Matador Network's Blog, page 457
June 6, 2022
Dive in, Help Out: Save Sea Turtles While Snorkeling at This Luxe Resort
If visions of crystal-blue water, white sandy beaches, and lush green hills sound like your ideal vacation destination, a trip to the British Virgin Islands might be just what the doctor ordered. Fortunately for environmentally conscious travelers, staying at a luxury resort doesn’t have to mean participating in irresponsible tourism. Case in point: Oil Nut Bay in Virgin Gorda. The resort works to preserve the island’s natural beauty and biodiversity. Guests can even head out on a snorkeling adventure that leaves the island even better than they found it.
Oil Nut Bay has 180 villas, meaning half of the 400 acres of Oil Nut Bay remain designated green space. The property prioritizes green energy, using solar panels to generate electricity for its water desalination plants, air conditioning, refrigeration, hot water, community lighting, and more. They use collected rainwater and a greywater desalinization process (a.k.a. reverse osmosis) to recycle water for landscape irrigation.
Guests can participate in eco-friendly activities like kayaking through mangrove forests in glass-bottom kayaks or snorkeling on coral reefs. But a unique, popular activity on the island is taking a turtle tagging trip, during which guests will freedive with a researcher to safely catch turtles. The turtles are measured, tagged, and released in partnership with the resort’s conservation organization. Guests who book the experience will receive information from the resort partner’s marine conservation team on how to track the migration paths of their tagged turtles once they return home.
In April, Oil Nut Bay also opened interactive nature center focused on the ecology of Virgin Gorda and the British Virgin Islands, along with tips and information on how visitors and locals can preserve and protect the environment. And kids and families staying at the resort can take advantage of the ONB ranger program, which rewards kids for activities like learning to kayak or practicing wildlife identification skills and helping the environment. Teaching kids to enjoy spending time in nature helps them become better global citizens and can help them be less stressed and do better in school.
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If you spend your time wisely, your relaxing vacation in the Caribbean could be as good for the planet as it is for you. 
11 Park City Airbnbs for the Perfect Mountain Getaway
Not only is Park City Utah’s leading ski and snowboard destination but the resort also hosts the annual Sundance Film Festival and offers a wealth of hiking and cycling adventures. Downtown buzzes with craft breweries, restaurants, and historic attractions. Choose one of these cherry-picked Airbnb Park City rentals as your base for the full après experience.
We hope you love the Airbnb Park City 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.
Top-rated Park City AirbnbsLux chalet with steam room and saunaPhoto: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Newly constructed, this eight-bedroom vacation home is fitted with a games room, hot tub, and movie theater. For added indulgence, there’s a steam room and sauna in the chalet. Perfect for friendship groups as well as families with younger kids, the property comes with children’s toys and equipment. This luxurious chalet is situated in Sunnyside at the junction of Park City and Deer Valley.
Sixteen guests, eight bedrooms
Price: $2,295 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This lofty mountain house with elevated patios overlooks the surrounding ranges and will inspire you to get out and explore the region. Rooms are spacious with fireplaces and immaculate en suite bathrooms with soaking tubs. This state-of-the-art Airbnb Park City comes with an indoor swimming pool, open-air spa bath, and a games room.
Fourteen guests, six bedrooms
Price: $960 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Conveniently located in lower Deer Valley – minutes away from Downtown Park City, Old Town, and Park City Mountain Resort this five-bedroom Park City Airbnb is a delight whatever the season. The light-filled and roomy space provides mountain views and a generous lawn with a covered hot tub. You’ll receive a gratuitous one-day pass to the Silver Mountain Sports Club and Pool as part of your stay.
Fourteen guests, five bedrooms
Price: $980 per night
Traveling to Utah? Check out Matador’s Utah accommodations guides:Where to stay near Zion National ParkThese Stunning Cabins Are the Ultimate Zion National Park BasecampThe best hotels in Utah for a national parks road tripThe ultimate ‘work and play’ road trip through Utah’s canyon countrySalt Lake City Airbnbs to base your Utah adventure tripNightstar by AvantStay
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Conceived for larger groups, this pet-friendly Park City Airbnb is tucked away in the mountains a short drive out of downtown. A sauna, hot tub, games room, and racquetball court provide hours of entertainment once you’ve wrapped up a day of outdoor pursuit. Interiors are framed with fragrant pine with superior linens and upholstery providing the perfect place to unwind.
Sixteen guests, six bedrooms
Price: $3,955 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Located at Park City Mountain, this Airbnb for larger groups comes with direct access to the slopes. Ski-in/ski-out in winter and use it as a cycle base for warmer months. The Silver Star is fitted with a gourmet kitchen, Sonos speakers, a heated driveway, and a hot tub. Guests have access to a heated pool and complimentary shuttle service during winter.
Sixteen guests, five bedrooms
Price: $1,000 per night
Book here
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This five-bedroom luxury townhome is located next to the Northside ski lift and offers ski-in/ski-out access to Deer Valley Resort. The centerpiece of the property is an airy lounge with vaulted ceilings, wood beams, a gas fireplace, and huge windows that provide mountain views. Soaking tubs, fireplaces in the bedrooms, and an outdoor hot tub add après vibes.
Twelve guests, five bedrooms
Price: $1,015 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This homely Deer Valley Airbnb is dressed with dark wooden furnishings and sumptuous seating. Tend to your muscles after a day on the slopes with a soak in the whirlpool bath or the steam shower. Dogs are welcome with prior approval. A deck and private hot tub provide an eyeful of the mountain scenery while lifts are less than five minutes away. Book seven nights of accommodation and the host will arrange a one-day unrestricted ski pass.
Twelve guests, three bedrooms
Price: $995 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Granting immediate access to Park City Mountain Resort, this family-friendly Airbnb Park City vacation lodge includes free ski rental and complimentary access to a selection of local activities. An open-plan living room with a wood-burner merges with a kitchen and is overlooked by the loft mezzanine. A compact backyard is equipped with a hot tub.
Ten guests, four bedrooms
Price: $520 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This chic tiny home Airbnb Park City rental suits either a couple or a small group. The space is thoughtfully conceived for modern travelers with a professional kitchen complete with an aga and Nespresso coffee machine. A loft bedroom is affixed to a balcony with a hot tub. Located 100 feet from Main Street and a short minute drive to all three major ski resorts in the area.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $405 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Despite modernization, this renovated Old Town chalet retains its original 1950s character. A funky blue kitchen spills into a cozily appointed lounge den with western accents while the glitzy shower will leave you feeling sparkly clean. The retro wood burner will keep you warm while admiring the views from the couch. All this, less than five minutes from Main Street.
Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $260 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This trendy Park City Airbnb townhouse is fashionably decorated in a contemporary style with high ceilings and tons of natural light. The interconnected lounge and kitchen make for a sociable experience while prepping a post-slope feast. A snug deck is primed with a grill, seating area, and hot tub. Situated in the foothills just above Main Street, the rental is a 10-minute walk from downtown and handy for hitting the local trails and ski resorts.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $410 per night
A Hotel in Miami Launched the Beer Concierge, a Brewery Tour Service
A vacation in a new city often necessitates going out for drinks with friends. If you’re the type of person who researches vacation destinations based on how many breweries are in the city you want to visit, you probably also know that you can spend all day hopping from brewery to brewery, sampling flights of craft beer. But planning such an excursion can be tricky. Should you rent a car? And if you do, who is the unlucky friend who has to be the designated driver? If you’re going to Miami, you might not have to worry so much: The Gabriel Miami just launched a new service called the Beer Concierge, which shuttles hotel guests around on brewery tours.
The Beer Concierge is a partnership with Miami Brew Bus, a tour company which operates out of a vintage VW van and aims to introduce newcomers to the city’s vibrant craft beer scene, which really started to boom around 2014.
Miami Brew Bus offers three packages. Each tour stops at three breweries spread out in different Miami neighborhoods, including the Dogfish Head Brewery, Unbranded Brewing Co., and Lincoln’s Beard Brewing Co. The tours lasts about four and half hours – giving you plenty of time to sip your beers at a leisurely pace. However, it’s the Avenues to Ales tour specifically that starts at the The Gabriel Miami.
Each tour costs $97. Guests get snacks and water on board, and when you start to crave a more substantial meal, most breweries host food trucks just outside their doors. The ticket also includes a tour of the brewery and some inside information into the brewing process. Typically, tour groups are a minimum of six people and smaller groups can specify the are open to taking the tour with other hotel guests when they make their reservation.
The Beer Concierge tours are led by A.T. Milton, who not only owns the company and drives the bus but provides guests with insight into what beers to try and how to pair them with food. You’ll get one pint at each brewery on the house – any additional beer you’ll have to purchase yourself (and guests are encouraged to bring along their own growlers). But feel free to indulge: Guests don’t have to worry about hitching a safe ride – the bus will pick them up and drop them off right at the hotel.
The Beer Concierge is the perfect treat for a birthday or bachelor or bachelorette party – or for all you beer enthusiasts, it could be just a normal afternoon out with friends. You can book a tour through the Miami Brew Bus website.
17 epic treehouses around the world
Humans have always felt at home in the trees. It is, after all, where we came from a long, long time ago. But even in the modern age, trees play a very important role in our lives. People who live near trees are known to have better physical and mental health, and the presence of trees is important for preventing climate change.
Awesome treehouses can be found everywhere from Canada to Patagonia, and from New Zealand to Thailand. Here are the world’s most beautiful treehouses you can rent for your next trip.
We hope you love the awesome treehouses 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.
Finca Bellavista
Photo: Airbnb
Finca Bellavista is a sustainable treehouse community in Costa Rica’s rainforest canopies, and it’s probably the closest thing to a quintessential rainforest getaway that there is. You can purchase a parcel to build your own treehouse on, or just crash there for a few nights. They let you zipline between treehouses. There’s miles of hiking trails. There’s waterfalls and rivers to swim in. Birdwatching, garden tours, hammocks — it’s quite possibly the coolest place on Earth.
Several of the units at Finca Bellavista are available for rent on Airbnb. You can also book the entire property.
Rainforest Treehouse with hot springs
Photo: Airbnb
This treehouse with a wraparound balcony is in Alajuela, Costa Rica, and is adjacent to 15 natural hot and cold springs. Part of the Bio Thermales natural resort, it’s a short drive from the treehouse to Costa Rica’s famous Volcano Arenal. It’s currently $112 a night.
Soneva Kiri Treepod
Photo: Soneva/Facebook
The Soneva Kiri Resort on Koh Kood, Thailand, has a one-of-a-kind feature: “treepod” dining. Basically, you enter the pod on the jungle floor, and then it’s hoisted into the canopy, where you’re served a meal by a waiter — and an acrobat — on a zipline. The views stretch over the ancient forest to the sea, and options range from breakfast to dinner to high tea.
TreeHouse Point
Photo: TreeHouse Point/Facebook
Just outside Seattle in Issaquah, Washington, is the treehouse B&B named TreeHouse Point. Six treehouse rooms sit high along the Raging River, with suspension bridges and twisting staircases connecting visitors to the forest floor. TreeHouse Point also offers yoga classes, tai chi, and massage services for guests.
Taking a road trip? Check out Matador’s accommodation guides to the best places to stay:10 epic treehouses you can actually rent on AirbnbThese Airbnbs make you feel like you’re living in Game of ThronesStay like royalty at these Airbnb Ireland castle rentalsSilky Oaks Lodge
Photo: Silky Oaks Lodge/Facebook
Silky Oaks Lodge is a luxury resort in the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest — recognized as the oldest rainforest in the world — outside Queensland, Australia’s Mossman Gorge River. 40 contemporary treehouses unite around a treetop, open-air restaurant and bar overlooking the river. Silky Oaks (and its onsite spa) will reopen post-renovation in late 2021.
Treehotel
Photo: O.C. Ritz/Shutterstock
The second-to-none Treehotel in Harads, Sweden, has six absolutely incredible treehouse rooms — from the bizarre, alien-themed UFO room to the almost-invisible Mirrorcube, it takes your weirdest ideas about treehouses and runs with them. You’ll spend evenings dining privately (local fare only, naturally), nights lit up by the northern lights, and mornings your imagination running as wild as the landscape.
Nothofagus Hotel
Photo: Nothofagus Hotel & Spa/Facebook
The Nothofagus Hotel is among the treetops of the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve in Chilean Patagonia. With 55 rooms, this just might be the largest treehouse complex in the world. You’ll also find hot springs, a spa and restaurant on site, and opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Hapuku Lodge and Treehouses
Photo: Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses/Facebook
Hapuku Lodge is a luxury resort in Kaikoura, New Zealand, featuring a number of 30-foot-tall treehouses that overlook the Kaikoura Seaward Mountains and the Mangamaunu Bay. The contemporary treehouses are big enough for couples or for families, and you’ll spend your days fishing, encountering dolphins, sea kayaking, and swimming with the seals.
Alessandria Treehouse
Photo: Airbnb
Another beautiful treehouse available on Airbnb. This one, in Alessandria, Italy, offers free wifi and access to a 19th-century wine cellar. The clean white setup is set amongst linden trees with views over the hills and the massive — 200,000 square feet! — garden. Walking and biking paths are easily accessible for guests.
Free Spirit Spheres
Photo: Free Spirit Spheres Inc/Facebook
Free Spirit Spheres are available for rent (and available for purchase, if that’s your speed) in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia. Suspended from webs of rope, the spherical hotel rooms are accessible through spiral staircases and small suspension bridges. Some spruce, some fiberglass, some painted with Indigenous murals, each combines luxury with eco-friendly minimalism.
8 Places To See Wild Horses in North America
Wild horses represent ideals of unbridled freedom and are an iconic symbol of the American Old West. First descended from Iberian horses brought over by Spanish explorers in the 16th and 17th centuries, today, mustang herds roam not only grasslands and deserts, but coastal regions as well. That includes the Outer Banks in North Carolina and Nova Scotia’s remote Sable Island. And by the way, the name “mustang” actually comes from the Spanish word “mestengo,” meaning “stray beast.”
Thanks in large part to early animal rights advocate Velma Johnston (a.k.a. “Wild Horse Annie”), Congress passed the Wild Horse Annie Act in 1959 to ban the use of vehicles to hunt and chase wild horses on federal lands. That was followed by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, which made the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Forest Service responsible for protecting and managing wild horses.
But this legislation has not been without controversy, and differences between Congress, ranchers, conservationists, and the BLM have made wild horse management a contentious issue. Thankfully, advocates have rallied to defend wild horses for decades, helping to suspend or stop government roundups and work to manage herd population sizes humanely.
Are there still wild horses in the US?
Photo: Maridav/Shutterstock
Yes, there are still many places where there are wild horses in the US. It’s currently estimated that around 86,000 wild horses live across 10 western states. There are even wild horses in Hawaii – the Big Island’s secluded Waipio Valley is home to a small but hardy herd; however, access is restricted for the foreseeable future due to safety and road access issues.
Whether you prefer to kayak, hike, take a boat trip, or ride out on (domesticated) horseback, there are plenty of places and ways to see the most famous and celebrated herds of wild horses across America and Canada, many of which are considered national treasures.
As with viewing any wildlife, keep a 50- to 100-foot distance and turn off your car engine. Never try to feed, touch, or follow the horses, and always keep dogs on a leash. Be respectful of their space and behavior, especially mares and their foals, or stallions (males) challenging one another.
Where to see wild horses in the USSteens Mountain Wilderness, Oregon
Photo: Danita Delimont/Shutterstock
One of Oregon’s most rugged and remote locations is also home to one of the country’s most magnificent wild horse herds – the Kiger mustangs. They’re known for their light brown bodies, dark tails, and semi zebra-striped legs. They’ve long been associated with the Wild West, and Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks studio purchased a Kiger mustang colt to use as its model for its 2002 animated feature film “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” about the life of an 18th-century wild horse in America.
The best way to view Kiger mustangs in the wild is on a guided ride with the Steens Mountain Guest Ranch or by setting up camp for a night at the South Steens Campground.
Sand Wash Basin, Colorado
Photo: Tom Tietz/Shutterstock
It would be remiss to talk about wild horses without mentioning potentially America’s most famous one – Picasso. The handsome pinto stallion was a fixture of the Sand Wash Basin HMA (Herd Management Area) for more than 30 years, drawing fans from around the world. The HMA is in the northwest corner of Colorado and most roads are gravel, dirt and, sand, so a high clearance AWD or 4WD vehicle is recommended. First-time visitors can follow the “Wild Horse Loop” (marked in red on the map) to look for new stallion stars, Hoot, Jasper, and Cresciente.
Tonto National Forest, Arizona
Photo: Brent Coulter/Shutterstock
Wild horses had lived around the Salt River in Mesa long before the Tonto Forest received its national forest designation in 1907. Saved from removal five years ago by the non-profit Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, visitors today can usually see families of horses at recreation sites along Bush Highway, including Coon Bluff, Phon D, and Pebble Beach. You’ll need to purchase a Day Use or Discovery Pass to park in or explore Tonto National Forest.
Booking a kayak or paddleboarding trip is probably the most popular way to see the horses during the warmer months when they come to swim and cool off along its banks.
Assateague Island, Maryland and Virginia
Photo: NPS/Public Domain
A barrier island isn’t the first place that comes to mind when thinking about wild horses, but 300 of them freely wander the beaches and park roads on Assateague, and kayaking or taking a day cruise are popular ways to see them. Once thought to be descended from horses that swam ashore from a Spanish galleon, historians now believe they’re descendants of horses brought over to graze from the mainland.
The Maryland herd roams the Assateague seashore and is managed by the National Park Service, while the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company privately owns the Virginia herd. Every July, “Saltwater Cowboys” – mostly firefighters and volunteers – swim the Chincoteague ponies across the channel at low tide to auction off foals before swimming adult horses back again.
Dugway, Utah
Photo: Keri Bridgwater
The foothills between Rush Valley and Vernon are the best places to spot the wild horses of the Onaqui Mountain Herd, reachable with an easy 60-mile drive southwest of Salt Lake City. It’s thought that US cavalry and early settlers brought horses to this area in the late 1800s. It’s a relatively large herd with around 450 horses.
One band lives along The Pony Express Road, once used by the famous mail delivery service of the late 1800s. Take I-80 west to Exit 77, then turn left at the stop sign and follow UT-196 to the Dugway Proving Grounds main gate. A dirt road west of the church will take you to Pony Express Road, where you should be able to see horses of all colors and patterns, including sorrels, roans, pintos, and palominos.
Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Refuge, Montana
Photo: Christy berry/Shutterstock
The first nationally designated area established to provide a home for free-roaming wild horses, the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range is home to around 120 members. It’s 50 miles south of Billings and covers acres of desert shrubbery and subalpine forests across its roughly 43,000 acres. It straddles the southeastern section of Carbon County, Montana, and northern Big Horn County, Wyoming – about as quintessentially “Wild West Country” as you can get.
Stop by the Pryor Wild Mustang Center in Lovell for maps and directions on where best to catch a glimpse of the horses. For an organized activity, the best way to see Pryor Horses in their homeland is on a Jeep tour with local outfitters Pryor Wild, which runs tours May through September.
Outer Banks, North CarolinaPhoto: Wild Horse Adventure Tours
Get behind the dunes with a self-guided walking tour or take a Wild Horse Adventure Tour to see the famous Colonial Spanish Mustang wild horse herd that roams Corolla and Carova beaches in the northern Outer Banks. There’s also a second wild herd at Shackleford Banks on the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Historical research and genetic testing indicate that the present-day Ocracoke and Corolla wild horses descend from Spanish breeds whose history dates to the 1500s.
Sable Island, Nova Scotia
Photo: JoeMWilson/Shutterstock
More than 100 miles off the Nova Scotia coast, Sable Island became Canada’s 43rd national park in 1993 and is a testament to survival in an unlikely environment. Its hardy, pony-sized wild horses, introduced in the 1700s and federally protected in 1961, roam freely, sharing the island’s sandbanks and beaches with the world’s biggest breeding colony of gray seals.
Visitors can arrive by charter boat and plane between June and October but should be prepared for weather delays, which can run for days. An employee-guided, two-hour walk with Parks Canada costs $153.50 on top of the $25.50 day-use fee. You can also book flight and tour combos with Kattuk Expeditions or Breton Air.
Watch: Photographer Captures Joshua Tree Sky Like You’ve Never Seen It
Light pollution is a hot topic. Many organizations around the world are working to protect our nighttime environment from the damage of artificial lights. In alliance with the International Dark-Sky Association crowdfunded project, SKYGLOW, is exploring North America’s dark skies, and the footage is out of this world.
SKYGLOW is raising awareness of the phenomena known as “skyglow,” caused by the increasing spread of electrical outdoor lighting. The excessive use of electrisity does more than restrict our enjoyment of stargazing and night-sky phenomena. It can also have harmful consequences on our fragile environment and be particularly damaging to wildlife.
The project is currently documenting the effects light pollution is having in North America. By contrasting footage in urban areas with that in dark-sky environments, such as Joshua Tree National Park, SKYGLOW shows us why we need to make changes now to protect this ecosystem for future generations.
SKYGLOW was created by cinematographer Harun Mehmedinovic, and filmmaker and screenwriter Gavin Heffernan.
MOONLIGHT MOJAVE from Sunchaser Pictures on Vimeo.
Joshua Tree is one of the best places in the US for star gazing. Officially recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, Joshua Tree is known for having little to no light pollution due to its elevation in the High Desert and distance from major cities.
There are some fantastic night-sky tours in Joshua Tree, but you can also enjoy the stars by simply staying overnight in the park. There are plenty of beautiful Airbnbs, many of which have outdoor space where you can hunker down and stargaze.
If you are passionate about protecting our dark skies, there are quite a few things you can do to help. You can also donate to SKYGLOW or learn more about the importance of this project at one of their events.
June 3, 2022
These Leavenworth Airbnbs Put You Near Downtown and Outdoor Adventures
Not only is Leavenworth, Washington, one of the best places to experience Oktoberfest without flying to Europe, but the alpine town offers a year-round roster of foodie and outdoor adventures. As well as ogling the Bavarian-themed architecture of Front Street with a pretzel in hand, Leavenworth is the perfect base to explore the Cascades. Find your Airbnb Leavenworth vacation home here.
Leavenworth Airbnb rentals with a poolAirbnb Leavenworth options for larger groupsWe hope you love the Airbnb Leavenworth 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.
Airbnb Leavenworth, Washington, cabins and lodgesStones Throw Cottage in Downtown Leavenworth
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This super-cute cottage might deceive you at first glance: the insides are far roomier than you may expect. Step out of the kitchen door and you’ll be on your private deck with a hot tub, grill, and dining area surrounded by forestry. Consisting of an open-plan kitchen and lounge, the home contains one bedroom and is a welcoming Leavenworth vacation rental for couples seeking a rental in the heart of downtown.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $270 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Once upon a time, this Leavenworth Airbnb cabin was built deep in the woodlands waiting to fulfill your fairytale goals. Barenhutte is a sanctuary of timber beams, exposed stone, plush couches, and a roaring open fire. With a master suite in the loft plus a bunk room, it’s equally suited to couples and small families. Choose between the luxury clawfoot bathtub, the open-air hot tub, or the reading nook for a spot of unwinding after a day on the trails.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $360 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Leavenworth Lookout is a new arrival to the Airbnb Leavenworth scene. This elevated log cabin is encircled by a deck making it all the better to bask in the mountain views. An oversized fireplace and comfy beds with blankets aplenty keep the home warm and snug on winter nights. The book nook is a bibliophile’s dream come true while bakers will be delighted by the cookie cutters and other baking supplies in the well-stocked rustic kitchen.
Six guests, five bedrooms
Price: $630 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Leavenworth Field House is immaculately appointed with plush furnishings, eccentric trinkets, and a stylish wood burner. French sliding doors open out onto an epic deck and lawn with a grill and hot tub. This pet-friendly Airbnb Leavenworth Washington provides plenty of space for dogs and kids to burn off some energy. Themed bedrooms are homely and equipped with desks in case you need to work – or finally pen that novel – from the mountains.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $430 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This riverfront Leavenworth Airbnb vacation lodge offers views of the Enchantments from the rear deck. A spacious lawn meets the water and there is a swinging bed, hammock, and hot tub for the ultimate R&R session. Scandi-style interiors create hygge vibes with a mix of cozy dens and a whimsical sleeping cubby that accommodates adults and kids alike. Pets are welcome subject to a small fee.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $480 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This six-bedroom Airbnb Leavenworth rental has a swimming pool, a truly luxury abode two miles out of town. The indoor pool means that you can get your laps in even during the thick of winter. Ample floats and pool toys are provided to keep the kids entertained. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll have access to an external hot tub, a ping-pong table, and a large backyard.
Twelve guests, six bedrooms
Price: $1,150 per night
Book here
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
You’ll be hard-pushed to find views that compare to those from this mountainside Leavenworth Airbnb. Vistas from the hot tub and seasonal salt water pool overlook the Upper Leavenworth Valley and the Enchantments. Continuing the theme of a colonial-style manor estate, the interior spaces nod toward vintage features. Wash away your worries in the clawfoot tub or indulge in a nap on the chaise longue when you’re not gobbling up the scenery.
Six guests, five bedrooms
Price: $565 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
A short drive from downtown Leavenworth, Lookout Lodge is set among 1.5 acres with views over the Enchantments. The lower level is curated specifically for kids with a play zone, extra-large TV, and a solid selection of games. Meanwhile, the garage has been transformed into a games room and there’s a basketball hoop on the drive. Visit during winter and you can have a go on the tubing half pipe. Summer guests can look forward to lazy hammock days. Soaks in the hot tub are on the agenda whatever the season.
Ten guests, four bedrooms
Price: $2,040 per night
Book here
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Newly constructed in a secluded spot on the banks of the Wenatchee River, this Leavenworth Airbnb is still only two miles from downtown. The property features a mix of suites and a bunk den making it a top pick for families or groups. Besides the expansive lawn and main decks, select rooms come with private balconies. A hot tub, fire pit, and direct river access seal the deal at this palatial and peaceful retreat.
Sixteen guests, five bedrooms
Price: $1,360 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This pet-friendly Leavenworth Airbnb is perfect for adventure-seekers and golfers. The house backs onto the Leavenworth Golf Club and is a quarter of a mile from the closest kayak launch. Alongside the hot tub, fire pit, and fenced backyard, the highlight is the arcade game complete with all the retro consoles you could imagine.
Twelve guests, three bedrooms
Price: $1,000 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This downtown Leavenworth Airbnb is a 5-minute walk to the town’s sights, shops, and restaurants. The main living quarters are open-plan to ensure the conversation flows. All of the home’s bedroom suites come with an en suite bathroom while the bunk room will delight any kids in the group. Heated floors will keep you warm during winter while there’s a fire pit and hot tub waiting for you on the deck. Franz Lodge buddies up with Hans Lodge should you need additional space.
Sixteen guests, six bedrooms
Price: $1,370 per night
The 5 Best Countries for Vegetarian and Vegan Travelers
One of the best parts of traveling to a new destination has to be trying out the local cuisine. However, this might prove challenging for travelers who adhere to strict food restrictions. For vegetarian and vegan travelers it’s important to have access to delicious local cuisine that’s animal product-free, but sometimes its difficult to decide where to travel if you don’t know where to find food that fits your diet beforehand. Asher and Lyric, a travel blog, conducted data analysis to create the vegan travel index which revealed the best and worst countries for vegetarian and vegan travelers.
To create the vegan travel index, Asher and Lyric looked at 39 countries and ranked them based on the number of vegetables, fruits, and legumes each country produces per capita per year, the percentage of the population that is vegetarian or vegan, the number of vegan and vegetarian restaurants per 1 million annual tourists, and the amount of meat and seafood the country produces per capita per year. The highest possible score was 400 points and the lowest possible score was -200 points.
However, the study does not supply the first-hand experiences of vegan or vegetarian tourists who have actually visited the countries on this list, so there’s no way of knowing, based on this particular study, if the points system translates to a truly accessible food experience for vegans and vegetarians. The study also notes that a country’s results may be skewed by a singular city that is very “veg-friendly,” like metropolitan hubs.
Now on to the rankings: In fifth place, with a score of 98 out of 400 points is Israel. Israel scored high because 13 percent of its population is vegan or vegetarian, and there are 151 vegan/vegetarian restaurants per one million tourists. In fourth place is Vietnam, which scored 101 points. The country has a large Buddhist population that is lacto-vegetarian, making the local cuisine very accessible for vegan and vegetarians.
In third place is Brazil with 133.4 points. This might be surprising if you’re familiar with the popularity of Brazilian barbecue. The country does indeed have a high rate of meat consumption and a comparatively low rate of vegetable consumption, yet at the same time, Brazil has a high number of vegan-and-vegetarian-friendly restaurants per every 1 million tourists each year. In second place is Mexico with 134.7 points, which can be credited to its high fruit and legume production rates (although the study doesn’t account how much of its produce is exported). And finally, in first place is India by a landslide with 227.6 points. 29 percent of the country is vegetarian, so this country has the highest percentage of vegetarians in the world and easily caters to vegan and vegetarian travelers.
The best countries for vegetarian and vegan travelersIndiaMexicoBrazilVietnamIsraelWhether you are vegan or vegetarian, if you do decide to travel to these countries, you won’t want to miss out on the great vegetarian dishes each one has to offer: In Israel, try local favorites like falafel or shashuka, which is a tomato stew topped with eggs. are known for their layered flavors, so vegetarian pho and other noodle dishes are essential eating. Mexico City has amazing vegan street tacos, and inIndia you’ll find rice, curry, and lots of street food, prepared with rich spices.
The 7 Best Nude Beaches in California
In the winter, people always say they look forward to getting a tan, but beach season proves those people to be all talk. Sure, they haul out their blankets and chairs, strip down to their swimsuits, and roast for way longer than the doctor would recommend, but it’s still just a half measure. Most people aren’t getting tans—not really—because they’re keeping parts of their bodies covered up in the name of “decency.”
That’s why we should turn to the real tanning aficionados. These brave souls confidently shed their clothes—swimsuit included—before the gawking eyes of the entire beach. These people, and the beaches that welcome them, understand what the stuffy, puritanical beachgoers of yesteryear won’t admit. Bare is beautiful. Nude is the future. Unsurprisingly, California is ahead of the curve when it comes to progressive beachgoing. While you can find nude beaches across the country, if you know where to look, nude beaching is a way of life in California like nowhere else. Whether it’s San Diego’s famous Blacks Beach or the more low-key Devil’s Slide Beach in Half-Moon Bay, these are the best nude beaches in California.
Blacks Beach, San Diego
Photo: Alexandre Moraes/Shutterstock
Blacks Beach in La Jolla, San Diego, is one of the most popular nude beaches in California. Accessible via a steep, scenic, and winding trail from Torrey Pines Gliderport, the beach is known not only for nude sunbathing but also for nude sports like volleyball. The whole beach is nudist-optional, though the section north of the trailhead attracts the most nudists. Given its popularity, it tends to get extremely crowded, so if you’re not prepared to bare it all in front of a large crowd for the first time, a more secluded beach may be preferable.
More Mesa Beach, Santa Barbara
Photo: Bryce Kanowsky/Shutterstock
In the shadow of the Santa Barbara bluffs, between the USCB campus and Hope Beach, you’ll find the nude Mesa Mesa beach. Follow the pedestrian access path to the grove of eucalyptus trees to reach the beach. Make sure to stay to the north of the trail, as the south is designated for non-nude beachgoers and is often frequented by families. Contrary to the stereotypical perception of nude beaches being filled with octogenarians, this beach’s proximity to USCB means it’s largely popular with college students, making for a younger and more lively feel.
Devil’s Slide Beach, Half Moon Bay
Photo: digidreamgrafix/Shutterstock
Devil’s Slide Beach has it all: towering bluffs, wildlife, and nudity. Sitting under the coastal bluffs, the beach is also known as Gray Whale Beach due to the whales that often swim past in the spring. The waters are also home to great white sharks, however, so take care when entering the ocean. While it might sound like a misnomer for such a beautiful place, the name actually comes from the landslides caused by erosion in the area, making for some pretty impressive geological formations. Take note: Nudity is only permitted on the north end of the beach.
San Gregorio Beach, San Gregorio
Photo: Duilio Farina/Shutterstock
Spanning a massive shoreline in San Mateo County, San Gregorio Beach is home to several sea caves formed by wave erosion. It’s mostly known, however, for its gay scene and as one of the most accepting and inclusive beaches in California. The north end of the beach is the part where nudity is allowed (and encouraged), and even farther north is the most popular with gay beachgoers, but the south part of the beach is clothes-only—so sunbathe accordingly!
2222 Beach, Santa Cruz2222 Beach has long been an unofficial nude beach and a favorite of Santa Cruz locals. Accessible via a winding path and hidden beneath a residential neighborhood, this beach is a perfectly private place to catch some rays, as there are rarely more than a few dozen people here. In case you’re wondering, the beach’s rather unusual name comes from the street number of the house just across the way.
Bonny Doon Beach, Davenport
Photo: Lynn Yeh/Shutterstock
It might sound like a beach in the Scottish Highlands, but it actually lies at the southern end of Davenport. The wide beach is surrounded by nature and divided into separate coves by tall cliffs. While not officially considered a fully nudist beach (so expect to see some clothed beachgoers), Bonny Doon is a well-known naked beach and broadly tolerant of the practice. So don’t feel shy about stripping down. There’s also an annual gathering of nudists here on New Year’s Day, to ring in the new year with a brisk beach sesh.
Baker Beach, San Francisco
Photo: Lucky-photographer/Shutterstock
San Francisco is famous for embracing a wide range of lifestyles, and that includes naturism. Apart from its nudist reputation (on the northern side), Baker Beach is also famous for its view of the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as its storied past as the original venue for Burning Man (1986–1990). Thanks to its stunning bridge views, the beach is particularly good for lounging and sunbathing, though strong currents and cold temperatures don’t make for the best swimming conditions.
Deep Creek Hot Springs, San Bernardino
Photo: Tom Ha/Shutterstock
While not technically a beach, you won’t exactly mind when you’re lounging in these restorative, clothing-optional hot springs. There’s a small sandy beach and pools of varying temperatures, from 100 to 105 degrees. The largest pool is big enough for swimming, while the smallest can only accommodate a few people at once, so you might need to get cozy with some nude strangers. You’ll have to tackle a short hike to get to the springs, but the incredible views and soothing pools are worth it. And since the whole area is clothing optional, you can even hike nude…if that’s your thing.
Indianapolis Will Host Its First Juneteenth Food Festival This Summer
Food is a central facet of Juneteenth celebrations in America. Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, the day slaves in Texas were finally freed following the 1862 Emancipation proclamation. In particular, watermelon (a plant which originated in West Africa) and barbecue were centerpieces of the parties among formerly enslaved people. So now that Juneteenth is officially a federally recognized holiday, it should be no surprise that Juneteenth festivals are popping up all over the country — including one in Indianapolis, Indiana that is all about food.
It’s called the Juneteenth Foodways Festival and will take place at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, the home of 23rd president Benjamin Harrison. Harrison has a reputation as a standout figure in American history for making at the time what were considered progressive choices about his White House staff: Not only did Harrison hire the first woman to work on a president’s administrative staff, he hired a Black caterer and chef, Dolly Johnson, to bring her distinctive style of cooking to the White House.
Photo: Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Johnson worked at the White House for seven months and quickly became renowned for her “Kentucky Bluegrass food.” Newspapers at the time even posited that the president preferred her food to that of the fancy French dishes prepared by the previous White House chef. Dishes she cooked at the White House included baked opossum, duck, and gumbo.
The exceptional chef is the inspiration for this Juneteenth food festival, which will highlight how Black Americans have contributed to this country’s culinary culture. The festival will even include a reenactment of Dolly Johnson’s life, including her time at the White House.
Around 20 Black-owned restaurants and caterers will participate in the Juneteenth food festival, in effort to support Black entrepreneurship and educate the public on how Black cooking traditions shaped the America we know today.
Admission is free and the festival will take place on June 17.
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