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January 10, 2023

These Salty and Saucy French Fries Are the Best in the Netherlands

The Netherlands’ most famous culinary gift to the world may be the stroopwafel but that’s not the only tasty food the Dutch have come up with. From salty liquorice to kibbeling, there’s plenty of good things to eat in this small European country. Even their french fries are exceptionally yummy, and if you’re looking to try the best fries in Amsterdam (and in the whole of the Netherlands), you should pay a visit to Manneken Pis.

@foodwtf This restaurants prides itself with having the #1 fries in #TheNetherlands 📍Manneken Pis in #Amsterdam Would you give these a try? 🎥 IG: @baileyzeats #hollandfoodie #foodie #foodietiktok #amsterdamfoodie #amsterdamfoodguide ♬ original sound – Hip hop📻

Manneken Pis is an extremely popular chain of fast food restaurants located in the Netherlands. There are eight locations throughout the country, including four in Utrecht, two in Leidschendam, and two in Amsterdam. As any fast food chain worth its salt, Manneken Pis sells burgers and all sorts of fried food like croquette, fried fish, and, of course, the most famous of all oily foods, french fries.

Manneken Pis’ french fries (made from Dutch potatoes) are said to be the best in Amsterdam — actually, the best in the entire country of the Netherlands — and seeing how mouthwatering they are, it seems like a legit claim.

Manneken Pis serves its golden and salted-to-perfection “Flamish fries” (i.e. Flemish fries, as in “from Flanders”) in a paper cone and offers its customers a choice of 25 sauces to top them with. Ketchup is indeed one of them, but why go for something so common when you can have curry sauce, Amsterdam onion sauce, green pepper sauce, truffle mayonnaise, or even Manneken Pis sauce? If you can’t make your mind, don’t fret, you can combine a couple of them together.

And don’t be put out by Manneken Pis’ name and logo. The Manneken Pis is indeed a bronze sculpture of a little boy urinating located in Brussels, Belgium, and should have nothing to do with food at all. But Brussels was part of the historical county of Flanders, which included the Netherlands, and that’s where fries supposedly originated.

Manneken Pis in Utrecht:

Manneken Pis: Stationsplein 6, 3511 ED Utrecht, NetherlandsManneken Pis:Steenweg 2, 3511 JP Utrecht, NetherlandsManneken Pis Bakkerstraat: Bakkerstraat 1, 3511 JV Utrecht, NetherlandsManneken Pis Vredenburg: Vredenburg 154, 3511 BG Utrecht, Netherlands

Manneken Pis in Amsterdam:

Manneken Pis Nieuwendijk: Nieuwendijk 222, 1012 MX Amsterdam, NetherlandsManneken Pis Damrak: Damrak 41, 1012 LK Amsterdam, Netherlands

Manneken Pis in Leidschendam:

Manneken Pis Kornoelje: Kornoelje 112/113, 2262 AC Leidschendam, NetherlandsManneken Pis: Liguster 42B, 2262 AC Leidschendam, Netherlands More like thisDessertThe Sugar-Coated, Crispy-Fried, Deeply Comforting Guide To Dutch Winter Food
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Published on January 10, 2023 02:00

Ibiza Luxury Hotel Offers a Free Stay if You Sleep in a Glass Suite in Hotel Lobby

You’d be remiss if you wrote Ibiza, Spain off simply as a party island, packed with British tourists. Its natural beauty, stunning architecture, and art scene rival the main cultural hotspots in Europe. Although Ibiza has had a thriving community of artists for decades, it has become increasingly well-known as an important destination for contemporary art, attracting leading international artists and inspiring local talent. This is also mirrored the island’s boutique hotels. One of the most unique examples of this is Paradiso Ibiza Art Hotel. And you can stay here for free for one night in the Zero Suite. The only technical hitch is, you become the art, sleeping in a glass box in the lobby.

We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend. Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.

@epic.stays Would you spend a free night inside of the glass box room? 😳 🎥 @A Pretty Cool Hotel Tour #ibizatravel #uniquehotel #traveltok #uniquestays #ibizaspain #ibizatravelguide ♬ original sound – epic.stays

About the Paradiso Ibiza Art Hotel

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

Paradiso Ibiza Art Hotel is the perfect choice for those who are looking for a unique and sophisticated experience. This boutique hotel is located in the heart of Ibiza, surrounded by the city’s vibrant street art. The hotel features contemporary artwork from renowned local and international artists, giving guests access to pieces that they may not have been able to find elsewhere. The hotel also hosts an ongoing series of events and exhibitions throughout the year, where visitors can enjoy interactive experiences that bring the art to life.

The Zero Suite at the Paradiso Ibiza Art Hotel

The Zero Suite is constructed from glass walls and sits in the middle of the hotel’s lobby. The room is basically a transparent box and you’ll be on show throughout your stay. Although the toilet is private, the hotel adds this disclaimer,

“A glass-walled room in the middle of Paradiso Art Hotel lobby where you can sleep one night for free. Not suitable for wallflowers. Also available for artistic performances, radio broadcasts, DJ sets…the possibilities are endless as long as you like being the center of attention.”

Other rooms at the Paradiso Ibiza Art HotelSuite at Paradiso Ibiza Art Hotel

Photo: Booking.com

If you’d prefer a little more privacy, the hotel has a variety of rooms available, from standard double and twin rooms to luxury suites and penthouse apartments. All are exquisitely decorated with custom-made furniture and tasteful pieces that bring the artwork to life. Each room is also equipped with amenities such as air conditioning, complimentary WiFi access, and an en-suite bathroom.

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Published on January 10, 2023 01:19

January 9, 2023

6 Tips for Running Destination Marathons in 2023

We’ve all hit a rut – that spot where you’re not in bad shape, per se, but since you don’t have any kind of fitness goal, going to the gym is about as exciting as picking up dry cleaning (or even less exciting). And while running a marathon is a goal for hundreds of thousands of people, the thought of running 13 or 26 miles can feel overwhelming if your treadmill use is usually limited to the occasional 12-minute running interval.

But that goal seems a little more achievable if you’ve got views of a beautiful, tropical island to look forward to, or perhaps a vibrant, unfamiliar city – or a rugged wilderness area in the mountains. That’s why destination marathons make for such perfect fitness goals. The incentive to take a trip somewhere exciting is fantastic motivation for pushing through grinding hours of physical excursion.

runners at a destination marathon in Europe

Photo: Ingus Kruklitis/Shutterstock

Such was my thought when I’d hit a painful fitness rut in early fall of 2022, but soon received an invitation to participate in Run Barbados. It’s a weekend-long series of destination marathons and runs on the Caribbean island of Barbados, ranging from short walk-runs to a full marathon. With just over two months to train, and years since my last distance run, I opted for the 13.1-mile half marathon. It seemed like a good enough challenge but didn’t force me to go from my standard light cardio straight to 10-mile training runs.

In the process of preparing for my destination marathon, I learned a few things that helped make success a little more achievable. Here’s what to know if you’re also planning to tackle one or more distance marathons this year.

How to pick between destination marathons and training planswoman running on beach training for destination marathons

Photo: Denis Belitsky/Shutterstock

The first thing to consider when running a destination marathon is, of course, the destination. The thought of going to some far-off, exotic country certainly is appealing, but jumping off a plane in Australia and running a marathon immediately afterward probably won’t result in peak performance. So unless you’ve got a couple of weeks to devote to your destination race, pick somewhere you can reach in a few hours. You’ll find fun races in warm places like Jamaica (the Reggae Marathon) and South Florida, and more far-flung places like Patagonia and China.

Once you’ve chosen a destination, you need to find a training plan. You can find training plans for destination marathons online, or grab a book or e-book on the subject. I picked an eight-week running schedule that started easy, but didn’t let up. You may want to select a plan based on how much time you have or what type of conditions you’ll be running in (or training in).

destination marathons book and shoes

Photo: Shutterstock/Sasenki

The first week’s “long” run was only about 4.5 miles. But as I had only a quick six-week time frame, the long runs ramped up quickly, and my long run was eight miles just two weeks later. Then it became 10. Then 12. And in a period of only five weeks, I was already running close to the half-marathon distance.

If your race is somewhere warm, remember that heat and humidity make more of a difference than you might think. I happen to live in a perpetual stew of hot thick air called Miami, so I was able to train in weather similar to Barbados.

If you don’t live somewhere warm, make sure you account for the heat if you pick one of the many warm-weather destination marathons. If you choose a marathon in the mountains, remember that running at a higher elevation is going to be more difficult than training at sea level. And drink about three times as much water as you think you need, even when training in milder temperatures.

Stretching and eating are as important as runningyoung guy stretching at a running track to train for a destination marathon

Photo: GBJSTOCK/Shutterstock

Like most people in their 20s and 30s, I’d never been especially dedicated about stretching. It was kind of like eating vegetables – something you know you should be doing, but don’t do anyway. But as I attempted my first distance race over age 40, it became painfully evident why people had been telling me to stretch before a run for so long. By my third long run, which measured about eight miles, I started building in 10 minutes of stretching before the run and five minutes after.

In addition to warming up your muscles, stretching also eases your body into intense exercise, so you’re not going from zero to strenuous right away. Similarly, the post-run stretch became a reward for all my hard work.

During my younger endurance days, a night-before carb binge was a time-honored tradition. So before my first eight-mile training run, I ate a giant plate of pasta for dinner. However, when I woke up at 5 AM to run, it was still in my stomach, so I felt heavy and slow while running. Remember that your metabolism slows as you age, and the same meal you ate before a big swim meet in high school won’t power you the same way in your 30s or 40s. To properly fuel my runs, I ate a large lunch the day before a big run, then capped it off with something lighter, like a salad, for dinner.

The vacation starts after the racerunner crossing the run barbados finish line

Photo: Visit Barbados

Having Barbados as my goal helped immeasurably, especially as an experienced runner who’d already run several half-marathons and longer races. Doing something different and seeing a new place gave me the motivation I needed to feel like this marathon was different.

But when I arrived in Barbados, I realized I needed to treat it like a business trip. If I spent the days before the race posted up on the beach with a pina colada, all that training would have been for nothing. And I suspect that’d be the same case for most people running destination marathons.

So when you reach your destination, delay the vacation activities until after your race. Sure, I walked down to the beach near my hotel and took in the view. And took an island safari jeep tour to experience Barbados without much physical activity. But I didn’t drink at all and held off on more tiring activities like diving and hiking until after I’d run my race.

Pick a comfortable place to staycourtyard marriot -- a hotel in barbados

Photo: Courtyard Marriott Bridgetown

Speaking of hotels: selecting a comfortable place where you can relax is critically important. Staying at a splashy resort full of vacation activities isn’t the move, nor is trying to save money and rolling the dice on somewhere unpredictable. What you want is somewhere perfectly comfortable enough to genuinely rest and sleep uninterrupted, and it shouldn’t have too many distractions (so skip the beach club hotel on the nights before your destination marathons).

A safe bet is usually to stay at the host hotel. I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Bridgetown, Run Barbados’s official host hotel. It offered a small pool deck with a view of the Caribbean, so I got a nice sense of place without a poolside rager. The hotel also had a private beach across the street, so I could relax in paradise without loud crowds. The Courtyard is also only a quarter-mile from Bridgetown’s boardwalk, so I was able to get in a three-mile run by the ocean two days before the race.

Don’t test your stomach too muchsave the food for after your destination marathons - barbados dish

Photo: Visit Barbados

And when it comes to the days before the race, keep it safe, food-wise. While I’m a huge fan of roti, curry, and other Caribbean dishes, I made a point to stick to foods my stomach is used to in the days leading up to the race. While trying the local food is a must when traveling, it’s best saved for after the race. I’m not saying find the nearest Subway and make it your pre-race home, but I utilized the restaurant at the Courtyard and ordered simple dishes like light pasta and salad.

Let the rest of your vacation motivate you during the raceeastern barbados, the site of one of the best destination marathons

Photo: Evenfh/Shutterstock

The race was held in Bathsheba Park, on Barbados’s less-developed east coast. On the calmer western side of the island is where you’ll find most of the resorts and tourist beaches. The western side is also rather flat and, topographically, at least, didn’t look a whole lot different than Florida.

The eastern side, however, is stunning, with vistas of bright green limestone cliffs dropping into the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The park is a massively popular surfing spot and looks more like the volcanic islands of the Lesser Antilles than the flat, beachy Barbados most tourists see.

The race began at 5:30 AM. Though it was still dark when we started running, the sun began to rise over the island’s Atlantic shore soon after. Though I was huffing and puffing, it still felt like a vacation. I focused on a standard 11-minute mile pace for the first couple of miles, but as the sun came up and revealed the island’s beauty, a funny thing happened: I got the race-day adrenaline rush I’d heard about, but never experienced. Destination marathons offer a bit of extra excitement you may not get from a hometown marathon, especially since you’ll be dreaming of all the fun vacation activities you’re planning as soon as the race is over.

Cocktails on the beach are best saved for after the destination marathons

Let the idea of relaxing on the beach for the days after your race motivate you across the finish line. Photo: Lichtwolke/Shutterstock

The final two miles were painful, but the tropical scenery proved a welcomed distraction – having something interesting to look at makes the grueling parts of a marathon tolerable. And despite the extra pep in my step, I still stopped at every water station and had two cups of water, because you can’t hydrate too much during a tropical race.

The finish line, as it often is, was a little anticlimactic. It was more relief than excitement, and I was just happy to get another cup of water and retreat to the beach with my medal. And much as it was during training, the post-run stretch was a well-earned reward. Only this time, I stretched under a palm tree on the beach and let the ocean breeze cool me down.

More like thisRunningI Ran My First Half Marathon, and These Two Shoes Got Me Across the Finish Line
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Published on January 09, 2023 20:59

This Ranch in Köngäs, Finland Offers Stunning Views of the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights are one of the most sought sites in Nordic countries, with plenty of special ways to see them if you come at the right time of year. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, look no further than Northern Lights Ranch in Köngäs, Finland. This ranch has become a popular destination for travelers wanting to catch a glimpse of the stunning natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights.

Köngäs is located in northern Finland and is known for its picturesque landscape of snow-covered fields and forests. Located just outside the small village of Köngäs, Northern Lights Ranch offers visitors an opportunity to experience their surroundings while taking in one of nature’s most mysterious sights—the Aurora Borealis or “Northern Lights”. The ranch consists of several cabins and an outdoor area with seating and fire pits so guests can relax comfortably while watching the lights dance in the night sky.

At NorthernLights Ranch, guests will be able to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of their surroundings. There are plenty of activities available for those who want to explore more deeply – including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and guided tours – or you can sit back and enjoy the view. The cabins offer cozy beds and all the necessary amenities, making it easy to settle into your own private winter wonderland. Plus, with Wi-Fi access throughout the property, you won’t have to worry about missing out on any news or updates from home!

Of course, no visit to Northern Lights Ranch would be complete without seeing the Aurora Borealis. With its unique location near the Arctic Circle, Köngäs experiences some of the most spectacular displays of this natural light show anywhere on earth – often visible even during daylight hours! Whether you come alone or with friends and family, you can rest assured that your visit will be filled with magical moments you’ll never forget.

When it comes to experiencing one of nature’s most beautiful spectacles, there’s no better place than Northern Lights Ranch in Köngäs, Finland. From cozy cabins surrounded by snowy fields and forests to amazing views of the Aurora Borealis overhead—this truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that no traveler should pass up. So pack your bags and head north for much-needed relaxation amidst breathtaking views. You won’t regret it.

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Published on January 09, 2023 17:13

This Travel Influencer Explains How To Explore Bali for Just $150

Bali is the perfect destination for travelers looking to experience the beauty and culture of Southeast Asia while keeping their budget low. Even on a small budget, you can have a fantastic time in Bali, experiencing all the best activities and attractions this beautiful island offers and taking incredible pictures along the way. Jaro, a travel influencer, explains how he was able to make the most of this country for only $150 per day.

@matadornetwork #Bali is the most popular island in Indonesia and $150 goes a long way here. Fun fact: Bali is also know as the "island of the gods" since Balinese Hinduism, which is the main religion on the island, has a higher than average number of gods🛕 🎥 @JARO #vlog #travelvlog #balitravelguide #baliliving ♬ original sound – Matador Network

Accomodations

Hotel rooms in Bali are incredibly affordable. You can easily find a room for as little as $15 per night if you’re willing to stay away from the more popular tourist spots. Try staying in Kuta or Legian for a budget-friendly hotel – two more affordable areas. Alternatively, you can opt for a homestay or hostel, which will cost even less than a hotel room. But even Airbnb and hotels are relatively inexpensive in touristy spots than in other popular vacation destinations.

Meals

Eating out in Bali doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of street-side warungs (local eateries) where you can get delicious meals for under $3 each. If you want something fancier, dozens of restaurants offer reasonably priced international cuisine – think curries and stir-fries for less than $5 each!

Activities

Bali has activities for every type of traveler. You can do plenty with just $150 in Bali. From wandering through ancient temples to taking surfing lessons on some of the best beaches in the world, there’s something here for everyone – regardless of your budget. Be sure to check out some free activities, like exploring local markets, visiting waterfalls, and watching traditional Balinese dance performances.

Bali is an incredibly affordable destination that offers something unique for every kind of traveler. Whether your budget is big or small, there is no shortage of things to do and see in this beautiful part of Southeast Asia! With just $150 dollars, you can enjoy some fantastic experiences without breaking your bank account.

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Published on January 09, 2023 16:20

This Hotel Room Offers Unparalleled Luxury Hotel Rooms on the Floor of the Indian Ocean

The Maldives is known for being one of the most luxurious destinations in the world, with several different islands that are worth hopping around to experience some incredible resorts. If you’re looking for an unforgettable and unique travel experience, look no further than the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. This luxurious resort has something exceptional—a hotel room 16 feet below the surface of the Indian Ocean. Let’s dive into what makes this location so spectacular.

@epic.stays This hotel room is 16 feet below the #IndianOcean 😲 📍The Conrad #Maldives Rangali Island 🎥 IG: @alexandermichaeel #traveltiktok #luxuryhotel #underwaterroom #maldivestok #travelguidemaldives ♬ original sound – XVX

The Ithaa Undersea Room is more than the typical “room with a view.” This room at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island offers guests the opportunity to stay 16 feet below sea level, surrounded by 360 glass-walled panoramic views. Guests can watch exotic undersea life swim by and marvel at a destination known for its water clarity and variety of fish. This room is ideal for couples seeking an intimate and romantic getaway. Guests of this unique suite will also have access to private dining and personal butler service services.

While you take in the Maldives, be sure to take advantage of such close proximity to wildlife. In addition to its eye-catching underwater accommodations, The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island also offers excellent aquatic activities. The resort’s Dive Centre is operated by world-renowned Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), who will guide guests through snorkeling and scuba diving adventures near vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, turtles, stingrays, and more. For those who would rather observe from above, The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island also offers sunset cruises with complimentary champagne and canapes aboard a traditional dhoni boat.

From its one-of-a-kind Ithaa Undersea Room to its diverse range of aquatic activities, there’s no shortage of things to do when visiting The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Whether you’re looking for romance or adventure, this luxurious resort offers unparalleled luxury combined with boundless opportunities for exploration beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean.

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Published on January 09, 2023 15:23

Inside the San Francisco Cafe That Brought Irish Coffee To America

Hear the phrase Irish coffee and you probably think of Dublin, not San Francisco. But one of the world’s most famous Irish coffee houses is located a stone’s throw from the Golden Gate Bridge — The Buena Vista Cafe has been serving Irish coffee in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood since 1952, solidifying its place as one of the most iconic restaurants in the city.

@foodwtf World-famous Irish coffee from📍The Buena Vista Cafe in #SanFrancisco #California ☕ It's made with Irish whisky, kalua, coffee and whipped cream 🎥 IG: @rach3mcm #foodtiktok #irishcoffee #foodie #sanfranfoodie #foodguide ♬ Irish Jig – Irish Pub Society

What’s Irish coffee, and where’s it from

Irish coffee is an alcoholic beverage made with coffee, whiskey, cream, and sugar. Most sources trace the origins of Irish coffee to a man named Joe Sheridan who worked as a chef at the Foynes airport near Limerick, Ireland. According to the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Sheridan invented the drink one night in 1943 in an effort to comfort a group of American passengers whose flight to New York was canceled mid-flight due to bad weather. As the story goes, when one of the passengers asked if the coffee was Brazilian, Sheridan said no, it was Irish coffee.

The story behind Buena Vista Cafe’s legendary Irish coffee

Onetime Buena Vista Cafe owner Jack Koeppler is credited with bringing Irish coffee to America in 1952. Together with travel writer Stanton Delaplane, who tasted the drink at Ireland’s Shannon Airport, Koeppler experimented with the recipe until he was able to perfect the taste and get the cream to float on top of the coffee, a problem that was eventually solved by aging and frothing the cream. After countless attempts and even a trip to Ireland, Koeppler succeeded and began offering his concoction at the cafe 36 years after it was founded in 1916.

How to make Buena Vista Cafe’s Irish coffee at home

Koeppler’s Irish coffee recipe is precise. It starts with a warm glass and a generous pour of hot brewed coffee (The Buena Vista Cafe uses Peerless coffee from nearby Oakland). Next, dissolve two sugar cubes in the coffee and stir in a healthy jigger of Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey. Top with a dollop of heavy cream that’s been aged for 48 hours and whipped or frothed until it forms soft peaks. Et voilà — that’s the drink that’s served up to 2,000 times a day in San Francisco.

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Published on January 09, 2023 14:30

At Zauo Fishing Restaurant in Japan, Fish for Your Food Right From Your Table

Interactive dining experiences have been trending in the culinary world for some time. Zauo Fishing Restaurant in Osaka, Japan, takes the concept to the next level.

Zauo Fishing Restaurant serves traditional Japanese food alongside a one-of-a-kind fishing experience. Inside the restaurant there are pools filled with live fish, including salmon, sea bream, and flounder. Equipped with a fishing rod and bait, diners are given the opportunity to catch their own meal. If you’re lucky enough to snag a fish, an accomplishment that’s celebrated with the sounding of a gong, the restaurant chefs will prepare it for you however you prefer — grilled, steamed, fried, raw, you name it. Sushi preparations cost extra.

@foodwtf Catch you own fish for dinner at this restaurant in #Japan 🎣📍Zauo Fishing Restaurant in #Osaka 🎥 @hangrybynature #uniquerestaurant #japantravel #foodie #foodtravel #traveltok #japaneserestaurant ♬ original sound – Foodwtf

Zauo Fishing Restaurant is committed to providing an enjoyable experience for everyone — not just experienced anglers. Guests can rent gear and bait, including kid-friendly nets instead of rods, for a little less than a dollar per person, as well as choose where to cast their lines: from a table positioned right by the pools, off the side of a boat-shaped seating arrangement that’s perfect for families and groups, or out of the window of a booth. Restaurant staff is always close by to provide tips on your fishing technique.

Of course, there’s more to the restaurant than what you can catch. In fact, the a la carte menu is almost 20 pages long. If you do manage to catch your own fish, however, you’ll get a discount for your effort. For example, salmon that would normally cost around $40 would only run you about $30. Prices vary depending on your catch.

Despite what your parents might have told you when you were a kid, Zauo Fishing Restaurant is one place where it’s totally okay to play with your food. Best of all, Zauo has locations all over Japan, so keep an eye out for the unforgettable experience during your next visit.

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Published on January 09, 2023 14:00

Cambodia’s Coolest Hostel Is Also an Epic Waterpark

If you’re looking for the coolest hostel in Southeast Asia, look no further than Arcadia Backpackers in Kampot, Cambodia, located roughly 100 miles southwest of Phnom Penh. The hostel’s main attraction is a Swiss Family Robinson-style outdoor waterpark with exhilarating features that will launch you high into the air and plunge you deep into the Preaek Tuek Chhu River.

Arcadia’s waterpark comes with slides, swings, hot tubs, and two large swimming pools, one of which is connected by a lazy river. The pool area also has plenty of loungers where you can kick back and relax after a long day of touring Kampot’s pepper plantations and salt fields. Scooters are available for rent at the hostel to facilitate your adventures.

The hostel itself also offers a variety of activities and amenities, such as wilderness hikes, riverboat pub crawls, ping pong and pool tables, a slackline, and a gym. Guests tend to congregate at the on-site bar to enjoy events including pub quizzes, beer pong tournaments, and live music, but there’s also a cafe on the premises that serves a mix of local and international cuisine from 7 AM to 8:30 PM.

Accommodations at Arcadia Backpackers hostel range from single and double rooms to 12-person eco dorms and a floating house boat. Prices vary from as little as $7 per night up to $34 per night, and all guests must be 18 or older. If you’re just passing through town, day passes to the waterpark cost $7. Note that Arcadia Backpackers is cash-only and there are no ATMs nearby, so be sure to bring as much cash as you’ll need for the entirety of your stay.

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Published on January 09, 2023 13:30

This Café in Milan Serves the Biggest Croissants You’ve Ever Seen

France may be home to the world’s most delicious and decadent pastries, but Italy is quickly catching up. Aroma Napoletano, a Napolitan café and pastry shop located in Milan, has made its mark in the city by giving the much-loved, old-fashioned croissant a brand new image. Aroma Napoletano bakes the biggest, most colorful, and most loaded croissants you’ve ever seen.

@foodwtf 📍Aroma Napoletano in #Milan #Italy serves up these XXL #croissants and #cappucinos 😲 Would you give this a try? 🎥 @Aroma Napoletano Milano #foodie #foodietok #milanfoodguide #italianfood #croissanttok ♬ BILLIE EILISH. – Armani White

Not exactly suitable for one person, the Cornetto XXL (Croissant XXL), is a lot sturdier than a regular croissant and can be topped with all sorts of good things like sliced or whole fruit, shredded almonds, ground pistachios, pastry cream, whipped cream, meringue, etc. Aroma Napoletano’s Cornetto XXL is often dyed a bright color, such as green, red, pink, brown, or black to make it stand out even more.

Aroma Napoletano’s Cornetto XXL must be ordered at least one day in advance so don’t just show up and expect to get a giant pastry. If you’re feeling extravagant, order the Cornetto XXL alongside a Cappuccino XXL so you have an appropriately sized beverage to dunk your unbelievably large baked good.

Depite the Cornetto XXL being the big attraction at Aroma Napoletano, the café and pastry shop also serves regular-size croissants. However, many of them are also dyed, have a variety of toppings, and are stuffed with fruit compote, cream, chocolate, and more. After all, their twist on the traditional croissant is what put Aroma Napoletano on the map.

And if you’re not into fancy-looking croissants, fret not, Aroma Napoletano also serves lovely and scrumptious Italian pastries to fit your taste and appetite, like chocolate brioches, rum-soaked cakes, panettones, and Napolitan donuts, among many others.

Address of Aroma Napoletano: Via Traù, 2, 20159 Milano MI, Italy

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Published on January 09, 2023 02:00

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