Matador Network's Blog, page 535
January 5, 2022
Best sex clubs around the world
According to the movies, sex clubs are dingy places, usually filled with people in bathrobes lounging around on red satin. And while this is a popular vibe, it doesn’t mean you should miss out just because swinging and satin isn’t your thing. In fact, they’re surprisingly diverse places. From the anything-goes parties in Berlin to the Champagne and chandeliers of Paris’ premier swingers club, there’s a whole world of debauchery to discover. Here’s a guide to some of the most notorious sex clubs around the world.
1. KitKatClub — BerlinPornographer Simon Thaur and his partner Kirsten Kruger founded in KitKat in 1994, back when “encouraging public intercourse” as a crime under the then-conservative German government. It’s now a permanent (and more accepted) fixture on the Berlin club scene and has a reputation for being one of the city’s most notorious venues.
This psychedelic rave-themed club is fitted out with a bondage room, four dance floors, several bars, a massage room, and a swimming pool to relax in. Unlike other sex clubs in Berlin, groups of foreigners are allowed, but the dress code is strict: It’s fetish, latex, leather, kinky, glamour, or nothing at all. And definitely no jeans.
For: Everyone
2. Snctm — New York, Los Angeles, and MoscowPicture beautiful, masked people performing ritualistic performances in an opulent mansion and you’ve got a pretty good picture of what Snctm is all about. To become a male member, you need to pass a strict vetting procedure that includes you sharing your turn-ons and three headshots among other things. Pass that stage and you’ll be invited to attend a swanky pre-event Champagne reception. Finally, once you’re given the green light, you’ll need to buy your level of membership, which ranges from the most basic $20,000 annual “Arium” pass, up to a $1 million lifetime option that includes invitations to Cannes yacht parties and access to secret VIP areas. Women may attend for free but must go through a strict vetting procedure. The events are restricted to just 100 guests, and women outnumber men by three to one.
For: Primarily heterosexual men and bisexual women. It also helps if you’re a billionaire, actress, musician, or model.
3. Power Exchange — San FranciscoKink and debauchery reign in Power Exchange, “America’s naughtiest adult playspace,” which, at almost 25 years old, is one of the region’s most established venues. It welcomes people of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations through its maze of play areas, fantasy rooms, and dungeons. The club prides itself on being inclusive, so whatever your scene, rest assured the only limitation is a lustful imagination. Unlike the other sex clubs on this list, this venue is strictly alcohol-free.
For: Everyone
4. Lab.oratory — BerlinLab.oratory is Berlin’s largest and most legendary no-holds-barred gay venue. Visitors have four floors of utilitarian concrete and steel to explore, including a play area kitted out with sex swings, chains, and harnesses, plus a wet room and a labyrinth where anything goes. Men of all ages and sizes are welcome, so long as they dress up for the occasion: Fetishwear and leather are usually on the menu.
The club hosts themed evenings, which range from a vanilla 2-for-1 drinks night to those focused on more diverse turn-ons (think sportswear, fisting, and watersports). Check the website for details and dress codes, and bring your own protection as it sometimes runs out. There’s also a strict no perfume or deodorant policy on the door.
For: Gay men
5. Les Chandelles — ParisParis’ upscale swingers club plays host to regular orgies in a plush, chandelier-lit setting. Originally the haunt of French politicians, celebs, and the wealthy middle-aged crowd, it’s now open to anyone who has a spare $110 lying around for the entrance fee. Once inside, guests are ushered into a cloakroom where they part with their phone (photos aren’t allowed) then welcomed into the main room with a free drink.
There’s a predominantly clothes-on front bar, plus two boudoirs (sex rooms) toward the back. The dress code is chic: Think cocktail dresses and heels for women, and shirts for men.
For: Everyone, but primarily heterosexual couples and bisexual women. Solo women are rarely let in over fears of prostitution and single men can be turned away at the door if there are already too many inside.
6. Torture Garden — LondonWay way before E.L. James ushered floggers and whips into mainstream culture, Torture Garden was home to fetish fans in London all through the ‘90s. It initially started out as a niche event, but has since ballooned into Europe’s biggest fetish night: It now attracts crowds of over 2,500 people and has seen Dita Von Teese, Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier, Boy George, Katie Price, and Courtney Love all pay their respects. Visitors can expect theatrical performances, fashion shows, cabaret, and plenty of kinky exhibitionism. The door policy is strict: It’s leather, lace, or latex.
For: Everyone
7. Killing Kittens — WorldwideLike Torture Garden, Killing Kittens isn’t strictly a sex club; it’s a program of parties and socials held at various locations worldwide. Events range from Japanese rope bondage classes and kinky cabaret nights to masked sex parties and tantric tutorials. Its main aim is to give women a safe environment to get frisky. Attending is pretty easy, you just need to sign up and get party-approved.
For: Women, primarily. Single men must be specifically invited by a female member.
8. Dungeon Club — Tel AvivTel Aviv’s most famous sex club welcomes people of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations — although clubbers need to come with a partner or three if they want to enter its labyrinth, aka the sex room. Aside from its many lascivious nooks and crannies, there are also two bars, a dance floor, and cages to explore, plus onstage shows to ignite the imagination. The dress code is anything fetish.
For: Everyone
9. Berghain — BerlinThe list wouldn’t be complete without a shout out to Berlin’s most notorious club. Located in a giant former power station, Berghain is famed for its cavernous 18-meter dance hall, its techno, and its incredibly strict door policy. Clubbers heading here should be prepared to wait in a libido-killing queue, which could very well end in rejection. Boo. If the worst happens, don’t worry, you’re in good company: Even Britney Spears got a “nein” from the bouncer.
While it’s not strictly a sex club, hedonism is encouraged and people often openly get it on in the venue’s dark corridors. Plus — top tip! — you can get lube and condoms from behind the bar.
For: Everyone. You just need to impress the bouncers. And by impress, we mean speak German, know your techno, wear black, and look the part. But even then, no guarantees. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. 
January 4, 2022
Sustainable aquamation: here’s why you should liquify your corpse when you die
If you care about living sustainably when you’re alive, why not take a strong stance on it after you die, too?
Recently in the news around the death of Nobel Prize winner and beloved human rights activist Desmond Tutu is “aquamation,” a more earth-friendly alternative to cremation.
During the standard cremation process, dead bodies are placed in a cremation chamber. The space is heated to around 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately four hours. The body is reduced to ashes during that time, which are gathered and returned to the family or next of kin.
While cremation is undoubtedly more eco-friendly than a traditional burial — cemeteries can contaminate groundwater, take up valuable public land, and use extreme amounts of water to maintain — it’s still not good for the planet. A 2019 article in the UK’s Guardian reports that a traditional cremation releases 400kg of CO2 (carbon dioxide, which is the lion’s share of the gases causing global warming on Earth) into the atmosphere. That’s the equivalent of what’s released by an average car burning 45 gallons of gas; it’s a large amount. Within the released gases are additional toxic fumes like mercury, and one cremation uses roughly the same amount of power an average US household consumes in a month. So long story short: it’s not great for the planet.
Enter aquamation, also called alkaline hydrolysis. It’s a more eco-friendly solution with similar results. During aquamation, no greenhouse gases are released, and the amount of fossil fuels needed to power the process is a fraction of what cremation requires. The process involves covering the body with a liquid that’s about 95 percent water and five percent liquid forms of metals like lithium, sodium, and potassium. The solution and body are gently agitated for about eight hours, slowly eroding away all the soft tissues and leaving only bones, which are then processed into ashes.
That final step does take some energy, but it uses only about 25 percent of the amount used in traditional cremation. It also leaves behind non-organic materials like tooth fillings, implants, or metal bone inserts so they can be disposed of in a non-toxic way. The toxicity of the liquid remains, which include both the solution and the organic matter from the body, is usually at or around the limit of what can legally be run down a drain into a public sewer, though many states and cities require funeral homes to contract with a biohazard firm for disposal.
Aquamation has been an option for the last five years or so, but only gained media attention of late with the announcement that Desmond Tutu opted for it after his death on December 26, 2021. Unfortunately, it can still be a bit difficult to find an aquamation facility. The process is only legal in 19 states in the US, though another half-dozen are considering it. But it’s still not a standard offering at most funeral homes. An online search will be the best way to find a facility offering it, but expect no more than one or two options, even in your state’s largest city.
Fortunately, at around $2,000 to $3,000, it’s not drastically more expensive than traditional cremation (average cost $2,000) and is certainly far cheaper than a full burial (at an average cost of around $8,000). If you’re thinking about end-of-life decisions — and foresee a bit of time before those decisions have to be made — you may find that aquamation is the perfect eco-friendly way to say goodbye when the time comes.
10 Airbnb Estes Park area rentals for a beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park stay
Colorado is the perfect place to sneak away for a while. Rocky Mountain National Park is the place to dig into nature — hiking, scenic drives, camping, fishing, and even backcountry skiing are available in abundance here. Booking an Airbnb near Rocky Mountain National Park puts you close to the action, which then optimizes the amount of time you can spend exploring rather than commuting. Here are the top Airbnb Estes Park and Airbnb Rocky Mountain National Park rentals.
Airbnb Estes Park rentalsAirbnb Grand Lake rentalsAirbnb Colorado Winter Park rentalsAirbnb Granby rentalsMore Colorado Airbnb hotspotsDenver AirbnbsVail AirbnbsAspen AirbnbsWe hope you love the Airbnb Estes Park rentals we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication. See our full Advertiser Disclosure here.
The best Colorado Airbnb rentals in the Estes Park Area
Hip small and bright bungalow with an instrument wall
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This quiet little bungalow is nestled on this hillside just a few minutes away from downtown Estes Park. The small home features a full kitchen, bedroom, and living room. If musicians are tagging along on the trip, then you’ve come to the right place as the home has a piano, guitar, and many other instruments that guests can play and let their creativity run wild. The house has beautiful views of Old Man Mountain and Prospect Mountain right off the deck, and it’s just a five-minute drive to the Rocky Mountain National Park and a walk to local shops, restaurants, breweries, and more.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $138 per night
Historical cabin from the 1800s with jacuzzi and views of Lumpy Ridge
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Built in the late 1800s, this historic cabin has all the amenities you need for your Colorado getaway. The downtown Airbnb in Estes Park is near the Stanley Hotel and an eight-minute drive to Rocky Mountain National Park. There is a full kitchen stocked with appliances, a living room with a fireplace, a deck that provides beautiful mountain views, and a jacuzzi overlooking Lumpy Ridge, perfect for a post-ski relaxation session.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $239 per night
Comfy Rocky Mountain home within walking distance to trails
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
A cozy, secluded sanctuary awaits you on your next Colorado getaway. This home has an open floor concept with a full kitchen, living room, and dining room that all showcase stunning views of the mountains. The house is within walking distance to many trails and Mary’s Lake to enjoy a day full of fishing.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $241 per night
The best Colorado Airbnb rentals in the Grand Lake Area
Picturesque property with Lake Granbury views
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This 3,555-square-foot home on a 2.5-Acre Property is calling out to you for your next getaway. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom cabin has all the amenities needed for a relaxing vacation. With Lake Granby views, al fresco dining, a fire pit to gather around, this home is perfect for groups and other family gatherings. Take the load off with the game room, hiking trails, or catch up on skiing at Granby Ranch.
Ten guests, three bedrooms
Price: $285 per night
Two-story cabin on the shore of Grand Lake
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Check out this remote cabin that is directly sitting on the south shore of Grand Lake. The cabin is directly adjacent to the lake, perfect for a private and quiet Colorado escape. The two-story cottage has a full kitchen and living room with upgrades and new furniture and appliances. Guests can enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, sledding, or even just an evening walk by the lake.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $365 per night
Remote A-frame cabin with spacious backyard for families
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Located just a mile away from the town of Grand Lake and other recreational activities is this cozy a-frame cabin. It’s is perfect for families, and it features a living room with a fireplace and wooden walls, and ceilings. The two large front and back decks have beautiful mountain views as well as the backyard space is a great place for the kids to get outside and play around.
Twelve guests, four bedrooms
Price: $316 per night
The best Colorado Airbnb rentals in the Winter Park Area
Ski in Ski out Condo near Winter Park Resort
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
If you’re looking for a singles or couples getaway, this ski-in ski-out condo is just for you. The condo has a full kitchen and living room with a queen-size murphy bed and a full-size sleeper sofa. The condo is located just off of a ski run that runs down to the gondola base and is also just a mile away from Winter Park Resort Town Center.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $297 per night
Newly built contemporary townhouse in Old Town Winter Park
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This new and modern townhouse is located near the base of Winter Park Ski Resort. It features vaulted ceilings and new modern finishings all around the home. There is a full kitchen and living room with a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing beautiful views, and there are also two decks where you can enjoy the outdoors and watch those skiing down the mountain. And if you’re looking to unwind after hitting those slopes, there is a seven-person hot tub perfect for a relaxing session after being out on the slopes all day.
Ten guests, three bedrooms
Price: $489 per night
The best Colorado Airbnb rentals in the Granby Area
Mountain view retreat near Granby Ranch Resort
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
A quick walk from Granby Ranch Resort, this new cozy retreat is the perfect base for nature lovers and ski enthusiasts alike. This condominium has a fully equipped kitchen with all new appliances, a living room, and a private balcony with stunning mountain views and a picnic table. In addition to the slopes, there are also more recreational activities close by like hiking and biking trails, scenic trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, or you can rent a boat and cruise Lake Granby.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $96 per night
Riverfront cabin with family and kid-friendly amenities
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Sitting directly alongside the Fraser River, this riverfront cabin is just the escape you’re looking for. With 1,100 Sq ft, this cabin has enough space for family and friends, and it’s also equipped with a full kitchen and living room and kid-friendly amenities to keep the kids entertained. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains and be close to all other recreational activities like Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado Adventure Park, Coca Cola Tubing Hill, and more activities during all seasons.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $224 per night
This service gives you phone data abroad with no charge to your phone plan
One of the peskiest things about traveling abroad is figuring out international data service for your smart phone. Going through your current carrier is often costly due to roaming fees, and some pre-paid carriers don’t offer the service at all. Your choices now are to either stay completely reliant on Wi-Fi and your traveling companions or inconveniently try to purchase the right SIM card on arrival. Unless you have an eSIM card, which you probably do even if you didn’t know about it — enter GigSky.
eSIM cards replace the physical data cards from your carrier, making it easy to add more data from a different carrier. GigSky is an app that you can download before you leave home that will connect you to a plan in whatever country you’re visiting at a reasonable price. The service has plans available for use in over 190 countries. It’s a pay-as-you-go system offers packages starting at just 10 dollars. Often you’ll see plans that cover an entire region, like Latin America or Europe, so if you plan to stay for a while, you can purchase anywhere from a one-day plan to a 30-day plan.
There’s even a worldwide plan that offers you data everywhere it’s available. If your phone doesn’t have eSIM technology (here’s the current list), you can also buy a physical card on the GigSky website, which will be mailed to you and that you can add more data to easily on the go.
How to activate an eSIM cardActivating an eSIM card is easy. All you need to do is look up the country (or countries) you’re traveling to, and the app will pull up all of its data plan options. Once you choose how many gigabytes and days you’ll need service, the app will walk you through all the setting changes to activate your plan. Keep in mind, the data isn’t attached to your phone number that’s connected to your carrier back home, so be sure to follow all the instructions carefully, so you’re still able to be reached via iMessage, FaceTime, etc.
So, no more coming home from your vacation to a giant phone bill or waiting in line at the airport for a SIM card. As soon as you hop off the plane, bee-line it to wherever you’re staying and start enjoying your destination — all while staying connected.
Your next job could be road tripping around the country in the Planters Nutmobile
Your next job could be road tripping around the country in the Planters Nutmobile
There are plenty of vehicles that will catch the eyes of passersby on a long road trip, but perhaps none so much as the giant, 26-foot-long Planters branded Nutmobile. This year, the Planters is hiring three “Peanutters” to take the wheel and drive Mr. Peanut around to local events from coast to coast.
The chosen ones won’t be passive road trippers. This isn’t just a road trip for the sake of a road trip, after all. The position is full-time from June 2022 to June 2023, and it has a salary, benefits package (including medical coverage and a stock purchase plan), and the opportunity to earn bonuses on top of the base pay.
Is this the #vanlife dream you’ve been looking to manifest since the start of the pandemic? Probably not, but it certainly is a once-in-a-lifetime way for travel nuts to see the country on wheels. Thank goodness Mr. Peanut didn’t actually get offed at 104 years old in 2020 (Hormel Foods Corp. purchased the brand in mid-2021 from Kraft Heinz Co., and thankfully are riding with the notion that the bar snack icon is alive and well enough to drive cross-country).
Applicants who want a crack at the job should keep a few responsibilities in mind: There will be media interviews, local community events, fans looking for “a nutty time” (as it’s put in a Planters press release), and volunteer projects where the Nutmobile team performs “little acts of substance for their communities.”
The brand isn’t looking for just any peanut allergy free person to fill the position. Recent college graduates with a degree in sales and marketing are preferred, and experience in communications, advertising, or public relations is a plus. Obviously there needs to be some sort of love for travel, too, and a “proficiency in nut puns is a must.”
If you’re just nutty enough to be interested, go to the Peanutter website to submit a resume, cover letter, and short video describing why you’re a fit by January 24. And if you’re on the fence? The official Planters Nutmobile Instagram can give you a taste of what the three Peanutters are in for.
Iceland gas station food is so good it puts even the best US fast food to shame
I’ll never forget my first gas station meal in Iceland. I was jet-lagged and running on no sleep when I dragged myself into an N1 (a gas station company), looking for a strong cup of coffee. My friend and I had both flown into Reykjavík that morning — her from Denver, me from Rio de Janeiro via New York City — and instantly hit the road toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula on the western edge of the island.
Normally, a bag of chips or a doughnut is as far as I’d go in terms of buying food in a gas station. But this gas station immediately differentiated itself from other gas stations I had visited: It was sleek and modern, with bright lights and clean floors, and the shelves were stocked with all kinds of pre-packaged meals, snacks, and drinks. The N1 even had a cafe and fast-food counter furnished with tables for people to dine on.
Hungry and with a long drive ahead of us, my friend did something I’d typically never do: She ordered fish at a gas station. When the fish and chips arrived at the table, I took one look at the golden crispy batter before deciding that I, too, was going to eat fish at a gas station.
Iceland is the kind of destination that leaves you speechless in more ways than one — and this was one of those moments. The fish and chips turned out to be among the best I’d ever had. The batter was salty and perfectly crisp. The fish flaky. The fries crunchy. And the best part was that the portion was big enough for two.
From this point on, we probably had about 75% of our meals in Iceland gas stations.
Aside from the fact that the food was actually good and more affordable than a standalone restaurant, a gas station was often the only option for food. We could be driving down a remote road, without seeing a single soul in sight for miles, when suddenly, a small, rectangular building would appear off the side of the road. A gas station. Sometimes, the world we’d find inside would starkly contrast the deserted landscape around us. Many gas stations have their own sit-down restaurants, and they were almost always filled with families and friends happily chatting over a hot meal.
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, here are 7 gas station meals and snacks you have to try.
1. Fish and chips
Photo: Carla Vianna
Iceland’s gas station fish and chips can easily compete with the same dish I ordered in traditional full-service restaurants during my trip. The batter-fried cod and crispy potatoes are often served with skyronnes, a dipping sauce made from a traditional yogurt-like cheese known as skyr, olive oil, and fresh herbs and spices.
Where to find it: N1 and Orkan gas stations
Take your pick from the rainbow of ready-to-eat sandwiches, wraps, salads, and noodles, all of which I found to be remarkably fresh despite their pre-packaged nature. My personal favorites were the Sómi-branded smoked ham and egg and chicken tikka masala wraps — ideal for meals on the go.
Where to find it: Orkan, N1, and Olis gas stations
3. SkyrSkyr is known as traditional Icelandic yogurt, even though it’s not. Skyr is actually a creamy and tangy soft cheese made from fat-free skim milk. But it’s sold as yogurt in the refrigerated section of most gas stations, including several fruit-flavored varieties. Skyr has a denser texture than traditional yogurt, which makes it easier to eat in a moving car. Plus, it’s packed with protein. It’s the kind of snack to reach for when hunger starts to hit on those long days on the road. People in Iceland have been eating it since the medieval era, and it’s an integral part of the country’s cuisine.
Where to find it: Most Iceland gas stations
4. SoupWhen the temperature dips, you might appreciate a steaming bowl of soup when you stop for fuel. Lamb soup is an Icelandic delicacy, and you can sometimes find it in a large cauldron at the soup counter inside a gas station. It’s typically made with lamb, potatoes, rutabagas, and carrots. The rich and meaty concoction will quickly warm your body on frigid winter days, especially when you’re looking for something heartier than a hot dog.
Where to find it: N1 gas stations and some convenient stores/visitor centers
5. Hot dog
Photo: Carla Vianna
If there’s one food you’ll find in nearly every gas station and convenience store in Iceland, it’s an Icelandic hot dog. It’s so ubiquitous that it’s jokingly called the country’s national dish. Made mostly from Icelandic lamb, the dogs are typically topped with raw and crispy fried onions, ketchup, sweet brown mustard, and remoulade.
Where to find it: Nearly everywhere, including most Iceland gas stations
6. BurgerElaborate burgers topped with egg, bacon, onion rings, pickles, and mushrooms can be found at Grill 66, a popular chain housed inside Olis gas stations. Inspired by the famous Route 66 highway in the U.S., the restaurant has named its burgers after American cities — like the “Chicago,” a double-decker with bacon, gouda, and lettuce.
Where to find it: Olis gas stations
7. Chocolate-covered licoriceYou might be wondering why a lot of the candy in Iceland contains licorice. The island faced decades of bans on candy imports, during which Icelanders got their sugar fix from licorice, cementing its popularity throughout the country. One of the local favorites is called Þristur, a chocolate fudge-like candy filled with pieces of licorice.
Where to find it: Most gas stations
The best sex museums in the world
It’s hard to market museums as sexy. Educational? Check. Romantic? Sure. They make great date spots. But nobody’s lining up outside the Louvre with their significant other to get in the mood. There are select museums that do fit the description, however, showcasing adult-themed art and artifacts that are as steamy as they are informative. From erotic antiques to vintage pornography, here’s what’s on offer at the 11 best sex museums in the world.
1. Museum of Sex — New York City, New York, US
Photo: andersphoto/Shutterstock
Museum standards are high in New York City. Holding its own against the likes of the MoMA and Met, the Museum of Sex, or MoSex, was a pioneer in its field when it opened in 2002 and remains one of the best tributes to human sexuality in the museum world. There are over 15,000 objects in the permanent collection spanning various mediums, including painting, sculpture, film, photography, and fashion. Exhibits at the Museum of Sex vary, covering topics from pornography to the sex lives of animals, though they tend to focus on sexuality in the modern era.
Where: 233 Fifth Avenue (@ 27th Street), New York, NY 10016, US
2. The Penis Museum — Reykjavík, Iceland
Photo: Chalie Chulapornsiri/Shutterstock
Scientific might be a better descriptor for the Icelandic Phallological Museum (also known as the Penis Museum) than sexy, but with over 200 phallic specimens from Iceland’s mammalian populations on display, we couldn’t leave it off the list. That’s right: You can actually compare and contrast the penile parts of 16 different whale species, a polar bear, and even a human here. In addition, you’ll find folkloric and foreign artifacts, as well as around 350 artworks and related items.
Where: Kalkofnsvegur 2 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
3. Vagina Museum — London, England
Photo: Vagina Museum/Facebook
London’s Vagina Museum, opened in November 2019, desexualizes vaginas in favor of educating visitors about vaginal health and anatomy, working toward overcoming the stigmas surrounding vaginas, and serving as a safe, feminist space for all women, however they identify. And we think that’s pretty sexy too. See exhibits like “Muff Busters: Vagina Myths and How to Fight Them” or attend events like Cliterature, the museum’s book club, and Bajina Bingo.
Where: 17/18 Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8AH, UK
4. World Erotic Art Museum — Miami Beach, Florida, US
Photo: World Erotic Art Museum
If it’s erotic works by world-famous artists like Picasso and Klimt you’re after, pack your bags for Miami Beach. Beyond fine art, the World Erotic Art Museum (Also known as the Erotic Museum of Miami) also showcases collections ranging from Gay Art to Humor to Indigenous Art of the Americas, as well as works from India, elsewhere in Asia, and parts of Africa. Exhibitions at this sex museum are thoughtful and thought-provoking, tackling subjects ranging from the Kinsey Institute to the history of erotic art in “From Pompeii to Pin-Up.”
Where: 1205 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139, US
5. Love Museum — Seoul, South Korea
Photo: 러브뮤지엄 Love Museum/Facebook
Seoul’s Love Museum organizes its content into six galleries: Fun and Sexy, Femme Fatale, Dream House, Sex Life, Erotic Garden, and Korean Erotic Painting. The collection spans centuries, from Joseon dynasty erotica to contemporary 3D paintings. Encouraging openness around the themes of love and sex, this is the rare museum where guests are encouraged to interact and pose with installations, whether you want a photo with a cutout of Lady Godiva astride a horse or a super-sized sculpture of male genitalia.
Where: 20 Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
6. Sex Machines Museum — Prague, Czech Republic
Photo: Sex Machines Museum
The phrase “sex machine” loses some of its luster when referring to actual machinery, but this three-floor sex museum housing 350 items and installations might just make you blush. At the Sex machine Museum, you’ll see sex toys, accessories, and erotic art from around the world and throughout the ages. You can even catch a screening of an early 1900s adult film in the vintage-style Old Erotic Cinema. Note: Visitors must be 18 and over with valid ID.
Where: Melantrichova 476/18, 110 00 Staré Město, Czech Republic
7. Erotic Heritage Museum — Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Photo: Erotic Heritage Museum
Formally known as the Harry Mohney Erotic Museum after the pornographer who co-founded it with Reverend Ted McIlvena, the Erotic Heritage Museum celebrates sexuality as an expression of humanity. Exhibits spotlight various artists of the month and explore topics like the evolution of human sexuality, sex in space, and sexuality under the Third Reich. Events at the Erotic Heritage Museum tend to skew more light-hearted, such as the past Puppetry of the Penis and The Art of Naked Yoga.
Where: 3275 South Sammy Davis Jr. Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89109, US
8. Sexmuseum Venustempel — Amsterdam, Netherlands
Photo: Alexey Pevnev/Shutterstock
Amsterdam has not one but three sex museums: the Erotic Museum, Red Light Secrets Museum of Prostitution, and Sexmuseum Venustempel. If you only have time for one, it has to be Venustempel, which claims to be the oldest sex museum in the world. A statue of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and sex, greets guests at the door, beyond which they’ll see everything from vintage sex toys to Victorian photography and hear audio recordings by famous figures.
Where: Damrak 18, 1012 LG Amsterdam, Netherlands
9. The Secret Room at the National Archaeological Museum — Naples, Italy
Photo: Museo Archeologico di Napoli/Facebook
Unknown to some, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples stores a collection of ancient erotica from Pompeii and Herculaneum that women were at one time forbidden to see. It’s known as “il gabinetto segreto”, or “the secret room,” and showcases explicit frescoes, naughty inscriptions, x-rated mosaics, and more. Though open to the public, the collection is displayed separately.
Where: Piazza Museo, 19, 80135 Napoli, Italy
10. Erotic Museum — Barcelona, Spain
Photo: Erotic Museum of Barcelona/Facebook
Barcelona’s Erotic Museum sits smack in the middle of La Rambla, the city’s main pedestrian boulevard, opposite La Boqueria, its most famous market. Inside, there are over 800 erotic artifacts on display, spanning from the Upper Paleolithic era to today. Learn more about kama sutra, see Picasso’s sordid work, or peek into the world of fetishism. Temporary exhibits add to the range of themes explored, contributing everything from sex-cessories to phallic artifacts.
Where: La Rambla, 96 bis, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
11.The Underpinnings Museum
Photo: The Underpinnings Museum/Facebook
If the word “sexy” makes you think lingerie, not whale genitalia, you might appreciate the Underpinnings Museum. Hosted entirely online, the museum is dedicated to the history of women’s intimates, featuring a collection of vintage corsets, slips, bras, girdles, stockings, robes, and more. Some come from big-name designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier. Exhibitions dig deeper than the garments themselves, delving into subjects like the modern corset and bra technology.
Where: Online
January 3, 2022
The best Airbnbs in Seattle
Seattle is home to famed attractions including Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. It’s where the grunge scene broke from dark dives into the mainstream sound of the nineties, and one of the few places in the United States where you can wander hallways lined with Chihuly glassworks, catch a rock show, and eat the day’s freshest oysters, all in one outing. To do so, you’ll need to be properly positioned — and these are the best Airbnb Seattle options to experience the city in depth.
We hope you love the Airbnb Seattle properties 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. Belltown neighborhood condo with Elliott Bay viewsPhoto: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Part of any urban adventure is gazing out at the cityscape, preferably from an elevated position. You can do just that from this luxe apartment. Here you have an Airbnb Seattle masterpiece with the bonus of not needing to depend on the city’s unreliable weather to enjoy it. The city presents itself in grand fashion through the large living room windows gazing out over Elliot Bay. When you do wish to venture out to explore, the location is ideally set between the Pike Place Market and the Space Needle, with ample options to stop for lunch, a brew, or a photo op in between.
Five guests guests, two bedrooms
Price: $253 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Seattle is a place imbued with a rebellious, artistic spirit, from the grunge era to the kilns and easels of the Historic Central Area Arts & Cultural District. What makes this apartment one of the best Seattle Airbnbs is that you can sleep amongst the products of that spirit. Double-height windows illuminate artworks throughout the day. The fact that the apartment itself is super chic and modern — and close to Uptown, downtown, and Capitol Hill — makes it a slam dunk of Durant-esque proportions (sorry, Sonics fans).
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $167 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
As is the case in many major American cities, Broadway in Seattle is a cultural hub of unparalleled proportions. Kurt Cobain himself undoubtedly strolled its banks once or twice back in the day, and combine this with the home’s Capitol Hill roots and you have the makings of a top-tier Seattle stay. This house is a great place to stay for sports and music fans as there are ample clubs, venues, and stadiums within walking distance. Off-street parking is included, and if you don’t have a car, the light rail is a few minutes’ walk.
Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $267 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Modern Seattle is a destination for foodies, for wine enthusiasts, and for those who appreciate a contemporary touch when it comes to interior and exterior design. This apartment satisfies all of the above, as it is close to farm-to-table dining and the Chihuly museum. The Space Needle itself is visible from the window — an easy wayfinding point for you throughout your stay. If you can see the Space Needle, you can get back to the apartment.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $147 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
The best way to get to know a city is to experience its neighborhoods. This bright cottage is a good place to just that, located in a residential area but not lacking in amenities including a quick drive to the coast. The surrounding Fairmont Park and West Seattle neighborhoods host some of the city’s top restaurants including Mashiko for sushi and the Italian-inspired Raccolto. You’ll be inspired by the ease of access to kayaking and swimming, picnicking in the surrounding parks, and relaxing after checking out the tourist hotspots on the other side of Harbor Island, including Pike Place Market and downtown.
Three guests, studio
Price: $152 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Often overlooked by visitors caught up in all the oysters, coffee, and live music, Seattle is actually one of the most picturesque big cities in the US. This apartment encapsulates the best of the views, looking out over Alki Beach onto Elliot’s Bay and the mountains beyond. You may see whales. You will certainly see ships passing by between Bainbridge Island and downtown Seattle, as you take in the bustle of the city from one of its most picturesque vantage points.
Two guests, studio
Price: $221 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
You can have your cake and eat it too, and this downtown Seattle suite is proof — central location, walkable to restaurants, music venues, parks, and Pike Place Market, but also with the stunning optics of the Space Needle visible out the window. On-site is a pool, hot tub, and parking, each a win in its own right as anyone who has ever lived in a city can attest to. And for the price, there’s no better option to ensure you can spend your budget taking in the food culture and sights having not drained it all by booking lodging.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $101 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Upon reading the title of this property, you may have thought we’d fallen off the map and re-appeared thousands of miles away on the other side of the Atlantic. But we’re still in Seattle — and this is one of the best Seattle Airbnbs for those seeking relaxation. Take advantage of the Finnish sauna, soak in the saltwater tub, and then take a nap outside in the grass — it’s an oasis for the wellness-inclined in the middle of the big city.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $205 per night
Best astronomical events of 2020
THIS LAST YEAR WAS our second collective year in a row of stress, health scares, stay-at-home orders, and general ennui that left most of us spending many of our days in sweatpants. Spending most of your time at home can make it feel like the entire world is limited to what’s inside the four walls of your house.
So maybe you should give stargazing a try in 2022.
Watching the night sky, even just for a few minutes, is a great way to give your brain a break from the stress and routine of your normal day; it’s a bit like mediation in that way. Stargazing can also remind us of just how tiny we are in the great cosmic universe, and be a nice way to remember we’re connected to people around us. It’s amazing to think that someone 3,000 miles away may be watching the exact same shooting star as you.
Every year brings thousands of night sky events, but some are bigger, brighter, and easier to see than others. Below, we round up the best 2022 night sky events you won’t want to miss, so we suggest putting these dates on your calendar. Factors like weather, cloud cover, and moon phase may impact just how well you can see some of 2022’s night sky events, but if you attempt to catch a few, there’s a good chance at least one will be a stellar astronomical performance.
February 13 & 14: Venus reaches peak brightness and size
Photo: Renata Barbarino/Shutterstock
It’s only fitting that the planet Venus would peak on the days surrounding Valentine’s Day — after all, Venus was the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and desire. So consider waking up early with your beau to spot Venus at its brightest point all year. You’ll want to look for it just before dawn as Venus rotates near the sun. It’ll be close to the horizon and rise in the east. You’ll be able to see the light of Venus shining exceptionally bright without any devices, but you’ll be able to see the planet’s details with a good telescope. Venus will be bright for several weeks before and after that date, so don’t worry if you forget to set your alarm for that specific day.
March: SpaceX Starship rocket launch
Photo: SpaceX/NASA
Okay, so it’s not technically a night sky event. But the launch of the SpaceX Starship — one of at least 36 launches planned by the company in 2022 — will certainly be a noteworthy event. Due to be launched sometime in March, it’s the largest space launch vehicle ever made. It consists of two parts: a booster to launch the vehicle, and the actual rocket that’ll travel in space. The booster, in theory, will fall into the ocean about three minutes after launch while the actual rocket loops around the planet. It’s the next step in testing ships that Tesla founder Elon Musk hopes will eventually carry humans to Mars.
Tesla will launch the rocket from its facility on Texas’ South Padre Island, so you’ll likely be able to see it if you’re anywhere in the vicinity. Of course, you may be able to see it from further away, too — since no one has ever launched a rocket this large, no one’s exactly sure what watching it from afar will be like. But if you want to ensure you have a front-row seat, you’ll likely be able to stream it via the SpaceX website.
April 30: A black moon
Photo: Andre Prokhorov/Shutterstock
Don’t bother with any specialty stargazing equipment to see the black moon: it’s one of the few 2022 night sky events you won’t be able to see. At all. During a black moon, the sun illuminates the side of the moon facing away from Earth, making it look like there’s no moon in the sky. That makes it the darkest sky of the year and potentially the best night for stargazing in 2022. It’s on a Saturday, making it an ideal weekend to plan a spring camping trip to a dark sky park. If you don’t feel like camping, check your local observatory or state parks to see if they’re hosting any public night sky viewing events that weekend.
May 15 & 16: Total lunar eclipse
Photo: pinkfloyd yilmaz uslu/Shutterstock
One of the coolest 2022 night sky events will be a total lunar eclipse mid-May, coinciding with a “blood moon.” Earth will be directly between the sun and the moon, which casts Earth’s shadow onto the moon. The moon will be fully shadowed, giving it an eerie reddish hue.
The best lunar eclipse viewing will be on May 16, about 10 minutes after midnight EST. Unfortunately, that means folks on the West Coast won’t have quite as good of a view. Skywatchers in the American Midwest and East Coast, anywhere in South America, or in Western Africa should be able to watch the entire show. If you’re in Western Europe or the western half of the US, you’ll be able to see part of the eclipse. The exception is viewing from the Pacific Northwest or western Canada, where watchers will only catch a small section of the show. There’s no trick to watching the eclipse — as long as you have a view of the moon, you’ll be able to see it.
June 14: Strawberry Supermoon
Photo: Philipp Hayer/Shutterstock
If you’ve ever looked up on a camping trip and thought, “wow, the moon looks bigger than usual,” you may have been looking at a supermoon. And the biggest supermoon of the year will be in June. This 2022 night sky event won’t be very hard to see, provided clouds don’t block the moon. During a supermoon (scientific term: perigean moon), the moon isn’t just brighter — it’s actually in its closest orbital point to Earth, so it really does look larger than normal. Perigean moons can create stronger tides, so take that into account if you’re planning to do some moongazing from the beach. By the way, the “strawberry” part of the name comes from US Native American tribes for whom the summer supermoon signaled the beginning of the strawberry harvest.
August 12 & 13: Perseid meteor shower
Photo: Belish/Shutterstock
The Perseid is always one of the largest showers of the year and is certainly one of the flashiest, with skywatchers on the western coast of the US potentially able to see more than 120 meteors per hour. The shower is debris from the mammoth Swift-Tuttle comet. It might also be the most pleasant meteor shower of the year, given that it falls on balmy summer nights, perfect for stargazing. You’ll be able to see the Perseid Shower from anywhere in North America, but unfortunately, the moon will be mostly full during the shower in 2022. That makes the sky brighter and meteors harder to see. Make plans to camp near a dark sky park that weekend to maximize your chances. You could also take a trip to a national park; popular options such as Joshua Tree, Canyonlands, and Big Bend usually host Perseid-watching events for park guests.
September 26: Spot Jupiter and its moons
Photo: Rehman Abubakr, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
Jupiter is just one planet removed from Earth (Mars is our closest neighbor), but it’s still usually no more than a speck in the sky. But at roughly 520 million miles away from Earth, that’s understandable. However, toward the end of September, Jupiter will be at its closest point to the Earth — a mere 365 million miles away. That should make it much easier to see as it’ll be nearly twice as big in the sky, size-wise. Without stargazing equipment, it’ll look like an exceptionally bright, oversized star, but if you do have a telescope or pair of binoculars, you should be able to see Jupiter’s moons. Jupiter has a whopping 79 moons, but at roughly half the size of our planet, Ganymede is the largest and easier to see. The best time to spot Jupiter will be just after midnight on the 26, but it’ll be brighter than usual for a few weeks before and after that date.
November 17 & 18: Leonid Meteor Shower
Photo: J Nel/Shutterstock
The Perseid has the potential to see the most meteors per hour, but the guess of how many will be visible is based on having a dark, moonless sky — which won’t be the case with 2022’s Perseids. So even though you’ll have to bundle up a bit more, the November Leonid night sky event will likely be much more impressive for most watchers. In mid-November, the moon will be in a waning crescent phase, so it won’t be giving out much light. That should make it easier to see the meteors, though you’ll still likely want to be at a dark sky park. If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with dark skies, you’ll still need to give your eyes about 15-20 minutes to adjust to the darkness before you start seeing the shooting stars. You’ll usually see about 15 per hour.
December 14: Geminid meteor shower
Photo: Alexander Seleznyov/Shutterstock
If you tried to watch 2021’s Geminids shower and were disappointed by how bright the sky was, 2022 will be your year. The shower will reach peak frequency on December 14, when the Earth’s rotation carries us through a debris field left by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon (that makes it one of the few meteor showers not generated by a comet). And fortunately, it’ll be a waning moon, so it’ll be about half as bright as the moon during the 2021 shower. If the sky is completely dark, you can see about 50 to 60 meteors per hour — so even with some moonlight, you should be able to see more than a few. The Geminids is only available to viewers in North America, and the best time to see it usually around 2 a.m.
December 22: But wait, there’s more
Photo: Dedek/Shutterstock
If the sky was too bright or too overcast to catch the Geminids, you might still be able to see shooting stars during the Ursid shower eight days later. The moon will be in its smallest and darkest phase, creating an excellent opportunity to watch the night sky even in areas with minor light pollution. You usually can’t see more than 10 or so meteors per hour, but with almost no moonlight, you may be able to catch every single one.
The shower is named for the constellation where the meteors appear to start — Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Dipper. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, look to the north to spot the Little Dipper. The further north you are, the longer the Little Dipper is visible in the sky. You may have to be patient if you’re hoping to see shooting stars, so brush up on your winter camping skills before heading out.
Before the time comes to go outside and stare at the sky, consider downloading a stargazing app like SkyTracker, Night Sky, or or SkyView. The apps use augmented reality, so you just point your phone camera at the sky and the apps will identify everything from constellations to satellites to planets. Having one handy is a great way to ensure you have a successful hour or two of stargazing, even if you don’t end up seeing too many meteors.
What are travel agents good for these days? An expert tells all
To the ears of Generation Z, travel agents probably sound a lot like rotary phones and VHS players: once-essential components of our world that have since become old-fashioned, and which are now used only by octogenarians.
With the rise of flight booking platforms like Skyscanner and Google Flights, finding cheap flights is easier than ever. Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com have simplified the world of lodging, and online travel publications and blogs are shining light on destinations once unknown to many. Once the indispensable bridge between the traveler and dream destination, travel agents seem to have become obsolete. But they’ve proven more resilient than you might think.
Rather than succumbing to the advance of online travel media and booking platforms, they’re adapting and continuing to provide value for travelers in the 21st century. If the rest of the travel industry is Staples, travel agents are Dunder Mifflin, the underdog that puts people and customer service first.
To try to figure out why one should use a travel agents these days, we spoke to Lisa Finnegan. Finnegan has been a travel agent for over 35 years, currently working at AAA (American Automobile Association) as a Safari Specialist. We discussed the roles of travel agents, how her role has changed with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the future of travel agents.
Are travel agents still as popular as they were 10-20 years ago?I think so – we’ve never been busier! Although flights are still easily booked online, our clients feel more comfortable booking entire packages through us. I’m not sure about other travel agencies, but our service is part of your AAA membership, so clients take advantage of our expertise and savings.
Why use a travel agent in this day and age?We have preferred partners that we work with for all cruises and packages that we book. All of those partners that AAA has contracts with, come with additional savings or added amenities/credits to enhance the packages we book for our clients.
What information can travel agents offer travelers that they can’t get from reading online travel blogs or publications?First-hand experience is still the best sales tool for us working in the industry. Articles and blogs are great tools, but not always the most accurate. When one of our agents travels, we share our experiences — good and bad — with each other. Again, speaking from the perspective of a large US agency, we have not only our local agents’ travel input, but also our AAA national reviews and first-hand knowledge to rely on when guiding our clients for all things travel-related.
Has the role of travel agents changed in the past 10 years? Are people looking for different things?Definitely. Ten years ago, there was a lot of comparison shopping, where saving money was the main objective. Over the last few years, and more so since COVID hit back in March 2020, clients are looking for added assistance, expertise, and an actual person they can speak to if their plans change or more restrictions come into play.
What is business like for travel agents during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020? Is anyone booking trips?It was hell. Many companies were trying to figure things out at the same time as we all were, so phone hold times were extremely long. People were stuck all over the world, trying to get back home. Airlines cancelled flights left and right, so that just added more stress. Vendors/airlines/hotels all furloughed their staff and many closed temporarily. Of course everyone that we had booked, wanted their money back as soon as possible. That just wasn’t happening with many airlines, cruise lines, and tour companies, so clients were offered Future Credits. The refunds that we were able to secure took months to receive. As you can imagine, not many people were happy about any of this! I still have clients rebooking now with those Future Credits. As for new reservations — not during the initial six to eight months of the pandemic, but now yes.
Since borders reopened, have people changed the way they use travel agents? Asking for different services?I think so. We receive lots of calls from clients that are “thinking about traveling” and ask for the current restrictions to global destinations. We only assist those clients if they are AAA members and if they book through us. We have also found that more people are requesting hotels than they did previously (instead of AirBnb or VRBO – both of which we don’t book). I think that’s the “clean” factor, as people are more comfortable staying in a traditional hotel than in someone else’s home.
What is the biggest threat to your industry these days?Honestly, the length of time this [the COVID-19 pandemic] has gone on is the biggest threat. I’ve been in this business for over 35 years and so many of my travel colleagues have either taken early retirement or changed careers. If this goes on much longer, I feel we’ll lose even more qualified agents, as it just doesn’t make it financially feasible to stay in a business where you’re not making enough money to pay the bills. As an industry, we’re all still learning how to navigate the new normal.
As learning about destinations online becomes easier, and self-booking becomes more intuitive with tools like Skyscanner and Google Flights, what do you think the role of travel agents will be 5-10 years from now?Great question! Yes, it is definitely easier to self-book, but many people don’t feel comfortable booking on their own. Plus, we as agents, have many times toured/cruised with different vendors and can give information based on first-hand experience. Many of my colleagues now charge service fees (similar to any consultant) for their expertise. I feel like this is going to be more prevalent in the future and if I weren’t working for a membership company, I would charge as well. Sure you can book on your own, but if you want the expertise or recommendations — it’s going to cost you!
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