Matador Network's Blog, page 76
December 26, 2024
This Island Resort Offers Secluded Serenity Near the ‘Narrowest Place on Earth’
Fifty miles east of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas that locals refer to simply as “the city,” lies Eleuthera, a slim island 110 miles long and under 1 mile wide at parts. Only about about 11,000 people live on the stretch of land that gets its name from the Greek word for freedom.
Arriving on the island via a 40-minute flight from Miami gave me a taste of what was to come. North Eleuthera Airport is the smallest airport I’ve ever encountered, possessing only a few narrow rooms inside. The security area is the size of a hallway, and the customs area is the size of a bathroom with a line that stretches outside. Eleuthera is not a year-round tourism hub like Nassau while still being accessible for travelers from the United States, and that’s precisely its charm.
View of the villas at The Cove on Eleuthera. Photo: Keven Gungor
The Cove, a 25-minute drive away from the airport, shares this sense of isolation among paradise. The recently renovated resort has just under 30 units, keeping the area consistently tranquil. The Caribbean is a popular getaway for people based in South Florida like me. The pristine beaches and culture are a couple of hours by plane away, and I’ve been to more islands than I can count. Still, I’ve never had an experience quite like the one on Eleuthera, where The Cove offers a novel respite. The property and island are ideal for visitors who want to visit the Caribbean without staying in revolving door resorts or being limited to overcrowded cruise ports.
We hope you love the stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Book NowRooms at The Cove
King suite at The Cove. Photo: Keven Gungor
Photo: Keven Gungor
Photo: Keven GungorGuests can choose between junior or king suites (between $1,500 to $2,000 per night), or larger villas (between $4,000 and $6,000 per night). Sporting a king bed, the suites are best for solo travelers or couples, while the beachfront villas are intended for families or groups of friends up to six guests. Most of these stand-alone bungalows are beachfront, with a delightful view of the Caribbean azure from bed.
Private pool at one of the villas at The Cove. Photo: Keven Gungor
The 750-to-950-square-foot suites include perks like private patios and soaking tubs, while 1,100-3,500-square-foot villas offer a spacious living area, outdoor showers, and a few even have private heated pools. The bathrooms inside make you feel like you’re in a chic spa with mosaic tiles, rain showerheads, and plush robes and slippers.
Things to do at The Cove and on Eleuthera
View from the king suite patio. Photo: Keven Gungor
The majority of the bungalows at The Cove have beachfront patios so you can stroll right out of bed to walk on white sands or take a dip in the turquoise Caribbean waters. Snorkeling equipment is conveniently left on deck to allow guests to explore tropical life underwater as they please. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot turtles among an array of sea stars and colorful fish.
Committed to sustainability efforts, The Cove has partnered with the Reef Rescue Network to support coral restoration in the region. Guests can learn more about this initiative through a guided snorkel tour at the property. A portion of revenues is donated straight to the RRN to fund these restoration efforts.
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If you’re sunburnt and need a chill session out of the sun, the resort has you covered at the spa and fitness center. Spa treatments include body wraps, massages, and body scrubs. A few doors down, you can join a yoga session to start your morning fresh or to finish your day with the sunset behind you.
The property offers complimentary activities like kayaking and paddleboarding to keep you busy on the water. Or embrace the beach bum lifestyle on floating hammocks can can be rented for $150 an hour.
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For guests seeking more adventure, The Cove’s concierges can coordinate off-site activities like deep sea fishing ($1,300 to $1,800), horseback riding ($100), and private snorkeling tours ($80).
Photos: Keven Gungor
The water is a clear draw that brings many people to the region, but my personal favorite part of my recent visit was exploring Eleuthera on land during a tour set up by The Cove. It was one part natural adventure and one part history of the island with stops at places like Preacher’s Cave, where passengers took refuge in 1648 after a shipwreck. Human history here dates back centuries earlier to the Indigenous Lucayan people who inhabited what is now the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Glass Window Bridge was another highlight on the guided tour. The eerie spot is on the Bight of Eleuthera, which separates the chaotic deep blue seas of the Atlantic Ocean from the calm and clear Caribbean waters on the other side. It’s referred to as the narrowest place on Earth, and is indeed at least the narrowest point on the island.
Where to eat and drink at The CoveView this post on InstagramA post shared by The Cove Eleuthera (@thecove_eleuthera)
Atop a hill between the property’s two sand coves lies an infinity pool with a killer view. Behind this pool, guests can enjoy an outdoor brunch at Gregory Town Grill, or catch sunset cocktails at the open-air Point Bar and dine indoors at Freedom Restaurant. The latter includes an intimate 5-seat sushi bar experience and other delicious Asian-inspired seafood plates. For groups seeking an intimate meal, the property can prepare a private dinner right on the beach.
How to get to Eleuthera and The Cove
Photo: Keven Gungor
Eleuthera’s two local airports (North Eleuthera and Governor’s Harbour) are served by daily direct flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Atlanta. Visitors can also fly in from Nassau if they wish to stop at multiple islands in the Bahamas. Once there, car services and taxis can be arranged through the hotel. 
The Steepest Cable Car in the World Just Opened at a Swiss Ski Resort
In Switzerland, a ski resort just unveiled something completely new in time for winter European ski trips: the opening of the steepest cable car in the world. It has a gradient of 159.4 percent, making it the steepest of its kind (though it hasn’t yet been officially acknowledged by Guinness World Records).
On December 14, 2024, Switzerland unveiled the engineering marvel. It connects Stechelberg (a small village in a valley in the Bernese Alps) to Mürren, a car-free village and base area for the Mürren-Schilthorn ski area. The cable car gains 2,542 feet (775 meters) of elevation over a distance of 3,017 feet, or 1,194 meters. The short trip takes just four minutes, and each of the two cars can hold 85 people — meaning it can carry 800 people up every hour. The cable car is totally autonomous, operating without any staff on board.
Currently, Norway’s Loen Skylift holds the record for the world’s steepest cable car, with a maximum gradient of 60 percent. But if the developers of the new project are correct, that’ll change as soon as the Guinness World Records team confirms the Swiss cable car’s superlative.
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The cable car is part of a larger “SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX” project, designed to make it easier and quicker to reach the Schilthorn Summit, 6,670 feet above the town of Stechelberg. The Stechelberg-Mürren cable car is one of two that opened on the same day, though the middle leg of the trip (from Mürren to Birg) is far less steep. However, it does operate at extremely high elevations, and uses unique technology to ensure it’s stable and smooth, even in extremely high wind.
It’s referred to as a “funifor” (a portmanteau of “funicular” and “funivia;” the latter means “cableway” in Italian) and is made up of two entirely separate systems, so one cable car can be stopped while the other one runs. Each has two ropes, or cables: one to keep it on a straight, tight track, and the other that rotates to move the cabins. That makes it far more stable than systems in which the cars hang from just one moving cable.
One of two lines between Mürren and Birg is finished, with the other expected by November 2025. The final segment of the Swiss cable car project (between Birg and Schilthorn Summit) will begin operations in March 2025, and be fully completed by spring 2026. Prior to the project, the trip from Stechelberg to the summit took 32 minutes and involved three connections; now, only two connections are required, and the total travel time will be 22 minutes. The new technology also allows the cars to operate in extremely windy, snowy, and intense conditions, meaning closures due to winter storms will likely be a thing of the past.
Photo: Schlithorn Piz Gloria/Marco Zurschmiede
One of its most famous draws at the summit is the Piz Gloria, a revolving restaurant that became famous as the primary filming location for the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The restaurant rotates 360 degrees, allowing visitors to enjoy unparalleled views of the Swiss Alps, including famous peaks like Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, and even Mont Blanc, on a clear day. The summit also houses Bond World 007, an interactive exhibit dedicated to the film, showcasing props, memorabilia, and visuals of iconic scenes. There’s also the “007 Walk of Fame,” where actors and crew involved in the film have left their handprints and signatures, including James Bond himself (actor George Lazenby).
Guests who don’t want to go all the way to the summit can also stop at Birg, the second station, and check out the Thrill Walk. It’s a free suspended walkway with a glass floor and crawl-through open tunnel, offering views of the mountains from hundreds of feet above the ground. It’s worth exploring if you’re keen to see the views but aren’t ready to take on the region’s more active via ferrata climb.
The walk/crawl-through tunnel at the Thrill Walk in Birg. Photo: Jungfrau Region Tourism
In the winter, skiing is the big draw, and the Mürren-Schilthorn winter sports area has about 30 miles (50 km) of trails. There’s only one trail off the Schilthorn Summit, however. It’s a an expert route called “the Inferno,” and is the starting point for the longest downhill ski race in the world, held every January. It’s part of the Jungfrau Ski Region program, and ski lift tickets (including the new Swiss cable cars) start around 79 euros (about $80) per day for adults. Tickets for other transportation throughout the Jungfrau region for activities like sightseeing, hiking, or Mario Kart-style racing are generally more affordable, starting at 19 euros.
December 24, 2024
After a Decade of Trying, I Found the Best Laptop Sleeve for Remote Workers
As a travel editor, I travel quite a lot. It’s a nice perk of the job. But that also means I’m almost always working while traveling, so I always carry my laptop with me. Often, I’ll carry my laptop with me to hotel bars to get in an hour or two of work during happy hour, and I’m used to sitting sideways in airplane seats to use my computer while my fellow travelers are zonked out on a redeye flight. If I have more than half an hour or so available on the road, I’ll usually try to take advantage of it by getting a little work done.
Because of this, I’ve used lots of laptop cases and laptop sleeves. After all, laptops are expensive, and the last thing I want to do is break or damage my computer in the middle of a lengthy trip. I hadn’t yet found one I liked very much, so for the last year or so, I was using a bulky egg-carton style case off Amazon. It wasn’t anything special, but it offered tons of protection.
But recently, I realized I didn’t need extra protection for my laptop — I needed portability. These days, every travel backpack out there has a padded laptop pocket, so having a laptop case with extra padding was overkill, just adding bulk to my bag.
I have my laptop with me no matter where in the world I am. Photo: Suzie Dundas
Enter the Matador Equipment (no relation) Laptop Base Layer. It’s a lightweight, extremely waterproof laptop sleeve that has eliminated bulk in my bag, made it easier to carry my laptop on the go, and even reduced how many laptop accessories I have to carry. It answers the question of how to carry my laptop on occasions when I don’t want to use my giant carry-on backpack, like when I’m sightseeing, walking around a new city, or hanging out with friends at a hotel pool. I can easily throw it in the tiny packable backpack I carry with me for occasions like those (also from Matador Equipment, incidentally).
After a month of testing through multiple airports, cities, and countries, the Laptop Base Layer has become my favorite laptop sleeve. Here’s why, and why it could be a smart upgrade for any remote workers or digital nomads.
We hope you love the gear we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase. However, we only recommend gear we’ve reviewed and use ourselves. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
The Laptop Base Layer has a primary laptop compartment and a smaller pocket for accessories and cords. Photo: Suzie Dundas
The Matador Laptop Base Layer is a laptop case (also called laptop sleeve), with a main pocket for your laptop, plus a smaller zippered pocket for laptop accessories. It fits quite a bit, and I used the small pocket for the laptop charging cube and cord (replacing the separate case I used to carry for the cord to prevent it from getting tangled), as well as a USB adapter, backup phone charger, and a few extra random cords. The handle on the case felt extremely secure, even when I pulled and tugged on it. It holds all my laptop stuff, so I can carry just one thing when walking around with laptop, rather than having to shove the charger and cords and other things I may need into my jacket or random backpack pockets.
Buy Now: $60You probably don’t need a padded laptop case
My bulky and unnecessarily padded old case on top of the slimmer Laptop Base Layer. Photo: Suzie Dundas
The Laptop Base Layer is a thin-ish laptop sleeve, not a bulky foam pad that’s going to fill your backpack. For me, it’s ideal. While traveling with my carry-on backpack, I put my laptop directly into the bag’s padded laptop sleeve, and just toss the Laptop Base Layer somewhere else in my carry-on or checked bag. Once I’ve arrived, I use the Laptop Base Layer to carry my laptop when I don’t feel like using my giant carry-on backpack. It’s easy to carry in a smaller daypack around town, throwing in a beach bag for trips to the the hotel pool, or even carrying to conferences and media events, when I have to attend those. The flap has an adjustable tightness, so it can snuggly fit laptops from 13 to about 15.5 inches with no space to rattle around.
The Laptop Base Layer does have closed-cell PE foam padding to defend against bumps and scratches, which is plenty if you accidentally bump it on an airport terminal chair or it slides off the bed onto the floor. But it’s still not intended to be a crash-proof case. It also weighs next to nothing, making it an extensive upgrade over many of the thicker travel laptop cases I’ve tested in the past.
The pocket is also really helpful. I used to carry a small square-shaped case to hold my laptop charging cube and cord to prevent them from getting tangled loose in my bag. But the Laptop Base Layer pocket holds them securely, and I’ve started using the pocket as my tech pouch, rather than carrying an extra organizer.
Buy Now: $60It’s the most waterproof laptop case I’ve ever tested
I'm not suggesting you leave your laptop outside in the snow -- but if you do, it'll probably be okay. Photo: Suzie Dundas
Water mostly beads off the outer layer, and the small amount that got absorbed didn't make it inside. After 30 minutes in fairly heavy snow, everything inside was dry as can be. Photo: Suzie DundasThe laptop case has two methods for closing it, both of which offer waterproof protection. The fabric is nylon with a waterproof coating, which keeps moisture from seeping in. Mostly, it just rolls or beads off the the top. So your laptop and anything in the inner pocket will stay dry if you get caught in a downpour or are carrying it in snowy and wet conditions.
I mostly used the “fast-access mode,” simply sliding my laptop in the sleeve and flapping closed the Velcro top. But there’s a second method I recommend using when outdoors to protect your laptop from rain, dust, or snow: roll the top closed (like a dry bag), then fold the velcro top down over that. That method of closing has an IPX6 waterproof rating, meaning you can spray it with water from a close distance and everything inside will stay bone dry. Keep in mind that only works for the actual laptop, but the pocket on the front for smaller items isn’t waterproof.
You can close it by rolling the waterproof flap (left) or just by folding the Velcro panel (right). (By the way, this is the same product, but drastically different lighting conditions). Photo: Suzie Dundas
That means you can carry this on ski trips, to the beach, in heavy rain and snow, or even on a tiny boat where it’s likely to get heavily splashed, if you were so inclined. I don’t normally test products in a “worst-case scenario” — for example, I wouldn’t intentionally crash my mountain bike to see if a helmet works — but in this case, I did. I put my MacBook in the Laptop Base Layer, rolled the flap, and sprayed the showerhead on it. The outside of the sleeve absorbed a tiny bit of water, but everything on the inside (including my laptop) is totally dry.
Buy Now: $60The price and warranty
Photo: Suzie Dundas
The Laptop Base Layer is $60. Admittedly, it’s more than my chunky egg carton-style case I was using, but it’s in line with comparable products like the Bellroy Laptop Caddy ($79), the Pelican Adventurer Case ($50), the Thule Subterra MacBook Sleeve ($50), or Native Union laptop sleeves ($50). More luxury products like the Monos Laptop Sleeve are quite a bit pricier, if a bit more stylish. And considering the cost to repair a laptop from water damage (and the income lost from not having a laptop for a week or more), $60 is a pretty good deal, especially for people who regularly travel with their laptops. The Laptop Base Layer comes with a three-year warranty, but seems like it would last a lot longer that.
If you’re at all like me, you’re probably paying more attention every day to the products you buy and how they’re impacting the planet. Matador Equipment is big into sustainability, and has a lifetime repair program, regardless of whether your item is still under warranty. It’s not free, but it means you can get your gear repaired if it breaks even if you’ve had it for years and years (as I hope to).
Buy Now: $60The downsides
The handle makes it really easy to carry, even with just one finger while my hands are full with things like boarding passes, coffee mugs, or other bags. Photo: Suzie Dundas
I’ve been a big fan of this case and already carried it through more than a few scenarios that allowed for quality testing. I left it outside during a rainy season storm in Kenya (not on purpose), carried it on bumpy game drives on safaris, have thrown it in my gym bag, and used it through six airports and several flights, including a redeye flight in which I left it on the floor under the seat in front of me (again, by accident), and my water bottle slowly dripped onto it for at least an hour or two. It’s performed extremely well.
I’ve noticed only two minor annoyances: the Velcro collects quite a bit of fuzz and dog hair, and it only comes in one color. I personally couldn’t care less about the aesthetics, but it’s definitely designed for functionality above all. Also note that it isn’t hugely padded. As I mentioned, that’s a plus for me, but I wouldn’t want to smack it against rock faces or drop it from any kind of height. It’s a travel-friendly laptop sleeve, not drop-proof case. For that, you’ll need something much bulkier, like this chunky plastic case from Amazon.
After Nearly a Decade, a Secret Passage Used by Royals Reopens in Italy
Travelers headed to Italy next year will likely have to content with large crowds due to the Vatican Jubilee year — but there’s also so much new to see in the country in 2025 that it may be worth the crowds.
Florence’s Corridoio Vasari, or Vasari Corridor, is a hidden passageway steeped in history. And as of December 21, it’s open again to the public after a nearly decade-long closure. But there’s a catch if you want to visit: you’ll need a special ticket, and only 650 people are allowed to see it each day.
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The Vasari Corridor is a one-kilometer raised tunnel above the shops that line the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s iconic medieval bridge. It was built by Italian architect Giorgio Vasari in 1565 under the direction of Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici, ruler of Florence, the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, and member of the powerful Medici family. It connected the Uffizi Gallery (the administrative center of Florence at the time) to the Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti), the luxurious estate of the Medicis. It allowed members of the Medici family to move between government buildings and their sprawling palace without having to mingle with the public. The Vasari Corridor was only for the exclusive and secret use of the Medicis — not even their staff were allowed to use it. It even had a balcony overlooking the interior of the Church of Santa Felicita, so the family could privately attend church services.
After the fall of the Medici family, the corridor was repurposed for artistic and cultural use. By the late 19th century, it was used as an extension of the Uffizi Gallery to display selections from the Medici family’s massive art collection. At some point in the 20th century, it was used to display work from the Uffizi’s priceless collection of self-portraits by renowned artists, including Rembrandt, Velázquez, and Raphael. However, it was only open for special visits and limited guided tours.
The Vasari Corridor (left) connects to the Uffizi Gallery (right). Photo: PeterVrabel/Shutterstock
During WWII, the Ponte Vecchio wasn’t damaged by German bombing — but the Uffizi Gallery and Pitti Palace were. Those buildings then sat unused for a while, so the Vasari Corridor did, too. Both buildings were eventually repaired, and the tunnel began to be used again on a limited basis. But in 1993, a terrorist car bombing carried out by the Italian Mafia caused significant damage to the Uffizi and surrounding buildings (and killed five people). That, combined with the fact that the 16th-century tunnel didn’t meet modern-day safety standards, led to it being minimally used, and in 2016, it closed entirely.
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The 2016 closure was due to safety concerns, though the nature of the tunnel means that it could only be updated so much. The project cost about 11 million euros, spent on items like new emergency exits and ramps, LED lighting, and engineering supports to ensure the tunnel’s integrity. All of the self portraits were also removed from the space, and according to Uffizi Gallery officials, it will stay that way, at least for a while. The bare walls and quiet experience of traversing the tunnel will give visitors a sense of what it was like to use it as a Medici, especially compared to the throngs of people, noise, and hectic energy of the Ponte Vecchio shops below.
The secret passage ends at Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens (but you’ll need a separate ticket to access the gardens). Photo: Hungry_herbivore/Shutterstock
Because the Vasari Corridor can’t be brought to modern safety standards entirely (it’s hard to add emergency exits to a tunnel above a river), the number of people who can visit each day is extremely limited. Only 100 people are allowed every hour, divided into groups of 25 every 15 minutes. It’s open to one-way traffic only, serving as an exit to the gallery. Tickets should be purchased in advance online and are 43 euros (about $45) per person. The walk takes about 45 minutes and is led by two museum staffers. However, it’s not a guided tour — the guides are there to keep the entire group together, as walking on one’s own isn’t allowed, even for ticket holders.
At the end of the tunnel, guests are escorted through the Boboli Gardens to the Pitti Palace’s Ammannati Courtyard. From there, visitor with a ticket can re-enter Boboli Gardens. There’s no turning around in the tunnel, so if you leave anything at the Uffizi Gallery’s coatcheck, you’ll need to return to the Uffizi via the usual public roads to reclaim your items. (Walking between the Ammannati Courtyard and the Uffizi takes about 15 minutes).
At 650 people per day, and the Uffizi open only six days a week, that means a maximum of about 203,000 people per year can see the Vasari Corridor. In contrast, the full Uffizi Gallery saw 2.4 million visitors in 2023. So if you’re hoping to walk in the hallowed halls of the Medicis, make your plans as soon as possible.
December 23, 2024
Utah’s Most Stunning Work of Art Lies on the Shores of the Great Salt Lake
The world’s greatest pieces of art aren’t all confined between the walls of museums; some are out in the open for everyone to take in without barriers. That’s the case of Spiral jetty, an artwork by the late artist Robert Smithson that’s located on the shores of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. For over five decades, Spiral Jetty has been widely considered to be the state’s most famous piece of art, as well as the most influential piece of land art in the world, as such it’s just been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
What is Spiral Jetty?
Photo: Charles E Uibel /Shutterstock
Spiral Jetty is a 15-foot-wide and 1,500-foot-long piece of land art created by Robert Smithson and constructed off Rozel Point on the shore of the Great Salt Lake’s North Arm. The immense artwork is a pier-like structure that starts in a straight line and evolves into a counterclockwise coil. It resembles a wizard staff, one that would not look out of place in Gandalf’s hands.
Spiral Jetty was built in 1970 from 6,650 tons of black basalt rock and earth. It is the most well-known piece of land art (AKA earth art) in the world. Land art is art that’s made directly in the landscape and from the landscape by using natural materials such as earth, rocks, wood, sand, etc.
Spiral Jetty is owned by the Dia Art Foundation since 1999, when Nancy Holt, the late artist’s wife donated it.
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While it is his most famous, Spiral Jetty isn’t Smithson’s only piece of land art. He also designed Broken Circle/Spiral Hill (see image above), which as built in 1971 at a sand quarry in Emmen in The Netherlands, and Amarillo Ramp, built in Amarillo, Texas (see image below).
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Of the three pieces of land art created by Smithson, only Spiral Jetty is open to the public and accessible for free every day of the year.
The evolution of Smithson’s land art pieces
Photo: Charles E Uibel/Shutterstock
Unlike other works of art that are kept in carefully controlled environments for their preservation, pieces of land art change with, are dependent on, the landscapes they inhabit.
Amarillo ramp, which was initially built to emerge from an artificial lake is now eroded and sits in a dried-up basin. Broken Circle/Spiral Hill, while still intact, has lost some of its perfectly circular shape due to decades spent in the elements.
In the case of Spiral Jetty, over the course of its existence, it’s been both entirely submerged and visible, depending on the varying water levels of the lake. Since 2002, however, it’s not only out of the water, but far away from the water’s edge because of “drought and water diversion projects,” The UMFA (Utah Museum of Fine Arts) explains. Great Salt Lake experts even use the artwork as a drought level indicator, something that the artist never intended.
Thanks to its new status as a nationally registered historic place, Spiral Jetty, and the environment surrounding it will benefit from public and private efforts to preserve and protect it. (Note that The National Register of Historic Places only includes properties that are at least 50 years of age.)
“We hope the enhanced recognition will dissuade other interventions in the landscape that negatively impact the environment and the lake’s ecology,” says Jordan Carter, curator at the Dia Art Foundation, to Artnet.
How to see Spiral Jetty?Spiral Jetty is located around 2.5 hours by car from Salt Lake City, however, the site is remote and there are no facilities nearby (no bathrooms, no food or drinks venues, no gas stations), so visitors must come prepared. Detailed driving directions are available on the Dia Art Foundation’s website.
Visitors can walk on the artwork, and because it is not covered in water, it is safe and dry. Dia Art Foundation asks from visitors that they apply the Leave No Trace principles during their time at Spiral Jetty: They should not move any rocks, damage any vegetation, or make fire pits, for example.
Things We Love: The Matador Team’s 5 Favorite Pieces of Travel Gear and More This Month
Holiday shopping may be (largely) behind us, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to treat yourself. What’s that bonus good for, anyhow? The below products were the favorites of Matador editors in December, and prove it’s not too late to keep yourself warm this winter, or start thinking about that first big trip in 2025.
We hope you love the gear Matador editors recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase.
Parmi Women’s Explore Jacket and Insulated Headband
Photo courtesy Parmi
Photo courtesy ParmiWhen I look at outerwear, first and foremost, I consider if the jacket will work for all my outdoor sports and daily use. I don’t need a closet packed full of winter gear. I live in a small cottage and simply don’t have space. Nor do I need or want a lot of options. I just want something I can grab regardless of the activity. And that’s what Parmi, a Canadian company based outside of Montreal, is expertly designing and crafting.
I’ve used the Explore Jacket as a layer during a recent ski trip to Tignes, France; I chuck it on for cold morning runs and wear it to the supermarket and even to a friend’s house at the weekend for a bonfire. I love Parmi’s use of the two fabrics; it gives a slightly leather look to the shoulder and hood, which elevates the style. Parmi is also spot on with branding. There are no big splashy labels, and everything from the stitching to the lines of this garment has been thoughtfully (and elegantly) considered. I’m sure this jacket will be a base layer for years of sport to come. -Katie Gavin, Editor
I must also applaud Parmi for this headband. It’s oh-so-chic and not itchy – thanks for the fleece lining. Again, it’s an example of how this brand is crafting gear that is practical but also looks good. The headband comes in a couple of colors. I have one in bottle green, but there’s also a nice brown and cream-patterned version. At the moment, I’m living in this outdoors in Scotland. It keeps my ears warm on runs in below-freezing temperatures, and it’s also great for keeping my hair out of my eyes. – Katie Gavin, Lifestyle Editor
Headband price: $45
Jacket price: $233
Parmi Light Insulated Headband
Matador Equipment FlatPak toiletry bottles and Soap Bar Case
Photo courtesy Matador Equipment
Photo courtesy Soap Bar CaseFor years I’ve been whittling anything disposable out of my travel toiletry bag. Matador Equipment’s FlatPak toiletry bottles and soap case sealed the deal on my fully zero-waste bathroom setup. I got the three-pack of toiletry bottles. Before getting into how effective they are, it’s important to emphasize that they aren’t actual bottles – they’re soft-sided, refillable tubes that are TSA-compliant and can hold just about any liquid or gel you can think of to bring on the road. I use one for face moisturizer, another for shampoo, and the final one for mouthwash. Before getting these, I was using small glass bottles that I bought at a zero-waste store, and while those held the products just fine, they took up a ton of space in my toiletry bag and I was always nervous they would break mid-flight. The FlatPak bottles compress and flex into any available space and are easier to clean. The lids remove for filling, putting them about on par with how easy it was to fill the glass bottles. But they’re far more secure once the lid is on – I’ve yet to have a single issue with them spilling or leaking.
The Matador Equipment Soap Bar Case is similar in that it’s soft-sided and malleable. It replaced a plastic case I’d lug around soap in. It fits a standard-size bar of soap, or a few of the travel-size bars you find in hotel rooms. The ultimate win here is that if I open a bar of soap in a hotel room, I can bring it with me instead of 95 percent of it going to waste after a I check out.
Aside from having a great brand name, Matador Equipment has become a go-to brand for me over the past year because it’s products are dependable and burly, along with being very reasonably priced. – Tim Wenger, Transactional Content editor
FlatPak toiletry bottles: $38
Soap Bar Case: $14
Matador Equipment FlatPak toiletry bottles
Matador Equipment Soap Bar Case
Turtle Fur Wesley yak wool beanie
Photo courtesy Turtle Fur
I was born in and have lived most of my life in the uncontested heart of beanie-wearing country, Colorado. From mountain tops to breweries, it’s impossible to go anywhere in this state without seeing people wearing them. Beanies are an essential part of the mountain lifestyle’s dress code – which makes it unfortunate that I tend to look ridiculous in them. Maybe it’s my oddly-shaped head or awkward build, but of the dozens of beanies I’ve owned over the years I can count on two fingers the number that I felt confident wearing. One is the Wesley yak fur beanie from Turtle Fur. The yak wool is quite breathable and moisture wicking, making it a good companion for ski touring ascents and other such activities.
This breathable, flexible material is what makes it look good on me, too – rather than bleeding to be pulled down so far that it covers my eyebrows just to prevent bunching at the top, it melds to the shape of my head. Even when I fold an inch or so of the bottom over, the beanie still fits well and looks good. I’ve worn it out to happy hour and dinner immediately following a day on the mountain and felt both comfortable and appropriately dressed throughout. Plus, the Wesley is microfleece-lined with 100 percent recycled polyester and super-warm. It’s routinely well below freezing when I walk my dog in the early morn’, but with this beanie on my head and ears hardly notice.
Turtle Fur is a certified B corp and in general a good brand to support if you care about the planet we live on (wool is, in general, far more eco-friendly and circular than new polyester, for example). – Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor
Price: $65
The Modern Melton Wool by ANIÁN
Photo: Morgane Croissant
Photo: Morgane CroissantThe fight against climate change and pollution isn’t limited to traveling by train instead of flying, or using an electric car instead of a gas one for your next road trip. Trying to lead a greener, more sustainable lifestyle means that we need to look more critically at everything we do and everything we purchase, including the clothes we wear. While it’s tedious, before we buy any new garment, we should look at its provenance, its composition, its quality, the conditions in which it was made, and the ethos of the brand that sells it. This is the process I went through before I purchased my Modern Melton Wool shirt by ANIÁN, and I’m glad I took the time to do so.
ANIÁN is a clothing company based in British Columbia, Canada, the province in which I reside. But the brand offers more than proximity to my home. By recycling natural fibers from clothing that would otherwise end up in landfills, and transforming them into new, durable, made-in-Canada garments, ANIÁN is a perfect example of exceptional circular fashion. And by giving its customers the chance to resell their ANIÁN clothes and getting store credit for them, it’s closing the loop once and for all.
While the brand sells t-shirts, hats, jackets, sweaters, and more, it’s shirts that ANIÁN is most famous for. The brand offers a small variety of cuts, styles, materials, and dye-free colors for its shirts, but my personal favorite is the Modern Melton Wool. Made of 80 percent post-consumer recycled wool that is densely woven in the manner of sailors’ peacoats, this shirt is extremely durable and warm; It’s also unbelievably beautiful. The colors are rich and nuanced, the cut is precise, the material is thick and stiff, yet pleasant to wear.
My dark green Modern Melton Wool is the item of clothing I wear the most in fall and winter. I throw it on top of a long-sleeved shirt in the fall, or a merino-wool turtleneck to stay toasty when the temperatures drop further. When I’m in France, my native country, where the weather is much milder than Canada, I pair it with a scarf and use it as a coat. It’s the highest-quality, and prettiest item in my wardrobe, and I hope to keep it for decades to come. – Morgane croissant, deputy editor
Price: $172
More like thisTravelThings We Love: The Matador Team's 8 Favorite Pieces of Travel Gear and More This MonthThis Country Set a New Tourism Record in 2024. Here’s How to Avoid Crowds if You Go.
Japan is one of the oldest countries in the world, or possibly the oldest, depending on how you define “country.” It was founded in 660 BCE, which at least makes it the oldest continuous monarchy in the world. And tourism likely started just a few centuries later, when Buddhist pilgrims from neighboring countries like Korea and China traveled to visit temples and learn from Japanese monks. So the country has had plenty of time to build up its tourism economy.
And now, it’s thriving. Japan just set a new record for international tourism, welcoming more than 33 million visitors so far in 2024, surpassing the previous peak of 31.9 million in 2019. That number doesn’t yet include data from December 2024, which means the final number will likely be several million higher. It’s a far cry from the country’s tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it saw just 4.1 million visitors (in 2020).
Tourism in Japan has been growing steadily since the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: leungchopan/Shutterstcok
The rebound is likely a result of favorite exchange rates and intentional government efforts to welcome international tourists, as well as Japan’s ever-enduring appeal. The country is recognized as being a global tastemaker and driver of modern culture, but still embraces and preserves its historic traditions.
One significant factor in the 2024 tourism boom is the weak yen, making Japan a more affordable destination for many travelers. As of November 2024, 1 USD is worth about 156 yen. In 2016, 1 USD was only worth about 100 yen, meaning that everything from accommodations to food, travel, and experiences within the country have become more affordable for international visitors, especially from the US and Europe. That allows more more budget-conscious visitors to visit, and also makes luxury experiences like high-end ryokan stays and gourmet urban dining more affordable.
Over the last decade, the government has focused on efforts to promote the country as a tourism destination. A “Visit Japan” campaign in the early 2000s kicked off the tourism push, and was followed by infrastructure and procedural shifts to boost tourism. That included easing visa requirements for several nationalities, introducing multilingual signage, and investing in improved travel infrastructure to comfortably accommodate a growing number of tourists. There are now more than 70 flights per day from the US to Japan, and some airlines have already announced additional routes in 2025.
Photo: Richard Whitcombe/Shutterstock
Perhaps because of those successes, multiple locations throughout the country are struggling with the effects of too many visitors. A recent survey showed more than 30 percent of foreign tourists experienced overtourism in Japan while visiting, and Mount Fuji had to institute a permit system to control the number of visitors on the most popular hiking trails. One town even built a wall to block a popular view of Mount Fuji that was attracting so many tourists, it caused congestion in the streets.
The most popular destinations in Japan are perennial favorites, such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Mount Fuji, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima. Fortunately, Japan is so culturally and geographical rich that you can find similar alternatives without the crowds, if you know where to go. Of course, it’s not exactly the same, as every town and city has its own culture and distinct feel. But the destinations below can be good alternatives, especially if you’ve already visited the country once or twice.
Photo: SouthernCrx/Shutterstock
Nara’s historical sites are often crowded, especially given its proximity to Kyoto (it’s about 30 minutes away by train). But Nara is struggling with the impacts of too many people — it’s even impacting the town’s famously friendly deer. Instead, go to Takayama. It has a meticulously preserved old town with traditional wooden buildings, and offers similar historical charms in a more relaxed setting.
Go to Fukuoka, instead of Osaka
Photo: Blanscape/Shutterstock
Osaka is famed for its street food, but it can be overwhelming, especially around popular sites like Osaka Castle. If you’re a foodie traveler, you may find a similar experience in Fukuoka, known for its yatai (street food stalls) and local specialties like tonkotsu ramen. It has an equally vibrant food scene, but generally seems more laid back. If you’re a skier after a food-focused experience, you’ll find that Hokkaido has an ideal blend of epic winter adventure and tons of food- and drink-focused history.
Go to Nikko, instead of Mount Fuji
Photo: Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock
Mount Fuji’s trails are crowded, especially during climbing season — and that’s just the trails. The towns in the area are extremely busy in spring through fall, so if you’re keen to avoid people, go in the middle of winter. Alternatively, a good warm-weather destination in lieu of Mount Fuji is Nikko, about 90 minutes north of Tokyo on the Shinkansen train. Nikko is known for gorgeous landscapes, waterfalls, hiking trails, and tranquil cultural sites like Toshogu Shrine.
Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
Instead of heading to Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost prefecture, head to Atami. Beaches around Okinawa like Kouri Beach and Araha Beach get extremely crowded in the peak of the summer. But Atami, a coastal town south of Tokyo, offers hot springs, early-blooming plum trees, and beaches lined up along the western end of Sagami Bay (as well a host of gorgous beachside resorts). It’s also one of the best scuba diving destinations in Japan.
This Airline Flies to More Countries in the World Than Any Other
The United Nations recognizes a total of 195 countries in the world, and Turkish Airlines seems to be on a mission to fly to them all.
In the past 12 months, the airline has flown to no fewer than 120 countries, and by doing so it set the Guinness World Records title for the “Most Countries Flown to by an Airline”.
While the news was made public on December 20, 2024, the title was received on October 21, 2024, for the 12-month period between September 2023 and September 2024.
According to a press release, Turkish Airlines’s network is even bigger than the 120 countries it visited during the record period; the airline’s network covers 131 countries. This higher number includes “temporarily suspended routes” and the airline’s inaugural flight from Istanbul and Santiago via São Paulo, which took place on December 20, 2024.
In a comment about the record, Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi, explains that while the airline recently obtained the official Guinness World Records title, it’s been been flying to more countries than other airlines for a very long time.
“As the only airline to hold this distinction for over a decade, we proudly showcase the strength of our flight network and reinforce our mission to connect people, cultures, and destinations around the globe,” he says.
While it is very difficult to find accurate statistics on the numbers of countries (as opposed to destinations) that various airlines fly to, it’s worth noting the gap between Turkish Airlines and its competitors is very wide: Air France currently flies to 73 countries, Delta Air Lines flies to 60 countries, and Emirates flies to 77 countries, for example.
Here are all the countries that Turkish Airlines flies to at the time of writing, according to the list available on the airline’s official website. The list contains the name of 117 countries only, instead of the 120 for which it obtained the Guinness World Records title, as routes vary regularly according to many factors, including seasons, geopolitical reasons, and more:
AfghanistanAlgeriaAngolaArgentinaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahrainBangladeshBelgiumBeninBosnia-HerzegovinaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoCameroonChadChileChinaColombiaCroatiaCubaCzechiaD. R. of CongoDenmarkDjiboutiEgyptEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuineaHungaryIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandItalyIvory CoastJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLatviaLebanonLuxembourgMadagascarMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueNepalNigerNigeriaNorth CyprusNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPanamaPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRepublic of the CongoRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudia ArabiaScotlandSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSwedenSwitzerlandTajikistanTanzaniaThailandThe NetherlandsTunisiaTurkmenistanTürkiyeUAE (United Arab Emirates)USA (United States of America)UgandaUK (United Kingdom)UzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamZambia
December 21, 2024
What It’s Like Inside Kuala Lumpur’s Merdeka 118, the 2nd Tallest Building in the World
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ranks in the top 10 when it comes to cities with the most skyscrapers 150 meters (just over 490 feet) or taller. The Petronas Towers have been the city’s crown jewel since the two side-by-side buildings officially opened in 1999 at 452 meters (1,483 feet) tall. The towers, in fact, were the tallest in the world until 2003. However, they now don’t even crack the top 15 tallest buildings. A new building in the city, Merdeka 118, is once again putting Kuala Lumpur near the top of the list.
Merdeka 118 is the second tallest building in the world at 679 meters (2,227 feet), behind only the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The opening ceremony took place on January 10, 2024, after about a decade of construction, though some aspects are yet to open, like a soon-to-come Park Hyatt hotel and a shopping mall. The 18,144 glass panels on the exterior reflect the city. But, of course, the real showstopper is located near the top: two observation decks called the “View at 118” located on floors 115 and 116. On a recent advance preview of Merdeka 118, I didn’t see the very top of the building. Still, the view from just under the top is a thrill.
Photo: Norm Bour
Under the watchful eyes of vigilant security personnel, my vendor-guided tour of the building began in the grand lobby. Stringent security measures were rightfully in place — the tower has become a challenge for “skywalkers,” also called “rooftoppers,” who are daredevils who illegally scale towering structures to capture content for social media. In one case, two Russian climbers evaded security cameras, outmaneuvered guards, and spent more than 30 hours in Merdeka 118 before scaling not only the building but also its 500-foot-plus spire. They performed stunts that would be dangerous even at ground level at the heart-stopping height. Netflix has a documentary on that transgression, Skywalkers: A Love Story, which is worth watching.
The exterior
Photos: Norm Bour
Merdeka 118 is as striking as it is tall with its mirrored facade and distinctive asymmetrical spire. Glass, steel, and high-performance concrete use a triangle pattern that has dips and peaks — visually appealing, but also functional for shade and a reference to traditional Malay art. The dramatic pinnacle serves as more than mere adornment — it symbolizes a pivotal moment in Malaysian history. The spire is off center and designed to emulate the silhouette of Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman raising his hand skyward as he shouted “Merdeka!” (independence) on August 31, 1957, marking Malaysia’s liberation from British rule.
Getting inside
Photo: Norm Bour
My destination was the 92nd floor — as high as I got. But the journey began in an immense lobby. “Immense” barely captures the scale of this vast vestibule, with an upward view that goes on and on. The standalone lobby entrance I used serves exclusively as a gateway to the tower rather than adjoining malls or other buildings.
Photo: Norm Bour
My first stop at floor 76 offered a glimpse into the future home of Park Hyatt’s lobby. The hotel will cover 17 stories with 252 guest rooms and an observation deck. With more floors to go, the views from here were already impressive. To the 92nd floor I went.
Photo: Norm Bour
Here, I found one of those “pictures speak a thousand words” situations. When I visited, the floor was sparse with just a modest café area. That proved to be a benefit, as I could walk 300 degrees and see a wide swath of the landscape. The most impressive view, in my opinion, is from the corner facing the Petronas Towers and the KL Tower, two of the other tallest structures in town.
Photo: Norm BourPhoto: Norm Bour
Photo: Norm Bour
Photo: Norm BourMaking this view available was a construction challenge. The tropical environment meant careful attention to extreme weather conditions with heavy rain and strong winds. An innovative jackhammer technique was needed to align the towering spire.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Merdeka 118 (@merdeka118)
The grandiose visions (and billions of dollars in capital) help developers and city leaders stand out by creating these buildings that seem an insurmountable challenge to built. That will only become more clear as further aspects of Merdeka 118 open, like the hotel and its rooms with ultimate views and the 150,000 square feet mall with space for more than 328 stores. For architecture enthusiasts and lovers of great heights, the view from above the clouds is worth the effort.
December 20, 2024
Here’s Why You Should Start a Timer as Soon as Your Plane Arrives
If you’ve traveled much in the last few years, you’ve probably already realized that airport and airline delays are common. And it seems like airlines are always trying to get out of compensating or paying customers, so much so that the US Department of Transportation (DOT) is trying to mandate that airlines give hotel rooms to delayed passengers, rather than making them sleep on airport floors. But what may surprise some travelers is that a few airlines still do attempt to do some things on time — like getting checked bags to the baggage carousels promptly.
Some airlines are so confident they can deliver your bags on time that they’re willing to pay you (in airline miles) if they don’t. It’s only for domestic flights, and the length of time considered reasonable depends on the airline. That’s why you should set a timer on your phone the second your plane makes contact with the arrival gate, as it’ll help you know exactly when you become eligible for compensation.
While baggage guarantees ensure the airlines will try to get your bags to the luggage carousel in a reasonable amount of time, it doesn’t mean you’ll get there quickly. There’s no guarantee that you won’t sit on the plane for a while at the gate, or have to wait around for an airport train to get to the luggage carousel. In cases like that, your luggage may beat you there, but unfortunately, there’s no way to prove how quickly it did or didn’t get there.
To avoid extensive delays, consider trying to avoid some of the airports known for the worst delays in the US.
If this process is delayed, you could score free miles. Photo: Tyler Olson/Shutterstock
Alaska Airlines: Alaska Airlines offers a rather speedy 20-minute baggage guarantee. If checked bags aren’t at the carousel within 20 minutes of the aircraft’s arrival at the gate, passengers can choose between a $25 discount on a future Alaska Airlines flight or 2,500 Mileage Plan bonus miles. You need to have an Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account, but it’s free to join. To cash in on the guarantee, you have to notify an Alaska Airlines customer service agent at the airport within two hours of your arrival. So make sure to do it as soon as you notice it’s been longer than 20 minutes — you can’t do it after your trip is over.
Delta Airlines: Delta also offers a 20-minute bag guarantee, giving 2,500 SkyMiles to passengers whose bags arrive outside that window. However, Delta gives flyers a bit more time to submit a request. You’ll have up to three days after your flight arrives to file a claim online. Note that you need to be a Delta Airlines SkyMiles member before you travel to file a claim, so make sure you’ve enrolled in the free program before you start your trip, just in case.
No other airlines in the US have a baggage guarantee, but major carriers like United, Southwest, and American Airlines are using new technology to reduce the number of lost and delayed bags. However, if your bag does take an unusually long time to come out (this writer waited two hours for a “priority” checked bag on United earlier this year), you’re not totally without recourse. Most airlines will allow you to contact customer service if you have an especially bad experience, and will sometimes offer a small amount of miles as compensation.
Just remember that the airlines will often blame it on factors outside their control, especially for international destinations or codeshare partners. You’re more likely to get some kind of compensation if you’re a frequent flier. With low competition and only a few airlines operating the vast majority of flights in the US, there’s unfortunately not a lot of incentive for airlines to prioritize customer satisfaction, especially if you’re just a one-time flyer.
Most major airlines do provide compensation if your bag is lost or delayed, and will usually deliver it to your hotel or home, rather than making you return to the airport to claim it.
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