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Matador Network's Blog, page 93
November 27, 2024
What Happens When an Airline Loses Your Car Seat? These Are the 5 Steps to Follow.
There are a few non-negotiables when flying with young children. Near the top of that list is knowing that your car seat will be waiting for you when you land (though sometimes it can feel like an adequate number of snacks is just as high up there). Getting to your destination airport is only one part of the trip, after all, and without a car seat on the other side you can’t finish the journey if there is any driving involved.
Waiting anxiously as the last bags are picked up and there’s no car seat in sight is a nightmare situation. It’s also one I found myself in on a recent trip to Türkiye. My family and I landed back in our home city of Denver after a 13-hour direct flight from Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. We waited dutifully by the oversized baggage claim, and one by one we saw the handful of parents pick up their strollers and car seats. Fifteen minutes passed, then 30. We asked security and then one of the airport employees, and they impatiently told us to have some patience. Then car seats from the next flight started showing up. It became pretty clear waiting wasn’t going to lead to a different result for us.
Over the next two hours, we sat in the missing baggage claim area as the representative for Turkish Airlines intermittently made calls to the back of luggage area, then to the airline, and then to seemingly each international airline’s missing bag department. It was far from a priority, however, and the easier-to-solve claims from the long line of other passengers kept getting moved ahead of us. Our claim tag showed that the car seat was indeed in the airport, somewhere, but no one could figure out where. The best guess anyone had was that it was stuck in one of the bag sorters.
Finally, after being told we couldn’t wait in the missing baggage claim area any longer by multiple workers, we were told to file a missing bag report and the car seat would be delivered to our house when they found it. Also, Turkish Airlines didn’t have any loaner car seats and neither did Lufthansa or any other partner airlines. In fact, there apparently weren’t any car seats available in the whole airport. We were out of luck.
The one bright side is that we were on the return side of our trip. I took an Uber back home, then drove back to the airport and picked up my wife and daughter, extra car seat in tow. It was about four extra hours of travel time we hadn’t planned for. Three days later, our car seat was delivered to our door.
Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. The chances of the same car seat mishap happening to you are low — lost luggage is rare, and new bag tracking technology helps (Apple AirTags in particular are poised to be a game changer). That is small solace for anyone it does happen to. Especially considering that while airlines have to compensate passengers impacted by flight delays and cancellations, there’s no compensation for all of the lost time trying to track down a bag.
During and after the incident, I was peppered with tips of what to do by airline employees. I wish my exact situation on no one. However, if you do find yourself at your destination with no car seat to be found, these are the steps to take.
Photo: Fery Iswandy/Shutterstock
Before you leave the baggage claim: Speak to a bag handlerBefore spiralling into too much of a panic, stop and ask the baggage handlers in the oversized area. They are the go-between from the plane to the building. Eyes on the ground are helpful, and they can take an extra look behind the scenes. I’m not saying they will be happy to do so (people rarely enjoy extra work being put on their plate, regardless of the job description), but this is an important first step particularly for international flights in order to try and figure things out before leaving the customs area and not being able to backtrack.
When that doesn’t work: Head to the missing baggage claim for an airport-wide searchMissing baggage claims are typically near the baggage carousels for domestic flights, or right outside of customs for international arrivals. There’s a high chance there will be a line. In the best case scenario, the car seat was moved to a different pick-up location because of being an awkward shape and size. The attendant can make the calls to find that out without having to trek around the airport searching for yourself.
Here, you can also check to see the last place your baggage tag was scanned to see if it even made it to your destination. Airlines today have a pretty good idea of the general area a bag is in even if it isn’t where it’s supposed to be.
The car seat didn’t arrive: File a claim and ask for a loanerMaybe your car seat didn’t even make the flight. Maybe, like mine, it goes stuck somewhere in the destination airport and can’t be recovered. Either way, it’s time to file a claim and list the value of the car seat, description, and address for delivery. This isn’t a quick process. It is one of the most important, however, as quickly filing a claim insures you are on the bag search list and you can later file for compensation if the bag is truly lost to the ether.
The conversation here will naturally flow to the possibility of a loaner. Most airlines have loaner car seats on hand for when this happens. They apparently go quickly at busy airports, however, so be sure to ask the attendant to check with partner airlines as well.
There are no loaners available: Prepare to pay extraThe last resort if there are no loaner car seats available is accepting the fact that your trip just got more expensive. Some airports have car seat rental companies in the building that charge varying amounts. The missing baggage claim attendant can point you in the direction and fill you in on reimbursement options from the airline. If that isn’t an option, make some calls to the rental car companies at the airport and see if any are available. This, too, will come with a cost.
If you don’t immediately need the car seat because you’re in a place with good public transportation, trains, and shuttles, then you’re in a bit of luck. If not, there are a few other options. Carshare services like Uber have the option to request a ride with a car seat. These are more expensive than a typical ride, and also are only available in select cities (New York City, Los Angeles, and Orlando in Uber’s case). Local taxi companies may also have car seat options. The rides will take longer to arrive and it doesn’t help the rest of your trip’s car seat needs, but it’s better than nothing.
The last resort is to find the nearest store selling car seats and eat the cost.
After the trip: Follow up on your claimsThis is where the initial claim is important. Airlines will generally compensate passengers for bags they lose or delay. Even if the car seat eventually makes it back to your home, you can be refunded for certain related expenses depending on the airline and country you’re in. Just make sure to keep your receipts for car seat rentals, purchases, and special rides.
Stay in communication with the airline help service each day to follow up on your claim and the status of your missing car seat. Sometimes it will work itself out on its own and the airline will deliver the car seat to your home or accommodations within 24 hours. Be sure to carefully check for any damage and report it immediately if found.
As a parent, these travel hiccups are hard to swallow — especially with all of the extra considerations and packing that comes with traveling with kids. The joys of traveling as a family are in the end worth the risk and annoyances. Looking back at our trip to Türkiye, our missing car seat fiasco inevitably comes up. But it was one small part of an otherwise incredible journey and the memories built while there last forever. 
November 26, 2024
This Duffel and Backpack Combo Instantly Became Our Preferred Luggage for Family Travel
Taking dental advice from a podiatrist is about as wise as listening to a city slicker tell you about the latest camping gear. From that perspective, when planning a family trip, why should you buy a piece of luggage from a brand that doesn’t specialize in making gear for families? This line of thought led me to try The Hideaway Duffel from No Reception Club, an upstart luggage maker that makes this duffel/backpack crossover and a couple small accessories to accompany it, specifically for traveling with kids. Over seven years of testing gear for Matador Network I’ve become jaded about “new” backpacks and similar contraptions, and to tell you the truth, I was reluctant to try this one – but boy, am I glad I did. My wife and I travel frequently with our now three-year-old, and after one trip this pack replaced the setup we’d been using for family trips for the past two years.
Looking for the best weekender bag? Check out Matador’s detailed reviews: The Best Weekender Travel Bags for Every Type of Quick Getaway This Weekender Bag Is a Fashionable, Functional Men’s Classic This Weekender Duffel is Perfect for Short Work Trips The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel: a Straightforward Travel Staple
We hope you love The Hideaway Duffel from No Reception Club! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
No Reception Club’s The Hideaway Duffel specs
Photo courtesy No Reception Club
Before getting into the full review of The Hideaway Duffel from No Reception Club, it’s important to grasp its metrics.
The Hideaway Duffel is 22” by 13” by 9” – meeting carry-on requirements for all major airlines.Capacity: 42 liters (about the same as an overnight backcountry backpack)Weight: 3.3 pounds, up to five pounds with straps and accessories. When we fully packed it, the duffel weighed about 12 pounds.Made largely of recycled polyester with an odor-resistant lining and a 100 percent aluminum foil insulated pocket.I particularly appreciated that the pack shipped in a biodegradable wrapper.Black and Olive color schemes are available. We chose Olive, to match our daughter’s name (Olivia).What stood out about The Hideaway Duffel from No Reception Club
Plenty of clothes, plenty of space. Photo: Alisha Wenger
As a travel editor, I can firmly attest to the fact that “family-friendly gear” generally doesn’t align with my “carry-on only” ethos. My family recently road tripped around central Mexico for two weeks with a large suitcase, and while it got the job done, we had to check it for the flights on either end of the trip. Not a huge deal – but another step to an airport process that’s already stressful enough with a tantrumming toddler in tow. This experience is what led me to give The Hideaway Duffel a try. No Reception Club promises their duffel meets carry-on requirements, even when it’s fully stuffed.
For a recent trip to take our daughter on the Polar Express train in Durango, Colorado, stuff The Hideaway Duffel we did. We needed multiple days’ worth of clothing – including swimwear, because a stop at the local hot springs was on the itinerary – for three people. Plus, toiletries and accessories for the family and a slew of small but important gadgets to keep a three-year-old engaged and entertained during a multi-day trip.
A few things stood out to us during our first use of the duffel. First, its internal liner and the laundry sack that comes included feature cute cartoon-ish prints of family travel, which all three of us appreciated. Next, the removable packing organizer – The Cubby, as the brand calls it – split the duffel’s main compartment into one large and four small compartments. These were perfect for organizing our daughter’s clothes separate from ours, with ample room for accessories like beanies, gloves, hair ties, and more. The liner itself can be tossed in the laundry machine.
Before becoming parents, packing for a trip was a relatively stress-free – dare I say, inspiring and occasionally even enjoyable – endeavor. It’s become trickier with a kiddo, largely because the states are much higher if we forget something. Among the noblest features of The Hideaway Duffel is how easy it is to see everything when the bag is open. We nearly forgot Olivia’s toiletries, had we not noticed during our final check, and having that eagle-eye view is what helped us notice.
Another nice feature about The Hideaway Duffel is that it converts into a backpack via straps zipped up in the external compartment on its underside. This was incredibly useful at times when I needed to carry both the duffel and my daughter. It’s not a pack I’d take into the backcountry on a rugged expedition, but for the purposes of general family travel, it excels.
We paired The Hideaway Duffel with The Sidekick, a combo hip pack/fanny pack that my wife, Alisha, immediately adopted as her new travel purse. It has room for purse-y things, as well as a couple diapers, wipes, and emergency supplies. For $5, it’s possible to add on hanging straps and carabiners so the duffel can hang in the closet for easy, chest-level access.
Our daughter recently dropped diapers (hallelujah!) but we brought a few just in case. Beyond keeping one in The Sidekick we put a few in the duffel’s front pouch. My wife appreciated the extra room to bring a hairdryer (because hotel room hairdryers are rarely trustworthy) and her work notebook. We found the duffel to have plenty of room to fit clothes for three and extras for one or two.
Put together, we found the offerings from No Reception Club to be the most complete package for family travel that we’ve discovered in three years of searching, and to boot, it doesn’t even take up that much space.
What could be improved about The Hideaway Duffel
Ready to go. Photo: Alisha Wenger
As a vagabond remote worker, I always travel with a laptop-friendly backpack with work accessories (a laptop and charger, headphones, and a notebook, at the very least). The Hideaway Duffel didn’t remove the need to do that, as it doesn’t have a laptop pouch. That said, this being my primary gripe after a weekend trip is a compliment in itself. Overall, The Hideaway Duffel is a dependable and very efficient bag. Initially, we were a bit confused by all the straps. It takes a couple times of packing and unpacking the duffel to really learn the ins and outs of what each pouch, pocket, strap, and zipper does or conceals. But once you figure all that out, it’s an incredibly productive pack. By the end of the weekend, it felt quite homey.
I found the sternum strap functional but awkward at first. It took a moment to get used to having a pack of this dimension (and packed so tightly) strapped closely to both my back and chest. Though, I often find sternum straps annoying and generally don’t use them unless I’m hiking uphill and want to more evenly distribute weight across my body. I don’t know that I’ll need this feature to get through airports or road trips, but it’s there in case I do. I feel that we didn’t fully optimize the pack for the first trip, and that it’s one of those things where the more we use it, the more we’ll take advantage of everything it offers.
Guess it’s time to plan another trip and get back on the road.
Price: The Hideaway Duffel ($295) and The Sidekick ($85)
More like thisTravelThe Way You Buy Outdoor and Travel Gear Is Changing for the BetterYou Can Buy Upcycled Airplane Parts On Your Next Flight With Germany’s Flagship Carrier
In the US, the inflight magazine has gone the way of the dodo. Delta, Southwest, and American Airlines all stopped publishing their magazines in 2020 and 2021, while the last print issue of Hemispheres, United Airlines’ magazine, was published in September 2024 after a 32-year run. The only remaining inflight publication in the country is Hawaiian Airlines’ Hana Hou, and rumor has it that it’s hanging by a thread. In Germany, however, the inflight magazine is still going strong.
In the seat pockets of every aircraft operated by German Carrier Lufthansa, you’ll find an issue of Worldshop, a shopping magazine. While you won’t find inspirational travel narratives, gorgeous photo essays, or beautiful advertisements for Lufthansa’s destinations within the pages of Worldshop, what you will find is over 6,000 items from over 400 brands, all of which are for sale.
Worldshop is essentially a catalog that offers a large variety of items, some of which are travel or aviation-focused like Lufthansa-branded suitcases, packing cubes, AirTags, model airplanes, or even Playmobil sets featuring pilots and flight attendants. Some aren’t at all, however. There is tableware, dog beds, and even food processors available for purchase, too.
While on a recent 90-minute flight from Frankfurt, Germany, to Nantes, France, I picked up the current issue of Worldshop and leafed through its glossy pages. There was no WiFi on board, I hadn’t downloaded any Netflix content on my phone, and I was much too tired to dive into my book, so Worldshop turned out to be a welcome distraction. What instantly caught my attention was not the well-priced Ooni pizza oven or the many fancy pocket umbrellas for sale, however, but the prominent Upcycling Collections.
Worldshop’s Upcycling Collections consists of a selection of limited-edition items made from aviation materials from various European airlines, including Lufthansa, Austrian and SWISS! You’ll find furniture, key rings, toiletry bags, and more, made from airplane parts, including “aircraft skin, headrest covers and uniforms,” Worldshop explains on its website.
Photos: Morgane Croissant
Some of the unusual items for sale include a Lufthansa drinks trolley priced at €2,398 (over $2,500), a pencilcase made of an old life jacket for €22 ($23), and a sofa-fuselage combo priced at €2,899 (over $3,000). Simply put, you can sit in the airplane and pass the time by buying bits of it.
If something from Worldshop, whether from the Upcycling Collections or the rest of the catalog, catches your eye, you can purchase it during your flight. All you need to do is inform one of the flight attendants and they’ll take care of the order. You can redeem Miles & More award miles for your purchase, use your credit card, or use a combination of the two.
Unlike with SkyMall, the inflight catalog full of bizarre items that was so ubiquitous in US airlines back in the 90s, your goods won’t be waiting for you at luggage claim, but they should be delivered straight to your home.
While it’s more fun to leaf through the magazine during your flight, there are also seven Worldshop stores in airports throughout Germany and Austria where you can browse to pass the time, and maybe buy some airplane parts.
This Artsy Hotel Pairs Modern Fittings With Classic London Views
Europe’s perkiest hospitality brand puts chic lodging, art, extracurriculars, and gastronomy under one roof. And, in the case of art’otel Battersea Power Station, that roof is topped with a vertigo-inducing infinity pool and cocktail bar overlooking London’s powerful landmark.
art’otel’s UK debut on Electric Boulevard joins a family of art-inspired hotels in the Netherlands, Germany, and Croatia, with art’otel Rome tipped for 2025. The concept starts with the Signature Artist curating a permanent exhibition and continues with a non-stop montage of resident artists and immersive activities for guests.
I walked into art’otel Battersea’s lipstick-red lobby on a misty November evening and was greeted by quirky photographic twists on British idiosyncrasies. It felt like stepping backstage at a Swingin’ Sixties club, or perhaps the set of a Wes Anderson movie, or even tumbling down the rabbit hole after Alice.
We hope you love art’otel Battersea Power Station! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
In the art’beat studio with Emmanuel Unaji
Emmanuel Unaji working in studio. Staying at art’otel Battersea Power Station is an experience as much as it is an accommodation. Photo courtesy art’otel Battersea Power Station
Guests (and passersby) have an open invitation to swing by the art’beat studio and meet the artist. The London-born Nigerian creative Emmanuel Unaji, known for his fusion of painting, collage, and fine art, was wrapping up an eight-week residency during my stay. Unaji’s canvases of Joyce Bryant, the Lijadu Sisters, and other symbolic figures watched over his latest piece.
Talking about his appointment, Unaji told me, “I want my work to break down barriers and to make people ask questions; to bring out their inner child.” This echoes art’otel’s culture of igniting curiosity, fostering new connections, and making time for play at the art’beat studio.
The hotel’s “heartbeat” studio hosts weekly candle making sessions, pottery classes, and abstract painting plus seasonal workshops. Hotel guests are welcomed into the fold by a clutch of regulars. Resident artists devise their own workshops; as a fashion designer working with wearable art, Unaji led a tote bag-painting masterclass.
Art studios by Jaime Hayon at art’otel Battersea Power Station
Jaime Hayon. Photo courtesy art’otel Battersea Power Station
art’otel Battersea Power Station is unique in that the Signature Artist, the Spanish visionary Jaime Hayon, is also an interior designer. While touring art’otel – complimentary tours run daily – my guide explained the nuances of Hayon’s aesthetic and the intentional lack of hard edges. All walls and furnishings are curved, thus – I learned – explaining the sense of ease and joy I’d felt at arrival. Hayon’s paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and furniture fill every room and communal space. He hand-picked all other artworks, including KlunderBie’s whimsical lobby photo series.
All 164 domains are designated Art Rooms and Art Studios with the Masterpiece Street coming with premium views and luxury perks. My Junior Suite’s voluptuous furniture and lively palette offset the industrial monolith and overcast weather. Entertainment came in the form of a Roberts vinyl turntable and a stack of London-centric sounds – Bowie and Winehouse – to spin while leafing through Hayon’s monograph. Further goodies included a yoga mat, a Dyson hairdryer, and Kevin Murphy bath salts.
I was impressed by the Iperespresso which pumped out barista-quality coffee and considered canceling my dinner plans after diving into Hayon’s Vuelta lounge chair.
Skyline rest and relaxation at art’otel Battersea Power Station
Photo: Matthew Shaw, courtesy of art’otel Battersea Power Station
Despite seeing photos of art’otel Battersea’s rooftop pool and hot tub, I wasn’t prepared for the experience of swimming almost within touching distance of the iconic chimneys. Particularly when swimming on an inky winter’s night, it feels like you could drift off the edge of the 16-story building. I’d recommend riding the elevator straight down to the basement spa for a post-swim sauna.
Whereas non-guests can hang out at the seasonal cocktail bar or bag a ticket to the festive rooftop cinema, the art’otel pool is for guests’ sole use. The only other way to get a selfie with the chimneys is through the weekly aqua aerobics class. Yoga classes are held on the rooftop during summer.
Bars and restaurants at art’otel Battersea Power Station
JOIA restaraunt. Photo: Matt Russell
A creative afternoon can be debriefed over tapas, petiscos, and port cocktails at the 15th-floor restaurant and 14th-floor bar, JOIA. Meaning “Jewel” in Portuguese, Henrique Sá Pessoa and Jose Jara’s collaboration brings Iberian cuisine to London’s newest neighborhood. JOIA is a solid pick for pescatarians and vegetarians although carnivores can snap up Basque Txuleton steak. With chimney views and kitsch pastel-hued decor, it’s hard to stay for just the one. I lingered over a Renais gin cocktail infused with olive oil and enjoyed the buzz of guests and local residents.
TOZI Pizzeria and Cicchetti Bar serves table-service breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. This rotunda doubles up as an art gallery of tapestries and further KlunderBie photography orbiting around a tree-like centerpiece. Besides artisanal pastries and healthy (and not-so-healthy) plates, the breakfast menu offered the British staples of crumpets and eggs with soldiers.
The verdict on Battersea
Photo: Matthew Shaw, courtesy of art’otel Battersea Power Station
Having lived in London when the Battersea Power Station revamp was getting underway, I was curious to see how the development panned out. As with other Zone 1 neighborhoods, Circus West Village and Electric Boulevard are community-focused hubs with plenty of value for art’otel guests.
The Power Station Turbine Hall synergizes high street favorites and polished champagne counters alongside ping pong and crazy golf-themed bars. There’s a theater tucked under the railway arches and the riverside forecourt hosts festive markets, ice skating, and summer pop-ups. Lift 109 stuns with 360-degree views from the north-west chimney.
The extended Northern Line stops at Battersea Power Station, a five-minute walk from art’otel, and reaches London Bridge in minutes. The Thames Clippers riverboat is a touch costlier but the views are priceless.
Desert Meets Sea at These 2 Revitalizing Luxury Resorts in Los Cabos, Mexico
It’s 6:36 AM. The sun is slowly emerging above the morning clouds, painting the night sky in orange and yellow hues. Ocean waves break the silence, and the smell of coffee fills my nose. I’m seated on my balcony at Solaz, A Luxury Collection Resort, as I watch the cool desert air meet the warm Sea of Cortez in Los Cabos, Mexico. It creates a mystical fog that dances across the coastline for a few brief moments each morning.
I’m treated to this magic at both of the resorts I stayed at in Baja California, continuing to watch the daily drama of colliding elements unfold from my private plunge pool at Zadún, A Ritz Carlton Reserve property. In a way, this morning scene epitomizes my experience in Los Cabos, where pristine design meets wild nature, where Mexican tradition meets modern innovation, and where luxury travelers can choose between two distinct properties that mutually testify to both.
Solaz, A Luxury Collection Resort
Photo: Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos
True to Marriott’s Luxury Collection ethos, Solaz has 145 rooms that showcase modern Mexican design through floor-to-ceiling that frame the Sea of Cortez like living artwork. Contemporary furnishings create a sophisticated atmosphere that’s perfect for design-obsessed travelers who crave luxury. For those seeking more space, the resort offers multi-bedroom configurations ranging from intimate one-bedroom suites to the crown jewel Villa Solaz (a four-bedroom haven with 4.5 bathrooms, a private infinity pool, and direct beach access) while The Residences occupy entire floors with panoramic ocean views. They feature three bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, and wrap-around decks with jacuzzis accommodating up to 10 guests.
Through a rope-draped hallway, I enter my king-bedroom suite. The curtains are set to automatically reveal a large double balcony that overlooks the Sea of Cortez as soon as you enter. The room and balcony are impressively spacious.; the living room comes with kitchen amenities, and the bathroom features more storage space than my New York City condo.
Photo: Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos
A clear highlight of the property is the Ojo de Liebre Spa, which draws inspiration from the coastal lagoon where grey and humpback whales congregate in Baja California Sur. The 12 treatment rooms (including four VIP double suites) house a comprehensive menu of therapies designed to mirror the majestic journey of these marine mammals through sensory experiences and healing treatments.
What sets this spa apart is its extensive hydrotherapy circuit, with the area’s only cryotherapy chamber alongside thalassotherapy pools. The spa marries sustainability and luxury through its mix of technology and traditional wellness: hot and ice-cold tubs, aromatherapy stations, and chromotherapy light showers all use water from the Sea of Cortez that’s filtered through its underground filtration system.
As someone who spent an obscene amount of time in the bare sun, I appreciated a moment to escape the rays with a full body massage. The masseuse even used aloe vera products on my face and body to create a cooling effect from the amount of time spent in the sun.
Photo: Shivani Somaiya
Executive Chef Elihu Yabin Sepulveda Robledo is at the helm of the dining scene at Solaz. From Al Pairo to Cascabel, two of the hotel’s on-site restaurants, the food at Solaz fuses contemporary Mexican cuisine with innovative takes on traditional favorites like mole and aguachile (raw fish or shrimp tossed in lime juice and chili water).
My culinary journey began at Al Pairo a day before the famed Día de Muertos celebration. The cactus ceviche offered a brilliant play on texture with its xoconostle (prickly pear fruit) sorbet cutting through the rich tuna aguachile. The duck breast with pink mole and chile morita gastric demonstrated the kitchen’s mastery of classic Mexican flavors.
Photo: Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos
On the night of Día de Los Muertos, the menu further cemented Al Pairo’s reputation, with a jicama tiradito (Peruvian sashimi-like dish) that featured a black recaudo (tomato, onion, and garlic sauce) aguachile, which provided a dramatic contrast to the bright tangerine gel. The meal culminated in a masterful bean tamale that balanced simplicity with comfort. During both dining experiences, desserts like the pan de muerto (sweet yeast bread) with orange blossom mousse showcased the pastry team’s ability to honor Mexican traditions while pushing culinary boundaries.
While Solaz positions itself as a modern sanctuary in Los Cabos, what truly sets it apart is its thoughtful and sustainable approach to luxury. From the use of seawater therapy at the spa to the culinary artistry at Al Pairo, the property creates moments of discovery while honoring its Mexican heritage and proves that sophistication and authenticity can coexist beautifully.
Book NowZadún, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Photo: Edgardo Contreras +
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
In true Ritz Carlton Reserve fashion, Zadún‘s 114 accommodations (87 rooms and 27 suites) are thoughtfully distributed to maximize privacy and views, making you feel like you are truly one and within a nature reserve. The standard rooms, ranging from 750 to 1,604 square feet, each feature private pools and terraces along with spacious bathrooms (some even complete with outdoor showers). Available in ocean view, partial ocean view, or resort view configurations, these rooms set a new standard for luxury in Los Cabos. What truly distinguishes Zadún, though, is the Tosoani (butler) service. A dedicated attendant is assigned to each accommodation to ensure a seamless stay.
My oceanfront suite set the tone for understated luxury from the moment I arrived, with floor-to-ceiling windows that slid completely open to a private terrace and plunge pool overlooking the Sea of Cortez. The outdoor rain shower became my daily ritual, and the room’s natural materials and handcrafted details, from woven textiles to locally sourced toiletries, created an authentic sense of place while maintaining the highest standards of comfort. Perhaps most striking was the ingenious layout that made the 1,510-square-foot space feel like a private coastal sanctuary rather than a hotel room (plus bedding that made it nearly impossible to get out of bed each morning).
Photo: Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
The 29,000-square-foot Spa Alkemia is the definition of an adult playground. Featuring several hydrotherapy pools — including private cold-plunge pools, jacuzzis, saunas, and steam baths — Alkemia is well-versed in creating a truly transformative experience with treatments that work in tandem with the surrounding nature. Outside of the spa, the property has private beach access, two swimming pools, and a 24-hour fitness center complete with a private yoga studio. Guests also have the option to indulge in carefully curated experiences at the bar — the agave journey, for example, immerses you into the wide world of agave liquor.
At Zadún, Executive Chef Jeffrey Liu Rodríguez Román proudly brings his Peruvian heritage with him in a wonderful showcase of what Latin American cuisine encompasses. Humo sets itself apart with a menu that features dishes that combine South American grilling traditions with Baja’s abundant seafood and produce. Under Chef Román, who honed his craft in Peru’s top kitchens, the restaurant celebrates the use of open-flame cooking. The space itself is a testament to thoughtful design, with an open kitchen where guests can witness the choreography of fire and smoke, while the terrace offers panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez.
Photo: Edgardo Contreras +
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability shapes its menu, with 85 percent of ingredients sourced locally and over 75 percent of the vegetables coming from organic gardens. The dining experience is elevated by tableside rodizio (all-you-can-eat-style) service and signature dishes like locally caught totoaba and premium cuts including Australian wagyu. For wine enthusiasts, the 400-label collection at Humo’s Sótano Cellar provides worthy accompaniment to the cuisine.
Beyond Humo, the property offers several distinct dining experiences. El Barrio transforms from a casual Mexican street food venue by day to an innovative dining destination by night. The Candil Agave Bar showcases Mexico’s spirits heritage through creative mixology, while Equis presents ocean-to-table ceviches and seafood in a casual setting. As someone who has a particular distaste for fishy seafood, I found myself slurping down the leche di tigre (spicy, citrusy marinade) that accompanied the totoaba ceviche. Somehow, through adapting his grandmother’s recipe, Chef Román taught me how to develop a taste for delicious seafood.
Photo: Diana Baldera + Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Overall, Zadún represents a different kind of luxury — one that whispers rather than announces. The property’s commitment to privacy, personalized service, and harmony with its natural surroundings creates an atmosphere that feels more like a privileged hideaway than a resort. Here, luxury is measured not in amenities but in moments: morning fog rolling across your private plunge pool, the ritual of outdoor showers under the stars, or discovering new flavors with each thoughtfully crafted dish. It’s a place that reminds you that true luxury is about connection — to nature, to culture, and to oneself.
Book NowThings to do in Los Cabos
Photo: Kartinkin77/Shutterstock
Beyond the resorts’ boundaries, San José del Cabo offers a more authentic glimpse of Mexican culture than its livelier neighbor, Cabo San Lucas. The timing of my visit during Día de Muertos provided a particularly meaningful window into local traditions, with both properties embracing the celebration through special menus, altar workshops, and cultural programming.
The area’s natural beauty reveals itself during activities like the sunset sail along the coastline, where the famous Los Cabos arch stands sentinel at the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez. While Puerto Los Cabos provides a sheltered marina experience, the historic art district of San José del Cabo, with its weekly Art Walk (seasonal) and gallery-lined streets, offers a cultural counterpoint to the area’s water activities.
Getting to Solaz and Zadún
Photo: ashleyk1212/Shutterstock
Both properties are approximately 35 minutes from Los Cabos International Airport. The resorts are positioned between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, offering easy access to both destinations while maintaining a sense of exclusive seclusion.
At the Most Expensive Michelin Star Restaurants in the World, Dinner Can Cost Up to $2,100 — Per Person
First created in 1926 to help encourage road trips — and therefore, purchases of tires — the Michelin restaurant rating system today is known for recognizing the very best restaurants in the world. Getting even one Michelin star is a huge honor, and only 145 restaurants in the entire world have the distinct honor of three stars. It’a designation the Michelin guide reserves only for “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.”
That means when you go to a Michelin restaurant, you can usually count on the cuisine being world-class — and expensive. Though there are a few Michelin-starred restaurants where you can get a meal for under $10, they’re few and far between. And a new analysis of restaurants from Chef’s Pencil, a website for recipes from professional chefs, recently shed some light on just how pricey they can be.
The top 15 most expensive Michelin-stared restaurants in the world span the globe, but four of the top 10 are in Japan. Two are in New York City, and the rest are scattered around in places like Copenhagen, San Francisco, and Paris.
To find the most most expensive Michelin-stared restaurants, the report looked at the standard price of the most expensive tasting menu on a restaurants fall and winter 2024 menus. For most menus, wine or alcohol pairings are an additional add-on cost, though a few include it in the “base” rate. Here’s what you should expect to pay at the top 15 priciest Michelin restaurants in the world.
Photo: Chef’s Pencil
Michelin-starred restaurants command generally high prices for multiple reasons. The most expensive Michelin-starred restaurants usually source the finest, rarest ingredients from around the globe, which can be quite pricey, especially if they’re buying in small amounts. Restaurants of this caliber usually have high attention to detail for everything from decor to tablescaping, service, and training, and it cots more to professional who can work in a restaurant of that caliber. That extends to the kitchen, of course, and the most expensive Michelin-starred restaurants employ some of the best chefs on the planet, who also require serious compensation. Finally, just having a Michelin star creates an air of rarity, allowing restaurants to draw diners willing to pay a premium for what they perceived as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
For the most expensive Michelin-starred restaurants in the world above, though, much of the cost can be attributed to their use rare ingredients in menu. From Shanghai to NYC, here are some of the most exclusive ingredients you’ll find at the restaurants above.
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At Ginza Kitafuku in Japan, the most expensive tasting menu is $2,130, not counting the sake pairing, which is an additional 8,000 yen (about $51). It’s the “Echizen crab Kiwami menu,” and it focuses on extremely rare Kiwani crabs.
Echizen crab is a prized delicacy in Japan, revered for their exquisite flavor and rarity. It’s a type of snow crab harvested off the coast of Fukui Prefecture renowned for its delicate, sweet meat and rich, buttery roe. The crabs are graded, with only the finest specimens earning the prestigious “Kiwami” designation. These are the crabs Gina Kitafuku uses, and they’re extremely rare — per Chef’s Pencil, in 2021, only 67 snow crabs made the cut. Kiwami means “ultimate” or “extreme” in Japanese, and to earn the name, the crab needs to weigh at least 3.3 pounds, have a shell width of at least 5.7 inches across, and have a claw width of at least 1.2 inches.
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Quince is ranked 12th of 4,937 restaurants in San Francisco on TripAdvisor, so that tells you something about the quality. And the fact that it’s the sixth-most expensive Michelin-starred restaurant in the world tells you something about the price. The menu at Quince changes nightly, so you won’t find a menu online. In fact, the most you’ll find is a general statement of “The menu features local ingredients of Northern California, and seasonal produce from the restaurant’s own organic farm in Bolinas in West Marin.” But if you do a little digging, you’ll find that autumn is when it serves its “white-truffle-focused tasting menu,” priced at $795 per person, according to Chef’s Pencil.
California white truffles are a relatively recent discovery in the world of fine dining. Found primarily in northern California under oak and hazelnut trees, they’re often compared to the white truffles of Alba, Italy. While California’s aren’t as renowned, they share a similar earthy, garlicky aroma with subtle nutty undertones. They’re also extremely hard to cultivate, requiring very specific soil conditions and moisture levels. But since the white truffle industry in California is still in its infancy, chefs have to mostly rely on natural foraging, making them extremely labor-intensive.
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It’s no secret what the “secret” ingredient is that makes Caviar Russe the most expensive Michelin-stared restaurant in the US, and third most expensive in the world. (If we haven’t said it enough: it’s caviar).
Caviar is expensive because it comes from the eggs of sturgeons, a prehistoric fish species that takes about a decade to produce eggs (roe). Many sturgeon species are critically endangered due to overfishing and habitat destruction, severely limiting supply. Naturally, the scarcity drives up prices, especially for prized varieties like beluga, osetra, and sevruga caviar.
Caviar Russe’s 11-course fall Grand Tasting Menu includes unadorned caviar testings by spoon, as well as a seafood-heavy menu that incorporates caviar, such as Tasmanian Sea Trout with gooseberries and caviar, or Japanese mackerel with pineapple, hearts of palm, and caviar.
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Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet offers a 20-course tasting menu as the standard offering — yes, 20. It’s known for making dining into a immersive presentation, relying heavily on sound and aroma in addition to taste. It describes itself as using “multi-sensory technology,” and while it seems to know its a bit avant-garde, it doesn’t rely on novelty over quality.
A key dish on its $1,230-per-person tasting menu is waygu beef, which has to come from specific Japanese cattle breeds raised in specific conditions. Demand for wagyu beef has also surged surged globally, fueled by its reputation as the pinnacle of luxury dining. Because supply is low, that continues to drive up prices.
A New Direct Flight From Atlanta to Abu Dhabi Makes It Easy to Explore the UAE’s Capital
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced 10 new routes for 2025, including new direct flights to and from Atlanta, Georgia. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic.
The new air link between Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s Capital, and Atlanta will run four times per week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday in both directions starting July 2, 2025. The flights, which will be operated by an Airbus 350, are scheduled to take well over 12 hours to link both cities.
The new weekly flights will make it easier and more enticing for US tourists to visit the UAE’s capital, a modern city where getting bored is impossible, no matter what type of traveler you are.
Ferrari World Yas Island. Photo: ArtEvent ET/ShutterstockThe Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Photo: brunocoelho/ShutterstockFor the thrill seekers, there’s Ferrari World Yas Island, a Ferrari-branded theme park housing the planet’s fastest rollercoaster. For the lovers of the natural world, there’s the largest natural island in the UAE, Sir Bani Yas, that is also bird sanctuary and wildlife reserve where you can take an expert-led safari. For the art buffs, there’s the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a branch of the famous French museum where hundreds of precious artworks are on display. For the culturally curious, there’s the immense and magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a dazzling white-and-gold example of Islamic architecture. For the outdoors enthusiasts, there are kayaking opportunities in the emirate’s mangroves, and camping possibilities in the Rub’ al Khali desert. And for everyone there are beaches, souks, date markets, luxury hotels, and much more.
“This moment is not just about expanding our network; it’s about sharing Abu Dhabi with the world. With its endless sunshine, diverse cuisine, rich culture, exhilarating family theme parks, and safe, beautiful beaches, Abu Dhabi offers something for everyone. Our expanded network will make it easier than ever for guests to experience everything our home city has to offer,” Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s Chief Executive Officer, said in a press release.
Abu Dhabi is one of the 15 locations in the world with a US immigration facility. That means that you can go through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Abu Dhabi airport and bypass all the formalities upon landing back in the US, making traveling between the UAE and the US even more effortless.
November 25, 2024
Planning to Propose on Your Vacation? Remember These Two Airport Security Tips
Planning to propose to your significant other should be fun, but figuring out how to get an engagement ring through airport security can be pretty daunting if you haven’t done it before — which, chances are, you haven’t. It’s not like you can call up TSA and warn them not to let the cat out of the bag by riffling through your carry-on and pulling out the ring box.
Last week, Luton Airport in London launched a marketing campaign with the city-based jewelry company Queensmith to help secret proposers smuggle engagement rings through security.
The very English-sounding initiative called “Ask for Harry” instructed passengers to use the keyphrase “Does Harry still work here?” at security to let staff know they are carrying an engagement ring in their luggage. It’s a smart gimmick that had me googling the jewelers, but in my opinion, that’s as far as it goes.
I can’t imagine anything more suspicious than my partner inquiring about some dude called Harry with a security agent — we’re certainly not posh enough to know someone with that name. However, it got me thinking about whether taking an engagement ring through security is really all that difficult. And to spoil the ending, no, it’s not that hard unless you get unlucky. It certainly does not warrant you using a code word that will make you sound like you’re smuggling illegal substances.
According to recent data from the wedding planning site The Knot, over a third of American proposers choose to pop the question during a planned trip. Although many of these trips are on home soil, there’s been a surge in popularity with international destinations since the pandemic. And unsurprisingly, destinations such as the Maldives, Italy, Greece, and France are popular backdrops for the romantic moment. But even if you’re not going that far, your plans might involve a face-off with TSA. If so, there are two simple things you can do to help avoid getting caught out.
The first cardinal rule is to pack it in your carry-on rather than your checked luggage. The second is not to put the ring in your pocket and saunter through the metal detectors. Both are no-brainers, but here are a few more tips I found on Reddit from travelers who’ve successfully managed a secret proposal.
A few commenters suggested to secure the ring in a safe and discreet container. While the original jewelry box may suffice, consider investing in a small, soft-sided ring case. These cases are designed to protect the ring from bumps and scratches and are often more discreet than a larger jewelry box. Place it at the top and avoid wrapping the ring box in plastic or paper when packing as this could trigger a closer inspection by security.
Another essential is to pack your carry-on properly. Ensure your bag is free of any items such as liquids over the permitted amount, sharp objects, or electronic devices with unusual power banks.
Others suggested attaching a small, discreet note to the ring box that reads, “Engagement ring — please handle with care.” Hopefully, this gentle nudge will help security personnel handle the situation with sensitivity. And if you are pulled over to be searched, you may request a private screening, although that might have your other half googling wedding venues in your absence or questioning they are in a relationship with Pablo Escobar.
More concern should be placed on losing the ring when traveling. Ensure you’ve got sufficient insurance. And if it’s purchased in the US, you won’t have to declare the item at customs, but take a photo of yourself with it at home to prove it was not acquired abroad.
After that, all you need to do is focus on planning the perfect location for your destination proposal.
A New Photo Book Explores The Unending Variety and Allure of Japan’s Vending Machines
A really good film or magazine article — or, these days, an Instagram account — can be enough to inspire a trip’s itinerary. On my first trip to Japan in 2023, it was an old camera from 1963 that I’d bought off eBay that did it. I came armed with a Google Map thickly skewered with pinned locations — coffee shops, tonkatsu joints, vinyl bars, bookstores — but moving between these points, I noticed an understated fixture of the city: vending machines.
Vending machines are everywhere in Tokyo, and in the rest of Japan too. There are some 3.9 million vending machines in operation in the country for the approximately 124 million residents, or about one for every 30 citizens. But it’s not just a numbers thing. Vending machines in Japan come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. These were reasons enough to point my camera at them as something to do while walking the city by myself. Back to that camera — the Olympus PEN-F is a 35mm half-frame camera, meaning it divides every shot on a roll of film into two photos. With this machine in my hand, the project I assigned myself was to fill an entire roll of film with vending machines; 72 photos, 72 machines.
With this idea overlaid on top of my trip, my travel habits started to look different. I sought out new routes between A and B, wandered down alleys, and ventured into residential neighborhoods I wouldn’t have otherwise walked through. I still visited the city’s famous places, but while everyone posed for selfies in front of Sensō-ji, I could be found on the edge of the temple grounds with my eye on the drink dispensers.
The thing about old cameras is that they don’t always work the way you expect them to. A lot of my photos came out blurry, the focus ever so slightly off. But there were enough keepers to know I’d found a subject interesting enough to keep pursuing. Vending machines drew me into all parts of Tokyo and they drew my eye toward the hundreds and thousands of details that, combined, make a city — the color of the tiles on the buildings in one neighborhood versus another, how quickly a busy commercial area blends into a quiet residential one, how urban negative space is utilized (in Tokyo, it’s all utilized).
The Observer’s Guide to Japanese Vending Machines. Photo: Tanner Bowden
Buy: “The Observer’s Guide to Japanese Vending Machines”On a follow-up trip later that year, I knew I wanted to find more vending machines and take their photos. If it sounds like I’m anthropomorphizing, that’s because it’s hard not to when you come across a Coke machine standing underneath its own awning outside the village market (or maybe I’ve simply read too much Murakami). On this second trip, I explored outside the city and found that even in the small villages and along the hiking paths drawn across the Kii Peninsula, vending machines abound. During a long, cold day of hiking, a warm can of coffee can be a real morale saver (yeah, Japanese vending machines serve hot drinks too).
Just as that camera inspired me to take photos of vending machines, the photos that I returned home with inspired me to publish “The Observer’s Guide to Japanese Vending Machines“. The images that made it into the book are the ones that, I believe, do the same thing that the machines did for me once I started to notice them: they draw attention to the basic physical organization of a place that we all feel when we’re there but don’t necessarily notice, the things that give Tokyo and the other places I visited in Japan a little bit of their indelible character.
Groups of vending machines are so common in Tokyo’s busy areas that they can be easy to overlook. Photo: Tanner Bowden
In residential neighborhoods, some vending machines are seemingly positioned in private driveways. Photo: Tanner Bowden
For the sake of coffee, green tea, and other drinks, no amount of leftover space is too small. Photo: Tanner Bowden
One-of-a-kind vending machines aren’t hard to come by either. At Muji’s store in Shinjuku, the Japanese brand sells drinks from its beverage line. Photo: Tanner Bowden
Sometimes it seems like the city’s most basic infrastructure elements were designed with vending machines (and an accompanying recycling bin) in mind. Photo: Tanner Bowden
Even far from the nearest town I encountered vending machines. This one was at the end of a logging road in the Kii Mountains where it intersected the hiking trail I was walking. Photo: Tanner Bowden
Vending machines in Japan are generally well maintained. Some like this one even get their own protection from the elements. Photo: Tanner Bowden
Scale is a hard concept to grasp in a city as sprawling as Tokyo. Vending machines like this one help. Photo: Tanner Bowden
In areas dominated by more traditional architecture like this street in Kyoto, vending machines offer a modern (and colorful) contrast. Photo: Tanner Bowden
Even at Tokyo’s oldest temple, you’ll find vending machines. These ones are designed to blend in with the far-older buildings they coexist with. Photo: Tanner Bowden
When the stores were closed in this small village on the Kii Peninsula, there was still a one-stop place for tea, coffee, beer, and cigarettes. Photo: Tanner Bowden
One of the reasons why vending machines are so common in Japan is because vandalism is uncommon. Even graffiti — except in the case of this pair located in the heart of Shibuya. Photo: Tanner Bowden
Things We Love: The Matador Team’s 8 Favorite Pieces of Travel Gear and More This Month
Snow is flying and ski resorts across North America and Europe are open for the season. Thanksgiving week kicked off the holiday season, and colder weather also heralds the need for warmer clothes for other outdoor pursuits as well as holiday travel. Matador editors tested warm underlayers, unique travel accessories, and more this month to help you stock up for winter adventures – including a stiff toast to round out the collection.
We hope you love the gear we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
PAKA Men’s Thermal Crew and Bottoms, Women’s Mountain Crew sweater
Photo courtesy PAKA
Over the past couple years I’ve become quite the fan of PAKA’s alpaca wool clothing. I have the hoodie, the Joggers, and recently acquired the Thermal Crew and Thermal Bottoms for the upcoming splitboarding season. I’ve since tested them on a splitboard tour and on an early morning mountain bike ride in 20-degree weather. On each occasion I remained warm and loose, as though the temperature were 20 degrees warmer. What separates these thermals from the baselayers I’ve worn in previous seasons is that they’re wool rather than cotton or poly. Although the clothes are slightly thicker than my prior long johns and crew, they fit more comfortably because they don’t cling to the skin in the same manner. I especially appreciate this about the crew shirt. The shirt is comfy and presentable enough that as the day warms I can drop outer layers if necessary and just rock the crew, even for beers in the parking lot after a tour. I value versatility in my outdoor clothing, and PAKA offers that in spades. – Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor
Price: $135 crew, $125 bottoms
Shop Now – Thermal Base Layers
Photo courtesy PAKA
I like a wool sweater. Not only do they keep you warm and toasty, but natural fibers are more sustainable than synthetic ones, and longer lasting. But there is one issue with wool sweaters that keeps many people from buying them: they itch. PAKA’s Mountain Crew sweater is different, however. Made of 60 percent traceable baby alpaca, 15 percent fine Merino wool, and 25 percent Nylon, it is extremely soft and totally itch-free. Not only that but every single one is hand-knitted (there’s even a tag inside the sweater with the name of the knitter, a skilled Quechua artisan) in such a way that it’s not stiff the way wool sweaters can be, but very flexible, almost like a cotton sweatshirt. I put on my gorgeous eggplant-color Mountain Crew sweater right after taking it out of the box over a month ago and I have worn it nearly every day, including on a 10-plus hour flight, which is a testament to how comfortable it is. I have not washed it since I received it and have worn it in multiple situations, including while pulling a heavy suitcase across several cities, in plane and train rides, and at a casual work event, but thanks to its odor-resistant and antimicrobial properties, it doesn’t smell at all. While PAKA’s Mountain Crew sweater is branded as a piece of outdoor clothing, it does not look it: the beautiful stitching and high-quality look make it perfect for everyday wear, too. – Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor
Price: $145
Shop Now – Women’s Mountain Crew
Shop Now – Men’s Mountain Crew
Denon PerL True Wireless Earbuds
Photo: Amazon
Denon has crafted a pair of wireless earbuds that have relegated my trusty AirPods 4 to the back of my drawer. As a long-time AirPods user, I can confidently say the Denon PerL True Wireless earbuds are a game-changer. I rely heavily on earphones for my daily routine – intense workout sessions, household chores, or long travel hours. The PerL earbuds offer an exceptional listening experience thanks to their innovative features.
One tap instantly switches on noise-canceling mode, immersing you in your audio. Another tap activates “social mode,” allowing you to hear enough of what’s happening around you and interact with others. But what truly sets the PerL earbuds apart is the personalized audio experience. First, you need to download the app, which will take you through easy-to-follow instructions, including analysis via Masimo Adaptive Acoustic Technology, which tailors the sound to your specific preferences and hearing profile. They also have a six-hour battery life while in use and 18 hours with the case. They are also currently 37 percent off in the Black Friday Amazon sale. – Katie Scott Aiton, Lifestyle Editor
Price: $113.44
Grit Lit Box
Logo courtesy The Cairn Project
It seems like subscription boxes were all the rage several years ago, and then it started getting a little too excessive, and fell out of favor. Now, what I’m seeing more and more are monthly or quarterly boxes that don’t have a subscription, but come on a regular basis – so basically, you can buy as many in advance as you want, or buy them on a box-by-box basis. One I recently tried is the “Grit Lit” box from The Cairn Project.
It checks a lot of boxes (no pun intended), especially as a holiday gift. Each includes a book from or about a female adventurer, a snack to go along with it from a female-owned company, and a few other small surprise goodies in each box. I wish I knew more teenagers or young adults to gift this to, as the Grit Lit box both encourages reading (yay) and elevates the stories of ground-breaking women, but also supports the Cairn Project’s goal of increasing access to outdoor adventures for girls and young women. Boxes are $45 and you can buy a single box, or a year at a time. – Suzie Dundas, Commissioning Editor
Abode Outside Sweaters
Photo courtesy Adobe Outside
With easy access to materials, production facilities, and quick web design, it feels like new Mom-and-Pop clothing “brands” are springing up every day. And while I’m all in favor of supporting small businesses, it can be hard to know which are actual brands, and which are just someone with an internet connection slapping their logo on a mass-produced T-shirt or pair of joggers.
But oh my gosh, am I glad I took a chance on a Minnesota-based brand Abode Outside. It’s clear from the website that all its clothing is focused on sustainability, from using only recycled yarn to responsible wool sourcing and running the brand office with solar power. But what I didn’t realize until I tried on a piece was the “quality yarns” side of the promise. My Basecamp Sweater is softer than cashmere – what I like to call “puppy ear soft.” All sweaters are unisex, though based on a men’s size chart, as women are advised to size down. If you’re all about getting away from fast fashion – but also can’t afford to spend $300 on a high-end, organic sweater – I’d strongly advise poking through Abode Outside’s mountain-inspired offerings before looking anywhere else. – Suzie Dundas, Commissioning Editor
Price: From $89
Paravel Aviator Trunk + Packing Suite
Photo courtesy Paravel
Some trips are hard to pack for. Recently, I went from very chilly British Columbia to mild but very windy and rainy western France for a few days, to a warm-weather Mediterranean cruise for a week, and back to France for Christmas. Upon packing, I knew that my suitcase needed to carry both winter and summer clothing, dressed-up clothes for work events and the upcoming holidays, and a ton of room for all the Christmas gifts I was transporting. While I am the owner of many pieces of luggage, only one suitcase was able to haul the 50 pounds of stuff I needed: the Paravel Aviator Trunk and its Packing Suite.
Tall and roomy enough to transport my 10-year-old niece in comfort, the 95-liter Aviator Trunk by Paravel is large but not so much as to be considered oversized by airlines, allowing overpackers to carry an awful lot in just one piece of checked luggage. The Packing Suite, which consists of seven packing cubes (five large ones and two smaller ones) makes it easy to keep all your stuff neatly organized inside the trunk, especially thanks to the many customizable labels that come with it. Despite its size, and even when packed to the brim, the Paravel Aviator Trunk rolls very smoothly thanks to four double-spinner wheels, and is very stylish with vegan leather details reminiscent of vintage trunks. Beyond its practicality and good looks, it’s the sustainable aspects of the brand that won me over: the Paravel Aviator Trunk and its Packing Suite consists of 99 percent recycled polycarbonate, with recycled aluminum handles, recycled zippers, and the lining and packing cubes are made from dozens of recycled plastic bottles. – Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor
Price: $700 for the Paravel Aviator Trunk + Packing Suite; $575 for the Paravel Aviator Trunk alone; $165 for the Packing Suite alone
Shop Now – Aviator Packing Cubes
Roll Recovery shoes
Photo courtesy Roll Recovery
Nearly 30 years of snowboarding have done in my knees and feet. I also have a noticeable bunion that’s developed on my right foot over the past decade. As I age, I’m increasingly gaining awareness of how I need to focus as much on recovering from adventures as I do on preparation for them, and in line with this I recently acquired a pair of Roll Recovery shoes. The brand is known for its Deep Tissue Massage Tools, and the shoes are effectively that for your feet. They meld to them in a form-fitting manner that gets better each time I put them on, with soft lining moves with the feet instead of constricting them. Basically, they don’t cramp your feet like most shoes, and are the next best thing to getting a foot massage. – Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor
Price: $110
Ilegal Mezcal Reposado Caribbean Cask Finish
Photo courtesy Ilegal Mezcal
I’ve had an insatiable thirst for mezcal ever since spending two months in Oaxaca city in 2019 (okay, admittedly, since long before then – mezcal was part of the reason my wife and I booked that time there). I tend to horde fine mezcals in my liquor cabinet, and the latest entry is the newly released Reposado Caribbean Cask Finish from Ilegal Mezcal. The spirit spends time in two oak barrels before being bottled and sold – first, it spends four to six months in American oak barrels, before being finished in 215 barrels that previously aged 8-year Caribbean rum. This gives a beachy flavor to a spirit produced in the high country, and the combination is undeniably unique and satisfying. Not only is this great for your own stash, but it also makes a great gift for anyone who appreciates fine agave-based spirits. – Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor
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