Matador Network's Blog, page 560
October 22, 2021
The best boutique hotels in Reykjavik for a stylish stay
Iceland’s capital Reykjavik is a city known for its rich history and culture and natural beauty. The vibrant city is a perfect place to base yourself when exploring the dramatic landscape of Iceland. Reykjavik can be easily explored on foot no matter where you stay, but choosing a hotel requires some research mainly due to how expensive visiting Iceland can be. That’s why staying in a boutique hotel in Reykjavik is a smart choice.
Not only can you have a luxurious stay, similar to that of a large upscale hotel, but many have kitchen facilities so you can save on eating out — even if that’s just a cup of coffee or breakfast. These boutique hotels in Reykjavik offer bags of character and local ambiance and they are all within walking distance to the city attractions such as the main shopping street in Reykjavik, Reykjavik Old Harbour, Reykjavík City Hall, and the Reykjavik Art Museum. Here are the best boutique hotels in Reykjavik.
We hope you love the boutique hotels in Reykjavik 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.
Black Pearl Apartment Hotel
Photo: Black Pearl Apartment Hotel
This luxury hotel is located in central Reykjavik. The spacious suites are equipped with blackout curtains — which are key during long summer daylight hours, heated marble floors, a flat-screen TV, and a balcony that offers guests beautiful city views. The suites come with a full kitchen with built-in appliances so you can enjoy cooking in the evenings. Black Pearl Apartments are popular with couples making this an ideal booking for those on a romantic getaway.
Price per night: $299
Rey Apartments
Photo: Rey Apartments
This central property is located between the shopping street Laugavegur and the trendy Skolavordustigur district. Rey Apartments feature a lovely dining area with either a fully equipped kitchen or a small kitchenette that includes a dishwasher. The apartments are a short stroll from several restaurants and cafes and one of the city’s famous geothermal swimming pools, Sundhöllin Swimming Pool.
Price per night: $196
Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel
Photo: Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel
Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel offers beautiful views of Eja Mountain. The hotel’s rooms are soundproof and have flat-screen TVs, plush bathrooms with Guldmeden’s own organic toiletries, and views of mountains or the sea. Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel also has hypoallergenic rooms and there is a great onsite restaurant, Eyja Restaurant, that is open for both lunch and dinner.
Price per night: $180
Apótek Hotel Reykjavík by Keahotels
Photo: Apótek Hotel Reykjavík by Keahotels
Apótek Hotel Reykjavík by Keahotels was designed and built in 1917 by Iceland’s former state architect Gudjón Samúelsson and is one of the oldest and most cherished buildings in Reykjavik. Each room has a seating area, mini bar, desk and a complimentary Nespresso machine. You can enjoy a meal and drink in-house at the hotel restaurant and bar. This chic restaurant serves a mix of Icelandic and European cuisine with a smoking hot Argentinean grill.
Price per night: $210
Old Charm Apartments
Photo: Old Charm Apartments
Old Charm Apartments have seven self-catering apartments that can accommodate any party size from families to smaller groups. The rooms feature a full kitchen, living room and a private terrace with a garden and picnic area. The apartments are located downtown near Bakari Sandholt, Fish Company, and Friðrik V.
Price per night: $330
Kvosin Downtown Hotel
Photo: Kvosin Downtown Hotel
This hotel was constructed in 1901 and is one of the most luxurious boutique accommodation options in the city. The rooms come with a seating area, flat-screen TV and are perfect for a family of four as it provides outdoor play equipment for kids, books and board games. Aldamót is the hotel’s in-house bar where you can enjoy a wide variety of cocktails, wines and local beers during their happy hour and there is a stunning view of the cathedral and parliament which can be seen from the ground floor terrace.
Price per night: $247
Svala Apartments
Photo: Svala Apartments
These beautiful, bright, and modern apartments are located on the main shopping street in Reykjavik. Svala Apartments have penthouse and studio apartments all with terraces offering beautiful sea or mountain views. The apartments have either hardwood or parquet floors, a private entrance, a full kitchen, and a living room area. Svala Apartments are suitable for all types of travelers from solo guests to families and groups.
Price per night: $215
House of the SnowbirdPhoto: House of the Snowbird
These cozy apartments are set inside this preserved historic house that was built in 1898 by Icelandic poet Einar Ben. House of the Snowbird is located in the Old Town and is a short walk from Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavik. Each room has a kitchen with a refrigerator along with a kettle and toaster. The interior design of the house is a mix of old Scandinavia and raw modern art, so if you are looking for an artistic stay in Reykjavik this is it.
Price per night: $289
Reykjavík Treasure bed and breakfast
Photo: Reykjavík Treasure bed and breakfast
Reykjavík Treasure B&B was built in 1876 and is one of the oldest houses in the city. Rooms come with a modern bathroom, sofa bed, and a fold-up bed — making it perfect for bigger parties and families. Reykjavík Treasure B&B provides breakfast for guests that includes freshly baked bread with local fish and meat. If you’re looking to take in some fresh air and nature you can visit their small garden and relax before taking on the city. 
Price per night: $211
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The best Airbnbs in Banff for a magical winter ski trip
The US-Canada border is finally open again, and you know what that means. Well, yes, your next maple syrup run will be a bit easier. But more importantly, it means you can take that long-awaited winter ski trip to Banff — one of the most beautiful ski towns in North America. A resort town located in Alberta’s sprawling Banff National Park, Banff is known for its world-class skiing, boutique shops and restaurants, and stunning views of the Canadian Rockies. Getting the most out of Banff means choosing the right accommodation, whether it’s a cozy B&B or a luxurious chalet. It’s not always cheap, but it is always worth it. These are the Banff Airbnbs you’ll want to keep on your radar this winter.
We hope you love the Banff Airbnbs 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.
Huge house in the mountains with game room
Photo: Airbnb
You should probably bring all your friends along to this house, or you’re going to feel a little lost. This four-story retreat can fit up to 16 guests in 10 bedrooms, with six bedrooms on the third floor alone. The main floor has a chef’s kitchen and a game room including foosball, darts, and arcade games, while the top floor features an apartment-style unit with its own living room and bathroom. This place is perfect for a large family getaway, or for comfortably accommodating your group of friends.
Sixteen guests, ten bedrooms
Price: $920 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Ever since the rise of Airbnb, traditional bed and breakfasts have fallen somewhat out of vogue. That wouldn’t be the case if all B&Bs were like this one. Fir floors, antique furniture, fireplace, and pine-vaulted ceilings contribute to the cozy atmosphere of the Beaujolais Boutique B&B and create the feeling of stepping back through time. The rooms aren’t big, but they have all the modern amenities you’d ever want, like a smart TV with Netflix, a coffee machine, and bar fridge, and offer incredible views of the mountains. A delicious breakfast is also included.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $281 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This resort-style complex is perfect for groups looking to spend time outside during the winter without actually having to layer up. This two-bedroom retreat has a heated outdoor pool and not one, not two, but three hot tubs for taking in the countryside views in a state of utter relaxation. The full kitchen makes it perfect for entertaining larger group, and there’s even a BBQ on the furnished patio if you don’t mind seasoning your burgers with a bit of winter chill.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $201 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Ideal for larger parties, this mountain home in Canmore can sleep nine guests in three bedrooms, with each bedroom offering an ensuite bathroom. This contemporary house has high vaulted ceilings, and a large patio with a BBQ, table, and chairs. It’s also conveniently located just down the road from the area’s most popular shops and restaurants. Perhaps most enticing for travelers, however, is that the accommodation comes with free national park passes for guests, which are required for visiting Banff and Lake Louise. That saves you $78.50 per day in park fees!
Nine guests, three bedrooms
Price: $486 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Black Bear Chalet is ideally located just walking distance to downtown Banff. Defined by its high vaulted ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows, the space evokes the style of the classic mountain chalet with an added touch of luxury. The two-story home is also just a three-minute walk to some of Banff’s most popular shops, cafes, restaurants, and galleries, not to mention its proximity to hiking trails, particularly around the picturesque Tunnel Mountain.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $950 per night
Photo: Airbnb
It might not be as big as a log cabin or chalet, but this condo packs a luxurious punch. The two-bedroom mountain retreat can comfortably sleep up to six people and has a double-sided gas fireplace, mountain views, full kitchen, and access to an outdoor heated pool. In the shared area, there’s also an exercise room, outdoor hot tub, as well as a ski locker, and you’re just a short drive away from Banff’s bar and restaurant scene.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $437 per night
Photo: Airbnb
There’s nothing like a log cabin when you’re staying in the mountains. When you imagine a log cabin in the rugged wilderness, you’re probably thinking of something resembling this backcountry cabin in the heart of Banff. Surrounded by mountains on the outside and a rustic finish on the inside, it’s impossible not to feel relaxed and at ease while staying here. You can also look forward to fresh baked muffins, fruit cocktails, and coffee being delivered to your room for breakfast each morning.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $295 per night
Photo: Airbnb
When it comes to ski weekend accommodations, it’s all about the outdoor hot tub. This spacious condo not only checks the hot tub box, it also has a large balcony with sweeping views of the mountains, an open living area with a working wood-burning fireplace, and a full kitchen. Outside the condo itself, guests will have access to the Hidden Ridge Resort, with several heated outdoor pools and an indoor sauna in a converted 1940s cabin.
Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $440 per night
October 21, 2021
So you wanna go to a Black College? Guide to East Coast HBCUs and their cities
Homecomings, tailgating, and football, it’s time for college tours. For those that hope to attend an HBCU, this time of year can be extra special because no one does Homecomings better. Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are institutions established before the Civil Rights Act to primarily serve the Black community. During segregation in the United States, the overwhelming majority of higher education institutions were predominantly white and completely disqualified or limited Black enrollment. Today HBCU welcome students of all races, but most maintain a majority Black student population.
Here are just a few that future students may visit, along with what not to miss in the area. Please note that all schools have individual tour requirements, so be sure to check those before you visit.
Starting from the North and moving South:
Philadelphia, PA
Photo: Lincoln University of PA/Facebook
Lincoln University sits about 50 miles east of Philly in Oxford, PA. Organized in 1854, it was the first HBCU to grant actual degrees. The campus is expansive at 422 acres. Previously known as Ashmun Institute, the school was renamed in 1866 after the murder of President Abraham Lincoln. In 1946, celebrated physicist Albert Einstein visited the school and accepted an honorary degree (something he rarely did) because of their commitment to civil rights and fighting social injustices against Black Americans. In his address, Einstein stated,“ … my trip to this institution was on behalf of a worthwhile cause. There is a separation of colored people from white people in the United States. That separation is not a disease of colored people. It’s a disease of white people.”
While you are there:
Finding one place to eat that combines the college student’s two favorite meals isn’t an easy task, but Kelly’s Breakfast & Lunch has it all figured out. With simple yet comfy breakfast favorites like Sausage & Gravy and Cream Chipped Beef, this is a wonderful way to wake up to start your college tour. For anyone into art, the controversial Barnes Foundation is one of America’s unique art museums.
Howard University — With an alumna in the sitting US Vice President, Howard University’s prestige and pedigree often speaks for itself. Organized in 1867 by Black clergymen, Howard became one of the major education centers for freed US slaves, educating over 150,000 of the formerly enslaved in the first five years of the university’s existence. Howard is also known as The Mecca and is consistently in the top five of student populations and ranks among the highest producers of the nation’s Black professionals in pharmacy, engineering, architecture, religion, law, music, social work, and education.
While you are there:
We recently polled Howard Students on their must-dos in DC and Ben’s Chili Bowl was the top choice. Opened in 1958, Ben’s Chili Bowl is a staple in the DC community. From donating food to protesters during the March on Washington to being on the must-stop list of then, newly elected President Barack Obama. The Spice Suite is where students, professors, university staff, and DC natives go to elevate their cooking skills. Hosting spices, teas, kinds of vinegar, and specialty olive oils, to name a few, this spicy spot is often named in DC’s best retail shops. The colorful 4th Street location is also a perfect pit-stop for those doing campus tours and wanting to take the spice of DC back home.
Hampton University — Founded in 1868 to provide an educational curriculum to freed men and women, eventually expanded 10 years later to educate Native Americans. In 1872, Booker T. Washington arrived at the campus at age 16 and became a teacher at the university after he graduated. Washington later became one of the founding fathers of another HBCU farther south in Alabama, Tuskegee Institute, later named Tuskegee University.
While you are there:
For those alumni and students of drinking age, 1865 Brewing Co. is the area’s first Black-owned brewery. With brews such as their Passion Fruit Ginger IPA and their signature 1865 Freedom Ale, this is the spot to hang after a campus tour or for a pregame beverage.
Wing Zone Hampton is a pretty self-explanatory name; this is where students gather to watch games. Conveniently located near the university, the Virginia Air and Space Museum, and the Hampton History Museum, you’ll be able to pop in to taste what many consider Hampton’s favorite wings.
Photo: KennStilger47/Shutterstock
Tennessee State University — Home to The Aristocrats that are widely considered one of the best collegiate marching bands in the U.S., TSU is not just known for its music program, but also has an acclaimed Biology Department, Engineering, Nursing, and a Communications Department that hosts scholarship recipients named by former TSU student, Oprah Winfrey. Home to the first NFL’s Black starting quarterback, Joe Gilliam, aka Jefferson Street Joe.
Fisk — One of the smaller HBCUs with less than 1000 students, Fisk University is one of the oldest universities in Nashville, a city that is home to approximately 30 colleges and universities. Heritage is important at Fisk University, and their world-renowned Jubilee Singers are at the cornerstone. Originally organized in 1871, the Fisk Jubilee Singers started as a nine-member choral ensemble of students taken on tour to earn money for the university. The group left campus on October 6, 1871, and Jubilee Day is celebrated annually on October 6 to commemorate this historic day. As the university expands its basketball program, Fisk recently hired former New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets talent, Kenny Anderson, to coach the men’s team.
Meharry Medical College — With world-renowned research hospitals, such as Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville is known as an anchor in the medical communities of the Southeastern U.S. further advancing the city’s commitment to medicine and health care, Meharry Medical College is the nation’s largest producer of Black dentists and Black Ph.D. graduates in the biomedical sciences.
While you are there:
Known globally as “Music City USA,” Nashville is also a cultural center within the mid-South. Having three HBCUs in the city not only adds to its diversity but also reminds Nashville of its unique and often forgotten place in the Black history of America. College Crib is the spot in town that makes custom and unique merchandise for all of the Divine Nine fraternities and sororities while making vintage-looking items for all the local HBCUs. A Nashville staple since the early 70s and still run by its namesake, Ed’s Fish House, now located in a food truck, has a signature fish sandwich that has long been a staple in the local HBCUs student’s diets. Also on Jefferson Street, EG & Mc is a relatively new craft cocktail and tapas bar owned by TSU alumni, making it the perfect stop after a day of touring the campus. Mary’s Old Fashioned Pit BBQ is a throwback to Nashville’s lunch counter days during the Civil Rights era. Established in 1962 and also located on Historic Jefferson Street, students have made Mary’s the place in Nashville to get pulled pork sandwiches on corn cakes, rib plates, and fish sandwiches for over two generations.
Photo: TuckerBlade/Shutterstock
Morehouse College — Established in 1867 as a private men’s college, Morehouse has always been considered in the upper tier of HBCUs. Best known for its high graduation rate within science, business, and entertainment, Morehouse has been home to 11 Fulbright Scholars and 5 Rhodes scholars. It’s the collegiate home of Dr. Martin Luther King and Julian Bond. Other well-known “Morehouse Men” are Spike Lee, Sen. Raphael Warnock, former US Surgeon General David Satcher, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Spelman College — While considered the sister school to Morehouse, Spelman College has an identity all its own. As part of the Atlanta University Center (AUC), Spelman is a private women’s college established in 1881 and is the oldest private HBCU for women. The Spelman College Museum of Fine Art is the only museum in the US that emphasizes displaying art by women of the African Diaspora, and it’s an integral part of not only the student experience but the Black American experience. Notable graduates of Spelman include Stacy Abrams, Marian Wright Edelman, and Alice Walker.
Clark Atlanta University — Founded in 1865 as the first HBCU in the South, Clark Atlanta is a favorite among Atlanta natives. A favorite tradition requires freshman students to attend the “CAU Experience,” five days of unique events arranged to acquaint new students with the legacy, culture, and surrounding community of Clark Atlanta University.
While you’re there:
Atlanta, The ATL, Black Hollywood. While it’s only the 37th most populated city in the US, Atlanta is big in personality, influence, and culture. As one of the most important cities during the Civil Rights Movement, Atlanta and its surrounding area have always been a center where diversity is appreciated and encouraged. Since 1947, The Busy Bee has been serving up some of Atlanta’s best soul food and is a staple with both Morehouse and Spelman students looking for comfort while away from home. Dat Fire Jerk Chicken is an Atlanta favorite, providing a taste of Jamaica and the islands to residents willing to entice their taste buds. For both students and locals that have non-traditional diets such as vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian, Local Green Atlanta is the place to grab some delicious eats. This Black-owned restaurant was birthed out of the desire to provide wholesome food options to Atlanta’s community residents.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) — As the third most populated HBCU, Florida A&M is considered a heavyweight in the Black college rankings. Notably, FAMU is the only stop in Florida for your HBCU road trip, as they are the only HBCU in the entire state. Ranked as the top public HBCU by U.S. News & World Report, FAMU’s School of Business is ranked as one of the best in the Southeast. Notable alumni include Anika Noni Rose, Common, Keisha Lance Bottoms, and late tennis great Althea Gibson.
While you’re there:
Hailing as Florida’s capital city, Tallahassee is situated closely to both the Alabama and Georgia state lines. Make sure to visit Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail to reclaim part of the area’s forgotten and painful history. This now-free public space was once used to ship cotton harvested by enslaved Africans and sent to the Northeast to become textiles. Now, this area is 16 miles of converted railway that starts in Tallahassee and ends in the coastal community of St. Marks on the Gulf of Mexico. Knowing and learning history along the way would be an important part of the final stop on your HBCU road trip. Located on South Monroe, a few blocks from FAMU, you’ll find Earley’s Kitchen. Serving the Southern favorites known as a “Meat & 2” or the even heartier “Meat & 3,” Earley’s is a favorite among FAMU students and locals alike. Plus, Earley’s serves fried catfish for breakfast.
7 spooky underground labyrinths in Europe you can actually visit
No offense to Pan or Theseus, but the best labyrinths aren’t the ones you find in films or fables — they’re the ones that exist in the real world, and which can be explored whenever you get up the courage. Nothing will put you in the Halloween spirit this year like wandering through a winding underground maze. Europe is home to dozens of tunnel systems you definitely wouldn’t want to get lost in, from the chilling crypts of Rome to a sprawling underground salt city in Krakow. These are the underground labyrinths in Europe that will seriously creep you out this Halloween.
1. Derinkuyu, Cappadocia, Turkey
Photo: Dmytro Gilitukha/Shutterstock
Beneath the surface of Cappadocia is a sight that might be even more impressive than the unusual rock formations that have brought UNESCO recognition to the region. Cappadocia is home to around 300 underground cities that were first dug out of the rock as early as 2,600 years ago to protect themselves against invaders. Derinkuyu, the most famous of them all, is thought to have been built around the seventh and the eighth century and used to house 20,000 people in 18 underground stories. The immense labyrinthine city, full of tunnels, corridors, and passages, has rooms that once served as stables, churches, storage rooms, and wineries, Atlas Obscura reports. Guided tours through this underground labyrinth are available.
2. Capuchin Crypt, Rome, ItalyIf you didn’t know better, you’d probably think the Capuchin Crypt was purpose-built to scare people on Halloween. Although not exactly a labyrinth, underneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione in Rome, is a crypt that houses the bones of some 4,000 dead Capuchin friars. The bones are displayed in six small chapels, including the Crypt of Skulls, the Crypt of Pelvises, etc. The remains are meant to remind visitors of human mortality, and that, they do. The Capuchin Crypt is open every day from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and can be visited in combination with the Capuchin Museum for less than $10.
Where: Via Vittorio Veneto 27, Rome 00187, Italy
3. Pilsen Historical Underground, Czech Republic
Photo: Fotokon/Shutterstock
A 12.5-mile underground labyrinth of corridors, cellars, and wells lies under the city streets of Pilsen. Constructed as early as the 13th century, the underground network served as storage for food and beer, and to transport water and sewage. Today, the underground tunnel system is not used for any practical purposes, but is a tourist attraction for those interested in the city’s history. One-hour guided tours are available for about $7 and start in the building of Brewery Museum.
Where: 301 00, Veleslavínova 58/6, Vnitřní Město, 301 00 Plzeň, Czech Republic
4. Edinburgh Vaults, ScotlandWith its stone buildings, cloudy skies, and ill-lit passageways, Edinburgh is naturally spooky. And that’s before you even learn about its 18th century underground vaults. Between 18 of the 19 arches of South Bridge are a system of underground vaults that used to house taverns, cobblers, smelters, and other tradesmen. At a time, the vaults also served as a home to Edinburgh’s poorest who lived in appalling conditions. The vaults were filled in with debris in the 19th century, and were only excavated in the 1980s. Daily tours of the vaults are available for about $15.
5. Wieliczka Salt Mine, Krakow, Poland
Photo: agsaz/Shutterstock
The Wieliczka Salt Mine just outside Krakow kind of looks like the 13th century version of Grand Central Station — it’s huge. The mine spans 152 miles of galleries, over 2000 chambers, and nine floors, producing salt until 2007. The space is composed of several mine shafts and winding passageways, and also contains an underground lake, cathedrals, chapels, and statues carved from the rock salt. The mine is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site, and can now be rented out for private functions, or explored on tours, although only 2 percent of this underground labyrinth can be visited.
Where: Daniłowicza 10, 32-020 Wieliczka, Poland
6. Berlin Underground, GermanyBerlin’s underground passageways aren’t nearly as ancient as some of Europe’s other underground labyrinths, but their story makes them equally eerie. Underneath the German capital are bunkers, air raid shelters, tunnels to smuggle things and people between East and West Germany, and abandoned subway stations, Atlas Obscura reports. Tours of Berlin underground are available courtesy of Berliner Unterwelten.
7. Paris Catacombs, FrancePhoto: Andrea Izzotti/Shutterstock
Paris might be thought to be the most romantic city in the world, but these catacombs under the French capital’s streets paint a slightly less pleasant picture. This underground labyrinth houses the remains of million Parisians whose skeletons were transferred from the city’s cemeteries to existing quarries in the 18th century in the hopes of putting an end to major health issues in the city. The Paris catacombs, 65-feet underground, have been opened to the public since 1809. Anyone can visit the Parisian catacombs and see the skulls and other bones lining the tunnels for yourself by following an official 0.6-mile circuit.
Where: 1 Av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France
This Boston ghost tour pairs the paranormal with pizza
Ghost tours can be a great way to get in the Halloween spirit while also learning the history of a city. That’s especially true in old cities like Boston. If you also like pizza (and who doesn’t?), Boston Pizza Tours might have unlocked the cheat code for a great way to celebrate the season.
“We normally run this tour in October and November each year — last year it was so popular, it ran into December,” manager of Boston Pizza Tours Martin Elliott says in an e-mail. “The favorite part of the experience is descending into the crypts beneath Boston’s oldest standing church, dating to 1723.”
The 2.5-hour walking tour includes three slices of pizza from some of Boston’s best pizza spots. You’ll meet your tour guide at Boston’s oldest standing church, Christ Church, which was founded in 1723. From there you’ll travel through the crypts down below, after which you’ll get to try a slice made in the oldest brick oven in the city. Then you’ll get to enjoy chilling ghost stories near Boston’s oldest residence, the Paul Revere House, built in 1680, along with a Neapolitan-style slice that won at Boston’s first annual pizza festival. Lastly, you’ll get to travel to what was formerly known as Boston’s murder district and finish with another slice.
“Boston’s North End is the perfect neighborhood for this event,” Elliott says. “The North End is Boston’s oldest neighborhood first settled in 1630, plus it’s the Italian area of the city too, filled with award-winning pizza.”
There’s nothing spookier than catching COVID-19, so expect to wear a mask throughout your tour. Tickets are currently available through the end of October.
How a deadly plant became a staple Appalachian food
When I told mom I wanted to make poke berry jelly to enter in a Tennessee county fair’s annual jelly competition, her first response was, “You’ll kill the judges.” Even though we’ve both grown up eating poke salad, also spelled “poke sallet,” she’d always been told the berries of the pokeweed, or poke plant, are poisonous — and they are, sort of.
The US Forest Service describes Phytolacca americana L. as a plant that grows between six to 10 feet tall with one or more stems rising from a tuber-like taproot. The hollow stems are often a pink or red color and sport white or light green flowers that produce small, purple-black berries. The Forest Service says all parts of the plant are poisonous and can, in rare cases, result in death.
What the Forest Service doesn’t acknowledge is that poke salad, despite its toxicity, has long been a Southern and Appalachian survival food. Poke salad has been eaten for generations and makes its way into other recipes like fermented drinks that are most commonly used for medicinal purposes. According to the American Indian Health and Diet Project (AIHDP), it’s been used in cancer studies and research; the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center says pokeweed has also shown reduction of inflammation in rats and the ability to stop the reproduction of viruses. Its history is centuries old, and, despite all the warnings, chefs and home cooks continue to prepare the cooked greens and other dishes today.
The AIHDP’s site was founded by historian and author Dr. Devon A. Mihesuah. In her award-winning book, Recovering Our Ancestors’ Gardens: Indigenous Recipes and Guide to Diet and Fitness, Mihesuah writes that Native Americans harvested poke greens in the spring, and that one of her father’s favorite dishes was poke “salat,” steam and boiled. This Indiengous history dovetails with Adrian Miller’s understanding of the plant. Miller, a James Beard-award-winning author also known as the Soul Food Scholar, says white colonizers and enslaved Africans learned to work with the plant from Native Americans, although it’s unclear whether enslaved people learned the recipes and passed them to white people or the other way around.
“There were more exchanges between Native Americans and white settlers than what we know,” Miller says. “There was frequent documentation that poor whites would be on the periphery of a plantation’s boundary, show up and have exchanges with Africans there. We’ve got exchanges between colonizers, settlers, and Native Americans as people first venture into an area and experience hardships. Poke salad is a completely foraged green, not cultivated like collars or mustards.”
Although the timeline may be a little fuzzy, many sources, books, and articles online attribute the spelling of poke “sallet” to people of Scottish, Irish, or Welsh descent. “Sallet” refers to cooked greens or a cooked salad, and some people hear this etymology and think European immigrants must have discovered the plant upon arrival in North America.
But that’s an oversimplification, and older books, like 1984’s A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants by Arnold and Connie Krochmal, list that Native Americans used poke poultices to treat cancer, and then secondarily note that early settlers used the berry juice to treat “skin eruptions” and cancerous ulcers. Michael Twitty, James Beard-award-winning author of The Cooking Gene, says this misinformation is due to white supremacy and the desire to make Appalachians and Southerners out to be more European and Scottish than they truly are. Twitty says some food historians will also try to attribute fried chicken or barbecue to Scottish people, and it comes from a desire to elevate the cultural whiteness of the region.
“It’s not that these people didn’t contribute a lot in their own way,” Twitty says. “But in attributing these things to Scotland, you raise the profile of northwestern European identity to include cultural elements that weren’t there in the first place. I’ve been to Scotland and consulted with a historian. She was appalled that Americans attribute things to them that weren’t part of the culture.”
Miller says it can be difficult to trace the exact history and movement of poke salad and other poke recipes because the green is foraged, and recipes are less commonly written for wild and foraged foods than for cultivated foods.
Photo: PicminShutterstock
Today, I gather the plant behind my garage and in my grandma’s fields. My mother and grandmother, who are white, both know how to make poke salad, and my grandmother says she learned from her mother, who boiled the greens multiple times and then fried them with eggs and lard. My uncle, who is Black, eats the greens in a very similar way and learned from his mother, grandparents and other family members.
Although we were all familiar with the leaves, many family members were skeptical of my jelly dreams. After hours of research, I came to understand the seeds inside the berries are toxic, not the berries or juice themselves. Strain out the seeds and you remove the problem.
Aside from home cooks like myself and my family, a few rare chefs include it on menus in restaurants. Clark Barlowe, a chef of 18 years who founded Potential Pantry, started (and later sold) Heirloom, a restaurant in North Carolina where he served the cooked greens as part of a tasting menu. Since then, Barlowe says he’s used the berry juice to make ice cream, and has added it to a cake for a beautiful pink color. He describes the berry’s taste as “vegetal chocolate,” a sort of blackberry-meets-chocolate flavor. Barlowe says there were mixed reactions from folks who saw poke salad on his menu.
“They saw it and would either get excited or be turned off by it, depending on who they were raised by,” Barlowe says. “If their parents had prepared it, they would be excited to see it.”
Barlowe says if you’re going to make poke salad or poke berry dishes, you need to watch an expert. Luckily, he has plenty of photo and video tutorials online. Every expert I spoke with about poke salad says it’s important to carry historical recipes and foodways forward, especially as climate change worsens. Knowing how to forage and survive on what’s outside your door is an important skill.
“There’s a wonderful opportunity for people to learn more about the larder that’s available to them,” Miller says.
The poke belly jelly that I entered in the county fair’s annual jelly competition won best in show, and I’m proud of it. I’ve also been inspired to keep learning about a food that was passed down to me. Although it can be intimidating and the young greens should be harvested in spring and early summer, poke salad is delicious and known for its medicinal properties. With a little research and patience, anyone can start the tradition in their own family.
Take a spine-tingling trip around Stephen King’s Maine
For the best part of the past half a century, Stephen King has given some of the finest fantasy, horror, sci-fi and suspense novels to the literary world. Fans of the acclaimed author are probably already aware that Maine is the place that he calls home. Many of his tales, and their subsequent cinema and television adaptations, are set to a backdrop of the state’s small towns and their idiosyncrasies. These once unassuming towns are peppered with curious landmarks that inspired King and provide fanatics with the nightmare-including fixes they crave.
This literary journey begins in the city of Bangor, where the Losers Club battled with perhaps the most fearsome clown ever known. It then moves on to explore the Pet Sematary in the serene towns of Orrington, Hancock and Ellsworth. The locations lay scattered around south-central Maine and are comfortable to discover on a self-guided road trip. Or there’s an option to take guided tours with a family of diehard King enthusiasts.
Visit Bangor for Pennywise Pranks and the Losers ClubMost Mainers will probably agree that if it weren’t for Stephen King then Bangor wouldn’t have received such international fame. But this riverside city and the nation’s former lumber capital, located a two-hour drive north of Portland, is where the novelist settled in 1979. You can walk right up to the gates of the house where he and his wife Tabitha live on 47 West Broadway, in the Whitney Park Historic District. Decorated with gargoyles and with bats perched upon the gates, the redbrick Victorian mansion looks prime for a murder mystery.
Photo: Nagel Photography/Shutterstock
Bangor is also the real life version of Derry, one of three fictional towns that King invented and based his books around. This is where the shapeshifting dancing clown Pennywise tortured and tormented the misfit members of the Losers Club in It. Make the Thomas Hill Standpipe your first stop on the It trail. Seemingly harmless to look at, it served as the haunted water tower.
Photo: Bangor Water
Rumor has it that King wrote the book while gazing at the tower from a bench in the adjacent park. From here it’s a short stroll to a sewer drain at the corner of Union and Jackson streets, which was the inspiration for the opening scene in the book. We can’t confirm if Pennywise lives down there or not, so it’s up to you if you reach your hand inside like the unsuspecting Georgie did.
About a mile and a half away from the normal-looking but creepy drain stands the Paul Bunyan Statue. He’s a jovial celebration of a folkloric giant lumberjack revered for his superhuman labors. But don’t be fooled by his smile, because an evil spirit brought him to life in It and coaxed him into attacking poor Richie Tozier. The statue had a brief mention in the horror-fantasy novel Insomnia, too.
Photo: Jane Rix/Shutterstock
Back in downtown Bangor, it’s worth going for a stroll along the Kenduskeag Stream. Renamed the Barrens by King, it’s where the Losers Club came to plan the downfall of Pennywise. Feel free to scream “Who doesn’t love splashing around in shitty water?”, as was proclaimed in the original movie adaptation.
While in Derry (or Bangor) there’s a couple of other noteworthy ports of call. A mural on Union and 2nd streets depicts King alongside Maine icons such as mental-health activist Dorothea Dix and musician Patty Griffin. The Gerald Winters and Son bookshop on Main Street is the city’s go-to for first editions and memorabilia.
Wander the Sites of the Pet SemataryDrive for about 10 minutes north along the banks of the Penobscot River from downtown Bangor and you’ll reach Mount Hope Cemetery. Not only is this the second-oldest garden cemetery in the United States, it’s also shrouded in history and legends.
Photo: Mount Hope Cemetery/Facebook
The writer was known to come here during his free time when studying in nearby Orono. Keep an eye out for the gravestone of Carrie M. Hesseltine, which was the supposed inspiration for the name of King’s breakout book Carrie. The cemetery is perhaps more famous for its appearance in the Pet Sematary movie — King even made a cameo as a minister conducting a funeral.
It’s a 20-minute drive south to our next stop, Orrington, where King and his family lived at 664 River Road in early 1979. In the woods behind the house, he stumbled upon an informal burial ground for pets that had been christened the Pet Sematary. This became the title of his self-proclaimed scariest novel. The house used for the original movie bears a striking resemblance to King’s and is located 40 miles to the east at 303 Point Road, Hancock.
If Bangor is your base then cruise back slowly via US Route 1 and highway 15, which pass through leafy villages and along the banks of rippling rivers. Consider a short detour to Dysart’s Restaurant and Truck Stop, in Hermon.
Photo: Dysarts/Facebook
It was here that a group of semi-trailers came to life and terrorized every human in sight in the short story, Trucks. Only six survived and they found refuge inside the diner, which happens to do a tasty range of baked goods, breakfasts, burgers and salads.
Take a tour with the expertsOf course, you could easily do all of the above by yourself; however, we appreciate that sometimes it’s nice to be shown around by a specialist on the subject. Based out of Bangor, SK Tours is the brainchild of Penney and Jamie Tinker and their son Stu.
Photo: SK Tours/Facebook
All are lifelong King fans and offer three-hour tours of notable places in and around the city. The tours pause at the Oriental Jade Asian restaurant, which inspired the Jade of the Orient in It. We doubt you’ll find any crickets or eyeballs in your fortune cookies, but you will get some authentic dumplings, miso soup and ramen noodles.
According to co-founder Jamie Tinker, King is “one of the most popular living authors, yet it’s common to see him on his daily walk, having dinner at the local restaurants, and at the local cinemas and bookstores.” Tinker states that the “King family’s quiet generosity and charitable giving towards our schools, parks, libraries, theaters, hospitals, shelters, and recovery centers throughout the area have enriched the lives of more people in the region than we’ll ever know.” One of Jamie’s favorite spots on the tour is the Thomas Hill Standpipe, which he grew up next to and got spooked by when reading It for the first time.
The Gateway to King’s HorrorsAnyone choosing to fly in or out of King country can do so at Bangor International Airport. In a fitting arrival or departure, there’s a nod to the writer. Much of The Langoliers, the first of the Four Past Midnight horror miniseries, takes place at the airport — the movie was also shot on site. Hopefully, you won’t need to fly through a space-time rip when taking off and landing.
October 20, 2021
How to have a relaxing tropical family Thanksgiving in South Florida
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Thanksgiving is a great time to express gratitude and come together as a family, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend the long weekend over a hot oven during the cold of the impending winter.
Get out of the house and treat your loved ones to an escape in Miami instead, where autumn is a magical time of high temperatures (but not too high), beaches, and plenty of attractions to keep everyone entertained. A fun holiday in a tropical paradise will allow your family to consider all of the blessings big and small without the stress of organizing and putting together a massive dinner.
Here’s how to have a tropical, multi-generational getaway for Thanksgiving in the Magic City (and yes, if you still want a turkey feast that can be arranged).
Where to StayLoews Miami Beach Hotel
Photo: Loews Miami
This oceanfront resort in buzzy South Beach offers older teens the freedom to explore the nearby Lincoln Road mall, pedal along the boardwalk, or enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, and banana boat tours. Excursions to the Everglades aren’t far away, and sess outdoorsy types can make use of the video game room or head to the Art Deco District and Little Havana. The interconnecting rooms at the Loews are slick and functional, with complimentary cribs, baby bath amenity kits, and night lights for easy sleeping. Five on-site food options mean even the fussiest eater can find something they like, and pets get their own room service menu.
Acqualina Resort & Residences
Photo: Acqualina
Children can roam freely at this lush beachfront resort that’s spread across 4.5 acres in Sunny Isles Beach. They will ket a kick out of the AcquaMarine program (ages 5 to 12), the soccer field, an array of waterfront activities, and scuba diving and swimming lessons. Older teens can join you at one of the three oceanfront pools or for a beauty treatment or massage at the lavish spa. Service at Acqualina is top-notch and spacious rooms boast a full-sized living area, private balconies, and massive jacuzzi tubs. Book a family beachfront dining experience of enjoy a lavish meal at one of the three restaurants on site.
Diplomat Hotel
Photo: The Diplomat/Facebook
Situated between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the Diplomat’s fun, contemporary feel makes it easy to stay entertained with everything from beach yoga to a supervised Dip + Slide play area. Trina-Turk designed cabanas frame the beachside lagoon and infinity pools and are perfect for whiling the day away. Two grab-and-go spots and a beachside restaurant means hungry teens can eat whenever they want, with the on-site steakhouse serving as an option for dinner.
Eau Palm Beach
Photo: Murphy O’Brien
Eau Palm Beach is a self-contained kingdom that’s ideal for those who want to be together but who also appreciate some alone time. Beyond the full array of holiday activities and watersports, children can join the Aquanuts Kids Club while the older family members take advantage of the tennis courts, culinary classes, and the massive spa before reconvening by the fire pit or at a s’mores night out. Spacious rooms offer private balconies and the club-level tier comes with a personal concierge, meals, and daily pressing service. The pickiest of whims should be satisfied with the five food and drink options that offer a range of comfort food and lots of vegetarian options.
What To Do
Photo: dennizn/Shutterstock
Wynwood Walls: Skip Black Friday and take a walking tour of Miami’s art district, where the open-air museum’s murals serve as background for great family photos and the marketplace offers entertainment and dining for everyone.
Miami Seaquarium: A good starting point to get the kids away from their screens and into the outdoors is the Seaquarium, a cool educational experience with shows, presentations, and up-and-close dolphin and seal encounters.
Frost Museum of Science: Plan on spending at least a couple of hours here. The Frost is full of hands-on activities for kids of all ages, and adults will also learn a thing or two at the immersive planetarium and special exhibits.
Miccosukee Village & Airboats: A visit to this park offers a great introduction to native American heritage, complete with craft demonstrations, alligator shows, and Everglades airboat tours.
Superblue: Navigating this experiential art center’s massive immersive installations will dazzle the whole family and encourage conversation.
Where to Eat
Photo: Pura Vida/Facebook
Pura Vida: Start the day at one of Pura Vida many locations throughout Miami with hearty açaí bowls, egg sandwiches, fresh juices and a menu for your little ones.
Caja Caliente: For a true taste of local life, enjoy a holiday dinner of tempting empanadas, lechón (pulled pork) and ropa vieja (stewed steak) at this family-run Cuban restaurant.
Yardbird: A traditional turkey feast will be available all day a this Southern eatery, along with family-sized takeout packages.
Joe’s Stone Crab: Stone crab seasons is a favorite amongst South Floridians and century-old Joe’s is iconic for serving some of the freshest claws (and fried chicken!) in town.
The Wharf: For stellar river views in downtown Miami, visit this 30,000-square-foot riverside station, where several vendors share space with food trucks, three bars, and a fish market/raw bar. Younger kids will get a kick out of arcade games, pingpong, and cornhole.
‘Squid Game’ is coming to New York and you could be a part of it
If you haven’t binged the South Korean thriller Squid Game, you are definitely behind the curve. But if you’ve seen the show and thought, “I could win,” it’s time to test your skill and your luck in real-time.
The games will take place on October 26 at noon in New York City. But don’t worry, your life is at stake. And while the grand prize will not be a giant piggy bank of millions, the first place contestant will win a trip to South Korea. The contestant that comes in second will receive an Apple Watch 7, and other prizes include various gift cards, including Amazon. And yes, if selected you get to wear the iconic green tracksuit.
Iconic games will include the red light, green light game, the Dalgona Challenge, the marble game, and even the Ddakji Game — the paper card game that got the characters in the mess in the first place.
You’ll also get to site-see Korean culture in New York City, including at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Korean Cultural Center, Line friends in NY Times Square Store, and of course Koreatown (K-town) in Manhattan.
You can register for the games through October 20. Chosen contestants will be notified by October 23. You must be over 18 years of age and have proof of vaccination to register.
Waivers and doctors notes, can you handle America’s scariest haunted houses?
Who doesn’t love a good scare during Halloween? If epic scares are what you are after, this Halloween will deliver. As festivities come back, businesses are going all out to bring the scary. If you are looking for the spookiest experience, look for further. Here is a list of the scariest places we could find. We even have a few for the kids.
McKamey ManorMcKamey Manor is the haunted house known for the 40-page waiver guests must sign to enter. It is one of the most extreme haunted houses in the country, so much so that no one has ever completed it.
Location: Nashville, Tennesse and Huntsville, Alabama
BlackoutThis haunted house opened in 2009 in New York has now expanded its haunts to Los Angeles. To go through the haunted house, guests must sign a waiver and are then asked about their biggest fears in an effort to provide a more personalized scare. The scariest part: you have to walk through the haunted house alone.
Location: New York and Los Angeles
House of Horror Haunted CarnivalHouse of Horror Haunted Carnival is the biggest fight fest in south Florida, located at the Miami International Mall. This year the House of Horror will have four haunted attractions: Mall Mayhem, Toxic Apocalypse, 1455 Asylum, and Scare X Studios.
Location: Miami, Florida
NetherworldNetherworld has been scaring visitors since 1997. This year Netherworld is celebrating its 25th anniversary with more scares with two new haunted houses: Netherspawn and Planet X In 3D. If guests want more frights, they can also try Netherworld’s four new creepy escape rooms.
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
The Fear PDXThe Fear PDX Haunted House is Portland’s largest Halloween event. The Fear PDX consists of five haunted house attractions: The Kill Floor, The Blood House, Midway of Fear, Layers of Darkness.
Location: Portland, Oregon
Universal Halloween Horror NightsHalloween Horror Nights are Universal’s annual Halloween special that includes different haunted houses and haunts around the park. Now in its 30th year, there will be new haunted houses and scare zones.
Location: Orlando, Florida and Los Angeles, California
Knott’s Scary FarmKnott’s Scary Farm is another annual Halloween that features numerous haunted house, maze attractions and scare zones like Dark Entities, Boo-fet, Dark Ride: Castle of Chaos, CarnEVIL. If you’re looking for a more kid-friendly option Knotts Berry Farm does offer an option suitable for kids that offers a wide variety of activities from trick or treating, character meets and greets a pumpkin patch, and more.
Location: Buena Park, California
The MortuaryThis self-guided haunt is one of New Orleans’s top attractions. This new Mortuary will present The Legend 2021 Inferno which takes guests through the unexplained supernatural phenomena that happened to News Chopper 8 Reporter Richard Reedum and Pilot Frank Caston.
Location: New Orleans
Two for the KidsDisney’s After Hours Boo BashSince Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party has been canceled, Disney decided to keep the Halloween tradition going with Disney’s After Hours Boo Bash. At the Boo Bash, kids of all ages dress in their Halloween costumes, meet characters, and trick or treat around the Magic Kingdom.
Location: Orlando, Florida
LegoLandLegoland offers a Halloween spectacular just for the kids called Brick or Treat. Kids experience dance parties, costume contests, and character meet and greets.
Location: Florida, New York, California
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