Matador Network's Blog, page 570
October 1, 2021
7 hotels near Seattle’s Pike Place Market for finding tasty food and gorgeous bay views
No trip to Seattle is complete without a visit to the iconic Pike Place Market. You might as well just stay near the market, because it’s so incredible that you’ll want to devote a fair amount of time to exploring it. In and around the market are some of Seattle’s best seafood restaurants and pubs, as well. At these hotels near Pike Place Market, you’re both near to the action and to the heart of the Emerald City.
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.
Hotel Monaco — perfect for romantic getaways and access to rest of downtown
Photo: Booking.com
The Hotel Monaco Seattle puts you in the heart of downtown and just a few blocks from Pike Place Market. This is ideal on many fronts. First, the market itself allows for some beautiful photos of the shoreline and market sign from the top of a staircase descending toward the market. Second, you have easy access to the rest of downtown Seattle and its top sights, including Smith Tower, Prefontaine Place park (perfect for a morning picnic overlooking fountains) and the famous Elliot’s Oyster House. The hotel’s dining and conference offerings are on point as well, making this ideal for business travel.
Price: From $193 per night
The State Hotel — perfect for a trip built entirely around Pike Place Market
Photo: Booking.com
When proximity to Pike Place Market is priority number one, it doesn’t get better than The State Hotel. Located quite literally across the street, you’ll emerge in the morning to the smells of Pike Place coming to life. This means you can easily be among the first to peruse the day’s catch, the flower stands, and to get in line for Pike Place Chowder. And should you opt for a middle-of-the-night rise to catch a seafood haul, you won’t have far to go.
Price: From $216 per night
Hotel 1000 — perfect for epic harbourfront and water views
Photo: Booking.com
Would you walk an extra three blocks for better views of Elliot’s Bay and proximity to the Seattle Art Museum and the iconic Ivar’s Fish Bar? We’d consider it — especially with the rates at Hotel 1000. This hotel puts you under half a mile from Pike Place Market in lux accommodations that include full spa service and a golf practice simulation. Each room comes equipped with a stocked mini-bar, and with sheets with a thread count this high and a hotel view this good, afternoon toasts are always in order.
Price: From $324
The Hotel Ändra — perfect for visiting Belltown and Lake Union
Photo: Booking.com
Boutique hotels in city centers are the quickest way to feel like a local. You always get local accents, very often accompanied by artwork inspired by your surrounds, and in all probability won’t need to drive anywhere. The Hotel Ändra epitomizes this experience in Seattle. Walk a few short blocks to Pike Place Market. Or, head the other direction to Belltown and Lake Union, home to some of the city’s finest dining, nightlife, and craft beer. Back in the hotel, you’ll wrap yourself in Seattle’s iconic deep-hued aesthetic with the option to relax by the lobby fireplace or wine and dine at the onsite bar and restaurant.
Price: From $229
The Four Seasons Seattle — perfect for going all-out
Photo: Booking.com
Four Seasons hotels are known for offering guests a unique experience of a place. At the Four Seasons Seattle that might come from the infinity pool overlooking Elliot’s Bay, or the easy harbor and skyline views from each room. Maybe it’s enjoying happy hour on the terrace as the ships come in from a day at sea. At any rate, a stay here is nearly as memorable as what you’d find at any of the hotels near Pike Place Market. If you need to impress, to treat, or to make up for, there’s simply no better place to do it.
Price: From $775 per night
The Edgewater — perfect for living like a rock star
Photo: Booking.com
The Edgewater is most known for being the location of one of Led Zeppelin’s most famous “behind the scenes” stories. The Mudshark Incident supposedly took place in a room here, and if you want to know what exactly happened, well, Google it. If you want to stay where it happened — and enjoy easy access to Pike Place Market while you’re at it — book a room here at The Edgewater. Just don’t expect to get away with what the rockstars did.
Price: From $224 per night
Warwick Seattle — perfect for travelers on a budget
Photo: Booking.com
For those who’d rather spend their money at Pike Place Market than on accommodations, there’s the Warwick. But don’t expect this hotel to cut corners just because it isn’t charging hundreds of dollars per night. The Warwick is well-trimmed, comfortable, and clean. As the photo above shows, the hotel also doesn’t skimp on cool city views or eye-catching carpet. Of all the hotels near Pike Place Market, the Warwick is best for having a well-rounded experience. 
Price: From $103 per night
More like thisWhere to Stay8 Seattle Airbnbs close to fresh seafood, Pike Place, and the Space NeedleThe post 7 hotels near Seattle’s Pike Place Market for finding tasty food and gorgeous bay views appeared first on Matador Network.
5 ideas for a wild winter vacation
As temperatures dip and the possibility of snow creeps into the forecast, vacation plans risk becoming hibernation plans. But for those properly prepared, winter unlocks a new stock of wild and epic adventures — it’s all about how you look at it, and even more so how you dress for it.
When it comes to winter attire, nothing beats the new Omni-Heat Infinity technology from Columbia. You’ll know instantly if the jacket you’re looking at is part of the Omni-Heat Infinity family, thanks to the striking gold metallic reflecting agent integrated into the jacket lining. This is the same tech used in everything from aerospace equipment to emergency blankets, amplifying heat reflection and guaranteeing unparalleled warmth without the bulk.
The result is every winter adventurer’s dream: Hours upon hours spent in comfort enjoying the best this action-packed season has to offer. If you’re wondering how to put your new Columbia Omni-Heat Infinity jacket to good use, here are five unforgettable winter vacation ideas sure to make you the season’s biggest fan — once you’re zipped up.
Ice climbing in Ouray, Colorado
Photo: Danita Delimont/Shutterstock
The town of Ouray is an adventure in and of itself — take its nickname, the “Switzerland of America,” as proof. This mountain-flanked ski town is a haven for snow lovers, but the particularly adventurous don’t just come here for stellar slopes. They stroll over to Ouray Ice Park, a manmade climbing park built along the dazzling Uncompahgre Gorge.
There’s more than an mile of vertical terrain here, comprising 100+ ice and mixed climbs. For experienced ice climbers, the park rents its own gear; those new to the sport are just as welcome, with local climbing outfitters ready to take rookies out for hands-on fun. January is a particularly grand time to visit this bucket-list ice park, with the annual Ouray Ice Festival bringing hundreds of climbers and spectators to the gorge. The Columbia Omni-Heat Infinity jacket might come in even more handy for those who sit back and watch as it does for the fearless who take to the ice.
Snowshoeing in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Photo: Ashley Hadzopoulos/Shutterstock
Bryce Canyon may be best known for its hikes through mazes of copper-colored rock formations, but winter adds a true touch of wonderland. Strap on snowshoes and you’ll experience those same towering orange hoodoos offset by powdery white trails, with evergreens as a pop of contrast along the way. All of Bryce Canyon’s trails stay open for winter snowshoeing, including the scenic Navajo Loop Trail that winds down hoodoo-flanked switchbacks on its way to the floor of Bryce Amphitheater.
Don’t let the desert scenery fool you — winter high temperatures here don’t climb much above 32 degrees, so make sure to pack that Columbia Omni-Heat Infinity jacket. You can put it to particularly good use during immersive winter-adventure tutorials and all-day fun at the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival, held each February.
Ice fishing on Moosehead Lake, Maine
Photo: Kate Sfeir/Shutterstock
Winter transforms Maine’s far-flung Moosehead Lake into a charismatic winter village where anglers flock for their favorite frigid pastime: ice fishing. Moosehead is the largest of Maine’s many lakes and is home to both warm- and cold-water game fish, including salmon, lake trout, and smallmouth bass.
Locally led tours will teach you the art of ice angling, providing access to the sport’s signature ice shacks when you need a break or snack. Local accommodations like Wilsons on Moosehead Lake put their guests up in lakefront cabins — from here, you can stroll out to the frozen fishing holes at your leisure. Moosehead’s ice fishing season runs from January through March, with late January drawing the biggest crowds for the three-day, event-filled Moosehead Lake Togue Derby.
Snowmobiling in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Photo: John McCormick/Shutterstock
The cold doesn’t faze Great Lakes residents, and few places demonstrate this fact better than Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a pristine and largely untamed wilderness getaway that turns frigid — but even more fun — come winter. With help from 270 inches of annual snowfall, the UP counts some 3,000 miles of groomed snowmobiling trails, where you can zip past frozen waterfalls, admire icicle-laden lighthouses, and weave through frosted pines, firs, and spruce comprising the peninsula’s thick boreal forests.
Some of the most stunning and adventurous trails run through the Keweenaw Peninsula, the northernmost section of Michigan’s UP. Guides like Keweenaw Snow Expeditions help newbie snowmobilers navigate the area’s trails safely. And, once night falls, zip that Columbia jacket all the way up, because the Keweenaw is one of the country’s best spots to catch the Northern Lights.
Heli-skiing in Snowbird, Utah
Photo: Audio und werbung/Shutterstock
Ratchet your winter game up a notch — or ten — by entering the wild world of heli-skiing. The idea is simple: Take a helicopter deep into mountainous backcountry where unspoiled ski slopes offer unbeatable runs. The execution? A bit more hair-raising. This is an action-packed adventure every powder lover craves, and Snowbird is one of the best places to give it a go.
Local outfitter Powderbird transports skiers and snowboarders from the Snowboard heliport far into the backcountry of the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains. This isn’t just skiing without the crowds — this is tackling slopes few adventurers will ever get to see, let alone lay tracks on. The skiable area is larger than all of Utah’s ski resorts combined, all with Utah’s signature fluffy powder. And with Columbia’s Omni-Heat technology, you’ll be outfitted and ready for this unparalleled adventure.
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This marriage retreat in Costa Rica takes couples counseling to a new level
Vacations often serve as a go-to solution for struggling couples, who may hope that some time away from the daily grind might revitalize their marriage. Unfortunately, spending a week in close quarters with someone — especially someone with whom you’re already at odds — often only makes the problem worse. A purpose-driven counseling vacation, however, is a different story. The Marriage Restoration Project in Costa Rica is the brainchild of Shlomo and Rivka Slatkin. It’s designed as a therapeutic marriage retreat centered on identifying the root causes of your marriage or relationship issues, having open dialogues, healing emotional wounds, and hopefully reconnecting with your partner.
What’s the philosophy behind the Marriage Restoration Project?
Photo: El Mangroove Hotel, Autograph Collection/Facebook
On a superficial level, the Marriage Restoration Project is a five-day, four-night retreat at the El Mangroove Resort in Costa Rica, with an itinerary encompassing educational workshops, meditation sessions, spa treatments, and movement exercises.
Delving a bit deeper, the marriage retreat is founded upon the principles of Imago Relationship Therapy — a form of therapy focusing on relational counseling.
“We have found over the years that couples need more than just weekly therapy sessions,” says founder Shlomo Slatkin. “Whether a couple is having a stale marriage in need of a jump start or is in crisis and at a crossroads, a serious intervention is necessary to provide real clarity. We have found that a couples retreat is just the right vehicle to accomplish that.”
The marriage retreat’s itinerary consists of five days of wellness-oriented activities designed to transform conflict into progress. There are guided meditations, sessions dedicated to exploring your personal relationship history, intimate dialogues geared toward unearthing relationship pain points, workbook exercises, and blocks of time set aside for rest and relaxation.
“It is a crash course in relationships,” Slatkin says, “and provides tremendous insight to why couples choose each other, why their unique conflict is not only inevitable, but it is tailor made for their personal growth and healing. It also teaches couples valuable tools that they can easily replicate at home.”
He lauds Imago Therapy as a breakthrough tool for couples looking to revitalize their relationships. The therapy style, he says, “views conflict as expected and as an opportunity for connection instead of a reason to call it quits. It helps couples heal from old childhood wounds and unmet needs and it helps couples reconnect by teaching them how to communicate and listen in a way that allows them to feel safe with each other. Couples experience a dramatic shift in a very short period of time.”
The Costa Rica effectPhoto: Duarte Dellarole/Shutterstock
Theoretically, couples could gather anywhere to hash out their differences. They don’t have to board a plane and travel to Costa Rica. Shlomo would argue, however, that the setting is a huge part of what makes the Marriage Restoration Project successful.
“Many couples need a change of scenery,” he says, “especially after this past year with COVID. If you’re looking to reset your relationship and get a fresh start, it’s imperative to get away and really focus. There are so many distractions in the home environment.”
And then, of course, there’s the obvious: Costa Rica is beautiful, and it’s harder to be angry in a beautiful environment. According to Shlomo, Costa Rica “is a tropical destination that facilitates romance. For couples who are looking to rekindle the spark, it is a renewal of the relationship through the retreat and a honeymoon all in one.”
What do couples ultimately take away from the marriage retreat?
Photo: Lopolo/Shutterstock
Many couples who sign up for the Marriage Restoration Project are looking to improve their communication. Infidelity, parenting, finances, and in-law complaints are other common struggles couples often bring to the retreat, but Shlomo believes that communication is the common thread that binds all the rest together.
“Our retreats teach a proven and structured communication process,” he says, “that allows couples to feel safe to open up and share about the most difficult issues as well as truly feel heard without reactivity. This allows for greater vulnerability and connection.”
While each couple’s individual struggles differ, their stories are more common than one might think. Communication — truly hearing and understanding and learning about the other person — is the underlying key to sending the vast majority of couples home happy.
Indeed, according to Slatkin, “They all have similar stories: couples who fell in love with each other once upon a time, only to grow to become more and more dissatisfied. The bottom line was the pain and disappointment, and the longing to reconnect. When they learned about each other’s childhood stories and began to see the parallel between their marital conflict, they developed compassion for each other. They saw their conflict in a new light. When they felt heard, they regained hope that their relationship could be the way they initially dreamed it to be.”
The Marriage Restoration Project has workshops in January, February, March, and April 2022, and you can book in advance online.
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September 30, 2021
United Airlines fired 1% of its staff for refusing vaccinations, and it’s about time
The headlines haven’t been kind to United Airlines this week. “United Airlines is Firing Workers Over Vaccine Noncompliance” reads the New York Times. CNBC writes in big bold letters, “Nearly 600 United Airlines Employees Face Termination for Failing to Comply with Vaccine Mandate.” The Independent takes a more visceral tact, saying, “United Airlines to Axe Hundreds of Unvaccinated Staff.”
Tough words, right? Hundreds of staff. Axe. Noncompliance. It’s no secret that headlines are often crafted to create the impression of conflict, but in this case, they unfairly cast United Airlines as the bad guy.
On August 6, United announced that the airline would require all of its 67,000 US-based employees to be vaccinated by a deadline of September 27. When the mandate was first put in place, the US was seeing a seven-day average of 106,000 cases per day — among the most cases per capita anywhere in the world. Now that the deadline is here, an overwhelming 99 percent of United’s employees have chosen to get vaccinated, leaving just 593 in defiance of the mandate.
The instinct here, especially after a cursory glance at the headlines, is to pity the 593 workers getting “axed” for their “noncompliance.” But a memo issued to employees by United CEO Scott Kirby puts the matter into perspective.
“For the less than one percent of people who decided not to get vaccinated,” he writes, “we’ll unfortunately begin the process of separation from the airline per our policy.”
The most important part of the memo isn’t the news of the unvaccinated purge, however, but what comes afterward:
“There’s no doubt in our minds that some of you will have avoided a future hospital stay — or even death — because you got vaccinated.”
This blunt acknowledgement of reality might sound somewhat morbid, but it’s refreshingly direct and honest. In fact, in my opinion, it doesn’t go far enough.
United’s employees are not only reducing their own chances of hospitalization and death by getting vaccinated, they’re also reducing the chance of transmitting a potentially deadly virus to thousands of passengers. Avoiding death and hospitalization is a pretty airtight rationale for taking a free, safe, and effective vaccine. So why are the airlines actually taking responsible public health measures treated to less-than-praiseworthy headlines?
Because conflict stokes controversy. Controversy equals clicks. Click equal dollars. No media company is immune from this vicious cycle, but in a public health emergency, the news has a responsibility to — at the very least — call the good guys what they really are: good guys. Instead, we’re reading about the “axed” minority and made to wonder: “is United being too heavy-handed?” “Did the unvaccinated really deserve to lose their jobs?” “Isn’t it all a bit harsh?” “How dare they…”
By design, what never should have been controversial in the first place becomes suddenly contentious. We should be talking about the dangers of not having vaccine mandates — not publishing thinly-veiled verbiage that suggests mandates are somehow draconian.
Embracing the mandates wouldn’t exactly be a novel concept. Germany’s Lufthansa and Australia’s Qantas not only mandate vaccinations for their staff, but also for passengers. Indeed, you can’t even enter Germany — and a growing list of other nations — without showing proof of vaccination. And once you’re there, you’ll need a vaccine card to enter restaurants, casinos, train stations, movie theaters, and other businesses.
We’re way behind the curve on this. While United, Hawaiian, and Frontier Airlines have all embraced mandatory vaccinations, others are slow-walking the process. American Airlines is the country’s largest airline, yet only around 70 percent of its crew is vaccinated. Delta won’t mandate vaccines either, but instead has decided to penalize unvaccinated employees by imposing a $200 monthly health insurance surcharge. Some employees are actually suing United for their mandate, while pilot unions for Southwest and American are asking for exemptions.
Many countries would love to have the luxury of imposing such mandates. Congo, Haiti, Turkmenistan, Tanzania, South Sudan, Chad, and Madagascar all have less than one percent of their population vaccinated, and it’s not because their citizens are concerned about the violation of their “freedoms.” The economic gulf between nations means an unequal global vaccine distribution and a stark demarcation between the haves and have nots. Imagine being a resident of South Sudan, told to wait months or years for his first vaccine dose, and then learning that 596 United employees are being fired for refusing a readily-available vaccine. Would you pity them?
US businesses, including airlines, are too preoccupied by the perception that they’re violating the “freedoms” of their staff and customers. We love our ill-defined liberties more than we love protecting our neighbors from harm. We love being selfish, if it means being selfish on our own terms. We love not only refusing to buckle our own seatbelts, but recklessly driving 90 in a 55. The ironic thing is, the only way travel is ever getting back to normal is if everyone wears their seatbelt and starts actually driving the speed limit. In this case, that means having a seatbelt law.
News outlets frame the issue as a David vs. Goliath story: “United Airlines prepares to fire nearly 600 unvaccinated employees,” the New York Post writes, as though United is the sinister villain in a Batman film. It’s time to reframe the conversation, and change how we talk about these mandates. It’s time to put aside our both sides-ism, our fear of alienating a wrongheaded minority, and acknowledge reality: vaccine mandates are our key to the return of travel. Any airline implementing them should feel empowered and encouraged to do so — not pilloried by cynical headlines.
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Athletes at 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics must remain in ‘closed-loop’ system
The 2022 Bejing Winter Olympics are coming with a new set of restrictions that could be the most rigorous rules yet for the Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee announced on Wednesday the new principles that will be put into place that will help deliver a safe Olympic and Paralympics in 2022. The new principles of the Bejing Winter Olympics and Paralympics will operate like a ‘closed-loop management system.’
This closed-loop management system will be a bubble-like environment where athletes, journalists, volunteers, and other officials will have to do everything — including eating, sleeping, working, and competing — all in the ‘bubble’ without leaving.
Everyone will stay in this ‘closed-loop management system’ from the time they arrive until the time they depart. According to the International Olympic Committee, this closed-loop system will cover all Games-related areas, including arrival and departure, transport, accommodation, catering, competitions, and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Participants will only be allowed to move between Games-related venues for training, competitions, and work within this loop. For the vaccination policy, those who are vaccinated will enter the closed-loop management system, and those who aren’t will have to quarantine for 21 days upon arrival in Bejing. Testing will be required daily for anyone in this closed-loop management system.
An updated version of this new principle will be released in October, and a second version will be published in December.
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Guinness is opening a new taproom in Chicago in time for St. Patrick’s Day 2023
Guinness is set to open a new pub and brewery in Chicago.
The brewery and pub will be located in Chicago’s Fulton Market neighborhood, and Guinness plans to open in early 2023 — hopefully in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This 1,500 square foot taproom will take over a former railroad depot at 375 N. Morgan St.
According to Eater, the taproom will feature a lineup of beers brewed on-site as well as Guinness’s iconic dry Irish stout. It will also have a full-service restaurant that can seat up to 300 people and outdoor seating. There will be pub-like food as well as some mixed-in local favorites.
In a statement to the Chicago Tribune, a representative noted that Guinness isn’t trying to make a local neighborhood pub, but instead “create a special environment that has a little bit of a feel of Guinness and what you might expect from an Irish establishment, but at the same time also has some great local food and beer.”
The Chicago taproom will be the second taproom in the United States. Back in 2018, Guinness opened its first taproom in Baltimore. Chicago’s operation will be smaller with a 10 barrel brewing system.
This Chicago taproom will be the next step for Guinness in America. Chicago is traditionally one of Guinness’s largest markets, and this location is the next step in Guinness’s bid to be more active in the US beer market.
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13 epic Airbnbs in Montreal for a bachelorette weekend
MONTREAL IS a great destination for a bachelorette party. There are venues for any type of party imaginable and a variety of restaurants too. The different season comes with different events but most would say summers are unbeatable with free weekly festivals and amazing outdoor spaces. Here’s a list of the best bachelorette party Airbnbs in Montreal.
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.
919 Creative Loft with four bedrooms at Holland
Photo: Airbnb
This loft is the perfect party space for a large group of people. With 3,500 square feet of space, you’ll have enough room for everyone. The property has a modern unique style and decor with M4 soundproof walls and factory-sized windows. There’s even a bar that can seat up to 10 people. Located directly on Ste-Catherine’s Street in the heart of downtown, you’ll be near plenty of restaurants, art museums, shopping malls, and designer stores. With its central location, you won’t be too far from any restaurant or nightlife. There’s public transit close by but you’ll be able to find everything at your doorstep — this unit has a walking score of 100 and is right near where all the action is.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $558 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Right next to Saint Paul Street, one of the most popular tourist boulevards in the city, this is a beautifully open and airy property in the heart of Old Montreal. This space has three floors across 3,500 square feet. There are three master en-suite bathrooms and even a private butler so you’ll be able to pamper yourself properly while on your getaway. The apartment also comes with a pool table.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $324 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Who doesn’t love water? With this property, you’ll have a huge rooftop terrace where you can enjoy water views and the city landscape. This cool loft is a fantastic place to enjoy the sunset in the heart of Old Montreal – the prettiest area of the city where you can enjoy the most popular activities, cafes, restaurants, and bars.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $460 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This large space is great for a big group. Each floor is its own unit and can be rented as a whole for large groups or rented separately for smaller ones. The location is well-centered, close to downtown, and within walking distance to many restaurants and convenience stores. The Victorian outdoor gives it a nice touch, making it one of the more unique bachelorette party Airbnbs in Montreal.
Sixteen guests, two bedrooms
Price: $132 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Great location by Atwater Market that’s amazing for foodies. This large unit is also within the up-and-coming neighborhood of Griffintown, with its cool shops and restaurants. Nearby are the renowned restaurant/bars Joe Beef and its sister Liverpool House, where Trudeau and Obama famously had a bromance dinner date. Also, the apartment is right next to the canal where you can go for a nice walk or rent a kayak. The apartment itself is self-check-in so it’s super easy to enter.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $113 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This property can accommodate up to nine people and has the best party terrace of all bachelorette party Airbnbs in Montreal. Its location is in the hippest part of town — the Plateau. Here you’ll find the best artsy cafes, restaurants, and cheap but fun bars. This is the area where the artists live and locals love to go out to. The apartment is only a block away from Saint Laurent street, where there’s even more of the best nightlife in the city. It’s also very close to the legendary tam-tams, the weekly festival featuring music and entertainment. If visiting during summer, this is a must, where you’ll be enjoying the beating of drums. This apartment is a great space for chilling on the patio with friends.
Nine guests, two bedrooms
Price: $195 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Big and modern apartment next to le quartier des spectacles, with great venues nearby for festivals and also many restaurants. This property is right next to Beri-Uqam metro station, making it convenient to travel throughout the whole city. It’s also within walking distance to Old Montreal where you can get your cultural fix. The apartment is big, clean, and fully equipped so you won’t be missing anything during your stay.
Nine guests, three bedrooms
Price: $439 price night
Photo: Airbnb
A cool space for large groups, this townhouse is located within le quartier des spectacles. You’ll be walking distance from Saint-Denis Street with all its nice bars, and also walking distance to The Village with its amazing clubs. As such this unit is ideal for a group that wants to experience the best of Montreal’s legendary late-night happenings. The place also has a pool table and two terraces, one with a hot tub on it. If you’re visiting during the freezing winters, there’s nothing more satisfying than being outside in the piping hot jets.
Twelve guests, five bedrooms
Price: $405 per night
Photo: Airbnb
A sleek place located in Little Italy, this unit is a foodie’s paradise surrounded by artisanal eateries. This is a local’s neighborhood where you’ll be able to see some of the day-to-day of life in Montreal. The quiet streets and closeness to parks make it a super calm area to be in. Don’t worry about missing out though, you’ll get the best of both worlds by experiencing a fantastic neighborhood with easy access to the big action of downtown.
Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $91 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Nice apartment with fully equipped amenities in a conveniently located area close to stores and metro stations. The Village is one of the best areas for nightlife in the city, especially for bachelorette parties. The place is only steps away from Ontario street with its new trendy bars and cafes. It’s also next to Saint-Jacques Bridge and its beautifully bright lit-up colors, and is the best place to experience the city’s firework show in the summer.
Seven guests, three bedrooms
Price: $112 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Glamorously decorated for a glamorous party. Get the bubbles flowing and the party going at this downtown apartment near Old Montreal. Experience high-class bars and speakeasies, making this spot ideal for a classier party group who wants to enjoy the finer side of the city.
Seven guests, two bedrooms
Price: $710 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This modern-style loft has wall-to-ceiling views of Notre-Dame church and is located within Old Montreal. This is a fully renovated loft with a jetted tub. Super chic, great for smaller groups with one of the best locations of all bachelorette party Airbnbs in Montreal.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $159 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Ah, The Platea — the coolest place in town. And this place is super chic to enjoy with its renovated stylish decorations. The apartment is stunning and a perfect space for a large group. Right next to Saint-Denis Street and its hip cafes, bakeries, and bars, you’ll also be within walking distance to Parc Lafontaine, one of the prettiest parks and a natural oasis in the middle of the city. Also, a great spot for a picnic and people watching.
Ten guests, three bedrooms
Price: $947 per night
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Hawaii bans people from swimming with spinner dolphins
On October 28 2021, Hawaii will implement a law banning residents and tourists from swimming with spinner dolphins.
According to West Hawaii Today, the National Marine Fisheries Service declared the final ruling on September 28 prohibiting the popular tourist attraction.
The regulation falls under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that the law has been in the making for some time due to unnecessary stress on the dolphins caused by interaction with humans.
The new law prohibits anything from coming within 50 yards of a spinner dolphin. This includes people, vessels, canoes, drones, paddle boats, and other objects.
“Spinner dolphins disturbed during this crucial period may engage in avoidance or distress behaviors. And a lack of consistent, undisturbed resting periods can reduce the amount of energy they have for hunting and caring for their young,” stated the NOAA.
NOAA also remarked that organized and dolphin and wildlife tours will continue but certain marine areas of Hawaii will be closed between 6.00 AM and 3.00 PM. This includes parts of Kealakekua, Hōnaunau, Kauhakō (Ho‘okena), and Makako Bays on Hawai‘i Island, and La Perouse Bay on Maui.
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These inside photos show Hawai’i’s latest volcanic eruption up close
On September 29, Kīlauea volcano, on the big island of Hawai’i in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, started to erupt. The summit, called Halema’uma’u crater, is turning into a lava lake as cracks opened in the crater’s wall and floor.
The latest eruption is currently in what government officials describe as the opening phase, which can be “dynamic and uncertain.” And you can see close up photos of the whole thing thanks to United States Geological Survey (USGS) cameras.
The Sun has set on the new eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at Kīlauea’s summit. We’ll be back in the early morning with more posts here, but in the meantime, new images and other info will be posted throughout the night at https://t.co/Lm77CMQ2Tc. #KilaueaErupts #kilauea pic.twitter.com/olCDWes1F7
— USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) September 30, 2021
From the time of the eruption to the morning of September 30, the lava lake rose from about 225 meters to more than 240 meters, according to USGS monitoring systems. The last time Kīlauea went through what’s called an explosive period was about the 1500s. It ended in the early 1800s with lava fountains that shot up an estimated 2,000 feet high and killed hundreds of people as the explosions sent blankets of ash, lava, and gases over the southeastern portion of the island.
Photo: M. PatrickUSGS
The USGS notes that the volcano has primarily been in an effusive state since 1823 as the caldera slowly fills with lava flows. That doesn’t mean there haven’t been some explosions — a 1924 eruption sent literal tons of rocks as far as half a mile from the crater for 17 days. The effusive state continued not long after, but scientists have concluded that Kīlauea “will eventually return to a long period of mostly explosive activity.” In 2018, an eruption closed the park for four months. Just before Christmas 2020, Kīlauea erupted and shot spurts of lava 165 feet into the sky.
Photo: M. PatrickUSGS
This eruption is so far decidedly more calm. Still, there’s currently a warning in place that ashfall, small fragments of volcanic glass, and volcanic gases could be present in elevated concentrations at publicly accessible regions of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The gases — mostly water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide — are the most troubling. Sulfur dioxide creates volcanic smog (called vog) that is an airborne health hazard and can damage crops and livestock.
Photo: M. PatrickUSGS
The Kīlauea caldera around the Halemaʻumaʻu crater has been closed to the public since late 2007. The USGS is closely monitoring the situation, however, and providing an inside look through photos captured by employees and stationary cameras that continuously take images of the same location.
Quite the 24-hr gif from the west rim Kilauea cam!https://t.co/nVUHBsqMqr#KilaueaErupts #Kilauea pic.twitter.com/u6bdSehSmh
— Dr. Rowena Lohman (she/her/hers) (@RowenaLohman) September 30, 2021
For continuous updates, follow USGS Volcanoes on Twitter and check in on the agency’s Kīlauea page and summit webcam.
The post These inside photos show Hawai’i’s latest volcanic eruption up close appeared first on Matador Network.
7 fun ways to go outdoors in KC
With more than 200 fountains, some 220 parks, 20+ lakes, and nearly 160 miles of trails and bike paths, getting outdoors has always been a big part of Kansas City culture. Most residents live within a 10-minute walk of a city green space, and that’s by design — the outdoors were built into the city’s roots.
After all, KC popped up where it did for a reason: It sits at the confluence of two states and two major rivers of the same name, the Kansas and the Missouri. The city’s only grown from there. With a few notes on what to taste and where to stay tossed in for good measure, here’s what you can look forward to in Kansas City’s expansive great outdoors.
1. Wandering miles of gardens and meadows
Photo: Visit KC
A short drive from downtown, Powell Gardens, KC’s botanical garden, shows off more than 21,000 plants across 970 acres of verdant hills and meadows. Many species here are native to the region, and visitors can explore eight themed gardens and walk the three-mile nature trail.
When you’re in town, keep an eye on Powell’s packed calendar of events. Favorites include the Festival of Butterflies, the Festival of Lights (during the holiday season), and Harvest Days, where you can listen to live music with a hot apple cider in hand or sample some of the produce that’s been freshly picked from the grounds of the Heartland Harvest Garden.
Grab a bite: The botanical garden allows visitors to bring in coolers with picnic items, so stock up at one of Kansas City’s many farmers markets (those in Brookside and Overland Park are local favorites), or drop by the local food shops at City Market before your visit.
2. Dodging 18-foot-tall birdies
Photo: Don Ipock/The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art
More than 35 sculptures — including the four 18-foot-tall shuttlecocks that have become beloved Kansas City icons — dot the grassy grounds of the 22-acre Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park outside The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. In addition to a large collection of Henry Moore sculptures, the park has a glass labyrinth to explore, as well as the seasonally open Art Course, a mini-golf course where each of the nine holes is inspired by a painting in the gallery’s collection.
Where to stay: Two locally owned B&Bs are within walking distance of the museum. Southmoreland on the Plaza is set inside a gorgeously done-up 1913 Colonial Revival mansion that’s also steps from the Spanish-inspired Country Club Plaza shopping district. A new addition to Kansas City’s list of boutique B&Bs is The Truitt, featuring hip-yet-elegant rooms inside a beautiful early-20th-century home.
3. Kayaking the continent’s longest river
Photo: Ryan A. Kemper/Shutterstock
Kansas City’s story starts at the water, and there’s no better place to get a different perspective on KC than from river level. Kansas City Kayak and Canoe offers boat rentals for adventurers to paddle down the Missouri River, the longest river in North America (over 2,300 miles!). Their KC Bridge Tour starts at Kaw Point Park, where the Lewis and Clark expedition party camped in 1804 on their surveying journey between St. Louis and the Pacific Ocean.
Grab a bite: Stay local with a hearty meal at The Farmhouse, a beloved farm-to-fork restaurant near City Market that sources many of its ingredients from farmers in Kansas and Missouri, a tribute to the agricultural heritage made possible in part by the Big Muddy.
4. Feeding baby goats
Photo: Jason Dailey/Visit KC
Kids will get more than a kick out of the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead in Overland Park, home to more than 250 animals and birds. Parents will love watching the kids’ eyes light up with fascination and glee as they bottle-feed baby goats by hand, pan for “gold” and other minerals, fish in a well-stocked pond, and ride through the farm on the back of a horse-drawn carriage. There’s lots more to do at the farmstead, too, and lots to learn.
Grab a bite: Anyone looking for a memorable meal with the kids should head to Fritz’s, a fun, kitschy, old-timey diner. You order your food by telephone, and it arrives at your table via an overhead train that chugs through the whole restaurant.
5. Picking up pickleball
Photo: glenrichardphoto/Shutterstock
The sport of pickleball — a fast-paced mix of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong — is sweeping the Midwest. North Kansas City is home to the flagship location of Chicken N Pickle, which has outdoor and indoor pickleball courts, lawn games, food trucks, and a huge open-air terrace. It’s so hot, another branch of Chicken N Pickle is coming soon to Overland Park.
Grab a drink: A handful of local breweries and distilleries have sprouted up in North Kansas City, making for a fun way to explore the neighborhood. Top picks include Calibration Brewery, Cinder Block Brewery, Restless Spirits Distilling Company, Callsign Brewing, and Velo Garage and Tap House.
6. Seeing stars at the theater
Photo: Visit KC
Savor the sights and sounds of a live performance under the twinkling night sky at Starlight Theatre, an outdoor stage set in the lush surrounds of Swope Park, Kansas City’s largest green space. The historic venue’s calendar of events showcases A-list acts across all genres, from popular Broadway shows to Pitbull and the Doobie Brothers. Bonus: Tickets go as low as $10 (but grab ’em early if you can!).
Grab a bite: It would be a sin to leave Kansas City without indulging in some barbecue, whether before or after a night at the theater. LC’s Bar-B-Q is a no-frills joint that maintains old-school smoking methods. It might not have the instant name recognition of some of KC’s other barbecue spots, but LC’s enjoys a dedicated local following.
7. Touring a historic wine scene
Photo: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock
Before the 1920s Prohibition put an end to grape-growing in the area, Kansas/Missouri was the second-largest winemaking region in the United States. The tradition is finally seeing a resurgence, with more small-scale local wineries opening their doors to tap into that history.
Located beyond the urban edges of the city, many wineries have beautifully bucolic outdoor seating areas for you to sip a glass, or you can take a tour to get even closer to the vines themselves. The family-run KC Wine Co. in Olathe produces several different whites and reds, including a Norton made from the official state grape of Missouri. To stick closer to downtown, stop by KC Wineworks in the Crossroads Arts District to sample grape-to-glass locally produced varietals in a space decorated with artwork by local artists. Can’t make up your mind which winery to visit? Leave it to the experts at Kansas City Wine Tours to be your guides.
Where to stay: A quick drive northeast of Kansas City in Excelsior Springs is The Elms Hotel & Spa, a historic hotel built on the rumored healing waters the town is named after. Guests today can still soak in the mineral baths and use the saunas, steam shower, and exfoliation bar in the plush spa. Even just wandering the picturesque grounds feels like a healing experience, like so much of Kansas City’s grand outdoors.
The post 7 fun ways to spend time outdoors on your trip to Kansas City appeared first on Matador Network.
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