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Book Sonesta Atlanta Airport North

Sonesta Atlanta Airport North and South

Photo: Booking.com

For those flying out of the domestic terminal and wanting a refined stay a couple of minutes from the check-in counter, Sonesta Atlanta Airport North is the best option. If you do decide to escape for some fun in the city, the southern tip of downtown and the Buckhead shopping and entertainment center are both a quick Uber ride away. Dining onsite is top-notch, with hot breakfast for guests and full-service, destination-worthy dining at Benton’s Grill (make a reservation at check-in). Rooms are clean, comfortable, and well-tailored. As is the service, a welcome end (or beginning) to long day of travel.

From the Sonesta Atlanta Airport South, access to College Park is a quick Uber ride and guests can expect the same top-notch service including all amenities above plus a business center, lounge, and a cozy cocktail bar.

Airport shuttle: Yes24-hour front desk: YesFitness center: Yes

Price: From $109 per night

Book Sonesta Atlanta Airport South

Top Marriott Bonvoy hotels near Atlanta Airport

AC Hotel by Marriott Atlanta Airport Gateway

Photo: Booking.com

We’re especially excited to note the AC Hotel by Marriott Atlanta Airport Gateway for two reasons. First, few airports have an AC Hotel just two miles away, putting you a free shuttle ride to one of the most well-heeled and unique brands in the Bonvoy portfolio. AC Hotels are known for their European flare, evidenced here by the uniquely curated art lining the lobby and rooms and a clean, minimalist aesthetic that focuses on ample space rather than unnecessary fixings. The second reason we love this hotel is for its fitness center – the best of any Atlanta airport hotel and worth a stay for any traveler looking to maintain their workout routine while on the road. Dine onsite, work onsite, and chill over a cocktail onsite – from the expansive lobby or the privacy of your room.

Airport shuttle: Yes24-hour front desk: YesFitness center: Yes

Price: From $125 per night

Springhill Suites by Marriott Atlanta Airport Gateway

Photo: Booking.com

Springhill Suites is the right choice if you’re traveling with family, friends, or otherwise need the comfort of a suite and the uniform experience of a hotel where you know exactly what you’re going to get. This property features a nice lounge, a buffet breakfast complimentary with all stays (feed those hungry travel companions), and extra space everywhere it counts — from the room to the lobby.

Airport shuttle: Yes24-hour front desk: YesFitness center: Yes

Price: From $149 per night

Book Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport North

Top World of Hyatt hotels near Atlanta Airport

Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport North and Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport South

Photo: Booking.com

Both Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport locations, one in the north hotel village and the other in the south hotel village, are convenient and comfortable. These properties are ideal for a bleisure trip to Atlanta, consistent with the Hyatt brand’s business and leisure vibe in general. If you are visiting for work but also plan to add personal time to your trip, Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport North and Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport South makes it easy with a high-service concierge service, breakfast thru dinner menus featuring hearty and healthy entrees, and a lobby that is conducive to laptop work should you not feel like posting up in your room. The north property, in particular, is ideal for business travelers as it’s five minutes from the Georgia International Convention Center and the downtown business district is very close.

Airport shuttle: Yes24-hour front desk: YesFitness center: Yes

Price: From $159 per night

Book Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport South

Top IHG Rewards hotels near Atlanta Airport

Hotel Indigo Atlanta Airport College Park

Photo: Booking.com

Hotel Indigo Atlanta Airport College Park separates you from the box of airport hotel villages and puts you in the heart of College Park. Here, you’re just a few blocks from the town’s best barbecue restaurants, Hattie Marie’s Texas BBQ and Tom, Dick, and Hank’s BBQ. You can actually experience a bit of small-town culture here in College Park, a rarity adjacent to a major international airport. You could, however, keep it close and dine at the onsite Havard & Main Bar and Bistro, a solid option on the roster of hotel restaurants in the area. Suites are spacious and set for lounging, hued with turquoise accents and unique artworks – far more character than you’d expect at an airport hotel.

Airport shuttle: Yes24-hour front desk: YesFitness center: Yes

Price: From $113 per night

Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North

Photo: Booking.com

If traveling in or out of the domestic terminal and wanting to spend or earn IHG Rewards points, book the Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North. Here you’ll have access to the full suite (pun intended) of Holiday Inn amenities including a 24-hour convenience shop, an excellent business center, onsite dining, and a spacious lobby lounge. Head out back if the pool beckons, or chill in your room, which includes a sofa sleeper and a balcony.

Airport shuttle: Yes24-hour front desk: YesFitness center: Yes

Price: From $107 per night

Top Hilton Honors hotels near Atlanta Airport

DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Airport

Photo: Booking.com

DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Airport, like DoubleTree hotels across the board, occupy a unique space in the hotel market. Their high-end but not unapproachable, and in many cases are American travelers’ first taste of a truly nice hotel. Expect a clean and comfortable aesthetic here, trimmed by contemporary flavor including art and technicolor touches. The pool is resort-worthy, as is the dining at the onsite Seasons Bakery and Grille. Settle in with a cocktail at the Lobby Lounge, soak in the pool, and relax in one of the most comfortable and welcoming rooms this side of Truist Park.

Airport shuttle: Yes24-hour front desk: YesFitness center: Yes

Price: From $110 per night

Hilton Atlanta Airport

Photo: Booking.com

Hilton is a standby for dependable service, comfort, and amenities. This is exactly what a good airport hotel should be, because the last thing you want to deal with is a rough night’s sleep after an even rougher day of travel. There’s no worry of that happening here, with quiet rooms and 24-hour service. There are two pools onsite at the Hilton Atlanta Airport, one indoor and one out, in case one is busy or otherwise not to your preference. The rooms are surprisingly spacious, the suites in particular, accented with expansive views of College Park and the airplanes en route to global destinations. To top it off, the hot buffet here puts other Atlanta airport hotels to shame.

Airport shuttle: Yes24-hour front desk: YesFitness center: Yes

Price: From $144 per night

Top Wyndham Rewards hotels near Atlanta Airport

La Quinta by Wyndham Atlanta Airport North

Photo: Booking.com

La Quinta by Wyndham Atlanta Airport North is Wyndham’s standout in south Atlanta. It’s also the most affordable hotel near the Atlanta Airport that affords you the luxury of not worrying about whether your stay will be enjoyable. Rooms are clean and quiet. The breakfast is a step up from the typically mundane continental. And La Quinta, in its true fashion, does what so many chain hotels fail to do by offering comfortable outdoor lounge areas for guests. The fitness center and pool operate year-round, as does the business center.

Airport shuttle: Yes24-hour front desk: YesFitness center: Yes

Price: From $82 per night

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Published on January 27, 2022 01:00

Where to travel for Valentine’s Day

If the mere mention of Valentine’s Day sends a chill down your spine, we feel you. If you haven’t planned anything romantic yet and are running out of time, we have a few places to go for Valentine’s Day to help you impress your partner. Check out these seven options for an affordable last-minute Valentine’s Day getaway that won’t break the bank or put you in the doghouse.

We hope you love the places to go for Valentine’s Day 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. See our full Advertiser Disclosure here.

1. Aphrodisiac oysters and chocolate — Portland, Maine Fort Williams Lighthouse in South Portland Maine in Winter

Photo: John A. Anderson/Shutterstock

Maine is already on the radar of seafood-loving and nature-appreciating couples, but you’ve probably only visited in the summer, a common mistake that until now you could be forgiven for.

There are two primary reasons why you and your honey should get up to the Pine Tree State for Valentine’s Day: Oysters are an aphrodisiac, and Portland certainly doesn’t shut down when the snow falls. You may not be fishing off the coast or camping in Acadia National Park, but a mid-February weekend is the perfect time to drown yourself in craft beer and sensual seafood, minus the crowds and prices of the summertime rush.

If you’re already on the East Coast and road-tripping up to Maine, this romantic getaway will be a bargain. The regions best Airbnbs are much cheaper this time of year. You can stay in a private home right in Maine for around $50 per night. For a romantic and sustainably-sourced dinner head to Fore Street Restaurant after checking the brewery out — though you’ll need to show up right at 5:00 PM to snag seats at the bar on the big night itself.

2. Star-and-moon-gazing on the coast — Glendale/Los Angeles, California Hermosa Pier

Photo: Graeme Somerville/Shutterstock

If you’re itching for a mid-winter beach session, Valentine’s weekend is prime for heading to Los Angeles. Flights into LA are famously cheap from most major US cities, including from New York where they’re right around $150 round-trip that week. Set the mood with a creative painting class at a private gallery. This unique event is guided by a professional artist to create a painting with your partner. Tickets are $45.

After dinner, head just up the street to The Chained Rabbit for a craft cocktail, or head down to Hollywood. February is awards season, which means star-gazing is at its finest throughout La La Land right now. Even if you don’t see “The Gos” lounging at a nightclub off the strip, you can still hit Hollywood Boulevard and make your way down the Walk of Fame for the budget-friendly cost of $0.

3. The wine-soaked weekend getaway — Fredericksburg, Texas People sampling and tasting wines in vineyard

Photo: nd3000/Shutterstock

Yeah, yeah, Texas isn’t Napa Valley. But Fredericksburg, an hour and a half due west of Austin, is under the radar of all but the hardiest wine connoisseurs in the US.

Over Valentine’s weekend, the Flat Creek Estate are welcoming guests to experience all the season’s best wines and a decadent four-course menu with handcrafted chocolates. The wine tasting costs from $125 per person and rooms at hotels and lodges in Fredricksburg are available for under $100 per night on Valentine’s weekend.

4. The hunny bunny ski trip — Salt Lake City, Utah Man and woman skiers keeping hands and enjoying beautiful mountain landscape on a winter resort

Photo: Mny-Jhee/Shutterstock

Ski trips are expensive. Once you compiled the cost of lift tickets, flights, lodging, and overpriced resort food, the sum can be enough to momentarily jolt your heart rate. At the ticket window, you’re often looking up to $200 per day just to get yourself on the mountain — and that’s if your partner stays barside in the lodge.

It doesn’t have to be this way. If you really need a mountain getaway this Valentine’s, the cure for this wallet buster is the Ski City Super Pass. Included are a lift ticket and ground transportation from Salt Lake City to one of four mountains nearby — Brighton, Snowbird, Alta, and Solitude — for no more than $110 per person per day. The pass also gets you discounted gear rental in case you aren’t equipped upon touch down in Salt Lake. The catch is that you have to book at least three days, but Valentine’s Day is on Monday, so this is just an excuse to extend your weekend.

Lodging doesn’t have to break the bank, either, as staying in a big city means you’re escaping resort hotel rates. The centrally located and hyper-romantic Little America Hotel has a $150 per night special on Booking.com. Combine these offers, along with round-trip flights into SLC for $300 depending on your starting point, and skiing Utah powder is actually affordable. You’ll save enough to enjoy that après-ski session, and nothing brings a couple closer together than a mug of peppermint schnapps and hot chocolate after a cold day on the mountain.

5. You-know-what on the beach — Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Sunset on Hilton head Island

Photo: PETER LAKOMY/Shutterstock

Your partner will never forget the time you texted to say, “Honey, we’re going to Hilton Head Island next month.” Even if they haven’t heard of Hilton Head, they’re going to be stoked — the island just off the South Carolina coast is the best beach destination in the American South. It’s driveable from Atlanta to Richmond, meaning regional couples can get there for the cost of a few tanks of gas. And, when the romance moves indoors, the all-inclusive Sonesta Resort is offering a three-night special with 30 percent off.

The resort looks out over Shipyard Beach and is adjacent to the scenic Coligny Beach Park, the perfect place to end a long walk on the beach as the sun sets over the island on Valentine’s night. To occupy the rest of your trip, take a stand-up paddleboard out on the water, and if you do need to escape the resort, head over to Harold’s Diner for the best milkshake you and your partner will ever taste.

6. Flying high in the Midwest — Kansas City, Missouri J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain

Photo: Wallace Weeks/Shutterstock

You may already be tired out of hearing about Kansas City, but hear us out. KC brings two things to the dating game that most cities don’t have — world-class dining at unbeatable prices and a romantic Valentine’s Day sunset zip line tour. You read that correctly — on this most romantic of evenings, you and your partner could sail across the Kansas River with ZipKC as the sun sets over the plains.

Afterward, wine and dine with your beloved in the Power and Light District at County Road Ice House for the best of KC-style barbecue, craft beer, and good vibes. KC is among the few big cities in the United States where you can dine in a trendy spot and not have to worry about your heart skipping a beat when the bill comes.

7. Finding rhythm — Missoula, Montana View of Missoula from Mount Sentinel

Photo: Jon Bilous/Shutterstock

Montana is defined by big skies, wide open land, and romance. Okay, we may have added that third one, but you can prove it true by taking advantage of cheap flights from the West Coast, coming in between $200 and $333 from cities like Los Angeles and Seattle. Book a room at the Residence Inn Missoula Downtown — only $199 per night that weekend — and forget everything you thought about long-term stay hotels. This one is both welcoming and romantic. It took over the old Mercantile building, once a hub for local commerce whose finer points are now preserved in the lobby via a collection of local art exhibits.

For dinner, make a reservation at the Pearl Cafe for Montana fare (local meat and roasted vegetables) and a solid wine menu with options for cocktails.

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Published on January 27, 2022 01:00

January 26, 2022

Why you should visit Buffalo, New York, in the winter. Really.

Anyone who’s ever seen a late-season Bills game in Buffalo, New York, where snow piles up on fans as they sit in sub-freezing temperatures, has likely watched with a combination of confusion and pity.

“Who are these people watching football in a Zubaz-filled Siberia?” you wonder. And, moreover, why do they all look so happy?

Until the 2021 regular season, Bills football was definitely not the reason for the happiness. And though you could point to the excessive amounts of Labatt Blue consumed in the parking lot, the real reason is this: Winter in Buffalo is a lot of fun.

Sound insane? To one who has only experienced the joys of a Western New York winter from afar, it might. But spend a few days exploring the snow-covered backcountry and delving into Buffalo’s downtown winter delights, and you too will understand why Bills fans look so darned delighted.

Escaping into snowy woods and immersing yourself in winter snowshoeing buffalo new york winter knox farm

Photo: Ed Healy

“I always envied the winters of Western New York,” John Cimperman says as he sips a North Asylum Porter by a firepit at his 42 North Brewery in East Aurora, just southeast of downtown Buffalo. “It’s where we’d go to ski and mountain bike, so when I had the opportunity to move here, I wasn’t scared of the winter, I was looking forward to it.”

The Cleveland native is now a champion for the wild joys of the Buffalo region, based out of his wood and stone brewhouse just off East Aurora’s main drag. It’s a sort of sudsy log cabin in the woods, ideal for warming up after a day of snowbound adventures.

His brewery is also responsible for one of winter’s biggest highlights: the annual Brew Ski race. It’s a 2.5-mile trek around Knox Farm State Park, where hikers, cross country skiers and snowshoers navigate a course of beer-filled stopping points. It’s a little like San Francisco’s Bay-to-Breakers, but with a lot more clothing.

“We sell that event out every year,” Cimpermann says proudly.

Of course, winter fun in Buffalo isn’t limited to one beer-filled afternoon hiking through a park. Even without beer stops, Knox Farm State Park blankets you in the quiet isolation of winter, where a mile’s walk past the stone games brings you to the middle of a forest that feels a universe away from civilization.

About 40 minutes south of the city sits Sprague Brook Park, a 974-acre tract with an easy-to-traverse eight-mile loop, perfect for a half-day of cross country skiing. If you can hit it on a cold, clear day, it’s a heart-pounding glide through the thick of winter, that’ll have you taking off your top two layers within 30 minutes.

The hiking highlight, however, sits inside Hunter’s Creek County Park, about four miles from 42 North’s taproom. Though it’s only 400 acres, it boasts over 40 different trails that all take you deep into deciduous trees and stream beds, making you feel small under the height of the wilderness around you.

“When you get into (Hunter’s Creek), you don’t know if you’re in Buffalo, or Colorado, or Vermont,” says Cimperman. “It’s just diverse terrain and rivers and trees, and it’s so pretty you might get lost.”

He points out, however, that trails are all color coded and maps are readily available. So “lost” is really more of a mental state than a physical one.

Skiing is easy to access for all skiing at kissing bridge in new york close to buffalo

Photo: Kissing Bridge Snow Sports/Facebook

While expert skiers won’t find the miles of vertical feet they might in Utah, Buffalo has a surprisingly serviceable ski scene with slopes that are reliably blanketed in snow every year.

Kissing Bridge is the quintessential Buffalo day hill, a 700-acre ski park with 39 runs and nine chairlifts. Granted, you’re only getting 550 vertical feet of action here, so for adrenaline junkies it’s not going to fit the bill. But if you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, it’s a pleasant place to learn without the constant blur of expert skiers swishing past you.

For more of a Vail-by-the-Great-Lakes vibe, head a little south to the village of Ellicottville. It’s the jumping off point for Holiday Valley ski resort — a 1,000-vertical foot resort that draws weekend crowds all winter. The town is choc full of lively bars, homey restaurants, and friendly people, and while the skiing might not be world class, the experience in Ellicottville still is.

“I think what really differentiates skiing in Western New York from Colorado is the convenience,” Cimperman says. “From the time you leave your house in Buffalo to the hill is less than 45 minutes. If you live in Denver, that can be two hours. So what we lack in vertical, we make up for in proximity.”

Outdoor adventure in the heart of the city canalside ice skating buffalo new york winter

Photo: Joe Cascio

Winter sports and expeditions aren’t limited to outside of the city limits. In downtown Buffalo, the main attraction is at Canalside, where a seasonal ice skating rink becomes a social hub. Families, teenagers, and couples on skate dates fill the ice with an energy one wouldn’t expect under such gray skies. They’re incentivized by the rinkside bar and heated igloos, where servers bring beers and hot cocoa on demand.

Canalside isn’t just a rink, though. The best part of the experience are the bumper cars on ice, where divers slide around the course crashing into their friends with slippery abandon. Canalside also offers a chance to try curling, the quintessential winter sport we all enjoy during the Olympics and then forget about for four years.

The downtown winter center also rents ice bikes, which at first sound like an excellent way to break your collarbone. But it’s not like Canalside is letting you loose on the rink with a two-wheeler. The bikes sit inside a brace, so they don’t tip as you pedal across the rink. If you’re not an ice skater and still want some frozen fun, it’s a fantastic – and far less embarrassing – alternative.

Warming up with a Tom & Jerry tom and jerry cocktail in buffalo new york in the winter

Photo: Drew Brown

What may be the best part about Buffalo in the winter is warming up when you come in from the cold. The coziness one feels when walking into a heated home is ever present in the City of Good Neighbors, where bellying up to the bar at The Place for a Tom & Jerry will have you making new friends before you even take off your coat.

The Tom & Jerry bonds Buffalonians almost as much as football. The holiday cocktail is perhaps more prevalent in Buffalo than any other city, and it’s an undeniable taste of winter in Nickel City. It’s a creamy, eggnog-ish hot drink that’s spiked with brandy and rum and then topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon and other spices. You can find them at most bars, but The Place, with its wood-lined walls and epic portions, is the quintessential spot. Finding a table can be tough, but posting up at the bar and chatting with locals is probably the better move. If nothing else, you’ll learn why this drink – like Bleu cheese and the Bills – is such a source of civic pride.

Buffalo is, above all else, a city where everyone makes you feel at home. And while you’ll still feel it during warmer months as you bar hop through Allentown, winter is when it shows best. Buffalonians take pride in their snowy winters like they do in their wings, and it’s not just a mindset to distract from the cold. Winter here is fun as long as you dress the part. It’s just all about having the right mindset.

“If your attitude is, ‘boy, this weather is going to suck, it’s going to suck,’” Cimperman says as snow begins to sprinkle the top of his fireside beer. “But if your attitude is, ‘this is cool, this is diverse, this is fun,’ you’re going to have a ball.”

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Published on January 26, 2022 18:48

How to get thousands of dollars when an airline temporarily loses your luggage

There’s nothing like having to leave the airport without your checked luggage. Depending on what you packed, everything from clothes to toiletries to electronics may need to be replaced. It turns out when the airline inconveniences you, there are regulations in place to make sure you’re fairly compensated.

In a TikTok video, the lawyer Erika Kullberg explained Delta’s rules when flying. When your luggage doesn’t arrive at the same time you do, don’t let the employees tell you that you’re just out of luck. Delta is required to offer you compensation to replace the necessities you’ll need to purchase upon arrival. And this is not a flat rate — the airline is required to reimburse you for any purchases you have to make up to $3,800.

@erikakullberg What Delta doesn’t want you to know about delayed bags 🤯 #lawyer #travel #money ♬ original sound – Money Lawyer Erika

The full policy states that you must provide proof for reimbursement “less any applicable depreciation for prior usage,” so keep your receipts. The policy does not apply to wheelchairs and personal assistive devices or to “fragile, perishable, or precious items” that weren’t identified to Delta at check-in. You must provide notice to a Delta office within 24 hours, and you also need to let Delta know what needs to be reimbursed within 21 days. United Airlines has the same policy, and a similar policy exists for American Airlines, with a cap number not explicitly specified.

Kullberg also mentioned in a different TikTok that Delta did something “suspicious.” Less than an hour after she posted the video, some of her viewers reported that the link to the policy was no longer available. Although the policy still exists, finding it on their website became more difficult.

@erikakullberg Hi @delta ♬ original sound – Money Lawyer Erika

So if you’re unfortunate enough to have missing luggage upon arrival at your destination, cheer up. There might be a payday in your future.

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Published on January 26, 2022 14:00

Watch: A bag full of live crabs escaped on an airport baggage claim, causing chaos

Warning: what you’re about to watch might make you a little… crabby. Imagine heading over to pick up your luggage from the airport’s baggage carousel only to find a group of crabs crawling all over your luggage.

A TikTok shows footage of a cast of the escaped creatures that were previously packed in an ice cooler when it arrived at an airport in the Bahamas. The reactions of passengers and security vary. Some people are willing to help out and return the crabs as they try to make a break for it, while others, understandably, decide to get as far away as possible. In less than 24 hours, the video has garnered almost 89,000 likes and over 2600 comments.

@failarmy "The airport called…you got a case of crabs…" #FailArmy ..#crabs #fails #airport #funnyfail #funnyvideo ♬ original sound – FailArmy

The footage isn’t new, but social media has brought some of the weirdest airport catastrophes to the surface. In August 2021, TSA shared on their Instagram a video of escaped raw chicken in the shape of the cooler it had been packed in — completely unwrapped. More recently, they posted a video of an escaped batch of bratwurst and sauces. The government agency has gotten comfortable sharing its most bizarre finds on Instagram with a caption full of bad dad jokes and yearly announcements of their favorite security catches.

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A post shared by Travel Tips & Dad Joke Hits 🎶 (@tsa)

If you’ve ever thought some of TSA’s rules are bizarre or uptight, wait till you hear this. While an agent might end up throwing your favorite lotion away because the bottle isn’t 3.4 fluid ounces, it turns out it’s perfectly fine for you to bring live lobster or crabs in your checked baggage AND carry-on — with recommendations to “place your seafood in a separate, ideally clear, container and remove it from the rest of your items for the screening process.”

So, if you absolutely have to take an entire cooler of crustaceans to your destination, make sure to seal it tight, or you might end up in hot water.

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Published on January 26, 2022 12:43

Watch: This bus journey from London to West Africa is the road trip of legends

Everyone dreams of the ultimate road trip across the US, but that’s like driving with training wheels compared to the recent adventure of filmmaker Remi Bumstead and producer Alexandra Zeitlin. They drove a bus all the way from London to The Gambia in West Africa, passing through nearly 10 countries across two continents. It might sound like a reckless journey conceived by unrealistic optimists, but there was a charitable bedrock to Remi’s quest that made it far more meaningful than a typical road trip.

A few years prior, Remi had been in The Gambia shooting a video about the life of deaf children in the country, and he learned that deaf kids in rural areas have difficulty getting to the special-needs school, which isn’t easily accessible by foot. That’s when he realized a bus could change everything. “So I thought, why don’t we fundraise to get a bus?” Remi told the No Blackout Dates podcast. “We’ll drive it here, and we can use the whole process to raise awareness about KADECT (Kashmir and African Deaf Children’s Trust).”

KADECT’s mission is to set up and run schools for deaf children in underprivileged areas, including paying teacher’s salaries and providing school resources, uniforms, and food. After three years, the local government assumes these responsibilities.

After years of fundraising, finding a reliable bus (named the Janga Bus) in Germany, and cramming the bus with toys and supplies for school children, Remi and Alex set off from London. “In truth,” he says, “we had no idea what we were getting into.”

man standing on top of the bus from London to Gambia with a pressure washer to clean it up.

Photo: Remi Bumstead

They took the ferry from Dover, UK, into Calais, France, drove through France and over the Pyrenees mountains, through Spain to Tangier, Morocco, over the Atlas Mountains to the Moroccan desert, into the Western Sahara, through Mauritania, down into Senegal, and through Senegal before finally reaching The Gambia.

“A lot of the borders could be pretty tricky,” he says. “Going through Europe was easy, but the Moroccan border was our first challenge. You’re not allowed to import stuff, and our bus was full of gifts and school supplies. And in many countries, journalists aren’t allowed and always get deported. With all my camera gear, that was a very real possibility.”

As it turns out, though, driving a bus from London to The Gambia with a huge “KADECT School for Deaf Children” sign on it gets you a bit of a free pass at otherwise sketchy border crossings.

“At many borders,” he says, “they were like, ‘ah, you’re doing a charity thing. Alright, we won’t check you as hard.’”

The bus from London to The Gambia parked besides the school for deaf children it has been donated to.

Photo: Remi Bumstead

Despite some figurative and literal bumps on the bus and nerve-racking incidents along the way, Remi and Alex successfully delivered the Janga Bus. Now, the bus serves as a local school bus so more children can access education, and Remi and Alex made a film about the journey to raise further awareness of the challenges deaf children face in The Gambia.

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Published on January 26, 2022 10:14

How to spend one day at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Of all the things Los Angeles is known for, Hollywood has to be number one. Evidence of the movie industry is stamped all over the city, from the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard, to the Paramount Pictures studio lot on Melrose Avenue, to the Dolby Theatre where the Academy Awards are hosted, to the Hollywood Sign that watches over the city from the Hollywood Hills, where so many Oscars attendees live.

One attraction concentrates the city’s cinematic heritage in a single stop: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which not only celebrates Hollywood but also the entire art of moviemaking. To learn more about how to crush a visit, we caught up with Lauren Girard, the museum’s director of visitor experience. Read on for all the tips, tricks, and practical information you’ll need to make the most of your day at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

The #1 piece of advice for visiting the Academy Museum The best times to visit the Academy Museum Guided tours at the Academy Museum Where to start your visit at the Academy Museum Must-see exhibitions at the Academy Museum and why they matter Underrated exhibitions to check out at the Academy MuseumThe #1 piece of advice for visiting the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Bird's eye_Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Bird's eye_Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Photo: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures/Facebook

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is big. In fact, it’s the biggest moviemaking museum in the United States, spread across seven floors, two buildings, and 30,000 square feet of the Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles. Inside, visitors will find two separate theaters with 1,288 combined seats, countless moviemaking artifacts, and four ongoing exhibitions, alongside rotating exhibits. The “Stories of Cinema” exhibition alone covers three floors.

Girard’s biggest piece of advice is to take advantage of the visitor experience associates stationed through the museums to make sure you’re absorbing it all. “They’re so knowledgeable” and “love to talk about the objects on view,” says Girard. Whether you’re looking for practical advice or expert insights, making use of the museum’s many visitor experience associates can “really enhance the experience for any visitor.”

The best time to visit the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Bruce Lee_Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Photo: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures courtesy of Photo by Joshua White + JWPictures/Academy Museum Foundation/Facebook

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is open seven days a week, from 10 AM to 6 PM between Thursday and Sunday and from 10 AM to 8 PM on Friday and Saturday. There’s no bad time to visit, as the museum’s timed ticketing system ensures the galleries never get overwhelmingly busy. But if you want to feel like you have the place to yourself as much as possible, plan to swing by on a weekday morning.

Films are also screened on-site at various times throughout the week, occasionally even after hours. If you’re interested in catching a show at one of the museum’s theaters, check out the events calendar and schedule your visit around the movie you want to see.

Guided tours at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Tours_Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Photo: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures/Facebook

Though they were not offered previously, guided tours have been made available in 2022. Self-guided tours are still an excellent option, however. All you have to do is download the Academy Museum app, grab a pair of headphones, and carve out the recommended two hours to tour the museum according to the audio guide. The audio tours included in the app are available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, and Korean.

Where to start your visit at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Stories of Cinema_Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Photo: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures/Facebook

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures describes “Stories of Cinema” as its central, ongoing exhibition. Spanning three floors, “Stories of Cinema” explores the “diverse, international, and complex stories of moviemakers and the works they create.” The exhibition kicks off in the Spielberg Family Gallery in the Sidney Poitier Grand Lobby, which is exactly where Girard suggests visitors begin their tours.

There, visitors will be introduced to the museum through an immersive, multi-channel media installation that weaves together clips from more than 700 films, from the beginning of cinematic history in the late-19th century to instant classics from this decade. The Spielberg Family Gallery is also open to the public, free of charge, meaning even passersby can enjoy the museum for at least 13 minutes—the media installation’s run time.

From there, visitors can continue on to the second floor of the exhibition, where they’ll learn about the films and filmmakers that have had the greatest impact on the world of cinema; everything that goes into making a movie, from conception to impact; and about the history of the Academy Awards.

The third and final floor of the exhibition shines a spotlight on the future of moviemaking, as well as collaborations with famous directors such as Pedro Almodóvar.

Must-see exhibits at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and why they matter1. “The Art of Moviemaking” Ruby slippers_Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Ruby slippers_Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Photo: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures/Facebook

Part of the “Stories of Cinema” exhibition, the “Art of Moviemaking” gallery pays tribute to the entire filmmaking process, from screenwriting and casting to cinematography, scoring, special effects, and all the post-production magic that goes into bringing a film to the big screen. Rather than draw from the entire cinematic canon, the museum chose one iconic film as the lens through which to teach visitors about filmmaking. That film is The Wizard of Oz, which is the most-watched movie of all time by the Library of Congress’s count. Two of the highlights of the gallery, according to Girard: seeing Dorothy’s famous ruby slippers on display and reliving that iconic moment where Dorothy lands in Oz and the movie turns from sepia to technicolor.

2. “Hayao Miyazaki”

Photo: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures courtesy of Photo by Joshua White + JWPictures/Academy Museum Foundation/Facebook

According to Girard, the museum’s “Hayao Miyazaki” exhibition has been a “huge draw for people” ever since it opened in September 2021. It’s the first exhibition of its kind in North America, a retrospective of the life and career of the renowned Japanese animator behind such beloved films as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl’s Moving Castle. Miyazaki also co-founded Studio Ghibli, whose own museum in Japan is an equally big hit with fans of the director’s works. The exhibition is split into seven sections, beginning with the Totoro-themed “Tree Tunnel” gallery. From there, visitors will learn more about Miyazaki’s characters and filmmaking background through galleries entitled “Creating Characters,” “Making Of,” “Creating Worlds,” “Transformations,” and “Magical Forest,” ending with a journey through a Spirited Away-themed portal. The exhibition will run through June 2022 alongside Miyazaki film screenings at the museum’s theaters for the duration of its run.

3. “Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971”

One of the most exciting exhibitions opening this year is called “Regeneration.” Winner of the 2018 Sotheby’s Prize for “curatorial excellence,” the exhibition traces the evolution of Black cinema throughout American history in an effort to acknowledge the full scope of the nation’s filmmaking heritage. “Regeneration” is a collaborative effort between museum curators, academics, and Academy members, including director Ava DuVernay, the first Black woman to win the Sundance Film Festival’s Best Director award.

Underrated exhibitions to check out at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Balzer_Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Photo: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures courtesy of Photo by Joshua White + JWPictures/Academy Museum Foundation/Facebook

It’s hard to say that any of the exhibitions in the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is underrated. Despite the museum’s size, there are currently only four ongoing exhibitions and two temporary exhibitions on offer, as well as collections like the Oscars gallery on the second floor, one of Girard’s personal favorites, which displays 20 real-life Oscars statuettes from the early 20th century to today. Yet one collection visitors would be remiss to overlook is found within “The Path to Cinema: Highlights from the Richard Balzer Collection.”

Richard Balzer is a name only the most dedicated movie historians are likely to know. Balzer himself was one, in a manner of speaking, having amassed one of the most significant collections of pre-cinema paraphernalia known to man. Now on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Richard Balzer collection includes artifacts such as praxinoscopes and zoetropes, two 19th-century optical inventions that created the illusion of animation, and sciopticons, or magic lanterns, a precursor to the slide projector. Though Balzer lacks Miyazaki’s name recognition, the exhibition is a fascinating look into the technologies that gave rise to modern cinema and even includes a live magic lantern show.

Exterior_Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Photo: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures/Facebook

The Academy Museum itself is also a work of art that’s deserving of visitor attention. Designed by Renzo Piano, the award-winning architect behind New York City’s Whitney Museum of American Art, London’s The Shard, and Paris’s Centre George Pompidou, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is housed in two buildings: the Saban Building and the Sphere Building, which is not only home to the 1,000-seat David Geffen Theater but also to the Dolby Family Terrace, a glass-domed, open-air promenade from where visitors can take in breathtaking city views.

And honestly, we can’t imagine a better way to close out a tour of the country’s largest moviemaking museum than by gazing out at the iconic Hollywood Sign from the heart of America’s moviemaking capital.

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Published on January 26, 2022 10:00

For your European bucket list: Austria opens the world’s only double-decker ice skating rink

few activities are more quintessentially winter than ice skating on a frozen pond, but Austria ice skating just took it to a whole other level with Viennese Ice Dream. The massive ice skating complex has two restaurants, a 1,600-foot ice trail through an urban park, and more than 100,000 square feet of ice rink spread across two levels — and yes, you can skate from one floor to the next.

This isn’t the first year for Viennese Ice Dream, but it started with much humbler plans. The Austria ice skating rink first opened in 1996 in the same location outside Vienna’s City Hall. In the early 2000s it began adding live DJs, and added a skating route through the famous Rathauspark urban park in 2005. But in 2019, it made engineering history by opening the first two-level skating rink. And in 2022, it’s back — but like every year, you only have from late January to the first week of March to skate the night away.

While making the two-story ice rink isn’t especially different from building any two-story building, the challenging part is building the ramp between the two levels, which takes a huge amount of space to ensure it’s gradual enough to be safe (especially on the downhills). That’s part of the reason why Viennese Ice Dream is one of the largest ice-skating rinks in Europe, only behind Budapest‘s Varosligeti Mujegpalya city ice rink (130,000 square feet of ice). But with hundreds of thousands of neon lights, live music, a skating path that winds under huge trees covered in Christmas lights, outdoor bars, and nearby food trucks and vendors, Viennese Ice Dream is more of a winter activity hub than just an ice skating rink.

Tickets are surprisingly cheap at just under €8 (about $8.60 USD) for adults, and skate rentals are roughly the same. But if you’re not ready to fork out the cash, you’re in luck: there are two ice skating areas that are totally free to access to help beginners learn the basics of moving on ice before stepping up to the big leagues.

The entire complex is a partnership with private partners and the City of Vienna Marketing Council as a way to create affordable, family-friendly activities during the winter months. And because it’s partially funded by city taxes, it comes with another benefit: all students in kindergarten through primary school get in completely free all winter long.

Tickets are available online, and while a park this large doesn’t usually sell out, it does require one thing before you can step through the gates: proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Guests need to wear masks while off the ice (except when eating or drinking), but you can remove your mask when you’re throwing double axels (or just trying not to fall) on the massive rinks.

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Published on January 26, 2022 09:32

How to travel with sex toys

Planning an adult trip away should be (almost) as much fun as the trip itself, but figuring out how to get through airport security is pretty daunting if you haven’t done it before. After all, it’s not like you can just ring up a travel agent and get their top tips for traveling with sex toys. If you’ve ever questioned, can you bring lube on a plane? Or, can you bring a vibrator in a carry on bag? You’re in the right place.

Everyone deserves a fulfilling sex life, so if you do want to take your sex toys on vacation there’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. That said, there are a few things to bear in mind if you want to keep your toys safe and save yourself some red-faced stress on the security line. To help you plan ahead, here’s everything you need to know about traveling with sex toys.

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1. Keep your toys clean and safe Pink silk bag for sex toys beside while orchids

Photo: Etsy

Rule number one: Keep your toys wrapped up in a cloth or drawstring bag. You don’t want something that’s destined for intimate use to be collecting dust and crumbs at the bottom of your suitcase — or worse, snuggled up against your shoes.

It’s also a good idea to keep things tucked away just in case security needs to search your luggage. Random spot checks are rare — but they do happen, so keep everything under wraps and away from prying eyes. Most toys come with their own bags, but if you’re in the market for a new one and want something a little different, then check out Etsy for a range of colorful silk, velvet and lace options.

You also need to keep your toys wrapped up because some plastics react when they come into contact with each other. Silicone famously doesn’t like other silicone (including silicone-based lube), and most porous jelly toys warp when they’re stored next to each other. Rather than risking it, keep all your plastic toys separate, and don’t put them in a Tupperware container or plastic bag. Otherwise, you might end up with something that looks a little like a melted gummy bear by the end of your trip.

2. Buy travel-friendly versions of your best sex toys Travel sized vibrator, sex toy in green with box

Photo: Oliver James

Space isn’t so much of an issue if you’re checking your bag in, but if you’re just taking hand luggage then you’ll need to get creative with your packing. If you’re traveling with yoga gear, you can travel with sex gear.

Bullets, small butt plugs, and cock rings are compact and can be popped in your suitcase without too much of a bother. You can also get mini versions of your favorite vibrators, including rechargeable models with travel bags. If you’re a guy and you want to take a Fleshlight, then consider swapping it for a sleeve — they offer the same sensation, but without the bulky, hard plastic shell (and they’re less obvious-looking in the event of a bag search).

You may also want to take your cheaper toys on holiday, just in case you lose something, or it gets damaged on the journey over. You don’t want your brand-new $100 vibrator breaking en route.

3. Plan ahead with a sex toy checklist Sex toy wipes in fresh sent for traveling with sex toys

Photo: Love Honey

Taking battery-powered toys? Pack spare batteries. Taking a mains-powered vibrator? Take an adaptor. Taking a rechargeable toy? Top it up before you leave. It sounds like common sense, but it’s so easy to overlook these things when you’re caught up in the excitement of planning your trip.

Other things to add to your checklist include lube and sex toy cleaner — which you should use both before you travel (just in case security does go through your bag), and before you actually use the toy itself.

4. Don’t forget to take out the batteries

We’ve all heard horror stories about some poor lady’s vibrator spontaneously going off in a suitcase. The chances of this happening to you are slim (most vibrating toys have a travel lock option — use it!) but it’s better to be safe than red-faced. Another reason you should whip those batteries out pre-flight, and any other time you’re not using it, is that leaving them in can corrode the toy and drain the battery life.

Most batteries are okay for air travel, but some airlines have restrictions on alkaline batteries — including AAA and AA, the most popular batteries used in sex toys — going into the hold. Just to be safe, put them in your carry-on.

5. Double check the airline’s rules on liquids Silver travel size lube ideal for traveling with sex toys

Photo: Uberlube

If you’re taking lube, then it’s fine to put it in your checked bag. If you’re only taking hand luggage, then make sure it’s 100 milliliters/3.4 ounces or under. Anything over that and you’ll have to hand it over to security to dispose of — and that includes a 250-milliliter bottle that’s only half-full.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that the plastic bags you put all your liquids in at security are see-through, so if you don’t want your fellow travelers to see what you’ve got in there, then either take the label off or pour it into a smaller container. And don’t forget to put the lube lid on tightly — bottles have a habit of popping open on planes.

6. Be careful about bondage Purple silk blindfold for travel.

Photo: Love Honey

Bondage items are a little trickier to take on vacation. Whips, floggers, and paddles could be classed as self-defense items and confiscated, so unless you’re willing to take that chance, leave them in the bedroom.

Handcuffs, rope, nipple clamps, and hoods are usually considered okay, so store them next to each other and if possible, put them in their original branded bags and add labels to let security know what each item is. These should all go in your checked luggage though, not your hand luggage. Be warned: They may be confiscated. It’s a risk that’s yours to take.

If you have to take bondage items with you in your hand luggage, then choose carefully: blindfolds, feather ticklers, and bondage tape should be okay as they’re non-threatening, but be aware that it’s up to the discretion of the airline. If questioned, just breathe, smile, and calmly tell security they’re personal items and keep your head held high. They’ve seen it all before.

7. Opt for discrete-looking toys Vibrating gold necklace sex toy

Photo: Coubomb

If you’re worried about the x-ray machine picking out the shape of something unmistakably x-rated, then invest in a toy that doesn’t look like a sex toy.

Obviously, if you’re taking a dildo, then there’s not much escape — but for vibrators, there are plenty on the market that don’t have that famous “rabbit” shape, including ones that look like a necklace, a USB stick, and a body massager. Although bear in mind, if your vibrator looks too obscure, or like a weapon, security might freak out and chuck it. To be safe, put it in the original packaging and label it.

Also, if you’re taking Viagra, then put it in a secure, preferably zipped compartment of your bag where it has no chance of making an escape. You don’t want a load of universally recognized little blue pills flying all over the place while you’re trying to pull your jumper out of your bag. It does happen.

8. Check if your toys are legal on the other side.

Sexual customs vary wildly around the world, so save yourself the headache of getting your toys binned at security and double check the rules. Some countries completely prohibit adult toys and porn, including Thailand, India, Vietnam, the Maldives, and Malaysia. If you live in the US, then you’ll be fine in every state except Alabama, where the sale of sex toys is a criminal offense.

If the worst happens and your luggage is detained or your bag is searched, be honest and stay confident: You’ve done nothing wrong. You’re also entitled to ask for a private screening with more than one agent present. In the unlikely event that you encounter unprofessional conduct, contact your local embassy and make a formal complaint. Remember: No one should be shamed for enjoying a healthy sex life.

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Published on January 26, 2022 01:00

January 25, 2022

Ireland dropped nearly all COVID-19 restrictions just in time for St. Patrick’s Day

One of the most COVID-19 conscious countries in the European Union has decided it’s made it to the other side of the Omicron wave. Ireland recently scheduled almost all of its long-running COVID-19 restrictions to expire beginning January 29. Reuters reports that the country had the second-highest incidence rate of COVID-19 in Europe last week, though Ireland also has one of the highest rate of citizens with booster shots. New cases peaked at just over 41,000 on January 11, but had significantly fallen to just 3,692 new cases by January 24.

“We have weathered the Omicron storm,” with the rate of infection reduced, booster shots increasing, and all key indicators “going in the right direction,” Ireland Prime Minister Micheál Martin said in a national address, as reported by Bloomberg. “I have stood here and spoken to you on some very dark days. But today is a good day.”

The restrictions that the Irish government has decided to drop include:

Bars and restaurants will no longer need to close at 8 PMBars and restaurants will no longer have to ask customers for proof of vaccinationsIndoor and outdoor venues are able to return to full capacity, just in time for February’s Six Nations rugby championship, and St. Patrick’s day celebrations in March.

Unless things change between now and March 17, Dublin organizers are “full steam ahead” on planning the return of the massive St. Patrick’s Day national celebration, according to The Mirror. Pre-pandemic, the event lasted for days and could take more than a year to plan. This year, 13 bands have been booked and a parade planned so far.

The news from Ireland follows last week’s move from Britain, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his plans to lift most of the UK’s COVID-19 restrictions, like the work from home guidance and vaccine passports, beginning January 26.

In Ireland, people are still required to wear masks on public transport and in shops until the end of February. Unvaccinated travelers have to show a negative test taken within 72 hours of arrival.

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