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7 sides of winter in Kelowna

Kelowna isn’t exactly a destination — it’s more like seven. At least. This is the region’s original wine country, set deep in the rugged, mountainous interior. It honors its heritage as the epicenter of BC fruit production while at the same time serving as the gateway to one of the biggest ski resorts in the country. In winter, it’s a snowy maze of snowshoe trails that wind between beaver ponds, past the shores of an 84-mile-long lake, and up slopes that rise 2,500+ feet.

Just to be clear: We’re still talking about the same place. Which of these seven sides will you seek out when you visit? Or will you go for them all?

1. TASTE: Winter wine touring

Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Meghan Reading

Wine-making in Kelowna started over 150 years ago when settlers — one lone French missionary, technically — discovered that the climate was conducive to grape-growing. Today, it’s the wine-making capital of British Columbia, and there are over 40 wineries within 20 minutes of town — around 30 of which are open year-round!

That means even in winter you can easily spend a day (or four) exploring the area’s unique wineries. Check out CedarCreek Estate Winery (some terroir-to-table appetizers at their Home Block restaurant are a must); the Urban Tasting Room at Sandhill Winery, located right downtown in Kelowna’s oldest winery location; The View Winery, a vineyard situated on land owned by the same family for five generations; and Indigenous World Winery, one of the world’s only 100% Indigenous-owned wineries.

2. CULTURE: The Kelowna story

The six-block Cultural District in downtown Kelowna was once the center of the Okanagan’s fruit-packing industry but today is a modern hub of art and culture, filled with galleries, theaters, bistros, and museums. The Kelowna Art Gallery is located here, along with more than a third of the city’s public art displays.

But the Cultural District hasn’t forgotten its roots, and there are several reminders that Kelowna is still fruit country — like a sculpture of a giant peach and apple on display next to the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Even City Hall has the words “fruitful in unity” carved into the crest above its front door. To learn more about the farming and vineyard history that shaped the region, check out the Okanagan Wine & Orchard Museum. Pair it with a winery stop, and the experience becomes an experience. One you can take home in a bottle, too.

3. ADRENALINE: Adventures on the slopes

Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com, Destination BC and Blake Jorgenson

Under an hour’s drive from Kelowna is the powder country of Big White Ski Resort. The mountain’s stats are impressive: 16 lifts, 119 designated trails, 2,550 feet of vertical drop, and an annual average of 25 feet of the very Okanagan champagne powder that makes British Columbia’s interior ski resorts so famous. This is one of the biggest of them all, too — you can run for 4.5 miles from the top of T-Bar to the bottom of Gem Lake.

Don’t limit yourself to riding skis and boards, though. Take Lara’s Gondola from the Village Centre to Happy Valley Adventure Park, on the southeast side of the resort. This place is largely for kiddos and beginners, but Big White Tube Park — also found here — is no tea-cup ride. You’ll high-speed slide down the slopes in an inner tube, on your own or forming a chain with your crew. Some lanes are faster than others, everything’s lit at night, and (most importantly) there’s a lift to the top.

Dogsledding is also an option at Big White. Eight pups from Candle Creek Kennels will lead you along the nearly four-mile trail, and their humans will teach you how and when to “mush.” And then there’s snowmobiling and SXS-ing. The former you can probably picture — tours run up to four hours, and the slopes go from gentle to messy, advanced powder runs. Even mini snowmobiles are offered for kids! “SXS” stands for “Side-by-Side” (an all-terrain vehicle), and driving one makes it easy to beat a path through the backcountry safely.

If you’re dead set on finding more ways to get vertical, check out Big White’s skating rink — it’s the highest in the country — or try your hand at ice climbing a 60-foot artificial ice tower. The best part: All of these activities are offered right in Happy Valley.

4. NOURISHMENT: Small bites + big feasts

Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com

In downtown Kelowna, you’ll need help narrowing it down — try considering your cravings by continent. Europe? Make Julia Child proud at Bouchons Bistro, or go a bit farther south to Yamas Taverna. Asia? You can’t go wrong at Thai Terrace or Chatime Okanagan. Local? Orchard Room and Salt & Brick are great options for Kelowna’s famous farm-fresh cuisine.

And that’s just a few of downtown’s options. Cast your net over the whole city, and you’ll wind up with hundreds of places to choose from (cast a vegan net over the city, and you’ll still wind up with over two dozen). Because you’re so spoiled for choice, you might want to do a little research in advance.

Then there’s the après scene at Big White. With 20+ restaurants and pubs to choose from, even if you’re not après-ing anything, you’ll want in. It’s a village-wide party, and everyone’s invited. For starters, catch one of the happy hours — there are three! — at the BullWheel Gastro Family Pub. Then, for a classic triple-cheese fondue, head to chalet-style The Woods. (Did you catch that? Classic. Triple. Cheese. Fondue.)

The Globe Café & Tapas Bar is the place for tapas bites — they even have a vegan tapas menu — and sangria. Save room for their famous Kahlua ganache s’mores, where you roast your own marshmallows at your tabletop.

5. SLOW THRILLS: Hiking + snowshoeing

Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Big White Ski Resort

Due to its location on the edge of Okanagan Lake, Kelowna enjoys a climate that’s more temperate than you’d expect. This means there’s less snow than in the surrounding mountains, so it’s not unusual to be able to hike year-round at Knox Mountain Park, right on the edge of the city. In the winter, you can’t drive all the way to the top, but there are several trailheads from the bottom parking lot — check out Paul’s Tomb Trail, which runs along the lakeshore, and Apex Trail, which gives you some cardio on your way up to amazing views of the city and lake.

If you prefer snowshoeing to hiking, the Telemark Nordic Club in West Kelowna has 35+ miles of trails. Try the new 10-mile Crystal Mountain Snowshoe Trail, featuring a 1,085-foot elevation gain up to several spectacular lookouts (quite a challenge, not for beginners). Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club, meanwhile, has 24 snowshoe trails, most meandering through forests and open clear-cuts and past beaver ponds. Depending on your stamina, you can loop trails together to make your outing as long or short as you want.

For a backcountry experience (and to explore the historic Kettle Valley Rail Trail), head up to Myra Canyon, just 20 minutes from downtown, and take in the beauty of this quiet wilderness trail. It’ll lead you through two tunnels and over 18 lovely wooden trestles.

Of course, Big White offers some epic snowshoeing and hiking, too. There are over 15 miles of Nordic trails — tours run multiple times a day, or you can venture out on your own to enjoy true solitude in the backcountry, a time-honored Canadian pastime.

6. REJUVENATION: Hanging out at the farm

On the southeast edge of the city is Arion Therapeutic Farm, a place guaranteed to be a hit with the kids. This volunteer-driven organization offers daily interactive tours where you can pitch in and get your hands dirty feeding, grooming, and learning about the benefits of interacting with farm animals like donkeys, horses, llamas, and chickens.

If you want to stay overnight in this serene farm setting, there are a few rooms and a large ranch-style bungalow available. Arion also puts on overnight programs such as their simple-but-signature Vegan Sanctuary Retreat.

7. TWIRLS: Channeling your inner skating champion

Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Matt Ferguson

Kelowna has three indoor skating arenas, but for the very best winter ambiance, there’s outdoor skating right on the downtown waterfront at Stuart Park. You can swirl and twirl on the ice from 6am to 11pm, December through February (weather permitting — check the live cam for current conditions).

When it’s break time, cozy up to the warmth of the fire pit; on weekends, there’s a food vendor where you can grab some comfort-food snacks onsite. And since you’re smack-dab between Okanagan Lake and downtown, your post-skate options abound: Kelowna Art Gallery, the Okanagan Military and Heritage Museums, and dozens of restaurants, cafes, and bars are all within walking distance. All you have to do is take off your skates and go.

Note: The downtown waterfront is a great area for lodging, too. To stay right here, check out the Royal Anne Hotel. Also on the water — but a bit further from the bustle of downtown — is Eldorado Resort. On the other, quieter side of the lake, look to The Cove Lakeside Resort. But no matter which side of winter (or the lake) you’re after, it’s all within easy reach. Take a look at what’s possible, and pick a side — or seven — when you’re ready.

The post 7 wonderful sides of winter in Kelowna, British Columbia appeared first on Matador Network.

Brighton day trip from London

If you’re staying in London for more than a few days, it’s worth getting out of the city and exploring the surrounding area. If you only have time for one day trip, head south to Brighton. Located in East Sussex, this seaside town is only one hour and 15 minutes by train from the London Bridge station.

In the 18th century, Brighton was a sleeping fishing village that became a popular holiday destination toward the end of the century, after the construction of the railways. Throughout the years, the town and its beautiful coastline became a creative hub of writers, performers, and artists. Today, Brighton is a progressive, forward-thinking town that attracts Londoners looking to party the weekend away — particularly LGBTQ locals and travelers, as the city is arguably the capital of gay culture in England. Here’s how to make the most of your one-day trip to Brighton.

Relax and take in the British seaside culture

Photo: Michaelasbest/Shutterstock

As soon as you arrive at Brighton train station, take a 20-minute walk straight down to the seafront. Brighton Beach is a great place to chill and soak in the sunshine — if you’re lucky enough to find it.

Britain has a very unique seaside culture which tends to involve amusement arcades accompanied by the waft of freshly baked doughnuts. Stretching for half a mile, Brighton Pier is filled with traditional attractions including rides, arcades, and some much-loved fairground games. If, however, you’re after a quieter morning, take a stroll along the beachfront where you’ll find pop-up art galleries and local craft stores.

Shop and shoot in Brighton’s Lanes

Photo: Artur Szczybylo/Shutterstock

Although it may be difficult to take yourself away from the beach, a walk through Brighton’s chic city center is a must. Allow at least an hour and a half to explore The Lanes, a collection of interconnecting narrow streets lined with boutiques that are located just seven minutes on foot from the pier. Keep your wallet handy because the abundance of cute vintage shops, independent designers, jewelers, antique sellers, and local artists are hard to resist. The Lanes are also a labyrinth of Victorian architecture, so take the time to admire the buildings around you and take a few Insta-worthy shots along the way.

Get your fix of delicious fried food

Photo: Tatchaphol/Shutterstock

Every British person who spends a day by the sea treats themselves to some fish and chips, so blend in with the local day-trippers and have a simple lunch while gazing out toward the sea (just watch out for those pesky seagulls). There are many fish and chip shops in Brighton but only two really stand out from the crowd. Located right along the seafront, just a 10-minute walk from The Lanes, the Melrose Restaurant claims the title as the best chippy in Brighton. If you can take yourself away from the seafront, head to Bardsley’s. This traditional chip shop has been open since 1926 and serves fried cod, chips, and other British specialties to eat in or take away. It is located a 20-minute walk from The Lanes.

Where: Melrose Restaurant, 132 Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2HH & Bardsley’s, 23a Baker Street, Brighton, BN1 4JN

Learn about the extravagance of the Royal family

Photo: Alexey Fedorenko/Shutterstock

The Royal Pavilion, once a pleasure palace for King George IV, is now one of Brighton’s most popular attractions. Completed in 1823, this striking structure was heavily influenced by traditional Indian and Chinese architecture, making it a unique and surprising sight on the British seaside. The Royal Pavilion hosts cultural events and can be hired for weddings, but its beautiful, regal rooms and gardens are also open to visitors daily. Book your ticket online and save 10 percent (regular entry fee is $18). The palace is located toward the seafront, a 15-minute walk from both Bardsley’s and Melrose Restaurant.

Where: 4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton BN1 1EE

See it all from above, with an aperitif in hand

Photo: British Airways i360/Facebook

Just before the sun goes down, ride gently up 450 feet in the British Airways i360, an elevator-like glass bubble that takes you way above the town for spectacular panoramic views of the coast. Within the bubble is a sky bar that serves soft drinks, Brighton Gin, and Nyetimber — the perfect sunset accompaniment. Expect queues during school summer holidays which start from late July until early September. Prices start from 18 USD and each entry lasts 25 minutes.

Where: Lower Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2LN

Give British cuisine a chance

Photo: 64 Degrees/Facebook

Those who say Britain has nothing to offer to the global culinary scene have obviously never spent any time in gourmet Brighton. For modern British food in a fine dining setting, make a reservation in advance at 64 Degrees. The decor is sleek and industrial and there is an open kitchen where diners can watch the chefs hard at work. The food consists of a selection of small plates that change on a daily basis. The idea is that guests share their plates with friends and family for a fun and experimental dining experience.

For something more laid back, head up towards the train station via the colorful and independent shops of North Laine Bazaar. The Prince Albert, a popular pub featuring a famous “dead rock stars” graffiti mural outside, is always abuzz with good music and cheap pub grub.

Where: 64 Degrees, 53 Meeting House Lane, Brighton, BN1 1H3 & The Prince Albert, 48 Trafalgar Street, Brighton, BN1 4ED


More like this: The ultimate LGBTQ guide to Brighton, England’s queer capital

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Presidents’ Day family ski trips

For many, the Presidents’ Day weekend is an optimal time to hit the slopes. Families, though, might need to think a little harder when choosing a ski resort. The lift ticket and lodging expenses of more skiers, the need for mellow runs for younger skiers, and options for off-the-mountain activities all weigh in. There’s also the factor of holiday weekend crowds. Well, we’ve got you covered. These five resorts are all made for family skiers, and most are less well known, meaning you won’t get the same crowds — or prices — as you will at the big name spots.

1. Homewood Mountain Resort — Homewood, California

Photo: Rob Crandall/Shutterstock

The lowdown: A family-first resort with views that will stop your kids in their tracks

Standing apart from the steeps of Squaw Valley and the freestyle haven of Northstar, Homewood is a small ski area designed with kids in mind. Runs are short, making it an ideal place for adults and kids alike to find their footing on a pair of skis or a board. The terrain is relatively uncrowded and mellow — though there are some steeps to be found should that be your objective. The parking lot is also mere steps from the lift, a major bonus when you’re carrying the gear of multiple little ones.

Holiday lift tickets are $68 for adults and $29 for kids, less than half what you’d pay at Tahoe’s bigger resorts. And the views of Lake Tahoe are unparalleled since Homewood is the only resort that’s almost literally at the water’s edge. For lodging, nearby Tahoe City is a far quieter place to stay than the party-centric South Tahoe. Walk the kids down to the lake, dine on barbecue at Moe’s, and relax by the fireplace at the Basecamp Hotel, beer in hand and board game spread on the table in front of you.

2. Silver Mountain Resort — Kellogg, Idaho

Photo: Silver Mountain/Facebook

The lowdown: An indoor water park and trails for everyone

If your family enjoys a good thrill, take them up the Silver Mountain gondola and experience Silver Mountain Resort’s expanse of family-friendly intermediate terrain. Skiing from the top of Kellogg Peak down the Klondike Express trail, the sun rising over the surrounding hills, is among the most scenic early-morning runs in Idaho. The ski area’s two peaks host seven lifts with 50 acres of night skiing and some challenging tree runs for any skiers and riders ready to test their limits.

Silver Mountain is, to our knowledge, the only ski resort with an on-mountain indoor water park, and one of the only places where you can surf in Idaho — even if it’s on an artificial wave. The park also features multiple pools, slides, a lazy river, and a cabana that’s one of the most unique ways to aprés in the Rocky Mountain West. Admission is free if you’re staying in the resort’s lodging. Off the ski hill, take your family on a guided underground mine tour or visit one of the mining museums of the surrounding silver valley.

3. Powderhorn Mountain Resort — Mesa, Colorado

Photo: Powderhorn Resort/Facebook

The lowdown: Free lessons for first-timers and a chance to experience true solitude

A trip to this area is ideal for families with young children. For a quiet and secluded weekend, rent a cabin on Colorado’s Grand Mesa and ski Powderhorn Mountain Resort. (If the cabin is too rustic, you can also rent a condo with up to three bedrooms at the resort base.) Powderhorn is an easy road trip for families from Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and elsewhere in Colorado. Those coming from further afield can fly into Grand Junction, a 30-minute drive from the resort.

Of Powderhorn’s 50 runs, 70 percent are rated as beginner or intermediate, many groomed to perfect corduroy for a relaxing weekend of turns with the family. Because of its plethora of mellow terrain, Powderhorn has a top-notch ski school that offers first-timers a chance to try a lesson for free, something you won’t find anywhere else in Colorado.

The base area is quiet and affordable. A large pizza at Powderhorn Pub or a burger from the resort’s cafeteria are there for when hunger kicks in during the day, but you’ll want to stock the kitchen in your unit for a home-cooked dinner. Beyond the boundaries of the ski resort itself, the Grand Mesa Nordic Council operates a full-scale cross-country ski trail system just up the road, and you can take the kids snowshoeing off the West Bench Trail, which finishes near the top of the ski area’s high-speed quad lift.

4. Windham Mountain — Windham, New York

Photo: Don Landwehrle/Shutterstock

The lowdown: An easy drive from New York, lodging under $200, and an Adventure Park

The East Coast gets a bad rap in the ski world. Some of this is justified. After all, no one should be paying for icy conditions out East what one could pay for powder out West. But there are gems, and Windham Mountain is one of them. A room at Jimmy O’Conner’s Windham Mountain Inn is big enough for a family of four and runs less than $200 per night, and even closer to the resort you can stay for not much more than that.

Windham also has an affordable Adventure Park that offers snow tubing, kids’ snowmobiling, and, weather permitting, ice skating. On the hill, your first impression of Windham Mountain may be of a far larger and pricier resort. A six-person chair takes skiers and riders up the west peak. The east peak is accessed by a high-speed quad, and the mountain has 10 other lifts servicing terrain for first-timers and regular shredders. A three-day lift pass over the holiday weekend will run you between $178 and $246, depending on the days you ski.

5. Stowe Mountain Resort — Vermont

Photo: Don Landwehrle/Shutterstock

The lowdown: A place your teenager or college student will be excited to visit

The mellow cruisers accessible via Stowe’s gondola are fun for skiers and riders of all abilities, and the Adventure area is one of the country’s best learn-to-ski centers. But the real draw here is that Stowe’s resort village and the town itself are the idyllic Vermont mountain town experience. The frozen rock face of Mt. Mansfield towers over the resort, with winding runs cutting through the trees below. Your kids will earn cred for skiing a well-known and respected resort, and Stowe is a good place for tweens to find their footing on a big mountain built for progression from intermediate to advanced ability.

It’s also a solid place to hang out after the lifts close. The base area hosts live music. The Adventure Center offers rock climbing and other activities for kids and teens, and the nearby town of Stowe offers family-friendly activities and nightlife, including a three-screen movie theater, dog sledding tours, and an immersive Ben & Jerry’s ice cream experience, during which you’ll learn how the brand makes some of its iconic flavors. For those over 21, Stowe offers a row of quaint pubs and a regular schedule of concerts. Epic pass holders can use their pass at Stowe and purchase additional lift tickets at a discount.


More like this: How to actually have fun on a family ski vacation

The post The most fun places to ski with the family over Presidents’ Day weekend appeared first on Matador Network.

LGBTQ travel guide to Atlanta

In the 1960s, Atlanta took on the name “The City Too Busy to Hate.” Originally, it was a moniker to describe Atlanta’s position on its business boom during the rise of the civil rights movement, but it has grown into a source of pride for those living in the city. While always a center for business, Atlanta has gained an artistic reputation in recent years, especially for film and music.

Today, Atlanta acts as an epicenter for all things LGBTQ in the South, especially for black queer folks. RuPaul, of Drag Race fame, got his start playing Atlanta clubs in the ‘80s and ‘90s, helping the city gain a reputation as the center for drag in the United States, attracting visitors from around the world. Catering to the LGBTQ tourist is nothing new; ahead of the 1996 Olympics, The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Visitors Center opened to help LGBTQ tourists find their way around the city. This role has since shifted online, but the city continues as a safe haven for the LGBTQ community. In fact, Atlanta hosts two major Pride celebrations, but it’s a great destination for LGBTQ travelers all year round.

Hot tip: The city and its LGBTQ hot spots are spread out, so getting a car for your visit wouldn’t be a bad idea, though ridesharing apps are a popular choice too.

Neighborhood guide

Midtown

Photo: f11photo/Shutterstock

Midtown is the original “gayborhood” of Atlanta. The Atlanta Pride parade marches through the neighborhood each October before leading the excited crowd to Piedmont Park, the largest public park in the city. This is also the neighborhood that houses the city’s rainbow crosswalks, which were installed in 2017.

East Atlanta Village

One of Atlanta’s coolest neighborhoods, East Atlanta Village has grown its reputation as an artsy and edgy haunt. This is a walkable neighborhood with great music venues and cute shops. LGBTQ tourists will be most interested in Mary’s, one of Atlanta’s best gay bars, but there are several more nearby for people who like to pop between bars throughout the night.

Little Five Points

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

This hip neighborhood has long had a reputation for all things niche and cool, with vintage shops and quirky dives. Little Five Points is one of the best neighborhoods for people watching as it attracts all types, from hippies to punks to hipsters, no one is out of place here. While not exactly queer, the bar The Vortex is not to be missed on your Atlanta visit, and its skull-shaped door is a landmark along Moreland Avenue.

Decatur

Decatur is considered a suburb of Atlanta but is best known by LGBTQ people for its popularity as a neighborhood for lesbian families to settle down and raise kids. It’s also the home of Agnes Scott, the women’s college, and the feminist bookstore Charis. This reputation has garnered the neighborhood the cheeky and affectionate nickname “Dickhater.” But there is something in this laid-back neighborhood for everyone who likes a slower pace to the rest of the city’s hustle.

Bars and nightlife

Joes on Juniper

Photo: Joe’s on Juniper

While many might call it more of a restaurant than a bar, Joes on Juniper is sure to delight, no matter the hour. A favorite for the brunch crowd, Joes on Juniper has rainbow sets which lead up to a large porch, perfect for soaking up the warm Atlanta sun and watching the Midtown crowd go by. The porch is lined with cheeky signs, such as “You can’t beat our meat” and “Eat and be Mary!” While the ambiance puts this venue on the map, it’s the burgers and wings that really seal the deal at this Atlanta staple.

Where: 1049 Juniper St NE

My Sister’s Room

My Sister’s Room is the only lesbian bar in Atlanta, but it has been in operation for more than 200 years since it opened in 1996. Not only does this make My Sister’s Room one of the oldest lesbian bars in the country, but it is also one of the few left, making it an absolute must-visit on your trip to Atlanta. The bar has moved neighborhoods several times but is now back in Midtown, the neighborhood it originally opened in. With a dance floor for getting down and a gazebo out back for meeting new friends, My Sister’s Room is the perfect place to meet someone special.

Where: 84 12th St NE

The Atlanta Eagle

Atlanta’s premier leather and Levi’s bar, The Atlanta Eagle opened its doors in the late 1980s and has been satisfying its patrons ever since. With three bars, a dance floor, and a large back porch, the bar has a surprisingly warm feeling for a leather bar. With themed nights throughout the week, there is sure to be something to spark your interest.

Where: 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

Swinging Richards

Swinging Richards claims to be the best gay male strip club in all of the US, but that will be something you’ll have to test for yourself. This legendary club offers all-nude performances six nights a week with VIP and private rooms for the big spenders.

Where: 1400 Northside Dr NW

Mary’s

Catering to a queerer crowd than other Atlanta haunts, Mary’s is a popular East Atlanta Village bar, not to be confused with Mary Mac’s, one of the best places to get Southern cooking in the city. Mary’s has been recognized by OUT and LOGO as one of the best gay bars in the country, and its karaoke nights are legendary. Mary’s has a more relaxed vibe than some other gay bars in the city and is one of the best places to see some of the coolest new drag performers.

Where: 1287 Glenwood Ave SE

Woofs Sports Bar

Sports lovers will find their home at Woofs, Atlanta’s only gay sports bar. With over 27 TVs, you’re ensured that the game you wanna watch is on one of them. It’s a great spot to get to know some people, enjoy a game and a beer, and relax.

Where: 494 Plasters Ave NE

Events

America’s Black Gay Pride

Photo: Atlanta Pride Committee/Facebook

Every Labor Day weekend, Atlanta hosts America’s Black Gay Pride. The weekend is a celebration of black gay culture, and everyone is invited. Full of musical performances and parties, Atlanta Black Pride Weekend is known to go hard, so drink lots of water and enjoy the festivities.

Atlanta Pride

Photo: Atlanta Pride Committee/Facebook

Atlanta’s first Pride took place in 1970, making it among the oldest Pride celebrations in the country. Unlike most Pride celebrations, which happen in June, Atlanta holds its parade in October when the humid heat of the city has cooled off quite a bit. Atlanta Pride’s weekend festivities culminate with the Sunday parade, which brings everyone out to Piedmont Park where performers take the stage and vendors line the streets of the park selling various pride gear.

Landmarks

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Photo: National Center for Civil and Human Rights/Facebook

Opened in 2007, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights is a museum experience that highlights the history of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Atlanta played a critical role in the civil rights movement as the home of activist and leader Martin Luther King Jr. The museum takes visitors on an emotional journey that focuses on the civil rights movement of the 1960s but expands to explore all human rights, including the fight for LGBTQ equality. There’s a moving section about Bayard Rustin, the man who organized the March on Washington but was not given credit for fear that his homosexuality would damage the image of the larger civil rights movement.

Where: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW

Charis Books and More

For over 45 years, Charis Books and More has served the Atlanta community as a feminist bookstore and community space. In 2019, it moved from Midtown to Decatur and became the official bookstore of Agnes Scott, the women’s college. The bookstore hosts great readings and talks, so check the calendar and see what’s happening when you’re in town.

Where: 184 S Candler St, Decatur

Lost-N-Found Thrift

Lost-N-Found Thrift is one of the best thrift stores in Atlanta, and all of the proceeds go to supporting the connected LGBTQ youth homeless shelter. This thrift store carries everything from clothing to furniture to old electronics, making Lost and Found the best place to do some shopping for a quirky souvenir of your visit.

Where: 2585 Chantilly Dr NE


More like this: The ultimate LGBTQ guide to Chicago

The post The ultimate LGBTQ guide to Atlanta appeared first on Matador Network.

Rooftop skating rink in Brooklyn

Rockefeller Center might be the most famous skating rink in New York City, but it’s about to get some serious competition from this new rink atop the William Vale Hotel in Brooklyn. Now open to the public, the rink is located on the 23rd floor of the building and affords unparalleled views of the city skyline. The rink was made with synthetic ice technology, which creates an ice-like feel without the cold and wetness, and requires no power, water, or maintenance (a bit like this rink in Mexico City). And if the winter winds get a little too chilly, there will also be a tent with lounge chairs, hot chocolate, and other treats, where you can warm up.

Photo: The William Vale

Nick Angel, general manager of Vale Rink, told Lonely Planet, “We’re dedicated to staying well connected to the community and finding experiences that can tailor to visitors and locals alike. We always wanted to introduce a skating rink to the property and thought the rooftop would make the perfect destination. It allows us to take advantage of our unique location and views of the Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan skyline during the winter months.”

Photo: The William Vale

Although originally planned to only be open through the winter, the rink is already proving popular enough with guests that the hotel might keep it open even longer.

The rink is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Fridays from 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM, Saturdays from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM, and Sundays from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Entry to the rink costs $20 for adults and $12 for children, including skate rentals and lockers.


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The post This rooftop skating rink has amazing views of the NYC skyline appeared first on Matador Network.

The best vegan hotels for 2020

With 2019 being all about going vegan and traveling sustainably, the trend has inspired massive changes in the hotel industry worldwide and is expected to grow even stronger in 2020. Vegan hotels are popping up all over the world, offering travelers a cozy, luxury experience that also helps the environment by using natural, organic materials. Staying at a vegan hotel relieves the stress of having to spend hours searching for places to eat on Google Maps, but the concept extends well beyond the food menu.

To stay at a vegan hotel means to fully implement the eco-friendly, zero-waste approach. It’s not just what’s on your plate that is low impact — these accommodations provide energy-efficient appliances and use recycled materials, with cruelty-free toiletries in the loo and plant-based alternatives to leather and ink. Here are six vegan hotels around the world to stay in 2020.

1. The Bel Air Treehouse — Los Angeles, California

Photo: The Bel Air Treehouse/Facebook

The Treehouse in Bel Air is a boutique bed and breakfast that aims to nurture guests to their optimal health while being eco-conscious. In that sense, they’re fully optimizing the wellness travel trend — and in the perfect neighborhood for it. They provide crystals, salt lamps, and aromatherapy products in each room and have replaced regular toilet paper with a bamboo alternative. All of the cleaning products on-site are also organic and free of toxins. The Treehouse is close to being completely zero-waste and only buys local, fair-trade goods. There’s also a no alcohol or cigarette policy on the property.

In true SoCal form, the hotel takes guest vibrations very seriously. They’ve placed “angel tuning forks” around the property in a general attempt to improve everyone’s mood during their stay. The forks, which work to enhance the pulse of the body, are believed to be helpful in the process of relaxation and, if you’re keen to meditate, can help with the centering process. The hotel’s wellness approach extends to the classic Continental breakfast, which is built from a biodynamic menu. Some of the meals guests can try include artichoke tapas, vegan brownies, a “guardian burger,” and Ayurvedic-based Indian recipes.

Rooms from $214

2. Villa Vegana — Mallorca, Spain

Photo: Villa Vegana/Facebook

Villa Vegana in Mallorca is the ultimate Mediterranean take on the vegan hotel, appropriately surrounded by olive, orange, and lemon trees on a mid-sea island. They have rejected the use of not only leather but also wool and silk in favor of vegan comfort, cleaning, and cosmetic products, none of which have been tested on animals. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by the sheep, donkeys, horses, and pigs that live on the property.

In the kitchen, Villa Vegana blends Mediterranean and Asian recipes to create a healthy, 100 percent plant-based menu. What’s on offer varies weekly, but frequent staples include dishes such as soy goulash with mashed potatoes, pasta with tofu-based bacon, mushroom calamari, and a ginger-miso vegetable stew. The owners are currently working on creating their own permaculture garden in order to be able to source products on-site in hopes to deliver even more sustainable ingredients and recipes.

Rooms from $133, includes breakfast

3. The Vegan Suite at Hilton Bankside — London, England

Photo: Hilton

Of the major, continent-spanning hotel chains, Hilton has embraced the vegan travel trend much more than most. Earlier this year, it unveiled the “Vegan Suite” at the Bankside Hotel in London. The suite features exclusively vegan materials, such as a plant-based keycard and an eco-cotton carpet. The headboard, chairs, and cushions in the suite are made from Piñatex leather, which is an alternative leather material made from the cellulose fibers of pineapple leaves.

All toiletries are made of recycled materials, and the minibar offers vegan snacks from the Insta-famous Deliciously Ella brand, as well as Naked fruit and nut bars. The suite even has its own in-room dining menu offering quinoa burgers, grilled Portobello mushrooms, an avocado and quinoa scramble, and a cauliflower steak. The drawback, however, is that you’ll have to shell out to stay here — the room runs over $1,000 per night during peak periods.

Suite from $939

4. I Pini – Tuscany, Italy

Photo: Biotique Agrivilla i pini/Facebook

Italy is famous for its organic agrotourism, and Tuscany’s I Pini is the perfect example. Located in the middle of rolling hills and fig trees, this vegan hotel was renovated in 2018 in order to be even more eco-friendly than it was before, showing either a firm grasp of their craft or of the current eco-tourism boom. Either way, guests will find furniture and decor made of chalk, hemp, and clay, blended with historic terracotta floors. They only use organic soap and hand-woven linen and have completely banned plastic. The hosts spray the walls of each room with organic rice husk to promote better sleep.

I Pini’s restaurant serves traditional Italian recipes, albeit vegan, with a menu that is largely sourced on-site and entirely sourced locally. While they don’t reveal the exact dishes online as it changes based on what’s available, the dinner menu is a seasonal four-course meal. The breakfast buffet is free of all refined wheat and sugar in favor of homemade muffins, smoothies, and fruit. Guests will, of course, have access to authentic Italian moka. The lodge tends to book out a few months in advance, so if you’re heading to Tuscany, plan — and book — ahead.

Rooms from $215 per night, three-night minimum

5. Beingsattvaa Bali — Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Photo: BeingSattvaa/Facebook

It comes as no surprise that Bali is fully on board with the vegan travel trend as the island is famous for its tranquility and emphasis on mindfulness and wellbeing. Beingsattvaa is textbook Ubud, established by a former banker who realized the importance of balance and decided to start anew. Single-use plastic is banned and rainwater harvested, complementing the solar panels. The hotel’s entire staff is representative of people from Ubud’s nearby villages.

Each room scores a point in the private tropical garden category while scoring nil for televisions. Decor consists of Indonesian teak-wood furniture, with a pool, spa, and yoga pavilion available on site for guests. The garden features edible plants such as coconuts, jackfruit, bananas, and papaya, inspiring a kitchen that also sources heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, pepper, eggplant, and corn grown in the garden or sourced locally. Meals blend Balinese, Indian, and Mediterranean recipes.

Room from $215

6. Green Haven — Hamburg, Germany

Photo: Green Haven

Germany may not be the first destination that comes to mind when you hear “vegan” because of the copious amounts of sausage, but the vegan travel trend has spread there, too. Green Haven is a small, completely vegan bed and breakfast. They use an in-house solar system for power and recycled materials for just about everything, from kitchenware to furniture.

Guests can use the community kitchen where breakfast ingredients are provided every morning. Even if you aren’t up for cooking, breakfast offerings include chocolate chia pudding, Bircher muesli with soy yogurt, buckwheat, cashew nuts, and vanilla. In the restaurant, the menu changes according to the season to offer maximum freshness, pretty standard in the wellness world, but what makes this spot unique is the way the team upcycles materials — such as using empty coffee bags as decorative pillows, bed frames built of old pallets, and glass jars filled with candles to serve as lights.

Rooms from $106 for a two-night stay, the minimum stay


More like this: The 50 best US cities for vegans and vegetarians

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Traditional Canadian desserts

Canadians love their desserts. After all, what better way to bear the frigid Canadian winter than with a warm, gooey dessert drenched in maple syrup? Each region of the country has its specialty, but the one thing you can count on regardless of where you are is a colossal collection of confections that showcase the best local ingredients. Yes, you can expect plenty of maple syrup. These are the nine must-try desserts hailing from Canada.

1. Maple taffy

Photo: intoit/Shutterstock

To get the real feel of rural Quebec, pull up your boots and trudge through the snow to a sugar shack, or cabane a sucre. These remote cabins are small-scale maple syrup producers that transform sap from sugar maple trees into the syrup we all know and love. It takes 40 liters of sap to make one liter of syrup. Boil that down even further to make maple taffy. Simply pouring the reduced syrup on a bed of snow forms a sweet, sticky taffy that can then be rolled onto a popsicle stick.

There are vendors with beds of maple-laden snow at public skating rinks, ski resorts, and winter carnivals. You can also visit one of Quebec’s many sugar shacks to learn about Canada’s most iconic export. The L’En Tailleur Sugar Shack just outside Quebec City has been serving maple taffy to guests for eight generations.

Where to try: L’En Tailleur Sugar Shack, 1538 Chemin Royal, Saint-Pierre, QC G0A 4E0, Canada

2. Butter tarts

Photo: Jennifer Gauld/Shutterstock

Butter tarts are ooey, gooey, and sweet. Buy them from farm stands in Ontario, but be careful with the sugary filling that too easily dribbles down your chin when eating. Butter tarts are simply a flaky tart shell filled with a sugar, butter, and egg filling. They’re also Canada’s most divisive dessert: The question of raisins or no raisins has been polarizing friends and families possibly since the tart’s inception.

The butter tarts are likely to have originated with the filles du roi, or “daughters of the king,” a group of around 800 single French women who were sent to New France to aid in settlement in the mid-1600s. The women began baking recipes they knew with ingredients on hand, so the story goes, and likely came up with the butter tart prototype.

Butter tarts are the pride and glory of small-town Ontario, where there are butter tart festivals, tours, and competitions. It’s difficult to choose just one spot to try butter tarts, but Doo Doo’s Bakery outside Toronto rings in the most accolades from the aforementioned competitions.

Where to try: Doo Doo’s Bakery, 187 County Rd 28, Bailieboro, ON K0L 1B0, Canada

3. Sugar pie

Photo: margouillat photo/Shutterstock

The sugar pie (tarte au sucre) is a cousin of the butter tart. In the early days of French settlement, sugar was often hard to come by, so maple syrup was used as a sweetener in desserts. Sugar pie is likely adapted from a European treacle tart, with maple syrup replacing the traditional brown sugar. Unlike butter tarts, sugar pie usually comes in full pie sizes and is a staple around the holidays. Sugar pie is one of the dessert classics at the famous Montreal restaurant Au Pied de Cochon.

Where to try: Au Pied de Cochon, 536 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2L 1A9, Canada

4. Pouding chômeur

Photo: La Binerie Mont-Royal/Facebook

Pouding chômeur, which translates to “unemployed man’s pudding,” is a decadent dessert found in many upscale restaurants. Today, the dessert consists of biscuit dough or white cake drowned in a heavenly soup of cream and maple syrup, but the dish did come from humble beginnings.

The dessert was created by women who worked in factories during the Great Depression in the 1930s. Stale bread was soaked and baked in a brown sugar sauce, making a sort of bread pudding. Over the years, the bread was replaced with batter, and the brown sugar sauce grew to incorporate cream and maple syrup.

Pouding chômeur can be found across Quebec, but you can try the dessert at La Binerie in Montreal, a homey joint that’s been serving Quebecois mainstays since 1938.

Where to try: La Binerie, 4167 St Denis St, Montreal, Quebec H2W 2M7, Canada

5. Timbits

Photo: Tim Hortons Cafe and Bake Shop/Facebook

Timbits are the adorable little donut holes from the ultra-Canadian franchise Tim Hortons. They’re found everywhere in Canada — in the middle of a conference room, on the potluck table, and passed around at a hockey game.

Tim Hortons, named after the founding hockey player, began as a coffee and donut shop in Hamilton, Ontario. The franchise introduced the bite-sized confections in 1976 and now claims to have sold enough Timbits to stretch to the moon and back nearly five times. Pop by any Tim Hortons to pick up your pack of 10, 20, or 50 in flavors like apple fritter, chocolate, birthday cake, sour-cream glazed, old fashioned, honey cruller, or salted caramel.

Where to try: Tim Hortons

6. BeaverTails

Photo: BeaverTails – Queues de Castor/Facebook

Not literal beaver tails. The BeaverTails dessert is a deep-fried, crispy-on-the-outside, chewy-on-the-inside doughnut. The pastries are made with whole wheat and are hand-pulled to make them resemble a beaver’s tail (hence the name). They’re typically topped off with cinnamon sugar, maple cream, or nutella, although options abound when it comes to toppings.

The iconic BeaverTails franchise began in 1978 when Grant and Pam Hooker began selling the dessert at a community fair outside Ottawa, Ontario. Grant said their recipe originated with his German-Canadian grandmother, and the Canadiana name was given by their daughter. The couple opened the flagship store in the Byward Market in downtown Ottawa and later began selling the pastries along the Rideau Canal, the world’s largest outdoor skating rink. Now, there are over 140 locations worldwide.

One of the most idyllic Canadian experiences you can have is skating on the Rideau Canal and enjoying a beaver tail and hot chocolate. While skating, you can grab your grub and warm your toes at one of the bonfires on the canal.

Where to try: BeaverTails

7. Saskatoon berry pie

Photo: Carey Jaman/Shutterstock

Saskatoon berries look like blueberries, are closely related to apples, and taste like sweet almonds. The prairie berries were fundamental to First Nations and settler diets, and they remain a favorite today. Many locals pick their own wild berries to bake into pies, but you can also try pies and other Saskatoon berry sweets at Berry Barn.

Where to try: Berry Barn, 830 Valley Rd, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3J6, Canada

8. Nanaimo Bars

Photo: Simone van den Berg/Shutterstock

Visit the seaside town of Nanaimo, the bar’s namesake, and you’ll find these sugary squares in every bakery and cafe. The dessert bar is made with a chocolate and shredded coconut base that’s topped with a layer of custard frosting and finished off with a thin layer of chocolate ganache. The exact origins are unknown, although the first recipe was published in the 1952 Women’s Auxiliary of the Nanaimo Hospital Cookbook.

The bars can be found in cafes across Canada, but dedicated dessert dilettantes can partake in the Nanaimo Bar Trail, which includes 39 locations serving Nanaimo bars or Nanaimo bar-inspired desserts.

Where to try: Along the many stops on the official Nanaimo Bar Trail

9. Blueberry grunt

Blueberry grunt is sort of like a blueberry cobbler, with tea biscuits cooked over a bubbling blueberry filling. The “grunt” part of the name is thought to come from the burbling sound of boiling the blueberries, and the dish is common in the maritime provinces where wild blueberries grow bountifully. The exact origin of the dish is unknown, but it likely comes from colonial settlers to the region.

The decadent dessert is usually topped with a generous scoop of ice cream or whipped cream, and a good place to try it is at Salty’s, a popular waterfront restaurant in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Where to try: Salty’s, 1877 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 1S7, Canada


More like this: The most iconic food from each of Canada’s provinces and territories

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Best travel books for kids and teens

We know travel is a wonderful gift for our children. We want our kids to be curious about the world and to get out there and discover it. Reading is one of the best ways to inspire our children to travel. Books about other children traveling, or books about the experiences of others in a far-off place, fuel kids’ curiosity. Below we list some of our favorite books to inspire your kids — from kindergarteners to teens — to travel.

1. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Photo: Penguin Random House

Yes, the collection of stories about a sassy and clever young girl launched by Ludwig Bemelmans 80 years ago can teach your young child about more than generosity, friendship, and bravery. The first Madeline books take place in France, centered in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower and France’s unique architecture making up the backdrop. Madeline is at a boarding school in a big old French house, visits the zoo, and even falls off a bridge into the Seine. In later books, Madeline travels to London; Washington, DC; Rome; and even Texas. Madeline is appreciative of her home in France and always curious about the new places she visits — and she’ll inspire that in your kids also.

2. Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures by Jeff Brown and others

Photo: Harper Collins

No young children’s book since the Flat Stanley series (initially published in 1964) does a better job in piquing an interest in travel. After Stanley accidentally gets flattened as thin as cardboard, he realizes he can travel the world by mailing himself there. Originally written by Jeff Brown, the series has had several authors in the following years.

Even today, kindergarten classrooms use the Flat Stanley books as a jumping off point to talk about the world around us. Teachers may follow up by asking kids to have a friend or relative send them mail from a distant city, and posting the letters’ points of origin on a big map. You could try that at home or, better yet, print out a Flat Stanley of your own and start taking him places and photographing him with your child there. That will inspire your little one to see how far Stanley, and they, can go.

3. Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudí by Rachel Rodríguez

Photo: Macmillan

This picture book does more than get your young child ready to appreciate what makes Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia cathedral, and many of the city’s other Gaudí-designed buildings, so special. By looking at Gaudí’s life as a small boy, and at the architect’s appreciation for nature, this clever book also teaches kids to appreciate what goes into making art itself, and shows how early experiences and impressions can affect us in positive ways as adults. And by bringing art and architecture to the personal level, it will perhaps make that next trip to the museum more accessible.

4. Frog Girl by Paul Owen Lewis

Photo: Paul Owen Lewis

Drawing on the myths of the Haida, Tlingit, and other First Nations peoples of the Pacific Northwest, the stunningly illustrated book tells the story of the chief’s youngest daughter and her efforts to save a village. After she witnesses boys capturing frogs for fun, the girl finds herself called to a mystical world below the lake, where she learns what she must do to correct this mistake. The story draws you in, and the illustrations are works of art on their own. This beautiful book educates kids about a scenic part of North America, its first peoples and their culture, and respect for the environment.

5. Monsoon by Uma Krishnaswami

Photo: Macmillan

Taking place through the eyes of a girl in northern India, Monsoon conjures the anxious feeling of waiting through blisteringly hot days for the arrival of monsoon season. Through Krishnaswami’s words and Jamal Akib’s evocative illustrations, we see market and city life in this part of the world. We can almost feel the dusty, dry heat, and the eventual shudder of relief, when the much-needed rains make their arrival. Not only does this engrossing picture book teach you more about monsoons than you probably knew; it actually makes you curious to experience one.

6. Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin by Duncan Tonatiuh

Photo: Scholastic

This book takes place in the form of letters two cousins, Charlie in the United States and Carlitos in Mexico, write to one another. It highlights the many physical differences in the places the boys live, but also reminds the readers how alike the boys are. Author and illustrator Tonatiuh’s images are inspired by art from Mexico’s ancient civilizations. It’s a thoughtful introduction into some aspects of Mexican culture, with plenty of Spanish words thrown in, and a great jumping off point for discussions with our kids about similarities and differences between cultures.

7. Precious Ramotswe series by Alexander McCall Smith

Photo: Penguin Random House

Alexander McCall Smith’s successful adult mystery series set in Botswana, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, has been translated into multiple languages and was even made into a TV series. In three books made just for kids, the first one called The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe’s First Case, the Zimbabwe-born author shows us the series protagonist as a young girl. The story takes us through Precious’s school and neighborhood, and the illustrations bring Botswana to life. Besides being a fun look at life in this African country, the book also teaches us about careful listening and not jumping to conclusions.

8. The Explorer by Katherine Rundell

Photo: Bloomsbury

Reading a book that pretty much starts out with a plane crash might not be the best way to inspire your own kids to get on an airplane. At least in this case the plane crashes into a rainforest canopy that cushions the crash and saves the protagonist Fred and three other children. From there, Fred finds himself trying to help them survive in the Amazon jungle, with incredible adventures along the way. It’s not all technically accurate — yes, there are pink dolphins in the Amazon River, but we’re not sure about the lost city the kids find — but it’s an exciting page-turner that inspires a sense of wonder about the rainforest and distant lands.

9. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Peter Jackson

Photo: Rick Riordan

Few books have done more to turn tweens onto the magic of ancient mythological stories than the Percy Jackson series. Percy Jackson follows the adventures of a modern-day teen in New York whose dad just happens to be Poseidon. His friends are Annabeth, Athena’s daughter, and a satyr named Grover. Even though the series occurs in the present day, ask any Percy Jackson fan about a Greek myth and they’ll fill in details you don’t even remember from school. This series won’t just make those young readers excited about visiting Greece; they’ll actually want to visit the Greek and Roman area at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

10. Diary of a Tokyo Teen: A Japanese-American Girl Draws Her Way Across the Land of Trendy Fashion, High-Tech Toilets and Maid Cafes by Christine Mari Inzer

Photo: Tuttle Publishing

Diary of a Tokyo Teen is the kind of book that will hopefully not just be of interest to your manga- or graphic-novel-obsessed teen, but also open a window into how cool and different, and yet familiar, another culture can be. Written by a Japanese-American teen, this book is amusing for more than just teenagers as we experience Tokyo through the eyes of a 16-year-old — not just its crazy fashions and incredible food, but colorful characters she meets along the way.

11. American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Photo: Neil Gaiman

Teens will appreciate the slightly more gruesome take on mythology than the Percy Jackson series. This time the mythology is centered on embittered Norse gods who want to take power back from the “new” gods in America — the gods of technology, internet, and modern life. The book doesn’t just teach readers about Norse mythology, perhaps piquing their curiosity about northern Europe; it also involves travel across the US and even to Iceland.


More like this: Stop saying your kids are too young to travel

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Billionaire looking for girlfriend

It’s understandable to want a travel companion on a long vacation, but this Japanese billionaire’s search for a girlfriend to journey to the moon with him is taking it to another level. Newly single fashion mogul Yusaku Maezawa launched an online search for a female “life partner” to join him on SpaceX’s first tourist voyage to the moon in 2023.

In the online post, Maezawa said, “As feelings of loneliness and emptiness slowly begin to surge upon me, there’s one thing that I think about: continuing to love one woman […] I want to find a ‘life partner.’ With that future partner of mine, I want to shout our love and world peace from outer space.”

That’s one hell of a relationship goal.

[WANTED!!!]
Why not be the ‘first woman’ to travel to the moon?#MZ_looking_for_love https://t.co/R5VEMXwggl pic.twitter.com/mK6fIJDeiv

— Yusaku Maezawa (MZ) 前澤友作 (@yousuck2020) January 12, 2020

Maezawa founded Zozotown, a popular Japanese online shopping site. Since he’s worth about $2 billion, he’s certainly in a financial position to afford a ride to the moon.

Applicants must be single women aged 20 or older (he is 44), with a “bright personality and always positive, interested in going into space and able to participate in the preparation for it, want to enjoy life to the fullest,” and “be someone who wishes for world peace.”

The deadline to apply is January 17, with Maezawa making his final decision at the end of March. The application requires you to fill out some basic information, including your height, hobbies, special skills, “selling points,” and your impression of Maezawa.

The search will also be filmed for a documentary called Full Moon Lovers, to be shown on the AbemaTV streaming service.


More like this: These images from NASA will rock your world

The post Japanese billionaire looking for a female companion to travel with him to the moon appeared first on Matador Network.

Record number of Sri Lanka elephants

You might have had a great year in 2019, but for elephants, it was one of the worst in history. According to environmental groups, a record number of elephants died in Sri Lanka last year. Of the estimated 7,500 elephants in the country, 361 were killed, most of them by humans.

While traditionally elephants are revered in Sri Lankan culture, and killing them is illegal, some farmers consider them intrusive and destructive. According to Sajeewa Chamikara, an environmentalist with the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform, 85 percent of elephant deaths in 2019 were likely caused by humans. In an effort to rid the area of perceived nuisances, farming communities use poison, electric fences, and explosives concealed in food to kill elephants. As villages and farms expand, food and water supply is diminishing for elephants and the conflict between animals and people is increasing.

The solution isn’t clear, but Chamikara suggests that the government must do more to protect elephants. This includes maintaining protected areas to improve their quality, preventing the grasslands that feed the elephants from being overrun by invasive plants, and possibly erecting fences between elephant habitats and villages.


More like this: Sri Lanka is now offering free one-month visas on arrival

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