Matador Network's Blog, page 994
October 14, 2019
Pay attention on an airport drive
This is the Travel Take, where Matador’s writers and editors make the case for their favorite travel hacks, tips, and personal tics.
By the time you finally disembark from a long flight, stretch your legs, get your bags, and manage to hail a taxi, all you probably want to do is rest your head against the back of the seat, close your eyes, and hope for a speedy arrival. Yet I often find myself anticipating the drive from the airport to my destination. It offers a glimpse of your vacation spot with the veil of tourism pulled back, the side of the city not manicured to fit the perceptions of visitors.
On my way into Tokyo from Narita International Airport, the landscape looked overgrown with brambles, vines, and trees, with what seemed to be office buildings interspersed among the vegetation. The combination of modern buildings surrounded by wild foliage created an almost post-apocalyptic atmosphere. I felt a stillness in the air, almost as if all the people had swiftly abandoned the area in anticipation of some disaster and never returned. I couldn’t stop staring out of the window, mesmerized by the view. Once I arrived in downtown Tokyo — chaotic, bustling, vibrant, and mysterious — I had already seen two entirely different sides of the same city.
Sure, most drives from the airport are on drab, uninteresting highways. It probably won’t be as glamorous as the views where you’re staying. You won’t see historical monuments or impressive architecture from the window of your cab. All I see when I drive home from the Newark Airport is chain hotels, carparks, and a very haunted looking abandoned factory with four smoke stacks still standing — probably nothing a tourist is going to check off their bucket list, yet each sight is a familiar comfort.
That’s why the drive from the airport is so unexpectedly important: You get to see your temporary home from the perspective of the people who live there. Perhaps this is the route that residents see on their commute to work, or that they take to visit out-of-town family. This is the place you’re visiting stripped of pretense, unpolished but charming in its own humble way. Forty minutes outside of Paris won’t be as pretty as Paris itself, but it will show you a side of France not on postcards and television shows.
There are times when the view from the airport will stun you: Nature is nearly bursting through the pavement at Honolulu International Airport, where prehistoric emerald green mountains surround the cement structure, and the humid air suggests the presence of the ocean just out of view. But more often than not, the area around the airport will look less like paradise and more like the waiting room to something more exciting. That doesn’t mean you should dismiss what you see as dismal or dreary. These areas simply are not meant to delight or entice a tourist — but that doesn’t make them any less worthy of your attention.
Resist the urge to take a quick power nap or scroll social media on the drive from the airport. Chances are, you’ll be spending your trip seeking out adventure, whether you’re sipping wine in a chic restaurant, watching the sunset from a balcony overlooking the ocean, or exploring ancient ruins.
Paying attention to your surroundings during the drive from the airport won’t automatically make you an expert on the place you’re visiting. That takes much more effort. But having a complete picture of a new place — not just the spaces meant to impress visitors — brings you one step closer to understanding, appreciating, and respecting the places that graciously host travelers. 
More like this: When Paris isn’t what you expected, go to a cafe
The post Why it’s so important to pay attention on the drive to and from the airport appeared first on Matador Network.
8 experiences to have in Puerto Rico
8 unforgettable experiences to have in Puerto Rico with nothing but a carry-on
in paid partnership with
San Juan cityscape. Photo: Rulo Luna
Explore
Old San JuanPiñones Food StandsLa PlacitaCalle CerraEl Yunque RainforestVieques Bio BayParque de BombasToro Verde
Puerto Rico is nothing if not resilient. You might first notice this theme in the impassioned murals adorning the streets of San Juan, reminding us all what the Borikén do best: Carry on. The island’s landscapes — high tropical rainforests, bays painted blue by bioluminescence — deliver a similar message. With each shift of the sun and crashing wave the shapes and colors may change, but the island, in all its beauty, persists.
Travelers from the mainland US are perfectly positioned to experience the spirit of Puerto Rico. The island lies within easy reach, no more than a few hours by direct flight from many locations around the country. US citizens don’t need a passport or a currency exchange booth to witness Puerto Rico’s beauty firsthand. All you need to do is pack a carry-on and take the short flight over to turn these unforgettable experiences into inolvidable memories.
Explore the vibrant streets of Old San Juan
Streets of Old San Juan
La Fortaleza
Street artist in Old San Juan
Colors of San Juan
Colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, ancient city walls, and icy piraguas (syrup-flavored shaved ice). The streets of Old San Juan are a poet’s ink, the stuff Lin-Manuel Miranda musicals are made of. You might find inspiration here too.
History: San Juan is the second oldest colonial-capital city in the Americas. Its founding dates all the way back to 1521, and it has the architectural charm to match. You’ll find more recent history as well — the famous piña colada was invented right here at the Caribe Hilton!
Highlights: Wander Old Town’s “triangle,” a UNESCO site, hop the free trolley, and go wherever your eyes guide you. The San Juan National Historic Site, which includes the old city walls and one of the most recognizable landmarks on the island — Castillo San Felipe del Morro — is also easily accessible and should feature in any tour of the area.
Side note: To be here is to be somewhere many Puerto Ricans consider home. One of the biggest tearjerkers for Borikéns living outside Puerto Rico is the song “En Mi Viejo San Juan” (“In My Old San Juan”). Old San Juan’s streets evoke memories of the island for many, both near and far.
Learn more about Hilton Hotels in Puerto Rico
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Photo credits: Rulo Luna
Sample local bites at the Piñones food stands
Piñones food stands
Traditional fritters
Alcapurrias and bacalaítos
Preparing the skewers
An area characterized by its Afro-Caribbean roots, Piñones — the beachy stretch of PR-187 between the airport and Loíza — is popular with locals and tourists alike. Carry-on in tow, consider a meal here the first thing to grab after you’ve touched down on the island.
Details: Along an oceanfront road between the towns of Carolina and Loíza, you’ll find numerous food stands churning out alcapurrias, bacalaítos, rellenos de papa, and mofongo. That’s stuffed plantain-and-taro fritters, codfish fritters, stuffed potatoes, and mashed fried plantains, respectively. Also expect piña coladas, plenty of music, and al fresco seating.
Natural escape: If you’re feeling stuffed after this gastronomic adventure, rent a bike or walk on the boardwalk that runs through the Piñones Mangrove Forest. It begins just on the other side of the road from Playa La Pocita.
Tip: Bring cash (remember we’re talking US dollars). Also, keep in mind that Piñones gets crowded on weekends, so be willing to be flexible with your plans.
Learn more about Hilton Hotels in Puerto Rico
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Photo credits: Rulo Luna
Feel the beat at Placita de Santurce
La Placita de Santurce
Parranda at La Placita
Dinner time
La Placita nightlife
During the day, La Plaza del Mercado de Santurce in San Juan is a bustling farmers market. But come nightfall, the market transforms into La Placita de Santurce (“La Placita” for short), one of the most popular nightlife spots on the island.
Daylight: Racimos de guineo (banana clusters), mangoes, and viandas — a general term used to describe certain fruits and veggies like cassava, yams, and breadfruit — are on full display. Food stalls serving combination lunch plates guaranteed to include arroz y habichuelas (rice and beans) feed workers, retirees, and just about everyone else.
Nightlife: La Placita is basically one big block party. There’s music, dancing, food, and an always-joyful atmosphere. For the drinks, skip reading any menu and just order the whiskey with natural coconut.
Tip: Even if you’ve rented a car for your time in Puerto Rico, consider using a cab or a ridesharing service to get there as parking is scarce.
Learn more about Hilton Hotels in Puerto Rico
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Photo credits: Discover Puerto Rico
Take in the local street art of Calle Cerra
Calle Loíza
Santurce es Ley
Murals of Calle Cerra
Santurce
The magic that’s transpired on Calle Cerra in San Juan’s Santurce neighborhood wasn’t planned: A community event turned into the international street art festival of Santurce Es Ley almost overnight. While it might have happened fast, it wasn’t surprising. Santurce, one of the most densely populated areas of the island, has always been a hot spot for artistic expression.
Logistics: Calle Cerra is only a few minutes from Condado, an area well-known for its beachfront resorts. Despite being steps from the tourist path, Calle Cerra is Borikén through and through. To explore the graffiti, paintings, and 3D art of Santurce, you can book a guided tour — though feel free to go at it on your own two feet!
Nearby: A 10-minute walk from Calle Cerra, the Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art showcases both local and Latin American artists. You’ll also find the Espacio 1414 gallery and the Laboratorio de Artes Binarios in the area.
Tip: If your stomach howls between stops, look for the “Asian-rican” food trucks that hover around this zone.
Learn more about Hilton Hotels in Puerto Rico
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Photo credits: Rulo Luna
Go on a rainforest hike in El Yunque
El Yunque National Forest
La Coca waterfall
A jumping lizard
Yokahú Observation Tower
When entering El Yunque National Forest, prepare to go back in time — epochs back. Suddenly, you’re surrounded by giant ferns, mosses, and depending on the day, surreal banks of fog. A trip through El Yunque — the only tropical rainforest in the US national forest system — is a trip through Jurassic Park…only with friendlier critters and swimming holes.
Choosing a hike: What you’ll see will greatly depend on the hike you choose. One popular route is the short-and-sweet trek up to the Mount Britton Tower. On a clear day, you’ll get a view all the way to the coast from the tower’s observation deck. For a longer, more challenging hike, consider the El Yunque Rock Trail. There’s no observation tower at the end…and that’s probably because you won’t need one from up here.
Cooling off: The short El Angelito Trail ends with a jump off a rope swing into a swimming hole in the Mameyes River. La Coca Trail, which begins near the waterfall of the same name and is a more challenging, lesser-known route, is lined with ponds suitable for a soak.
Tip: Remember to always stay on marked trails. El Yunque is a relatively small but dense forest, and its 200 species of plant life, some of which aren’t found anywhere else, depend on humans observing the rules.
Learn more about Hilton Hotels in Puerto Rico
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Photo credits: Rulo Luna
Experience the magic of bioluminescence on Vieques
Kayaking Mosquito Bay
Bioluminescence in Vieques
Paddling with light
Kayaking in a glow-in-the-dark bay is one experience you’re never going to forget. Mosquito Bay, located on the island of Vieques, isn’t the only place in Puerto Rico to witness the phenomenon of bioluminescence — but it is the best. Nowhere in the world glows as blue at night as right here.
The science: The water’s bioluminescent glow is a result of microorganisms called dinoflagellates. They emit a blue-green light during the night as a defense mechanism to ward off predators and other perceived threats — in this case, oncoming kayak paddles.
Logistics: To get to Vieques, you can hop on a 25-minute flight from San Juan or catch the ferry from Fajardo. Because the excursions to Mosquito Bay happen after sunset, you’ll want to arrange for overnight accommodations on Vieques. If you can, plan your visit to coincide with the dark skies of a new moon to achieve the most luminous effect.
Tip: If your schedule can’t accommodate a trip to Vieques, don’t fret. Mosquito Bay isn’t the only bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico. Check out Laguna Grande at the Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve in Fajardo or La Parguera in Lajas.
Learn more about Hilton Hotels in Puerto Rico
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Photo credits: Mike Corey
Snap a selfie in front of Parque de Bombas
Plaza las Delicias
Inside Parque de Bombas
Fuente de los Leones
Parque de Bombas
Make sure you leave room in that carry-on for a camera! The distinctive red and black striped façade of Parque de Bombas can’t help but catch the eye. Originally built for the 1882 Exhibition Trade Fair, the best-known spot in Ponce, located on Puerto Rico’s southern coast, is now a museum — and a necessary stop for a selfie.
History: Following the fair in 1882, the building we now know as Parque de Bombas became the first fire station on the island. In the the 1990s, it was converted into a museum dedicated to the history of firefighting. The iconic structure has been a symbol of Ponce for more than a century and is considered by many to be Puerto Rico’s most recognizable site.
While you’re there: At Plaza las Delicias, the plaza in which Parque de Bombas is situated, check out the Fuente de los Leones (Fountain of Lions), the Ponce Cathedral, and the nearby restaurants and shops. Your go-to snack should be coconut ice cream — most vendors use real coconuts, and not flavoring, and the difference shows.
Tip: A picture with the antique fire truck inside Parque de Bombas can’t hurt — both the truck and the museum’s interior are a fierce candy-apple red.
Learn more about Hilton Hotels in Puerto Rico
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Photo credits: Geoffrey George and Rulo Luna
Get a bird's-eye view at Toro Verde
Longest zipline in the Americas
Ready to fly
El Monstruo
All geared up
If you had to guess the context of names like La Bestia (The Beast) and El Monstruo (The Monster), you’d probably picture folklorish ghouls read about in island fables or seen in scary movies. Instead, we’re talking about ziplining. Here, it’s one more experience that’s inolvidable.
Location: Toro Verde Adventure Park, home of the colorfully named features mentioned above, is situated in the town of Orocovis in the Central Mountains of Puerto Rico. It’s about a 90-minute drive from both San Juan and Ponce.
The names explained: Ziplines here are no joke. The Monster — running for more than 1.5 miles — is the longest zipline in the Americas. The Beast, on the other hand, has a special harness that will make you feel like a bird flying through the Central Mountains.
Tip: Plan to arrive 45 minutes before your reservation. Afterward, budget another 45 minutes to toast to your bravery at the onsite restaurant.
Learn more about Hilton Hotels in Puerto Rico
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Photo credits: Rulo Luna
This guide is proudly produced in partnership with Hilton Hotels in Puerto Rico.
The post 8 unforgettable experiences to have in Puerto Rico with nothing but a carry-on appeared first on Matador Network.
October 11, 2019
What to do on Greenland’s west coast
The Arctic holds a certain mystique for intrepid travelers. The ultimate adventure, it can sound daunting and inaccessible, but nowadays you don’t have to be a legendary explorer like Amundsen and Rasmussen to see it. There might not be a direct flight from your nearest major city, but the legwork to get there is worth it. Especially if you’re going to Greenland’s west coast.
Although Iceland has been hogging the spotlight of late, its hulking neighbor deserves more attention than it gets. Travelers who want to have a truly rugged Arctic experience, without vying for waterfall Instagram pics with dozens of tourists, should head to Greenland. If you’re willing to endure a layover or two — connecting through Iceland or Denmark — you’ll be treated to an unspoiled Arctic environment steeped in rich indigenous tradition.
Greenland’s western shores, in particular, are defined by dramatic glaciers, sleepy fishing towns, and nautical adventures that will make you feel like a modern-day Erik the Red. Here’s why Greenland’s west coast is the most epic way to see the Arctic.
An indigenous culture tied to the outdoors
Photo: Jonas Tufvesson/Shutterstock
Nowhere is immune from the effects of globalization, not even the Arctic. No matter where you travel these days, it seems like that same Beyonce song is playing through the cafe speakers, and chicken fingers are always a menu option — but Greenland really is more remote.
It may be an autonomous territory belonging to Denmark, but it’s separated from Denmark and the rest of Scandinavia by more than just 1,500 miles. As opposed to Iceland, Europe, and the UK, whose native cultures have been heavily impacted by Western influence, Greenland remains steeped in its indigenous roots, making it a truly special travel experience.
Greenland’s population is about 85 percent Inuit and 15 percent Danish. That means that while the world’s largest island has certainly been exposed to some level of foreign influence, it retains much of its indigenous culture that stretches back thousands of years. The economy is still rooted in fishing and whaling.
Pretty much anywhere food is sold, seafood enthusiasts will have no problem finding locally caught shrimp and seal meat — and maybe some whale meat, although that is admittedly controversial and you’d be forgiven for passing on it. As to seal meat, you might be hesitant to try it, but there’s a reason it sustained people for thousands of years in one of the world’s harshest climates. Boiled seal meat with a side of locally grown potatoes is as satisfying as it gets.
Given the importance placed on the natural land in Inuit culture, it’s no surprise that many Greenlanders choose to spend their free time outdoors, even in unforgiving weather. Whether it’s camping in the wilderness, going on a reindeer hunt, or trekking across a glacier, a Greenlander’s casual weekend pastime is anyone else’s epic, once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
After a day of hiking across Russell Glacier, over an hour from the nearest town of Kangerlussuaq, I asked my guide, Karsten Aagaard, “So, what will you do this weekend when you’re not working?”
Aagaard, who was born and raised in the town of Tasiilaq, spends every day camping with visitors on the glacier and leading multi-day camping expeditions across the ice sheet. I thought he might say, “Well, I’ll probably take it easy.”
Nope. Rather, he replied, “Probably hunt for reindeer. Or maybe I will go back and walk on the Russell Glacier.” Indeed, this inexhaustible energy was evident in everyone I met along the west coast, and it’s infectious.
Exploring awe-inspiring glaciers
Photo: Dan Bach Kristensen/Shutterstock
Few things in life will make you feel smaller than hiking across a massive ice sheet, miles away from the nearest source of electricity, not to mention another human soul. In Greenland, you can experience the Arctic environment in utter silence, savoring the tranquility that comes with that. Home to the second largest ice sheet in the world, behind only Antarctica, Greenland gives you plenty of ways to strike out into the wilderness and write your own glacial adventure.
Accessing this dramatic landscape is easier than you might think. Simply fly into Greenland’s largest airport of Kangerlussuaq, on the west coast, and book a tour with one of the local experts. Albatross Arctic Circle will pick you up at the airport and drive you about an hour and a half to Russel Glacier. There, you can choose excursions that range from casual sightseeing tours to ice fishing, multi-day dog sledding expeditions, and wildlife safaris. If camping for multiple days on the ice sheet sounds a bit daunting, go for the Full Day Ice Sheet Adventure. You’ll be outfitted with crampons, poles, a helmet, and a harness, and spend the day exploring the expanse of ancient ice.
Photo: Eben Diskin
If you’re planning a 2020 trip, you’ll even be able to take advantage of the Greenland Glacier Camp. While only in the testing stage right now, the camp is situated on an overlook with a magnificent view of the glacier. It’s not exactly a luxury hotel, but you’ll have running water, bathrooms, and heated tents to keep you comfortable while you enjoy the peaceful surroundings. There will even be a restaurant which, if you’re lucky, will whip up some muskox sausages and lamb shank.
Small towns where the sea is a way of life
Photo: Vadim Petrakov/Shutterstock
Exploring Greenland means getting acquainted with its many colorful fishing villages. Because there are no roads between towns, villages are relatively isolated from each other, meaning each has really developed its own unique character. From Kangerlussauq, take a short 45-minute flight to the even smaller airport on the island of Aasiaat on the edge of Disko Bay.
When talking to those who’ve spent their lives here, it’s clear they take a great deal of pride in their little town of 3,000 people, and though they can only access the rest of Greenland via plane or boat, no one seems to mind.
To Lauretz Sveltdson, an Aasiaat native, the sea is a way of life. Although he had traveled to other parts of Greenland, mainly to visit family, he said there’s little need to leave Aasiaat. Prior to his current work as a cook in the Seamen’s Home hotel, Sveltdson spent decades working aboard a fishing vessel. Although he’s traded in his fishing pole for a spatula, it’s obvious that the sea is where he feels most at home. And once you board a boat yourself, you’ll see why.
Sveltdson and I took a small vessel to a whale graveyard, passing shipwrecks, icebergs, and small islands on the way. As if giving me a tour of a house in which he has lived for decades, Sveltdson pointed out every inlet, iceberg, and shipwreck with casual familiarity. When he reached the whale graveyard, filled with dozens of massive baleen skeletons, it was a grim sight at first. As Sveltdson explained it, though, whaling is a way of life in Greenland — a practice done for subsistence, not sport.
Photo: Olga Gavrilova/Shutterstock
You can sign up for the whale graveyard tour, but if you prefer to see live cetaceans, take the ferry to Ilulissat for a chance to see humpback, minke, or pilot whales. Humpback whales are common in the Ilulissat icefjord, often traveling in groups of three or more, and the boat captains aren’t afraid to get up-close and personal.
Indeed, Ilullisat’s famous icefjord is home to some of the most epic icebergs in Greenland. Boat tours leaving from the city dock will reach the icefjord in under 10 minutes, and you can spend hours floating among the towering icebergs, watching massive chunks of ice calve.
Stepping into another world on Disko Island
Photo: Olga Gavrilova/Shutterstock
The most authentic way to experience Greenland, particularly the west coast, is by ferry. Since there are no roads, ferries are how Greenlanders get from one village to the next. But they’re more than simple modes of transportation — they can be adventures in themselves. Once you’ve explored the small islands of Disko Bay, take a ferry from Aasiaat or Ilulissat to Disko Island.
Disko Island is the biggest island in Baffin Bay, which is more like a massive arm of the North Atlantic Sea in which Disko Bay looks like a tiny inlet. The two-hour ferry ride isn’t the smoothest, but it brings you through a field of small icebergs that will keep you clutching your camera — and when the looming, primordial cliffs of Disko Island fade into view, you’ll realize that the choppy voyage was worth it.
Named for its disc-like shape, Disko Island is 3,300 square miles and home to sharp basalt mountains created by ancient volcanic activity. It’s also where you can find the Lyngmark Glacier — one of the only places in Greenland you can go dog sledding in the wintertime due to its elevation. You will arrive at Qeqertarsuaq, the only town on the island and home to 845 permanent residents. Spend a few days in Qeqertarsuaq and you’ll learn what it feels like to live in one of the most remote and beautiful places in the Arctic.
Photo: Eben Diskin
Nestled cozily on the bay, in the shadow of the towering mountains, the town is typical of Greenland’s colorful fishing villages. Relatively isolated from mainland Greenland, Qeqertarsuaq has a sense of community that you feel the moment you step ashore. Locals never fail to nod hello on the street, and everyone seems to be intimately familiar with one another. The Hotel Disko Island offers a range of excursions for exploring the vast island, including trips to the Lyngmark Glacier.
The Lyngemark Glacier hike takes about four hours each way, along a marked trail leading through the basalt mountains. One you’ve reached the top of the glacier, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of Disko Island and the surrounding bay. You can also choose to stay overnight in the hotel’s mountain lodge or take a dog sledding excursion on top of the glacier.
If you’re looking for a more casual trekking experience, you can walk from Qeqertarsuaq to Kuannit — an area with impressive basalt rock formations and an abundance of mosses, lichens, flowers, and angelica plants. During the walk, which is only about three hours round-trip, you’ll pass a volcanic black sand beach, iceberg-filled waters, a waterfall, and empty, rugged hills that feel as though they have been untouched for thousands of years.
More like this: How to explore breathtaking southern Greenland
The post Greenland’s west coast is the most epic way to see the Arctic appeared first on Matador Network.
Cinque Terre hiking trail reopening
The five villages that comprise Italy’s Cinque Terre are famous for their colorful aesthetic and picturesque, cliffside location. One of their many charms is that cars are not permitted in the villages, meaning visitors often find themselves hiking between towns. Now, one of the most popular hiking trails is scheduled to reopen after being closed for seven years.
Lovers’ Lane, a less-than-one-mile trail connecting the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola, was closed in 2012 after four tourists were injured in a landslide. Just a 20-minute walk between the two villages, it was popular for being relatively manageable compared to many of Cinque Terre’s steeper, more challenging trails. Lovers’ Lane now has a tentative reopening date of 2023, once new renovations and safety precautions are implemented. It might sound strange that no renovations took place in the past seven years, but that time was spent fundraising the $13 million necessary for the repairs.
Many familiar with the area have fond memories of the trail. Maria Gabriella Landers, the founder of travel agency Concierge in Umbria, said, “Like many of the trails, it has spectacular views. There was also a sculpture of two lovers that everyone took pictures of themselves with.”
So while you’ll still have to wait a few years for the trail to officially reopen, it’s at least reassuring to know that progress — even incredibly slow progress — is being made.
More like this: The best way to experience Cinque Terre is from the sea
The post Popular Cinque Terre Lovers’ Lane hiking trail to finally reopen after 2012 closure appeared first on Matador Network.
Wellness retreats around the world
Yoga is everywhere. The ancient practice is the media darling of the wellness world. And if you’re one of those people who feels anything from mild tension to gut-tightening panic at the thought of stepping on a mat, you can’t help but feel left out. But have no fear, reluctant yogis, the world of wellness still has plenty to offer. Try out this sampling of detox retreats, med spas, cultural healing, food classes, wine and beer spas, and some simply ridiculous pampering for you — all without having to break into Warrior One. Here are the best wellness retreats for people who don’t like yoga.
Detox and medical spa retreats
Some wellness retreats and medical spas take your rejuvenation very seriously. You will experience deprivation and must prepare to give up food, alcohol, cigarettes, and even loud voices. Put all precious phones and devices away. First comes the sacrifice, then comes the euphoric renewal.
1. Park Igls, Austria
Photo: Moderne Mayr Medizin – Park Igls/Facebook
As one of the world’s, and Austria’s, many Mayr Clinics, Park Igls believes good health starts in the gut. While not the original Mayr or the glitterati favorite, the “house in the park” offers therapeutic programs for prevention and regeneration with less distraction. Nutritional treatment involves eight customized stages, including “gourmet fasting.” Reviews have a common theme of at least one bout of hunger misery. But then comes the euphoria. Your personal program can also include physiotherapy, health psychology, medical massage, exfoliation, and hydrotherapy.
Mayr Clinics set themselves apart from other wellness retreats with their medical diagnostics. Park Igls uses laboratory testing and specialized medical staff to provide everything from whole wellness exams to specialty analysis. With modern diagnostics, the team creates an individualized program for you, using both traditional and complementary medicines.
2. Gwinganna, Australia
Gwinganna knows detox and restoration. South of Queensland’s Gold Coast, this mountain retreat welcomes guests who are committed to their wellness journey. Health starts with boundaries; no cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, food, or caffeinated drinks are allowed to be brought in. Internet access is limited, and guests are asked to embrace the low-tech environment, using cell phones only in their rooms. This is about resetting, and a detox from distraction is the retreat’s specialty.
But Gwinganna doesn’t take without giving back. Rest is honored, both through the spa and other meditative activities. Heart pumping activities can include scenic hikes, boxing, and cycling. Menus are designed to improve digestive health and include local, organic food. Rounding it out are seminars, counseling, and coaching. While the retreat offers many themed programs from two to seven nights, Gwinganna is purposefully vague on what exactly those will look like. Their offerings are customized and purposefully disclosed in the moment of choice. If you’re a Type A that needs to learn to go with the flow or you need to ditch some old habits, this celebrity-approved retreat might be exactly what you need.
3. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa, New Mexico, US
Photo: Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa/Facebook
More than just your average mineral springs, Ojo Caliente is dedicated to quiet serenity and medically purposeful pools. Ojo Caliente boasts that they are the only hot springs in the world that have four types of mineral water: lithia, iron, soda, and arsenic. Each of the five pools has reported healing properties for issues such as depression, circulation, digestion, and arthritis. The pools and spa are a whisper environment, and they ask you to keep your phones away in public spaces.
Unlike many on this list, the northern New Mexico resort is particularly affordable, offering reasonable day rates for the pools and spa. Rooms range from typical industry-standard to posh suites, and the upscale restaurant is agreeable to the wallet as well. One thing you won’t be sweating in the sauna is your bill. And if you’re not quite sold on the direct medical effects of minerals, a good quiet soak of any kind makes a positive health difference.
Cultural and spiritual healing experiences
Ancient wellness practices across the world point to a consistent truth — health is holistic. Cultural experiences, grounded in tradition, bring us together and connect us to the world around us. Some achieve this through yoga, but some might prefer shared steam and waters.
1. Kusatsu Onsen, Japan
Photo: tk312001/Shutterstock
Nude communal bathing in natural hot springs may sound daunting to foreigners, but the onsen is a beloved part of Japanese culture. The abundant spring water in Japan is full of minerals believed to heal all sorts of things.
Kusatsu is actually a town with a group of hot springs, many that have free admission. The most popular onsen has lines forming an hour before opening, but there’s plenty of water for everyone. The collective springs of Kusatsu combine to make the largest onsen in Japan, and this town of 7,000 sees three million tourists a year. As a vacation hot spot, there is ample lodging, across budgets. And if you visit in the winter, you have the bonus of adding skiing to your soaking itinerary.
2. Herrankukkaro, Finland
Scandanavians deeply appreciate the sauna, not just for relaxation and health but also for its cultural and sacred history. Not surprising, then, that in Finland there are three million saunas for some five million people. And the best kind, the original, is the sterilizing smoke sauna. Like the onsen, saunas have etiquette. Give in — get a sweat, take the birch branch, jump in the ice water, and maybe even get a personal scrub.
The Herrankukkaro recreation area was built up around the homestead of a fisherman, just outside of the city of Turku. While there are several saunas and baths in the area, Maasavusauna is the biggest underground smoke sauna in the world. Its six bench levels hold 124 guests in a rustic, moody aesthetic. Don’t let the size turn you away; part of the ritual is the healing in communal connection.
3. Chablé Resort & Spa, Mexico
Photo: Chablé/Facebook
The multi-award-winning Chablé Resort & Spa is set in the Yucatan jungle, 25 minutes outside of colonial Merida. It features Spanish architecture, lush gardens, private villas, Mayan culinary classes, chocolate making, and craft tequila. But what makes this resort unique is the wellness journeys.
Chablé Spa takes pride in its duality: “shamanism combined with luxury, ancient healing techniques with modern science.” Guests start with a consultation and choice of one of three journeys, each centered around an element (water, earth, air). Each journey also includes the highlight of the resort: a traditional temazcal ceremony. This steam-house ritual is guided by a shaman who leads the participants in the elemental cleansing. Journeys also offer an incredible variety of massages, facials, body polishes, scalp treatments, sensory showers, a sauna, a floatarium, and cenote swimming.
Healthy food, wine, and beer spas
Moderation with food and drink can be a struggle. But the latest nutritional trend is actually returning to basics. We are refocusing on where our food, wine, and beer comes from and creating (and consuming) it more mindfully. These locations offer creative possibilities to get the most out of “rest and digest.”
1. Cavas Wine Lodge, Argentina
Photo: Cavas Wine Lodge/Facebook
This boutique lodge in the foothills of the Argentinian Andes has a lot of draws. For those seeking adventure, Cavas Wine Lodge offers horseback riding, hiking, white water rafting, and biking. It provides pampering, too: therapeutic massages, facials, body treatments, herbal compresses, and yes, even a yoga retreat. But let’s be honest, we’re here for the wine therapy.
This is wine country. Twenty-five Mendoza wineries surround the five-star lodge, and the property offer tours and activities through the vineyards. Or guests can just stay at the lodge spa and get the full wine therapy experience. A 90-minute massage is followed by a 30-minute facial with local herbs and extracts. Then comes the Bonarda Bath. The extracts from this red grape varietal are used in vinotherapy to soothe the circulatory system and ward off stress-related diseases. Yes, you get to bathe in an antique tub full of red wine. For your health of course. And just in case you’re in need of some more antioxidants, there’s a wine glass waiting.
2. Chodovar, Czech Republic
Leave it to the Czech Republic to combine its reputation for beer, spas, and hospitality. “Your Beer Wellness Land” — Chodovar’s tagline says it all. This historic brewery and hotel west of Prague touts a 12th-century rock cellar restaurant, whirlpools, saunas, free Kneipp cures, and the beer spa. While the spa offers traditional massages as well, they take the beer part very seriously.
Among the unique listings is the Real Beer Bath, hop bath, and drinking cure. The registered Real Beer Bath uses mineral water and the brewery’s carefully crafted and freshly brewed dark beer. The warm bath is said to activate circulation, sweat out toxicities, and freshen the skin. While all this goodness happens, you get a glass of the Chodovar for digestion. If you’re experiencing stress and depression, there is also the hot hop bath, using mineral water and unbrewed hops to detoxify and aid with relaxation. If you’re not feeling the baths, warm malt draff compresses can be applied to help with pain and skin conditions.
3. Chewton Glen, United Kingdom
Photo: Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa/Facebook
The Kitchen Cookery School in southern England’s Hampshire invites guests to return to a more intimate connection with food. Located at the Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa, the school includes access to the property’s greenhouse and gardens that supply many of the ingredients. Then there is the intentional kitchen space that blends informal dining and working chefs with cooking and menu creation happening right in front of you.
If you want to improve your skills, the courses, helmed by celebrated chef James Martin, welcome chefs of all levels. He and his team offer ever-changing course themes that range from seafood to game, curries to funghi, and Italy to the Middle East to local Hampshire favorites. There is something for everyone with half-day, full-day, evening, and junior and teen options. You get your own workspace and support throughout the entire process. Best of all, you get to keep and eat everything you make.
Luxury wellness escapes
Deep breath because these next yoga-optional retreats have the appropriate price tags for jaw-dropping experiences. Each of these is a definitive destination with little room to cut costs. But if you’ve got the cash, they are lavish wellness havens where the star of the show is the setting itself.
1. Keemala, Thailand
Photo: Keemala/Facebook
Keemala is the kind of place where you’re pretty sure you will spot a celeb when you’re both lounging on your decks. The resort tells a story of the Keemala people, distant tradesman stranded in Phuket. The four clans of the Keemala each have a distinct identity, and the resort has four corresponding styles of villas with their own stories. Add in a jungle walk or a four-minute shuttle to the beach, and your escapist surroundings are complete. If you need to ditch the traditional wellness vibe completely and partake in some hedonism, Patong Beach is nearby.
Back at Keemala, there is substance to your luxe wellness. Keemala offers an extensive spa, “healthy living cuisine,” smoothies, and holistic retreats. Retreats are three-night affairs that include a package of treatment options depending on your goal. The treatment lists combine ancient services and the latest trends.
2. &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia
Sossusvlei isn’t easy to get to — it’s a 380-kilometer (236-mile) drive from the nearest city or a charter flight to the lodge. And that’s exactly what it has going for it. What makes this lodge special is its focus on privacy and connection to the natural world. The Sossusvlei Desert Lodge has the typical wellness amenities, spa, gym, and yoga. But it also sits in a dedicated desert nature reserve, NamibRand, and one of the world’s few Dark Sky Reserves.
Desert adventures are on tap here. You can go fat biking in the dunes, visit salt pans and gorges, and go hot air ballooning. But things really rev up in the evening. The sundowner safaris to the nearby watering hole show off abundant local African wildlife. The main star: Every night a resident astronomer invites guests into the onsite, world-class observatory.
3. The Royal Mansour, Morocco
Photo: Royal Mansour Marrakech/Facebook
The Royal Mansour delivers its wellness through unyielding opulence and a sensory sanctuary. Simply put, it’s magnificent. Built at the request of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the Royal Mansour is a legit palace complex, a city within a city. This is a place of fountains, gardens, traditional architecture, private riads, and a sense of, well, royalty. So, of course, the hotel’s hammam spa is continually hailed as the best around.
Hammams, or the ancient ritual of the thermal baths, can be found throughout Marrakech. They usually involve soaking, exfoliation, and a massage. The Royal Mansour’s hammam offers all of these experiences, including black soap wraps, ghassoul clay treatments, kessa exfoliation, and floral steam and waters. After all of this, you wrap up in linen, listen to the trickling water, breathe in the essential oils and enjoy dainty pastries and tea. Just in case you’re not yet experiencing sensory saturation, the spa has a famous three-story, white-lattice atrium that drops jaws. It’s probably possible to be stressed here, but I’m not sure how.
More like this: 9 workouts you can do on literally any vacation
The post The best wellness retreats for people who don’t like yoga appeared first on Matador Network.
All-female Delta flight for WING
Since we don’t typically see our pilots, it can be surprising to learn that only seven percent of pilots in the US are women. Perhaps even more surprising — there are zero female flight navigators. One initiative is looking to change that for the future.
To celebrate Girls in Aviation Day, Delta operated a flight staffed only by women crew members and carrying 120 young female passengers. The “WING” flight — Women Inspiring our Next Generation — took off this weekend from Salt Lake City to NASA headquarters in Houston to promote women in aviation as well as STEM (science, tech, education, and math) careers.
The passengers consisted mainly of girls between the ages of 12 and 18. One of them, a 12th-grader named Katelyn, said, “It didn’t seem realistic to go after a career in aviation. But today I realized, ‘Hey, I can do this too.’” Karyanna, an 11th-grader, said, “It’s such an exciting time to be in STEM. There’s so much left for us to discover.”
Upon arrival, the passengers toured NASA’s Mission Control Center, the Johnson Space Center, Space Center Houston, and spoke with leading female NASA engineers.
Not only did the flight have an all-female crew on board, but the flight also had women working on the ground as ramp agents, gate agents, and control tower operators.
More like this: 7 things you need to know about the woman who travels solo
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Manchester guide for sports lovers
It’s no stretch to say that sports fans travel from around the world to visit Manchester. For many years, the biggest draw in town was Manchester United, the soccer club that, in the 1990s, cemented an already prestigious history with a decade of Red Devil dominance. It was an era that made icons of players like David Beckham and a destination of the city for football fans the world over. United’s star has waned on the pitch in recent years, but its profile has now been matched by its so-called “noisy neighbours” in blue, Manchester City. Thanks to the investment of a billionaire oil sheikh, City’s success has become a fairytale for fans who once looked on with envy at their red rivals. Nowadays, both clubs remain such giants in world soccer that on any given day you’ll find travelers in shirts of both colors on pilgrimages.
But Manchester is more than just football. England’s third-largest city is also home to world-class sporting venues and teams for games ranging from cricket and rugby league to cycling and ice hockey. If you’re headed to Manchester to catch a fixture for the reds or the blues, or if you’re arriving to pursue a love of something other than the beautiful game, here’s some of the sights, stadiums, and saloons that sports lovers shouldn’t miss.
If you’re going to United
Photo: Nook Thitipat/Shutterstock
Old Trafford
To the true believers, Old Trafford is more a fortress than a sports ground. And, in truth, the Theatre of Dreams is such a big and imposing structure (with a capacity of 76,000) that there’s a reason why it provoked fear in opposing teams for decades. The atmosphere inside when the crowd’s dander is up can be skin-pricklingly exciting; many of the best moments are saved for local derby games and night matches too. If you’re going on a non-match day, the stadium tour takes in the club museum and a wander round the ground. For around $40, you can even add in a spot of lunch at the Red Café. Ahead of games, fans congregate for photos and pre-match chat by the famous statue of the three United Legends: Charlton, Best, and Law.
Where: Old Trafford Stadium, Sir Matt Busby Way, Manchester M16 0RA
True fan’s tip: Lou Macari was a favorite player in the 1970s, so it’s fitting that the fish and chip takeaway joint he bought on Chester Road remains a pre-match tradition to this day.
Where to eat and drink
Just a stone’s throw from Old Trafford, the soccer-themed Hotel Football is an upscale spot where it’s possible to stay in sporty rooms and then make your way to the game. Down in Café Football you can also get food that’s a good deal more gourmet than the standard burgers and pies that usually fill soccer bellies. For something a bit more international, try Rock Spice Restaurant & Lounge on Chester Road for Indian specialties.
If you’re going to City
Photo: CosminIftode/Shutterstock
Etihad Stadium
Built for the Commonwealth Games in 2002, City’s stadium is the ultra-modern home the club moved to after its 80-year tenure at the now-demolished Maine Road. If you’re visiting for a tour, plan to spend an hour or so seeing everything from the press room to the pitch for around $30. On matchdays make sure to grab a pre-game drink and mingle with fellow fans at City Square, the designated fan zone outside the ground. There’s always plenty of entertainment on offer before you head inside to watch the action.
Where: Etihad Stadium, Ashton New Road, Manchester M11 3FF
True fan’s tip: Just as it is across town, it wouldn’t be matchday for City fans without fish and chips. For the best locally, find your way to Tony’s Stadium Chippy on Grey Mare Lane.
Where to eat and drink
One of the great things about the newly built Etihad is that it’s just a 30-minute walk from the revitalized neighborhood of Ancoats, a place that just can’t stop getting voted as one of the coolest places in the world right now. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink options there, but some highlights are the authentic Neapolitan pizza at Rudy’s, the stylish British tapas at Elnecot, and the Asian fusion at Viet Shack. If you’re more in the mood for drinks then The Jane Eyre is a casual neighborhood bar for cocktails while the Crown & Kettle is a traditional, real ale institution.
Other can’t-miss experiences for soccer fans
The National Football Museum
Photo: Electric Egg/Shutterstock
If you want to explore how integral soccer is to the fabric of British life, then the National Football Museum in Manchester city center is the ideal place. You can learn about the history of the game, practice your skills on the interactive exhibitions, and book in for talks and rotating art shows that show different sides of the sport. It’s $12 for adults and $6 for children between five and 15.
Where: Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Todd Street, Manchester M4 3BG
The Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes
Photo: Michael715/Shutterstock
To experience the atmosphere of a game without actually attending one, see the action on the big screen at The Brotherhood near Albert Square. In addition to showing all the live games, this bar plays just about every other sport you can imagine and puts out an American-style menu of burgers and wings. If your team turns out to be a loser then you can regain some pride over bouts of pool, darts, and table tennis.
Where: 2 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5WQ
The Tib Street Tavern
Photo: Tib Street Tavern/Facebook
More of a classic English pub than a sports bar, nonetheless, the Tib Street Tavern is known throughout the city as a go-to place for live events. They show a full schedule of matches in a fully restored building that was once a shipping merchants’ office. They specialize in IPAs and global lagers, with an extensive menu of both. Food-wise, you can fill up on sandwiches and bar snacks, or you can bring some buddies and opt for one of the sharing combos.
Where: 74 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1LG
Beyond the beautiful game
Photo: Mitch Gunn/Shutterstock
There’s plenty to see for sports fans who want to go further than football, so check out the venues below to see if any of the upcoming events can tempt you to try something different.
Old Trafford Cricket Ground
A short walk from Manchester United’s home stadium is the famous cricket ground, which is also called Old Trafford. There are a few international games for the England team each year, but they are infrequent and sell out well in advance. Much better for tourists is to aim for the domestic county cricket season (between March and September), when you’ll find regular matches for home county, Lancashire. If you’re a cricket novice then what you need to know is that there are three main forms of the game at this level: three days, one day, and the T20 games, which take around three hours and are probably best for newbies.
Where: Talbot Road, Manchester M16 0PX
The National Cycling Centre
If you like your sporting action on wheels rather than feet, the National Cycling Centre, walking distance from City’s Etihad Stadium, may be for you. Originally constructed as a state-of-the-art velodrome in 1994, the complex has now been added to so that it also has links to local BMX and mountain bike facilities and can truly claim to be one of the most important centers for cycling in the world. As the home track for multiple Olympians and Tour de France winners, the velodrome is a great place to go and watch elite cycling events, but if you’re more hands on, you can also book ahead to get an experience of what it’s like to don the lycra and ride the boards.
Where: Stuart Street, Manchester M11 4DQ
Planet Ice
For something completely different (considering they don’t get much ice in Manchester), try a trip to see the city’s finest slap shot specialists, Manchester Storm. The resident ice hockey team plays its home games out at Planet Ice in Altrincham, which is a 20-minute tram ride on the Metrolink. Although ice hockey isn’t hugely supported in the UK, Manchester teams have historically been among the most popular, and when the club played its games at the Manchester Arena, it broke the British attendance record with over 17,000 fans. The season runs from September to March, and games are most often played on weekend evenings.
Where: Oakfield Road, Altrincham WA15 8EW
More like this: The 9 best places for live music in Manchester
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Best things to do in Jacksonville
“We’re like a beach town with a big side of country,” Jay Dodson tells me as we toast a couple of beers at 10:30 in the morning. We’re standing behind the bar at Hoptinger Biergarten, his Jacksonville Beach beer bar that plays cool beach shack by day and bad-decision hotspot at night.
Dodson is dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and flip-flops, and is almost a mascot for what this city on the northeast coast of Florida has become: a whole lot of beach, a good dose of business savvy, Southern hospitality, and absolutely no pretension. It’s the kind of place where having a beer at breakfast time isn’t at all unusual, and taking it with you out to the beach is encouraged.
While the Gulf Coast beaches and the bright lights of Miami draw the bulk of Florida’s non-mousey tourists, Jacksonville might just be the state’s best undiscovered destination. It’s affordable, it’s warm, and it has just enough sophistication to keep you interested once you’ve had enough of the sand. And best of all, you won’t be sharing it with painful numbers of snowbirds.
Jacksonville has the kinds of beaches people cross oceans for.
Photo: Lynne Neuman/Shutterstock
Jacksonville Beach, where Hoptinger sits, is home to most of the city’s nightlife as well as 22 miles of mostly unspoiled Atlantic coastline. With that much space to spread out, the city’s 800,000 residents never crowd the sand too much, and unlike more-popular beach destinations in Florida, you’ll almost never have to fight for a slice of sandy real estate.
The coastline is dotted by other little beach towns too, like Atlantic Beach, where coffee shops and yoga studios give it a distinctly California feel — minus the California traffic and prices. Here you’ll find people jogging the beach at sunset and returning to their little bungalows on the sand, a pleasant departure from the glut of condo towers one usually finds in Florida.
Head a little further south and you’ll find one of the most spectacular American beaches nobody has ever heard of. Guana State Park, about a 35-minute drive from downtown Jacksonville, sits at the foot of towering, grassy sand dunes. The wide, golden sand has nary a soul, and the clear blue water is bathtub warm six months out of the year. It feels completely isolated and remote, reminiscent of beaches in Zanzibar and other hard-to-reach destinations. But this one is only a short drive from a major airport.
Artists come here because it’s affordable.
Photo: CoRK Arts District/Facebook
A few blocks from Jacksonville’s hipster Riverside district, full of stately historic homes, Thai fusion restaurants, and the creative hangout at Bold Bean Coffee, you’ll find the CoRK Arts District. This one time furniture warehouse is now a massive artists’ work space, where you can walk down the hall and see a sculpture made of bottle caps, epic murals, and cartoon greeting cards with rubber ducks captioned “No, Siri, I did not say ‘Badass Motherducker.’”
Though it’s not open to the public most of the year, it does give the city an infusion of artists who have a direct impact on the city’s culture. Downtown Jacksonville has covered itself in murals over the past five years and has drawn some of the biggest names in street art to help liven up its once-struggling urban core.
There’s more outdoors than any big city in Florida.
Photo: Isogood_patrick/Facebook
Lost in Florida’s allure behind Deco Drive and Cinderella’s Castle are the mangrove passageways and deep green estuaries that make it an outdoorsman’s paradise. As the largest city by area in the lower 48, Jacksonville is teeming with outdoor opportunities, whether that’s taking an airboat out on the St. Johns River and into some of the tiny waterways that feed it or fishing the tidal flats with stops for lunch on deserted beaches.
In all, Jacksonville has 1,100 miles of navigable waterways, meaning you can escape people pretty easily. And when you’re floating down a perfectly still tributary with pine trees surrounding and a heron flying overhead, it’s hard to feel anything other than relaxed.
The city also has what passes for surfing in Florida. Not exactly breaks you’d travel for, but hit Atlantic Beach or the Jax Beach pier and you’ll find enough to keep you occupied if you’re a novice. Though it’s not exactly getting back to nature, we’d be remiss in discussing the outdoors here if we didn’t talk about golf. Ponte Vedra, just south of Jacksonville, is the home of the PGA Tour, and the famous TPC Sawgrass course and its iconic island green.
In the spring, it hosts The Players Championship, which, much like the Kentucky Derby, is really more of a weekend-long party than a sporting event. The tournament, with its miles of local food vendors and beer tents, is a great time even if you don’t know a nine-iron from a steam iron, making this far and away the best time of year to visit.
The city has dozens more courses beyond TPC, too. So even if you can’t score tee time there, you’re never short for options.
Sports are accessible, and downright fun.
Photo: Jamie Lamor Thompson/Shutterstock
The only thing a lot of people know about Jacksonville is that it’s home to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. What few know is that Jags games, in addition to having hot tubs from which to watch the action, are also some of the easiest and most affordable tickets in the NFL. As the only major league team in town, the Jags have a passionate following too, and a trip to TIAA Bank Field will show you a solid cross-section of the city.
But if you happen upon Jacksonville between April and August, you absolutely must make a point to watch the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. That’s a baseball team, in case you were confused. The AA affiliate of the Miami Marlins play at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, a classic brick ballpark where you’re never more than a couple hundred feet from the action. Ticket prices here average about $15, with beers about $5, and the crowds here sometimes top the big league team in Miami.
On Thursdays, the $1 beers at Jumbo Shrimp games make them the social hub of the city, a popular pregame for the younger set before hitting Jax Beach. But also a top spot for affordable family entertainment.
You’ll have access to award-winning food.
Photo: Town Hall Jax/Facebook
James Beard awards and nominations have become the benchmark by which a city’s culinary scene is judged, and unbeknownst to many, Jacksonville has notched multiple nominations, for Orsay and Town Hall. They’re part of the family of restaurants run by Jonathan Insetta, a Jax native who is effectively the driving force behind the city’s dining scene.
His cuisine falls mostly along the New American spectrum, with an emphasis on some Southern specialties like Carolina trout with glazed haricot vert. Painted Hills ribeye with cauliflower and spinach gratin is another classic.
In addition to his Beard-nominated spots, Insetta also runs Black Sheep in the Five Points neighborhood, best known for its rooftop bar and spectacular sunsets. You can also sample his creations at Bellwether downtown, a fast-casual concept with stuff like Korean fried broccoli, confit duck leg, and chicken meatball banh mi.
You’ll rarely have to wait long for a table at any of these spots, and meals can be had for a fraction of what you would pay in larger cities.
Nightlife is flip-flop casual, and painfully affordable.
Photo: Surfer The Bar Jacksonville Beach/Facebook
My favorite anecdote to tell about nightlife in Jacksonville was when I went into a jam-packed bar in Jax Beach on a Saturday night and ordered a drink for myself and my friend. The bartender told me, “Eight dollars.” I told him I wanted to pay for both, and he responded, “I know, that’ll be eight dollars.”
This wasn’t at a seedy neighborhood dive bar, either. This was at Surfer: The Bar, a two-level sweatbox of a nightclub frequented by local college students and young professionals. The crowd is as attractive as it is energized, but has none of the exclusionary, you-can’t-sit-with-us attitude of nightlife you’ll find in other parts of Florida. It shares the Jax Beach spotlight with the aforementioned Hoptinger, which is a little like going to a tailgate at 2:00 AM. And Lynch’s, a sprawling Irish bar with live music and equally cheap drinks.
Jax Beach is the hub, but nightlife isn’t limited to the coastal stretch. Downtown you’ll find a bustling jazz club full of local musicians at Breezy. Harder-core rock fans should hit the 1904 Music Hall. Both sit only a short walk from the historic Florida Theatre, a mid-century Art Deco venue that draws nationwide acts in an intimate space.
Jacksonville might not be the sexiest name in Florida. At least not yet. But if you’re looking for all the elements of a first-rate Florida vacation — pristine beaches, warm weather, great food, and heart-pumping nightlife — you’ll find it, far cheaper and less crowded than in the rest of the state. And that’s exactly why it’s a fantastic place to visit. That, and the friendlier locals, none of whom mind if their hometown stays a little overlooked.
More like this: Surfside, Florida, is a swank, sleepy escape a stone’s throw from Miami
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Best pumpkin patches in the US
Every fall, Americans go pumpkin crazy. We turn them into jack-o-lanterns on Halloween, bake them into pies and toast their seeds, even make arrangements out of the little ones for our Thanksgiving tables. But regardless of whether we’re carving them, cooking them, or using them as decoration, half the fun of pumpkin season is procuring the bright orange gourds. This fall, make your annual trip to the pumpkin patch an all-day event at one of these nine farms from New York to California. You’ll play carnival games, navigate corn mazes, and fill up on all the best fall treats. And you’ll definitely walk away with the best-looking pumpkin on the block.
1. The Great Pumpkin Farm — Clarence, New York
Photo: The Great Pumpkin Farm/Facebook
You get more than pumpkins at this farm in upstate New York, about 20 minutes outside of Buffalo. You get a whole festival. Between September and October, weekends at the farm are a riot of kid-friendly activities like hayrides, corn maze games, comedy and magic shows, pie-eating contests, and amusement rides. Frequent trips to the Pumpkin Palace’s bakery and candy shop, Witches Brew Bar and Cafe, and cider and donuts stand will keep the sugar rush long enough to do it all. Actually pick up a pumpkin while you’re here, and you can source this year’s jack-o-lantern from the first farm to grow a pumpkin over 1,000 pounds, as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records from the 1996 Great Pumpkin Farm Weigh-Off.
Where: 11199 Main St, Clarence, NY 14031
2. Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm — Lockport, Illinois
Photo: Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm/Facebook
Skip breakfast before visiting Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm’s annual pumpkin fest. Expect to be eating all afternoon, whether you’re snacking on fried pickles in line for Mia and Miley’s Mountain Slide, holding an apple cider donut in one hand while doing the Cow Ball Throw with the other, or crushing a funnel cake before riding The Wizzer (probably not a good idea). Other attractions range from paintball at the Scrap Yard Shoot Out and visits with Zack’s Farm animals to panning at the mini-claim Golden Gulch Gem Mine and trips to Farmer Frank’s Haunted Barn. Siegel’s Pumpkin Farm is open seven days a week through October.
Where: 17250 Weber Rd, Lockport, IL 60441
3. Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch — Middletown, Maryland
Photo: Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch/Facebook
An hour west of Baltimore, Jumbo’s features on several lists of the country’s most impressive pumpkin patches. Families love the petting zoo and 20-acre corn maze, as well as the pony and hayrides, corn cannon, and jumping pillows, which look like a cross between a bouncy house and a trampoline. While here, stock up on artisan goods from more than 45 local vendors, as well as decorations and carving kits. Looking for a fun fall party idea? Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch also hosts private events from birthday parties and church group outings to corporate retreats.
Where: 6521 Holter Rd, Middletown, MD 21769
4. Shady Brook Farm — Yardley, Pennsylvania
As part of its larger FallFest, Shady Brook Farm puts on PumpkinFest, where you can hunt for pumpkins, play carnival games, get lost in a straw bale maze, and bounce between inflatable attractions. Later, keep it going at PumpkinFest After Dark, which offers all that plus bonfires and plenty of craft beer and wine. On Saturdays and Sundays around brunch time, there’s a Bloody Mary bar for the adults, as well as live music on Friday nights and weekends. Yardley is only 45 minutes or so from Philly, offering a perfect excuse to get out of the city for the day.
Where: 931 Stony Hill Rd, Yardley, PA 19067
5. Pumpkin Hollow — Piggott, Arkansas
Photo: Daboost/Facebook
Most pumpkin patches close up shop by Halloween. Not Pumpkin Hollow, open until November 2 this year. There are multiple play areas for kids, including a friendly forest and haystack playground, and countless activities: duck racing, mingling with farm animals, and a number of games involving corn stalks to name a few. Friday nights turn things up a notch with a zip line, flashlight maze, zombie paintball, and more while the friendly forest becomes a frightful one. Plan a weekend visit, or return visit, for pony and train rides, plus pig scrambles.
Where: 610 Co Rd 336, Piggott, AR 72454
6. Craven Farm — Snohomish, Washington
Photo: Craven Farm Inc./Facebook
Swing by Craven Farm for a pumpkin or two, and you’ll likely get distracted by human foosball, mini golf, the farm’s new apple cannon, or the 15-acre corn maze (this year’s theme is Alice in Pumpkinland). Don’t leave without perusing the 20-acre pumpkin patch, though, which has more than 30 different types of pumpkins to choose from. On weekends, stay as late as 10:00 PM during Flashlight Nights. Last call to enter the corn maze is 9:00 PM.
Where: 13817 Short School Rd, Snohomish, WA 9829
7. Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch — Orange, California
Irvine Park Railroad is a fun choice for family outings no matter the season, with train rides, paddle boat and bike rentals, pony rides, the Orange County Zoo, and more. During fall, visitors get all that and more at the pumpkin patch setup behind the train station. Activities for the little ones include pint-sized John Deere racers, face painting, pumpkin and cookie decorating, carnival games, and more. The bravest among them will enjoy getting spooked in the haunted house with the older kids, and even the parents will enjoy the hay maze.
Where: 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869
8. Yahoo Farm — Jasper, Georgia
Photo: Yahoo farm/Facebook
Roughly an hour north of Atlanta, Yahoo Farm has all the fall classics: pumpkin wagons, corn cannons, pony rides, and hay and corn mazes and rides that become the Cosmic Corn Maze and Haunted Hayrides on Saturday nights. Visit on a Saturday night and you can also roast marshmallows or pick up a s’mores kit from the concession stand. The next morning, kids under eight can do the Yahoo Farm Pumpkin Hunt and meet the farm’s Pumpkin Bunny. Ask for help when it comes time to pick out the right pumpkin as Yahoo Farm grows a variety, and the staff can help with what’s best for jack-o-lanterns, pies, table settings, etc.
Where: 4729 Waleska Hwy, Jasper, GA 30143
9. Papa’s Pumpkin Patch — Bismarck, North Dakota
Photo: Papa’s Pumpkin Patch and Papa’s Polar Patch/Facebook
This family-friendly, pet-friendly pumpkin patch in Bismarck is one of the best places to bring the entire household during fall, weather permitting. Take it easy on a nature trail or get competitive at the obstacle course. Choose between pony, train, and hayrides or do one of each. Get a front-row seat to the pumpkin cannon or hurdle corn cobs through the sky with a slingshot. Thanks to popular demand, Papa’s Pumpkin Patch has extended its fall festivities to October 20 this year.
Where: 5001 Fernwood Dr, Bismarck, ND 58503
More like this: Pumpkin beer is the most American of all beers. Time to give it some respect.ec
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People tried to steal beer steins
Glasses aren’t the easiest thing to steal, but some people certainly consider them the perfect souvenir — especially during Oktoberfest in Munich. This year, nearly 100,000 people tried to steal beer steins from the festival, according to the German publication The Local.
This may sound like a staggering number, but it’s actually down from last year, when around 101,000 beer steins were confiscated. Of course, stealing is cheaper than purchasing, but those who really want a souvenir do have another option. The official Oktoberfest Stein 2019 is available online for $20, though it’s not exactly the most authentic-looking beer mug.
Interestingly enough, 70,000 of these mugs were produced for sale, and they have yet to sell out, as Mike Pomranz pointed out in Food & Wine. Given that nearly 100,000 people opted to take souvenir shopping into their own hands, this may prove that a glass from the event itself (even procured illegally) is preferred to a mug anyone could order online.
Stein thievery wasn’t the only crime to occur. Other stats given to The Local by local authorities:
Times a beer mug was used as a weapon: 32
Drunk drivers caught: 774, 414 of whom were driving electric scooters
Number of items of clothing lost: 690
Number of smartphones lost: 420
Number of dentures lost: 1
More like this: 10 best Oktoberfest celebrations in the US worth traveling to
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