Matador Network's Blog, page 563
October 14, 2021
You know Bavaria for beer, but you should be going for the wine, too
“Would you prefer the saugell trocken or the silvaner escherndorfer, sir?” the sommelier at Munich’s Vinothek by Giesel asked me in a tone that suggested he already knew the right answer.
He might as well have asked me to solve a long division equation.
It brought me back to a wine tasting I had done at a vineyard in Luxembourg’s Moselle Valley. I had no business being there. As far as I knew, boxed wine was top shelf stuff and sauvignon blanc was Elon Musk’s kid. My ignorance was proven when the journalist next to me (a seasoned wino) spat his wine into the spittoon and I, appalled, thought he had just spit it into the host’s flower vase. At that wine tasting I had tried (and failed) to hide my ignorance — and it didn’t get me anywhere. In Munich, I decided not to hide anything.
“I have absolutely no idea,” I said, waiting for that condescending smirk reserved for wine neophytes. “What do you think?”
No smirk. If anything, the sommelier looked relieved, because now he got to recommend his favorite local wine and explain why it paired well with my trout. He seemed to genuinely relish the opportunity to talk about wine with someone who knew nothing about it. At that moment, I realized I had come to the right city.
Photo: xbrchx/Shutterstock
Munich isn’t known for its wine, and neither am I. The haughty attitude and opaque jargon have always made wine feel inaccessible to me, but Munich isn’t like the wine regions of the world that are teeming with sniffers and swirlers and swishers. The city’s wine bars and sommeliers have an unpretentious air, and there’s a sense of inclusivity perhaps borne out of one simple fact: people associate Bavaria more with beer and Oktoberfest than wine country.
Yet Bavaria is also home to Franconia, a cultural region in the northwestern part of the state with a history that dates back to at least the 8th century. Unlike the rest of Bavaria, Franconians prefer vineyards to beer gardens. Müller-thurgau, silvaner, and bacchus are the primary grapes grown in the region.
“There are thousand years of winemaking tradition in Franconia,” says Joost von Nagell, the sommelier and head of restaurants, conferences, and catering for Munich Airport. “The soil — the so-called Triassic soils of Keuper, Muschelkalk and Buntsandstein — allows Franconian grapevines to grow in the best conditions.”
Roughly 80 percent of the vines planted in the region yield white wine grapes, while much of the red wine grapes are used for a Franconian version of rosé called rotling. If you visit Franconia, you’ll find yourself decidedly in white wine country.
“Many guests hardly know that wine is grown in Bavaria, as the region is primarily known for beer,” van Nagell says. “Most have heard about wine culture in central Germany, such as Rheingau, Mosel, or Rheinlandpfalz, but the Franconian wines — from very filigree silvaner to strong pinot noir — are just as good.”
How to visit Franconia
Photo: Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock
Würzburg should be the first stop on any trip to Franconia. The city is home to one of Franconia’s most historic vineyards, Weingut am Stein’s Würzburger Stein, which has grapevines that cover the surrounding hills. Specializing in steinwein (a dry white wine) made from silvaner grapes, the vineyard has been operating since the eighth century, and its wine is considered to be among the best in Franconia.
For a slightly more dramatic sipping experience, head to Sommerhausen, an artist colony just outside Randersacker that’s known for its colorful homes, red roofs, and fruit bazaars with a distinctly Mediterranean feel. The colony’s most recognizable feature, however, is the Weingut Schloss Sommerhausen, a 15th century castle that has produced wines riesling, silvaner, and burgunder wines for more than 600 years.
If “most vineyards per capita” is your thing, Iphofen is where you need to go. The town of 5,000 residents has 35 vineyards that dot the countryside trails of Hötte Hött leading to Schloss Schwanberg. Vinothek is the most popular local tasting room, and guests here can try a range of local wines from the region’s most popular producers.
Getting out to the wineries isn’t the only way to taste what Franconia has to offer, though. As von Nagell says rather succinctly, “Franconian wines are on every good wine list.”
Where to drink wine in Munich
Photo: Vinothek by Geisel/Facebook
Even a trip to Bavaria that doesn’t include Franconia can easily be filled with German wines. You just have to know where to go.
Pfaelzer Weinstube has been a Munich institution since 1950. Spread across seven rooms in a former electoral and royal Bavarian residence, the restaurant specializes in wines from the Palatinate area in southwestern Germany. The restaurant stocks more than 60,000 bottles in its extensive cellars. The space looks like a cross between a traditional beer hall and an ancient Roman cafeteria, with long communal tables that encourage socialization and huge marble columns that line the dining rooms. There’s also a dedicated wine bar room, and a cozy outdoor section where you can enjoy your food and wine surrounded by gray medieval architecture. If you enjoy your glass of wine, you’ll be able to purchase a bottle to bring home with you.
Grapes Weinbar is a traditional wine bar that’s exactly what you imagine when you think of a European wine bar: small, cozy, dimly-lit, and filled with people whose conversations rarely rise above a whisper even on a Saturday night. With more than 1,300 wines from Germany and around the world, there’s plenty of options to choose from (along with sommeliers who’re knowledgeable enough to help you narrow it down).
Photo: Vinothek by Geisel/Facebook
At Vinothek by Geisel, it’s easy to be intimidated at the ornate bar by the finely-dressed waiters and walls lined with wine, like leather-bound books on the bookshelves of a historic library. My savior was my knowledgeable sommelier. After I’d passed the baton on deciding between a saugell trocken or a silvaner escherndorfer, he recommended the saugell trocken for “the best of Munich, the best of Franconia.”
His manner was consistent with every waiter and sommelier I had met in Munich’s wine bars. The unpretentiousness was indescribably refreshing to a newbie like me. The result is a wine scene where value lies in its modesty. Unlike beer, drinking wine in Munich doesn’t feel like something you have to do, but something you simply should do.
Video compares what a $1 million home looks like in 15 cities across the US
One million dollars is an awful lot of money. Youtube channel The Richest looked at what kind of home that amount of cash can get you you across the United States, and, depending on where you are, the comparisons may have you packing your bags.
In a city like New York, a $1 million home is a small two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment with a tiny balcony. While it’s not news to anyone that New York City’s housing market is eye-wateringly expensive, it’s still surprising to see how much more bang for your buck you can get in Chicago, where a $1 million home is a fancy three-bedroom, three-bathroom condo; in LA, you get a five-bedroom, three-bathroom house with a garden in serious need of some TLC; and in Miami, you can live in a luxurious condo with views of the ocean.
In Detroit, Nashville, Phoenix, and Las Vegas, $1 million gets you actual mansions with too many bedrooms and bathrooms to use them all, pools, and giant backyards — all in fancy neighborhoods, of course.
In you want to know what a million home looks like in Cleveland, Houston, Indianapolis and even Arlington, Vermont, check out the video above. It’s bound to make you rethink your lifestyle.
7 family-friendly holiday Airbnbs in the Pacific Northwest
The holidays are a time for loved ones. But spending time with family doesn’t have to mean spending time at home. This holiday season, the lush forests, long coastline, and famous beer, wine, and food scenes of the Pacific Northwest are calling. And we know just where to stay. Whether you’re planning a big family reunion or a low-key trip with the kids, these are the Pacific Northwest Airbnbs in Washington, Oregon, and northwest Idaho to book.
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. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication. See our full Advertiser Disclosure here.
1. Cozy log cabin on Camano Island, Washington
Photo: Airbnb
Nothing says cozy like a cabin in Puget Sound during the colder months. The large, luxurious property is located on Camano Island near Madrona Beach, offering views of Saratoga Passage from the glass-walled living room and generous yard. Either location, guests can snuggle up by a crackling fire, around the fireplace or the fire pit on the front lawn.
Sleeps: 13 guests, four bedrooms
Price: $300 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This cabin-style home in northeast Seattle is the perfect compromise for the city and country folks in your family. It sits on a woodsy suburban lot a block from Matthew’s Beach and a 15-minute drive from downtown Seattle. Back home, the Lego-themed kitchen might inspire dinner and a game night; luckily the unit comes thoughtfully equipped for both.
Sleeps: Six guests, four bedrooms
Price: $469 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Between the hot tub and the fire pit, this “high desert hideaway” is a total bachelor pad. A Mount Bachelor pad, that is. Located roughly seven miles from Oregon’s premier ski resort on the Deschutes River, the townhouse is perfect for active families, with access to slopes, trails, and mountain bikes for borrow. After long days outdoors, groups will appreciate the fully equipped, open-plan kitchen — complete with a 10-seat dining room table and a wine fridge for the adults.
Sleeps: 10 guests, four bedrooms
Price: $328 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This colorful Victorian in Tacoma’s Old Town is called “Casa Frida” after painter Frida Kahlo. Every detail channels the artist’s life and works, from the textiles in the bedrooms to the portraits on the walls. Even the blue exterior matches La Casa Azul, Kahlo’s house turned museum in Mexico City. Downtown Tacoma is no major capital city, but guests will enjoy dining out in the Proctor District and strolling around the waterfront park. Pets, too, which are welcome for a fee.
Sleeps: Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $201 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This immaculate house in South Boise Village looks like a hotel but feels like a home. With room for 10 people, and the possibility of accommodating extra kids upon request, it’s ideal for families who like to stay close to home, whether that means cycling down the Boise River Greenbelt or staging a shoot for this year’s Christmas card in the stylish, naturally lit living room.
Sleeps: 10 guests, four bedrooms
Price: $295 per night
Photo: Airbnb
If the kids in your family are grown, consider holidaying in wine country this year. This four-bedroom colonial in Salem is located near some of Oregon’s finest vineyards, as well as farmlands, forests, and orchards that are prettiest in fall. There’s as much entertainment awaiting guests on the property, from patio barbecues to home-theater screenings and moonlight hot tubs. Don’t miss Salem’s Saturday market to stock up on movie night snacks.
Sleeps: Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $324 per night
Photo: Airbnb
At first glance, these modern digs in Gig Harbor look too trendy for kids. But take the full tour, and you’ll see a wall of bunk beds, a foosball table, and tons of books, toys, puzzles, and games for all ages. A block from the water, the harborfront house is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and marinas, as well as driving distance to the best of the Puget Sound.
Sleeps: Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $520 per night
Make your reservations for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu right now
Machu Picchu is mesmerizing, no matter how you get there. But the most rewarding approach to these mysterious Incan ruins in the highlands of Peru is via the multi-day Inca Trail.
And reservations to travel this ancient trail are finally open. For the next few days, you’ll be able to reserve your 2022 trek. Last year,COVID-19 restrictions meant that only 250 people were able to walk the trail. This year the full 500 will be able to go — but tickets sell out fast, so get on and buy your spot.
Note that reservations are not transferable to other people or other dates. The only possible changes that can be made are if Machu Picchu itself is closed for any reason, so be sure of your dates. Or throw caution to the wind, and take whatever date you can get — because there are few places as magical as this incredibly well-preserved, 600-year-old Incan citadel in the sky.
The Inca Trail trek is only 25 miles but reaches elevations that near 14,000 feet, making it tough going. You’ll want expert local guidance, so consider booking a tour led by Quechua women through Elevation Treks Peru to get there.
And if you can’t make it to Peru, you can always go to the world’s first virtual walk-through of Machu Picchu at the Boca Raton Museum of Art in Florida.
October 13, 2021
Where to spend this Thanksgiving
With travel easing up, why not spend Thanksgiving somewhere new? If you plan it well, you can get a place big enough for the relatives as well. After a long travel-less stretch, you and your loved ones deserve it. Whether you want to relax at the beach, warm up in the desert, catch some early season skiing, or visit the home of Thanksgiving, here are the best places to travel this Thanksgiving break.
1. The Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
Photo: Marc Turcan/Shutterstock
Fly to the Island of Hawaii, the largest and southernmost Hawaiian Island, and you’re almost guaranteed sunshine, especially on the west side near the Kona coast. You can find perfect family-sized airbnbs on the west side, with some offering options for tennis or golf. You’ll also find airbnbs on the rainier, but very local, east side near Hilo, one of the coolest towns to visit this year.
Be sure to explore other parts of the island, like the upcountry ranch area of Waimea, the birthplace of Hawaii’s unique cowboy culture. Or drive up to the 9,200-foot Visitor Center at Mauna Kea for its stargazing program (check the website to be sure it’s happening that night), or watch vapors rise from the Kīlauea Caldera at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Adventurous options to spice up your beach-oriented schedule include mountain biking or horseback riding in cowboy country, road biking alongside lava fields, taking your older relatives birdwatching, or giving back — a worthy Thanksgiving tradition — by planting a native trees.
When it’s time to cook, pick up some Okinawa sweet potatoes from a farmer’s market for your Hawaiian Thanksgiving dinner. Although Hawaii had asked travelers to hold off on visiting for a few weeks, the islands will welcome vaccinated travelers in November.
2. Whistler, Canada
Photo: robcocquyt/Shutterstock
The US is finally opening its land borders, so it’s time to make your Canadian ski plans. The mountain peaks of Whistler, British Columbia, are already snow-covered, and the resort is scheduled to open on US Thanksgiving Day this year. Whistler Blackcomb is the biggest ski area in North America, with a superb ski school for newbies, plenty of groomed runs for intermediates, and elite level off-piste terrain as well. Down in Whistler Village, the dining and drinking scene is so good that people actually day-trip up from Vancouver for it.
Canadians had their Thanksgiving in early October, so you won’t find Turkey Day menus in the restaurants — but, IGA or Nesters supermarkets will have what you need to make an autumn feast at your rental. Or you can skip it and enjoy fondue at Basalt Wine and Salumeria or a steak a la Fiorentina at Il Caminetto. By day, non-skiers ice skate, work out, play squash, or swim at the Meadow Park Sports Centre; cycle through miles of valley trails; or contemplate art at the Audain Art Museum and a handful of galleries. You can also take the family to try their hand at Forged Axe Throwing.
Here’s what you need to know to visit Canada now. While BC residents need to show their vaccine pass to get into many indoor venues, visitors just need to show the same proof of vaccination and passport ID they used to enter Canada.
3. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Photo: Lynn Yeh/Shutterstock
This postcard-perfect village overlooking California’s Carmel Bay gets hardly any rain in November, so the days are cool and dry. Ocean Avenue — the tree-lined main street with its tiny shops, restaurants, and galleries — takes you down to the cliffs overlooking tree-framed beach cove. You can walk down to the sand or stay up high to look out for the dolphins and, in November, humpback and blue whales.
To see more sea life up close, drive six miles north across the Monterey Peninsula to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the best of its kind in North America. Older relatives will appreciate the famed 17 Mile Drive, a stunning trip past the Pebble Beach Golf Course, windswept beaches, stately homes, and the area’s graceful Monterey pines. Keep driving north and in under an hour you’re in Santa Cruz, home to some of the best surfing in the US and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Drive south and in the same amount of time you’ll reach the imposing cliffs of Big Sur, where where the spectacular Pfeiffer Falls Trail reopened this summer after a 13-year closure. Alternatively, drive over those coastal hills and in twenty minutes you’ll be in warm and dry Carmel Valley — where you can sample award-winning Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs at some of the area’s dozen-plus wineries.
4. Nosara, Costa Rica
Photo: Colin D. Young/Shutterstock
Late November is the start of Costa Rica’s dry season, and Nosara is on the Guanacaste Peninsula, one of the drier regions in Costa Rica — making a sunny Thanksgiving a good bet. This town, pressed between lush mountains and a four-mile-long beach, is a perfect base for surf lessons, horse riding, zip-lining (a Costa Rican invention), fishing, and just enjoying the wildlife around town –- from the howler monkeys in the trees to the purple crabs crossing the path to the beach.
Just north of town, Ostional Beach is where Olive Ridley turtles come to lay their eggs a week before each new moon. There’s a chance you’ll catch them the weekend after Thanksgiving Day. In fact, the nature reserve extends to Guiones Beach in front of Nosara, making it one of the country’s best Pacific Coast beaches, since the only thing you see behind the sand is trees. (The town lies hidden behind and below the greenery, so that the sea turtles have an unobscured sightline to the moon).
Surfers will appreciate the better fall surf conditions, and non-surfers will enjoy walking on the endless beach or sitting by the pool at the Harmony Hotel, should they opt to stay there. Nosara’s grown up in recent years, but with its dirt roads and jungly surroundings, the town still feels like a low-key getaway. Nosara has a sizeable expat US community, and restaurants like Marlin Bill’s and the Beach Dog Cafe cook up a hearty Thanksgiving dinner.
5. Austin, Texas
Photo: Mike Holp/Shutterstock
If you’re into live music, there aren’t many better ways to spend your Thanksgiving break than a few days in Austin. The town has more live music venues than pretty much anywhere else in North America. Plus, November is one a great time to visit. The summer heat is gone, yet high temperatures can still reach 70 degrees.
Given its many airbnbs for big groups, Austin could be a place to gather with extended family. And since Austin is a liberal city but also the capital of a red state, it may be an example of how to make a turkey dinner conversation among relatives work. Besides its nightlife scene, this city is surrounded by waterways and packed with outdoor possibilities. You can take a paddle boat on Zilker Metropolitan Park, hike or mountain bike in the Barton Creek Greenbelt, or rock climb at the pink-hued Enchanted Rock. And it’s a great place to explore by bike.
With Austin’s excellent restaurants, you won’t have a problem finding a place to have the Thanksgiving feast itself. And we’re not sure if Thanksgiving brunch is a Texas thing — but pretty much every place starts serving it in the late morning. The Second Bar + Kitchen’s turkey dinner will start at 11:00 AM and offers up such southwestern flavors as jalapeño creamed corn and sweet potato biscuits.
6. Phoenix, Arizona
Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
There’s nothing like the desert in the fall. Daytime temperatures are pleasantly mild, but nighttimes still have that crispness that you associate with the holiday season. And there’s hardly a more versatile place to park yourself for Thanksgiving than Phoenix — seeing as it’s a stone’s throw from some of the most iconic desert landscapes in the country. You can do a Grand Canyon day trip, an early morning hike along statuesque Saguaro cactuses, or discover the Superstition Wilderness. If your next of kin are feeling the need for some water, Phoenix actually has five nearby lakes.
Throw on a warm jacket and check out Las Noches de las Luminares, a lovely holiday light show in the Desert Botanical Garden. A must-have food in Phoenix is fry-bread, and there’s hardly a better place to indulge on it than Fry Bread House. At the pricier end of the spectrum is the farm to table fare at Quiessence. Vincent’s on Camelback has been offering French and Southwestern fusion cuisine for 30 years; they also offer a catered Thanksgiving dinner you can order and enjoy back at your airbnb. And there are plenty of airbnbs with swimming pools or golf club access to indulge everyone in the family.
7. Palm Springs, California
Photo: Patricia Elaine Thomas/Shutterstock
Another desert destination is the always elegant Palm Springs, with more mid-century modern homes in one place than anywhere else. The houses include one of our favorite airbnbs for large groups and several airbnbs for eight or more guests. Palm Springs accommodations of all types come with refreshing swimming pools, guaranteeing happy kids. Come evening, the kids will also appreciate the holiday-timed Wildlights at the Living Desert Zoo.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s longest rotating tram, whizzes you for 10 minutes up to 8,516 feet in the St. Jacinto Mountains. Bring your jackets to enjoy the view or to set out for excellent hiking options in the cooler altitudes. Meanwhile, golfers can book tee times at public courses where the pros play, among them the Pete Dye Mountain Course and the Stadium Course. The Escena Golf Club is more reasonably priced and its clubhouse is another mid-century marvel.
In fact, if the mid-century vibe inspires you, explore the Architecture and Design offerings at the Palm Springs Art Museum. It’s free to kids under 18, who’ll appreciate items like Frank Gehry’s “Wiggle Chair.” The entire museum is worth a visit, featuring some of the most influential artists of that last half-century.
A version of this article was previously published on October 10, 2018, and was updated on October 14, 2021, with more information.
More like thisParks + WildernessThe most beautiful deserts in the US to visit in winter for rocks, cactuses, and snowGet grandpa and grandma on TikTok for a chance to win a luxury Caribbean vacay
Your quirky grandparent could be your ticket to a free Caribbean vacation with the help of the TikTok algorithm.
Beaches Resort is offering an all-expense paid six-day, five-night trip at any of its resorts located in either Jamaica or Turks and Caicos. The company is searching for a “Grandfluencer” for their GrandEscapes sweepstakes. It’s time to teach granny your favorite TikTok dance that’ll be on everyone’s For You Page. All you have to do is follow @BeachesResorts, add #BeachesGrandEscapes to your caption, and complete a form on the BEACHES website.
The winner will have the chance to meet one of the biggest grandfluencers on TikTok, @OurFilipinoGrandma, and use those skills to make another TikTok while at the resort.
@ourfilipinograndmaShooters shoot… send this to your crush, we dare you 👀 ##GrannyGotGame – Part 15! ##donda ##pickuplines ##pickupline ##filipinograndmas ##🇵🇭👵🏽♬ heat waves – favsoundds
You and your family will indulge in fine dining, water and land sports, a family photo-shoot and the choice of either a complimentary Sesame Street Character Breakfast, a Red Lane Spa manicure for two, or a ‘Kitty Katt’ Catamaran Cruise.
Don’t miss your chance to enter! The sweepstakes ends on November 11, so it’s time to get to work on that choreo. Be sure to review the rules before entering.
Interactive photos show what sea level rise in 30 major cities could look like
Climate change is impacting every part of life, from what we eat and what we drink, to wildlife and the natural landscape. And while prediction models vary, one thing has become painfully obvious over the past few decades: The world’s great cities are no exception to the list of things at risk by a higher average temperatures and more extreme weather events.
A new study and set of visualizations published by the independent organization Climate Central puts rising sea levels due to climate change into perspective. Using global elevation and population data, the researchers measured what cities would look like depending on the predicted increase. The model spans from where the world is at now to a worst case scenario of a 4 degrees Celsius rise in temperature and global mean sea level rise (the true rise in specific locations would vary greatly) of 8.9 meters (about 40 feet).
China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam are the most at risk in this model, but they’re not alone. The researchers write that “at least one large nation on every continent but Australia and Antarctica would face exceptionally high exposure.” In all, at least one-tenth, and up to two-thirds, of the current population could be below the tide line in the coming centuries.
Countries and cities are handling the threat of rising sea levels and storms in different ways, from mangrove forests in Miami to oyster beds in New York City. The full extent is yet to be seen, but without action major cities around the world will become the proverbial frog in boiling water unable to get themselves out of a man-made mess.
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Asheville, NC: Mindful travel guide
3 mindful ways to experience Asheville, NCText by Molly Harris | Photo by Visit AshevilleIt’s undeniable that Asheville, North Carolina, has made a name for itself — as a hippie haven for the outdoors, a colorful town set within the Blue Ridge Mountains, brimming with eclectic restaurants and award-winning breweries, mountainside trails and world-class rivers, plentiful Art Deco architecture and vibrant storefronts. (And one French Renaissance castle, of course.)
The roll call of attractions delivered by this city of fewer than 100,000 is unparalleled. Such that, it pays to be mindful of how you spend your time when you visit. Mindful travel — isn’t that what so many of us are yearning for in 2021? When you come to Asheville, focus on supporting local, minority-owned businesses; explore wild trails in the area where it’s easy to Leave No Trace; and seek out the genuine mom-and-pop shops that deserve your patronage. When you make the journey to Asheville, here’s how to make it count.
This post is proudly produced in partnership with Explore Asheville.
Supporting Asheville’s diverse communities Ginger's Revenge Noir Collective AVL Chai Pani Restaurant Supporting minority-owned businesses in Asheville won’t constrain you. If anything, it’ll provide a richer, more inspiring look at the city — after all, creativity happens in the margins. From outrageous sneakers to out-of-this-world ciders, here’s what you can expect when you dive into the fare of Asheville’s most innovative residents.Black-owned shops
Check out the historic Black business district known as “The Block” and you’ll see how Asheville fuses art with style. Noir Collective AVL, a Black-owned boutique, features artwork by Black artists as well as books, jewelry, and other thoughtful, curated gifts made by Black artisans, authors, and entrepreneurs. Sole82, a downtown boutique managed by Black women, showcases walls of rare sneakers framed by work from local artists, and they even do direct-to-garment printing.
Beyond talking with your wallet, make time to step inside the YMI Cultural Center and check out their featured exhibits on local African American history and African culture. It also hosts the annual Goombay Festival, where everything African-Caribbean takes over the senses for one free weekend each fall.
Liquid creationsInstead of hopping on a brewery tour covering Asheville’s most-visited stops, create your own itinerary of minority-owned establishments:
Black Mountain Ciderworks + Meadery is something of a specialty brewery and taproom — the Black brewmasters use local fruits and honey to make their dry ciders and session meads. There’s apple, of course, but you’ll also taste strawberry, peach, and pomegranate, and even notes of coffee, watermelon, mint, and sage.Ginger’s Revenge is another hotspot of creativity, this time with ginger beer. The majority woman-owned brewery makes a mean classic recipe, but definitely try the cranberry with rosemary, sage and thyme, and hibiscus-lavender varieties.The Getaway River Bar, LGBTQ+ owned, is an ultra-popular watering hole. It’s set right on the French Broad River, and the bar holds all kinds of fun events, like Turntable Tuesdays and Sunday drag shows.Getting your eat onIf enjoying a sweet treat with an afternoon cup of coffee is more your speed, drop in at GRIND AVL. The fire-engine-red storefront leads to a bright coworking space that doubles as an incubator for Asheville’s Black Wall Street. Pair a cuppa with any decadent treat from the Black- and female-owned AVL Cake Lady. Expect the city’s best cake by the slice, cupcakes, cookies, and more — like their signature Strawberry Crunch Cake (three layers with cheesecake in the center).
For lunch and dinner options, scope out the work of James Beard-nominated chef and Indian immigrant Meherwan Irani. He’s one of the driving forces behind popular Buxton Hall Barbecue and the co-founder and owner of Chai Pani, along with his wife, Molly. Chai Pani serves up Indian street snacks, or chaat, which make for a wonderful light lunch, as well as platters known as thalis. And, just for the record, he hasn’t been nominated once — he’s been nominated four times.
Photo credits: Matthew Westmoreland/Ginger’s Revenge, Kai Lendzion/Noir Collective AVL, Lauren Van Epps/Chai Pani, Sole82, Matthew Westmoreland/Ginger’s Revenge, and Jack Sorokin/Chai Pani.Caring for Asheville’s great outdoors Blue Ridge Hiking Company Blue Ridge Parkway This city, cradled in a valley surrounded by national forests, ancient rivers, state parks, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, calls to all lovers of nature. But with such stunning landscapes comes responsibility — it’s the job of mindful visitors to leave no trace so that future travelers find these special places in the same state (if not better!) as we do. With your pack-in / pack-out gear in tow, here’s where a day in Asheville’s great outdoors might lead.Hiking the trails
Start your experience at a local visitor center, like the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center or the WNC Nature Center. That way, before your boots hit the ground, you’ll learn a little bit about how this is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, as well as what you can do to help protect it.
From there, hundreds of trail miles snake through the area, though those that wend off the Blue Ridge Parkway offer a two-fer on the bucket list. For something quick and ultra accessible, check out the Craggy Gardens Trail. Easy-to-moderate and just under two miles long, its high elevation leads to a stunning forested landscape of wildflowers and rock-studded terrain. Peak baggers, meanwhile, will want to tackle Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River — it’s roughly two miles to the top (from the state park office). And anyone looking for a signature North Carolina waterfall should visit Catawba Falls, south of Mount Mitchell. This moderately difficult hike is three miles round-trip, but the cascading falls make the journey seem all too short and sweet.
Spinning those wheelsAsheville is arguably the best cycling city in the South. Here’s why:
Road cyclists can take to the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, a massive linear park managed by the US National Park Service that’s one of the most scenic stretches of pavement in the country. Expect breathtaking views, and not because of the grade. The moderate climbs fall right in the pocket — challenging, yes, but nothing that isn’t too forgiving.The magnificent Biltmore Estate offers 20 miles of trails, giving riders a less-common avenue for exploring America’s largest home.Mountain biking doesn’t get much better than right here. Kolo Bike Park specializes in beginner-friendly singletrack with jump lines and solid challenge elements; the pros, though, head to Bent Creek.Getting on the waterSurrounded by river systems that are some of the oldest on Earth, Asheville hits the water lottery. From Class V whitewater to quiet brook streams, let these ancient waterways show you a good time.
The rivers and streams of Pisgah National Forest offer world-class fly fishing; outfitters like Asheville Fly Fishing Company or Brown Trout Fly Fishing can set you up for this serene adventure.Wai Mauna’s SUP tours stretch for four miles along the River Arts District. The sunrise tour (5:30am!) is excellent, but any time you go, the views will deliver.You could float down the French Broad River with Zen Tubing; hit up Asheville Outdoor Center for a kayaking trip; or go canyoneering, rafting, or even climbing with French Broad Adventures.Photo credits: Blue Ridge Hiking Company, James Aloysius Mahan V/Shutterstock, TierneyMJ/Shutterstock, Visit Asheville, and Kyle Ellison/Wai Mauna SUP Tours Keeping it local in Asheville Hood Huggers Vivian Element Asheville Asheville wasn’t always topping every best-of list there is. Forty years ago, downtown was a bust. That 1920s architecture that’s so prized today? The city didn’t have enough money to tear it down. But then, something happened: Locals got together and created something special. Today, Asheville’s locally owned businesses are still highly supportive of one another — and they deserve our support when we visit. Here’s where and how.Where to stayTucked away in Claxton Community, the 1889 WhiteGate Inn dates back to that year — though it wasn’t always LGBTQ-owned. Luxurious rooms, suites, and private cottages make up the lodging options, and the grounds come with waterfalls, a koi pond, and breakfast served in the garden.
Reynolds Mansion rakes in similar accolades: Built in 1847 and LGBTQ-owned as well, this red-brick masterpiece offers spectacular views from its expansive porches, where guests can slowly sip coffee or enjoy a leisurely, Southern-style breakfast.
If you’re looking for something with a distinctly 21st-century flavor, check out the brand new Element Downtown Asheville. A Marriott property, it’s owned by local hotel-management firm Virtelle Hospitality, founded by Indian immigrant and Asheville local Bhangwanji “Bob” Patel.
Where to shopStart in the River Arts District, a bright neighborhood where many of the city’s creatives live and work. And that’s not just a generic claim — renovated mills now serve as studios and galleries for more than 200 working artists. Stroll through and you may even get a chance to meet the artists themselves.
In addition to Noir Collective AVL mentioned above, check out Lost Objects, Found Treasures, more affectionately known as L.O.F.T. You might call it a gift shop — it’s owned by Katie Skinner, a local with an eclectic taste for all kinds of items, from stickers and self-care products to chandeliers and clothing. Then there’s Asheville Bee Charmer, a downtown boutique selling small-batch honey, though you’ll probably wind up at the tasting bar (50+ varieties of the sweet stuff!). Similarly, Spice & Tea Merchants, a Black-owned shop, has a wonderful collection of teas, spices, and other gourmet items. The passionate staff can help you dream up custom mixes, too.
Where to dineWhite Duck Taco Shop and John Fleer’s Rhubarb are legendary, but let’s talk a few lesser-known spots that still feel totally Asheville:
Located in The Block, Benne on Eagle is another John Fleer brainchild, a sleek and modern Southern restaurant with Cleophus “Ophus” Hethington at the helm as the chef de cuisine.Vivian, in the River Arts District, creates stunning modern plates in an industrial-chic setting, serving up everything from roasted bone marrow to the classic chicken dinner. Josiah and Shannon McGaughey are the husband-and-wife team behind the scenes.Foothills Butcher Bar in Black Mountain — just east of Asheville — is a boutique butcher shop with a “whole animal philosophy.” Locally supplied and of the highest quality, the straightforward menu focuses on excellent deli sandwiches, juicy burgers, and next-level hot dogs. Bonus: Spot their food truck at Hi-Wire Brewing.Tours“Tours” can conjure up images of too-hot bus rides and microphone feedback. Not so in Asheville — hop on a tour and you’ll get a local’s perspective and a short-and-sweet dive into a topic bound to pique your curiosity.
Sherry Masters, a former gallery manager and buyer, now runs Art Connections. She takes visitors inside the studios of metal, glass, clay, and wood artists, among others, for a behind-the-scenes look.No Taste Like Home Foraging Tours will teach you how to identify and harvest delicious wild foods from Asheville’s outdoors. You’ll then enjoy a cooking lesson plus tasting based on your harvest!A woman-owned business, Blue Ridge Hiking Company leads both day hikes and multi-day tours into the surrounding wilderness. This is a great option for solo travelers looking for like-minded company and serious time on the trail.Hood Huggers offers tours of Asheville’s Black history with an eye toward the city’s art scene. Nowhere else will you get this intimate of a portrait of “Affrilachia.”Photo credits: Catherine Campbell/Hood Huggers, Matt Burkhartt/Vivian, Barry Harley Photography/Element Asheville Downtown, Ellie Schreiner/L.O.F.T., Johnny Autry/Benne on Eagle, and Steve Mann/Hood HuggersThis post is proudly produced in partnership with Explore Asheville.
The US land border is finally reopening to travelers from Canada and Mexico
Fully vaccinated travelers from Canada and Mexico will soon be allowed to cross the US land border to enter the country, the White House announced on Tuesday.
The US land borders with Canada and Mexico will reopen to non-essential travelers early November, although a precise date has not been released just yet. The decision, which ends the strict travel restrictions that started in March 2020, covers land borders and ferry crossings.
Canada has eased its overland crossings for non-essential fully vaccinated US travelers on August 9, 2021, however, certain requirements are still needed to enter the Great White North.
According to France 24, starting early January, the US will require all travelers, including those classified as essential, to be vaccinated to enter the country. Essential visitors to the US, such as truck drivers, do not currently need to be vaccinated.
On Monday, September 20, the White House relaxed the US’s air travel restrictions to allow fully vaccinated, non-essential travelers from 33 countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Greece,Britain, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran, and Brazil.
These airlines want to send you to Expo 2020 Dubai for free
Following a yearlong delay due to COVID-19 concerns, Expo 2020 is officially on. The world’s fair opened in Dubai at the start of this month, making the United Arab Emirates the first Middle Eastern country to host the event in its 170-year history. In honor of the occasion, the nation’s flag carriers, Emirates and Etihad, are giving away free Expo tickets with select bookings.
Flying Emirates was already a dream for many travelers. The airline is consistently ranked as one of the world’s best, owing to its stellar service and famously luxurious premium cabins. (Hello, lie-flat seats and three-course meals.) The current offer of complimentary Expo passes only sweetens the deal. From now to March 31, 2022, Emirates passengers traveling to Dubai in first or business class, or who’ve booked a Special, Saver, Flex, or Flex Plus economy ticket, can claim a one-day Expo pass to be redeemed on the day of their choosing. Even travelers with a layover in Dubai lasting six or more hours are eligible for a day pass.
Etihad is running a similar promotion. All passengers flying into or connecting via Abu Dhabi, the Emirati capital, will be offered a free ticket to Expo 2020 Dubai until the event ends next March. An easy commute on the ground, Abu Dhabi is only 45 minutes from Dubai by car.
There’s also another way travelers can score Expo tickets, along with a free trip there. The radio show AfroZons has partnered with Dubai’s tourism board to create a giveaway for fans of the Afrobeat genre. Seventy lucky winners will have their flights, accommodations, airport transfers, tours, and visas covered for a weeklong trip to Dubai next March. They’ll be joined by famous on-air personalities from across Africa and the United States.
Whether or not Dubai was on your bucket list before, Expo 2020 is a once-in-a-lifetime reason to visit now. Just remember to choose your airline carefully. After all, if you’re going to shell out for a long flight to the United Arab Emirates, you might as well get your Expo passes for free.
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