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Best Airbnb Lighthouses in Ireland Romantic Airbnb rentals in Ireland Charming Airbnb cottage rentals in Ireland Best Ireland Airbnbs for larger groups

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Published on August 12, 2022 09:19

These Airbnbs in Ireland Showcase the Best of the Emerald Isle

Ireland stuns with its rugged coastline and castle-studded hinterland of moorlands and woodlands. Hiking, surfing, and distillery tours are just a sample of how you can expect to spend your time in the land that gave us Guinness and Oscar Wilde. Whether you’re seeking the comforts of a city or the far-flung wilderness of the Emerald Isle, there’s an Airbnb in Ireland with your name on it.

We hope you love the Airbnb Ireland 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.

Best Airbnb Lighthouses in IrelandLighthouse Keepers: “RTE Home of the Year” finalist

Photo: Airbnb

Say hello to the sole Airbnb lighthouse, Ireland. Located in Youghal, County Cork, this 200-year-old tower has undergone meticulous restoration to cater to modern tastes without compromising its original charm. An open concept living space, ocean-facing bathroom with tub, and a flashy kitchen provide home comforts and style. Meanwhile, the conservatory and windows aplenty hone in on the lighthouse’s star appeal: views, views, views.

Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $420 per night

Taking a trip to Ireland? Check out Matador’s Ireland accommodation guides: Rent The Holiday Pub in Cork or Tipperary for the ultimate Irish getaway The best Airbnbs in Belfast, from the Titanic Quarter to Shankill Road 10 Airbnbs Make You Feel Like You’re Living in Game of Thrones Stay like royalty at these Airbnb Ireland castle rentals

Romantic Airbnb rentals in IrelandTreehouse dome @Fernwood.eco

Photo: Airbnb

This secluded treehouse Airbnb Ireland is perched five meters above the forest floor with a translucent design that puts you in harmony with nature. Interiors of the dome are kitted out with Scandi-style furniture and a wood burner for added hygge. Scurry across the rope bridge to access Fernwood’s luxurious sauna with lake views. The treehouse is situated in Clifden, County Galway, a 15-minute drive from Connemara National Park.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $295 per night

Hanno’s Workshop

Photo: Airbnb

Catch your breath on the Wild Atlantic Way with an overnighter at this unique Airbnb, West Coast Ireland. The renovated workshop is dressed with industrial-chic elements including brickwork and exposed plumbing. A Chesterfield, crystal chandelier, and vintage bathroom with a tub add a boujee vibe. Best of all, you can expect a visit from the resident cats and sheep at this remote hideaway buried among a lush private garden.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $130 per night

Thermal spa retreat with sauna and hot tub

Photo: Airbnb

Minimalism and luxury unite at the best Airbnb in Ireland with hot tub for couples. This micro-retreat consists of a studio cabin with a kitchenette, bathroom, and private spa. Awaken your senses in the springwater plunge pool before warming up in the Scandinavian wood-fired barrel sauna and hot tub. The cabin enjoys a riverside setting within an enclosed garden in Inniskeen, County Monaghan, northeast Ireland.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $295 per night

Charming Airbnb cottage rentals in IrelandThe Barn – little stone cottage

Photo: Airbnb

If you’re a sucker for sunsets, sunrises, and seascapes that go on for miles, this County Kerry, Ireland Airbnb will make your heart sing. Overlooking Syble Head, the bayside cottage is appointed with strategic windows and grants beach access. Interiors are modern and equipped with all the amenities you need for a self-contained vacation off the beaten track. Expect to hear very little besides the crash of Atlantic waves and the bleat of sheep.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $230 per night

Elfin Cottage – modern and beautiful eco cottage

Photo: Airbnb

Drink up the most rugged part of the country at this County Clare Airbnb, West Coast Ireland. Stepping inside this storybook cottage yields an exquisite modern space clad in neutral hues with a cozy wood burner. Picture windows let you savor the scenery from the lounge and clawfoot bathtub. There’s no better place to unwind after a day spent cruising or hiking the Wild Atlantic Way.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $405 per night

Secluded cottage with hot tub, sauna, and fire pit

Photo: Airbnb

Tuck yourself away at this Airbnb Ireland cottage with hot tub and sauna facilities. The home has all the trimmings of a traditional stone cottage complete with reclaimed materials indoors and no shortage of nooks and crannies to explore. The spa zone is set in a picturesque garden overlooking the Iron, Arigna, and Kilronan Mountains. The rental is located in Keadew, County Roscommon, northwest Ireland.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $205 per night

Bavarian-style log cabin with private hot tub

Photo: Airbnb

Dating back to the 17th century, this pet-friendly Airbnb in Ireland was crafted in Bavaria and transported to its new home in County Leitrim. Perfect for families, the cottage is spread over two floors and contains a double bedroom with a fireplace and a twin for the little ones. The cabin’s balconies and terrace complete with a hot tub and grill overlooking the waters of Lough Melvin in northwest Ireland.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $205 per night

Best Ireland Airbnbs for larger groupsHart Lodge – luxury home, hot tub, sauna, and bar

Photo: Airbnb

Hart Lodge is the best Airbnb in Ireland with a hot tub and sauna for groups and larger families. While the spa facilities comply with the wellness aspect of your vacation, the games room keeps the boredom at bay. This epic space comes with a pool table, darts board, and air hockey tabletop – as well as a complete bar. Comfy rooms are tastefully appointed and the complex benefits from ample space. The rental is located in Ballintubber, County Mayo.

Sixteen guests, eleven bedrooms
Price: $1,795 per night

Bellevue House – panoramic lake views

Photo: Airbnb

This Ireland Airbnb is centrally located in County Tipperary, making it a convenient vacation base. The property sits on the shore of Lough Derg and offers panoramic views from the patio and sunken hot tub. Lavish interiors include plush upholstery, a chef’s kitchen with a wine rack, and a spa bath. The billiard table is ready and waiting when the moment calls for some light competition.

Thirteen guests, five bedrooms
Price: $365 per night

Glengarriff Lodge (formerly Lord Bantry’s Cottage)

Photo: Airbnb

This pet-friendly Airbnb Ireland, County Cork, is the quintessential Irish cottage. The thatched dwelling sits in a pristine garden that treads the line between landscaped and wild. It backs onto 50 acres of ancient woodlands that you can roam at leisure or ogle from the conservatory with a steaming mug of tea. Communal spaces are richly presented with dark wood furniture and rustic beams while bedrooms are light and airy. Take a stroll off the estate to the “Doctor’s Pool” where you can take a dip or catch a salmon for supper.

Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $525 per night

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Published on August 12, 2022 08:29

Avoid This Dangerously Windy Wyoming Highway at All Costs on Your Next Road Trip

If you ever decide to take a road trip across the United States, Wyoming has some great sights to see. But head down the wrong interstate at the wrong time of year, and the decision could have drastic consequences. The TikTok account American Road Trips posted a video about one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the US: a sliver of Wyoming’s portion of Interstate 80.

@americanroadtrips The climbing rock is just north of this road #exploreepicplaces #roadtrip #travel #carcrash #wyoming ♬ Send Me on My Way – Vibe Street

I-80 runs from San Francisco to Teaneck, New Jersey. The Wyoming section runs across the southern part of the state and goes through Uinta, Sweetwater, Carbon, Albany, and Laramie counties.

“Wind gusts were 60mph+ when we drove it and the Subaru was feeling it,” the video creator said in the comments.

Some people in the comments recounted their horror stories.

“My wife and I spun off around there due to the winds and back ice on the road. Super sketch,” Jake Burchett commented.

“Hey I live in Rawlins! Its not that bad lol and when the wind gets too bad the trucks have to lay down and take a nap. It’s fine, we’re fine,” Jeremiah Rutherford commented.

According to Freight Waves, a news outlet about the freight industry, the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Cheyenne said the winds reach an average of 35 to 40 miles per hour. According to Geotag’s 2017, I-80 in Wyoming is the eighth most dangerous highway in America, with an estimated 175 crashes and 207 fatalities in the past decade with an average of 17 fatal crashes a year. It’s not just the Wyoming portions, either — I-80 is also the deadliest highway in the states of Nebraska and Iowa.

So the next time you decide to head out on a road trip, be safe and be sure to check the conditions before heading out.

More like thisThe 9 Most Underrated Road Trips in the United States

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Published on August 12, 2022 07:41

August 11, 2022

5 San Diego Bed and Breakfasts To Book on Your Next SoCal Trip

Airbnbs and hotels dominate the accommodation space these days, but in my experience, neither the quaintest hotel nor the homiest Airbnb has the particular charms of a good old bed and breakfast. In San Diego, all those classic charms also come with access to some of Southern California’s best beaches and a lively downtown area that earned the city the nickname of “America’s finest.” There aren’t too many bed and breakfasts in San Diego, but between the city and the immediate area nearby, there’s a handful that are bound to make your next SoCal trip extra charming. Here are five San Diego bed and breakfasts that showcase the best of the area.

Hillcrest House Bed & Breakfast

Photo: Booking.com

Hillcrest House is named after the uptown San Diego neighborhood where it’s located, a hub of international cuisine, craft brewpubs, brunch-y cafes, thrift shops, and the largest concentration of LGBTQ bars and events in the city. Yet Hillcrest is no more than 15 minutes away from downtown San Diego. Each of the bed and breakfast’s seven rooms — La Jolla, Old Town, Zoo, Gaslamp, Coronado, Balboa, and Balboa B — takes its name from a major attraction that’s easily accessible once you step out the front door. Just don’t start sightseeing before breakfast. The innkeeper Anne whips up a so-called heart healthy continental spread each day, and according to past guests, her warmth, hospitality, insider knowledge of the area, and fresh-baked muffins are not to be missed.

Beach Hut Bed & Breakfast

This San Diego bed and breakfast is located within Mission Bay Park, the largest aquatic park of its kind in the country at 4,235 acres and roughly 50 percent water. Guests of the Beach Hut are steps away from Sail Bay, a beach that’s known to attract sailors, boaters, windsurfers and kitesurfers, paddleboarders, and kayakers. Back at the bed and breakfast, there are just two rooms, the Tuscan Room and the Garden Room, so privacy is guaranteed. Continental breakfast selections are pre-ordered for the duration of your stay, and downtown San Diego and La Jolla are only five miles away when you feel like sightseeing or dining out.

1906 Lodge

Photo: Booking.com

Two blocks from Coronado Beach, one of the most popular and family-friendly beaches in San Diego County, the 1906 Lodge is technically located across the bay from San Diego proper on Coronado Island, although it’s a quick trip to the city by bridge or ferry. It’s also not technically a bed and breakfast. But with just 17 individually decorated rooms, amiable innkeepers, a communal garden, complimentary breakfast, and a daily afternoon happy hour for guests to mingle over wine and hors d’ouevres, it sure feels like one — only elevated, with mimosas at breakfast and all the loaner beach gear you might need.

The Vine House Bed & Breakfast

San Diego is a beach destination, but it’s also an hour south of Temecula Wine Country. This bed and breakfast is located in the heart of the De Portola Wine Trail. The Cape Cod-style home has five rooms, all of which match the elegance of the vineyards you’ll see out your window, complete with plush interiors, fireplaces, and private patios. Breakfast at The Vine House is equally befitting the stunning surrounds, with a rotating menu of entrees ranging from loaded omelets to French toast using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. Better yet, it’s delivered to your room each morning. When you’re not touring nearby wineries or day-tripping to San Diego proper, take advantage of on-site amenities such as the tennis and bocce ball courts and communal fire pit. You’ll need to rent a car or hop on easily accessible public transportation to get to downtown San Diego from this one.

Always Inn San Clemente

Photo: Booking.com

One of the best things about bed and breakfasts is how funky they can be, and this Tuscany-style inn in San Clemente is truly eclectic. An hour north of San Diego, which might require renting a car if you’re keen to explore San Diego proper, the Always Inn feels like a garden oasis with breakfast offered outdoors surrounded by palm trees, roses, gardenias, succulents, and planter boxes full of fresh herbs. All rooms come with their own furnishings, queen-sized beds, and electric fireplaces, as well as complimentary goods such as aromatherapy toiletries, snack baskets, and Belgian chocolates. The innkeeper is also happy to arrange special amenities and activities, including spa treatments, beach picnics, candle light dinners, and in-room chocolate-covered strawberries if you’re traveling with someone special.

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Published on August 11, 2022 14:00

The Last Super Moon of the Year Peaks on August 11. Here’s How To Best See It.

The last supermoon of the year has already started, and since the next one isn’t coming until August 2023, you don’t want to miss it. The event began Wednesday but won’t be visible to the naked eye until 9:36 PM EDT on August 10 when it will appear opposite the sun in Earth-based longitude until Saturday morning, according to NASA.

A supermoon appears bigger and brighter because it’s within 90 percent of its closest point, or perigee, to Earth. A supermoon typically appears 17 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than when the moon is farthest from Earth. There have been four supermoons this year — one in May, one in June, and one in July. However, the moons in June and July were closer and therefore bigger and brighter than tonight.

This supermoon, called the Sturgeon Moon, was named by the Indigenous Algonquin tribes that lived in the northeastern United States after the large fish that were easy to catch that time of year in the Great Lakes, according to CBS News. It’s also been called the Green Corn Moon.

Simultaneously, the best meteor shower of the year, the Perseid meteor shower, will reach its peak this Thursday through Saturday, but since the moon will be so bright, it might be challenging to see. Experts suggest looking for the meteors after midnight on Saturday morning, far from light pollution and looking north away from the light of the moon.

If you’ve ever felt like getting a good shot of the moon on camera is impossible, you’re not alone. That’s why NASA has released a guide to taking photos of the moon on a cell phone, camera, or telescope, though it probably still won’t do it justice.

More like this Astronomy From Meteor Showers To Supermoons, Here’s Every Night Sky Event You Don’t Want To Miss in 2022

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Published on August 11, 2022 12:36

How To Crush the Portland Art Museum in One Day

The Portland Art Museum (not to be confused with the Portland Museum of Art, that’s in Maine) is the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest, opening its doors in 1892. Over 130 years, it’s amassed an extensive collection of Native American and Asian art, all the while moving into one of the most architecturally stunning structures in the museum world, and expanding its collection to modern, impressionist, and BIPOC artists.

The museum sits in two buildings along peaceful Park Avenue in downtown Portland, Oregon. The Main Building, which houses the European, Native American, and Asian, and special touring exhibitions, was completed in 1932, and designed by Pietro Belluschi. Next door, an old Masonic Temple was converted into the museum’s modern and contemporary wing in 2005. Getting between and around them can be tricky, as can figuring out how to make the most of your visit. We took a tour and chatted with Portland Art Museum Director Brian Ferriso, and found the best stuff to see at the Portland Art Museum.

Inside one of the galleries at the Portland Art Museum

Photo: Portland Art Museum

Admission at the Portland Art Museum is $25 for adults, and includes access to all exhibits and shows within the museum. VR experiences and other special experiences at PAM Cut — the museum’s experiential media arts center – are extra.

Tickets Seniors 62 and up are $22. Tickets for students 18 and older are also $22 with ID. Children 17 and under, museum members, and veterans are admitted for free.When is the Portland art Museum free?Portland Art Museum offers quarterly Miller Family Free Days, where four days per year admission is free for all. Admission is always free for children 17 and under, and veterans.How much time do I need to visit the Portland Art Museum?

Despite covering two buildings, and nearly seven stories of art, the Portland Art Museum is surprisingly compact. Museum Director Brian Ferriso suggests budgeting an hour and a half to two hours. Though if you want to watch one of the museum’s films or visit PAM Cut, budget additional time for that.

Where is the Portland Art Museum and how do I get there? Facade of the Portland Art Museum

Photo: Portland Art Museum

The Portland Art Museum is located at 1219 Park Avenue in Portland, Oregon. Driving there is fairly easy, and you can either park on the street or at a number of nearby garages and parking lots.

Portland also offers the BIKETOWN bike share program, where you can rent bikes from racks on the street and return them in designated spaces. The museum has one such bike rack near its front entrance.

If you prefer to take public transportation, the Portland street car has an Art Museum stop that services both the green and red lines. You can also take the Portland MAX rail, and stop at either Pioneer Square North or Galleria/10th Street westbound, and walk a few blocks to the museum.Parking at the Portland Art Museum

The Portland Art Museum does not have a designated garage, but you can park at two SmartPark garages nearby at:

730 SW 10th Avenue 914 SW Taylor Street

Parking is $1.80 per hour, with a 24-hour maximum of $12.

You can also park in a surface lot just north of the museum at 1005 SW Main Street, parking there is $5 an hour.What are the best times to visit the Portland Art Museum?

What could possibly be more quintessentially Portland than combining your trip to the art museum with a stroll through a farmers market? That’s why Ferriso suggests visiting on a Wednesday or on the weekends, when a big farmers market takes over the park across the street. Just be advised they don’t allow food inside the museum, so finish your tropical fruit smoothie before beginning your tour.

“There’s a lot of vitality on the weekends,” says Ferriso. “So it really creates an opportunity to experience the great food in our community as well as the great art.”The #1 piece of advice for visiting the Portland Art Museum

The Portland Art Museum spans two main buildings — the 1932 Main Building, and the Jubitz Center for Modern and Contemporary Art. Getting between them, and even getting between floors, is not so straightforward as just going up and down stairs, or crossing through a main entrance. Narrow stairwells in the main building take you from floor to floor, and not every floor is accessible from every stairwell. Furthermore, to go between buildings, you’ll need to go to the ground floor (LL) and walk down a small corridor.

It can be confusing, yes, so always get a map and don’t be afraid to ask the front desk for directions.Where to start your visit to the Portland Art Museum? Visitors to the Portland Art Museum looking at a painting

Visitors to the Portland Art Museum looking at a painting

Photo: Portland Art Museum

The museum’s front entrance is a grand Art Deco hall covered in rotating murals, and obviously the default place to start any visit. But it’s also the entryway to the museum’s gallery of rotating and special exhibits, which Ferriso says should be first on your list.

“Start with our special exhibitions,” he says. “We always have such a strong lineup for major special exhibitions, whether it’s from the region or the world, and it’s right when you enter. So see that, then work your way into the collection.”

Recent traveling exhibits at the Portland Art Museum have included a retrospective of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, as well as upcoming collections from Oscar Howe, Jeffrey Gibson, and Black Artists of Oregon.Six must-see galleries and pieces at the Portland Art MuseumAsian Art Asian art at the Portland Art Museum

Photo: Portland Art Museum

Just left of the main entrance sits the museum’s Hirsch Wing, home to a collection of over 4,000 pieces of Asian Art. The collection rotates, but includes objects dating back over 2,000 years, to the Han and Tang dynasties.

“As a Pacific rim city, we have a very strong relationship with Asia, and Chinese and early Chinese art in particular,” says Ferriso. “It’s a defining part of our museum, and after you see the objects from 2,000 years ago, there’s also a lot of Japanese and Korean art.”

Native American Art

On the second and third floors of the Portland Art Museum’s main building, you’ll find an expansive collection of art from northwestern indigenous tribes, including contemporary works from indigenous artists.

If you haven’t experienced the works of Alaskan and northwestern tribes before, the artisanry in the totems and ceremonial pieces is stunning. Just be aware the light in the galleries is kept fairly low to preserve the pieces

Il Femminiello

The most-searched piece in the Portland Art Museum isn’t any of its stunning Asian or Native American art, though. It’s a small painting in the museum’s European galleries called “Il Femminiello.” The Giuseppe Bonito painting depicts two men dressed in women’s clothing in eighteenth century Italy, playfully putting on necklaces and smiling for the artist.

According to its explanatory plaque, “The Femminiello” translates to “little female men,” and defined a sort of third gender in 1700s Naples. The cross-dressing Femminielli were fairly common and accepted in Naples’ Spanish quarter. This early example of tolerance however, has little historical record, and this painting is its only existing physical representation.

The Aux/Mute Gallery

Step out of the stairwell onto the fourth floor of the Portland Art Museum’s main building, and you might think you’d walked onto a New York City apartment rooftop setting up for a weekend party. A turntable sits on some AstroTurf, as a mural behind it depicts a man taking the DJ Jesus pose while looking out over a short brick wall.

It’s actually the studios of Numberz FM, a local Black-owned radio station that began broadcasting from the museum during the pandemic. That residency led to the station taking over the building’s top floor, and creating a space for BIPOC artists to showcase their work. The works are community-curated, and include reflections on Black life in Portland and relics from the 2020 protests. The DJ setup is legit, too, as the space hosts regular parties when the museum is closed.

Impressionist gallery

After crossing into the Jubitz Center for Modern and Contemporary Art, head upstairs to the impressionist gallery. Here you’ll see the museum’s lone permanent Monet painting from his famous “Water Lilies” series. You’ll also see Van Gogh’s “Ox Cart,” a dark impression of an ox trudging past flying birds. Other works by legendary impressionists are often displayed here on loan, so odds are you’ll see more stuff from names you know. Take a walk to the back of the gallery and take a gander at the “Le Petit Pâtissier,” a Chaim Soutine portrait of a pastry chef that’s often copied in prints people put in their kitchens.

Five underrated things to see at the Portland Art MuseumPAM Cut VR experience at the Portland Art Museum

Photo: Portland Art Museum

Around the corner from the two main buildings sits PAM Cut, Portland Art Museum’s experiential media arts center. It hosts regular events, from outdoor movie screenings with interactive, dress-up themes, to drag queen bingo. Even if there’s no event going on, it’s worth stopping in for its virtual reality experiences, which include a full XR simulation where guests don a hepatic suit and use food and essential oils to travel to the year 3030.

You can also rent a VR headset for multiple days as part of the VR To Go program. Or take a class in gaming or DJ-ing if the timing lines up.

Numz Bodega

At the far end of the Aux/Mute gallery you’ll find what looks like a little corner store tucked into the top floor of the art museum. This is Numz Bodega, a mockup of the classic New York City corner store complete with photographic murals of questionable fried chicken. Props include old washing machines and store shelves, but the “bodega” actually serves as an artisan gift shop for the BIPOC artists filling the gallery. You’ll find unique clothes, prints, and other souvenirs from local makers.

Underground hallway between buildings

The Portland Art Museum’s unusual configuration requires crossing below the ground level to go between the main building and the Jubitz Center. While it might be tempting to use this short stroll as a time to check your phone, the museum fills this corridor with rotating modern art that’s worth setting aside some time to appreciate. The hallway is also home to the Portland Art Museum’s 300-seat theater, which PAM Cut uses to screen art films and other cinematic works.

Northwestern Wing

It might be easy to skip over the small Northwestern Wing at the end of the Native American exhibit. But this wing, more than any other in the museum, gives visitors a sense of place, and shows artists and scenes you won’t find elsewhere.

“The world has turned global and created this flattening of the art world, where you start to see the same artists in the same places,” says Ferriso. “What you will see here is distinct artists, distinct movements and unique works that actually define this place in the Pacific Northwest.”

The depictions of northwestern lifestyle and landscapes give a window into what life in and around Portland is like, and might be the most city-specific exhibit in the museum.Tours and audio guides at Portland Art MuseumThe Portland Art Museum offers regular public tours, free for members and included with paid museum admission. They meet at the Park Avenue entrance, starting at 1 PM on Thursday; 6 PM on Fridays; 12:30 PM and 3 PM on Saturdays; and 3 PM on Sundays. There’s also a public Family Tour on Sundays at 12:30 PM.Where to eat in and around the Portland Art MuseumAs the Portland Art Museum is currently in the first phases of a massive renovation that will connect both buildings and introduce a breezy public thruway, there are currently no food or drink options inside the museum
On weekends and on Wednesdays, a farmer’s market fills the park in front of the museum and is far and away the best option for food and drinks nearby. Should you be visiting on another day, you’re less than ten minutes’ walk from the heart of downtown Portland, where you’ll find no shortage of coffee shops and small restaurants.Gift Shop at the Portland Art Museum

The Museum Store is on the first floor of the main building, and doesn’t require a ticket to visit. It’s filled with books, scarves, plates, jewelry, and pretty much any other keepsake from the collection.
On the 4th Floor, Numz Bodega offers clothing and other items from BIPOC artists featured in the Aux/Mute gallery. Admission is required to access the bodega.

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Published on August 11, 2022 11:00

These Portland Experiences Showcase the Best of a Fantastically Weird City

There’s nothing like exploring the beautiful city of Portland. Check out these Portland experiences on Airbnb that showcase the best of the city, from hiking, pub crawls, and mindfulness-infused archery to seeing the town from above.

We hope you love these Portland Airbnb experiences we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a tour. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Enchanted Seven Waterfalls Hike

Photo: Airbnb

This outdoor experience near Portland is a great adventure to explore Oregon’s nature side. This Enchanted Seven Waterfalls Hike will lead you into the foothills of the Cascade mountains to hike “The Crown Jewel of Oregon.” This five-mile loop will take you through the scenic area of a towering 177-foot waterfall. You’ll learn about the animals, plants, landscape topography, and ecosystem.

Price: From $75 per person

Gorge waterfall hike and bike adventure

Photo: Airbnb

Experience this waterfall hike and bike excursion around the Columbia River Gorge and immerse yourself in the temperate rainforest. Learn about the history of the gorge and the famous amphitheater that it hosts on a waterfall-laden trek through the western end of the canyon. There will be a mix of hiking, biking, and learning about who was here before and how this place became what it is today.

Price: From $90 per person

Aerial Tour of Oregon’s Famous Waterfalls

Photo: Airbnb

Just 30 minutes outside of Portland is this fantastic experience, an aerial tour of Oregon’s famous waterfalls. This 40-minute helicopter flight will take you to multiple waterfalls like Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, and more unique and beautiful waterfalls.

Price: From $349 per person

Empowering Archery with Mindfulness

Photo: Airbnb

There’s nothing better than finding yourself in Portland. The thing is, you don’t always find exactly what you’d expect — for example, many have found that they quite enjoy a bow and arrow after taking this archery class. The aim, according to the host, is to make you feel the most empowered you’ve ever felt. We’ve all seen those cool archery videos and wanted to give it a try, and now here is the chance to do so — with a meditative spirt, to boot. Get the insider scoop on archery, and by the end of this experience, you’ll be ready to show off some extraordinary target-hunting skills.

Price: From $75 per person

Aerial Tram and Rooftop Excursion

Photo: Airbnb

Take in the beautiful city of Portland from above. Portland’s Aerial Tram is the best way to see the area in its entirety, particularly when you have a guide explaining the story behind what you’re looking at. After riding the tram you’ll visit a rooftop in Pearl District to learn about the city’s different architectural styles. The last location is Chinatown, where you’ll have mimosas on the roof of a former 1881 sailors’ boarding house. Bonus — there are epic donuts just up the street from the tram.

Price: From $38 per person

Weird Bar Crawl

Photo: Airbnb

Portland is known for its weird bars, and the best way to experience the scene is through this bar crawl that will have you feeling like a Portland local for the night. This unique bar crawl takes you to a series of cool and unique bars, where you’ll not only taste the drinks that they’re known for but learn the stories behind them. Dive into Portland’s diverse neighborhoods and culture with this one-of-a-kind bar crawl.

Price: From $59 per person

Willamette Valley Wine Tour

Photo: Airbnb

If you’re looking for a little wind-down action, this Willamette Valley wine tour is just for you. On this epic wine excursion, you’ll have the pleasure of visiting three boutique wineries where you’ll taste many delicious wines and experience a relaxing picnic to pair the grapes to.

Price: From $185 per person

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Published on August 11, 2022 10:50

This Luxurious Hiking Tour of Patagonia Includes a Personal Chef

The travel company Modern Adventure, which hosts luxury excursions in places like Mexico, Bhutan, and Morocco, has announced its latest adventure: An 11 day, 10 night hiking trip through Patagonia that costs $10,000 and features nightly meals prepared by chef William Dissen.

Dissen recently hosted a fishing excursion called Fish and Feast at Paws Up resort in Montana. Now he’s back on the travel circuit to join this epic trip through Chile and Argentina. Open to about 12 people, the trip will consist mostly of hikes through Patagonia’s mountains, fjords, forests, and valleys.

There’s no need to be an experienced hiker to join, either: Modern Adventure specifies that the daily hikes are capped at five miles each and are of “moderate” difficulty. However, hikers will be required to carry their own packs. This is a trip that travelers who want to come face-to-face with those stunning natural wonders will want to experience.

Each night, guests will settle into the lodges peppered throughout Patagonia called estancias. Here, they will experience Dissen’s meals, complete with wine pairings. Often cooked over an open fire, Dissen’s cooking style uses all locally sourced ingredients. Noted for his commitment to sustainability (Fortune magazine crowned him “Green Chef of the Year” two years in a row), Dissen will also lead guests on foraging expeditions to find ingredients for the nightly dinners.

The hike itself will include journeys to see glaciers, lagoons, and rivers in the Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine national parks, interactions with the gauchos that the Patagonia is famous for, and tracking wildlife like pumas and guanacos (a llama-like animal).

The entire itinerary, meals, and activities are planned out in advance by the Modern Adventure team. In fact, before you book, you can check out the full day-by-day itinerary here, which covers how much hiking will take place each day, what natural wonders you’ll encounter on each hike, and even information on every hotel where you’ll be lodging.

Modern Adventure often pairs experts with its trips. For instance, Enrique Sanchez, a mixologist, will accompany an upcoming trip to Oaxaca, to guide guests on a journey through Mexican mezcal.

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Published on August 11, 2022 10:15

Stuck in Economy? 6 Things Under $100 That’ll Make You Feel Like You’re in First Class

Even though you get significantly more real estate when flying first class (not to mention complimentary cocktails), it can be hard to justify paying hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars more just for some extra leg room and a few G&Ts. That said, I’ll never turn down a free upgrade. And while being able to stretch out is nice, one of the best parts of first class are the little creature comforts.

For example, a business class long haul flight on Fiji Airways includes duvets, premium mattress toppers (because your seat turns into a bed) and one of the industry’s best amenity kits with luxurious toiletries, eye shades and socks. Even if you’re not flying in first class, you can still come prepared with accessories that can elevate economy.

From a best-selling memory foam neck pillow to a phone mount that turns your tray table into an entertainment center, here are six products that make flying coach feel a bit more like flying first class. They may cost more than the best-selling travel accessories for under $10, but they’re still a heck of a lot cheaper than paying for front row seats.

We hope you love the products 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 time of publication.

Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow, $39.99

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The secret to a good neck pillow is memory foam. Now that I’ve discovered the Cabeau Evolution S3, I feel bad for anyone I see with a flimsy neck pillow that doesn’t properly support their head. Another great feature of this pillow is its removable and machine-washable cover. I also love that this pillow has straps so I can attach it to my headrest. In the past, I’ve been frustrated by pillows that wouldn’t stay in place. While it doesn’t deflate, it does pack down to be about half of its size. It also comes with a convenient carrying case — a feature other travelers seem to appreciate as well. On Amazon, the Cabeau Evolution S3 has a 4.4.-star average rating from more than 4,100 reviews.

Twelve South AirFly Duo Wireless Transmitter, $44.99

Plastic, cheap and made with minimal padding, economy headsets pale in comparison to their first class and business class counterparts. (Emirates’ first class headsets, which are made using sheepskin leather, are even noise canceling.) If you’re a frequent flyer, it’s probably worth getting a comfortable wireless headset, ideally with noise canceling technology. At the very least, you’ll probably prefer to use your AirPods in lieu of what the flight attendant hands out. In both cases, you’ll need a wireless transmitter so you can connect your Bluetooth-equipped device to your in-seat entertainment. Frequent solo travelers will appreciate the AirFly Pro, but this particular transmitter from the same company allows for audio sharing with up to two headsets. It’s compatible with most wireless headsets and also works with AirPods.

Rumpl Travel Blanket, $99

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If you run cold, an airplane cabin can feel like the Arctic. Airlines keep temperatures low on purpose to prevent fainting. If you’re on an overnight flight, the blanket you get will probably be a lot thinner, and smaller, than what your fellow passengers in first class are curling up under. Fortunately, Rumpl makes a sustainable (think recycled plastic turned into down fibers) Nanoloft-insulated travel blanket that is not only warm, but it’s also practical. In its stuff sack, the 38-inch by 52-inch blanket takes up about as much space as a water bottle. Speaking of water, it has a DWR finish so it’s water and stain-resistant. I also love that it’s machine-washable. On Amazon, the RUMPL OG blanket (which is slightly bigger) has an impressive 4.8-star average rating from more than 500 reviews.

Airplane Travel Essentials Phone Holder, $12.95

While international flights have back-of-seat TVs, you often have to rely on your phone and the airline’s app for in-flight entertainment on domestic flights. Since holding your phone for a few minutes of Facetiming can be exhausting, holding it for a feature length film can be straight up torture. That’s why I’m a big fan of this phone holder that easily mounts to any tray table allowing for hands-free viewing. It rotates 360 degrees, so positioning it for your optimal viewing angle is simple. The clamp that holds your phone works vertically and horizontally, too. Finally, it fits any cell phone released in the last few years and when folded up, it takes up about as much space as a lighter. It definitely is more reliable than hacking your way to a back-of-seat phone holder.

Manta Sleep Mask, $35

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People sleep better when it’s dark, and while you usually get an eye mask on overnight flights in first class or business class, in economy, you’re at the mercy of your seatmates who may decide to turn on their reading lights when the cabin lights are dimmed. For that reason, consider investing in the best-selling Manta Sleep Mask. It has a 4.6-star average rating from nearly 9,500 reviews on Amazon, and unlike other eye masks, this model blocks 100% of light. Basically, it’s like having blackout curtains for your eyes. And unlike other masks, the Manta Sleep Mask has eye cups so the mask isn’t in direct contact with your eyelashes. The soft foam cups are adjustable, too, so you can mold them to fit your face.

Stance Compression Socks, $29.99

One of my favorite first class amenities is the random pair of socks that I don’t mind wearing, without shoes, to the lavatory. When I’m flying coach, I try to make sure I’m wearing compression socks, which increase blood circulation and help prevent deep vein thrombosis. I like Stance’s compression socks because they’re made of a breathable fabric that has properties which prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria. If I’m going to have my shoes off on the plane, I want to make sure my feet don’t stink. They’re also made of a merino wool blend, so my toes stay toasty. While $30 for a pair of socks may seem like a lot, they do come with a lifetime warranty. In theory, they should never rip or tear. And if they do? Simply contact Stance for a replacement.

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Published on August 11, 2022 10:10

The Best Kayaking Experiences Off Michigan’s Beaches

Kayaking might be one of the most flexible watersports in the world — well, as flexible as you can get with a 10-foot-long hunk of fiberglass involved, that is. From calm afternoon paddles on a lake to a multi-day camping trip down an exhilarating river to mind-blowing sea adventures, kayaking can be enjoyed by folks of all skill levels in diverse settings.

Of course, any Michigander will tell you that kayaking in Michigan is the best. I mean, 3200 miles of coastline? No corrosive saltwater? Perhaps even the bonus of a beach to relax on following a hard paddle session? Yes, please.

A note before we get started: If you’re on one of the Great Lakes, as opposed to an inland lake, congratulations – you are sea kayaking. Yes, it’s still a lake. Stick with me. If you’re not from Michigan or the surrounds, you’re going to have to adjust your expectations of a “lake.” The waves can be treacherous, and the weather unpredictable. The open lake is not for novices or those unfamiliar with Michigan conditions. You’ll want to consider channel and river paths that lead to the lakes, inlets, and harbors that are calmer than the open water, and guided tours from folks who know exactly what they’re doing. The grand scale of the Great Lakes keeps them chilly all year long, so don’t be surprised if your local outfitter suggests a wet suit.

None of that should suggest that Michigan’s inland lakes and rivers are a consolation prize. In addition to the Great Lakes, Michigan offers over 11,000 inland lakes and 300 rivers to explore by kayak. Many are glacier-formed, meaning they’re stunning clear and blue; they also warm up towards the middle and end of summer. Others boast surprises like sandbars, impressive fishing, and swimming beaches.

If you’re unsure of your own capabilities, err on the side of caution and ask for guidance — kayaking is a fairly welcoming pastime, but accidents can happen to anyone. Whether you’re a pro or brand-new to kayaking in Michigan, these locations will get you excited to hit the water.

Western Michigan

Lake Michigan is the second-largest of the Great Lakes but ranks first in my heart. Visit the beaches in this area and you’ll be treated to world-famous Michigan “sugar sand” — exquisitely fine sand that feels almost unreal. Many towns along the lake pop fully to life in the summer months — if you’re planning a trip to the area, you’ll want to book your logistics ahead of time to make sure you don’t get squeezed out.

Mona Lake, Muskegon People kayaking in Michigan on Lake Mona

Photo:

The West Michigan Water Trail offers many great options for exploring Lake Michigan — to enjoy a simple kayaking trip, beach, and even fishing, start out in the Mona Lake Loop. The park features a popular swimming beach (the shallow depths mean Mona is one of the warmest lakes in the area). Nearby Muskegon Lake is a good next-step kayaking destination — Snug Harbor is calm and features swimming beaches and hiking trails as well. Both bodies of water open out to Lake Michigan, but rapidly changing weather and hefty waves mean it’s best to leave that adventure to experienced kayakers.

Warren Dunes State Park, Sawyer People kayaking in Michigan Warren State Park

Photo: Susan B Sheldon/Shutterstock

With three miles of sandy shoreline, 240-foot tall sand dunes, and just a 90-minute drive from Chicago, Warren State is popular for all the right reasons. Visit Third Coast Paddling for kayak rentals; if you can’t get enough of the beach, maybe sandboarding should be on your itinerary as well.

Central and Southeast Michigan

This part of Michigan is often characterized by its cities (Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing) and college rivalries (go Spartans), but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in opportunities to get out and paddle. Since this is an urban and highly industrialized area, it’s important to stay up-to-date on any city announcements regarding possible pollution or unsafe conditions and adjust your plans accordingly. Oh, and leave your daydreams of kayaking to Canada out of the plans — while you can freely cross international waters, you’ll violate international law the moment you touch land, even if it’s just with a paddle.

Seven Lakes State Park Two kayaks beside Seven Lakes State Park

Photo: Gottography/Shutterstock

Get you a park that does it all. Seven Lakes is a popular fishing, hiking, camping, and swimming location just an hour northwest of Detroit. You can bring your own kayak or rent them from the registration office, open between Memorial Day and Labor Day. To enjoy sandy swimming beaches immediately before or after your kayaking trip, head to the largest lake in the park, aptly named Big Seven Lake. While lake conditions are always subject to change, Big Seven is calm because of its inland setting, making this a great option for beginners and families. Don’t forget that you’ll need to purchase a Recreation Passport to enjoy Michigan’s state recreation areas.

Belle River Front of Kayak on Belle River Michigan

Photo: backpacker79/Shutterstock

The 7.5-mile water trail along Belle River takes you from East China Township to the St. Clair River. While it’s a smooth ride, the river is heavily wooded — meaning you’ll occasionally come across a tree in the water. Nearby Marine City Beach offers a chance to relax on the sand — but it’s only open during the summer. For rentals throughout the area, visit Simple Adventures.

Eastern Michigan

The “thumb” offers unique kayaking on Lake Huron, especially for fans of geology. As always, carefully check the weather before starting any trip, and be prepared with backup plans.

Port Austin Person kayaking in Michigan at Port Austin

Photo: Craig Sterken/Shutterstock

If you’ve been looking for kayaking spots or just scrolling around Instagram, you may have already seen pictures of Turnip Rock. Turnip Rock is an aptly named geographical formation — aka a giant inverted pyramid of rocks jutting out of the lake. The water around Turnip Rock is shallow enough to shore to paddle and wade in — however, the rock is technically on private land, so you can’t explore the actual “turnip.” You’re welcome to perch your kayak on the shore for a quick break, but please be respectful and clean up after yourself. Water shoes are highly recommended. Bird Creek is the most popular spot to start the seven-mile paddle, but if you’re looking to launch from a sandy beach, try Veteran’s Waterfront Park.

Broken Rocks Trail

Turnip Rock gets pretty crowded in the summer months, but there are plenty of other very cool rock formations in Port Austin to explore. Launching again from the wide beach at Veteran’s Park, steer your kayak in the opposite direction to explore Broken Rocks Trail, a great beginner option. At around two hours, Broken Rocks will take you along the relatively calm western shore of Port Austin, past sea caves, cliffs, and boulders, ending at Table Rock. Unlike Turnip Rock, Table Rock is public land, making it the perfect place to enjoy a mid-paddle picnic.

Port Austin Kayak will help you with rentals, directions, and launching for either option and also offers a two-mile out-and-back trail to Port Austin Reef Light — an experience strictly for seasoned kayakers.

Harbor Beach Person kayaking in Michigan on Harbor Beach

Photo: Harbor Beach Kayak

About 30 minutes southwest of Port Austin, you’ll find Harbor Beach, conveniently serviced by Harbor Beach Kayak. Launch at Lincoln Park to enjoy a sandy swimming beach; in this area, the waters are relatively calm and protected by the harbor. The Harbor Beach Lighthouse is charming to paddle past, but the real treat in this kayaking spot are the three well-preserved shipwrecks just a short distance from shore. The Dorcas Pendell, John Wesley, and George H. Waud were all sunk after running aground in the harbor between 1902 and 1914. All three are wooden schooners in various states of wear and are quite visible from the surface, depending on how calm the waters are.

Northern Michigan

This part of Michigan offers gorgeous opportunities to explore both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Nature up here is wilder and rougher than down south, but immensely rewarding. The Great Lakes can be cold and choppy up here, so take caution when preparing for a trip — always check the weather reports, be aware of emergency ports, and notify a friend of your kayaking plans. The multiple inland lakes and harbors in northern Michigan offer calmer (and warmer) waters without sacrificing the beauty.

Torch Lake Person kayaking in Michigan at sunset

Photo: BeccasDigital/Shutterstock

Running parallel to the eastern shore of Grand Traverse Bay, Torch Lake packs in a lot of surprises. A long, skinny body of water, Torch Lake, is the deepest and the longest inland lake in Michigan. Formed by melting glaciers, the water is a stunningly clear turquoise color. Many beaches up north are rocky, not sandy, but you can find a launch spot and a sandy beach at Torch Lake Township Day Park. The lake also boasts a two-mile-long sandbar that’s a popular party spot in the summer — it’s a quintessential #lakelife destination perfect for hopping out of your boat and enjoying a cool drink with the sand between your toes. Torch Lake can get crowded in the summer months, you’ll want to secure your rental equipment or tours early. Luckily, there is no shortage of watersports shops, and there are plenty of public access launch sites to explore. Torch Lake Tiki offers day rentals and guided tours, including a new Twilight Tour of the sandbar. If the thought of a glass-bottomed kayak intrigues you, check our Clear Water Kayaks. Riverside Marina offers a budget-friendly option, while Luhrs Landing Marina lets you reserve a kayak (or pontoon) online. Don’t confuse this with Torch Lake in Houghton County on the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Sleeping Bear Dunes Kayaking spot in Michigan at Sleeping Bear Dunes State Park

Photo: Bo Shen/Shutterstock

Like a landscape out of a sci-fi movie, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore stretches 35 miles along Lake Michigan. While there are several great inland lakes to explore in the dunes, the “big lake” is definitely the star of the show — though Lake Michigan’s unpredictable weather and substantial waves mean it will not be for everyone. The park offers miles of beaches — Platte River Point is a popular spot where you can enjoy the beach and launch a kayak into Lake Michigan, powered by the river quickly coursing. You can rent sea kayaks from Sleeping Bear Surf for the day; Crystal River Outfitters is located with the lakeshore itself and offers rentals and family-friendly trips along the Crystal River.

The Upper Peninsula

Of the Great Lakes, Superior is considered the most tempestuous, and the Upper Peninsula is rugged and remote. While kayaking in this area is likely to be highly rewarding, it should be undertaken with great care. Layers are vital to staying comfortable and dry, as chilly temperatures and unpredictable winds can appear at any time of year. Some outfitters will strongly recommend or require dry suits, and kayakers should be aware of the signs of hypothermia. While there are lovely sandy beaches to be found in the UP, just as in Northern Michigan, much of the shoreline is rocky beach or craggy cliffs.

Grand Island People kayaking in Michigan at Grand Island

Photo: Kenneth Sponsler/Shutterstock

Grand Island is just offshore of Munising on the Upper Peninsula. While most folks go through Munising on their way to the highly celebrated Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the waters around Grand Island and between Christmas on the west and Sand Point Beach on the east offer plenty to explore. Sheltered Murray Bay features the wreck of the Bermuda, a schooner that sank in 1870 and now rests just 12 feet below the water’s surface. An incredibly well-preserved wreck, it’s popular with snorkelers, divers, and boaters. Launching from Sand Point Beach on the mainland will treat you to wide and quiet sandy beaches, situate you right across the water from East Channel Lighthouse, and can serve as an entry point to the series of beaches running to the northeast into Pictured Rocks. Superior Kayaking offers a nine-mile guided tour along Grand Island including gorgeously secluded Mather Beach.

Keweenaw Water Trail

Photo: Keweenaw Adventure

You’ll likely want to join a guided tour to get the most out of this area. A notable trip is around the Keweenaw Peninsula. You can complete the full 100-mile loop through inland Portage Lake and around the tip of the peninsula in six to eight days or break up the trail into day trips. With either option, you’ll get to experience the wild beauty of the undeveloped northern shoreline, dramatic geological formations, and rocky beaches. Keweenaw Adventures offers professionally guided sea kayak tours and overnight trips as well as outfitting, basic instruction, and a three-hour Fundamental of Water Safety course (required for anyone hoping to rent their equipment for a self-guided tour). To enjoy sandy beaches, choose a tour starting at Bete Grise, like the Montreal Falls Kayaking tour. For a totally different water experience that’s great for beginners, the Bete Grise tour will take you from sandy beaches to a thriving marshland that’s sheltered from the waves and winds of Superior.

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