Matador Network's Blog, page 232
October 31, 2023
This Moab Resort Offers Chic Amenities and Epic Parks Access
Moab’s brightest, shiniest new resort is The Moab Resort, a WorldMark by Wyndham vacation club affiliate. This property feels like a home away from home (but with much better views) and is located in the best possible location for exploring one of the most adventurous, outdoors-oriented destinations in the U.S. In fact, it’s just five minutes away from Arches National Park and roughly 30 minutes away from Canyonlands National Park.
Traveling to Moab? Check out Matador’s accommodations guides to the region: Sleep Right Outside Arches National Park at These Desert-Themed Airbnbs These Hotels Near Canyonlands Position You at the Doorstep of Utah’s Largest National Park These 7 Hotels Near Arches National Park Make the Perfect Base Camp for an Epic Outdoor Adventure Sleep Under a Blanket of Stars at These Hotels Minutes From Bryce Canyon National Park
The property is set along the Colorado River Basin and offers stunning sights with a backdrop of Moab’s scenic red rock landscape. The red-tan buildings of the resort are meant to blend into the natural surroundings and complement the area’s natural beauty. The guest room buildings are named after nearby “arches” found within the national park.
We hope you love The Moab Resort! 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.
The Moab Resort offers chic luxury lodging with a regional twist
Photo courtesy The Moab Resort
The lobby at The Moab Resort has a sleek ground-to-roof glass entryway that lets in lots of natural light and peeks out onto the resort’s infinity pool in the back, which overlooks the mountains. There are 150 vacation club suites on-site, including studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom suites that sleep between two and 10 guests, depending on room type. The suites also include a partial or full kitchen — which really comes in handy either before or after a day of outdoor adventures — as well as private bedrooms, separate living areas, a washer/dryer unit, and a private balcony for getting some fresh air. My favorite amenity inside my suite was the warm, cozy electric fireplace.
Outside at the resort, visitors can use the aforementioned outdoor swimming pool, a large infinity inset with an expansive view of the mountains, or warm up in one of the multiple hot tubs, each heated to different temperatures ranging from moderately toasty to piping hot (great for after a day of strenuous physical activity, like hiking or mountain biking). There’s also a splash pad, a children’s playground, and a communal fire pit.
Inside the resort, guests will find a well-equipped fitness center with multiple cardio machines and weights, a modern, 24/7 business center, and a dedicated game room with a pool table and paperback books to disconnect from technology and reconnect with their present quest for relaxation. Other on-site amenities include bike storage, a mountain bike washing station, and three grill stations around the property. Guests can borrow “grill kits” from the front desk.
And for those who inevitably forget to pack basic toiletries — like me — there’s a compact grab-and-go market adjacent to the lobby, selling supplies like razors, sunscreen, deodorant, and portable snacks.
Photo courtesy The Moab Resort
Photo courtesy The Moab Resort
Photo courtesy The Moab ResortI really enjoyed eating on-site at the property’s seasonal restaurant, the Sandstone Bar and Grill, which is open for breakfast and dinner. The outdoor patio offers a nice view of the mountain scenery and is equipped with heat lamps for chilly evenings. While I was visiting, there was even a special menu of limited-time, seasonal autumn cocktails.
This property is a great home base from which to explore the nearby national and state parks, and it’s only a couple of miles from Moab’s quaint downtown district. For those who seek some expert trail guidance, WorldMark by Wyndham just launched a “Hiking Concierge Program” teaming up with “America’s Park Ranger,” Ash Nudd — a national parks expert and a former park ranger to offer complimentary hiking concierge services with expertly curated outdoor itineraries.
Guests who want to explore on their own can drive or take the city’s seasonal Moab Area Transit (MAT) fare-free shuttle service, which picks up right at the resort and stops at a collection of designated stops across town — including Moab’s picturesque Main Street. This road feels straight out of an Old Western film with its unique shops and restaurants housed in traditional brick and wooden buildings.
Activities off-site from The Moab Resort
Photo: Checubus/Shutterstock
I rented a car from Canyonlands Jeep and Car Rentals, which made it super easy to explore beyond the bounds of town with its rental car return location at the airport. I drove into Arches National Park (visitors should be forewarned they must book a “reservation” for a designated hour-long slot to enter the park during busier times of the year) to hike the famed Delicate Arch trail, which was just as awe-inspiring in person as I had hoped for. It was nice the reservation system was in place because it prevented overcrowding, even on the busiest trail routes.
Then, I headed out to the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park, where I took on the Grand View Point Trail. This hike was a relatively short and flat route that rewards trekkers with stunning panoramic views of the canyon below.
Those who’d prefer to see the sights from inside a car or on a bike can check out the La Sal Loop Scenic Drive. It’s a gorgeous ride climbing up the mountains above Moab with scenic views of the valley on one side and alpine sights of aspens, evergreens, and tall peaks – a surprising sight in this desert landscape – on the other. This route features colors of changing leaves in autumn and snow in winter and can provide a cool respite from the desert heat below in summer.
One of my favorite experiences was the Moab Jett boat trip, which was a scenic, 2-hour tour of the Colorado River right on the water. It was interesting to see the geography from a different perspective and learn about the area from our guide, who was a longtime local and expert on Moab.
Dining and drinking in downtown Moab
Photo: Mikhail Pogosov/Shutterstock
Be sure to check out Moab Brewery, which has stood the test of time since 1996, bringing visitors and locals alike together while serving tasty craft brews and food. Moab Brewery offers products inspired by the rugged surroundings of the region and dishes made from a scratch kitchen cooked up to refuel after a day of outdoor adventures. It’s a fun place to hang out.
I also enjoyed spending time at Moab Coffee Roasters downtown, which served espresso drinks, coffee, tea, smoothies, and bites like breakfast burritos and bagels — even gelato, among other treats. It felt like an authentic place to meet locals and visitors and relax. Next door to the coffee shop is Moab Made, which sells various goods made by local artisans — from dozens of types of stickers, to greeting cards, photography, bags, soaps, jewelry, and much more.
One of my favorite things to do while traveling is find a local bookstore to explore. Across the street from Moab Made and the coffee shop is Back of Beyond Books — an independent bookstore selling everything from guidebooks to modern fiction and nonfiction to tarot card sets and self-help workbooks, and even a rare book collection. 
October 30, 2023
10 Pieces of Beginner Scuba Diving Gear for Your First Tropical Trip
Scuba diving is one of the most amazing ways to see the world. And since about 70 percent of the world is water, it also means you get to see islands, creatures, and underwater worlds most people can barely dream of.
Whether you just got certified or have been certified for a while but are just now planning your first dive trip, there are a few pieces of basic beginner dive gear you’ll want to buy. While you certainly can run out and spend a few thousand on a full dive set-up, including a BCD, a full set of regulators, fins, and more, most beginners can rent those items from dive shops fairly easily. And renting from your dive operator also means you don’t need to lug heavy gear through airports. But there are some pieces of beginner dive gear where it’s really important to have your own, either for safety, for comfort, or a combination of the two.
If you’re packing for your first scuba diving trip and have no idea what gear you do and don’t need, the list below should help you get started.
We hope you love the scuba gear we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
The first pieces of beginner scuba diving gear to buyDon’t be fooled into thinking you need to buy all the gear your instructor or dive shop recommends. Scuba diving companies are a for-profit business, so of course, they’re going to recommend you buy all your own gear right away. But if you’re new to the sport or diving infrequently, you don’t need a full set up. You just need the items below.
A snorkel mask: $49-$59[image error][image error]
One of the easier ways to make your first dives even harder than necessary is to have a mask that leaks, pushes painfully against your nose, or constantly needs tightened underwater. Though a leaky mask is a manageable issue, having water floating around in front of your eyes can feel alarming for beginner divers. So it’s best to bring your own scuba diving mask (and, bonus, you can also use it for snorkeling!)
You should always try your mask on in person, so if you’re buying it online, buy it from a shop that allows for easy returns. A trusted, quality brand is Cressi, which makes the Perfect View Snorkeling Mask — a very highly-rated option. It’s usually between $50 and $60, with swivel buckles, easily adjustable straps, and clear sides to maximize your field of vision. It comes in a handful of colors and at about half 7 ounces, it won’t add much weight to your bag. It also comes with a protective case so it doesn’t get scratched while traveling.
A neoprene mask strap: $9+[image error][image error]
One of the worst parts of putting your scuba diving mask on is feeling the rubber of the strap rip and pull on the back of your head. Fortunately, one of the cheapest pieces of beginner scuba diving gear you can get is a neoprene mask strap (the same fabric as a wetsuit). They go around your rubber mask strap, making it much easier to slide the strap on without ripping out your hair. They also make it much easier to adjust your strap underwater. The $9 Flow Scuba Gear one comes in a handful of different patterns, all in various blues and ocean colors.
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Sometimes called scuba skins, dive skins, or shark suits, these thin, full-body suits have two main perks. For starters, they’re slick, so they make pulling a sticky, tight wetsuit on and off much easier — and anyone who has tried to pull up a snug wetsuit knows how frustrating the process can be.
The second benefit of having a slim layer under your wetsuit is that they protect your skin from touching rental wetsuits. Since there’s no way of knowing how well the rentals are washed, how dirty the person who last wore it was, or — worse — whether someone decided to pee in the wetsuit, keeping it off your skin is a good thing. They can help avoid rashes and skin irritations and are very similar to T-shirt-style rash guards worn by surfers.
The most chic undercuts come from SlipIns, which makes super-fun suits in patterns like whale shark print and octopus. They may look dorky on the promo images, but if you rock one of these on a dive boat, you’re guaranteed to get compliments.
If you do prefer a cheaper option, you can buy more budget-friendly ones starting around $35 on Amazon.
Swim Ear: $4.98[image error][image error]
Clogged ears are annoying at best, and can cause ear infections (and make you miss out on days of diving) at the worst. Fortunately, Swim Ear drops are cheap, easy to carry, and work very well for unclogging waterlogged ears. They also come in a one-ounce bottle, meaning it’s A-okay to pack them as part of your carry-on gear. Consider them an essential part of your beginner scuba diving gear, especially if you’re prone to ear infections.
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A mesh dive bag is super helpful for transporting wet dive gear between dive shops, hotels, and boats. A good choice is the under-$40 Athletico Scuba Diving Bag. It’s always best to get a slightly bigger bag than you need since they take up basically no space in your luggage, and a bit of extra space is helpful for carrying wet towels or swimsuits. This particular bag has backpack straps and a small non-mesh pocket for things like sunglasses or goggles.
Over time, any mesh bag is likely to show wear and tear, especially if you’re hauling heavy gear that can cause snags or throwing your bag on the rough floors of boats and dive shops. So there’s no point in getting anything too fancy — in fact, the more basic, the better, so you can wash the saltwater off it in the sink after your trip. You can also find even cheaper duffel-style bags, in case you don’t like the backpack concept, which smush up even smaller in your luggage.
Mask defogger: $12[image error][image error]
While clearing your mask underwater is a skill that’ll become easier over time, you still don’t want to have to do it 10 times per dive. Most dive operators carry some kind of mask defogger to rub on the inside of your mask before you start your dive, but just in case they don’t, it’s very helpful to carry your own. The Stream2Sea Reef Friendly Defogger is only two ounces, so it’s carry-on friendly. But since you only need to use a few drops before each dive, even one bottle should last you for several years.
While homemade mask defoggers and watered-down baby shampoo work well for defogging, it’s best to buy an actual scuba-specific liquid or gel as they’re made with reef-safe ingredients. Other options include chemicals that can eventually harm oceans and lead to coral bleaching (like soap).
Your own dive computer: $299[image error][image error]
A dive computer is arguably your most important piece of gear underwater. It’s your tool for avoiding critical errors that can cost you your life, like going too deep, ascending too fast, or staying underwater too long. So while you can rent them, if there’s one piece of gear you want to own, it’s a dive computer.
Many, many divers will agree that the Zoop from Suunto is by far the best piece of beginner scuba diving gear you can buy. It’s extremely easy to use, which is important, as you want to be able to rely on it and understand what it’s telling you. While it’s beginner-friendly, it does have the option to adjust for Nitrox or do decompression dives, so it can grow with if you start getting more advanced certifications.
Just remember to keep it in the case when not diving, as the screen can be a bit difficult to read underwater if it gets overly scratched. The basic version is usually around $300, making it one of the least expensive dive computers on the market. It’s the most expensive, but also the most important, piece of beginner scuba diving gear you can buy — don’t scrimp on it or go without one.
Level two beginner dive gearOkay — you’ve got the basics, but now, you’re thinking you want to expand your dive gear collection a bit more (or are just sick of paying for rentals). Here’s the beginner dive gear to consider buying next.
A 3-mil wetsuit: $130[image error][image error]
Having your own wetsuit comes with a lot of perks, and that goes beyond just knowing that no one has peed in it. Wetsuits that are thin and stretched out (as many rentals are) don’t work as well, so if you find yourself getting chilly on dives, it may be your suit. You may wear a rental suit and be freezing, but find when you wear your own suit that fits better, you feel good underwater. Wetsuits generally come in three thicknesses – three millimeters, five millimeters, and seven millimeters. Three is sufficient for tropical diving when the water is in the high 70s Fahrenheit.
For tropical diving, the three-mil wetsuit from Cressi (it’s a great, budget-friendly diving brand!) is a great pick, offering high-tech and high-quality warmth at a reasonable price. You’ll find a lot of super cheap “wetsuits” online, but most of them are actually either (a) made for activities like IronMan races or surfing, or (b) not actually made with neoprene, which is what keeps you warm. The sizing is pretty straightforward, but remember that it should feel pretty darn tight when it’s dry. It comes in both a women’s and men’s style.
By the way, you may also want to buy a wetsuit cleaner for use once you get back from your trip.
An underwater flashlight: $49[image error][image error]
You don’t need to be a night diver to make use of a flashlight. They’re useful during daytime dives, when you want to peer at small critters hiding in reefs, see inside wrecks, and illuminate underwater photos.
A good, affordable pick is the DL30 Dive Light. It has three light settings, an adjustable wrist strap for clipping or attaching it to yourself, and is relatively small in your hand. It also had a brightness rating of up to 3,000 lumens (your average 40-watt household bulb is about 400 lumens), so it’s extremely bright — far brighter than other lights at a similar price point.
A depth-rated underwater camera: $111[image error][image error]
Once you start to feel comfortable underwater, introducing photography can be pretty fun. However, the reason this isn’t a first piece of beginner scuba diving gear to buy is because many beginner photographers with cameras tend to get distracted while shooting, and forget about important details like watching their depth.
Most GoPros are great for beginner photographers, though for diving, you need to buy an underwater housing. GoPros are only rated to about 33 feet deep, but the pressure below that will make them stop working. So keep in mind if you buy a GoPro, you’ll also need to buy the $50 scuba diving case.
If you don’t want to drop that much dough, instead, get the $111 AKASO Brave 7 action cam. It has lots of the features people love about GoPros, like an image stabilizer, 20MP shooting, 5x zoom, and a touch screen (though it doesn’t work underwater, obviously). The AKASO cam comes with lots of useful accessories, including a backup battery and an underwater case so you can take it as deep as 133 feet.
This Weekender Duffel Is Perfect for Short Work Trips
The thing about frequent comings and goings is that not all adventures are created equal. You don’t always need a large suitcase, though often, a backpack doesn’t feel quite appropriate. What to do when you’re headed out of town for a night two and don’t need to bring much, but want what you do bring to be well-organized and streamlined every time? The answer is the weekender bag – an ingenious style of luggage that often comes in the form of a duffel, always makes it easy to find a fresh t-shirt or pair of pants, and never requires you to stand in that most anxiety-inducing of airport lines (the one where you separate yourself from your belongings).
Looking for the best weekender bag? Check out Matador’s detailed reviews: The Best Weekender Travel Bags for Every Type of Quick Getaway This Weekender Bag Is a Fashionable, Functional Men’s Classic Even Patagonia’s Smallest Black Hole Duffel Is Fit for a Two-Week Trip The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel: a Straightforward Travel Staple
A good weekender bag accomplishes the task of holding two to three outfits, an extra pair of shoes, toiletries, a few miscellaneous items, and maybe a bomber of that excellent beer you tried while on the road. It also has the ability to keep a nice outfit wrinkle-free for a nice dinner or a day in a conference room. There’s no better weekender bag for this than the Halfday Garment Duffel, available now for $98 direct from the brand.
We hope you love the Halfday Garment Duffel! 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.
The Halfday Garment Duffel is more than a weekender bag
A nice button down and pair of dress shoes fit perfectly in here. Photo: Tim Wenger
I kept my Birkenstocks hooked in the outside package. Photo: Tim WengerThe Halfday Garment Duffel is a unique hybrid bag that combines the features of a garment bag and a duffel bag. It is perfect for travelers who need to pack a suit or dress for a business trip, but also want to bring other clothes and belongings. The bag is also ideal for weekend trips or short getaways.
This bag is actually a cross between an apparel garment sleeve and a traditional weekender duffel. It unzips entirely to reveal a suit-sized zipped apparel sleeve, complete with a hanger hook, in which to keep a nice suit or shirt and pants separated from the rest of your stuff. I took my finest button-down shirt and a pair of slacks with me on a recent work-centric road trip and, for the first time in forever, didn’t have to use the ironing board in my hotel room. Both items remained wrinkle-free and looked sharp at a fancy-pants dinner event.
Once I zipped the apparel sleeve and reformed the duffel into a functional packaging space, I loaded three shirts, one pair of shorts and a pair of jeans, three pairs of socks and underwear, my toiletry bag, a book, a laptop and charger, and a windbreaker into the duffel. In the interior shoe pockets I brought my slippers for the hotel room. In the outside zipped pocket, I put my pair of Birkenstocks, and though they stuck out a bit, they never actually fell out. There was still some room to spare on the interior, so I brought along an extra hat, as well.
My biggest pet peeve with luggage is when you think you’ve completed the task of packing, only to find that you can’t get the dang thing zipped or fastened. That was certainly not the case with the Halfday Garment Duffel. I zipped it closed in a matter of seconds, and connected the two top straps to form the handle. Piece of cake. Granted, I’d only packed for a few easy days of travel, but I was quite pleased with the sub-10-minute packing time.
Ok, the Halfday Garment Duffel packs well. How about style?The duffel is easy to carry even with three days worth of stuff in there. Photo: Tim Wenger
It's small but mighty. Photo: Tim WengerAs a journalist who reviews travel gear on a regular basis, I’ve come to believe that the world has too many backpacks, suitcases, and the like. There are only so many ways you can reinvent the wheel. But what the years of excessive product development have given us – finally – is travel bags that actually look good without sacrificing functionality. The Halfday Garment Duffel is the epitome of this. The brand offers color schemes like “Palm” (which, as you guessed, features a palm-tree pattern), cactus, marine, and camo, among others. I opted for “Shadow,” an off-black mono-color scheme that looks both modern and minimalist. I liked it immediately upon receiving the bag in the post. It contrasts most travel environments from airports to hotel rooms to city centers at large in a manner that doesn’t draw attention to the fact that you’re not from around here. From afar it nearly looks like a gym bag, a good thing for not attracting unwanted attention, though up close it appears far more formal.
The bag carries well and easily via the attached shoulder strap. It can sit on your lap on public transit without discomfort. It fits into tiny hotel room closets or underneath the seat in front of you on a plane. This is, perhaps, the Halfday Garment Duffel’s greatest strength – that it can carry your formal and casual attire, along with a laptop and other gear for work and leisure, while still managing to relieve any fret about securing overhead bin space. It isn’t enough for long trips (unless you’re that person who wears the same clothes every day), but it’s perfect for small getaways, whether by road or air.
Halfday Garment Duffel specsLet’s get down to the nitty-gritty details. The Halfday Garment Duffel is made from durable and water-resistant materials, and it is lightweight and easy to carry. I found myself in a light afternoon rainstorm where I briefly had to carry the bag from a car into my accommodations, and while the outside of the bag was slightly damp, no water got inside.
It also folds completely flat when not in use, which makes it easy to store. The bag has a number of useful features, including a fully unzippable garment compartment, two interior shoe pockets, and a handy exterior zip pocket. It also has reinforced metal hanger loops and a trolley sleeve for securing to suitcase handles.
Overall, the Halfday Garment Duffel is a well-designed and versatile bag that is perfect for travelers who need to pack a suit or dress, but also want to bring other clothes and belongings.
The Best Weekender Travel Bags for Every Type of Quick Getaway
Last-minute trips can be as exciting as they are spontaneous. Thing is, you don’t need that large roller bag to get away for just a night or two, and even the pack you tend to use as a carry-on might seem like too much if you aren’t bringing work gear. A weekender bag is the ideal middle ground, a durable yet small purchase for anyone who travels frequently, whether for business or pleasure. It is the perfect size for a weekend trip, and the best of the bunch are also large enough to accommodate a variety of clothing and gear. Weekender bags are also typically lightweight and easy to carry, making them a convenient option for traveling. You might even find that you no longer need that tattered old pack anymore. The below options are the best on the market.
Looking for the best weekender bag? Check out Matador’s detailed reviews: This Weekender Bag Is a Fashionable, Functional Men’s Classic Even Patagonia’s Smallest Black Hole Duffel Is Fit for a Two-Week Trip This Weekender Duffel is Perfect for Short Work Trips The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel: a Straightforward Travel Staple
We hope you love these weekender bags! 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.
Jump to a review:
Halfday Garment DuffelStubble & Co. WeekenderThe North Face Basecamp Voyager 42LPatagonia Black Hole Duffel 40LEddie Bauer Expedition Duffel Bag 22LBOSTANTEN Weekender Bag for WomenOflamn Duffle Bag Smooth Nylon Leather WeekenderWildroad 50L Travel Duffel BagMACWE Expandable Travel BagWeekender bags: Rundown of top optionsHalfday Garment DuffelStubble & Co. WeekenderPatagonia Black Hole Duffel 40LThe North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel 42LPrice: $98Price: $215Price: $159Price: $13545 liters with garment 40 liters capacity40 liters capacity42 liters capacityUnzips entirely for dress clothes, then zips to contain other itemsEasy to access all items, good for camera gear, stylishExcellent for outdoor excursions with gear and clothes, durableStraightforward pack that’s versatile enough for expeditions and casual tripsCarry-onCarry-onCarry-onCarry-onHalfday Garment DuffelThe duffel is easy to carry even with three days worth of stuff in there. Photo: Tim WengerI kept my Birkenstocks hooked in the outside package. Photo: Tim WengerIt's small but mighty. Photo: Tim WengerA nice button down and pair of dress shoes fit perfectly in here. Photo: Tim WengerThe Halfday Garment Duffel is the ideal weekender bag for business travel. It fits a full outfit of dress clothes and 3+ days’ worth of additional clothes, and up to size 13 shoes. Unzipped, the Halfday duffel looks like a hanging suit holder that you’d put into a traditional suitcase. But zip it up and it becomes a bag in its own right, with plenty of room for a few days on the road. It features a hanging compartment that can fit a full suit or dress, as well as a main compartment for additional clothing and gear. The bag also has two exterior shoe pockets and a padded shoulder strap. It is made from durable, water-resistant materials and folds flat for easy storage.
Dimensions: 22″ x 12″ x 12″, (Closed): 22″ x 12″ x 12″Duffel Volume: approx 45 LWeight: 2.3 lbsMaterial: Durable and water-resistant 420D woven polyesterLining: water-resistant taslan.Hanging compartment, main compartment for additional clothing and gear, two exterior shoe pockets, padded shoulder strap, trolley sleeveCarry-on friendly on most major airlinesStubble & Co. WeekenderCheck out Matador’s detailed review of the Halfday Garment Duffel
Photo: Johnny Motley
Photo: Johnny Motley
Photo credit: Johnny MotleyRugged, functional, and fashionable don’t often come together into one – but the Stubble & Co Weekender pulls it off. This stylish and durable weekender bag is perfect for short trips or weekend getaways,. It is made from water-resistant British Millerain Tekwax canvas and features a spacious main compartment, a separate shoe compartment, and an internal zipper pocket. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap, two side carrying handles, and a trolley sleeve for easy transport.
Dimensions: 22″L x 12″W x 10″HCapacity: 40LWeight: 3.2 lbsMaterial: Water-resistant British Millerain Tekwax canvasSpacious main compartment, separate shoe compartment, internal zipper pocketPadded shoulder strap, two side carrying handles, trolley sleeveWater-resistant canvasThe North Face Basecamp Voyager 42LCheck out Matador’s detailed review of the Stubble & Co. Weekender
The option to wear it like a backpack or carry it as a duffel is quite helpful for different types of travel. Photo: Suzie Dundas
The 42-liter holds several days worth of clothing, and certainly has a more efficient use of space than trying to fit clothing in a backpack. Photo: Suzie Dundas
Photo: Suzie DundasThe North Face Base Camp Voyager 42L is the best duffel bag for intense weekend backcountry trips. It’s made from water-resistant 300D recycled polyester tarpaulin with a TPU laminate and features a spacious main compartment, a separate laptop sleeve, and multiple external pockets. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap, two side carrying handles, and a removable backpack harness for easy transport. All your technical gear for shorter trips can fit inside, as well as a few changes of of outfits and light camping supplies.
Dimensions: 23″L x 14.7″W x 10.2″HCapacity: 42LWeight: 2 lbs. 5 oz.Material: 300D recycled polyester tarpaulin with TPU laminateSpacious main compartment, separate laptop sleeve, multiple external pocketsPadded shoulder strap, two side carrying handles, removable backpack harnessWater-resistant 300D recycled polyester tarpaulinPrice: $135
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L
Photo: Alex Bresler
Photo: Alex Bresler
Photo: Alex Bresler
Photo: Alex Bresler
Photo: Alex Bresler
Photo: Alex Bresler
Photo: Alex BreslerPatagonia has the best reputation among American consumers of all major companies for a reason: It’s products are well-built, last a lifetime, and are increasingly sustainable. If you’re headed into the backcountry or on quick-hit outdoor-focused trips, the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L is a durable and weatherproof duffel bag that is perfect for travel. It is made from 100% recycled materials and features a spacious main compartment, a separate shoe compartment, and multiple external pockets. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap, two side carrying handles, and a removable backpack harness for easy transport.
Dimensions: 21″L x 14″W x 10.5″DCapacity: 40LWeight: 2.05 lbsMaterial: 100% recycled 900-denier polyester with a TPU film laminateDurable and weatherproof constructionSpacious main compartment, separate shoe compartment, multiple external pocketsPadded shoulder strapTwo side carrying handlesRemovable backpack harnessMade from recycled materials with Patagonia Ironclad GuaranteePrice: $159
Weekender bag reviews: Best of the restEddie Bauer Expedition Duffel Bag 22LCheck out Matador’s detailed review of the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L
Photo: Eddie Bauer
Photo: Eddie Bauer
Photo: Eddie BauerThe Eddie Bauer Expedition Duffel Bag 22L is a lightweight, durable, and easy-rolling duffel bag that is perfect for travel. It is made from a rugged polycarbonate and nylon construction that will protect your gear from the elements. The bag has an ultra-wide opening to the main compartment for easy access, and it also features a separate laundry section with Polygiene odor control. The Expedition Duffel Bag 22L has integrated compression straps to help keep your gear organized, and it also has a retracting telescoping handle and reinforced inline skate wheels for easy transport. The bag measures 22″L x 13″W x 10″D and has a capacity of 45L. It is also sized to meet most airlines’ carry-on requirements.
Dimensions: 22″L x 13″W x 10″DCapacity: 45LWeight: 6.8 lbsMaterial: Polycarbonate and nylonUltra-wide opening for easy accessSeparate laundry section with Polygiene odor controlIntegrated compression straps, retracting telescoping handle, reinforced inline skate wheelsMeets most airlines’ carry-on requirementsPrice: $279
BOSTANTEN Weekender Bag for Women
Photo: Bostanten
Photo: Bostanten
Photo: BostantenDecent fashion doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The BOSTANTEN Weekender Bag for Women looks the part whether you’re visiting the big city or heading to see family for a few days. At it’s price point, you won’t find a better-looking bag, at least not one that is equally functional. It is made from high-quality canvas and faux leather, and it features a spacious main compartment, a separate shoe compartment, and an internal zipper pocket. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap and two side carrying handles for easy transport.
Dimensions: 19.09″L x 9.25″W x 11.61″HCapacity: 35LWeight: 2.78 lbsMaterial: Canvas and faux leatherSpacious main compartment, separate shoe compartment, and internal zipper pocketPadded shoulder strapTwo side carrying handlesTrolley sleeveWater-resistant lining3-color options: black, beige, and brownPrice: $49.99
Oflamn Smooth Nylon Leather Weekender[image error][image error]
Weekender bags don’t have to be fit for rugged backcountry expeditions. The Oflamn Duffle Bag is a large, stylish, and durable weekender bag that is perfect for air travel, especially if that air travel takes you somewhere like Vegas, where you need to reserve most of your budget for outings. It is made from a combination of smooth nylon and genuine leather, and it features a spacious main compartment, a separate shoe compartment, and an internal zipper pocket. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap and two side carrying handles for easy transport. It is sized to meet most airlines’ carry-on requirements, so you can take it with you on your next flight.
Meets most airlines’ carry-on requirements
Price: $44.99
Wildroad 50L Travel Duffel Bag[image error][image error]
The Wildroad 50L Travel Duffel Bag is a large, durable, and stylish duffel bag that is perfect if your version of style includes ample zippered pouches to store stuff in. It is made from a combination of canvas and genuine leather, and it features a spacious main compartment, a separate shoe compartment, and an internal zipper pocket. It’s Indiana Jones vibe meshes well with its carry-on status, especially if you’re headed east of Eastern Europe. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap and two side carrying handles for easy transport. It is expandable to 70L, making it a great option for longer trips.
Price: $46.99
MACWE Expandable Travel Bag[image error][image error]
Simple and effective, the MACWE Expandable Travel Bag is a large and versatile travel bag that is perfect for both short and long trips. It is made from high-quality polyester, and it features a spacious main compartment, a separate shoe compartment, and an internal zipper pocket. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap, two side carrying handles, and a trolley sleeve for easy transport. It can be expanded from 40L to 50L, providing ample space to contain 3-5 days of clothing, toiletries, shoes, and technology essentials. It is a great overnight bag when bigger is better and needed.
Price: $39.99
More like thisTravelThe Best Large Hardshell Luggage Options for Your Active Travel LifestyleThis Grand All-Inclusive Resort Has the Longest Lazy River in Cabo
Located along the 20-mile stretch of coastline that connects the towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, Villa La Valencia is one of Cabo’s newest all-inclusive resorts and the ninth property to open from the Villa Group in Mexico. During my recent stay, I set out to discover what sets it apart from similar resorts in the area. For starters, one of the biggest draws of the new Villa La Valencia resort in Cabo is its 1,114-foot lazy river that snakes around the resort, proudly holding the title of the longest in Cabo.
But Villa La Valencia is a lot more than just a place to while away the afternoon, drifting along on one of the hotel’s floaties with a margarita in hand. With an intimate and friendly atmosphere where every staff member knows your name, sleek and spacious suites, a blend of family-friendly activities and adult relaxation, exceptional cuisine, and a diverse range of entertainment options, Villa La Valencia seems to have found a winning formula that strikes the perfect balance for the all-inclusive resort experience.
We hope you love Villa La Valencia! 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.
Spacious suites for bigger groups or extended stays
Photo: Villa La Valencia
Featuring 308 suites, ranging from studios to four bedrooms, Villa La Valencia caters to all types of travelers: families, couples, groups, and solo travelers alike. What immediately caught my attention about the suites was the remarkably spacious terraces — probably some of the largest hotel terraces I’ve seen, all boasting either sea views or interior pool views. None of the rooms face other hotels or nearby roads.
Another standout feature is that all of the suites (except for the studios) have large, fully equipped kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms. I couldn’t get over just how well-equipped the kitchens were. They have everything you could possibly need to prepare a full meal — cooking utensils, tupperware, microwave, dishwasher, full-size fridge, you name it. This makes Villa La Valencia a better choice for longer stays than many all-inclusives.
Photo: Villa La Valencia
I stayed in a one-bedroom oceanview suite, which featured an oversized terrace with a table and chairs, sun loungers, and tons of extra space if you have children that need to run around and let off some steam. Not only was the kitchen generously equipped, but I also loved that there was a separate dining and lounge area. I felt like I had my own spacious apartment — one that’s probably larger than a one-bedroom in many major US cities. The finishes, furniture, and design all felt high-end, and I loved how bright and airy the spaces were.
Travelers in larger groups, such as those on family vacation, will particularly appreciate the ample space. One bonus is that each suite has two full bathrooms. Not only that, but the bathrooms have standalone bathtubs and Toto smart toilets for an extra touch of comfort.
The amenities of an all-inclusive resort with the feel of a boutique hotel
Photo: Villa La Valencia
Another thing that sets Villa La Valencia apart from other all-inclusive resorts I’ve visited is the fact that it feels more like an intimate boutique experience. This is largely due to the resort’s design. All of the amenities are conveniently located on a single level, just a few minutes’ walk from one another. That means that guests don’t need to worry about booking a faraway room or needing to ride a golf buggy to get from one area of the resort to the next.
I was impressed with the range of leisure spaces available to guests during the day. In addition to the lazy river, the resort has four pools and four jacuzzis, including an adults-only pool and a beachfront infinity pool overlooking a stunning stretch of beach. The infinity pool is a popular spot during the golden hours before sunset — guests gather with a drink on sun loungers, at the poolside bar Coralle, or at the convenient in-water tables.
Photo: Villa La Valencia
Villa La Valencia’s kids club is conveniently located close to the pools and spa, which means parents are never too far away. The club has a daily indoor and outdoor program, featuring activities such as mini zumba, cookie decoration, seashell hunting, and lazy river time. The adult and family activity program is equally diverse with themed nights, live music, and daily activities such as SUP yoga, the popular lazy river power walk, and salsa classes. I tried sunset yoga on the beach, which was a relaxing way to end the day.
The property also boasts a spacious beachfront lawn where many activities are hosted. Each month brings a different theme; during my stay, which aligned with Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations in September, the entertainment team hosted Taste of Mexico events, including a Mexican spirits tasting, tortilla making, cooking demonstrations, and piñata crafting.
Photo: Villa La Valencia
Finally, for those seeking a bit of relaxation and wellness, the spa and state-of-the-art fitness center deserve a special mention. I had the opportunity to indulge in a blissful massage and facial at the spa during my stay. There’s a relaxing hydrotherapy area to enjoy before or after your treatment, with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the outdoor pools. The neighboring gym is enormous and equipped with all the latest exercise machines, even making it appealing to those of us who don’t normally work out on vacation.
À la carte dining with buffet-level variety
Photo: Villa La Valencia
Stays at Villa La Valencia come with a range of dining options that are included in the all-inclusive plan. The only food that isn’t included are the premium options on the restaurant menus and anything purchased at the Palmita Market & Deli.
The resort has six restaurants that cater to all different tastes, providing enough variety to ensure that you never get bored. The options range from dependable favorites to high-end, gourmet, and experimental. I particularly appreciated that there were no big buffets, as well as the fact that the à la carte breakfast had both international options and Mexican specialties such as chilaquiles and huevos rancheros.
I had one of my favorite meals at Villa La Valencia on my first evening at the resort. I ordered a ribeye from Latitud 23.5, the resort’s premier steakhouse, which entices guests with an elegant dining experience complete with sea views. Latitud 23.5 is open exclusively for dinner. I also enjoyed dining at La Taberna, which, despite being an Italian restaurant, also serves sushi that came fresh and with a spicy Mexican twist. La Taberna is open for both lunch and dinner.
Breakfast is hosted at El Patron, which specializes in Mexican cuisine and is also open for dinner. The atmosphere is lively, with both indoor and outdoor seating. But if you’re looking to eat alfresco, it’s hard to beat Coralle, a poolside restaurant that serves American fare and a selection of light seafood bites. Elsewhere, guests can patronize La Jolla, the all-day lobby bar, or grab a snack, to-go meal, or coffee at the Palmita Market & Deli.
Exploring Cabo outside of the resort
Photo: Kirk Fisher/Shutterstock
Villa La Valencia is conveniently located along Cabo’s “tourist corridor,” midway between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. It’s about 15 or 20 minutes by car from both cities and just under 30 minutes from the international airport. Cabo San Lucas is a bustling party town with lots of glitzy nightlife, restaurant options, and an iconic marina. San Jose del Cabo is a more laid-back town, with draws such as art galleries and cultural experiences.
Beyond Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, there’s a wide variety of activities and excursions in the region, including the popular Wild Canyon Adventure Park, world-class golf courses, watersports, snorkeling, boat trips, whale watching, shopping, and ziplining. I’d recommend visiting Flora Farms — a 25-acre organic farm with a farm-to-table restaurant, shops, cooking classes, and farm tours — and heading to downtown San Jose del Cabo if you’re in town on a Thursday evening to participate in the free art walks.
The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel: a Straightforward Travel Staple
The most popular pieces of luggage today seem to be pretty high-tech. Buyers can opt for roller bags with unbreakable wheels, hard-sided suitcases made with the same materials used on spaceships, and backpacks with lockable zippers and built-in compression pockets.
The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel has none of that, which is a big part of the appeal.
Looking for the best weekender bag? Check out Matador’s detailed reviews: The Best Weekender Travel Bags for Every Type of Quick Getaway This Weekender Bag Is a Fashionable, Functional Men’s Classic This weekender duffel is perfect for short work trips Even Patagonia’s Smallest Black Hole Duffel Is Fit for a Two-Week Trip
The roomy duffel bag is a simple, straightforward, and extremely useful piece of basic luggage. It’s a simple but high-quality bag that can be as useful for running to the gym as it is for a long weekend trip away. We tested it on a four-day, three-night road trip to a music festival, and there was plenty of space for clothing, plus a few extra items like a towel and big sun hat.
We hope you love The North Face Base Camp Voyager! 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.
The option to wear it like a backpack or carry it as a duffel is quite helpful for different types of travel. Photo: Suzie Dundas
Aside from the relatively reasonable price ($135), there are a few selling points I found especially noteworthy.
Backpack straps: you can use it as a duffel bag or wear it as a backpack. The backpack straps on the Base Camp Voyager are especially useful if you want to use it as your “personal item” on an airplane, as they’ll make it look like a backpack even though it’s actually quite large.Soft-sided: Also useful for flying is the fact that it’s soft-sided. It’s easy to squish into free space in overhead bins. And it can be smushed down a bit to make it look smaller than it is for the aforementioned “use it as a personal item on a plane” strategy.A shoe pocket: I have relatively large feet for a woman (size 10) and was still able to fit a pair of trail runners into the dedicated shoe pocket. It also works well as a dirty clothes pocket, if you need to keep muddy items away from cleanMostly waterproof: I wouldn’t submerge it, but your stuff will stay dry if you get caught in the rainThe North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel materials and warrantyI’ve long been an advocate for buying pre-owned outdoor and travel gear for several reasons, including trying to reduce the amount of trash in landfills and minimizing our reliance on plastics.
Fortunately, the North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel is made mostly with recycled products, so it’s akin to buying something used – but it’s brand new. The body is made from recycled polyester tarpaulin (similar to canvas), and the buckles and mesh are also recycled. And if you decide you don’t use the bag much after a few years and want to sell it, you can send it back to The North Face’s preowned gear page so it can get cleaned, inspected, and sold to someone else who will use it more.
If your bag breaks, you can cash in on the brand’s lifetime warranty, which covers any manufacturing defects for the life of the product (which doesn’t include wear and tear from normal use). However, you can get replacement parts like buckles at a nominal cost, and there’s a comprehensive repair program, though your standard tailor or outdoor repair shop would likely be able to make most fixes, too.
Sizes and colorsThe 42-liter holds several days worth of clothing, and certainly has a more efficient use of space than trying to fit clothing in a backpack. Photo: Suzie Dundas
Current color options for the Base Camp Duffel include “almond butter” (kind of peachy) and “sulfur moss” (kind of a camo green). However, the color options change most years. I have an off-whiteish color, and websites like Amazon and Backcountry have it in various older colors like green and solid black.
Size-wise, I have the 42-liter bag (the closest to the max carry-on size for most airlines). But depending on the year and configuration, you can find them as small as 31 liters or as large as 95 liters. There are a few small changes year to year (such as the addition of a luggage tag or different type of clip), but they’re not hugely significant.
What I’d change about the Base Camp Voyager DuffelPhoto: Suzie Dundas
No bag is perfect, but the North Face Base Camp Duffel is pretty straightforward: it’s a classic duffel bag. That said, I wouldn’t mind an additional small pocket or two on the inside, or slightly more adding on the straps. But considering you can buy both small packing cubes and strap pads on Amazon, those are easy fixes.
The other thing worth noting is that while it’s packable for storage, packing into the shoe pocket, I wouldn’t say it packs down small enough to be a backup bag to carry while traveling.
This Yosemite Lodge Is The Perfect Family Getaway Near The Park
The Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite is a peaceful and secluded place to spend the night with creature comforts like heating and a cozy bed (and someone else to cook for you after a long day of hiking) just outside Yosemite National Park. It features 88 fully furnished cabins, 21 custom campsites, and two full-sized vacation accommodations.
This storied property, with rooms from $260 per night, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021 and holds a special history within the heart of the region. It’s located just one mile from the Hetch Hetchy Valley on the western border of Yosemite off Highway 120.
The cabins and cottages are scattered throughout the property’s spacious 20 acres, nestled in between the towering trees that cast the California sunshine in rays of red, gold, and green across the property. The modern accommodations are furnished with cozy amenities like comfortable beds, a private deck, technology like Alexa Devices and gourmet coffee makers, and even air conditioning.
We hope you love the Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite! 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.
Evergreen’s dedicated recreation team
Photo: Kim Carroll
After visiting this lodge, one of the things that stands out the most about the property is the experienced, on-site “Recreation Team,” which hosts guided Yosemite tours and offers free, helpful planning advice to guests. I spoke with their team on my first day visiting, and they told me that nearly half of the guests at Evergreen are international visitors seeking advice on where to go.
Visitors who want to pay for a guided tour can let the recreation team take care of the details that can be more logistically challenging, like driving and parking in the park — and they can learn from the most knowledgeable minds on the history and geography of this famed park, firsthand.
There are dozens of guided excursions, including hikes for various levels, biking trips, snowshoeing outings, fly fishing, backpacking, and even leisurely airplane rides over the scenic landscapes of the national park.
Aside from the off-site excursion opportunities, I was impressed with how many activities there were to do on-site. For those who are spending a few days in the area and don’t want to take the trek into the park every day, there are plenty of ways to stay entertained on the lodge grounds.
There’s a frisbee disk golf course, multiple playgrounds with activities like ziplines in various areas of the property, a ping pong table in the main plaza, and bocce ball courts scattered throughout. There is tons to do for all ages and interests without stepping foot off the grounds, which feel large and offer plenty of open space to soak in the fresh air and enjoy the peace.
Yes, the Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite has a pool and hot tub
Photo: Kim Carroll
Soak into the western-facing heated, sparkling, 2,000-square-foot saltwater swimming pool and adjacent Jacuzzi feature, open year-round and surrounded by stunning fresh forest air and sunset views in the evening.
It’s the perfect space for adults and kids to enjoy during the day or sink into after a fun day out on the trails. The pool ranges from 3-feet- to 4.5-feet deep. There’s a large shallow section for children and a deeper area for adults. Here, hot tub stargazing is a popular pastime on nights with little moonlight.
Wellness offerings at the Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite
Photo: Kim Carroll
Photo: Kim CarrollFor a simple way to unwind and experience the scenic nature of the area, sit at the sunset deck on the western edge of the property, which has a spectacular view to watch the sun setting below the treeline as it lights up the sky.
Or, stroll along the property’s nature trail, which travels safely through the woods surrounding the property’s perimeter, providing a great way to explore the grounds while learning about nature, wildlife and natural history. This family-friendly trail is just under one mile in length.
If you want to book a soothing massage, Evergreen has “massage cabanas” shaped like yurts hidden out in the woods amongst the pine trees and fresh air for an unbeatable chance to relax in the great outdoors.
Guests can also access the large and luxurious Rush Creek Spa at Evergreen’s sister lodge, Rush Creek Lodge & Spa, just down the road. This property hosts a full range of treatments and even sells day-use passes (including a discounted rate on day passes in the evening). I loved visiting the spa after a tough day of hiking and settling in amongst the therapies like the “Cool Mist Room” and “Warm Waterfall Coves.”
Guest rooms at the Evergreen Lodge at YosemitePhoto: Kim Carroll
Photo: Kim CarrollNo matter what type of room guests stay in, the property is a great spot for couples, families, and groups to set up a home base while exploring Greater Yosemite.
The rooms and amenities feel rustic but also luxurious — mixing modern comforts like well-equipped private bathrooms with traditional outdoor adventure rituals (for example, there aren’t any TVs in the room, and there’s barely any WiFi — but there are plenty of board games and books).
The large Deluxe Cabins are great for couples or solo travelers. These spaces feature an open floor plan outfitted with high ceilings, a king-sized bed, a living area with another queen-sized sofa bed, and a cast iron gas fireplace. There’s also a private deck outside to get some fresh air.
The one-bedroom cottages are a great choice for couples who want more spacious accommodations or small families who want more privacy. These cottages have one bedroom space outfitted with a king-sized bed, a living room space with a queen sofa bed, and a cast iron gas fireplace, as well as a private deck outside.
The Two Bedroom Family Cabin, which is the type of accommodation I stayed in while visiting, is great for families of all sizes who want some more room and a bit of privacy. They feature a bedroom with a comfortable king bed — as well as a second, separate bedroom with twin beds. In between, there’s a spacious living room area with a queen sofa bed. Outside, there’s a private deck.
For families who are budget-conscious or don’t mind sharing space, the historic One-Room Family Cabins have one room outfitted with a queen bed, bunk beds, and a sitting area. There’s also a large timber front porch outside. These cabins date back to the 1930s but have been updated to feature modern amenities.
The Vintage Cabins, which are great for up to two budget-conscious travelers, feature a cozy room with a queen bed, a small reading area and an outdoor deck space.
The property offers plenty of ADA-accessible options for travelers, as well.
Something I thought made the property feel special is the team’s strong focus on protecting the natural environment and genuinely caring about sustainability — both in terms of eco-friendly and socially-minded practices.
Many of the employees at Evergreen are part of the Youth Employment Program. This Certified B Corporation program supports and operates a behind-the-scenes opportunity to give young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds a chance to work on-site, enjoy access to the fresh air of the outdoors, and take advantage of professional resources like career and life counseling.
The lodge also features Earth-friendly initiatives like Tuolumne County’s first commercial greywater system and charging stations for Teslas and other electric cars (free for overnight guests and available for a small fee to daily visitors).
Dining and drinking
Photo: Kim Carroll
While you’re at Evergreen, you won’t go hungry. Quite the opposite, in fact — there are multiple spots to grab a bite, ranging in price point and atmosphere.
The restaurant at the Main Lodge serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner using locally sourced ingredients and natural meats. Here, guests can eat inside the dining room, which feels like something out of a cozy fairytale, out on the big wooden front porch in the fresh air, or on the open-air, covered patio heated in the winter.
The Tavern is a historic spot made of wood that’s served as a gathering place for more than a century. Here, guests can relax and have a brew or a cocktail and dine in a spirited setting. The tavern is open for lunch and dinner and features 10 beers on tap at any given time, as well as knowledgeable bartenders who mix classic cocktails and fun, seasonal specials. The Tavern features live music on many weekends and has classic bar entertainment like a pool table for visitors. It’s a great place to meet other guests from all over the world and hear about their travels.
Over by the swimming pool, there’s a seasonal, full-service pool bar that serves libations and light bites. During the summer, the pool area doubles as an evening barbecue venue with rotating nightly menus serving dishes like Caribbean and Southwest barbecue.
Those seeking a quick grab-and-go bite or coffee can’t miss the General Store & Gift Shop’s offerings. This shop is adjacent to the Reception Desk and sells goods like Yosemite maps and souvenirs including locally made crafts, mugs, nature books, stickers, and jewelry. It’s also stocked with almost any toiletries and provisions you might’ve left home — from sunblock to toothpaste, batteries, water bottles, and even children’s toys.
Grab fresh breakfast items in the morning, like a coffee or breakfast burrito, before heading out on a hike. There are snack options to make a fresh picnic bag, like freshly made deli sandwiches, trail mix, cheese, peanut butter, bread, and cookies. There’s also an impressive selection of beer and wine.
For me, it felt nice not to have to worry about finding a grocery store before or after a long day on the trails and have almost everything I’d need to enjoy a fresh, hot breakfast or low-key dinner in my cabin. I loved getting a tasty pint of ice cream at this shop after a long and exhausting day of hiking.
Photo: Kim Carroll
Meetings and eventsFor those seeking a spot to host a special event or conference, this lodge is a gorgeous place for group gatherings. A wedding took place in the Main Plaza while I was visiting — and it looked like so much fun.
The Main Plaza space is ideal for gatherings between 75 and 225 guests. This area has games, including horseshoes, bocce ball, and a ping pong table, and is home to the outdoor dining area and sun deck area with picnic tables and benches beneath the shade of the towering trees. Separately, the central Sun Deck space alone can host between 16 and 90 guests with nearly 900 square feet of outdoor space next to The Tavern and Recreation Building.
Nearby, Tuolumne Hall is ideal for gatherings of between 50 and 130 guests, featuring a large hall space with vaulted ceilings, cathedral windows, and a traditional rustic atmosphere.
Up on Coyote Hill on the other edge of the property, there’s 3,000 square feet of outdoor event space — great for gatherings between 40 and 225. This venue is more secluded and private, and comes with design elements like a private campfire ring.
And at the Cedar Room, host an event between 10 and 40 guests in a place perfect for smaller meetings with a nice view — directly overlooking the pool and featuring a private, covered outdoor patio.
No matter how outdoorsy you are, this historic spot is a great spot set in a convenient location for exploring Greater Yosemite. There are various accommodation types for families, solo travelers, groups, and couples. There are multiple places to eat on-site and plenty of entertainment for visitors of all ages. It’s a comfortable and homey place to retire and rest after a day of adventures at one of the world’s most famous and favorite national parks.
Matador’s Guide To Cruising the World
Illustration: Connie SantilliMatador’s Guide to Cruising the World
Cruise ships are the most comfortable and indulgent way to see the world, far ahead of riding the train or flying. On the water, cruising is all about doing as little as possible, and when you’re on land, it’s nothing but carefree exploration. Cruising has came back in full force in recent years, and today, the experience is better than ever with cruises for every taste, lifestyle, budget, and level of adventurousness. Whether you’re a veteran cruiser or you’re thinking of booking your first sailing, these guides, routes, and tips will help you take the voyage of a lifetime.
To the Poles and BeyondPhoto: Richard L’Anson/Aurora Expeditions
Even seasoned adventure travelers who balk at the idea of organized tours or cruises can’t get to Antarctica on their own. Aruba? Sure, book a direct flight, browse the hotel options, and wing it. Antarctica is different. There are no airports on the Antarctic mainland, and no roads, hotels, or restaurants. Unless you’re a glaciologist qualified for a research expedition, the only way for the average traveler in the Western Hemisphere to get there is via cruise ship from the southern tip of South America.
Antarctica ships are far from the stereotypical pleasure ships that come complete with waterslides, climbing walls, and hundreds of little kids darting around the deck. These ships — usually categorized as “expedition ships” — typically accommodate between 100 and 200 passengers, and are built specifically for navigating rough seas and icy Antarctic waters. Several cruise lines offer voyages to Antarctica, each with a range of trip types, focuses, and lengths. One of the leading companies is Aurora Expeditions, which currently has two ships in its fleet: the Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle. With Aurora, there’s a focus on education with onboard lectures on topics ranging from the White Continent’s geological composition to the history of Antarctic exploration. A Citizen Science Program allows passengers to collect data during shore landings and participate in collaborative research projects. And that’s just the start.
Read MoreAn Alaska Cruise Complete With Animal Watching, Quality Food, and MusicThe deck of a cruise ship is an amazing spot to see wildlife when you’re traveling to Alaska. On Holland America Line’s Alaska cruises, wildlife spotting sessions are led almost daily by a resident naturalist who will point out what you should be looking for at each location. You’ll spot hundreds of sea otters, humpback whales, seals, eagles, dolphins, and orcas from the top deck. Beyond the wildlife, there’s the spectacular scenery, especially that of Glacier Bay National Park. This national park is only accessible by boat or plane, and cruise ships get incredibly close to all the best areas of this magnificent place, including Lamplugh Glacier, Johns Hopkins Glacier, and, the king of them all, Grand Pacific Glacier.
Photo: Christopher Trantina / Holland AmericaPhoto: Jesse AdamsWhat It’s Like To Take an Intimate All-Inclusive Cruise Around IcelandTaking a road trip around Iceland has become a bit of a cliché: You pick up a vehicle in Keflavik right after landing and hit the Ring Road, staying in camp grounds along the way and cooking meals with the outrageously expensive groceries purchased at the local Bónus. But is it really a vacation? And is it really the best way to see Iceland? A cruise around the island is another experience altogether. There are freshly baked chocolate croissants and cocktails instead of sliced white bread and yogurt. Visiting the small towns on the coast doesn’t take an exhausting drive. Whales, dolphins, and puffins are visible from the deck. A cruise circumnavigating Iceland with the all-inclusive Atlas Ocean Voyages can deliver all of that, and much, much more.
When To Go Cruising in 2024Antarctic (late November through mid-February): Antarctica’s peak season is in the heart of the Northern Hemisphere’s winter (summer in the Southern Hemisphere), to allow for ships to actually navigate the Antarctic coast without worrying about ice. Cruise lines like Lindblad Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions, Quark Expeditions, Silversea Cruises, and Atlas Ocean Voyages all offer cruises to Antarctica of varying lengths — many of them departing from Chile and Argentina.
Arctic (May-November): Planning an Arctic cruise is the polar opposite of planning an Antarctic cruise. Ships visit during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer season to avoid ice and the most frigid temperatures. This is also when wildlife spotting is at its peak, from walruses and puffins to belugas, arctic foxes, and polar bears. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the northern lights. Several cruise lines, including Hurtigruten Cruises, Ponant, and Viking visit the Arctic regularly each season.
Alaska (May-September): It makes sense that the best months to visit the typically chilly state of Alaska are during the summer, when you can stand on the deck of a cruise ship without needing six layers of clothing. You’ll also have more daylight to enjoy the state’s glaciers and stunning natural beauty. Numerous cruise lines, such as Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises, travel to Alaska regularly every year.
Solar eclipse (April 8): A solar eclipse is a spectacular sight even if you’re just watching it from your backyard, but it’s far more dramatic to see it from a cruise ship. There are several cruises running in 2024 specifically designed to give you an epic solar eclipse viewing experience.
Caribbean (December-May): Nothing ruins a cruise more than rain. Except wind. And seasickness. While you can’t always predict the unpredictable, sailing the Caribbean in winter and spring gives you the best shot of avoiding hurricanes and inclement weather. Many cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Line, and more sail to the Caribbean.
Galapagos (December-February): You can technically cruise to the Galapagos Islands any time of year, but it’s recommended to go between December and May. These months are the region’s warmest of the year, and the ocean is the ideal temperature and clarity for diving and snorkeling. Cruise lines like Lindblad Expedition Cruises, Celebrity cruises, and Avalon Waterways offer voyages to the Galapagos.
Northern Lights cruises (September): While the winter months are best for seeing the northern lights thanks to longer nights, cruising the Arctic during the winter isn’t exactly desirable (or, in some cases, even possible due to the ice and weather). Havila Voyages offers Northern Lights Promise sailings from October 30 to May 1, and Aurora Expeditions has a 19-day Northern Lights Explorer voyage from September 8 to September 26, 2024.
Havila Voyages sails four identical ships along the coast of Norway: the Polaris, Pollux, Capella, and Castor. A full journey on the Coastal Route spans 12 days and 34 ports, traveling from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. The route covers nearly the entire length of Norway’s coast, from southwest to northeast, reaching as far as 250 miles above the Arctic Circle. It’s there, above the Arctic Circle, where the northern lights are the most frequent and vivid.
Havila Voyages knows this. It knows that the aurora borealis is a big incentive for travelers to choose Norway as a cruising destination and wants to help deliver on the promise of a celestial spectacle. That’s why the company has a northern-lights guarantee: If you fail to see the northern lights during peak aurora season, Havila Voyages will invite you to join a repeat cruise for free.
Only round-trip cruisers are eligible for the northern lights guarantee, but with Havila Voyages, the length of your journey is entirely up to you. You can book a round-trip cruise from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, or a one-way cruise traveling either north or south. You can sail for three nights, or just from just one port to the next, treating the ship like a scenic, cozy local ferry. On these ships, expect an experience far different from the average cruise trip.
Read MoreA Windjammer Cruise Along the Coast of Maine Is the Most New England ExperienceMaine is home to the country’s largest collection of historical sailing vessels, which make up the Maine Windjammer Association fleet. The nine vessels in the fleet of traditionally rigged sailboats offer overnight guests the opportunity to see Maine from an unforgettable perspective. All vessels in the fleet are independently owned and operated and many are National Historic Landmarks, with some hailing from the late 1800s, while others were built more recently. These smaller vessels allow guests to explore more of harbors, and harnessing wind power means it’s a more sustainable method of transport than large ships or even driving.
Photo: Willy RitchPhoto: AranuiIsland Hop Around Polynesia on a Luxury Cargo ShipEven people who are self-professed “anti-cruisers” may want to consider setting sail on the Aranui, a small ship that sails from the island of Tahiti to the remote and mostly undeveloped Marquesas Islands. Over the 12-day cruise, the Aranui visits several islands with adventure activities included for guests, like visits of remote archaeological sites and island tours led by locals. There are also lots of options for hiking, visiting remote beaches, or going scuba diving near Hiva Oa (the one-home of artist Paul Gaugin). The dual-purpose passenger/freighter ship is small and communal with lots of socializing between guests and staff. On board, you can hang out with locals and learn to play a ukulele or weave fronds, or spend your time in the large lounges with floor-to-ceiling windows. While the rooms can be luxe, there are also bunk rooms and family suites for travelers who want to go to the Marquesas on a budget.
Cross the Atlantic on a Historic Four-Masted ShipSea Cloud Cruises has a fleet of three luxury four-masted windjammers that take between 60 and 136 guests across the Atlantic every year in November. The ships sail from the Canary Islands or Cape Verde to the Caribbean on a trip that is nothing short of spectacular. During the rest of the year, the boats cruise along the Atlantic coast of Europe, around Costa Rica and Central America, in the Mediterranean, and many more destinations. Of the three windjammers operated by Sea Cloud Cruises, Sea Cloud is the most storied. Dating back to 1931, the ship has had many lives, including that of a weather station during World War II. That said, you get to have a real sailing experience on any of the ships in the fleet, and if you wish to do so while on board, you can learn sailing theory, take knot-tying lessons, and join in the crew on deck when setting sail.
Photo: Sea Cloud CruisesLuxury on the SeaPhoto: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
When Regent Seven Seas Cruises unveiled the Explorer in 2015, it made headlines for being the most expensive cruise ship ever built, costing an estimated $450 million. That title was usurped by the cruise line’s $600-plus million Seven Seas Splendor in 2020, which only solidified Regent’s reputation as the world’s most luxurious cruise line. These investments show in the cruising experience. The Seven Seas Explorer is so lavish that it can render your destination of choice secondary to your time on the water. There are 373 staterooms, all of which are classed as suites and come with private balconies. Suites range from 307 to 4,443 square feet, with balconies spanning 55 to 994 square feet. At the top end is the two-bedroom, two-balcony Regent Suite, which comes with butler service, $150,000 Savior N°1 mattresses and $150,000 Mollissima duvets, a $250,000 Steinway grand piano, and an in-suite spa with unlimited complimentary spa services, among other amenities — for a whopping $10,000 per night.
Read MoreThis Cruise Is the Most Luxurious Way to Travel the MediterraneanIt’s possible to travel around the Mediterranean on a budget using low-cost airlines, cheap hostels, and dodgy looking ferries. It’s not a bad way to travel. You can visit Nice’s markets, pretended to be rich in Monaco, and sunbathe in Corfu all without spending much. But with Oceania Cruises, you can do all of it in the lap of luxury. Oceania’s Nautica is a small, deluxe ship that serves as one of the most opulent ways to see the Mediterranean. Oceania caters to a specific clientele — mostly wealthy couples with no children in tow — and it operates only small or mid-sized ships where the focus is comfort, luxury, and personalized experience. While large ships tend to offer more amenities, Oceania’s philosophy is that with fewer passengers, the crew is able to provide a more curated and pampered experience.
Photo: Jesse AdamsPhoto: MSCThe MSC Yacht Club Can Make Even the Most Hesitant Traveler a Cruise Ship FanCruising is not a one-size-fits-all operation. To accommodate those looking for something extra, MSC has a ship-within-a-ship experience on the MSC Seashore called the MSC Yacht Club. Onboard, the Club (now available on more than half the company’s fleet) spreads over three levels and is accessible only by Club members and staff with a wristband. It feels like a luxury boutique hotel within a ship. Yacht Club Members get many perks, including priority check-in and check-out, as well as priority ushered departure and return on excursions. Each cabin has its own butler and personal concierge. MSC Yacht Club members also benefit from an included extensive drinks package and unlimited access to the Thermal Suite.
The Biggest Trends in Cruising Right Now
Ships are getting bigger: The cruise line with the biggest ships is Royal Caribbean, and its Icon of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world when it launches in 2024. The 20-deck behemoth will hold an astounding 7,600 passengers and will weigh over 250,000 tons. Not far behind is MSC Cruise Lines, which debuted the MSC World Europa this year as the largest ship outside of the Royal Caribbean fleet. Its twin, the World America, will hit the Caribbean in 2025.
Small expedition ships are also opening up: Just as the giants are gaining steam, so are the little guys. Smaller ships that can navigate more ports and go to more off-the-beaten-path destinations are getting a lot of attention from people who typically might steer away from cruising altogether. Following this trend, a bevy of small ship cruise lines have popped in the past few years, including Sea Cloud Cruises, Havila Voyages, and Atlas Ocean Voyages.
Excursions are getting more active: The days of herding passengers from the ship to a popular tourist attraction may be a thing of the past. Or, at least, they’re waning in popularity after the pandemic. Cruise passengers, even older ones, are seeking shore excursions that keep them active.
WiFi at sea is getting better: While some might argue the point of a vacation is to disconnect, increased WiFi speeds and better connectivity have become a priority on cruise ships.
Ships stay longer in ports: There’s something inherently frustrating about pulling into a port at 8 AM, hustling off the ship to enjoy the city, but always having in the back of your mind that you have to return to the ship by 4 PM. Passengers have long lamented these brief port calls, and cruise lines have heard them.
More of the trends defining the future of cruising Rollin’ on a RiverPhoto: Alton Hannibal / American Queen VoyagesThe American Queen, a picture-perfect 1995 recreation of a Mississippi River paddlewheel steamboat, is a luxurious time capsule that takes slow travel to the extreme. Onboard, the passengers enjoy great food, free drinks, river lectures, music, excursions, and tranquil scenery.
The American Queen is undeniably the largest and fanciest steamboat ever built. Modeled after two luxurious steamboats from the 19th century (the Grand Republic for the elegant exterior, and the J.M. White for the opulent decorations and furnishings inside), the American Queen is very grand. Yet, despite the Tiffany lamps, grand pianos, and dress code in the main dining room, the crew and the passengers are relaxed and appreciative of the beauty of the vessel rather than stiff-necked and uncomfortable about the lavish displays. On this ship, no luxury is spared for an experience just as luxe as those on the open ocean.
Read MoreCycle, Paddle, and Hike Through Europe on an Active River CruiseSometimes getting off the boat for an adventure is as memorable as the boat itself. That’s the case with AmaWaterways, which cruises on Europe’s rivers and draws in passengers who have a proclivity for staying active. Local guides take small groups of passengers ashore to cycle, paddle, and hike to the ship’s next pickup spot along the river, giving guests a chance to see UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the countryside up close. Though river cruises have long had a reputation for being relatively sedentary, that’s changing as river cruise lines increasingly attempt to convince travelers who like to keep moving to join them on board.
Photo: AmaWaterwaysPhoto: Alexandree/ShutterstockA Nile Cruise Is the Most Comfortable Way to See Egypt’s Beautiful TemplesEgypt is a geographically large country, and its major tourist sites are far apart. Separated by an overnight train or a 12-hour-plus bus ride, there’s Cairo and Alexandria in Lower Egypt (the northern half the country, bounded by the Mediterranean), and then Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel in Upper Egypt. This is where cruising comes in handy. There are two ways to sail the Nile: By luxury cruise boat or felucca. The former option is the fastest and most comfortable mode of transport, while traveling by felucca beckons adventurers, daring solo travelers, and outdoors types.
A River Cruise Through Provence, France, Has All of the Sights With None of the RushIf you’ve long been curious to explore France’s storied southeastern region — from the lavender-filled fields of Provence to the hilly wine country near Lyon — consider doing so by boat. A Rhône river cruise gives you time to shop at bustling farmers markets, marvel at medieval palaces, and meander through vineyards while getting you to your next location by night. Rather than fretting about early check-outs, train schedules in French, or car travel down small winding roads, you can sleep in and wake up to find your boat docked right alongside the next cobblestoned town.
Photo: Emerald Cruises
Carnival Cruises: There are two options for drinks packages available on Carnival Cruises: Bottomless Bubbles (soft drinks and juices only, $6.95 per child and $9.50 per adult, per day) and Cheers! (as the name implies, this one offers wine, beer, and cocktails in addition to soft drinks, juices, teas, and coffee, starting at $59.95 per day).
Celebrity Cruises: There are two alcohol packages on Celebrity Cruises: Classic (covers drinks up to $10 for $89 per day) and Premium (covers drinks up to $17 for $109 per day), along with three non-alcoholic options.
Holland America Line: This cruise line’s Signature Beverage Package ($54.95 per day) includes drinks priced individually at $15 or lower, such as alcohol (wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails) and non-alcoholic beverages (sodas and specialty coffees).
Norwegian Cruise Line: Five drinks packages are offered by Norwegian Cruise Line, two of which are non-alcoholic (Unlimited Soda Package, at $9.95 per day; and Unlimited Starbucks Package, at $12.95 per day). For something stronger, there’s the Premium Beverage Package (covers up to $15 drinks for coffee, wine, beer, spirits, fountain sodas, coffee, and teas for $109 per day) and the Premium Plus Beverage Package ($138 per day). The differences between the two come down to lower-end and higher-end wine and spirits.
Virgin Voyages: Richard Branson’s cruise line offers its Essential Drinks on Us for free on every sailing. This includes filtered still and sparkling waters, non-pressed juices, sodas, teas, and coffees. There isn’t a drinks package per se like other cruise lines with daily fees, but you can drop $300 on a pre-paid tab which gets you an extra $50.
More about cruise lines drinks packages to know Breaking Out of Family-Friendly CruisingPhoto: Virgin VoyagesMany cruises are a family-friendly affair. That’s no the case with Virgin’s adults-only cruise limited to people who are 18 or older. The theme is clear with puns, innuendos, and quirky amenities. R-rated themes are everywhere, including at the ice cream place called “Lick Me Till Ice Cream”. There’s even a special “Let’s Get It On” mood lighting option in the cabins, designed for amorous couples. Adults-only cruising is a far cry from lines of kids edging to be next on the slide, and the cruise, as well as other themed cruises like it, broadens the perception of what a cruise can be.
Read MoreThe Best Queer Cruises Where You Can Truly Be YourselfAtlantis Events threw its first shindig in 1991 and only attracted 300 attendees. Today, Atlantis hosts over 20,000 guests annually on multiple cruise ships around the world. These themed cruises offer a chance to explore the open water with the queer community.
Photo: Maridav/ShutterstockPhoto: Maridav/ShutterstockThe 13 Best Lgbtq-Friendly Cruise LinesIf you prefer to spend your vacations exploring rugged coastlines and picturesque towns on board a trendy cruise line, you’re not alone. According to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, around 25 million people take to the seas on a cruise ship each year — with a fairly large portion of those people being from the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re looking for the cruise line offering the longest list of amenities or you’d rather pick a cruise line that ventures to interesting and diverse locales, we’ve uncovered the best LGBTQ-friendly cruise lines.
CREDITSEditorial leadsMorgane Croissant
Nick Hines
Alex Bresler, Suzie Dundas, Eben Diskin, Katie Scott-Aiton, Matt Meltzer, Lisa Luken, Sara Kuta, Michael Arnold, Elizabeth Hey, Kristine Hansen, John Garry, and Ashley Moore.
Special ThanksRyan Dury
Debbie Gonzalez Canada
Connie Santilli
Danny Ickes from Cruise Planners
October 27, 2023
Fisherman Rewarded With $100K Bounty for Catching Invasive Species This Summer
The beauty of fishing is there doesn’t need to be an ultimate goal. You go out on the water, crack a beer, watch your line, and hope to reel something in. If you don’t, at least you got a nice relaxing day outdoors. Turns out, there’s more in it for the expert angler than just some time outside, and the chance to take a photo with a really big fish. One fisherman actually earned $100,000 for catching 10,127 pikeminnow in the lower Columbia River.
It’s all part of the Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Program, a conservation initiative, funded by the Bonneville Power Administration, designed to encourage fishermen to rid the river of the invasive pikeminnow species. The program runs each summer from May 1 to September 30 with the aim of ridding the water of pikeminnow, which prey on salmon and steelhead smolt. Anglers are rewarded with $6 per fish for the first 25 (9-inch-plus), $8 for the next 25 to 200, and $10 for every fish over 200. Some specially tagged fish even gave fishermen a shot at earning $200 to $500.
The top fisherman this year earned the second-most of any angler in the program’s history, falling just shy of a fisherman who made $119,341 in 2016 (for catching 14,000 pikeminnow). Since the BPA doesn’t release the names of fishermen who participate, both winners remain anonymous.
In total, 156,505 pikeminnows were removed from the river in 2023, proving the tremendous success of the program.
Where To Play, Eat, and Stay in Gran Canaria, Spain’s All-Year Island Escape
For travelers seeking a destination that delivers as much luxury as it does adventure, there’s never been a better time to visit Gran Canaria, a volcanic island off the west coast of Africa. The second largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, Gran Canaria has sunny beaches, expansive sand dunes, volcano hikes, ancient ruins, agritourism, luxury spas, and more — all while keeping an eye toward sustainability by investing in renewable energy using the abundant wind and sun that the island gets. Best of all, the island maintains a mild climate year round, with temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so there’s never a bad time to visit.
Things to do in Gran CanariaWalk through the Maspalomas Dunes
Photo: Pandora Pictures/Shutterstock
A thousand acres of shifting sand dunes sit along Gran Canaria’s southern coast. A protected nature reserve since 1987, Maspalomas Dunes will remind you that Gran Canaria is closer to Morocco than to Spain. You might think you’re in the Sahara Desert but for one unique difference: Maspalomas Dunes are on the coast, with the great turquoise blue expanse of the Atlantic Ocean visible beyond the sandy desertscape. Maspalomas Dunes are free to visit, and while walking on the dunes themselves is prohibited in order to prevent erosion, visitors can stroll the paved boardwalk that runs alongside and through the dunes to visit the Maspalomas Beach and lighthouse a little less than two miles away.
See Puerto de Mogán’s archeology and beaches
Photo: Zdenek Matyas Photography/Shutterstock
A day trip to Puerto de Mogán is a great way to get a taste of Gran Canaria’s resort-town culture. Relax on the beach, shop, or dine along the waterfront boulevard, then stroll the alleys and bridges that earned the town its nickname of “Little Venice” with its brightly painted facades and flowering trees. Don’t miss nearby Cañada de los Gatos, a pre-Hispanic archeological site dating back 1,300 years that’s under a 10-minute walk from the port. Entry to Cañada de los Gatos is about $4.50. The site is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Lastly, get off land and go for a water-based adventure on one of the many boat tours available from Puerto de Mogán. Options range from a basic coastal sightseeing tour to an all-inclusive snorkeling tour with food and drinks. There are even glass-bottomed boat tours and dolphin-spotting tours. Our group booked a basic sightseeing tour through AquaSports and brought aboard drinks, snacks, and tortilla Española (Spanish omelet) from a local market.
Take a day trip to historic Arucas
Photo: Dziewul/Shutterstock
For a literal taste of Gran Canaria’s agriculture, head by car to the northern town of Arucas. With views of lush banana plants stretching to the ocean, La ReKompensa Banana Museum and Plantation includes a guided tour and explanation of the banana-growing process and a delicious sampling of bananas and banana jams. With a bit of food in your belly, next visit the Arehucas Rum Distillery for a guided tour of the facilities and a tasting of both popular and rare rums. Using locally grown sugar cane in the distillation process, Arehucas has been distilling rum since 1884. With only 4,300 barrels produced annually, Arehucas rum is not available in the US, so stock up at the gift shop to bring home a taste of the islands.
Finally, walk the streets of Arucas, making sure to stroll through the gardens at Parque de la Paz on your way to the iconic Parroquia de San Juan Bautista de Arucas, a Gaudi- inspired neo-gothic cathedral dating from the early 1900s. Step inside the cathedral is open, or grab an espresso at one of the outdoor café tables lining Calle Gourié.
Explore the island’s volcanic center
Photo: kelifamily/Shutterstock
The best way to get a sense of Gran Canaria’s volcanic geology is to take a day trip to the mountainous central region of the island. Start your day at one of Gran Canaria’s wineries where the rich volcanic soil supports an ideal environment for growing grapes. I visited the intimate Finca Escudero for a wine tasting paired with bread, cheese, and housemade olive oil, all set in the poolside garden of a historic manor home.
After, continue to the picturesque hill town of Tejeda. Take a short hike to a view of Roque Nublo, the hardened lava rock and third highest point on the island that remains after a volcanic eruption 4.5 million years ago. End your day in the historic town of Teror where, according to local lore, the Virgin Mary appeared beneath a pine tree, making Virgen del Pino (Virgin of the Pine) the patron saint of Gran Canaria. The neoclassical, 18th-century Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pino, now a museum, marks the spot next to the pine tree where she appeared. End your day with a walk along Teror’s colorful alleys and pedestrian-only main street, popping into beautiful courtyards and shopping at local boutiques.
Where to eat and drink in Gran CanariaMercado del PuertoView this post on InstagramA post shared by Piscos y Buches | Gourmet
(@piscosybuches)
This local food market in Gran Canaria’s capital city of Las Palmas is the perfect place for a casual meal from one of the tapas bars and food stalls. As you peruse the glass showcases of each restaurant, you’ll notice a variety of pinchos: small snacks such as individual slices of baguette stacked high with sauces, meats, and veggies. Try one or a few, and pair it with an order of grilled cheese with marmalade from Piscos y Buches.
Mercado del Puerto: Calle Albareda, 76, 35008 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
La AquarelaView this post on InstagramA post shared by La Aquarela (@laaquarela)
For a Michelin-star dining experience with poolside views overlooking the ocean, look no further than La Aquarela. Each course from the amuse-bouche to the dessert is thoughtfully prepared with locally sourced ingredients and paired with Gran Canarian and Spanish wines. I loved the playful touches that were incorporated in every dish, such as the sheep-shaped cheese crisp, a nod to the local sheep cheese used in the recipe.
La Aquarela: Apartamentos Aquamarina Barranco de la Verga s/n, 35129 Barranco de la Verga, Las Palmas, Spain
Where to stay in Gran CanariaLopesan Costa Meloneras, Resort & Spa
Photo: Expedia
We hope you love Lopesan Costa Meloneras, Resort & Spa! 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.
For a luxurious stay on the southern coast, right by sandy Playa de Faro, book a suite at Lopesan Costa Meloneras, Resort & Spa. I loved the resort’s multiple pools, especially the infinity pool. My suite had a spacious living room, a bedroom with a king-sized bed, and a balcony overlooking one of the pools. The bathroom features a walk-in shower and large bathtub — complete with a complimentary bath bomb for a spa-like experience.
For even more relaxation, take advantage of the resort’s 12-room progressive spa that features several saunas, hot tubs, an ice room, and a salt float pool. In addition to several dining and nightlife options nearby, there is nightly entertainment at the resort, as well as restaurants ranging from the all-you-can-eat gastro buffet Alameda, which has 13 micro-cooking stations, to a more formal dining experience at La Toscana, where you can order local favorites like papas arrugadas (boiled potatoes) and fresh-caught fish.
Lopesan Costa Meloneras, Resort & Spa: Calle Mar Mediterráneo, 1, 35100 Meloneras, Las Palmas, Spain
Price per night: From $241
How to get to Gran Canaria
Photo: RossHelen/Shutterstock
Gran Canaria is a three-hour direct flight from Madrid, Spain, making it a straightforward destination for travelers from all over the world. My journey to Gran Canaria began in Denver, from where I flew to Chicago and then on to Madrid before landing at the Gran Canaria airport in the northeast of the island. The entire journey, from my door to my hotel room, took about 24 hours. From the airport, it’s a 25-minute drive to the island’s southern coast where most travelers, myself included, stay when visiting Gran Canaria.
How to get around Gran Canaria
Photo: svsumin/Shutterstock
The best way to get around the island and from city to city is by car. It’s easy to rent a vehicle at the airport, and doing so will give you maximum flexibility to explore Gran Canaria. Each of the cities of Arucas, Las Palmas, Teror, and Puerto de Mogán are walkable, so I recommend renting a car to drive between towns, and then exploring on foot once you reach your destination.
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