Matador Network's Blog, page 382
November 9, 2022
11 Airbnbs in France That Showcase the Country’s Natural Beauty
France woos travelers from afar with its fairytale châteaus, romantic market towns, and a pumping lineup of outdoor activities. The hotels and vacation rentals of Paris place you at the center of France’s culture and nightlife but you’ll need to venture further afield to get the full picture of the nation’s gastronomy, wine, and lifestyle. Here are the best Airbnbs in France for skiers, surfers, sun-seekers, foodies, and beyond.
Traveling to France? Check out Matador’s France accommodations guides:9 dreamiest Airbnbs in the South of FranceThe most beautiful Airbnbs in ParisThese Airbnbs Near the Eiffel Tower Offer Incredible Views of the Entire City
We hope you love the Airbnb France vacation rentals we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Coolest Paris AirbnbSouth of France AirbnbsAirbnbs in Grand Est, FranceFrance’s Best Northern Coast and Loire Valley AirbnbsAirbnbs in the French AlpsCoolest Paris AirbnbMontmartre two bedroom with spectacular views
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This sophisticated duplex Airbnb in Paris, France, grants a view of the Sacre-Coeur through floor-to-ceiling windows and a compact roof terrace. The salon is outfitted with antique furniture while books burst from every crevice of the loft. You’ll find the master bedroom resting beneath the wooden beams of the mezzanine floor. Up to two additional guests can sleep on the trundle bed in the piano room.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $733 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Retreat to this French villa Airbnb with a private pool in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, moments away from the surf beaches of Soorts-Hossegor. The property is positioned in its own wooded plot where kids and dogs can deplete surplus energy. Interiors are thoroughly modernized with a top-of-the-line kitchen where you can whip morning œufs and there’s a home cinema for movie nights.
Twelve guests, eight bedrooms
Price: $537 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This postcard-pretty Airbnb in France with a pool sits on the outskirts of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Carcassonne. Interiors have a homely charm courtesy of trinkets and art collected by the host – a fellow avid traveler. Food-minded explorers will delight in the summer kitchen where you can throw together a gourmet supper using local ingredients. Alongside the pool, the garden contains a boulodrome and other yard games.
Eleven guests, five bedrooms
Price: $418 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Convenient for day trips to Marseille and the glamorous resorts of the Côte d’Azur, this Provencal French villa Airbnb is encircled by olive groves, lavender fields, and market towns. The landscaped garden features a covered kitchen, a pergola, and a pizza oven. Cool down on a balmy summer’s afternoon with a dip in the pool and unwind with a glass of rosé in the al fresco hot tub. There’s no finer place to get acquainted with this gastronomic region.
Ten guests, five bedrooms
Price: $975 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This 17th-century mill has been refurbished with boutique styling including statement wallpaper, free-standing tubs, and boojie home decor. Recreation at his unique Grand Est, France, Airbnb includes an indoor pool, squash court, sauna, and boxing station. Do potter around the grounds to see evidence from the mill’s industrial time. Located in Joiselle, you’ve got the Champagne vineyards on your doorstep while Paris is a 90-minute drive west.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $511 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
When in France, sleep in a château. This rustic castle Airbnb in France consists of themed quarters including the Marie Antionette suite and the Louis XIV room. All are dressed with period-style furnishing and old-fashioned wallpapering while fireplaces keep the lofty dwelling warm. The woodland complex is crisscrossed with hiking trails and dogs are welcome to sample the high life at this pet-friendly French vacation rental.
Sixteen guests, seven bedrooms
Price: $525 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Get your Loire Valley castle-hopping exploits off to a fine start at this France Airbnb château in Le Boulay. Luxuriously appointed with antique moveables and furnishings, the property almost doubles up as a museum. The 200-acre grounds feature French and English-style gardens, a swimming pool, and fruit orchards. Croquet equipment is available and there’s a billiards table inside the residence. Enhance your idyllic getaway in the countryside by letting the hosts link you up with their personal chef.
Twelve guests, seven bedrooms
Price: $531 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Lavished with modern decor and amenities, this beachfront French villa Airbnb overlooks the English Channel in Santec, Bretagne, and is an awesome base for a surf break. Panoramic windows maximize the views and enable light to circulate freely through the living spaces. Furthermore, the space is fitted with an open-air patio as well as a covered terrace to cover all bases when it comes to the weather,
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $242 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Perfect for families and large groups, this castle Airbnb in Sarzeau, France, with turrets and views of the Gulf of Morbihan is straight out of a storybook. Rooms are impeccably turned out with vintage elements and an emphasis on comfort. Bonus features include a private tennis court, French billiards room, and ping pong table. Meanwhile, the castle is well-placed for watersports, golf, horseback riding, and hiking.
Fifteen guests, six bedrooms
Price: $529 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Located near the banks of Lake Annecy in Saint-Jorioz, this five-bedroom chalet Airbnb in France is spread across two units. The seasonal pool and sundeck overlook the Alps, as do the majority of the bedrooms. Other highlights include the hot tub, steam room, games loft, and cozy wine cellar that brings the après lifestyle to your party. Dogs are welcome in communal areas and the grounds but must remain out of the guestrooms.
Eleven guests, five bedrooms
Price: $3,901 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Located at Arc 1600, this ski-in/ski-out Airbnb in the French Alps is handy for the runs of Les Arcs and the Three Valleys. In fact, there’s both a blue and a red carving their way through the backyard. However, you can appreciate the eyeful of Mont Blanc’s icy peak year-round. The seasonal heated outdoor pool is a rarity in this area while the barrel sauna will help ease the aches after skiing, cycling, and hiking. 
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $440 per night
9 Spots To Visit on the Perfect Big Bend National Park Road Trip
Big Bend National Park shares a border with Mexico in a stunning stretch of southwestern Texas, where evenings are defined by orange skies reflecting against red-rock canyons. While such stunning scenes are commonplace within Big Bend, the massive desert preserve remains overlooked among US national parks. It’s never had more than 500,000 visitors in a single year since it was made a national park in 1944, making it one of the least-visited parks in the lower 48.
That lack of tourists might be due to the park’s extreme remoteness. Big Bend National Park is 300 miles from El Paso, the nearest major metropolitan area, and is geographically isolated within a massive turn of the Rio Grande (the very big bend that gives the park its name). But those who don’t mind a little Texas roadtrippin’ will find that the park and surrounding areas are filled unique places, from natural riverfront hot springs to small Mexican villages and secluded mountain trails — not to mention shimmering night skies.
Here are nine places you’ll want to stop if you’re road tripping to Big Bend National Park.
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When to plan a Big Bend road tripHow long to stay in Big BendWildlife in Big Bend National ParkBig Bend night sky viewingPlaces to see on Big Bend National Park road tripThe nine locations below are some of the best place to stop within (and near) the park for everything from hiking to historical sites to hot springs to potential alien encounters (you never know!) But the whole park is beautiful, and if you’re visiting to see wildlife, it’s more important to stay in one place for a while than it is to go to any one specific place.
Marfa, Texas
Photo: Jimack/Shutterstock
At first glance, Marfa may look like a down-on-its-luck Texas town, but there’s quite a lot going on in the artsy town.
It’s about 100 miles north of Big Bend and is a tiny, peculiarly artistic place. It’s where you’ll find the El Cosmico hotel, with “rooms” in brightly colored vintage trailers, tepees, and yurts. The town acts as a venue for the annual Trans-Pecos festival in September, celebrating art and building with songwriting workshops, artisanal markets, pop-up parties, live music of all genres, and the tense yearly sandlot baseball showdown between Austin’s Texas Playboys and the Los Yonke Gallos de Marfa.
Be sure to travel 30 minutes north on US 90 to find the famous Prada Marfa in neighboring Valentine. It’s an art installation of a fake store isolated in the surrounding landscape and complete with actual Prada shoes and handbags from the fall 2005 collection. After you grab a pimento cheese dip from Para Llevar (yum) and try heading east about 10 miles to watch for the mysterious “Marfa Lights” come nightfall off Rte. US 67. Sometimes they’re red, sometimes they’re green, and sometimes they’re white. Visible at night regardless of season or weather, nobody is quite sure what causes them, but UFO-hunters are obsessed with finding the explanation.
While in Marfa, consider staying at the Hotel Paisano, where actor James Dean stayed while filming his final movie, GIANT.
Terlingua, Texas
Photo: Moses Rode/Shutterstock
On the other side of your Big Bend National Park road trip, visit Terlingua. You’ll exit the highway as if you were going to Alpine, then take TX-118 for 80 miles due south to find Terlingua at the gates of Big Bend (or you’ll find it soon after leaving the park if you’re visiting it on the way out).
Terlingua is home to the remnants of a mercury-mining camp from the early 20th century and was once a ghost town. Now, it’s known for its charming assortment of gift shops, earthy hotels, and its famous chili cook-off in early November. Check out the Terlingua Trading Company for handmade gifts, the High Sierra Bar + El Dorado Hotel for drinks and lodging in a rustic western atmosphere, or grab a bite of chips and guacamole and catch live honky-tonk music at the old Starlight Theater. Terlingua’s outskirts still look more or less like a ghost town, with old abandoned buildings and plenty of random early-1900s-era equipment and furnishings scattered among the tumbleweeds.
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
Photo: Paul Leong/Shutterstock
At the western end of the park coming from Terlingua, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is perfect for single-day trips. The paved road covers 30 miles of gorgeous desert scenery, including stops at landmarks such as Sotol Vista, Tuff Canyon, and Mule Ears. It also goes past two former homesteader sites (Sam Nail Ranch and Blue Creek Ranch), both of which have quick walks that are a great place for a stop. There’s a half-mile interpretive trail at the Sam Nail Ranch, and it’s a .3-mile walk to the Blue Creek Ranch from the pull-out on the Scenic Drive.
For a longer hike, take the 4.8-mile Chimneys Trail from the Chimneys Trailhead, which goes past rock paintings at least a few thousand years old.
Santa Elena Canyon
Photo: JB Manning/Shutterstock
The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive ends at Santa Elena, one of the numerous river canyons within Big Bend. One of the coolest things about this spot is that it’s a natural border — the land on the other side of the river is Mexico. To see the towering 1,200-foot cliffs of Mexico and the United States from the water, you’ll need to plan a river trip. If you’re going to do it yourself, make sure you get a permit in advance and follow all the park regulations before heading out. Navigation is pretty simple.
You can also opt to let experts do the work by letting a rafting or guiding company lead you. Consider signing up for a trip with Big Bend River Tours or booking a shuttle and gear rental with Wild Adventure Outfitters.
If you’d prefer to stay on land, take the 1.4-mile Santa Elena Canyon Trail, starting from the end of the canyon turn-out. It gains little elevation (under 150 feet) and has great views of the Rio Grande.
The Chisos MountainsPhoto: Kelly vanDellen/Shutterstock
In the center of Big Bend lie the Chisos Mountains, the only mountain range in the United States fully contained within a single national park. Given their relatively high elevation — the summit of Emory Peak stands at 7,835 feet — the Chisos are typically 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the adjacent desert and home to a wide variety of shady juniper, mesquite, and oak trees.
Within the 20 miles of trails here, it’s a fairly easy hike to a beautiful view at the summit of Emory Peak, the highest point in Big Bend National Park. Good options for hiking in the mountains include the Window Trail at 5.6 miles or the Lost Mine Trail at 4.8 miles; the Big Bend National Park website offers a few recommendations in the area.
Because the mountains are cooler, they’re ideal for camping, especially in summer. But if camping isn’t for you, try the stone cottages at the Chisos Mountain Lodge, the only hotel in the park.
Hot Springs Historic District
Photo: Andy Wilcock/Shutterstock
The eastern side of Big Bend National Park is home to the aptly-named Big Bend Hot Springs, a geothermic oasis now surrounded by the remnants of an early 1900s bathhouse. Once a gathering place for locals on both sides of the river, the site is now a spot for guests to soak in the hot water (about 105 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, and said to have healing properties) and enjoy unobstructed views of the Rio Grande and into Mexico.
Before or after your soak on the walk from the springs to the parking area, don’t miss the Native American petroglyphs on the adjoining limestone cliffs and the still-standing Hot Springs Post Office, which delivered mail to homesteaders in the area once a week in the early 1900s.
Editor’s note: The trail to the springs was damaged during heavy flooding in October 2022 and is closed as of November 2022, so check the trail status before beginning making travel plans.
Ernst Tinaja
Photo: NPS/Matthew Yarbrough/Public Domain
If the hot springs are too crowded, or it’s just a bit too warm for the 105-degree water, head seven miles north on nearby Old Ore Road to find one of Big Bend’s more overlooked refuges: Ernst Tinaja. The bright red mini-canyon has hidden swimming holes and is the perfect place for a low-key hangout or refreshing dip. If you’re thinking of heading that way, have a high-clearance vehicle and ask a ranger in advance what the road is like, as it can be quite the rough ride, depending on recent weather.
Mariscal Canyon
Photo: NPS/Jennette Jurado/Public Domain
It won’t be for everyone, but super-outdoorsy travelers can raft Mariscal Canyon, the most remote of the park’s river canyons. The journey requires 30 miles of driving on very rough dirt roads to the put-in at Talley campground. The one-mile canyon is home to rapids with fun names such as “The Tight Squeeze” and the “Rockpile.” Those willing to brave the journey will be rewarded with perhaps the most rarely seen treasure in all of Big Bend, as well as class II and III rapids.
Either go with a guided tour or do the prep work to ensure you have your permits and shuttle, among other details, planned in advance.
Boquillas del Carmen
Photo: William Silver/Shutterstock
On the far eastern end of the park, visitors with a valid passport and $5 can ride a burro across the Rio Grande to the Mexican village of Boquillas del Carmen. It’s a very small town with two little restaurants, a bar, and a few places to buy handmade quilts and check out some cool wire sculptures of the desert wildlife. Make sure to bring cash’ $20 should cover lunch and a beer or two for one person.
If you’d like to visit, check the hours in advance to ensure you don’t miss the last ferry across. You don’t need to buy tickets in advance; just park at the Boquillas Crossing Parking lot and buy your ticket at the office. You can also walk across the river, but the $5 per person contributes to the livelihood of the town’s residents, so it’s helpful (and fun) to get paddled across.
When to road trip in Big Bend National Park
Photo: Pi-Lens/Shutterstock
With its southerly location and exposure to the elements, triple-digit temperature stretches in the summer months are not uncommon in Big Bend National Park and can turn the most well-intentioned hike into a sweaty, sunburned mess. The park is generally more pleasant in winter and autumn, but the best time to visit Big Bend is spring, with its double bonus of long daylight hours and colorful wildflowers.
If you do go in the summer, bring lots of water and sunscreen, and plan your excursions around the heat. You’ll want to wake up early to hike, return to your hotel or camp in the peak of the daytime heat, and perhaps venture back out in the evening to watch sunset or do some night-sky viewing.
Big Bend may be the desert, but winters can get very chilly. The winter temperatures averages around 60 degrees but can dip close to freezing, so dress warmly if you plan your trip in the colder months. Bring your warmest sleeping bag and a cozy base layer.
How many days to spend in Big Bend National Park
Photo: imagoDens/Shutterstock
Big Bend is one of the largest national parks in the United States. With numerous trails, mountains, canyons, and villages to explore, each point of interest could easily fill a day of exploration. For the best experience, resist making a set plan — allow yourself plenty of time to explore and discover each desert sanctuary at your pace. Three days is enough time to traverse the park by car, stop in each area, and get a few hikes in along the way. That also leaves plenty of time to take it slow, in case you want to spot wildlife or spend a little extra time soaking in springs.
While the paved roads make it possible to explore much of the park’s natural beauty with a standard two-wheel-drive car, many of the campgrounds and more obscure sights are hidden deep within the park’s interior on rough, dirt roads. It’s ideal to have a four-wheel or all-wheel-drive vehicle, decent ground clearance, and good tires. If that’s not your vehicle, you can rent a jeep (or take a jeep tour) from Lucky Sun Jeep Rental in Terlingua. Most of the park lacks cell service, so download any maps (or podcasts) you’ll need and have some basic tools like a jack and spare tire.
Wildlife in Big Bend National Park
Photo: Matt Sells/Shutterstock
Roadrunners, sparrows, and warblers are among the 450 species of birds that live in Big Bend, making it home to more birds than any other national park. But if you’re patient, you could even spot the javelina, also called a peccary — a hairier cousin to the familiar pig. If you’re looking for wildlife early in the morning, you may spot coyotes, bobcats, or black bears, and 22 lizards, including the impressively rainbow-colored Chihuahuan greater earless lizard.
Night-sky viewing
Photo: Wisanu Boonrawd/Shutterstock
Big Bend National Park is an International Dark Sky Park and is the least light-polluted park in the continental US. That’s no small statement, and the star-viewing here is some of the best in the world. Thousands of stars are visible on a clear night, and it’s not unusual to see the Milky Way without any type of telescope.
The park runs night programs throughout the year, ranging from star parties to meteor shower watches to moonlight walks. But it’s easy to see the stars without a guide if you have a telescope or binoculars — the entire park is quite dark, so you don’t have to be in any particular spot to see the stars. You just have to look up. But be sure to bring a DSLR (and a wide-angle lens) if you plan to do night sky photos as you’ll need a long shutter speed (at least 15 seconds).
This article was orginally published in May 2021 and updated by Matador’s editorial team in November 2022.
11 Cabins in Utah To Access the State’s Stunning Outdoor Adventure
Utah is known for outdoor adventure, from the desert to the high country. Staying near your adventures is the best way to plan a trip, and these unique, spacious, and cozy cabins in Utah are the perfect basecamp.
Traveling to Utah? Check out Matador’s Utah lodging guides:Where to stay near Zion National ParkThese Stunning Cabins Are the Ultimate Zion National Park BasecampThe best hotels in Utah for a national parks road tripThe ultimate ‘work and play’ road trip through Utah’s canyon countrySalt Lake City Airbnbs to base your Utah adventure trip
We hope you love the Utah Airbnb vacation rentals we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
The best mountain cabins in Park CityThe best mountain cabins near Salt Lake CityThe best mountain cabins near Snowbird and AltaThe best mountain cabins in Park CityCozy Park City Cabin
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Sit back and relax at this charming abode. This cabin has a spacious living room with a stone-encased gas fireplace and a fully equipped kitchen area and is right next to popular attractions. This space is a short walk from the chairlift, where you can hit the slopes or go hiking through the Park City Mountain forests.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $158 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This spacious chalet sits on two acres, is surrounded by mature trees, and features a spacious living room and a fully equipped kitchen. The house is among the most luxurious cabins in Park City, and just 20 minutes from Jordanelle and Deer Creek Reservoirs and near every outdoor adventure.
Sixteen guests, six bedrooms
Price: $604 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Check out this remote getaway in the mountains for your Utah getaway. This remote retreat was built in 1976 and fully remodeled in 2021 with modern finishings. This cabin features breathtaking views, 1,00 square feet of space, a full kitchen, a living room with a cozy fireplace, and a spacious deck area.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $172 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This rustic cabin is filled with elegant and rustic wood charm throughout. This unique abode welcomes guests with a warm feeling and inviting decor. The space features two kitchens, a spacious living room, a large deck area for the whole family to hang out on, and cool amenities like a racquetball court, pool table, hot tub, ping pong, and sauna. If you want to get out of the house, Deer Valley Mountain Resort is nearby as well as Park City’s Main Street, The Farm Restaurant, and more.
Sixteen guests, six bedrooms
Price: $398 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Cabins in Utah don’t have to be in the middle of nowhere. If you would rather be in the middle of it all, this cabin is in a central location in the valley, only five minutes from the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon and 15 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City. This cabin has a private backyard with a fire pit, gas grill, and hot tub.
Ten guests, five bedrooms
Price: $550 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Relax in the snug contemporary A-Frame cabin. This A-Frame has 5,000 square feet of space for everyone and features two fully stocked kitchens, two living rooms, a game room, and a reading and children’s loft. Take in the stunning mountain views outside the two large decks, relax in the cedar sauna or hot tub, or play games like a shoe ring or corn hole.
Sixteen guests, five bedrooms
Price: $414 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Stay at one of the many log cabins in Utah like this one its cozy feel. This cozy log home is across the street from the Pineview Reservoir and only 20 minutes from Powder Mountain and Snowbasin Resort. This home is perfect for family or friend trips and has all the amenities you need, like a spacious living room, a rec room for kids, a wrapped deck, two jacuzzis, and more.
Ten guests, four bedrooms
Price: $166 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This mountain chalet is in the pine trees of Bridgton, Utah, and near Brighton Ski Resort. This cute log cabin has a comfortable living area with a fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen, and a fire pit outside to roast marshmallows or sit out and enjoy the chilly Utah night.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $249 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Originally built in 1969, this cabin holds much charisma as it did back then. This vintage chalet was renovated in 2021. Amenities include a warm living room, a full kitchen, cozy beds to sleep in, and two large front and back decks. The chalet is also four minutes from Solitude Mountain Resort, a few minutes away from Brighton Resort and Nordic Center, and 36 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $235 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
If you’re looking for an intimate spot for the perfect couple’s getaway, this cute abode is between the Alta Ski Area and Snowbird Resort. Sit back, relax, get warm by the living room fire, or cook a meal in the kitchen. Get away from it all by staying at this romantic getaway in the Wasatch Mountains.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $428 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Stay at one of the first homes in Alta, built by one of the directors of the Alta Ski School. The home has since been updated and features its original structure and modern amenities. Enjoy the short walk or a shuttle from the base of the area lifts, shops, and restaurants.
Eight guests, one bedroom
Price: $767 per night
A Flair for the Fantastic: 6 Ways To Experience Germany Out of the Ordinary
Flair has different meanings for different people, but for most it conjures a sense of style and discernment. When it comes to Germany, flair can be found in many forms all over the country. Its cities and towns offer majestic castles and palaces, landscaped gardens, and opulent theaters and opera houses; filling the spaces between are spectacular scenery and unforgettable nature experiences.
In short, whether it’s culture, history, art, or the great outdoors, you can find flair everywhere in Germany if you know where to look.
1. In the elegance of Baden-Baden
The elegant Casino Baden-Baden. Photo: Torben Beeg
The city of Baden-Baden is well known for its upscale aesthetic, vibrant culinary scene, and excellent access to the wonderful natural site that is the Black Forest National Park. One of the most iconic spots in the city is the Kurhaus, location of “the most beautiful casino in the world,” according to Marlene Dietrich. But the casino is just one part of the Kurhaus. Dating back to 1766, when it was built for the local margrave (noble rank), it reached its heyday during the belle epoque, when the city served as a playground for aristocrats and the wealthy.
Today, visitors can find classical concerts by the venue’s philharmonic orchestra, literary events, and fashion shows, as well as top-notch cuisine at the restaurant The Grill and the revamped HECTORS. You can even indulge in delicious ice cream at Kurhaus Eismanufaktur. Browse the luxury boutiques in the 19th-century colonnade, stroll around the pretty park, or sip refined cocktails at the Bernstein Club or EQUIPAGE Music and Dance Bar; you certainly won’t get bored.
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2. In the indulgence of Wiesbaden
Café Maldaner Wiesbaden. Photo: Claudia Meyer/WICM
Located in the western German state of Hesse, Wiesbaden is an experienced all-rounder when it comes to indulging the senses. A major draw for visitors is the city’s neoclassical Kurhaus, which houses a gorgeously historic casino and English-style landscaped garden designed in 1852. The towering red-brick neo-Gothic Market Church on Schlossplatz and adjacent neoclassical City Palace are memorably photogenic, while art lovers won’t want to miss the Museum Wiesbaden, which elegantly combines both art and natural history.
The city even offers something for sweet-toothed history lovers: Café Maldaner, operating since 1859, has a divine apple strudel. Confiserie Kunder, founded in 1898, produces notoriously delicious pineapple tartlets that still honor an original family recipe.
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3. In the grandeur of Bayreuth
UNESCO World Heritage Margravial Opera House Bayreuth. Photo: Julia Nimke/DZT
It was Margravine Wilhelmine — favorite sister of Prussian King Frederick the Great — who transformed Bayreuth into a center of art and culture in the 18th century. A prodigious artistic talent in her own right (she painted, composed, wrote plays, acted, and directed), the Margravine also opened the famed Bayreuth Opera House, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Modeled on the greatest opera houses of the time in Vienna and Dresden, it was designed by the most important theater architect of the period, Giuseppe Galli Bibiena, and built between 1745 and 1750. The lavish interior, which underwent restoration work from 2013 to 2018, offers an extensive program of events, and visitors can take insightful guided tours organized by the venue and the local tourism board.
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4. In the masterpieces of Berlin
Artpark Tegel. When the neighborhood becomes a work of art. Photo: Josefine Köhn-Haskins
Berlin, something of a hub for street art, has outdone itself with the Artpark Tegel project. Initiated by the “Stiftung Berliner Leben” in conjunction with the city’s URBAN NATION Museum for Contemporary Art, the project began in 2015 with the idea of painting a large mural on the side of a tenement as a way of creating a sense of community within the neighborhood.
The initial artwork was so well received that the concept has since been expanded throughout the district, leading to a unique public art project. Up to 137 feet tall, the murals that now dot several high-rises usually have community or societal themes and are created by a mix of Berlin-based artists (e.g., Jim Avignon, acclaimed duo Herakut), as well as international luminaries like London Police, Fintan Magee (the so-called “Australian Banksy”), and Italian artist Pixel Pancho.
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5. In the allure of Dresden
View from Dresden’s Palace tower to the Semper Opera House. Photo: Erik Gross (DML-BY)/Dresden Marketing Board
With 50 museums, 60 art galleries, and almost 40 theaters and stages, Dresden surely spoils art lovers and culture vultures. Among its many esteemed establishments, highlights include the Old Masters Picture Gallery, which houses world-famous paintings like Raphael’s “Sistine Madonna”; the Green Vault, which contains the largest treasure collection in Europe; and the Albertinum, which showcases everything from Romantic masterpieces by Caspar David Friedrich to contemporary works by artists such as Gerhard Richter.
Dresden is a city of music, too, with traditions stretching back over 700 years — Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Weber, Schumann, and Rachmaninoff all worked here. Its acclaimed venues include the 19th-century Semper Opera House, one of the most beautiful of its kind in the world, and still renowned for its acoustics and performances.
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6. In the magnificence of Regensburg
Regensburg UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Danube.
Photo: Regensburg Tourismus GmbH
It’s not an easy task to single out a main attraction in Regensburg, a city with almost 2,000 years of history and a wealth of art and culture, vibrant Bavarian-Italian ambiance, and a generous spread of magnificent architecture. An aimless stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town is perhaps the best way to discover some of its highlights. You won’t be able to miss St. Peter’s Cathedral, the only Gothic Cathedral in Bavaria and a major city landmark, nor the 150-foot-tall Golden Tower, which hails from the 13th century.
You’ll almost certainly end up at the historic Stone Bridge, too, and the spectacular Thurn and Taxis Palace, which is still inhabited by its aristocratic family. Visit in winter and you’ll get to experience the convivial romance and fragrant aromas of the city’s Christmas Market, largely regarded as one of the world’s best. How’s that for flair?
November 8, 2022
The best hiking trails in Hawaii
You’ll need to pack more than just your flip-flops for your next trip to Hawaii — at least if you want to take advantage of everything the islands offer. Hiking in Hawaii is one of the best ways to see the islands’ interiors, especially as the volcanic archipelago is home to some of the wettest, densest, and most beautiful trails in the US.
But that doesn’t mean every trail is challenging or that hiking in Hawaii always means crawling through mud or fighting mosquitoes. There are trails across the various cities and towns, from trails near the big cities on Oahu to rural routes on the laid-back garden isle of Kauai. To get started, consider taking one of the 13 Hawaii hiking trails below on your next tropical getaway to the Aloha state.
Which is the best Hawaiian island for hiking?What is the most beautiful hike in Hawaii?What are the best hiking shoes for Hawaii?What to wear hiking in Hawaii Map of Hawaii hiking trailsTrailheads sometimes change due to rainfall or mudslide damage, and several trailheads have multiple starting points. Be sure to check the details of any hike you choose in advance to be sure you’re parking in the right place (and that the trail is open; many on the list below are subject to seasonal closures).
Olomana Ridge Trail, Oahu
Photo: Pavel Tvrdy/Shutterstock
Distance: 5 milesElevation gain: 1,860 feetType: Out-and-backOahu is the most visited of the Hawaiian islands, with more than six million visitors swarming to the island each year. You certainly won’t be the only person on the trail, but since the reward at the top is sweeping landscape views, you’ll be able to take great photos even if it’s packed.
The Olomana Ridge Trail, which starts in the beachside town of Kailua, takes hikers across three peaks, all of which require a steep and potentially dangerous scramble. But it’s one of the best places to go hiking in Hawaii if you’re up for a challenge, especially as it starts with a section through a usually muddy forest inhabited by wild pigs. After that section, the scenery changes to jungle before giving way to an ironwood forest. The most challenging part is in the boulder sections, where there’s usually a rope mounted to aid hikers.
The trail stays in the jungle most of the way so there’s not much of a view until the first climb. On a clear day, the view looks out toward the Pacific Ocean, where clear days offer the chance to see Na Mokulua, two small islands just offshore. Hikers can stop here or continue to the second and third peaks, but be warned: the trail can be dangerous in wet conditions and there are several places where a stumble could send you tumbling down quite a tall cliff.
Koko Head, Oahu
Photo: Jeremy Red/Shutterstock
Distance: 1.8 milesElevation gain: 880 feetType: Out-and-backAt less than two miles round-trip, it’s easy to write off Koko Head as a walk in the park. But even without the 1,000 stairs hikers will need to climb, the terrain makes the hike difficult. It follows the Koko Head Railway, originally built during WWII to transport supplies to a cliffside bunker. That means each step is awkward as you’ll struggle to keep your foot on the railway planks. Though the hike itself isn’t beautiful, surrounded as it is by dry, scrubby brush, the views from the top of Hawaii’s endless blue ocean are — and you’ll want to take at least a few minutes to admire them while your heart rate gets back to normal.
Kalalau Trail, Kauai
Photo: IndustryAndTravel/Shutterstock
Distance: 22 milesElevation gain: 6,177 feetType: Out-and-backIf you’re considering this Hawaii hiking trail, you’ve probably already done your research and know you’ll need to secure a permit well in advance of your arrival.
The trail is 11 miles each way on the Na Pali Coast and is as good as it gets for strenuous but rewarding hiking. It begins with a two-mile section of dirt trail with great views before reaching Hanakapi’ai, where hikers without a permit can branch off to visit a waterfall. Hikers with permits, however, can continue on the hilly, cliffside trail.
It can be done in a day, but there’s also camping at the halfway mark in Hanakoa. The furthest point of the trail is Napali Coast State Park, and if you’re hiking back the same day, be sure to start early enough to leave yourself time to relax at the beach before turning around. The trail was closed in 2021 and most of 2022 for mudslide damage, but it’s reopened as of October 2022, albeit with several hoops to jump through to secure a permit and parking or shuttles.
Twin Falls Trail, Maui
Photo: Pierre Leclerc/Shutterstock
Distance: 1.8 milesElevation gain: 350 feetType: Out-and-backIf you like hiking but love the idea of jumping into a tropical swimming hole, head to Maui’s Twin Falls Trail. The falls are simply beautiful, surrounded by tropical greenery and with an overhang that lets guests swim on both sides of the falling water. Not surprisingly, this trail is often wet and slippery, and it’s important to wear shoes with good traction or, better yet, a hiking sandal you can swim in.
At the trail fork, stay to the left to find the main waterfall and swimming hole. After checking that out, backtrack and take the other fork to the right to see the second falls, which is where the majority of the hike’s distance and elevation gain is.
It’s always important to leave no trace, but there are a few extra precautions you should take to help keep the waterfalls healthy, like not wearing bug spray or sunscreen and triple checking to make sure you aren’t leaving any trash behind that could eventually make its way into the ocean.
Alaka’i Swamp, Kauai
Photo: Marisa Estivill/Shutterstock
Distance: 7 milesElevation gain: 1,330 feetType: Out-and-backTucked into Waimea Canyon, Alaka’i Swamp sits more than 4,000 feet above the Na Pali Coast. That puts the trail squarely in the rainforest, so it’s damp year-round. Many a boot has been pulled off a hiker’s foot by the muddy areas that dot the otherwise green surrounds, so be sure to have proper hiking boots for Hawaii. There are a few boardwalks over the muddiest areas, though.
The end of the hike is the Kilohana Lookout and has world-class views if you’re lucky enough to get a clear day. But the hike is special even on cloudy days. Alakai Swamp is a unique “montane wet forest,” and one of only three across Hawaii. It’s also home to several endemic bird species, like the ‘i’iwi: a honeycreeper with a large, curved bill.
Kīpuka Puaulu Trail, Hawaii
Photo: Doug James/Shutterstock
Distance: 1.1 milesElevation gain: 160 feetType: Out-and-backThe Big Islands’ Volcanoes National Park once had trails that traversed craters and lava tubes. But lava flows have closed some of the trails both temporarily and permanently. However, the remaining trails are some of the best places to go hiking in Hawaii to experience the state’s volcanic activity up close.
The Kīpuka Puaulu Trail is lined with ‘ōhi’a trees, a habitat for the endemic and brightly colored apapane and akohekohe (birds). Bring a pair of binoculars as you’ll need to look closely to spot them between the crimson-hued flowers.
The trail is only 1.1 miles, so it isn’t a hike that requires endurance and makes a good place to visit before or after heading to the Kilauea Crater. After the short Kīpuka Puaulu Trail, consider driving to the easy-to-moderate Crater Rim Trail (2.7 miles, 260 foot gain) to witness a contrasting scene; it’s more evocative of Mars than a tropical oasis.
Pipiwai Trail, Maui
Photo: MNStudio/Shutterstock
Distance: 4 milesElevation gain: 900 feetType: Out-and-backAfter spending several days snorkeling around Maui, take a break from the sun and head inland to Waimoku Falls and Pipiwai Trail, a four-mile trail through thick groves of bamboo and around tangled banyan trees in Haleakala Crater National Park. The 400 feet of cascading turquoise water at Waimoku Falls is the hike’s final point, but there are several additional waterfalls and streams to see along the way. It can be one of the muddier hiking trails in Hawaii, but there’s a wooden boardwalk to help hikers avoid most of the muddy scrambling.
If you have time to spare after the hike, consider visiting the Haleakala Crater summit, especially if it’s around sunset. That said, if it’s after sunset, don’t worry: the real show comes at night when the stars look close enough to touch. This trail is close to the famously beautiful town of Hana, making it a good add-on to a day spent in the area.
Le’ahi Summit Trail, Oahu
Photo: Michael Gordon/Shutterstock
Distance: 1.8 milesElevation gain: 450 feetType: Out-and-backMost travelers probably know this hike by its other name: Diamond Head. Serious outdoorsy types may roll their eyes at the mention of this being one of the best hikes in Hawaii, but that’s a mistake. There are few cities in the US that have such a beautiful hike within walking distance of downtown, which makes it easy to hike Le’ahi Summit in the morning and be back in the city for a seaside brunch before the hottest part of the day. It’s one of the best hiking trails in Hawaii if you’re with kids with a short attention span.
The trail is just under two miles and goes through parts of a lighthouse and fire control station from the 1910s. At the top, the views are unbeatable, looking down to the city of Honolulu, out across the open ocean, and inland to the interior mountains. Sure, it’s crowded, but it’s a pretty urban hike you can do in just a few hours without needing a car — what’s not to like about that?
Makiki Valley Loop Trail, Oahu
Photo: Ozgur Coskun/Shutterstock
Distance: 3.2 milesElevation gain: 1,040 feetType: LoopIf you’re looking for a place to go hiking in Hawaii on a sunny day, consider the Makiki Valley Loop Trail near Honolulu. The hike is the definition of a jungle trail, with plenty of shade, large trees covered in hanging vines, and leafy ferns dotting the trail’s root-covered path.
Though the main trail is rather easy, the side trip to the Hawaii Nature Center adds a steep downhill (then uphill) section that may be harder for beginner hikers. But if you do an out-and-back on the main trail, you’ll experience plenty of beauty even without adding extra distance. The trail has tree tunnels, footbridges across small streams, and vivid tropical flowers year-round.
Makauwahi Cave Trail, Kauai
Photo: Suzie Dundas
Distance: .7 miles (one way)Elevation gain: 50 feetType: Out-and-back (or as part of a longer hike)The Makauwahi Cave Trail is special not just because of the beautiful terrain but because of where it leads: to Makauwahi Cave, the current site of a massive archeological excavation. If you start near the CJM Country Stables (an easy spot for a taxi or rideshare to find), it’s about a mile to the site. Makauwahi Cave is staffed by a researcher or volunteer every day between 10 AM and 4 PM who give quick run-downs on the site’s history and finds throughout the day. There are rarely very many people there, so you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions and see what’s been found.
For a short hike, go back the way you came. But for a longer hike, take the coastal Maha’ulepo Heritage Trail back from the site. If you walk all the way to Shipwreck Beach in Keoneloa, it’ll add roughly three miles and 150 feet of elevation gain.
Waihe’e Ridge Trail, Maui
Photo: Maridav/Shutterstock
Distance: 4.2 milesElevation gain: 1,600 feetType: Out-and-backThe Waihe’e Ridge Trail is the perfect trail in Hawaii for a half-day hike. It covers a reasonable distance for most hikers, has beautiful views through a canyon and across a ridgeline, and is reasonably close to the town of Kahului. That means that it gets crowded, and the parking lot fills up quickly. Try to get there before 8 AM on a weekend to ensure a parking spot.
The Waihe’e Ridge Trail is almost always misty and foggy, but that’s not a bad thing as it creates the illusion of hiking into the clouds. Sections of the trail are a bit steep, getting up to a 29 percent grade in most sections, but it’s such a pretty view that you won’t mind taking frequent breaks. Because much of the trail is above the ridgeline, it can be colder, rainier, and windier than other parts of the island, so be sure to pack a windbreaker or some type of water-resistant jacket. And hold on to your hat if you’re up top on a particularly gusty day.
Manoa Falls Trail, Oahu
Photo: Diegomezr/Shutterstock
Distance: 1.7 milesElevation gain: 630 feetType: Out-and-backThe Manoa Falls Trail is one of the best places to go hiking in Hawaii. It’s downright beautiful and goes through a mix of jungle and hilly terrain that looks quite a bit like you’re hiking through Jurassic Park — which, by the way, was filmed on Oahu. Technically, you’re not allowed to swim in the waterfall, though people tend to ignore that rule (though you should follow it). The hike is relatively short but can be slippery, wet, and muddy, and the mosquitoes can be a bit annoying — but it’s worth it; this trail is the definition of hiking in Hawaii.
The trail is rather short at one mile each way and gains about 630 feet. The trailhead can be a bit hard to find, but it starts at the end of Manoa Road. There’s a large parking lot across the street from Hawaii Pineapple Company.
Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail, Oahu
Photo: Erica Dale/Shutterstock
Distance: 2 milesElevation gain: 500 feetType: Out-and-backIf you love the idea of getting views looking out over the islands but don’t love the idea of hiking through jungle and across roots and rocks, consider taking the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail on Oahu. Unlike most hiking trails in Hawaii, this trail is entirely paved, so you don’t need to worry about getting your shoes caked in mud. It does gain 500 feet over one mile, though, so it’s best to wear an actual hiking shoe rather than flip-flops.
The trail is exposed the entire time, so it’s a popular trail for morning hiking. Try to get there early (by 7:30 AM, ideally) to find a parking spot. Better still, bring a headlamp and get there earlier than that so you’re on the trail as the sun rises. This is a popular spot with photographers, too — while you can’t walk to the 1909 lighthouse, the trail affords excellent views of the red-roofed building contrasted against the blue ocean.
What is the best Hawaiian island for hiking?
Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority/Heather Goodman
The best Hawaiian island for hiking is a matter of opinion. Some people may think that easy access from the US makes Oahu the best Hawaiian island for hikers, while others may like the smaller crowds of islands that are more difficult to reach, like Kauai. But if you’re looking at sheer numbers, the best Hawaiian island for hiking may be Oahu, as it has the most state parks of any of the islands at 25. Of course, you’ll find the national parks on different islands (Maui and the Big Island), though Kauai’s famous Na Pali coast has views that are hard to beat. The bottom line is that Hawaii is a great state for hikers, so no matter where you base yourself, you’ll find something nearby.
What is the most beautiful hike in Hawaii?
Photo: Cody A Seymour/Shutterstock
Not to be intentionally coy, but the most beautiful hike in Hawaii, like the best island, is a matter of opinion. But if you look at various online rankings for the best hikes in Hawaii, you’ll see a few options come up.
Most people agree that the Waihe’e Ridge Trail, detailed above, is one of the most beautiful in Hawaii. That’s probably because it offers unbeatable views of Maui and snakes through a lush tropical canyon. But if you’re on another island, never fear. Oahu’s Manoa Falls Trail displays some of the state’s best ecology in a short sub-two-mile package, and the Na Pali Coast on Hawaii is famous for its spiny, rainforest-covered ridgeline — and the ensuing waterfalls that appear year-round after heavy rains.
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The best hiking shoes for Hawaii
Photo: Viktoriia Bu/Shutterstock
Normally, you can get away with hiking in any kind of athletic shoe. On most trails, as long as you have some foot protection and a little bit of traction, you’ll be fine for a quick hike, even if you’re wearing worn-out gym shoes.
But Hawaii’s trails are a little different, and the best hiking shoes for Hawaii take the state’s main trail challenges into account: mud and rain. You’ll want a shoe with great traction, as rain can make rocks and roots extremely slippery — and since it rains extremely frequently in Hawaii, you should prioritize shoes with an extra grippy outsole so you have plenty of traction, even on damp surfaces.
Secondly, you’ll want a shoe that dries quickly as it’s nearly impossible to hike anywhere in Hawaii without running into at least a little bit of water. While waterproof shoes may seem like a good idea, the chances are that between puddles, mud, or rain showers, your shoes are going to get wet inside, even if the outer layer is waterproof. Instead, consider a lightly padded, quick-drying shoe, so even if it gets wet you can dry it in the sun in a few hours.
If you don’t like the idea of having soggy shoes, consider picking up a pair of hiking sandals for your trip. Hiking sandals have the outsole of a hiking shoe but straps (in lieu of fabric) for the body of the shoe, which means you can swim in them and walk through puddles with no problems. The downside is that your feet get much dirtier, and they offer less protection from trail annoyances like mosquitos and sticks.
Good hiking shoes for Hawaii include:
The Saucony Peregrine 12 ($130), a lightweight shoe with exceptionally grippy traction)The Astral TR 1 Loop ($125). It’s a little light on padding, but it’s made for hikes with river crossings and dries incredibly quickly.The Danner Trail 2650 ($189). While it’s a pricier hiking shoe, it has a grippy outsole that’ll keep you secure on wet rocks and breathable fabric to keep water from sloshing around in your shoes after unexpected rain.The Chaco Z/Cloud. Matador’s own outdoor editor did a cross-country hiking trip into Canada wearing a pair and loved the freedom to walk right through stream crossings.A note about hiking boots: unless you really need the extra ankle support, consider not bringing hiking boots to Hawaii. They’re heavier and take longer to dry, and if you accidentally get water over the top of your boot, you can bet it’ll stay in there, sloshing against your foot, for quite some time.
What to wear hiking in HawaiiPhoto: Galyna Andrushko/Shutterstock
No matter where you’re hiking, you want gear with two main selling points: it needs to dry quickly and be made with breathable fabrics. But that’s especially true in Hawaii, when rain is a possibility nearly every day. And even if the skies are clear, humidity can quickly leave you soaked, especially if you’re sweating. Brands that make excellent clothing to wear while hiking in Hawaii include Orvis, Eddie Bauer, and Outdoor Research.
However, if you’re looking at buying new gear just for hiking in Hawaii, consider buying a pair of shorts or a long-sleeve shirt from Freefly Apparel. Most pieces have an SPF 50 rating, which means you don’t have to wear sunscreen — and most sunscreens have chemicals that can damage the state’s reef. In fact, it’s illegal to sell non-reef-safe sunscreen in Hawaii). The brand makes most items from a soft, bamboo-based fabric, so you won’t get much warmer wearing a long-sleeve than you would in a T-shirt. Check out the Bamboo Shade Long Sleeve ($58) or the hoodie version ($68). Both come in men’s and women’s styles.
You should also have in your suitcase:
A bug-repelling hiking shirt, like the Brisa Sun Shirt for women ($59.73) or the men’s Halo shirt ($76.73)A light rain jacket, like the Patagonia’s Granite Crest rain jacket ($279, for men and women). It’s pricey, but great for use on and off trail and is fully waterproof. More budget-friendly picks include the Sierra Designs Microlight Jacket ($89, for women and men, water-resistant and good for light rain) or the REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket ($169, for men and women)Non-cotton socks at least crew-height to protect your legs from bugs and undergrowth. Smartwool’s Hike Light Cushion Print Crew Socks (Unisex, $24) comes in some artistic patterns and designs to add a pop of color to your Hawaii hiking photos (and has mesh across the top to help with sweaty feet).More like thisBeaches and IslandsThe Best Time To Visit Hawaii for Every Type of Traveler
Where To Eat the Best Soup Dumplings in Flushing
Just a short train ride from Manhattan, Flushing has the busy energy of a major city in China. Along the bustling streets, eateries smell of steamed buns or fried chiles. Grocery stands overflow with herbs and veggies common in Chinese cooking. Inside glass buildings covered with signs in different languages, visitors can easily get lost in a labyrinth of wholesalers, snack shops, and restaurants. The neighborhood has been an enclave of Chinese immigrants since the 90s. Now it is also a magnet for the Chinese diaspora in the tri-state area hungry for delicacies from home.
As a food destination, Flushing is inevitably compared to Manhattan’s Chinatown.
“Generally speaking, the crowd [in Flushing] is younger, and there are more recent immigrants,” said a friend of mine who lived in the neighborhood for ten years after emigrating from China.
Because of the large and concentrated client base, Asian restaurateurs like to use Flushing as a testing ground for niche regional cuisines. Within the same cuisine or even the same dish, there tends to be more availability, more variations, and more experimentation.
This applies to soup dumplings (xiao long bao 小笼包) as well. Since Joe’s Shanghai first opened in Flushing in 1995 (it now has two locations, both in Manhattan), introducing New Yorkers to the broth-filled savory pastry, many other vendors have opened, offering soup dumplings of every permutation you can think of. If you want to try the best soup dumplings in New York, you need to visit flushing. Here’s where to go.
Where to get soup dumplings in Flushing1. Nan Xiang Xiao Long BaoView this post on InstagramA post shared by Jeff Allen (@smokemullet)
The soup dumplings are nearly perfect at this restaurant. The wrap is silky. The pork filling is light and juicy. The pouch is filled up with broth to the point of almost exploding. Beyond the classic variations – pork and pork with crab roe – some flavors take inspiration from Cantonese food, using ingredients such as abalone, scallops, and sea cucumbers.
When it first opened in 2006 when authentic Shanghainese food was harder to come by Queens, Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao quickly established itself among the Chinese diaspora as the go-to place for soup dumplings. It has since moved to a bigger and more stylish space in 2019 and expanded to Manhattan’s K-Town. A new location in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is in the works.
What to try: pork soup dumplings, pork and crab soup dumplings
Where: 39-16 Prince Street #104, Queens, NY
2. Shanghai You GardenView this post on InstagramA post shared by Shanghai You Garden (@shanghaiyougarden)
The pork and crab roe soup dumplings here are on par with those in Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao. What sets the soup dumplings at Shanghai You Garden is each soup dumpling is big enough to its own meal. Each steam basket is taken up by one huge wobbly dumpling, from which the broth is sucked out with a straw. But the soup is not the only thing that’s great about it. The wrap is elastic and chewy, and the pork filling is studded with crab meat or abalone. An experienced eater drizzles some black vinegar on top of the meat to coax out the umami flavor.
What to try: the giant soup dumplings, called soup-filled bun with crab/crab and abalone on the menu
Where: 135-33 40th Road, Queens, NY
3. Kung Fu Xiao Long BaoView this post on InstagramA post shared by Kung Fu Xiao Long Bao (@kungfuxiaolongbao)
This restaurant is famous for its unorthodox take on the Shanghai classic, drawing ideas from food around the world. There is a variation filled with spicy broth, a nod to the ubiquitous Sichuan street food chaoshou (wontons coated with chili oil). Other novel creations come and go, such as wasabi-flavored soup dumplings.
A relatively recent addition is soup dumplings laced with black truffle, popularized by the Taiwanese chain Din Tai Fung. Probably the most surprising innovation is soup dumplings filled with banana and molten chocolate – a crepe in a bun.
What to try: spicy soup dumplings and chocolate soup dumplings
Where: 59-16 Main Street, Queens, NY
4. CheLiView this post on InstagramA post shared by CheLi (@cheli.nyc)
CheLi immediately became a sensation among New York City’s Chinese students when it first opened in November 2020. It features dishes from Shanghai and its surrounding regions, known for their seasonal ingredients and subtle flavors, and blends creative modern twists with traditional cooking. An example is tea-soaked rice, a comfort food of leftover rice often eaten with pickled clams. Here, it is topped with a dollop of sea urchin.
Despite the many upscale ingredients, there is no lack of homey classics here, the soup dumplings included. The pork filling is on the denser side, but is nevertheless soft and juicy.
What to try: tofu stew with minced crab meat, tea-soaked rice with sea urchin, steamed yellow croaker in wine sauce
Where: 133-42 39th Avenue Suite 102, Queens, NY
5. Jiang NanView this post on InstagramA post shared by JiangNan NYC 江南食府 (@jiangnannyc103)
Located next door to CheLi in the same restaurant complex, Jiang Nan is another highly-rated newcomer to Flushing’s food scene. Although the name itself refers to the area around Shanghai, the menu includes signature dishes from Shanghainese, Sichuanese, and Cantonese cuisines. Here you’ll find creamy sauteed crab-roe (to be scooped onto fluffy rice), mouth-tingling chile-braised fish, and chicken soup simmered for so long with fish maws that the broth becomes milk-white with emulsified fat.
The soup dumpling is buried in the menu, alongside other classics like chow mein and fried rice, but is still one of the most popular items at the restaurant. They are served with black vinegar and strands of pickled ginger, a common condiment Shanghainese people use for crabs.
What to try: braised pork belly with black tea, sauteed crab roe, grilled fish, chicken soup with fish maws
Where: 133-42 39th Avenue Suite 101, Queens, NY
6. A Taste of ShanghaiView this post on InstagramA post shared by Follow me duh. (@iwriteieatnyc)
Come here for a no-frills, family-style meal. The menu at A Taste of Shanghai consists mainly of everyday dishes, including some too humble to be found in formal establishments. Consider soup with ham and wax gourd, or rice cooked with dabs of pork and vegetable, both evoking life in Nongtang, the close quarters communities where working-class families lived before large-scale urban development in the 90s.
You’ll find soup dumplings in the dim sum section of the menu. The wrap is more chewy and elastic than silky and paper-thin. Another thing well worth trying is soup dumpling’s close cousin shengjian, a pan-fried bun with crusty dough and very meaty filling.
What to try: fish head soup, pork chunk and bamboo shoot stew, shengjian
Where: 39-07 Prince Street #1A, Queens, NY
7. Shanghai Zhen Gong FuView this post on InstagramA post shared by Shanghai Zhen Gong Fu (@shanghaizhengf)
Shanghai Zhen Gong Fu is on the other side of Corona Park and a short subway ride from Flushing’s main drag. The menu includes everyday dishes from Shanghai, such as soy-braised gluten and white-cut chicken, as well as a handful of crowd-pleasing Sichuan specialties.
The beautifully pleated soup dumplings are filled with flavorful broth. The meat filling is mixed with a substantial amount of crab meat and has a pleasantly springy bite. Its shengjian is also filled with broth, which squirts out if eaten piping hot.
What to try with soup dumplings: white-cut chicken, smoked fish
Where: 86-16 Queens Boulevard, Queens, NY
8. Memories of ShanghaiView this post on InstagramA post shared by Memories of SH (@shanghaimof)
Memories of Shanghai, strictly speaking, is not in Flushing but nearby Forest Hills (less than 15 minutes away), a quiet middle-class neighborhood that also has a thriving population of Chinese families. The menu is small, and the forte is breakfast food – chive turnovers, radish puffs, soy-flavored shumai, and, of course, soup dumplings. In fact, it arguably makes the best soup dumplings in the neighborhood. Each pouch is large and beautifully shaped. The broth is flavorful but not oily.
What to try: radish puffs, scallion pancakes, glutinous rice balls
Where: 68-60 Austin Street #3, Queens, NY
This Key West Resort Brings the Taste and Feel of Cuba To South Florida
The 106-room, Cuban-themed, pet-friendly waterfront Havana Cabana Key West is the closest travelers can get to Cuba without actually crossing the ocean. It’s located just a few minutes’ drive from Key West’s historic Old Town and is brimming with a sense of old-world charm and authentic character.
Stepping inside this resort feels like stepping into a local family’s own immaculate mansion, offering a warm sense of invitation mixed with a playful air of rebellion. Immediately upon walking in the front doors and standing in the grand atrium to gaze up at the two grand curved staircases, guests know they’re in for an eventful stay.
We hope you love the Havana Cabana Key West! 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.
Havana Cabana Key West combines classic and contemporary accommodation
Photo courtesy of Havana Cabana Key West
Photo courtesy of Havana Cabana Key West
Photo courtesy of Havana Cabana Key West
The feeling of old-fashioned glamor is combined with the luxury of modern amenities. Havana Cabana boasts the title of being home to Key West’s largest (and therefore, most fun) pool. Guests can visit this lagoon-style oasis’ legendary Mojitos Pool Bar, which concocts more than a dozen unique varieties of the classic rum-based cocktail adjacent to the action.
The pool is considered the “heart of the resort” and is surrounded by loungers, day beds, and private cabanas, which creates a tropical sanctuary for resting and recovering after a night out on the town (or just for soaking up the Florida sunshine). There are regular poolside events, including live entertainment and weekend pool parties with DJs every Saturday and Sunday. Adjacent to the pool, the tiki pavilion harbors a collection of games like giant Jenga, foosball, and corn hole, among other nostalgic favorites.
The walls of the entire property are decorated in vibrant, floor-to-ceiling Cuban-inspired outdoor murals painted by local artists, which add positive energy to the public spaces on-site and pay homage to the cultural influence that makes this property a special place to spend time.
Rooms at the Havana Cabana Key West carry forth the island vibes
Photo courtesy of Havana Cabana Key West
Photo courtesy of Havana Cabana Key West
Inside this Key West boutique hotel, guests will enjoy spacious rooms with a modern, eclectic Cuban touch. Rooms feature private balconies with views of the pool, ocean, or “standard” (the exterior of the resort). There are a variety of types of airy rooms, all decorated to feel like an authentic trip abroad to a boutique Cuban inn. The beds’ headboards are outfitted with the same sturdy, rich wood as the desks, the nightstands, and the floors.
These darker, caramel wooden tones playfully contrast against a bright palette of tropical aquamarine, whites, and natural tones. Everything in the hotel is equally playful, from the bulk toiletry bottles in the bathrooms, which feature puckish phrases and pictures on the shampoo and conditioner bottles, to the goodies sold down below in the on-site gift shop, which offers guests the opportunity to bring a piece of Cuba (by way of Key West) home, with them.
One of the standout elements of the property is the festive and bold outdoor murals, which stand as a proud representation of the property’s Cuban influence. The collection of original, hand-painted murals adorn the walls of Havana Cabana and depict the stories of the country. In these brushstrokes, visitors can get a sense of the history, romance, and beauty of the Caribbean island set less than 100 miles from Key West, and feel the strong emotions each of the three renowned South Florida artists inflicted on their masterpieces.
Those who seek authentic Cuban fare will rejoice at the hotel’s on-site Floridita Food Truck, which serves a Cuban-inspired menu from a chic, renovated Airstream. Diners can choose between classic options like Cuban cheese toast, freshly made Pan Con Lechon, or the hearty “Havana Burger.” On the ground just adjacent to the food truck under the tiki hut, get a glimpse of one of the hotel’s colorful murals — this one depicting Havana Cabana’s designated mascot, “Maiden” – the goddess of the sea, inspired by the water spirit Yemaya. The painting honors the mermaids of the Florida Keys and is meant to welcome hotel guests in a community-centric area.
Traveling to Florida? Check out Matador’s Florida accommodations guides:15 beautiful Florida Airbnbs for every type of travelerThe best 11 Airbnbs near Universal StudiosThe 12 best Miami Airbnbs from South Beach to Little Havana8 of the coolest Airbnbs near Disney World, Florida15 beautiful Florida Airbnbs for every type of traveler6 Kissimmee Airbnbs for a multi-generational family Disney trip11 Key West Airbnbs to experience the best of the island11 gorgeous Florida Keys Airbnbs to catch the ‘Keys Disease’These New Smyrna Beach Airbnbs showcase the best of Florida’s central coastThe resort offers ample onsite entertainment and easy access to the best of Key West
Photo courtesy of Havana Cabana Key West
Photo courtesy of Havana Cabana Key West
As for daily resort activities, visitors won’t ever be bored whether they’re spending time at the hotel or exploring the island. On-site, there’s a 24-hour Fitness Center with a smattering of cardio machines and weights, complete with a view of the ocean directly across the street.
Since Havana Cabana doesn’t believe Happy Hour has to be limited to the afternoon — the hotel actually hosts a daily, morning “Rise and Unwind Happy Hour” at Mojito’s Pool Bar from 10 a.m. — 12 p.m. serving $9 specials on cocktails and beer.
Those who’ve dreamed of living life “under the sea” can experience swimming with a real Key West Mermaid from 10-11:30 a.m. during “Fintastic Fridays.” Those who love a good, old-fashioned pool party can cannonball into an unmatched bash every Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m — 4 p.m. when the hotel hosts epic pool events known to make a serious splash.
To enjoy spending time on the island off-site, visitors can use the free, dedicated shuttle service to quickly and easily get downtown and raise some raucousness on the notoriously naughty Duval Street. Or, rent bicycles or vintage Vespas to spend time outside on the island exploring with a new set of wheels.
Sign up for excursions and guided tours at the hotel’s dedicated concierge desk to embark on one of the many signature adventures of the Florida Keys. From backwater kayaking and deep-sea fishing to reef snorkeling and deep-wreck dives — there are dozens of outdoor opportunities to get outside and enjoy the sun-soaked weather.
The hotel also hosts 1,820 square feet of space for meetings and events. The dedicated on-site event planning team can arrange for experiences like mojito mixing competitions, cigar rolling classes, or Cuban sandwich making.
When it’s time to leave, Havana Cabana lessens the blow by offering free shuttle rides to Key West International Airport. From the upbeat spirit of everyone encountered on-site to the boisterous events and activities available to attend, included in each stay — a trip to Havana Cabana Key West is a memory that will shine bright for years to come.
9 Fun Things To Do in the Jamaica Blue Mountains
Jamaica is marketed as a beach destination, but the Caribbean island actually has more mountains than beaches per square mile. Jamaica’s landscape is about 50 percent mountains, with a mountain chain that stretches across the island. And on the eastern side of the range is Blue Mountains National Park, far removed from the large, all-inclusive hotels and white-sand beaches most visitors see. The mountain park is Jamaica’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a starkly different experience than what most tourists get at Negril beach bars.
The Jamaica Blue Mountains are breathtakingly beautiful. The forests receive a constant water supply from dozens of swift-flowing rivers, waterfalls, and complex underground water tables, making the area lush and green year-round. The heavy rainfall keeps the mountains covered in mist, creating the blue hue that gives them their name and relieving the sweltering heat of Kingston, Jamaica’s capital city. The bed-and-breakfasts, cottages, and restaurants on the eastern side of Jamaica are rustic but comfortable, eco-friendly, and mostly owned by locals.
Photo: Photo Spirit/Shutterstock
The Blue Mountains are richly biodiverse, and home to 32 endemic bird species not found anywhere else in the world, including the Jamaican streamertail. And most of the towns around the mountains share a unique culture shaped by runaway Africans who made the mountains their home centuries ago.
There’s plenty to do in the mountains, but start with these nine activities to experience the beauty and history of the Jamaica Blue Mountains.
Visit a working Blue Mountain coffee farm
Lime Tree farm in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. Photo: Rochelle Knight
Arabica coffee beans were first introduced to Jamaica in 1728 and planted both in central Jamaica and on the steep hillsides of the Blue Mountains. Over time, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee (a trademark reserved for coffees grown in the mountains between 3,500 and 5,500 feet above sea level) has earned a reputation for sweet floral aromas, mild flavors, and lack of bitterness that makes it one of the world’s most expensive and sought-after coffees.
You won’t appreciate the cost of Blue Mountain coffee until you experience it at the source (one pound of freshly roasted Blue Mountain coffee beans costs an average of $65). To see production in terms, visit a facility like Lime Tree Coffee Farm, one of several dozen Blue Mountain coffee farms. Lime Tree Farm allows visitors to see the coffee-making process up close from bean to cup. Everything is done by hand, from planting and harvesting to pulping, drying, roasting, grinding, and brewing. Lime Tree Farm sells coffee to factories such as the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, which manufactures Jablum, one of the most popular Blue Mountain coffee brands. Visitors can also stay overnight in their five lovely cottages to get a head start in exploring the rest of the Blue Mountains.
Hike to Jamaica’s highest point
Photo: Photo Spirit/Shutterstock
Blue Mountain Peak is Jamaica’s highest point at 7,402 feet above sea level. The summit is only accessible by hiking the Blue Mountain Peak Trail, which covers roughly six miles each way over steep terrain. It’s a steep and challenging hike, but the views are well worth it.
You’ll also have the chance to see endemic Jamaican plants and birds not seen in other parts of the island, such as the Jamaican rose, Jamaican tody (a round, green bird), and giant swallowtail butterfly. By about 6,000 feet above sea level, the topography changes from tall pine trees to elfin woodland (also referred to as dwarf forest), with short, gnarled trees, mosses, and lichens; it feels like hiking through the Jurassic era.
The best time to start the hike is around 2 AM with a flashlight and experienced guide. On the way up, you’ll be treated to unspoiled views of the Milky Way and twinkling lights from the city of Kingston far below. You’ll arrive in time for sunrise, which is guaranteed to be one for the books. On the walk down, when you’re not breathing quite as hard, take some time to appreciate the natural beauty and biodiversity you couldn’t see in the dark on the way up. Dress warmly, because temperatures at the peak get very close to freezing — rare bouts of snow flurries have even been reported.
Restaurant hop on the Blue Mountain Culinary Trail
Crystal Edge Restaurant, in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. Photo: Rochelle Knight
The Blue Mountain Culinary Trail is a walkable route of a dozen eateries that offer al fresco and fine dining experiences in the Jamaica Blue Mountains. These restaurants are conveniently lined up on the island’s B1 main road, spanning from Kingston to Portland.
The restaurants are varied, focusing on everything from traditional Jamaican dishes to pasta, burgers, seafood, and steaks, and, of course, Blue Mountain coffee.
A popular breakfast pick is the Crystal Edge Restaurant in Irish Town, a small Blue Mountain district, as it’s tasty and offers sweeping views of the valley below. Adventurous foodies should try the “ackee and saltfish” (Jamaica’s national dish), served with plantains and fried dumplings. But for dinner, opt for the curry goat and stewed ox-tail with rice and peas.
The Blue Brews Bistro at Holywell, a park within the Jamaica Blue Mountains, is the newest restaurant on this gastronomy trail and one to watch. They serve breakfast food all day long and make a divine chai latte.
Learn About Jamaica’s Indigenous people
Photo: africa924/Shutterstock
The Blue Mountains in Jamaica are home to the Windward Maroons, descendants of enslaved Africans who ran away from plantations in the 17th to 19th centuries. They made the rugged mountains their home to avoid recapture. Over time, the Maroons developed a distinct community and culture with their own unique language, cuisine, and laws. To this day, these Maroon communities exist as self-governing sovereignties within the country.
Jamaican Maroons are very proud of their heritage and welcoming of tourists, but reservations are required. Most tour operators can arrange tours to the Windward Maroon communities of Scott’s Hall, Moore Town, Charles Town, and Bowden Pen. Moore Town is the most-visited Maroon community, perhaps because the tour begins at a museum and ends with a roughly one-mile hike to the stunning Nanny Waterfall. Charles Town also has a museum and courtyard where visitors can learn about traditional drumming and dance.
Get lost in a high-elevation botanical garden
Photo: Romaine W/Shutterstock
The Cinchona Botanical Gardens holds the title of the highest botanical garden in the western hemisphere. It’s in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica and named after the cinchona trees, which were planted there to make a medication to treat malaria. But the disease has long been eradicated from Jamaica, so the garden is no longer as well maintained.
However, it’s still worth visiting as it offers spectacular views and the chance to spot endemic birds and plants, including several colorful Jamaican wild orchids. Park entry is free; however, you’ll either need a four-wheel-drive vehicle that can handle the rough road, or reach the park via a three-mile hike from Content Gap (a high-elevation pass in Saint Andrew Parish).
Camp Under the stars at Holywell
A cabin at Holywell Park. Photo: Rochelle Knight
Holywell Park Jamaica
Holywell is a family-friendly park inside the more expansive Jamaica Blue Mountains national park. It has five nature trails, a picnic area, barbecue facilities, three cabins, and a campground. The cabins are popular, so it’s usually necessary to make reservations a few weeks ahead, but campsites are usually available last-minute. And if you don’t have a tent, you can rent one from the park for as low as $15.
From Holywell, visitors can admire the beautiful Milky Way above and the city lights of Kingston below after sunset. It’s one of the few places in Jamaica that gets cold enough for a campfire and roasting s’mores, so bring an extra layer if you’re planning to spend the night. And consider waking up early to go birdwatching: all of Jamaica’s 30 endemic bird species have been spotted at Holywell. The best chance for spotting the birds is on the nature trails, which range in intensity from gentle to moderate, with distances ranging from a quarter-mile to just under one mile.
Visit a Rastafarian village
Photo: Craig F Scott/Shutterstock
Rastafari is an Afrocentric religion and social movement that began in Jamaica during the 1930s. Adherents are called Rastafarians and easily recognized by their dreadlocked hair. Rastafarians often lead a simple life closely intertwined with nature, and many secluded areas across Jamaica are home to Rasta communities.
Guests who want to learn more about Rastafarianism can visit a village on the outskirts of Irish Town in the Jamaica Blue Mountains. Getting there requires a .4-mile hike through lush coffee plantations with panoramic hillside views. At the village, locals are happy to teach their culture and traditions to visitors. The community offers tours.
Guests are allowed to participate in sabbath worship ceremonies, including Nyabinghi chanting, drumming, and smoking marijuana through pipes. They also offer tutorials on farming, woodcarving, Nyabinghi drumming, and crochet, plus tours to explore the surrounding mountains and coffee plantations. For a more immersive experience, book a room in the School of Vision Guesthouse to enjoy the Rasta organic vegan diet known as “ital food.” The host’s Airbnb listing has details on the various activities available and who to contact to book them.
Cycle through the Blue Mountains
Visitors can take a cycle tour through the Blue Mountains in Jamaica, passing rural towns and waterfalls along the way. Photo: Debbie Ann Powell/Shutterstock
If you don’t have much time but want to see as much of the Blue Mountains in Jamaica as possible, consider taking a cycling tour with Blue Mountain Tours. The ride is downhill and lasts for around three hours, covering anywhere between nine to 12 miles through the lush countryside. Prices include pick up from most hotels plus lunch.
Travelers who would like to be even more active while exploring the Blue Mountains in Jamaica can opt for a waterfall/hike/bike combination tour, or book a private tour to have more control over the distance (and difficulty) of the ride.
This Advent Calendar Is the Perfect Way To Stock Up on All Your Travel-Size Beauty Products
Let’s not beat around the bush. Almost $300 for a beauty advent calendar — or any advent calendar — is eyebrow-raising, to say the least.
A few months ago I rang my sister with a preface note stating the topic of the call would be “Is a beauty advent calendar worth the price tag?” After debate, we concluded nope. We did so on the grounds that our skincare routine is pretty well set, and if we did like a product the likely hood of us being able to afford it again would be slim. She’s always correct, but the conversation left me feeling flat.
For a long time, I’ve thought about the excitement of opening the doors of a beauty advent calendar and finding high-end beauty products which, come Christmas, would add a little sparkle to my complexion. So this year I decided to test out one of the most sought-after calendars on the market — NET-A-PORTER’S “25 Days of Beauty”.
Photo: NET-A-PORTER
The product dropped last month and contains many cult classics and bestsellers in skincare, haircare, body care, and makeup.
As I opened the drawers — all at once I should add — it crossed my mind that this collection of beauty essentials could be perfect for traveling. Many are TSA approved in size and others, such as Balmain’s hair gloss and perfume could really pep up special occasion vacation hair. The skincare alone could be grouped for an in-flight facial, and although the eyeshadow and lip are a tad glam for my taste, I’d consider wearing them on a night out in a new city.
So although the price is substantial, I pose treating yourself this holiday season. Keep in mind you will be saving hundreds if not thousands as these products, bought alone, would cost significantly more.
Spoiler alert: Here’s a run down of some of my favorite products and how they will make the most exciting vacation beauty bag.
NET-A-PORTER’S beauty advent calendar gifts
Photo: NET-A-PORTER
Dr Barbara Sturm — The Good C Vitamin C SerumThis Vitamin C serum uses zinc as a booster to transport the vitamins to balance out and support your complexion. It’s creamy in consistency, a little goes a long way, and after a few applications my skin is brighter and the pigmentation has evened out.
Balmain Paris Hair Couture — Silk Hair PerfumeThe hair perfume is 200ml, so it’s not suitable for a carry-on, but it’s worth checking a bag for. The fragrance is fresh and it leaves hair soft and shiny. It actually doubles up as a leave-in conditioner and contains silk proteins infused with pure organic argan oil.
Dr. Barbara Sturm — Anti-Aging Body CreamSturm’s body cream is one of the few products in the calendar that I think you’d need to invest in and use over a long period of time to see an anti-aging effect, but it’s small enough to take on a flight and leaves skin supple. The cream is super rich, so it’s perfect for elbows and knees especially if you spend time in air conditioning or dry, cold conditions.
Omorovicza — Balancing MoisturizerPerfect for summer, Omorovicza’s Balancing Moisturizer is lightweight and suitable for most skin types. It also smells amazing. I have sensitive skin, especially around my eyes, and normally avoid fragranced creams, but I’ve experienced no irritation. It’s also very rich, yet cooling. Because of this (and because I prefer a high SPF during the day), I’ve started using this as a night cream.
This Works — Deep Sleep Pillow SprayI’ve been dreaming about this spray for quite some time. When I opened the drawer to find it tucked into the stylish black spaghetti of tissue paper, I was overjoyed. Spray this little beauty on your travel neck pillow and you’ll be nodding off in seconds (and smelling of soothing lavender.)
Photo: NET-A-PORTER
FaceGym — Multi-Sculpt High-Performance Gua ShaFaceGym‘s sculpting tool looks simple but after exercising my face for only one week, I can see a remarkable difference. It’s made from medical-grade stainless steel and instantly lifts, tones, and brightens the face. I recommend popping it in the fridge overnight because the cooling effect works wonders on under-eye puffiness. Another perfect product for post-flight.
Surratt Beauty — Relevée Lash CurlerSleek, strong, and very well made, the Relevée Lash Curler comes in a handy travel pouch and will elevate your make-up bag. It’s won lots of awards, is Japanese-made, and curls lashes with zero breakage or harm.
Venn — Vitamin B Activated All-In-One ConcentrateThis Vitamin B concentrate will not change your skin overnight — but it’s a really neat product. No doubt you’ve been using Vitamin C for some time, but adding B to your routine can be a game-changer. It’s a multi-correctional cream that, over time, works to strengthen the barrier of your skin with 11 amino acids.
Senteurs D’Orient — Amber Ma’amoul SoapAmber is one of my favorite scents and wow is this soup luxurious. Would I take it on vacation? Probably not, I’ll be keeping this product for my bathroom at home. Senteurs D’Orient’s soaps are hand sculpted in Lebanon. Each individual piece is unique and made with love. A perfect gift for a friend this festive season.
Photo: NET-A-PORTER
Aromatherapy Associates — Deep Relax Roller BallInstantly calming this rich aromatherapy oil is ideal for those who find flying anxiety-inducing. I love the size, it’s smaller than a tube of mascara, and the roller ball means you get a perfect distribution of oil on your pressure points. This is a product I’d purchase in the future.
Cereja — Cherry and Spice Scented CandleOk, so again, you’d probably not take this cute cherry candle on vacation, but it will be waiting to welcome you home. It comes in an adorable red pouch and wow does it pack a punch. Even un-lit, it fills the room with a warm, cheery seasonal scent.
Costa Brazil — Lua Moonlight Body OilLua Moonlight Body Oil smells like the beach and looks great on tanned skin. Its pigments are highlighting, so I’ve been using this on my shoulders for an added healthy glow. It’s non-greasy and is a blend of moisturizing babassu and brazil nut oil. A coastal vacation essential.
Augustinus Bader — The Face OilThere was always going to be one product that I fell in love with and that my future bank balance would not. Augustinus Bader face oil will now be added to my daily skin-care regime. It’s rich, without being heavy. It’s fragranced but does not irritate. And it instantly leaves my skin feeling supple and hydrated. The oil is perfect to use in combination with the FaceGym sculpting tool to reduce inflammation and give your face a quick pick-me-up.
Made in Germany: 5 Places To Pick Up Handcrafted Items, From Street Food To Souvenirs
Handcrafted items have long been produced in Germany. Skilled artisans create wares such as musical instruments, figurines, fashion, jewelry, and of course food and drink (think beer and wine). The “Made in Germany” label still carries weight today, and to travel across the country is to discover small workshops and family-run ateliers as well as sprawling factory complexes and world-renowned businesses that have been operating for a century or more.
Come hungry, thirsty, and with room in your suitcase for souvenirs, because you’ll want to sample all of these handmade goodies on your trip to Germany.
1. The magic of Moravian Stars in Saxony
Demonstration workshop at the Moravian Stars Manufactory. Photo: Jan Gutzeit
The town of Herrnhut in Saxony was founded by Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf and Protestant refugees from Moravia — which explains the English translation of the name: “under the care of the Lord” or “care for the Lord.” They went on to become the most successful of all Protestant missionaries, traveling to places as far away as Greenland and Guyana and founding settlements in Pennsylvania. Their children stayed behind and were taught in local boarding schools.
To comfort the children — and as an exercise in geometry — a mathematics teacher showed them how to make Christmas stars. This practice developed into a tradition that continues today, albeit based on a 19th-century technique developed by Dutch-born Pieter Hendrik Verbeek, whereby the stars can be disassembled and shipped easily via a metal frame that holds the pointed paper elements together. Visitors to the town can tour the original factory and learn about the history of these curious Moravian Stars, see how they’re made, and even try their hands at crafting their own.
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2. Bountiful brews in Bayreuth
Liebesbier Beer Garden at Maisel & Friends Bayreuth. Photo: Maisel & Friends Bayreuth
Bayreuth is often held up as Franconia’s main metropolis of culture and indulgence. But its allure extends beyond the vibrant cultural life to a culinary scene that celebrates regional produce, artisanship, and sustainability. The region has an inordinate number of bakeries, confectioneries (pralines and marzipan are specialties), butchers, and breweries (around 200 produce more than 1,000 types of beer), many of which are family run. Look for the “Original Regional” label, an independent mark of quality for the area.
For an insight into Franconian brewing, visit Maisel’s Bier-Erlebnis-Welt (Maisel’s Beer World), whose massive venue includes a brewing lab where you can experience the craft-brewing process — from malt mill and brewhouse to the fermenting cellar and wood-barrel aging. Guests can also check out the historic museum — one of the most extensive beer museums in the world — plus the neighboring restaurant and beer garden.
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3. Street food paradise in Berlin
Street food at Markthalle Neun. Photo: Dagmar Schwelle/visitBerlin
Germany’s capital features a dazzling range of dining options and impresses with multicultural street food spots and pop-ups, well-heeled Michelin-starred dining experiences, and everything in between. One of the best places to enjoy the city’s ever-evolving street food culture is Kreuzberg’s Markthalle Neun, a 19th-century market hall transformed in 2011 into a local market selling regional and German products (seafood from the Baltic coast, for example, as well as local beers and meat products), accompanied by stalls hawking delicious ethno-cuisine treats from Italy and India, Mexico and Sri Lanka.
Over in Moabit, the equally historic Arminius Markthalle has also picked up on the trend. Here you’ll find traditional Fischbroetchen and deli goods alongside Anatolian-Mediterranean delicacies, British-style fish and chips, and pulled pork and beef brisket from the Pignut BBQ.
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4. Souvenir-ready handicrafts in Regensburg
Traditional crafts in the modern UNESCO World Heritage Site of Regensburg.
Photo: Regensburg Tourismus GmbH
Regensburg — famously described as “one of the most beautiful cities in the world” by renowned architect Sir Norman Foster — was founded by the Romans back in 179 AD. In the long centuries since, numerous skilled trades have been preserved, which now sit alongside new and more recently established crafts. Wandering the city’s enduring cobbled streets, you’ll find an abundance of shops with craftsmanship on display, including those selling handmade violins, hand-dipped candles, and artfully crafted jewelry.
An especially notable example is the local milliner, Hutkoenig (hat king), who has made hats for illustrious figures from Queen Elizabeth II to Pope Benedict XVI. You’ll also find artisanal food products, including many at the Wurst & Bier store. And if you want to go deeper into the world of handicrafts, check out the dedicated walking tour via the local tourist board, during which participants get the opportunity to brew their own beer, try their hand at producing their own sausages, or take a pottery course.
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5. Sparkling wine in Wiesbaden
Henkell Freixenet sparkling wine. Photo: Florian Trykowski/ Hessen Agentur GmbH
Wine aficionados are in for a sparkling treat in Wiesbaden. Henkell Freixenet, one of the world’s leading producers of the bubbly drink, has been operating in the city since 1909 and today exports its products to more than 150 countries. The company offers sekt, cava, prosecco, champagne, and crémant in addition to wines and spirits, including sub-brands such as Mionetto Prosecco, Fürst von Metternich, Mía, Mederaño, i heart WINES, Mangaroca Batida de Côco, and Wodka Gorbatschow.
Established after the Mainz wine merchant Adam Henkell discovered the fine art of champagne-making in France and found a way to successfully manage the “marriage” of cuvée and German cellar-mastery, Henkell Freixenet began selling sparkling wine as early as 1856. The company’s original building, dating from 1832, can be visited today, and guests can take a guided tour to see the grand cellar and magnificent marble hall (which now hosts glittering balls and cultural events), and, of course, taste some of the delicious products.
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We’re only scratching the surface of German craft on this page, of course. For more, peruse the listings from the German National Tourist Board.
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