Matador Network's Blog, page 649
May 20, 2021
These Greek villas make for a unique and cozy stay in Athens
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.
Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world. Here, you can walk the site where democracy was created in the 6th century BC or see the cave where Socrates drank hemlock in 399 BC. Most people stay at the Greek capital very briefly to tour the Acropolis on their way out to the islands. But, Athens has so much more to offer to visitors than the ancient archeological sites. In a span of a day in Athens, you can float in the hot spa waters of Lake Vouliagmeni, have a cocktail at a beach bar, explore an outstanding museum, watch a sunset over the Aegean sea, and dine out in Kerameikos, one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world. Our guide to local Airbnbs with unique stays in different parts of Athens will allow you to experience the best of the famous Greek hospitality and everything that this city has to offer.
Traditional four bedroom villa in the heart of Plaka
You can share this spacious villa with up to ten guests. Two full bathrooms, a large kitchen, a spacious living space, and a washing machine will offer all of the comforts you need for a long-term stay. Plaka is a historical neighborhood of Athens around the slopes of the Acropolis. Here, the archeological site of Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum are on your doorstep as well as numerous restaurants, small grocery stores, and gift shops. Most streets are closed to traffic and you will be able to enjoy the picturesque Plaka on foot undisturbed.
Ten guests, four bedrooms
Price: $174 per night
Wake up to views of the Acropolis without having to get out of your bed. This penthouse loft features glass walls offering a panorama of Athens and a private rooftop deck with a pool. The space is complete with a well-equipped kitchen and a dedicated area for work. From this rental, you will be able to explore most of Athens on foot. Syntagma Square and the retail shops of Ermou Street are three minutes away. You can walk to the Acropolis in 10 minutes.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $122 per night
Traveling alone or as a couple and want to stay in the heart of Athens? This impeccably furnished stay might be a good fit for you. Here you can enjoy a dinner with a sunset view on your outdoor terrace, soak in a clawfoot tub, or cozy up next to a fireplace. The apartment is located on a quiet residential street and is a short walk away from Plaka and the National Garden.
Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $83 per night
You will feel like you are on one of the Greek islands in this cozy villa on the slopes of the Acropolis. Anafiotika, where the villa is located, is a tiny hidden neighborhood within Plaka. The island-like feel is not accidental — Anafiotika was commissioned to be built by workers from the island of Anafi in the 1800s. Explore the narrow whitewashed residential lanes of Anafiotika to see the village’s original homes, two Byzantine churches, and the views of the Lycabettus Hill across from the Acropolis. The renovated villa will offer you a modern, fully-equipped stay with multiple outdoor spaces steps away from the shops and restaurants of Plaka and the Acropolis.
Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $128 per night
This colorful home is a creative masterpiece and is spacious enough to accommodate a larger group. Three separate bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a large living area with a film projector, and two outdoor terraces will offer plenty of room for up to six people. Here you will find yourself in the neighborhood of Kerameikos which takes its name after the word keramos or ceramics in English. Kerameikos used to house artisanal pottery workshops and is now one of the most important archeological sites in Athens. Today, the neighborhood is pedestrian heaven with well-preserved neoclassical buildings, an open-air farmer’s market, and numerous restaurants and bars. From here, you could walk to Plaka in 20 minutes or hop on the metro to commute to central Athens in minutes.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $219 per night
This Airbnb loft truly reflects the eclectic vibes of the surrounding neighborhood. Gazi is one of the most ethnically diverse areas of Athens and is known for its restaurants, bars, and music scene. The old gasworks complex in the neighborhood has been turned into an industrial museum and a cultural venue, Technopolis. The open-concept loft has an industrial aesthetic and is filled with unique hardwood pieces and would make a great home base for a solo traveler or a couple. The loft comes with a fully equipped kitchen, a washer, and a separate desk for work. The loft is located on a quieter residential street, but only five minutes away from a metro station that will take you to central Athens in two stops. The neighborhoods of Thisseio and Monastiraki are a short walk away.
Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $61 per night
Kolonaki is the high-end neighborhood of Athens that’s tucked away from the typical tourist routes, but central enough that you could walk to all of the major attractions. Plaka is a 20-minute walk from Kolonaki; while the National Garden and the Syntagma Square are only 10 minutes away on foot. Kolonaki is filled with fashion boutiques, coffee houses, and upscale restaurants. The apartment is a bright oasis that opens up onto your own private courtyard. This Airbnb is newly renovated, fully equipped, and comes with its own fireplace. If you stay in Kolonaki, make sure to climb the Lycabettus Hill close to sunset for one of the best views of the Acropolis and the Aegean Sea.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $73 per night
If you want to stay off the beaten path in Athens, this bohemian home in Exarchia is the space for you. Up to four people can share this rental with multiple levels and a unique courtyard. The Airbnb is centrally located — you will be able to walk to the National Archaeological Museum of Athens and take a short metro ride to get to Plaka or the Acropolis. Exarchia has great coffee shops and restaurants, but you are not likely to see many tourists in this part of Athens.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $67 per nightBook Now
If you are looking for a stay in Athens on a low budget, check out this apartment with a mid-century modern decor located a short metro ride away from the center of the city. The rental has an outdoor terrace that overlooks a courtyard with a Byzantine Church of Agios Nikolaos. The metro station of Agios Nikolaos is just around the block and is only four stops away from Monastiraki station in the heart of Plaka. The apartment comes with a washing machine and a full kitchen and would make a comfortable long-term lodging.
Three guests, one bedroom
$30 per night
If you plan to take a ferry to one of the islands or do a yacht charter, this stay in Marina Zeas on the coast of Athens is the way to go. Located on a quiet residential street, the apartment is 10 minutes away on foot from the port of Piraeus. The Airbnb features a fully-equipped kitchen and a large covered patio. An Uber or a taxi ride will take you to central Athens in 15 minutes.
Four people, one bedroom
Price: $76 per night
If you don’t have enough vacation time to both visit the city of Athens and travel to the Greek islands on a single trip stay in the Athenian Riviera and have the best of both worlds. Athenian Riviera is the 44-mile coastline that stretches from Piraeus to Sounion. This holiday rental in the Athenian suburb of Voula is a short walk from an organized beach, close to the seaside restaurants and nightlife of Glyfada, and is only a 20-minute drive from central Athens. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a 1.5-hour coastal tram ride from Syntagma Square to Voula.
Four people, one bedroom
Price: $79 per night
Further along the coast, are the turquoise waters of the area called Vouliagmeni. Staying in this comfortable studio will give you access to a private rooftop with a panoramic view of the coast and a pine forest and access to a private beach within the vacation complex. If the Aegean sea is too cold for you, visit the nearby Lake Vouliagmeni with water that’s between 70-75 Fahrenheit year-round. Private beaches and seaside taverns are abundant in this area. Central Athens is a 30-minute drive away, but you may never want to leave Vouliagmeni!
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $60 per night
70 km outside of Athens, Cape Sounion is the southernmost tip of the Attic Peninsula and is where the Athenian Riviera ends. Sounion is a popular day excursion from Athens because it houses an ancient archeological site with the eminent temple of Poseidon perched on the cliffs 60 meters above the sea. This spacious villa right on the coast is only 15 minutes away from the temple. Up to ten guests can stay comfortably on three levels of this home with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, additional sleeping spaces in the common areas, and a spacious well-equipped kitchen. The villa comes with a large private garden and multiple outdoor terraces that all overlook the sea. Enjoy your private pool or walk down the cliffs to a beach. You will need a car to drive to Athens in one hour or explore the shops and restaurants of the nearby town of Lavrio (or Laurium). 
Ten guests, three bedrooms
Price: $335 per night
The post These Greek villas make for a unique and cozy stay in Athens appeared first on Matador Network.
May 19, 2021
The absolute best hiking trails near Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australia, is famous for its busy harbor, framed by the Sydney Harbor Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens, and the white plumes of the Sydney Opera House. But many travelers don’t know about all the natural beauty that lies outside the city center. There are waterfalls, mountains, cliffs, valleys, rivers, and pristine, uncrowded beaches.
Hiking is one of the best ways to explore these beautiful places around Sydney. Most national parks and hiking trails in the province of New South Wales are free and well-marked. So if you prefer a dirt path to a concrete sidewalk, many epic hiking trails lie within a two-hour drive from Sydney and can be easily incorporated into an epic day trip. So check out one of these, the 10 of the best hiking trails near Sydney.
Note: With each hike, we tell you how to get there by car or public transportation. If you are able, consider renting a car, as it will get you closer to the trailheads. Also, before doing any of these hikes, visit the NSW National Parks website for maps and trail updates.
1. Sublime Point Walking Track
Photo: Gabrielle Boucher
Just south of Sydney lies the Illawarra Escarpment, a tall string of cliffs covered in cool, coastal rainforest. The cliff face overlooks the small beach towns below like a faithful guardian. The Sublime Point Walking Track begins at the base of the Escarpment in the town of Austinmer.
It’s a tough hike that leads all the way to the top of the cliffs. The trail is short, but steep the entire way, with vertical ladders at the top. Most relatively fit people can make it to the top in 30 minutes to an hour. The Sublime Point Lookout at the top of the Illawarra Escarpment offers an incredible view over the curving coastline dotted with parks, palm trees, and houses below.
Distance: 1 mile roundtrip
Getting there by car: Put Sublime Point Walking Track into your GPS and you’ll find street parking at the base of the trail. It’s a one-hour drive south of Sydney.
By train: Take the South Coast Train Line to the town of Thirroul and walk 45 minutes from Thirroul station to the hiking trail. Alternatively, change trains at Thirroul and ride one stop north to Austinmer Station, then walk 20 minutes to the trailhead.
2. Wodi Wodi Walking Track/Forest Walk
Photo: Gabrielle Boucher
Another amazing hike in the Illawarra Escarpment is the Wodi Wodi Walking Track, which is more leisurely than Sublime, as it’s longer and less steep. There are two options for this hike. The Wodi Wodi Trail is a loop that starts at Coalcliff Station and ends at Stanwell Park Station. It doesn’t take you very high up the Escarpment so the views aren’t as special.
Instead, we recommend starting the Wodi Wodi Trail at Coalcliff Station and then turning onto the Forest Walk. You’ll reach a fork in the path, indicating a left turn for the Forest Walk. Framed by eucalyptus trees, the Forest Walk snakes up the cliffs and ends with a few different lookouts. The best view is of Stanwell Park, a cozy surf town framed by two massive hills.
This is a popular hike to do at sunrise. It takes about one hour to reach the top and it’s only an hour south of central Sydney. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, as the trail is quite rocky and could be difficult in the dark.
Once you reach the top and enjoy the views, you can descend the way you came. Alternatively, the Forest Walk actually continues along the top of the escarpment, all the way to the Sublime Point Walking Track. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can combine the two into one massive day of hiking.
Distance: The Wodi Wodi Trail is a four-mile loop. The Wodi Wodi Trail combined with the first section of the Forest Walk is around 2.5-mile roundtrip. The entire Forest Walk is 8.5 miles one-way, or 17 roundtrip.
Getting there by car: By car, drive to Coalcliff Station on Lawrence Hargrave Drive and park anywhere on the side of the road; look for a small trail branching off the west side of the road.
By train: Take the South Coast Train Line to Coalcliff; the start of the hike is right next to the station.
3. Mount Keira Ring Track
Photo: lreedfl/Shutterstock
Wollongong is a small city about 1 hour and 25 minutes south of Sydney. It’s a vibrant, multicultural place that makes an exciting day trip. Just west of Wollongong lies Mount Keira, a small mountain with some fun hiking trails and viewpoints that overlook the city.
The best hike here is the Mount Keira Ring Track, a 3.5-mile loop that encircles the entire mountain. The trail is relatively flat, so it’s also perfect for trail running. Bird-watching and animal-spotting is fun here as well, as the coastal rainforest is flourishing with wildlife. I’ve lived in Australia for over two years, and I saw my first and only echidna on this hiking trail. These spiny little creatures are one of the few egg-laying mammals on the planet.
Distance: 3.5-mile loop
Getting there by car: Park at Byarong Car Park and follow the Mount Keira Ring Track from there.
By train: Take the South Coast Train Line to Wollongong. The trailhead is a one-hour walk from the station, or a 10-minute taxi or Uber.
4. Barrenjoey Head Lighthouse Hike
Photo: Taras Vyshnya/Shutterstock
At the northernmost point of Sydney, the Barrenjoey Head Lighthouse sits atop a skinny headland. But this isn’t just any boring old lighthouse. The view from the top of this headland is absolutely breathtaking
You can see the vibrant blue ocean, the golden sands of Palm Beach, and the nearby forests of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The Pacific Ocean shines a vibrant blue, and there are lots of protruding rocks that are great for posing for photos. The hike is straightforward and only takes around 30 minutes. The trail splits into two paths: a visibly steeper trail and a longer, flatter trail. Take the steep trail if you want a challenge.
Distance: 2 miles round-trip
Getting there by car: Navigate to Palm Beach and parking at the metered lot at the end of the road. The hiking trail starts at the northern end of the parking lot.
By bus: Take the Line 199 Bus from Wynyard Station north to Palm Beach. There is no direct train, so the public bus is the easiest form of public transport.
5. Bouddi Coastal Track
Photo: Paul Leong/Shutterstock
Bouddi National Park is located on the Central Coast, about 1.5 hours north of Sydney. This is the perfect place to spend a quiet, relaxing weekend in nature. There are a few cozy beachside campgrounds, and plenty of opportunities for surfing, snorkeling, and hiking.
The Bouddi Coastal Track is the highlight of this national park. It stretches from Putty Beach in the south to Macmasters Beach in the north, traversing entire beaches, forest paths, and cliffside trails along the way.
Whales, wildflowers, and native birds are all common sights along the Bouddi Coastal Track. The unique rock shapes and formations are also notable. One spot near the start of the hike has a sign for “Tessellated pavement,” where the cliffs have naturally formed into a grid. You’ll also see lots of swirling sandstone, with white, orange, and brown hues layering on top of each other.
Distance: 10.5 miles roundtrip
Getting there by car: The easiest route from Sydney is driving to Putty Beach, as the hiking trail starts at the northern end of Putty Beach. You can also park at Macmasters Beach and hike from north to south instead of south to north.
By train: Take the Central Coast/Newcastle line from Central Station to Woy Woy Station, then ride 20 minutes by taxi or Uber to Bouddi National Park.
6. Prince Henry Cliff Walk
Photo: christian_b/Shutterstock
In the Sydney area, the Blue Mountains are one of the most popular destinations for hiking, camping, and escaping the hectic city. Within the Blue Mountains, the Prince Henry Cliff Walk is one of the best hikes. This leisurely but long walk covers some of the best sights near the tourist towns of Katoomba and Leura.
You’ll see the multi-tiered waterfalls of Katoomba Falls, and the smaller, tumbling falls of Leura Cascades. You’ll also pass the Three Sisters, a famous sight of three, natural rock towers resting side by side like sisters. At over four miles in length, the hike takes about 3-4 hours. It’s not very steep, and plenty of side trails also lead deeper into the nearby valley. In fact, you can get up close to Katoomba Falls by branching off the main hike and following a set of descending stairs; signeage indicates the path.
Distance: Over four miles one way, 8.5 miles roundtrip. It’s common to do the hike one-way, then catch the train from Leura back to Katoomba or vice-versa.
Getting there by car: Navigate to the Katoomba Falls parking lot, which is free, and start the walk at the falls.
By train: Take the Blue Mountains Train Line to Katoomba Station, which is 20 minutes from the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.
7. Grand Canyon Track
Photo: Taras Vyshnya/Shutterstock
While the Katoomba area of the Blue Mountains is the most popular, with the most famous sights, it can get quite crowded. In contrast, the Blackheath area boasts its own attractions. It’s much less touristy and just as gorgeous. The Grand Canyon Track is one of the best hikes in Blackheath. Starting at the top of the valley, the trail travels down to the forest floor and eventually loops back up.
It isn’t necessarily the most scenic hike, but it’s a great workout that allows you to immerse yourself in nature. Hear the rushing of small waterfalls and the songs of native birds. Feel the temperatures drop and the air moisten as you hike downwards into the valley. See giant ferns and palms sway in the breeze. Cup your hands in a stream and then taste the frigid, fresh water. You’ll return to the top of the valley after a couple of hours feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Distance: 4.5-mile loop
Getting there by car: Drive two hours west of Sydney to the town of Blackheath; park at Evans Lookout for the start of the Grand Canyon Track.
By train: Ride the Blue Mountains Train Line to Blackheath Station, then catch a 10-minute taxi or Uber to Evans Lookout.
8. Pulpit Walking Track
Photo: Roberto Garcia Photograph/Shutterstock
Also located near Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, this hike supplies all the jaw-dropping views that you could ever want. The Blue Mountains are jam-packed with scenic lookouts, and we think the Pulpit Walking Track has the best ones.
The hike begins at Govetts Leap Lookout, which will blow your mind before you even start hiking. Layers upon layers of hills and cliffs draped in trees fill the scene. The valley appears so vast and so untouched by man, that you could almost picture a Pterodactyl soaring overhead.
After gazing at the view, follow the signs for the Pulpit Walking Track. The hike is relatively easy, with a few inclines here and there. You’ll be walking along the edge of the Grose Valley, enjoying little waterfalls, cliff carvings, and viewpoints along the way. The hike ends at Pulpit Rock, a giant, layered rock blade that juts out from the edge of the cliffs. There is a fenced-in walkway on Pulpit Rock, so you can walk onto it and feel like you’re floating in the middle of the valley.
Distance: Over four miles roundtrip
Getting there by car: Drive to the Govetts Leap Lookout Car Park, then follow signs for the Pulpit Walking Track.
By train: Take the Blue Mountains Train Line to Blackheath, which is a 5-minute taxi ride or a 40-minute walk to Govetts Leap Lookout.
9. Minnamurra Falls Walk
Photo: Paul Looyen/Shutterstock
Minnamurra Falls makes you feel like you’re much farther away from the city than you really are. Located in Budderoo National Park, Minnamurra Falls is a 1 hour and 50 minute drive south of Sydney. But the contrast in scenery and climate makes it feel like another world entirely.
Though New South Wales is full of coastal rainforest, this particular area feels much more tropical than what you might see near Sydney. The forest is saturated with bright green hues, the air is thick with humidity, and the screeching sound of cicadas seems like if couldn’t be any louder.
The hike to Minnamurra Falls is pretty short but steep. You’ll definitely be sweating, if not from the hike then definitely from the humidity. Minnamurra Falls itself is a mesmerizing waterfall. You can’t swim in it, but there is a spacious viewing platform for enjoying the view.
Distance: 2.5 miles roundtrip
Getting there by car: Drive to the Minnamurra Rainforest Center, then follow signs for the Falls Walk.
By train: Take the South Coast Train Line to Kiama, then take a 20-minute Uber to Minnamurra Rainforest Center.
10. The Coast Track: Royal National Park
Photo: Travelling.About/Shutterstock
For travelers in Sydney, visiting the Royal National Park is a must. Directly south of the city, before you reach Thirroul, Wollongong, and the Illawarra Escarpment, there is a massive expanse of protected wilderness known as the Royal National Park.
The Coast Track is the ultimate multi-day hike in the park. It trails from the town of Bundeena in the north of the park, all the way to the town of Otford in the south, hugging the coastline the entire way.
It isn’t necessary to hike the entire track in one go. You can also opt to do smaller sections of the Coast Track for a few hours at a time. Here are a few of my favorite areas along the Coast Track that make for easy day hikes, listed from north to south. So if you were hiking the entire Coast Track, you’d pass all of these sections on the way.
The Balconies to Wedding Cake RockThis is the very first section of the Coast Track, starting on the outskirts of Bundeena. At the beginning of the hike you’ll reach “The Balconies,” where the white and gray cliff edges layer on top of each other like balconies. It’s a fantastic sight, as the deep blue of the ocean contrasts with the sharp, bright white cliffs. Further down the coast track lies Wedding Cake Rock, a massive, smooth slab of chalky white cliff that resembles a wedding cake.
Distance: 1.7 miles one way, or 3.4 miles roundtrip
Getting there by car: Drive to the town of Bundeena and follow Beachcomber Ave all the way to the end. Park on the street, and the start of the Coast Track is at the end of the road.
Wattamolla to Curracurrong Falls and Eagle RockNear the northern end of the Coast Track, this hike takes about 3 hours. Highlights include Curracurrong Falls, the waterfall that cascades right into the ocean, and Eagle Rock, a cliff edge that is shaped like an eagle head. Wattamolla Beach is also a fun place to have a picnic, and there is a thrilling jump rock for those who want an adrenaline rush.
Distance: 3.5 km one way, or 7 km round trip
Getting there by car: Park at Wattamolla Car Park, section p5.
Garie Beach to Era BeachJust south of Eagle Rock lies Garie Beach, a quiet and beautiful beach that is popular among surfers and fishermen. Hiking along the rocky trail south of Garie Beach brings you up over a grassy hill and down to North Era Beach. Continue walking across the beach and the rocks until you reach the tiny Era Beach.
Distance: 2 miles one way or 4 miles round trip
Getting there by car: Navigate to Garie Beach and park anywhere.
The natural phenomenon of the Figure 8 Pools is famous among instagrammers and travel bloggers. Set on a slippery rock shelf next to the ocean, there is a perfectly symmetrical rock pool shaped like an 8. It’s big enough to swim in, and if you visit early enough you might have the pool to yourself. But you can only do this hike at low tide. The area is too slippery and dangerous at high tide.
Distance: 2 miles one way or 4 miles round trip
Getting there by car: Park at Garrawarra Farm Car Park. Follow the trail through the forest, across Burning Palms Beach, and over the rock shelf until you find the pool.
The entire Coast TrackIf you want to tackle the entire Coast Track, it’s 16 miles one way, from Bundeena all the way down to Otford. Most people recommend two days for the entire hike, and you’ll have to camp along the way as there are no facilities in the park.
You’ll pass all the interesting sights and highlights mentioned above, so if you don’t have the time to venture to and from the Royal National Park often, then this is the best way to see everything all at once.
Distance: 16 miles one way
Public Transport in the Royal National Park: The only public transport in the Royal National Park is a bus service that runs from Thursdays to Sundays and costs $10 per person. After completing the entire Coast Track, you’d probably want to take the bus back up to your car at Bundeena. If you want to do any of the day hikes I mentioned without a car, the bus travels to Wattamolla, Garie Beach, Garrawarra Farm Car Park, and other key points along the Coast Track.
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Europe is reopening to vaccinated travelers this summer
The wait is finally over. On Wednesday, the 27 member countries of the European Union agreed to reopen the bloc’s borders to fully-vaccinated travelers from countries whose COVID-19 health status is considered “safe,” the New York Times reported.
Ambassadors from the EU’s 27 member states agreed to endorse a proposal from the European Commission to reopen the union after a year-long closure due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.
To enter the EU, visitors must be fully immunized with a vaccine approved by its own regulator or the World Health Organization. That includes Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm. The list of “safe” countries, and the epidemiological criteria used to determine them, will be released on Friday, and the US is expected to be part of it. The reopening could even go into effect as soon as next week.
EU member states still have the freedom to adjust these measures as they see fit. Some may choose to take a more conservative approach to the reopening, while others, like Greece and Croatia, have already opened to US tourists.
The post Europe is reopening to vaccinated travelers this summer appeared first on Matador Network.
One of China’s tallest skyscrapers started shaking, prompting panicked evacuations
Skyscrapers often seem like unshakable fixtures of a city’s landscape, as if firmly rooted to the ground. Not so for one of China’s tallest skyscrapers, which was evacuated on Tuesday after it started inexplicably shaking.
The 980-foot high SEG Plaza in Shenzhen, in southern China, is home to several offices and a large electronics market, and the sudden shaking sent shoppers into a panic.
Social media videos quickly surfaced showing people fleeing the scene.
People in Shenzhen reported to have fled the 73-story SEG Plaza after the building tilted on its foundations. No earthquake recorded in the area https://t.co/OV0g4Luz5O
— Austin Ramzy (@austinramzy) May 18, 2021
Officials are still investigating what caused the tower to wobble but have already ruled out the possibility of an earthquake.
In separate social media posts, officials said, “After checking and analyzing the data of various earthquake monitoring stations across the city, there was no earthquake in Shenzhen today,” and that experts “found no safety abnormalities in the main structure and surrounding environment of the building,” The Guardian reported
SEG Plaza was completed in 2000, and named after the semiconductor and electronics manufacturer whose offices are located in the tower. Just last year, Chinese authorities banned the construction of skyscrapers exceeding 1,640 feet, though the new rule was implemented for aesthetic reasons rather than safety.
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The Las Vegas Strip will fully reopen on June 1
Various resorts and casinos in Las Vegas have lifted their COVID-19 restrictions, allowing guests and employees to go maskless if they have been fully vaccinated, following the announcement made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on May 13.
The CDC explained, “[…] fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”
MGM Resorts International guests who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks. Cosmopolitan allows its guests who are fully vaccinated, meaning “2 weeks after receiving the second dose in a 2-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine,” to not wear masks. Those who aren’t vaccinated are still required to wear masks.
At Wynn and Encore, the guests and employees who are not fully vaccinated are required to wear masks, and those who are at least two weeks out from their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine aren’t required to wear masks while on the property.
Other resorts, such as Caesars Entertainment, aren’t hanging up their guidelines and will continue to enforce strict COVID-19 rules on their property.
According to the Associated Press, most Las Vegas casinos and resorts have already opened up at full capacity under the oversight of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The Las Vegas Strip will soon fully reopen at 100 percent capacity beginning June 1.
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In summer, Swedish Lapland is about wilderness, islands, and the midnight sun
Many people are familiar with scenes of Swedish Lapland in the winter — blankets of snow, reindeer, ice hotels — but Sweden’s northern stretches are equally incredible in the summertime. Maybe more so. From May to July, Lapland is bathed in light, with the sun never dipping below the horizon.
Beyond the midnight sun, traveling to Swedish Lapland in the summer lets you take advantage of Allemansrätten, or the “right to roam” that gives Swedes (and visitors) freedom to explore the country’s natural beauty, setting up camp where they wish, without having to worry about property laws. A sun that never sets makes it difficult to get any sleep, but after exploring all day (or night), you’ll be worn out enough to crash. Here are the best things to see and do in Swedish Lapland in the summer.
Visit Europe’s first national park
Photo: art of line/Shutterstock
In 1909, Sweden became the first country in Europe to establish national parks, and in Lapland, you’ll find the oldest, largest, and highest number of them. Ninety-five percent of the country’s total national park area is located in Lapland’s eight national parks, making it the largest protected area, and one of the least populated regions, in all of Europe.
Two of the most popular national parks are Abisko and Sarek National Parks. Abisko is perhaps the most accessible, as it is located directly by the popular Kungsleden trekking trail starting point, Abisko Tourist Station. The park itself is most known for its Aurora Sky Station, a common place to spot the northern lights in winter. But while its trails are also popular with cross-country skiers in the colder months, they make great hiking paths in summer — taking you by the Abisko River Canyon and Delta, as well as Lake Torneträsk.
Sarek, Europe’s first national park, poses a bit more of a challenge. It’s the least accessible national park in all of Sweden, with no roads leading to it. You’ll have to hike a bit to get there, but the journey is well worth the effort. Once there, you’ll be rewarded with astounding views, pure solitude, and a stillness that could only be found here in one of Europe’s most remote wilderness areas. If you have the time, money, and stamina to hike with a heavy pack, one option is a helicopter-accessed wildlife tour with a company such as Jokkmokk Guiderna, a Lapland-style safari where you can see moose, wolverines, lynx, and other wild animals over the course of a multi-day excursion. Eight-day tours run about $3,000 per person. (Below we note shorter helicopter and hiking options to visit these remote areas).
Go island hopping in the archipelago
Photo: Umomos/Shutterstock
Island life isn’t something people typically associate with a destination north of the Arctic Circle, but in Swedish Lapland in the summer you can experience that, too — perhaps with a few more layers than you needed for your last island vacation. Along Sweden’s roughly 950 miles of coastline, there are over 4,000 beautiful islands in the Gulf of Bothnia — 1,300 of them in Swedish Lapland.
These islands provide visitors with a wonderful experience year-round. In the winter, you can travel between islands over the frozen sea by foot, sled, or snowmobile. When the days grow longer and the ice melts away, the distinct islands of the archipelago reveal themselves, and it becomes the perfect place for swimming, kayaking, fly fishing, and other water sports.
The coast and all its activities are easily accessed from the cities of Skelleftea and Pitea, but for the archipelago fishing experience, head to Lulea, Swedish Lapland’s largest city. To experience the coast and waters of the inner archipelago, take a guided kayak tour with Lapland Tours, during which you’ll visit a nearby island and explore the city’s coastline. Local tour operator Lulea Travel offers guided fishing expeditions throughout the year, with summer being prime for pike fishing. A four-hour tour including a guide, all necessary equipment, and transfer from and back to your hotel runs about $230 per person.
Commercial boats run regularly from the mainland to the larger islands such as Rödkallen, Kluntarna, Småskär, and Brändöskär. On the islands are small, family-run guesthouses and restaurants and, if you’re visiting for only a few hours, plenty of beach space for fishing and swimming. For the ultimate island-hopping experience, take a dinner cruise aboard the M/S Laponia and enjoy fresh seafood along with mushrooms and other veggies harvested from the islands. Live music and dancing follow dinner, with the three-hour cruise costing about $60 per person.
Experience Sami culture in Laponia
Photo: V. Belov/Shutterstock
Located in western Lapland, Laponia was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1996 as one of the most well-preserved nomadic areas in Northern Scandinavia. It is home to the Sami, the nomadic indigenous people of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Russia. Oftentimes, places like Laponia are described with cliché terms like “undiscovered” or “untouched” — but that’s definitely not the case in Swedish Lapland, or Sápmi, as the Sami People call it.
The Sami have inhabited the region for thousands of years. Rather than being untouched, it remains raw and untamed, retaining its natural beauty. The Sami have a close relationship with nature and a deep respect for the environment. In popular culture the Sami are known as reindeer herders, though everything from the land and the water to the wildlife that inhabit the area is treated as an extension of their own bodies, and as such, almost nothing goes to waste.
A number of amazing experiences in Lapland offer the chance to learn about the language, culture, reindeer husbandry, and slow food culinary customs of the Sami people. Camp Ripan, an overnight lodge in the northern Swedish Lapland town of Kiruna, offers a “Sami Wellness Day,” in which you venture into nature to study Sami traditional thinking, for about $150. The lodge also offers Sami dinner experiences that include picking berries, plant preparation, and a lesson in Sami cooking and recipes, for about $185 per person.
Soar in a helicopter
Photo: Sebw/Shutterstock
In Lapland, traveling by helicopter is one of the easiest and most practical ways to get around, especially when trying to reach remote areas where there are no roads, bridges, or trails. A number of companies throughout the region offer helicopter transport and guided tours in the air and on the ground, including Lights Over Lapland and Kiruna Lapland.
These tours can be a great way to see Abisko National Park, and on select trips you can be dropped off in some of Lapland’s most secluded regions for trekking, photo tours, and even wildlife encounters. This is a great option for travelers who don’t have time for a full hike or the week-long Sarek trek mentioned above, or just for anyone who wants to get a bird’s eye view of Lapland’s epic landscapes. Fly to the summit of Kebnekaise, Sweden’s tallest mountain, or experience the dramatic winding ravines of Sarek National Park’s Rapadalen (Rapa Valley) from above. Prices vary depending on length, with some tours as short as 20 minutes, and destination.
Test your limits with a Kungsleden thru-hike
Photo: Lukas Juocas/Shutterstock
The Kungsleden, or in English “The King’s Trail,” is the longest hiking trail in Sweden and one of the world’s most iconic through-hikes. It covers more than 250 miles from Abisko in the north to Hemavan in the south, passing through four of Lapland’s national parks. The trail’s most popular section, and the most-traveled, multi-day path in Sweden, is from Abisko to Nikkaloukta. This northernmost section, also called the Fjällräven classic, is roughly 70 miles and can be completed in about a week.
Take advantage of Sweden’s Allemansrätten, or “freedom to roam,” and set up camp wherever you’d like (see our guide to trekking gear), or stay in one of the Swedish Tourist Association’s (STF) cabins along the way. From Abisko to Nikkaloukta, these mountain cabins generally have food and provisions and are a comfortable day’s trek away from one another, so bringing along heavy camping gear and lots of food isn’t necessary. This makes this portion of the trail the most convenient, but that is by no means the only reason why it’s so popular.
The trail from Abisko to Nikkaloukta also has some of the most dramatic and impressive views of the entire Kungsleden. The trek is challenging for even the most skilled outdoorsmen and women, but the chance to be immersed in nature while putting their bodies to the test is a rewarding experience that many trekkers come back for year after year.
Take a day-hike to a scenic summits
Photo: Leif Ingvarson/Shutterstock
If you don’t have time for a full through-trek, you’ll find several easily accessible day hikes and summit expeditions. Spend the day exploring Abisko National Park, or head to Kärkevagge, just a 30-minute bus ride from Abisko Tourist Station. Also known as the Secret Stone Valley, Kärkevagge provides visitors with an easy-going, nine-mile hike through stunning rocky landscapes. Once you reach the head of the valley you’ll be rewarded with an incredible view of Rissajaure, or Troll Lake as locals call it. This scenic lake has been coined the clearest lake in Sweden, and is a wonderful spot to cool off after a day of hiking.
For a more challenging experience, hike to the top of Skierfe in Sarek National Park, about five miles and taking about four hours. If you want to put a big check on your adventure bucket list, take on Kebnekaise, Sweden’s tallest mountain. This trek takes upwards of 12 hours; it’s 33 miles and over 6,000 feet in elevation gain, and requires light mountaineering equipment including crampons and ropes. Many choose to hire a guide for the journey. (If you choose to hike solo, be sure you know how to avoid risks posed by nursing bears, wolves, or the mildly poisonous European viper).
Stay in unique and unforgettable accommodations
Photo: Treehotel/Facebook
While in Lapland, many people take full advantage of Allemansrätten and set up camp in the wilderness. Even if you visit during peak season, you’ll have no trouble finding somewhere secluded and beautiful to pitch your tent for the night. Social distancing has never been easier. But there are a number of unique accommodations in Swedish Lapland in the summer to suit all travel budgets, should you not wish to rough it in a tent. Sleep suspended amongst the trees in one of the Treehotel’s seemingly floating rooms in Harads, an hour north of Lulea, They’re pricey (the famed Mirrorcube unit is $560 per night) but the best place in Scandinavia to attempt a landscape photo on your phone.
You could also disconnect at the secluded Geunja Sámi Eco Lodge, a great way to taste Sami culture in the Vindelfjällen Ammarnäs area of northwest Lapland. Your rate, which you must inquire about, benefits Sami buildings and promotes local eco-conservation initiatives.
If you do depart on a Kungsleden trek, or simply feel like escaping into the wilderness for some climbing, consider a one-night detour to crash at the jaw-dropping STF Nallo Mountain Cabin in the Stuor Räitavagge valley off the main trekking route. Wherever you choose to lay your head in Swedish Lapland, whether it’s a luxury hotel or a tent in the wild, you’re guaranteed an unbeatable morning view.
The post In summer, Swedish Lapland is about wilderness, islands, and the midnight sun appeared first on Matador Network.
JetBlue will start flying from New York to London this summer
JetBlue announced today that it will start offering transatlantic flights between New York and London, beginning in late summer.
Daily flights between John F. Kennedy and Heathrow airports will start on August 11, 2021, with daily trips from JFK to London Gatwick beginning on September 29, 2021. The airline also plans to add flights from Boston to London in summer 2022.
In a press release, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said, “The pandemic has opened doors to London’s two busiest airports, and we look forward to bringing customers low fares and great service at both Heathrow and Gatwick. JFK-LHR, the single largest international air travel market from the US, has long suffered from outrageously high fares for far too long, especially in premium cabins. We’re ready to change that with a price point and experience that will impress even the most discerning transatlantic flyers.”
Although the flights don’t launch until August, you can book seats for as low as $599 roundtrip today.
Travel between the US and UK is still restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s unclear when those restrictions may be lifted, though many hope summer travel will become possible as soon as June.
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How Key West is saving the US’s only coral barrier reef through sustainable tourism
On Fury’s Key West snorkel trips, the fish are generally a distant second on the list of colorful things passengers are excited about. The onboard rum punch, served with few mixers and fewer constraints, is the usual star of the show, provided once the snorkeling is over and the real fun begins.
But today’s dolphin watching debauchery is starting a little differently.
“Before we get going, everyone who wants to put on sunscreen needs to do it now,” the tanned crew member told the assorted crowd. “A lot of your sunscreens have chemicals that basically block sunlight from the reef, and if they’re not fully absorbed they get in the water, then on the reef, and then we got a bunch of dead reefs and nothing for you to look at.”
The folks who showed up were not expecting this impromptu lesson in coral reef conservation from a guy whose usual safety lecture begins with “beer before liquor….” But they were generally enthusiastic about doing a little bit of common good by using some of the boat’s reef safe sunscreen before commencing drinking.
Such is the state of sustainability in the seemingly unsustainable Florida Keys. Here, people’s livelihood is directly tied to the livelihood of the Great Florida Reef, which is the only coral barrier reef in the US. As that reef has eroded and died at astronomical speeds in recent decades, protecting it has become the top priority of almost everyone here.
Surveys show the Keys, and specifically Key West, at the top of 2021 travel lists. Those in eco-tourism find ways to show visitors how important taking care of this fragile ecosystem is — even if that means holding off on the rum punch for a little while.
A new kind of eco tour running on a hybrid boat
Photo: Honest Eco/Facebook
“If we keep pumping out all this CO2 and using all this plastic, it’s not like this reef is gonna be dead in 10,000 years,” Brady Stonesifer says as we cruise over the shallow turquoise waters just off Key West. “It’ll be more like a decade or two. This whole thing here’s going to be dead.”
Stonesifer is at the helm of the Squid, the first Coast Guard-certified, electrically propelled hybrid catamaran in the United States. He’s a head captain for Honest Eco, a Key West eco tour that’s trying to change the way people visit the reefs. His trip is equal parts dolphin watching, snorkeling, and environmental education. Onboard, guests learn how crucial reef preservation is while drinking from reusable water bottles and eating fresh organic fruit.
“It’s not like you’re going to go out on Duval Street and have a margarita without a plastic straw and say, ‘Hey, I saved the word tonight,’” he says. “But if you come on this trip today, and you learn about dolphins and turtles and this ecosystem, and you fall in love with it, you might think, ‘What can I do to protect the ocean?’ Maybe I won’t go buy that 24-pack of bottled water, or maybe I’ll get a reusable bottle. It’s not going to throw off the axis of the Earth, but it’s a big deal.”
On the long ride out to our snorkel spot, we also learn about the Squid, a strangely quiet catamaran propelled by two, 37-kilowatt motors that run on the same lithium ion batteries used in the BMW i3. When the batteries run low, Stonesifer can turn on a 20-kilowatt diesel generator to give the batteries some more juice.
Squid also has a full field of solar panels, though those are mostly used to charge the batteries. It’s the first boat of its kind, and the only one running tours in the Keys. But Honest Eco hopes it can inspire others.
“Squid’s the first electric boat, like there were first electric cars. And those are much more common now,” he says over the almost unnoticeable noise of the engines. “Hopefully, the same thing happens with electric boats in ten years. If we look out and 50 percent of the boats to our left and our right are electric, that would be a really exciting thing.”
Will genetically engineered coral be the future of the Keys?
Photo: EB Adventure Photography/Shutterstock
Businesses taking the initiative to help preserve the Keys is good news, but local governments and federal agencies are trying to do their part, too. In 2019, the city of Key West became the first city in the contiguous United States to ban sunscreens with octinoxate and oxybenzone, which have been shown to cause coral bleaching. The Florida legislature in Tallahassee later struck the local edict down, but the ban still served to educate the public on the sunscreens’ potential damage.
“You can still sell those sunscreens down here,” Stonesifer says. “But a lot of people, now by choice, won’t use the stuff.”
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is also doing its part. It recently released its Restoration Blueprint, a plan for restoring water quality, wildlife, and the Keys’ precious reef — a reef that the sanctuary’s community outreach manager Scott Atwell says is nearly at the point of no return.
“In the time since I left high school, 98 percent of the coral coverage is gone,” Atwell says. “So we’re in the middle of a 20-year, $100 million program to restore seven reefs by outplanting.”
Outplanting, as he refers to it, is a technique that includes planting genetically engineered new coral that’s more resistant to rising temperatures and acidity in the ocean. This spring, the program planted its first 60,000 pieces of coral on the Dry Rocks reef near Key West.
“We’re not trying to build a fence around [the reef] and say, ‘Don’t come here,’” Atwell says. “We want to create an environment where you can dive and see it. But we’re cognizant of the importance of managing the resource.”
It’s a positive step, but not everyone is sold on it as a long-term fix.
“We can plant genetically modified coral, but then 20 years from now we’re going to have to modify it again,” says Stonesifer. “That’s kind of like putting a paper towel down when your faucet is flooding the bathroom. We need to turn off the faucet.”
Of course, turning off the faucet of CO2 and excess plastic is a much tougher sell, especially in a state as politically diverse as Florida. But for now, the new coral is encouraging.
In the Keys, even big corporations know their bottom line depends on sustainability
Photo: Kimpton Key West/Shutterstock
The Keys culture of sustainability isn’t exclusive to eco tours and environmental scientists. Even big corporate hotels understand that, in order for the Keys to stay in business, they need to be at the forefront of ecological preservation.
When Kimpton, owned by hospitality giant IHG, came into Key West and opened a whopping six new properties on this seven-square-mile island, it looked to do more for the environment than foregoing plastic straws.
Kimpton’s Winslow’s Bungalows, for instance, which was converted from a collection of historic Key West cottages, weren’t allowed to change much about the facades to maintain historic integrity. But it did import epic gardens of native plants to help keep rooms shady and cool, which cuts cooling costs in the high-ceiling cabanas.
It also installed shower pans made out of recycled plastic bottles, replaced old wood with eco-friendly ipe wood, an extremely hardy, long-lasting Brazilian variety. You won’t find plastic bottles or traditional plastic utensils at the Kimpton. And employees participated in beach and mangrove clean ups, as well as painting storm drains to warn people not to dump there.
“During COVID there were no boats or cruise ships running here, and we saw how clear the water got,” Kimpton sales director Megan Cassitto says. “We saw natural life come back. We saw how impactful pollution is and how it can hurt, but we need people coming back to survive. This is our livelihood, and if we don’t take care of the sea life, there goes the restaurants. There goes the tourism.”
Kimpton also partners with Honest Eco to send its guests on a more educational kind of day cruise, and Cassitto says the guest response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Florida, at least in the Keys, understands perhaps better than any state on the mainland how environmental integrity contributes to economic prosperity. And for every story about Florida phosphate plants unleashing tons of polluted water into the ocean, there are also people trying to keep the place close to the natural wonderland that drew them here. While the Keys will always have its raucous side, the scene on the Fury’s snorkel tour may be a look at the new Florida. One where an afternoon of rum punch comes with a lesson in sustainability.
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Famous Galapagos landmark Darwin’s Arch collapsed into the Pacific
Aside from animals, Darwin’s Arch is one of the most famous, and most photographed, things on the Galapagos Islands. As of May 17, it has permanently changed a little: The arch collapsed into the ocean, leaving behind two solitary unconnected pillars.
In a tweet, the Ministry of Environment for Ecuador reported that the cause of the collapse was erosion — a natural process and not one connected to human interference or overtourism. The huge rock formation (141 feet high, 230 feet long, and 75 feet wide), takes its name from the iconic naturalist who found much of the inspiration for his theories of evolution from his travels around the Galapagos Islands.
The rock formation is located near Darwin Island, and while the islet is not open to visitors, CNN reported that it’s considered one of the best diving spots in the archipelago because whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, and manta rays tend to gather nearby.
There were witnesses to the incident. A tour boat called the Galapagos Aggressor III, run by a tour company called Aggressor Adventures, shared a post on Facebook claiming that one of its tour groups had actually seen the collapse take place.
“This morning at 11:20 a.m. local time, the world famous Darwin’s Arch collapsed in front of their eyes,” part of the post reads. The company went on to say that within the travel industry, the rock formation has taken on a new nickname: the Pillars of Evolution.
The post Famous Galapagos landmark Darwin’s Arch collapsed into the Pacific appeared first on Matador Network.
The best surf spots in Sri Lanka for every skill level
Sri Lanka’s surf scene offers surfers not just warm waters, charming beach shacks, local curry houses, and palm-fringed beaches, but waves for every skill level and surfable swells nearly year-round. The best waves are found on the southern and eastern coasts. In the south, the prime surfing season is from October to the beginning of April, then in May everyone heads east to Arugam Bay on the east coast, where the dry season there lasts through September.
While foreigners discovered the epic surf in Sri Lanka as long ago as the 1960s, the country’s modern appeal as a wave riding destination has been growing since the end of its civil war in 2009. Despite a pandemic-induced drop in travel, Sri Lanka’s beaches are expected to draw avid surfers once again. Here are the best places to go, and where to stay there.
Hikkaduwa
Photo: Marius Dobilas/Shutterstock
Hikkaduwa, on Sri Lanka’s southwest shore, has been a surfing staple since the 1970s. This break is best for intermediate to advanced surfers and, given its popularity, it can be a bit crowded at times. During the on-season, the main reef waves can range from two to 10 feet on a good day. When conditions are calmer, surfers can find a beach break next to the main reef with a sand bottom that’s suitable for beginners. More expert surfers can head to a spot named Benny’s, a reef break that can get your adrenaline pumping.
On land, stay at the lush Dreamtime Sri Lanka, just a few minutes from the beach. It offers beautiful boutique villas and cabanas with your own private plunge pool. For those on a budget, the garden cabana or budget rooms both feature private outdoor showers surrounded by tropical greenery. The hotel can also arrange surf lessons with local surf instructors for beginners, as well as diving and snorkeling trips.
Unawatuna
Photo: Teo Tarras/Shutterstock
Near the southern city of Galle, Unawatuna has quickly become a fixture for those to surf in Sri Lanka’s lively south coast. The trendy town has no shortage of palm-fringed beaches and surf breaks for surfers of all levels. For beginner-friendly spots, head north inside Unawatuna Bay to find gentle waves at Bonavista Bay Surf Point or Closenberg Surf Point. For adrenaline-junkies, Unawatuna has a powerful left-hand wave that breaks on the reef off Unawatuna Beach. The Dalawella Reef Surf Point is definitely for experienced surfers only and not suitable for beginners thanks to a reef made hard and sharp by rocks, coral, and urchins.
Unawatuna offers a wide selection of accommodation for all budgets from rustic beach bungalows and local homestays to luxury hotels. For those searching for authentic eats and sleeps, check out Bedspace. It offers cozy guesthouses and beach houses at mid-range prices. Bedspace is located in between both the beginner and intermediate surf spots, just a few feet from Unawatuna Beach.
Ahangama
Photo: John Crux/Shutterstock
It may be a dot on the map, but this small village near Sri Lanka’s southern tip attracts some serious surfers. The best spots for beginners are the Kabalana Beach break and the South Beach Surf Point. It’s a long stretch of mellow waves, and if you’re lucky with the right conditions a left appears for more intermediate surfers. Plus, it’s the perfect beach to relax at after a long morning session of surfing, with a few local cafes and eateries near the beach.
For those looking for a bigger swell, there are also plenty of options for all skill levels, and within walking distance from each other. Ask the locals to point you in the direction of the “rock,” a deep reef break that packs a punch.
The area is well known for its iconic Stick Fishermen, or locals who fish while perched on stilts over the water. Nearby, you’ll find Stick’s Breaks, a reef break that can form left, right, and nice barrels under the right conditions. Then, south of the fishermen, there’s the Rathith Reef Surf point where local surf competitions have been held due to the somewhat challenging A-frame waves that develop here.
As for accommodation, there’s not too much variety in this area besides some quality surf camps and local villas. If you want a touch of luxury during your travels, stay at the swanky Sandhya Hotel. Directly on Kabalana Beach and steps away from the ocean, this boutique hotel has a minimalist Scandinavian design. The comfortable rooms and amenities like the plunge pool will leave you feeling well-rested, rejuvenated, and ready to hit the next surfing spot going further east.
Midigama
Photo: trubavin/Shutterstock
Located just east of Ahangama, but before Weligama, Midigama is the place where more advanced and intermediate surfers head to find more challenging waves. It’s a rural village with bays, unspoiled beaches, and an array of prime surfing spots. Due to the underdevelopment of the area, it has a more authentic Sri Lankan vibe that you won’t find in the more frequented cities going east.
It’s home to spots like Coconuts, Plantations Point, Rams, Lazy Left, and Lazy Right, all located a short distance away from each other. Lazy Left and Lazy Right are more of the gentle and mellow waves that are perfect for beginners. Head to Lazy Left during the low tide, this wave is ideal if you are a goofy-footed surfer. Those up for a challenge will want to visit Coconuts, Plantations Point, and Rams. Rams is for more high-level surfers; this right-reef wave can be powerful and can form barrels under the right weather conditions.
Stay at Surfing Wombats, especially if you want to meet other surfers. This laidback hostel offers surf lessons, yoga, snorkelling, and scuba diving trips. It has private rooms and affordable dorm rooms and even offers glamping tents if you want to sleep under the stars.
Weligama
Photo: Oleg GawriloFF/Shutterstock
The next city over to the east is Weligama, which is the perfect place for beginners to try the surf in Sri Lanka. Weligama means “Sandy Village” in the local Sinhalese language, so expect miles of beaches in this fishing village turned surf spot. There are over 20 surf schools scattered along the beachfront, so there’s no shortage of instructors for those wanting to learn or advance their skills. You’ll find consistent waves and sand beach breaks that are forgiving for first-timers. Plus, Weligama is a short tuk-tuk ride to the nearby city of Mirissa that also has some sweet surf spots.
Stay in the budget-friendly and social Hangtime Hostel, directly across from the beach and steps away from a handful of surf schools. Not only is this place aesthetically pleasing with its beachy shabby-chic vibes, but it also features a rooftop restaurant that looks directly out onto the ocean so you can scope out the waves. It offers surfboards for hire and affordable morning and afternoon yoga classes. Stay in the homey dorms or rent out the double rooms that are decked out in handcrafted restored beds made from actual local fishing boats.
Arugam Bay
Photo: Andrey_S/Shutterstock
Saving the best for last, Arugam Bay — or A-bay for short — is on the east coast but probably takes the cake for the best all-around place to surf in Sri Lanka. It’s the farthest from the Capital of Colombo, but well worth the journey to the other side of the island due to the array of different waves it provides. Arugam Bay has a less-Sri Lankan feel than the other surf spots listed due to its popularity among tourists, but you’ll find some excellent local catching rides as well and, in any case, this is a surf destination that should not be missed.
If you’re a beginner, start at Baby Point, a small wave that breaks on the inside of Arugam Bay. Then, work your way up to Elephant Rock/Crocodile Rock, a 15 minute tuk-tuk ride south. More intermediate surfers head to Peanut Farm, a sand-bottomed beach located about 20 minutes out of town.
Whiskey Point is another popular spot, but be sure to arrive early to beat the crowds. Pottuvil Point is one of the best right-hand breaks, especially from August to November when swells are possible. Advanced surfers who don’t want to compete against a mass of surfers for waves should head to the remote Okanda. Found about an hour’s drive away, the spot will reward you with steep barrel waves that can reach several feet high.
A-bay is full of accommodation options from luxury resorts and cozy bed and breakfasts to affordable low-key hostels and rustic beach bungalows. Stay at Ranga’s Beach Hut in the city and stay in one of its rustic cabanas. If you’re seeking more privacy, head to The Lighthouse Beach Hut. It offers more upscale cabanas, plus some treehouse cabanas with great jungle views. It’s found about 30 minutes north of A-bay, near less-visited surf spots that are growing in popularity like Lighthouse Point and Green Point.
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