Matador Network's Blog, page 632
June 17, 2021
This epic hiking trail in California’s Big Sur is now open after a 13-year-closure
Pfeiffer Falls Trail in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park will be reopening on June 18 for the first time in 13 years. The fully renovated trail is reopening to the public after the Basin Complex Fire destroyed the trail back in June 2008.
In 2008 the Basin Complex Fire destroyed over 162,818 acres of Big Sur. The blaze destroyed much of the Pfeiffer Falls Trail’s infrastructure, including bridges, railings, steps, signs, and walls.
“We’re thrilled to announce the reopening of the Pfeiffer Falls Trail,” said Jim Doran, program manager of Monterey District Roads, and Trails, California State Parks. “Before the 2008 Basin Complex Fire, this was one of the most popular trails in Big Sur — a destination for California tourists. With the trail’s many improvements completed, we’re happy to welcome visitors once again.”
Photo: Save the Redwoods
The renovations cost nearly $2 million to complete, including funding, grants, and donations from California Natural Resources Agency’s California River Parkways Program, the Parker Foundation Save the Redwoods League, and more.
The Pfeiffer Falls Trail is a 0.75-mile trail that takes walkers under the region’s iconic redwoods through a gorge that leads to a 60-foot waterfall known as the Pfeiffer Falls.
The renovations include a newly constructed 70-foot-long pedestrian bridge that spans the Pfeiffer Redwood Creek ravine, the replacement of 4,150 square feet of asphalt for new passageways. 
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LGBTQ day parties are New York City’s newest nightlife craze
There was a moment in May when New York City suddenly sprang back to life. Vaccination rates were rising, the CDC reversed its outdoor mask advice, and the subways resumed 24-hour service. Neighbors saw each other smile for the first time in over a year. For some, indoor dining was suddenly an option that didn’t inspire anxiety. For me, nothing seemed to mark an end to NYC’s darkest days like the emergence of Ty Tea — a Sunday LGTBQ day party hosted by Ty Sunderland at 3 Dollar Bill, where queer people gathered for the sole purpose of having fun.
New York’s LGBTQ community never really stopped gathering in-person this past year: They rallied in the streets for Black lives, trans lives, and Asian lives. They celebrated the presidential election by banging pots and pans in parks and on sidewalks. Social bubbles met for drinks in plywood shacks constructed outside the gay bars that remained open. Illegal queer nightlife bubbled underground, too, popping up in Manhattan apartments, Brooklyn warehouses, and Fire Island beaches. An occasional picture from these secret soirees made the rounds on social media, causing people to throw up their emoji arms in dismay. GaysOverCovid, an Instagram account that started posting last July, outed gay partiers who shirked CDC guidelines and shamed them for their carelessness. Gathering for the majority of this past year usually came with a cost.
But as spring began to bloom, the fear and stigma surrounding these gatherings began to fade. GaysOverCovid made their last post on March 5, and by early May, 3 Dollar Bill was marketing Ty Tea. Within a few weeks, maskless merrymakers posted their latest party pics of LGTBQ day parties on Instagram with impunity. Shirtless boys in short shorts gyrated on a makeshift cement dance floor outside 3 Dollar Bill’s warehouse. “Nature is healed,” read one social media post about Ty Tea on May 23.
NYC’s LGBTQ nightlife was finally back, it seemed — but with a caveat: It was taking place during the day. Bars and restaurants were on city-mandated curfews until June. The late-night shenanigans of yore would have to wait.
The re-emergence of LGTBQ day parties
Photo: M E/Shutterstock
The Sunday funday at 3 Dollar Bill was like a singing canary in a coal mine; a signifier that throwing a queer day party wasn’t only possible, it was popular. When tickets for Pride Playground — Sunderland’s Pride version of Ty Tea — went on sale in early June, they sold out in less than a minute. Pre-sale tickets for his weekly event sell out nearly as fast.
Now, LGTBQ day parties seem to be blooming all over the city.
Papi Juice — an art collective behind inclusive pop-up parties celebrating queer and trans people of color — returned to the dance floor on June 6 for the first time in 15 months. The inaugural party, hosted outside at Astor Place, began at noon. Attendees twirled under a blazing sun until nightfall. On June 13, the group threw another early-evening event outside the Brooklyn Museum to celebrate Brooklyn Pride. The party ended a mere hour and a half after sunset.
Second Sundays, a free monthly Central Park meet-up frequented by gay men, resumed its daytime gatherings on June 13 after a one-year hiatus. The group, which began in 2015, transforms Sheep Meadow into a queer picnic replete with speedo-clad guys who gab on the green. At the most recent event, someone doled out rainbow-colored jello shots as guys flitted about in summer kaftans. Although rain eventually chased most of the crowd away, a group of die-hard New Yorkers stuck around, soaking in their newfound freedom to assemble.
Other familiar queer afternoon parties have also returned to the scene, including Fly Sundays at Monarch (a rooftop party in Herald Square), Paradisco at Le Bain (another rooftop party at the Standard Hotel), and Mister Sunday (an uber-inclusive, queer-friendly hang in Sunset Park, Brooklyn).
Even drag queens are braving the light of day to have a good time. The Mobile Drag Performance Unit (MDPU) — a 12-foot trailer converted into a stage — will be making the rounds in Brooklyn through June 26 to offer New Yorkers free lunchtime performances featuring some of NYC’s best drag artists.
Still, Ty Tea remains the most well-hyped of these offerings, much thanks to its namesake, Ty Sunderland. He’s the Sunday pastor at 3 Dollar Bill, bringing together a choir of queer voices who sing and dance like they’re attending gay church. Special performances by pop artists, like Slayyyter and VINCINT (whose new bop “Higher” is a top contender for the song of the summer) mix with dreamy disco and house music. Sunderland so expertly manipulates the crowd with his blend of sweet nostalgia and cutting-edge modernity that it’s easy to lose yourself in his musical sermon. The only reminder of life pre-vaccine is a wall scrawled with “Keep your fuckin’ mask on!”
A brief history of tea dancesAlthough Ty Tea feels groundbreaking in 2021, tea dances are old hat in New York City. According to LGBT historian Will Kohler, the tea dance is a tradition dating back to the late 1800s, when socialites in the United States and Europe would gather for tea and snacks in the afternoon (“low tea”) or later on for a full meal (“high tea”). These gatherings remained popular until World War I, saw a resurgence in the 1920s, and eventually fell out of vogue during the Great Depression.
In the late 1960s, tea dances resurfaced in Cherry Grove — a queer summer enclave on Fire Island — to create safe spaces where gay men could meet without worrying about potential police raids. Selling alcohol to known homosexuals was illegal at the time, as was kissing or dancing with a member of the same sex. Serving tea was a clever way to circumvent the law.
In a Vice article , Joanne Spataro credits Michael Fesco, who ran a Cherry Grove bar called the Ice Palace, for throwing the first gay-centric midday shindig. By 1967, tea dances became a daily activity during Fire Island’s busy season. Within a few years, the afternoon fête caught on in nearby NYC and eventually in gayborhoods across the country.
Although many tea dances morphed into nighttime events in the following decades, they never vanished from view. The Monster, a Greenwich Village gay bar with roots in Cherry Grove, hosts one of NYC’s longest-running tea dances, and the tradition remains a pillar of social life in gaycation destinations like Fire Island and Provincetown.
Today’s newest iterations of the tea dance — including Ty Tea and the recent Papi Juice events — invoke the spirit behind Cherry Grove’s 1960s shindigs by capitalizing on the queer community’s desire to gather while navigating COVID-era restrictions. They simultaneously harken back to a historical era while ushering in the dawn of the post-pandemic dance party. Most importantly, they provide safe, joyful spaces where people can celebrate after surviving a tumultuous year.
The joy of LGTBQ day partiesThere’s no doubt New York nightlife will return to its vampiric hours of operation in due time. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced in early June that New York State would “get back to normal” once 70 percent of adults received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. On June 14, Cuomo released a statement that 69.9 percent of people in the state were vaccinated. The city that doesn’t sleep is primed for a summer of insomnia, and queer event producers from Lady Fag to Susan Bartsch are ready to give them what they want.
But as New York inevitably picks up its old habits, let’s not forget to praise the current day-party craze.
After a year in quarantine, dancing in daylight is a radical act, like a second coming out of the closet. Everything about it is open. There’s no cloaking yourself in the mystery of night or hiding out in pixelated Zoom squares. Day parties are for putting down your phone, for being seen, and for socializing freely. You don’t have to get lucky to get some Vitamin D at an event like Ty Tea. You don’t have to stay up late to enjoy the crowds at Second Sundays. You can party hard at an afternoon function and still wake up well rested for work.
Perhaps, just as the city has recently embraced pandemic-era changes like additional bike lanes, outdoor restaurant spaces, and pedestrian-friendly streets, queer New Yorkers will continue to embrace day parties in the months ahead. Perhaps events like Ty Tea will become ubiquitous, and summer weekends will be filled with people dancing together under the sun.
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Matador Trips offers all the best of Mexico on one of the coolest travel experiences of 2021
At Matador Network, we strive to empower people to travel the world and share their stories by informing and inspiring others to create a positive impact on the world through travel. From this school of thought, Matador Trips was born. After many years of traveling the world on assignment and visiting over 120 countries, the staff at Matador have uncovered some of the most special and unforgettable experiences across the globe, and we want to share the love.
So what destination is Matador Trips most excited about this fall? Mexico. Mexico has long captured the hearts of travelers from all over the world with its aromatic cuisine, potent spirits, open-hearted culture, rugged deserts, and bountiful oceans. There is no place on Earth quite like Mexico.
Here are a few of our favorite experiences to be had in Mexico. All of these experiences are included in Matador Trips’ Mexico itineraries this fall. Find out more here.
Swim with hundreds of whale sharks
Photo: feel4nature/Shutterstock
Hundreds of whale sharks gather around Isla Mujeres in the Caribbean ocean off the coast of Mexico during the summer months, with a higher concentration in the days leading up to and just after the full moon. Whale sharks are the largest fish on the planet. The sharks are filter-feeders and feed on small fish, shrimp, and plankton, and they’re not aggressive toward humans. Swimming with whale sharks is an incredibly peaceful, almost euphoric, experience. These gentle giants can be befriended with simply a snorkel and some fins.
Visit ancient Mayan ruins and enjoy modern Mayan culture
Photo: Isogood_patrick/Shutterstock
For centuries, the Mayans built cities, temples, and structures of war in the dense jungle, valleys, and along the coast in what is today known as Mexico and parts of Central America. Not all of these ruins have been excavated, and most likely some have yet to be discovered. One of our favorites is Ek Balam in Quintana Roo in southern Mexico. Ek Balam is a jungle-shrouded, pre-Colombian acropolis that can still be climbed by visitors. It’s known for being less crowded than other Mayan ruins in the area, such as Chichen Itza or Tulum. A visit to Ek Balam cannot be complete without spending time (or better, overnight) in a local indigenous village nearby to experience the local way of life in modern times.
Swim and explore cenotes, underground rivers, and caves
Photo: Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock
A cenote can literally be translated to “sinkhole,” however the word sinkhole does not capture the awe-inspiring mystery of the natural wonder that is a cenote. Scattered throughout Quintana Roo and the Yucatan Peninsula, no two cenotes are the same. Cenotes often have above-ground water areas for swimming, as well as extensive underground rivers running through limestone caves that you can explore with proper guides. These caves are so ancient that you can spot fossilized sea life while exploring them, along with incredible stalagmites and stalactites. Non-crowded cenotes are often well-guarded secrets, so you’ll have to join Matador Trips Riviera Maya trip to see our favorites.
Celebrate the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca City
Photo: Kobby Dagan/Shutterstock
Oaxaca is a culturally rich city. It’s a visceral experience to visit during the Day of the Dead celebrations. Celebrated on November 1 and 2, Day of the Dead is a time when it’s believed communication between the living world and the world of the dead is possible. The whole city is decorated for the festivities, and people dress in elaborate costumes with skull-like face paint and gather in the streets for parades and festivals. The holiday celebrates both life and death, with families and friends gathering in graveyards to honor the deceased with candles, flowers, songs, and some mezcal.
Discover Mexico’s surf culture
Photo: Christopher Mazmanian/Shutterstock
Mexico has long been a dream destination for surfers of all levels. Surf aficionados road trip down the pacific coast looking for barrels and uncrowded swells. Newer surfers can flock to popular surf towns like Sayulita, Puerto Escondido, or Todos Santos to discover surf culture and get some lessons on smaller waves. No matter what your level is, surfing in Mexico is an experience not to be missed.
Get to know Mexico City, the most approachable big city
Photo: WitR/Shutterstock
Thinking of Mexico City can conjure images of traffic, smog, and endless urban sprawl — which is accurate, but Mexico City is also an approachable and beautiful city to explore. In many areas of Mexico City, like Roma, Condesa, and Polanco, you would never guess you’re smack in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world. Trees line the streets, you can hear birdsong, and bicycles languidly pass by. The influence of art is ever present, from beautiful murals to world-class museums. Needless to say, Mexico City’s street food is hard to beat, but if you’re in the mood for an elevated experience, there’s no lack of fine dining options at restaurants like Michelin-starred Pujol, Contramar, or Quintonil.
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8 stunning Airbnbs on Oahu for lush hills, beach vibes, and supreme sunsets
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.
Oahu is home to the world-famous beaches of Waikiki and the North Shore, places where dreams come to life on a daily basis. The Hawaiian island of Oahu is defined by lush green mountains, a rich multicultural vibe, sandy coves lapped by turquoise water, and some of the best fish tacos you’ll ever have. These are the best Oahu Airbnbs to stay close to the action without getting caught up in the flow.
1. House with hills view in Kaneohe Bay
Photo: Airbnb
An optimized Hawaii experience isn’t based solely on the beach. Oahu is home to some of the state’s, and indeed the country’s, most verdant and beautiful mountains. This gorgeous property keeps you near the shores of Kaneohe Bay but away from the tourist lines, swapping crowds for green hills, with the peace of knowing you’re lounging poolside in a gated neighborhood.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $207 per night
Photo: Airbnb
If traveling to Hawaii with extended family or several friends who want to stay waterside, this spacious home off Kailua is a great option. You’ll awaken to the sound of the waves each morning, with plenty of space for kids to sleep away from the parents. The large living space is perfect for game nights, social hours, and preparing meals for larger groups. Each bedroom opens to a private yard, though the beach is just steps away.
14 guests, four bedrooms
Price: $695 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Waikiki is the center of the party on Oahu, with shopping, nightlife, and every take on dining — from fish tacos to filet mignon — a short walk away. This studio apartment is in the center of it all, an ideal way to experience Oahu’s most famous strip at an affordable rate. Two of the United States’ most famous beaches, Queen’s Beach and Kuhio Beach, are just beyond the building. Your balcony view will afford the luxury of plotting a spot on the sand in advance, overlooking not just the beach but the tropical greenery that Waikiki is known for.
Two guests, studio
Price: $160 per night
Photo: Airbnb
You haven’t really seen the sunset until you’ve seen it from the balcony of this incredible beachside condo. Surf breaks are right outside, along with boogie boarding, long beach strolls, and plenty of nature gazing. Turtles, dolphins, and many varieties of birds are known to drop by, and, if you’re visiting in the winter, block off some time for whale watching from the balcony.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $195 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Cookie-cutter tourist experiences are easy to find on Oahu. Far rarer is something that none of your friends or family have done before. Try this coffee farm stay on a 7.5-acre tropical coffee farm, tucked away near the North Shore. The property owners call it a “secret garden cottage,” and it certainly feels like it — the property couldn’t possibly be more lush and green. Legendary surfing and fish tacos are just up the road at the North Shore, though you could also just chill here and sip coffee (or wine) in the gazebo.
Three guests, studio
Price: $185 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Surfers come to the North Shore to experience some of the fiercest waves in the world. Even if you don’t partake, walking the shoreline and watching the surfers in action is an experience in itself. This garden retreat just off the beach is a cozy guesthouse that’s away from the action but within walking distance of it, ideal for a relaxing vacation.
Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $250 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Combine the perfect beach — Ke Iki, known for the North Shore’s best sunset — with a well-trimmed beach bungalow whose hosts are accustomed to the musings of the beach-going wayfarer, and you have the Ke Iki beach bungalows. This bungalow is outfitted with a cozy living space opening to the palm-lined beach, world-class surf, and coastal culture right outside the door.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $466 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Sometimes you just have to go all out. In Oahu, there’s no better place to do so than with this luxurious marina-front home. The property has a sparkling pool overlooking Koko Head Crater, room for 13 guests with space to chill, and an amazing reflection of the morning’s sunrise beaming off the hills. Diamond Head, Honolulu, and Waikiki are a short drive north; though if you do decide to venture out of the neighborhood, we suggest heading the other direction and cruising the eastern coastline. Surf, more fish tacos, and the stunning views of Oahu’s rugged coastline await.
Thirteen guests, five bedrooms
Price: $1,500 per night
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June 16, 2021
A vintage wine tram is the best way to enjoy South Africa’s exquisite Cape Winelands
The Cape Winelands are an absolute must-visit for anyone traveling to Cape Town and its surroundings. There, you’ll find expansive mountainous landscapes lined with pristine vineyards, views as far as the eye can see, and, most importantly, unbelievably affordable world-class wine. For those unfamiliar with the region, it can be a bit intimidating. With so many wine estates to choose from, where do you begin? How do you get from one to the next?
The ultimate way to travel through the spectacular Cape Winelands in style is aboard the Franschhoek Wine Tram. This vintage-style railway tram will take you on a journey through Franschhoek Valley’s 300-year-old winemaking history while you sample some of South Africa’s prized wines. Along the way, you can hop on and off to visit some of South Africa’s oldest and most acclaimed vineyards, enjoy world-class cuisine, and partake in a range of activities, all while taking in the incredible views of this beautiful wine region.
A historic Cape Winelands town with a long history
Photo: Arnold.Petersen/Shutterstock
Franschhoek, where you can climb aboard the train, is an old town with a winemaking history that dates back to the 17th century. It began when the French Huguenots settled in the valley and established farms, many of which were named after French areas. Some of the early farms, such as La Motte, La Provence, and Cabrière, still stand and have thriving wineries. There are even some original Cape Dutch farmhouses.
Franschhoek is referred to by some as the country’s gourmet capital. The Franschhoek Valley is home to many vineyards, and wineries range from boutique operations to much larger cellars. Couple this with some of the country’s — and even the world’s — top restaurants, and you’ve got yourself a gourmand’s dream.
The Franschhoek Wine Tram
Photo: Franschhoek Wine Tram
In 1904, tram tracks were built as an alternative means of transport for farmers that used ox-drawn carts to market their products. The steam locomotives transitioned to diesel in the 1970s, and the trams ran all the way up until the 1990s. After that, there was less of a need for rail transport. The tracks were dormant for more than a decade, but in 2012, the line was revived into the Franschhoek Wine Tram.
In 2017, the Franschhoek Wine Tram introduced its new double-decker trams modeled after the Blackpool Corporation Tramways Double Deck Balcony Tramcar from the 1920s.
These trams were engineered in South Africa and travel at a maximum of 32 km/h (about 20 mph). This leisurely speed allows you to relax and take in your surroundings. Up to 78 passengers at a time can enjoy the scenic journey aboard the tram, and there are views all around.
Vineyards to stop at along your route
Photo: Franschhoek Wine Tram/Facebook
With its Mediterranean climate and glorious mountain slopes and valleys, the Cape region is ideal for viticulture. South African winemaking often bridges the traditional and the modern with a backbone of established old-world techniques and an open mind to new innovations.
The wineries in the region are diverse. From small, independent estates to massive, internationally acclaimed cellars, there’s certainly something for everyone. All the wine estates in Franschhoek are worth visiting, but a few notable wineries stand out.
Franschhoek is home to some of the oldest wine estates in Cape Winelands. There’s Boschendal, which started in 1685 and is the second oldest vineyard in South Africa, as well as La Bri, one of the first of nine farms granted to the Huguenots in 1688. One of the most popular vineyards is Babylonstoren, known for its stunning garden full of indigenous plants, fruits, and vegetables.
Leopard’s Leap is an excellent spot for families, thanks to its child-friendly outdoor space and extensive range of food options. Grande Provence is another historical spot with a beautiful natural setting where you can picnic or wander around the sculpture garden. Grande Provence will even organize a grape juice tasting for the little ones while the adults enjoy some of the winery’s award-winning wines.
At Pigcasso Wine Estate, you can see abstract artworks from the painting duo of Jo Lefson and Pigcasso (an actual pig). All proceeds from sold artworks benefit an animal sanctuary in Franschhoek valley called Farm Sanctuary SA.
Photo: Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate/Facebook
Many estates offer pairing options, such as Grand Provence’s wine and hummus and Method Cap Classique and oyster pairings. Those with a sweet tooth will love La Bri’s Plaisir de Merle fudge pairing, Vrede en Lust’s Lindt chocolate pairing, or the Turkish delight pairing.
Those seeking a full meal can’t go wrong with the seasonal, casual fine dining menu at Chefs Warehouse at Maison estate — one of South Africa’s most celebrated dining establishments. Arkeste at Chamonix estate serves a fabulous a la carte selection of dishes that combine molecular gastronomy and pan-Asian fusion with classical French techniques. At the same time, Manger at Dieu Donne Vineyards offers sweeping views along with Mediterranean-style dishes that use fresh local ingredients. Be sure to book these restaurants before arriving, as they get busy during peak season.
Route options on the Franschhoek Wine TramMany wine estates offer accommodation, and you should spend a few days in Franschhoek to fully explore the region. It takes about an hour and a half by car to get to Franschhoek from Cape Town, and the Franschhoek Wine Tram offers transfers from Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Strand starting at about $36 per person. It’s not recommended to take public transport, but a few tour companies such as City Sightseeing offer packages with an inclusive transfer from the city and a Hop-On Hop-Off ride.
There are two tram terminals, the Franschhoek and Groot Drakenstein terminals. Your starting terminal depends on which line you select, but both serve up coffee and beignets as an excellent start to your wine journey.
With so many things to see along the tram tracks, you’ll have a tough time picking which “experience” package to indulge in. Here’s a breakdown of the options to choose from:
Hop-On Hop-Off Experience
Photo: Franschhoek Wine Tram
The Hop-On Hop-Off experience is the most popular and the most flexible option. This journey can last anywhere between two and seven hours and is priced at just over $18 per adult plus wine tasting fees. Depending on the estate, wine tastings can set you back from around $2 up to $10, making it an affordable way to spend your day.
The Hop-On Hop-Off package allows you to pick one of eight tram lines: Purple, Orange, Blue, Pink, Green, Yellow, Grey, or Red lines. These lines let you explore up to six wine farms in a day. You’ll be able to choose where you go, what you eat, and how long you spend at each spot. The Blue and Green lines focus on boutique estates set against mountainous backdrops, while the Red and Yellow lines focus more on internationally renowned estates within the valley. If you’re short on time or would like to visit as many estates as possible, the Purple, Orange, Pink, and Grey Lines offer shorter intervals with around 30 minutes at each estate. Kids are welcome to tag along for around $7, while kids under three years old are free.
Exclusive Wine and Cuisine ExperienceFor an experience that you can share with up to 25 of your closest friends, the Exclusive Wine and Cuisine Experience is an indulgent journey that explores the best the valley has to offer. Your day begins with a breakfast and wine pairing (because wine is definitely the new coffee) at MIKO, the flagship restaurant at Mont Rochelle hotel and vineyard complete with 180-degree valley views. From there, you’ll partake in a Méthode Cap Classique (South Africa’s sparkling wine made in the same way that Champagne is) and macaroon pairing on board the vintage Brill tram. The next stop is a decadent lunch consisting of modern comfort food at Pierneef à La Motte. Of course, lunch includes a tasting of La Motte’s acclaimed wines before a viewing of its impressive art gallery. As there’s always room for dessert, your day will end with a dessert and wine pairing at Haute Cabrière as well as a Sabrage — a ceremonial opening of a sparkling wine bottle with a saber. All of this, as well as a coffee upon arrival at the terminal, is included in the ticket price of around $180.
Curated Wine Experience
Photo: Franschhoek Wine Tram/Facebook
The Curated Wine Experience is designed for those serious about their food and wine. Here, you’ll be able to learn more about the winemaking process with a lecture from a knowledgeable wine guide and take a tour through one of the cellars.
The package also includes premium wine tastings and a three-course lunch at one of the celebrated wine estate restaurants. Priced at around $83 per person, this adults-only option starts at 10:30 AM and ends at around 5:00 PM.
Group ExperienceThe final tour on offer combines the privacy of a group tour and the freedom (and excellent price) of the Hop-On Hop-Off tour. The Group Experience, like the Hop-On Hop-Off package, is priced at about $18 per person and does not include wine tastings or food. However, it can include a wine lecture or lunch/picnic for an extra fee upon request. There are two group experiences available: the Valley Experience and the Village Experience. The Valley Experience takes you through the stunning Groot Drakenstein Valley while the Village option explores the adorable Franschhoek Village. Both options visit three wine estates and last four to five hours. Kids can join in on this package too at under $6, or free for children under three.
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The world’s largest outdoor bar is now open in Sweden
Sweden is ready to show you how nature makes the best bar ever. After the success of Sweden’s Edible Country, where participants get to use ingredients from nature and create their own fine dining experience, Sweden is trying to replicate that with Drinkable Country, creating the largest open-air bar in the world.
Visitors can book one of the 16 tables spread over the entire country. Swedish beverage experts from all different parts of Sweden will guide guests through creating their own drinks from ingredients they’ll look for in nature, dubbed the “100-million-acre natural pantry.” Ready-made beverages will also be available for purchase.
Photo: Visit Sweden
“The DIY recipes enable visitors to explore Swedish nature through world-class taste experiences,” says Jens Heed, program director of food travel at Visit Sweden, in a press release. “The country’s 100 million-acre pantry of fruit, berries, vegetables, and crystal-clear spring water is open to everyone. We call it the Drinkable Country — the world’s largest open-air bar.”
Drink menus will reflect both the region and season the table is located in, and none of the drink recipes have alcohol. When guests create their drinks, they will choose if they want alcohol and how much they’d like to add, according to preference. Children are welcome to join for the experience. Ticket prices for each table vary.
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London is getting its first permanent LGBTQ art center
June is Pride Month, and Queercircle, an LGBTQ-led nonprofit organization, thought it was the perfect time to announce its plans to open up an LGBTQ art center right in the heart of London’s Design District. It’s now in the process of raising $56,416 on GoFundMe to make the dream a reality.
The space it has secured is a 2,800-square-foot site designed by David Kohn Architects. The vision is to create a main gallery, library, and project areas to offer LGBTQ artists a space to put on exhibits and collaborate with other artists. Queercircle also wants to provide community space to work and collaborate for other members of the LGBTQ community, including “curators, writers, thinkers, community organisers, grassroots organisations and charities,” according to the GoFundMe page.
Photo: David Kohn Architects
LGBTQ gathering spots in the United Kingdom have been disappearing. In 2017, NBC News reported that over half of London’s LGBTQ pubs, clubs, and music venues have closed in the last decade, and Queercircle says that number is rising.
“I’ve been inspired by queer community spaces like the LGBT centers in NYC and in San Francisco and was excited by the prospect of a safe space here in London for all members of the community to have and to use,” said trustee Russell Tovey. “The UK needs a solid base for allyship and safe space for all members of the community to feel welcome and to share their stories, and I’m proud to support Queercircle in their work to establish this space this year.”
The project has received support from Arts Council England, the Greater London Authority, Artlogic, Design District, Studiomakers, and Sutton PR, all of which are hoping that by providing a space for the community to congregate that will in turn help with mental health and social isolation.
“Queercircle’s proposed targeted programme of work will also contribute to combating issues experienced during COVID-19 and play a role in supporting London with recovery. Evidence shows that during the crisis vulnerable communities, including those within the LGBTQ+ community, have experienced a sharp rise in social isolation, higher levels of anxiety and an increased risk to their mental health and wellbeing,” said Amy Lamé, night czar of the Greater London Authority.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to express support for this project and believe that opening a high quality, dedicated space such as the one envisaged will be hugely beneficial in creating an environment where LGBTQ+ artists can be supported and thrive,” Lamé said.
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Crispy crust and controversial cheese: Here’s why you need to try St. Louis-style pizza
Nine miles south of downtown St. Louis, there’s an unassuming white building that blends seamlessly into the surrounding residential neighborhood. What stands out is the delicious smell of piping hot pizza sauce wafting out of its basement. Here, you’ll find St. Louis-style pizza at its finest.
Monte Bello Pizzeria claims to be the oldest St. Louis-style pizza joint in the city. It’s served pies with cracker-thin crust and edge-to-edge toppings out of its WWII-era oven since 1950. The restaurant’s walls are covered in murals that were painted by a customer who was paid in beer, according to co-owner Tonya Buechel, and the tables are draped with the same style of red and white checkered tablecloths that were there on opening day.
Diners are steeped in tradition at Monte Bello: order a pizza covered in Italian sausage, along with sides of gouda bacon arancini and ravioli that are still made on the same ravioli board that was fashioned for the restaurant in the ‘60s.
The pizza tradition in this city may not be as famed as New York’s or Chicago’s, but under-the-radar spots like Monte Bello make it worth your while to hunt down the best slices in St. Louis.
What is St. Louis-style pizza?
Photo: Monte Bello Pizzeria/Facebook
“It’s a rite of passage,” says St. Louis-native Ken Earley, who suggests the best way to introduce the city’s pizza to outsiders is to order out, dig in, and wait for the reactions.
A true St. Louis-style pizza has cruncy, extra-thin crust and is loaded to the literal brim with toppings. Some people make the argument that a St. Louis pizza is more like nachos than a pie. But perhaps the most controversial component is the traditional “cheese product” called Provel.
“It’s just a smoky, gooey mix of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone,” Earley says. “But when hot, it’s a lava-like texture of deliciousness.”
That smoky cheese is known for sticking to your teeth and it doesn’t hit home with everyone, so some pizza shops opt out.
“We use a four cheese blend that we shred ourselves, and add secret spices to give our cheese a wonderful flavor,” Buechel says.
Some pizzerias are more loyal to the original cheese tradition, though: Dogtown Pizza, local makers of frozen St. Louis-style pizza, cuts its Provel cheese with mozzarella to please the cheese naysayers.
“I grew up in St. Louis with Provel cheese on pizza, so I didn’t know anything different!” says Meredith Schaper, co-owner of Dogtown Pizza. “There are a lot of anti-Provel people out there who say it’s not real cheese. It is real cheese! It’s three real cheeses melted into one!”
Schaper and her husband, Rick, brought traditional St. Louis-style pizzas to the freezer aisle for the first time in October 2006. Almost 15 years later, Dogtown is run by the Schapers and their three sons. Thanks to them, you can keep the local pizza tradition on hand in your home for extra-busy nights.
The origins of St. Louis-style pizza
Photo: Imo’s Pizza/Facebook
Most readily-available historical accounts credit Chicago-born Amedeo Fiore with creating this St. Louis pizza tradition. A tenor singer turned restaurateur, Fiore owned and operated an Italian restaurant in 1945 called Melrose Cafe across the street from the Chase Hotel. The story goes that hotel guests struggled to find good pizza nearby, so Fiore stepped in and added pizza to his menu.
Fiore’s original pizzas were famously loaded down with toppings that spilled over the edge of the pie due to the lack of a traditional crust. They were cut into square-pieces and intended for sharing. Before long, Fiore gained notoriety and copycats. Today, pizzerias throughout St. Louis carry on his tradition.
Where to try the best St. Louis-style pizza
Photo: Imo’s Pizza/Facebook
Regardless of your stance on gobs of smoky cheese products, there are still hundreds of ways to enjoy pizza next time you visit the Gateway to the West.
“Locally, Imo’s is the name synonymous with pizza,” according to Earley. “There’s a location in every neighborhood so you can have your St. Louis-style pizza delivered along with an Imo’s salad or garlic bread, both of which are also topped with Provel.”
Earley adds that “the quintessential way to eat St. Louis pizza is probably the Imo’s Deluxe: sausage, mushrooms, onions, green pepper, bacon, and, of course, Provel. To make it complete, you’d need to wash it down with Bud Select, or Urban Chestnut’s Urban Underdog for the local craft beer crowd.”
Here are the four best restaurants where newcomers to the city can try St. Louis-style pizza, as well as a make-at-home option.
Monte Bello Pizzeria, for atmosphere and everything made in-house: This is as original as it gets with recipes from the 1950s, a menu chock-full of extra sides and appetizers, and a warm atmosphere that’s tough to rival. This is the kind of place where regulars bring their grandchildren and talk about how they had their first date here decades ago. Tonya Buechel, the restaurant’s co-owner, says you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but if you want a recommendation, start with the “Johnny B Good” pizza.
Where: 3662 Weber Rd. St. Louis, Mo. 63125
Imo’s Pizza, for convenience and reliability: If anyone is acquainted with St. Louis-style pizza outside of the city, it’s probably because of Imo’s. A local chain with a loyal fanbase, Imo’s pizza is a tried-and-true favorite. Choose from a long list of toppings or pick a specialty pizza. Earley says if you want to extend your pizza experience, order one with pepperoni and bacon and refrigerate leftover slices in the cardboard box overnight for the perfect cold-pizza breakfast.
Where: More than 100 locations in Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas
Farotto’s Pasta and Pizzeria, for dining out with friends: Fresh ingredients, creative specialty pizzas, and an ideal gathering place make Farotto’s the perfect spot for people who want to relax on the outside deck while they take in the tastes of St. Louis. What started as a small restaurant in 1956 is now an expansive restaurant with a full bar, a large Italian menu, and an excellent dining experience you can count on.
Where: 9525 Manchester Rd. Rock Hill, Mo. 63119
Pirrone’s Pizzeria, for specials and ordering carry-out: A no-frills pizza joint that offers some of the best-value pizza in town. Pirrone’s uses the same quality ingredients as its toughest competitors, but it’s constantly running nightly specials that are perfect for grab and go. Be sure to try the homemade Italian sausage, and if you’re near the St. Peters location, ask about happy hour.
Where: 1775 Washington St., Florissant, Mo. 63033 OR 299 Salt Lick Rd., St. Peters, Mo. 63376
Dogtown Pizza, for last minute weeknight meals you can toss in the oven: Dogtown brings everything you love about St. Louis-style pizza to your freezer. Keep a few pies on hand to impress last-minute guests or for feeding the whole family on busy nights.
Where: Local markets and grocery stores including select Dierbergs, Schnucks, Target, and Walmart.
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Boston’s New England Aquarium accepts 38-year-old admission ticket
The New England Aquarium in Boston is making good on its promises — even the ones they made nearly 40 years ago.
A ticket that was purchased in 1983 and saved ever since stated, “This ticket is good for admission any time in the future,” and indeed it was.
Catherine Cappiello and her partner took a trip to the New England Aquarium in November of 1983, but because the pair arrived later in the day, they received a “Late Gate Ticket.” Thirty-eight years later, Cappiello’s niece Rachel Carle took them up on that offer.
“We honor each valid admission ticket, and this was one,” said Aquarium President and CEO Vikki Spruill.“Forty years is a long time to be carrying that ticket around, and we’re so glad she did,” the Boston Herald reported.
On Thursday, June 10, Rachel Clare tweeted, “Some feel-good news: My great aunt kept this ticket in her wallet for ~40 years and gave it to me when I moved to Boston. Today the New England Aquarium honored it as my admission ticket. Thank you @NEAQ staff for being so sweet and having a laugh with me!”
Some feel-good news:
My great aunt kept this ticket in her wallet for ~40 years and gave it to me when I moved to Boston. Today the New England Aquarium honored it as my admission ticket 😂 Thank you @NEAQ staff for being so sweet and having a laugh with me! pic.twitter.com/GSG4nWDeUg
— Rachel Carle (@rcarletweets) June 10, 2021
The late gate tickets were discontinued over 25 years ago, but the ticket desk still sees about one of them a year, the Associated Press explained.
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Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom is its own universe, hidden deep in nature
The Northeast Kingdom might sound like a region of Middle Earth, but despite its almost magical name, the area is much more accessible than anywhere imagined by Tolkein. Located in the northeast region of Vermont, the Northeast Kingdom (or “NEK”) refers to the rural counties of Essex, Orleans, and Caledonia — an often-overlooked region of Vermont defined by its bucolic landscape and smattering of small towns. Though quiet and unassuming, the Northeast Kingdom is a powerhouse of a location for people who love swimming holes, outdoor adventure, colorful characters, and a cultural identity distinct from anything else you’ll find in New England.
Believe it or not, this remote slice of Vermont was once an economic center. The advent of the railroad in the mid-1800s brought growth and prosperity to the region, particularly the towns of St. Johnsbury, Danville, and Lyndonville. Business boomed and the towns transformed into employment hubs. Socialites flocked there, cementing the Kingdom’s emergence from relative obscurity.
When railroads were slowly replaced by the interstate system nearly a century later, the industrial boom began to fade. The Kingdom watched as businesses relocated to larger, more accessible areas with cheaper workforces, and people moved away or fell on hard economic times. A freight train still travels the Connecticut River Line through Lyndonville, serving as a reminder to the fourth or fifth-generation residents of the region’s past.
But in the absence of industry, nature was allowed to prevail in its purest form. The region came to be defined by its sleepy rivers and mountains, slower pace, and towns that evolved free from the stranglehold of industry and development. George D. Aiken, the former governor of Vermont, was so stricken by the area’s distinct geography and way of life that he coined the term “Northeast Kingdom” during a meeting in the 1940s. It resonated so deeply with the people living there that the word stuck, and it’s been proudly used ever since.
A slower pace of life for visitors and residents alike
Photo: Nicole Cochran/Shutterstock
It can often be difficult for a city’s residents to take a step back, consider their home in a broader context, and give it the appreciation it deserves. Not so for residents of the Northeast Kingdom. When you speak to the people who live here, it immediately becomes clear that this isn’t your everyday hometown pride.
Jody Fried, executive director of Catamount Film and Arts in St. Johnsbury, believes the Northeast Kingdom isn’t a place so much as a state of mind. “There’s a feeling you get here that you kind of go back in time,” he tells me. “Visitors always say that this is how they remember other areas, before tourism and development ruined them. There’s just a rugged natural beauty that surrounds you everywhere, and gives you a strong sense of place.”
The area’s distinct personality is also rooted in its diverse landscape and villages. The region is composed of many mountains, ridges, lakes, and rivers and ridges, and along the bodies of water you’ll find little towns bursting with personality.
“The word ‘kingdom’ really is fitting,” Fried says. “It’s a combination of these separate entities that make up the whole.”
Each village throughout the counties is a different experience for visitors, thanks to the slower pace of development relative to the rest of the state.
“The clock hasn’t moved forward as quickly as other places,” Fried said, “in many parts of the country, the distance between towns and cities is closing as more people move in and as land gets developed. Here, however, when you drive from Burke out to Island Pond, you’re going through a significant distance with very little in between. That’s allowed each town to retain a distinct character.”
The town of Burke, for example, is famous for its skiing and the popular Kingdom Trails hiking and biking area. Island Pond, in contrast, is known for its lake, fishing culture, and wildlife. Its more rural and rugged terrain also makes it particularly conducive for ATVing. Despite being a collection of small towns, the area is unified by a common sense of identity, and a pride in the “kingdom” they share.
Being from the NEK is more than just being a VermonterBeing from the Northeast Kingdom means belonging to a community forged through decades of hardship, hard work, and camaraderie.
“Like many rural areas in the country,” Fried says, “there have been huge economic challenges in the Northeast Kingdom. There’s a history of agriculture here where family farms go back generations, and for multi-generational families especially, there’s a very strong sense of place.”
Michael Strait, owner of the Hearth & Home Country Store in Island Pond, explains that the region is more community focused than the state’s more populated areas, despite its towns being geographically farther apart. Owing to this strong sense of community, and historical interreliance, people are “fiercely protective of the region.”
“When a bordering community tries to use the NEK moniker, they face swift retribution and correction,” Strait says. “Montgomery comes to mind. The businesses in Montgomery often try to claim inclusion in the Northeast Kingdom, as Jay Peak is their market, but people in the kingdom won’t allow it. The kingdom is this mysterious place, far away from everyday life, and its residents take great pride in that.”
Like many rural communities throughout the country, the Northeast Kingdom is also defined by its more conservative mindset. This might pass unnoticed if the region wasn’t located in one of the most liberal states in the country.
“The Northeast Kingdom’s more conservative mindset is the result of a strong sense of individualism,” Fried says. “It dates back to the tradition of remoteness, and having to rely on ourselves or our neighbors. There’s a sense of taking care of each other, because no one else is going to do it for us.”
What to do in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom
Photo: NEKVT/Shutterstock
The more you familiarize yourself with the Northeast Kingdom, the more you realize how eclectic its offerings are. From funky museums to a thriving arts community to artisan pizza joints, there’s more to see here than just green hills and logging trucks.
Each town in the Northeast Kingdom is its own day trip. You can take a boat ride in Newport, hike up to the overlook in Willoughby Forest overlooking Willoughby Lake, hit up a world class distillery in St. Johnsbury, or sample fine Jasper Hill Cheese in Greensboro. Whether it’s kayaking on clear lakes, hiking lush forests, biking epic trails, or watching moose by the side of the road, the Kingdom offers a piece of Vermont’s natural environment.
There are also an abundance of fairs and festivals across the region, particularly in summer. From the Burke Strawberry Festival in June to Island Pond’s July 4 parade to the Burklyn Arts Summer Crafts Fair in downtown Lyndonville, there’s always a reason to mark your calendar. The Catamount Film and Arts Festival also runs all throughout the summer, bringing in world-class musicians for concerts every Sunday in the dog park in St. Johnsbury.
Understandably, the area’s residents prefer to keep their traditions and events to themselves, wary of any change that overtourism might bring. Even tourists themselves are reluctant to share their knowledge of the area, for fear others might spoil it.
“Our regular visitors from out of town guard the kingdom as their secret place of escape,” Strait says. “When we discuss bringing tourists to the area, members of our existing tourism base are actually the first ones to object. This is their piece of heaven, and they don’t want it to change.”
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