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NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade moved

For the first time in its 258-year history, the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is being postponed. Governor Andrew Cuomo made the decision to not hold the parade over growing concerns surrounding the coronavirus and the gathering of large crowds.

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations all over Ireland, as well as in Chicago and Boston have already been canceled.

In a statement, the governor said, “Today I had several conversations with the organizers of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to determine whether the parade should move forward in light of the evolving coronavirus situation and increased case count in the New York City area. Following those conversations, I recommended and the parade’s leadership agreed to postpone this year’s parade due to the high density and the large volume of marchers and spectators who attend. While I know the parade organizers did not make this decision lightly, public health experts agree that one of the most effective ways to contain the spread of the virus is to limit large gatherings and close contacts, and I applaud the parade’s leadership for working cooperatively with us. While the risk to New Yorkers remains low and we want to avoid social and economic disruptions, we have an obligation to take action to contain the spread of this virus.”

The good news is, the parade, which has been held every year in New York City since 1762, isn’t being canceled entirely for now. According to Sean Lane, the parade committee chair, “We look forward to celebrating the 259th St. Patrick’s Day Parade with the entire city of New York at a later date.” That later date has not, however, been chosen yet.


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The post For the first time in over 250 years, New York’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is postponed appeared first on Matador Network.

What is hurling?

In Kilkenny, Ireland, a monument depicting sportsmen scrimmaging for a fist-sized ball while wielding hockey-stick-cricket-paddle hybrids has sat in Canal Square since 2016. It captures a scene familiar to Irish onlookers, honoring the ancient Gaelic sport that’s evolved into Ireland’s national pastime: hurling.

References to early iterations of the sport appear as far back as the 13th century, with heroes like the demigod Cúchulainn often being represented as expert hurlers. The statue in Kilkenny is a fitting testament to the sport’s role in Irish history: In 1367, one of 35 laws known as the Statutes of Kilkenny banned hurling for promoting violence, yet the sport persisted and spread. Now, between January and March each year, countless fans head to their local stadiums or glue themselves to the TV on Saturdays to watch the wildly popular National Hurling League in action.

Part of Ireland’s heritage, and a point of national pride, hurling is a pillar of Irish athletics. It’s also gained audiences around the world. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Gaelic ball-and-stick sport that’s been entertaining the Emerald Isle for millennia.

How hurling came to be Ireland’s national pastime

The earliest hurling matches are believed to have been played between neighboring or rival clans. Variations of the sport evolved over time: By the 1700s, a similar game went by the name camán in the north and iomán in southern Ireland. Though the Great Famine caused a dramatic decline in hurling’s presence the following century, it began making a comeback in 1884 with the foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). A few years later, in 1887, the GAA organized the inaugural All-Ireland Championship hurling competition, which today takes place every July and August, culminating in a final on the third Sunday in August.

Scotland’s answer to hurling, called shinty, or camanchd in Gaelic, originated in the Scottish Highlands concurrently with hurling, establishing its very own Camanachd Association in 1893. Though the two sports share a common ancestor, hurling has had a farther reach, even qualifying for the unofficial program of the 1904 Summer Olympics alongside Gaelic football.

The GAA created the National Hurling League shortly after the St. Louis Olympics, launching a seven-team tournament in 1926. (Cork beat out Dublin in the final.) Today, 35 teams compete in the league, and the GAA has set up hundreds of amateur clubs around the world, including more than 130 in over 50 cities across the United States that are overseen by the USGAA.

Camán, sliotars, and other hurling gear

Photo: D. Ribeiro/Shutterstock

Though a contact sport, hurling requires relatively little gear. In fact, all you really need to play is a hurling stick, also known as a hurley or camán in Gaelic, and a sliotar, or hurling ball. Hurling sticks have long handles and flat, wide heads known as the bas. Hurling balls are similar in size and appearance to baseballs but feature ridged rather than stitched seams.

Some players wear gloves on their non-dominant catching hands. Today’s hurlers have also worn helmets with facial guards since GAA regulations mandated them for players of all levels, during both practices and competitions, starting in 2010, to curb head injuries.

Hurling 101: how to play

Hurling has been called the “fasted game on the grass.” It’s played on a pitch roughly double the size of a soccer field, which sees teams of 15 players positioned on either side. The objective is to get the ball past the opposing team’s crossbar: One point is awarded if the sliotar passes above the crossbar, which has H-shaped goalposts on either side similar to those seen in American football; three points are granted if the ball goes into the netted goal below the crossbar, which is guarded by a goalkeeper much like in soccer or field hockey.

To move the ball, players may catch the sliotar, either in the air or from a bounce, or lift it into their hands using their hurleys. They may not pick it up directly from the ground. Hurlers may only take four steps with the ball in hand, though they’re permitted to run with it balanced on their sticks for as long as they’re able. Bounces reset the count.

Kicking and passing with an open hand are allowed in hurling, but throwing is not. It’s also prohibited to transfer the ball to the hand more than twice without it touching the ground. Breaking any of the above rules, grabbing another player’s jersey, and being excessively aggressive can result in fouls (granted, players are allowed to shoulder charge opponents in possession, or immediate pursuit, of the sliotar).

What’s the deal with camogie?

Photo: D. Ribeiro/Shutterstock

Camogie is to hurling what softball is to baseball: a variation of the sport that’s played by women. The sliotars used in camogie are smaller than hurling balls, however, unlike softballs.

The rules of the two sports are similar though there are a few notable differences. Camogie players are allowed to hand pass, for example, while hurlers are not. They’re furthermore permitted to drop their sticks to do so. Shoulder charging, on the other hand, is not allowed, and camogie uniforms feature skirts rather than shorts.


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The post Hurling is the fast, fearless game that’ll get you hooked on Gaelic sports appeared first on Matador Network.

Irish cultural sites in the US

Today, St. Patrick’s Day in the US is synonymous with posting up at the local Irish pub at 3:00 PM, green Jell-O shots, and breaking out that embarrassing green shirt you can only wear once a year. In the drunken haze, we often forget that the holiday is actually a celebration of Irish culture. The Irish experience in the US has been long and difficult, and it is, in many cases, an example of the American Dream in action. Taking some time around St. Patrick’s Day to consider the rich history of the Irish in America, and even visit some cultural significant landmarks, will make you appreciate the holiday a lot more. Whether you go before hitting the pub or as a way to distract yourself from the hangover, these are the Irish cultural sites you should consider visiting this year.

1. The Tenement Museum, New York City

Photo: DW labs Incorporated/Shutterstock

Nowhere is the immigrant experience better documented than the Tenement Museum in New York City’s Lower East Side. The museum focuses on Jewish, Irish, and other immigrants who came to the US in the late 1800s and faced prejudice as they struggled to make a life for themselves in a new country. The Irish Outsiders apartment tour is the best example of this. It tells the story of one immigrant family who arrived in America in the mid-1860s, when Irish immigrants were looked upon unfavorably. They lived on the grounds of what is now the Tenement Museum, along with many other immigrant families. Visiting their historic dwelling will not only give you an appreciation for the early Irish experience in America but also show how other minority communities adapted to life in the US.

Where: 103 Orchard Street, New York, NY, 10002

2. Irish Channel, New Orleans

Photo: Suzanne C. Grim/Shutterstock

The Irish of New Orleans settled in a neighborhood called the Irish Channel, within the Garden District area. Immigrants came here from Ireland in the early 19th century, and the neighborhood quickly developed a rough reputation due to its multitude of Irish street gangs. Since then, the Irish Channel has cleaned up its act and hosts the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and other events. The Irish Channel Corner Club is a pillar of the neighborhood, bringing a dose of Irish music and culture to New Orleans’ parades.

3. Chicago Gaelic Park, Chicago

Photo: Chicago Gaelic Park/Facebook

Chicago is famous for its St. Patrick’s Day celebration wherein the city dyes the river green, but for a more authentic Irish experience, head to Chicago Gaelic Park. Opened in 1985 as a place to promote Irish heritage and culture, the park hosts Irish dancing, music lessons, concerts, and is home to the Carraig Irish Pub. The Irish Famine Monument is also located inside the park, dedicated to the millions who died of starvation or were forced to immigrate during the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-1850. It portrays a poor family being evicted from their ravaged home, illustrating the trying conditions the Irish were forced to endure.

Where: 6119 W. 147th Street, Oak Forest, IL 60452

4. McSorley’s Old Ale House, New York City

Photo: littlenySTOCK/Shutterstock

Boston might be known for its Irish pubs, but the distinction of being home to the oldest Irish pub in the country belongs to New York City. McSorley’s Old Ale House was opened in 1854 by John McSorley who arrived in the US from Ireland just four years prior. Due to its notoriety, it’s become a popular tourist attraction, but that doesn’t take away from its classic atmosphere. It has been featured in paintings and has been frequented by notable guests like Abraham Lincoln, Hunter S. Thompson, and Woody Guthrie. Deciding on a drink there is easy; the pub only serves its own brew, which comes in two varieties — “light” and “dark” — for outrageously cheap prices (by NYC standards).

Where: 5 East 7th Street, New York, NY 10003

5. St. Patrick, Missouri

The town of St. Patrick, Missouri, went the extra mile to show off its Irish heritage by changing its name from North Santa Fe to St. Patrick in 1857. With a population of 24 people, the town was originally settled by Irish immigrants, who brought with them a strong Catholic faith. Its most notable landmark is the Shrine of Saint Patrick, a church originally built in 1956, and modeled after St. Patrick’s Memorial Church of Four Masters in County Donegal, Ireland.

And in case you’re looking for a souvenir from your epic trip to St. Patrick, make sure you stop at the post office. It issues a one-of-a-kind stamp not available anywhere else in the world, with a shamrock symbol, Irish hat and pipe, and the words “St. Patrick, Missouri: The Only One in the World.”

6. John J. Burns Library, Boston

Photo: John J. Burns Library/Facebook

It comes as no surprise that the richest collection of Irish cultural and political artifacts in the US is located in Boston. The John J. Burns Library in Boston College is known for its Irish American collections, as well as its works that reflect the college’s Jesuit heritage. The college itself was founded by Jesuits in 1863 with the aim of educating the children of poor immigrants who fled the Irish potato famine. Some of the library’s most notable works include those by Irish authors Samuel Beckett, Seamus Heaney, George Bernard Shaw, and W.B. Yeats. The building also houses documents, newspapers, and monographs significant to Irish history and politics, as well as unpublished recordings, sheet music, photographs, and instruments related to Irish and Celtic musical history.

Where: 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

7. Irish Diaspora Center of Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Photo: Irish Diaspora Center/Facebook

The Irish Diaspora Center of Philadelphia is a one-stop-shop for all your Irish heritage needs. The center works with the Irish government and other organizations to promote Irish identity and culture. It offers a variety of educational and helpful bureaucratic resources, like Irish passport services, a legal immigration clinic, genealogy groups, and a senior outreach program. It also runs social activities designed to bring the local Irish community together, like the Foróige Youth Club, a Gaelic Athletic Association, and a Summer Immersion Program. And, of course, they’re hosting a variety of St. Patrick’s Day activities every year.

Where: 1001 Darby Road, Havertown, PA 19083

8. St. Peter’s Church, New York City

Photo: St Peter – Our Lady of the Rosary Parish NYC/Facebook

Even if you’re not the churchgoing kind, St. Peter’s Church in Manhattan’s Financial District is worth a visit. It’s the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the state of New York, dating back to 1785, and the current building has stood since 1840. In addition to being architecturally impressive, defined by its six massive stone columns, the church is also a symbol of endurance against religious persecution. Today, it represents a spiritual beacon for the Irish community in New York and serves as a gathering place for that community.

Where: 22 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10007

9. J.J. Foley’s Cafe, Boston

Photo: JJ Foleys Cafe/Facebook

New York City might have the oldest Irish pub in the country, but no US city exudes Irish culture like Boston. Anyone who’s been to South Boston (or “Southie”) knows that Boston’s blood runs green, and it’s evident from the many Irish pubs. J.J. Foley’s Cafe, in Boston’s South End, is the oldest Irish-run pub in the city, continuously operating since 1909. The place is always lively, offers a big menu of classic Irish food, and is a local favorite for watching the Patriots dominate the AFC.

Where: 117 E Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02118


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Important former Yugoslavia sites

Before 1992, the countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Kosovo were united under one republic called Yugoslavia. Between 1991 and 2001, this region suffered a series of violent secessionist conflicts known as the Yugoslav Wars. In the early ‘90s, the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) worked to combat the secessionist governments, believing that unity was best for the country. However, Belgrade was the capital of Yugoslavia, and the JNA soon became an instrument for the whims of the Serbian government. Slobodan Milošević, then President of Serbia, used the Yugoslav military in an attempt to create a “Greater Serbia,” and he was ruthless in the pursuit of this goal. As Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo all attempted to declare their independence, Milošević sent JNA forces to combat the insurgencies and keep the Balkan region under Serbian control.

The Yugoslav Wars were incredibly violent, and certain parts of the Balkan region are still recovering two decades later. In fact, this is widely looked upon as Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, with an estimated 140,000 casualties. If you are ever in the region, consider visiting these sites to gain insight and pay tribute to the hardship, violence, and grief faced by the people of former Yugoslavia during this tumultuous time.

1. Stari Most, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Photo: S-F/Shutterstock

The town of Mostar is best known for Stari Most, or the Old Bridge, which was initially built by Ottoman rulers in the 1560s. The bridge is an official UNESCO World Heritage site, and it stood in its original form for over 400 years. On November 9, 1993, most of the historic town of Mostar was destroyed by the Croatian army — including Stari Most. This was a part of a military campaign where Serbian and Croatian forces worked together with the goal of overtaking Bosnia and dividing the territory to expand their respective countries.

Before the war, Mostar was home to disparate ethnic and religious groups: Muslims, Jews, Orthodox Christians, and Catholics coexisted in peace. Stari Most was a universal symbol of this tolerance. The destruction of the bridge is widely perceived as deliberate and unnecessary — rather than shelling the bridge for strategic purposes, the Croatian military wanted to send a ruthless message to all Bosniaks.

Stari Most was reconstructed in 2004 with impressive fidelity to its original form and materials. Today, the bridge represents reconciliation and hope for the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Where: Stari Most, Mostar 88000, Bosnia and Herzegovina

2. Vijecnica, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Photo: Goran Vrhovac/Shutterstock

The Vijecnica, or City Hall, is located in Sarajevo, which is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This building was initially built in the 1890s when the city was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Between 1949 and 1992, the Vijecnica housed the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including a collection of over 155,000 rare books and manuscripts.

On August 25, 1992, Serbian forces destroyed the Vijecnica as a part of the Siege of Sarajevo. This siege lasted for 1,425 days, which is the longest siege of a capital city in all of modern warfare. When the Vijecnica was destroyed, Bosnia and Herzegovina lost 80 percent of its contents, including three million books and hundreds of original manuscripts from the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian periods. Similar to the attack on Stari Most, the destruction of the Vijecnica is believed to have been a deliberate destruction of cultural heritage, without any perceptible military gain.

The Vijecnica was rebuilt in several stages between 1996 and 2013. It reopened in 2014 as a National Monument, and today it serves as the capital’s city hall. You can tour the Vijecnica for $5.50, or you can enter the war crime information center for free. In this portion of the Vijecnica, all publicly available files from the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) — including documents and videos — are stored and updated in an electronic database.

Where: Obala Kulina bana, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina

3. Memorial Complex of Adem Jashari, Prekaz, Kosovo

Photo: Attila JANDI/Shutterstock

Adem Shaban Jashari was born in the village of Prekaz, and he was one of the founders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), a Kosovo Albanian separatist group that fought for the secession of Kosovo from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the 1990s. The KLA hoped to detach from Yugoslavia and merge with Albania, which borders Kosovo to the south. On March 5, 1998, the Special Anti-Terrorism Unit of Serbia led an operation wherein Adem, his brother Hamëz, and 60 other relatives were killed. This is known as the Attack on Prekaz, or the Prekaz massacre.

After the attack, the Yugoslav and Serbia media depicted Adem Jashari as a terrorist while the Albanian media and international community viewed him as a freedom fighter. At the memorial, there are the graves of Adem and his 61 martyred relatives, a memorial complex with a museum inside, and the Jashari house. The Adem Jashari Memorial is considered a site of ethnic pilgrimage rather than a tourist destination, so bear this in mind when planning your visit.

Where: Rruga Adem e Hamëz Jashari, Prekaz 41000, Kosovo

4. Serbian Ministry of Defense Building, Belgrade, Serbia

Photo: EQRoy/Shutterstock

The Ministry of Defense building in Belgrade once served as the headquarters for the Yugoslav Ministry of Defense. During the war, this building was the nucleus of all military operations against the secessionist movements in Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, and Kosovo. Around midnight between April 29 and 30, 1999, NATO bombed the Ministry of Defense building twice in the span of 15 minutes. Nine days later, around midnight between May 7 and 8, NATO bombed the building again. The building was unoccupied at the time of the bombings. Most people believe that the Ministry of Defense building was bombed due to its symbolic significance as the commanding center of the Yugoslav army, rather than in a strategic effort to eliminate targets.

Today, the Serbian Ministry of Defense operates in a small, adjacent building that was unaffected by the bombings. Between 1999 and 2015, the bombed ministry building remained untouched. Currently, the future of the Ministry of Defense building is uncertain. There have been proposals to reconstruct the building according to its original 1957 design, to demolish it, or to convert it into a hotel. The stalemate is mainly due to a lack of governmental funding. For now, the remains are partially standing, with a large middle section of the original building demolished.

Where: Kneza Miloša 33, Belgrade 11000, Serbia

5. Water Tower, Vukovar, Croatia

Photo: NikolaR/Shutterstock

The Vukovar water tower is located on the banks of the Danube River, which also happens to serve as the border between Croatia and Serbia. Due to its location, Vukovar was the site of a major battle during the Croatian War for Independence (one of the many Yugoslav Wars). The Battle of Vukovar was an 87-day siege that occurred between August and November of 1991. Shells and rockets were fired by Serbian and JNA forces into the town at a rate of up to 12,000 a day, and the civilians of a Vukovar lived in constant fear for their lives. Vukovar officially fell on November 18, 1991, and it was ethnically cleansed of its non-Serb population (either through death or expulsion). The city was considered a part of Serbia until it was restored to Croatia in 1998.

The water tower of Vukovar was hit by artillery more than 600 times during the siege. Again, it is speculated that it was targeted for symbolic reasons, rather than military gain. There were initially plans to restore the water tower after the Yugoslav Wars ended, but the Croatian government instead decided to preserve the water tower in its post-siege form, as a testament to the pain endured by the people of Vukovar. In 2018, there were new proposals to reinforce the water tower and reopen a restaurant at the top, and the tower is currently undergoing renovations.

Where: Ul. Najpar Bašče 1, 32000 Vukovar, Croatia

6. Homeland War Museum, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Photo: Muzej Domovinskog rata Dubrovnik/Facebook

Vukovar wasn’t the only Croatian city to experience a devastating siege. Dubrovnik, a beautiful walled city and official UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Adriatic Sea, was all but obliterated in the Croatian War for Independence. Between October 1, 1991 and May 31, 1992, the residents of Dubrovnik were surrounded and attacked by the Serbian and JNA forces. It was practically impossible for the people of Dubrovnik to defend themselves, as there were less than 500 Croatian troops in the city area, and the Croatian Territorial Defence was disarmed by the JNA two years prior. However, Croatia won the battle by stockpiling and transporting JNA weapons acquired from other battles throughout the region.

The Homeland War Museum is located in an imperial fortress that sits on a cliff overlooking the city. The museum tells the story of the progression of the Croatian War for Independence between 1991 and 1995. As this museum is in Dubrovnik, it places a special focus on the Siege of Dubrovnik, and it showcases objects, photos, videos, and documents from this time period. The opening hours vary depending on the month, so check out the museum website to plan your visit.

Where: Poljana Paska Milicevic 1, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia

7. Srebrenica Memorial, Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Photo: ToskanaINC/Shutterstock

The Srebrenica Memorial in Bosnia and Herzegovina commemorates the Srebrenica massacre which took place in July of 1995. In less than one month, Bosnian Serb forces killed 8,372 ethnic Bosniaks in and around the Bosnian village of Srebrenica. Bosnian Serbs felt an allegiance to the country of Serbia, as they all belonged to the Eastern Orthodox Church. Bosniaks, by comparison, are predominantly Muslim.

The massacre of Srebrenica was perpetrated solely on the basis of ethnicity and religion — but before the Yugoslav Wars, Serbs and Bosniaks lived together in relative peace. The Srebrenica massacre is often considered the worst crime committed on European soil since World War II. However, the Serbian government refuses to use the word “genocide” when describing the events of Srebrenica, and this has impeded relations between present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

The Srebrenica Memorial consists of two parts: a cemetery and an information center. The cemetery contains graves for roughly 6,000 of the Srebrenica genocide victims. The center is located in the former headquarters of the Dutch UN battalion, who were stationed in an attempt to protect the people of Bosnia. The center serves to educate visitors about the crimes committed in Srebrenica — it houses survivor testimonials, film installations, court documents, and other materials from 1995. The memorial is free to enter, and it is open on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Where: Potocari bb, Srebrenica 75430, Bosnia and Herzegovina

8. War Childhood Museum, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Photo: War Childhood Museum/Facebook

Sarajevo is the city that epitomizes the damage of the Yugoslav Wars. Before the 1,425 day siege, Sarajevo was home to a multi-ethnic population of Croats (Catholics), Bosniaks (Muslims), and Serbs (Orthodox Christian). When Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1992, the Bosnian Serbs launched a siege of Sarajevo in the hopes of creating a Serbian State. The Bosnian Serbs surrounded Sarajevo with 13,000 men stationed in the surrounding hills, and they were supported by the soldiers, arms, and supplies of the JNA. A total of 13,952 people were killed during the siege, including 5,434 civilians.

The War Childhood Museum is located in central Sarajevo, and it contains personal items, toys, writings, drawings, photographs, and videos from individuals who were children during the Bosnian War for Independence. Over 4,000 items have been collected from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina (with a focus on Sarajevo), and over 100 hours of survival testimonials have been filmed. This museum is an intimate, emotional exhibition of the ways in which children are damaged by war.

Today, the museum is working on an expansion to include people in other parts of the world who witnessed war as children. The museum is open every day from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and it is open in July and August from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The admission is $5.50.

Where: 30-32, Logavina, Sarajevo, 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina


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The post 8 sites to visit to better understand the 1990s Yugoslavian wars appeared first on Matador Network.

Best desert hotels in the world

From minimalist resorts to forest gateways, there are plenty of creative ways to escape reality for a moment and reconnect with oneself. But there’s no better place than the desert to truly unwind and get some peace and quiet. And you don’t have to rough it in the sand dunes to get away from it all — instead, stay at one of the following luxury desert hotels where your morning email session will be replaced by a hot-air balloon flight over the dunes. Here are seven desert accommodations where travelers can recharge their batteries.

1. Emeraude Desert Camp, Morocco

Photo: Dayana Aleksandrova

The perfect escape from the bustle of the Marrakech medina, Emeraude is a luxury camp located in the dry-rock desert of Agafay. The area has gained popularity in recent years as a convenient alternative to Morocco’s Sahara camps, which require an extra day of travel. A quick 45-minute drive from the city, the camp offers plenty of chances to relax with a glass of Berber tea while enjoying the year-round sunny weather. Guests can explore the area on camelback at sunset and get a front-row view of the famously beautiful Atlas mountains.

The camp offers a hot-air balloon ride through Ciel d’Afrique, the oldest tour company in Morocco which has been operating for over 30 years. The accommodation at Emeraude consists of Bedouin-style luxury tents, each of which is equipped with its own bathroom and shower, hot water, fireplace, and designer furniture made by local artisans. The private front porch is ideal for sunbathing and meditation, occasionally catching a glimpse of herds of goats passing by.

The desert experience includes all meals, which include traditional recipes such as beef tagine with almonds and prunes, vegetarian hors d’oeuvre, and homemade bread. An evening by the campfire is a great opportunity to dive into a good book with a glass of local merlot. The crisp air and starlit sky create the perfect atmosphere for a night of deep rest away from all screens.

One-night stay from $207

2. And Beyond, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia

Photo: Sossusvlei Desert Lodge/Facebook

Travelers who dream of decompressing under the stars far away from civilization have a great option in the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, which lies 57 miles into the world’s oldest desert — the Namib. Committed to sustainability, the lodge is made entirely of glass and stone, fitting organically into the landscape. Each cabin has an open veranda, a private plunge pool, a retractable skylight above the bed, and a fireplace for extra comfort. The shared spaces are highly focused on wellness and include a sunrise-view gym, a rim-flow pool, and an interactive kitchen. Truly secluded, the lodge can be accessed by plane, landing on its private airstrip, or in a 4×4 vehicle. Some of the activities to look forward to at the Sossusvlei Desert lodge include guided desert excursions, stargazing, and a curated picnic of local delicacies in the dunes.

One-night stay from $626

3. Amangiri, Utah

Photo: Amangiri/Facebook

Amangiri is 600 acres of undisturbed tranquility and luxury in the desert of southern Utah. The resort is located in the heart of Canyon Country, surrounded by unique and stunning rock formations on all sides — the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, the Grand Staircase, and Zion National Park. Since the property is in a remote area, the entertainment provided includes guided desert hikes, horseback riding, and relaxing by the pool.

Yoga, massage, and soothing hammam sessions are also a part of Amangiri’s plan for pampering guests who want to disconnect from everything. All of their spa treatments are focused on healing using Navajo techniques. In the dining room, expect traditional Southwest cuisine with a side of dramatic views thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel works with the local community by sourcing all of the ingredients for its menu from a local Native American co-op.

One-night stay from $1,800, includes full board

4. Wadi Rum Luxury Camp, Jordan

Photo: Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp/Facebook

Inspired by the local lifestyle and tradition, Wadi Rum Luxury Camp wants to show its guests the essence of Bedouin culture and teach them what it’s like to live nomadically amid the Jordan desert. Only a short drive away from Petra, the camp has 25 luxury tents, each of which comes with a king-size bed. Guests can also opt for one of the 11 bubble rooms with transparent roofs crafted specifically for stargazing. The evening experience here includes an elaborate selection of traditional tabbouleh, hummus, and local snacks, after which guests gather by the fire to hear Bedouin stories and music and play games. The camp is a great opportunity to see the local lifestyle first-hand, as the population of Wadi Rum still consists of only a few hundred Bedouin families.

One-night stay starts at $78

5. Bab Al Shams Resort, United Arab Emirates

Photo: Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa/Facebook

A quick 45-minute ride from the Abu Dhabi Airport, Bab Al Shams is a true desert oasis. Guests can escape the mundane and treat themselves to lavish meals at the Al Hadheerah Restaurant, go for an archery lesson, and see a falconry exhibition. Those passionate about wildlife can even go on a desert tour and observe gazelles and Arabian Oryx in their native habitat; a dedicated guide helps guests explore the dunes for critters, as well as the most scenic spots to take in the stunning landscape and watch the sunset. The resort has seven bars and restaurants, each focusing on a distinct element of the local cuisine. Al Sarab Rooftop Lounge serves Middle Eastern mezze in a romantic candlelit atmosphere, while Masala focuses on North Indian flavors in an elegant dining room setting. Bab Al Shams invites guests to get pampered at the spa, offering two-and-a-half-hour sessions including Balinese-style massage, a mud mask, and freeze-dried seaweed facials.

One-night stay starts at $174

6. Desert Nights Camp, Oman

Photo: Oman Hotels/Facebook

Staying at Desert Nights Camp in Oman feels like stepping into Scheherezade’s 1001 Nights, as guests spend their days exploring the Arabian desert on camelback and gather by a large campfire at night to listen to local myths and legends. Sprawling across 10 acres of sands, 11 miles away from the nearest town, this luxury camp allows guests to disconnect with no distraction. The daily activities at camp include dune bashing, dune bike riding, and relaxing while snacking on khawa. The accommodation includes Bedouin-style tents, each of which is air-conditioned and has traditional Arabian furniture such as long sofas and beautiful, local embroidery. Instead of refreshing social media notifications, guests at Desert Nights Camp are invited to play board games, watch classics on DVD, and explore the library on site.

One-night stay from $250

7. Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Photo: Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama/Facebook

Secluded in the Atacama desert of Chile, Hotel Cumbres is the perfect escape, allowing guests to explore lagoons, saltpans, geysers, and clear their head while doing yoga in the desert. All of the guides employed by the resort come from indigenous communities, as Hotel Cumbres aims to support the local community. The hotel is developing sustainability programs that allow it to produce its own electricity and recycle water to irrigate the nearby gardens. At the restaurant, guests can sample desert-inspired dishes such as catch of the day served with passion fruit sauce and fried algae. Hotel Cumbres also organizes treks to the Valley of the Moon, the Altiplano lagoons, and the Rainbow Valley.

One-night stay from $295


More like this: The 25 most spectacular hotels in the world: 2020

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Don't order a Black and Tan

Around 1920, the British sent a group of soldiers wearing dark shirts and khaki pants to fight the Irish Republican Army in the Irish War of Independence. These soldiers were known for abduction, torture, and murder, including a 12-person massacre at a 1920 Dublin football match. They were called the Black and Tans because of the uniform.

Today, that name may sound familiar to Americans accustomed to ordering what are often considered stereotypical Irish drinks. The Black and Tan is a layered drink made in a pint glass with Bass Ale on the bottom and Guinness floated on top. Guinness has a lighter density, so, when poured just right, the Irish stout doesn’t mix with the English ale, creating a khaki-colored bottom and dark top. The Irish have a name for this drink, too: a Half and Half, though it’s typically made with an Irish lager or ale.

Americans seem to have a habit of connecting alcoholic beverages to tumultuous and tragic moments in Irish history and culture. It’s offensive at worst and insensitive at best. There’s the Irish Car Bomb, which recalls the 20-plus car bombs the IRA detonated in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1972.

For comparison, imagine if a common drink order in Ireland was called the Oklahoma City Bomb.

It’s not just bars that have made this mistake. Who can forget the 2006 incident in which Ben & Jerry’s released a Black and Tan ice cream? Or Nike’s Black and Tan sneakers in 2012? While large American companies seem to have finally caught on that this isn’t appropriate, many bars still continue to list these drinks as specials on St. Patrick’s Day (or even year-round). Even those that don’t will still probably make them for anyone who orders it, furthering the problematic tradition.

Ireland has a host of noteworthy drinks and proud traditions that in no way disparage the culture — such as the proper Guinness pour and fine sipping whiskeys. Even beyond the blatantly offensive drinks, I’ve seen a range of misguided St. Patrick’s Day marketing attempts that use tired tropes and stereotypes in the past five years while writing about food and alcohol. Here is a brief sampling of story ideas connected to St. Patrick’s Day that have been emailed to me just this year by public relations teams:

“Move over tired green beer and make way for the new St. Patrick’s Day festive favorites — CBD and THC-infused goodies that will have you saying, ‘Kiss me, I’m Highrish.’”

“Punch up your St. Patrick’s Day with this DIY recipe for a leprechaun punch cocktail.”

That said, brands are starting to do better. This year, Bushmills mailed guides to a “real St. Patrick’s Day” with rules like, “The day you actually find a leprechaun is the day you should dress up as one — ditch the green top hat,” and, “It’s a day to celebrate a nation, not embarrass two.” It doesn’t necessarily even have to go that far, though. A Guinness St. Patrick’s Day party in Brooklyn had plenty of beer with zero allusions to the Irish stereotypes that typically plague themed events. Some American alcohol companies kept it simple and positive, such as Narragansett’s simple note of “Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all our Irish neighbors and beyond. Crack open a lager and enjoy!”

It’s really as simple as that. Enjoy Irish culture this St. Patrick’s Day and every other day, but there’s no need to include all the extra cliches wrongly associated with Ireland in the US. By all means, drink, but be respectful about it. If you’re a bartender, keep the Black and Tans and Irish Car Bombs off the menu this year. If you’re a patron, just don’t order them — and maybe consider politely tipping off the owner that drinks have negative connotations, so they know for next year. And leave your drunken leprechaun costume at the door. This year, let’s all aim to do a little better.


More like this: 5 ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day that don’t involve drinking

The post It’s time to move on from these offensive St. Patrick’s Day drinks appeared first on Matador Network.

Underrated arrondissements in Paris

Paris is made up of 20 distinct neighborhoods, or arrondissements, each with its own personality and charm. Many of the central arrondissements are famous among tourists for their monuments and museums but outside the highly trafficked, often touristy arrondissements there is a side of Paris that is completely underestimated. For those seeking a more local look at the French capital, these seven arrondissements are worth exploring.

10th Arrondissement

Photo: Felix Lipov/Shutterstock

The 10th Arrondissement has seen a huge revival in the past decade. This now-hip neighborhood is a great place to get a taste of a less-crowded Paris, without sacrificing the Parisian characteristics that brought you here in the first place. The city’s best people-watching is along the Canal St.-Martin on a sunny day, where locals flock to spend their evening drinking wine among friends. The 10th Arrondissement is home to trendy boutiques and international restaurants that offer a younger side of the city. Dine on the patio at Marrow, on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin, for finely plated seafood dishes or at Chez Michele for foie gras and gnocchi. Afterward, walk past the Porte Saint-Denis monument, a 17th-century structure built under the direction of Louis XIV.

Must do: Enjoy some treats from one of Paris’ award-winning bakeries, Du Pain et Des Idées, and browse the eclectic selection of shops along the Canal St.-Martin.

How to get there: Metro lines 5,8,9, and 11 all stop at République, which is a short walk away from the canal.

Ninth Arrondissement

Photo: lapas77/Shutterstock

Located between the foot of the Montmartre hill and the bustling center of the First Arrondissement, the ninth district of Paris is filled with world-class shopping and trendy nightlife. The Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are Paris’ premier department stores and their rooftops have unrivaled (and free) views of the city — perfect for a shopping break. Just north, the Pigalle neighborhood, which had a reputation for most of the 20th century as Paris’ red-light district, has evolved in recent years and is now full of hip cocktail bars and trendy restaurants. Also located here is Napoleon III’s Palais Opera House, built as the home of the Paris Opera in the mid-1800s and the world’s most strikingly photogenic example of the Beaux-Arts building style.

Must do: Catch the sunset from Printemps’ rooftop bar before heading to dinner at Pink Mama, making sure to check out its basement speakeasy for a nightcap.

How to get there: Metro line 7 stops directly in the basement of Galeries Lafayette and Metro line 2 will drop you off in the heart of Pigalle.

19th Arrondissement

Photo: Agnieszka Gaul/Shutterstock

The 19th Arrondissement is an outdoor playground for Parisians. It has two of Paris’ largest — and far less touristy — parks, Parc de la Villette and Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, along with the Canal de l’Ourcq, the larger and swimmable part of the Canal St.-Martin. On warmer days, Parisians head to these sanctuaries for picnics, relaxation, and to escape the city heat. Parc de La Villette hosts fairs, cultural events, and movies under the stars, and has several museums sprinkled throughout its expansive grounds.

Must do: Rent a boat at the Bassin de la Villette for an unforgettable picnic or sip rosé at Pavillon Puebla hidden in the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.

How to get there: Metro line 7B goes straight to the Parc de Buttes-Chaumont (the Buttes Chaumont stop), Metro line 7 for la Villette (the Porte de la Villette stop), or line 5 for the canal at Laumière.

11th Arrondissement

Photo: lembi/Shutterstock

The 11th Arrondissement encompasses some of the best restaurants and hippest bars in Paris. While the entire city is known as the pinnacle of culinary excellence, the 11th has an appealing mix of open-air markets, creative restaurants, and a growing cocktail and beer scene. On Saturday nights, locals flock to the Oberkampf neighborhood, stopping at Pierre Sang for Korean or Astier for traditional French dishes before wandering the Marché Bastille, the city’s biggest open-air market, on Sunday mornings. Aux Deux Amis is the spot for a late-night glass of wine and a snack in Oberkampf, should you find yourself strolling the boulevards after dark.

Must do: Peruse the Marché Bastille for a taste of local life on Sunday and Thursday mornings and wander through the boutiques on Rue de Charonne before catching the sunset over a cocktail on the roof of Perchoir.

How to get there: Lines 5 and 9 stop at Oberkampf and 1,5, and 8 stop at Bastille.

17th Arrondissement

Photo: Francois Roux/Shutterstock

The 17th Arrondissement borders the ritzy Eighth Arrondissement and the vibrant and artsy 18th. Taking notes from its neighbors, the 17th combines affluence with a bohemian flair. The village-like Batignolles neighborhood is full of galleries, shops, and cafes on Rue de Batignolles and Rue des Dames. The neighborhood possesses a Parisian atmosphere, detailed with independent shops, charming streets, and discouragement for the early diner — many of the quaint restaurants in the neighborhood don’t open for service until after 7:00 PM. Make a reservation at l’Envie du Jour for one of the best three-course menus in the neighborhood, or stop at Le Bouchon et l’Assiette for a (slightly quicker) classic French patio meal. A short metro ride away is Parc Monceau, one of Paris’ most regal parks with statues and beautiful gardens.

Must do: Get lost wandering the streets of the Batignolles neighborhood and stop at the covered market to get supplies for a picnic in Parc Monceau.

How to get there: Line 2 services the 17th with stops at Blanche for Batignolles and Courcelles for Parc Monceau.

12th Arrondissement

Photo: DaLiu/Shutterstock

The 12th Arrondissement is a great place to get a feel for a more residential Paris. It encompasses the easternmost part of the Seine River, far away from the tourist boats. Locals love to stroll along the promenade Plantée, the precursor to the High Line in New York City. On a sunny afternoon, check out the shops in Bercy Village, or stroll through Paris’ biggest park, Bois de Vincennes. One of Paris’ main train stations, Gare de Lyon, also calls the 12th Arrondissement home with its famous restaurant, Le Train Bleu inside. The restaurant displays ornate architecture that transports its patrons back to the Belle Époque era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Must do: Check out the less touristy boat bars along the Seine on a summer evening such as Café Barge or Summer Boat.

How to get there: Lines 1, 5, and 8 stop at Bastille which is a short walk from the main sights. Line 1 and 14 service Gare de Lyon.

20th Arrondissement

Photo: Lucas Arland/Shutterstock

Even with the rapidly evolving Belleville and Ménilmontant neighborhoods, the 20th Arrondissement doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Though, it certainly has the appeal as an up-and-coming area in a grittier side of the city. These two neighborhoods serve as the epicenter of Paris’ growing craft beer scene with some of the most influential beer bars and breweries like Le Trois 8, Le Gambetta, and Bar & Beer Ménilmontant. The stunning Père Lachaise Cemetery is Paris’ largest and is the final resting place of many famous people, including Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde.

Must do: Wander through history at the Père Lachaise Cemetery to the graves of Wilde, Morrison, and Marcel Proust.

How to get there: Line 2 runs through the 20th stopping at Père Lachaise, Ménilmontant, and Belleville.


More like this: Where to eat in Paris without breaking the bank

The post Stroll these underrated arrondissements for a local Paris experience appeared first on Matador Network.

New high-speed train from Dallas

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the commutes. Getting from Dallas to Houston, for example, currently takes around four hours, and if you’re someone who regularly makes the drive, you’ve probably had enough. Luckily, there might soon be a speedier alternative than driving. Texas Central is in the beginning stages of creating a high-speed train between Houston and Dallas that would bring passengers from one city to the other in 90 minutes.

According to Texas Central’s website, train cars would feature “substantive, wide-bodied seats, arranged ‘two-by-two’ and separated by an aisle, ensuring sufficient leg, head, and elbow room with no ‘middle-seat squeeze.’” The cars will also be equipped with food and beverage options, power outlets, and Wi-Fi. Quiet cars and work-friendly cabins will reportedly be made available to accommodate a variety of customer needs.

Trains would depart every 30 minutes during peak travel hours, and reservations will be bookable online or via a mobile app.

The 240-mile-long rail line could be operational as soon as 2026, pending approval from the federal railroad administration.


More like this: The 11 most beautiful train stations around the world

The post A high-speed train will soon bring passengers from Dallas to Houston in 90 minutes appeared first on Matador Network.

Gourmino Le Gruyère wins contest

Cheese preferences are almost as contentious as wine or craft beer preferences these days. Like most food-related arguments you might be inclined to say, “to each his own,” but it turns out that regardless of personal preference, there actually is a cheese that officially reigns supreme. Gourmino Le Gruyère, a gruyère cheese from Michael Spycher of Mountain Dairy Fritzenhaus in Switzerland, was named the victor of the 2020 World Championship Cheese Contest, held last week in Madison, Wisconsin.

The cheese was described by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association as a cow’s milk cheese with a “subtle, sophisticated flavor.” Makers of gruyère have used the same recipe to craft the cheese for years, which includes a two-year ripening period in mountain caves for full maturity.

Gourmino Le Gruyère scored an impressive 98.81 out of 100. Spycher had previously won the prize in 2008 with a different batch of Swiss cheese. Another cheese from Switzerland, a Gallus Grand Cru, took the second spot with a score of 98.70.

Although a Wisconsin cheesemaker didn’t take home the top prize, they did receive a total of 45 gold medals (out of 132 categories), winning more awards than any other state or country.


More like this: The 12 most iconic cheese dishes from around the world

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How to get cheap flights with VPN

Flight booking hacks seem about as ubiquitous as grocery store coupons. From booking on a Wednesday to booking a connecting flight only to ditch the connection, the internet is filled with loads of virtual advice on how to fly around for less. But have you ever considered booking from another country?

Since airfares are notoriously inconsistent, and the person sitting next to you on the plane may have paid half or five times what you did, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that airlines charge different fares based on which country a ticket is booked from. This may have to do with supply and demand, currency valuation, which dart the fare-makers hit on the board that day, or any number of factors. But it is, in any case, a fact.

Much as we’d like to say we flew around the world searching airfares from as many countries as we could, that would kind of defeat the purpose of trying to save money. Instead, we listened to our friends at TheBestVPN, who saved tons of money and carbon emissions by checking some of the most popular international routes from virtual private networks (VPNs) based in 20 different countries. And found, not surprisingly, that you can sometimes save hundreds of dollars by booking from outside the United States.

Almost every flight is cheaper when booked outside the US.

Obviously, this isn’t a foolproof endeavor, but the results of TheBestVPN’s experiment were promising. First, the company selected five routes it felt to be representative of the variety of travel Americans are searching for: Chicago O’Hare to Frankfurt, Germany; JFK in New York to London Heathrow; Los Angeles to Toronto; Seattle-Tacoma to Paris Charles de Gaulle; and Miami to Tokyo Narita.

Then it searched each fare from 20 different countries, including New Zealand, Brazil, Italy, the UK, Australia, as well as much of southeast Asia. And while not every flight was cheaper when booked abroad, more often than not money could be saved.

Overall, Vietnam proved to be the cheapest place to book airfare, averaging $138 savings per ticket. All five routes were cheaper when booked from Vietnam, including a drop of almost $300 from LA to Toronto.

Mexico was next-best with an average savings of $87 a ticket. It also boasted the single largest savings of the study with New York to London flights $615 cheaper, and significant savings for every route aside from Miami to Tokyo. So if you happen to be south of the border this spring break, it might behoove you to do some fare searching.

New York to London flights consistently saw the largest savings, with the most significant price drops from Mexico, India, France, and, surprisingly, the UK. Along the same lines, LA to Toronto was nearly half the price when booked from Canada, at an average of $404 vs. $801.

India followed with an average savings of $82, then Canada with $52. Overall, a dozen countries showed cheaper average airfares when using VPNs from their countries. Only Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Portugal, Switzerland, and Brazil were more expensive.

That said, nearly every country showed some savings on every route with the exception of Miami to Tokyo, whose vast discrepancies drove up the average everywhere but Singapore. Basically, unless you live in South Florida and are trying to go to the Olympics, you’ll probably save using a foreign VPN.

Granted, airfares fluctuate by the hour, dates you travel, and a lot of other variables that even people who work for airlines can’t explain. So, what we got here was a snapshot of airfares from last December for flights between January 3-10, 2020. Results, obviously, will vary. But the pattern in most cases seems to be true.

Well, this all sounds fantastic. What the heck is a VPN?

If you’re not deeply immersed in the world of torrent streaming or haven’t desperately needed to watch an episode of Love is Blind from somewhere deep in Central Asia, you may not have any idea how to pose like a computer from another country.

Essentially, it’s done via a VPN, which is a server based in another country that your device logs into so it can browse the web from there.

It’s used primarily to skirt geographic internet restrictions, like that painful moment when Netflix says your show is not available in a foreign country, or your in-market games aren’t part of NHL Center Ice. It’s also used to protect against untrusted Wi-Fi connections, or just generally be anonymous online. It can also, apparently, now be used to save money on airfare.

To get a VPN, you go to one of dozens of websites devoted to finding you one. TheBestVPN literally makes a living writing about various VPN providers, so that may be a good place to start your search. Once you’ve found a VPN you like, download the client onto your device, connect to the Internet, and presto! You’re surfing the web from a cafe in Hanoi.

Are there any risks?

Using a VPN is legal in the US and most other countries. It’s still illegal to do, well, illegal things regardless of the country your computer is connected to, like torrenting movies. It’s possible that using a VPN may violate the terms of service of a certain flight booking sites. So yes, there is a risk that your booking wouldn’t be honored. But, as of now, this reportedly isn’t commonplace.

So if you’re looking for a cool new way to save money on airfares and are willing to roll the dice, the VPN hack may prove a useful tool. Or at the very least, give you another way to procrastinate work when planning your next vacation.


More like this: Flights to these cities are going to drop hard in March

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