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Carnival Cruise line launches first roller coaster at sea

As cruise ships are starting to set sail again, Carnival Cruise Line’s newest vessel Mardi Gras has set the cruise ship craziness bar higher. Just when you thought cruise ships couldn’t possibly offer any more attractions, they’ve upped the ante by creating the world’s first on-board roller coaster.

And they’ve put it on a very, very large ship. Mardi Gras is a 181,808-ton vessel that is 35 percent bigger than the biggest Carnival cruise ship. It can hold up to 6,630 passengers and it’s one of the top 10 biggest cruise ships ever built.

But it’s not about the size of the vessel; it’s about what they are putting inside this space. Mardi Gras is the first ship to build a working and running roller coaster on board. BOLT: The Ultimate Sea Coaster is an 800-foot long coaster that hits about 40 miles per hour, designed by the German company Maurer Rides.

“Every time you go, the ship will be moving to a different port. You’ll have a different view, a different moment, and then, of course, you control it yourself,” said Steve Boney, executive business development of Maurer Rides in a video made by Carnival Cruise Line.

The coaster is suspended above the ship’s outer decks, reaching 187 feet above the water while also giving 360 views of the ocean. The cart can carry up to two passengers, and those in the “driver” seat can control the speeds of the cart.

BOLT isn’t the only thriller and entertainment that’s aboard Mardi Gras. The ship is also home to Carnival’s biggest waterpark and other entertainments like Family Feud Live, in addition to new dining venues such as the first Emeril Lagasse restaurant at sea.

Mardi Gras made its first voyage on Saturday. If you want to test your stamina against sea sickness by not just being on a boat, but being on a roller coaster on a boat, then visit Carnival’s website for more information and book your next voyage.

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Best bathrooms in America

Going to the bathroom in public is usually, at best, an uneventful occurrence. But some places around the country put a little extra effort into their restrooms by using art, design, and sensory experiences to make using the bathroom as much a part of your visit as anything else. The business products wizards at Cintas give an annual award for best restroom in America, and just released their nominees for 2021. You can take a look and vote for your favorite right here. But before you do, take a look at the nominees and see which one you’d most like to stay in a little longer than you should.

1. Fitness center Core24 GVL — Greenville, South Carolina

Photo: CINTAS CORPORATION

Men have long suspected that women’s restrooms are secretly filled with ornate decor and plush furnishings, and Core24 goes a long way toward confirming those suspicions. The women’s restroom at the Core 24 GVL fitness center combines art and street culture, influenced by art, design, and music. The bathroom has a spray-painted mural and a large flower wall, both of which serve as the perfect backdrop for pre-or post-workout selfies.

2. Fancy Flush mobile bathroom — Santa Rosa, California

Photo: CINTAS CORPORATION

Most porta potties are best avoided, but Fancy Flush is likely the most ritzy mobile bathroom you’ve ever encountered. Inspired by tiny homes with a French Country aesthetic, these bathrooms feature composite stone, board, and batten siding, boxwood hedges, hand painted faux wood doors, and wrought iron finishes like handles, sconces, and stairs. The interior is composed of two spacious restroom suites with vessel sinks, contactless faucets, air conditioning, heat, mood music, dimmable lighting, and a hospitality tray with hand towels and other toiletries. It’s like being in a five-star hotel bathroom — except it’s a porta potty.

3. JFK Airport’s Terminal 4 — New York City, New York

Photo: CINTAS CORPORATION

Airport bathrooms usually fall into the same category as porta potties (i.e. steer clear). The newly-renovated bathrooms at JFK Airport’s Terminal 4, however, are part of the Port Authority’s latest initiative to make the airport world-class. Located on the east side of the Customs Arrival Hall, the restrooms are 900 square feet with an entrance featuring black-painted glass with graphics of famous New York City landmarks. The interior features white terrazzo flooring, marbleized walls, and wall sconces that combine to create an elegant feel in an unlikely environment.

4. Nan Thai Fine Dining — Atlanta, Georgia

Photo: CINTAS CORPORATION

The 14x Four Diamond Award-Winning restaurant is, apparently, known for more than just its food. The restrooms here have been described as “zen-like,” with red and gold interiors and a feeling of luxury. The modern design is complemented by candles and folded towels.

5. Planet Word Museum — Washington, DC

Photo: CINTAS CORPORATION

Planet Word is a free museum in Washington DC, dedicated to promoting a love of words, language, and reading. That mission extends to the restrooms, too. The bathroom is full of fun, educational easter eggs, like showing how to ask “Where is the bathroom?” in multiple languages, demonstrating the different names for animal waste, and getting creative with euphemisms.

6. Pump House — Kannapolis, North Carolina

Photo: CINTAS CORPORATION

Aptly named, the Pump House in Kannapolis, a stand-alone bathroom, is one of the best in the country. Located in the middle of a tree-lined street, the Pump House is surrounded by water fountains, public art sculptures, and murals. There’s also a putting green, entertainment stages, and inspirational quotes from children’s books to fill out this inspiring public space.

7. Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Photo: CINTAS CORPORATION

This stand-alone public bathroom in downtown Steamboat Springs is heated year-round, making it perfect for the ski season. It was built using unique design elements for maximum visual appeal, sporting a butterfly-style two-pitch roof, and a facade with steel cladding, board from concrete walls, and glass blocks.

8. The Fed Community restaurant — Clarkston, Michigan

Photo: CINTAS CORPORATION

The restrooms at the Fed Community are bright and airy, mixing colors, patterns, and textures. They also feature positive affirmations to give patrons a mood boost, which is always welcome.

9. Two Cities Pizza — Cincinnati, Ohio

Photo: CINTAS CORPORATION

Ironically, the two cities in question here are New York and Chicago — neither of which are the home of this establishment. Those two iconic pizza cities, however, do feature prominently in the aesthetic of this concept restaurant. Furbished like a New York City subway station, the bathroom has a subway platform, train car, station stops playing over the speaker, subway handles above the sinks, and graffiti on the walls.

10. William S. Craycraft Park — Mission Viejo, California

Photo: CINTAS CORPORATION

Restrooms in public parks aren’t typically the cleanest or most appealing, but this custom restroom stands apart. The large, multiple-occupancy restroom includes 10 toilets, two urinals, and six sinks that can accommodate up to 540 users per hour (hopefully not all at the same time). The exterior is designed to match the local architecture, with walls upgraded with tile, brick,and stained wood siding to create a high-end look. There are also LED barn-style outdoor wall lights to give the restroom a more modern, glitzy look.

A version of this article was previously published on August 17, 2018, and was updated on August 2, 2021, with more information.

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Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise has now removed negative indigenous depictions

The Disney franchise has come under fire quite a few times regarding racial depictions of its characters in its movies, rides, and other theme park attractions. In January this year, the corporation announced that they would rethink its Jungle Cruise ride after heavy criticism of the attraction’s racially insensitive stereotypes of Indigenous people.

A day before the ride’s 66th birthday, on July 16, the attraction reopened in Disneyland in California with an updated version and the removal of what Disney called “negative depictions of native people.” The original ride took visitors through jungle scenes with characters who were portrayed as primitive and threatening. Now in its place are figures of chimpanzees swatting away butterflies and a safari group stuck in a tree.

Disneyland Resort

The additions come as no surprise, the corporation has been under scrutiny regarding the ride for quite some time. The new version also coincides with the upcoming release of a “Jungle Cruise” movie starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt on July 28.

According to a press release from Disney, the attraction at Disney World in Florida will also be completed this summer. This is one step the parks in the US are taking towards making sure they remain not only relevant but also reflect diversity and be culturally sensitive.

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Road trip to all US national parks

RANDY OLSON, a computer science and engineering Ph.D. candidate at Michigan State University, is a man who likes to design road trips. He has previously organized the ultimate US road trip and the best cross-Canada journey and, this time, Olson created an itinerary that would allow travelers to see every single national park in the 48 contiguous states without wasting any time.

Since Olson’s map was released in 2016, four new national parks have been added to the system. So Matador added them to a new map, creating the ultimate national park road trip.

Here is Olson’s original map form 2016:

Map: Randy Olson / Google

This ultimate national park road trip covers 16,847 miles and it would take you about two months to complete the loop if you’re going “at a breakneck speed.” In other words, you’d better take a few months off work before getting on the road.

Here’s Matador’s new ultimate national park road trip map:

Here’s a list of all the national parks included in this new itinerary. Note that you can start the trip at any stop in the loop.

Grand Canyon National Park, ArizonaPetrified Forest National Park, ArizonaSaguaro National Park, ArizonaGuadalupe Mountains National Park, TexasCarlsbad Caverns National Park, New MexicoWhite Sands National Park, New MexicoBig Bend National Park, TexasHot Springs National Park, ArkansasMammoth Cave National Park, KentuckyGateway Arch National Park, MissouriIndiana Dunes National Park, IndianaGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, TennesseeEverglades National Park, FloridaDry Tortugas National Park, FloridaBiscayne National Park, FloridaCongaree National Park, South CarolinaShenandoah National Park, VirginiaNew River Gorge National Park, West VirginiaAcadia National Park, MaineCuyahoga Valley National Park, OhioIsle Royale National Park, MichiganVoyageurs National Park, MinnesotaTheodore Roosevelt National Park, North DakotaBadlands National Park, South DakotaWind Cave National Park, South DakotaRocky Mountain National Park, ColoradoGreat Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, ColoradoBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, ColoradoMesa Verde National Park, ColoradoCanyonlands National Park, UtahArches National Park, UtahCapitol Reef National Park, UtahBryce Canyon National Park, UtahZion National Park, UtahGreat Basin National Park, NevadaGrand Teton National Park, WyomingYellowstone National Park, WyomingGlacier National Park, MontanaNorth Cascades National Park, WashingtonMount Rainier National Park, WashingtonOlympic National Park, WashingtonCrater Lake National Park, OregonRedwood National and State Parks, CaliforniaLassen Volcanic National Park, CaliforniaYosemite National Park, CaliforniaKings Canyon National Park, CaliforniaSequoia National Park, CaliforniaPinnacles National Park, CaliforniaChannel Islands National Park, CaliforniaJoshua Tree National Park, CaliforniaDeath Valley National Park, California

To find out more about this particular itinerary and Olson’s research, visit his website.

A version of this article was previously published on May 26, 2017, and was updated on August 2, 2021, with more information.

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Guide to Hawaii farmers markets

There’s nothing quite like plucking fresh, juicy guavas from the trees on an island summer day or sitting down for a traditional Hawaiian plate lunch al fresco. Add live music, and you’ve got the perfect way to while away the day — which is to say, Hawaii farmers markets aren’t quick errands. They’re experiences to cherish, immerse yourself in, and enjoy.

Of course, checking out a farmers market on your next visit to Hawaii is just plain fun, too. But beyond the joy-filled day it guarantees, it’s an incredible way to show support for the islands, promote a sustainable lifestyle, and share the spirit of malama (meaning “to care for”). Buying fresh, buying local, and supporting agriculture is a win for everyone.

“Farmers markets are known for carrying the freshest seasonal produce available,” says Tylun Pang, executive chef at Fairmont Kea Lani. “The flavors that come from a local harvest have no comparison to something that was shipped or stored. Our farmers work endlessly with integrity, care, and respect for the land. I couldn’t imagine what our island communities would be like without them.”

Not only are you giving the island economy a boost by supporting local farmers, but you’ll get a boost, too. You’ll discover new foods — if you’ve never seen breadfruit, that’s about to change! — eat like the locals, experience the community, and feel good about giving back. Here are a few farmers markets to visit — to immerse yourself in, to cherish — on your next Hawaii vacation.

MAUI

Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

On Tuesdays, make the Wailea Village Farmers Market your first stop. Bag up the day’s fresh catch (if you get there early), every kind of produce your kitchen can fit, and prepared snacks and meals made with local ingredients. Think dragon-fruit smoothies, acai bowls, and delightful fresh juices. Afterwards, stroll around the restaurants and shops or play a round of golf at the nearby course.

When Saturday hits, get yourself to the Upcountry Farmers Market, one of the island’s largest and oldest — it’s been running for 51 years. Early birds can score fresh fish; later birds should beeline for the turmeric elixirs, fresh poke, macadamia nut dips, and fresh coconuts, to name a few. You can even buy locally made hats, crafted by Maui Alpaca and Kula Cottontail Farm, and scarves made from local alpaca wool and angora rabbit fur. (Which will come in handy if you visit Haleakala National Park’s summit; it gets chilly up there!)

People also flock to Kula Country Farms, going strong since the 1940s, for even more reasons than quality fare and a sense of community history. For starters, the view isn’t too shabby — this plot of land gives you a dreamy look at the entire central valley of Maui, including Maalaea Bay and Kahului Bay. Secondly, there’s always something fun going on. You might be surprised (and delighted) to find strawberries on the slopes of Haleakala, and you can pick your own when they’re in season; in fall, there are hundreds of volcano-grown pumpkins to choose from. At the small enclosed farm stand, pick out jams, honey fresh from the farm’s hive, fresh breads, dressings, and marinades. Don’t forget Maui’s famous sweet onions, heirloom tomatoes, and persimmons. And, may we suggest buying protea flowers to fancy up your hotel room?

Tip: Pair the day’s market experience with a breakfast or lunch at Oo Farm, where you can search for chameleons hanging out in the coffee plants, purchase locally made coffee, learn how the farm operates, and — of course — sit down to a delicious farm-to-table meal.

Learn more about Maui farmers markets.

KAUAI

Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority/Heather Goodman

On the south shore on Wednesdays, visit Kauai Culinary Market at The Shops at Kukuiula. With live Hawaiian music in the background, you’ll scour everything from fruit, flowers, and produce to locally raised meats, ready-to-eat culinary treats from local chefs, and lots of handcrafted gifts made on the island. Talk story with local farmers — they may offer up a cooking tip or two — stop by the beer and wine garden, and take notes at the cooking demos. Afterwards, do some shopping. It’s hard to go wrong here, for sure.

On Saturdays, start the day with a cup of Moloaa Bay Coffee at the Kauai Community Market, then load up on jams, poi, kulolo, and Hawaiian plate lunches from Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. There’s also Kunana Dairy goat cheese, spices from Salty Wahine, and fresh baked goods that smell too good to pass up. Hint: If you need a gift to take back home, Tropical Flowers Express — you can catch them at the community market — ships to the mainland.

Last but not least, the Kapaa Sunshine Market — the island’s all-encompassing term for farmers markets — is held every Wednesday at Kapaa Beach Park. When the bell chimes at 3pm sharp, the gates open and it’s off to the races for art, fresh flowers, organic produce, and artisan crafts. Afterward, it’s off to the beach!

OAHU

Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

On Saturday mornings and Tuesday nights, meet farmers and food producers at the Kapiolani Community College Farmers Market and go home with local honey, handmade pasta, aqua-cultured seafood, scones, and oatcakes. Keep an eye out for different restaurants each week that prepare drool-worthy plates, too.

Located in the heart of Honolulu, Kakaako Farmers Market — taking place on Saturdays — features local vendors, fresh fruits and vegetables, and, of course, delectable treats. Think half-moon dumplings, Hawaii iced lattes, fresh pineapple, and other ultra-local goodies to fuel your body and spirit for a day in the city.

Beyond the markets, there are a few more spots you should put on your Oahu list for supporting local farmers:

Make time for a farm-to-table tour at Kahumana Organic Farm. Treat yourself to a banana-coconut bar, lilikoi cheesecake, and pesto-veggie pasta. Or pick up a CSA (community supported agriculture) box, full of fresh fruits and veggies, to prepare on your own — and see how Hawaii-fresh is its own flavor.Mao Farms, one of the largest certified organic farms in Hawaii, connects young folks to the land through the aloha aina tradition, which means “love of the land.” Here, they grow more than 40 different varieties of fruits and veggies.Similarly, singer-songwriter Jack Johnson and his wife Kim started the Kokua Hawaii Foundation years ago to teach people about where their food comes from and why it makes sense to grow your own produce. At the Kokua Learning Farm, in the heart of Haleiwa on the North Shore of Oahu, residents and visitors can purchase low-waste lifestyle products, vintage goodies, and local produce at the Kokua General Store and AINA Farm Stand.

Learn more about Oahu farmers markets.

ISLAND OF HAWAII

Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority/Dana Edmunds

Start the day with a Hawaii Island-grown coffee or tea at the Waimea Town Market on Saturdays, if you’re on the north side of the island. Follow your nose to the fresh-baked pastries and tarts; peruse the artisan wares, like locally produced wool, crafts, and ceramics; and buy some raw honey to mail home as gifts. When you’re finished, nab a picnic table with a view of Maunakea.

On the other (east) side of Hawaii Island, there are two things you’ll notice immediately about the Hilo Farmers Market: It’s massive (there are typically more than 100 vendors) and it’s popular (no matter what day you visit, there will be a crowd). It’s also open seven days a week, which means there’s plenty of time to search for treasures from aloha shirts and ukelele to any food you’re craving. Stock up for a day of hiking at nearby Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll get to experience the origin story of the islands’ rich, volcanic farmlands. And this way, the lava’s bounty will already be packed in your bag.

Learn more about Island of Hawaii farmers markets.

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10 architectural wonders you must visit the next time you’re in Denmark

Visionary and ingenuous artistry has made Denmark a torchbearer for design and architecture innovations. Danish architects have left their mark around the world. From Jørn Utzon’s iconic Sydney Opera House, to Henning Larsen’s Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, to the recent Icefjord Center in Greenland by Dorte Mandrup, each design is a testimony to Danish architecture’s cutting edge style and practical functionality.

But to experience the gamut of Denmark’s architectural and urban design masterpieces, you do not have to venture farther than Copenhagen, the capital city and a few more of its neighbors. Here are 10 of Denmark’s most famous and iconic buildings that are worth seeing.

1. The Utzon Center, Aalborg

Photo: Utzon Center/Facebook

The last building to be designed by Pritzker Prize winner Jørn Utzon who’s most noted as the architect of Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Utzon Center was a collaboration with his son Kim Utzon. The Utzon Center, inaugurated the year that Utzon died in 2008, is in the city where he grew up. Jørn Utzon envisioned the center as a cultural spot, rather than as a museum, where people of all ages and not just architects or students could access the knowledge of architecture and design.

The buildings of the center grace the revitalized waterfront of Aalborg. They overlook the Lim Fjord with striking and highly reflective curved rooftops, reminding visitors of sailing ships and shipyards, Aalborg’s main industry and the inspiration behind the design. The interior courtyards, a part of which forms the outdoor restaurant area, channel Middle Eastern and Mediterranean styles.

2. Moesgaard Museum, Aarhus

Photo: Moesgaard Museum/Facebook

A cultural history museum of archaeology and ethnography, the Moesgaard Museum in Aarhus stands out for its open-air design. Set amid a stunning landscape of woodlands and forests, overlooking the Bay of Aarhus, this almost Brutalist structure that’s softened by a grass, moss, and wildflower-covered rooftop was designed by Henning Larsen Architects.

Originally located in the historic Moesgaard Manor and still a part of the site, the new museum, which opened in 2014, forgoes the archaic narrative of box-like museums and instead places the building as part of the surrounding landscape where the gently sloping green roof is open to visitors all year round. The exhibition halls, bookshop, cafe, conference halls and auditorium are all arranged in split level forms, spread out over underground levels, mimicking for visitors a trip to an archaeological dig.

3. Bølgen (The Wave), Vejle

Photo: Stig Alenas/Shutterstock

Vejle, a town located in the Jutland Peninsula at the head of the Vejle Fjord, is particularly scenic thanks to its rolling hills and magnificent waterfront by the Bay of Skyttehusbugten. In 2006, Henning Larsen Architects began constructing a 100-apartment and 151,000 square-foot residential complex on the waterfront along Vejle Inlet. Their architectural vision of five consecutive wave-shaped towers was interrupted by the global recession of 2008, and construction came to a halt after the completion of two towers in 2009. The remaining three towers were completed in 2018 by the firm, after the passing of Larsen in 2013. Today the five towers of The Wave stand as an architectural tribute to the Vejle landscape.

Each wave reaches nine stories and has 20 apartments, with the largest ones on the top floor. The sculpture-like complex incorporates its residential zone with the public pier on the waterfront, making it an instant icon of Danish style.

4. The Black Diamond/The Royal Library, Copenhagen (1999)

Photo: footageclips/Shutterstock

The Royal Library, which is the national library of Denmark, was founded in 1648 by Frederick III, the king of Denmark and Norway. Situated in Slotsholmen, an island in Copenhagen harbor, the library is set among the notable National Archives and the glorious Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Supreme Court.

In 1999, a modern extension created by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects was added to the old building of the Library, which resulted in a striking architectural landmark on the Copenhagen waterfront.
The Black Diamond, called as such because of its polished black granite exterior and irregular angles, is an expansive cube cleaved into two slightly tilted parts by a soaring, glazed atrium offering stunning views of the sea and sky beyond. Along with serving library purposes, it is home to the National Museum of Photography, exhibition halls, a bookshop, a roof terrace, a cafe and restaurant, and a concert hall and theater that seats 600. Visitors can traverse between the old and new buildings using one of the three glass-enclosed bridges that connect the Black Diamond with the Royal Library to experience the impactful blend of historic and modern architecture.

5. M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark, Helsingor

Photo: M/S Museet for Søfart/Facebook and BIG

A mere 45-minute train ride from Copenhagen lies the coastal town of Helsingor on the island of Zealand. The town is known for its 15th-century Kronborg Castle, immortalized as Elsinore Castle in William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” As it was housed since 1915 in the castle, a relocation was planned for the maritime museum. Bjarke Ingels of BiG architects had the unique task of creating a building that would not impinge on the views of Kronborg Castle, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

The design by the Bjarke Ingels Group placed the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark below ground and within the walls of an old, ship-shaped dry dock. A stone’s throw distance away from the imposing castle ramparts, and next to The Culture Yard, Helsingor’s other architectural marvel, the museum which welcomed the public in 2013, is invisible as one approaches it. Visitors navigate sloping bridges to descend 23 feet into the depths of the building to view exhibitions and events about Denmark’s 600-year maritime past. Although entirely underground, it is Denmark’s tallest museum.

6. Den Blå Planet (National Aquarium), Kastrup

Photo: 3XN

While the creatures that inhabit aquariums are usually spectacular, the buildings themselves mostly fall short of the mark. But that is certainly not true of the National Aquarium Denmark. It was first established as Denmark’s Aquarium in 1939 and delighted visitors for more than 73 years. By the mid-1990s it became clear that despite many extensions, Denmark needed a new venue for the aquarium.

After winning an international competition, architectural firm 3XN designed the present premises of Den Blå Planet on the shores of the Øresund in Kastrup. The aquarium opened its doors to the public in 2013. Inside there are sea creatures that live in 53 aquariums that contain a total of 1.85 million gallons of water. The architecture takes its cue from a whirlpool and is shaped like a spiraling star with five arms. The center of the structure is the entrance hall from where visitors can fan out into each of the arms. Clad in aluminum, with a fish-scale pattern on its facade and surrounded by a reflecting pool, the building creates the theme of an aquarium through its concept and form.

7. Camp Adventure Observation Tower, Rønnede

Photo: Camp Adventure/Facebook

The Gisselfeld Klosters Skove, a preserved forest, lies about an hour south of Copenhagen. Situated in the middle of this lush forest is Camp Adventure Park, a go-to destination for nature and camping enthusiasts. There are picnic spots, climbing parks, the longest zip line in Northern Europe, a sauna, luxurious Mongolian yurts for glamping in the park, and even a Renaissance-era castle in the vicinity. But the supreme attraction is a tower.

The Camp Adventure Observation Tower opened in 2019 and is the brainchild of the architectural firm EFFEKT. The structure is accessible to all and offers the unparalleled experience of observing nature from above the tree canopies. The 147-foot tall tower is reached by walking on a two-mile-long boardwalk. Visitors have options to stop and observe the scenery from a number of viewing platforms and an open-air stepped amphitheater before arriving at the entry ramp to the tower. The seamless climb to the top of the helical-shaped weathered steel and oak tower offers panoramic views from every point.

8. Isbjerget (The Iceberg), Aarhus

Photo: balipadma/Shutterstock

Rising futuristically on the waterfront overlooking the Bay of Aarhus is a building complex that gives new meaning to unconventional architectural design. Aarhus Ø, once an industrial harbor area and a container port, was regenerating as a vibrant neighborhood in 2010. The first project to be completed in 2013 was a residential block consisting of 208 apartments, called Isbjerget or The Iceberg.

Resembling a cluster of floating icebergs, the complex designed by CEBRA and JDS Architects of Denmark, Louis Paillard of France and SeARCH of the Netherlands is a sight to behold. There are four L-shaped buildings composed of single-story apartments, two-story town-houses, and penthouses with the shortest buildings in front and the tallest to the back, which enables all residences to be bathed in sunlight and enjoy views of the bay.

9. Copenhill Amager Bakke Power Station, Amager, Copenhagen

Photo: Oliver Foerstner/Shutterstock

Can a power station belching smoke and gas be a tourist attraction? Architect Bjarke Ingels believed it could be and showed us how it’s done. The Amager Bakke Power Station, located in a former industrial zone of Amager island in Copenhagen, combines public utility and unique fun. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group and built in 2017, the waste-to-energy plant burns trash in two huge incinerators to produce heat for about 140,000 households. Also, its roof is an artificial ski slope.

SLA has landscaped the 279-foot high, sloping roof of Amager Bakke into a year-round open artificial ski slope covered not with snow, but natural grass that grows through synthetic bristles. Known as Copenhill, it includes a hiking slope, a slalom course, a freestyle park and the world’s tallest climbing wall. At the highest point of Copenhill is a bar that offers spectacular views of Copenhagen, the Øresund bridge, and Sweden. At the base are a restaurant and cafe, a ski school and a ski shop.

10. Cirkelbroen (The Circle Bridge), Copenhagen

Photo: Oliver Foerstner/Shutterstock

There are 17 biking bridges in Copenhagen, 15 of which were built in the last four years. Many have architectural brilliance — the Belvederbrøen (2016) built by SLA is bright red; the Inderhavnsbro (2016) provides stunning city views; the Cykelslangen (2014) artfully curves over the wharf, separating cyclists above from pedestrians below; while Lille Langbro (2019) is an elegantly curving bridge across the Inner Harbor that opens to let marine traffic through. But the Cirkelbroen or the Circle Bridge deserves special mention.

Designed by Studio Olafur Eliasson, the firm of Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson, the Circle Bridge was an instant hit when it opened in 2015. The cable-stayed bridge is comprised of five connected circular platforms of varying sizes with a “mast” on each, paying homage to Copenhagen’s nautical history. Pedestrians and cyclists crossing the bridge over the Christianshavn canal can pause and relax and use the bridge as a “public square,” according to Eliasson. The timber handrail, the inwardly tilted glowing red railings, and the lighting at night all enhance the bridge’s beauty. Part of the bridge glides and pivots open to let larger boats go by.

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San Marino becomes the smallest country to ever win an Olympic medal

San Marino made history at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 when Alessandra Perilli shot right on target and won the first Olympic medal for the country. Hitting 29 of the 50 targets in the final for trap shooting, Perilli earned a bronze medal in women’s trap for her small country.

Made up of only 34,000 people, San Marino is now the smallest country by population to ever win an Olympic medal. The picturesque republic completely surrounded by Italy — and lying due east of Florence — measures only 23 square miles.

She has won #bronze in #Shooting Women's Trap final. She is a legend forever, forza Alessandra 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/gNBpZuVtXk

— San Marino fan account (@SanMarino_FA) July 29, 2021

While the first rounds involve shooting at 125 targets, competitors get one shot each at 50 targets. Perilli’s third-place finish this year is a comeback after placing fourth in the 2012 Olympics. USA’s Kayle Browning won the silver, while Slovakia’s Zuzana Rehak Stefecekova took gold, with her record-breaking 43 on-target hits.

“During the final, when the fifth shooter went out, I thought, I don’t want to be one more time in fourth place, so I have to make it,” Perilli told journalists, reported CNN. “This is the first medal for me and for my country. We are a small country but very proud,” she said after the medal ceremony. “They [country] are for sure going crazy, crying. I don’t know, but for sure now they are.”

The country only entered five competitors this year. It has mostly entered shooters since it joined the games in 1960.

“There was no pressure, but only support from my country, from my team, from my federation and the Olympic committee,” she said.

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This Providence, Rhode Island, hotel has the only karaoke lounge in the city

I’ve long been someone who views hotels primarily as a place to lay down my head. Hotels all too often feel like a place set a world away from its location, and you can’t really explore what makes a city special if you surround yourself only with other hotel goers. But there are always exceptions, as I found at The Dean in Providence, Rhode Island.

The Dean is a pet-friendly, 52-room hotel in historic downtown Providence. As with many hotels in the area, the name is a nod to the nearby Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). The early 19th century building gets a modern feel from neon signs throughout the lobby and hallways, though there are still touches of what the location used to look like, including the original brick facade and mosaic tile flooring. Other original parts of the building are charming but impractical depending on your group’s size and the amount of luggage you have. Case in point: the elevator with a sliding metal door, which looks like a mid-century lift that needs a bellhop (though it would be a tight squeeze, to say the least, if there was a bellhop).

The old-school lift, of course, isn’t why you come to The Dean. I was in Providence for a wedding, and during the rehearsal dinner, a group of us were chatting with the photographer from the area to gather some bar recommendations. First and foremost she mentioned The Boombox. Then, a couple moments later, she name dropped The Dean Bar. Both are on site at The Dean hotel; this was the first time I encountered someone who lives in a city I was visiting who recommended not one, but two hotel bars.

The Boombox holds the special place as Providence’s first and only karaoke lounge. There’s a main room where you can sing in front of friends and strangers alike if you’ve got the voice for it (or even if you don’t but the sake has you ready to jump on a public stage). For a more private singing affair, there are five rooms you can rent by the hour for as many as 20 people. The Dean Bar is a cozy cocktail lounge serving elevated classics and originals (currently due to COVID restrictions the drinks and cocktail kits are to-go only through The Dean’s partner restaurant, north).

Photo: Christian Harder

It’s the rare hotel bar (or in this case, bars) that make it onto a local’s top spots list. Of course, you don’t have to stay at The Dean to visit any of the above. It certainly is easier to waddle back up to your room than it is to find your way back to another hotel, though. And there’s a good chance that other hotels won’t have the same design-forward thinking as The Dean.

The rooms are furnished with European and American antiques from global dealers, as well as pieces from local artists. The elephant-carved nightstands, for example, were made by artist and RISD professor Will Reeves. The artful interior design helps the space feel lived in.

There are eight room sizes and styles to choose from, all of which have signature black bathrooms, actually good snacks, rain showers, original artwork, a TV, and exclusive toiletries. The smallest room is The Kin, which is designed for two and has a bunk bed, while The Classmates is made for four with two bunk beds. The Patron and The Mates are for two with a single queen bed, and some of the latter have what The Dean describes as “a revealing shower ideal for voyeurs and exhibitionists.” The Gang and The King fit four, while the Guardian Suite can fit up to six. Lastly, there’s The Heights, which is a suite with four interconnected guest rooms on the private top floor that sleeps 10.

For longer stays, The Dean is conveniently surrounded by other notable destinations that are easy to walk to or travel to on one of the bikes The Dean offers for rent through Dash Bicycle. For groups of beer lovers, there’s The Malted Barley, Congress Tavern, and Providence GPub (which also has a rooftop). Cocktail fans won’t be disappointed with the drinks at The Eddy.

At the end of your time in Providence, though, you might just find yourself returning for a final round of karaoke.

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The most popular cocktails in the world, according to search data

It’s no secret that sitting outside under the sun while sipping your favorite cocktail is a beloved summer pastime around the world. Where many people diverge, though, is deciding what they like to drink. New data gathered by Cruise Croatia attempts to find those differences by finding the most-searched-for cocktails in nearly every country.

These aren’t necessarily the most popular cocktails in every country — the data is based solely on the cocktails that people search the most for online. According to a press release from the cruise company, “We then found the average monthly global search volume for the list of cocktails in every country of the world, with the cocktail showing the highest volume ranking first for that country … The search volume data used shows how many times per month, on average, people search for the target keyword in each country.”

Going by the Cruise Croatia metric, the most-searched-for cocktails in the world are the mojito, the mimosa, and the piña colada. The mojito, which came in first place, had the highest search volume in 84 countries.

Photo: Cruise Croatia

A diverse selection of cocktails ended up on this list. For instance, the negroni is the most-searched-for cocktail in the UK, while in Bulgaria, it’s the Bloody Mary. Poland, Denmark, and Finland all Googled the Aperol spritz at high rates.

Over in Asia, the martini and Moscow mule proved popular, while “Bolivia’s second-highest search volume was for the Caipirinha (along with the Martini), and Chile’s was bordering Peru’s Pisco Sour.” You can read the full data set and the complete list of cocktails here.

Someone in America might not think they have anything in common with someone in Ukraine, but if there’s one thing to be learned from Cruise Croatia’s survey, it’s that almost everyone on Earth needs to look up how to make a mojito every once in a while.

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A big e-bike tax credit may make bicycle travel a lot cheaper, and easier

This is The Climate Win, the most positive sustainability news around the world every week.

Electric bicycles may soon become a larger part of your travel itinerary. A bill that would provide a 30 percent tax credit on the purchase of e-bikes is under consideration in the US Senate. It’s called the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act. Technically, it’s an amendment to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and, if passed by Congress, it will create a very strong tax incentive for buyers of most new e-bikes.

If the bill passes the Senate and the House of Representatives, and is signed into law by President Biden, the hope is that the tax incentive will drive e-bike sales and encourage citizens to commute by bike rather than in their car. The e-bike tax credit would also provide a boon to bike shops both in big cities and in areas that depend on income generated by outdoor recreation.

In addition to financial incentives, getting more people on e-bikes is in line with the desire of cities to encourage more bike travel to ease congestion on clogged urban streets. Denver, New York, Philadelphia, and other major cities around the US saw a major boost in bicycle travel during the COVID-19 pandemic and hope to keep that momentum going even as a “new normal” establishes itself around the country.

What this may mean for you is not just a discount on a more sustainable way to get around in your city, but to travel as well. Electric mountain bikes, for example, encourage more people to get outside and explore the outdoors. Bikes can actually be combined with public transportation to create an emissions-free bikepacking trip with public buses or you can get to top mountain bike routes via Amtrak.

No matter how you arrive at another US city, once you get there a great way to explore it is via bicycle. Bikes allow you to see the city up-close while traveling greater distances than you could on foot. With an e-bike rented on arrival, you can see even more of the city without tiring yourself out — even hilly cities like Seattle. These are some of the best US cities to explore by bike.

There’s a lot for travelers to love in this bill. You can help make sure it’s passed by contacting your representatives in Congress and asking them to support its passage.

More climate wins

Grist reported this week on cadmium telluride technology, a material being used to create solar panels without the use of crystalline silicon. That’s good news because crystalline silicon is facing supply shortages due to the increasing global demand for solar panels. Also, suppliers in China’s Xinjiang region face US sanctions after being accused of using forced labor. Cadmium telluride could help alleviate supply shortages and diversify the supply chain, helping the market for solar energy keep up with ever-increasing demand. According to the report, cadmium telluride — which is thinner than silicone — is a viable alternative to crystalline silicone, accounts for 40 percent of utility-scale solar in the US and five percent globally.

The Indiana Department of Transportation will create the first pilot for a highway system that can charge electric vehicles as they drive, Smart Cities Dive reported. Following research and development through 2022, the state and its partners hope to deploy a quarter-mile stretch of highway in 2023, setting the stage for adoption of the technology around the country.

We close with a spotlight on a travel destination that makes it easy for visitors to be green. Matador this week published a guide on how to support local and sustainable businesses on Maui.

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