Matador Network's Blog, page 647
May 24, 2021
The best craft spirits in India come from Goa. Here’s what to try.
When bar owners Anand Virmani and Vaibhav Singh of Nao Spirits set out to create India’s first craft London Dry gin in 2015, they were perhaps unwittingly setting the stage for a surge in craft spirits revolution in India. The pair wanted a gin that paid tribute to the abundance of herbs and produce in the country, and one that could stand out from the available mass-produced versions from abroad. The first gin they released in 2017, a London Dry gin named Greater Than, features warm spices sourced from across India.
Nao Spirits is part of a new wave of India-based craft alcohol brands, and today the country enjoys a thriving homegrown spirits scene that includes producers like Stranger & Sons and Tickle Gin. What many of these companies have in common is their place of origin: Goa, a small state on India’s western coast.
Goa is known for its laid-back atmosphere, good food, beautiful beaches, and a fascinating blend of history and culture. Here, you’ll find both the buzz of a big city alongside the quiet of smaller villages.
It’s where liquor entrepreneurs like Nao Spirits are setting up shop, eager to cash in on friendly excise policies and the availability of botanicals like juniper, lemons, ginger, coriander seeds, fennel, and chamomile.
It’s not just entrepreneurs favoring gin who are turning to Goa as their first-choice destination. Today, this region is home to a widening portfolio of craft beer, vodka, whiskey, agave spirits, and more. Craft liquor has made its way to shops, supermarkets, bars, restaurants, flea markets — you name it. Each one offers a taste of India’s diverse herbs, plants, produce, and flowers.
Here are five more Goan-made spirits (and one exceptional craft beer) to try on your travels.
1. Whisky: Paul John Nirvana
Photo: Paul John Whisky/Facebook
From 1992 until 2012, Paul John Distilleries sold only Indian-made foreign liquor, which are cane spirits designed to mimic the flavors of whisky and other liquors that aren’t historically tied to India, like arrack and feni. The distillery launched its own line of single malt whisky in 2012 and has quickly become an internationally known brand with a range of expressions — the best of which might be a single malt whisky named Nirvana.
Nirvana joined the Paul John stable in April 2019, and its flavor profile includes notes of honey, dried apricots, vanilla, and toffee. Nirvana is made with six-row barley grown in northern Indian. Once the barley is malted and fermented, it’s distilled twice in copper pot stills and aged in charred American casks. It’s tasty sipped neat, and is refreshing when it takes center stage in a Goan Highball made with Nirvana and sparkling water.
2. Agave: Agave India
Photo: DesmondJi Craft Spirits, Liqueurs & Cocktail Blends/Facebook
Desmond Nazareth, the founder of Agave India, wanted to make good margaritas. A search through market shelves didn’t give him the ingredients he desired, so he set out to make his own agave spirit to use as a base.
In 2011, Agave India launched a line of agave-based products. Like with many of the more prominent tequila brands, Agave India makes spirits that are 100 percent agave (the Desmondji) and that are part agave and part neutral spirit (Desmondji Agave and Desmondji Agave Gold, both of which are made with 51 percent of liquor from agave).
Nazareth sources the blue-green agave plant from the Deccan plateau, where the plants have been growing for over a century. According to the company’s website, the Deccan plateau’s red and black volcanic soil and semi-arid micro-climate match that of Central America, where the plants are originally from and are today famously used to produce tequila and mezcal.
The company recommends enjoying its agave spirits neat, as a shot, or mixed into cocktails like Nazareth’s favorite, the margarita.
3. Gin: Matinee
Photo: Gareth Alphonso Photography
Lavanya Jayashankar and Anjali Shahi’s 18-year friendship is based on their mutual love of gin. The pair are the owners of Matinee Gin, India’s first female-owned gin company. They bonded over the liquor while studying for their business degrees in 2003 in Singapore. In 2017, Shahi Shahi called her friend, and they decided to cash in on India’s growing love affair with gin by crafting their own. After 42 distillations with spices and herbs sourced across Mumbai, they finalized their recipe and moved distilling operations to Goa.
Matinee Gin officially launched in March 2021. The gin includes peppercorn from Goa, kagzi limes from eastern India, snake saffron from Mumbai, and white turmeric. The colorful label for the light-hearted, citrusy-fresh and earthy gin reflects the distillery’s playful attitude.
4. Vodka: Rahasya2h>
Photo: Rahasya/Facebook
Three years ago, entrepreneur Varna Bhat set out to create a spirit that represented the tastes and flavors of India. In January 2021, she launched her vodka blend, Rahasya. In an interview with Gurgl, Bhat revealed that she felt motivated to create the vodka because there was no “alcoholic drink that could truly be called pan-Indian,” on the market, and Bhat wanted Rahasya to feel “inherently Indian without falling back to the cliché of masalas.”
It took two years of research and traveling across Europe to meet with blenders and mixologists to create her secret blend. Rahasya means mystery in Hindi, and Bhat leaves it to her customers to guess the drink’s ingredients. Conde Nast Traveller India reports that though the distillery is based in Goa, the vodka is made from “high-quality corn and wheat grains” imported from Punjab, adding that the resulting liquor is a “crisp vodka with a refreshing aftertaste.”
Bhat recommends pairing the chilled vodka with coconut water.
5. Rum: Maka Zai
Photo: Maka Zai Rum/Facebook
Kasturi Banerjee left her banking job to follow her passion for bartending. From there, she decided to make the leap from bartender to distiller. In January 2021, Banerjee launched Maka Zai rum (which translates to the phrase “I want” in the local language, Konkani) under her company Still Distilling Spirits.
According to the Still Distilling website, the rum is “nourished by the sweet waters of Goa,” which cultivate flavor notes of “finest praline, dry dates, figs, caramel, cinnamon, and honey” and a “creamy mouthfeel.”
The rum comes in two variants: Maka Zai Gold Rum, a dessert and sipping rum, and Maka Zai White Rum, which is produced with sugarcane that grows along the Panchganga River in India’s state of Maharashtra. The bottle’s labels bear the native Olive Ridley turtle, which has many nesting sites in Goa.
6. Beer: Goa Brewing Co.
Photo: Goa Brewing Co./Facebook
In 1964, an American named Yertward Mazamanian arrived at Anjuna beach in Goa. He soon became a legend in the area, fondly nicknamed Eight Finger Eddie, who was beloved for his hippie lifestyle. He would eventually be credited with popularizing Goa as a tourist destination. When Suraj Shenai of Goa Brewing Co. launched his first beer, he called it Eight Finger Eddie as a tribute.
Eight Finger Eddie is an IPA, a double-dry hopped oat cream ale, with fruity aromas, a creamy finish and a hint of bitterness. It is made using two-row malted barley from Europe and American hops from the Yakima Valley. Goa Brewing Co. also brews a Pineapple Siason, Saint & Sinner (a Trappist ale) and a Breakfast Cereal Stout. The brewery produces its beer in a 250-year-old bungalow, which contains a laboratory where they experiment with flavors and malts. 
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This company will pay a year’s worth of student loan so you can travel the world
College is considered one of the best experiences of a person’s lifetime, but once graduation has come and gone, most students have to deal with how much debt has piled up and how they will pay it off.
A recent survey conducted by budget travel site CheapTickets found that 70 percent of students said that their student loans prevent them from traveling as much as they’d like. Also, one and four stated that they would prioritize traveling if they didn’t have any student loans.
With this in mind, Cheap Tickets has decided to help five lucky students travel by paying their college debt. Cheap Ticket’s Student Loan Vacation Sweepstakes will give $4,716 to five winners — a year’s worth of student loans on average, according to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The winners will also receive an extra $250 in CheapCash to be redeemed at hotels worldwide.
Recent graduates and those still attending college can enter on the Student Loan Vacation Sweepstakes website. Participants have until 11:59 CT on June 6, 2021, to enter. The winners will be announced on or around June 10, according to Elite Daily.
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Puerto Rico no longer requires COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated travelers
As of May 24, 2021, Puerto Rico is no longer requiring a negative COVID-19 PCR molecular test result for passengers arriving on domestic (US) flights if they are fully vaccinated (two weeks after the final injection). Flyers arriving on international flights and non-vaccinated travelers will still be required to submit a test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival to Puerto Rico’s online portal, according to Discover Puerto Rico.
Overall COVID-19 restrictions have relaxed across the islands. Business capacities have increased from 30 to 50 percent, masks are no longer required at parks and beaches for those who are fully vaccinated, and alcohol consumption at pools and beaches can resume (although bars remain closed). The new executive order will also lift the island’s curfew.
Because Puerto Rico is a US territory, US citizens will not need to take a COVID-19 test or need a passport to re-enter the mainland or any US islands.
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Vaccinated travelers can win one year of free travel worldwide with United Airlines
If you need any more incentives to get vaccinated against COVID-19, how about free flights? If you enter United Airlines’ new “Your Shot to Fly” sweepstakes, you might be one of five lucky winners to receive free flights (up to 26!) for two, in any cabin for an entire year.
Entering the sweepstakes is simple. If you’re not already a part of United’s loyalty program, sign up. Then, as a new MileagePlus® member, upload your vaccination record to the app or website between May 24 and June 22, 2021.
The airline is also offering 30 second-place winners one free round trip for two in any cabin. The tickets will only be valid round-trip on United and United Express flights — not any of their partner airlines.
“We’re proud to do our part to incentivize people to get their shot,” said United CEO Scott Kirby in a press release. “Thanks to the vaccine, more and more destinations are opening up for travel – and we know our customers are eager to fly. We’re excited to give people one more reason to get vaccinated so they can reunite with friends and family or take that long-awaited vacation which all could be just one shot away.”
The five grand prize winners will be selected on July 1, 2021. The 30 second-place winners will be picked randomly in June.
United Airlines has been preparing for upcoming summer travel. In September 2020, they added flights to Africa, India, and Hawaii to their routes. Recently they added long-haul routes to Croatia, Greece, and Iceland.
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Cleveland’s signature dish is a messy, mouthwatering sandwich you need to try
The hot dog’s legitimacy as a sandwich is hotly debated in the United States. In Cleveland, Ohio, this controversy is uniquely complicated. What’s widely considered the city’s signature sandwich — yes, sandwich — is really a dressed-up hot dog made with kielbasa, french fries, coleslaw, and a smother of hot sauce. That Polish smoked sausage is the sandwich’s foundation that explains its name: the Polish Boy. To confuse matters more, that name might have once referred to any large kielbasa dog served in Cleveland. Yet today, ask for a Polish Boy, and you’ll receive a very specific taste of the city’s food scene.
The exact origins of the Polish Boy are unclear. It owes its base ingredient to Cleveland’s early Polish community, which first took root in the Berea suburb in the 1860s. Yet, the first name commonly associated with the sandwich is not a Polish one. It belongs to restaurateur Virgil Whitmore, a Texas native whose historic barbecue joint in Cleveland’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood became one of the city’s first Black-owned sit-in restaurants when it opened in 1942. The Whitemore family now owns and operates two locations, the flagship Mt. Pleasant Bar-B-Q and Whitmore’s Bar-B-Q in Cleveland’s Warrensville Heights suburb.
Despite their family’s help in propelling the Polish Boy to icon status, however, the younger Whitmores are skeptical of the credit Virgil Sr. gets for slapping together the sandwich’s ingredients for the first time. In 2019, Virgil Whitmore III told Cleveland Magazine that there were other neighborhood vendors making what would become known as Polish Boys before his grandfather began slinging them, while that same year, Vanessa Whitmore told the Gries Center Gazette that her grandfather got the idea from the owner of the Epic Nightclub across the street.
Photo: AS Food studio/Shutterstock
Over the decades, a handful of restaurants hopped on the Polish Boy bandwagon. One such establishment is Hot Sauce Williams, a legendary barbecue joint whose original location in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood opened in 1964. Some credit Seti Martinez, owner of the popular food truck Seti’s Polish Boys, with carrying the tradition into the 21st century. But it was not until recently that the city’s favorite sandwich became a staple menu item in and around Cleveland.
National press certainly helped. In 2007, Hot Sauce Williams’ Polish Boy was featured in Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, and later in an episode of Man vs. Food. Meanwhile, Iron Chef and Cleveland native Michael Symon dubbed Seti’s Polish Boys one of the “Best Things I Ever Ate” via the Food Network, while Food and Wine, Rachel Ray Magazine, and Zagat have all rated Seti’s as one of the best sandwiches — or hot dogs — in America.
Regardless of the food group you think it falls into, anyone would be remiss to leave Cleveland without eating a Polish Boy or two. You can’t go wrong with the classics, but today’s diners are spoiled for choice with a Polish Boy for every occasion. These seven takes on Cleveland’s signature sandwich are all worthy of a try, depending on your mood.
The best Polish Boys in and around Cleveland
Photo: BeckhamsBBQ/Facebook
For variety: Beckham’s B&M Bar-B-Que – Family-owned B&M has supplied Clevelanders with some of their favorite barbecue since 1958. Here, diners have their pick of Polish Boys and Girls, which can be made with beef, turkey, or spicy sausage. The restaurant also offers a Polish Man topped with extra beef brisket, as well as a Polish Boy combo that comes with wings and more fries.
Where: 3870 Lee Rd, Cleveland, OH 44128
For late-night grub: Kim’s Wings – The self-proclaimed Queen of Wings also serves one of Cleveland’s best and messiest Polish Boys. The secret is Kim’s Original Backyard Barbecue Sauce. Also, on the menu is a Polish Girl, which doubles down on the meat with an extra helping of pulled pork. Open until 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, Kim’s Wings is best enjoyed after a night out.
Where: 14909 St. Clair Ave, Cleveland, OH 44110 & 22382 Lakeshore Blvd, Euclid, OH 44123
For a refined dog: Banter Beer and Wine – Banter puts a slightly lighter, slightly classy spin on the Polish Boy by carefully stuffing its buns with gourmet kielbasa, frites, homemade sauce, and a vinegar-based slaw. Its Polish Boy was voted one of America’s best sandwiches by Food Network in 2020. A 15-pounder dubbed the Polish Big Boy also featured on an earlier episode of the channel’s show Ginormous Food.
Where: 3441 Tuttle Rd, Shaker Heights, OH 44122
For a gut-busting combo: Battiste & Dupree Cajun Grill – Despite its Cajun roots, Battiste & Dupree makes a pretty classic Polish Boy, assuming you don’t mistake it for the Po Boy on the menu. Try the “Fun in a Box” if you’re extra hungry, which includes a Polish Boy, six wings, and a side of steak fries.
Where: 1992 Warrensville Center Rd, South Euclid, OH 44121
For a kosher alternative: Gillespie’s Map Room – This neighborhood pub in downtown Cleveland’s Historic Warehouse District named its Polish Boy after a local comic legend. The Drew Carey is made with an all-beef hot dog rather than pork sausage. The rest is what you’d expect: heaps of slaw, a handful of fries, and lots of sauce.
Where: 1281 West 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
For a modern classic: The Rib Cage Smokehouse and Bar – Cleveland’s first Rib Cage smokehouse opened in Cleveland Heights in 2010. A second location later opened on West 25th Street, helping to solidify this relatively new kid on the block as a go-to for Southern-style barbecue. Visit either location for the Jumbo Polish Boy or Girl, which gets its trademark tang from Carolina Mustard Vinegar barbecue sauce.
Where: 2214 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 & 1830 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
For a budget bite: Steve’s Hot Dog Diner – Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week since 1953, Steve’s will sate your Polish Boy craving for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Both a Polish Boy and Poor Boy feature on the diner’s hot dog menu. The Polish Boy here comes with kraut and onion, while the Poor Boy is loaded with the traditional toppings: french fries, slaw, and sauce. Try one or both. Either way, you’re going to get a hearty meal for under $5.
Where: 6850 Biddulph Rd, Brooklyn, OH 44144
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The best Airbnb Experiences in New York, from an alpaca farm tour to sailing the East River
We hope you love the experiences we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book, and listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
New York is the city that never sleeps. Like many cliché’s it’s a cliché for a reason. There’s so much to do for any visitor to New York that it can quickly become overwhelming. From prestigious museums to charming neighborhoods, incredible cuisine, and world-class shopping, it can be hard to decide what to do with your time in the Big Apple. These unique Airbnb Experiences are expertly curated and offer a truly unforgettable experience in and around the city.
Yoga in Central Park
Photo: Tyler Olson/Shutterstock
The pace of life in New York is unlike any other, and sometimes you need to step back and slow down. Yoga in Central Park is the perfect antidote to a fast-moving day in the city, giving you time to experience New York’s backyard uniquely. Relax and unwind with Jessica’s gentle vinyasa practice, perfect for both beginners and more advanced yogis while taking in the sights and sounds of this metropolis. This outdoor yoga class takes place year-round in Central Park, offering a different perspective, depending on the season — make sure to bundle up for those crisp autumn and winter days. No matter the season, yoga in Central Park is sure to be one of your most memorable downward-facing dogs.
From $32
Sail the East River
Photo: omers/Shutterstock
See the famous New York City skyline from a unique perspective on this sailing tour. Brooklyn Sail offers 2.5-hour sailing lessons around the East and Hudson Rivers, perfect for taking in the panorama of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Manhattan skyline. Each class is tailored to the group’s skill level (beginners welcome), and the route is customized based on what the participants want to see. Parties are encouraged to bring food and drinks for a truly unforgettable happy hour that cannot be found anywhere else. The host, Ian, has a United States Coast Guard Master sailing license and has spent years sailing around the Atlantic.
From $116 per person
Brooklyn food tour
Photo: Airbnb
Discover one of Brooklyn’s most charming neighborhoods and food culture with this local food tour of Brooklyn. The experience is based mainly in Cobble Hill and Carrol Gardens, home to tree-lined cobblestone streets filled with picturesque Brooklyn brownstones and small neighborhood eateries — perfect for a few hours of exploration. Discover artisanal food shops from around the world, including an Italian pastry shop and a Middle Eastern grocer. Visit locally owned cafes and restaurants while sampling all the neighborhood has to offer. The host, Brian, is an NYC food blogger with expert knowledge of the neighborhood’s vibrant food scene. All food tastings are included, so come hungry.
From $64 per person
Thrift shopping with a stylist
Photo: Airbnb
This experience’s host Ashley, is a fashion fairy godmother who helps navigate the racks of vintage clothes in the city. A professional New York City stylist with years of experience, Ashley uses her expertise to help you find a one-of-a-kind vintage outfit that reflects your personality. Starting with a stop for coffee, Ashley will then take you on a tour through some of her favorite thrift stores in Manhattan and help you piece together an outfit for whatever occasion you need.
From $48 per person
Visit an alpaca and llama farm
Photo: Airbnb
Spend the afternoon hanging out with alpacas and llamas on this New Jersey farm, just an hour and a half outside the city. The husband and wife team provide small group experiences at their ranch near Jenny Jump State Park. They love to share their knowledge of the animals and the surrounding area with visitors and offer a unique opportunity to interact with the animals. Guests get the chance to feed, pet, train, and walk with these incredible animals. The couple also sells high-quality alpaca products for sale, for those wanting to take a part of the farm home with them. The experience is open to kids five and older, just make sure to wear close-toed shoes.
From $24 per person
Hike the Catskills
Photo: thehectorcompanion/Shutterstock
Just two hours from New York, Catskill State Park is the perfect antidote to the busy city. The scenic 286,000 acres of preserved land are awaiting exploration. On this Airbnb Experience, Brian, a local licensed hiking guide, leads visitors through some of the most beautiful forests, sometimes frozen waterfalls, and picturesque mountains that upstate New York has to offer. In addition to educating you about the local geography, flora, and fauna, Brian will capture Instagram-worthy photos of you and your group to preserve memories. Hikes are tailored to each group’s skill level and include safety equipment, snacks, and spare essentials if needed.
From $90 per person
Explore the MoMA with an artistPhoto: Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock
Get an insider’s look at the Museum of Modern Art during this Airbnb Experience. The MoMA is one of the country’s best modern art museums, and its expansive collection can be daunting. This is a unique opportunity to have a guided tour from a New York-based artist, curator, and art teacher, Matthew. The tour leads you on a 2.5-hour journey through the museum’s artwork while providing background into many of the pieces including history and insight into how the works are created. Great for art enthusiasts and art newcomers alike, the host can answer questions about the pieces and optimize your exploration of the institution, at your own pace. The tour includes admission to the MoMA.
From $60 per person
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May 21, 2021
England can save its bars if everyone has 124 more pints in 2021, study finds
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no secret that the hospitality industry is suffering in the US and the UK. Statista has indicated that the food and beverage industry in the UK will have a loss of 25.66 billion British pounds this year. Additionally, more than 2,500 pubs in the country have gone out of business during the pandemic. But a study by Company Debt went out to find how much each British adult would have to spend to cover that loss. By its calculations, that amounts to 124 pints of beer, or a half-pint per day.
“Pubs will need additional financial support for years if they are to recover from this,” Dave Mountford, a publican and campaigner at the Forum for British Pubs, said.
This beer-drinking challenge could be harder than you think considering UK pubs are still under COVID-19 restrictions. And of course, not everyone in the UK drinks beer, so if you’re a beer lover, you might need to pick up the extra slack. Queen Elizabeth is even doing her part by allowing beer to be made from plants grown on her Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Additionally, VinePair calculated that the US suffered a loss of $240 billion along with 2.5 million jobs. To go the distance, 197 million adults of drinking age would have to drink 218 pints at an average of $5.60 per pint, a significantly larger task. A good place to start might be the oldest brewery in your state. Bottoms up!
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New US airline Breeze Airways offers fare starting at $39
As Americans are revving up their summer travel plans, JetBlue founder David Neeleman’s latest airline, Breeze Airways, is announcing its debut routes.
Breeze Airways is a budget airline that is going after those who want to fly nonstop on currently poorly served routes. On May 21, 2021, the company announced in a press release its 39 nonstop routes between 16 cities in the US, with more to come each week through July 22. These routes are hardly ever nonstop on other airlines, so passengers must stop at hub airports, which causes ticket prices to be much more expensive. Breeze Airways promises to offer cheap flights, currently starting with $39 one way as its basic introductory fare.
The faresThere will be three fare categories:
“Nice,” which is a basic economy seat with one personal item included.“Nicer,” which will offer perks like more legroom, one personal item, one carry-on bag for the overhead bin, one checked bag, a complimentary drink and snack, and priority boarding“Nicest,” which will offer a business-class experience and be introduced in the fallBreeze Airways also promises no change or cancellation fees, with up to 24-months of reusable flight credit.
Breeze Airways’ main route networkFrom Tampa Bay, FL:
Charleston, SC (starting May 27)Louisville, KY (May 28)Tulsa, OK (June 4)Norfolk, VA (June 10)Bentonville/Fayetteville, AR (June 17)Akron/Canton, OH (June 26)Oklahoma City, OK (July 1)Columbus, OH (July 3)Huntsville, AL (July 22)Richmond, VA (July 22).From Charleston, SC:
Hartford, CT (starting May 27)Tampa, FL (May 27)Louisville, KY (May 28)Norfolk, VA (June 10)Akron/Canton, OH (July 8)Columbus, OH (July 8)New Orleans, LA (July 8)Pittsburgh, PA (July 8)Richmond, VA (July 8)Huntsville, AL (July 15)Providence, RI (July 22)From Norfolk, VA
Charleston, SC (starting June 10)Tampa, FL (June 10)New Orleans, LA (July 15)Columbus, OH (July 22)Hartford, CT (July 22)Pittsburgh, PA (July 22)Providence, RI (July 29)From New Orleans, LA
Charleston, SC (starting July 8)Akron/Canton, OH (July 15)Bentonville/Fayetteville, AR (July 15)Huntsville, AL (July 15)Louisville, KY (July 15)Norfolk, VA (July 15)Oklahoma, OK (July 15)Richmond, VA (July 15)Tulsa, OK (July 15)Columbus, OH (July 16)“These 16 cities are just the beginning for Breeze,” “The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s air service has meant many secondary markets and smaller cities have seen a significant reduction in flights. There are so many city pairs needing nonstop service around the country, we have a further 100 cities under consideration. Flying nonstop, Breeze will get you there in half the time, but also for about half the price,” said Mr. Neeleman in a press release.
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Riding the Alaska Railroad is a fun and beautiful way to see the Last Frontier state
Alaska cruises are a popular way to visit Alaska, but all you really see from the crowded ships is the coast and there’s not much time to explore beyond the ports of call. If you want to see what it’s like in the middle of the state without having to tire yourself driving hundreds of miles, consider riding the Alaska Railroad through south-central Alaska.
Southcentral Alaska is brimming with thick forests and wind-blown ponds. Snow-capped peaks fill the horizon and rivers sparkle, rushing down through stream-carved gorges and past rocky cliffs. Marshy lakes meet green fields and brown hills. The Alaska Range can be seen even on misty days with Mount Denali standing higher than the rest at 20,320 feet.
Riding the train in Alaska comes complete with comfortable seats, big windows, and dome cars so transparent that except for the occasional click-clack of the wheels, you might think you’re floating.
What ticket class to book and what you get for each
Photo: Alaska Railroad/Facebook
Adventure Class tickets offer the basic comforts: spacious seats, the freedom to walk through the cars, scenery shared in the Vista Dome, and a café where you can buy lunch. Gold Star-class tickets cost more, but also offer dinner and a drink in the private dining car, plush forward-facing seats, outdoor viewing platforms, glass domes, and onboard tour guides who are ready to answer all kinds of questions.
Where does the Alaska Railroad run?It has two main routes, both starting in Anchorage: the Coastal Classic and the Denali Star.
The Coastal Classic route
Photo: Alaska Railroad
The Coastal Classic is 120 miles long and was built between 1903 and 1910. This is the route to take if you have just one day. Leaving early and heading south through the Kenai Peninsula to Seward, on Resurrection Bay, it returns at 6:00 PM the same day.
If you decide to try the Coastal Classic, be ready for a 6:45 AM departure. The leisurely pace is specifically designed to give passengers time to absorb all of the landscape and to snap photos. The views from the train are both varied and exceptional.
After Whittier, the train turns east, goes passed Skookum and Spencer Glaciers, and then turns south along the Placer River through the Chugach National Forest. Look west toward thick forests and a cluster of lakes and you’re likely to spot fishermen casting for trout.
Photo: Alaska Railroad/Facebook
If the light is right, you might see bears or moose in the forest they call home. And it’s a beautiful home at that. For proof, just look to the narrow creeks that wind through marshy fields and the hundreds of low hills punched up like sandcastles on a beach.
The Kenai Mountains are to the east on this route. The range runs north and south for 45 miles and divides the peninsula from Prince William Sound. The ancient ice that swaths the summit is the Sargent IceField, a blanket of separate glaciers jammed up against each other and pushing over the edges.
The train eventually meets the highway and the two run parallel down into Seward, the peninsula’s oldest town. Settled during the 1896 gold rush, Seward is the port where many Alaska-bound gold miners disembarked on the voyage north from Seattle. Today, it’s where visitors come to fish, kayak, to explore the downtown’s narrow streets, and to dine on fresh halibut and salmon.
Tours here include the Chumash Heritage Museum and the Alaska SeaLife Center, a museum, marine-life laboratory, and zoo, all in one. But for most visitors, the star attraction is a tour of Kenai Fjords National Park and one of the three- to six-hour wildlife cruises that explore it from Resurrection Bay.
On a bad day you’ll see whales, orcas, salmon, otters, porpoises, bears, seals, and sea lions. On a good day you’ll see twice as many, swimming in groups, breathing mist into the air, somersaulting on the surface, or clambering up on the coastal rocks for a sunbath.
Keep an eye peeled for birds, including bald eagles perched near the top of the tallest trees, and auklets, marbled murrelets, and puffins nesting on rocky cliffs.
The Denali Star route
Photo: Alaska Railroad
The Denali Star route covers 356 miles of track laid between 1914 and 1923. It runs north to Denali National Park and on to Fairbanks, the gateway to the Arctic. If you’re looking for a real adventure (and have at least three days to spare), this is the route to choose.
Running north and south on alternate days between Anchorage and Fairbanks, it stops at Denali National Park & Preserve, both going and coming. This National Park and its many miles of stupendous wilderness are not something to miss.
When you look at the Denali Star’s schedule, you’ll see that it sometimes stops in Wasilla and Talkeetna, and that it makes whistle stops along the tracks near Hurricane as part of public service. Though introducing Alaska to visitors is important, the Railroad’s mandate is also to help people who live beyond the roads but need groceries or a doctor.
Photo: Alaska Railroad/Facebook
If you’re going on to Fairbanks, don’t get off at Denali Park. But if you’ve come just for the ride and the scenery, get off at the Denali National Park train station, stay overnight in a hotel, and take the next day’s train back to Anchorage. In that case, remember to make a hotel reservation before you arrive. Lodges and hotels fill up quickly in summer.
The more days you have in Denali, the better the experience. If you’re planning to camp or explore some of the park’s many trails, visit the National Park Visitor Center and learn the rules for bear encounters. Expect to take one or more bus tours, as they’re the only way to get past the entrance area and reach the interior. The National Park operates some free tours, but commercial tour companies offer more choices, from simple activities like wildlife viewing to river rafting and glacier hiking.
After the Denali Star leaves the Park it heads north to Fairbanks. The town is famous for ice sculptures and the Northern Lights, but there’s far more to see. After taking the Fairbanks “City Highlights” tour, walk through Pioneer Park and to the University of Alaska for a look at the campus.
From there, stop at the Museum of the North. Don’t miss the Aurora Ice Museum, either. You should also consider a day trip to Chena Hot Springs where you can rent snow machines for a deep slosh through miles of drifts and take a long hot soak before taking the train back to Anchorage.
On the way back from Fairbanks, take another look at the Alaska state map. Southcentral Alaska, viewed from the dome car and the windows, feels awfully large to most people. But it’s really just the tip of the iceberg.
If your time in Alaska is short, try the railroad’s newest route: the Glacier DiscoveryThe Glacier Discovery drops off and picks up passengers at fascinating destinations once omitted. Girdwood and Whittier have always been regular stops, but now you can spend time at Portage, the Spencer Glacier, and Grandview, and count on a ride back.
Does Alaska have any other railroad trains and tracks?
Photo: White Pass & Yukon Route/Facebook
The historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway was built during the gold rush in 1898 and is based in Skagway on the southeast coast. Now a tourist attraction owned by Carnival Cruises, narrow-gauge steam engines haul visitors up the mountain behind Skagway along the historic Klondike Trail.
Peering out as the train weaves around rocky cliffs, you can’t help thinking of the men and horses that struggled and died there trying to reach the gold fields. The trip, crossing deep gorges and hanging onto cliffs, is sensational.
But there’s a hitch: You’ll never ride the White Pass & Yukon unless you go to Skagway, and you can’t go to Skagway except by ship. This tiny coastal town is one of Alaska’s isolated communities, a place with no way in or out. The only way there is the reason you chose the train in the first place: an Alaska cruise.
The post Riding the Alaska Railroad is a fun and beautiful way to see the Last Frontier state appeared first on Matador Network.
Your next boat trip could be quiet, electric, and emission-free
This is The Climate Win, the most positive sustainability news around the world every week.
Going green on your next boating excursion just got a lot easier. Vision Marine Technologies, a Montreal-based boat company and a pioneer of electric boats, is on a mission to green the world’s waterways with a line of electric boats available for commercial and private purposes.
This month, the company also launched its most advanced electric motor to date. The E-Motion 180E can be installed in a variety of boats even beyond the company’s line, ranging from speedboats and light touring boats to pontoons and fishing boats.
The company’s mission is to educate and inform the public on the rise of electric boating, and according to co-founder Alex Monseon, “It’s already happening.” By pioneering the first fully-electric outboard motor and battery pack, Vision Marine hopes to become the Tesla of boats. This is welcome news in the travel industry as boating has tended to fly under the radar even with the growth in electric cars and trucks.
For private operations like fishing trips and day tours, travelers can now rent the company’s electric boats across the United States including in Hawaii, and in the United Kingdom, Australia, Bermuda, and Portugal.
“We want pontoon buyers and fishing boat buyers to actually buy a fully electric outboard,” Monsoon said, referring to the E-Motion 180E. Tourism bureaus and municipalities including Tourism Quebec and the city of Montreal, where the company is based, have adopted Vision Marine’s eco-friendly boats for commercial operations.
As Vision Marine looks to expand its electric motor into tourist-heavy cities around the world, Mongeon noted that travelers can check the company website to find updated releases of where to try an electric boat. You can also head to GetMyBoat.com to peruse rentals of electric boats available in places you will be traveling, and get one reserved for your needs.
If you do choose to rent one of Vision Marine’s boats, you’ll be able to cruise all day, charge overnight, and hit the water again in the morning. Some of the company’s boats have 16 hours of non-stop range and charge at a rate of about one hour per hour of use. A conventional outlet is all you need to charge. “It’s like a Christmas tree,” Monseon says. “The chargers are in the boats, so you can just plug it in and you don’t need to find a separate charging station.”
The coolest thing about Vision Marine for travelers is that while fleets of Tesla-driving Ubers are a pipe dream, there’s actually a strong possibility you’ll ride in a Vision Marine boat — or at least one powered by its motor — even if you don’t actually rent it yourself, if you visit a water destination in the coming years. Venice, Italy, began enacting restrictions on motorboats in its famous and busy waterways nearly a decade ago, with laws tightening as recently as 2019 to crack down on pollution — and electric boats are largely exempt from those restrictions.
Some local groups hope to see all boats in the city be either electric or man-powered by 2028. Amsterdam enacted similar legislation in 2019, with diesel boats to be phased out by 2025. Already, many boat operators in the city are turning to electric rigs. Reuters reported last year.
Add to that the benefits of electric boats to wildlife, for which the noise and pollution of combustion engines has long been a problem — and there’s another plus. Just this month, Iceland offered its first whale watching tour on an electric boat, and according to The Guardian it was a success for both the whales and the watchers.
More climate winsSpeaking of boats, an actor who helped bring to life a love story from aboard a famously doomed one just made a major financial contribution to rewilding efforts. Leonardo DiCaprio announced a commitment of $43 million in funding toward a rewilding effort on the Galapagos Islands to provide habitat for 13 locally extinct species, including Floreana mockingbird, giant tortoise, and pink iguana, Lonely Planet reported. The funding includes the launching of a conservation initiative called Re:wild, of which DiCaprio is a founding member.
A United Nations report released this week noted that 1/6th of global land and freshwater habitat is now protected. This is a massive mark on the way to protecting 30 percent of the earth by 2030, though there’s still a long way to go — and once protected, land (or water) must be properly managed.
A new tool will help scientists know in near-real time when coral reefs exposed to heat stress begin the bleach, The Guardian reported this week. This could help scientists react more quickly to the stressed coral, and help to determine when and where coral is thriving. This is much-needed information, as the report cites a UN climate assessment which found that global coral reef could decline by 70 to 90 percent due to climate change.
The post Your next boat trip could be quiet, electric, and emission-free appeared first on Matador Network.
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