Matador Network's Blog, page 958

Antelope Canyon bans photo tours

It’s not often that stunning, picturesque locations get negative reviews, but that’s what’s happening at Upper Antelope Canyon in Arizona. After a flurry of negative reviews from tour attendees, citing a negative experience due to massive crowds, Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation has decided to stop running photo tours in the canyon after December 20, 2019.

Right now, the popular attraction offers photography tours that allow guests to bring tripods and have extended time in the canyon. They also have guides on-hand to make sure crowds don’t get in your shot. Guides will even throw sand and ash into the air to create the light beams for which the canyon is famous.

The canyon’s immense popularity has resulted in massive crowds of tourists, on both photography and regular tours, squeezed into the canyon’s narrow walls with photographers, in particular, clogging the way while they take photos. The overcrowding is no picnic for the regular visitor, but it’s also made the experience for photographers even worse, with many writing negative reviews and claiming that it’s certainly not worth the nearly $200 tour.

Standard “sightseeing tours” will remain available, and they will be the only way to visit Upper Antelope Canyon in the future. The sightseeing tours will allow visitors to bring their phones and cameras, but tripods and monopods will be banned.


More like this: Thanks, ‘influencers!’ Visiting natural landmarks is now pure hell

The post Popular Antelope Canyon is shutting down photo tours due to overcrowding appeared first on Matador Network.

Best eggnog from around the world

The homemade eggnog in front of me had been sitting at room temperature for more than a month before I cracked the top. Still, Aaron Goldfarb, a writer for places like PUNCH and Esquire and the author of Gather Around Cocktails, reassured me that the mix of raw egg, cream, and liquor would remain shelf-stable. He would know — he made it, and it’s just a small (and, for Goldfarb, young) sample of the nogs he’s made and aged over the years.

Eggnog has been a staple in liquor cabinets around the world for centuries (albeit it’s now made with much fancier rum, brandy, and whiskey). Goldfarb’s eggnog is closer to the traditional eggnogs people drink on nearly every continent than the plastic jug found on the grocery store fridge come November.

In the United Kingdom and across Europe, beer and wine, and later liquor, stabilized medieval egg and cream drinks to make a thick, creamy beverage. Nearly every country in Central and South America has a version, as does Japan. In America, various versions of eggnog using rum and whiskey have been around since the first colonies. George Washington even had an especially booze-heavy recipe for visitors to Mount Vernon that incorporated a pint of brandy, half a pint each of rye and rum, and a quarter pint of sherry. All of these nogs were aged and consumed merrily, without any fear that leaving raw egg and dairy out in the open for months might be hazardous.

Photo: Nickolaus Hines

Goldfarb admits to me that he came to eggnog late in his life. He’s more than made up for lost time, though. His holiday cocktail book is dedicated to his wife, “the daughter of a Christmas tree farmer who taught this Jew to love eggnog.” In it, he describes his own recipe that he has perfected over the past five years as well as variations from other countries. Variations, he adds, that were easy to recreate.

“Why does every country have an eggnog? I don’t know,” Goldfarb says. “I guess every country has eggs, milk, and booze. The holidays are about decadence, and this is about the most decadent thing you can put in your body.”

Goldfarb keeps a batch of five-year-old eggnog that he occasionally samples to see how it ages along with the new batches he makes every year. Homemade eggnog, he notes, peaks in the first couple months. His recipe is simple: eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, bourbon, dark rum, and brandy. This comparatively young eggnog is silky, nutty, and hard to put down despite the side-eye from my sister, who’s a food quality auditor at a grocery delivery company (to be fair, the alcohol makes the raw egg safe, according to researchers from Rockefeller University).

If you decide to dive as deep into the world of nog as Goldfarb has, give yourself plenty of time because the options and variations feel endless. Below are seven different nogs from seven countries and four continents. Some lose the egg, others lose the milk, but all are creamy, warming, and boozy.

1. Puerto Rico: coquito

Photo: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Coquito is an eggless nog that’s much more drinkable when lounging in tropical weather than traditional eggnogs from colder countries. The name means “little coconut,” and it’s made with coconut milk, coconut cream, sweetened condensed milk, and rum (though pitorro, the island’s strong sugarcane-based moonshine, is also often used).

Make it yourself: Puerto Rico’s tourism site lists an official recipe made with two cans of coconut milk, one can condensed milk, one can evaporated milk, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, two cups of rum, and cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. Let it sit overnight before drinking.

2. Venezuela: Ponche Crema

Photo: Total Wine/Shutterstock

Ponche Crema is not just a traditional holiday drink — it’s a century-old Venezuelan brand. Eliodoro González P.’s company Licoreria Central made the first batch in 1900, using a patented blend of milk, eggs, sugar, and brandy. Cipriano Castro granted a patent for Ponche Crema in 1904. Homemade versions are popular in the country today as well (the Venezuelan blogger behind Anna’s Pasteleria notes that it’s also called leche de burra, or donkey’s milk), and some recipes add in flan as a thickener.

Make it yourself: The crowd-sourced recipe from Anna’s Pasteleria is made with 350 grams of flan powder, one liter of milk, one can of condensed milk, one teaspoon of cocoa powder, and a half cup of rum.

3. Mexico: rompope

Photo: Legado Visual/Shutterstock

Rompope is a popular holiday drink in Mexico and Central America. Legend has it that nuns from the Santa Clara convent in Puebla, Mexico, created the drink. The ingredients list is straightforward: egg yolk, milk, sugar, rum, cinnamon, and vanilla. Ground almonds can be added for a nutty flavor, and, unlike popular eggnogs farther north, it can be served either hot or cold.

Make it yourself: A basic recipe that serves 8-10 people uses six cups of whole milk, one and a half cups of sugar, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, eight egg yolks, cinnamon to taste, and one cup of aguardiente (a rum-like sugarcane spirit).

4. Germany: eierpunsch

Photo: RHJPhtotoandilustration/Shutterstock

This German cocktail is popular at Christmas markets and holiday parties. Eierlikör, a thick, egg-based liqueur (though it’s not unheard of to make your own with eggs, sweetened condensed milk, and brandy or whiskey) is the central ingredient. What sets it apart from other eggnogs is that it’s thick enough to eat with a spoon. Also, a sweet white wine is usually added, though some recipes call for black tea to lighten it up.

Make it yourself: Mix one bottle of eierlikör with two cups of sweet white wine (riesling, if you want to be regionally accurate) and a quarter cup of aged rum, brandy, or whiskey.

5. Netherlands: advocaat

Photo: uladzimir zgurski/Shutterstock

Nearly identical to the German eierpunsch, the Dutch advocaat is made with a base of egg-based advocaat, similar in flavor to eierlikör. Legend has it that the liqueur was invented on the Dutch-German border in the late 1800s when a distiller tried to remake an avocado drink that Dutch colonists were sipping in Brazil (hence the name). Avocados were much harder of a thickening agent to come by than they are today, so eggs took the spotlight.

Make it yourself: Start with a bottle of advocaat (Bols and Verpoorten make popular versions) and simply pour it into a glass.

6. Scotland: Auld Man’s Milk

The Scottish like their thick and creamy winter cocktail particularly on the New Year’s Eve celebration Hogmanay, which starts on the last day of the year and can run into January 1 or 2. The drink’s name is inspired by Auld Lang Syne, the New Year’s song written by Robert Burns. To honor Scotland, only Scotch whisky should be used in Auld Man’s Milk.

Make it yourself: Separate the eggs and yolks of six eggs and beat them separately. Add the yolks to two cups of sugar, a quart of milk, and two cups of scotch. Add the egg white and mix before garnishing with nutmeg.

7. Japan: tamagozake

It’s not a seasonal drink per se, but tamagozake has enough of the most common eggnog ingredients to be included on this list. The name translates to “egg sake,” which accurately describes the egg, sugar, and hot sake ingredients, and it’s traditionally drunk as a cold remedy.

Make it yourself: Add an egg and two tablespoons of sugar to a bowl and beat it. Whisk in half a cup of warm sake.


More like this: 6 delicious, traditional festive drinks around Europe (and where to try them)

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Best winter hikes in the US

Winter hiking is all about the mindset. It takes a determined trail hound to get outside in the cold when the fireplace beckons. That mindset also requires a shift in the approach, since summiting a towering peak or completing a serious backpacking trip probably isn’t going to happen this time of year. The folks bagging a Colorado fourteener in January are seasoned mountaineers with skins on their skis and an ice axe strapped to their pack, rather than casual day-hikers from Denver. Yet winter can be the most rewarding time to hike.

That’s because, once the frost hits, the end goal of a good hike becomes experiencing the tranquility of nature in its most solemn state. It’s about finding silence as a destination rather than a byproduct. That is to say, hiking in cold weather is your chance to get back to the root of the activity: the actual hike, not the endpoint, summit, or the selfie taken along the way. These hikes will help you do just that.

Considerations for hiking in the cold

Photo: My Good Images/Shutterstock

Of course, you’re going to want an insulated jacket, an underlayer, a hat, gloves, and long underwear. Do what you need to do to ensure you’ll keep warm. Beyond clothing, though, there are a few factors that hikers are up against in the cold. To be protected for unforeseen frost and ice, carry a pair of basic trail crampons which can quickly slide over your hiking boots to provide traction for slippery trails. This is particularly important if you will be gaining and losing altitude on the hike, when it’s easier to lose your footing and slide onto your bum.

Also, you don’t want your water to freeze. Among the gajillion reasons to not buy and carry a disposable plastic water bottle is the fact that your hydration is likely to be frozen — or at least uncomfortably cold — by the time you take your first rest break. If you’re carrying a CamelBak or other pack-based water bladder, be sure you have a winter-specific valve to prevent the same issue. Your best bet is to get yourself a Hydroflask or similar vacuum-sealed thermos that is designed to keep liquids from quickly heating or cooling.

And hey, should all that walking cause you to become unseasonably warm, you can always shed a layer.

1. North Shore State Trail — Duluth, Minnesota

Photo: Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

Minnesota was practically made for cold-weather hiking. For starters, the state gets cold — Duluth’s average high in January is a balmy 20 degrees — and much of it is wide open and flat. Lake Superior in the wintertime is an icy gem of epic proportion, allowing you to gaze out across the abyss as you think to yourself how well the colors of white, pale blue, and dark gray go together. You’ll experience all of this along the North Shore State Trail, which runs for 146 miles along Lake Superior through protected forest and along the waterfront. We’re not saying you need to do all of it, though. It’s broken up into short sections that are accessible from Duluth and surrounding towns.

2. Upper Geyser Basin — Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Photo: Michael Andrew Just/Shutterstock

Here are two pieces of information that the vast majority of Yellowstone National Park’s over 4 million annual visitors fail to act upon. One, geysers still blow hot steam in the winter. Two, it’s far easier to get a photo with no one in it when there isn’t anyone else around. Park at the Old Faithful Inn parking lot and follow signs to the trail. The 2.2-mile Upper Geyser Basin walk isn’t long, or particularly strenuous, but it sure is beautiful, right down to the wildlife trotting along Firehole River. Here lives Old Faithful and many of the park’s most popular spurters of liquid hot mineral water, and you’ll be home free for the best photos of them you’ll ever have the chance to capture. The steam just seems to dance a bit more in the colder weather.

3. Silver Mine Lake Trail — Harriman State Park, New York

Photo: Vyacheslav Shausmanov/Shutterstock

There’s something about New York’s skyline in the winter that is as magnetic as a schmear at Absolute Bagels, and the 4.5-mile Silver Mine Lake Trail offers a unique take. It’s 30 miles away, for one, so the perspective is quite vast, and the trail leading up Black Mountain winds through some of the state’s most beautiful scenery without needing to drive all the way up Interstate 87. Harriman State Park is far more protected from the brutality of the Northeast’s cold than the trails on Long Island, and there’s trail and open terrain all around if you fancy a ski back down.

4. Dream Lake Trail — Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Photo: Jennifer CC Carter/Shutterstock

This hike through Colorado’s most famous park starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead, close to entrance on the Estes Park side as opposed to the Grand Lake side, an important detail because Trail Ridge Road — the mountain pass highway that goes through the park from gate to gate — is closed in winter due to snow. There are ample trails to wander off on in the park’s extensive trail system; try the Odessa Lake one if you’re up for more of a challenge — but to get to Dream Lake is 2.2 miles of winding underneath the park’s towering peaks as they shield you from the wind that often tends to pound northern Colorado. The views of the lake aren’t so bad, either.

5. Witch Hole Pond Loop — Acadia National Park, Maine

Photo: mkzdillon/Shutterstock

The bulk of Acadia National Park’s 3.5 million annual visitors come in the summer months. This is great for you and unfortunate for them because rare is a sight more beautiful than frost covering the tips of an eastern hemlock. The Witch Hole Pond Loop, a few steps from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, takes you past many such frigid perennials, the hemlock included, on a 3.3-mile loop past Witch Hole Pond. It’s bound to be snowed in, but the trail sees enough traffic even in winter that a good pair of hiking boots will move you along quite nicely. Stop for a picnic near the pond, a thermos full of hot soup, and see if you can convince yourself that this isn’t what Richard B. Smith was talking about when he wrote “Walking in a Winter Wonderland.”

6. Ney Springs Canyon and Box Canyon trails — Mount Shasta, California

Photo: Elsa Fraga/Shutterstock

Mount Shasta ranks high on the list of the most underrated mountain towns in the United States, and in winter the town is so peaceful that even labeling it as “rated” might be an overstatement. Northern California is populated by hikes through redwood forests and deep green hillsides, but in winter bail on both of those and head for the canyon country outside of this town of 3,000. The trailheads for both the Ney Springs Canyon and Box Canyon trails are separated by only a few minutes of driving. The former takes you past an abandoned tourist resort to the 40-foot Faery Falls. The latter walks you to a desolate junkyard where trees and brush poke out of rusting automobiles; a truly weird site but the mile or so hike is stunning. As a forewarning, both trails can be quite cold even once your blood starts pumping, so come prepared with an extra layer.


More like this: The absolute best places to ski in North America this winter

The post These US hikes are actually better in cold weather appeared first on Matador Network.

Cities that won’t have snow Dec 2050

For those who grew up or live in the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas means a pillowy white landscape of fresh snow. But, as the climate emergency shows no sign of improvement, white Christmases are likely a thing of the past.

To temper the expectations of those who dream of a blanket of snow on December 25 every year, Nestpick has developed a method to forecast what the weather will be like in the future. It has taken 40 of the Northern Hemisphere’s top winter tourist destinations, then used local weather stations to calculate the number of December days with snowfall between 2008 and 2018. Combining this data with a climate change research paper from ecologist Jean-Francois Bastin, which forecasts snowfall in 2050, Nestpick created snowfall predictions for cities around the world in 2050. The resulting chart shows which cities can reasonably expect heavy December snowfall — and therefore, a white Christmas — in December 2050, and those that won’t see a snowflake at all.

Photo: Nestpick

Photo: Nestpick

Photo: Nestpick

Photo: Nestpick

The results are sad and surprising. Many cities, which now regularly see nine or 10 days of December snowfall, are projected to see only one or two in 2050. Oslo, for example, which had an average of 10 snowfall days in December between 2014 and 2018, is projected to only have two by 2050. Montreal will be down to just one day from its current nine, and Reykjavik down to zero from three. Strangely enough, Chicago is actually projected to get more snow, with three December snow days predicted for 2050 compared to just one right now.


More like this: Why some travelers are saying 'no' to fake snow

The post These are the cities that won’t have a white Christmas by 2050 appeared first on Matador Network.

How to visit Niihau

When people tell you they’re going on vacation to Hawaii, they’re usually talking about one of its major islands with a sophisticated tourism infrastructure. Chances are their destination is Oahu, Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island. It’s probably not the archipelago’s westernmost isle: Niihau, Hawaii’s “forbidden island.”

Just 70 square miles and home to around 70 permanent residents, Niihau is a privately owned island with no paved roads, no indoor plumbing, and, best of all, no crowds. Electricity is a relatively new development. To get around, residents travel by bicycle or on foot.

The island has its own unique culture and is home to the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, the most endangered seal in the world. Because it has virtually no tourism infrastructure, its beaches and natural habitats are pristine. Although it may sound mysterious and even inhospitable, it isn’t really as “forbidden” as its name suggests. Here’s everything you need to know about Hawaii’s least-visited island.

How the forbidden island got that way

A group of Ni’hauans, standing and sitting in front of a thatched dwelling. (Photo: Auckland War Memorial Museum)

Like an old family estate, the island of Niihau has been passed down from generation to generation for over 150 years. The island was purchased from King Kamehameha IV in 1864 for $10,000 by Scottish widower Elizabeth Sinclair. Before the sale, however, the king requested that Sinclair always keep the best interests of the local Hawaiians in mind and to lend them assistance whenever possible. Now, the island is maintained by Bruce Robinson, Sinclair’s great-great-grandson, and the family has done its best to honor the king’s request.

When Westerners started colonizing the other Hawiian islands, ousting the indigenous monarchy, the family rejected this colonization by secluding itself from the outside world. Aubrey Robinson, one of Sinclair’s descendents, prohibited outsiders from coming to the island in 1915, partly to protect native Niihauans from contracting foreign diseases. Although the government of Hawaii endeavored throughout the 20th century to bring Niihau into the fold, turn it into a state park, and introduce the Niihauans to “civilization,” the Robinsons resisted state control. The fight continues to this day, but ultimately the family has been successful.

As a result of its separation from the rest of Hawaii, Niihau has developed its own distinct culture and lifestyle. Most residents speak both English and the local Niihau dialect, and spend their days fishing and hunting. Modern technology is a rarity on the island, with no internet, stores, paved roads, cars, or indoor plumbing, and the school is the only one in the country to be powered entirely by solar energy. Due to the Robinson family’s strict Calvinist beliefs, there are also several social restrictions in place. Guns and alcohol are prohibited on the island, and men aren’t allowed to wear earrings or grow out their hair.

The Robinson family has kept its promise to Kamehameha IV to take care of its inhabitants. Supplies are brought to the island each week by the Robinsons from Kauai, the nearest island, and full-time work for residents has been guaranteed on the Niihau Ranch since 1864. The ranch closed in 1999, however, and the economy now relies on a tourism program in its infancy.

Getting there is tough, but possible

Photo: Kristopher Mutafov/Shutterstock

Niihau’s “forbidden island” nickname sounds intimidating, but it’s not as prohibitive as you might think. It earned the name for good reason. Due to a polio epidemic in 1952, the island was closed off to visitors to protect its residents from contracting the disease. Although the nickname stuck, luckily visiting the island is no longer forbidden. But it’s not exactly simple.

There are no ferry services taxiing tourists to Niihau from the other islands, and no flights there either. That means you only have two options for visiting the island: take a helicopter tour from Kauai or reserve a spot on a hunting safari. You can reserve a helicopter tour (for a minimum of five people) by emailing the tourism agency and choosing which tour package you’d like. There are half-day and full-day packages available, starting at $440 per person, which include several hours in the air as well as time on the ground. The helicopter office is located in the town of Kaumakani on Highway 50 in Kauai, about 30 minutes from the airport.

The second method of accessing Niihau is through a hunting safari (the gun prohibition rule apparently doesn’t apply to hunting rifles). First, you’ll need to make sure you have a Hawaii Hunter Education Wallet Card, which are given to those who complete Hawaii’s hunter education course. Alternatively, if you already possess a hunting license in your state, you can fill out an exemption request. Then, simply email the tourism agency to make arrangements for reserving a hunt.

You can expect to primarily hunt sheep, eland, oryx, and Polynesian boar. These animals were said to have been brought to Niihau two decades ago when a wildlife park located on the nearby island of Molokai closed. A full-day outing will cost you $1,950. If you want to keep a trophy, be prepared to fork over an additional $800-$1,800, though the tourism agency will skin, pack, and transport it for you.

The only way to visit apart from these two methods is by personal invitation from a Niihau resident or a member of the Robinson family. But unless you happen to strike gold with Tinder’s passport feature, a personal invite is probably unlikely.

If you do visit Niihau by helicopter or safari, don’t expect to encounter any local residents. Access to many parts of the island is restricted to visitors, so during your ground visit, you’ll likely find yourself on a deserted beach with little opportunity for straying very far.

If you don’t mind appreciating the island from afar…

Photo: Brandon B/Shutterstock

For those eager who would like to get a taste of Niihau, but who don’t have the money or desire to book one of the above tours, there is an alternative. You can take a sightseeing boat tour along the Na Pali Coast of Kauai, which includes a crossing of the channel to Niihau. Although landing on the coast of Niihau is forbidden, the boat will dock just offshore, where you can go snorkeling, scuba diving, boogie boarding, or just bask in the sun with a view of Niihau. For true scuba enthusiasts, Bubbles Below Scuba Charters offers a more scuba-focused tour of the volcanic formations off the island’s coast.


More like this: Sustainable travel guide: Oahu, Hawaii

The post Visiting Hawaii’s least-traveled, ‘forbidden’ island appeared first on Matador Network.

Gevalia Kaffe will pay you $5,000

If you’ve been in denial about your coffee addiction, it might be time to start fully embracing it. Swedish coffee company Gevalia Kaffe has just announced that it’s searching for a “Coffee Queen” (or King) to spend a week getting pampered in a Scottish castle and drink as many cups of Joe as humanly possible. The 32-acre Carlowrie Castle in Edinburgh has 12 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and comes with a personal butler, spa treatments, catering, and private barista lessons for you and a friend.

Tina Bletnitsky, senior associate brand manager for Gevilia, said, “Gevalia believes a Queen is anyone who transforms into the most confident version of themselves after that first cup of coffee — they speak their minds, are self-aware, and aren’t afraid to make fun of themselves.”

And if an entire week in a castle isn’t enticing enough for you, the Coffee Queen will also be given a $5,000 stipend check, presumably to spend on their next two years’ worth (or maybe two weeks) supply of coffee.

To apply, you’ll have to visit the official website and answer a few questions. Gevalia wants to know how many cups of coffee you drink a day, and most importantly why you consider yourself a Coffee Queen. Applications close on December 21. The winner will be announced on December 30.


More like this: 7 unique ways people drink coffee around the world

The post Get paid $5,000 to drink coffee in a Scottish castle for a week appeared first on Matador Network.

Best Christmas gifts for travelers

The frequent traveler in your life may not need another neck pillow or eye mask, so what to give them for Christmas this year? With the holiday season drawing closer and the clock starting to wind down on gift-buying, don’t fret: Your favorite jet-setter will love these easily packable, useful, and travel-oriented stocking stuffers as a little something extra to make their future trips even more enjoyable. These are the best last-minute stocking stuffers for travelers.

1. Compression socks

Photo: Zensah/Facebook

Socks? For Christmas? Again?! But this time, for good reason. Compression socks are now a must-have for any traveler who frequently finds themselves on long-haul flights, as their design improves blood flow, reduces swelling and pain, and prevents blood clots caused by sitting down for long periods. Zensah’s compression socks do all this and more and look snazzy while doing it. This brand has a fantastic selection of colorful and inventive socks that look and feel good.

2. Travel scarf

Photo: SHOLDIT/Facebook

Move over, fanny pack; there’s a new essential travel garment in town (and it’s much more fashionable). Sholdit scarves feature a hidden pocket in which to store valuables that are important to have on hand at all times, such as a passport, cash, and credit cards. Choose from a variety of styles and colors, so even your most fashion-minded friend will be as excited by the design as by the function.

3. Collapsible travel bottle

Photo: que Bottle/Facebook

Plastic pollution all over the world has all of us rethinking our single-use plastic habits, and reusable water bottles are one of the best ways to ditch plastic bottles. There are so many options to choose from, but que is ideal for travel thanks to its lightweight, collapsible design. Just expand it to fill with water for on-the-go hydration, or squash it down into a compact cube that’s easily storable. Available in a range of colors, que bottles are also 100 percent plastic-free and give back to environmental nonprofits.

4. Cell phone camera lens kit

Photo: Amazon

Cell phone cameras are getting better and better each year, which is great for travelers since they don’t need to pack a bulky camera kit. But sometimes you want to be more experimental or try new things with your photography, which is why this TODI kit of nine interchangeable, clip-on cell phone lenses makes for a great gift for travel photographers. The kit includes macro, wide-angle, fish-eye, and more lenses for around $20.

5. Cord roll

Photo: Uncommon Goods

Tangled earbud cords are the bane of any traveler’s existence; no one likes reaching into their bag and extracting a huge knot of cables. A travel cord roll, like this colorful one by Uncommon Goods, is a creative and easy way to keep cords organized and accessible. The rolled design also takes up less space than squared holders so it fits better into carry-on bags, purses, and backpacks.

6. Packing cubes

Photo: Amazon

Make Marie Kondo proud of your excellent organization and packing skills with this set of packing cubes from TravelWise. There are a variety of sets you can choose from, with different sizes and colors, so you can sort similar items together into compact cubes that keep your luggage better organized and make more space for souvenirs.

7. Universal power adaptor

Photo: Amazon

Never be caught in a new place with a low-battery cell phone and no adaptor again. A universal power adaptor that can work around the world is an essential part of any traveler’s kit, and Joomfeen’s small, easily packable universal adaptor makes it easy with a charger that works via standard plug and USB.

8. Earplugs

Photo: Mack’s Earplugs/Facebook

Crying babies. Unruly toddlers. Seat neighbors that are snoring too loudly. Sure, you could slip on those expensive noise-canceling headphones, but if you just want to get some shut-eye, there’s nothing like an excellent pair of earplugs. Mack’s makes the best earplugs around, using silicone putty that molds to your ear and blocks out unwanted noises to help you sleep better. You can get them pretty much anywhere and usually for around $5 or less.

9. Give a Lyft

Photo: Lyft

Ride-share apps and on-demand car services have made navigating new destinations even easier and safer. Lyft has digital gift cards available in a range of amounts, so you can ensure traveling friends or family can get around safely and at a great price. At the moment, Lyft gift cards are only redeemable in the US.

10. Digital luggage scale

Photo: Camry

No more being hit by unexpected checked baggage fees after showing up at the check-in counter with a stuffed suitcase and finding out it’s over the limit. Check the weight at home with a portable luggage scale, like this highly-recommended one from Camry. It can handle up to 110 pounds, is lightweight and durable, has a digital read-out in either pounds or kilos, and is only 5.12 inches in length so it can be easily slid into a side pocket on your luggage for on-the-go checking or to weigh all those souvenirs before heading home.

11. Travel skincare kit

Photo: Ursa Major Skincare/Facebook

Travel is tough on the skin: long flights in recycled air, jet lag, disrupted sleep patterns, not drinking enough water, and spending too much time having fun to do your standard skincare routine every night. And to save space in your luggage, sometimes you’re forced to leave behind some of your beloved cleansers or washes. Gifting a kit of travel-size skincare essentials is a great way to keep skin hydrated, healthy, and glowing while on the go. All-natural skincare company Ursa Major has a stylish Travel Kit, packaged in a reusable toiletry bag from Topo Design, and includes a face wash, face balm, deodorant, facial wipes, and soap bar. And you can also stock the kit with your favorite sheet masks as well, like this ultra-hydrating single-use mask from Verso.

12. Carry-On Cocktail Kit

Photo: W&P

You’ve reached your cruising altitude. You’re on your way to that much-deserved vacation. Maybe you want to toast the occasion, or maybe you just need a drink after that long line at security. How about a nice, fancy cocktail? You can make your economy seat feel like first class with these cute and compact cocktail kits. There are eight different options to choose from, like Gin & Tonic, Moscow Mule, and Hot Toddy, and each kit (which comes in a handy little metal tin) comes with the necessary syrups, mixers, bitters, bar spoon, and a recipe card. Just purchase the required liquor from the beverage cart, assemble, and enjoy. They’re also TSA-approved, so there’s no chance of them being taken away.

13. TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership

Photo: David Tran Photo/Shutterstock

It may be a bit pricier than most stocking stuffers, but you can give the gift of time and a hassle-free security screening with entry into the TSA PreCheck program. For just $85, you’ll be enrolled in PreCheck for five years and can use that blissfully short security line and not need to remove your shoes, jackets, laptops, or liquids from your luggage. The recipient does need to set up an appointment time at the nearest enrollment center for a 10-minute background check and interview, but 10 minutes for five years of stress-free security experiences is well worth it. And if you travel abroad a lot, there’s Global Entry so you can breeze through US customs and immigration for five years for $100.

14. TSA-approved luggage lock

Photo: Amazon

It’s important to keep your checked baggage safe from wandering hands while in transit, but also make it so TSA agents can check the contents of your suitcase if they need to without damaging the case. These cable combination locks are TSA-approved and have all kinds of nifty features like a red button that pops up to show if your bag has been inspected. You can choose your own three-digit code and the locks are extremely durable so they’ll withstand years of baggage handling.

15. Portable charger

Photo: Anker

Travel is a drain on your devices, whether you’re taking tons of photos or doing on-the-go research about what to do or where to eat. Before you know it, you’re at 5 percent. Skip the part where you have to park it in a local cafe for an hour while your phone recharges and just use a portable charger until you can get back to your accommodation. This Anker PowerCore+ Mini is about the size of a tube of lipstick, making it super portable, and carries enough power for a single full charge on most smartphones.

A version of this article was previously published on December 12, 2018 and was updated on December 12, 2019.

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Kelowna, BC's epic ski destination

Imagine yourself with a hot buttered rum in hand, sitting in front of the fireplace, skis melting on the porch. You’re deep in the mountains of British Columbia, less than five hours east of Vancouver. The landscape around Kelowna looks like a big ‘ol bowl of fresh milk — earlier this morning, you were putting down fresh tracks on its surface.

Welcome to the Okanagan Valley, where scenes like this are the winter standard. For the perfect ski trip, you’ll spend your days at Big White Ski Resort, one of the largest in interior British Columbia. Whether you’re jonesing for double black-diamonds and 25 feet of champagne powder or you’re simply looking for the best place to teach your kids how to snowplow, Big White should be at the top of your list.

And once you’ve gotten in that last run, a beautiful 35-mile drive takes you back to Kelowna and all the comforts of the city. Located on the shores of Okanagan Lake — smack dab in the middle of three mountain ranges — Kelowna has mega-options for your time spent off the planks. Not to mention an international airport that makes coming and going a breeze. It’s the best home base for a BC ski trip, and here’s why.

Skiing at Big White

Photo: Tourism Kelowna/Destination BC/Blake Jorgenson

At 2,765 skiable acres, “Big White” is no misnomer. Sixteen lifts access 119 designated ski trails (half are intermediate, with the remainder divided evenly between beginner and advanced), meaning you’d have to push hard to catch them all in a few days — but don’t let that stop you from trying.

For an epic top-to-bottom groomer run, start at the top of the Cliff Chair, take the Whitefoot Trail to Powder Bowl, down to Blue Sapphire, on to Ogo Slow, and all the way to the lowest chairlift, Gem Lake Express. If you’re a gnarl-meister looking for pow face-shots, there’s a ton of ungroomed terrain and lots of room for powder playtime. Need to tackle a 2,550-foot vertical drop? You can check that one off, too.

The day doesn’t have to end at sundown, either. With 38 acres of illuminated trails, Big White has more night skiing than anywhere else in Western Canada. Once the sky goes dim, everything on the edges of the trails retreats to quiet darkness, and Big White’s famous “snow ghosts” (trees covered with ice) really do look like ghosts — but you’ll be swooshing down the slopes so quickly, there’ll be no time to get spooked.

Note: Consider starting your Big White experience with a free mountain tour with one of the resort’s expert Snow Hosts to get tips on the absolute best ski and snowboard spots. It’ll make the decision process that much less time-consuming.

Beyond the slopes at Big White

Photo: Tourism Kelowna/Big White Ski Resort

Maybe your quads need a break, or someone in your group isn’t big on downhill. Big White has plenty of alternatives that’ll keep you outdoors and in the fresh air.

For cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, there are 16 miles of groomed and wilderness trails (hire a snowshoe guide to show you the best routes). Fat biking, high-speed sliding at the five-lane tube park, dogsledding, and backcountry snowmobiling can be on the itinerary, too. The resort also has the highest outdoor skating rink in the country, the perfect place for views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

The après scene at Big White

The entire Village at Big White is a massive ski run, which means you can pop off your skis just about anywhere and duck into one of 20+ restaurants and pubs to warm up — and slow down — with a drink.

Nothing screams mountain culture like The Woods, a chalet-style pub you can’t miss — the patio spills right out into the middle of the Village. Order an All Canadian Espresso Martini, made with maple-cream liqueur and whisky, to bring a literal tingle to your toes.

Snowshoe Sam’s, the Village’s oldest pub, is another ridiculously fun option. There’s usually live music, and next to the central stone fireplace is the perfect spot to sip that hot rum.

Back in Kelowna: Where to eat

Photo: Tourism Kelowna/Nic Collar Film

Big White might be ski heaven come winter, but Kelowna is wine nirvana all year long. This is the birthplace of BC wine, and 30 wineries are open year-round to showcase their goods.

When you’re ready to lose the planks, sidle up to the intricately carved tasting bar at Summerhill Pyramid Winery to sample their award-winning wines. A Kelowna winter favorite is the Icewine, a Canadian specialty where a freeze on the grapes intensifies the sugars to give the end product a distinctive, sweet-yet-tangy flavor profile. Across the lake at Quails’ Gate Winery, try testing your wine palate with a Black Out Blind Tasting — deep-black wine glasses force you to focus on smell and taste over appearance. And if the rest of your party is spending a day on the slopes without you, spend yours diving even deeper into the Kelowna wine scene by swishing and sipping across the city with Wicked Wine Tours.

One (unfortunately) cannot live on wine alone — which is why CedarCreek Estate Winery recently opened their headline-making Home Block restaurant. Pro tip? Leave room for one last course of red-wine-poached pears.

Otherwise, Kelowna’s big into farm-to-table food. Several farms are located right within city limits, and nowhere offers better proof of this than RauDZ Regional Table, where you can rub elbows with the locals over farm-fresh cuisine at a community table. And at BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery, grownups can unwind with a local beer, while the whole family can take part in some 10-pin bowling and top-notch, unpretentious food (minors are welcome until 10pm).

Back in Kelowna: Where to stay

Photo: Tourism Kelowna/Meghan Reading

There are tons of accommodation options in Kelowna, which means not only can you choose your location, you can also choose your budget. The affordable Sandman Hotel & Suites Kelowna is centrally located on Harvey Avenue, and their indoor pool is a great place to swim it out after a big ski day.

For luxury lakeside digs, try the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort. Located in the middle of the Cultural District — Kelowna’s historical fruit-packing area — the Delta is surrounded by art galleries, theaters, bistros, and several of Kelowna’s museums, including the Okanagan Wine & Orchard Museum. There’s also the Eldorado Resort, right on the waterfront with a private boardwalk and marina. Its British roots date back to the 1920s, and the award-winning Eldorado Lounge and Whisky Room has an ambiance that’s hard to beat.

Of course, we’re barely scratching the surface of wintertime in Kelowna. There are so many more places to stay and things to do than we can possibly pack into this article — head over to the Tourism Kelowna website and start exploring for yourself. You’ll find everything you need to plan your perfect BC ski trip.

The post For the perfect BC ski trip, make Kelowna your home base appeared first on Matador Network.

Things to do on the Rosario Islands

Cartagena, on Colombia’s northern coast, is one of South America’s loveliest cities and Colombia’s most-visited location. So you, too, may find yourself in this special city. However, after a few days, you may want an escape from the heat and crowds. That’s a perfect opportunity to head to the Rosario Islands, a rustic national park surrounded by the pale blue Carribean Sea. We recommend spending at least one night there to really savor the islands’ more relaxed pace of life.

Getting to the Rosario Islands

Photo: saverion/Shutterstock

The Rosario Islands are a protected archipelago of 28 islands located about 25 miles off the shore from Cartagena. In 1988, the Colombian Government declared the Rosario Islands a national park to preserve the coral reefs, seagrasses, mangroves, and great biodiversity of these islands, which has also turned them into a destination in their own right.

Access from Cartagena is an easy 45-minute boat ride from the town’s main dock, La Bodeguita. After leaving sweaty, busy Cartagena, you’ll find the islands’ cerulean waters and sea breeze a welcome change. If you’re pressed for time, a day trip is an opportunity to see the islands, but be warned that guided tours follow the same path, stopping at beaches with vendors hawking goods and working to upsell you. If you’re looking for peace and tranquility, skip the day trip and opt to stay at least one night, and preferably three.

Where to stay

Photo: streetflash/Shutterstock

For accommodations, book early. The Rosario Islands are not one of those places where you can just show up and book a room upon arrival. Cheap lodging fills up quickly, so plan accordingly. In terms of hostels, Casa Lola Eco Hostel on Isla Grande ranks highest online. Off Isla Grande, many eco-hotels and lodges are also located on Isla Marina.

If you’re with a group of friends or have some money to spend, Airbnb is definitely the way to go. You can get a sprawling place for a little over $100 per night with meals included, like La Reina Mora on Isla Marina. This semi-private home sleeps 12 comfortably with two on-site caretakers to cook your meals and make any other arrangements you need.

This archipelago and national park are, unsurprisingly, quite rustic. Power goes out regularly or is limited to the evening, even in some of the nicer accommodations. WiFi is also limited, but service is available with a Colombian SIM card. As frustrating as this may be at first, it’s the perfect chance to relax and enjoy some time unplugged. You can post to the ‘gram and respond to emails when you’re back in Cartagena in a few days’ time.

Also, note that when it comes to buying sundries like beer and snacks, the Rosario Islands are more expensive than shops in Cartagena. Bring your own booze, sunscreen, and anything else you’ll need for the trip with you, along with plenty of cash — ATMs can be hard to come by on Isla Grande, and even when you do find them, they may have run out of money.

Eat as much seafood as possible

Photo: Venturelli Luca/Shutterstock

The Rosario Islands are rich with mariscos — or seafood — like fresh fish, lobster, crab, octopus, and shrimp. You’ll see a lot of pescado de temporada, fish of the day, which is usually a white fish like dorado, or mahi-mahi. Seafood is prepared simply here, grilled or lightly fried, with coconut rice, fried starchy plantains, and a few wedges of lime for an acidic bite. Keep an eye out for fishermen going dock to dock, as they’ll be selling freshly caught lobsters, crab, or octopus.

Getting out on the water

Photo: Venturelli Luca/Shutterstock

Paddleboards and kayaks are widely available to rent at accommodations throughout the islands. Get your abs and arms workouts in as you spend a relaxing afternoon seeing the islands. Meander through the intertidal mangrove forests of Isla Grande, and be sure to spend an evening watching the sunset from your kayak. Beach access is easily available across Isla Grande, and you’ll see people prepping gear at the popular spots to push out from the shore throughout the day.

Some good news for those on a budget or who aren’t certified: Snorkeling is actually better than diving in the Rosarios. The islands’ more than 1,300 species of marine animals and plants are best viewed underwater, from above, and much can generally be seen near shore.

The reviews for diving in the Rosario Islands are iffy at best, as much of the coral reef is in poor condition. Snorkeling is comparatively cheap and overall a better option. Snorkel solo along the coastline of the small islands to see colorful shellfish, reef fish, and sea crabs, or book a snorkeling tour through your accommodation for a more orchestrated experience with lunch included.

Whatever you do, make sure you don’t further stress the coral when you snorkel. Make sure that neither you nor your fins touches the coral. Never stand on coral. Also, don’t block the path of sea creatures as they swim.

Seeing the marine life

Photo: posztos/Shutterstock

On San Martin de Pajarales, the Oceanarium offers an easy walk through much of the islands’ ocean life. Many of the varieties of fish that populate the reefs and waters throughout the national park can be found here, along with larger sea life like sea turtles, dolphins, and sharks.

Isla Grande has a swimming hole known as the Laguna Encantada, or Enchanted Lagoon, where you can swim with bioluminescent plankton. A bit of an unofficial sightseeing spot, the best way to find the lagoon is to ask about it at your accommodation.

Touring the park beyond Isla Grande

Photo: R.M. Nunes/Shutterstock

Isla Grande is the heart of the park and where most development has occurred. But it’s hardly the only island worth seeing. Hiring a boat tour allows you to visit smaller islands including Isla del Pirata, or Pirate’s Island. The island is named as such because it was a hub for regional pirates, though unlike what its name suggests, it is one of the more relaxing spots in the park and ideal for kids. There’s little infrastructure, but what’s there is built to accommodate families who want to get into the water for a snorkel or spend some time on the sand.

Viator offers daily tours that give you the option of posting up on Isla del Pirata with a quick stop on San Martin de Pajarales to visit the aquarium or doing a three-island tour that heads to Barú, Cholon, and includes time at Playa Blanca, the whitest of white-sand beaches in the region.

Also worth seeing is Isla Fuerte, a tiny island that gives you the chance to bike through its old-growth mangrove forests to vacant beaches in just a couple of hours, hopefully seeing some of the nearly 80 species of birds that live there. Isla Majaga is a popular honeymoon destination because of the San Pedro de Majagua hotel, though beyond what happens inside its rooms, you won’t find much action on the island beyond some simple snorkeling.


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Traditional South Africa food

Archbishop Desmond Tutu coined the term “rainbow nation” in 1994 to describe post-apartheid South Africa. Today, the country’s colorful culinary scene has flourished, matching its cultural richness.

“We always call ourselves the rainbow nation, and it’s like a rainbow of cuisine,” says Portia Mbau, chef and owner of The Africa Café in Cape Town. “South African food is quite diverse because not only are there Indigenous cultures — Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Khoisan — you also have the introduction of the Dutch, the British, the Muslims, the Cape Malay, and the Indian.”

Prior to colonization, indigenous groups in South Africa enjoyed cuisines that included flavourful stews featuring vegetables, beans, and legumes. Sorghum and maize were also essential to the South African diet. However, during the 1600s Dutch, French, and German settlers would arrive and bring their own cooking techniques and meats like sausages or biltong — similar to jerky.

In 1602, the Dutch East India Company began trading spices, including curry powder, chili, and nutmeg, as well as slaves from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Later on, British immigrants and indentured Indian labourers arrived in the 19th century making pies, puddings, and curries commonplace.

In South Africa today, you can find burger joints alongside tea salons and indigenous African eateries. Mbau — who is part Xhosa, part Zulu, and grew up eating Khoisan food — thinks that colonial attitudes about food have left an imprint on South Africa where Western cuisine is sometimes held in higher regard. She’s challenging that notion and has recently released The Africa Cookbook to showcase traditional African recipes.

“We’ve kind of downgraded our own cuisine, which means we’ve also downgraded our own values, our culture, and our own people. Food is not just food — it’s a whole culture,” says Mbau. “It’s so important. It’s a story that’s told through food.”

Despite a history fraught with racial tension, diversity contributes to the beautiful patchwork of cultural identities that make up South Africa today. So tuck into these eight iconic dishes to learn about the story of South Africa.

1. Chakalaka

Photo: Fanfo/Shutterstock

Chakalaka, one of Mbau’s favorite dishes, is a spicy, stewed, vegetable relish usually made with a base of tomatoes and beans with extra veggies such as carrots, peas, or peppers thrown in. “Every household has their own recipe,” says Mbau.

Chakalaka is typically served over mielie pap, a maize-based staple resembling polenta or mashed potatoes. Mielie pap is commonly eaten throughout much of Africa. On its own it has a bland taste — that’s where a blob of margarine and some chakalaka come in. While mielie pap is often rolled into a ball and dipped into sauce in other African countries, South African locals tend to eat it with a spoon. For a South African fusion twist, you can find pap and wors — short for boerewors, a type of sausage — which is the South African equivalent of bangers and mash. All of which, of course, can be topped off with a heaping spoonful of chakalaka.

2. Umgqusho

Photo: Elzbieta Sekowska/Shutterstock

Umgqusho, pronounced with a click where the “q” is, originates from the Xhosa people that lived in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Sometimes also known as samp and beans, this dish is made by cooking maize kernels with sugar beans into a thick, hearty stew. Nelson Mandela called umgqusho one of his favorite dishes, and it’s one of Mbau’s favorite foods, as well. Umgqusho is frequently accompanied by a meat dish to form a heavy and filling meal.

3. Bobotie

Photo: Fanfo/Shutterstock

Bobotie is the national dish of South Africa. It’s comprised of minced beef or lamb and topped with a creamy egg custard mixture, a little like meatloaf or shepherd’s pie. The minced meat base might have European roots, as many Dutch settlers were partial to ground meat. Seasonings in the bobotie, however, such as curry powder and cloves, likely come from Southeast Asia. Dried apricots or raisins add a hint of sweetness. Bobotie is typically served with a side of yellow rice and a generous dollop of Mrs. Balls chutney, a classic South African condiment that gives the dish a spicy tang. For a very South African experience, the egg custard topping can be made with an ostrich egg.

4. Bunny chow

Photo: STPretorius/Shutterstock

Indian laborers living in Durban during the 1940s invented bunny chow, and it has since become a South African staple. It’s a hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with curry. As the flavourful curry soaks into the fluffy bread, this dish becomes incredibly satisfying and delicious.

There are a couple of different origin stories, but most of them involve creative Indian laborers using bread as a vessel to transport their meals. Since curries couldn’t be contained in roti, Indian migrants hollowed out bread to pack their lunches. The dish is now extremely popular all over South Africa and includes a varied assortment of curry fillings. Many Indian South Africans will order a kota, or quarter loaf of bread, and eat it with their hands.

5. Braai

Photo: Compass Crew/Shutterstock

Braai is so essential to South Africa that it’s celebrated on holidays like National Heritage Day each year. Braai can describe both a food and a cooking method. It’s similar to barbecue heated on wood and charcoal, rather than with electricity. Braai is technically an Afrikaans word, the language spoken by Dutch colonists throughout Southern Africa, and braai cooking is shared and beloved across the entire region.

“We’re not big meat eaters, but it’s a passion we get,” Mbau says of braai.

At braai cookouts, you can expect to find an assortment of different meats such as steaks or wings, and, of course, boerewors — a South African sausage.

6. Boerewors

Photo: Silvietta photography/Shutterstock

Boerewors roughly translates to “farmer’s sausage” in Afrikaans. Boerewors sausages consist of at least 70 percent coarsely ground beef, lamb, or pork, giving it a rich, gamey texture. It’s seasoned with coriander seeds and usually formed into a long coil and cooked over an open flame. If you venture out on a camping adventure in South Africa, expect to have a boerie, or boerewors sandwiched between two buns, instead of a hotdog.

7. Biltong

Photo: Kin Fok/Shutterstock

The South African version of jerky might be Khoisan in origin — one of South Africa’s main indigenous groups — but biltong is an Afrikaans word. Khoisan people cured their meats, as did Dutch, French, and German settlers, who dried and cured meat using vinegar and saltpetre, which kills harmful botulism-causing bacteria. The most common type of biltong is beef although you can also find versions made from ostrich or kudu — a type of antelope. Biltong is salty and umami and is usually seasoned with coriander and cloves.

8. Cape Malay curry

Photo: Fanfo/Shutterstock

The Cape Malay people are an ethnic group that traces its ancestry to Indonesian slaves brought to the Western Cape of South Africa by the Dutch East India Company in the mid-17th century. Cape Malays developed their South African identity, culture, and, of course, cuisine. Cape Malay curries typically feature spices such as mild curry powder, turmeric, cinnamon, and saffron but aren’t as spicy other Southeast Asian curries. This dish also incorporates a variety of meats, such as mutton, beef, or chicken. Vegetarian versions using beans are common, as well. Many curry recipes also include some dried apricots to add a hint of sweetness.


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