Matador Network's Blog, page 685
March 17, 2021
Where to eat pho in Seattle
When Yenvy Pham’s parents opened their own restaurant in 1982, it was because they didn’t like working for other people.
The couple, who had arrived in Seattle a year earlier from Vietnam, initially sold American sub sandwiches out of their little shop on the edge of Seattle’s International District. On weekends, Pham’s mother would make phở for their Vietnamese friends, who suggested they serve it at the sub shop. Within two months, it became a full-time phở spot called Phở Bắc. It was one of the first phở restaurants in Seattle.
For enthusiasts in search of that perfect bowl of brothy noodles, no endeavor would be complete without a trip to the Emerald City. Here in the upper left, phở has become one of the city’s defining dishes, a staple synonymous with hangovers, sick days, and Seattle’s infamous weather pattern. Nowadays, if you ask five Seattleites what their favorite phở restaurant is, you’ll likely get five different responses.
“It’s just part of the culture,” Pham says. She credits phở’s popularity beyond the Vietnamese community to the people in the region. They’re adventurous when it comes to food, open to other cultures, and willing to explore.
This popularity has allowed Phở Bắc to expand. The original building has been remodeled to look like a boat. Pham, who’s taken over the family business alongside two of her siblings, refers to it as the mothership, though she jokes it’s more like a tugboat. The Phams have also opened three more Phở Bắc locations in Seattle’s Rainier Valley and Denny Triangle neighborhoods, as well as Phở Bắc Sup Shop, which includes a natural wine shop. The latter is located in a neighborhood that is a well-known hub for the area’s Vietnamese and Southeast Asian communities, with restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, and more.
There are more than 45 phở restaurants in Seattle, making this dish a plentiful specialty in the area. With about 70,000 Vietnamese people living in Washington, according to the 2010 US Census, the state has the third-highest Vietnamese population in the country behind California and Texas.
The first major wave of Vietnamese immigrants to arrive in Washington came after the Vietnam War in 1975. Tens of thousands of South Vietnamese citizens fled their country, initially living as refugees in tents at Camp Pendleton in California. At the time, then California Gov. Jerry Brown said he didn’t want Vietnamese refugees settling in his state. In response, then Washington Gov. Daniel Evans invited them to the Evergreen State. As a result, about 30,000 Vietnamese refugees came to Washington.
Pham points to the entrepreneurial nature among Vietnamese people as another reason these restaurants flourish in Seattle. “Everyone sells something,” she says, describing her community as “natural-born hustlers.” But she doesn’t consider other phở restaurants in Seattle competition, an attitude reflected in the slogan on Phở Bắc’s Facebook page, which states, “Best phở in Seattle. Maybe. Don’t know really. Who cares, just eat it.”
“Phở is not homogeneous,” Pham says, adding that they don’t strive to make the best phở, just to make it the way they like it. If others like it too, great. If not, no big deal.
Phở outside the city
Photo: Pho T&N/Facebook
While phở’s popularity in the more culturally diverse Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area (home to the majority of the state’s Vietnamese population at about 55,000 people of Vietnamese descent) makes sense, you’ll find phở restaurants all over the state.
In 2005, Trinh Nguyen’s parents opened Pho T&N in Poulsbo, a town of roughly 10,000 on the Kitsap Peninsula (about an hour and a half’s drive and ferry ride from Seattle). It took them about a year to start making money but they’ve since won over the predominantly white community (the town’s nicknames are “Viking City” and “Little Norway”).
Nguyen, who runs the restaurant with her siblings after their parents retired in 2018 and has been in charge of continuing the family’s traditional recipes, says when they opened the restaurant, they decided to own their Vietnamese culture and make their phở as authentic as possible. This took customers a while to get used to but Nguyen’s family took the time to teach and educate them on how to eat phở.
The next generation
Photo: Ba Sa Restaurant/Facebook
In recent years, the Nguyens opened a sister restaurant, Ba Sa on Bainbridge Island (an hour-long ferry ride from Seattle), which serves Vietnamese cuisine beyond phở. It’s Nguyen and her brother Thai’s way of finding their own identities beyond what their parents have already taught them.
The phở at Ba Sa is prepared in the Northern Vietnamese style as opposed to the more common Southern Vietnamese style, which Nguyen says is because it was mostly the Southern Vietnamese who immigrated following the war. While Southern Vietnamese phở has a sweeter flavor and is more heavily spiced, Northern Vietnamese phở is simpler and might be considered plain in comparison. But Nguyen says the northern style utilizes the freshest ingredients and allows the diner to appreciate the pure, unadorned flavors of phở.
Nguyen and her brother aren’t the only ones in the Seattle area serving up Vietnamese cuisine beyond noodle soup. From street food to coffee, she pointed to the second generation like her siblings and the Phams — some of whom have traveled back to Vietnam, visiting the northern and central regions to learn more about their families’ culture and food — as those who are expanding the American perception of Vietnamese food. Some of the cuisine has been new to them, Nguyen says, as many of them grew up only familiar with the food of their Southern Vietnamese roots.
“I love all of it,” Pham says about life in the restaurant business. “It’s not glamorous. It’s not a job. It’s a lifestyle.”
Where to eat phở in the Seattle area
Photo: Meekong Bar/Facebook
Phở Số 1: Just a few blocks from Phở Bắc in Little Saigon, this restaurant serves up phở in 19 different ways, so there’s something for everyone. And at less than $10 a bowl (you can add extra sides of meat for a few dollars). It’s super affordable for those on a budget.
Where: 1207 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98144
Meekong Bar: Located in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, this Asian fusion restaurant has the usual suspects of traditional beef, chicken, and vegetarian phở. But if you’re in the mood for something spicy, try the mala phở, which includes Szechuan peppercorns simmered in oil.
Where: 2525 4th Ave., Seattle, WA 98121
Tung Kee Mi Gia: Serving up affordable Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine, you’ll find almost 20 phở options — including chicken, seafood, and veggie — for $10 or less. It’s the bright yellow and green building in Seattle’s White Center neighborhood — you can’t miss it.
Where: 11205 16th Ave. S.W., Seattle, WA 98146
Pho 99 Authentic Vietnamese: With its location in a strip mall, along a busy highway, this restaurant might not seem like much, but don’t let that fool you. Known for its broth, the phở comes in two sizes — small and large — both less than $9.
Where: 19828 Aurora Ave. N., Shoreline, WA 98133
Taste of Pho: Whether you like your phở with rare beef, rare beef and tripe, rare beef and tendon, or just meatballs, this restaurant has more than a dozen phở options and combinations you can pick from — including a kid’s meal option for $6.25. They’re just north of Seattle, in the suburban city of Lynnwood, but with their clean but deep broth, it’s worth the 20-minute drive.
Where: 20101 44th Ave. W. Suite E, Lynnwood, WA 98036 
The post Seattle is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves phở. Here’s where to eat. appeared first on Matador Network.
Iceland open to vaccinated tourists
If you’re lucky enough to have received the full course of the COVID-19 vaccine, you’ll soon be able to travel the world without testing or quarantine requirements. Iceland is the latest popular tourist destination to reopen its borders to all visitors who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, with no testing or quarantine necessary. Iceland has been allowing vaccinated visitors from EEA/EFTA countries (the 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) to visit without restrictions. As of March 18, this will also apply to all travelers, including those from the UK and US.
Visitors must provide proof of vaccination with a vaccine certified by the European Medicines Agency (which does not include the Chinese and Russian vaccines).
In a statement, Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir said, “The world has been through a lot in the past twelve months, and we are all hoping for a slow and safe return to normalcy. This also includes the resumption of the opportunity to travel, which is valuable to culture, trade and enterprise.”
Iceland’s economy is largely dependent on the tourism industry, which suffered a devastating blow this past year. COVID-19 travel restrictions closed the borders and ground tourism to a halt, with tourism numbers dropping by 75 percent in 2020.
The post Iceland is opening its borders to vaccinated US travelers appeared first on Matador Network.
Fly Ranch Burning Man outpost
With Burning Man being canceled in 2020 and more than likely in 2021 due to the pandemic, a new permanent outpost is emerging. Fly Ranch, a 3,800-acre ranch in Northern Nevada, will become home to a new collection of sustainable structures focusing on the following topics: food, power, water, shelter, and waste.
Burning Man has collaborated with Land Art Generator Initiative to create the LAGI 2020 Fly Ranch design challenge, which invited creatives and innovators to propose designs to steward the unique desert landscape into a spectacular work of art and livable community.
According to LAGI, “Teams were asked to integrate sustainable systems for energy, water, food, shelter, and waste management into works of art in the landscape. The objective is to build the foundational infrastructure for Fly Ranch, support Burning Man Project’s 2030 sustainability goals, and engage a global audience to work together towards systemic transformation, and serve as an inspiration for the developing field of regenerative design.”
The competition was judged by a panel made up of local Indigenous people, artists, conservationists, scientists, and landscape architects. Ten projects have been selected from hundreds of entries. Here are some of the most dramatic, revolutionary, and sustainable projects that made the final cut.
Photo: Fly Ranch
Lodgers was created by the MIT-based duo by Zhicheng Xu and Mengqi Moon. Their design for composting toilets is made of reclaimed timber and thatch and will also include an education space. The architects used a script-generated parametric design to visualize the building’s structures, which include birdhouses and beehives to accommodate some of the native species on the ranch.
Photo: Fly Ranch
Another jaw-dropping entry is The Source, which is the brainchild of Polish team Mateusz Góra and Agata Gryszkiewicz. The Source will be a spiraling structure made of tightly packed earth and will shelter orchard trees that will provide produce for Fly Ranch. The construction will also create its own microclimate, protecting the bushes and trees against the freezing temperatures of the desert night.
Photo: Fly Ranch
The Indian duo Nuru Karim and Anuj Modi were successful with their project called Solar Mountain. The prefabricated structure made of recycled plywood will be covered in 728 solar panels to produce 300MWh of electricity per year.
Photo: Fly Ranch
Ripple will be a collection of permaculture gardens laid out in concentric rings that radiate out of a geodesic dome. The remarkable structure will have space for a seed bank and a library.
Photo: Fly Ranch
Designed by the Swedish team Mathias Gullbrandson, Anna Johansson, Per Dahlgren, Julia Andersson, and Olle Bjerkås, the Loop, a pink circular toilet, will process human waste and convert it into fertilizer for hydroponic gardens.
The post This is what Burning Man’s permanent outpost will look like appeared first on Matador Network.
A new 1,330-mile trans-national trail shows off the best of Baltic nature
A new hiking route that spans 1,330 miles will link the forests and national parks of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia, allowing travelers to explore the Baltic region on foot. The forest trail is divided into segments of 12 miles where travelers can find accommodation and transportation options as they hike across rocky beaches, rolling hills, and steep climbs. The route begins at the Polish-Lithuanian border near the town of Lazdijai, continues through Latvia, and finishes in Tallinn, Estonia.
It is estimated that the hike will take between 102 and 114 days to complete. It is divided quite evenly between the three countries with 646 miles in Lithuania, 402 miles in Latvia, and 447 miles in Estonia. To navigate the terrain and plan a journey, hikers can download maps and trail plans from the Baltic Forest hiking website. The site details how long each section will take, what the terrain is like, and everything there is to enjoy along the way.
Highlights of the route include Dzūkija National Park and Žemaitija National Park in Lithuanial, celebrated for their incredible landscapes and crystal-clear lakes, and the Kemeri National Park and Gauja National Park in Latvia, famous for their fresh pine trees and wooden bridges. In Estonia there are two national parks worth the visit — Lahemaa National Park, known as the “Land of Bays,” and Alutaguse National Park.
The trail is currently open for visitors provided that they adhere to the COVID-19 regulations. While the project is complete, renovations and further improvements will continue to take place, such as adding fresh new markings and ensuring regular upkeep. For those who have always dreamed of exploring multiple European countries in one go, this is an excellent option.
The post A new 1,330-mile trans-national trail shows off the best of Baltic nature appeared first on Matador Network.
Friendliest towns in the US in 2021
The Western US certainly has a reputation for being friendlier than New England, but is that really true? Expedia used data from traveler reviews to rank the most welcoming towns in the country, as well as offer suggestions for what to do there. They examined reviews written between January 2019 and December 2020 based on cities and towns with the highest percentage of comments using words like “friendly,” “friendliest,” and “amiable.”
At the top of the list is Whitefish, Montana, which is known for its proximity to Glacier National Park. Sister Bay, Wisconsin, popular among boaters and fishermen, came in second, while Manitou Springs, Colorado, came in third.
The 20 friendliest towns in the US in 2021 according to travelers’ reviews:
1. Whitefish, Montana2. Sister Bay, Wisconsin3. Manitou Springs, Colorado4. Easton, Maryland5. Lihue, Hawaii6. Sierra Vista, Arizona7. Kennebunkport, Maine8. Chincoteague, Virginia9. Ogunquit, Maine10. Provincetown, Massachusetts11. Carolina Beach, North Carolina12. Kahului, Hawaii13. Alamogordo, New Mexico14. Manhattan, New York15. Kapaʻa, Hawaii16. Bar Harbor, Maine17. Grants Pass, Oregon18. Deadwood, South Dakota19. Hilo, Hawaii20. Aspen, ColoradoAs for bragging rights, Hawaii and Maine each had three towns on this list’s top 20. And if you’ve ever been to either state, you won’t be surprised. One surprise, however, might be Manhattan, New York, which ranked number 14. New Yorkers aren’t exactly famous for their friendliness, but maybe this list will start to reverse that stereotype.
The post The friendliest towns in the US, according to travelers’ reviews appeared first on Matador Network.
Tinder is giving away free mail-in COVID-19 tests so you can date again
Getting ready for a Tinder date is complicated enough. First you have to scrutinize their photos to make sure they’re real. Then, you have to thoroughly Google stalk them to make sure they don’t have a criminal record. Now, thanks to the pandemic, we have to make sure we both test negative for COVID-19 before meeting up. Like the first two steps, though, the negative COVID-19 test is worth it for both safety and peace of mind. In March, Tinder announced that it’s partnering with Everlywell to give away 1,000 free COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kits to 500 Tinder members. Each recipient can take one and share one with their potential date, so everyone feels comfortable before deciding to meet in person.
Nicole Parlapiano, vice president of marketing for North America at Tinder, said in the announcement, “The pandemic has created no shortage of dating obstacles, but we think our members are pretty optimistic about getting back out there; January 3rd Swipe activity hit 3.4 billion, which was one of the busiest days of the entire pandemic. We’re excited to be working with Everlywell to make it easier for our members to go and meet their matches safely.”
Starting on March 20, Tinder users in the continental US can claim a code for their free Everlywell mail-in test on a first-come, first-served basis. Taking the test is easy. Just swab your nose and ship it back to Everlywell, then wait 24-48 hours for your results. Then, you just have to hope your date didn’t lose interest in those 48 hours.
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Classic Italian bakers in the Bronx
Like the other New York City boroughs, the Bronx is a series of unique neighborhoods. There is one thing that ties many of these neighborhoods in the Bronx together, though: a beloved local Italian bakery.
While Belmont (the inspiration for A Bronx Tale) is the undisputed Little Italy of the outer boroughs, other areas — such as Allerton, Morris Park, and Pelham Bay — each has that one neighborhood bakery that supplies local residents and restaurants. The Italian bakeries in this list are neighborhood institutions where locals bump into their neighbors on Saturday morning and where their parents’ wedding cake likely came from.
If you’re having dinner in one of the Bronx’s Italian restaurants, the bread on your table probably came from one of these bakeries. You can see references to these neighborhood fixtures on t-shirts and reusable shopping bags. There are murals along Arthur Avenue depicting the local food scene and walking tours that will introduce you to the local flavors and history. The corner of East 187th and Cambreleng is named after Vincent F. Artuso Sr. Gino’s Pastry Shop, and a reference to the stop even made it onto a Broadway stage thanks to Chazz Palminteri.
While NYC neighborhoods have changed over the decades (and continue to change), the places on this list remain pretty much the same as they were decades ago despite changes in management and local demographics. The consistency over the years has made fans. Even when local celebrities like Chazz Palminteri and Vincent Pastore leave the old neighborhood, they still crave the cannoli and pane di casa of their childhood. And due to the impact of COVID-19 on the Bronx’s historic Italian shops, shipping has become more important than ever, as people still need their cannoli fix.
Here are seven Italian bakeries in the Bronx that have stood the test of time and continue to survive despite these unprecedented times.
1. Artuso Pastry Shop
Photo: Brian Cicioni
The corner of East 187th and Cambreleng is named after Vincent F. Artuso Sr. Although it’s been open since 1946, on the inside, Artuso Pastry Shop feels like they just opened last week. Behind the counter, HD screens display the prices of whole cakes, which seem to go out the door as fast as the cherished individual cannoli. When it comes to red velvet cake, Artuso’s combination of light, airy cake and thick, sweet frosting is worth the trip from Manhattan, Long Island, New Jersey, Connecticut, etc. And they ship Monday through Wednesday.
Since the pandemic, Artuso has put up a tall plexiglass barrier to protect staff and patrons. Besides this, there’s little visual evidence of impact from COVID-19.
Year opened: 1946
Where: 670 E 187th St, The Bronx, NY 10458
What to order: Cannoli, rainbow cookies, red velvet cake
Nearest Metro-North station: Fordham
Photo: Brian Cicioni
If Belmont is the real Little Italy, then Morris Park is the hidden one. It’s the kind of neighborhood where you have to know where to go. It may take some research and talking to locals, but when you find the right places, it’s well worth it. Conti’s Pastry Shoppe is one of those places.
When it comes to creative cake designs, Conti’s takes (or sells?) the cake. No fewer than a dozen different creative cake designs are always visible from the entrance at Morris Park Avenue, and there are even more on the inside. While other places in this list stick to tradition, Conti’s pushes the envelope with options like confetti cake slices topped with French macarons and cakes in the shape of a Chicago-style pizza. The bakers also combine favorites like marzipan and cannoli cream with delicious results.
Since COVID, the bakery has removed its chairs and couches. As of this writing, there is still no indoor dining. Despite going to takeout only, Conti’s remains as busy as ever. When you enter, the pastries are on the right, and the café is to the left. You can still purchase from the café, but it’s takeout only.
Year opened: 1921
Where: 786 Morris Park Ave, The Bronx, NY 10462
What to order: Boston Cream Pie, funfetti cake topped with macaron, marzipan cannoli
Nearest subway station: Bronx Park East (2)
Photo: Brian Cicioni
You may have heard of Gino’s Pastry Shop from the musical A Bronx Tale. The sign from the play sits proudly below the numerous autographed celebrity pics that adorn the walls of this neighborhood institution. Although Gino’s specializes in wedding cakes, it also has a small storefront that feels like it hasn’t changed much since the doors first opened in 1960.
Bronx Little Italy native Chazz Palminteri swears by this place to the point where it was the only Bronx bakery that he mentioned in the “Bronx Tale” episode of his podcast. And Palminteri is not the only loyal customer Gino’s ships to. UPS trucks stop by Gino’s on a regular basis to pick up shipments for Vincent Pastore and others who remain hooked on the bakery’s cannoli cream.
Since COVID, Gino’s has cut back store hours from six to four days a week. But where shipments were once an occasional favor for loyal customers, it’s since become a major part of their business. Owner Jerry Raguso frequently works with other neighborhood bakeries and delis on gift packages for people who have been unable to come to 187th and Arthur Avenue in person. He only takes orders by phone. It’s best to stop by and meet him first.
Year opened: 1960
Where: 580 E 187th St, The Bronx, NY 10458
What to order: Cannoli, Chazz (replica of Palminteri’s wedding cake), donolli (cannoli donuts)
Nearest Metro-North station: Fordham
Photo: Brian Cicioni
A relative newcomer to Arthur Avenue, Morrone opened in 2006 in one of the most convenient locations possible. Soft Italian music greets patrons along with the smell of Italian espresso, which Morrone imports from Italy. Morrone is part pastry shop and part café with a half-dozen small, marble-top tables. Frozen desserts and Italian sodas are available as well as pastries and coffee.
As the new kid on the block, Morrone was hit particularly hard by COVID-19. While the shop had to lay off some staff and cut back hours, the selection remains at pre-COVID levels.
Year opened: 2006
Where: 2349 Arthur Ave, The Bronx, NY 10458
What to order: Cannoli, Pignoli cookies, rainbow cake
Nearest Metro-North station: Fordham
Photo: Brian Cicioni
The northernmost bakery on this list, Sal & Dom’s is a local favorite in a part of the Bronx that feels more like Westchester County than New York City. It’s the only well-established Italian bakery in the neighborhood, and the shop ships nationwide as well.
The high plexiglass barrier between the staff and patrons helps keep everyone safe, but it doesn’t prevent you from enjoying the smell of fresh bread as you enter from the busy Allerton Avenue thoroughfare. Capacity restrictions and social distancing are strictly enforced, so don’t be surprised if you see a line outside. It moves quickly, though. Only one person per group is allowed inside.
Year opened: 1956
Where: 1108 Allerton Ave, The Bronx, NY 10469
What to order: Cannoli, Pignoli cookies, rainbow cake
Nearest Subway station: Pelham Pkwy (5)
Photo: Brian Cicioni
Terranova Bakery’s brick oven dates back to 1904, making it one of the oldest in the area. When you enter Terranova’s small 187th Street storefront, you’ll notice two refrigerators full of pasta for to-go sales on the right and varieties of fresh bread behind the counter on the left. The friendly staff are likely to greet you just as fast as the smell of fresh bread. Some of what the shop supplies to walk-in customers, local restaurants, and grocery stores is made behind the storefront, and the rest is made at a larger facility in Westchester County. You can also order from the bakery’s website.
Year opened: 1967
Where: 691 E 187th St, The Bronx, NY 10458
What to order: Homemade ravioli, pane di casa (house bread), pizza bread
Nearest Metro-North station: Fordham
Photo: Brian Cicioni
If you believe that the best Italian bakeries in The Bronx are all along Arthur Avenue or 187th Street, then you haven’t been to Zeppieri & Sons. This cash-only Pelham Bay neighborhood institution serves walk-ins 14 hours a day, seven days a week. It also supplies its famous pane di casa to local restaurants, including Orrico‘s across the street. Zeppieri & Sons is located under the elevated six train, making it the most conveniently located Italian bakery in The Bronx.
Although the bakery has seen a dip in business since the pandemic, the individual selections remain the same.
Year opened: 1968
Where: 3004 Buhre Ave, The Bronx, NY 10461
What to order: Berry Napoleon, marzipan cannoli, rainbow cookies
Nearest Subway station: Buhre Ave (6)
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March 16, 2021
Philly to dim skyline at night
One night last October, an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 birds died in a three-block radius in downtown Philadelphia in a mass-collision event.
At night, the artificial lights of a city skyline can cause birds, who rely on the moon and the stars to find their way, to become disoriented and ultimately crash into building windows where they might see the reflection of the sky or trees. That’s why Philadelphia is taking action to prevent these collisions.
Starting on April 1, 2021, over a dozen of Philadelphia’s skyscrapers are going to be turning their lights off from midnight to 6 AM. It’s part of an initiative called Lights Out Philly whose goal is to help migrating birds pass through the city more safely.
Right now, the Comcast towers, BNY Mellon Center, the Liberty Place building, and 12 others are participating in the program, which will last through May 31. The fall season of the program will run from August 15 to November 15.
Scott Cooper, President and CEO of the Academy of Natural Sciences, told the Inquirer, “We are heartened by all the efforts in our community to join together in this critical initiative to save so many birds from unnecessary harm and even death. A simple thing like turning out lights can help thousands of birds safely navigate our challenging urban environment.”
As reported by AP, “Scientists estimate between 365 million and one billion birds are killed by collisions with buildings or other outdoor structures in the US every year.”
In addition to saving the birds, the initiative will also save energy and reduce carbon emissions.
The post Philadelphia will dim its skyline lights to make it safer for birds appeared first on Matador Network.
Best countries for #vanlife
Last year became the year we rediscovered road tripping. Sales and rentals of RVs, Airstreams, and vans skyrocketed, not just across the country but around the world. We opted to explore new places via their roadways, enjoying the convenience and security of our own mobile accommodations. For many, the appeal went beyond the vacation and into a way of life, and once borders swing back open, people are looking forward to living their best #vanlife in new destinations.
When it does come time to get out on that highway — or autobahn or carretera — some countries stand out as top choices for exploration from a van. The folks at Cool Camping took a look and came up with the definitive list of the best countries for #vanlife. Their 11 criteria points include seven practical aspects of living on the road: traffic, road safety, fuel costs, public restrooms, safety at overnight stops, road connectivity, and WiFi availability. To that they added four criteria that are what make our road life meaningful and memorable in the first place: natural beauty, clean air, fair weather, and the happiness of the place we’re visiting.
The scoring for each category was one to five, with five being best. While their final list includes 35 countries, in reverse order, we share the top 10 below.
10. United States
Photo: Patrick Jennings/Shutterstock
With a total of 43 points, the United States comes in at 10th place, earning scores of “5” each for road connectivity, WiFi access, public restrooms on the road, and, of course, its inimitable natural beauty. With options like coastal camping in California, an absolutely stunning variety of road trips to choose from, and incredible campgrounds in every single state, it’s no doubt that the US would land in the top 10. In fact, the only single low mark (“1”) was for road safety. With so much stunning landscape to explore, the tough choice here is where to start. We suggest a few excellent #vanlife destinations for starters.
9. New Zealand
Photo: ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock
New Zealand got top marks for natural beauty, air quality, and good weather. It was one of the few countries nabbing a “5” for happiness. Earning four points apiece for traffic, road safety, and the price of fuel, the only real negative was the “1” it got for connectivity on the road. But maybe the inability to be reached by your office while you’re vacation in Queenstown is a reason for that “5” in happiness? When you do go to New Zealand, check out some of the most amazing Kiwi beaches on both the North and South Islands.
8. France
Photo: oksana.perkins/Shutterstock
Whoever decided France should only get a “4” for natural beauty has not road-tripped through the French Alps, along its Mediterranean beach coves, by its mountainous border with Spain, or up its Atlantic coast to the breathtaking cliffs of Normandy — as yours truly was lucky enough to do last year. But France does get top marks for weather, connectivity, and public bathrooms. The sole “2” it earned was for road safety, and it got just three points for campground safety. (In regions where petty theft is an issue, just take your valuables with you when you head out for the day). France is pretty agreeable about parking your van in locations that aren’t official campgrounds. Just be sure you arrive early enough to snag a spot in the most beautiful locations.
7. Sweden
Photo: A. Blanke/Shutterstock
With a total of 44 points, fourth-placed Sweden has great roads, superb air quality, and excellent connectivity on the road (all “5s”). The natural beauty was graded a “4” — but we guess that was really a “4-plus.” Like other Nordic countries, Sweden is a blissful place, earning the top score of “5” for happiness. While the ranking criteria doesn’t include cities, we think your road trip through the country most definitely should. Beyond photogenic Stockholm, where even the subway stations are works of art, Sweden is packed with stunning cities and villages you need to visit.
6. Finland
Photo: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock
It should come as no surprise that the seventh-best country for #vanlife earns a “5” for happiness. After all, Finland is consistently called the happiest country in the world. (It’s so happy, in fact, you can “Rent a Finn” to learn the secrets of their felicity.) Finland’s roads are seriously uncrowded, and both they and its campgrounds scored “5s” for safety. And wherever you park, it’s your right in Finland to explore the natural surroundings — even on private land. Just don’t expect WiFi at campgrounds and do expect to pay a lot for fuel. But when you travel to just some of the country’s 188,000 lakes and forests of birch and beech, you’ll see why it’s picked up all five points for natural beauty. If you’ll be there in the summer, check out the ultimate Nordic road trip to catch the midnight sun.
5. Canada
Photo: GROGL/Shutterstock
With 45 points, Canada is unmistakably an awesome place to live the #vanlife — with “4s” and “5s” on pretty much everything except road safety (“3”) and campground safety (“3”). The lone two-pointer the country received was for its weather. So plan to explore the Great White North in summer, and if you must extend your stay into the colder months, we’ve compiled a list of the best 4×4 winterized vans to make the most of Canada’s winter offerings. And, whatever you do, make sure it’s the height of summer when you head out to explore Canada’s rugged highway through the Northwest territories to its northern tip on the Arctic Sea.
4. Portugal
Photo: Anton 151th Popov/Shutterstock
In fourth place, Portugal is looking very appealing. The tiny country with a stunning Atlantic shoreline and so many delightfully uncrowded beaches got “4s” and “5s” in nearly every category — with “5s” in road traffic and connectivity, natural beauty, air quality, and weather. Portugal is well-known for being a safe country, as its “4” rating in campground safety attests. So it might just be the place to go ahead and set up shop as a digital nomad. The lone “2” was in the price of gas — but when you factor in how inexpensive, and tasty, Portuguese food is, living the #vanlife in Portugal will still turn out to be an incredible bang for your Euro.
3. Switzerland
Photo: RoMiEg/Shutterstock
As one might expect, third-placed Switzerland is organized and safe. If you plan to spend a week or a summer exploring its breathtaking natural beauty (“5”), you can count on limited traffic, safe roads, immaculate public bathrooms, and safe places to stay — all “5s.” So many “5s” may explain why the residents are all so darn happy (“5” again). According to Cool Camping, the only drawback in Switzerland is the price of fuel, which landed it only two points in that category. We suggest the price of speeding tickets be factored in as well, as Switzerland is notorious for its seemingly ubiquitous speed cameras.
2. Australia
Photo: Leah-Anne Thompson/Shutterstock
The 46-point runner-up Australia practically invented the surf road trip, and with an entire continent of beautiful nature (five points) to explore, it’s a place you’d want to live the #vanlife irrespective of the other rankings. But, in fact, beyond logistical things like public bathrooms and connectivity (“5” and “5”) Australia has good weather, clean air, and all around happiness (yet more “5s”). Road traffic, gas prices, and safety are just fine with their three- and four-point ratings, and there are no low marks to speak of. So get out there, mate!
1. Spain
Photo: makasana photo/Shutterstock
If you want to pack up and live the #vanlife for as long as your passport or visa will let, you might want to start practicing your “Una cerveza, por favor” on Duolingo. With 48 points, Spain is the winner as the overall best place to spend your days on the road. It got “5s” in six of the 11 categories: traffic, road connectivity, WiFi, natural beauty, and air quality. It earned four points for happiness, and “3s” and “4s” in the remaining categories. But you didn’t need a ranking to tell you all this. That hardest part of #vanlifing in Spain might just be choosing where to go — perhaps the La Cerdanya valley bordering France, the Iberian rift between Spain and Portugal, or the less explored province of Galicia? Wherever you go, it’s sure to be epic.
The post The 10 best countries for #vanlife in the world appeared first on Matador Network.
5 epic spots in Glacier National Park without any crowds
The glaciers and rivers that, over millions of years, carved up the mountains and valleys of Montana’s Glacier National Park left behind one of the most breathtaking landscapes anywhere. That beauty is immediately apparent from its main thoroughfare, Going-to-the-Sun Road, so it’s no wonder that most of the park’s three million annual visitors don’t stray far from it. However, if you’re willing to head a little deeper, you can enjoy trails, scenic viewpoints, and even entire lakes without all the hustle and bustle. Check out these five lesser-known spots, some of the best places in Glacier National Park.
1. St. Mary Lake from Rising Sun
Photo: William Cushman/Shutterstock
St. Mary Lake, in the park’s east end, is a popular drive-by sight for visitors. Very few, however, actually take the time to pull over and experience it, and fewer still get offshore. Glacier Park Boats operates boat tours from the Rising Sun dock that take cruisers by Wild Goose Island, include a viewing of Sexton Glacier, and access many lesser-traveled hiking trails and scenic viewpoints surrounding the lake. The boat trip itself takes an hour and a half, and if you choose to add a guided hike to your excursion, allow 3.5 hours roundtrip. Tickets start at $33.25 for adults and $16.75 for kids.
2. Kintla and Bowman lakes
Photo: Karin Hildebrand Lau/Shutterstock
Glacier National Park’s North Fork is accessed via dirt roads and offers no guided tours. Visiting Kintla and Bowman lakes in this region of the park’s northwest corner is one of the best places in Glacier National Park to find near-solitude during the busy summer months, largely because RVs and buses can’t make the trip. Your reward for braving the rugged, often washboard-laden roads are two pristine, clearwater lakes reflecting the carved peaks behind them. Fifteen trailheads are accessible nearby, with several short day hikes leading to elevated viewpoints from which to look out across the North Fork and the lakes below. Should you wish to spend the night, make a reservation at the Bowman Lake campground or, if it’s full, one of the three other campgrounds nearby.
3. Swiftcurrent
Photo: OLOS/Shutterstock
Swiftcurrent is Glacier National Park’s version of a town. (The closest actual town is Babb on Highway 89). Located in the northeast of the park, Swiftcurrent is where you’ll find multiple great options for day hikes, lakeside picnics at Swiftcurrent and Fishercap lakes, and the historic Many Glaciers Lodge. No matter your day’s activities nearby — which can include hiking, fishing, or horseback riding — stop into the lodge for a meal and a drink.
Camping is available here via the Many Glacier Campground, or you can book a cabin at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. Wherever you stay, you’ll have easy access to the Swiftcurrent and Iceberg Ptarmigan trailheads first thing in the morning, so you can get out on the trail and enjoy the views of Iceberg Peak, Mount Wilbur, and Mount Henkel before anyone else.
4. Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
Photo: Shawn.ccf/Shutterstock
It’s not common to visit a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site on the same day. Rarer still are two national parks, one UNESCO site, and another a border hop. The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park ticks all three boxes. Serving as the transfer point between Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada, and Glacier National Park, this spot marks the international boundary between the US and Canada and offers expansive views of both parks. In late spring and early summer, seasonal wildflowers add to the grandeur.
This monument opened in 1932 in hopes of creating a “borderless” national park. Be aware that the two parks have separate entrance fees, so your pass to Glacier doesn’t cover a day’s enjoyment on the Canadian side — but you can take care of this on site at the Chief Mountain Border Crossing. There’s surely no cooler way to cross the border.
5. Huckleberry Lookout
Photo: Kelly vanDellen/Shutterstock
Our list of best places in Glacier National Park that are off the beaten path had to include one good challenge. The Huckleberry Lookout Trail is tough — six miles with 2,700 feet of elevation gain. If you’re up for it and can dedicate at least a half-day to completing the hike, the view from the wooden lookout at the top is among the park’s most memorable. Evergreen forests reach far into the distance, reaching far-off, snow-capped mountain peaks. As an extra treat, edible huckleberries line the trail in late summer, a refreshing snack as fatigue sets in on the return trip.
The trailhead is located along Camas Road eight miles from the park’s west entrance. You’ll need a good pair of hiking boots, plenty of water, and a portable meal and snacks for each person in your party in order to complete this hike successfully. Also, bring a windbreaker or rain jacket as conditions can change quickly in the high country, even if it’s warm and sunny at the trailhead. Note that in the hottest days of July and August, afternoon thunderstorms are a distinct possibility, so start your hike bright and early.
The post 5 epic spots in Glacier National Park without any crowds appeared first on Matador Network.
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