Matador Network's Blog, page 213

Snowmass Village Is Colorado’s Most Romantic Ski Destination

Take a moment to think back to your most cherished moments of nostalgia. Odds are that some are connected to the pursuit of romance. (Bonus points if that nostalgia involves s’mores, ice skating, and fondue.) If not, it’s never too late to make memories that you’ll reflect on for years to come on a ski trip, and no Colorado ski town is better suited to forging romantic memories than Snowmass Village.

A 15-minute bus ride from Aspen, Snowmass Village is often viewed by Coloradans as the more approachable Roaring Fork Valley ski destination, both for a day trip or a longer getaway. As Mark Scheller, Director of and Marketing at the Viceroy Snowmass, told me during a January visit, “We’re trying to create a more open, welcoming, and participative environment.”

We hope you love the spaces and stays 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.

A more approachable high-end ski destination

Plenty of room for romance in this suite at the Viceroy Snowmass. Photo courtesy Viceroy Snowmass

Like most lodging in the upper Roaring Fork Valley, Viceroy Snowmass is a high-end property that combines luxe amenities and on-site entertainment with easy access to the slopes. But you can still experience the five-star hotel in a manner that optimizes value. If you live in the region, the hotel offers a local’s card that entitles the holder to discounts on food and drinks, and the program is gaining traction.

“We are the parallel to the Jerome or St. Regis in Aspen,” Scheller says. “We want to engage the locals and make them feel welcome here.”

The hotel does this through nightly happy hour events and specials, including hosting live music multiple nights a week in the lounge and occasionally running specials at its 7,000-square-foot spa. The property is in the midst of a vast expansion, including the development of its adjacent Cirque Tower which will add about 70 additional rooms and bring the hotel above 200 total rooms. It will also soon feature a ski-in fondue restaurant adjacent to the pool bar.

For those coming from farther away, the hotel discounts stays of five or more nights and runs seasonal specials via its website. There’s also an anniversary or wedding package. If you frequently book through an online travel agency or use a travel rewards credit card, it’s possible to use rewards points or free night vouchers at the Viceroy by following your program’s redemption guidelines. Regardless of how you book, take advantage of the free airport shuttle from the Aspen airport.

In Snowmass Village, several establishments stand out for being reasonably priced — for example, drinks at Zane’s Tavern, crepes from Michelin Guide-nominated chef Mawa McQueen at The Crepe Shack, and accommodation at Pokolodi Lodge, where rates are commonly one-third as expensive as many other properties in the village. One money-saving tip you’ll hear repeatedly from locals: find restaurants that offer bar menus for a good deal on a romantic dinner.

Photo: LanaG/Shutterstock

Lunch with a view (and wine)

The best thing about nostalgia is that you can create more of it. In Snowmass, start with a morning on the slopes followed by an on-mountain lunch at the Alpin Room, which is located near the top of the Alpine Springs lift. Chef Emily Oyer crafts mountain cuisine inspired by the Alps of Switzerland, Austria, and France, served with a view stretching into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass wilderness and a vibe that’s classy but not intimidating (everyone dining in the restaurant is wearing ski gear, after all).

You’re immediately greeted by a display of fine wines and Champagne, a menu for which awaits at the table. Swap your ski boots for a warm pair of slippers (provided by the restaurant, of course, this is Aspen Snowmass) and start the meal with the tartiflette, a cheesy potato and caramelized onion fondue dish that’s perfect for two and served with pretzel bread dippers on the side. Mains range from the hearty wagyu beef bouladen to lighter options such as French onion soup. The wine menu pairs with the alpine-inspired cuisine, featuring bottles from France, Switzerland, and Italy along with a few stateside options.

Toast the day with s’mores

Photo: David A Litman/Shutterstock

When strolling the Snowmass base village or plaza after skiing, keep your eyes peeled for a small white camp trailer. There’s one at each location, and though it looks innocuous, these campers are the center of the action each afternoon at 3:30 PM when s’mores are served. They’re free and to be roasted at the adjacent fire pit.

If traveling with kiddos, take advantage of the daycare and ski school programs offered at the TreeHouse Kids Adventure Center. These are designed to help parents enjoy the slopes (and the aforementioned nostalgia-building activities) while the kids engage in outdoor adventures of their own. After picking them up, stroll the Ice Age Discovery trail through both villages.

En route, you’ll pass by several murals from renowned local and international artists commemorating the 2010 discovery of a mammoth tusk during the construction of a reservoir adjacent to the Snowmass Village Mall. Subsequently, more than 5,000 bones were discovered in what is now Ziegler Reservoir, from animals as diverse as the mastodon, salamander, and giant ground sloth. Even an ancient camel was discovered, which kiddos can learn about during the 20-minute stroll. It also includes two rides on the iconic “Skittles” gondola that connects the village to the mall, so named for its three-pack gondola cars, each bearing a color of the rainbow.

To make date night available for parents, grade school and older kids can hang out at The Collective Snowmass and participate in everything from video games, to mega-foosball, to jumping in an exceptionally large foam ball kit. The Collective Snowmass features a restaurant and a new “Selfie Den” designed to entertain even those stretching to hold onto the title of “kid at heart.”

Focus on your partner, not the road

Photo: Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock

Relationships tend to work better when partners keep their eyes on each other rather than on the road. Doing so in Snowmass Village is quite easy. Free public busses run throughout town, with the base village’s main bus terminal located right across from the Viceroy Snowmass. You can ride the village shuttles to both base villages and all parking lots. The local RFTA public transit system connects Snowmass Village to Aspen and its airport, as well as down-valley locations such as Carbondale, Basalt, and Glenwood Springs.

“In reality, there’s no reason to have a car while you’re here,” says Scheller.

The Viceroy, like nearly everything in the base village and mall, is ski-in, ski-out. It’s within walking distance of the free gondola connecting the base village to the main village. Everything needed for a ski day can be acquired on-site, from rentals to lift tickets and outerwear, via the hotel’s gear and rental shop.

More like thisCyclingAspen Snowmass Is Officially One of Best Mountain Bike Spots in the World

What It’s Really Like To Catch COVID on a Cruise Right Now

Back in 2020, few things were scarier than catching COVID on a cruise ship. Today, it really isn’t so bad.

On November 26, 2023, I embarked on Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam for a 14-day transatlantic crossing. The voyage started from Rome, Italy, made stops in southern Spain and the Azores, and involved 10 days at sea, including seven consecutive days while crossing the ocean from Ponta Delgada, Azores, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Unfortunately, my last two days on board were spent masked and locked away in my cabin with what was likely COVID.

Holland America’s beautiful Nieuw Statendam. Photo: Jesse Adams

It was not the first time that I traveled with Holland America. Back in October 2022, my partner and I sailed to Alaska with the cruise line, and the trip was so perfect in every way that we decided to trust them with our vacation again.

Unlike what we experienced during our Alaskan cruise, however, this sailing was full or nearly full (the ship can accommodate around 2500 passengers), which means that the human density in common areas was much higher. The bars, dining venues, and the theater always felt busy.

Another significant difference between our October 2022 and December 2023 cruises was the level of COVID precautions required by the cruise line. Before boarding our Alaskan cruise, we had to provide proof of our COVID vaccination and the result of a negative COVID test, and while we did not have to wear masks during the sailing, every member of the crew did. This time around, nothing was required of us and the crew members did not wear masks. It was like being back in 2019 — except for the inordinate amount of people coughing and sniffling.

Holland America is, of course, not the only cruise eschewing to ask passengers to provide proof of vaccination or to get tested. Just about every single cruise line out there, just like every airline, resort, or hotel, is doing the same. The terror that COVID induced in us in the first two years of its existence is seemingly behind us. It’s made travel a lot less stressful and a lot more enjoyable. It’s made people a lot more careless, too.

This past November, it only took a few days on board the cruise ship for my partner and I to realize that some people were sick. Sick with what, however, we did not know and I’m not sure they did either. It could as easily be the common cold, bronchitis, as it could be COVID. Many people, whether on cruise ships or at home, have stopped testing themselves every time they have a runny nose or feel a little off.

Tested or not, COVID or not, what gets my goat, however, is when those who are sick decide that protecting others isn’t part of their agenda. On this trip, it seemed obvious that nobody remembered the basic rules of hygiene that we were all recently so careful to apply. Sick passengers on the ship rarely sneezed and coughed in their elbow, or washed their hands after blowing their nose or before enjoying a meal. Very few recalled that wearing a mask was a simple courtesy that could spare others from getting what they have.

The onboard theater where people were coughing, sneezing, and sniffling to their hearts’ content. Photo: Jesse Adams

Fewer than five days into our trip, my partner and I were spending anxious hours in the theater, bars, and lounges sitting as far away from the obviously unhealthy passengers and using hand sanitizers generously. We are not clean freaks or germaphobes, we just did not want our hard-earned vacations ruined.

But the inevitable happened anyway. Two days before our arrival in Florida, I woke up feeling poorly. I did not cough, I did not sneeze, I did not have a fever, but I did have a runny nose, had a headache, was tired and weak, and felt generally unwell. I made the decision to stay in my cabin until I felt better, and masked up and washed my hands as often as possible so that my partner stayed healthy. I enjoyed the movies available on the TV, the comfy bed, and the great ocean view from our balcony. I ordered room service and used the “Do not disturb” sign on the door so that crew members would not come in. I stayed in my cabin until it was time for me to leave the ship. By then, I felt better, but remained masked and as far away from others as possible until I got home.

The lovely cabin in which this writer spent two whole days isolating. Photo: Jesse AdamsSunset from the top deck is much nicer than sunset from the cabin where you're isolating. Photo: Jesse Adams

While neither the FAQs page nor the Travel Well section on Holland America’s website mentions what happens to passengers who catch COVID on their ships, cruisers who are active on online message boards Cruise Critic explain that isolation is still the standard procedure for those who feel sick during a voyage.

According to the participants on Cruise Critic, if you feel unwell during your Holland America cruise, a call to the medical center will allow you to get tested by a medical professional who will determine if you indeed have an infectious disease that requires you to stay in your cabin for a few days. On Holland America’s ship, the standard duration of the isolation period seems to be five days (just as the CDC recommends), after which you get retested and examined to gauge whether or not you can mix up with the rest of the passengers again. Until recently, and according to the same message board, Holland America offered Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to those who need to isolate themselves for several days.

Other cruise lines have similar policies. According to their FAQs page, P&O requires a minimum of five days in isolation and offers FCC. The same goes for Virgin Voyages who requires passengers to isolate for an indeterminate amount of time and offers Future Voyage Credit (FVC) for the days spent in confinement.

However, not all cruise lines offer FCC. For example, according to their website, Cunard also requires isolation for passengers testing positive for COVID but makes no mention of FCC.

Be mindful of the details of your travel insurance regarding COVID — some might cover the trip interruption due to the confinement — and inquire about COVID-specific protocols upon making your booking with a cruise line.

I’m pretty sure I know exactly who got me sick. A handful of days before my symptoms started, an elderly woman sitting a few feet away from me at the Dutch Cafe spent her time blowing her nose, coughing in my direction, and looking generally miserable. It seemed she had no qualms about spreading her germs onto others.

The reality is that nobody appearing sick can be made to cover their mouth when coughing, wear a mask, get tested, etc. It should be common sense, but it’s not. What passengers who are worried about getting sick can do, however, is to wear a mask when in crowded areas, wash their hands regularly, and stay away from others. I never thought I’d go back to doing this, but if it’s a choice between my vacation and wearing a mask onboard a cruise ship, I know what I’ll pick.

Delaware’s Wilmington Public Library Is Celebrating Black History Month With an Incredible February Speaker Series

In honor of Black History Month this year, Delaware’s Wilmington Public Library is holding a Special Speaker series named after Maya Angelou’s poem, “And Still I Rise.” The Wilmington Public Library is hosting several important guests throughout February, making it a destination for those in the area looking to attend Black History Month events.

The library will host seven speakers throughout February. Those speakers include novelist and professor Jesmyn Ward; comedian, content creator, and host Amanda Seals; poet, activist, and scholar Sonia Sanchez; hip-hop artist Talib Kweli; attorney Benjamin Crump; Misty Copeland, the first Black principal dancer of the American Ballet Theater; actor and author Courtney B. Vance; and psychologist and author Dr. Robin L. Smith.

Events such as these are nothing new to the Wilmington Public Library, which has won awards for its Speaker Series. In the past, other events have had a notable impact on the community, like inspiring those to go back to school with a full-ride scholarship despite personal obstacles, promoting local businesses, and giving the community an opportunity to connect with renowned and inspiring individuals from many walks of life. With this Speaker Series, each public figure helps highlight and connect the community to what’s happening in the world.

To learn more about the Speaker Series and how it impacts the community, I connected with library director Jamar Rahming.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Matador: Who is this event intended for, and how was the idea for the event conceived?

Jamar Rahming: The thing with Still I Rise is that we want this series to inspire our community. We are in an urban setting. Wilmington is 70 percent Black, a predominantly Black working-class urban community. With this event, we hope to inspire our community, preserve our culture, and provide a cosmopolitan experience for a constituency that seldom leaves the city limits of Wilmington. We want to bring the world to Wilmington.

How do you think this will impact the community?

Usually, what happens is that the person comes in, and we have a moderated conversation with them, and then they do a book signing. We hope to inspire and encourage people to read because our nation has a crisis. The average American reads at a 5th-grade level, and the majority of our children are not reading at grade level. We are one or two generations away from having an illiterate society. We are striving to derail that, and by bringing in prominent people who have written books, we could inspire and encourage people to nurture their intellectual wellness and literacy.

Why did you choose the speakers and presenters who will be featured?

We don’t do anything haphazard. Everything we do is with a strategy. If you look at our lineup, you can see how diverse it is. We have a literary illuminator, ballet dancer, actor, comedian, living legend, poet, attorney, rapper, and psychologist. So we strive for diversity, and with Black History Month, we strive to tell the whole narrative of the African American experience because when people think of Black history, they think of Rosa Parks or the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr. and hardship and struggle. But our narrative is so much more expansive than that.

We wanted our speaker series to give a complete narrative of the African American experience by highlighting people from various fields. Also, if you look at African American people, we have tapped into just about everything. There’s nothing that we have not done. We have been presidents, Supreme Court justices, mechanics, and morticians. Looking at Black people, you can understand every dimension of American history. So what our series does is build bridges by tapping into the interior of the African American experience. We are also building bridges and hoping that our bridge building can derail some of the polarization that we are experiencing.

What’s the background of the library’s Black History Month Series?

This is our third Black History Month Speaker Series. We started three years ago. We began with LeVar Burton, he was our very first. Then we had Nikki Giovanni, Phylicia Rashad Angela Davis, Ernest Green from Little Rock Nine, and Slick Rick. It keeps growing and getting larger each year. What it has done is enhance the visibility and viability of the library, increase our daily foot traffic, and help us solidify our brand.

The library won a national medal in 2022 [because of our Speaker Series]. We got an award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and that’s the highest honor a public library can receive in the nation. We are the first to ever do this except for Oprah Winfrey.

What was the reason and meaning behind the name of the event?

Still I Rise is inspired by the poem by Maya Angelou. I think it captures the essence of everything we are seeking to accomplish by offering the Speaker Series. We want to highlight the perseverance and fortitude of people of African descent. We want to inspire and encourage our people to achieve their goals and successfully navigate the vicissitudes of life, and we believe we rise as a community by opportunities.

So we are creating opportunities for our community to enhance their intellectual capacity to expand their world views. We hope to build a community in a time of history when people are enslaved to a digital eco chamber. Then, as a public library, we are a citadel of intellectual freedom, so we are offering a variety of people coming and a variety of viewpoints. Talib Kweli and Amanda Seales have been very vocal about their social justice and political stances. So we are exposing our people to different world views. We have Ben Crump, a social justice lawyer and a proponent in the Black Lives Matter movement, so again, we are fulfilling our role as a citadel of intellectual freedom and creating a space where various viewpoints are highlighted and exposed.

Why is the event important to the community?

For you to be connected with people that you see on television or people that you listen to, people that you see at the box office — for you to be within close proximity with them I mean, that is definitely monumental. Things like music, pop culture, and film are things that shape our culture. Those are things that we all relish and love and enjoy. You want to get somebody really excited, ask them what their favorite movie, music, or food is. I mean, you can never go wrong anywhere by creating a venue that brings in people that are part of the arts, humanities, food, and pop culture of the community.

How has the local community contributed to this Black History Month event?

We only invite and bring people here that we think that the community will come out and see. The majority of our speakers are Black and brown people because that whats our community consists of. So yes, everything that we do here is community driven and community focused. We booked Amanda Seales because we profiled her social media pages and discovered that a high volume of her followers were here in the greater Philadelphia area and the Wilmington area, so we knew that if we invited her here, this would be something that would engage and stimulate our community.

How does the event aim to inspire and educate younger generations about Black history?

We are inspiring our community just by virtue of proximity. The fact is that in a small working-class urban city, you can walk into your public library and sit face-to-face with Sonia Sanchez, who started the Black Arts movement.

We had the American rapper and actor Common here, and if you live in the city of Wilmington, you get in line to come to your public library, you’re going to get a chance to get a book and a book signed and meet Common. So inspiration comes by virtue of proximity and by virtue of this being a free and open event to the community.

Are there specific educational components or resources associated with the event?

Sure, absolutely. It bridges the gap because in the school systems, there has been a focus on STEM education, and we have forgotten about the arts and the humanities. It’s the arts and humanities that help us to learn about one another. Once we learn about one another, we are more inclined to say that we have more in common than differences.

Most of us want the same things out of life, and when you find that most of us have more in common than different, that helps with us maintaining a civil society. So we are standing in the gap because arts and humanities are not taught in schools. In working-class Black communities, our people don’t have the luxury of paying $100 or more for a Broadway production or going to see somebody speak, but the library meets that community need. They can come to their public library for free and have a cosmopolitan, culturally rich experience.

How does the event celebrate Black History Month?

All the people coming in are African American, and they have all made some kind of valuable contributions to our history and our culture and they’ve all been leading figures and excelled in their field. You look at Benjamin Crump and his track record for winning cases. He’s the Johnnie Cochran of the 21st century. Look at Misty Copeland. She is a trailblazer. She was the very first Black woman to have a residency at the American Ballet Theater.

You look at Sonia Sanchez. She is 90 years old, and she started the Black arts movement. She made it mainstream for Black people to speak in the vernacular to appreciate our mode of expression, and if it weren’t for Sonia, we would not have hip-hop or rap. You look at Jesmyn Ward. She has won a National Book Award. I mean, how many Black people have won the National Book Award, especially when they are writing books about poor people and rural Mississippi? All the people we have are Black and all trailblazers, and they’ve made a distinctive and valuable contribution to our culture and history.

More like thisBlack Travel6 Underrated Cities in the US To Celebrate Black History All Year Long

This Solo Traveler Is Driving From the UK To Nigeria in Her Purple Peugeot 107

On January 24, Nubi, a former Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences student took a step back from academia to set off on a solo overlanding trip from London, UK to Lagos, Nigeria in her purple Peugeot 107. When she makes it, she’ll be the first Black woman to complete such an expedition.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pelumi Nubi |Travel content creator (@pelumi.nubi)

If you’re reading this and questioning “Why?” You’re not alone. Reporting from Barcelona, Spain on January 26, Nubi shares her reasoning with Aminata Kamara on BBC Radio London.

“Why not?” Nubi jests, “I wanted to inspire people to go for big adventures. I’ve always wanted to connect my two roots. I was born in Nigeria and grew up in the UK.”

Nubi relocated to London as a teenager but considers both the UK and Nigeria home.

“This [journey] feels like moving from one home to another,” she explains.

Photo: Pelumi Nubi
Pelumi enjoys a boat tour in Lamu, Kenya.

What is driving Nubi — other than the 1.0 L 3-cylinder engine in her trusty purple Peugeot — is her love of travel and desire to increase representation of solo Black female travelers, peculiarly in the overlanding community. As a content creator, it’s also her goal to share stories from people she meets along the way, especially from other women in Western Africa.

Nubi’s passport is already well-worn. She currently sits at 80 countries and will bag a few more over the next couple of months. It’s also not the first time Nubi has taken on a travel-related challenge. She reels off personal achievements such as her road trips from Lagos to Ghana, an 2,500 mile trip across Namibia, and London to Lake Como. But overlanding from the UK to Nigeria is her greatest adventure yet.

Photo: Pelumi Nubi
Pelumi awaits a bus in Benin during her first West African road trip.

The journey will take Nubi and her Peugeot over 6,000 miles, crossing continents and borders, spanning 17 countries across Europe and West Africa. The route crosses exciting destinations such as Western Sahara, Mali, Ghana, and Morocco.

The trip should take around two months. If all goes to plan, Nubi will make it home by March to celebrate her mom’s 60th with the family. They are her support system, “I couldn’t have done this without them,” Nubi continues. “I’ve never been told, “You can not do it,”” and that was instilled from a young age.

Photo: Pelumi Nubi
Pelumi enjoys the views in San Marino.

However, there have been a lot of practical hurdles to get over. Overlanding gear is not cheap. In order to be comfortable and safe, there are certain necessities you can’t go without, but you can start with a few adaptations to your vehicle and build on those foundations. For Nubi, putting aside any spare money for travel has always been a priority. It’s taken a year to save up, and the budget for the trip is carefully controlled. The Peugeot is her home for the next couple of months. After adding a customized bed on the passenger side seat and a cooking area, she is now able to wild camp and avoids the expense of accommodation.

“It’s actually a cozy night’s sleep,” Nubi adds, “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

And this trip will take a lot of self-confidence — an attribute Nubi explains has taken time to build. Over multiple trips to Europe, she flexed this muscle and became more savvy at overlanding. With street smarts and by taking calculated risks, she promotes solo female travel and hopes that others will take on similar challenges.

“The journey is larger than myself. I want to represent anyone who has dreams but is doubtful”, says Nubi. “You can dare to step into the unknown — it’s the only way we get to connect with ourselves and inspire others.”

For real-time updates, follow Pelumi Nubi on Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, or subscribe to her newsletter, The Inner Circle.

More like thisPhoto + Video + Film22 Solo Female Travelers Give Their Top Travel Tips

Trending Accommodations From Matador’s Epic Stays TikTok Channel

 

 

The Most Comfortable and Convenient Airbnbs in Chennai, India

Before it was developed into a seaport and garrison, the area now known as Chennai comprised a cluster of small villages on India’s Coromandel Coast. The largest of these, Madrasapattinam, inspired the city’s original name of Madras before being renamed Chennai in 1996. This history has resulted in a sprawling metropolitan area with no clearly defined downtown core although the region between the Cooum and Adyar rivers generally defines the tourist zone.

Thyagaraya Nagar (T. Nagar) and Nungambakkam are the best districts to stay in Chennai. Close to historic George Town and Mylapore, these wards have a mix of restaurants, bazaars, and conveniences. Triplicane backs onto Marina Beach – the longest beach in India – which is awesome for fish fry and strolls but treacherous for swimming.

Chennai is huge but the metro system makes it easy to explore. Uber and Ola fill any gaps in the service. These are the best Airbnbs in Chennai for getting a sense of the seaside city.

Traveling to India? Check out Matador’s India accommodations guides: The Best Rajasthan Airbnbs Throughout the Blue City, Jaisalmer, and Jaipur The Most Convenient Airbnbs in Udaipur, India The most luxurious hotels on the coastline of Goa, India Goa, India Offers the Country’s Coolest Airbnbs. These 11 Are Proof. 7 luxury hotels in Jaipur with the finest hospitality in Rajasthan Experience the best of Mumbai from these cozy Airbnbs These Jaipur Airbnbs put you in the heart of a beautiful city The Best Hotels Near the Taj Mahal With Incredible Views and Service These New Delhi Airbnbs Help You Find Your Footing in a Massive City These Airbnbs let you sleep near the Taj Mahal

We hope you love these Airbnb Chennai vacation rentals! 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.

Bay of Bengal beachside cottagePhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosSwap the bazaars for the beach and spend a night at this Chennai Airbnb in Uthandi. The bungalow has a secure backyard and is minutes from the sandy Uthandi Beach, one of the city’s few swimmable beaches. It’s well-stocked with utensils, kids’ toys, and beach gear. Central Chennai and the airport are roughly an hour by taxi so seize the chance for some sunshine before traveling onwards.

Four guests, one bedroom (studio)
Price: $45 per night

Book Now

New Airbnb next to Chennai CentralPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosThis recently refurbished apartment features two double bedrooms and a modern kitchen with an induction hob and laundry facilities. That chunky sectional is just the tonic after alighting at the train station or returning from the bazaars. Speaking of, the Periyamet neighborhood is awash with vendors selling leather goods and gift items and hole-in-the-wall eateries specializing in home cooking.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $29 per night

Book Now

Stylish Chennai apartment on Sterling RoadPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosThis Guest Favorite Airbnb roosts in Chennai’s upscale Nungambakkam neighborhood. The studio consists of one king-sized bed plus a convertible sofa separated by a privacy screen. Minimalist and modern, the apartment is tricked out with all the essentials – a functional kitchen, a workstation, and a TV with Netflix. There are tons of restaurants on the doorstep and a reliable supply of Ubers/Olas.

Four guests, one bedroom (studio)
Price: $32 per night

Book Now

Chennai Airbnb Room with a private bathroomPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosGet the inside scoop on where to go in Chennai by renting the spare room of an architect in Nungambakkam. This rental is attached to a private bathroom while all other spaces in the home are shared with the host and potentially another tenant. Grab a seat on the covered terrace overlooking a lush garden when plotting out how to spend the day.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $31 per night

Book Now

Guest Favorite Airbnb in T. NagarPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosThis highly-reviewed apartment is a stone’s throw from the Pondy Bazaar where vendors flog silks, spices, and jewelry galore. The kitchen is appointed with an induction hob and microwave plus there’s a work desk in the master bedroom. The small patio is useful for nursing a morning brew or airing laundry. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam and Nandanam Metro Station are a five-minute walk.

Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $72 per night

Book Now

Contemporary condo in Thousand LightsPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosThis lovely apartment is nourished with natural light courtesy of large windows and a balcony peppered with pot plants. The kitchen is suitable for cooking heavier meals and the rainfall showers in each en suite bathroom are a welcome perk after a day of exploring. Named for the Thousand Lights Mosque, this trendy area is convenient for public transit and nightlife in Chennai.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $48 per night

Book Now

Beach bungalow south of ChennaiPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosSupplement a city break with a beach escape at this Airbnb one hour south of Chennai in Mahabalipuram. The town is a hub for Tamil Nadu’s preserved ratha temples and structural monuments including the Shore Temple, all of which are a short drive from the property. Suitable for families, the two-bedroom cottage opens out onto a huge terrace overlooking the Bay of Bengal.

Eight guests, two bedrooms
Price: $112 per night

Book Now

Budget-friendly Chennai Airbnb close to everythingPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosThis Guest Favorite Airbnb in Chennai is a no-frills crash pad for wedded couples and solo travelers. The rental unit is attached to the home of the host family although it has its own basic kitchen, bathroom (brace yourself for a cold shower), and private entrance. The location can’t be faulted: T. Nagar, Mylapore, and Marina Beach are a ride away by metro or Uber/Ola.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $24 per night

Book Now

Comfortable apartment near Marina BeachPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosThis cozy two-bedroom apartment near India’s longest beach comes with an office for remote workers and a mini exhibition of antiques and books. There are several air-conditioning units and a gigantic fridge for when you inevitably order one too many dosas. Chennai Lighthouse and the landmarks of Mylapore are within easy access and the host can arrange a private driver.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $60 per night

Book Now

Guest suite Airbnb minutes from Chennai AirportPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosThis self-contained studio with a private entrance comes with a kitchenette, tiled bathroom, and daily housekeeping. The compound is surrounded by plants and mango trees while the apartment has its own netted patio where you can catch the sunrise and enjoy the sound of silence. It’s only 15 minutes to the airport and the area is well-served by Uber/Ola.

Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $38 per night

Book Now

Chennai apartment with a balcony in MylaporePhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: AirbnbPhoto: Airbnb

 

See more photosRich in cultural attractions and ornate temples, historic Mylapore is where to stay in Chennai for quiet – by Indian stands, of course. A handful of sights are within walking distance of this serene apartment and there’s no shortage of walkable places to eat. The kitchen is readied with a starter pack of cooking supplies while handwoven rugs and decorative trinkets add a homely vibe.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $60 per night

Book Now

Is Airbnb safe in Chennai?

Airbnb is safe in Chennai. It’s wise to choose a rental apartment in a tourist-centric area close to the metro such as Thyagaraya Nagar (T. Nagar), Nungambakkam, Mylapore, or George Town. As with any destination, consult the previous reviews and prioritize a Guest Favorite Airbnb or Superhost. Note that not all hosts accept unmarried couples in Chennai.

What time is it in Chennai?

Chennai and Tamil Nadu follow India Standard Time (IST) and do not observe Daylight Saving Time. The time in Chennai is UTC/GMT +05:30.

Where is Chennai?

Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is located on the coast of southeastern India. It’s the state capital of Tamil Nadu and a major port city responsible for containers and automobiles.

Chennai International Airport sits 12 miles southwest of the city. Spread over 17 platforms, Chennai Central is a landmark station in India with direct access to the Chennai Metro.

More like thisRoad TripsThis Motorcycle Tour Is the Most Epic Way To See the Himalayas

A Family-Friendly Travel Guide To Wilmington, NC and Island Beaches

Families flock to Wilmington and Beaches, North Carolina, to experience a getaway that parents will enjoy just as much as the kids. Join them and what you’ll find is vacation perfection in Wilmington’s vibrant downtown and award-winning Riverwalk, located only a few minutes’ drive from three distinct island beaches where fun in the sun — and the sand and the water — will keep you and the kiddos busy all day. That is, until you decide it’s time for a cruise, some standup paddleboarding, a trip to the aquarium, or a visit to one of the other exciting, kid-friendly attractions at the best of the Carolina coast.

Read on for your ultimate family-focused travel guide to Wilmington and its island beaches, North Carolina’s most accessible coastal destination by interstate or a short non-stop flight.

Water, water everywhere

Photo: Wilmington and Beaches

The Cape Fear River flows through downtown Wilmington, and the nearby barrier-island beaches are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. Get acquainted with the historic city as you stroll along the Riverwalk, a nearly two-mile boardwalk along the Cape Fear River featuring beautiful views. Steps away, you’ll find candy shops, boutiques, and excellent spots to grab an ice cream or a bite to eat.

Across from the Riverwalk floats the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, a museum and memorial to North Carolina’s WWII veterans. Take a quick drive or a water taxi across the river to embark on a guided or self-led tour, exploring both above and below deck for a look at life on a battleship. At the riverfront, hop aboard the double-decker boat from Cape Fear River Boats or the custom-built catamaran from Wilmington Water Tours, which offers the Black Water Adventure Cruise. This narrated nature cruise will take you to spot eagles, alligators, and more in a verdant swamp forest full of old-growth cypress trees.

When it’s time to head to the island beaches — Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach — you’ll find even more water tours to join. Soundside Adventures at Wrightsville Beach runs boat tours to the nature preserve and marsh system at uninhabited Masonboro Island. Soundside also has a 44-foot catamaran for private sightseeing cruises and island excursions. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours and Carolina Beach’s Island Cruises give kids the thrill of a pirate adventure complete with a treasure hunt. Shelling excursions and trips focused on wildlife and ecology also make it easy to satisfy the curiosity of your little travel companions.

Make the most of your playtime on the water. A standup paddleboarding lesson or guided tour from Wrightsville SUP or Cape Fear Paddleboarding (they’ll even drop off rental boards at your beach house) lets you experience refreshing waters from a new perspective. Kayak with Wilmington Outdoor Adventures — their new sightseeing and nature tours include a Waterloop Tour that puts Wrightsville Beach’s waterways and beautiful waterside homes on display. Or try a thrilling new sport at Tony Silvagni Surf School in Carolina Beach. Tony, an Olympic Gold Medalist, will have you hanging ten in no time.

Kid-perfect stops back on land

Photo: Wilmington and Beaches

Kids love the Wilmington area, and as you discover it through their eyes, you’ll fall in love too. What gets kids so excited? Plenty!

Carolina Beach Boardwalk: Boardwalks are a seaside classic, and the one you’ll find in Carolina Beach holds souvenir shops, arcades, and delicious distractions like Britt’s Donut Shop, a local favorite spot for hot glazed donuts since 1939. Throughout the summer, weekly fireworks displays dazzle and seasonal amusement rides deliver even more oohs, aahs, and kid-sized thrills.North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher: At this aquarium, the tanks and displays tell the story of area waters — from inland rivers and creeks to the marshes to the surf and deep ocean offshore. You can even meet an albino alligator, young sea turtles, and a family of otters. The touch tank lets you get hands-on with horseshoe crabs, sea stars, and more animals. Other exhibits include sharks, rays, eels, and jellies, to name a few. Book a behind-the-scenes tour for an up-close and personal experience.Wilmington Pirate Walk: For a kid-friendly activity full of seafaring legends and lore, join this downtown walking tour led by a costumed guide. Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park: This place was made for play, and kids can’t get enough of the arcade, go-karts, rides, mini-golf, and games for the little ones. Drift on the lazy river, dip in the wave pool, and ride a few water slides while you’re at it.Children’s Museum of Wilmington: Stop in for a play date (with a side of education) only a couple of blocks from the Riverwalk. The Children’s Museum offers hours of enriched play with hands-on arts, science, and cultural exhibits in a space that’s kid-approved.Cape Fear Museum of History and Science: Learn a bit about Wilmington’s past, from the 1.5-million-year-old ground sloth replica to the town’s most celebrated sports star, Michael Jordan. At this Smithsonian affiliate, exhibits such as the Space Place — a kid-sized space station — and the interactive Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery keep kids engaged, while traveling exhibitions like the upcoming display of images from the Hubble Space Telescope will fill the whole family with wonder.Wilmington Railroad Museum: Explore a retired steam locomotive and caboose, hear songs and stories from railroad life, and get wowed by the model train exhibit at this one-of-a-kind museum on the northern end of the Riverwalk.Exploring the outdoors

Photo: Wilmington and Beaches

The destination’s parks and historic sites offer up plenty of greenspace and outdoor areas to discover. At Kure Beach’s Fort Fisher State Historic Site, the site of the largest land-sea battle of the Civil War, you’ll be surrounded by history (and some beautiful live oak trees). Explore the earthwork battlements and the brand new visitor center (opening mid-2024). It’ll feature an orientation auditorium and new exhibits.

Check out indigenous plants like the Venus flytrap along Carolina Beach State Park’s Flytrap Trail. While you’re here, hike the Sugarloaf Trail to a 50-foot sand dune, a landmark for early sailors. Visit another state park, Kure Beach’s Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, where you can explore miles of unspoiled shoreline and hike the Basin Trail through a maritime forest.

Mom, I’m hungry!

Photo: Wilmington and Beaches

Did you think we forgot mealtime? Enjoy everything from exceptional Thai cuisine and sushi to taco and burrito shops you’ll be talking about for years. Whether you’re seeking seafood or Southern barbecue, you’ll find plenty of places to dine al fresco and waterside that’ll delight even the pickiest eater. Here’s a list of kid-friendly restaurants.

A good night’s sleep

Photo: Wilmington and Beaches

There are plenty of standout places to stay in Wilmington and its nearby island beaches. Book a family-sized suite just steps from the Riverwalk at Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center (near the Railroad Museum) or Embassy Suites Wilmington Riverfront Hotel.

Stay oceanfront in style at Wrightsville Beach’s family-friendly Lumina on Wrightsville Beach, a Holiday Inn Resort, or the storied Blockade Runner Beach Resort, a seaside complex with an exceptional restaurant and loads of on-site watersports. The Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach Oceanfront offers heated indoor/outdoor pools, easy access to the Boardwalk and beach, and wow-worthy ocean views.

Of course, you can opt for a vacation rental and make a condo, townhouse, houseboat, or beach house your home-away-from-home for a few days. With options including accessible homes, pet-friendly accommodations, and properties ideal for an extended family getaway, you’ll find a home perfect for your family-focused escape to Wilmington and Beaches.

Tallest hotels in the world

If staring out across grand skylines from up in the clouds is part of your “perfect trip,” we have great news for you. Hotels make up a sizable percentage of the globe’s highest buildings, which means the views they offer can be yours. It’s no surprise that China and other Asian destinations have a strong showing. Of course, no list of notable structures would be complete without Dubai. Here are the world’s highest hotels with the best city views.

We hope you love the tallest hotel in the world — and the rest! 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.

JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai

Photo: JW Marriott Marquis Dubai

See more photos
Height: 1,165’
Cost: Basic rooms run about $150/night.

It’s no surprise that Dubai has a firm presence on the list. The saying “Everything is bigger” may belong to Texas, but Dubai certainly has rights to “Everything is grander.” In that light, this eclectic city in the United Arab Emirates boasts the tallest hotel in the world – in which the hotel occupies the entire building. As an added bonus, rooms are surprisingly affordable.

Book Now

Ritz Carlton Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Photo: Ritz Carlton Hong Kong

See more photos
Height: 1,608’
Cost: Basic rooms run just over $400/night.

The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong is technically the tallest hotel in the world, even if it doesn’t occupy the entire building like the JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai. The Ritz Carlton occupies floors 102 thru 118 of the International Commerce Center, putting hotel guests far above the bustling (and incredibly photogenic) city.

Book Now

Baiyoke Sky Hotel, Bangkok

Photo: Vio

See more photos
Height: 1,014’
Cost: Basic rooms start around $70/night.

One of the most affordable options on the list, the Baiyoke Sky Hotel offers guests an unrivaled view of one of the world’s most exciting and raucous cities. From up this high, you may find yourself unable to tell east from west — Bangkok’s skyline seemingly goes on forever.

Book Now

Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou

Photo: Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou

See more photos
Height: 1,439’
Cost: Basic rooms start around $260/night.

Four Seasons has built its brand on unparalleled luxury combined with hefty doses of local flavors. The hotel offers a pool on the 69th floor and views from high above the Zhujian River. As a hotel guest, you’ll probably spend most of your time staring out over one of China’s most underrated cities.

Book Now

85 Sky Tower Hotel, Taiwan

Photo: Vio.com

See more photos

Height: 1,240’
Cost: Basic rooms run about $100/night.

85 Sky Tower looks like something straight out of Star Trek. It’s pronged, resulting in one of the most uniquely beautiful skyscrapers anywhere in the world. The US dollar is strong in Taiwan and 85 Sky Tower is located far south of the bustling megacity of Taipei, leaving you with extra cash to splurge on dining and drinks to enjoy over your view of the Asian island’s southern tip and the South China Sea.

Book Now

Grand Hyatt Shanghai, Shanghai

Photo: Grand Hyatt Shanghai

See more photos
Height: 1,380’
Cost: Basic rooms start just under $300/night.

The Grand Hyatt touts its hospitality service as on par with the views at its iconic hotel in Shanghai’s Pudong district. The area has, in many ways, grown around the hotel itself, meaning that not only are the views dramatic, but staying here puts you right in the middle of the action.

Book Now

Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Photo: Burj Al Arab

See more photos
Height: 1,053’
Cost: Get ready for a serious ding to the bank account. Rooms start around $1,200/night (but hey, enjoy that private beach!).

The Burj Al Arab isn’t the tallest hotel on the list, but has two distinct characteristics: it’s located offshore, making it the tallest offshore hotel in the world. Additionally, it’s shaped like an Arabian Dhow sail, making it incredibly distinct even from far away.

Book Now

Rose Rayhaan by Rotana, Dubai

Photo: Rose Rayhaan by Rotana

See more photos
Height: 1,093’
Cost: Rooms start at just under $100/night.

Another high-rise Dubai legend, the Rose Rayhaan towers about the city just a few blocks from the Persian Gulf coast. The views and the upscale experience they complement make this hotel a destination in itself. You’ll have to enjoy the view over a virgin beverage, however, as the Rotana brand is alcohol-free.

Book Now

Gevora Hotel, Dubai

Photo: Vio.com

See more photos

Height: 1,174’
Cost: Rooms start around $100/night.

You might wake up surrounded by clouds at the Gevora, especially with a room on one of the upper floors. The views of Dubai are amazing, but you’ll have a tough time finding a drink — the Gevora is another hotel which doesn’t sell alcohol.

Book Now

More like thisInfographic: These are the tallest hotels in the world

Passengers Open Up About What It’s Like To Go on a 9-Month Cruise Around the World

How would you define a reality TV show? Probably as a group of strangers thrown together in a luxurious or foreign locale, engaging in various activities where romance, conflict, and hysterics could ensue. By that definition, cruises are a reality show without the cameras, which makes Royal Caribbean’s nine-month Ultimate World Cruise the perfect reality show. Oh, and thanks to iPhones and TikTok, the cameras are there too.

What exactly does a 9-month cruise look like?

The Ultimate World Cruise is a 9-month voyage around the world, which left Miami on December 10, 2023, and is slated to return on September 10, 2024. Taking place on the Serenade of the Seas, the cruise will tour the Americas, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Mediterranean, and Europe. And yes, that even includes Antarctica. Passengers can choose to board for the full nine months, or simply join for one of the various legs. Obviously, the full nine months will set passengers back a hefty sum, ranging from $54,000 to $117,000 per person.

The cruise differs from a typical 7-night voyage in several crucial ways. Mainly – you’re not just on a short-lived vacation with your fellow passengers. You’ve essentially moved into a floating apartment building with them for almost a full year. You’re also putting your real life, relationships, and potentially careers, on hold. So what kind of person takes a trip like this? Who can just depart from their everyday responsibilities for a 9-month jaunt around the world? Surprisingly, it’s not just retirees and millionaires.

@little_rat_brain Might have froze myself half to death but my paint did stay on the table during arts and craft, so there’s that . #ultimateworldcruise2023 #9monthcruise #9monthcruisetok #ultimateworldcruise #drakeshake #drakepassage #9monthcruisedrama #ultimateworldcruisebingo ♬ Feeling Good – Michael Bublé

Several passengers have been documenting their voyages on a day-to-day basis and sharing their videos on TikTok. Now, people are following their journey like they’d follow a reality show. According to these passengers-turned-social-media-reality stars, here’s what it’s like to live on a cruise for nine months.

Who takes a 9-month cruise, anyway?

As it turns out, you don’t need to be a millionaire with a ton of savings in the bank and absolutely zero responsibilities back home. This is the age of remote work, and the era of taking some time off the 9-5 grind to find yourself.

“My husband and I have always dreamed of traveling the world,” Jenny Hunnicutt, one of the cruise’s passengers, tells Matador Network. “The day that Royal Caribbean announced that it was doing the longest world cruise ever, we gave them a call with a list of questions. One by one they answered our questions and the next thing we knew we were putting down a deposit!”

@drjennytravels I hope everyone had a very happy new year! Cheers to 2024! #drjennytravels #ultimateworldcruise #worldcruisetok #cruisetok #uwc #royalcaribbean #Serenadeoftheseas #royalcaribbeanworldcruise #9monthcruisetok #9monthcruise ♬ original sound – drjennytravels

Jenny and her husband didn’t exactly leave behind a traditional lifestyle, either. It’s actually not as hard as you think to take off for several months, assuming you’ve set yourself up the right way professionally and lifestyle-wise.

“In 2021 I went completely remote in my business, sold everything, bought an RV, and started traveling the US,” she says. “For this world cruise, we left the RV stored in Las Vegas and are planning to return to it when we finish the 9 months at sea.”

For little_rat_brain, another passenger, the cruise functioned as a little life intermission, while also serving her travel goals.

“I’m an artist, so my schedule is flexible,” she says. “I was in between major milestones and the timing worked out. Not only was this the only cruise that would allow me to see so many different places across the world and meet so many new people, but it was also the fact that I would only have to unpack once.”

And though she does have a house to consider, she’s not exactly letting it fall into disrepair during her stint at sea. Relatives are caring for her house.

As you might expect, however, longer cruises like this typically appeal to an older demographic – people who have the time and means for a longer getaway.

“While the people on this ship come from a wide variety of demographics,” says passengers Nancy and Mike, “as you can imagine, many of the people on board are retired, simply because of the length of this adventure. Life is short and we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Our children are all grown and married, and our grandchildren won’t remember we were ever gone, so this really seemed like the best time.”

@livingphase2 #livingphase2 #royalcarribeancruise #royalcaribbean #royalcaribbeanworldcruise #worldcruisers #ultimateworldcruise #secondphaseoflife #uwc #rainjacket ♬ original sound – MikeandNancyLP2

And all they needed to keep their business back home running smoothly? WiFi.

“We own our own business and have a general manager running it while we are away,” they say. “We have internet so we have contact with our business regularly. Our bills are paid online, and we have a housesitter managing our home while we are away.”

What life is like onboard

Life aboard a 9-month cruise is quite different from your typical week-long voyage. On shorter cruises, you might make “vacation friends” who you hang with for a couple days and vow to stay in touch, only to inevitably lose contact three months later. You might get to know a few crew member’s names just as the cruise is drawing to a close. On a nine-month cruise, your fellow passengers aren’t just incidental travel companions bound together by proximity, they’re like neighbors in adjacent apartments in a floating shared community. They’re not just people you might run into at dinner once or twice during the week, they’re semi-permanent fixtures of your world for nine months, with whom you’ll have the time to form actual relationships.

@little_rat_brain Another bingo card down . #ultimateworldcruise2023 #9monthcruisetok #ultimateworldcruisebingo #northsea ♬ It's Five O'Clock Somewhere – Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett

According to little_rat_brain, “for the past 26 nights I’ve had dinner with seven other people, and over time, we have become so interconnected. Not only do we look for each other at the different activities, but we’ve already made plans to meet up once the cruise ends and visit each other across the world.”

Hunnicutt agrees, saying that she’s “already formed what I would consider lifelong friendships with many of the passengers. And unlike a short vacation cruise, we are also getting to know the crew and their life stories. Everyone here has a shared love for travel, and we all gave up quite a bit in life in one way or another to do this cruise, so it’s a really special experience.”

More like thisCruisesWhat It’s Like To Be a Resident Magician on the US’ First Adult-Only Cruise Ship

The 9 Best Small Towns in the US for a Wellness Centered Vacation

The 9 Best Small Towns in the US for a Wellness Centered Vacation

By: Matador Staff

Photo: DBSOCAL

Wellness travel is booming. By one measure, the amount that people spend on wellness travel has grown 12 percent each year since 2020, and will continue to grow another 52 percent by 2027. That said, the concept of “wellness” is a broad one. For some, it’s a soak in a natural hot spring in a place like Matador’s wellness destination of the year, Calistoga, California. For others, it’s a chance to partake in yoga classes or learn from meditation experts.

These days, it’s not too difficult to find some sort of wellness related activity anywhere you travel. However, there are some areas of the United States that particularly stand out as conducive to feeling better when you leave than when you arrived. Those trips are all the more charming when based in small towns that don’t have just a spa or two, but an entire wellness ecosystem with many ways to embrace a mentally and physically satisfying lifestyle.

These are the nine best small towns in the US for a wellness-centered vacation in 2024.

Contributors: Alex Bresler, Eben Diskin, Katie Scott Aiton, Morgane Croissant, Suzie Dundas, and Tim Wenger

We hope you love the places 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.

  Nāʻālehu, Hawaiʻi

Life in the small community of Nāʻālehu is slow and low-key. And that is exactly how the locals like it. Nāʻālehu, Hawai’ian for “the volcanic ashes,” is indeed located in a highly volcanic region, around 60 miles from Kona Town on the Big Island. Visitors en route to Volcanoes National Park tend to pause here for refreshments, but if you’re looking for a peaceful wellness getaway without tourists, Nāʻālehu is a little haven.

Known for its tranquil atmosphere, the remote coastal hamlet is surrounded by lush forests and nearby coffee plantations. The stunning region also has a couple of notable beaches — the green sand beach at Papakōlea (one of only four green sand beaches in the world) and Punalu’u’s black sand beach (one of the most famous black-sand beaches in Hawai’i).

Don’t plan a trip to the community expecting luxury modern spa amenities. In Nāʻālehu, healing comes from slowing down and connecting with yourself and nature. If you’re looking for guidance, consider joining a yoga retreat at Earthsong Sanctuary. Throughout the year, it offers transformational experiences at the sustainable, off-the-grid ashram.

Relying on the sun and wind for power and without WiFi, Earthsong Sanctuary offers you an opportunity to tune into the land. This June, you can join yogis Cole Chance and Christine Calvert for an eight-day, seven-night retreat. With teaching on topics such as the importance of community, nurturing rest, permaculture, and practical exploration of asanas, somatic movement, and holotropic breathwork, the week promises a holistic experience. It’s also worth noting that both Chance and Calvert specialize in recovery after trauma and chemical dependency. Prices range from $2750 to $3250, depending on the choice of accommodation.

Photos: Billy McDonald/Shutterstock, KieferPix/Shutterstock, Billy McDonald/Shutterstock Ojai, California

Wellness lovers, say “oh, hi” to Ojai. Located an hour and a half north of Los Angeles, Ojai is a city that eats, sleeps, and breathes the balanced life, from its vineyards and farmers markets, to its recuperative inns, to the open-air trails in nearby Los Padres National Forest that welcome hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians alike.

For a place with fewer than 8,000 residents, Ojai manages to fit an impressive number of well-being spaces into its city limits. There are day spas and spa resorts. (Spa Ojai at the Ojai Valley Inn is particularly renowned for signature treatments such as its sauna-like kuyam sessions, inspired by traditional Chumash practices, and its flower seed CBD scrub and massage.) There are several yoga studios and fitness centers. There are also venues for the spiritually inclined, notably the Krotona Institute of Theosophy and the Krishnamurti Education Center, which has a library that grants visitors encyclopedic access to the teachings of the Indian thinker, writer, and speaker Jiddu Krishnamurti.

For the ultimate wellness experience in Ojai, beeline to Meditation Mount for a quick visit or a longer retreat. The full-moon meditation sessions are a specialty, but you can also participate in goings-on ranging from morning or sunset sound meditations to yoga nidra sessions.

Traveling to Southern California? Check out Matador’s California accommodation guides:

11 Must-Book Solvang Airbnbs in California’s ‘Little Denmark’The Best Cannabis-Friendly Airbnbs in Los AngelesExtend Your Trip at These Airbnbs Along Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner Route Photos: Kristin Baalman/Shutterstock, Thomas Barrat/Shutterstock, Stylestock/Shutterstock Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Driving through the mountains of western Massachusetts, it’s hard not to be relaxed. The bucolic towns and quiet pace of life alone are enough to take the stress out of life, and when you add in the area’s world-class spas and wellness centers, the Berkshires ranks as one of the most rejuvenating parts of the country.

That’s largely thanks to the town of Stockbridge. With a population of under 2,000, the town is regionally famous for Kripalu, its popular health and wellness retreat. A former Jesuit seminary, the 160,000 square-foot property now hosts workshops on yoga, mindfulness, meditation, Buddhist healing, and self-help. There are also over 100 acres of hiking trails with picturesque views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and Lake Mahkeenac. When you book a stay at Kripalu, daily classes and workshops are included, as well as all-natural meals.

For those seeking a more traditional spa experience, the Seven Salon Spa is just down the road in downtown Stockbridge. Offering massages, facials, waxing, and hair and beauty treatments in a historic building, the spa is perfect for those looking to add a dose of wellness to their trip but who don’t have time for a full multi-day retreat.

Lenox, the town just 10 minutes away, also has a wide range of wellness offerings. Canyon Ranch offers a luxurious spa retreat, similar — though much smaller in scale — to Kripalu, while outdoor spaces like Kennedy Park and Parsons Marsh Reserve offer plenty of opportunities to disconnect, immerse yourself in nature, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Berkshires (which especially pops on a Berkshires fall road trip).

Photos: Albert Pego/Shutterstock, Bob Pool/Shutterstock, Shanshan0312/Shutterstock

Chena, Alaska

An hour from Fairbanks and surrounded by Alaskan wilderness, Chena is a town of just over 100 people on the Tanana River. Formerly used as a shipping and mining town during the Alaska Gold Rush in the early 1900s, it’s now famous for its Chena Hot Springs Resort, known all over Alaska as one of the most luxurious and relaxing hot springs in the state. Whether you’re visiting in the summer or winter, Chena is the perfect day trip or even full weekend getaway from Fairbanks, offering pools, spa treatments, a restaurant, and an ice museum.

The main attraction here is the geothermal Rock Lake, with forest views on all sides. There’s also an indoor and outdoor hot tub. If you don’t mind enduring six excruciating seconds of frigid temperatures when you get out, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as dipping into an outdoor hot tub in the Alaskan winter while surrounded by snow-covered trees. Small cabins serve as massage therapy centers, and there’s an onsite greenhouse where the resort’s cozy restaurant gets all its produce. But even when you’re done lounging in the pools and hot tubs, and finished with your massage, there’s still the property’s many hiking and horseback riding trails. In the winter, you can go dog sledding and try your luck spotting the northern lights. There’s even an ice museum on the property. The world’s longest year-round ice environment, the ice museum features over 1,000 tons of ice formed into sculptures.

You can stay onsite at the resort itself, in one of its lodges, yurts, or traditional hotel rooms, or spend the night in your own camper or RV. Since Fairbanks is just an hour away, it’s also easy to stay in Fairbanks and head to Chena for a day trip.

Traveling to Alaska? Check out Matador’s Alaska accommodation guides:

11 Airbnbs in Alaska for a Gorgeous Summer VacationAnchorage’s Best Airbnbs: Where Your Only Neighbors Have Antlers and FurGo To Alaska’s Stillpoint Lodge for Wilderness Adventure and Cliffside Luxury Photos: joojoob27/Shutterstock, UltraBlue1215/Shutterstock, Courtesy of Travel Alaska/Chris McLennan

Ogunquit, Maine

Maine is nicknamed “Vacationland” for a reason. The state’s southeastern beach towns are just over an hour from Boston, but when you pull into your cozy seaside inn or historic hotel, breathe the salty air, and smell fresh seafood pretty much everywhere you walk, the stress of everyday life melts away.

For those really looking to plunge into a pampered wellness experience, head to the Cliff House. Perched high above the rocks about a 5-minute drive south of Ogunquit, the Cliff House is a sprawling, yet secluded, resort where you can spend the night in the hotel and take advantage of the world-class spa. The spa has everything from massage and advanced skincare treatments to body rituals, wraps, and facials. In keeping with the aesthetic of the resort itself, there are several nautically-inspired treatments like “A Walk on the Beach” (full body massage and foot ritual), the “Untamed Maine” (massage and mud wrap), and the “Soul of the Ocean” (a healing and stress-relief treatment). The Meadowmere Resort is another upscale spa experience right in the heart of Ogunquit, offering everything from body scrubs to wraps and facial rejuvenation. And since it’s so centrally located, you can easily walk from here to any of the town’s seafood restaurants or coastal walking paths.

You might think it doesn’t get more relaxing than an upscale spa resort, but in Ogunquit, the most tranquil activity is probably walking Marginal Way. This leisurely 1.25-mile cliff walk runs along the water and rocky beaches from the Sparhawk Oceanfront Resort to Perkins Cove. Along the way you’ll find viewpoints, benches to sit and relax, a lighthouse overlooking Ogunquit beach, and sailboats pulling in and out of the cove.

Photos: haveseen/Shutterstock, Cliff House

Sedona, Arizona

Sedona is one of the best small towns to visit in 2024 if you’re keen on wellness – but that’s nothing new for Sedona, which has long been the center of new age wellness in the West. Even before it rose to prominence in the 1979 as one of several energy “vortices” (i.e. a vortex, or sacred spot where natural energy from the earth can lead to healing and peacefulness), it was a popular spot for modern wellness seekers looking for natural beauty and a place to find peace and quiet.

Today, the town still has that reputation, and with a population of around 10,000, it’s not hard to find views without any other people in sight. If anything, Sedona has leaned into its reputation for holistic, modern, and nonconventional wellness. Yes, it still has fantastic spa resorts like the luxurious L’Auberge de Sedona and the Wilde Resort. But New Age wellness runs the gambit, and there are plenty of places where visitors on more of a hostel budget can experience the vortex energy.

You can hike to one of the seven sacred sites around Sedona, all said to radiate their own healing energy (popular Cathedral Rock is one of them). The town has dozens of yoga schools and classes, as well as traditional spas and self-care destinations. Fitness activities like mountain biking, running, rafting, and golfing are also popular. For a well-timed visit, plan around the Sedona Yoga Festival from March 14 to 17.

But what really makes Sedona a top wellness town is the people, and it doesn’t take very much time wandering Sedona’s downtown main street to see that the town embraces an open-minded, self-care philosophy. There’s no shortage of crystal stores and spiritual shops, healing hikes and rebirth journeys are a totally normal thing to do on the weekends, and you’ll find near-daily activities focused on self-care, detox, and Eastern-inspired wellness techniques. And when you chat with locals, whether that’s a yoga instructor, a restaurant server, or even fellow nature enthusiasts on the town’s hundreds of desert hiking and mountain bike trails, you’ll quickly notice that it’s a town where nature is valued, personal growth is encouraged, and wellness is as much about mental fortitude as it is physical activity.

Traveling to the Sedona area? Check out Matador’s Arizona accommodation guides:

5 Restorative Spa Hotels in Sedona, Arizona’s Wellness Capital 20 Sedona Airbnbs With Incredible Access To the Outdoors Photos: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock, DBSOCAL/Shutterstock, Lynne Neuman/Shutterstock

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Throw a dart at the map toward the Colorado Rockies and there’s a good chance you’ll end up somewhere near Aspen. This is a good thing for those seeking a mental health reset, particularly if that dart lands on Glenwood Springs. Forty-five minutes from the acclaimed ski town and its airport, Glenwood offers a mountain town experience free from the glitz, glamor, and purse-bound poodles found in Aspen, and is an ideal place to turn your mind inward while soothing the body and soul.

The town is most known for its Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, which features large mineral pools of varying temperatures and a new addition of smaller, more intimate soaking pools. To unwind in a quieter setting, head to nearby Iron Mountain Hot Springs and settle into its nearly three dozen cozy mineral baths. To fully disconnect and really focus on your wellbeing, rent a cabin or shepherd’s wagon at nearby Avalanche Ranch and take advantage of 24-hour access to the ranch’s mineral pools in a beautiful, high-altitude setting surrounded by the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and the towering 14,131-foot Capitol Peak.

Glenwood Springs is built to be bikeable and walkable and public transit is free, so there’s no need to stress about driving to get to The Yoga Collective, a wellness-focused yoga studio located on the south end of downtown. Nourishing cuisine can be found downtown at Masala & Curry, with The Local on Cooper being the spot for a morning coffee and journaling session. The town is lined with hiking and biking trails, including the popular Hanging Lake hike and the short-but-steep jaunt to Doc Holliday’s gravesite. The Rio Grande Trail runs a mostly paved path from Glenwood Springs to Aspen that takes much of a day to bike but comes with excellent views of the Rockies in all directions.

The Hotel Denver offers the easiest access to the town center, located directly across from the train station on the pedestrian-friendly Seventh Street. From here, you can walk to the hot springs resort and stop to take in the view from the pedestrian bridge across the Colorado River en route. Alternatively, The Hotel Colorado is a historic property across the river from downtown that overlooks the hot springs and city.

Photos: Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock, davisdeatonphotography/Shutterstock, Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock

Mineral Wells, Texas

Rumor has it that, in the late 19th century, a woman cured her severe dementia by drinking water from the town of Mineral Wells in Texas. While the story remains unverified to this day, it made for good publicity for the then newly laid out little town. The well from where the healing water came from was quickly named the “Crazy Well,” its mineral water was branded “Crazy Water,” and visitors started flocking to the small town in the hope of relieving their ailments. Well over 100 years later, people still visit Mineral Wells to enjoy its wellness offerings – including full glasses of Crazy Water (AKA the Famous Mineral Water Company), the only local brand of mineral water remaining today.

But, of course, there’s more to Mineral Wells than just glasses of miracle water. The town has exceptional health and wellness opportunities, including the yearly Crazy Wellness Day festival where those in need of some me-time can take part in mindfulness and nutrition workshops, yoga classes, dance lessons, and more. In 2024, Crazy Wellness Day will take place on June 8 at the beautiful Crazy Water Hotel. Whether or not you participate in the festival, the Crazy Water Hotel is the place to stay in town if you want to relax in infrared saunas, get massages, body or facial treatments, try out rooftop yoga, or soak in the local therapeutic mineral waters. The establishment is also home to a newly opened farm-to-table restaurant Second bar + Kitchen, so you can refuel after loosening up. If you’re not staying overnight, go straight to the Crazy Water Bath House & Spa and try out one of the many spa services, including body scrubs, deep tissue massages, and more.

Mineral Wells is less than 1.5 hours west of Dallas, and 3.5 hours from Austin, making it a great option for a wellness weekend getaway from the city.

Photos: Visit Mineral Wells

Newport, Rhode Island

While sailing and historic mansions have primarily defined Newport, Rhode Island, the town has another claim to fame for the wellness minded: its spas. The city is packed with wellness institutes offering just about everything you need to let loose and thrive, from hydrotherapy to Thai body rituals, traditional Chinese medicine treatments, yoga classes, sound healing sessions, and much more.

If you’re looking for a deluxe massage and a facial in a beautiful setting, pay a visit to the upscale Castle Hill Inn Spa. The 40-acre property is also a lovely place to stay and dine if you’re able to splurge a little. Similarly, the newly renovated Newport Harbor Island Resort is an elegant venue where you can get manicures, massages, facials, hair removal treatments, and more – all with ocean views. Of course, you can stay in one of the lovely guest rooms and enjoy the four on-site dining venues. Both properties are outside of the downtown so you can relax well away from the urban hustle and bustle.

But, of course, in a town where wellness offerings abound, you’re likely to be tempted into trying something a little more niche. The Bodhi Spa specializes in what it calls the Water Journey, a way of healing and relaxing by applying water to the body in all its forms and temperature: steam and sauna sessions, ice plunges, and hot mineral soaks. DRIPBaR offers more unusual treatments such as intravenous vitamin drips and intramuscular shots meant to give you an immunity a boost. Similarly, the Avalon Medical Spa menu includes injections to improve sexual wellness such as “O-shots” (Orgasm shots) for women and “P-shots” (Priapus shots) for men, as well as a wealth of laser treatments, collagen inductions, and more. Those who’d rather enjoy less clinical and more New-Age wellness offerings can head straight to Recharge Newport to take part in ecotherapy sessions, transformational soul coaching sessions, dream analysis sessions, tarot reading, among other alternative choices.

Photos: The Retreat at Castle Hill Inn; Discover Newport/Corey Favino @media(max-width:900px) {.mn-pb__hero-slider-gallery .bx-pager .bx-pager__type { display: none; }}