Matador Network's Blog, page 625
June 30, 2021
The most expensive, and cheapest, countries for a cup of coffee
There’s one thing that people around the world — from North America to Asia, Europe to Africa and the Middle East — have in common: We welcome a new day with coffee. Here in the US, we like to gripe that coffee is getting more expensive by the day. But how does it compare to coffee prices in the rest of the world? The World Coffee Index recently released its 2021 survey, which answers all your burning (scalding?) questions about how the rest of the planet drinks their coffee.
Photo: World Coffee Index
Surprisingly, New York City can’t claim the most expensive cup of coffee. That title goes to South Korea, where the average cup of coffee costs $7.77. That seems extravagant for a cup of regular coffee, but South Korean people are clear coffee enthusiasts (and therefore presumably willing to the pay the price). Seoul is also home to the most Starbucks locations in the world.
Photo: World Coffee Index
If you’re looking for the most inexpensive cup of coffee in the world, plan a visit to Iran, where a cup of coffee will cost you 0.46 cents. The preferred caffeinated drink of choice there is tea, anyway. Coffee prices are inexpensive in countries that produce coffee beans too. For instance, Brazil produces the most coffee beans in the world, and the average cup of coffee costs around $1.90.
Now about who drinks the most coffee in the world. No, it’s not the Italians. It’s not even you, standing in your kitchen before you leave for work in the morning. The people of Luxembourg actually drink the most coffee, clocking in at about 24 pounds of coffee per capita, followed by Amsterdam and Helsinki. The country many people most associate with coffee, Italy, appears at number 15 on the list of who drinks the most coffee per capita.
As for the Americans, the most dedicated coffee drinkers come from Washington, DC, where a cup of coffee costs, on average, around $4. And that makes sense, with all the busy politicians (and their assistants) running around, trying to keep the country running. So next time you pick up that venti latte with an extra pump of caramel, just remember what unites us as human beings: almighty coffee. 
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‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ is coming back to the US this year
The Tony Award-winning Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is coming back to the US in November.
The original two-part show will now be presented as one show. According to Playbill, playwright Jack Throne and director John Tiffany, who created the play along with the series’ original author J.K. Rowling, say they’ve been working on the condensed version when all the theaters were closed because of the pandemic.
“Given the challenges of remounting and running a two-part show in the US on the scale of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and the commercial challenges faced by the theatre and tourism industries emerging from the global shutdowns, we are excited to be able to move forward with a new version of the play that allows audiences to enjoy the complete Cursed Child adventure in one sitting eight times a week,” producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender said in a statement.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes place 19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, and now a new generation of wizards are attending the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The play will open on November 15 at the Lyric Theatre in New York City and on Jan 11, 2022 at the Curran in San Francisco. Ticket pre-sale begins on July 15, 2021.
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Here’s the right way to split expenses when you’re traveling with a partner
Traveling with a romantic partner can be extremely rewarding. Traveling with a partner who makes significantly more money than you, however, can lead to disaster — if you don’t steel yourself for awkwardness and have a frank budget discussion beforehand.
In a recent Reddit post in the subreddit AITA (which stands for Am I The Asshole and is a place for people to be publicly judged on their actions), travel finances take center stage. An IT consultant making $150,000 took his girlfriend of two years on a family vacation. His girlfriend is a teacher making $45,000, and he describes his family as “pretty affluent,” which seems to be, from the perspective of a writer who doesn’t come from such a background, a term only the upper crust of the upper-upper-upper-middle class would self-identify with. Those “pretty affluent” people planned the trip, but he doesn’t reveal where the trip took place.
This IT consultant expected his girlfriend to split trip expenses 50-50, and she took on a second job waitressing for a few months to pay for the predictable expenses. Long story short, it didn’t go well. She ate two meals a day because she couldn’t afford a third and went on only half of the excursions (which presumably means she was left behind to entertain herself while the rest of the family had a blast). His response: “I feel bad that I did not pick up on her discomfort sooner. But we did agree to split everything 50/50 and I don’t know why she agreed to come if the cost was an issue.”
Clearly the IT consultant who posted this story is nothing short of an asshole, as confirmed by everyone in the AITA subreddit. Commenters replied with things like “My heart broke for this girl,” and that if he wants to stay with her, “he needs to smarten up quick and realize that a partnership and building a life together is way more than only 50/50.” Another provided a simple solution: “Don’t plan for your budget when you know she makes so much less than you.”
The editorial team at Matador had a similar response about the lack of communication — or the willingness to use broken communication as an excuse for doing what you want without thinking about the other person.
Discussing travel expenses is a necessary evil. While it can seem like money talk spoils the excitement of trip planning, having a quick conversation ahead of time about who pays for what makes for a much smoother, enjoyable, and conflict-free trip. My fiancée, whom I’ve been with for 12 years, is a dentist. I’m a writer and editor balancing multiple freelance contracts. It doesn’t take much knowledge of either industry to know that there’s a wide pay gap there. Both of our incomes vary year by year and month by month, but I make about three times less than my fiancée. Talking about money is key for us to travel smoothly.
Travel is a major part of our lives. We fall more on the side of spenders than savers when booking travel, though a recent home purchase, for which she covered the vast majority of the down payment, has slowed how much we have on hand to spend. Still, our money discussions when we travel are much like they’ve always been: I’m thankful when she covers the costs for things like kayak trips through France’s Calanques National Park, I keep the sugar mama jokes to a minimum, and she almost always offers to pay and consistently checks in before making joint money decisions.
Regardless of where we’re going, we have an agreement that’s become so de rigueur over the past decade together that it largely goes without saying: We split the things we can and one of us pays for the things the other person either can’t afford or is more interested in doing. Most importantly, we’re open about where we can each afford to go and what we can do before we book anything.
This can mean some concessions on her side. Sometimes she buys my plane ticket or pays for the gas on a road trip, or we settle on a place to stay that I would assume is far less fancy than what people making dentist-level salaries normally opt for. If there’s something she really wants to do that I’m not all that into, she pays for it. The same is true on the other side — we’re thankfully both the type of people who travel for the food so we usually split restaurant bills, but I’ll pick up the full bar tab or pay at cannabis dispensaries since those activities fall more into the categories that I’m interested in.
Open communication is key here. That IT consultant somehow had zero questions in the moment that his girlfriend was going hungry because his family favors “more high-end (*expensive*) places” (and only later assumed that she had an eating disorder instead of being clued into his own keyword of “expensive”). He also didn’t consider the pressure she might be under to agree to a trip she clearly couldn’t afford, and she clearly didn’t feel comfortable about confiding in a partner who is so blasé about money.
The most important thing a couple can do before booking a trip is to have an honest conversation about money. Neither me nor my fiancée are ever surprised when we have to pay for something, and she knows where I’m at in terms of what I can afford. We share what each of us are thinking when it comes to a trip’s overall budget and plan accordingly. It’s not knowledge and planning displayed in the AITA post, where the girlfriend felt forced to take on a second job to prepare. It’s knowledge that if one of us wants to do something, and we want to do it together, then there needs to be a plan in place to pay for it. Sometimes it ends up being a 50-50 split, sometimes it doesn’t. The point is, we always talk over our expectations beforehand.
We wouldn’t have lasted a dozen years together traveling around the country and the world if we didn’t talk. An income and savings gap doesn’t need to be an issue that keeps a couple homebound if the couple keeps lines of communication open.
Perhaps that IT consultant already knew the answer to whether he was an asshole or not when he made his post. He did, afterall, readily admit that she didn’t know if the relationship would work long term if she was expected to go on, and pay for, vacations that she can’t afford. Few experiences can bond a couple like travel, but when there’s no communication, understanding, or empathy, it’s time to move on.
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Travelers to Iceland can trade their sweatpants for brand new hiking boots
Fifteen months after the first wave of quarantine, travelers are eager to slough off their pandemic sluggishness and get back to exploring. Iceland is ready to welcome back tourists, and it’s providing an incentive for them to delete their Netflix queues, hop on a plane to Reykjavik, and get back to the great outdoors: The adventure-travel hotspot is offering to transform travelers’ old sweatpants into brand new hiking boots.
All travelers have to do to claim their boots is bring a pair of sweatpants to the Sweatpant Boots pop-up on Rainbow Street in the capital city along with a plane ticket confirming their arrival date in Iceland in July. Then, at the pop-up, their sweatpants will be repurposed into a one-of-a-kind pair of outdoor footwear that’s fit for touring Iceland’s many natural wonders, which is not only thrifty but also just plain cool.
Photo: Inspired by Iceland
“For those ready to travel again, we want to make sure you’re prepared to experience life to its fullest and take on whatever adventure you’ve been craving,” said the head of Visit Iceland, Sigríður Dögg Guðmundsdóttir, in a statement. “And some lucky visitors will get to do it with their own unique Sweatpant Boots.” Each pair will come with sweatpant cuffs, trail tread, water-resistant uppers, and easy-off laces to maximize comfort and performance. Guðmundsdóttir also noted that the boots are made “in partnership with Will’s Vegan, a sustainable and environmentally friendly boot brand, with the design and creation of the boots done by Icelandic designer and founder of Another Creation, Ýr Þrastardóttir.”
Though only a limited number of travelers will be able to cash in on the promotion by booking a reservation at the pop-up, everyone can get in on the fun by donning a virtual pair of Sweatpant Boots and exploring Iceland’s outdoors from home. While they’re busy adventuring, in person or otherwise, travelers can even rock out to “The Sweatpant Boot Song,” an exclusive collaboration between Icelandic rapper Cell7 and music producer Ásgeir Orri Ásgeirsson.
More like thisCulture10 things tourists do in Iceland that drive the locals crazy
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New Hampshire outdoors: 6 adventures
For anyone looking to get into the great outdoors in New England, New Hampshire is the place to be. We’re talking world-class hiking, paddling, forest bathing, wildlife spotting (moose! bears!), and winding scenic drives to get there.
But expect some surprise adventures in the Granite State as well. Surfing, anyone? Hang-gliding? Maybe you knew about these, maybe you didn’t — either way, there’s no disputing that any of the six adventures profiled below will make for one memorable New Hampshire trip.
1. Surfing on the Seacoast
Photo: New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism
Grab your board and head to the beach — New Hampshire may only have 18 miles of coastline, but when it comes to surfing, those 18 miles are about quality, not quantity. Surprisingly enough, they’re about variety, too:
Beginners and intermediates should check out Jenness State Beach, a family-friendly destination for those looking to ride the waves or just enjoy a day on the sand.Like the strong cocktail it evokes, Rye on the Rocks (Bass Beach) is an exposed left-hand reef break that many more-serious surfers agree is the best option around when conditions are right.Another popular spot is “The Wall” in the town of Hampton Beach, an exposed beach break that’s home to consistent waves. While the surfer in your pod is chasing swells, the rest of your crew can post up on the boardwalk or anywhere along this generous stretch of soft sand.2. Rock climbing and spelunking in Rumney
Photo: vonnahmed1/Shutterstock
The Rumney Rocks Climbing Area, located in White Mountain National Forest, is an international climbing destination with some of the best routes on the East Coast. Welcome to the Granite State! (Well, actually, you’ll be climbing walls of schist — and maybe even ice, depending on the season.)
Those who’d rather say “no thanks” to the holds and crags on Rattlesnake Mountain can spend the afternoon underground, exploring nearby Polar Caves Park. Created during the last ice age, the park’s nine granite caverns will have you squeezing through tight spots or descending to iced-over depths, even come summer.
3. River rafting around Errol
Photo: New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism
The town of Errol, New Hampshire, can claim just about as many rafting trips as it can citizens (population: 264). Several outfitters have set up shop here, hooking up water-seekers with tranquil, family-friendly floats as well as fast-paced whitewater adventures along the Androscoggin River and its many tributary lakes and streams.
Take your pick: The “Errol Rapid” trip contains some medium-quick Class II rapids, passing through memorably named spots like Pancake Wave, Fluffy Bunny Hole, and Grandma’s Revenge. The section of the river below the Pontook Dam holds exciting Class II+ rapids. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more relaxing, go for a paddle on pristine Umbagog Lake, just east of Errol. A state park and national wildlife refuge, Umbagog sits on the transition zone between boreal and deciduous forests, making it a favorite hangout of moose, bald eagles, and loons.
4. Hang-gliding at Morningside Flight Park
Photo: Morningside Flight Park
You’ll catch two types of creatures soaring over the rolling hills of the Connecticut River Valley around Charlestown, NH: waterfowl and the folks at Morningside Flight Park. In the latter category, keep an eye out for hang-gliders, paragliders, powered paragliders, and those being aero-towed.
Yep, aero-towed — you’ll go up with a professional pilot in a tandem hang-glider, towed by a small biplane to altitudes of 2,000. Then, your cord drops and you’re free-flying through the New Hampshire skies. If you’re up for it, you can even try your hand at the controls as you take in the spectacular views below.
Otherwise, go solo with a paragliding lesson, starting with an introductory lesson and working your way up to a launch off the grassy practice slope. Closer to the ground, the park also offers outdoor laser tag, kayaks, and a mountaintop zipline course through stunning old-growth forest.
5. Dog sledding in Jefferson
Photo: ThoriaWhite/Shutterstock
Muddy Paw is home to some 80 sled dogs. On a visit, you’ll spend the first half hour greeting the pups (and helping your musher ready the cart) before they escort you into the New Hampshire outdoors. You can likely picture the winter dogsled experience, but summer opens the door for two- or five-mile excursions on the area’s wooded trails, no worrying about cold hands and cold feet (or cold paws!).
During both seasons, guests will have plenty of hands-on opportunities to help rig up the sled and give the dogs some belly rubs for a job well done. You can feel good about the adventure, too — your visit will help the kennel further its goals of taking in rescue and second-chance sled dogs and educating the public about our furry pals.
6. Mountain biking at Bear Brook State Park
Photo: New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism
Just 90 minutes from Boston, Bear Brook offers some of the best mountain biking around, whether you’re an expert rider or just getting started. The dirt road, double-track, and single-track trails crisscross the heavily forested park and incorporate plenty of natural features — and soaring descents — to keep you on your toes.
If you’re just honing your mountain biking skills or are on a family trip, start off on the shorter and more mellow six-mile loop. For the opposite of mellow, hit the 21-mile loop for a nearly 2,250-foot climb and plenty of technical quizzing. If biking’s not your thing, the trails are also great for hiking and horseback riding, and the park has options for camping, swimming, and fishing as well. As long as you appreciate the outdoors, you’ll find something incredible at Bear Brook — and in New Hampshire at large.
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June 29, 2021
2021 graduates can win hundreds of free round-trip flights with this airline
Graduates from the class of 2021 across the American West are about to get the best grad gift ever — hundreds of free round-trip flights.
The travel gifts are courtesy of Avelo Airlines, a new carrier based in Los Angeles that started flying in April 2021. Recent high school or college graduates can sign up for the Grads on the Go with Avelo drawing on the carrier’s website by July 20, 2021. Grads can enter a second time by uploading a photo or video of their graduation on their social media with the @AveloAir and #AveloGradSweepstakes tags.
Avelo is a low-cost carrier that uses Burbank Airport as its hub and offers flights to 11 destinations at smaller, less expensive airports in California, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Montana, Colorado, and Arizona.
In each of the destinations Avelo serves, 21 graduates will be eligible to win two free round-trip flights each — so they can travel with a friend. Graduates must be 18 years or older and have graduated from high schools, colleges, universities, or trade schools within the communities that Avelo serves.
“This has been a challenging school year for students trying to remain academically engaged while often studying remotely,” said Andrew Levy, chairman and CEO of Avelo, in a press release. “We are inspired by the perseverance of the Class of 2021 and we can’t imagine a better graduation gift than to help fuel their inspiration to travel and explore new places.”
The sweepstakes are also a great introduction to Avelo and its cheap flights to great places like Los Angeles, Bozeman, or Grand Junction. Winners of the drawing will be selected at random on or before August 17, 2021.
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In Rhode Island, summer vacation isn’t complete without a visit to a clam shack
Diners indulging in seafood across the country might opt for buttery lobster or delicate, briny oysters. In Rhode Island, a bastion of seafood in New England, the marine creature of choice is the humble clam. It’s not just a delicacy featured prominently on restaurant menus. Oh no, the clam is what one writer for the New England Historical Society called “sacred” in the nation’s “smallest and wateriest state.”
For the Narragansett tribe of New England, all parts of the quahog clam were considered sacred — quahog clam shells were fashioned into wampum, ceremonial jewelry used to tell stories among tribes and to honor leaders within Narragansett communities. Quahog clam meat was often featured in soups and stews, while the crushed shells provided nutrients to gardens.
Today, the best known and most popular clam in Rhode Island is still the quahog. (You might already be familiar with the name even if you’ve never set foot in Rhode Island — Quahog is the fictional town in Newport County where Family Guy is set.) Quahog clams didn’t rise to mainstream prominence in the state until around 1938. That year, a massive hurricane decimated Rhode Island’s oyster business. An entrepreneur named F. Nelson Blout (later the founder of the Blount Seafood Corporation and the Steamtown & Northern Railroad) saw an opportunity and began selling the still abundant quahog clam as an oyster alternative.
Rhode Islanders embraced the quahog, and eventually clamming (alongside squid fishing) became one the most prosperous industries in the state. Quahogs became so synonymous with Rhode Island that, in 1987, it became the official “state shell.” Clam digging remains one of the most beloved family traditions in the state, and the activity is easily accessible on Rhode Island beaches.
Every year in late spring, Rhode Island shows off its prized bivalve at Quahog Week, during which restaurants around the state highlight their signature clam dishes. The event makes it easy to try out the many ways that Rhode Island has integrated this seemingly simple ingredient into its cuisine. Outsiders might be surprised to find that the quahog is so versatile.
One reason for the enduring popularity of the quahog might be its signature flavor. Like many oysters from this region, quahog clams are briny and mildly sweet with tender meat. The most desirable variety of quahog is the small but mighty littleneck clam, which is sweeter than other hard shell clams, and delicate in texture.
Quahogs can be fried, breaded, stuffed, and boiled — and that list is just a starting point of the many ways Rhode Islanders transform their precious clams. But there are a few quahog dishes that are considered the most iconic in the state. Here are the best clam dishes you have to try in Rhode Island.
1. Stuffies
Photo: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock
Arguably the most iconic seafood dish to come out of Rhode Island, stuffies (or stuffed quahogs) are a delectable way to enjoy the large, hardshell quahog clam. The chopped clam meat is combined with a mixture of bread crumbs, onion, bell pepper, celery, and herbs, and then baked in a clam shell. Originally a carb heavy treat for the region’s fishermen and farmers, today Rhode Islanders of all stripes have adopted stuffies as their appetizer of choice.
Where to try it: Quito’s Restaurant, 411 Thames St, Bristol, RI 02809
2. Clam chowderQuahog clams accompany bacon and potatoes in Rhode Island’s distinctive version of clam chowder: The broth is clear, as opposed to the creamy, opaque broth popular in the rest of New England. Rhode Islanders insist that the benefit of clear broth is that it allows the flavor of the clams to shine through. The point, as one Rhode Island food blog put it, is to let “the quahog take center stage.” According to the blog, the result is “intense ocean flavor….Each spoonful blends broth, briny clam essence, sweet onion, tender potato, and crispy pork bits.”
Where to try it: Blount Clam Shack on the Waterfront, 335 Water St, Warren, RI 02885
3. Fried clams
Photo: Theresa Lauria/Shutterstock
In a 2007 article for The New York Times, David Leite wrote that, “Fried clams are to New England what barbecue is to the South.” Dipped in flour and fried, fried clams are enjoyed at roadside shacks — especially during the summer. The strips of fried clam are crispy and chewy, and made from soft-shell clams rather than the hardshell quahog that’s popular in many other Rhode Island clam dishes.
Where to try it: Flo’s Clam Shack, 4 Wave Ave, Middletown, RI 02842
4. ClambakeThe clam bake or boil is a widespread tradition throughout New England, but in Rhode Island (and parts of Massachusetts) it takes on a distinctive twist with the addition of Portugese linguiça or chouriço sausage to the mix. Some Rhode Island-based chefs also include lobster in their clam bakes, and red potatoes play an important role, too. Clambakes aren’t all that common on restaurant menus, but there are some Rhode Island institutions that hold clambake events that are open to the public every summer.
Where to try it: McGrath Clambakes and Catering, 64 Halsey St #5, Newport, RI 02840
5. Clam fritters
Photo: Rabbitti/Shutterstock
More commonly known as clam cakes, this simple snack is actually a fritter: crispy, golden brown balls of deep-fried clam meat. Yes, the moniker is a little confusing. It bears no relation to a similarly named dish, the crab cake. For one thing, Rhode Island clam cakes are usually never flat. Hank Shaw, a fisherman and James Beard Award-winning author from Block Island, just south of mainland Rhode Island, wrote that clam cakes are basically “clam beignets.” His description of these tasty morsels might make your mouth water: “The slightest aroma of brine surrounds you,” he wrote. “Tiny chunks of clam nestle themselves in the folds of the pillow, offering surprising bites of chewy meatiness as you down one of these little glories after another.”
Where to try it: The Hitching Post 5402 Post Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813
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Here’s how you can win $10,000 worth of travel every year for 10 years
Trafalgar, the world’s leading and most awarded travel brand spanning all seven continents, is giving you the chance to win the travel jackpot. It’s giving one lucky person $10,000 worth of travel with Trafalgar Tours every year for 10 years.
This contest is a part of Trafalgar’s Ultimate Travel Event series. To enter the contest, you need to attend one of Trafalgar’s Virtual Events, where Trafalgar’s hosts from around the world take you on a tour of their home turf. You can visit an olive oil estate in Italy, learn how to make soda bread with an Irish chef, and attend a lecture on Hawaiian coffee with a local grower.
The contest is open to those in the US, Canada (excluding Quebec), Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the Republic of Ireland, Asia, and South Africa. Contestants have until 11:59 PM ET on September 30 to enter the contest.
The winner will be announced at 2:00 PM on October 14, 2021, and notified by email or phone within three business days. To RSVP for Trafalgar’s virtual event, you can visit the website.
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9 great Killington Airbnbs for your adventure weekend in Vermont
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.
You don’t have to be a New Englander to participate in one of the region’s most time-honored traditions — the weekend adventure trip. New England has no shortage of mountain towns in which to have an epic weekend, but Killington, Vermont, tops the list for good reason: its nightlife, diverse restaurants, and large selection of Airbnbs that can accommodate all your friends. No matter the season, in summer for epic biking and hiking, or in the winter for skiing and riding, here are the Killington Airbnbs you should bookmark for when you want to take advantage of the beautiful Vermont outdoors.
1. Large Killington Center condo for six
Photo: Airbnb
This large one-bedroom condo combines the budget-friendly benefits of a cozy accommodation with the amenities of a luxury resort. With views of the Green Mountains and located right next to downtown’s dining and nightlife scenes, ski lifts, and trails, the condo also has access to a pool. The apartment accommodates six people, making it perfect for a couples getaway.
Six guests, one bedroom
Price: $158 per night
Photo: Airbnb
For a perfect weekend in the mountains, book this large Killington resort condo. This three-bedroom unit with a sunroof and balcony accommodates eight guests, and comes equipped with access to a gym, pool, basketball and tennis courts, and other amenities for when you’re not out in the mountains. It’s also just a few minutes from the heart of town and its restaurants and bars.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $211 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Located just off the Killington access road, this chalet is in an ideal spot for both nightlife and hitting the mountain. Accommodating eight guests in three bedrooms, this unique home has a spiral staircase and loft, great views in all directions, and most importantly, an outdoor patio with a grill and fire pit. Scratch that — the most important part of this house is definitely the out-the-door access to singletrack biking, resort and backcountry skiing, and hiking.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $200 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This home has enough space not only for your friends, but for everyone you meet on the chairlift, too. Accommodating 15 guests, this four-level house is ideal for large groups. There’s an outdoor hot tub, a balcony with picturesque views, a fireplace, and enough privacy so the neighbors probably won’t hear your music. It’s located in Pittsfield, 15-minutes from Killington itself, but with a pool table and enough space for 14 of your closest friends, who needs to go to the bar anyway?
Fifteen guests, three bedrooms
Price: $245 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This one’s not for the budget traveler. But if you want boutique-scale luxury surrounded by rugged wilderness, this is the place for you. Sleeping six, Atelier is located in the middle of a private wooded area, beside a pond, with footbridges and walking paths leading through the trees. The house is also within walking distance of the bars and restaurants. In a town where Ubers are tough to come by, that convenience is priceless.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $693 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Condo complexes may lack the charm of a log cabin, but Killington’s condos tend to make up for it with unmatched convenience. The Whiffletree condos offer a shuttle service to the mountain and to some of the town’s most popular restaurants, so you don’t have to worry about wobbling home from the Wobbly Barn. This condo accommodates eight guests in three separate bedrooms.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $289 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This three-level house comes equipped with more than enough room to accommodate everyone on your outdoors adventure weekend. There’s three bedrooms, three full bathrooms, and an outdoor hot tub that fits five people. Perhaps more enticingly, there’s also a basement with a foosball table, ping pong, and a small gym. The house is just a few minutes’ drive from Killington Resort, K1 base, and all the bars, restaurants and breweries.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $349 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Lakewood Lodge combines the best of Killington’s attractions with the beauty of its natural surroundings. Located right on Kent Pond, this three-floor lodge is just 300 yards from the waterfront, where you can use kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards. There are also two hiking trails in the area, a waterfall across the pond, and the Deer Leap overlook with views of the surrounding wilderness. Since the lodge is just a few minutes from Killington Access Road, you’re also close to town and all the bars and lodges.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $500 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Sunrise Village is a ski-in, ski-out condo complex right on the mountain, making it an ideal location for the skiers in your group (in winter). For those who’d rather jet down the road to the bar, the center of town is just a 10-minute drive away. The condo complex is also perfect for meeting other people, given the close proximity of the units and the public pool and outdoor hot tub. It might not feel as enticing as the classic “cabin in the woods”-style accommodation, but these condos are modern, spacious enough to accommodate ten guests.
Ten guests, five bedrooms
Price: $591 per night
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7 easy hikes on Oahu, Hawaii, that are perfect for kids
Oahu has it all when it comes to family vacations, with sunny beaches, a modern city for all your needs, that wonderful Hawaiian vibe, and plenty of easy treks to take in the stunning scenery. Oahu is a paradise for hikers, and among all the trails are several that are perfect for children of all ages and family members with various physical abilities. From a slow trek to the well-known Kaiwa Ridge to easy strolls through the trees to Waimea or Manoa Falls, here are the best short, kid-friendly hikes on Oahu.
What you need to do before hiking with children in HawaiiMany water sources in Hawaii have leptospirosis, a sometimes serious bacterial infection that’s carried in animal urine. It’s important that your family knows not to drink any of the water or go swimming with any open cuts and sores. As always, be sun smart, wear bug spray, and carry plenty of water and snacks to keep everyone going on the trail.
1. Lanikai Pillbox hike (aka Ka’iwa Ridge Trail)
Photo: MH Anderson Photography/Shutterstock
Distance: 2 miles round trip
The Lanikai Pillbox hike is one of the most popular kid-friendly hikes on Oahu, with only a moderate incline that is absolutely worth it for the gorgeous views of the windward coast over Kailua and Lanikai beaches. It’s located only a few blocks from Lanikai Beach, which, with its turquoise water and powdery pale sand, is considered one of the most stunning coves on Oahu. Heading here with the kids after your family hike makes for a great day out.
Many people like to begin this trek in the dark to reach the summit at sunrise, but for families, this can be a little tricky as the first 100 yards or so is all hands on deck with a little scrambling and holding onto ropes. If you’re hiking with younger kids, it would be easier, and safer, to wait until sunrise for more light.
The “pillboxes” are the star attractions at the summit of this route, offering breathtaking views of Oahu’s coastline. Although referred to as the Lanikai Pillboxes, in technical military terms they aren’t really pillboxes. A pillbox is a defensive site — but these structures served only as observation stations and weren’t actually equipped with any defensive machinery. Either way, they are pretty awesome and, for kids, they offer an educational component to the hike.
The trailhead has no dedicated parking area, so if you have young children, parking can be an issue unless you start with the morning sun. The trail starts at Kaelepulu Drive and takes around one to two hours, depending on how slow you dawdle or linger to take in the views.
2. Diamond Head Hike
Photo: Jamison Logan/Shutterstock
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
The 1.5-mile round-trip Diamond Head Trail is another of the popular kid-friendly hikes on Oahu. Children will particularly enjoy passing through the tunnel on the ascent and exploring the bunkers at the top, while all will likely appreciate the amazing views.
This hike is in no way stroller-friendly, and toddlers will most likely need to be carried at stages. However, it’s certainly achievable, and you’ll pass many other hikers with kids plodding determinedly up the well-maintained path. Views from the summit are iconic, overlooking Waikiki, Honolulu, and all the way to Ewa Beach and the Waianae Mountain Range. During winter, you may even spot passing humpback whales.
The best time to attempt the hike is at 6:00 AM when the trail opens. This will give you room to hike on a crowd-free trail and will ensure a parking spot. The route will take around two hours to complete. There’s an entrance fee of $5 for non-residents to do the hike (children under three are free) and a parking fee of $10 again for non-residents.
3. Waimea Falls
Photo: Chris Nunez/Shutterstock
Distance: 3.5 miles round trip
Located in Oahu’s North Shore area, Waimea Falls is one of the easiest kid-friendly hikes on the island and features a waterfall that you can swim at. It’s a particularly beautiful place for families to while away an afternoon. Don’t worry — the actual hike doesn’t take hours to complete, but admiring the botanical gardens and swimming at the falls can turn this into a day trip.
For families with younger kids, this is probably one of the better options on Oahu, as it’s mostly flat. You can pitch it to the kids as more of a walk than a hike, and soon enough you’ll have the whole family moving and enjoying the outdoors.
The route passes through world-class botanical gardens and historical sites before reaching the grand attraction, Waimea Falls. Waimea Falls cascades down 30 feet into a deep pond and while swimming is allowed, there are times it may be closed for safety reasons. It’s a requirement that you wear a lifejacket if you swim, which is provided by lifeguards and included in the admission fee to Waimea Valley.
There’s also a preserved Hawaiian village to explore, allowing you to sneak in some education. The admission fee is rather hefty but this kind of place doesn’t maintain itself and it’s stunning. The fee will make your wallet lighter by $20 per adult and $12 per child aged 4-12. There’s a discount for the military and residents of Hawaii.
4. Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail
Photo: E.J.Johnson Photography/Shutterstock
Distance: 2.5 miles round trip
Any hiking route on Oahu that both includes a lighthouse and is stroller-friendly is a winner in any family’s book. The Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail is a gentle hike with spectacular views of Oahu’s southeast coastline, including Koko Crater and Koko Head. Once you do the hard yards and reach Makapu’u Head, the lighthouse comes into view. It was built in 1909 and features an Insta-worthy red roof. There are one-of-a-kind views across the Windward side of the island here, too. And, if you’re lucky enough to be hiking between November and May, don’t forget to pack binoculars, as it’s an excellent trail to spot migrating humpback whales.
Although the path is smooth and paved, it’s virtually entirely uphill and has an incline that will allow you to eat a cupcake guilt-free afterward. If you’ve been blessed with a wild child, you may need to hold their hand at various points because the trail drops off on the side at points and there are cacti in the low growing vegetation.
The car park and trailhead can be found off the Kalanianaole Highway at the south-easternmost point of Oahu and if you’re driving from the windward side of the island, the park will be on the left side of the highway.
5. Manoa Falls hike
Photo: segawa7/Shutterstock
Distance: 1.8 miles round trip
The highlight of this kid-friendly hike on Oahu is reaching the 150-foot-high waterfall to watch mother nature in all her cascading glory. The Manoa Falls hike is under two miles for a round trip through the rainforest to the waterfalls, but the falls aren’t the only great thing about it. The walk itself is stunning, featuring native Hawaiian plants and bamboo forests.
Although the trail is really easy to follow and is well-maintained, it’s not in the slightest bit stroller-friendly so be prepared for some baby- or toddler-wearing if you have little ones. This hike is nearly always muddy, but the last quarter can take it to extremes if there has been prior rainfall. Recent rain will make the waterfall even more memorable but it also brings out the mosquitoes, creates extra mud, and makes for slippery rocks. If it’s been raining, a smart move would be to leave a plastic bag in the car to dump muddy shoes into after the hike.
Parking is $5 if you park in the dedicated parking lot along Manoa Road, but some folks choose to find free residential parking just after Waakaua Street before reaching this parking lot.
6. Likeke Falls
Photo: MNStudio/Shutterstock
Distance: 1 miles round trip
There is nothing like a waterfall to keep kids interested when hiking in Oahu. In fact, any first-time visit to Hawaii should include chasing waterfalls. This one only takes around half a mile to reach the water, making for a quick, easily managed morning out during vacation. Likeke Falls is a beautiful hike that is fun for the whole family, but particularly for kids who like to get dirty as it’s muddy.
There are actually two ways to get to Likeke Falls: one is short and easier and the other is not as family-friendly. The easier route starts from the bottom of the Ko’olau Golf Club and takes around 15 minutes. The trailhead can be spotted from the parking lot and you will quickly come across a large tank covered in graffiti from which the trail leads off to the left.
7. Judd Trail
Photo: Steve Heap/Shutterstock
Distance: 1 mile loop
The Judd Trail is a popular kid-friendly hike on Oahu for younger children who love the outdoors — as this 1.5-mile loop can often turn into a complete mud bath. The payoff is Jackass Ginger Pool, a fun and safe swimming hole. Just note the depth can vary depending on recent rainfall. If it’s deep enough, visitors jump off the rocks but parents might want to encourage the kids to slide on the mossy rocks and into the water instead.
This hike actually begins with a shallow creek crossing, instantly putting a stop to any whining before it starts by beginning with a touch of soft adventure. Rock hop over as best you can and follow the loop through some fascinating greenery that, despite the short length of the trail, changes quite a bit.
To hike the Judd Trail, you’re going to need bug spray against the critter armies. It’s totally worth it though; just don’t forget it or you’ll spend the rest of the day scratching your arms and legs.
There’s no official parking lot for the Judd Trail, but hikers can drive onto Nuuanu Pali Drive and park along the street near two horizontal pillars that mark the trail’s entrance.
The post 7 easy hikes on Oahu, Hawaii, that are perfect for kids appeared first on Matador Network.
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