where traditional Thai architecture meets the glamor of the Hollywood Hills. A modern interpretation of the classic gabled roof seen on temples and palaces tops the second floor. This opens out onto a floating deck suspended over the infinity pool overlooking the private golf course. Keep walking and you’ll reach the shore of the islet-studded Andaman Sea.

Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $3,589 per night

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Luxury indoor-outdoor pool villa in Koh SamuiPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosThis Airbnb Luxe in Koh Samui is custom-built for the tropics. All rooms have floor-to-ceiling glass doors while the dining and lounge areas are open to the elements and poolside. The second floor has a jaw-dropping sea-view roof terrace bounded by flora. Interiors are modern with plush sofas, king-sized beds, and en suite chambers. The stone walls and rugged boulders keep things real.

Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $1,265 per night

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Airbnb Luxe with Gulf of Thailand viewsPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosQuick, snap up this unique estate in Koh Samui before the location scouts get there first. The principal house is attached to a stone-clad pavilion straight out of the Tuscan hills. This contains the great room and master bedroom plus a kitchen where a private chef will ensure you keep on top of your five a day. The remaining suites are dispersed across four smaller villas and there are two infinity pools to complete the superstar experience.

Fourteen guests, one bedroom
Price: $2,000 per night

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Floating cottage with a private pool in Koh SamuiPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosThis awesome honeymoon villa is crafted from natural materials and has sea views inside and outside. Both suites have direct access to the pool deck where you can start your day with coffee and freshly picked fruit in the sunken lounge. The chef service is also available for lunch and dinner while the concierge can arrange cooking classes, yoga tuition, island tours, and more. Location-wise, you’re close to markets and restaurants but away from the hotspots.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $249 per night

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Tropical pool villa in Phuket with free bikesPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosSet far enough away from rowdy Patong Beach but close to the pristine beach of Nai Harn, this Guest Favorite Airbnb in Phuket lets you experience the best of Thailand’s largest island. The cheerful yellow exterior continues indoors, linking the bedrooms and communal areas. Asian artworks, tapestries, and trinkets add a coziness to the interiors. The home wraps around a compact courtyard with a private pool and sun deck.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $211 per night

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Knockout Chiang Mai villa amid mountains and rice fieldsPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosThis riverside vacation home claims a rural patch north of the walled city. It’s spread across the main building, a guest house, and a party shack plus a large mineral pool and four covered salas. These pavilions are intended for socializing and meditation but they double up as an open-air bedroom. The decor mingles Thai and Western while smart devices keep things ticking over. Breakfast is included whereas extra meals and tours are at a surcharge.

Sixteen+ guests, ten bedrooms
Price: $975 per night

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Seafront glamping Airbnb in Koh ChangPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosGet back to basics without compromising creature comforts on Thailand’s easternmost and greenest island. The canvas yurt is pitched directly on the sand and offers sea views from the bed or the patio where you can put your feet up in the hammock or dip a toe in the gulf. Owned by a Thai-Italian couple, Lisca Beach is considered one of the best places in the country to eat woodfired pizza with a Thai twist washed down with a negroni.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $82 per night

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Thai jungle dwelling between Sai Yok and Erawan parksPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosHere’s a spoiler you didn’t see coming: you really can get off the beaten track in Thailand. This chic glasshouse sits on the banks of the Kwai Yai River which you’ll get to know courtesy of the complimentary kayak, rubber raft, and swimming tubes. Leaping off the dock for a wild swim is a must. You’ll wake up and fall asleep to green views of the Sai Yok National Park where you can hike to waterfalls.

Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $290 per night

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Bamboo treehouse in Chiang Mai cat sanctuaryPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosIf you’re the traveler whose photostream is bursting with photos of cats rather than temples, this treehouse Airbnb in Northern Thailand is purr-fect. The three-story ecolodge soars over an untamed garden where 59 rescued felines roam freely (sometimes, right under the duvet). The treehouse has a stunning outdoor bathroom with a sunken tub and rain shower overlooking the cat jungle. You’re welcome to use the shared kitchen or order cooked meals.

Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $243 per night

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The Literal Translation of Every State and Major City in the US

Have you ever considered where the name of your state or city comes from? Every place in the US has a story behind its title, and the folks at WordTips have put together a selection of informative maps to help trivia and etymology nerds by listing the literal translation of state names and those of our major cities.

From Missoula (River of Ambush) in Montana and Manchester (Breast-like Hill) in New Hampshire, the origin of place titles across the US come from Indigenous languages, European settlers, and geographical features. To help you puzzle out a tricky crossword clue or score points in the next geography round at games night, here are the meanings behind the names of each US state, states capital and 178 of the biggest cities across the US.

Photo: WordTips

Finding the etymology of place names is not a simple task. WordTips looked at a variety of sources. Drawing from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Online Etymology Dictionary, the Encyclopedia Britannica, the American Library Association, and regional news reports, the results were equated from at least two matching sources. Many states and cities have more than one story behind their title, but these are the most popular.

Here are some of the most interesting findings for state names:

Arizona: (Place of the Small Spring): Scholars believe the name Arizona stems from a native language, likely the Tohono O’odham spoken by Indigenous people in the region. The orginal name “Al Shon” translates to “place of little spring.”Iowa (Sleepy Ones): This name might have originated from a Dakota word for the Ioway tribe, possibly meaning “beautiful land” or even “sleepy ones,” depending on interpretation.Massachusetts (Great Hill Small Place): Massachusetts comes from an Algonquian word meaning “at the great hill.”Texas (Friend): The name Texas comes from the Caddo word “teysha” or “tayasha” which means “friend” or “ally” in the language.Wyoming (On the Great Plain): This might seem straightforward, but it’s derived from a Munsee Delaware language term “xwe:wamenk,” which translates to “at the big river flat.”

Photo: WordTips

The names of northeastern cities like Boston (Botolph’s Stone) and Baltimore (Townland of the Big House) are steeped in history. Philadelphia’s name originates from its founder, William Penn, and his vision for the city. The name itself comes from two ancient Greek words: “philos” meaning love or beloved, and “adelphos” meaning brother. So, Philadelphia literally translates to “brotherly love”.

Photo: WordTips

In the northwest, Salem (Peace) and Missoula (River of Ambush) are a curious find, whereas Portland (Land Surrounding a Habor) is more literal.

Photo: WordTips

The southeastern city, Charleston translates to King Charles II Town. Many places around the world are named after British royalty. In the case of Charleston, the city was founded in 1670 during King Charles II’s reign. To honor the king, the eight original proprietors named the settlement Charles Town, which later evolved into present-day Charleston.

Photo: WordTips

Las Vegas translates directly to “The Meadows” in Spanish. This name originated from the area’s natural characteristics before it became the gambling capital we know today. Early Spanish explorers were the first Europeans to encounter this desert oasis. Las Vegas Valley wasn’t always a desert landscape. Underground springs provided a vital source of water, allowing wild grasses to flourish in the nutrient-rich soil.

Photo: WordTips

More commercial names, such as City of the Sleepy Ones (Iowa City) and Place of the White Onion (Chicago), are found in the Midwest. Omaha (Upstream People) refers to the Omaha Tribe, Indigenous people who resided in what is now northwestern Iowa and northeastern Nebraska. The name likely refers to their geographical location relative to other tribes along the Missouri River.

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This Free Airline App Will Automatically Move You to Your Favorite Seat

United Airlines has been in the media quite a bit lately, mostly for issued related to airline safety: an engine caught on fire in the air on a flight to Florida, and a Mexico-bound United flight had to make an emergency landing after a system failure in early March.

But there’s one piece of good news for travelers who often fly with United. The airline announced an update to the United app that now allows users to — hopefully — get their favorite seat, even if it isn’t available while booking.

The feature is available to any traveler using the United app, regardless of status with the airline (thought it may take a few months for it to fully roll out). When choosing your seat, you may get a pop-up message asking if you’d prefer to sit somewhere better. If you click yes, you can select a seat preference, like a certain row or an aisle seat. If one of those becomes available, United will automatically move you to that seat and send a notification directly to your phone. According to reporting by The Points Guy, it’ll be available from booking all the way up to 12 hours before take off.

Photo: Postmodern Studio/Shutterstock

There’s no cost to use the service, though you’ll still need to manually change your seats if you try to make a day-of swap. And many seats on United flights, including exit row seats and those close to the front of the plane, are considered “Economy Plus,” which comes with an extra charge. But as long as you have the mostt updated version of the app, the feature should be available to you in the coming months.

The announcement comes on the heels of yet another change United customers might like: the ability to share frequent flyer points (formerly miles) with groups of up to five people.

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Scammers Are Targeting People Who Complain About Air Travel Issues on X

Air travelers who want to have their issues with airlines resolved properly would do well to bypass social media and pick up the phone to call customer support instead — no matter how lengthy and irritating the process might be.

Ask Jo-Anne Galarneau whose delayed flight to St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, could have cost her a lot more than a few lost hours if she had not been social media savvy.

According to an interview she gave to CBC, after venting her frustration about Air Canada’s delay on X and tagging the airline in her tweet, Galarneau was quickly approached by a slew of accounts all claiming to be representatives of the airline willing to help. Upon checking the accounts of those who contacted her, she noticed that while they did have the Air Canada logo as their profile photo, they did not have any followers. Galarneau understood that she was being targeted by scammers, so she ignored the messages and contacted the airline via its official website instead.

A few days later, however, the fake Air Canada customer support employees reached out again to Galarneau, saying they could help with her flight issues. Galarneau, aware of the ploy but keen to see how far the impersonators would go, went along with the bogus procedure.

The scammers asked for her booking reference number, which she provided, and then requested that she download Remitly, an app used for international money transfers, for her to receive a refund, but only in Kenyan dollars. When they asked for her bank account number, Galarneau put a stop to all communications and reached out to the airline and the proper authorities with screenshots to denounce the scam.

While airlines do have customer service representatives working on the official social media platforms, air travelers need to keep their wits about them and, like Galarneau, look into the accounts of those reaching out to them. If the accounts are not verified (on X that translates as a gold check mark symbol beside the account’s name) and have only a few followers, you should be very suspicious. Also, airline customer representatives will not ask you to share any financial information, or make and financial transaction via social media.

To be on the safe side, when in need, place a call to the airline’s customer support service, or contact the airline via its official website. If scammers have approached you, keep a record or the interactions, contact the airline, and report the situation online on the US government’s scams and fraud webpage or call 1-844-USAGOV1.

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