Matador Network's Blog, page 794

Food competition judge training

Judging from the showmanship and drama of shows like Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay, most viewers could be forgiven for assuming that being a food competition judge is all about sampling delicious meals. London-based food writer May Chong knows better.

Chong, who has judged the International Chocolate Awards and the Peruvian Young Chef of the Year competition among others, recalls eating “cold runny polenta in between tastings to reset our taste buds,” tasting food that had gone rancid, and even getting sick of the taste of chocolate.

“It’s not all glamor,” she tells me.

In real life, away from the television cameras and celebrity chefs, cooking competition judges strike a delicate balance between their love of food and their professional judgment. According to Chong, most judges in this arena have some level of expertise in cooking techniques, ingredients, and presentation, but it’s not always necessary to have a discerning, experienced palate. The most important prerequisite is that you enjoy eating and can appreciate an elaborate, well-constructed meal.

“Judges tend to be people who think of themselves as a foodie, someone who will go to a particular restaurant because they’ve heard it has a great cheesecake or has a great signature dish or it has a decorated chef,” says Mike McCloud, CEO — or chairman, as he likes to call himself — of the World Food Championships, which recruits hundreds of judges to assess its professional food competitions. “And they typically have some kind of background in the food scene, whether it’s just being a big food fest goer, or some kind of social media food influencer.”

The World Food Championships holds nationwide qualifiers followed by the “ultimate food fight” — 500 teams competing in 10 categories including bacon, barbecue, chili, and sandwich. The WFC ultimately culminates in The Final Table: The 10 winning chefs from each category face off in a series of challenges to find out who is the best cook of them all. You don’t have to be a professional chef to judge a WFC competition, but you do have to be certified.

In a three-hour certification course, McCloud says that prospective judges learn about the, “three critical pillars of judging that we believe can apply to any dish anywhere, anytime, in any format”: execution, appearance, and taste of the dish. The class will also teach them how to assess “different textures, the different flavors, and [we] talk about what was great about that burger, for instance, and perhaps what might have been done better or what could have been an execution problem.” But making sure judges know how to properly evaluate each dish is just one step in the process — and in fact, it’s not even the most important step.

“The most arduous thing is really battling your own bias,” McCloud says. “The thing that we have to really train in our classes is how to reverse your memory and get to a level playing field. I don’t want to judge that sitting there thinking, ‘Well, my father makes a better burger than this. So I’m going to score this burger poorly.’ Or, ‘I just don’t like blue cheese on a burger.’ You have to judge it on its own merit. You don’t compare it to other dishes. You don’t compare it to the dishes in your memory.”

Photo: World Food Championships

The training the WFC offers imparts some expertise to otherwise uninitiated judges, but that’s not how most cooking competitions operate. Chong thinks one misconception audiences might have is that judges are always well-rounded experts in food and cooking. Usually, she says, judges only have in-depth knowledge in one aspect of the food industry (whether that’s food writing, professional cooking, home cooking, or expertise in one specific type of cuisine). And that can actually be a problem.

“Some people who judge like to think that they are god’s gift to the culinary world,” Chong says. “They comment and condemn when they don’t know or understand a cuisine.”

For the chefs being judged, the stakes are too high for judges to get careless: At the WFC, 25 percent of competitors were homecooks. The rest are professionals who either already work at or own a restaurant, or have at some point in their careers, as well as traveling teams who participate in cooking competitions as their main source of income. Winners in each of the 10 categories can take home $10,000. The winner of The Final Table competition takes home $100,000.

For chefs who are just getting started on the competition circuit, aspire to open their own restaurant someday, or are hoping to be hired by a well-regarded restaurant, a win could be life-changing.

“Especially for the young chefs, your decision can have a massive impact on their career,” adds Chong.

To outsiders, judging a food competition might seem like an opportunity to eat some yummy food, snap a picture of an elaborate dish for Instagram, show off your refined tastes, and impressive the audience and your fellow judges as a true food connoisseur, but the reputation and even the livelihood of the competing chefs hangs in the balance. That’s a big responsibility.

“These are people cooking under bizarro circumstances, oftentimes for charity,” says Layla Schlack, a Connecticut-based magazine editor who judged several local cooking competitions in 2014 and 2015. ”It seems like it would be really cool and fun to give witty, cutting criticism, but it’s just kind of cruel in the moment.”

Photo: World Food Championships

Despite the rigorous training and investment the WFC insists upon, food competitions can have moments of levity, too. Food festivals provide the opportunity for chefs to elevate a local delicacy to gourmet status in a low pressure environment that lets them boast their cooking skills and experiment with recipes and flavors.

Editor and writer Emily Saladino experienced the lighter side of the cooking competition circuit first hand when she judged a buffalo wings competition in none other than Buffalo, New York.

“Folks in Buffalo are really proud of their namesake food,” Saladino says. “Some people like them saucy, others want them crispy, and they can be mild or super spicy. The festival where I was lucky enough to be a judge didn’t seem to take itself too seriously. Most of the attendees and even the competitors had a sense of humor about zeroing in on something so specific that was definitely going to stain whatever you were wearing.”

If you’re eager to enter the ring as a food competition judge, a big appetite is perhaps among the least important qualities to bring to the table. The best cooking competition judges respect the chefs and adopt an easygoing attitude. If Schlack could offer one piece of advice to prospective judges, it’s one simple truth: “Be kind, have fun with it, don’t take it too seriously.”

More like thisFood + Drink7 expert ‘sommelier’ jobs for things like coffee, cannabis, and mustard

The post What’s it’s really like to be a cooking competition judge appeared first on Matador Network.

United eliminates change fees

Airlines are making big changes to get the public flying again. Recently, we’ve seen elbow-operated bathroom doors and flight insurance specifically designed for the COVID-19 era, but a new move from United Airlines seeks to erase any doubts about clicking that “book now” button.

As of now, most United domestic flights will have no change fees. And, the change fee waiver in place during the pandemic for international flights will also be extended until at least the end of 2020, the airline announced.

“We’re permanently getting rid of change fees on standard, economy, and premium tickets for travel within the US [Continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands],” United’s CEO Scott Kirby says in a video posted on the airline’s YouTube page. “When we hear from customers about ways we can improve, getting rid of this fee is often a top request.”

United is also implementing a series of changes beginning next year. From January 1, 2021, the $75 charge to confirm a stand-by seat will be no more. Additionally, if you’re a United MileagePlus Premier member, you can change your flight day-of for free, meaning that if something comes up and you need to delay or alter your course of travel, the airline won’t gouge you for doing so.

For more information on the upcoming changes, check out United’s announcement.

More like thisNewsUS travelers left a whopping $1 million at airport security last year

The post United permanently ditches change fees on all domestic flights appeared first on Matador Network.

Giantess Geyser erupts in 6 years

One of Yellowstone National Park’s largest geysers put on a show last week. The Giantess Geyser, which throughout its tracked history had erupted between two and six times per year, erupted for the first time in over six years on August 25.

Though it doesn’t erupt often, its bursts can reach heights of over 150 feet and can last up to 48 hours — making Giantess one of the largest geysers in the park. Catching its eruption is something most Yellowstone visitors never experience, so they usually choose to visit consistent performers such as Old Faithful. That said, a handful of lucky visitors stood nearby as Giantess spouted her glory last week, but for those of us not fortunate enough to be on site, the National Park Service caught the eruption on video.

Giantess’ last eruption took place in January 2014, with a three year gap between that and the previous eruption in September 2011.

Yellowstone sits in northwestern Wyoming and stretches into southwestern Montana, attracting more than four million visitors per year to witness its nearly 3 million square miles of forested mountains, wildlife, sulfuric geysers and pots, and a large canyon known as the “Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.”

More like thisParks + WildernessThis epic fall road trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton bypasses the crowds

The post Watch this Yellowstone geyser erupt for the first time in six years appeared first on Matador Network.

Famagusta, Cyprus, to reopen

Varosha, an abandoned resort district in northern Cyprus, has been a ghost town since 1974. Now, nearly five decades later, it plans to reopen to tourism.

Located on the country’s eastern Mediterranean coast, Varosha looks like it’s completely frozen in the past. In its most popular city, Famagusta, car dealerships are still equipped with 1970s cars and shop windows packed with ‘70s fashion.

In 1974, Cyprus’ land was divided after the Turkish-Greek conflict, and all of Varosha’s residents were forced to leave. Northern Cyprus declared itself independent, but is only officially recognized as such by Turkey; the United Nations recognizes it as a Cyprus territory under Turkish occupation. Varosha became a UN buffer zone between the two partitions known as the Green Line. Resettlement in the city was officially prohibited with a 1984 UN security resolution and entry was forbidden.

Photo: Damian Pankowiec/Shutterstock

Now, the prime minister of northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, is pushing to reopen the area to tourism once again. Before the conflict, Varosha enjoyed great popularity and was a tourism hotspot for celebrities like Brigitte Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Burton.

“At this point, we are close to the point of starting the reopening process. It’s already in my opinion…The tide has changed and a new page has been turned,” Tatar told local station TRT, according to CNN.

The first attraction in Varosha to be reopened is Maraş, Famagusta’s southern quarter. While no date has been set, plans are already underway.

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

The post This resort ghost town in Cyprus is reopening to tourism after 50 years appeared first on Matador Network.

Costa Rica reopening to US tourists

Costa Rica is reopening to American tourists in September, but don’t get too excited. Unless you’re a resident of one of these 12 designated states, you still won’t be allowed to enter. Travelers with a valid driver’s license or state identification from Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, DC, Colorado, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania will be able to travel to Costa Rica starting next month, but not all at the same time.

Residents from Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, DC can enter starting September 1, while residents of Colorado, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania need to wait until September 15.

Incoming tourists will be required to fill out an online health questionnaire, show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Costa Rica, and have traveler’s medical insurance.

Travelers from the European Union, the Schengen Zone, the UK, Canada, Uruguay, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, China, Australia, and New Zealand will also be allowed to enter under the same requirements.

For more information about traveling to Costa Rica and entry requirements, visit the official website of the Costa Rica tourism bureau.

A version of this article was previously published on August 21, 2020, and was updated on August 31, 2020, with more information.

More like thisParks + WildernessThe 7 most amazing waterfalls in Costa Rica

The post Costa Rica is reopening to US tourists, but only from these 12 states appeared first on Matador Network.

What is Everesting

“It needed to pass the pub test,” says Andy Van Bergen of his decision to create one of the toughest cycling challenges ever — one that’s been taking the cycling world by storm. The Melbourne-based cyclist continues, “I needed to be able to quickly explain the concept to any person, and they’d understand what it was.”

The challenge Van Bergen created was asking cyclists to find a hill of their choice and ascend it in laps enough times that they’ll end up climbing an astonishing 29,029 feet, or 8,848 meters — the height of Mount Everest. He chose the famed mountain because it’s the biggest on Earth, something that anyone, even a non-cyclist, can understand is really hard. In fact, it’s not a challenge most cyclists can accomplish, let alone do so in the span of available daylight hours.

While it may well be the hardest thing you could do on a bike, we’ve got some tips below on how to prepare for it and hopefully make it a little less grueling. Either way, it’s guaranteed to be difficult — especially if you’re setting a world record, with one week of planning. That’s just what Lauren De Crescenzo did.

The former pro cyclist chose to go Everesting to raise money for Craig Hospital, where four years before she’d spent five weeks following a cycling crash. She also wanted to break the Everesting world record set by a fellow American just a few days prior.

“I don’t recommend anyone ever do this. It was bad. I’ve never felt that bad on a bike,” said De Crescenzo of the experience. “Probably in the last two hours I cried, because there’s just no hiding. It’s a true test of how strong you are.”

Because she was out to set a record, De Crescenzo took no breaks — save a single 20-second pee stop. “There’s no drafting, there’s no sitting up or anything, just like up and down … I was deep in the pain cave,” said De Crescenzo, adding, “but then I got the record, so I forgot about the pain.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lauren De Crescenzo (@laurenissima) on Jun 1, 2020 at 7:05am PDT

While Van Bergen may be a bit of a pain-fiend himself, world records and shedding tears weren’t really part of his plan when he designed the Everesting challenge. Rather, it was the result of a process of creating ever more difficult cycling summits, which he had been doing for a few years with a group of fellow die-hard cyclists who call themselves Hells500. They intentionally created challenges that would demand months of training. Yet after one weekend when he biked nearly 200 miles and ascended close to 20,000 vertical feet, a colleague at work didn’t comprehend what an accomplishment that was.

“I could explain that to any cyclist and their eyes would fall out of their head, but this guy heard that and he’s like, ‘Oh, that’s nice,’” said Van Bergen. That’s when Van Bergen decided upon the Everesting challenge, as anyone would grasp that it’s a really big deal.

The perfect moment to introduce the challenge came soon after, as avid cyclists from around the world began to hear about the crazy, thigh-searing rides of Hells500 — and they wanted to participate in the next one. But Van Bergen, who had experience organizing big cycling events in the past, wasn’t ready for that.

“I felt a bit weird and responsible that people from New York and France and the UK wanted to fly to Australia, and they’d come over and realize that we were just a bunch of hill-climbing nuts doing it in our backyard,” says Van Bergen.

Instead, Van Bergen told interested cyclists that they had to prove they were able to ascend 5,000 vertical meters. Then he’d send them super-secret instructions to participate in an event on the last weekend in February of the following year. The key was that they would do it on a hill of their choosing, all on the same weekend.

Thus, in February 2014, Everesting was born. Forty-five people in different locations around the world completed their ascents of 29,029 vertical feet. Back in Melbourne, it was big news, with a page-four spread in the same local paper that usually relegated major cycling events like the Tour de France to the back page.

Over a year later, in December 2015, Van Bergen organized another Everesting first — one that would help it become the sensation that it is now. An online platform called Zwift had just introduced a feature allowing indoor cyclists to do a U-turn, meaning they could start lapping hills instead of just doing loops. Shortly thereafter, Hells500 organized a virtual Everester, and by year-end, over 300 people had completed it.

Photo: TORWAISTUDIO/Shutterstock

When the pandemic hit this year, the ability to try Everesting virtually — or, where permitted, on your own on an empty, sloped road — proved the release the cycling world needed. The growth in Everesting has been exponential. “We went from having maybe 30 or 40 Everesting submissions around the world — that was like a busy week for us — to months where there were 1,200, 1,300 people completing this challenge,” says Van Bergen.

Moreover, notes Van Bergen, professional cyclists whose races were canceled needed a goal to work towards and a way to stay in shape. He says many of them knew about Everesting but weren’t able to do it earlier. “They were never allowed to do it because their coach would just say, ‘Okay, let’s not put this into your training regime. It’s going to ruin your legs for the actual racing,’” explains Van Bergen.

Van Bergen says that some of the biggest names in the cycling world jumped on board the Everesting challenge, and cyclist media outlets, which had no races to cover, had something to write about again.

“It was that combination of being one of the few options combined with our idols doing it that I guess it really just exploded quite quickly,” says Van Bergen. “Of course, pro riders doing it, they wanted to race each other. And of course record-setting became a thing in Everesting.”

Enter De Crescenzo, who saw her own opportunity to shine. She chose the best hill she could find near her current home in Atlanta, the backside of Hog Pen Gap in northern Georgia. It was a 2.1-mile stretch with a 9.8 percent grade. It was also very straight, which meant De Crescenzo wouldn’t have to put on the breaks.

“It was completely, almost completely straight, because you want to be able to get as much speed as you can,” says De Crescenzo. “I hit 63 going downhill.”

De Crescenzo also spoke ahead of time with a sports nutritionist, stocking up on instant sugar providers like Coca-Cola and Red Bull. She hydrated with electrolyte-rich Nuun tablets and made a lunch of several protein-filled RXBARs.

“It’s a science game, it’s all about science, and I want to out-science everyone. Like getting the perfect fuel, so there’s always room for improvement,” says De Crescenzo. “Maybe like towards hour seven — my friends were up there — I was like Redbull me now, Coca Cola me now.”

Although she set the women’s record with a time of nine hours and 57 minutes, De Crescenzo held it for only four days, when it was taken over by a European, and then another. Emma Pooley cracked the nine-hour barrier on a very steep Swiss mountain on July 9.

De Crescenzo says it’s hard to compete with the mountains that European riders can access. “I want a steeper climb,” says De Crescenzo. Speaking of Emma Pooley, she notes: “Her climb was like 13 percent and it was five miles long, so she did way fewer miles. I think she did 80 miles and I did 111 — so there’s the record.”

The fact is, a 13 percent grade is pretty dangerous, and it’s not what the average rider should even consider. Triathlete Sebe Ziesler decided to complete the Everesting challenge at his home in Park City this summer. He wasn’t going for a record; he just wanted to give it a try — and finished it in a little over 11 hours. In the middle, he allowed himself a five-minute break to stretch his legs. He still chose a relatively steep grade, that averaged about eight percent in places, with spots that reached 10 percent.

“I think it’s just whatever you can comfortably ride up, and you don’t want it to be so steep when you’re going downhill that you have to brake. It was great. I mean I’m going like 50 miles an hour downhill, which is not a problem at all because it’s so straight. The most memorable part was I passed a Ferrari going downhill,” says Ziesler.

If just finishing it is your goal, De Crescenzo says, “You could take more breaks, and you don’t have to do it in world record time.” She says Everesting is “huge right now. Everyone’s kind of doing really, really long rides with this whole lockdown, it seems.”

For anyone considering Everesting, De Crescenzo says you should already have experience with long rides. “Before that, the longest I’d ever ridden was maybe eight hours. So as long as you’ve ever ridden at least five. I think if you just eat enough food and if you take breaks and the climb is not too steep.”

What makes a climb too steep? For his part, Everesting’s inventor Van Bergen thinks somewhere between a six and eight percent grade is a sweet spot for most hardcore riders. But it’s all very individual. “[What’s] so exciting about this concept, because there’s flexibility within a framework, is it really allows you to use your own creativity to come up with whatever your own ultimate hill is,” says Van Bergen.

Photo: maxpro/Shutterstock

Van Bergen has completed over a dozen Everesters, on everything from a road bike on his own under the light of the moon, to doing so on a mountain bike up and down a single track course. Just two weeks ago, after Melbourne went back into lockdown, Van Bergen completed another virtual Everester.

A couple of years back, Van Bergen even attempted an Everester on the northern, Tibetan side of Mount Everest itself. The Chinese had recently added a paved road all the way to Base Camp, which is the path Van Bergen and fellow riders chose. Although he trained “like I’d never trained before” in hypoxic conditions in altitude chambers, getting advice from doctors and former mountaineers, Van Bergen eventually succumbed to altitude sickness.

“I had full out-of-body experiences, and I almost crashed a couple of times,” says Van Bergen, adding that his cycling mates also gave in to the sub-zero temperatures and relentless winds before completing the feat. Nonetheless, Van Bergen said that cycling on the mountain, with all its glory spread out ahead of him, was magical. And very carbon-intensive.

“It took three flights to get there and a 400 km bus … And there was a crew of 10 of us because we had handlers and fixers and drivers, and you have to have guides to get there,” says Van Bergen. “You know, it’s no small footprint, that’s for sure.”

He contrasts that to “just swinging your leg over a bike and going for a ride.” Indeed, Everesting events may well be “one of the most sustainable events on the planet. There’s no infrastructure, aside from some websites and things like that,” says Van Bergen.

Besides being sustainable, Everesting is also very personal. “Really it’s like running a marathon. There’s a couple of people at the front who are going to be going for an amazing time, but for the majority of participants it’s about completing this challenge,” says Van Bergen.

When the cycling races start again, Van Bergen is ready for the attention to turn away from setting new Everesting records, which he says are a little “ridiculous.” Judging by the excitement it has generated, that may not happen. Even De Crescenzo, who still holds the North American women’s Everesting record, says she’ll be seeking out steeper mountain roads on a visit to her home state of Colorado.

What may happen is that more people will try to run an Everester, says Van Bergen, adding that the rules would permit them to take another way down, like a car or gondola, to save their knees. Either way, people will get creative and they’ll complete ever more unusual, and grueling, Everesters in the coming months and years. Everesting is here to stay.

More like thisCyclingHow Rob Lea invented and crushed the Ultimate World Triathlon

The post Everesting is the hardest cycling challenge ever, and it’s blowing up appeared first on Matador Network.

Most beautiful villages in Scotland

Scotland’s biggest cities are undoubtedly beautiful. Whether it’s Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns or Glasgow’s Merchant City neighborhood, the historic architecture transports visitors throughout the centuries, with cobbled streets, a medieval castle, and 18th-century warehouses, among many other features. But the real appeal of Scotland does not lie in its urban centers — it’s a rural affair. The wild, craggy, and green landscapes of the Celtic nation are speckled with spectacular villages, remote from the buzz of modern life, that will not only provide peace and tranquility to visitors but also a time-traveling experience that rivals the best seasons of Outlander. From an abandoned village on the isolated St. Kilda archipelago to a small fishing town in the Scottish Borders, here are seven places that are going to take you straight to Scotland of yore.

1. Crovie, Aberdeenshire

Photo: Stefano_Valeri/Shutterstock

If you want to be by the water, few villages get closer than Crovie. Right on the edge of the North Sea at the very foot of verdant, rolling hills, the small fishing village is the stuff of storybooks. Of course, there’s no way you can — or would want to — drive around the village, so, like the locals, you’ll need to park either at the viewpoint on the cliffs above or at the parking lot just before the one and only steep road that descends to this slice of Scottish heaven.

The way down and up is rather steep, but breaking a sweat is the best way to appreciate Crovie in all its glory. Touted by Visit Aberdeenshire as “the best preserved fishing village in Europe, as well as the narrowest space between shore and cliff of any Scottish village,” Crovie sits across the bigger, but just as picturesque, village of Gardenstown where you can find accommodations for the night. The views should keep you plenty mesmerized, but head to Gardenstown for heritage sites,like the Kirk of St John, art galleries to peruse, and unexpected wildlife such as dolphins to be spotted in the bay.

2. Luss, Argyll and Bute

Photo: airn/Shutterstock

Luss can be busy with tourists, but don’t let the many visitors keep you away — they are here for a reason. The village is almost a cliché of Scottish rural life, with 18th- and 19th-century picture-perfect sandstone and slate cottages lining the streets in a way you’d only thought was possible on TV. Come spring and summer, another romantic touch completes the already-idyllic picture, with flowers growing on the facades and in the front gardens. After strolling the streets and (literally) smelling the roses, head to the local 19th-century church to take in its beautiful ceiling and stained-glass window. There, you’ll also see a graveyard with stones that are much older — the area was indeed settled in the Middle Ages. The village sits on the shore of Loch Lomond and is located within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park so the sceneries don’t disappoint, especially from the village pier.

3. Hirta, St Kilda

Photo: Martin Payne/Shutterstock

Hirta is the site of the only settlement that was in the remote archipelago of St. Kilda, a UNESCO World Heritage site comprised of four islands: Soay, Boreray, Dun, and Hirta, the largest. Although remaining structures on the island indicate that there was a human presence for 2,000 years, today, nobody lives on Hirta as all the inhabitants (fewer than 80 of them) were evacuated and resettled on the mainland in the 1930s.

Prior to the evacuation, the living conditions were extremely harsh on the island, and the people of Hirta did not eat any fruit and vegetables, only “oatmeal, salted fowl, and seabird eggs during summer and salted mutton in winter,” reports the National Records of Scotland. Although the village used to be made of vernacular thatched blackhouses, they were replaced in the late 19th century by 16 cottages with slate roofs all set up in one row, which visitors can still see today.

Despite being a ghost village, Hirta is very much worth the trip 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides for those fascinated by the unusual history of the island, as well as for birders. The cliffs of the islands of St. Kilda are home to rare and endangered species of seabirds, such as puffins and Northern gannets, and Northern fulmar. Day trips to St. Kilda are possible with Kilda Cruises daily from the Isle of Harris.

4. Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, Isle of Lewis

Photo: M. Vinuesa/Shutterstock

Not as isolated as St. Kilda but still quite remote, Gearrannan Blackhouse Village is located on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. But like Hirta, Gearrannan Blackhouse Village does not have any permanent inhabitants — it is the work of detailed restoration specifically meant to create a living museum to attract and educate tourists.

Blackhouses are homes made of drystones and thatch that used to provide shelter for both people and animals; this type of architecture was commonly found in the Scottish Highlands, the Outer Hebrides, and Ireland. Once on the Isle of Lewis, not only can you take in this beautiful architecture with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, but you can also stay in one of the blackhouses (and it’s very affordable), as well as partake in the fun historical activities and visit the gift shop and café, also set in the unique structures. Beautiful Dalmore and Dalbeg beaches are nearby, so make your way there for an eyeful of natural beauty, and be sure not to miss a trip to the famous and mysterious Callanish Stones located nine miles away.

5. Culross, Fife

Photo: orlando alberghi/Shutterstock

Located on the mainland, fewer than 25 miles from Edinburgh across the Firth of Forth, the Royal Burgh of Culross was actually used as a filming location for Outlander. Although the village is believed to have been founded in the sixth century, what is left is a beautifully restored 16th-century town full of cobbled streets, red-tiled buildings, and views on the estuary. Culross is part of the National Trust for Scotland, so it is protected to remain as authentic to its 16th-century version as possible. Make sure to check out the colorful Culross Palace and its garden, as well as the Town House “where witches were tried and held while awaiting execution,” explains Visit Scotland. The village is inhabited by around 400 people, so although it’s pretty, remember not to treat the place like Disneyland.

6. Tobermory, Isle of Mull

Photo: Apostolis Giontzis/Shutterstock

Located on the northeastern part of the Isle of Mull, facing the mainland across the Sound of Mull, Tobermory’s claim to fame is the vibrantly colored houses that line its main street and 18th-century harbor. Being the main town on the island, Tobermory has many shops and restaurants to visit, but the main appeal is not its commercial offerings. Wildlife watching in Tobermory is world-class, with chances to see not only rare golden and white-tailed Eagles but also Mull otters, whales, and dolphins — just don’t forget your binoculars.

7. St. Abbs, Berwickshire

Photo: Rudmer Zwerver/Shutterstock

A fishing village on the North Sea, St. Abbs is what you expect from a coastal village in Scotland — cliffs, crags, and battering waves. For even more dramatic views of the splendid scenery, put on your hiking boots and walk the 2.5 miles from town to St. Abbs’ Head where the St. Abbs’ lighthouse is located. You can even make this spectacular spot your base as the lightkeeper’s cottage, perched high on a cliff above the sea, is available for rent. The St. Abbs’ Head National Nature Reserve is worth exploring to get some fresh air in the stunning scenery and see some of the area’s wildlife — such as seabirds — and wildflowers. If you’d rather walk on the sand, go for a chilly swim, or go surfing, make your way to Coldingham Bay, south of the village for a lovely beach.

More like thisBooksTransport yourself to remote Scottish islands with these dark detective novels

The post 7 rural Scottish villages that are straight out of a storybook appeared first on Matador Network.

Old-growth forests in the US

I grew up living in a remote forest. My siblings and I spent our youth in the trees, learning their names and history. They were an integral part of our environment, but they also became our childhood friends. We were brought up to respect their wisdom, and with that, they gave our family and house protection from the outside world. After a decade of living outside the wood, we often return and sit under their heavy tunks, regaining the feeling of security and friendship.

Old-growth forests can feel dense. With years of maturity, they humble a visitor and force us to pause, breathe, and find a sense of inner peace. Although it is contested as to what the classification of “old-growth” is, in general terms, it refers to forests with trees that are aged over 150 years old, that are devoid of human influence, and have a diverse ecosystem. Spanning the US, there are millions of acres of this kind of forestry, with some trees reaching over 300 feet tall.

From Western hemlocks to Sitka spruces and Douglas firs, The American Forests Champion Trees national register contains the largest known trees of more than 700 species found across the country. If you are interested in visiting some of the oldest and most beautiful trees in the US that is a good place to start research. In the meantime, here are some of the most interesting old-growth forests in the US.

1. Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia

Photo: B Cruz/Shutterstock

Traversing over 750,000 acres of northern Georgia, Chattahoochee National Forest takes its name from the Chattahoochee River that winds through the North Georgia mountains. Home to hemlocks, pines, and hardwoods — some of which are over 160 feet tall and span over three feet in diameter — the forest covers Medlin Mountain.

This region of Georgia is a hiker’s paradise. With the cover of a dense canopy, the national forest has over 450 miles of trails to explore. Visiting in spring is advised when the forest floor is draped in rhododendron bushes and wildflowers, and when you might have a chance to hear the black-throated green warblers and Blackburnian warblers that nest in the remaining old hemlock trees.

2. Tongass National Forest, Alaska

Photo: YegoroV/Shutterstock

Tongass National Forest is the nation’s largest national forest. Measuring almost 17 million acres, it is home to some of the oldest trees on the planet — some of which are estimated at over 800 years old. Here you can also find some of the rarest wildlife in the state, such as the Alexander Archipelago wolf, grizzly bear, and largest population of bald eagles in the world. With the protection of trees — some of which have trunks measuring over 12 feet in diameter — the temperate rainforest is fed by the Icy Straight. This waterway is fueled by glaciers, which, due to our warming climates, have melted, allowing for fresh land that has become home to young forestation and has encouraged the growth of moss, sapling spruce, and fungi.

Nugget Falls is a particularly nice place to visit in the forest. It is located in an area of trees that is aged over 200 years old. Like many of the forests on this list, Tongass is under threat of deforestation, so making time to see some of its beautiful old-growth trees has never been more critical.

3. Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania

Photo: Zack Frank/Shutterstock

Allegheny National Forest is the only national forest in Pennsylvania, and it’s located in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. It is estimated that the forest covers over 517,000 acres of land, and some of the state’s oldest trees can be found in the Hearts Content Recreation Area. Again, you’ll find Eastern hemlocks but also American beech trees — some of which date back over 400 years. The water’s edge is dotted with old white pines that offer shelter to river wildlife. This preserve, in particular, is a perfect place if you are interested in exploring both old and new-growth forestry simultaneously.

4. Adirondack State Park, New York

Photo: Doug Lemke/Shutterstock

Adirondack State Park covers one-third of the state of New York and is home to over 300,000 acres of ancient trees. Due to the forest’s dense nature, many trees escaped loggers, and some of the largest hardwoods in the world can be found along waterways and on ridgelines.

The region is also home to over 2,000 miles of hiking trails that snake through the trees and cater to every skill level. It perhaps goes without saying, but the park is also one of the better places for leaf-peeping in fall, and coupled with the vast amount of camping grounds, it is more than worth visiting during this season. If you do, and you enjoy watersports, it’s worth taking in the forest from a kayak or boat — but don’t skip the chance to get up close to some of the planet’s oldest hardwoods.

5. Jedediah Redwoods State Park, California

Photo: Mason Vranish/Shutterstock

It would be remiss, of course, not to mention on this list Jedediah Redwoods State Park in California. Home to the famous redwoods, here you’ll find one of the 10 largest trees and five of the 10 largest coast redwoods on the planet. The greatest of these is measured at 340 feet tall with a trunk diameter at chest level of 20 feet.

The park is home to 92 redwood groves that span over 9,500 acres of forestry, and throughout the park, you can enjoy over 20 miles of hiking trails. The Smith River — California’s longest free-flowing river — also offers recreational activities such as fishing and kayaking. According to California’s Parks and Recreation department, you can even snorkel. But like all of the old-growth forests listed here, the main attraction is, of course, its ancient trees.

More like thisParks + WildernessHow to hunt for mushrooms in Oregon’s coastal rainforest

The post The 5 most awe-inspiring old-growth forests in the US appeared first on Matador Network.

Malta is open to US tourists

While we all know that the European Union is disappointingly not welcoming US tourists at the moment, there’s a loophole to be exploited. Malta, a Mediterranean island nation that is a member country of the European Union, is allowing entry to American tourists as long as they’ve spent the previous 14 days in a country on its “safe list.”

According to a statement on the Malta International Airport website, the “safe list” includes Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Italy, France, Slovakia, Switzerland, Greece, Croatia, Spain, Poland, United Kingdom, Belgium, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, China, Vatican City, Rwanda, Uruguay, Slovenia, Japan, Morocco, Thailand, Tunisia, Portugal, Romania, Lebanon, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Jordan, and Liechtenstein.

After staying in one of these 50 countries for two weeks, a US tourist is free to enter Malta without any quarantine requirement. Upon landing, you’ll be asked to complete a Public Health Declaration Form and Passenger Locator Form, but otherwise you’ll be free to move about the country.

This policy has been in effect since July 15, but it was recently tested by Joey Pham, an American tourist who talked about his travels to Forbes. After emailing the Maltese government to ensure he had his facts straight, Pham traveled to Croatia — which is accepting US tourists — spent two weeks there, and then made his way to Malta.

More like thisHiking5 walks with beautiful ocean views to do in Malta this summer

The post Malta is open to US tourists — but there’s a catch appeared first on Matador Network.

Squaw Valley Ski Resort name change

The Squaw Valley Ski Resort in California is changing its name after determining that the word “squaw” is an offensive term.

Consultations with Native American groups and the local and extended community pushed the resort to change its name, which is a racist and sexist slur used to refer to Native American women.

The word derives from the Algonquin language, and once simply meant “woman,” but has changed over the years to become a derogatory term used to denigrate Native American women.

Ron Cohen, president and COO of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, said in a , “With the momentum of recognition and accountability we are seeing around the country, we have reached the conclusion that now is the right time to acknowledge a change needs to happen. While we love our local history and the memories we all associate with this place as it has been named for so long, we are confronted with the overwhelming evidence that the term ‘squaw’ is offensive. We have to accept that as much as we cherish the memories we associate with our resort name, that love does not justify continuing to use a term that is widely accepted to be a racist and sexist slur. We will find a new name that reflects our core values, storied past, and respect for all those who have enjoyed this land.”

A new name hasn’t yet been decided, but is expected to be announced in early 2021.

More like thisWinter SportsNorth Lake Tahoe is awesome in winter — even if you don’t ski

The post appeared first on Matador Network.