Matador Network's Blog, page 785

Best UK cabins to book a vacation

Cabins are a growing trend in vacation rentals for 2020. They are often secluded, compact, affordable, better for the environment, and, of course, pretty darn cute.

Classically, the main structure of a cabin is constructed from wood, but as you’ll see from the range of rentals listed below, the architectural style varies quite a bit across the UK. Having a small space challenges designers to get creative with optimizing storage space and, in many instances, integrating the outside environment. Although there are a few options across Britain for cabins that cater to over four guests, the smaller builds have a smidge more charm. From a grass-roofed hideaway in the Cairngorm National Park in Scotland to a handcrafted cedar cabin in Northern Ireland, here are some of the most idyllic wee cabins you can rent in the UK on Airbnb.

1. The Roundhouse, East Thorne, Cornwall, England

Photo: Airbnb

The Roundhouse cabin is located in the countryside outside Bude, a seaside resort town in the stunning northeast of Cornwall. Sleeping two comfortably, this compact modern cabin draws on Scandinavian design aesthetics inside and out. It boasts a handmade king-sized bed, an ensuite bathroom, and even a peephole in the roof, so you can gaze at the stars while snuggled by the wood-burning stove. Or if you’d rather be outside you can roast some marshmallows by the second open fire, which is located next to the hot tub. This locale has everything you’d expect in Cornwall — wild beaches, excellent nearby surf spots, and a top-notch food scene. It truly is one of the prettiest coastal spots in the UK, and this cabin would make a great base from which to explore the region.

Average cost: $220 per night

2. Scotsview at Glenbeag Mountain Lodges, Perthshire, Scotland

Photo: Airbnb

Scotsview cabin was built in Cairngorm National Park in Perthshire, which is the largest park in the UK. This quirky rental is a great base to explore the region, which is a playground for any outdoor sports enthusiast and anyone keen on wildlife and bird spotting. Hidden in an idyllic glen 1,100 feet above sea level, Scotsview sleeps two, but it has space for a third if infant-sized. Other amenities include a sauna, outdoor BBQ area, and WIFI — but let’s be honest, we doubt you’ll need it. There’s world-class skiing and snowboarding close by at Glenshee, and it’s walking distance from more than one Munro, for those who are serious about walking.

Average cost: $170 per night

3. Alder Lodge, Five Roads, Wales

Photo:

This is a slightly , sleeping up to four adults in Five Roads, a hamlet in Carmarthenshire, Wales. The cabin has views over the nearby four-acre private lake, and like all cabins on this list, it has an outdoor hot tub. Although we’re sure you would be more than happy to spend your vacation here relaxing on the deck, the Gwendraeth Valley region has many local attractions. Pembrey Country Park is close by and is one of the top tourist spots in Wales. The park has 500 acres of woodland and eight miles of beach, and there’s a ton of planned activities and sports you can arrange making this a great vacation spot for families.

Average cost: $277 per night

4. Chic Cabin in the New Forest, Bransgore, England

Photo: Airbnb

This slightly more modern little house again sleeps two and sits on the edge of New Forest in the south of England. The cabin was built by hand and offers guests views of the surrounding countryside of forest and fields. The village of Bransgore is a five-minute stroll. There you’ll find award-winning pubs, but if you’d rather stay in and cook, the rental is fitted with top-notch modern amenities.

Average cost: $192 per night

5. Aurora – Salix, Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Photo: Airbnb

The Aurora – Salix cabin was handcrafted from Canadian Western Red Cedar and is somewhat of a unique build on the North Antrim coast of Northern Ireland. Airbnb users have rated this cabin five stars, and it’s not surprising why.

Photo: Airbnb

Guests here can enjoy supersized beds, wood burners, a private outdoor hot tub, and all the amenities you’d dream of needing during a short trip away in the countryside. The verandas treat you stunning views over the Atlantic ocean out towards Rathlin Island.

Average cost: $322 per night

6. The Retreat, Warwickshire, England

Photo: Airbnb

This cute wee cabin, called The Retreat, in Warwickshire in England’s West Midlands indeed looks like a perfect place to get away from it all. Its newly refurbished stylish interior has everything you need from a hideaway with a fully equipped kitchenette, a king-sized bed, and a compact shower room.

Photo: Airbnb

The property is enclosed in private gardens behind electric gates — so no one will disturb you unless you want company. The region is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare and has many picturesque medieval villages, castles, and stately homes to explore.

Average cost: $110 per night

7. Number 25, Feorag Ruadh, Dalavich, Scotland

Photo: Airbnb

The listing for Feorag Ruadh cottage states that it offers an authentic log cabin experience, and from the reviews, it lives up to its reputation. Hidden away in the forest on the western bank of Loch Awe, the property is about 30 miles from Oban, making it a great option if you want to explore this part of the West Coast of Scotland. It comes with its very own jacuzzi hot tub and sauna and its french windows gift guests with epic views over the loch.

Average cost: $161 per night

8. Three Moors View Luxury Log Cabin, Devon, England

Photo: Airbnb

Although, in my opinion, the photos do not do this listing justice, it is hard to pass by this one-bed cabin located in a secluded meadow in North Devon. With unspoiled views of the idyllic Devonshire countryside and luxury details such as underfloor heating, and Egyptian cotton bed linens, this property ticks all the wish-list boxes.

Photo: Airbnb

This location is also within Exmoor National Park, so you can sit outside in the hot tub and enjoy some of the best views of the Milkyway in the UK.

Average cost: $167 per night

9. The Love Shack, Fife, Scotland

Photo: Airbnb

The Love Shack cabin in Fife in central Scotland is beyond charming. The property is located around seven miles from the famed university town of St. Andrews and only three miles to the sea. It sleeps three, offering guests one double room and a single loft bunk, perfectly sized for a child. The listing boasts the openness of the surrounding countryside, and guests are free to roam the local fields and the garden. If you are interested in this rental, it would be a perfect spot to bring along your dog for some lovely countryside or coastal walks.

Average cost: $122 per night

More like thisArt + Architecture7 rural Scottish villages that are straight out of a storybook

The post The most idyllic wee cabins in the UK to rent appeared first on Matador Network.

Jordan reopening to int'l tourists

As of Tuesday, Jordan has officially reopened its borders to international flights after a six-month closure due to the pandemic. International flights are now allowed to depart from and land at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, but actually visiting the country, however, won’t be easy.

A new screening laboratory has been installed at the airport where all inbound passengers will undergo a PCR test. Then, they will be asked to wait two to three hours while their test results come in. All arrivals must fill out a travel declaration form, have valid medical insurance for the duration of their stay that covers COVID-19 treatment, and install the Aman application for contact tracing. The mandatory PCR test costs $56, to be paid online before arrival.

Quarantine requirements vary according to your country’s risk level. The United States is classified as a high-risk “Red” country, meaning US travelers must quarantine for seven days in a government-approved facility, followed by an additional seven days at home or a hotel. They must also wear an electronic tracking bracelet. The list of countries and their classifications can be found online.

Airlines like Emirates and Etihad are resuming flights to Jordan this week, and lodgings around some of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, like Wadi Rum and Petra, are reopening. Jordan has been awarded the “Safe Travels” stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council, meaning it’s considered a generally safe place to visit.

More like thisActivism6 ways to make your visit to Jordan more meaningful

The post Jordan is reopening to international tourism with strict requirements appeared first on Matador Network.

The first funeral using a fungi coffin held in the Netherlands

The funeral industry is experiencing a monumental shift. Seattle is ready to open the first human composting site in 2021, and last week in the Netherlands, the first funeral using a coffin made of compostable mushroom fibers was held.

Mycelium is the mat of fibers forming the underground part of fungi. These “living coffins” made of mycelium decompose with time, allowing people to become one with nature again.

Photo: The Loop Living Cocoon

Bo Hendriks, the founder of Loop, the startup that produced the compostable coffin dubbed “Living Cocoon,” said, “Mycelium is constantly looking for waste products — oil, plastic, metals, other pollutants — and converting them into nutrients for the environment. This coffin means we actually feed the earth with our bodies. We are nutrients, not waste.”

In a traditional coffin, a human body can take a decade to become compost. In a mycelium coffin the process is expedited, taking just two or three years.

Photo: The Loop Living Cocoon

So far the startup has made about 10 coffins total (priced at less than $1,500 each) and hopes to dramatically increase production as people grow more comfortable with the idea.

More like thisReligionFrom modern mummies to fantasy coffins, 9 death rituals from around the world

The post The first funeral using a fungi coffin held in the Netherlands appeared first on Matador Network.

New Canadian biking trail

A new bike trail will connect two of Vancouver Island’s most popular surf towns. The path, named ʔapsčiik t̓ašii (pronounced: ups-cheek ta-shee), means “going in the right direction on the trail” in the local indigenous language. Costing $51 million, the path will follow the Pacific Ocean for 25 miles and give bikers access to the rainforest, hiking trails, First Nations sites, and surf beaches between the towns of Tofino and Ucluelet.

The small towns of Tofino and Ucluelet sit just outside the boundary of Pacific Rim National Park Preserve on the west side of Vancouver Island. Tofino is more trendy and tourist-centric and serves as Canada’s unofficial surf capital. Ucluelet, farther to the south, is more relaxed and less heavily trafficked. Both towns have existing bike paths connecting to local beaches, but this new path along the rugged coastline will be a game-changer for the region.

Work on the trail began in February 2017 in consultation with the Tla-o-qui-aht and Ucluelet First Nations to be as environmentally sensitive as possible. This summer, the majority of the trail base has been laid down, though road crossings and signage have yet to be installed. The trail is slated to be fully operational by early 2022.

More like thisCultureThe 7 coolest ways to experience First Nations culture in British Columbia

The post A $51 million bike trail will connect Canada’s top surf towns appeared first on Matador Network.

Hong Kong dolphin numbers increase

Animals continue to thrive during the pandemic, with dolphins now returning in large numbers to Hong Kong after the ferry service was shut down. High-speed ferries between Hong Kong and Macau were stopped back in March, and since then, the number of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins has increased by 30 percent. The lack of water traffic has made the marine environment more suitable and accommodating for dolphins, which are now taking advantage of the situation.

The endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin is also known as the Chinese white dolphin and, colloquially, the pink dolphin due to its rare pink-ish hue.

Dr. Lindsay Porter, a senior research scientist with the University of St. Andrews, told The Guardian, “It was the last week in February, literally the week after the ferries stopped travelling between Hong Kong and Macau. I’ve been studying these dolphins since 1993 and I’ve never seen anything like this dramatic change before, and the only thing that changed is 200 ferries stopped travelling before.”

Porter and her team lived aboard a yacht so they could conduct a study of the dolphin population. The researchers were also able to take advantage of the lack of traffic, dropping microphones from the boat and using drones to monitor the dolphins. They discovered that the dolphins feel more relaxed in the absence of humans.

“From visual observations,” she said, “the dolphins are spending much more time socializing, splashing around on the surface, quite a bit of foreplay, quite a bit of sex … to see them having a good time, that was really great to see.”

More like thisWildlifeThe 7 best spots in the world for dolphin watching

The post Rare pink dolphin numbers are up in Hong Kong since COVID-19 shut down ferries appeared first on Matador Network.

Topeka, Kansas, remote workers

If moving to Topeka, Kansas, wasn’t in your immediate life plans, maybe it should be. GO Topeka, an economic development group in the Topeka area, is creating a program called the Choose Topeka Relocation Initiative, designed to incentivize people to move to Topeka for remote jobs. The initiative gives relocating employees $10,000 toward the purchase of a home in Topeka or Shawnee County, or $5,000 toward a one-year lease in the region. The goal of the program is to grow the Topeka community and economy.

If you still need convincing, Topeka has a recently revitalized downtown district, a thriving brewery scene, and tons of outdoor space. According to Barbara Stapleton with the Greater Topeka Partnership, the program will accept between 10 and 20 applicants.

Topeka is following the trend of other cities paying people to relocate. Tulsa, Oklahoma, launched a similar program in 2018, offering $10,000 to relocating remote workers. Savannah offered $2,000 to 50 tech workers who relocated.

These programs are growing in popularity now that the pandemic has shifted the focus to remote work nationwide. It’s highlighted how people can perform their jobs effectively from home and opened up new opportunities for cities looking to grow their professional population.

More like thisLifestylePro tips for working from home, from the Matador staff who do it year-round

The post Topeka, Kansas, will pay remote workers $10,000 to move there appeared first on Matador Network.

Northern lights from continental US

For many travelers, catching sight of the elusive aurora borealis is a highlight of a trip to our planet’s northern reaches. While you’re most likely to see the northern lights from places like Alaska and Canada, or Europe’s Nordic countries, there are times of year when you can also see them right from the continental United States — meaning your chance to see the aurora’s dazzling glowing bands this winter just got a lot better.

Looking for the northern lights

Photo: Lijuan Guo/Shutterstock

Northern lights are produced when protons and electrons from the sun reach the atmosphere. While those solar particles are generally pushed away from Earth, some slip through the magnetic poles. The colors they produce — be they green, purple, or white — depend on which gases they excite in different layers of the atmosphere.

Solar activity ebbs and flows in multi-year cycles, and this winter it’s expected to start picking up until the winter of 2024-25. Regardless of predictions, you should always be patient when looking for the aurora and be ready to content yourself with a sweeping view of the night sky, should the northern lights not appear.

Consult the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s aurora forecast for where and when the northern lights might be spotted, and how likely their appearance at a given time will be. Also, check the weather forecast, since you want as clear skies as possible. Also, when you do head north, look for areas that are less populated and less affected by light pollution — such as national parks, state parks, and protected wildlife reserves — and places where you can have an unobstructed northward view.

Minnesota

Photo: Matthew Ben Herberg/Shutterstock

Minnesota is one of the most spectacular places in the continental US to catch a glimpse of the northern lights. At the upper edge of the state, on the Canadian border, lake-filled Voyageurs National Park is an excellent place to park yourself, set up your tripod and camera, and await the aurora. Yet you don’t necessarily need to go that far north, as Minnesota’s Cook County can offer views of the northern lights over Lake Superior. In fact, Cook County is so proud of its low light pollution that it hosts an annual Dark Sky Festival each December.

Michigan

Photo: ThroughLensPhotosNVideos/Shutterstock

Michigan has long been known as a top stop in the Lower 48 to catch a glimpse of those elusive northern lights. The upper peninsula, a favored summertime destination, is also the best place to go aurora hunting. Since you want to look northwards to see the aurora, positioning yourself at the top of the peninsula and looking ahead — without trees or mountains in your line of sight — will give you the best vantage point to see the northern lights. Due west of Mackinaw City is the Headlands, which is recognized as an International Dark Sky park.

Wisconsin

Photo: Paul Sparks/Shutterstock

Wisconsin’s Door Country is one of our favorite weekend getaways, with its scenic limestone cliffs over Lake Michigan and excellent dining options. It turns out that it’s also a spectacular place to be after the sun has set and long after you’ve had dessert. It’s then that, when conditions are right, you can get yourself to the upper edge of the peninsula and look out over that same Great Lake. You can try on the Green Bay side of the peninsula, as you’ll have more northerly views, or on the outer edge of Newport State Park on the eastern side of the peninsula.

Montana

Photo: davidmarxphoto/Shutterstock

Montana doesn’t just have latitude — it has emptiness and as little light pollution as you could hope for in the lower 48. Glacier National Park offers even more than its own 1.5 million acres of wilderness since it shares a national border with Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park. Three years ago, the two parks were named the first transboundary International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association. In fact, with so little light pollution, it’s one of our favorite camping areas for stargazing. From one of the park’s lakes, the views of the northern lights can be dazzling. The largest of these, Lake Macdonald, is a top aurora-viewing location.

Washington

Photo: Joel Askey/Shutterstock

In the Puget Sound, between Washington state and Canada’s Vancouver Island, lie the small, wooded San Juan Islands. When solar activity is high, these isles can be excellent viewpoints for the aurora borealis — particularly from the north end of islands like Cypress or Orcas. Just note that the Pacific Northwest is notorious for its wet winters, so be sure the weather forecast calls for dry, clear skies. Experienced hikers may want to head to North Cascades National Park, one of the least-visited national parks in the country, but our recommendation is to take a ferry to the islands for a light show out over the water.

Maine

Photo: Saptashaw Chakraborty/Shutterstock

The northern lights have actually been seen from Bar Harbor, Maine, at the edge of Acadia National Park. So if solar activity is heavy, and you’re lucky, you might spot them there. For better viewing possibilities, try heading farther north to Millinocket Lake. It’s just south of Baxter State Park, which is much bigger than Acadia and is one of New England’s least-crowded state parks. Being by the lake gets you further from urban light sources and offers a broader horizon view with which to take in the swirls of green, purple, or white, should they appear.

New Hampshire

Photo: Christopher Georgia/Shutterstock

While New Hampshire is not that far north, it’s also not so heavily populated, so you are spared the light pollution that can obscure aurora viewing. However, it is mountainous, so you need to find a place where you can get an unfettered northward view. You could head to the south shore of one of its many lakes in the White Mountains. A more ambitious approach would be to hike to the top of a mountain. New Hampshire’s 6,288-foot Mount Washington is in fact the highest peak in the Northeast, and if the aurora is occurring, you’re sure to see it from there.

Vermont

Photo: HDjeff/Shutterstock

Northern Vermont isn’t often treated to the northern lights, but when it is, it’s spectacular. A good place to look for them is from Stowe, which is pretty far north but not yet butting up against the urban lights from the great Montreal area across the border. Mallets Bay on Lake Champlain will give you northerly views out over the water, but the aurora’s brightness might be somewhat dampened by light from Burlington, the state’s biggest city.

More like thisAstronomyFairbanks, Alaska, is the best place in the US to catch the northern lights

The post The best places to see the northern lights in the continental United States appeared first on Matador Network.

The family road trip, reimagined

The only thing that’s never changed about the Great American Family Road Trip is the thrill of the open road. What used to be a story of wood-paneled station wagons and neon-lit highway motels is now a tale of non-stop outdoor adventure — and non-stop comfort from your home on wheels. This new iteration prioritizes sustainability, leave no trace principles, and responsible travel. It yearns for the unusual, prizes the remote, and still calls the open road king.

To explore the evolution of the family road trip, Matador is partnering with Airstream to send the Pickett family of Bozeman, Montana, on an adventure across America. We’ll be following Kina and Nellie (he’s a former pro skier; she’s a competitive runner) and their kids, Ashur and Story (and Scout, the family bulldog!), as they document their travels from the granite spires of South Dakota to the windswept beaches of Virginia, from Florida’s Sports Coast to Idaho’s mountain lakes — all based out of a classic Airstream International retrofitted with full off-grid and solar solutions, Nature’s Head composting toilet and all. It’s a sustainable road trip that need never end.

 

The Picketts’ adventure is rife with challenges and opportunities: How do you live and work in an RV as a family of digital nomads? How do you road trip safely in the time of COVID-19? How do you manage distance-learning for the kids and make the outdoors educational? How do you make sure you’re traveling sustainably? The Picketts, from blunder to success, will show us how it’s done on their “Hunt For Beyondland.” They’ll take us to hidden spots and remote nature areas, to off-grid and RV-friendly destinations, sharing their discoveries and memories, lessons learned and friendships made along the way.

So, if you’re ready to plan the most epic road trip of your life, let the Picketts, Airstream, and Matador be your virtual guides. This story should convince you that the thrill of the open road still awaits, but your definition of the Great American Family Road Trip may change — for good.

The post The Hunt for Beyondland: The Great American Family Road Trip appeared first on Matador Network.

Colombia reopening flights

Colombia is planning to slowly resume international flights starting on September 21. Like many countries around the world, Colombia closed its borders to international tourism back in March. Also like many countries, the country is eager to find a safe way to reopen and take advantage of tourism demand.

According to Minister of Transport Angela Maria Orozco, “International flights will restart with a gradual first phase which will be announced shortly.”

Colombia will likely take a phased approach to the reopening. The resumption of flights will depend on the destination countries themselves, airport capacity, and the airlines’ individual interests. Proof of a negative COVID-19 test will be required for anybody traveling to Colombia from abroad, Reuters reports.

Semana, a Colombian news site, reports that the first international flights leaving Colombia will be a Spirit Airlines flight to Miami/Fort Lauderdale. The flight is currently bookable for September 19.

Land and sea borders will remain closed until at least October 1.

More like thisLGBTQ TravelColombia is the next hot destination for LGBTQ travelers

The post Colombia is reopening international flights in September appeared first on Matador Network.

2020 Comedy Wildlife Photography

Usually, we think photography is all about capturing the weight of a serious moment. The fateful second a cheetah springs toward its prey or the shivering arctic fox curling up to stay alive. Well, sometimes we just need photography that makes us laugh. That’s where the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards come in. Founded by professional photographers and conservationists Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, the competition seeks to promote wildlife conservation in a fun, engaging way and show animals in anthropomorphic comedic moments, from a turtle flipping off the camera to a parakeet seemingly saying, “Talk to the hand.”

Winners of the contest will be announced on October 22 at an online awards ceremony. Until then, here are 11 of the 44 selected finalists to tide you over.

1

“Smiley,” Canary Islands, by Arthur Telle Thiemenn

2

“Tough Negotiations,” Israel, by Ayala Fishaimer

3

“Hi Y’all,” Alaska, by Eric Fisher

IntermissionCultureThe world’s 5 most beautiful alphabets you’ll never learn to readAug 27, 2020Felipe Sant'Ana PereiraNewsDiscarded face masks and gloves are posing a serious risk to marine lifeMay 20, 2020Eben DiskinNewsWombats are the heroes of the Australian fires, sheltering animals in their burrowsJan 15, 2020Eben Diskin4

“Surprise Smiles,” Kenya, by Asaf Sereth

5

“Terry the Turtle flipping the bird,” Australia, by Mark Fitzpatrick

6

“Almost time to get up,” USA, by Charlie Davidson

7

“Social Distance Please,” Sri Lanka, by Petr Sochman

IntermissionFood + Drink23 Puerto Rican foods the rest of the world should know and loveJul 21, 2020Jen RuizNewsWombats are the heroes of the Australian fires, sheltering animals in their burrowsJan 15, 2020Eben DiskinNewsNew Trump administration rules allow Alaska hunters to kill bear cubs in their own densMay 29, 2020Eben Diskin8

“It’s a Mocking Bird,” UK, by Sally Lloyd-Jones

9

“Wait up Mommy, look what I got for you!” India, by Kunal Gupta

10

“So Hot,” Japan, by Wei Ping Peng

11

“O Sole Mio,” Hungary, by Roland Kranitz

More like thisWildlifeWhere to see all of the internet’s favorite animals in real life

The post The finalists for the 2020 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards will put a big smile on your face appeared first on Matador Network.