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Sustainability among distillers

Sustainability is all the rage in the craft world. In the realms of craft spirits, in particular, there are common sustainability practices that distillers worldwide boast about — using recycled barrels and existing lightweight glass bottles as opposed to custom-produced bottles, for example. Distillery owners can power their distilleries on renewable energy and encourage sipping from the glass instead of through a plastic straw.

But from the consumer’s standpoint, how does one tell if what they’re buying is actually sustainably produced or if it’s been “greenwashed,” which is when the environmental marketing is louder than the environmental practices?

“I personally don’t mind greenwashing,” says Carey Shanks, the co-owner of Marble Distilling Company and its on-site lodge, The Distillery Inn, in Carbondale, Colorado. “But I say that almost 30 years into trying to figure out a way to get sustainability to be at the forefront of business development.”

Shank adds that he takes “that position because even if they’re greenwashing, they’re creating conscious awareness of an issue that’s significant.”

Marble has true sustainability bonafides and isn’t afraid to show customers exactly how it crafts spirits in a sustainable manner. The brand’s motto is “Drink Sustainably,” and its website touts that Marble is a “zero waste distillery,” a label that has undoubtedly caught the eye of many eco-conscious outdoor travelers passing by Carbondale en route to Aspen (this writer included).

Marble isn’t just blowing smoke. Its Water Energy Thermal System, known as WETS, captures the hot water from the still and uses it to provide, among other things, heat for the building. Instead of using charcoal to filter its vodka, the distillery uses crushed 99.5 percent calcite Yule marble taken from the quarry in nearby Marble, Colorado (hence the name). This keeps it all-natural and, for the history buff, means the vodka passed through a part of the quarry from which the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were sourced.

When they decided to open a distillery, Shanks and his partner, lead distiller Connie Baker, set out to find a local farm to distribute their spent mash to. Their products, which include vodkas, whiskeys, and aperitifs, are made from local grains, and the desire was to create a circular system through the production process.

“We knew we didn’t want to flush the spent mash down the toilet because it was going to hurt everything downriver from us,” Shanks says. “So we went to multiple ranchers that had cattle, chicken, hogs. The one we went with is selling beef for a living. Not only did they just take the spent mash from a 500-gallon strip still, but it’s got water, it’s got a much higher value of protein. It’s also improving their product and their marketing ability.”

Customers can sample their product at the distillery tasting room in Carbondale and the satellite location in downtown Aspen.

Photo: Marble Distilling Co

Loud hyper-greenness isn’t confined to the US mainland, either. California-based, Caribbean-produced Batiste Rhum, a self-styled “eco-positive” rum brand, has built its product on the “grain” part of the “grain to glass” mantra (or, in this case, sugarcane to glass). In particular, who grows it and how.

A major mark of sustainable distilling, according to both Marble Distilling and Batiste Rhum, is to produce grains as close to the natural grassland model as possible. This is done by avoiding repeated tilling of the soil, as well as not spraying herbicides and pesticides — two practices that are nearly impossible on large-scale agricultural farms.

“In any kind of work that anybody does, it comes to, how good is your base material? How well is it handled?” says Tristan Mermin, the brand’s owner. “Distillation is like a mill. The filtration and the proofing are more like the sanding and the planing before you turn it into a piece of material to work with.”

Rum producers, Mermin points out, have an advantage here due to the ease of sugarcane growth.

“The unique advantage we have is that the fermentation operation and distillation sits in the middle of an island that grows sugarcane,” Mermin says. The operation runs carbon negative, meaning it actually offsets more emissions than it produces through renewable energy use. Incorporating a permaculture practice of regenerative agriculture, the brand’s sugarcane is sourced from farms directly around the distillery itself.

Corn and wheat can make a sustainable base for spirits, as well, if grown correctly.

“Grasslands, if handled correctly, are wonderful carbon sinks and can really have a net-positive effect on the environment. However, with corn and wheat, you basically break the cycle with the tilling. Anybody who is doing cover crop and tilling for planting is breaking the natural cycle.”

Sustainability for corn-based spirits is easier in places like Iowa and Indiana, which both grow large amounts of the crop, Mermin adds. Distilleries that either grow their own or source from nearby are eliminating not only the commute of their materials but are keeping the herbicides and pesticides sprayed on big-ag farms out of their product and, ultimately, out of the surrounding waterways and ecosystem. Industrial agriculture becomes unnecessary, and as a result, “the yield is much, much finer,” Mermin says.

When it comes to sustainable distilling, Mermin says, it’s “agriculture first, it’s fermentation second, it’s distillation third, and it’s proofing, filtering, and packaging fourth. If you have crap agriculture, but really good fermentation, you’re still going to have a product that’s questionable.”

Photo: Marble Distilling Co

As a buyer, thinking local is a great way to start, according to Cobey Williamson, founder of the app MicroFinder and the publication MicroShiner. Williamson has dedicated much of his life to helping consumers locate and learn about craft culture.

“There is not a lot that a person can do to identify good actors simply from a label or a brand’s marketing materials,” Williamson says. “So much of this is ‘marketing speak.’ That is why we always recommend that you buy as locally as possible: directly from the distillery itself, so that you can know them personally and ask these questions and can trust that you are buying the product from the company that shares your values.”

That’s not always possible, which is where the goals for the MicroFinder app come in. “We are working to get to a place where you can scan a bottle label with your phone and know right then if it is a sustainably produced product,” Williamson says.

At the end of the day, moving the industry towards more sustainable practices falls on both consumers and producers. When you’re shopping for a bottle of booze to enjoy after work, the best way to know you’re supporting a sustainable brand is to check how collectively the product is sourced.

“[Being] sustainable means to limit your consumption to the level of what the environment can sustain, to balance your inputs with your outputs,” Williamson says. “People have to change their mindset about what matters.”

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Cheap houses for sale in Scandinavia

If you’ve been stuck inside an apartment in a city for the past two and a half months with little to no access to nature, even from your windows, then you may be rethinking your urban lifestyle. And no other place on the internet will make you consider a move to the middle of nowhere like the Instagram account Cheap Nordic Houses.

Created only seven weeks ago, the account is packed full of beautiful houses located in idyllic settings in the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. And, unlike most of the house-envy accounts out there, this one is showing properties that are actually affordable.

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Granted, some of them need a little update when it comes to the decor (unless you enjoy heavily patterned wallpaper and linoleum flooring), but they are far from being dumpy money pits, and the prices are unbeatable.

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There are houses located by fjords for less than $95,000; Wes Anderson-like, 19th-century houses complete with turrets and wood carvings around the windows for $75,000; and thatched-roof, timber-framed cottages for less than $145,000.

Inside the properties available, you’ll often find characterful details like wood floorings, wooden beams, touches of Nordic folk art, and the clean lines of Scandinavian design.

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Of course, these are all located in Northern Europe and we can’t travel right now, so checking these out or thinking about buying one is not exactly easy. But in the meantime, Cheap Nordic Houses will keep you dreaming of a better life filled with stunning views, wood burners, and colorful kitchens until the world heals.

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Conducting a Japanese tea ceremony

Green tea is connected to Japan in more ways than its cuisine: The beverage has its roots in the nation’s history, spiritual practices, art, and architecture. One gateway into understanding the importance of green tea in the country is to experience a traditional tea ceremony, which is a centuries old practice that emphasizes a strict set of guidelines and an elegant choreography all centered around preparing, pouring, and drinking matcha.

The Japanese word for tea is cha, while the tea ceremony is known as chanoyu (“hot water for tea”) or chado (“the way of tea”). According to historian Anna Willman, the highly stylized tea ceremony first emerged in 16th century Japan and was originally performed in the realm of aristocrats, from royalty to merchants to high-ranking military figures, as a way to facilitate political and social interactions.

The tea master Sen no Rikyū is likely responsible for shaping the tea ceremony as it is practiced in Japan today. He introduced the guiding principles behind the ceremony known as wabi-sabi. An organization called Wabi-Sabi Japan, which aims to educate tourists on how these principles fit into Japanese culture, defines the term as a celebration of “rustic elegance, quiet taste, refined beauty and the belief that objects gain value through use and age.”

By the 17th century, the tea ceremony had become entrenched in Japan, and by then had come to represent four essential ideals meant to guide Japanese life: wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity), and jaku (tranquility).

“The Japanese tea ceremony can be said to cater to the five senses: beautiful surroundings, the fresh scent of matcha, warmth from the tea bowl, the smooth taste of the tea, and the joyful moment of connection to an event that has been performed regularly for many hundreds of years,” explains Mori Atsuko, the director of Camellia Tea Ceremony in Kyoto, a venue which offers private and group tea ceremonies to tourists in English. In the past several years, she says that organizations like hers have popped up across Japan to offer traditional tea ceremony experiences to tourists.

The tea ceremony is an ancient tradition that embodies the spiritual and artistic principles that guide Japanese culture. The practice is — while not entirely common — still flourishing in some corners of Japan. Visitors to the country sometimes have the opportunity to experience a less formal version of the tea ceremony, and it’s even possible to hold one yourself.

“The tea ceremony is still very much alive in modern Japan, perhaps more than it has been in a long time,” Atsuko says. “To become a master of tea ceremony takes more than 10 years of training, but it is not necessary to be a master to host your own tea ceremony.”

From the arrangement and decorations of the tea room to the proper equipment, the tea ceremony is a complex ritual that takes focus and precision. Here’s what you need to know before conducting your own tea ceremony.

The tea room

Photo: KENNY TONG/Shutterstock

The tea ceremony begins in the chashitsu (tea room). Willman wrote for the Metropolitan Museum of Art that the tea room was originally “modeled on hermit’s hut” and surrounded by a garden. It was designed to focus on the interaction between guests, which was usually around four or five people, the tools used to prepare the tea, and the host, known as the teishu. One important aspect of the tea ceremony is appreciating the space itself.

Before entering the tea room, guests are usually asked to remove their shoes and to wash their hands in a stone basin called a chozubachi.

The chashitsu has a few distinctive features to keep in mind, even if you can’t implement them yourself for an at-home tea ceremony. First, the door inside is short enough that it requires stooping to enter the room, which signifies that in the realm of the tea ceremony, all guests are equal. The room will always display ikebana, traditional flower arrangements, and a jiku, a silk scroll decorated with calligraphy.

The tools and tea

Photo: Kajohnwit Boonsom/Shutterstock

A well-executed tea ceremony requires a specific set of tools called dōgu. Masters of the tea ceremony spend a lifetime collecting a customized set of these tools that reflects their own aesthetic, but in general if you have a set of ceramic cups and a whisk, you can conduct a basic tea ceremony. However, if you want to elevate your tea ceremony to an expert level, there are a few tools you might want to make sure you have on hand. The first, and perhaps most important, aspect of the ceremony to consider is the tea.

“Traditional tea ceremony focuses solely on matcha,” Atsuko says. “There are actually two types of matcha: one is called koi-cha (thick-tea) and the other is usu-cha (light-tea). Generally speaking, koi-cha is for formal tea ceremonies, and usu-cha is for casual ones, though both can be used for longer ceremonies.”

Next, turn your attention to the essential equipment. Most tea ceremonies need a kama (kettle), which is used only to heat the water, not to hold tea; a chakin (tea cloth) used to clean equipment like the bowls, ladle, and whisk; a chaire or natsume (tea caddy) used to house thick or light tea respectively; a chasen (bamboo tea whisk); a chasaku (tea scoop); and finally the chawan (tea bowls), which come in different designs, shapes, and sizes, but generally reflect the personal taste of the host.

The ceremony

Photo: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

Traditionally, tea ceremonies are private, invite-only events. Atsuko says that temples and shrines will sometimes host abbreviated tea ceremonies that are open to the public, but the purpose of these events is “to introduce people to the tea ceremony.”

“The intimacy, intricacy, and peace of a more authentic tea ceremony is often lost,” she adds.

Tea ceremonies don’t always have to be formal affairs, and can be attended by co-workers or friends. Atsuko says that the main purpose of the ceremony is to “form bonds, or simply to enjoy a particular season,” so that should be your focus. Nevertheless, it is important to follow the proper etiquette when preparing and serving the tea.

According to historian Mark Cartwright, the movements of the host should be “precise, graceful, and restrained.” While preparing the tea, the host should be silent, first cleaning the tea caddy that holds the powdered tea and bamboo ladle with the chakin. Water heated in the kama is poured in the cups, the ladle is used to add a scoop of matcha to the cups. Two components are then mixed together using the bamboo whisk.

While the tea is being prepared, the host might offer a small selection of sweet treats, which cut the bitterness of the tea; these should be eaten immediately. However, guests of the tea ceremony should be sure to not eat or drink anything that is not offered; it would be impolite to demand food or to sip the tea before it has been prepared. Once the tea is served it should be sipped slowly, not gulped down. Conversation usually revolves around the beauty of the equipment or the flavor or origins of the matcha, but it’s up to the host to decide how strictly to uphold those guidelines.

“It is easy to look for deeper meaning behind the tea ceremony,” Atsuko says, “but for guests it is very much about the here and now, enjoying the tea and sweets surrounded by beautiful things.”

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Best places for bioluminescence

Witnessing displays of bioluminescence is often a happy accident. You’re vacationing at a lovely coastal location, taking an evening stroll along the beach when you suddenly witness the rare, ethereal phenomenon of glowing blue waters. Being lucky enough to see bioluminescence is like adding chocolate to an already delicious strawberry — but it doesn’t have to be all luck. Although bioluminescence might look magical, it’s actually a biological phenomenon you can plan ahead to see, so witnessing it isn’t a roll of the dice.

The light is produced by energy released from chemical reactions inside various organisms, from fireflies to sharks, for the purpose of confusing predators or attracting prey. When enough organisms emit this light in an area, it gives the environment an enchanting glow. Displays of bioluminescence are never a guarantee, but if you know where to look, you can greatly increase your odds of seeing the elusive, magical illumination. From Japan to Puerto Rico, these are the best places around the world to spot dazzling bioluminescence.

1. Toyama Bay, Japan

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The glowing blue waters of Toyama Bay, Japan, might look inviting — before you realize they’re full of squid. About three hours east of Tokyo, Toyama Bay has some of the most breathtaking bioluminescence in Asia. And it’s all thanks to the aptly named firefly squid. Firefly squid live in the waters of Toyama Bay from March to June every year, during their breeding season. During this time they certainly live up to the “firefly” name, emitting a bluish glow that bathes the ocean in an otherworldly light.

2. Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico

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Thankfully, Mosquito Bay isn’t known for its abundance of mosquitoes, but rather for having some of the best bioluminescence in the world. Named the world’s brightest bioluminescence by the Guinness Book of World Records, Mosquito Bay has one of the highest concentrations of plankton in the world, resulting in the blazing display of emitted light. Located on the southern shore of Puerto Rico’s Vieques Island, the bay’s resident plankton emit a bright blue light when disturbed, producing phosphorescence as a defense mechanism. The best way to visit Mosquito Bay is with a local boat tour operator.

3. Matsu Islands, Taiwan

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The bioluminescence off the coast of Taiwan’s Matsu Islands is attributed to a glowing algae called noctiluca scintillans, which emits a blue light when disturbed. This phenomenon just off the islands’ shore is so distinctive that it’s commonly referred to as the “blue tears,” as the cluster of light resembles dozens of blue teardrops floating in the water. The light is mainly visible between April and August when the algae are most active.

4. Luminous Lagoon, Jamaica

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The Luminous Lagoon certainly lives up to its name. Just five minutes from the docks of Falmouth, on Jamaica’s north coast, the lagoon is the best place on the island to witness bioluminescence. Microorganisms called dinoflagellates inhabit these waters and glow particularly brightly in the shallow, warm water. When the water is disturbed the organisms produce a bluish-green glow, revealing luminous outlines of fish and other objects beneath the surface. Boat tours depart every night, and they even let you jump in the water and take a swim surrounded by the glow.

5. Mudhdhoo Island, Maldives

Photo: PawelG Photo/Shutterstock

People don’t exactly need the lure of bioluminescence to be convinced to visit the Maldives. This island nation in the Indian Ocean is famous for its clear waters, overwater huts, and pristine beaches. Thankfully, one of the Maldives’ most stunning sights isn’t usually obstructed by hordes of Instagram models. On Mudhdhoo Island, the bioluminescence isn’t confined to a single cluster of sparkling plankton, as is usually the case, but spreads across a vast portion of the shore. The effect is produced by ostracod crustaceans (or seed shrimp), which emit light for a longer period of time than most organisms. Thanks to these glowing ostracods, an evening seaside stroll is nothing short of magical.

6. Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

Photo: Marcel Strelow/Shutterstock

New Zealand’s Waitomo Caves stand apart from other bioluminescent phenomena around the world. Rather than being an aquatic-based glow effect, the unique light in the Waitomo Caves is produced by thousands of glow worms called Arachnocampa luminosa — a species found only in New Zealand. There are three caves to be explored here, but the Glowworm Cave is undoubtedly the most famous and dazzling. In this cave you will take a boat ride through glowworm grotto, but rather than look down at the water, you’ll be staring at the stalactites above, illuminated by an army of glowworms. The caves can be found on the North Island, about 2.5 hours south of Auckland.

7. The Blue Grotto, Malta

Photo: Serg Zastavkin/Shutterstock

Sometimes you don’t need sea creatures to create an awesome blue glow but rather the right topographic conditions — namely, a sea cave. In Malta, a small island nation off the coast of Italy, the Blue Grotto will deliver a healthy dose of blue. An oceanic cave near the town of Wied iz-Zurrieq, the Blue Grotto is marked by distinctively blue, glowing water with objects underneath the water appearing silver, red, orange, or yellow. Although the blue phenomenon is the result of sunlight shining through the narrow entrance, rather than bioluminescence, the radiant effect is equally stunning and even more colorful. To reach the grotto, you must visit during low tide and calm conditions, and only via a specially licensed boat.

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Tenerife south Montaña Roja outdoors

Tenerife’s rugged coastline and volcanic mountains are changing the profile of visitors to this island off Africa’s northwest coast. Part of Spain’s Canary Islands, Tenerife enjoys year-round mild temperatures and 352 days of sunshine. That enviable weather, combined with cheap booze and all-inclusive hotels, once attracted travelers who turned the island’s southern shores into a party hotspot.

Today, though, nature enthusiasts come to the area for its outdoor offerings, many of which center around the famed Montaña Roja, or Red Mountain, a formerly active volcano that is today a peaceful peak. Some travelers base themselves in the tiny coastal village of La Tejita, a newly popular location for the wellness and digital nomad community. It’s also a good place for you to stay as you hike, trail run, swim, kitesurf, or find some other way to savor southern Tenerife’s impressive landscape.

1. Hike the trails of Montaña Roja.

Photo: Pawel Kazmierczak/Shutterstock

Stepping on Montaña Roja’s trails, you can’t help but feel like you’ve landed on the moon. At 410 acres, the entire natural preserve is made up of large-grain sand, rocks, and craters, reminders of the time when volcanic activity and lava spill designed its surface. Reaching 1,030 feet, the mountain’s summit can be accessed via a well-maintained trail system. Short but steep, the hike requires at least a moderate level of effort and physical ability.

The routes can be approached from two sides. If you face the mountain directly, you’ll find an information display that tells the story of the area and outlines the path up. Alternatively, approach the hike from the El Medano side, where the trail is a bit shorter and steeper. Eventually, all trails merge into one, ascending to the peak.

Another peak to conquer in the nature reserve is Montaña Bocinegro. Significantly shorter, at 118 feet, this is an easy hike and a fantastic way to see the beach enclave of El Medano from above, observing kitesurfers and the buzzing life at the village in the background.

2. Trail run in the natural reserve.

Photo: Blazej Lyjak/Shutterstock

If you enjoy trail running, you’ll be invigorated by Montaña Roja’s routes. The trick is to be fully present with every step, in order to safely traverse the rocky surface. At varying levels of difficulty, and with changing altitude, running across the entire preserve takes anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes depending on the pace. Runners can challenge themselves to cross the fossil dunes of La Tosca, which adds extra resistance.

Descending Montaña Bocinegro is a true challenge for balance as the path is narrow and steep. Perhaps the toughest and most exciting aspect of running here is dealing with the wind, which is ubiquitous and strong on most days, reaching 28 knots (about 32 miles per hour). The elemental force can be used both to one’s advantage for extra speed if running in its direction — though it poses an added challenge while running against it.

3. Practice beachside yoga.

Photo: Anna Ewa Bieniek/Shutterstock

A popular way to start the day in La Tajita is with a jog or a hike, followed up by an outdoor yoga practice. Montaña Roja’s beaches are perfect for yoga, as are the north-facing flat rock areas behind them. Never crowded, the natural preserve is calm and offers plenty of nooks to set up a mat to practice. The best time of day for yoga is in the early morning or the late afternoon, after 5:00 PM, as temperatures cool down at sunset to a comfortable 70 degrees.

4. Swim in the warm island waters.

Photo: anastas_styles/Shutterstock

With an average annual water temperature of 70 degrees, heating up to 75 degrees between June and September, Montaña Roja’s beaches are perfect for swimming. With varying terrain, starting with a shallow rocky bottom that gradually increases in depth, Leocadio Machado is ideal for both newbie and experienced swimmers. After your swim, a less than one-minute stroll along the waterfront takes you to the village of El Medano where you can purchase a cold-pressed orange juice from one of the street-side vendors.

Playa de la Tejita, which is just west of Montaña Roja, attracts many beachgoers looking for a perfect, line-less bronze island tan. Taking in the sun fully nude is the norm here, but it’s certainly not required. Beachside lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent for $11.50 per day.

5. Kitesurf at Leocadio Machado Beach.

Photo: Ines Porada/Shutterstock

With a season that stretches from March to September, Tenerife south has long been a destination for kitesurfers who ride the winds that come sweeping in from Africa and continue unabated towards the east coast of North America. Montaña Roja’s Leocadio Machado Beach is the center of the action, drawing dozens of kitesurfers every day. You can quickly and easily rent equipment or book a lesson at the nearby Tenerife Kitesurf in El Medano.

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Volunteer pilots flying service dogs

An airline could charge whatever it wants for a ticket on this flight, and it’d still be in high demand. Volunteer pilots are transporting golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, and other puppies via private planes on behalf of Canine Companions for Independence. The puppies are on their way from California to new temporary homes where they will be trained as service dogs.

Photo: Canine Companions for Independence/Facebook

Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that provides free trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities. Volunteer pilots working with the organization have brought 108 puppies to locations all around the country, including Southern California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Texas.

Although the company typically depends on commercial airlines for transportation, the pandemic has caused these flights to become unreliable. Luckily, private pilots are stepping in to help.

Michelle Williams, the public relations and marketing coordinator for Canine Companions, told Insider, “Not only are they giving their plane, but their time, their fuel. They’re going out for full days … it’s just incredible.”

Josh Hochberg is one of the volunteer pilots and the owner of the Sonoma Jet Center where the planes depart. “It’s more fulfilling than I could have possibly imagined,” he said. “So fulfilling that I actually got a puppy of my own.”

The puppies are bred at Canine Companions’ headquarters in Santa Rosa, California and then placed in temporary homes where families and individuals then raise the dogs. Volunteers socialize the dogs, teach them commands, and after a year-and-a-half, they’re placed in professional training centers.

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Japan may pay some your next trip

In the post-pandemic era, it’s going to take a lot of convincing to get people to feel comfortable enough to board a plane for an international trip. Airlines are spearheading new safety and sanitation measures designed to give travelers peace of mind, but destinations themselves still need to create incentives to visit. Japan might be making domestic travelers an offer that’s pretty hard to refuse, potentially covering part of the travel expenses for their trip.

In a news conference from May 20, 2020, according to the The Japan Times, Hiroshi Tabata of the Japan Tourism Agency said that the Japanese government plans to allocate $12.5 billion to a new holiday subsidies program, which could launch as soon as July. The program would cover domestic travel expenses in the form of discounts and vouchers to be used at local shops and restaurants to encourage people to explore more of the country. It would apply to tourists who make bookings through Japanese travel agencies or directly with hotels and traditional ryokan inns.

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Japanese news outlet Kyodo News previously reported that the scheme would pay for half of foreign travelers’ flights; however, this has been corrected. Although the program doesn’t exclude foreign visitors who will travel domestically within Japan, the country currently has an international travel ban in place, prohibiting foreigners from entering.

In April, Japan reported a 99.9 percent drop in tourism from the previous year, so the country is understandably eager to stimulate its tourism industry, especially considering the rescheduling of the 2020 Olympics.

Japan would be following the lead of other countries eager to encourage tourism this summer. Last month, Sicily announced a new program that would reimburse travelers for their trips, covering half of their flight and a third of their hotel expenses.

Editor’s Note: A version of this article was published on May 23, 2020, stating that the Japanese government might pay for half of your trip there, based on statement from Kyodo News. This piece was updated on May, 27, 2020 to reflect the clarification that the subsidy will only apply to domestic travel, not international.

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Types of burgers and veggie burgers

The humble burger is America’s favorite sandwich. It’s the go-to basic meal for quick grilling sessions, the menu item at the center of some of the largest fast-food chains in the world, and a favorite menu item when chefs want to elevate a familiar dish. Yet the burger isn’t just an American phenomenon.

At its most basic, today’s burger is a type of sandwich with ground meat in between two buns. There are classics, like Jimmy Buffett’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise” made with lettuce, tomato, Heinz 57, and French fried potatoes, as well as meatless burgers. Pretty much wherever you can find buns, you can find a type of burger. Usually, the only difference is what’s inside, but some cuisines have distinct variations that stand out from the standard American fare.

Consider these burger variations from around the world as inspiration to up your next barbecue.

Note: While searching for types of burgers around the world, you will no doubt come across plenty of stunt burgers. You know these: ramen burgers, okonomiyaki burgers, doughnut burgers, Twinkie burgers, etc. Here, we focus only on styles that make regular menu appearances.

1. Buletten (also known as frikadellen) from Germany

Photo: stockcreations/Shutterstock

The ur burger itself. Depending on the region of Germany, it’s known as a buletten or a frikadellen, but outside of Germany it’s called a Hamburg steak. While the Hamburg steak has no buns (though it is often served with soft rolls called brötchen), it gets a pass because of its status as the dish that influenced all burgers. Hamburg steaks are from Hamburg, Germany, and are made with minced beef and spices and served as a patty that looks like a slightly flattened meatball. Consider it not just the original burger, but the original bunless burger as well. It’s believed that the idea for the dish came from Russian sailors who brought steak tartare (raw minced meat mixed with spices) to the port of Hamburg in the 1600s. The cooked version likely made it to America thanks to immigrants from Europe leaving from the very same port of Hamburg. In New York City, where many immigrants landed, “Hamburg-style” steaks appealed to Germanic tastes.

Today, Hamburg steaks are just as popular, if not more, in Japan as they are in Germany, though the steaks in Japan are often made with a high pork-to-beef mixture.

2. Bøfsandwich from Denmark

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A bøfsandwich (“beef sandwich”) is made with spiced ground beef in between bread, and it’s a common street food item. Ketchup, mustard, remoulade, raw and cooked onions, and pickles are typical additions between the buns. The main thing that makes Denmark’s bøfsandwich stick out is how it’s plated and eaten: The bøfsandwich is served swimming in gravy, which eliminates the on-the-go handiness that makes burgers so easy to eat in the United States, but adds an extra level of savory meatiness.

In Canada, a similar gravy soaked burger is called the hot Hamburg sandwich.

3. Ramly burger from Malaysia

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A Ramly burger is a meat patty that’s spiced with black pepper sauce and Maggi, cooked, and then placed on a thin layer of egg that’s been cooked on a flat surface. The egg is maneuvered to completely cover the patty, kind of like an omelet. Finally, the meat-in-an-egg-blanket is covered by a bun with cheese and other condiments of choice.

The burger gets its name from the popular Ramly Burger fast-food chain, and you can find the egg-wrapped burgers at street stalls and in the frozen food aisles of grocery stores.

4. Vada pav from India

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If veggie burgers fall into the wider category of burgers, then vada pav should be considered a leader in the realm of veggie burger sliders. This Mumbai snack is made with a ball of mashed potatoes that’s spiced and covered in chickpea flour before being fried and put in a chutney-covered bread called pav. The soft bread and potatoes come from the Portuguese, who colonized western India for centuries. Today, pav is an important component of Mumbai street food.

5. Bun kebabs from Pakistan

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Bun kebabs are exactly what they sound like: minced kebab meat in a bun. Which, when you think about it, really isn’t all that far from a burger. While what goes in between the buns can vary (beef, lentil, mutton, chicken, and potato patties are popular), a core set of spices and ingredients stay the same: onions, chutney, chilis, and egg. After the patty is formed, it’s fried. One common style is anday wala, which has an egg on top of the patty. Bun kebabs are a popular street food in Karachi, Pakistan, but can be found across the country.

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Most beautiful villages in England

While London is a hotbed of ultra modern architecture, with shiny buildings of metal and glass piercing the sky above the city, and suburbs all over England are filled with cookie-cutter estates, there are still many places in the country where more unique and traditional structures are the norm. The thatched cottages and timber-frame homes of Midsomer Murders and Miss Marple are not only the stuff of fiction or chocolate boxes — they are parts of remarkable historical villages that are still lived in and very much sought-after. From a coastal town in Devon to a village of limestone cottages in the Peak District, here are seven places that are going to take you straight to jolly old England.

1. Worsley village, Greater Manchester

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Worsley is the whole picturesque package: Beautiful timber-framed houses, a lawn with a Victorian fountain and daffodils come spring, and arched stone footbridges. But the real star of this hamlet is the tranquil Bridgewater canal which revolutionized the transport of coal from the local mines to Manchester, and fueled the industrial revolution, in the 18th century. The colorful narrowboats that cruise on the water make for a peaceful scene, especially when observed from the leafy footpath along the waterway. Follow the Worsley Heritage Trail for a lesson on the historical significance of the village and explore the 74 acres of surrounding woodland for the complete idyllic experience.

2. Milton Abbas, Dorset

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Dorset is well known for its beautiful coastline, which comprises part of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast, but those who decide to leave the turquoise waters and cliffs behind to go inland are unlikely to be disappointed. The Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers about half the county and the designation protects stunning landscapes and countryside like the valley setting of the village of Milton Abbas.

Built in the second half of the 18th century along a single street, the village is as picture perfect as it gets — cob and thatched cottages, each with a front lawn, perfectly line the streets. Some even have climbing rose bushes growing along the facade for good measure. Milton Abbey Church, a 14th-15th century religious edifice with gorgeous stained glass, and the neighboring Milton Abbey School are the icing on the cake of this dreamy hamlet. Some of the cottages are available to rent on Airbnb, and there are many walking trails around the village for those who want to stick around and explore for a while.

3. Tissington, Derbyshire

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England’s Peak District does not need to be talked up — its natural beauty is proof enough that passing on it would be travel crime. But although the moors, rivers, hills, and lakes are plenty attractive, checking out the village of Tissington, located in the Derbyshire part of Peak District National Park, will add some architectural and historical charm to your visit.

Enter the village by passing through the lodge gates off the main Ashbourne to Buxton roads and be wowed by the long avenue of lime trees and the first few examples of limestone cottages that make the village’s reputation. Continue on to get to the heart of Tissington and to the magnificent residence that has been home to the FitzHerbert family for hundreds of years, Tissington Hall, where you can enjoy some tea alongside scones and mini-sandwiches. St. Mary’s Church is also worth your while, so make sure to take your time to wander the village and see all its sights. If you happen to be in the area on Ascension Day, you’ll be able to witness the unique tradition of “dressing” the village’s wells with intricate floral designs, an event that attracts large crowds every year. Walking or biking the 13 miles of the Tissington Trail is a great way to see the village and its gorgeous surrounding countryside.

4. Lavenham, Suffolk

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Even if you’re not into traditional architecture, the crooked buildings that make up Lavenham should pique your interest. A historic village made up of colorful medieval houses, Lavenham owes its beauty to the wool trade that made it the 14th richest town in the country in the 16th century. When competition, trade sanction, and heavy taxes came under Henry VIII, the wool town fell into poverty and its inhabitants were unable to upgrade their oak-frame houses for something more modern, unknowingly preserving some of the most remarkable structures in England, like the pink Old Grammar School or the orange De Vere House.

The wonky houses served as the backdrop for Godric’s Hollow in the film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and are full of great details, so take the time to observe them by following one of the local National Trust walking trails. Besides the quirky timber buildings that look like they are on the verge of collapsing, check out the tall and ornate 15th-century St. Peter and St. Paul Church for a different kind of medieval throwback. Lavenham is full of independent shops, cafes, and pubs, so you can make a day of your visit.

5. Beer, Devon

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Located right on the Jurassic Coast and within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Beer is a village that’s known as one of England’s prettiest. Unlike what its moniker may have you thinking, the seaside village is more famous for its fishing, white cliffs, and shingle beach than for its brews, but it does have some good pubs to grab a pint. While the place is full of pretty cottages, it’s also the starting point of the South West Coast Path, a walk with beautiful views of the cliffs and the English Channel that will either take you to the eye-candy hamlet of Branscombe (west) or to the town of Seaton (east). Note that Beer is a popular destination for beachgoers, so don’t expect to have the place for yourself on a sunny day.

6. Shaftesbury, Dorset

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Although technically a town and not a village, Shaftesbury is forever anchored in the collective psyche as a small and rural place thanks to the iconic 1974 Hovis bread advertisement filmed there and broadcast all over Britain for years. And it’s hard not to remember the young boy pushing his bike up cobblestoned Gold Hill, with its thatched cottages and views of the rolling hills, and not think that Shaftesbury is the archetype of the English village. But even beyond the images that TV has engraved into our brains over the years, the Saxon town is stunning. There are beautiful historical houses just about everywhere you look, and the top of Gold Hill and Park Walk both provide wonderful views of the countryside that served as the backdrop for some of Thomas Hardy’s novels. Seemingly unchanged for centuries, Shaftesbury is a great base to travel to the Jurassic Coast, Bath, and Salisbury, but it’s also a good place for a quiet gateway — if you like charming tea shops, pubs, and a hefty dose of nostalgia, that is.

7. Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire

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The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is the country’s hub for cute hamlets, but none are as beautiful as Bourbon-on-the-Water, located in the heart of the region. The village is filled with the typical yellow limestone cottages that define the area, but what takes Bourton-on-the-Water up a notch is the River Windrush that flows across it, and runs along the green walking paths. The six stone bridges that arch above the river add to the village’s charm and are responsible for its nickname “Venice of the Cotswolds.” The village is a scene of tranquility and old-fashioned England, and, as such, it’s a popular destination, so long weekends and holidays are busy.

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Flowers to honor healthcare workers

The fight against the novel coronavirus has not stopped in New York City, and neither has the public’s support and gratitude for front-line workers. Case in point: Flower designer Lewis Miller has been creating huge flower arrangements around NYC to honor the healthcare workers who are risking their lives every day. Each installation is called a “flower flash,” a collection of roses, lilies, cherry blossoms, and more.

These flower flashes are displayed in various ways — any spot will do, whether it’s a sidewalk or a signpost. Miller has even used trash cans as vases for huge bouquets, including one dedicated to healthcare workers that are also mothers, which he set up on Mother’s Day.

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Cherry Blossoms are blooming in New York City. Extraordinary healthcare workers are showing up every day saving lives and essential workers are continuing to keep this great city moving forward. LMD is not sharing the locations of these Cherry Blossom Flashes, we hope you can spot them from your windows, and we hope our New York heroes spot them on their way to work. We