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Chechnya is a republic in the North Caucasus that forms part of the Russian Federation. Infamous for its agitated past, few know about its stunning mountains, its warm hospitality, and that it has become one of the most modern regions in the Caucasus. This guide will cover everything you need to know about traveling to […]

Chechnya is a republic in the North Caucasus that forms part of the Russian Federation. Infamous for its agitated past, few know about its stunning mountains, its warm hospitality, and that it has become one of the most modern regions in the Caucasus. This guide will cover everything you need to know about traveling to Chechnya, including cultural etiquette, permits, how to get in, where to stay, things to do, and more. Don’t forget to also check our travel tips for Russia. In this Chechnya travel guide, you will find: Table of Contents Chechnya today Cultural Etiquette Visa and permits Tours Getting in Getting around When to visit Where to stay Itinerary More information our recommended travel insurance for Russia With all the current sanctions, IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Russia. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE Chechnya today: what it’s like to travel there Chechens were always a proud and fierce group of people living in the remote mountain areas of today’s South Chechnya, feared by the Tsars who conquered them in the 19th century, as well as by Stalin, and modern Russians. During WWII, Stalin began an ethnic cleansing campaign that consisted of the mass, forced deportations of Chechens into Kazakhstan, and they weren’t allowed to return until 1957, following Stalin’s death. However, their social exclusion continued until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Unlike other Caucasian countries such as Georgia, Armenia or Azerbaijan, Chechnya was unable to become an independent country because it already formed part of the Russian Federation before the Soviet Union was created. This is Grozny, one of the most surprising things to see in Chechnya Decades of being excluded from the rest of Russia – fueled by their strong identity – led to the self-declarion of independence from Russia, resulting in the first Chechen war, from 1994 to 1996. The war ended with Russia’s victory, although they were never able to fully control the ongoing rebellion, hence a second war began from 1999 to 2009. These two wars saw a toll of 250,000 deaths, but after 2009 a peace agreement allowed Chechnya to enter a new era under the rule of a controversial but pragmatic leader named Kadyrov, initially a pro-independence revolutionary but later a close ally to Putin. Kadyrov is the man chosen by Putin to control Chechnya by keeping it free from any separatist movements. In exchange, Chechnya receives big chunks of federal investment and Kadyrov can rule the republic as he sees fit, acting like almost a dictator. This is a very brief summary of today’s Chechnya. Chechnya was practically destroyed during the two wars but it was entirely reconstructed. When you travel there, you’ll realize that from an infrastructure perspective, Chechnya is an advanced region as per regional standards, but Chechens have never lost the strong identity that defines them. Beautiful road in southern Chechnya Cultural Etiquette: what to expect when you travel in Chechnya Chechnya is a surprising destination indeed. Despite being part of the Russian Federation since 1858, this small country is a completely different world from anywhere you might have been in Russia, or any other Caucasus country. First of all, Chechnya is a Muslim country but, unlike in other former Soviet Muslim nations, religion plays a big role in Chechens’ daily lives. Men can’t wear shorts This also translates into strict rules that may affect you as a traveler. For example, wearing shorts in public is strictly forbidden, a rule you will see announced in pretty much any public space, most likely as a warning to all the Russians from Moscow who come for a visit. No alcohol in Chechnya Moreover, Chechnya is a near-dry country with only one or two places in Grozny (top-notch hotels) serving alcohol. This is something I wasn’t expecting to experience in a country like Russia. A homogenous society After visiting Chechnya, I found it easy for me to recognize Chechens in Moscow, not only because of their facial features but also because they all share a particular style. Men trim their beards just like Kadyrov does long beards with no mustache. It was pretty intriguing to walk along the main boulevard in Grozny and notice that pretty much all Chechen men looked like Kadyrov. Most women dress similarly as well. They all wear a long, colourful dress with long trousers underneath, without exception. The vast majority wear a hijab too. Chechnya has managed to keep a very strong identity, which I for one find truly fascinating. Read: How to travel in Yamalia, Russia’s extreme north Visas and permits for Chechnya Can you travel to Chechnya? Yes, you can. Chechnya is part of the Russian Federation, therefore any traveler visiting Chechnya will need a Russian visa. For more information, check the visa section of our travel guide to Russia. Permits for visiting Chechnya Do you need any special permit to travel around Chechnya? No, you don’t, not even in the areas near the border with Georgia. However, remember that you do need a permit to visit South Ingushetia – travelers tend to cover both republics in one trip. By the way, Ingushetia is a different republic from Chechnya, but Ingushetians are ethnically and culturally the same as Chechens. They were simply split into 2 different republics in an attempt to divide their society. You need a permit to visit the border areas, and you’ll also require the help of a local guide and tour operator. It takes one full month for the permit to be issued so if you’re interested in visiting that part of North Caucasus, plan accordingly. Tours of Chechnya Traveling around Chechnya and North Caucasus requires complicated logistics, not only in terms of transportation but also because a knowledgeable local guide will always come in handy. At Against the Compass, we offer one expedition that combines not only Chechnya but also Ingushetia, Dagestan and North Ossetia. The next tours are scheduled on: April 22nd to 29th, 2025 – APPLY NOW How to get into Chechnya How to travel to Chechnya by plane Grozny – the capital of Chechnya – has an international airport (GRV). To be honest, it’s a very small airport with few international flights, but there are some flights from Istanbul, Jeddah and Dubai. However, Grozny has several daily connections with Moscow. Alternatively, you can also fly to the nearby airports of Makhachkala (Dagestan) and Vladikavkaz (North Ossetia). For more information on how to book flights, read the Getting in section of our travel tips for Russia. How to travel to Chechnya by train Grozny has a train station with direct trains from Moscow and many other cities in Russia. Keep in mind however, that the journey from Moscow to Grozny takes more than 1 day. I personally entered Russia from West Kazakhstan into Astrakhan, from where I took a night train to Makhachkala. From Makhachkala, I entered Chechnya by car through the mountains, but there’s a train connecting both cities as well. For more information on how to book trains, read the Getting in section of our travel tips for Russia. How to get around Chechnya Chechnya isn’t great in terms of public transportation. I mean, you can easily get to Grozny by train and travel between the different towns and cities by minibus, but it’s very difficult to visit the southern part of the republic, since that’s a barely populated area of the Caucasus. Hitchhiking, however, should be easy, and it’s something the local people do all the time. It can be quite an adventure too, time allowing. A 4WD is also necessary to visit the remotest and most stunning parts of Chechnya. Road you will have to travel in South Chechnya Best time to visit Chechnya Generally speaking, the best time to visit Chechnya is from June to September. That’s the best season to visit the mountains as well as for trekking. However, since Grozny is located in the lowlands, it can get overwhelmingly hot in the summer months, and the same goes for pretty much any other city in North Caucasus. Honestly, if you aren’t planning to do any particular hikes, I’d say that April-May and October-November are the two best times to visit Chechnya, since the weather in the cities will be pleasant. Where to stay in Chechnya Where to stay in Grozny Grozny has plenty of hotels. I personally stayed at Central City Hotel Grozny, a newly built, small hotel located in the center. If you want something a bit fancier, check out Grozny City Hotel, located in one of the tallest buildings in Chechnya. Where to stay in other parts of Chechnya In South Chechnya, near Itum-Kale, you can stay at Edelweiss Hotel, which is very close to the Tusheti region of Georgia. I also stayed at Kezenoy, a mountain lake in east Chechnya. While it’s true that the lake is nothing spectacular, you’re likely to stop off here on your way from Dagestan. There’s a government-run hotel called Kezenoy-Am Hotel. Remember that you can book your accommodation in Ostrovok. Check the Accommodation section of our Russia guide. Itinerary: Things to do in Chechnya in 3 days Map of the things to do in Grozny Day 1 – Grozny, the capital of Chechnya When it comes to cities in the North Caucasus, Grozny is my favorite, but only because it’s something you would never expect, not only because of its unique identity but also because some areas are more like Dubai than to anywhere else in Russia. Besides strolling around the city center and along the main boulevard, where Chechens all hang out, I recommend taking a Yandex to Argun, the most newly reconstructed area in probably all of the Caucasus. Overnight in Chechnya. Grozny’s most visited mosque, one of the best places to visit in Chechnya Day 2 – Galanchozh, Tsoy Pede and Veduchi This was my favorite part in the whole of Chechnya, home to utterly jaw-dropping landscapes. You will need a 4WD, however, since the roads here are really rough. It’s actually possible to reach Veduchi – the final destination – with a normal car, but then you’ll be missing the highlights found on the road that runs parallel to the Republic of Ingushetia. Please, check the above map for reference. At the end of the mountain road, you will come to Tsoy Pede, a Caucasus necropolis built in the 13th century, consisting of several crypts built on the top of a hill, and where you can still see human remains. Next, I recommend heading to Veduchi, where you can stay at a decent hotel named Edelweiss. Day 3 – Sharoi, Kezenoy-am and Khoi From Veduchi, you can travel from valley to valley along a pretty insane mountain road that will take you directly to Sharoi, a newly reconstructed Chechen mountain village that has today been turned into an open-air museum. To be honest, I am not a big fan of these modern, soulless reconstructed places but I must admit it’s actually impressive to see. Mountains in South Chechnya From Sharoi, you can also travel to the next valley along another amazing mountain road that will take you to Kezenoy, a mountain lake and popular tourist spot for Chechens. I don’t think the lake is particularly pretty, but it’s a cool place where you can see locals hanging out and spending their day over a barbecue. In Kezenoy, you can stay in the government-run hotel called Kezenoy-Am Hotel. The following day, I recommend continuing onwards on your journey to Dagestan. More information: In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. All guides and articles for traveling in Russia destination How to visit Nenets Russia Travel Guide More content on the Caucasus Georgia Travel Guide Azerbaijan Travel Guide Azerbaijan Itinerary Reasons to Visit Azerbaijan Qobustan Petroglyphs and Sovietism Baku Travel Guide Best Hostels in Baku Tbilisi Travel Guide Travel Guide to Kakheti Best Books on Georgia Trekking Guide to Georgia Georgia Itinerary Travel Guide to Kazbegi

Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world and the most modern of all the ‘stans’. Yet very little is known about this fascinating country. Following more than a few visits there, I compiled this guide with all the relevant travel tips for Kazakhstan, from visas to how to get in, money, and everything […]

Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world and the most modern of all the ‘stans’. Yet very little is known about this fascinating country. Following more than a few visits there, I compiled this guide with all the relevant travel tips for Kazakhstan, from visas to how to get in, money, and everything needed to plan your trip. For places to visit, don’t forget to check our Kazakhstan Itinerary In this Kazakhstan travel blog you will find: Table of Contents Intro Visa Travel insurance Internet Money Top Experience Getting in The country, people and their culture Transportation Accommodation Food and Drinks More resources our recommended travel insurance for Kazakhstan With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Kazakhstan. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE Introduction: what it’s like to travel in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan is, by far, one of the strangest countries I have ever been to, along with Haiti and Eritrea. On the one hand, it is a surprisingly developed country, home to the most Westernized city in Central Asia – Almaty, whose inhabitants are very European-minded – as well as some striking mountains. This is the Aral Sea in Kazakhstan On the other hand, this gas-rich, barely populated country is also the 9th largest in the world and is home to some of the bizarrest places on Earth, such as an old nuclear testing town, a dried-up sea, the Russian Cosmodrome, and an extremely vast steppe with the occasional hairy 2-humped camel. Kazakhstan has two faces, and for this reason, it can find a place in everybody’s heart, both the traveler who likes to explore a cosmopolitan city and beautiful mountains, and the avid backpacker who likes to delve deep into obscure places off the beaten track. After traveling through Kazakhstan for a month, I have compiled this guide with all the travel tips you need to know. This is Kolsai Lake in Kazakhstan – Photo from Journal of Nomads Visa requirements for travel to Kazakhstan Citizens from the following countries can get a free visa on arrival (VOA) in Kazakhstan. All EU and Schengen countries, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam This is valid for any entry point, both international airports and land borders, and all you get is a friendly stamp. Registering in Kazakhstan In the past, registering your stay with the local authorities was mandatory, but since 2020, it’s no longer a requirement. Travel Insurance for Kazakhstan Kazakhstan is an adventurous destination, so we recommend going there with proper travel insurance. I recommend IATI Insurance because: Their backpacker plan covers all types of adventure activities, including trekking Very competitive prices Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount BUY IT HERE TO GET YOUR 5% DISCOUNT Internet and connectivity when you travel in Kazakhstan How is the Wi-Fi in Kazakhstan? Wi-Fi mostly works fine throughout the country. It’s not the best Wi-Fi in the world but I managed to work online without major issues. Can I get a SIM Card for Kazakhstan? Yes, you can get a SIM Card on arrival at the airport or at any official mobile shop. Data plans are really cheap. I strongly recommend doing so because having a local number is a must to use local taxi apps such as Yandex. eSIM for browsing, calling and traveling in Kazakhstan An eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical SIM card, with the added benefit being that you can buy it at home before the beginning of your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it at your destination. I recommend Airalo. Get a VPN for traveling in Kazakhstan You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks. Your connection will be much safer, plus you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Kazakhstan. I recommend ExpressVPN – extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. CLICK HERE TO GET ExpressVPN If you want to learn more about VPNs, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling. Budget and money when you travel in Kazakhstan In Kazakhstan, they use the Kazakh Tenge, and approximately 1 USD = 480 KZT Can I pay by card in Kazakhstan? Yes, absolutely. Today, you can pay by card virtually everywhere throughout the country. The only place where card payments might not be accepted is the café on trains, so do bring cash for your long train journeys across Kazakhstan. Also, carry some spare cash when you’re visiting smaller villages or traveling by marshrutka instead of train. Can I use an ATM? Yes, you will find many ATMs in all towns and cities, most of them accepting foreign cards. Where can I exchange foreign currency? You can easily exchange Euros or American Dollars in many banks and offices across the country. Keep in mind that, except for Russian Rubles, Kazakhstanis aren’t huge fans of their neighbors’ currency. Kyrgyz Som should be fine, but I was never able to exchange the Uzbek Som I had left. How much does it cost to travel in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan is the most expensive of all Stans, including Pakistan and Afghanistan. Below are the prices of the most typical expenses: Dorms – 3,000 to 6,000 KZT Single room in a mid range hotel in Almaty – from 19,000 KZT Meals in local restaurant – 3,000 KZT Meals in nicer restaurant – Mains from 4,000KZT Trains – Aktau to Aralsk, 20 hours, 1,400km, 2nd class (19,000KZT) Top 4 experiences in Kazakhstan Travel in a Soviet train across the steppe Epic multi-day journeys through remote Kazakh lands. Read our train guide for Kazakhstan. Kazakh steppe from the train Discover the gorgeous mountains of southeastern Kazakhstan Unbelievable scenery very close to Almaty. Lake Kandy (The Sunken forest) – Photo from Journal of Nomads Visit the Aral Sea The worst environmental disaster caused by man. Visit a Nuclear Test Site Semipalatinsk is the first place on Earth where an atomic bomb was tested. Semipalatinsk testing site Read our Semey travel guide for more information. How to get to to Kazakhstan How to travel to Kazakhstan by plane Kazakhstan has several international airports, the best known being Almaty International Airport (ALA). Check out flights with Pegasus, Turkish Airlines or Qatar Airways. You can also fly into Astana (NQZ), Shymkent (CIT) and Aktau (SCO). How to travel to Kazakhstan by land border Kazakhstan shares a border with 5 countries. Pretty much all borders are open. Russia: Most borders with Russia are open. I crossed the border near Astrakhan in 2024 by train. Easy to cross. Check our Russia travel guide for more info. Turkmenistan: Open, as long as you have a valid visa for travel in Turkmenistan. Uzbekistan: Pretty much all borders are open, some can be crossed by train. I crossed by train at Beyneu. Kyrgyzstan: Busy crossing but no train, only car or marshrutka. China: Open as long as you have a valid visa for China. Remember that contrary to what some travelers believe, Kazakhstan doesn’t share a border with Mongolia. It looks like they do, but zoom in and you’ll see there’s a tiny bit of Russia in between. This is the border between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan How to travel to Kazakhstan by boat Long-term overlanders like to catch the ferry from Baku to Aktau, which takes 24 hours. I’ve never taken it but my friends over at Journal of Nomads did. Check their report here. Read: Kazakhstan 1-month itinerary The country, people and their culture Kazakhstan is an ex-Soviet republic that got its independence from Russia in 1991. It is, however, the country with the largest Russian influence in Central Asia – to the extent that Russian is generally more widely spoken than Kazakh itself. ‘We like Russia because she takes cares of us’, a Kazakh friend of mine said. Kazakhstan is the only Stan that borders Russia, so it’s not surprise that its presence and influence is highly visible. Friendly Kazakhs Kazakhstan today Kazakhstan is the most modern and developed country in Central Asia, something that can be explained by its abundance of natural resources, such as oil and gas. The Government has also been investing a lot in terms of education, one of their most successful policies being the opportunity of awarding loads of scholarships to students to study abroad at major universities worldwide, the only condition being that they must come back and work in Kazakhstan after X number of years. This has led to a highly educated work-force for Kazakhstan. Furthermore, Almaty is a seriously modern city by European standards. In fact, I think Almaty is the most European city in all of Asia. Astana is very modern too but it’s one of those brand-new cities with absolutely no soul, more similar to Dubai and Almaty itself. Modern Astana Kazakhstani people Kazakhstanis are descended from Turkic and Mongolian tribes. Although very ethnically mixed, most of them have strong Mongolian features. The Kazakhs used to be a nomadic nation that moved across the steppe and their biggest contribution to the Silk Road trade were animal-related products like fur. However, unlike in Mongolia and neighboring Kazakhstan, nomadic life has pretty much disappeared not only due to the country’s development but also because under the Soviet Union, many Kazakhs were forced to become sedentary and focus on the plantation of wheat. a friendly Kazakh woman in the mountains near Shymkent Language in Kazakhstan Kazakh, a Turkic language, is the official language in Kazakhstan, along with Russian. Russian however, is the main language used in Almaty. Well-educated young people from Almaty and Astana can speak English, but other than that, do try to learn some Russian words if you decide to visit Kazakhstan. Google translate and Google Lens have made our life much easier but still, I recommend learning some Russian words, as well as the alphabet. Religion in Kazakhstan Officially, Kazakhstanis are Muslim, although religion doesn’t play any significant role in Kazakhstan. This is not only because they used to be part of the USSR but also because religion has never seeped into nomadic societies. Still, you are likely to see a few mosques with a handful of worshipers; generally though, Kazakhs are atheist, even though Saudi Arabia is ploughing millions into trying to reverse that. Turkestan mosque Transportation: how to get around in Kazakhstan Traveling in Kazakhstan by train A multi-day train journeys over the Kazakh steppe is an experience by itself and so much fun! Check timings and train schedules at tickets.kz. For more information, I’ve put together a train guide to Kazakhstan. Traveling by marshrutka and shared taxi In the more remote areas where trains don’t go, the locals get around by either shared taxi or marshrutka, which is like a minibus. Traveling around Kazakhstan by plane Domestic flights are inexpensive and a great way to cut distances short in Kazakhstan. Check Fly Arystan. Using city taxis in Kazkahstan To avoid any hassles, I recommend you download Yandex, which is like the Russian Uber. Remember that you will need a local number to use Yandex. Accommodation: where to stay in Kazakhstan From backpacking hostels to 5-star hotels, accommodation in Kazakhstan is a no-brainer. You can find all sorts of accommodation to suit all budgets. Check on Booking.com In my Kazakhstan itinerary, you can find a variety of accommodation options in each city I visited. Epic train journeys, always the most unexpected stuff Food and alcohol when you visit Kazakhstan In large towns and cities, there are all sorts of food available, but when it comes to the local cuisine, this is very similar to other countries in Central Asia. The first time I visited Kazakhstan, it was my last stop after a trip across the region spanning several months, so I’m a bit biased when it comes to judging Kazakh food, since I was already bored of it before even stepping foot into the country. When it comes to local dishes, pelmeni (dumpling soup) would be the most common option, as is lagman (noodle soup with horribly chewy and fatty beef). Horse meat in Kazakhstan Although you can find horse meat in many countries around the world, nowhere else does it like Kazakhstan, where horse meat is the base of many of their dishes, which is why you’ll see farms all around the country. I actually visited a horse-farm in Zhabagly, a mountain village around Shymkent. They kept hundreds of horses and told me that, when the horse gets to a certain age, they decide whether to keep it as a work horse or send it to the butchery. Horse farm in Kazakhstan The most unique horse-based dish they have is beshbarmak, a national dish which consists of pasta layers, vegetables, and the star-ingredient being horse meat, all served in a huge flat dish with a bit of broth. Usually, it is a sharing dish, so the few restaurants that serve it require a minimum order of a couple of people. Kazakhs reserve beshbarmak for special occasions. Beshbarmak, the national dish More resources for traveling to Kazakhstan In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. All guides and articles for traveling in Kazakhstan destination Travel Guide to Astana Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan border crossing Train Guide in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Itinerary How to visit Semipalatinsk Test Site Travel guides to other countries in Central Asia Tajikistan Travel Guide Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide Travel Guide to Uzbekistan Pakistan Travel Guide Afghanistan Travel Guide

The Nenets are an ethnic group indigenous to Arctic Russia, a group of nomads and reindeer herders living in the extreme north of Siberia, in one of the most challenging environments in the world. Despite living in one of the most isolated places on Earth, today it’s possible to meet Nenets, while staying in their […]

The Nenets are an ethnic group indigenous to Arctic Russia, a group of nomads and reindeer herders living in the extreme north of Siberia, in one of the most challenging environments in the world. Despite living in one of the most isolated places on Earth, today it’s possible to meet Nenets, while staying in their camps. This is the rawest and most authentic experience you will ever have. This guide will explain everything you need to know to visit the Nenets in Russia’s extreme north. Remember that we have scheduled Nenets Expeditions on the following dates: April 12th to 18th, 2025 – APPLY NOW September 16th to 22nd, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 16th to 22nd, 2025 – APPLY NOW For practical information, check our Russia Travel Tips In this travel guide to Yamal, you will find: Table of Contents Intro Location Getting in Traveling around When to visit Where to stay Itinerary Practical tips More information our recommended travel insurance for Russia With all the current sanctions, IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Russia. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE Introduction to cohabiting with the Nenets Since 2014, I have been traveling to some of the remotest areas in the world. From riding on top of an iron ore train across the Sahara to having the whole of Djenné all to myself in Mali, or reaching the Minaret of Jam by public transportation in Afghanistan; I have experienced endless raw adventures, for which I consider myself very fortunate. However, the few days I spent cohabiting with the Nenets in far-north Russia was a whole other level. Just imagine a group of people living in what is perhaps the least known and remotest region in the world: Arctic Russia. This part of Arctic Russia (Yamalia, north Siberia) is not only extremely freezing, it’s also massively isolated, there aren’t any roads, and there’s absolutely nothing but endless frozen tundra. Still, Nenets choose to live there out of a tent and with a few hundred reindeer: that’s all they have. The Arctic tundra is the Nenets’ actual home, where they live and keep moving 365 days a year under the most extreme weather conditions, surviving on reindeer blood, meat and little else. Living together with the Nenets is an extremely rough experience, the reason being that their life is really harsh but that’s precisely the point: to experience what it’s like to live in the Arctic tundra of Siberia. Trust me, nothing can get as raw as this. A Nenet drinking blood from a recently killed reindeer Location: where are the Nenets? Tundra Nenets live in the northern part of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, an autonomous region that forms part of Tyumen Oblast. It’s important to keep in mind that not all Nenets choose to have a nomadic style. Some of them live in towns and villages within Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, and have ordinary jobs. They work in banks, supermarkets and the public sector. However, thousands of Nenets are still living a 100% nomadic style, migrating across the tundra that borders the Kara Sea every 2-3 days, 365 days a year. The vast Arctic tundra, where Nenets live You can find the approximate location of Tundra Nenets in the map below. How to get to Yamalia The main transportation hub in Yamalia is a small city named Salekhard, the administrative center of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. How to get to Salekhard by plane There are daily 3-hour flights from Moscow to Salekhard with Yamal Airlines. You can also find direct flights from Saint Petersburg, Kazan and Ekaterinburg. Please remember that due to the current sanctions, it’s not possible to book flights using a foreign bank card directly from the airline’s website. Use Aviasales instead. For more information, refer to the transportation section of our travel guide. How to get to Yamalia by train Salekhard doesn’t have a train station but alternatively, you can take a train to Labytnangui, a small town less than 20km from Salekhard, located just across the Obi River by ferry. From Moscow, there are direct trains to Labytnangui, but keep in mind that it’s a 48-hour train journey, kind of cool for those with plenty of time, but do plan accordingly. Check train schedules on Tutu Travel. How to get around Yamalia and reach the Nenets’ camps Nenets live spread across the vast tundra. What is more, they also keep moving all year long, plus you can only be sure of where they are if you’re able to get in contact with them on a satellite phone. Therefore, it’s plainly obvious that there isn’t any public transportation to take you there. To make things even more complicated, regular 4WDs can’t drive across the tundra, only TREKOLs, a Russian-manufactured vehicle designed for that specific terrain. This makes traveling to Yamal particularly complicated and expensive. Best time to visit Nenets Here’s how to visit Tundra Nenets, season by season. Meeting Nenets in winter: December to mid-March From December to March, tundra nomads live in the harshest of all conditions. They live in north Siberia, where winter temperatures never exceed more than -25ºC, dropping to -50ºC at night. Can you still visit Nenets in winter? Yes, you can, they will be happy to accommodate you and you won’t be the first traveler to stay in their tent, but you will certainly suffer. A local Nenet in deep winter Meeting Nenets during ‘mild’ winter: mid-March to May and mid-October to November During the shoulder season, the tundra is covered in snow but temperatures rarely drop below -25ºC. If you want to experience white tundra landscapes without suffering too much, this is the best season. Remember that we have 2 tours on the following dates: April 12th to 18th, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 16th to 22nd, 2025 – APPLY NOW Meeting Nenets in summer: June to September While summer might seem an ideal season to visit the Arctic tundra due to higher temperatures, June to August is the worst time to travel in Yamalia, for 2 reasons: The tundra is plagued with mosquitos The level of the river is too high to cross it in the tundra vehicles On the other hand, September should be fine. While the weather in September is not as good as in July and August, you don’t have problems with mosquitos, and the river level is just right. Remember that we have the following tour in September: September 16th to 22nd, 2025 – APPLY NOW A Nenet trying to catch their reindeer Accommodation when visiting the Nenets Nenets live in a traditional tent called chum, a pyramid-shaped tent made of reindeer skin with very basic amenities. This is what a chum looks like A chum has to be basic because they set them up and take them down every few days, all year round. Chums are big enough to accommodate up to 10 people, including the family of Nenets, and you’ll be sleeping with them and 4 other travelers. That’s for accommodation in the tundra. In Salekhard, Yamalia’s main town, there are several hotels, and we recommend a 3-star hotel called Hotel 89. Nenets setting up a chum Yamalia Itinerary: things to do when visiting the Nenets Here’s our suggested itinerary for visiting the Nenets and the region. Remember that this is the itinerary we follow on all our Nenets expeditions. Our upcoming dates: April 12th to 18th, 2025 – APPLY NOW September 16th to 22nd, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 16th to 22nd, 2025 – APPLY NOW Day 1 – Arrival in Salekhard and transfer to Yamal Peninsula Flights from Moscow to Salekhard arrive at 8 am, which is the perfect time to start your journey into the tundra. Alternatively, there’s a second flight arriving at 4 pm, but you will have to spend the night in Salekhard. We recommend Hotel 89, sometimes also listed as Parallel Hotel. The journey from Salekhard to Nenets’ campsite takes 8 – 12 hours, depending on their present location. The campsite you will arrive on day 1. Day 2, 3 and 4 – Living with the Nenets Three full days is the amount of time I recommend spending with the Nenets. It’s important to remember that cohabiting with Nenets is more about observing their daily life, focusing on high-quality photography, and helping them with their daily chores, rather than having a full day packed with activities. Nenet’s daily chores However, you can still do plenty of activities, which typically include: Fishing: especially ice-fishing during the colder months. Witnessing migration: This is a full day event that implies packing the sleds with all their stuff, and moving to their next location. Nenets preparing for migration Reindeer gathering: Nenets use their reindeer for many different things, so they need to gather them all together almost every day no mean feat, for which they need 3 to 4 hours at least. Nenet gathering her reindeer Reindeer slaughtering: This isn’t for everyone but it’s certainly something to experience. After killing the chosen reindeer, they drink its blood while still warm, and eat some of the organs raw. The meat is consumed over the following days and/or weeks. Once they run out of meat, they start over with the process. This is part of the ritual: Nomad games: Nenets play their own games/sports and, if you are staying with them for long enough, you are likely to see a demonstration. All their games are related to strength and lasso skills. Day 5 – Transfer to Salekhard We recommend departing no later than 8 am, since there will be a long journey ahead of you, a 12-hour drive. After almost 5 days of no shower, being back in Salekhard feels absolutely great, and these are the restaurants I recommend: Okhota: traditional food from the region Khmel’ I Sol’: local brewery with German dishes, burgers, etc. Il Gusto: western-like food, a bit fancy. Day 6 – Visit Salekhard Salekhard is a small town but there are quite a few interesting things to do, the most interesting being Yamal National Museum. Recently renovated, I was very impressed by the quality of that museum. They even feature 2 small mammoths rescued from the permafrost, so you can still appreciate their skin. Salekhard also has its Lenin Square, a local market selling typical regional products, and two souvenir shops. The streets of Salekhard Day 7 – Departure The flight from Salekhard to Moscow departs at 9:30 am More practical information for visiting the Nenets For all the information related to visas, money, getting a SIM card, etc., please check our travel guide to Russia Packing list It’s important to bring suitable gear and clothes for the frozen tundra. This is our recommended packing list for visiting the Nenets. Wet wipes Hand sanitizer Headlamp Power bank and/or spare batteries Personal toiletries Towel Thermo Inflatable camping mattress Personal medical kit Sunscreen For April and November tours, the temperature can easily drop to -25ºC, even -30º. The temperature inside your chum in the middle of the night – without the fire on – will be around -10ºC. We recommend: Extra warm jacket Windbreaker Sleeping bag (-10ºC) Extra warm gloves Winter hat Thermal T-shirt and pants Thermal socks Extra layers of warm clothes (having lots of layers is the best protection against freezing temperatures) For the September tour, the temperature will drop to -8ºC max. You will need the same type of clothes, but perhaps not as many layers and a slightly lighter sleeping bag (-5ºC). What’s the food like? Reindeer meat, usually accompanied with soup, pasta or rice. Before heading into the tundra, we recommend stopping at the supermarket to buy extra snacks. What about vegetarians? Nenets can cook plain rice and pasta but I recommend bringing your own snacks, such as instant noodles, for example. Internet and connectivity There’s no connection in the tundra, you’ll be completely offline for your entire stay. Can I charge my devices when we’re in the tundra? The Nenets have a generator which they can switch on at night. This can be used for emergencies, but I still recommend bringing a power bank and spare batteries. More helpful information to visit Russia In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. All guides and articles for traveling in Russia destination Russia Travel Guide

It’s incredible to see how quickly things have changed when traveling in Russia. From booking accommodation to accessing the internet or just getting into the country, traveling to Russia is very different from what it used to be like pre-2022. Russia is a massive country, not only in terms of land, but also in its […]

It’s incredible to see how quickly things have changed when traveling in Russia. From booking accommodation to accessing the internet or just getting into the country, traveling to Russia is very different from what it used to be like pre-2022. Russia is a massive country, not only in terms of land, but also in its diversity and complexity. It would be impossible to write down a compelling travel guide in just 3500 words. However, rather than serving as the ultimate guide to traveling across each region, this Russia travel blog contains all the relevant updated info and recent changes that will help plan your trip to Russia, including how to look for hotels, how to get your visa, how to book domestic flights, and much more. Read: Belarus travel guide In this travel guide to Russia you will find: Table of Contents Russia today Visa Insurance Is it safe? Getting into Money Best time to visit How to get around Accommodation Internet People, Culture, Language Food and drinks More information our recommended travel insurance for Russia With all the current sanctions, IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Russia. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE What it’s like to travel to Russia today Can I visit Russia as a tourist? Until 2022, Russia was a popular destination for travelers, and nobody was ever criticized for traveling there. Moscow International Airport had connections with pretty much everywhere in the West, embassies across Europe were always packed with travelers trying to secure their visas, and the main language heard in the Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg was definitely English. But today, Western foreigners are a rarity across Russia. You can still see Asian tourists (mainly groups from China, Malaysia and Iran) in Moscow’s Red Square but the total number of Western tourists I saw after 1 month of traveling across Russia was zero, not a single one. This made things particularly interesting, especially when meeting English-speaking Russians, who always had plenty of questions on my country’s opinion of Russia. Red Square in Moscow, the most touristic place in all Russia What do Russians think about the Ukraine war? The conflict with Ukraine was on the top of my mind but engaging in local politics with Russian people wasn’t really my objective, since I had traveled to Russia to learn about the country and its cultural diversity. Obviously, I did speak about the current conflict with a few Russians, but the only thing I’ll say is that most people around the world dislike war. From Syria to Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, I’ve always been criticised when traveling to certain countries with controversial regimes, and Russia was no exception. In fact, I don’t think there is any other country in the world which inspires as much rejection as Russia these days. It’s important to remember that we are travelers, not activists, and that local people can never be blamed for their Government’s actions, whatever those actions might be. Photo taken in rural Russia. Seriously, do you think these people like Ukraine war How to get a visa for Russia Can you travel to Russia? Surprisingly, getting a tourist visa for Russia is much easier than it used to be before the war with Ukraine. In fact, Russian authorities recently introduced the option of applying for an e-visa for visits no longer than 16 days. Also, most embassies and consulates around the world no longer require an appointment, probably because they aren’t as busy as they used to be. Here’s what you need to know about how to apply for a Russian tourist visa. How to apply for an e-visa for Russia For single-entry visits of up to 16 days, you can apply for a Russian e-visa. This is the electronic visa portal. Which countries are eligible for a Russian e-visa? All EU and Schengen countries, as well as Bahrain, Cambodia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, North Macedonia, Oman, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey and Vietnam. How long does it take to get approval? Around 4 calendar days. How much does the Russian e-visa cost? It costs 52 US dollars. What’s the e-visa validity? Once your visa is issued, you have 60 days to enter Russia. Once you get in, your stay can’t exceed 16 days. Can I use the e-visa at any entry point? You can enter Russia via any international airport but with the e-visa, land border crossings are limited. The electronic portal lists all valid entry points. How to get a Russian visa via the embassy When should you get an ordinary visa instead of an e-visa? You plan to travel in Russia for more than 16 days You need to get a multi-entry visa Your country is not on the list of countries eligible for an e-visa. This includes the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. Visa requirements for Russia Russia travel tip: I can’t speak for all Russian embassies and consulates, but I do have recent experience of getting one at the Consulate of Barcelona and, from what I heard, all offer a similar experience. Just check your nearest embassy’s website for specific requirements. Russian visa typical requirements: Passport 2 passport photos Valid travel insurance for traveling in Russia. Get yours at this link. Letter of Invitation (you should get this from a local tour operator) How much does the visa for Russia cost? Price varies from embassy to embassy but at the Russian Consulate of Barcelona: Single entry non-urgent visa: €120 Single entry urgent visa: €195 Multi-entry non-urgent visa: €250 Very expensive! How long does approval take? In my case, a non-urgent visa took around 2 weeks, while an urgent one takes 2-3 days. My visa for Russia Travel Insurance for Russia Due to current sanctions, most travel insurance companies don’t cover for travel in Russia, except for IATI. I recommend it because: Only travel insurance company that covers Russia They have different plans for all budgets Covers senior citizens too Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount BUY IT HERE TO GET YOUR DISCOUNT Is it safe to travel to Russia? Many people believe that due to the war with Ukraine, Russia has become an unsafe country. In fact, if we look at the FCDO advice, the largest country in the world is today considered one giant red zone, meaning that even places like Vladivostok, which are nearly 10,000km from Ukraine, are also unsafe for travel due to the Ukraine war. Russia travel advice according to the FCDO They also talk about arbitrary detentions and a lack of available flights to return to Europe. It’s more than obvious that the different foreign ministries don’t want their citizens traveling to Russia, but I’d also like to give my perspective based on my last visit. Is Russia safe to visit given the war with Ukraine? As of today, the war with Ukraine is mainly limited to the border areas, up to the region of Kursk. Outside of those areas, life in Russia is completely normal, just as usual, and the reason is that Russia is just too big for other parts to be affected by it, from a security perspective. What about the long-distance missiles that hit Moscow? In September 2024, Ukraine launched a bunch of long-distance missiles that hit some buildings in the suburbs of Moscow, which resulted in the death of one civilian. Although I’ve never said that the rest of Russia was 100% safe, but I do want to mention that I was in Moscow when that incident happened, and I only found out about it from the Spanish news. The authorities closed the airport for a few hours but other than that, life went on as always. You also need to remember that there are more than 13 million people living in Moscow. No country in the world is free of risk, so it’s up to each traveler to assess how much risk they choose to be exposed to when traveling to a certain region or country. Are arbitrary detentions a risk in Russia? Arbitrary detentions don’t affect foreign tourists traveling on a valid tourist visa who stick to tourist sites and don’t get involved in politics. Lack of flights You can’t fly out direct to Europe, but you can fly to Baku, Dubai, Istanbul, Cairo and many other places around the world. Lenin square in Makhachkala. When traveling in Russia, you will see that even the smallest town has a Lenin square How to get in Russia How to fly to Russia Because of the sanctions, there are no flights operating between Russia and any Western countries, but you can still fly from many cities around the Middle East and Central Asia. The most popular connections for flying to Russia are: Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) Dubai (Emirates and FlyDubai) But you can also travel to Russia from: Sharjah (Air Arabia) Abu Dhabi (Etihad) Dushanbe (Somon Air) Teheran (Mahan Air) Amman (Jordan Aviation) Tashkent (Uzbekistan Airways) Baku (Azerbaijan Airlines) Cairo (Egypt Air) Can you fly to Russiawith Aeroflot, Ural Airlines, S7 or any other Russian airline? Yes, you can. These airlines have connections with all the previously mentioned cities. However, because of the sanctions, you can’t book flights through their website using a foreign card, although it can be done through Aviasales.com, a search engine for flights that allows international card payments. How to travel to Russia by land border Russia has endless border crossings with 14 different countries, so it’s impossible to provide up-to-date information on each and every one of them. However, we can give you a rough idea of what the situation is like in each of the countries that borders Russia: Norway: The border is open and, due its remoteness, it doesn’t present many issues. Finland: The border is closed. Estonia: The border is open but reports suggest it can take over 12 hours to cross. Latvia: The border is open but reports suggest it can take over 12 hours to cross. Lithuania: It borders with the enclave of Kaliningrad. Easy to cross, no more than 2 hours. Poland: It borders with the enclave of Kaliningrad. Easy to cross, no more than 2 hours. Belarus: As a foreigner, you can’t cross this border because there aren’t any immigration authorities, since Russians and Belorussians are allowed to cross it freely. Ukraine: We don’t recommend using this border. Georgia: The border is fully operational, and no issues have been reported. Azerbaijan: The border is closed. Kazakhstan: The longest border in the world. Most entry points are fully functional and don’t present any major issues. China: They share a border but there isn’t an actual entry point. Mongolia: Borders are fully operational. North Korea: On the e-visa portal, I was surprised to read that the electronic visa is valid for entering from North Korea by train at Khasan. If you happen to be in North Korea, perhaps you could be the first traveler to ever exit through Russia. Do you get a lot of questions when entering Russia? It’s hard to say, I guess it depends on your entry point. If you’re entering from Europe (Estonia, for example), you’ll certainly get a lot of questions, plus the whole immigration process is very slow. If entering via Moscow International Airport, the chances of being questioned are also high, as travel reports suggest. Nevertheless, be aware that all this questioning is mere procedure, and that nobody I know has been denied their entry into Russia, as long as they were traveling on a valid tourist visa. I personally entered from Kazakhstan by train. I did get asked a few questions but they were mostly about the 2 visas for Afghanistan stamped on my passport, no big deal. They also made me fill in and sign a form with Ukraine-related questions, just to make sure that you had no interest in getting involved in their politics. Money and budget in Russia In Russia, they use the Russian Ruble and approximately: 1 USD = 90 RUB Since the start of the war in Ukraine, there’s been a massive inflation and currency fluctuation, but they’ve managed to stabilise it. Can you use foreign bank cards when backpacking in Russia? No, absolutely not. Because of the sanctions, international credit and debit cards can’t be used anywhere in Russia. Where can you exchange money? You can exchange your foreign currency at pretty much any bank, easy. How much does it cost to travel in Russia? Overall, Russia is cheap as per European standards but it really depends on what you do. Budget backpackers will be happy to hear that all towns and cities in Russia have an abundance of budget hostels, and that meals are inexpensive. Long distance trains aren’t super cheap, but you can cover a lot of terrain, plus you save nights in a hotel. Here are the prices of the most typical things: Pint of beer: from 300 RUB Main course at a local restaurant: 400 RUB Main course at a nicer restaurant: 1000 RUB Short taxi rides in Moscow: 600 RUB Short taxi rides in secondary cities: 300 RUB Overnight train in third class: 2500 RUB Overnight train in 4-bed compartment: 4000 RUB Single room in a hotel: from 4500 RUB Dorm in a hostel: from 600 RUB Backpacking budget for traveling in Russia: from 40 USD a day Best time to visit Russia Russia can be visited all year around, even during the freezing winter. Traveling to Russia in winter Everyone knows that winter in Russia can be cold but it can be adventurous as well. You would not be the first person to visit the coldest city in the world (Yakutsk) during the month of January or travel across Siberia on the Trans-Siberian. Northern Siberia can get pretty cold even during sunny summer days Traveling to Russia in summer This can be a great time to visit Russia, especially if you plan to visit the Arctic, Lake Baikal or the Caucasus and Altay regions. Please be aware that many areas of Russia, and that includes Moscow, have a continental climate with very cold winters, but very hot summers. Summer is a great time to visit Russia if you travel to the Caucasus region Traveling to Russia in spring and autumn It’s hard to give an accurate answer on this, it depends on where you go and how early or late in autumn or spring you visit Russia. How to get around Russia How to travel around Russia by train One of the best experiences when traveling in Russia is boarding a Soviet train. It’s a great way to meet local people and also the only way to comprehend the vast size of this country. You can go by train to pretty much everywhere in the country. Find train schedules on tutu.travel. You won’t be able to book train tickets with a foreign bank card, but the site will help you plan your trip. How to book a train ticket at the station Once you know your train schedule, head to the train station and before paying for the ticket, make sure to choose your preferred class: Lyux – 2-bed compartments. The most expensive. Kupé – 4-bed compartments. Upper-middle class. Platzkart – The most common, at its most powerful Soviet style. These wagons don’t have compartments but bunk beds placed all over the wagon. Obshy – Seats, no beds. This is platzkart class How to travel around by taxi When traveling around Russia, you will have to download Yandex GO, the Russian version of Uber. You can order a taxi using Yandex GO from virtually anywhere in Russia, even in small towns in the extreme north of Russia, such as Salekhard. Top Russia travel tip: You can only use Yandex GO with a Russian SIM card, so get one of these upon arrival in Russia. How to travel around by plane Domestic flights are a good option for travelers with little time who are interested in visiting different regions of Russia. You can check flight schedules on Aviasales and book them using a foreign bank card. How to navigate around Russia In Russia, Google Maps works fine but Yandex Maps is more detailed and accurate. In fact, I realized that many businesses such as restaurants were not listed on Google Maps but they were on Yandex. By the way, due to the war in Ukraine, geolocation isn’t working properly in the center of Moscow. Where to stay in Russia: accommodation Russia is packed with hotels of all types. From budget hostels to expensive 5-star chains, you will never have any issues trying to find a hotel in Russia. The problem is more about how to book a hotel in Russia, since popular search engines such as booking.com or hostelworld.com are no longer operating in the country. Instead, you can search and book hotels through ostrovok.ru, and even book and pay with your foreign card. It is 100% reliable. Internet in Russia Wi-Fi and internet speed in Russia From an internet perspective, Russia is a highly developed country. There will be good reception pretty much anywhere you go. Getting a SIM card in Russia Internet data is ridiculously cheap in Russia. I paid less than 7 USD for a package that included a SIM card with 50GB of data and unlimited calls. I bought it at the official store in a mall and all they required was my passport. You can also get yourself one upon arrival at the airport. Getting an eSIM for Russia Some eSIM providers such as HolaFly, GoMoWorld or Alosim offer eSIM for Russia but they are way too expensive compared to the local plans, plus you can’t get a local number, which is absolutely vital to be able to use Yandex GO. Just get a local SIM instead, it’s super simple. Restricted websites and apps in Russia Some restricted websites, services and apps include: Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) YouTube Netflix AppleTV+ BBC News CNN Etc. You will be able to access them with a VPN. How to get a VPN for Russia I’ve been using ExpressVPN for years but to my surprise, it wasn’t working in Russia. NordVPN is my back up VPN, but it also didn’t work. Instead, I used OpenVPN and it worked well. Some Russians told me they use Planet VPN. Download and configure your VPN before traveling to Russia because their websites are often blocked as well. Getting hacked in Russia It is said that the best hackers in the world are Russian, and that getting hacked is not uncommon here. I am extremely paranoid about the internet, so my advice is to be very careful about the public Wi-Fi networks you connect to. Always connect using a VPN and if possible, only connect through your mobile data. Since data packages are so cheap, I always connected my laptop via my mobile hotspot. The people, culture and language in Russia Cultural diversity in Russia People tend to think of Russia as one massive Slavic nation but you’ll be amazed to know that Russia is home to 190 recognized ethnic groups, making it one of the most diverse countries in the world. Caucasian people in Chechenya While it’s true that many of those ethnicities refer to people from former Soviet countries (like Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Ukraine or Armenia) who for whatever reason moved to the Russian Federation in the past, there are many minorities who are indigenous to a specific region in Russia, such as Tatars, Chechens or Kumyks. A man in from the Republic of Dagestan In fact, there are 21 official republics in Russia that are home to a specific minority. I have personally been to the republics of Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia and the autonomous region of Yamalia. Traveling in the different republics of Russia feels like visiting a different country. They have their own rules, religion, habits, food, and culture, and they refer to actual Slavic Russians as if they were from a separate country. From a traveling perspective, this is Russia’s best asset and the one thing that makes you realize that most travelers have only scratched a tiny bit of the surface of Russia. Nenet woman, north Siberia Language in Russia Russian is the most widely spoken language in Russia, but there are 25 other official languages and over 100 minority languages, all proof of the broad cultural diversity in Russia. English in Russia There is a massive language barrier when backpacking in Russia since very few Russians can speak English. In fact, most people outside of Moscow don’t even understand very basic English words and sentences, such as numbers. While it’s true that Google Translate and Google Lens have made our life much easier, traveling in Russia is a bit challenging if you don’t know any Russian, so I strongly recommend learning a few basic words. Also, learn how to read the alphabet. It’s very easy. It took me one day to learn it back in 2018, when I was traveling in Kyrgyzstan. When it comes to reading food menus, understanding the alphabet is particularly handy. Food and drinks in Russia I don’t want to go into too much detail in this section. Russia is a developed country so even in small, remote towns, you’ll be able to find decent food options and nice cafés. Even in the Arctic town of Salekhard – a very small city which until 2021 was impossible to reach by road – there was a sushi restaurant and a German-style bar with a large selection of beers on tap. Russian caviar. If you want to learn about caviar when you travel in Russia, I recommend going to Astrakahan You’ll also find modern Russian restaurants all over the country. Russian cuisine is, of course, very meat-based but all menus will feature different types of soup and salads. Borscht (beetroot soup), pelmeni (meat dumplings), or varenniki (potato dumplings) are some of the most common dishes. For breakfast, I really like sirniki, small but thick pancakes made of cottage cheese, usually served with sour cream. Additionally, there is a vibrant coffee culture in Russia, so you won’t have any problem finding decent coffee anywhere you go. More helpful information to visit Russia In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. All guides and articles for traveling in Russia destination How to visit Nenets Travel guides to former Soviet countries Kazakhstan Travel Guide Georgia Travel Guide Ukraine Travel Guide Travel Guide to Moldova Azerbaijan Travel Guide Travel Guide to Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide to Tajikistan Uzbekistan Travel Guide Belarus Travel Guide

Wanna travel to Eritrea with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Eritrea on: February 21st to 28th, 2025 This itinerary covers pretty much everywhere you can possibly visit in Eritrea. With the exception of the Dahlak Islands, anywhere not covered in this Eritrea itinerary is typically […]

Wanna travel to Eritrea with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Eritrea on: February 21st to 28th, 2025 learn more This itinerary covers pretty much everywhere you can possibly visit in Eritrea. With the exception of the Dahlak Islands, anywhere not covered in this Eritrea itinerary is typically restricted or off limits to tourists. Please also remember that this itinerary is aimed at independent backpackers who are traveling by public transport, and like to take things relatively slowly although you could easily complete this itinerary much quicker, assuming you are traveling by car. In fact, on our Eritrea Expeditions, we manage to squeeze this itinerary in only 8 days. Learn more about our upcoming tours to Eritrea. For travel tips, info on visas, etc., don’t forget to read our travel guide to Eritrea In this Eritrea travel itinerary, you will find: Table of Contents Itinerary Map How to plan Day 1 & 2 – Asmara Day 3 – Journey to Keren Day 4 – Keren Day 5 – Back to Asmara Day 6 – Journey to Massawa Day 7 – Massawa Day 8 – Back to Asmara Day 9 – Decamhare and Senafe Day 10 – Qohaito and back to Asmara Day 11 – Asmara and departure More information our recommended travel insurance for Eritrea IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Eritrea. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE Places to visit in Eritrea with a 11-day itinerary Map of the things to do in Eritrea Here are my recommended places to visit in Eritrea, and the most common travel itinerary we use for our expeditions. How to plan your itinerary for Eritrea As you may know, Asmara is located in the center of the country. Since the only way of traveling to Eritrea is by flying in, your trip will always start and end in Asmara. Furthermore, you’ll always have to come back to the capital before heading in any other direction, as there’s no direct transportation from Keren to Massawa. Instead, you will need to stop in Asmara, and most likely spend the night there. Fortunately, Asmara is a pretty cool city and the best place to visit in Eritrea, so heading back there every other day isn’t something you will regret. Don’t forget to check our travel guide to Eritrea for all the practical information. I genuinely think Asmara is an awesome city Day 1, 2 – Arrival and Asmara visit In my experience, Asmara was without a doubt the highlight of my trip to Eritrea. Unlike many other sub-saharan African capitals, this is such a charming, peaceful city. There’s no traffic, it’s not crowded, and it’s very pedestrian friendly. The city was entirely built by the Italians in the 1920s and everything has been beautifully preserved, meaning it’s a very beautiful city as well. Fiat Tagliero building in Asmara The best thing you can do in Asmara is hang out in the different cafés over a macchiato, search for delicious Italian food and check out the various art deco buildings dotted across the city. For more information about Asmara, read: Things to do in Asmara Where to stay in Asmara Budget: African Village Budget-Mid-range: Top Five Hotel Mid-range: Sunshine Cinema Imperio traditional suburbs of Asmara Day 3 – Journey to Keren The journey from Asmara to Keren takes around 3-4 hours by bus, but it can take even longer. The bus station in Asmara is located here. Try to get there early. traditional village on the way to Keren Day 4 – Keren Predominantly a Muslim city, Keren, the capital of Anseba region, has a sort of Middle Eastern feel, or Sudanese, but what is obvious is that this is a completely different world from Asmara. Keren is a super traditional city, where you’re likely to find more donkeys and camels than cars. The best day to visit Keren is during the weekly animal market, a lively market in which Eritreans from all over the Anseba region come to buy and sell livestock, from camels to massive bulls. The animal market takes places every Monday from 7am to 3pm, so plan your trip accordingly. Keren animal market Things to do in Keren Animal market: As already mentioned, only on Mondays. Italian and British cemeteries: Keren witnessed a fierce battle during WWII, at which the Italian troops were defeated by the British forces and Eritrea fell under UK control. Former Eritrean Railway Keren Station: A vintage train station, today partially abandoned. Where to stay in Keren Budget: Sicilia Hotel Mid-range: Keren Hotel Best mid-range: Sarina Hotel Life in Keren Day 5 – Return to Asmara The distance isn’t that far, only 90 km but it does take a while, as per usual in this part of the world. Day 6 – Drive to Massawa Again, distances are relatively short, but it can take ages for the bus to get to Massawa. Try to be at the bus station early in the morning. road to Massawa, can you see the train bridge Day 7 – Massawa and Foro Massawa was one of the cities most affected by the war and it is here that you realize the severity of the problems the country faces, as it’s been decades since the end of the war yet most buildings are still in ruins. Ruled by the Ottomans and then the Egyptians, Massawa has a very different from vibe from anywhere else you have been to in Eritrea, not only in the architecture but also in the atmosphere, as the humid and ridiculously hot weather of this region has made life extremely slow and laid-back. This used to be Banco di Roma Things to see in Massawa Former Italian Bank – An old Italian building, today in ruins Imperial Palace – A stunning building which served as the winter residence of Haile Selassie, the emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. Old City – Check out all the Ottoman buildings. Try the local fish – There are many fish restaurants here and I recommend you try Selam Fish Restaurant, a really authentic place where you pick which fish you want to eat. Crumbled building in Massawa Day trip to Foro Foro is a small town located 50km south of Massawa and pretty much the gateway to the inhospitable and infamous Afar region and the Danakil Depression. The main reason to come to Foro is for the ruins of Adulis, the most important ancient port of the Axumite Empire, an ancient civilization that ruled in Eritrea and northern Ethiopia for 800 years, from 1st to the 10th century. The ruins are a couple of kilometers from Foro, but guess what? I didn’t visit the ruins. I didn’t visit them for the simple reason that it was market day (Thursday) and people from all over the region head to the market, including many Afar and Soho, so I chose to enjoy that unique, super offbeat place instead. In any case, I’m not a big fan of visiting ruins and, apparently, the site is very much destroyed, so unless you know the history, it would need a lot of imagination to enjoy the place. My recommendation: if you’re visiting Massawa on a Thursday, go to Foro in the morning, and visit Massawa in the evening. The market of Foro Where to stay in Massawa Budget: Luna Hotel Mid-range: Dahlak Hotel Day 8 – Back to Asmara Back to the capital, as per usual. Day 9 – Decamhare and Senafe Warning! This part of Eritrea can be challenging without your own wheels. You can travel to Decamhare and Senafe easily but for the rest of the places, a car is a must. Hitchhiking may be an option too. Visiting Decamhare Decamhare is a town southeast of Asmara that served as the industrial hub for Italian Eritrea. At its peak in 1938, almost half of the town’s inhabitants were Italian citizens. It is known for its vineyards and flour mills and, despite considerable fighting in the War of Independence, Decamhare still has significant examples of colonial architecture, along with a few vintage cafés. A very vintage bar in Decamhare You can visit Decamhare in 1 or 2 hours. However, covering both Decamhare and Senafe by public transportation in one day can prove difficult. The Valley of Sycamores Between Decamhare and Senafe, there is a valley of massive sycamore trees, definitely worth checking. The valley however, is located off-road and quite far from the main road, so once again, a car is much needed. The valley of Sycamores in Eritrea Visiting Senafe I’m not sure if there are direct buses from Decamhare to Senafe. I presume there are, although probably not many. Worst case scenario, you should easily be able to find direct transportation from Asmara. The city of Senafe in Eritrea Senafe itself is not super exciting but since not many travelers go there, the locals are always curious and surprised to meet foreigners. That was the highlight for me. Another highlight is Emba Metara, a small mountain with a giant cross on top, which I strongly recommend you climb. The views are amazing. The last section of the climb is quite challenging, you’ll actually need the help of a cable which is attached to a spike. On your way to the top, you are likely to be followed by loads of kids. Where to stay in Senafe There is only one very, very basic guest house in the center of town. Climbing Emba Metara the top of Emba Metara Day 10 – Qohaito I don’t think there’s any public transportation to Qohaito, but if you do manage to get there either by hitchhiking or taxi, note that Qohaito is a plateau where we find a 2500-year-old pre-Axumite archaeological site, the most important in Eritrea after Adulis. This site is on the UNESCO tentative list. As mentioned before, I’m not a big fan of archaeological sites, so I didn’t find Qohaito particularly exciting. However, the plateau is located right on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, giving you absolutely awesome views of the canyon. It’s also worth mentioning that in this area, you are likely to meet people from the Soho tribe, a Muslim ethnic group that claims to have descended from Arabs, and a group of pastoralists who live a traditional life unaffected by modern changes. Also, there’s some very cool ancient rock art somewhere down the valley, but you’ll have to ask for directions around the village. In the evening, it’s time to try to get back to Asmara. A Saho woman in Qohaito Rock art in Qohaito Day 11 – Departure This itinerary comes to an end on the 11th day of your trip. Remember that this is the same Eritrea itinerary we offer on our expeditions. Future expeditions to Eritrea are scheduled on: November 6th to 13th, 2024 – SOLD OUT January 18th to 26th, 2025 – SOLD OUT February 21st to 28th, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 7th to 18th, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 21st to 28th, 2025 – APPLY NOW LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ERITREA TOURS More information for traveling to Eritrea and the Horn of Africa In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. A guide and article for traveling in Eritrea destination Asmara Travel Guide Eritrea Travel Guide Travel Itineraries to other countries in Africa Travel Guide to Sudan Egypt Itinerary Libya Travel Guide Mali Itinerary Mauritania Itinerary Tunisia Travel Guide Somaliland Itinerary You might also like our Haiti Itinerary.

With an area of more than 2.7 million square meters, almost 6 times the size of Spain, and with a population that barely reaches 18 million inhabitants, Kazakhstan is a huge country with one of the lowest population densities in the world. Therefore, composed of thousands and thousands of miles of desolate and deserted plain, […]

With an area of more than 2.7 million square meters, almost 6 times the size of Spain, and with a population that barely reaches 18 million inhabitants, Kazakhstan is a huge country with one of the lowest population densities in the world. Therefore, composed of thousands and thousands of miles of desolate and deserted plain, better known as steppe, the vastness of Kazakhstan is something one can only assimilate through a long train journey, in which, for several hours and even days, you go through a desert of unimaginable magnitude, only disturbed by tiny villages located in the middle of nowhere and the occasional hairy camels characteristic of Central Asia. If you love traveling by train, especially in a Soviet one, and you enjoy interacting with locals, going across Kazakhstan by train is something you really don’t wanna miss. During my first trip through Kazakhstan, I traveled 3,600 kilometers exclusively by train, starting from Beyneu, the first town you find after crossing the border from Uzbekistan, to Almaty, the most cosmopolitan city in the country, located in the far east, very close to the border with Kyrgyzstan. It was an amazing journey, very different from my travels through other Central Asian countries, so I decided to compile all the information you need for traveling by train in Kazakhstan. For tips and everything to visit in the country, read my 1-month itinerary in Kazakhstan In this train guide to Kazakhstan you will find: Table of Contents Introduction Map Buy tickets Types of trains Prices Tips More Information For your train journey across Kazakhstan, get a few good books on the region: best books on Central Asia Introduction to traveling by train in Kazakhstan Traveling by train in Kazakhstan is not limited to the functional benefit of transportation but it is one of the highlights of the country. Unlike in other parts of the world, in Kazakhstan, most locals need to travel extremely long distances that can take them several days. This turns into spending a long time with your fellow passengers and greater social interaction, which can go from sharing a glass of vodka to the typical local lady, who will spend the whole journey offering you bread, fruit, and much more than you could ever eat. At the end of every journey, your bunk-bed-mates will become appreciated acquaintances. Hanging out with locals But this is not all. From staring out of the window to see the endless steppe to having a few beers at the wagon café and just checking the infinite chaos present at every one of the train stations, always packed with street vendors selling food from kebabs to an extremely stinky smoked fish, whose odor can be smelled from miles away and which literally swamps all wagons… Traveling the Silk Road on a Soviet train is a lifestyle and a real attraction in itself. The Kazakh steppe – Train in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan train map This is an interactive railway map of Kazakhstan. Bear in mind that it only shows the main stations and not the secondary or small ones. Tip #1 – If you are traveling in the north of Kazakhstan, remember that, even if your final destination isn’t Russia, at some point, some lines inevitably cross into Russia, so you will need to have a transit visa. The reason this happens is because, when they built the line, both countries were part of the Soviet Union. </p> How to buy train tickets in Kazakhstan You can buy your tickets online or at the station itself. Buy your train tickets at the train station Just remember that, normally, nobody at the ticket office speaks English so, if you have any special requirements or questions, it can be quite an adventure. Buy your train tickets online There are a few pages where you can buy online tickets. However, on the Kazakhstan Railway System official site, the English page tends to fail and, unless you have a Cyrillic keyboard, it can be a bit tricky to buy them. A better alternative would be Tickets.KZ. The page has improved a lot and foreign cards are accepted. Tip #2 – Also keep in mind that all tickets are sold on Astana (Nur-Sultan) local time so if you are in the western part of the country, it means that your train will leave one hour earlier than the time stated on your ticket. Tip #3 – Train tickets run out very soon, especially in summer. If you want to guarantee your ticket, book it a few days in advance. Read: How to travel in Uzbekistan More curious locals – Trains in Kazakhstan Types of trains and seats There are two types of trains in Kazakhstan: the modern, fast one (Talgo) and the old Russian train from the Soviet Union time. The Soviet train With an average of 50km/h, this train runs at the half speed of the modern one. At some stations, it may stop for more than one hour but all the stops are planned ahead as, during my 30-day journey, I never experienced a train delay. Read: 35 Travel tips for traveling to Kazakhstan Train travel in Kazakhstan For this train, there are 4 kinds of wagons and classes, but not all of them may be available on all trains: Lyux – 2-bed compartments. The most expensive. Kupé – 4-bed compartments. Upper-middle class. Platzkart – The most common, at its most powerful Soviet style. These wagons don’t have compartments but bunk beds placed all over the wagon. Obshy – Seats, no beds. Platzkart class – Train Kazakhstan Kupé class – Kazakhstan Train The modern, faster train (Talgo) Unfortunately, the Soviet train is getting replaced more and more every day by the modern Talgo. A train that is more convenient for short distances from Almaty or to go to Astana (Nur-Sultan), is rather more expensive and it doesn’t have the same philosophy, so it is not as authentic as the Soviet one. Which wagon should you choose? This will depend on which kind of traveler you are. If you are a budget backpacker who doesn’t care about sleeping surrounded by loads of random people and, at the same time, you love interacting with the locals, then you should travel in platzkart. Nevertheless, remember that there may be heavy snorers, it is noisy and, after some hours, it may not smell very good. Lyux and kupé offer more privacy and comfort, which is not bad at all, but it will never be the same experience. I personally kept switching from platzkart to kupé, depending on the day, mood, and ticket availability. Platzkart class – train kz Prices of the trains in Kazakhstan Prices vary a lot, depending on where you go and your class. Here are the prices of some trains I took. For more information, you can check all fees on Tickets.KZ. Beyneu to Atyrau – 1,700TEN – 12 hours, 437km (platzkart) Atryau to Aralsk – 4,000TEN – 20 hours, 1,400km (platzkart) Aralsk to Baikonur – 1,100TEN – 4 hours, 250km – (kupé) Baikonur to Turkistan – 3,000TEN – 10 hours, 530km (kupé) A random house in the middle of the Kazakh steppe Tips for traveling by train in Kazakhstan Food and drinks The wagon restaurant serves typical Central Asian food, like plov or lagman, and the quality is according to the region’s standards. On the other hand, at the different stations, you will always see many vendors getting on the train, selling fruit, smoked fish, ready-to-eat meals, and all the snacks you could ever imagine. Moreover, at most stations, the train will stop long enough, so you have time to buy at the many food stalls. By the way, all wagons have a boiling water dispenser, so you can have your tea or even prepare some instant noodles. Alcohol The wagon-restaurant serves beer, vodka, and other liquors as well. You can drink without any problem but, if someone gets wasted, they can be kicked out. However, I did bump into a few drunk people who didn’t leave me alone and nobody cared, so I don’t think that this rule always applies. Electricity In kupé class, there are a few plugs but, in my experience, they didn’t work most of the time. Bed-linen Regardless of which class you are traveling in, they will always give you clean sheets. Toilets The toilets aren’t the cleanest ever but I have seen much worse when I traveled in Pakistan. Atyrau train station More information for visiting Kazakhstan In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. Don’t forget to check our travel guide to Kazakhstan. As well as all our Kazakhstan articles: Travel Guide to Astana Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan border crossing Kazakhstan Itinerary How to visit Semipalatinsk Test Site

In 1949, the Soviet Union built a nuclear test site in the middle of the vast and remote Kazakh steppe. They named it Semipalatinsk-21 – popularly known as The Polygon – the facilities of which stretch across more than 18,000km2, a piece of land the size of Israel, and where 456 nuclear tests were conducted […]

In 1949, the Soviet Union built a nuclear test site in the middle of the vast and remote Kazakh steppe. They named it Semipalatinsk-21 – popularly known as The Polygon – the facilities of which stretch across more than 18,000km2, a piece of land the size of Israel, and where 456 nuclear tests were conducted from 1949 to 1989. The Polygon was officially closed in 1991 but today, you can still visit its remains, while learning about this dark yet fascinating episode of Soviet history. This post will show you how to visit Semey. In this travel guide to Semey, you will find: Table of Contents Introduction Getting in Permits Where to stay What to see and do Safety More Information Introduction to visiting Semipalantisk Test Site The first atomic bomb ever detonated by the Soviet Union was in Semipalatinsk, and that would be just one of 456 tests carried out in The Polygon. However, Semipalatinsk was not only used for testing atomic bombs; all manner of nuclear tests were conducted here, including hydrogen device detonations and nuclear missile launches. Today, it’s still possible to see the massive craters produced by explosions as well as abandoned Soviet facilities scattered across this area of Kazakhstan. Despite being relatively far from civilization, it is said that hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by the radiation produced by those nuclear tests. The Soviet Union always hid all the problems stemming from radiation exposure, but the Government of Kazakhstan has publicly recognized that more than 1.5 million people have been affected by it, something USSR nostalgics will always deny, given that the actual number of people living in the surrounding areas is only a tiny fraction of that figure. Either way, it has been clinically proven that the children of residents who lived in the area surrounding the test site in the 50s and 60s have a much higher rate of various of birth mutations, cancers and solid tumors. A lady from a village next to the test site A crumbling building in Semipalatinsk How to get to The Polygon As mentioned in the introduction, The Polygon is a massive area of 18,000km2 located in the middle of the Kazakh steppe. Approximate location: Logically, there aren’t any means of public transportation to take you there, but you can get to a relatively big town located less than 2 hours away from The Polygon. That town is called Semey. How to get to Semey Semey is located 760km east of Astana, very near to the border with Russia. How to travel to Semey by train The best way to travel to Semey is from Astana by train. In fact, a train departs daily from Astana at around 6:25 pm, arriving in Semey at 7 am, which is very convenient if you book a bed in one of the sleeping cabins, as most Kazakhs do. You can book your tickets directly online on this website. For more information on trains in Kazakhstan, please read How to travel by train in Kazakhstan. Traveling to Semey by plane From Almaty, you can also fly to Semey (PLX) with the local airline FlyArystan. How to get to Semipalatinsk Test Site From Semey, you will need to arrange a car but you can’t just take any random taxi because visiting The Polygon involves driving across the steppe, so the driver will need to know the area really well. How to get a permit to visit the Nuclear Testing Site Be aware that a permit is required to visit the Polygon, which you can only obtain through a well-connected local Kazakh. It takes at least 2 weeks to apply for the permit, so plan your trip to Semey accordingly. Against the Compass Expeditions is finally offering tours into Kazakhstan, and we can easily get your permit for Semipalatinsk and organize the adventure to visit the test site. Contact us for more information. Exploring the Semipalatinsk test site Where to stay in Semey Semey is a relatively big town, far better developed than many other towns across Kazakhstan, and the reason is that this 300-year-old town has always been sort of a trading hub linking the northern routes. Budget Hotel – Semey Hotel: Old Soviet-style hotel. The experience is better than the facilities but it’s a good choice for budget travelers. check on booking.com Mid-range – Turan Semey Grand Hotel: More comfortable but probably less epic than Semey Hotel. check on booking.com How to plan your visit: what to see and do in Semipalatinsk In order to visit Semipalatinsk properly, you will need a minimum of 2-3 days. This is how I planned my itinerary but you can do it differently. Against the Compass Expeditions is finally offering tours into Kazakhstan, and we can easily get your permit for Semipalatinsk and organize this 3-day adventure to visit the test site. Contact us for more information. Map of the things to visit in Semey Day 1 – Overnight train from Astana to Semey On your first day, take the overnight train that departs from Astana at 6:25 pm, arriving in Semey at 7 am. Train schedules might change, so make sure to check actual timings on this website. Day 2 – Visiting the Nuclear Polygon of Semey Once in Semey, I recommend heading for The Polygon right away. The beginning of The Polygon is around 200km from Semey, a 2-3 hour drive. These are the things we visited, all highlighted on the above map. Flooded explosion crater: this is one of the highlights in Semey, an incredibly giant crater created by the explosion of a nuclear hydrogen device, and which has been turned into an artificial lake. Lake Chagan Semey, the flooded crater Underground command base: an underground 80-floor silo from which all nuclear tests were conducted. Nuclear missile testing silos: Semipalatinsk was used for all types of nuclear tests including the launch of nuclear missiles, and the remains of their silos are still visible: there are many of these. Around 3 pm, we drove to Kurchatov. The former command base in Semey was an 80-floor underground silo Day 3 – Kurchatov and Semey Kurchatov is a small town that was exclusively built to host everyone who worked at The Polygon, from drivers to the most renowned scientists. The town is named after leading nuclear physicist Igor Kurchatov but the town has had many names, deliberately changed over time to confuse everyone and keep the town shrouded in secrecy. Kurchatov was once home to more 20,000 people but when the test site closed in 1994, it became the semi-abandoned town it is today. Things to do in Kurchatov: Former KGB: The largest KGB office in all Kazakhstan was in Kurchatov, and today is an abandoned building – Igor Kurchatov’s statue: monument to Kurchatov, the equivalent of Oppenheimer in the Soviet Union. Former director’s house: This has been turned into a Russian Orthodox church. Nuclear Peace monument: Advocating for a world free from nuclear weapons. After lunch, we headed back to Semey. KGB Building Kurchatov Igor Kurchatov Things to do in Semey Dostoyevsky House-museum: Dostoyevsky was one of the greatest Russian writers of all time. He was sent to Semey for enforced military service for 6 years. Stronger than Death monument: Also advocating for a world free from nuclear weapons Please note that the Anatomical Museum of Semey, which contains a collection of deformed foetuses, is no longer possible to visit. Some people claim the foetuses are a result of radiation but the museum denies it. Either way, the local government decided to restrict access due to all the controversial and misleading information posted online about it. Is it safe to visit Semipalatinsk Test Site? There are two different types of radiation: gamma and beta. Gamma rays are the type of radiation measured with a dosimeter, which typically shows the amount of radiation you are exposed to per hour. This means that if your dosimeter is marking a particularly high radiation but you are only there for a short period of time, it will be fine. Kurchatov town Gamma radiation at the actual test site – where the big atomic bomb was launched – registers crazy levels of radiation and today, it’s not possible to go there. Instead, you can visit the flooded crater, which has high levels of gamma radiation but not as high as the test site itself. The other type of radiation is called beta particles, which translates into radioactive dust. This type of radiation may be present next to craters and places where explosions were conducted, and that’s why wearing a special suit is a must when visiting Semey. Your local guide should provide you with one. For a better understanding of radiation, please check the safety section of our Chernobyl travel guide. More resources for traveling to Semipalatinsk Test Site In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. All guides and articles for traveling in Semipalatinsk Test Site destination Travel Guide to Astana Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan border crossing Train Guide in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Itinerary Travel Guide to Central Asia

Wanna travel to Eritrea with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Eritrea on: February 21st to 28th, 2025 Popularly known as the North Korea of Africa for being the most repressive and hermetic country on the continent, Eritrea is a real off the beaten track, undiscovered […]

Wanna travel to Eritrea with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Eritrea on: February 21st to 28th, 2025 learn more Popularly known as the North Korea of Africa for being the most repressive and hermetic country on the continent, Eritrea is a real off the beaten track, undiscovered gem which not many people know about. Paradoxically, this is a surprisingly chilled-out and tourist-friendly destination, filled with kind-hearted people, huge diversity, and loads of unique things to do. Only being independent since 1991, after a 30-war against Ethiopia, traveling to Eritrea is the ultimate offbeat experience in Africa. This guide contains everything you need to know about doing tourism in Eritrea, including visas, permits, tips and a 9-day itinerary. For information on places to visit, check our Eritrea Itinerary. In this Eritrea travel guide you will find: Table of Contents Introduction Visa Permits Places you can visit Travel Insurance Best time to visit Getting in Tours Books People & culture Safety Food Internet Money Accommodation Transportation More Information our recommended travel insurance for Eritrea IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Eritrea. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE Introduction: what’s tourism in Eritrea like Eritrea is a tiny nation sitting on the shore of the Red Sea, nestled between Sudan, Djibouti, and Ethiopia. When I was traveling in Ethiopia, many travelers asked me what traveling in Eritrea was like, and I always told them: Eritrea is sort of an extension of Ethiopia, very similar, but extremely different at the same time. The dominant group in Eritrea are the Tigrayans, a group of people who share the exact same culture as Ethiopians from Tigray region, in the north of the country, one of the most touristic regions in Ethiopia. Tigrayan women in Eritrea. If they told you these women were from Ethiopia, you would believe it However, in Eritrea, you also find many different ethnic groups and what makes tourism in Eritrea unique unlike Ethiopia is that this used to be an Italian colony, just like Libya, from 1890 until 1943. And, since this colonization is so recent, plus the Italians created the country pretty much from scratch, the Italian influence is very present, and visible, especially in Asmara, which was entirely built by the Italians, a capital filled with art deco buildings, palm-lined streets, and lovely cafés whose terraces are packed with Eritreans slurping delicious macchiatos. Unlike most capitals in Africa, Asmara has a sophisticated African style and is a reason in itself to visit Eritrea. However, once you leave the capital, you’ll find yourself in one of the most traditional countries on Earth, like if you traveled back in time. Old School Fiat in the center of Asmara. When you travel in Eritrea, you see more of these cars than in Italy itself How to get a visa for traveling to Eritrea Getting a valid tourist visa for visiting Eritrea can take time and money but it is easier than most people assume it will be. 1 – Getting an Eritrean tourist visa via embassy This is the cheapest way but it can take a lot of time, usually more than 1 month; plus there are only a small number of Eritrean embassies around the world, typically in those countries where there is a significant Eritrean population, including France, the UK, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. If your home country doesn’t have an Eritrean embassy, it is also possible to mail both your passport and application form to the nearest one, but I think they are very unreliable. Contact your nearest embassy to find out all the specific requirements & instructions. Your experiences and reports are welcome. 2 – Getting a tourist visa on arrival (via a travel agency) This is the most convenient way of getting a visa for Eritrea. Visa on arrival is available to those travelers who book a tour for Eritrea with a local tour operator. They’ll issue a Letter of Invitation, which you must show to the respective authorities when arriving in Asmara. What kind of tour do you have to book? It depends on the tour operator. They may either charge you an administrative fee or make you book a few-day private tour. The first time I traveled to Eritrea was in 2020. The local agency charged me 250 USD for processing my visa and 70 USD for a minimal tour, which included airport pick up and drop off, plus 1 night in a relatively good hotel, so 320 USD in total. I have been quite a few more times since then, but always as a tour leader for our group expeditions. By joining any of our groups, you will get your visa on arrival. These are the expeditions we have scheduled in 2024-2025: November 6th to 13th, 2024 – SOLD OUT January 18th to 26th, 2025 – SOLD OUT February 21st to 28th, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 7th to 18th, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 21st to 28th, 2025 – APPLY NOW How much does the visa cost? The visa costs 70 USD, and must be paid in cash at the airport, in US dollars. Processing your visa at the airport can take a while, sometimes up to 1 hour, depending on how many Eritreans with a foreign passport were on your flight. How long is the visa valid for? The visa for Eritrea is valid for 30 days. My visa for Eritrea in 2024 Permits. Is independent travel in Eritrea allowed? Eritrea is known as the North Korea of Africa for a few reasons, one of them being that a large part of the country is heavily restricted and off-limits to tourists. Another reason is that you need to get a specific permit for any place you visit outside of the capital, one for each different place you visit. How to get your travel permits for Eritrea Travel permits can be obtained at the Ministry of Tourism’s office, a small office located right in the city center, just across the big Roman Catholic Church. Each permit costs around 150 nakfas (10 USD) and they typically take half a day to process. For example, if you apply in the morning, you can pick it up in the afternoon and, if you apply in the afternoon, you can pick it up the next day. By the way, you’ll also need a permit to visit the tank graveyard just outside of the city. This permit only costs 50 nakfas and is issued instantly, from the moment you pay for it. Important: The office is closed on Sunday. When applying for your different permits, you must specify the exact dates you are going to spend in each place, so you really need to plan your day-by-day itinerary. This sucks because it means that there is no room for improvising. To be honest, the police never asked me for the permit, but all hotels did and, if the day you arrive doesn’t match the specified date in the permit, they won’t host you. What happens if you travel without a permit? I did visit one town (Foro) in which a special permit was required but I didn’t have one. There was a checkpoint right at the town’s entrance but the bus didn’t stop and, since it was market day, the village was packed with people from all over the region. I went there on a day trip from Massawa. According to my local partner in Eritrea, the reason they don’t ask for your permit is that they just assume you’ll have one. Which places in Eritrea are open to travel? When you are traveling in Eritrea, it doesn’t look like you are traveling in one of the most repressive states in the world: you barely see any police, and the atmosphere is so chilled that you never feel any sort of tension. However, it’s important to remember that, as a traveler, you can only visit a fraction of the country and, during my trip in Eritrea, I could never stop wondering: What is actually going on in that unknown part of Eritrea? While it’s true that certain areas are off-limits due to border tensions, other regions are closed for no apparent reason, nobody knows what are they trying to hide. In any case, a significant part of Eritrea is open to travelers. What happens if you visit a forbidden area? During my first trip to Eritrea, I met one Italian who tried to sneak into a no-go area near Keren, but he got caught by the authorities at the first checkpoint. They held him for a few hours before letting him go. No big deal, he said, but that’s because that area was near Keren, not super sensitive. I’d not try this in other further areas. Map of the places which are good to visit in Eritrea Asmara: The capital is all traveler’s first introduction to Eritrea. This is the only place for which you don’t need a permit and in my humble opinion, the best place in Eritrea, mainly due to the Italian heritage that makes the city so vintage, the closest thing to traveling back in time. Keren: The predominantly town of Keren is more similar to Sudan to the Eritrean capital. The most famous market in all of Eritrea takes place here every Monday. Decamhare: A town southeast of Asmara that served as the industrial hub for Italian Eritrea. At its peak in 1938, almost half the town’s inhabitants were Italian citizens. Decamhare still has good examples of colonial architecture. Qoiato: A pre-Axumite archaeological located at 2,600m on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, from where you get stunning canyon views. Senafe: The only place close to the Ethiopian border, which you can visit. There isn’t much to do in the town itself except for hiking to the top of a mountain, which also happens to be a Christian pilgrimage place for Eritreans. Massawa: A coastal city occupied by the Ottoman in the 16th century, hence the different feel and architectural style. Foro: A small village whose main interest is the weekly market that takes place on Thursday, and where you are likely to meet Afar people. The Old City of Massawa is particularly beautiful, but you need to a permit to visit it Travel insurance for Eritrea Most travel insurance companies don’t cover for travel in Eritrea, except for IATI. I recommend it because: Only travel insurance company that covers Eritrea They have different plans for all budgets Covers senior citizens too Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount BUY IT HERE TO GET YOUR DISCOUNT Best time to visit Eritrea Do you know what slogan the Ministry of Tourism uses to promote tourism in Eritrea? Eritrea, 3 seasons in 2 hours. Sitting at an elevation of 2,235 meters above sea level, Asmara might be one of the highest capitals in the world, a city which enjoys relatively cool weather all year round and, by only driving a few hours, you can get to the green rolling hills around Ginda, the humid and utterly hot shores of the Red Sea or the desert plains near the Afar region. Best time to travel to Eritrea: November to February The winter months are the best season to travel to Eritrea, when the weather is cool in most parts of the country. Worst time to travel to Eritrea: June to September In summer, the weather along the coast (Massawa) and Keren is unbearable, but if you only intend to visit Asmara, it should be all right. Asmara’s weather is kind of cool all year round, so you can visit it at any time How to get to Eritrea Eritrea shares a border with Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti but, as of today, all borders are closed, at least to foreigners. After Eritrea and Ethiopia signed the Peace Agreement in 2018, they agreed to open the border after decades of being shut down but, unfortunately, Eritrea decided to close it again after a few months, as many of the Eritreans who crossed into Ethiopia never came back in an attempt to seek freedom. Therefore, the only way to travel to Eritrea is by flying in. You can fly to Asmara from Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Cairo (Egypt Air) and Dubai (FlyDubai). Update 2024: Ethiopian Airlines has suspended all flights into Asmara indefinitely, starting from October 2024. Tours for Eritrea Eritrea isn’t the easiest country to travel independently. If you still wish to go solo, this post is an excellent travel guide to Eritrea. Otherwise, know that we run group tours to Eritrea all year long, the following expeditions are scheduled on: November 6th to 13th, 2024 – SOLD OUT January 18th to 26th, 2025 – SOLD OUT February 21st to 28th, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 7th to 18th, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 21st to 28th, 2025 – APPLY NOW LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ERITREA TOURS Best books for backpacking in Eritrea Understanding Eritrea: Inside Africa’s most repressive state, by Martin Plaut Amazing book written by a BBC journalist, which helped me to understand the complexity of Eritrea, as well as its relationship with Ethiopia, a key factor in the evolution of the country. CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON Eritrea travel guide by Bradt The last edition is from 2007 (the one I have) but the good news is that Bradt is releasing a new one in December 2020. Bradt specializes in offbeat destinations and has the most insightful guidebooks about destinations in Africa. I love Bradt. CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON Eritrea: the people and culture Despite its small size – only 6 million people – Eritrea is a complex society, ethnically speaking. Ethiopia is also home to several ethnic groups, especially in the Omo area. Read my Omo Valley travel guide As I said in the introduction, Tigrayans are the dominant group but Eritrea is composed of 8 more different ethnicities: Tigre, Rashaida, Afar, Saho, Bilen, Beja, Kunama and Nara. If you visit Keren, you will meet the Tigre, who are Muslim. If you go to Foro or any place south of Massawa, you are likely to meet Rashahida or even Afar, if you go to Foro on a market day. Here you can read more about ethnic groups in Eritrea. Keren Market, Tigre people, one of the best shots I took during my trip to Eritrea From a traveling perspective, Eritreans are kind and pleasant people to deal with. Scams are rare and expect many Eritreans to approach you to ask your opinion about Eritrea, or what have you learned about their culture. In Asmara, they asked me this question several times a day. Other than that, most locals talking to you just want to have a small chat because they are curious, not because they want to get something from you, unlike in neighboring Ethiopia. In Foro, I think these women are Saho Language in Eritrea All the languages spoken by the different ethnicities are considered official but Tigrinya – and also Arabic – is the governmental language and the most commonly used among all Eritreans. Tigrinya is a Semitic language that comes from Ge’ez and is the official language in the Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. It also has many similarities to Amharic, the official language in Ethiopia. Do Eritreans speak English? Surprisingly, you always meet someone who speaks decent English, especially in Asmara. I also met many people speaking Italian, usually Eritreans above 60 or 70 years old. To be very honest, language shouldn’t be a barrier when backpacking in Eritrea. Religion Religion is a big deal in Eritrea and, according to official sources, Christianity is practiced by 60% of the population, whereas Islam is 40%. Most Christians are Orthodox – but there are Catholics too – from the same Orthodox branch as Ethiopians. In most cases, religion is based on ethnicity, which means that it is very regional, with the northern part close to Sudan being very Muslim, while the area close to Ethiopia being very Christian. Churches are always packed and I recommend you attend the Sunday service that takes place early in the morning, around 6 am, in which the locals sing some very peculiar canticles. Are you traveling around the Horn of Africa? Check my Somaliland travel guide The most important Orthodox Church in Asmara Is it safe to travel to Eritrea? Is Eritrea safe? Well, it is said that Eritrea is one of the safest countries in Africa. For real. I have been walking in the center of Asmara at 3am, with many people hanging out outside of the different bars and nobody bothered me. In Eritrea, you bump into the occasional intense and slightly aggressive beggar, but more often than not, if noticed by a local, they will approach and tell him to leave you alone. Crime in Eritrea is pretty rare, everybody says so, and I never heard of any foreigner saying otherwise. Moreover, according to the FCO advice, all of Eritrea is safe to go except for the area within 25km of Eritrea’s land borders but, in any case, as a tourist, you are not allowed to go there. Taking photos of local people Like in any traditional country, the streets of Eritrea are filled with great-picture opportunities. In my experience, in Christian areas, people were mostly OK with you taking photos, and I only had a few issues in very traditional Muslim areas, even when taking photos from far away, especially if there were women in the frame. Always ask for permission first, like you would do in any other country. Talking about local politics in Eritrea Honestly, the only potential danger you might face when visiting Eritrea is talking about politics. You should never say anything negative about the Government to people you don’t know or trust, since that’s enough reason to be put away for a while. I only talked deeply about politics with one Eritrean and every time I asked him a question, he would look around and whisper his answer in my ear. I had never seen anything like that before. Crazy. The tank graveyard in Asmara, one of the most popular attractions to visit in Eritrea. All the military arsenal the Ethiopian army left behind during the Ethiopian-Eritrean war Food & drink in Eritrea The local traditional food in Eritrea is pretty much the same as in Ethiopia, with no big difference, other than a slight change in their names and spices. Injera, the teff-based flat, sour, fermented bread is the base of any local meal. Some local dishes you must try are: Tibsi: small pieces of lamb fried in tomato sauce, always accompanied by injera. Shoro: spicy chickpea paste, also accompanied by injera. Kicha: pieces of flat bread dipped in different sauces or stews. Weird, too much bread for me. Foul: Smashed beans, typically eaten for breakfast Tibsi, fried lamb in tomato sauce, with injera The biggest difference from Ethiopia is that in Eritrea, because of the Italian influence, you find a lot of Italian food and in some restaurants, it is great, with pasta al dente and delicacies such as caprito al forno (lamb in the oven) or parmigiana. If you are vegetarian, you need to say you want nait-som (pronounced like night-some), which literally means fasting-food. Christian Orthodox Eritreans fast twice a week at least, days on which they can only eat vegan, so that’s why most restaurants will always serve vegetarian dishes. The traditional fasting dish usually consists of lentils and other stews with injera. Alcohol in Eritrea Beer is widely available in Eritrea, including in Muslim towns, but they only produce one brand: Asmara Beer. It never costs more than 15-25 nakfas (1-1.50USD) What is funny about Asmara beer is that it always tastes different. Sometimes it comes so light and watery, while on other occasions it is like one of those unfiltered, thick beers. Weird. In bars and more exclusive restaurants, you can find a wide variety of wines and spirits but since they are all imported, they are very pricey. Coffee in Eritrea is a big deal If you like good coffee, you will love traveling in Eritrea. Their coffee is mostly imported from Ethiopia but they prepare it in Italian style and, in the endless cafés around Asmara macchiato is the way to go. To be very honest, what they serve isn’t real Italian macchiato, but more like a Spanish cortado, but they prepare it very well, with thick foam and great presentation. If you like it strong, you need to order a black macchiato. Otherwise, they put too much milk in, in my opinion. Best time of the day Internet and connectivity in Eritrea When you travel in Eritrea, you must assume that you’ll be offline for pretty much your entire trip. Fact: Eritrea has one of the worst internet in the world. On the one hand, mobile internet doesn’t exist. There is Wi-Fi in some hotels but it’s so awful, that all you can do is send WhatsApp and emails, if it ever works. Alternatively, you may also connect to the internet in cyber cafés. For that, you will need to buy a 1-dollar voucher that allows you to connect for 1 hour. However, the connection isn’t much faster than in hotels, plus iPhone devices usually don’t work. In addition, you can’t use it unless you connect to a VPN. Before traveling to Eritrea, you must download all the information needed for traveling, including maps, Eritrea travel blogs, music, Netflix movies, etc. On the bright side, in the different cafés, restaurants, and buses, you never see anybody checking their phones but people are just talking like we used to do not many years ago. You get used to it surprisingly fast. Get a VPN for traveling in Eritrea You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks. Your connection will be much safer. Moreover, keep in mind that the only way to connect to the internet in Eritrea is with a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. Get a vpn If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling. Cinema Impero, one of the best buildings I saw when I visited Eritrea Money in Eritrea $ In Eritrea, they use the Eritrean Nakfa (ERN) and approximately: 1 USD = 15 ERN A few years ago, there used to be a black market in which you could exchange 1 USD for 55ERN. This black market, however, was eradicated and, today, you can only change in those Government-run offices named Himbol. Both USD and € are accepted. By the way, you can also exchange in hotels at the same official rate. Paying by card or withdrawing money in Eritrea International cards in Eritrea can’t be used. You must bring cash for the whole trip. For cash emergencies, you can still collect $ from Western Union. How much does it cost to travel in Eritrea? Eritrea isn’t the cheapest country to travel. It’s certainly more expensive than traveling in Ethiopia. How can the local people survive? Well, they all rely on Eritrean diaspora, on the money they receive from their parents, sons, daughters, cousins and relatives. These are the costs of the most typical things: Macchiato: 7-10 nakfas Breakfast (foul): 15-25 nakfas Vegetarian lunch: 50-70 nakfas Non-vegetarian lunch: 100-120 nakfas Internet 1 hour: 15-20 nakfas Water 1 liter: 15-25 nakfas Beer: 15-25 nakfas Permits: 50 nakfas each Public bus from Asmara to Keren: 25 nakfas Mini-van from Asmara to Keren: 70 nakfas Public bus from Asmara to Massawa: 31 nakfas Mini-van from Asmara to Massawa: 75 nakfas For hotel prices, go to the Accommodation section The price of water in Eritrea On my first day, I went to a local grocery shop to buy some water. They only had a 1L size and when attempting to pay, he said: 20 nakfas, almost 1.50USD. I really thought he was ripping me off, so I left the bottle and left. Then, I went to a nearby shop where prices were written, only to find out that a 1L bottle there cost 25 nakfas, almost 2USD. What the hell? I talked about this to a random local I met in a café and he said that, yes, water in Eritrea is crazy-expensive and the reason is that there used to be a local company that processed mineral water but the Government shut it down without giving any explanation, so now they have to import it from Ethiopia, and this is a huge issue because most people can’t afford it and tap water isn’t drinkable. Eritrean notes are pretty cool Accommodation in Eritrea As you may imagine, Booking.com does not work in Eritrea. For booking a room, you’ll have to call the hotel, either yourself or your local guide. Independent backpackers should know that hotels are very unlikely to be fully booked so, if you can’t call from your home country, you could just show up the day you arrive. Hotels in Asmara Asmara has, obviously, the best offer of hotels, for all budgets. Budget: African Village – Best option for backpackers. A majestic colonial building in which you find rooms of all prices, from 10USD rooms with shared bathroom to 30USD. Budget-Mid-range: Top Five Hotel – The cheapest room you can get costs 20USD, with a private bathroom, and it is just OK, but it is clean. You can get better rooms paying a bit extra. The hotel’s restaurant is very good and it is always filled with locals. Mid-range: Sunshine – A fancier hotel with rooms starting at 60-80 USD. This is where we stay with our groups. Hotels in Keren Budget: Sicilia Hotel – The owner speaks amazing English and his mother impeccable Italian. The rooms are very basic but clean. All rooms cost between 8 and 12USD. It has a great garden/terrace. Mid-range: Keren Hotel – The first hotel ever opened in Keren, right in the city center. Rooms in the 30-50USD range. Best mid-range: Sarina Hotel. This is where we stay with our groups. It’s the best hotel in town but it’s a bit out of the way. Hotels in Massawa Budget: Luna Hotel – This is the best budget option but still, it is very overpriced. Non-AC rooms cost 20USD, and they are extremely basic, with not even plugs and a filthy shared bathroom. Otherwise, slightly better rooms with AC cost nearly 40USD. Mid-range: Dahlak Hotel – A fancier hotel next to Luna, with rooms starting at 60-70USD. This is where we stay with our groups. Transportation: How to travel around Eritrea As long as you have the necessary permits, you can move around Eritrea independently by public transportation. Traveling around Eritrea by bus Bus is pretty much the only way to travel between Eritrean towns and cities. There are both minivans and big public buses. I recommend you go early in the morning, otherwise, you may find very long queues and have to wait there forever and, occasionally, pushing hard and getting a bit aggressive is the only way to find a seat. Update 2024: Getting on a bus is becoming more and more complicated due to the high demand, to the extent that the Tourism Office is denying travel permits to backpackers who wish to travel by bus. Traveling around Eritrea by train The beautiful steam train that used to run from Asmara to Eritrea doesn’t work anymore and today, the only functional section is the one that runs from Asmara to Nefasit and it only works for the occasional tourists who book the whole train in advance. If you were a group of 15, you would pay around 50USD per person, and that’s something you should arrange with your local guide. Renting a car in Eritrea It’s possible to rent a car in Asmara, but that usually comes with a driver. Prices start at 100 USD per day. I never rode one of these buses but it would have been nice! More information for traveling to Eritrea and the Horn of Africa In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. A guide and article for traveling in Eritrea destination Asmara Travel Guide Eritrea Itinerary Travel guides to other countries in Africa Ethiopia Travel Guide Somaliland Travel Guide Travel Guide to Sudan Travel Guide to Egypt Libya Travel Guide Mali Travel Guide Travel Guide to Mauritania Tunisia Travel Guide

Of all the remote, barely inhabited regions and islands in the Arctic Circle, Svalbard might just be the most accessible. Located at 78º north, this archipelago is an Arctic desert made up of captivating tundra landscapes offering truly amazing hiking opportunities, and the chance of seeing polar bears. From a nature perspective, this is probably […]

Of all the remote, barely inhabited regions and islands in the Arctic Circle, Svalbard might just be the most accessible. Located at 78º north, this archipelago is an Arctic desert made up of captivating tundra landscapes offering truly amazing hiking opportunities, and the chance of seeing polar bears. From a nature perspective, this is probably the best trip I’ve ever done. This post is a comprehensive travel guide to Svalbard, and contains everything you need to know about how to get there, where to stay, activities, cruise expeditions, prices and more. By the way, I know that this sort of trip differs from all the original content on this site, which has always focused on places like Yemen, Syria, Mauritania or Kazakhstan but ultimately, we focus on remote and barely visited destinations, and Svalbard fully fits the bill. In this travel guide to Svalbard, you will find: Table of Contents About Travel insurance Visas Time needed Getting there Best time to visit Getting around Where to stay Shopping and food Internet Money & budget Polar bears Things to do Booking a cruise ship our recommended travel insurance for Svalbard With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Svalbard. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE Introduction to traveling to Svalbard Svalbard is an Arctic archipelago that technically belongs to Norway, even though it’s significantly closer to the North Pole than it is to the Norwegian mainland (650km vs 930km respectively). Svalbard belongs to Norway but it has a special status Svalbard falls under Norway’s sovereignty, as recognised by the Svalbard Treaty of 1920. However, according to the treaty, not all Norwegian laws apply in Svalbard. For example, any country is free to engage in scientific, commercial or industry activities within the archipelago, and anyone can travel there visa-free and stay for as long as they want, even if they don’t have a job. Is it Spitsbergen or Svalbard? Spitsbergen is the original name, given by the Dutchman who discovered it in 1596. When the archipelago became part of Norway in 1920, they renamed it to Svalbard, a term that appeared in old Icelandic Viking texts. Beaches in northern Svalbard Regular people live in Svalbard The inhabitants of Svalbard are just normal people from around the world trying to make a living. It’s not only scientists, but also doctors, teachers, policemen, plumbers, tour guides, bar tenders and basically, the kind of people you would find in any other small-sized town. There are no indigenous people from Svalbard Unlike other Arctic regions across Russia, Greenland or Canada, there is no evidence of the existence of an indigenous community in Svalbard, not even in the ancient Viking texts. Today, Svalbard is inhabited by people from all over the world, mainly Europeans, Russians and a large Thai and Filipino community. There are different settlements in Svalbard Despite its remoteness, Svalbard has a few towns or settlements. Longyearbyen is the largest town, home to around 2300 people. It’s a proper town where you find supermarkets, shops, schools, a museum and even fine-dining restaurants. The second largest settlement is Barentsburg, mostly inhabited by Russians and Ukrainians. This is Longyearbyen, the main settlement in Svalbard It’s illegal to be buried in Svalbard and women are technically not allowed to give birth there People are not allowed to die in Svalbard due to permafrost, which is a frozen layer under Svalbard’s surface that prevents bodies from decomposing. Meanwhile, hospitals in Svalbard are not fully prepared for delivering babies, even though they will of course help in case of an emergency. Svalbard is a frozen desert There are no trees in Svalbard, and there is so little vegetation that starvation is the main cause of reindeer deaths. Svalbard is a desert in its purest state, albeit a very beautiful one. Some of the amazing tundra landscapes in Svalbard Are there really more polar bears than people? People in Svalbard will always sell you the idea that Svalbard is land of polar bears, and that there are more polar bears than people living there. Nevertheless, this isn’t very accurate. While it’s true that there’s a large population of polar bears living across the islands, nobody knows the exact numbers, plus they keep moving and migrating across other parts of the Arctic, in Russia, and the icepack that surrounds the North Pole. More on polar bears in the Polar Bear section. We saw quite a few polar bears in Svalbard, including this little family Travel insurance for Svalbard Don’t travel to Svalbard without travel insurance. I recommend IATI Insurance because: So many different plans for all budgets, including specific plans for backpackers Coverage for up to 1-year trips, perfect for overlanding around the Stans Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount CLICK HERE TO GET 5% SPECIAL DISCOUNT How to get a visa for Svalbard Technically, the region of Svalbard belongs to Norway but, according to the Svalbard Treaty signed in 1920, they are not allowed to discriminate between nationalities, meaning each and every person is allowed to visit Svalbard without a visa and stay for as long as they want. This means that Svalbard might be the only inhabited region in the world where all nationalities can travel visa-free. However, remember that they aren’t part of the Schengen zone, so EU citizens and even Norwegians will have to carry their passports when traveling to Svalbard. Information for citizens of India, Pakistan, Venezuela and other nationalities that require a visa for Europe Keep in mind that all flights to Svalbard depart from Norway, and that your airline might require you to have a valid visa for traveling to Norway, even for connecting flights. How much time do you need to visit Svalbard? I personally spent 11 days in Svalbard: 3-4 days in Longyearbyen, and 7-8 days on a cruise ship. If you don’t have the budget and/or time to go on a cruise, staying in Longyearbyen for a few days is a great way to get a good sense of what it’s like to be in the Arctic. There should be enough tours and activities to keep you busy for 4-5 days – more on that in the Things to do section – but remember that tours are expensive (averaging €200 for any day trip); so is the food and accommodation. Also, there’s nowhere to go on your own outside of Longyearbyen, so you always have to book a tour. During my stay in Longyearbyen, I did a full day’s hike, and also booked the boat tour to the Soviet settlement of Pyramiden. I used the rest of the time to chill or just walk around Longyearbyen. On my fourth day in Longyearbyen, I embarked on a ship that took me to the far north of Svalbard, on the island of Nordaustlandet. This is the abandoned Soviet mining town of Pyramiden, the best day trip to do from Longyearbyen How to get to Svalbard Today, the only way to travel to Svalbard is by plane. There are also certain cruise ships departing from Greenland, Scotland and Amsterdam, although there aren’t any passenger ferries as such. The main settlement in Svalbard is called Longyearbyen, home to Svalbard Airport (LYR). How to get to Longyearbyen: today, only 2 airlines fly into Svalbard: Norwegian and SAS, always connecting from either Oslo or Tromsø. Best time to visit Svalbard You can travel to Svalbard at any time of year, including during the long and dark winter months. Here’s what you need to know season by season. Traveling to Svalbard in winter (November – February) During the winter months, Svalbard gets as cold and dark as it sounds. From mid-November to the end of January, the whole island is in complete darkness for 24 hours a day, a natural phenomenon known as polar night. This is a great time for seeing the northern lights, as well as doing snow-related activities such as snowmobile excursions or dog-sledging. On the other hand, winter isn’t great for spotting wildlife or visiting remote parts of Svalbard, since cruise ships can’t break through the ice. Funnily enough, winter is the favorite season for locals, the reason being that they have more freedom when it comes to mobility. There are very few roads in Svalbard, but the winter snow allows them to move around on their snowmobiles, while in summer, they’re all trapped in Longyearbyen. Svalbard is practically impossible due to the ice thickness Travel to Svalbard in summer (June – mid-September) While polar nights might sound intriguing to some, nothing can beat polar days and 24-hour sunshine. Leaving a bar at 12:30 am in Longyearbyen while getting blinded by the brightest sun is something you have to experience at least once. What’s more, summer is the best time for seeing wildlife and hiking, as well as the only time of the year when cruise ships operate here. I traveled in Svalbard from June 24th to July 4th. In summer, you can do some pretty amazing hikes Traveling to Svalbard during the rest of the year (March to May and mid-September to October) During the shoulder season, you can enjoy a bit of everything, depending on which month and time of the year you come. A colony of walrus we saw in northern Svalbard How to get around Svalbard: Transportation The only available public transportation in Svalbard is the bus that takes you to and from the airport; that’s it. Longyearbyen is a spread-out town, so there are a couple of taxis, and you may need one depending on where you stay. To get out of Longyearbyen, you will have to book a tour and for those, transportation is always provided, either by boat or snowmobile. Where to stay in Svalbard Longyearbyen has a few places to stay, including a budget hostel for backpackers, where I actually stayed. I strongly recommend booking your accommodation well in advance. Backpacking budget: Gjestehuset 102. The cheapest option in Longyearbyen. A cozy hostel but far from town, almost 3km from the center. Check on Booking.com Budget: Coal Miner’s cabins. Located right next to the hostel. If there are 2 of you, the price of a double room is the same as 2 dorm beds. Check on Booking.com Mid-range: Svalbard Hotell | Polfareren. Very nice hotel in the center of Longyearbyen, if your wallet permits, of course. Check on Booking.com Top-notch: Funken Lodge. Probably the best hotel in town, but $$$$. Check on Booking.com Some wild Reindeers we spotted in Svalbard Shopping and food in Svalbard As previously mentioned, Longyearbyen is a regular town with a variety of shops, including a modern supermarket, pharmacies and different clothing stores selling high-quality winter clothes. Shopping in Svalbard, nevertheless, is expensive, so best stock up on winter gear back in your home country. When it comes to food, Svalbard is well sorted for restaurants too, including high-end eateries. Local specialities include seal, whale and reindeer meat. However, travelers looking to venture into this controversial cuisine may be disappointed that all that meat is actually imported from the Norwegian mainland, since Svalbard doesn’t have the facilities and infrastructure needed to carry out the respective quality controls. Regarding restaurants, we did try dried seal in Vinterhagen and enjoyed some fish in Kroa. We also tried the restaurant at Coal Miners, which mostly has international cuisine. The capital also features Thai and Mexican restaurants. There’s a local brewery too called Svalbard Bryggeri AS. There are plenty of Arctic birds in Svalbard Internet in Svalbard The internet in Svalbard is extremely fast and reliable, despite the region’s remoteness. They operate under Norway’s mobile network, so EU SIMs can be used there at no extra charge. Wi-Fi is incredibly fast, as well, and it’s available in pretty much all hotels and bars. Get a VPN for traveling in Svalbard You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks. Your connection will be much safer. I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. Get ExpressVPN If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling. Money and budget The Norwegian Krone (NOK) is used in Svalbard, and approximately: 1 USD = 11 NOK Everything is quoted in NOK but most businesses won’t accept cash, only debit or credit cards. How much does it cost to travel in Svalbard? Svalbard is pretty expensive. In fact, this is one of the most expensive places I’ve ever been. Here are prices for the most typical things; Accommodation: from 1000 NOK for a double room Food: from 300 NOK for a main meal Drinks: from 100 NOK for a pint of beer Tours: from 2000 NOK for a day tour Flights: around €450 return from Oslo/Tromso Cruise: from €3800 for an 8-day tour Polar bears in Svalbard All travelers visiting Svalbard hope to see polar bears, but not everyone gets to see one. Most polar bears live in the northern parts of Svalbard, and they are rarely seen in the area around Longyearbyen. They do pop in from time to time, but the chances of travelers spotting one are slim. If you are only staying in Longyearbyen, your best chance of seeing a polar bear will be on the day tours that go by boat -although even then, in the unlikely scenario you should spot one, it would likely be from a good distance. Unfortunately, the only way to properly see polar bears is by taking a multiple-day cruise. On our cruise we did see 4 polar bears, one of them from relatively close up, walking along the shore approaching our zodiac. It was absolutely amazing but it’s important to remember that Svalbard is an stunning destination even without polar bears, so don’t ever get frustrated if you don’t see one. Two of the polar bears we saw Is it safe to travel to Svalbard? Polar bears and safety Polar bears are cute but everyone knows how dangerous they are, with their taste for human flesh. There’s been a lot of fatal incidents involving polar bears and tourists. I mean, why can’t you just go hiking on your own? The answer is polar bears. When heading outside of Longyearbyen’s perimeter, you must always be accompanied by a local guide or a person who is certified to carry a rifle. That’s what local people always do: they always carry their rifle wherever they go outside of their settlements, with no exception. This doesn’t mean they shoot the first polar bear they bump into, as the law dictates you can only use your gun as a last resource, when you feel your life is in danger, e.g., the polar bear is too close and ready to attack. The famous polar bear sign in Longyearbyen Things to do in Svalbard There are lots of places to visit in Svalbard. Here’s a short list: Longyearbyen Throughout this travel guide to Svalbard, we’ve mentioned Longyearbyen a lot. It’s the capital of Svalbard and any traveler’s first introduction to the Arctic, good to visit for half a day. The center of town houses a museum that showcases the country’s history, which mainly relates to the many explorers that have set foot on the archipelago over the last couple centuries. There’s a quirky church worth seeing and less than 2km east – around here – there’s a lake featuring the world famous warning sign with a polar bear. Other than that, I also found it interesting to walk around town and see what life is like for people living in such a remote area. By the way, in the center you can also find the northernmost post office in the world, which you can send a postcard back home. Pyramiden Pyramiden is an abandoned Soviet coal mining town that operated from 1910 to 1998. Today, it has become a tourist attraction and is one of the most visited places in Svalbard. This mining town used to host around 1000 people, housing a theatre, an abandoned swimming pool, a 24-hour cantina, a library, a school and of course, the northernmost Lenin statue. You can still visit all of those sites. Today, there are a few people still living in Pyramiden to help maintain the place. There’s a café where you can get Russian beer, vodka and Russian snacks. Pyramiden was one of the highlights of my trip to Svalbard. You can book it here. A Soviet mural featuring polar bears The northernmost Lenin in the world Hiking the Hiorthfjellet summit – The Arctic Challenge A pretty challenging hike in Svalbard, locally known as the Arctic Challenge. To summit Hiorthfjellet (928 meters), you first have to kayak across the fjord for 4 kilometers, climb the 928 meters, and then kayak back to Longyearbyen. The whole activity takes around 11 hours. It’s pretty tough, but I recommend it for intrepid hikers. You can book it here. The Arctic challenge Barentsburg If I’d had another day in Svalbard, I would have gone to the Russian town of Barentsburg, just to see how it differs from Longyearbyen. Barentsburg also features these 2 hotels: Hotel Barentsburg Hostel Pomor More things to do in Svalbard There’s a wide array of activities to choose from for both winter and summer. I booked my tours through a local company called Discover Svalbard. Just go to their website and browse all the available tours they offer. How to book a cruise ship in Svalbard When I traveled to Svalbard, I booked an 8-day cruise expedition. For this, I paid €3800 for a bed in a 4-bed compartment with 3 friends of mine. The company was called Oceanwide Expeditions. Please note that I’m not specifically advertising them, just offering some free information. Why did I choose this company? Well, I didn’t really choose it, my friends did and I just tagged along. The ship had a capacity of 108 passengers. You can find ships with a lower capacity but the price will obviously increase significantly. Things I liked about my cruise expedition: All of the guides had a scientific background with vast experience in the Arctic, and they always gave us presentations based on the things we saw and visited. They kept us busy with different activities, including 2 landings a day, which usually involved a 2-hour hike each time. Sailing up to 81º north, just at the edge of the ice pack and no more than 500km from the North Pole. This wasn’t mentioned in the program. One of the zodiac cruises we did during our trip in Svalbard In the following map, you can see all the places we visited. Overall, we were very happy with the tour/trip but I am not really an expert on cruises, plus I don’t have anything to compare it to, especially as I never did any research into it. However, based on my humble experience, these are the things you should look for when choosing the best cruise expedition in Svalbard Boat capacity. Ours held 108 passengers. It was OK, I wish there had been fewer people but it wasn’t that bad. Some cruise ships can have double and even triple capacity , and I strongly encourage you to stay away from these. Itinerary. Choose a cruise that heads north. On our boat, there was a guy who had previously done the southern part of Svalbard and he said that the north was far more stunning. Price. If you are budget sensitive, some cruise ships like ours have 4-bed compartments, which you can share with other random travelers. Our ship during our trip in Svalbard Conclusion: Is Svalbard worth visiting? During my trip to Svalbard, we sailed up to 81º north, right to the edge of the ice pack that surrounds the North Pole. On the way, we saw 4 polar bears, one of them pretty close. We also went on-shore multiple times, climbing small peaks that offered us jaw-dropping Arctic views. We experienced the Arctic silence, and being in such a remote, desolated, yet, absolutely stunning area felt amazingly good. We visited a Soviet mining town, saw many walrus, and 3 seals sleeping on the ice. All of this was shared with good friends and fantastic weather. Was Svalbard worth visiting, despite the high price tag? Oh yes, absolutely, it was worth every penny I paid. We’ve still to meet someone who hasn’t had an amazing time in Svalbard.

The first time I traveled in Afghanistan was in June 2021, just when the US Army had begun to withdraw from the country, and shortly before the Taliban took it over. With the new change of government, I decided to go back to see what it was like to travel in Afghanistan under new Taliban […]

The first time I traveled in Afghanistan was in June 2021, just when the US Army had begun to withdraw from the country, and shortly before the Taliban took it over. With the new change of government, I decided to go back to see what it was like to travel in Afghanistan under new Taliban rule. From a traveling perspective, a lot has changed in this country. After visiting Afghanistan 5 times, traveling all across the country, during the 4 seasons, from Kandahar to the Wakhan Corridor, here’s the most updated and complete travel guide to Afghanistan, containing everything you need to know relating to safety, visas, permits, budget, top experiences, cultural facts, and more. Check: 50 Photos that will show you the beauty of Afghanistan In this Afghanistan travel blog you will find: Table of Contents Can you travel there? Introduction Visa Travel insurance Safety Travel permits Dealing with Taliban Female Travel Getting in Independent Travel Best time to visit Top 5 Experiences Money and budget Getting around Culture Food Books Internet More Information our recommended travel insurance for Afghanistan IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Afghanistan. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE Can you travel to Afghanistan now? Yes, today, anyone can go to Afghanistan. In fact, Afghanistan has always been open for tourism, and visas have always been issued at the respective embassies. When the Taliban came into power, only 2 or 3 embassies could issue you a tourist visa but today, the number of embassies increased significantly – more on that on the visa section. Moreover, either because they want to whitewash their image, or because they need foreign currency, the new Taliban Government is welcoming foreign tourists, the only barrier being the ethical issues that such a trip may trigger on certain travelers. Somewhere in the Panjshir Valley Introduction: What’s going on in Afghanistan? More than 40 years of conflict have turned Afghanistan into an actual war-torn country, starting in 1979, when tribal people rebelled against the Communist party, starting a war between the Soviet Union and the Mujahideen, which lasted until 1989. The Soviets were defeated but then, Mujahideen warlords began to fight each other over power, impoverishing the country even more. Fed up with all that warlordism and disappointed that Islamic law had not been enforced after the communists were kicked out, a former Mujahid founded a movement named Taliban in the city of Kandahar. That man was Mullah Omar, the historical leader of the Taliban. The Taliban quickly took over the whole Kandahar province and, by 1996, they controlled 90% of Afghanistan’s territory, including Kabul, ruling until 2001. Then, the American Invasion came, initiating a war that ended with their withdrawal in 2021, an event that Taliban used to take over the country. Afghanistan under Taliban rule is the situation you will witness if you travel today in Afghanistan. Some Talib boys How to get a visa for Taliban Afghanistan Before the Taliban took over in 2021, you could get an Afghanistan visa at pretty much any embassy around the world but things have changed now, since there’s only a handful of embassies and consulates that can issue you with a valid visa: The easiest embassies where to get an Afghan visa are: Dubai (United Arab Emirates) Islamabad (Pakistan) Peshawar (Pakistan) Doha (Qatar) Furthermore, travel reports suggest that the following embassies are also issuing tourist visas for Afghanistan but I don’t have any personal experience with it – reports are welcome in the comments section: Istanbul (Turkey) Tehran (Iran) Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) And last, some embassies in Europe have also started issuing them in: Madrid London Berlin The easiest is to get your visa in your home country but if there is no active embassy in the country you reside, Dubai and Islamabad are the most convenient places, for the simple reason that you find there are daily flight connections with Kabul. Visa on arrival (VOA) for Afghanistan There is a way to get a VOA for Afghanistan and that is by crossing from Tajikistan at the Shir Khan border – this is the border that is closer to the Afghan city of Kunduz. The visa on arrival has a cost of 150 USD and the whole paperwork takes a few hours. From Kunduz, you can easily get to Mazar. This border however, is the most convenient one for those traveling to the Wakhan Corridor. In fact, this is the route we’ll take on our upcoming Wakhan Corridor Expedition. Travel requirements for the Afghanistan visa I’ve personally got my Afghan visa in Islamabad, Dubai and Madrid and generally speaking, these are always their requirements: 1-2 passport photos 1 passport copy 1 Pakistan visa copy (if you apply in Islamabad) 80-130 US dollars, depending on the urgency. Americans can pay up to 210 USD Letter of Invitation (LOI) + Company license of your sponsor – Optional Read: How to travel to Pakistan This is the passport photo I used for my Afghan visa, as you can see in the visa image below. I knew they’d like it, and they certainly loved it. When the respective authority saw the photo, he said: Nice, I like it My personal experience applying for the Afghanistan visa Islamabad: Showed up without an appointment. A visa costs 80 USD, but you can also pay an additional 50 USD to get your visa in less than 24 hours. In my case, I went to the embassy at 3:30pm and got it the next day around 2pm. If I had applied early in the morning, I could have got it on the same day in the afternoon. No LOI was needed. Madrid: Showed up without an appointment. Paid €200 and got my visa in 1 hour. The non-urgent service takes 1 week and costs €120. You may mail them your docs as well. No LOI was needed. Dubai: Showed up without an appointment. Paid 130 USD and got my visa in 3 hours. Travel reports suggest that sometimes, they do ask for the LOI. The other embassies and consulates have similar rules, but visa fees may vary. Your reports on this matter are welcome in the comments section. How long is the visa valid for? The visa is single entry and it’s valid for 30 days within a 90-day period. Which nationalities can go to Afghanistan? All nationalities are eligible to apply for an Afghan visa at any of the previously shared embassies. Can Americans travel to Afghanistan? Yes, US citizens can also travel to Afghanistan without any sort of restriction. Do you need a Letter of Invitation for your Afghan visa application? Upon applying for your Afghan visa, they might ask who will be your sponsor in Afghanistan, but you can say that you don’t need one, that you are traveling alone, and it should be fine. This rule applies in Islamabad and sometimes in Dubai as well, but in Dubai, some travel reports suggest that this hasn’t always been the case. At the end of the day, in Afghanistan, rules aren’t written and more often than not, they depend on the respective authority’s mood. My visa for traveling in Afghanistan Travel Insurance for Afghanistan Most travel insurance companies don’t cover for travel in Afghanistan, except for IATI. I recommend it because: Only travel insurance company that covers Afghanistan They have different plans for all budgets Covers senior citizens too Readers of this blog can get an exclusive 5% discount. BUY IT HERE TO GET YOUR DISCOUNT Is it safe to travel in Afghanistan with the Taliban? From a security perspective, Afghanistan has improved a lot but it’s a relative safety. Kindly allow me to go point by point. Visiting Afghanistan before the Taliban took over in 2021 Up to summer 2021, any trip to Afghanistan was potentially dangerous. The country was ruled by a “democratic’” Government, but they were in an ongoing war with the Taliban, who controlled a significant part of Afghanistan. Traveling in the Government-controlled areas was relatively OK but suicide bombings occurred every other day and violent crime in cities like Kabul were kind of a big deal. On the other hand, Taliban-controlled areas were physically possible to visit but the chance of getting kidnapped was extremely high. In summary, visiting Afghanistan was possible but you had to travel with an extra degree of caution and accept a certain amount of risk. Read: Is Pakistan safe? Afghanistan used to be dangerous, yes, but it all depended on where you go. Some areas were peaceful, especially rural areas controlled by the Government. These people are nomads living somewhere in Bamyan Traveling in Afghanistan after the Taliban took over in 2021 Despite the humanitarian and economic crisis, the war is finally over in Afghanistan and the new rulers are trying to build a peaceful and legitimate Government – or pretending to at least – aiming at being recognized by the entire international community. Taliban are not carrying out terrorist attacks any longer, kidnappings are a thing from the past, and violent crime seems to have disappeared from Kabul. Is this thanks to the Taliban? Well, that’s what they want you to believe but not really, it’s just that they are the ones in charge now, they aren’t fighting anymore and just wish to be a normal country, while attracting foreign investment. With the Taliban, the country is much safer than in 2021, one can really feel it because all the provinces are fully open and also because the Afghans you will meet along the way will keep repeating all the time, that Afghanistan is finally safer. However, there is a potential danger: Islamic State Khorasan. Warning: Islamic State Khorasan You might find it hard to believe that the Islamic State is still alive and that they have become the number 1 enemy of the Taliban, claiming that Taliban are too soft and mere puppets of the West. This branch of IS in Central Asia is called IS Khorasan and the Taliban are currently in a violent counterinsurgency struggle against them. IS Khorasan has carried out several terrorist attacks under Taliban rule. In fact, on May 17th, 2024, the Islamic State attacked a group of tourists in the town of Bamyan, where 3 Spanish citizens died. Unfortunately, the attack was against our group, we aren’t trying to hide it. Our conclusions on the attack in Bamyan While it’s true that safety in Afghanistan has improved a lot, remember that one must always assume a certain amount of risk. The attack was against our group but all those affected or involved keep believing that it was a random attack, since Afghanistan has been receiving thousands of tourists for the last years, plus the attack happened in an area where you always see travelers. While it’s true that we won’t be traveling to Afghanistan any time soon, travelers keep going there, since many also know that it was an isolated case. As a traveler, what would I do? Personally, I would wait for a few months to see how the situation evolves but what I truly believe is that these sorts of attacks shouldn’t be a barrier to your willingness and excitement for traveling in Afghanistan. Before the Taliban over, the Minaret of Jam was within a no-go zone, and the reason was that it belonged to a region taken by the Taliban. Today, it’s completely accessible, even for independent travelers Permits for traveling in Afghanistan For traveling around Afghanistan, you will need special permission from the Taliban. If you are traveling on an organized tour, you don’t need to worry about anything because your local fixer will take care of that but independent travelers will have to get it for themselves which, in our experience, isn’t an easy thing to do. Need to know about your permit for traveling around Afghanistan Your travel permit must mention all the provinces you will visit in Afghanistan. However, it should only mention those provinces you are planning to stay in, not those you are just passing through. For example, if you want to visit Bamyan from Kabul, you will inevitably pass through Wardak province, but you don’t necessarily need a permit for that, because you’ll just be driving through. You will have to pay 1000 AFN for each province you visit, which is around 12 USD. This permit is absolutely needed, and many Taliban will ask for it at checkpoints. Note: They will usually make you pay 1000 AFN per province you visit but sometimes, depending on the traveler, they don’t charge it. From what I heard, they usually don’t charge anything to female travelers. This is what the permit looks like How to get your travel permit for Afghanistan, a step-by-step guide Warning: The following steps look pretty straightforward but, in our experience, rules keep changing and everyone seemed to give us different information. Getting inside the different offices and ministries was also pretty challenging, since the Taliban guarding the gates don’t speak a single word of English, and they never seemed to understand the purpose of our visit. Here we were at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the first place they told us to go to get our permits, but they weren’t issuing them there anymore. Step 1 – Go to the Ministry of Culture & Information Location is here. Here, you’ll need to get 2 signatures from 2 different authorities, which will take around 2 hours. Once you get your 2 signatures, they will give you an address and a phone number. In our case, each of the 2 authorities gave us completely different addresses, phone numbers and contact persons but only one of them picked up the phone. Step 2 – Go to the Tourism Directory, aka Afghan Tour Location is here. This building was difficult to find, since there wasn’t any sign but only concrete walls around it. Once you get in the building, you’ll be interviewed by a person, who will probably ask why you aren’t traveling with a guide or a translator. For this conversation, it’s important to wear local clothes, be extremely polite and pretend that you know your way around the country. We said we had good friends in Bamyan and Herat, that they would be our translators, which seemed to satisfy him. He’ll also ask for the provinces you plan to visit and after the interview, you’ll speak to the highest authority from this department, the person responsible for signing your travel permit and giving the final OK. Good luck. Afghanistan travel tip: Remember that on Friday, the offices are closed. How to register at the regional office Once you get your general travel permit, you will also have to register at the regional Information & Culture Department of every province you visit. For example, if you visit Kandahar, the first thing you should do before sightseeing is just showing up at the respective office to get the local permit, which you will get only if you show them the general travel permit you got in Kabul. This local permit will allow you to visit freely all the sites within the province. Where are these offices located? Herat is here Kandahar is here Bamyan is here Mazar is here Taliban checking our permit. How to deal with the Taliban when you’re in Afghanistan Taliban are everywhere and, as an independent traveler, you will have to interact with them at checkpoints or when trying to get your permits. Here’s what you need to know about it. Taliban are generally kind with foreigners Believe it or not, most Taliban I spoke with were particularly nice and helpful. They are mostly Pashtun, a group of people living across Pakistan and Afghanistan, known for being the most hospitable people on Earth, ruled by a code of conduct that dictates that guests should be protected with their own life if needed. I personally believe that, on most occasions, their kindness is genuine but you also need to remember that Taliban wish to be recognized as a legit Government and that their extreme kindness could be part of that strategy. Selfie with a bunch of Taliban at a checkpoint. Taking photos with Talib boys Taliban are usually very keen to be photographed or to be in selfies, and they seem to enjoy it a lot, so don’t be shy and just ask. With 2 Taliban, somewhere in Ghor Remember that you don’t need to like them, but at least pretend that you do Look, I have no particular sympathy for the Taliban. At the end of the day, we all know that their aim is imposing and forcing all Afghans to follow their fundamentalist Orthodox ideas of Islam. However, if you want to travel around the country independently, you will need to play along with their game and if you are not willing to do that, perhaps you should travel in Afghanistan with a local guide, so your interactions with them will be minimum. I am at a stage where I don’t really care to be judged by other travelers – or people reading this blog – so know that in Kabul, I did buy a Taliban flag, which I showed and waved at checkpoints when I found it convenient, just to make our journey a smooth one. What’s the general opinion on Taliban? It’s important to remember that Afghanistan is the most conservative country in the world (along with Yemen and way more than Saudi Arabia) and whether we like it or not, many Afghans – and that includes many women too – haven’t seen their lives changed with the new Taliban rule and that reason is that they were already following those rules. This is the reason why Taliban are supported by a massive part of the total population. Moreover, there’s another significant segment of Afghans who, while they don’t necessarily agree with the Taliban agenda, accept them because they have brought stability and safety across the country. Nonetheless, remember that not everyone supports them, especially Hazara people – a Shia minority – and that there are many Afghans who, while still conservative, are not happy with their extremist ideas, like banning women from higher education, for example. How to travel to Afghanistan as a women What is the situation like for female travelers in Afghanistan? If you are traveling with a man, it should be fine but solo female travelers will certainly have a different experience. My friend and fellow traveler Emma Witters has traveled solo extensively across Afghanistan, including in provinces such as Helmand. You can reach her at @emmawitters_ How to get to Afghanistan How to travel to Afghanistan by air Every day, more and more airlines have resumed their operations in Kabul. Kam Air is the national airline that can take you to Kabul. They have daily flights from Dubai and Islamabad, and also occasional flights from Tashkent, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi and Doha. Today, you can also fly with Emirates, Fly Dubai and Turkish Airlines. Just check flight schedules on their website. How to travel to Afghanistan by land Afghanistan shares a border with: Pakistan: The Khyber Pass at Torkham is finally open but this is the most chaotic border I have ever crossed. Iran: It’s fully operational. From the Iranian city of Mashhad, you can get into Herat. Many travelers have used this border in the past. Turkmenistan: The border is open as long as you have valid visas but this is truly unexplored territory. I contacted a Turkmen fixer who told me that Turkmen visas are often denied if your idea is to enter or exit Afghanistan from Turkmenistan, but there’s a chance to get in. Uzbekistan: You can get into Afghanistan from the city of Termez. Mazar-i-Sharif is the closest big city. Here you have the border crossing report. China: Very deep into the Wakhan Corridor, at 4,923m above sea level, the Wakhir pass connects Afghanistan with China. The border is closed for foreigners and in any case, it’s just too remote to go. Tajikistan: There are a few border crossings. Ishkashim used to be the most popular one but that one is closed now. Shir Khan, near Kunduz, is the one that is now open to foreign adventures. This is the legendary Khyber Pass Independent travel in Afghanistan Is independent travel allowed in Afghanistan? Yes, it is, as long as you have a valid travel permit. Check the permit section of this post. Is backpacking in Afghanistan difficult? Well, it depends on your previous backpacking experience and where you want to go within Afghanistan but, to be honest, I didn’t find it more difficult than backpacking in Pakistan. If you are planning to visit Mazar, Herat, Kabul or Bamyan, it shouldn’t be very difficult. There is plenty of local transportation or you can easily take a domestic flight. My recommendation would be however, to save the name and location of your hotel because for security purposes, some hotels in Afghanistan have no signs, so they can be difficult to find. Visiting rural areas, Kandahar province or traveling beyond Bamyan in Ghor province is a different story. Nobody speaks English, hotels are scarce (if any) and there’s little public transportation. We did travel from Kabul to Herat through the Hindu Kush by public transportation. It was difficult but worth the adventure. Check the travel report. Best time to visit Afghanistan With different geographical areas, Afghanistan can be a year-round destination. Traveling in Afghanistan season by season: Traveling to Afghanistan in winter In winter, many parts of Afghanistan are covered in snow, with temperatures reaching -20ºC in places like Bamyan or the Wakhan. In my opinion, this is the prettiest season to visit Afghanistan. Nevertheless, remember that winter doesn’t come with its own issues, and that roads and certain things may be blocked. We did run one expedition during the heart of winter in Afghanistan, and it was great. Check our upcoming Afghan expeditions here. Traveling to Afghanistan in spring & autumn From a tourism perspective, spring and autumn are the best seasons for visiting Afghanistan, when the weather is pleasant across the whole country. Nevertheless, it can be too early/late for trekking in the Wakhan Corridor. In late spring or early autumn, it might already be too hot for Mazar or Kandahar. In fact, I visited them in May and the temperature was already at nearly 40ºC. Traveling to Afghanistan in summer In summer, cities like Herat, Mazar and Kandahar are hell ovens, with temperatures averaging over 40ºC. Kabul is hot too but, because of the high altitude, it can be bearable for some. Summer, nonetheless, is the best season for trekking along the Wakhan Corridor. Spring is a great season to visit Bamyan Top 5 experiences in Afghanistan Some of the best things to do in Afghanistan are: 1. Strolling the streets of Old Kabul The old city of Kabul is one of those places where there is always something to look at. It’s chaotic, lively, bustling and its different bazaars are composed of labyrinthic lanes which are perfect for random rambling. The bird market is perhaps the most acclaimed spot among travelers. Kah Faroshi, the bird market of Kabul 2. Trekking in Bamyan Few places in Afghanistan feel as peaceful as Bamyan, a mountainous, remote region in central Afghanistan, home to a large ancient Buddhist heritage and some of the most epic, unspoiled mountains in the country. If you like nature, it doesn’t get better than Bamyan. A shepherd we bumped into during a trek in Afghanistan 3. Learning about the Taliban legacy in Kandahar Kandahar is the former Taliban capital, where the Taliban movement started and also Mullah Omar’s home city. It’s also the heartland of the Pashtun, a world apart from the rest of Afghanistan. Sra Jama, or Red Mosque, popularly known for being Mullah Omar’s favorite mosque, and the place where he used to invite characters to pray, like Osama Bin Laden. The mosque recently underwent a massive restoration. 4. Visiting the Blue Mosque of Mazar-i-Sharif This is one of the most imposingly beautiful mosques I have ever seen, dating from the 15th century, a reason by itself to travel all the way to Mazar. The Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif during prayer time 5. Getting off the beaten track in rural Afghanistan Afghanistan’s countryside offers some of the most unspoiled and authentic areas in the world, regions that have received very little exposure from the outside world, and are home to mesmerizing, lush valleys dotted with adobe-made villages and curious locals. A village, somewhere in Ghor province Budget, money, and costs in Afghanistan In Afghanistan, their currency is called the Afghani (AFN) and approximately: $1 = 72 AFN Afghani or Afghan? Some people commit the funny mistake (including myself in the past) of referring to the people of Afghanistan as Afghani. It’s wrong. Afghani is their currency and the people are Afghans. Exchanging money in Afghanistan I always change money at one of the many stalls in Shahr-e Naw, in Kabul. They accept both Euros and USD. They even accept Pakistani rupees, in case you have any left from your trip to Pakistan. ATMs in Afghanistan Surprisingly, ATMs in Afghanistan do accept international credit and debit cards. Just look for Afghan International Bank. There are quite a few of them in Kabul, especially in Shahr-e Naw area. Paying by card in Afghanistan You might be able to withdraw money from an ATM but you can’t pay by card anywhere in Afghanistan, so do have cash for your trip. How much does it cost to travel to Afghanistan? Everyday life in Afghanistan is cheap but domestic flights and accommodation add up. Here’s an overview of the most typical costs. How much do food and drinks cost in Afghanistan? Breakfast in a local restaurant (usually consisting of eggs, bread and tea) – 100 AFS Local meal in a restaurant (usually palaw rice, kebab, etc) – 200-300 AFS Meal in a mid-range restaurant – 400-600 AFS How much does transportation cost in Afghanistan? One-way domestic flight – 60-120 USD Taxi within cities – 50 AFN for short taxi rides. Up to 200-250 AFN for longer ones. Half-day taxi in Kabul – Once, I hired a driver in Kabul for the morning to take me to a bunch of different places I had in mind. He charged me 20 USD for that. Taxi from the airport to city center – 500 AFN in Kabul, 300-400 AFN in Herat or Mazar. One-way taxi to Bamyan – 75 USD Round-trip taxi ride to Panjshir – 50 USD Local bus within the city – 5 AFN How much does accommodation cost in Afghanistan? Here’s the thing. Good, decent accommodation can get pricey. Expect to pay anything between 30 USD and 50 USD for a room, a relatively basic one but clean and with security. You can definitely find cheaper hotels but there won’t be any kind of security. The Blue Mosque of Mazar is a first-league piece of architecture but it’s free of charge, like most places in Afghanistan Getting around in Afghanistan: transportation How to travel around Afghanistan by public transportation Afghanistan has a good network of buses, minibuses and local shared taxis connecting towns and cities. Experienced budget backpackers won’t find it difficult to move around the country. Read: Overlanding from Kabul to Herat via Minaret of Jam by local transportation These are the type of minivans you can travel with in Afghanistan How to travel around Afghanistan by plane Taking a domestic flight is also a good option for traveling around Afghanistan. You can book your tickets online on Kam Air. There’s another local airline named Ariana. That’s the one I use for flying from Kandahar to Kabul. Note that airlines in Afghanistan aren’t very reliable. They get delayed all the time, especially Ariana. Note that all domestic flights go through Kabul, and that there’s no direct flight from Herat to Mazar, for example, or from Herat to Kandahar, but you need to go through Kabul. Typically, all flights cost $60-$120 and, if you are already in Afghanistan, I strongly recommend booking it through a physical Kam Air office. It happened to me once that after booking a flight with Kam Air online, the booking never went through, even though they did charge it from my card. Eventually, I had to go to an actual office to sort it out. Airport security The level of security in all Afghanistan airports is absolutely insane, consisting of several security layers with body searches and bag scans. That’s why it’s recommended to be at the airport at least two hours before your departure time. These are the sort of roads you will find in the mountain regions of Afghanistan Facts about the country, the Afghans and their culture The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Something interesting to mention is that when the Taliban took over, the country officially changed its name from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. They also removed any sign of the official flag – the one with black, green, and red stripes and replaced it with the Talib-friendly white flag, today visible everywhere. A local selling Taliban flags in Kabul A Taliban wearing the brand-new batch of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Afghanistan is multi-ethnic Afghanistan is composed of several ethnicities, including Pashtuns (42%), Tajik (27%) and Hazara (9%). Hazara are the Shia minority who have Mongolian features, Bamyan being their heartland. There’s also a significant population of Uzbeks in Mazer-i-Sharif and around, who mostly came from Uzbekistan escaping the terror from former dictator Islam Karimov. Dari is the main language, but Pashto is official too Dari is a variation from Farsi, the language spoken in Iran. Afghans and Iranians can understand each other without a problem. Dari is the language used by the administration and it’s spoken by nearly 80% of the population. Pashto is an official language too but it’s usually spoken only by the Pashtuns, who are the dominant ethnicity. A Hazara man and the local shared taxi driver that took us from Kabul to Bamyan Language barrier can be a problem sometimes When traveling in rural Afghanistan across the Hindu Kush, I found communicating with people to be extremely difficult, not only because of the language barrier but even sign language didn’t work, probably because they have had so little Western exposure, that their way of communication is just completely different. Beautiful Band-e Amir National Park Women in Afghanistan Afghanistan is the most patriarchal country in the world, with or without the Taliban but, since the latter returned to power, women have lost even more freedom. It’s not mandatory for women to wear the burqa, they can wear a hijab and they can walk alone in the streets but the Taliban have banned them from accessing higher education. I actually discussed this particular topic with a Taliban sympathizer and he said that according to Prophet Mohammed, schools must be segregated by gender so there’s no actual room for women now but the new Government is doing their best to figure it out. What I found truly unreal is that he was actually believing all that shit. A woman wearing burqa in Herat, Afghanistan Afghan cuisine Located at the heart of Central Asia, Afghan food is a mixture of flavors from Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. It’s heavily meat-based to the extent that it can be a struggle for vegetarians venturing into more rural areas. This is chainaki, a traditional lamb dish cooked in a clay pot, and only found in Kabul, the most famous place being in Bacha Broot, one of the oldest restaurants in Kabul. Their national dish is Kabuli palaw, consisting of rice fried in meat fat typically topped with carrots and raisins and essentially, the same as plov in Uzbekistan. Afghanistan also has their own dumplings named mantu, typically filled with mutton and covered with yogurt and yellow lentils. Ashak is the only vegetarian dish in Afghan cuisine, consisting of dumplings filled with leeks and other vegetables. This is ashak, the most popular vegetarian dish in Afghanistan Is there any alcohol in Afghanistan? Afghanistan is a dry country, as it was before the Taliban. Best books for traveling in Afghanistan Kite runner – Khaled Hosseini An American bestseller in 2003, Kite runner narrates the story of two Afghan kids in Kabul, a rich boy and the son of his parent’s servants. The book also gives endless insights of what life in Kabul and Afghanistan is like. CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES My Life with the Taliban – Abdul Salam Zaeef This is the mind-blowing biography of a senior former member of the Taliban. From growing up in conservative, rural Afghanistan to the years he spent in Guantanamo, this amazing book gives priceless insights into the Taliban movement from the inside. CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES Afghanistan Essential Guide to Customs & Culture – Culture Smart! Cultural Smart! is a series of guidebooks that focus on the country’s culture, giving loads of information about local customs, cultural etiquette and stuff like that. The one on Afghanistan is great, with deep explanations of why Afghans are so hospitable. CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES Afghanistan travel guide – Lonely Planet The travel guide to Afghanistan from Lonely Planet is outdated (2007) but still, is a great source of information on the country. It can be difficult to find a copy. CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES Internet in Afghanistan Is there Wi-Fi in Afghanistan? There’s kind of unreliable Wi-Fi in big cities but if you need it for work, it won’t be good enough. Getting a SIM card in Afghanistan To buy a SIM, you’ll have to go to one of the official branches, which tend to open from 8am to 4pm. There are many mobile companies in Afghanistan, including: Afghan Telecom, Afghan Wirless, Etisalat, MTN, Roshan, and Salaam. Apparently, each company is only good for certain provinces but everyone was telling us different things. In the end, I bought MTN because they said it was the best one for all Afghanistan but it only worked in the big cities. Note that there’s no 4G but only 3G or not even that. Get a VPN for traveling in Afghanistan You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks. Your connection will be much safer. Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Afghanistan. I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. Get Expressvpn More Information In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. All guides and articles for traveling in Afghanistan Visiting Kandahar Is Afghanistan safe? 50 Photos that will show you the beauty of Afghanistan Overlanding from Kabul to Herat via Minaret of Jam by local transportation Travel guides to other countries in Central Asia Tajikistan Travel Guide Travel Guide to Uzbekistan Travel Guide to Kazakhstan Pakistan Travel Guide Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide You might also like our Haiti travel guide.

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Check off your shopping list with these top best grocery delivery sites that service Manila, Philippines! (Fresh produce, meat, drinks, etc.)

The post Top Online Grocery Delivery Manila Sites & Apps (Philippines) appeared first on I am Aileen.

In today’s times, we want utmost convenience — and as we seek ways to save time, money, as well as effort, an array of online solutions never fail us! Naturally, one of the top services we seek is grocery deliveries. (Grocery Delivery Manila) After all, with just a few clicks or taps, all the goods we need can be delivered straight to our doorstep in a jiffy, leaving us with time to allocate for more important tasks. To start, here is a list of the top grocery delivery Manila services that can be easily accessed online or even through an app. ~ Top photo from Shutterstock RELATED READ: Top Philippine Online Shopping Sites RELATED READ: Shop Local for Christmas Gift Ideas Table of Contents Toggle » General Groceries MetroMart LazMart SM Supermarkets WalterMart Landers Grab Mart Shopee Supermarket Real Food PH » Produce (Fruits & Vegetables) Session Groceries Fresh Produce » Meat and Seafood Rare Food Shop Wild Caught PH Pacific Bay Tenderbites Gerald PH » Drinks Grocery Delivery Manila Coke Beverages Boozy.PH Winery.PH » Pets Pet Warehouse Top GroceryDelivery Manila Services » General Groceries MetroMart » LINK: MetroMart After the fall of HonestBee, MetroMart easily rose to be the #1 online grocery delivery service in the Philippines. It has partnered with Robinsons Supermarket, S&R Membership Shopping, Watsons, Family Mart, and so much more! Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, Credit & Debit Cards | App: iOS / Android . LazMart » LINK: Lazada Lazada is one of the major online shopping marketplaces in Asia, and they actually have a special section for groceries, namely: LazMart. They offer a wide range, except fresh and frozen items. Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, Credit & Debit Cards, BDO Installment, GCash | App: iOS / Android . SM Supermarkets » LINK: SM Markets The Philippines’ biggest supermarket chain is now online! You can shop through a lot of items and they even offer amazing promos from time to time. Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, Debit/Credit Card | App: None . WalterMart » LINK: WalterMart As a supermarket chain, WalterMart is well-known. Goods can be delivered within the day, or if you want to, you can pick them up from the nearest Walter Mart branch of your choosing. Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, Credit & Debit, GrabPay, GCash | App: iOS / Android . Landers » LINK: Landers Landers, much like S&R, is a membership shopping experience that offers local and international items. Apart from good deals, you will find joy in the number of exclusive goods they carry. Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, Credit & Debit Cards, PayMaya | App: None . Grab Mart » LINK: Grab Of course, given how comprehensive Grab’s services are, you bet they have a grocery delivery service! Simply download the app and you’re good to go — otherwise, their desktop version works as well. Payment Options: GCash, Cash, Credit & Debit | App: iOS / Android . Shopee Supermarket » LINK: Shopee Supermarket In case you don’t know it yet, Shopee has a special section on its website and app specifically for grocery goods! Though it’s not instant delivery like Grab, for example, it’s still a great place to shop in for great deals! Payment Options: BPI, BDO, GCash | App: iOS / Android . Real Food PH » LINK: Real Food This is a well-known store for health-conscious shoppers, vegans, vegetarians, etc. Their selections are from local farmers who provide healthy options that are chemical-free, free-range, keto-friendly, gluten-free, etc. Payment Options: Bank Transfer, Bank Deposit, Paynamics (Debit/Credit Card), GCash | App: None . OTHER ALTERNATIVES: – Rice Delivery: BigasPH.com – Bread Delivery: @butteryandco / @cinqdessertboutique / @Boulangerie22 – – – » Produce (Fruits & Vegetables) Session Groceries » LINK: Session Groceries From farm to table, you can source the freshest fruits, vegetables and other produce from local farmers through Session Groceries. Payment Options: Bank Deposits, Cash on Delivery | App: iOS / Android . Fresh Produce » LINK: Fresh Produce The fruits and vegetables on their site are all hand-picked from farmers and delivered on refrigerated trucks to keep them at their freshest. Payment Options: Online Banking, Over-the-Counter, LBC, Bayad Center | App: None . – – – » Meat and Seafood Rare Food Shop » LINK: Rare Food Shop No matter if you’re looking for fresh seafood or meat (even imported kinds), this online shop for grocery delivery Manila is a great place to check. The best part? There’s no minimum order! Payment Options: Bank Deposits, Wire Transfers, Credit & Debit Cards, GCash, Cash on Delivery | App: None . Wild Caught PH » LINK: @wildcaughtph As the name implies, this store offers seafood items: from tiger shrimps, sashimi, baby octopus, and more. You can even order packaged sets to save up on the cost. Payment Options: Credit & Debit Cards, Cash on Delivery | App: None . Pacific Bay » LINK: Pacific Bay Offering not only seafood but also meat products, this online grocery store holds a lot of options. You can even shop by brands, namely: Mowi, Backyard Farms, Tierra de Espana, and more! Payment Options: Credit & Debit Cards, PayPal | App: None . Tenderbites » LINK: Tenderbites Prices are shown per kilo and Tenderbites showcases meat cuts of beef, pork, lamb, and entrails. They are not limited to local items but also premium and imported ones. Payment Options: Credit & Debit Cards, Cash on Delivery | App: None . Gerald PH » LINK: GeraldPH As a health and gourmet online grocery store, you will have select choices of meat and seafood. Beyond this, you can also choose from their cheeses, bakery goods, wine, and produce among many others! Payment Options: Credit & Debit Cards | App: None . – – – » Drinks Grocery Delivery Manila Coke Beverages » LINK: Coca-Cola Under Coca-Cola PH, this is their special website wherein you can order anything from their product range: from soft drinks up to flavored water. (Items like Royal, Sprite, Wilkins, Minute Maid, and more!) Payment Options: Bank Deposits, Cash on Delivery | App: None . Boozy.PH » LINK: Boozy This is one of the best liquor delivery services that you can access online and they house a huge number of local and international brands. Under normal operation, they can even deliver your items in just under 60-90 minutes. Payment Options: Credit & Debit Cards, Cash on Delivery, PayMaya | App: Android . Winery.PH » LINK: Winery If you want a wider selection of wines, you can check out Winery.PH instead. They also offer a range of beers from cider to craft beers. Payment Options: Credit & Debit Cards, Cash on Delivery, Bank Deposit, PayPal | App: None . – – – » Pets Pet Warehouse » LINK: Pet Warehouse This is one of the biggest online pet store that offers a delivery service. No matter the kind of pet you have, they’re sure to have the items you’ll need! Payment Options: DragonPay, Cash on Delivery, Credit & Debit Cards | App: None . These are just some of the many online shops in the Philippines that you can look into when looking to check off your grocery list. I hope it helps! . The post Top Online Grocery Delivery Manila Sites & Apps (Philippines) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Discover the best hotels in Dubai, from mid-range gems to luxury stays. Enjoy prime locations, top amenities, and unforgettable experiences!

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Dubai, a glittering oasis in the Middle East, is renowned for its stunning skyline, luxurious lifestyle, and world-class shopping. From iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah to vibrant souks and expansive desert adventures, this city offers a captivating blend of modern innovation and rich cultural heritage. So whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, experiencing the best hotels in Dubai will elevate your stay, as the city is home to some of the most opulent and unique accommodations in the world. (Best Hotels in Dubai) – – – » Quick Travel Planning Top tours & experiences Find best flights to Dubai Visa requirements Best places to stay Travel insurance Stay connected …Looking for activities to do? Here are the top things to do in Dubai! READ NOW In this article, we’ll guide you through the top hotels in Dubai that cater to every type of traveler. Whether you’re seeking the ultimate luxury experience or a comfortable, budget-friendly stay, this curated list will help you find the perfect place to rest your head while exploring all that Dubai has to offer. Table of Contents Toggle » Quick Travel Planning Best Budget Hotels in Dubai Lakeside Hostel Downtown Grays Hostel Alphatel Beach Hostel JBR Torch 77 Dubai POD Capsule Hostel Mid-Range Hotels in Dubai Premier Inn Dubai Ibn Battuta Mall Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport TRYP by Wyndham Dubai Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens Rove Downtown Dubai Luxury Hotels in Dubai The Ritz-Carlton Dubai Banyan Tree Dubai at Bluewaters Atlantis, The Palm Jumeirah Al Naseem Burj Al Arab Jumeirah » Compare All Dubai AirBnBs & Hotels « Best Budget Hotels in Dubai Lakeside Hostel Downtown » BEST price on Hostelworld, Agoda or Booking.com With a central location and an affordable nightly fee, you won’t go wrong with this hostel’s dorm rooms — and it’s even a favorite among many backpackers and travelers around the world! To love: Good for value | Landmark: Dubai Water Canal Waterfall | Price starts from: $20~ Grays Hostel » BEST price on Hostelworld, Agoda or Booking.com For the price, this might just be one of the best hostels in Dubai! You’ll love the cozy yet modern interiors, the thoughtful decor, as well as its fun amenities. To love: Modern interiors | Landmark: Kids Planet | Price starts from: $23~ Alphatel Beach Hostel JBR » BEST price on Hostelworld, Agoda or Booking.com This property has all the amenities that you would need for a comfortable stay in the city without breaking the bank — at times, dorm rates can even go as low as $15! To love: Proximity to the beach | Landmark: Hidden Beach | Price starts from: $25~ Torch 77 » BEST price on Hostelworld, Agoda or Booking.com If you are a bit more flexible with your budget, this hotel-slash-hostel should be your natural choice! With amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool, shared kitchen, sauna, and many others, this is a stay that will surely make the most of your travel fund. To love: Great deal for stylish amenities | Landmark: Poblacion Plaza | Price starts from: $40~ Dubai POD Capsule Hostel » BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com If you’re looking for a pod-style accommodation, this hostel is worth considering. With its proximity to Saraf DG Metro station, it makes navigating Dubai a breeze! To love: Location | Landmark: Dubai Museum | Price starts from: $40~ Mid-Range Hotels in Dubai Premier Inn Dubai Ibn Battuta Mall » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com Connected to the mall, this hotel offers a rooftop pool, great breakfast, and budget-friendly comfort — a great choice for one of the best hotels in Dubai! To love: Shopping access | Landmark: Ibn Battuta Subway | Price starts from: $90~ Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com If you need to be somewhere close to the airport, this hotel offers free shuttles — not to mention an amazing breakfast spread and excellent service, which is totally ideal, especially for business travelers. To love: Convenience | Landmark: Mr Toads Pub & Kitchen | Price starts from: $120~ TRYP by Wyndham Dubai » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com Centrally located with spacious rooms and eco-friendly amenities, this hotel by Wyndham hotel chain also features multiple restaurants and a poolside bar that are sure to fill up the rest of your itinerary in Dubai. To love: Value | Landmark: Dubai Internet City Metro Station | Price starts from: $170~ Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com This is one of the best hotels in Dubai that’s trendy and perfect for those seeking an urban vibe with easy access to dining and co-working spaces. A lot of guests also praise the staff in this accommodation for their great service! To love: Luxurious amenities | Landmark: Social Company | Price starts from: $200~ Rove Downtown Dubai » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com Offers modern and luxurious rooms with Burj Khalifa views and it is even just a short walk from the famous Dubai Mall. Moreover, it’s known for its vibrant atmosphere with top-notch amenities at a price that’s just right. To love: Burj Khalifa views and pool | Landmark: Burj Khalifa | Price starts from: $250~ Luxury Hotels in Dubai The Ritz-Carlton Dubai » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com Nestled along the beachfront, this luxurious hotel that’s sure to leave an impression on you, features an array of lush gardens, multiple pools, and impeccable service. To love: Tranquility | Landmark: Marina Beach | Price starts from: $600~ Banyan Tree Dubai at Bluewaters » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com If you’re looking for the height of luxury at the best value that you can find in the city of Dubai, staying at Banyan Tree is a must — with award-winning restaurants, beachfront access, and modern amenities among many others, you’re sure to have the staycation of a lifetime here. To love: Luxurious amenities | Landmark: Demon Duck by Alvin Leung | Price starts from: $700~ Atlantis, The Palm » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com Located on the Palm Jumeirah, the facade of this hotel is hard to miss. As a guest, you’ll get to enjoy things like their unique underwater suite, a massive waterpark, and incredible dining options. To love: Amenities | Landmark: WHITE Beach | Price starts from: $850~ Jumeirah Al Naseem » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com With beachfront views and modern Arabian decor, this hotel offers access to private beaches and dining at Madinat Jumeirah. You’ll also love its private beach and picturesque canal-style waterways. To love: Scenic beauty | Landmark: Burj Al Arab Tower | Price starts from: $900~ Burj Al Arab Jumeirah » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com Known for its iconic sail-shaped structure, this ultra-luxury hotel provides exceptional service (Rolls Royce fleet or helicopter transfers included), private butlers, and exquisite dining experiences. Truly a luxurious stay! To love: The luxury | Landmark: Burj Al Arab Tower | Price starts from: $1,500~ • • • » Compare All Dubai AirBnBs & Hotels « • • • Overall From vibrant city hotels near Dubai Mall to beachfront resorts with breathtaking views, the options I’ve given provide the perfect blend of comfort, value, and luxury. So whether you’re seeking a budget-friendly stay with excellent amenities or a high-end experience at iconic properties like Burj Al Arab, this list highlights what makes each hotel special to help you plan the perfect Dubai getaway! The post Best Hotels in Dubai: From Cheap to Luxury Accommodations and Places to Stay appeared first on I am Aileen.

Running out of gift ideas? Not enough time to go shopping? Here are the top 20 online shopping sites in the Philippines to help you out!

The post Top 20 Philippine Online Shopping Sites for Gift Ideas & More appeared first on I am Aileen.

Anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, weddings — these are just a few of the various events in a year that warrants a gift-giving spree. Now, if you’re like me, these occasions are always a struggle because it’s difficult to think of great gift ideas; it’s even often tough to research for the right online shopping sites that will save me the time and effort. Of course, I realize the fact that it could be rather easy when the person you’re gifting has a strong interest in specific brands, shows, and some others — but then again, it can still be a daunting task to think of what to give them! Thankfully, experience has honed me for these situations and I have finally compiled the following list of the top online shopping sites in the Philippines… …to help you discover gift ideas …to help save you time …to save on ridiculous international shipping costs (if you’re living abroad) Don’t forget to shop on these online shopping sites during the hottest sales events! Apart from the well-known Black Friday (November 24) and Cyber Monday (December 2), Philippine merchants regularly hold sales too on double-digit dates such as 9.9 (September 9), 10.10 (October 10), 11.11 (November 11), and 12.12 (December 12). ~ Top photo from Shutterstock RELATED READ: 30 Local PH Brands for Christmas Gift Ideas RELATED READ: 25 Top Grocery Delivery Sites & Apps in Manila Table of Contents Toggle General Marketplaces Lazada Shopee Likhaan Online Shopping Sites for Gadgets & Tech Kimstore Henry’s Camera CD-R King Abenson Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Zalora BeautyMNL Sephora IKEA PH Fully Booked Online Shopping Sites for Food & Groceries MetroMart SM Markets Online Food Panda For Kids & Pets Edamama Milk & Honey Pet Warehouse General Marketplaces Lazada » LINK: Lazada.com.ph Similar to Amazon given that it offers a vast range of local and international products to make shopping effortless and hassle-free right in your home! Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, Credit & Debit, PayPal, e-Wallet | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep and Pick-up . Shopee » LINK: Shopee.ph With its customer-centric platform: a lot of the buyers and sellers are more responsive, with items having more reviews. Payment Options: ATM + Online transfers, Bill Payment + Remittance centers, Cash on Delivery, Credit + Debit Cards, GCash, Over the counter bank payments, Shopee Wallet | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . Likhaan » LINK: Likhaan This new marketplace collects all handmade works of art in the Philippines — from paintings to home decor, furniture, clothing, jewelry, supplies, and more! It’s truly a great place to start when you’re stumped for gift ideas for Christmas and other occasions. Payment Options: Credit + Debit Cards, GCash, PayPal | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . – – – Online Shopping Sites for Gadgets & Tech Kimstore » LINK: KimStore.com If you’re looking for unbeatable prices, this site is a favorite among locals when shopping for affordable tech and gadgets! Payment Options: Bank Deposit, Remittance Centers, Cash on Delivery, Credit Card | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep and Pick-ups . Henry’s Camera » LINK: HenrysCameraPhoto.com Famous for its rock-bottom prices on camera gear, it’s great that they finally have an online portal for online shopping! Payment Options: Credit + Debit Cards, Pesopay, Bank Deposit, Mobile Banking, Dragonpay, Cash on Delivery | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . CD-R King » LINK: CDRKing Yet another local favorite when it comes to cheap gadgets and hardware. It even has FREE delivery within Manila! Payment Options: Cash on delivery, Credit + Debit Cards, PayPal | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . Abenson » LINK: Abenson Abenson is a leading retail store in the Philippines offering home appliances, electronics, gadgets, and furniture — it’s a great place to also canvas other items for better prices. Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, Credit + Debit Cards, GCash, Maya, GrabPay | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep and Pick-ups . – – – Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Looking to buy original/authentic Korean skincare and beauty products straight from Seoul? Check by the Althea online site! Purchasing through this link also gives you a Php100 coupon, so go and take advantage of it. Meanwhile, from my experience, shipping is also fast and efficient so they are quite reliable. SHOP NOW SHEIN » LINK: Shein.com After years of trial and error, this is one of the best international sites for clothes that ships fast to PH and at no extra cost. Another alternative would be YesStyle. Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, Credit + Debit Cards, PayPal | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . Zalora » LINK: Zalora.com.ph Shopping for imported and local branded clothes is now made easier thanks to Zalora! Most of the time, you’ll also find great finds here that are normally not in our local stores. Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, Credit + Debit Cards, PayPal | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep and Pick-ups at select 7-Eleven branches . BeautyMNL » LINK: BeautyMNL.com This is arguably the top go-to website when shopping for local + international makeup brands, hair, and skin beauty products! (Alternative: Look at Me) Payment Options: PayPal, Bank Deposit, Online + Mobile Transfers, Cash on Delivery | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . Sephora » LINK: Sephora.ph This is one of the popular chain on personal care and beauty, and YES — it’s now in the Philippines for ease of shopping on those coveted cosmetics and whatnot! Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, PayPal, Credit + Debit Cards | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . IKEA PH » LINK: IKEA Who hasn’t heard of IKEA? Well, the good news is — your gift-giving woes are no longer a huge problem given that IKEA now exists in the Philippines. You can shop for stylish furniture, home decor, and many others. Payment Options: GCash, Credit + Debit Cards | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . Fully Booked » LINK: Fully Booked For the book-lovers, this website is the top go-to platform for all kinds of genre that you can think of! Beyond books, they also sell journals, art suppliers, planners, cards and others. Payment Options: GCash, Credit + Debit Cards, Bank Deposit, Online Banking | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . BONUS: If you’re looking for more local fashion online shops, I would highly recommend the following… Likhaan Apartment 8 Clothing Seek the Uniq Anthill Fabric Rags2Riches – – – Online Shopping Sites for Food & Groceries RELATED ARTICLE: Top Online Grocery Delivery Sites & Apps (Metro Manila) READ NOW MetroMart » LINK: MetroMart.com Ever since HonestBee’s disappearance, this has become the #1 online grocery shopping store! It sure saves us the time and the effort. Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, Credit Card | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . SM Markets Online » LINK: Shop.SMMarkets.ph Who doesn’t know SM and their range of affordable selections? Now with their mobile platform, ordering from their supermarket is easy! Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, Credit + Debit Cards | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep and Pick-ups . Food Panda » LINK: FoodPanda.ph With select top restaurants all over Manila, you can directly order your food (or feast) online and have it delivered to your address within the hour! (Another option is of course, GrabFood.) Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, PayPal, Credit + Debit Cards | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . – – – For Kids & Pets Edamama » LINK: Edamama The newest and biggest marketplace for all things needed by moms or parents — or families in general. Anything you might need, they have it! Payment Options: COD, eWallet, Credit + Debit Cards | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . Milk & Honey » LINK: MilkAndHoney.ph Biggest online shop founded for moms and moms-to-be with a plentiful and abundant selection of pregnancy and breastfeeding products. Payment Options: Bank Deposit, Cheques, M Lhuillier, PayPal, Credit + Debit Cards | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . Pet Warehouse » LINK: Pet Warehouse Pet Warehouse is an online pet store in the Philippines offering a variety of pet food, toys, and accessories with convenient delivery options. They provide free shipping on orders above PHP 995 and cater to both Metro Manila and provincial areas. Payment Options: Cash on Delivery, PayMaya, DragonPay, Credit/Debit Cards, GCash | Shipping Method: Directly at your doorstep . BONUS: Other amazing online shops for baby items… Kids Company Kidoozi Mighty Baby • • • Overall These are just some of the many online shops in the Philippines that you can look into for gifts and trinkets. I’ve tried shopping with most of them and have trusted them; so, I hope that in turn, you get to enjoy them too! The post Top 20 Philippine Online Shopping Sites for Gift Ideas & More appeared first on I am Aileen.

Make your South Korea travel dreams come true and get a single or multiple South Korean visa in Manila, Philippines!

The post Korean Visa Application Requirements for Filipino Tourists in Manila, Philippines (Single / Multiple Entry) appeared first on I am Aileen.

LATEST UPDATE: The Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in BGC will now be handling all Korean visa-related applications and the release of passports instead of the South Korean embassy (the embassy will no longer process visa applications except for special cases). The good news? There’s NO need to book an appointment and you can just walk in to KVAC directly to lodge your application. I’m sure that a majority of us Filipinos have encountered Korean influences at some point in our lives, may it be through K-Pop, K-dramas (Koreanovelas), cosmetic products, or food (among many others). Due to these things as well as other factors, South Korea has remained a dream destination for many — but for those who want to make it a reality, there is the question of how our weak Philippine third world passports can fare when it comes to entry or visa matters. Don’t fret though because applying for a South Korean visa is easy and also FREE! RELATED READ: – South Korea Itinerary Travel Guide – How to Explore Nami Island, Petite France, and More! – How to Rent a ‘Hanbok’ Looking for Seoul Itinerary Ideas? Come and check out my ‘DIY Seoul Itinerary Guide’ post which features detailed day-by-day activities that you could do, no matter the length of your stay! READ NOW The application process is SO simple and starting this 2018, the Korean Embassy is coursing applications through travel agencies (much like how the Japan Embassy does). As such, with the help of this guide, let us make your South Korea travel dreams come true! …But first, a disclaimer: NO ONE can give you a guarantee of your South Korean visa’s approval: not even a lawyer, a consultant, a travel agent, or an embassy employee. Anyone who says otherwise is most likely going to be a scammer. That being said, what I can offer you here is a comprehensive guide with helpful tips to increase your chances of getting that South Korean tourist visa. Top photo by: Shutterstock Table of Contents Toggle ApplicationProcess for South Korean Visa Step 1: Determine the type of South Korean visa that you need to apply for Step 2: Prepare the required documents for your application (Section A) South Korea Tourist Visa WITHOUT Any Guarantor/Sponsor (Section B) South Korea Tourist Visa WITH Any Guarantor/Sponsor (Section C) South Korea Multiple Entry Tourist Visa Step 3: Go to KVAC and submit your documents Step 4: Claim your South Korean visa results FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) ApplicationProcess for South Korean Visa Step 1: Determine the type of South Korean visa that you need to apply for There are, of course, various types of South Korean visas out there that you can apply for: a visa for studying, a visa for business, a visa for joining family, etc. For this particular guide though, I will only be discussing the requirements for a tourist visa since it’s an experience that I’ve gone through myself. If, however, you have a different situation or purpose of visit, it’s best that you contact the South Korea Embassy for more information and for the complete requirements. You can do this via telephone ([02] 856-9210, local no. 270 or 500) or via email: ph04@mofa.go.kr – – – Step 2: Prepare the required documents for your application Depending on your circumstance, click the symbol ‘+‘ below to view the corresponding requirements for each section. Make sure that you have authentic, original, and complete documents at all times! (Section A) South Korea Tourist Visa WITHOUT Any Guarantor/Sponsor Philippine Passport. Make sure that your passport is valid for more than 6 months prior to your intended travel date, it has your signature, filled out the emergency contact page, and has at least two (2) blank pages. . Photocopy of current Philippine Passport bio page. This is found on page 2 (the part where your passport photo and other info are shown). . If applicable, previous Philippine Passport(s). You only need to submit this if you have traveled abroad within the last 5 years. . If applicable, original and photocopy of all your OECD visas for the past 5 years. If you have been to any of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development or OECD countries in the past 5 years as a tourist, make sure to submit the original and photocopy(ies) of the relevant visas and arrival stamps. (UPDATE: As of 2019, even if Japan is part of the OECD countries, it is NO longer considered as an example due to several cases of applicants passing fake Japan visas.) Doing this will help expedite the processing time of your visa. When I say ‘original’, this means that you will have to submit the passport(s) that contains the OECD visas and arrival stamps (no matter if they are your old or current passport[s]). Only used visas are counted. It is said that you are NO longer required to submit an ITR if you have traveled at least once to OECD member countries in the past 5 years — or have traveled to South Korea for more than two times within the last 4 years. . If applicable, photocopies of your PRC or IBP card. Both the IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) and PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) cards are identification cards issued by professional regulatory bodies. The former is for lawyers and the latter is for certified professionals such as nurses or engineers who’ve passed their respective licensure exams. . A duly accomplished South Korean Visa Application Form. Download the application form here: PDF. Before printing, properly fill the form on your computer and ensure that everything is in CAPITAL LETTERS (apparently, KVAC does not allow handwritten application forms). To do this, you can use websites like this: [click] to be able to accomplish the form digitally. Print the application form on an A4-sized paper. Do NOT write outside the boxes and do NOT handwrite your application form (except for your signature). If anything is not applicable to you, just put N/A. There is a part in Section 2 that asks for “Confirmation of Visa Issuance”. Just leave it blank or put N/A because this is basically info that’s only issued in Korea (most likely for Koreans only). See here for a SAMPLE filled-out application form: [click] and click the tab that says “Visa Application Form Sample”. There are sections here that ask for your address/hotel in South Korea as well as your intended date of entry and period of stay. Now regarding this.. . You are NOT required to present “booked” airline and hotels beforehand because the embassy does NOT require applicants to book it before approval. It might sometimes help to present a flight reservation though, and you can do this easily with One Way Fly with a fee that is as low as Php 900~ only. . Once your South Korean visa is approved, check Skyscanner to look for the best flight deals. As for hotel bookings, it’s best to do it with Booking.com or Agoda.com. With them, you can reserve a hotel with NO pre-payment and you can even cancel the booking a day before your arrival with NO cancellation charges at all. 
 1 Passport-sized photo. This should be around 35mm x 45mm, colored, and against a white background. Paste this on your South Korea visa application form. . Optional: cover letter and itinerary. These are NOT required, but it’s always good practice to prepare them, to see an example cover letter, you can check the letter I submitted for my Korean visa application before in this link. However, if you are a freelancer or if you have missing documents that you can’t submit such as an ITR, a Certificate of Employment, etc. — it is, therefore, a MUST that you submit a cover letter to the embassy to explain your situation. As for the itinerary, there have been some cases wherein some applicants were asked to submit a rough draft of their South Korea itinerary; so it’s best to prepare this just in case. . Proof of income or financial stability. The requirements for this differ depending on your occupation. But if in case you are a student, a minor, or a person who has no income, refer to section (B). For employed persons. Original personal bank certificate: this must indicate your account type, current balance, account opening date, and 6 months average balance (ADB). Original or certified true copy of your Bank Statement or passbook for the last 3 months. Original Certificate of Employment: this must be printed on your company’s official letterhead and must contain details of your officer or employer’s address, HR landline number (cellphone number is not allowed), HR email address, your position, your hiring date, and your salary. Photocopy of your ITR (or Form 2316) If you do NOT have an ITR or any of the other requirements above, write a simple letter explaining why you’re unable to submit them (examples: you’re newly employed so you don’t have an ITR, etc.). . For self-employed / business persons. Original personal bank certificate: this must indicate your account type, current balance, account opening date, and 6 months’ average balance (ADB). Original or certified true copy of your Bank Statement or passbook for the last 3 months. If you own a business, submit photocopies of your Business Registration issued by DTI / SEC, the company ITR, and your Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit. If you’re a freelancer, provide the latest photocopy of your ITR (or Form 1701A) with a corresponding payment receipt from a BIR-authorized bank and proof of work (examples: screenshots of your work, a letter from clients, proof of payments for your work, etc.). If you do NOT have an ITR, write a simple letter explaining why you’re unable to submit it (examples: if you are a new business, a newly self-employed person, you are being taxed in another country, etc.) It is said that the only time you are exempt from submitting an ITR is if you have traveled to OECD countries in the past 5 years. Start filing your local taxes as early as NOW — after all, a lot of embassies (not only Korea) require an ITR. So if you’re looking for a hassle-free experience on Philippines tax compliance, I suggest registering with Taxumo because they can take care of literally everything for you: tax forms, payments, and submissions. I’ve been using them for years now and it has been such a time-saver. Come sign up with my code AILEEN and you can get a 10% discount on all their subscription plans! For retirees. Original personal bank certificate: this must indicate your account type, current balance, account opening date, and 6 months’ average balance (ADB). Original or certified true copy of your Bank Statement or passbook for the last 3 months. Photocopy of your senior citizen ID. . For unemployed persons. Given the way the Embassy of South Korea presents its requirements for visa applicants, it’s best that you acquire a guarantor/sponsor who can provide an ITR. Refer to section (B) below for this. . For students, minors, housewives, ‘househusbands’, etc. Refer to ‘Section (B)’ below. . For elected politicians, government officials, and professional license holders From February 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024, the following individuals do NOT need to submit bank certificates, bank statements, and ITR. HOWEVER, you will still need to submit an original certificate of employment OR certificate of appointment (take note that if you’re an immediate family member of these said individuals, you will need to provide proof of relationship). ELECTED POLITICIANS: Members of the Senate, Members of the Congress, Governors, Provincial Board Members, and Mayors (City or Municipality) — along with their immediate family members only: their parents, spouse, minor children (applicable for adult children who can prove to be students through documents), and spouse’s parents GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS: Persons with a rank higher or equal to Assistant Secretary of the Executive Branch of the Philippine Government, and Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippine National Police (excluding those in acting duties) — along with their immediate family members only: their parents, spouse, minor children (applicable for adult children who can prove to be students through documents), and spouse’s parents PROFESSIONAL LICENSE HOLDERS: Those holding a valid PRC license ID (IBP ID for lawyer) with a profession of physician, dentist, lawyer (including judge, prosecutor), certified public accountant, pharmacist, and veterinarian— along with their immediate family members only: their parents, spouse, minor children (applicable for adult children who can prove to be students through documents), and spouse’s parents. . For individuals who hold a BDO Gold or BDO Elite credit card From February 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024, BDO Gold and BDO Elite credit card holders, EXCLUDING supplementary card holders, do NOT need to submit bank certificates, bank statements, and ITR. The primary credit card holder’s immediate family members only — their parents, spouse, minor children (applicable for adult children who can prove to be students through documents), and spouse’s parents — can also enjoy this benefit as long as they provide proof of relationship to the primary credit card holder. The applicable credit cards are as follows: Mastercard Gold Credit Card Visa Gold Credit Card JCB Gold Credit Card UnionPay Gold Credit Card Diners Club International American Express Cashback Credit Card American Express Explorer Credit Card Mastercard Titanium, Platinum and World Elite Credit Card Visa Platinum Credit Card JCB Platinum Credit Card UnionPay Diamond Credit Card Diners Club Premiere Credit Card American Express Platinum Credit Card American Express International Dollar Charge Cards (platinum, gold, and green) . (OPTIONAL) Letter of Attorney. This is only if you’re planning to course your application through a travel agency, you will need to sign this Letter of Attorney. * * * * * * (Section B) South Korea Tourist Visa WITH Any Guarantor/Sponsor This kind of application is applicable for students, minors, unemployed persons, husband/wife (if one of you will be supporting the other), self-employed persons/freelancers (who can’t provide an ITR and have no strong reason why they can’t submit it) or just about any person who will take on a sponsor. This also applies to anyone who would have a company/agency to sponsor the trip. For submitting the necessary requirements, simply submit the requirements listed in section (A), numbers #1 to #8. And when it comes to (#9) Proof of income or financial stability, you should ask these documents from your guarantor/sponsor as dependent on their profession or occupation — this could be your mom, dad, brother, sister, friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, relative, etc. Take note though that there are no guarantees of approval if your guarantor is NOT a family member of yours. In fact, it is said that it’s a lot better to have family sponsoring you. Moving on, you should also submit the following… Sponsor/Guarantee letter. This is a simple letter written by your sponsor indicating and confirming how he/she will cover the costs of your South Korea trip. . Photocopy of sponsor/guarantor’s passport. Provide a photocopy of the bio page only; if not, it can be a photocopy of any government-issued ID. If your sponsor is a company in Korea, provide a photocopy of their Korean Company Business Permit . TIP: If your sponsor is your brother/sister, you must also submit their birth certificate to the embassy. ADDITIONAL NOTES: If you are personally invited by a South Korean… …resident, you must submit an invitation letter and a photocopy of his/her passport or authentication ID …national, you must submit an invitation letter and photocopy of his/her passport or ID card. …company, you must submit an invitation letter and a photocopy of the Korean company’s business permit. . If you are married, submit a photocopy of your NSO Marriage Certificate. . If you are a student, submit the following: Original school certificate. Photocopy of your school ID. Photocopy of your NSO-issued birth certificate. Your parents’ or your sponsor’s supporting financial documents (depending on their occupation refer to the list in section (A) under #9.) If your parents are your sponsor, provide a photocopy of an NSO-issued marriage certificate. If your sponsor is other than your parents, explain your relationship with that person through a cover letter. * * * * * * (Section C) South Korea Multiple Entry Tourist Visa The South Korean Embassy only issues multiple-entry visas under certain conditions. Currently, there are 2 ways to avail this…. FIRST, by being a frequent South Korea traveler. Basically, it is said that if you have visited South Korea more than 4 times in the past 2 years OR if you have visited South Korea more than 10 times in total (with at least 1 of the visits done within the past 2 years), then you are suitable for a multiple-entry application. SECOND, it is said that if you show or submit proof that you have OECD visas in the past 5 years, the embassy can automatically just issue you a multiple-entry tourist visa. (Yet to be fully confirmed but there have been cases in which this happens). NOTE: If in case you are a Philippine national living or residing in a foreign country and you wish to avail a South Korea tourist visa, kindly inquire with the appropriate South Korean Embassy in the country that you’re living in. – – – Step 3: Go to KVAC and submit your documents Starting September 2023, the South Korean Embassy has officially inaugurated the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC). Going forward, ALL visa applicants must now process their applications through this center either: By themselves; or, Through a designated travel agency See here for a complete list of these 35 accredited agencies) It helps to note that visa applications for diplomatic passport holders, official passport holders, and for those who require a visa urgently within 1 to 2 days due to clear humanitarian reasons will be the only ones who are exceptionally accepted at the embassy. Additionally, KVAC is only providing visa processing assistance; hence, the approval or denial of your visa is solely at the discretion of the Embassy of Korea after reviewing your documents. In my opinion, filing for a visa application by yourself presents absolutely NO issues. In fact, choosing to go through a travel agency primarily ONLY helps if you can’t personally visit KVAC to submit your application. Remember, much like KVAC, travel agencies only facilitate document submission for an additional fee and they have NO influence over the visa application’s decision. VISA PROCESSING FEES: A South Korean Visa is FREE of charge as long as you are only going to stay 59 days or less; however, KVAC as well as travel agencies charge for the service that they offer for processing your application. . KVAC currently only charges Php 900 as a service fee (they ONLY accept cash). As for other travel agencies, they typically charge about Php 500 to Php 2,000 as an additional fee on top of the KVAC service fee. (Meanwhile, for stays spanning from 60 to 90 days, the embassy will charge you a fee of about Php 2,000.). Take note that the consulate in Cebu still accepts direct applications — you can also course your application through their own accredited travel agencies, the list of which you can find here. For the complete address details of KVAC and the Cebu Consulate, see below: KVAC (Korea Visa Application Center) 9F~10F, Brittany Hotel BGC, 6 Mckinley Pkwy, BGC, Taguig, Metro Manila Website: https://www.visaforkorea-mn.com Email: kvacph@visaforkorea-mn.com Telephone: 02-8248-5440 Operation hours: 09:00AM to 17:30PM (except for Philippine & Korea holidays) . KOREAN CONSULATE IN CEBU 12th Floor Chinabank Corporate Center, Lot 2, Samar Loop Cor. Road 5, Cebu Business Park, Cebu Email Address: phi_cebu2015@mofa.go.kr Contact No.: (63-32) 231-1516(-9) CUT OFF TIME FOR VISA APPLICATIONS AT KVAC: 4:00PM Please take note that in case you are a group of applicants for a family trip or business trip, one of the applicants may submit ALL of your applications. But if you wish to submit visa applications through a representative (someone who isn’t coming with you on the trip), you must submit your applications to one of the designated travel agencies mentioned above. Once you arrive at KVAC, the process usually goes like this: Upon arrival, a guard in the lobby will provide you with a queuing number. (Most people will already be here by 8AM to line up, and even though the official opening time is 9AM, KVAC may already start distributing and calling queuing numbers at 8:30AM). You can then head to Level 2, a waiting area furnished with chairs and featuring a café station. Your companions can stay here to wait, but only the visa applicants with queuing numbers can proceed to Level 9 when their number is called. A staff person will regularly come to Level 2 to call out numbers. When yours is called, proceed to Level 9. Another staff person will receive your documents for preliminary checking. Once done, you will be given a new queue number. In a separate room, keep an eye out for your queue number once it flashes on the screen with its assigned counter. Once called, proceed to Level 10. This is the final checkpoint in which your documents will be reviewed and taken for submission to the embassy. Take note, any original document that you submit will NOT be returned to you — except for your passport. If you like, you can receive your results and passport via courier service for an added fee of Php 300 (within Metro Manila, sent within 3-5 working days) or Php 400 (outside Metro Manila, sent within 5-7 working days). If in case you have missing documents, KVAC also has a photocopy and printing service for Php 10 per page (payable by cash only). You will be given an Application Receipt with a barcode — keep this because it will be important when claiming your passport and visa application results later. – – – Step 4: Claim your South Korean visa results Typically, the processing time for visas is 5 working days, but due to the increased volume of applicants, expect it to go for as long as 10 working days or more. Rest assured, KVAC will regularly send you the status of your application via SMS. If you’re personally going to pick up your visa results and passport, just bring a valid government ID as well as the Application Receipt. If someone else will pick up your results on your behalf, the representative needs to present the Application Receipt, a photocopy of your ID, an original copy of the ID of the representative, and a notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA). If you lose the Application Receipt, please secure a Police Report with a notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA). Should your application be approved (yay!), make sure that your South Korean visa has your correct name, passport number, etc. Wanna track the status of your application online? Go to this page! 2020 UPDATE: The Embassy will NO longer issue a visa label for visa applications processed in the Philippines as of July 1, 2020. If your application is approved, the embassy will notify you by issuing a ‘Visa Grant Notice’ on the official website. From there, you can print out the visa document by entering your passport number, date of birth, and other relevant information. . The Visa Grant Notice will contain your personal details including name, date of birth, and passport number, as well as other details including visa issuance number, status of stay, period of stay, number of allowed entries, date of issue, validity of visa, and issuing authority. (Simply PRINT the Visa Grant Notice and present it to immigration officers before your flight and after arrival). What to Do in South Korea…? Come and check out this list of the top things to do in South Korea which features the best activities and tours to do in places like Seoul, Busan, and more! READ NOW • • • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) How long does my passport have to be valid in order to apply for a Korea visa? Your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond your intended period of stay. When is the earliest time that I can apply for a South Korean visa? You can apply as early as two (2) months or 60 days before your planned trip date departure. Which is the best travel agency to go to if I want to increase my chances of approval? There really is NO best travel agency out there when it comes to visa approval because they have NO control whatsoever over that matter. Again, these accredited travel agencies simply ensure that the documents you are going to give are complete. After which, they just pass it to the embassy who makes the analysis and final decision. Can I make an appointment on behalf of my friends? We’re all traveling together to Korea. In case you are a group of friends with similar plane ticket dates, or if you are a group going for a family trip or business trip, only 1 (one) from your group of visa applicants may submit ALL of your applications. But if you wish to submit visa applications through a representative (someone who isn’t coming with you on the trip), you must rather submit your applications to one of the designated travel agencies mentioned above. How long is the duration of a single-entry tourist South Korean visa? All tourist visa holders of a single-entry visa are permitted to stay in South Korea for a maximum period of 59 days. If I have a multiple-entry tourist visa, how long until I can re-enter South Korea again after a trip? There seems to be NO existing rule for a “break period” when you want to enter South Korea again — however, take note that if you enter the country again too soon, that will raise questions and the immigration might not let you in. Also, take note that you should NOT spend more than 180 days total in a year in South Korea as a tourist. How long does it take for my South Korea Visa application to be processed? Please refer to the info I mentioned above under step #4. Do I need to book accommodation and plane tickets by the time I send in my application? The embassy does NOT require applicants to submit “booked” roundtrip flight tickets and hotel(s) before applying for a visa. It might sometimes help to present a flight reservation and you can do this easily with One Way Fly which has a fee that is as low as Php 900~ only. Do I need to submit a cover letter for my visa application? This is NOT required, but it’s always good practice to prepare it just in case. To see an example cover letter, you can check the letter I submitted for my Korean visa application at this link. How much money should I show in my bank account? The South Korean Embassy did NOT mention any minimum balance requirement, but some people have been saying that you need to have at least Php 10,000 per day of your stay — you can use this as a standard but of course, it’s always best if you have more. The way I see it, there’s no amount that will guarantee approval. Just ensure that you have complete documents and have enough pocket money to support yourself during your trip. How can I track or follow up on the status of my South Korea visa application? You can go to this page. My South Korea Visa application was denied. Is there anything I can do? Sorry to hear that. Either way, you can reapply again after 3 months. • • • » Top South Korea Tours « N Seoul Tower Tour Marvel at the breathtaking views of Seoul! Nami Island Tour + stops to Garden of Morning Calm and more! • • • Booking Essentials Booking.com TIP: It’s a good idea to crosscheck the prices with other popular travel insurance providers like World Nomads and HeyMondo (as my reader, you get 5% off)! . However, take note that a travel insurance’s affordability typically means lesser coverage; so please always ensure that you read the fine print in order to decipher which travel insurance company is the right fit for you and your trip! Looking for more travel tips for South Korea? Check out my other detailed South Korea travel guides! READ NOW – – – As you can see, applying for a South Korea Tourist Visa is fast and easy — you can do it all by yourself! All in all, I hope the process becomes absolutely hassle-free for you with the help of this visa guide. Let me know how it goes… good luck! 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Make the most of your Cambodia Holidays with this list of top things to do complete with the best travel tips!

The post Cambodia Holidays: The Right Way — The When, Where, and How of South East Asia’s Treasure appeared first on I am Aileen.

When I first pictured Cambodia, I’ll admit, it was all about Angkor Wat — and yes, those temples? Maybe a few 20-somethings in elephant pants trying to “find themselves” in between. But what I didn’t expect was to fall head over heels for way more than this very small part of the country. (Cambodia Holidays) The bustling markets of Phnom Penh have you haggling like a seasoned local, while the serene riverside in Kampot offers the perfect spot to unwind. And the overall vibe? Just… different. Cambodia’s got a unique energy, a blend of ancient history and modern life that’s beyond captivating. Word about this incredible destination is spreading quickly, and with the super easy Cambodia eVisa, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes the next travel hotspot. So, buckle up, travel buddies—I’m about to share all my insider tips and favorite spots in this amazing country! Table of Contents Toggle When to Go To Cambodia: Embrace All the Seasons Time is of the Essence: How Long to Linger in Cambodia Adventure Awaits: Unforgettable Cambodian Experiences Cambodia Holidays When to Go To Cambodia: Embrace All the Seasons Cambodia’s weather is pretty straightforward: it’s either hot and dry — or hot and really wet. The dry season (November to April) is like Cambodia’s ‘greatest hits‘ tour – perfect weather, but also peak tourist season. If you’re all about temple hopping and outdoor adventures, this is your time to shine. But hold up, don’t write off the wet season (May to October) just yet! Sure, you might get caught in a downpour, but it also means fewer crowds, lush green scenery, and way better deals on everything. Plus, those afternoon showers can be a refreshing break from the heat. Dry Season Perks: Clear skies, comfortable temps, prime time for exploring. Wet Season Wins: Lower prices, fewer tourists, and seriously stunning landscapes. – – – Time is of the Essence: How Long to Linger in Cambodia So, how much time do you really need for your Cambodia holidays? Well, that depends on your travel style. Whether you’re a whirlwind explorer or a slow-paced wanderer, here’s a rough guide to help you plan: 5 Days – The Highlights Reel: Hit the must-sees: Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, the Royal Palace, and markets in Phnom Penh. You might even squeeze in a day trip to a nearby spot like Battambang. 10 Days – Deeper Dive: Explore Angkor Wat at a more leisurely pace, wander the streets of Phnom Penh, and add a relaxing getaway to Kampot or one of the islands. 14+ Days – Off the Beaten Path: Now we’re talking! Venture beyond the tourist hotspots and discover hidden gems like Mondulkiri’s elephants or the remote temples of Preah Vihear. You’ll have plenty of time to soak up the local culture and maybe even learn a few Khmer phrases. No matter how long you stay, the country is sure to leave a lasting impression. Just remember, it’s always better to have too much time for your Cambodia holidays than too little! – – – Adventure Awaits: Unforgettable Cambodian Experiences From ancient wonders to bustling cityscapes and tranquil escapes, Cambodia’s got it all. Here are a few experiences you simply can’t miss: 1. ANGKOR WAT Okay, I know it’s the obvious thing to do in Cambodia, but trust me, Angkor Wat is worth all the hype. This place is seriously epic – massive temples covered in intricate carvings, and hidden pathways leading to secret courtyards… You will spend hours just wandering around in awe. Pro Tip: Get your Angkor Pass in advance (they offer 1, 3, or 7-day options) and try to catch the sunrise over the main temple. It’s a bit of a touristy thing to do, but honestly, it’s magical. Just be prepared for an early wake-up call! 2. PHNOM PENH Phnom Penh is a wild ride of a city. On one hand, you’ve got the glittering Royal Palace and bustling markets where you can haggle for souvenirs and try all sorts of street food. But then there’s the sobering side: the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields, stark reminders of Cambodia’s tragic past. It’s heavy stuff, but it’s important to understand this part of the country’s history. Pro Tip: Visit the Killing Fields before the Tuol Sleng museum. The museum details the horrors that took place, while the Killing Fields provide a more contemplative space to reflect on the lives lost. 3. KAMPOT If the energy of Phnom Penh or the crowds at Angkor Wat start to feel a bit much, Kampot is your perfect escape. This sleepy riverside town is all about slowing down and savoring the simple things: lazy boat rides through the mangroves, motorbike adventures to pepper plantations, hikes with stunning views from Bokor Hill Station, and sunset cocktails by the river. Oh, and the food? Kampot pepper crab is a must-try, trust me on this one! Pro Tip: Rent a scooter and explore the countryside at your own pace. The roads are pretty quiet, and you’ll stumble upon hidden waterfalls, caves, and charming villages. Just remember to wear a helmet! 4. BATTAMBANG If you’re craving a taste of authentic Cambodian life away from the main tourist trail, Battambang is the place to be. This laid-back town has a unique charm with its blend of French colonial architecture, vibrant local markets, and picturesque countryside. Take a ride on the famous bamboo train – it’s a bumpy but unforgettable experience! And don’t forget to explore the ancient temples and witness the spectacle of millions of bats emerging from the bat caves at dusk. Pro Tip: Catch a traditional Apsara dance performance in the evening. It’s a beautiful way to experience Cambodian culture and support local artists. 5. THE ISLANDS Cambodia’s islands are a dream come true for beach lovers seeking that perfect blend of sun, sand, and sea. Koh Rong is the lively option, with its buzzing nightlife and social scene. Koh Rong Samloem offers a more tranquil escape, with pristine beaches and laid-back vibes. And for those seeking an eco-conscious experience, Koh Thmei is a protected marine park with untouched natural beauty. Each island has its own unique charm, so do your research and pick the one that suits your travel style. Pro Tip: Do your research before you book! Some islands have limited facilities, so choose one that matches your travel style. 6. CULINARY DELIGHTS Get ready to tantalize your taste buds! Cambodian food is a delicious mix of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. From fragrant curries to fresh seafood, there’s something for everyone. Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to try street food! It’s often the most authentic (and affordable) way to experience local cuisine. • • • Overall Cambodia is a country that gets under your skin. It’s got the history, the beauty, the food, and the people — everything you need for an unforgettable adventure. Whether you’re exploring ancient temples, haggling in bustling markets, or simply chilling on a hammock by the beach, Cambodia will steal your heart. A few more parting tips for your future Cambodia holidays: Learn a little lingo: Even a few basic Khmer phrases will go a long way. Haggle with a smile: It’s part of the fun in the markets! Dress respectfully: Cover your shoulders and knees when visiting temples. Embrace the unexpected: Power outages and spotty Wi-Fi happen. Roll with it! Stay safe in the sun: Pack that sunscreen and hat — the heat can be unforgiving here. And most importantly… Travel responsibly. Cambodia is a country with a complex history, and it’s important to be mindful of its past and present. By supporting local businesses and respecting the culture, you can help ensure that Cambodia’s beauty and spirit endure for generations to come. So, go on, book that ticket. Cambodia is waiting! The post Cambodia Holidays: The Right Way — The When, Where, and How of South East Asia’s Treasure appeared first on I am Aileen.

Increase your chances of getting that approval — here are the 4 topmost important visa application tips to remember when you're applying!

The post Visa Application Tips: 4 Important Things to Get You Approved! appeared first on I am Aileen.

I am no stranger to visa applications. I perfectly know the struggle of applying for visas because I have to do it almost every time I fly out of my home country — it’s one of the many woes of being born in a third world country with a powerless third world passport. (Visa Application Tips) For instance, application processes and interviews would always be especially rigorous for us not only due to the ‘poor’ standing of our nation but also because of the unfortunate records that others have set before us. However, in spite of all the horror stories that you may have heard, seen, or read, getting a visa is still and absolutely achievable. Take it from me, a 3rd-world national who was able to travel to over 60 countries and ALL the 7 continents despite all the odds and hassles of applying for visas! Sure it’s tough, yes, but impossible? Not at all. So hopefully, with this article, I’ll be able to impart with you my top visa application tips. Looking for visa guides per country? Check out my list of visa and immigration tips around the world here. READ NOW DISCLAIMER: I do NOT guarantee that the pointers in this post will get you approved 100% when you‘re applying for a visa. In fact, NO ONE can give you a 100% guarantee; not even a lawyer, a consultant, a travel agent, or an embassy employee. Anyone who says otherwise is most likely going to be a scammer. . Take note as well that even if you have a friend who has the same income as you do and who has acquired a visa that you are also applying for, that wouldn’t instantly mean that you will get the visa too. This is because every consulate considers a LOT of varying factors. Hence, the situation of your friend or any other person will not always be the same as yours. Without the aforementioned guarantee, what then can I give you in this article? Helpful tips to increase your chances of getting that approval. The way I see it, applying for a visa is like dating — you lay out everything and put your best foot forward, hoping that by the end of it all, the answer will be a resounding YES from the other party. So in this situation, I would be your proficient and supportive best friend who will help guide you on this ordeal with a ton of visa application tips. These are not only from the numerous visa experiences that I’ve had but as well as the lessons that I’ve learned from friends and research. So without further ado, here are my top visa application tips with the top 4 things that consulates or embassies usually put strict attention to! (For each of these sections, I will also provide corresponding steps or workarounds that have worked really well.) ~ Top photo from Shutterstock Table of Contents Toggle Accurate, Complete & Genuine Documents True & Reasonable Purpose of Entry Sufficient Funds or Support Proof of Not Overstaying Other FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Accurate, Complete & Genuine Documents Accomplish the requirements. This is one of the visa application tips that is obviously common knowledge but it seems like some people think that skipping out on a few documents is fine — no, it’s not and it never will be. You can’t expect the embassy officers to say “Oh okay, just come back and submit this and that.” Even if they are as lenient like that, it’s always best to submit ALL the documents at once because most embassies would not even accept your application if it’s incomplete. At the very core, you should avoid wasting your time and effort; besides, do remember that appointments are often hard to get. TIP: Make sure your passport is not expiring anytime soon. In addition, submit all the documents in an organized way. It helps to provide a checklist too in order to give the embassy a quick overview that you have prepared everything that’s needed (at times this is one of the basic requirements). Mind the details. Some embassies would NOT need an interview since they will merely rely on the documents you submit; given this process, they usually put precise instructions, and one of my top visa application tips is for you to remember that it’s vital you take note of their requirements. Examples: they would want you to use only a specific kind of envelope, or that you have to staple your photo to the application form and NOT paste it, or they want you to write in blue ink. These steps might seem ridiculous or tedious but you should do it still; don’t slack off and don’t rebel. Make it a point to read the guidelines very well which should normally be on the embassy’s website. Only submit authentic documents. Don’t even try submitting fake or doctored/edited documents. After all, there is a high chance that you will not only get denied, but you will also be banned. Provide as much evidence as you can. One proof is fine, but if you can give more, then great! It will give them more assurance about the documents that you are trying to prove authenticity or genuineness to. In fact, overdelivering is always a good thing for as long as the things that you’re submitting are relevant. And of course, providing originals are always best! Show that you are ‘well-traveled‘. It can be through travel tickets/bookings or your passport stamps. Even if it’s not one of the requirements, it helps to show them this to send them a message that you have traveled before, that you always came back, and that you have never overstayed abroad. . INTERVIEWS: Your interview can affect the documents you are submitting; but surely, if you are submitting genuine papers, there’s no need for you to be nervous about this because the questions are always basic: what is your purpose for visiting, how long do you intend to stay, etc. Depending on your answers, the visa officer can be more thorough with the questions but they are mostly just about your background. One of my top visa application tips? Just be honest and precise. Simply answer what they ask for. DON’T launch into a full-blown storytelling spree. It’s not necessary for you to give out information when it’s not asked for! Besides, the officers unfortunately wouldn’t care about your story, no matter how sad or tragic it might be. Additionally, wear something presentable (no need to be too formal). Arrive early, be confident, and speak in English (or if you’re more comfortable in speaking your country’s mother language, then feel free to do so — unless the embassy doesn’t allow it). “Do I need to purchase and submit travel insurance?” I highly advise that you get travel insurance for your trip; after all, most embassies would require you to do so. To avail of travel insurance, I highly recommend World Nomads since they offer the best price and coverage (they cover all countries worldwide too!). If you want to cross-check this with another trusted provider, I recommend looking into SafetyWing especially since they have amazing plans catered for frequent travelers or digital nomads. • • • True & Reasonable Purpose of Entry TRUE PURPOSE: Apply for the appropriate visa. Read about all the information and processes that the embassy has in order to ensure what kind of visa you should be applying for — in fact, go ahead and call the embassy if you ever need clarifications. This is crucial so that, for instance, you can avoid wasting your time on the requirements for a tourist visa if what you actually should be preparing are the prerequisites for, let’s say, a ‘visit a friend’ visa, which is often a more specific category. Surely, if you plan to work abroad, don’t try and go for a tourist visa; please DON’T be one of those people who violate visa rules and conditions because that would paint your country’s fellowmen in the same bad light. You’re not helping others, nor are you helping yourself. STRONG & REASONABLE PURPOSE: If you’re applying for a tourist visa then this shouldn’t be a problem; after all, you really wouldn’t have any other rationale for visiting a country abroad other than for… well, tourism. So supply them the itinerary that you want to do, the places that you want to see, and the experiences that you want to achieve and you should be fine. The same applies to work, study, fiancé, or marriage visas because those are already self-explanatory — e.g. to work because you are being sent there by your company, to study because the university in that country is known for its outstanding program, etc. If, however, you’re applying for a visa to visit a friend or family, embassies commonly need a compelling argument to justify your plans of visiting. The first application isn’t typically a problem because seeing a friend or family member for the first time should somehow already be a reasonable purpose; but for the next visits, you or your host must have a stronger cause as to why you want to come back. Such may hold true too if you are planning to apply for a 2nd tourist visa to the same country and so on. Nevertheless, again, this is where dissimilarities can happen: some people can easily get a visa after the first time, but some people cannot. It’s always on a case-to-case basis. You might be thinking now, “What are examples of strong reasons?” I think it all boils down to having significant or sensible events. For tourism, let’s say you’ve been to Belgium before but currently, you want to come back because you want to see the concert of Tomorrowland; provide them the tickets for that and your motivation for wanting to see them (it happens only once a year anyway). Or maybe you have a blog and you want to experience and promote the country even more, etc. Or you might want to take a gap year before you start working on your career. . As for friends or family visits, if there’s a birthday, wedding, or reunion, make sure you or your host mentions that too. At the same time, don’t forget to prove the relationship you have with your host. . Ultimately, just make sure you have a decent motive or just be true to what your intention is — most of the time, your situation (no matter how simple or complicated it might be) would already be enough of a reason. TIP: One of my top visa application tips is no NEVER indirectly imply that you have plans of staying longer because that will go against the 4th section below. If you’re going on a student visa, don’t mention either your plans of working in their country after finishing your degree; it’s actually imperative that you have to express your desire to come back to your own country. Or if you’re going on a tourist visa, don’t carelessly mention that their country has a very good education system that you find fascinating, because that might incidentally hint something to the embassy officer that you might want to study there — this is a bit of an exaggeration, but you get what I’m saying… Then again, I’m pretty sure you won’t say such things if you follow the tips I’ve mentioned in the 1st section: which is to be on point about your answers. Say nothing more, nothing less! • • • Sufficient Funds or Support Every embassy wants you to convince them that you have enough money to support yourself because if you don’t, they would be skeptical about how you will be funding your stay and they will even doubt your purpose of visiting their country. As a general rule for visa application tips, here are ways for you to prove your financial solvency… For employed persons this becomes very easy since your employment already fulfills the requirement to prove that you are solvent and that you have a job to come back to (thereby verifying the 4th section as well below). Ordinarily, they need you to issue all of the following: Proof of employment (or COE – Certificate of Employment) with company stamp, stating your position, years of service, and monthly salary Most recent payslips (often for the past 3 months) Income Tax Return (ITR or any tax document) for the past year For self-employed persons it becomes tricky because even if you have your own business, they need to know that it’s established and sable. They also need to know that you have enough cash. So it helps to provide: Copy of Official Business Registration/ Business Permit Taxpaying certificate and/or tax statements Bank Statement or Books of the company and Financial Reports for the last 3 months Copies of personal credit cards, bank certificates, or bank statements in the last 3 months Proof investments or financial assets For retirees take note of the following documents. If you happen to still have your own business after retiring, it helps to give related documents to that (just refer to the self-employed section above). Proof investments or financial assets Evidence of pension payments, such as receipts Certification issued by competent authority stating the period of time and date of retirement For students or minors, depending if your sponsors are your parents or your school, or even both: Sponsorship letter from parents or legal guardian, with attached documents showing their solvency (as employed, self-employed, unemployed, or retiree persons) Certification from the institution/school confirming your enrollment and leave of absence; this document must specify the amount, term, and expenses that the scholarship includes For unemployed persons, provide as much proof as you can, submit: Proof investments or financial assets Copies of personal credit cards, bank certificates, or bank statements/books in the last 3 months. Sponsorship letter from your sponsor, with attached documents showing their solvency . NOTE: The requirements for employed and self-employed persons are applicable to freelancers too. Depending on your situation, you might have to provide not only your proof of employment but even the registry of your business. Also, please DON’T rely on this list alone; always double-check with your embassy since there might be some items that they would specifically want from you and which I have failed to mention here. After all, the documents I mentioned above are usually just the standard documents needed. TIP: If you feel that your financial standing is weak, it will help to add a sponsor to your visa application so that it adds more strength to your case. Usually, sponsors can be immediate family members, relatives, friends, or even your partner. In line with this, you would need to provide enough proof to show your relationship with these sponsors and why they are sponsoring you — and that of course you ACTUALLY have the funds to cover your trip since the immigration officers can check on this before your actual entry into their country (they have the right to ask for proof of cash on hand, credit card, bank statement, etc.) By the way, this is another area that you can overdeliver on, so feel free to provide as many documents as you can! “What is the minimum amount of money do I need to show in my bank account?” This is something I can’t answer specifically because every country would have its own minimum requirement, depending as well on the time period that you are going to stay. Therefore, I suggest that you call the embassy or check their website for any corresponding info about this. In my experience with Schengen Visas, for example, most of the member countries would need you to show that you have EUR 50 (Php 2,500+) per day of your stay. This is the bare minimum, that’s why I suggest that you add way more money to it. In line with this, be wary of providing bank statements from a bank account that is obviously new and just recently ‘fed’ with money. There is such a thing called as ADB or Average Daily Balance or something equivalent to a balance history in bank statements or certificates, and that will surely indicate the state of your bank account (which most embassies might assume is not really your money and something that you might have just borrowed to prove a false financial standing). RELATED READ: How to Save Money for Travel Meanwhile, as an additional way of showing that you can support yourself, embassies would surely need documents that show a hotel booking reservation. To obtain these documents you can (1) reserve directly with the hotel or (2) make a dummy online booking or reservation which can usually be done with Booking.com or through a travel agency. NOTE: With Booking.com, they list hotels that have FREE cancellation and/or can be booked with no prepayment. If however, you are going to stay over at a friend, partner or family’s house, the embassy would need details of your host like their ID cards, residence documents, proof of your relationship to them — all of which are easy to prepare. • • • Proof of Not Overstaying In my opinion, this is where embassies put the most emphasis on — they need you to be bounded to your home country, and that you have strong ties that will compel you to come back at the end of your stay. They definitely don’t want you aiming for ways to stay longer (illegally) nor aiming for ways to become an immigrant without going through the necessary procedures in your home country. What are examples of ‘strong ties’? They vary from country to country: they will consider your circumstances, travel plans, financial resources, and ties that will ensure your departure after the period of visit. Thus, other than the pieces of evidence already mentioned in the above sections, make sure that you’ve issued… For employed persons Leave of absence and/or certificate of employment from your employer A letter from you, stating any other reasons why you won’t overstay For self-employed persons Mention an event that would necessitate your return (it can be a board meeting, company event, etc.) Business registration Proof of possession of real and personal property (real estate, etc.) A letter from you, stating any other reasons why you won’t overstay For retirees Proof of possession of real and personal property (real estate, etc.) A letter from you, stating any other reasons why you won’t overstay For students or minors School enrollment certificate Approved leave of absence A letter from you and your parents or legal guardian(s), stating the reasons why you won’t overstay (explanation of your family situation, your long-term plans in your residence country, etc.) For unemployed persons as available: Proof of possession of real and personal property (real estate, etc.) If applicable, a letter showing a job offer (wherein you’ll start working some time at the end of your trip) If applicable, a letter showing the start of your studies (school enrollment certificate, wherein you’ll start studying some time at the end of your trip) A letter from you, stating any other reasons why you won’t overstay (e.g.: you’re planning to set up a business, etc. but then you’ll also have to back up those statements with pieces of evidence) . NOTE: These are NOT absolute. Chances are, one proof would already be enough; yet as usual, it helps to overdeliver on evidence. You can always ask the embassy for any other kinds of documents they might want from you to prove your situation. Now, I understand that some procedures for visa applications would require a round-trip ticket to be booked and presented — this would already be another proof that you will NOT overstay, but I advise that you provide more pieces of evidence still since tickets are the most basic affirmation. (But of course, most embassies nowadays do NOT require you to have round-trip tickets to be booked and presented before/during the application. If you really need to present tickets, it should be enough to show a flight reservation or itinerary only). WANNA GET FLIGHT RESERVATIONS? Use OneWayFly now — with them, you can easily get a flight reservation or proof of onward travel in just a few hours for only $16~. It’s definitely one of the easiest and fastest option online! In case you’re wondering where to look for the best flight deals, my go-to platform is Skyscanner since it always presents the best deals across all existing airlines worldwide. 
 TIP: Your passport stamps also help in justifying that you are not someone who overstays abroad. Photocopy these pages on your passport along with your past visas and present them to the embassy. RELATED ARTICLE: How to Stay in Europe Longer (Legally!) READ NOW • • • Other FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) What questions are usually asked in a visa interview? There’s no need to be nervous! The questions that are asked are always basic: what is your purpose for visiting, how long do you intend to stay, etc. Depending on your answers, the visa officer can be more thorough with the questions but they are mostly just about your personal background. Just be honest and precise — meaning that you just simply answer what they ask for. DON’T launch into a full-blown storytelling spree. It’s not necessary for you to give out information when it’s not asked for! Besides, the officers, unfortunately, wouldn’t care about your story, no matter how sad or tragic it might be. What they are always concerned about are just the facts about you AND your trip. What do visa officers usually check? Apart from checking the authenticity of your documents, they also verify your identity, analyze your travel history, check your proof of onward travel, as well as conduct other security checks among many others. Visa officers basically just want to ensure that what you’ve said about yourself and the purpose of your trip is true. Is it possible to get a visa again after I got rejected? Yes, it’s still possible to reapply for a visa after you are rejected on your first application. Some embassies have a required amount of ‘break time’ before you can reapply again, whereas there are some others that allow you to apply again at any time. However, it is important for you to decipher why you got rejected in the first place; most embassies will indicate the reason for their refusal so when you apply again, you must ensure that you have provided additional information and documents to support your application. What is the minimum amount of money I need to show in my bank account? Every country would have its own minimum requirement, depending as well on the time period that you are going to stay. Therefore, I suggest that you call the embassy or check their website for any corresponding info about this. In my experience with Schengen Visas, for example, most of the member countries would need you to show that you have EUR 50 (Php 2,500+) per day of your stay. This is the bare minimum, that’s why I suggest that you add way more money to it. In line with this, be wary of providing bank statements from a bank account that is obviously new and just recently ‘fed’ with money. There is such a thing called ADB or Average Daily Balance or something equivalent to a balance history in bank statements or certificates, and that will surely indicate the state of your bank account (which most embassies might assume is not really your money and something that you might have just borrowed to prove a false financial standing). Do I need to provide travel insurance? I highly advise that you get travel insurance for your trip; after all, most embassies would require you to do so. To avail of the best travel insurance, I highly recommend WorldNomads since they offer the best price and coverage (they cover all countries worldwide too!). If you want to cross-check this with another trusted provider, I recommend looking into SafetyWing especially since they have more affordable plans catered to frequent travelers or digital nomads. • • • Booking Essentials Booking.com TIP: It’s a good idea to crosscheck the prices with other popular travel insurance providers like World Nomads and HeyMondo (as my reader, you get 5% off)! . However, take note that a travel insurance’s affordability typically means lesser coverage; so please always ensure that you read the fine print in order to decipher which travel insurance company is the right fit for you and your trip! • • • Overall I dearly hope that these visa application tips help you! Good luck! FINAL NOTE: Even with these pointers, remember to always check with your embassy first. Please also direct any clarifications and follow-ups to your applications to their office, and NOT to me; this is in consideration of the fact that they would always know more about your situation than me. Again: this article is merely a helpful guide for you. The post Visa Application Tips: 4 Important Things to Get You Approved! appeared first on I am Aileen.

Here's why you should put a Mekong River Cruise high up on your bucket list for your upcoming Asia adventures!

The post Elegance on the Water: The Ultimate Mekong River Cruise Experience for the Discerning Traveler appeared first on I am Aileen.

Going on a Mekong River cruise is tantamount to entering into a tapestry of bright landscapes, enriched by ever-flowing narration—journeys that entwine the word “adventure” with “luxurious indulgence“. For the discerning traveler, one would say that this is not a trip but a journey into the heart of Southeast Asia. Designed to achieve the perfect blend of rich culture, serene landscapes, and exceptional service, this article unveils a one-of-a-kind Mekong River cruise. It’s a classic experience crafted for those who seek elegance and refinement in their travels — it’s an experience for YOU! Table of Contents Toggle Luxurious Onboard Accommodations Gourmet Culinary Experiences Exclusive Shore Excursions and Cultural Immersion Harmony and Wellbeing on the River Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Travel Mekong River Cruise Luxurious Onboard Accommodations The fabled Mekong River becomes even more enchanting with the luxurious accommodations aboard this cruise, transforming the journey into a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each suite, featuring stunning panoramic windows, sumptuous interiors, and all the luxuries of a five-star hotel, is meticulously designed to be a haven of comfort and sophistication. Every detail, from the lavish bedding to the in-suite dining, is crafted to perfection, ensuring an extraordinary onboard experience. With expansive decks, spectacular infinity pools, and soothing spas, the cruise offers a serene escape. Coupled with the crew’s impeccable service and dedication to high hospitality standards, a Mekong River cruise becomes the epitome of luxury travel. – – – Gourmet Culinary Experiences Culinary delights are in store on a Mekong River cruise! Good food is a special event, and the menus are designed by master chefs with a rich culinary heritage during every meal. Onboard dining venues also serve the freshest fare from local markets with menus that include elegant à la carte substitute options and lavish buffets filled with the finest local specialties and international favorites. Wine lovers will even discover the extensive wine cellars with selections of good wines and champagnes coupled with sommeliers’ expertise to help guide you to the perfect match for every cuisine. Dining al fresco up on the sun deck with only the soft sounds of the river as ambiance adds an extra touch of magic to your meals. – – – Exclusive Shore Excursions and Cultural Immersion Beyond the superficial comforts of the cruise ship, Mekong River cruises offer meticulously designed excursions that immerse travelers deeply in local culture and history. Each unique excursion invites guests to explore everything from ancient jungle-bound temples to bustling markets teeming with life. Travelers have the opportunity to interact with local artisans, enjoy traditional performances, and participate in hands-on workshops that showcase crafts passed down through generations along the Mekong. These tours are not only engaging but also responsible and respectful toward local communities, making them ideal for the socially conscious traveler. – – – Harmony and Wellbeing on the River Many cruisers like the Mekong River for the simple reason that being there lets them shut down and refocus. The wellness options on board typically more than do justice to this, with a long list of treatments all echoing Asian healing practices and the use of all-natural and locally sourced ingredients. Pre-dawn yoga and meditation sessions offer a tranquil beginning each morning with views across the rising sun over the Mekong. With such facilities on board, fitness enthusiasts can continue with their okayed routines even aboard the vessel, while the sleepy-heads are off seeking the solace of the ship’s library or generally spaces designed to offer them comfort and tranquillity. This well-balanced blend of wellness activities offers every ennobled traveler a pace to find their style of relaxation. – – – Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Travel More and more, Mekong River cruises incorporate sustainability in their operations to preserve the ecological and cultural integrity of the river. Adoption for lowering impact includes state-of-the-art water treatment systems, energy-efficient technologies, and practices in waste reduction. In fact, it also continues to help the visitors understand more about the river’s ecological and social composition and creates an appreciation and respect for the destinations they visit along the course of the river. Opting for an environmentally friendly Mekong River cruise would mean making a small contribution to these efforts behind the scenes in making the conservation and preservation of this unique ecosystem possible. • • • Overall The Mekong River cruise seamlessly blends exploration, relaxation, and luxury, making it one of the finest travel experiences available. Elegant and thoughtfully curated, a cruise through the heart of Southeast Asia is more than just a journey—it’s an experience that enriches your soul, delights your senses, and creates memories that will last a lifetime. The post Elegance on the Water: The Ultimate Mekong River Cruise Experience for the Discerning Traveler appeared first on I am Aileen.

Explore the best hotels in Cebu — from luxurious five-star resorts, cozy boutique stays, to budget-friendly hostels!

The post Best Hotels in Cebu: From Cheap to Luxury Accommodations and Places to Stay appeared first on I am Aileen.

The city of Cebu, often called the “Queen City of the South,” is a gateway to world-renowned dive spots, heritage sites, and mouth-watering cuisine. Whether exploring its historic landmarks or lounging on its pristine shores, Cebu provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable stay — and what better way to experience all that this island paradise has to offer than by staying at one of the city’s best hotels, where comfort and luxury meet the warm hospitality Cebu is famous for? (Best Hotels in Cebu) – – – » Quick Travel Planning Top tours & experiences Find best flights to Cebu Visa requirements Best places to stay Travel insurance Stay connected …Looking for activities to do? Here are the top things to do in Cebu! READ NOW In this article, we’ll guide you through the top accommodations in Cebu, ensuring that your visit is as relaxing and memorable as the destination itself. Table of Contents Toggle » Quick Travel Planning Best Budget Hotels in Cebu Nacho Hostel Cebu The Stopover Hostel Mactan Murals Hostel and Cafe BMAX SPACEPODS Hop Inn Hotel Cebu City Mid-Range Hotels in Cebu Cebu Parklane International Hotel Lex Hotel Cebu Seda Central Bloc Cebu Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel Luxury Hotels in Cebu Radisson Blu Cebu Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort Crimson Resort and Spa Shangri-La Mactan » Compare All Cebu AirBnBs & Hotels « Best Budget Hotels in Cebu Nacho Hostel Cebu » BEST price on Hostelworld, Agoda or Booking.com Experience hotel-quality service in this hostel that’s situated a bit outside Cebu City so you can escape the bustle while still near key beach spots. To love: Good for value | Landmark: Ocean Park Naga | Price starts from: $5~ The Stopover Hostel Mactan » BEST price on Hostelworld, Agoda or Booking.com Enjoy basic amenities in one of the best hotels in Cebu that won’t break your budget. All rooms are air-conditioned with private bathroom. To love: Low price at the center | Landmark: Poblacion Plaza | Price starts from: $25~ Murals Hostel and Cafe » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com Murals Hostel and Cafe in Cebu offers a vibrant, artsy atmosphere perfect for travelers seeking a unique and budget-friendly stay. To love: Amenities | Landmark: Rainforest Park Cebu | Price starts from: $25~ BMAX SPACEPODS » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com If you want to experience staying in a capsul hotel then this is one of the best hotels in Cebu for you! Located near Mactan Airport, it also has quite a good location. To love: Unique rooms | Landmark: Hellokittyville | Price starts from: $35~ Hop Inn Hotel Cebu City » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com One of the best value-for-money 3-star hotels in the heart of Cebu City, offering clean, well-decorated rooms with all the essential amenities for a comfortable stay. To love: Good for value | Landmark: Family Park, Banilad | Price starts from: $35~ Mid-Range Hotels in Cebu Cebu Parklane International Hotel » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com An amazing hotel in the heart of the city featuring cosy rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center with sauna, and 3 dining options. To love: Pool | Landmark: Magellans Park | Price starts from: $55~ Lex Hotel Cebu » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com A guest favorite in this hotel is the beautiful infinity pool on the roof deck. Beyond this, the rooms and amenities are modern and well-designed. To love: Rooftop infinity pool | Landmark: Cebu Zipline | Price starts from: $55~ Seda Central Bloc Cebu » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com This is one of the best hotels in Cebu that offers sleek, modern accommodations in the heart of Cebu’s IT Park. With its rooftop pool and convenient location, it’s perfect for both business and leisure travelers! To love: Amenities | Landmark: I.T Park Cebu | Price starts from: $95~ Fairfield by Marriott Cebu » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com Offers a modern and comfortable stay in the heart of the city! With its convenient location and excellent service, guests can enjoy easy access to Cebu’s top attractions. To love: Modern design | Landmark: Mandaue Heritage Plaza | Price starts from: $95~ Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com You’ll love this serene beachfront escape with lush gardens and a private white sand beach. Enjoy their spacious rooms, top-notch amenities, and a tranquil ambiance perfect for a relaxing getaway in Cebu! To love: Resort feels | Landmark: Cebu White Sands Resort and Spa | Price starts from: $95~ Luxury Hotels in Cebu Radisson Blu Cebu » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com A luxurious escape combining modern elegance with exceptional service. With its stunning views of the Cebu harbor and proximity to major attractions, it’s the perfect base! To love: Amenities | Landmark: SM Baywalk | Price starts from: $115~ Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com It is the home of the popular Ibiza Beach Club in Mactan which serves authentic grill dishes and a tapas bar accompanied by world-class entertainment! To love: Luxurious amenities | Landmark: Lapu -Lapu Shrine | Price starts from: $150~ Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com Experience the perfect blend of Thai-inspired hospitality and Filipino warmth in a serene beachfront setting when you stay in this accommodation that’s one of the best hotels in Cebu! To love: Amenities | Landmark: SM Baywalk | Price starts from: $200~ Crimson Resort and Spa » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com Indulge in this resort’s picturesque private beach — but that’s not all, it also has an infinity pool! Pair it off with the tropical-style rooms and grand amenities and it’s a stay to remember forever. To love: Luxurious amenities | Landmark: Serenity Park | Price starts from: $250~ Shangri-La Mactan » Get the BEST price on Agoda or Booking.com CHI, one of the largest spa villages in Asia, is found here. Beyond that, this world-class resort is a favorite among holidaymakers and nature lovers and has a variety of dining, entertainment, sports and recreational activities! To love: Amenities | Landmark: Treasure Island | Price starts from: $300~ • • • » Compare All Cebu AirBnBs & Hotels « • • • Overall Whether you’re looking for a serene beachfront retreat or a centrally-located urban haven, these hotels ensure a memorable stay in the heart of Cebu, providing the perfect base to explore the island’s vibrant culture and natural beauty. The post Best Hotels in Cebu: From Cheap to Luxury Accommodations and Places to Stay appeared first on I am Aileen.

Learn to claim EU261 compensation for flight disruptions like delays, cancellations, downgrades, or denied boarding!

The post EU261 Compensation: Your Essential Guide on European Flight Delays or Cancellations appeared first on I am Aileen.

Embarking on a journey by air always holds the promise of new adventures and unforgettable experiences! And yet… amidst the excitement of travel, unexpected disruptions such as flight delays and cancellations can quickly dampen our spirits. But enter Regulation 261/2004, commonly known as EU261 — a beacon of protection for travelers within the European Union! (EU261 Compensation) If this is your first encounter with this law, consider yourself fortunate. Shockingly, nearly 90% of air travelers remain unaware of this regulation, missing out on the opportunity to claim compensation for flight delays or cancellations in Europe. Which is a shame because it’s SO easy and fast to file for an EU261 compensation. ⚠️ It helps to note that an EU261 compensation is separate from the compensation you may receive from your own travel insurance for a flight delay or cancellation. So imagine getting DOUBLE the compensation from your own travel insurance AND from the airline because of the EU261 law — amazing, right? So without further ado, I will delve into the intricacies of EU261 in this article, shedding light on the rights and perks that you can claim should you encounter a problem with your flight while in the EU zone! » Quick Travel Planning Top tours & experiences Find best flights Visa requirements Best places to stay Travel insurance Stay connected Table of Contents Toggle » Quick Travel Planning What is EU261? What Flights Fall Under EU261? What Flights are NOT Covered? What are Other Eligibility Requirements? Your EU261 Rights Flight Delays Flight Cancellations Denied Boarding EU261 Compensation: How to Claim? Personally Complain to the Airline Lodge a Complaint to National Authorities Hire a Company to Get the EU261 Compensation for You Deadlines to Claim EU261 Compensation EU261 Compensation Form of Payment F.A.Q. What is EU261? EU261, formally known as Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 or EC261, is a European Union law established in 2004 to protect the rights of air passengers of ALL nationalities. Unlike some regions where airlines determine their own policies for handling flight delays and cancellations, EU261 ensures that ALL passengers are entitled to certain protections and compensation. This law mandates that airlines must provide assistance and compensation to passengers facing any of the following: Flight delays Flight cancellations Denied boarding Missed connecting flights Thanks to EU261, air travelers flying within Europe enjoy enhanced rights and protections compared to other parts of the world. – – – What Flights Fall Under EU261? As a general rule, if your flight departs from or arrives at an airport within the European Union (EU) and experiences a delay or cancellation, you’re eligible to file a EU261 compensation claim. Additionally, the law extends coverage to flights departing from or arriving at airports in Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, and nine special territories associated with EU member states. These territories, also referred to as the outermost regions, include French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, La Réunion, Saint Martin, Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. Flying from the UK? Despite the UK’s departure from the European Union in early 2020 following Brexit, it has implemented a law, UK261, which closely mirrors the EU261 regulations. Perhaps you’re wondering: does EU261 still apply if I’m flying with a non-EU airline? The answer is yes! To clarify when the law applies and when it doesn’t, refer to the table below. Flight Itinerary EU Airline Non-EU Airline EU airport → EU airport ✓ ✓ EU airport → non-EU airport ✓ ✓ Non-EU airport → EU airport ✓ X* Non-EU airport → non-EU airport ✓ X *In certain instances, you may still be eligible for compensation under EU261, so it’s worth attempting to file a claim with the airline. – – – What Flights are NOT Covered? The airline reserves the right to withhold EU261 compensation if the delay, cancellation, or denied boarding was due to ‘extraordinary circumstances,’ including… Bad weather (i.e.: snowstorms, windstorms, low visibility) Strikes of the airport personnel, traffic control, or employees Air traffic control restrictions (including runway closures) Political and civil unrest Terrorism However, despite some airlines listing technical issues as grounds for withholding compensation, such problems are NOT considered extraordinary circumstances because the maintenance of the aircraft is the airline’s responsibility. Therefore, if a mechanical issue causes a flight delay or cancellation, the airline may still be liable to pay you compensation. NOTE: Flights that are FREE or on reduced fares (usually not available directly to the public) do not apply for the EU261 law. – – – What are Other Eligibility Requirements? For as long as you have a confirmed flight reservation on the flight concerned, and one of the following conditions apply to you, EU261 applies: You arrived for check-in at the designated time specified in advance through written communication by the airline, tour operator, or authorized travel agent (or, if unspecified, no later than 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time). You were transferred by an airline or tour operator from the flight for which they held a reservation to another flight, regardless of the reason • • • Your EU261 Rights Flight Delays …then you can claim EU261 compensation for the flight delay which can range between €250 to €600 per passenger depending on the distance of your journey. There’s really no need for a flight delay compensation calculator, because the allocation is easy to see as seen in the table below: Flight Delay to Your Final Destination Flights Less Than 1,500km Flights Between 1,500km to 3,000km Flights More Than 3,500km Less than 3 hours No compensation No compensation No compensation 3 hours or more (never arrived) €250 €400 €600 In the event of lengthy flight delays exceeding 5 hours, you have the right to get reimbursement within seven days, covering the full cost of the ticket for any unused portions of the journey or for parts that no longer serve the passenger’s original travel plan. Additionally, if applicable, a return flight to the initial departure point should be arranged at the earliest opportunity. In addition to this monetary compensation, under EU261, passengers are entitled to have the “right to care” from the airline. This includes the following provisions: The right to be informed on why the flight is delayed and when you are expected to take off In the event of any flight disruption, airlines must furnish you with this information in written form. The airline is also obligated to display the EU261 text at its check-in counter and provide each affected passenger with a written notice detailing the rules for assistance and compensation. 2 FREE phone calls, emails, or fax messages FREE complimentary food and drinks FREE hotel accommodation if the flight has been delayed overnight as well as the transportation expenses between the airport and the hotel (advisable to keep the receipts for these transportation expenses) – – – Flight Cancellations If your flight is canceled, you are protected under EU261 or EC261 provided you meet the following conditions: You were the one who purchased the tickets The flight cancellation occurred less than 14 days before the scheduled departure date The canceled flight was supposed to leave from an EU airport or operated by an EU carrier It was the airline’s fault and not an extraordinary circumstance Once you meet all of the above conditions, you are granted the following rights: Full refund of your used and unused tickets (for example, a connecting flight that you can’t reach because of the cancellation) Access to an alternative flight; this replacement flight offered must depart at the earliest opportunity Right to compensation of up to €600 (see table below) “Right to care” similar to the one for flight delays The following compensation applies when an airline proposes an alternative flight Notice Short Flights (less than 1,500km) Medium Flights (1,500km to 3,500km) Long Flights (More than 3,500km) 7-13 days’ notice €125 – new flight arrives less than 2 hours after the old flight €250 – new flight arrives more than 2 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival None – new flight departs less than 2 hours before the old flight and arrives less than 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €200 – new flight departs more than 2 hours before the old flight, and arrives less than 3 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €400 – new flight departs more than 2 hours before the old flight, and arrives 3 to 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €400 – new flight arrives more than 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €300 – new flight departs more than 2 hours before old flight, and arrives less than 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €600 – new flight arrives more than 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival Less than 7 days’ notice €125 – new flight arrives less than 2 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €250 – new flight arrives more than 2 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival None – new flight departs less than 1 hour before the old flight and arrives less than 2 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €200 – new flight departs more than 1 hour before the old flight, and arrives less than 3 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €400 – new flight arrives more than 3 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €300 – new flight departs more than 1 hour before old flight, and arrives less than 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €600 – new flight arrives more than 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival The following compensation applies when an airline does NOT propose an alternative flight OR if you refused the offer Notice Short Flights (less than 1,500km) Medium Flights (1,500km to 3,500km) Long Flights (More than 3,500km) For flights between EU & non-EU cities €250 €400 €600 For flights between two EU cities €250 €400 €400 – – – Denied Boarding In the event of denied boarding, you are also eligible to receive EU261 compensation. Most of the time, before denying boarding, airline staff will seek volunteers to relinquish their seats in exchange for negotiated benefits. If an insufficient number of volunteers is found, the airline will proceed to deny boarding to passengers. Your entitlements in such circumstances are as follows: “Right to care” similar to the one for flight delays Re-routing at the earliest possible time or a later date of your convenience Refund of the ticket cost Monetary compensation When it comes to monetary compensation, it will depend on your flight’s total distance: Flights Less Than 1,500km Flights Between 1,500km to 3,000km Flights More Than 3,500km €250 €400 €600 • • • EU261 Compensation: How to Claim? Even if you’re eligible for compensation under EU261, unfortunately, it’s not automatically granted — you’ll need to file a claim yourself, but rest assured, it’s simpler than it sounds! For instance, I successfully claimed mine with Aegean Airlines by filling out their contact form, and they responded within a few days (after following up and nudging them too via Twitter). Together with their response, they proceeded to transfer the compensation to my bank account. While it’s true that the ease of the claim process can differ depending on the airline, you can be confident that if your flight meets the criteria, you’ll eventually be compensated. After all, the EU imposes stringent penalties on airlines that fail to comply with the regulation, ensuring accountability. Now, before delving into the various methods of claiming your settlement, let me first offer some valuable tips once you encounter a qualifying event under EU 261. Gather as much information and proof for as much as you can. Start saving or taking screenshots of all communication related to your concerned flight. Ask the airline staff about the reason for the delay. Be sure to record the time; for instance, if your flight is delayed, make a note of the actual departure time. Ask the airline to respect your right to care. Especially for delayed flights, make sure to ask about your right to access free food and drinks. If the delay extends overnight, request accommodation. To reach the accommodation, you can either request a taxi from the airline or keep track of any taxi expenses incurred (retain the receipts) and seek reimbursement later. Once you’ve completed these steps, you can proceed to make a claim using ANY of the following methods: Personally Complain to the Airline This initial step is essential for YOU to do. It’s crucial to exhaust this option first before considering the other alternatives. To lodge a complaint with the airline regarding your extended flight delay, flight cancellation, or deboarding, begin by conducting a Google search using your airline’s name along with the term ‘EU261’ (e.g., search for “Aegean Airline EU261”). Each airline manages complaints differently: some offer readily accessible automated online forms, while others may require you to email them. If unsure, locate their customer service contact details and proceed accordingly. (You can even try contacting them via their social media channels). If you’re looking for a flight delay compensation letter sample template, you can use this: [click] Once you’re done doing step #1, it also helps to complete this form: ‘Air Passenger Rights-EU Complaint Form‘. This preliminary screening service aims to assist you in obtaining information on how to contact your respective airline, particularly if you encounter difficulties in finding their contact details. If the airline fails to respond within a few weeks or up to a maximum of two months, you can then explore the following options… – – – Lodge a Complaint to National Authorities As previously mentioned, if the airline fails to respond within two months or if you are unsatisfied with their reply, you can proceed to the next step of your flight compensation claim, which involves filing a complaint with the relevant national authority in the country where the operating airline is based. The official website of the European Union offers a list of links to each country’s national consumer bodies: [link]. In this scenario, you should submit your complaint to the National Enforcement Body in the Member State where the incident occurred. Provide them with the complaint you previously sent to the airline and explain the situation: either the airline did not respond, or you find their response unjust. The national authority will then offer you a non-binding legal opinion on how to proceed with your claim. Please note that if the incident occurred at an airport outside the EU, you should contact the national enforcement body in the Member State of your flight destination. If you are an EU national, you can also explore these other options: Utilize impartial out-of-court entities like conciliation services, mediators, arbitrators, and ombudsmen or complaint boards. They will review your case and suggest a resolution, or enforce one if a mutual agreement between you and the airline cannot be reached. If you purchased your ticket online, you have the option to lodge your complaint through the EU online dispute resolution site. This service is free of charge, and they will handle your dispute accordingly. Finally, if the airline refuses to compensate you and you decide to take legal action, you can opt for the European Small Claims procedure. This entails submitting your compensation claim to a competent court, which could be the place of arrival or departure for flights between EU countries (operated by one airline), or the courts in the country where the airline is registered. To initiate this procedure, you’ll need to complete form A and include any supporting documents such as receipts or invoices. Upon receiving your claim, the court will assess it, and if any necessary information is missing, they will request you to complete form B. Keep in mind that there is a court fee associated with the European Small Claims procedure, but this fee will be reimbursed if your case is successful. – – – Hire a Company to Get the EU261 Compensation for You I highly recommend attempting to file a claim on your own FIRST to ensure you receive the full compensation. Besides, based on my own experience and in most cases, this process can be quick and straightforward especially when the airline concerned is from the EU (examples being like RyanAir, EasyJet, Lufthansa, Air France, and many others). However, I understand that this may not always be feasible with other airlines; plus, it could be a hassle for you to do option #2 of lodging a complaint with national authorities. Time is valuable, after all! In such cases, there are several companies specialized in handling EU261 claims on behalf of passengers, albeit for a fee. These fees can be quite significant, often reaching up to 25% to 30% of your claim amount! For families or larger groups, this percentage can result in a substantial sum — but then the upside too is that they can really help; plus, if they fail in claiming a settlement, you don’t have to pay anything at all to them. But if this is the only remaining option you’d like to take, a quick Google search will reveal numerous options, but if you ask me, AirHelp consistently ranks as one of the top companies for EU261 compensation claims. • • • Deadlines to Claim EU261 Compensation EU countries have varying regulations regarding the timeframe within which you can claim compensation, as the regulation does not establish a uniform limitation period across the EU. The time limit for claiming compensation depends on the location of the airline’s headquarters: Deadline Country 10 months Latvia 1 year Belgium, Poland 2 years Croatia, Iceland, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland 2 years & 2 months Italy 3 years Austria, Czech Republic*, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany**, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Sweden*** 5 years Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary, Spain, Scotland 6 years Cyprus, Ireland, UK (except Scotland) 10 years Luxembourg No limit Malta *Czech Republic: It’s crucial to inform your airline about the flight delay within 6 months of the incident. Once notified, your claim remains active for up to 3 years. **Germany: The period expires on the last day of the third year. ***Sweden: The limitation period resets each time a claim is made. Therefore, for any subsequent claims, the limitation period would be 3 years from the date the last claim was filed. • • • EU261 Compensation Form of Payment Your EU261 compensation can be disbursed in various forms such as cash, electronic bank transfers, bank orders, or bank cheques. Alternatively, if agreed upon, it may be issued in the form of travel vouchers or other services. At times, airlines may initially propose vouchers rather than cash. However, it’s essential to note that EU261 ensures cash compensation, which you’re entitled to if preferred. IMPORTANT TIP: Upon receiving a response from the airline, ensure that the offered compensation aligns with your situation before proceeding further. • • • F.A.Q. When should I submit my EC261 compensation claim? As soon as possible! If feasible, reach out to the airline on the day of the delay itself. Acting promptly increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome. Can an airline refuse my EU261 compensation claim? Certainly, the airline has the authority to reject your claim, especially if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances. However, if you feel your claim was unfairly denied, you can explore the alternative methods I outlined in this article. Are connecting flights covered for EC261 compensation? Certainly. If your journey is booked as a single itinerary, any flight departing from an EU airport qualifies for flight delay compensation under EU261 regulations. It’s important to understand as well that your final destination will be considered in regards to EU261 eligibility. What if my flight was booked with miles—is it eligible for EU261? Regardless of whether you booked using credit card points, redeemed an award ticket with frequent flyer miles, or paid with cash, EU261 still applies. The only exceptions are tickets acquired for free or at reduced fares not typically available to the general public. I traveled with my baby, can I also get flight delay compensation? It varies. According to the EU regulation, passengers are eligible for compensation if their flight is delayed by more than three hours. However, passengers traveling for free are exempt from claiming compensation. For instance, if an airline allows parents to bring infants along at no cost, compensation cannot be sought for the infant. However, if you paid for a seat for your baby, even at a reduced rate, you can request compensation. Are hotels and meals covered by EU261? side from cash compensation, EU261 mandates provisions for hotel accommodations and meals. This provision, known as the “right to care,” obliges airlines to offer meals and refreshments proportionate to the waiting time. While other international airlines include similar provisions in their contracts of carriage, this is rather a guaranteed entitlement in Europe. My airline placed me in a lower class, different from the ticket I purchased. Can I still ask for compensation? Absolutely. Within seven days, the airline is required to refund you: – 30% of the ticket price for flights up to 1500 kilometers. – 50% for intra-community flights exceeding 1500 kilometers. – 75% for flights between European territories and French overseas departments. – Furthermore, 75% for flights not covered in the previous cases. We traveled as a group, can I ask for compensation for all of us? Yes, you can, but it’s preferable to file for compensation separately for each individual. How do I write a letter of compensation for flight delay? Check out this sample template I made: [click] • • • Overall I hope this comprehensive guide helps you claim the compensation that’s rightfully yours! The post EU261 Compensation: Your Essential Guide on European Flight Delays or Cancellations appeared first on I am Aileen.

Find out the BEST and safest countries for solo female travelers to go on adventures to — as well as the 5 most dangerous destinations!

The post 20 Safest Countries for Solo Female Travelers: The Best Trip Destinations in the World (& The 5 Worst!) appeared first on I am Aileen.

More than ever, women from all over the world are now choosing to travel solo — this comes as no surprise because traveling alone is one of life’s most rewarding experiences. (Safest Countries for Solo Female Travelers) In fact, in America alone, there are about 32 million women who are traveling solo and that number keeps rising every year! But… as the number of solo female travelers is rising, the number of unsafe destinations is also increasing as they are slowly being brought to light. I long for the day that I don’t have to write about which are the safest countries for solo female travelers; but the reality is that there are just some destinations that are more dangerous than others. Looking for more solo travel tips? Check out my solo travel guides and female travel tips! READ NOW Thankfully, journalists Asher and Lyric Ferguson helped make my research a lot easier when they created the “Women’s Danger Index“. They basically ranked the top 50 countries with the most international tourists in order to see which are the worst and safest to visit. To do this, they utilized 8 danger factors as they put more weight on street safety and intentional homicide: Safe to walk alone at night Intentional homicide for women Non-partner sexual violence Intimate partner violence Legal discrimination Global gender gap Gender inequality index Violence against women attitudes . As mentioned in their findings… To measure safety abroad, one cannot look at only data on street safety, rape, or violence. It also depends on the general attitude of the culture, the minutiae of the legal system, and the systematic oppression of local women. These issues can affect everything, from easily getting a taxi alone to having your voice be heard in a conversation, to even needing a male escort for your personal safety. . A lot on our list, such as attitudes toward partner violence may not affect solo female travelers directly, but these factors are a good indication of overall attitudes within the culture. So for all female travelers out there who are itching to book that plane ticket and tick off their bucket list destinations, below are the top 20 safest countries for solo female travelers (ordered by rank) that are ideal for both first-time and experienced female solo travelers. Looking for reliable travel insurance for your overall safety? You can take your pick between SafetyWing (cheapest coverage) or with HeyMondo (a more comprehensive coverage — and if you click this link you can get a 5% discount). Please make sure to read the fine print of their policies to ensure that you are covered for your specific needs (e.g. COVID cover, etc.). To see a detailed comparison table of these two providers, click here. READ NOW Table of Contents Toggle » Safest Countries for Solo Female Travelers « » Other Safe Destinations « » 5 Worst Countries for Women Traveling Alone « » Safest Countries for Solo Female Travelers « 1. Spain Photo by: Shutterstock Aside from being the second most visited destination in the world (just next to France), Spain turned out to be the safest country for female solo travelers as per the Women’s Danger Index. After all, it ranks high in street safety along and has low legal discrimination as well as low violence rating against women. So apart from the aforementioned reasons, there are also plenty of other reasons to visit this beautiful country: its scenic Mediterranean coastlines, endless servings of paella, rich culture, and fabulous architecture such as the Sagrada Familia among many others! READ MORE: Spain Travel Guides 2. Singapore Photo by: Shutterstock This small island nation is considered the safest Asian country on the planet! The country scores high in more than half of the factors, with 92% of women claiming that they feel safe when walking alone at night — which I also personally find to be true. So travel to your heart’s content when you’re in such a dynamic destination like Singapore! Marvel at how old and the new seamlessly coexist as it packs a lot of surprises for its visitors despite its small size. Some of the things you must NOT miss? As a start, don’t skip out on the Gardens by the Bay and Skyline Luge! READ MORE: Singapore Travel Guides Singapore Layover (Things to Do) 3. Ireland Photo by: Shutterstock Ireland may not have the best weather, but you’ll love the fact that it has particularly low levels of discrimination, gender inequality, and violence against women. Not to mention, it is a breathtaking destination with laid-back cities, beautiful countryside, and vibrant culture. So don’t forget to indulge yourself with some beer (how about a glass of Guinness?) and explore glorious sights like the Cliffs of Moher for an incredible Irish experience! READ MORE: Ireland Travel Guides 4. Austria Photo by: Shutterstock For many travelers, Austria is an almost perfect country and they even say that Austrians enjoy some of the best quality of life in Europe. This notion trickles down and reveals itself in the study as it shows how Austria has some of the lowest levels of sexual violence and lowest gender inequality among the countries reviewed. Aside from being one of the safest countries for solo travelers, Austria is truly a must-see destination for those who have a taste for fine culture. READ MORE: Austria Travel Guides 5. Switzerland Photo by: Shutterstock Switzerland is known for its stunning landscapes and fjords which are not limited to Mount Titlis, Jungfraujoch, and Grindelwald. Aside from such promising beauty, Switzerland is the seventh (7th) most peaceful country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index. Thus, it’s an incredibly safe country for a woman to travel alone. The country even performed very well when it came to street safety and low crime rates — I can attest to this fact because of my personal experiences. One situation that always comes to mind was when I once left my wallet at a crowded train station to Matterhorn; I only found out that I lost it when it was sunset (as it was my cue to go back to my hotel). ‘Lo and behold, the train staff held on to it and nothing was lost! READ MORE: Switzerland Travel Guides 6. Norway Photo by: Shutterstock If I say so myself, it comes as no surprise that Norway (or any of the Scandinavian nations) is regarded as one of the most female-friendly countries in the world. With high standards of living, crime rates are found to be extremely low even in major cities such as Oslo and Stavanger. With that said, it’s a must to try and do a road trip through this wonderful European city and chase the northern lights, hike to the famed Trolltunga or explore Arctic fjords! READ MORE: Norway Travel Guides 7. Portugal Photo by: Shutterstock Portugal makes it to this list of the safest destinations for female travelers and it scores big points not only for its magnificent scenery but also for its good track record with women’s rights and cultures. Some of the things to look forward to during your visit are the vibrant city of Lisbon, the dramatic views over Christ the King, and the turquoise-blue waters. READ MORE: Portugal Travel Guides 8. Croatia Photo by: Shutterstock Officially called the Republic of Croatia, this Mediterranean paradise features sapphire waters and pristine days — perfect for those who are seeking that premium European summer experience! Thankfully as well, crime in Croatia is relatively low, making it extremely safe for solo traveling, especially for females. So don’t miss out on this country’s beauty and consider booking yourself a tour of the Plitvice Lakes or a sailing experience. I went solo on a 7-day sailing trip from Split to Dubrovnik before and I met a lot of amazing people, ate a lot of amazing Croatian delicacies, and did a lot of amazing experiences. True enough, it was one of the most amazing Eurotrip activities that I’ve done! READ MORE: Croatia Travel Guides 9. Canada Photo by: Shutterstock Canada attracts solo travelers for its safety, solid women’s rights record, and diverse range of scenery. In fact, of all the countries in North America, Canada is considered the safest destination for women travelers. Besides, Canadians have this worldwide reputation of being the friendliest people, and you’ll soon see why once you set foot in this spectacular country. To add, it is home to a wide range of landscapes, including centuries-old forests, snow-covered mountains, breathtaking countrysides, and pristine lakes. READ MORE: Canada Travel Guides 10. Poland Photo by: Shutterstock Did you know? This Eastern European country is regarded as the safest place in Europe according to OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and it’s mainly due to its low crime rates and positive attitude towards tourists. Even in the capital of Warsaw, though there might be some petty crimes here and there, solo travellers and female travelers alike will still feel relatively safe, especially with how hospitable Polish people are. For some of the top must-do’s, I recommend rediscovering the story of World War III by stopping at Auschwitz and the Schindler’s Factory. READ MORE: Poland Travel Guides 11. United Kingdom Photo by: Shutterstock Comprised of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, this historic state packs a lot of allure for visitors of any kind — no matter if it’s from their bustling cities such as London or peaceful countrysides like Windsor. To date, much like most European countries, traveling to the United Kingdom is very safe. For years, it is regarded as one of the safest countries for solo female travelers given that violent crime is rare. Though one of the reasons why it is placed a bit lower in this list is on how it ranks low on gender inequality and this can be somehow attributed to the pervasive ‘lad culture’ that has developed in the UK. Still and the same, for as long as you keep your wits with you, travel is generally regarded as safe. READ MORE: United Kingdom Travel Guides 12. Netherlands Photo by: Shutterstock The Netherlands is a famous European destination where tradition and innovation intertwine. There is much to be desired here: from tulip fields to romantic city canal cruises, from Van Gogh paintings to the gnawing history of Anne Frank, and so much more! And as a solo female traveler, you will be needing some caution especially in big cities like Amsterdam — but still and the same, the Netherlands is generally a safe country to explore in (your biggest concern might just be pickpockets). Besides, the Dutch are laid-back folks who are fairly polite; plus, I have traveled to this country far too many times by myself, and I have never felt unsafe. READ MORE: Netherlands Travel Guides 13. France Photo by: Shutterstock France is the most sought-after destination in Europe, and due to this popularity and ensuing crowdedness, it’s expected that most females don’t feel fully safe at night (especially in the big city of Paris). Nevertheless, it still earns its spot as one of the safest countries for solo female travelers because of how it puts high regard for women’s rights. Truth be told, the country has a low gender gap according to Ampersand. Moreover, catcalling and street harassment are outlawed and placed with hefty on-the-spot fines. So don’t let any of your fears stop you from flying to this popular destination as you finally witness the majestic Eiffel Tower, visit the Louvre Museum, explore the fantastical castle island of Mont Saint Michel, drive through the French Riviera, and more! READ MORE: France Travel Guides 14. Denmark Photo by: Shutterstock As I previously mentioned, you should always expect Scandinavian countries to be on the list of safest countries for solo female travelers. Visitors will have little to worry about when it comes to crime, and women travelers also don’t have much to worry about when it comes to harassment. Crimes still occur, that’s a fact, but common sense should keep you out of trouble. To make the most of your stay in Denmark, don’t forget to explore the Tivoli Gardens, take a trip to the ancient city of Roskilde, look for fossils at Møns Klint, sail a real Viking ship with the Viking Ship Museum, and so much more! READ MORE: Denmark Travel Guides 15. Italy Photo by: Shutterstock When it comes to solo travel, Italy is an outstanding destination: it’s relatively safe and plenty of sights or activities to keep you occupied for a while! One of my favorite destinations in the country is Rome and even if it’s crowded, female travelers like I do will generally feel safe while exploring key places like the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel, and Roman Forum among many others! Of course, let’s not forget the other stunning cities of Florence, Venice, Naples… aaah, I can go on and on about Italy! All in all, there is just so much to see in this country, and as a solo traveler, you will be indulging in a lot of rewarding experiences. READ MORE: Italy Travel Guides 16. Czech RepubliC Photo by: Shutterstock Rates of violent crimes are low in the Czech Republic, and even most of Prague’s areas are safe to walk around even after dark. The country just so happens to be low on the list given the bad rating for its global gender gap. But as per usual, just use common sense much like how you would in any place in the world (even your home country) and you’ll be fine here as a solo female traveler. There is much to see, after all, in this amazing country: the Charles Bridge along with the grand Prague Castle, the quaint town of Český Krumlov, and many others. READ MORE: Czech Republic Travel Guides 17. Sweden Photo by: Shutterstock This Scandinavian wonder earns its place in this list of safest countries for solo female travelers due to its secure and progressive environment for women. The reason why Sweden scored lower than the other Scandinavian countries is mainly due to its low rating for non-partner and intimate partner sexual violence, as well as the global gender gap. These factors aside, Sweden is still one of the safest countries in the world and you can enjoy a number of activities, namely: chasing after Northern Lights through Lapland, hiking through the King’s Trail (Kungsleden), etc. etc. READ MORE: Sweden Travel Guides 18. Germany Photo by: Shutterstock Germany is also incredibly safe, not just for solo female travelers but also for other kinds of travelers as well. Plus, with a highly efficient rail network to take advantage of, tourists can move between central cities and most places in between with great ease! And of course, aside from being a safe country to travel to, Germany has so much to offer — from magical castles like Neuschwanstein to stunning natural sights of Zugspitze, from vibrant Oktoberfest festivities to enriching city tours, and more! READ MORE: Germany Travel Guides 19. Greece Photo by: Shutterstock With over hundreds of inhabited Greek islands, tourists are highly unlikely to experience crime or violence — even more so for women. Hence, Greece is a very safe country to travel to at any time. You might need to put more caution when traveling to more popular places like Athens, but in general, most destinations are safe with petty crime being the main crime you might have to pay heed to. But as long as you do basic precautionary measures, your trip should be smooth sailing! Speaking of sailing, apart from trying sailing trips, you should also try sailing (or flying!) to other places to experience incredible sights such as that of Santorini, Crete, and others! READ MORE: Greece Travel Guides 20. Japan Photo by: Shutterstock I gotta admit, I expected Japan to be ranked higher on this list because it’s truly one of the safest countries for solo female travelers. Case in point, I’ve been traveling to this destination solo for probably more than 15 times now; I’ve walked through tiny alleys by myself in the wee hours of the night, and yet I have never felt unsafe nor encountered dangerous individuals. So it truly came as a surprise to me to see that in the Women’s Danger Index, Japan ranked 20 out of 50. But then I realized that indeed… Japan has some problems when it comes to gender equality and attitudes toward women given that its society is still fairly misogynistic (which is deeply rooted in its old traditions and history). That aside, Japan is generally safe and it is even ranked 6th among the most peaceful countries in the world! With that in mind, it ticks all the other boxes: lively cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, hiking trails, and delectable cuisine. Beyond the well-known cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, don’t forget to explore its off-the-beaten-path spots too such as the Chubu region. READ MORE: Japan Travel Guides Japan Itinerary Guides – – – » Other Safe Destinations « As you may have noticed by now, the Women’s Danger Index is only limited to the top 50 most popular destinations in the world for international tourists, so there are off-the-beaten-path (yet safe) countries that this research has missed out on as well as some other key destinations, namely… 1. New Zealand I was actually surprised that this was not included in the previous top 50 list; nevertheless, New Zealand or ‘Middle Earth‘ (for Lord of the Rings fans) is the perfect destination for those who love adventure, sports, and nature. It is one of the safest countries in the world for solo female travelers and backpackers too given that it is the 2nd most peaceful country in the world according to the Global Peace Index. READ MORE: New Zealand Travel Guides 2. Australia Australia, just like New Zealand is considered one of the safest countries in for solo female travelers. The Australian metropolis even continues to hold the crown as the Most Livable City, according to the Economist Intelligent Unit. The locals are also known for their warm hospitality and good cheer that’s why a lot of solo travelers consider backpacking around the country safe. READ MORE: Australia Travel Guides 3. Iceland Iceland has some of the lowest crime rates and it’s ranked number one as the most peaceful country in the world on the Global Peace Index! The country is also one of the best destinations for solo female travelers in search of an ultimate female adventure journey (or a road trip at that!). After all, the country is a haven for travelers who love the outdoors, with numerous waterfalls to explore, glaciers to hike and geothermal spas to soak in. READ MORE: Iceland Travel Guides 4. South Korea South Korea is actually #21 on the Women’s Danger Index, so I thought that it’s worth mentioning this in this list of safest countries in the world especially because it IS safe. Much like Japan, I’ve had no problems traveling around the country as a woman; the only issue why South Korea scored low is its attitude towards women due to its society that’s similar to Japan. But don’t let this dissuade you from traveling to this amazing destination! READ MORE: South Korea Travel Guides 5. Taiwan When it comes to world standards, Taiwan’s crime rate is low; so much like its other East Asian countries, it’s a destination that is pretty much safer than many other places in the world. And as a solo female traveller, you’ll love the array of things to do in Taiwan! READ MORE: Taiwan Travel Guides 6. Finland The only explanation why this Scandinavian country is not in the top 20 is because it was not regarded as the top 50 most visited countries in the world. Nevertheless, much like its neighbors, the country is a haven for solo women travelers who are seeking for a range of exciting sights and activities! READ MORE: Finland Travel Guides 7. Philippines I’m not just saying this because of bias, but primarily because the Philippines IS a safe destination for solo girl travelers. After all, the Filipinos are probably the friendliest and most hospitable people that you’ll ever meet. Add the fact that English is one of the 2 official languages in the country, you won’t have a hard time going around the islands. Just use your best instincts and ‘street smarts’ at all time to not be targeted for petty crimes. READ MORE: Philippines Travel Guides 8. Indonesia Single travelers should never shy away from Indonesia’s charms because they hardly face any real threat or danger. A lot of solo travelers, after all, have been to this amazing country and they have all had a great time! Just don’t throw your common sense out of the window and you’ll have a smooth Indonesia trip right from day one. READ MORE: Indonesia Travel Guides 9. Thailand This is truly a favorite destination in Southeast Asia and while Thailand is generally safe, you should still be wary of your surroundings, as well as some of the cultural norms (e.g. some temples don’t allow women, you shouldn’t sit beside Buddhist monks in public transport, etc.). There’s much to be said about attitudes toward women, but still, it’s a relatively secure destination for females. READ MORE: Thailand Travel Guides 10. Namibia This has got to be the safest country for solo travelers in Africa especially since the locals are friendly and that most towns exude a safe atmosphere for tourists (the biggest danger that you might face are wild animals). Just do your research beforehand and you’ll be fine! – – – » 5 Worst Countries for Women Traveling Alone « DISCLAIMER: The countries in this list are those that ranked the poorest on the Women’s Danger Index that collects the top 50 most-visited countries worldwide. Naturally, this does NOT mean that you shouldn’t travel to these countries — in fact, it’s the opposite. . You should still go especially if you want to, BUT just take note that you must exercise caution due to the country’s bad record or attitudes toward women. If you’re still not confident, it doesn’t hurt to travel with a companion! 1. South Africa When I first visited Africa, Zambian locals expressed worry when I told them that my next solo destination was South Africa. “Are you heading alone to Johannesburg?”, they asked. When I replied ‘Cape Town‘, they breathed a sigh of relief and added, “that’s fine, just be aware of your surroundings especially since you’re alone.” I found it odd how they reacted like that, but after careful research, their reaction made sense because the country has historically treated women cruelly, not to mention the high crime rates. My trip to Cape Town went smoothly and though there were a few moments that I felt unsafe, I still thoroughly enjoyed my stay there! It might be because I spent most of my time driving around tourist areas (it’s said that most crime takes place in the townships); nevertheless, just exercise caution at all times and behave conservatively. 2. Brazil It might not be a surprise to you to see Brazil in this list of worst countries for solo female travelers because if you do a Google search, most articles won’t sugarcoat the reality that it’s a dangerous country — not only for women but for men too. It has a high rate of crime and most embassies will caution you to never walk alone at night and to never resist any robbery attempts. It’s still fine to travel alone, but if you ask me, this is not the best place to start with especially if you’re a newbie or beginner solo traveler. 3. Russia This is yet another surprising discovery when I went through the Women’s Danger Index because I have also traveled to Russia alone but I have never felt unsafe there — not even in the big cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg. But indeed, that’s just my experience. Apparently, this vodka-loving destination is one of the worst when it comes to legal discrimination and general attitudes towards women. 4. Mexico Safety is, of course, never guaranteed wherever you may be in the world but some places are riskier than others. Mexico is one of those places and this may be also expected by some of you especially because it has low ratings when it comes to street safety and violence. Other solo travelers might argue otherwise and I’m a bit on the fence with that. I traveled to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, as well as Tulum in 2021 at a time when some cartel shootings just happened and there were a lot of army folks doing their rounds — it added a sense of security but it still felt unsafe at some times. My whole trip ended with no incident and I believe that some areas are safer than others (e.g. Valladolid); but I guess what I’m just trying to say is: just do your research and be cautious, and I’m sure you’ll be able to gauge your level of comfort. 5. Iran This came as yet another surprise for me because I regard Iran as one of the safest countries in the Middle East (I guess it just scores low as compared to the rest of the top 50 most-visited places worldwide). Though for you, you might have expected this because of how the media portrays this country; however, I urge you to do your own research so you can see how a lot of solo female travelers had no problems journeying through this country alone. You just need to prepare for some things first (e.g. knowing how wearing a hijab is mandatory in the country, knowing how there’s gender segregation in public, etc.) and you’ll be fine. • • • Overall Solo female travel has since become a worldwide trend and I hope that this article helped give you some ideas on the safest countries to travel to! Of course, there’s the reality that despite this assuring list, the chance of being harassed is still possible — however, this should never stop you from pursuing your travel dreams! A lot of women have gone through such adventures and YOU can too. The post 20 Safest Countries for Solo Female Travelers: The Best Trip Destinations in the World (& The 5 Worst!) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Journalism and travel, together at last

The post The Life and Wanderings<br> of Chef Andy Ricker appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post The Life and Wanderings<br> of Chef Andy Ricker appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Documentary photographer Cengiz Yar discusses his nine-year project documenting Mosul and the so-called war on terror's long-term effect on the northern Iraqi city

The post The Story of Mosul<br> Q&A with Cengiz Yar appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post The Story of Mosul<br> Q&A with Cengiz Yar appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Matt Goulding on “Omnivore,” His Inventive New Show with René Redzepi appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Matt Goulding on “Omnivore,” His Inventive New Show with René Redzepi appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The beer is cheap and the larb is fresh, but Chiang Rai is more than all that. These 10 bits of local wisdom will help get you started.

The post 10 Things to Know Before You Go to Chiang Rai appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post 10 Things to Know Before You Go to Chiang Rai appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post How Vietnam Eats Today<br> Q&A with Daniel Nguyen appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post How Vietnam Eats Today<br> Q&A with Daniel Nguyen appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

In Tanzania, NovFeed is transforming the country’s compost into a source of cheap and nutritious feed for farmed fish. NovFeed is a finalist for the 2024 Food Planet Prize.

The post NovFeed: Turning Fruit into Fish appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post NovFeed: Turning Fruit into Fish appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

In Bangladesh, Pumpkin Plus transforms rural lives through the innovative technology of growing crops on sandbars. They are a finalist for the 2024 Food Planet Prize.

The post Pumpkin Plus: Making the Sandbars Bloom appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Pumpkin Plus: Making the Sandbars Bloom appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Vermont’s Rich Earth Institute is looking to an unusual alternative to industrial fertilizer: human urine. They are a finalist for the 2024 Food Planet Prize.

The post Rich Earth Institute: In Search of Liquid Gold appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Rich Earth Institute: In Search of Liquid Gold appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Could an all-natural steam seed treatment replace mainstream agricultural chemical treatments? ThermoSeed, a finalist for the 2024 Food Planet Prize, thinks so.

The post ThermoSeed – A Swedish Seed Solution appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post ThermoSeed – A Swedish Seed Solution appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Transfarmation is an organization helping former factory farmers move from debt-laden, environmentally damaging practices toward a sustainable future. Transfarmation is a finalist for the 2024 Food Planet Prize.

The post Transfarmation: From factory farm to sustainable enterprise appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Transfarmation: From factory farm to sustainable enterprise appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

In a small dry corner of England, Aquagrain is creating a super-absorbent biodegradable hydrogel that could help crops grow in degraded lands. Aquagrain is a finalist for the 2024 Food Planet Prize.

The post Aquagrain: New Life for Poor Soil appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Aquagrain: New Life for Poor Soil appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Food accounts for 13% of cities’ carbon emissions every year. But a small league of C40 Good Food Cities, from New York to Quezon City, is hoping to change that. C40 is a finalist for the 2024 Food Planet Prize.

The post C40: Mayors Making Good Food Cities appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post C40: Mayors Making Good Food Cities appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post The Right Gear, the Right Moment: Q&A with Photographer Beatriz Janer appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post The Right Gear, the Right Moment: Q&A with Photographer Beatriz Janer appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The geopolitical struggle between China and the Philippines has strangled Filipino fishermen’s access to some of their richest fishing grounds

The post Netted by Politics:<BR> a Fisherman’s Dilemma in the South China Sea appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Netted by Politics:<BR> a Fisherman’s Dilemma in the South China Sea appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Mestiza de Indias is an innovative, Maya-inspired regenerative farm in the middle of a region threatened by mass tourism and overdevelopment. Its founder has a lot to say about why food matters.

The post A Model Farm in the Yucatán: Q&A with Gonzalo Samaranch appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post A Model Farm in the Yucatán: Q&A with Gonzalo Samaranch appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Make it Loud: <br>Q&A with Dylan Eitharong appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Make it Loud: <br>Q&A with Dylan Eitharong appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post A Memoirist in Mérida: <br> Q&A with Jeremiah Tower appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post A Memoirist in Mérida: <br> Q&A with Jeremiah Tower appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

On Spain's Asturian coast, in the small fishing town of Puerto de Vega, on Plaza Cupido—Cupid Square—a self-taught cook writes culinary love letters to the Cantabrian Sea.

The post The Taste of Being Thrown Around by the Sea: Q&A with chef Mari Fernandez appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post The Taste of Being Thrown Around by the Sea: Q&A with chef Mari Fernandez appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The Toothpick Company turns fungi into bioherbicide to fight Striga, a devastating “master weed” that has devastated an estimated 40 million farms in Africa.

The post In Kenya, Using Fungi to Fight a War on Weeds appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post In Kenya, Using Fungi to Fight a War on Weeds appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

In Southeast Asia, the Protein Challenge is aiming for nothing less than a total transformation of regional food systems. The solution? Empowering and uniting the protein system’s various and diverse actors to create change from within.

The post Tackling Southeast Asia’s Protein Crisis appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Tackling Southeast Asia’s Protein Crisis appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Monarch Tractor has recently launched its first line of electric tractors with its groundbreaking MK-V model – the world’s first full-electric, driver-optional, data-collecting smart tractor. Its CEO hopes the company is going to revolutionize the future of farming.

The post Reinventing the Wheel appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Reinventing the Wheel appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Australian start-up Loam is using fungi to help crops capture carbon in the soil—and keep it there. It could be a game-changer for farmers and the fight against climate change.

The post Can Fungi Save our Soil? appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Can Fungi Save our Soil? appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Scientists agree that global agriculture is losing crucial diversity in its plants, animals and microorganisms. But you can’t fix a problem that you can’t measure properly. That’s where the Agrobiodiversity Index comes in.

The post Bioversity International: Making the Invisible Visible appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Bioversity International: Making the Invisible Visible appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

A team of chefs and scientists in southern Spain are trying to cultivate an edible sea grain for the first time. Can Aponiente’s “sea pantry” fight global food insecurity and be used for conservation purposes?

The post A Sea Grain to Feed the World appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post A Sea Grain to Feed the World appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Food providers—large-scale companies that mass-produce meals for institutions like hospitals and schools—serve billions of meals annually in the United States. Despite their size, there hasn’t been nearly enough focus on how to cut their greenhouse emissions. Enter Coolfood, a one-stop solution to facilitate plant-forward, climate-friendly eating.

The post Serving Climate-Friendly Meals, One Student at a Time appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Serving Climate-Friendly Meals, One Student at a Time appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Travel That Cares for Our Planet and Its People

Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by Audrey Scott Active sustainability communications should be an integral part of any sustainable tourism journey, yet it is often seen as an afterthought instead of integrated into all marketing and communications. This is ... Continue Reading

The post 7 Ways to Effectively Communicate Your Sustainability Story in Tourism appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by Audrey Scott Active sustainability communications should be an integral part of any sustainable tourism journey, yet it is often seen as an afterthought instead of integrated into all marketing and communications. This is a missed opportunity. Sharing your sustainability story — initiatives, achievements, challenges, and impact — in a way that is easy to understand and resonates with travelers, trade partners and other stakeholders not only highlights your accomplishments, but it also helps engage others in this journey which can amplify the impacts of your work. I was recently asked by a colleague to contribute some tips on how to do this for a sustainable tourism training program. Below are a few practical ways to tell your sustainability story to avoid jargon and incorporate storytelling that also highlights the local context, strengths and challenges. Exploring Lazio, Italy by ebike on a specially designed ecotourism route to limit impacts. 1. Start your sustainability story with why you decided to start this journey or certification process in the first place. Why was this important to you, even if it might be difficult and messy at times? Why did you care enough to do this? What were the underlying values or motivations behind choosing to operate more sustainably? What big change did you want to create or what impact did you want to make? And for whom or for where (e.g., location or natural environment)? Be transparent if your motivations changed as you get started. For example, I was recently speaking with a guest house owner who shared that when she first started the training for sustainability certification she did so because she thought it was a trend and something she should do to meet traveler demands. However, after attending the training, those motivations moved way down the list as she understood better the underlying values of sustainability and realized for herself the need to do more now to preserve for future generations. And how she could contribute to that by operating more sustainably. 2. Provide local context when sharing your sustainability activities and stories. Don’t only provide a list of sustainability initiatives of what you did, but also explain why these specific initiatives are so important to you, your community or surrounding environment and the impact of these initiatives. Cyprus is a popular Mediterranean destination with limited freshwater resources so efforts to conserve water have great impact, but many travelers don't realize this. Your audience may not know the local context to understand the importance of these activities locally as their home context might be different. For example, in a fragile high desert environment activities around conserving water take on higher importance. Or how the impact of providing economic opportunities in remote areas can help prevent migration of young people to cities or to foreign countries. 3. Don't be vague when describing the impact or change as a result of your sustainability activities. This can be interpreted as greenwashing or trying to hide something, and it doesn’t support the greater transparency we need to advance sustainability as the default. An important part of sustainable tourism is measuring and monitoring, so use that information to provide tangible results whenever possible. For example, don’t just say “reduction in water use” but give the average percentage or liters of reduced water use over a period of time. Or instead of “increased employment”, specify the number of local people who now have a sustainable livelihood from tourism thanks to your company’s activities. 4. Remember that sustainability is not only about the environment. Some environmental or carbon reduction initiatives might feel more tangible and therefore, easier to talk about. However, be sure to tell stories as well about the activities and impacts related to local people, economy, and that also highlights the specific local context. Staying with families during a trek in the Alay Region of Kyrgyzstan provides them with additional income that is often invested in children's education or improving living arrangements. One way to highlight the socio-economic elements of sustainability is to think of one person impacted through your sustainable tourism initiatives. Tell that person's story of what changed — individually, for the family, for the community, etc — and use their name (with permission, of course). This makes a story personal, relatable and the impact feels real. 5. Tell stories of your challenges – and what you learned from them — as well as your successes. This type of transparency and honesty earns trust, combats greenwashing and helps others learn from your journey. Sustainability is messy and sometimes doesn't always work out as you had hoped. Share not only your challenges or mistakes, but most importantly what lessons you learned from the experience and what you plan to do in the future to try and overcome these challenges. Keep sharing updates as you make progress and find new solutions to address these issues. Other companies or destinations may be able to learn from how you overcame obstacles, or perhaps share their own solutions to similar problems they faced. 6. Highlight how your sustainability activities actually are an experience enhancer. Travelers sometimes think of “sustainable” or “responsible” as boring or more expensive as has been shown in different studies over the years (yes, sustainable tourism has a branding problem, but that is for another article). However, it shouldn’t be this way. Incorporating sustainability principles into your tourism product or service should improve or deepen the travel experience (if it doesn't then you need to go back to the product development stage). Learning to Make Shrak, traditional bread, during a community tourism project in Jordan provided so many opportunities to connect with and learn from local women. A highlight from our ten days in Jordan. For example, don't just list all your sustainability activities at the top of your tour description. Instead, highlight first how your tour provides a deeper or more personal connection to local people and culture…and how your sustainability initiatives to involve the local community in product development contributes to this. Or highlight how your hiking tour provides greater immersion in nature as you’ve developed new routes with fewer crowds, and have worked with local families to set up homestays. Or there is the “feel good” satisfaction for travelers of knowing that their money is staying local and having an impact in the community. When visiting the Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Co-op in the Sacred Valley of Peru you know that the money from all the handicrafts and souvenirs you buy goes directly to the women who made them. 7. Invite travelers to be part of your sustainability journey, and make it easy and simple. Don’t assume that travelers know what the “right” or more sustainable thing to do is, especially as they might not be familiar with the local context and its specific environmental and socio-economic situation. Don't preach with a list of things only focused on what not to do. Travelers sometimes tune this out, especially as behavior science shows that their first priority on vacation to have fun and not “behave sustainably.” Instead, provide simple and easy ways that travelers can make more sustainable decisions or adjust behaviors to advance sustainability locally. A key behavior science principle of this is to break down desired sustainable behaviors into actions that truly are easy and simple for travelers to do so it's a friction-less choice. Then, place this communication in strategic places in order to nudge them when they are making decisions. The post 7 Ways to Effectively Communicate Your Sustainability Story in Tourism appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by Audrey Scott The 2024 International Women’s Day theme is Inspire Inclusion, a call to action “to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected.” While much ... Continue Reading

The post How Tourism Can Better Invest in Women appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by Audrey Scott The 2024 International Women’s Day theme is Inspire Inclusion, a call to action “to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected.” While much progress has been made in gender equality and inclusion over the years, there is still so much awareness needed and work to be done to achieve the goal where everyone is included and has an opportunity for success. Companies, governments, and communities play a crucial role in creating this more equitable world through deliberate change and actions to ensure that women and marginalized groups are: included, that women of all backgrounds are invited and welcome to the table given access to support, education, resources, and investment provided opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership. The tourism sector is certainly no exception in the role it can play to provide these fundamentals to women of all backgrounds and nationalities. Travel and Inclusion In an ideal form, travel is all about celebrating diversity, valuing differences, breaking down stereotypes and bias, engaging local communities, and making places better for local people to live. At least that's the goal for many people who work in tourism, and something that much mindful and sustainable travel achieves. We know, however, that sadly not all tourism businesses and travelers live up to this ideal. The tourism sector is able to deliberately pursue greater participation from women and greater social impact as a way to get closer to this ideal. This inclusiveness promises not only to strengthen the sector and make it more resilient, but it will also help construct deeper and more transformative travel experiences for travelers that are closer to that ideal above. With the landscape in mind, this article offers some specific ideas and mechanisms that tourism and travel can apply to empower women, support women entrepreneurs and businesses, and actively invest in communities to do so. Through all this, the travel sector can #InspireInclusion and deliberately work towards making a more equitable and inclusive world. Women in Tourism In 2019, women accounted for 54% of the tourism sector’s employment worldwide (we haven't been able to find an updated post-pandemic statistic). On one level, this statistic can be interpreted as an achievement, a foundational step toward opportunity and access for women. However, according to research done by the UNWTO, most of those jobs are concentrated in the least powerful, lowest-skilled and lowest paid positions. Only around 19-25% of leadership and C-suite levels are filled by women. This implies that women are often hired only for low level jobs and especially for those participating in the informal economy, the remain the most at risk of job loss and displacement from economic shocks like the pandemic. The tourism sector's challenge is not only to focus on greater involvement of women as part of the workforce, but as partners, managers and leaders. And if we think of this year's theme of inclusion, to provide the needed resources and opportunities in that local context for women and marginalized groups to be successful. Why Investing in Women Matters Before we dive into some of the ways that the tourism sector can better invest in and support women, let's look at why this matters for our world. TL;DR: Investing in women is an investment in our communities and future generations. Kiva, a microfinance organization which lends money low-income entrepreneurs around the world, found that women reinvest 80% of the income they earn into the education and wellbeing of children. Other research from the United Nations indicates that women-led economic empowerment leads to more gender equality and rights, economic growth, increased rates of girls education, and other community indicators of well-being. Moshi Mamas provides business and skills training to women, as well as market access for handicrafts. We've seen this play out in our projects repeatedly over the the last 10+ years, whether working with microfinance or tourism organizations. Shoshe, who had received business training and market access for her handicrafts through a program in Moshi, Tanzania, explained this concept above in personal terms: “I want to break the cycle for my daughter. I want to prove women can work and earn money.” Alessandra Alonso from Women in Travel explained during a G Adventures Retravel panel on the topic of women in tourism: “For us, economic empowerment is the beginning of everything. Because when a woman earns, then the kids get educated, the extended family eats and the whole community is much better off.” Learning to Make Shrak, traditional Jordanian bread, with women from a Zikra Initiative social enterprise. How Tourism Can Better Invest in Women Here are a few practical ways that travel and tourism can better invest in women, be more inclusive, and support empowerment, women businesses and leadership. Develop tourism products together with local community organizations and social enterprises that focus on supporting local women and marginalized groups. This social impact product development approach not only provides opportunity and to women and marginalized communities, but it can also provide crucial market access and a source of income for the local organization. If you are unsure on how to get started with a community-driven product development process, we can help. Hire more women, and not only at the lowest levels of participation. Focus especially on leadership and management positions. If you believe that your company already does an adequate job at gender diversity, conduct a simple audit to see how many positions in the company are filled by women or individuals from marginalized communities. This might offer a more objective snapshot of the actual diversity of your company’s workforce. Deploy innovation in gender diversity. Open positions and offer or expand training for women-led initiatives that might at first be considered unconventional. This will help to expand the definition and idea of what a “woman’s job” is or what’s possible for women to aspire to do. For example, Chobe Game Lodge was the first company to in Botswana to feature an all-female safari guide team. Sakha Cabs in India trains women to be taxi and professional drivers, a profession once considered “a man’s work.” Women in these roles push boundaries. Stereotypes are changing. Get ahead of the curve. Don’t just localize the supply chain, but make it more gender equal by choosing women-owned suppliers and local businesses. If you don't know where to get started in finding women-owned tourism businesses, check out this list on Wanderful of women-owned tourism businesses, women empowerment community tourism enterprises at the Planeterra Foundation or search for local women tourism networks where you operate. This approach will not only support your sustainability efforts, but women-owned businesses tend to amplify and expand opportunity and employment for other women in the community. Identify barriers and understand local women’s needs by asking them. Then provide the support they need to productively engage in projects, get the skills they want, and join the workforce. For example, this might include offering child care, transport to and from work to alleviate safety concerns, skills training to supplement basic education, and flexible work hours to accommodate traditional responsibilities at home. Encourage women to be the storytellers. Especially in indigenous communities, we’ve found that women are the stewards of tradition and culture. They are often the ones who pass on knowledge, traditions and techniques to their children, thereby sustaining community wisdom. Women’s voices often go unheard, for they don’t understand the value of their knowledge, nor are they actively given the opportunity to share it. Tourism companies are in an ideal position to amplify these stories and voices by inviting women to be guides or speak as local experts. Communicate to your customers and your travelers the deliberate decisions you’ve taken to invest in women. Share stories of access and opportunity. Be transparent and don’t be afraid to season your story by sharing some of the mistakes you’ve made along the way. Invite your customers to join this journey with you. Educate them on the impact of their decisions and behaviors to support women around the world. If you don’t know how to get started with social impact communications, let us know. Lynn, part of the all-women guiding team at Chobe Game Lodge, with her fully-electric Land Cruiser. For those of us in tourism, we know that it can create opportunity and jobs, thereby enhancing lives and livelihoods. It can take transferable skills and embed them for use in the formal economy. The Business Case for Inclusive Work Forces In addition, investment in women and inclusive work forces makes good business sense. Studies show companies that exhibit higher levels of gender diversity, especially at the executive level, usually outperform those without in terms of economic profit. One of the reasons is that men and women often display different leadership styles. The expression of diverse opinions and perspectives generates collective intelligence and can often result in more creative solutions and more effective problem solving. The business rationale is there on the consumer side, too. In tourism and travel, it’s estimated that women consumers make 70-80% of the travel decisions. Women travelers comprise a growing percentage of the entire traveling community. A company’s capability – aided by workplace diversity — to comprehend and process the needs of its current and prospective customers seems a no-brainer. Inspiring Inclusion Every Day As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we need to move from words and inspiration on one day of the year to deliberate and continual action which supports and empowers women every day. Should the tourism sector rise to “Inspire Inclusion,” women will be invited, welcomed and provided with the resources and support they need to take the driver’s seat on the journey to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all of us. And that's the inclusive world we'd like to live in. The post How Tourism Can Better Invest in Women appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on February 4, 2024 by Audrey Scott While many cities in Germany have one main Christmas Market, Berlin has dozens of Christmas Markets from which you can choose based on your interests and style. So, which are the ... Continue Reading

The post Berlin Christmas Markets: The Ultimate Guide appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on February 4, 2024 by Audrey Scott While many cities in Germany have one main Christmas Market, Berlin has dozens of Christmas Markets from which you can choose based on your interests and style. So, which are the best Christmas markets in Berlin? Whether you're looking for a traditional German Christmas market or something a bit more offbeat, I offer here my handy Berlin Christmas Market guide. The recommendations are based on our experience living in Berlin for ten years and being avid Christmas market fans. It has all the information you need to know, including dates and schedules of Berlin Christmas markets and notes on how to visit my local favorites — these are Christmas markets that will make your visit to Berlin during the Christmas and holiday season even more special. Berlin Christmas Markets. How can you not get into the holiday spirit? Winter 2022 COVID-19 Update for Berlin Christmas Markets: Currently, there are no Covid requirements to visit Berlin's Christmas Markets in 2022. They are all open without any restrictions. The Spirit of German Christmas Markets There’s something that just about everyone looks forward to in December in Berlin: Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt or Adventsmarkt). They offer a retreat from the shortening days of the year, into the company of gathered friends and neighbors. In the selection that follows, you'll find the “markets” listed less about shopping and more about community — where friends and families make plans to meet at the market after work or on weekends. A place where the aroma of glühwein (spiced, mulled wine) and sweet roasted almonds wafts in an atmosphere of twinkling lights in a chilly winter vapor. As conversations happen over steaming mugs of glühwein and hearty German street food like bratwurst, market-goers catch up on life and give air to what awaits at the turn of the new year. Christmas markets serve as the perfect antidote — or accompaniment if you like — to the approaching Winter Solstice. I confess that I am a bit of a Christmas market geek. I helped launch a Christmas market when I lived in Estonia many years ago. Dan and I have even taken Christmas market-themed road trips through Germany and Central Europe. Maybe this Christmas market affinity of mine has something to do with the fact that I'm American and I didn't grow up with the Christmas market culture. So, I get a little giddy when the season rolls around and I'm within reach of one. Whatever the cause, this is one of the reasons we stick around Berlin in December. Eierpunsch (egg liqeur punch) in Potsdam. Winter therapy? Does Berlin Have Christmas Markets? At this point you might be thinking: “German Christmas markets are famous, but I’ve never heard anything about Christmas markets in Berlin.” OK, then. Berlin’s Christmas markets haven’t traditionally carried the same reputation or history as those in other German cities like Munich, Nuremberg or Stuttgart. But that’s changing. Berlin makes its own way and blends the traditional into the tapestry of its forward-lurching, unusual self. Just as Berlin doesn’t have one town center, it also doesn’t have one main Christmas market. Instead, Berlin usually features more than 50 markets (in 2022 it's gone up to 70 markets!) spread throughout the city, each with its own distinct personality, atmosphere and specialties. Some run the length of the Advent season, while others are limited-time offers or tuned to the spirit of their local neighborhood for only a weekend or two. Of course, a certain commercialization and schlock lurks conspicuously at some markets. With this in mind, we share our personal recommendations: a few trusted and traditional or local and authentic favorites to help you get started in your Berlin Christmas market exploration. Note: This post was originally published on December 3, 2015 and updated on November 29, 2022 with updated dates, times and other information. . Berlin Christmas Market Dates Berlin Christmas markets are usually open for the entire Advent Christmas market season, from the end of November through Christmas (and sometimes through to the New Year). In 2022, most of the Berlin Christmas Market open on 21 November 2022 and run until the very end of December or beginning of January 2023. Best Berlin Christmas Markets All Christmas markets — totaling around 70 — are open in Berlin in 2022, so you'll have quite a few to choose from to enjoy the holiday season. We find these Christmas markets especially atmospheric when it's dark and everything is tastefully lit, which is easy since the sun sets in Berlin before 4PM throughout December. Glühwein seems to taste better in the evening, too. READ MORE: Berlin Travel: A Beginner's Guide WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market. Traditional, bright and cheery. Why: For a bit of the traditional in a beautiful setting, especially at night as the Konzerthaus (Concert Hall) and nearby churches and buildings are lit. Gift stands at the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market tend to be handicraft-oriented or luxury-focused. Food quality is generally pretty high here as well. Be sure to check out the big feuerzangenbowle (fire-tongs punch) tent and seek out the wooden barrel of rum to the right of the bar should you need to “enhance” your steaming mug full of punch. In general, if you encounter a choice of glühwein “mit schuss”, that simply means “with a shot” as in a shot of rum or possibly amaretto. Note: Gendarmenmarkt charges a nominal entrance fee of €1. For more information, check out the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market page. Location and Directions 2022: The WeihnachtsZauber market has moved in 2022 from Gendarmenmarkt to Bebelplatz at the State Opera just off of Unter den Linden. Take the U6/U5 to Unter den Linden station or the U5 to Museumsinsel. Neighborhood: Mitte. 2022 dates for the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market: 21 November – 31 December 2022 Opening hours: 12:00 – 22:00 Sunday-Thursday, 12:00 – 23:00 Friday and Saturday (except 24 December until only 18:00) Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market – Last Chance in 2022 Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas market. Why: To drink mugs of steaming glühwein in the shadow of a 300+ year old Baroque palace. The Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas market is one with big time European fairytale charm. Some of its stands feature traditional — and huge — Christmas pyramids which entertain as figures go round and round all night long. Also fun, but kind of cheesy, is the light show at night. For more information, check out the Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market page. Note that 2022 will be the last year to enjoy this Christmas Market as the space will soon be used for something else. So, prioritize a visit to the Schloss Charlottenburg Market this year! Location and Directions: Just in front of the Schloss Charlottenburg Palace main entrance on Spandauer Damm. Closest U-Bahn stations include Sophie-Charlotte-Platz or Richard-Wagner Platz, as well as Westend station on the S-Bahn. Neighborhood: Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf Dates for the 2022 Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market: 21 November – 26 December, 2022 Opening hours: Monday – Thursday, 14:00 – 22:00, Friday – Sunday, 12:00 – 22:00, 25-26 December, 12:00 – 20:00 Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei (Nordic-Scandanavian Christmas Market) Berlin's Lucia Nordic-Scandinavian Christmas market at night. Why: Because you always wanted to taste the difference between Swedish, Norwegian and Danish glögg (Scandinavian mulled wine). Top off the entire experience with reindeer sausages and a host of other Nordic games and treats and you might just forget where you are. Compared to other open-space Christmas markets, the Lucia Christmas Market is set up in the winding courtyards of Kulturbrauerei, a 19th century brick industrial complex. For more information, see the Lucia Christmas Market at KulturBrauerei page. Location and Directions: The Lucia Christmas Market (and Kulturbrauerei) has multiple entrances at Knaackstr. 97, Sredzkistr. 1 and Schönhauser Allee 36-39. Closest U-Bahn station is Eberswalder Str. (U2) or Trams 12, M10, M1. Neighborhood: Prenzlauer Berg Dates for the 2022 Lucia Christmas Market: 21 November – 22 December, 2022 Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 15:00 – 22:00; Saturday – Sunday, 12:00 – 22:00 Spandau Old Town and Citadel Christmas Markets Spandau Christmas Market in all its holiday-lit glory. Why: To feel as though you’ve been transported to a small German village even though you remain within the Berlin city limits. The citadel of Spandau, one of the best preserved Renaissance fortresses in Europe, is taken over by its Christmas market. The old town of Spandau also hosts a large Christmas Market on its streets. While the atmosphere and some of the bigger stands along the main strip can feel a bit commercial, the little courtyards and stands convey something a bit more traditional. For more information, see the Spandau Christmas Market page. Location and Directions: Take the U7 to Zitadelle Spandau or S3/S7 to Spandau. Follow the crowds to the Citadel. Neighborhood: Spandau Dates for the 2022 Spandau Citadel Christmas Market: 21 November – 30 December 2022 Opening hours: Daily from 12:00 – 20:00, closed 24-25 December Entrance Fee: €3.50 for adults, free for those under 15 years old Medieval Historical Christmas Market at RAW Why: To feel like you've gone back in time to a medieval village complete with axe throwing or archery competitions and hand-operated carousels. This Berlin Christmas market is built each year on the grounds of the RAW Cultural Center and is a fun experience and atmosphere, especially for families or kids, thanks to all of its performances and games. You can warm yourself up around one of the several fire pits and drink mulled wine or hot mead from heavy ceramic mugs. There is also plenty of hearty food, some of it of it aiming to be “medieval” (aka, heavy), to keep you warm and full. A fun way to spend a cold winter evening. For more information see the Historical Christmas Market at RAW Cultural Centre page. Location and Directions: Revaler Straße 99, take the U-Bahn or S-Bahn to Warschauer Straße station. Neighborhood: Friedrichshain Dates for the 2022 Historical Christmas Market at RAW: 17 November – 22 December 2022 Opening hours: Monday – Friday 15:00 – 22:00, Saturday – Sunday 12:00 pm – 22:00 Entrance Fee: €2 for adults, Thursday – Sunday. Free from Monday – Wednesday. Potsdam Christmas Market A proper Christmas pyramid at the Potsdam Christmas Market. Why: To take a break from the big city. Visit the Potsdam UNESCO sites of Sanssouci Palace and gardens during the day and enjoy eierpunsch (spiced egg punch) at the Christmas market at night. The market takes over the streets of the old town for blocks on end and features some of the most elaborate and largest displays we’ve seen. There’s also an ice skating rink and other fun stuff for kids…or adults. There is also a Polish Christmas Market nearby at the Kutschstallhof from 2-4 December to get your fill of Polish pierogis, handicrafts and other specialties. For more information, see the Potsdam Christmas Market page. Early gatherings at the Potsdam Christmas market. Location and Directions: Take the S-Bahn to the city of Potsdam, which is about a 45-60 minute ride from central Berlin. This requires an ABC ticket. Neighborhood: Potsdam Dates for the 2022 Potsdam Old Town Christmas Market: 21 November – 29 December 2022 Opening hours: Daily from 12:00 – 20:00, closed 24-25 December Berlin Neighborhood and Weekend Christmas Markets In addition to Christmas markets which run the entire length of Advent, Berlin also features its share of short-run special and weekend markets. These markets are typically smaller affairs featuring local organizations and neighborhood-oriented venues. If you're visiting Berlin for a couple of days during the Christmas season and authentic and local is what you seek, it's absolutely worth doing some research to see which of these markets happens to be timed with your visit. Alt-Rixdorfer Christmas Market The Rixdorf Christmas market is local, but its atmosphere draws crowds from across Berlin. Why: The Rixdorf Christmas Market serves as a nice kickoff to the Christmas season. It also illustrates how a neighborhood Christmas market can be done well and at scale with local organizations selling homemade crafts to raise money for schools, charities, firemen’s groups, and more. Stands tend to be locally run and offer a perfect excuse to get to know the Neukölln district a little better. The square where the Alt-Rixdorf Christmas market is held, Richardplatz, features an enclosure with pony rides and a petting zoo. The whole thing is sweet, quaint and helps take you back in time a bit. For more information, see the Alt-Rixdorfer Christmas Market page. Location and Directions: On Richardplatz near the Karl-Marx Strasse station (U7). Neighborhood: Neukölln. Dates for the 2022 Alt-Rixdorf Christmas Market: 2-4 December 2022 Opening hours: Friday 17-21:00; Saturday 14:00 – 21:00; Sunday 14:00 – 20:00 Heissa Holzmarkt Bonfires and an urban village scene are all part of the Christmas market at Holzmarkt. Why: For a mixture of traditional and alternative in a fun and eclectic Berlin community space. Located on the Spree River in Friedrichshain, Holzmarkt is open all year around with its fixed shops, bakery, art studios and event space. Its Christmas market open on weekends during the advent season transforms what feels like its own urban village into a bit of a traditional and modern winter wonderland with bonfires by the river, ample amounts of glühwein, silent disco booths, German and international food options, bizarre puppet shows, and much more. This has become one of our favorite Berlin Christmas markets in the last years. For more information, see this Heissa Holzmarkt Christmas Market page. Location and Directions: Holzmarktstrasse 15, Friedrichshain. The Holzmarkt urban village is a compound of buildings on the Spree river. It's a 10-minute walk from S+U Jannowitzbrücke station. Neighborhood: Friedrichshain Dates for 2022 Heissa Holzmarkt: 29 November – 22 December 2022, weekends only Opening hours: Friday 16:00-22:00; Saturday-Sunday 14:00 – 22:00 Schloss Britz Christmas Market Schloss Britz, a Christmas market with a medieval feel. Why: To experience an intimate Nordic Medieval Fairytale Christmas market in the courtyard of an 18th century manor house. Though medieval costumes are involved here, the market somehow seems to pull this off without being a caricature of itself. As Schloss Britz Christmas market doesn't typically see the hordes that other markets might, you'll have the opportunity to speak to the various artisans and learn more about their handicrafts, preserves and other wares. The food served is usually inventive and a bit different than standard fare. There is a €3 entrance fee, but we feel that the atmosphere and quality of the stands warrants the price. For more information, see the Schloss Britz Christmas Market page. Icicles and Christmas pyramids at Schloss Britz. Location and Directions: Schloss Britz, near Parchimer Allee station (U7) or bus 181 Britzer Damm/Mohriner Avenue. Neighborhood: Neukölln Dates for 2022 Schloss Britz Nordic Market: 25 November – 21 December 2022, weekends only Opening hours: Friday 14:00-21:00; Saturday-Sunday 11:00 – 21:00 Christmas Market at Domäne Dahlem Why: Located on the grounds of a manor house which also serves as a sort of farm and agricultural museum, the Christmas Market at Domäne Dahlem includes many small producers and artisans selling everything from sea salts and spices to traditional German handicrafts. There is also an emphasis on fresh and organic foods, so you can certainly eat well and heartily here. Domäne Dahlem is a bit outside Berlin center, but if you want a more neighborhood and countryside feel, check out this Christmas Market during one of the Advent weekends. Entrance is €3. For more information, see the Christmas Market at Domäne Dahlem page. Location and Directions: Königin-Luise-Straße 49, 14195 Berlin. Take the U3 to Dahlem-Dorf station. Neighborhood: Dahlem Dates for 2022 Domäne Dahlem Christmas Market: 26 November – 28 December 2022, Saturday and Sunday Only Opening hours: Saturday-Sunday 11:00 – 19:00 Berlin Christmas Market Maps and Resources A complete list of Berlin Christmas markets maintained by Visit Berlin More Holiday Things to do in Berlin Even if visiting Christmas markets is the main goal of your winter visit to Berlin, there are other holiday and Christmas-oriented things to do in the city. Here are a few of the more popular tours, events and experiences in Berlin as offered by our partner (also Berlin-based), Get Your Guide. They offer many different Berlin tours with no booking fees and free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Christmas Garden in the Botanical Gardens: I have to admit that I never thought about visiting the Botanical Gardens for Christmas this until my hairdresser recommended it as her favorite holiday activity in Berlin. A 2-km route takes you through a winter wonderland of lights and different holiday installations. Berlin TV Tower Fast View Tickets: Get out of the cold and up above it all with these fast-track tickets that allow you to skip the line and go straight up to the top of the TV Tower. You'll have great views of the Christmas market below at Alexander Platz as well as the city as a whole. Berlin Welcome Card with Transport Pass: Get around the city by public transportation easily without worrying about buying or validating your tickets with this Berlin Welcome Card (ABC Zones). You can choose different lengths, from 48-hours to 6-days. And, the Welcome Card provides you with lots of discounts at different attractions, shops or museums. We've used Berlin Welcome Cards quite a bit when we've had visitors as it's cost-effective when you plan to travel around a lot and do a lot of different activities. Best Areas in Berlin To Stay for Christmas Markets Here are a few recommended accommodation options in some of our favorite Berlin neighborhoods of Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain, Neukölln, and Mitte. Weinmeister Hotel in Mitte: Located in the heart of Mitte near Hackescher Markt and not far from Alexanderplatz, this design hotel is in a great location and has a beautiful rooftop terrace for meals and drinks. Several friends and work colleagues have stayed here and recommend it. Note: this is an adult-only hotel. Hüttenpalast in Neukölln: Located in a fun and hip area between Kreuzberg and Neukölln, Hüttenpalast offers both retro-style caravans and cabins, as well as hotel rooms, and a relaxing garden. Friends have enjoyed staying here. Nena Apartments in Bergmannkiez, Kreuzberg: If you want your own apartment and kitchen to self-cater, these apartments on a quiet street in the cute Bergmannkiez part of Kreuzberg are a good option. There are also Nena Apartments in Neukölln (Hermannplatz) and in the Moritzplatz area of Kreuzberg. Michelberger Hotel in Friedrichshain: Located close to the East Side Gallery (2km of the Berlin Wall that is now an outdoor mural gallery) and Spree River, the Michelberger Hotel has a great lobby and restaurant on the ground floor and unique design rooms of all sizes and prices. Several friends who have stayed here recommend it for the rooms and the location. Circus Hostel in Berlin: If you are looking for a hostel or budget accommodation option, several friends have recommended Circus Hostel with both dorm and single/double room options. It's located very close to Rosenthaler Platz in Mitte with lots of local restaurants, cafes and bars in walking distance. The owners have recently opened up Circus Hotel nearby if you aren't into the hostel vibe. Plan Your Berlin Christmas Market Trip How to get to Berlin: There are endless options to fly to Berlin thanks to all the traditional and low cost airlines flying into TXL (Tegel Airport) or SXF (Schönefeld Airport). We often use Skyscanner to compare flight prices and to book tickets because it displays all the various airline combinations, including options from low-fare airlines. Berlin restaurant recommendations: For budget eating, check our our guides for favorite cheap eats in Berlin under €5 and our favorite neighborhood meals under €10. StilinBerlin offers another reliable resource for local Berlin restaurants and “best of” guides. The post Berlin Christmas Markets: The Ultimate Guide appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on November 23, 2022 by Audrey Scott The tires of our e-bikes rested on the cobbles of what we imagined was an old imperial road. Our early morning cycle had wound up through the meadows and canopies of ... Continue Reading

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Last Updated on November 23, 2022 by Audrey Scott The tires of our e-bikes rested on the cobbles of what we imagined was an old imperial road. Our early morning cycle had wound up through the meadows and canopies of a nature reserve carved out along the banks of the Tiber River in central Italy. A long stretch of road opened revealing veils of mist rising above the bends of water below. As the road turned steeper still and narrowed, a 13th century castle with hill towns in view just behind it hinted at the medieval history around us, of struggles between barons and popes. This is Lazio, a slice of Italy with all the archaeological, culinary, natural and romantic trappings you might expect but, for now at least, without the crowds. Storming the castle in Nazzano…by e-bike. Lazio, Italy: Wide Open “Where is Lazio?” a friend asked when we first spoke of setting off on this trip. Despite having visited Italy well over a dozen times since we married (in Tuscany), we knew little about Lazio prior to this project, one initiated by Thybris River Experience and funded by Lazio Region, one intended to craft new guided e-bike itineraries in the region. If you felt the need to place yourself in the geographic center of Italy, you might not imagine Lazio, the regional home to Italy’s capital Rome. But it’s about where you’d be. As our guide Giorgia unspooled her stories, she hinted that Lazio was pressed between the ritualized Etruscans to the north in Tuscany and the free-wheeling Bourbon-influenced provinces of southern Italy. In all ways, Lazio seems to teeter in between these worlds. She also explained the word Lazio was derived from the Latin word latus meaning “wide.” While this referred to the low-lying areas around Rome, the idea of Lazio as “wide open”, including for exploration, grew on us as we spent more time. Much of what we experienced felt relatively undiscovered from a tourism perspective. Cycling the pine forest of Castel Fusano outside Rome. From the well-preserved ancient echoes of Ostia Antica to the modern psychic imprint of Italian film greats and philosopher-poets like Pier Paolo Pasolini, this part of northern Lazio might bear a label that reads “greater Rome.” Yet our daily experience was more expansive. It featured hill town espresso breaks, hidden sculpture gardens, migratory bird hides, and overnights in restored villas, all punctuated with random encounters and mid-afternoon noshes on pastas turned in local products and paired with local wines. Developing guided e-bike itineraries in Lazio Our journey through Lazio included ten days' worth of e-bike rides in three distinct areas, each within about an hour's train ride from Rome. The goal of these three itineraries, which our involvement and feedback will help refine, is to enable travelers to engage with lesser-known hill towns, protected areas, cultural curiosities and historical sites in Lazio Region along the Tiber River as it winds its way from north of Rome, through the city and out to the Tyrrhenian Sea on Italy's west coast.⁠ The two- and three-day customizable trips connect travelers to still relatively unknown areas near Rome in a way that celebrates local communities, artisans and experiences. Cycling with e-bikes from hill town to hill town in Lazio. Core to these guided tours are the concepts of sustainability, community, and a focus on all things local, including accommodation, guides, food, transport and providers. Although all destinations noted here can be accessed via other methods of transport, e-bikes featured as our primary mode of transport together with an occasional regional train. The aim: to maximize local benefit and minimize environmental impact. Across three multi-day itineraries in Lazio, here are just some of the people and places you might encounter. A big thanks goes to Giorgia Cadinu, a dynamic professional guide in Rome and cycling enthusiast. She initiated this project and shared her curiosity and passion for the Tiber River and Lazio Region with us all along the way. If you wish to book or customize any of the following guided itineraries, contact Thybris River Experience. Note that the website may refer to the tours as Pomona (Tuscia and Teverina), Bona Dea (Tevere Farfa Reserve and Nazzano), and Leucotea and Egeria (Ostia Antica, Fiumicino, and Isola Sacra into Rome) lands respectively. 1. Tuscia and Teverina: hill town and villa life Just an hour outside Rome by train are the Tuscia and Teverina districts of northern Lazio on the border of Italy's Umbria and Tuscany regions. Despite the accessibility of these districts to the capital city, you'll find what feels like a completely different world — one defined by rolling landscapes, wine farms, and a spread of palazzi and manor houses which harken back to barons whose designs for power may have conflicted with a pope or two. Explore the hill towns of Tuscia in Lazio by e-bike While Tuscany and Umbria are famous for their hill towns, you’ll find the beauty of medieval hill towns with melodic names like Civitella d'Agliano, Celleno, Roccalvecce, Sippiciano and Vitorchiano perched high above the Tiber River valley in Lazio. But these destinations come without the crowds, for now at least. The town of Vitorchiano, perched cliffside and catching some early morning light. Cycling the medieval walls of the hill town of Roccalvecce. Over the hills and vineyard dale, Teverina by e-bike. One of the benefits of traveling by e-bike from hill town to hill town around the region is the opportunity to appreciate the contours and changes in landscape, as well as the subtle shifts in character of the towns and townspeople along the way. From forest to rolling hill to volcanic farm, our cycling journey from one destination to another delivered some of the most memorable and most photogenic experiences of the day. Trebotti Wine Farm: Taste volcanic wines from a fully sustainable winery While many wineries today have only just begun to focus on sustainability, Trebotti winery in the hills of Tuscia has made sustainability core to its family-run operations for over 20 years. During a tour, you'll see this considered in every detail: the (re)use of an ancient Etruscan cellar to store its sparkling wines, the choice to grow only indigenous grapes on its volcanic soils, the use of lightweight glass bottles, and an elaborate self-regulating air circulation system to reduce energy consumption. The goal of all this is to operate sustainably, to live up to the wine's organic label, to manage environmental impact and to find balance with nature. If anyone wished to understand what sustainability looks like in detailed operation, this wine farm would be a great place to start. Federico, our host, summed it up well: “To be sustainable is to respect the land.” Wine tasting above the terraced vineyards at Trebotti winery. Federico, our Trebotti winery host and guide. Trebotti wine farm overlooking the valley. Our wine tasting featured five wines paired with homegrown produce and homemade bites, enjoyed overlooking the Trebotti vineyards below.⁠ Sample the local Grechetto, a white wine varietal you'll likely become familiar with on your visit to the Lazio region. We sampled a rose and orange wine, both of which paired nicely with semi-dried tomato confit, crostini and local cured sausage. Finally, we tasted two red wines, including our favorite Gocce Rosso made from Violone, the local Lazio name for the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo varietal. This paired with a 72-month aged caciocavallo cheese and homemade salted chocolate nocciola red wine crema proved an astonishing way to conclude a tasting. La Serpara: Find the hidden sculpture garden For over 25 years the artist Paul Wiedmer and his wife Jacqueline have invited artists to find inspiration in nature and to harness the creative spirit at their home-atelier tucked in the hills near the town of Civitella d'Agliano. Today, La Serpara is open for private visits. You can enjoy a guided walk around sculpture gardens and bamboo forests dotted with modern art installations and take in the story of the site and the works that various artists-in-residence have created over the years. Jacqueline takes us around the garden to admire the sculptures. Paul Weidmer, artist and co-founder of La Serpara, with his puppy welcoming committee. Civitella d'Agliano: craftsmen bicycles and castles There seems to be no trade or service that couldn't be delivered on the back of a bicycle in early- to mid-20th century Italy. Knife sharpener, priest, portrait photographer, mattress cleaner, hairdresser, obstetrician. These are just a few of the professions, together with their customized, elaborately outfitted bicycles, that form the private collection at Il Mulino dei Mestieri (The Mill of Craftsmen) in Civitella d'Agliano. Yes, all of that photography processing equipment went on the bike. Streets so steep, Civitella d'Agliano. Alessia and her husband Daniele have spent over ten years collecting, repairing and lovingly restoring their collection of antique craftsmen bicycles. This snapshot of 20th century village trade history is now on display in a local mill. As Alessia showed us around and demonstrated kits of each bicycle, it was remarkable to see how every step, tool and feature of each service or trade was carefully integrated into bicycle construction. If you are a bicycle-bound obstetrician, a baby's life depends on it! Delivery services today seem to have nothing on the early 20th century blend of ingenuity and efficiency. And certainly nothing of the personality. Celleno: Il Borgo Fantasma The town of Celleno, known today as Il Borgo Fantasma (the “Ghost Town”), had been a vibrant, living hill town for over 1000 years until the mid-20th century when a string of earthquakes and landslides rendered it a dangerous place to live. However, each time the authorities tried to clear inhabitants from their homes and move them elsewhere, they returned. It was their home after all. Eventually, in the 1950s, the authorities demolished most of the old town buildings. Hence, Celleno became a ghost town where only the ruins of buildings remain. Like a movie set, the “Ghost Town” of Celleno. Some of the surviving medieval structures have recently been transformed into an open air museum and a series of historical exhibitions. One features a collection of 20th century sound and recording devices, while another antique and artifact exhibition is built around a multi-story medieval trash tunnel dating back 800 years. These “medieval trash heaps” as they are called are fascinating, not least of all because they give pause and make one wonder what story will one day be drawn from all the trash we currently generate. Celleno, beautiful and intriguing, offers a fascinating story of of rescued history. A taste of Tuscia, with a view at San Rocco Restaurant San Rocco Restaurant, in the inhabited “new town” of Celleno, lies just outside the rampart walls of the ghost town and focuses on local Tuscian fare. Note that's not Tuscan fare, but Tuscian fare from the local region including hill towns like Celleno and the nearby city of Viterbo. We were fortunate since our visit coincided with the porcini harvest. In-season porcini mushrooms were picked fresh from the forest off in the distance below our lunch terrace. Lunch also included rabbit stew, gnocchi in cime di rapa (broccoli greens) and a plate of stewed fagioli (beans). We opted to pair it all with a local Lazio Pinot Grigio called Satres from Le Lase vineyards. The orange hue in the glass? From 24 to 48 hours of contact with the skin of the grape. A visit timed with fresh porcini season. Delicious! San Rocco Restaurant, Celleno. Stay in the restored 18th century Villa Lais One of the most memorable highlights of this itinerary was our 3-night stay at Villa Lais just outside the town of Sipicciano. Maddalena, the artist proprietor of Villa Lais, purchased this 18th century compound almost ten years ago and has lovingly renovated it over the ensuing years. Returning “home” to Villa Lais after a day of exploring Tuscia. Design and decor at Villa Lais. A warm welcome from Caino as one of Villa Lais' 10 cats conducts surveillance. Ceilings and walls of inlaid wood illustrated in muted yet dazzling color mesmerize with detail, line and story. The tableau is rich yet not gratuitously busy or overdone. Maddalena's careful eye for design shows in everything, from the furniture to the wine glasses used at dinner, to create a feeling of living history and continuity to the villa's past that feels in no way contrived. Another characteristic that makes this place feel like home are the four dogs and ten cats who are always ready to greet you when you return from a day of countryside exploration. Sacro Bosco, the 16th Century “Park of the Monsters” Sacro Bosco (“Sacred Forest”), also affectionately known as Park of the Monsters, is more firmly on the tourist path than most other destinations we visited in Lazio. But we kind of understand why. The park and its sculptures were commissioned in the mid-16th century by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini as a way to express his grief due both to the untimely death of his wife and the weight of the brutality he had witnessed in war. This one was probably for war grief. Sacro Bosco, Bomarzo. Featuring a collection of large stone sculptures depicting fantastic and often disturbing creatures all scattered about in a forest just outside the hill town of Bomarzo, the park was a bit ahead of its time in its vision and anticipation of the need for exhausting one's grief. Despite the fairly steep price of individual admission (13€) and the park's undeniable commercial feel, it might still be worth a look. 2. Tevere-Farfa Reserve and Nazzano: nature, hill towns and art Our exploration of Lazio continued further along the Tiber River in and around the Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve. This is the place where the Tiber River environment takes center stage in the experience. Landscapes are green and the pace is reflective, despite the area only being an hour northeast of Rome by train. Hill towns feature again, but they serve as the backdrop for natural surroundings like swimming wild boars, as well as moments of contemporary culture and artistic flourish, and a surprising lesson in modern history. Canoeing the Tiber River The bends of the Tiber River in open green space define the Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve. Landscape is defined by texture, including hillsides of exposed volcanic tufa rock. Castles seem to keep watch atop the nearby hills overlooking the river valley. Wildlife make their way about. For the first time, we encountered wild boars swimming, making their way from one side of the river to the other. When we did our paddle, we encountered grey herons and egrets, and various birds pausing as they make their way southward. Canoeing the Tiber River in Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve. Nazzano Castle up ahead. Eat farm-to-table at La Fattoria Campo di Contra As we lounged and noshed farm-to-table with Mauro, founder of La Fattoria Didattica Campo di Contra, we found our table refreshed multiple times with simple dishes fashioned from produce fresh from his organic garden and goods sourced from nearby farms and producers. Over conversation about life in the region, we enjoyed a range of small plate treats like zucchini flower fritters sided with honey made by bees who snack on local resin, antipasto locale, grilled melanzane (eggplant) and peppers, and fresh bean salad. And Mauro served all of it with his rather quaffable homemade wine. With our meal as the object lesson, we could feel the vision Mauro has for his land and for helping to connect visitors to nature. A post-canoe lunch at La Fattoria Campo di Contra. Medieval hill towns and castles to explore Hill towns featured again in our travels across the Tiber River valley, including one of our visual favorites, Nazzano. It's the one you'll see from below in the Tevere-Farfa Nature Reserve. Historically, we imagined it high up and cliffside in order for its minders to eye the Tiber River below as it flowed with goods into Rome. As we dreamily perused listings posted inside windows of real estate agents in Nazzano we wondered what it would be like to set up shop, restore one of these buildings and actually live here. There be castles in Lazio, too. This one in Nazzano. Grand entry by e-bike to the hill town of Filacciano. In other hill town stops, we enjoyed beer and snacks in a piazza (and got invited to lunch), took espresso breaks with locals enjoying the morning sun and did things like snack-slurp suppli di telefono, a warm croquette so-called because its mozzarella is so oozy it stretches like telephone wire. Hike and cycle the trails of Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve is the first protected area in Lazio Region. When we first entered the park, we found ourselves clearly in the thick of nature. The sun was low and peeked through the trees, casting light and shadows on the more curious members of the local boar families lurking about. Between boat rides and canoe trips, we took gentle strolls and and cycled much of the trail that winds itself around and through the bends in the Tiber. HIking in Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve, Lazio A few of the characters at Ecoturismo Tevere Farfa. The cycling trails of Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve in late afternoon. Ecoturismo Tevere Farfa, built on the site of the old organic farm cooperative, is the only accommodation in the park itself and served as our base. Home to a curious cast of characters including a donkey and a sheep who enjoys giving head butts, it functions also as an educational and community gathering center. Ponzano Romano: Enjoy a conversation with a local artist Though most of Michele Longo's working years were spent in Rome directing films and mixing it up in cafes with the likes of Pasolini, he now focuses his time painting and creating mixed media art in his apartment studio in the hill town of Ponzano Romano. Surrounded by plants and fruit trees on his sunny veranda, we enjoyed a conversation with him over Cornettino di Ponzano Romano (a savory crisp croissant twist dashed with anise, extra virgin olive oil and glazed just slightly sweet) and demi-tasses of espresso. Longo's passion is palpable, as is his concern for what he sees as the deterioration of societal elements that support the development of creativity. We appreciated his pithy wisdom and spirit at 82-years young. We also discovered his secret to “creative fermentation” along the way. Hint: it's not about virtual interaction. Conversation with an artist, Lazio edition. Ponzano Romano is also known for its contemporary art museum, which was unfortunately closed at the time of our visit due to a change in exhibitions. However, if you take note of Longo's observation that Ponzano Romano is a more creative city than Rome, the museum is likely worth a look. Bunker Soratte: Go deep in the WWII and Cold War tunnels Just when you think you've seen it all in terms of WWII and 20th century military history, you walk into this place and one jaw-drop follows another as history bends the mind again. Marvel at the scale of Bunker Soratte, Mussolini’s mega-bunker tunnel complex atop Mount Soratte and near the town of Sant'Oreste. Apparently sensing the winds of war, Mussolini ordered it carved into the mountains by Italian engineers. After its construction from 1937 to 1939, and due to Il Duce’s loose hubristic lips, the bunker was squatted by Nazi Germany thereafter and run by Field Marshal Albert Kesselring as the Supreme Command of the South. Later during the Cold War, the four kilometer tunnel network would become a nuclear fallout shelter for officials in the Italian government. One of the long, deep tunnels of Bunker Soratte. Bunker Soratte's Cold War history comes through in the NATO situation room. Exhibition illustrating the Nazi German occupation of Bunker Soratte during World War II. Site lore makes the place even more intriguing. One story tells of the allied bombing of the bunker (that deliberately spared the nearby town) with the help of a local engineer who communicated intelligence and guidance signals via a transmitter hidden in a birdcage. (Does that make him “the bird man” of Sant'Oreste?) And the lost, stolen Nazi gold? That one begs a miniseries. The whole thing is pretty sobering too, once you overcome the fascination. Some reflective time out for an espresso or the drink of your choice should follow in the friendly little town of Sant'Oreste nearby. Fondazione Serpone: art, nature and a surprising chapel The sculpture garden and outdoor art installations at Fondazione Serpone in Torrita Tiberina are made available by way of a private family collection open to the public (by appointment). Each of its artist-donated pieces is carefully considered and positioned throughout the grounds of the hillside property. Together, the pieces delight in playful, subtle ways. The subtlety ends, rather deliberately, upon opening the door to the chapel installation executed by Austrian philosopher-artist Hermann Nitsch. What might be considered the centerpiece of the property and its installations, the chapel's interior offers a surprising and challenging interpretation of the spiritual. And the chapel is blessed by the local bishop! Art in nature at Fondazione Serpone. Nitsch Chapel, something to experience. Ecofattorie Sabine: terrace lunch on an organic farm After all that movement and cycling, uphill and down, a bit of restoration and stock-taking is required. Ecofattorie Sabine in Poggio Mirteto offers an ideal location for a meal before catching the train to Rome. The farm is right there, so everything is fresh, but so is the train station, so you can roll onto the train after your meal. For lunch, we shared honey-bathed ricotta; gnocchi with pumpkin cream, sheep cheese, sage and crouton crumble; pici pasta with walnut pesto and stracciatella; cicory greens ripassta and an autumn salad. With our meal, we enjoyed a Lazio Tragugnano Orvieto DOC from Sergio Mottura vineyard, an organic white wine blend featuring, again, the Greccheto varietal. Ecofattorie Sabine, where ingredients are fresh from the organic farm next door. III. On Rome's Edge: Ostia, Fiumicino, and Isola Sacra Everyone knows of Rome, the Eternal City, for its deep history and archeological wonders. However, not too far out of town in the direction of Fiumicino airport lies a handful of remarkable sites that often go unnoticed. ⁠ If you are looking for even more impressive history and ruins without the crowds, check out Ostia Antica and Portus, two nearby Tiber River gateways for commerce and exchange during the Roman Empire. These lesser known archeological ruins speak to the development and growth of Rome and form the cornerstone of a kind of “Rome you never knew” experience. To connect past to present, our itinerary also included encounters with passionate local people and projects highlighting the link between community, history and nature in and around the surrounding communities of Fiumicino and Isola Sacra. Ostia Antica: The ancient Roman Empire…just outside Rome Stroll the ancient streets, homes, theater and businesses of the once thriving ancient city of Ostia, known today as Ostia Antica. Although this site does not garner the attention (or crowds) of the top-tier archeological sites in nearby Rome, nor trigger the kind of emotion you might experience at Pompeii, the evidence of what life was like in this town some 2000 years ago astonishes due to its remarkable state of preservation. Marble-topped bars? Ostia Antica had them. Street food stalls? Those too. Maybe that's why Ostia Antica is considered among Rome's first colonies despite its proximity to Rome itself. Theater mask sculptures in the Roman Theatre, Ostia Antica. Mosaics in the Roman baths of the chariot drivers, Ostia Antica. The 1st century A.D. Roman amphitheater of Ostia Antica. It's still in use today. Portus (The Port of Claudius and the Harbor of Trajan) Just down the road from Ostia Antica in the direction of Fiumicino (home to Rome's airport FCO) lies Portus and the Archaeological Area of the Imperial Harbours of Claudius and Trajan. Imagine the bustling ancient city of Portus while strolling the stone-quiet ruins of the Port of Claudius (42 AD) and Harbor of Trajan (100 AD). Today, this archeological site is 3 km from the Mediterranean coastline, making it difficult to imagine that 2,000 years ago this artificial, hexagon-shaped harbor was fully submerged and served as Rome's main port to the Mediterranean Sea. Portus, once ancient Rome's main port on the Mediterranean. Severiani warehouses, Portus. Goods arriving by sea were unloaded at the port and harbor, then transferred to smaller boats on the Tiber River to take to Rome. This configuration allowed Rome access to the Mediterranean Sea along with a layer of protection. Portus grew in such size and importance that it received the status of an independent city in the 4th century. However, history consigned the port to disuse. Much of it remains undiscovered, quite literally underground, so one can only imagine what lies underneath the airport and the nearby towns of Fiumicino and Isola Sacra. Explore the ancient tombs at the Necropolis of Portus If you wish to understand the ancients, understand how they honored, buried and stored their dead. The Necropolis of Portus in Isola Sacra is a vast cemetery dating from the 1st century A.D. Although the well-off at the time could afford mausoleums and tombs whose epic mosaic floors remain intact even today, workers from the Roman port and harbor and tradesmen of various crafts were relegated to packed burial niches and much tighter quarterage. Mausoleums and burial niches, Portus Necropolis. Tomb layers, Portus Necropolis. The site is absolutely worth a visit. The necropolis and its surroundings combines the tranquility you'd expect from a burial site with the wonder and story of a cache of archaeological ruins offering a glimpse into the lives and livelihoods of those who helped build the surrounding history. Eat and drink local in Fiumicino For lunch on the Tiber River near a marina in Fiumicino, we enjoyed 4112 – QuarantunoDodici Restaurant, a more laid back bistro version of the Michelin-starred Il Tino restaurant upstairs Resisting an urge to try everything on the menu, we reined it in and opted for a palate cleansing starter, the merluzzo (salted codfish) and red beet carpaccio dashed with raspberry vinegar. Appreciating the scratch pad of the seven local species of fresh fish on offer, we shared a whole sarago, a kind of Mediterranean bream not to be confused with either branzino or orata. Distinct, tasty and light. We went bold and paired it all with a Fioranello Bianco from Lazio. Codfish and red beet carpaccio. QuarantunoDodici (1441) restaurant, Fiumicino. Fried polenta and tomato cream atop cicoria greens, BioAgricola Triano. Homemade pasta in zucchini pesto, BioAgricola Triano. When we were in Fiumicino poking around the Port of Claudius and Harbor of Trajan, we stopped by nearby Bioagricola Traiano for lunch. The restaurant is located on the edge of its organic garden, chicken hut and bee hives so you can imagine the source of many of the ingredients you see on the regularly changing menu. We opted for a couple of appetizers and pasta dishes, including fried polenta over cicoria greens and homemade pasta with zucchini pesto. Meals are visually appealing and tasty enough, but portions are big and hearty so beware of over-ordering as we did. Meet a local historian at Museo della Cultura Contadina ⁠Past and present come together at the Museo della Cultura Contadina in Isola Sacra. Our host, Oswaldo, shared the history of the area and how it had been transformed from a swamp — they literally drained the swamp — into a productive tract of agricultural land during the early-to-mid-20th century. The unique story of Isola Sacra, Museo della Cultura Contadina. He is one of the few remaining descendants who still lives there. Through the museum he works with the community to preserve the story of the establishment of the area as an economic development opportunity and enticement to Italian World War I veterans from around Italy to settle and work the land after the world wars. Check out the Pietro Micca steam tugboat Along the Tiber River as it readies to spill into the Tyrrhenian Sea, Giulio, the passionate owner of the Pietro Micca steam tugboat, keeps a piece of maritime history and heritage alive to illustrate the evolution of technologies and energy use. The Pietro Micca dates back to 1895 and has known many incarnations, including its original role as a tugboat, then support ship for an American military base in Naples. Most recently it served as a traveling, floating modern-day sustainability education program run by Giulio and his family. The Pietro Micca Steam Tugboat. Giulio in the engine room of the Pietro Micca steam tugboat. Although the operations of the ship are not currently sustainable since its steam is generated by diesel, Giulio remarks that “we need to remember and understand where we were and are [in terms of sustainability and energy] to know where we're going.” In fact, his vision of sustainable evolution for the ship includes its eventual conversion to electric power. That would be something. Birdwatch at LIPU Oasis and witness the regeneration of nature Two decades ago, Alex Polinori of LIPU Oasis (Centro Habitat Mediterraneo Ostia) set off to turn a garbage dump into a suburban oasis and a thriving home for migratory birds. Since then, he and his team have planted over 7,000 trees and helped reclaim a patch of once disregarded wetlands that now attracts a fast-growing list of migratory bird species and local wildlife. LIPU Ostia is a case study in natural land reclamation and regenerative tourism. If you are bird enthusiast, it's worth the effort to time your visit with that of the visiting birds' migratory patterns. Before image from 20 years ago. After: Ostia's Lipu Oasis, now a natural reserve. To optimize the atmosphere of the wetlands, it's only possible to watch the birds through two bird hides. The hides provide birdwatchers an opportunity to enjoy the birds in their natural environment without disturbing them. Depending upon the time of year you may see an unusual and wide array of birds and water fowl including flamingos, pelicans, rare Europeans duck species, woodpeckers, and more. Birdwatching in one of the bird hides. Lipu Oasis, Ostia. Sentiero Pasolini and Regina Ciclarium: A return to Rome From Ostia and the coast, human civilization yields again to nature. As it does, reeds and thickets have been cleared along the hand-marked Sentiero Pasolini (Pasolini Path). Pier Paolo Pasolini, whose name comes up often throughout the itinerary, was a prolific poet and film director, perhaps most well-known for his film Mamma Roma (1962). For the first-timer, Pasolini is difficult to grok: in parts folk, suburban, spiritual, philosophical, and wary and weary from his time in the war. Controversial, thoughtful. And unfortunately, a voice snuffed out by murder (and some say assassination) in 1975. The Pasolini Path yields to the Regina Ciclarium as it winds its way through the suburbs of Rome, by street art caches, and over and around old bridges and Tiber River infrastructure from the Roman Empire. The paths, for cyclists and hikers alike, are community-maintained and in full disclosure, a work in progress. Sentiero Pasolini (Pasolini Trail) en route to Rome. When in Rome, you see the Colosseum. A street mural tribute to Pier Paolo Pasolini along the cycling route from the coast to Rome. After navigating and emerging from what felt like a time warp, we found ourselves somehow startled to be staring at the Roman Colosseum. From there, we wound our way further past the imposing yet human scale of history, through to more polished neighborhoods and the touristic center city Rome. In many ways, we'd completed the cycle. Disclosure: The experiences above were provided to us in conjunction with a Lazio Region-funded consulting project with Thybris River Experience entailing product advisory, product marketing and destination positioning. As always, the thoughts contained herein — the what, the why, and the how — are entirely our own. The post Exploring Lazio: Off-the-Beaten Path Italy Outside Rome appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on January 6, 2023 by Audrey Scott The hike to the Lost City in northern Colombia takes you 46km (28 miles) round trip through the jungles, hills and river valleys of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We’d had our ... Continue Reading

The post The Lost City, Colombia: A Guide to Hiking to La Ciudad Perdida appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on January 6, 2023 by Audrey Scott The hike to the Lost City in northern Colombia takes you 46km (28 miles) round trip through the jungles, hills and river valleys of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We’d had our sights set on the Lost City Trek for years, so expectations had built up. Fortunately, the challenge, landscape, and experience exceeded so many of them. This Lost City Columbia Hiking Guide shares why that is and includes a day-by-day overview of the Lost City Trek, all you need to know to choose the right tour, how to pack and organize so that you can enjoy the Ciudad Perdida and this multi-day hike to the fullest. We were out of breath, having just climbed 1,200 stone steps when Celso, our indigenous guide, called for us to join him around a group of stones arranged in a circle in a clearing. In the middle of the circle stood another square stone on top of which lay a pile of coca leaves placed as an offering. Celso explained with trademark calm in a slow, deliberate voice, “This is a place where we should let go of our impurities, our negative thoughts and emotions.” We stood in silence, not only to “cleanse” ourselves so that we might better experience this sacred site, but also to enjoy its peace and quiet. To Celso, we were then prepared to further visit Teyuna, otherwise known as the Lost City (La Ciudad Perdida) in Colombia, the ultimate destination to which we’d been trekking in the rain forest for the previous two days. A taste of landscape along the Lost City Trek. Here’s why you might want to consider putting the Lost City or Ciudad Perdidia in Colombia on your travel or hiking wish list, in case it isn’t there already. In this Lost City Colombia Guide we include the day-by-day hiking experience plus all you need to know about to choose a Lost City tour and how plan, prepare for and pack to be able to enjoy the complete Lost City Colombia experience. Update: This article was originally published in June 2015 and updated in May 2022 with information about the new G Adventures Lost City Trek itinerary. The following experiences are from our G Adventures Lost City Trek. If you are considering this tour and want to know what to expect, here’s a taste of the itinerary and route, interaction with local indigenous guides, campsites and Wiwa community project. Disclosure: This tour was sponsored and provided to us in conjunction with our partnership with G Adventures as Wanderers. About this Lost City Colombia Trek Guide When I researched the Lost City Trek as part of our travels in Colombia, I found a fair bit of conventional history about the site, often paired with a photo or two of the final destination, including what I refer to as the “golf course” shot. What I didn’t find much of was information on what the actual journey to the Lost City was like, including the hiking experience, difficulty, landscapes, sleeping and eating conditions, weather, and more. That's the goal of this Lost City Trek day-by-day section. Us in front of the “golf course” shot. The landscape along the trail is more beautiful and varied than we had expected and the Lost City site itself is far more extensive than most photos indicate. We especially appreciated having an indigenous guide to put everything into cultural and historical context. Celso, a member of the local Wiwa indigenous community, shared his culture with us and linked it to the other indigenous communities, their relationship to nature and their shared connection to the ancient Tayrona civilization. Our Wiwa guide, Celso, with his poporo, a gourd used for carrying crushed seashells (lime). Our days usually began early, around 5:00 A.M., so we could get on the trail while it was still cool and so that we could complete our day’s journey before the rains of the mid-late afternoon. We appreciated getting up early, and we enjoyed all the benefits of the early morning – light, coolness and silence among them. Lost City Trek Map The map below shows the basic Lost City trail with different options for campsites and sections. We did a four-day hike, but if you opt for a five-day Lost City trek then your second and third days will be shorter as you'll have two days to complete that same route. The current G Adventures Lost City Trek is five days. Lost City trailhead sign with route, campsites and distances. Hiking to the Lost City in Colombia: Day by Day Itinerary Day 1 of the Lost City Trek Start/Finish: Machete (El Mamey) to Adán or Ricardito Camp (Campsite #1) Distance: 7-8 km All Lost City treks, no matter which tour company you choose, seem to set off from Santa Marta in northern Colombia. From there, a jeep or van transfer takes 45 minutes along the highway. You’ll likely stop at a convenience store for last minute snacks and water. From there, you’ll head up a dirt track into the mountains. After you arrive in Machete, you’ll have lunch, say goodbye to the driver and meet your local indigenous hiking guide. Then, the hike begins. (Note: this is when you should ask the people coming off the trek if they have a walking stick they can give you. It is really helpful for balance and ease on the trail.) The first of several swimming holes along the trail. The beginning of the walk eases you into things, with a swimming hole a close 25 minutes from the trailhead. After cooling off in the water, you’ll have a steep uphill for around 45 minutes, then a bit of a break, then a long descent into the valley where the first campsite is located. Everything on the trail comes up on the backs of mules or horses. Enjoying the view during a fruit and water break, Day 1. Steep terrain into the valley of the first campsite. Day 2 of the Lost City Trek Start/Finish: Adan or Ricardito Campsite #1 to El Paraiso or Paso Lorenzo Camp (Campsite #3) Distance: 14.7km (Note: for the 5-day Lost City Trek this day is 7-8 km) If you are doing a 4-day Lost City Trek, then this is a long hiking day. If you are doing a 5-day route like the G Adventures Lost City Trek then this will be a similar distance as the previous day, 7-8 km, to Wiwa Camp (Campsite #2). The trail crosses Rio Buritaca several times during the journey. The first segment of the day takes you uphill and across some beautiful terrain, including some local farms. After a jump in a swimming hole and lunch at Campsite #2 (Wiwa Camp), we continued all the way to Campsite #3 (El Paraiso or Paso Lorenzo Camp), located only 1 km downhill from the site of the Lost City. If you are doing the 5-day Lost City Trek, then you would stop at Campsite #2 for the night. A little rain never hurt anyone… This day takes you through a great deal of varied landscape — deeper into the tropical jungle, across rivers and by a couple of Kogi village communities along the way. Passing by a small Kogi village. When the river is too high, you cross in a mid-air cage-like contraption. Don't worry, it's more secure than it looks. After the rains, enjoying the open landscape. Day 3 of the Lost City Trek: Visiting La Cuidad Perdida Start/Finish: El Paraiso or Paso Lorenzo Camp (Campsite #3) to Wiwa Camp (Campsite #2), via the Lost City / Ciudad Perdida Distance: 13.6km Note: This is day 4 if you are doing a 5 day Lost City Trek. You rise very early on this day (around 4:30A.M.) so that you can set off at dawn and enjoy the Lost City in the softest light and coolest air possible. After a short walk from the campsite, you reach the starting point of the 1,200 stone stairs you’ll need to walk and scramble to reach the terraces of the city above. It’s not an easy climb, and can be a bit treacherous if wet or damp, but if you take care and get into a meditative rhythm, you’ll find it goes very quickly. Slow and steady up 1,200 carved stairs. After the steps, you’ll have reached the lower chambers of Teyuna, also known as The Lost City or Ciudad Perdida. It is believed that this was a capital city built by the Tayrona civilization in 800 A.D., approximately 600 years before the Incas built Machu Picchu in Peru. When Spanish colonialists came close to finding or approaching the in the 16th century, the Tayrona people opted to abandon the city instead of allowing it to fall into Spanish hands. Two Kogi men return from the upper chambers of Teyuna. Of course, the Lost City Colombia was never truly “lost.” Teyuna was overtaken by jungle for the next several hundred years, as only the shaman (holy men) of the four indigenous groups who live in the area were aware of its existence and would visit it regularly for ceremonies. It wasn’t until the early 1970s that the site was “discovered” by the outside world. Tomb thieves cleared out much of the gold, valuable artifacts and other remains. Due to this misfortune and the fact that no written record of the Tayrona exists, much about the city and civilization remains the subject of speculation. Celso explains the competing theories of the Lost City version of the Rosetta Stone. The Wiwa, Kogi, Arhuaco, and Kankuamo indigenous groups that remain in the area are believed to be the descendants of the Tayrona and have carried on their stories and traditions. We noticed when we arrived at the Lost City, Celso let down his hair, the surprising length of which is said to represent the wisdom that flows from the sacred mountains through the rivers to the coast. He was dressed in white, as was his custom, to represent the purity and integrity of the snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, out of sight in the distance. Celso leads us to the upper terraces of Teyuna, the Lost City. Throughout our journey, he shared stories that had been passed on to him, through generations, from shaman to shaman, from elders to children, about the Lost City / Ciudad Perdida. The stories told of its creation, the symbolism of the different terraces, and the Tayrona relationship with nature. The indigenous people that inhabit the area around the Lost City in Colombia believe they are the symbolic “elder brothers,” there to protect both the sacred Sierra Nevada Mountains and their “younger brothers” – meaning the rest of us. The sense of responsibility to the equilibrium and the good and health of others was evident. Approaching the upper chambers of the Lost City. After your visit to Teyuna, the Lost City, you return to El Paraiso or Paso Lorenzto Camp (Campsite #3) for a quick lunch and begin your return all the way to Wiwa Camp (Campsite #2). For us, we were met with an afternoon downpour that made it feel as though we were skiing through mud crevasses in the rain forest. We were glad for the experience. It was actually more delightful than it sounds as the rain was warm and everything around was so green and lush drinking in the much appreciated water. After the rains, watching the clouds rise up through the hills. Day 4 of the Lost City Trek Start/Finish: Wiwa Camp (Campsite #2) to Machete and Santa Marta Distance: 12.7km This is another early rise since much of the trail is uncovered and therefore becomes quite hot as the day goes on. Try to make it as far as you’re able before the sun becomes too strong. Through a limestone path en route to Machete. As you’ll remember from your first day, much of the trail is up or down, without much in between. After a stop for fruit at the first campsite and a jump in the swimming hole, you find yourself back where you began, with a celebratory lunch in Machete. Then you'll transfer by vehicle to Santa Marta for a nice, hot shower and to reunite with the rest of your stuff. Back where we started, at the trail head sign in Machete. Lost City Trek Difficulty and Hiking Conditions We’d give this trek a medium-high difficulty ranking for all the reasons we’re about to elaborate. This means that you should not require special training to hike the Lost City Colombia trail, but you should be relatively active and in good physical shape. You should either be accustomed to or be prepared for day-long treks with steep, slow uphill climbs and long walks in intense heat and humidity. Lost City Trek is Not a Technical Trail The Lost City Trek is not at all technical, meaning that you will not need any special equipment (e.g., climbing ropes or other fittings). The trail is well-maintained and for the most part, it’s an easy path to follow. But, it’s necessary to have a guide to navigate the rivers and some turns. Through the tropical forest on the way to the Lost City stairs. You’ll have to cross a few streams or rivers — with river shoes on or with your shoes and socks in your hand — but that is part of the fun. Altitude, Steep Hills and Valleys Altitude is not really an issue, as the trek’s highest point is around 1,500 meters/4,920 feet. However, the Lost City trail seems to either be straight up or straight down without much flat so there's a lot of steep ascents and descents on the trail. Our advice is to take it slow and steady on the uphill. Keep in mind that it’s not a race. It’s better to hike deliberately and slowly and take fewer breaks than to go quickly and wear yourself out with frequent and longer stops to recover. Heat and Humidity One of the challenges of the Lost City Colombia Trek is the combination of heat and humidity. I’m not sure we’ve ever poured sweat with such intensity and consistency. It actually felt great, like a cleansing process. Just be sure that you drink plenty of water to replenish. Note that respite from the heat comes a couple of times a day in the form of rivers and swimming holes to jump into. Bugs Along the Trail Another challenge and irritation of this trek: bugs and their bites. There are lots of them, especially mosquitoes at the Lost City itself. We suggest applying plenty of bug repellent (bring on the DEET if you need to). If you are especially susceptible to mosquito bites consider hiking in long trousers as Dan did. Finally, pick up a pack of generic B-complex tablets (“Compejo-B generico” runs 25 pills for $1.00) in a pharmacy in Santa Marta before the hike, as certain B vitamins are said to repel mosquitoes. Another thing to watch out for are fleas and/or bedbugs in the hammocks and/or blankets at the campsites – this is where we collected most of our bug bites (especially campsite #2). We recommend carrying a sleep sack, so that you have another layer of protection while you are sleeping. Finally, check your body closely for ticks when you emerge from the Lost City Trek. We each had a few on us; they are very tiny and difficult to see, so look closely. (Note: For advice on how to properly remove a tick, check out this article.) Rain and Mud Along the Lost City Trail We had been warned plenty about rain and mud, but didn’t find wet weather too much of a hindrance. Yes, it rained from time to time (usually mid-afternoon), but it was often so hot anyway that the cool rain was welcome. Be certain any valuable electronic gear is well-protected and any dry sleeping clothes are at least wrapped in plastic (e.g., ziploc, garbage bags or a dry sack) inside your backpack. Then, have an outer backpack cover to protect your backpack from the elements. A little rain and mud just adds to the excitement. If you fall in the mud, just go with the flow and don’t think about it too much. You can always wash yourself and your clothes later. Best Time to Hike the Lost City Trail While you will experience heat and humidity almost all year round in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of northern Colombia as it is a rain forest, there is still a rainy and dry season. December through March is considered the dry season and so it often is considered the bet time to hike the Lost City Trek. In general, May through September is considered the rainy season for the region. This means expect more downpours and higher river crossings. That doesn't mean that you should avoid those months altogether as the rain can be a welcome relief from the heat and provide an interesting experience. For example, we did our G Adventures Lost City Trek in early June and thought the few rainfalls were kind of pleasant and added to the experience. Note: The Lost City Trail is usually closed in September for trail maintenance and to do upkeep on the campsites and other services. Lost City Trek Food You will certainly not go hungry on the Lost City Trek. Each group is assigned a cook and not only will you be served three large meals a day (e.g., fish and rice, pasta, chicken and potatoes), but you will also enjoy well-placed fruit stops along the trail. These are very welcome for the additional boost of energy and hydration just when you need it. Enrique, our cook, made us a feast every dinner. If you are vegetarian or have food restrictions (e.g., gluten or lactose free), alert your trekking company and your guide in advance so they can respond accordingly. Lost City Trek Campsites and Sleeping There are a handful of different campsites along the way that the tour companies use. We can only speak firsthand to the ones that we stayed in — Adán Camp, Wiwa Camp, and El Paraiso — but we understand that the other campsites are quite similar in design, comfort and services. Not always, but often, you’ll have an option to sleep in a hammock or on a mattress/bed (both with mosquito nets). We always chose the hammocks, but some may prefer mattresses. Sleeping along the Lost City Trek. Hammocks covered with mosquito nets. There are cold water showers and flush toilets at all the campsites. Clotheslines will be strung around so you’ll be able to hang up your wet clothes from the day. However, the rain forest is damp so do not expect anything to fully dry overnight, if at all. Evenings also get cool, so keep a long-sleeved shirt or fleece jacket handy at night. Organizing a Lost City Tour: Your Options Choosing a trekking operator You cannot do the Lost City Trek independently (at this time), meaning you must go with one of the four or five authorized tour operators. We took our Lost City Trek with G Adventures and can highly recommend the experience. G Adventures work with a local organization that provides indigenous guides so that their travelers are able to learn about the indigenous cultures and communities still living in the Sierra Nevada mountain area. Regardless of which operator you choose to take you on the Lost City Trek, we suggest you select one that works with indigenous guides. The cultural and living history background is essential to a full Lost City Colombia experience. How many days do you need for the Lost City Trek? Most trekking operators offer four-, five- or six-day trek options. We did the Lost City Trek in four days, but now all the standard G Adventures Lost City Trek offerings are five days. As the route is the same, the main difference is that a five-day trek includes a relaxed day #2 with only a few hours of trekking to the second campsite. As for the six-day option, we can’t really imagine taking that much time to do the trek. But if you are worried about your trekking abilities and stamina then talk with an operator regarding what they suggest. Leaving your luggage behind during the trek Most accommodation and tour operators/trekking agencies will allow you to leave your big bags or luggage with them for the few days that you're doing the Lost City Trek. We left our big backpacks at our hotel in Santa Marta and we saw other travelers leave their bags at the tour operator/trekking agency office. Lost City Trek Essential Gear and Packing List Much of what we include in our Hiking Essentials Checklist holds true for the Lost City Trek. However, we offer a customized Lost City Trek packing list with recommended hiking gear for this specific hiking experience. The goal is to ensure you have what you need for the tropical rain forest conditions but that don't overpack and weigh yourself down with a heavy backpack. While there is the option on some of the route to hire a mule to carry luggage and belongings, it's best not to count on it. You should pack and plan as if you will be carrying your pack the entire length of the trail. Trust us, pack light. You’ll quickly begin to feel the extra weight going up those steep hills. Hiking Backpack for the Lost City Trek When we did our Lost City Trek we just repurposed our regular travel and laptop daypacks. This worked fine at the time, but since then we have invested in real hiking backpacks that fit our backs better and don't cause any aches and pains in the shoulders or back. Here are two recommended options for hiking backpacks that will fit the hiking clothing and gear you need, but not be too big or bulky: Women's Hiking Backpack: I have a larger version of this Deuter ACT Trail Pro SL Backpack (22-Liters) and love it. The SL backpacks are designed for women's bodies and I find this backpack fits me really well, is well designed with its own backpack cover and zippered areas, and is both light and sturdy. Men's Hiking Backpack: Dan loves Osprey hiking backpacks as they fit his body type (e.g., tall) and back really well. He likes the Osprey Stratos 24-Liter Hiking Backpack for day hies or for multi-day hikes like this where you don't need to carry a lot of gear. Refillable Water Bottle for Drinking Water You will go through several liters of water each day (if not, then you’re not drinking enough) since you’ll be sweating constantly. Bring with you 1-2 refillable water bottles or a water bladder so that you always have at least one liter of water on you at all times. Each campsite offers clean water, so you can refill your water bottles every couple of hours on the trail. If you really want to play it safe consider carrying with you a SteriPEN or sterilization drops. Consider bringing electrolyte sports drink tablets or packets with you to help you replenish some of the minerals that you’ll sweat out each day. And let’s face it, sometimes drinking liters of water gets boring and you want some flavor. Walking Stick We highly recommend carrying a walking stick. We were very thankful for ours, especially when things got muddy and slippery. Hikers just finishing and on their way out of the trail donated their wooden sticks to us. If this doesn’t happen, then ask your guide for one and he will find a walking stick for you, or fashion one for you with his machete. Alternatively, bring your own walking sticks (these are good travel-friendly walking sticks). We usually just use one stick each so a set of two is sufficient for two people. A walking stick, even a basic one like this, is essential for this trek. Hiking Clothing for the Lost City Trek You really don’t need much in the clothing department. Don’t worry about packing clean clothes for each day. You will be sweating buckets within minutes every morning of getting out on the trail. Here’s what we suggest for hiking clothing and gear essentials: 1 set of hiking clothes: T-shirt (preferably quick dry), shorts, hiking socks. This means you will wear the same clothes every day. Don’t worry about it. Everyone does it. And you’ll be thankful not to carry the weight of extra clothes. Note: if mosquitoes love you, consider wearing hiking pants the whole time. Dan did this and it cut down on his mosquito bites considerably. If you are especially sun-sensitive, consider bringing a very light long-sleeved hiking shirt, but be aware that you may be warm. Hiking shoes: We wore low-rise hiking shoes (his and hers) and these worked great for us. Other people wore light trainers, however some mid-ankle support is useful because of the pitch of the terrain. 1 set of evening clothes for post-shower and sleep: T-shirt, long pants (or pajama bottoms), socks. To ensure these remain dry, pack them in a plastic bag or other impermeable container inside your backpack. Extra t-shirt: Just in case. Underwear for every day of your trek: With an extra pair thrown in for good measure, if you like. Recommended his and hers quick dry underwear for men and women. Extra pair of socks: Just in case your first pair get soaked beyond comfort while rock jumping at the river crossings. Bathing suit: Keep near the top of your backpack to have handy for swimming holes. Long-sleeved shirt: For cool nights or sleeping (recommended his and hers). Fleece jacket: For cool nights or sleeping (can double as a pillow, too). Rain jacket (optional): We didn't use ours due to the heat and humidity. We appreciated the cool rain. Not to mention, a rain jacket in the tropics can feel like a personal sauna. Flip-flops or river shoes: To use in river crossings, showers, and evenings when you wish to get out of your hiking shoes. Women's Tevas | Men's Tevas Other Essential Hiking Gear Waterproof backpack cover: You never know when a rainstorm will hit, so it’s essential to keep a rain cover for your backpack close at hand. Your guide will likely also have a supply of plastic garbage bags in case you need extra rain protection. Quick-dry travel towel: To dry off after showers, and also after a swim. Hang it on the outside of your backpack in the morning so it dries quickly in the sun and air as you move. Silk sleep sack: To provide an extra layer between you and the hammock (or mattress) and blanket. Fleas and other bugs in the hammocks bit us and other travelers we spoke to. Headlamp: Most of the campsites do not have electricity, so be prepared. Carry your own headlamp to find your way to the toilet and to sort through your stuff at night in and around your hammock. Silicone earplugs: A precaution in the case your camp has a snorer. We know from our Lost City experience that this can demolish a good night’s sleep. Toiletries and Health Kit You will have access to a shower every evening, and you will be so thankful for the cold water shower to wash away all the sweat and salt on your body from the day’s efforts. Shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste: The basics. Sunscreen: The higher the SPF, the better Sunglasses: Of course. Bug repellent: You will apply this frequently, especially at the Lost City itself. The mosquitoes there are big, aggressive and plenty. Hand sanitizer: To be on the safe side. Pack of tissues or toilet paper: The campsites all have toilet paper, but it’s always a good idea to carry a pack of tissues in case of messes, spills or emergencies. Vitamin B Complex: Take one pill per day (called Complejo-B in Spanish, available at pharmacies in Colombia). Supposedly, mosquitoes don’t appreciate the smell and taste of your blood when B-1 Thiamine is present. It is debatable whether this really works to repel mosquitoes, but we appreciated using it and felt that it helped. Foot care and blisters: Duct tape is very effective for hot spots and blisters on your feet. Also consider picking up some Compeed, which is magic when you already have blisters. Medical Kit (for emergencies): Your guide will also have some basic first aid items with him, but it's always good to be prepared. Our basic medical kit includes: Band-Aids, anti-bacterial gel (for cuts), rehydration powders or electrolyte tablets, Azithromycin/Ciprofloxacin (or another medication against stomach bacteria), Tylenol/Panadol (anti-headache/aches), Immodium (or some sort of “stopper” if you get diarrhea), tea tree oil (great to apply to mosquito bites) Note: all these are easily and inexpensively purchased at local pharmacies, including in Santa Marta from where you depart for the trek. Electricity and Charging Batteries While a couple of the campsites do have electricity, it’s unreliable. Prepare yourself for not having access to electricity during the trek. Some tips to handle this and further your battery power. Put your smartphone on airplane mode. There is no connectivity along the trek anyhow, so don't waste your phone’s battery power trying to find a network. Consider buying a phone case that doubles as an extra battery. It provides another 1-1.5 charges. Take an extra camera battery or two. Don’t spent time reviewing your images, as this will eat up your battery power quickly. Unless you are reviewing images to determine whether you’ve captured a specific shot, there will be time enough for photo review when your trek is finished. G Adventures Lost City Trek Options G Adventures Lost City Trek Tours Here are some of the G Adventures Lost City Trek small group tour options. These G Adventures tours all include an indigenous guide and all the support you need for a successful hike to La Ciudad Perdida in northern Colombia. The links below are affiliate links meaning that the price of the G Adventures tour stays the same to you, but we earn a small commission from the sale to be able to keep sharing articles like this with you. Colombia - Lost City Trekking (7 days) Photo Credit: Uncornered Market The Lost City Trek tour we took that included all the experiences in this article, including an indigenous guide and cultural experience. The tour is 7-days and begins and ends in Santa Marta with 5 days of hiking the Lost City Trek. Book this tour Colombian Culture, Caribbean and Lost City (22 days) Photo Credit: Uncornered Market This comprehensive 22-day G Adventures tour in Colombia takes you from the capital city of Bogota through Colombian coffee country to Medellin and finally to the Caribbean coast to explore Cartagena and Tayrona National Park before ending with the Lost City Trek (5 days). This tour is very similar to the experience we had with G Adventures in Colombia when we combined the Colombia Journey tour with the Lost City Trek. It's a great overview of the main regions of Colombia. Highly recommended. Book this tour Colombia Caribbean Adventure: Lost City Trek and Medellin (12 days) Photo Credit: Uncornered Market This 12-day G Adventures tour in Colombia takes your from Cartagena to Medellin with the Lost City Trek in-between. This allows you to explore two of Colombia's most dynamic and fun cities with the adventure of the 5-day hike to the Lost City or Cuidad Perdida. Book this tour Colombia's Caribbean Coast & Lost City (14 days) Photo Credit: Uncornered Market This 14-day G Adventures Colombia tour allows for an in-depth look at northern Colombia's Caribbean coast in Cartagena and Tayrona National Park before heading into the Sierra Nevada mountains for the 5-day Lost City Trek. Book this tour Have other questions about the Lost City Trek in Colombia? Just ask in the comments below and we’ll incorporate the information into the article so others may benefit. Disclosure: Our Lost City trek was provided to us by G Adventures in cooperation with its Wanderers in Residence program. Check out this article for all the different G Adventures tours we've taken and recommend. As always, the thoughts contained herein — the what, the why, and the how — are entirely our own. 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Last Updated on February 4, 2023 by Audrey Scott What hiking essentials do I need for a multi-day hike? What gear and hiking backpack should I take on a day hike? What gear would be too much? And what hiking ... Continue Reading

The post How to Pack For A Hike: The Ultimate Hiking Essentials Checklist appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on February 4, 2023 by Audrey Scott What hiking essentials do I need for a multi-day hike? What gear and hiking backpack should I take on a day hike? What gear would be too much? And what hiking gear is essential so that you are prepared for all types of weather and other scenarios? How am I going to carry it all so it's not too heavy? This Ultimate Hiking Essentials Checklist aims to answer all of those questions — and much more — to prepare you for your next day hike, multi-day trek or outdoor adventure. It's no secret that hiking and going on multi-day treks is one of our main loves in travel. We've gone hiking on all continents, from the top of Tanzania to the jungles of Colombia, and over the years we've become quite adept at packing efficiently and effectively for treks of all lengths and weather conditions. Our goal in figuring out the best hiking essentials and gear is to be prepared for changing weather, but to still pack light so we're not carrying a lot of weight. After receiving numerous emails, queries and comments asking about how we prepare and pack for these multi-day and day hikes, we decided to assemble our hiking essentials checklist with our favorite gear and advice for hikes, long and short. Packing light and efficient for a multi-day trek in the Alay Region, Kyrgyzstan. By way of background, during the first six years of our journey we carried all that we needed in our backpacks so as to be prepared for just about any kind of climate or activity, from beach to glacier. In retrospect, we made some silly decisions in those early days. As a result, we carried a few bits of gear we never used. But through experience and experimentation and after about a dozen multi-day treks in all types of weather and altitudes, we got smarter and more effective in our packing for hikes. This isn't only regarding what hiking gear to carry with us, but also when it made sense to rent gear locally for the duration of the trek or even to buy the gear on the ground. And we figured out how to do all this while on a budget. What is the difference between trekking and hiking? Good question. While this article does a good job breaking it down, for our purposes here we're using the two words somewhat interchangeably to represent going out and walking in nature for a period of time. This is different from mountaineering that usually involves specialized climbing gear and technical skills and backpacking that usually involves camping gear. Note: The following advice applies mainly to multi-day hikes where your sleeping and eating arrangements are taken care of already (think guest houses, lodges, tea houses, home stays, yurts or even with a trekking agency that takes care of carrying your tent and food). If you are camping on your own, then you'll need to add food, camping, and cooking gear to everything below. Update: This article was originally published in June, 2014 and updated last in May 2022 with additional gear and tips that we've learned from additional day hikes and multi-day hikes we've done during that time (e.g., Alay Mountains in Kyrgyzstan, 10-day Huayhuash Trek in Peru, a winter trek in Bhutan, hiking in Cyprus). We've added a section on winter trekking gear, a note on sustainability when thinking about hiking gear, and an updated Ultimate Hiking Essentials Checklist. This article is long and covers a lot of different topics and types of hiking gear. Use the Table of Contents below to find the information and section that best suits what you're looking for and your needs. If the hiking gear that we originally bought and use is no longer available, we will find and recommend the closest current option. Hiking Gear Myths: Don't Make The Same Mistakes as Us We've made a lot of mistakes with hiking gear and packing for hikes over the years. Here are some of the trekking packing myths that we've discovered along the way. 1. You must purchase the latest and greatest hiking gear. It's true that some trekking clothing technology is especially useful for lightness, wind-resistance, waterproofing and wicking (GoreTex, fleece, Polartec, etc., come to mind). However, we suggest focusing on the hiking gear essentials: clothing that is comfortable, breathable, light, easily layered. You're not climbing to the peak of Mount Everest here. (If you are, that's for a different article altogether). For a little perspective, watching locals breeze by you in flip-flops might make all your fancy hiking gear seem a little unnecessary. There's no need to overspend. Go for good quality so you can use it for a long time, but resist the shiny bleeding-edge hiking gear toys. I know it's hard. Outdoor stores are dangerous shopping vortexes for us, too. 2. You need to bring EVERYTHING with you. For almost every multi-day hike we've undertaken, there's been ample opportunity to rent or buy gear to supplement our regular hiking gear kit. For example, it's just not practical for us to carry around bulky sleeping bags in our backpacks when we only need them a tiny fraction of the time during a trip. Do your research and find out what is available on the ground and at what cost. Ask the tour company you're going with or reach out to other independent travelers who've experienced the same hike. When you land on the ground, shop around for the best price to rent or potentially even buy something used or new. Decked out in layers of rented trekking gear on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, we'd traveled through Bali, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Jordan and Thailand — all with the same gear in our backpacks throughout. So it was more than worth the $65 I spent in Moshi, Tanzania to rent a sleeping bag, waterproof pants, waterproof jacket, walking stick, gaiters and more to get me to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Dan even rented hiking shoes for $15 which offered a little more ankle support and stability than the ones he'd been wearing. When we departed for our safari just after the Kilimanjaro trek I could just drop all that stuff off at the trekking gear shop and continue with my regular light backpack. 3. Real treks require camping. This is all subjective. It's true that camping and carrying all your own gear may give you a greater sense of independence and accomplishment and allow you to dive deeper into nature. However, we take issue with the assertion that camping equals a better hiking experience. In fact, some of our most memorable hikes (e.g., Annapurna Circuit, Markha Valley Trek, Svaneti, Peaks of the Balkans, Kalaw to Inle Lake in Burma, etc.) have been memorable precisely because of the local culture and human interaction dimensions surrounding our sleeping and food arrangements with local families. It's the combined experience of nature and people (and the human nature that responds to the surrounding environment) that we find truly soul nourishing. READ MORE: 13 Best Offbeat Treks That You’re Not Considering…But Should Packing for Your Hike: Hiking Essentials Principles When it comes to packing for a hike in an efficient way so that you have maximum flexibility with minimum weight, we follow the following hiking essentials gear and packing principles and philosophy. This has come together over the last fifteen years with all the different treks we have done all over the world. 1. Hiking clothing: it's all about the layers. This is true in all types of travel, long-term and short, but especially for hiking into high altitudes. Temperatures can change very drastically during the course of a day. I always prefer to have an extra layer in my bag than to go cold or wet. Layers. The key to preparing for a freak Himalayan blizzard in June. Even if the days are warm at low altitude, nights may still be chilly. On summit days you'll often need to pile on everything you have to get to the top, only to peel it off layer by layer as you descend. 2. Hiking clothing for overnights: carry separate rest and sleeping clothes. I learned this from the folks at Erratic Rock in Puerto Natales near Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. They called the yucky, stinky clothes you'll find yourself wearing every day until the very end your “hiking uniform.” In light of this — and even if you are going minimalist — try to include an extra set of night clothes to change into at the end of the day to relax and sleep in. These clothes will be dry (quite important if you've hit snow or rain that day), comfortable and relatively clean (in comparison). I usually pack an extra t-shirt, pajama pants and socks. I'll further layer other clothes on top to stay warm at night. Regardless, the layer closest to my skin is dry and relatively fresh. Oh, the little joys while on the trail. This technique also gives your wet and stinky clothes a chance to dry and air out overnight. The next morning you can slip back into your hiking clothes — yes, your uniform — and you'll be ready to go for another day on the trails. 3. Never skimp on sun protection. As you advance higher in elevation, the sun becomes scary strong. So even if you tan beautifully on the beach without any sunscreen, be sure to pack ample and strong sunscreen once you head into the mountains. Carry a hat that will protect your face from the sun (think rollable foldable sun hat or baseball cap — we don't need to look pretty while trekking). Hiking with sunburn — face, neck, or hands — is miserable. And if your sunburn is bad enough, you'll almost feel flu-like. Not good for peak performance. Also be sure to have sunglasses with quality lenses that protect your eyes. Otherwise, they too will become burned and sore. Choosing a Hiking Backpack You’ll be carrying all your stuff on your back up and down mountain passes so the size, fit and comfort of your hiking backpack is super important. Aim to carry a hiking backpack that is big enough to hold the essentials (e.g., water, jacket, rain gear, sunscreen, etc.), yet not too big that it will weigh you down. The size of your hiking backpack will depend on the number of days of your hike is, your sleeping and eating arrangements, and temperatures. No matter what, don't forget to bring a rain cover to protect your backpack in storms. In the early days of our travelers we often repurposed our laptop backpacks or rented backpacks from trekking agencies. This usually did the trick, but they did not always fit use entirely and thus were not very kind to our back and shoulders. We've since invested in proper hiking backpacks and haven't looked back. Our only regret is that we wish we had done this earlier to save ourselves some of that early discomfort. Here are the hiking backpacks we're now using and can recommend for comfort, weight, size and convenient features. Recommended women's hiking backpack I really do love my Deuter ACT Trail Pro SL hiking backpack (32-liters) and take it with me every chance that I have. It's very light with all sorts of great functionality like a built-in rain cover, water bladder compatibility, wide waist belt for stability, and more. The SL means that it's designed for women's bodies and I don't know how much of a difference that makes, but I find that it does fit my back and body quite well. Loved my Deuter hiking backpack walking 960km along the Camino Norte. Even after walking almost 1,000 km / 600 miles with it on my back during the Camino de Santiago, I still found it comfortable and had no issues with it. I've used this hiking backpacks both on multi-day hiking trips as well as on day hikes when I wanted to carry several layers of jackets and rain gear, a water bladder and other hiking essentials. Although it is a bit big for a traditional day pack, I still find it comfortable and light enough to serve this purpose. Deuter no longer makes this backpack in 32 liters, but you can still find it or similar Deuter SL hiking backpacks in other sizes. Buy on Amazon (28-Liter) | Buy on REI (22-Liter) | Buy on Backcountry.com (34-Liter) Recommended men's hiking backpack for multi-day hikes The Osprey Exos hiking backpack comes in several sizes, so the Large version is well-suited for tall people (like Dan). Light, comfortable, and durable. This was the first hiking backpack that Dan used that didn't leave him with a sore back and shoulders at the end of the day. Dan light on his feet with his Osprey Pack on the Camino. The only complaint about this backpack is the walking stick holder as it's a little janky, but that's a small thing compared to comfort and all the other great features of this Osprey hiking backpack. Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI (48-liter) | Buy on Backcountry Recommended men's hiking daypack As you know from above, Dan is a big fan of Osprey packs as they are adjustable and fit his back and torso well. So when he was looking for a smaller size daypack he stuck with Osprey and chose the Osprey Packs Stratos 24. This 24-liter size is great for day hikes or as a daypack on multi-day treks (e.g., when most of your hiking gear is carried by mules). Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI | Buy on Backcountry.com Hiking Clothes for Men and Women Below is an overview of the hiking clothes we each carry for a 5-10 day hike. If you are going on a shorter trek then you can cut back, but if your hike is longer you can still carry the same amount of clothes or even less (e.g., we carried a similar amount for our 40-day Camino de Santiago walk). Recommended trekking pants = Clothing Arts Travel Pants for Men and Women For longer hikes and treks you'll just need to “recycle” your hiking clothing more or find a way to wash them along the way. By recycle, I mean turn things inside-out, air them out, wash them. Whatever the best mechanism you have available to give it longer life and whatever your tolerance level might be. The most important thing is not whether you stink (there's a good chance you just might), but that you are dry and comfortable. My approach is to carry and maintain separate hiking and sleeping (or relaxing at night) clothes so that you always have something clean(ish) to change into at night (see above for more details on this). To be on the safe side to protect against things getting wet, put your sleeping clothes and whatever else you aren't wearing at the time in Ziploc or another kind of plastic bag. Hiking Clothing: Base Layers and Mid-Layers Hiking pants (one pair): We're both been using Clothing Arts Travel Pants (men's hiking pants and women's hiking pants) for over ten years on all of our day hikes and multi-day treks. These hiking pants are not only are sturdy (we've put them through a lot and they still look great), but they are also quick-dry and avoid stains and odors. We find the additional secure zipper and buttoned pockets useful on treks for keeping phones, money, tissues and other things handy. (Note: This is especially relevant for women as many women's trekking pants hardly have any pockets of any size.) Women's hiking pants in the Dolomites of northern Italy. Thermal underwear (top/bottom): I love my silk long johns as they are warm, comfy and take up almost no room at all. Also good is Uniqlo's Heat Tech collection of thin, but warm, layers of leggings and tops. Dan is still keen on his Patagonia zipper top and bottoms that he's been using for over 20 years. 2-3 short-sleeved t-shirts: Preferably quick-dry or regular cotton for comfort and versatility. We often use our running shirts on hikes as they are light and wick away sweat well. Plus, the bright colors of the shirts allow us to easily find each other when we're hiking at different speeds. Bright running shirts also make for good hiking tops. 1 long-sleeved pullover or zipped shirt: When you need another light layer to go over your t-shirt for cold or sun protection. I've been enjoying a light zipped top for women and Dan's been using a half-zip pullover. Pajama/sleeping pants: I find that cotton leggings or yoga pants work quite well. Hiking Socks and Underwear Underwear: However many pairs that you're comfortable with carrying. Underwear is light and doesn't take up much space so you have some flexibility here. Here are recommended men's boxer shorts and women's underwear. 3 pairs of socks: I love SmartWool hiking socks. Not only are they comfortable, but my first pairs lasted me almost seven years of very heavy usage. If you prefer a thinner sock check out their ultra-light line. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Hiking Outerwear: Jackets and Waterproof Gear I always prefer to have the option to remove layers than to not have enough to put on when I'm beginning to chill as I head over a mountain pass or through a storm. Never know when a freak snowstorm will hit. Always be prepared with layers. Waterproof Shell Jacket and Pants For jackets, we each usually bring a light fleece jacket, thin windbreaker and some sort of outer waterproof or water resistant jacket. Waterproof Jacket: For our recent trek in Peru I upgraded to a NorthFace Climatech technology waterproof jacket and I love it. It not only provided protection against the rain and cold, but the jacket material is very breathable so it didn't feel like a sauna inside. Highly recommended. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry A waterproof jacket as an outer layer provides comfort and protection against rain. Waterproof Pants: We used to borrow or rent waterproof pants from a local trekking agency, but most recently we picked up a pair of light pull-on biking waterproof/water resistant pants. They fold up into a small bag so they barely take up any room or weight in your backpack, but keep you quite dry when the clouds open up. Waterproof Poncho: If we really think we're going to be facing a lot of bad weather we'll also pack a waterproof poncho that goes over our hiking backpacks for extra protection. It can get steamy under the poncho, but it's worth it for that additional layer to keep you and your gear dry. Light Down or Puffy Jackets We've also started carrying a light down jacket that can be stuffed into a tiny cinch bag. It hardly takes up any room or weight in the backpack, but can provide warmth and comfort at night when temperatures drop. Dan loves his seamless ultra-light down jacket from Uniqlo. I carry a down jacket similar to this that packs up small and light. Hiking Shoes and Other Footwear Shoes may be the most important thing you bring with you so if you invest in one thing in advance, invest in a solid comfortable pair of hiking shoes. And break them in. Your shoes can literally make or break a trip. Hiking Shoes or Boots If you have a particular trek or hike in mind, ask in advance whether you need mid- or high support hiking shoes for ankle support as this may influence your purchasing decision. We don't find ourselves often needing high support boots. However, if your ankles are weak or susceptible to turns and sprains, more support is better than less. We both recently shifted to wearing Oboz Sawtooth hiking boots. The insoles and support for your feet are really good, and the shoes are sturdy and can stand up to some tough terrain. In addition, Oboz plants a tree for every pair of shoes sold so you can feel good that your purchase is going towards reforestation and environmental projects. Men's Obuz Sawtooth Hiking Shoes: Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Women's Obuz Sawtooth Hiking Shoes: Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Flip flops or river shoes At the end of a long day of walking you may want to take off your hiking shoes and give your feet a rest. But you'll still need something on your feet to go to and from the outhouse or nearest bush. That's where flip flops or river shoes worn with socks (yes, ignore the fashion police) are perfect. Outside of these situations, you may find river shoes either useful for crossing or fording rivers. Depending on the bottom surface of the river and the depth, we've also just managed in bare feet, but river shoes protect your feet from stray rocks and make the crossing more comfortable. Women's Teva River Shoes: Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI | Buy on Backcountry Men's Teva River Shoes: Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI | Buy on Backcountry Other Hiking Gear Essentials Sleeping and Drying Off Gear Sleeping Bag Liner: Arguably non-essential, but nice to have. Whether staying in home stays with provided bedding or sleeping in a rented sleeping bag, you sometimes wonder when the last time anything was properly laundered. And you may also wonder about bed bugs and other critters. That's where a sleep sack with a pillow wrap comes in to provide a clean layer between you and everything else. Our preference is for a silk liner as it is very light, but keeps you quite warm and dries quickly. Buy on REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Note: We do not usually carry a sleeping bag with us as we prefer to rent one locally if we need one. This saves us a lot of room in our luggage. Quick-Drying Travel Towel: Always good to start and end your day by washing your hands and face. Don’t expect hot showers on treks, nor running water of any kind. But on a few occasions we've been able to get a couple of bucket baths that were really, really nice. Buy on REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Silicone earplugs: A good night's sleep on the trekking trail is supremely important for your condition. And although you may be sleeping in the middle of nowhere, there are still noises from roosters, howler monkeys, birds, lions, and not least other trekkers that will all conspire to keep you up. That's where earplugs come to the rescue and help shut it all down to silence. Trekking Poles and Walking Sticks Walking stick: Highly recommended on most treks, especially for steep downhill sections. Two walking sticks or one, you ask? We'll usually share one walking stick set of two so each of us uses one stick. However, using two walking sticks will provide you with more stability. This set of reasonably priced travel-friendly walking sticks fold up easily for luggage and assemble quickly when on the trail. Walking sticks help keep your balance in all sorts of terrain. If you don't bring a walking stick with you, then keep your eye out for a tree branch or limb that can be carved for the purpose. We've done that plenty of times as well. Sharp Knife and Lights Leatherman: A multi-tool device with a knife, bottle opener, screwdriver, and more comes in quite handy when on the trail. We use ours all the time for cutting cheese, vegetables, bread or other food items for picnic stops. Note: remember to take it out of your carry-on bag when you fly! Headlamp: Lights the way and keeps your hands free. If you're staying with families in guest houses or home stays, you may find they are without electricity at night or in the bathroom/outhouse, a most unfortunate place to trip in the dark. If you're camping, headlamps are of course absolutely essential. Water and Filtration Reusable water bottle: We each carry a reusable liter water bottle on us and refill along the way with purified or clean water. We also usually carry CamelBak water bladder in the backpack as well as we find we drink more water this way as it's easy to access and you can easily hydrate while walking. Even if your trek has bottled water to sell, resist the urge to buy it. Plastic bottle waste is an enormous problem at elevation and in villages around the world. If you get tired of the taste of regular water, consider adding some electrolytes to it. Water Purification: Some treks will provide you with clean, boiled water as part of the service (e.g., Kilimanjaro, Markha Valley). Sometimes there will be a program of UV (ultraviolet) purified or pass-filter cleaned water services in villages where you can refill your bottle with clean water for a small fee. Hop on it, maybe even pay a little extra. It's worth it to you, the village, and the environment. On other treks it's up to you to somehow purify or clean the water you source from mountain streams or village taps. We suggest carrying either a water bottle that has its own purifier, a SteriPEN or sterilization drops/tablets. We've found this 2-part water sterilization drop system to be good and doesn't make the water taste too much like chemicals. The SteriPEN uses ultraviolet (UV) light and technology to purify the water which does not affect the taste so it still might taste funky even if it's clean. The sterilization drops may make the water taste a little funny, but it won't make you sick. Sun Protection Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses: Bring the highest SPF sunscreen you can find and wear a hat at all times. The sun's rays are exceptionally powerful at altitude and you'll find yourself especially exposed when there isn't a cloud in the sky. Moisturizing skin cream and lip balm (with SPF): Creams and moisturizers may sound extraneous, but they can make a difference. Many mountain treks involve high desert where you will not only be exposed to lots of sun, but also arid conditions. Your skin and lips will dry and crack to discomfort if you don't keep them moist. Treat them nicely: moisturize! And be sure to carry only a tiny lightweight container, not the original 32 oz. tube! Personal Hygiene Items and Toiletries Hand sanitizer gel and soap: One of the best ways to avoid becoming ill: wash your hands thoroughly and often. If you feel a little obsessive compulsive with the hand cleaning, that’s a good thing. Toilet paper / tissue packets: One roll, used sparingly. Better to be self-sufficient here. No explanation needed. I often also keep a pack of tissues in my pocket as well for such emergencies. First Aid Kit and Medicines Basic first aid gear we recommend packing: Band-Aids, aspirin/Tylenol, rehydration/ electrolyte packets, anti-flu powder (a packet that dissolves in water that breaks fevers may work better than a pill if someone has been throwing up), Foot care: Address any hot spots or blisters the moment you begin to feel them as they can get painful really quickly. Our go-to gear for preventing and treating blisters include duct tape (magic in preventing and managing blisters) and Compeed (magic when you already have blisters). Medicines: You may be miles or days away from any doctor so be sure to have some basic medicines with you in case you (or others) fall ill. On our treks, we've picked up sinus infections and helped others who have picked up the wrong kind of gut bacteria. Having some basic medicines with us like Amoxicillin (or other basic antibiotic) has allowed us to deal with medical issues immediately and to keep going. For a full list of travel medicines and how to use them, check out these travel health tips. Note: You can easily stock up on medicines at pharmacies in many countries. Basic medicines such as the ones listed here and in the article above will likely not be very expensive and will often not require a prescription. Other Useful Hiking Bags Dry sack: You never know when it's going to rain or snow, so prepare for the worst — particularly if you have gear that must remain dry. We carry a dry sack with us in order to protect our gear against freak storms or inadvertent submersions while fording rivers. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry.com Camera Bag: If you're carrying a separate camera and multiple lenses consider packing a separate camera bag to protect your gear and to allow you easy access to it. My ThinkTank camera bag fits perfectly under my small daypack. Recently, we switched to a mirrorless Fuji camera and lenses. One of the main reasons for this was that they are smaller in size and weight, meaning I could carry a smaller camera bag on treks. I really like the ThinkTank Sling Camera Bag which fits a camera body and two lenses. Its shoulder strap is useful for urban settings while the waist strap makes it comfortable for hiking as it sits right on my hips. I can still wear a backpack or daypack that rests on top of it. Hiking Snacks and Food Snacks: Even if your meals are provided to you on a trek, it’s sometimes nice to have a little something to nibble on between stops. We usually bring a small stash combination of Snickers bars, granola/power bars, a jar of peanut butter and crackers. You'll want a little bit of both salty and sweet foods. Peanut butter. Helped us up Mount Kilimanjaro. Electronic Gear and Chargers Batteries, memory cards: It's usually better to assume that you won't find electricity along your trekking route. If you do, consider it gravy. Be sure to ask your trekking guide or agency, or other route-experienced travelers (either in forums or once you are on the ground). Ask them all once, then again for good measure. Bring extra memory cards for your camera so you have ample space to snap away or record video. This means you should try to bring extra batteries for your camera, headlamp, and anything else that's battery-powered. If you're carrying your smartphone with you consider bringing a solar powered power bank and putting your phone on Airplane Mode to preserve battery life. We also use a battery case for our iPhone as this will usually provide 2x of the phone's regular battery life. And, it protects the phone if it is dropped accidentally. If there's electricity along your trek and you'd like to recharge, by all means bring rechargers. We do. But it's just something else to pack — and something you must prioritize when the final bag stuff begins just prior to setting off. READ MORE: Ladakh Trekking: A Beginner’s Guide Winter Hiking Gear We recently did our first proper winter trek — The Druk Path in Bhutan — and needed to gear up specifically for those conditions. This included temperatures going down to -10 C /14 F at night (and it felt even colder than that), potential snowfalls and walking on snow and ice. However, daytime temperatures were quite pleasant and warm (15 C / 65 F) when the sun was out. So, we had to be prepared for all types of temperatures and conditions. Winter Sleeping Bag If you are doing a winter trek it is very important that you bring a warm sleeping bag so that you are not uncomfortable in your tent at night. We highly recommend buying or renting a sleeping bag that is COMFORT rated to -10 C/15 F (or even more). Even if you don't trek during the winter some places still get very cold at night and in the early morning. It's better to take off layers or unzip the bag than to not be warm enough. Trust us, being cold in your tent sucks. Enjoying the last bits of sunshine and warmth at Simkotra Lake campsite. We always prefer to rent our sleeping bags locally, but for our recent winter trek in Bhutan that wasn't an option so we had to bring our own. We purchased this Mammut Nordic OTI winter sleeping bag, which was warm enough, synthetic (vs. down, which requires more care) and came at a great price. However, it's a bit bulky and took up quite a bit of space in our luggage. (Here's a similar Marmot winter sleeping bag that is comfort-rated to 0F) Another good sleeping bag option would be one of the down sleeping bags offered by Hyke & Byke (e.g., this sleeping bag goes down to 0 degrees F) as they are very reasonably priced for down and the quality of the bags. Here are some other winter sleeping bags offered at REI. Winter Hiking Clothing and Gear We didn't really change our clothing packing strategy or items listed above based on having lots of different clothing layers. Instead, we just added more — and heavier — layers together at one time for the early hours of the morning and in the evening after the sun set when temperatures were the coldest. Then, as we started walking and the day warmed up we'd take the layers off bit by bit. This mean that our day backpacks always had several layers of clothing inside, including rain gear (jacket and pants), fleece and other light jackets, and a down jacket. Winter hiking at its best. Prepared with shoe gaiters, waterproof outerwear and lots of layers. Here are a few other pieces of winter hiking gear we'd recommend, especially if you know there will be snow and ice on the trail. Shoe gaiters: We picked up a knock-off North Face pair of gaiters in Paro, Bhutan before our trek to protect our shoes from getting wet from the snow on the trails. We were very thankful to have them, especially on day 3 when we woke up to a snow storm. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon Crampons or Traction Cleats: If you're doing the winter trek and have fears of slipping on the ice, carrying a pair of lightweight traction cleats can provide peace of mind. Buy on Amazon | Buy at REI Waterproof gloves: The only thing worse than cold hands are wet, cold hands. It's important to have waterproof gloves (or mittens) if you think you'll be trekking during a snowfall or rain. Buy on Amazon | Buy at REI Hand or toe warmers: If your hands and feet get cold easily consider bringing a pack of adhesive hand and/or toe warmers. One of the women in our group in Bhutan had bad circulation and she used these adhesive warmers daily in her shoes and gloves. They were a lifesaver and really helped keep her warm and comfortable. Buy on Amazon | Buy at REI Winter sleeping clothes: Even if it's cold in the tent I'll change into separate sleeping clothes as it feels cleaner and better to me. For winter conditions this meant heavier base layers, including a long-sleeve Uniqlo HeatTech shirt and warm leggings (or fleece-lined running tights worked really well). Then, I added to that a fleece jacket, socks, hat, and scarf to stay warm during the night. Buying Sustainable Hiking Gear and Clothing If you are concerned about sustainability here are a few considerations and things to think about regarding buying sustainable hiking gear and clothing: The most sustainable option is the one you already own. If you can reuse or repurpose a piece of clothing, backpack or other piece of hiking gear that is already in your closet, this is usually what is most sustainable as you don't need to purchase anything new. We realize this may not be particularly fun or sexy, but it is practical and also good for your budget. Buy second-hand hiking clothing and gear. There are more and more options available for purchasing high quality second-hand or “barely used” clothing and hiking gear, whether through 2nd hand or consignment shops or in online marketplaces. This is another great way to shop sustainably as you are reusing something (and perhaps preventing it from going in a landfill) vs. buying new (that takes a lot of resources). Buy from brands focused on sustainability and fair wages: If you can't meet your hiking essentials needs through the suggestions above, then purchase your hiking clothing and gear from brands that are grounded in sustainability in terms of sourcing, materials used, fair wages, packaging and more. Do research on your favorite brand's website to see how specifically they are tackling sustainability in their operations and products. For example, Patagonia has been a leader in sustainable practices and materials for decades. Not only that, but their products do tend to last a long time (Dan using his Patagonia long underwear for 20+ years is proof of that) and they also have a strong repair policy. Another brand whose clothing we like that is focused on sustainability is Prana. These are just two of many outdoor gear brands who are making good products that also focus on minimizing their negative impacts (e.g., environmental) and maximizing their positive ones (e.g., socio-economic). If you can't find the information you want on a brand's website then contact them directly and ask your questions. Any company truly focused on sustainability would be proud to respond with transparent answers. The Ultimate Hiking Essentials Checklist – PDF Download To help you pack and prepare for your next hike with all the right gear, we've created a simple one-page downloadable hiking packing checklist. I know from experience when I haven't used this list that I have accidentally forgotten to pack a scarf, hat or river shoes. I really missed these items when I was out on the trail, but by that point it was too late. Now we're more careful to review that we have everything we need before going to the airport. How to use this ultimate hiking essentials checklist: Print out a copy or save a version to your phone (that's what we do now). As you're preparing for your hike or trek, review the list to see if you have everything you need already. If not, the linked items on the list go to recommended gear that you can purchase online or look for in a shop. When you are ready to pack for your hike or trek, put all your trekking gear on the floor and go through the list one by one. Double check that everything is there before placing it your suitcase or backpack. What did we miss? What are your go-to items and essential gear for hiking? The post How to Pack For A Hike: The Ultimate Hiking Essentials Checklist appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on December 1, 2022 by Audrey Scott Hiking in Cyprus may not be top of mind when travelers consider this Mediterranean island for vacation. Most associate it with its beaches and resorts. However, our recent visit to Cyprus ... Continue Reading

The post Hiking in Cyprus: Best Hiking Trails and Travel Itinerary appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on December 1, 2022 by Audrey Scott Hiking in Cyprus may not be top of mind when travelers consider this Mediterranean island for vacation. Most associate it with its beaches and resorts. However, our recent visit to Cyprus illustrates that the country not only offers sea, sun and deep history, but a variety of natural landscapes and geological diversity that makes hiking on the island a delight. We share here our favorite hiking trails in Cyprus, from coastal to mountain hikes. Whether you're interested in a hiking vacation or just to include a hike into your visit to Cyprus, here is all the information you need to plan your trip. Cyprus, a Surprising Hiking Destination With its rocky coastlines, dramatic cliffs, impressive Troodos Mountains, and forests filled with old, gnarly juniper, cypress and pine trees, Cyprus surprises as a hiking destination. Add to that pleasant weather almost all year around thanks to its position in southern Europe, a fascinating and long history, hearty local food and increasingly good quality wines, and you have all the ingredients for a well-rounded, active Mediterranean getaway. Hiking in Cyprus. A view from the Aphrodite Loop hiking trail. Our goal traveling to Cyprus for a week: a vacation filled with hiking, sunshine, good food and wine — all rounded out by walks around the capital city of Nicosia and visits to archeological sites. To do this, we chose several hiking trails in Cyprus as the anchors of our one-week travel itinerary, then planned everything else around those hikes and whatever the weather gods threw at us. For us, exploring Cyprus through its hiking trails allowed us to see the best of the island by way of its national parks and natural beauty including endemic flora and fascinating geological formations. This approach also helped us avoid many of the touristy areas and crowds that Cyprus can be known for. If you’re interested in the best hiking in Cyprus and assembling an active travel itinerary, then this hiking guide has all you need to know. It includes our favorite hiking trails, the best time to go hiking, what to bring with you, and where to stay — all so you can plan, organize and enjoy your hiking trip to Cyprus. This post is long as it includes everything in one place we needed to know before we took our hiking trip to Cyprus. Feel free to click on a specific section from the table below to get to the information you need. Favorite Hiking Trails in Cyprus Despite Cyprus being a relatively small island, its hiking trails feature a surprising diversity of natural landscapes and styles. As you'll see from our photos, each of the hiking trails highlighted below was unique to the others, making for a well-rounded hiking experience. Most of the hiking trails below are located in protected areas and feature some trail markings, but we suggest downloading GPX tracks and/or using you favorite map app (we use PocketEarth for offline maps) or hiking app (we use Komoot and AllTrails). This way, you'll have at least one digital version of the trail in case you get lost. As Cyprus’ environment and nature is quite fragile, be sure to stick to marked trails and be gentle with the natural surroundings. Surveying the rocky coastline on a hike near Cape Greco, Cyprus. Be sure to check the forecast in advance as weather can change quite dramatically, especially in winter. Bad weather can make a hike unpleasant and, especially in the case of canyon hikes, dangerous. Early starts are recommended, both to take advantage of better weather in the mornings and to end early enough to seek out a sunset drink. Finally, be sure to seize the occasional moment to take a deep breath, look around you, and appreciate where you are. Note: All hiking trails noted below are in Republic of Cyprus, the southern side of the island. We did not hike any trails in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Aphrodite Loop Extended – Best Hike for Coastal Views in Cyprus Distance: 11.5 km / 7.15 miles Time: 3-4 hours Difficulty: Moderate Aphrodite and Adonis Loop Trail Map and Tracks Deep blue coastal views from the Aphrodite Loop hike. Located in the northwestern part of Cyprus near the Akamas Forest, the Aphrodite Loop is deservedly one the island’s most popular hikes thanks to its dramatic cliffs and coastal views. The trail takes you past the Baths of Aphrodite and a waterfall grotto set in some botanical gardens, then up along some juniper-dotted rocky cliffs to the Moutti tis Sotiras overlook of Cape Arnoutis below. On the descent the hiking trail makes its way past some ruins of a medieval monastery, a 500-year old oak tree and through diverse forests populated with local mountain goats. The highest point of the Aphrodite Loop hiking trail. We recommend following the Aphrodite Loop trail clockwise. This way, you begin your hike along the coast and continue climbing higher toward the cliffs, with the hills with sweeping coastline views beneath you. The trail markers indicate the opposite direction, which might make the hike easier and less steep overall. However, setting off along the coastline offers excellent light and pairs the best early morning weather with the coastline where you'll likely appreciate it most. Taking the longer Adonis hiking trail through old pine forests on the return. While the standard Aphrodite Loop is around 7.5 km / 4.7 miles, we turned onto the Adonis trail on our inland descent (after the monastery ruins) to add more distance (4 km / 2.5 miles) and some additional landscapes. The Adonis is a pleasant trail through old pine, cypress and juniper forests and grassy areas filled with grazing sheep and goats. Keep an eye out for all the wild sage, oregano and other herbs along the trail. How to get to the Aphrodite Loop trailhead: We drove from Paphos to the Aphrodite Loop trailhead, a beautiful route of around 50 km or 1 hour. Free parking is available near the entrance to the Botanical Gardens. There's also a public bus stop for bus 622 from Polis which you can connect to from Paphos and other locations. Avakas Gorge Trail – Most Dramatic Hike in Cyprus Distance: 10 km / 6 miles Time: 3-4 hours Difficulty: Moderate-Hard (Do not attempt this trail when raining or if there is any risk of rain.) Avakas Gorge Trail Map and Tracks Go deep…into the Avakas Gorge in Cyprus. The depth of the Avakas Gorge makes this hike both stunningly beautiful and challenging. While most only hike the first kilometer or two into the gorge and turn back (this segment offers the most dramatic landscapes for the least effort), we encourage you to keep going until the end of the gorge. For the fit and intrepid, the gorge deepens, winds and opens up in varied and striking ways. You may even run into some wild goats grazing in the hills along the way. A bit of bouldering on the Avakas Gorge hiking trail. Unfortunately, the trail markings mostly end after the first kilometer or two, leaving you to follow the direction of the gorge and look for worn paths and footprints on either side of the stream. The trail becomes quite challenging at times, especially following rainfall (common in winter) as the water in the stream rises and the rocks become slippery. You may find yourself climbing over boulders and hugging onto cliffs, so be sure to wear good hiking shoes and carry your hiking poles. The hiking trail around the rim of Avakas Gorge on the return leg of the hike. The Avakas Gorge Trail continues through the entirety of the gorge until you reach a hilly, green pasture at the end. This is a good stop for a snack or picnic, or just to enjoy the bucolic scene of grazing sheep and goats around you. Many Avakas Gorge hiking trails suggest you return again through the gorge, but we found a hiking trail south of the gorge up along the rim and through the Peyia State Forest. We recommend taking this trail back. This approach will offer some variety, be easier on your joints, and be faster than going back through the entire gorge again. How to get to the Avakas Gorge trailhead: We drove from Paphos to the Avakas Gorge, which was supposed to take around 30-45 minutes. However, beware of Google Map directions as it will suggest the shortest route, which includes going on some unpaved country roads until it reaches a road that has been washed out, forcing you to turn around (as it did us). Instead, be sure to follow the directions which take you by the Avakas Gorge Road that approaches the gorge from the west (the coast). The last part of the road is not paved. We ended up parking around 0.5 km away from the trailhead parking lot, just to avoid taking our tiny rental car on the final stretch of the road that was full of bumps and holes. However, you can drive further to the parking lot at the trailhead. Just be advised. It’s technically possible to get close to the Avakas Gorge by public bus, but you’ll have to switch buses times and have a bit of a walk at the end to get to the trailhead. Atalante Trail – Best Troodos Mountains Hiking Distance: 14.75 km / 9 miles Time: 4-5 hours Difficulty: Moderate Atalante Trail Map and Tracks It may surprise you, but Cyprus has mountains! Hiking in the Troodos Mountains in winter. Atalante Loop hiking trail. The Troodos Mountains in the center of the island of Cyprus features a peak of close to 2,000 meters / 6,400 feet at Mount Olympus. Not only does this mean skiing in the winter (yes, Cyprus has ski resorts), but it also means some terrific Troodos Mountains hiking trails. We opted for the Atalante Trail Loop as it did a circle around Mount Olympus and was a bit longer and more difficult than the Artemis Trail (8 km / 5 miles). Enjoying a bit of snow, hiking in the Troodos Mountains. When we hiked the Atalante Trail in early January most of the hiking trail was covered in snow, sometimes several inches deep. While the snow made it tricky at times to follow the trail — thankfully a few others had gone before us so we could follow their footsteps and we had our digital tracks/map — it also made our walk beautiful and somewhat magical. We recommend following the trail clockwise from the trailhead near the parking lot, just as we did. The trail is fairly well marked and the first few kilometers of the Atalante hike take you through some beautiful old forests punctuated by gnarly juniper trees and other local endemic growth. The vista then begins to open up so you can look west over the hills to the coast. The loop continues around past the ski resort and through more tall pine forests Completing our Troodos Mountains hike on the Atalante Trail. Note: If you visit Cyprus in winter, be prepared for possible snow in the Troodos Mountains. We knew this in advance and came prepared with layers of jackets, hats, and gloves. We also highly recommend taking hiking poles on this route, no matter what the weather, as some sections are steep and can be slippery. How to get to the Atalante Hiking Loop trailhead: The Troodos Mountains are located almost halfway between Nicosia and the coast (Paphos or Limassol). The Atalante trailhead and free parking lot are located right next to Troodos village. We drove there from Nicosia, which takes around 1.5 hours on the fast route or 2 hours on the country roads. After our hike we then drove to Paphos, which took around 1.5 hours. There are also a couple of buses that will take you to the main square in Troodos village from Nicosia or Limassol. If you want to do several hikes in the Troodos Mountains, you could consider staying in Troodos village or in a nearby town so that you can get an early start on the trails. Cape Greco Hiking Trail, Sea Caves to Konnos Beach Distance: 10 km Time: 2.5 – 3 hours Difficulty: Easy Cape Greco Sea Caves to Konnos Beach Trail Map and Tracks Hiking near Cape Greco, first stop: sea caves. There are a several different hiking paths around Cape Greco National Forest Park and out to Cape Greco itself. Many paths are quite short and just go to the sea caves, up to the Cape Greco Viewpoint or to visit the picturesque Ayioi Anargyroi Chapel. We wanted something a bit longer and more continuous to stretch our legs and see more of the natural landscape along Cyprus’ eastern coast near Ayia Napa. Most of the dramatic scenery is in the first 5-6 km / 3 – 4 miles along the coast. The path we took then returns to the trailhead via an inland route. Continuing our hike on one of the Cape Greco hiking trails. This Cape Greco hike took us first to the sea caves, a collection of sandstone rock formations that stand in dramatic contrast to the crystal clear turquoise waters below. We then continued along the coastal trail past the hilltop with a view over the entire cape. You can opt to take one of the hiking trails up to the viewpoint, but we continued east along the coast. The landscape changed frequently, from dry, rocky desert-like conditions to fields of green and blossoming flowers. Winter daffodils blossoming along the Cape Greco hiking trail. The trail then continues along the coast past the blue lagoon and the natural rock bridge to Ayioi Anargyroi Chapel. Take the stairs to a sea cave that you can scramble into. (Be sure to time your entrance and exit so that you and your camera are not soaked by crashing waves.) We continued to Konnos Beach where we doffed our shoes and walked across the white sand beach. If we had had our bathing suits with us, we would have gone in — it was just warm enough even in winter. We returned via the hiking trail following the road. Cave near Ayioi Anargyroi Chapel along the Cape Greco trail. How to get to the Cape Greco Sea Caves trailhead: We drove from Larnaca (around one hour) and parked near the sea caves at the marker indicated on the map above. You can also park closer to the sea caves. There's plenty of space to park there. As for public transportation, you can catch bus 101 from Agia Napa waterpark to the sea caves or the Cape Greco National Forest Park entrance. Hiking in Cyprus: What to Pack Because the hiking trails in Cyprus we recommend here are day hikes that take only a few hours, you really don’t need to bring much with you. Just be sure to carry clothing layers to protect from the elements — sun, rain or maybe snow. Always be sure to carry plenty of drinking water with you. You can also find a full list of our favorite hiking gear and essentials. Hiking Daypack: We shared one hiking daypack between the two of us. This was more than enough space to carry the essentials for our day hike. Hiking Shoes: We saw some people hiking in sandals or sneakers. While that works for some of the easier hikes, we recommend wearing hiking shoes to provide your feet with support and traction for climbing over boulders and steep inclines and descents. Hiking Poles: For lighter hikes, we typically share one set of trekking poles between the two of us (i.e., we each use one pole). We were especially thankful we had these on the Avakas Gorge Hike and Atalante Loop Trails. We recommend this foldable traveler set of hiking poles as they are easy and light to carry. Drinking water and snacks: Many of these Cyprus hiking trails are far away from shops and services, so be sure to bring your own water and snacks with you on your hike. Temperatures can get very warm, especially in the summer, so make sure you bring LOTS of water with you to avoid dehydration. One of the unfortunate things in Cyprus is that tap water is not potable (all the locals we met advised against drinking it) so bring a water bottle that also purifies or buy large (e.g., 5-10+ liter) containers of water and refill your own reusable water bottle. Sun protection: Even in the winter, the sun can be strong in Cyprus. Be sure to carry plenty of sun protection with you in the form of sunscreen (the highest SPF you can find), hat, and sun glasses. Best Time to go Hiking in Cyprus We hiked Cyprus in winter, over the New Year’s holidays, from the end of December to the beginning of January. We thought it was a great time to go hiking as the weather along the coast was beautiful most of the time with highs in the mid to high 60s F / 18-22 C. The added bonus of this time of year: we also experienced fresh snowfall in the Troodos Mountains. Enjoying some glorious winter Cyprus weather at the Tomb of Kings in Paphos. In addition, there weren’t many people on the hiking trails at this time of year. However, Cyprus winter weather can be very changeable — including rain — so be sure to stay tuned to weather forecasts and remain flexible when planning and taking your hikes. Several local people we spoke to said that spring (March-early May) offers great hiking weather since it’s precedes the hot summer season and offers the chance to see wildflowers blossoming along many of the hiking trails. A few others recommended November since temperatures have cooled off from the warm summer and early autumn, but the winter rains have not yet arrived. Summer is the most popular time in general to visit Cyprus, especially for the beaches. However, we’ve heard that summer (June-September) is not the best time for hiking in Cyprus given the high temperatures (90+ F/30+ C) and intense sun. If you hike Cyprus in the summer months, be careful to avoid heat exhaustion and overexposure from the sun, particularly in the wide open areas along trails. Carry LOTS of water with you. Planning a Hiking Focused Cyprus Trip: Our One Week Travel Itinerary When we assembled our one-week Cyprus travel itinerary, we focused mainly on finding the best hikes in Cyprus and used those as our anchors. We then figured out a general route to travel around the island, noting places we could stay and base ourselves along the way (see below). We also watched the weather at all times as it changed frequently. Since we traveled in Cyprus during the low season and had a rental car, we were able to remain flexible and book accommodation pretty last minute. Here is our final Cyprus travel itinerary for one week that included four day hikes, a 2-day stop in Nicosia (where it rained) and visits to archeological sites. Day 1: Fly into Larnaca Airport Day 2: Larnaca – Cape Greco Hike – Nicosia Day 3: Nicosia (Greek Side) Wandering the old town streets of Nicosia, the capital of the Republic of Cyprus. Nicosia remains a divided capital city, with the southern side of the city as part of the Republic of Cyprus and the northern side of the city as part of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The United Nations Green Zone, a buffer zone, divides the two sides. There is an official border crossing which is very easy to cross at the moment. Wander the streets in the Nicosia's old town (southern side of the city). We did a variation of this self-guided walking tour, but in reverse order. For more recommendations, check out this Nicosia travel guide by our friend Steve and try to get your hands on the Use It Nicosia map/guide as it's got lots of great restaurant and cafe recommendations, as well as historical, cultural and other info presented in a fun and light way. We highly recommend a visit to the Cyprus Museum (free entrance at the time of writing). This small but jam-packed archeological museum is filled with well-interpreted antiquities going back almost 10,000 years. The museum does a remarkable job illustrating Cyprus’ long history and civilizational influences over the millennia. Day 4: Nicosia (Turkish Side) Exploring north Nicosia, Büyük Han Caravanserai. Cross the border to the northern side of the city (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). As of January 2022, you need proof of a negative PCR test (less than 7 days old) and full vaccination to cross into the Turkish side. Follow the blue line that takes you past most of the major sites on this side (mosques, markets, caravanserai, etc.). Once in the northern side of Cyprus, you'll notice that the currency and language both change to Turkish. Despite this, you'll likely get along fine with your Euros and English, and even your credit cards in some restaurants and businesses. Day 5: Nicosia – Troodos Mountains Hiking (Atalante Trail) – Paphos The Troodos Mountains are between Nicosia and Paphos on the coast. Stopping off in Troodos for a hike like the Atalante Trail is a great way to break up the drive and get a feel for Cyprus' mountains and the geological diversity at the center of the island. Where to stay in Paphos: We stayed in a convenient studio apartment a short walk to the sea, archeological sites, restaurants and shops. Day 6: Paphos – Aphrodite Loop – Paphos Day 7: Paphos – Avakas Gorge – Paphos Day 8: Paphos – Archeological Park and Tombs of Kings – Larnaca Airport Note: There is also an airport in Paphos in case that offers more convenience for your Cyprus itinerary. The Tombs of the Kings archeological site in Paphos. Our final morning in Cyprus. Renting a car in Cyprus We really appreciated having a rental car on Cyprus. It gave us a lot of flexibility. which proved especially helpful because of the changing weather. A rental car also allowed us greater spontaneity to stop off in different places along the way. During the time of our visit, rental car prices were very reasonable (e.g., around $20 USD a day including insurance). And since the island isn’t very big, we didn’t spend a lot of money on petrol. All of the hiking trails above featured free parking lots and most of the places we stayed in Cyprus also had free public or inexpensive private parking lots. Driving in Cyprus is on the left-hand side of the road. If you’ve never experienced this, note that it takes some practice and getting used to. Podcast about Hiking in Cyprus and Our Itinerary If you prefer an audio version of all this, you can listen to our interview about our travels in Cyprus on the Amateur Traveler Podcast. We talk about all the details of our one-week itinerary and all of the Cyprus hikes we recommend in this article. Travel to Cyprus – Amateur Traveler Episode 798 If you've only thought of Cyprus as a beach getaway or resort destination, we hope this Cyprus hiking guide has provided a different perspective on the island as a hiking destination. From the coastlines and cliffs to the gnarly, old juniper forests and mountain vistas, Cyprus offers a lot of hiking trails and options, making it a pleasant, worthwhile and surprising Mediterranean hiking getaway destination. The post Hiking in Cyprus: Best Hiking Trails and Travel Itinerary appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on August 6, 2022 by Audrey Scott What is it like to go trekking in Bhutan? To go on a Himalayan mountain adventure with wide open landscapes, snow-covered peaks, Buddhist temples, prayer flags, high altitude camping and alpine ... Continue Reading

The post Bhutan Trekking: The Druk Path Trek and New Trans Bhutan Trail appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on August 6, 2022 by Audrey Scott What is it like to go trekking in Bhutan? To go on a Himalayan mountain adventure with wide open landscapes, snow-covered peaks, Buddhist temples, prayer flags, high altitude camping and alpine lakes? We share a taste of trekking in Bhutan with our Druk Path Trek experience — including what you’ll experience day by day, difficulty, how to pack and organize a Bhutan trek, what to expect from a winter trek, and why this is one of the most popular treks in Bhutan. We also share information about the Trans Bhutan Trail, a new hiking route in Bhutan coming available in 2022. Over the last years we've been fortunate to do some incredibly beautiful and challenging hikes around the world, yet hiking in Bhutan remained high on our travel wish list. We were curious about the trekking experience given the country's location in the Himalayas, its focus on environmental conservation and the fact that Bhutan sees so few visitors. Druk Path Trek, Bhutan. A Himalayan adventure with mountains, temples and glimpses of living history. We chose to hike the Druk Path Trek, one of Bhutan's most popular trekking routes, in late January-early February. Our decision to do a winter trek, something that we had never done before (we usually flee the cold), provided a new sort of adventure, experience and challenge for us. Druk Path Trek in winter, beauty and stillness. The experience did not disappoint. We enjoyed the winter trekking experience, appreciating the snow, stillness and silence. The following tells why — and makes the case as to why you might want to add trekking in Bhutan, whether the Druk Path Trek or another route, to your trekking wish list. We’ve included in this Bhutan Trekking Guide all you need to know to plan, prepare for and enjoy trekking in Bhutan. In addition, we provide some information about a new trekking route in Bhutan – The Trans Bhutan Trail — recently restored and opening up again to the public in April 2022 for the first time in 60 years. The following experiences are from our Druk Path Trek on a tour to Bhutan with G Adventures. Currently, this tour no longer includes the Druk Path Trek as part of its itinerary, but if you want to go trekking in Bhutan then we recommend looking into the G Adventures Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail (11 days) or Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail (12 days). If you want to know what to expect on a trek in Bhutan, this article shares a taste of a trekking itinerary and route, trek difficulty, campsites, food, and what you need to pack and prepare. Disclosure: This tour was sponsored and provided to us in conjunction with our partnership with G Adventures as Wanderers. Bhutan Covid Travel Requirements Bhutan is opening up to all tourists on 23 September, 2022 without any quarantine requirements (check for official updates). Bhutan used its focus on community and trusted leadership to manage the pandemic quite well. In April 2021, Bhutan was able to vaccinate 85% of adults (first shot) in just one week and in early 2022 the country was finishing up a booster vaccination campaign. This shows the country's commitment to public health and protecting its people. Find more Covid-19 travel resources and recommendations on how to travel responsibly during Covid with care towards the health and safety of local communities and people. The Trans Bhutan Trail: A New Trekking Route in Bhutan Starting in 2022 The history of the Trans Bhutan Trail is deep and goes back thousands of years as an ancient trading and pilgrimage routes between Bhutan and Tibet. The trail not only connected fortresses, or Dzongs, across remote areas of the Bhutanese Kingdom, but it was also used by Buddhist pilgrims to visit sacred sites and temples in western Bhutan and Tibet. Although the trail was actively used for centuries as it was the only way to get to certain remote parts of the country, it fell into disrepair and disuse in the 1960s. Repair of the trail began in 2018, but the restoration of the Trans Bhutan Trail was accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic as 900 furloughed workers worked to rebuild bridges and create hundreds of miles of footpaths. The Trans Bhutan Trail is being opened to the public in April 2022 so travelers, local people and pilgrims can walk this ancient trail once again. The total length of the Trans Bhutan Trail is 403km / 250 miles long, going from Haa in the west to Trashigang in the east. Don't feel like you have to do it all; you can select shorter segments of the trail to experiences specific mountain landscapes and culture. The goal of hiking the Trans Bhutan Trail is not only to be able to enjoy the stunning landscapes and nature of the high Himalayan mountains, but also to connect with local people, culture and communities along the way through village homestays, sourcing food from local farms, and other community initiatives so that rural communities also benefit from the trail and tourism. In addition, the Trans Bhutan Trail is focused on several sustainability initiatives to conserve the natural environment, from a zero plastics policy along the trail (which also includes providing refillable water bottles and filtered water) to planting a tree for each international visitor. Our partner, G Adventures, was selected as the first group adventure tour operator to offer trekking tours when the trail opens in 2022. This speaks to the alignment of values regarding community tourism and sustainability. Currently, G Adventures is offering two different active tours that include selected segments of the Trans Bhutan Trail. This includes the G Adventures Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail (11 days) that has a similar style as the tour that we took as it includes four days of trekking with several nights of camping. Alternatively, Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail (12 days) also includes several days of hiking the Trans Bhutan Trail, but has more family homestays and guesthouses for overnights than camping. Both tours include both trekking and visiting some of Bhutan's famous monasteries, temples and sites, so it's a good balance of experiences and immersion into Bhutan's nature, culture, history and cuisine. What to Expect on a Bhutan Trek: The Druk Path, Day by Day The Druk Path Trek, or Thunder Dragon Path, takes you approximately 36-45 km (22-28 miles) through pine forests and rhododendron thickets, along mountain ridges and past alpine lakes in the lower Himalayan Mountains in western Bhutan. The trail follows an ancient mule route connecting Paro and Thimphu, and the area plays home to yak herders in the summer months. The highest point of the trek is Labana Pass at 4,200 meters / 13,800 feet. Much of the trail and its campsites sit at a similar and fairly high altitude, so the Druk Path Trek is considered a medium-difficulty trek. The Druk Path Trek includes a diversity of landscapes, trails and views. When I researched the Druk Path Trek, especially for information regarding winter trekking and conditions I found plenty of tour itineraries. However, I didn't find many details or images of the different landscapes and experiences — and possible weather — along the trek. That's what this “Day by Day” section is aimed to do: to help you understand the actual trek journey and give you a sense of what you might encounter and experience each day, including the camping, difficulty of the trail and landscapes. Our days usually began early, with tea served to us inside our tents around 6:30 A.M. Breakfast followed around 7:00. The goal was to set off on the trail in the morning when the skies were still clear and the sun had the chance to warm things up. As is typical in the Himalayas, clouds might develop as the morning and day unfolded. Note: The route below is for the four-day Druk Path Trek that we took with G Adventures in late January. Many tour companies offer this as a five to six day trek, but we found that four days was perfect for us in terms of the daily distance, difficulty, breaks and free time in the evenings at the campsite. If you are in reasonable shape and have some experience trekking at altitude then four days for this trek should provide ample time. Our trekking guide made a couple of adjustments to our route due to winter conditions so that the mules carrying our gear wouldn't injure themselves on the snow and ice. If you do the Druk Path Trek in the spring or fall you might notice a few differences to the route below, but most of it will be the same. Also, our guide said that our small group walked rather quickly. Some daily hiking times might be longer if your group is larger or has less experienced trekkers. Note: the hiking times below do not include resting, snack and lunch breaks. Day 1: Ta Dzong to Jele Dzong Temple to Tshokam Distance: 13.7 km / 8.5 miles Number of hours hiking: 5 1/2 – 6 hours Most Druk Path Treks set off from outside Paro in the early morning. You'll make your way by van transfer along a relatively new dirt road rising into the hills for around 30-45 minutes. (Prior to the road being built, this segment was part of the actual trek.). At the conclusion of this short ride, you'll meet your trekking support team: a cook, assistants, mule handlers and a group of mules to carry your tents, your allotted camping and trekking gear, all the food and cooking gas, and the kitchen, dining and bathroom tents. Starting out on the Druk Path trail, through the woods. The start of the walk begins on the dirt track and eases you into things with a slow and steady incline that takes you into mid-alpine woods. Eventually this turns into a steep uphill for around 45 minutes through beautiful forest trails until you reach a clearing where you begin to get above nearby hills and have a view of the valley below. The trail leading up to Jele Dzong Temple on day 1. After a short incline you'll reach the 15th century Jele Dzong temple and take a tea break. The temple guardian was away during the time of our visit. If he's around, you'll be allowed to explore inside. We continued onward alternating between forest paths and trails along the edge, revealing valley views and mountain layers in turns. At one of the clearings we stopped for lunch, a hearty meal of rice and several hot dishes. Getting above it all to enjoy views of the valley below. We began our final push towards the Tshokam (Dry Lake) campsite (3,800 meters/12,500 feet) on mostly flat trail. When we arrived, our tents had already been set up for us, which is always nice to see after a day of hiking. We took the free time and enjoyed the last bit of sunshine with some snacks and tea outside. It gets cold once the sun sets, so we enjoyed a bonfire before and after dinner. Tshokam campsite, our home for the first night. Day 2: Tshokam to Janytscho to Simkotra Lake Distance: 8.5 km / 5.3 miles Number of hours hiking: 4 hours While this is a shorter trekking day than the first, it features a couple long, steep inclines which make for a bit of a challenge. Our guide had to make a few adjustments on this day due to snow and ice on the trail. As a result, we didn't go on the higher (and longer) trail to Jimilang Tsho lake as it was dangerous for the mules. Following the mules along the trail in the early morning light. The first segment of the day is relatively flat and takes you on a forest trail along a stream and over a bridge. After a short break there, you continue to a clearing called Narithang for some mid-morning tea and snacks. Then the uphill really begins. This was a steady climb of a couple of hours through the forest. The idea: go slow and steady on the steep incline so that you maintain a consistent pace as you climb in altitude. The trail continues from the woods onto a clearing at Janytscho which overlooks the lake. This is where we stopped for lunch and a rest, but we've heard that some groups will stop here to camp for the night. Dan emerges from the forest and a rhododendron thicket. Mules make their way carefully in the snow, carrying all of our trekking gear and food. Following our trekking guide along the ridge trail to Janye Tsho. It was a winter trek after all, so we encountered some snow and ice on the trail at this point, so we and the mules had to be careful on the ascents and descents. The path continues along a rocky ridge until you reach Janye Tsho, an overlook draped with prayer flags and offering views of the nearby snow-covered Himalayan mountains in the distance. A break and a view at Janye Tsho along the Druk Path Trek, day 2. It's an easy and short walk from here to the campsite near Simkotra Lake at 4,000 meters / 13,100 ft. As this is the highest elevation campsite of the Druk Path Trek, expect it to also be the coldest campsite at night. Be sure to bundle up with lots of layers, especially if you are doing the trek in winter, early spring, or late fall. Enjoying the last bits of sunshine and warmth at Simkotra Lake campsite. A campfire keeps us warm at night as the temperature drops. Day 3: Simkotra Lake to Labana Pass to Phajoding Monastery Distance: 8 km / 5 miles Number of hours hiking: 4.5 hours This was my favorite day of the Druk Path Trek as it not only took us to the highest point of the trek — Labana Pass at 4,200 meters / 13,800 ft — but it was also filled with a diversity of landscapes, experiences and views. Note: Sometimes trekking groups camp before Labana Pass making it part of the fourth day. Winter trekking at its best. We woke up to a blanket of snow everywhere at Simotra Tsho. This meant that some of the views we were supposed to have that morning of the high Himalayas were obscured by the clouds. Instead, we enjoyed some remarkable landscapes in the beauty of their winter stillness and silence as the snow continued to fall for the first couple of hours. Enjoying the silence of the frozen trail on the morning of day 3. The trail is a combination of a gentle uphill and flat through endless rhododendron patches until you reach the final ascent towards Labana Pass (4,200 meters / 13,800 feet). This final push is a bit steep, but you'll be rewarded at the top with prayer flags and excellent vistas, including of the valley below and of the snow-covered mountains of Dochu La and Jhomolhari in the distance. Enjoying the view at Labana Pass (4,200 meters/13,800 ft). Taking in the layers of hills and mountains at Labana Pass. Our trekking group takes a well deserved break at Labana Pass. The trail then descends into the valley on a rocky ridge path for another hour or more. We stopped for lunch before continuing up along a chain of small hills until we reached a chorten atop one final peak overlooking Thimphu, Bhutan's capital city. One last bit of snow on the way up to the chorten. Chorten with a view of Thimphu, Bhutan's capital city. Descend into Thimphu Valley on a rocky trail for around 30-45 minutes until reaching Thujidrak Goemba, a Buddhist temple and meditation center stitched into the mountain rock face at 3,950 meters / 13,000 feet. We were fortunate that a local monk was around. He let our group inside to see the 14th century temple. Temple kitty at the 14th century Thujidrak Goemba. Food is deliberately left outside to feed nearby animals. From there it was an easy walk downhill through fields to reach Phajoding Monastery. The camping area on the monastery's edge had recently been closed to trekkers so our group ended up staying, with the permission of the resident monk and school principal, in the monastery's abandoned schoolhouse. Since temperatures dropped quite considerably that night, we were thankful for the protection the building provided from the wind and cold. However, a new camping area is being set up for future groups. One of our group's mules enjoying the view from the Phajoding Monastery. Day 3: Phajoding Monastery to Thimphu Distance: 5 km / 3 miles Number of hours hiking: 2-2.5 hours This final day is very easy, with a relatively short downhill hike. The dirt trail from the monastery continues through the forest, and becomes steep at times, so use your walking sticks and be careful. As the elevation decreases, the trees and flora begin to change. You hear signs of “civilization” below as cars and trucks use the mountain roads. The final descent, forest track toward Thimphu. The trail ends at the edge of the forest, near one of the prince's residences. Our tour driver met us with a big smile, a selection of local beer, cake and other snacks. This is where you'll say goodbye to your trekking support team and the mules that carried all of your gear during the trek. Our mighty trekking support team of our guide, cook, helpers and mule handlers. Bhutan Trekking Difficulty Level and Conditions We’d give the Druk Path Trek a medium difficulty ranking given its length, inclines and altitude. You should be accustomed to or be prepared for slow, steep uphill climbs at reasonably high altitude. A couple of the people in our group felt that the long ascents and hills on the first day were quite difficult, but this broke them in and they didn't have problems with any of the climbs during the rest of the trek. Plenty of trail and landscape variation on the Druk Path Trek. If you are already relatively active and have some experience trekking at altitude you shouldn't have any problems along this trek, nor should you require special training. However, if you don't have a lot of hiking experience then consider doing a series of long day hikes, preferably with hills, prior to this trek. In addition to preparing you physically, this will help build your confidence. As long as you have the proper winter gear, hiking through the snow is beautiful and peaceful. The winter conditions made this trek a bit more challenging for us at times as we had to watch our footing more in the snow and ice. Nights were also very cold (down to -10 C / 14 F). This did not impact the trek experience or its difficulty much. The Druk Path Trek is not technical, meaning that you will not need any special equipment (e.g., climbing ropes or other fittings) or training. The trail is well-maintained and is easy to follow. Even in the winter, none of us had any special ice or other gear, just some gaiters to prevent the snow from getting in our shoes. Dealing with Altitude When Trekking in Bhutan The Druk Path Trek does take you pretty high, up to 4,200 meters / 13,800 feet, at its highest point. In addition, the first two campsites are just below and just above 4,000 meters / 13,100 feet. This means that you need to be prepared for hiking and sleeping at altitude. If you don't have experience at altitude, be sure you talk with your trekking guide about what to expect and possible symptoms of altitude sickness. Take it slow on the uphills. It's better that you walk at a steady pace and take fewer breaks than to quickly wear yourself out by speeding up the hills and needing to recuperate with frequent and longer stops. Proceeding at a slow, steady pace will also allow your body time to adjust to the high elevation. Slow and steady on a steep climb through the forest. Be sure to drink lots and lots of water, as in liters per day. This is one of the best ways to prevent potential altitude sickness. Consider using a water bladder in your day pack and drink from it regularly as you walk. I find I drink more water this way than with a water bottle, that usually requires a stop to get it out the bag. Our tour included an acclimatization hike to Kila Goempa outside of Paro. This helped us adjust to the terrain and the altitude. If your tour does not include this, be sure to ask for an acclimatization hike. Acclimatization is important to gauge how your body reacts to altitude. It also prepares your body for the multi-day trek ahead. Snow, Rain and Mud Along the Druk Path Trek Since we chose to do the Druk Path Trek in winter (late January/early February), we understood that we might encounter snow. We packed — and at times wore — waterproof/water resistant pants, jackets, and gaiters to protect us from the snow, wet and cold. We did not find the snow and winter conditions a problem, but a feature and differentiating factor of this trek and timing it in winter. Really important to be careful on the icy and snow-covered trails. During other times of year, especially in May as you get close to the rainy season, you might encounter some rain and mud along the trail. It's always good trekking practice to carry waterproof layers or a rain poncho with you to protect you and your daypack from rain and the elements. See the packing list section below for recommended trekking gear to pack to keep you warm and dry, and protect you from the elements. Food Along a Trek in Bhutan You will certainly not go hungry while trekking in Bhutan! Each trekking group is assigned a cook and a couple of helpers. In addition to three hot meals per day you will also have several tea breaks and snacks (e.g., cookies, popcorn) along the trail and when you arrive at the campsite. A hot lunch with several vegetarian options and a meat dish was served each day on the trail. Luxury. On our Druk Path Trek, breakfast included a combination of a hot dish (e.g., eggs or oatmeal) with toast and different toppings (peanut butter, jam, honey, etc.). For lunch and dinner expect several options of Bhutanese vegetarian dishes (e.g., chili and cheese, sauteed greens, vegetables and cheese, etc) and a meat dish or two (e.g., chicken, beef or pork curry) served with rice or noodles. We ate mainly from the vegetarian options as we prefer lighter, vegetarian meals when we trek. If you are vegetarian, vegan or have food restrictions (e.g., glucose or lactose intolerance), alert your trekking company and your guide in advance so they can respond accordingly. Campsites and Sleeping Arrangements The Druk Path Trek has a few standard campsites that are located on flat ground and near a water source. By the time we would arrive at the campsites, our 2-person tents and sleeping mats were already set up for us by the trekking support team (luxury, I know!). A large tent is also set up for eating meals together. Our sleeping tents and dining tent under a layer of snow at Simkotra Lake campsite. At night we would usually have a bonfire made from dead or fallen tree or bush branches (it's illegal to cut down branches) to warm us up as it got rather cold once the sun went down. Just before bedtime we were given hot water bottles to put in our sleeping bags – so nice!! Each morning hot tea or coffee was delivered to our tent at around 6:30 AM as a wake up call. A bowl of hot water followed to wash our face, hands, etc. We would then pack up the stuff in our tent before taking breakfast in the dining tent at around 7:00AM. A hearty breakfast outside at the campsite. There are no showers or permanent toilets set up at the campsites, but the trekking support team set up a camping latrine or toilet at each one. Please use this instead of going off into the woods so that all waste and toilet paper is collected and disposed of in one place. Best Time to Go Trekking in Bhutan The high season for trekking in Bhutan, including the Druk Path Trek, is in the spring months of April and early May when the rhododendron bushes and trees are in blossom. September, October and early November are also considered good times to trek because it's dry, warm and the skies are clear. The summer months from late May to July are usually not considered a good time to trek as this is the rainy season so you would likely encounter muddy and rainy conditions, as well as clouds blocking views of the surrounding mountains. Although we had to bundle up for the cold weather we really enjoyed the Druk Path as a winter trek. Although winter (January – February) is not considered a recommended time to do the Druk Path Trek, we actually enjoyed it. The snow and winter weather added another dimension to the experience and we had the trails and campsites to ourselves. It can get very cold at night (-10 C/14 F), however, so it's important to pack a warm sleeping bag, lots of warm layers, and waterproof gear. All this said, weather in the Himalayas is highly variable. Organizing a Trek in Bhutan Choosing a Bhutan trekking company You cannot trek in Bhutan independently, meaning you must go with an authorized tour operator in Bhutan. This means that your trek will be fully supported, including a trekking guide, cook, helpers, and a team of mule porters to carry your trekking and camping gear. The same minimum daily package fee for Bhutan applies on treks as well. Our Druk Path Trek was with G Adventures and was part of a larger 11-day tour to Bhutan. We recommend this as the tour combines several days on the trek where you are immersed in nature with visits to temples, fortresses and towns to learn more about Bhutan's culture, religion, people and history. Note: The Druk Path Trek tour that we took no longer exists, but both the G Adventures Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail (11 days) and Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail (12 days) offer a similar combination of trekking with exploring Bhutan's monasteries, historical sites, villages and towns. For more details on how to get a visa to Bhutan, minimum daily package fees, flights to Bhutan, and more, check out our Bhutan Travel Guide. Packing for a Trek in Bhutan and Leaving your Luggage Behind For the Druk Path Trek and other treks in Bhutan with G Adventures (and other trekking agencies), you are allowed to bring a maximum of 7.5 kilos per person for the mules to carry. This includes your sleeping bag, clothes, toiletries, towel and any other trekking gear you might need at night. We carried a day pack with us during the day with water, camera, snacks, and necessary layers and winter bits like hat and gloves. Two people would share one of these G Adventures duffel bags for a maximum of 15 kilos. We left our big bags or luggage behind with our tour driver in Paro. We took only what we needed for the trek with us. At the end of the trek, when we emerged from the mountains all our luggage was waiting for us in the tour van. It was available immediately when we arrived at our hotel in Thimphu. Bhutan Trekking Packing List Much of what we include in our How to Pack for a Trek article applies here. However, we offer a customized Bhutan Trekking packing list based on our Druk Path Trek. It has a special focus on winter trekking as this was our experience, to ensure you have what you need to stay warm and dry in all conditions, but that you don't overpack. Remember that you will not have access during the day to the bags with the 7.5 kilos/person of gear so this bag should only include things you need at night. All our waterproof gear and jacket layers we carried with us in our day packs. Better to be prepared as you never know when the temperature and the weather might change as you walk. Even with these layers, try to pack your day pack as light if you can. You’ll quickly begin to feel the extra weight going up those steep hills. Drinking Water You should consume several liters of water each day (if not, then you’re not drinking enough) since you’ll be walking at altitude most of the time. Bring with you a refillable water bottle or a water bladder (or both) so that you always have at least one liter of water on you at all times. I find that I drink more water on the trail when I drink from a water bladder so I carry both. For hygiene and safety, you'll have access to boiled water at the campsites. This can be used for tea and coffee, but it is also what we used as clean water to refill our water bottles. If you really want to play it safe consider carrying with you a SteriPEN, sterilization drops or a water bottle that includes a filter. Trekking Daypack Recommended Women's Trekking Daypack Deuter ACT Trail Pro Backpack: Very light with all sorts of great functionality like a built-in rain cover, water bladder compatibility, wide waist belt for stability, and more. I have the 32-liter, but you could go with a smaller 28-liter option for this trek as you don't need to carry that much during the day. Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI (28-Liter) | Buy on Backcountry.com (34-Liter) Recommended Men's Trekking Daypack Dan's Osprey 24-liter hiking backpack was comfortable and had more than enough space. Osprey Packs Stratos Men's Hiking Backpack: Dan is a big fan of Osprey packs as they are adjustable and fit his back and torso well. The 24 – 34 liter size is great for day hikes or as a day pack on multi-day treks like this. Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI | Buy on Backcountry.com Sleeping Bag It's very important that you bring a warm sleeping bag so that you are not uncomfortable in your tent at night. We highly recommend getting a sleeping bag that is COMFORT rated to -10 C/15 F (or even warmer). Even if you don't trek in the winter time it still gets rather cold at night and it's better to take off layers or unzip the bag than to not be warm enough. We purchased this Mammut Nordic OTI winter sleeping bag, which was warm enough, synthetic (vs. down, which requires more care) and came at a great price. However, it's a bit bulky and took up quite a bit of space in our luggage. Another good sleeping bag option would be one of the down sleeping bags offered by Hyke & Byke (e.g., this sleeping bag goes down to 0 degrees F) as they are very reasonably priced for down and the quality of the bags. Here are some other winter sleeping bags offered at REI. Trekking Poles / Walking Sticks We highly recommend carrying trekking poles. We were very thankful for ours, especially on the steep downhills and when the trail was covered in snow and ice. We brought our own set of travel trekking poles (they fold up compact) with us. We share one set between the two of us so that we each carry one pole on the trail. If you didn't bring walking sticks with you ask your guide if you can rent or borrow them. Our guide made several wooden sticks available for people in our group who didn't have them. They were very thankful to have them. Clothing to go Trekking in Bhutan You don't need a lot of clothes, but you do need the right layers. Don’t worry about packing clean clothes for each day, as you can just re-wear the same things each day. Trust me, no one cares and that's what everyone does. Here’s what we suggest: 1 pair of trekking pants: We're both been using Clothing Arts Travel Pants (for men and for women) as our go-to trekking pants for over eight years. They've been through a lot of different treks and conditions, yet remain in excellent condition. We find the additional secure pockets useful on treks for keeping phones, money, tissues and other things handy. Thermal underwear (top/bottom): I love my silk long johns as they are warm, comfy and take up almost no room at all. Also good is Uniqlo's Heat Tech collection of thin, but warm, layers of leggings and tops. Dan is still keen on his Patagonia zipper top and bottoms that he's been using for over two decades. Short or long-sleeved shirts: I often start with a quick dry t-shirt at the bottom and then add the layers on top. This tends to wick away any sweat quickly so that I don't get cold. On this trek, however, I mainly used a long-sleeve shirt as my bottom layer (e.g., this Uniqlo option or this REI long-sleeved option) as I was aiming for warmth. 3-4 pairs of socks: I love SmartWool hiking socks. My first pairs lasted me almost seven years of heavy usage. If you prefer a thinner sock check out their ultra-light line. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Hiking shoes: We wore low-rise Oboz hiking shoes and were fine. Other people wore light trainers. However, some mid-ankle support is useful because of the pitch of the terrain, and some traction is the soles is useful when you encounter rain, mud, snow and ice. Men's Obuz Sawtooth Hiking Shoes: Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry + Women's Obuz Sawtooth Hiking Shoes: Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry 1 set of sleeping clothes: I prefer sleeping in different clothes than the ones I've hiked in all day. So even if it's cold in the tent I'll change into my sleeping clothes as it feels cleaner to me. Given the winter conditions this included a long-sleeve Uniqlo HeatTech shirt, fleece jacket, warm leggings (or fleece-lined running tights), socks, hat, and scarf. To ensure these remain dry, pack them in a plastic bag or other impermeable container inside the bag the mules are carrying. Underwear for every day of your trek: With an extra pair thrown in for good measure, if you like. Recommended men's underwear and women's underwear. Long sleeved pullover or zipped layer: This thin layer provides an important layer of warmth during the day. Buy on REI (Men's)| Buy on REI (Women's) Light fleece jacket: For an extra layer during the day or to keep warm during sleeping, but not too bulky. Buy on REI (Women's) | Buy on REI (Men's) Rain jacket: A useful layer for warmth and against the snow, rain or wind. You can use a light windbreaker-in-a-bag that is water resistant or a more substantial waterproof rain jacket like this (women's and men's). Down jacket: This is an invaluable layer, especially if you are trekking in the winter, as the jacket compresses into a small bag so it's light and easy to carry. But, it provides an important layer of warmth, especially when you get to the campsite and the temperature drops as the sun goes down. Dan has really enjoyed his down jacket from Uniqlo. I use a similar down jacket to this. Flip-flops or river shoes (e.g., Tevas): To use at night in the campsites to give your feet a break from hiking shoes. Women's Tevas & Men's Tevas. Shoe gaiters: We picked up a knock-off North Face pair of gaiters in Paro before our trek to protect our shoes from getting wet from the snow on the trails. We were very thankful to have them, especially on day 3. Gaiters are especially important if you're doing a winter trek and expect snow. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon Crampons or Traction Cleats: If you're doing the winter trek and have fears of slipping on the ice, carrying a pair of lightweight traction cleats can provide peace of mind. We left our set of Yaktrax traction cleats at home (we were not expecting much ice) and were fine without them. We used our walking sticks to maintain balance on ice. However, were we to pack again for a winter Druk Path experience, we would bring them with us just to be on the safe side. Buy on Amazon | Buy at REI Other Trekking Gear Waterproof backpack cover: You never know when a rainstorm will hit, so it’s essential to keep a rain cover for your backpack close at hand. Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry | Buy at REI Quick-dry travel towel: To dry off your hands or face after washing them in the morning. Hang it on the outside of your backpack in the morning so it dries quickly in the sun and air as you move. Buy at REI |Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Sleep sack or sleeping bag liner: To provide an extra layer of warmth in the sleeping bag. Highly recommended. We prefer the silk liner option as it is light to carry, but a warm layer. Buy on REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Headlamp: The campsites do not have electricity so a headlamp is useful to make your way to the camping toilet and to sort through your stuff at night in the tent. Silicone earplugs: A precaution in the case your camp has a snorer. Hand or toe warmers: If your hands and feet get cold easily consider bringing a pack of adhesive hand and/or toe warmers. One of the women in our group had bad circulation. She used these adhesive warmers daily in her shoes and gloves. They were a lifesaver and really helped keep her warm and comfortable. Buy on Amazon | Buy at REI Toiletries and Health Kit On the Druk Path Trek, you won't have access to a shower. But hot water bowls in the morning go a long way. Soap, toothbrush and toothpaste: The basics. Sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen: The higher the SPF, the better. You'll be at high altitude. Sunglasses: The sun is strong at altitude. Hand sanitizer: To be on the safe side. Pack of tissues or toilet paper: The campsites all have toilet paper, but it’s always a good idea to carry a pack of tissues just in case. Duct tape: Very effective for hot spots and blisters on your feet. Also consider picking up some Compeed, which is magic when you've already developed blisters. Medical Kit (for emergencies): Band-Aids, anti-bacterial gel (for cuts), rehydration powders, ciprofloxacin (or another medication against stomach bacteria), Tylenol (anti-headache/aches), Immodium (or some sort of “stopper” if you get diarrhea), tea tree oil (great to apply to cuts and mosquito bites) Note: all these are easily and inexpensively purchased at local pharmacies, including in Paro from where you depart for the trek. Electricity and Charging Batteries None of the campsites have electricity so prepare yourself for not having access to electricity during the trek. Some tips to handle this and further your battery power. Put your smartphone on airplane mode to not waste your phone’s battery power trying to find a network. Consider buying a phone case that doubles as an extra battery. It provides another 1-1.5 charges. Take an extra camera battery or two. Don’t spent time reviewing your images, as this will quickly consume your battery power quickly. Unless you are reviewing images to determine whether you’ve captured a specific shot, there will be time enough for photo review when your trek is finished. Pack a solar-paneled power bank. We would leave ours outside in the early morning light or during breaks along the trail to charge it in the sun. Not sure how much it really recharged, but ours did give us some much appreciated juice to recharge our phones after a couple of days. Have other questions about trekking in Bhutan or the Druk Path Trek? Just ask in the comments below and we’ll incorporate the information into the article so others may benefit. Disclosure: Our Druk Path Trek and tour in Bhutan was provided to us by G Adventures in cooperation with its Wanderers program. As always, the thoughts contained herein — the what, the why, and the how — are entirely our own. The post Bhutan Trekking: The Druk Path Trek and New Trans Bhutan Trail appeared first on Uncornered Market.

At the end of last year as winter days grew shorter and the holidays approached, we set our sights on checking in with each other before we found ourselves immersed in the uptake of a new year. Taking off to the Caribbean to spend some time together away from our laptops, reflect on the past year and take a deep breath before a busy year ahead was just what we needed.

The post Travel to St. Maarten: 18 Unusual Things to Do appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on January 8, 2023 by Audrey Scott Many people travel to St. Maarten / St. Martin for its Caribbean white sand beaches. While they are beautiful and all that you would expect from a Caribbean island, there are so many more things to do in Saint Maarten / Saint Martin than just its beaches. This travel guide shares 18 unusual things to do in St. Maarten / St. Martin drawn from ten days traveling all around the island with the goal of finding some of its more off-the-beaten path experiences and places. Whether you’re traveling to St. Maarten / St. Martin as a standalone Caribbean island vacation or as an excursion from a cruise, you'll be sure to find something from our travel guide below with favorite outdoor activities, hikes, beaches, and day trips to make your visit memorable. Exploring St. Martin / St. Maarten beaches. Deservedly famous. Visiting the Caribbean Island of St. Maarten / St. Martin At the end of the year as winter days grew shorter and the Christmas holidays approached, we set our sights on checking in with each other before we found ourselves immersed in the uptake of a new year. Taking off to the Caribbean to spend some time together away from our laptops, reflect on the past year and take a deep breath before a busy year ahead was just what we needed. It was with this frame of mind that we left our home base in Berlin mid-December for St. Maarten, the Dutch side of an island in the Caribbean divided in two with its French counterpart St. Martin. Caribbean beaches – long horizons and shades of blue. While we weren't fully disconnected from the internet and the world during our time on St. Maarten, we found that removing ourselves from all that was familiar and routine — and giving ourselves a dose of sunshine and warmth — helped us to relax, gain some perspective, and enjoy time together as an ordinary married couple (i.e., not as business partners). Not to mention, a sort of decompression seems to occur naturally when staring out over water to the horizon for long periods of time. In this way, pressing the pause button from time to time in one’s life creates space to disconnect, reconnect and to clarify what matters most. Update November 2022: We have updated this article to take into consideration any St. Maarten / St. Martin Covid travel requirements and to try to ensure that all activities and recommendations below are still available with the most updated information. This post was originally published in February 2016 and updated in November 2022. Going Off the Beaten Path in St. Maarten / St. Martin The idea of this trip, as with most of our travels, was to go beyond the obvious — in this case, the beaches. This involved exploring both sides of the island — Dutch St. Maarten in the south and French St. Martin to the north – and following suggestions, on and off the tourist trail, to experiences that would move us. The cliché of white sand Caribbean beaches stretching along dazzling, turquoise water is far too accurate. We were tempted to park ourselves on one of the several we sampled, and never leave. But we also knew there was more to discover and things to do in St. Maarten than appears on the surface. Next, we would be fibbing if we told you that St. Maarten / St. Martin is not heavily touristy. It would be very easy to visit and only see the developed and trafficked areas of the island and draw your experience and conclusions from there, but dig a bit deeper and you’ll find a dimension to the island that few others see. On several occasions we found ourselves surrounded by rugged natural beauty, without a soul around. Resorting to a selfie; nobody else around to take our photo along the Sentier des Froussards trek. We enabled our experience of St. Maarten in full by talking with as many people as we could. Our goal: to connect with and better understand this island of 80,000 inhabitants that welcomes an astonishing 3.7 million travelers a year, and to uncover a diversity of experiences that speak to both adventure and relaxation. That’s where this travel guide filled with unusual things to do in St. Maarten / St. Martin comes in. Pick and choose from the experiences below to piece together a St. Maarten travel itinerary that best suits your travel goals and interests, from beaches to hiking to adventure activities. 18 Unusual Things to Do, See and Experience in St. Maarten / St. Martin As you go through our recommended beaches, hikes, tours, and things to do in Saint Maarten / Saint Martin below you'll notice that they are mostly activities that take place outdoors, in nature and away from crowds. This reflects what we did and our personal recommendations. However, this also makes these more “Covid-friendly activities” as doing things outside has a lower risk than indoors or with large groups of people. Some of the following experiences and activities we paid for ourselves and some were provided free to us (as indicated below). Some we learned about by talking with locals or long-time residents, and others we discovered on our own. In other words, we tried to learn as much as we could about St. Maarten/St. Martin and experience it to the fullest in the ten days we had. A note on costs: Prices for experiences vary slightly depending upon season (high or low), number of people in the group, and other factors. Legend: $ = up to $50, $$ = $50-$100, $$$ = $100-$150, $$$$ = $150+ 1. Race at sea and take the controls of a real America's Cup boat with the 12-Metre Challenge. Yes, this experience can take you on THE winning boat from the 1987 America’s Cup, the Stars & Stripes. This alone is kind of exciting. Board the boat, and each of your group is assigned a crew position. From there, you get a quick lesson, you practice a bit, the helmsman issues the commands and with a traditional 6-minute start, it’s off to the races. You witness and participate firsthand in the teamwork required to make a craft like this take flight on the water. This became even more evident – and dramatic — as we sailed right into a brief tropical storm with the wind whipping the sails and our boat carving slightly terrifying angles. What really set this experience apart, however, was the competition. We raced against another America’s Cup boat (True North, from Canada) under standard regatta regulations, giving us a wee taste of the adrenaline of an actual race. The 12-Metre Challenge, returning to shore after a successful race. The only danger with this experience is that it may make you want to take sailing lessons and rent your own sailboat to go around the Caribbean. Not that we speak from experience or anything… If you only have one day in St. Maarten as an excursion from your cruise, consider this activity. It has the right mix of adrenaline, being out on the open waters and fun. How to do it: The 12 Metre Challenge is located at Dock Maarten, Philipsburg. Note: Cruise ship passengers must book through their cruise line. Cost: $$ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. 2. Day trip to Shoal Bay, Anguilla to relax on the #1 ranked beach in the Caribbean. On our first day in St. Maarten we heard Shoal Bay beach described to us as “heaven on earth.” That the recommendation came from a long-time resident with experience throughout the Caribbean told us we must go. But we’ve been to plenty of “best beaches,” so we managed our expectations. Shoal Bay blues, with a side of paddle boarding. Shoal Bay Beach over-delivered. Not only was the beach a carpet of soft, pristine white sand, but the light and water played a range of blue shades of the likes we’d never before seen, except for glaciers in Antarctica. The blue glow can appear almost artificial and HDR’d, but it’s not. It’s simply the way Mother Nature worked out in this part of the world. Now we understand why this beach is ranked #1 in the Caribbean and #5 worldwide. The other notable feature of this beach during our visit: it was almost empty. The restaurant where our tour went was a simple, local family-run establishment, which lent a fitting and traditional laid-back Caribbean feel. Shoal Bay Beach, Anguilla – a little slice of nostalgia and Caribbean beach life. How to do it: We took a day trip package that included a speedboat from St. Maarten (dock near the airport) to Anguilla + bus transfer to/from Shoal Bay + lunch + free use of beach equipment such as snorkel gear and paddle boards. Cost: $$$ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. Other day trip options to Anguilla from St. Maarten include: Catamaran to Prickly Pear and Anguilla islands (8 hours): This day trip sails along the coast of St. Maarten and visits both Prickly Pear and Anguilla Islands so you can swim in the clear waters and enjoy the beaches in both places. Departs in the morning from Simpson Bay. Price includes a BBQ lunch. Private speed boat from St. Maarten to Anguilla (8 hours): Enjoy a private excursion to Anguilla to enjoy the beauty of Shoal Bay beach and nearby Sandy Island and the clear waters of Crocus Bay. Enjoy complementary champagne and drinks. You'll have flexibility with your day as you'll have your own captain and guide to help create a memorable private trip experience. Speed boat day trip to Anguilla (6 hours) that includes stops in Cap Juluca, Sandy Island, and Little Bay in Anguilla to go swimming and enjoy lunch (included in price). On the return you stop by Maho Beach in St. Maarten to watch the planes land just above you at the airport (see #3 above). Departs in the morning from Cole Bay, St. Maarten. Remember that Anguilla is a different country so be sure to bring your passport and $20 for the clearance and customs fees. 3. Get away from it all with a hike in Guana Bay. It’s easy to get caught up in St. Maarten tourist trail areas and question, “Is this all there is to the island?” However, a short drive over the hill to the southeastern corner of the island and Guana Bay served as our first glance at a different sort of St. Maarten / St. Martin. Hiking in Guana Bay with our guide, Joost. The trek from Guana Bay to Pointe Blanche is one of the areas on the island where you'll find yourself surrounded by rugged natural beauty without a soul around, save perhaps for a few goats. How to do it: You can do this Guana Bay hike with Tri-Sport. They offer a couple of departures each day during high season. We recommend choosing the morning departure (9AM) as you’ll avoid the strong heat and sunshine. Joost, our guide, provided terrific historical and environmental context. Not to mention, he’s a font of useful information and recommendations for other treks in St. Maarten. Cost: $ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. 4. Drive a Rhino along the western coast of St. Martin. “I designed this myself and it’s impossible to tip. That’s why we call it a Rhino,” Oliver, the owner of Rhino Safaris explained when we first arrived. He did this so that everyone – from children to 90+ year olds – could enjoy the experience. I had memories of tipping a jet ski on a college break many years ago, so I was of relieved to find out this hybrid Jet Ski/zodiac could not be flipped. It took a few minutes to get used to the Rhino and what it could do in terms of speed, turns, and tricks, but once we did, it was fun and addictive. Driving a “rhino” up the western coast of St. Maarten. Additionally, having spent time sitting in traffic driving the western part of the island, it was a pleasant change to enjoy the same areas from the freedom of the water. How to do it: The “Rhino Safari” departs from Simpson Bay just behind Pineapple Pete’s restaurant. The tour includes not only driving your own Rhino up the western coast, but also snorkeling at Creole Rock at the northern end of the island. Cost: $$ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. 5. Marvel at the planes landing over Maho Bay beach. Never have we been to a destination where the airport is such a tourist attraction. But sit on or near the beach at Maho Bay and you’ll quickly understand why. The photo below pretty much says it all. It looks Photoshopped, but it’s not. Extreme plane watching at Maho Bay, St. Maarten. How to do it: While you can stand on the beach to watch the planes land overhead, we recommend Sunset Bar as an ideal spot to capture a photo without the jet blast. The surfboard outside the bar is updated daily with the flight schedule. Or you can check out the arrival schedule at SXM airport and try to figure out which flights will have the biggest planes. Good looks can also be had from Driftwood Bar on the other side of the beach. Air France flies the largest jets (i.e., most dramatic landings and photos). Book a tour to watch the planes land over Maho Bay: If you have limited time in St. Maarten, consider booking a plane viewing day trip that will transfer you from the port in Philipsburg to Maho Bay so you can enjoy some time on the beach and see the planes landing. Alternatively, you can arrange a half-day trip in St. Maarten that will take you to Orient Beach and then to watch the planes at Maho Bay. 6. Enjoy the sunset and a rum punch on a catamaran. There’s something naturally calming about staring out over the sea at a sunset as the glow of the sun melts into the water. Now, do that same thing with from the webbed deck of a catamaran with a rum punch in your hand and you’ll find yourself exhaling – literally and figuratively — even deeper. Sunset cruise. Not pictured: rum punch in hand. How to do it: Aquamania offers sunset and dinner catamaran trips on Wednesday and Friday evenings, departing from Simpson Bay Resort marina at 5:30 PM and returning at 8:30 PM. Alternatively, you can choose this shorter sunset cruise (1.5 hours) with daily departures that includes drinks and snacks, but not a full dinner. Cost: $$ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. 7. Wake up early and go for a run (or stroll) at Cupecoy Bay and enjoy a Caribbean beach all to yourself. If running isn’t your thing, then swap it with walking or cycling. Whatever you do, get up early and head to the cliffs. You’ll be rewarded not only with the soft glow of early morning light, but also with a Caribbean beach to yourself. The view from our running path, from Maho Bay to Cupecoy Bay, St. Maarten. 8. Get above it all at Pic Paradis. There is something about making your way to the highest point to get some perspective. Having an aerial view of St. Maarten (and St. Martin) from the lookout at Pic Paradis, the highest point on the island at 1,391ft / 424m, helps you see the contours of the land and how all of the places you’ve visited fit together. Pic Paradis, enjoying the view from the top of St. Martin. How to do it: In our rental car we followed the Pic Paradis signs from the main road between Marigot and Grand Case and parked on the side of the road up the hill from Loterie Farm (it was closed the day we visited, Monday). From there it was a relatively short, but steep, walk to the top. Alternatively, if you have a 4-wheel-drive car you can drive virtually the entire way to the peak and lookout. 9. Cross the border and practice your French. One of the things that attracted us to St. Maarten/St. Martin was that the island has been divided between the French and the Dutch for over 350 years. Today, the Dutch side is an independent country, while the French side remains a territory of France. We wondered what that would look and feel like. Crossing the border, St. Martin style. While there are no border controls between the sides and countries, you’ll still see signs posted across the island welcoming you each time you cross. Cross from the Dutch side north and you’ll have a chance to practice your French. You’ll also see a different style of architecture and town planning. Not to mention, the bread and pastries are unsurprisingly better on the French side of the border. 10. Chill out at Mullet Bay beach. There is no shortage of postcard-like beaches to choose from on the island. One of our favorites for relaxing, swimming and sunning was Mullet Bay. Since there's a golf course on one side of the beach, it is somewhat protected from development and the shadow of any large buildings. Mullet Bay beach in the morning. Of course, we aren’t the only ones to have discovered this beach. But, we noticed that if we went before noon or after 3PM it emptied as day passengers returned to the cruise ships. Ideal for a morning read or late afternoon nap. A note on St. Maarten / St. Martin beaches: All beaches on the island are public, meaning that you have access to try any one you’d like. Some beaches have sun chairs and umbrellas for hire, usually organized by restaurants or bars, but you have the right to plunk your beach towel at random and enjoy the beach for free. 11. Bicycle to Fort Amsterdam. With so much of St. Maarten covered in new buildings and developments (something like 90% of the island was destroyed by Hurricane Luis in 1995), we were curious to learn more about its history and the strategic role the island played in the colonial wrangling between the Spanish, Dutch and French empires over the centuries. This is where the historical bicycle tour of Philipsburg with Barend, our guide, helped fill in the gaps. Philipsburg bicycle tour leads us to Fort Amsterdam. One of the focal points of the bicycle tour is 17th century Fort Amsterdam, originally built by the Dutch, then lost to the Spanish and successfully defended to ward off a return Dutch invasion. The Dutch leader from that lost the fight (and his right leg), Peter Stuyvesant, went on to become mayor of New Amsterdam. Eventually he traded New Amsterdam (now, New York) to the British for the wee island of Curacao, in perhaps the very first of the worst of Wall Street deals. This story reinforces how the islands are historically more connected to our present day circumstances than we realize. Additionally, the bicycle tour takes you through Back Street, Philipsburg. While the souvenir shops and tourist restaurants in Philipsburg harbor and Front Street may feel overwhelming, this residential area just a few blocks away will give you a sense of what the island might have looked like before the rebuilding and tourism boom. Many traditional homes have remained in the hands of the same family for multiple generations. Worth the effort to walk to Back Street to experience the contrast between the two Philipsburgs. How to do it: The historical bicycle tour with TriSport leaves from the cruise ship harbor in Philipsburg. There’s a choice of several departures, but we recommend taking the early one (8:30 AM) to beat the heat and the crowds. If you would like a more challenging ride, check out the other bicycle tours offered. Cost: $-$$ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. 12. Scuba dive at Saba island and swim with sea turtles in coral gardens. “I’m sorry. It looks like visibility isn’t as great as it usually is,” Bob, our dive master, apologized to us before we descended to the dive site known as Tent Reef. A few minutes later we swam over coral gardens bursting with colorful coral and fish. We encountered sea turtles noshing on jelly fish, and saw puffer, parrot and lion fish dart in and around the reef. I thought: “Hmm, if this is considered ‘bad' visibility, I can’t imagine what ‘good' must look like.” Scuba diving off of Saba island. Diving in Saba was a top priority for us as we’d heard that the dive sites there are considered some of the best in the Caribbean. It took a little logistical juggling, but we did find a way to combine two dives there within a day trip from St. Maarten. The only downside of this plan is that you don’t have time to explore the island itself. There are supposed to be some gorgeous coastal treks, so consider extending your Saba trip to several days. How to go scuba diving in Saba: There are ferries that offer day trips from St. Maarten to Saba that run most days in high season. Edge offers a day trip package to Saba with round-trip ferry service, hiking and the option for scuba diving. Makana Ferry goes to Saba in the late afternoon/early evening in case you want to spend a couple of nights there. The ride takes 1.5 hours and can get rough. If you get seasick easily, consider taking some motion sickness medicine or carry Sea Bands. We arranged our dive in advance with Saba Divers. They meet you at the ferry, check your Padi certification, gear you up, manage two dives, and get you back to the ferry for the late afternoon return to St. Maarten. Fun and experienced dive masters. Cost: $$$$ Saba Covid Travel Requirements (November 2022): No requirements now for proof of vaccination, negative test or EHAS form. How to go scuba diving in St. Maarten: If you want to go diving, but don't have the time to go all the way to Saba for the day consider doing a half-day double tank drive in St. Maarten instead. The dive staff will choose the dive site based on weather and visibility that morning so that you're diving in optimum conditions. If you haven't been diving within the last year, it's recommended to start with a shallow dive as a refresher. If you don't have your PADI certificate, but want to get a feel for scuba diving and being underwater, then you can do a 3-hour Discover Scuba tour that introduces you to scuba diving and all of its gear in shallow waters. This is a great way to test out scuba diving in clear Caribbean waters. 13. Taste rum at a local distillery. “I used to experiment with flavored rums in my kitchen to make gifts for friends or for guests at my husband’s restaurant. After I decided to do this professionally, I taught myself enough Mandarin to navigate the factories in China to get the bottle design exactly as I wanted it. I’ve always been hands-on,” Melanie, co-founder of Topper’s Rhum, laughed as she explained the genesis of her rum business. Teaching yourself “enough” Mandarin is no easy feat, but this focus on detail fit with what we saw and tasted during our visit to the distillery. Rum tasting at Topper's Rhum distillery. Melanie has been successful with her current lineup of white, spiced, coconut and flavored rums like white chocolate raspberry. Her experiences continue with new flavors in her office-cum-laboratory. The coconut rum was our favorite for drinking straight, but we later sampled the Mocha Mama (think Kahlua without the cream) over vanilla ice cream. Nice! How to do it: Topper’s Rhum now offers distillery tours for the public. Otherwise, you can sample (and buy) any of the rums at one of the two Topper’s restaurants. 14. Practice Your Tanning Skills at Orient Bay. On our first night in St. Maarten we asked our waitress, Samantha, which beach on the island was her favorite. Her quick response: “Orient Bay. I didn’t realize how lucky we are to have this beach until I left the island and visited other places. I love it.” Time to brush up on tanning skills, Orient Bay. Located on the French side of the island east, the beach at Orient Bay is long, wide and lined with restaurants and cafes that offer beach chairs and umbrellas. It’s more of a place to “be seen” than Mullet Bay, but it’s not too over-the-top. It also features beach segments that are clothing optional, so if nude bathing is your thing, this is the place to be…or to be seen. 15. Enjoy scenes of local life in Grand Case. Grand Case is on the French side of the island and has more of a local feel to it than some of the other areas of the island that have been built up for tourism. It's a good place to park your car and wander the streets and pier for these glimpses of local life…like school kids jumping off the pier or playing in the surf along the beach. There is something so light and innocent about the scene. Listen to the giggles and feel the energy. An inimitable local sight and memory. School kids play in the sea in late afternoon light. Grand Case, St. Martin How to do it: Park your car in the public parking lot on the north end of the main street in Grand Case. Walk out by the pier behind the cluster of outdoor grill restaurants. Plenty of food options here, too, from the informal grills at the beach side to more formal French restaurant options along what is known as “Restaurant Row.” 16. Kayak through the mega yacht harbor to the mangroves. St. Maarten is one of THE places in the Caribbean for yachts and boats of the “mega” variety to be docked. So it’s a fun juxtaposition – not to mention great perspective — to paddle through the nautical playground of the rich and famous before coming back down to earth with the jellyfish and sea cucumbers in the mangroves. Kayaking through the mega-yachts of Simpson Bay lagoon. How to do it: Tri-Sport usually offers a lagoon kayak tour a couple of times a day. We recommend choosing either the early morning or late afternoon option to avoid the heat of the midday sun. Chris, one of the guides, is a St. Maarten local so he can advise you on anything you might want to know about the island, including local food. Cost: $-$$ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. Grab a Johnny Cake at Hilma’s and ask her about Anthony Bourdain and her 40+ years on the island. Update: Hilma's Windsor Castle was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017. We are keeping the entry below in honor of Hilma, her spirit…and her johnny cakes. Although a separate section below is devoted to recommended dining and island eats, we include Hilma’s (technically, Hilma’s Windsor Castle) because eating at one of the four stools is an experience well beyond the food. Hilma has been operating from a converted trailer on the same spot in Simpson Bay for 22 years, and she’s lived on the island for more than 40. She purposely keeps operations deliberately small and personal for manageability. She has so many stories to tell, so plan some time for a conversation or two. The always smiling Hilma of Windsor Castle food stand in Simpson Bay. “I was all by myself when I first started here. None of this was here,” Hilma told us as she looked out over the road now filled to the brim on both sides with restaurants and shops. When we asked her about Anthony Bourdain, she confirmed, “Yes, he used to come here often. He vacationed here before he became really famous. He’s eaten everything here. The advice he gave me was to not change, that I should stay true to my roots.” Sage advice. How to do it: You can find Hilma’s Windsor Castle on the lot between the RBC Bank and Jerusalem / The Palms restaurants on Airport Road in Simpson Bay. Hilma is open Monday to Saturday from 7:30AM – 2:00PM. 17. Hike the northern coastline at Sentier des Froussards. This hike and the northern coastline of St. Martin falls under the “hidden” and “I had no idea something like this existed on the island” categories. We woke up early to do the trek Sentier de Froussards hike (from Anse Marcel to Eastern Point and back) during our last morning on the island. A rather ideal way to end our travels in St. Maartin / St. Martin. The hike consists of a surprisingly beautiful and secluded 3-mile footpath out along the northern coast of the island and features a couple of bathing-worthy beaches, rugged coastline and fabulous windswept landscape. Hiking the northern coast of St. Martin along the Sentier de Froussards path. How to do it: Big thanks to Joost from TriSport for recommending this trek to us. Drive towards Anse Marcel and after coming over the big hill (and before entering the marina and resort area) turn to the right where you see a small trekking sign and parking lot. You’ll walk a ways on a dirt road before reaching the trailhead on the right. Go very early (arrive around 7:30AM) to avoid the traffic and heat. En route to Anse Marcel from the south, fetch yourself a pain au chocolat or croissant from the boulangerie on the right side of the N7 main road in Grand Case. 18. Throw open the curtains at sunrise…and realize how fortunate you are. This began my morning routine. I noticed it most on that final day, perhaps because it marked the final time I would feel it this trip. It was the combination of the sound of the curtains moving on their track along with the reveal of the morning, the water, the horizon, the sun, a new day. The sensory combination of sight and sound of our morning routine foreshadowed the day to come and offered a moment to reflect on what we have, here and now. This is a lesson for life. One reaffirmed on the island. Day Trips and Excursions in St. Maartin / St. Martin Our partners, Get Your Guide and Viator, offer many St. Maarten tours, day trips and tickets for attractions. They guarantee lowest prices with no booking fees or hidden charges, as well as information on Covid hygiene and safety precautions. In addition to confirming your place and avoiding lines by pre-booking, you can cancel up to 24 hours before in case your plans change. Although we've made quite a few recommendations above for activities, excursions and tay trips, we also wanted to share some other interesting St. Maarten tours and day trips. Day tour around St. Martin / St. Maarten with a local guide: This 5-hour tour around both the French and Dutch sides of the island with a local guide sounds quite interesting as it focuses on topics related to the history and resilience of the island and its people, especially as the island was badly destroyed recently during Hurricaine Irma. It stops in several places on the French side like Grand Case, Marigot, and Fort St. Louis, as well as Maho Bay and Philipsburg on the Dutch side. Sailing and Snorkeling Trip Along St. Martin's Coast (5 hours): If you want to maximize your time on the water and see St. Martin / St. Maarten from the sea, this sailing day trip on a trimaran (i.e., it has three hulls vs. two as in a catamaran) is a good option. The journey will take you up the southwestern coast of St. Martin and up the Anguilla Channel, and you'll stop along the way for swimming and snorkeling. Departs from Nowhere Special Restaurant right next to the St. Maarten Yacht Club. Lunch included. St. Maarten hiking and snorkeling nature tour (4 hours): This nature tour combines a couple of our recommendations above – going up to Pic Paradis for panoramic views, taking a hike or nature walk, and snorkeling in the clear waters below — in a nice half-day time period. With your local guide you'll have a chance to learn a bit more about the island's biodiversity and the different species of animals above and below water. A good and active introduction to the island's nature if you are on an excursion or only have a short time. Where to Stay in St. Maarten / St. Martin For the ten days we visited St. Maarten, our home was the Morgan Resort (previously, the Alegria Boutique Hotel) in Maho Bay, just walking distance from the famous beach where airplanes fly overhead to land at the Princess Juliana airport (See #4 above). When we stayed here as the Alegria Boutique Hotel the rooms were more like small apartments or studios, outfitted to facilitate comfortable longer stays (e.g., full kitchen, washing machine) with a balcony and separate bedroom. This is why, during our visit, we referred to Alegria as our “home base.” When we returned to the hotel after a full day of experiences, we unwound in comfort and space to reflect on the day and plot our path for the next. Although, what was very different from home is that we did all this with a balcony view over the Caribbean Sea, often with a sailboat or catamaran tracking across the horizon at sunset. Or, there was always the option to relax in the saltwater pool. Sunset view from our balcony at Alegria Boutique Hotel. From what we can tell on the Morgan Resort website, the rooms have been renovated and upgraded considerably, into more of a luxury stay. There are still some suites available if you want a bit more room. Book a room at Morgan Resort Spa and Village. St. Maarten Hotels and Apartments Whether you are traveling to St. Maarten as a standalone vacation or starting your cruise from there, you may want to stay on the Dutch side of the island for a few days. The St. Maarten hotels and apartments below are conveniently located and in quieter, less developed areas. We think of them as good places to base yourself to explore the island. Hotels in Maho Bay – Cupecoy Bay – Simpson Bay These locations are all pretty close to the airport. We enjoyed staying in Maho Bay as it was a bit removed from a lot of the more built up areas and we had easy access to Mullet Bay and Cupecoy Bay beaches. Plus, we could always pop down to one of the nearby bars to see the planes land overhead at the airport. Not many activities start in Maho Bay, so t means that you'll need to add in driving or transfer time at the beginning and end of the day. Some of the activities and tours above start in or near Simpson Bay so it is a bit closer. El Zafiro Boutique Hotel: This is very close to where we stayed in St. Maarten and is located right on the beach so you'll have good views of both the coast and mountains from your room. Convenient for watching planes land at SXM airport. Adonis Cupecoy Hotel: Located in a good position not far from Cupecoy Bay (see #2 above), Maho Bay (see #4) and Simpson Bay with some restaurants and shopping nearby, but it's still a quieter, less developed part of St. Maarten. The Horny Toad Guest House: If you want your own apartment or studio with a kitchenette, seating area and terrace, then this is a good option right on Simpson Bay Beach. Close to the airport and you are walking distance from local restaurants. Hotels in Philipsburg and Eastern St. Maarten The little town of Philipsburg might be a fun place to base yourself as it has some historic areas, a beach and nearby restaurants and shops you can walk to. Plus, you're not too far from Guana Bay Beach (see #3 above) and can explore Fort Amsterdam easily. If you're coming to St. Maarten early for a cruise, Philipsburg is conveniently located near the cruise terminal and port. Alicia Inn: A good budget option right in the middle of Philipsburg so close to the restaurants, shops and beach. Public transport is also located nearby if you don't have a car and want to explore by local bus. Bay View Apartment: A little outside of town in the hills with views over Great Bay and the Atlantic Ocean below. This is a full apartment so you have everything you need to feel at home on the island. A good place if you want a bit of quiet and privacy. St. Martin Hotels and Apartments: Staying on the French Side Next time we visit the island we might stay on the French side for a change of pace as there is less tourism development and fewer big resorts. Sunshine Studios, Grand Case: Although our time in Grand Case was short, we really liked the feel of the place as it had more of a local lived in vibe than many of the other more tourism oriented places on the island. And, it's near “Restaurant Row” if you want to enjoy some French cuisine on your visit to St. Martin. The studios here also include kitchens so you can also enjoy self-catering and eating on your balcony. Happy Residence, Orient Bay: Located on Orient Bay Beach, one of our favorite beaches on the island. The apartment has a kitchen and everything you need, but it is also located walking distance to other restaurants and shops. Tiko Lodge, Oyster Pond: In the eastern side of the island close to Babit Point Natural Reserve, which is good for hiking, and not far from Orient Bay. The lodge offers rooms or apartments, and views over the water. Although quiet and remote, there are still restaurants nearby that are walking distance. Where to Eat in St. Maarten As we stayed in St. Maarten, the Dutch side of the island, we took all of our meals there. Much of the food in this part of the island is international, a reflection of both the people who now call this island home and the demographic of the tourists that visit it. If you are interested in traditional French cuisine, however, then head up to “Restaurant Row” in Grand Case on the northwestern side of the island in St. Martin. We didn’t have the opportunity to eat there during this trip as were often there too early for dinner, but the menus posted outside were very similar to what you might see in France. Long-time European residents confirmed the quality of the restaurants in Grand Case is also top notch and recommended: Auberge Gourmande, Bistro Caribe, Sol e Luna, Ocean 82 and Tastevin. Our quick look at the Auberge Gourmande menu told us this is the place we’d likely visit, but we might be swayed by what is fresh and the plat du jour elsewhere. Top Carrot, Simpson Bay Vegetarians and vegans delight. If salads, vegetables, juices and healthy eating are your thing then this is your place. The focus at Top Carrot: fresh ingredients, either grown on the island (when possible) or just off the boat from nearby Dominica. Specials change daily. After each meal, not only were we truly satisfied, but we also left feeling as though we’d done our bodies a favor. The French co-owner, Lydia, is usually there and has some great stories from living on the island for 20+ years. She’s exceedingly kind, too. Vegetable goodness at Top Carrot. Recommended dishes: Baked goat cheese (St Marcellin) salad, veggie wrap and mahi mahi with passion fruit sauce and caramelized onions (daily special, was terrific). Where to find Top Carrot Restaurant: 3200 W South Airport Rd (near Simpson Bay Marina), Simpson Bay. The Palms, Simpson Bay What happens when a Canadian Trinidadian opens restaurant in St Maarten? You get Caribbean favorites like drunken ribs and Trinidadian bites served in a Canadian (and Torontonian) paraphernalia flair. You get The Palms. Greg, the owner, and his mother change the menu daily based on what’s fresh. He's also a great resource for other restaurant recommendations and tips for the island. Recommended dishes: Drunken ribs and pholourie, spiced split pea flour puff fritters with house special cumin-tamarind sauce. Rib portions are large, so consider splitting one between two people or pair with an appetizer instead of a 2nd main dish. Where to find The Palms restaurant: 25 Airport Road in Simpson Bay (near RBC Bank). Sunset Bar, Maho Bay Sunset Bar features a prime location next to Maho Bay beach, making it the viewing lounge of choice for oglers of airplanes landing at SXM airport (see #4 above). It’s also good for sunset gazing with a drink in hand. Recommended dishes: Most people come here to drink rather than eat, but we found the seared tuna atop salad greens to be really abundant, nicely-cooked and fresh. Consider asking for the dressing on the side. Where to find it: Maho Bay, just behind the runway for the airport. Disclosure: Our first meal here was provided to us. Driftwood Boat Bar, Maho Bay If you’re looking for a tasty, cheap eats on St. Maarten, we can vouch for the chicken schwarma sandwich at Driftwood Boat Bar. A healthy chunk of grilled, spiced chicken covered with lots of vegetables and dressing. The location also offers another venue to watch the planes land at the airport in case the Sunset Bar on the other end of Maho Bay is packed. Where to find the Driftwood Boat Bar: Maho Bay, west side, just behind the runway. Planning a Trip to St. Maarten / St. Martin One island, two countries, no border. While the island is divided into two countries, there are no border controls between them. The Dutch side is home to the major international airport (SXM, Princess Juliana) and cruise ship port, so it services most of the visitors coming to the island. However, there is a smaller airport, SFG (L’Esperance Airport Grand-Case) on the French side. To understand one difference, as residents tell us, “The Dutch side takes more influence from the United States. Anything goes here.” The French side is technically part of France, so it adheres to E.U. requirements. This means that building and development is more regulated; you'll often find fewer crowds. Renting a car in St. Maarten St. Maarten is a relatively small island (34 square miles), but if you’re interested in doing a variety of activities as we did, a rental car is essential. There's plenty of rental car competition on the island, so prices are decent, starting from around $30-$40/day for the economy cars. Gas/petrol prices are currently pretty reasonable, particularly by European standards. One caveat: traffic on the island can be bad and stressful, and parking can be equally challenging. Ask locals about traffic patterns, timing and rush hours up front so you can plan your route and schedule your outings to minimize irritation. Disclosure: Our rental car was provided by Empress Rental Car just near the Princess Juliana airport. We had a simple rental car that got us around the island with no problems. Note: We also find that Skyscanner offers good rental car prices for St. Maarten / St. Martin. Public Transportation and Taxis on St. Maarten If you don’t plan to explore the island much (i.e., you're focused on a nearby beach or all of your activities include a pickup or transfer), then consider taking the occasional taxi or flagging down one of the public transport minivans making their way around the island. There are plenty of both. You can also easily book a shared airport transfer or private airport transfer from Princess Juliana airport (SXM) to your hotel so that you have someone waiting for you at the airport when you arrive. Money in St. Maarten / St. Martin The official currency of the French side is the Euro(€) while on the Dutch side it's the Netherlands Antillean Florin (NAF). Don’t bother taking out NAF from the ATM as all prices on the Dutch side are posted in $USD and every place accepts dollars. Most places on the French side will also accept $USD (often on a 1:1 basis with the Euro). SIM card and mobile data on St. Maarten We purchased a TelCell SIM card on the Dutch side for $15 and bought 500MB of data for an additional $10. However, mobile data does not work when you cross over to the French side. Although we have no experience with the UTS/Chippie, they are another option for SIM cards, calls and mobile data on the island. When to visit St. Maarten / St. Martin Our visit to St. Maarten/St. Martin was in mid-December. We found it just about perfect, as our timing was right before high season, which runs from just before Christmas (Dec. 22-ish) to the beginning of April. The weather during our visit was excellent – sunny and warm during the day, beautiful water temperatures, and breezy and temperate at night – and came with the added bonus of fewer crowds and reduced traffic. We were told that August-October us usually incredibly hot and at the tail end of the hurricane season, so probably best to avoid that period. One long-time resident told us that his favorite season is April to June as it’s not too hot and high season crowds have begun to dissipate. How to Travel to St. Maarten / St. Martin Visiting St. Maarten / St. Martin on a Cruise Many people visit the island as a day trip or excursion from a longer Caribbean cruise. This will provide you a taste of the island in a short period of time. In fact, many of the activities and tours recommended above are scheduled for cruise excursions so they pick you up at the port in morning and return you with plenty of time in the afternoon. Traveling to St. Martin / St. Maarten as a Vacation As you might have guessed from this article, we suggest visiting for longer than just a day trip as there is quite a lot to do and see in St. Maarten / St. Martin. You could do what we did and visit as a standalone vacation for 5-10 days, with side day trips to Anguilla and Saba islands. Or, you could combine a visit to St. Martin with other nearby Caribbean destinations for a multi-destination vacation. Flying to St. Maarten If you are flying to St. Maarten from Europe, there are usually direct connections from KLM and Air France. Coming from the United States there are quite a few airlines that fly into SXM airport like Jet Blue and American Airlines. You can check out flights to St. Maarten, including a comparison of airlines, prices and times of year, on Skyscanner. St. Maarten Covid Entry Requirements As of November 2022, St. Maarten / St. Martin island is open to travelers with no restrictions or Covid-19 entry requirements. However, be sure to check the official Saint Maarten Covid Travel Requirements website before your trip for the latest information and updates. Most of the international entry points to the island are on the Dutch side so it’s mostly likely that you will arrive on the island in St. Maarten and will need to follow these Covid entry requirements. St. Martin Covid Entry Requirements As Saint Martin is technically part of France, it has some similar Covid travel requirements. Although most international arrivals will be on the Dutch side (see above for St. Maarten), if you happen to arrive on the French side at St. Martin’s small airport (Grand Case Esperance SFG Airport) or a ferry port, you should check out the official St. Martin Covid travel requirements website for specifics and the most updated details. Disclosure: Our trip to St. Maarten and stay at Morgan Resort (previously, Alegria Boutique Hotel) were provided by Choice Hotels in conjunction with its #ChoiceCaribbean campaign. Any experiences and meals above that were provided to us have been noted inline. We would also like to thank Karen Hana, General Manager of the Alegria Boutique Hotel, for sharing with us her 20+ years of experience living on the island and for her suggestions on experiences across the island. As always, the thoughts contained herein — the what, the why, and the how — are entirely our own. The post Travel to St. Maarten: 18 Unusual Things to Do appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on April 21, 2024 by Audrey Scott How can one travel safely during Covid? What Covid research and travel planning can you do manage risk while still having a fun vacation? What any additional travel safety measures should ... Continue Reading

The post Traveling Safely During Covid: Research, Planning and Managing Risk appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on April 21, 2024 by Audrey Scott How can one travel safely during Covid? What Covid research and travel planning can you do manage risk while still having a fun vacation? What any additional travel safety measures should one take? How might choices as to where to go, activities, accommodation and transport change during the pandemic? In this article we address all of this, focusing on the stuff and choices in our control with the goal to mind the health and safety of others, as well as yourself. These lessons apply not only to travel but also to daily life, during the pandemic and beyond. We touch on decision-making, logistics, managing risk, flexibility, adapting to new information, managing expectations, gratitude and satisfaction. Oh, and how it's still possible to have fun and enjoy yourself even in the midst of pandemic challenges, risks and uncertainties. Navigating research, planning and execution right now: ups and downs. When we traveled to Italy from Berlin, Germany to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, we had plenty of reservations. We questioned whether we ought to travel at all given the pandemic. We were not only concerned about our own enjoyment and safety, but we were also more attuned to the safety of others and the impact of our visit. Our decision-making process while planning and taking this trip was more deliberate and careful than usual. We considered all potential impacts — good and bad — as we researched, planned and executed the trip with Covid-19 still a reality. As we responded to questions from friends, family and readers about how traveled during the pandemic, it occurred to us that it might be useful to turn our travel planning and on-the-road process during COVID-19 inside-out here. Update January 2022: Even though the trip we mentioned occurred before vaccinations were available, many of the same precautions, planning factors and considerations are still relevant now given the new variants and low rates of vaccination in some places. We've updated this article to take into consideration vaccination certificates, country-specific passes and other considerations to be able to navigate requirements, manage risk and have a good trip. This update also includes specifics and experiences traveling to and within the United States and to several EU countries (e.g., France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Moldova and Cyprus). CAVEATS: We understand Italy does not reflect travel realities across the rest of the world. Each destination is different based on their vaccination rate, Covid-19 case load, hospitalization rates, season, restrictions and many other things. However, we believe many of the travel planning, safety tips and recommendations that follow will resonate and apply on some level no matter where you live and where you wish to travel. To be clear, we are not advocating that everyone travel right now. There are ethical considerations and even with vaccination roll-outs gaining speed around the world, COVID-19 rates are again on the rise in many countries with new variants like Omicron (see our COVID-19 Travel Resource Guide for more details on relevant data and considerations). However, people will continue to travel now and in the future. Our suggestions are aimed to help travelers plan and execute travel more seamlessly and manage risks for themselves and the host communities they visit. One of the best ways to do this is to get vaccinated yourself and visit places with high vaccination rates so that local people are already protected. Mindful Traveler Oath Basics First, consider the following basic elements of the as-yet-unspoken Uncornered Market Mindful Traveler Oath: Keep ourselves and others safe. And not necessarily in that order. Act mindfully and responsibly, for positive (or to minimize potential negative) impact on the people and places we visit. Have fun. Enjoy ourselves. We did our best on this trip to accomplish all three. “Good Grief, What a Headache” Caveat to the Mindful Traveler Oath Some of our suggestions may elicit a response of, “Oh Dan and Audrey, what a headache. I just want to travel.” In turn, we offer the following perspective: “What do we most remember about the trip?” What we remember most from our trip: celebrating at a mountain hut in the Dolomites. In this case, we recall the phenomenal hiking, dazzling food, beautiful towns, pleasant people, and lovely interactions. Also expressing disbelief, usually over a glass of the local vintage or beer, that we’d been married to one another for 20 years. Last on the list of our memories: any inconvenience of wearing a mask or having to mind the impact of our actions on the health and safety of others. Now to the list. How To Travel Safely* During Covid: Research and Planning Note: *safely in terms of doing full research to understand the risks associated with the place you want to visit and the type of travel you want to do. Unfortunately, there is no 100% safe guarantee when it comes to Covid or anything else in life. The idea is to be prepared with relevant data and information to make a decision on whether to travel in the first place given the risks, where you can travel based on border and other restrictions, and then where you want to travel based on the current Covid situation, requirements, and other associated costs and time. 1. Do your COVID-19 & travel restriction research Prior to setting off, we took our own COVID travel advice when deciding where to visit. Our goal: to make sure the places we wanted to visit weren’t identified as COVID-19 hotspots, had high vaccination rates and that we wouldn’t be required to quarantine upon arrival or encounter problems upon our return home to Germany. Covid-related research and considerations to choose where to travel now include: Country entry and stay requirements: Use tools like Sherpa, Reopen Europe, and country-specific government pages (always confirm information from secondary sources) to understand entry requirements. This includes not only whether proof of a negative test is needed to enter, but also whether testing is required upon arrival, quarantine times, and whether regular testing is required during the stay. Some countries also require you to fill in a government form in advance and upload your proof of vaccination or negative test as a sort of pre-approval process. You're usually required to show this — either in paper or app form — when you check in for your flight and upon arrival in the country. Many countries have different requirements for vaccinated vs. unvaccinated travelers, so be sure to double check the requirements not only for your vaccination status, but also for how old your vaccination is (e.g., whether you've gotten a booster). Country specific Covid data: Be sure you understand the current local Covid situation where you want to visit to ensure this fits within your desired risk level. This means not only Covid daily rates, but also hospitalizations and ICU availability, vaccination rate (high is good), and where the concentration of new infections is happening (e.g., maybe you stay away from the cities or outbreak areas). Re-entry requirements to your home country: Not only do you need to know what is needed to get into another country, but you also must be aware of what the requirements are to return home. Countries are constantly being evaluated based on their current Covid caseloads and put on low or high risk lists, with the latter having stricter re-entry testing and quarantine requirements. Be sure to check the status of the country where you want to visit so that you are prepared with what forms you need to fill out, if you need a negative PCR or antigen test, and whether you need to quarantine. Availability and cost of Covid tests: In addition to possibly needing to show a negative test to fly home, some countries require Covid tests upon arrival or every couple of days. Do your research to understand not only the testing requirements (antigen or PCR), but how much the tests cost and how difficult it is to schedule. For example, during our recent trip to Cyprus, a PCR test upon arrival was required of all passengers. However, this was done immediately at the airport when we disembarked the plane, cost €15 (very reasonable) and the results were sent in 3-6 hours. This made it easy, efficient and inexpensive to fulfill this requirement. However, we're heard stories in other countries of the required tests adding hundreds of dollars or Euros to the cost of the trip, plus they were difficult to find and schedule. That sounds less enjoyable. What happens if you get Covid on vacation – local requirements and restrictions: Imagine the worst case scenario and you test positive for Covid during your trip, either developing symptoms during your vacation or you get a surprise result when you do your Covid test to return home. What are the procedures and requirements where you are going in terms of where you are allowed to stay (e.g., some countries have quarantine-specific hotels or centers so you can't just stay in a regular hotel or apartment), quarantine length, required testing regime, access to medical care, and who pays for everything, etc.? We know this isn't a pleasant exercise, but it's better to be prepared for what could happen (e.g., we know several people who tested positive when fulfilling Covid requirements to return home). Then, you have all the information you need to decide if you still want to go to that destinations given the requirements and potential additional costs and time. For example, on our recent trip to Cyprus we researched that if we were to test positive then we would have to go an official government quarantine hotel for two weeks, but that the costs of this were paid by the government. Given that we mostly work remotely anyway, we decided that this was a risk we were willing to take. On-the-ground Covid safety requirements: We now actively look for destinations with strict mask mandates and where proof of vaccination is required to access restaurants, museums or other indoor areas. This provides us with a bit more peace of mind and security that people are taking the risks seriously and are trying to manage them the best they can given the current tools and knowledge that we have. This, of course, is all in addition to all the usual travel logistics and destination planning we do for a normal vacation. How it played out: Although our goal was to hike the Dolomites in northern Italy, we identified several alternative destinations in case COVID-19 rates or travel restrictions increased there. We also regularly checked official government (German and Italian) websites to ensure we had the latest information before making any decisions. 2. Plan. Remain flexible. Adapt. Expect to cancel during Covid. I’m with Dwight Eisenhower on this one. “…[plans] are of no particular value, but [planning] is indispensable.” Eisenhower was quoting a military officer speaking about managing peace after World War II, but the premise applies also to the winds of change of travel. Plan, yet remain flexible. Accept that you may be forced to change plans or cancel at any moment, either while planning or on the road. Adapt your expectations and decisions to the discovery of new information. Preparation opens the mind to possible outcomes; the resulting flexibility helps maximize satisfaction. The less surprised you are as scenarios arise, the more equipped you will be to respond. And the more resilient you'll become. If you happen to be a fan of the saying, “It’s all about the journey, not the destination,” this ought to resonate. How it played out: We postponed our anniversary trip once. The possibility of last-minute cancellation hovered over us right up to the time of our departure. We deliberately chose to travel by train rather than fly to Italy, since it featured fewer bureaucratic hassles and was less expensive, particularly if we had to cancel. We also chose a rental car option with flexible cancellation and refund policies and were willing to pay a little more for that flexibility. (Note: If terms and conditions regarding cancellation aren’t clearly articulated, do not hesitate to inquire before booking so as to avoid surprises.) Changeable weather is a key factor, especially during the shoulder season. It determined where we stayed each night and from which Dolomite trailhead we set off each morning. We checked weather multiple times a day (Wunderground and various mountain forecast sites were our favorites) for various cities and towns within the region. We adjusted our route accordingly and often headed to an area which promised the most sunshine and the lowest chance of precipitation the following day. Weather and forecast variation was remarkable, even between towns no more than an hour or two from one another. 3. Take advantage of the shoulder and off-seasons We’ve always been fans of traveling in the shoulder and off-seasons not only because of fewer crowds, but also because it benefits local businesses by helping to extend their season. Prices and availability of accommodation and transport tend to be better, too. With social distancing and crowd avoidance concerns, this approach makes even more sense. Shoulder season hikes sometime mean unexpected snow, which only adds to the beauty and adventure. How it played out: Although we considered taking this trip for a while, including possibly during the summer when weather is more reliable, we ended up blocking out the end of September and early October for it. This was not only in light of watching COVID-19 rates, but also in line with the idea that there we would encounter fewer travelers after the traditional high season. This worked out well in terms of fewer people on the trails and better prices at hotels and guest houses. 4. Lifelines: Ask a friend to send you important updates For the sake of joy, sanity and time management, we cut off our attention from most news during the trip. After a few days, however, we realized our disengagement and wondered whether we'd miss a news item which might affect our trip. We asked a friend in Berlin to alert us of developments like border restrictions or closures that might impact our trip or return home. How it played out: The day before our return, our lifeline (you know who you are), sent a Whatsapp message with COVID-19 rate increases across Central Europe. The following day, as we traveled by train from Italy to Germany, slow and tense border crossings caused us to miss our connecting train. While we weren't particularly happy about that, at least we weren't caught off guard. Had such information arrived at the start of our trip, we may have opted to cut the trip short. 5. Be OK following the local rules. When you travel, you are essentially a guest in someone's else home. Accept that you’ll be expected to comply with the requirements of the destinations you visit. That’s as true now with COVID as it's ever been, only the stakes are higher. If you aren’t willing to comply with local laws and requirements -– either as they are, or how they may develop in response to circumstances — don’t go. This also applies to any possible quarantine and testing rules back home. Otherwise, you'll make yourself and others miserable. Masks were the norm in the Dolomites of northern Italy, including in enclosed spaces like gondolas. 2022 Update on local Covid rules and requirements: Mask mandates and understanding which type of mask is required: Some places not only have a mask mandate for indoor (and sometimes outdoor) spaces, but they also have requirements related for what type of mask you need to wear. For example, in Berlin, Germany where we live it's required to wear either an KN95/FFP2 mask or medical mask as these are higher quality masks than cloth masks and offer more protection. This means that cloth masks are not allowed and you might be rejected from a grocery store or given a fine on public transport for not wearing the proper mask. Even outside of whatever the local requirements are, wearing a high quality KN95/FFP2 is just better for everyone's safety – yours and the people around you. Digital vaccination certificates: Many countries (or even sometimes cities like New York City) require you to show your proof of vaccination digitally, with an approved app. This allows restaurants, shops or other establishments to quickly scan your vaccination QR code to ensure that you meet the requirements to enter. Do your research to find out which apps are required in the place you want to visit and try to get yourself set up before you go by downloading the app and uploading your proof of vaccination. If that is not possible, then research what you need to do on the ground to get the approved digital certificate on your phone. For example, in Berlin some pharmacies will take the CDC vaccination card and provide an EU-approved vaccination QR code that can then be scanned and uploaded to approved EU app like CovPass. How it played out. We followed the rules and did what was asked of us. We also self-quarantined when we returned to Berlin, even though it wasn't technically required. It felt good to do so and contributed to the feeling that we're all responsible and have a role to play in everyone’s well-being. Choosing Safe(r) Activities and Alternative Destinations 6. Get Out(side)! Outdoor activities are considered a much lower risk for COVID-19 exposure. We enjoy hiking, so it was an easy decision to make hitting the trails and spending as much time outside in nature a key focus of our trip. To mitigate the risk of encountering crowds, we chose to hike at the end of the season. We also chose longer, more difficult hikes that were not as popular or well-known. As a result, we often shared the trail with very few people, or even had some entirely to ourselves. Social distancing was not an issue. Even in popular regions it’s possible to choose less trafficked trails and destinations (hint: choose the long hikes with a difficult rating). Enjoying a mountain pass all to ourselves in Tre Cime Nature Park. All of the vacations we've taken during the pandemic — Côte d'Azur, Cyprus, Baltic Sea, Portugal, Bavarian Alps — have focused on hiking, cycling or some sort of outdoor activity. This isn't just good from a health perspective to limit exposure and risk, but walking in nature or hiking is also good for one's mind and body. Immersing in and reconnecting with nature, especially during such a stressful time like the pandemic, can be so beneficial. How it played out: At Tre Cime Nature Park, home to the iconic and popular Tre Cime (Three Peaks), we chose the Comici Refuge trail, a longer, more challenging day hike passing the back side of these heavily Instagrammed peaks. While we encountered only a handful of others on the trail during our ascent (whose views were the best we'd see all day), we observed a line of people on the traditional trail headed for us at one of the mountain hut panoramas. We took a requisite photo or two of the actual Tre Cime, but then quickly continued on our path less-taken. 7. Go off the standard path, find alternative destinations. COVID-19 underscores this essential and timeless piece of travel advice. Whatever you think the ultimate goal or crown jewel of the place you are visiting ought to be, there is always something else. Alternative destinations are out there; do your research to uncover them. You'll typically find that the alternatives are just as good if not better than the snaps splashed all over Instagram and in travel magazines. Our first hike, Piz Galin, remained a favorite of the trip. How it played out: The Sexten-Brixen corridor of the Dolomites was our original goal. However, at the start of our trip, it was raining there. Weather forced us to expand our view. We discovered some mind-blowing hikes in the Dolomiti Paganella area, including the challenging Piz Galin (Galin Peak) trail outside of the town of Andalo. It turned out to be one of our favorite hikes of the trip. 8. Visit secondary cities and destinations. We chose smaller towns or secondary cities to overnight in the mountains. The idea: avoid busy streets full of people bumping into each other. There’s plenty of surprising beauty in the less visited. San Marino: exploring the castle walls vs. the busy old town streets. How it played out: Most of the small towns and villages we overnighted in had very few visitors. Streets were relatively quiet, humming with the pace of everyday local life. This allowed us to explore freely without having to dodge crowds. One exception to this was San Marino whose city center was surprisingly full. We outwalked the crowds to find more space. Transportation During Pandemic Travel 9. Wear a mask on all public or shared transport. Masks are typically a requirement on public or shared transport (e.g., flights, trains, buses, etc.). It makes sense since you are sharing the same confined space with others. When everyone wears a mask properly (yes, that means above the nose) it makes for a safer, less anxious ride for everyone. Update 2022: We now know a bit more about masks and their efficiency in protecting against airborne Covid so it is highly recommended to wear an N95/FFP2 mask or a medical mask instead of a cloth mask. That extra layer of protection could make a difference when you're in a closed space for hours. Wearing a KN95/FFP2 mask provides the most protection for you and others. How it played out: We had to wear a mask for the entire 9-10 hour train journey from Berlin, Germany to Bolzano, Italy. Was this a delight? No. For collective health and safety, were we willing to wear a mask and grateful that most everyone else wore one properly, too? You bet. 10. Use private transport. Our readers know that we sing the praises of public transportation. Especially now, it's a lifeline for many. However, private transportation (e.g., a rental car) makes some destinations more accessible. In Covid travel times, having our own car also reduces repeated exposure to groups of other people in shared transportation. How it played out: We picked up a rental car in Bolzano, Italy. We appreciated having our own transport across the Dolomites and down to The Marche and San Marino. It not only provided us the flexibility to make plans on the fly as we responded to changing weather, but it also saved us from spending many hours on and waiting for local buses. Choose Local Accommodation and Small Businesses 11. Choose locally-owned accommodation and shops. Keeping your money local when you travel isn’t anything new, but it takes on increased importance now. Many communities have suffered from the loss of tourism business this year. And small, family-run businesses with limited resources have often been hit the hardest. If possible, seek out businesses that align with your values regarding sustainability — caring for the environment, local community and economy. This could be efforts to reduce water and energy usage or a commitment to source food from local farmers. Local accommodation in the Dolomites often came with an incredible view. We also now look for apartments or hotel rooms that have some self-catering options. This makes it easier to avoid busy breakfast buffets, restaurants or other shared indoor spaces. How it played out: We deliberately looked for small, local B&Bs, restaurants and shops to ensure our money remained local to the benefit of the community. This also contributed to a more unique experience since we interacted with families in a more personal setting. 12. Book directly to keep your money local. Online booking sites are convenient. We use them often, but we're also aware they take a sizable commission from local providers. This is understandable. Booking sites offer a valuable service which requires resources to operate. However, given that many local tourism businesses are really struggling right now — and we need them to be around in whatever post-COVID-19 equilibrium emerges — you can support them even more now by booking directly with them. How it played out: As often as we could, we booked our accommodation directly either through the hotel’s own website or at their front door. Local accommodation providers were able to keep the entire amount of the booking, and we often received the same or lower prices and upgrades by negotiating directly. (Note to hotels: make it easy for travelers like us to book online through your website with a credit card!). Covid Safety for Restaurants and Dining 13. Eat outside. Or maybe eat in. Our preferred mode of restaurant dining these days is outdoors, even if it’s a bit chilly. As the weather turns colder in the Northern Hemisphere, many restaurants and shops now offer outdoor heaters or blankets. Take advantage of that. Alternatively, be prepared for a bit of chill with a hat and scarf. En plein air. Why not eat outdoors? If eating outside isn't an option because of weather or lack of tables outside, consider eating in. Order food from a restaurant and bring it back to your accommodation or pick up simple foods at the grocery store that can be like a picnic. Pair it with a bottle of local wine or beer and you've got a memorable meal. How it played out: When a restaurant offered outdoor seating, we took it and came prepared with jackets and hats if needed. 14. Choose off hours to eat in restaurants. If the outdoors aren’t possible and you must eat inside, choose odd hours (e.g., when restaurants first open for lunch or dinner). Although eating in an empty restaurant sometimes feels odd, restaurant owners and staff are happy for the business. We still enjoyed wonderful food and interaction with them. In the time of COVID-19, this approach also helps to avoid crowds of people confined indoors. How it played out: Because we had early mornings and long days of hiking in the mountains, we were often the first people at restaurants when they opened in the evenings. The food tasted just as delicious and we sometimes got extra attention. Hygiene and Health Safety for Travel During Covid 15. Focus on behaviors that limit close human contact. Science tells us that COVID-19 is transmitted mainly through human contact and interaction, airborne droplets and human concentration indoors, rather than through transmission via surfaces. Mask-wearing and controlling traffic or crowds is what matters most when it comes to COVID-19 travel safety. Going to extremes to avoid interaction with other people? How it played out: We appreciated the constant signs and reminders at local accommodation and shops for travelers to wear their masks indoors, as well as behavioral cues and notices about maintaining distancing, minding elevator restrictions, and complying with limited seating. Signs aligned with behaviors not only help inform our immediate behavior, but they reinforce that we're in this together for the collective good. 16. Put hygiene theater in its place. A lot of attention has been given to new COVID-19 hygiene measures, including the use of powerful disinfectants and the deployment of rigorous cleaning regimes. The urge to focus on what we feel is in our control — the cleanliness and disinfection of surfaces — is understandable. It makes us somehow feel safer, even if the science tells us that its effect may be marginal. Cleanliness is crucial, but don’t get lulled into thinking that new COVID-19 hygiene certifications alone will protect you. Note: If you are unfamiliar with the term hygiene theater, check out this article from The Atlantic. How it played out: To assess our potential risk of exposure in any establishment, we focused our attention more on how an establishment managed customer flow, numbers and crowds rather than how intensely or often it disinfected tables and surfaces after each customer. 17. As a default, wear a mask. And a high quality one. If you think that maybe you should wear a mask, then just do it. Even when it's not legally or technically required, err on the side of yes. This is especially true anytime you are talking to or engaging with someone who is not in your immediate or family circle. One of the safety campaigns said it best: “Für dich, für mich, für uns” (“For you, for me, for us”). We're in this together, all of us. This includes keeping your mask on when you order and pay in a restaurant. Although we were typically allowed to take our masks off after being seated at a table, it occurred to us that we remained in close proximity to wait staff when ordering food or settling the bill. So we did as many others did in Italy, and kept our masks on (or put them back on) during these transactions. Two decent behaviors for the price of one. How it played out: We always carried our masks with us. We put them on anytime we entered busy streets, walked outdoor fresh markets, entered into mountain huts, and, of course, anytime we were inside a shop, hotel or restaurant. Easy. 18. Do a Covid test when you return. Maybe self-quarantine. Travel and the movement of people are one of the ways that COVID-19 spreads quickly from place to place. Since asymptomatic carriers can still be contagious and unknowingly spread the virus to others, it's important to try to protect your home community from infection that you might have picked up on your trip. As a courtesy and for the safety and health of your own community, get tested when you return home from a trip, even if it's not required. If tests are not easily available, then consider self-quarantining for 10 days to eliminate person-to-person interactions. Update 2022: As we have testing easily and freely available to us in Berlin we will now get tested several times in the week we return from a trip. If multiple rapid tests come back negative then we won't do a self-imposed quarantine. We also usually take several Covid self-tests with us when we travel in case we start to experience a runny nose or sore throat and want to be sure it's a cold or allergies vs. Covid. How it played out: Since Italy was not a hot spot at the time, German regulations did not require us to either quarantine or get a COVID-19 test upon our return. However, since we'd traveled to several locations and encountered people as we ate inside restaurants and traveled by shared transport, we opted to self-quarantine for two weeks upon our return. We did so because we wanted to protect our friends and to minimize any risk to our neighborhood and community. Mindset: Expectations and Satisfaction 19. Manage your expectations. None of us is entitled to circumstances which make happiness seem the easier choice. Nor are we guaranteed conditions so that our photos match those of our social media heroes. Understand that the best laid plans can all go to shit. Then, manage accordingly. Even if it rains in your “escape from bad weather” destination. Urbino, Italy. How it played out: Our expectations were half to all rain, and to be on the run from the Dolomites to southern Italy. Everything else, gravy. Though there was a bit of rain here and there in the Dolomites, the trip was generally incredible in the mountains as we navigated weather conditions and made choices in line with everything we mentioned above. Only when a wall of rain moved in, did we head south to Urbino in The Marche. It even rained a bit in the town of Urbino. Perhaps the rain is what made the town so dramatic and charming? 20. And if it turns to shit? If things turn to shit, that’s all the more reason to be super-thrilled about the pre-shit moments and to reflect on what might be appreciated about the shit moment at hand. How it played out: As we reached Pedrotti Refuge hut, the highest point of one of our hikes, fog accumulated and the wind picked up. It even began to sleet. Conditions were far from ideal in a spot where on a sunny day you might see for miles. Despite this, our ascent had been rewarding and dramatic. We felt like heroes for reaching the pass, especially since our muscles were recovering from our hike the day before. At the top, we met a few other hikers — all very nice — including one who repeatedly referred to the “shit” conditions, especially in comparison to the sunny days he’d encountered in recent hikes elsewhere. On one hand, he had a point. The visibility was bad. On the other hand, I felt bad. For him. Disappointment seemed to define his moment. We enjoyed a beautiful hike. Not only the morning’s crystal blue skies we all shared, but the same skies whose drama swirled the mountain peaks around us. We celebrated our accomplishment, ate our picnic sandwiches and reflected on the vastness and solitude engulfing that rugged little hut, a feat of human will which had no business being tucked away up there. Our minds were absorbed by the magnificence of the moment. Blue skies on the way up. Beautiful. Clouds move in as we approach Pedrotti Refuge. Beautiful. Only temporarily was our focus taken off-track by someone else’s preconceived notions and disappointments regarding the way life ought to be. That for us was a lesson re-affirmed. In travel as in life, one’s satisfaction has much to do with expectations and how those expectations influence one’s view of what is. Spending your cycles atop a foggy mountain complaining about the weather condition: a waste. Things change. Witness the weather, especially in the mountains. And all of it out of your control. And yet, that changeable weather is part of the moment. Train yourself to see it, and that’s part of the beauty you’ll encounter. To us at least, that's what hiking in the mountains — and travel in general — is all about. Life, too. You can play the hands you're dealt as best as you’re able. Or you can complain about what in poker is called a “bad beat” – where you did everything “right” and it didn’t work out. If things turn bad, recognize and maybe even celebrate that you did the best you could. And is it really so bad? If there’s no sun shining on you at the moment, don't forget the sun in your rear view. Celebrate that you carried yourself to the top of the mountain. Or just celebrate the mountain. Stealing disappointment from the jaws of gratitude will only sour your travel experiences and your memories. With or without COVID-19. The post Traveling Safely During Covid: Research, Planning and Managing Risk appeared first on Uncornered Market.

The UK's most popular outdoor travel blog

In Britain, wilderness has largely been abolished. The abolition began millennia ago. Between 7,000 and 5,000 years ago, around 75% of the UK was covered in forest. Then large-scale forest clearance started around 3100 BC when Neolithic agriculture was introduced. Now, the UK has around 13% forest cover, making it one of Europe’s least densely forested countries.

The post Britain’s last remaining wild places appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

I’ve stayed in some ungodly hotels, from a roach-infested room in Sri Lanka to a Fiji campsite with toads in the bathroom. I have cried, despaired and quietly raged on holiday because of poor accommodation. Thankfully, after a decade of travel, I have finessed a list of pitfalls to avoid and red flags to look for when booking a hotel.

The post 10 red flags to look for when booking a hotel appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

"Welcome to Hotel Radomirë Korab,” Agron greets me with an enormous smile as I arrive at my lodgings. It's the end of my second day on the High Scardus Trail and I am in dire need of a drink. “Can I get you a beer?” he adds, clearly reading my mind.

The post High Scardus Trail in Albania: everything you need to know appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

From mountains to libraries, we take a look at some of the most extraordinary international borders to be found across the globe.

Over the last few years, we’ve seen an impressive collection of new websites, blogs and social media accounts dedicated to ‘travel porn’. They’re filled with big, sweeping images of fairytale lands and precarious precipices.

The post 10 remarkable international borders appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

I was feeling cocky as I queued up for my Chinese visa. I had checked and rechecked the requirements and had all my documents to hand: my passport, a copy of my passport, a spare photo just in case, the form that had taken me an hour to fill in online, my flight details, and my tour and hotel confirmation. I had also signed and dated the form – in both places – unlike all the (clearly inferior) applicants in front of me. 

The post Ranked: world’s most powerful passports 2024 appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

For many visitors, Málaga is simply a gateway to the crowded seaside resorts of the Costa del Sol. Relatively few will venture far from the beach. If they do, chances are they’ll head into the city which, after decades of being ignored by the masses, has undergone something of a reinvention. 

The post 5 thrilling hiking trails in Málaga, Spain appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

There’s a tree I sometimes notice on my way to my boxing gym. It stands on an unsightly corner near the junction of Barking Road – which has the dubious honour of the eighth unhealthiest street in London – and one of the grubby arteries that feed into it.

The tree sits amid ugliness: overflowing bins from the chicken shop opposite, shards of glass from a smashed car window, a makeshift fence from unfinished building works, a fly-tipped cooker and fridge, and litter that rolls past like tumbleweed. In many ways, it’s a quintessential East London scene: a vast expanse of grime punctuated by striking beauty.

The post A life lived inside: reflections on my mother’s past appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

The word 'epic' does not do Alaska justice. The state is home to North America's largest mammals, national parks the size of countries and glaciers bigger than some US states. It is the least densely populated state in the USA; has 17 of North America’s highest mountains, 100 volcanoes, 3,000 rivers and over three million lakes.

The post 11 best day trips from Anchorage, Alaska appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

Our complete Aconcagua gear list includes everything you’ll need to summit the highest mountain in the Western and Southern Hemispheres

Aconcagua in Argentina, at 6,961m (22,837ft), is South America’s highest mountain and one of the seven summits: the seven peaks that make up the highest point on every continent.

I recently returned from climbing Aconcagua with Acomara Aconcagua Expeditions. A good trekking company will issue you with a detailed kit list, but I always like to see what other people have used.

The post Aconcagua gear list: all you need for summit success appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

As a child, I lived with cockroaches in my family home. Our entire street had an infestation and it was months before the council got rid of them. I have seven siblings and not all of us fit on the sofa, so some of us would watch TV from the floor and I remember things scuttling by right next to my hand, making me leap up and scream. Sometimes, one would scurry across my pillow right before bedtime. This, quite understandably, gave me a mortal fear of bugs.

The post 10 countries that can save Earth’s most-threatened species  appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

New wonders and curiosities added to the Atlas.

Have you picked your Halloween costume yet?

There’s still time, especially if you’re willing to brave the crowded, rubber mask–scented aisles of a costume store. There’s the standard witch hats and skeleton suits, tiny princess and superhero costumes for children, and supplies to dress as whatever’s in the pop-culture water. I imagine that this year, in 2024, we’ll be seeing a lot of Beetlejuices and Rayguns.

On the higher end, celebrities don’t hit up Spirit Halloween for their costumes. Think Heidi Klum and her eye-popping, sometimes stomach-churning ensembles. Less costumes and more works of art, they grab headlines and eyeballs around the world.

Long before Klum wiggled into a worm suit, people have been using costumes to shock and scandalize. It’s easy to imagine the wealthy and powerful of yesteryear disdaining anything so gauche as a costume party, but even royals once racked their brains for disguises that would show off their wealth, beauty, taste, or cleverness.

This wasn’t confined to one day a year, either. Masquerades and fancy-dress balls were fashionable events that could happen in any season. And some of these costumes became so well-known—or notorious—that they were gossiped about for centuries.

The Dawn of Fancy Dress

The European tradition of costume dates back to pre-Christian times. That’s according to Benjamin Wild, the author of Carnival to Catwalk: Global Reflections on Fancy Dress Costume. “Wearing costumes was often associated with changes in the season,” he explains. “When people are going through changes in terms of the harvesting of crops, when they're going through changes because of the temperatures, really seismic changes in terms of how they're living their lives, these pivotal moments in people's life cycles become occasions for civic celebration.”

Some of these traditions endured well after the introduction of Christianity, such as the evil-dispelling Kukeri dancers of Bulgaria. But even observant Christians used costumes as a way to note the changing of the seasons and the passage of time. Carnival especially became a time of masked revelry and relaxed social mores: a peasant could be a king for a day, and a king could goof off in relative anonymity. In 17th-century Italy, pre-Lent festivities had celebrants dressing up or disguising themselves with masks and “domino” cloaks, and classes mingled in the streets for people-watching, music, and other entertainment.

Masked Mayhem

Masquerade balls burst onto the English social scene in the early 18th century. John James Heidegger, a Swiss impresario famous for his creativity and “the excessive ugliness of his face,” launched a series of masked balls at London’s Haymarket Opera House in 1710. He had been inspired by the Italian masquerade tradition, but the British dances soon took on lives of their own, expanding into public pleasure gardens and even becoming parties that people could attend regularly with purchased subscriptions.

Much like today, there were costume trends. There were the curly wigs, feathered hats, and floppy boots of “Vandyke” costumes, which were a callback to the reign of Charles I and the paintings of Anthony Van Dyck from the 1600s. There were also many outfits inspired by the Ottoman Empire, a fascination for many Europeans: Lady Villars, at a ball in May of 1772, arrived dressed as “a Sultana with an astonishing quantity of diamonds supposed to the value of thirty thousand pounds,” reported one magazine.

Sartorial Scandals

The 18th century also saw a number of famously scandalous costumes. In her book The Dress Worn at Masquerades in England, 1730 to 1790, Aileen Ribeiro notes two specific costumes that became legendary for their shock value.

At a masquerade in 1749, Elizabeth Chudleigh, a future duchess, showed up dressed as the doomed Mycenaean princess Iphigenia from Greek legend. Many depictions exist of what she wore that night, but most show a transparent dress that, while layered to cover her bottom half, left her chest completely exposed: a choice that would be daring today, much less in 1749. Men could wear scandalous costumes as well, like when a certain Captain Watson showed up to a ball in 1770 dressed as Adam from the Bible, in “flesh-colored silk with an apron of fig leaves.” An account published in 1865, nearly a century later, described how other party-goers jumped when he approached, “imagining him to be really naked.”

The powerful and not-so-powerful took masquerades as an opportunity to mix, resulting in a number of scandalous situations. “There's a really fun story from the 18th century where King George II is at a masquerade ball in London, and he's dressed in historical English clothing, he's completely anonymous,” says Wild. “Nobody recognizes him, so much so that one of the king’s subjects asks him if he will hold their cup. The king is delighted by this.”

But this masked, anonymous mixing also made some people very nervous. Women could attend masquerades unchaperoned, and “when you're bringing lots of people together, there is the potential for people to criticize the natural order,” says Wild. In 1724, the artist William Hogarth published a print criticizing popular entertainments of the day, showing Londoners eagerly following a satyr and a fool into a doorway marked “Masquerade,” with a banner depicting opera singers hanging overhead. In the center of the print, a vendor is selling the works of celebrated playwrights such as Shakespeare and Dryden as waste paper. His message was clear: Traditional culture was being overlooked in favor of salacious foreign fun. The outcry from religious authorities and the press focused on all the immoral possibilities of masked merriment. Ribeiro notes that in 1729, the Grand Jury of Middlesex proclaimed Heidegger “the principal promoter of vice and immorality.” Two decades later, Heidegger died at age 90, beloved and well-off.

Dressing Up and Dressing Down

In the 19th century, everything changed. “The idea of masquerade in the 18th century—of different classes mingling—is largely over,” says Wild. Instead, fancy-dress balls became exclusive private events. Wild notes that Queen Victoria in particular had a hand in this formal turn. In 1842, she commissioned a dress historian to design her and Prince Albert’s outfits for her Bal Costumé that year, representing Edward III and his wife, Queen Philippa. Many aristocrats, Wild says, dressed as nobility from previous generations to tout their own genealogies, bloodlines, and “authenticities as leaders.”

Many decades later, the Devonshire House Ball of 1897 was held in London to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. While the queen herself did not attend, many other royals did. Czar Nicholas II of Russia and the tsarina were there, in 18th-century court dress, as well as Prince Victor Duleep Singh, son of the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, dressed as the 16th-century Emperor Akbar. “Stories of that fancy dress ball and what people are wearing [circulate] around the world for months afterwards,” says Wild.

It wasn’t just women who showed up in fabulous costumes to these events. The dress code at the Devonshire House Ball limited attendees to wearing either allegorical costumes or historical outfits from before the year 1815. Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough, showed up dressed to impress as Louis Philippe, the 18th-century French ambassador to the court of Catherine II. His suit, embroidered with diamonds and pearls, was shockingly expensive. As Wild notes in Carnival to Catwalk, the final bill for the House of Worth–designed outfit came out to more than $1.1 million in today’s dollars.

Non-royals could dress as queens and aristocrats too, of course. But according to Anthea Jarvis in her book Fancy Dress, “to dress as an Italian peasant gave the upper class English girl the opportunity of wearing a charming picturesque costume, and of displaying fashionable democratic tendencies (if vague ones) as well.” For elites wanting to cosplay as commoners, guides abounded. In the popular book Fancy dress described: or, what to wear at fancy balls, partygoers could read alphabetized costume descriptions for outfits befitting peasantry from Abruzzi, Austria, or Auvergne, while the Bs contained instructions for Basque, Breton, and Burmese peasant costumes.

Victorians also stretched the limits of their creativity by dressing up as ideas and concepts. New technologies, seasons, places, and meteorological events could all become costumes. A number of designs from the groundbreaking House of Worth fashion house show the breadth of creativity of designers of the era. Designer Léon Sault drew an incredible costume simply called Hell: a red skirt covered in cavorting devils, a bodice decorated with an owl in flight, all topped with a glorious headdress consisting of flames and a perching devil. Sault would also design more wholesomely wondrous costumes in this era, ranging from Rainbow to Flower Basket to Dawn.

Fancy Dress as Flex

The fancy-dress ball was not only a European phenomenon. In 1867, the American singer Fanny Ronalds famously combined a mythical character and concept in her costume as Euterpe, or the muse of music. At a ball she hosted at the iconic Delmonico’s restaurant in Manhattan, she wore a yellow dress embroidered with the lyrics to Verdi’s opera Un ballo en maschera, a green cape decorated with musical instruments, and a lyre-shaped crown lit from below by real fire, fueled with gas.

As the world industrialized, a handful of Americans acquired staggering wealth that they were eager to show off. In 1883, Alva Vanderbilt held an enormous costume ball at her new mansion on Fifth Avenue, inviting 1,200 elite guests to show up wearing their best. Her sister-in-law Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt won the night in her “Electric Light” dress, holding a light bulb in her hand that was powered by a battery inside her gown. Commissioned from the House of Worth and embroidered with lightning bolts, the dress symbolized two Gilded Age preoccupations: new technology and fabulous amounts of money. “Electricity is still very much in its infancy in terms of being widespread, even for the very wealthiest in New York,” says Wild. “The amount of money that people in the 19th century and early 20th century, particularly, are spending on costumes is just astronomical.”

In this era, costumes were often shocking because of how expensive they were, with reporters breathlessly relating the prices of outfits and jewelry in the papers. But, says Wild, this wasn’t always organic news coverage. “Often, there's very rich, elaborate descriptions that we read in 19th century accounts of fancy-dress balls,” he explains. “When we read about them in newspapers, that's the actual wearers themselves sending those descriptions into the newspaper to the journalist, telling them, ‘I'm wearing this, I bought it from here and I bought it from there.’” Many of the wealthy, he noted, mixed expensive, imported clothing with fake jewelry, and passed it off as real, “making their costumes look more expensive than they actually [were] to gain social kudos.”

However, some people still wore costumes that would be considered scandalous today for reasons other than the cost. At the Vanderbilt ball, socialite Kate Strong dressed as a white cat. But her costume didn’t involve a cat-ear headband. Instead, the New York Times reported, she wore “an overskirt made entirely of white cats’ tails sewed on a dark background.” On her head she wore a “stiffened white cat’s skin, [a cat’s] head over the forehead… and the tail [pendant] behind.” In the picture of Strong posing in her costume, it’s obvious that the cat on her head was not a clever stuffed replica, but a real taxidermied cat.

Backlash & Bombs

Much like today, though, the media’s coverage of these events could anger the public. Disgust over the extravagance of elite parties and the unimaginably expensive costumes worn by the powerful surrounded one particular American ball held in 1897.

Cornelia and Bradley Martin rented out the Waldorf Hotel on February 10, and guests were asked to attend dressed in historical fashion. Cornelia, who planned the event, had lofty ambitions. Her aim, reported the New York Times prior to the event, was to “surpass the famous Vanderbilt function” of 1883. She and her husband bent their considerable wealth to the task of throwing a party unlike any the world had ever seen.

Cornelia’s other announced aim was to stimulate the local economy by sending out invitations only shortly before the event, “as to afford no time for the ordering of costumes from abroad,” the New York Times reported. When a prominent clergyman went on the record saying that the lavishness of the party was a sorry use of money and would make the poor feel resentful of the rich, opinions and arguments about the morality of such an event filled newspapers across the country, with articles tallying up the number of locals lucky enough to snag an invitation. Columnists interviewed other clergymen about the ball, creating a firestorm of publicity for the party. Tension was so high that, two days before the ball, someone sent a bomb to the Martin home.

The bomb didn’t go off, so the party went on. On February 10, thousands of sightseers thronged around the Waldorf. The interior, decked out with valuable tapestries and rich floral arrangements, dazzled the guests. The costumes were fabulous, too, with attendees dressed as everything from bejeweled royalty to glamorous shepherdesses. It was undoubtedly one of the most lavish and expensive private celebrations ever held in New York to that point, yet many accounts of the night agreed that there was no way for it to live up to the high expectations set by the media uproar. According to the New York Times, only half of those invited actually attended, perhaps due to the media furor. (It didn’t help that many of the young men abandoned the dance floor after midnight to dedicate themselves to the open buffet.)

While the opulence of the event and the costumes themselves were enough to scandalize society, some people still could shock by what they wore. The artist Otho Cushing was disapprovingly mentioned in the New York Times for the execution of his costume. As an Italian falconer from the 15th century, he wore a costume that was “historically correct in every detail.” That meant long hair, a cap, a short jacket, a stuffed falcon perched on one arm, and tights. The tights were the problem, since they “left little to the imagination as far as the figure was concerned,” the Times grimly reported. Like his forebear Captain Watson, “he caused a sensation wherever he moved.”

Costumes as Connection

A costume can spark gossip, express an opinion, or mark a moment of freedom for its wearer. “One of the things I've argued is that, throughout human history, fancy dress and costume is very much a social coping mechanism,” says Wild. Dressing up as someone or something else, if only for a night can be powerful. “It's a way that we are negotiating between our individual and our social lives,” Wild adds. After all, people make and wear costumes to show them to others. No matter the era, “those almost primordial desires that we have as individuals to connect with something larger than ourselves, to be part of our society, to express that belonging, still come out.” At the very least, a stunning—or shocking—costume gives us all something to talk about. But you might want to be careful about what you wear this coming Halloween: People might still be talking about it in 200 years.

Lake Chelan invites superlatives. It is extraordinarily narrow: it extends over 50 miles into the heart of the Cascade Range, but averages only a bit more than a mile wide. It is the deepest lake in Washington (and the third-deepest in the United States) at 1,486 feet, behind only Crater Lake in Oregon (1,949 feet) and Lake Tahoe between California and Nevada (1,645 feet). It sits in a glacially carved valley, oversteepened by the glaciation, such that not only are the slopes extremely steep but the lake floor itself was gouged out by the weight of the ice to below sea level, to a maximum of 436 feet. The resulting gorge has been claimed to be the deepest in North America, if measured from the bottom of the lake.

As expected, one result is breathtaking mountain scenery, much of which is now preserved. Even though wildfires in recent years have damaged much of the forest cover, lots of spectacular country remains.

Because the rugged terrain is not conducive to road building, vessels plying Lake Chelan (pronounced "sheh-LAN") formed a major part of the local transportation infrastructure until well into the 20th century, and remain important even to this day. Up canyon from the village of Stehekin (pronounced "steh-HEE-kin"), at the northwest end of the lake, a road formerly ran to mines and prospects. However, its maintenance was so expensive, and the cost of transshipping ore to a barge at Stehekin and then back to a truck or railroad at the other end of the lake was so high, that the mines were uneconomic. The road above Stehekin now provides access to North Cascades National Park and only extends about 15 miles. Stehekin itself still has no road access—vehicles are brought in by barge—but aside from local demand, the traffic is all tourism-related now.

In contrast to the wilderness surrounding the northwestern tip of the lake, the southeast end has more subdued topography and is considerably more developed. Besides the towns of Chelan and Manson, and their surrounding exurbs including lakefront property, there is extensive agriculture, including abundant apple orchards and vineyards. This end of the lake is also warmer both because it is shallower, and because it gets more sun exposure due to the lower surrounding hills. In the summer, it is a focus of more "conventional" lake recreation. It even includes some beaches.

Seven hundred feet above the banks of the Colorado River, hikers can find what looks like a collection of square windows cut into the sandstone. The carvings were made around the year 1100 by the Ancestral Puebloan people. The cutouts served as grain storage facilities that were designed to be sealed, protecting food stores from seasonal flooding, rodents, and insects.

The ruins are most easily accessed from the Colorado River, at a beach 53 miles downstream from Lee’s Ferry. Once there, it is a moderate two-mile hike up the cliff face. 

Although visitors can get quite close to the remains, they are not allowed to touch the stone, in order to preserve what remains. 

This article is adapted from the October 26, 2024, edition of Gastro Obscura’s Favorite Things newsletter. You can sign up here.

Throughout my 20s, I hosted an annual birthday costume party with a different theme each year. The theme for my 21st was, of course, alcohol: I glued crystals to my face and went as Bombay Sapphire. But as my interest in food grew over time, the focus of my parties shifted from the costumes to the menu, and I stopped limiting myself to just my birthday. Last year, I prepared a Halloween brunch buffet that included toad-shaped steamed buns, a severed charcuterie arm, and green mac and cheese served in a smoking bin of toxic waste. My boyfriend, Peyam, is Persian, so this spring we celebrated Nowruz, the Persian New Year, with a homemade banquet.

Our friends, Kylie and Madhav, are just as obsessed with food as we are. They celebrate Diwali, or Deepavali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. In 2024, both the main celebration day of Diwali and Kali Puja, the festival of the Hindu goddess Kali, fall on October 31. So when Kylie and Madhav suggested to Peyam and I that all four of us co-host a joint Halloween/Diwali celebration, I could not have been more excited.

The Theme

In some ways, Halloween and Diwali are opposites. Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over the forces of darkness, while Halloween celebrates the thrill of all that is dark and scary. But despite their different atmospheres and origins, both festivals prominently feature bright colors, burning lanterns, and sweets, and both bring together people of different faiths in celebration.

We set out to design a menu that respects and acknowledges both holidays. It’s going to be a dessert-heavy South Asian feast fit for the joyous atmosphere of Diwali, but with just a shiver of Halloween spookiness (and costumes, of course). We have dubbed this celebration “Diwalloween.”

The Menu

Planning a themed menu is all about balance. You want everything to taste good and go together, but also to fit the concept, especially visually. We decided to focus on Indian dishes with vibrant Halloween colors like orange, black, purple, and red. I opted not to use artificial food coloring, and tried to choose recipes that let the natural colors of ingredients shine. I also looked for opportunities to showcase ingredients native to South Asia that might serve my spooky purposes.

One that came to mind was jamun, a small purple fruit that tastes similar to sweet pomegranate. (The Indian dessert gulab jamun, which means “rosewater jamun,” was named for this fruit, because it’s made with syrup-soaked balls of similar size and shape.)

Last summer I made the Indian snack pani puri with jamun for a picnic. In this twist on a classic, the crispy potato-filled puri shells are dipped into a liquid blend of jamun, herbs, and spices. I decided to make this recipe again for Diwalloween, not only because it was a delicious combination of savory and sweet, but because the jamun turns the green sauce an eerie purple.

Another ingredient I knew needed to be on the menu was water caltrops, an Asian water chestnut that looks like it was designed by H. R. Giger. “Caltrops” refers to the spikes that were once scattered on battlefields to slow down enemy horses, but the outlandish nut is also said to resemble a bat, a devious mustache, a water buffalo’s head, or even a samosa (in Bengali, samosas are called shingara, meaning “water caltrops,” for their triangular shape).

Water caltrops are not always easy to source, but can be found at some Asian grocery stories in late summer and fall. Beneath their black shell is a dense white flesh with an earthy, potatoey flavor, which in South Asia is processed into flour; some Hindus cook with water caltrops flour during religious fasts that prohibit eating grains. For Diwalloween I will be boiling the nuts in salted water and serving them whole, a simpler preparation that preserves their spiky appearance.

Diwalloween Sweets

Sweets are an essential component of any Diwali menu, fitting the happy atmosphere that characterizes the festival. These include broad categories of confections like mithai, which are generally portioned into bite-sized pieces, and halwa, which has a soft, fudgy consistency and may be spooned or cut into squares. Given the party’s theme, it was a no-brainer to prepare gajar ka halwa, made from cardamom-laced carrots cooked in sweet milk. Not only is it perfect for fall, it’s perhaps the most orange of all traditional Indian desserts. Many other types of halwa are equally colorful, so I’m thinking of contrasting my carrot halwa with a dark jamun or beet version, or golden haldi halwa made with fresh grated turmeric root.

Then, there are the nontraditional options. Several years ago, I made autumn-themed mithai that I realized would be especially perfect for Diwalloween: little pumpkins sculpted from fruit puree and milk powder, with a segment of Pocky for the stems. Typically shaped into balls, the recipe I followed refers to this kind of sweet by its Gujarati name (penda), but in other Indian languages they’re called peda or pera.

Kylie will also be contributing a more traditional mithai (diamond-shaped orange mango katli) and a less traditional one (round purple laddu made with ube and coconut). We’re thinking of adding macabre details to some of these sweets, like sugar eyeballs.

The rest of our planned menu is just as colorful. We’ll have rice colored black with squid ink, and a potato dish from Northeast India that’s already black, due to a sauce made with black sesame seeds. There will be cubes of paneer cheese in a creamy orange pumpkin sauce, punch made with Midori liqueur and mango nectar as a witch’s potion, and blood-red cranberry chutney to drip gruesomely over it all. We’ll decorate with both pumpkins and lanterns, rangoli (geometric sand art), and creepy snake tablecloths.

Among the four of us planning the party and our guests, some of us grew up celebrating Diwali, others Halloween. We’re excited to host a fusion holiday that brings together what we love most about both, through our favorite part of any celebration: the food.

Founded in 1216, St. Olave’s Priory was dedicated to St. Olav, the patron saint of Norway, which is unusual for religious sites in England. The priory was established by a local nobleman named Roger Fitz-Osbert to create a community for Augustinian Canons, who focused on both worship and helping the local area.

Today, the ruins of St. Olave’s Priory are all that remains of what was once a busy religious community. The most notable part still standing is the gatehouse, built in the 14th century. This gatehouse served as the main entrance to the priory and is a great example of medieval brickwork, which was quite rare and costly at the time.

While much of the original priory church is gone, you can still see the foundations of the cloister, chapter house, and other buildings. This helps visitors understand how the priory was laid out and its size. Like many religious institutions in England, St. Olave’s Priory was closed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII in the 1530s.

The priory’s dedication to St. Olav is especially interesting because it highlights the connections between England and Scandinavia during the medieval era. St. Olav was a king of Norway in the 10th century who became a martyr and saint after his death in 1030. His influence spread across Europe, and the respect he received in East Anglia points to strong trade and cultural ties between that region and Scandinavia during the early Middle Ages.

Situated between the cities of Liège and Brussels sits Omal, a small Hesbaye village which is intersected by the Roman road Boulogne-Bavay-Cologne. Driving along the street, it is nearly impossible to miss the burial mounds, called tumuli, on either side. The collection is referred to as "The Five Tombs," and is thought to date back to the second or third century.

Though there are forty or so tumuli sites in the Hesbaye—the natural region where almost all the tumuli in Belgium are located—these five are known to be some of the most remarkable. According to a local legend, the site was the burial place of a Roman general and of his four sons. This would explain the distribution of the tumuli: four north of the dam and one south. However, it is unlikely that generals could have afforded such a monument. Surprisingly, almost no other Roman remains were found nearby, except for two villas. This suggests that the site was chosen because it was visible from a distance, and not because it was close to the homes of the defaulters.

The tumuli are relatively small, stretching 65 feet in diameter and reaching 13 feet high. In spite of the looting at the site, archaeological excavations in the 19th century brought to light a number of interesting objects in the tumuli, including a short sword and its ivory sheath. The artifacts are now exhibited at the Musée d'Art & Histoire in Brussels and the Grand Curtius in Liège. 

In 1987-1988, an archaeological dig was undertaken at the Tomizawa site in Sendai as a preliminary inspection for the construction of an elementary school. It had been long known as the site of a prehistoric settlement, but no one expected to find what was buried underneath: a fossilized 20,000-year-old forest.

In favor of this unique archaeological site like no other, the construction project was immediately dropped and moved elsewhere. In 1996, the Sendai City Tomizawa Site Museum—commonly known as the Underground Forest Museum—was founded to protect the site. Preserved in situ, the forest is made up of spruce trees of a previously unknown species and takes up about 800 square meters of the subterranean space.

Among the fossilized forest, you can also find the remains of a campfire as well as deer dung and such. Unearthed artifacts such as arrowheads and stoneware are exhibited on the upper floor, and visitors are encouraged to touch one of the tree roots found at the site. Outside the museum is a recreation of an Ice Age forest, consisting of colder-climate trees similar to the Tomizawa spruce.

The Tomizawa site is said to be the only place in the world where such an old fossilized forest was found alongside human settlement remains spanning centuries, from the Neolithic period to the Middle Ages and beyond.

One of the most iconic moments in Brian De Palma’s 1976 movie Carrie comes right before the credits roll. By now the titular Carrie is dead, having massacred her high school bullies, stabbed her abusive mother, and destroyed her family home with herself inside. After the dust settles, we cut to a dream sequence with the sole survivor of this killing spree, a teenager named Sue.

For more than a minute, the camera lingers on Sue approaching the site of Carrie’s death and then laying down a bunch of flowers—a mournful moment abruptly interrupted by Carrie’s bloody hand bursting from the ground and grabbing her arm. The movie ends with Sue waking from this nightmare, screaming in her bed.

Carrie’s final-act stinger was a turning point for jump scares, interrupting what appeared to be a peaceful epilogue. It united viewers in a shared moment of tension-puncturing shock and, over the next decade, directors such as Tobe Hooper, Sam Raimi, and George Romero scrambled to deliver bigger and badder scares. Nowadays it’s hard to imagine horror cinema without this kind of short, sharp shock. Yet in the early years of film, different flavors of fear were in vogue, drawing from the 19th-century heyday of gothic literature and live horror theater.

Catering to a ravenous appetite for ghost stories, Victorian theater-makers used illusions like Pepper’s Ghost (which projected a translucent figure using a sheet of glass) and the Corsican Trap (which made an actor appear to rise from the ground). In Paris, the Grand Guignol Theatre became famous for embracing visceral morbidity, specializing in gory dramatizations of real-life murder and mutilation.

“As opposed to a slice of life theater, they developed a slice of death theater,” says Richard J. Hand, a professor of media practice at the University of East Anglia. He says that to satisfy the audience’s craving for gruesome thrills, Grand Guignol performances involved copious fake blood and depicted people being decapitated, skinned alive, and splattered with acid. Foreshadowing the notoriety of slasher cinema, the Grand Guignol promoted anecdotes of fainting audience members requiring treatment from the theater’s in-house physician. But while the gratuitous gore and marketing hype might prefigure modern slasher flicks, these early forms of shock entertainment are not precursors to the cinematic jump scare.

According to Hand, an expert on past and present horror theater, the element of surprise works differently on the stage than it does on a screen. Movie scares need to be fast and sudden, but in a live show, slowness is more effective. “You have that captive audience in that shared space, in that shared time,” says Hand. If something happens too quickly, the audience might miss it. Instead, theater relies on gradually building tension between the viewer and performer.

As scary fare transitioned from stage to screen, it took several decades for filmmakers to develop the correct formula of pacing and sound design to make audiences leap out of their seats.

The first cinematic jump scare is generally agreed to be in 1942’s Cat People. To modern eyes it’s pretty tame, featuring the abrupt arrival of a bus on a deserted street. Scare techniques only really began to escalate after American film censorship laws relaxed in the 1970s, ushering in an era of ax murderers, demonic possessions, and malevolent clowns. Eighties slashers perfected a reliable delivery system for adrenaline-inducing shocks and, while they’re not exactly considered high art, this kind of scare-centric filmmaking continually makes bank at the box office.

To state the obvious for a moment, horror thrives on provoking negative emotions like dread, disgust, and terror. There’s growing evidence that experiencing fear in a controlled environment can be therapeutic, but no one actually watches Saw or Terrifier for self-improvement. They’re here for entertainment, and the science of why people enjoy these negative emotions is still a developing field.

In a 2022 Atlas Obscura story on fear, cognitive scientist Marc Anderson offered an intriguing theory about why people derive pleasure from jump scares, characterizing “fun” as a “meta-cognitive signal that the brain produces when we learn something faster than expected.” Human beings enjoy novelty, and when we process a sudden scare, our brains reward us for learning fast.

Behind the camera, crafting those jolts of terror is no easy task, says Stephen Cognetti, the writer and director behind the Hell House LLC franchise.

"Before I even jump into a script, I want to have a few scares," he says. From camera angles to pacing, he begins every project with a precise idea of how these scenes will be filmed. “I’m very controlling about it because even in the editing process, one frame too much or too soon is just—it’s not right, it doesn’t work. I hate when I see a scare I've done that was edited by someone else, and they held onto something too long or too short.”

Cognetti, who aims for strategic, well-crafted shocks, compares an effective scare to a rollercoaster ride—a slow build to a sudden drop—and also to comedy, "where there’s a setup and a punchline and a payoff." Of course, some punchlines elicit more of a groan than a laugh.

“I always say that you can make anybody jump if you just have a cat jump out of a closet,” says Cognetti. “That’s cheap, it’s easy, and I think audiences will get that jump but they won’t appreciate the scare afterwards. They won’t respect it.”

The jump scare’s reputation as a cheap tactic often comes up in discussions about recent “elevated horror” or “post-horror” movies such as Hereditary, The Witch, or Get Out, which explore more serious themes than, say, Scream. Critics praise these films for avoiding trashy shock value, but the truth is they still include jump scares. They just deploy them in unexpected ways.

According to David Church, author of the book Post-Horror: Art, Genre, and Cultural Elevation, elevated horror movies are often structured to disrupt our expectations. Modern audiences are acclimated to seeing a high volume of scares, to the point where “it becomes like a game the viewer plays with the director over where the jump scare’s going to come.” But post-horror movies are "minimalistic and austere,” using jump scares sparingly—and imbuing them with more narrative weight.

For instance, the biggest shock in Hereditary comes when a main character leans out of a car window and gets decapitated by a telephone pole. It’s a scream-worthy surprise, but it’s also a traumatic event with far-reaching consequences for the other characters. It’s the polar opposite of a cat jumping out of a closet.

Church also says that post-horror films “tend to deny audiences the jump scare as a reliever of tension,” embracing open-ended narratives and remixing classic horror tropes through an art cinema lens. For viewers who expect horror movies to be “smoothly oiled machines for generating jump scares,” he says, this ambiguity can be frustrating, which explains the divisive reactions to experimental films like Skinamarink and In A Violent Nature. Riffing on familiar subgenres (haunted houses and rural slashers, respectively), these movies both have extended periods where very little happens, elongating the buildup to a scare that may or may not arrive. To some viewers, they’re clever innovations in ambient dread. To others, they’re just a snoozefest.

Carrie’s finale allowed its audience to let off steam, punctuating the end of a tragic story. This kind of tactic still works, but after decades of Screams and Halloweens and Evil Deads, the next obvious progression is prioritizing quality over quantity. Instead of provoking shock for its own sake, a new generation of filmmakers are using momentary terror to create a more lasting impact. Post-Horror author Church highlights the success of the recent elevated horror indie hit Longlegs as proof that audience tastes are expanding, signaling a desire for deeper emotional payoff alongside the old-school scares of commercial hits like Alien: Romulus or Terrifier 3.

Among London’s oldest statues, the origins of some are very well known, such as the statue of Queen Elizabeth I outside St. Duncan-in-the-West on Fleet Street, while the origins of others are unclear, such as the lower half of the statue of Alfred the Great in Southwark.

The statue called the Ancient Melancholy Man in Holland Park falls within the category of statues with unknown origins. The approximately 180-centimeter-tall limestone statue depicts an indistinct bearded man with a cloak and hat and a notably dour expression on his face. The man appears to be carrying some sort of pot or bag.

People generally agree that the statue was probably created in the 16th century, making the Ancient Melancholy Man contemporaneous with the Queen Elizabeth I statue on Fleet Street and therefore one of the oldest complete outdoor statues in London. However, no information is available on which year the statue was created, who created it, or who the statue is supposed to depict. What is known is that the statue was installed in a corner of the Formal Gardens in Holland Park when the gardens were created in 1812 by Serafino Bonaiuti.

Over time, plants have slowly covered up the statue only to be cut back so that the Ancient Melancholy Man can gaze upon the visitors to Holland Park once again. His identity and origins may never be uncovered, but the Ancient Melancholy Man is now recognized as one of the quirkier aspects of Holland Park.

This story was originally published on The Conversation. It appears here under a Creative Commons license.

There’s one question I get every time I give a talk. I’m a curator of political history at the Smithsonian Institution, and when I discuss the deep history of political division in our country, someone in the audience always asserts that we can’t possibly compare past divisions to the present, because our media landscape is doing unprecedented harm, unlike anything seen in the past.

I’m always struck by people’s belief in a placid media landscape in the past, a time of calm before the internet blew everything up. In fact, the most divided period in the history of American democracy—the mid-1800s—coincided with a sudden boom in new communications technologies, confrontational political influencers, widespread disinformation, and nasty fights over free speech. This media landscape helped bring the Civil War.

The point is not that 21st-century media is like the 19th century’s, but that the past was hardly full of the upstanding, rational, nonpartisan journalists many like to believe it was.

And at this era’s center, in the campaign that actually led to the war, was a huge, strange, forgotten movement—the Wide Awakes—born from this media landscape and fought out in the newspapers, polling places and, ultimately, battlefields of the nation.

Newspapers had been around for centuries, but as American rates of literacy rose, millions of ordinary citizens became daily news junkies. The number of papers jumped from a few publications in 1800 to 4,000 brawling rags by 1860, printing hundreds of millions of pages each year. They ranged from the snarky, immensely popular New York Herald and the blood-drenched true crime reports in the National Police Gazette to the high-minded abolitionism of The Liberator.

Nearly everyone devoured them, from wealthy elites to schoolgirls to enslaved people technically banned from reading. Newspapers published scandals and rumors, riling mobs and sparking frequent attacks on editors—often by other editors. Well into the 20th century, communities were still pulling newspaper presses out of local rivers, hurled there by angry mobs.

Ninety-five percent of newspapers had explicit political affiliations. Many were bankrolled by the parties directly. There was no concept of journalistic independence and nonpartisanship until the turn of the 20th century. These partisan presses, not the government, even printed the election ballots. Readers voted by cutting ballots from their pages and bringing them to the polls. Imagine if TikTok influencers or podcasters were responsible for administering elections.

The telegraph may seem old-timey today, but after its introduction in the 1840s, Americans could disseminate breaking news across huge territories along electrical wires. It allowed people to argue the issues nationwide—before the internet, television or radio.

Americans became a people by arguing politics in the press.

Americans became a people by arguing politics in the press. When politics was local, the major parties had avoided discussing slavery, taking what Abraham Lincoln mocked as a “don’t care” attitude. But now that Maine could debate with Texas, the topic shot to the forefront. By the 1850s, Northerners digested its evils daily.

The National Era—an abolitionist press in Washington—first printed Harriet Beecher Stowe’s hair-raising Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by far the most influential antislavery novel in history.

Meanwhile, the radical pro-slavery magazine De Bow’s Review spread a maximalist vision of expanding slavery far and wide. Americans living thousands of miles from each other could argue the issue, and the only gatekeepers were editors who profited from spreading often legitimate outrage.

It’s fitting, then, that the Northern pushback to expanding slavery came from the 19th century equivalent of “very online” young newspaper readers. Early in the 1860 election, a core of young clerks in Connecticut formed a club to help campaign for the antislavery Republican Party. They happened to live in the state with the highest literacy rates and huge newspaper circulations. So when a local editor wrote that the Republicans seemed “Wide Awake” in the campaign, the boys named their club “the Wide Awakes.”

Adding militaristic uniforms, torch-lit midnight rallies, and an open eye as their all-seeing symbol, a new movement was born, which I chronicle in my recent book, Wide Awake: The Forgotten Force that Elected Lincoln and Spurred the Civil War. Often, their chief issue was not the knotty specifics of what to do about slavery, but the fight for a “Free Press,” unsuppressed by supporters of slavery, South or North.

The Wide Awakes exploded across the national newspaper network. Within months of their founding, young Republicans were forming clubs from Connecticut to California. Most learned how to organize their companies through the papers. They built a reciprocal relationship with America’s press: cheering friendly newspaper offices and harassing pro-slavery Democratic papers’ headquarters. Friendly editors returned the favor, marching with the Wide Awakes and pushing their readers to form more clubs, like the Indiana newspaperman who nudged: “Cannot such an organization be gotten up in this town?”

None of this could be admired as independent journalism, but it sure spread a movement. It only took a few months to turn the Wide Awakes into one of the largest partisan movements America had ever seen, believed to have 500,000 members—proportionally the equivalent of 5 million today.

The same newspaper network spread fear as well. Readers in much of the South saw the clubs as a partisan paramilitary organization. Wild accounts shared accidental misinformation and deliberate disinformation, pushing the false notion that the Wide Awakes were preparing for a war, not an election.

The presence of a few hundred African American Wide Awakes in Boston morphed into claims in Mississippi that “the Wide Awakes are composed mainly of Negroes,” who were plotting a race war. A dispersed, partisan media exaggerated such falsehoods like a national game of telephone.

By the time Lincoln won election in November 1860, hysterical editors predicted a Wide Awake attack on the South. Secessionist newspapers used fears of Wide Awakes to help push states out of the Union. The Weekly Mississippian reported “WIDE-AWAKE INVASION ANTICIPATED” the very day that state seceded.

Meanwhile, Wide Awake editors began to push back against the widening secession conspiracy. German newspapermen in St. Louis helped arm Wide Awake clubs for combat.

What began in ink was spiraling into lead and steel.

In Pennsylvania, the editor James Sanks Brisbin ordered Republicans to “organize yourselves into military companies. … Take muskets in your hands, and from Maine to Oregon let the earth shake to the tread of three millions of armed Wide-Awakes.”

What began in ink was spiraling into lead and steel. It took 16 years to develop from the introduction of the telegraph to the Civil War. Undoubtedly, the fight over slavery caused that conflict, but the newspapers fed it, amplified it, exaggerated it.

Mid-19th century Americans lived with an odd combination: an unprecedented ability to spread information, but also a siloed and partisan system of interpreting it. It helped the nation finally reckon with the crimes of slavery, but also spread bad faith, irrational panic, and outright lies.

This history can add a needed perspective to today’s political conflicts, so often magnified by social media. In both eras, new technologies supercharged existing political tensions.

Yet we can see from this heated history that political media is less like an unstoppable, unreformable force that will consume democracy, and more like another in a succession of breathtaking, catastrophic, wild new landscapes that must be tamed.

Jon Grinspan is a political history curator at the Smithsonian Institution.

In countless tales of terror and other stories we tell to scare ourselves, ghosts usually haunt abandoned buildings or float through cemeteries—but why wouldn't they linger in everyday places too? From a post office to a margarita bar, spirits don't discriminate what they populate.

Here are some of our favorite stories of ghosts taking up residence in surprising spots, from lighthouses and grocery stores to dollhouses and town halls. These hauntings aren't always about apparitions, however. Sure, some accounts suggest supernatural activity, but other "ghosts" are actually human pranksters, or manifestations of an artist's imagination.

At a Haunted Grocery Store, Trying to Explain the Unexplained Has Consequences by Kate Golembiewski

A small village hidden deep in the forest on Norway's eastern border is home to some strange, supernatural happenings. What's even more peculiar than the haunting itself is the location: the grocery store. Tucked inside an old white farmhouse on the main drag, locals have come to expect the odd hauntings at their market. Flying potatoes, smashed flower pots, and reports of looming shadowy figures have all occurred here. But sociologist Lars Birger Davan is less interested in the source of the reported paranormal activity and more concerned with understanding the impact unexplainable events can have on people and their view of the world. “I’m not a ghostbuster—it’s more like catch-and-release,” he jokes.

Explore the Insidious Secrets of This Haunted Dollhouse by Roxanne Hoorn

When looking at the green-tinged sink full of rotting food or the layers of dust and sand that have accumulated in this home, one might expect the place to be abandoned. Despite the chipping paint and tangle of cobwebs, the house is actually freshly decorated, and is being added to everyday. There's no need to step inside the spooky house to explore it, as you can see every room—in all their gory glory—from outside. The three-foot-tall dollhouse is a passion project of artist Lauren Bank, who uses the home to tell a visual ghost story set in 20th-century Mississippi. Like a horror novel and a diorama colliding, Banks's fascinating art tells the tales of Southern Gothic ghosts through teeny-tiny taxidermy, finger-nail-sized newspaper clippings, and other extravagant miniatures.

The Mischievous ‘Ghost Hoaxers’ of 19th-Century Australia by Joseph Hayes

From the late 19th century to World War I, pranksters disguised as ghosts wreaked havoc across Australia in a phenomenon known as “ghost hoaxing.” These "ghosts" often scared folks in locations already known for paranormal activity—and the most surprising element was who hid beneath the sheets. Despite the ghost pranks being associated with the working class, once the ghosts were apprehended, “many if not most of those arrested” were in fact “school teachers and clerks and the like and a small number of middle-class women," says David Waldron, author of the article “Playing the Ghost: Ghost Hoaxing and Supernaturalism in Late Nineteenth-Century Victoria," writes Joseph Hayes.

The pranks ended with the outbreak of the war, which eventually took the lives of over 60,000 Australian soldiers and showed, says Waldron, that there were “far bigger issues at stake. The symbolism of death [became] less amusing.”

Haunted Houses Have Nothing on Lighthouses by Sarah Durn

Lighthouses were designed to be beacons of hope, guiding the way for lost sailors. But in some cases, they do quite the opposite. Lighthouses are full of stories about death, isolation, madness, and in some cases actual murder, writes Sarah Durn. They're frequently reported to be inhabited by ghosts, perhaps a product of the insanity the monotonous and lonely job can bring. Dick Moehl, former president of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, told Dianna Stampfler in her book, Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses, “every lighthouse worth a grain of salt has a good ghost story.”

A Small-Town Spanish Mayor Is Being Asked to Exorcise a Government Building by Cara Giaimo

Late one night in the town hall of Vegas del Genil—a small town outside of Granada, Spain— a council member heard a strange sound. Fearing a burglar, he crept into the hallway and took a cell phone picture of what initially seemed to be an empty space. Back in his office, the council member took another look at the photo. This time, he saw "what appeared to be a ghostly apparition of a child," The Local reports. He quickly sent the photo to his fellow council members, seeking an explanation—and a ride home. The photo soon circulated to the public, leading citizens to call mayor Leandro Martín's office incessantly, demanding answers—if not an exorcism.

The Harrowing Tale of Afghanistan’s ‘Haunted’ Outpost by Tom Mutch

It should come as no surprise that the country known as the “Graveyard of Empires” should have its share of ghost stories. Over just the last couple of centuries, countless local fighters and civilians, as well as soldiers from the British Empire, the Soviet Union, and the U.S./NATO–led coalition have died on the battlefields of Afghanistan, writes Tom Mutch. But one small outpost in the country’s deep south has become known as a hot spot for spirits. Locals and foreign soldiers have reported sightings of ghosts, along with other inexplicable events and curses.

The Phantom Island That Haunted 16th-Century Newfoundland by Shoshi Parks

Quirpon Island, just off the northern tip of Newfoundland, stands cold and desolate, except for one lonely lighthouse warning sailors away from the jagged shore. The lighthouse's caretaker and any occasional visitor to the adjoining inn are the island's only human inhabitants. For the most part, no one stays for long. For close to 500 years, there have been rumors about what lies in this frigid, inhospitable corridor between Newfoundland and Labrador, writes Shoshi Parks. Early Europeans believed that there was another mass of land off the island, which was home to evil spirits, leading mariners to dub it the Isle of Demons. The name remained on maps for more than a century until the mid-1600s, when cartographers determined that there was no Isle of Demons—but the legends persist.

When fall arrives in South Korea, it brings with it not just fiery reds and russets on tree leaves, but also carpets of an unusual pink grass known as muhly. The delicate flowers of this hardy plant bloom in fluffy clumps when the weather begins cool, giving the grass its famed pink (and occasionally, purple) hue. 

Pink muhly grass (botanical name Muhlenbergia capillaris) is not native to this region, but was brought in from the United States, where, interestingly enough, it has been declared an endangered species. It is now carefully cultivated across South Korea from public parks to private farmlands. Photoshoots amidst pink muhly grass are particularly popular among locals, who have been making a beeline for these fields ever since it was first grown in Jeju Island a decade ago. So much so, that in recent times, pink muhly grass has become the mainstay of South Korea’s popular autumn festivals. 

As is the case with cherry blossoms, pink muhly grass pops up first down south, in and around Jeju Island. As the fall goes on, blooms make their way up north towards Seoul. One of the best places for those seeking Insta-worthy images of this fine grass is in Gyeongju, near the Cheomseongdae astronomical observatory within the royal tombs complex. Seeing this ancient 7th-century stone monument set against a blanket of soft pink is a surreal experience. 

The remote gorge of Kokkala dates as far back as the Jurassic era. Located in the Mangystau region of Kazakhstan, this landscape is the result of shifting tectonic plates, which hoisted layers of colorful limestone and clay sediments out into the open. The result was a prehistoric tableau with origins from a lost world. 

You won't find bones here, but the rocks are infused with ancient wood and coal deposits originating from the days of the dinosaurs. The textures of the rocks are variegated and intricate, their craggy outlines in contrast with the surrounding flat land. Round, sulfur-yellow hummocks lie at the base of the columns that encircle the gorge, their mushroom tops towering over the crumbling rock faces.

Traversing through the canyon and atop the ridges is a combination of hiking and climbing—to summit the gorge calls for a full-body navigation of a short but steep rock trail. The top of the ridge can be precarious and requires firm footing, as the narrow path is scattered with loose copper-colored rock, flanked by steep cliffs, and prone to sudden blasts of strong wind.

The ghost town of Pentidattilo sits on the southern end of Calabria, at the edge of the Aspromonte Mountains. It was first settled back in the seventh century BC, and built underneath a big hand-shaped rock—the name derives from the Greek words penta and daktylos, or "five fingers."

Many legends have been linked to this strange place, but one of the most famous is that of a 17th-century murder. The tale tells of two noble families: the Alberti family of Pentedattilo and the Abenavoli family from Montebello Ionico, a nearby town. Though the families were rivals, Baron Bernardino Abenavoli was in love with Antonietta Alberti. But when he learned that the young woman's hand in marriage was promised to another nobleman, Baron Abenavoli was enraged.

He brought a group of armed men and killed every member of the Abenavoli household except for Antonietta, whom he took captive. Though he married her a few days after killing her family, the marriage was eventually annulled after the baron fled Italy. Antonietta lived out the rest of her life in a convent. Some say that you could see the bloody handprint of Lorenzo Alberti on a crumbling wall of the castle for many years after the massacre.

Today, there are very few remaining residents of Pentidattilo, but regular visitors to the ancient town.

Standing at 6.85 meters high, this menhir, or "standing stone," is the largest of its kind in Central Europe. The sandstone monolith is thought to date back at least 4,000 years, placing it around the end of the Neolithic period.

Although the exact origins are murky, it is believed to have been erected by a prehistoric ancestor cult. In the early 1800s, Christians chiseled a cross into the stone, thereby appropriating a pagan object of worship.

The Gollenstein stood undisturbed at the top of a hill for millennia until the rise of the Third Reich, who worried that it would make for a convenient reference point for French artillery. Members of the Nazi Wehrmacht attempted to lower the menhir into a straw-lined pit in 1939, only to botch the job and have it smash into four pieces.

Fortunately, in 1951, the local mayor, Alfonso Dawo, organized a recovery mission. Workers bound the menhir back together using concrete and returned it to its rightful place. 

Occupying a swathe of desert that was an ancient ocean floor over 400 million years ago, the Aktau Mountains in Kazakhstan's Altyn Emel National Park were ravaged by millennia of tectonic shifts and battering from the elements. What remains are silver flat-topped mountains shaded in gradations of white, their ashy crags dropping off vertically at the sides where bone-dust scree crumbles into the crevices below like snowdrifts. The Aktau, meaning “white mountains” in Kazakh, derive their name from the high concentration of white sediments in the terrain. 

At the foothills of these ghostly mountains, colorful conical ridges reside in sharp contrast to the higher-altitude lunar panorama. Vibrant bands of brick red and vivid ochre are stacked atop veins of silver and streaks of sandy brown. The colors ripple down the mountainside, spreading out below the low-slung peaks and folding into the rocky fissures encircling the base. The horizontal stripes lie on an angle, skewing the mountains to create the illusion that they are tilting into the earth.

In the absence of rain and flash flooding, the hike to Aktau traverses the cracked red crust of water runoff, flanked occasionally by mustard yellow walls carved out by rushing water escaping from the mountains. Embedded into the hardened dusty soil are flaking cubes of gypsum, their milky white crystals flickering in the ephemeral sunlight.

This ancient limestone canyon in Kazakhstan's Mangystau region has features that evoke imaginative comparisons, from porous white chocolate to a bleached coral reef. The canyon walls are etched with lattice rock in a honeycomb symmetry, the texture like a bare skeleton in places where the white sand has hardened into bone. The sea creatures, plant life, and minerals that comprise the canyon were deposited here over 40 million years ago when these lands were submerged under the long-gone Tethys Ocean. 

The unusual composition of materials and differing rates of erosion have resulted in unique formations, with the sculpting process aided by occasional rainfall to sharpen the edges and fine-tune the corners. Throughout the day, the sun’s rays angle to gain entry through the labyrinth of rock, but except for a short period of direct midday sun, the canyon is mostly impenetrable, the light blocked by wave-curl rocks frozen mid-break overhead. The walls can rise as high as six meters while the crevices dive down into the depths. Narrow passageways widen into roomier corridors, shaped by surging water forcing its way through the canyon. The canyon is not exceptionally large, but the variety of formations and perspectives leaves room for exploration.

The canyon’s sharp swooping rocks, shifting light, and dramatic formations drive comparisons with Arizona's Antelope Canyon, however, the similarities have their limits. Where Antelope Canyon is painted in sun-washed hues and well-trodden by tourists, Ybykty is desolate, devoid of color and crowds.

“Cemeteries are full of life,” says biologist Anne Pringle as she walks through the Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin. It’s a bright, early October day and sunlight filters through the still-green leaves, catching strands of spider silk spun over tombstone crosses. Speckled mushrooms stand sentry over the manicured grass as squirrels chatter overhead. But the form of life that brought Pringle here is subtler: Her work focuses on the green and rust-colored splotches growing on the headstones.

These growths, called lichens, may help reveal biological rules governing life, death, aging, and even immortality. And because lichens tend to grow undisturbed on tombstones, graveyards make the perfect living laboratory.

Despite an often moss-like appearance, lichens are complex living things, arguably more closely related to animals than to plants. They’re made up of fungi living in partnership with algae or bacteria that can perform photosynthesis.

“A lichen is a symbiosis, or it's an ecosystem, or it's a world,” says Pringle, a professor of botany and bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “It's an interwoven, complex web of interactions.”

Fungi, like their animal cousins, can’t produce their own food the way that plants can. Many of them get nourishment by breaking down organic matter. But the fungi that make up lichens have found a different solution: living with algae and bacteria that use air and sunlight to make sugar. The fungus is nourished by these sugars and, in return, it provides the smaller organisms with a home.

There are untold thousands of species of lichens, and they can be found nearly everywhere on Earth, including Antarctica. The lichens that Pringle studies are widespread, but she focuses on individuals growing undisturbed in cemeteries, where the flat surfaces of the headstones provide an ideal surface for measurements.

Measuring lichens over time is part of Pringle’s quest to understand their life cycles, specifically a process of deterioration called senescence. As humans and many other living things get older, individuals are less likely to reproduce. Cells struggle to replenish and repair themselves and, eventually, the organism’s metabolism shuts down and it dies. Pringle has been investigating whether this process holds true for lichens as well: Do they also wither with age or is time perhaps immaterial to their life cycle?

As a graduate student, Pringle studied senescence in plants, monitoring them for signs of aging and decay. “I spent months of my life tending those plants and doing demographic work,” she says, recalling a monthly census of whether each organism was alive or dead. At the time, she was also studying fungi, and began to wonder how they fit into the equation of life and death.

But fungi present research challenges, because so much of their bodies are hidden underground in a complex, root-like network, making it hard to tell where one individual stops and another starts. Lichens, says Pringle, are “fungus made visible”—they tend to grow aboveground on the surfaces of objects, in discrete fungal structures called thalli. This makes counting and tracking individual lichens far easier than their mushroom counterparts.

In 2005, Pringle began surveying the lichens at the North Cemetery within the Harvard Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts. She got permission from the families of the people whose graves she observed; some of them belonged to previous directors of the Harvard Forest. “People seemed quite happy to have that research done on their tombstones,” says Pringle.

To conduct the lichen censuses, Pringle laid a sheet of transparent plastic over the headstones and traced over the outlines of the individual lichens with permanent marker. She repeated the process year after year, mapping the growth of each individual. While some of the lichen bodies split apart or succumbed to injuries over time, she did not document any signs of senescence. The lichens in her study didn’t appear to undergo the ravages of aging; some died, but seemingly not of old age.

In the decade since Pringle’s work at North Cemetery, she’s been mulling over the data and writing up her conclusions. While much of the research is not yet published, Pringle says, “Maybe it’s time to shift from saying, ‘Do they age?’ to ‘How is it that some fungi and some systems don’t age?’”

On her early October walk through the sunny cemetery, Pringle is accompanied by botany graduate student Zach Smith, who is learning how to study these potentially immortal lichens. They pause at various headstones so Pringle can show him how to pick ideal specimens for observation and how to distinguish individual lichen bodies. Smith was inspired to study lichens in part because so few researchers do, and much about them remains unknown.

“I like these things that are maybe a little bit difficult, maybe a little bit finicky,” he says. “That's what's so interesting about them… What are they doing?”

For his research project, Smith isn’t looking directly at lichen immortality, but rather the health of lichens over time, via a process called chlorophyll fluorescence. When an organism that performs photosynthesis—plant or lichen—encounters light, some of that light will get absorbed, and some of the light will be expelled. The photon-emitting instruments he uses measure how much light a leaf or lichen soaks up: If most of the photons are not absorbed, it’s a sign the organism is not healthy, Smith says.

He’ll revisit the same lichens once or twice a week over the course of a year to see how they respond to changes in their environment such as heat, rain, and seasonal shifts in light. While it’s early days, the results of Smith’s work could dovetail with Pringle’s research on what makes lichens so resilient year after year. He has already witnessed his tiny subjects’ surprising tenacity.

Smith recalls attempting to measure chlorophyll fluorescence on a dried-out lichen crusted onto a stick. When he flashed light at the lichen and measured its response, “I wasn’t getting any readings—so functionally, it seems like it’s not alive,” he says.

But then he put a drop of water on the lichen. “It instantly started giving me readings,” indicating that its metabolism had re-activated, says Smith. The lichen’s resurrection hints at the complex life cycles of these organisms—and how the human-centric dichotomy of “alive or dead” may not apply to organisms so different from us.

In fact, a vital aspect of the work Pringle and her students do to unravel lichen life cycles, aging, and immortality is that “it brings up really important challenges to how we think about life,” says Daniel Stanton, a lichen and plant ecologist at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Lichens, Stanton says, “don’t necessarily follow the clean, simple rules that we get taught in introductory biology classes.” Instead, they call into question our underlying ideas of what it means to be an individual living thing, what it means to age, and what it means to die.

While lichens’ abilities might seem tantalizing for us humans, Pringle cautions that they don’t hold the secrets to keeping us forever young—our bodies and life cycles are too fundamentally different. But moreover, that’s not the goal of her work.

“It's not going to cure cancer, it's not going to bring world peace, two things that we desperately need right now,” she says.

“But I would argue that there is great value in understanding the world [and] how biodiversity works so that we can preserve it, which is an integral component of human health,” says Pringle.

She adds: “It's not clear to me that the best way to repair the world isn't sitting and watching lichens grow in a cemetery and telling the world about it.”

While you may not have visited the Gullah Geechee of South Carolina, you’ve surely experienced them. If you’ve ever eaten gumbo, sang “kumbaya,” or sat on a front porch painted blue, you are living Gullah legacy and carrying on African traditions that survived the unlikeliest of conditions into the modern day. “Our culture continues to influence American culture,” says Janette Rodrigeus, curator of the Gullah Museum of Georgetown. “People just don’t know where it comes from.”

Populating the southeastern coastline from Jacksonville, North Carolina to Jacksonville, Florida, the Gullah Geechee are the descendants of enslaved West and Central Africans whose retention of African heritage, culture, and foodways is unmatched anywhere on earth. And while their story can be appreciated in museums like those curated by Rodrigues, the impact of the Gullah community can also be experienced in the food, arts, and the very landscape of South Carolina still today.

The first enslaved Africans were brought to the “Lowcountry” in the 1600s, and they had a very specific expertise desired by British colonists. “My ancestors were skilled laborers,” says Rodrigues. “They took stolen knowledge, stolen skills.” Taken from what was then called the “Rice Coast” (from Senegal to Liberia and inland), these men and women were forced to apply their vast knowledge of African rice cultivation (and to a lesser extent, indigo and cotton) to the North American coastline. In time, they built complex irrigation and dam systems throughout the Lowcountry, converting 236,000 acres of ancient maritime forest into lush rice fields. “When you drive down 17 through South Carolina, you see these wide expanses of marsh grass—they're beautiful, and they go on forever. Those are literally the footprint of the rice plantations,” says Rodrigues. Throughout the 1700s, South Carolina became one of the leading global exporters of rice, thanks to the knowledge and labor of enslaved Africans. And while the conditions of this enslavement across the Lowcountry were typical in many ways, several unique factors helped a singular culture emerge from these particular plantations.

Isolation was key. Geographically speaking, rice farming was done along the immediate coast and islands, much of which being, at the time, only accessible only by boat. “Nobody wanted to live on those isolated islands except us,” says Rodrigues. Furthermore, before the advent of air conditioning and bug spray, the muggy, buggy coastline was hostile to plantation owners’ living standards. “They were from Europe—hot and humid, Europeans didn’t do that,” says Rodrigues. “They were also afraid of getting malaria, a death sentence in those days.” Of course, native to an ecologically similar coastline across the Atlantic, the enslaved arrived with immunity. And finally, with the growing season between March and October, plantation owners vacated for cooler climes, leaving the enslaved physically isolated with little to no supervision beyond a handful of undereducated and outnumbered overseers. “You couple all these factors together and…you could still practice your African way of life on these plantations,” says Rodrigues.

While the enslaved hailed from scattered regions across West and Central Africa, they found common ground in the Lowcountry. An English-based Creole called Gullah emerged. “It’s very fast, it’s staccato, like the languages you hear spoken in West Africa,” says Rodrigues. While it’s today considered an endangered language, there are still hundreds of speakers throughout the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. A coherent Gullah culture also calcified around percussive music and dance, traditional sweetgrass basket-weaving, a seafood-based diet, fables involving “haints” and “boo hags” and other forms of worship. Rodrigues points to burial traditions in particular: “the belief was that the water brought us, and the water will take us away, so it was easier for the spirit to return home to Africa if it was buried near a body of water facing east.”

If the arrival of the Union Navy at the onset of the Civil War was a surprise to plantation owners (few bothered to pack or evacuate prior to their arrival), it was a boon to the Gullah Geechee. In the Great Skedaddle of 1861, planters promptly abandoned their plantations, leaving their mansions to be converted into military barracks. The Gullah were among the first formerly enslaved Africans to see freedom. While some served in the Union Army’s First South Carolina Volunteers, others bought the farms on which they were previously enslaved for pennies on the dollar at delinquent tax sales. A deed system called “heir’s property” was instilled, whereby the descendants of the initial landowner inherited an equal share of the property. Excluding the inheritors’ names from each deed made it difficult for former plantation owners to know exactly who to sue for land reclamation at war’s end, ensuring Gullah land remained in the family for generations.

Unfortunately, the ensuing centuries saw the rice industry decline and a considerable amount of land once owned by Gullah sold to developers, but their distinct culture can be experienced today throughout the Lowcountry. Gullah cuisine can be tasted in long-loved establishments from Buckshot’s Restaurant in McClellanville to Gullah Grub on St. Helena Island; sweetgrass basket-weavers can be seen at work in the Charleston City Market, itself one of the oldest commercial spaces in the country; and the work of Gullah artists can be seen in places like Charleston’s Gallery Chuma. Of course, there’s much to be gleaned from curated experiences like those at Rodrigues’ Gullah Museum of Georgetown, the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, and the Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail.

While the environmental conditions that allowed Gullah Geechee culture to flourish along coastal Carolina were by chance, the fact that the culture and people have survived into the modern day is a testament to their will. “Our people survived the Death March to the slave forts of Africa, they survived the Middle Passage, and they survived centuries of generational enslavement,” says Rodrigues. “The story of the Gullah Geechee is one of perseverance, of resiliency and determination.”

Perched in the foothills of the Sierra Madre, a day's drive northeast of Mexico City, the village of Chicontepec keeps the lore of a Mesoamerican monster alive. Details of this ancient creature are shared only in hushed whispers, in stories told behind closed doors—doors that are, ideally, guarded by hanging garlic.

Beware the teyollohcuani, a vampiric witch. It may take the form of a harmless elderly woman or man, but then shape-shift into an animal—usually a turkey, vulture, or other large bird. It flies into homes to suck the blood of infants, or worse: The word teyollohcuani actually translates as “customarily eats human hearts” in the Mexican Nahuatl language. The creature first took shape in precolonial Mexico and has been evolving ever since, as Spanish, African, and modern pop culture monsters intermix.

About 20 years ago, while anthropologist and independent scholar Edgar Martín del Campo lived with the Nahua and Otomi people of the rural region of Huasteca, including Chicontepec, he explored the complicated folklore of the teyollohcuani. His research led to the only academic paper devoted to the obscure figure—but it took a while to gather all the threads.

At first, no one in the community would talk of the taboo subject. “I got a lot of tight lips,” says Martín del Campo. “Witchcraft was not something that you openly talked about. I had to find ways of sneaking it in, or just shutting up and listening when people did talk about it.”

Martín del Campo, who has ancestral ties to the Cora people of Nayarit in western Mexico, says the country’s indigenous folklore is full of creatures with supernatural abilities, but the teyollohcuani is unique. It’s the only Mesoamerican monster that sucks the blood of children, and is also—unlike Dracula and other undead vampires—a living creature, says the anthropologist, whose 2009 paper in History of Religions detailed Spanish, African, and modern media’s influence on the stories of the teyollohcuani. As Martín del Campo discovered in the course of his research, it can be hard to tease out which parts of the creature’s lore have indigenous roots, which came from Mexico’s colonial period, and which have been added more recently.

The rise of what we think of as a classic vampire—the living dead who comes to suck your blood in the form of human or bat—is often traced back to Slavic folklore, but variations can be found around the world and throughout history, from ancient Greece to East Asia. There’s something about vampires that transcends culture, says Rachel Stewart, a doctoral candidate in literature at Ohio State University.

“At the times these traditions are emerging, it's not like someone in Mexico is calling up their friend in Eastern Europe. These traditions are just occurring naturally because of these innate fears that we have, and how we wrestle with them and make sense of them,” says Stewart, whose research on Victorian vampires and their persistence in pop culture earned her the nickname “the vampire scholar.”

Vampires hide in the human form, blending in as one of us while also blurring the line between the living and the dead. They violate our bodies and steal our blood, considered an individual’s life force in many cultures around the world. Vampires can also serve as convenient scapegoats for heinous acts, allowing a community to say, “‘It wasn't one of us that did this, we would never do this to one of our own,’” says Stewart.

“We would never do this to one of our own.”

The same is true for the vampire-like monsters of precolonial Mexico, says Martín del Campo. “Witchcraft is still a common source for explaining suffering in the villages where I did my fieldwork, and … in many cultures around the world,” he says. He adds that many people find comfort in believing, “‘My misfortune is because of somebody else's ill wishes toward me,’ whether they're aware of it or not.”

Martín del Campo believes the teyollohcuani originated within societies that spoke Oto-Manguean languages—a large linguistic family in the region—then spread to the Nahua, the ethnic group that includes the Aztecs. Tales of the teyollohcuani are now found throughout Central Mexico, from the state of Oaxaca on the Pacific coast to the Huasteca region along the Gulf of Mexico. The creature goes by different regional names, and sometimes has region-specific traits: While it usually appears as an old woman, or sometimes an old man, some incarnations can travel by flying fireball, or turn their arms into wings made of woven mats.

While the teyollohcuani today is seen as malevolent, that might not have always been the case, says Martín del Campo. In precolonial times, “shape-shifting was something only those who were attuned with the higher levels of the sacred, such as gods and priests, could do,” he says. “When the Spanish arrived, their ideas of shape-shifting were associated with witchcraft, and witchcraft was inherently evil. These beings that had formerly been sacred and mythical now turned into monsters.”

The term teyollohcuani was first documented in 1555 in Alonso de Molina’s Nahuatl and Spanish dictionary. However, earlier works, such as the Codex Borgia, a visual record of precolonial Mexico created between 1450 and 1500, feature many images of colorful birds and raptors consuming hearts and possibly blood.

Teasing out how the Spanish contributed to the myth is less certain. The teyollohcuani may seem similar to the strix, a mythical figure from antiquity that could morph into a large, bloodthirsty bird. While stories of the strix originated in ancient Rome, its lore eventually spread across much of Europe. Martín del Campo dismisses a possible Spanish influence here, noting that the teyollohcuani was already known long before tales of the strix reached Mexico.

Likewise, Martín del Campo has not found clear evidence to support another suggested Spanish influence on the indigenous folktale. Anthropologist Hugo Gino Nutini, who studied the local lore of Tlaxcala, a state just east of Mexico City, linked tales of bloodsucking witches to potential maternal neglect. In 16th-century Spain in particular, women seen as poor mothers, especially due to intoxication, were often accused of witchcraft. While it’s possible that this Spanish association worked its way into the teyollohcuani myth, firm proof remains elusive.

However, Martín del Campo has found that the cultural traditions of enslaved people from West and Central Africa, who were brought to the region by the Spanish, have influenced the teyollohcuani’s lore. It is only after enslaved people arrived in Mexico that the teyollohcuani has the ability to project its spirit or soul outside its body, a concept that exists in several folklore traditions from across Africa.

As Mexico’s largely rural Nahua and Otomi communities have increasing access to modern pop culture trends, their monsters continue to evolve. Despite the teyollohcuani traditionally being described as a bloodsucking witch, Nahuatl speakers working with Martín del Campo often translated the creature’s name as “vampire,” which he attributes to exposure to media such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dracula.

In another sign of outside cultural influence, he also saw residents of the region hanging braids of garlic on their doors to ward off vampires—despite the pungent plant, and belief in its vampire-repelling qualities, not being native to Mexico. It’s yet another example of the lore of the teyollohcuani continuing to evolve, shape-shifting to incorporate new traditions.

I came to Salem on a witch hunt.

Obviously not the kind of witch hunt that made Salem infamous. That 1692 episode of mass hysteria sentenced 20 innocent Puritans to death, almost entirely women, in an American chapter so wrong it literally birthed the phrase “witch hunt.” My visit would be less dramatic. I was behind the wheel of a borrowed Toyota Scion, searching for the Salem Witchcraft Festival—four days of workshops and panels from witches, folklorists, and other pagan practitioners. For those who believe in, study, or are simply curious about witchcraft, it’s an opportunity to meet and learn from their community. The vibe is an intriguing mix of esoteric spiritualism and tightly scheduled lectures, like a software convention if Dell representatives wore a lot more black.

I came to the festival for a special screening of The Wicker Man. The gathering’s cofounders, Jacqui Allouise and Matthew Venus, included the 1973 horror film as a marquee event of the weekend. The cult classic was followed by a discussion between occult figures like writer and former MTV News anchor Meredith Graves, who established “Witchstarter” in 2022, and consultant-practitioner Sasha Ravitch. What made this panel unique was that it discussed The Wicker Man from the perspective of witches, rather than someone actually scary, like a film critic.

The Wicker Man recently turned 50, and the man looks damn good for his age, let alone for someone whose face is made of twigs. In 2020, the Independent placed it “among the most influential horror films of the last 50 years.” It’s been called “the Citizen Kane of horror movies.” Even Christopher Lee himself said The Wicker Man was “the finest film I’ve ever been in,” and that dude played freakin’ Saruman in Lord of the Rings.

As my trip to Salem all but confirmed in my mind, however, it goes beyond those accolades: The Wicker Man may be the greatest witchcraft film ever made.

More precisely, The Wicker Man is probably the most beloved movie among witches. It was chosen above any other film to show before a panel of witches, in a theater of witches, in a place with the nickname “Witch City.” And while that name is so insensitive I could feel Elizabeth Proctor rolling her eyes at me from beyond the grave as I typed it, this accolade highlights The Wicker Man as uniquely important among covens. It’s this passion for the movie so many witches hold that I find remarkable.

The film, directed by Robin Hardy, follows Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward), a police officer who flies to the remote (and fictional) Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate a little girl’s disappearance. Howie is welcomed warmly by the townspeople, including the innkeeper’s daughter, Willow (Britt Ekland), and their leader, Lord Summerisle (Lee). But the dogmatic Christian officer is appalled by the community’s belief in what he views as heathen gods, and he begins to suspect they plan to kill the missing girl in an occult ritual.

This description, however, doesn’t do justice to how unique, enigmatic, and straight-up strange The Wicker Man is. And these mysterious qualities, while rather witchy themselves, don’t reveal why The Wicker Man is so special. After all, there are dozens of witchcraft films more recent (The Witch), more successful (Harry Potter), or more explicitly about witches (The Craft) that could have been celebrated in Salem. Why The Wicker Man?

Modern witchcraft is hard to define—an issue it shares with many religions. Witchcraft itself is diverse in its beliefs, cultures, and rituals. Some witches don’t consider it a religion at all, but simply a lifestyle rooted in reverence for nature. Some witches consider Wicca distinct from witchcraft, others do not. Some witches reject distinctions altogether. But, generally speaking, witches and other sources I consulted consider it a spiritual practice—often with pagan roots and incorporating ritual—that includes folk magic, Wicca, esotericism, herbalism, and other beliefs sometimes called New Age. Modern witchcraft is often traced back to the mid-20th century, when a renewed interest in environmentalism, the founding of Wicca, the seeds of second-wave feminism, and a postwar world searching for spiritual guidance led people to beliefs outside mainstream or patriarchal “major” religions like Christianity.

Of course, I’m in no position to make broad claims on behalf of a spiritual practice I don’t belong to. I don’t call myself pagan (though an angry Catechism teacher once called me a heathen). So I reached out to some knowledgeable witches, including Amanda Yates Garcia, author of Initiated: Memoir of a Witch and host of the Between Worlds podcast, to hear their thoughts. We met in the lobby of Salem’s historic Hawthorne Hotel, a few blocks from where Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter, which as a writer made me feel incredibly inadequate.

Garcia was raised by practicing witches who hosted moon circles right in their California home while enjoying some wine, and she says the film resonates with her for its accurately unembellished portrayal of contemporary paganism. “What witchcraft looks like in a hereditary witch’s family is not what it looks like in cinema,” she said. “It’s casual. It’s in your living room. It doesn’t have the romance of the Scottish Highlands. You know, huge icons and glamorous women and castles. So I think there’s that appeal.”

In fact, The Wicker Man’s scenery is almost dull. The film is part of a trio of influential witchcraft films—including Blood on Satan’s Claw (1971) and Witchfinder General (1968)—known as “The Unholy Trinity.” But, unlike the other two parts of the trinity, The Wicker Man is set in contemporary times, and features no clear supernatural elements. It gives Summerisle’s villagers an eerily quotidian feel, enhanced by the brilliant work of costume designer Sue Yelland and casting director Maggie Cartier. When Sergeant Howie spots three figures glaring at him from behind ritualistic animal masks, the figures are also wearing typical 1970s hand-me-downs. Take out the occasional human sacrifice, and you could be watching a Michael Apted documentary. “Perhaps it all seems so real because the ‘old ways’ sit like vivid fissures in the surface of modernity,” said Sight & Sound, the British Film Institute’s monthly magazine. “The present is piled on top of the past, evoking a distinctly plausible world of folk tradition.” Far from being a comfort, this familiarity feels off-putting, in the uncanny valley, suggesting a mysterious world just below the ordinary.

Or, as Willow the innkeeper’s daughter might put it, “Some things in their natural state have the most vivid colors.”

The witchcraft that does find its way into The Wicker Man is also unspectacular. As a lay person, I didn’t even process some of it as witchcraft at all. “You'll actually see people do witchcraft all through the film,” said Rebecca Beyer, a witch and botanist from North Carolina and author of Wild Witchcraft. “But it’s the way that people do magic in folk ways, accurately, and so it’s very subtle like that.” Nobody is turned into a frog in The Wicker Man. Instead, the frog is placed into a child’s mouth. Beyer, who practices Appalachian folk magic, was familiar with this tradition. “She is doing an English folk remedy, because the frog croaks. So when you put a frog in someone's mouth with a sore throat, it takes away the sore throat. It absorbs it. It's called ‘sympathetic magic.’” These specific rituals aren’t necessarily practiced by today’s witches, and some folklorists have pointed out inaccuracies in the movie, but the film still rings more true to witches than the stereotypical “cackling hag” that persists even today.

Not to say witches haven't achieved incredible leaps forward since 1692, despite continued stigma (and worse). According to a survey of religions in the U.S. by Trinity College, the number of Wiccans grew from 8,000 in 1990 to more than 300,000 in 2008. During the same period “paganism” became Canada’s fastest-growing religion. And in 2017, the Department of Defense added “Wicca” to its list of recognized faith groups for members of the United States military.

What does The Wicker Man movie actually have to say about witches, though? Couldn’t one look at the villager’s duplicity toward Howie and the violent final act as a bleak depiction of witchcraft? Jason Mankey, author of The Horned God of the Witches, understands why pagans would still embrace the film. “The Wicker Man was the first movie to portray pagans in something close to a sympathetic light,” he told The Independent in 2020. “Sure, they have to sacrifice a person on May Day every once in a while. But for the most part their society feels like a rather joyous one.” And Vivianne Crowley, a Wiccan high priestess and former lecturer at King’s College London, told Religion News Service she was “astonished” by the movie when she saw it in 1974. “Suddenly paganism was out there and given a serious role in this movie even if some of the presentations weren’t particularly positive,” she said.

After decades of being portrayed as one-dimensional demons or angels, as the Wicked Witch or Glinda the Good, here was a film that portrayed witches as something more complex. As people capable of both great joy and kindness, and great acts of brutality. In other words, as humans.

All of this, of course, still doesn’t fully explain the unique allure of The Wicker Man. Maybe nothing can. Any film that pauses the action for a nearly four-minute maypole dance sequence is tricky to categorize. Its appeal is largely ephemeral, as if it casts a spell of its own over its audience. This is, after all, a movie so confounding the only way the 2006 remake could hope to top its oddity was to cast Nicolas Cage.

Shortly before I left Salem, while speaking with Garcia, I realized we hadn't talked about the film’s biggest star (literally and figuratively), the actual wicker man. Unlike the movie’s other depictions of witchcraft, there’s no archaeological evidence pagans used them, and no reliable accounts of the ritual ever happening. Why, I asked, did the same filmmakers who spread so many familiar details throughout Summerisle conclude The Wicker Man with such a spectacular act of witchcraft fiction?

“I don't think the filmmakers were interested in accuracy. I don't think that that was their primary reason for making their film,” Garcia said. “I think that they were just putting in things that they thought had cinematic or visual interest.” Given what we had been discussing, this answer surprised me. But, she added, the visuals themselves brought the audience to a place that feels akin to the world of witchcraft: “That kind of magical realm of enchantment.”

Accurate or not, that final image, darkness falling on Summerisle as Howie howls through an agonizing end, threatens to break that enchantment. It’s a chilling conclusion, even if it is set to the jovial tune of the “Cuckoo Song.” (In fact, that song is half the reason the movie gives me nightmares.) It inevitably makes us think about our own deeply held beliefs. Even if wicker men were dreamed up by Caesar, sacrifices—animal and human—were a part of ancient religions. (Google “bog body” if you’re as morbid as I am.) Modern witchcraft, obviously, is not specifically drawing from those traditions. But it's a tension between the past and the present that resonates with just about anyone (witch or not) who watches The Wicker Man—which, frankly should be everyone.

Beyer, who was, like me, in that enthusiastic crowd of modern witches celebrating the movie in Salem, doesn’t dismiss this tension. In fact, she suggests the unanswered questions are an essential part of what makes The Wicker Man great. “I think the movie is supposed to kind of leave the viewer asking, like, what parts of the past do we preserve? What parts of folkways are important to hold on to?”

It’s a question we may never have a perfect answer for, except that we should hold on to The Wicker Man as long as we can.

Pick your player and experience Los Angeles like never before. Follow locals who know the scene best—ride the waves with surfer J.D. Stroud, explore LA’s film heritage with critic Katie Walsh, and taste the city’s culinary magic with food writer Khushbu Shah.

Whether you’re catching epic waves, searching for cinematic treasures, or hunting for hidden food gems, this is your chance to level up your LA adventures.

The Soul Surfer: Make Waves in the Authentic Heart of Los Angeles

Want a truly authentic LA experience? Hit the waves with J.D. Stroud, surfer, author, and native southern Californian. “The surfing community is actually a big testament to how real and genuine people are here,” Stroud says.

The Film Freak: Discover the Hidden Treasures of La La Land

From its vintage video stores to its legendary theaters, Los Angeles was truly made for cinephiles. As film critic Katie Walsh puts it, “The film scene in LA, especially right now—it is an embarrassment of riches.”

The Epicurean Explorer: Dig Into Culinary Easter Eggs in the City of Angels

In the mood for Filipino barbecue? How about Korean cake? Discover why LA is “one of the best food scenes in the entire world” with famed food writer Khushbu Shah.

Produced in partnership with Discover Los Angeles

It is midnight. The moon is dim, and hundreds of diminutive people—bearded, flat faced, and pale, with large blue eyes—are hard at work atop Fort Mountain in northern Georgia. They’re building a zigzagging wall of rocks from east to west. The wall is only a few feet tall, but they hope it will protect them from the Cherokee, so much taller and stronger than themselves.

All across Appalachia, there are tales of bands of these strange people (Yunwi Tsunsdi in Cherokee), living in the region’s many caves and coming out only at night, because daylight was too strong for their weak eyes. “They come near a house at night and the people inside hear them talking, but they must not go out, and in the morning they find their corn gathered or the field cleared as if a whole force of men had been at work,” wrote Lynn Lossiah, Cherokee author of The Secrets and Mysteries of the Cherokee Little People. “Always remember: Do not watch.”

For centuries, stories of these “moon-eyed” people have captivated—and creeped out—locals and visitors alike in Appalachia. According to some legends, they were present before the Cherokee came to the area, and driven out in a battle at Fort Mountain, waged by the Cherokee when the full moon was too bright for their opponents’ sensitive eyes.

“We are asked everyday about the legend,” says Emmanuel Stewart, park manager at Fort Mountain State Park. “It’s one reason why many people visit.”

According to rangers, archaeologists estimate the wall at Fort Mountain was built between 500 and 1500 , but no one knows who actually constructed it. For believers, what’s left of the mysterious wall is proof that the moon-eyed people did indeed exist.

Sixty miles away, at the Cherokee County Historical Museum in Murphy, North Carolina, another object has been cited as evidence of their existence. The curious, three-foot-tall talc and soapstone statue was discovered by a farmer named Felix Ashley in the 1840s and features two entwined figures with oval heads and large, crescent-shaped eyes.

In 1882, an article in the Native American newspaper Cherokee Phoenix detailed the discovery of “three burying grounds” of extremely small-statured people—the longest skeleton was a mere 19 inches—near the Tennessee town of Sparta. Some of the individuals appeared to have adult teeth that were worn down with age. Several of the bodies, interred in stone coffins, were buried with items that may have been made from shells. There is no record of what happened to the remains, but the article is often mentioned by those who believe the moon-eyed people were real.

For most, however, “It’s just this old-timey Appalachia legend that people hear from their memaw,” says Brandon Schexnayder, who has explored the tales on his podcast Southern Gothic.

Schexnayder notes that the earliest preserved stories of the moon-eyed come not from Cherokee sources, but from white colonists. The 1797 book New Views of the Origin of the Tribes and Nations of America includes a mention of the Cherokee expelling the moon-eyed people, as does 1823’s The Natural and Aboriginal History of Tennessee and James Mooney’s comprehensive Myths of the Cherokee, published in 1888.

“Always remember: Do not watch.”

“The legend of the moon-eyed people is not a major part of the Cherokee history and culture,” park manager Stewart confirms.

But white colonists were fascinated by the legend and speculated about who the moon-eyed people could have been. Some believed they were possibly descendants of a fabled community of albino people who were said to have lived in what is now Panama. Others adhered to the idea that the moon-eyed were actually descendants of the mythical 12th-century Welsh prince Madoc ab Owain Gwynedd, who allegedly landed in the Americas near what’s now Mobile, Alabama.

For example, in 1801 John Sevier, the first governor of Tennessee, related a tale of a war between the Cherokee and white people who had lived there before them, which he claimed was told to him by the great Cherokee leader Chief Oconostota. “At length the whites proposed to the Indians, that if they would exchange prisoners, and cease hostilities, they would leave the country, and never more return,” the chief reportedly said. Also part of the tale: A Cherokee elder named Pey possessed part of an old book from a descendent “of the Welsh tribe.” Sevier said that he had searched for the book but discovered it had been destroyed—conveniently—in a fire.

Tales of Madoc’s “Welsh Indians” had captured the imagination of jingoistic colonialists since Elizabethan times, because their purported existence meant that North America had been “claimed” for the English long before Columbus arrived in 1492. Thomas Jefferson was a firm believer in them and encouraged Lewis and Clark to search for them during their trek westward (they found none).

There were Welsh people living in Appalachia when the moon-eyed people stories began circulating, however. In the 18th century, Welsh settlers came to the region to mine its mineral-rich mountains, leading to tensions with the Cherokee, whose land they were plundering.

“They called the Welsh ‘moon-eyed people,’ not because they were small, white skinned, and the men bearded, but because they lived underground and could see well in the dark,” Peter Stevenson wrote in the 2019 book The Moon-Eyed People: Folk Tales from Welsh America.

While this version of the story may explain the Welsh connection to the legend, it’s at odds with the stories in Lossiah’s Secrets and Mysteries of the Cherokee Little People. Here, the moon-eyed people are not pale; they have the same complexion as the Cherokee. In Lossiah’s version, the “little people” can be hospitable or sneaky and treacherous, and they’re particularly vengeful when mocked or betrayed, traits that parallel European trickster elves and gnomes.

According to Lossiah, Cherokee tradition taught the importance of respecting the Yunwi Tsunsdi and their territory. “When a hunter finds anything in the woods, such as a knife or a trinket, he must say, ‘Little People, I want to take this,’” she wrote. “Because it may belong to them, and if he does not ask permission, they will throw stones at him as he goes home.”

Tales of the moon-eyed or little people of Appalachia persist to this day and, perhaps inevitably, “There are people saying [they are actually] extraterrestrials,” Schexnayder says.

“There are people saying they're extraterrestrials.”

While the true identity of the people that inspired the legend remains a mystery, “There is clear evidence that there were native peoples here before the Cherokee,” says Fort Mountain’s Stewart, citing the park’s ancient wall and other structures found in the region.

“But who this tribe was in the case of Fort Mountain, and whether they were the same [as the] moon-eyed people mentioned by the early settlers and their contacts is unclear,” Stewart says, adding that archaeological excavations along the wall have turned up few clues about its builders. “If the dwellings or homes could be found, then this would provide a huge breakthrough on their identity.”

Amid conflicting tales of mythical Welsh princes, lost tribes, and fairy-like forest creatures, there is one truth we know about the so-called “little people” of Appalachia, says Schexnayder: “The legend of the moon-eyed people shows that we don't have to go that far back to know that we don't know anything about where we live.”

An elusive beast is said to lurk in Pennsylvania’s hemlock forests. It supposedly slinks between the shadows on moonlit nights, wary of water where it might see its own reflection. With ill-fitting skin covered in moles and warts, it’s among the most hideous of creatures ever to walk the land—and it knows that. The monster weeps constantly as it huddles in the undergrowth, ashamed of its own appearance. Hunters can follow the damp path of its tears until they’re close enough to hear its unceasing sobs. Yet even those who corner the creature cannot capture it. When escape is impossible, it dissolves into tears, leaving its would-be captor with nothing but damp hands.

This is the legend of the squonk, a cryptid allegedly first spotted by lumberjacks working in an area that’s known today as Tuscarora State Forest. The beast was first described on paper by William T. Cox in the 1910 book Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods, where he calls it the scientific name Lacrimacorpus dissolvens. Cox says the squonk is “the most morbid of beasts,” relating the account of J.P. Wentling, a U.S. Forestry Service worker and resident of nearby Mont Alto, who claimed to capture a squonk in a sack only to get home and find it contained “nothing but tears and bubbles.”

For many native Pennsylvanians, the squonk is a staple of childhood lore on par with another cryptid well known to Boy Scouts, the snipe. As Gerard O’Neil notes in his essay “The Squonk: A Small Tale from Franklin County,” squonk hunting “bears a curious resemblance to one variant of the ‘snipe hunt’… a fool’s errand that involves experienced outdoorsmen making fun of newcomers by giving them an impossible or imaginary task.” The cryptid has inspired pop culture, from the 1976 song “Squonk” by Genesis to the Pittsburgh-based performance art troupe called Squonk Opera.

Despite these musical hat tips, it may surprise native Pennsylvanians to learn just how regional the legend is. While other Appalachian cryptids like the mothman and wampus cat have gotten their turn in the spotlight, the squonk has languished in relative obscurity (which is likely just the way the creature would prefer it). The squonk can occasionally be found in lists of fantastical creatures, most notably in Jorge Luis Borges’s The Book of Imaginary Beings.

Otherwise, folklore literature makes only passing mentions of the little-touted cryptid. Many recorded references to the squonk are metaphorical, such as when J. Mitchell Morse, an English professor at Temple University, noted in 1974 that public officials were “turning into squonks…hard to capture because when you touch it, it dissolves into tears and there you are with your hands in a puddle.” Or, in 2023, Tedium editor Ernie Smith noted the squonkiness of social media, saying a sad creature that disappears when cornered “describes at least half a dozen people I’ve talked to on Twitter.”

However, two people decided the creature’s largely uncelebrated status should change. Lisa Russell, founder of Cryptid Comforts, and Joe Fogle, owner of Cryptoteeology, are both vendors who frequent cryptid events across the country, which sparked an idea. “Joe and I were talking one day, and I mentioned I’d like there to be a Squonk Fest,” says Russell. “He said, ‘Let’s do it!’”

So in August 2023, fans of Appalachian folklore and cryptozoology descended on Johnstown for the first-ever Squonkapalooza. In addition to more than 60 vendor booths, the event activities included a squonk compliment contest, a squonk quest, games, music, and lectures on topics ranging from Pennsylvania lore to whether Bigfoot exists. A costumed squonk even tried its hand at hula-hooping.

It was initially conceived as a one-time event. But the amount of cryptid-lovers who traveled to the town resulted in an unexpected outpouring of support. The founders immediately realized the potential for an annual festival.

The second Squonkapalooza took place August 10, 2024, and it proved equally popular, with hundreds of visitors perusing the vendor stands in Johnstown’s Central Park and watching lectures, podcast recordings, and movie screenings in the State Theater. The 2024 event extended beyond the festival’s official hours, with music and cryptid trivia the Friday before and an afterparty at nearby Fetz’s Sports Pub. The organizers hope to keep it going for years to come.

“The squonk seems an unlikely creature to throw a festival for,” Russell admits, “but squonk might also be the most relatable creature. Everyone feels a little squonky sometimes. So we wanted to turn squonk’s frown upside down and celebrate the sorrow. We support the underdog.”

"Everyone feels a little squonky sometimes."

Johnstown is something of an underdog among Pennsylvania towns. Aside from its proximity to the cryptid’s native territory, it’s a fitting setting for a squonk festival. “I knew that there was a large cryptid community in the area, so I thought it was a perfect location,” says Russell. “Everyone welcomed [the squonk] with open arms.”

Johnstown’s main claim to fame is a tragedy involving water: the Great Flood of 1889, which leveled four square miles, destroying 1,600 homes and killing more than 2,200 people. In fact, it seems like every time Johnstown catches a break, a major flood dissolves those hopes into tears.

In the 1920s, Johnstown was a thriving city of some 67,000 people, with its own radio station and a vibrant downtown—at least, until the St. Patrick’s Day Flood of 1936 washed it all away. The city clawed its way back, becoming a key player in Pennsylvania’s steel industry.

Then a third major flood in 1977 proved a herald of that industry’s imminent collapse. By the end of the 20th century, Johnstown seemed to be dying a slow death. In 2003, the Census showed Johnstown was the U.S. city least likely to attract new residents.

But Johnstown has quietly persevered, supported by tight-knit communities like the cryptid lovers who have made the first two festivals such a success. The city’s population is still shrinking—as it has consistently since its 1920s peak—but at a slower rate than at any point since the 1977 flood. Events like Squonkapalooza give the city an identity separate from its tragic history and a chance for residents and visitors alike to enjoy Johnstown through a new lens.

The squonk, too, has undergone a transformation over the past few decades. In PennLive’s “Paranormal PA” series, Claudia Dimuro notes that “modern pop culture has given the squonk a somewhat heroic makeover,” elevating it from a pathetic creature “to an icon of the awkward, isolated, and alone.”

The squonk is relatable in its self-consciousness; plenty of cryptids are ugly, but none of the others cry about it. By turning the squonk into a reason to smile, Squonkapalooza encourages Johnstown and its visitors to make peace with their own insecurities and imperfections—all while bringing some overdue recognition to a long-neglected local legend.

Indigenous Brazilians have fermented alcoholic beverages from the cassava root for thousands of years. These beer-like beverages go by names like cauim, caxiri, and tarubá. Fermentation is an important step in cassava processing—the raw root has chemicals that can turn into cyanide in the human body. Native peoples found that a bit of human saliva and some naturally occurring yeast could eliminate these toxins and improve the nutritious value of the tuber. When the technology of distillation arrived to the Munim River region (now in Maranhão), locals who already drank lightly alcoholic cassava beverages began to distill them. Tiquira was born. 

The name tiquira is likely derived from the Tupi word tykyre meaning "to drip." But it is a curiosity that the spirit has flourished in only one Brazilian state, Maranhão. Margot Stinglwagner, founder of Guaaja Tiquira, the first modern brand to produce the spirit starting in 2016, says “It’s a spirit that is also unknown in Brazil. A few people have heard about tiquira—but usually only people who have gone to Maranhão once.” Accordingly, the state moved to declare the spirit as a piece of Cultural and Intangible Heritage in September 2023. 

Part of the reason that tiquira has remained so isolated is that cachaça, Brazil’s rum, is far easier to produce. Because the rum comes from sugarcane, the sugar for fermentation is already there. “With cassava, you don’t have sugar,” Stinglwagner explains. “You must first transform the carbohydrates into sugar and then you can ferment and distill it.” To achieve this end, Guaaja Tiquira uses food enzymes instead of the traditional human saliva. Guaaja also differs from other distillers because they use full cassava roots where most tiquira moonshiners rely on processed farinha de mandioca, or cassava flour. 

“The majority of people produce it illegally,” laughs Stinglwagner. “The state does nothing about it.” Outside of the urban center, tiquira is invariably a homemade product. Generally, tiquira makers don’t separate the "heads" (the first drops of liquor from a distillation, which contain harsher alcohols including toxic methanol and other pungent and volatile flavor compounds) from the "tails" (the final liquid produced from distillation, which has a low alcohol content and can have unwelcome bitter flavors), meaning the spirit is stronger and may contain more toxins and impurities. Some even macerate marijuana into the combined spirit to produce the doubly-illicit tiquiconha.

Maranhenses believe that you cannot get wet or bathe after drinking tiquira, lest you become faint or dizzy. Zelinda Machado de Castro e Lima, one of the great chroniclers of folk culture in Maranhão, has recorded other traditions surrounding the drink. Firstly, it is typical to pierce a cashew with a toothpick and soak it in a glass of tiquira for several hours. It is then sucked as a sort of boozy lollipop. She also writes about the belief that those drinking coffee should avoid tiquira, while locals say that fishermen on the coast used the liquor to sanitize wounds incurred on the job. 

Finally, there is the curious question of the color of tiquira. In the tourist markets of São Luís, the spirit is always blushing a translucent violet. “They say that the color of tiquira is from tangerine leaves, but we tried to do it and the color from the leaves is not stable,” says Stinglwagner. “It is also not a strong color. The norms and laws for tiquira prohibit the addition of the leaves.” The violet color may be artificial (perhaps from food dyes), but some tiquiras do have a citrusy flavor. 

Tiquira today is still largely relegated to the world of moonshining, but with the government’s recognition of the spirit and new legitimate ventures like that of Guaaja Tiquira, Brazil could be seeing more of the cassava liquor outside of its home in Maranhão. 

“All the people say to me, ‘What is this new spirit?,’” says Stinglwagner. “I say, ‘It’s not a new spirit, it’s the oldest spirit from Brazil.’”

Know Before You Go

Tiquira is widely available in the downtown markets of São Luís, Maranhão. Both the local Mercado Central and touristic Mercado das Tulhas have many vendors selling tiquira. The commercial brand, Guaaja Tiquira, is also available in São Luís at Empório Fribal, in addition to Copacabana Palace and Fairmont Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, and Mocotó Bar e Restaurante in São Paulo. 

The origins of Germany’s Maultaschen are deliciously devious. Legend has it that, in the late Middle Ages, a lay brother named Jakob invented the stuffed pasta dumplings at the Maulbronn Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site founded in 1147 by Cistercian monks in southwest Germany.

One direct translation of Maultaschen is “mouth pockets,” though “Maul” could just as easily refer to Maulbronn. Maultaschen are usually square dumplings (though sometimes they're rolled) and can be fried in a pan or served in broth. Commonly described as Germany’s version of Italian ravioli, they allegedly emerged as a way to use up an unexpected bounty of meat that Brother Jakob stumbled upon in the forest outside the monastery walls.

The twist? Although they abhorred waste, these monks weren’t allowed to eat the meat of four-legged animals, especially during the Catholic fasting period of Lent in the spring. So Brother Jakob minced the meat with herbs and onions and wrapped everything inside pasta dough, hiding the forbidden flesh from the eyes of his fellow monks—and even from the eyes of God.

In Swabia, the region encompassing much of Baden-Württemberg and part of Bavaria where Maultaschen originated, one of the colloquial names for the food references this deception directly: Herrgottsbescheißerle means “little God-cheaters.”

Everyone in Swabia has their version of the legend with more or less embellishment. Ludwig Nestler holds a master’s degree in heritage conservation and works for the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg, a government organization that oversees monuments like Maulbronn Monastery. His version of the tale includes a sack of stolen meat dropped in the woods by a fleeing thief, which inspires Brother Jakob’s trickery in the kitchen. But he acknowledges that there’s no undisputed “historically correct version” of how Maultaschen came to be. Similarly, everyone in Swabia has their own Maultaschen recipe, with unique ingredients for the minced filling, called Brät.

“Traditionally the Brät is made from pork mixed with herbs, onions, and occasionally bread crumbs for texture and stability,” says Nestler. Swabia, however, “was a rather poor region with limited amounts of meat due to rather unfertile land, so being adaptive and innovative has always been a part of the people’s nature.” As Maultaschen became popular, fish and seasonal vegetables like spinach, carrots, beets, and mushrooms became common inclusions.

Today, the European Union ties Maultaschen to Swabia with a Protected Geographical Indication, which lists required ingredients the authentic product should feature, but even the necessary inclusions are pretty loose, such as “pork and/or beef and/or veal” for meat Brät and “typical regional vegetables” for meat-free Brät. It speaks to the way the dumplings developed as subsistence food, used to stretch leftovers and reduce food waste.

Today, Germans throughout the country enjoy Maultaschen in dozens of flavors in all seasons thanks to grocery stores that stock packaged varieties made by companies like Ditzingen-based Bürger, whose mascot, Erwin, is a Maultasche (the singular form of the plural Maultaschen).

But the dumplings remain most popular in southern Germany. Maulbronn Monastery offers a special tour that pairs Maultaschen with wine from the monastery’s vineyards. And many locals, including Nestler’s family, still make them from scratch on special occasions—even during Lent, when meat might otherwise be off the menu. There’s no telling if it’s a fraud good enough to fool God, but it’s worth a shot.

In 1914, absinthe was outlawed in France. In the small mountain town of Pontarlier, the world capital of absinthe, the news devastated the livelihoods of thousands of local workers. Nearly all the town's distilleries closed their doors or relocated. But one producer, Distillerie Guy, remained open, all thanks to adaptation and innovation. Its bestselling drink, Pont (formally known as Pontarlier-Anis), was created as a result of the absinthe ban and remains a beloved classic at the distillery to this day.

Pont was the invention of George and Armaund Guy, whose family distillery had been making absinthe since 1890. Following the nationwide ban, the distillers continued to use their absinthe recipe, with one key change: excluding the supposedly “madness-inducing” ingredient, thujone, and replacing it with green anise. 

When poured, Pont is clear as the local mountain water it contains, turning to a cloud of white when diluted. It has a frosty freshness, not unlike the sensation of breathing after chewing on a mint, while whipping the tongue with a smooth licorice sweetness. 

The licorice taste comes from the distillation of green anise, differentiating it from the star anise used in other anise spirits such as ouzo or pastis. Compared to those spirits, "Pont is lighter, purer, more subtle,” says Sébastien Siredey, who works at Distillerie Guy. “It is distilled from natural ingredients. It is more haut-de-gamme than pastis."

Pont also appears in a powerful local mixed drink known as the “Sapont.” The drink is a portmanteau that combines Pont with Sapin, the French word for “fir tree” that's also the name of another liquor produced by Distillerie Guy. Their Sapin is made from local fir trees that provide a sharp botanical flavor. A Sapont mingles together Sapin’s pine-green color and Pont’s snow white, with an icy coolness and wood-infused licorice warmth.

As with absinthe, the strength of botanicals lends a slightly medicinal flavor to every bottle of Pont and Sapin. “We are the pharmacy of Pontarlier,” Siredey jokes. Absinthe, Pont’s troublesome predecessor, was in fact used for medicinal purposes, until it was popularized by French soldiers in the war in Algeria, who grew fond of it for more than its purported healing properties. 

In 1988, France legalized the sale of absinthe (with regulated thujone levels), but did not allow producers to use the word “absinthe.” This odd stipulation was overturned in 2011 and absinthe made its formal return. But despite the notoriety of the “green fairy” Pont has remained a favorite among local connoisseurs. 

When it comes to Distillery Guy, the workers prefer their signature liquor. “At apéro, it’s Pont," says Siredey. "Not one of us drinks absinthe.”

Your travel partner for life

The post New Trends in Wellness appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Trends in Wellness... Mother/Daughter Travel WRITTEN BY ANNE GORDON, OWNER, LEISURE TRAVEL ADVISOR, LIVE LIFE TRAVEL • WWW.LIVELIFETRAVEL.WORLD We recently had the pleasure of planning such a trip for local resident, Erin McCarthy-Dates and her mother Joan. This past November, they traveled to Italy together! Here’s what they had to say about their trip… 10-NIGHT ITINERARY: ROME > FLORENCE > VENICE Anne: Was it hard deciding where in Italy to go and what to do? Erin: No, you planned everything (laughing)! I joked that we could do whatever Mother wanted, but of course you set up separate phone calls with each of us to make sure you knew what both of us wanted and took both of our preferences into account. I would have never had the time or energy to do any of it, which is why we wanted to work with an Italy specialist. A: What was your favorite part of the trip? E: I loved the day excursion to Siena in Tuscany from Florence. It was the quintessential Italian location for me, and the food tour was amazing. The Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica were also fascinating and especially meaningful for my mother. A: How do you think this trip affected your relationship with your mother? E: This trip was a great bonding experience! It was nice to have time just the two of us, without the usual chaos that the rest of the family or a group can bring. I was struck by how many friends, family and even acquaintances mentioned how cool it was that we were doing this. Many people spoke about missing their own mom, and wishing they had 2 weeks back with her. Others said they realize we won’t have our loved ones with us forever, and how it’s important to appreciate them while we still have them here. It helped realize what a gift it was to have this opportunity together. A: What were the greatest challenges during your time together? E: Being away from my 2 kids and husband (and work) for 2 weeks created anxiety before I left, but it all worked out. ATTENTION ALL WOMEN: As it turns out, we can take vacations and the world (our jobs, our families) doesn’t stop without us. It’s a very important thing for all women to do. A: Travel tips for other Mother/Daughter Travel Duos? E: Having private tours with a guide were invaluable. We were able to learn so much more about a place and its history than we would have been able to do on our own. Consider going in the “low season.” It is less expensive, less crowded and you miss the heat of summer. Most importantly, leave the planning to a professional, I could have NEVER planned a trip like this as well. A: What was it like being there during the flooding in Venice? E: It was actually their “aqua alta,” so they expect flooding twice per day during November, and then the levels recede to normal. Obviously, this was much more than usual, and I don’t want to minimize the damage that citizens, businesses, and historic sites experienced, however, I was struck by how the Venetians really just got on with it. They all have rubber wading boots, and all of us tourists bought disposable galosha-style boots to fit right over our own shoes. Saint Mark’s square was like a big swimming pool at times, and we can say we were there for it! A: Are you planning to travel again with your mother, just the two of you? E: I could see us going somewhere domestically for a shorter duration and possibly including my daughter for a women’s family retreat of sorts. Ooh, I might be on to something there! A: Has it inspired you to travel more with your own daughter and family in general and if so, what’s up next for Erin? E: We have already started thinking about a family trip with the kids to the UK in 2021 and a couples only trip with my husband to Iceland, so yes, I’m definitely looking forward to a lot more travel and very excited about it. The post New Trends in Wellness appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post Be a Smart Traveler appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Be a SMART Traveler WRITTEN BY ANNE GORDON, OWNER, LEISURE TRAVEL ADVISOR, LIVE LIFE TRAVEL • WWW.LIVELIFETRAVEL.WORLD Here are some essentials to becoming a SMART Traveler: STEP (SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM): Register all International Travel with STEP. This ensures that the local US Embassy can contact and locate you in case of an emergency while traveling: https://step.state.gov/step/ IMPORTANT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION: REAL ID: Deadline is 10/1/20 https://www.tsa.gov/real-id GLOBAL ENTRY: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry CLEAR: https://www.clearme.com/ VISA: Some countries require a visa to enter them, you should apply as early as possible as some are harder to obtain than others. https://cibtvisas.com/visa-quick-check Avoid lines by having the proper documentation PLAN AHEAD: Learn about your destination before you get there and arrive well-informed – We recommend the State Department as a trusted resource: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html STAY HEALTHY: Use one trusted source for all travel-related health information, including vaccines you may need: https://www.nc.cdc.gov/travel Other tips: Wash your hands often, travel with hand sanitizer and wipes, pack more than enough of your prescription medication (you may want to carry an extra scrip on you as well), get your annual flu vaccine, drink bottled water/stay hydrated. FINANCIAL SMARTS: Avoid international fees by using a travel credit card that waives them. Get a duplicate of your ATM card to travel with. Take out foreign currency once in destination using a bank ATM, avoid airport currency exchanges and never take out a cash advance on your credit card. Carry emergency fund cash on you at all times. Leave all of your valuables at home (including the engagement rings). Common Sense: The best advice that we could give any traveler today is to use plain old common sense. Be smart, be aware of your surroundings at all times and be prepared. Lock all doors and don’t go out alone at night (even on the beach). PLAN AHEAD: Get your passport renewed at least one year before it expires (reminder that kids passports only last for 5 years; adults for 10): https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/havepassport/renew.html Leave your passports locked in your hotel safe; carry a copy on your person while in destination (we travel with both paper copies and have them backed up in the cloud on our mobile devices). Make sure your travel advisor has copies of your updated passports pre-travel (do not email or text any ID or credit card info). Use RFID blocking and never store your passport in a carry on or check it with other luggage. A FEW FINAL TIPS TO KEEP YOU HEALTHY DURING AIR TRAVEL: A certain celebrity always travels with Neosporin and uses a Q-Tip to apply it gently in their nostrils before every flight (we are seriously going to try this!) I personally take and travel with Airborne (chewable tablets) and swear by them (pre, during and post air travel.) Beware of the water on planes, we recommend washing your hands with soap and water and then always using your hand sanitizer upon return to your seat. With all of this said, please don’t be afraid to travel, just be smart when you do. These same “essential tips” can also be applied to your everyday life. The post Be a Smart Traveler appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post 4 Honeymoons and an Anniversary appeared first on Live Life Travel.

It’s likely around the time when most of you are starting to think about your honeymoon. And while there is no right answer for everyone in terms of when to plan, we do have some general guidelines that we can share with you based on our professional experience: The sweet spot to have your honeymoon planned is roughly 9 months before your wedding (the exception to this rule is that places such as the Amalfi Coast and The Greek Islands can be planned even earlier given the short season, high demand and limited availability). If you are looking to book Sandals, they open their inventory 2 years before check-in date (vs. 1 year for most hotel inventory) and we recommend that you book as early as possible with your preferred agent as there are only benefits to doing so. If you are not sure where you want to travel for your honeymoon yet, you are not alone. Eighty-five to ninety percent of the couples we meet say the same thing and this is something that we specialize in, so no reason to worry or stress. We really do take care of everything. To help inspire all of you who are just starting to think about your honeymoon (or any other type of celebration travel), we would like to share with you ‘4 Honeymoons and a 20th Anniversary’ from 2019, along with their personal travel planning tips. Nicolle & Brian Africa Honeymoon Itinerary Highlights: Cape Town – 3 nights – Cape Point, Penguin Colony, Table Mountain Zambia – 3 nights – Victoria Falls, Elephant Café, Walking with Cheetahs, Sunset River Cruise, Private Dinner Kruger Park Safari – 4 nights – Mjejane River Lodge Johannesburg – 2 nights – Local Museums & Restaurants Honeymoon Travel Planning Tips: Even if you prefer to book your own travel, use a travel advisor for your honeymoon to make everything stress-free & super organized, as well as adding those special touches Be willing to try new things while you are in destination including experiencing the local culture and food Don’t be afraid to travel during the low season to take advantage of lower prices, more exclusive experiences and fewer crowds John & Becky Thailand Honeymoon Itinerary Highlights: Bangkok – 2 nights – Floating Markets, Street Food Tour Chiang Mai – 3 nights – Elephant Sanctuary, Night Market Tour, Visit to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple Koh Samui – 6 nights – Big Buddha, Angthong National Marine Park Singapore – 1 day – Gardens by the Bay, Cloud Forest, Bumboat River Cruise Honeymoon Travel Planning Tips: Don’t be afraid to go big for your honeymoon; it’s a once in a lifetime experience, so make it count Don’t settle for the first travel advisor that you use if they are not for you; we tried several before we found Anne Always choose the “crazy” option – We opted for an extended layover in Singapore for the way home and ended up having an incredible experience that we would had completely missed if we had planned this on our own Dan & Amanda Riviera Maya Honeymoon Itinerary Highlights: 7 nights in an Over-The-Water Villa at The Rosewood Mayakoba Inclusive of an Adults-Only Beach Club with Pool and Taco Truck, Bicycles for the week, Private Plunge Pool and Hammock, Daily Breakfast and Private Boat Ride Honeymoon Travel Planning Tips: Choose a place that you love so much that you can return for anniversaries and other celebration travel including family travel Listen to the locals; We had the best tostadas of our entire life based on a recommendation of our driver in the village of El Publeto Be sure that your resort has a specified “Adults Only” section if it is a family resort; our favorite spot was the private beach club and adults only pool where the staff was impeccable Lynsey & Andrew Sicily Honeymoon Itinerary Highlights: 2 nights – Vineyard on Mt. Etna – Private Mt. Etna Summit Jeep Experience, Private Cooking Class with Wine Tasting 6 nights – Taormina – Evening Walking Tour with Culinary Experience, Pizza Making, Private Yacht Experience with Grotto Tours Honeymoon Travel Planning Tips: Whatever you do, DON’T skip your honeymoon Using a travel advisor is a MUST – All we had to do was show up and we were treated like celebrities the entire time, everything was perfect! Don’t overthink about anything, just enjoy it all. Sicily was perfect for us and even Andrew, who has never liked wine, acquired a taste for it there (we especially loved the Etna Rosso) Mike & Becky Amalfi Coast 20th Anniversary Itinerary Highlights: 3 nights – Rome – Colosseum Tour, Vatican with Sistine Chapel Tour 1 night – Naples – Archeological Museum with Authentic Pizza Dinner 3 nights – Sorrento – Private tour of Pompeii & Herculaneum, Lunch & Wine Tasting at Vineyard on Mt. Vesuvius, Lemon Farm Tour, Lunch & Shopping in Positano 3 nights – Ravello – Anniversary Dinner at Belmond Hotel Caruso Anniversary Travel Planning Tips: Having 24/7 in-destination contacts while traveling provided us with a peace of mind that we did not realize was available to us Go to Ravello on the Amalfi Coast; it was unbelievably beautiful, so laid back and relaxing and we felt so welcome there by the locals Make time to travel together for milestone anniversaries; It was the trip of a lifetime and we are so happy that we did it For more information on planning your next vacation, contact Anne Gordon at Live Life Travel. anne@livelifetravel.world www.livelifetravel.world The post 4 Honeymoons and an Anniversary appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post Families Bond through Multi-Gen Travel appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Families Bond through Multi-Gen Travel WRITTEN BY ANNE GORDON, OWNER & LEISURE TRAVEL ADVISOR, LIVE LIFE TRAVEL, LLC Click here to download article. Whether we like to admit it or not, life just passes us by way too fast. Having recently lost my grandparents, I can tell you that I have never been more grateful for all the time that we spent together -and how much we loved traveling with them every summer. It is the time you spend together, and the memories you make, that makes life worth living. Multi-generational travel has become very popular and with good reason. As families live further apart and lives are crazier than ever, it is important to carve out that time to have shared experiences, nurture family relationships and create those memories that will last a lifetime. Naturally this type of travel does not come without challenges. I recently spoke with two local women who have traveled as a Multi-Gen family and here are their stories: In April, Jeanne Sciocchetti, her husband and their daughter took Jeanne’s parents away to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. Here is what Jeanne has to say about Multi-Gen travel: “For more than ten years I had the idea I wanted to send my parents back to Bermuda, where they had honeymooned in 1969, for their 50th Anniversary. When it came time to plan, we decided to tag along with them for this trip down memory lane. Having three generations of our family together to share this experience made it so special. All of us being there with them and listening to all of their stories was magical, and it also gave my 7-year old daughter a chance to feel like she was part of their love story. Even though we all spend a lot of time together, this is not something that could have happened at home. The memories we made on this trip will last more than a lifetime – they’ll last for three lifetimes!” You can read the full story about their trip to Bermuda (from the Grandparents’ perspective) here in the Fall/Winter 2019 issue of Saratoga Bride. We also had the opportunity to speak with Kelly Wyland, who explains that doing two big trips in one year is not the norm for her family, but when you have opportunities like this, you have to go for it. Kelly and her family traveled to Ireland as an extension of a work trip and to France as a school trip with her daughter. Anne: What were some of the highlights of multi-gen travel for you? Kelly: While in Ireland, we had the opportunity to experience part of our family’s history going back many generations. In Paris, it was all about sharing experiences and making new memories. A: Any challenges? K: It was difficult at times for the grandparents to keep up with the younger ones when navigating busy streets and some older hotels did not have elevators. A: What are your suggestions for others planning a multi-gen trip? K: Be willing to compromise. Be aware of mobility issues and stamina, and plan accordingly. You don’t have to do everything together, but plan to meet up for lunch or dinner and share your experiences. Take tons of photos and don’t be afraid to ask strangers to take your picture so you can all be in it (and then offer to reciprocate!). A: Who did this trip affect the most? K: Honestly – me! I grew up with stories about my ancestors and Irish culture and have tried to teach my kids a little about that part of our family history. It was nice to have my mom to reminisce with, and my kids to learn with. We all have roots there and it was an unforgettable experience to step foot into the same country my ancestors left so many years ago. It’s something all of us will remember for the rest of our lives. Don’t wait to plan your Multi-Gen trip – life is too short. For more information on Multi-Gen contact: Anne Gordon Live Life Travel, an independent affiliate of Travel Experts Member of Virtuoso, Virtuoso Family, Culinary, Wellness Virtuoso Saveur Advisory Board. LiveLifeTravel.world | 518-966-2663 The post Families Bond through Multi-Gen Travel appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post 50 Years Ago appeared first on Live Life Travel.

50 years ago... LOCAL COUPLE RETURNS TO SAME RESORT WHERE THEY HONEYMOONED TO CELEBRATE THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY! WRITTEN BY ANNE GORDON, OWNER & LEISURE TRAVEL ADVISOR, LIVE LIFE TRAVEL, LLC Click here to download article. Ed and Chris Galka met in 10th grade homeroom. Being seated alphabetically, he sat behind her. In 1962 they went their separate ways for college, the service and other life lessons. After reuniting on October 4, 1968, they became engaged on Thanksgiving of that year. And married the following Spring… April 26, 1969. Now – 50 years later – they revisited their honeymoon destination for their 50th Anniversary! Travel Agent Anne Gordon asks them about their trip… Q. So, what was your first impression being back on Bermuda’s Elbow Beach, for the first time in 50 years? A. The Hotel (same as the honeymoon) has an updated entrance and more cottages. There are now restaurants, all along the beach, with breathtaking beach views!!! Q. What was the biggest surprise? A. Being greeted by Randy and his team – midday on Easter Sunday – with an enthusiastic welcome and a pitcher of Rum Swizzles! (A favorite drink from 50 years ago!!) There was even a Welcome Poster at the front desk -with pictures from our wedding and honeymoon! And then when they brought us to our luxurious and spacious beachfront suite (an upgrade thanks to Anne!), we were surprised to find they had even more wedding and honeymoon pictures framed and displayed throughout the suite. The amenities were amazing – from the photos to the Prosecco (on ice!) to the Happy Anniversary cake, it made us feel like royalty from the very start of our stay. Q. Has Elbow Beach changed over the past 50 years? A. The island looked the same, but the traffic is definitely worse, and the city of Hamilton is much more developed. One thing that has not changed over the years is that the people of Bermuda are just as friendly, kind and hospitable as they were 50 years ago! Q. Were the Rum Swizzles as good as you remember? A. Yes, however the volume consumed was much less this time! Q. What was your highlight of the trip? A. Celebrating the occasion with our family and close friends in such a beautiful resort was fantastic. From the amazing welcome and hospitality we felt from the entire staff at Elbow Beach during our stay, to the incredible dinner celebration at the Blu Bar and Grill on the evening of our 50th Anniversary and last night on the island, we had the trip of a lifetime! Q. Who went on this dream trip with you? A. Our daughter Jeanne, her husband Dino, and our granddaughter Lora planned the trip (with Anne’s help) and traveled with us to Bermuda for the occasion. We were also fortunate to have our dear friends Rich and Jill Mack join us for the week. Our friendship goes back to 1969 when they were our neighbors in Parkwood Village and we became very close friends. After they moved to Wilmington, NC in the late 1970s we stayed in touch and would vacation together, at first with all our children and then just the four of us. We planned a cruise to Bermuda together for a joint 40th Anniversary celebration but had to cancel last minute due to family illness, so when they heard we were traveling to Bermuda in April they asked if they could join us. It was an amazing week reminiscing, laughing and making new memories. Q. Any unexpected surprises? A. Absolutely! The incredible suite with the gorgeous view, the welcome reception and notes from the Elbow Beach staff, the gifts sent by friends to the resort, anniversary cakes brought to us on our first night and again at Blu! Q. Would you recommend this destination for others? A. Yes! We could have spent the entire week on property at Elbow Beach and felt fulfilled. Every day started with a delicious breakfast with a beautiful view served by an incredible wait staff. Mickey’s restaurant, which is right on the beach was our favorite spot for lunch and dinner and the atmosphere at night under the stars is very romantic. Where we were located, we could easily walk to the Lido complex which is where you find all the restaurants. The beach is gorgeous, and the water is an amazing aqua blue and crystal clear. Randy (Wilcott, Vice President of Sales and Marketing) made us feel so welcome. He met with us on several occasions, called to see how we were enjoying our stay and I’m guessing he made sure we were treated extra special at the “Blu Bar & Grill” where we had dinner on our actual Anniversary. They seated us at the best table overlooking the water! For help planning your next “trip of a lifetime” contact: Anne Gordon Live Life Travel, an independent affiliate of Travel Experts Member of Virtuoso, Virtuoso Family, Culinary, Wellness Virtuoso Saveur Advisory Board. LiveLifeTravel.world | 518-966-2663 The post 50 Years Ago appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post Live, Life, Travel…Forget the Bucket! appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Live, Life, Travel... FORGET THE BUCKET WRITTEN BY ANNE GORDON, OWNER & LEISURE TRAVEL ADVISOR, LIVE LIFE TRAVEL, LLC Click here to download article. When my 12-year old son told me that he had a “bucket list,” I was surprised by my mixed emotions. On one-hand, I was so proud that I had inspired him at such a young age to be so passionate about travel that he had his own list of “must see destinations.” However, when I think about a “bucket list” it conjures up feelings of people who almost missed out because they waited to enjoy life until it was almost too late, which is not how I want to live, not how I raise my son, and definitely the complete opposite of WHAT we should all be aiming for… Live Life Travel. Perhaps it is just a saying and I am taking it too literally; however, I view it as a mindset that we can be changing at home starting with our own children in very engaging, fun and educational ways. Instead of a “Bucket List,” we can make a conscious decision to start building “Life Lists” with our families from a very young age, which then creates both life and family goals. Here are some of the awesome benefits: Increased sense of community within the family through shared goals Better communication encouraging teamwork at home Education – Geography (we recommend not going to any destination before all children have completed their in-classroom education) Budgeting – Goals Parents become role models for their children in terms of prioritizing family time, being able to unplug from work, taking all of their paid vacation time TRAVEL BENEFITS FOR KIDS: Increased independence, self-esteem and self-confidence as well as developing intellectual curiosity, better cooperation skills and adaptability and increased tolerance and respectfulness of others. Education beyond the classroom… learning about different cultures, languages, history, currencies, museums/art as well as becoming global citizens. Vacation Benefits for Adults: Lowers stress, Heart disease prevention, Increased productivity, Better sleep, Irreplaceable memories and Experiences with your children (set goals for before the 1st child leaves for college). Naturally, as parents, our biggest challenges will always be: Having enough time Having enough money Or a combination of both at the same time We call this the “Time/Money Ratio,” and it is why planning and having goals is essential. For example, I made a commitment for my son and I to always spend February Break together when he started Kindergarten and since then, we have. However, February has become an extremely busy month for me and he’s turning 13 (new “Life Stage”) so we are re-assessing our Family Travel Goals. Perhaps it would make more sense for him to fly alone to Florida and spend more time with his Grandparents that week. This is a perfect example of why my family needs to re-assess our own goals right now. We also only have 5 years before he graduates from High School and we both know that we have certain places that we want to travel to together before then that we will need to save and plan for. Every family will have different obstacles, but the objective is to make a commitment, then work together towards the goal that is important to everyone. For your children, this will be the first of many “life lists.” Encourage your children – along with yourself – to seize the opportunity when it presents itself. Studying abroad or “volunteer travel” are both rewarding experiences for young travelers. If you are not sure where to start, speak to a travel advisor for a consultation and professional planning. LiveLifeTravel.world The post Live, Life, Travel…Forget the Bucket! appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post Traveling with Autism appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Traveling with Autism Click here to download our article in Saratoga Family, or read online below. Travel is usually very easy for me to write about, but this article was a tough one and not because I did not do my homework (I am now a Certified Autism Travel Specialist (CATP*), but because of how frustrated I am at the lack of certified family vacation destinations that are available in today’s world. It is something that I am committed to changing as a Virtuoso Family Travel Specialist. It is not acceptable to me and it should not be acceptable to anyone that has a child with autism. As of today, there are only 4 family brands that I currently work with and recommend that are IBCCS* certified. Beaches – Locations in Turks and Caicos, Negril and Ocho Rios Nickelodeon Resort – Punta Cana (a second location opening soon in Riviera Maya in Mexico) Royal Caribbean – Family Friendly Cruise Ships; applies to children, teens and adults Sesame Place – Has a sensory guide for every attraction so parents can plan in advance (I believe that this should become the universal standard) One of our favorite initiatives of all is Julia. In late 2017, Beaches Resorts added Sesame Street’s newest, and first ever autistic character, Julia, to the collection of walk-around characters at Beaches Resorts and staff underwent extensive training. Based on data collected since the beginning of 2018, an average of 200 children per month took part in the Meet and Greet with Julia and the ‘Amazing Art with Julia’ painting activity, across all three Beaches Resorts. The introduction of Julia also brought with it an exciting new activity, ‘Amazing Art with Julia,’ teaching children how to express themselves through art. In this activity, children are greeted by Julia a 4-year-old girl character who has Autism. Julia, who loves to paint, highlights how people can express themselves through art. Using a range of materials, children have the opportunity to explore, experiment and create in this open-ended art activity. We need to adapt to the world that we live in today, we need to be inclusive, not exclusive and like it or not, the diagnosis rates for autism are increasing by 600%** every year. The latest numbers indicate that 1 in every 59 children are affected; 1 out of 42 of those children are boys. And don’t be fooled, “Autism Friendly” is not good enough. To become a Certified Autism Center, 80% of its full-time staff must go through the IBCCS certified training program (individuals are matched up to different certifications based on their education and experience). You are then certified for a 2-year period. Below is the reality of WHY we need change. We need to support and empower families with the ability to be able to travel. Vacations are essential to these parents and families now more than ever before. PARENT TRAVEL SURVEY (SOURCE: IBCCES) Over 1,000 parents who have a child on the spectrum were asked: Do you currently take vacations as a family? 87% responded “NO” Would you be more inclined to travel if autism certified options were available? 93% responded “Yes” Are you satisfied with current travel options for families with autism? 89% responded “NO” “We know that training and certification is the best way for organizations to ensure they can accommodate all families,” explained Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman. “IBCCES is proud to work with Aquatica Orlando and other leaders in the industry to increase the availability of certified options and help individuals have a safe and enriching experience when traveling or visiting a new place. With the rise in diagnosis rates of cognitive disorders, there is a huge need for these options and for organizations to make a long-lasting commitment to their guests.” “You have no idea how much it means to our family to finally find a travel professional who understands us! Thank you!” – Greg, parent with child on autism spectrum SOME BASIC TRAVEL TIPS FOR ALL PARENTS: Take your time and be patient Be aware, be creative and be prepared Focus on your children’s strengths – lots of positive re-enforcement Do what you enjoy doing with your child – Avoid trying to fix, cure or change them Relax (easier said than done said every parent ever); Kids sense your stress AUTISM TRAVEL RESOURCES: TSA: Dress rehearsals for individuals with autism for the entire experience of air travel covering everything from check in, security, boarding and deplaning. TheArc.org/WingsForAutism AutismTravel.com Ibcces.org Autism-Society.org AutismSpeaks.org Reach out to a Certified Travel Professional to help plan your next family vacation. As we know, each individual on the spectrum is unique as should be their travel plans and preparation, but together, we can make a difference. One day, one advisor, one family, one resort at a time. Please join our Facebook group to show your support as we urge resorts and other advisors to get certified so that our families, friends and neighbors can travel easier in the future. JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE – “AUTISM TRAVEL AWARENESS” *The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) offers certification programs to travel professionals who help families and individuals with special needs prepare for their perfect vacation. A Certified Autism Travel Professional (CATP) is defined as a professional who has demonstrated that they are both knowledgeable and capable of providing support and travel related services to an individual on the autism spectrum as well as their family. **Source: CDC The post Traveling with Autism appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post Ballsfest and Live Life Travel partner appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Ballsfest and Live Life Travel Partner Making Family Vacations a Priority for Those Who Need it the Most! Download a PDF of the article here. From the moment a parent hears the words “Your child has cancer,” their lives are forever changed. Life as they knew it quickly turns into a world of unknowns, worry, and fear, and strikes a stifling blow as the saying “Life can change in an instant” becomes a reality. A cancer diagnosis takes a tremendous toll on a family, emotionally, socially, physically, and financially. This is where the nonprofit Ballsfest comes into play. With their mission to lift the spirits of children, teens, and families battling childhood cancer, they strive to provide unique gifts and experiences, as well as year-round programs and services to help ease the stress and strain felt by families. Recognizing the importance of remaining positive, enjoying the moment, and creating memories, Ballsfest has provided families with unique travel experiences to do just that. We have found a partner who genuinely shares all of these same motivations with a mission that is stated clearly within the company’s name, one that she lives by herself and encourages others to as well, Live Life Travel. While already focusing on family travel locally in Saratoga Springs, NY, the partnership was a perfect fit. Anne Gordon, owner of Live Life Travel, LLC stated that “It is my belief that all families should prioritize time together, live life to the fullest, and spend as much time as possible creating family memories (while also unplugging). Having the chance to see the pictures of Evan and his family and how happy they were, (Evan’s Universal trip in January 2019 was the partnerships first collaboration together) is exactly why I love my job so much. Seeing Evan’s smile on a trip that I had the privilege of planning was just an incredible feeling of joy and I am really looking forward to creating more of that joy as our partnership moves forward with Ballsfest.” With the rigorous treatment schedules these families juggle, along with the financial implications of treatment related costs, travel typically falls to the wayside. The financial resources are not available for travel, while the importance of vacations and memory making remain so critical. Through this newly developed partnership, Live Life Travel will be the exclusive travel partner for all Baller trips. Live Life Travel shares in the belief that family vacations can truly help lift the spirits of the children and families living with a diagnosis. “We are committed to creating customized travel experiences for all of our Baller families. We have also pledged to make a financial donation to Ballsfest for every family that travels with us. In addition, we will create a page/button on our website where our clients can also make contributions. We feel that this is just the beginning of what will be a very meaningful partnership,” shared Anne. Angie Silipigno, Executive Director of Ballsfest NY, shared, “Having been in the field of childhood cancer for a long time, I know that it takes more than medicine to heal these children. While working to cure the disease, it is so important to heal the heart and spirit as well. Partnering with Live Life Travel to create once-in-a-lifetimes experiences for our Ballers immediately felt like the perfect fit. Having the confidence in Anne’s heart and passion to put together special travel packages for each family means the world to us. It is our mission to really bring joy, hope, laughter, and everlasting moments to these amazing children and their families during an extremely difficult time.” After a Baller is presented with their personalized trip idea, this partnership will go into full effect to develop a perfectly laid plan to build on the patient’s interests and deliver an unforgettable experience. BALLSFEST is a registered nonprofit organization that lifts the spirits of young children, teens, and families affected by cancer. The term “Ballsfest” was created as a play on words by testicular cancer survivor, Frank DeBlasi, to reflect his positive spirit and outlook throughout his own battle. With his passion for children, Frank has focused on helping those battling remains positive and hopeful. BALLSFEST provides personalized gifts and experiences to Ballers at an annual signature event, as well as year-round programming and support to patients and families. Live Life Travel is your local Virtuoso travel advisor specializing in custom global experiences. From family vacations, multi-gen travel, honeymoons, special occasion, groups and luxury/family cruise, we have unparalleled access around the world. We offer personalized experiences, customized to make everyone’s trip extraordinary. By booking with a local trusted travel advisor, you will also always have peace of mind, which is the ultimate luxury. Live Life Travel was founded in 2015 by Anne Gordon who encourages everyone to live life to the fullest and appreciate every day. Anne also promotes taking all of your paid vacation time and to please travel with your children. #livelifetravelnow www.livelifetravel.world The post Ballsfest and Live Life Travel partner appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post Dream Honeymoons to Italy appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Dream Honeymoons to Italy Our Favorite Italy Destinations for 2019: AMALFI COAST AND SICILY Click here to download our article in Saratoga Bride, or read online below! Belmond Hotel Timeo - Taormima, Italy While we do not subscribe to the ‘one size fits all’ theory for any vacation, that especially goes for honeymoons! However, we do have our very favorite Amalfi Coast and Sicily towns as well as the “Best of The Best” hotel and excursion recommendations that should be on the top of everyone’s list when planning their Italian getaway. Amalfi Coast – SORRENTO is the northern most town on the Amalfi Coast and a great choice if you can only pick one town to visit during your stay on The Amalfi Coast as it serves as a great “home base” if you are unable to take an extended honeymoon. Day trips and excursions are easy from Sorrento including visiting the other coastal cliffside towns, spending a day on the water, taking the ferry over to Capri or even touring the ruins of Pompeii. Sorrento sits upon a cliff and faces the Bay of Naples with stunning views of Mount Vesuvius. There is a town square, Piazza Tasso that is lined with cafes, restaurants and shops along with narrow alleys with lots of hidden gems to be discovered. Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria – Sorrento, Italy Best of The Best Sorrento Hotel – Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria* One of the most iconic hotels of Italy and it is still owned and managed by the same family (and they live there!). Established in 1834, the hotel was built on the same property where Emperor Augustus had his private villa, so it is possible to see ancient Roman ruins across the five-acre private gardens which is also a paradise of orange, lemon and olive trees, all local staples of the coast. Original antiques, unique rooms, amazing views, a central location, stunning pool, a few restaurants and bars (one Michelin starred) all make this hotel an extremely special place on the Amalfi Coast. Best of The Best Sorrento Excursion The Lemon Farm Tour is our favorite, hands down. This half day tour is nothing short of spectacular as you have the opportunity to meet 3 unique Sorrento families and not only learn/watch them do their trade, but also taste/eat/drink/enjoy the results. It is not only delicious, but a very authentic experience and a lot of fun. From the lemon farm with limoncello, lemonade and olive oil to the cheese factory (amazing) and then off to pizza making with the “pizza man.” POSITANO is a village located south of Sorrento and is magically set within a steep cliff lined with narrow streets with a pebble beach along its coastline. Positano is the place to be and be seen and is usually very crowded during high season. There are a lot of great hotels, shopping, boutiques, cafes and bars, the most popular being ‘Music on the Rocks.’ John Steinbeck is quoted as saying “Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” Harper’s Bazaar 1953 Best of the Best Positano Hotel – Le Sirenuse* Le Sirenuse opened in 1951, when four Neapolitan brothers turned their summer house in to a charming hotel overlooking the bay of Positano. Today, the 58-room boutique hotel is considered one of Italy’s best, yet it still retains the intimate and personal feel of a private home. We recommend enjoying the luxury spa, heated pool along with evening cocktails and great views at the romantic Champagne & Oyster Bar and then top the day off with dinner at Michelin starred restaurant, La Sponda. This infamous restaurant, which also boasts gorgeous sea views, is illuminated in the evening by four hundred candles that create an unforgettable atmosphere, especially for honeymooners. Palazzo Avivo – Ravello, Italy For those traveling in May and October, you can look forward to somewhat cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. During high season (June through September), we recommend Positano for those couples who want to be in the mix of fun and sun as it becomes a very lively town (sometimes crowded) and very hot during the days. A great pool is essential. And for those who book Le Sirenuse* with Live Life Travel (3 nights or more) in a Junior Suite or Suite, will receive a complimentary evening sunset cruise with bubbly during your stay. One of our favorite things to do, so an incredible deal. Best of the Best Positano Excursion Full Day Private Yacht Charter (and regardless of the wait time, the Blue Grotto is a MUST SEE) RAVELLO is set 365 meters above the Sea by Italy’s Amalfi Coast and home to iconic cliffside gardens, unbeatable views along with a quaint and historic Italian village. Best of the Best Ravello Hotels Belmond Hotel Caruso* was formerly an 11th-century palace. Our absolute favorite part of this hotel is the (almost unbelievable) infinity pool that boasts some of the best views in the world. You will also enjoy complimentary boat rides as part of your stay here. This pool is UNREAL! The truly something unique and special here for honeymooners is the “Infinity Dream Dinner,” which is a private candlelight dinner under the stars while floating on the hotel’s infinity pool, all with a private butler. Palazzo Avino* was built in what was once a 12th century private villa for an Italian noble family, then opened as a hotel in 1997. What makes this resort unique and a favorite of ours is their ‘Clubhouse by the Sea,’ which is located in Marmorata, a short 15-minute drive from Ravello (via complimentary shuttle starting at 930am daily). All hotel guests can enjoy the beach platforms directly on the sea along with a pool, restaurant and lounge chair service. Open May through October. Best of both worlds. As for excursions in Ravello, there is really no reason to leave the sanctuaries that are those two hotels. They are destinations in and of themselves. Of course, go into Ravello town and possibly do a walking tour, enjoy the shops and restaurants, but other than that, enjoy the view! TAORMINA, SICILY is a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. Sicily deserves a dedicated trip to see the entire island (we consider it one of the world’s best kept secrets), but if you want just a small taste (and you do), we recommend Taormina. Enjoy some best cannoli’s (we love Roberto’s) and cuisine of your life while strolling along the Corso Umberto. Best of the Best Taormina Hotel – Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo* The first hotel to be built in the city; you will enjoy views of the coast along with the beautiful Mount Etna. It is a Sicilian hideaway in the heart of town that fuels the imagination. Our favorite and most unique part of this hotel is its central location to town and the Greek Theatre (a must see). This resort also offers complimentary shuttle service to its sister hotel’s private beach at the Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea, the other “best” hotel in Taormina. You truly cannot go wrong with this choice since you get them both. Best of the Best Taormina Excursion – Mount Etna Plan for a full day guided tour of this incredible volcano. Venture to the summit, enjoy wine tasting (fun fact: some of the best wine is produced in volcanic soil). Pack a warm jacket, it’s cold up there, but you will literally feel like you are on another planet, it is one of the best experiences we can recommend. Definitely do the helicopter transfers if you can to get the absolute best views as well as maximizing your time on Etna. *Virtuoso property – All Virtuoso properties booked through Live Life Travel will receive VIP amenities that are not available online; contact for specifics To start planning your honeymoon today, email anne@livelifetravel.world Belmond Timeo Hotel - Taormina, Italy. The post Dream Honeymoons to Italy appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post SARATOGA FAMILY, The Ultimate Holiday Gift for Your Family: A VACATION!! appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The Ultimate Holiday Gift for Your Family: A VACATION!! It may be cliché, but also very true, the best gift that you can give your family (especially your children) is the gift of time. And what better way than traveling the world as a family. 4 TIPS FOR PLANNING ANY TYPE OF FAMILY TRAVEL 1) PLAN AHEAD – It’s never too early to start planning Tip: Airfare goes on sale 11 months in advance; We like the Hopper APP to track airfare prices 2) DON’T WAIT – Start them young; they grow up way too fast 3) ENGAGE – Let them be part of the decision; Inclusive family decisions always make every trip much more successful. 4) EDUCATE – Don’t tell the kids, but traveling the world is a totally super fun way to learn all of that “stuff” that they teach you in school. Tip: The SSCD kids learn about Ancient Rome, Greece, China, India and Egypt in the 6th Grade, we recommend taking them to these magnificent destinations after the 6th Grade. LIVE LIFE TRAVEL’S TOP PICKS FOR FAMILY TRAVEL BEACHES TURKS AND CAICOS – To us, this is comparable to what Disney World is to the rest of American children (but way better!); Contact us to receive your $250 spa credit Tip: We recommend booking 1-2 years in advance for this property (for high season weeks); there are 2 other Beaches located in Jamaica (Negril and Ocho Rios); we love them all ITALY – Ancient Rome is really something spectacular, especially after learning about it in 6th grade, we think that Italy is a trip that the entire family can enjoy; We also highly suggest heading down to Sicily, a hidden gem AFRICAN SAFARI – A must for every family; truly a once in a lifetime experience. We recommend the Cape Town – Sabi Sands – Victoria Falls combo if you want to do it right. HAWAII – A favorite destination for families over the Holiday Break and for good reason! We love the Grand Wailea in Maui and The Four Seasons Hualalai on The Big Island. Experience two very different landscapes as to what Hawaii has to offer ALASKA – Experience nature up close and personal with Lindblad Expeditions on the National Geographic expedition ships that have custom programs just for kids FOUR SEASONS RESORTS – In general, you just cannot go wrong, and we love them. Our top family choices are Nevis, Costa Rica, Anguilla, Chiang Mai and Langkawi. OUR #1 FAMILY TRAVEL RECOMMENDATION: GLOBAL CITIZENS WANTED ME to WE – A new travel partner to our Virtuoso family, this company is one of our very favorites. We would encourage you all to please check out their video on our Facebook and Instagram pages. If you want to make a difference in the world, if you want to make an impact with your children, if you want to create lifelong memories and a feeling that will never fade away, then ME to WE is what you are looking for. Travel itineraries currently include Ecuador, Kenya and India. Contact us to learn more! 52% of Americans do not take all their PAID vacation time. Please do not become or stay part of this statistic— Vacations are healthy, not only for you physically and mentally, but emotionally for your family, especially for kids. Life is short, make the most of it! The post SARATOGA FAMILY, The Ultimate Holiday Gift for Your Family: A VACATION!! appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Solo female travel anywhere and everywhere.

Syria was, literally and figuratively, a wild ride for me. I have millions of thoughts on my time there, but I’ll start with the first question everyone has: what was it like to travel to Syria?

For decades, travellers have been drawn to the Arab world’s hidden network of natural wonders, which spans from the lush palm groves of Oman to the dry oasis of Saudi Arabia. Mineral-rich hot springs, rejuvenating fountains that appear to breathe new life into the surrounding landscapes, are among the region’s most sought-after havens. Those in need of a vacation from the fast-paced world of today may take advantage of these geothermal spas and inexpensive luxury flights with Flyadeal for the ultimate rest and renewal. Read on to learn about some of the best hot springs in the Arab world.

Endless scenic roads leading everywhere and anywhere. Every kind of landscape, from snowy mountains to aquamarine coastline. A strong culture of hospitality toward foreign visitors. Motorcycle travel in Turkey (Türkiye) is a dream every biker should experience at least once.

Truck art motorcycle rental in Pakistan is a no-brainer. Here’s how we can make it happen for you in Islamabad.

Traveling overland in Turkey with your own vehicle but need to leave for some time? Here’s a guide to leaving your foreign vehicle in Turkey (Türkiye), based on my experience leaving my foreign motorcycle in Turkey for 2 months.

Traveling overland in the Middle East? You’ll likely end up at the Kuwait-Iraq border crossing eventually! Here’s what you need to know, based on my experience crossing the border by motorcycle in January 2023.

Biking through Iraq? Yes, it can be done! Here’s my guide to motorcycle travel in Iraq with everything I learned from one month of biking solo across Iraq.

Yep, solo female travel in Iraq is possible! I was there for a month, and I survived (and, dare I say, thrived). Here’s my guide with everything you need to know to travel Iraq as a solo woman.

A wee story from my visit to the Al Hasun Museum in Basra. It ended up being my favorite thing to do in Basra, Iraq!

A lot of travelers want to know if it’s possible to travel from Pakistan to India (or India to Pakistan). I’m here to say yes—yes it is! Here are ways to travel from Pakistan to India, border crossing tips, and more.

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

If you’re a frequent traveler, you know that planning multiple trips throughout the year can be a logistical challenge. There are lots of moving parts to organize, from flights to accommodation to activities. And it gets even more challenging if you’re traveling with friends or family. In fact, there’s so much to keep track of...

The post World Nomads Annual Travel Insurance Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

If you’re a frequent traveler, you know that planning multiple trips throughout the year can be a logistical challenge. There are lots of moving parts to organize, from flights to accommodation to activities. And it gets even more challenging if you’re traveling with friends or family. In fact, there’s so much to keep track of that most people neglect one of the most important things you can take on any trip: travel insurance. A lot of travelers avoid even thinking about travel insurance. Comparing prices and plans seems like a hassle (and an unnecessary expense to boot). After all, you probably won’t need it, and then you’ve just paid for nothing. But you haven’t paid for “nothing.” You’ve paid for assurance that you have a plan in place should the unexpected or unfortunate happen while you’re abroad. And if something does happen, you will be very glad that you have coverage. Accidents and mishaps that happen on the road can add up quickly, leaving you hundreds (if not thousands) out of pocket. After over 15 years of traveling the world, travel insurance is the one thing I never leave home without. It’s that important! And while finding and comparing plans used to be time-consuming (I’ve read a lot of fine print over the years), it’s never been easier to learn about new plans. Gone are the days of having to buy a new plan for each and every trip too, thanks to the growing number of annual multi trip plans. World Nomads, a company I’ve been recommending for over a decade, has just launched its own Annual Travel Protection Plan for US residents. Here’s everything you need to know to decide if it’s the best plan for your next journey: What is World Nomads? World Nomads is a travel insurance* company that started out geared towards backpackers and adventure travelers, with an extensive list of more than 250 adventure sports and activities covered. It’s the one I used on my first big trip around the world (and have used it dozens of times since). They’ve been around for over twenty years and provide coverage for people from more than a hundred countries. Through World Nomads, you can get international and domestic coverage when traveling at least 100 miles from home for: Emergency medical and dental work Sudden illness and injury Medical evacuation and repatriation 24-hour emergency medical assistance Lost, stolen or damaged baggage Cancellations and interruptions Trip and baggage delay Over 250 types of adventure activities And more! Overall, World Nomads is a solid travel insurance company for travelers who want bundled coverage. While there are cheaper plans out there, World Nomads offers multiple plans to choose from and varying levels of coverage (especially when it comes to cancellations and adventure activities). If you’re going to be doing a lot of outdoor activities and want a variety of covered activities available, World Nomads is the company I recommend. That said, since I’ve already covered World Nomads in depth in this review, today I’m going to focus on their new Annual Plan. It’s something that many travelers have asked me about, both in my inbox and on our travel insurance webinars. I’m glad to see they’ve created an Annual Plan to fill this need. What is the World Nomads Annual Travel Protection Plan? Previously, World Nomads only offered single-trip protection plans. You bought a plan for a predefined period and destination, and that was it. But what if you travel a lot throughout the year? It’s a hassle to have to buy a new plan every time. Those single-trip plans add up too. With World Nomads annual plans, however, you pay once and get travel protection for multiple countries, and for an unlimited number of trips up to 45-days long through the entire year. This not only simplifies your planning but could save you money in the long run. There are four caveats though. First, each trip under the annual plan is capped at 45 days. Most travelers don’t travel abroad for that long, though, so I don’t really consider that a negative. Second, annual plans do not auto-renew, so you’ll need to purchase a new plan each year. That said, World Nomads sends a reminder a month before your current plan expires, so this isn’t really a big deal either. Third, the US Annual Plan is only available to be purchased independently per traveler. The plan is not available for family or couple purchases like the single trip plans; however, you can purchase individual Annual Plans for each member of your family under the age of 69. Fourth, and most important, the Annual Plan is currently only available to US residents (except residents of Missouri, Montana, New York or Washington). World Nomads also offers a similar Annual Multi Trip plans for UK and Ireland residents, but coverages vary compared to the US plan. Hopefully, if it’s successful, they will expand it to more countries in the future. What does World Nomads’ Annual Travel Protection Plan cover? The coverage under a World Nomads Annual Plan is similar to that of its single-trip plans. As a plan holder, you’ll get coverage for more than 250 adventure activities, trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses, and some for lost and stolen gear. Here’s exactly what’s covered found on the World Nomads website: The plans also cover incidents that occur while you’re participating in any of 250+ adventure activities in the following categories: Most activities are included in the Annual Plan. More extensive activities could be covered on the single trip Explorer and Epic Plans. To give you an example, zip-lining and snorkeling are covered by Standard and Annual plans, while heli-skiing is covered by the Explorer plan and free soloing is only covered by the Epic Plan. Here are all the water-related activities that World Nomads covers: Of course, there are also things World Nomads does not cover. These include (but aren’t limited to): Engaging in any illegal activities Incidents that occur when under the influence of alcohol or other drugs Non-emergency medical treatment that can wait until you return home In short, World Nomads offers travel insurance, not health insurance. It’s there for when the unexpected happens, not for ongoing treatment or checkups. Additional Perks for all USA Travel Protection Plans In addition to rolling out the new annual plan, World Nomads is expanding the non-insurance services included within all USA travel protection plans. 24/7 Emergency Assistance supports you in emergency situations, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The support team can get you to the nearest hospital or consulate, offer translation services and provide guidance in emergency situations. FootPrint ID allows to you to keep track of your medical records and emergency contacts in one place. This is helpful in emergency situations when healthcare providers need quick answers regarding your medical history, prescriptions and contacts. Blue Ribbon Bags offers delayed and lost luggage retrieval services. They can track and expedite the return of delayed airline baggage for outbound flights and are available to assist 24/7. Runway Health provides free pre-trip online health consultations so travelers can get access to prescriptions and vaccinations for common travel needs like altitude sickness and malaria before taking off for their trip. Pros of World Nomads’ Annual Travel Protection Plan Covers you for an unlimited number of trips within a year Cost-effective and convenient (you don’t have to buy a new plan for each trip) Coverage for over 250 activities Coverage for domestic and international travel Access to 24/7 Emergency Assistance, FootPrint ID, Runway Health and Blue Ribbon Bags Online claims processing Cons of Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Per trip duration limit of 45 days Higher up-front cost than purchasing plans individually Only available for individual purchase, no family or couple plans Only available for USA, UK & Irish residents at this time Comparing Annual and Single-Trip Plans The cost-effectiveness of annual versus single-trip insurance depends on your habits. If you take multiple trips each year, both domestically and internationally, 12-month travel insurance could save you money. Let’s say that within a year, you plan to travel to Thailand for three weeks, Paris for a long weekend, Mexico for one month, the Bahamas for 10 days, Iceland for a long weekend, and then Spain for a week. If you got annual travel insurance, the quote for a 40-year-old person from the US would be $506 USD. Not bad at all for an entire year’s worth of coverage (that’s just over $42 USD per month)! If you were to get separate policies for each trip, it would total around $635 USD. Not to mention the added convenience of only having to buy the plan once and get coverage for the entire year. Plus, you’d still be able to go on more trips (or extend your trips) with the annual plan without spending more money! While prices vary depending on factors such as where you’re going, the length of the trip, and your planned activities, most of the time, it’s a no-brainer to get the annual plan. It’s just so easy and hassle-free. Both annual and single-trip plans offer the same benefits too. That includes trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses, and personal baggage coverage. Remember, limits and exclusions may vary. No matter what plan you get, it’s essential to review the plan details carefully. Who is World Nomads Annual Plan for? World Nomads annual plan is best for frequent travelers who take several trips throughout the year. You can sign up for a plan once a year, and then go about your travels without thinking about it again. Simply purchase a new plan when the time comes (you’ll get an email reminder). Personally, I think a lot of travelers who do lots of short weekend trips will find this plan super helpful, as you won’t have to purchase a plan every single time you want to get away. The saved time and money alone make the annual plan worth it, in my opinion. That said, annual plan is not ideal for full-time digital nomads, since each trip is capped at 45 days. Additionally, World Nomads only covers unexpected emergencies, so if you’re a digital nomad looking for ongoing health insurance (i.e., for non-emergencies), you’ll want to look elsewhere. *** Having used World Nomads for over 15 years, I think these new additions are a game changer. While they are only available in the US, UK and Ireland currently, I’m super excited to see what direction the company is moving in. Baggage retrieval service, pre-trip online health consultations — these are awesome perks that I know every traveler is going to appreciate. Don’t let the hassle of arranging travel insurance for each trip hold you back from exploring the world. Get a quote for World Nomads’ Annual travel insurance plan today and enjoy coverage all year round. Safe travels! Click here to learn more! *Travel insurance is included as part of the World Nomads travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. U.S. travel protection plan are serviced by their partner Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, who administers both customer service and claims for U.S. customers. Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned! Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post World Nomads Annual Travel Insurance Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I love visiting Japan. Even after multiple visits, I never get tired of wandering the country’s historic temples, feasting on its incredible sushi, and soaking up the breakneck pace of life in Tokyo. After over half a dozen visits, I’ve learned through trial and error how to best explore the country. English isn’t widely spoken,...

The post The Best eSIM for Traveling Japan appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I love visiting Japan. Even after multiple visits, I never get tired of wandering the country’s historic temples, feasting on its incredible sushi, and soaking up the breakneck pace of life in Tokyo. After over half a dozen visits, I’ve learned through trial and error how to best explore the country. English isn’t widely spoken, and once you get out of the big cities, it’s even less common. That means things like online maps and translation apps are vital for every traveler. To ensure you stay connected during your trip, you’re going to want to buy an eSIM. It’s the best way to ensure you have mobile data as you explore the country. But which eSIM is the best for traveling Japan? In this post, I’ll breakdown why I think Jetpac is the best eSIM for Japan and why you should consider them for your next visit. What is Jetpac? Jetpac is a travel eSIM company founded in Singapore. They offer affordable mobile data coverage to over 150 destinations around the world (including Japan), but they also offer regional bundles so that you can visit more than one country with the same eSIM and still have reliable coverage. To get an eSIM, you’ll first want to browse their plans to see which duration is best for you. They have plans from 1 GB to 50 GB and 1 day to 30 days, with prices starting at just $4 USD. Their Japan eSIM prices are super competitive and affordable for even the cheapest budget traveler. Once you’ve picked your plan, you’ll be able to add the eSIM to your device. It’s super simple, but they also have free video tutorials and an FAQ on their site if you run into trouble. What I especially love is that it’s just a one-time installation. Many other eSIMs require a new installation for each new eSIM that you buy. That’s not the case with Jetpac, which makes this a great choice for travelers who want a hassle free eSIM (especially travelers who are less tech savvy). You can use a Jetpac eSIM regardless of your current data plan, however, it will only work on unlocked phones. Additionally, in Japan Jetpac has extensive 5G coverage, which means you’ll have fast and reliable mobile data everywhere you go. Jetpac doesn’t just offer eSIMs though. They actually have some pretty solid travel perks, which, in my mind, is what makes them the best eSIM for Japan. Jetpac’s Perks JetPass is the free suite of benefits that you get access to with any Jetpac purchase. This is where Jetpac really goes above and beyond, as I haven’t seen these benefits with any other eSIM provider. They offer two free perks and two paid add-ons: SmartDelay (free) With this feature, you can get free lounge access if your flight is delayed for more than an hour. All you need to do is register your flight in the Jetpac app. If your flight is delayed, you’ll get a digital LoungeKey voucher sent straight to your email. What I really love is that you can even register up to five traveling companions, so if you’re traveling with friends or family, you’ll all be able to get into the lounge. ExpressVPN trial (free) Cybersecurity is something that not enough travelers take seriously. I always use a VPN when I travel, and I recommend you do the same. That’s why I think it’s great that Jetpac offers a free 30-day trial of ExpressVPN, one of the best VPN services out there. (You just need to be a new user of ExpressVPN). Lounge Access (paid) If you want lounge access no matter what, you can purchase lounge passes at a discount via the Jetpac app. A lounge pass in Asia costs $30 USD, while a lounge pass in the rest of the world costs $35 USD. Considering lounges can cost $40–60 USD per person for a day pass, this is a nice way to get a discount on a pass if you don’t already have access. You can buy a single pass or buy passes in bundles of up to six passes at a time (you pay less per pass the more passes you purchase at once). Fast Track (paid) Jetpac also offers FastTrack passes in Europe and China, where you get access to lanes that let you skip the long lines of security. These passes cost $12 USD for a single pass or $62 USD for a six-pack. Pros of Jetpac Affordable prices starting at just $4 USD Lounge access for flight delays Free ExpressVPN trial Coverage for Japan & neighboring region (includes 17 countries) Data packs are valid one year from purchase Extensive 5G coverage for Japan Simple, one-time installation Cons of Jetpac Slightly more expensive than other eSIMs (but their Japan rates are competitive!) Does not offer calling and SMS messages FAQ About Jetpac eSIMs What kinds of phones are compatible with Jetpac eSIMs? As long as your phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible (pretty much all phones made after 2018 are), you’ll be able to use a Jetpac eSIM! Can you hotspot with Jetpac eSIMs? Yes, Jetpac eSIMs have hotspotting capabilities. Do I install my eSIM before or after arriving in Japan? It’s recommended to install your eSIM before arriving. Just don’t turn on roaming until you arrive so that it doesn’t activate early. Once the eSIM is activated, it’s valid for the duration that you purchased. What if I want more data or to extend my trip? You can simply buy a new pack and it will automatically connect. The great thing about Jetpac is that there is no need to ever change your eSIM. Once you have one, all you have to do is buy another pack for wherever you’re going. *** Mobile data is a must for traveling Japan. While there is plenty of free Wi-Fi around, you don’t want to have to rely on that considering how often you’ll be using your map and translate app (among many other apps no doubt). To ensure you’re always connected, get a Jetpac eSIM. They’re reliable, affordable, and have some amazing perks that can help you level yup your travels. Click here to learn more and grab your eSIM today! Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned! Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: Safety Wing (for everyone below 70) Insure My Trip (for those over 70) Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage) Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too. Be sure to check out the Japan Rail Pass if you’ll be traveling around the country. It comes in 7-, 14-, and 21-day passes and can save you a ton of money! Want More Information on Japan Be sure to visit my robust destination guide on Japan for even more planning tips! The post The Best eSIM for Traveling Japan appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Advertiser Disclosure If you want to travel cheaper, better, and longer, one of the best tools in your arsenal is a solid rewards credit card. Still, despite how often I talk about the topic, many travelers (or would-be travelers) are reluctant to get one. They think it’s a scam, don’t want to pay an annual...

The post Chase Freedom Unlimited® Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Advertiser Disclosure If you want to travel cheaper, better, and longer, one of the best tools in your arsenal is a solid rewards credit card. Still, despite how often I talk about the topic, many travelers (or would-be travelers) are reluctant to get one. They think it’s a scam, don’t want to pay an annual fee, or just are generally wary of the whole thing. If you’re in that camp, today I want to discuss a credit card that may be the perfect introduction to the world of points and miles: the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. This card offers great value, with no annual fee and solid earning potential. It’s excellent as a standalone card with tons of potential for leveling up your game if and when you’re ready. It’s a favorite for newbies and seasoned travelers alike. So, in this post, I’m going to break down why the Chase Freedom Unlimited deserves a spot in your wallet and how you can use it to turn everyday purchases into free travel. What is the Chase Freedom Unlimited? The Chase Freedom Unlimited (sometimes referred to as CFU) is a credit card issued by Chase. What I love about it is that it has a $0 annual fee and offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases. It’s great for points and miles beginners who don’t want to worry about earning at different rates across various categories. Plus, if you do want to level up your game, you can combine it with a Chase Sapphire card to supercharge your rewards earning capabilities (more on that below). This card earns you the following: 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through March 2025) 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services 1.5% cash back on all other purchases Current welcome offer: an extra 1.5% cash back on everything you buy on up to $20,000 spent in the first year You can redeem this cash back against your next statement or choose to get it directly deposited into your bank account. But you can get even more out of this card when you combine it with one of Chase’s Sapphire cards (more on this soon). Perks and Benefits of the Chase Freedom Unlimited In addition to these excellent earning rates, you’ll get access to a number of perks and benefits. Again, since it has a $0 annual fee, these are all just bonuses. Access to Chase Offers, an ever-changing selection of deals for various merchants , including online shopping, gas stations, delivery services, clothing brands, and hotels, among many other sectors (you could really see anything here) Complimentary three months of DashPass when you activate by January 31, 2025 (through which members get up to $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant DoorDash orders) Secondary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for your prepaid, nonrefundable passenger fares, if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather, or other covered situations) Purchase protection (covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account) Extended warranty protection Combining with a Chase Sapphire Card While this card is a great cash-back card in its own right, it’s best when paired with a more premium Chase card that earns transferable points. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (CSP) or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® are the two most popular, though you could also do this with my favorite business card, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. (Note that these cards do have fees.) That’s because, when you also hold one of these cards, you can convert the cash back earned on the CFU to valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. (The Freedom Unlimited on its own only earns cash back.) That means you can pool points earned on either card together and have access to Chase’s great airline and hotel transfer partners. While getting cash back is easier (and certainly enticing), I consider points to be much more valuable. That’s because you can typically get at least 2 cents per point when transferring to travel partners (sometimes much more). So why not just have one of the Chase Sapphire Cards and no Freedom Unlimited? While this is an excellent option (and what many people do), having two cards within the same “family” ensures that you maximize earning categories while earning the same type of points. (You don’t want to spread yourself too thin across too many different cards earning different types of points that you can’t combine.) By holding both a Chase Sapphire card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you can be sure that you’re earning at least 1.5x points on all purchases, a rarity in a travel card (both Sapphires only earn 1x points on all purchases). If you hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Freedom Unlimited, for example, you’d earn: 1.5x on all purchases (CFU) 2x on all travel (CSP) 3x on drugstores (CFU) 3x on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services (both cards) 5x on Lyft (until March 2025, both cards) 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel (both cards) Lastly, since the CFU does have a foreign transaction fee, you won’t want to use this card when traveling. Think of the CSP as your travel card and the CFU as your everyday card with a higher earning rate on all purchases. Using the two together is an excellent combination. Pros of the CFU No annual fee Solid rewards structure, with at least 1.5% back on everything Easy to redeem cash back as statement credit or direct deposit Great value when paired with a Chase Sapphire card Cons of the CFU 3% foreign transaction fee Not a ton of travel benefits Who is this card for? The Chase Freedom Unlimited is ideal for those who want an easy-to-use card that gets a better-than-average earning rate on all purchases. It also leaves room to grow into the points-and-miles world when combined with a higher-level card from Chase. And, if you already have a Sapphire card, adding the CFU to your wallet allows you to continue to level up your game, maximizing your rewards on all purchases. As with any credit card, you should not get it if you’re already carrying a balance or plan to carry one. Interest rates for travel credit cards are notoriously high, and this one is no different. The points just aren’t worth it if you’re paying interest each month. This card is also not for anyone with poor credit, as you need good or excellent credit to qualify. (If that’s you, check out the best credit cards for bad credit so you can start improving your score today.) Lastly, this card does count toward Chase’s 5/24 rule (you can’t open more than five cards within 24 months). If you’ve already opened five credit cards (any cards, not just Chase cards) within the past two years (or want to open more soon), you either won’t be able to get this card or might want to skip it for now. *** Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the points-and-miles game or looking to complement your current lineup, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is a fantastic card. With no annual fee and impressive earning rates, it’s the perfect gateway to the world of points and miles if you’re just starting out. And, if and when you want to take things up a notch, you can pair it with a premium Chase card down the road to really maximize your points. It’s a no-brainer choice that can kickstart your journey to mastering points and miles. Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for everyone) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post Chase Freedom Unlimited® Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Advertiser Disclosure If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for ways to make your adventures more affordable and enjoyable. That’s why I collect points and miles. They help me travel longer, better, and cheaper. Today I want to talk about a card that’s been growing in popularity over the past few years: the...

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Advertiser Disclosure If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for ways to make your adventures more affordable and enjoyable. That’s why I collect points and miles. They help me travel longer, better, and cheaper. Today I want to talk about a card that’s been growing in popularity over the past few years: the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. It’s designed for travelers who want to easily rack up miles without having to keep track of bonus categories. And, in the past couple of years, they have really improved the card. It’s one of the main cards I use now because I love their travel portal, their transfer partners, and all the perks that come with the card. With a hefty sign-up bonus, premium travel benefits, and an impressive rewards structure, the Venture X is worth considering if you’re looking for a new card. Here’s everything you need to know about the card and why I think you should consider getting it: What is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card? The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a travel rewards card issued by Capital One. What I love about this card is its miles system. For every dollar you spend, you earn two miles, which (along with the lower-fee Capital One Venture Rewards Card) is unique among travel credit cards. There’s also no additional cost for up to four authorized users, making this a good option for families who need several cards. In addition to earning at least 2x miles on every purchase, you can earn miles the following ways: 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening the account 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel Other Perks and Benefits of the Capital One Venture X Aside from earning miles, the Venture X packs a punch with its range of perks: $300 travel credit when booking through the Capital One portal Up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Unlimited complimentary access to Capital One, Priority Pass, and Plaza Premium lounges 10,000 bonus miles every year, starting on your first anniversary $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection Travel insurance coverage, including primary car rental insurance, trip interruption and cancellation, and luggage reimbursement No foreign transaction fees With an annual fee of $395, it’s also the cheapest premium travel card out there (plus, if you can use the $300 travel credit, that brings the fee down to a manageable $95). Using Your Capital One Miles Capital One miles can be redeemed in a few ways. One is by booking travel directly through Capital One’s portal. While I usually don’t recommend booking through credit card portals, to fully benefit from the Venture X’s travel credit, you’ll need to book at least $300 worth of travel this way. Another option is to use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase. For 90 days after making such a purchase, you can reimburse yourself at a redemption rate of one cent per mile. After 90 days, and for all other purchases, you can use miles as cash back, at a redemption rate of 0.5 cents per mile (but avoid doing this, as it’s not a good value). However, you’ll get the most out of your miles by transferring them to Capital One’s 15+ airline and hotel partners. While the actual value varies based on what you book, you can usually find airline and hotel redemptions worth much more than the aforementioned one cent per mile. (The process is pretty straightforward and can be done through your Capital One account.) Here are Capital One’s current travel partners: Accor Live Limitless Aeromexico Club Premier Air Canada Aeroplan Air France/KLM Flying Blue Avianca LifeMiles British Airways Executive Club Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Choice Privileges Emirates Skywards Etihad Airways Guest EVA Air Infinity MileageLands Finnair Plus Qantas Frequent Flyer Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer TAP Portugal Miles&Go Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Virgin Red Wyndham Rewards Using transfer partners is a game-changer if you’re looking to maximize the value of your miles. That’s why, unless I find a super cheap flight or hotel room (less than $150 USD), I always transfer miles to Capital One’s travel partners. That’s especially true when booking business class flights or fancy hotel rooms. You just get more value for your money. Plus, with tools like point.me and Awayz (search engines that help you find the best flights and hotels to book with miles), it’s easier than ever to find the best redemption options. Pros of the Capital One Venture X Substantial welcome offer 2x miles on every purchase $300 annual travel credit 15+ transfer partners Travel accident and car rental insurance Up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Access to Capital One and Priority Pass airport lounges No foreign transaction fees Cons of the Capital One Venture X Steep $395 annual fee Must use Capital One’s Travel Portal to take advantage of some benefits (e.g., 10x miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars) Transfer partners are a bit lacking (no US airlines and not the best hotels) Who is this card for? The Capital One Venture X is best for frequent travelers who want a straightforward card with a higher earning rate on all purchases. If you frequently fly and stay in hotels, and are willing to pay an annual fee for premium benefits, this card is tailored for you. Who is this card not for? On the flip side, if you’re not a frequent traveler or don’t spend enough to offset the $395 annual fee, the Venture X might not be the best fit. It’s also not ideal if you’re looking for a card with a high rewards rate in specific categories like dining or groceries. If you travel occasionally or prefer a lower annual fee, you might want to pick another card that better aligns with your spending habits and travel frequency. Because there is no right card — only the card that’s right for you! *** The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a powerhouse for those who travel often and want to enjoy top-tier perks. Weigh the pros and cons to see if it’s the right fit for your travel lifestyle but I bet it is! Like I said in the intro, it’s one of my favorite cards and I definitely recommend getting it. Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for everyone) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

In the land of the Brothers Grimm, I was expecting creepy overgrown forests, quaint medieval towns, and maybe a gingerbread house or two. But, it turns out, the Brothers Grimm tales weren’t from the Black Forest region of Germany (most are from the central part). Why did I think they were from there? I don’t...

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In the land of the Brothers Grimm, I was expecting creepy overgrown forests, quaint medieval towns, and maybe a gingerbread house or two. But, it turns out, the Brothers Grimm tales weren’t from the Black Forest region of Germany (most are from the central part). Why did I think they were from there? I don’t really know. Maybe I got that from Disney? And, moreover, due to massive logging in the 1700s and 1800s, most of the area was turned to farmland. Only recently, thanks to the efforts of eco-friendly locals, has the forest slowly started to return to the area. But, despite those shattered expectations (and maybe because of them), my weeklong visit to the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) was the highlight of my summer travels. It had been on my bucket list forever, and so I was glad I got to finally scratch it off. I only wish I had spent more time there. This area, located in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, is famous for forests (duh!), tremendous hiking, gigantic gushing waterfalls, verdant farmland, cute cuckoo clocks (they were invented here!), and historic medieval towns (only a few of which were destroyed in World War II). Given how big the region is — and how confusing so many other blogs make planning a route around it — I wanted to make an easy-to-follow itinerary for you. It’s very easy to get to the Black Forest: You can fly into Frankfurt to the north or Zurich to the south and then just take a 1-2-hour train ride to whatever starting city you choose. What’s the best one-week route to take? If you had a week, I would do the route below, from Frankfurt (or reverse it if you come from Switzerland): Heidelberg (2 days) This university town has lots to see, as well as many viewpoints and short hikes from the city center. You’ll definitely want to visit the castle and its gardens, which provide an amazing view of the city. Be sure to take the guided tour, as that’s the only way to go inside the castle (the grounds are free though). You can also take in the university jail (used to house students who broke university rules until World War II), the Heidelberger Kunstverein contemporary art museum, and the theater. Finally, there are a number of hikes to the mountain across the river. Baden-Baden (2 days) This spa town is famous for the hot springs that flow naturally here, a prominent attraction since the Romans discovered them. During the 18th century, the baths, as well as the casino (think a less glamorous Monaco), were the main draws, attracting the rich and nobility of Europe. Now, Baden-Baden is a popular spa destination. There are two big bathhouses in town (the historic Friedrichsbad is nude, while the new newer Caracalla is not), as well as Hohenbaden Castle, a funicular to the top of Hausberg mountain for views of the area, and the Fabergé Museum. And, of course, since this is the Black Forest, there’s lots of hiking. Freiburg (2-3 days) My favorite city in the region boasts a beautiful reconstructed center (most was destroyed during WWII), bächle (open streams) running through town, an incredible food scene, and affordable prices, thanks to the big university here. Other highlights include the cathedral, historic clocktowers, the merchant’s hall, an archaeological museum, and Schlossberg (Castle Mountain), which has a castle (hence the name), incredible views of the town and surrounding area, and a number of good beer gardens. I would use the city as a base for nearby hikes to Ravenna Gorge as well as for a visit to Triberg, which has a giant waterfall and cuckoo clock. Ravenna Gorge is an easy half to full day hike depending on how much of the area you want to hike. You’ll wander through the gorge, see waterfalls, and go over farmland. Triberg is famous for its giant waterfall and oversized cuckoo clock. It takes a couple hours to get to from Freiburg, but I would only go as a day trip, because, while the waterfall and cuckoo clock are cool, there’s not much else to do in town, and I found spending a full night here a bit boring. What’s a good two-week route for the region? If you had two weeks, I would add in another day in Freiburg, as there’s a lot to do, and you can take more day trips from there. Then I would also add in the following: Offenburg (1 day, after Baden-Baden) Offenburg, whose name means “open borough,” is famous for its medieval city wall, houses, and churches, though it started as a Roman settlement. It has lots of buildings exhibiting Baroque, Gothic and medieval styles. You can also visit the castle, history museum, and Black Forest Open Air Museum, which is a 40-minute drive from Offenburg. Europa-Park (1 day, on the way from Offenburg to Freiburg) This theme park is like a European Disneyland. It’s a lot of fun, hugely popular with locals, way better priced than Disney, and just a fun way to spend the day. You can stay in the park or in the nearby town of Rust. Hiking around Titisee, Schluchsee, and Feldberg (2 or more days) There are also a lot of lakes and hiking in this area, so you can easily add in as many days in nature as you have time for. If you want water-based activities, Titisee is a town located on a lake with the same name; Schluchsee is another that is popular with Germans. You can also base yourself in Feldberg for numerous day hikes. Really, wherever you go, you’re going to find hiking trails. How do you get around? While renting a car is the easiest way to get around the Black Forest region, you can also travel by bus and train, which is what I did. The thing to remember is that while trains are frequent, buses often run on limited schedules, especially on Sundays, when most of Germany seems to take the day off. If you’re not going to rent a car and plan to visit smaller cities, be sure to look up the train and bus schedules in advance. *** The Black Forest was the highlight of my summer in Europe. It was where I met the most people, had the most fun, and did the most hiking. I just loved the vibe there. If you love cute towns, affordable places to travel, the great outdoors, and good food, the Black Forest is definitely a region you need to explore. Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe! My detailed 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel while in Europe. It has suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today. Book Your Trip to Germany: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned! Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: Safety Wing (best for everyone) InsureMyTrip (for those over 70) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too. Want More Information on Germany? Be sure to visit my robust destination guide on Germany for even more planning tips! The post My Suggested Black Forest Itinerary appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Melbourne is my favorite city in Australia. It’s a vibrant, multicultural city known for its rich arts scene, world-class dining, and lively atmosphere. It’s a hub for backpackers and travelers too. The mix of old-world architecture and modern skyscrapers gives the city a unique charm. I especially love strolling through Melbourne’s iconic laneways, enjoying the...

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Melbourne is my favorite city in Australia. It’s a vibrant, multicultural city known for its rich arts scene, world-class dining, and lively atmosphere. It’s a hub for backpackers and travelers too. The mix of old-world architecture and modern skyscrapers gives the city a unique charm. I especially love strolling through Melbourne’s iconic laneways, enjoying the colorful street art and popping into hidden bars. There’s so much to do here that you could easily spend a week and not get bored. No matter how long you have though, choosing a great hotel is paramount. There are a ton of hotels in the city, and not all of them are good. In fact, I’ve stayed in some that were downright terrible! So, to help you make the most of your visit down under, here is my list of the best hotels in Melbourne: 1. Treasury on Collins This four-star aparthotel is in the city’s CBD (central business district; the neighborhood in Melbourne I recommend for most travelers). The building itself is a 19th-century landmark, and I think the hotel has done a great job of maintaining its character while updating the place, with high ceilings and elegant details like gilded crown molding in all the public spaces. The hotel has a fitness center, and I like the complementary happy hour that they host each evening. It’s a nice touch. The daily breakfast buffet is also complementary and includes your standard fare: a selection of hot dishes, pastries, cereals, and fresh fruit. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. I like the simple but sophisticated design, with neutral tones and quality furnishings. Suites have a kitchenette with a mini-fridge, microwave, and a Nespresso coffee machine, while full apartments also have a cooktop and dishwasher. All rooms have a washer/dryer, a large TV with Netflix, and a good-sized work desk (something I always appreciate). The bathrooms are modern and clean, featuring walk-in showers, premium toiletries, and soft towels. Overall, this is a great choice for travelers that want access to a kitchen in a centrally located upscale hotel. Book here! 2. The Victoria Hotel This historic, three-star property in the heart of the city was established in 1880. I love its traditional design, with its grand entrance and Art Deco décor throughout the lobby and restaurant (which offers a breakfast buffet as well as lunch and dinner). The hotel offers basic but useful amenities, including a fitness center, a heated plunge pool, and a sauna. The rooms are simple but comfortable, with a minimalist design that maximizes space. Rooms vary in size but generally offer decent space for a city hotel, with large windows providing natural light. As a solo traveler, I especially like that there are single rooms, a good option for travelers on a budget that want more privacy than staying in a hostel dorm. Each room includes basic amenities like a flatscreen TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, a mini-fridge, and a small workspace. The bathrooms are clean and functional, featuring either a walk-in shower or a combination shower and tub. I think this is the best choice for travelers looking for a comfortable and budget-friendly stay in the city center. Book here! 3. W Melbourne I love this trendy five-star property. It has a bold design and vibrant atmosphere. The hotel features sleek, contemporary interiors with funky art pieces and neon lighting. It’s packed with amenities too, including a rooftop heated pool that’s open 24/7, a large high-tech fitness center, and a spa. There are multiple dining options as well, from a stylish cocktail bar to a high-end restaurant serving creative dishes. Breakfast offers a range of options, from fresh pastries and fruit to more substantial hot meals, all in an chic setting. The rooms here are spacious and ultra-modern, with an edgy, stylish design. There are large, comfy beds, big flatscreen TVs with casting functionality, a desk, complimentary bottled water, and stocked minibars. I love the floor-to-ceiling windows as they provide lots of natural light. The black marble bathrooms are sleek and luxurious, featuring huge walk-in rain showers, light-up mirrors, high-end toiletries, plenty of counter space, and even heated toilet seats! If you’re looking for a unique, high-end experience in the CBD, stay here. Book here! 4. Quest St. Kilda Bayside This four-star apartment hotel is just minutes from St. Kilda Beach, one of my favorite areas in the city. The hotel has a modern, minimalist design and offers a relaxed atmosphere. Amenities include a small outdoor swimming pool, BBQ facilities, a gym, and secure on-site parking. While there’s no on-site restaurant, each apartment comes with a fully equipped kitchen, and there are plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby for breakfast and other meals. The spacious apartments all have separate living and dining areas, as well as full kitchens with a stove, microwave, mini fridge, toaster, and a tea/coffee maker. Rooms also have a washer/dryer and smart TVs. The bathrooms are clean and functional, with walk-in showers that have excellent water pressure, as well as nice complimentary toiletries. Overall, the apartments provide a home-like feel with all the essential amenities for a longer stay in a vibrant part of the city. Book here! 5. The Langham Hotel This luxurious five-star property is located along the Yarra River in the heart of the Southbank. I love the grand elegance here, from the marble entranceway to the chandeliers and plush furnishings. You can expect top-notch amenities here too, including a pool in a beautiful atrium, a well-equipped fitness center with a sauna and steam room, and a spa known for its exceptional wellness treatments. The hotel’s restaurant serves a high-end buffet, and while it’s expensive, it’s worth a try, even if just for breakfast. It’s quite extravagant and features a massive array of baked goods, an egg station where you can get benedicts or omelets, as well as other hot dishes like brioche French toast and waffles. The spacious rooms have a classic, luxurious feel, featuring large windows with stunning views of either the city skyline or the river. Rooms come with plush bedding, a 55” smart TV, a minibar, and a work desk. The bathrooms are equally upscale, offering marble finishes, deep soaking tubs, walk-in showers with good water pressure, high-end toiletries, fluffy bathrobes, and slippers. If you’re looking for a place to splurge, this is it! Book here! 6. Ovolo South Yarra I like the eclectic and colorful design of this trendy four-star hotel. It’s very retro chic, filled with pop art on the walls and funky furniture throughout. The lobby and common areas are bright and inviting, making it a fun place to hang out. The hotel offers several amenities, including a gym that’s open 24/7 and complimentary self-serve laundry. There are also fun and unique touches like the sweets station by the elevators (it has jars of gummies, jellybeans, and M&Ms). The on-site restaurant, Lona Misa, serves breakfast in the mornings and plant-based cuisine with a Latin twist in the evenings. The rooms are compact but stylish, with a design that has a distinctly 1970s feel thanks to the color palette and quirky décor. Despite the smaller size, the rooms are well laid out and filled with natural light from the large windows. All rooms are soundproofed and have blackout blinds as well as comfortable beds so you can get good sleep. In-room amenities include flatscreen TVs, Bluetooth speakers, and a tap with filtered water in the bedroom (which I appreciate as it helps avoid single-use plastic bottles). The bathrooms are sleek and modern, featuring rain showers, quality toiletries, and funky tile designs. Overall, the rooms offer a cozy yet unique experience, perfect for travelers looking for something a bit different. Book here! *** Melbourne has a laid-back yet cosmopolitan vibe that I just love. It’s got a perfect blend of modern attractions and historic charm, and there are tons of things to see and do. But no matter what brings you to the city, pick one of the hotels above for your stay and you’ll be sure to have a great time down under! Book Your Trip to Melbourne: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hotel using Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. If you want to stay in a hostel instead, book with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. For hostel suggestions, here’s a complete list of the best hostels in Melbourne. If you want to know the best neighborhoods, here’s my guide to all the best areas in town! Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: Safety Wing (for everyone below 70) Insure My Trip (for those over 70) Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage) Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too. Want More Information on Melbourne? Be sure to visit my robust destination guide to Melbourne for even more planning tips! Photo credits: 2 – Treasury on Collins, 3 – The Victoria Hotel, 4 – W Melbourne, 5 – Quest St. Kilda Bayside, 6 – The Langham Hotel, 7 – Ovolo South Yarra The post The 6 Best Hotels in Melbourne appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Boston, with its rich history, wide-open green spaces, and first-rate museums, is a must-visit city for any traveler. While I may be biased (I grew up here), I think more people should visit — especially history buffs and foodies. Whether you’re strolling the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, exploring the bustling Seaport District, or enjoying...

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Boston, with its rich history, wide-open green spaces, and first-rate museums, is a must-visit city for any traveler. While I may be biased (I grew up here), I think more people should visit — especially history buffs and foodies. Whether you’re strolling the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, exploring the bustling Seaport District, or enjoying the iconic views along the Charles River, the city has a lot to offer (don’t skip the Freedom Trail!). And when it comes to finding a place to stay, Boston’s has a ton of options catering to every type of traveler and budget. But some of those hotels are better than others. Others should be avoided entirely. To help you find the perfect base for your stay, here is my list of the best hotels in Boston: 1. The Godfrey Hotel Boston The Godfrey Hotel is a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of downtown. One thing I really like here is that they offer complimentary bikes, helmets, and locks, which is great for covering more ground when out exploring. They also have a fitness center with Peloton bikes. When it comes to breakfast, they have an on-site café offering pastries, fresh coffee, and breakfast sandwiches. The hotel restaurant is really good as well (it’s a Peruvian Japanese fusion place with a cool interior and great cocktails). For a quick nightcap, the hotel lobby bar is a nice option, and I love that they give you a complimentary welcome drink too. The rooms are sleek and minimalist, offering comfy beds with plush linens and windows that let in lots of natural light (there are also blackout curtains so you can get a good night’s sleep). I appreciate the well-thought-out amenities, including a handy workspace, mini-fridges, 55” Samsung HDTV, BOSE Bluetooth speakers, and yoga mats. The bathrooms are equally impressive, featuring glass-enclosed showers, high-end toiletries, and soft robes. Overall, the central location, chic design, and solid amenities make this hotel an excellent choice for travelers looking for comfort and convenience in the heart of the city. Book here! 2. Staypineapple Boston This quirky and fun boutique hotel is located in Back Bay, just steps from the Boston Common and within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions. The hotel’s design is bold and vibrant, with pineapple-themed décor throughout. Don’t worry, it looks better than you’d think and adds a playful twist to the otherwise classic, early 20th-century building. I like that when you check in, you get a free welcome drink at the hotel’s bar/restaurant, and in the afternoons, there’s free coffee, tea, and light snacks in the lobby. While there’s no breakfast offered on-site, there are plenty of breakfast places nearby. Plus, the hotel offers free bikes that you can use to get around the city. The rooms here are compact but well-designed, making the most of the space with an efficient layout. Like the rest of the hotel, the rooms are bright and colorful, with playful pineapple accents, comfy beds with soft bedding, and thoughtful amenities like Keurig coffee makers, fluffy robes, slippers, and a small desk. I also like that they provide a reusable water bottle filled with filtered water in the rooms (you can take it with you or leave it and they’ll recycle it when you leave). The bathrooms are sleek and new, featuring glass-enclosed showers, quality toiletries, and huge plush towels. Overall, this is a great choice for travelers looking for a unique, budget-friendly stay in a prime location. It’s an especially great option if you’re traveling with pets, as they’re known for their dog-friendly rooms and facilities. Book here! 3. The Langham A five-star hotel housed in a landmarked former Federal Reserve Bank, this unique hotel offers a blend of historic charm and modern luxury. I love walking through the grand entranceway into the stunning lobby bedecked with grand chandeliers and marble accents. The former bank hall is now the hotel’s signature restaurant, Grana, which offers classic and unique Italian meets New-England dishes (think lobster cannoli) as well as a fantastic breakfast spread featuring everything from freshly baked pastries to more indulgent options like Florentine benedict. I really love their British-inspired cocktail bar, the Fed, too. They serve excellent cocktails, elevated pub fare, and even have free jazz every Friday. There’s also a high-tech fitness center that’s open 24/7 as well as a beautiful (and heated) indoor pool with a sauna for when you want to unwind. The huge, opulent rooms feature lavish bedding, curated artwork from local artists, sleek furniture, and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. In-room amenities include a large work desk, Nespresso machine, a well-stocked minibar (I like that it’s filled with local goodies), safe, and a 50” flatscreen TV. The bathrooms in the rooms are equally spacious and beautifully designed, with luxurious marble finishes, and walk-in rainfall showers (some rooms also have deep soaking tubs). The Langham is a great pick for travelers looking for a centrally located hotel that blends old-world charm with modern comforts. Look no further if you want to splurge! Book here! 4. Seaport Hotel Boston Located right along the water, this four-star hotel is the perfect base for exploring the waterfront, the Institute of Contemporary Art, and nearby attractions like the Boston Children’s Museum. The hotel has a sleek, contemporary design with plenty of natural light and open spaces, along with great amenities including an 11,000-square-foot 24/7 fitness center with group classes, a heated indoor pool, a steam room, and a peaceful garden area. There are three great eateries on-site here too. For breakfast, I like the fact that you can either sit down at Aura, their breakfast restaurant which offers a variety of delicious options for all diets, or take some grab-and-go fare from Seaport Café. For dinner, try TAMO Bistro + Bar, where you can enjoy a locally inspired menu (including herbs and honey from the hotel’s own rooftop garden and bee colony). Every room has a great view, either of the city or harbor. Plus, they’re spacious and comfortable, with comfy beds with pillowtop beds, a pillow menu, and even weighted blankets on request. I appreciate the reading lamps and USB ports on the headboards too. All rooms have a work desk, 55″ HD TV with streaming services, a Keurig coffee maker, mini-fridges, and laptop-sized safes. The bathrooms are large too, featuring marble countertops, large fog-free mirrors, and walk-in showers with quality bath products. If you want to stay in an area that tourists don’t typically consider, stay here. Book here! 5. The Newbury Hotel Boston This iconic five-star property, located right on Newbury Street across from the historic Boston Public Garden, is a masterpiece of classic elegance. It opened in 1927 as the first-ever Ritz Carlton Hotel and recently received an extensive two-year restoration, reopening as The Newbury. I love that it’s got this luxuriously moody feel throughout, with velvet furniture, richly colored walls, and custom artwork. I especially love the private library lounge for guests. It’s perfect for settling in with a drink and grabbing a book off the shelf to read. For breakfast, I recommend the stunning rooftop restaurant, Contessa, which offers fine dining that’s Italian meets American (with dishes like panettone French toast and carbonara scramble), though you can also get classic eggs and pancakes breakfast fare at the hotel’s Street Bar. The rooms here are spacious and thoughtfully designed, featuring custom-designed furnishings, original illustrations on the walls, and soft lighting for a calming atmosphere. Each room includes a plush king or queen bed with a high-end mattress. I especially appreciate the headboard lighting and large work desk, though there are also amenities like an in-room Nespresso machine and a fully stocked minibar. The marble bathrooms have glass-enclosed rainfall showers, bespoke toiletries, and really nice fluffy robes and towels. Everything about this place exudes luxury, making it a standout option for those seeking an upscale and relaxing stay in Boston. It’s also a prime location for exploring Back Bay’s high-end shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. Book here! *** I love Boston. I think it’s one of the greatest cities in the U.S. It has all the benefits of a big metropolis with a smaller town feel, which is why, despite all my travels, it has remained at the top of my list. Just make sure to choose one of the hotels above to ensure a memorable stay in one of America’s most historic cities! Book Your Trip to Boston: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. For the best hostels, check out this post on the best hostels in the city. And if you want to know the best neighborhoods, here’s my guide to all the best areas in town! If you’re looking for things to do, here are my favorite walking tours in the city. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: Safety Wing (best for everyone) Insure My Trip (for those over 70) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too. Want More Information on Boston? Be sure to visit my robust destination guide on Boston for even more planning tips! Photo credits: 2 – The Godfrey Hotel Boston, 3 – Staypineapple Boston, 4 – The Langham, 5 – Seaport Boston, 6 – The Newbury Hotel Boston. The post The 5 Best Hotels in Boston appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I’ve never been one of those travelers who goes crazy for gear. I like to pack light and keep things simple. That means no fancy drones, hefty DSLR cameras, bulky headphones, GoPros, or chunky hiking boots. If it doesn’t fit in my 40L backpack, it stays home. It’s why you hardly ever see me write...

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I’ve never been one of those travelers who goes crazy for gear. I like to pack light and keep things simple. That means no fancy drones, hefty DSLR cameras, bulky headphones, GoPros, or chunky hiking boots. If it doesn’t fit in my 40L backpack, it stays home. It’s why you hardly ever see me write posts on gear or suitcases. I’m a simple person: I got one backpack, I throw some clothes in it, and I’m off. But the clothes…well, the clothes are important. I abuse my clothes a lot. I carry only a few outfits with me and they get sweated on, washed and dried a lot, and worn out. On most long-term trips, I come home with a few less clothes than I brought. One brand that stands up to my abuse? Unbound Merino. I’ve been wearing their clothing on the road (and at home) for years now. I met the founder at an event in Toronto about eight years ago and he said, “Check out these clothes!” and I was like, “Sure,” because I wanted to be nice. But I ended up loving them. They held up in the wash, were lightweight and breathable, and fit really well, So, in this post, I’m going to talk about what makes them unique and why I think you should get them. What Is Unbound Merino? Unbound is a small, independent clothing company that started in Canada. As avid travelers, the founders realized quickly that on-the-road clothing needed to be durable, versatile, and comfortable. At the time, merino wool (from merino sheep, who produce an ultrafine wool) was only really used in activewear. While those kinds of clothes are fine if you’re out on a hike, it’s not exactly the kind of clothing you might want to wear on a walking tour in Southeast Asia or visiting museums in Europe. But Unbound took the versatile fabric that is merino wool and used it to create a line of travel wear suitable for all kinds of trips, from backpacking excursions to weekend getaways. Their goal was to design shirts that would last. Sure, that means they are more expensive, but you’re paying for quality and durability. In the long run, that’s actually going to save you money (and it’s better for the planet too). I’ve been wearing Unbound clothes for about eight years now and have never been disappointed. It’s durable, comfortable, and stylish — everything I want when I’m traveling! What I Like About Unbound These travel clothes are some of the most versatile on the market. Made from merino wool, Unbound Merino clothing can be worn daily for weeks without getting smelly. Seriously! Since merino wool is antibacterial, it is really hard to stink up your clothing — even if you’re in warmer climates. In fact, one of the cofounders wore the same shirt for 46 days before he washed it — and it still didn’t smell. That’s crazy! The clothing is wrinkle resistant too, which is a huge plus if you’re traveling carry-on only, like me. Cramming your clothes into a backpack usually leads to everything getting wrinkled and bunched up. With Unbound, that problem is nipped in the bud. Additionally, the clothes are super lightweight (again, great for carry-on-only travelers). When you’re on the road for weeks (or months) at a time, every pound matters. Lighter clothes mean you won’t have to lug around a super heavy suitcase or backpack. To me, that’s a win. And finally, the clothes look stylish. The monochrome colors of most of Unbound’s gear makes it easy to wear out to dinner, to museums, on walking tours, and everything in between. My Favorite Unbound Clothes Here are a few of my favorite Unbound clothes. These are clothes I bring on pretty much every trip I take: Merino Crew Neck T-Shirt – These are my go-to travel shirts. They are comfy, breathable, and perfect for pretty much any destination. They are casual enough for days on the beach and nice enough to wear to museums or out to dinner. If I’m traveling, chances are I have a couple in my backpack. Long Sleeve Merino Crew – This is the long-sleeve version of the above shirt, which are perfect for cooler temps. I wear these when I’m strolling around Europe in the evenings or going somewhere where I need something a bit nicer than a t-shirt (while still being casual). Travel Pants – I’ve worn these on hikes, all around Europe, traveling around Asia — you name it. They are the perfect balance of comfy and durable. I bring them on all my trips. I can’t recommend them enough. Pros of Unbound Merino Clothing High-quality, stylish, and versatile Odor and wrinkle resistant Lightweight and comfortable Breathable and moisture wicking Stays warm even when wet (helpful if you’re trekking in a rainforest or just get caught in a downpour) Cons of Unbound Merino Clothing Higher up-front cost Takes some care to keep your clothing lasting longer Unbound Merino FAQ Is Unbound Merino mulesing free? Yes. Mulesing (also known as live lamb cutting) is the removal of strips of wool-bearing skin from the back end of a sheep to prevent parasitic infections. It’s a controversial practice that’s seen as inhumane by many, which is why Unbound Merino only works with independent, mulesing-free farms. Isn’t wool clothing itchy? Nope! Merino wool is different from the traditional kind. It’s a lot softer and finer, so it doesn’t itch. How do I wash and care for Unbound Merino clothes? When you feel like your clothes are ready for a wash, you’ll want to turn them inside out to prevent pilling and follow the specific instructions on the tag for that piece. You can also hand-wash your clothing, which can be easier if you’re traveling and just need to wash one thing. It’s recommended to lay your clothing flat on a towel or rack to air-dry. Never put merino wool clothes in the dryer — it will shrink! Are there any disadvantages to merino wool and Unbound Merino clothing? Because of their high quality and attention to ethical manufacturing practices, Unbound Merino clothes are more expensive than you might be used to paying for a T-shirt or pair of pants. However, because of that, they last way longer (and perform better) than the cheaper alternatives. You end up spending less over time and don’t have to buy new clothing as often — which is a win in my book! *** I love my Unbound clothes. Comfortable, versatile, and stylish, they are a must for any trip. No matter where you’re going or what you’re doing, chances are Unbound has something for you. Best of all, new customers receive 10% off their first order using this link! Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for everyone) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post Are These The Best Travel Clothes? My Review of Unbound Merino appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Portugal’s picturesque capital is one of my favorite cities in the world. I always enjoy my time wandering its labyrinthine streets, enjoying the stunning ocean views, and sipping an endless flow of wine. Perched on the southern edge of the country’s west coast, Lisbon (or Lisboa, as the locals call it) offers an amazing blend...

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Portugal’s picturesque capital is one of my favorite cities in the world. I always enjoy my time wandering its labyrinthine streets, enjoying the stunning ocean views, and sipping an endless flow of wine. Perched on the southern edge of the country’s west coast, Lisbon (or Lisboa, as the locals call it) offers an amazing blend of museums, historic landmarks, eclectic music scenes, vibrant nightlife, charming plazas, and cozy cafés. I fell in love with the city the moment I arrived. In recent years, Lisbon has become more popular, driven by its affordable cost of living and pleasant year-round weather. It’s also one of the best cities in the world for digital nomads (and one of my personal favorites), with a large community of expats and remote workers. With so many visitors, it should come as no surprise that Lisbon has a ton of hotels to choose from (not all of them are nice though). To help you decide where to stay, here is my list of the best hotels in Lisbon: 1. Portugal Boutique Hotel I love how this four-star hotel strikes the perfect balance between old-world elegance and contemporary flair. It has minimalist furnishings that contrast with the building’s historic architectural elements, like arched stone doorways, traditional Portuguese tiling, and hardwood floors. I especially like the wood-paneled breakfast room, where every morning they serve a complimentary breakfast made from fresh, seasonal ingredients. Definitely make sure to check out the wine cellar (you can do a tasting there), and there’s even 24-hour room service in case you get the munchies in the middle of the night. The staff is exceptionally helpful and make for a personalized experience that feels like a five-star hotel. Every room is unique, but all have a sleek and serene atmosphere, with a pillow menu (where you choose the firmness of your pillow), double-paned windows (for peace and quiet at night), an in-room safe, and a minibar. The rooms are high-tech too, with a smart TV built into the mirror (something I find pretty neat). The bathrooms are spacious, bright, and new, with tiled showers, complimentary toiletries, plush bathrobes, and slippers. It’s the best place to stay in Mouraria, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Lisbon. Book here! 2. A Casa das Janelas com Vista Translated as a “House of Windows with a View,” the name of this cozy bed and breakfast doesn’t lie: there are stunning views from most windows here. The design is really homey, with personal touches like unique artwork, fresh flowers, and an eclectic mix of vintage furniture. I love that the included breakfast is served at a communal table, making it easy to meet fellow travelers (the breakfast is delicious too, featuring homemade cakes, fresh bread, croissants, and rotating Portuguese specialties). Although this B&B is in lively Bairro Alto, it’s on a quiet street so you can still get a good sleep. The rooms are on the smaller side but have all the necessary basic amenities, like an in-room safe, air conditioning, and a TV (on request). The big windows let in lots of natural light, and some rooms even have little balconies. The en-suite bathrooms are pretty spacious, featuring rainfall showers and really nice complimentary toiletries. This is a great central place to stay if you’re on a budget but want something more private than a hostel. Book here! 3. Bairro Alto Hotel Located in Chiado and housed in an 18th-century building, this five-star property blends Lisbon’s traditional spirit with sophisticated design — think sleek, contemporary lines complemented by traditional azulejos (ceramic tiles) and rich wooden accents. The hotel’s exceptional breakfast buffet includes a selection of local pastries, fresh fruits, and artisanal cheeses, along with a variety of hot dishes like eggs benedict. I think the rooftop bar is one of the coolest hotel bars in town, and there’s a fitness center complete with a sauna on the property as well. The comfortable rooms feature lush bedding, stylish furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in ample natural light. Every room has a desk, Nespresso machine, fresh bottled water, a pillow menu, Bluetooth speakers, a safe, minibar, and a flatscreen TV. The spacious bathrooms are equally impressive, elegantly outfitted with tiled floors, marble sinks, and luxurious amenities like large walk-in showers, high-end toiletries, and plush robes. It’s the ideal place to stay if you want to splash out. Book here! 4. Hotel Alegria This three-star boutique hotel is located in a beautifully restored building from 1865. I love that it retains that historic atmosphere, elegantly decorated with antique Portuguese furniture. The location is great too: it’s just a couple of blocks to the west of Avenida da Liberdade, a leafy thoroughfare known for its shopping. The hotel has a little kiosk in the park across the street where I enjoy getting a drink and watching the world go by. While breakfast isn’t included, it’s worth getting as it’s a nice buffet that includes everything from fresh Portuguese pastries to omelets. It’s served in a cute little breakfast room too. The rooms are cozy and classy, with hardwood floors, unique artwork on the walls, antique furniture, and chandeliers. I especially like the Portuguese tile surrounding the large windows and in the spacious bathrooms. In-room amenities include AC, cozy bathrobes and slippers, a Nespresso machine, a flatscreen TV, an in-room safe, and a minibar. I think you get great value here. And even though you’re in a quiet neighborhood, you’re just walking distance to many main sights. Book here! 5. São Vicente Alfama Hotel This four-star hotel is situated in hilly medieval Alfama, what I find to be one of Europe’s most charming neighborhoods. A boutique property, this smart and chic hotel has just 22 rooms, so it feels homelike and intimate. The complimentary breakfast is excellent too, boasting a spread of Portuguese pastries, cold cuts, fresh fruits, omelets, and French toast. The rooms are bright and airy, with lots of light from the windowed doors leading out to the tiny balconies. I also really appreciate that all rooms have a writing desk (so I can get work done in my room before going out to explore). The rooms are high-tech too, with keyless electronic doors, USB ports, wireless phone chargers, smart TVs, and Bluetooth-integrated sound systems. The bathrooms are luxurious too, with walk-in showers, high-quality toiletries, premium cotton towels, and comfy bathrobes and slippers. This is the best place to stay in Alfama in my opinion. Book here! 6. Corpo Santo Hotel This sleek five-star hotel is set in a Pombaline-era building (a Portuguese architectural style of the 18th century) in the microneighborhood Cais do Sodré. There are a lot of amenities here, including a spa with a steam room, sauna, and jacuzzi, plus, the breakfast here is nothing short of exceptional. You’ll find a spread of fresh pastries, eggs cooked to order, local cheeses, and an array of fruits. They also offer a lot of nice complimentary perks, like wine tastings in the lobby each day, two walking tours per day, snacks you can grab on every floor, and free ice cream in the lobby. You can even get a free 20-minute massage at the spa! Each room is different from the next, but all have a bright and minimal design with a ton of amenities. Think plush beds, 4K TVs, a Nespresso machine, electric kettle, a complimentary minibar, digital safe, bathrobe, and slippers. There’s AC and soundproof windows for a comfortable stay too. The bathrooms are spacious and modern, featuring rainfall showers, high-end toiletries, heated floors, and chromotherapy lighting (which can be adjusted to different colors to evoke different moods). If you want to stay somewhere where you’ll want for nothing, stay here. Book here! *** I fell in love with Lisbon on my very first visit, and I suspect you might too. The colorful city is filled with great food, soulful music and dance, fantastic weather, and remains one of the more affordable European capitals. Just be sure to choose from one of the hotels above and you’ll have a great stay in Portugal’s vibrant capital! Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe! My detailed 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel while in Europe. It has suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today. Book Your Trip to Lisbon: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. Here’s a complete list of my favorite hostels in Lisbon. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for nomads) Insure My Trip (for those over 70) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too. Need a Guide? Lisbon has some really interesting tours. My favorite company is Take Walks. They have expert guides and can get you behind the scenes at the city’s best attractions. Their Lisbon in a Day tour is a great way to see a lot if you’re on a tight budget! Want More Information on Lisbon? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to Lisbon for even more planning tips! Photo credits: 2 – Hotel Portugal, 3 – Casa das Janelas com Vista, 4 – Bairro Alto Hotel, 5 – Hotel Alegria, 6 – São Vicente Alfama Hotel by TRIUS Hotels, 7 – Corpo Santo Hotel The post The 6 Best Hotels in Lisbon appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Remember Couchsurfing? It was a website that allowed you to stay with locals (for free) and always had a plethora of events and meetups you could attend no matter where you were in the world. It was one of the best ways to meet locals and travelers on the road. It was one of my...

The post How to Use Facebook Groups to Meet Other Travelers! appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Remember Couchsurfing? It was a website that allowed you to stay with locals (for free) and always had a plethora of events and meetups you could attend no matter where you were in the world. It was one of the best ways to meet locals and travelers on the road. It was one of my favorite sites. Pretty much everyone on the team here used it a lot over the years. My Director of Content, for example, was not only an avid traveler who went on multiple multi-day trips with strangers thanks to Couchsurfing, but he was also a host, and he was even featured in a calendar they made one year! I used it to stay in places like Copenhagen, London, Oxford, Munich, Broome, Paris, Osaka, Athens, and so forth and so forth. I mean, I loved it. I met people in cities like Lyon just to hang out, did meet-ups in NYC, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and so many other places. But ever since the site started charging around 2013, and then instituted a paywall during the pandemic, fewer and fewer people have used it. These days, it’s a shell of its former self. While researching the latest edition of my book on budget travel (coming out in March 2025!), I rejoined Couchsurfing to see how active it was, and even in the largest metropolitan centers, there were barely a few dozen active profiles within the previous month. For example, London showed 229,457 total hosts but only 896 active hosts in the last six months — and only 496 active within the last month. That’s a big, big difference! It’s a real shame as Couchsurfing really changed the way people traveled. It was as ubiquitous as Lonely Planet! So, with Couchsurfing (and similar websites) pretty dead, where does one go to meet people now? Answer: Facebook — which is honestly the last place I would have thought, because, well, it’s Facebook, and most younger travelers don’t use it as much as TikTok or Instagram. After all, Facebook also has a well-deserved reputation as the place your aunt posts memes or your crazy cousin rants about racist stuff. But, whenever I sign into Facebook, I keep seeing posts from all sorts of groups in my feed, with people looking for travel buddies: backpacking Europe, backpacking Australia, digital nomads in (insert destination), find a travel buddy…the list of groups goes on and on. I was skeptical of them at first, because when I took a deeper look at the posts, it always felt like they were just sleazy guys hitting on young girls and AI-generated girl accounts designed trap someone. “Hi I’m Anna from US looking to travel dm me” doesn’t strike me as something an actual person would say. While female-only groups have been a legitimate way to meet people for a long time (Girls Love Travel being one of the most famous), the mixed-gender ones always felt a little sketchy. But they kept popping up in my feed. So I looked into them more carefully to see if they really were spammy. While there were many fake profiles and creepy dudes (sorry, guys, but it’s the internet, and there are tons of those), sometimes I did come across real people who seemed generally interested in meeting others, however few and far between they were. Are these groups really a good way to meet people? There was only one way to find out. I used the group Find a Travel Buddy while in Europe and posted some of my tentative plans. I got hundreds of responses and direct messages, which was pretty overwhelming. A lot of it was spam: people telling me to come visit them in India (I’m posting about Europe), people sending me hellos, a few marriage proposals, and some really inappropriate comments. (Side note: if I get those kinds of responses, I can only imagine what it’s like for women, who I often see edit their posts to ask people to stop coming on to them. Quite sad.) But I waded through all the junk and eventually found real people to meet up with. In the end, I only met a few of them, as either my plans shifted or theirs did. But the interactions I had were really great. I had an awesome night out in Freiburg, Germany, with a group of folks, and another with an Italian girl and her friends in Amsterdam. Each time, they took me around to places I wouldn’t have seen otherwise, and I got to meet locals. It was a good way to make new friends and find people to talk to. Even though you have to wade through a lot of garbage, I think these groups are great, especially if you are traveling alone. While I don’t have the personality to go on a multi-day trip with a stranger, I did love the ability to meet people as I traveled. If you’re looking to use them, here are some suggestions to minimize (but not eliminate) the garbage replies: Be specific about where you are going and when (otherwise, people will spam ya with “come visit X!”). Ask people who respond to be specific about themselves. Be clear about what you are looking for (age, kind of travel partner, gender, etc.) My current favorite groups are: Find A Travel Buddy Girls LOVE Travel Backpacking South America Digital Nomads Solo Trips & Travelers From there, for safety, I would highly recommend looking at the profiles of respondents to make sure they are real and only meet in public places. Beyond that, have fun! These groups might not be as easy to use as Couchsurfing was, but at least there is something these days to help you meet locals and other travelers. I’m now a believer in and fan of these groups and will definitely be using them more on future trips. Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for everyone) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post How to Use Facebook Groups to Meet Other Travelers! appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

News releases from Gateway National Recreation Area.

Gateway National Recreation Area and the Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee will hold an in-person meeting at 9 am on October 31, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-21st-century-federal-advisory-committee-to-hold-meeting-thursday-october-31.htm

Staten Island, NY –There will be a partial closure of Crooke’s Point beginning October 4, 2024. The parking area will remain open, and there will still be access to the shoreline. Visitors with a valid 2024 fishing access parking permit will still be able to use the site. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/partial-closure-of-crooke-s-point-at-great-kills-park-due-to-us-army-corps-dredging-project.htm

Queens, NY –Construction begins on the Jacob Riis Park Boardwalk this week. This project focuses on the eastern end of the boardwalk and is expected to be complete by the end of December. Contractors will reconstruct the boardwalk surface, rehabilitate approximately twenty benches, and construct a new accessibility ramp near the bathhouse. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/construction-begins-on-jacob-riis-park-boardwalk.htm

Staten Island, NY –The beaches at Great Kills Park are closed for swimming. Bacterial levels in water samples taken from this body of water exceed local, state and National Park Service standards for recreational activity. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/swimming-beach-at-great-kills-park-is-closed-until-further-notice.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The National Park Service (NPS) will begin demolishing Fort Tilden’s building T-9 in late July. The work is expected to take 10 weeks and includes abatement before the demolition starts. All equipment, materials and work performed will be within the existing fencing surrounding Building T-9. Visitor access to the rest of Fort Tilden will not be impacted. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/demolition-of-fort-tilden-s-t-9.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Due to extremely hazardous conditions Gateway National Recreation Area has restricted access to sections of Jacob Riis Park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jacob-riis-park-access-restrictions.htm

Brooklyn, N.Y. - A temporary electric vehicle (EV) charging station and energy storage unit is now available for use in Gateway National Recreation Area. Part of a citywide pilot program, the park's first public EV charging station is located at Floyd Bennett Field in Gateway NRA’s Jamaica Bay Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/floyd-bennett-field-to-host-electric-vehicle-charging-and-energy-storage-pilot.htm

Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee to hold virtual meeting Thursday, November 9. Please contact Daphne Yun via email at Daphne_Yun@nps.gov for more information. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-21st-century-advisory-committee-to-hold-virtual-meeting-thursday-november-9.htm

Broad Channel, N.Y. –Ferae Naturae (Wildlife), an exhibit of photographs by Frantz Michaud, will open on Sunday, September 17. The exhibit opening and reception will be from 2 pm – 4 pm at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The opening reception is free and open to the public. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/local-photographer-presents-solo-exhibit-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

The beaches at Great Kills Park are closed for swimming. Bacterial levels in water samples taken from this body of water exceed local, state and National Park Service standards for recreational activity. Due to the increased human health risk, the National Park Service warns to avoid contact with these waters until further notice. For updates on this advisory, please go to Gateway National Recreation Area's website at www.nps.gov/gate or call 718-354-4606. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/swimming-beaches-at-great-kills-park-are-closed-for-the-2023-season.htm

Middletown, N.J.—Join Gateway National Recreation Area and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services staff to welcome 40 new citizens at Gateway’s Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/welcome-40-new-citizens-at-the-sandy-hook-unit-lighthouse.htm

Broad Channel, N.Y. –New York City Natural, an exhibit of paintings by Jessica Dalrymple, will open on Sunday, June 11. The exhibit opening and reception will be from 2 pm – 4 pm at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The opening reception is free and open to the public. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/local-painter-presents-solo-exhibit-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

Middletown, N.J. –By the Sea an exhibit of paintings by Gregory Lewis, will open on Saturday, June 3. The exhibit opening and reception will be from 1 pm – 4 pm at the Fort Hancock Post Museum (Building 28) at Sandy Hook. The opening reception is free and open to the public. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/local-painter-presents-solo-exhibit-at-sandy-hook.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that Gateway National Recreation Area will transition to a cashless fee system. Effective June 24, 2023, fee collections booths at Jacob Riis Park will only accept credit card payments for beach parking fees. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-moves-to-cashless-fee-collection-at-jacob-riis-park.htm

Middletown, N.J. – The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that Gateway National Recreation Area will transition to a cashless fee system. Effective June 24, 2023, fee collections booths at Sandy Hook will only accept credit card payments for beach parking fees. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-moves-to-cashless-fee-collection-at-sandy-hook.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Jacob Riis Park is ready for summer. All bays are fully open to visitors this weekend. The placement of 360,000 cubic yards of sand has been completed. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/beaches-at-jacob-riis-park-ready-for-summer.htm

Middletown, N.J. – The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee held a virtual meeting on Thursday, April 27, 2023. The Committee made several recommendations at this meeting, including a recommendation that Gateway continue the Sandy Hook leasing program, soliciting partners in the adaptive reuse of the nationally significant structures. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/the-fort-hancock-advisory-committee-affirms-the-merits-of-the-sandy-hook-leasing-program.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting on April 27, starting at 9 am. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-21st-century-advisory-committee-to-hold-virtual-meeting-thursday-april-27.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The National Park Service has authorized placement of approximately 360,000 cubic yards of sand along 5,000 feet of shorefront at Jacob Riis Park as part of the US Army Corps of Engineers, New York State, and New York City’s East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet, and Jamaica Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management project. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sand-replenishment-at-jacob-riis-park.htm

Queens, N.Y. –Phenology Was My Refuge, Life Thrives at Jamaica Bay Amidst a Pandemic that Stopped the World, an exhibit of photographs by Angela Carcione, will open on April 2. The exhibit opening and reception will be from 2 pm – 4 pm at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel. The opening reception is free and open to the public. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/howard-beach-teacher-presents-photo-exhibit-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

Queens, N.Y.  The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to invite visitors and stakeholders to the West Pond Habitat and Viewshed Management Open House on February 25, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. More information on the event, including optional registration, is available here: https://westpondvegetatation.eventbrite.com. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/open-house-at-jbwr-feb-25.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Tangible Nature, an exhibit of photographs by Dean Moses, is on view at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center through March 31. The exhibit documents the interaction of the park’s diverse visitors as they participate in outdoors activities including observing nature, beach cleanups, kayaking, and hiking. The Visitor Center is open 10 am to 4 pm, Friday through Monday. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/-tangible-nature-exhibit-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

[Rockaway, NY]—One of Queens’ most beloved Art Deco gems, the historic bathhouse in Jacob Riis Park, is coming back to life after nearly half a century. Under the terms of a new 60-year lease from the National Park Service, signed today, Bathhouse Lodge LLC, doing business as CBSK Developers and Brooklyn Bazaar, will preserve and restore the 1932 bathhouse. The revitalized landmark will feature restaurants, a bar, pool, event spaces and 28 hotel rooms. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/national-park-service-signs-lease-for-historic-riis-beach-bathhouse-partners-unveil-50-mill-restoration-plans.htm

Middletown, N.J.—Join Gateway National Recreation Area and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services staff to welcome 50 candidates become citizens at Gateway’s Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/welcome-50-new-citizens-at-gateway-national-recreation-area-s-sandy-hook-unit.htm

Queens, N.Y. –Chris Allieri and the NYC Plover Project received the national George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Excellence on Aug. 24 at the ceremony to Celebrate America’s National Parks and the Dedication of Those Who Serve. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/nyc-plover-project-receives-national-award-for-outstanding-volunteer-service.htm

A variety of National Park Service (NPS) employees, volunteers and partners were honored at a ceremony to Celebrate America’s National Parks and the Dedication of Those Who Serve. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/08-25-2022-nps-awards.htm

Queens, N.Y. - The National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the conviction of the person(s) responsible for the intentional destruction of at least one American oystercatcher egg at the border of the Breezy Point Co-Operative and the National Park Service’s Gateway National Recreation Area Breezy Point Unit, Rockaway Point, New York. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/reward-offered-for-information-about-intentional-destruction-of-shorebird-eggs-and-nests-in-new-york.htm

Queens, N.Y. – On July 1, 2022, Gateway National Recreation Area closed a portion of Bay 1 located at Jacob Riis Park to swimming and water access. Beach erosion has created unsafe conditions along the Bay 1 waters and eastern beach, exposing deteriorating wooden groins and other structures. The exposed structures could be dangerous to swimmers. The closures will be adjusted as necessary but is anticipated to remain in place for the rest of the summer. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jacob-riis-park-bay-1-partial-closure.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The National Park Service has selected Riis Beach Collective (RBC) for a seven-year lease for use of facilities at Jacob Riis Park. Riis Beach Collective was one of several applicants that submitted proposals in response to a recent Request for Proposals. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-awards-lease-to-riis-beach-collective.htm

Queens, N.Y. –Queens, N.Y. - The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce the inauguration of a Stewardship Plan for the East and West Pond area of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Gateway National Recreation Area. This planning effort will help define the future of this beloved area by identifying and developing strategies to advance management goals related to resource protection, education and interpretation, and the visitor experience. It will also expand upon other guiding documents for the East and West Pond area, including Gateway’s 2014 General Management Plan. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/east-and-west-pond-stewardship-planning-team-invites-public-input-for-planning-efforts.htm

On the agenda for the this meeting will be the National Park Service Associate Director for Park Planning, Facilities and Lands; Associate Director for Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science; and the Chief of Staff for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science. They will discuss the leasing program and Sandy Hook as a national pilot for addressing climate change issues. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/national-park-service-associate-directors-to-address-fort-hancock-advisory-committee-on-april-13.htm

NEW YORK— The National Park Service (NPS) and the City of New York have announced an agreement between the City and the NPS to facilitate a path forward for a critical coastal resiliency project on Staten Island and to clean up contaminated sites in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/the-national-park-service-and-new-york-city-announce-path-forward-on-construction-of-the-staten-island-coastal-storm-risk-management-project-and-remediation-across-three-boroughs.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee brings together experts from several disciplines and occupations, drawn mainly from the communities surrounding Sandy Hook, to make recommendations for the preservation and adaptive reuse of over 30 National Landmark historic structures under the National Park Service's leasing program. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-21st-century-advisory-committee-to-hold-virtual-meeting-thursday-january-6.htm

Middletown, N.J. – The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a call for nominations for individuals who wish to serve a three-year term as a member of the Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee. The 60-day period for applications will end on October 25, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/members-needed-for-fort-hancock-21st-century-federal-committee.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee brings together experts from several disciplines and occupations, drawn mainly from the communities surrounding Sandy Hook, to make recommendations for the preservation and adaptive reuse of over 30 National Landmark historic structures under the National Park Service's leasing program. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-21st-century-federal-advisory-committee-to-hold-virtual-meeting-on-thursday-sept-23.htm

Queens, N.Y. - The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, a project of the Fund for the City of New York, is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of an innovative living shoreline and restoration project at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Gateway National Recreation Area (Gateway). https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/living-shoreline-and-restoration-project-begins-at-the-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

Starting June 1 National Park Service (NPS) contractors will be onsite at the Great Kills Park during two different mobilizations conducting field activities associated with the NPS Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Remedial Investigation (RI). https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/media-advisory-great-kills-fieldwork-2021.htm

Starting June 1 National Park Service (NPS) contractors will be on-site at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge working to address erosion at the West Pond Trail with the construction of a living shoreline. To ensure the safety of park visitors and to help facilitate this restoration project, the majority of West Pond Loop Trail will close starting June 1, 2021 through the duration of the project. In addition, project materials will be placed in a portion of the Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center parking lot, and parking will be limited during construction. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/media-advisory-west-pond-trail-closure.htm

Middletown, N.J. – Gateway National Recreation Area announced today that full beach closures of designated nesting beach areas will begin to be implemented starting this Friday, May 21, for shorebird conservation. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/beach-closures-implemented-for-shorebird-conservation-at-sandy-hook.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that Gateway National Recreation Area will increase its beach parking fees at Jacob Riis Park. The additional revenue will fund infrastructure and maintenance needs and help enhance the visitor experience. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/nps-increases-beach-parking-fee-at-jacob-riis-park.htm

Middletown, N.J. – The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that Gateway National Recreation Area will increase its beach parking fees at Sandy Hook. The additional revenue will fund infrastructure and maintenance needs and help enhance the visitor experience. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/nps-increases-beach-parking-fees-at-sandy-hook.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee brings together experts from several disciplines and occupations, drawn mainly from the communities surrounding Sandy Hook, to make recommendations for the preservation and adaptive reuse of over 30 historic structures under the National Park Service's leasing program. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-21st-century-advisory-committee-to-hold-virtual-meeting-friday-april-23.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The National Park Service has selected Riis Bazaar, LLC (Riis Bazaar) for a five-year lease for use of facilities at Jacob Riis Park. Riis Bazaar was one of several applicants that submitted proposals in response to a recent Request for Proposals. Riis Bazaar will offer a selection of year-round and seasonal food service along with a variety of music, events and pop-up vendors. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-awards-lease-to-riis-bazaar.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area (Gateway) is releasing a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) in connection with the Silver Gull Beach Club and the Breezy Point Surf Club currently managed under contracts which expire December 31, 2021. The RFEI was developed to gather information from the public and potential operators about how the park might add additional services to improve the visitor experience at Silver Gull Beach Club and Breezy Point Surf Club in Gateway’s Jamaica Bay Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-issues-rfei-for-beach-clubs.htm

The National Park Service uses leasing to help preserve areas of historical significance, including Sandy Hook’s Fort Hancock. Join us to discuss Fort Hancock’s leasing program, including its progress over the past several years as well as the most recent proposal for rehabilitating the remaining buildings for residential and commercial use. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-open-house-nov-23.htm

Middletown, N.J. - Gateway National Recreation Area is proposing to increase parking fees in the park. These parking rates would go into effect for the summer of 2021. This would be Gateway’s first parking fee increase since 2012. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/proposed-fee-increases-for-sandy-hook-2021.htm

Queens, N.Y. - Gateway National Recreation Area is proposing to increase parking fees in the park. These parking rates would go into effect for the summer of 2021. This would be Gateway’s first parking fee increase since 2012. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/proposed-fee-increase-for-riis-park-2021.htm

Dead Horse Bay at Gateway National Recreation Area will be closed to the public in August due to the presence of radiological contamination at the site. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/dead-horse-bay-closed.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area’s Fort Wadsworth will not be open for fireworks viewing this year. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/no-wadsworth-fireworks.htm

Lifeguards will be on duty at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Jacob Riis Park beginning Wednesday, July 1. The beach will now be open for swimming. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/lifeguards-jr.htm

Lifeguards will be on duty at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Great Kills Park beginning Wednesday, July 1. The beach will now be open for swimming. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/lifeguards-gk.htm

Brooklyn, N.Y. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gateway National Recreation Area is increasing recreational access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. Beginning Saturday, June 13, Gateway National Recreation Area will reopen access to Floyd Bennett Field for recreational activities such as fishing, biking, hiking. The Ryan Visitor Center, campground, archery and sports fields remain closed until further notice. Fishing permits are not being sold at this time, but 2019 fishing permits will be honored until further notice. Please follow regular park rules while visiting and maintain six feet of social distancing from other park visitors. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-to-increase-access-to-floyd-bennett-field.htm

Middletown, N.J. – Lifeguards will be on duty at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook Unit beginning Saturday, June 13. Most beaches will now be open for swimming. Advisory signs noting which beaches are lifeguarded will be at the entrance and updated daily. Gateway National Recreation Area will resume collecting beach access fees at Sandy Hook on Wednesday, June 17. Daily fees are $15 per car. Fees are collected between 7 am and 5 pm. Restrictions on parking (50% capacity) at Sandy Hook will remain in effect through June 16. Parking will return to 100% capacity on June 17. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/lifeguards-and-entrance-fees-return-to-sandy-hook.htm

Middletown, N.J. – The demolition of buildings 119 and 120 located within the Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark will begin on June 15. These historic buildings were flooded and extensively damaged during Hurricane Sandy. Buildings 119 and 120 were two of nearly one hundred temporary buildings constructed as part of the U.S. Army’s 700 series of temporary wooden buildings developed in response to the massive mobilization of World War II at Sandy Hook. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/demolition-of-buildings-119-and-120-at-sandy-hook-begin.htm

Brooklyn, N.Y. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gateway National Recreation Area will continue to provide limited recreational access and services for Canarsie Pier for the Memorial Day weekend. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/memorial-day-canarsie-pier.htm

Staten Island, N.Y. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gateway National Recreation Area will continue to provide limited recreational access and services for the Staten Island Unit for the Memorial Day weekend. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/staten-island-memorial-day.htm

Middletown, N.J. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gateway National Recreation Area will continue to provide limited recreational access and services for Sandy Hook for the Memorial Day weekend. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-hook-memorial-day.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gateway National Recreation Area will continue to provide limited recreational access and services at Riis Park and Fort Tilden for the Memorial Day weekend. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/riis-and-tilden-access-for-memorial-day-weekend.htm

Middletown, N.J. – A four-year program has been initiated to re-establish the Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle at Sandy Hook. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/northeast-beach-tiger-beetle.htm

Beginning May 9, Gateway National Recreation Area will reopen access to the Sandy Hook Unit with certain restrictions in place. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-hook-gateway-national-recreation-area-available-for-limited-recreational-access-on-may-9.htm

Staten Island, N.Y. – Tangible Nature, a virtual exhibit of photographs by Dean Moses, is available for viewing on Gateway’s website at www.nps.gov/gate. This exhibit explores the relationship and rapport humans can have with nature. “More than a walk on the trail or a rest beside the water; nature is tangible, we can not only touch it, but we in turn can be touched by it. The photos were taken during I Love my Park Day, in May 2019 and show people exploring nature and outdoor recreation; and doing some hard labor in performing a clean-up.” Dean Moses https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/tangible-nature-exhibit-online.htm

Effective immediately, Sandy Hook will be closed to all park visitors until further notice. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide update on our website www.nps.gov/gate and social media channels @GatewayNPS. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-hook-closure.htm

Staten Island, N.Y. – Gateway National Recreation Area, in response to Executive Orders issued by the governors of New York and New Jersey, is announcing additional modifications to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As of March 20, Gateway National Recreation Area will offer no services outside those that support visitor or resource protection. At Gateway National Recreation Area, the following services will be suspended in order to comply with these state orders. Gateway will not issue permits, conduct on-site public or educational programs, collect trash, operate or provide restrooms, maintain roads or walkways (including plowing and ice melting), or provide visitor information and services. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-is-updating-earlier-modifications-to-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm

Staten Island, N.Y. – Gateway National Recreation Area is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. All of Gateway’s facilities, including visitor centers and ranger stations, are closed until further notice. Programs and events are also temporarily cancelled until further notice. Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, our open spaces, including trails and shorelines, remain open for visitor use. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-is-modifying-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm

The National Park Service received an exciting redevelopment proposal from Stillman Development International for 21 historic buildings in the main post area of Fort Hancock in the Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-proposal-for-adaptive-reuse-at-historic-fort-hancock.htm

Queens, N.Y. – “Exploring Gateway,” a photography exhibit capturing the “locations, worlds and points of time” at Gateway National Recreation Area will open on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/local-photographers-featured-at-exhibit.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Our National Parks, an exhibit of paintings by Jayne Holsinger, will open on Dec. 8. The exhibit opening and reception will be from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel. The opening reception is free and open to the public. This exhibit will be on display for two months. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/-our-national-parks-opens-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

You could spend Black Friday inside shopping. Or you could spend it at Gateway National Recreation Area. Help clean up the shores of Jamaica Bay, climb the lighthouse at Sandy Hook, or learn about New York’s harbor defense system in the nineteenth century and beyond. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/skip-the-stores-spend-black-friday-at-gateway.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is entering into an agreement with the Monmouth County Vocational School District (MCVSD) to facilitate the rehabilitation and reuse of Sandy Hook historic Buildings 23 and 56. MCVSD intends to rehabilitate the buildings to provide needed space and facilities for the Marine Academy of Science and Technology’s (MAST) campus which is located at Sandy Hook. As proposed the project will stabilize and rehabilitate historic Barracks building 23 to provide classroom and drill hall space. Mess Hall building 56 will be rehabilitated to provide for office and uniform storage space. The purpose of this pubic meeting is to provide an update on the project status and to provide an opportunity for the public to comment. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-announces-public-meeting-oct-19.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Where Worlds Converge, an exhibit of photographs by Micah Bochart, will open on Sept. 29. The exhibit opening and reception will be from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel. The opening reception is free and open to the public. This free exhibit will be on display for two months. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/-where-worlds-converge-opens-at-the-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

Stop by the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on Oct. 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and pick up your pass. Join National Park Service rangers for a day filled with adventure. Join National Park Service Rangers for a day filled with fun and excitement, including ranger-led adventure hikes at 11 am and 1 pm, a special production of City that Drinks the Mountain Sky by Arm-of-the-Sea Theater at noon, face painting, and special activities with NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers, Rockaway Artists Alliance, the Queens Library Bookmobile, American Littoral Society, and more. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fourth-graders-and-their-families-can-get-free-entrance-to-public-lands.htm

Staten Island, NY –We are proud to announce that the National Park Service (NPS) has selected Moonbeam Leasing & Management LLC as the new operator of the Great Kills Marina, located at Great Kills Park in the Staten Island Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-operator-at-great-kills-marina.htm

Highlands, N.J. --The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a Call for Nominations for individuals who wish to serve at three-year term as a member of the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee. The 30-day period for applications will end on Friday, October 4, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/call-for-nominations-for-fort-hancock-21st-century-federal-advisory-committee.htm

Jacob Riis Park Closed to Swimming, Sat. Aug. 24, 2019 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jacob-riis-park-closed-to-swimming-sat-aug-24-2019.htm

Highlands, N.J. – Thanks to the shared stewardship of Gateway’s visitors, plovers at Sandy Hook have had another successful breeding season. Forty one nesting plover pairs fledged 53 chicks this year. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/piping-plovers-fledge-53-chicks.htm

Results of the 35th Annual Women's Lifeguard Tournament held at Sandy Hook, July 31, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-35th-annual-women-s-lifeguard-tournament.htm

Join Gateway staff, Staten Island OutLOUD and the Staten Island Philharmonic to celebrate Independence Day at the Overlook at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island. OutLOUD will present a group reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1 p.m., followed by an afternoon performance by the Staten Island Philharmonic at 2 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-fourth-at-the-fort.htm

News Release and joint statement on cancellation of the 2019 Summer Concert Series. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-sandy-hook-concert-series.htm

News release and joint statement on the cancellation of the Sandy Hook Foundation 2019 Summer Concert Series. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-hook-foundation-cancels-2019-summer-concert-series.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The Horseshoe Crab’s Crown, an exhibit outlining the creation of the children’s book written by Heather Feather and illustrated by Valentina Gallup, will open on June 9. There will be a live reading at 1:30 p.m., followed by the exhibit opening and reception from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel. This exhibit will be on display for two months. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/horseshoe-crab-s-crown.htm

Brooklyn, N.Y.—Visitors of all ages are invited to join the National Park Service (NPS), Wilderness Inquiry, NYC H2O, and Urban Soils Institute for Canarsie Pier Paddle-Fest on May 25 and Canarsie Pier Family Day on May 26. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-canarsie-pier-paddle-fest-on-may-25-and-canarsie-pier-family-day-on-may-26.htm

The demolition of the concession building at Beach Center at Area D of Sandy Hook has started. Beach Center D was previously home to the Seagull's Nest, a popular restaurant with beachgoers. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/demolition-of-beach-center-d-begins-at-sandy-hook.htm

From March 15 through September 15, no pets are allowed on Riis Park beach, Fort Tilden beach, West Beach (area between the Silver Gull Beach Club and Reid Avenue) and the Breezy Point Tip including the Bayside Beach. Pets are also not allowed on the ocean beaches in the Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/pet-restrictions-during-plover-season.htm

The osprey are back and the warm weather is here. Spring has finally arrived at Gateway. Come out and celebrate the season with us. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-spring-at-gateway.htm

Alcoholic beverages at the Sandy Hook Unit are now prohibited. This restriction will not affect visitors having weddings at the Sandy Hook Chapel or other permit holders. Smoking is also prohibited on beaches at Sandy Hook. Designated smoking areas are in all parking lots. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/alcohol-and-smoking-ban-now-in-place-at-gateway-s-sandy-hook.htm

Queens, N.Y. --Solitude, an exhibit of photographs by Agron Jashari, will open on Sunday, March 31. There will be an opening reception from 2 pm. – 4 p.m. at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel. This exhibit will be on display for two months. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/solitude-opens-at-the-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

Are you interested in working at the country’s first urban National Park site? Are you passionate about New York and New Jersey history and nature? If so, consider applying to work at one of our three units: Sandy Hook, NJ; Staten Island, NY; or Jamaica Bay, NY. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/we-re-hiring.htm

The National Park Service seeks to fill multiple surf-lifeguards jobs at all three units of Gateway National Recreation Area for the 2019 summer season. These positions are currently open on USAjobs.gov. The closing date for these jobs is February 15, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/lifeguard-positions-available-at-all-three-gateway-units.htm

2018 Fishing Permits Extended for Duration of Federal Government Shutdown. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/news-releases2019permits.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area announced today some basic visitor services will reopen using revenue generated by recreation fees. Basic services include re-opening bathrooms, collecting garbage, picking up litter, and plowing of roads to visitor use areas. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/news-releases.htm

Visit Fort Wadsworth at 2 pm on Saturday, December 29 to meet an archaeologist. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/if-old-bones-could-talk.htm

The Mandarin duck seen recently paddling in ponds in Central Park brought much excitement to New Yorkers and on the Internet. But have you ever seen surf scoter, a sea duck with a clown-like face? They can be seen at Jamaica Bay in Queens. How about a long tailed duck, which can be seen at the Sandy Hook Unit in New Jersey? For bird and wildlife enthusiasts, Gateway National Recreation Area will hold two free events in November and December. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/see-the-surf-scoter-and-other-amazing-ducks.htm

Queens, N.Y. Soundless Landscapes, a solo show of recent work by Michael Berg&#é;s, at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Please come to see the show and greet the artist. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/-soundless-landscapes-art-exhibit-opens.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has been selected to receive an Open OutDoors for Kids Focus City grant for the 2018-2019 school year from the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. Gateway will work with new partners to expand educational programs for local 4th grades in the school districts and communities adjacent to Jamaica Bay. Working together, NYC H2O, the Urban Soils Institute (USI), a division of the NYC Soil and Water Conservation District, and Gateway’s education staff will provide programs and activities focused on the diverse natural resources of Jamaica Bay. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/open-outdoors-for-kids-focus-city-grant.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Ninety-six hatchlings of the world’s most endangered sea turtle crawled out to sea this week on West Beach on the Rockaway Peninsula located within the Gateway National Recreation Area (Gateway), National Park Service (NPS). Kemp’s ridley is the smallest of all sea turtles and critically endangered. It was listed in the United States as endangered throughout its range in 1970. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rarest-sea-turtle-nests-on-queens-beach.htm

Visitors of all ages are invited to celebrate the grand re-opening of both the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and the Fort Hancock Post Museum at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area on Sunday, September 30, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/re-opening-of-sandy-hook-lighthouse.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is please to announce a donation of sand fro the restoration of Spring Creek Park at the Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sand-donation-at-spring-creek.htm

Queens, N.Y. - An exhibit showing the transformation of religious offerings collected from monthly cleanups at Jamaica Bay will be on display at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center starting Aug. 19. The exhibit will be up for about two months. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/project-prithvi-exhibit.htm

Starting July 8 until approximately August 11, National Park Service (NPS) contractors will be on-site at Spring Creek Park conducting field activities associated with the NPS Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) response action. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/spring-creek-field-work-2018.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing to demolish building 69, a WWII temporary barrack building at Floyd Bennett Field. The NPS has determined that the proposed demolition of building 69 will have an adverse effect on the Floyd Bennett Field Historic District. As required by National Historic Preservation Act, the NPS has notified the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation of the adverse effect, is consulting with New York State Historic Preservation Office, and has drafted a Memorandum of Agreement to that effect https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/demolition-of-building-69.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area invites the local community to join the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and its Traveling Trainer Team for training, education programs and service projects in Jamaica Bay. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/help-improve-jamaica-bay.htm

Join us at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center this Saturday at 2 pm for the opening of exhibit: "Drowning in Plastic: Why Recycling is Not Enough." https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-photography-exhibit-opening-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge-visitor-center.htm

We are proud to announce that the National Park Service (NPS) has selected Moonbeam Leasing & Management LLC, as the new operator of Gateway Marina, in the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-operator-at-gateway-marina.htm

Fort Tilden, a solo show of recent paintings by Chris Wright will begin on Saturday April 7 with an opening reception from 2 to 4 pm at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Please come to see the show and greet the artist. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/-fort-tilden-exhibit-opens-april-7-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

Gateway is proud to announce that the National Park Service has signed a Letter of Intent with Brooklyn Bazaar for the Jacob Riis Park Bathhouse. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/letter-of-intent-signed-for-jacob-riis-bathhouse.htm

Sarah Nicholls exhibit opens at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on January 27 and will run for approximately two months. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/book-arts-exhibit-by-sarah-nicholls-opens-january-27-at-the-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

The National Park Service is seeking interested parties to redevelop historic structures and land at Fort Tilden East and Riis Landing in the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/honor-history-invest-in-its-future-gateway-seeks-new-uses-for-fort-tilden.htm

Join us the weekend of December 16 and 17 to celebrate Christmas at Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/christmas-at-fort-hancock-join-us-on-december-16-and-17-for-this-weekend-event.htm

Join the National Park Service (NPS) throughout October for the Herbert Johnson Lecture Series. All talks are held on Sundays at 2 pm at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/herbert-johnson-fall-lecture-series.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area is expanding our camping this year with a pilot partnership with Getaway. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/getaway-at-gateway-gateway-expands-camping-opportunities.htm

Join the National Park Service (NPS), on Saturday May 6, from 2-4 PM at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge for an exhibit opening and reception. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/painting-exhibit-by-denise-levine-opening-at-jbwr-on-may-6.htm

On Sunday April 30, 2017 at 10:15 United States Park Police Officers were dispatched to Plumb Beach for someone taking horseshoe crabs. Officer Fajardo and Greenberg arrived and observed Huase Chen harvesting horseshoe crabs from the waters of Jamaica Bay. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/illegal-taking-of-horseshoe-crabs.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 19,720,849 visitors to ten National Parks of New York Harbor (NPNH) sites in 2016 spent $656,984,900 in communities near the park. That spending supported 8,120 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $838,133,200. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/report-shows-visitor-spending-supports-more-than-8000-jobs-in-local-economy.htm

Today, partners came together to ensure kids across america can experience our national parks and public lands. The National Park Trust, The North Face, and the Outdoor Alliance for Kids joined the National Park Service to co-host an Every Kid in a Park event at Gateway National Recreation Area for 90 fourth graders from PS 119 in Brooklyn. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/nyc-4th-graders-get-free-passes-to-visit-public-lands-and-waters.htm

The 2016 Herbert Johnson Lecture Series kicks off at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on Sunday afternoon, September 25 at 2 PM with a presentation by Brooklyn-based artist and naturalist George Boorujy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/artist-and-naturalist-george-boorujy-to-present-at-the-2016-herbert-johnson-lecture-series.htm

On September 23-24 2016, the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway will participate in the National Parks BioBlitz. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/bioblitz-is-coming-to-sandy-hook.htm

Gateway seeks public comment for proposed parking fee increases in 2017. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-seeks-public-comment-concerning-proposed-2017-fee-increases.htm

The NPS proposes to partially deconstruct Hangar 38 at Miller Field, Staten Island, in response to Hurricane Sandy damage, and is requesting public review of the Memorandum of Agreement with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (NY SHPO). https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/partial-deconstruction-of-hangar-38-miller-field-memorandum-of-agreement-available-for-public-review.htm

Gateway's annual photo contest returns. We are accepting photos that tell the story of "I found my park and it's Gateway" during the month of July. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-2016-photography-contest.htm

Gateway's Jamaica Bay will be holding a BioBlitz from June 10-June 11. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jamaica-bay-bioblitz.htm

Fourth graders will be able to use their Every Kid in a Park pass to waive parking fees at Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit and Jacob Riis Park in Queens between Memorial Day and Labor Day of 2016. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-invites-fourth-graders-to-use-their-every-kid-in-a-park-pass.htm

Gateway has issued the first lease for adaptive reuse at Fort Hancock. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-issues-first-lease-for-adaptive-reuse-at-historic-fort-hancock.htm

On Friday, April 22, representatives of Gateway National Recreation Area, New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg (NJYC), and The Corps Network will cut the ribbon on a new porch for Building 26, the headquarters for Gateway’s Sandy Hook Unit in Middletown. The ceremony will begin at 11 A.M. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ribbon-porch.htm

Superintendent Jennifer T. Nersesian announced the next step toward completing the Relocation of Hurricane Sandy Damaged Maintenance Facilities with a Finding of Nos Significant Impact (FONSI) for the preferred alternative. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-announces-finding-of-no-significant-impact-for-staten-island-unit-maintenance-relocation.htm

Gateway is currently in phase one of rehabilitating the Sandy Hook Beach Center Areas for sustainability and resiliency as the park continues to recover after Hurricane Sandy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-announces-plans-for-rehabilitation-of-sandy-hook-beach-centers.htm

The National Park Service has prepared an Environmental Assessment to evaluate a range of alternatives to address changes to access and visitor safety brought about by Hurricane Sandy at Fort Tilden Beach, Queens, New York. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-announces-public-meeting-and-review-period-for-an-environmental-assessment-for-the-fort-tilden-shore-access-and-resiliency-project.htm

Law enforcement rangers arrested a man for poaching a deer in Sandy Hook. His trial is set for early April. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/poacher-arrested-at-sandy-hook.htm

Rolling Requests for Proposals are Open at Gateway's Fort Hancock https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rolling-requests-fro-proposals-are-open-at-fort-hancock.htm

United States Park Police conducted a surveillance operation in Jamaica Bay in response to an increase in suspected resource violations. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/united-states-park-police-catch-illegal-fishers-in-jamaica-bay.htm

Gateway Photo Contest opens on October 3. The top ten photographs will be displayed until the end of November https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-photo-contest-exhibit-opens-on-october-3-at-the-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

In celebration of Public Lands Day, Gateway National Recreation Area and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation welcome volunteers to help clean up the entrance to Great Kills Park along Hylan Boulevard. The event will occur Saturday, September 26 beginning at 9 A.M. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gk-entrance-cleanup.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a Call for Nominations for individuals who wish to serve a three-year term as a member of the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee. The 30-day period for applications will end on Thursday, October 15, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/c4n2015.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, September 18, 2015 beginning at 9 A.M. at the Monmouth County Eastern Branch Library, located at 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury, New Jersey 07702. All meetings are open to the public, with a period set aside for public comment. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca-sept-18-2015.htm

For 24 hours, citizen scientists will swarm the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, counting as many species as possible. At the same time, free fun and educational activities will take families and individuals into the coves and trails of this seven-mile peninsula on the New Jersey coast. The BioBlitz is co-sponsored by the American Littoral Society (ALS) and the National Park Service (NPS). https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/shu-bioblitz-2015.htm

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has named 13 members to the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee, including the re-appointment of seven members whose terms had expired and six new members. Membership of the Committee will increase from 20 to 22 members. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca-new-members-2015.htm

Find Your Park and Celebrate the 99th Birthday of the National Park Service. All three of Gateway's units will celebrate Founders Day on August 23 and 25. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/find-your-park-and-celebrate-the-99th-birthday-of-the-national-park-service.htm

Come meet the young adults who are rebuilding the historic porch on Building 26, Sandy Hook’s Headquarters (built in 1899), and learn how Hands-On Preservation Experience (HOPE) and New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg are preserving America’s parks while building a brighter future for young people in need of a second chance https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/hope-porch.htm

Gateway NRA hosts the oldest and largest all-women lifeguard tournament in the nation, to be held on Wednesday, July 29 at Sandy Hook Unit's Beach Area E. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/allwoman2015.htm

The second annual Gateway National Recreation Area photography contest will be held during the month of July. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrating-the-nps-centennial-find-your-park-and-tell-us.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Committee will meet at 9 am on Friday, June 26 at the Beech Room of the Thompson Park Visitor Center. Thompson Park, located at 805 Newman Springs Road in Lincroft NJ, is part of the Monmouth County Park System. Members of the public are invited. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/facameetjune2015.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has made available for public and regulatory review the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Staten Island Unit Maintenance Facilities Project, Relocation of Hurricane Sandy Damaged Maintenance Facilities to More Sustainable Locations. This project would make the maintenance facilities resilient to coastal storm surges and flooding through relocation to areas outside the 100-year floodplain. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/environmental-assessment-notice-of-public-availability-and-open-house.htm

Fort Hancock's History House will open to the public on May 17 for the first time since Hurricane Sandy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/find-your-park-at-history-house-starting-may-17.htm

"Find Your Park" this summer in your backyard at Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-summer-gateway-offers-ways-to-find-your-park-right-in-your-backyard.htm

The camping fee at Gateway National Recreation Area has been set at $30 per night, beginning with the 2015 season https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fees-to-improve-camping-experience-at-gateway-national-recreation-area.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee will meet this Friday, May 8 from 9 AM to 3 PM in the Beech Room at Thompson Park, part of the Monmouth County Parks System. All committee meetings are open to the public. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca-mtg-may2015.htm

With the donation of materials from the Sandy Hook Foundation, Gateway National Recreation Area will repair and rebuild Sandy Hook's popular Observation Deck beginning Wednesday, April 1. The park expects the deck to be available to the public by the Memorial Day weekend. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/repair-deck.htm

Come to an open house to learn more about leasing an historic former Army building as a residence, bed-and-breakfast or home for a not-for-profit. The open house takes place Sunday, March 22 from 1-3 PM at the Sandy Hook Chapel. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rfp-openhouse.htm

25 young adults from all over the state of NJ will clean up Building 27 at Sandy Hook's Fort Hancock on March 12 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-jersey-youth-corps-volunteers-to-help-clean-up-historic-building-at-the-sandy-hook-unit-of-gateway.htm

The NPS, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration- Eastern Federal Lands Highway (EFLHD) is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate a range of alternatives to address access, safety, and shoreline resiliency at Fort Tilden, Gateway National Recreation Area due to changes brought about by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-begins-planning-process-for-the-fort-tilden-shore-road-shoreline-resilience-project-queens-new-york.htm

Join the NPS at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge visitor center to see the winners of the 2014 Gateway National Recreation Area Photo Contest. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/terrapins-tell-a-tale.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) will provide an update on the project status for the West Pond Environmental Assessment on Jan. 22 at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Center. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/national-park-service-to-hold-open-house-on-the-status-of-the-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge-west-pond-environmental-assessment.htm

Gateway will hold a public meeting on January 13 at the Ryan Visitor Center to discuss our proposed fee increases at Riis Beach. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-will-hold-public-meeting-on-january-13-regarding-proposed-fee-increases-at-jacob-riis-beach.htm

Gateway seeks new uses for historic buildings at Fort Hancock. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-seeks-new-uses-for-historic-buildings.htm

Gateway will hold a public meeting on January 5 to hear comments about our proposed fee increase. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-will-hold-public-meeting-on-january-5-regarding-proposed-fee-increases-at-sandy-hook.htm

Gateway is seeking public comments on proposed fee hikes for camping throughout the park and beach parking at Jacob Riis and Sandy Hook. Gateway is also initiating a study into the feasibility of instituting metered parking at select locations throughout the park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-seeks-public-comment-concerning-proposed-fee-increases.htm

Come celebrate Fort Hancock's military history by joining the volunteers of the Army Ground Forces Association from October 24 through October 26. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-days-2014.htm

The winners of Gateway's first annual photo contest have been announced. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-photo-contest-winners-announced.htm

Gateway begins planning process for the proposed relocation of Hurricane Sandy damaged maintenance facilities to more sustainable locations within the Staten Island Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-begins-planning-for-proposed-relocation-of-damaged-maintenance-facilities-in-staten-island.htm

The NPS is preparing an Environmental Assessment in support of a proposed project to address damage to the maintenance facilities at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-begins-planning-for-proposed-relocation-of-damaged-maintenance-facilities-at-sandy-hook.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee will meet Friday, September 12 at Brookdale Community College's Donald D. Wagner Student Life Center. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/facabrookdale.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area proposed Phased Rehabilitation of historic Fort Hancock https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/phased-development-plan-proposed-to-rehabilitate-fort-hancock.htm

The National Park Service welcomes public comment and regulatory review of an Environmental Assessment (EA) to extend the Multi-Use Path (MUP) at Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit. Comments are due by August 29, 2014. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/mup-3.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee will meet at Twin Lights Historic Site in Highlands, NJ, on Friday, July 18 beginning at 9 am. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca7-14.htm

The National Park Service has extended the deadline for nominations to the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee by one week. The new deadline is Monday, July 21. Applicants must nominate themselves; a third party cannot nominate someone else. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/c4nextend.htm

The National Park Service, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD), is preparing an environmental assessment (EA) in support of a proposed project to address damage that resulted from a breach that occurred at the West Pond of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge during Hurricane Sandy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/westpondassess.htm

The National Park Service seeks nominations for individuals to be considered for appointment to the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/c4n.htm

Rockaway! Arts festival to celebrate the reopening of Fort Tilden and recognize ongoing recovery of the Rockaways. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rockaway-arts-festival-to-celebrate-the-reopening-of-fort-tilden-and-recognize-ongoing-recovery-of-the-rockaways.htm

For 250 years, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse has guided ships sailing to New York Harbor with beams of light. Now it broadcasts live streaming images of Sandy Hook to the entire world. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandycam.htm

A beacon of hope survives hurricanes, wars and a revolution--and it still works today. On Saturday, June 14, 2014, Gateway National Recreation Area will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse from 11 am to 4 pm. The public is invited to this free event. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/shl250.htm

Audrey Tepper, historical architect, National Park Service (NPS), Technical Preservation Services Branch, will discuss the basics of the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program and national standards for rehabilitating historic buildings. These standards will be used for rehabilitation of historic buildings at Sandy Hook’s Fort Hancock. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/teppertalk.htm

Gateway releases final General Managment Plan/Environmental Impact Statement. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-releases-final-general-management-plan-environmental-impact-statement.htm

Tourism to National Parks of New York Harbor creates more than $390 Million in Economic Benefit. Report shows visitor spending supports 4,395 jobs in local economy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/tourism-to-national-parks-of-new-york-harbor-creates-more-than-390-million-dollars-in-economic-benefit.htm

Wood Chipping to Begin at Great Kills Park, Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/wood-chipping-to-begin-at-great-kills-park-staten-island.htm

Gateway receives dozens of responses to its Request for Expressions of Interest https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-leases-on-life-at-fort-hancock.htm

Media tour of Sandy Hook's Fort Hancock held November 8, 2013. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/invest-in-historic-shoreline-properties-media-tour-of-fort-hancock.htm

Honor History, Invest in its Future. Gateway seeks new uses for historic buildings at Fort Hancock. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/honor-history-invest-in-its-future.htm

Jennifer T. Nersesian selected as superintendent of Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-superintendent-at-gateway.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area Draft General Management Plan is Unveiled, Public Invited to Help Shape Vision for a Great Urban National Park https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-draft-general-management-plan-unveiled.htm

Next Fort Hancock FACA meeting June 28 2013 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-advisory-committee-to-meet-june-28-2013.htm

The Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee will hold its next meeting Friday, June 28, 2013, at Building 22, the NJ Sea Grant Consortium, located within Fort Hancock from 9 am to 5:30 pm. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-advisory-committee-to-meet-on-june-18-2013.htm

All lifeguarded beaches at Gateway National Recreation Area open this weekend. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/we-love-the-smell-of-sunscreen-in-the-morning.htm

Ready, Set, Launch! Great Kills Park's Boat Ramp Reopens to Public on May 25 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/great-kills-park-boat-ramp-reopens-to-public.htm

Sandy Hook reopens on May 1st for the first time since Hurricane Sandy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-hook-reopens-to-public-on-may-1st.htm

Miller Field reopens to the public on April 20. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/miller-field-reopens-to-the-public-on-april-20.htm

Gateway Nation Recreation Area today announced a series of steps to rebuild the Nichols Marina in Great Kills Harbor on Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-announces-plan-to-rebuild-nichols-marina-at-great-kills.htm

Twin W First Aid Squad (FAS), located in West Windsor, N.J., will donate an ambulance to the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area on Friday, March 22. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ambulance.htm

The Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee will hold its second meeting Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, N.J. from 9 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca-march.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area announces more opening dates as the park recovers from Hurricane Sandy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-hurricane-sandy-recovery-update.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area and Rockaway Little League (RLL) have signed a seven-year lease on the use of a clubhouse and corresponding lands, which include ball fields, in Fort Tilden, part of Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rll.htm

Gateway presents "Hurricane Sandy: Before and After," a photo exhibit featuring the effects of Hurricane Sandy on the park. The exhibit will open from 3-5 P.M. on Sunday, January 27 at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Queens. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandypix.htm

Tidewater, Inc. has been awarded a contract, through an Inter-Agency Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), to investigate and clean up radiological contamination at Gateway National Recreation Area's Great Kills Park on Staten Island https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-tidewater.htm

The Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting January 23-24, 2013 at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, N.J. (not at Monmouth University, as stated in the Federal Register notice). https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca-meeting-01-13.htm

It has been more than a month since Hurricane Sandy roared up the East Coast, making landfall on October 29 in southern New Jersey. The storm affected nearly 70 national park sites, including all 15 in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, from Sandy Hook (part of Gateway National Recreation Area) in New Jersey to St. Paul's Church National Historic Site in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., from Morristown National Historical Park in New Jersey to Fire Island National Seashore on Long Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-parks.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area will reopen two sections of the park after Thanksgiving. These are the first areas of Gateway to reopen after Hurricane Sandy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-jbwr.htm

MillionTreesNYC and NYC Parks joined Gateway in planting 5,000 trees at Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Field on Saturday, October 27 to celebrate the park's 40th birthday. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/milliontrees-oct2012.htm

Effective Monday, October 15, 2012, the Sandy Hook - Spermaceti Cove Visitor Center will close and relocate to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse Keepers Quarters. The Spermaceti Cove Visitor Center will be closed until spring 2013 based on visitor patterns and anticipated staffing levels for the coming year. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/shuvcclosed2013.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area begins its yearlong celebration of its 40th anniversary with the annual celebration of Fort Hancock Days, to be held on Friday, October 26 through Sunday, October 28, 2012. Fort Hancock Days commemorates the establishment of Fort Hancock as an Army base on October 30, 1895. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/forthancockdays2012.htm

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has nominated 20 citizens to serve on the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee. This committee will provide recommendations for the historic reuse of more than 30 historic buildings in the Fort Hancock Historic Landmark District within Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca-fort-hancock.htm

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted a radiological survey of closed areas in Gateway NRA's Great Kills Park on Monday, August 27 through Wednesday, August 29, 2012. The first areas surveyed included the fishing area along Great Kills Harbor. Depending on the results of the survey, the fishing area may be reopened for use in 2012. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-survey-8-2012.htm

Help Gateway choose among three draft management alternatives for the General Management Plan (GMP) which will guide the park for the next 20 years. The park will hold three open houses on the GMP in mid-September to discuss options. Each alternative lays out a different direction for the park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gmp-open-houses-2012.htm

Visit any of Gateway's three units on Saturday, August 25 for free programs celebrating the National Park Service's 96th birthday. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/founders-day-2012.htm

Your Park! Your Health! will celebrate the end of a successful summer engaging new communities with heart-smart outdoor recreation at Gateway this Wednesday, August 15, from 3-6 P.M. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ypyh-kayak.htm

On Monday, August 6, Gateway National Recreation Area welcomed its first overnight public campers at its new campground in the Horseshoe Cove area of Sandy Hook, N.J. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-inaugurates-overnight-camping-at-sandy-hook.htm

For the last few years, the National Park Service has worked with local communities to promote our "Leave No Trace" policy at North Channel Beach in Queens, particularly with the nearby Hindu community. Join us on Saturday, August 4 as volunteers pitch in to make this special place shine. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/cleanup-ncb-2012.htm

Help Gateway create a new vision for a great urban park in the 21st century. As part of the next phase of the on-going the General Management Plan (GMP) process, a series of outdoor information sessions will take place in August 2012 at three locations: Sandy Hook, New Jersey; Jacob Riis Park, Queens, and; Great Kills Park on Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gmp-beach-2012.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) and the City of New York plan to establish a top-tier science research center focused on urban ecosystem restoration and resiliency within Jamaica Bay. Organizations interested in partnering with the City and the NPS are invited to submit Expressions of Interest between now and November 2, 2012. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rfei-resilience.htm

Two piping plover nests were vandalized in two locations within the protected nesting area at Breezy Point, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, on the night of July 3. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/plover-eggs-stolen.htm

For the 28th time, Gateway NRA hosts the oldest and largest all-women lifeguard tournament in the country, again at our Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/pr-lifeguard-tourney-2012.htm

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today signed an unprecedented agreement between the National Park Service (NPS) and the City of New York Department of Parks of Recreation – spelling out ways the two agencies will cooperatively manage 10,000 acres of federal and city-owned parks in and around Jamaica Bay to promote visitation, education programs, scientific research and opportunities for outdoor recreation. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/seamless.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area invites the public to learn about and comment upon the development of an Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect (EA/AoE) for the park's upcoming Fire Management Plan. The EA/AoE sets out varying options for the park's wildland fire management program, including one chosen as a preferred alternative. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fire-ea.htm

On Friday, July 6, Gateway National Recreation Area will welcome its first overnight camper at its new campground in Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. Seven campsites, nestled among trees and historic fortifications, offer views of the Verrazano Bridge and New York Harbor. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/camp-si.htm

As of July 1, 2012, the Visitor Center at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island has closed for building repairs and restoration of museum exhibits. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-wadsworth-vc-closes.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area hosts Staten Island Borough Historian Thomas Matteo as he reveals the impact of the War of 1812 on New York City. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-the-bicentennial-of-the-war-of-1812-at-fort-wadsworth.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has issued its annual revision of the park compendium which details a park's basic operations and responsibilities to visitors. A compendium includes hours of operation for areas of the park, permits issued by the park and activities which are permitted or prohibited. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/compendium-2012.htm

The National Park Service will begin issuing an annual pass offering free entrance to all 397 national parks for active duty military members and their dependents. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/military-pass.htm

Thanks to funds available through the federal government’s Hazards Fuel Mechanical Treatment Project, Gateway National Recreation Area is helping create firebreaks in key high risk areas along the island’s southeastern shore, which will aid in protecting local residents from wildfires. A press conference is scheduled Thursday, May 17, 2012 in an open area on Kissam Avenue to mark this ongoing effort. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/mow-phrag.htm

On Sunday, May 20, Gateway National Recreation Area will host "Treasure Your Island," a community awareness day, at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place rain or shine from 11:30 A.M. to 4 P.M. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/treasure-2012.htm

Enjoy both the natural and historical sides of Sandy Hook Sunday, May 20, as Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook Unit hosts Coastal Defenses Day and Ocean Fun Day. All events are free and will be offered rain or shine. Lunch may be purchased at the event. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ocean-coastal-defense-fun.htm

Swing into the 1940s when the Army Ground Forces Association (AGFA), hosts an evening of swing dancing at historic Fort Hancock, part of Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit. This fundraiser for AGFA takes place Saturday, May 19 as park of Coastal Defenses Weekend. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-swings.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area reopens the William Fitts Ryan Visitor Center on Saturday, May 5, 2012. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ryan-reopens.htm

Nominations are being accepted for the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee. This new committee will advise the Secretary of the Interior on the development of a reuse plan and on future uses of the Fort Hancock Historic Landmark District, part of Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca.htm

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District is leading an ambitious effort to restore the Yellow Bar Hassock Marsh Islands, part of Gateway National Recreation Area. The project addresses the vanishing marsh islands by beneficially using clean sand from the New York - New Jersey Harbor deepening project to restore marsh habitat in the bay. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/restore-yellow-bar.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that more than 17.5 million visitors in 2010 spent $462.3 million in the National Parks of New York Harbor and the communities surrounding them. That spending supported more than 5,300 jobs in the local area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/npnh-brings-visitors-to-ny-area.htm

The National Park Service has chosen JBAY, LLC to operate beach club services at both the Silver Gull Beach Club and the Breezy Point Beach Club beginning April 1, 2012. Both clubs are located in the Breezy Point section of Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jbay-beach-clubs.htm

The President's Fiscal Year 2013 budget released today requests $2.6 billion to support the bureau's critical national recreation, preservation and conservation mission. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/2012-nps-budget-request.htm

Five local juveniles were arrested Monday, January 30 by U.S. Park Police at Spring Creek, a wildland area of Gateway National Recreation Area in New York City. They were charged with lighting a fire in an undesignated area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/spring-creek-arrests.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has begun the restoration of a two-acre pilot project at Crooke’s Point, a section of Great Kills Park in Staten Island, to create a barrier island habitat. This project will replace non-native and invasive plant species with native trees and shrubs that will nurture a more diverse wildlife population at the coastal area. The National Park Service (NPS) is partnering with New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and MillionTreesNYC. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/crookes-point-restoration-begins.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area and the Rockaway Artists Alliance (RAA) signed a new cooperative agreement to expand programs offered within Gateway's Fort Tilden area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/raa.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has selected the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children for negotiation of a proposed lease for Officers Row Building #2, one of the historic structures at Fort Hancock located within Gateway’s Sandy Hook Unit in Highlands, N.J. A Letter of Intent is required to begin formal negotiations of the lease terms. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/arfc.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area will hold its annual celebration of Fort Hancock Days Friday, October 28 through Sunday, October 30, 2011. Fort Hancock Days commemorates the establishment of Fort Hancock as an Army base in October 1895 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-days-2011.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area invites the public to a meeting on Thursday, October 27 which will highlight the ongoing investigation and cleanup of contamination at Gateway’s Great Kills Park. The public will have the opportunity to examine documents and ask questions. Doors open at 6:30 P.M. at the Education Field Station at Great Kills Park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-public-meet.htm

Scientists will report the latest data on the preservation and restoration of Jamaica Bay at State of the Bay--Revisited, a symposium at Brooklyn College on Thursday, October 20. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/stateobayma.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and Brooklyn College will host a scientific symposium concerning Jamaica Bay at the Brooklyn College Student Center on Thursday, October 20. State of the Bay: Past, Present and Future - Revisited is an all-day event featuring research by top scientists in the preservation and restoration of Jamaica Bay in New York Harbor. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/state-o-bay.htm

About 600 youth representing New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the Boy Scouts of America, Brooklyn Council, the YMCA and the Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc., will join together to enjoy local stewardship and camping at The Great Urban Outdoor Event on October 15-16 at two parks in Brooklyn: Gateway National Recreation Area’s Floyd Bennett Field and NYC Parks’ Marine Park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gao-2011.htm

Over 150 volunteers helped Gateway National Recreation Area identify animal and plant species at Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit September 16-17. The American Littoral Society co-sponsored the event with the park, attracting volunteers and sponsors. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/shu-bioblitz-results-2011.htm

Beginning Sunday, October 2, several visitor centers throughout Gateway National Recreation Area will have new operating schedules. The new schedule is based on visitor patterns and anticipated staffing levels for the coming year. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/vc-hours-fall-2011.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area will commemorate National Public Lands Day this September 24, and National Hispanic Heritage Month with an array of events around the park led by "Tu Parque, Tu Salud" interns who are focused on promoting health and fitness in Spanish-speaking communities in Brooklyn and Queens https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/npl-day-2011.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area, in partnership with the American Littoral Society, will hold a 24-hour “wildlife census” of animals and plant species at the park’s Sandy Hook Unit in Highlands, N.J. One “species” that the park hopes to see in great numbers: volunteers. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/shu-bioblitz-2011.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) issued two prospectuses for proposals to operate two beach clubs at Gateway National Recreation Area: Silver Gull Beach Club and Breezy Point Beach Club, both of which are located on the Rockaway Peninsula in New York. The new contract would allow the beach clubs to operate for approximately ten years, providing similar services to those that currently exist. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/beach-club-proposals.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has reopened almost all of its 26,000 acres to the visiting public. Exceptions include Fort Tilden in Queens and Gunnison Beach on Sandy Hook in Highlands, N.J. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/irene-b-gone.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has reopened most of its 26,000 acres to the visiting public. Some areas remain closed, including: Sandy Hook in Highlands, New Jersey; Jacob Riis Park and Fort Tilden in Queens; and the beach area at Great Kills Park on Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/goodnite-irene.htm

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edwin G. Burrows discusses the role of Staten Island in the "Battle of Brooklyn" during the American Revolution, while military demonstrations and English colonial dancing illustrate life during wartime in the former colony of New York. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/battle-of-brooklyn.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area waives all parking fees on Thursday, August 25 in honor of NPS Founders Day. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fee-free-day-2011.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area seeks public comments from Monday, August 15, 2011, to Friday, September 16, 2011, concerning proposed increases in parking fees at both the Sandy Hook Unit and the Jamaica Bay Unit. The proposed changes would take effect at the beginning of the 2012 beach season. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/pr-parking-fee-up.htm

Over 150 women from four states competed in the 27th annual All-Women Lifeguard Tournament, held at Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit on Wednesday, July 27. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/all-women-tourney-final.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area hosts the 27th annual All-Women Lifeguard Tournament at Sandy Hook Unit in New Jersey. Over 200 contestants are expected to participate. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/all-women-tourney-2011.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area welcomes Outdoor Nation, a youth-led organization championing outdoor recreation, which will hold a summit at the park’s Floyd Bennett Field June 24-26. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/outdoor-nation-at-fbf.htm

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar proposed a series of first steps to link parks and other open spaces in the New York City metropolitan area to enable local communities, and especially young people, to connect with the natural beauty and history of the region. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/great-urban-park.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area’s Floyd Bennett Field is host to a replica of the 1911 Ely-Curtiss Pusher through Friday, May 20. The historic aircraft landed to commemorate the Centennial of Naval Aviation. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ely-curtiss-pusher.htm

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Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook Unit hosts not one, but two events: Ocean Fun Day on Saturday, May 21 and Coastal Defenses Day on Sunday, May 22. Both events are free of charge and lunch may be purchased at the event. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ocean-fun-coastal-defenses.htm

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On Sunday, April 10, 3,600 visitors attended the third annual "Treasure Your Island Community Awareness Day" at Gateway National Recreation Area's Fort Wadsworth. The event brought together 28 Staten Island community and cultural organizations. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/tyi-2011-story.htm

The third annual Treasure Your Island, to be held Sunday, April 10 at Fort Wadsworth, showcases over two dozen Staten Island museums, parks, theater and cultural groups. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/tyi-2011.htm

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On Saturday, January 22, join naturalist Dandelion Dilluvio from 10 AM - 11:30 AM for an indoor and outdoor presentation on wildlife winter survival strategies at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/waiting-out-winter.htm

See a surprising diversity of winter bird life at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge's West Pond with naturalist Ron Bourque. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/winter-waterfowl-and-much-more.htm

Nature photographer Johann Schumacher shares tips on getting that perfect shot. Bring your own camera and dress for the weather. Call 718-318-4340 first to make sure the park is open. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/photo-magic-with-johann-schumacher.htm

Several holiday activities will take place at Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit, located in Highlands, New Jersey. Most events are free of charge. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/shu-holidays-2010.htm

Newly restored tennis courts cap a year of improvements by Gateway National Recreation Area to Frank Charles Park, a 20-acre section of Gateway in located Howard Beach, Queens. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fcp-tennis-courts.htm

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The National Park Service (NPS) recently awarded a $4.9 million contract for the restoration and rehabilitation of the William Fitts Ryan Center at Floyd Bennett Field, Jamaica Bay Unit, Gateway National Recreation Area (NRA) to RAAD Construction Group, LLC of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. RAAD Construction will rehabilitate the historic passenger terminal building and create a primary visitor facility and administrative center for Gateway. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ryan-center-rehab.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area hosts the annual Herbert Johnson Lecture Series at 7 PM on Wednesday evenings from October 20 through November 10, 2010. Lectures will take place at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/herbert-johnson-2010.htm

The playground area at Frank Charles Park, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, will close for two weeks to be resurfaced. This is part of a larger beautification project for the neighborhood park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fcp-playground.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit will hold its annual celebration of Fort Hancock Days Friday, October 22 through Sunday, October 24. Fort Hancock Days commemorates the establishment of Fort Hancock as an Army base in 1895. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-days-2010.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area's (GATE) Great Kills Park has reopened to the public. The main entrance, multi-use pathways, marina, boat ramp, beach center and Crooke's Point are all open at this time. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-reopens.htm

Great Kills Park on Staten Island has reopened to the public. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-reopens-short-version.htm

Great Kills Park, a part of Gateway National Recreation Area's Staten Island Unit, has been burning since Wednesday, September 8. The fire is not out but under control. Approximately 200 acres have burned so far. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-fire.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area is prohibiting water-based activities, including swimming and kayaking, on Friday, September 3 in anticipation of Hurricane Earl. https://www.nps.gov/gate/hurricane-earl.htm

Riding a bicycle along Sandy Hook's seven-mile Multi-Use Path is a great, and green, way to see the park up close. https://www.nps.gov/gate/green-ways-to-shu.htm

On Thursday, July 29, Coca-Cola will present a $50,000 check to Gateway National Recreation Area through the National Park Foundation (NPF) as part of their “America Is Your Park” campaign, to be launched today. Gateway will use the money to purchase kayaking equipment and bicycle racks for Riis Landing, a section of Gateway’s Jamaica Bay Unit. The donation is part of Coca-Cola’s “Live Positively” initiative. https://www.nps.gov/gate/america-is-your-park.htm

Nena Shaheed is this summer's Teacher-Ranger-Teacher at Gateway NRA. https://www.nps.gov/gate/trt-program-2010.htm

Parter organizations work with the National Park Service to restore an historic building for use as an education and research center. https://www.nps.gov/gate/barracks-building-22-restored.htm

Thanks to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, boaters at Great Kills Park on Staten Island can borrow free children's lifejackets. https://www.nps.gov/gate/lifejacket-station.htm

The Sebago Canoe Club is sponsoring an “All Club Invitational” day of exploration on the waters of Jamaica Bay. https://www.nps.gov/gate/sebago-canoe-club-explores-jamaica-bay.htm

Soar Productions presents "Murder On the Nile," a play by Agatha Christie, at Sandy Hook's historic Post Theater. Opening night on Friday, July 23 begins at 8 PM with a champagne toast. https://www.nps.gov/gate/murder-at-shu-post-theater.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/wildlife-artists-at-jbwr.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has been selected as one of 29 new marine protected areas added to the National System of Marine Protected Areas. https://www.nps.gov/gate/marine-protected-area.htm

New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium/New Jersey Sea Grant (NJMSC/NJSG) has received a 2010 Monmouth County Historical Commission Historic Preservation Award in recognition of its efforts and accomplishments to restore and preserve Barracks Building #22 at Gateway NRA's Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/preservation-award-for-barracks-22.htm

About 100 volunteers documented over 500 animal and plant species at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Floyd Bennett Field. Results are still coming in and will be updated as scientists receive lab test results. https://www.nps.gov/gate/bioblitz-2010.htm

Barry Sullivan, superintendent of Gateway National Recreation Area, has announced his retirement after a 34-year career with the National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/gate/sullivan-retires.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/enviromedia-mobile-canarsie-pier-may-2010.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area is the place to visit on Sunday, May 23 from 10:45am – 4pm. Visit Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook and celebrate Coastal Defense Day and Ocean Fun Day. Opportunities to discover fortifications, tour gun batteries, touch sea creatures, and tour an aquarium are just some of the activities planned throughout the day. The event will kick off at 10:45am with a special ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the latest extension of the beloved Multi-Use Path (MUP). Visitors are encouraged to bring their bicycles to tour Fort Hancock and the rest of Sandy Hook in an eco-friendly way!  https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/a-family-fun-day-at-sandy-hook-may-23-2010.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/united-states-corp-of-engineers-news-release-may-2010.htm

On Sunday May 23 at 1p.m., the latest extension of Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook Multiple-use Pathway (MUP) will be unveiled to the public at a ribbon cutting ceremony. Visitors are encouraged to bring their bikes, roller blades, in-line skates out to the park for a spin. The project extends a new section of multi-use pathway to augment the existing Sandy Hook MUP system. The scenic asphalt pathway extends access from the existing multi-use pathway system at North Beach to Gunnison Beach and various historic sites and gun batteries at Fort Hancock. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/mup-press-release-may-2010.htm

The United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey and the United States Coast Guard Sectors New York and Delaware Bay announced on May 10th 19 new grants to promote the health and living resources of the coast and oceans of New Jersey. Gateway National Recreation Area received one of the environmental and conservation grants for $46,000 to remove marine debris along a 1.5 mile stretch of intertidal and foredune habitat at the North Beach of Sandy Hook. The grant was funded by community service payments made by Holy House Shipping AB, a Swedish shipping company that pled guilty to dumping oil-contaminated waste into the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/grant-for-marine-removal-at-north-beach-sandy-hook.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area received a grant for removal of marine debris from North Beach at Sandy Hook, New Jersey. This was one of 19 grants announced today by the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey and the U.S. Coast Guard Sectors New York and Delaware Bay. The 19 new grants totaled $1,531,391 and are to promote the health and living resources of the coast and oceans of New Jersey. The grants were funded by community service payments made by three shipping companies as part of their criminal sentences for violating federal laws aimed at eliminating vessel pollution. The three criminal cases were U.S. v. Clipper Wonsild Tankers Holding A/S et. al., U.S. v. Dalnave Navigation Inc., and U.S. v. Holy House Shipping AB. The prosecution of the cases by the U.S. Attorney’s Office was made possible through the combined efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/grant-received-for-removal-of-marine-debris-from-north-beach-at-sandy-hook.htm

Learn about the fun and educational events taking place at Gateway National Recreation Area. There is something for everyone. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-this-week-may-8-15-2010.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/arson-awareness-week-2010.htm

On April 22-23, as part of a celebration of National Park Week the Teacher to Ranger to Teacher Renay Moran-Kurklen camped out at the Ecology Village Campgrounds, Gateway NRA for the first time with her 4th grade students from the Renaissance School, Charter School #705. The students stepped off the yellow school bus bright eyed and bushy tailed, excited to experience a camping trip with a full agenda that included marine explorations, campfire with smores and ghost stories, and sleeping in tents under the Brooklyn night sky. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/trt-camping-experience-2010.htm

In an effort to celebrate National Park Week and Junior Ranger Day, “Junior Rangerpalooza” was held at the newly adorned Great Kills Education Field Station on Saturday April 24, 2010.  https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/junior-rangerpalooza-april-2010.htm

Three opportunities available for preemployment test in 2010, for the surf-lifeguard job at Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/opportunities-for-preemployment-test-at-gate-and-fiis-2010.htm

“Wham!” was the sound of an airbag as it hit the unbuckled driver with enough force to blow the ‘test dummy’s” head twenty feet in the air. “Crunch!” was the sound of a vehicle as its solid metal body smashed into pieces on the hard asphalt at over 60 miles per hour. But, absolutely not a single sound was heard when Allison Wheeler recalled the events leading up to her younger brother’s death in a drunk driving incident. “Oh my God,” were the words heard over and over again from teens attending the Rude Awakenings presentations and demonstrations at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook Unit on April 22. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rude-awakenings-april-2010.htm

Macy’s motto, “Volunteering is Always in Fashion,” fits their commitment to volunteerism to a “t”. In fact that motto was sported on the t-shirts worn by their volunteers at the Frank Charles Park Clean-up on April 19. The volunteers looked their best and helped the park look its best because of their hard work. A group of about 35 volunteers, from Macy’s and Bank of America, in partnership with the National Parks Foundation and the National Park Service, contributed their time and effort to clean up the playgrounds, baseball fields and shoreline of Frank Charles Park. The site is located in the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/frank-charles-park-clean-up-april-2010.htm

Thanks to teacher Carl Ballenas and the Aquinas Honor Society from the Immaculate Conception School, a new Jacob Riis bust has been installed on the pedestal at Bay 9, the Mall in Riis Park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/riis-bust-installed-2010.htm

Enjoy this exceptional PBS film dedicated to the little known treasures found in New York Harbor.  https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-wadsworth-film-festival-april-2010.htm

Lois and Sig Steine exhibition of artwork at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/steine-artwork-opening.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-national-park-week-from-april-17-24.htm

Celebrate National Park Week, National Volunteer Week, and Earth Day by volunteering to clean-up some of the park’s resources.  https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/earth-day-2010-jbwr.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/habitat-defenders.htm

“Ambassadors for Riis” Kick Off National Park Week Celebrations What do a missing bust, the town of Ribe, Denmark, a talented local artist, and Gateway National Recreation Area all have in common? Answer: A creative teacher and his talented class of honor students from the Immaculate Conception School in Jamaica Estates, Queens who brought them all together because of their interest in the history and legacy of Jacob Riis. Join us on April 17 at 2 P.M., at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Riis Park, Bay 9 to celebrate the start of National Park Week and the return of the historic figure Jacob Riis. How he is making his return is not only cause for celebration but an inspiring story of the dedication and commitment of youth to a project they believe in. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jacob-riis-bust-dedication-pr.htm

This week's programs at Gateway NRA, April 11-17, 2010 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-week-at-gateway-nra-april-11-17.htm

What do a missing bust, the town of Ribe, Denmark, a talented local artist, and Gateway National Recreation Area all have in common? Answer: A creative teacher and his talented class of honor students from the Immaculate Conception School in Jamaica Estates, Queens who brought them all together because of their interest in the history and legacy of Jacob Riis. Join us on April 17 at 2 P.M., at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Riis Park, Bay 9 to celebrate the start of National Park Week and the return of the historic figure Jacob Riis. How he is making his return is not only cause for celebration but an inspiring story of the dedication and commitment of youth to a project they believe in. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jacob-riis-returns.htm

This week's programs at Gateway NRA. April 4-10, 2010 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-week-at-gateway-nra-april-4-10.htm

STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 5, 2010 — On Sunday, April 11th, 2010, residents from all over Staten Island can experience the second "Treasure Your Island," a community awareness day that will take place at the Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center (JCC), 1466 Manor Road, from 12-4pm. The event is free, and everyone is invited to attend. Parents can learn about all the great things to do with their children, and students can learn about volunteer opportunities with organizations on the island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/treasure-your-island-april-2010.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/surfs-up-and-so-are-surf-lifeguard-opportunities.htm

Programs offered throughout the Units of Gateway National Recreation Area the week of March 14-March 20, 2010. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-week-at-gateway-national-recreation-area.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/maritime-forest-winter-walk.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/permits-for-visitor-activities-available-beginning-february-1.htm

National Park Service Northeast Regional Director Dennis Reidenbach has announced four winners of the Regional Director's Natural Resource Awards. The awards recognize outstanding contributions to natural resource stewardship in five categories that include park management,resource management, maintenance, and research. Gateway National Recreation Area Superintendent Barry Sullivan was named Superintendent of the Year for Natural Resource Stewardship. Sullivan was cited for leading a multi-disciplinary effort on the regional Ocean Stewardship Implementation Strategy. He led a successful effort to develop a network of coastal parks, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries and estuarine reserves and develop marine resource conservation initiatives with multi-agency collaboration. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-nra-superintendent-barry-t-sullivan-receives-natural-resource-award.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/65-year-old-sets-age-record-for-nps-surfguard-pre-employment-test.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/state-of-the-parks-report.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/poet-reading-at-jbwlr.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service, has awarded a $600,000 design/build contract to the Cutting Edge Group, LLC, of Lake George, NY to complete improvements to the historic landscape at Jacob Riis Park, Queens, New York. Jacob Riis Park lies at the foot of the Marine Parkway Bridge-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, located in the middle of the Rockaway peninsula. The project includes the restoration of approximately 2,500 linear feet of the historic Ship's Rail located along the boardwalk areas along the beach as well as repaving the existing original walkways within the Back Beach Mall area, behind Bay 9. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/riis-park-ships-rails-to-be-ship-shape-in-2010-2.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/winter-animal-homes-2009.htm

Hear Every Voice: NYC and the National Park Service can now be seen online at www.thirteen.org. Created by Stephen Ogumah, this video documents a civic engagement project with the residents of Brooklyn and Queens, particularly the Caribbean immigrant communities. It was produced in partnership with Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and Gateway National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. This project was created to coincide with the airing of the Ken Burns documentary about National Parks, America’s Best Idea, in September 2009. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/hear-every-voice.htm

National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Regional Director Dennis R. Reidenbach today announced that an independent third party has concluded its final review of the financing commitments submitted by Sandy Hook Partners, LLC (SHP) for the rehabilitation of historic Fort Hancock at Sandy Hook. Based on its review of all the information submitted, the independent third party reviewer, Maurice Robinson and Associates LLC, has determined that the financing commitments made by SHP are insufficient to meet the purposes and requirements of the lease. Based on this determination, the NPS has notified Sandy Hook Partners President James S. Wassel that the lease is null and void. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/termination-of-fort-hancock-rehabilitation-agreement-announced.htm

Step back in time at Sandy Hook during Fort Hancock Days! The Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area will hold Fort Hancock Days on Saturday evening, October 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday, October 25 from noon to 4 p.m. to commemorate the anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Army facility on Sandy Hook in 1895. Join the Junior Ranger program and make model missiles, see a living history program and experience the life of Fort Hancock during the 1940s, or go back in time by watching WWII reinactments! There's something for everyone at Sandy Hook October 24-25. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-days-2009.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area is pleased to announce that its 2009 General Management Plan Newsletter is now available in four languages. "The diversity of the region surrounding Gateway is rich with many cultures. By providing the newsletter about this new planning process in Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and Russian, in addition to English, we hope to improve the dialogue between the park and the many visitors that recreate at Gateway," said Gateway General Superintendent Barry Sullivan. "This planning only comes around once every 20-plus years, so we need to not only share news about this effort but also receive valuable input from as many park users as possible." https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/2009-gmp-newsletter-translations-available.htm

On September 27, acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns’ much anticipated new documentary, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,will premier on PBS. What better time to let New Yorkers know about the national parks right here at home. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/national-parks-week-new-york-city.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-the-400th-anniversary-of-henry-hudsons-voyage.htm

On Tuesday afternoon there was a chlorine leak in the Sandy Hook Sewage Treatment Plant located on the eastern side of the peninsula, near Gunnison Beach. Hazmat teams responded and contained the leak. As a precaution, visitors were escorted off Gunnison Beach due to their proximity to the plant. No employees or visitors were injured. The source of the leak was discovered and repairs were made during the overnight hours. The plant is back in operation today. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-hook-beaches-reopen.htm

It's not often that one hears the words results, accomplishments, independence, opportunity, experience, and pride in one conversation. But, if you spend a little time talking with Community Resources Program Manager Toni Decker and Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE) Park Ranger Steve Salgo, you will. They both have been instrumental in connecting people with developmental disabilities to valuable volunteer opportunities at GATE. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/exceptional-park-projects-by-exceptional-people.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fire-damages-miller-field.htm

Celebrating Henry Hudson’s Quadricentennial Free programs beginning Thursday, September 3 will take place at Fort Wadsworth to celebrate Hudson’s exploration here 400 years ago. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/henry-hudson-quadricentennial.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area is offering Manhattan riders who visit the park by New York Water Taxi ferry an opportunity to see more sites via the new National Park Service Visitor Transport Shuttle Service. The free shuttle originates at Riis Landing on the Rockaway Peninsula and stops at the Jacob Riis Park Boardwalk, the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and at Floyd Bennett Field, including the Aviator Sports Center and the Historic https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/free-shuttle-at-riis-landing-jamaica-bay.htm

Anglers at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area can now do their part for the environment thanks to a grant from the Sandy Hook Foundation that provides bins for recycling discarded fishing line. Monofilament fishing line, another name for single-strand, high-density, nylon fishing line that is used on fishing reels and in the manufacturing of fishing nets, is responsible for untold damage to endangered marine wildlife such as birds, fish, manatees and sea turtles, and poses a hazard to boaters and swimmers. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/no-string-attached-sandy-hook-foundation-helps-park-adopt-fishing-line-recycling-program.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/wildlife-observation-platform-rebuilt.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-pilot-park-shuttle-bus-at-jamaica-bay.htm

Come out and play this weekend at Gateway! There's plenty of activities for all interests at the park. For example, why not learn about why birds use Jamaica Bay as an important pitstop on their migrations route? Interested? You can join naturalist, Ron Bourque, at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. to take a look at migrant shorebirds and learn why Jamaica Bay is a hot spot for these long distance travelers. Wear waterproof footwear. Bring binoculars, drinking water, sun and insect protection. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-week-at-gateway-august-17.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/nps-announces-termination-of-fort-hancock-rehabilitation-agreement.htm

For many people, a trip to one of our country’s national parks is the culmination of a life long dream. “I always wanted to see Yellowstone,” or “When we retire we’re going to see…(fill in the name of your favorite national park),” are just a few of the comments rangers hear from visitors. Indeed, visits to national parks enrich the lives of many in this nation. However, not everyone can take the big “dream vacation”— often due to a variety of social and economic factors. Also, many people don't realize that there are plenty of national parks, like Gateway National Recreation Area in NY/NJ, right near their own backyards. The National Park Service (NPS) Teacher to Ranger to Teacher (TRT) Program offers a solution for those who may never get to parks out west and beyond. At Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE), Teacher-Ranger Renay Moran-Kurklen is one of those teachers. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/teacher-not-whiling-but-working-and-blogging-away-the-summer.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area's (GATE) Great Kills Park is participating in the Staten Island Dragonfly Atlas (SIDfA) program. Great Kills is located in the Staten Island Unit of GATE and the area provides habitat that contributes to specie richness and an abundance of dragonfly populations. The SIDfA project is the brainchild of the Nature Section of the Staten Island Museum. This 5-year project is designed to collect and analyze data about dragonfly populations on Staten Island. National Park Service (NPS) Volunteer Paul Lederer and Great Kills staff are participating in this citizen science endeavor to compile dragonfly information https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/citizen-science-program-at-great-kills-helps-build-dragonfly-database.htm

With a wing span of only 3-4 inches across and a migratory journey hundreds of miles long, the Monarch butterfly could use a break don't you think? The Monarch is perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies and two groups have been working together to see that there is a "butterfly break" for the Monarch and all butterflies that come to and through Gateway National Recreation Area's (GATE) Great Kills Park on Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-gives-butterflies-a-break.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/hooping-it-up-at-gateways-miller-field.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area spans from Jamaica Bay and Staten Island, NY to Sandy Hook, NJ. There's a variety of activities and programs for everyone. Take a look at what we have to offer this week.k https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-week-at-gateway-july-27-august-2-2009.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/25th-annual-womens-lifeguard-tournament.htm

In an effort to better manage the traffic delays leaving Sandy Hook caused by New Jersey’s Highlands Bridge replacement project, today National Park Service officials met with representatives from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT), including the Director of the Division of Traffic Operations and the Director of the Division of Construction Services and Materials. “The meeting was extremely productive,” said Dave Avrin, Superintendent of the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area. “The DOT definitely shares our concerns about the impact the bridge construction is having on our visitors. We have worked together to find workable traffic flow solutions for years, and beginning this weekend we will all be implementing some changes that will make a difference to motorists when they exit the park,” Avrin added. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/changes-will-help-motorists-exit-sandy-hook.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/reward-offered-in-sandy-hook-poaching-case.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/learn-about-park-news-and-events-subscribe-to-rss-feeds.htm

The park is hosting a series of Open Houses in July and September to solicit input from the public regarding the future management of park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/general-management-plan-open-houses-announced.htm

Who Says There Are No Free Rides Anymore? Sandy Hook and Jacob Riis Park, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, are taking part in the nationwide Fee Free Weekend at America's National Parks program July 18-19. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fee-free-weekend-july-18-19.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-week-at-gateway-july-13-19.htm

There are many and varied programs each week at Gateway National Recreation Area. Join us for one, or more, that interest you. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-weeks-programs-at-gateway-july-6.htm

DIAMINDBACK TERRAPIN TOUR DAY AT JAMAICA BAY WILDLIFE REFUGE On Sunday, July 5, join a morning or afternoon ranger guided tour of promising terrapin terrain at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. You might get to see these marvelous turtles come ashore from their brackish homes to nest and lay eggs. Tours are at 10:00a.m. – 11:30a.m. and at 2p.m. – 3:30p.m.. Bring binoculars, sun and insect protection. For reservations and more information: 718-318-4340. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/july-5-terrapin-turtle-tour.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/review-of-fort-hancock-financial-information-continues.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/experience-americas-best-idea-this-summer.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/free-beach-parking-this-weekend-at-jacob-riis.htm

This Saturday and Sunday, June 20 & 21, the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area will be participating in the nationwide Fee Free Weekend at America’s National Parks. Although Sandy Hook has no entrance fee, a beach parking fee of $10 per car is charged between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This weekend all beach parking will be FREE. Sunday is also Father’s Day, and the Fee Free Weekend is a great opportunity to invite your dad and the rest of your family and friends to enjoy Sandy Hook and make some memories at a local National Park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/free-beach-parking-this-weekend-at-sandy-hook.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-receives-funds-from-the-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act.htm

Barry Sullivan, Gateway National Recreation Area General Superintendent, recently announced that the park has received funding to begin Phase I of the project to identify and potentially remediate the radium contaminated soil at Great Kills Park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-receives-funding-to-deal-with-radium-contaminated-soil.htm

Media Advisory: Kick-off event for the Kayaking on Jamaica Bay Program, part of Gateway’s participation in a nationwide Active Trails program. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/kayak-program.htm

In order to help visitors get around Sandy Hook this summer, a jitney bus will transport visitors from the ferry dock at Sandy Hook to locations within the park. But, here's the kicker, it will be powered by French fry oil. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-shuttle-at-sandy-hook-helps-visitors-go-green.htm

Over the next century, climate change will significantly affect human and ecological systems. In the past few decades, climate change science has grown in certainty. While attention has historically focused on mitigation efforts, adaptation is beginning to emerge as an important area. Climate adaptation is critical, since current GHG concentrations will already cause climate change impacts in the next few decades. As a result, society must begin to take steps to prepare for and buffer against climate change impacts. At Gateway National Recreation Area, climate change adaptation means increasing ecosystem resilience and protecting cultural and recreational resources from damage or loss. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/long-term-resource-management-under-a-changing-climate.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-nighttime-regulations-will-close-the-parking-lots.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/the-forgotten-navy-flyers-from-queens.htm

Three Year Temporary Contract will keep the Silver Gull Club and the Breezy Point Beach Club Open Gateway National Recreation Area General Superintendent Barry Sullivan announced that an agreement has been reached that allows the Breezy Point Surf Club and the Silver Gull Club to continue to operate within the park for three more years. An agreement between the National Park Service (NPS) and Mr. Tom August, principle operator of the two clubs, was signed on April 15. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/breezy-point-beach-clubs-will-remain-open-this-year.htm

PHILADELPHIA, PA –The National Park Service (NPS) today announced nearly 800 projects totaling $750 million that can be completed across the country with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This major effort includes projects in the agency’s Northeast Region, which includes Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/nps-announces-recovery-act-projects.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/treasure-your-island.htm

National Park Week, an annual week for celebration and recognition of our nation’s National Parks, will run from April 18-26, 2009. Visitation to America’s National Parks is on the rise, and last year Gateway National Recreation Area had the largest visitor increase of any park in the nation. Visitation at Gateway, America’s the third most visited National Park, increased by 618,000, bringing the total to 9,500,000 visitors. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-national-park-week-at-one-of-the-top-national-parks.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE) Public Affairs Office is pleased to announce that its news releases are now available via RSS feed. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rss-feeds-now-available-at-gateway-nra.htm

Barry Sullivan, General Superintendent of the Gateway National Recreation Area, today announced that the lease agreement between the National Park Service and Sandy Hook Partners, LLC is moving forward and is on schedule. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/project-to-rehabilitate-fort-hancock-buildings-moves-forward.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/temporary-closure-shifts-leagues-to-miller-field-from-great-kills.htm

This year the Gateway National Recreation Area, in conjunction with the National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy, will offer a special program to introduce area residents to the joys of kayaking on Jamaica Bay. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/free-kayak-instruction-program-on-jamaica-bay.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sperm-whale-found-at-gateway-beach-investigation-to-reveal-cause-of-death.htm

In honor of Black History Month, Gateway National Recreation Area will present a program on the racial segregation that took place at Floyd Bennett Field during World War II. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/black-history-month-and-local-history-highlighted.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-pier-and-ferry-dock-envisioned-for-sandy-hook.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area access permits for activities on Staten Island, including fishing, boat launch, and birding will not be available until Sunday, March 1, 2009. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/permits-for-gateway-visitor-activities-delayed-at-staten-island.htm

The National Park Service is set to begin a long-awaited phase one restoration and improvement project at the William Fitts Ryan Visitor Center at Floyd Bennett Field. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/major-restoration-project-begins-at-floyd-bennett-field.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area access permits for activities in Brooklyn and Queens, ncluding fishing, off-road access, kayak and canoe launch, and surfing, will not be available until Sunday, March 1, 2009. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/permits-for-gateway-visitor-activites-delayed-at-jamaica-bay.htm

The National Park Service has begun the task of removing a small amount of soil that contains trace amounts of radioactive material from Great Kills Park on Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-removing-radioactive-material-at-great-kills.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/testing-for-national-park-service-lifeguard-jobs.htm

News releases from Grand Canyon National Park.

Beginning October 8, National Park Service and USDA Forest Service fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating prescribed burns on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Fire managers will be assessing weather, fuel moistures, and other conditions for opportunities to conduct burns safely and effectively into December. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-zone-prescribed-burn-operations-fall-2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will begin day-use operations on October 16, 2024. Grand Canyon Lodge will close, and no overnight accommodations, including camping, will be available to visitors. Those exploring the North Rim on or after October 16 should plan to be self-sufficient, bringing enough food and water for the day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-transitions-to-day-use-oct-16-2024.htm

The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management Vermilion Cliffs National Monument are hosting a celebration on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 28th by releasing four captive-bred California condors at 1 p.m. MDT/Utah time (noon MST/northern-Arizona condor time). The 28th annual event will be held in person at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and will be live-streamed via The Peregrine Fund’s YouTube Channel. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/condor-release-2024.htm

On Sept. 13, Grand Canyon wildlife managers successfully relocated 100 bison from the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. All bison were transferred to the Intertribal Buffalo Council, which transported them to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. Since reduction efforts began in 2018, park staff have removed 306 bison from the North Rim, with 282 transferred to eight different American Indian tribes through an agreement with the Intertribal Buffalo Council. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/100-bison-transferred-from-north-rim-2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is seeking the public’s input on a proposed increase for backcountry permit fees. The proposed change would begin May 1, 2025. The existing $10 per application fee would remain the same and the nightly per-person fees would increase: the below-rim fee would go from $15 to $24 per person per night, and the above-rim fee would go from $4 to $6 per person per night. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/proposed-backcountry-fee-increase-may-2025.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim will transition to Stage 2 water restrictions due to rising water levels in reservoir tanks. Camper Services, operated by Delaware North, will reopen to the public. Water spigots in Mather Campground and Desert View Campground will be turned on. Fire restrictions throughout the South Rim will be lifted. However, the park will remain under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which require campfires to be contained within designated fire rings in maintained campgrounds. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/transition-to-stage-2-water-restrictions.htm

A new National Park Service report shows that 4.7 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2023 spent $768 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 10,100 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $1.0 billion. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-spending-2023-report.htm

On Monday, Sept. 9, at approximately 9:15 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a missing boater in the area of Lower Nankoweap Camp (river mile 53.5) along the Colorado River. On Tuesday, Sept. 10, park rangers, responding via helicopter, located a body in the Colorado River near river mile 63.5. Initial information suggests the body is that of a 71-year-old male who was reported missing. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-boater-located-september-2024.htm

On Sept. 7 at approximately 5:30 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a fatality at Poncho’s Kitchen, near river mile 137 along the Colorado River. Park rangers responded to the scene and found the victim, Patrick Horton, 59, of Salida, Colorado. Horton was on the 10th day of a non-commercial river trip along the Colorado River and was discovered deceased by members of his party. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-at-ponchos-kitchen-september-2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will reopen hotels on the park’s South Rim beginning Thursday, September 5 and transition down to Stage 3 water restrictions. Park water utility crews successfully completed complex repairs to the Transcanyon Waterline late last week and resumed pumping water without identifying any new breaks. The park will operate under Stage 3 water restrictions until the water storage tanks have adequate capacity to return to routine water conservation practices. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/transition-to-stage-3-september-5.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim starting the afternoon of Thursday, August 29, due to a series of four significant breaks in the 12½ mile-long Transcanyon Waterline that supplies water from the canyon for use in the park. Since July 8, the park has faced challenges with water supply, and currently, no water is being pumped to either the South or North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/temporary-closure-of-hotel-accomodations.htm

On Tuesday, Aug. 27, at approximately 4 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a solo backpacker who had failed to check in with a family member while attempting the Thunder River Trail-Deer Creek loop. On Aug. 28, at about 9:45 a.m., National Park Service (NPS) search and rescue personnel, responding via helicopter, located a deceased individual along a route connecting Lower Tapeats Camp and Deer Creek Camp. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-near-thunder-river-trail-aug-2024.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning public review of a programmatic agreement to establish a more efficient process to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) in Grand Canyon National Park. Public comments will be accepted from August 29 – September 28, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-section-106-programmatic-agreement.htm

On Sunday, August 25, at approximately 3:40 p.m., Grand Canyon National Park was alerted to an emergency via a satellite phone call from a commercial river trip near Fossil Rapid (river mile 126) on the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report that CPR was in progress on an 80-year-old male who had entered the river after his boat flipped at Fossil Rapid. Despite the efforts of the group and park rangers flown in by helicopter, all resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-at-fossil-rapid-august-2024.htm

On August 25 at approximately 11:30 a.m., the body of Chenoa Nickerson, 33, from Gilbert, Arizona, was discovered by a commercial river trip near river mile 176 in the Colorado River. Park rangers responded and recovered the body, which was transported to the rim by helicopter and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner. Nickerson was reported missing following a flash flood that struck Havasu Canyon (river mile 157.3) on August 22. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/recovery-of-chenoa-nickerson.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is actively engaged in search and rescue operations following a flash flood that struck Havasu Creek on August 22, 2024. The flash flood, which occurred shortly before 1:30 p.m., led to several hikers being stranded in the affected area. Rescue efforts began promptly, with an initial flight taking off before 3 p.m. to assist individuals stranded both below and above Beaver Falls. Currently, there is one individual, Chenoa Nickerson, who is believed to be missing. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-havasu-creek-august-2024.htm

Effective immediately, the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin phasing into greater water restrictions and conservation measures due to a new break in the Transcanyon Waterline. The North Rim will begin preliminary water conservation measures. Until park staff repair the break and water in storage tanks reaches sustainable levels, the park will remain in conservation mode. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/additional-water-conservation-measures-implemented-august-2024.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will reimplement mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim of the park. These water restrictions are in response to a pipeline break along the North Kaibab Trail. Water conservation measures require all park residents and visitors to conserve and reduce water usage wherever possible in homes, hotel rooms and campgrounds. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-reimplemented-aug132024.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Explor South Rim, LLC to operate visitor services under a 10-year concession contract. The existing bicycle rentals, guided bicycle tours, and food and beverage services at Grand Canyon National Park will transition to the new concessioner on January 1, 2025.  The contract requires seasonal bicycle rentals, as well as guided daily bicycle tours conducted during the spring, summer and fall. The contract also requires year-round, "grab and go" food and beverage service targeted toward hikers, bikers and pedestrians in the Mather Point area of the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-selects-explor-south-rim-concessions-contract.htm

Park staff successfully restored the pump at Havasupai Gardens that supplies water to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and all water restrictions have been removed. Visitors, residents, and businesses should consistently practice basic water conservation and be mindful of their water usage at all times. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-lifted-august-2024.htm

On Tuesday, August 6, National Park Service personnel located a body below Twin Overlooks along Desert View Drive following a multi-day search. Park rangers recovered the body which was located approximately 150 ft. below the rim. The body was transported to the rim and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. The individual was identified as Leticia A. Castillo, 20, of Albuquerque, New Mexico. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-recovered-below-desert-view-drive.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will reimplement mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim of the park. These water restrictions are in response to a pump failure at Havasupai Gardens. Water conservation measures require all park residents and visitors to conserve and reduce water usage wherever possible in homes, hotel rooms and campgrounds. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-reimplemented-south-rim.htm

On Thursday, August 1, at approximately 7:30 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a visitor who had attempted a BASE jump from Yavapai Point on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Park rangers responded and located the body of a deceased male approximately 500 feet below the rim, along with a deployed parachute. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/base-jumper-recovery-at-yavapai-point.htm

On Wednesday, July 31 at 10:40 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a visitor who fell from the rim approximately ¼ mile west of Pipe Creek Overlook. Responding rangers located the body of Abel Joseph Mejia, 20, of Hickory, North Carolina 400 ft. below the rim. Mr. Mejia was near the edge of the rim when he suffered an accidental fall. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rangers-recover-20-year-old-near-pipe-creek-overlook.htm

Park staff repaired the damaged pipeline that supplies water to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and all water restrictions have been removed. Visitors, residents, and businesses should consistently practice basic water conservation and be mindful of their water usage at all times. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-lifted-july-2024.htm

Heritage Days will return to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park Friday, August 2 through Sunday August 4th. Each day, Heritage Days programs and demonstrations will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. throughout the North Rim developed area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-heritage-days-2024.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim of the park. These water restrictions are in response to a failure in the Trans Canyon Waterline after it was shut off for repairs. Crews were trying to repressurize the line when there was a break, causing an extension of the current water outage. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/news-release.htm

On July 7 at approximately 2 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an unresponsive hiker on the Bright Angel Trail, approximately 100 feet below the Bright Angel Trailhead. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-along-the-bright-angel-trail-within-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is announcing modified closure dates of inner canyon trails and facilities to support the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL) construction project. These closures are necessary for the protection of staff and visiting public during an extensive TCWL construction effort along the Bright Angel Trail. Visitors will still be able to use the upper portion of the Bright Angel Trail, from the South Rim to Havasupai Gardens, and the Tonto Trail during the Oct. 21, 2024-May 14 closure period. The South Kaibab Trail will remain open for all hikers. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/modified-waterline-closures-october-2024.htm

On June 29 at approximately 7 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a semi-conscious hiker on the River Trail, approximately halfway between the Silver Bridge and Black Bridge near Phantom Ranch. The hiker became unresponsive shortly thereafter and bystanders initiated CPR as three National Park Service (NPS) paramedics responded from Phantom Ranch. All attempts by bystanders and NPS personnel to resuscitate the individual were unsuccessful. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-along-river-trail-june-2024.htm

Effective on Monday, July 1 at 8 a.m., Stage 2 fire restrictions are rescinded for the entire Grand Canyon National Park. Increased monsoonal activity throughout northern Arizona has significantly lowered the fire danger risk within the last week. Grand Canyon National Park will remain in Stage 1 fire restrictions which requires that a campfire always be in a designated fire ring within a maintained campground. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage-2-fire-restrictions-lifted-july-2024.htm

The staff at Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon Conservancy are proud to announce a milestone celebration marking 10 years of the Cultural Demonstration Program. A celebration event marking the 10-year anniversary will take place at the Desert View Watchtower on Saturday, July 6, 2024, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the 11 Associated Tribes of Grand Canyon through traditional demonstrations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrating-10-years-of-cultural-demonstrations.htm

Due to warm and dry weather conditions and increasing fire danger, Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions for the South Rim, North Rim and Inner Canyon beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 21. The restriction encompasses the entire park including all campgrounds, residential areas, backcountry sites and developed recreation sites including: Phantom Ranch, Cottonwood Campground, Havasupai Gardens Campground and the Colorado River corridor. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage2-fire-restrictions-begin-june21-2024.htm

On June 16 at approximately 6:45 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an unresponsive hiker on the Bright Angel Trail, approximately 0.5 miles east of the Pipe Creek River Resthouse. All attempts by bystanders and National Park Service (NPS) personnel to resuscitate the individual were unsuccessful. The hiker was a 41-year-old male who was hiking out of the canyon from an overnight stay at the Bright Angel Campground near Phantom Ranch. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-along-the-bright-angel-trail-june-2024.htm

Beginning Friday, June 21, the Bright Angel Point Trail on the North Rim leading to Bright Angel Point will be closed for construction. This closure is necessary for the protection of staff and visiting public during an extensive repair effort to the Bright Angel Point Trail. The trail will be closed to all pedestrian traffic as National Park Service (NPS) personnel replace asphalt, move large rocks, and operate equipment in these areas. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bright-angel-point-trail-closure-2024.htm

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of Grand Canyon National Park. The warning is in effect from 8 a.m. Thursday, June 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 7 for areas below 4,000 feet in the canyon including Phantom Ranch and Havasupai Gardens. Forecast temperatures in the shade range between 105 F/41 C and 111 F/44 C. Hotter than normal temperatures will also hit the rims, with highs of 92 F/33 C on the South Rim and 85 F/30 C on the North Rim. The National Park Service recommends not hiking below the rim during the excessive heat warning. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/summer-safety-hike-smart-2024.htm

On May 18, 2024, at approximately 12:00 am, Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim structure fire department and law enforcement rangers responded to a structure fire within a concessionaire housing area. Prior to the arrival of the fire department, an employee used a fire extinguisher to put out most of the fire thereby potentially saving the lives of other residents and several cabins surrounding the structure fire. The fire department’s further suppression efforts extinguished the fire completely. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-responds-to-structure-fire-on-bourbon-street.htm

The 34th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 1 through Saturday, June 8, 2024, on the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon National Park. National Parks such as Grand Canyon are protective havens for some of the last remaining dark skies in the United States. Dozens of telescopes will offer views of planets, double stars, star clusters, nebulae, and distant galaxies. By day, keep an eye out for solar telescopes pointed at the sun. Weather permitting, expect spectacular views of the universe! https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/star-party-2024-announced.htm

On Friday, May 10, National Park Service personnel were notified of a body in the Colorado River near river mile 6. Park rangers responded and recovered the body which was transported to Lees Ferry and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. Initial information indicates the body is that of missing person Thomas L. Robison. The Coconino County Medical Examiner will confirm positive identification. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovered-along-colorado-river-may2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park announces the release of a new video that invites visitors to experience Grand Canyon through the lens of Indigenous peoples and the 11 Associated Tribes. “We Are Grand Canyon” stands as a testament to the profound connection between the Grand Canyon and the 11 Associated Tribes that have called it home since time immemorial. This collaborative project, years in the making, is a joint effort of the Intertribal Working Group, Grand Canyon Conservancy, and Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-announces-new-tribal-film.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Sunday, May 15 at 6 a.m. to mark the official start of the 2024 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2024 seasonal operations on this date. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-reopens-may-15-for-2024-season.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park. On April 21, 2024, a vehicle belonging to Thomas L. Robison of Santa Fe, NM was found abandoned at Lees Ferry within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Thomas Robison, 58, is believed to have attempted to travel down the Colorado River with his small dog on a wooden raft. Robison is described as a white male, 5’10” in height and 160 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-search-underway.htm

The Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) program at Grand Canyon National Park is pleased to announce the launch of its innovative HIKE SMART film project aimed at enhancing hiking safety awareness among visitors. In response to evolving communication trends and the increasing influence of social media, PSAR managers recognized the need to update its messaging approach. With platforms like YouTube and social media shaping public discourse, staff developed an approach to the important PSAR message through engaging video to effectively convey vital safety messages. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/new-hike-smart-film-announced.htm

The National Park Service is announcing temporary day-use trail closures for the North Kaibab Trail north of the Manzanita Day Use Area to the Supai Tunnel. The Manzanita Day Use Area will be available for use during the closures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/announcement-temporary-trail-closures-north-kaibab-april-2024.htm

The National Park Service is announcing Havasupai Gardens Campground and the Bright Angel and Tonto Trails will reopen for public use April 15, 2024. The areas were closed Dec. 1, 2023, for Transcanyon Waterline project construction activities. Plateau Point Trail, from Havasupai Gardens to Plateau Point remains closed until June 20, 2024. During this time, Tonto Trail hikers will be able to use a trail detour to connect to and from the Bright Angel Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/reopening-of-trails-and-campground-april-2024.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning a public review of a programmatic agreement to remove and replace the Grand Canyon Railway wooden ballast bridge at the South Rim in Grand Canyon National Park. Public comments will be accepted from Feb. 7 until midnight, March 7, 2024. The wooden ballast bridge, constructed in 1925-26, is in poor condition resulting in safety concerns. The bridge crosses over Bright Angel Wash, north of the historic Powerhouse building and Village Loop Bypass Road, in Grand Canyon Village. Trains cross daily over this bridge as they travel between Williams, Arizona, and Grand Canyon Village, providing the only train access into a United States national park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/public-comment-on-wooden-ballast-bridge-opens.htm

Today, Thursday, February 1, 2024, the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park for specific launch dates within calendar year 2025. A total of 482 permits will be available for 12- to 25-day river trips. Eligible individuals may apply online at the weighted lottery website: https://grcariverpermits.nps.gov. Applications will be accepted online through noon Mountain Standard Time on Monday, February 26, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-announces-2025-river-lottery.htm

Grand Canyon National Park congratulates U.S. Park Ranger Elizabeth “Betsy” Aurnou as the 2023 winner of the National Park Service (NPS) Wright Brothers National Aviation Safety Award. Aurnou was nominated by her team for her diligence and leadership in removing hazardous and historic telephone lines from the main flight corridor in the park. Since 2020, she has worked collaboratively with many divisions to facilitate the removal of sections of telephone line from challenging and technical terrain within the inner canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2023-wright-brothers-aviation-award.htm

On November 16 at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center was alerted of an emergency by a personal locator beacon on the Bright Angel Trail, approximately 1.5 miles north of Havasupai Gardens. A hiker was reported unresponsive, and a rescuer immediately responded on foot from Havasupai Gardens. Additional National Park Service (NPS) search and rescue personnel responded via helicopter. Upon arrival, rangers pronounced the hiker deceased. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-along-bright-angel-trail-nov2023.htm

Beginning November 15, National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating prescribed burning within the North Rim developed area of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-burns-north-rim-nov-2023.htm

The National Park Service is announcing modified closures to support the Transcanyon Waterline construction project. The construction areas and schedule are subject to change and visitors are encouraged to check the park’s website for the current operational status. Intermittent trail delays of up to 30 minutes in the vicinity of construction work may occur as necessary throughout the project. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/modified-tcwl-closures-november-2023.htm

Grand Canyon releases a new podcast series featuring Tribal artists. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-speaks-podcast-released.htm

Effective April 1, 2024, Grand Canyon National Park will increase the cost of overnight backcountry permits. Grand Canyon began charging for overnight backcountry permits in 1997 and last modified backcountry fees in 2022.The cost recovery charge for overnight backcountry permits will increase for all permits that begin on or after April 1, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-fee-increase-october-2023.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with staff from the Kaibab National Forest and Bureau of Land Management, anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments from October 16-31, on the North Rim, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. On Monday, October 16, ignitions will occur on the Atoko Point unit, located on the far eastern edge of the Walhalla Plateau. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-prescribed-fire-october-2023.htm

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will begin day-use operations on October 16, 2023. Grand Canyon Lodge will close and no overnight accommodations, including camping, will be available to visitors to the North Rim. Visitors exploring the North Rim on, or after, October 16 should plan to be self-sufficient and bring enough food and water for the day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-transitions-to-day-use-oct16-2023.htm

On September 5, park managers implemented mandatory water restrictions for the South Rim due to diminished water supplies. Water utilities crews were able to get water flowing again, and on September 18, the restrictions were lifted. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-restrictions-lifted-09-08-2023.htm

The National Park Service is announcing the expected Transcanyon Waterline construction-related closures to Grand Canyon National Park trail and campground areas today. The construction areas and schedule are subject to change and visitors are encouraged to check the park’s website for the current operational status. Intermittent trail delays of up to 30 minutes in the vicinity of construction work may occur as necessary throughout the project. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/announcement-of-tcwl-construction-closures-september-2023.htm

On September 9 at approximately 1:55 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received an emergency call of a hiker in distress on the North Kaibab Trail approximately one mile south of Cottonwood Campground. Soon thereafter the hiker became unresponsive and bystanders initiated CPR. Attempts to resuscitate the hiker were unsuccessful. The victim has been identified as 55-year-old, Ranjith Varma of Manassas, Virginia who was hiking from the South to North Rim (Rim-to-Rim) in a single day.   https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-along-north-kaibab-trail-september-2023.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is working to remove invasive species and protect native species of fish in the Colorado River with $258,000 from the Inflation Reduction Act. This project is part of a nationwide effort to restore natural habitats and address climate change impacts.  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ira-to-help-protect-native-fish-in-colorado-river.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim of the park. This is due to diminished water supplies. Crews continue to investigate challenges with water treatment and cannot pump water from Roaring Springs to the South Rim to replenish water stores. They are working to reestablish water treatment and ensure drinking water is safe for the public. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-south-rim-september-2023.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 4.7 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2022 spent an estimated $759 million in gateway regions near the park. This spending supported a total of 9,990 jobs, $346 million in labor income, $576 million in value added, and $1.0 billion in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2022-visitor-spending-to-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The Grand Canyon Lodge will officially commence their 2023 seasonal operations on Sunday, July 23. Since June 2, limited visitor services have been available due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline that led to water conservation measures. The water pipeline has been fully repaired and water conservation measures for the North Rim are no longer in effect. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-resumes-full-visitor-services-july-2023.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will soon be moving its backcountry permit reservation system to Recreation.gov. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-permits-move-online.htm

A man pled guilty to leading illegal backcountry packrafting trips in the Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/illegal-packrafting-plea-deal.htm

Heritage Days will return to the North Rim within Grand Canyon National Park July 28 through July 30, 2023. Each day, Heritage Days programs and demonstrations will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. throughout the North Rim developed area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/heritage-days-2023.htm

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced the award of $27.5 million to the National Park Service (NPS) for the Grand Canyon National Park Shuttle Bus Fleet Replacement project in Arizona. The project includes 30 new buses, including 10 new battery electric buses and 20 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, to replace the current aging fleet and the installation of charging infrastructure to support the new electric buses. An estimated 6 million people visit the park each year and use the free shuttle buses to access destinations throughout the Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shuttle-bus-award-announcement-july-2023.htm

On July 2 at approximately 6:30 p.m., a U.S. Park Ranger received a report of a distressed day hiker in the Tuweep area of Grand Canyon National Park. The hiker, a 57-year-old female, was attempting an eight-mile hike in the remote Tuweep area of the park when she became unconscious. A ranger arrived on scene and pronounced the hiker deceased. On July 2, the high temperature at Tuweep was well over 100°F (38°C), with the high temperature at Phantom Ranch, near the Colorado River along the North Kaibab trail, reached approximately 114°F (46°C). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/heat-related-fatality-reported-in-grand-canyon-july-2023.htm

The National Park Service announces the selection of North Rim Hospitality, LLC, to provide lodging, food and beverage, retail, and other services at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park under a concession contract that will be effective for 15 years from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2038. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-concessions-contract-selected.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning civic engagement to seek public input on proposed improvements to the water system at the North Rim and inner canyon in Grand Canyon National Park. Public comments will be accepted from June 22 until midnight, July 5, 2023, and used to refine the project proposal. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-seeks-public-comment-water-delivery-north-rim.htm

The public is invited to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19 at Grand Canyon National Park. This day of events, including special programming, food and live music is sponsored by the National Park Service and Grand Canyon Conservancy. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-juneteenth-at-grand-canyon-national-park-2023.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable announced the National Park Service’s selection of 16 companies to provide guided interpretive multi-day whitewater trips on the Colorado River in the park. These trips last from three to eighteen days, starting at Lees Ferry in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, continuing through Grand Canyon National Park, and ending at Pearce Ferry within Lake Mead National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/selection-of-sixteen-commercial-companies-colorado-river-trips.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers will resume prescribed burning on the South Rim this week. On Wednesday, June 7, fire personnel will continue working on the Grapevine unit, approximately 0.5 miles south of the “Duck on a Rock” overlook along Highway 64 (Desert View Drive). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-fire-continues-june-2023.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has reopened today, June 2, for day use, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. The National Park Service recommends that visitors bring their own drinking water and food with them. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/update-north-rim-reopens-summer-2023.htm

On May 21 at approximately 9 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an unresponsive hiker on the Bright Angel Trail above the Three-Mile Resthouse. National Park Service (NPS) emergency services personnel responded down trail and soon thereafter the hiker became pulseless. All attempts to resuscitate the individual were unsuccessful. The victim has been identified as a 36-year-old female from Westfield, Indiana who was attempting a hike to the Colorado River and back in one day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-along-bright-angel-trail-may-2023.htm

The thirty-third annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held Saturday, June 10 through Saturday, June 17, 2023, on both the South and North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. National parks such as Grand Canyon are protective havens for some of the last remaining dark skies in the United States. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-star-party-news-release-2023.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open as scheduled, on June 2, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. A landslide from winter storms destroyed more than 300 feet of the North Rim water pipeline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-to-reopen-june2-with-limited-services.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with personnel and resources from Saguaro, Rocky Mountain National Park as well as Dinosaur National Monument, anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments from May 10-12, on the South Rim, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-fire-planned-beginning-may-10-2023.htm

From May 2-23, 2023, the composting toilet located at the “Tip Off” on the South Kaibab Trail will be closed for needed maintenance. There will be no restroom facilities available for public use during this time. Hikers should plan ahead before entering the canyon and use either the restroom facilities at Cedar Ridge or at Phantom Ranch. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tip-off-composting-toilets-closed-february-march-2023.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has scheduled meetings to provide information to the public and respond to questions about multiple construction activities at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The meetings will include a presentation by NPS staff featuring the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL), Bright Angel Substation and the substation access road projects with a question-and-answer period. These meetings will be an opportunity for community members to learn about construction updates and anticipated impacts to park operations, residents, and visitors. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-schedules-public-informational-meetings-for-south-rim-construction-activities.htm

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed as the cause of mortality for three California condors found in northern Arizona, according to wildlife officials. The Arizona-Utah population moves throughout northern Arizona and southern Utah, using the landscape within Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, the Kaibab Plateau, and surrounding areas. To date, the virus has not been detected in the other condor populations in California or Baja California, Mexico. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-confirmed-as-cause-of-three-california-condor-mortalities-in-arizona.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Friday, June 2 at 6 a.m. to mark the official start of the 2023 season. Following a record-setting snow season, this delayed opening is necessary to ensure the safe plowing of State Route 67 and allow staff to reopen visitor facilities on the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-to-reopen-june-2-for-2023-summer-season.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing for a multi-year $208 million rehabilitation of the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL) and related upgrades to the associated water delivery system within the inner canyon and South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. This critical investment will ensure the park is able to meet water supply needs for the next 50 plus years, supporting 6 million annual visitors and approximately 2,500 year-round residents. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/transcanyon-waterline-construction-contract-announced.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park can expect long lines and full parking lots during the spring break season, which spans from early March through mid-April. As a result of increased visitation, traffic regularly backs up at all entrance stations, with wait times of up to one to two hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parking lots begin reaching capacity by 12 p.m. and shuttle bus wait times may be prolonged. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/spring-break-tips-2023-announced.htm

On February 17 at approximately 3 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report an unresponsive hiker on the Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens. National Park Service (NPS) search and rescue personnel arrived on scene at approximately 3:30 p.m. and pronounced the individual deceased. The victim is described as a 56-year-old male from Pewaukee, Wisconsin who was attempting a day hike to the Colorado River and back. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-along-bright-angel-trail-february-2023.htm

Today, Wednesday, February 1, 2023, the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park for specific launch dates within calendar year 2024. A total of 459 permits will be available for 12- to 25-day river trips. Eligible individuals may apply online at the weighted lottery website. Applications will be accepted online through noon Mountain Standard Time on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2024-noncommercial-river-trip-lottery-period.htm

Starting on December 2, 2022, through February 26, 2023, the Cultural Demonstrator Series will transition to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC) on the South Rim. Every Friday through Sunday, artists from traditionally associated tribes of Grand Canyon will be in the lobby from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cultural-demonstrators-series-transitions-to-gcvc-winter2022-2023.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a Wetland Statement of Findings for the Transcanyon Water Distribution Pipeline project. Public comments on the proposed action will be accepted Nov. 21 until midnight, Dec. 23, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-seeks-public-comment-for-wetland-statement-of-finding.htm

The U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted unanimously (19-0) earlier this month in favor of the formal request submitted by the National Park Service on behalf of the Havasupai Tribe to change the name of Indian Garden (FID #6209) to Havasupai Gardens. Earlier this year, the Havasupai Tribe passed Resolution 29-21 which provided a formal request to the National Park Service to change the name. Havasupai Gardens is along the Bright Angel Trail and is a frequent stop for day hikers and backpackers exploring the backcountry of Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/indian-garden-officially-renamed-to-havasupai-gardens.htm

On October 26 at approximately 3:30 p.m., an electrical fire was reported at El Tovar Hotel within Grand Canyon National Park. Structural firefighters from the National Park Service (NPS), Xanterra Fire and Security and Tusayan Fire Department responded with the first unit arriving within three minutes of the initial report. A circuit breaker malfunctioned in the basement of the hotel causing smoke but there were no open flames found by responders. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/firefighters-respond-to-el-tovar-for-reported-electrical-fire.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent, Ed Keable, has announced the availability of a prospectus for a business opportunity in the park to provide lodging, food and beverage, retail, and other visitor services on the North Rim. The prospectus released today outlines this business opportunity, describes the existing business, and provides details on how to submit a responsive proposal. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/business-opportunity-announced-for-north-rim-2022.htm

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will transition to day-use operations on Sunday, October 16, 2022. At that time, the Grand Canyon Lodge and North Rim campground will close, and limited services will be available to visitors. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-transitions-to-dayuse-october16-2022.htm

After several weeks of pipeline breaks and water restrictions, water in storage tanks on both North and South rims of Grand Canyon National Park have reached sustainable levels. Visitors, residents, and businesses should continue to use basic water conservation practices and mindful water use at all times. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/parkwide-water-restrictions-lifted-september-2022.htm

Water delivery to Grand Canyon National Park's South and North rims has been restored and the park is beginning a phased-in approach to easing water restrictions. The amount of water in reservoir tanks is increasing daily and once sustainable levels are reached the park will continue to ease water restrictions. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-to-ease-water-restrictions-september-19-2022.htm

On September 11, Grand Canyon wildlife managers successfully relocated 58 bison from the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. All bison were transferred to the Intertribal Buffalo Council, who transported the animals to the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bison-reduction-efforts-complete-for-2022.htm

On Saturday, September 10 at approximately 2:12 p.m., Grand Canyon National Park was alerted to a flipped boat with multiple injuries from a river trip near Bedrock Rapid on the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center then received a report that CPR was in progress. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/river-incident-at-bedrock-rapids-sept-2022.htm

Effective immediately, the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin phasing into greater water restrictions and conservation measures due to a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline. The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will remain in current water conservation status. Until park staff repair the break and water in storage tanks reaches sustainable levels, the park will remain in conservation mode. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/additional-water-conservation-measures-for-south-rim-september-2022.htm

On September 4 at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a deceased backpacker along the Thunder River Trail, approximately one mile from the confluence of Tapeats Creek and the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-thunder-river-september-2022.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will re-implement mandatory water conservation measures on both the North and South rims of the park. This is due to diminished water supplies as a result of a major pipeline break discovered on September 3 in the inner canyon along the North Kaibab Trail. Water conservation measures require all park residents and visitors to conserve and reduce water usage wherever possible in homes, hotel rooms, and at the campgrounds. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-reimplements-water-conservation-september-2022.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable has announced the Prospectus Release for the 16-contracts to provide guided interpretive multi-day whitewater tours within Grand Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area. These tours will provide guides, boats, gear, meals and interpretation of Grand Canyon's spectacular natural and cultural resources. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/business-opportunity-announced-for-colorado-river-grca.htm

Grand Canyon National Park biologists have received confirmation that a bat collected along the Colorado River in mid-August has tested positive for rabies. Wildlife managers generally report an increase in human-bat interactions in summer months. Individuals who have had physical contact with a bat are advised to seek medical attention and be assessed for appropriate medical treatment. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bat-tests-positive-for-rabies-along-colorado-river-august-2022.htm

On Friday, August 26 at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a visitor who fell from the rim west of the Bright Angel Point Trail on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Responding rangers located the body of a 44-year-old male approximately 200 ft. below the rim. The visitor was off trail when he accidentally fell off the edge. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rangers-recover-body-below-bright-angel-point-august-2022.htm

Effective immediately, all Dragon Fire closure areas on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park have been reopened to the public. These areas include the Tiyo Point Trail, the Widforss and Outlet Canyon backcountry use area, and the Widforss Forest Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dragon-fire-closure-areas-open.htm

A variety of National Park Service (NPS) employees, volunteers and partners were honored at a ceremony to Celebrate America’s National Parks and the Dedication of Those Who Serve. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/08-25-2022-nps-awards.htm

Della Yurcik, Backcountry Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected to receive the 2022 National Park Service (NPS) Harry Yount Award for excellence in the field of rangering. The Harry Yount Award annually honors a NPS Ranger who consistently excels in the performance of duties that serve park visitors and protect the natural, historical and cultural resources of parks. The award is named after the nation's first park ranger and is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a park ranger today. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/della-yurcik-receives-harry-yount-award.htm

Matthew Snider, Compost Crew Leader at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 National Park Service (NPS) Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship through Maintenance award. This award recognizes an employee for outstanding contributions in natural resource management by a Facilities Management employee. This award is given to one individual, once a year. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/matthew-snider-receives-2021-directors-award.htm

Grand Canyon National Park lifted its mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim when water storage reached an acceptable level on August 15, 2022. Water at Mile-and-a-Half and Three-Mile rest houses will remain off until crews are able to complete repairs to the damaged pipe above Mile-and-a-Half rest house. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/sr-grca-np-lifts-water-conservation-measures-as-water-tank-levels-return-to-normal.htm

The Peregrine Fund and Bureau of Land Management at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument are hosting a celebration on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 24 by releasing captive-bred California Condors at 1 p.m. MDT (noon MST, northern-Arizona Condor Time) to take their first flights in the wild. The event will be held in-person at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument for anyone interested in traveling to the area, and it will be live streamed via The Peregrine Fund’s YouTube Channel. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/california-condor-release-2022.htm

Effective this weekend, Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory water conservation measures due to diminished water resources and storage on the South Rim. This measure is a reversal from earlier this week when water restrictions were lifted, as park managers have learned that storage tanks on the rim are not refilling at a sustainable rate. Water conservation measures require all park residents and visitors to conserve and reduce water usage wherever possible in homes, hotel rooms, and at the campgrounds. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-implements-new-water-conservation-measures-august-2022.htm

Grand Canyon National Park lifted its mandatory water conservation measures when water storage on the South Rim reached an acceptable level on Aug. 1, 2022. Currently, the water at Mile-and-a-Half and Three-Mile rest houses will remain off until crews are able to repair the damaged pipe above the rest house at Mile-and-a-Half. For the most up-to-date information, please consult the Critical Backcountry Updates page. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park-lifts-water-conservation-measures-as-water-levels-return-to-normal.htm

Over the last several days, the Dragon Fire has been holding at approximately 1,309 acres in size. The 135-personnel assigned fire has had minimal spread due to monsoonal precipitation over the Kaibab Plateau. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dragon-fire-holding-and-meeting-resource-objectives.htm

As of July 22, the Dragon Fire grew to approximately 733 acres and has 47 personnel assigned. The fire spread across the planning area with low to moderate fire behavior. The lightning-caused fire began July 17 and is being allowed to fulfill its natural role in a fire-dependent ecosystem. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dragon-fire-grows-at-steady-pace.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory Level 2 water conservation measures due to diminished water resources. At Level 2, measures require that all concessions operations switch to disposable dishes and utensils; alter menus to use less water for food prep and dish washing; adopt low water use for hotel room cleaning; and serve drinking water at restaurants by request only. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-begins-on-south-rim-july-2022.htm

The Dragon Fire, located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is approximately 85 acres in size. The lightning-caused fire began July 17 and is being allowed to fulfill its natural role in a fire-dependent ecosystem. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dragon-fire-on-north-rims-grows-to-85-acres.htm

On the morning of July 13, 2022, for more than 4 hours, Grand Canyon National Park did not meet a treatment requirement to provide sufficient levels of disinfectant due to a waterline break near Ribbon Falls on the North Kaibab Trail. The break triggered loss of the chlorination and pressure for pumping in sections of the waterline, impacting the following areas: Manzanita, Cottonwood, Phantom Ranch, and the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/roaring-springs-system-failure-july-2022.htm

On July 1, 2022, juvenile smallmouth bass were found in the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam. Smallmouth bass are a predatory non-native fish that have adversely impacted native and federally protected fish in the upper basin of the Colorado River over the last 20 years. The National Park Service (NPS) is working closely with partners and stakeholders to coordinate rapid response actions to address this finding in accordance with previously approved management plans. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/invasive-smallmouth-bass-colorado-river-below-glen-canyon-dam.htm

Heritage Days will return to the North Rim within Grand Canyon National Park. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Heritage Days will be held from August 5 through August 7, 2022. Each day, Heritage Days programs will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in various locations throughout the North Rim developed area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-heritage-days-2022.htm

Effective immediately, Stage 2 fire restrictions are rescinded for the entire Grand Canyon National Park. Increased monsoonal activity throughout northern Arizona has significantly lowered the fire danger risk within the last week. Grand Canyon National Park will remain in stage 1 fire restrictions which requires that a campfire always be in a designated fire ring within a maintained campground. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-restrictions-lifted-june-2022.htm

Park staff and contractors have successfully repaired the electrical system that supports water delivery from the Roaring Springs Pumphouse to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Water restrictions have been removed and the park has resumed basic water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-implements-stage1-water-conservation-june-2022.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 4.5 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2021 spent an estimated $710 million in gateway regions near the park. That spending supported 9,390 jobs in the local area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-use-spending-to-grand-canyon-2021.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will implement a new pilot advance day-use ticket reservation system for the Tuweep Visitor Use Area, July 21, 2022. Park staff are managing for significant and steadily increasing visitation at Tuweep since 1995, along with limited park staffing in the area, ongoing vehicle safety, and natural and cultural resource concerns. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/implementation-tuweep-pilot-day-use-reservation-system-20220621.htm

On June 11, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a passenger on a commercial river trip who had fallen into the Colorado River. Commercial guides were able to reach the woman by boat. The commercial guides pulled her from the river and began CPR. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-on-the-colorado-river-near-pipe-creek-beach-20220613.htm

The 32nd annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 18, 2022, through Saturday, June 25, 2022, on both the South and North rims of Grand Canyon National Park. This is the first onsite event since 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-hosts-32nd-annual-star-party-20220609.htm

On June 2, 2022, the Cultural Demonstrator Series returned to Desert View within Grand Canyon National Park. After an absence of more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the series returns in-person every Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The series will run for 14 weeks from June 2 through September 2, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cultural-demonstrator-series-resumes-in-person-at-desert-view.htm

On June 2 at approximately 5:50 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a hiker in distress on the Bright Angel Trail above Three-Mile Resthouse. Soon thereafter the hiker became unresponsive and bystanders initiated CPR. All attempts to resuscitate the individual were unsuccessful. The victim has been identified as 41-year old Melanie Goodine from Ottawa, Ontario who was hiking out of the canyon after hiking to the Colorado River earlier that day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-on-bright-angel-june-2022.htm

Due to warm and dry weather conditions and increasing fire danger, Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions for the South Rim, North Rim and Inner Canyon beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2022. The restriction encompasses the entire park including all campgrounds, residential areas, backcountry sites, and developed recreation sites including: Phantom Ranch, Cottonwood Campground, Indian Garden Campground and the Colorado River corridor. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage-2-fire-restrictions-may-2022.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park this Memorial Day weekend should expect long lines and full parking lots. Traffic regularly backs up at all entrance stations, with the longest wait times between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parking lots, especially near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, will reach capacity by 12 p.m. and shuttle bus lines will be long. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/memorial-day-weekend-tips-2022.htm

The National Park Foundation (NPF) recently announced its fiscal year 2022 investment in service corps programs across the country, including support for a Native Conservation Corps. This program provides opportunities to Indigenous youth for career shadowing in natural resource stewardship and protection, along with recreational experiences at multiple National Park Service (NPS) units. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/npf-grant-native-conservation-corps.htm

Starting Saturday, May 28, the National Park Service (NPS) will offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center and the gateway community of Tusayan, Arizona. The Tusayan Route will run at 20-minute intervals between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily through September 9, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-shuttle-begins-may-28-2022.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Sunday, May 15 at 6 a.m. to mark the official start of the 2022 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2022 seasonal operations on this date. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-reopening-2022.htm

Following an investigation by Rangers of the National Park Service (NPS), a man pled guilty for conducting business operations without permits within the remote backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park. William “Billy” Chandler Woods of Flagstaff, Arizona, pled guilty on April 8, 2022, and was ordered to serve two years of supervised probation and is banned from Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area for the next two years. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/illegal-backcountry-guiding-april-2022.htm

On Monday, April 4 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Grand Canyon National Park was alerted of an unresponsive river trip participant near Ledges Camp (river mile 152) along the Colorado River. Due to darkness, Grand Canyon National Park requested Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) emergency helicopter response. DPS arrived on scene at Ledges Camp at approximately 8:30 p.m. and pronounced the individual deceased. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-near-ledges-camp-colorado-river-april-2022.htm

Following an investigation by Rangers of the National Park Service (NPS), on Friday, March 25, a man pled guilty for violation of the group size limitation on a rim-to-rim hike within Grand Canyon National Park. Joseph Don Mount was ordered to serve two years of supervised probation and is banned from all national parks, national monuments, and federal lands within the state of Arizona. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/washington-man-pleads-guilty-illegal-r2r-hike.htm

On Thursday, March 24 at approximately 11:18 a.m., Grand Canyon National Park was alerted of an emergency by a personal locator beacon from a non-commercial river trip near Hance Rapid on the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center then received a report that CPR was in progress. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/boater-fatality-at-hance-rapid-march-2022.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is beginning civic engagement to seek comments on implementing a three-year pilot advance day-use reservation system to manage day-use visitation to the Tuweep Visitor Use Area including all park areas within Toroweap Valley and the Kanab Plateau. A $2 ticket fee per vehicle is proposed for visitors to get to Tuweep. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tuweep-day-use-civic-engagement-2022.htm

March 18 through April 6, 2022, the Mile-and-a-Half composting toilet facility will be temporarily unavailable on the Bright Angel Trail. Hikers should plan ahead before entering the canyon and use either the restroom facilities at the Bright Angel Trailhead or at the Three-Mile Rest House. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bright-angel-restroom-closure-spring-2022.htm

A project to repave roads and parking areas within Mather Campground at Grand Canyon National Park will begin in early June and continue through October 2022. Periodic closures will occur within Mather Campground throughout the summer and a fixed number of sites will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mather-campground-repaving-2022.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with resources from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the National Park Service Utah Parks Group anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments as early as next week downriver from Lees Ferry, Az. within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/news/20220304.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with resources from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the National Park Service Utah Parks Group anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments as early as next week downriver from Lees Ferry, Az. within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-fire-lees-ferry-march-2022.htm

Effective July 1, 2022, Grand Canyon National Park will increase the cost of overnight backcountry permits. The charge of $10 per backcountry permit remains the same; the nightly per person fee will be increased from $8 per person to $12 per person or stock animal camping below the rim in designated backcountry camping areas. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-camping-fee-increase-2022.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park this spring break can expect long lines and full parking lots. As a result of increased visitation, traffic regularly backs up at all entrance stations, with the longest wait times between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parking lots, especially near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, start reaching capacity by 12 p.m. and shuttle bus lines will be long. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/spring-break-tips-2022.htm

At approximately 8:40 p.m. on Wednesday, February 2, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call of a single car accident near the South Entrance Station along Highway 64 in Grand Canyon National Park. 26-year-old Haley McCormick of Tusayan, Arizona suffered fatal injuries when the vehicle she was driving collided with a tree. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rangers-respond-to-vehicle-accident-february-2022.htm

Beginning Feb. 8, 2022, the first phase of short-term repairs and upgrades to the Phantom Ranch Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) will begin. Work is anticipated to be completed by December 2022 and includes two phases of hauling equipment via helicopters. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/phantom-ranch-wastewater-treatment-plant-construction-begins.htm

On Tuesday, February 1, 2022 the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2023-river-lottery-opens.htm

Beginning Thursday, January 6, National Park Service (NPS) fire managers will begin pile burning along the Hwy. 64 corridor on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/winter-pile-burns-begin-on-south-rim-2022.htm

On Tuesday, December 21, at approximately 8:04 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an overdue hiker in the vicinity of the Boucher Trail within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-found-deceased-boucher-trail-december-2021.htm

Beginning December 1, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park this winter season should be prepared for modified changes in operations. Visitors should also plan ahead and anticipate temporary road closures and poor driving conditions whenever winter storms pass through the area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-transitions-to-winter-operations-2021-2022.htm

A series of prescribed fire projects will begin Tuesday, November 30 and continue throughout the week at various locations across the North Kaibab Ranger District on the Kaibab National Forest. Approximately 6000 acres are scheduled to be ignited at the following specific locations beginning Monday, November 30, and continuing through Sunday, December 5. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-burns-scheduled-for-north-rim-fall-2021.htm

Bison reduction operations are now complete for 2021 on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. In total, 36 bison were removed through live capture and transfer, and five were removed lethally, reducing the impacts of the herd on the park’s water, vegetation, soils, and culturally significant sites and locations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bison-reduction-complete-for-2021-north-rim.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers-working with resources from Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Zion National Park and the Kaibab National Forest anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments as early as tomorrow, November 16, 2021, on the South Rim, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-fire-planned-for-south-rim-november-2021.htm

Beginning Monday, October 18, National Park Service (NPS) fire managers will begin pile burning along the Hwy. 64 corridor on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-pile-burning-south-rim-2021.htm

Effective October 11, 2021, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin shutting off water to the upper Bright Angel and North Kaibab Trails. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-water-availability-changes-october-2021.htm

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will begin transition to day-use operations on Saturday, October 16, 2021. At this time the Grand Canyon Lodge will close and limited visitor services will be available. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-transitioning-to-day-use-october-2021.htm

Due to high Covid-19 transmission levels in counties surrounding the condor release site, and to help prevent further spread of the virus, partners hosting the 26th annual California Condor Release are strongly encouraging the public to attend the live stream event online. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/public-encouraged-to-attend-virtual-california-condor-release-sep-2021.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has successfully located missing person, Clifton Beck. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-located-near-roosevelt-point-sep-2021.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park. On Tuesday, September 14 at approximately 9 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an overdue backpacker in the vicinity of the Walhalla Plateau on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-search-walhalla-plateau-sep-2021.htm

The Peregrine Fund and Bureau of Land Management at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument are hosting a celebration on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 25 at 1 p.m. MDT (noon MST, northern-Arizona Condor Time) by releasing captive-bred California Condors to take their first flights in the wild. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/26th-annual-condor-release-takes-flight-september-2021.htm

After weeks of extensive searching, the National Park Service (NPS) is reducing the scale of the search for Charles Lyon of Tyler, TX who went missing at Grand Canyon National Park on June 10, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-continues-in-limited-mode-september-2021.htm

On Saturday, August 28, at approximately 4:19 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an injured non-commercial river trip participant in the Deer Creek Narrows within Grand Canyon National Park. The participant fell approximately 50 feet while on a hike in the narrows and could not be located by members of the river trip. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-fatality-at-deer-creek-august-2021.htm

On Monday, August 23, National Park Service personnel located a body below Yavapai Point following a multi-day search and rescue operation. Park rangers recovered the body which was located approximately 430 ft. below the rim. The body was transported to the rim and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. Based on evidence found with the body, the individual is believed to be missing person Gabor Berczi-Tomcsanyi. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-recovered-august-2021.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has successfully located missing person, Arturo Hernandez. On Tuesday, August 24 at approximately 2 p.m., search and rescue personnel located Hernandez via helicopter along the Hermit Trail near Breezy Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-located-august-2021.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park. On Monday, August 23 at approximately 4:30 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of two overdue hikers on the Hermit Trail within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-search-initiated-near-hermit-creek-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing person on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.Gabor Berczi-Tomcsanyi, 45, a Hungarian national, is believed to have traveled to the South Rim on or around July 19, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/august-2021-missing-person-search-initiated.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Deputy Superintendent Louis Rowe has announced the selection of Angela Boyers as Chief Ranger for the Division of Visitor and Resource Protection. As chief ranger of Grand Canyon National Park, Boyers will manage a complex program that includes law enforcement, emergency services, wildland and structural fire, aviation, fee collection, backcountry operations, and a regional dispatch center. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/chief-of-visitor-and-resource-protection-selected.htm

On July 20 at approximately 2:50 p.m., the Grand Canyon Communications Center received a report of multiple individuals struck by lightning at the Bright Angel Trailhead during a monsoonal thunderstorm. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/lightning-strike-causes-injuries-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On July 19 at approximately 9:47 a.m., the Grand Canyon Communications Center received a report of a hiker with a medical emergency in progress on the Bright Angel Trail. The caller determined that the hiker did not have a pulse while on the phone with dispatchers.   https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-on-the-bright-angel-trail-7-19-21.htm

On July 14 at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of two individuals missing and multiple parties injured after flash flood activity impacted Tatahatso Camp near River Mile 38 on the Colorado River. Grand Canyon Search and Rescue sent two paramedics to the scene to assess and treat patients. Active monsoonal weather in the area limited access to the scene for overnight search and rescue operations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tatahatso-flash-flood-july-2021.htm

On July 14 at approximately 4:49 p.m., the Grand Canyon Communications Center received a report of CPR in progress on an unresponsive hiker at the Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse on the Bright Angel Trail. The hiker, (Rodney) Jason Hatfield, 44, of Washington, Louisiana, was on a multi-day hiking trip and returning from Phantom Ranch when he began experiencing difficulty hiking up the Bright Angel trail near Indian Garden. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-on-bright-angel-trail-july-2021.htm

Due to monsoonal activity and heavy rainfall, Grand Canyon National Park will rescind Stage 2 fire restrictions as of 6 a.m. Friday, July 16. Grand Canyon National Park will remain in stage 1 fire restrictions which requires that a campfire always be in a designated fire ring within a maintained campground. Inner canyon users can use gas cook stoves, but campfires and other open fires are never allowed below the rim. River users should continue to follow the conditions of their permit regarding fires along the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage2-fire-restrictions-lifted-july-2021.htm

Beginning July 17, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park should be prepared for changes in shuttle bus operations. The following changes will be in place from July 17 through November 30, 2021 unless otherwise noted. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shuttle-bus-changes-summer-fall-2021.htm

On June 22 at approximately 1:20 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting CPR in progress approximately a half mile below the South Kaibab Trailhead. Bystanders initiated CPR and National Park Service (NPS) EMS personnel responded and assisted with resuscitation efforts. All attempts to resuscitate the victim were unsuccessful. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/june-2021-hiker-fatality-on-south-kaibab-trail.htm

On June 20 at approximately 1:15 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a backpacker experiencing heat illness on the Tonto Trail near Monument Creek. The backpacker, Michelle Meder, 53, of Hudson, Ohio was on a multi-day backpacking trip from the Hermit to Bright Angel Trail. Hiking down the Hermit Trail on June 19, she became disoriented and later unconscious. On June 20, responding rangers determined Meder to be deceased; the cause of death is believed to be heat-related. On June 20 the high temperature at Phantom Ranch was approximately 115°F (46°C). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/june-2021-hiker-fatality-on-tonto-trail.htm

On Monday, June 15 at approximately 10 a.m., Grand Canyon National Park was alerted to a personal locator beacon activation from a non-commercial river trip near Hance Rapid on the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center then received a report that CPR was in progress. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/boater-fatality-colorado-river-june-2021.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park. Charles Lyon, 49, of Tyler, Texas, was last seen at the Best Western hotel in Tusayan, Arizona on June 10, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/june-2021-missing-person-lyon.htm

Due to warm and dry weather conditions and increasing fire danger, Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions for the South Rim, North Rim and Inner Canyon beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/june-11-2021-fire-restrictions.htm

The 31st annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held virtually June 5-12, 2021. The park will bring the wonders of the night sky into the virtual realm through a series of live video premieres on Grand Canyon’s official Facebook page. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2021-virtual-star-party.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park this Memorial Day weekend and through the summer season can expect long lines, full parking lots and crowded conditions. To make the most of a visit to the park during this time, park rangers recommend the following pro tips. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/summer-2021-season-tips.htm

Hikers and backpackers hiking in the inner canyon are strongly encouraged to be prepared for excessively hot temperatures—greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit this spring and summer season. Hikers attempting rigorous distances, such as ‘Rim to Rim’ through the inner canyon, must be self-reliant and understand their own physical limitations to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-urges-visitors-to-hike-safely.htm

The gate at the entrance to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Saturday, May 15 at 6:30 a.m. to mark the official opening of the North Rim for the 2021 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2021 seasonal operations on this date. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park-to-open-may-15-for-2021-season.htm

On April 26, 2021 at approximately 11:00 a.m. MST, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a satellite phone report of a boating accident on the Colorado River near Kwagunt Rapid at river mile 56. A commercial river trip requested assistance with an overturned motorboat and reported boater injuries. The park swiftwater rescue team responded with two crews of rescue boats which launched on April 26th and arrived on scene the morning of April 27. Due to adverse weather conditions, the park helicopter was not able to immediately respond. A 60-year-old female on the trip died in the event. On the afternoon of April 27, the park helicopter evacuated two injured individuals and the deceased. Salvage operations of the overturned boat are ongoing. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/one-fatality-and-two-injured-on-colorado-river-in-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service, in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), seeks skilled volunteers to assist with the removal of bison on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in the fall of 2021. Interested parties should carefully read this announcement and the information in the links below. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-seeks-skilled-volunteers-for-north-rim-bison-reduction.htm

April 25 through May 10, 2021, the Cedar Ridge composting toilet facility will be temporarily unavailable to hikers on the South Kaibab Trail. Hikers should use the restroom facilities at the trailhead before entering the canyon.  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cedar-ridge-composting-toilet-facility-on-south-kaibab-trail-temporarily-unavailable.htm

After a multi-year effort, the National Park Service and the Utah Geological Association have published Grand Canyon National Park Centennial Paleontological Resources Inventory: A Century of Fossil Discovery and Research, available for public download on the Utah Geological Association website. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/centennial-paleontological-inventory.htm

Beginning April 13 and continuing until May 7, 2021, visitors hiking along the Bright Angel trail near Phantom Ranch will experience a closure of the Silver Bridge, which crosses the Colorado River near Phantom Ranch. The closure will prohibit hikers from crossing the bridge Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. as necessary repair work is completed on electrical utilities. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-announces-temporary-closures-along-the-bright-angel-trail-and-silver-bridge-near-phantom-ranch.htm

Park officials, working with tribal and state officials, stakeholders and community leaders, announced the reopening of the Park's east entrance gate on April 8, 2021. The east entrance, along Arizona State Highway (Hwy) 64, has been closed since April 1, 2020. The intent of the closure has been to minimize visitor traffic through the Navajo Nation and other communities east of the Park, respecting the health and safety need of park neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-re-opens-east-entrance-gate-4-8-2021.htm

Following an investigation by Special Agents of the National Park Service (NPS) Investigative Services Branch, a man has been sentenced for misappropriation of government property and interfering with agency functions by providing false information within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/isb-grca-case-update-03182021.htm

On Wednesday, March 3, National Park Service personnel located a body and motorcycle below the South Kaibab Trailhead after a multi-day search and rescue operation. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-recovered-below-skth-march-2021.htm

Starting March 2, Grand Canyon National Park’s Cultural Demonstrator Program at Desert View will launch the ‘History Behind the Arts’ video series. This series will feature cultural demonstrators from the 11 traditionally associated tribes of Grand Canyon and will highlight the history of tribal crafts and personal interviews with artisans. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2021-virtual-cultural-demonstrator-series.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park. John Pennington, 40, of Walton, Kentucky was last known to be on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon near Yaki Point. Pennington abandoned his vehicle at Yaki Point on or around February 23, 2021 and is believed to be traveling alone. Currently, Pennington may be traveling on a yellow motorcycle with Ohio plates (2005 Suzuki GSX-R600). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-search-initiated-february-2021.htm

On Tuesday, February 23, the National Park Service located a body below the rim near Trailview Overlook along the Hermit Road. The body was recovered and has been identified as Lillian Meyn, age 31, of Woodside, California. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovered-below-rim-february-2021.htm

Beginning March 1, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park should be prepared for modified changes in shuttle bus operations compared to previous years. The spring schedule will be in place from March 1 through May 28, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2021-spring-shuttle-bus-schedule.htm

On Monday February 15, Grand Canyon National Park will begin repairing a leak in the Transcanyon Pipeline (TCP) at Phantom Ranch. As part of this repair, the TCP will be turned off and trail closures will be in place to allow crews to fix the existing pipeline. The project is expected to continue through Thursday, February 18. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/transcanyon-pipeline-shutdown-february-2021.htm

2/7/21 Update: Coleman has been located outside of Grand Canyon National Park and is no longer reported missing. The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park. Stephen Coleman, 60, of Portland, Maine was last seen on Dec. 20, 2020, on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Coleman is believed to be traveling alone and indicated he was going hiking in the Grand Canyon. Coleman’s whereabouts are unknown and he may have been transient and traveling in the Arizona area from Maine. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-search-underway-2-6-2021.htm

On Monday, February 1, 2021 the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. The permits are for specific launch dates within calendar year 2022. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2022-noncommercial-river-lottery-opens.htm

Between February 2-5, 2021, Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with resources from the Alpine Interagency Hotshot Crew and the Arizona Conservation Corps Veterans Fire Corps—will conduct prescribed pile burning at Indian Garden as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/pile-burning-at-indian-garden-feb-2021.htm

On November 19, 2020, Michael T. Reynolds, National Park Service Regional Director of Regions 6, 7, and 8, and Ed Keable, Superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park, signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the implementation of the Grand Canyon National Park Telecommunications Plan outlined by the 2019 Telecommunications Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2021-1-14-telecommunications-fonsi-signed.htm

Following an investigation by Special Agents of the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) and US Park Rangers, a man has been sentenced to serve time in prison for disorderly conduct-fighting and interfering with agency functions by resisting arrest within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/isb-case-update-01142021.htm

Grand Canyon National Park announces the award of the contract for the South Rim’s shuttle bus operation to Paul Revere Transportation, L.L.C. The ten-year contract is in effect from December 1, 2020 through November 30, 2030. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shuttle-bus-contract-awarded-to-paul-revere-transportation.htm

Galen Howell, fixed wing pilot at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected as the 2020 National Park Service (NPS) Aviator of the Year. This award recognizes an individual who has performed mission(s) of significant consequence and valor or has actively promoted the advancement or recognition of an NPS aviation program, mission or service. This award is given to one individual, once a year.  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/howell-nps-2020-aviator-of-the-year.htm

On December 15 at approximately 7:41 a.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a fatality above the Black Bridge on the South Kaibab Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/12-15-20-visitor-fatality-on-south-kaibab-trail.htm

Beginning December 1, 2020, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park this winter season should be prepared for modified changes in operations. Visitors should also plan ahead and anticipate temporary road closures and poor driving conditions whenever winter storms pass through the area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-2021-winter-operations.htm

National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, plan to begin conducting pile burns north of the Grand Canyon the week of November 16, 2020. Hand piles composed of woody debris are located near the NPS developed zone at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park as well as around Big Saddle, Demotte, and Jacob Lake on USFS administered lands. Fire managers anticipate conducting prescribed burns through mid-December, as conditions allow, to reduce hazardous fuels and enhance site protection at these high-priority locations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-11-16-prescribed-pile-burn-nr.htm

On October 13, 2020 at approximately 12:00 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call alerting officials to a potential suicide. Responding staff conducted an initial hasty search and located a body below the rim just east of the Yavapai Geology Museum. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/victim-identified-yavapai-geology-museum.htm

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will begin day-use operations on October 19, 2020. At this time, the Grand Canyon Lodge will close and no overnight accommodations, including camping, will be available to visitors at the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-begins-day-use-operations-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park rangers urge inner canyon hikers to hike smart while visiting the park this fall season. Hikers and backpackers attempting rigorous distances, such as ‘Rim to Rim’ through the inner canyon are strongly encouraged to be self-reliant and to understand their own physical limitations in order to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-urges-visitors-to-hike-smart-this-fall-season.htm

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission (AZGFD) and the National Park Service (NPS) entered into an agreement on Friday, September 25, 2020 to reduce the number of bison present on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-10-01-nps-azfgd-bison-agreement.htm

Effective September 24, 2020, the National Park Service (NPS) will shut off water to the Supai Tunnel water filling station on the North Kaibab Trail for the remainder of the season. This adjustment is in response to an ongoing water pump failure at the Roaring Springs Pumphouse. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-change-availability-on-north-kaibab-trail.htm

Effective immediately, the National Park Service (NPS) is initiating additional water conservation measures on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park to ensure that the area's facilities can remain open until a replacement water pump can be repaired at the Roaring Spring Pumphouse. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/additional-water-conservation-measures-on-north-rim.htm

On September 26, The Peregrine Fund will release up to four California Condors atop the spectacular ledges of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona. Since the public is unable to watch from the annual viewing site, the opportunity to observe the release virtually on The Peregrine Fund’s YouTube Channel. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-california-condor-release.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has reopened the Silver Bridge to all foot traffic following a formal structural assessment. The Silver Bridge, which crosses the Colorado River along the Bright Angel Trail is located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon near Phantom Ranch. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/silver-bridge-reopens.htm

Following an investigation by Special Agents of the National Park Service (NPS) Investigative Services Branch and U.S. Park Rangers, Thomas Grabarek, 71, of Flagstaff, Ariz., pled guilty on September 8, 2020 to misdemeanor violations for starting a wildland fire within Grand Canyon National Park. The Cottonwood Creek Fire ignited approximately 64 acres in the Inner Canyon along the Tonto Trail near Horseshoe Mesa. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cottonwood-fire-2019-plea-deal-reached.htm

On September 4, in cooperation with the Intertribal Buffalo Council, Kaibab National Forest, and Arizona Game and Fish Department, Grand Canyon wildlife managers successfully relocated 57 bison from the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fifty-seven-bison-relocated.htm

Effective immediately, the National Park Service (NPS) has closed the Silver Bridge to all foot traffic due to structural safety concerns. The Silver Bridge, which crosses the Colorado River along the Bright Angel Trail is located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon near Phantom Ranch. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/silver-bridge-temporarily-closed.htm

As part of its phased reopening, the National Park Service (NPS) continues to increase recreational access and services at Grand Canyon National Park. Park officials are pleased to announce the resumption of modified shuttle bus services on September 5. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-shuttle-buses-resume.htm

Paleontological research has confirmed a series of recently discovered fossils tracks are the oldest recorded tracks of their kind to date within Grand Canyon National Park. In 2016, Norwegian geology professor, Allan Krill, was hiking with his students when he made a surprising discovery. Lying next to the trail, in plain view of the many hikers, was a boulder containing conspicuous fossil footprints. Krill was intrigued, and he sent a photo to his colleague, Stephen Rowland, a paleontologist at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cliff-collapse-reveals-313-million-year-old-fossil-footprints-in-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has received confirmation that a bat collected at the Whitmore Helipad, located along the Colorado River near river mile 187 on August 6, has tested positive for rabies. The rabies positive bat did not come in contact with any visitors. In recent months, wildlife managers have reported an increase in human-bat interactions. Individuals who have had physical contact with a bat are advised to seek medical attention and be assessed for appropriate medical treatment. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bat-tests-positive-for-rabies-in-grand-canyon-national-park-august-12-2020.htm

Effective immediately stage 2 fire restrictions are rescinded for the entire Grand Canyon National Park. Increased monsoonal activity throughout northern Arizona has significantly lowered the fire danger risk within the last week. Visitors and residents are now allowed to use charcoal grills and have campfires.  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage-2-fire-restrictions-lifted-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The Bureau of Reclamation urges those recreating on or along the Colorado River through Glen and Grand canyons to exercise increased caution as possible sudden fluctuations in water releases to meet summer energy demands may cause rapid changes to the river’s flow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/reclamation-urges-public-to-exercise-caution-below-glen-canyon-dam-due-to-potential-for-rapid-fluctuations-in-river-releases.htm

This is the final update for the Thumb Fire unless conditions change significantly. The Thumb Fire is 100% contained. The final acreage reported for the fire is 8,354. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/thumb-fire-switches-to-monitor-status.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will temporarily close the Cape Royal and Point Imperial Roads on the North Rim in order to complete necessary road improvement projects. This closure will be in effect from sunset on Sunday, July 26, through Thursday, July 30. The Cape Royal and Point Imperial Roads as well as all overlooks along these roads will reopen to the public on July 31 at 6 a.m. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/two-roads-on-north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park-will-temporarily-close.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures on the North Rim due to a water pump failure within the Transcanyon Pipeline system at Roaring Springs. Park staff and contractors are working on repairs to the system. The estimated timeline for repair and replacement is unknown and water conservation measures will remain in effect for the North Rim until further notice. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park-implements-water-conservation-measures.htm

The Thumb Fire is approximately 6,200 acres. Growth yesterday was primarily in the southern portion of the fire perimeter. Fire behavior was active with single tree torching and surface fire of three to four foot flames where the fire was consuming grass. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/thumb-fire-grows-to-6-200-acres.htm

Located along the western edge of the Great Thumb Mesa, the Thumb Fire is burning in pinon-juniper and brush. Fire managers are actively working to suppress and monitor the Thumb Fire while providing for point protection of identified sensitive natural and cultural resources. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/thumb-fire-grows-to-3800-acres-2020-0719.htm

Recent monsoon activity in the region resulted in two new lightning ignited fires. Fire crews are actively working to suppress and monitor the two fires. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-fire-crews-respond-to-two-fires.htm

On Friday, July 3 at approximately 12:35 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a visitor who fell from the rim west of Mather Point. Responding rangers located the body of Maria A. Salgado Lopez, 59, of Scottsdale, AZ approximately 100 ft. below the rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-rangers-recover-body-below-mather-point-07-04-20.htm

Effective immediately, the National Park Service (NPS) is requesting all river trips, both commercial and non-commercial, to voluntarily bypass Havasu Canyon on the Colorado river, located at river mile 157. This request is an effort to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to further safeguard the Havasupai people and their traditional lands. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-requests-river-guides-boaters-bypass-havasu-07-01-2020.htm

Effective immediately, the National Park Service (NPS) is implementing modifications to operations at Phantom Ranch through the year 2021. The Phantom Ranch Wastewater Treatment Plant (PRWWTP), located at the bottom of Grand Canyon, requires critical rehabilitation due to deferred maintenance and increased visitation levels. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-phantom-ranch-opps-mod-06-30-2020.htm

The entrance gate to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Tuesday, June 30 at 6 a.m. following the reopening of Highway 89A and State Route 67. The North Rim will open for day use only and visitors are encouraged to be self-sufficient as services may be limited on the Kaibab Plateau following the Mangum Fire. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/n-rim-grca-np-to-open-for-day-use-06-29-2020.htm

On June 24 at approximately 5:36 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a fatality approximately half a mile above the Tip Off resthouse on the South Kaibab Trail. CPR was initiated and National Park Service personnel responded from the South Rim via helicopter. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-on-south-kaibab-trail-in-grand-canyon-national-park-june-26-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park rangers responded to multiple heat related search and rescue incidents this past weekend. Hikers and backpackers attempting hikes in the inner canyon are strongly encouraged to be prepared for excessively hot temperatures and to understand their own physical limitations in order to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/multiple-search-and-rescue-incidents-over-weekend-due-to-excessive-heat.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park has temporarily closed the North Rim until further notice due to the Mangum Fire near the park. The Mangum Fire is located on the Kaibab National Forest and is not within Grand Canyon National Park at this time. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-temporarily-closes-north-rim-due-to-mangum-fire-2020-06-12.htm

The 30th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held virtually June 13-20, 2020. While the on-site event at Grand Canyon National Park has been cancelled on both rims due to concerns over COVID-19 this year, the park hopes to bring the wonders of the night sky into the virtual realm through a series of video premieres on Grand Canyon’s official Facebook account. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-s-2020-star-party-will-be-hosted-virtually.htm

The National Park Service is asking visitors to take caution and not to approach wildlife, especially wild rabbits. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV2) was recently detected in a dead jackrabbit found within Grand Canyon National Park, making it the first detected case in the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-warns-visitors-to-beware-of-wild-rabbit-carcasses.htm

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Grand Canyon National Park is increasing recreational access. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-increases-recreational-access.htm

Grand Canyon National Park implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions for the South Rim May 25, which will be effective until further notice. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-implements-stage-2-fire-restrictions.htm

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Grand Canyon National Park is increasing recreational access and services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-is-beginning-to-increase-recreational-access-at-the-south-rim.htm

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Grand Canyon National Park is increasing recreational access to selected South Rim viewpoints. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-is-beginning-to-increase-access-to-south-rim-viewpoints.htm

From May 1 through August 31, the Department of the Interior will conduct a Macro-invertebrate Production Flow at Glen Canyon Dam. This experiment, also known as a Bug Flow, aims to improve egg-laying conditions for aquatic insects, which are the primary food source for endangered and native fish in the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bor-news-water-experiment-to-be-conducted-along-the-colorado-river-while-maintaining-hydropower-production-this-summer.htm

US Park Rangers of Grand Canyon National Park seek tips from the public to aid a vehicle burglary investigation. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/grca-rfi-04132020.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) announced today the appointment of Edward Keable as the superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park. Keable, a 34-year veteran of federal service, will begin his new role within the next 60 days. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/grand-canyon-superintendent-ed-keable.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) received a letter today from the Health and Human Services Director and Chief Health Officer for Coconino County recommending the full closure of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-closed-04-01-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park, in response to guidance from Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-modify-additional-opps-to-implem-loc-health-guid-03-26-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote public safety. As of, March 24, 2020, Grand Canyon river rafting trips including administrative, research, private and commercial trips, are suspended until May 21, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-modify-river-ops-for-health-guidance-03-20-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities. 03/19/2020 https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-np-transitions-to-limited-services-03-19-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-np-modifying-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures for the South Rim and inner canyon from March 7-22, 2020. A leak was detected along the transcanyon pipeline near Phanton Ranch, and park staff are working to repair the break. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-03-17-2020.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce that the 2020 Edwin C. Bearss History Fellowship has been awarded to Jeremy Childs, a member of Grand Canyon National Park's Division of Interpretation and Resource Education, at Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-bearss-fellowship-award-recipient-announced.htm

Shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center and the neighboring town of Tusayan, will resume on March 1, 2020. Buses will run daily at 20-minute intervals between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-tusayan-shuttle-begins-march-1-2020.htm

The National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. The permits are for specific launch dates within calendar year 2021. A total of 462 permits will be available for 12- to 25-day river trips. Applications will be accepted online through noon MST on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2021-river-lottery-01-31-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park's permit office is temporarily extending the permit processing time periods effective Feb. 14, 2020 until this summer. This change will impact commercial use authorizations (CUA) and special use permit (SUP) applications submitted after Feb. 14. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-permit-processing-updates.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will join national park sites around the country in celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with free entrance to the park. Entrance fees will be waived for all visitors arriving to Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-mlk-day-at-grand-canyon-fee-free.htm

National Park Service rangers located Martin Edward O'Connor and evacuated him from the inner canyon via helicopter at approximately 10 a.m. today in Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-man-from-texas-found-alive-at-grca-2020-01-02.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park for Martin Edward O'Connor, 58, of La Porte, Texas, last seen on Dec. 22, 2019, at Yavapai Lodge on the South Rim of Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-search-initiated-at-grand-canyon-2019-12-30.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures for the South Rim, including Desert View, from Dec. 9-19, 2019, for scheduled maintenance at the Indian Garden North pump house. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-initiates-water-conservation-measures-for-maintenance-20191206.htm

The fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) has potentially been detected on a fringed myotis (Myotis thysanodes) at Grand Canyon National Park. The bat was captured and sampled for the fungus in April 2019 during routine surveillance by park biologists. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bat-fungus-potentially-detected-at-grand-canyon-20191204.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a proposed Telecommunications Plan and Environmental Assessment from Dec. 2, 2019 until midnight on Jan. 6, 2020. If approved, the plan would provide a framework and guidance for the future construction and operation of telecommunications infrastructure. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-requests-public-input-on-a-telecom-plan-and-ea-at-grca-20191202.htm

In advance of a winter storm, Grand Canyon National Park will close Desert View Drive, on the South Rim at 7 p.m. (MST), Wed. Nov. 27, 2019. Additionally, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) took precautionary measures by closing state Route (SR) 67, the 43-mile highway, between Jacob Lake and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on Tues. Nov. 26. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-prepares-for-winter-storm-2019-11-26.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures for the South Rim, including Desert View, from Nov. 11-18, 2019, for scheduled construction at the Indian Garden South pump house. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/scheduled-construction-at-grand-canyon-initiates-water-conservation-measures-20191107.htm

Grand Canyon National Park backcountry users can seek out shade and an opportunity to rest from the elements at the new Tipoff Shelter along the South Kaibab Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-kaibab-trail-shelter-now-available-2019-11-04.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is hosting free Native American heritage and diversity events in early November 2019, as well as offering fee-free entry in honor of Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-native-american-heritage-month-diversity-and-honor-veterans-at-grand-canyon-20191029.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will begin installing five water test wells within the inner canyon at Phantom Ranch next week. The construction will begin Oct. 28 and is expected to conclude on Dec. 5, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-installs-new-test-wells-2019-10-24.htm

Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim will begin day use operations on Nov. 1, 2019. Visitors exploring the North Rim after Oct. 31 should plan to be self-sufficient, bringing enough food and water for their stay, as services will not be available. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-n-r-to-begin-seasonal-day-use-operations.htm

Grand Canyon National Park documented the fifth wild hatched California condor chick on Oct. 10, 2019, in the Southwestern wild population, making it an annual record number of chicks, or nestlings, within the region. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/record-number-of-sw-condor-chicks-2019-10-23.htm

Water connectivity to Grand Canyon's South Rim is restored. The park has removed water restrictions and resumed basic water conservation measures. A valve leak, which prevented water from being pumped between Indian Garden and the South Rim was identified and replaced by park staff. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-np-s-rim-returns-to-normal-water-operations-2019-10-15.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures for the South Rim on Oct. 10, 2019, due to a loss of water connectivity. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-initiated-at-grand-canyon-2019-10-10.htm

The National Park Service approved a plan to protect native fish and other aquatic species in the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/news/10092019.htm

Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim will transition to seasonally reduced services beginning at noon on Oct. 16, 2019. Grand Canyon National Park would like to remind the public to plan accordingly if they intend to visit the North Rim after Oct. 15. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/gcnp-n-rim-transitions-to-reduced-services-2019-10-02.htm

The 11,000-acre lightning caused wildfire which is located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest became active last week during a wind event that produced wind gusts to 45 mph. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-grows-helicopters-to-assist-2019-09-26.htm

National Park Service staff closed the doors on livestock trailers yesterday, securing 31 bison inside to transfer them to the InterTribal Buffalo Council who will take them on the journey to join their new herd with the Quapaw tribe in Oklahoma. The transfer of the bison concluded the Grand Canyon National Park's pilot program for corralling and relocating bison from the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/31-bison-from-the-north-rim-are-relocated-20190919.htm

Construction to replace two water pumps at the Grand Canyon National Park Indian Garden north pump house is beginning Sept. 23, 2019, and continuing into May 2020. The construction will require visitors to use a marked bypass trail around the construction site along the Bright Angel Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/indian-garden-water-pumps-being-replaced-2019-09-17.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Fossil Day and the 26th anniversary of National Public Lands Day entry fee-free on Sept. 28, 2019. National Fossil Day events include a paleontology symposium Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium, featuring four guest speakers https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-national-public-lands-and-fossil-day-at-grand-canyon.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has received confirmation that two bats collected along the Colorado River in the park last month tested positive for rabies. The rabies-positive bats, both Canyon Bats, were deceased at the time of collection and did not come in contact with any visitors or staff. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bats-found-in-grand-canyon-national-park-test-positive-for-rabies-20190912.htm

Grand Canyon National Park rangers responded to an emergency call of assistance for a 77-year-old man on a river trip Sept. 3, 2019, below Deer Creek Falls on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-fatality-colorado-river.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is implementing its pilot bison reduction activities on the North Rim this month through live capture and removal of approximately 60-100 animals. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-relocates-bison.htm

Park staff repaired the damaged pipeline that supplies water to the North and South Rims of Grand Canyon National Park and water services have been restored to facilities. The park has removed water restrictions and has resumed basic water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-normal-water-ops.htm

Pipe installation of the Grand Canyon North Rim waterline will result in the closure of the Lodge entry road by the Grand Canyon North Rim Visitor Center Sept. 3 to 26, 2019. Expect commercial traffic detours to the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge and decreased parking opportunities. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-north-rim-traffic-detours-08-30-2019.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures on the North and South Rims on Aug. 30, 2019, due to a water pipeline break that occurred on Aug. 29 on a section of the pipeline north of Phantom Ranch, along the North Kaibab trail. Until park staff repairs the break, the park will remain in conservation mode. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-initiates-water-conservation-measures-2019-08-29.htm

Grand Canyon National Park joins multiple national parks across the country by offering an official park app. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-free-mobile-app.htm

The Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan will be added as a free park and ride location for park visitors from Aug. 30 through Sept. 2, 2019, to alleviate some of the holiday traffic. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/overflow-park-and-ride-labor-day.htm

The National Park Foundation, National Park Service, and the Department of Energy partnered with BMW of North America to donate 100 EV charging stations for locations in and near national parks. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/electric-vehicle-charging-stations.htm

The Ikes Fire, which has been managed by a Local Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT), transitioned to a local Type 4 Incident Commander effective this morning, Sunday, August 25, 2019. This will be the Final Ikes Fire News Release unless significant fire activity occurs. North Rim Closures: Powell Plateau Trail, The North Bass Trail, Fire Point, Swamp Point, and the W4 road north of the intersection of the W4 and W1 Roads. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-command-transitions-to-type-4-team-closures-remain-20190825.htm

Over the past two days, firefighters made progress with firing operations along Forest Road 223. This tactic is conducted to strengthen and improve the northern boundary of the planning area. The North Rim Village and businesses are open. However, road and trail closures remain in effect for the Ikes Fire planning area for Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-holding-after-tested-by-winds-20190823.htm

Yesterday, firefighters did minimal hand ignitions along the National Park Service W4 Road as the fire progressed slowly to the west. Crews did not conduct firing operations along Forest Road 223 as more prep work is needed before putting additional fire on the ground. Smoke from the Ikes Fire, along with other fires in the area, will be visible throughout the area and may cause smoke impacts. The North Rim Village and businesses at Grand Canyon National Park are OPEN. Temporary trail and road closures for the Ikes Fire Planning Area within Grand Canyon National Park include: Powell Plateau Trail, North Bass Trail, Fire Point, Swamp Point, and the W4 road heading north starting at the intersection of the W4 and W1 roads. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-expands-crews-continue-to-meet-objectives-20190821.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the National Park Service’s 103rd birthday by visiting the park for free on Aug. 25, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-invites-the-public-to-celebrate-the-national-park-service-s-103rd-birthday-by-visiting-the-park-for-free-on-aug-25-2019.htm

Yesterday, firefighters moved west along the W4 road and improved the boundary line with hand ignitions. Crews also created debris piles to clean up vegetation along the forest floor and hazard trees. Fire managers completed a reconnaissance flight to assess fire behavior within the interior of the fire perimeter. Fire effects are consistent with land managers’ objectives and are expected to remain as such based on current conditions. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-behavior-aligns-with-land-managers-objectives.htm

Yesterday, crews continued to patrol and hold the northern boundary and improve line. Firefighters on the southern boundary lit debris piles constructed in the early phases of line preparation. This tactic deprives the fire of excess fuel as it spreads to the west. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-holding-well-within-perimeter.htm

Yesterday, the Ikes Fire grew to approximately 4,297 acres and has 87 resources assigned. Despite gusty winds and dry conditions, the fire spread across the planning area with low to moderate fire behavior. The weather will continue to be drier than normal with no chance of precipitation in the forecast. Light winds are expected out of the southwest at 8-10 mph with gusts up to 18 mph. Smoke from the Ikes Fire, along with other fires in the area, will be visible throughout the surrounding area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-progresses-at-steady-pace-20190818.htm

The lightning caused Ikes Fire has burned through approximately 3,500 acres of the pre-determined 7,785 acre planning area. Currently, there are 88 resources assigned to the Ikes Fire. Yesterday, gusty winds prevented firefighters from carrying out firing operations. Crews patrolled the perimeter on the northeast and eastern portion of the fire while other personnel continued to prep the west side of the Forest Service Road 223. Observed fire behavior was active with backing fire along ridge tops and single tree torching. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/incident-objectives-being-met-on-ikes-fire-20190817.htm

The Ikes Fire is approximately 3,289 acres, 42% contained, and has 89 resources assigned. The natural caused lightning fire is being utilized to fulfill its natural role within a fire-dependent ecosystem. The lightning-caused wildfire is actively burning within a 7,785-acre planning area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-moves-across-landscape-as-containment-increases-20190816.htm

Warm, dry weather conditions have led to additional growth on the Ikes Fire, which is now approximately 1,535 acres and 20% contained. Smoke settled into the Grand Canyon overnight as temperatures cooled but smoke may begin to lift as temperatures warm up throughout the day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-spreads-crews-secure-planning-area-20190815.htm

The public invited to the 23rd annual public condor release scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, and witness first-hand a spectacular release into the wild of several captive-bred young condors on National Public Lands Day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ca-condor-release-saturday-sept-28-at-vermilion-cliffs.htm

The Ikes Fire is being utilized to fulfill its natural role within a fire-dependent ecosystem while providing for point protection of identified sensitive natural and cultural resources. Resource objectives include reducing hazardous fuels, promoting forest regeneration, improving wildlife habitat, and restoring more open forest understory. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-ecological-benefits-20190814.htm

The Ikes Fire has grown to 85 acres due to warmer, drier weather over the past few days. Over the weekend, Grand Canyon identified 3 lightning caused fires. The Royal Fire, Sinkhole Fire, and Outlet Fire located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park are 100% contained due to full suppression tactics. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-grows-due-to-warmer-drier-weather-20190812.htm

The Ikes Fire has seen minimal growth over the past 2 days due to multiple rain showers over the fire area. Due to moisture, fire activity has been limited, however, the fire continues to burn within the duff layer of needles, leaf litter, and downed logs along the forest floor. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-remains-active-despite-rain-20190810.htm

Grand Canyon National Park would like to invite the public to the eighth annual season of "Echoes from the Canyon". This living history event will feature day time and evening programs August 16 –19th. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/echoes-from-the-canyon.htm

The Kaibab National Forest instituted a Temporary Area Closure for all National Forests System lands and roads within the Ikes Fire Planning Area. This Order will be in effect beginning at 8:00 AM on August 8, 2019, and shall remain in effect until September 27, 2019, or until rescinded, whichever comes first. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/kaibab-national-forest-temporary-area-closure-for-ikes-fire-20190808.htm

The Ikes Fire moved into the northeast portion of the planning area that has a history of little to no fire activity in over two decades. This wildfire is consuming heavy fuel accumulations on the forest floor and is helping ensure the ecosystem will be healthier and more resilient in the future. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-promotes-healthy-forest-regeneration-as-fire-activity-increases-20190807.htm

The Ikes Fire continues to grow despite the minimal amount of moisture received from recent storms. Fire is estimated at 77 acres. Crews continue to prep the perimeter of the planned burn area. Road and Trail closures remain in place. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-grows-to-58-acres-despite-monsoon-weather-08062019.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has temporarily instituted closures for the portion of the Ikes Fire Planning Area that is within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-implements-temporary-road-and-trail-closures-on-the-north-rim.htm

The Ikes Fire, which started on July 25th, is approximately 28 acres. Rain on Wednesday significantly reduced fire behavior, resulting in almost no new fire growth. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/precipitation-temporarily-slows-ikes-fire-growth-on-north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The Ikes Fire, which started on July 25th, is approximately 25 acres. Fire behavior was active with surface fire of three to five foot flames where the fire was consuming dead logs. The fire is backing and flanking towards the east. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-on-grand-canyon-national-park-north-rim-grows-to-25-acres.htm

Grand Canyon's Volunteer Program wrapped up a week-long experiential training session for college students with the Alternative Break Citizenship School. Approximately 75 students from over 40 colleges participated in educational sessions and hands on service work at the park July 22 to 26, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/alternative-break-citizenship-school.htm

Recent monsoonal activity in the region resulted in several new lightning ignited fires on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park over the past several days. Fire crews are actively working to suppress three fires within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-suppressing-three-fires-on-north-rim.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) completed an interagency safety review finding no radiation exposure health risk to employees or visitors from uranium ore samples at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/final-report-concludes-no-radiation-exposure-from-uranium-ore-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

National Park Service Requests Public Input on a Telecommunications Plan at Grand Canyon National Park https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/telecommunications-plan.htm

On Wednesday, July 10, 2019, National Park Service personnel were notified of a body in the Colorado River below Lava Falls near river mile 181. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovered-july-2019.htm

The National Park Service is conducting a missing person search within Grand Canyon National Park.  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire resources completed ignition operations on the Long Jim Prescribed Fire. Crews will continue to patrol the unit and mop up any areas along the fires perimeter that may threaten the holding line. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-resources-at-grand-canyon-complete-ignition-operations-on-long-jim-rx.htm

Importance health notice for Grand Canyon South Rim community members. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/community-notice.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers continue to treat the Long Jim Prescribed Fire unit, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. On Tuesday, June 18, 2019, crews successfully treated 180 acres. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-managers-at-grand-canyon-continue-prescribed-fire-adjacent-to-grand-canyon-village.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers will initiate a prescribed fire treatment today, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. The Long Jim Prescribed Fire is adjacent to the developed area on the South Rim, east of South Entrance Road and south of Highway 64 (Desert View Drive) East. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-managers-at-grand-canyon-initiate-prescribed-fire-adjacent-to-grand-canyon-village.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers-working with resources from Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Rocky Mountain National Park, Zion National Park, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, Bryce Canyon National Park, Saguaro National Park and Kaibab National Forest anticipate initiating a prescribed fire treatment as early as tomorrow, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-managers-at-grand-canyon-plan-prescribed-fire-adjacent-to-grand-canyon-village.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is officially certified as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dark-sky-designation.htm

The damaged pipeline that supplies water to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has been repaired and most water services have been restored to North Rim facilities. The park will lift water restrictions and return to basic water conservation measures on Saturday, June 8, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-water-operations.htm

On Tuesday, June 4 and Wednesday, June 5 staff from the Division of Science and Resource Management (SRM) will be applying herbicide to the traffic islands on South Entrance and Yavapai Roads to remove grasses that attract elk in these congested areas of the Grand Canyon Village. The intent of the removal is to minimize conflicts between wildlife (elk) and both visitors and residents along the road corridors. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-entrance-and-yavapai-herbicide-use.htm

Beginning Tuesday, June 4, the National Park Service road crew will begin a three-week pavement preservation project to seal cracks in the older asphalt surfaces around the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/road-preservation.htm

Grand Canyon National Park's summer season is set to begin in the next few weeks, plan ahead to make the most of your trip! https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitation-tips.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that the 6.3 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2018 spent $947 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 12,558 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $1.2 billion. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-economic-benefit.htm

Effective immediately, the National Park Service (NPS) is initiating water conservation measures on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park to ensure that the area's facilities can remain open until the repairs are made to the damaged water pipeline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-level-2-water-conservation.htm

An international team of paleontologists has united to study important fossil footprints recently discovered in a remote location within Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. A large sandstone boulder contains several exceptionally well-preserved trackways of primitive tetrapods (four-footed animals) which inhabited an ancient desert environment. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/newly-discovered-fossils.htm

Due to water turbidity and maintenance issues, some of the water filling stations and flush toilets normally available along the North Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails at this time of the year will not be open until water conditions change and/or water line repairs are made. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-users-advised-of-changes-to-water-availability-on-north-kaibab-and-bright-angel-trails.htm

From Tuesday, May 16 to Wednesday, May 17 the Grand Canyon National Park Division of Science and Resource Management (SRM) will apply minor spot spray treatments of herbicide around the Grand Canyon Lodge and campground in the North Rim Developed Area to aid in the control of an especially invasive grass species for which mechanical removal is ineffective. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-apply-herbicide-on-nr-2019.htm

The twenty-ninth annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held Saturday, June 22 through Saturday, June 29, 2019 on both South and North Rims of the park. Amateur astronomers from across the country will volunteer their telescopes and expertise for the enjoyment of park visitors. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-grand-canyon-national-park-100th-anniversary-during-star-party-week-june-22-29.htm

Finding of No Significant Impact signed for the Transcanyon Water Distribution Pipeline project in Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/finding-of-no-significant-impact-for-transcanyon-waterline.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers anticipate initiating prescribed pile burning this week as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-south-rim-piles-project.htm

The gate at the entrance to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Wednesday, May 15 at 7:30 a.m. to mark the official opening of the North Rim for the 2019 season. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-2019-season.htm

At 1:05 p.m. on April 23, 2019, Grand Canyon National Park rangers responded to a call reporting that a person needed help at rocky point west of Pipe Creek Vista. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-fatality-at-pipe-creek-vista.htm

From April 15 to 30, 2019 the Grand Canyon National Park Division of Science and Resource Management (SRM) will be applying cut-stump and occasional spot spray treatments of herbicide to invasive plants along the banks of the Colorado River to aid in the control of several invasive plant species for which mechanical removal is ineffective. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-apply-herbicide-along-co-river-2019.htm

A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed by Kate Hammond, Acting Regional Director for the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service (NPS), for a site plan to transform Desert View in Grand Canyon National Park into an Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site and share a unifying message from the park's traditionally associated tribes: "we are still here". https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/finding-of-no-significant-impact-signed-for-the-desert-view-inter-tribal-cultural-heritage-site.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the 49th anniversary of Earth Day during National Park Week with free entrance on Saturday, April 20, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-earth-day-at-grand-canyon-national-park-with-fee-free-entrance-on-april-20.htm

Starting on approximately April 8, 2019 Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C., a concessionaire within Grand Canyon National Park, will be fulfilling a contractual obligation to rebuild the Maswik South lodging complex and construct new roads near Maswik South. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-rebuilding-maswik-south-lodge.htm

On Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at approximately 11:30 am, Grand Canyon National Park rangers responded to a call reporting that someone had fallen over the canyon rim east of Yavapai Geology Museum. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/over-the-edge-fatality.htm

Each year in the spring (March - June) Grand Canyon National Park experiences an increase in turbidity in the drinking water. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/spring-snow-melt-causes-annual-turbidity.htm

Visitor Fatality at South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-fatality-at-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On April 3, 2019, Grand Canyon Railway, in consultation with the National Park Service (NPS), will be applying herbicide along the railroad tracks including those within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-railway-herbicide.htm

Spring Break is one of the most popular times to visit Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/spring-break-tips-for-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Preliminary findings of an interagency safety review conducted last week at Grand Canyon National Park indicate no current exposure concerns for park employees and visitors from uranium ore samples previously stored in buckets at the park's Museum Collection building. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/preliminary-findings-indicate-no-current-uranium-ore-exposure.htm

A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed by Kate Hammond, Acting Regional Director for the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service for the rebuild of the Maswik South lodging complex and the construction of new roads near Maswik South at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fonsi-signed-for-maswik-south.htm

The National Park Service is accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. The permits are for launch dates within calendar year 2020. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-noncommercial-river-trip-lottery.htm

The National Park Service and the Department of the Interior are coordinating with federal and state agencies to investigate and address concerns of exposure to uranium rock samples previously stored at Grand Canyon National Park's Museum Collection building. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-service-reviews-uranium-exposure-at-grand-canyon.htm

Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon Conservancy invite the public and park partners to join National Park Service staff in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Grand Canyon’s designation as a national park. To celebrate this significant milestone, Grand Canyon National Park will waive entrance fees for visitors coming to the park on February 26. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-100th-anniversary-commemoration.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) will again offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan in 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-shuttle-starts-march-1.htm

Following the enactment of the continuing resolution, staff at Grand Canyon National Park will resume regular operations this week, including opening visitor centers, offering ranger programs, opening permit offices, and collecting fees at entrance stations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-visitor-services-reopen-following-shutdown.htm

Using revenue generated by recreation fees Grand Canyon National Park has reopened the South Rim and Desert View entrance stations to provide information and safety messages to visitors.  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/park-accessibility-possible-with-rec-fee-dollars-and-az-state-support.htm

During the partial shutdown of the federal government due to the lapse of appropriations, national parks will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures. Park roads, lookouts, and trails at Grand Canyon National Park will remain accessible to visitors. Visitor services provided by park concessioners and other entities will also remain open and operational, including lodging, restaurants and food service, grocery stores, retail locations, bicycle rental, concessioner provided tours, and park shuttle operations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-np-accessible-to-public-during-partial-government-shutdown-2018-12-22.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will be joining national park units across the country in honor of Veterans Day with fee-free entry into the park on November 11. On November 14 Grand Canyon National Park will host a Native American Heritage Celebration with special presentations and demonstrations recognizing the many accomplishments, contributions, and sacrifices made by America's first people. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/veteran-s-day-native-american-heritage-month.htm

Following a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline earlier this month, Grand Canyon National Park now has enough water in storage to scale back to Level 1 basic water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-1-water-conservation-seasonal-trail-water.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on the Maswik South Rebuild Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA will be available for public review and comment for a 30-day period from October 25 to November 25, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/maswik-south-rebuild-ea.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public review of a site plan/environmental assessment that proposes to modify facilities at Desert View to create an Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/desert-view-inter-tribal-cultural-heritage-ea.htm

Elyssa Shalla, park ranger at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected as a recipient of the Intermountain Region 2018 Freeman Tilden Award. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/elyssa-shall-regional-award.htm

National Park Service (NPS) Rangers of Grand Canyon National Park and Special Agents with the NPS Investigative Services Branch (ISB) are investigating a double-fatality that occurred at Grand Canyon National Park on, or around, September 18, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-seeking-tips-to-aid-double-fatality-investigation-in-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

At approximately 1:00 am this morning, October 11, an officer involved shooting occurred on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The suspect is in custody at this time. The National Park Service (NPS) does not believe there to be any ongoing safety concerns for the public. The park remains open and all visitor services are available. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ranger-involved-incident-under-investigation-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on the Transcanyon Water Distribution Pipeline (Pipeline) Environmental Assessment (EA). Public comments will be accepted for a 30-day period from today, Wednesday, October 10 through Saturday, November 10, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-service-requests-public-review-of-the-transcanyon-water-distribution-pipeline-ea.htm

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has reopened US 89 between Cameron and US 160 on the Navajo Nation. Traffic has been restored in both directions following damage caused Wednesday by heavy rains. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/highway-89-has-reopened-between-north-and-south-rim-of-grand-cyn-nat-pk.htm

Grand Canyon National Park implemented Level 2 water conservation measures on Wednesday, October 3, due to a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline. This morning Water Utility staff at the park responded to another pipeline break. Additionally, attempts to pump water beyond Indian Garden yesterday failed. Park staff are currently assessing the situation and attempting to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-nat-pk-prepares-for-potential-increase-in-water-conservation-methods.htm

Highway 89 has been closed due to flooding and road wash out between Cameron and Highway 160 southwest of Tuba City. Grand Canyon National Park remains open to the public. However, detours are in place, extending travel times to the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hwy-89-closure-affects-travel-to-n-and-s-rim-of-grand-canyon-nat-pk.htm

North Rim operations in Grand Canyon National Park will begin day use operations on Thursday November 1, 2018. At that time, the Visitor Center, Backcountry Office and Campground Kiosk will be closed. The Entrance Station will be unstaffed, but fees will continue to be collected via an automated machine. Limited park staff is present on the North Rim year-round https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-north-rim-transitions-into-day-use-area-november-1-2018.htm

Grand Canyon National Park implemented Level 2 water conservation measures due to a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline. Until park staff repairs the break and water in storage tanks reaches sustainable levels, the park will remain in conservation mode. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-2-restrictions-implemented-at-the-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate National Fossil Day on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. Events are designed to celebrate National Fossil Day and will be held throughout the day to highlight the importance of fossils and their uses. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-fossil-day.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Christine Lehnertz has announced the availability of a prospectus for a business opportunity in the park to provide lodging, food and beverage, retail, and other visitor services on the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/business-opp-announced-for-hospitality-contract-on-n-rim-of-grand-canyon-nat-pk.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Public Lands Day fee-free on September 22, 2018. This year in celebration of National Public Lands Day, the National Park Service(NPS) is focusing on restoration and resilience. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-nat-public-lands-day-at-grand-canyon-np-fee-free-day-sept-22-2018.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has received confirmation that a bat collected at Phantom Ranch on August 31, 2018 tested positive for rabies. The rabies positive bat did not come in contact with any visitors. All individuals who have had physical contact with a bat have been advised to seek medical attention and be assessed for appropriate medical treatment. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bat-positive-for-rabies-in-grand-canyon-natl-park-09-14-2018.htm

North Rim operations will begin seasonal changes on the morning of October 16, 2018. The North Rim transitions to reduced services with the Visitor Center, gift shop, campground and entrance station remaining open for visitor use. The Grand Canyon Lodge, food services, Canyon Trail Rides and park ranger programming will no longer be available. These operations will resume on May 15, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-north-rim-operations-begin-seasonal-changes-oct-16-2018.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on an Expanded Non-native Aquatic Species Management Plan and Environmental Assessment in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Glen Canyon NRA) and Grand Canyon National Park below the Glen Canyon Dam. Public comments will be accepted for a 30-day period from Sept. 11 to Oct. 11, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-seek-public-comment-expanded-non-native-aquatic-species-mgmt-plan.htm

Wildlife biologists will be putting GPS collars on ten adult elk between late August and October of this year to gather movement data of the elk at Grand Canyon National Park. The GPS collar information will be used to inform the development of a draft elk management plan. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/wildlife-biologists-to-begin-gathering-gps-data-for-elk-at-grand-canyon-np.htm

Effective August 21, 2018 Kolb Studio will be closed and a detour will be in place while work is being completed along the Rim Trail. This project will be completed on August 23, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rim-trail-detour-historic-kolb-studio-temporarily-closed-august-21-23-2018.htm

As the Obi Fire winds down, temporary road and trail closures will expire on Saturday evening, August 18th, 2018. Some road and trail closures will remain in place due to fires on the neighboring Kaibab National Forest. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/final-press-release-for-obi-fire.htm

The Obi Fire slowly increases in size as firefighters near Cape Royal and begin to scale back on backfiring operations. Temporary road and trail closures are still in effect. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/obi-fire-slowly-increases-to-10-067-acres.htm

Temporary road and trail closures for public and firefighter safety continue at Grand Canyon National Park. These include the Swamp Ridge Road, the North Bass Trail, and the Powell Plateau Trail. Fire Point, the Nankoweap Trail, and the Point Imperial Trail remain closed. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/obi-fire-grows-to-9-921-acres.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has implemented new temporary closures for public and firefighter safety. These include the Swamp Ridge Road, the North Bass Trail, and the Powell Plateau Trail. Fire Point, the Nankoweap Trail, and the Point Imperial Trail remain closed. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20180810-grca-new-temp-road-trail-closures-obi-fire-8100-acres.htm

This is a summary of current fire related closures for Grand Canyon National Park. Today, new temporary trail closures were implemented that include the Nankoweap Trail, the Point Imperial Trail, and Fire Point on the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-08-08-current-grand-canyon-national-park-closures.htm

The Obi Fire is estimated at 7,420 acres. Growth today was primarily in the northern and eastern portions of the fire perimeter. Light southwesterly winds combined with dry, unstable air contributed to the fires growth. Fire behavior was active with isolated tree torching and surface fire of two to four foot flames where the fire was consuming dead logs. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-08-07-obi-fire-7420-acres-temporary-road-trail-closures-nr.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has temporarily closed Cape Royal Road. Included in this closure are Cape Final Trail, Cliff Spring Trail, the northern section of the Ken Patrick Trail from Point Imperial to Cape Royal Road, and the southern section of the Ken Patrick Trail from Cape Royal Road to the old Bright Angel Trail. The road to Point Imperial and all other North Rim trails and facilities are open at this time. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-08-05-north-rim-temporary-road-trail-closures-obi-fire-3350-acres.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will implement closures of the Cape Royal Road, Cape Final Trail, and Cliff Spring Trail tomorrow August 4th, 2018 at 9:00 pm. This closure is for public and firefighter safety as crews continue to prep the Walhalla Plateau. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20180803-temporary-road-trail-closures-nr-obi-fire-2270-acres.htm

The Obi Fire is approximately 1000 acres. Growth today was primarily in the northern and eastern portions of the fire perimeter. Light southwesterly winds throughout the day allowed fire to grow through pine needles and downed logs. Fire behavior was active with single tree torching and surface fire of one to three foot flames where the fire was consuming dead logs. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/obi-fire-on-grand-canyon-national-park-north-rim-grows-to-1000-acres-stina-fire-on-kaibab-national-forest-grows-to-25-acres.htm

The Obi Fire is approximately 941 acres. Growth today was primarily in the northern and eastern portions of the fire perimeter. Light southwesterly winds throughout the day allowed fire to grow through pine needles and downed logs. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/obi-fire-nr-grandcanyon-941-acres-20180729.htm

The Obi Fire, which started on July 21st, is approximately 743 acres. Growth of the fire perimeter today was primarily in the northern and southeastern portion of the fire perimeter. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/obi-fire-nr-grandcanyon-743-acres-20180728.htm

On May 14, biologists with the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Reclamation released endangered humpback chub, an endangered fish species endemic to the Colorado River basin, into Bright Angel Creek - following six years of successful removal of nonnative trout. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/humpback-chub-release-ba-creek-may-2018.htm

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, along with the DUI Abatement Council, granted Grand Canyon National Park $10,000 to improve highway safety and stop impaired driving. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-awarded-state-grant-to-improve-highway-safety-and-stop-impaired-driving.htm

The Obi Fire, which started on July 21st, is approximately 578 acres. Daytime growth was slower despite active surface fire in downed logs and needle cast and a few instances of single tree torching. The fire continues to move to the north and east displaying moderated fire behavior due to overcast skies and scattered light rain showers. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/obi-fire-grand-canyon-np-nrim-grows-to-578-acres.htm

Recent monsoonal activity in the region resulted in an several new lightning ignited fires on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park over the past several days. Fire crews are actively working to suppress three fires within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-nat-park-suppressing-3-fires-on-north-rim.htm

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff, Ariz. has issued an excessive heat warning for the surrounding area, including Grand Canyon National Park at Phantom Ranch and Indian Gardens. This warning will be in effect from Monday, July 23 to Wednesday, July 25 at 8 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/excessive-heat-warning-issued-for-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Fire crews are actively working to suppress the lightning ignited Imperial Fire. Currently the fire is estimated to be three (3) acres in size and is located along the Cape Royal Road near Vista Encantada. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/imperial-fire-being-suppressed-on-north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park-20180718.htm

Increased monsoonal activity has significantly lowered the fire danger risk for Grand Canyon National Park. On Friday, July 13, 2018 at 8:00 am stage 2 fire restrictions will be rescinded for the entire Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage-2-fire-restrictions-lifted.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a proposal to demolish and rebuild the Maswik South lodging complex (Maswik South), and to construct two new sections of road to improve traffic flow in the vicinity of Maswik South. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/maswik-south.htm

Safety First. A trip to Grand Canyon can be both fun and safe by keeping these few tips in mind. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/safety-first-at-the-rim-2018-07-03.htm

In place of the park's nightly evening program, visitors can learn about characters from Grand Canyon's past as they come to life and share their stories about life on the rim. Opening night is Friday, June 29 at 8:30 pm at McKee Amphitheater with additional presentations on Friday, July 27; Saturday, July 28; and Sunday July 29. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/echoes-from-the-canyon-2018.htm

National Park Rangers at Grand Canyon National Park are strongly urging visitors to Grand Canyon, especially inner canyon hikers, mule riders, and backpackers to be prepared for excessively hot days in the coming weeks. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hike-smart-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Will Ease North Rim Water Restrictions https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-water-restrictions.htm

Due to a malfunction in the pump that supplies water to the North Rim of Grand Canyon, the North Rim will enter Level 2 water restrictions on Monday, June 18, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-level-2-water-restrictions.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon, especially inner canyon hikers, mule riders, and backpackers, need to prepare for excessively hot days in the coming weeks. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hike-smart-reminder.htm

The U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service will implement additional fire restrictions, also known as Stage II fire restrictions, across the North Kaibab Ranger District, and the South Rim, North Rim and Inner Canyon of Grand Canyon National Park beginning at 8 a.m. this Friday. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage-2-fire-restrictions.htm

NPS fire managers remind visitors and residents that fire danger in the park is very high. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/reminder-of-very-high-fire-danger.htm

The National Park Service reminds visitors to enjoy Grand Canyon safely and to remember a visit to Grand Canyon is not like going to the zoo-there are no fences to separate you from real wild animals. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/view-wildlife-safely-2018-1.htm

The 28th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 9 through Saturday, June 16, 2018 on the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-star-party.htm

A national park service report shows that more than 6.2 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2017 supported the local economy. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-gcnp-economic-benefit.htm

The gate at the entrance to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 7:30 am. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-2018-season.htm

Another major phase of the South Rim Roads Improvement Project is set to begin Thursday, April 19, when contractors pave Village Loop Drive. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-rim-paving.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate Earth Day during National Park Week fee-free day on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza near Mather Point from 10 am to 2 pm. All Earth Day activities are free and open to the public. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-earth-day-fee-free-day.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that Grand Canyon National Park will modify its entrance fees beginning June 1, 2018 to provide additional funding for infrastructure and maintenance needs that enhance the visitor experience. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-entrance-fee-changes.htm

After several weeks of pipeline breaks and water restrictions, water in storage on the South Rim of Grand Canyon has reached sustainable levels. Park operations will return to and stay at Level 1 water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-1-water.htm

Residents and visitors to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park over the last week and a half have reduced their water consumption, resulting in the ability of the park to refill water storage tanks to sustainable levels. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-rim-modified-level-3.htm

On March 29, 2018, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin installing one test well and two monitoring wells next to Bright Angel Creek near Phantom Ranch. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/test-wells.htm

The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has implemented Level 3 water restrictions following a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-3-restrictions.htm

On Friday, March 16, 2018 Grand Canyon National Park will begin phasing to Level 3 water restrictions and conservation measures due to a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-3-water-restrictions-to-be-implemented-at-the-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park-on-friday-march-16.htm

Grand Canyon National Park implemented Level 2 water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-rim-level-2.htm

Grand Canyon National Park visitors planning to hike, camp, recreate, and take in the breathtaking views of Grand Canyon National Park during spring break 2018 should also prepare for long lines and road construction. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/spring-break-hacks.htm

In recognition of Grand Canyon National Park's 99th birthday, the National Park Service and Grand Canyon Association unveiled the logo for the park's upcoming 2019 Centennial. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/centennial-logo.htm

The National Park Service will again offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan in 2018, starting March 1. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-route-2018.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Christine Lehnertz has announced the availability of a prospectus for 16 business opportunities to provide guided whitewater tours on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/river-running-prospectus.htm

In honor of African American History Month, Grand Canyon National Park will host a special evening program to highlight the African American experience in Northern Arizona and contributions to Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/african-american-history-month.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a proposal to modify facilities at Desert View to create an Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site. The NPS is preparing an environmental assessment (EA), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, to develop and evaluate alternatives. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/desert-view-public-input.htm

On Thursday, February 1, 2018 the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. The permits are for specific launch dates within calendar year 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2019-river-lottery-open.htm

Another phase of the 2018 South Rim roads improvement project will begin the week of February 4, which will include full closures of several Grand Canyon Village intersections. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/february-4-detours.htm

Following the enactment of the continuing resolution, staff at Grand Canyon National Park resumed regular operations Tuesday, January 23, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-services-resume.htm

Crews repaired one of the pumps at Indian Garden and park managers feel confident that enough water is in storage to scale back to Level 1 basic water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-1-water-conservation.htm

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Grand Canyon National Park will join national park units across the country and offer visitors free entrance into the park on Monday, January 15, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mlk-jr-fee-free-day-2018.htm

Grand Canyon National Park remains in Level 2 water conservation measures due to water delivery system issues and may implement further restrictions next week. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-continues-to-conserves-water.htm

As part of the 2018 Federal Highways Administration’s South Rim Roads Improvement project, additional construction and detours will begin Monday, January 8 at the South Entrance Road and Desert View Drive (Arizona Highway 64 East) intersection. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/road-construction-south-entrance-road-and-desert-view.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is implementing immediate Level 2 water conservation measures due to water delivery system issues. Due to a water pump failure that occurred with the Transcanyon Pipeline pump system located at Indian Gardens, the primary pump is inoperable and is not currently flowing water to the South Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mandatory-water-conservation-due-to-indian-garden-pump-failure.htm

On December 20, 2017 a private Colorado river trip participating in a day hike up the Monument Creek drainage, discovered human remains. Investigating Rangers located evidence at the scene indicating the remains are likely those of 72 year old Raafat "Ralph" Nasser-Eddin of Los Angeles, CA. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovery-monument-creek.htm

Construction will begin as early as January 2, 2018 at the Hermit interchange to resurface and improve the Hermit Road and Village Loop intersection. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-south-rim-roads-improvement.htm

Fire managers will take advantage of continued warm, dry weather conditions over the next several weeks and may initiate additional prescribed fires on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bright-angel-rx.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public input on an Expanded Non-native Aquatic Species Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) in Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GCNRA) below the Glen Canyon Dam. Public scoping will be held for a 30-day period from November 15 to December 14. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-public-scoping.htm

On Friday, November 10 at approximately noon, the National Park Service located a body below the rim on the Rim Trail, between Pipe Creek and Mather Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovered-on-south-rim.htm

On Thursday, November 9 Grand Canyon National Park will host a Native American Indian Heritage Celebration. Park entrance is free November 11-12 for Veterans Day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/veterans-day-native-american-heritage.htm

The National Park Service is conducting a search for a missing person within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/legus-missing-person.htm

National Park Service (NPS) and US Forest Service (USFS) fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating more prescribed fire (Rx) treatments this week as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-zone-rx-fires.htm

The Kaibab Suspension Bridge, also called the Black Bridge, will close to foot traffic while trail crews replace wood decking and tread boards. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/repairs-close-black-bridge.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has closed the yurt located at CC Hill on the North Rim effective September 21, 2017 for safety concerns. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20171003-grand-canyon-nr-yurt-permanently-closed.htm

North Rim operations will begin seasonal shut-down of most visitor services on Sunday, October 15. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-to-close.htm

Afterpleadingguiltytoseveralcharges,amanwassentencedtoimprisonmentand supervisedprobationduringarecentcourthearing.NathanD.Goodman,age36,isalso bannedfromGrandCanyonNationalPark. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/man-sentenced-for-dui.htm

Lisa Carrico, a 33-year veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), has been selected as Deputy Superintendent of Operations and Science at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/lisa-carrico-selected-as-deputy-superintendent.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will join national park sites around the country in celebrating National Public Lands Day with free entrance to the park. Entrance fees will be waived for all visitors arriving to Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, September 30, 2017. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fee-free-national-public-lands-day.htm

The National Park Service has selected three companies to provide logistical services in support of administrative river missions along the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park. The apparent awardees are Ceiba Adventures, Inc, Colorado River & Trails Expeditions, and Grand Canyon Whitewater, LLC. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-09-08-nps-selects-river-logistics-companies.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) will work with cooperating agencies and partners to reduce the size of the bison herd on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/09-06-17-nps-to-reduce-bison-herd-at-grand-canyon-nat-park.htm

VERMILION CLIFFS, Ariz. – California Condors will be released to the wild in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. The public is welcome to observe the release from a viewing area where spotting scopes will be set up and project personnel will be available to answer questions. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/public-invited-to-release-of-california-condors.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will join national park sites around the country in celebrating Founder's Day with free entrance to the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/founders-day-fee-free-entrance.htm

Hydration while hiking is critical to human health- ensure that you are drinking enough water for physical activity. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/updated-water-treatment-advisory-lifted.htm

Hydration while hiking is critical to human health-- ensure that you are drinking enough water for physical activity. Grand Canyon National Park is advising hikers that they need to treat their drinking water at the following locations: Cottonwood Campground Manzinita Resthouse https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/update-water-treatment-advisory.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is advising hikers that they need to treat their drinking water at the following locations: Indian Garden **NEW LOCATION** Cottonwood Campground Manzinita Resthouse https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-treatment-advisory.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park can now learn more about the role wildland fire plays at Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/short-wildland-fire-film.htm

On Wednesday afternoon search and rescue crews located a body believed to be Sarah Beadle of Fort Worth, TX. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-located-near-black-bridge.htm

The National Park Service is conducting a missing person's search within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-at-grand-canyon.htm

The National Park Service announces a solicitation for award of up to three contracts to provide logistical services in support of administrative river trips along the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-07-05-grand-canyon-seeks-river-contracts.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a proposal to replace the obsolete Trans-Canyon Water Distribution Pipeline (Pipeline). The analysis of the project to replace the Pipeline and development of alternatives through an environmental assessment (EA) is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-07-05-pipeline-public-comment-sought.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Chris Lehnertz invites Flagstaff area residents and park lovers to a Community Conversation on July 11 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Coconino Center for the Arts in Flagstaff. Superintendent Lehnertz will be joined by several park staff members at the event. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/invitation-to-community-conversation-with-park-superintendent-and-staff.htm

The National Park Service would like to remind everyone that the best way to enjoy Fourth of July at Grand Canyon National Park is safely. Visitors and residents are encouraged to contribute to a safe and enjoyable park experience on Fourth of July by drinking responsibly and not driving under the influence. With the holiday fast approaching, visitors and residents are also reminded that fireworks are prohibited within Grand Canyon National Park at all times. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-4th-of-july-safely-at-grand-canyon-national-park-v.htm

After nearly 100 years since its opening, Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery will close to new burials due to lack of space. Although the cemetery is closed to new plots, some burials may continue for individuals with a spouse or immediate family already interred in the cemetery. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-06-26-historic-pioneer-cemetery-has-closed.htm

Bringing Fido or Freda to visit Grand Canyon National Park can be an once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your furry family members, but before you plan your great American road trip, be sure to follow these suggestions from Park—and Bark!— Rangers. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-issues-warnings-to-pet-parents.htm

After three days of extensive searching, the National Park Service (NPS) will reduce the scale of the search for missing hiker, 72 year old Raffat "Ralph" Nasser-Eddin of Los Angeles, CA and Lebanon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-hiker-update.htm

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of Grand Canyon National Park. The warning is in effect from 10 am Saturday, June 17 to 8 pm Wednesday, June 21 for areas below 5,000 feet in the canyon including Phantom Ranch and Indian Garden. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/summer-safety.htm

Search efforts continue in Grand Canyon National Park for missing hiker, 72 year-old Raafat “Ralph” Nasser-Eddin of Los Angeles, CA and Lebanon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-hiker-search-continues.htm

On Tuesday, June 13 at approximately 7:45 pm, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting an overdue hiker. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-hiker-grand-canyon.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers completed ignition operations on the Long Jim III Prescribed Fire. Crews will now monitor the unit and mop up any areas along the fire’s perimeter that may threaten the holding line. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/long-jim-rx-ignitions-complete.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with resources from Sedona Fire Department, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Rocky Mountain National Park, Zion National Park, Saguaro National Park and Kaibab National Forest—are continuing operations on the Long Jim III Prescribed Fire. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-fire-continues.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with resources from Sedona Fire Department, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Rocky Mountain National Park, Zion National Park, and Kaibab National Forest—anticipate initiating a prescribed fire treatment this weekend as weather and fuel moisture conditions allows. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/long-jim-3-prescribed-fire.htm

The NPS has announced that it will extend the public comment period on the Initial Bison Herd Reduction Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA will now be available for public review and comment through June 14, 2017. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/initial-bison-herd-ea.htm

Grand Canyon National Park and Yuntaishan Geopark from the Henan province of China renewed their five-year Sister Park Agreement on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/sister-park-agreement.htm

At approximately noon on Sunday, May 21, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call about a single car accident on Center Road in Grand Canyon Village. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/motor-vehicle-accident.htm

The 27th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 17 through Saturday, June 24, 2017 on the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-star-party.htm

Repairs to the damaged water pipeline serving Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim were completed ahead of schedule this week, allowing lodging for those with prior reservations, campgrounds, and other services to open May 15 as normally scheduled. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-open-2017.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has announced that the Initial Bison Herd Reduction Environmental Assessment (EA), which evaluates management actions related to bison on Grand Canyon’s North Rim, is available for public review and comment. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bison-ea.htm

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will open as scheduled May 15 with limited visitor services despite major storm-caused breaks in the only pipeline that supplies its water. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-water-hauling.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 5,969,811 visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2016 spent $648,170,900 in communities near the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/econ-benefit-2016.htm

On Friday, April 28 the Grand Canyon Regional Communications was notified by a commercial river trip that they located a body on the Colorado River at River Mile 152. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/recovery-from-river.htm

The North Kaibab Trail is now open. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-kaibab-trail-open.htm

At approximately 12 pm on Sunday, April 23, Grand Canyon National Park was alerted to a personal locator beacon activation near Hance Rapid on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/colorado-river-fatality.htm

After five days of extensive searching, today the National Park Service (NPS) is reducing the scale of the search for two hikers who went missing at Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, April 15. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-continues-limited-mode.htm

On Saturday evening, April 15 the National Park Service received an alert from a personal locating beacon in a backcountry area of Grand Canyon National Park near the confluence of Tapeats Creek and Thunder River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-hikers-tapeats.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open as scheduled, on May 15, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-open-may-15-water-conserve.htm

This week, Grand Canyon National Park trail crew was able to repair a section of the Colorado River Trail damaged by a rockslide. The trail between Pipe Creek and Silver Bridge is now open to foot traffic and remains closed to stock use. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/river-trail-open-to-hikers.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the 47th anniversary of Earth Day during National Park Week fee-free days on Saturday, April 22, 2017. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/earth-day-park-week-2017.htm

Due to an unanticipated rockslide the National Park Service (NPS) will close the Colorado River Trail between Pipe Creek and the Silver Bridge for trail repair starting Monday, April 3. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/repairs-close-river-trail.htm

On Monday, March 27, Grand Canyon National Park will begin daily closures of the North Kaibab Trail at Redwall Bridge to remove debris from a storm-caused rockslide. During this time, rim-to-rim travel will be restricted. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-kaibab-ribbons-falls-temporary-closures.htm

On Tuesday, March 14, at 4:17 pm, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting that a visitor had fallen from the rim of the canyon west of Mather Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mather-point-fatality.htm

Each year in the spring (March – June) Grand Canyon National Park experiences an increase in turbidity in the drinking water. This increased turbidity is caused by snow melt and spring rains. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/annual-turbidity2017.htm

Beginning in mid-February the National Park Service will rehabilitate the pump houses at Indian Garden and the Black Bridge near Phantom Ranch. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/pumphouse-and-black-bridge-repairs.htm

The National Park Service will again offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan, Arizona in 2017. Service will begin March 1 to help ease spring break congestion on the South Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-route-starts-march-1-2017.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will join national park sites around the country with free entry into the park in honor of President’s Day Monday, February 20, 2017. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fee-free-presidents-day.htm

Grand Canyon National Park annual passes are available for purchase for 2017. This annual pass provides free entrance for a year exclusively to Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-annual-pass.htm

At approximately 5 pm on Saturday, January 28, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a man who had fallen from the rim near the South Kaibab trailhead. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fall-south-kaibab-trailhead.htm

On Wednesday, February 1, 2017 the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-noncommercial-river-lottery.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will join national park sites around the country in celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with free entrance to the park. Entrance fees will be waived for all visitors arriving to Grand Canyon National Park on Monday January 16, 2017. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mlk-fee-free-day.htm

As the National Park Service (NPS) prepares for a second century of service, Grand Canyon National Park celebrates the significant accomplishments of the NPS centennial celebration and looks ahead to its own park centennial in 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grcacentennialsuccess.htm

At approximately 12:30 am on December 12, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call alerting rangers to an overdue individual at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/possible-suicide-twin-overlooks.htm

Grand Canyon National Park celebrated its 6 millionth visitor as its final National Park Service Centennial event. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/6-millionth-visitor-2016.htm

At approximately 9 am on Thursday, December 1, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call alerting rangers to a potentially suicidal individual at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/potential-suicide-grand-canyon.htm

Following a storm last weekend, and with a chance for more snow on Friday, visitors to Grand Canyon National Park should be prepared for snowpacked and icy roads. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/winter-hiking-driving.htm

Fire managers will take advantage of favorable weather conditions over the next several weeks and initiate prescribed burns on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-fall-prescribed-burns.htm

On Wednesday, November 9, Grand Canyon National Park will host a Native American Indian Heritage Celebration and will waive entrance fees on Veterans Day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2016-native-heritage-and-veterans-day.htm

On October 3 and 5, 2016, Grand Canyon National Park partnered with Arizona Department of Public Safety and the US Department of Transportation to support ongoing inspections of all commercial traffic entering the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2016-commercial-vehicle-inspection.htm

Fire managers at Grand Canyon National Park anticipate initiating two prescribed burns on the North Rim this week as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/slopes-and-hse-rx.htm

The U.S. Department of the Interior today released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for a Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan (LTEMP) for Glen Canyon Dam operations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/final-eis-glen-canyon-adaptive-management.htm

North Rim operations will begin seasonal shut-down of most visitor services on Saturday, October 15. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/season-close-north-rim.htm

On Tuesday, September 20th National Park Service personnel located a body on the Colorado River at River Mile 139. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovery-colorado.htm

National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating a prescribed fire treatment this fall as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow near the boundary line between the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab NF and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fall-prescribed.htm

National Park Service crews searched by air, water, and foot yesterday and today for missing river guide, Joshua Tourjee. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-continues-for-river-guide.htm

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with free entrance to Grand Canyon National Park Saturday, September 24. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-public-lands-day.htm

A National Park Service Search and Rescue crew was flown into the Canyon early this morning to begin the search for missing river guide, Joshua Tourjee. Tourjee was reported missing on September 12 by his river trip after failing to return to camp the previous evening. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-river-guide.htm

On Monday, September 12 the National Park Service received a satellite phone call from a commercial river trip reporting a missing guide near River Mile 137 also known as Pancho’s Kitchen. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-river-guide-tourjee.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites bird enthusiasts of all levels to participate in a weekend of birding fun and excitement including a LIVE radio broadcast with Talkin’ Birds Radio. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-bird-festival.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is turning 100 years old on August 25, 2016 and to celebrate the anniversary, Grand Canyon National Park will waive entrance fees August 25-28. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fee-free-august-25-28.htm

On July 30th, rangers located human remains below Pima Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/remains-located-pima-point.htm

On July 25, National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis presented the 2015 National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Wildfire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Award to the Grand Canyon Helitack Crew. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/helitack-receives-national-ems-award.htm

Today additional resources arrived to support the Fuller Fire. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/type-2-team-fuller.htm

Firefighters conducted an aerial reconnaissance flight this afternoon and estimate the Fuller Fire is approximately 1,324 acres. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/point-imperial-rd-closure.htm

Warmer, drier weather has led to increased fire activity on the Fuller Fire. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fuller-fire-increased-activity.htm

On Friday, July 8, 2016 Park Rangers responded to a call from hikers on the South Kaibab Trail reporting a woman who fell from Ooh Aah Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ooh-aah-point-fatality.htm

National Park Service fire managers on the North Rim of Grand Canyon have decided to manage the Fuller Fire for multiple objectives. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fuller-fire.htm

Grand Canyon Village is no longer in level 1 water conservation mode and water operations have returned to normal. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/normal-water-operations.htm

On Monday, June 27 at approximately 4:45 pm, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a visitor over the edge at Mather Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mather-point-over-the-edge.htm

Grand Canyon National Park rangers will implement a selective sobriety checkpoint July 4th in an effort to assure the safety of park visitors and residents. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/july-4th-sobriety-checks.htm

Water restrictions at Grand Canyon National Park have been scaled back to basic conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-1-water-update.htm

Grand Canyon National Park remains at mandatory Level 2 water conservation measures due to diminished water resources. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/continued-mandatory.htm

Floyd E. Roberts III of Treasure Island, FL, remains missing in a remote area of western Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-hiker-western-canyon.htm

Beginning at 8 am on Thursday, June 23rd Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory Level 2 water conservation measures due to diminished water resources. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mandatory-water-conservation.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is requesting that all visitors and residents on the South Rim of Grand Canyon begin instituting water conservation measures. A break in the Transcanyon Pipeline was identified today; in addition to the breakdown of one of the Indian Garden pipeline water pumps that provide water to the South Rim storage tanks. The combination of these situations has resulted in immediate water conservation guidelines for all consumers on the South Rim. The North Rim is unaffected by these issues. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-june-21.htm

Fifty-two year old Floyd E. Roberts III of Treasure Island, FL, remains missing in western Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/update-missing-hiker.htm

On Saturday June, 18 at approximately 3 pm the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a missing person near Kelly Tanks. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-western-grand-canyon.htm

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of Grand Canyon National Park from Sunday, June 16 to Wednesday, June 22. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/excessive-heat.htm

Yesterday, National Park Service (NPS) fire managers successfully treated 994 acres with prescribed (Rx) fire on the South Rim of Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shoshone-rx-success.htm

National Park Service fire managers anticipate initiating a prescribed fire near Shoshone Point Thursday, June 9 as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shoshone-prescribed-fire-june-9.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) and the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) announced at last night’s Star Party that Grand Canyon National Park is now a Provisional IDA International Dark Sky Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/provisional-dark-sky-park.htm

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of Grand Canyon National Park. The warning is in effect beginning today Friday, June 3 at 10am through Sunday, June 5 at 8 pm for areas below 4,000 feet in the canyon including Phantom Ranch. Temperatures at Phantom Ranch could reach 113 F/45 C. Areas above 4,000 feet including the South Rim will experience high temperatures in the 90s. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/excessive-heat-warning.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park over Memorial Day weekend can expect long lines, crowds, and full parking lots. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/busy-memorial-day.htm

The twenty-sixth annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 4 through Saturday, June 11, 2016 on the South and North rims of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/star-party-2016.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) and its partners invite the public to a re-dedication ceremony at the Desert View Watchtower on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 10:30 am. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/desert-view-ceremony.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga today announced his retirement effective June 1, 2016. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/superintendent-dave-uberuaga-announces-retirement.htm

National Park Service (NPS) fire managers anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatment in Grand Canyon Village Thursday, May 19, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/village-prescribed-fire-may19.htm

The Cave of the Domes is closed to protect roosting bats and other sensitive cave resources. Bats are particularly sensitive to human disturbance and will abandon roost sites. As a reminder all caves in Grand Canyon National Park are closed to protect sensitive resources. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cave-of-domes-reopened.htm

National Park Service (NPS) fire managers are postponing prescribed fire treatment in Grand Canyon Village Thursday, May 5 due to predicted high winds. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/village-prescribed-fire-postponed.htm

National Park Service (NPS) fire managers anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatment in Grand Canyon Village Thursday, May 5, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/village-prescribed-fire.htm

The National Park Service will again offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan, Arizona in 2016. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-shuttle-2016.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 5.5 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2015 spent $584 million in communities near the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tourism-economic-benefits-2015.htm

The gate at the entrance to North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Sunday, May 15 at 7:30 am. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-open-2016.htm

Celebrate Earth Day at Grand Canyon and commemorate the National Historic Preservation Act https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/earth-day-2016.htm

Search and Rescue crews continued looking for missing woman Diana Zacarias of Natchitoches, LA. Crews spent yesterday and today looking for Zacarias by foot above and below the rim. The park helicopter has assisted ground searches. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-continues-zacarias.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will waive entrance fees April 16-24, 2016 to celebrate National Park Week and the National Park Service Centennial. To join in on the week-long celebration, visitors can attend ranger programs, cultural demonstrations, and Earth Day events. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-week-fee-free-days.htm

On Sunday, April 3 the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a phone call reporting a missing individual last known to be at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-woman-zacarias.htm

Due to rodent activity and the potential exposure risk to hantavirus, the National Park Service has temporarily closed Cave of the Domes. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cave-of-the-domes-closure.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park this spring break can expect long lines and full parking lots. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/spring-break-crowds.htm

On March 16th or 17th, Grand Canyon Railway, in consultation with the National Park Service, will apply herbicide along their railroad tracks. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/herbicide-application-railroad.htm

Each year in the spring (March – June) Grand Canyon National Park experiences an increase in turbidity in the drinking water. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/annual-turbidity.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has announced a 30-day public comment period seeking input on changes to the scope of the Bison Management Plan at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-bison-ea.htm

The National Park Service announced a 30-day extension of the public comment period for Grand Canyon National Park’s Backcountry Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement . https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-deis-comment-extension.htm

On February 21, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a car below the rim near Lipan Point on Desert View Drive. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovered-lipan-point.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites public to a special dark skies program with Charley Bulletts from the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/darkskiesstorytellingatgrand-canyon.htm

On Monday, February 1, 2016 the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park in 2017. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-noncommercial-river-lottery.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) announced today another opportunity for the public to weigh in on revisions to Grand Canyon National Park’s Backcountry Management Plan (BMP). The NPS began developing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for this plan in 2011 in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-plan-webinar-and-open-house.htm

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Grand Canyon National Park will join national park units across the country and offer visitors fee-free entry into the park on Monday, January 18, 2016. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mlk-fee-free-2016.htm

The U.S. Department of the Interior has released a proposed framework for adaptively managing Glen Canyon Dam over the next 20 years with the goal of creating certainty and predictability for power and water users while protecting environmental and cultural resources in Grand Canyon National Park and the Colorado River ecosystem. The draft environmental impact statement (EIS) is available to the public for review and comment for 90 days. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/interior-proposes-adaptive-management-framework-for-glen-canyon-dam.htm

Over the last 24 hours Grand Canyon National Park has received heavy snowfall resulting in significant snow accumulation. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/winterweather2016.htm

This week, the National Weather Service is predicting several large winter storms across Northern Arizona, including Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20160105-winter-weather.htm

To kick off the new year and to celebrate the National Park Service’s Centennial, Grand Canyon National Park is participating in the 127th Rose Parade Friday, January 1, 2016. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20151218-rose-bowl.htm

Hikers near Phantom Ranch reported a fatality in Bright Angel Campground on Sunday, December 6. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bright-angel-campground-fatality.htm

National Park Service fire managers anticipate initiating a prescribed fire near Shoshone Point Monday, December 7 as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shoshone-point-prescribed-fire.htm

The Arizona Department of Transportation has closed State Route 67 between Jacob Lake and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The North Rim is now closed to vehicle traffic for the winter. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-winter-closure.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) announced today another opportunity for the public to weigh in on revisions to Grand Canyon National Park’s Backcountry Management Plan (BMP). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-plan-draft-eis.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate Native American Heritage Days on Monday, November 9th, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/native-american-heritage-days-2015.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to start the celebration for the upcoming National Park Service Centennial on Saturday, November 7 and visit the REI Village. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rei-village-at-grand-canyon.htm

Grand Canyon Trail Crew will replace toilets at Cottonwood Campground. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cottonwood-toilet-replacement.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will offer free entrance to everyone on Veterans Day, November 11. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fee-free-veterans-day.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is in the process of replacing a portion of the Transcanyon Pipeline (TCP) at Phantom Ranch. As part of the construction process, the TCP will be turned off to allow crews to connect the new portions of the pipeline to the existing pipeline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/temporary-pipeline-shutdown.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate Earth Science Week (ESW) and National Fossil Day festivities during the week of October 11-17, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/earth-science-week.htm

Grand Canyon National Park, the National Park Service Office of Public Health, Coconino County Public Health Services District, and other park partners are investigating a positive case of tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) contracted by a recent visitor to the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tick-borne-relapsing-fever.htm

Crews finished repairing a break in the Transcanyon Pipeline that occurred north of Phantom Ranch earlier this week. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/pipeline-break-fixed.htm

At approximately 2:30 pm on Saturday, September 26th the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call alerting officials to a potential suicide west of the South Kaibab Trailhead. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-rim-suicide.htm

North Rim operations will begin seasonal shut-down of most visitor services on Friday, October 16. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-seasonal-closure.htm

Water utility staff at Grand Canyon National Park will begin repairs to a break in the Transcanyon Pipeline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/september-pipeline-break.htm

Tree removal and trimming will occur adjacent to the Bright Angel Trail near the Indian Garden day-use area Monday, September 28 through Wednesday, September 30. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/indian-garden-tree-trimming.htm

Weekends through autumn, join jewelers, silversmiths, weavers, potters and more during Desert View Watchtower's Cultural Demonstrator Series. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/watchtower-cultural-demonstrators.htm

Celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 26, with free entrance to Grand Canyon and all national park units across the country. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fee-free-public-lands-day.htm

At 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, September 13 the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting that an unidentified male was possibly struck by lightning on the South Kaibab Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-south-kaibab.htm

Visitors and residents may experience short delays during construction to South Entrance Station and Hermit Road. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-entrance-and-hermit-road-construction.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga has announced the award of a concession contract to Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C. Xanterra will provide lodging, food services, retail, transportation, mule rides, and other services on the South Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/award-of-hospitality-contract-on-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Heavy rains caused major road damage in the Tuweep area of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/storms-damage-tuweep-roads.htm

Because of a break in the Transcanyon Pipeline, there is no drinking water available on the North Kaibab Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/pipeline-break.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites all fourth graders and their families to visit the park for free. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/every-kid-in-a-park.htm

A river trip reported a hiker fatality on Friday, August 28. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fence-fault-route-fatality.htm

The Desert View Watchtower at Grand Canyon National Park will host the final artist in the annual Cultural Demonstrator Series. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/last-2015-desert-view-demonstration.htm

The National Park Service is turning 99 years old on August 25 and Grand Canyon National Park wants to give you a present- free admission! The usual entrance fee will be waived for all visitors to Grand Canyon on Tuesday, August 25. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-service-99th-birthday.htm

Justin Kremer of Tempe, AZ has been successfully located by search crews earlier this afternoon. Kremer was reported as missing on Friday, July 31st with a last known location of West Rim Drive. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-individual-located-at-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On Friday, July 31, 2015 the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a phone call reporting a missing individual at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/justin-kremer-missing-person.htm

The National Park Service invites the public to the 22nd annual Native American Heritage Days on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, August 6 and 7, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-native-american-heritage-days.htm

Eric Graff received the National Park Service's inaugural Tom Clausing Aviation All Risk Programs Award. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/eric-graff-wins-national-award.htm

Grant to help transform Desert View into a cultural heritage site. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/desert-view-tribal-heritage-grant.htm

Join award-winning western singer Dave Stamey and the Alternative Break Citizenship School for a free concert. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dave-stamey-concert.htm

Relive Grand Canyon's history with park rangers in character as notable figures from the past. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/echoes-from-the-canyon-returns.htm

On July 11th, the North Rim celebrates the unique culture of the area with Western Arts Day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-western-arts-day.htm

Hiker fatality on Grand Canyon's North Kaibab Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-kaibab-trail-fatality.htm

Visitation at Grand Canyon National Park is up 20 percent in 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/record-breaking-visitation.htm

A man who died while hiking the Bright Angel Trail has been identified. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bright-angel-trail-fatality-identified.htm

The trail between the El Tovar Hotel and the train depot will close for repairs July 1. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/el-tovar-walkway-detour.htm

On Thursday afternoon, hikers reported to a park ranger that a member of their party needed help. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bright-angel-fatality.htm

Managers of both the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona were recently recognized for the leadership role they've played in managing wildland fire across the landscape and jurisdictional boundaries for the purpose of improving forest health conditions. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-award.htm

Coconino County Public Health Services District and Grand Canyon National Park will begin monthly monitoring for plague. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-and-coconino-county-to-monitor-for-plague.htm

Twenty-two year old Morgan Heimer remains missing on the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park; and a six day search by the National Park Service has turned up no additional clues as to his whereabouts. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/heimer-update.htm

A National Park Service search mission continues in efforts to find Morgan Heimer. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rangers-search-for-missing-river-guide.htm

A Grand Canyon National Park search and rescue mission continues for Morgan Heimer of Cody, WY who went missing June 2 at River Mile 213 on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/guide-still-missing-on-colorado-river.htm

Fire crews report that the Pinon Park fire is now 100% contained. On Wednesday, June 3 at approximately 3 pm the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a wildfire at Pinon Park located within the South Rim Village. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/pinon-contained.htm

Wildland firefighters respond to fire at Pinon Park located within the South Rim Village. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-rim-village-fire.htm

On Tuesday, June 2 at approximately 8 pm the National Park Service received a satellite phone call from a commercial river trip reporting a missing guide at River Mile 213 near Pumpkin Springs. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/guide-missing.htm

The twenty-fifth annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 13 through Saturday, June 20, 2015 on the South and North rims of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/free-telescope-viewing-at-grand-canyon-june-13-20.htm

On May 20th, a private boating trip reported the wreckage of an airplane to park rangers at Diamond Creek. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/park-rangers-respond-to-report-of-plane-wreckage.htm

On Sunday, May 24th, park rangers responded to a report of an unconscious man in the vicinity of Grand Canyon Visitor Center. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-fatality-at-south-rim-of-grand-canyon.htm

Grand Canyon will celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-to-celebrate-asian-american-heritage-month.htm

Effective June 1, 2015, Grand Canyon National Park will increase park entrance fees and the cost of overnight backcountry permits. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-announces-fee-increases.htm

On Monday, May 11th the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center was contacted by the Tallmadge, OH Police Department reporting a missing man who was believed to be suicidal and currently at Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/intervene.htm

From May 23 to September 25, 2015, Grand Canyon National Park will offer shuttle bus service between the park and the neighboring town of Tusayan, AZ. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-shuttle-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Repairs of a break in the Transcanyon Pipeline near Phantom Ranch are complete. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/update-pipeline-repairs-complete-in-inner-canyon.htm

Alejandro Bussot, 25, of Miami, FL has been identified as the potential suicide victim at Grand Canyon National Park. Body recovery teams were able to reach the victim, who was located approximately 250 feet below the rim, earlier this morning. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/victim-identified.htm

A break in the Trans-Canyon Water Pipeline late on Monday, May 4th has resulted in the implementation of water conservation measures for the inner canyon and no water availability at Roaring Springs or Cottonwood. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation.htm

At approximately 5:45 a.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call alerting officials to a potential suicide. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/possible-suicide.htm

Fire managers plan a prescribed fire within Grand Canyon National Park near Grand Canyon Village. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-fire-managers-plan-prescribed-fire-for-grand-canyon-village.htm

The National Park Service is able to confirm that yesterday’s over the edge incident resulted in a fatality. Earlier today the body of the victim was recovered by short haul operation utilizing the park helicopter. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/over-edge-fatality.htm

On Thursday, April 30 at approximately 4:20 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a man who had fallen from the edge of the rim trail east of Mather Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/over-edge.htm

Replacement of the Transcanyon Pipeline at Phantom Ranch has progressed and the contractor has replaced over a quarter mile of pipeline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/construction-continues-on-transcanyon-pipeline-replacement-at-phantom-ranch.htm

National Park Service (NPS) fire managers anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatment for the Shoshone Rx during the week of April 27 as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shoshone-rx.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that over 4.7 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2014 spent $509 million in communities near the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-tourism-creates-509-million.htm

Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim will open Friday, May 15 for the 2015 summer season. All NPS operations will be available by 8 am that day and Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim and Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their operations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-to-open-may-15-2015.htm

College students from around the country participated in Alternative Spring Break by helping Grand Canyon National Park's wildland firefighting crew. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/alternative-spring-break.htm

Local artisans will share their culture and crafts with Grand Canyon National Park visitors at the Desert View Watchtower. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dv-cultural-demonstrations.htm

Grand Canyon National Park joins in the Find Your Park Campaign and will celebrate with Earth Day events and a fee-free weekend, April 18-19 https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-week-2015-04-18.htm

Twenty-one year old Drake L. Kramer remains missing at Grand Canyon National Park; and a six day search by the National Park Service has turned up no additional clues as to his whereabouts. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/kramer-limited.htm

Today National Park Service Search and Rescue crews expanded the search area for missing San Antonio man, Drake L. Kramer. Kramer, 21 was reported missing by family on Monday, February 2. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/expand-kramer-search.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will be joining national park units across the country in honor of Presidents Day with fee-free entry into the park on Saturday, February 14, 2015 through Monday, February 16, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2015-fee-free-pres-day.htm

On Monday, February 2, 2015 the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a phone call reporting a missing individual last known to be at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-man2015.htm

Sunday, February 1, 2015 Grand Canyon National Park will open the permit lottery for 2016 Noncommerical River Trip launch dates. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2016-lottery.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will begin replacing a portion of the Trans-Canyon Pipeline at Phantom Ranch beginning on Monday, January 26, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/replace-portion-tcp.htm

Grand Canyon National Park announced the award of the contract for operation of the South Rim’s shuttle bus services to Paul Revere Transportation, L.L.C. The five-year contract is in effect from December 1, 2014 through November 30, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20150113-gc-award-shuttle-services.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will be joining national park units across the country in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day with fee-free entry into the park on Monday, January 19, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20150119mlk-fee-free.htm

Grand Canyon National Park staff have completed repairs to the Trans-Canyon Water Pipeline. Water restrictions have been lifted and Xanterra South Rim LLC has resumed normal operations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/13dec2014-pipelinerepair.htm

Visitors hiking to Phantom Ranch must be self-sufficient and be prepared to carry or treat all drinking water. A break in the Trans-Canyon Water Pipeline and inclement weather delaying equipment from reaching repair crews, has resulted in a water shortage at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20141211_pipeline-break-phantom.htm

A prescribed fire treatment will take place on the Campground unit of the Bright Angel Rx on Wednesday, November 19, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20141118-nr-prescribed-fire-planned.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is proposing to increase entrance fees into the park. The single vehicle entrance fee would change from $25 to $30 for a seven day pass. The park’s annual pass would increase from $50 to $60. The current rate of $12 per individual or motorcycle would increase to $15 per individual and $25 for a motorcycle. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/proposed-fee-increase.htm

On October 14-15, 2014, the Grand Canyon Fee and Commercial Enforcement Unit partnered with the Grand Canyon Concessions and Fee Management Offices to support ongoing inspections of all commercial traffic entering the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2014-commercial-inspection.htm

In observance of Native American/Alaska Native Heritage Month, Grand Canyon National Park is sponsoring a series of special events on Tuesday, November 11 and Wednesday, November 12. All are invited to participate in these presentations and demonstrations as we recognize and celebrate the many accomplishments, contributions, and sacrifices made by First Americans. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2014-native-american-heritage.htm

In honor of those that serve and have served in the United States military, national park units around the country, including Grand Canyon National Park, will be offering everyone fee-free entry on Tuesday, November 11. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/veterans-day-2014.htm

The National Park Service is lifting a drinking water advisory that was issued on Friday, October 31st for the following areas along the North Kaibab Trail, Manzanita Rest Area (Roaring Springs) and Cottonwood Campground within the backcountry at Grand Canyon National Park. Water in the rest of the park including South Rim Village, Desert View, Indian Garden, Phantom Ranch and North Rim Developed Area continues to be safe to drink. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/lift-advisory.htm

The National Park Service is issuing a drinking water advisory for the following areas along the North Kaibab Trail, Manzanita Rest Area (Roaring Springs) and Cottonwood Campground within the backcountry at Grand Canyon National Park. The rest of the park including South Rim Village, Desert View, Indian Garden, Phantom Ranch and North Rim Developed Area is not affected by this advisory and water is safe to drink. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/drinking-water.htm

National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatment during the fall and winter months as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-zone-fall-2014-rx.htm

A bat recently removed from an area along the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park has tested positive for rabies. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bat-rabies-october-2014.htm

On Friday, September 19, at approximately 4 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a 911 call from a visitor reporting that a male hiker had fallen and was having trouble breathing. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/male-hiker-dies-while-hiking-on-north-kaibab-trail.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act on September 25th and National Public Lands Day on the September 27, 2014. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/wilderness-npld-day.htm

The staff on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin to shut down most visitor services and facilities on Thursday, October 16; the North Rim will remain open to visitors through December 1 or until snow closes Highway 67 leading into the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2014-north-rim-seasonal.htm

On Saturday, September 13, 2014, Grand Canyon National Park will dedicate the park as a Globally Important Bird Area as part of its 7th Annual Celebrate Wildlife Day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/september-2014-wildlife-day.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) will begin issuing Special Use Permits on an interim basis for organized, non-commercial rim-to-rim and extended day hiking and running in the inner canyon of Grand Canyon National Park. The inner canyon is defined as the area below Tonto Platform (Tipoff and Indian Garden) from the South Rim and below Manzanita Resthouse (Pumphouse Residence) from the North Rim. Permits will be issued to groups with activities planned for after September 15, 2014. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/interim-permits-r2r.htm

In celebration of the National Park Service’s 98th birthday all 401 national park units, including Grand Canyon National Park will waive entrance fees on Monday, August 25, 2014. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/august-25-fee-free.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga has announced the availability of a prospectus for a business opportunity in the park, to provide lodging, food services, retail, transportation, mule rides, and other services on the South Rim. This business opportunity is very similar to solicitation CC-GRCA001-15A, announced on March 11, 2014, with the exception that the initial leasehold surrender interest has been reduced to approximately $57 million, and the franchise fee has been adjusted to 14%. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/business-opportunity-south-rim-august-2014.htm

The National Park Service has selected DNC Parks & Resorts at Grand Canyon, Inc., a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, Inc., to provide a variety of visitor services at Grand Canyon National Park for the next 15 years. This is one of two concessions contracts that are expected to be awarded this year. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-awards-concession-contract-to-dncpr.htm

National Park Service personnel have located a body several hundred feet below the rim in the last known vicinity of missing Glendale, AZ resident Marc Buckhout. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-located-august-6.htm

National Park Service employees continue to search for missing Glendale, AZ resident Marc Buckhout. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-continues-buckhout.htm

The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a missing individual on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-individual-august-4.htm

The National Park Service invites the public to the 21st annual Native American Heritage Days on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/native-american-heritage-days.htm

Grand Canyon In Depth is the video podcast series that explores the natural and human history of Grand Canyon National Park. The series features park rangers, scientists, and historians as they take us beyond the rim of the canyon to discover the diversity of life and the extraordinary beauty of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/in-depth-podcast.htm

Growth continued yesterday on all fires being managed for resource benefits with multiple objectives. Today crews continue to do preparation work ahead of managed ignitions and ignitions may occur on some fires. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/july-27-fire-updates.htm

National Park Service fire managers on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon are managing the Kanabownits Fire for multiple objectives. Lightning ignited the fire Tuesday, July 8, about one mile northeast of the historic Kanabownits Cabin on the Walla Valley Peninsula. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/kanabowntis-july-25.htm

National Park Service fire managers on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon have decided to manage the Kanabowntis Fire for multiple objectives. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/kanabowntis-july-22.htm

On Wednesday, July 16 sometime between 2:30-3 p.m., MST, a bat landed on a visitor while she was standing in front of the Tusayan Museum, just west of the Desert View Visitors’ Center within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2-bats-positive-rabies.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 4,564,841 visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2013 spent $476,194.8 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 6,238 jobs in the local area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tourism-to-grand-canyon-national-park-creates-476-million-dollars-in-economic-benefit-report-shows-visitor-spending-supports-6238-jobs-in-local-economy.htm

A man who died while hiking the North Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park has been identified as 47-year old Andrew Sammler of Lancaster, OH. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-identified.htm

The body of a man recovered from the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park on July 4th has been identified as that of Victor Tseng. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-identified.htm

At 2:20 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a 911 call from a visitor reporting CPR in progress on a male hiker on the North Kaibab Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-july-11.htm

Fire restrictions to be lifted in Grand Canyon on Tuesday, July 8, at 8 a.m. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-restrictions-imposed-last-month-in-grand-canyon-to-be-lifted.htm

This morning at approximately 9:30 the National Park Service received a call from a commercial river trip that had located a body in the Colorado River at approximately River Mile 182 on river right within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovered-from-colorado-river-in-grand-canyon.htm

At approximately 11:30 am the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting CPR in progress just above Three-Mile Rest House on the Bright Angel Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality.htm

National Park Service Search and Rescue crews continue to look for Victor Tseng of Phoenix, AZ who went missing at River Mile 157 on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-continues.htm

On Friday, June 27 at approximately 3:40 p.m. the National Park Service received a satellite phone call from a commercial river trip reporting a missing passenger at River Mile 157 known as Havasu Rapids. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-man-on-colorado-river-within-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) today announced plans to dedicate one of the nation’s newest National Historic Landmarks, the 1956 Grand Canyon TWA-United Airlines Aviation Accident Site in Grand Canyon National Park. This site commemorates a horrific airline collision over the Grand Canyon in 1956. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/1956-nhl-designation.htm

On Wednesday, June 11 at approximately 2:00 p.m. the National Park Service received a call reporting an unconscious male kayaker at Badger Rapids, river mile 8 on the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/kayaker-fatality-badger-rapids.htm

On Monday, June 9 at approximately 9:40 p.m. the National Park Service received a 911 call reporting an unconscious man at the Desert View Campground within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-at-desert-view-campground.htm

The Galahad Fire has been contained to the point where no direct threats remain to park resources. The fire will continue to burn across the southern portion of the Walla Valley Peninsula west of the W-4 Road until wetting rains arrive, typically in mid-July. Currently it is estimated to be 4,363 acres and 50% contained. The increase in containment reflects ongoing holding actions by firefighters along the W-4 Road. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/galahad-fire-likely-to-burn-until-wetting-rains-arrive.htm

Due to increased fire danger throughout Grand Canyon National Park, park officials will be implementing fire restrictions for all areas within the park except the Colorado River corridor. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-restrictions-june-13.htm

Due to the hard work of firefighters and the successful plan they implemented, the Galahad Fire has been contained to the point where no direct threats remain to park resources. The fire is not out, but the chances of it crossing existing containment lines have been greatly reduced. The fire is estimated to be 3,102 acres and 30% contained. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hard-work-and-good-planning-pay-off-on-the-galahad-fire.htm

On Wednesday, June 3 at approximately 7:20 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call via satellite phone reporting a female in and out of consciousness from an apparent allergic reaction at river mile 168 on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/boater-fatality-on-the-colorado-river-in-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Firefighters had another good day on the Galahad Fire holding it west of the W-4 Road and continuing to strengthen and improve existing containment lines. The fire is estimated at 2,950 acres and 30% contained. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/progress-continues-on-the-galahad-fire.htm

Firefighters made good progress today in strengthening and holding the established containment lines on the Galahad Fire. Once again hot, dry and windy weather challenged firefighters but they were able to keep the fire to the west of the W-4 Road, which is the major focus of fire managers. These same weather conditions are forecasted for the rest of the week. The fire is estimated at 2,702 acres and 5% contained. This containment is based on the portion of the fire in which firefighters are continuing to control. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/firefighters-make-good-progress-on-galahad-fire.htm

Red Flag conditions consisting of high temperatures, low relative humidity and gusty winds challenged firefighters again today, but they were able to hold the Galahad Fire west of the W-4 Road. These same weather conditions are forecasted for the rest of the week. The fire is estimated at 2,172 acres. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/firefighters-overcome-challenge-of-red-flag-conditions.htm

Firefighters were successful today in holding the Galahad Fire to the west of the W-4 Road, even though they were faced with higher temperatures, lower relative humidity and gusty winds. Yesterday, these same conditions caused three spot fires across the W-4 road to the east, but firefighters were able to quickly contain them. The fire is estimated at 1,975 acres https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/firefighters-hold-the-line-on-the-galahad-fire.htm

Today’s weather brought higher temperatures, lower relative humidity and gustier winds, which tested containment lines. Late afternoon winds caused four spot fires east of the W-4 Road containment line. A plan was in place in anticipation of the predicted weather and potential spot fires. Firefighters, aided by engines, responded and are working to contain the spot fires across the W-4 Road and south of the Kanbowbitz Cabin. These challenging weather conditions are expected to continue over the next few days. The fire is now estimated to be 1,550 acres. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/weather-conditions-challenge-firefighters-on-galahad-fire.htm

Once again, favorable weather conditions today allowed firefighters to make good progress in building and improving containment lines along the W-4 Road to the north and south of the historic Kanabownits Cabin. These containment lines have been constructed to protect the cabin and hold the fire west of the W-4 Road on the Walla Valley Peninsula. The fire is now estimated at 1,100 acres. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/firefighters-continue-to-make-progress-on-galahad-fire.htm

Due to favorable weather conditions today, including lower temperatures, higher relative humidity and lighter winds the Galahad Fire showed little growth and is now estimated at 743 acres. The fire remains west of the W-4 Road and south of the historic Kanabownits Cabin. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/weather-helps-firefighters-meet-management-objectives.htm

National Park Service fire managers on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon are managing the Galahad Fire for both resource and protection objectives. Resource objectives for the fire include returning fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem in order to maintain forest health. Protection objectives for the fire include protection of sensitive cultural resources and wildlife habitat. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/galahad-fire-continues-to-meet-objectives.htm

The twenty-fourth annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 21 through Saturday, June 28, 2014 on the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-hosting-24th-annual-star-party.htm

National Park Service fire managers on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon have decided to manage the Galahad Fire for multiple objectives. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/galahad-fire-to-be-managed-for-multiple-objectives-on-the-north-rim-of-the-grand-canyon.htm

On Friday, May 23, four fire starts were reported on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The North Rim of the park is currently at High fire danger and the South Rim is at Very High. A storm this afternoon produced rain and hail on the North Rim moderating fire behavior. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/multiple-fire-starts-on-north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Although Grand Canyon National Park received below-average precipitation this winter, the warm spring caused vegetation in the park to thrive. Now, fine fuels are quickly drying out as winds and temperatures rise, increasing the risk of wildfire. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/memorial-day-fire-aware.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) will again offer free shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan, Arizona in 2014. The Tusayan Shuttle will be available from Saturday, May 10 through Friday, September 5 and will run at 20-minute intervals between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-shuttle-at-grand-canyon-national-park-begins-saturday-may-10-2014.htm

Grand Canyon National Park on September 1, 2014 will begin requiring reservations for all campers who wish to stay at the Tuweep Campground. After September 1, visitors who plan to camp at Tuweep will need to have a permit issued by the National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-to-require-camping-permit-at-tuweep-campground.htm

At approximately 1:10 p.m. Monday, April 28, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a female that had fallen off the rim at Mather Point located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-victim-at-grand-canyon-national-park-identified.htm

The Arizona Department of Transportation will open Highway 67 to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on Thursday, May 15 by 8:00 am; and Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, a Forever Resorts property, and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will commence their 2014 seasonal operations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyons-north-rim-to-open-may-15-for-the-2014-summer-season.htm

Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) will hold two informational, online meetings as part of the scoping process for a bison management plan and environmental impact statement. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/public-scoping-webinars-planned-for-grand-canyon-national-park-bison-management-plan-eis.htm

Bureau of Reclamation, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, BIO-WEST, Inc., and the Arizona Game and Fish Department, National Park Service (NPS) biologists successfully released nine adult endangered razorback suckers (Xyrauchen texanus) in the Colorado River downstream of Lava Falls (River Mile 180). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tagged-razorback-suckers-released-in-grand-canyon.htm

Throughout the upcoming field season, National Park Service staff will be applying herbicide to targeted high priority invasive plant species in Grand Canyon National Park's developed areas. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/herbicide-to-be-applied-within-developed-areas-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Go wild for the history, nature, trails, and archeology of Grand Canyon National Park during National Park Week, April 19 through 27, 2014. To get the celebration going, Grand Canyon National Park will waive entrance fees on April 19 and 20. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/go-wild-for-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce the latest step to manage the impacts of bison on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP). After meeting with cooperators Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)--over the last several months, the NPS will initiate public scoping later this week for a bison management plan and environmental impact statement (EIS) to be prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-service-seeks-public-input-on-a-bison-management-plan-and-environmental-impact-statement-for-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On Tuesday, March 18 at approximately 6:30 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call via satellite phone reporting a fatality on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/kayaker-fatality-on-the-colorado-river-in-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On Saturday, March 15 at approximately 8:00 a.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a man who had fallen off the rim near El Tovar Lodge. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-at-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On Saturday, March 22, 2014, Grand Canyon National Park will host its seventh annual Archaeology Day celebration, commemorating Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-to-host-archaeology-day-on-march-22.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga has announced the availability of a prospectus for a business opportunity in the park, to provide lodging, food services, retail, transportation, mule rides, and other services on the South Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/business-opportunity-announced-for-hospitality-contract-on-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On Sunday, March 9 at approximately 2:00 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an unresponsive male at the South Entrance Station. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-fatality-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that over 4.4 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2012 spent $454 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 6,010 jobs in the local area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tourism-to-grand-canyon-national-park-creates-454-million-in-economic-benefit.htm

Park Rangers recently recovered skeletal remains from the Hermit Creek drainage within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/human-remains-found-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service will burn piles of woody debris between Monday, February 24 through Wednesday, February 26 at Indian Gardens within Grand Canyon National Park depending on weather conditions. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/pile-burning-at-indian-gardens-within-the-grand-canyon.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will host author and conservation activist Audrey Peterman for a special evening program on Monday, March 3 in honor of Black History Month. Ms. Peterman and her husband Frank authored the book Legacy on the Land: A Black Couple Discovers Our National Inheritance and Tells Why Every American Should Care. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-to-celebrate-black-history-month-with-special-guest-audrey-peterman.htm

On Thursday, February 13th, Grand Canyon Railway, in consultation with the National Park Service (NPS), will be applying herbicide along their railroad tracks including those within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/herbicide-to-be-applied-along-railway-within-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will join National Parks across the country to celebrate Presidents Day Weekend, February 15-17, with fee free admission. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/presidents-day-fee-free-weekend-2014.htm

Grand Canyon Association (GCA), the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, today announced a $1 million donation from Arizona Public Service (APS) that will establish the Grand Canyon Trails Forever Endowment to help preserve and protect Grand Canyon’s trails. This is one of the most significant private, philanthropic gifts in Grand Canyon’s history. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-association-receives-one-million-dollars-from-arizona-public-service-to-initiate-the-trails-forever-endowment-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The Coconino County Medical Examiner has identified the woman who died in a motor vehicle accident in Grand Canyon National Park on Friday, January 31, 2014 as Yuan Gao, 24 of China. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/motor-vehicle-fatality-victim-at-grand-canyon-national-park-identified.htm

Today at 2:12 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call from a park employee about a 2 car motor vehicle accident on South Entrance Road, approximately 3 miles north of the park’s South Entrance Station. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/motor-vehicle-fatality-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On Saturday, February 1, 2014 the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-lottery-for-2015-noncommercial-river-trip-permits-opens-february-1.htm

Horace P. Albright Training Center was officially listed to the National Register of Historic Places on September 30, 2013. The only National Park Service (NPS) training center in the West and located within the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park, the Center is a state significant Historic District exemplifying simple, practical, modernist design of the Mission 66 Era. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/albright-training-center.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will be joining national park units across the country in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day with fee-free entry into the park on Monday, January 20, 2014. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-to-celebrate-martin-luther-king-jr-day-with-free-entry-2014.htm

The body of a man recovered from below the rim of Grand Canyon National Park late last year has been identified as that of Yoshikazu Yamada, a Japanese National. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovered-from-below-south-rim-late-last-year-identified.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) today released a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Comprehensive Fisheries Management Plan for the Glen Canyon reach of the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GLCA), and for all waters within Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA). The plan will take a long-term comprehensive approach for fisheries management in waters between Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Mead within GRCA and GLCA, with the goals of maintaining a balance between a quality recreational fishing experience in the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam, known as the Lees Ferry area, while preserving and restoring the unique native fisheries within GRCA. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-service-today-released-a-finding-of-no-significant-impact-for-the-comprehensive-fisheries-management-plan-for-glen-canyon-and-grand-canyon.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is now closed to vehicle traffic for the season. Arizona State Route 67, leading to the North Rim closed on December 2, 2013. State Route 67 and all services on the North Rim are expected to re-open for the 2014 season on May 15, 2014. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2013-north-rim-closed-for-season.htm

National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forrest Service (USFS) fire managers working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program plan to conduct a prescribed fire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park the week of November 18th. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-slopes-prescribed-fire.htm

Last week, fire managers successfully treated 800 acres with prescribed fire (Rx) in one of the last remaining unburned areas on the South Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/800-acres-successfully-treated-with-prescribed-fire-on-south-rim.htm

On, Thursday, November 14, Grand Canyon National Park will be celebrating National Native American Heritage Month with special presentations and demonstrations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2013-native-american-heritage-month-celebration.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers plan to conduct a prescribed fire on the South Rim the week of November 4th. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/horsethief-prescribed-burn-planned-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service will begin burning piles of woody debris over the next few weeks on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park depending on weather conditions. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/pile-burning-to-begin-at-south-rim-of-grand-canyon.htm

In honor of those that serve and have served in the United States military, national park units around the country, including Grand Canyon National Park, will be offering everyone fee-free entry during the Veterans Day weekend. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-to-waive-entrance-fees-for-veterans-day-weekend-2013.htm

National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, are preparing for multiple prescribed fires on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Fire managers anticipate initiating these prescribed fire treatments during the fall and winter months as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-fire-managers-preparing-for-multiple-prescribed-fires-on-the-north-rim.htm

Grand Canyon National Park continues to welcome visitors from across the United States and the globe. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-open-to-visitors.htm

National Park Service Enters Agreement with State of Arizona to Re-open Grand Canyon National Park Park Service is in the process of negotiating similar agreements with other states https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-service-enters-agreement-with-state-of-arizona-to-re-open-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On Wednesday, September 25 at approximately 1:00 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call with a report of a deceased 67 year old female on the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park at River Mile 209. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2013-09-27_fatality-on-col-river-within-grand-canyon-nat-pk.htm

The National Park Service will begin eliminating turfgrass (lawns) around the historic El Tovar Hotel and adjacent rim lodges as part of a long-term plan to re-landscape the area with native vegetation consistent with the historic Grand Canyon Village rim landscape. Weather permitting; the two-day project will begin on Tuesday, September 17. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-service-continues-exotic-plant-management-by-eliminating-lawns-in-historic-district-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The staff on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin to shut down most visitor services and facilities on Tuesday, October 15; the North Rim will remain open to visitors through December 1 unless snow closes Highway 67 leading into the park prior to December 1. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/facilities-on-grand-canyons-north-rim-to-begin-seasonal-closures-park-remains-open-for-day-use.htm

Recent heavy monsoonal rainfall caused damage to portions of the South Kaibab Trail approximately one-half mile below Cedar Ridge closing the trail to livestock use. Trail crews have completed work to remove debris from the trail. The trail is now open to livestock as well as foot traffic. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/update-crews-repair-south-kaibab-trail-after-monsoonal-rain-damage.htm

Cape Royal Road at Grand Canyon National Park Closed. All Other Roads Including Point Imperial Road Remain Open https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/update-cape-royal-road-at-grand-canyon-national-park-closed.htm

Recent heavy monsoonal rainfall has caused damage to portions of the South Kaibab Trail approximately one-half mile below Cedar Ridge and to the North Kaibab Trail below Supai Tunnel. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/heavy-monsoonal-rain-causes-trail-damage-to-grand-canyon-trails.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will be joining national park units across the country in celebrating National Public Lands Day (NPLD) with fee free entry into the park on Saturday, September 28, 2013. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-to-celebrate-national-public-lands-day-with-fee-free-entry-september-28.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has begun improvements to Cape Royal Road on the North Rim. Beginning September 3, 2013 Cape Royal Road from Roosevelt Point to Cape Royal Point, at approximately mile 11.5, will be closed for repaving. Vehicles over 20 feet in length will not be permitted on Cape Royal Road for the duration of construction. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/updated-road-improvements-to-temporarily-close-portion-of-cape-royal-road-on-the-north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Grand Canyon National Park was recently the site of “Camping 101” a family camping opportunity provided by the Camp Moreno Project which promotes family camping experiences for underserved audiences. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-hosts-camping-101-and-the-camp-moreno-project.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has begun improvements to Cape Royal Road on the North Rim. Beginning September 3, 2013 Cape Royal Road from Roosevelt Point to Cape Royal Point, at approximately mile 11.5, will be closed for repaving. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/road-improvements-to-temporarily-close-portion-of-cape-royal-road-on-the-north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On Friday August 9 at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call from a park volunteer with a report of an unconscious male hiker on the North Kaibab Trail approximately one half of a mile below the trailhead within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-on-north-kaibab-trail-in-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

In celebration of the National Park Service’s 97th birthday all 401 national park units, including Grand Canyon National Park will waive entrance fees on Sunday, August 25, 2013. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-offers-free-admission-on-august-25.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga has announced the availability of two prospectuses for business opportunities in the park, to provide lodging, food services, grocery stores, retail, transportation, mule rides, an RV campground, a service station and other services on the South Rim. The two prospectuses released today outline these business opportunities, describe the existing businesses, and provide details on how to submit responsive proposals for either or both. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/business-opportunity-announced-for-two-hospitality-contracts-on-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Park staff responded to multiple incidents Friday, July 26, 2013. Monsoonal weather patterns resulted in localized flooding affecting portions of Grand Canyon Village and Bright Angel Trail. Additionally, rangers responded to two motor vehicle accidents. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/multiple-incidents-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

At approximately 9:15 p.m. on Sunday, July 21 the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting that an Arizona Raft Adventures (AZRA) river guide required medical attention as a result of a lightning strike. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/river-guide-evacuated-off-colorado-river.htm

The National Park Service invites the public to the 20th annual Native American Heritage Days on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/twentieth-annual-native-american-heritage-days.htm

On Sunday, July 14, the National Park Service found two small lightning-caused fires burning on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. On Monday, July 15, a third lightning-caused fire was detected. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-to-manage-three-fires-on-north-rim-for-multiple-objectives.htm