Matador Network's Blog, page 682
March 23, 2021
What to eat in every French region
You don’t need to be a Francophile to be familiar with the decadent pleasures of French cuisine. As the undisputed masters of fine dining, the French have crafted a culture with a central pillar of painstaking, meticulous preparation — and equally passionate enjoyment — of food. No matter where you are in France, from Paris to Provance to Lyon, visitors will encounter creamy cheeses, hunks of steaming freshly baked bread, full-bodied red wines, and flaky, buttery pastries.
While visitors to France should walk into cafes and restaurants open-minded and hungry, they shouldn’t walk in unprepared. Each region of France has its own specialties — peasants who have lived on the land the longest invented most of these meals out of necessity; other times industrious chefs are behind these now-legendary culinary creations. Either way, most of these dishes, from crepes to fish stew, rose from humble beginnings to take their place in the pantheon of classic French cuisine.
There are of course must-try wines in each of these regions, but that’s a whole other story. Instead, we focus on the food (and sometimes beverages outside of wine) that exemplify and celebrate each region’s storied production traditions, farming practices, and gastronomic history. Here, you’ll find wild pigs, ancient orchards, lush grasslands, and the freshest seafood. Oh, and cheese. A lot of cheese.
Here are 13 dishes to try next time you visit France, organized by region. All these dishes are so iconic and beloved that you’ll likely encounter them on most restaurant menus, and some have even received official protected status from the French government, so you won’t have any trouble finding places to sample each one during your travels.
1. Brittany: cider and crepes
Photo: bonchan/Shutterstock
The mascot of Bretagne, as it’s known in French, is arguably the apple: Around 600 varieties of apples grow in this one region of France alone. Locals drink farm-fermented Breton cider with near-religious fervor. Orchards are abundant in places like the lush countryside side towns of Dol-de-Bretagne, the Rennes, and Vitré — where you’re also likely to encounter a few ancient castles as well. The Cornouaille Cider Route allows visitors to experience a wide breadth of cider. Cornouaille has an AOP designation, meaning it’s a protected appellation, and the cider there must be prepared according to strict specifications that respect the region’s terroir and traditional cider-making techniques. The other beverage to try is lambig, otherwise known as Fine de Bretagne, a cider brandy with appellation d’origine contrôlée — or AOC — designation.
For another taste of France’s ancient gastronomic history, you might want to sample a crepe or two on your next visit to Brittany. Although you can eat this dish anywhere in France these days, Brittany deserves recognition for inventing sweet and savory super delicate pancakes: an early version of the crepe — made from buckwheat — was first prepared in 13th-century Brittany. Today, they’re served all over Brittany alongside a bowl of cider.
2. Normandy: scallops and camembert[image error]Photo: kipgodi/Shutterstock
For more than 50 years, Dieppe, widely considered the top fishing port in France, has hosted a scallop and herring festival celebrating this region’s storied seafood. At the nearby Le Goût du Large festival in Port-en-Bessin, Calvados — which might be considered Dieppe’s rival for the best scallops in Normandy — fishermen’s wives prepare the culinary offerings. Visitors should look out for the specific coquilles Saint-Jacques de Normandie; these scallops are a specialty of the region and have been awarded the Label Rouge, which guarantees their quality.
The emerald green grasses of the Normandy countryside also produce rich cow’s milk, which in turn goes into some of the world’s most beloved cheeses — most famously Camembert. Created in Normandy in the 18th century, it was famously provided to French soldiers as part of their rations during the First World War.
3. Corsica: charcuterie[image error]Photo: JPC-PROD/Shutterstock
This island, encircled by the Mediterranean Sea and dotted with rugged mountains, is, as National Geographic put it, “fiercely independent.” Yes, it’s technically a part of France, but Corsicans don’t consider themselves French. They actually speak Corsu — a Tuscan dialect. The influence of the Italians, who ruled the island in the Renaissance Age, can be seen from the pizza to the Italian paintings in museums on the island. The majority of livestock raised on the island is free-range, and pigs, which are abundant, are sometimes bred with wild boar, fed a diet of chestnuts, and then transformed into salami and ham. Pig rearing is a centuries-old Corsican tradition, which has earned the island’s pork producers an AOP (protected designation of origin). If you visit the island, drive carefully, as you might see wild boars roaming the roads.
4. Auvergne – Rhône-Alpes: fondue and raclette[image error]Photo: Jerome.Romme/Shutterstock
This alpine region of France, known for its majestic landscape and idyllic villages nestled among the snowy mountain top, is also famous for its melted cheese. Once considered peasant food, fondue is a beloved dish worldwide because it encourages communal, social interaction.
There’s some debate surrounding its origins. Some stories say it was invented in the 17th century by Swiss dairy farmers when they melted all the leftover cheese produced in the summer and ate it with stale pieces of bread. It’s a Swiss national dish today, but according to the BBC, the French Rhône-Alpes Savoie region — which borders Geneva — might also be able to lay claim to modern fondue, meaning cheese like Comté or Beaufort melted in a “pot over an open flame.”
Another melted cheese dish this region might have borrowed from the Swiss is raclette (meaning to scrape): A wheel of salty cow’s milk cheese is partially melted, brought to the table, scraped onto a plate, and served with potatoes and gherkins. Especially popular after ski trips, both raclette and fondue are enjoyed among convivial groups of friends who need a decadent comfort food to warm up those chilly winter nights.
5. Loire Valley: fouace
Photo: Catalin Motatu/Shutterstock
These oven-baked rolls (sometimes also spelled fouee), similar to a popover, are popular in Anjou and Touraine and owe at least some of their legendary status to a (literal) giant of literature. During the Renaissance, François Rabelai wrote The Life of Gargantua and of Pantagruel, a satirical novel about two giants. Gargantua has a famously insatiable appetite, which he tries to quell by snacking on fouace.
Prepared in a wood fire bread oven, these pockets of dough are cooked until puffy and then sliced open and filled with mushrooms, white beans, goat cheese, or rillettes de tours (shredded pork pate). Fouaces are traditionally the breakfast of laborers who would spread them with butter and eat them as a quick breakfast, but today visitors will find them on restaurant menus all over the Loire Valley.
6. Grand Est: quiche Lorraine
Photo: LongJon/Shutterstock
This iconic breakfast dish might be described as an egg tart filled with bacon, onions, and broccoli. It originated in Lorraine in Grand Est, France, in the Middle Ages. At the time, Lorraine was an independent region, claimed neither by the French nor nearby Germany. It was passed back and forth between the two countries during times of war until it was eventually, and permanently, claimed by France. That’s why this dish has influences from both country’s cuisines — its name, for instance, comes from the German kuchen, which means cake. The original quiche Lorraine was without cheese, but today of course you can find them in brasseries all over the country with variations that include mozzarella, tomato, and salmon.
7. Hauts de France: Flemish beer and moules frites
Photo: Tamas Szendrei/Shutterstock
This region neighbors Belgium, and the Flemish influences on its cuisine are undeniable. So much so that in Hauts de France, the preferred drink is beer not wine. In fact, the region is responsible for around 30 percent of France’s total beer production. You’re likely to sample staples of Flemish cuisine throughout Hauts de France, including carbonade flamande, a stew marinated in beer. And one local cheese, tomme de Cambrai, is steeped in beer during the aging process.
You’re also likely to encounter a passion for frites in Hauts de France, which are typically served with moules (mussels). Friteries are a fixture in villages that dot the region, so you’ll have no shortage of opportunities to try this Belgian dish that migrated its way into French cuisine.
8. Nouvelle-Aquitaine: foie gras
Photo: smspsy/Shutterstock
Duck foie gras from this Southwestern region of France enjoys Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). Périgueux, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s Dordogne region, is especially famous for high-quality foie gras, as well as its walnuts and truffles. Typically considered a luxury, this decadent pate is often served in restaurants around Nouvelle-Aquitaine on toast with fig marmalade.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine boasts another gourmet specialty: duck confit. The fat from the region’s well-fed ducks and geese are used to preserve confit dishes and sometimes even used in place of butter.
9. Bourgogne Franche-Comté: coq au vin and beef bourguignon
Photo: BBA Photography/Shutterstock
Coq au vin and beef bourguignon, classic French dishes that exemplify the country’s dedication to finely crafted and sumptuous food, originate in Burgundy. Both dishes involve slow-cooking meat in red wine — a storied tradition in this region, the land of fine wines. Originally developed by peasants, these dishes now appear on fine dining menus around the world. The website French Country Food frames their now universal popularity this way: “Comté cuisine is essentially a rustic kitchen, of peasant origin, passed through a village gentrification that helped solidify a number of traditional recipes and elevate them to regional specialties.”
Though these dishes are perhaps the region’s most famous, visitors should be aware of its rich cow’s milk cheeses, Morbier and Mont d’Or, as well Bleux de Gueux, a creamy, semi-soft blue cheese produced in the Jura mountains. The region’s pine forests produce exceptional honey, and orchards in Fougerolles grow cherries that visitors are likely to encounter in jams all over Burgundy.
10. Occitane: CassouletPhoto: Semmick Photo/Shutterstock
Legendary French chef Prosper Montagné called cassoulet “King of Occitan cuisine. One God in three persons: God the Father is the cassoulet of Castelnaudary, God the son, who is one of Carcassonne, and the Holy Spirit that of Toulouse.” Like several other now-famous dishes on this list, this succulent casserole of mutton and pork simmered in the beans and covered in a flaky buttery crust was once considered a dish only intended for poor peasants. An authentic Occitane cassoulet will contain white beans grown in Lauragais, near Toulouse, and will be served in a terracotta dish made in Castelnaudary.
According to legend, this dish has been around a long time, first appearing in Languedoc during the 100 Years War, which took place in the 1300s. In a desperate bid to keep the soldiers defending Castelnaudary alert and ready to fight the invading English, the townspeople gathered together bacon, pork, beans, and sausages and cooked them together in a pot. In reality, the first recorded mentions of cassoulet didn’t appear in France until the 16th century.
11. Île-de-France: croque monsieur
Photo: smartfoto/Shutterstock
Île-de-France is home to Paris, so the best foods to try in this region reside in the city’s famous brasseries and cafes. The croque monsieur sandwich, made with ham and Emmental or Gruyere cheese, is basically a very rich version of a typical grilled cheese and is served all over Paris. What differentiates it is that it is served with bechamel sauce, and cheese melted on the outside of the bread, too — a testament to the French inclination toward decadence.
There’s some dispute over its origins, but according to legend it first appeared when a Parisian chef ran out of baguette and used sandwich bread to make his ham sandwich instead. Regardless of who exactly invented it, it began populating cafe mentions in Paris around 1910 and quickly became so popular that Proust even mentions the sandwich in his 1918 novel In Search of Lost Time.
For dessert, indulge in a Paris-Brest, a wheel-shaped pastry inspired by the bicycle race of the same name. Created by Chef Louis Durand in 1910 in Paris, the Paris-Brest consists of praline cream sandwiched between two discs of choux pastry.
12. Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur: bouillabaisse
Photo: bonchan/Shutterstock
This fish stew is the star of Southern French cuisine, where seafood is abundant and fresh. Once cooked by fishermen’s wives with leftover fish, bouillabaisse, like coq au vin, is now considered one of the touchstones of traditional French gastronomy. Typically, haddock or cod is cooked together with shellfish like mussels or crab, as well as octopus, and flavored with Provencal herbs. However, there is no agreement on a definitive list of seafood that must be included. The stew is served with a heap of croutons and a dab of rouille spread on toast — spicy garlic mayonnaise.
13. Pays de la Loire: beurre blancDon’t let the simplicity of the name “white butter” fool you — beurre blanc is one of the most iconic dishes in French cooking, well known for its rich taste and silky texture. The sauce garnishes seafood — typically pike, cod, salmon, tuna, or scallops. Both the Nantes and Angers regions lay claim to the invention of this white wine and butter sauce, however most stories credit chef Clémence Lefeuve with the invention of the sauce at her restaurant on the banks of the Loire river at the end of the 19th century. 
The post The most iconic dish to try in every major region of France appeared first on Matador Network.
National monuments in New Mexico
Road trips have the unique ability to make you feel like you’ve thoroughly explored a region on a Lewis and Clark-esque journey. In reality, even the most extensive road trips leave many stones unturned, especially in states with seemingly limitless natural beauty. New Mexico would probably take months on the road to fully explore. That’s okay. You don’t have to see every inch of New Mexico on one tank of gas, but the state’s famous national monuments are a good place to start.
In fact, only California and Arizona have more national monuments, and we aren’t even counting New Mexico’s national historic parks. Rather than visit all 11 national monuments, we’ve listed our favorites among them, which will give you a feel for what makes this state’s geography so unique and memorable. Whether it’s a volcanic field up north or a white-sand desert down south, New Mexico’s unusual landscapes are just waiting to be visited. Here’s how to plan the perfect New Mexico road trip through its epic national monuments.
From Albuquerque to rock carvings[image error]Photo: William Silver/Shutterstock
Road trips might be about the journey rather than the destination, but no one wants to wait too long before stopping at their first viewpoint or reaching the first stop on their itinerary. Luckily, when you set out from Albuquerque, you’ll only have to wait about 20 minutes before seeing your first national monument.
Technically located within the city limits of Albuquerque, Petroglyph National Monument stretches 17 miles along Albuquerque’s West Mesa. Petroglyphs are rock carvings, where drawings are made by chiseling on the outer layer of the stone to expose the paler rock underneath. One of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, this area features designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks 400 to 700 years ago by Native Americans and Spanish settlers. The symbols give you a window into the life of a centuries-old civilization and serve as a record of cultural expression.
There are also four different hiking trails just a short drive from the information center, ranging in length from one to four miles roundtrip. Three of these trails allow for petroglyph viewing. To see the area more quickly and then continue on your journey, you might prefer mountain biking. Bikes are allowed on the Boca Negra Canyon multi-use path, and on the crusher fine trail.
Kasha-Katuwe’s bizarre cone shapes
Photo: Traveller70/Shutterstock
From here, head an hour north on Highway 25 to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Located on the Pajarito Plateau, the monument includes a national recreation trail and is designed for foot travel only. So yes, you’ll have to get out of the car for this one. The most defining features here are the cone-shaped tent rock formations, products of volcanic eruptions from six to seven million years ago. Now, the rocks resemble tents ranging from a few feet to up to 90 feet tall.
In addition to simply marveling at the unique geological formation, the park is great for hiking, birdwatching, and admiring the flora. The Cave Loop Trail is 1.2 miles long while the more difficult Canyon Trail is a one-way trek into a canyon, with a steep climb to the top of the mesa for unparalleled views of the Sangre de Sandia mountains and the Rio Grande Valley.
Bandelier’s natural beauty and ancient history[image error]Photo: Traveller70/Shutterstock
An hour and a half north of the tent rocks, you can continue your geological tour of New Mexico’s history. Take Highway 25 to Route 84 just past Santa Fe, and visit Bandelier National Monument. This monument protects over 33,000 acres of rugged canyon and mesas, as well as some of the oldest ancestral structures in the state. As you might come to expect by now on your New Mexico road trip, you’ll find plenty of petroglyphs here, as well as standing masonry walls and houses carved into the rock cliffs. The entire Bandelier area is also one of our favorite hiking spots in New Mexico. The Cerro Grande trail, for example, is a four-and-a-half-mile loop that takes you 1,200 feet up through conifers to the highest point in the park at over 10,000 feet.
The Tsankawi section of the national monument is perhaps the best known, located on Highway 4 about 12 miles from the main entrance. The best way to see Tsankawi is via a 1.5-mile trail along a mesa, which feels like walking through an archaeological dig site. You’ll see petroglyphs, cavates (cliff dwellings), and the Ancestral Pueblo village of Tsankawi. The Ancestral Pueblo people lived in the area as early as 1150, and marks of their civilization remain.
Lest you think New Mexico is all desert and mesas, right next to Bandelier you’ll find the Santa Fe National Forest, covering over 1.5 million acres, which is perfect for a change of scenery. With peaks topping 13,000 feet, the forest ecosystem supports a diversity of trees, from fir and pinyons varieties to junipers, pines, and oaks, while aspens and grasses populate its meadows.
North to adobe relics of the Santa Fe Trail
Photo: sumikophoto/Shutterstock
After visiting Bandelier, you can overnight in Santa Fe, a fantastic destination in winter and, really, any time of year. After a good rest, it’s time to really start heading north. Continue northeast on Highway 25 to Fort Union National Monument. Here lies the adobe remains of the region’s largest 19th-century military fort, constructed to oversee the Santa Fe Trail. Built in 1851, Fort Union was the main guardian of the Santa Fe Trail, one of the most important trade routes in North America.
You can take a self-guided interpretive walk around the site, just over a mile long, to learn all about the historical significance of the forts and the Santa Fe Trail. The site is also considered an International Dark Sky Park, making it an ideal place for stargazing. Now get ready to jump from pioneer past to a landscape that looks almost prehistoric.
New Mexico’s volcanic landscape[image error]Photo: Jeffrey M. Frank/Shutterstock
Almost two hours north of Fort Union you’ll find Capulin Volcano National Monument. Part of the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field, this site highlights northeastern New Mexico’s unique volcanic geology.
The volcano dates back over a million years and has been playing a significant role in the area’s natural and human evolution ever since. The volcano’s eruptions began 56,000 to 62,000 years ago, covering over 15 miles with lava fields and transforming the New Mexico landscape. Don’t worry, though — that was the volcano’s only eruptive period, and now it’s considered extinct. That’s why it’s perfectly safe to hike the Crater Rim Trail, a one-mile look around the rim of the volcano with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. There’s also the Crater Vent Trail, Lava Flow Trail, and Boca Trail (varying in difficulty) for more ways to explore the volcano.
If you’re lucky, you might also see some animals for which the Capulin area is famous. There are 73 species of birds, as well as mule deer, white elk, black bears, coyotes, and mountain lions roaming the park. Needless to say, if you do encounter a mountain lion, don’t try to get an up-close photo.
Note: If you don’t have time to head all the way to Capulin Volcano, you could explore another national monument an hour west of Albuquerque at the end of your New Mexico road trip instead. El Malpais National Monument is another rough lava landscape so scarred by its volcanic history that “malpaís” in fact means “badland.” While Malpais is certainly worth a visit, if you have the time, we recommend Capulin instead, since its massive volcano is not a sight you’ll soon forget.
South to the white desertPhoto: sunsinger/Shutterstock
Since you’re basically on the border of Colorado at this point, it’s time to turn around and head south. But we’re not stopping at Albuquerque. We’re passing your starting point by about three-and-a-half-hours to White Sands National Park, taking Highway 25 south to Rt. 380 West, then south again on Rt. 54.
At the end of 2019, White Sands was designated a national park — but it was a national monument for 86 years. It’s on the itinerary because you haven’t really seen the New Mexico desert until you’ve seen White Sands, a remarkable place that looks like the Sahara Desert collided with Aruba. That’s because its sand is made of gypsum, a mineral salt left by a long-lost lake tens of millions of years ago.
Located at the southern edge of a 275-square-mile dune field in the Tularosa Basin, the monument is best explored by the eight-mile Dunes Drive from the visitor center into the heart of the rippled gypsum knolls. In addition to driving the alien terrain, you can also get out and cycle, take advantage of picnic areas, or even camp under the stars. Indeed, backcountry camping sites among the dunes are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
There are five hiking trails through the park, ranging from the half-mile Playa Trail focusing on outdoor educational exhibits to the more strenuous Alkali Flat Trail, a five-mile round trip hike taking you to the edge of Lake Otero. Despite its name, the trail is not flat, taking you over steep dunes and into the heart of the spectacular park.
From wispy dunes to craggy peaks
Photo: Anton Foltin/Shutterstock
To cap off your New Mexico road trip, venture another hour south to Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument. The theme of this trip has been jumping between incredibly diverse natural and geological environments, and the Organ Mountains are no different. A stark departure from the flat, arid landscape that has defined much of your driving view, this area is home to dramatic ranges with rocky spires, and the park is full of open woodlands with towering ponderosa pines.
The monument includes the Organ Mountains, Doña Ana Mountains, Sierra de las Uvas Mountains Complex, and the Greater Potrillo Mountains. The Organ Mountains are defined by their angular peaks, narrow canyons, and views of the Chihuahuan Desert habitat. It’s popular among horseback riders, mountain bikers, campers, and hikers. The Doña Ana Mountains have an abundance of hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking trails, as well as rock climbing routes. The more remote Potrillo Mountains are the aesthetic black sheep of the three, comprising a volcanic landscape including lava flows and craters.
Before driving back to Albuquerque, consider spending an evening in Las Cruces and savor the area’s Hatch Valley chilis in one of its tempting Mexican eateries — or even in a sweet frozen custard.
The post The ultimate spring road trip through New Mexico’s national monuments appeared first on Matador Network.
Fry-oil-powered Grand Canyon train
Chugging French fry oil isn’t exactly advisable for humans, but that’s exactly what keeps this old train running. The Grand Canyon Railway’s Locomotive No. 4960, AKA The Iron Horse, a steam engine built in 1923, uses waste vegetable oil for fuel.
The Grand Canyon Railway is one of the few railroads in the US to use a restored steam engine for long journeys, and it’s the first in the country to use recycled vegetable oil as fuel. The idea came about thanks to the railway’s management staff, who were inspired by carmakers running vehicles on waste vegetable oil. Deciding to apply the same system to a steam engine, they realized that it worked exceedingly well, allowing the nearly 100-year-old engine to run carbon-neutral and produce far fewer emissions than a diesel engine. The water used by the boilers is also sustainable; a press release explains that “boilers contain reclaimed rain and snowmelt (when Mother Nature allows) collected during the winter and Northern Arizona’s rainy season for steam.”
From April to October, on eight specific dates, passengers are able to ride this historic train on a 65-mile journey from Williams, Arizona, to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The railway invites visitors to “Enhance your Grand Canyon experience with an entertaining train ride featuring western musicians and cowboy characters on vintage rail cars.” There are many packages that include lodging at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and inside Grand Canyon National Park on offer.
The post This 98-year-old Grand Canyon train now runs on French fry oil appeared first on Matador Network.
England will fine people $7,000 for going on vacations abroad
Travel restrictions have become commonplace over the past year, but England is kicking things up a notch. Announced on Monday, a new legislation (to be voted on Thursday by parliament) could impose a fine of $6,900 (£5,000) on anyone leaving England without a reasonable excuse.
Nonessential travel is currently banned in England under the stay-at-home order. Anyone leaving the country needs to fill out a travel declaration form declaring the nature of their trip. Upon their return home, UK residents are grilled by border patrol about the reason for their trip.
As is currently the case, the new legislation will allow foreign travel for work, volunteering, or study abroad. Medical needs, funerals, and weddings are also legally-permitted reasons to travel out of England, the BBC explained. People who are residents abroad are also allowed to leave.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said in a statement, “We are rightly ending as many national measures as safely as possible, while maintaining those which remain necessary and proportionate to help reduce and control infections further as we cautiously but irreversibly ease restrictions and our historic vaccination program continues apace.”
The new law aims to dissuade people from taking vacations abroad, and then increasing the virus’ transmission at home with the new variants that are spreading across the world. The travel restrictions, if passed by parliament, will be reviewed on April 12, and then again every 35 days.
The post England will fine people $7,000 for going on vacations abroad appeared first on Matador Network.
The 9 Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards in 2021
We’ve partnered with UpgradedPoints.com to help make recommendations on our favorite travel credit cards. See our full Advertiser Disclosure here.
If you love to travel, getting a great travel rewards card can take your traveling to the next level by earning you points towards free flights or hotel stays, offering perks that help you travel in style, and providing protections to help keep you covered should anything go wrong.
All of that sounds great, right? But if you’re new to the world of travel rewards credit cards, you’re probably wondering, “How do I determine which card is right for me?”
Here we’ve assembled a detailed look at some of the very best travel rewards credit cards available so that you can determine which card is the best fit for you based on the perks you’re looking for, your spending habits, and your overall travel goals.
SummaryTravel Rewards CardBest ForMain Benefits Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card First-time cardholders2x points on travel and dining; $50 grocery store statement credits within the first year.Bonus valuation*: $1,600 Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card Frequent travelers and travel insurance$300 annual travel credit, 3x points on travel and dining.
Bonus valuation*: $1,200 The Platinum Card® from American Express Luxury travelers & lounge accessWorldwide lounge access, $200 annual Uber credit, $200 airline fee credit, $100 fee credit for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. Earn up to 10x points within first 6 months of opening an account.
Bonus valuation*: $1,650 American Express® Gold Card Everyday spenders4x points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery. 4x points at supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year).
Bonus valuation*: $1,320 Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Frequent travelersEarn 3x points in select categories, points are worth 25% more when used in the Chase travel portal, cell phone protection.
Bonus valuation*: $2,000 The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Luxury travelersEarn 5x points in select categories, worldwide lounge access, $200 airline fee credit. Bonus valuation*: $1,870 American Express® Business Gold Card Big spendersEarn 4x points across flexible categories, “Pay Over Time” option.
Bonus valuation*: $1,540 The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express No annual feeEarn 2x points on all purchases (up to $50,000), no annual fee Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card No annual fee big spendersEarn 1.5% cash-back on all purchases, no annual fee
*This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP and not the card issuer.
Best Card for First-Time CardholdersChase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Current Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus earn a $50 statement credit on grocery.
Bonus Value*: $1,600
If you’re just getting started in the world of travel rewards, it is likely that you would like a card that is straightforward, offers plenty of flexibility, and isn’t very expensive to hold. All of these reasons and more are what make the Chase Sapphire Preferred card the perfect option for first-time cardholders.
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you’ll earn 2x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on all travel and dining purchases and 5x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on Lyft purchases, plus your points are worth 25% more when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
Cardholders also enjoy benefits like a DoorDash DashPass membership, access to Chase transfer partners, travel and rental car insurance, zero foreign transaction fees, and flexible point redemption options. When you add up all the benefits you receive, all for a low annual fee of $95, it is easy to see why this card is often the first travel rewards card that people choose.
Best Card for Frequent Travelers and Travel InsuranceChase Sapphire Reserve® Card
Photo: Evgenia Parajanian /Shutterstock
Current Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Bonus Value*: $1,200
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is widely regarded as one of the most well-rounded and versatile premium travel credit cards on the market and is effectively a significantly better version of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
After cardholders redeem their $300 annual travel credit, they will earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on travel and dining purchases, 10x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on Lyft purchases, and your points are worth 50% more when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
You’ll also receive plenty of excellent benefits like a $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, a Lyft Pink and DoorDash DashPass membership, a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, and access to the Chase travel transfer partners.
One area where the Chase Sapphire Reserve card really shines is its excellent travel insurance that covers a variety of different issues to help keep you covered no matter what happens during your travels. Here are some of the travel protection you receive from the Chase Sapphire Reserve card:
Trip Delay Reimbursement: coverage of up to $500 in eligible expenses per ticket if your flight is delayed more than 6 hoursRental Car Coverage: primary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision up to $75,000Baggage Delay: if your baggage is delayed by more than 6 hours, you’ll receive up to $100 per day for up to 5 daysTrip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: if your trip is canceled or cut short due to sickness, severe weather, or other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for your prepaid, non-refundable travel expensesEmergency Evacuation and Transportation: if you or a member of your immediate family are injured or become sick during a trip that results in an emergency evacuation, you can be covered for medical services and transportation up to $100,000While the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is not cheap with an annual fee of $550, we feel that you can easily get more value than that out of it when you factor in its point-earning, benefits, and top-notch travel protections, making it an easy pick for the best card for frequent travelers.
Best Card for Luxury Travelers and Lounge AccessThe Platinum Card® from American Express
Photo: Carlo Tan/Shutterstock
Current Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 6 months.
Bonus Value*: $1,650
If there is 1 word that comes to mind when you think of the Amex Platinum card, it’s luxury. This card is all about upgrading your travel experience and comes packed with many stellar benefits that do just that.
While the Amex Platinum card only has 1 category, it is a great one, as you’ll earn 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel. So if you’re someone who travels often, this is an easy way to rack up points quickly.
But by far the best thing about the Amex Platinum card is all of the benefits that come loaded with it. Here are some of our favorites:
Up to $200 annual Uber creditUp to $200 annual airline fee creditUp to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue creditComplimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite statusGlobal Entry/TSA PreCheck credit12-month complimentary Uber Eats Pass subscription. Enrollment required by 12/31/2021.Access to Amex International Airline Program and American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts ProgramAccess to American Express transfer partnersAs if all of those benefits weren’t enough, the Amex Platinum card is the best card on the market when it comes to airport lounge access. While there are a handful of cards that offer Priority Pass lounge access, the Amex Platinum takes this a step further by giving cardholders access to 6 lounge networks. These lounge networks include Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Airspace lounges, Escape lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), and its own swanky lounge network — American Express Centurion lounges.
If you’ve never visited one, airport lounges are the perfect way to level up your travel experience. Instead of waiting for your flight at the gate, or paying exorbitant food rates at the airport food court, you can relax in a secluded lounge, away from the hustle and bustle, enjoy free food and drinks, charge up your devices, and some lounges even offer spa services or shower facilities.
The $550 annual fee of the Amex Platinum card might be a little difficult to stomach at first, but if you’re someone who travels frequently, and likes to do so in style, it is easy to see how you can easily get more value out of all of the benefits of the card than what you pay for the annual fee. In that case, it makes the Amex Platinum card a must-have for luxury travelers and those who want best-in-class lounge access.
Best Card for Everyday SpendersAmerican Express® Gold Card
Photo: The American Express Gold Card®/Shutterstock
Current Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first 6 months.
Bonus Value*: $1,320
Those who are looking for a card that will really help them rack up the points quickly need look no further than the Amex Gold card. This point-earning powerhouse earns 4x Membership Rewards points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year (then 1%), and at restaurants worldwide, plus 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or at Amex Travel.
While the Amex Gold card doesn’t offer anywhere near the level of benefits that the Amex Platinum card offers, it still has some excellent perks that make it a worthwhile addition for travelers, such as up to $120 annual dining credit, access to the American Express Hotel Collection, and access to American Express transfer partners.
So if you’re a frequent traveler who spends a lot of money on dining and groceries, and you want a card that is great at earning points but is significantly less expensive than some of its premium counterparts, then the Amex Gold card might be the perfect fit.
Best Business Card for Frequent TravelersInk Business Preferred® Credit Card
Photo: Chase
Current Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Bonus Value*: $2,000
If you’re a frequent business traveler, you likely want a card that is rewarding for the items you spend the most on and comes packed with benefits that are helpful for your business and your travels — the Ink Business Preferred card is that card.
With your Ink Business Preferred card you’ll earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent (up to $150,000 per year) in the following bonus categories:
Advertising on social media and search enginesTravelShippingInternet, cable, and phoneSmall business owners who have expenses that would meet the $150,000 threshold will be able to earn a staggering 450,000 Ultimate Rewards points each year, and since your points are worth 25% more when redeemed through the travel portal, this represents $5,625 in travel savings.
The Ink Business Preferred card offers much more than just the opportunity to earn points. It includes perks like cell phone theft and damage protection, purchase protection, primary rental car insurance, trip delay and interruption insurance, baggage insurance, and access to the Chase transfer partners.
When you factor in the earning potential of the Ink Business Preferred card along with the numerous perks and protections it offers, it is almost a no-brainer for any business owner who loves to travel or travels frequently.
Best Business Card for Luxury TravelersThe Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Photo: American Express
Current Welcome Offer: Earn 85,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 within your first 3 months of card membership.
Bonus Value*: $1,870
Business owners who travel often and prefer an elevated experience need a card that helps them do just that — enter the Amex Business Platinum card.
The card earns 5x Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amex Travel, and 1.5x points per $1 on purchases over $5,000, making it easy to build up points quickly for frequent travelers and big spenders. You’ll also receive a 35% rebate when using miles to book flights on Amex Travel.
Similar to the personal version of the card, the Amex Business Platinum card is absolutely loaded with benefits that give tons of value to cardholders. Here are some of the best perks:
Up to $200 annual airline fee creditUp to $200 annual Dell creditComplimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite statusUp to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck creditPurchase protection and return protectionAccess to 6 different airport lounge networks (including Priority Pass and Amex Centurion lounges)Rental car elite status with Avis, Hertz, and NationalAccess to Amex International Airline Program and American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts ProgramAccess to American Express transfer partnersBusiness owners that make large purchases, travel frequently, and can take advantage of the card’s purchase protections, annual credits, and luxury travel perks will easily be able to get more value each year than what they’re being charged for the annual fee. This makes the Amex Business Platinum card the perfect option for the luxury business traveler.
Best Business Card for Big SpendersAmerican Express® Business Gold Card
Photo: American Express® Business Gold Card/Shutterstock
Current Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Amex Business Gold card within the first 3 months of card membership.
Bonus Value*: $1,540
Business owners who have a large level of annual expenses can really rack up points with the Amex Business Gold card thanks to its 6 bonus categories.
With the Amex Business Gold card, cardholders earn 4x Membership Rewards points per $1 where your business spends the most each month from 2 of the following categories:
Airfare purchased from airlinesU.S. purchases for advertising in select mediaU.S. purchases made from select technology providers of computer hardware, software, and cloud solutionsU.S. purchases at gas stationsU.S. purchases at restaurantsU.S. purchases for shippingThe limit for earning 4x points per $1 is capped at $150,000 in annual spending, but those whose business expenses would meet that threshold will earn 600,000 Membership Rewards points each year — worth at minimum $7,500 in airfare.
Ames Business Gold cardholders will receive more than just the ability to earn points, though. You also receive access to the American Express transfer partners, Amex Offers, purchase protections, travel protections, and a 25% airline point bonus when paying with points.
All in all, if you’re a business owner who would value the benefits of the Amex Business Gold card and you have a large amount of business spend that falls within 1 or more of the card’s 6 bonus categories, then the Amex Business Gold card just might be a must-add to your wallet.
Best No Annual Fee Business CardThe Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Photo: American Express
Current Welcome Offer: N/A
Bonus Value: $0
The Amex Blue Business Plus card is a fantastic option for small business owners who are looking for a no annual fee credit card with flexible rewards and an uncomplicated earning structure.
With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, cardholders earn 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on all purchases made, up to $50,000 in spending each year. After that, your rewards rate drops to 1x point per $1 on all purchases.
So a small business whose annual expenses are around the $50,000 threshold on the Amex Blue Business Plus card can earn upwards of 100,000 Membership Rewards points each year — worth $2,200 by our valuations.
Plus, the Amex Blue Business Plus card offers all of the same redemption options as other Amex Membership Rewards earning cards, including the ability to transfer your points to airline and hotel transfer partners. But that’s not all — cardholders also receive purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and can add employee cards at no additional cost.
So all-in-all, those looking for a 1 size fits all card option that they can use to help maximize all of their business expenses will love the simplicity and flexibility of the Amex Blue Business Plus card.
Best No Annual Fee Business Card for Big SpendersInk Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Current Welcome Offer: Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening.
Bonus Value: $750
Another great business credit card that priorities simplicity and flexibility is the Ink Business Unlimited card, which earns an uncapped 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points for every $1 you spend on the card. Why is it a great fit for businesses with high spending? Since the 1.5x rewards are uncapped, there is no limit to the number of Ultimate Rewards points you can earn each year.
The no annual fee Ink Business Unlimited card also offers great benefits like rental car insurance, extended warranty protection, purchase protection, and free employee cards. Plus, you have all the flexibility of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program when it comes to redeeming your points for cash-back, through the Chase travel portal, and even access to Chase transfer partners when paired with a premium Chase card like the Ink Business Preferred card or Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
If you’re a busy business owner, you probably have better ways to spend your time than to worry about which credit card to use for which purchase. The Ink Business Unlimited card fixes that by providing you with an option that helps maximize every purchase you make for your business.
Final ThoughtsWhen it comes to picking a travel rewards card, you’ve got no shortage of good options. Fortunately, just as each traveler has their preferred style of travel, so do travel rewards cards.
If you’re brand new to the world of points and miles then maybe the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is the perfect fit. If it is premium benefits that you’re after then perhaps the Amex Platinum card would suit you best. Or if you prefer a premium card that is well-rounded and offers great insurance protection, consider opting for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Whichever you decide, you’re sure to take your travel to the next level by earning valuable points and miles to reduce the cost of future travel or allow you to travel in luxury for pennies on the dollar. After all, the best travel is free travel!
*This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP and not the card issuer.
Advertiser Disclosure: We’ve partnered with UpgradedPoints.com to help make recommendations on our favorite travel credit cards. We may receive a commission from card issuers if you choose to apply for cards through these links. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they’re subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
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9 dreamy Airbnbs with epic hot tubs for your next US road trip
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, and listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Building a weekend getaway around an epic hot tub has never been a bad idea. Whether you’re visiting the beach, the mountains, or the big city, relaxing with a soak after a day of exploring is the ultimate way to unwind while on a road trip or other getaway. Fortunately, Airbnb has so many options with dreamy hot tub properties that will boost your mental state during your stay. These nine dreamy Airbnbs offer soaks, views, and luxury, around the United States.
Biscayne Penthouse w/ Private Rooftop and Hot Tub — Miami, Florida
Photo: Airbnb
This Miami penthouse ticks all the boxes — a rooftop hot tub with added bonus of a pool, nearby beach access, and a clean unit that embodies the multi-cultured bohemian lifestyle of Miami while still being modern and open. It also has a dedicated workspace so you can be productive in between swims and soaks, and is a quick hop to trendy dining and nightlife. In a nutshell, it’s an influencer’s paradise, without the influencers.
Modern Luxury Home, Hot Tub, Firepit & MTN Views — Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Photo: Airbnb
Glenwood Springs embodies the best of Colorado’s mountain culture, and this gorgeous home is your base for it all. The house has five bedrooms and large living quarters, with expansive windows giving way to the Rocky Mountains beyond. Biking, hiking, and skiing are all minutes away, as is Glenwood’s charming downtown with restaurants, shops, and multiple options for mineral baths. The biggest takeaway of your stay here? The soaking in a hot tub is even better after soaking in a hot spring.
Four Seasons Skykomish A-frame near Stevens Pass — Skykomish, Washington
Photo: Airbnb
Skykomish and the surrounding Stevens Pass are basically the real-life iteration of what you see in every ski and mountain adventure film. Big, beautiful peaks, tall old-growth trees, plenty of adventure to be had, and a slow-moving town welcoming you as a respite from the surrounding wilderness. It’s tough to one-up an a-frame home in the mountains, but the hot tub here does just that — set perfectly outdoors, surrounded by towering timber, where you’ll hear the birds call while you soak away the day’s alpine journey.
Turquoise Beach Front Condo, Private Hot Tub — Orange Beach, Alabama
Photo: Airbnb
Alabama is an underrated player in the United States’ beachfront dreams, and this beachside condo is proof of why. You’ll wake up each morning to the light of the morning sun glittering off the water and the sound of the ocean is the only alarm clock necessary. Grill a fresh catch and enjoy a soak overlooking Orange Beach below from this condo, large enough to fit your crew (up to nine guests) and it provides beachfront access to the best of Gulf Coast life.
Hot Tub and King Beds in Brooklyn — Brooklyn, New York
Photo: Airbnb
The hot tub is the immediate star of this Brooklyn apartment, set right outside this classic Brownstone building. Williamsburg and Manhattan are quick hop on the train, and this unit is set up perfectly for the remote worker with great Wi-Fi and two smart TVs, as well as tub-side patio furniture in case a midday soak is in order. Cafes, restaurants, and nightlife are all within walking distance.
Steve McQueen Penthouse w/ hot tub and massive balcony — Austin, Texas
Photo: Airbnb
You will be the king of cool at this Austin penthouse, as the listing reads, in one of the coolest cities in the US. With a garage outfitted with classic cars, party lights on ringing the scene, and a spa-worthy bathroom on the inside of the unit, there’s no better place to pregame before a night out experiencing the legendary live music of Austin. The hot tub fits nine — yes, your entire crew can soak at once — and is adjacent to an outdoor fireplace. Thanks for the sweet pad, Stevie.
Amazing Wicker Park Spring Factory Conversion — Chicago, Illinois
Photo: Airbnb
Wicker Park is Chicago’s coolest neighborhood, and this just might be the coolest Airbnb in Wicker Park. A former spring factory, this open-concept unit has been retrofitted to highlight its historical design with hip decor, plenty of books on site, and views to boot. Its tub is a Japanese-style stainless soaker and is sure to remove your mind from the hustle of the city after a day of exploring.
Charming Casita with Patio and Hot Tub — San Miguel, New MexicoPhoto: Airbnb
A hot tub mingles so well with the southwest vibes of this New Mexico casita that you hardly notice it’s even there upon arrival. This home couldn’t be more peaceful, set a quick drive south of Las Cruces and is easily accessible from the airport in El Paso, Texas. But your best bet is to road trip it through the Land of Enchantment, enjoying nearby White Sands National Park and the mountain town of Ruidoso before settling into your retreat away from it all, to soak under the green canopy and the bright desert stars.
Private Mountain Cabin with 360 Views — Guffey, Colorado
Photo: Airbnb
This elusive cabin is epic enough to put tiny Guffey, Colorado, on the adventure travel map. It’s like taking a hut trip where the hut is full-on equipped to live in, and that of course includes an outdoor hot tub set among the hillsides. From the cabin you can fish, hike, bike, look for wildflowers and wildlife, and chill on the patio with a drink and the sunset, all in the same day. While passing through, be sure to grab a meal from The Corona’s at Freshwater, the most (and only) popping place in town.
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March 22, 2021
Drone captures Iceland volcano
Tourists flock to Iceland for its dramatic scenery, but this particular piece of scenery just got too dramatic for comfort. The Fadragals Mountain volcano in southwest Iceland just erupted after being dormant for 6,000 years. After weeks of earthquakes, the volcano erupted on Friday shaking the foundations of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Drone footage of the eruption was captured by Bjorn Steinbekk and shared on Instagram, and it looks like something out of Jurassic Park.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Off To Iceland (@offtoiceland)
The glow from the lava could be seen for miles, and lava still poses a hazard to local residents, though that hazard is rather small. People were urged by the Icelandic police to stay indoors this weekend and keep their windows closed to prevent gas pollution from entering their homes. Despite the volcano’s proximity to Keflavik International Airport, and concerns that air travel might be seriously affected, ash fallout has been minimal.
While eruptive fissures — cracks in the earth’s surface — have formed throughout the peninsula, volcanic activity decreased over the weekend, and there are no major safety concerns.
Though the eruption is considered to be a relatively small one, with a fissure just 1,640-2,300 feet long, it’s still the perfect subject for epic videography and photography like Steinbekk’s.
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The best pink beaches in the world
Most of us think of beach sand as white or some version of off-white — depending on where that beach is. You’ve likely heard of black-sand beaches such as those in Hawaii but may be startled to find out that beaches can also be pink or even red. And there are few things more beautiful than the sight of pastel pink sand meeting the cerulean blue of a lapping tide. In fact, the pink hue is brightest where the sand is wet.
What causes pink sand?
Photo: Sutiwat Jutiamornloes/Shutterstock
Sand is primarily made up of minerals from rocks, such as quartz and mica, that have eroded over time. It can also be composed of organic materials, such as coral and shells that have either been egested by fish who feed on corals or that have otherwise broken down over time. In places where there is, say, a lot of reddish rocks like garnet crystals, sand may be pinker in hue. In places like island atolls, sand is made entirely of broken down organic matter. If that organic matter contains organisms that are reddish in hue — like crimson-hued foraminifera, microscopic creatures that live on reefs — the sand that results will have an unmistakable rosy glow. Here are the most startlingly pink beaches in the world.
1. Komodo Island, Indonesia
Photo: Raditya/Shutterstock
As if Indonesia’s Komodo Island wasn’t fascinating enough for its fearsome komodo dragons, the largest lizards on Earth, there is actually a lot more to appreciate there — from hiking and taking in incredible views of the ornately shaped islands here to jumping into its warm waters. And, of course, there is the incredible pink sand. Note that as Komodo Island is currently closed to visitors to preserve the komodo dragon population, there is another lovely pink-sand beach in Indonesia.
2. Flores Beach, Lombok, Indonesia
Photo: nelzajamal/Shutterstock
As if there weren’t enough exciting things to do in Lombok, Indonesia — from hiking Mount Rinjani to discovering rituals of the local Sasak culture, surfing, and finding your yoga flow — you can also set your eyes on one of the most wondrously pink-tinted beaches anywhere. Flores Beach, also known simply as Pink Beach, is on the southeast corner of the island and is also a super place to snorkel or scuba dive. Lombok Island is very close to Bali and can be reached from that island via a $16 five-hour ferry or a $25 puddle-jumper flight.
3. Elafonisi Beach, Crete, GreecePhoto: Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock
There’s a lot to love about Crete, from restaurants offering incredible fare washed down with local wines and stunning sea views to memorable hiking and ancient ruins everywhere you look. Of course, there are also the beaches, each one seemingly more appealing than the next. And then there is Elafonisi. As if the cove-shaped sandbar, crystalline turquoise water, and peaks rising in the distance weren’t enough, there is the sand itself. Over the eons, seashells here have broken down and turned the sand an irresistible shade of pink.
4. Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas
Photo: Gus Garcia/Shutterstock
The blush of the sand in this island of the Bahamas is so tinted because of the foraminifera that live in its reefs. Pink Sands Beach is nearly three miles long, so you can take a leisurely stroll while admiring the hue. Alternatively, you could take a dip in the luxuriously warm ocean, snorkel, or just read a book on the dreamily toned sand. While Harbour Island is most famous for its pastel-hued sand, the island also has lovely cafes and shops to peruse after you’re done admiring the beach.
5. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda
Photo: EQRoy/Shutterstock
This tiny cove on the long, skinny island that is Bermuda is a pretty popular place. Bordered by green foliage on one side and a clear, blue ocean on the other, the pink of the sand is especially striking. You are never far from anything in Bermuda, and the beach is just a 20-minute drive from downtown. But that’s just one of the many things that make this isolated island in the Atlantic, nearly 1,800 miles off the mainland of the US, so remarkable.
6. Crane Beach, Barbados
Photo: byvalet/Shutterstock
Maybe you’ve parked yourself in Barbados on a work visa as a digital nomad. You’ve surely gone hiking, snorkeling, surfing, and simply enjoyed the island lifestyle… while getting your work done, of course. Perhaps you’ve even learned something about its history as the birthplace of rum on its Barbados rum train. And surely you’ve headed to Crane Beach to admire its famous color. It’s on the southwest side of the island, so if you are an early riser, go at daybreak; the pink color will be like nothing else.
7. Pink Beach, Bonaire
Photo: Andy Troy/Shutterstock
One of our favorite secluded beaches in the world, this strand on the Caribbean isle of Bonaire takes on a pastel pink hue when the sand gets wet. Bonaire is the little known “B” in the ABC Islands — Aruba and Curação being the better-known bookend letters. The three were all Dutch territories until recently; today, only Bonaire retains that status. While it’s much sleepier than its two neighbor islands, that pleasant sleepiness may be one reason its reefs are so well-preserved, making it a super place for scuba diving — but only after you’ve marveled at Pink Beach, of course.
8. Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach, Maui, Hawaii
Photo: Shane Myers Photography/Shutterstock
The coloring of this beach is made not by organisms in the sea but by the foundations of the Hawaiian islands themselves: lava. The same lava that can produce Hawaii’s famous black-sand beaches has also resulted in a red-sand beach on the island of Maui. This sand at Kaihalulu is rich in iron, which turns it a deep copper red. Kailalulu draws scores of visitors eager to see the natural phenomenon. However, getting here is very treacherous, as the trail is steep and slippery. Please be aware of the risks before you go.
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The best boiled peanuts in Alabama
Peanuts of all kinds were a constant presence when chef and Food Network Star contestant Martie Duncan was growing up in Alabama. This was in large part thanks to her mother, who was raised in Troy, Alabama, which sits along the co-called Alabama peanut belt.
During the state’s long, hot summers, one way to prepare freshly picked peanuts stands out: boiling them. Duncan still has her mother’s pot for boiled peanuts and recalls vacations where boiled peanuts were the star of the journey.
“I do remember driving to Panama City Beach, Florida, for vacation,” Duncan says. “We would start to look for the best boiled peanut stands once we passed Montgomery and couldn’t wait to get a bag of our own and an ice-cold Coca-Cola for the trip.”
She’s far from alone in the experience. Though boiled peanuts remain a relatively obscure food outside of the South, there’s no denying that they’re the perfect road trip snack.
Boiled peanuts are green or raw peanuts that are cooked in salted water for hours on end. For the unfamiliar, the texture can be surprising: squishy and loaded with whatever flavors were added to the pot. At Alabama Peanut Co. in Birmingham, owner Jaime Thursby describes them to people new to the style as Southern edamame — “when you say it’s a wet peanut that you boil forever, that doesn’t always translate,” he says.
That people in other parts of the US are more familiar with a crop from East Asia than a Southern staple that’s been around for hundreds of years may seem strange, but it works. I’m from California and went to school at Auburn University in Alabama. Auburn is not only where I tried boiled peanuts for the first time, but it’s also the first place I even heard this snack mentioned. It didn’t take long for me to become a fan.
Friends from Alabama, Georgia, and northern Florida introduced me to boiled peanuts on long weekend road trips. We’d pull over at a stand on the side of the road, or choose gas stations where we could pick up a large styrofoam cup of the goobers. The roadside association is a familiar one for people in the South.
“Like so many Alabamians, my memories of boiled peanuts are from taking road trips down to the panhandle as a kid and later Spring Break trips with college friends,” Thursby says. “We would always stop at that stand or old country store on the side of the road as we entered the Wiregrass region of the state. We would typically get just traditional salted but gosh were those things so good. Sometimes they were hot and sometimes cold, we didn’t care.”
An Alabama staple
Photo: The Alabama Peanut Company
Peanuts have a long history in the South. It was once thought that peanuts came from Africa and were brought by enslaved people. It’s now known that though they were indeed brought to the US through the slave trade, the crop originally comes from South America.
Peanut plants need subtropical climate and chalky soils. Alabama has both, especially in the bottom half of the state. Alabama is also where the US fully recognized the potential of all that peanuts can do. George Washington Carver popularized more than 300 ways that peanuts can be used while at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) about 40 miles east of Montgomery. In large part thanks to Carver, roasted peanuts became a favorite at baseball games, peanut butter became a classic for sandwiches, and peanut oil filled fryers not just in the South but across the country.
Today, more than 150,000 acres are dedicated to peanuts in southern Alabama. Dothan calls itself the “Peanut Capital of the World” because nearly half of the peanuts grown in the US come from a 100-mile radius of the town. It’s also the home of the National Peanut Festival — a 10-day event that takes place every year since 1938 except for 1945, 1946, and 2020.
There’s not a clear historical record of when boiling in salt became a standard preparation. Some sources claim it started with Confederate soldiers, though that ignores a long history (and previous mentions in newspapers) of boiled peanuts prepared by enslaved people on plantations. Thursby has done research trying to nail down the exact origin, yet it doesn’t appear to have been recorded. Still, there’s enough evidence to suggest Confederates were far from the first.
“African-Americans are the ones who pioneered boiled peanuts,” Thursby says.
There’s plenty of research to back up this assertion: Southern food writer Robert Moss tracked down a number of documents that hint that people ate boiled peanuts in the South before the Confederacy for Serious Eats. Moss found writings from 1754 and 1769 that note how enslaved people had plots of land dedicated to peanuts, and a physician wrote in 1849 that peanuts were widely used as plantation food in South Carolina.
One of the first published recipes for boiled peanuts was in the 1899 book Guide For Nut Cookery; Together With A Brief History Of Nuts And Their Food Values by Almeda Lambert. The early written records of boiled peanuts as a popular snack food across the South that Moss found, however, were in papers in south Georgia in 1911, Florida in 1917, and Alabama in the early 1920s.
Popularity waxed and waned over the decades, as food trends tend to do. There’s no denying the food’s continued place in Alabama cuisine though.
Today, boiled peanuts come in a range of styles and preparations. There’s the original salt, of course, and Cajun seasoning is another classic. Duncan sometimes opts for a squeeze of lime or the juice from Alabama pickle maker Wickles Pickles on top of straight salted peanuts alongside an ice-cold beer or tequila.
At Alabama Peanut Co., Thursby makes a range of rotating flavors with in-house seasonings, including options like Alabama Cajun, Tiki Teriyaki, Wickles Pickles, and Pineapple Lava made with a spicy pineapple juice.
“Peanuts saved farmers in Alabama,” Duncan says. “For that reason, if for no other, we should strive to keep peanuts in general and boiled peanuts specifically as an important part of our culinary legacy.”
Where to buy Alabama boiled peanuts
Photo: The Alabama Peanut Company
Boiled peanuts are like many of the best snack foods in that the best place to buy them is where you can find them. There are some places with an elevated style, however, as well as some tips on where not to purchase them unless you’re in a pinch and have a craving.
“You want someone who makes them fresh daily,” as opposed to in a mass-market peanut kettle, Duncan says. “And you don’t want them to be too soggy. Some of these places cook them until they are mush. You do want some texture to the peanut — that perfect blend of soft but not soggy, briny but not salty. I think the run-down shacks or little roadside produce stands have the best boiled peanuts. I am looking for someone cooking them in a big cast iron pot where they scoop them into a brown paper bag for you when you order them.”
Outside of the farm stands around Troy, Dothan, Enterprise, and Luverne, here’s where to pick up some of the South’s best road trip food.
Alabama Peanut Co. in Birmingham: Thursby opened up for business in a building from 1907 that used to be a peanut roastery. The shop has more than 130 different flavors that are rotated daily. It’s hard to beat stopping by the shop for a fresh batch, and Alabama Peanut Co. also has delivery trucks and boil-your-own kits for people outside of the South. In June 2021, the business will start to ship nationally.
Where: 2016 Morris Ave, Birmingham, AL 35203
SpringHouse at Lake Martin in Alexander City: James Beard-nominated chef Rob McDaniel contributed a recipe to Duncan’s book Alabama Cravings while he was working at SpringHouse (McDaniel now runs Helen in Birmingham). The boiled peanuts bring a fine dining perspective with garlic, bay leaves, and whole chiles.
Where: 12 Benson Mill Rd, Alexander City, AL 35010
Harold’s Cajun near Bay Minette: Find this little veteran-run boiled peanut trailer around Gulf Shores Parkway. “You will see his hand-lettered signs that read Hot Boiled Peanuts in big red letters,” Duncan says. “Turn around if you pass it. I normally go for traditional boiled peanuts, but I do like the subtle Cajun seasoning Harold uses.”
The post The best places in Alabama for boiled peanuts, the South’s iconic road trip food appeared first on Matador Network.
Collage art on Italian museum
The French artist JR unveiled a stunning art installation on the facade of Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, allowing the public access to art as Italy re-establishes COVID restrictions. A few Italian cities including Venice, Florence, Milan, and Rome went back into lockdown on March 15 with the rules expecting to remain in place until April 6. This includes the closure of museums and cultural institutions.
JR has put to practice his signature photo collage method to create an installation on the exterior of Palazzo Strozzi for passersby to enjoy. The installation is called La Ferita which translates into English as “The Wound.” His work creates an optical illusion of a gash that runs down the facade allowing the public to see what is inside the museum.
The idea behind the installation is to convey the metaphorical wound that cultural establishments and museums are suffering during this time. “What all these lockdowns have shown us very clearly is that people are hungry for culture. They want to access exhibitions, museums, libraries, theaters, cinemas, to have culture back as a fundamental part of their lives,” the Museum Director Arturo Galansino told Artnet News, adding “We want this work to be seen as an invitation to rediscover a direct relationship with art and to explore new forms of sharing and participation — a call to action for art and culture in this difficult moment.”
With access to art restricted and the major loss of tourism which accounts for a large portion of Florence and other Italian cities’ income, local economies across the country are suffering. Galansino hopes for a brighter future full of cooperation between artists, institutions, and fundraising.
The post Artist creates stunning optical illusion on Italian museum facade appeared first on Matador Network.
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