Matador Network's Blog, page 617
July 15, 2021
You can stay in NBA legend Scottie Pippen’s Chicago home and watch the Summer Games from his pool
Even if you’re not a basketball superstar, Airbnb and Scottie Pippen are giving you the opportunity to live like one for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Pippen, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and six-time NBA champion, is offering three one-night stays in his giant mansion in Chicago. The home has a full-sized basketball court, movie theater, and a game room with a classic Pac-Man game console.
To celebrate the year he and his team won his first Olympic gold medal in 1992, the coveted opportunity will be priced at only $92 per night. Guests will be able to take in all of Pippen’s memorabilia after being virtually greeted by the legend himself. Then get ready to play on his indoor court before watching the basketball Olympics competitions in the eight-seater movie theater, or while floating in the pool that is fitted complete with an outdoor flat screen.
Last September, Pippen gave Architectural Digest a tour of his house, so you can see just about every nook and cranny before you try to stay the night.
“Being able to represent the United States as an Olympian twice was an incredible honor as an athlete,” said Pippen in a news release. “Playing alongside the best of the best with Team USA will always be a career highlight for me, and I’m excited to host basketball fans at my home to witness the next generation of athletes performing at the top of their sport.“
Booking opens July 22 at 10:00 AM PT. Stays will be offered on August 2, 4, and 6. 
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10 New Orleans Airbnbs near the French Quarter for bachelorette parties and reunions
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Most visitors to New Orleans want to stay in the downtown and French Quarter areas and the surrounding neighborhoods. Fortunately, these parts of the city are loaded with great Airbnbs, within walking distance of the action on Bourbon Street. Here are the 10 best New Orleans Airbnbs to put you close to all the fun the city has to offer.
1. Renovated Mid-City apartment walking distance to jazz clubs
Photo: Airbnb
This newly renovated Mid-City apartment is located on the second floor with a private entrance. It’s flooded with tons of natural light, and it comes complete with a full kitchen, so in case you choose not to indulge in New Orleans cuisine, you can cook for yourself. It’s ideal for a tight-knit group of a few close friends.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $120 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This remodeled home is large and perfect for bachelorette parties and other group getaways to New Orleans. Staying in a historic property in a historic city adds to the charm, and you’ll be just northeast of the French Quarter — a beautiful three-block walk. Dining, cafes, and still-operating bakeries are also within walking distance.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $598 per night
Photo: Airbnb
No place is more epic for a New Orleans bachelor or bachelorette party, or a large reunion of any kind, than a mansion. The Robertson Mansion is 10 short blocks from Bourbon Street and the perfect place to chill before and after visiting the French Quarter. It’s strikingly NOLA with a wraparound porch, a large kitchen that has undoubtedly played host to some fantastic meals over the years, and walking distance to everything.
FIfteen guests, seven bedrooms
Price: $874 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Enjoy your stay in a traditional New Orleans shotgun-style home in the Marigny right outside the French Quarter. The artfully designed space with its art and bright colors is an instant mood booster. It was honored at the AIA New Orleans Design Awards for its mix of old and new construction. It also includes a saltwater pool and deck garden. The pool is heated, so it can be used all year round.
Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $135 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Make this French Quarter Airbnb your home away from home in New Orleans. It’s only a few hundred feet from Bourbon Street and within walking distance to anywhere in the French Quarter. You can get a view of downtown, and you are a quick walk to the St. Louis Cathedral, all while still enjoying privacy and seclusion. The space also includes a large balcony overlooking the Quarter.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price $327 per night
Photo: Airbnb
The best New Orleans Airbnbs incorporate water, a historic property, and walkability to deliver a great experience. Located in the Irish Channel neighborhood, this two-story home is excellent for a group trip. It has four bedrooms, three full baths, and an outdoor patio area. It was built in 1900 but has modern amenities, including smart TV, cable, and Wi-Fi. Beer lovers will appreciate its proximity to “Brewer’s Alley” — the nearby breweries and distilleries including Urban South, Port Orleans, NOLA Distillery, and more.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $639 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Stay right in the center of New Orleans at this downtown condo. Whether you’re a solo traveler or working from home, this one-bedroom is perfectly convenient. It’s ideal if you’re in town for a special event because it’s located within walking distance of the Superdome, Smoothie King Center, and Harrah’s Casino.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $79 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Many travel to New Orleans Airbnbs for bohemian endeavors. No spot is more conducive to this than this large, spacious apartment just two blocks off Bourbon Street and right near Canal Street. Enjoy the hammock swing and be prepared for a bright and dazzling interior — nearly as lively as the action of the French Quarter itself.
Twelve guests, two bedrooms
Price: $284 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This beautiful Victorian-era first-floor flat features original wood floors, high ceilings, and large windows. It’s located in a very walkable area just steps away from MoJo Coffee and less than a mile from the Warehouse District. It can sleep four guests between the queen size bedroom and the Memory Foam sleeper sofa.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $129 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This new renovation located in the heart of Marigny recently won the Louisiana Landmarks Society Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation. The two-bedroom features a large balcony overlooking Washington Square Park. The ideal location is just a four-block scenic walk to the French Quarter.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $307 per night
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A whisky brand is giving away a luxury 5-day Tokyo trip for two highball lovers
The 2020 Summer Olympics has been put back on the calendar for 2021, but travel to see the city and games in person has not. Yet while the games will come and go, the beauty and joy of experiencing Tokyo will be there for us next year.
The House of Suntory, which makes beloved whiskies like Hibiki and Yamazaki, is helping two people experience the grand side of Tokyo in 2022 by giving away a five day, four night stay at a luxury resort along with a round-trip flight, ground transportation when they get there, and a distillery tour or “Suntory Time” whisky experience. There’s also a stipend of $2,500 included to bring the total estimated value of the trip to $30,000. It’s like the best parts of Lost in Translation (the whisky and fancy digs) without the midlife crisis (probably).
Anyone who is 21 or older, lives in the US, and enjoys a good whisky highball can win the trip. To throw your name into the hat, you first need to make a whisky highball with one part Toki Japanese whisky and three parts soda water. Then simply follow @SuntoryToki on Instagram and post a picture of your highball, tagging the brand and including a creative 300-character-max caption that includes both #SuntoryTime and #TokyoContest. Being a superfan of Japanese whisky and the perfected Japanese whisky highball isn’t a requirement, but it’d be hard not to enjoy them both when touring the best of Tokyo.
Photo: House of Suntory
The full rules can be found on Suntory’s website.
You have until August 14 to post your photo and cross your fingers you’re a grand prize winner. Another 50 people will receive a complete Suntory Time Highball kit for future drinking. For the rest of us, a quick stop at the liquor store for a bottle of Japanese whisky, soda water, and some fancy ice will have to do.
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Finding love on a plane: Impossible, or a great opportunity?
Finding your seat on an airplane is like the first day of class. You could by some miracle end up sitting next to the love of your life who you just haven’t met yet, or it could be that person who breathes too loud and never stops talking. In movies like Can You Keep a Secret?, romance that starts on a plane seems all too possible. Reality can be a little different.
Two well-traveled Matador staffers try to get to the bottom of it: Is finding love on a plane reality or fantasy? Eben Diskin, senior staff writer, thinks the idea of meeting people on planes is nothing more than a Hollywood fantasy, while deputy editor Morgane Croissant is more optimistic.
It’s a fantasy because: Hollywood isn’t realityLet’s get something straight: I love romantic comedies. There’s the formulaic plot that never lets you down, the improbable but not-quite-impossible meet-cute moments, and the hilarious best friend who always seems to disappear halfway through the movie. Love it all. Problem is, these flicks plant a false seed of hope in our brains.
Am I ever gonna shack up with a girl with short-term memory loss and take valuable time out of my busy schedule to remind her each day why she fell in love with me? Certainly not. But might I meet a woman with Drew Barrymore’s girl-next-door charm at a breakfast diner in Hawaii? Sure. Maybe. But that couldn’t happen on a plane.
I took my first flight when I was 17. What I knew to expect came from the movies: I’d settle into my window seat, a Victoria’s Secret model would park herself next to me, and we’d subtly fight over the armrest. I’d ask for her number, and she’d say something like “if it’s meant to be, we’ll find each other in Philadelphia” (our destination). After landing, I’d wander into a cozy independent bookstore and realize she was reaching for the same book from the opposite side of the bookcase. The rest, as they say in Hollywood, would be history.
Instead I found myself next to a 50-year-old man wearing a StarCraft shirt who snored while he was awake. Nothing against StarCraft guy — who was fascinating in his own right, I’m sure — but he’s not exactly the stuff Hollywood romance is made of. —ED
It’s a reality because: Meeting people on airplanes is as easy as anywhere else
Photo: Syda Productions/Shutterstock
Rom-com meet-cutes are hardly based in reality. Nobody falls in love with their wedding planner (like in The Wedding Planner) or with the hot brother of the person you’re swapping houses with over Christmas (The Holiday). And it’s not likely that someone will spill all of their secrets to their plane seatmate because they think they’re going to crash (Can You Keep a Secret?).
Yet Hollywood aside, airplanes are as good a place as any to meet someone. You’re seated beside a potential lover in an enclosed place that creates a sort of forced intimacy. There’s food and drinks to keep you satiated. And just the fact that you’re traveling is great fuel for an interesting and revealing chat. Being on a flight is certainly more favorable to start a lovely relationship than being at a meat market on a Saturday night.
I met my partner of 12 years on a ferry sailing between Ireland and France. Our environment, as well as our travel plans and our previous trips, were our main topics of conversation. Spending 19 hours on a boat with very little else to do than sharing and connecting is what allowed us to develop a liking for each other, and it can easily be replicated on a metal tube 30,000 feet up in the sky. —MC
It’s a fantasy because: The motivation just isn’t thereMy seatmates have all been relatively uniform whether I’m taking a domestic or international flight. The same goes for trains and busses. They’re usually perfectly pleasant folks who make a bit of small talk before settling into the digital ether for the next three hours. It’s made me realize that most people don’t really want to meet people on planes. They just want to get through the travel experience with as little frustration as possible.
Traveling can be a chore with the security lines, crowds, delays, and other minor inconveniences that compound to put you in a bad mood. Finding peace by shutting everything out in the airport isn’t anti-social, it’s a self-preservation technique. But that same self preservation also means closing yourself off to potentially rewarding social interactions.
Call it a glass-half-empty take, but in an environment where everyone is exhausted, frustrated, and impatient, socializing with a stranger is often just too much work. —ED
It’s a reality because: You’re not at your best in an airplane, and that’s a good thingNobody looks good while flying. Travelers don’t bother putting on a full face of make-up for a 10-hour transatlantic flight, nor do they wear their fancy evening gowns. We’re all in our sweatpants with our hair tied back, trying to be as comfortable as possible. Taking a long flight in coach is the great equalizer and the great revealer. And what better times than when we’re at our most genuine to meet someone? There’s no smokescreen and games, you can be yourself and meet someone who is too, and you can easily connect through the shared ordeal of not having enough money for a business class seat. —MC
It’s a fantasy because: What are the odds?
Photo: NadezhDA222/Shutterstock
My string of lackluster experiences got me thinking: what are my odds, anyway? I could strike up a conversation with pretty much anyone sitting next to me on a plane, especially since they’re a captive audience. But what’s the chance that it’s someone I connect with and then stay in touch with? This could be a romantic or platonic connection, but for the purpose of argument — and to follow the Hollywood cliche — let’s talk romance (at least romance from my perspective as a single, heterosexual man).
Some back of the napkin math using demographic data from Statista:
The data site states there are about 136 million women in the US of marital age, roughly half of whom are already married (and that doesn’t count the ones in committed partnerships). Of the remaining, say 20 percent are a potential match in age and personality. Then you have to narrow down by people who would agree there’s a connection. We could keep going, but let’s leave it there and call it 3 million chances to fall in love with someone in the US for my particular interests.
Three million may sound like a lot, but one of those people also has to be on the same flight as you on the same day and time. They also have to be sitting next to you. The odds are, frankly, not great.
This isn’t meant to depress you, just help you adjust your expectations. I’ll crossing my fingers that I’ll actually meet someone on a plane, but it seems more unlikely than a Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan movie ending in a murder-suicide. —ED
It’s a reality because: Only people open to connecting will do soMost travelers see flights as a way to get from point A to point B and refuse to see it as an opportunity for connection, even on a long trip. Some go as far as comparing a chatty seatmate to a screaming infant — they are supposedly just as annoying. At Matador Network, we like to say that “travel is people,” meaning that what makes travel so great are the individuals we meet along the way, and it starts in the airplane.
Not engaging with the person beside whom you’re going to be seating for the next few hours is a waste of a good opportunity. Don’t spend your entire flight hours sleeping or watching corny movies on a tiny screen, and instead talk with your neighbor. After all, that person is going to the same place as you — aren’t you interested about what they’re going to be doing there? And who knows, they may turn out to be a lover, friend, or they’ll remain that cool, bizarre, fun person you met on a plane. You’ll never until you open up to them. —MC
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How to make the most of your one day at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum
If you could camp out in the Rijksmuseum, it would be easy to spend an entire week in Amsterdam without stepping foot outside its hallowed halls. A living monument to the art and history of the Netherlands, the Dutch national museum reportedly houses more than a million artworks and artifacts from the Middle Ages to today. Chief among the collection’s masterpieces are paintings by Dutch Golden Age icons such as Rembrandt and Vermeer.
A week is a lot of time to dedicate to a single attraction, however. That’s why we’ve enlisted the advice of the museum’s head of Asian Art, Menno Fitski, to help travelers make the most of a one-day visit at the Rijksmuseum.
A graduate of Leiden University in the Netherlands, where he studied Japanese Language and Culture, Fitski earned his current title after serving as the museum’s East Asian curator for more than 20 years. Heed his tips and tricks for the ultimate one-day guide to the Rijksmuseum.
Before you go: the #1 piece of advice for visiting the RijksmuseumThe best times to visitGuided toursWhere to start your visitFive must-see pieces or collections and why they matterUnderrated collections to check outWhat you didn’t knowBefore you go: the #1 piece of advice for visiting the Rijksmuseum
Photo: Erik Smits/ Rijksmuseum
Fitski’s number one piece of advice for visiting the Rijksmuseum is to set an early alarm and beeline for the Gallery of Honour. The museum’s most famous painting, “The Night Watch” by Rembrandt van Rijn, is framed by an arched entryway at the far end of the hall. Yet the entire corridor leading to the Night Watch Gallery is a study in the Dutch Golden Age, featuring masterworks by the most impressive painters of the 17th century. Even the hall itself is a work of art, with a tall domed ceiling and beautifully muraled walls, cast-iron beams showcasing inscriptions for the featured artists, and various coats of arms from across the Netherlands.
Because the Gallery of Honour is the most popular wing in the Rijksmuseum, it’s best to get there right when the museum opens. Not only will this help make your visit as efficient as possible, but it also creates an opportunity to spend some quality time with the Dutch greats, awed by every alcove lining the long corridor and each brushstroke adorning the walls. Says Fitski, “It’s quite special to roam around the Dutch masterpieces with only a few [others].”
The best times to visit
Photo: Rijksmuseum/Facebook
Unlike the Louvre, the Rijksmuseum is rarely inundated with crowds that make navigating the museum a challenge. Not even “The Night Watch” draws an unmanageable queue like you’d expect to see in front of the “Mona Lisa.” Nonetheless, the museum is a major attraction in one of Europe’s most heavily touristed capitals, and you’ll want to plan your visit accordingly.
The busiest time to visit is around noon. For this reason, Fitski recommends saving the lesser trafficked areas, such as the Asian Pavilion and Special Collections, which displays artifacts ranging from garments and armor to instruments and model ships, for midday and touring more popular galleries in the early morning and late afternoon, from around 3:00 PM until closing.
The Rijksmuseum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, even on holidays. For an extra special experience, Fitski suggests planning a family outing on Christmas Day. Not only is the museum likely to be emptier then, but that’s also “such a good way to make memories,” he notes.
Guided toursVisitors can organize tours of the Rijksmuseum two ways: bring their own guide or book one through the museum. Groups of up to 10 people are welcome to come with an expert in tow if said expert registers as an external guide in advance. Those who request a Rijksmuseum guide can choose between various tours, some of which may be themed, such as the current “Pink History” tour that reflects on the history of homosexuality in the Netherlands and its influence on Dutch art through the ages. Most tours are available in either Dutch or English, and the museum also offers guided tours tailored to the visual and hearing impaired.
Where to start your visit
Photo: Erik Smits/Rijksmuseum
Following Fitski’s advice to begin your visit in the Gallery of Honour and Night Watch Gallery will position you smack in the center of the second floor, which is bookended by the Great Hall and Sculpture Gallery. From there, you can move either clockwise or counterclockwise through the rest of the floor, which features everything from William of Orange Mannerism and William III Delftware to Flemish Influences and French Court Art.
Where you go next depends on your interests and timing. Pop up to the third floor if you’re waiting for a growing crowd to die down. There, you’ll find all things modern, from the works of Karel Appel and fashions of Yves Saint Laurent to the furniture of Gerrit Rietveld and a fighter plane from WWI. Alternately, continue your tour of the classics by working your way down to the first floor, where you’ll find artworks from 1700 to 1900 by famous artists such as Van Gogh and Goya, then end the day touring the Special Collections and Asian Pavilion on the ground floor.
Photo: Erik Smits/Rijksmuseum
To help make your visit as efficient as possible, Fitski also suggests starting your tour outside of the museum altogether: at home. Using the Rijksmuseum app, visitors can create custom routes based on their interests, from paintings of flowers and food to real-life furniture. Several self-guided tours are already pre-planned for visitors on the app, as well, whether you prefer fun themed routes like portraits and selfies or want a headier, more educational experience exploring topics such as the Rijksmuseum and Slavery from 1500 to 1650 or 1650 to 1960.
Five must-see pieces and why they matter1. “The Night Watch” by Rembrant van Rijn
Photo: Erik Smits/Rijksmuseum
By now it’s pretty clear that you can’t visit the Rijksmuseum without seeing Rembrandt’s most famous work. Officially titled “Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Bannick Cocq,” “The Night Watch” depicts Amsterdam’s civic guard taking marching orders from their captain, capturing a group portrait where the subjects are in action. Its significance is threefold: The painting introduced movement to portraiture, it’s massive at roughly 12.5 feet by 15 feet, and it showcases a technique called tenebrism, or dramatic illumination, which emphasizes the contrast between light and dark. In fact, the heavy shading is how the painting came to be known as “The Night Watch” despite being staged in the daytime.
2. “The Milkmaid” by Johannes Vermeer
Photo: Erik Smits/Rijksmuseum
Johannes Vermeer is another 17th-century Dutch Golden Age painter whose art has garnered worldwide acclaim. “The Milkmaid” is among his most famous paintings, arguably second only to “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” Like many Vermeer works, “The Milkmaid” elegantly captures the simplicity of everyday life, yet this painting notably depicts a working-class woman in contrast to the more affluent subjects Vermeer often painted. Light plays an important role here as well: Aside from a small stream of milk being poured by the milkmaid, the painting is a still life that relies on the perception of sunlight streaming in through the window for extra depth.
Fitski admires the level of detail and texture on display here, from the bread and ceramic on the table to the milkmaid’s clothes and skin, and notes that there are only 34 known Vermeer paintings left in the world. Of those, the Rijksmuseum’s collection contains no fewer than four, which visitors would be remiss to skip on their museum tours.
3. Japanese temple guardians
Photo: Erik Smits/Rijksmuseum
Of all the works in the Asian Pavilion, Fitski nominated this pair of Japanese temple guardian sculptures as a must-see. “If you think all Japanese art is zen,” says Fitski, “think again.”
Carved from wood, the sculptures were originally created between 1300 and 1400 to stand on either side of a temple entrance and scare off evil spirits. Their size alone is impressive, measuring nearly eight feet tall and roughly four feet wide. In each guardian’s hand is a vajra, or ritual weapon, to symbolically fight ignorance, while their open and shut mouths symbolize knowledge in its entirety by depicting the first and last syllables of the Sanskrit script Siddham. According to the Rijksmuseum, any temple-goer who passed between these guardian sculptures was said to be able to acquire this wisdom.
4. Doll’s house of Petronella Oortman
Photo: Rijksmuseum/Facebook
This dollhouse gives museum-goers a different perspective on the Dutch Golden Age: It captures the lifestyle of the 17th-century Dutch elite not on canvas but in miniature.
This dollhouse is no children’s toy. In fact, the dollhouses of the day weren’t designed for children at all. They were collectibles for wealthy Dutch women, in this case Petronella Oortman. What makes Oortman’s dollhouse so remarkable is its authenticity. Everything was made to scale using the same materials that would have been found in an actual luxury home. The porcelain was sourced from China, craftsmen like glassblowers and silversmiths were hired to furnish the dollhouse, and the frescoes adorning the walls could pass for artworks that would hang in the Rijksmuseum. Even the tortoiseshell cabinet in which the dollhouse sits was painstakingly inlaid with beautiful pewter.
All that work no doubt came with a hefty price tag: According to Fitski, Oortman’s dollhouse is believed to have cost more than an actual luxury Amsterdam canal house.
5. The Rijksmuseum Research Library
Photo: Piith Hant/Shutterstock
Not just the Dutch national museum, the Rijksmuseum is also a research institute that contains the largest collection of art history books in the Netherlands, in addition to being one of the most significant art libraries in the world, with a catalog of approximately 450,000 volumes. European art history is the focal point of the library collection. Mirroring the museum’s collections, the library offers insight into the art of the Netherlands and Western Europe from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, as well as a variety of works on the history of pan-Asian art. The best part for library lovers? The collection is housed in a beautiful, 19th-century reading room where you could easily spend as much time as you did wandering the museum itself.
Underrated collections to check out
Photo: Rijksmuseum
Museum-goers generally plan their visits around masterworks created by icons of the art world. The Rijksmuseum is no exception, yet some of the most fascinating pieces on display were neither crafted by famous hands nor are even considered art; they’re everyday objects that offer insight into Dutch culture and aesthetics in their humblest form.
Though the Special Collections gallery houses the majority of the museum’s miscellaneous artifacts, for Fitski, the museum’s woolen hat collection on the second floor exemplifies the beauty that can be found in the simplicity of historical relics. The collection is made up of centuries-old, individually designed headwear that was once worn by whalers who worked on Spitsbergen, an island located near the North Pole. According to Fitski, the hats may have been hand-crafted by the sailors’ loved ones. “When you see that they are carefully mended,” Fitski says, “you suddenly feel very close to their personal lives of 400 years ago.”
What you didn’t knowThe Rijksmuseum is full of surprises. And they’re not limited to the museum’s collections. Alongside priceless works of art, the Rijksmuseum is home to two peregrine falcons, which have a nest in the museum’s bell tower and recently had two new chicks. “If you look up to the sky, you might see them flying around,” says Fitski.
Where the artwork is concerned, Fitski also notes that the Rijksmuseum Gardens puts on a free exhibit every summer that’s worth taking advantage of. This year, the exhibition focuses on the works of Ellsworth Kelly (1923-2015), an American painter, printmaker, and sculptor who was known for his use of bright colors, linework, minimalism, and hard-edge painting.
Photo: RIJKS/Facebook
When your one-day visit of the Rijksmuseum comes to a close, the museum has one more trick up its sleeve: an on-site restaurant with a Michelin star. The restaurant, Rijks, which is located in the Philips Wing on the ground floor, showcases creativity of a different kind through artfully prepared and plated dishes that combine locally grown produce with international influences that have helped shape Dutch cuisine.
The post How to make the most of your one day at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum appeared first on Matador Network.
July 14, 2021
Italy finally bans all cruise ships in Venice, for real this time
The “Venice bans cruise ships” headline might be one you’ve seen before. Venice already announced a ban on cruise ships from entering Venice’s historic center last April, as we reported.
However, that wasn’t the whole story. That became clear last month when, to the shock of many, massive cruise ships returned to Venice. As Matador then explained, the wording of the original ban said it would take effect only when an alternative docking area for the cruise ships was presented. Since no alternative currently exists, the ships were still permitted to enter the Venetian Lagoon — an already threatened and fragile ecosystem.
Two weeks after the mega cruisers returned to Venice, UNESCO shook things up. The UN agency on cultural heritage said it would put the Venice Lagoon on the endangered list if cruise ships weren’t banned — finally spurring the Italian government into action.
As of August 1, all ships weighing over 25,000 tons will be prohibited from entering the shallow Giudecca Canal that flows past Piazza San Marco. Only small passenger ferries and goods vessels will be allowed to use the canal.
The banning of cruise ships in Venice has always been a controversial issue. Residents have long advocated for the government to ban large ships from the lagoon, due to their pollution, ill effects on the ecosystem, and even accidents that have injured tourists. Tourist operators, local businesses, and the roughly 6000 port workers and their families, profit from the influx of tourists and have argued in favor of the cruise industry.
Whatever your stance on the issue, the ban proves that persistent environmental advocacy and protests can meaningfully impact policy.
The post Italy finally bans all cruise ships in Venice, for real this time appeared first on Matador Network.
Tahoe ski patroller reveals all the things dropped off ski lifts last season
When Brian Fidelibus is on ski patrol during the winter in Tahoe, his job is to keep everyone safe on the track by promoting the track rules, assisting with medical injuries, and keeping skiers in bounds. He also spends lots of time around the ski lift, often finding some of the crazy things that fall out of the pockets of skiers and snowboarders while they make their way up the mountain.
Fidelibus has taken to TikTok to show some of the things he’s found in highlight reels he calls liftloot. In it, you’ll see he’s found Airpods (lots of them), some Airpod cases, vapes, pocket knives, medicine, and more bizarre stuff. In other videos, he’s found cell phones, fancy watches, and unopened alcohol.
@tahoepatrolWe have found some crazy stuff #skipatrol #laketahoe #skiresort #liftloot
♬ SUNNY DAY – Matteo Rossanese
In the summer, once the snow has melted, the treasure hunting continues and he finds old ski passes, drinks, and odd items like kitchen spatulas, that he picks up digently.
@tahoepatrolLift Loot Pt 11! ##laketahoe ##skiresort ##skipatrol ##woodwardtahoe
♬ Blue Blood – Heinz Kiessling & Various Artists
Moral of the Tiktok: Next time you’re heading up to the slopes, be sure to hold your valuables tight and zip up all your pockets. You don’t want to lose your stuff or pollute on the mountain top.
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10 New Orleans Airbnbs near the French Quarter for bachelorette parties and reunions
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Most visitors to New Orleans want to stay in the downtown and French Quarter areas and the surrounding neighborhoods. Fortunately, these parts of the city are loaded with great Airbnbs, within walking distance of the action on Bourbon Street. Here are the 10 best New Orleans Airbnbs to put you close to all the fun the city has to offer.
1. Renovated Mid-City apartment walking distance to jazz clubs
Photo: Airbnb
This newly renovated Mid-City apartment is located on the second floor with a private entrance. It’s flooded with tons of natural light, and it comes complete with a full kitchen, so in case you choose not to indulge in New Orleans cuisine, you can cook for yourself. It’s ideal for a tight-knit group of a few close friends.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $120 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This remodeled home is large and perfect for bachelorette parties and other group getaways to New Orleans. Staying in a historic property in a historic city adds to the charm, and you’ll be just northeast of the French Quarter — a beautiful three-block walk. Dining, cafes, and still-operating bakeries are also within walking distance.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $598 per night
Photo: Airbnb
No place is more epic for a New Orleans bachelor or bachelorette party, or a large reunion of any kind, than a mansion. The Robertson Mansion is 10 short blocks from Bourbon Street and the perfect place to chill before and after visiting the French Quarter. It’s strikingly NOLA with a wraparound porch, a large kitchen that has undoubtedly played host to some fantastic meals over the years, and walking distance to everything.
FIfteen guests, seven bedrooms
Price: $874 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Enjoy your stay in a traditional New Orleans shotgun-style home in the Marigny right outside the French Quarter. The artfully designed space with its art and bright colors is an instant mood booster. It was honored at the AIA New Orleans Design Awards for its mix of old and new construction. It also includes a saltwater pool and deck garden. The pool is heated, so it can be used all year round.
Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $135 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Make this French Quarter Airbnb your home away from home in New Orleans. It’s only a few hundred feet from Bourbon Street and within walking distance to anywhere in the French Quarter. You can get a view of downtown, and you are a quick walk to the St. Louis Cathedral, all while still enjoying privacy and seclusion. The space also includes a large balcony overlooking the Quarter.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price $327 per night
Photo: Airbnb
The best New Orleans Airbnbs incorporate water, a historic property, and walkability to deliver a great experience. Located in the Irish Channel neighborhood, this two-story home is excellent for a group trip. It has four bedrooms, three full baths, and an outdoor patio area. It was built in 1900 but has modern amenities, including smart TV, cable, and Wi-Fi. Beer lovers will appreciate its proximity to “Brewer’s Alley” — the nearby breweries and distilleries including Urban South, Port Orleans, NOLA Distillery, and more.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $639 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Stay right in the center of New Orleans at this downtown condo. Whether you’re a solo traveler or working from home, this one-bedroom is perfectly convenient. It’s ideal if you’re in town for a special event because it’s located within walking distance of the Superdome, Smoothie King Center, and Harrah’s Casino.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $79 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Many travel to New Orleans Airbnbs for bohemian endeavors. No spot is more conducive to this than this large, spacious apartment just two blocks off Bourbon Street and right near Canal Street. Enjoy the hammock swing and be prepared for a bright and dazzling interior — nearly as lively as the action of the French Quarter itself.
Twelve guests, two bedrooms
Price: $284 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This beautiful Victorian-era first-floor flat features original wood floors, high ceilings, and large windows. It’s located in a very walkable area just steps away from MoJo Coffee and less than a mile from the Warehouse District. It can sleep four guests between the queen size bedroom and the Memory Foam sleeper sofa.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $129 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This new renovation located in the heart of Marigny recently won the Louisiana Landmarks Society Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation. The two-bedroom features a large balcony overlooking Washington Square Park. The ideal location is just a four-block scenic walk to the French Quarter.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $307 per night
The post 10 New Orleans Airbnbs near the French Quarter for bachelorette parties and reunions appeared first on Matador Network.
Pornhub’s new collection celebrates ‘Classic Nudes’ in museums around the world
Nude art long predates the era of sexting. From Ancient Greece’s au naturel marblework to India’s Kamasutra-carved temples, the naked human form has been the subject of countless artistic creations since the birth of civilization — a fact Pornhub is ready to celebrate.
The adult entertainment platform recently launched an interactive online guide to the raciest artworks showcased in museums around the world. To view the collection, art and erotica enthusiasts can visit the Classic Nudes website and virtually tour six major museums — Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, Madrid’s Museo del Prado, Paris’s Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, London’s National Gallery, and New York City’s MET — through the lens of each museum’s most Pornhub-worthy portraits, paintings, and sculptures. The site also spotlights a digital collection called “Another Perspective” that’s dedicated entirely to non-Western nude and erotic art.
By pornography standards, many of the “Classic Nudes” featured on the site could be considered softcore, such as Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus,” which depicts a coy, mostly covered Venus de Milo. Others are unabashedly x-rated, such as French realist Gustave Courbet’s full-front painting of a vagina, aptly titled “The Origin of the World.” According to the Musée d’Orsay, where Courbet’s close-up is on full display, “the painting escapes pornographic status” owing to the artist’s “great virtuosity and the refinement of his amber colour scheme.” Pornhub disagrees. Inherent to the “Classic Nudes” project is the idea that art can be sexy, respected, and educational all at once — because, as the website explains, “porn may not be considered art, but some art can definitely be considered porn.”
Whether or not you’re an out-and-proud Pornhub user already, this is one Pornhub collection even your parents would be proud to catch you perusing late at night. So pop open your browser, turn down the lights, and prepare for the sexiest art history lesson yet.
The post Pornhub’s new collection celebrates ‘Classic Nudes’ in museums around the world appeared first on Matador Network.
Kraft mac and cheese ice cream isn’t strange. It’s just like this popular Filipino dessert.
On July 13, Brooklyn-based artisanal ice cream spot Van Leeuwen Ice Cream announced that it teamed up with iconic American cheese brand Kraft to create a mac and cheese ice cream flavor. Van Leeuwen explained that the savory ice cream treat is supposed to evoke “comforting, nostalgic,” feelings, but Twitter — not exactly known for its sense of moderation — immediately flew into a tizzy.
Most users were simply confused, asking their followers if they would dare try such a seemingly unintuitive dessert flavor. The synthetic, almost-neon orange color of the ice cream (which is presumably meant to mimic the color of cheese-flavored powder) might have sent off some alarm bells. But there’s a simple fact that you can’t get from looking at the color: cheese ice cream is good. In a taste test, Eater wrote that the Van Leeuwen ice cream has a rich “buttery flavor,” is a “little funky,” but “compelling.”
“You’re going to be confused while eating it, but definitely won’t want to stop,” the review concludes.
Most people also missed that there is already precedent for cheese-flavored ice cream: queso, also sometimes spelled keso, ice cream is as common in the Philippines as chocolate ice cream is in the United States.
In the Philippines, ice cream sold from street vendors is sometimes known as sorbetes — colloquially nicknamed “dirty ice cream” (perhaps a pejorative reference to the fact that it’s sold on polluted sidewalks). The most popular sorbetes flavors include mango, ube, buco (coconut), jackfruit, avocado, and, you guessed it, cheese.
Cheese sorbetes is such a beloved treat in the Philippines that ice cream companies have adapted it for the freezer aisle: Magnolia, a brand that specializes in Southeast Asian ice cream flavors like halo-halo and lychee, once released a “queso queso” flavor, as Vice’s food and culture writer Bettina Makalintal wrote on Twitter. Another user pointed out that Magnolia also released a version of its queso ice cream with mais (corn) that’s flecked with chunks of cheese, as did the brand Selecta.
Photo: Michael D Edwards/Shutterstock
In her Vice article on cheese-flavored ice cream, Makalintal wrote that, “Filipinos have long known the truth: Processed cheese is good, and in ice cream, it’s even better,” and points out that “the concept isn’t far off from cheesecake.”
Ricotta ice cream is unquestionably common and no one questions its appeal. Salt and Straw, which produces similarly artisanal flavors as Van Leeuwen, also sells a blue cheese and pear flavor.
This time, the backlash to a quirky food flavor is totally unwarranted. As usual, there’s a cultural context that’s missing from the outrage over unfamiliar foods on social media. Once you add that necessary detail, what seems like a strange flavored food becomes a much more palatable homage (intentional or not) to a dish that already exists outside of the West.
The post Kraft mac and cheese ice cream isn’t strange. It’s just like this popular Filipino dessert. appeared first on Matador Network.
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