Matador Network's Blog, page 615
July 19, 2021
7 reasons you need to stay at this giant, gaudy pyramid hotel in Memphis
Many people associate Memphis with the blues and Elvis Presley, and thousands flock to Graceland searching for a quintessential Memphis experience. I was looking for a different type of Memphis experience, however. While browsing hotels, I was quickly drawn to a place that married the South’s passion for the outdoors with a level of flashiness the King himself couldn’t have dreamed of.
The Big Cypress Lodge is located inside the Memphis Pyramid, the 10th tallest pyramid in the world. It was originally built as a sports arena in the 90s and then was abandoned in the 2000s before being brought back to life by Bass Pro Shops. The Pyramid is a Bass Pro megastore with an archery range, a nautical-themed aquarium and restaurant, a stage for live music, and more. Millions of people make a pilgrimage to the flagship shop to stock up on outdoor gear and partake in the available activities. Fewer stay at the on-site hotel, but more visitors to Memphis definitely should — whether they consider themselves outdoor sports enthusiasts or not.
Here are seven reasons why staying at the Big Cypress Lodge is the most fun way to spend your time in Memphis.
1. Shooting ranges, bowling, and more make for the most over-the-top playground
Photo: Big Cypress Lodge/Facebook
One look at the Fishbowl bowling alley online was enough to sell my booking at the Big Cypress Lodge. The Fishbowl over-delivers, with neon blue lights, neon blue drinks, aquatic décor, and bowling balls that shoot out of an octopus statue. What more do you need?
However, if you do need more, there’s also a carnival-style shooting game on the Bass Pro floor where you can compete against a friend to see who can hit the most cartoonish animatronics. There’s also a shooting range with real guns on the second floor of the Bass Pro Shops store, but I was happy to stick with the toy rifles that make very satisfying pew-pew sounds. It’s all very tacky in the best of ways, and if you lean into it, you’ll spend most of your time doubled over laughing at your terrible aim.
2. It takes glamping to a whole new level
Photo: Big Cypress Lodge/Facebook
Yes, the Big Cypress Lodge is unapologetically gauche, with its bright décor and live alligators crawling around. But make no mistake — this hotel delivers on luxury if you splurge on the best rooms (Big Cypress Lodge suites can run between $500 and $1,000 a night, and some of the fanciest don’t list the price online and are book-by-phone only). The hotel is a huge honeymoon destination and bucket list trip for the type of country fiend who is just as happy catfish noodling as they are getting a massage at the spa (the Pyramid has a lovely one on-site).
I stayed in the Treehouse, a sky-high luxe suite that sleeps six, with vaulted ceilings, a porch with rocking chairs, and enough antler décor to upstage Beauty and the Beast’s Gaston. It felt like glamping with a fire I didn’t have to build myself. There are also smaller lodges geared toward couples or small families, like the Duck Cabin styled after a vintage waterfowl hunting cabin or the Fly Fishing Lodge with a spiral staircase. The Governor’s Suite is the prime offering, with huge leather couches in the spacious sitting area, a gaming table, and a massive stone fireplace. Even if you don’t spring for the big suites, the standard rooms at the lodges are all decorated with cozy log cabin-inspired décor, and many include porches.
3. It’s like camping out for Black Friday without freezing on the sidewalk
Photo: Big Cypress Lodge/Facebook
Stepping onto the porch of the Treehouse suite with a cup of coffee in hand in the morning is a surreal experience. A canopy of Cypress trees and moss crawling up the roofs of your neighbors’ cabins makes it feel like the outdoors, yet there’s no daylight (you’re inside a pyramid, after all). You’re overlooking the bright lights of a city-like megastore that’s slowly coming alive. There’s an omnipresent smell of caramel, toasty nuts, and popcorn that encourages you to get out of your comfy PJs and venture below to the on-site fudge stand. Or just stay in those pajamas while having fudge for breakfast.
The overwhelmingly large Bass Pro retail floor of the pyramid is strangely intoxicating. I’m not one for shopping on vacation, and I’m even less of an outdoors person. But there’s something about waking up surrounded by flannel, fishing poles, and cast iron camp gear that makes you think, “wait, no, I actually do need a portable turkey fryer in my life, and maybe a crossbow?” The plethora of hunting gear available may be a turn-off for many, but the bulk of the store is high-quality outdoor clothing and camping gear that would make great presents for the actual outdoor pros in your life. There are also home décor oddities for the friends who would just love a singing Big Mouth Billy Bass. Look out for the Bargain Cave deals you won’t find online.
4. You can walk like an Egyptian…kind of
Photo: Big Cypress Lodge/Facebook
The landmark Memphis Pyramid is rooted in the city’s connection to one of the Ancient Egypt districts. While the similarities between the two regions end with being situated on a magnificent river, Memphis has taken advantage of the namesake by offering several (not very authentic) Egypt-themed attractions. The exterior of the Memphis Zoo is styled with an Egyptian aesthetic, and the University of Memphis has a statue of Rameses II that’s a replica of the Colossus of Ramesses. Over 1,400 ancient Egyptian antiquities are housed in the Art Museum at the University of Memphis in partnership with the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology. Staying at the Pyramid, as the locals refer to the Big Cypress Lodge, is an excellent experience for Egyptology enthusiasts, even if your time here will be a far cry from an actual trip to Egypt.
5. You’ll learn about Mississippi River wildlife
Photo: Big Cypress Lodge/Facebook
Any attraction that features captive wildlife will be controversial and not for everyone, but Big Cypress Lodge takes steps to responsibly care for its resident animals while educating visitors. The pyramid houses a giant aquarium filled with hundreds of Mississippi River fish that staff divers take care of daily while educators teach visitors about the local species. There’s also a swamp filled with fish meandering throughout the shop floor and gators chilling from a safe distance. An interactive wetlands museum educates guests on waterfowls common to the Mississippi River area. If you’re into taxidermy, you certainly won’t be lacking in up-close opportunities to admire the birds.
6. There are views for days, inside and out
Photo: Big Cypress Lodge/Facebook
If you’re staying in one of the upper rooms in the Pyramid, like the Treehouse, you’ll overlook the twinkly Bass Pro Shop that could be a small city. But the views at Big Cypress get even more epic. The hotel has the tallest free-standing elevator in the country at 300 feet, and it’s made of glass on all four sides. The 28-story elevator leads to a glass observation deck and an expansive outside terrace that looks over the Memphis skyline and the Mississippi River. You can see the Memphis Lights if you time it right. The nightly show on the river illuminates the Hernando de Soto and Big River Crossing bridges with colorful LED lights and patterns. Regular shoppers at Bass Pro need to pay to access the elevator, but guests of Big Cypress ride for free.
7. You’re in one of the best locations to explore the rest of Memphis
Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
It’s very easy to get stuck in a Bass Pro trance while staying at the Big Cypress Lodge and never see daylight the whole time you’re here. But don’t forget that you’re in Memphis, one of the coolest cities in the US. The Pyramid is less than a five-minute drive from Beale Street, and it’s close to popular attractions like the National Civil Rights Museum and Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Rather than eat at the Big Cypress Lodge, save room for classic Southern food and barbecue at spots like B.B. King’s Blues Club and Blues City Cafe. As for the live music, Beale Street needs no introduction — plan on having a long night out. Rest assured, your Uber driver will have no trouble finding the Pyramid when you’re ready to come home. 
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How to spend the perfect long weekend in Washington rugged North Cascades National Park
Each year, only a handful of in-the-know alpinists, backpackers, and wilderness enthusiasts enter the depths of Washington’s North Cascades National Park. The park saw just 38,000 visitors in 2019, making it one of the country’s least-visited parks. It’s also the most deadly, with its untamed wilderness seeing the greatest number of deaths per visitor.
Yet the park can be enjoyed safely and arrived at easily. In just two hours by car, you can trade out the drizzly coastal streets of Seattle for the snow-capped crags of granite that form the Cascade Range and hide electric-blue glaciers and vast swathes of pine forest. To fully appreciate the beauty of the park, you’ll need to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails, because you won’t get the true experience if you treat North Cascades as a “drive-thru” park. This itinerary highlights the best way to do just that.
How to plan a trip to North Cascades National Park
Photo: Marina Poushkina/Shutterstock
Highway 20 meanders slowly through the heart of the landscape, past all the noteworthy landmarks and exceptional alpine vistas. The North Cascades National Park Complex comprises over 684,000 acres of rugged mountains, alpine lakes, and more than 300 glaciers, and is divided into three “units.” North Cascades National Park itself is the largest of these, encompassing 500,000 acres. The other two units are the Ross Lake National Recreation Area and the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Most amenities are located in these two areas, which are officially part of the complex but not the park itself, and see closer to 900,000 annual visitors between them.
There is no fee to enter North Cascades National Park. If you’re not the adventurous type, you can drive through the park along Highway 20 in two hours. But don’t be fooled by any who tell you that the lake districts — although amazing and worthy of a visit — are all that is worth the effort here. You can’t truthfully say you’ve been to the park without actually going into the main complex.
This slice of wilderness claims lives because it remains rugged and untamed. Its remote location in the Northernmost region of Washington has protected the landscape from the droves of tourists that challenge the ecosystems and crowd the roads of nearby parks including Glacier and Olympic National Parks, both of which saw over three million visitors in 2019.
Elevation changes quickly here, with sharp peaks topping 9,000 feet shooting up from the park’s base elevation of about 400 feet. Preparation is key in this volatile environment. Much of the year the park is covered in a thick and heavy layer of snow and the trails, although well-maintained, can be long and arduous. It’s vital to always check the elevation gain in addition to the mileage before beginning a hike in the North Cascades. Also, stop into the visitor’s center and ask a ranger for information on the day’s trail conditions. Pack for changing weather, with multiple layers including a waterproof jacket and long pants. See Matador’s backpacking gear guide for a rundown of what to bring.
Your journey to North Cascades National Park will likely begin in the seaside metropolis of Seattle. Cruise two hours northeast into the cool mountain air on Interstate 5 and Highways 530 and 20 before reaching the park gate. Note that cell service is often unavailable within the boundaries of the park and, if you plan on eating in restaurants, you’ll be limited to the few diners scattered across the sparsely populated mountain towns around it. It’s best to opt for pre-packed meals instead, supplemented by high-calorie snacks like trail mix or energy bars in-between.
Day One: Hiking and sightseeing among glacial lakes
Photo: LHBLLC/Shutterstock
Plan to hit the ground running and hike early in the day as the views over the park’s glacial lakes are best in the morning — and, on weekends, the tiny parking lots in the park fill up fast. For a quick return for your time, the Ross Dam Trail is a clear winner. Although traversing only 1.5 miles and 350 feet of elevation, the trail guides you to the man-made summit of Ross Dam and allows for spellbinding views of the green water and snowy mountains on a clear sunny day. Be wary that on Alltrails.com there are two separate Ross Dam Trails. The other is an 11.8-mile path that curves around the lakeshore across small bridges and past gushing waterfalls to Ross Lakes’ north end. The trails connect and if you’re physically able you can combine them for a long day-hike.
After the hike, stop at Diablo Lake Overlook. Often shrouded in mist, this highway viewpoint provides an aerial view of the neon turquoise waters of Diablo Lake. Framed by forested mountains on all sides, this glacial lake gets its color from what is known as “glacial flour” — small rocks from the surrounding mountains pounded into a fine dust by the powerful flow of water from the melting glaciers themselves. This huge pullout is complete with a restroom and water fountains and makes for a great impromptu campsite if you’re road-tripping with an RV or campervan. Another picturesque viewpoint of the bright blue lakes and surrounding emerald forests is the Ross Lake Overlook. It’s very similar to the views at Diablo Lake but is still worth a quick stop.
Spend the night at Colonial Creek Campground, reserving your spot in advance at either the north or south end. This site is very close to the famed electric blue lakes you’ve become familiar with today and offers an unrivaled off-the-grid camping experience. It also offers water access and riverside camping for cooling off on hot summer days.
Day two: Highlights of Highway 20
Photo: Dmitry Kovba/Shutterstock
This half of the North Cascades has fewer easy-access pullouts but is home to more seldom-seen trails than you could complete in a lifetime. Below are a few key places that are well worth a stop to stretch your legs. Highway 20 cuts through a densely timbered landscape, so keep your camera in hand and an eye out for a stray moose or bear while en route to each one.
The paved Rainy Lake Trail is the single most popular trail in the park. This is due partly to its beautiful azure lake that features a backdrop ring of mountains frosted with snow, and partly to its easy accessibility. You can reach the lake after only a mile of walking, making it an easy option if you’re feeling fatigued or got a late start.
Blue Lake Trail is a great option for a longer morning hike. One of the few dog-friendly routes in the park, this five-mile round trip path climbs 1,000 feet in elevation and climaxes with stellar views of Blue Lake itself. Backed by more mountains, this crystal clear lake is pristine and offers an ice-cold dip for anyone brave enough to slip into its fresh glacial waters.
If you want to leave Highway 20’s more trodden trails behind, Maple Pass offers equally dramatic views than the hikes above. This seven-mile loop begins at Rainy Pass Trailhead and climbs outside the park boundaries, showing off the sharp mountain peaks and old-growth forests that define the region. It’s a tough climb of about 2,000 feet and will take up the majority of the day even for fit hikers. Not only will your hike guide you past Rainy Lake, but past Lake Ann, a hidden alpine jewel. You’ll also Hike the trail counterclockwise for a more gentle incline. This hike is typically only accessible from July through September when the snow has melted at this elevation and the wildflowers have bloomed.
Washington Pass Overlook offers the sprawling dramatic views for which the North Cascades are known. After following the half-mile paved walkway to a rocky outcropping hanging over the cliffside, you’ll face massive granite fingers protruding from the earth over a carpet of green and a hairpin-highway curve carved into its base. This natural rock shelf also allows for panoramic views of the terrain you’ve traversed over the past two days and paints a picture of just how expansive this national park is.
This is likely as far as you’ll venture on a two-day weekend road trip through the North Cascades. On your return to Seattle, take a detour down the seasonal Cascade Pass road to one of the most scenic campgrounds in the North Cascades. Remote, lush, and paired with views of Mt. Baker on a sunny afternoon, this riverside campground is one of the best for travelers seeking peace and quiet after a day on the park’s trails.
Make it a long weekend by backpacking to Sahale Glacier
Photo: Kelly vanDellen/Shutterstock
A long weekend allows time for two spectacular side trips not on Highway 20. Begin with Artist Point. Quite the detour from the main route, Artist Point sits at the end of State Route 542, commonly known as the Mount Baker Highway. Access requires a white-knuckled drive. Along the way be sure to stop at Picture Lake, named for the reflection it casts of the surrounding mountains. At the summit, you’ll stare at the peaks of Mt. Baker and North Cascades’ tallest peaks, including Mount Shuksan, Mount Larrabee, and Goat Mountain. This is a great place to watch the sunrise before embarking on either the 6.5-mile Chain Lakes Loop or the 2.8-mile out and back trail to Table Mountain.
If you’re up to backpack or dedicate an entire day to one big hike, make it Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm. Just reaching the trailhead of this arduous hike can be quite an adventure. An ungraded rustic dirt road undulates through the thick forest for half an hour before you reach the paved lot of the Cascade Pass Trailhead at the foot of the Johannesburg Glacier. From here you can choose to navigate the switchbacks of the peak above to either Cascade Pass (7.2 miles), Doubtful Lake (9.2 miles), or Sahale Glacier (10.9 miles), depending on how far you want to go.
If you can press on to Doubtful Lake, you’ll see not only the Sahale Glacier from a distance, but also Doubtful Lake and panoramic views of the endless northern Washington forests. You’ll cross lush meadows filled with wildflowers, bears, and marmots and have the option to graze on wild huckleberries. If dramatic views are what you’re after, then this is the single best hike in North Cascades National Park.
Spend night three backcountry-camping at Doubtful Lake. About five miles and 40 switchbacks from the Cascade Pass Trailhead, this scenic campground breaks up the long hike into two days and allows you to say you backpacked in North Cascades National Park. It’s also the perfect spot to watch the sunset and sunrise behind the Sahale Glacier and its bright blue alpine lake. Note that this site is bare bones and requires that you pack in all your overnight supplies with you.
The post How to spend the perfect long weekend in Washington rugged North Cascades National Park appeared first on Matador Network.
Why it’s worth stopping Dearborn, Michigan, just for the Lebanese food
Tucked away on a quiet street in Dearborn, Michigan, Dearborn Meat Market is easy to miss. On the outside, the restaurant looks like just another Middle Eastern hole-in-the-wall cafe or a simple butcher shop, but when you step inside, you’ll find some of the best meat dishes in the state.
“Dearborn Meat Market is so good,” Matthew Stifler, research and content manager for the Arab American National Museum tells me. “They have this big brick grill in the back, and they grill meat for you. They’re really known for their beef kafta, chicken tawook, and shish kabobs.”
On a typical day, Dearborn Meat Market gets so packed that it’s difficult to move without bumping into someone. The small restaurant’s walls ooze with the aromas of beef and chicken. Like many restaurants in Dearborn, Dearborn Meat Market’s meat is halal, to cater to its many Muslim customers. Since opening in 2007, Dearborn Meat Market has exploded in popularity.
Lebanese food has found a perhaps surprisingly welcome home in Michigan. To the east and west of metro Detroit lies Dearborn, which is home to the country’s largest concentration of Arab Americans, many of whom are Muslim. Roughly 60% of the residents of Dearborn are of Arab descent, and the majority of those people are Lebanese.
“Historically speaking, Lebanese immigrants lived all over the country by the late 1800s,” Stifler explains. “They really went anywhere there was work. In the 1910s, Henry Ford started to mass produce the automobile, so many Lebanese immigrants came to work in the factories. By the 1920s, there was a thriving community and the growth continued.”
Stifler adds that many of the first businesses Arab immigrants opened involved food, since there wasn’t anywhere for them to buy the familiar ingredients from home. Restaurant, bakery, and grocer owners imported food from their home country, and many Lebanese and Syrian immigrants worked as grocers.
“There are roughly over 100 restaurants in Dearborn alone,” Stifler tells me. “You have Yemeni, Iraqi, Palestinian, Syrian, and Lebanese restaurants, and some of the restaurants are small and designed specifically for that community…There are Lebanese restaurants that have been open for 35 years at this point. Those restaurants are designed for both tourists to the area who want to try Arabic food and regulars who have been going there for the past 20 years.”
In some cases, the menus for specific restaurants are not all that different from what menus looked like over a 100 years ago in terms of the dishes being served. However, there are restaurants that have begun to fuse traditional Arabic food with different cuisines.
“I attribute that to the fact that the community is four-to-five generations old at this point,” Stifler says. “The American born kids grew up eating different types of cuisine, so their taste buds are used to a wide variety of food. When they open a restaurant, it’s less likely to be strictly only Arabic food. They may have a specialty taco on the menu or may even serve sushi! A few years ago there was a big push for poutine, and so one restaurant would serve shawarma poutine.”
If you’re planning a trip to Michigan, it’s worth stopping in Dearborn just to try the Lebanese food. Many restaurants and bakeries still offer traditional Lebanese dishes, while others are experimenting with a fusion cuisine inspired by global flavors. Here are five places to try Lebanese food in Dearborn.
Where to try Lebanese food in Dearborn, Michigan
Photo: Shatila Bakery/Facebook
Shatila Bakery: Ideal for dessert lovers, Shatila Bakery is particularly known for its mouth watering baklava. The bakery also offers a number of other Lebanese treats such as knafeh, maamoul, and kashta, as well as more traditional European pastries such as cookies and cakes.
Where: 14300 W. Warren Ave, Dearborn, MI, 48126
Al-Ameer: First established in 1989, Al-Ameer was one of the pioneering Lebanse restaurants in Dearborn and recently won a James Beard America’s Classic Award. Known for its expansive menu that is ideal for newcomers to Lebanese food, Al-Ameer serves shawarma, baba ganoush, kibbeh, grape leaves, and of course, hummus.
Where: 12170 W. Warren Ave, Dearborn, MI, 48126
Rafic’s Falafel: Rafic’s Falafel is run by a second generation Lebanese-American family, which may explain its eclectic menu. While there are indeed falafels and other traditional Middle-Eastern fare on the menu, there are also fried chicken tenders and submarine sandwiches. It’s a prime example of the blend between Arab and American food.
Where: 6905 Schaefer Road, Dearborn, MI, 48126
Hamido: Another culinary staple in Dearborn, Hamido offers traditional dishes such as falafel, fried kibbeh, and shawarma, but there are also a surprising number of American dishes offered on the menu, too. A few favorites include fried shrimp, a steak melt, and fried chicken.
Where: 13251 W. Warren Ave, Dearborn, MI, 48126
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Watch: Is this the right or wrong way to wear a neck pillow on a plane
Tik-Toker Sidneyraz is dedicated to sharing all the things he wishes he had known before he was in his 30s. His latest trick involves how to get some better shut-eye on the plane, which, unless you’re willing to shell out money for first class, is something that many travelers can use some help with.
One of the most common tools at our disposal is the U-shape neck pillow, which was designed to support the back and sides of the neck to promote better spinal alignment, according to the Sleep Foundation. Sidneyraz is convinced that the best way to actually wear your travel pillow is in the front, snapping the pillow shut in the back so when you lean forward, your chin has more space to lie on.
@sidneyrazyou can actually sleep on a flight #traveltipsandtricks #inmy30s
Theoretically, it makes sense. Amanda Woods from The Points Guy tried it out, and although she got some funny looks, she also reported it was the best sleep she’s ever had on a flight. But what about all that lumbar support the pillow was supposed to provide? What do you think? Is Sidneyraz wrong or right? Just know, even if you feel this is kind of silly, there are plenty of other tricks to get some shut-eye on your next flight.
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The best meteor shower of the year is here. Here’s how to watch it.
The best meteor shower of the year is here, NASA says. The Perseid meteor shower has already started bracing the sky from July 17 and will be here until August 24, 2021. The best time to view the shower, though, is between August 11 and August 12, where there could be up to 100 visible meteors per hour, according to NPR.
The annual meteor shower is caused by the 109PSwift-Tuttle comet that is in a 133-year orbit around the sun before reaching beyond Neptune, leaving debris behind, according to Popular Science.
If you want to see the gorgeous meteors shoot across the sky, it’s best to find a spot with next to no light pollution (these 10 US parks are some of the best for stargazing and you can’t go wrong with these dark sky destinations). The best time for shower viewing is 9 PM in the Northern Hemisphere or midnight in the Southern Hemisphere, until dawn, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Get ready for colorful shooting stars. The good news is, if for some reason you can’t make the shower’s season, there’s plenty of astronomical events coming up. And, of course, there’s always next year.
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9 French castles where you can spend the night in the lap of luxury
France doesn’t lack fancy and unusual places to stay, from gorgeous Airbnbs to church-turned-hotels. But for travelers who want to take the uniqueness of their accommodations up a notch, France also has plenty of castles where they can spend the night in the lap of luxury. Castles are the perfect retreat from the less-than-glamorous aspect of everyday life and are sure to provide visitors with a memorable experience, whether through impeccable service, amazing amenities, or interiors worthy of the nobility. From Versailles to the Loire Valley, here are nine French castles where you can stay.
1. Château de la Bretesche
Photo: Oleg_Mit/Shutterstock
Located in the small town of Missillac in Brittany, the former 15th-century historic residence of the barons of the nearby town, La Roche-Bernard was exquisitely restored in 2005 and converted into this beautiful five-star hotel. The Château de la Bretesche is within the tranquil and immense Brière Natural Regional Park and has a golf course, tennis courts, and two swimming pools, offering stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. The hotel bar occupies the former stables of the castle, making for a truly one-of-kind watering hole with preserved marble water troughs and historic decor.
Where: Domaine de la Bretesche, 44780 Missillac, France
2. Château Hotel Grand Barrail
Photo: Grand Barrail – Château Hôtel Restaurant Spa/Facebook
This French castle is set on a vineyard in the renowned Saint-Emilion wine region about one hour from Bordeaux. The five-star Château Grand Barrail is less than three miles from the town of Saint-Emilion, but its location on a three-acre park make it the perfect escape. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, a full-service spa (treatments include massages, facials, and body scrubs), a gourmet restaurant, and a patio overlooking its perfectly manicured lawn and vineyard, perfect for sampling the region’s famous wines. The castle’s turrets and domes stand tall above the trees, housing 46 luxurious guest rooms and suites that are a wonderful sanctuary after a long day of indulging in the gastronomy of this delicious region of France.
Where: Route de Libourne, D243, 33330 Saint-Émilion, France
3. Château de Courcelles
Photo: CHÂTEAU DE COURCELLES
The Château de Courcelles is a four-star, family-run property in the Champagne region of France that opened in 1989. The seventeenth-century French castle only has 20 rooms and sits on a 60-acre French-style garden, full of hundred-year-old trees, rose gardens, meticulously cared-for lawns, a forest, and even a canal. The hotel will even pack you a picnic basket to enjoy on its expansive grounds for a fee of $75 per person. Inside, every room is tastefully decorated with sumptuous textiles and wallpapers in a different color scheme giving them all a unique ambiance. The cozy library is filled with antique furniture while the conservatory’s floral tile brings the gardens inside on cold days.
Where: 8 Rue du Château, 02220 Courcelles-sur-Vesle, France
4. Le Grand Contrôle, Château de Versailles
Photo: Château de Versailles
Channel your inner King Louis XVI or Marie Antoinette and sleep in the newly opened, and only, hotel on the grounds of Versailles. Le Grand Contrôle occupies an 1681 extension of the south wing of the palace that was restored to historical perfection. The decor of the 14-room hotel was inspired by Marie-Antionette’s tastes for her residence within Versailles, Le Petit Trianon — it favors pastel colors and floral motifs, is filled with original art and furniture, and exudes opulence from the moment you walk in. But not every aspect of this unique hotel is original; there is a spa, a pool, a gym, and a restaurant run by famous chef Alain Ducasse. There is no TV in any of the rooms, but each of them have unbeatable views of the Orangerie Gardens and the Lake of the Swiss Guards. The best part of staying in this French castle is that guests have after-hours special access to the Château de Versailles and its 2,000-acre garden thanks to exclusive tours.
Where: 12 Rue de l’Indépendance Américaine, 78000 Versailles, France
5. Château Des Dynasties
Photo: Expedia
When it comes to French castles, the Loire Valley takes center stage and the Château Des Dynasties is located in the heart of the region. The 19th-century castle is on a 148-acre park, has nine bedrooms and seven bathrooms, and is the ideal space for you and 15 of your closest friends to experience the picturesque region. The castle’s owner lives on site and gives guests private tours of the property. The estate comprises an equestrian center so you explore the grounds on horseback or take riding lessons.
Where: Chemillé-en-Anjou, Pays de la Loire, France
6. Château de Fonscolombe
Photo: Fonscolombe
Enjoy the Provencal sunshine from the Château de Fonscolombe, located in the small town of Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, just 20 minutes from Aix-en-Provence. The 18th-century former family home has been expertly restored down to the ornate wallpaper and extravagant chandeliers. Each of the 50 rooms in this French castle is completely unique and elegantly decorated. The castle sits on sprawling land featuring a swimming pool, a chapel, and even a working vineyard.
Where:Route de Saint-Canadet, 13610 Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, France
7. Château De Picomtal
Photo: Château de Picomtal/Facebook
This medieval French castle, located in the Hautes-Alpes region, feels like it is out of a fairy tale. The restored structure is now a bed and breakfast with nine guest rooms, each uniquely themed and decorated to reflect the deep history of the Château. The Louis XVI suite reflects the opulence of King Louis and highlights 18th-century decor while the more rustic Montagnette suite offers mountain views and a wood-beamed ceiling. Château de Picomtal is located near the Ecrins National Park and the medieval village of Crots. The alpine setting is the perfect backdrop for a local hike, but if you want to stay on site, try one of the cooking workshops offered by the castle, highlighting local ingredients.
Where: 05200 Crots, Haute-Alpes, France
8. Château de Bagnols
Photo: Château de Bagnols/Facebook
The Château de Bagnols is everything you expect from a medieval French castle. It has a moat, drawbridge, and endless views of the rolling vineyards of Beaujolais. This five-star hotel has three types of rooms to choose from: the ones in the cellar have a modern aesthetic, the ones in the castle all have period furnishing and decors, and the ones with views of the gardens are classic and timeless. Whichever you choose, luxury extends well beyond the guest rooms, with a gourmet restaurant on site and a full-service spa offering custom massages and facial treatments, and two pools (one indoor and one outdoors) for relaxation and fitness.
Where:Le Bourg, 69620 Bagnols, France
9. Château Saint-Martin
Photo: Château Saint-Martin & Spa/Facebook
Perched atop a hill in Provence, just outside the beautiful town of Vence, Château Saint-Martin is surrounded by olive trees and has views of the Mediterranean sea. It perfectly balances the charm and comfort of Provence with the glitz and glamour of the French Riviera. The decor is elegant, yet casual, featuring soft hues and simple furniture, allowing the exceptional views to be the focal point of the 34-acre property. The Château also has tennis courts, a swimming pool, an underground wine cellar, and a Michelin-starred restaurant, Le-Saint-Martin, with a terrace overlooking the sea.
Where: 2490 Avenue des Templiers, 06140 Vence, France
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Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise reopens after removing 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 such as chimpanzees swatting away butterflies and a safari group stuck in a tree.
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 the movie Jungle Cruise starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt on July 28.
According to the 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 culturally sensitivity.
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Mexico is raffling off one of El Chapo’s safe houses for $12.50
Ever wanted to see what it was like to live in an expansive, real-world cartel mansion like the ones on Narcos? Well, here is your chance: The Mexican government is raffling off one of the houses of infamous drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
A raffle ticket and chance to win only costs 250 Mexican pesos (about $12.50). The two-bedroom house is in northwestern Mexico and was once used as a hideout. In 2014, Guzmán escaped capture by going through a fake bathtub to a system of secret tunnels.
This isn’t even the only property being raffled off. The government is also offering prizes like the mansion that belonged to former Juárez cartel leader Amado Carrillo in the El Pedregal region of Mexico City.
Photo: Government of Mexico
The raffle is run by a government branch, called the Institute to Give Back to the People the Stolen (INDEP). These “prizes” are confiscated items from criminals, drug members, gangs, etc., that the Mexican government now owns. INDEP runs public auctions that sell these items that were seized.
El Chapo’s two-bedroom house will be awarded in the same condition that it was left in as with all other properties. The winner of the raffle will be announced on September 15, the day before Mexican Independence Day.
There’s just one catch, according to the Australian site Monster Children: Foreigners can’t own the assets raffled off by INDEP (it’s giving back to the local people, not just people in general). Those who would like to enter the raffle can do so online.
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7 repurposed Olympic sites that are still worth visiting today
Delayed multiple times, the long-awaited Tokyo Olympics are finally set to take place at the end of July, but without any crowds in attendance. It sounds anticlimactic, especially after the yearlong wait. We can’t see the architecture and the work that Tokyo put in as the host city in person this year. Still, there’s always a chance the infrastructure will survive and take on a new life and purpose after the games.
While it’s true that some Olympic sites are abandoned after they serve their purpose, there are beautiful Olympic villages from years gone by you can still visit. There are also sites that’ve been creatively repurposed as urban renewal projects, athletic arenas, waterparks, and other venues that benefit the community. From China’s largest waterpark to a concert venue in Australia, these are the repurposed Olympic sites you can (and should) see in person.
1. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park — London, England
Photo: PJ_Photography/Shutterstock
London hosted the summer Olympics in 2012 and built many of its Olympic venues in the East End neighborhood with the aim of sparking urban renewal. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park initially contained the Olympic stadium, swimming pool, athletes’ villages, and other Olympic sporting venues. After the games, it was renamed in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond Jubilee. It’s now home to parklands, waterways, playgrounds, and sport venues, including London Stadium, the London Aquatics Centre, the Copper Box Arena, and Lee Valley VeloPark.
2. Happy Magic Water Cube — Beijing, China
Photo: fotohunter/Shutterstock
The Water Cube was one of the most recognizable buildings from the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing. It served as a water sports venue and is where Michael Phelps won eight gold medals. After the Olympics ended, the space certainly didn’t go to waste. It was converted into China’s largest indoor water park, and dubbed the Happy Magic Water Cube. With a capacity of 6,000 people, the park is famous for its giant Wave Pool and AquaTube Body Slides. Not only has the Olympic venue been successfully repurposed, it also quickly became the second most popular tourist destination in Beijing after the Great Wall of China.
3. Centennial Olympic Park — Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Photo: ESB Professional/Shutterstock
Investments for the 1996 Summer Olympics helped Atlanta transform its downtown area. Centennial Olympic Park played a major role in that revitalization. Today, the park is a tourist draw that includes the College Football Hall of Fame, National Center for Civil & Human Rights, World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center, and Children’s Museum of Atlanta. A nod to Atlanta’s Olympic history can be seen at the park’s Fountain of Rings, which is the world’s largest interactive fountain.
4. Sydney Showground — Sydney, Australia
Photo: Chayut Orapinpatipat/Shutterstock
Built for Sydney’s 2000 Summer Olympics, the Sydney Olympic Park replaced a run-down industrial park. After the Olympics the 1,580-acre park was transformed into the Sydney Showground, repurposed to house exhibitions, events, and concerts. The showground attracts over 12 million annual visitors — particularly for the Sydney Royal Easter Show each year — and the Dome, which used to host Olympic basketball games, remains an indoor sporting venue and the largest wooden structure in the southern hemisphere.
5. Utah Olympic Park — Park City, Utah, USA
Photo: M Outdoors/Shutterstock
The Utah Olympic Park in Park City originally hosted bobsled, skeleton, luge, and the Nordic combined events during the Salt Lake City Winter Games in 2002. It housed six Nordic ski jumps, as well as one of only four sliding tracks in North America. The 400-acre former Olympic venues still get some use, as many of the structures have been repurposed for tourism. You can ride the Comet bobsled, go tubing on the Nordic jump, and navigate a ropes course in the Discovery Zone.
6. Richmond Speed Skating Oval — Vancouver, Canada
Photo: Ronnie Chua/Shutterstock
The venues from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver largely remain in use, thanks to a $110 million trust dedicated to preserving the site and ensuring the construction continues to benefit the community. The Richmond Speed Skating Oval in particular has gotten a new lease on life, and today hosts hockey games, speed skating, basketball, and it has an indoor track and squash courts. The Oval draws around 550,000 visitors each year, ranging from children taking skating lessons to group fitness classes and large-scale events.
7. Tennis Palace — Helsinki, Finland
Photo: Ilari Nackel/Shutterstock
Originally built in 1938 for the 1940 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, the Tennis Palace wasn’t used until the 1952 Olympics due to World War II. Even then, it wasn’t used for tennis, but as a venue for preliminary basketball games. Impressively, the building is still in use today as a cultural center housing an art museum, museum, and movie theater. It’s home to exhibitions of both Finnish and international artists, which draw crowds from all over the world.
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What it’s like to be a trans athlete in outdoor sports
Taking my athletic pursuits to the next level felt a lot like being in the closet again. I first applied for a mountain bike racing sponsorship in 2018. I was scared that people would find out I was transgender and judge me for it, and I felt a lot of pressure to hide parts of myself from the race community. At the time, it felt dangerous for me to be known, and sometimes it still does. In the end though, hiding myself only led to feeling inauthentic and closeted again.
There are so many humans who enjoy the outdoors and outdoor sports, which makes it all the more important that it’s a place for all of us. But how is a trans kid supposed to feel like they belong in the mountain bike community if they’ve never seen or read about a trans person who mountain bikes?
Sometimes when I bring this up I feel like I’m stating the obvious. People respond with statements like, “Of course,” “Yeah duh,” and “The outdoors are for everyone.” Yet if that’s the case, then why aren’t we seen or talked about in sports except for when people debate whether it’s fair for a trans woman to stand on the winners podium? Don’t even start with your “because it’s unfair” thoughts, either. It’s a different discussion for another day, but remove your bias and go read about the science.
Photo: Katie Bennett
The further along my riding got, the more I felt like I was that 16-year-old hiding herself to make others feel comfortable. I wasn’t doing anything for the community to which I belonged while existing in the shadows of my “passing privilege.” Meanwhile, parts of the United States passed, and are still passing, laws that ban trans kids from participating in sports. Other laws block them from receiving healthcare at all. Not helping my community felt wrong, and it started to affect my riding, too. I started to lack the self confidence I fought so hard to gain when I came out years back. There’s a saying that goes, “Look good, feel good, ride good” and it wasn’t working out for me (except for the look good part).
Eventually, I started to speak up more often on social media and was only ever met with love and support. I think it was the positivity of those around me that gave me the strength to tell myself it was okay to open up and share my experiences with whoever was listening in the hopes that it would help enact change. Watching trans athletes in other sports also helped me to see that mountain biking needs a role model like that.
I felt like there was more to mountain biking for me than just riding bikes. Things started to change for me as I opened up more about my identity and sexuality. Even before I started talking about it, I changed my mindset. I stopped looking at my identity and sexuality as something that would hold back my riding career, and I started to look at it as something to offer the world.
The sport is comparatively behind in a lot of ways, and maybe outwardly being myself can help move my sport forward. Since opening up, I’ve seen a big shift in the direction my career is going, and it feels so much more genuine. I worked on a film that talks about these topics, and people can follow my Instagram, @handsblakesen, to keep up with what I’m doing. There’s been a lot of positive public feedback, my sponsors have started to utilize me, and more opportunities have started to flow my way.
I’m not saying that companies should ask trans people to be in their marketing campaigns and call it a day. Throw a trans person next to a Black person in your brand anthem video and you’re set, the thinking so often goes — dunk if they’re in a same-sex relationship too. That’s low hanging fruit, and it should run deeper. I’m not just a sparkling personality for your inclusive ad campaign.
Photo: Sophia Lei
A very small number of great athletes reach greatness alone. It takes dedication, which takes support, time, and money. These things need to be invested in trans athletes, too. If not, how will trans kids see a trans athlete on an Olympic podium or at the X-games without the tired “fairness” debate? We need more support from everyone.
A silver lining in the rough road of coming to terms with your identity and sexuality is learning to be comfortable in your skin, regardless of what others think. It took me so long to come out publicly, and when I did, it was one of the most freeing experiences I’ve had in my life. Growing up in a Mormon household, I almost feel — compared being trans to being a murderer — at least, that’s what I was inadvertently taught. It was like I unmurdered people when I came out, if that makes any sense.
Being a trans athlete is not easy. I travel a lot and often find myself alone in the rural US. I can’t help but wonder if I’m ending up at the wrong place at the wrong time when I drive into a rest stop alone. People are hostile toward trans people because we’re unfamiliar to them. They’re locked down by society’s narrow definition of what’s normal or not normal, okay or not okay, right or wrong. As a trans person, I live every day wondering when I might get attacked by people on the internet (which happens often), a race director, a competitor, or that one person at the bike shop who’s never friendly and I don’t know why.
Photo: Sophia Lei
I train hard to try and be my best self, yet I can’t help but imagine them telling me that I’m better “because you’re a man,” not because I trained harder. I would be lying to you if I told you that I didn’t skip training or riding sessions solely because certain people got into my head last Tuesday, or the one before that, too. It’s the reality we live in, but it doesn’t have to be like this.
I’ve learned so much since applying for that first sponsorship in 2018. No longer do I think of myself as a burden, and no longer am I scared of what other people will think of me. We do have powers, they’re just different from what the media tells you. Real representation matters. Seeing a white dude do something magical at the Olympics for his country matters. Seeing a trans person do the same, if they could, would matter too, and it would mean the world to all the kids out there doubting the validity of their own lived reality.
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