Matador Network's Blog, page 686
March 16, 2021
Wyndham Hotels to pay one hard-working American for two weeks of vacation
Americans are notoriously bad at claiming their paid time off (PTO). Last year was no exception, according to the United States Travel Association, with workers forgoing an average of 33 percent of their PTO, a statistic Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is now looking to rectify.
In hopes of encouraging Americans to start using their vacation days, Wyndham is launching an initiative called Operation Out of Office to give one lucky traveler two weeks of paid vacation: 14 nights at one or more Wyndham properties, a $5,000 paycheck, and a daily $250 travel stipend, not to mention a complimentary upgrade to Wyndham Rewards Diamond membership.
The winner has until the end of 2021 to redeem their prize and can do so at any Wyndham hotel, which includes well-known brands like La Quinta, Ramada, and Days Inn across the US. The winner can even split the two-week giveaway into multiple trips. So as much as we advocate for taking your two-week vacation all at once, you’ll be able to make Operation Out of Office work for you, no matter how and when you’re actually able to set your OOO away message.
To throw your hat in the ring, or nominate a loved one, submit a 100-word essay explaining a bit about your hard-working nominee and why they’re the perfect person to win two weeks of travel, even if that person is you. Essay submissions are being accepted now through April 6. When the winner is announced, all they’ll have to do in return is post about their trip on social media to encourage other Americans to claim their PTO, too. Not a bad day at the office if you ask us. 
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Jet fuel made from human waste
Human waste isn’t typically considered particularly useful, but when it comes to fueling airplanes, it might actually be a game-changer. According to researchers, discarded “wet waste” materials — organic waste including human waste, animal manure, and wastewater sludge, Inverse explains — can be converted into biofuel to power jets.
The research team led by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory published a study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, describing how to convert wet waste into paraffin, which is used in aviation fuel. Their findings could make it easier to power jets with greener, more eco-friendly fuel.
Unlike traditional production methods for biofuels, the new approach described in the study uses a chemical process to efficiently remove excess water from wet waste and then isolates the combustible materials needed to make fuel. This method could potentially cut aviation emission levels by 165 percent. Since the aviation industry contributes two-and-a-half percent of all the planet’s greenhouse gases, this would be a significant improvement.
According to the authors of the study, “While renewable natural gas targets an enormous US market, producing liquid hydrocarbon fuels from wet waste offers the potential to address the challenge of decarbonizing the aviation sector.”
Although the team has only tested a few hundred milliliters of the new sustainable fuel so far — not nearly enough to power a commercial jet — further research will be conducted with the aim of making the future of jet fuel more sustainable.
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An extraordinary Frida Kahlo exhibition is coming to the US this summer
One of the most celebrated painters in history and a feminist icon, Frida Kahlo is an influential artist to many. The most popular place to see her work is at the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico, otherwise known as La Casa Azul or “The Blue House.” But to see her work in the United States, you typically have to chase down temporary exhibitions.
Thankfully, several exhibitions in the US will be displaying some of her most celebrated paintings this summer, including a massive one in Chicago called “Frida Kahlo: Timeless.” Here’s everything you need to know about the artist before you go check out her work, how to snag a ticket to the epic Chicago exhibit, and everywhere else you can admire her art in the US in 2021.
Who was Frida Kahlo?
Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images; Nickolas Muray; © Nickolas Muray Photo Archives
Frida Kahlo is a highly celebrated Mexican surrealist painter who lived during the first half of the 20th century (1907-1954). Poor health during her childhood and a tragic bus accident at the age of 18 led Kahlo to experience severe and life-long physical and emotional pain, recurrently depicted in her art. Famous for her self-portraits, such as “Henry Ford Hospital,” created in 1932, where she depicts her second miscarriage, and “The Two Fridas,” painted after her divorce in 1939, Kahlo did not hold back from painting the reality of her suffering with full-body casts, blood, nakedness, etc.
Kahlo’s marriage to famous Mexican painter Diego Rivera was as unusual as it was tumultuous and liberated for the times — they lived and worked apart; infidelity was commonplace; they separated several times; and the couple divorced (1939) and remarried (1940).
Kahlo’s eccentric style, now often imitated, was a celebration of her Mexican identity, as well as a reflection of the tragedies she endured. She wore traditional colorful and embroidered blouses, shawls, and skirts, as well as large pieces of jewelry. It is often said that Kahlo’s long skirts were a way for her to hide the consequences of the polio she contracted at age six — the disease affected the shape of her legs and her gait.
Praised by some of the world’s most recognized artists such as writer LeBreton, Picasso, Chagall, and more, Kahlo had a successful career during which she exhibited her unapologetically unique work in the US and Mexico and received commissions from the Mexican government, among others. Today, on the international stage, her work is arguably better known than that of her husband’s.
Kahlo passed away from illness as an acclaimed artist at the age of 47. Today, the painter is held as a feminist icon.
How to see the Frida Kahlo exhibition in Chicago this summerFrom June 5 to September 6, 2021, 26 original works by Frida Kahlo will be on display at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA) and McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL (25 miles, 30 minutes from Downtown Chicago).
The 26 works of art will include 19 oil paintings, representing one tenth of all of Kahlo’s paintings, as well as works on paper. The works are a loan from the Dolores Olmedo Museum in Mexico City, and are part of a private art collection that also includes works from Kahlo’s husband. The exhibition is a unique chance to see an extensive display of Kahlo’s art in the US.
Left: Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait with Small Monkey, 1945, oil on masonite. Right: Frida Kahlo, The Broken Column, 1944, oil on masonite. (Photo: Collection Museo Dolores Olmedo, Xochimilco, Mexico © 2020 Banco de México Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York)
The pieces displayed will span Kahlo’s lifetime, from the time of her bus accident at age 18 to the year she passed away, in 1954. Some of her most famous and acclaimed creations will be on display during this one-of-a-kind exhibition, such as:
“Henry Ford Hospital” (1932), depicting the psychological and physiological sufferings of Kahlo during her second miscarriage“A Few small Nips” (1935)“My Nurse and I” (1937)“The Broken Column” (1944), a graphic illustration of the pain she was going through due to the bus accident that damaged her spine, pelvis, and hip in 1925“Self Portrait with Small Monkey” (1945)“Without Hope” (1945)“The work in this collection maps the arc of Frida Kahlo’s exceptional life and career,” said Cleve Carney Art Gallery Director Justin Witte. “Frida Kahlo and her work were so interconnected that it is impossible to separate one from the other. That is also why her presence is still strongly felt in every piece in this exhibition. For exhibition visitors to have the opportunity to experience Kahlo’s life and work in the intimate and unique setting of the Cleve Carney Art Gallery will be a once in a lifetime experience.”
The exhibition will also feature a sweeping photographic timeline of Kahlo’s life and exact replicas of five dresses worn by the artist. This part of the exhibition will take place in the lobby of the MAC.
Photo: Kimberly Morris
A Frida Kahlo-inspired garden will be assembled in the MAC’s south patio by Ball Horticultural Company. A recreation of Kahlo’s garden in Mexico, as well as plants and flowers featured in Kahlo’s paintings, will deeply immerse visitors into her world.
Tickets for the exhibition can be purchased online. Timed entry tickets are priced at $28.50, while non-timed entry tickets are priced at $46.50. Note that non-timed tickets still need to be purchased in advance for a specific day.
Other Frida Kahlo exhibits in the US in 2021From March 7 to June 20, 2021, five lesser-known works by Frida Kahlo will be on display at the Dallas Museum of Art. The exhibition will feature four paintings and one drawing, including still life and a framed portrait of herself and Diego Rivera. Admission to the museum is free.
From February 6 to May 2, 2021, the Albuquerque Museum will feature several works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection of 20th Century Mexican Art. Admission is $10.
The post An extraordinary Frida Kahlo exhibition is coming to the US this summer appeared first on Matador Network.
This college is offering students $75 not to travel this spring break
Spring break is one of the most beloved college traditions. Every year after midterms, undergrads get a much-needed break from campus life and head out to warm places like Florida, Cancun, or Punta Cana to live the good life. This year, however, is not traditional. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, travel is something of a controversial subject, especially if it’s for leisure only. To encourage students to remain safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the University of California, Davis is offering students $75 grants if they choose not to travel this year.
The initiative is a partnership between the school and the Healthy Davis Together — an organization working towards the stop of COVID-19 spread in local communities. The $75 grant can be redeemed for supplies that fall into the categories: Get Active, Get Artsy, Home Improvement, and Let’s Stay In.
In a statement to the UC Davis community, Chancellor Gary S. May said: “UC Davis asks everyone in the university community to avoid all nonessential travel during spring break, March 20-24. For students looking for something to do, Healthy Davis Together can help! The city-campus partnership is offering Spring Break Grants of $75 apiece to be used for “staycations” — and the response has been awesome so far.”
Students had until March 10 to apply for the grant which was available for the first 750 applicants. The reaction to the campus leadership’s offer was better than they could have imagined. Dean May shared an update a week later saying, “Response was overwhelming, so much so that we boosted the number of grants from 500 to 750 and now 2,000 (at least)!”
The money for the program is funded by private donations along with federal and state grants for COVID-19 response. The chancellor noted that one-quarter of everyone who was able to claim the grant money was used in the Home Improvement category. He wrote, “I am eager to hear about what these students and the other grant recipients are doing. We will be checking in with them and will let you know what we learn.”
The University of California Davis is one of many institutions that are actively discouraging nonessential travel during spring break. Others include the University of Michigan, University of Tennessee, Baylor University, and the University of Florida, according to ABC News.
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March 15, 2021
Baltimore attractions by metro
In Baltimore, the Light Raillink and Metro Subwaylink operate a total of four lines with service to a combined 47 stations. The light rail runs above ground while the subway is mostly subterranean. Both are run by the Maryland Transit Administration. Together, they serve more than 20 million passengers annually, yet most visitors to the city don’t even know it exists, or how to utilize it on their trip.
Many of Baltimore’s main attractions are conveniently located near a light rail or subway station, making them easy for tourists to check out even if they don’t have a car. Here are nine Baltimore attractions you can easily visit by using public transportation.
1. Inner Harbor
Photo: f11photo/Shutterstock
If you only know one thing about Baltimore, it’s probably Inner Harbor. The Maryland Science Center, Historic Ships, Seven Foot Knoll Light, and famous National Aquarium are all located within a five-minute walk of one another in this compact area along the Patapsco River. Like neighboring Little Italy, Inner Harbor is fun, very family-friendly, and also extremely popular with tourists.
Many first-time visitors to Baltimore use this area as a base, which is not a bad idea at all. In addition to the nearby light rail and subway stops, there’s a Water Taxi stop at Pier 5. From there, you can catch a ferry ride to Federal Hill at no charge during weekdays. Ferries run every 15 minutes.
Inner Harbor meets Federal Hill at Federal Hill Park. The park is just a few blocks from the Maryland Science Center. Before you leave Baltimore, grab your camera and head to the top of Federal Hill Park (near the Memorial to Armistead) at sunset or sunrise for some of the best photo ops of the harbor. It’s also a great spot for timelapse videos.
Nearest Light Raillink station: Camden
Nearest Subwaylink station: Charles Center
Photo: Brian Cicioni
One of the oldest public markets in the United States, Lexington Market has been operating since 1782. It’s the main attraction on Baltimore’s Westside. Don’t expect many health food options beyond fresh fruit and a couple of smoothie vendors. If you’re looking to replace your acai bowl and turmeric tea with some Korean fried chicken and snickerdoodle cake, this is the place.
Many of the stalls at Lexington Market offer unique twists on traditional Maryland and Southern dishes. At Dudley’s Fries, you can try old bay chicken wings, fried Oreos, or kimchi fries. The Creative Potato sells old bay-infused baked potatoes, with Japan Cheesesteak and New Orleans Po Boy.
Berger’s Cookies and Cakes has two adjacent stalls in the market. They were one of Oprah’s go-to spots before she left for Chicago. Andrew Zimmern has filmed at the market and featured the half-chocolate, half-shortbread Berger Cookies on a few of his shows. Berger’s chocolate yellow cake has also received numerous accolades, so make sure to stop there for a treat.
If you want to eat inside the market, we recommend the Faidley Seafood corner, which you must enter from Paca Street on the west side of the building. The walls of this exclusive-feeling section of the market are lined with vendors selling exotic fish and meats, as well as tools of the trade, including crab and oyster knives. While the alligator, muskrat, raccoon, and turtle meat are only available frozen, you can buy Maryland staples like crab cakes and Chesapeake Bay oysters fresh. Both are an essential Baltimore experience, so if you’re looking to try signature Maryland dishes without going to a restaurant, Faidley is a convenient option.
Nearest subway station: Lexington Market
3. Graffiti Alley
Photo: Brian Cicioni
In 2005, Graffiti Warehouse moved in and transformed this L-shaped alley into a safe haven for local graffiti artists and gawking tourists posing for photos in front of the ever-changing murals. Even the ground and trash cans are works of art. While you can find murals in other parts of the city, graffiti alley is a must-visit for any fan of street art. The murals are visible from North Howard Street and continue from West 19 1/2 St. to Maryland Ave.
Nearest Light Raillink station: North Ave.
4. Star-Spangled Banner Flag House
Photo: DCStockPhotography/Shutterstock
The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House dates back to 1793. The building shares a city block with the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History & Culture in the southwest corner of Jonestown. The flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner” was sewn inside this late 18th-century building, which has been a museum since the late 1920s. A fragment of the original flag is on display.
The main building includes the ticket counter, main exhibits, and a small movie theater. The exhibits on the lives of Mary and John Pickersgill are in the main building, which is easily spotted from Pratt Street thanks to the large American flag that takes up the entire side of the building. Tours of the house are self-guided; all you need is a mobile phone. Most of the artifacts in the house have numbers displayed, which you press when you dial into the museum number.
It’s best to visit the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House before Fort McHenry in order to put the flag into proper context.
Nearest Subwaylink station: Shot Tower
5. Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture
Photo: Reginald F. Lewis Museum/Facebook
Reginald F. Lewis was the first African American to lead a billion-dollar company, Beatrice Foods. Before his untimely death at age 50, he wanted to support a museum dedicated to African American culture. In 2005, a little more than 10 years after his death, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History & Culture opened in the southwest corner of Jonestown.
The 82,000-square-foot facility is as striking from the outside as it is engaging on the inside. There’s a café, a small bookstore, and a theater. The three permanent exhibits are on the third floor and cover 400 years, starting with the slave trade in Maryland. There’s a small exhibit on Reginald F. Lewis, but his accomplishments are not the museum’s main focus.
You can purchase timed admission passes here, although walk-ins are accepted as well.
Nearest Subwaylink station: Shot Tower
6. Little Italy
Photo: Elena Stepanova/Shutterstock
This hexagon-shaped Italian-American enclave east of Inner Harbor is one of Baltimore’s best must-sees. It’s also the southernmost Little Italy in the eastern United States. If you exit the Subwaylink at Shot Tower, you’ll be two blocks north of the northwest corner of Little Italy. The majority of the restaurants and bakeries are located in Albemarle and High Streets between Eastern Ave. and Pratt St.
It’s best to start your walking tour by heading south on Albemarle once you hit Pratt. On your left, you’ll see Casa di Pasta and Vaccaro’s, which is the main pastry shop in the area.
In terms of sit-down restaurants, there are roughly a dozen different options, each with a different twist. Most are well-established and multi-generational. La Tavola is known for its Maryland crab-centric pasta dishes. In 2020, its Spaghetti Neri al Granchio received the Daily Meal award for Best Pasta Dish in Maryland. Sabatino’s has been a gathering place for local athletes since at least the 1980s. Back when it was open until 4 AM, professional wrestlers like Bruno Sammartino and Andre the Giant used to head directly to Sabatino’s after their shows at the then Baltimore Arena. From there, the word got out. Even today, this three-floor family-owned restaurant is a favorite of Baltimore Ravens, Orioles, and especially wrestling legends like Jim Cornette and Ric Flair. On the higher end, La Scala has a more seafood-centric menu with an indoor bocce court.
But there’s more to Little Italy than multi-generational restaurants and bakeries. If you’re looking to get the most out of the neighborhood, it’s best to visit during one of the local festivals held between June and early October. Check the official Little Italy website for exact dates and times. You can also take Italian cooking or language classes at the Pandola Learning Center. One block west of St. Leo’s (one of Baltimore’s oldest Roman Catholic churches), you can catch a bocce game in D’Alesandro Park.
Nearest subway station: Shot Tower
7. Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
Photo: The Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum/Facebook
George Herman Ruth, Jr. was born in Baltimore on February 6, 1895. Although he later became one of the most famous American athletes of the 20th-century, his story began at 216 Emory Street in a neighborhood now known as Pigtown. The house blends in among the neighborhoods’ Baltimore-style brick facade row homes.
Once inside the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, you’ll see red brick resembling Camden Yards on your right. Past the cashier, there’s a 25-minute documentary playing in the former living room. Farther inside, there’s a small theater with an even more interesting entrance — on the way in, the high walls are lined with a list of Ruth’s 714 home runs broken down year by year.
Upstairs you can see the kimono The Babe received during his 1934 visit to Japan. The man who got his nickname from his exuberance over ordinary things often wore the kimono at night. In the same room, you can also get in on the debate about whether or not Ruth called his shot against the Chicago Cubs on October 1, 1932, at Wrigley Field.
Nearest Light Raillink station: Convention Center/Pratt St.
8. The Washington Monument & Mount Vernon
Photo: f11photo/Shutterstock
The original Washington Monument predates the taller and more famous one in DC by 56 years. The Maryland version is both the main attraction and the geographic heart of Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood. The 227-step journey to the top takes less than 10 minutes. From the lookout of this 178-foot-tall white marble Colossal Doric column, you can see as far as Inner Harbor. There’s also a gallery at the ground level.
Mount Vernon is also an ideal base if you’ve already explored Inner Harbor and want to see more of the less touristy side of Baltimore. If you do plan to stay in the neighborhood, consider staying at Hotel Revival. This 107-room, 14-story boutique hotel is located across the street from the monument. Nearly one-third of the rooms have a monument view, as does the aptly named Topside Rooftop Bar & Eatery.
While Inner Harbor attractions are more grandiose, Mount Vernon’s tend to be more hidden. Baltimore School for the Arts (located at the southwest corner of Cathedral and Madison) counts Jada Pinkett Smith and Tupac Shakur as former students. Although the school is not open to tourists, you can see Tupac’s likeness on a yellow wooden saltbox at that same corner.
Mount Vernon also has an under-the-radar marketplace at the southwest corner of Centre and Park. The Mount Vernon Marketplace is full of gourmet dumplings, Korean rice bowls, street-style tacos, and even Neo’s Chesapeake pizza. Unlike Lexington Market, there’s plenty to drink at Mount Vernon. Neo’s sells beer and wine by the ounce. There are also soju and sake bars.
Nearest Light Raillink station: Centre St.
9. Jewish Museum of Maryland
Photo: Brian Cicioni
The Jewish Museum of Maryland focuses on Jewish life in East Baltimore, also known as Jonestown, dating back to the mid-1800s. The visitor center is located between two historic synagogues. The admission price includes access to the visitor center exhibits and guided tours of the B’nai Israel and Lloyd Street Synagogues. The museum’s 12,000-plus objects include two Torahs saved from the European holocaust and the oldest documented Mikvah in the United States. You’ll have to cover your head when entering the B’nai Synagogue, which is still an active congregation.
South of the museum, along Lombard St., there are two well-established New York-style Jewish delis: Attman’s and Weiss. Try to time your visit so you can have lunch at one of these East Baltimore landmarks.
As of this writing, the museum is open from 10 AM to noon and 1 PM to 3 PM on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Special events still take place on an almost daily basis. It’s worth looking into upcoming events when planning your visit.
Nearest Subwaylink station: Shot Tower
The post Baltimore’s little-known metro will take you to the best spots in the city appeared first on Matador Network.
Where to ski in Lesotho
For a born and bred South African like me, seeing snow is a rare occurrence. Chaos ensues on the odd winter day when the heavens decide to grace our countryside with a dusting of white. Every dog and their human companion are out to build a snowman, kids are quickly swaddled in their warmest sweaters, and mountain passes close as traffic grows as thick as sludge. That is why it came as such a shock to me to learn that you can actually ski in Southern Africa.
More than just learning to ski, a week in the mountains of Southern Africa allowed my partner and me to explore Lesotho, a mountainous kingdom engulfed by the country I call my own. We enjoyed an unexpected break from civilization during our winter, the Northern Hemisphere’s summer. Beyond skiing, we were taken in by Lesotho’s rugged beauty and the slow pace of life we experienced in one of its villages.
The Lesotho ski experience
Photo: Afriski Mountain Resort/Facebook
The altitude in Lesotho is extreme, as it is the only country in the world that lies entirely over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level. In fact, the lowest point in Lesotho is much higher than that, at 4,600 feet, while its highest point is Mount Ntlenyana, reaching 11,424 feet. Its geography has meant that Lesotho remained independent, although it did depend on British protection through some of its history and today relies on South Africa for employment opportunities and trade.
Lesotho has two mountain ranges: the Drakensberg Mountains along its southern and eastern borders and the Maluti Mountains to the north. While one of Southern Africa’s only two ski resorts lies just south of Lesotho’s national border in the Drakensberg, the other one lies in the Maluti Mountains in the country’s northern reaches. Afriski Mountain Resort was designed to resemble an Alpine town in the heart of Africa’s deep south, with simple chalets, a restaurant and bar, and, amazingly, a ski rental shop and a ski school akin to what you would find in, say, Europe.
However, that is where the comparison ends. This is not the Alps. Although you do get the occasional white-out or gorgeous snowy day, the snow doesn’t coat the mountains all winter long like it does in traditional ski resorts and so is helped along with snow machines much of the winter season, which stretches from the beginning of June to the end of August. On offer for skiers and snowboards are just a handful of slopes catering mainly towards beginners. However, for first-time snow-goers it provides the perfect place to learn and an amazing locale to introduce kids to a snowy winter wonderland.
A perfect place to learn to ski and snowboard
Photo: Janine Avery
If you’re visiting as a complete newbie to the world of skiing, you won’t be alone. Almost everyone hitting the slopes with you totters and teeters just as much with the newfound feeling of having skis or a board strapped to their feet. Falling is the name of the game, and there is no shame. You also don’t have to stress about holding up the button lift, or palma lift, as everyone is simply relieved to see someone having just as much difficulty as they did.
However, we found the level of instruction we could get in the mountains of Lesotho to be excellent. Instructors had been flown in from France, the US, the UK, and Germany, and in no time at all I was up on my feet and doing it — carving like a pro (or at least an intermediate).
Afriski is also a great place for families to introduce the little ones to the snow, with a kiddies ski school and dedicated area, a fun bumboarding alley, and even a zig-zagged tubing lane. For those who have already mastered some skills, the resort’s very own Kapoko Snow Park has some rails and jumps and boxes. It was amazing to see my shy instructor blasting off some backflips at Africa’s only freestyle snow park.
Getting to Afriski
Photo: corlaffra/Shutterstock
The mountains of Lesotho are dotted with traditional homesteads, and a good tar road runs from north to south through the country, so access is relatively painless. The road to the resort itself climbs higher and higher through mountainside villages dotted with traditional stone huts and crumbling cattle kraals. Sheep, donkeys, and goats cause the occasional roadblock, herded by the blanket-wearing Basotho people, and children play along the roadside, stopping to wave as you pass. Be careful when driving these roads as the cold weather and altitude can cause snowbanks to build up, and ice is also a common occurrence.
If you’re driving from Johannesburg it will take you about five hours to reach Lesotho. From the coastal city of Durban, it takes about four hours to get to the Afriski resort by car. However, you should budget for longer if you plan to do the Sani Pass route, an epic 4×4 trail that is a must-do for any motoring enthusiast, with 139 switchbacks up the side of the Drakensberg range — topping out at an elevation of 10,643 feet — on its way into Lesotho. The pass is being slowly tarred, but around eight miles of it over the high pass itself remains unpaved — so, if you have a sturdy four-wheel-drive vehicle, do this rite of passage before it’s too late.
Either way, the mighty Drakensberg, or Dragon Mountains in Afrikaans, are a sight in their own right. The Zulu word for this escarpment is uKhahlamba, or “barrier of spears,” as the Drakensberg ridges look like a line of pointed weapons. In Sotho, the language of most of Lesotho’s Basotho residents — beyond its Zulu and other minorities — both the Drakensberg and Maluti ranges, which are connected, are called the Maluti.
Other adventures to seek in Lesotho
Photo: mbrand85/Shutterstock
When snow blankets the mountains, you may find diehard snowboarders walking up the mountainside for some off-piste excitement. But if that is not really your thing, or if you can’t time your visit for winter, Lesotho is still teeming with rugged beauty and outdoor adventures.
A 4×4 vehicle is essential for exploring the country as it will take you to its wildest corners. One such stop is at the majestic Maletsunyane Falls, a 630-foot waterfall that is one of the highest single falls in Africa. You can take up to 40 minutes to abseil down alongside the falls, heart in your mouth and the falls’ mist in your hair.
Whatever you think of huge dams, Katse Dam is one of Africa’s largest, and the view of it is quite dramatic. There are also several hiking opportunities throughout the kingdom, such as in Tsehlanyane National Park, with its native forest and rich birdlife; you can hire a guide at the entrance to help you explore some of the park’s 22 square miles.
Afriski itself also offers a whole host of activities to keep visitors entertained in the summer months, including mountain biking and trail running. The resort plays host to a number of epic events throughout the year, and in the warmer months the Kapoko Snow Park noted earlier is reimagined as a bike park. You can also go fly fishing or take a monster roller scooter out for a spin.
A truly unique Lesotho experience
Photo: Janine Avery
After our week in the snow at Afriski, we weren’t yet ready to leave Lesotho, opting instead to search for another adventure in the Lesotho Highlands. Veering off the main road that leads back down the Drakensberg and into South Africa, we ventured farther into the heart of this tiny country. Passing traditional mountainside cattle enclosures called kraals, thatch huts billowing smoke, old mission stations, and some roadside icicles bigger than ourselves, we finally arrived, dusty but excited, at our destination. Located right at the entrance to a local village, Polihali Lodge would provide a unique stop for one more night in Lesotho.
The owners of this property offer pony treks into the mountains of Lesotho. (The local Basuto pony breed is actually a small horse, so you’ll find they call them both ponies and horses.) You can choose from shorter outrides or one-day adventures to full-on multi-day trails in the mountains, overnighting in traditional shepherd huts. There are no bells and whistles here, just a downright relaxed and authentic Lesotho experience.
Plodding along on our hardened Lesotho steeds through fields, we were able to drink in the absolute beauty of this country. Although easily reachable from Johannesburg and Durban, time in Lesotho is a seemingly meaningless thing. The mountains, barren in the winter but beautiful, stretched to the horizon, no high rises or modern structures blocking the view. There was not even any cell-phone signal to speak of, just endless, crisp, and inviting silence — save for the farmers calling out to their flock and the high-pitched laughter of some children as they played in the village stream down below.
Following our guide, our horses carefully made their way down the mountain and into the village, which would be our home for the night. Mothers tended to their washing in the river while the boys rounded up the sheep and cows before darkness set in. We dodged chickens and the odd soccer ball as the pink hue of twilight swept over Lesotho. Returning to our room at Polihali we sat out on the stoop, like an old couple in the days of yesteryear, and watched as the evening soccer match drew everyone out of the village for some friendly rivalry on the pitch. The smells of cooking wafted in from the kitchen, and a hearty meal of spicy chicken, pap (maize porridge), and veggies provided the perfect end to our time in Lesotho.
It was with a sense of sadness as we packed up our trusty Land Rover the next day to make the journey out of the mountain kingdom. And as our passports were stamped as we crossed back into South Africa, we had to take a moment to stop and look back over those undulating hills. For here, nestled within our very own homeland, was a totally different world and a tiny gem of a country waiting with open arms for anyone who hopes to explore it.
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11 best Airbnbs in Buenos Aires
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.
Known for its European architecture and booming cafe culture, Buenos Aires is among the most visited cities in South America. Chic neighborhoods like Palermo and Recoleta offer easy access to the city’s large green spaces and vibrant food scene, while San Telmo allows you to see Buenos Aires on a tighter budget and Palermo is the gateway to Argentina’s best nightlife. Fun, unique home rentals are everywhere in the city, and no matter which neighborhood you decide to stay in, Airbnb has many options. To give you a helping hand to choose, here are some of the best Airbnbs in Buenos Aires.
Stunning two-bedroom apartment in Palermo
Photo: Airbnb
Buenos Aires is all about relaxing and taking in the experience. There’s no better place to do so than at this elevated apartment with a balcony view of downtown. It’s luxe — the spacious living room opens out to the city view, while upstairs the two bedrooms are equally charming. The rental is on the 23rd floor, so guests can see for miles. The unit is within walking distance of the Palermo Zoo, Botanical Gardens, and renowned restaurants like Don Julio and La Alacena.
Price: $120 per night
Gorgeous House in Palermo Soho
Photo: Airbnb
This Palermo Soho home is referred to as “La Casa.” Creative, we know — but it’s an impressive property that’s perfect for spending a week in the city’s hottest neighborhood. Renovated in 2010, the house has a minimum stay of five nights. The three-bedroom house has a BBQ area and a wrought-iron spiral staircase that brings visitors to the rooftop terrace. Located a short walk from Plaza Serrano, “La Casa” is close to all the action and ideal for up to five guests.
Price: $350 per night
Palermo Soho Duplex V w/ Terrace
Photo: Airbnb
From the art on the wall to the color schemes, this three-level duplex employs a modern, pop-art theme — and it works. The first level contains a living room, dining area, kitchen, and guest bathroom. The sofa bed handles extra guests. Level two hosts the master bedroom and a sitting area with a leather armchair. The third level is the rooftop terrace overlooking the neighborhood and the beautiful city beyond.
Price: $95 per night
Divine House In Palermo with Pool
Photo: Airbnb
This loft is located on a quiet street in Palermo Hollywood. With rustic wooden furniture and a modern aesthetic, this apartment wouldn’t seem out of place on an interior designer’s Instagram page. Take advantage of the backyard, perfect for chilling over a meal or drinks, and the hidden pool that’s as intimate as the property is stunning.
Price: $90 per night
Unique Studio in Recoleta
Photo: Airbnb
Bright is the decor of choice at this studio that combines the best of both a hotel and an apartment. It’s small and cozy, super comfy, and within walking distance of some of Buenos Aires’ best cafes including Placido and Cafe DUO. Also nearby is the Paseo de la Recoleta, which is one of the most photographed squares in the city for its unique floral decor and greenery, and multiple open green spaces including Plaza Francia and Plaza Mitre.
$30 per night
Modern and cozy apartment in city center
Photo: Airbnb
In the heart of Palermo and the center of the city, this small apartment is perfect for a couple or solo traveler who wants to be close to everything Buenos Aires has to offer. It’s simple and comfortable — one bedroom with a quiet living space. It is a quick walk to restaurants, clubs, museums, Wysocki Park, and a quick Uber ride to the airport. Palermo is unique in its forested park areas alongside trendy nightlife and cafe districts, and no apartment in Buenos Aires puts you closer to the action.
Price: $21 per night
Grand Terrace Apartment
Photo: Airbnb
Staying in the heart of a major city is all about two things: access to amenities, and an epic view. This apartment has both, to excess. The apartment itself is modern and open, with a wall-size window looking out from the living room to the urban expanse beyond. Chill on the other side of said wall in the swinging chairs, take some selfies, and then head out to walk to Avenida 9 de Julio and the cafes, bars, and restaurants surrounding it. Everything else is a quick subway ride away, available just a moment’s walk from the front door. One bedroom and up to four guests can split this very affordable apartment.
Price: $44 per night
Original Loft Near History Museum
Photo: Airbnb
In the beautiful building known as La Editorial, near Lezama Park, this loft sits above the Museo de Historia and a very walkable part of the city. The outdoor common area atop the apartment has a pool and deck chairs, along with a grill — so don’t be surprised if an impromptu barbecue takes place over beers. Nearby are some of the city’s best restaurants including LOBI, Napoles, and El Viejo Vulcano.
Price: 28 per night
Unique and charming loft in San Telmo
Photo: Airbnb
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re staying in a mountain A-frame in the heart of a big city, this loft in San Telmo is the spot for you. The loft is in a historic building in the neighborhood’s most charming quarter, near both the San Telmo Market and Calle Florida as well as Puerto Madero and Plaza de Mayo. On the first floor of the building is a bar and restaurant an d gym — though you’re sure to do plenty of walking about San Telmo during your stay.
Price: $23 per night
Casarbol
Photo: Airbnb
A cabin might not be where you’d expect to stay in Buenos Aires, but this is a city that constantly surprises. Up to 11 guests can stay in this large, spacious wooden home in the Tigre that’s elevated on stilts to be on par with the trees (hence the name casarbol, or treehouse). Here, you’re just north of the heart of the city on the edge of the delta, and the tides occasionally come up below the house, offering a feeling of being out at sea — although the home remains accessible.
$171 per night
Breathtaking Colonial Villa in AcassusoPhoto: Airbnb
This villa in the residential town of Acassuso, about 13 miles from the city center, has three bedrooms and four bathrooms, an organic vegetable garden for those looking to cook healthy cuisine, and a bbq for grilling. It’s ideal for larger groups who like to pregame before heading out for the night. With the pool and ping-pong table on the grounds and an expansive villa big enough for six, you have plenty of room to roam on site and the heart of the city is just an Uber ride away.
Price: $443 per night
A version of this article was previously published on October 23, 2014, and was updated on March 15, 2021, with more information.
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The 7 most important wine regions in Mexico and how to see them for yourself
Some people might be surprised to learn that Mexico has a thriving wine industry. But for 500 years, winemakers in Mexico have adapted to an often inhospitable climate for fragile vines to produce wine that is finally gaining international recognition. Despite the fact that Spanish colonizers planted the first vitis vinifera vines in Mexico in 1521, the country is still considered a wine region on the rise — one that wine connoisseurs are watching closely.
The presence of wine in Mexico can be traced back to Hernan Cortez, the governor of what was then known as New Spain, who authorized colonists to plant “1,000 grape vines for every 100 indigenous workers they had,” Oscar Salazar, the wine director at The Cape hotel in Cabo San Lucas tells me. But the expansion of Mexican vineyards abruptly came to a halt in 1595, when King Phillip II of Spain ordered the “mass destruction of all vineyards in Mexico, because they became a commercial threat to Spanish wines.” The only people in Mexico permitted to make wine from that point forward were monks, who did so for religious and ceremonial purposes. In fact, a missionary named Junípero Serra was responsible for bringing grape vines from Baja California (Mexico’s largest wine region today) to what is now San Diego in Southern California in the 18th century.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that Mexican wine began to focus on quality. Before that, Salazar says that winemakers were focused on imitating other wine regions, like California or Italy. But in recent years, winemakers in Mexico have learned to “respect the soil and climate characteristics of each region,” playing with both modern and ancient wine production techniques.
Today, winemakers recognize that one benefit of the climate in Mexico is that, although hot, it’s also arid, meaning it doesn’t get humid — a climate characteristic to which grapevines are particularly averse. And modern vineyards tend to be located at altitudes as high as 7,400 feet above sea level (by comparison the highest elevation winery in California rests at 6,750 feet above sea level), where the air is cooler at night. But because the land is so dry, vineyards also require extensive irrigation.
Winery growth has been slow and steady in Mexico, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Wine Enthusiast reported that in 2006, there were only 25 commercial vineyards total in Mexico. Today, there are more than 100 wineries in Baja California’s Guadalupe Valley alone.
Mexico doesn’t have the traditional wine appellations that define wine regions in places like California, but that’s actually a positive because without laws and regulations about where certain grapes are grown and how the resulting wine is produced, wine makers are allowed to be more experimental. For instance, to combat issues like warming temperatures due to climate change, winemakers are planting vineyards at higher elevations, where the climate is cooler.
“We’ve also been seeing more organic and biodynamic farming, which tries to preserve the natural wine as much as possible, with no additive or chemical compounds that could interfere with flavor,” Salazar says. “The idea is to let the soil and terroir express itself completely.” He adds that natural wines and orange wines are beginning to pop up in places like the Guadalupe Valley and Guanajuato, a relatively new Mexican wine region.
When travel is once again safe, an outcome that might be on the horizon as vaccines become more widely available, a trip to Mexican wine country should be a top priority for travelers who not only want to expand their wine palate but who might be bored with the ubiquitousness of wine regions like Napa and Sonoma. For the adventurous wine connoisseur, Mexico isn’t uncharted territory exactly, but it’s still not quite the well traversed terrain of California. There is so much to be discovered, tasted, and toured in this still-growing country when it comes to wine. Here are the seven most important wine regions in Mexico, and what to try in each one.
1. Baja California
Photo: Priscilia Salinas/Shutterstock
Vineyards weren’t planted in Baja California until 1683, but according to Wine Folly, about 85 percent of Mexico’s wine production happens here today. The Mediterrean climate is hospitable to reds like cabernet sauvignon and merlot, as well sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. There are several important wine producing sub-regions within Baja California, including the Guadalupe Valley, Santo Tomas, and San Jacinto.
“The Guadalupe Valley is the most well-known for its wine tours,” says Salazar. “Ensenada, in the Guadalupe Valley, is currently the most popular [among tourists] due to its proximity to San Diego and Los Angeles.”
Salazar recommends visiting El Cielo, Adobe Guadalupe, and Roganto wineries, which focus on red blends aged in wood barrels, but there are over 100 wineries in the Guadalupe Valley to choose from. At just 70 miles from San Diego, it would only take two hours to drive there. If you don’t have your own transportation, Salazar recommends renting a car in Ensenada and Tijuana in order to fully enjoy all of the Guadalupe Valley.
2. SonoraSonora is the other northern wine region in Mexico, but in terms of wine production it doesn’t hold a candle to Baja California. Sonora has two main grape growing sub-regions: Hermosillo and Caborca. Grapes grown in Caborca are mostly turned into raisins and exported, while those from Hermosillo are used in the production of brandy. However, there are several notable wineries in the region, including Uvas de Altura, Sonora’s first vineyard. The winery is surrounded by Sierra de Los Ajos, Sierra de San José, Sierra La Mariquita, and Sierra Vista, which inspired the name of the wine, Cuatro Sierras.
3. Coahuila
Photo: Antonio Ojeda/Shutterstock
Coahuila’s claim to fame is that it’s home to the oldest continuously operating winery in the Americas, Casa Madero, which opened in 1597, and is located in one of Coahuila’s most legendary sub-regions, Valle de Parras. Salazar says it also produces some of the best wine in the country, thanks to its unique landscape.
“There are many varietals planted here since there are different microclimates,” he explains. “The wineries are surrounded by mountains, creating valleys.”
Salazar is especially impressed with the pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, and Bordeaux blends produced in Coahuila at wineries like Don Leo and Hacienda Encinillas in particular, which owes its high quality wines to “arcillo gravoso,” clay soil on the vineyard.
“Encinillas wines are stored in French oak barrels and aged in underground caverns,” he adds. “They are committed to respecting nature, avoiding alterations to the ecology of the terrain.”
4. Aguascalientes
Photo: FERNANDO MACIAS ROMO/Shutterstock
Located in the desert, Aguascalientes is one of the smallest wine producing regions in Mexico. Like Sonora, most of the grapes are not transformed into wine, but rather table grapes, raisins, or brandy. However, Aguascalientes has been producing wine since at least the late 1500s, but at that point only monks were permitted to produce wine. Today, only 25 percent of Aguascalientes grapes go toward wine production. According to Uncorked Mexico, one standout wine variety produced there is nebbiolo from “vines transplanted from the Valle de Guadalupe.”
5. Querétaro
Photo: Omaly Darcia/Shutterstock
This region extends over 30 miles, from San Juan del Río to Bernal, and specializes in white wines.
“Querétaro is one of the southernmost wine regions in the country, and is able to produce wine because of its altitude of over 6,500 feet,” Salazar tells me. “White varietals like macabeo and chardonnay are commonly planted in this area. Querétaro is also known for its sparkling wine.”
Querétaro is also home to “la ruta del queso y el vino” — the route of cheese and wine. The Mexican company Viajes y Tourismo offers extensive tours of the route ranging from five to seven hours long that focus on wine and cheese pairings, and hot-air balloon flights.
6. ZacatecasThis region is home to some of the highest elevation wineries in the country, most of which are located at 7,500 feet above sea level. Wine grows in the Ojo Caliente and Valle de la Macarena regions of Zacatecas, but you’ll only find a few small wineries in Zacatecas, the most notable of which might be Tierra Adentro — the “Mexican wine of altitude.”
7. DurangoThe wine producing region in Durango is called La Laguna, which also crosses Coahuila. Durango mainly produces dessert wines and brandies with the grapes that grow there; only about 25 percent of the grapes grown in this region are used in wine production.
The post The 7 most important wine regions in Mexico and how to see them for yourself appeared first on Matador Network.
Spain will trial a four-day workweek
A four-day workweek comes around a few times a year, and it’s always met with a sigh of relief. Spain wants to make that sigh permanent by trialing a pilot program for the idea. Leftwing Spanish political party Más País proposed the idea earlier this year and announced that the government had accepted the proposal.
According to The Guardian, President of Más País Íñigo Errejón said, “Spain is one of the countries where workers put in more hours than the European average. But we’re not among the most productive countries. I maintain that working more hours does not mean working better.”
The details of the trial program haven’t been figured out yet, but the party proposed a three-year project that would allow companies to trial reduced hours with minimal risk. The government would cover 100 percent of company costs for the first year, 50 percent for the second year, and 33 percent for the third year as they adjust to the new system.
Héctor Tejero, also of Más País, said, “With these figures, we calculate that we could have around 200 companies participate, with a total of anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 workers. The only red lines are that we want to see a true reduction of working hours and no loss of salary or jobs.”
It’s unclear exactly when the pilot program would begin, but it could start as soon as fall, making Spain the first country to undertake such an initiative.
The post Spain may become the first country in the world with a four-day workweek appeared first on Matador Network.
This new bar at the Seattle airport only serves shots
Drinking in the airport has always been about posting up at a bar and classily sipping a cocktail, pretending to be George Clooney from Up in the Air, but because air travel has changed an awful lot in the past year, these days, it’s apparently all about throwing shots. A restaurant at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has just opened a walk-up bar that sells only shots.
Shot Bar is a pop-up experience at the Rel’Lish Burger Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma’s B concourse, serving only liquor in mini red Solo cups. The menu includes Fireball, Hornitos, Crystalino tequila, Ketel One cucumber- and mint-flavored vodka, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, and Brown Sugar Bourbon. Shots will cost $7 each — with a double costing $10 — and will be served underneath a plexiglass barrier.
Photo: Rel’Lish Burger Lounge/Facebook
Kathy Casey, who created the concept, said in a statement, “Limited seats are available for passengers to have a cocktail at the airport due to physical distancing protocols, but the interest from travelers for adult libations remains high. SHOT BAR addresses that in a fun and pioneering way. Plus, there’s nothing more fun than a quick shot to kick off vacation.”
The airport only resumed serving alcohol on February 1 due to COVID-19 precautions.
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