Matador Network's Blog, page 766

Map compares US states to countries

It can be difficult to conceptualize just how populated the United States really is. Many US states are more populous than some countries, and that doesn’t just apply to the high-population states we might commonly think of, like California, Texas, and Florida. Even the sparsely-populated states in the nation are home to as many people as some entire countries.

Photo: /Reddit

Reddit user Landmarker1YT created a map that makes it easy to visualize which states are comparable, population-wise, to some countries. California is similar in population to Iraq, Texas is comparable to Venezuela, and all of Chile could be contained within New York. What might be more surprising, however, is that Nebraska has roughly the same population as Latvia, and Pennsylvania alone is the same size as Rwanda.

Coming to terms with the sheer size of our population can help us understand one of the reasons why it is so hard for us all to remain undivided. Maps like these make it obvious that we’re more like 50 countries all sharing a continent, rather than 50 states all unified under one culture, background, and set of values.

More like thisCulture6 places where you can be in two countries at once

The post This map of the US compares state populations to that of world countries appeared first on Matador Network.

Warm winter LGBTQ travel spots

If COVID-19 stole your summer dream of dancing to Chromatica in a beachside cabana, welcome to the club. According to data recently collected by Lending Tree, nearly 75 percent of Americans opted out of vacations this past season, and almost half of working people didn’t use their paid time off.

Now, as summertime haunts like Fire Island and Provincetown plunge into winter, what’s a queer beach bum to do? The answer is easy: Start planning your cold-weather escape route. We all could use a little leisure trip after surviving this dumpster fire of a year.

While the options for traveling Americans won’t be as plentiful as usual this winter, there’s still a surplus of warm-weather destinations where you can live out those deferred summer fantasies. Each of these LGBTQ-friendly, snow-free retreats is either within the United States or currently welcomes American visitors. From Pacific Coast jungles to sandy Atlantic shores, a trip to one of these hot spots is sure to give you the summer vacation you deserve — even if the trip is a few months behind schedule.

Remember: The health crisis is on-going and continues to shape international travel. Be sure to stay up-to-date with advisories from the CDC, plan your trip accordingly, and mask up.

1. Key West, Florida

Photo: GagliardiPhotography/Shutterstock

The southernmost point in the contiguous 48 United States has a long history of being a haven for LGBTQ Americans. Gay playwright Tennessee Williams called the island home from the 1940s until his death nearly four decades later. In 1983, the city became one of the nation’s first to elect an openly gay mayor, Richard A. Heyman. When HIV-positive advocate and artist JT Thomas began distributing stickers saying “One Human Family” to local businesses in 2000, it only took the city several months to adopt the motto as its official philosophy.

Today, Key West continues its tradition as a queer mecca with a vibrant nightlife scene (located on Duval Street between Angela and Petronia Streets) and a healthy helping of queer resorts. Island House is a cruisy gay haunt, Southernmost Inn is lesbian-owned, and Alexander’s Guesthouse is an all-adults-are-welcome hotel in a renovated mansion from the 1800s.

Being queer isn’t a pre-requisite for enjoying Key West, mind you. This Caribbean-style town is ideal for anyone into drinking rum, exploring coral reefs, biking around pastel houses from the colonial era, or enjoying an epic sunset. It’s the closest an American can get to paradise from the comfort of their car.

2. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Photo: Izabela23/Shutterstock

Every winter, cold weather in the United States spurs a gay migration to Puerto Vallarta — the Mexican land of perpetual sun and speedos. Known as the country’s queer capital, finding an LGBTQ-centric bar or business is easy while walking the cobblestone streets of Zona Romantica (Old Town). There’s practically a new set of gay clubs, quirky boutiques, and trendy cafes waiting around every corner.

But this season, the focus shouldn’t be on spending time indoors. Sandwiched between the glittering Bay of Banderas and the verdant Sierra Madres, Puerto Vallarta boasts a treasure trove of outdoor activities that delight in the area’s balmy weather. For Vitamin-D addicts, head to the southern end of Playa de los Muertos. Here, you’ll find gay sunbathers along a strip of sand known for the iconic “Blue Chairs” put out by an LGBTQ hotel with the same name. If you’re looking for something swanky, check out Mantamar Beach Club and sip cocktails in the seaside infinity pools. The hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Playa de Las Animas offers a more secluded coastal experience and passes by a series of hidden coves that are ideal for snorkeling. If none of that suits you, there’s nothing wrong with downing dirt-cheap margaritas from your hotel bar. Tequila comes from its eponymous hometown nearby, so on top of drowning your 2020 sorrows, you’re supporting the local economy. Win, win!

More like thisCOVID-19Everything Americans need to know about traveling to Mexico right now
3. San Juan, Puerto Rico

Photo: fldlcc/Shutterstock

Puerto Rico is king when it comes to queer life in the Caribbean, and San Juan is the crowning jewel. Cabo Rojo and nearby Vieques also sport significant LGBTQ populations, but neither has the diversity of offerings as the island’s capital city.

The majority of San Juan’s gay bars are split between the hipster haven of Santurce and the glitzy streets of Condado. You can sip brews next to the beach at Oasis, dance till dawn at Circo, check out the go-go boys at SX, or challenge the locals to a game of pool at Tía María Liquor Store. For lodging, rest your head at Coqui del Mar — a gay owned-and-operated hotel close to Ocean Park Playa, the gay beach frequented by locals. If you want to meet LGBTQ tourists, Atlantic Beach (located in front of the Atlantic Beach Hotel in Condado) is the place to see and be seen.

San Juan is about more than downing mojitos and cruising by the beach, however. With an old town predating the Mayflower’s arrival in Massachusetts, street art and culinary scenes that rival Brooklyn, and access to outdoor excursions in the jungles of El Yunque National Forest, seeing Puerto Rico’s capital city should be a bucket-list priority for any American traveler. The island feels worlds away from mainland America, and you don’t even need a passport to get there.

4. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Photo: UlyssePixel/Shutterstock

Costa Rica, which finally legalized same-sex marriage this past May, is the most LGBTQ-friendly nation in Central America. While the capital city of San Juan is the epicenter of queer life, it’s the idyllic tourist town of Manuel Antonio that makes a winter trip worthwhile.

Located on a beach-framed strip of rainforest jutting into the Pacific Ocean, Manuel Antonio is most famous for its 1700-acre national park and 136,000 acres of protected marine territory. Colorful birds and curious monkeys play in the trees, whales and dolphins crest in the sea, and the perennially green jungles end only where white-sand beaches begin.

Hotel Villa Roca, famous for its clothing-optional infinity pool, is the area’s gay owned-and-operated luxury lodging. For a gay beach day, check out La Playita (only accessible at low tide) or Playa La Macha (a secluded nude beach). There’s little to no queer nightlife in Manuel Antonio, but with an abundance of daytime excursions like hiking, diving, white-water rafting, and surfing from which to choose, there’s little chance you’ll be able to stay up long after the sun goes down anyhow.

5. Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii

Photo: okimo/Shutterstock

Hawaii is a no-brainer for landlocked Americans looking to trade in their snow boots for swimsuits. Whether you want to dive among the kaleidoscopic array of coral-dwelling fish, hike through volcanic rainforests, or lounge in the sun like a lazy sea turtle, any of the eight major islands will deliver the goods.

If you’re looking for an LGBTQ aloha, head to the Waikiki section of Honolulu. Here you’ll find a handful of queer bars (check our Bacchus Waikiki or Hulas) within walking distance to the well-known gay beaches: Queen’s Surf and Diamond Head.

Located on Oahu — Hawaii’s most populous island — Waikiki tends to get packed with tourists, but a scenic drive northwest is all you need to beat the crowds. Once you reach the opposite end of the island, emerald forests crash into rugged beaches like Waimea and Turtle Bay, where monk seals and surfers outnumber city slickers from the south side.

Note, Hawaii’s restrictions for mainland Americans are frequently changing and vary from island to island.

6. San Diego, California

Photo: Dancestrokes/Shutterstock

California’s most southern metropolis exudes the calm confidence of a suntanned surfer bro. With effortlessly hip ‘hoods stretching from Barrio Logan to University Heights, roughly 30 beaches and 40,000 acres of parks to explore, and weather so perfect it seems simulated, we’re wondering when the rest of America will buy a surfboard and move to San Diego themselves.

Naturally, the LGBTQ community knew how fabulous San Diego was decades ago, claiming the neighborhood of Hillcrest as their home base for over 50 years. Wedged among the area’s boutique shops and restaurants, you’ll find a plethora of gay establishments, including Gossip Grill (for the womxn), The Rail (the city’s oldest boy bar), Urban Mo’s (best for brunch), and Hillcrest Brewing (the world’s first gay brewing company). More recently, the queer scene has started spilling into North Park, University Heights, and beyond — a sign of the city’s inclusive atmosphere.

The Pacific water is decidedly less inviting during winter than in summer, but with temperatures in the mid-60s and sunshine that doesn’t quit, a beach day is still worthwhile. For those who fear a farmer’s tan, head to Black’s Beach. This sandy expanse below the steep bluffs of Torrey Pines is an iconic clothing-optional spot for sunbathers and surf fiends. There’s usually a sizable crowd of gays hanging out in the buff. If the fellow sun-worshippers don’t take your breath away, the Californian landscape certainly will.

7. Barbados

Photo: Simon Dannhauer/Shutterstock

If you’re fighting a severe case of work-from-home cabin fever, the turquoise waters of Barbados might offer the best cure. In July, the Caribbean island introduced the Barbados Welcome Stamp program — a 12-month visa for remote workers worldwide.

Although an early version of the application defined marriage as “the relationship that subsists between a man and a woman,” Prime Minister Mia Mottley quickly quelled the queer community’s righteous kerfuffle by changing the language and ensuring LGBTQ couples won’t face discrimination. “I want to say that as long as I am prime minister of this nation, we welcome all,” she stated this past summer.

While Barbados needs to update its laws on homosexuality (same-sex sexual activities is illegal in the country, though it’s unclear if the colonial-era law is enforced), Mottley’s words prove that the tiny island nation is on a progressive path forward.

You won’t find a ton of LGBTQ-specific offerings in Barbados, but let’s be honest — in the age of physical distancing, Zoom backgrounds have become the ultimate work-and-play spaces. This year is your chance to inspire FOMO on all future conference calls by forcing everyone you know to stare at the pearly shores of your new Caribbean home.

More like thisOutdoorThe top 10 destinations in the US for LGBTQ travelers this fall

The post The best warm-weather getaways for LGBTQ Americans this winter appeared first on Matador Network.

Second passports for sale

Once the mightiest passport in the world, the US travel document has fallen well out of favor. Between COVID-19 travel restrictions and an increasingly worrying political situation at home, US citizens who can afford it are trying to become something more than US citizens. They’re scouring the world, looking for the simplest way to procure another passport. But to be able to do so is an immense privilege afforded to few.

In general, the more powerful the passport, the bigger the fee to earn it. The least expensive passport might require you to move overseas right now, or shell out millions to better the local economy. And there’s not even a guarantee you’ll be able to keep that citizenship forever. Cyprus announced this week that it would end its controversial passport sale program at the end of the month; Cyprus gave out passports so freely — giving it within six months to anyone who bought two million euros ($2,350,000) in property and “donated” 150,000 euros ($175,000) to government programs — it was later forced to strip citizenship from some recipients.

While you probably won’t find us with an Austrian passport in our pocket anytime soon, it’s still interesting to imagine the possibility. Here are 11 of the most intriguing passports Americans can acquire, and what it will cost them.

European
1. Portugal

Photo: ESB Professional/Shutterstock

Portugal was already a hub for young Europeans seeking an inexpensive, creative, and frankly fun place to work. In many ways, Lisbon is a new Berlin, with tech start-ups based there and hip coffee shops drawing the digital nomad crowd. But outsiders from beyond the EU are also taking an interest in Portugal because its Golden Visa program promises an EU passport with a real estate investment of 500,000 euros ($587,000) — even less, if the investment is in a low-density area or into an urban renewal project — and about a one-week stay per year. But the process is slow, taking up to seven years, since first you have to apply for three two-year residence cards and bureaucracy means it can take a year just to get your first one. Oh, and you need to pass a test in Portuguese.

2. Spain

A few years back, Spain launched a program similar to Portugal’s, but with a catch. Like in Portugal, an investment in real property of 500,000 euros earns you resident status with the option of applying for a Spanish passport once you’ve been a resident for five years. The difference, however, is that to get the passport, you need to plan to live in Spain. This may be appealing to UK citizens who wanted to retire along the warm shores of southern Spain anyway, and who fear Brexit will take away their ability to travel freely throughout Europe. That’s in fact what makes a European passport so desirable: Citizenship in one EU member country gives you the right to live in any other EU nation.

3. Austria

Photo: emperorcosar/Shutterstock

Economists worry that selling passports to property buyers can create real estate bubbles and bypasses the chance to strengthen the economy. Enter the Austrian passport program, the most difficult passport to acquire without residing in the country. Not only does it demand a minimum investment of $3.5 million, but that money has to benefit the country — by, say, creating jobs or bringing new technology. Since such a benefit is hard to prove, applicants should factor in layers of government approvals and plenty of legal fees. But after two or three years, the effort could result in gaining the second-strongest passport on the planet.

4. Malta

Photo: Krivinis/Shutterstock

A Maltese passport takes twice as long to get as the Cypriot passport and half the investment. A real estate purchase or rental valuing 350,000 euros ($410,000), an expenditure of 150,000 euros ($175,000) into Maltese government bonds, and an additional “contribution” of 650,000 euros ($765,000) to the government should do the trick. The fourth, loosely defined requirement is the establishment of a “real connection” to Malta. Within a few weeks of submitting the paperwork, applicants can move freely about the European Schengen zone. Given Cypress’s troubles, it remains to be seen how long this program can last. As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said last month,“European values are not for sale.”

5. Turkey

Turkey straddles the continents of Europe and Asia. For now, pursuing Turkish citizenship is Europe’s best bargain, in money terms, and Asia’s number one bargain, with respect to the time required. In comparison to European passport offers, it’s cheap, requiring a real estate investment of only $250,000. And it claims to take only three to four months, although technically it can be a bit longer than that. But the Turkish passport’s strength is currently ranked 24th, above Argentina but below Brazil. So perhaps you get what you pay for.

Caribbean
6. St. Kitts and Nevis

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

You can buy into the second-most powerful passport in the Caribbean, after Barbados, which allows you to travel visa-free to EU and Schengen zone countries. All that’s needed is a contribution to the islands’ Sustainable Growth Fund — with a discount if you start the process soon — of $150,000 per person or for $195,000 for a family of four. That family can include children up to age 30 or parents over 55 years old. Some other fees will be thrown in, but the whole process takes less than four months and doesn’t require a single trip there. Actually, with such a beautiful island, it’s a shame you don’t have to go visit.

7. Antigua and Barbuda

Ranking two slots below St. Kitts and Nevis — or 30th in world passport strength — Antigua and Barbuda will offer you a chance to join their rank of citizens with a $100,000 donation to the National Development Fund, a real estate investment of $200,000, and a $150,000 donation to the University of the West Indies. That will secure passports for a family of four, and for a small fee you can add more children as old as 29.

8. St. Lucia

Photo: Galina Savina/Shutterstock

St. Lucia’s passport ranks below Antigua and Barbuda’s in strength, and the costs of obtaining one are about the same — or $250,000 for an individual and $300,000 for a family of four. With a St. Lucia passport, you can get visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 146 global destinations.

9. Grenada

Ranking just under St. Lucia in terms of passport strength, Grenada offers citizenship to those willing to contribute $150,000 to its National Transformation Fund or to invest at least $350,000 in real estate projects that will benefit the country’s tourist sector.

10. Dominica

The cheapest citizenship by investment program in the world can be found in Dominica, where a $100,000 investment will get you a second passport and $175,000 will get passports for each member of a family of four. The country had intended to increase the cost for a single person to $175,000 but opted against doing so, given the current pandemic-inspired economic crisis. You’ll have to prove you’ve got no criminal record, which is good news for upstanding citizens.

Asia
11. Thailand

Photo: SOUTHERNTraveler/Shutterstock

You could buy a stronger passport from another Asian country. Vanuatu, for example, will sell citizenship to a family of four for $180,000, and its passport ranks 42nd in global strength of travel. Meanwhile, Thailand’s passport ranks 52nd in the ability to travel visa-free around the world. But what the Thai passport lacks in power it gains in affordability. For just $15,000, you can buy the right to live in Thailand for five years. When those five years are up, you can apply to become a naturalized citizen. Yes, there is the matter of, well, moving there. But just imagine: While other travelers only get to stay for a while in this magical country, you’d get to live there.

More like thisExpat LifeThe 11 best digital nomad visas from around the world

The post Americans are rushing to buy a second passport, and here’s what it takes appeared first on Matador Network.

Get paid to listen to crime podcasts

The perfect job for the Halloween season, Vio Security, a home security company, is looking for a true crime fanatic to spend their days listening to podcasts while they record their heart rate.

According to the job posting, “Upstanding detective or criminal mastermind, true crime lover or adept podcatcher, scaredy-cat or ‘final girl’ — if you have a taste for the macabre, Vio Security is looking for a [person] who knows whodunit. This Halloween, we’re shelling out $1,666 for one crafty crime buff to listen to 31 hours of the top true crime podcasts. Think you could handle it?”

Applicants have to state their case in a short essay explaining why they’re the best fit for the job. If you do win, you can choose to listen to any episodes from the following list: “Motive for Murder,” “Crime Junkie,” “Son of a Hitman,” “Dateline,” “My Favorite Murder,” “Real Narcos,” “Serial,” “Someone Knows Something,” “I Survived,” and “The Thing About Pam.”

After listening you’ll be expected to answer several questions based on your experience. Vio Security’s ultimate goal is to use your expertise to help it understand “how true crime podcasts affect people — specifically if they make people feel more unsafe the more they listen.”

In addition to earring $1,666 for your time (that’s $56 an hour, by the way), you’ll also be given a heart rate monitoring device, wireless earbuds, a safety flashlight and whistle, a door blocking mechanism, and access to a personal safety app. Applications must be submitted by October 19 at 2:00 PM ET.

More like thisEntertainment8 serial killer tours for the true-crime obsessed

The post This company will pay you $1,666 to listen to true crime podcasts this Halloween appeared first on Matador Network.

Canada to ban single-use plastics

Canada is taking a huge step toward creating a more sustainable future by planning to ban harmful single-use plastics by the end of 2021. This includes checkout bags, straws, stir sticks, six-pack rings, cutlery, and food ware made from hard-to-recycle plastics. The nation’s ultimate goal is to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030.

Canadian Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said in a news conference Wednesday, “Plastic pollution threatens our natural environment. It fills our rivers or lakes, and most particularly our oceans, choking the wildlife that lives there. Canadians see the impact that pollution has from coast to coast to coast.”

In June 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the country’s plastic problem as one “we simply can’t afford to ignore.”

Canadians throw away more than three million tons of plastic waste every year, only nine percent of which is recycled. Single-use plastics in particular have been targeted for the ban because they’re harmful to the environment, are difficult or expensive to recycle, and there are easily accessible alternatives.

The ban will not affect access to PPE or other plastics used in medical settings, which have become essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More like thisNews64 countries sign major biodiversity pledge to address climate destruction

The post Canada will ban single-use plastics by the end of 2021 appeared first on Matador Network.

Respectfully visit Native places

Six million people visited the Grand Canyon last year. Most will have left without learning the names of the 11 Native American tribes that claim the national parkland as their ancestral home.

Two hours north in Antelope Canyon, it’s harder to ignore Arizona’s Indigenous heritage. Guided tours are required, as are guides authorized by the Navajo Nation. Yet where members of the Navajo’s local LeChee Chapter see sacred sites, many of the visitors who descend on Arizona’s slot canyons see little more than a backdrop for their latest influencer-style photoshoot.

Travelers in the United States have a responsibility to recognize the country’s Indigenous landowners, whether they’re visiting any of its 62 national parks or touring a reservation. For those seeking a cultural education, visiting Indigenous communities is among the most effective ways to learn about Native culture from Native voices. It’s also an experience that demands respect.

For insight into respectful, responsible Indigenous tourism, Matador Network spoke with Sherry L. Rupert, CEO of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, and Geri Hongeva, board president of the Arizona American Indian Tourism Association (AAITA). Heed their advice before setting foot on Indigenous land, especially if you’ve been invited to tour a tribal community.

Tribal nations are distinct sovereign governments. Recognize them.

There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States. Each operates as a sovereign government with its own history, heritage, customs, language, and laws. Many Native communities welcome tourists. Some do not. This may change as tribal leadership does.

According to Rupert, misunderstanding tribal sovereignty is among the most common mistakes tourists make before visiting Indigenous communities. Grouping the Native American experience under a monolithic umbrella is another.

“Just as you won’t have the same experience between Germany and France, so you won’t have the same experience between two tribal nations,” she tells Matador, adding, “Even within the same tribe, your experience will vary each time you visit. Don’t expect a Disneyland experience where all ride personnel are forced to learn the same speech.”

Rupert attributes some of this to oral tradition. “Because so much of Native culture is passed down, usually verbally, from generation to generation,” she says, “one Native guide may have a totally different take on what they choose to share than another guide.”

Like anywhere, travelers to Indian Country should be mindful of the cultural differences between Indigenous communities, as well as the subjective experiences of every Native person. One good place to start: acknowledging and understanding tribal sovereignty.

Ask questions.

Photo: American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA)/Facebook

Tourists are expected to visit Indigenous communities with an open mind, but they’re not expected to be familiar with every law and custom of a given tribal nation. Most who engage in Indigenous tourism do so to be educated. This willingness to learn does not go unnoticed.

“Just asking questions is a great start,” says Rupert on how to be respectful of individual tribes. “The fact that visitors show they are cognizant that there are differences from tribe to tribe, and that they are asking questions to get it right, goes a long way.”

Asking questions is Rupert’s answer for a lot of situations. Venturing into Indigenous wilderness? Ask about Native tour guides. Attending an Indigenous festival? Hang around the food trucks and artisan booths to learn what local attendees recommend. Shopping for Indigenous art? Ask about it, even when buying on a reservation. “Ask for the name of the artist and their tribal affiliation, and get it in writing,” Rupert says, adding, “on a receipt is best.”

This principle is as true, if not more, when Indigenous communities open their doors to travelers. Not just an educational opportunity for visitors, AAITA’s Hongeva notes that these experiences also afford Native voices the opportunity to share their histories and perspectives in their words.

“Telling the story correctly from within each tribe, I think that’s really important,” she says, echoing Rupert. “It’s important to learn from a Native perspective, from what’s been passed down through the clans and the migration…There are not many things that are published, but [travelers can] hear it from the guides themselves because it’s oral history.”

Ask permission.

Photo: Gimas/Shutterstock

As important as asking a question is asking permission. Though appropriate conduct is often spelled out for tourists at Indigenous sites, communities have encountered issues with visitors wandering off, touching things they shouldn’t, or otherwise deviating from what’s acceptable.

Hongeva cites visitors climbing into kivas, or subterranean spaces used for sacred ceremonies, as one example. “As a visitor, you can’t crawl down the ladder, so those areas are going to be well off, protected, or taped off so that people don’t just wander in. Because not everybody knows. They just think, ‘Oh, a ladder,’ and climb down it when there’s a kiva.”

Yet Hongeva also assures us that travelers who pay attention, heed signage, and listen to their guides need not worry. “In Arizona, we’re so used to tourists and visitors from all over the world that each tribe has really refined the way they guide people through their areas, through their villages, through their parks,” she says. This is true of the most-visited Indigenous communities, from the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana.

In the event that anything is unmarked, unannounced, or simply unclear, visitors should always defer to asking permission before making assumptions or taking liberties on Indigenous land.

Access to Indian Country is a privilege, not a right.

Eager to explore new landscapes and have new experiences, travelers can be guilty of a particular brand of entitlement. Well-intentioned as their enthusiasm may be, to participate in Indigenous tourism respectfully is to check any entitlement at a community’s proverbial door.

Rupert notes that visitors would do well to remember they’re able to tour tribal land only because they’ve been granted permission by tribal landowners. And, as mentioned before, what those landowners allow is subject to change between different tribal groups.

Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated a fundamental disrespect for the Walker River Paiute Tribe’s authority over their land in Nevada from outsiders. When Chairwoman Amber Torres closed the tribe’s reservation to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, she in turn cut off access to natural attractions like the Weber Reservoir, which many outdoor enthusiasts ignored.

“People did not respect our decision as a sovereign nation to close the reservation,” Rupert cites Torres as saying. “They wanted to get into our ancestral homelands as if it is their right to fish and use our resources for recreation, when ultimately it is a privilege.”

That travelers are invited to tour Indigenous communities and recreate on Indigenous land is a gift, one that should be received with gratitude. When treated with due respect, these experiences also benefit Indigenous communities who profit from the tourism and platform.

Every traveler interested in touring the United States should incorporate Indigenous tourism in their itineraries, if only for an honest education on the cultures that founded this country. And Native communities that open their doors to visitors are a great place to start. Just remember, travelers: Indigenous tourism starts with respect.

More like thisParks + WildernessBefore you head outdoors, be sure you’re respecting sacred grounds

The post Visiting Indigenous communities is a delicate balance of respect and education appeared first on Matador Network.

Machu Picchu opened for one tourist

It’s the dream of many travelers to escape the crowds and have the world’s most popular attractions all to yourself, and for one Japanese tourist, this dream has come true.

The Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu has been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic since March, but last weekend they opened for just one Japanese citizen, Jesse Katayama, who has been stranded in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes for seven months due to the pandemic.

Alejandro Neyra, Peru’s minister of culture, said, “He had come to Peru with the dream of being able to enter. The Japanese citizen has entered together with our head of the park so that he can do this before returning to his country.”

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par Jesse Katayama (@jessekatayama) le 12 Oct. 2020 à 4 :18 PDT

Katayama had only planned to spend a few days in Peru but was stranded there in mid-March due to COVID-related travel restrictions. He’s had his entry ticket for Machu Picchu ever since and finally submitted a special request to be allowed access. Graciously, the park obliged.

Katayama was allowed to enter the ruins on Saturday accompanied by the head of the park so that he’d be able to see the ruins before returning to his home country.

In a video recorded at the site, Katayama said, “This is so amazing! Thank you!”

The famed site is scheduled to open in November to all tourists at 30 percent of its normal capacity of 675 people per day, though a specific date hasn’t yet been determined.

More like thisFood + Drink15 Peruvian foods so delicious they’ll blow your mind

The post Peru opened Machu Picchu for one tourist stranded since March appeared first on Matador Network.

JFK and Newark COVID tests

Airports are taking matters into their own hands when it comes to safely resuming travel. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Newark International Airport in New Jersey now offer on-site COVID-19 testing, including PCR tests, blood antibody tests, and rapid nasal swab tests designed to provide COVID-19 test results in 15 minutes or less. The airports are partnering with XpresCheck to offer the service.

Dr. Marcelo Venegas, an XpresCheck medical officer, said in a statement, “Cutting the time for results to 15 minutes or less changes the testing paradigm for travelers and airport employees, creating a series of benefits. It means early detection results are known in time to take appropriate measures to prevent disease transmission. This is literally a shortcut to a safer environment for airport staff, travelers, and all of the communities in which they come in contact.”

The service is also set to become available at Boston’s Logan International Airport in November.

It’s important to note, however, that rapid tests don’t provide the same level of accuracy as PCR tests, which most countries require for entry. You can schedule an appointment for any of the three tests available through XpresCheck’s website.

More like thisTravel SafetyCan we trust negative COVID-19 tests as a green light for travel? We asked a travel doctor.

The post COVID-19 testing now available at JFK and Newark airports appeared first on Matador Network.

South Dakota outdoors: Family guide

Family travel guide to the South Dakota outdoors

By: Jacqueline Kehoe

Black Hills & Badlands
Missouri River
Glacial Lakes & Prairies
Sioux Falls & Beyond


Photo: Scott Sporleder#wedge-0 { background-image: url('https://cdn1.matadornetwork.com/blogs...') }@media(min-width:560px){ #wedge-0 { background-image: url('https://cdn1.matadornetwork.com/blogs...') } }@media(min-width:1200px){ #wedge-0 { background-image: url('https://cdn1.matadornetwork.com/blogs...') } }
We all have different feelings about traveling right now. When you’re ready, we hope you feel safe, inspired, and excited to explore South Dakota.

If it weren’t for the assumption that the Great Plains are just that — plain — you would’ve known the truth about South Dakota long ago: its peaks and valleys, waterfalls and rivers, and ancient grasslands and canyons are gorgeous and ever-changing. Here, the first hints of the Wild West are right outside your front door. The world’s largest caves stretch underneath your feet, and history is etched into the granite before your eyes.

To see it all for yourself, pack up the Airstream, aim for I-90, and start your family’s journey in one of the four regions below. Each holds experiences that are uniquely South Dakota, getting you close to adventures that are nowhere near plain but that are, indeed, great.

This guide is proudly produced in partnership with Travel South Dakota.

Note: Some of the sites and businesses listed below may not currently be operating as described due to safety guidelines. Please contact all locations prior to visiting.

WEST REGION:

BLACK HILLS & BADLANDS
Photo: Scott Sporleder
Raised from the same tectonic movement that created the Rockies, South Dakota’s Black Hills & Badlands run the gamut from lunar landscapes and stark fields of sand-colored buttes to lush canyons, mixed-grass prairies, towering waterfalls, and winding caverns. Where to even begin?


Badlands National Park

Out of the plains rises an ancient sea floor, carved over time into pinnacles, buttes, and spires...

Visit





Badlands National Park

Out of the plains rises an ancient sea floor, carved over time into pinnacles, buttes, and spires more reminiscent of a landscape you might expect to encounter on the moon. Badlands National Park is 244,000 acres of another universe — one that used to be an ocean, where three-toed horses and saber-toothed cats later reigned. 

Be sure to drive the 39-mile Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway and — between skirting rock formations left, right, and center — watch for bison, pronghorn, golden eagles, bighorn sheep, black-footed ferrets, and chattering prairie dogs. For hiking, the short Door, Window, and Notch Trails near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center give quick and accessible peeks into what this epic landscape holds. 

Photo: Scott Sporleder

Spearfish Canyon

Spearfish Canyon is best described in the words of Frank Lloyd Wright...

Visit





Spearfish Canyon

En route to the town of Spearfish from US-14A, Spearfish Canyon is best described in the words of Frank Lloyd Wright: “But how is it that I’ve heard so little of this miracle and we, toward the Atlantic, have heard so much of the Grand Canyon when this is even more miraculous?”

You’ll come to understand Wright’s words while driving the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, passing 1,000-foot limestone palisades and waterfalls that practically splash onto the road. Park the rig for fresh-air adventures, like hiking to Spearfish Falls or mountain-biking the Iron Creek Drainage. 

Photo: Shutterstock/ Jim Cottingham

Custer State Park

Custer State Park is on par in size and quality with any national park...

Visit





Custer State Park

Don’t be fooled by the name: Custer State Park is on par in size and quality with any national park. At 114 square miles and abutting the Black Hills National Forest and Wind Cave National Park, that $20 entrance fee (good for seven days) is a steal.

Here, you’ll hear the footsteps of 1,400 bison. You’ll stand amongst granite giants on the 1.6-mile Cathedral Spires Trail. You’ll spend hours leisurely exploring the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road, and you’ll find one of the country’s most photogenic swimming holes at Sylvan Lake. Sound like a list your kids might enjoy?

Photo: Scott Sporleder

Wind Cave National Park

This is one of the world’s longest caves, coming in at just under 150 miles...

Visit





Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave — protected as America’s first “underground” national park — is one of the world’s longest caves, coming in at just under 150 miles. It’s a vast network of delicate, detailed boxwork that’s still being mapped and explored.

But what most don’t realize is that, above ground, Wind Cave National Park is a wildlife refuge. Watch for American bison, prairie dogs, pronghorn, deer, and elk as you wander the hiking trails — Rankin Ridge and Prairie Vista are easy one-mile trails suitable for the whole family.

*Note: Cave access is currently suspended. Check the NPS website for updates. 

Photo: Scott Sporleder

CENTRAL REGION:

MISSOURI RIVER
Photo: Shutterstock/Patrick Ziegler
The Missouri River looms large in the story of America. Beyond its banks lies the Wild West, leaping out of the current to tell of exploration, action, and adventure. That’s exactly what you can still find here today.


Fort Pierre National Grassland

America’s national grasslands protect one of the country’s defining ecosystems...

Visit





Fort Pierre National Grassland

America’s national grasslands protect one of the country’s defining ecosystems, where seas of wildflowers and waving meadows once sustained bison and the Native American peoples who depended on them.

On what was once considered the frontier, you can now wander through the Fort Pierre National Grassland, a quiet place for backcountry camping, hunting, fishing, wildlife-scouting, and wildflowers — by the thousands. Find it to the south of Pierre, the state capital.

Photo: Travel South Dakota

West Whitlock State Recreation Area

West Whitlock also has all the makings of a great weekend...

Visit





West Whitlock State Recreation Area

Sitting on a peninsula in the Missouri River, West Whitlock State Recreation Area is almost entirely surrounded by water — the same water that propelled Lewis & Clark to historical fame more than 220 years ago.

Most popular for fishing and camping — cabins run $55/night — West Whitlock also has all the makings of a great weekend spent birdwatching, boating, and canoeing or kayaking the Missouri.

Photo: Scott Sporleder

Farm Island State Recreation Area

Not quite an island in the Missouri River — but close — Farm Island is a riparian oasis...

Visit





Farm Island State Recreation Area

Not quite an island — but close — Farm Island State Recreation Area is a riparian oasis in the Missouri River just east of the capital, Pierre.

Close to Lake Sharpe and with plenty of beaches and trails, this is a go-to spot throughout the year among anglers, birders, campers, hikers, cyclists, and naturalists looking for a quick getaway into the pristine outdoors. Whatever your family is into, you can probably find it here.

Photo: Travel South Dakota

Native American Scenic Byway

This driving route helps visitors see South Dakota’s story from a different perspective...

Visit





Native American Scenic Byway

Roughly following the course of the Missouri River, the Native American Scenic Byway helps visitors see South Dakota’s story from a different perspective. The route — through and along mixed-grass prairie, rolling hills, colossal lakes, and limestone cliffs — showcases the lands of the Yankton, Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Cheyenne River, and Standing Rock Sioux tribes.

The Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center, the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center, and the Sacagawea and Sitting Bull Monuments are just a few of the places on this drive that deserve your attention. And remember: Much of the byway runs along tribal land — you are a guest here.

Photo: Scott Sporleder

NORTHEAST REGION:

GLACIAL LAKES & PRAIRIES
Photo: Shutterstock/Patrick Ziegler
Northeastern South Dakota sparkles with the remnants of glaciers, golden hills of prairie, and pioneer history. For a thoughtful, quiet escape from life’s hustle and bustle, for nights under the stars and days on the water for you and the fam, look no further.


Lake Kampeska, Watertown

South Dakota has a string of glittering glacial lakes running from north to south...

Visit





Lake Kampeska, Watertown

Glaciers don’t care about state boundaries — just like Minnesota, South Dakota has a string of glittering glacial lakes running from north to south, Watertown’s Lake Kampeska being one of the standouts. Chat up any ice-fisherman here, and you might be talking to a national champ.

In the warmer months, you can also paddle, kayak, or paddleboard on the lake, take the fam to the Bramble Park Zoo — it’s AZA-accredited — or bike or play disc golf at one of four parks along the shoreline. Whatever you choose to do, stop at The Prop afterward for their famous Garlic Burger and a dose of iconic Watertown.

Photo: Jacqueline Kehoe

Wylie Park, Aberdeen

Here, you can follow the yellow brick road all the way to the Land of Oz...

Visit





Wylie Park, Aberdeen

The 200-acre Wylie Park in Aberdeen is what happens when you combine a theme park with the great outdoors. Miles of trails, lake access for canoeing and kayaking, and great camping spots meet Storybook Land, a nursery rhyme come to life. Here, you can follow the yellow brick road all the way to the Land of Oz.

Back in today’s world, there’s go-karting on Thunder Road, bungee trampolines, a Laser Maze, bumper boats, mini golf, and even the Wylie Zoo. The kids won’t know where to begin (or end).

Photo: Travel South Dakota

Fort Sisseton Historic State Park

This is one of the nation’s best-preserved forts...

Visit





Fort Sisseton Historic State Park

Right off Scenic Highway 10 but a world away, Fort Sisseton Historic State Park dates back to the Civil War. It’s an 1860s Army outpost with 14 original buildings still standing.

Pioneers, soldiers, and surveyors passed through here for decades on their way to settle the Dakota Territory; now, it’s one of the nation’s best-preserved forts.

Photo: South Dakota Tourism

Brookings

Just a few hours from Minneapolis, Brookings is as family-friendly as it gets...

Visit





Brookings

Just a few hours from Minneapolis, Brookings is as family-friendly as it gets. Here are just a few ideas for a solid weekend:

Eight connecting glacial lakes make up Oakwood Lakes State Park, where you could spend weeks hiking, swimming, and cross-country skiing.
The Children’s Museum of South Dakota is all about doing. The kids will build, climb, paint, learn, discover, and imagine.
Seventy acres of nature are open to the public (most of it free) at McCrory Gardens, a great stop to relax on your whirlwind tour of South Dakota.

Photo: Travel South Dakota

SOUTHEAST REGION:

SIOUX FALLS AND BEYOND
Photo: Scott Sporleder





The state’s largest city, Sioux Falls, packs in waterfall views, great food, and diverse culture, all in one small, easy-to-navigate package. Just beyond the Sioux Falls city limits, surprise is the name of the game — red rocks and water pop up just as often as the prairie.


Palisades State Park

Nope, eastern South Dakota isn’t all prairie...

Visit





Palisades State Park

The red-rock formations at Palisades State Park are your first big clue that eastern South Dakota isn’t all prairie. Just northeast of Sioux Falls, fantastic quartzite formations rise over Split Rock Creek, making this state park a hotspot for rock climbing, hiking, picnicking, kayaking, paddleboarding, and camping.

Devil’s Gulch Park, a bit farther north, continues the rocky landscape so distinctive to this corner of South Dakota.

Photo: Scott Sporleder

Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area

The 25-mile Lewis and Clark Lake is the heartbeat of this recreation area...

Visit





Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area

The 25-mile Lewis and Clark Lake is the heartbeat of this recreation area, one of the most popular sites in the state. Locals set up their colorful umbrellas on the beach, unpack the paddleboards and jet skis, and hit the biking/hiking trail — and most stay for the night to enjoy the views of the water over a campfire.

Photo: Travel South Dakota

Falls Park

Cities are always made better with waterfalls running through the middle of them...

Visit





Falls Park

One thing’s for certain: Cities are always made better by waterfalls running through the middle of them. Just north of downtown Sioux Falls, Falls Park covers 123 verdant acres where small tiers of cascades steadily accumulating to a 100-foot drop.

Walking paths meander along the falls’ course, trails lead all the way to downtown, and the visitor information center, observation tower, Falls Overlook Cafe, and the relics of the Queen Bee Mill will keep you within misting distance all afternoon. 

Photo: Shutterstock/Sopotnicki

Greater Sioux Falls

Beyond the town’s waterfall, there are plenty of outdoor spaces that will encourage you to linger...

Visit





Greater Sioux Falls

Beyond the town’s waterfall, there are plenty of outdoor spaces that will encourage you to linger in Sioux Falls longer than you might’ve planned:

The Great Plains Zoo features more than 1,000 animals, as well as the onsite Delbridge Museum of Natural History.
At the Kirby Science Discovery Center at the Washington Pavilion, it’s all about fossils. The kids will touch real dinosaur bones, excavate replicas, and encounter dinosaur eggs up close.
The Outdoor Campus is a 100-acre nature park home to numerous trails as well as an aquarium, archery range, and more.
The Butterfly House & Aquarium is as great for your Instagram as it is the kids. Some 800 butterflies fly freely in this conservatory, providing a shoulder-tickling good time.

Photo: Shutterstock/Jacob Boomsma

This guide is proudly produced in partnership with Travel South Dakota.

The post Family travel guide to the South Dakota outdoors appeared first on Matador Network.

NYC-London travel corridor plans

Those thirsting for European travel may not have to wait too much longer. US officials are looking to open a travel corridor between New York and London as early as the holiday season, citing the increased availability of COVID-19 tests in the US.

A Homeland Security official revealed to the Wall Street Journal that the agency is in the early stages of figuring out how to establish a travel corridor while taking into account all public health risks, and that the White House’s National Security Council has given the green light for the plan to proceed.

As part of the plan, travelers would likely be required to take a COVID-19 test both before their flight and after arrival. Reportedly, a quarantine would also be required, though the exact length hasn’t been determined. Some are supporting a 24-hour isolation period while others prefer a four- to seven-day quarantine.

The UK currently has travel corridors open with several countries in Europe and Asia that remove the self-isolation requirement for incoming passengers. That arrangement has proven difficult to replicate with the US so far, however, due to the country’s high rate of COVID-19 transmission. Currently, US travelers must isolate for 14 days after arriving in the UK.

The Wall Street Journal also mentions that US agencies are having similar talks with German officials.

More like thisMuseumsThe ultimate rainy day tour of London’s museums

The post Travel between New York City and London may be eased up as early as the holidays appeared first on Matador Network.