Matador Network's Blog, page 747

World’s largest wildlife sanctuary

The island chain of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic Ocean is the most remote inhabited island in the world. It is located in between Africa and South America, it has no airport, and it’s home to only a few hundred people — but it is a haven to a great variety of species, including tens of millions of seabirds, whales, sharks, and seals, among many others.

Photo: Google Maps

Tristan da Cunha and 270,000 square miles of its waters will soon become a Marine Protection Zone and join the UK’s Blue Belt Programme as the largest no-take zone in the Atlantic, meaning no damaging fishing or other extractive activities will be permitted in the area.

According to London’s Natural History Museum, Tristan da Cunha, an active volcano rising from the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, is “a biodiversity hotspot, and lots of animals and plants that live around Tristan da Cunha are endemic, which means they are not found anywhere else on Earth.”

Photo: maloff/Shutterstock

The people of Tristan da Cunha, who rely on fishing in the area, will be permitted to continue their activities to sustain themselves, but they welcomed the news of the protection of the place they call home.

James Glass, Tristan da Cunha Chief Islander, said, “Our life on Tristan da Cunha has always been based around our relationship with the sea, and that continues today. The Tristan community is deeply committed to conservation: on land, we’ve already declared protected status for more than half our territory. But the sea is our vital resource, for our economy and ultimately for our long-term survival. That’s why we’re fully protecting 90% of our waters — and we’re proud that we can play a key role in preserving the health of the oceans.”

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Dessert salads from the Midwest

The word “salad” typically evokes visions of plump tomatoes and leafy green vegetables. Salads are associated with a healthy lifestyle, freshness, farmers’ markets, and self-discipline. Unless, of course, you’re from the Midwest, in which case salad has another meaning that’s in direct opposition to the above connotation: In this part of America, salad means dessert.

Dessert salads make up an entire segment of American cuisine. Although the dish is enjoyed all across America, it’s especially prevalent in the Midwest and Western regions, especially in states like Utah and Minnesota. These decadent, indulgent dishes feature heaps of canned fruit and mini marshmallows floating in Jell-O or pudding, and they’re often enveloped in Cool Whip. And yet, somehow, Midwesterners have retained the right to call them salads. Make it make sense! Still, it is generally agreed upon that these desserts are so delicious the category doesn’t need to make sense.

“These types of dishes always have cream cheese, whipped topping, or both, and they often combine both sweet and salty flavors, which makes them extremely addictive,” Meggan Hill, the founder of the recipe website Culinary Hill, tells me. “And folks in the heartland are not plagued with food snobbery which might shun certain ingredients like Cool Whip or Miracle Whip.”

The appeal of these dishes for anyone with a sweet tooth is evident from just a quick scan of the ingredients. Putting aside the signature fluffy and creamy sweetness, another important factor in the dessert salad’s staying power at the American dinner table is nostalgia. These dishes are a staple at Thanksgiving spreads and church potlucks alike.

“I grew up eating food like this at home and at parties with relatives and friends,” Hill says. “There is something so comforting about being surrounded by familiar people and food, and that’s what I remember the most about growing up in the Midwest. We can always depend on our family and friends to prepare the meals we know and love. No matter what happens, my mom will always make baked ham and Snickers salad on Christmas morning.”

Here are the 10 best dessert salads from the Midwest and beyond to try at your next family gathering.

1. Ambrosia

Photo: AS Food studio/Shutterstock

This is perhaps the most widely known variety of dessert salad. You’re likely to see bowls piled high with ambrosia behind the deli counter at your local grocery store. As with many other dessert salads, you’ll find canned mandarin oranges, canned pineapple, and Cool Whip on the ingredients list. However, there are several elements of ambrosia that set it apart from other dessert salads: First of all, the fruit is mixed with mini marshmallows. Next, it’s sprinkled with coconut flakes and topped with maraschino cherries.

2. Jell-O fluff

A mainstay at gatherings like church picnics and potlucks, this cottage cheese-based dessert combines any flavor of Jell-O you desire — strawberry is a popular choice — with canned fruit like pineapple and mandarin oranges, as well as Cool Whip. Like many other dessert salads, Jell-O fluff might have become so popular because it requires only packaged, shelf-stable ingredients and a few stirs of a sturdy spoon to put together.

3. Jell-O salad

One close relative of Jell-O fluff is Jell-O salad. The names are sometimes interchangeable, but more often, Jell-O salad refers to an entirely different dessert, in which Jell-O is mixed with Cool Whip, set until it firms into gelatin, is topped with fruit like strawberries or maraschino cherries, and is finally cut into squares. It’s basically a fluffier version of the classic Jell-O cups you remember from childhood.

4. Snickers salad

While other dishes on this list tease around the “dessert” element by downplaying the sweetness with heaps of fruit, Snickers salad gets straight to the point: This decadent treat is flecked with pieces of Snickers. Especially popular in Utah, it combines the candy bar pieces with pudding and chunks of Granny Smith apples for a touch of tart flavor, a crunchy texture, and a pop of bright green and purple color. Like most other dessert salads, all the ingredients are drenched in Cool Whip.

5. Watergate salad

Photo: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

This green dessert goes by many names, including pistachio delight, green fluff, and green goop, but it’s most commonly known as Watergate salad. Regardless of what you call it, the salad is a fluffy combination of pistachio Jell-O, mini marshmallows, crushed pineapple, and a handful of walnuts. The origins of the name are a bit of a mystery. What is known is that the dessert experienced a surge in popularity in the 1970s around the time of the Watergate scandal. Kraft had recently released pistachio flavored Jell-O, and, according to MyRecipes, the company claims that the modern iteration of the dish is based on its original Pistachio-Pineapple Delight. Still, there are other interesting theories as to how this dessert got its name. NPR speculates that it might be a variation on a similar dessert called Watergate cake, which got its name due to all the nuts in the recipe — a reference to the chaos in the White House at the time.

“When I was a little girl we always went to my aunt’s house for the holidays,” Amanda Formaro, the blogger behind Amanda’s Cookin’ wrote in an email. “After dinner the desserts came out, and wow, Aunt Val could really put out a spread! There was homemade chocolate layer cake, fruit tarts, English Trifle, and Watergate salad. I remember my brothers and I fidgeting in line eagerly waiting for mom or dad to put desserts on our plates. All three of us went back for seconds of Watergate salad! To this day, whenever I make green fluff, memories of my childhood holiday dinners come flooding back. I can’t imagine a holiday without it.”

6. Seafoam salad

Not to be confused with its neighbor, Watergate salad, seafoam salad uses Jell-O, not pudding, as its base. And while most other dessert salads that incorporate Jell-O can use any flavor, seafoam salad always uses green Jell-O, as the name suggests. The simple combination of crushed pineapple, lime Jell-O, Cool Whip, and cream cheese can be mixed together and served in a bowl. However, another popular version sets the ingredients in a Jell-O mold and adds canned pears, rather than pineapple, to the mixture.

Inexpensive department stores that sold a variety of household necessities — at the time known as five-and-dime stores, so named because everything cost a nickel — had a hand in popularizing seafoam salad, sometimes also called lime fluff. The dish was a staple at five-and-dime lunch counters like those Woolworth’s.

7. Hawaiian fruit salad

Sometimes called Hawaiian cheesecake salad, this dessert is similar to ambrosia. It differs, however, in that it often contains slices of kiwi, banana, and strawberry alongside the requisite canned fruit. Some recipes combine the fruit with cream cheese and pudding, while others prefer to use yogurt.

8. Glorified rice

This riff on rice pudding frequently appears in Mennonite cookbooks, a branch of Christianity whose American adherents formed communities in Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Indiana. Other theories postulate that glorified rice originated in Minnesota, especially among Lutherans. A book comparing religious traditions by Suzann Nelson & Janet Martin called They Glorified Mary…We Glorified Rice, might reference this iconic recipe.

The key ingredient is Arborio rice, the same Italian variety used in risotto, which is combined with whipped cream, strawberries, pineapple chunks, mini marshmallows, and topped with maraschino cherries.

9. Cookie salad

Similar to Snickers salad, this dessert leans even further away from its misleading moniker by incorporating whole cookies into its recipe. Especially popular in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana, cookie salad gets its creamy, fluffy texture by whipping together buttermilk and vanilla pudding then folding in Cool Whip.

10. Frog eye salad

Especially popular in Utah, Colorado, Idaho, or Wyoming, frog eye salad is technically a sweet pasta salad: The main ingredient is a tiny bead-shaped pasta called acini di pepe. Although the dish is a mainstay at Mormon-affiliated gatherings, frog eye salad has a long history at Lutheran potlucks, too. In this region of America, it’s also a must-have Thanksgiving side dish.

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Geodesic dome rentals in the US

If you’re looking for a more unique rental for your next vacation, give a pass to a cabin or treehouse and opt instead for a geodesic dome. Perfect for architecture enthusiasts — or anyone who wants a funky vacation rental — dome houses are available to rent across the US. We have found a rare mushroom dome in the redwoods of Aptos, California, a chic glamping option in New York’s Catskills, and a few other cool dwellings that you can actually rent out. Here are some of the coolest dome houses in the US.

1. Spaceship-inspired dome in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

Photo: Airbnb

This is the original home of landscape designer Joseph Yacoboni, who built 26 white steel domes in the US. The futuristic rental, which was built to withstand earthquakes and hurricanes, comfortably sleeps six. The three bedrooms are spacious and very unique, but it’s worth reading through the listing in full as the furnishings are vintage and the owners want to manage expectations.

2. Glamping dome in Woodridge, New York

Photo: Airbnb

This very nice glamping option is run by The Outlier Inn, a farm located in Sullivan County in the Catskills, only 90 miles from New York City. They have a range of accommodation options and spaces on the property you can rent — from a full-service recording studio to event and workshop spaces. The farm has greenhouses and a vegetable garden, as well as chickens, sheep, goats, alpacas, two cats, and a dog. It is advised that guests’ dogs will need to stay on a leash.

The glamping dome has a large bed, and extra guests can request to stay too, but they will need to bring a camp bed or cot and bedding and towels. The bathroom is outdoors and includes a double shower, sink, and claw foot bathtub. Cooking can be done in the outdoor kitchen, and there’s also a communal fire pit and grill. The farm owners come across as very welcoming and accommodating to needs, such as prearranged sleepovers.

3. Redwood dome in Cazadero, California

Photo: Airbnb

Built close by the Russian River, which winds its way through Wine Country of Northern California, this one-bed, one-bath dome is an ideal rental on the west coast for a couple or solo traveler. Being minutes away from the river and the Sonoma coastline, guests have access to countless hiking trails and options for outdoor activities on the waterway.

The geodesic dome is on 2.5 acres of private property in the redwoods, which could easily make a vacation here feel like an exclusive retreat — or perhaps a private observatory, as the skylights, outdoor decks, and hydrotherapy hot tub are perfect for stargazing. The spacious living room offers sweeping views of the forest, and for those who are feeling creative, the writing nook in the loft is an idyllic place to get some personal space. The listing does allow for a third guest as the couch is big enough — just note it does not pull out.

4. Geodesic dome near Idyllwild, California

Photo: VRBO

This geodesic dome, built into the hillside in Idyllwild and offering views to the ocean on clear days, is perfect for a group booking. There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms, ample outdoor deck space, and a hot tub. The impressive living room steals attention as its 26-foot ceiling and floor space takes up a third of the dome’s structure.

5. Mountainside dome in Phoenix, Arizona

Photo: Airbnb

This rental is part of a larger development of two domes located at a trailhead to the Phoenix Mountains. Once featured in Life Magazine, the property has rave reviews on Airbnb. Although guests have access to just one of the domes, the huge deck space grants an outlook over the stunning landscape and mountains. The dome is completely private and has a self-check-in and parking. The listing is awarded plus status for its level of hospitality and attention to detail.

6. Mushroom dome in Aptos, California

Photo: Airbnb

This tiny, DIY dome is a very popular listing on Airbnb. Located in the redwoods of Aptos, California, it’s a great place to rent if you want to be close to Santa Cruz or Monterey — but also have peace and seclusion. Built on 10 acres of private land, the dome gives you access to endless hiking options, and at night, it’s an ideal spot for stargazing. The tiny house has an upstairs bedroom with a queen-sized bed, bathroom, and kitchenette.

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Epic ways to see northern lights

The aurora borealis is a beacon for many global travelers who know how to see the northern lights. They are visible from more than 10 countries, almost all of which are located in the Arctic, and can often be observed simply by being in the right place at the right time. In an effort to lure tourists, some tour operators are getting creative in their offerings. Guests can sleep in glass hotels, soak in hot springs, and even stay in hexagonal chalets on rugged mountain peaks. But if you’re looking for the ultimate way to swoon your partner under the lights on your next trip up north, these are the six best ways to see the northern lights.

1. See the northern lights on a towed sled in Iceland

Photo: Kilpissafarit – Kilpisjärvi/Off the Map Travel

How frustrating it can be to spend hours waiting for the northern lights, only to learn that your location is a bit off for the day’s best viewing. Travel company Off The Map decided to ease the pain by offering two mobile methods for the enthusiastic aurora seeker. One method is a moving sled with a cabin on the back that offers a mobile view from underneath the stars of Iceland. Guests can lie down and watch the show from their comfortable and enclosed porch with the ability to move on if it appears the viewing is better farther down trail.

2. Find the northern lights on a rowboat in Sweden

Photo: Off The Map Travel

Another of Off The Map’s vacation options takes travelers off of the land and onto a traditional rowboat on Sweden’s Torne River. Local beverage and snack options onboard add to the ambiance. The experience can be tailored to your needs, and it’s worth looking over other options in Sweden such as Off The Map’s safari camp or the photography tour in Abisko National Park.

3. Catch the northern lights on a reindeer-drawn sleigh in Finland

Photo: The Aurora Zone: Searching for the Northern Lights

Another equally mobile (and strikingly romantic) option is to take a seven-night sleigh ride through the snow-capped hills outside of Harriniva, Finland. Over the course of a week, you’ll snowshoe, eat local cuisine, and spend the evenings chasing down the northern lights. With a full week to spare, you’re bound to catch the perfect view of the lights at least one night.

4. How to see the northern lights with whales in Norway

Photo: Discover the World

How about a bit of whale watching to go with those swirling colors? Discover The World runs four-night trips in both Norway and Iceland that pair adventurous outings that have people whale watching during the day with spending the evenings under the stars and the dancing northern lights.

5. Watch the northern lights with polar bears in Canada

Photo: Canada by Design powered by Discover Holidays

The town of Churchill in Manitoba’s Northeast Corner abuts the massive Hudson Bay. The area is home to polar bears, 300 nights per year of aurora borealis displays, and the wisely trademarked Tundra Buggy — perhaps the most unique vehicle ever built for adventures in the wilderness. This contraption looks like a tour bus mated with a life-size Tonka truck. Despite the awkward appearance, the vehicle comes fully equipped for voyages out into polar bear country where you’ll find incredible views of the northern lights.

6. How to see the northern lights in a hot air balloon

Photo: Off the Map

This experience in Sweden’s Lapland will get you as close to the northern lights as possible. The balloon ride is part of a wild itinerary that will take you above the Arctic Circle and includes a night in a cozy teepee in a remote location in Marsdel and a snowmobile ride.

A version of this article was previously published on April 6, 2018, and was updated on November 13, 2020, with more information.

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Royal Caribbean needs volunteers

If you’re wary of booking a full-fledged cruise for 2021, there’s a great way to dip your toes in the water before making any commitments. Royal Caribbean is looking for volunteers for trial sailings to help test their safety protocols and other procedures before launching real cruises again. They’re looking for volunteers to participate in simulated cruises for their Volunteers of the Seas program.

The program’s page reads, “While we review the requirements proposed by the CDC and consider when we can host our simulated trial sailings, we are gathering information from those who have shown interest. Our priority is to ensure that we can exercise our comprehensive set of measures in a safe and healthy manner while making sure we provide a memorable vacation experience.”

The simulated trial cruises are part of the CDC’s plan for phased resumptions of cruising operations after the agency lifted its “No-Sail” order earlier this month.

A simulated cruise isn’t the same thrill as actually cruising through the Caribbean, but it might be just enough to tide you over until the real thing becomes available.

To apply, you just have to fill out an online form with some personal information.

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Northwest Arkansas moving campaign

While moving to Arkansas may not have been in your five-year plan, there are some offers that one can’t refuse.

The Life Works Here initiative is designed to attract new talents to Northwest Arkansas, and it’s doing so by throwing in $10,000 and either a street or mountain bike to help you more easily explore the area’s many trails. You can even forego the bike and choose an annual membership to one of the region’s cultural institutions instead.

The current accessibility of remote work due to the pandemic is causing a mass exodus from cities in the US, and Northwest Arkansas is keen to capitalize on this trend.

Considered one of the best places to live in the US thanks to its outdoor lifestyle, cost of living, art and cuisine scenes, and per-capita income that’s 14 percent higher than the national average, the area is looking to attract new talents.

To apply, visit Northwest Arkansas’ website and fill out the online form.

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German astronaut bringing local food

When we imagine space food we think of unappetizing, vacuum-sealed bags of dry morsels that are far from gourmet. The reality is a bit more tantalizing. In addition to the standard food provided by NASA, astronauts are able to bring a personal favorite “crew choice meal” into space. German astronaut Matthias Maurer, who is set to depart for the International Space Station in fall 2001, turned his “crew choice meal” into a local food competition that has Saarland chefs vying for the honor.

Maurer’s space mission is tentatively scheduled for September 2021 aboard the SpaceX Crew-3. While in space, Maurer will be expected to consume 3,000 calories per day, two-thirds of which will come from the basic food supply preselected by NASA, and the remaining third coming from his “crew choice meal.” Although typically selected from a range of European, Russian, American, or Japanese options, Maurer was eager to represent his home region of Saarland.

Saarland is the smallest German state by both area and population, and it abuts both France and Luxembourg. Until recently Saarland was not known for its culinary culture, but now it’s one of Germany’s fastest up-and-coming food regions.

“We have, per capita, the highest number of Michelin-starred cooks [in Germany],” Maurer told Matador Network proudly. “We have really good restaurants, and people don’t know it on the outside … so I thought why not start the competition to shine some light on my home region and also get superb food to fly into space?”

The Maurer Menu competition is a contest designed to determine which local two-course meal Maurer will bring into space as his “crew choice meal.” Ten restaurateurs from Saarland submitted their menus online, and on November 7 people voted to decide which three menus reached the finals. On November 21, a jury of experts will choose the winner, to be announced online and on Saarländischer Rundfunk (SR) television.

The three finalists are Seezeitlodge, Borg Tavern, and Wern’s Mill. Seezitlodge’s meal is a game ragout with quince and organic vegetables on a bread terrine with organic mushrooms, and a chocolate brownie with plums and a chocolate cream for dessert. The Borg Tavern’s dish is venison ragout served with a cabbage salad with creamy, bacon dressing and potato dumplings, and cream of potato and Riesling soup for a starter. Wern’s Mill is serving up boudin with a carrot and potato purée, and a salted caramel eclair with plums for dessert.

Having other people select a third of his food for six months in space might sound nerve-wracking, but Maurer is confident that Saarland will come through for him.

“Being in space,” he said, “so remote and away from everything, my family, my friends, I think food is an important factor to keep the morale of the astronauts high.”

Beyond highlighting the region’s food, going to space is also a way for Maurer to set a positive example for those back home. Traditionally a mining region with a heavy steel industry, many Saarlanders work locally and don’t stray too far from home, making Maurer even more of an outlier. An avid traveler, Maurer hopes his space adventure will inspire others to venture beyond their comfort zones.

“I hope it will be a motivation for people in the area,” he said, “to see how someone who comes from a blue-collar origin can make it out of this world and into space.”

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Positive sustainability news

This is The Climate Win, the most positive sustainability news around the world every week.

In July, President-elect Joe Biden released the most ambitious climate agenda ever proposed by a candidate of the two major political parties. Now that Biden is set to take office on January 20, attention shifts to whether or not he follows through.

All indicators point to massive climate action from Biden’s first day in office. After winning the election, Biden’s campaign released its climate change priorities, built around a few quick actions he can take with the stroke of a pen and, in addition, long-term goals and plans.

Biden has pledged to rejoin the Paris Agreement on his first day in office. His climate plan would bring the world “within striking distance” of meeting the accord’s targets, according to a report in The Guardian this week. But he has also pledged a set of major goals and initiatives that address everything from transportation to farming. Of course, it must be approved by Congress and will, in all likelihood, face changes as parts or all of his plan become law.

Let’s dive in.

The energy and automotive industries will become more sustainable

Biden’s campaign built its climate message around job creation and the economy, and appears poised to put the plan into action. Of course, whether or not much of this comes to fruition may depend on the outcome of two senate run-off races in Georgia. Biden’s plan outlines the creation of one million jobs in the auto sector working on everything from EV production to charging station deployment, “positioning American auto workers and manufacturers to win the 21st century.”

If the Democrats win control of the Senate, they will have full power over Congress, and the party has signaled it is ready to rally behind Biden’s plans. If the Democrats do not gain a majority, progress will be slower and likely not as complete. However, it’s important to remember that four years of technological development will take place over the course of Biden’s term. Progress in renewable energy production and storage will continue to develop and scale, making wind and solar energy –already more financially attractive than coal and natural gas — an even better economic bargain.

Development and growth will also proceed in the electric vehicle industry, particularly given that major American auto manufacturers have already signaled that they are preparing for the full electrification of personal vehicles. A Democratic president and House of Representatives, and a Senate with a slim Republican majority, are unlikely to significantly hinder development in these industries or others.

Agriculture, infrastructure, and open spaces will be managed more sustainably, with a focus on environmental justice

Another notable part of the plan is the call for all cities with more than 100,000 residents to develop zero-emissions public transit, and for a focus on public transit and potentially the development of a cross-country, high-speed rail network to be part of a massive infrastructure overhaul.

Biden’s plan also calls for “climate-smart agriculture.” This should include support for government initiatives such as the proposed Agriculture Resilience Act, which calls for reducing carbon emissions in the agriculture sector to net-zero by 2040. Biden also calls for the plugging of old mines and wells and the reclaiming of the land around them.

We noted above that Biden hopes to create one million jobs in bringing this all to fruition. The final section of the plan is focused on environmental justice, by developing “good, union, middle-class jobs” in areas heavily populated by minorities and those disproportionately affected by climate change. With extensive outreach and education campaigns promoting this, Biden’s administration could very well get workers on board, and through their voices, members of Congress.

Even a year ago, the entirety of this plan could have been considered a moonshot at best. But with a public increasingly aware of the impacts of climate change (a recent Pew Research Center study found that two-thirds of Americans think the government should do more to fight climate change), both technological development and an economy that increasingly rewards environmental stewardship, there’s not a section in Biden’s climate plan that isn’t at least partially feasible.

More climate wins

Nevada voters chose to seal renewable energy into the state’s constitution. They passed their state ballot’s Question 6, which mandates that energy utilities must provide at least 50 percent renewable energy by 2030.

Voters in Denver, CO, approved a 0.25 percent sales tax increase to fund environmental initiatives throughout the city. The increase was approved by City Council members earlier this year and was largely expected to gain the approval of voters. If it’s successful following its enactment in January 2021, the measure could encourage other major cities to pose a similar question to their own voters and to provide a road map of how to make it work.

Voters in several states and individual cities around the country passed ballot measures that would increase funding for public transit. In Virginia, voters elected to issue $160 million in bonds to fund maintenance on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and Austin, Texas, voters opted to fund the development of high-speed public transit around the metro area in a project known as “Project Connect.”

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Costa Rica launches Pura Vida Pledge

Costa Rica — long a destination for climate-conscious travelers due to its abundance of eco-resorts, amazing wildlife, lush protected areas, and vibrant coastlines — is upping its environmental commitment.

Now that its borders are open to foreigners, Costa Rica wants you, the traveler, to help. The country is on a mission to become fully carbon-neutral, and part of that quest involves addressing the massive footprint of international travelers arriving in their country and moving within it.

As such, Costa Rica is making a simple ask of travelers — offset the carbon footprint of your trip. Through a new initiative dubbed the Pura Vida Pledge, travelers can calculate the total emissions of their travel and make a donation that will be put to work removing that carbon from the atmosphere. According to a press release from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, “if only 10 percent of the tourist emissions calculated were offset (476,541), an annual benefit of $3,574,063 would be achieved. This could fund the planting of more than 1.5 million trees, or support agroforestry systems in some 34,500+ acres.”

The country was recognized by the United Nations as a Champion of the Earth in 2019 for its commitment to sustainability, and this pledge is the latest step in the country’s ongoing efforts.

The process of actually offsetting your travel is simple. First, identify how much you owe using the online calculator. Then, make an offset donation through the site intended to remove the carbon emissions from your trip through projects like tree planting and renewable energy development. The best part is that it doesn’t cost much to offset your travels. A round-trip flight from Denver, Colorado, to San Juan, Costa Rica, for example, produces 1.58 tons of CO2 according to the calculator. To offset this, you’d need to donate $11.85. Add in a few dollars for ground transport and power consumption at your lodging properties (unless they’re powered by renewables, of which half the country already is), and you’re looking at a total requested donation of about $15 for a one-week trip.

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Glass-bottom boat tours in N America

Cruise ships may offer epic buffet spreads and rooftop water slides, but they’ll never allow you to get up close and personal with, well, anything — especially coral reefs and the diverse ecosystems that thrive within them. The best way to experience sea life and reefs, sans SCUBA certification, is via one of mankind’s most brilliant ideas: the glass-bottomed boat. By removing the visual barrier between passenger and native sea life, glass-bottomed boats provide an overhead experience unmatched by any that keep you so dry and warm. These are the most unique such tours in North America.

1. Sharkey’s Glass Bottom Tours — Madeira Beach, Florida

Photo: Sharkey’s Glass Bottom Tours

Sharkey’s Glass Bottom Tours offers one of the most unique experiences you’ll ever have on the water: an LED-illuminated nighttime tour in a glass-bottom kayak. As you paddle the waters offshore of Florida’s west coast, you’ll have the chance to feed the fish by hand and view species like crab and shrimp that are aplenty in the waters near Tampa and St. Petersburg. The 1-1.5 hour tours ($50 per person) also allow you to get a bit of exercise while sightseeing and are the only nighttime sealife-watching experience in the area. And because Sharkey’s developed its own lighting system for the boats, it may be the most unique such offering anywhere in the world.

2. Key Largo Princess — Key Largo, Florida

Photo: Key Largo Princess

Coral reefs look better from above. The Key Largo Princess is all the proof you need. A two-hour tour on the boat ($40 for adults, $15 for kids when booked online) takes cocktail-wielding cruisers 45 minutes offshore to view hundreds of types of fish and living coral that surrounds Key Largo. The area is known for marlin, wahoo, dolphins, barracuda, and more, but it’s the beautifully preserved reefs that steal the show on the Princess. Weather permitting, you may even catch a glimpse of wreckage that — like the fish themselves — would go totally unnoticed from the sixth floor of a cruise liner.

3. Safe Tours Cozumel VIP Glass Bottom Boat “Cubana” and Snorkeling — Cozumel, Mexico

Photo: CT Johnson/Shutterstock

Safe Tours Cozumel escorts you aboard its glass-bottomed ship, the Cubana, across three coral reefs to check out the sea life of Cozumel’s Marine Park, and then puts you even closer to it with a snorkeling experience. The Marine Park circles the southern part of the island, known as Punta Sur, and is home to more than 200 types of fish including eels, groupers, and a rainbow of smaller fish. Keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles, as well. The tour costs $29.99 for adults and $19.99 for kids when booked online. And to top it all off, the tour includes free beer once you’ve finished snorkeling. Now that’s worthy of a toast.

4. Kona Glass Bottom Boat — Kona, Hawaii

Photo: Shin Okamoto/Shutterstock

Captain Ralph Jewell hand-built his ship the Marian and staffs local naturalists to properly explain to his guests what they are seeing as the glass-bottomed boat cruises the reef surrounding Kona. Kona Glass Bottom Boat puts you close to rays, dolphins, and many types of fish in the turquoise Pacific waters off the coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Guests frequently spot pods of dolphins swimming and jumping near the boat, an experience that is often more of an attraction than the glass peephole itself. There’s no better place to witness firsthand the fact that when it comes to cutting loose and having fun with the crew, no species does it better.

5. Catalina Island Glass Bottom Boat Voyage — Catalina Island, California

Photo: Jim Agronick/Shutterstock

Off the California coast near Los Angeles, Catalina Island is an easy getaway for southern Californians and visitors to the area. This trip heads into the romantic Lover’s Cove Marine Preserve to glimpse the thriving marine ecosystem that surrounds the island — the experience feels a world away from the hectic congestion back on the mainland. The tour lasts 40 minutes and costs $19.99 per person.

6. Lost Sea Adventure — Sweetwater, Tennessee

Photo: gracious_tiger/Shutterstock

You may have done a double-take reading that this tour is in Tennessee. In addition to being in a landlocked state, the Lost Sea Adventure is the most unique glass-bottomed boat tour on this list as the boat tour is only part of the adventure. The full tour, which lasts an hour and 15 minutes and costs $22.95 for adults, $13.95 for kids, guides visitors through a series of underground caverns and to a hidden lake — the “Lost Sea” — that lies 14 stories below Earth’s surface. You won’t be eyeing brightly colored tropical fish on this tour, but you will see some eerie underground life that you won’t find anywhere else.

7. Blue Heron Cruises — Tobermory, Ontario, Canada

Photo: Blue Heron Cruises

This scenic glass-bottomed boat tour passes Devil Island and two 19th-century shipwrecks, as well as Cove Island and the Otter Islands. You’ll see Big Tub Lighthouse, among the most iconic on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. When you’ve had your fill of viewing marine life, head upstairs to the open-air roof deck and gaze out at the deep blue of Lake Huron or back towards the dancing pines on land. The tour lasts 90 minutes and is offered from July to early September, weather permitting. Adult tickets run about $50; kids run about $40.

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