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This Small Backpack Is the Only Travel Pack an Efficient Packer Needs, and Its 26% Off

When I tell people I only travel with a backpack, and haven’t checked a bag in five years, they assume I’m either homeless or using one of those “backpacker backpacks.” You know, those 5-foot-tall behemoths with more straps and ties than a kink shop. When I clarify that my backpack isn’t designed for the Camino de Santiago, but instead for some high school kid carrying his books to school, reactions range from disbelief to incredulous laughter.

“You travel with a SCHOOL backpack? For a whole WEEK?”

That’s right. Sometimes three weeks. And I’ve learned more from this school backpack than I ever learned in actual school – at least, when it comes to packing efficiently. I’ve had my SwissGear Wenger Synergy Laptop Backpack since I started grad school in 2015, intending to use it solely for academic purposes. When cobblestones crippled the back wheel on my rollaway luggage during my first weekend away, the SwissGear rose to the occasion. A temporary solution while I browsed replacement rollaway bags. Or so I thought…

Much like Lou Gherig stepping in for Yankees first baseman Wally Pipp when Pipp injured his ankle, the SwissGear wound up being a permanent replacement – a generational talent, if you will. Its main features include a padded laptop compartment for a 16” laptop and tablet, a stabilizing platform to keep the bag upright, mesh side pockets perfect for water bottles and travel documents, airflow back padding to prevent the wearer from overheating, shock-absorbing shoulder straps, a soft-grip handle, and main compartment wide and deep enough to hold clothes for at least two weeks (if you’re me, anyway).

But let’s get into what really makes this backpack special, and how to maximize its use for travel.

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We hope you love the SwissGear Wenger Synergy Laptop Backpack! 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.

SwissGear backpack review: More than what meets the eye

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First, the laptop compartment. Not only is there enough space for your laptop, but for at least four laptops. Unless your work-life balance is totally out of whack, you probably don’t need four laptops. Repurpose this extra space for clothes. I always slide two folded button-down shirts in there, and more often than not, they emerge wrinkle-free.

The second benefit is the main compartment, which is slimmer at the top but widens toward the bottom. This makes it perfect for carrying shoes.

“Shoes in your backpack? Doesn’t that take up a ton of room?”

Not if you do it right. The space is wide enough to fit a pair (or even two pairs) of shoes side-by-side, and deep enough to throw some pants, six or seven shirts, a belt, socks, and underwear on top.

“What about your toiletries, though?”

Glad you asked. A generous front pocket has more than enough room for a small toiletry bag, a pair of sunglasses, some granola bars for inflight consumption, and a phone charger. And since we’re talking about the smaller pockets, we might as well dive into the side pockets – one mesh, one zipped on each side. The mesh pockets are great for travel docs, water bottles, and anything else you need readily accessible during the travel experience. The zippered pockets are ideal for more important docs like a passport or COVID-19 vaccine card.

You could probably make do with just the features mentioned, but we haven’t even gotten to the best part – the secret pockets.

Ok, maybe not secret, but to the naked eye, they don’t appear to be of much use. There’s a tiny zippered pocket in front of the laptop compartment that goes much deeper than you’d expect. This is my snack compartment. I regularly store at least one ziploc bag of trail mix, and one bag of cereal here for on-the-go snacking. Somehow, some way, the food never gets crushed, and always emerges perfectly intact.

It’d be easy to forget about Main Compartment 2.0, but we won’t. I’m not sure how else to describe this compartment, except to say that the designers outdid themselves, had more fabric to work with, and said “to hell with it, let’s give the people what they want.” This second, slightly smaller main compartment on the front is perfect for holding slimmer, flatter items like books or tablets. It’s ideal for those unexpected layovers when you need a conveniently accessible book without digging through the rest of your bag. 

In 5th grade I bought a goldfish for a science project, expecting it to live no longer than two weeks. It lasted six years. This backpack is like that goldfish. The thing is unspeakably durable. My SwissGear has been to over 35 countries over six years, endured some rough conditions, and still looks good as new. I’m sure there’s a technical explanation for this, involving sturdy, high-quality materials, but I prefer to believe it’s magic – like if a backpack drank from the fountain of youth.

The SwissGear Wenger Synergy Laptop Backpack is on sale for 26 percent off. Grab it now for only $66.65.

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This Over-the-Top River Cruise Is the All-American Trip You Need To Take

Few things feel more like a Southern cliché than sitting on a rocking chair with a glass of ice-cold sweet tea while looking at the Mississippi River from the deck of a paddlewheel steamboat. And I, a French, along with my partner, a Canadian, embraced it wholeheartedly. To add another layer of Americana, it was July 5, and the vessel, the iconic American Queen, and most of its passengers were still festooned in red, white, and blue the day after the Fourth of July.

Photo: Jesse Adams

The American Queen, a picture-perfect 1995 recreation of a Mississippi River paddlewheel steamboat, took us from Memphis to Nashville. The full journey took nine days to cover less than 200 miles. Granted, we stopped along the way, but still, this is slow travel taken to the extreme. Obviously, nobody on board would have it any other way — we had nine days of great food, free drinks, river lectures, music, excursions, and brand-new (to us, at least) scenery to look forward to — all in a luxurious time capsule. The pilots could take it as slow as they needed.

The American Queen steamboat is not your average river cruise ship

Photo: Jesse Adams

A cruise on the Mississippi River is one thing, but a cruise on the emblematic American Queen is another deal entirely — it is undeniably the largest and fanciest steamboat ever built. Modeled after two luxurious steamboats from the 19th century (the Grand Republic for the elegant exterior, and the J.M. White for the opulent decorations and furnishings inside) the American Queen is very grand. Yet, despite the Tiffany lamps, the grand pianos, and the dress code in the main dining room, the crew and the passengers are relaxed and appreciative of the beauty of the vessel rather than stiff-necked and uncomfortable at the lavish displays.

The Mark Twain room is the most opulent room on the American Queen. Photo: Jesse Adams

The cruise company, American Queen Voyages, has three more steamboats in its fleet: the American Countess, the American Duchess, and the American Empress. And while the boats may all look the part from afar, they cannot hold a candle to the American Queen. Passengers who had journeyed on several of the company’s steamboats made clear to us that they would not cruise on any other vessel than the American Queen, and after we got a good look at the American Countess while we were anchored in the port of Paducah, Kentucky, we agreed. It looked nowhere near as dignified or as old-timey as our boat. And I must admit that our feeling of superiority and pride at sojourning on the most sumptuous vessel to ever travel on the Mississippi was certainly reinforced by the people who stood on the banks to take photographs and wave at us everywhere we went.

The rooms and amenities on the American Queen

With 222 cabins spread out over six decks, the American Queen can accommodate 417 passengers and 172 crew members. While we were on board, the vessel was filled to only a little more than 50 percent of its capacity, making for a lot of room to roam and an extremely attentive crew.

Photo: Jesse Adams

Beyond having crew members devoted to your every need and whims, the vessel itself makes passengers feel at ease all the time. The relentless heat and humidity of the South is soothed by the constant AC; the food is ever present whether you feel like having soft serve ice cream, popcorn, biscuits, tea, coffee, or cocktails throughout the day; the pool and cozy lounge chairs on deck six seem always empty, ready to welcome you; and the rooms are cleaned to perfection twice a day. If it’s a restful vacation you’re after, there are fewer better options.

On vacation aboard the American Queen, you can do lots or do very little

You’re onboard this amazing vessel to chill out, and if you wish you can do that and only that. You can sit by the pool with a cocktail all day long and book an appointment at the spa when you feel like being pampered. But if you want to get to know the region you’re traversing, there are excellent excursions just about every day.

Excursions from the American Queen are done via comfy, air-conditioned hop-on hop-off buses with knowledgeable tour guides. That said, if the vessel sets anchors close to where the excursion takes place, you’re under no obligation to ride the bus or visit the places selected, you can just walk off using the gangway and do your own thing — as long as you’re back before the deadline given to you.

Photo: Murals on the New Madrid Museum. Photo: Jesse Adams

During our trip, we stopped at Ashport Landing, Tennessee, home to Fort Pillow State Historic Park where Confederate and Union soldiers fought during the Civil War; In New Madrid, Missouri, a tiny town whose claim to fame is having suffered the biggest earthquakes in American history in the early 19th century; the fun and artsy town of Paducah, Kentucky; and the small town of Dover, Tennessee, located in Stewart County, the most armed county in the United States and home to fewer than 15,000 people (but there are 57 churches).

Not all excursions are exciting. The towns of New Madrid and Dover are small and don’t have an awful lot to offer to passing tourists, yet visiting them allows passengers to peek into how people live, which is exactly what travel is all about.

Entertainment in the Grand Saloon on the American Queen. Photo: Jesse Adams

In between excursions and tanning sessions by the pool, there’s plenty of entertainment to be had aboard the American Queen. For music, there are jazz and blues concerts in the Engine Room Bar (from where you can see the paddlewheel doing its job), piano and sing-along sessions at the Captain’s Bar, and Broadway music in the highly decorated Grand Saloon. There are also bingo games and trivia during which you can win a big wad of dollar bills or items from the gift shop.

What to eat aboard the American Queen

There’s plenty of barbecue, as to be expected on the cruise in the American South, but it’s certainly not the only appetizing offer. You can get amazing ribs and roast beef and all sorts of classic sides like mashed potatoes, grits, Coca-Cola green beans, etc. from the Front Porch Café on the third deck. Vegans and vegetarians don’t need to worry about getting their fair share of scrumptious foods: Every meal offers a vegan option, whether that be breakfast power bowls and quinoa porridge in the morning, or cauliflower steak and a creamy rich vegetable curry for dinner. Every espresso machine on board is also equipped with non-dairy milk alternatives.

Photo: Jesse Adams

And it’s the same when it comes to beverages. There’s nothing outdated about what’s on the menu. Cocktails of the day — think Americanos, Moscow mules, and bourbon punches — are announced the evening before on the daily schedule deposited on your bed at turn-down service, so you can go to sleep assured you won’t go thirsty the next day. But if you don’t feel like having the daily highlighted beverage, you can ask for whatever drinks you want and the bartender will take care of it. My partner enjoyed all the daily cocktails (and some), and I asked for virgin versions, all of which were very well executed. And remember, when you’re onboard, all the drinks are included.

All the things you don’t want to miss aboard the American Queen

The excursions, the entertainment, and the food and drinks should keep you very busy during your time aboard the American Queen. That said, there are some activities that are less flashy but that passengers would be remiss to pass on.

Try your hands at the Calliope

Photo: Jesse Adams

Every time the American Queen leaves a port, one of the on-board pianists makes his way to the River Grill bar on the fifth deck and plays the Calliope, a steam-whistle organ. It’s a very loud and unusual instrument, which you can try if you wish. Just ask the musician in charge that day and they’ll give you a couple of tips so you don’t burst anyone’s eardrums. If you’d rather just look, make sure to take a peek at the whistle pipes releasing the steam on the sixth deck.

When a lock is coming, get on the deck

Going through the Kentucky Lock aboard the American Queen. Photo: Jesse Adams

A 418-foot-long vessel going through a lock is an impressive sight. It requires a lot of skills from the pilots and the crew for the American Queen to fit in the lock and be securely tied without any accidents. But not all locks are created equal — some are fun to witness, others are mind-blowing. Take Olmsted Lock on the Lower Ohio River, between New Madrid and Paducah. It has a chamber that’s 37 feet high and the water level increases by around 30 feet inside. It’s cool to see, but you won’t lose sleep over it. Going through the Kentucky Lock, however, is eerie and claustrophobic. At the confluence between the Tennessee River and the Cumberland River, the chamber is 94-feet-high and the boat is raised by about 90 feet in less than 30 minutes. It’s freakish and you should not miss it.

When a bridge is on the horizon, make your way to the prow

Photo: Jesse Adams

The American Queen is fitted with two 109-foot-tall smokestacks topped with a crown-like design. Those stacks, as charming and old-school as they look, are made with contemporary navigating in mind. When the vessel needs to pass below a bridge, the stacks are lowered, going from vertical to fully horizontal in the blink of an eye. Keep an eye on the horizon so you’ll know when to head to the prow and see the towering stacks being lowered.

Visit the engine room

While taking a tour of the pilot room is advertised daily, going down to see the engine room is lesser-known, yet just as insightful. Unlike the tours of the pilot room, you don’t need to pre-book your visit to the engine room — just go down the steps and have a little chat with the engineers running the ship. It’s fun to see how a paddlewheel steamboat works, especially one that still uses old-fashioned levers to control the speed.

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Frequent Travelers Are Sharing the One Product That Makes Travel Easier

When you start traveling often, you tend to develop a routine. You understand what suitcase works best, what you need and don’t need to pack, whether you’re a roller or a folder, and more. And it’s incredible when you discover a product that, once you start using it, you have no idea how you lived without it. A Redditor started a thread asking what favorite products makes travel easier, and you might find yourself on Amazon shortly.

Things that make packing easier

1. ”This packing list. It is so comprehensive and detailed. I travel a lot, and still use it every time to make sure I don’t forget anything.” – u/Boston_Jayhawk

2. “I’d add my spinner carry on bag. I use it for all trips and it’s commonly my only bag. It’s easy to carry up stairs and just as easy to push through an airport. It’s worth paying for decent quality luggage!” – u/SF-guy83

3. “Weekender bag with trolley sleeve to slip over my carryon, run through the airport or down a cobblestone street, and not lose it. I spent years googling ‘bag with strap to slip over carryon’ without luck until i learned the words TROLLEY SLEEVE. The carryon goes in the overhead bin, the weekender bag goes under the seat, has my electronics, headphones, water bottle, snacks.” — u/Previous-Atmosphere6

4. “Shampoo and conditioner bars. Being solids, there’s no limits on the amount you can bring on a plane and a fresh bar can last two months or more so you can be sure not to run out. Plus a solid can’t leak and get all over everything. Same thing with tubeless toothpaste. They come as tablets so there’s no limits and one small container is like 4 months worth of toothpaste so you won’t run out.” — u/Sir_Meliodas_92

Things that make flying better

5. “Good backpack, gadget bag, Bluetooth adapter for airplane tv screen.” — u/bluenose_droptop

6. “A good set of noise cancelling headphones. They completely change flights by cutting out the engine noise and the people noise.” — u/BeefBurritoed

7.” [TSA Precheck] is the best $85 I think I’ve ever spent on travel. Extra sleep for early flights, don’t have to take my shoes off, don’t have to take my laptop out. I think the longest I’ve ever taken in security since I got it is like 25 minutes in Atlanta during a holiday weekend.” – u/titanic_trash

8. “Laceless shoes for flying or anywhere else you need to take em off.” — u/SeaWolf24

Things to help you travel safely

9. “My wife uses a purse from pacsafe. It has stainless steel wire in the sling and a stainless steel mesh between the layers of the bag. It makes slashing your purse or strap near impossible. Nice for traveling where pick pockets and thieves are.” – u/Joeb_Lowe

10. “The VAULTZ accessories pouch with the steel tether. I put in my cell phone, cash and card when I go to beach locations and strap it to the umbrella or chair. This way, I don’t have to take my phone into the ocean in one of those plastic fanny packs or lanyards and a thief would have to literally steal the chair or umbrella unless they had steel cutters.” — u//Ednaelle

11. “My wife bought a ridesafer vest for a recent trip and it was soooo much better than carrying around a huge car seat. You’ll have to wait till your little one is at least 35lbs though. And it’s only certified in a few countries so far.” — u/chaos_m3thod

Technology that makes travel easier

12.” [An Amazon Fire Stick that] you attach to a TV so you can use streaming apps. We stayed at a couple of hotels/Airbnbs that didn’t have smart TVs rendering the TVs useless for us. I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal cuz you’re traveling, why would you need TV? But winding down after a long day of sightseeing, we really wanted to be able to watch Netflix.” – u/YoDJPumpThisParty

13. “Preloading the local maps for use offline is key as is downloading the Google translate language pack.” –- u/stimilon

“Most big, international airports will have mobile / cellular stores or kiosks that sell local SIM cards. You can purchase a SIM card and cellular plan together… and the store clerk usually installs the SIM and activates the service for you. A SIM costs about 15-20 EUR/USD and most providers offer a pay-per-use or daily/weekly rates (costs vary). In more remote or smaller locations, I’ve looked up who the local cellular provider is and visited one of their stores. There’s also the eSIM (mobile app that acts as a SIM), but I haven’t tried it so cannot attest to its effectiveness.” — u/mft8

14. “A battery bank with a wireless charging side.” — u/UTDroo

15. “With this Bestek Travel Adapter, my girlfriend and I can charge 2 computers, 2 phones, and a camera.” — u/HaleyandZach

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The best resorts in Costa Rica

Costa Rica a great place for adventure that, in the past, we might have considered choosing to stay in a resort somewhat of a cop-out. But that would be like firing a bullet in our foot because having comfort and security is exactly what taking a vacation is all about. The Costa Rica resorts below are all outstanding, offering guests the highest level of customer service with all the opulent amenities of a Central American luxury stay. Whether you are considering staying in the mystical cloud forests in the highlands or want to trek south to the remote jungle of the Osa Peninsula, you can choose from a large variety of unique accommodation options. These are our favorite resorts in Costa Rica for the ultimate vacation experience.

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

The best Costa Rican luxury resortsThe best beach resorts in Costa RicaThe best eco lodges in Costa Rica

The best Costa Rican luxury resorts

There’s an abundance of luxury Costa Rica resorts. From hotels that cater to wildlife enthusiasts and those who prefer to enjoy opulence with a view of the ocean. These, for many of us, will be a once-in-a-lifetime stay, but my god, it would be worth every dollar.

1. The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal — Arenal

Photo: The Springs Resort and Spa/Facebook

The Arenal Volcano is the biggest draw in Costa Rica’s lowland region. Arenal is the most active of the country’s six volcanoes, but it’s been a while since a major eruption, the last having been in 1968. It is located in Arenal Volcano National Park, which encompasses 29,692 acres and treats visitors to one of the world’s most precious ecosystems.

One of the better places to stay when exploring Arenal is The Springs Resort and Spa. The resort was built on 165 acres of private land and is a short 20-minute drive from the town of La Fortuna. The hotel has one of the best views of the volcano and towers over the Arenal Valley below. A range of activities abounds, including horseback riding, kayaking, rock climbing, and access to 28 hot pools and springs. If you’re in need of some rest and relaxation, the spa uses the surrounding nature, drawing on ingredients from the forest for its five-star treatments. The accommodations are also spectacular and all rooms, suites, and villas at the resort come with a balcony, hammocks, beautiful rocking chairs, and a jacuzzi.

2. La Paloma Lodge — Osa Peninsula

Photo: La Paloma Lodge/Facebook

Located on the southern part of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, the Osa Peninsula is one of the most remote places in the country. People make the journey here mainly for the reward of incredible surf conditions, but it’s also home to Parque Nacional Corcovado — arguably one of the country’s better national parks in a country jam-packed with them. It’s home to a diverse range of unique wildlife.

La Paloma Lodge is an ideal place to stay if you are interested in exploring the peninsula. The lodge has a team of naturalist guides and promises guests an immersive experience in the surrounding rainforest. The resort sits on Drake Bay, a stretch of coastline where Sir Francis Drake reportedly hid his treasure in the 1500s. This is about as close to a hidden jungle retreat as you can get, with rooms that either open up to views over the ocean or into lush vegetation. Beyond tours of the national park, the resort also runs educational diving and boat trips around the local biological marine reserve, horseback riding along Drake Bay, a canopy expedition, and many other outdoor adventure activities.

3. Florblanca — Santa Teresa

Photo: Florblanca Resort/Facebook

Santa Teresa is a small town on the Nicoya Peninsula around 90 miles from the capital of San Jose. It was once a small fishing hub but now attracts surfers and creatives from all over the world. The main track road of Santa Teresa runs behind the beach and is peppered with nice local boutiques, restaurants, and hipster cafés.

Florblanca’s 11 villas are buried in the jungle that looks over the beach less than a mile from the town. Winding paths connect the rustic but luxurious villas, each with its own two-person hammock and private lounge area. The service here is impeccable — staff learn guests’ names before arrival — and the range of activities on offer is outstanding. If you enjoy outdoor adventure sports, this is a great place to make camp when in Costa Rica.

With a core focus on health and wellness, Florblanca offers classes in surfing, SUPing, fishing, pilates, and yoga. You can go ziplining, take local excursions around the peninsula, or just kick back with a coconut at the highly rated restaurant, Nectar.

4. Kinkara — San Isidro

Photo: Kinkara

Built into lush forest surroundings, Kinkara sits on the Talamanca mountain range. Located a short 20-minutes drive from San Isidro, the largest town in southern Costa Rica, the eco-friendly retreat lies 3,000 feet above sea level and has a view of the country’s tallest mountain, Mount Chirripó.

Kinkara is highly rated as being one of the best health and wellness resorts in the country, and past guests rave about the farm-to-table dishes that are produced by award-winning chefs at the onsite restaurant. In fact, the retreat aims to become the most biodiverse source of food grown in one location in the world.

Unlike other options in the country, Kinkara is unique in that its accommodation is glamping. The luxurious tents stand in a circle with inward views that look out over more than 100 beds of vegetables and herbs. Tours of the farm projects are available to all guests, as are other activities such as river hikes, mountain biking tours, yoga and meditation, and world-class treatments at the spa.

5. Nayara Springs — Alajuela Province, San Carlos

Photo: Nayara Springs/Facebook

Nayara Springs is another resort in the previously mentioned Arenal Volcano area. The Nayara Springs resort is the adults-only section of the well known Nayara Hotel to which it’s connected by a footbridge. Each of the 35 villas is elegant but homey, offering guests privacy with their own private plunge pool and outdoor shower. Breakfast is also served on the villa’s deck, away from other guests. One of the resort’s highlights is its fine-dining restaurant, Amor Loco, which serves up local red snapper and beef tenderloin. The area around the resort and nearby town of La Fortuna is an outdoor playground, but you might not want to leave the confines of Nayara. The resort offers daily yoga sessions, massages in an outdoor pavilion, and an extensive spa menu drawing on local traditions and ingredients.

The best beach resorts in Costa Rica

If your mind is set on the beach, Costa Rica’s 800 miles of coastline is peppered with resorts. Some are based in the developed areas, which is great for convenience and amienties. Others are a little off the dirt road and offer a more secluded and peaceful vacation. The options we’ve selected here are based in Guanacaste, a province in northwestern Costa Rica which is known for its beaches and biodiverce parks.

6. Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas — Playa Danta, Guanacaste

Photo: Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas/Facebook

Playa Danta is on the Guanacaste coast around 45 minutes north of the well-known, busy beach town of Tamarindo. Its location at the north end of Potrero Bay means the black-sand beach does not get big swells unlike most other spots on the coastline, making it a great place to SUP, snorkel, and kayak — all without the crowds.

Casa Chameleon has been built into the hillside above the man-made luxury small town of Las Catalinas. Opulence is what’s on offer here, from the infinity pool with unobstructed views of the ocean, a yoga studio with a 360 panoramic vista, and an exceptional restaurant and bar. Small details such as unique brass door handles from Indonesia to Moroccan-style lighting really set this resort apart from others in the region. The rooms each come with a private saltwater plunge pool, terrace, and a luxurious king-sized bed.

7. Secrets Papagayo — Papagayo Peninsula, Guanacaste

Photo: Secrets Papagayo/Facebook

Unlike Santa Teresa, which has managed to avoid serious modernization, the Papagayo Peninsula in Guanacaste is a shiny new gated development. Here you’ll find upscale resorts, golf clubs, and a marina.

One of the better resorts on the peninsula is Secrets Papagayo. Unlike most of the places listed here, this property is extensive. There are 202 rooms, and the resort offers all the modern amenities of a typical upscale resort. Secrets is adults-only and attracts a lot of honeymooners looking for a quiet and peaceful escape. There are four on-site, à la carte restaurants; a buffet venue; a grill; and a café, so guests don’t really have to leave the property during their stay if they don’t want to. When it comes to activities, there’s everything you could expect in terms of water sports, but you can really step it up with ATV mountain excursions around Papagayo.

The best eco lodges in Costa Rica

Costa Rica does not mess around when it come to eco-lodges. It might be a sweeping statement to say, Costa Rica has the best eco-lodges and eco-friendly wellness retreats in the world, but they are definitely leading the charge. Here are a few great options.

8. El Silencio Lodge and Spa — Toro Amarillo

Photo: El Silencio Lodge & Spa/Facebook

El Silencio sits in a remote valley in the cloud forest highlands near the Poas Volcano. The highlands are a short 90-minute drive from San Jose, making this a superb option if you have limited time in Costa Rica.

The grounds of the resort span over a 500-acre private reserve, and like many of the accommodations listed here, sustainability is at the core of the business. El Silencio makes a huge effort to reduce its environmental footprint in the forest and works hard to protect the local environment and culture. In other words, this is not a Cancun-esque vacation. Guests here are embedded in nature and encouraged to learn why the ecology of Costa Rica is not only special but also hugely important to the wellbeing of the entire planet. The suites are modern and stylish and come with private outdoor hot tubs, while the two- and three-bedroom villas have beautiful kitchens and lounge areas. The onsite restaurant, Las Ventanas, has a seasonal menu, and in keeping with the lodge’s commitment to supporting the region, it draws from local suppliers and farmers.

9. Lapa Rios Ecolodge — Osa Peninsula

Photo: Lapa Rios Lodge/Facebook

Another world-class lodge resort in the Osa Peninsula is Lapa Rios Ecolodge. The eco-conscious resort has been built into the rainforest and consists of 17 private bungalows. As the peninsula is a trek to reach, guests who make this journey commonly have an interest in learning about the unique ecosystem and wildlife — but this is no jungle camp. The upscale eco-lodge has an array of five-star villas to choose from. Each comes with its own private balcony, where guests can enjoy a view of the ocean with a soundtrack of bird song from the surrounding jungle.

10. Si Como No Resort, Spa, & Wildlife Refuge — Manuel Antonio National Park

Photo: Sí Como No Resort & Wildlife Refuge/Facebook

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Costa Rica. The park sits on the Central Pacific Coast near the town of Quepos. People flock here mainly because of the park’s beauty. Within its boundaries, you can hike to one of three pristine beaches through the thick rainforest, and this is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.

The Si Como No Resort is not the most luxurious in the park, but it is one of the best in terms of value for money. The property is built into the hillside looking out over the Pacific. The resort has everything you could ever want from a relaxing and fun vacation. A movie theater, full-service spa, two restaurants, and two pools with swim-up bars keep guests fully entertained, and upgraded rooms have ocean views and private hot tubs. It is also an ideal option if you are traveling with family as Manuel Antonio is an easy transfer from the capital San Jose.

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You Can Join a ‘Game of Thrones’ Cruise That Sails To Filming Locations Ahead of ‘House of the Dragon’

If you’re like me, you plan to or already have binged all eight seasons of Game of Thrones. And as the three-year wait for the new prequel series House of the Dragon comes to an end this August, die-hard fans of Game of Thrones and author George R. R. Martin can look forward to watching the story’s beginnings come to life on-screen. For fans of the show who want a truly immersive experience, Sail Croatia offers a Game of Thrones-themed cruise where guests can visit the places depicted in the show.

While Game of Thrones was filmed predominantly in Northern Ireland, it also had many sets filmed in Croatia. On the Sail Croatia cruise, passengers will embark on a seven-day journey along the Dalmatian Coast to explore Croatia on a small luxury ship. The trip begins and ends in Split, the on-screen home to Diocletian’s Palace where the dragon dungeons are located. The trip also includes entry to the Game of Thrones Museum, which is home to authentic props, costumes, actual size figures and more.

Photo: Sail Croatia

On day one, guests will embark and arrive at the Makarska Riviera, known for its beautiful beaches, architecture, and mountain peaks. As the ship makes its way to King’s Landing, House of the Dragon will premiere, and guests can watch the show onboard.

Guests will also get to explore the city of Dubrovnik, home to several iconic scenes in Kings Landing, where there will be a walking excursion that leads you through the Red Keep, Blackwater Bay, and the Walk of Shame. Then a short ferry to Lokrum Island will showcase what was known as Qarth and return to Dubrovnik to take a seat on the Iron Throne.

Another included excursion is a wine tasting in Stalin Grad, inspired by fan-favorite character Tyrion Lannister. And on the last day, once guests return to Split, they can visit Klis Fortress, home to the filming location of the City of Meereen, where the iconic scene of Daenerys freeing enslaved people from their masters was filmed.

Photo: Sail Croatia

Pricing for the seven-day trip starts at $1,139 and begins on August 20. If you’re not done with your Game of Thrones adventure, a trip to Northern Ireland for the studio tour and other scenery featured in the show is the perfect place to start.

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A Local’s Guide To Making the Most of Summer in Finland, the Land of the Midnight Sun

The people of Finland are repeatedly listed as the happiest in the world. And while the arctic winter wonderland beauty and fairy tale aesthetic no doubt has something to do with that in the winter, spend some time in Finland in the summer and you’ll really see why it’s so easy to be content here.

No one knows this as well as the locals. We caught up with Sakari Manninen, who brought one of his home country’s favorite beverages, long drink, to the United States with his brand The Finnish Long Drink that he cofounded with a group of friends. Made with gin, soda, and natural flavors, it’s the embodiment of easy summertime sipping. The original long drink was created during the 1952 Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki as a way to serve good drinks fast to the masses. Today, long drink is Finland’s top-selling liquor category.

Photo: The Finnish Long Drink

With a background in Finland’s signature summer serve, it’s safe to say that Manninen knows how to make the most of the warmer months. Here’s his guide on embracing summer in the land of the midnight sun.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Matador Network: Can you describe what Finland is like during the summer and what types of things people typically do in the warmer months?

Sakari Manninen: Finland wakes up when the weather warms up. Days are longer with the sun not setting at all for a couple of months in the north. Finns like to hit the parks for picnics, go swimming or boating or do any other water activity, go golfing or walking outdoors or just have a nice backyard barbecue. Soccer (football for us Europeans) is a big sport here too.

What are the top three cities or regions of Finland that people should see on their first summer trip to the country?

Finland is known for its beautiful archipelago and lakes. There are 188,000 lakes and nearly 180,000 islands in Finland and it is often called the “Land of a Thousand Lakes.” Needless to say that when visiting Finland in the summer, you should visit a cabin on a lake or at the sea. Every cabin would have a sauna next to the water, so you can try the authentic sauna-swim combination while enjoying an ice cold long drink.

The capital, Helsinki, has a great archipelago in front of it. Turku, a city less than two hours away from Helsinki on the southwest coast, is the oldest city in Finland and offers perhaps the best archipelago experience. If you are a lake person, check out the Tampere region, also about two hours away from Helsinki. You can reach both via train.

What are your favorite places to go swimming during the months with midnight sun?

When I’m not swimming in the sea or a lake, I like to go to the Helsinki Swimming Stadium near the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki. It was opened in 1940 and used for the 1952 Summer Olympics. It’s a very popular spot on a nice summer day. However, if you want to swim during the night, you’d have to swim in the sea or a lake as the stadium closes for the night.

What are your favorite beaches in Finland to kick back with a long drink?

Photo: ArtBBNV/Shutterstock

You’ll find a bunch of public beaches in Helsinki. If we look a bit further, one of my favorites is on the west coast in Pori, and it’s called Yyteri Beach. Another one is called Hanko in southern Finland — it’s about an hour and a half drive away from Helsinki and it’s sometimes referred to as the Montauk of Finland. It’s a trendy spot with a lot of nice restaurants right next to the water. All of them naturally serve long drinks. Oh and yes, you are allowed to drink in a park and on a beach in Finland.

What about food during the summer? Are there any specialties or things that people shouldn’t miss?

New (small) potatoes with dill, pickled herring, gravlax, smoked salmon, and rye bread. Those are some of the most traditional Finnish summer foods — so delicious. You’ll find a lot of restaurants in the Finnish cities that serve those dishes during the summer.

What are your favorite summer things to do in Helsinki?

I like playing tennis at some of the outdoor courts in Helsinki. Also just biking or walking around the city on a nice summer day is great, there’s so many more people around. You can stop at any of the hundreds of restaurants/bars with a terrace for an ice cold long drink and some tasty snacks.

What are some of your favorite saunas to visit in Finland?

The one at my family’s cottage and the one at my grandfather’s old summer place. So many memories at both. After those, the sauna on Lonna Island right in front of Helsinki is an awesome public sauna with great views. You can get there by using a Nordic boat ride app called Bout, or take a ferry from the Market Square (Kauppatori).

Photo: Hivaka/Shutterstock

Do you have any favorite biking trails to do in the summer?

My favorite one is the biking route that goes from the center of Helsinki to Espoo and back. It’s about 12 miles long. It goes around the bay between Helsinki and Espoo, so the views are awesome throughout the route. (Here is a link to the map.)

What summer events should people mark on their calendars before planning a trip to Finland?

Midsummer is the biggest celebration of the summer in Finland and the whole Nordics. It’s a celebration for the summer solstice. What’s funny about it is that Helsinki loses probably more than half of its population for that long weekend at the end of June, as everyone heads to their summer places. Many restaurants will also be closed during Midsummer, so unless you have access to a summer place, I’d avoid visiting Helsinki during that time.

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The ultimate guide to Irish accents

The people of Ireland get annoyed with the fake Hollywood Irish accent and there’s a good reason for that: There are many different Irish accents, not just one.

Irish accents vary by counties, of course. People from Derry speak very differently from those in Roscommon, and people from Limerick don’t sound the same as the ones from Mayo. But even within these areas, there is an assortment of accents. In Ireland, you truly only need to drive 10 miles in any directions, and you’ll hear a different pronunciation of the English language.

Northern Irish accentDublin accentCork accentDonegal accentMayo accentLimerick accentWhat is the most common Irish accent?Northern Irish accent

In the same way that there is not one single Irish accent, there is not one and only Northern Irish accent.

Northern Ireland, which is administratively part of the United Kingdom, consists of six counties: Derry, Antrim, Down, Tyrone, Armagh and Fermanagh, each of which contains a multitude of accents. But if we consider the north of Ireland through a less political and more geographical lens, it should include the entire province of Ulster, which comprises three more counties: Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal. That means there are even more Northern Irish accents to contend with!

One can argue that the whole of Northern Ireland/Ulster shares some common features when it comes to pronunciation. The video below explains those features:

The Belfast accent is likely the most recognized Northern Irish accent. It is the accent of famous actor Jamie Dornan. Listen to him in the video below to hear his accent and learn a few Northern Irish slang words along the way.

Dublin accent

Photo: Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock

Typically, the Dublin accent is split in two: the North Dublin accent and the South Dublin accent. The Liffey, the river that runs through the capital of the Irish Republic, is what divides the two areas.

But, geography aside, the distinction between the two accents is based on class. The North Dublin accent is described as working-class while the South Dublin accent is thought of as posh. And don’t get Dubliners started on the Dublin 4 accent (an area of South Dublin) — it is mostly loathed and ridiculed for being extra snobbish.

The main sound differences between North and South Dubliners are:

People from North Dublin tend to pronounce “th” like “d” and omit the consonant “t” when it’s located at the end of a word.South Dubliners elongate their vowels and the speech is a little slower.Cork accent

The inhabitants of Cork get their fair share of slagging from the rest of the country for their unique sing-songy pronunciation — the pitch of their voice goes up and down very liberally, sometimes even within the same word. But the melodic intonation isn’t the only specific characteristic of the Cork accent. Corkonians tend to blend all their letters together, especially consonants, and elongate their vowels.

If you want to pass for a Corkonian, there are two important linguistic aspects you need to master before the accent:

Pepper your sentences with “boy” for no reason other than you can.Pronounce Cork like “Cark”.

Watch the trailer for the movie The Young Offenders, a comedy set in Cork, and listen carefully to the two young men’s accent:

Donegal accent

County Donegal is part of the Province of Ulster in the north of Ireland, however, it is not part of the country of Northern Ireland. While it is geographically in the north, the Donegal accent is quite different from what you would hear in Derry or Belfast.

Often considered the most beautiful and the sexiest accent in the whole of Ireland, the Donegal accent can be a little difficult to understand for those who are unfamiliar with it.

Get a taste of the Donegal accent in this video by Irish YouTuber Jamie Jay Car:

Mayo accent

Photo: dvlcom – www.dvlcom.co.uk/Shutterstock

County Mayo is located in the west of Ireland and is home to several Irish Gaelic-speaking areas known as Gaeltachtaí.

One very distinctive features of the Mayo accent is the pronunciation of “s” as “sh”.

For a hilarious, yet a little exaggerated rendition of the Mayo accent, check out Alan Clarke’s TikTok below:

@alanclarkeofficial When you don’t think you have a Mayo accent ……. #mayoforsam ♬ original sound – Alan Clarke

Limerick accent

The Limerick accent, like the people of Limerick and the county in general, is often made fun of for being on the rough side. The Limerick accent is nasal and sharp.

The best way to get acquainted with the Limerick accent is to listen to the Rubberbandits, an Irish comedy hip-hop duo from Limerick City. Check out their accent in the video below:

What is the most common Irish accent?

Pronunciation and intonation changes every few miles in Ireland, so pinpointing the most common Irish accent is an impossible task. That said, if we take into account that the most populated part of the country is Dublin and that the most populated area in Dublin is the town of Swords in North Dublin, we could extrapolate and say that the North Dublin accent is the most common. Of course, that kind of reasoning does not take into account that people with different accents, whether from other parts of Ireland, or from other countries entirely, settle in Swords.

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10 Travel Accessories Under $10 You Won’t Regret Buying

When it comes to travel accessories, some of the best ones are quite expensive. In most cases, it makes sense — there’s quite a lot of tech jammed into my noise-canceling earbuds, and it can be hard to find one pair of shorts that can tackle every summer travel activity.

But sometimes, you luck out and find that the best travel accessories and the best cheap travel accessories overlap. Some simple products can be exceedingly useful on the road or in planes, as we discovered when building the list below.

Note that because some of these travel accessories are so inexpensive, they don’t qualify for free shipping unless you buy them with other items that total at least $25. Amazon calls them “add-on items.” So buy a few, or add them to your cart and order them along with a few other things you need.

Prices are accurate at time of publication, though they can change on a whim, so we recommend buying these travel accessories ASAP if you’re interested. If you have Amazon Prime, it should be easy to return them if you end up not loving it.

We hope you love the travel accessories we recommend below! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to buy anything. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

A passport and vaccine holder combo: $9.99

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If you thought passports couldn’t warp, think again. They can also get cut, burned, bent, have coffee spilled on them, and get stepped on. It’s a huge pain in the butt to replace your passport so it’s a no-brainer to spend sub-$10 on a travel accessory to protect it. This highly rated option comes in multiple colors and has a separate clear pocket for your COVID-19 vaccination card, which is extremely delicate and prone to damage.

The review that convinced us to buy:

Good quality product! “I was wondering what I would get for less than $10 but was surprised at the quality. The color I got (red wine) was absolutely beautiful and matched with the color shown. We were going on a cruise, so I needed my passport and vaccination card. This was perfect as it has a see-through window for the vaccination card and a slot inside to hold the passport. I had several people ask me where I purchased it. I plan on getting more for birthday gifts.”

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A set of soft, leak-proof travel containers: $9.49 for four

[image error][image error]If you’re anything like me, you have specific products that you like to use while traveling. I don’t want to rely on a hotel bar of soap to wash my face. However, too many travel containers leak, especially if they’re flat, soft containers, where the caps can pop off if the bottle gets squeezed wrong. Fortunately, these leakproof containers have a lot going for them aside from the fact that they’re one of the best travel accessories under $10. They’re soft so they can squish into almost any bag and can be squeezed tightly to eke out the last bit of product. They’re easy to clean with a blast of hot water and can even be cleaned in the dishwasher when you want to switch products.

The review that convinced us to buy:

Better than drugstore bottles by far! “I have really expensive skincare products that I use, so when I have to store the cleaners/moisturizers in travel bottles, I don’t want to “lose” product by not being able to squeeze all of it out (which is very common with hard, drugstore-brand travel bottles). These bottles allow me to get all of the product out quickly, and they have sturdy caps as well. Skip the drugstore, and just get these instead!”

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A stick-anywhere cell phone mount: $9.99

Photo: Flipstik

I travel a lot and it can be really hard to take photos when I’m alone. Fortunately, for under $10 you can get the Flipstik, a small panel that sticks to the back of your phone. Flip up the top, and it reveals a sticky surface. I’ve use it to stick my phone to walls, patio furniture, trees, and even the back of airplane seats so I can watch a movie on planes without straining my neck. My concern before I tested this out was that it would get dirty, and it does — but once you lightly rinse it off with water, it’s good to go again.

I’ve been using it for a few months and it hasn’t lost any of it’s stickiness. It also comes in multiple colors and patterns and doubles as stand in the horizontal position. It’s one of the best cheap travel accessories for people who like to take photos when they’re solo.

The review that convinced us to buy:

Deeply in love with my Flip Stick! “This must be the best invention since sliced bread, seriously!!! For mere 10 dollars you have a selfie stick (without the hand), a tripod and a phone holder all in one without having to carry any of it!!! It just sits on the back of your phone without taking literally any extra space (it’s basically flat). Now you don’t have to ask strangers to take a picture of you and your friends outside either! You just stick your phone to any flat surface and boom! And when I say you stick it, it REALLY sticks – the grip is super strong! One of the best investments ever made by me!”

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A small case for your laptop cube and cords: $9.99

[image error]I’ve seen a heck of a lot of tech cases on the market and most are huge panels with enough loops, pockets, and clips to carry enough tech for a dozen people. In my carry-on bag, I usually have my computer cord and my phone charger, and maybe some headphones. Using one of those big cases is overkill and takes up too much space, but not using one at all results in knots as my computer cord gets tangled around everything else in the bag.

That’s why I dig this small case, perfectly sized for a charging cube and a few cords. It doesn’t take up much space but keeps the rest of my bag organized and tangle-free. It’s genuinely one of the best travel accessories I have, especially considering the amazing price. And it comes in multiple colors if black is a little too boring for you.

The review that convinced us to buy:

Really impressed with storage capacity! “I used this case this past weekend while traveling. I was able to fit four charging cables with three wall adapters of varying sizes. It zipped easily and there was no bulging or strain on the zipper. I am very pleased with my purchase, and will consider purchasing additional items as a gift for others. Also, the rose gold color is a lovely non-glittery, somewhat metallic pink. Very nice and matches many other rose gold/millennium pink items I’ve purchased previously.”

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A sleep mask with a travel pouch: $9.98

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I’ve used more than a few free airplane eye masks and they’re pretty terrible. That’s why I’m happily surprised to see one of the best travel accessories out there priced under $10. This budget sleep mask has all the features of a far more expensive option, including internal indentations for your eyes (so it doesn’t push against your eyeballs), a nose panel to block out light, and an adjustable strap so it doesn’t dig into your scalp.

But in my opinion, the best feature is the included carrying case. Your eye mask is going to get dirty if you just shove it in your carry-on bag, and strapping a dirty mask to your noggin for a few hours while you sleep is a surefire way to wake up with oil and acne on your face. So a case is a must-have.

The review that convinced us to buy:

Believe the hype! “This is the holy grail of eye masks. It’s butter soft against the skin. It has an adjustable strap in the back yet it has no scratchy Velcro or hard snaps. It is thick and dark enough to block light yet not overly hot. It’s breathable and it also has an adjustable nose area that can be pinched down to seal out any remaining light. It’s so seemingly simple that I don’t understand how so many companies get it so wrong. This company did not. They got it perfect. Well done people.

Buy this. Don’t waste your time and money on anything else.”

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Incredibly clear spot acne patches: $9.99

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Between the aforementioned eye mask, face masks, and the inevitable sweat of running through airports to catch my flights, I find that acne during travel is hard to avoid, even as an adult. So I’ve tried lots of acne patches, and these are the best — both in terms of effectiveness and subtlety. It’s really, really hard to see these on your face when properly applied (and impossible to see under a mask, of course). Considering how ridiculously light and tiny a sheet is, there’s no reason not to carry them while traveling. And this particular set is far cheaper than buying them at the local pharmacy.

The review that convinced us to buy:

Best patches out there! “I’ve tried numerous patches for acne and nothing works like Dots for Spots. It’s super easy to just put it on overnight, take it off in the morning, and your acne is hardly there anymore if it’s there at all! I was actually shocked at how well these perform, as was my husband. I’ll definitely be a reoccurring buyer.”

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A filler for the seat gap in your car: $9.99

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When I’m not traveling, I tend to drive a lot. While I don’t commute for work, I do spend a lot of time driving for hobbies, moving between my climbing gym, favorite mountain bike trails, trailheads, and more. Because I carry a lot of gear for various activities (and always like to have snacks on hand) my car gets a bit messy, which is why I love these car inserts. They block the space between your console and your front seats and prevent dirt and crumbs from piling up in your car. It also has an extra cup holder and plenty of space to hold your phone, which is helpful if your primary cup holders are already being used for coffee or another passenger’s phone.

It’s supposed to be universal, and it seems like it fits in most cars — but most of the negative reviews are around people with less mainstream cars who say it doesn’t fit. Fortunately, if it doesn’t fit in your car, you can just send it back. It’s one of my favorite road trip travel accessories and worth a shot if you spend a lot of time in your car.

The review that convinced us to buy:

Life changing! “Fits perfect in Sierra pick up. Does not infringe on leg space. Room for cell and drink and more!! Nothing gets in the dead zone now!!”

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An easy-to-remove phone leash: $9.98

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I’m not going to lie, phone leashes are pretty dorky and I tend to smile when I see them in use by a young person at the mall or at an airport. But they’re one of the best travel accessories for anyone who plans in participating in an activity where you could potentially drop your phone. That includes ski trips, where your phone is gone forever if you drop it off the lift in a storm, activities like via ferrata or rock climbing, or something as simple as taking photos off the side of a boat. This one fits all phones, won’t block the camera, has a finger loop for extra security, and goes on and off in about two seconds.

The review that convinced us to buy:

Saved my phone multiple times! “I drop my phone several times a day. I bought this before we did the Mighty 5 National Parks in Utah. My phone did not fall off a cliff, plunge into the Colorado River or get crushed under a National monument thanks to this thing. Just make sure the strap is out of the viewfinder when taking a picture.”

Buy Now

A set of vacuum packing cubes: $12.99

[image error] [image error][image error]I use packing cubes with zipper compression a lot while traveling as they’re quick and easy to pack and repack. However, one of my favorite travel accessories for any trip where I need specialized gear is a space-saving vacuum bag. These bags have a unique design that allows you to pack them, zip them tightly, then roll them to expel excess air. I use them for trips where I need to bring something I’m only going to use once or twice, like a pair of ski pants or a puffy down jacket.

It’s crazy how much they compress clothing, and despite the fact that they feel a little flimsy and thin, I’ve yet to have one rip or break on me. I strongly recommend them for anyone trying to go carry-on only with a checked bag’s worth of clothing.

By the way: yes, this set is over $10. It was $9.99, and the price changed while we were writing this article. But considering it’s such a useful travel accessory, we decided to keep it in — so keep an eye on it to see if it drops below $10 again. If you don’t mind raising your budget to about $15, you’ll find many more options.

The review that convinced us to buy:

Easy to use and a great value! “Easy to use and a great value. I bought these and a box of name brand bags at the same time. They all got mixed together and I honestly couldn’t tell the difference. They all worked equally as well. I used them to pack for a vacation trip. They saved me so much space that I over packed, lol. I re-used them to pack for the return trip and they worked just as well. I have them stored in my suitcase for the next time we travel. I wish I had bought them a long time ago. The best tip I read someone else post was to sit on them to remove the air. Worked like a charm!

Buy Now

Two worldwide travel adapters: $9.99

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Knowing what kind of plug you need in any given country can be difficult, especially since sometimes hotels may opt to include the type of plug most commonly used by their guests — not the kind of plug most commonly used in that country. Fortunately, that’s not a problem if you carry a universal travel adapter to make all your devices work in any type of plug anywhere in the world. It’s one of the most useful travel accessories for frequent flyers, though, at under $10, it’s a smart buy for even a single trip abroad.

Note that this is a plug converter, not a voltage converter (which you may or may not need).

The review that convinced us to buy:

Great product! “I’ve only used the European plug so far, but it worked great for my purposes! I like that these are small where so many of the others are huge and cannot fit in a lot of the outlet spaces. Highly recommend this set!”

Buy Now

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Why a Non-Profit Wants To Grow a Billion Oysters Along NYC’s Coast by 2035

It’s not entirely apparent today, but the harbor waters surrounding New York City once accommodated more than 200,000 acres of oyster beds. In the 1800s, oysters were an abundant treat, and New Yorkers ate them with reckless abandon – in fact, they enjoyed their oysters far too much. By 1910, the oyster population had plummeted due to over harvesting and all of the toxic sewage the city dumped into the water. By 1927, the last of the city’s oysters fisheries shut down. But now, an organization called the Billion Oyster Project is working to restore New York’s once thriving oyster population. And that matters for many reasons.

For the average person, oysters are merely a delicious treat, probably slurped down with a splash of lemon juice and a glass of Champagne. But oysters serve much more important environmental purposes, too. First, reefs constructed from oyster shells provide a safe habitat for all kinds of marine life – in New York, crabs, puffer fish, and seahorses have all been spotted around oyster reefs. Oysters can also filter some pollutants from water, including nitrogen, which means cleaner water.

Oysters can also help New York City with one problem that is especially relevant right now: Their shells are a natural storm barrier, protecting against high waves, reducing erosion, and lowering the risk of flooding. So you might see why New York City would be particularly invested in restoring oyster beds to New York Harbor. And that’s where the Billion Oyster Project comes in.

Murray Fisher and Pete Malinowski founded the BOP in 2014. The pair met at The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, where they were teachers. They were particularly interested in getting public school students involved in oyster restoration, and today 100 schools have partnered with the BOP to provide scientific and environmental education to K-12 students.

So far, the BOP has restored 75 million live oysters to the harbor, and restaurants donate used oyster shells to the project. This way, after the oysters are enjoyed by diners and the shells go to good use instead of being sent to landfills. The program launched in 2015, and, so far, it has collected 2 million pounds of oyster shells. In 2022, the BOP has already gathered 300,000 pounds of shells from 50 different restaurants around the city.

One of the most ambitious aspects of the BOP is that with the help of volunteers, it’s actually building oyster reefs in New York Harbor. So far, the project has built around 15 reefs across each of the five boroughs in places like Sunset Park, Governors Island, Coney Island, and Brooklyn Bridge Park. The BOP also runs four oyster nurseries, where volunteers can harvest shells to contribute to the reefs.

Recently, the BOP partnered with the Scotch whisky distillery Talisker on its One For The Sea campaign, which encourages its customers to adopt more sustainable living practices. As part of that partnership, Talisker will serve as the Shell Collection Program’s lead sponsor. Ultimately, the BOP hopes to restore one billion oysters to New York Harbor by 2035.

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The Park Hyatt St. Kitts Offers Accessible Caribbean Luxury With Top-Notch Dining

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

It was hard for me not to let out a little gasp when I arrived at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts. The entry to the resort reveals a stunning frame of Nevis and Banana Bay, the resort’s private palm tree-lined beach, that welcomed me to my first stay in St. Kitts.

After making my way over the long open-air walkway, which was elevated over a Koi pond, I was ushered into the lobby. The space is set up like a contemporary living room with curved wicker armchairs flanking a coffee table and a long marble table that serves as the check-in desk. The design feels open and fresh, and immediately inspired relaxation. I was given a cool, damp towel and bottle of water and, after a quick check-in, I was transported by golf cart to my suite.

Set on 20 acres, the Park Hyatt St. Kitts has 126 guestrooms and feels uncrowded and private. I visited in June, which is low season, but even during the busy season the amenities and accommodations are spread out across the property to make sure guests don’t feel cramped or crowded even when the hotel is at full occupancy.

The rooms at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts

Photo: Tadeu Brunelli

The first Park Hyatt property in the Caribbean, the Park Hyatt St. Kitts opened in 2017. The entire property faces the Narrows, a strait between St. Kitts and Nevis. As an avid traveler to the Caribbean, I’ve found that resorts sometimes try to punch up the decor with bright, tropical hues, but here, the rooms are decked out in sophisticated cream-colored armchairs and couches, white high beamed ceilings, and polished wood floors. Each guestroom also has floor-to-ceiling windows that emphasize the sweeping bay views.

The guestrooms are separated into 18, three-story buildings (if you book a room on the third floor, note that there are no elevators). I stayed in the third-floor Plunge Pool Rooftop Suite, which includes a spacious living room, a king-sized bed facing the water, and an open-concept bathroom with a deep soaking tub and rainfall shower. But the highlight is the terrace with a private infinity plunge pool.

Photo: Park Hyatt St. Kitts

The Park Hyatt St. Kitts is the only resort in St. Kitts with private rooftop plunge pool suites, and the rooftop pool views rival other Caribbean islands like St. Lucia and Antigua. The terrace also comes with a mini wet bar and a couch and armchair, which makes it an ideal location to sip a cup of coffee in the morning or enjoy a glass of wine while the sun set.

Other suite options include the Beachside Suite (on the ground floor with a private deck and terrace), the plunge pool rooftop deluxe suite (which has a 1,305-square-foot private deck), and the 2,300-square-foot Bi-level Private Penthouse Suite (including a private pool and butler). The three bedroom, two-story, 5,280-square-feet Presidential Villa is the pinnacle of the suite options.

Outside of the suites, there are rooms with either one king bed or two queen beds, and options with beachside openings or ocean views.

The amenities at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts

Photo: Tadeu Brunelli

With the mountains of Nevis in the background, the resort’s beachfront area is picturesque. Yet some parts, especially toward the ends of the Bay, are pretty rocky, so I spent most of my time in the resort’s two pools. The Lagoon Pool is a zero-entry infinity pool near the beach with lots of lounge seating. The Ramparts Pool is a second-story, adults-only pool with stone arches built to resemble St. Kitts’s UNESCO-recognized Brimstone Hill Fortress, a military rampart that was constructed from volcanic basalt rock.

Photo: Tadeu Brunelli

For even more privacy, there are also six “floating” cabanas that are set away from the beach, and I spent an afternoon here, lulled to sleep by the sound of the man-made waterfall. Though I was content to mostly lie on the beach all day, the resort offers non-motorized water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding. For families, there’s also a kid’s program, Island Fort Kids Club, which includes supervised activities like pool scavenger hunts, jewelry making, and outdoor movie nights.

Dining options at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts

Photo: Park Hyatt St. Kitts

During my four-day stay, I ate at all three restaurants, and each has stunning views and top-notch menus. I’ve noticed that some Caribbean resorts rely on burgers, steaks, and pasta, but the restaurants had a diverse selection of dishes.

The Great House, the resort’s main dining venue has an excellent selection of seafood dishes like conch chowder soup, squid ink tagliatelle (made in-house), and a hearty lobster roll. The all-day menu at The Fisherman’s Village has mango barbeque pork ribs and yellowfin tuna tostadas alongside St. Kittian favorites like slow braised oxtail and rum cake.

Photo: Park Hyatt St. Kitts

But my most memorable meal was at The Stone Barn, the adults-only oceanside restaurant with a six-course tasting menu. The courses I had included spiny lobster roulade and wagyu tenderloin paired with wines from the resort’s impressive portfolio. While I had a few culinary splurges, I also snacked casual fare from the poolside bar like chicken tenders, which were also delicious.

Exploring St. Kitts from the Park Hyatt

Photo: Park Hyatt St. Kitts

Located on the southern end of the island, the Park Hyatt St. Kitts is a convenient base to explore the rest of the island — and there’s so much to do on St. Kitts. The resort offers lots of off-resort excursions, including three themed day trips: Journey to Sweetness, Journey Off the Beaten Path, and Journey to the Wild Side. I decided to combine all three tours for a day of sightseeing, and the open-air tour bus picked me up from the front of the hotel.

I spend the first part of the day touring a plantation home and a sugar mill and learning about the sobering history of sugar production on the island. For the second part of the tour, our guide led us on a hike through the hilly terrain of St. Kitts, ending our hike with rum punch, fresh mango, and banana bread. For our last part of the tour, we hung out at Shipwreck Beach Bar, a local thatched-roofed beachfront bar where I waded in the water of the black sand beach.

Along with the themed tours, the resort’s concierge can also arrange ATV Tours, zip-lining excursions, deep-sea fishing, and yacht tours, and for guests who want to spend a day on neighboring Nevis, the concierge can also arrange a 10-minute boat ride that takes off right from the resort’s private pier.

Getting to the Park Hyatt St. Kitts

Only a three-hour flight from Miami, getting to St. Kitts was pretty easy, and the hotel is only 25 minutes from the Robert L. Bradshaw International airport. The average price for a standard room at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts starts at around $365 per night during the low season.

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