Matador Network's Blog, page 565
October 11, 2021
The most stunning Airbnbs in Polanco, Mexico City’s most international neighborhood
Polanco is the most sophisticated, cosmopolitan, and international neighborhood of Mexico City. Centrally located, it hosts important museums including the National Museum of Anthropology, Museo Tamayo, Museo Soumaya, and the Museo Nacional de Historia, among others. There are ample art galleries and incredible dining options. the Avenida Presidente Masaryk is often called “the Fifth Avenue of Mexico City.” Part of the legendary Bosque de Chapultepec (the oldest and largest urban park in Latin America, and one of the oldest urban parks in the world) is in Polanco. Now that you’ve decided this is the perfect place for your stay, we’ll help you find the right place to stay. These are the best Airbnbs in Polanco.
See Matador’s full guide to the best Mexico City Airbnbs, and the best Mexico City Airbnbs for Dia de los Muertos.
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.
Private Zen suite filled with light and love, perfect for couples
Photo: Airbnb
Located a block from Masaryk Avenue and the Polanco subway, this suite is very spacious and relaxing, it has lots of natural light and plants, and an independent balcony shaded by an old tree. There are tons of restaurants and coffee shops in the neighborhood. Former guests have given many compliments to this place and its host, but our favorite is probably “for a couple it would be a magical retreat. For an individual, it would be a perfect sanctuary.” As far as Polanco Airbnbs go, this one is convenient and budget-friendly.
Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $193 for three-night minimum stay
Photo: Airbnb
Clean, spacious, safe, modern, and centrally located apartment with amazing views of one of the most populated cities in the world. Honestly, we don’t think you’ll need anything else to have a wonderful stay. Except for the incredible taqueria located up the street, and if you really feel like optimizing your “penthouse” experience, a dinner reservation at the acclaimed Pujol.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $511 for two-night minimum stay
Photo: Airbnb
The decoration of this blue and yellow apartment was inspired by a fusion between the old Yucatan haciendas and Mexico City’s interior design of the mid-1970s, which will make your stay extra fun. Fully equipped and close to everything, there is no elevator, so make sure you pack light. Polanco Airbnbs are known for being within walking distance to all three meals you’ll eat in a day, and for that, there’s no better option than this unit.
Ten guests, three bedrooms
Price: $228 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This property feels like a home away from home. It’s cozy, spacious, and it has a private terrace with a grill, and everything else a family with young kids will need for a fun, comfy stay. It even has indoor parking. Not that you’ll need it, because your right in the middle of one of the most walkable areas of the city.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $562 for two-night minimum
Photo: Airbnb
This place has it all — comfort, space, safety, high-quality equipment, a well-stocked bookcase. And views — you’ll relax each evening overlooking the surrounding Polanco neighborhood and the CDMX skyline. Walk to dinner and drinks, and enjoy plenty of space for your entire crew.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price $445 per night
Photo: Airbnb
If you’re looking for a super clean, fully equipped place (think washer and dryer if you’re traveling with kids), with amazing amenities (pool, roof garden), private security, and great comfort (high-quality mattresses and bedding), you’ve found it with this apartment. Surrounded by malls, restaurants, and coffee shops, the highlight is probably the balcony where one can enjoy the depth of Mexico City’s sunsets.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $189 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Located only two blocks away from Museo Soumaya and surrounded by malls and restaurants, this apartment is beautiful in design and decor. Former guests have loved its floor-to-ceiling windows that allow lots of natural light and ventilation. You’ll have easy access to some of the neighborhood’s best taquerias as well as higher-end establishments, and lots of options when it’s time for a cold Modelo.
Two guests, one-bedroom
Price: $56 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This high-end penthouse is everything you come to Polanco for. Convenient, luxurious, and with expansive views of Mexico’s iconic capital, the accommodations are glitzy and deserved. There’s lots of space to lounge, and plenty of reasons to raise a toast to your stay in one of the world’s coolest neighborhoods. 
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $1,306 for two-night minimum stay
The renaissance of Billings, Montana, has made it a hub for fresh food, brew, and bikes
SITUATED ON the plains of south-central Montana and sprinkled with oil refineries, on paper, Billings doesn’t hold the same appeal as the state’s rugged, mountainous, and notoriously scenic cities like Bozeman and Missoula. However, it turns out that the state’s most populous city (109,843) is called “Montana’s Trailhead” for a reason. Over the last 18 months, more and more remote workers from big cities around the U.S. are discovering its appeal. With its many breweries, creative cuisine, and outdoor recreation offerings, Billings is becoming a hub — and it’s about time.
“I’m 30 minutes from world-class trout steams,” says Nick Sheen, chef and general manager at Walkers Grill, which in itself encapsulates all that is surprisingly enticing about Billings. “I can mountain bike all around me. I’m an hour away from skiing. On top of it all, I have an incredible education system for my kid. There’s more culture here, too, because it’s a bigger city than a Bozeman or a Missoula.“
The recent wave of remote workers has begun setting up shop around town – in local coffee shops, breweries, and distilleries (the Billings Brew Trail is a mile-long stretch in downtown along which you can hit 11 breweries and distilleries). They’ve even begun saddling up at Walkers’ bar.
“They sit themselves in the corner of the bar and work from here,” Sheen says. “When Covid hit and people got to work remotely, some people were like, home can be anywhere, why not Billings? It’s not as beautiful as Bozeman, but damn, it’s pretty. It’s also affordable. I have a friend who just moved back from Seattle. He sold his 1,200-square-foot townhome there for a million dollars and bought a brand new, 3,000-square-foot home here for a half million.”
Sheen is a Billings native. He spent 13 years living in Big Sky and Bozeman and turned down job offers in Austin and San Diego for the opportunity to move back to Billings and take up the role of executive chef at the historic Northern Hotel before moving onto the opportunity at Walkers.
“After working at dude ranches and hotels, I wanted to do my own thing,” Sheen says. “I didn’t want to be pigeonholed. We’re trying to make ourselves relevant in a regional market. We’re in Billings, so we have to do some things that people expect. If you live in Billings and don’t serve steak, you’ll be in trouble. But most steakhouses are buying beef from the same company, so for us, it was time to be something new. We can tell you exactly where our steak comes from. We can source-verify everything on our menu.”
Billings’ largest industry, as it turns out, is not oil, but agriculture. This is evident every Saturday from spring through fall when several blocks of downtown become a sea of tents selling fresh produce, cheese, meat, fish, honey, sauces, crepes, chocolate and tasty treats of all sorts at the Yellowstone Valley Farmers Market. Walkers’ menu changes regularly depending on what is seasonally fresh, but in late September, you’ll find succulent pork soaked in sliced apples so sweet the dish is reminiscent of a fresh Danish, crispy brussels sprouts bursting with flavor from one of Sheen’s secret sauces and eye-popping whiskey cocktails tinged with festive autumn spice. A semifinalist for a James Beard award, Sheen has quickly gained notoriety as one of the finest chefs in Big Sky Country.
Billings restaurants rival ‘mountain hip’ scenes in Bozeman, Missoula
Photo: Walkers Grill/Facebook
“The cool thing is, there’s still all of the stereotypical elements you’d expect to find here,” Sheen says. “This is a blue-collar town. This is an oil town, a cattle town. We still have cattle drives. This is a place of working-class people. For the younger of us, we want to put our heads down and do a good job of keeping it real but also making it new and exciting.”
While Walkers is Billings’ fine-dining standout, it’s not downtown’s only farm fresh culinary haunt that ventures beyond the boundaries of the predictable, overpriced steakhouse. Bin 119 puts a creative, gourmet spin on pub fare, its lunch dishes (ex. crab cake burger slathered in housemade coconut curry sauce or cheesy chicken & artichoke panini) filling and affordable. The elevated comfort food at The Marble Table sees a line out the door on weekends and the savory and sweet varieties of waffle-pressed biscuits at The Sassy Biscuit hit the spot on cold mornings as do the mountainous skillets (including a vegetarian-friendly version with meatless sausage) at Bernie’s Diner. Sweet tooths shouldn’t miss the salted caramel chocolate balls at Brockel’s, which has quietly been conjuring up local chocolate treats for 40-plus years.
Breweries in Billings craft innovative sudsOf Billings’ impressively robust lineup of breweries, Uberbrew is a step ahead, especially its Great American Beer Festival gold-medal-winning unfiltered wheat beer (White Noise) paired with a giant pretzel. With two locations in downtown, Thirsty Street Brewing is another hot spot, its Lemon Drop sour a refreshing sipper for warm afternoons and its rotating porter reliably warming on cold days.
Outdoor recreation driving Billings modern economy
Photo: The Spoke Shop/Facebook
Contrary to what you may have heard and even to your own view across the horizon, Billings is not entirely surrounded by plains. A wall of stunning sandstone cliffs – the Rimrocks – enclose the northwestern side of the city. Swords Park, featuring a few miles of paved trails and footpaths among its sandstone dunes, offer sweeping panoramas of the city for walkers and runners.
Zimmerman Park, also located atop the Rimrocks, features about 15 miles of singletrack, much of it hilly and technical, meandering in and out of hidden pine forests, a pedal-in paradise for mountain bikers as well as trail runners. The city’s mountain bike scene is quickly gaining traction thanks to its resident bike shop (which happens to be the largest in Montana) – The Spoke Shop. Shop owner Dean Cromwell along with his family and team of avid mountain bikers (who regularly race e-bikes on local trails and are not afraid to catch air or rip through rock gardens) spearheaded and built the Acton Recreation Area. Lying about 30 miles outside of Billings at the end of a gravel road, Acton is a true oasis disguised amid the plains, home to 30 miles of pristine singletrack full of flowy turns, jumps, pine forests and rocky valleys. Pictograph Cave State Park is another gem located just 8 miles from downtown Billings, home to a series of caves marked with 2,000-year-old rock art by the area’s earliest human inhabitants.
Keep in mind that the Yellowstone River runs directly threw town, sections of its water and tributaries prized among anglers for trout fishing and others offering tranquil stretches of paddling and even swimming (Duck Creek) in the summer months.
Lastly, for winter sports, Red Lodge is one of Montana’s best-kept secrets. Its ski area offers nearly 2,000 feet of vertical and about 60 trails, its daily lift tickets about a third the price of most resorts. The charming town of Red Lodge lies less than an hour’s drive from Billings and also serves as the nearest gateway to Yellowstone National Park (an additional two hours’ drive on the stunningly beautiful Beartooth Pass, which is closed in winter), and abounds with numerous hikes, mountain bike trails and alpine lakes accessible from the city in less than two hours.
“Billings is definitely coming out on the map as a cool place to live,” Sheen says. “For people coming from a big metropolitan area, it’s not too big, not too small. Any kind of recreation you want is less than an hour away. We have more award-winning breweries than most cities, great food, culture and a super-easy airport. It’s a comfortable life here.”
October 8, 2021
Taste the bounty of America’s coasts with these sustainable, direct-to-you seafood sellers
Briny oysters straight out of the ocean and fillets of rich orange, nutrient-packed salmon are undisputed culinary delights. Yet for the more environmentally conscious diner, it might be difficult to justify indulging in the more decadent gifts our oceans, which commercial fishing is rapidly depleting, have to offer.
You don’t have to swear off seafood if you care about the health of our oceans, though. Thankfully, there’s certified sustainable seafood that’s harvested by hand or fresh caught by small boating operations that don’t overfish or put other wildlife at risk. Products from these providers can be found all over the country — and some is available to ship right to your door.
Perhaps wild-caught Alaskan salmon or Maine lobster would make a spectacular feature at your next dinner party. Or maybe you’re just in the mood to treat yourself to the sweet and succulent flavors of Dungeness crab with a side of Massachusetts oysters. No matter what you’re craving, the gift of mouth-watering seafood from coast to coast is just a click away for anyone, anywhere in the country.
Wild caught king salmon fillets from Wild Alaska Salmon & Seafood Company
Photo: Wild Alaska Salmon and Seafood/Facebook
Wild Alaska Salmon & Seafood sources all its wild-caught salmon from Bristol Bay, Alaska. Its fishing methods are designed to catch only sustainably resourced salmon and leave other wildlife unharmed. The fish are cleaned and processed by hand and then flash frozen, and fishing only takes place during the season in June and July.
The website offers nationwide shipping on all sorts of other goodies, including Alaskan halibut and sea scallops, but perhaps its most lavish and splurge-worthy offering are its boxes of wild-caught Alaskan king salmon fillets. It’s the perfect gift for the homecook who wants to sharpen their skills by preparing an epic feast for their family and friends.
Wild king salmon fillets 5-pound box: $205
Wild-caught, Pacific Northwest smoked albacore tuna from Fishwife
Photo: Fishwife/Facebook
Tuna is one of the most popular fish on the planet, but the number of tuna in the ocean has rapidly declined over recent years. A more sustainable way to eat seafood is to opt for tinned fish, and Fishwife Tinned Seafood Co. sells sustainable, elegantly packaged options. The woman-owned company promises ethically sourced fish — which includes rainbow trout and salmon as well as albacore tuna — from small boat operations, sustainable aquaculture farms, and micro canneries in Idaho and the Pacific coast. The company’s tuna is hook-and-line caught in the Pacific Northwest, and canned by hand in Oregon.
Wild caught albacore tuna 3-pack: $24
Kelp from Atlantic Sea Farms in Maine
Photo: Atlantic Sea Farms/Facebook
Atlantic kelp is packed with calcium, iron, and magnesium, among other vitamins and minerals. While the vast majority of kelp is imported from Asia, Atlantic Sea Farms provides a domestic option. Based in Maine, the company farms its own kelp rather than harvests from wild kelp beds that already face climate change-related stress. Atlantic Sea Farms also works with Maine fishermen to start their own kelp farms, which helps reduce ocean acidification.
So how can you integrate kelp into your diet? Ready-cut kelp can be added to salads, used as a topping for tacos or pizza, or add an extra element of flavor and texture to seafood dishes like baked salmon. For the homecook who wants to add some unexpected flair to the typical weeknight fare, the gift of sustainable sea kelp might be just the ticket.
Seaweed variety pack: $45
Island Creek Oysters from Massachusetts
Photo: Island Creek Oysters/Facebook
While oysters are plentiful in North America, and there are many notable oyster regions, it’s important to be mindful of how they’re farmed and sourced. Island Creek Oysters are farmed on the muddy flats of Duxbury Bay, Massachusetts, and the company does the entire process, from harvest to packaging.
Oysters are the perfect gift for culinary minded people who enjoy indulging in the occasional luxury. Oysters add to the ambience of special occasions, making them the ideal addition to holiday celebrations. Island Creek Oysters offers overnight shipping of its signature Duxbury oysters for maximum freshness.
Duxbury Island Creek Oysters 50 count: $110
Luke’s Live Maine Lobster: Maine
Photo: Luke’s Lobster/Facebook
Luke’s might be a chain of lobster shacks these days, but sustainability is still part of the company’s mission through a transparent food chain from harvest to plate. Luke’s sources from strictly regulated populations that aren’t at risk of overfishing, and the lobsters are purchased from individual fishermen or fishermen’s co-ops. The company also runs on 100 percent renewable energy.
Lobster is terrific centerpiece for a lavish meal, and gifting the eager homecook in your life with fresh lobster is like giving a royal banquet. Rest assured that your dinner is supporting efforts to ensure that lobster dinners will still be on the table for generations to come.
Pair of live Maine lobsters: $105
Dungeness crab from Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle
Photo: Pike Place/Facebook
Since 1930, Seattle’s legendary Pike Place Fish Market has been slinging fresh seafood sourced from the waters of the Pacific Northwest. Rest assured that the seafood here adheres to high sustainability standards based on the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Sustainability Guide. Pike Place Fish Market sells only sustainable wild caught salmon due to concerns that salmon aquaculture harms the surrounding environment.
While Seattle is known for its salmon, this is the time to consider whole Dungeness crab. The tender, slightly sweet meat of Dungeness crab offers plenty of opportunities to test out new recipes. Pike Place Fish Market offers overnight nationwide shipping through Gold Belly, so your crab gets to you as fresh as possible.
Whole cooked Dungeness crab 1.75 pounds: $60
This Boston tour is the dream itinerary for fans of Aerosmith
On September 8, 2022, Boston legends Aerosmith will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a homecoming gig at Fenway Park. While this may or may not be the final Aerosmith show, it is their only North American date currently scheduled. Whether you plan to attend the gig or not, there are still dozens of places in and around Boston steeped in Aerosmith history. We picked 11 places in Boston for fans of Aerosmith that they can easily visit without a car.
Here is a chronological list of apartment buildings, hotels, universities, and train stations that have been immortalized by the undisputed biggest rock band to ever come out of Boston.
Joey Kramer’s old apartment near Fenway Park
Photo: Author
After being asked not to come back to the now-defunct Chamberlayne Junior College for having a girl in his dorm room, Joey Kramer got an apartment at 855 Beacon Street. In his 2009 autobiography, he referred to the address as “a bong’s throw from Boston University.” It was early 1970, and Joey was struggling to pay the rent on the $56 per week he earned working in the Prudential Insurance duplicating department.
The brownstone building near Fenway Park is still standing, but the peace sign that Joey proudly hung in the window facing Beacon Street is no longer there. Please be respectful as this is a private residence.
Where: 855 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02215
Nearest T station: Fenway
Photo: Author
1325 Commonwealth Avenue is listed on nearly every rock-and-roll road map. The Aerosmith members settled here after arriving in Boston. Tyler and Perry wrote their first song together (“Movin’ Out”) on a waterbed in the living room. In his 2014 autobiography, Joe Perry refers to the Allston neighborhood as “the student ghetto.” And many locals still think of it that way.
There’s a green plaque outside the main entrance marking perhaps the most important spot in Boston for fans of Aerosmith. In November 2012, the band to play a free show promoting their last studio album, Music From Another Dimension.
Where: 1325 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02134
Nearest T station: Allston Street
Photo: Author
The first proper Aerosmith rehearsal space was in the basement of the girls’ dorm at Boston University. In his 2014 autobiography, Joe Perry mentions 500 Commonwealth Ave as the address. Today, the Hotel Commonwealth occupies the building at the corner of Commonwealth and Kenmore. According to Steven Tyler, they would rehearse there until 4:30 PM and then catch a ride back to the apartment so they could be home in time to watch The Three Stooges at 5 PM. Nowadays, the B trolley line will get you from one spot to the other in under 20 minutes.
Where: 500 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
Nearest T station: Kenmore
Photo: Author
John Mayer, Quincy Jones, and Aerosmith have more in common besides being famous multi-grammy award-winning musicians. Like Mayer and Jones, Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford is a graduate of the world-renowned Berklee College of Music. Since its inception, 125 Berklee alumni have received more than 300 grammy awards.
Whitford graduated in 1971, which is the same year that Joey Kramer quit the college. 1971 is also the year Whitford joined Aerosmith, completing the lineup that still endures 50 years later. Berklee does not offer tours to the general public, although you can visit their bookstore.
Where: 1090 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215
Nearest T station: Hynes Convention Center
Photo: Author
After being evicted from the more well-known Aerosmith apartment, the band moved into another place at 39 Kent Street. By that point, Joe and Joey were living with their girlfriends. The rest of the band stayed in this red brick building at the corner of Webster and Kent until they started making rock-star money.
According to Steven Tyler’s 2004 autobiography, at that time the band were still just getting by. He described his room at 39 Kent as a “psychedelic cave.” It was during this period that they made some rough recordings of songs like “Walkin’ the Dog” that would eventually appear on their eponymous debut album.
Please be respectful as this is a private residence.
Where: 39 Kent Street, Brookline, MA 02445
Nearest T station: Brookline Village
Photo: Author
In Steven Tyler’s 2004 autobiography, he mentions the band staying in “the Hilton by the airport” to finish their first album. According to Tyler, he finished the “Dream On” lyrics there. While the original Hilton was destroyed in the late 90s to make way for the road that now leads to Logan International Airport, Tyler has been spotted at least once in the 21st-century Hilton by the airport. The daytime valet guy has been at the Hilton Logan for decades and recalls sharing the elevator with Tyler around the same time that Aerosmith played a free show in front of their Allston apartment building.
Where: 1 Hotel Drive, Boston, MA 02128
Nearest T station: Airport
Photo: Author
By the mid-1970s, Aerosmith had reached their first peak. In his 2009 autobiography, Joey Kramer describes getting a check for $275,000 and buying an $8,000 Corvette with $100 bills. He “needed a place to hang his hat in Boston” and settled at 21 James Street in Brookline. Joey describes this period as “life on the edge, every day.” He had a Playboy Bunny girlfriend and started every weekend by purchasing an ounce of cocaine along with a quart of Stoli vodka. From there, he claims that he would watch three days pass by from the same spot.
The apartment was on the first floor. Please be respectful as this is a private residence.
Where: 21 James Street, Brookline, MA 02446
Nearest T station: Saint Paul Street
Photo: Author
By the early 1980s, Joe Perry was out of Aerosmith and playing 100-seat venues with the short-lived Joe Perry Project. After separating from his first wife, he moved to the North End with the help of future Aerosmith manager Tim Collins.
According to his 2014 autobiography, Joe lived on cannoli from Mike’s Pastry during his time in the North End. He did not mention whether or not he waited in line like everyone else. Nowadays, you can’t walk along Hanover Street without noticing the long line of eager patrons waiting to sample one of the 19 different cannoli flavors.
Where: 300 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113
Nearest T station: Haymarket
Photo: Author
The final track on the Joe Perry Project’s sophomore album is a nod to Boston’s main bus and railway station. In “South Station Blues,” Perry sings of “Sittin’ at the railway station, destination far behind.” While 1981 marked a low point in Joe’s professional career, “South Station Blues” was one of the few Project tracks to make it onto the 1991 Aerosmith compilation, “Pandora’s Box.”
Along with North Station and Back Bay, South Station is one of the main railway stations in Boston. The red and silver MBTA lines stop here, as do all Amtrak lines passing through Boston. Unfortunately, we don’t know which platform Joe was referring to in the song.
Where: 700 Atlantic Avenue – Boston, MA 02110
The Revolution Hotel
Photo: Author
The “Dream On” lyrics may have been finished at the “Hilton by the airport,” but today, the words “Dream On” adorn the wall in many of the rooms at the South End Revolution Hotel. This artsy Provenance hotel is less than a half-mile from Back Bay Station.
If you’re planning to do this itinerary, we suggest staying here, as you’ll have convenient access to Amtrak as well as the trolley and orange line. From the Revolution, you can visit any place in this list (except for the Hilton) without a car.
Where: 40 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116
Nearest T station: Back Bay
Photo: Felix Mizioznikov/Shutterstock
On September 8, 2022, Aerosmith will celebrate their 50th anniversary with the band’s first performance at Fenway Park since 2010. As they did in 2010 with The J. Geils Band, they’ll be sharing the bill with another legendary Boston band. This time, Extreme will be the opening act.
While this is not being billed as a proper farewell tour, fans of Aerosmith should note that it is the last (and only North American) date on their current tour schedule. By the time the show happens, everyone in the band will have turned 70. Steven Tyler will be 74 when he fronts the band for perhaps the final time before a hometown audience.
Where: 4 Jersey Street, Boston, MA 02215
Nearest T station: Fenway
Biden administration restores Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments
President Biden will restore full protections for the Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monuments. The order will protect 1.36 million acres in Bears Ears while restoring the 1.78 million-acre Grand Staircase-Escalante monument and reimposing fishing restrictions in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monuments. The order reverses cuts to these monuments imposed by the Trump Administration.
The federals and officials confirmed Thursday that Biden would be signing three proclamations to restore these monuments. Tribal nations in and around the monuments cheered the decision, as did environmentalists and those who depend on the recreation-based tourism in and around land operated by the National Park Service.
According to NBC News, The Biden administration said in a memo that this proclamation is an effort “to better protect, conserve, and restore the lands and waters that sustain the health of communities and power our economy.”
The Trump administration had stripped millions of acres of protected land from the monuments in 2017. After the Trump Administrations stripped these monuments, there was soon backlash and hate from tribal activists, conservationists, and letters from environmentalists and Native American tribes. Even before taking office in January, President Biden faced calls from these groups restore the monuments to their prior size and scope.
“We want to thank the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition for their leadership and thank all of our friends in the Indigenous and environmental communities who have worked to protect Bears Ears National Monument,” said Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert in a statement. Patagonia had worked since 2013 to protect the monuments and was a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s decision. “We also want to thank the Biden administration, especially Secretary Haaland, for their work to restore protections for more than a million acres of sacred land. We have a shared responsibility to conserve these important cultural landscapes for future generations.”
Biden is expected to sign the proclamations today to restore those monuments.
Watch: How a small farm is defining the flavor of Hong Kong-grown coffee
Coffee is a popular drink in many parts of the world. Many of the coffee farms are that provide the beloved coffee beans are located around the equator in mountainous, rural areas. But there are some coffee farms located right next to major cities, like the one located just outside of Hong Kong.
Lai Chi Wo village is about 20 miles from central Hong Kong. In the 1950s, before the rise of coffee, many locals moved out of the village to find more jobs. Many went to the UK (Hong Kong was a British colony at the time), but in 2010 the local government wanted to revive the village of Lai Chi Wo and encouraged the residents to return to the village.
The coffee farms were some of the many projects the government added to revive the village. What started as 40 trees has grown to more than 700. The YouTube channel Goldthread, which makes weekly videos about Chinese culture and food, recently published a video that gives an inside look at a successful Lai Chi Wo coffee harvest.
Lai Chi Wo’s coffee farms are in the northern reaches of the so-called bean belt where coffee trees grow best. The bean belt stretches from about 25 degrees north of the equator and 30 degree south. This is where you’ll find famous coffee growing regions like the coffee farms in Panama’s Chiriquí Province and the regionally specific kapeng barako grown in the Philippines.
Lai Chi Wo’s first coffee harvest was last year, and the village is working hard to define what coffee from Hong Kong tastes like.
The most breathtaking Airbnbs in Northern Norway near fjords and mountains
Northern Norway is one of the most otherworldly places on earth. Sitting above the Arctic Circle, its topography is defined by its coastline of little inlets, lined with dramatic, craggy mountains and breathtaking fjords. The region is ideal for anyone who appreciates spotting rare wildlife, bagging peaks and world-class fishing. Life in this under-populated landscape is peaceful yet a stay here can be quite diverse. Accommodation options range from rural cottages in fishing villages to modern chic apartments in cities such as Tromsø. With these Norway Airbnbs, you’ll not only experience the local culture but have a pretty unique setting to do so.
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.
Traditional red wooden lodge in Vengsøy
Photo: Airbnb
Located on the island of Vengsøy, a one-and-a-half-hour drive and ferry ride from Tromsø, this charming lodge is part of three rentals perched on a little bay. From the cabin, you can sit back and enjoy the northern lights, or take a short walk up the mountain behind to get an optimal viewing experience. During the day, Vengsøy has lots of great hiking routes and is a lovely little island to enjoy other outdoor sports Northern Norway is so famous for.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $187
Photo: Airbnb
There is quite a range of accommodation options in Tromsø from plush modern hotels to small boutique options, but staying in an Airbnb apartment will immerse you into the city’s culture. Tromsø is a great launching point for exploring the region and doing day trips to nearby islands. This three-floor apartment is an ideal base, with three modern and comfortable bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room and sitting room with large windows offering a view out over the mountains and sea. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful but it’s a short stroll from the city center.
Five guests, three bedrooms
Price: $338
Photo: Airbnb
Many dream of spending the night in a lighthouse. This Norway Airbnb is the lighthouse of dreams — illuminating the night alongside Anderdalen National Park. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to catch the midnight sun or the Northern Lights from a property with 360-degree views. From bed, gaze out across the snow-covered Senja Island terrain. Explore the area via your host, Norway Wild, who specializes in expeditions in the Senja area.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $387 per night
Photo: Airbnb
It is no secret that Norway can be an expensive place to visit, but I’ve found the level of hospitality and comfort makes the price point seem fair. This is one of Northern Norway Airbnb’s that is a little more luxurious making it suitable for two couples or a group of friends who want a well-equipt, modern and chic stay in Tromsø. The two-bedroom villa was built in 1921 by one of the cities most famed architects. You’ll want for nothing during a stay here, the lounge comes with a grand piano and the master bedroom’s ensuite has a hot tub and a sauna. There’s even outdoor space on the ground floor where you can sit and enjoy the midnight sun during winter.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $1,115
Photo: Airbnb
Your experience in Norway will be defined by its scenery. The country’s architects and Airbnb hosts grasp this. Case in point — the Fabrikken guest suite, a posh new apartment on the Nordland coast. Here you’ll experience Norway’s best sunsets, watching the water ripple onto the sand as the sun settles behind it. With a stocked library and plenty of space for games, this unit is perfect for families. It also gives adventurous parties easy access to the water and the mountains.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $480
Photo: Airbnb
You don’t get more remote and off-the-grid than this studio cabin located between the farming area of Straumsgard located a short 40-minute drive from Tromsø. This would be a great option for anyone who wanted to disconnect for a few days and experience rural Northern Norway. The cabin itself is snug and compact with a sofa bed and kitchenette. It is worth noting, that there is no running water — there is a compost toilet outside and a fjord for bathing. This is not uncommon in Scandinavia, but if you’re not ready to embrace the cold water, we recommend visiting during summer.
Two guests, one bedrooms
Price: $57
Photo: Airbnb
If you plan to kayak in Norway, there’s no better place to base yourself than this house by the sea in Vågan, in the heart of Nordland country. Lofoten is prime-time for kayakers and on-water adventurers. But with views like you’ll enjoy from the pad, you may not even want to leave the house. The home is tripped out with high-end living and dining spaces. It’s nearby to the harbor and town center yet sits perfectly in its own solitude, in a tiny hamlet of homes away from the bustle so you can relax on the deck and take it all in.
Twelve guests, five bedrooms
Price: $534 per night
7 unique boutique hotels in Philadelphia near all the historical sites
We have a secret for you: Philadelphia is the undercover boutique hotel hotspot of the Northeast. NYC has the class, and Washington, D.C., has the pomp — but only the boutique hotels in Philadelphia deliver the home, refined vibe you should expect when staying in a property that bills itself as a “local amenity.” Here are the top boutique hotels in Philadelphia for your next trip.
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.
ROOST Rittenhouse — Rittenhouse Square / City Center
Photo: Booking.com
Condo hotels are what happens when an enterprising company can’t decide between opening a hotel or opening a rental property. It’s the best of both worlds, and in Philly, no boutique hotel is more exemplary than the ROOST Rittenhouse. Designed in the heart of the city near the Mutter Museum, Liberty Bell, and the Pennsylvania Convention Center, this property is like having a full-on apartment to call home while in town. Rent a room and settle in — because you can do everything from preparing a gourmet meal to host a game night here. ROOST also has a Midtown location, if that’s more convenient for your itinerary.
Price: From $228 per night
The Logan Philadelphia — Logan Square
Photo: Booking.com
There was no doubt The Logan Philadelphia would take its rightful place among the best boutique hotels in Philadelphia — it opened in the site of the old Four Seasons, after all. Here you’ll have easy access to several museums, the Reading Terminal Market, and the entire downtown, City Center and Rittenhouse area. Chinatown is a quick stroll east. And because The Logan Philadelphia is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, you can collect and redeem rewards points here.
Price: From $190
Alexander Inn — City Center / Gayborhood
Photo: Booking.com
An anchor of Philly’s Gayborhood since 1998, the Alexander Inn is the city’s most unique hotel. By this, we mean that every room has its own charm and that in a way other boutique hotels in Philadelphia don’t. The Alexander Inn rightfully fits the aesthetic of its neighborhood. Stained glass windows define its artsy vibe, and the hotel is known for comfort — making this a great spot for couples on holiday. It is also nearby the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Washington Square.
Price: From $138
Morris House Hotel — Washington Square
Photo: Booking.com
If historical sites are priority one on your trip to Philadelphia, the Morris House Hotel is the place to stay. You’ll be within walking distance to Washington Square, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Museum of the American Revolution. Long strolls through Independence Square park are a no-brainer here — you’ll feel as though you’re part of the living history of the city. Guest love the spiral staircase, cozy rooms, and historic feel of the hotel, as well, so do plan on spending some time just enjoying in the property.
Price: From $199
Lokal Old City — Old City / Penn’s Landing
Photo: Booking.com
The Lokal Old City offers the smoothest, most memorable experience of all boutique hotels in Philadelphia. Rooms are decorated with painted works of our nation’s heroes. The bedding is high-thread-count and cozy. And above all, The Lokal is known for its suites. Kick back and watch a movie or a ballgame, or prepare a meal while overlooking the Old City. Then walk to Benjamin Franklin’s grave, the National Constitution Center, the Liberty Bell, and all of Independence Plaza.
Price: From $323 per night
AKA Rittenhouse Square — Rittenhouse Square / Downtown
Photo: AKA Rittenhouse Square
We love a hotel that isn’t afraid to be itself. The AKA Rittenhouse Square fits the bill perfectly — an all-in-one accommodation that calls you to settle in for a while. Rooms are deluxe, with kitchens and bedrooms, and the on-site restaurant is a must-try. The hotel is also very quiet, a major perk in a bustling city center and the result of its residential location. Still, Rittenhouse Square is less than a block away and you can walk to Market Street or hop a quick public transit or rideshare over to Independence Plaza.
Price: From $275 per night
The Notary Hotel — City Hall / Downtown
Photo: Booking.com
Look out over City Hall and the heart of Philly from The Notary, part of the Autograph Collection. With a grand ornate lobby and lounge, this property is high-end without being intimidating or over-the-top. The building is on the National Registry of Historic Places, a fitting title as it’s literally across the street from City Hall and within walking distance to Midtown. Rittenhouse Square is under a mile, and Independence Plaza is the same to the east. For comfort and convenience on a full-scope trip to Philly, you can’t beat The Notary Hotel.
Price: From $275 per night
More like thisWhere to StayThe best Airbnbs in Philadelphia, from a Wintercourt studio to a Scandinavian tiny homeConnect with in-country experts to craft a personalized, sustainable travel experience
This is The Climate Win, the most positive sustainability news around the world every week.
This week, The Climate Win looks at a brand new service that offers travelers truly local experiences. Elsewhere helps you gain insights not available through online searches or via group tours — by connecting you directly to service providers on the ground to help you plan epic, personalized journeys.
Alexis Bowen and Craig Zapatka brought a combined two decades of travel industry experience with them in founded Elsewhere in the spring of 2021. Their goal is to run a sustainable business that both provides valuable experiences for clients and puts money into the economies of the places they visit.
“We’re a product of Covid,” Bowen says in a conversation with Matador. “Craig and I modeled Elsewhere around the current environment and what we wanted to see go differently.”
To them, that meant eliminating the many hands that dip into group tours, with their set itineraries. Instead, their service operates as a concierge to travelers, connecting them to locals who can help them craft and then enjoy experiences on their own or with their party, rather than on a large group tour. The result is the best of both worlds: convenience and ease, without sacrificing the personal approach and tailored itinerary.
“We’re cutting out the middlemen,” Bowen says. “We’re linking travelers directly to local, in-destination experts. This means we cut out 30 to 40 percent of the margin.”
“We’re coming from the DIY side,” Bowen says, “where all of our friends only want to book trips themselves, and not use operators. But coming from the industry we knew there was a value in the expertise. People are getting overloaded with choices. We link travelers with licensed and insured professionals, because when you’re talking multi-day travel, you want somebody who is a professional.”
The platform works like this. You visit the website. You type in where you want to go. Their platform matches you with local experts in that location. Together, you work to craft a dream itinerary based on your interests, hobbies, and desired level of culinary adventurousness. Then, you travel.
Each local expert meets strict criteria for eco-friendliness and community well-being. Their fees must support themselves and the local economy. And the visitor (you) must gain access to “unknown places and experiences.” Many are involved in charitable work in their destination, supporting sustainability initiatives, social justice, medical research, and other positive community development projects that your money then goes to support. The full-circle process harnesses travel as a “force for good” in the world.
An agency in Africa may be big on animal welfare and conservation, for instance, but may not be as focused on social impact or green energy. Elsewhere, which is a certified B-Corporation, also looks into the hotels they book, the tours they send guests on, and the souvenirs travelers will have the chance to buy — in order to ensure the full-circle sustainability of each trip.
“One of the first things we ask them is about fair wages,” Zapatka says. “We prioritize female-owned agencies, which amounts to over 50 percent of our portfolio. We also prioritize certifications like Travelwise, some of them are B-Corp, and all of them are locally owned.”
For example, you want to hike in Chile. On the Elsewhere homepage, you search for Chile. The site prompts you to tell it what type of trip you want to take. In this case, you want to go to the Atacama Desert, while supporting local makers and food producers. Elsewhere matches you with a local expert to help fine-tune your plans and develop an itinerary. Then, Elsewhere helps you through the booking process to ensure everything from travel arrangements to on-the-ground activities are locked in, and that your dollars will benefit the people and places you visit along the way.
Once a traveler signs up on the site, they gain access to the backend of Elsewhere. This area is similar to Airbnb, where users can receive itineraries and proposals, receive info on their destinations, and see photos and maps. During the planning and booking process, travelers can chat live with the on-the-ground sources they’ve cultivated through Elsewhere’s platforms to ask questions and get advice.
“We wanted to build out this opportunity for people to get connected with a destination before they get there, and get connected with a local,” Zapatka says. “We want people to feel comfortable and secure.”
More climate wins this weekGoogle announced this week it’s Flights service will displace the emissions generated by trip itinerary searches on its site. This tool allows users to see the impact of their flight and calculate an offset, and allow them to compare flight options based on total emissions. The service gets quite detailed — looking at the specific aircraft (did you know that older planes generate more emissions than newer ones?) and even seat options to be as accurate as possible in the calculations.
Denver International Airport is getting two large solar farms that will generate 36 million kWh of power each year, PV Magazine reported. The airport has partnered with Greenbacker Renewable Energy to purchase enough solar power to save it $3 million over the next 25 years.
A cloth sheet is being used to protect a Swedish glacier from melting, Reuters reported. The covering prevented over 11 feet of ice from melting off the Helags glacier. The glacier had already lost nearly seven feet in height in the past year, and researchers hope the experiment with the cloth will drastically slow down future melting.
Despite the fiery volcano and roaring rapids, Pucón, Chile, is totally chill
Nearly 500 miles south of the Chilean capital Santiago lies the Lake District town of Pucón. Dramatic Andean peaks abound here, the most notable among them being the Volcán Villarrica, an active volcano that seems both to guard over Pucón and threaten it. In front of Pucón lies a lake of the same name, the Lago Villarrica. Its tranquility belies not only the dangers of one of Chile’s most active volcanoes but of the raging water which pours into it from the Trancura River. While the lower part of the Trancura offers easy-to-navigate rapids suitable for families or those seeking a more sedate experience, the upper river is a bit more… splashy.
River rafting in Pucón, Chile
Photo: Kayak Pucon/Facebook
For anyone like me seeking to infuse some adrenaline into their Chile travel experience, the good news is that Pucón is full of operators offering rafting trips on Trancura’s speedier stretches. This means that some excellent prices can be had. Sierra Nevada Aventura was my operator of choice and transported me, some other intrepid tourists, and a few sturdy inflatable rafts to the wilder upper part of the river.
I wanted splashy, and splashy I got. This part of the Trancura is far from calm; having rafted on rivers worldwide, I was pleased to see that this one had some fun Grade IV rapids. This meant that there were huge waves, stomach-churning drops, and a fair chance of falling out. But, as ever, this was a very controlled, relatively safe adventure and we all managed to stay in the boat even when plunging down a 10-foot waterfall.
Pucón lies in the western foothills of the glacier-capped Andes Mountains, the range of volcanoes that stretch across South America and which divide Chile from Argentina. Fed by the snow from these volcanic peaks, the waters of the Trancura are certainly cool, even if less chilly than many other rivers I’ve rafted. Nevertheless, the first wave that crashed over the raft made me grateful for the wetsuit provided by the rafting company.
I also felt grateful for the fact that this glacier-fed river, free from pollution and very far from any big cities, was clean — given that many more crashing waves resulted in me getting mouthfuls of that cool water. But I only have myself to blame, having enthusiastically asked to sit at the front of the raft. Sitting further back tends to mean you don’t get a face full of river when traversing a rapid.
With all that aquatic excitement, it could be easy to ignore the scenery. But there are enough pauses in the drama to take in views of the forest, as well as of the 9,380-foot Villarrica volcano, pumping out smoke from its snowy summit in the distance. At one point it’s necessary to walk around one particularly rough set of rapids, which proves a good excuse to peer down at the white water rushing below.
If you get to the end of the rafting trip and feel you haven’t got wet enough, the guides tend to encourage you to jump overboard and float down the last dozen yards of smooth water. It’s a serene end to an action-packed couple of hours.
The best hiking in Pucón, starting with the volcano
Photo: Macca Sherifi/Shutterstock
There are myriad ways to get your pulse racing around Pucón. In addition to all those operators in town offering rafting trips, many will also take you to Villarrica Volcano to hike up, or even ski down. You’ll be hiking over snow until you get near the caldera, where the heat of this active volcano has melted away the ice.
Those on tighter budgets can hop on a Caburgua bus to Huerquehue National Park, where there are walks with views for many miles around over forests, waterfalls, and that hard-to-miss, immense volcano. The bus deposits you at the office of the park’s CONAF, Chile’s non-profit National Forest Corporation; there, after you’ve paid a small sum to enter, you can begin your hike. Wide gravel paths wind steadily up through thick forests of deciduous and evergreen trees, until you arrive at the top, to find remote mountain lakes in which you can swim and cool off.
The trails in this park are few and well-marked, although I would recommend taking a map so that you can at least tell how far along a hike you are (and therefore not miss one of the few buses back to town). It’s hard to get lost, but there are no short hikes; you’ll want to at least bring some water with you. The park is also famed for its Araucaria trees, also known as monkey puzzle trees. Despite their playful appearance, these trees can live up to 3000 years.
Photo: NiarKrad/Shutterstock
Another good day-hike from Pucón, and another place to spot the famed Araucaria trees, is in the Cañi Nature Reserve. Reaching the mirador, or lookout point, at the over-5000-foot summit of this reserve is a challenge, but when you get to the top you’ll have a good view of four distant volcanoes, as well as dozens of lakes. Again, you’ll need to pay a small fee at the entrance, but, with public buses from Pucón to Huife stopping here, this is yet another low-cost and popular hiking option. With its Araucaria forest, and occasional sightings of puma and condor, it’s no surprise that Cañi is a world-renowned nature reserve.
As you may be beginning to realize, Pucón has a long list of activities to keep visitors occupied – certainly plenty to fill a couple of weeks there – and it’s a worthy rival to other top Chile travel destinations. As elsewhere in the country, horse riding is very popular here; and a particularly nice option is a 3.5-hour ride along rivers and through forests, stopping somewhere scenic for lunch. Mountain biking has become increasingly popular, with options to tear downhill, or to pedal around volcanoes and along dedicated trails. Afterwards, the Termas Geométricas hot springs will soothe any aches you may have sustained. And then, of course, there’s the lake.
During my time in Pucón I spent many hours swimming in the cool, perfectly clear water of Lake Villarrica, then drying off on the beach. This is most pleasant in the summer months of January and February, when temperatures reach around 70°F. From the beach you can also either take to the air parasailing or take to the water in a hired kayak or motorboat.
In those balmy summer months, an inflatable activity park floats just off the beach. This is perfect for families with children a little too young for arduous hikes or even the quieter, Grade III rapids of the Trancura River.
Where to eat in Pucón, including lemon meringue pie
Photo: Brester Irina/Shutterstock
The fast-paced action on the river, and leg-challenging trails of the parks, contrast with the serenity of Pucón itself. Not even the regular tests of the volcano warning alarm can disturb the easy nature of this town, which receives up to 10 hours of daily sunshine during its summer months of December to March.
There are plenty of hostels in town, including the well-rated, perfectly positioned Chili Kiwi Lakefront. The Villarrica Park Lake and Antumalal hotels are also on the lake, and considerably more luxurious. There is accommodation here to suit all budgets and tastes, but be sure to book well in advance of those busy summer months.
Perhaps my other favorite thing about Pucón, apart from the top-quality river rafting and hiking opportunities, is the prevalence of restaurants and cafes with on-the-street seating and serving a wide range of cuisines, including generous portions of lemon meringue pie. For some happy reason this is a popular dish in Chile, and the ones served in Pucón tower with delicious lemon curd and meringue. If you walk along Lincoyán, just off the main street of Bernardo O’Higgins, you’ll find a range of excellent cafes, including my favorite, Oma’s Café.
Full of Trancura water and pie, what better way to round off the perfect Pucón day than to wander back to that sublime beach, and watch wavelets gently hush against the black sand shore. At sunset, locals and travelers — most of them from Chile — come out to marvel at the colors of the sky reflected against the lake itself. And there, always keeping watch, is the hard-to-miss Villarrica volcano, the snows of which get bathed in the golden glow of day’s end.
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