Matador Network's Blog, page 234
October 25, 2023
Saudi Arabia Is Building a Cutting-Edge, World-Class Ski Resort in the High Desert
In the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, a remarkable transformation is underway in the form of NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious project that serves as the center of the country’s pivot to becoming a global tourism destination. Trojena, Saudi Arabia’s forthcoming ski resort, is being developed as an unexpected haven for winter sports enthusiasts, drawing attention worldwide ahead of its projected opening in 2026. This groundbreaking resort – a $500 billion part of the broader NEOM project – will bring skiing to the high desert of northern Saudi Arabia, blending traditional Saudi culture with the allure of winter sports. This, of course, raises a lot of questions, from how the resort will get snow to what the experience of skiing there will be like.
Desert skiing: The genesis of Trojena
Photo courtesy of Trojena
Trojena, being built in the stunning mountainous region of Tabuk Province bordering the Red Sea in the northwest corner of the country, represents a visionary shift in Saudi Arabia’s approach to tourism. It all began with the ambitious Vision 2030 program, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This initiative aims to diversify the Saudi economy and promote tourism by unlocking the country’s untapped potential through projects like The Line, Hidden Marina, Leyja, and more.
The concept of Trojena was born from a desire to make use of the region’s natural beauty and unique geological features, such as its rugged terrain and chilly winters. Temperatures often dip below freezing here, and the region receives moderate natural snow. Developers sought to create a year-round attraction that would not only cater to international tourists but also provide a new recreational space for Saudis themselves.
Constructing Trojena is an engineering marvel in itself. The site sits at an altitude of approximately 8,800 feet. Trojena’s ski slopes are equipped with top-notch snowmaking equipment, ensuring a consistent and reliable snow cover. The resort expects to feature several ski runs of varying difficulty levels, accommodating beginners and seasoned skiers alike, though if you’re a backcountry hound, you’re better off bringing climbing gear instead of skis. Visitors can also enjoy snowboarding, snowshoeing, and other winter sports activities.
Ensimore was announced as the first hotel partner at the resort. The company’s 25hours and Morgans Originals hotel brands will have outposts there when the resort first opens. Wellness programs, guided tours, and group retreats will be available at Trojena, though details are currently scarce. The architecture will be built to resemble the region’s natural surroundings, employing a minimalist aesthetic that (at least on the outside) blends into the landscape.
The Trojena experienceView this post on Instagram
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Trojena is set to be much more than a ski hill. The resort’s accommodations are headlined by The Vault, a “vertical village” that will house hotel rooms and apartments alongside shopping, dining, and entertainment. Visitors can embark on a thrilling ski adventure during the day and then unwind in the evenings in the luxurious lodges while enjoying traditional Saudi cuisine and hospitality.
The snow-covered peaks of Trojena provide a surreal contrast to the surrounding arid landscape, and the fact that much of this resort will be artificial slopes and inclines should create quite the spectacle. You’ll be able to carve your way down pristine runs while taking in panoramic views of the desert expanse, for example, and then unstrap and walk into a luxury boutique.
For those looking to take a break from skiing, the resort offers a range of activities.
Snowshoeing through the crisp snow, snowmobile rides, and ice skating are just a few options. Additionally, the Trojena Adventure Park caters to adrenaline junkies with zip-lining and challenging obstacle courses.
One of the critical aspects of Trojena’s development is its commitment to sustainability. In an era of increasing environmental awareness, the project places a strong emphasis on preserving the fragile mountain ecosystem and conserving water resources. Cutting-edge environmental practices, such as snow recycling and renewable energy sources, are integral to the resort’s operations.
One thing the resort developers have done is to engage with local communities to ensure that the resort benefits the region economically. The project has created numerous job opportunities and stimulated local businesses, contributing to the socioeconomic development of Tabuk Province. It’s also important to note that the NEOM project as a whole represents humanity learning from past mistakes and moving forward, for better or worse, with the development of a region based on forward-thinking practices of sustainability rather than following the high-impact development practices behind nearly all cities and resorts currently operating around the world.
Of course, developing cities and resorts in the desert, where fresh water and resources are scarce, is far from sustainable on its own. The resort will be powered by a mix of solar and wind energy. Water will be pumped from the sea and desalinated, rather than relying on the scarce water available in the region. Given the increased strain on global freshwater supplies, headlined in the US by the current plight of the Colorado River, if Trojena’s developers can implement a minimal-impact system for providing desalinated water to residents and visitors, this could become a model for developers the world over to build upon.
Cultural connectionTrojena will not just be a winter sports destination, but a cultural bridge between ancient traditions and modern recreation. Developers promise nearly half a million square feet of retail space, over 3,500 hotel rooms and apartments, and a 3,000-person amphitheater that will host live music and other events. The resort has pledged to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage through its architecture, cuisine, and activities. Visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture, enjoying traditional music, dance, and storytelling.
The broader significance of TrojenaBeyond its role as a premier ski destination, Trojena holds broader significance in the context of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. It represents a tangible demonstration of the country’s commitment to diversifying its economy and promoting tourism. This, in effect, is as much a part of the project’s sustainable design as anything else, because right now, oil and gas accounts for nearly half of Saudi Arabia’s GDP and the industry employs hundreds of thousands of Saudis. As the global economy transitions away from fossil fuels, those people will need jobs, and while the transition into a new line of work is never perfectly smooth – nor should it be assumed that anyone wants to or should be forced to work in tourism – having a diverse array of jobs available is critical. Trojena stands as a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s willingness to embrace innovation and modernity while respecting its cultural roots.
Trojena contributes to the country’s efforts to reduce its dependence on oil revenue, thereby increasing economic stability. Developers estimate 10,000 jobs will be generated by the Trojena project. The revenue generated from tourism, coupled with sustainable practices, positions the resort as a model for responsible development in the region.
How to plan a trip to TrojenaThe nearest major airport to Trojena is Tabuk Regional Airport (TUU), located approximately 60 miles away. Travelers can reach Tabuk via domestic flights from Saudi Arabia’s major cities, such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Upon arrival in Tabuk, opt for a rental car or arrange for transportation to Trojena, taking in the scenic drive through the picturesque mountainous terrain.
Prices may change between now and when the resort opens, and it’s likely that direct transfer services will arise between now and then. Domestic flights to Tabuk from major cities in Saudi Arabia can range from approximately $50 to $150 or more, depending on the time of booking and class of service. Accommodation options at Trojena should cater to a range of budgets, with luxury lodges and chalets offering premium experiences, while more affordable options are also available. A night’s stay at one of the mid-range lodges is expected to cost $150 to $300, with the more lavish accommodations surpassing $500 per night. Additionally, lift passes and access to skiing facilities are priced separately, with day passes projected to start at around $50.
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On Norway’s Coast, This Ultra-Sustainable Cruise Line Has a Northern Lights Guarantee
The list of reasons to sail with Norwegian cruise line Havila Voyages is as long as the coast that its vessels travel. First, there’s the Coastal Route that the ships sail, which showcases some of the best of Norway, from fjords and islands to important cities both above and below the polar region. Then there’s the fact that Havila’s cruise ships are among the most sustainable at sea. Individual excursions along the Norwegian coast add dozens more reasons to sail with Havila Voyages, while the simple yet immaculate ships also provide several enticing amenities.
One amenity stood out on my recent cruise from Tromsø to Trondheim aboard the Capella. It wasn’t the sauna, jacuzzi, or fitness room that opened to expansive views, making me feel as though I was running on water. Neither was it Havly Cafe where I tasted Norwegian waffles for the first time, nor the Hildring restaurant where I had my first-ever bite of reindeer meat as part of an elegant five-course meal.
Of all things, the amenity that I came to value most during my time with Havila Voyages was the seemingly commonplace phone that sat on the desk of my cabin, which I quickly learned had a feature that could make or break the entire experience.
A northern lights guarantee on the Norwegian coast
Photo: Havila Kystruten
Havila Voyages sails four identical ships: 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.
There are a few conditions. The guarantee is only available to cruisers who book a full journey between October 1 and March 31. If the aurora does’nt appear during your sail, you can redeem a one-way journey traveling either north or south, provided you book a new voyage within one month of your original return date.
The guarantee doesn’t apply if you sleep through an auroral event, but the company provides a safeguard against that, too. Every cabin phone is outfitted with a northern lights wake-up call. Simply activate the optional warning system when you check into your room, and the crew will alert you when the aurora appears, no matter the hour.
A cruise ship that doubles as a local ferry
Photo: Alex Bresler
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 one-way cruise from Bergen or Kirkenes. You can sail for three nights, as I did, having flown into Tromsø and out of Trondheim. You can even travel from just one port to the next.
The earliest iteration of the Coastal Route dates back to the late 1800s when a Norwegian captain established an express shipping route through the fjords to transport goods, mail, and passengers between local communities. The route and its touristic value have since grown, but it remains a vital transport system for the people of coastal Norway. Havila Voyages, as well as its sole competitor on the route, Hurtigruten, continue to transport both goods and locals to this day.
Many of Havila’s port-to-port travelers live on the Norwegian coast, but the company’s ferry-like service is available to all. Ticket prices for port-to-port stops are set by the government and comparable to that of a bus. The pace of travel is marginally slower by boat than by bus, but the experience is far more relaxing.
Photo: Alex Bresler
I saw several port-to-port travelers during my brief sail. Most were easy to spot, curled up with daypacks in the observation lounge on deck nine or admiring the scenery from the bow. Others might have been mistaken for overnight cruisers, snacking on Norwegian Havly buns in the cafe. There’s even a dedicated room on deck four where cabin-less travelers can recline in plush chairs, which cost roughly $20 to reserve but are included in the ticket price for overnight port-to-port travel.
One afternoon, more than 200 passengers boarded the Capella for a special detour from Stokmarknes to Eidsfjord. Beginning in the 1850s, a thriving herring trade brought countless mariners to the Eidsfjord. It was the success of this herring industry that later inspired the Coastal Route as an avenue for transporting herring more effectively via steamship, along with cargo and mail from nearby communities.
To celebrate the historic excursion, Havila Voyages set up a herring service in the observation lounge, complete with a trio of small bites. This created the perfect excuse to try another traditional Norwegian pairing: a glass of the ship’s very own Havila Pilsner from the Geiranger Handcraft Brewery with a shot of aquavit, a distilled Scandinavian spirit, both of which are available in the Havblikk lounge bar.
Excursions on a Havila Voyages cruise
Photo: Alex Bresler
On large cruises, the schedule is typically as follows: Ships dock in the morning, spend the better part of the day at various ports, depart in the late afternoon, and sail the open seas at night. Havila Voyages operates differently.
To start, the small ships, which have the capacity for 640 passengers and some 70 crew members, cling close to the coast, navigating through several of the 900 fjords that exist between Bergen and Kirkenes. This means that some of the most exciting and scenic excursions that cruisers can experience with Havila Voyages happen right there on the ship. Sailing through the narrow Trollfjorden and ensuing Raftsundet Strait, for example, the ship passes so close to the surrounding mountain walls that it’s hard to believe you’re traveling on a cruise-sized vessel at all.
Then there’s the matter of docking. At any given time, Havila’s cargo holds carry as many as 300 palettes of goods to be transported between coastal communities, which requires the ships to dock frequently, both day and night. Some port visits are long enough for cruisers to spend a few hours ashore; others are purely functional, allowing cruisers to disembark for just a few minutes, if that.
Photo: Alex Bresler
During longer stops, Havila Voyages hosts guided excursions, ranging from polar-night walks, horseback rides, and snowmobiling excursions depending on the season to city tours by tram or bike, depending on the port. Excursions typically last two to three hours. Admittedly, this feels quick when you factor in transfer times to various outings. I experienced two excursions during my sail: a visit to the Tromsø Wilderness Center for a husky visit and a hike at Torghatten, a small mountain with a naturally occurring tunnel in the center that legend says was created by a troll king.
The meet-and-greet with the huskies, which typically lasts 3.5 hours and includes a dog-sled ride in the winter and spring, was well-paced. The group of journalists that I was traveling with joined the excursion immediately after arriving at the Tromsø airport, before we even set foot on the Capella. Our visit was truncated but nonetheless left plenty of time to get up-close and personal with the sled dogs, tour the yard, and enjoy coffee and cake around a fire inside of a cozy yurt.
The hike, while pleasant, was brief. On the recommendation of our local guide, a few of us had planned to stop for strawberry ice cream back at the dock, but by the time the larger group returned to the bus from Torghatten, we’d run out of time for independent exploration. Were I to travel with Havila Voyages again, I’d keep this in mind: Like the old adage says, cruising with Havila Voyages is all about the journey on the Coastal Route, perhaps less so the ports along the way.
Sustainability at sea
Photo: Alex Bresler
For eco-minded travelers, perhaps the most interesting fact about Havila’s ships is that they operate as plug-in hybrids. Each vessel is equipped with two battery rooms that together hold roughly the same amount of stored energy as 80 Teslas when the batteries are fully charged. That translates to approximately four hours of zero-emission battery power while the ship is underway. The batteries are charged at ports along the coast using shore power from hydropower plants, a renewable energy source that’s ubiquitous in Norway.
When they’re not operating on battery power, Havila’s ships run on liquid natural gas (LNG) that’s being gradually blended with biogas from waste created by fish and land farms in Norway, which drastically reduces the fleet’s carbon footprint. But biogas is only a “midterm solution,” explains Lasse Vangstein, Havila’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. The ships are designed to be able to convert to clean-burning hydrogen power as soon as it becomes commercially viable.
Photo: Alex Bresler
Soon, the sustainability measures that Havila Voyages has already taken will be a requirement for every cruise line that sails through Norway’s fragile western fjords. In 2018, the Norwegian government resolved to allow only zero-emission vessels to sail through the UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord by 2026 — just two years before Havila Voyages endeavors to be a carbon-neutral cruise line and four years before it hopes that its ships will be entirely emission-free.
Even now, cruising on battery power is an experience travelers can appreciate, not only ideologically but also experientially. Passing through Trollfjorden, for example, I relished the Capella‘s atypical silence as it sailed harmoniously through the majestic fjord. According to Vangstein, if you listen carefully when the ship is operating on battery power, you could even hear a single drop of water splash into the sound.
Small plates, not buffets, that showcase the local cuisine
Photo: Alex Bresler
Havila Voyages implements another sustainability measure that has a more obvious impact on cruisers: the food service. Mealtime on many cruises is synonymous with buffets. Many cruisers like this. Buffets mean fast service, plentiful options, and general indulgence. What they’re not is environmentally friendly. According to USA Today, the Carnival Corporation’s cruise lines average 1.3 pounds of food waste per person per day. That equates to nearly 590 grams of food waste. By comparison, Havila Voyages has set a goal of seeing no more than 75 grams of food waste per person per day. So far this year, the company has been logging just 69 grams.
The company is able to achieve this by replacing the buffet concept. For breakfast and lunch in the main Havrand restaurant, diners select dishes from an a la carte menu of small plates, which are then served tableside. The food arrives almost instantly, which together with the small-plate concept allows meals to be just as quick and varied as a buffet. Dinner begins similarly with as many appetizers as you’d like to try, followed by your choice of entree, which is served alongside a set of communal sides for the table. At any meal, Havila Gold cruisers can order from a small specialty menu, which for other cruisers costs extra.
Photo: Alex Bresler
I typically ordered four small plates for breakfast and lunch at Havrand, which is lined with wall-to-wall windows. Nearly all of the food served on board is produced in Norway, and the daily dishes allow international cruisers to sample traditional ingredients, such as brunost, or brown cheese, which is a mildly sweet and nutty whey product that’s technically not cheese at all. My favorite plates generally centered on seafood, such as small but hearty bowls of mussels or fish stew, although standout dishes usually aligned with where we were sailing.
Along with the set menu, cruisers can choose from a selection of regional dishes that reflect the flavors of the four areas where the ships sail as they’re passing through those areas: think fresh fruit and seafood from the fjords; cod served fresh, dried, and as roe from the polar region; king crab, char, lamb, and reindeer from the Arctic; and klipfish and herring from the archipelago.
Photo: Alex Bresler
For special occasions, you can also splurge on a prix-fixe dinner in the fine-dining Hildring restaurant, which Havila Gold cruisers can do twice on a round-trip voyage or once on a one-way voyage at no extra cost. And for everything else, there’s the Havly Cafe, which is open from 8 AM to 10 PM and serves baked goods and sweets, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, soups, salads, and a variety of hot and cold beverages.
How Havila Voyages compares to the competition
Photo: Alex Bresler
When Havila Voyages sailed its maiden voyage in 2021, the Capella was the first ship to embark on Norway’s Coastal Route in 18 years. In the years prior, that privilege belonged exclusively to a company called Hurtigruten.
Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages follow the same model: They share the Coastal Route, stopping at the same ports according to the same timetable. Both operate as cargo and passenger services as well as cruise ships. Many of Havila’s crew members previously worked for Hurtigruten. The two companies even share a similar northern-lights guarantee. Where Havila Voyages has an edge over the competition is in the newness of its ships, both literally and conceptually.
Beyond Havila’s green hybrid technologies, which Hurtigruten is retrofitting its fleet to match, and its buffet-free food concept, which Hurtigruten is not, Havila’s ships feature a more modern Scandinavian design than Hurtigurten’s ships. The interiors are pristine and minimalist yet quite cozy. The design reflects the scenery outside, allowing passengers to feel as though they’re immersed in Norwegian nature whether or not they’re sitting by a window — of which there are countless on board.
Photo: Alex Bresler
Havila’s cabins also tend to be larger. At about 160 square feet, my Seaview Superior cabin was plenty spacious for one person, with a window on the far wall that guaranteed I always woke up to something beautiful. Havila’s largest suites, known as the Lighthouse Suites, are roughly 500 square feet, about the size of a studio apartment in Manhattan. Each ship has two Lighthouse Suites, each of which is outfitted with living and dining room seating, both a shower and a bath, and a private jacuzzi on the balcony. (Non-Lighthouse Suite cruisers also have access to shared outdoor jacuzzis on deck eight, a stone’s throw from the gendered saunas.)
With all that extra space and brand-new amenities, you might be wondering how the cost of a Havila Voyages cruise compares to that of Hurtigruten. Surprisingly, it’s cheaper. Though the actual price of either cruise will vary depending on the package that you book, Havila quotes a round-trip voyage at a little over $1,500 per person, a steal compared to the almost $2,500 you’d pay for the same trip on Hurtigruten.
I suppose Havila’s forward-thinking sustainability, pristine Nordic aesthetic, and attention to every last detail are just bonuses. 
The Most Unique Airbnbs in Cornwall For a True English Experience
Sunkissed Cornwall is the choice destination for Brits seeking a Mediterranean-esque staycation without leaving the United Kingdom. The windswept coastline and wild hinterland of England’s southwesternmost county have kindled the imagination of writers, poets, and artists for centuries. Ancient hamlets harbor smugglers’ tales and Celtic folklore.
North Cornwall is where you’ll find surf hotspots and artsy resorts. South Cornwall is home to historic fishing ports, hidden coves, lush gardens, and family-friendly attractions. The spine of the peninsula is consumed by moors, tors, and woodlands while forts edge the shoreline. Whether you hole up in one place or take a road trip, these Airbnbs in Cornwall’s seaside villages and moorlands fit the bill for surfers, hikers, and history buffs.
Traveling to the United Kingdom? Check out Matador’s UK accommodations guides: The Best Airbnbs in Manchester, From a Luxury Yacht To a Renovated Bank Vault 23 Airbnbs in London’s Trendiest Neighborhoods Top 13 Airbnbs for Exploring the Whole of Scotland The 8 Best Hotels in Edinburgh Close To the Must-See Sights The Top Glasgow Airbnbs Across the City’s Coolest Neighborhoods
We hope you love these Airbnb Cornwall vacation rentals! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Idyllic beachfront Airbnb in Newquay
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosWetsuits at the ready: this vacation rental is a stone’s throw from Cornwall’s top surf beaches. The interiors are cheerful and bright, accented by shiplap walls and maritime touches. A freestanding tub in the master suite adds a boutique hotel finish. The round kitchen island overlooks the vast terrace with a sweeping view of the bay and headland trails accessible from the doorstep.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $529 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosThis gorgeous cabin sits at the base of Bodmin Moor, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The black exterior strikes a contrast with the light-filled interiors. The bed is divided from the kitchen via a wooden partition and overlooks the rolling hills and wood-fired hot tub. The Camel Valley Vineyard is a walkable or cyclable trip from the property while both the north and south coasts of Cornwall are half an hour by car.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $149 per night
Photo: Airbnb
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosPerhaps the most famous Airbnb in Cornwall and a relic of the county’s mining heritage, the Engine House has made a cameo on multiple British property shows. The lower level contains the kitchen while the second-floor lounge gives you the choice of dozing in the hammock or curling up with a book in the window nook. Porthtowan Beach is awesome for catching a wave and the walkable Blue Bar is a popular spot for après-surf.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $231 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosA short drive from Newquay and Padstow, this adults-only Airbnb with a hot tub is the perfect romantic escape in North Cornwall. The shepherd’s hut stars a bed with a moonroof and a fully-equipped kitchenette while the backyard has a barbecue. Chuck a log on the fire before jumping into the spa for an evening under the stars. You’ll wake up to fresh eggs from the orchard and a friendly flock of Ryeland sheep.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $196 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosOnce used to store fish, this seaside shack has been spruced up into a deluxe Cornwall vacation pad with a hot tub and terrace angled for dolphin watching. Indoors, you can sink into a bubble bath with a sea view before settling around the fire or watching ships from the garden lookout cubby. The village of Charlestown contains the last standing 18th-century Georgian harbor and has served as a filming location for Poldark.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $377 per night
Photo: Airbnb
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosDylan Thomas considered Mousehole the “loveliest village in England” and you’ll struggle to disagree. This petite cottage for two mingles original driftwood and local stone with a high-tech kitchen and rainfall shower. Make the most of the harborfront setting by cuddling up in bed beneath the fishing net as boats bob offshore. Dogs are welcome subject to a pet fee and you’ll find traditional pubs within a five-minute radius.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $179 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosCast yourself away to this chalet crafted from Cornish slate and timber overlooking the Celtic Sea. The sandy beach is steps from the deck while hiking trails take you up over the cliffs. Expect to find an arrival hamper of scones, clotted cream, and sparkling wine to tuck into as the ride rolls in. Fido is welcome at this pet-friendly Airbnb in Cornwall’s luxurious coastal development.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $223 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosGlamp in the heart of rural Cornwall at this off-the-grid Airbnb near Truro. This is a prime spot for wildlife: eagle-eyed guests have crossed paths with hedgehogs, foxes, and the elusive British badger. The cabin is carefully insulated and remains toasty warm thanks to the wood-burner while the secluded patio has a roll-top bathtub. Rock up with an appetite – the cabin comes stocked with a gourmet hamper of goodies.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $118 per night
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Photo: Airbnb
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosSitting on the outskirts of Cornwall’s westernmost town, this unique Airbnb is near Land’s End, St Michael’s Mount, and Tremenheere Gardens. The bungalow is fashioned from traditional materials with a roaring open fire and mezzanine upping the coziness. Evening entertainment gives you the choice of a hot tub soak, an Xbox marathon, or an acoustic guitar sing-a-long. In place of the “perfectly round green door,” you’ll enter via the equally charming stable door.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $176 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosStay at this upside-down sanctuary near Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor National Park, and both Cornish coasts. The living room and kitchen are on the second floor, allowing for cooking and lounging with a valley view. The bedrooms are located on the first floor and kids will love waking up to the sight of the horses. Outside, you’ll find a barbecue terrace, hot tub, and sunny lawn. It’s right off the A30 major road which makes sightseeing a doddle.
Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $164 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosPerched on a hill a mile out of Boscastle, this brand-new barn conversion is a short drive from Tintagel Castle and St Nectan’s Waterfall. The bungalow comprises a skylighted open-plan lounge with a top-of-the-line kitchen and a chic tiled bathroom. It’s the perfect base for a family, with a large patio and lawn surrounded by farmland where the kids can run riot and Atlantic views from the wood-fired hot tub.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $200 per night
With the border located approximately 250 miles from Central London, Cornwall is England’s most southwestern county. The northern coast of the peninsula overlooks the Celtic Sea while the southern beaches face the English Channel. Trains connect London Paddington with Truro and Penzance from where Great Western Railway (GWR) operates local services. It’s often easier to travel to Plymouth, Devon, and change lines there. Otherwise, GWR’s sleeper train to Penzance is an alternative.
What is there to do in Cornwall?Cornwall’s tourism orbits around water activities, hiking, cycling, and visiting National Trust and English Heritage properties. Land’s End marks the westernmost point of England whereas Lizard’s Point claims the southernmost tip of England and the United Kingdom.
North Cornwall is the surf capital where the North Atlantic provides year-round swells that top out in winter. The stretch between Tintagel and Boscastle is where to go for myths and legends. Tintagel Castle is said to be the childhood home of the fabled King Arthur. The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is dedicated to superstitions and the darker side of the occult.
South Cornwall’s calm inlets are suitable for kayaking and paddle boarding. The British cousin of Mont Saint Michel, St Michael’s Mount is an offshore isle accessible via a causeway during low tide. Time your outing to avoid a maritime slumber party. The Eden Project is a botanical wonderland near St Austell where ginormous biomes are filled with plants from all over the globe. On the other side of town, the Lost Gardens of Heligan is a mysterious estate of jungle, forest, and farmland.
Overseen by Henry VIII, the medieval Pendennis Castle guides you through the English Civil War, Napoleonic Wars, and the First and Second World Wars. Visit in tandem with St Mawes Castle and you’ll score a ferry ride between the sistering sites.
Venture inland where you’ll walk through England’s murkiest moments at Bodmin Jail or get your spook on with a twilight ghost tour. Tap on a drive across Bodmin Moor where a string of stone circles are linked to druidism, burial rituals, and astronomy.
Exploring Cornwall is hungry work. Fuel up on Cornish pasties, oysters, and cream tea washed down with the region’s Brut (or cider). Remember, Cornish custom says to apply the jam first and then the cream.
October 24, 2023
The Western Side of Maui Officially Opens To Tourism on November 1
Hawaii recently announced that western Maui, the area of the island most damaged by the devastating fire in August, will officially open for tourism on November 1. Visitation is welcome and encouraged to west Maui as accommodations open back up, as well as to the other open areas of Maui. As the driving source of income for many on the island, responsible travel is more important than ever for the island’s recovery.
Maui’s mayor, Richard Bissen, announced the phased reopening, which covers an area north of Lahaina from Kahana to Kā‘anapali. Lahaina itself will remain fully closed to the public until further notice out of respect to the town’s residents as other parts of west Maui continues to reopen to visitors.
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority emphasizes that travelers returning to Maui after the fires will help to sustain jobs, keep businesses open, and support the community. It advises travelers to check with individual accommodations, activities, and businesses in west Maui for availability and hours of operation.
Visitors should follow the principals of Mālama Maui, which asks for respectful, compassionate, and responsible travel that gives back to the island. Mālama means to care for, and an inter-agency collaboration between the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Hawai’i Tourism Authority, and the County of Maui partnered to help show travelers how to leave a positive impact on the region while engaging in culinary, cultural, and outdoor experiences.
This Panoramic Train Takes You Through Switzerland in Heated Seats
Few methods of transportation are as perfect as Switzerland’s rail system: departures and arrivals are timed to the second, coaches are impeccably clean, and the combination of mountain and lake views all across the country make every journey a breathtaking one. The first train system was installed in 1844, and routes have been continuously added to make travel through the country a breeze.
In December 2022, a new journey debuted, connecting Interlaken and Montreux. The GoldenPass Express route not only streamlines travel between three Swiss regions, but also introduces technology 100 years in the making and a brand new class level.
The GoldenPass Express is a feat of engineering and designConnecting Interlaken and Montreux has been in the works for over a century, but a discrepancy between the existing tracks along that route long prevented that project from becoming a reality. About halfway through the journey as the train approaches Zweissman, the tracks change in both width and electrical voltage.
Engineers at the Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway (MOB) were able to build a system that transitions the width of the wheels and the height of the coach to match that of the other tracks seamlessly. Not only that, but the system also allows the railway to change from 15,000 volts to 900.
As a passenger, all of these changes happen in an instant, with the subtle flicker of lights and a height change you’d only notice if you knew what to look for. All in, the switch takes a few seconds traveling at the slow pace of nine miles per hour to allow for the change, then passengers are on their way as if nothing happened.
A train this innovative should look the part, so MOB consulted one of the most prolific transportation designers to construct the sophisticated nose of the train. Italy-based PininFarina, better known for its work with Ferrari, proposed an oversized window so those in the Prestige class at the front and rear of the train could have impressive panoramic views throughout their journey.
Where does the GoldenPass Express go?The GoldenPass Express travels between Montreux, a picture-postcard city on the shore of Lake Geneva, and the incredibly scenic and adventure-focused town of Interlaken, located in the Bernese Alps and sandwiched in between two lakes: Lake Thunersee and Lake Brienzersee.
The GoldenPass Express makes multiple stops throughout the journey, including in the town of Gstaad. Gstaad is a well-known haunt for the rich and famous, but it’s also a great place for hiking and skiing. If you prefer luxury shopping to the great outdoors, you’ll find chalet-style storefronts housing brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Prada, and Maison Lorenz Bach, among others.
The journey also passes through villages like Château-d’Oex and Montbovon that may be smaller in size, but certainly not in charm.
How long does a trip on the GoldenPass Express take?
Photo: Tobias Ryser / GoldenPass Express
A trip on the GoldenPass Express takes three hours and 15 minutes and departs from both Montreux and Interlaken four times per day. The train leaves Montreux daily at 7:35 AM, 9:35 AM, 12:35 PM, and 2:35 PM. It leaves Interlaken daily at 9:08 AM, 11:08 AM, 2:08 PM, and 4:08 PM. The detailed schedule for the GoldenPass Express is available on the official website.
How much does it cost to ride the GoldenPass Express?Even though the GoldenPass Express feels like a luxury product, the price of the experience is reasonable, especially for Switzerland where everything is extremely pricey. A one-way journey from Montreux to Interlaken (or vice versa) begins at $57 USD (CHF 53) for second class and $101 USD (CHF 93) for first class. To get the best price, it is highly recommended to book as early as possible. (Online reservations open two months in advance.)
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But if you want something even more opulent than a first-class seat, you can book a Prestige seat. The Prestige seats are tucked in their own coaches at the front and rear of the train, elevated over a foot higher than first and second-class cars to offer a better view of the landscape. The seats can be heated, reclined, and even rotated to face other passengers or the direction of travel. Prestige-class passengers can book catering packages in advance, including breakfast, charcuterie boards, or caviar up to one day before departure, and standard refreshments are offered throughout the journey. Prestige class is available for only $38 (CHF 35) on top of a first class fare.
Is GoldenPass Express included in the Swiss Travel Pass?One of the best ways to navigate Switzerland is through the Swiss Travel Pass, which offers unlimited travel on the Swiss Travel System network, and discounts on premium attractions like the Jungraujoch and the Gornergrat-Bahn. The GoldenPass Express is included in the unlimited offerings through the Swiss Travel Pass.
What is the difference between the GoldenPass Express, GoldenPass panoramic, and GoldenPass Belle Epoque?View this post on InstagramA post shared by MOB – Goldenpass (@mob.goldenpass)
The GoldenPass Express and the GoldenPass Panoramic are two different Swiss train routes, but they are both operated by modern trains fitted with panoramic windows.
The GoldenPass Express runs multiple times daily between Montreux and Interlaken in three hours and 15 minutes, while the GoldenPass Panoramic travels several times per day between Montreux and the small town of Zweisimmen in two hours and eight minutes.
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The GoldenPass Belle Epoque travels on the same route as the GoldenPass Panoramic (between Montreux and Zweissimen), but it’s not a modern train. The GoldenPass Belle Epoque is an old-fashioned train that resembles the Orient Express. It runs only on selected dates throughout the year.
The 11 Biggest Trends In Cruising Right Now
Cruising has made quite the comeback. Far removed from the pandemic-era horror stories that some said would sink the industry, cruising continue to grow in popularity among solo travelers, families, and intrepid explorers. Our perception of cruising has changed too, where once we saw cruise ships as floating temples of gluttony, many see them now as convenient ways to explore far-off remote destinations.
So what’s next in the ever-changing world of cruising? We talked to insiders from cruise lines large and small to see what passengers are asking for and how the ships are adapting.
Ships are getting bigger
Photo: Royal Caribbean
Like suburban neighbors trying to outdo each others’ home additions, the big cruise lines are competing to see who can build the biggest ships. Much of this, according to our insiders, is driven by the surge in multi-generational travel after the pandemic.
“People tend to be trending towards bigger and better (ships) nowadays,” says Cruise Planners Travel Specialist Danny Ickes. “You can get on these large ships and there’s something for everybody. Retired people can go to wine tastings and cooking demos. If you’re younger, you have ice skating, rock climbing, and surf simulators.”
The cruise line with the biggest ships is Royal Caribbean, whose 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 them is MSC Cruise Lines, who debuted the MSC World Europa this year as the largest ship outside of Royal Caribbean’s. Its twin, the World America, will hit the Caribbean in 2025.
“These (larger ships) have more experiences and a variety of amenities and very modern design,” says MSC CEO Ruben Rodriguez. “Guests really appreciate it across generations.”
Small expedition ships are also hot
The Havila Capella, a small ship of cruise line Havila operating in Norway. Photo: Alex Bresler
But just as the giants are gaining steam, so are the little guys. Smaller ships that can navigate smaller 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.
“I’m seeing a big boom in smaller ship experiences,” says Ickes. “Somewhere along the lines of Viking or Regent or Windstar. Those are a little more intimate, you have butlers that cater to your every whim.”
Following this trend, a bevy of small ship cruise lines have popped in the past few years. One such line is Sea Cloud, whose fleet of sailing yachts takes 60-136 guests to boutique ports around the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
“After COVID, people want to be out on the deck, enjoying the sun,” says Sea Cloud President Mirell Reyes. “People are leaning towards smaller ships and getting away from the crowd.”
In Norway, Havila Voyages launched just before 2020, carrying around 600 cruise passengers along the Norwegian coastline in its four ships. They hit ports around the Arctic circle that have been around for centuries, in towns of under 1,000 residents that could never handle large ship traffic.
Excursions are getting more active
Free Zodiac expedition with fauna and fora experts with Atlas Ocean Voyages. Photo: Jesse Adams
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.
“Coming out of the pandemic, people don’t want to be on buses with a hundred other people,” says Sea Cloud’s Reyes.
In Norway, Havila Voyages has excursions where guests disembark in one port, take a bus to the top of a mountain, and dogsled down another mountain to meet the ship at its next stop. As they descend the hill, they can see the ship lit up and floating through a fjord to its next harbor.
Boutique Atlas Ocean Voyages has eschewed many of the traditional shore excursions for expeditionary pursuits, stocking kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and other water toys on board. During its Antarctic cruises, it even offers passengers the chance to camp overnight on the ice.
“We take guests ashore and they can camp in either tents or in ice holes,” says Atlas CEO James Rodriguez. “It immerses them in the place, and it sells out pretty quickly.”
WiFi at sea is getting betterWhile some might argue the point of a vacation is to disconnect, increased WiFi speeds and better connectivity have become a priority on cruise ships.
Virgin Voyages broke the mold of cruise line WiFi by offering basic surfing capabilities for free (high-speed streaming WiFi is available for $50 for four nights). Royal Caribbean’s VOOM WiFi claims to be the fastest at sea, and while that hasn’t been officially proven, it still lets you use the Internet like you do at home.
The large cruise lines’ embracing of connectivity has trickled down to smaller companies too, as even expedition yachts like Altas Ocean Voyages acknowledge guests want to stay online.
“We implemented a StarLInk system, because we found many people were working on board and wanted to make sure they have access to emails and work,” says CEO Rodriguez. “Older guests want to keep in touch with family. It’s been innovative for us.”
Kids are not welcome“Virgin Voyages took cruising and turned it upside down. And people love it,” says Ickes. “They made it adults only, no kids, and people love it. They love it in the restaurants.”
Other cruise lines haven’t quite caught up, as family travel is still a big market. But cruise lines like Viking heavily tout their 18+ policy, and Ickes says his clients frequently request kid-free cruises.
Solo travelers are getting looked after“Something else Virgin did that other cruise lines are adopting is that they’re the first line to have solo cabins,” says Ickes. “Before, if you wanted to sail by yourself, you had to pay double occupancy. Now, Virgin and a couple of other lines have implemented solo staterooms, which means if you are a single person, you’ll only pay for one person.”
He notes this still is about 150 percent of the cost that someone traveling with a partner might pay, but it’s a marked improvement over the double-fare solo travelers used to get saddled with. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Celebrity Cruises have all debuted solo products of late, he says.
Solo cabins aren’t limited to the big ships either. Havila Voyages offers interior cabins to solo travelers at a much lower rate than its exterior rooms. The rooms don’t have balconies or windows, but if you’re looking to cruise Norway by yourself, it’s a more economical option.
Private islands are getting more amenities
MSC’s private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay. Photo: Joni Hanebutt/Shutterstock
Ever since Royal Caribbean debuted its Perfect Day at Coco Cay — complete with waterslides, ziplines, and a wave pool — the race has been on to see whose private island can offer the most. And now, many cruise lines are opting to just go straight to their private islands and skip some regular cruise stops.
“The joke in the industry is that everyone goes to Nassau, and I have clients who’ve been 30 times and don’t even get off the ship anymore,” says Ickes. “Now, cruise lines are saying, ‘Maybe let’s skip Nassau and go straight to our private island.’”
For its part, Perfect Day at Coco Cay is adding an adults-only dayclub this fall called Hideaway Beach, where guests 18 and over can while away an afternoon at seven open-air bars or two infinity pools.
MSC went a different route with its island, rehabbing an old industrial excavation site in the Bahamas and transforming it into a marine reserve. The result is Ocean Cay, a reclaimed slice of island nature with white-sand beaches, abundant sea life, coral, and a natural lagoon. MSC has even partnered with the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern to develop and harvest super coral, a species of coral that’s more resistant to global warming. The island is also welcoming a Marine Conservation Center, where university researchers will work and guests can learn about local marine life.
“The highest guest experience we have is at Ocean Cay,” says MSC CEO Rodriguez. “We have a long call, often overnight, and we have shore excursions where people can go kayaking with underwater LED lights on their paddleboards.”
Smaller ports are getting more attention
Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Traveller in the small port of Vopnafjordur in Iceland. Photo: Jesse Adams
“If you ever pull up to Venice at a ferry port, and that’s how your cruise begins or ends, it’s not a nice experience,” says Sea Cloud President Reyes. It’s an understatement of titanic proportions, as anyone who’s ever emptied out of a mega ship at a popular port knows the crowds and endless tourists traps can put a bad face on an otherwise lovely destination.
The result is a shift to lesser-known ports, especially in Europe.
“Cruise lines are getting very strategic about planning where they have ports throughout the year,” says Ickes. “They’re making sure that in the Med, if you want to go to little unique ports like Egypt, Morocco, or parts of Croatia, they’re putting a small ship that can navigate those channels.”
Still, Reyes says, small ports might be interesting but they still don’t put heads in cruise beds.
“In order to attract someone, you have to have a famous port on the itinerary. Nobody would book if there’s ports nobody’s ever heard of,” she says. “But (the small ports) are always the ports guests love the most. Because people want to go somewhere and do something that’s different and say, ‘Guess what I did?’”
Ships stay longer in portsThere’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. Now, they’re beginning to stress quality over quantity, and staying in port considerably longer.
“It used to be that itineraries had four or five port calls on a seven-day cruise,” says MSC CEO Rodriguez. “As the industry has matured some, we get guests who appreciate more immersion, so now we might have three ports but we stay longer and even sometimes overnight. And we get great feedback about that.”
Atlas Ocean Voyages CEO Rodriguez maintains that people don’t buy a cruise for the sea days, and overnight stays help promote local immersion.
“Take Barcelona, it doesn’t start to happen until 10 PM, and that’s when (passengers) are usually leaving,” he says. “So we stay there overnight so guests can have dinner with locals. That’s part of the expedition experience.”
These days, it’s all about the destinations, not the shipsAtlas Ocean Voyages passengers kayaking in Antarctica. Photo: Atlas Ocean Voyages
Sure, the allure of an onboard laser tag arena and a midnight buffet will never go away. But as more people have experienced cruising, many are beginning to see it as a way to reach far-off places, and not a floating entertainment complex.
“We’re seeing people prioritize destinations over ships,” says Havila’s US Head of Sales Matthew Valentine. “So we promote the destinations.”
That includes an enticing northern lights Promise during winter months, where guests who don’t spot the aurora borealis are given a free six-day return voyage so they can try again.
“People came out of the pandemic watching the Discovery Channel, and people who haven’t thought about cruising want to go to the Arctic or Antarctica,” says Atlas Ocean Voyages CEO Rodriguez. “You can’t get to a lot of these areas unless you’re on a cruise, so we’re changing their dynamic of what a cruise was.”
Moving towards some semblance of sustainabilityTransporting hundreds and sometimes thousands of people across the water without environmental impact is impossible. And while passengers aren’t necessarily all clamoring to sail with the most sustainable cruise line, many lines are competing with their innovations in sustainability with the same fervor they do onboard amenities.
Norwegian Cruise Lines was the first to eliminate single-use plastics across all its ships in 2020, and Royal Caribbean has made strides to cut its single-use plastic by 60 percent. Liquid Nitrogen Gas-powered engines are replacing typical fossil-based marine fuel in many ships. Havila’s two LNG engines also charge a set of batteries which power the ships when they float through fjords. The result is a silent trip through the scenery with no engine noise to disrupt the serenity and the marine wildlife.
MSC has set goals to reduce its carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030, and the new MSC World America will be completely powered by LNG.
“If you go to a conference and talk to travel advisors, sustainability is what they ask about,” says Sea Cloud’s Reyes. “So I think sustainability, period, has become so much more important. In our industry, and in the world.”
The Most Stunning Airbnbs in Bordeaux For An Epic Wine Excursion
Bordeaux earned itself the epithet “Port of the Moon” due to the crescent shape formed by the Garonne River as it flows in from the Bay of Biscay. The city in southwestern France is famed for its full-bodied merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc wines. Besides getting your paws on the finest vin de Bordeaux, there are scores of heritage spots and botanical gems to uncover in the city. These magnifique Airbnbs in Bordeaux are the perfect base for sightseeing and wine tours.
Traveling to France? Check out Matador’s France accommodations guides: 9 dreamiest Airbnbs in the South of France The most beautiful Airbnbs in Paris These Airbnbs Near the Eiffel Tower Offer Incredible Views of the Entire City Elegant, Refined, and Luxurious Hotels in Bordeaux, France, the Wine Capital of the World These Airbnbs in Marseille Are Some of the Finest in the French Riviera
We hope you love these Airbnb Bordeaux vacation rentals! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Château Airbnb amid Bordeaux vineyards
Photo: Airbnb
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosIf you’re traveling to France for a special occasion, run, don’t walk to snap up a castle stay in the heart of the world’s premium wine region. All bedrooms come with a private bathroom and a vineyard view while a paneled salon and banquet hall adorned with chandeliers and oil paintings contribute to gleefully over-the-top decor. Optional add-ons include a professional chef and bespoke wine tastings.
Twelve guests, six bedrooms
Price: $3,363 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosThis playful Bordeaux Airbnb near the train station culminates with a secret roof terrace overlooking the Basilica of St. Michael. As the primary residence of the host, the loft has a homely vibe and a fabulously stocked kitchen. Both bedrooms have avant-garde showers and skylights while the lounge is kitted out with ample seating and dining space to accommodate a pair of couples.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $168 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosSwap the cosmopolitan Center Ville for a romantic stay at this off-the-grid Airbnb in rural Nouvelle-Aquitaine only 25 minutes from Bordeaux. The gîte sits on 16 hectares of land with castles and wineries within cycling distance. It’s beautifully appointed with a full kitchen and log burner although it’s the prospect of stargazing from the wood-fired hot tub that’ll have you scrambling for your credit card.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $316 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosThis splendid apartment marries pastoral France with the glamorous Triangle d’Or. Installed within an art nouveau building, it opens onto a photogenic courtyard plus a balustrade suspended over the pedestrianized boulevard lined with boutiques and bistros. Elegantly appointed with sugary-pink bergère chairs and a clawfoot tub, it’s everything you’d want from an Airbnb in Downtown Bordeaux although light sleepers should pack their earplugs.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $326 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosSample the crème de la crème of bucolic France at this luxurious estate on the edge of the Dordogne River. Seven spacious bedrooms are styled with designer touches while the kitchen would impress a Michelin-starred chef. Entertainment revolves around a swimming pool, hot tub, pétanque court, and games room. Downtown is half an hour away but the award-winning merlot crops are on the doorstep.
Sixteen guests, seven bedrooms
Price: $663 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosZut alors, it’s listed as a chalet but Château Baron seems far more apropos for this astonishing vacation rental in the riverside suburb of Lormont. The decor fuses old and new while the basement features a gym and games room. Round off a swim in the infinity pool with a sauna or steam room session. If you’re traveling sans voiture, you can take the river bus or use the host’s transfer service.
Sixteen guests, eight bedrooms
Price: $1,784 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosCool off during summer at this three-story mansion with a saltwater pool in the south-facing backyard and a terrace on the second floor. Two of the five bedrooms are purpose-designed for children while another is ideal for a teen. Guests of all ages will appreciate the foosball table and movie den. The Saint Seurin neighborhood is quiet and residential yet within walking distance of Downtown Bordeaux
Eight guests, five bedrooms
Price: $395 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosStep onto the terrace of this Bordeaux penthouse and voilà, you’ll have the best views of the Garonne. The interiors are illuminated by blond stone and swathes of sunlight from outside. Pop your head out of the bedroom windows for an eyeful of church spires and heritage rooftops. The Chartons quarter is a pleasant stroll along the embankment to downtown or a pain-free ride on the tram.
Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $295 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosThis villa has a Balinese vibe courtesy of the tropical backyard with its seasonal pool and zen interiors. Its setting on the periphery of Downtown Bordeaux provides a calm, quiet place to hole up although the tram stop is minutes from the property. This is a minimalist-style studio with attention paid to comfort and practicality. Let’s face it – you’ll spend the whole stay poolside.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $114 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosTricked out like a fine arts museum, this sublime apartment is located in a listed building in walkable Saint-Pierre. A reception room with hardwood flooring, stained glass doors, and high ceilings sets the scene and guides you toward three individually decorated bedrooms. Crack open a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and settle into the salon with an uninterrupted view of the river and Stone Bridge.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $319 per night
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Photo: AirbnbSee more photosPlonked right in the heart of Center Ville, this Golden Triangle penthouse and private terrace are bathed in French sunshine. The master bed is angled beneath the skylights for lazy stargazing or natural dawn wake-ups. You’ll also enjoy showers and coffee-making with scenic views over the rooftops of Bordeaux. Paid, secure parking is available although this location deems a rental unnecessary.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $158 per night
As the capital of wine, tours and tastings drive the tourism charge in Bordeaux with wine trails concentrated on the Left Bank and Right Bank regions. The Left Bank refers to the vineyards to the west of the Garonne River dominated by cabernet sauvignon grapes. The Right Bank covers those to the east of the Dordogne River and is associated with merlot grapes. White wines and lighter reds hail from the Entre-deux-Mers wine region in between the two rivers.
There’s more to do in Bordeaux beyond wine. The city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site with 347 listed buildings to ogle in Downtown Bordeaux. Principal sites that’ll have you reaching for your camera include the Gothic St. Andre Cathedral, the medieval Porte Cailhau, and Place de la Bourse with its Miroir d’Eau reflecting pools. Rue Sainte-Catherine is the number one destination for dining and shopping in Bordeaux.
With its bassins à flot (wet docks) and radoubs (dry docks) Bacalan quarter centers around Bordelaise maritime history. La Cité du Vin, a curvaceous modern landmark, is a sensory museum dedicated to wine while a former submarine base is dedicated to contemporary visual arts. A second bunker houses the Moon Harbour Distillery where you can trade wine for whiskey.
Beyond the city’s parks and botanical gardens, you can take a day trip to the seaside resort of Arcachon. Head to the neighboring village Gujan Mestras for oyster tastings or check out, Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune system. Sainte Foy la Grande and Saint Macaire are just two of the medieval villages accessible from Gare Saint Jean in Bordeaux.
How far is Bordeaux from Paris?Bordeaux is located 310 miles (499 km) southwest of Paris in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. The best way to travel between the two cities is via the high-speed Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV). Regular connections take just over two hours.
Matador’s 8 Favorite Trips With Contiki
SPECIAL OFFER: Visit Contiki to enter for your chance to win $1,000 off your next trip!Nine days and seven countries across Europe. 15 days in Italy. 11 days hopping around Greek islands. If this all sounds like travel for people with fat 401ks, think again — these are trips run by Contiki, a brand that specializes in social travel for 18- to 35-year-olds, with price tags to match Millennial / Gen Z budgets. (Think roughly $1,000 to $3,000 per person. Yeah, that’s right.)
While “going on Contiki” is a common phrase in Australia and New Zealand, it’s just now catching on in the US. If you’re checking them out for the first time, what you’ll find are over 200 Contiki trips offered across six continents — so your options abound. Need a place to start? Read on to uncover Matador’s favorite Contiki trips.
1. European Magic
Photo: Carlos Barquero/Shutterstock
9 days, 7 countries
Like a Friends episode title, this is “the one that gives you a taste of Europe’s highlights for those tight on time.” Your European Magic trip starts and ends in London, hopping from the canals and gable houses of Amsterdam to the beer halls of Munich to the piazzas of Venice, the peaks of the Swiss Alps, and the glittering lights of Paris. If you have a bucket list to fill and roughly a week to do it, this Contiki will do the trick.
Like many of these trips, you’ll be traveling with an average of 39 people, which always includes your expert Trip Manager (who’s trained to know each destination better than Wikipedia), your Driver, and local guides. And no matter where you go, accommodations, transportation, and breakfasts are always covered.
2. Peru Panorama
Photo: Olga Kot Photo/Shutterstock
11 days, 1 country
Yes, this is the one where you can trek Peru’s famous Inca Trail — or simply enjoy the Sacred Valley vistas via train. Peru Panorama is an 11-day excursion that goes well beyond the terraces of Machu Picchu, though: Starting in Lima and ending in Cusco, you’ll watch for Andean condors soaring above the impossibly deep Colca Canyon, meet local female weavers on Lake Titicaca’s floating islands, party in a modern Incan hotspot, and make a mandatory stop to pet the llamas.
3. Simply Italy
Photo: Ross Helen/Shutterstock
15 days, 1 country
On the 15-day Simply Italy adventure, you’ll get two weeks to soak in la dolce vita, from fresh wine and endless pasta to Roman ruins, basilicas and UNESCO sites, and pastel villages pouring into the sea. You’ll fly into and out of Rome, hopping aboard a comfy coach to explore the country’s landmark cities: Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Lake Como, Cinque Terre, Siena, Naples, the Amalfi Coast. Pack your Ray-Bans and scarves for a real-life Roman Holiday.
For this one, you’ve got a few variations to choose from, too: Pick a summer trip, a winter trip, or one with exclusively 27- to 35-year-olds.
4. Egypt and the Nile
Photo: Alex Anton/Shutterstock
8 days, 1 country
You’ve seen pictures of them a thousand times, from textbooks to storybooks to wanderlusting Google image searches. Well, on this 8-day Egypt and the Nile Contiki, prepare for pyramids and sphinxes to pop from the page and come to life.
You’ll begin and end your trip in Cairo, from where you’ll ride an overnight train to Aswan and embark on a 3-day Nile River cruise. Along the way, you’ll see the ancient city of Luxor (known as the “City of the Dead”), the Avenue of the Sphinxes, dozens of royal tombs, and the Temple of Ramses II — with time in between to jump into sand dunes as well as the surprisingly blue waters of the Red Sea.
5. Garden Route and Addo
Photo: Carcharadon/Shutterstock
8 days, 1 country
With this 8-day South African extravaganza, you’ll get all the wildlife and wonder of a safari without sacrificing local nightlife experiences — or the comfort of cozy hotels.
Starting and ending in Cape Town, you’ll hit the Karoo Desert’s famous “Route 62” for a guided tour of the Cango Caves and a visit to Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich Capital of the World. From there, it’s all bush dinners and game drives through several wildlife reserves, including Addo Elephant National Park, beach time at Plettenberg Bay and an ocean safari in Knysna, music sessions with the Xhosa locals, time in the wine town of Stellenbosch, and so much more.
6. Classic Ireland
Photo: Piotr Orlinski/Shutterstock
8 days, 2 countries
Whether you’re curious about castles and on-island Guinness or connecting with your Irish roots, this 8-day Classic Ireland adventure — which explores both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland — checks off all the Emerald Isle’s iconic experiences. Starting and ending in Dublin, you’ll walk atop the Cliffs of Moher, kiss the Blarney Stone, bike through Kilkenny, step foot on the Giant’s Causeway, and a lot more. And, yes, this trip includes a frothy taste-testing of local Guinness. Naturally.
7. Greek Island Hopping
Photo: Sven Hansche/Shutterstock
11 days, 1 country
With equal parts culture and nature, this 11-day Greek Island Hopping extravaganza gets you exploring Greece’s four most popular islands: Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, and Ios. Porting in and out of Athens, you’ll get plenty of lazy sun-soaked days relaxing on beaches, plus time to explore villages like Naoussa, snap the blue domes of Santorini, and walk amid ancient ruins. It’s one of Contiki’s most popular trips for a reason (and is known to sell out, so if you’re keen, be quick).
Expect volcano views, water safaris to hidden coves, and partying till dawn in Hora. Or do none of that, and simply spend your time swimming, snorkeling, and basking in the beauty of life on the Mediterranean.
8. Asian Adventure
Photo: Southern Traveler/Shutterstock
16 days, 3 countries
Limited to 24 travelers, Contiki’s Asian Adventure is a little more intimate than most trips. Starting in Bangkok and ending in ruin-rich Siem Reap, you’ll cram a gap year’s worth of experiences into 16 days across Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Explore Buddhist temples and palaces, raft the River Kwai, taste the street food of Chiang Mai, take in the sunset from a Laotian stupa, and, naturally, gaze upon the magnificent Angkor Wat, the “7th Wonder of the World.”
And that’s not to mention the experiences you’ll inevitably stumble on yourself, from temple meditations to Laotian waterfall-scouting to jumping into the River Kwai right from your hotel room. Contiki’s itineraries may be “planned,” but the adventure is all yours.
October 23, 2023
New Study Finds Cheap Flight Hacks Don’t Actually Work
It feels like everyone has a “flight hack” they use for cheaper airfare, and preach that hack like the gospel to anyone who will listen. Maybe it’s using flight tracking apps like Hopper, or buying plane tickets on a specific day of the week. Evidence that these hacks actually work is anecdotal at best, but using them makes us feel empowered, like we have a little agency in a world that’s often out of our control. Well, not to burst anyone’s bubble, but a new study published in The Quarterly Journal of Economics found that “cheap flight hacks” aren’t getting you the bargains you think they are.
Olivia Natan, assistant professor of marketing at the Haas School of Business at Berkeley, conducted a deep dive into airfare and how ticket prices are set. She discovered that many of our preconceptions about airfare are wrong, and therefore, hacks to get cheaper tickets are also based in fallacy.
“Airline tickets are sold through global distribution systems,” Natan told Phys.org, “that make sure a travel agent in Wichita or Miami sees the same price as you do on your computer at home.”
That means airline ticket prices don’t respond to real-time changes in supply and demand – only demand forecasts made before the tickets even go on sale. Indeed, airlines have a fixed and limited number of prices for their tickets on each flight, which aren’t adjusted and changed in real time like they might in retail and other consumer sectors. This means airline prices don’t fluctuate all that much, and certainly don’t jump or decline as tickets become less available. Any “hack” claiming to identify the cheapest date or time to buy, or which tells you to change your VPN or browse in Incognito mode, is based on loose economic footing.
Prices do, however, tend to rise in the last 20 days before the flight, so it’s wise to buy earlier rather than later. “What I can say,” Nathan says, “is that prices do go up significantly 21, 14, and seven days before a flight. Just buy your ticket before then.”
While changes in how airlines set their prices might eventually be on the horizon, for now, “the hunt for an undiscovered trick to find lower fares is largely futile.”
5 Cruises That Will Take You To Saudi Arabia in 2023 and 2024
When you think of a cruise vacation, you probably imagine sailing the tropical waters of the Caribbean, or navigating around the Greek islands. Your brain probably isn’t conjuring images of the sandswept deserts of Saudi Arabia. But Saudi Arabia strives to make itself more attractive for international tourism — making the process of getting a visa very easy, and establishing tourism-specific destinations like NEOM and AlUla. And thanks to its efforts, it’s become a desirable new destination for Red Sea cruises. Since the first cruise to Saudi Arabia in January 2022, sailings to the kingdom have multiplied. Right now Jeddah is the country’s main cruise port, though as tourism development continues throughout the region, more ports are likely to open. Whether you’re a cruise enthusiast or a newbie, now’s the time to consider a Saudi Arabia cruise.
Norwegian Cruise Line — Middle East: Saudi Arabia & UAE (departing December 13, 2023)
Photo: NCL
Photo: NCLYou don’t have to wait until 2024 to take a Saudi Arabia cruise. Departing from Dubai on December 13, 2023, this seven-day Norwegian cruise visits Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, before ending in Doha, Qatar. If you’ve never heard of Dammam before, it’s one of the kingdom’s most modern, bustling port cities, where you can visit local museums, vibrant markets, and stroll the scenic coastline. You can also take a ferry to a nearby artificial island (Marjan Island), known for its bike trails and iconic Khobar Water Tower. (Note that another NCL cruise with the very same itinerary will be departing on December 27, 2023.)
Cruise starts at $299
MSC Cruises — Saudi Arabia & Red Sea (January 2024)
Photo: MSC
Photo: MSCMSC Cruises is one of the leading cruise lines operating sailings to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. They offer a wide range of itineraries, stopping in a variety of Middle Eastern ports, but the Saudi Arabia & Red Sea sailings scheduled for January 2024 are some of the best for seeing the region’s highlights. Five of the sailings start in Jeddah, where you can visit the New Jeddah Corniche promenade, King Fahad’s Fountain, and the still under-construction Jeddah Tower, which is slated to be the largest building in the world. The itinerary will take you to historic Petra, Sharm-El Sheikh resort city in Egypt, as well as Egypt’s Sokhna Port and Safaga, before heading back to Jeddah.
Cruise starts at $769
Windstar Cruises — Red Sea Revelries via the Suez Canal (departs March 27, 2024)
Photo: Windstar Cruises
City of Yanbu in Saudi Arabia. Photo: username/ShutterstockThis 12-day voyage, courtesy of Windstar Cruises, begins in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and ends in Athens, Greece. While the trip starts in Jeddah, you’ll also have the chance to explore Saudi Arabia’s port of Yanbu, a city on the country’s west coast, known for its grassy Al Fairouz Park, tree-lined promenades, and Oyster Island. After leaving Saudi Arabia, you’ll head to Luxor and Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt, visit the ancient wonder of Petra, Jordan, and make a stop in Cairo before transiting through the Suez Canal to Greece.
Cruise starts at $4,399
Ponant — Secrets of the Red Sea (departs October 30, 2024)
Photo: Ponant
Photo: Fred Michel/Ponant
The city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Sainuddeen Alanthi/ShutterstockAn epic 11-day cruise through the ancient ports of the Middle East, Secrets of the Red Sea begins in Saudi Arabia and ends in Jordan. Start in Jeddah, exploring the seventh century port’s UNESCO World Heritage old town of Al-Balad. There’s even an optional excursion you can take to the Al Tayebat Museum, home to a variety of pre-Islamic artifacts like coins, weapons, and manuscripts. From Jeddah, head to Baridi Island off the Saudi coast, whose crystal-clear water and white sand is the perfect setting for swimming and snorkeling. After stopping at Yanbu, a 2,500-year-old trading crossroads with a modern night market, you’ll hit the open sea en route to Safaga and Hurghada in Egypt, before ending the trip with a visit to the legendary site of Petra in Jordan.
Cruise starts at $7,740
Emerald Cruises — Red Sea & Gulf of Aqaba (departing December 4, 2024)
Photo: Emerald Cruises
Old town of Al-Balad in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Photo: eyetravelphotos/ShutterstockThe Red Sea & Gulf of Aqaba voyage on Emerald Cruises, departing on December 4, 2024, is an eight-day adventure from Aqaba, Jordan, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s major port city on the banks of the Red Sea. Along the way, you’ll get to see the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh and the black sand dunes of Safaga in Egypt, as well as explore Yanbu, Saudi Arabia’s diving capital. The luxurious cruise, taking place aboard the Emerald Azzurra, is a great way to experience the highlights of three countries. You can even extend your trip in Jeddah to further explore the city, whose historical area of Al-Balad is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Cruise starting at: $5,285
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