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7 ways to get outdoors in Music City

Nashville’s reputation as Music City, USA, attracts tourists to the city’s many honky-tonks. While the music and party scenes in Nashville are top-notch, many people overlook the outdoorsy and adventure activities there are to do in the city and its environs. Nashville is surrounded by some impressive scenery, lending itself to gorgeous hikes, exciting water adventures, and tons of outdoor fun. Here are seven of the best outdoor activities in Nashville to help you embrace Music City’s more natural side.

1. Go kayaking on the Cumberland River

Photo: Cumberland Kayak/Facebook

The Cumberland River, which snakes through Nashville, provides more than a nice backdrop to the city’s skyline. You can also enjoy water activities on the Cumberland, such as stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Kayak past downtown Nashville with both Cumberland Kayak and River Queen Voyages. For the more adventurous there’s stand-up paddleboarding with Paddle Up Nashville. They’re still on the Cumberland but further east, in the wooded Rock Harbor Marina. It’s lovely scenery to learn paddleboarding in, plus the secluded marina will prevent onlookers from seeing if you fall off your board into the water.

2. Rent a bike and hit the greenways

Photo: Green Fleet Bikes/Facebook

Nashville has a network of greenways for cyclists and joggers, allowing you to move from one end of the city to another on bike or foot. You can pass by the city’s prettiest areas via the greenways, like the Cumberland River, Shelby Bottoms, and Two Rivers Park. Visitors to Nashville can easily grab a greenways map, rent a bike, and head off on their own. Green Fleet Bikes in downtown Nashville has city bike rentals available each day, although advance reservations are recommended. If you’d rather not map out your own route, you can join a greenways bike tour with Green Fleet instead. Bike the Greenway also has a pop-up bike rental service that parks itself at the trailhead for whichever greenway they’re operating on that day and guides visitors on a greenway tour.

3. Visit the Nashville Zoo

Photo: Deborah Ferrin/Shutterstock

The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is one of the top family-friendly outdoor activities to do in Music City. The zoological park, with its greenery and gardens, would be a lovely place to explore even if there weren’t any animals. But the Nashville Zoo has creatures and critters of all kinds, who get to roam around in open, natural habitats. It’s the perfect way to spend a day outdoors, and it’s only six miles from downtown. You may even get to pet a kangaroo on your visit.

4. Go ziplining

Photo: Adventureworks/Facebook

The hilly forests that surround Nashville’s metro area are perfect for adventure activities like ziplining. Nothing gets the heart pumping quite like zooming through the trees at 30 miles per hour. Add some hiking and obstacle courses and make a day out of it. Adventureworks at Nashville North is one of the best places to zipline. It’s only a 15-minute drive from downtown, near Whites Creek and the Trails at Fontanel. On the opposite end of the city is The Adventure Park at Nashville, which has treetop obstacle courses in addition to ziplining. Both sites are also situated in beautifully wooded parts of the city that make you feel closer to nature as you zip by them.

5. Go fishing or try flyboarding on Percy Priest Lake

Photo: KenStilger47/Shutterstock

Percy Priest Lake is about eight miles east of downtown Nashville, and one of the most spectacular lakes for fishing, swimming, boating, and watersports in Middle Tennessee. One of the best ways to enjoy Percy Priest is with a fishing trip with Nashville Fishing Charters or Ed Martin’s Striper and Hybrid Fishing Guide Services. Those who don’t consider themselves enthusiastic anglers will have a good time on this trip too, as it’s beginner-friendly and includes breaks for swimming and enjoying the water. As Percy Priest is such a great fishing lake, you’re also likely to catch something — even if it’s your first time.

Fishing isn’t the only activity you can do at Percy Priest Lake. You can also get the adrenaline pumping with a one-hour flyboarding session. Soar over the lake at Nashville FlyBoard’s private dock on Percy Priest. Your session comes with a safety and instruction lesson, so you can take to the skies in no time, even if you’re a beginner. Nashville Flyboard also has Jetpacks and Hoverboards for the really adventurous, but you have to be 18 or older to try those. \

6. Hike through Radnor Lake State Park

Photo: ShaneFarmer/Shutterstock

With all the hills and forests around Nashville, hiking is one of the top outdoor activities in Nashville. Radnor Lake State Park is one of the prettiest places to hike within Nashville city limits. With 1,200 acres and six hiking trails, this state park will have plenty for you to explore. It’s only a 10-minute drive from downtown too. Not far from Radnor Lake State Park is Percy Warner Park, another large green space and public forest with several hiking trails and bike routes. On the same grounds as Percy Warner, you’ll also find the Cheekwood Estate & Garden, whose botanical gardens are well worth a visit at any time of year.

7. Take a helicopter tour of downtown Nashville

Photo: Monarch Helicopters/Facebook

Downtown Nashville has an impressive and recognizable skyline, and there’s no better way to see it than on a helicopter ride high above the city. Catch all of Nashville’s most famous sites — the Ryman Auditorium, Nissan Stadium, The Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Parthenon at Centennial Park — from above. Whether you’re a born and bred Nashvillian or a visitor to the city, you’ll get a whole new perspective of Music City with the helicopter tour company Monarch Helicopters.

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How to raise your kids on the road

On the first night of driveway camping as a family in our brand-new RV, something strange happened when we gathered inside those fiberglass walls. We found ourselves immersed in an evening of playing cards, telling stories, and bellyaching laughter. Spontaneous, undistracted connection — which seemed so elusive in our daily lives — filled the air. I knew in those first few moments that RVing had something special to offer. Our tiny weekend-warrior-mobile soon turned into a home away from home for the whole family.

While RV travel certainly provides all the ingredients for enriched family life, you don’t just drive off into a made-for-YouTube sunset. Those moments of connection often have to be earned. With structure and intention, you can take your kids on the road and foster great memories, family bonds, life lessons, and unforgettable learning experiences. Here’s how.

Identify your family’s travel mission — and involve kids in the planning.

Photo: Mike Bacanu

Every great adventure starts with a destination in mind — either a physical place or a feeling to achieve. Family trips are group experiences, yet parents often neglect to include their kids in the planning! Unite your family under a common travel goal, such as visiting ten national parks or checking off a must-do list. You’ll ensure your itinerary has experiences that appeal to each person, thereby increasing each member’s commitment and excitement.

Start with a family brainstorming session to develop a wish list of possible travel experiences — there are no wrong suggestions at this stage. Encourage ideas for simple moments, like watching a sunrise together or enjoying a campfire in each state. In addition, include activities to try, places to visit, and things to do, like snow sports, hiking, or attending a music festival.

Next, include school-age children in the process of researching destinations, travel routes, and even costs. These responsibilities prove to be educational and challenging, while making kids even more involved in the trip-planning process. Create the shortlist of travel goals for your next trip or season and post them in a high-visibility spot the whole family will see. Keeping your family’s big-picture mission top of mind will help your group ride out the inevitable hiccups of an extended road trip.

Finally, celebrate the checking off of milestones as you achieve them! (And repeat often.) Add stickers to a state map, or mark the occasion with a special meal.

Find your unique travel rhythm.

Photo: Tyler Cave

There is no one way to RV. Discover, don’t force, a travel pace that works best for your family, whether that’s moving frequently in short distances or staying put for several days with a longer travel day in between.

When it comes to choosing a family RV, your children’s ages, your work schedule, and your pet situation are just some of the factors that will dictate what style of travel is smoothest for your family. All of these elements will contribute to maximizing the joy of your journey. When you’re in your natural rhythm, everything — and everyone — will be more comfortable.

Let each family member have space to be their best self.

Photo: Ricardo Camargo

It’s just a fact that everyone needs a regular dose of alone time and space. With children, this might not become apparent until a meltdown erupts “out of nowhere.” And while every RV has space constraints, you can foster a healthy diet of alone time by creating small nooks where family members can recharge. Incorporate headphones, space-dividing curtains, fluffy pillows, and cozy blankets to provide comfort and separation. Nooks can even be created outside with a rug or popup play tent.

Scheduling quiet time in the RV is another way to recharge when physical spacing isn’t possible. This can be especially helpful on — or before — a long travel day when everyone will be confined to smaller quarters.

“Home” changes out the window frequently, so create home inside your RV.

Photo: Mike Bacanu

Living in an RV forces a minimalist lifestyle, but don’t go too far when downsizing your whole life into a tiny space. When “home” changes daily, a few comforts like framed photos and sentimental items can help your child — and you! — feel grounded. Older kids may enjoy making their sleeping area their own retreat space, too, when you let them choose decorative touches.

And don’t forget to foster connections with friends and family from afar. Technology tools like shared online photo galleries, a family blog, and video calls help you stay in step with and feel close to loved ones when apart. Incorporate these connections as part of your daily life — in fact, make it a point to schedule them in — not just when a case of homesickness wells up.

Assign responsibilities to create structure and stability.

Photo: Tyler Cave

As much as kids need space, they also need structure, though they’ll never tell you that! Establishing daily routines and assigning chores can provide a framework within an otherwise flowy, flexible lifestyle and continue instilling core values like responsibility and teamwork while on the road.

As kids get older, teach them the critical tasks required to set up and pack up camp to ready them for travel adventures in their adult life. They’ll be RVing on their own before you know it, and you get to offer them years of invaluable experience — before they need it.

Take advantage of the best classroom opportunity ever.

Photo: Jenny Farhat

Educational experiences enrich trips of any length and offer a nice balance between mellow downtime at camp and the intense physical activities common on family vacations. Historical destinations and educational tie-ins make RVing the optimal real-world classroom and can easily be incorporated into your road-schooling curriculum. And, really, any destination can be an educational one.

Even better news is that you don’t have to spend a bunch of money on museums to infuse educational experiences into RVing. Websites and apps — like HearHere — can help you find free or low-cost historical, educational, and “off-the-beaten-path” sites. Many of these online tools enhance visits with photos, tips, and background information. Travel days can become less routine and more educational with voice-guided road trip apps like Roadtrippers and GyPSy Guide, too. (It’s kind of like installing a museum in your RV.)

Start with these practices and go from there, learning what works best for you and your family. Remember, RV travel is meant to maximize the joy-filled memories and keep you wanting to adventure together. It’s a way for you and the kids to truly travel different.

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Zero-waste and eco-minded must-haves for your travel toiletry bag

When traveling, toiletries are essential items in your bag. But these days, there is more to worry about than just what’s allowed in your hand luggage. Toiletry items are some of the top offenders when it comes to plastic waste. Plastic packaging is often not disposed of properly or can be difficult to recycle, even if it is a bio-plastic. With people growing more concerned about their plastic footprint at home and on the road, many small innovative companies have come up with eco-friendly-toiletries that are designed to reduce the waste that ends up in our ocean and landfills.

When I was at the beginning of an eco-conscious lifestyle, I began to interrogate everyday items in search of minimum packaging, quality and sustainably made materials and toxic-free ingredients. I had to drastically reduce my everyday plastic consumption because there wasn’t a recycling program where I lived on the rural coast of Nicaragua. Examining the environmental impact I made as a consumer and pressuring for brand transparency was more powerful than I realized. Some companies falsely position their products as natural or ecological by adding botanical pictures or a few drops of essential oils in their products. You can avoid major green-washing with this list of eco-friendly-toiletries.

Whether you are at the beginning of your low-waste lifestyle or are already environmentally orientated, let this eco-minded product guide set you up for your next plastic-free journey.

Toothbrushes

Making an effort to refuse plastic and adopt eco-friendly-toiletries can start with your toothbrush. Every plastic toothbrush that you’ve ever used in your lifetime probably still exists, which makes the switch to a sustainable toothbrush more essential. No matter what kind of brush you use, the bristles get worn out, bacteria can accumulate and three to four months down the line, your toothbrush needs to be replaced. A toothbrush made of wood or with plant-based materials makes your dental routine more eco-friendly while still getting a great clean.

SeaTurtle Plant-Based Bristles Bamboo Toothbrush

Photo: Sea Turtle LLC

This bamboo brush has 100% plant-based bristles, minimal packaging and contributes to marine conservation with each purchase.

Buy

Price: $5.99

Brush, By Bite

Photo: Brush By Bite

You can detach the head of your Brush, by Bite for an easy travel option and sign up for subscriptions for your replacements. Also, good to note that the brush is made from Moso bamboo, which is not a recognized food source by panda bears.

Buy

Price: $12

SWAK Toothbrush

Photo: SWAK

This UK based lightweight bio-plastic handle is made from GMO-free sugar and has fun color options to choose from. The replaceable bristle heads are made from miswak wood, which gives this brush a modern twist to an ancient approach to dental hygiene.

Buy

Price: $15.37

Tio Brush

Photo: TIO

This Berlin-based design team has many sustainable manual options, but their rotating electric toothbrush is a great choice if you already have an Oral-B electric toothbrush or other compatible models. Their design, with consumption and environment in mind, allows you to buy their replacement toothbrush heads without having to rebuy your electric base.

Buy

Price: $5.80

Be. Brush

Photo: Be Brush

Without batteries or cords, this human-powered electric toothbrush is designed with stainless steel to last a lifetime. These creative Portland-based designers have stayed true to reducing waste by creating small replacement heads. If you are in the US and planning to go off-grid, this is your choice.

Buy

Price: $99.99

Toothpaste

When it comes to choosing effective all-natural ingredients in toothpaste, it’s great to look for ones that are cruelty-free, vegan and organic. Chewable toothpaste tablets, which are dry-compacted toothpaste, have grown in popularity because they are easy to carry and create less mess, which makes them the perfect travel-friendly option. A dry toothpaste with lightweight compostable packaging and chemical-free ingredients is the best option as your zero-waste replacement to tubed toothpaste.

Unpaste Tooth Tabs

Photo: Unpaste

You probably weren’t aware that toothpaste could be fluoride-free vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and preservative-free and still clean your teeth, freshen your mouth and reduce your plastic consumption. But that’s what Unpaste promises!

Buy

Price: $15.50

Dent Tabs

Photo: Dent Tabs

Dent Tabs is a dry toothpaste choice with sustainable and ecological values. It contains fluoride for those who need it but is sodium lauryl sulfate-free and packaged in a bio-plastic of renewable plant material (corn-starch). Bio-plastics are theoretically recyclable only if your town has a high-temperature industrial composting site.

Buy

Price: $10.39

Dental Floss

Choosing plastic-free and plant-based dental floss you can use every day is a must-have for your low-waste personal care routine. Even as small and thin as tooth floss is, nylon-based products can still leach toxic chemicals into the environment. The three options below have higher decomposable ratings, refill options and will help clean between your teeth and raise your eco-consciousness even more. Bonus tip: use your tooth floss as sewing thread to repair any clothing or items instead of trashing them on the road.

Me Mother Earth Floss

Photo: ME MOTHEREARTH

A cute vegan bamboo container makes a lightweight option with refillable charcoal fiber floss that breaks down quick and easy after use.

Buy

Price: $11.79

Eco Living Eco Floss

Photo: Eco Living

This EU manufactured floss is part of closing the waste cycle by using a corn-byproduct from the food industry, making sure ingredients are sustainably sourced. They also plant a tree for every purchase made.

Buy

Price: $4.50

Deodorant

No one wants to be that smelly traveler on the tram or a public bus. But we also need to minimize plastic waste. So choosing a natural deodorant that is plastic-free and chemical-free can benefit your skin and the environment. These deodorants were picked for their travel-friendly plastic-free packaging, all-natural ingredients, and compact simplicity that will suit your toiletry travel case.

Pack and Leaf Coconut and Vanilla Deodorant

Photo: Pack and Leaf

Choosing cardboard tube packaging designs like Pack and Leaf is a smart choice. They make full and travel-size paraben-free deodorants and donate 10% to protecting marine wildlife.

Buy

Price: $18.99

MAGSOL Plastic Free Deodorant

Photo: MAGSOL

If you have sensitive skin, check out this baking soda-free deodorant that has been rated the best with four simple ingredients and compostable packaging.

Buy

Price: $15

Wild Deodorant

Photo: Wild/Facebook

Beauty company, Wild, consulted with industrial designers for create the world’s first top zero-waste refillable deodorant made from aluminum and recycled plastic.

Buy

Price: $19

Shampoo, conditioner and body wash

As you transition into using more zero-waste toiletry products, you’ll find that solid bars or tablet-sized items are smart ways to reduce waste for the environment and weight in your carry-on bag. You can avoid the mini-amenity toiletries in plastic bottles and use soap bars or tablets that will break down with water and pressure, giving you that soapy foam to wash, as usual. There are a lot of simple DIY body wash, shampoo and conditioner recipes on the web to try at home and fill in refillable bottles, but this list of products have less mess and save on space when you set off on your next adventure.

Ben and Anna Shampoo Tablets

Photo: Ben and Anna/Facebook

Ben and Anna is my personal favorite for my travel toiletry shampoo and ticks all the boxes for natural ingredients, plastic-free packaging, and a fresh conscious clean.

Buy

Price: $18.24

J.R.LIGGETT’S All-Natural Original Formula Shampoo Bar

Photo: JR Liggett/Facebook

This natural shampoo bar is the equivalent to one 24 ounce shampoo bottle and comes with its own water repellent pouch and TSA compliant.

Buy

Price: $13.99

HiBAR Shampoo Bar and Conditioner Bar

Photo: HiBAR

HiBar have made these mini-sized bars that pack snuggly into a travel case and guarantee plastic-free packaging.

Buy

Price: $19.90

Ben and Anna Body Wash Tablets

Photo: Ben and Anna

If soap bars are too bulky, then Ben and Anna’s certified natural body wash tablets are a great fit for travel and friendly for the whole family

Buy

Price: $5.29

Hair Brushes and Combs

Hairbrushes usually end up in the regular garbage bin if they’re not made with quality, long-lasting materials. Purchasing eco-friendly toiletries doesn’t need to break the bank, but it does mean choosing more responsibly and sustainably to avoid unnecessary waste. Here’s a couple of quality and environmentally friendly options to help make an easy choice for your hair needs, texture, preference and budget.

Fiora Naturals Hair Detangling Brush

Photo: Fiora Naturals

Made from plant starch, this light-weight, durable, and kid-friendly brush is a great choice for many hair-types and useful for blow-drying.

Buy

Price: $9.99

Stainless Steel Metal Hair and Beard Comb

Photo: AhfuLife

A small, foldable, and portable metal comb for hair or beard that fits in your pocket or on your keychain is a must-have on-the-go accessory.

Buy

Price: $8.99

Toiletry Bag

Every time you buy something for your travels, you can begin to ask yourself: “Is it worth the waste?” By using less, searching for quality materials, and researching eco-friendly companies, you can make filling this bag with eco-friendly-toiletries a breeze.

Sea to Summit Travelling Light Hanging Toiletry Bag

Photo: Sea to Summit/REI

If you like a lightweight durable foldable bag option with zipper compartments that can hang behind a bathroom door or inside a tent, then this one’s for you.

Buy

Price: $49.95

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7 luxurious Airbnbs in the Outer Banks for the perfect fall escape

If you’ve ever seen an episode of Netflix’s Outer Banks, you know these barrier islands in North Carolina are the perfect summer destination. What you might not know is that the Outer Banks is also an ideal fall escape for those eager to extend summer while avoiding the crowds that plague beach destinations in June, July, and August. These are the most luxurious Outer Banks Airbnbs to keep on your radar for a fall getaway.

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.

Beachside home for seven with epic views

Photo: Airbnb

The Outer Banks in fall might be less hectic than in summer, but if you really want peace and tranquility, head to the small coastal town of Rodanthe. Quieter and more remote than the Outer Banks’ northerly destinations, Rodanthe is known for its easy access to the beach and the sound, giving you unimpeded views of both sunrises and sunsets. The recently-renovated Aloha Too is just three houses away from the ocean, has beach views from the deck, and sleeps seven people.

Seven guests, three bedrooms
Price: $800 per night

Book Now

Oceanfront house with seven decks

Photo: Airbnb

Renting an Outer Banks Airbnb with a deck is fine. Renting an Airbnb with seven decks is the kind of excess typical of a luxurious stay in the Outer Banks. With seven decks and six bedrooms, this beach house accommodates 13 guests. There’s an outdoor kitchen and barbecue so you can cook dinner with a view of the ocean, and a hot tub on the second-floor deck for those brisk fall days. The house is surrounded on three sides by wetlands and the fourth side by the ocean, so there are stunning views pretty much wherever you look.

Fifteen guests, six bedrooms
Price: $1,201 per night

Book Now

Pet-friendly Mahalo House near oceanfront

Photo: Airbnb

This four-bedroom house in Rodanthe is just steps away from an uncrowded beach popular for its surfing and fishing. It accommodates nine guests and is pet-friendly. A classic beach cottage, it has a two-tier deck as well as a dining room with a wall of windows, so you can enjoy the view whether you’re inside or outside. The house was also recently renovated, now featuring brand new floors, bathrooms and kitchen.

Nine guests, four bedrooms
Price: $750 per night

Book Now

Oceanfront home with hot tub, ping pong, foosball

Photo: Airbnb

Located right on Atlantic Beach on Hatteras Island, this four-bedroom Outer Banks Airbnb can accommodate eight people, making it perfect for families. It has a view of the ocean and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and if you’re lucky, you might even see dolphins swimming offshore. The house comes equipped with a pool table, foosball table, ping-pong table, outdoor shower, and a master bedroom with jetted bathtub. There’s also a deck attached to the master bedroom with unobstructed views of the island.

Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $564 per night

Book Now

Hidden Haven house with pool table, foosball, quick stroll to beach

Photo: Airbnb

From the outside, this two-decked Airbnb looks like everything you could possibly want in a beach house. On the inside, it gets even better. The open-concept dining area and living room is perfect for family gatherings, and has large glass doors and windows that offer panoramic views of the ocean. Indeed, since the house accommodates 10 guests, you’ll need all the space you can get. The house is also ideally located steps from the beach in Avon, as well as the popular Bros. Sandwich Shack and Mad Crabber.

Ten guests, four bedrooms
Price: $400 per night

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Treehouse that lets you sleep among the treefrogs

Photo: Airbnb

Treefrog Tower isn’t just a cute name for a vacation house. It’s a pretty accurate descriptor of this Airbnb in Nags Head. Located in the heart of a private nine-acre pine forest on the border of Jockey’s Ridge State Park, this house has access to 450 acres of hiking trails, and beaches on the sound. This apartment-treehouse fusion sits in the treetops, combining a modern interior with its rustic wooded surroundings. As an added bonus, the nearby Nags Head beach is the only beach in the area that allows bonfires.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $254 per night

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Crawford Cottage nine-bedroom with pool, beach access

Photo: Airbnb

This one’s for those of you with no intention heading out to the bar to do your socializing. Crawford Cottage in Nags Head is located on an acre of oceanfront property, and can accommodate 16 people across nine bedrooms. It has over 10,000 square feet of living space and over 2,700 square feet of sundecks, covered decks, and porches. There’s also a private indoor heated pool, outdoor pool and hot tub, pool table, foosball table, and even a private dune. It also has an elevator, making it accessible to disabled guests.

Sixteen guests, nine bedrooms
Price: $1,100 per night

Book Now

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Ecuador’s dazzling, hidden Andean lakes are just a day trip from Quito

Quito is a brightly hued city in the highlands of Ecuador that is drawing ever more visitors, most of whom use the city as a base for day trips to sprawling Andean landscapes — most notably Cotopaxi National Park, one of Ecuador’s stunning highland preserves. But the park is just a glimpse of the spectacular landscapes hidden within the Andean highlands. The region is splashed with hundreds of remote, scenic lakes, many of them volcanic origin. And these startlingly beautiful bodies of water are perhaps Ecuador’s best-kept secret.

Mojanda Lakes, Otavalo’s lesser-known lakes

Photo: Santiago Cornejo/Shutterstock

South of Otavalo, home to a beloved and colorful textile market, is a trio of less-visited, mind-bogglingly beautiful lakes called the Lagunas de Mojanda. Due to their remote, dirt-road access, they are the least frequented lakes on this list. But their expansive waters surrounded by Ecuador’s high-altitude paramo grasslands are a sight worth going out of the way for.

The three lakes are named in the native indigenous language as Caricocha (Man Lake), Huarmicocha (Woman Lake), and Yanacocha (Black Lake). Each is independently breathtaking, with layers upon layers of natural colors — from inky interior waters to clear Caribbean-like beaches, and all of it framed by the mysterious and cloudy Andean peaks.

Among the best ways to appreciate the cluster of lakes is through hiking or camping. The area surrounding the Mojanda Lakes is one of the few officially approved wild camping sites in Ecuador. However, the Andean moorlands can be both windy and cold with unpredictable weather. Therefore, wild campers should be adequately experienced and prepared for remote high-altitude camping before pitching a tent here. Otherwise, the three-hour hike up the Fuya Fuya volcano is suitable for most ability levels. It offers expansive views of all three lakes and the surrounding Imbabura, Cotacachi, and Cayambe volcanos.

Quilotoa Crater Lake, a jewel-colored volcanic lake

Photo: SL-Photography/Shutterstock

Hidden away in the Andes range about three hours southwest of Quito, Quilotoa lagoon is a two-mile-wide caldera that offers a majestic perspective of the Ring of Fire (the 25,000-mile-long string of volcanoes along the Pacific Rim in the Americas and Asia). The jewel-colored lake sits in a bowl-like crater crowned by a fringe of jagged peaks formed during its eruption some 3000 years ago.

The vibrant blue and green hues of the water are a result from continually dissolving volcanic minerals. Still, the seemingly color-changing properties of the lake are mostly credited to variations in overhead sun and cloud cover. The acidic content of the water doesn’t invite an abundance of species — it’s mainly comprised of algae and microorganisms — and is not suitable for swimming. Even so, the calm, majestic pool is ideal for a heavenly kayaking experience. But, perhaps the most significant draw for adventure-minded folks is the variety of hiking, horseback riding, and llama trekking trails that flank the lake.

However, the Quilotoa lake is perched a dizzying 12,000 feet up in the Andean mountains, so acclimation and appropriate consideration for high-altitude hiking are essential. The main trails include the multi-day Quilotoa Traverse, the four to five-hour Quilotoa Loop tracing the crater’s rim, and the steep 30-minute downhill hike from the viewpoint to the water’s surface.

San Pablo Lake, a local favorite near the Otavalo Textile Market

Photo: Alexandre Rotenberg/Shutterstock

Heading northeast of Quito en route to the Otavalo textile market mentioned above lies the glistening San Pablo Lake. The surrounding area juxtaposes rolling crop fields and towering volcanoes with a sprinkling of hostels dotted in between. And part of this lake’s allure is the distinctly local vibe compared to others in the area. It’s a place to pause for nostalgia’s sake to relish in the scenes of families rowing traditional reed boats, children learning to sail, farmers bringing their cows to the shoreline, and perhaps even a hot air balloon drifting by. Then, come September, the locals gleefully take an annual plunge into the frigid water during the traditional Yamor Festival — a sight definitely worth seeing.

Alongside the cultural charm, San Pablo Lake is also a nature enthusiast’s dream. It’s a bountiful destination for hiking, biking, rowing, and horseback riding. Beyond the lake, explorers can also seek out trails to the hovering Imbabura Volcano, the hidden Peguche Waterfall, or the thousand-year-old tree named El Lechero.

In addition, the 1400-acre San Pablo Lake harbors a vibrant array of birds and aquatic species that beckon birding enthusiasts. They come here to glimpse the Andean condor, blue-billed Andean ruddy duck, herons, coots, sandpipers, and dozens of hummingbird species. But that’s not all. The nearby Condor Park is a must-see, particularly for anyone curious about birds of prey. It’s a bird sanctuary dedicated to the rescue and conservation of owls, hawks, falcons, and condors.

Cuicocha Crater Lake, a bubbling, unusual paradise

Photo: Noradoa/Shutterstock

About 30 minutes west of Otavalo and nearly four hours from Quito, a day trip to the Cuicocha Crater Lake is the farthest one from the city. It’s a lake destination especially desirable for the conservationists at heart, as it lies within the Cotacachi-Cayapas National Reserve. It’s one of nine ecological reserves in Ecuador, dedicated explicitly to conserving biological diversity. And for this area, it means the volcanic grasslands, Cuicocha Lake, and islands are among the most pristine in the Andes.

Cuicocha is a deep and sprawling crater lake with impressive green cliff walls and two forested lava dome islands formed during a volcanic explosion thousands of years ago. The islands are protected from foot traffic, and the water is too alkaline for swimming, but Cuicocha Lake is well-known for its outstanding boat tours. The tours navigate through the fascinatingly clear and still bubbling waters before bobbing through canals and skirting along the island shores in search of wildlife.

Miraculously, despite their isolation within an inhospitable lake, the islands thrive with rare and endemic species including frogs, crayfish, snakes, and insects. But Cuicocha Lake’s most famous inhabitant is the silvery grebe, a diving bird only found in South American freshwater environments exceeding a whopping 13,000 feet in elevation.

The boat tour is inexpensive and lasts less than an hour, making it the perfect complement to the spectacular hike that loops around the crater rim. The Cuicocha Lake Trail is seven miles long and can take four to six hours to complete. It’s particularly appreciated for its isolation and immersion into alternating paramo and forested landscapes beneath the Cotacachi Volcano. And of course, for the elevated, panoramic views of the Cuichocha Lake and islands.

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The E.U. removed the United States from its safe travel list. Here’s what to expect.

If you were celebrating the end of the year-long ban on American tourists and planning to vacation in Europe this fall, you may soon be too late. On Monday, the European Union dropped the United States and five other countries from its safe travel list, Reuters reported.

Visitors to the European Union from countries on the safe list have enjoyed much more freedom of movement during the pandemic, as they have generally been exempt from quarantine when they arrive in any one of the 27 E.U. member countries — as long as they show a recent negative test or proof of vaccination.

Back in June, the European Union had lifted its travel ban against American tourists. Throughout the summer, visitors from the US who are vaccinated or test negative have enjoyed relatively easy travel throughout the European Union. And while individual experiences have varied, many travelers found it even easier to enter the EU than expected.

Residents of countries that are not on the coveted safe list might be subject to extended quarantine or testing — or find their travel plans totally derailed by bans on all non-essential travel. The restrictions suggested on Monday are not yet mandatory, and the European Council is leaving it up to individual member countries to either impose or ignore their recommendations.

While the June relaxation of restrictions had coincided with a drop in COVID cases, and European member countries were eager to for the much-needed boost that tourism would give their economies, the Delta variant is now sweeping through the United States. Given the dangerous surges in infection rates in the United States, the E.U. has decided to rethink its plans to welcome American tourists.

The New York Times reports that, “The threshold for being on the E.U. “safe travel” list is having fewer than 75 new Covid-19 cases daily per 100,000 people over the previous 14 days,” and that the “United States has an infection rate well above that threshold.”

Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro join the United States on the list of countries who will no longer enjoy freedom of movement in the E.U. Meanwhile, European travelers are still banned from traveling freely to the United States, despite the fact that the European Union has higher vaccination rates than America.

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A fall foliage expert’s predictions for New England leaf peeping in 2021

Transitioning from summer into the colder months can feel like turning the corner and getting socked in the gut with a swift, icy fist. But at least the changing fall colors give us something nice to look at — especially this year.

According Jim Salge, the fall foliage expert for Yankee Magazine and a former meteorologist at Mount Washington Observatory, the fall colors in New England in 2021 are shaping up to be particularly impressive. I caught up with Salge for more insight about how the forecasts work and what will make 2021 leaf-peeping season special.

How leaf-peeping forecasts are made

So how, exactly, does one actually predict the fall foliage? Salge looks at all the factors that will determine how the foliage will look this fall, including last winter’s strangely fluctuating temperatures, a dry spring, wet summer, and the potential impact from leaf fungus and moths.

Unsurprisingly, the most important factor is the state of the forest.

“The health of the forest is the biggest determining factor in assessing the foliage season ahead,” Salge says. “While the leaves directly respond to the changing light and temperatures in the fall, every year is different. Excessive summer heat, drought and even deluge will impact the fall colors, and outbreaks of hungry bugs and leaf fungus need to be considered as well.”

In 2021, the forest is quite healthy and well-watered. In terms of the weather, days in the fall need to have warm and sunny days with cool nights for the the green chlorophyll to fade and the red pigments to form. (Salge describes the red pigment “as a sort of sunscreen for the transforming leaves.”)

Salge broke his prediction down between northern New England and central and southern New England. Here’s what to expect.

Northern New England

The optimal time for leaf-peeping: Late September

What impacts this year’s leaves: Dry spring and not enough rain in the summer will make the trees turn earlier than usual from cold fronts.

How long you have: Get out there early if you want to catch any colorful foliage, because it’s expected to be short-lived this year.

Central and Southern New England

The optimal time for leaf-peeping: October

What impacts this year’s leaves: A wet summer and a warm forecast will make up for pockets of insect and fungus damage.

How long you have: Go ahead and take your time — peak colors will go south from northern New England throughout October.

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TSA finds raw chicken circling on baggage claim carousel

While you were worried about how much conditioner and toothpaste you were packing in your carry-on, someone decided that traveling with an unreliable cooler full of raw chicken was perfectly normal.

Last week, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) shared a video on Instagram showing raw chicken parts circling around the baggage carousel among other pieces of luggage. Even more disgusting: the raw chicken parts were not even wrapped.

TSA wrote on the Insta post, “Can chickens fly? Well… assuredly, no poultry is flying like this. We hear at one time these wings and thighs were cooped up in a cooler. Somewhere between baggage and the carousel, they became free range.”

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The post has accumulated over 400,000 views and more than 1,000 comments in the past few days. TSA has not commented on how unpacked, seemingly frozen, raw chicken ended up alongside other passengers’ suitcases, but they had a lot of fun crafting a caption. They finished their Instagram post with the following pun fest: “If you are pecking around the internet for travel tidbits, nest time reach out to our hens and roosters at #AskTSA. They’ll take your raw travel questions and cook out an egg-cellent answer.”

According to TSA’s website, passengers can bring frozen foods in their carry-on or checked bags as long as the food is packaged with ice or ice packs in a cooler or other containers. The ice packs must be completely frozen; if they aren’t, the food will not be permitted. Some food is not allowed through airport security, however.

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All the gear you need to have epic outdoor adventures with your dog

Outdoor adventures are always better with your best friend. Thing is, dogs don’t fit so well into puffy jackets and mummy sleeping bags. To keep your pup happy and comfortable on the trail, stock up on this outdoor and hiking gear for dogs. All items are available through REI, meaning you can boost your annual dividend while stocking your dog with adventure gear.

We hope you love the hiking gear for dogs we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase. See our full Advertiser Disclosure here.

Ruffwear Front Range Dog Day Pack

Photo: REI

A true trail pup carries his weight on backpacking trips. The Ruffwear Front Range Dog Day Pack is the best way for her to do so. This pack can hold essentials like water and treats, along with small items that may not fit into your pocket. The accessories loop stores poo bags for your benefit, and the pack is padded and cut to seamlessly fit a dog’s frame. As a bonus, the Ruffwear dog day pack is lined with tonal reflective coating to help you keep an eye on the dog in low-light conditions.

Price: $79.95

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Ruffwear Float Coat Dog Life Jacket

Photo: REI

When SUPing, kayaking, rafting, or simply swimming are involved in your outdoor adventures, a dog life jacket is in order. The Ruffwear Float Coat Dog Life Jacket is top of the line and guaranteed to help your pup float should she become embedded in a current or patch of deep lake water. It’s easy to clip on and comfortable for the dog to wear, and contains a clip for a light if you’re out when the sun doesn’t sit perfectly overhead.

Price: $89.95

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Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness

Photo: REI

For day hikes when a full dog hiking pack isn’t necessary, opt for the Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness. It’s cut and flexibility allow the pup to maneuver like an athlete while giving you control of where he goes. It’s comfortable, durable, and enjoys being on the trail as much as your dog does.

Price: $39.95

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ADS Trail Dog First Aid Kit

Photo: REI

Ticks. Scrapes. And the dreaded “prickly-in-the-paw.” Something small but painful can go wrong at any moment on the trail. The ADS Trail Dog First Aid Kit ensures that you can treat your dog quickly and efficiently and get back on with the adventure. This dog first aid kit includes bandages, wraps, a tick remover, and other handy gadgets to keep your pup moving in comfort.

Price: $25

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Ruffwear Roamer Dog Leash

Photo: REI

The Ruffwear Roamer Dog Leash is the top-rated trail leash on the market, and it’s from the world’s premier producer of gear for vagabonding pups. Think of this leash as “trail buoyancy.” The leash is there to keep the dog safe and attached to you, while providing the pup the freedom to move along the trail without feeling like there’s something dragging him down the whole time. Its elastic webbing stretches to provide more freedom but can recoiled by the handler when a steep cliff or off-leash prowler comes into sight. It comes with a Swiveling Talon Clip collar attachment that won’t come undone unless you make it so.

Price: $39.99

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Nite Ize Nitehowl Rechargeable LED Safety Necklace

Photo: REI

Letting the dogs range the campsite is more dangerous at night when you can’t see them every step of the way. The Nite Ize Nitehowl Rechargeable LED Safety Necklace solves the problem. The pup gains a light around the neck to not only illuminate their way, but help you track the movements as they happen. This necklace is also perfect for that afternoon hike in a particularly beautiful area, when the urge to stick around for that golden hour photo over the lake or to watch the sunset over the peaks overtakes the original plan to be back at the trailhead before dusk.

Price: $20

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Ruffwear Grip Trex Dog Boots

Photo: REI

The Ruffwear Grip Trex Dog Boots are perfect for snowshoeing excursions or hikes across scree and rock fields that could tear up your dog’s paws. These booties fit comfortable and provide all the traction and support dogs need for a day in the field. The boots are easy on/easy off and a cinch to adjust on the fly. Plus, your dog will look quite hardcore with his own hiking boots on in your photos.

Price: $37.50

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Ruffwear Dirtbag Seat Cover

Photo: REI

Mud happens. So do a lot of other dirty and messy things. The Ruffwear Dirtbag Seat Cover ensures that whatever does happen on the trail stays off the backseats of your car. What’s cool about this dog car seat cover is that, in addition to its basic functionality, it’s comfortable and tear-resistant design doubles as a mobile dog bed for your pup. The dog will come to know its smell and his smell upon it and adopt it as their own, which can make long rides home that much more pleasant.

Price: $79.95

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YETI Trailhead Dog Bed

Photo: REI

Photo: camping-dog-bed-hiking-gear-for-dogs.jpg
Credit:

A dog bed also comes in handy when camping. The YETI Trailhead Dog Bed is ideal because it packs up small, is washable and waterproof, and gives your pup a place to rest while you sit around the campfire telling late-night stories. This camping dog bed fits next to tents (or inside large ones) and is ideal in the back of campervans, RVs, and cars. And because it’s made by YETI, you and your pup can rest easy knowing that it’s built to last a lifetime.

Price: $300

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GivePet Off-Leash Leisure Soft Dog Treats

Photo: REI

Good dogs deserve treats. The GivePet Off-Leash Leisure Soft Dog Treats fit the bill perfectly for camping and are also an essential piece of hiking gear for dogs. Your purchase supports shelter dogs, and rewards yours with a tasty treat after a day on the trail and also helps a dog led astray by a scent find his way back to camp.

Price: $9

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Is the travel insurance with your Chase Sapphire card actually any good?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve offer some of the best benefits in the credit card travel insurance game today. Both Chase Sapphire cards offer a variety of well-known, and well-loved, benefits like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, delayed luggage reimbursement and rental car protection. The Chase Sapphire reserve goes a step further with protections like emergency medical and dental insurance and travel accident insurance that we’ll focus on.

But unless you’re reading the fine print, how do you know if it’s any good? In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about who is covered, what is covered and most importantly, what’s not covered. Before we jump in, there are few topics as boring as credit card travel insurance, so try to stay with me as we dive into the only subject with a lower rating on Rotten Tomatoes than Paint Drying: The Sequel.

Who is covered?

Knowing who is covered in the event of an issue during travel is critical. The Chase Sapphire cards both cover the cardmember and immediate family (spouses and children). That means that even if the cardholder’s family member is not an authorized user, they are still covered if the trip was booked on the credit card. Even better? If you, as the cardmember, book a flight for your spouse, your spouse is fully covered during their trip without you.

What is covered?

The coverages for both the Sapphire Reserve and the Sapphire Preferred are similar when looking at the trip interruption and baggage benefits. However, the key differences between the Reserve and Preferred arise when we talk about medical evacuation and emergency medical and dental.

Chase Sapphire Reserve​​Baggage delay: Up to $100 reimbursed per day, for up to five days, if your baggage is delayed more than six hours.Lost or damaged baggage: $3,000 per passenger, however, only $500 per passenger for jewelry, watches, cameras, video recorders and other electronic equipment.Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed more than six hours or require an overnight stay.Trip cancellation and interruption protection: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip, for prepaid non-refundable travel expenses.Emergency medical and dental benefit: Up to $2,500 for medical expenses when on a trip more than 100 miles from home.Medical evacuation benefit: Up to $100,000 for medical services and transportation in the case of emergency evacuation, when on a trip of five to 60 days, and traveling more than 100 miles from home.Travel accident insurance: Up to $1,000,000 for Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance or $100,000 for 24 Hour Travel Accident Insurance.Chase Sapphire PreferredBaggage delay: Up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days if your baggage is delayed more than six hours.Lost or damaged baggage: $3,000 per passenger, however, only $500 per passenger for jewelry, watches, cameras, video recorders and other electronic equipment.Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed more than 12 hours or require an overnight stay.Trip cancellation and interruption protection: Up to $10,000 per trip for your prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses.Emergency medical and dental benefit: Not available.Medical evacuation benefit: Not available.Travel accident insurance: Not available.The key differentiator is the medical benefits

While there are a few differences when looking at specific coverage value or terms, the key differentiator is the medical benefits. If you are banking on being protected while abroad, it is critical to understand your protections. The Chase Sapphire Preferred does not offer the emergency medical and dental nor the medical evacuation and accident insurance.

The emergency medical and dental benefit is something that you don’t find on many credit cards, other than the Chase Sapphire Reserve. While more comprehensive coverages exist that you can purchase through a third party insurance company, Chase includes up to $2,500 for emergency medical or dental services during a covered trip, and up to $75 per day, for up to five days at a hotel if required. This comes with a $50 deductible and includes emergency medical and dental services, hospital room, ambulance, medicines, and supplies. Specifically, this coverage only applies to trips 100+ miles away from your home billing address, which will easily apply to most travel. However, the only caveat here is the emphasis on “emergency.” Your medical issue must be deemed an emergency by licensed medical personnel, and state that you are unable to wait until you arrive home to address the issue.

You still with me?

The medical evacuation benefit is another bonus that you won’t find on many cards. If you or a family member finds themselves needing a medical evacuation, the benefit may provide up to $100,000 in coverage. The fine print here is that the covered trip must be at least five days in length, but not more than 60 days, and you must be more than 100 miles from home.

But there’s an important catch

This particular coverage is not a reimbursement. So, that means you must call the travel benefits hotline to initiate the transport and it must be approved by a licensed medical expert in your location. Basically, if you get stranded on the side of Annapurna, on that Nepalese trek you’re crossing off your bucket list, your first call is going to be to a Chase’s 1-800 number. Food for thought.

Lastly, is travel accident insurance, and while I hope you will never need to experience it, knowledge is power and it’s important to be aware of your coverage. If you or a covered traveler dies or dismemberment occurs on a common carrier, the card provides up to $1,000,000 in coverage. It’s important to keep in mind that this benefit only applies if you are in an accident with a “common carrier”, which is defined as a motorized vehicle (plane, train, car for hire, boat for hire or courtesy transfers to and from airports/ports) during your covered trip. That does not include rental vehicles.

What is not covered?

Now, onto the most important part of any trip: knowing what is not covered under these credit card travel insurance policies.

The most important thing to remember is that these insurance policies are meant to be secondary to any primary coverage. This means that you will only receive the excess dollar amount beyond what the airline or insurance policies give you.

Let’s take an example

Your flight is canceled and the next flight out isn’t until the morning. The airline gives you a hotel room and a $12 meal stipend for the night. However, because you miss the first night on your vacation, you are still paying for that hotel room at your destination. Because of your flight delay you are losing out on the hotel room cost, let’s say $300. On top of that, you spent $50 on food, not $12. When you file a claim for the trip interruption benefit, you will receive what you prepaid (that $300 hotel room) plus your food cost ($50), minus the $12 stipend the airline provided.

The same applies for medical insurance. You will receive the excess beyond what your primary coverage supplies if you had additional expenses. It’s also critical to keep in mind that not all events will be covered. Common exclusions to all of these policies involve medical issues while engaging in extreme sports, travel to “unsafe” countries such as Afghanistan, medical issues due to preexisting conditions and pregnancy, and weekend trips of less than five days or extended trips of 60+ days.

The importance of documentation

Lastly, documentation is often the make or break when it comes to reimbursement. While the medical evacuation must be done at the time of incident, most of the benefits are reimbursements. This means the burden falls squarely on you to provide everything you need, and more, to get the claim through quickly.

I have personally used a few of the personal goods protections, like the return protection and purchase protection, and I can tell you how ridiculously hard it actually is to get the money back. You might think a receipt is enough, but unless you overshare and provide receipts, images, bank statements and more, the claim is often denied at first based on “lack of evidence”. Documentation, when it comes to any of the travel and medical claims, is even more important.

Here’s my advice: keep everything and file a claim. And I mean it — receipts for food, receipts for purchases, hotel reservations, itineraries, and flight receipts. Get everything into the claim system as soon as possible. Don’t question if you have provided too much information, in this case, more is better.

How does Chase stack up against its competitors?

The Chase portfolio does have excellent benefits overall, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve is going to most closely align to the American Express Platinum travel benefits. However, it’s important to note that AmEx does not offer the medical or dental emergency coverage, nor do they offer travel accident insurance, therefore, putting it more in the category of the Preferred card. They do, however, provide the evacuation benefit and the standard travel benefits like trip delay, trip cancellation and auto rental protections. Before you book your next trip, be sure to confirm the benefits you have access to based on the card you pay for your trip with.

What’s the verdict?

The credit card travel insurance provided by Chase Sapphire Reserve is going above and beyond what you will find with many of its competitors. While it’s a huge weight off to know that there are a number of benefits that cover you while traveling, it’s also important to know those limits. There are a number of travel insurance companies, like HTH Insurance, that cover virtually any travel issues or cancellations with a comprehensive policy if you’re looking for 100% protection, even if it’s at a high price tag.

For the normal vacationer, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is going to provide the most comprehensive option of credit card travel insurance and can provide great relief when things go wrong. Just remember, read the fine print, document everything and file your claims quickly.

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