Matador Network's Blog, page 622
July 23, 2021
The difference between butter chicken and chicken tikka masala
The joy of scooping up mouthfuls of creamy tomato curry and bites of tender chicken using torn bits of naan is what keeps many Westerners returning to their local Indian restaurants. Britons and Americans have a mutual love for two dishes that fit the bill: chicken tikka masala and butter chicken, though many diners would be hard-pressed to describe the difference. Some might insist that they’re interchangeable; others might wonder why both are listed on a single restaurant menu.
Though butter chicken and chicken tikka masala are similar in both preparation and flavor, each has a unique history and its own subtle characteristics. To better appreciate the dishes you’re most likely already ordering, no matter which one you favor, here’s everything you need to know about chicken tikka masala and butter chicken, from where each comes from to how they differ.
The origins of butter chicken and chicken tikka masala
Photo: Vibs/Shutterstock
Understanding the difference between butter chicken and chicken tikka masala begins with understanding their origins. By all accounts, butter chicken, or murgh makhani, came first. It’s widely accepted that a Pakistani refugee named Kundan Lal Gujral popularized the North Indian dish, first serving it at his restaurant in Delhi in the 1950s. Gujral is also credited with popularizing tandoori chicken, which is marinated in yogurt and spices before being cooked in a clay oven called a tandoor that was traditionally used to bake flatbread. How Gujral came to start serving tandoori chicken in a rich, buttery tomato-cream sauce is unclear. Some say the dish was a happy accident. Others assume it was a means of repurposing leftover chicken.
Even less is clear about the origin of chicken tikka masala. The dish is generally accepted as a derivation of butter chicken, but little about its history is universally agreed upon. Central to the debate is whether the dish can be considered Indian at all, or if it’s actually British.
One of the most popular legends surrounding chicken tikka masala attributes it to a Bangladeshi chef in a curry shop in Glasgow, Scotland, around 1970. As the story goes, the chef whipped up an impromptu batch of spiced tomato gravy to serve over chicken that a customer had complained was dry. In some versions, the chef is anonymous, and the gravy began as a can of Campbell’s tomato soup. Others identify the chef as Ali Ahmed Aslam, owner of the Shish Mahal restaurant, who takes credit for inventing the recipe and even petitioned the EU to recognize chicken tikka masala as a Glaswegian dish, much as Champagne and Parmigianno Regianno have a Protected Designation of Origin status.
Another theory traces the dish back to British India where British soldiers were served chicken in a creamy tomato gravy to tone down the spice. Even the story behind the boneless, bite-sized pieces of meat that are characteristic of chicken tikka masala is disputed. Many believe that the first Mughal emperor originated the poultry’s trademark preparation, owing to his insistence that he only be served deboned chicken in fear of choking.
For the British, chicken tikka masala’s origins are not only historically hazy but also controversial. In 2001, then British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook gave an infamous 2001 speech on the value of the nation’s multiculturalism, spotlighting the dish as an example.
“Chicken tikka masala is now a true British national dish, not only because it is the most popular, but because it is a perfect illustration of the way Britain absorbs and adapts external influences,” Cook claimed, garnering considerable criticism. “Chicken tikka is an Indian dish. The masala sauce was added to satisfy the desire of British people to have their meat served in gravy.”
Perhaps author Lizzie Collingham presents the dissenting opinion best in her book, Curry: A Tale of Cooks and Conquerers, when she writes that chicken tikka masala “was not a shining example of British multiculturalism but a demonstration of the British faculty for reducing all foreign foods to their most unappetizing and inedible forms.” Other critics, such as restaurateur Iqbal Wahhab in an article for The Independent, questioned the entire institution of British Indian restaurants as being inauthentically multicultural at best, and colonial at worst.
The question of where chicken tikka masala originated invites more questions than answers. What is clear is that despite the dish’s popularity in the US and particularly in the UK, where it’s said to make up one in seven curry sales, travelers would be hard-pressed to find chicken tikka masala on many restaurant menus in India. The same can’t be said for murgh makhani.
The difference between butter chicken and chicken tikka masala
Photo: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock
Origins aside, what actually differentiates butter chicken and chicken tikka masala is subtle. Exactly how either dish is made largely depends on who’s making it, although the foundation is the same: pieces of chicken swimming in a spiced, aromatic, velvety tomato curry.
One common, if somewhat pedantic, way of differentiating the dishes is to say that butter chicken is served in a creamy tomato sauce while chicken tikka masala is slathered in a creamy tomato gravy. The former is considered creamier, owing to the butter or ghee that’s often incorporated, while the latter is thought to be more tomato-y. Others say chicken tikka masala is more flavor-forward, though both dishes are loaded with aromatics like garlic, ginger, and chili, as well as spices like cumin, coriander, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves, which often come pre-blended in a spice mixture known as garam masala. Turmeric, fenugreek, and nutmeg are also commonly used in both dishes.
The last notable difference between butter chicken and chicken tikka masala concerns the chicken itself. While butter chicken can be served with bone-in poultry, the meat in chicken tikka masala is always boneless, bringing us back to the legend of the first Mughal emperor.
Where to try butter chicken in IndiaWhile butter chicken is available on restaurant menus globally, it goes without saying that nowhere makes murgh makhani like India. The restaurant in Delhi where chef Gujral popularized the dish, Moti Mahal, is now a franchise with many locations in India and around the world, including several restaurants in New Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, and Gurugram in the National Capital Region, plus dozens more across the states of Gujarat, Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and others. Internationally, the franchise has locations in Sri Lanka, New York, the Maldives, and New Zealand.
Where to try chicken tikka masala in the UKThe restaurant where chef Aslam claims to have invented chicken tikka masala, Shish Mahal, is still operating in the Kelvinbridge area of Glasgow’s trendy West End. If you’re traveling around London, Brick Lane in East London is jam-packed with curry houses that are said to serve some of the best Indian food in England. Aladin Indian Restaurant is among the most raved about. 
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You can now listen to a 100-track playlist of Anthony Bourdain’s favorite songs
Morgan Neville, director of the newly released documentary on Anthony Bourdain, set out to create an intimate portrait of a man he clearly admired. Although Neville is now facing understandable backlash for both his choice to use an AI generated version of Bourdain’s voice and his decision to not interview Asia Argento, his original intention to pay respects to the near-universally beloved Bourdain remains clear. Further proof of his respectful intention: Neville put together a 100-track playlist featuring a selection of Bourdain’s favorite tunes.
Bourdain’s love of music and movie soundtracks were a big part of his role as a television host. He very intentionally picked the songs to accompany episodes of No Reservations and Parts Unknown. Music is a recurring theme in the documentary too: Bourdain’s friend David Chang reveals one of favorite songs harkened back to the days when Bourdain used heroin, and Neville also uses clips from a conversation the travel host had with Iggy Pop.
Esquire reports that Neville, “took note of the songs Bourdain has mentioned [and] asked for some help from the chef’s friends,” to compile the epic playlist. Songs by The Beach Boys, Patti Smith, and David Bowie are all featured — as well as from some of his musical friends, including Iggy Pop and Queens of the Stone Age.
“When I started making the documentary Roadrunner, pretty much the first thing I did was to put together a playlist of all the music that Tony mentioned,” Neville told Rolling Stone.
The 18-hour-plus playlist is available on Spotify. It will probably make for perfect listening after a viewing of Roadrunner, which is out in theaters now. Just be forewarned that both listening and watching Neville’s tributes to Bourdain are likely to leave you a nostalgic, emotional wreck. At least through this playlist and documentary, he can live on in our memories.
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Southern hospitality shines at these discounted Atlanta boutique hotels
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.
Atlanta is like no other US city — it’s a beautiful mix of urban and traditional charms. Even a short trip to “The Big Peach” should include saucy barbecue, a dressed-up night out, and boutique accommodations that exude warm hospitality. These three Atlanta boutique hotels fit the bill perfectly. Each combines nicely appointed guest rooms with Southern dining and a central location to ensure you get the full Atlanta experience.
Experience the finest levels of boutique service at the Glenn Hotel
Photo: Glenn Hotel, Autograph Collection/Facebook
Few things are as welcome after a long day of travel as a warm, scented towel with which to place over your weary face. The feeling is pure magic. The Glenn Hotel offers such a moist towel at check-in, along with a cool drink to soothe you from the city’s hot summer temperatures. Before you drift off into cocktail and moist-towel-induced fantasy, remember that you haven’t even left the check-in desk yet. Atlanta boutique hotels are known for their charmed hospitality, and the Glenn Hotel is one of the best examples of this tradition; it has an open-air SkyLounge up top for evening drinks under the stars and 110 exquisitely-trimmed guest rooms below.
Photo: Glenn Hotel, Autograph Collection/Facebook
Room options range from standard to penthouse, and all include ornate bathrooms with large showers along with original artwork from celebrated local and international artists. Southern-influenced cuisine is served nightly at Glenn’s Kitchen. The hotel is located on the edge of downtown Atlanta, across from Centennial Park and nearby to State Farm Arena, the Georgia Aquarium (see below for discounted entry), and the CNN Studios, which offer tours where you may catch a glimpse of Wolf Blitzer.
Price: From $208 per night
Take in Atlanta’s history while sipping a coke at the Candler Hotel
Photo: The Candler Hotel/Facebook
Iconic food and drink companies keeping their masterpiece recipes hidden in strategic locations is nothing new (if you come across KFC’s seven spices, let us know). According to legend, the Candler Hotel is ground-zero for Coca-Cola. The hotel was built in 1906 by Asa Briggs Candler, founder of Coca-Cola, and it’s believed by many of the soda brand’s hardcore devotees that the original recipe for the soft drink is kept in the basement vault to this day. Regardless of the validity of this claim, a stay at the Candler Hotel is an excellent opportunity to experience a piece of Atlanta history.
Photo: The Candler Hotel/Facebook
You’ll be within walking distance to the World of Coca-Cola and the downtown installment of the Landmark Diner, the legendary Atlanta breakfast spot. The Candler opened as a hotel only in 2019, after many years as office space, so on top of being right downtown, the property features 265 hip and modern guest rooms in a mid-rise tower not far from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Of all Atlanta boutique hotels, the Candler Hotel has the coolest backstory.
Price: From $204 per night
Stay near the Beltline at the Wylie Hotel
Photo: Wylie Hotel
Atlanta’s Beltline is a 22-mile urban park consisting of converted old rail lines that encircles Atlanta’s urban core. A stay at the Wylie Hotel puts you adjacent to this urban oasis, an ideal place to access the trails for a hike or find a good spot to settle down for a picnic. Because the hotel is in the city core, it also gives you easy access to sports, museums, and Atlanta’s legendary music scene.
Photo: Wylie Hotel/Facebook
What makes The Wylie Hotel a standout property is its homelyness. Each room features an artisan pantry of local snacks. The onsite restaurant, Mrs. P’s Bar & Kitchen, serves local, seasonal cuisine in a small space that hasn’t forgotten about its southern roots. Overnight guests can enjoy a drink in The Parlor or The Sunroom before retiring to their room for the night. The overall experience makes you feel at home the way that a B&B does, while also offering the amenities and services of a top-notch hotel.
Price: From $199 per night
Tour the Georgia Aquarium for over 50 percent offWhile you’re in town, stop by the Georgia Aquarium with this Travelzoo deal that gets you in the door for just $33 — more than 50 percent off the full price. Here you can check out African penguins, American alligators, Manta Rays, and more. Add-on activities include swimming with whale sharks and specialized encounters with dolphins, penguins, seals, and more.
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The best places to visit in Jordan for every type of traveler
The Middle East is full of treasures, but the region is not an easy one to visit, whether because of violent conflicts or the difficulties foreigners face when trying to obtain tourist visas. Jordan is an exception. Surrounded by Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Syria, Jordan is the safest and most stable country in this part of the world. Add to that the fact that US citizens wishing to explore the nation can effortlessly obtain a 30-day visa on arrival for just $60, and you’ve got another country to include to your must-visit list.
It’s hard to go wrong with a trip to Jordan, but depending on your interests, some spots are better suited for you than others. From archeological wonders to unique diving spots and nights in the desert, here are the top places to visit during your trip to Jordan.
For desert safaris: Wadi Rum
Photo: emperorcosar/Shutterstock
Wadi Rum is a spectacular desert. Its intense scenery of rolling sand dunes punctured with arching sandstone formations explains why it has been a filming location for so many movies, from Lawrence of Arabia to Rogue One and The Martian.
Exploring Wadi Rum should be a multi-day trip and there are several ways to travel through this protected area. Jeep tours are the most efficient way to see large areas of Wadi Rum in a short amount of time, but camel tours are a more traditional and peaceful transportation method. Likewise, there are several ways of enjoying a night in Wadi Rum — Wadi Rum Night Luxury offers you the opportunity to rent your own Bedouin-style tent, or you can glamp in a unique and luxurious stardome. If you’re looking for adventure, Wadi Rum Nomads offer guided trips that allow visitors to camp under the desert’s beautiful clear skies for an unforgettable stargazing experience. Most tours offer a combination of travel methods and their own sleeping accommodations.
Nearly all tour guides are operated by the local Bedouin population. Ancient Bedouins were nomadic people, herding goats and sheep, moving regularly and establishing temporary settlements as they went. While some Bedouins continue to maintain a nomadic lifestyle to this day, most live somewhat permanently in Rum Village, the only town in the desert area. Many elements of Bedouin life remain pervasive in Wadi Rum, allowing visitors to enjoy an additional cultural experience.
For open-air museums: Petra
Photo: Truba7113/Shutterstock
Half-built and half-carved into the rose-colored rock face by Nabataeans, the ancient caravan city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985, is currently Jordan’s most-visited tourist attraction. It is easy to see why you cannot skip it during a trip to Jordan; this extraordinary archeological site — consisting of a winding sandstone canyon, tombs, and temples — can be visited via eight walking routes (ranging in difficulties), making Petra worthy of at least a two-day trip.
To get the full Petra experience, you’re going to walk through sand and rocky terrain for several miles (to reach the Monastery, intrepid travelers must ascend around 800 steps). Sensible shoes and sunscreen are highly advised. Local tour guides also offer donkey and camel rides if you are interested in an easier journey.
For a spa day: The Dead Sea
Photo: Fadi Sultaneh/Shutterstock
The Dead Sea is the lowest land-based point on Earth. While it is referred to as a sea, it is actually an extremely salty landlocked lake. Its salt concentration is so high, in fact, that people can effortlessly float in its waters. Furthermore, mud from the shores along the Dead Sea is naturally rich in minerals; Dead Sea mud masks are often used in spas and many skin care products.
To enjoy all the benefits the Dead Sea has to offer, we recommend that visitors purchase a day pass from hotels like the Mövenpick Resort or Dead Sea Marriott Resort. Both hotels have a Dead Sea salt water pool and offer treatments like massages, facials, and more. Just make your reservations for your spa day over the phone, as priority is given to their hotel guests. If you’re ready to splurge, the Kempinski Hotel offers luxury spa treatments, such as body scrubs and wraps that use Dead Sea mud products to exfoliate and hydrate your skin.
Be aware that the waters of the Dead Sea can be extremely dehydrating. Soak for no more than fifteen minutes at a time to prevent your skin from drying out. Once you get out, remember to cover yourself in Dead Sea mud and relax as its minerals exfoliate you. Hotels offer hoses to wash the mud and remaining salt off your skin, which will be necessary to prevent skin dehydration.
For Roman ruins: Jerash
Photo: Hamdan Yoshida/Shutterstock
Jerash, a city located in northern Jordan, is famous for its extremely well-preserved Roman ruins. Compared to the crowds that come to see Petra, the archeological city of Jerash receives fewer tourists, but it’s very much worth the detour.
Jerash is roughly one hour by car north of the capital city of Amman. The drive from Amman to Jerash is itself very pleasant; while southern Jordan is characterized by desert landscape, northern Jordan is full of sloping hills and groves of olive trees.
The full site can be explored in one day, and while the entire ancient city is beautiful, there are structures that visitors should not skip, such as the Hadrian’s Arch, a sprawling triple-arched gateway that lead to the archeological site; the temple of Artemis, perched on the highest point of the city, which honored the city’s patron goddess; and Jerash’s hippodrome, built between the mid-2nd to 3rd century AD, which hosted chariot races and gladiator fights in its heyday.
The only way to explore the ruins of Jerash is by foot, so wearing practical footwear is a must. Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. There is not much natural shade in Jerash, and the Jordanian sun can be strong.
For outdoor adventures: Wadi Mujib
Photo: Iuliia Khabibullina/Shutterstock
Wadi Mujib — a canyon whose river flows into the Dead Sea — offers outdoor enthusiasts opportunities for swimming, canyoning, and hiking. The entrance to Wadi Mujib canyon is roughly an hour by car from Dead Sea resorts like the Dead Sea Marriott Resort or the Hilton Dead Sea Resort.
The Siq Trail — the most popular trail through Wadi Mujib, open from April 1st to October 31st each year — begins by entering a wide canyon, where you will tread through calm, shallow water. However, the water deepens as the sandstone walls close in. This trek continues by climbing up three small waterfalls — some effort is required to ascend these falls, using preset ropes bolted to the canyon’s walls. But the reward is worth the journey. The trek concludes at the base of a stunning thirty-foot waterfall. You are required to rent life jackets at the visitor’s center, which may be necessary as you navigate through the waterfalls.
You can hire a guide to pick you up from your hotel and help you navigate through the Siq Trail, although guides are not necessary to enjoy the full experience.
For religious pilgrimages: Mount Nebo
Photo: VLADJ55/Shutterstock
Jordan is home to many religious sites, such as Jesus Christ’s baptismal site (Al-Maghtas). One of the most accessible and popular ones is Mount Nebo, from where Moses is said to have seen the Promised land.
Mount Nebo, located about one hour south of Amman, can be visited as a short day-trip from the capital city. A guide is not necessary to visit Mount Nebo. Most visitors reach the summit by car, although you can also get there on an easy thirty-minute hike. From the top, on a clear day, you can see across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea to the West Bank city of Jericho and Jerusalem. Sunsets over the West Bank are particularly stunning. Don’t skip a visit to the fifth/sixth-century basilica built on the summit; it contains beautiful Bizantyne mosaics.
For nature lovers: Aqaba
Photo: blue-sea.cz/Shutterstock
Aqaba, Jordan’s only coastal city, offers visitors the unique opportunity to snorkel or scuba dive in the Red Sea. The Aqaba International Dive Center and the Coral Garden Diving Center can help you get your PADI certification (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), rent gear, or take you to one of the many dive sites located along Aqaba’s coastline. Some of the area’s unique diving sites include coral reefs, an eel garden, a shipwreck, and even a submerged tank.
Bird watchers should make their way to the Aqaba Bird Observatory to watch the many avian species that pass through Aqaba. Aqaba is a natural resting site where many birds rest and eat before continuing their journeys north in the spring and south in the fall. Over 250 migratory bird species — including greater flamingos, gray and purple herons, and great egrets — can be spotted feeding Aqaba’s marshlands before they resume their long journeys.
For shopping: Madaba
Photo: Patrik Dietrich/Shutterstock
The Middle East is famous for its souqs. Madaba — a small town located less than 25 miles south of Amman — is the best place in Jordan to experience the Middle Easterm shopping culture. Artisans sell their goods in open-air shops in the center of the city. Products are not labelled with fixed prices, so bartering is a must. Souvenirs to consider include locally made, hand-painted ceramics, as well as hand woven Bedouin rugs.
If you enjoy Middle Eastern food and want to cook it for yourself, you might want to consider buying sumac (a red spice sprinkled on hummus), za’atar (a mix of dried herbs and roasted sesame seeds used to season pita bread and meats), or cardamom (seeds which are used to accentuate coffee). Buying spices is a fully sensual experience in open-air markets; spices are held in large baskets, displayed so that shoppers can smell, touch, and even taste the product before purchase.
Madaba is also famous for Saint George’s Church, a Greek Orthodox Church that is notable for its ancient mosaic. Go and visit in between shopping sessions.
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Travel agents tell all on what taking a trip really looks like right now
Travel has been in flux for over a year, with many people eagerly awaiting what has been called the return of travel. Of course, this long-anticipated return was never going to happen overnight. Certain countries are dropping restrictions and reopening, while others are ensuring travel is more sustainable when it picks back up. Others still are trying to contain COVID-19 by keeping their borders closed. In short: travel might have returned in earnest, but it doesn’t look anything like it did in 2019.
From navigating confusing restrictions to the rising popularity of travel insurance, many are left wondering if travel has actually “returned”? If anyone knows the answer, it’s a travel agent. They have their finger on the pulse of the travel industry, and we talked to several to learn what the return of travel actually looks like right now.
Demand is risingIf there’s one certainty about travel in 2021, it’s that people are more eager than ever to do it.
“People are ready to travel now,” says Christine Petersen, CEO of smarTours. “Travelers have been vaccinated and are ready for some revenge travel. We recently surveyed our travel panel and only 15 percent of survey respondents reported that they don’t know when they are ready to travel next, compared to 35 percent in July 2020.”
Americans were largely confined to their own country when it came to planning vacations for the past year. While domestic travel is still popular, international travel is encouragingly on the rise again.
“We are starting to see business travel domestically in the United States and some short haul international travel start to pick up,” says Sudeep Shah, CEO of Travel King International. “The fact that business travel is increasing is a great sign that air travel is headed back to a more normal state.”
John Potts, who runs the Happy Gringo travel agency in Ecuador, has noticed a rise in demand from foreign tourists looking for a South American escape.
“Here in Ecuador, we have seen a decent increase in demand from foreign tourists, especially from the USA,” he says. “These past three months in particular (April, May, June) are up over 200 percent in terms of customer contacts compared to the first quarter of 2021. I think there are more North Americans willing to travel now that they have been vaccinated.”
This dramatic increase in demand also applies to wedding and honeymoon travel — one of the sectors hit hardest by the pandemic. Destination weddings can sometimes be a tough sell, with only a fraction of the invited guests actually attending, but that trend seems to be changing.
“The pent up demand is real,” says Jared Benoff from Vacationeeze, a family-run travel agency that handles weddings and honeymoons. “We’re not just seeing it from brides and grooms, but also their guests. Normally we expect about 30 percent of invited guests to attend a destination wedding, but right now we’re seeing an incredibly high conversion rate north of 60 percent.”
Destination preferences are changing
Photo: VGstockstudio/Shutterstock
Travel demand might slowly be returning to 2019 levels, but that doesn’t mean the same destinations are in demand. Unsurprisingly, domestic destinations were more popular than international ones this past year, and as global travel resumes some are deciding to continue traveling domestically while others are broadening their destination wish lists.
“Prior to the pandemic,” Benoff says, “there was a ton of interest in Southeast Asia and Europe as honeymoon destinations, but it’s nearly 80 percent Hawaii right now given the concerns for international travel restrictions.”
Even those who do choose to travel internationally are sticking closer to home.
“People are choosing locations that are close to the US and mostly staying within a five hour flight of the United States,” Shah says. “Mexico and the Carribean are open and, due to demand, you’re seeing flights and hotels that are almost double what they were in 2019.”
Lauren Doyle, president of The Travel Mechanic, acknowledges that travel certainly hasn’t returned in full, especially places that used to be popular tourism draws like Asia and Southeast Asia where borders are still closed.
“Many of our clients who would have chosen Europe or Asia for a honeymoon or dream vacation are sticking to places that are open now such as Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean,” she says.
Potts, speaking about Ecuador tourism, notes a rise in interest for private, custom-made trips compared to package cruises.
“The trend is that travelers are looking for flexibility and more control of their trips,” he says, “Demand for outdoors activities and national parks is also far outreaching demand for city breaks.”
This trend might also indicate that travelers are wary of traveling in large groups, preferring private tours with people they know and trust.
Insurance is keyThe return to travel is also accompanied by a healthy dose of trepidation. More flexible cancellation policies and robust travel insurance options might be the best thing to come out of the pandemic.
“Travelers are looking for some form of surety that they won’t have any issues,” says Shah, “or in the worst case, if there is an issue we are able to help them salvage their vacation. Most of our clients are purchasing some form of travel insurance.”
Cancellation policies are also being extended types of travel they haven’t always applied to.
“A lot more people are asking questions about the travel policies and advocating for themselves,” says Jared Benoff from Vacationeeze, a family-run travel agency. “We’re seeing people add things like cancellation policies on our wedding sites, which we’d never done prior to the pandemic. In the past, only a small percentage of our guests would opt for travel insurance but now it’s a much more normal line item for people to tack on to their trip.”
Sarah Reiss, a travel agent with Engineered Adventure, makes no secret about her feelings for travel insurance.
“I refuse to sell a package without travel insurance,” she says. “None of my customers ever complain about this either. There are too many variables post-COVID that weren’t a concern before like canceled flights or last minute restrictions in their destinations.”
Travel insurance used to fall more into the optional category for many people. Now travel insurance has become part of the essential travel toolbox. We live in a time when peace of mind is priceless, yet you can get close with a $40 travel insurance policy.
Perhaps equally rattling the nerves of travelers these days are questions surrounding travel restrictions. Confusion about which destinations are actually open, and what is required to go there, could easily prove daunting enough to discourage travelers from planning a trip at all.
“Travelers are looking for help navigating which countries have reopened,” Petersen says. “Understandably, many are very confused as almost every country is different. They also want to make sure that the venues and activities they want to do are actually open and available.”
Spontaneity is king
Photo: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock
Given travelers’ growing preference for flexibility, it’s not surprising that last-minute trips are in vogue. Since travel restrictions can change on a dime, travelers are increasingly booking last-minute to avoid the hassle of trip cancellations and rebooking.
“Younger, more intrepid travelers are booking last minute trips to Sicily,” says Allison Scola, owner of the Experience Sicily travel agency. “They feel more confident in traveling on a plane and dealing with it [even if] things aren’t exactly smooth. Those over 55 are reserving their tours closer to departure for fall 2021 than they normally would have. This started to happen once it was clear that Italy was accepting vaccinated Americans without having to quarantine.”
Shah has also seen that clients are more eager to book within a month of travel unless there’s an extremely flexible cancellation policy.
“Most of our clients are booking within 30 days of travel,” she says. “It’s almost too hard to predict what travel restrictions will be in place further out than that. The clients that are booking further out than that are usually trying to take advantage of a great deal or have a fully refundable option so they are able to come out losing very little if all doesn’t go as planned.”
Despite the trend toward last-minute bookings, spontaneous trips might just be temporary thirst quenchers while people plan longer-haul trips down the road.
Cindy McCabe, Owner of Bethany Travel, says that clients are booking shorter last minute trips for now just to have somewhere to go.
“At the same time,” she says, “many are also booking a second trip for 2022 that is longer, or to a destination where they will feel more comfortable traveling to in the future including places such as Alaska, Hawaii, and both river and ocean cruises.”
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Take a mountain bike trip with Amtrak and reach the best bike trails in the US
This is The Climate Win, the most positive sustainability news around the world every week.
Americans rediscovered their love of biking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, many are taking a mountain bike trip with Amtrak. This week’s Climate Win takes a look at a budding travel phenomenon in post-pandemic United States: the practice of taking bicycle trips with zero added emissions.
Hopping on a bike and hitting the road is nothing new, of course. But the current trend combines the practice of bicycle touring and bikepacking with cross-country travel, all the while ditching the car in favor of alternative methods of rapid transport. Cycling company Trek conducted a survey of Americans during the heart of the pandemic last year and found that 21 percent of them biked more during the pandemic and that 50 percent plan to keep riding even post-pandemic for both transportation and exercise. And an impressive 63 percent of those surveyed said that cycling had boosted their mental health during the pandemic — so it’s no surprise that Americans want to keep cycling even as travel restrictions continue to ease.
As travel picks back up, this biking boom presents an interesting option: the possibility of combining cycling with train travel for adventure travel trips that are not just good for your health and mental well-being, but also good for the planet. Several major Amtrak routes pass through parts of the country where epic bike rides are easily accessible from train stations en route. With more trails opening every year, it’s never been easier to take a mountain bike trip with Amtrak.
For example, the popular California Zephyr line, which travels daily between Chicago and Los Angeles, passes through both the Rocky Mountains and the Slickrock desert of the American Southwest. A popular ride stop en route is Glenwood Springs, which offers ample mountain biking and easy access to Aspen (even by bike). Just west is the Grand Junction Amtrak station, which lets you hit the new Palisade Plunge as well as the hundreds of miles of singletrack available in the nearby town of Fruita and all of eastern Utah — including Moab, less than two hours away. Similarly, the Southwest Chief line passes through Flagstaff, Arizona, where cyclists can bike local trails before hopping the Thruway bus and/or Grand Canyon Railway to ride alongside the epic vistas of the Greenway Trail along the Grand Canyon’s South Rim.
East Coasters aren’t left out of the fun. The Capitol Limited route runs from Washington, DC, to Chicago. Disembark in Pittsburgh and hit the epic 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage through the Cumberland Narrows, the Mason-Dixon Line, the Eastern Continental Divide, and more. Pennsylvania just might be the most underrated mountain bike destination in America, with a host of trails stretching east between Pittsburgh and the smaller city of Lancaster in central PA.
In the Pacific Northwest, the Empire Builder line connects cyclists to Montana’s Big Sky country. With a stop at the East Glacier station, mountain bikers can hit all the trails surrounding Glacier National Park and road cyclists can ride the Going-To-The-Sun Road within the park’s boundaries. The Coast Starlight line runs between Seattle and Los Angeles, providing access to the trails of the Cascade Mountains, the road favorite Rim Drive ride via the Klamath Falls stop, and the Burke-Gilman trail near Seattle.
These routes have always accessed these areas, but the bike boom in the United States is drawing increased attention to reaching cycling destinations sans private vehicles. The time is perfect to take a mountain bike trip with Amtrak and make your fall travels with zero added emissions.
More climate winsMaine will shift the expensive price tag of recycling to the companies who produce recyclable materials, The New York Times reported. Companies will be charged based on what they produce, with the money going into an audited nonprofit designed to reimburse municipalities for the cost of their recycling programs. The concept could serve as a model for other states struggling with the increasing financial burdens of recycling programs, with over 10 other states considering similar measures.
Greenland has never produced any oil, despite much speculation that there could be vast reserves under its surface. Fifty years ago, the government decided to try — and they’ve now officially decided to stop, Reuters reported. Multiple major oil companies had attempted to drill for oil since the 1970s, unsuccessfully, and the Greenland government announced this week that it would end all oil exploration.
Single-use plastic bans have been enacted in eight US states, with 42 to go. Greece is one-upping the US by imposing a national single-use plastics ban in an attempt to curb waste and protect the environment, the Greek Reporter noted. The task will be a tough one, given the heavy use of plastic utensils in tourist areas and lack of clean drinking water on many islands — but the government enacted the ban effective July 3 and hopes to phase down consumption of plastic cutlery, bottles, bags, and other single-use plastics beginning immediately.
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How to travel to Canada during COVID
Travelers from the United States who use to take quick jaunts abroad to their neighbor to the north have been facing severe difficulties for the past 16 months. Canada closed its borders to most people on March 18, 2020, and every month since then, the closure was extended — until now.
Canada is finally easing its travel restrictions for American travelers, but it’s not without rules and requirements. Here’s the low-down for Americans wanting to travel to Canada for leisure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Can US citizens enter Canada?On July 19, 2021, the government of Canada announced the soft reopening of the country’s borders to American travelers starting August 9, 2021. However, certain conditions apply.
Starting next month, US travelers can enter Canada if:
They are US citizens or permanent residents of the US and currently live in the USThey have been fully vaccinated 14 days before entering CanadaThe vaccines they have received are approved by the government of Canada, i.e. Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Janssen/Johnson & JohnsonThey have taken a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test resultUS travelers to Canada who fit all the criteria must also adhere to Canada’s entry requirements, including:
Submitting their travel information on ArriveCAN (app or web portal) before traveling. The travel information to provide includes a detailed quarantine plan. Travelers’ quarantine plan must feature an address where they could isolate themselves for 14 days or longer, where they won’t be in contact with others, and where they will have access to necessities like food, water, medicine, etc.
Providing paper or digital proof of their vaccination status and their negative pre-arrival test.
Submitting to quarantine if symptomatic upon arrival or test positive during a post-arrival test for which they would have been randomly selected.
How can US travelers make their way to Canada starting August 9, 2021?US travelers who meet the criteria and fill in the requirements listed above will be able to enter Canada through land borders and at the following airports:
Montréal-Trudeau International AirportToronto Pearson International AirportCalgary International AirportVancouver International AirportHalifax Stanfield International AirportQuébec City Jean Lesage International AirportOttawa Macdonald–Cartier International AirportWinnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International AirportEdmonton International AirportMore like thisTrain TravelAn overnight train is the best way to experience Canada’s winter wildernessThe post Everything Americans need to know about traveling to Canada right now appeared first on Matador Network.
July 22, 2021
You need a COVID-19 pass to visit the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre
As of Wednesday, July 21, 2021, visitors wishing to go up the Eiffel Tower or visit the treasures housed in France’s many museums will be required to show a COVID-19 pass. This new rule is one of the steps that the French government is taking in its new campaign against the rise in Delta variant infections.
To obtain the COVID-19 pass or to enter, people must show proof that they’re fully vaccinated, the negative results of a test, or proof that they recently recovered from COVID-19.
France reopened to American tourists, vaccinated or not, on June 18.
France’s COVID-19 pass is also required for taking part in other activities such as going to the movies or to the swimming pool. Plans to expand the scope of the COVID-19 pass in August include restaurants, bars, long-distance train excursions, and plane rides, Reuters reported.
The Eiffel Tower reopened on July 16 after being closed for nine months. The famous Parisian landmark will now only allow 10,000 visitors instead of the usual 25,000.
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This year’s Olympics have started — in Alaska
The Olympics are underway, and Alaskans are particularly riveted. No, it’s not because Alaska seceded from the US and entered the Tokyo Olympics as its own country. Since 1961, Alaska has hosted the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics (WEIO) — a four-day event for athletes of Native heritage. The event, which is taking place from July 21 to July 24 this year, draws competitors from all over the state and internationally to compete in games rooted in survival skills and traditional cultural practices. It’s a celebration of the traditional Native culture for the Indigenous communities of the circumpolar region. And unlike the Tokyo Olympics, WEIO is actually allowing crowds this year.
The first WEIO were held in Fairbanks in 1961, as the brainchild of two commercial airline pilots who were flying over some of Alaska’s outlying communities. The pilots, Bill English and Tom Richards Sr., witnessed Indigenous Alaskans performing dances and other activities, like the blanket toss, and thought the rest of the state — namely those living in major cities — could benefit from seeing these traditions up close. Shortly thereafter, the now-defunct Wien Air Alaska hosted the first WEIO, offering to fly athletes from their villages to Fairbanks to compete. Four Eskimo dance groups and two Indian dance groups competed, along with high-kick, blanket toss, and seal skinning athletes. There was also a Miss Eskimo Olympics Queen Contest. The Olympics were so popular that they were held annually, gaining sponsors, producing merchandise, and attracting international media attention.
“To better appreciate the background of these games,” the WEIO website says, “envision yourself in a community village shelter three hundred years ago with the temperature outside at 60 degrees below zero, with everybody in attendance celebrating a successful seal hunt.”
Last year, the WEIO were canceled due to the pandemic — the first cancellation in its history — so this year’s event has a particularly palpable buzz surrounding it. Thousands of spectators regularly gather to watch hundreds of athletes compete in traditional games.
The knuckle hop, for example, requires competitors to hop forward in a push-up position with only their knuckles and toes touching the ground, putting their endurance to the test. In the four-man carry, athletes must carry heavy loads for long periods of time, similar to hauling animal meat home after a hunt. In much the same way, the Indian stick pull mimics grabbing a fish out of the water — two competitors try to grab a greased one-foot-long dowel out of the other’s hand. The Eskimo stick pull requires two athletes to sit on the ground while gripping a stick and pulling, in order to topple their opponent over, testing skills similar to those needed to pull a seal from an ice hole. The ear pull is perhaps the most entertaining, featuring two people with a piece of sinew looped behind their ears who must compete in tug-of-war to rip the sinew from their opponent’s ear.
The WEIO is point of pride for the communities that participate. Amber Applebee, an Athabascan Native, has competed in the competition’s strength events for years, as well as serving as a coach.
Photo: World Eskimo Indian Olympics/Facebook and Greg Lincoln/YouTube
“It’s a tradition amongst [Alaska Natives] to teach,” Applebee told Smithsonian Magazine. “Kids often grow up through this program and see their parents and grandparents competing. We look forward to attending the WEIO because we get to see relatives that we don’t often see. It’s like a big family reunion.”
She added how meaningful it is to pass native traditions onto her children, and how the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics is the gateway for doing that. “It’s really important for me to pass these traditions down from one generation to the next,” she said. “I want my children to know who we are and what our people did, and the WEIO is the best way to do that.”
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5 destinations designed for autism-friendly travel
Traveling with autistic children or family members is a complex proposition. It’s a great way to give your loved one a truly memorable experience, though it can take everyone out of their comfort zone where its easy to feel the most safe and calm. That’s why destinations around the country — from venues like museums to entire cities and regions — have taken steps to be more autism-friendly.
But what does autism-friendly mean, and how can you identify an autism-friendly destination?
Choosing an autism-friendly destination means taking several factors into consideration. Crowd size, accessibility of activities (i.e. length of lines), and potential sensory overload could all negatively impact the travel experience of a person with autism.
Kerrianne Galvin, a licensed social worker who works extensively with youth and their families on behavioral challenges related to autism, believes traveling can be rewarding for autistic individuals, though also challenging and potentially anxiety-inducing.
“Stimuli like light and sound can be overwhelming,” she says. “Autism-friendly destinations take the sensory needs and safety of people with autism into consideration. They can do so by providing trained staff, knowledge of special needs, alternate lighting (dimmable lights and lamps), quiet spaces, and disability services.”
Even if the destination itself is autism friendly, each traveler’s level of tolerance must still be taken into account. That means carefully structuring the trip, regardless of how accommodating the destination might be.
“We usually go out in the morning and then return to the hotel for the afternoon and then out again early evenings.” says Patricia Lynn Ward, a travel coach and single mother of two children with autism. “They need frequent breaks away from the hustle and bustle of busy places, because they can only handle noise and people for so long. So when looking for a destination, I need something where the main attractions are within 30 mins from the hotel.”
Ward also tries to “ensure there is a routine to the day, and basic needs are met. Keep bedtimes and mealtimes the same when possible. Bring snacks and drinks when you are out. Plan each day with the pattern of travel. It helps the individual with autism know what to expect.”
With that in mind, these are a few of the destinations best-suited for autistic travelers in the US.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Photo: ehrlif/Shutterstock
Already among the most popular destinations for family vacations in the US, Myrtle Beach is also one of the best for autistic travelers. In 2018, the city worked closely with restaurants and local attractions to accommodate travelers with special needs.
Most notably, this effort manifested in the CAN Card (Champion Autism Network Card). These cards serve as passes for families where overstimulation might become an issue, and can be used with no questions asked. With a CAN Card, families can skip the line at crowded attractions, get private seating or quicker service at restaurants, and curbside check-in at hotels. Participating venues have been trained to accommodate the needs of autistic visitors. At restaurants, the card will inform servers that you may need to leave at a moment’s notice, may be bringing special food for a member of your family, and may have other special requests. The cards are available at the Myrtle Beach Welcome Center.
In addition to having many businesses with staff trained to accommodate special needs, Myrtle Beach also has several venues designed as autism-friendly environments. Ripley’s Aquarium offers noise-canceling headphones as well as monthly “sensory-friendly mornings,” and Savannah’s Playground is the first enabling playground in the southeast region, specifically engineered with ADA-approved playground equipment for children with disabilities.
Visalia, CaliforniaAutism-friendly destinations tend to offer a wide range of outdoor activities with plenty of space and not too much overstimulation. Nellie Freeborn, the tourism marketing director of Visit Visalia, has a child with autism herself, and says that opportunities to explore as well as space to pull back if necessary makes Visalia an autism-friendly destination.
“In Visalia,” Freeborn says, “we are lucky to be the gateway to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and SequoiaRiverlands Trust properties, where there are lots of outdoor places to explore as well as areas off-the-beaten path for quieter discoveries. The tranquility of these places offer outdoor recreation without overstimulation.”
The Imagine U Children’s Museum is another great option for families with autistic children. The museum offers an expansive indoor/outdoor layout with plenty of space to spread out, and a variety of fun, creative kid-friendly activities.”
Since travelers with autism can often benefit from getting acquainted with a destination before arriving, the Fresno International Airport offers virtual 360 tours to help visitors prepare for travel. The Visalia Marriott Hotel offers the same service for guests to get acquainted with their accommodation prior to arrival.
Dutchess County, New York
Photo: Dutchess County Fairgrounds/Facebook
Many businesses throughout Dutchess County have worked directly with the Anderson Center for Autism to build more supportive environments for visitors. In the town of Rhinebeck, for example, more than 68 percent of business owners, event planners, first responders, and residents have undergone training to handle and accommodate those with disabilities. Many businesses have also incorporated things like quiet spaces, sensory kits, lower light and music, reduced wait times, advance ordering, and more.
Businesses throughout the county, like the Sunflower Market, Northern Dutchess Hospital, Kroeg, and Megabrain Comics, also have sensory kits available for patrons that may benefit from sensory input options.
While fairs and festivals might often prove overwhelming for those with autism, the Dutchess County Fair — which takes place at the end of August — stands apart. The fair offers special hours where rides do not have sound and noise, so those with sensitivities can still enjoy the experience. Restaurants and businesses such as Buns Burgers and Samuel’s Sweet Shop offer special sensory hours as well.
Royal Caribbean CruisesIn 2014, Royal Caribbean became the first autism-friendly cruise line with sensory-related toys, autism-friendly movies, dietary menu options, and kids programs specially modified for those with disabilities. Ship crews are also required to be certified and trained in autism awareness.
Royal Caribbean’s autism-friendly services also include priority check-in, boarding, and departure, Adventure Ocean flexible grouping by ability for children 3 to 11 years old, Adventure Ocean toilet-trained policy exception, and pagers/phones for parents of children in Adventure Ocean youth program.
“Staffed Cruises” are also available to families with children, teens, and adults with autism and other disabilities. This includes staff trained specifically in caring for individuals with developmental disabilities (one staff member for every two to three special needs guests), assistance with cruise products and services, specialized respite sessions, and private activities.
Mesa, Arizona
Photo: OdySea Aquarium/Facebook
In 2019, the Mesa’s destination marketing organization became autism-certified, making the city a “Certified Autism Center” according to the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). That means Mesa is specially equipped to accommodate those with autism.
Guest-facing staff at over 60 Mesa businesses, including hotels, museums, and other family attractions, have also completed autism sensitivity and awareness training, with each business certified individually through IBCCES.
Jake’s Unlimited, for example, was the first attraction in Mesa to become Autism Certified. There’s a play zone offering food, bowling, rides, an arcade, and laser tag, and the staff at Jake’s is trained to handle visitors with autism and accommodate sensory breaks. The onsite buffet also has plenty of options for picky eaters and children with food allergies and aversions. The OdySea Aquarium has also worked to become a comfortable place for visitors with special needs. In addition to staff members with autism awareness training, the aquarium offers a Pal Place video to help people get acquainted with what to expect at the aquarium, a quiet room equipped with sensory items, and autism awareness weekends with lower volumes and fewer crowds.
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