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Published on October 14, 2022 09:11

River Floats, Historic Music Venues, and Hot Chicken: the Best Things To Do in Nashville

When it comes to a good time, Music City ain’t no slouch. The vibrant, energetic city dances to its own tune, and between its country music history, exploding food scene, and thriving art culture, the only thing travelers have to worry about is fitting it all in. So check out this guide on what to do in Nashville to ensure first-time travelers are well-fed, well-entertained, and ready to book their next trip back.

Best outdoor things to do in Nashville Best music-related things to do in Nashville Best cultural and art activities in Nashville Best restaurant and food experiences in Nashville Best touristy things to do in NashvilleThe best outdoor things to do in Nashville Radnor lake nashville

Photo: Shania Mauldin Hansen/Shutterstock

Nestled in the verdant hills of middle Tennessee, Nashville is well-outfitted with green spaces and parks perfect for outdoor exploration – take a hike, go for a swim, or fit in a quick morning paddle.

Float the Harpeth

Nashville is a river city, which means it’s surrounded by an enticing network of waterways big and small. And one of the best things to do in Nashville is to seize the (sunny) day and head to Kingston Springs to embark on a relaxing float down the peaceful Harpeth River. Snag a kayak or canoe from Foggy Bottom Canoe and Kayak, only about half an hour from downtown, and spend the afternoon lounging on the water, Tennessee-style.

Hit the trails nashville park hiking trail

Photo: Abaseen Afghan/Shutterstock

Hikers will delight in the number of hiking options within an hour of downtown. In Nashville proper, check out the hills and gullies of Percy and Edwin Warner Parks, two adjacent reserves totaling over 3,000 acres and containing more than 60 miles of trail through old-growth forests.

Visitors with a car will find heading to one of the nearby state parks some of the best things to do in Nashville. Long Hunter State Park, Bledsoe Creek State Park, and Radnor Lake State Park are some of the most beautiful, to name just a few.

Best music-related things to do

Nashville isn’t nicknamed Music City for nothing. While it’s best known for its country music heritage, this city’s music scene welcomes all genres with open arms, and high-quality live music is plentiful.

Ryman Auditorium things to do in nashville - ryman auditorium

Photo: Nashville Convention and Visitor Corp./Grace Boto

No visit is complete without a pilgrimage to the Mother Church of Country Music, the Ryman Auditorium. Considered the city’s best (and most beautiful) venue, this historic stage has welcomed icons like Harry Houdini, B. B. King, Johnny Cash, and Patsy Cline, and it was the original home to the Grand Ole Opry. While the Opry has since moved to a different location, the Ryman continues to function as an important concert hub for contemporary artists. Can’t catch a show? Taking the excellent tour is one of the best things to do in Nashville during a first visit to learn about the venue’s legacy.

Basement East basement east nashville music venue

Affectionately known as the Beast, the Basement East is the place to go for alternative music – its intimate stage brings the audience right into the action, and the convenient East Nashville location makes it a great jumping-off point for exploring the neighborhood after the show.

The venue was blown apart in the 2020 tornado but has since made an unbelievable comeback, so attending a show here is a nod to the perseverance of its staff and local music supporters.

National Museum of African American Music

Photo: Nashville Convention and Visitor Corp./353 Media Group

African American music is the blueprint for all American music, and lucky for visitors, Nashville is home to a top-tier museum dedicated to the topic. The National Museum of African American Music celebrates Black music in all its varied forms – gospel, jazz, blues, rock, hip hop, and more – and it’s an essential stop for any music lover.

Best culture and art things to do

Nashville is a city of creatives. In addition to its beloved music venues, visitors will find theater and dance halls, art galleries, museums, and tons of cultural events.

Frist Art Museum things to do in nashville - frist art gallery

Photo: Nashville Convention and Visitor Corp./John Schweikert

Housed in a striking Art Deco building that was originally a post office, the Frist Art Museum showcases a wide range of work from local and international artists. Past exhibitions have included everything from medieval European textbooks to Indigenous American fashion to contemporary Cuban art. Be sure to check the event calendar to find unique things to do in Nashville as the museum regularly hosts artist demonstrations, tours, and exhibition opening parties.

Tennessee Performing Arts Center things to do in nashville - performing arts center

Photo: Nashville Convention and Visitor Corp./Rick McBride

The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) is the city’s premiere performing arts venue, home to the Nashville Ballet, the Nashville Opera, and the Nashville Repertory Theater. Catch a resident show or one of the many traveling Broadway productions hosted at TPAC. Be sure to get tickets as soon as possible as the A-list shows can sell out quickly.

Nashville’s Art Crawls

There’s no better way to get a feel for Nashville’s local arts scene than to attend one of the art crawls on the first Saturday of each month. The First Saturday Art Crawl winds through the downtown galleries, while the WeHo Art Crawl takes visitors through one of Nashville’s most exciting art neighborhoods.

Best restaurant and food experiences in Nashville

When it comes to food, Nashville doesn’t mess around. Home to everything from delicious down-home restaurants to James Beard award winners, visitors will find great eats at every price point.

Prince’s Hot Chicken princes. hot chicken - things to do and places to eat in nashville

To get a taste of Nashville’s famous hot chicken, there’s no better place to go than the original – Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack. Diners can take it easy on the spice, or test their mettle with the XXX Hot option. And be sure to ask about the legend of how the hot chicken craze began; it’s an intriguing tale of love, revenge, and entrepreneurship.

Barcelona Wine Bar things to do in nashville - wine bar

Photo: Barcelona Wine Bar

Specializing in authentic Spanish tapas available at a range of price points, a visit to Barcelona Wine Bar is one of the best things to do in Nashville for food-focused first-timers. The popular spot has it all: great food, an excellent wine list, and an ambiance that turns a simple dinner into a true night out.

Try to grab a seat at the marble-topped bar for an interactive dining experience with the excellent bartenders, or opt for a later reservation to catch the moment when the staff breaks out the porrón (traditional wine pitcher) for patrons.Bastion bastion restaurant - things to do in nashville

bastion restaurant - things to do in nashville

Photo: Nashville Convention and Visitor Corp./Danielle Atkins

A relative newcomer to the Nashville food scene, high-end Bastion has been knocking the socks off foodies looking for an out-of-body-good restaurant experience. Hidden inside the wall of the establishment’s more casual bar, the 24-seat restaurant serves up truly revelatory courses, each one explained in detail by the chefs themselves. For an unforgettable Nashville meal, this is the place.

Best tourist attractions in Nashville

Want to visit some classic attractions that represent the best of Music City? Here are the best bets.

Country Music Hall of Fame rca studio - things to do in nashville

Country music is a huge part of what makes Nashville, well, Nashville, and the Country Music Hall of Fame is the perfect place to learn about all things honky tonk. This impressive museum highlights the work of country greats and also serves as a venue for a resident artist series.

Even non-country music fans will appreciate one of the most classic things to do in Nashville: a tour of the historic RCA studio on Music Row, where Dolly Parton recorded “I Will Always Love You” and Elvis Presley recorded “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”

Robert’s Western World things to do in nashville - western world

Broadway has a lot of honky tonks to choose from, but the most authentic one is Robert’s Western World. This narrow bar and short-order grill features a small stage and dance floor frequented by true country die-hards; visitors who stand too close should expect to get pulled into the boot-scootin’. Get there early to snag a seat and a fried bologna sandwich, and be ready for all the lively tunes expected in a Nashville honky tonk.

Tennessee State Museum things to do in nashville - tennessee state museum

Opened in 2018, the Tennessee State Museum presents a fresh look at the Volunteer State’s history. While it treads familiar ground, covering the natural history, Civil War, and the development of modern Tennessee, it takes special care to cover the Indigenous history and Black history of the state – stories all too often missing from museum narratives. The rotating exhibitions here cover art, food, and music, too, so be sure to check the calendar for special events.

Best festivals and street fairs

Nashville hosts some sort of festival nearly every weekend, so visitors are likely to stumble upon one no matter when they visit. Here are some favorites that keep locals and visitors alike coming back year after year.

Live on the Green live on the green nashville

Photo: Nashville Convention and Visitor Corp./Brendan Donohue

Hosted by Lightning 100, Nashville’s long-running independent radio station, Live on the Green spotlights the city’s unique music culture. Held downtown in Public Square Park, this home-grown music extravaganza happens at the start of September and features both established and upcoming rock, alt, and Americana artists. Attending is one of the most popular things to do in Nashville for locals and visitors alike.

Tomato Arts Fest

Nashville’s quirkiest community happening is undoubtedly the Tomato Arts Fest, an all-out celebration of the South’s favorite vegetable (or fruit, depending on the source). Attendees will don the most flamboyant, tomato-themed garb available for the morning parade and stay all day for bloody mary contests, craft markets, concerts, and, yes, tomato stands. Tomato Arts Fest happens annually in mid-August.

Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival

Celebrate Nashville is an homage to the diverse cultures that make this growing city as vibrant as it is. The October festival features traditional and modern dance performances, concerts, a craft fair, and a mouthwatering food court with dishes from around the world.

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Published on October 14, 2022 08:35

Want To Make the Most of a Trip To Spain? Speaking Euskara or Castilian Would Help

Spain is an odd fellow. Where Portugal — its western neighbor — is solidly monolingual save for a handful of remote villages, and France’s once-thriving linguistic landscape has all but faded into oblivion, Spain treasures an impressively vibrant language diversity.

Today, two in ten Spaniards speak a language other than Spanish at home. Quite an accomplishment keeping in mind that, from 1939 to 1975, the military dictatorship led by General Franco banned languages like Galician, Basque, Asturian, or Catalan. The country underwent a crackdown on linguistic diversity so severe that people were forced to legally change their first and last names to their Castilian language equivalent. During those years, informal teaching networks sprouted in places like Catalonia or the Basque countries to keep literacy in Catalan and Euskara alive.

Fear not, this is not to say that your high-school level Spanish won’t get you a long way during your visit, as almost 99 percent of Spaniards can speak Spanish. But you’d be well advised to get acquainted with the languages of Spain before you visit.

The author

Marcos Bartolomé has lived in Barcelona for less than two years. However, he is already a fluent Catalan speaker as he taught himself the language before moving to Catalonia through music lyrics and the Catalan public broadcaster’s satirical TV shows. As a native Asturian, he is an ardent champion of linguistic minorities. He has conducted research on the Moroccan project to revitalize the Tamazight language at Georgetown University, where he graduated with a Master’s in Arab Studies, and has been a Spanish teacher at a public high school on the French East African island of Mayotte. He is acquainted with seven languages and is at his most polyglot after a couple of vermouths.

How many languages are spoken in Spain in total?What are the official languages in Spain?Which of Spain’s languages could soon obtain official status?Which languages in Spain are far from official recognition?How many languages are spoken in Spain in total? Sign in the Basque country written in three languages: English, Basque or Euskara, and Castillan or Spanish

Sign in the Basque country written in three languages: English, Basque or Euskara, and Castillan or Spanish

Photo: username/Shutterstock

Trying to estimate the number of languages spoken in Spain can easily land you in dire straits. Around the time the Iberian Kingdom joined the European Union in 1986, the economic bonanza led cities like Barcelona, Alicante, or Madrid to turn into international hubs.

As more and more migrants from Latin America, Europe, and Africa relocated to Spain in quest of economic prosperity or mild winters, the country became a Tower of Babel in its own right, with dozens and dozens of languages adding to the ones that had been spoken in the country until then. Resort towns by the seaside often have their own radio station in English or German, as Spain is home to hundreds of thousands of English and German retired foreign nationals. The same holds true for Chinese, Romanian or Bulgarian nationals, whose languages can easily be heard across the country. Hence, today’s linguistic diversity in Spain is no longer confined to its indigenous tongues.

Then, how to start counting the languages spoken in the country? Looking at the languages that enjoy an official status is a good starting point.

What are the official languages in Spain?

Spanish is the only official language across the country. Additionally, five out of Spain’s 19 regions have a co-official language other than Spanish:

Catalan in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Region (where the language is dubbed Valencian)Basque or Euskara in the Basque Country and NavarreGalician in GaliciaAranese — a variety of Occitan spoken in the Catalan sub-region of Val d’Aran — became the third official language of Catalonia in 2010

All but one of these five official languages evolved from Vulgar Latin, which makes them close relatives and fairly easy to learn for anyone who already speaks a Romance language, such as French, Italian, and Portuguese. Make no mistake, though: As much as these languages might resemble Castilian Spanish, they didn’t evolve from it. Galician, for instance, was one with Portuguese during Medieval times before they parted ways and became distinct languages. Basque, however, is an outlier. Often referred to as “the oldest living language in Europe”, Euskara is officially a language isolate, a one-of-a-kind speech unrelated to any other. Its origins are to this day shrouded in mystery.

Which of Spain’s languages could soon obtain official status?

Unfortunately, not all of Spain’s indigenous languages enjoy the same political recognition. In the lush, mountainous northernmost tip of Spain, many Asturians are fighting for their language to become the country’s sixth officially recognized language. Ironically, the Asturian tongue has been officially recognized as far from its cradle as Portugal. In 1999, the national Parliament passed a law to protect the linguistic rights of the inhabitants of Miranda do Douro — where a handful of thousands still speak Asturian (locally dubbed mirandés). In Aragon, just south of the Pyrenees, a similar — if less heated — campaign around official recognition is taking place. There, Aragonese too is enjoying a revival.

Both Asturian and Aragonese are Romance languages born a thousand years ago at roughly the same time as Spanish, Catalan, and Galician-Portuguese. Although the constitutions of Asturias and Aragon feature provisions mandating the promotion of their respective languages, both texts fall short of granting them official status alongside Castilian Spanish. Activists are urging politicians to implement provisions so these languages make strides into the education system, the media, and the administration. Otherwise, they fear, Asturian and Aragonese might simply die out. After all, a language spoken by less than a million people and with a scarce internet presence has no fighting chance against Spanish, a global speech spoken by more than 500 million.

Which languages in Spain are far from official recognition?

If Asturian and Aragonese are at a sink-or-swim moment, three other Spanish languages face an even bleaker legal situation. They are Caló, Darija, and Tarifit.

Caló is the creole language spoken in the Iberian peninsula by thousands of formerly nomadic Roma people.Darija is the version of Arabic spoken by people in the Maghreb, including a sizable share of families in the two Spanish North African cities of Ceuta and Melilla, where its presence is centenary. Owing to the large influx of Moroccans to Spain, this language can now be heard almost anywhere in Spain. Tarifit, is a member of the Afroasiatic family. Mostly confined to the Spanish African city of Melilla, Tarifit is the language of the indigenous Amazigh people of the Rif mountains, which encircle Melilla.

These three languages have a common trait, they are not protected under the European Charter for Minority Languages, hence can be considered neglected by the Spanish state. Unlike Asturian and Aragonese, none of Spain’s 19 regional Constitutions ever mentions them. In the case of Caló, the discrimination is glaring. As the Roma people have traditionally been on the move, no region has claimed this language as its own. Additionally, this community has undergone centuries of institutionalized racial oppression to our day, which leaves speakers to their own devices. In the case of Darija and Tarifit, rather than being considered traditional Spanish languages, their presence on national soil is casted as the result of migration.

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Published on October 14, 2022 06:00

These Airbnbs in Cincinnati Give You Easy Access To Downtown and the Entire City

Famed for its breweries and moreish chili, you could easily spend a long weekend sampling the best brews and bites while stadium-hopping in Cincinnati, Ohio. Downtown throngs with museums, galleries, and markets, with riverside paths and vast parklands making it a doddle to hit your daily steps quota. Cincinnati’s accommodation scene has exploded with fashionable lofts and unique stays. Here are the best Airbnbs in Cincinnati, Ohio, that place you moments from Cincy’s best sights.

Matador’s guides to the best of Airbnb Categories:10 Remote, Off-The-Grid Airbnbs Where You Can Get Away From It All The 11 Most Beautiful Converted Churches You Can Stay in Around the World on Airbnb Airbnb Just Made Windmills a Category, and These 9 Have Us Planning a Trip Airbnb Now Has a Towers Category. These 9 Will Climb Your Bucket List Airbnb Launched a Tiny Homes Category, and We’re Already Planning Trips Around These 11 11 Properties in Airbnb’s New OMG! Category You Won’t Believe Are Real

We hope you love the Airbnb Cincinnati 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.

One-of-kind and mansion Airbnbs in Cincinnati Airbnbs in downtown Cincinnati East Walnut Hills Airbnbs in Cincinnati Mount Adams and East Cincinnati AirbnbsOne-of-kind and mansion Airbnbs in CincinnatiThe Swing House

Photo: Airbnb

Conceived for the young at heart, the “Swing House” Airbnb in Cincinnati, Ohio, features a whimsical swing in the center of the space. This free-standing townhouse was remodeled to create a bespoke layout with most floors and walls removed and the absence of conventional interior design. In keeping with the theme, all furnishings float – or appear to. Meanwhile, the basement exhibits materials salvaged from the renovation. Kitchen amenities are basic but the backyard is perfect for al fresco picnic dinners.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $236 per night

Extraordinary historical church rehab near TQL/OTR

Photo: Airbnb

This 19th-century church in Over-the-Rhine was beautifully reimagined as one of the most unforgettable downtown Cincinnati Airbnb vacation rentals. What was once the nave is now an open-concept living area with original cathedral windows complete with stained glass. A modern kitchen unit alongside three sophisticated bathrooms adds practicality while bedrooms are dressed with contemporary linens and homely touches.

Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $1,199 per night

Unique 1917 mansion with outdoor pool on 6 acres

Photo: Airbnb

Constructed in 1917, this gleaming property has hosted Eisenhower, FDR, and the King of Belgium in its time. But now, it’s your turn to call this Cincinnati Airbnb mansion with a pool your home away from home. Highlights of the manor include the wood-paneled sitting room and the library. Scrub up in the bath with views over the estate or retreat with a book to the vintage claw-foot tub. Outdoors, you’ll find the private pool with a waterslide and a tennis court.

Sixteen guests, nine bedrooms
Price: $899 per night

Airbnbs in downtown CincinnatiThe Lounge – walk to OTR, Reds Stadium!

Photo: Airbnb

This swanky loft Airbnb in downtown Cincinnati is stylishly appointed with sumptuous leather couches, elegant tilework, and ambient lighting. Of the two bathrooms, one comes with a double shower while the second has a deluxe tub. In addition to two queen bedrooms, extra guests are welcome to kip on the sofas. Located right in the middle of the city, there’s zero need to drive.

Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $147 per night

Uptown Monkeys

Photo: Airbnb

Rigged for sociable groups, this pet-friendly Airbnb in Cincinnati features a cozy lounge plus a private roof terrace with ample seating. While the kitchen is stocked with just about every tool you could possibly need, the wet bar makes it even easier to put on a cocktail evening at Uptown Monkeys.

Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $320 per night

All-in-one resort-style vacation with a pool

Photo: Airbnb

Live the highlife at this resort-style Airbnb in Cincinnati with a pool, hot tub, and games room shared between guests. The condo comes with a full kitchen and bathroom plus a mezzanine bedroom that adds a sense of space. As the communal facilities are indoors, you’ll have access across all four seasons. This Beaux Arts condo block is sited right in the midst of downtown a short stroll from the riverside.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $247 per night

East Walnut Hills Airbnbs in CincinnatiLuxury home seven mins from downtown with a hot tub

Photo: Airbnb

Located in the mellow East Walnut Hills, this Airbnb in Cincinnati with a hot tub is less than 10 minutes to downtown with Uber. Spread over two levels, the property offers spacious rooms, a gourmet kitchen, and luxurious bathrooms. The expansive backyard was recently updated with the addition of the six-person hot tub and an atmospheric fire pit.

Twelve guests, four bedrooms
Price: $336 per night

Convenient Cincy boho

Photo: Airbnb

An alternative East Walnut Hills rental, this Cincinnati Airbnb with a hot tub is perfect for larger groups. Despite its central location, the townhouse calls to mind a rustic farmhouse through its warm colors, satisfying textures, and woody finishes. A vintage vinyl player adds a nostalgic touch for evening suppers. With its fire pit, hot tub, and games garage, the backyard is the star of the property.

Sixteen guests, six bedrooms
Price: $495 per night

Mount Adams and East Cincinnati AirbnbsMount Adams hideaway

Photo: Airbnb

Sublimely turned out, this pet-friendly Airbnb in Cincinnati overspills across multiple balconies before culminating in an epic sun terrace. Historic Mount Adams fuses the convenience of downtown with picturesque views and lush green spaces where you – and your four-legged friends – can wake up with a morning stroll. Sink into either of the two lounges to plot out your time in Queen City and unwind after a day of exploring.

Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $590 per night

Safe, clean, spacious – rooftop deck/on-site parking

Photo: Airbnb

This pet-friendly Cincinnati Airbnb consists of two comfortable double bedrooms with a cheerful little kitchen overlooking the lounge. Opening out onto a private rooftop patio, you will find a dining zone, grill, and hammock catering to every need. Perfect for a couple seeking extra space or for a small group.

Seven guests, two bedrooms
Price: $183 per night

Beautiful, large, and private home

Photo: Airbnb

Escape to the leafy suburbs east of downtown at this Airbnb in Cincinnati with a pool and creek access. Ideal for families, the home consists of generously proportioned bedrooms and communal areas. Head out to the converted garage where you’ll find a drum kit and mini gym. Elsewhere, the billiards table and a stack of board games are sure to keep boredom at bay on a rainy day.

Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $550 per night

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Fuji Instax Mini VTech KidiZoom Camera Pix (age 3+)VTech — KidiZoom Creator Cam (age 5+)Sony DSC-W830 Olympus Tough Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 OIEXI 4k digital camera DJI OM 5 Smartphone Stabilizer GoPro Hero7 AKASO EK7000 DJI Mini SE Drocon Ninja RC Drone

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Published on October 14, 2022 06:00

The Best Cameras for Kids: Digital, Instant, and Waterproof

Kids have a way of looking at the world that can bring back the wonder in even the most cynical adult. They stop and smell the roses or lay in the grass looking at the clouds, seeing shapes and animals. They find cool spots to play hide and seek or make-believe. Put a camera in their hand and all that creativity combined with their low vantage point, can make for some fascinating photography.

Giving them a tool to capture memories from such a special and fleeting time in their lives is as much a gift for them as it is for you. Here are some options that will help encourage their new hobby without breaking the bank, whether they are in kindergarten or heading for college soon.

Ultimately, the best camera is the one that gets used so think about what your child likes to photograph and how tech-savvy they are in order to give them the best camera for kids to help them create great images and record their lives. If you have a very young child or one that is very active, you’ll want something simple and durable that is fun and easy to use. As they get older and hone those fine motor skills and learn how to take good care of their things, a more advanced camera can really help push their creativity.

We hope you love the cameras for kids we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Fuji Instax Mini

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For $80, watch their eyes light up as a photo develops right in their hand. The Fuji Instax Mini comes in several colors and is very easy to use. Don’t forget to buy the sheets (less than $1 per sheet). They come in packs of 10 with various designs on the frames or you can get a pack of 60 so they won’t run out too quickly.

VTech KidiZoom Camera Pix (age 3+)

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The VTech KidiZoom Camera Pix (age 3+) is only $44.99 and perfect for small hands. There’s an LCD screen and even a few games to entertain them when they aren’t snapping away. It comes in two colors and is the perfect introduction to digital photography.

VTech — KidiZoom Creator Cam (age 5+)

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If your little one also likes being in front of the camera and taking videos, then check out the VTech — KidiZoom® Creator Cam (age 5+) (starting at 40.50). It has a flip-up lens for selfies and a table-top tripod that can double as a handle.

Sony DSC-W830

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Want a little more pixel power? The Canon Power Shot ELPH ($239) has a 20.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor and a 12x optical zoom with image stabilization which will help ensure better results. But for even better value, check out the Sony DSC-W830 ($164.99) with a similar sensor size and 8x optical zoom.

Olympus Tough

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If you worry about a camera being dropped or caught in the rain, or your kid loves to spend time on the beach and in the water, look at getting a waterproof compact camera like the Olympus Tough ($499). This is perfect to explore the world no matter the conditions on land and underwater, whether in a backyard pool or on a snorkeling adventure. Built to withstand the harshest elements and treatment, this camera will give you peace of mind while also taking great pictures.

Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80

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Older kids wanting to have more control will love one of these bridge cameras. The Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 ($397.99) has a built-in lens with a powerful 60x optical zoom perfect for capturing wildlife and sports. Settings can also be controlled on this camera much like a D-SLR so they can experiment with longer shutter speeds to capture the night sky or fireworks.

OIEXI 4k digital camera

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Any camera that can record video, including a phone, can be used for vlogging but there are some that stand out in terms of video quality and ease of use. Sony came out with one made specifically for content creators, the ZV-1 ($698) but until they become real influencers, you could look at the OIEXI 4k digital camera for only $97.

DJI OM 5 Smartphone Stabilizer

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Or if your child already has a smartphone, why not get them a gimbal like the DJI OM 5 Smartphone Stabilizer ($129) that will smooth their movement when walking and filming, but that can also be used as a tripod.

GoPro Hero7

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When GoPro introduced the Hero 1 back in 2006, little did we know how popular this type of camera would become. Thanks to its durability and size, a GoPro can get shots in places where most don’t dare to bring more expensive gear, from underwater adventures to tearing down a mountain bike path, and even up in the sky with paragliders and skydivers. Kids will love documenting their wildest adventures with a camera that can be attached to a helmet, handlebars, or a chest harness, leaving their hands free to enjoy the ride while preserving the memories forever. Getting an older model GoPro, such as the Hero7 ($269), is a smart way to save money while still getting great quality.

AKASO EK7000

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But don’t forget to look at the many other brands that offer similar quality without the higher price tag, such as the AKASO EK7000 ($69.99) or its big brother the AKASO Brave 4 ($89.99)

DJI Mini SE

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If you have an older child ready for the next challenge, consider a drone camera. These can get unique perspectives and create really beautiful images of the world as seen from a bird’s eye. DJI has long been a leader in this field and has come out with a small drone, perfect for the beginner: the DJI Mini SE ($299). It is under 0.55lbs (250g) which is important to consider because anything above that will need to be registered with the FAA. Even without the need for registration, there are still regulations that need to be followed and certain areas where drones are prohibited to fly, including near airports, over groups of people, and in national parks so be sure to check the rules before you fly.

Drocon Ninja RC Drone

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If you are on a tight budget, there are several other brands that are less than $100, such as the Drocon Ninja RC Drone ($64.99) or the SANROCK Drone ($49.99).

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Published on October 14, 2022 01:00

October 13, 2022

9 Downtown St. Augustine Airbnb Rentals Near the Beach and Historical Sites

Welcome to the nation’s oldest city — St. Augustine, Florida. Commonly known as The Ancient City, St. Augustine is filled with many treasures and a unique history. The beach town reel visitors with deep green marshes, miles of beaches, and a town center filled with historical sites. These Airbnbs in the heart of St. Augustine give you easy access to the best of the city.

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We hope you love the Airbnb St. Augustine 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.

Downtown St. Augustine Airbnbs Unique Airbnbs in St. Augustine Pet-friendly Airbnbs in St. AugustineDowntown St. Augustine AirbnbsBohemian bungalow near downtown and the beach

Photo: Airbnb

Relax at this Airbnb St. Augustine boho-themed getaway. This bohemian cottage is in the city’s heart and close to the historic St. George Street. The home features amenities such as a back porch, a spacious yard, and relaxing vibes for your trip to St. Augustine.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $97 per night

Coastal Oasis

Photo: Airbnb

Enjoy St. Augustine while staying at this comfortable contemporary home that is minutes away from the beach. This home features a spacious living area, a rustic-like kitchen area, and a wrap-around deck with gorgeous views and space to sit out, relax, and have a drink. The home is eight miles from the downtown area.

Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $155 per night

Beach condo near Old Town Historic District

Photo: Airbnb

Step outside and smell the salty air and take in the breathtaking views of the beach at this St. Augustine condo. This rental features a spacious living and kitchen area and is only a short walk to miles and miles of beaches. It’s 10 minutes from the Old Town Historic District.

Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $91 per night

Downtown luxury home

Photo: Airbnb

Nestled along the tidal marshes of Oyster Creek is this modern townhouse. This townhouse features a gourmet kitchen, an open living area and stunning views of the marshes throughout the home, and a cozy patio area to sit out on and enjoy the weather.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $165 per night

Unique Airbnbs in St. AugustineHistorical Lakeside Retreat

Photo: Airbnb

This Airbnb in St. Augustine is a lakeside retreat, the perfect place for your Florida getaway. This historic home is in the heart of Lincolnville, and the house is only eight minutes from downtown, with historical sights, restaurants, bars, and more. Enjoy the sights of the home with its fully fenced yard, heated pool, and spacious backyard with stunning views of Lake Maria Sanchez.

Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $289 per night

The Shire

Photo: Airbnb

Check out this one-acre marsh front retreat for your St. Augustine vacation. This newly renovated secluded home features luxury and traditional finishes throughout the house. The home has a rooftop deck, sunrise views of the Atlantic Ocean, downtown, and breathtaking sunsets on the river. Immerse yourself while staying at this secluded home.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $379 per night

Three-story oceanfront townhouse

Photo: Airbnb

Relax at this Airbnb St. Augustine beach home and listen to the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore. This modern beachfront townhouse is three stories. The main floor features an elegant kitchen, family room, dining area, half bath, and stunning ocean views. Relax on the main balcony with ocean views.

Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $412 per night

Pet-friendly Airbnbs in St. AugustineThe Seascape

Photo: Airbnb

Stay at this pink escape beach home in St. Augustine. This beach retreat is the perfect home for a family vacation and features a spacious living room, kitchen, and large backyard with games and a pool. The house is three minutes from the beach, and the home has all beach supplies like a beach cart, umbrella, and more. Enjoy the beach or explore downtown, which is only 15 minutes away.

Ten guests, five bedrooms
Price: $198 per night

Saint Sylvan Bungalow

Photo: Airbnb

This charming bungalow is perfect for your four-legged travel companions. This restored bungalow features a full kitchen, a bathroom, and a cozy living room area. The cute colorful home has an enclosed patio area and a spacious backyard for you to relax in, and if you want to take advantage of the lovely day, the house also provides guests with two adult bikes and one child’s bike if you’re up for a relaxing ride.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $99 per night

More like this Culture St. Augustine Combines European Charm With Floridian Hospitality

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Published on October 13, 2022 12:00

This German State Has All the Castles, Lakes, and Classic Restaurants You Could Ask For

Germany is more than just dirndl dresses, highways with no speed limits, and obscene amounts of beer. While southern Germany’s larger cities are most popular for tourists, there’s good reason to look north for your next vacation. There are loads of castles to see in the northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and it’s easy to get out in nature thanks to how top of mind forest conservation is. Whether you’re an art historian, a wild adventurer, a food connoisseur, or fishing pro, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is an ideal vacation spot.

Live your fairytale dreams at a a castle or estate

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is home to dozens of intricate castles rich in both wealth and history that you can stop by for a tour of the grounds.

Ludwigslust Palace Ludwigslust Palace in Baroque architecture style in the town of Ludwigslust, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania

Photo: mije_shots/Shutterstock

Located in a town of the same name, Ludwigslust Palace was originally built as a hunting lodge and was later turned into a permanent residence. Ludwigslust became the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in 1765 (it’s since been moved to Schwerin) and the hunting lodge was transformed into a grand residence for the Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin: Frederick II, also known as The Pious. He got his name by being a devoutly religious man who built a grand church opposite the palace.

Palais Bülow

Palais Bülow is also located in the town of Ludwigslust. It was built in 1832 by the same duke who built Ludwigslust Palace for one of his ministers. The Leithold family (who are some of the loveliest people you will ever meet) acquired the building in 2012 and have been painstakingly restoring the residence since. Though it’s their family home, it’s open to the public for tours. For fans of architecture and history, you can view the restoration progress on both Instagram and YouTube.

Neustadt-Glewe Castle

The town of Neustadt-Glewe is home to both a palace and a castle. The Neustadt-Glewe Castle is made mostly of brick with a red-shingled roof and a circular tower. Inside there’s a museum as well as a restaurant. But the best time to visit is during the summer when the medieval festival, Burgfest, takes over the grounds every year. Then rest your head at the palace in town: Hotel Schloss Neustadt-Glewe. Snag a room in the main palace where each room has its own theme complete with papier-mâché décor.

Schwerin Castle View of the Schwerin medieval castle from the lake with swans, Germany

Photo: Pani Garmyder/Shutterstock

Schwerin Castle is Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s largest castle and is truly something to behold. It houses a museum, two restaurants, gorgeous gardens, a church, and the regional parliament. It sits on an island and consists of seven different buildings. The stucco on the inside of the castle is made with papier-mâché to help with the weight (it does sit atop an island, after all).

Take a boat ride

Twenty-five percent of Germany’s lake surface area can be found in the region, including the country’s largest inland lake, Lake Müritz. There is no shortage of water activities in the area and can be catered to your type of adventure.

See Schwerin Castle from the water Dawn at Schwerin Castle Palace (Schweriner Schloss), reflected in the water of Schweriner See lake. World Heritage Site in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Germany

Dawn at Schwerin Castle Palace (Schweriner Schloss), reflected in the water of Schweriner See lake. World Heritage Site in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Germany

Photo: Joaquin Ossorio Castillo/Shutterstock

For a grand cruise to see Schwerin Castle from Lake Schwerin, board one of the luxurious White Fleet boats. There are two islands within the lake: one you can visit while the other is owned by a private landowner.

Immerse yourself in nature at Krakow Lake

Krakow Lake is the sixth largest lake in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and a haven for dozens of bird species, including the majestic sea eagle and thermal wind-riding black kite. The best way to experience the natural splendor of the lake is to hire Frank Tetmeyer of Krakower Flosstour. He has an immense amount of knowledge of the lake from spending his life on its waters. Plus, he might just have a keg of beer on his raft.

Enjoy Lake Müritz with a canoe or picnic picnic on lake muritz in germany

Photo: Sarah Lamagna

If you’re looking for a human-powered adventure, head to the banks of Lake Müritz where you can rent a canoe or take a tour of the lake with local guides at Waren-Ecktannen. The excursion is not for the faint of heart and will definitely work out your upper arms and core muscles. But the reward of seeing the lake at a slower pace and eating meats and cheeses when you reach the picnic spot is well worth the effort to get there.

Take a sustainable fishing trip

The staff at Müritzfischer are dedicated to their clients and customers as well as the sustainability of the fishing populations within Lake Müritz. It’s a true lake-to-table dining experience. However, if you would prefer just to eat whatever is caught and not do any of the actual fishing, you can do that too. The company only catches what they need to sell each week rather than just catching as much fish as possible. They also help new populations by taking eggs from the lake and fertilizing them to then send back into the lake to keep a sustainable supply of fish.

Explore the woods Aerial view of the Müritz National Park.

Photo: Elly Miller/Shutterstock

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is home to three of the country’s fourteen national parks, and there are thousands of acres of protected land and over three hundred nature preserves in the state. While you’re visiting the Lake Müritz area, opt for a land adventure by traversing the trail in Müritz National Park. Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park sits at the northernmost edge of the region along the Baltic Sea. As the area’s largest national park, there are abundant trails and a diverse range of wildlife species and habitats to explore. But even Germany’s smallest national park, Jasmund, has views and incredible natural beauty to behold.

In Muritz National Park, the plants serve a spirited purpose: it’s where Müritz Gin sources its juniper berries. Forty years ago, there were regulations put in place at Muritz National Park to keep things as natural as possible while also maintaining a healthy ecosystem. This means that every year, there is an annual culling of the juniper trees that can potentially take over habitats. The master distillers at Müritz Gin not only get to help a natural area thrive, but they get their pick of the juniper berries too.

Release your inner child and make some papier-mâché

While visiting Palais Bülow, the Leithold family will be sure to teach you all about the art of papier-mâché. The church in the town of Ludwigslust is famously known due to the larger-than-life altar piece made up of 1,000 panels of papier-mâché. You might not be as artistically talented as those who made the altar piece, but you can still have fun making some of your own.

The recipe for papier-mâché is a combination of paper and water (although the Leithold family have their own special recipe). The family will give you an array of silicon molds to choose from and can guide you through the process. In the end, you’ll go home with some art of your own (or you can buy some of the ornaments from the gift shop).

Where to eat and drink in Mecklenburg-VorpommernHerzogliche Dampfwäscherei

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Owners Christien and Rico Messerschmidt have combined classic northern German cuisine with Mediterranean influences to create a truly unique dining experience at Herzogliche Dampfwäscherei. Menu items change throughout the year to highlight the seasonal specialties, but you cannot go wrong with the beef tenderloin or green eel, the region’s specialty.

Where: Großer Moor 56, 19055 Schwerin, Germany

Restaurant Wallenstein’s

Located in the vaulted cellar of the Hotel Schloss Neustadt-Glewe, Restaurant Wallenstein’s feels as if you are stepped back in time. The plastered walls give an essence of sitting in some medieval castle – which, let’s face it, you are. Choose between fish, meat, or vegetarian dishes but the beef stroganoff or the schweineschnitzel can’t be missed.

Where: Neuwieder Weg 1, 18273 Güstrow, Germany

Restaurant & Café Leddermann

You really cannot go wrong when dining at Restaurant & Café Leddermann and it’s obvious from the reviews by customers. The diverse menu options range from tagliatelle to burgers to braised ox cheek. But the real stunners on the menu are the desserts. Both the crème brulee and chocolate mousse are delectable.

Where: Müritzstraße 16, 17192 Waren (Müritz), Germany

Müritzfischer

The perfect place for a midday lunch along the banks of Lake Müritz. Choose from one of Müritzfischer’s many sandwiches made with freshly caught fish including perch, bass, trout, and, of course, eel. Make sure to pair it with one of the region’s beers and then top it off with ice cream from a local creamery.

Where: Am Seeufer 73, 17192 Waren (Müritz), Germany

Restaurant Kleines Meer

Restaurant Kleines Meer is a fine dining experience fit for any palate. The head chef, Hendrik Türk, uses local producers (including those at Müritzfischer) to fill his menu. Try the wild boar, which are hunted from the surrounding forests of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Where: Strandstraße, Alter Markt 7, 17192 Waren (Müritz), Germany

Where to stay in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

We hope you love the spaces 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.

Seehotel Schloss Klink

Photo: Sarah Lamagna

In case you need another stay in a castle, look no further than Seehotel Schloss Klink. Located on the shores of Lake Muritz, the castle lies on top of an eight-acre park and includes a white sandy beach perfect for morning yoga or a dip during a hot day. There are three restaurants, including a fireplace bar perfect for a much-deserved beverage after a day full of adventure. A full breakfast is also included with your stay to fuel up for what lies ahead.

Where: Schloßstraße 6, 17192 Klink, Germany

Hotel Speicher am Ziegelsee

Hotel Speicher am Ziegelsee was the first climate-positive hotel in Germany, meaning that the hotel offsets more carbon dioxide than it produces. It sits on the edges of Lake Ziegelsee and is only a 15-minute walk into the downtown hub. This family-owned hotel is the perfect place to start your journey around the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region.

Where: Speicherstraße 11, 19055 Schwerin, Germany

Hotel Schloss Neustadt-Glewe

Stay in an actual palace with a night at Hotel Schloss Neustadt-Glewe. It was originally built for Duke Adolf Friedrich I of Mecklenburg, but is now a high-class hotel. The rooms are decorated in the baroque-style with intricate stucco work. As is the case with many palaces and castles throughout the region, the castle features furnishings and walls defined by papier-mâché. There is a restaurant on-site that sits in the cellar of the palace and brings you back to ancient times.

Where: Schloßfreiheit 1, 19306 Neustadt-Glewe, Germany

Müritzfischer

This place is a one-stop-shop for all your vacation needs. You can stay at one of Müritzfischer’s small apartments on the shores of Lake Müritz for easy access to all the lake activities. The apartments have everything you need to make your stay comfortable including separate bedrooms and a full kitchen. It even includes a balcony with stellar views of the lake.

Where: Am Seeufer 73, 17192 Waren (Müritz), Germany

How to get to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Waren, Germany - September 10 2022: German City on the lake.

Photo: Asia_K/Shutterstock

Start by flying into Hamburg or Berlin (the two closest airports to the region). Just note that direct flights from the United States to either city are few and far between.

Once in Germany, travelers can easily hop a train to their chosen town to start touring Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Most visitors start their journey by making their way to Schwerin if they’ve flown into Hamburg and those who’ve flown into Berlin make their way to Waren.

Renting a car is the easiest and most convenient way to fully take advantage of all the incredible attractions in the area. Almost every town has some sort of train station in their downtown. There are two different types of trains in Germany: ICE/IC high speed trains and the local trains which are clearly labeled on the trains. Tickets can be pre-purchased online or at the train stations themselves.

Cabs can also be found in most of the towns if you have specific places you want to visit without a car. Do not rely on your credit card to pay for things as Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is mostly a cash region.

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Published on October 13, 2022 11:47

Everything You Need To Know About Seeing Wild Horses in Arizona

For centuries, Arizona embodied the spirit of the American frontier as Westerners moved further and further west into unknown territories. Of course, those territories were well-known to the Navajo and Hopi tribes, and the treatment of those Indigenous people is one of the darkest parts of America’s expansion. But it did establish what would become Arizona as a key part of the American West.

While the state is no longer the Wild West, there is one aspect of the 1800’s expansion that still remains today: horses. The forever-symbol of America’s cowboys remains in Arizona, where approximately 400 wild horses remain a symbol of the era of the Wild West.

The horses live in herd-protected areas run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in a national forest near Phoenix, and on the Navajo reservation in Northeastern Arizona. The herds are managed by the US National Forest Service and the non-profit Salt River Wild Horse Management Group.

These tips will help you plan a trip to see the wild horses and ensure you’re following the guidelines for protecting these beautiful creatures.

Where did the wild horses in Arizona come from? Two mustang wild horses in Arizona

The horses are called mustangs from the Spanish word mustengo, which means ownerless beast. Photo: Marni Patterson

Members of the herds are descendants of horses Spanish explorers and missionaries brought to the Southwest in the 16th century. Many were left in Arizona when Mexico severed ties with Spain in 1821, since then, the herds have lived independently.

Guidelines for visiting wild horses in Arizona

The horses are used to seeing humans, but they’re still wild animals. So it’s important to keep at least 50 feet away. Move out of the way if horses approach you, and don’t interfere with their natural behavior. If they have to change their behavior because of your presence, you’re too close.

Please don’t feed the horses. Visitors often ask if it’s safe to give them treats such as carrots and apples. However, these and other foods cause digestive problems or worse for the horses. and can even kill horses. Keep dogs on a leash or leave them at home. Horses will likely defend themselves against dogs living chase, which can injure dogs (and spook the herd).

Where to see wild horses in Arizona

The best places to see wild horses in Arizona are in the Tonto National Forest and Lower Salt River Valley east of Phoenix, the Cerbat Mountain range in northwestern Arizona, the Cibola-Trigo HMA in southwestern Arizona, and Canyon de Chelly on the Navajo reservation in northeastern Arizona.

Tonto National Forest and Lower Salt River Valley

There are seven recreation sites in the Tonto National Forest along the Salt River east of Phoenix — Granite Reef, Coon Bluff, Phon D Sutton, Blue Point, Pebble Beach, Saguaro Lake, and Butcher Jones. They’re all within a 20-mile range along the Bush Highway. So, if you don’t see horses at one site, go to the next one and you may have better luck. All spots require a Tonto Pass or an America the Beautiful Pass. Or, if you prefer, you can rent a tube, paddleboard, or kayak and look for horses as you float down the river.

Granite Reef

Granite Reef is a riparian area along the Lower Salt River and is an excellent bird-watching area, especially during winter. Visitors are likely to see mallards, great blue herons, ring-necked duck, warblers, and shore birds while looking for wild horses. There’s a trail along the shore that offers a pleasant view of the river and mountains, and tall trees provide much-needed shade when the weather is warm.

Coon Bluff

Kayakers often see horses eating eel grass and other underwater plants. Photo: High Country

The Coon Bluff Recreation Area isn’t as close to the river as Granite Reef, but a hiking trail leads to an overlook where there’s a good chance of spotting horses in the river or along the shore. It’s a short, steep climb to get to the top of the ridge, but it’s an easy walk on flat terrain from the top of the bluff. There’s also a trail along the Salt River, but the many intersecting routes can make it difficult to follow.

Phon D Sutton

The Phon D Sutton Recreation site offers easy access to the Salt River. There’s a path along the riverbank with a nice view of the mountains where visitors can often spot wild horses and many types of birds. There’s also the Lookout Trail, an easy .6-mile, out-and-back hike. There’s a good chance of seeing wild horses on this hike as they follow this route to reach the river. The trailhead is at the bottom of the staircase at the end of Phon D Sutton Road.

Blue Point

Blue Point is the smallest recreation site in this group. The beach is a short walk from the parking lot, and there’s a mesquite grove near the picnic area where horses often gather. It’s also a riparian area frequented by birdwatchers who want to see great blue herons, spotted sandpipers, hummingbirds, and spring and fall migratory fowl. Horses often gather near the trees and in the woods near the river.

Pebble Beach

The Pebble Beach Recreation Area is across the Bush Highway from Blue Point. The parking lot is further from the Salt River but has unobstructed views in both directions. It’s easy to spot wild horses when they’re in the water.

Saguaro Lake Black wild horse in Arizona

Photo: Marni Patterson

Saguaro Lake consists of two sections connected by narrow straits between canyon walls. You can see wild horses along the shore when they emerge from the desert and forests to cool off in the water and graze on plants. Boat, kayak, and paddle boards are available for rent if you’d like to watch for horses from the water. For a less-active way to see the horses, take a cruise on the Desert Belle to sit back and enjoy the view.

Butcher Jones

The Butcher Jones Recreation area is on an inlet of Saguaro Lake. Mesquite trees provide natural shade, and a lovely stretch of beach is a short walk from the parking lot. This area frequently attracts wild horses because it offers easy access to the water. If you’re adventurous, take the 5.8-mile hike to get to a less-crowded beach, and you may see horses grazing in the desert and along the lake.

The Cerbat Mountain Range Group of wild horses in Arizona eating

The horses eat desert scrub and chaparral that grow in washes and mountainous areas. Photo: Marni Patterson

The Cerbat Mountain Range is five miles northwest of Kingman, near Chloride, a historic mining town. Like the horses in the Tonto National Forest, members of the Cerbat herd are probably descendants of Spanish mustangs that were brought to the area in the 1500s. However, some historians believe the horses escaped from early explorers in the 1700s or were abandoned by livestock ranchers in the early 1800s.

The area where the horses live is at an altitude of 7,000 feet and consists of rugged peaks, ridges, and canyons covered by desert scrub and chaparral. Temperatures can dip to zero degrees during the winter and soar above 105 degrees in the summer. As a result, the horses are exceptionally agile and have well-honed endurance and excellent survival instincts. So you may need to venture deep into the canyon to find them.

Cibola-Trigo HMA

The Cibola-Trigo HMA is in the southwest corner of Arizona near the Yuma Proving Grounds close to Quartzsite, Arizona. There are 120 horses mixed in with a herd of around 285 burros. The horses are mostly bay and black, along with some dun, pinto, and appaloosa, and are most likely decedents of horses that lived on ranches in the area. The best places to see them are in Gould Wash and the Castle Dome Wash as their primary food source is the desert plants that grow in these areas.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Canyon de Chelly is in the Navajo Nation in Northeastern Arizona. Many think it resembles a smaller version of the Grand Canyon because of its stunning, sheer-walled canyons and towering cliffs. There are two scenic rim drives with outlooks and one hiking trail into the canyon. The horses rarely venture up to the road or the overlooks, so you need to hike into the canyon to see them or book a jeep tour with a Navajo guide.

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Published on October 13, 2022 11:37

More Than Spaghetti: Can You Identify These Lesser-Known Pasta Shapes?

So you love to eat pasta – who doesn’t? But how much do you really know about it? There are at least 350 different types of pasta from shapes as simple as tubes to more complicated bows, squiggles, and intricately folded pockets that can hold fillings like cheese and meat. This quiz will put your pasta knowledge to the test, asking you to identify the name of each type of pasta based on a picture.

Are you a true Italian cuisine expert, or could you only pick spaghetti out of a pasta lineup? Test you knowledge below, but brush up on every type of pasta the Matador team could track down first.

The 9 Coolest Flags in the World and the Meanings Behind Them The 6 Flags of the Celtic Nations and the Meaning Behind Each Design All the Flags of the Caribbean and the Meaning Behind Their Designs Question 1 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Tortellini Paccheri Orzo Stortini Question 2 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Radiatore Bucatini Campanelle Corzetti Question 3 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Spaghetti Fusilli Casarecce Penne Question 4 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Mafaldine Ravioli Quadretti Rigatoni Question 5 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Orzo Strozzapreti Tagliatelle Farfalle Question 6 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Ditalini Fettucine Cavatelli Foglie d’ulivo Question 7 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Pappardelle Creste di gallo Lumache Trofiette Question 8 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Rotelle Tortellini Ziti Conchiglie Question 9 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Cannelloni Campanelle Capelli d’angelo Mafaldine Question 10 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Linguine Trofiette Garganelli Fregola Question 11 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Lumache Elicoidali Cavatappi Casarecce Question 12 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Anellini Ditalini Chiocciole Cappelletti Question 13 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Bucatini Fettuccine Gramigna Capelli d’angelo Question 14 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Linguine Maccheroni Orecchiette Mezze maniche Question 15 of 15 What type of pasta is this? Maccheroncini di Campofilone Paccheri Grattoni Mafaldine Submit for your score More Trivia Quizzes How Many of These World-Famous Museums Can You Recognize? Oct 7, 2022 Morgane Croissant Quizzes Can You Guess What These Funny Australian Slang Phrases Mean? Sep 23, 2022 Morgane Croissant Quizzes This Flags of the World Quiz Is the Hardest on the Internet. Can You Ace It? Sep 20, 2022 Morgane Croissant Quizzes Can You Guess What These Funny British Slang Phrases Mean? Sep 14, 2022 Morgane Croissant Outdoor Only Park Rangers Can Ace This US National Park Trivia Quiz Sep 13, 2022 Suzie Dundas Quizzes Can You Guess What These Funny Scottish Slang Phrases Mean? Sep 7, 2022 Morgane Croissant Quizzes 21 Geography Questions That Only Expert Travelers Can Ace Sep 5, 2022 Matador News Staff Quizzes How Many of These UNESCO Heritage Sites Can You Identify? Sep 2, 2022 Morgane Croissant Quizzes Can You Guess What These Hilarious Irish Slang Phrases Mean? Aug 31, 2022 Morgane Croissant (function () { window.onload = function () { var totalProgress, progress; const circles = document.querySelectorAll('.progress'); for (var i = 0; i < circles.length; i++) { var percentageComplete = circles[i].parentElement.getAttribute('data-percent'); var strokeDashOffsetValue = 100 - (percentageComplete * 100); var progressBar = $(".js-progress-bar"); progressBar.css("stroke-dashoffset", strokeDashOffsetValue); circles[i].querySelector('.bar').style['stroke-dashoffset'] = strokeDashOffsetValue; } } })(); var quizChoices = []; const questions = document.getElementsByClassName("mn-quiz__question"); for (let i = 0; i < questions.length; i++) { quizChoices[i] = '-'; } function clickChoice(event) { const button = event.currentTarget; var mnQuizQuestion = button.dataset.mnQuizQuestion; quizChoices[mnQuizQuestion] = button.dataset.mnQuizChoice; for (const button of buttons) { if (button.dataset.mnQuizQuestion === mnQuizQuestion) { button.classList.remove('active'); } } button.classList.add('active'); } function submitQuiz() { var formatUrl = 'choices=' + quizChoices.join('_'); var url = window.location.href; if (url.indexOf('?') > -1) { url += '&' + formatUrl } else { url += '?' + formatUrl } window.location.href = url; } const buttons = document.getElementsByClassName("mn-quiz__question__choice"); for (const button of buttons) { button.addEventListener("click", clickChoice); } const submitButton = document.getElementById("mn-quiz__submit"); if (submitButton) { submitButton.addEventListener("click", submitQuiz); }

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Published on October 13, 2022 10:12

Tokyo Insider Guide: How To Eat Like a Local

Tokyo Insider Guide: How to Eat Like a LocalText by Selena Hoy | Photo: Artit Wongpradu/Shutterstock

With tens of thousands of restaurants, the food scene in Tokyo is hard to pin down. It’s constantly changing and ever-evolving, and has a plate for every palate — you could dine at a new place three times a day for the rest of your life and not get through them all.

That many options may feel daunting, but you can rest assured that the use of high-quality, fresh ingredients, as well as an eye for presentation, are near universal. Whether you like cheap and cheerful chow or fine dining, sipping sake or sampling sweets, there’s a Tokyo joint — or 10 — for you. Below, we profile a few different categories of cuisine and a whole bunch of recommended spots to get you dreaming about a culinary tour of Tokyo.

Bonus: With a tourist visa no longer necessary for US citizens as of October 11, 2022, now is the the best time to plan your visit.

This post is proudly produced in partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Casual eats Flower Vegan Ramen One Stroke Bench by teamLab Preparing soba noodles Going for a weeknight dinner; grabbing a quick meal during your commute; stopping for a nosh after a night in the pub…there’s an abundance of casual, delicious choices in almost every corner of Tokyo. These spots are often inexpensive — you can find a hearty, simple bowl of soba noodles for as little as a few hundred yen, perhaps eating it at a standing counter on a rail station platform. Spend a little more, and you can lunch with friends at a pretty, stylish café in the city center. Either way, here’s a rundown of options for casual eats.B Gourmet

B-kyu-gurume or “B Gourmet” food is the name for common, popular meals that are tasty, good value, and unpretentious. Each region of Japan has local favorites, but think dishes like ramen, Japanese curry, yakisoba, or katsu-don (fried pork cutlets on rice).

You can, of course, find many kinds of ramen in the nation’s capital, but Tokyo’s signature bowl is shoyu (soy sauce) ramen. Harukiya in Ogikubo has been in business since the 1940s and is a staunch favorite, making thin wheat noodles onsite daily. The broth is light, made from pork, chicken, and sardines, and the basic bowl is topped with chewy chashu pork slices and bamboo shoots.

For people who have dietary restrictions but still want the pleasure of a piping hot bowl of noodles, head to the Shibuya location of Shinbu Sakiya, known in English as Samurai Noodle. The two-story shop offers gluten-free, vegan, and halal-friendly bowls. Try the spicy miso, topped with corn and scallions. Pay at the ticket machine, hand the ticket to the staff, then head upstairs to nab a table and paper apron in preparation for a satisfying slurp.

Another noodle with a long history in Tokyo is made from humble buckwheat, or soba. This filling favorite is served to perfection at Kyourakutei, a venerable soba shop with a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction. Here, a soba lunch includes noodles made from buckwheat flour (stone-ground onsite and hand-formed each day), artisan Shodoshima soy sauce, and real Izu wasabi. Splurge on the tempura set with delicately fried seasonal vegetables and seafood.

Plant-forward

The popularity of plant-based food is on the rise, and with it comes an explosion of options in Tokyo compared to a decade ago. You’ll find a mix of international favorites like burgers and falafel, as well as veganized and plant-heavy local dishes.

Want to try heirloom vegetables that have been grown in Tokyo for hundreds of years? Oshiage Yoshikatsu serves Edo-Tokyo vegetables such as komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) and daikon (a type of radish) in a reasonably priced, beautifully presented set meal. The restaurant focuses on historic Tokyo specialties and local, heritage ingredients.

PLANT BASED TOKYO, inside the Food Hall Blast! food court in Shinjuku, opened in 2021 with a handful of Asian-fusion dishes supplemented by bright salads and multigrain-dotted rice. Pair your meal with a domestic craft brew from Craft Pub Bevvy in the same building.

Mr. Farmer has half a dozen locations in the Tokyo area and spotlights domestic produce from farmers around Japan. The Omotesando café reopened in 2022 as a vegan-only location, while the other locations have both vegan and omnivore menu choices. Try the vegan fried chicken with teriyaki ginger sauce and brown rice.

Immerse yourself in teamLab’s artwork while devouring all-vegan fare at Vegan Ramen UZU Tokyo at teamLab Planets. The cold Vegan Ramen Hana (flower) is visually stunning, covered with edible flowers inspired by the Floating Flower Garden installation inside the museum.

Photo credits: yamasan0708/Shutterstock and Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock. Flower Vegan Ramen photos courtesy of Vegan Ramen UZU Tokyo. One Stroke Bench photo courtesy of ©teamLab.

Special occasions Award winning sushi Kaiseki Table Tempura shrimp Of course, some occasions call for a little luxury, whether it’s a birthday dinner, an anniversary, or just a chance to cross something off the bucket list. And when you’re surrounded by the most Michelin-starred restaurants of any city in the world, the only limit to your Tokyo fine-dining aspirations belongs to your credit card.Award-winning sushi

If you can get reservations, you can’t go wrong with Kanda, a three-star Michelin restaurant recently moved from Azabu to Toranomon. Owner/Chef Hiroyuki Kanda adds contemporary twists to a classic genre, such as incorporating truffles into the freshest seasonal dishes.

At Sushi Shin, a taste of the divine may be a little easier to come by with the more affordable lunch course or luxury bento box, but for the full experience, go for the omakase dinner course. The one-star Michelin restaurant serves superb bites such as baby sea bream, horse mackerel, and grilled scallops.

Kaiseki

For the full-course Japanese haute-cuisine experience, turn to kaiseki, a symphony of seasonal flavors, textures, and colors, all carefully prepared and exquisitely presented. At Tsurutokame, the team of female chefs create playful courses that explore peak seasonal vegetables and seafood with curiosity and creativity. They’ll even make vegetarian courses upon advance request.

Chef Daisuke Nomura serves Buddhist-style shojin ryori, or devotional cuisine, at Sougo in Roppongi. Choose between nine or 12 courses, and either pure vegan or vegetable-forward options that contain dairy, egg, and fish-based dashi seasoning base.

Fine dining

Pizza is literally elevated at The Pizza Bar on 38th at the Mandarin Oriental. Named Japan’s top pizzeria, third in Asia, and 16th in the world by “50 Top Pizza World 2022,” this spot is also a Michelin Bib Gourmand pick. Chef Daniele Cason’s set menu highlighting Japanese ingredients changes with the micro-seasons and puts the spotlight on domestic ingredients such as organic kabocha squash, Japanese figs, and wild mushrooms.

Tempura is deceptively simple to eat: the freshest vegetables and seafood, fried to crispy perfection with a thin coating of batter. Cooking it is messy, finicky, and best left to the experts, such as those at Tempura Motoyoshi, where they know how to get it just right and have a one-star Michelin rating to show for it.

Photo credits: Mikhail Olykainen/Shutterstock, Nobuhiro Asada/Shutterstock, Chalee Foodies Studio/Shutterstock, Julianne.Hide/Shutterstock, and Coolscene/Shutterstock. Kaiseki table photo courtesy of Tokyo. Nomikai Drinking party Izakaya alley Sober curious movement Meaning “drinking party” in Japanese, the nomikai is one of the major social lubricants in Japanese society. Whether grabbing a drink in a tiny alley pub or enjoying sophisticated city views over cocktails, you’re sure to see a different side of Tokyo when you partake in this after-dark tradition.
Mixology

The understated entrance on the ground floor of the Tokyo EDITION Toranomon hotel makes the Gold Bar feel a bit mysterious, like a speakeasy or a members-only club. Opened in 2022, the sleek and sexy interior holds low-slung seating, black and gold accents, and high ceilings. While grooving to the DJ’s laid-back tunes on the weekends, try an intricate cocktail like the Mori Sling, featuring rum, natsumeyashi (date palm), and basil.

Bar Trench in Ebisu is consistently ranked among Asia’s 50 Best Bars. In this intimate, brick-, wood-, and glass-accented space, you’ll find finely crafted cocktails, experimental flavors derived from herbs and liqueurs, and an excellently curated whisky selection.

Izakaya

The izakaya is Japan’s answer to a gastropub, providing a parade of tasty dishes to pair with your drinks. Perhaps most fun is to hop from bar to bar in a warren of pedestrian streets, sampling a house specialty at one and grabbing a recommended sake flight at another.

These bar districts are all over the city, but the triangular section of shops and restaurants in Sangenjaya’s Sankaku Chitai to the southwest of Sangenjaya station and Shinjuku Golden Gai remain under the radar and are a fun way to spend an evening.

Mocktails and the sober curious movement

A burgeoning interest in non-alcoholic beers and cocktails has led to a number of companies releasing alcohol-free products, and many establishments are now explicitly catering to the alcohol-free crowd.

The 0% Non-Alcohol Experience opened in 2020 from the star owners of the SG Club. The bar seeks to offer not only a drink, but an immersive and artistic visit, with cocktails that titillate the senses. Try the Hinky Soda, made from grapefruit, cranberry, maka, and (non-al) champagne. The food menu is all vegan with choices like cauliflower quesadillas and ratatouille.

Over at The Peninsula Tokyo’s Peter: The Bar, the famed hotel has developed a Zero-Proof menu with a lineup of stunning and sophisticated cocktails such as the Spicy Fizz with cardamom, coriander seed, pink pepper, triple sec, and lime juice.

Photo credits: west_photo/Shutterstock, Olha Tsiplyar/Shutterstock, Maksym Fesenko/Shutterstock, Yusuru Gima/Shutterstock, and Shebeko/Shutterstock. Izakaya alley photo courtesy of Tokyo.

Recharge Matcha green tea Street snacks Time for dessert Tokyo is a city of cafés, and there are endless quirky places to stop for a rest and a snack, some caffeine, or a sweet indulgence. When you’re in need of a quick pick-me-up during your days of sightseeing, point yourself toward one of these spots.Coffee, tea, or soft drink

Opened in May 2022, Ash – æ is a zero-waste coffee bar in Shibuya. You won’t find takeout cups or little plastic stirring sticks here, but rather a short, perfectly executed menu of coffees and cocktails. Try the classic café latte with a side of Okinawan brown sugar mixed with cacao or an espresso martini served in beautiful glassware.

If you’re looking for a solid selection of Japanese teas and beyond, Kagurazaka Saryo is a stylish teahouse in a traditional wooden machiya townhouse, where Tokyoites linger and gossip over matcha parfaits and pots of roasted green teas.

Tapioca tea, as it’s known in Japan (bubble tea or boba tea elsewhere), has made a big comeback in the last few years in Tokyo, so much so that there’s a new Japanese verb for drinking (eating) the “chewy” tea: tapiru. At The Alley, sample the latest trends in tapioca, like a brown sugar tapioca matcha latte, with the café’s own house-made cane sugar syrup and freshly roasted tea leaves.

Street snacks

Having a wander followed by a snack is probably the best way to explore Tokyo. Walk, nosh, repeat.

The YanakaGinza area in northern Tokyo is filled with classic shopping streets, where pedestrians are still king and small local businesses have been plying their wares for decades. In between browsing for trinkets and picking up vegetables for dinner, try freshly roasted chestnuts at Waguriya.

Another fascinating shopping street is Nakamise, right in front of what might be Tokyo’s most famous temple, Sensoji. One main street leads up to the temple, and it’s flanked by a maze of smaller streets also filled with souvenirs, devotional objects, and street food. While you browse, crunch into just-made rice crackers at Morita.

A sweet reward

After a long day of touring, it’s time for a little treat. The swanky Ginza neighborhood is the perfect setting to indulge in a gorgeous parfait at Shiseido Parlour. The classic strawberry parfait is decadent and perfect, with glistening berries at the peak of their sweetness and color, layered with ice cream, fresh whipped cream, and strawberry sauce.

For a refreshing interlude during the hot summer months, head to Himitsudo, a cute shop in the YanakaGinza area serving up generously sized traditional kakigori (shaved ice). All the fruit syrups are handmade in-house with peak-season fruit. The menu changes daily, but you might find flavors like peach earl grey or Nagano purple grape.

Stopping for teatime at Higashiya Ginza is a refined, meditative experience. The minimalist décor is the backdrop for an upscale wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) course, expertly paired with the finest Japanese green teas available. Tea and design aficionados will want to return again and again.

Photo credits: norikko/Shutterstock, dokosola/Shutterstock, Thanaphon Subsang/Shutterstock, New Africa/Shutterstock, Puii/Shutterstock, and momemoment/Shutterstock.Whatever your food fancy, you’ll find something to love in Tokyo, whether an old favorite or a treat that’s entirely new. Culinary voyagers, are you ready to start planning?

This post is proudly produced in partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.