Matador Network's Blog, page 540

You don’t know Southeast Asian coffee until you’ve tried these 5 regional styles

With the way coffee is marketed these days, you’d think every cup of java is either a flat white, macchiato, cold brew – or if you’re a real aficionado, a V60-made, acid-free paper-filtered pour over. But long before third wave coffee was even a trend, Southeast Asian coffee drinkers had already been enjoying their caffeinated beverages in exciting and interesting ways. Here in Southeast Asia (where coffea arabica was first planted over four centuries ago) your morning dose of caffeine might not look the way you expect.

There’s a delightfully diverse menu of traditional Southeast Asian coffee drinks in this region, and it would be a treat for the culturally curious to sample them all. Needless to say, you won’t find these at a neighborhood espresso bar. Instead, head for the old school cafes — the ones with the weathered walls, the worn-out tables and the same smiling proprietors who have been serving loyal customers for ages. It’s places like these where the homegrown coffee culture runs deep, and where the steaming brews are every bit as storied as they are delicious. Here are five must-try Southeast Asian coffee concoctions, and where to try each one:

Indonesia: Kopi joss

Photo: Courtesy of Lester Ledesma

Don’t be afraid of the hissing, bubbling cup of dark-roasted java you might encounter in Jogjakarta, Indonesia called kopi joss – it’s caused by a large glowing hunk of charcoal that’s dropped into the liquid. That’s just how the house specialty is served at some roadside coffee stalls in this city on Java’s southern coast.

According to local legend, kopi joss was invented in the 1960s, when a coffee vendor needed to quickly heat up his brew. No doubt because of the visual spectacle involved in its preparation, the drink quickly caught on. Kopi joss (the pronunciation of the second word mimics the hissing sound made by the charcoal) has since become a must-try drink for visitors to the city. Local fans also say that the charcoal helps cure indigestion and improves the flavor — and indeed, it adds a smoky caramel note and a thicker texture to the brew.

Where to try it: Streetside cafes around the Jogjakarta train station.

Singapore: Kopi gu you

Photo: Courtesy of Lester Ledesma

Bulletproof coffee isn’t a new idea. Back in 1930s Singapore, mixing butter with your coffee was already common. This drink was called kopi gu you, or “coffee and butter” in the Hokkien Chinese language. The reason for adding butter is health-related: Many Chinese people believe coffee heats up the body, and the presence of butter – a cooling element – serves to balance out the effects of the brew on one’s internal energy.

There’s also a showy angle to drinking kopi gu you: butter in the old days was an expensive commodity, so ordering this at the kopitiam (the local term for coffee store) was a sign that yes, this customer had extra money to spare. The brew tastes surprisingly smooth, with the salted butter providing a nice complement to the coffee’s bittersweet notes.

Where to try it: Heap Seng Leong Kopitiam, 10 North Bridge Rd, #01-5109, Singapore 190010

Malaysia: White coffee

Photo: Courtesy of Lester Ledesma

Ipoh is a celebrated food haven, with many classic Malaysian dishes originating from this northern town. However, it’s the way that people from Ipoh make their coffee that has truly captured this country’s heart.

White coffee fits its name perfectly: It’s a sweet, light-colored drink that contrasts sharply with the usual black coffee. This concoction first appeared in the early 1900’s, as a way for local businessmen to share a cuppa with their western counterparts. Western-style brews were too bitter and acidic for the native palate, so Ipoh coffee houses remade the drink to fit the tastes of the locals.

The coffee beans are roasted with ingredients that include palm oil, margarine and sugar. These are ground and brewed on a coffee sock, then mixed with condensed milk and evaporated milk. Afterwards the steaming liquid is poured from high up to produce its signature frothy top.

Ipoh white coffee is now so popular that it inspired its own category of copycat instant coffee brands. But of course, nothing beats the real thing. Kedai Kopi Nam Heong in particular, does a great job of balancing the milky sweet and freshly brewed coffee flavours.

Where to try it: Kedai Kopi Nam Heong, 2 Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Vietnam: Caphe trung

Photo: Courtesy of Lester Ledesma

Perhaps one of the most well-known Southeast Asian coffee drinks, caphe trung may look like a cappuccino but it’s not. In fact, the Vietnamese would say that caphe trung makes for a better after-meal treat than its Italian lookalike.

Caphe trung was created in the aftermath of World War II, when a shortage of basic commodities left Hanoi’s coffeehouses without milk. A bartender named Giang at the Metropole Hotel thought of using eggs as a substitute. He mixed the yolks with sugar and beat them until they turned into a thick, airy foam. He topped coffee laced with condensed milk with the foam, creating a delectable caffeinated dessert beverage.

To this day it remains an exclusively Hanoian recipe, with just a handful of coffeehouses offering it on their menus. Cafe Giang was started by a son of the bartender who allegedly invented the drink, and is still the go-to place for this coffee concoction.

Where to try it: Cafe Giang, 39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Thailand: Cafe bolan

Photo: Courtesy of Lester Ledesma

This coffee drink is prepared using the distinctive tungthom sock filter hanging from its vending cart. Dark brown, somewhat syrupy in texture and oh-so-sweet with the layer of condensed milk lining the bottom of the cup, cafe bolan is the perfect caffeine pick-me-up while exploring the streets of Thailand.

This drink is served by countless hawkers at markets and busy thoroughfares throughout the country. Cafe bolan translates to “old-style coffee”, and is made from beans roasted with recipes that sometimes include sugar, cocoa or even soya. The ground coffee mixture is sock-brewed and served alongside a glass of tea, both of which you drink on the spot, standing amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday Thai life. You can also sample cafe bolan at the small coffeehouses in the older parts of town. In Bangkok, check out Eiah Sae and Ek Teng Phu Ki, located within meters of each other in Chinatown’s Phat Sai Road.

Where to try it: Eiah Sae, 111 Phat Sai, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand

More like thisCoffee + TeaThe Philippines is rediscovering its heritage coffee. Caffeine lovers everywhere should take note.

14 laws from other countries that the US should adopt

Traveling is a great way to learn about other cultures, including gaining a deep consideration of other countries’ laws we might want to adopt ourselves. Hopefully, your experience with laws from other countries is largely confined to obtaining visas and Customs offices, but much can be learned from acquainting ourselves more intimately with the laws that govern other nations. From gun restrictions and mandatory voting, the following foreign laws could improve the quality of life in the US, and we might even want to seriously consider adopting them.

1. The Law of Mother Earth — Bolivia

In 2012, Bolivian President Evo Morales enacted his country’s Law of Mother Earth (Pachamama) and Integral Development to Live Well, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that redefines the Earth and all its inhabitants as a living system with rights instead of a commodity to be exploited. The law aims to reduce the risks posed by climate change through a series of measures designed to preserve the natural world and limit human impact.

2. Gross National Happiness — Bhutan

Expanding conventional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measurements of wealth to include non-monetary factors like psychological well-being, community vitality, and environmental quality, Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a sophisticated survey instrument to measure the population’s general level of well-being. Proposed policies in Bhutan must pass a GNH review similar to an Environmental Impact Statement in the US.

3. Renewable Energy Act — Germany

Germany’s Renewable Energy Act was enacted to ensure that the country reduces its greenhouse gas emissions and increases its reliance on renewable energy sources. The act strives to make Germany greenhouse gas neutral by 2050, and significantly reduce emissions by 2030. With new wind and solar installations, as well as huge investments in overhauling its entire grid, a complete conversion to renewable energy by 2050 is now becoming a realistic target. The act is renewed on a regular basis with goals updated to reflect new technological advancements. Clean Energy Wire reported on the most recent version of the act in 2021.

4. Climate Change Act — UK

The UK was the first country in the world to have put long-term climate targets into national legislation. The UK’s 2008 Climate Change Act mandated an 80 percent reduction of greenhouse gasses from its 1990 baseline by 2050, along with a range of measures to achieve this goal. In 2019, that target was made even more aggressive, now aiming for net zero emissions by 2050.

5. Urban Agriculture Department — Cuba

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1989, eliminating over 50 percent of Cuba’s food imports, the small island nation had to figure out how to feed its own population almost overnight. The Cuban government realized that this was a huge opportunity not just for a healthier, but more sovereign and efficient food base, by enacting an urban agriculture law. The Urban Agriculture Department was instrumental in distributing food selling permits around harvest time, and helping gardeners secure free land use rights. Now, it’s not just legal, but free to adapt unused, public land into food production plots.

6. Cycling laws — Netherlands

There are special traffic laws for cycling in the Netherlands. The Dutch Bicycle Master Plan of 1999 spells out these traffic laws designed to make cycling safer and encourage a growing bicycle culture. The Strict Liability law is the most well-known — and perhaps controversial — example. The law holds that if there is a collision between a car and a cyclist, in many cases the driver’s insurance is automatically held liable. It might sound harsh, but laws like these have undoubtedly contributed to the popularity of cycling in the Netherlands, making it an attractive alternative to the less eco-friendly car.

7. Automatic voter registration — Canada

While voter registration in the United States is voluntary and often leads to confusion on election day and low turnouts, a number of other major democracies have federal voter rolls that automatically register individuals as soon as they turn 18 or become citizens. Canada, for example, gathers voter information when citizens interact with various government agencies, with the aim of creating a universal voter registration system. This means citizens don’t have to undergo a special registration process to be eligible to vote, but can simply show up at a polling place on election day.

8. Compulsory voting — Australia

One way to fix poor election day turnout is by forcing people to vote. Several countries around the world, from Singapore to the Democratic Republic of Congo, enforce compulsory voting. In Australia, for instance, the 1924 Commonwealth Electoral Act requires all citizens over 18 to show up at the polling place on election day and cast a ballot. To facilitate voting, elections are held on Saturdays and citizens can vote at any polling place or mail in their ballots. Failing to perform their civic duty can result in fines of up to $57.

9. Universal health care — UK

While passage of the Affordable Care Act moved the United States closer to providing health care coverage to all its citizens through compulsory purchase of private insurance plans, almost all other developed nations have mixed models that provide basic universal coverage through public funds, supplemented by private payments through employers or additional insurance.

The UK’s National Health Service is an example of a completely publicly funded and operated health care system where everyone is covered and patients have no involvement in the financial and administrative aspects of their treatment.

10. Extended parental leave

The vast majority of the world’s nations have some form of parental leave policy enabling workers expecting a baby to stay at home with their child. Vietnam grants six months of leave at 100 percent of pay. Estonia, Hungary, and Spain guarantee three years of unpaid leave.

In Canada, parents can split a year of leave at 55 percent of their salaries. The US is in the exclusive company of Liberia, Swaziland, and Papua New Guinea as the only countries that do not guarantee parents paid time off to take care of their newborn children.

11. Mandatory paid vacation

While US law does not mandate any paid vacation for employees, European Union labor laws grant workers a minimum of four weeks of paid vacation a year, and that’s in addition to holidays, sick days, maternity leave, and other paid leave set under European law. Last year the EU’s Court of Justice even ruled that “a worker who becomes unfit during his paid annual leave is entitled at a later point to a period of leave of the same duration as that of his sick leave.” That means Europeans can take paid sick leave during their paid vacation, should it become necessary, without losing any vacation days for the future.

12. Flexible work hours

As Americans’ work days are getting ever longer and more numerous, EU labor laws, such as the requirement for part-time hourly pay to be on par with full-time pay for the same work, have been shifting workers’ gains made in productivity towards more leisure time.

Thanks to legislation such as the UK’s Right to Request law or the Netherlands’ landmark Working Hours Adjustment Act, employees can reduce their work hours without the threat of losing their jobs, benefits, opportunities for promotion, and pay.

13. Strict firearms laws

With over 390 million civilian firearms in circulation and one of world’s top homicide rates, it might be time for the US to rethink the accessibility of guns. Japan, the developed country with among the fewest guns and lowest murder rates in the world, has had a law on the books prohibiting the possession of firearms since 1958. Japanese citizens are allowed to own shotguns and rifles, but the process for purchasing them is rather lengthy and complicated. Similarly, countries like Australia and the UK have seen gun-related deaths drop significantly after passing strict laws in the wake of gun massacres in the 1990s.

14. Beer Purity Law

In the end, what’s the point of it all if you’re drinking crappy beer? Germany’s Reinheitsgebot (Beer Purity Law) dates back to 1516, when the Duchy of Bavaria decreed that the only ingredients to be used in the production of beer were water, barley, and hops.

While the 1993 Provisional Beer Law slightly expanded the Reinheitsgebot to allow yeast, wheat malt, and cane sugar to be used in certain beers, Germans like to still refer to their national beverage as “Gerstensaft,” or “barley juice.”

More like thisTravel7 countries you can’t enter if you have a DUI

Paris to debut electric flying taxis for 2024 Olympic games

In a mark of progress for tech nerds, aviation geeks, and environmentalists alike, France plans to debut flying air taxis at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, according to a recent report in The Guardian. The feat could mark the first mainstream use of a technology that has filled the pages of science fiction books and the imaginations of creators around the world for decades. These taxis are, in essence, flying cars.

The city has a fairly straightforward plan for using and managing the taxi system. The city plans to open two routes: one between its two major airports and another connecting two “skyports” in neighborhoods in the south of the city that will play a critical traffic role for fans and athletes attending the games. In advance of 2024, 30 air taxi manufacturers — yes, 30! — will compete to see which are permitted and/or contracted to develop and operate these eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing) machines. Testing kicked off in November. Paris is also working with British company Skyports to build, perhaps not surprisingly, skyports, where the taxis will land.

The arrival of flying mass transit is something of a coming-of-age moment for a concept that has long been dreamed of, discussed, and debated by entrepreneurs, tech geeks, and fans of eco-friendly city solutions. Established companies like Rolls Royce and fresh startups including Archer and Volocopter have been making bold announcements of flying taxis’ impending arrival for years. It’s begun to sound like a “boy who cried wolf” situation, but Paris 2024 looks to be the time that the wolf actually shows up. And the wolf id going to do wonders for reducing air pollution.

The Climate Win here is two-fold. First, the air taxis themselves are electric and need no fossil fuels, which means the spectators and athletic participants flying around in these eVTOLs are moving about a major metropolitan area with zero added emissions. Second, every person flown in the air taxis is one less person traveling by ground taxi, reducing the inevitable congestion that happens when tens of thousands of people cram all at once into an already crowded metropolitan area. The city’s subway system and other public transit options will remain in use during the games. Details like costs, reservations, and frequency will be announced closer to the start of the games.

More climate wins this week

The Great Barrier Reef underwent a massive spawning event this year, Freethink reported. Coral (which is a live animal and not a plant), spawns annually. The coral release sperm and eggs into the surrounding water during the spawn, ultimately birthing new coral to help the reef grow. Australia’s recent spawning was so dense that it nearly resembles an underwater blizzard and is especially promising for the threatened reef because it proves that the reef still has recovery power left – if only it can catch a break from bleaching events. A 2020 study from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University in Queensland found that half of the coral on the Great Barrier Reef’s 2,900 individual reefs had died between 1995 and 2017, so the spawning news is extremely welcome.

Nebraska’s publicly-owned utility companies announced they would transition entirely to clean energy by 2040 and 2050, earlier this year. Now, the directors of the Nebraska Public Power District voted to move towards net-zero emissions by 2050. The move makes Nebraska the first red state to enact such a plan to decarbonize its entire power sector.

And finally, some goodbyes are forever. Scotland said “mar sin leat” to its legacy of coal power this week. The Guardian reported on the planned destruction of the chimney at the country’s largest coal power plant, which shut operations in 2016. The chimney had been Scotland’s largest freestanding structure, a title that now belongs to the Glasgow Tower.

More like thisNewsComing to a town near you: solar-powered airports?

5 beautiful ski hotels in Taos for an unforgettable mountain getaway

THE BEST HOTELS in Taos for a ski trip all have two things in common: easy access to the slopes and southwestern charm. Taos Ski Valley and Red River are the state’s best ski resorts, and by staying in or nearby either one, you’re at the center of the action. These are the best hotels in Taos, New Mexico for your next winter trip, whether you prefer to stay slopeside or would rather be closer to town.

The Blake at Taos Ski ValleyAlpine Village SuitesWorldMark Red River Taos Valley LodgeHotel La Fonda de Taos

We hope you love these hotels in Taos 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. The Blake at Taos Ski Valley

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

Picture yourself in Austria, nestled fireside with a hot cocoa after a long day on the slopes. In a few minutes, a meal arrives — a hearty pasta dish loaded with parmesan and a homestyle sauce so good it reminds you of your favorite childhood dinners. The snow falls heavily outside, but that’s no problem for you since you’ll saunter upstairs to a high-end room after a glass of wine, ready to doze off and dream of the powder turns awaiting you the following morning. Such is the routine at The Blake at Taos Ski Valley, the area’s high-end slopeside hotel. This place has it all – luxury, après-ski revelry, and plenty of room for peace and quiet, all set in a picturesque mountain village. It’s one of the best hotels in Taos whether you’re traveling with family or on a romantic vacation for two.

Price: From $325 per night

Book Now

2. Alpine Village Suites

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

Of all the ski hotels in Taos, Alpine Village Suites is the most representative of what most mountain hotels look like around the world. Guests have access to a hot tub and large lounge space, of course, and the rooms are warm, cozy, and clean. The entire vibe of the place will inspire you to get after it on the hill; it feels like a classic ski resort hotel of yesteryear. In addition to ski storage, it has several types of condos and suites that can fit 10 people, so it’s a great pick if traveling in a large family or group.

Price: From $288 per night

Book Now

3. WorldMark Red River

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

If you plan to ski both Taos Ski Valley and Red River, you can save a few bucks and enjoy a calmer stay by staying at Red River. The WorldMark Red River is literally at the base of the lift, making it possible to take a few laps at Red River before heading up to Taos Ski Valley for the afternoon if hitting it extra hard is your plan. Back at the lodge, take advantage of the hot tub and BBQ pits before walking to one of the town’s old-timey saloons or locally owned restaurants for dinner. Suites with kitchens and dining areas are available as well if you’d rather take it easy in the evenings.

Price: From $184 per night

Book Now

4. Taos Valley Lodge

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

Iconically New Mexico, the Taos Valley Lodge is in the town of Taos, but the experience is worth the half-hour drive from the ski hill. The hotel offers a year-round heated pool and hot tub and is near hotspots in Taos like Doc Martin’s Restaurant and the famed Taos Art Museum. It’s an ideal property for travelers for those looking to blend a cultural experience with their ski trip. There’s an on-site Peet’s Coffee, and the hotel is both both pet-friendly and fairly affordable (as far as ski resort lodgings go, at least).

Price: From $97 per night

Book Now

5. Hotel La Fonda de Taos

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

Photo: Booking.com

What makes the town of Taos a unique destination for a ski trip is the southwestern ambiance, something you won’t find in towns like Vail or Aspen. And nowhere embodies that like the Hotel La Fonda de Taos, in Taos’town center and just 30 minutes from the lifts. This Spanish-inspired property is itself an art gallery and has large rooms and an on-site spa in case you need a post-ski massage. While you don’t have slopeside access, you do have walkable access to Taos’ best dining and nightlife, as well as plenty of shops to peruse for the ideal southwest gift to take home.

Price: From $114 per night

Book Now

More like thisWhere to StayThese large, family-friendly Airbnbs in the Southwest make the perfect holiday getaway

The brand new Club Med Québec takes care of everything while you enjoy your ski vacation

A brand new Club Med just opened and it aims to make your vacation as uncomplicated as possible.

December 3, 2021, was the official opening of Club Med Québec, the brand new resort on Le Massif ski hill in Quebec’s Charlevoix region, 90 minutes from Quebec City. While clearly designed with skiers and snowboarders in mind, it’s Club Med’s only four-season resort with lots on offer all year round, both indoors and out.

Club Med Québec aims to take the pain away from planning and taking a vacation, especially for families. Club Med’s all-inclusive plan means there’s no need to worry about advance booking — or paying extra — for lessons, lift tickets or a spot in the kids club. Almost everything from meals and drinks to most activities is included in the one price, though you do need to pay extra to rent ski/snowboard equipment since so many people prefer to bring their own. Other equipment is included, so there’s no need to pack skates for the ice rink or figure out how to transport your mountain bike and helmet.

Club Med Québec’s activities

Club Meds are always the ideal resort for those who want to maximize their vacation by learning something new, perfecting their skills, or wanting as many activity choices as possible to fill their days.

At Club Med Québec, the focus is on the runs and trails of Le Massif – whether for skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking. Le Massif has the highest vertical east of the Canadian Rockies at 2,526 feet. Yes, your ears will pop at least once as you ascend the gondola, all while you gaze at the wide St. Lawrence River at the base of the mountain.

Photo: Club Med Québec Charlevoix

In addition to the gondola, Le Massif has three high-speed quad chairs plus several surface lifts. That includes a brand new magic carpet to effortlessly get you from the base of the gondola almost to the door of the hotel, making Club Med Québec a true ski-in-ski-out resort. Le Massif’s lift capacity is 10,060 skiers per hour. Lots of snow falls here — between 200 and 250 inches annually — plus there’s a recently upgraded snowmaking system. You’ll have more than 400 skiable acres to explore, with a mix of green runs for beginners plus both groomed and ungroomed slopes for those with more experience.

Ski and snowboard classes, guided skis, and ski workshops are all included in your Club Med Québec stay. Here’s a tip to help you get a ski school A+: casually use the French word for moguls — les bosses — in class (pronounced “lay boss”).

Outside of the snow season, Le Massif has 12 enduro-style, lift-accessible mountain biking trails. The majority are at the intermediate level, with three beginner trails plus four for expert riders. Club Med Québec provides bikes and helmets plus mountain biking lessons.

Kids aged four months to 17 years have access to four different kids clubs, differentiated by age, with a full range of activities including ski, snowboarding, and mountain biking lessons by certified instructors. Care for babies and toddlers, plus babysitting, is at extra cost.

Year-round, Club Med Québec’s classes include their circus school’s juggling, acrobatics, and trampoline, plus yoga, pilates, meditation, spinning and high-intensity training. Guided hikes are also included and you can choose themed hikes to learn about the region’s flora and fauna and what’s edible in the forest, a forest survival hike, and an outdoor meditation hike.

Photo: Club Med Québec Charlevoix

Regardless of the season, Club Med Québec tempts with its 25-yard-long indoor pool (complete with shallow wading area for kids), outdoor hot tub, and co-ed eucalyptus steam bath, plus two gyms. Guests of the eighth-floor Exclusive Collection space — with its deluxe rooms and room-service breakfast included — have a few more hot tubs on a balcony off a lounge. You can also book a treatment in the Spa by Sothys (at extra cost), or just buy a day pass to enjoy the views over the St. Lawrence River and the circuit of outdoor hot and cold pools, indoor dry sauna and steam bath, and even a snow fountain.

In the evenings, the focus turns to Club Med Québec’s gourmet restaurants and the large theater area with its expert bartenders at the open bar, nightly specialty cocktails and snacks, plus on-stage entertainment.

The stay at Club Med Québec

Photo: Club Med Québec Charlevoix

Photo: Club Med Québec Charlevoix

Club Med Québec’s 302 superior and deluxe rooms and suites overlook the wide St. Lawrence River or face the mountain, complete with a balcony so you can admire the views and double-check the weather. For superior rooms, you’ll have either two doubles or a king bed plus a pull-out couch in an area that can be curtained off from the rest of the room. A smoked glass window, etched with snowy trees and star constellations, separates the bathroom from the sleeping area. You’ll have a large bathtub with shower (the mobility-accessible rooms just have a shower stall), plus a double sink with plenty of storage space. The toilet is in a separate room. Your closet has an area for hanging items plus two large shelving units. You can store your sports clothes in the drawers under the bed or in your room’s ski locker next to the entranceway to the slopes.

Photo: author

As with all Club Meds, food takes a high priority and Club Med Québec takes advantage of the region’s thriving local food scene. The Charlevoix region is within an immense 340-million-year-old meteor crater. It and the salt-and-fresh-water St. Lawrence River bring a unique terroir that the area’s farmers turn into specialty local products like foie gras from traditionally-raised ducks, vodka made from sheep whey, boar charcuterie and pheasant mousse. Club Med’s chefs feature this terroir in the resort’s three restaurants, where 30 percent of the ingredients come from within 62 miles of the resort; almost 80 percent of the ingredients are from within Canada.

Local Charlevoix foods are particularly highlighted in Le Chalet Gourmet Lounge. It’s part of the all-inclusive plan, but you’ll need a reservation to enjoy its seasonal multi-course, family-style dinners. You’ll find cheeses from La Famille Migneron de Charlevoix drizzled with M le Honey, Quebecois meats, fish and vegetables, and even local Omerto wines made from tomatoes.

Club Med Québec’s main restaurant is Le Marché, serving a buffet at breakfast, lunch, and dinner with several cooking stations. In the mornings, you’ll find fruits and vegetables turned into fresh juices, proper croissants and pain au chocolat, plus eggs, meats, cheese and charcuterie, and sweet treats like pancakes. Lunch and dinner have ever-changing international selections — even grilled Atlantic Canada lobster tails — plus freshly-made pizzas and pastas. Gelato, fruits, pastries and — in the French style — more cheese await for dessert.

Part of the Le Marché space, Terroir & Co. is aimed at families and you can order make-it-yourself raclettes and fondues. As at all Club Meds, your ski instructor, yoga teacher, or your child’s favorite kids club staff member might ask if they can join you at your table. It’s an ideal way to get their advice on the runs to try tomorrow, the best dessert, or just to make your child feel special.

Club Med Québec’s excursions

Photo: Club Med Québec Charlevoix

If you can tear yourself away from the resort and the mountain, Club Med Québec offers a wide variety of excursions. You could go dog sledding or snowmobiling, take a tour of Quebec City and the historic Chateau Frontenac, discover the history and traditions of the Huron‑Wendat First Nation, visit the shops in the town of Baie-Saint-Paul, sample local products on the Flavour Trails of Charlevoix, or admire the river and cute towns while aboard the seasonal Train de Charlevoix. Springtime means experiencing a sugar shack to see how maple syrup is made and eating taffy in the snow. May to October is whale watching season — 13 types of whales swim in the St. Lawrence east of Club Med near Tadoussac, including belugas and blue whales.

Getting to Club Med Québec

Fly to Quebec City (possible connections through Toronto or Montreal). If you like, Club Med can arrange the hour-and-a-half transfer from the airport to the resort (at additional cost). If you want to drive yourself, Club Med Québec is seven hours from Boston, six hours from Portland, Maine, and four hours from Montreal.

More like thisWellnessWhy Quebec is the ultimate spot for a winter wellness getaway

Maker’s Mark will pay for your first checked bag this holiday season

No matter how much you’re against checking a bag, there are simply some things you can’t keep in your carry on. Exactly what that extra thing is depends on the person — some simply like to arrive at their destination prepared with clothes for every occasion, while some food lovers just can’t bear to leave behind the homemade foods TSA doesn’t let pass security. And then there’s the issue with liquids.

This holiday season, Maker’s Mark Bourbon has your back. The whiskey brand will reimburse you for one checked bag up to $40 that’s purchased between December 15 and 31. The holiday initiative is called, appropriately, “Whisky Flights.” A press release notes that the Whisky Flights promotion started so that people “can pack a bottle of bourbon to bring home without the added expense.”

I’m a strong believer that, if you’re bringing back a gift from your travels for someone who drinks, there’s no better present than a bottle of something local. Yet bringing back that bottle means checking a bag home, even if you didn’t check one on the way to your destination. I generally loathe the whole checked bag process, but that hasn’t stopped me from checking a bag full of wine from France, whiskey from Ireland, and unlabeled bottles of mezcal from Mexico. But it’s just as handy of a travel move to (carefully) pack a bottle of something nice in your checked luggage regardless of where you’re headed so that you’re ready to relax, drink in hand, when you arrive.

To qualify, you have to be 21 or older. Simply send a checked baggage receipt from December 15 to 31 through the Whisky Flights page and Maker’s Mark will reimburse you up to $40 with a digital gift card.

It might just make you realize that those people who always check a bag have the right idea after all.

More like thisAirports + FlyingI fly 200 times a year. Here’s why I always check a bag.

I went on the first cruise to Saudi Arabia in 17 years. This is what it was like.

It’s approaching 5 PM, and the sun is already sinking into the dusky horizon, wavering languidly in the 95-degree heat. The call to prayer crackles through a loudspeaker above street level, reverberating through the empty walkways of Jeddah’s old town. Between the carefully restored wooden shutters and squeaky-clean cobblestone streets, there’s no one in sight — apart from the 30 or so other western travelers in my tour group. I’ve been traveling in Saudi Arabia for two days, and I’ve only met one person so far who lives here: our tour guide, Bandar Abdulrahman Al-Harbi.

I’m on a preview cruise of Emerald Cruises’ new Red Sea itineraries, due to launch in January 2022. The ship we’re on, Scenic Eclipse, is an expedition vessel built to slice through ice sheets in the Antarctic circle. But it’s been brought to one of the hottest places on earth to transport some 150 of us in total — plus a crew of around the same number — from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city, some 430 miles up the coast to a modest port city called Yanbu, on to a heritage site called AlUla, and back.

Photo: Courtesy of Four Communications

Traveling to Saudi Arabia has been all but impossible for the past 17 years, which is when Scenic CEO Glen Moroney tells me the last cruise took place here. My group is one of the first few international visitors to experience a change in the kingdom, thanks to a project called Saudi Vision 2030 led by the kingdom’s de facto ruler, 36-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

A range of social and economic changes, which not long ago would have been unthinkable, have swept into Saudi society since Vision 2030 was announced in 2017. Women have won the right to drive, own businesses and travel unchaperoned, and foreign investment has increased to diversify the economy away from oil. Though still reliant on its oil reservoirs, Saudi Arabia has announced ambitions to become a global sustainability leader, too. And tourism is at the crossroads of it all.

“We are going to be the largest tourism destination in the world, powered 100 percent by renewable energy,” claimed John Pagrano, CEO of the Red Sea Development Authority — a company funded by the Saudi monarchy to develop a luxury, coastal tourism destination — at London’s World Travel Market in November. The kingdom plans to welcome 100 million visitors by the end of 2030 — but not everybody is interested in going. Despite the ongoing PR makeover, this is still an authoritarian regime judged by its human rights record: homosexuality and sex outside of marriage are punishable by death or flogging. Sharia law underpins a society where strict dress codes impact on gender expression, and despite substantial recent progress for women, feminist activists are routinely jailed and tortured here.

For us on the Scenic cruise, there are a few things to bear in mind whenever we alight onto dry land. We must dress modestly, particularly the women. Full coverage from the neck to the ankles — in loose fabric — is best, but your shoulders and knees at least should be covered (that goes for men, too). Female tourists don’t have to wear a hijab (headscarf), but I soon find that it’s a good idea beneath the unrelenting sun. Couples on the cruise must be careful not to show any affection in public, and it goes without saying that any LGBTQ+ couples must keep their relationship secret (something that, understandably, is a deal breaker for many would-be visitors to Saudi Arabia). There’s no swearing, absolutely no drugs, and zero alcohol — except for when the ship sails 12 miles out into the Red Sea and enters international waters. The announcement is met with enthusiastic applause every night.

Traveling in Saudi Arabia: The cruise from Jeddah to AlUla

Our first three days are spent cruising the waters outside of Jeddah, docking just once for a two-hour walking tour of the old town, Al Balad. The lopsided townhouses date back to the Ottoman period and are beautiful, their wood-latticed balconies and shutters having been repainted and renovated to a film-set standard. They look like a Disneyfied version of Old Delhi.

Nesru Markmedia/Shutterstock

“These houses are being restored by the Ministry of Culture,” explains Bandar, when I ask why it’s so quiet. It turns out the area has laid empty for decades — abandoned for tower blocks with air conditioning, running water, and electricity. Currently, the only people living here are squatters — low-income laborers that sleep here after their long shifts in construction. “Once renovated, they’ll be high-value properties again. It’s a smart move by the Saudi government,” he says.

We’re whisked through a low-key souk, where spices, incense, and jewellery are neatly on display in strip-lit stands, to step inside a replica of an old townhouse and the vacant inner courtyard of an 800-year-old, pristine-white mosque. Then the call to prayer is delivered, and we’re bundled back onto the ship — with the usual intense level of security — before we have the chance to see if any local worshippers will arrive for Friday prayers.

On day three, Saudi Arabia feels a long way away. We dock near a tiny, uninhabited island a few miles from the shore — a white strip of sand unknown to everybody but the captain of our ship and a community of nesting turtles. Sticking to one small patch of beach to avoid damaging the nests, we stand-up paddleboard and swim in the sea, washing away last night’s whiskies (the Scenic Eclipse bar has 100 varieties). We head back to the ship on a speedboat shuttle when the sun gets too strong.

On board, we’re in an opulent no man’s land. 10 restaurants serve up seemingly everything but Middle Eastern cuisine — over the week we dine on sushi imported from Japan, steak flown in from Australia, fine French molecular cuisine, and a south Indian tasting menu. The onboard sommeliers pair it all with wine, swapping the display bottles for coffee pots when we dock on Saudi shores.

Photo: Courtesy of Four Communications

The next day, we cruise to Yanbu, an unassuming city whose port has received huge investment for one special reason: it’s the gateway to the crown of the Saudi kingdom’s tourism plans, AlUla. The country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, this archeological wonder encompasses a series of tomb complexes — the most impressive of which is named Hegra — cut into the desert’s sandstone rocks over 2,000 years ago by the Nabateans, the same civilization that built Petra. It’s an hour’s flight into the arid, ochre-hued desert, where we arrive at a brand-new airport built for the predicted influx of tourists — AlUla International Airport received its first international flight, from Dubai, in November. Today, we’re the only visitors here. It’s a remarkable privilege that won’t be replicated if the Saudi authorities meet their tourism targets.

Here, we eat our first Middle Eastern meal: a buffet of lamb stew, flatbreads, and hummus (with lasagne and fries on offer, too) at Shaden Resort, a hotel hidden in the rocks nearby. The whole area is in the early stages of major development thanks to a $20 billion cash injection from public and private investment sources, which will see many more luxury resorts and attractions being built here in the coming years. We visit one of the first after lunch: Maraya, a mirror-covered concert hall designed by Italian architect Gio Forma that opened in 2019. There are (potentially unfounded) rumours that Adele will perform there in 2022. In the meantime, AlUla’s first festival, Winter at Tantora, will take place from 21 December-12 February 2022, with the tombs at Hegra hosting candlelit concerts between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Crystal Eye Studio/Shutterstock

Before flying back to Yanbu, we explore the mud-brick houses of AlUla Old Town — another area void of people, having been abandoned in the 1980s in favour of modern housing. Again, the ancient medina has been restored to impeccable standards, with new-looking woven rugs and wooden stools laid out to illustrate how people here once lived. The second Saudi Arabian person I speak to is here — a female tour guide called Anwar*. As part of Vision 2030, 50 percent of jobs in tourism have been given to women, and Anwar trained in Arizona for the position.
“Having visitors here is a positive thing, for sure,” she says. “When people come from outside Saudi Arabia, some of them think because I wear a niqab, there are lines they cannot cross. They think that I cannot speak to men, but actually half of my colleagues are men. I think it’s our job to let people know that it’s ok to approach us.”

It’s eye-opening to meet a cosmopolitan, young, professional woman here — a type of person that’s not often given a platform in the media. But we’re out of time and soon back on the plane to Yanbu, where we spend an evening in yet another place that’s been manufactured for the fledgling tourism industry.

Beside Yanbu’s port is the city’s old town, which is also experiencing grand-scale renovation. Old townhouses have been restored to look brand-new. And void of residents, the area has instead been turned into a living museum of actors replicating pre-industrialised Saudi life. Elementary-age schoolboys sit cross-legged around a blackboard, pretending to be in class. A man walks around with a pail of water on his shoulders, and a band plays traditional music with an official Vision 2030 sign as the backdrop. Inside the replica souk, mass-produced pashminas, incense, and knickknacks are sold on credit card machines instead of cash. It feels about as far from an authentic experience as it gets.

That said, there’s also a stretch of decent restaurants and shisha bars here, occupied by groups of young local Yanbu residents — including unchaperoned women. With two friends, I escape the old town to compare it to the city outside. It’s a completely different world, of dusty, unformed roads, stray cats, and no restaurants. We come across a group of men, sipping cardamom tea on a threadbare sofa outside their homes. They welcome us warmly, insisting that we join them for a tea and homemade biscuit, and to swap stories of where we come from. The only group of Saudis I’m to meet that aren’t part of the Vision 2030 project, these friendly guys have been sipping tea on this sofa each night for the past 40 years.

The future of tourism in Saudi Arabia

Back on the ship for the final stretch to Jeddah, we discuss the future of tourism — and cruising — in Saudi Arabia. The first seven-night sailing out of Jeddah for the MSC Bellissima, a ship that can carry 1,000 passengers, kicked off on November 6, 2021.

“Mainstream cruising has never happened here before,” says Mark Robinson, chief commercial and operations officer for Cruise Saudi, a body created in January 2021 to kickstart cruising here.

“In 2018, 98 ships sailed past Saudi Arabia, for six days all the way down the coast, but they weren’t allowed to stop. We’ve created a new source market for the cruise industry, by making use of these ports.”

It’s been fascinating to witness what it looks like to manufacture a tourism industry from scratch — but frustrating to have been kept at arm’s length from real Saudi society. It seems that there’s a lack of infrastructure to experience the country, outside of the tourist-designed experiences at AlUla, Yanbu, and Jeddah.

Perhaps that’s only to be expected in a place where 70 percent of the population is under 30, so have lived most of their lives without much contact with the outside world — until now. But the fact that the country is so youthful is one reason why its development will be so interesting to watch. Maybe when Vision 2030 has a few more years under its belt, it’ll be more possible to get under the skin of Saudi Arabia as an independent traveler, with the knowledge that your tourism dollars are going to independent businesses and local people. In the meantime, luxury tourism in this closed-off society is picking up pace – despite the kingdom’s contentious politics.

*Not her real name. She asked to remain anonymous

More like thisSustainabilityNEOM is on track to be the world’s first “sustainable” city. Here’s what we know

Rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul at these 7 magical Idaho hot springs

Idaho is known for its glorious hot springs scattered throughout the state. They sit on top of mountains, next to clear streams, and are even in some backyards. In fact, in Idaho alone, there are more than 100 hot springs that you can soak in — if you know where to look. Because unlike Southern Idaho’s majestic waterfalls that are seemingly around every corner, some of the state’s most beloved hot springs are only found with the right coordinates.

But first, a few ground rules to visiting these, as well as all of the other, Idaho hot springs: Remember to always leave no trace when visiting the pools to keep the natural beauty intact. You also shouldn’t crowd or hog a location, as many have tight quarters and can only hold a couple of people at a time. Idaho hot spring etiquette is to let the person in the spring finish soaking before you go in. Give them 30 minutes before heading down to the springs.

With those guidelines in mind, you can start to build your Idaho hot spring itinerary. One of the joys of hot spring hopping in the Gem State is the mix of natural springs, built up springs, and springs that are a mix of natural and built up. These seven will give you a sense of all three.

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

1. Sunbeam Hot Springs on the Salmon River Scenic Byway

Photo: Sarah Rohrbach

North of Boat Box is another wonderful riverside hot spring with a view. Sunbeam is an old dam that’s stunning to see tower over the river. Just south of it, you’ll find a variety of hot spring options. There are two tubs sitting down by the river, plus a couple of pools below formed with river rocks. The little pools have cooler water than the boxes, which are adjustable with pipes. Sunbeam is a beautiful area to visit and you will be able to take your choice of site seeing all around, including ghost towns farther up the Salmon River Scenic Byway.

2. Snake Pit Hot Springs in Lower Stanley

Photo: Sarah Rohrbach

Snake Pit looks toward the Sawtooth Mountains, which provide a beautiful view. At Snake Pit, which is also sometimes called Valley Creek Hot Springs, there’s just one large natural pool that’s located next to Mountain Village Hot Springs. Mountain Village Hot Spring is inside a wooden hut and is privately booked for hour-long time slots for around $25. Snake Pit, however, is free to the public.

How to get to Snake Pit Hot Springs: Located along Valley Creek and accessible via a pulloff on Valley Creek Road.

3. Goldbug Hot Springs near Challis

Photo: Sarah Rohrbach

Goldbug Hot Springs is one for your bucket list. This magical hot spring requires a two mile hike up the side of a mountain, but it’s so worth it. There are a number of springs to soak in once you make it to the destination. Some are inside of caves, while others look over the valley and mountains. This hot spring is one of the most Instagrammable in the Pacific Northwest, and people travel from all around the United States to hike to it. This spring is another one that you may have to wait your turn, but the pools are large, and it’s a perfect location to make friends with other hot spring lovers. In the winter, plan to bring crampons or spikes, as the switch backs can get slippery. The hike is steep — bring water and prepare accordingly.

How to get to Goldbug Hot Springs: Drive about 35 miles north of Challis on Highway 93 and exit on Warm Springs Road. Here, you’ll find the start of the trailhead that will take you to the springs after a two mile hike.

4. Miracle and Banbury Hot Springs near Hagerman and Buhl

Photo: Miracle Hot Springs/Facebook

These locally owned hot spring resorts are a delight. Enjoy soaking in large swimming pools or in VIP rooms. Banbury’s VIP hot springs look over the Snake River, while Miracle’s are in romantic closed off rooms. Miracle and Banbury both have camping spaces, and Miracle has magical glamping domes on the property to stay in. To make these springs even more special, there are alligators (yes, alligators) on property you can check out.

5. Boat Box Hot Springs near Stanley

Photo: Sarah Rohrbach

One of Idaho’s most popular hot springs is an adorable little tub next to the river. While the draw is easy to understand, that means theres a chance there will be people there and the tub only holds a few. Visit on a weekday and early in the morning to avoid crowds. The spring itself is a tub (a boat box) and the hot spring water flows into the tub via a pipe. Temperature of the spring can be adjusted by moving the pipe out of the tub. It’s the perfect spring for a photo opportunity.

How to get to Boat Box Hot Springs: Drive Highway 75 out of Stanley for about three miles and watch the side of the road for steam, then pull off. If you pass Salmon River Campground then you’ve gone too far. There’s a limited space for cars just like there’s a limited space in the tub, so circle back around at another time if you can’t fit.

How to get to Sunbeam Hot Springs: Drive about 12 miles north of Stanley on Highway 75. The hot springs are located shortly before the dam itself.6. Skillern Hot Springs near Fairfield

Photo: Sarah Rohrbach

Another hot spring that requires a hike is Skillern Hot Springs, so be sure to pack water and hiking boots along with your swimsuit. The six mile round trip hike leads you through the Soldier Mountains with a low trail that has spring crossings, or a high trail with about 300 feet of elevation gain. The hot spring is found on the edge of a cliff looking over the river, almost hidden away. It’s one of the most tranquil locations to soak in hot springs. Note that this spring isn’t accessible in the winter because the road becomes a snowmobile only trail. You can snowshoe in if you ride a snowmobile up, but the trail can be prone to snow slides, so check conditions before embarking on the journey.

How to get to Skillern Hot Springs: From Fairfield, take National Forest Road 94 north for almost 20 miles until it merges with National Forest Road 227. Drive another five and a half miles or so until turning right on Big Smoky Road, and the trailhead is at the end.

7. Riverview Yurt with private geothermal hot-pool in Buhl

Photo: Sarah Rohrbach

The Riverview Yurt is located just off the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway. The private hot springs on the property can only be accessed by renting the Airbnb. The property couldn’t be any more picture perfect! The spacious yurt is cozy and sleeps up to 6, and the yard is fully decked out for you to enjoy your vacation to the fullest. The private hot spring is oh-so-soothing and perfect for that getaway you’ve been dreaming of.

How to get to Riverview Yurt: Book for address

More like thisOutdoorWhy anyone who loves waterfalls needs to plan a trip to Southern Idaho

Il Borro resort is perfect for an eco-friendly food and wine adventure in Tuscany

Vittoria Ferragamo and I are cantering down a grassy private airstrip on horseback at her family’s wine estate and hotel, Il Borro resort, in Tuscany. The golden September sunshine is warm on our faces, our horses manes blowing in a light wind.

“I think Pinky wants to race,” she says, turning slightly in the saddle to look at me.

“Let’s go then,” I respond and loosen my pony Sheila’s reins, letting her slide easily into a gallop. Soon the two horses are neck-in-neck in a full out sprint.

“I’m pretty sure Pinky has never run that fast. She’s usually pretty slow but she was really feeling competitive today,” Vittoria says with a laugh when we finally pull to a stop at the edge of the field.

This idyllic horseback riding excursion is part of my week-long stay at the resort, a luxury property owned by the son and grandchildren of the late fashion designer Salvatore Ferragamo. The family recently opened a new property, Viesca. Once the family’s country home, Viesca has been transformed into a collection of country luxe villas that opened just before the pandemic. Here’s everything you need to know about it before planning your stay.

A property with history

Photo: Marco Badiani via Il Borro resort

Ferruccio Ferragamo purchased Il Borro from an Italian prince in 1993. At the time the 2,700-acre estate about 30 minutes outside Florence had only one vineyard on the grounds. It also contained a 13thc century medieval village that once belonged to the de Medici family but was in desperate need of repairs.

In the last 20 years, the Ferragamo family transformed the property into a luxury relais & chateau hotel, a sustainable organic farm and a thriving vineyard. The medieval village has been meticulously restored and now is home to 38 suites. There is also a palatial pink, 10 bedroom villa, built around 1854, that can be rented in its entirety. Two restaurants, swimming pools, a wine cellar, spa and equestrian center are also on the grounds.

Locally sourced food and drinks

Photo: Courtesy of Il Borro resort

After our ride, Vittoria and I head over to Il Borro’s Tuscan Bistro, one of two restaurants on estate grounds, for lunch and a chat about the family business, a sustainable hotel, winery, and farm, where all the food prepared in the kitchen is locally sourced if not grown on property.

“All the produce which is farmed on the estate is available in our restaurants,” she explains. “So here at Il Borro we produce wine, extra virgin olive oil, chicken, eggs, beef. We have honey from local bees and we have just started producing our own flour from ancient wheat for bread, pasta and pastries. We even have a wheat beer we make on [the] property.”

All the ingredients used at the Tuscan Bistro and the more formal Osteria del Borro are seasonal and procured around Tuscany. Chef Andrea Campani then turns the raw material into traditional Tuscan dishes that change with availability. Campani uses a large tailor-made traditional oven for his grilled dishes that he says takes him back to his roots by cooking over a wood fire.

The local element pertains to beverages as well. Along with Il Borro wines, both restaurants only serve alcohol produced in Tuscany. This includes the above-mentioned beer and craft spirits; local gins are especially worth sampling.

A carbon negative footprint

Photo: Francesca Pagliai via Il Borro resort

Il Borro resort also has a negative carbon footprint, something that Vittoria and her older brother Salvatore, who is the CEO of Il Borro and who oversees the wine operations, are equally proud of.

“Living on a farm like this you actually experience the impact of climate change very much first hand. You see how it impacts the projects you are working on and this has motivated me. It is no longer a theoretical thing, you are living with climate change day to day,” Salvatore tells me over glasses of wine later that afternoon.

“Now at Il Borro we are entirely powered by solar,” he continues. “We actually produce three times as much energy as we consume, which qualifies us as a negative carbon footprint estate.”

Taste Il Borro wines

Photo: Marco Badiani via Il Borro Resort

Besides sustainability, the Ferragamos are also passionate about wine. Il Borro produces 150,000 bottles of wine each year on 222 acres. Guests can tour the vineyards, where they’ll find the drier Sangiovese grapes placed higher on the hills, the cabernet and syrah placed closer to the Arno river and the merlot at the bottom of the valley where the ground has more clay.

“We also believe in using the old methods for how some of our wines are made. So we have wines that are made in clay pot containers and not steel or oak barrels,” Salvatore says. “They are aged in the containers for a year and then bottled. It’s really quite unique and goes back to the origins of wine.”

Il Borro wines truly are creative and flavorful. The Bolle di Borro, a sparkling rosé made from 100 percent Sangiovese grapes, is exceptional. Only 5,000 bottles are produced globally each year so it is quite a limited release and a treat to drink. A tour of the wine cellars followed by a tasting of three of the estates most coveted wines is another worthwhile experience.

How to get to Villa Il Borro in Tuscany

Il Borro is located in the Tuscan countryside about 30 minutes from Florence. Coming from the US you will likely fly via Rome. From here it is just under 3 hours by car to Il Borro and Viesca. You can also fly into the Florence airport. From either airport, you will have to arrange a private transfer with Benarrivati travel services or drive yourself in a rental car.

Trains also run from Rome Termini to Arezzo. The journey takes around 3 hours. From Arezzo you will need to take a taxi or arrange a transfer to get to Il Borro.

More like thisWineA trip to Paso Robles shows California wine country at its finest

Matador Network Creators Choice Awards: Favorite adventure destination

Adventure-fueled trips can be found around the world. Some destinations, however, do adventure different. That’s something that the tens of thousands of writers, photographers, and travelers in Matador Network’s Creators Community know very well. So perhaps it should comes as no surprise that, when polled, people in the Creators Community choose one of the most adventure-filled countries to receive the Matador Network Creators Choice Award for Top Adventure Destination in 2021: New Zealand.

The proof is in the myriad opportunities to get outside. There are ziplines that track through lush forests and over rushing rivers, remote mountain canyoning, and heli-skiing. An abundance of waterfalls can be found on both the north and south islands that are open for scrambling, sliding, and climbing — or just relaxing and taking in the view. Not to mention challenging caves for ardent spelunkers, intense river rafting, and sky diving. For hikers, New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks take hikers through gorgeous and diverse terrain over multi-day trips.

Queenstown alone is a destination for the adventurous set: it’s an incredible river surfing location and the home of the first commercial bungee site in the world.

Yet for all of the inland activities available across New Zealand, it is also an island nation with some of the most awe-inspiring beaches to explore. Cape Reinga (or Te Rerenga Wairua in the indigenous Māori language) is known as where spirits enter the underworld and, in a more terrestrial sense, where the Tasman Sea dramatically meets the Pacific Ocean. If you’d rather dig into relaxation than hike to one of the most northern points of New Zealand, Hot Water Beach is a natural hot spring that only takes a shovel and some light digging to experience.

You don’t need to look far to find natural and man-made adventure in New Zealand (as well as hobbits and plenty of Lord of the Rings filming locations, of course). And while the country has been shut down for the past couple of years due to COVID-19 restrictions, the majority of vaccinated travelers will once again be allowed in on April 30, 2022, to experience all of the adventure New Zealand has to offer.