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Award-winning solo female travel blog of Aileen Adalid from the Philippines featuring travel guides, tips and videos from all over the world.

Find out the BEST things to do in Boracay, one of the world's top island destinations famed for its sandy white beaches!

The post Top Fun Things to Do in Boracay, Philippines (Best Activities & Attractions) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Whenever someone thinks of a vacation trip in the Philippines, the first destination that most likely comes to mind is Boracay — which comes as no surprise! After all, it’s a dreamy destination that’s known worldwide for its white-sand beaches. (Things to Do in Boracay) Of course, it helps to note that there are a LOT of other islands in my home country that are not only equally beautiful but are also recently gaining more recognition (e.g. Siargao, Batanes, and more!). Nevertheless, the fame of Boracay as one of the top islands in Asia remains. It truly holds an unmistakable natural magnificence that various international travel agencies and publications have come to acknowledge by showering Boracay with various awards and accolades over the years. As a result, tourists rush to book flights to this pristine island not only during the Philippine summer but in the other months of the year too! Looking for the best places to stay on the island? From cheap hotels to luxurious accommodations, here are the best hotels in Boracay! READ NOW It’s true that given the continued rise of Boracay’s popularity, there have been several travelers who have been put off by it, saying that it was too touristy. I have actually first landed on this island at a time when it had already been in such a state — but I still had a really, really, great time! It made me realize that for as long as you know what to expect, what to do, when to go, and where to go, you’ll end up enjoying the utmost beauty of Boracay no matter the crowds; so I say, go and give it a try! As of 2018, the government did an extensive natural and urban “facelift” of Boracay; so as a visitor, you’ll get to enjoy a better scene! Before I discuss the top things to do in Boracay, let me share with you some essential travel tips. Table of Contents Toggle Boracay Travel Guide » Quick Travel Planning » Best Time to Visit Boracay » Getting in to Boracay Island » COVID-19 Travel Requirements » Visa for The Philippines » Where to Stay (Boracay Accommodations) » Philippine Currency » Cost of Travel in the Philippines » How to Get Around Boracay » Safety in the Philippines » Helpful Filipino Phrases Top Things to Do in Boracay 1. Go island & beach-hopping to enjoy the island’s white beaches and turquoise waters! » New Boracay Rules » COVID Protocols 2. Join the island’s lively nightlife and events 3. Indulge yourself in the local food 4. Try out the various water sports and activities! 5. Enjoy the sunrise and sunset BONUS: Other Best Things to Do in Boracay FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Boracay Travel Guide Photo by: Shutterstock » Quick Travel Planning Top tours & experiences Find best flights to Boracay Visa requirements Best places to stay Travel insurance Stay connected 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! – – – » Best Time to Visit Boracay It is best to visit Boracay during the dry season (November to May, commonly called ‘Amihan’). The White Beach will be very calm so it’s suitable for swimming, whereas, on the other side of the island, strong winds pass by making it suitable for activities like kite surfing or windsurfing. It’s still okay to visit during the wet or rainy season (June to October called ‘Habagat’) because travel costs will also be a LOT cheaper. Most days you’ll still get to enjoy the sun too; but of course, there is also the risk of typhoons. With regard to “tourist seasons” take note of the following… Low Season: June to November (June being the wettest month) High Season: November to May, with the following peak seasons (that usually cover big Philippine holidays) Christmas & New Year Chinese New Year (first half of February) Easter (late March and up to April) DRY: Nov to May WET: June to Oct – – – » Getting in to Boracay Island You can take a ferry to Boracay (e.g. from Batangas Port) — but the best way to reach Boracay is to ride an airplane! There are various airlines that you can choose from Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, or SEAIR among many others. Starting points can be from Manila, Clark/Angeles City, or Cebu. The best way to scan through all of these airlines and find the best flight deals is to use Skyscanner. 
 There are two (2) airports located near Boracay and you can choose from either of the following… NOTE: Because of the pandemic, Caticlan Airport is currently the only allowed point of entry for leisure travelers, whereas Kalibo is for overseas Filipino workers (ROFWs), locally stranded individuals (LSIs), and authorized persons outside of residence (APORs). Caticlan or Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (IATA: MPH) PROS: It’s the fastest connection to Boracay. After landing, you just need to reach the Caticlan Jetty Port which is a 3-minute tricycle ride away (₱50) or a 10-minute walk. From this port, you just need to board another boat (total cost of Php 200 or $4+) that will take you to Boracay in just 15 minutes. For a hassle-free experience, book a shared transfer or a premium private transfer online. Check with your hotel because they might be offering free transfers, if not a transfer that is at a cheaper rate. CONS: Airfare is more expensive than that of Kalibo and since the airport size is small, it is limited to small aircraft only, often resulting in more flight disruption problems due to sunset flight limitations and weather sensitivity conditions. . Kalibo International Airport (IATA: KLO) PROS: Airfare is cheaper and larger aircraft can land here because the airport is bigger (it’s an international airport). It helps to mention that it’s usually in this route that promo fares are typically applied so watch out for those! For a hassle-free experience, book a shared transfer or a premium private transfer online. Check with your hotel because they might be offering free transfers, if not a transfer that is at a cheaper rate. CONS: Travel time to Caticlan takes a while. After landing, you need to take either a bus or a van in order to get to Caticlan Jetty Port which is 1.5 to 2 hours away. After arriving at the port, you will still have to take the 15-minute boat ride to Boracay Island. – – – » COVID-19 Travel Requirements In order to enter Boracay, visitors should secure the following. “Quick Response” (QR) Code via the Online Health Declaration Card (OHDC) that can be accessed at https://www.touristboracy.com/ or https://aklan.gov.ph. Proof of identification which can be your passport or any other government-issued ID. Travel details of your trip A copy of a confirmed booking slip/form from a DOT – Accredited Boracay Island accommodation/establishment. You can get this from Agoda or Booking.com Round Trip flight/travel details (only Caticlan Airport can be used by those traveling via air) Proof of vaccination Fully Vaccinated: you can provide ANY of the following VaxCertPH Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate with full vaccination status Locally-issued vaccination card/ID with full vaccination status and verifiable QR code or with contact details of the vaccination center World Health Organization International Certificates or Vaccination Card/ID/Certificate issued abroad Unvaccinated: Negative RT-PCR result certificate taken from any DOH-accredited laboratories within 72 hours to date of travel For minors below 12 years old, please accomplish the certificate of undertaking traveling with minors template at https://aklan.gov.ph/ – – – » Visa for The Philippines If you’re NOT a citizen of any of the Philippines’ exempted countries, you are then required to avail of a visa beforehand. (Most nationalities are granted 30-days in the country, visa-free). Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality. – – – » Where to Stay (Boracay Accommodations) To search for the best hotel accommodation in Boracay at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between Agoda and Booking.com. But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB. For the ultimate list of cheap hostels and luxury accommodations, check out this list of the best hotels in Boracay. – – – » Philippine Currency Philippine peso (PHP / ₱) wherein USD $1~ or €0.85~ is equal to about Php48~. In the event that you want to exchange your money for PHP, I highly advise that you do NOT exchange your money at the airport since the rates there are not competitive. How to best exchange your currency? Either exchange it at a bank or at a money exchanger in your home country or in any city center in the Philippines. Better yet, just withdraw from an ATM with your debit/credit card — however, you must make one big withdrawal to minimize fees with your bank. Speaking of cards, many Philippines establishments accept credit cards but it’s always advisable to have cash on hand because a lot of smaller shops do not accept cards. – – – » Cost of Travel in the Philippines Much like any other country in Southeast Asia, the cost of travel in the Philippines is quite low compared to other parts of the globe such as Europe. To give you an idea, you should expect to travel to the Philippines with an average daily cost of about USD $20~ (Php 1,000~) per person on a budget, or at least $50~ (Php 2,500~) if you want to experience more comfort on activities, tours, hotels, and more. (Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges only). Hotels: $7 to $20 USD / day Food: $5 to $15 USD / day Fun: $5 to $13 USD / day Transport: US$7 on average per taxi ride As for Boracay Island itself, contrary to popular belief, it is NOT expensive to stay on the island because there are a lot of hotels and inns that won’t break your travel budget. There are even various restaurants scattered around the island that can offer you hearty yet ridiculously affordable meals; so it can surely be a backpacker’s haven! – – – » How to Get Around Boracay Boracay is a small island and if you only need to go around White Beach, you can do so on foot. Otherwise, the primary mode of transportation is motorized tricycles. By tricycle. There are two kinds, the smaller tricycles and the e-trikes (a bit bigger in size). Be wary of tricycle drivers who try to rip you off. The standard rate for short distances (e.g. from D’Mall to Station 3, or from Station 3 to Station 1) should only cost you ₱20 per passenger if you are going to ride a tricycle that is shared with others. The most they should charge you (let’s say, you want to go to Puka Beach) is ₱80 per passenger. If hailing a chartered tricycle (you and your companions are the only ones riding it, maximum of 5 persons), the fares will start at ₱100 and can go up to ₱250 depending on the distance. (Rest assured, there are often big tarpaulins spread across Boracay that show the standard tricycle or e-trike fare). Drivers often charge higher prices in the evenings. Tricycles that often idle around near hotels and key locations waiting for passengers may charge you ₱100 to ₱200 even if you are alone. By motorcycle. Renting a motorcycle or scooter is the best way to go if you want the flexibility of going around the island by yourself (though personally, I think that riding a tricycle is more economical). Most scooters offered are automatic and semi-manual, and rates can start at ₱1,000 per day depending on the brand. If you are ever in doubt, just use Google Maps! – – – » Safety in the Philippines Traveling around the Philippines is relatively safe — take it from me, a local! You just need to exercise the same ‘street smarts’ or caution that you’ve practiced in your home country and you’ll be fine. In fact, it becomes safer when you stay on small islands like Boracay. But of course, this doesn’t mean that petty theft doesn’t happen, because there are. You just have to be cautious of your belongings at all times. Nevertheless, Filipinos are one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet, so solo travelers don’t have much to worry about in this amazing country! HOW TO: Find the right travel insurance for you – – – » Helpful Filipino Phrases Filipino is the national official language of the Philippines — and so is English! Because of this, tourists often don’t have a hard time when speaking to locals. However, there could be some Filipinos who will find it hard to converse with you in English especially when you venture out to places that are outside of the bigger cities; so, it doesn’t hurt to learn a Filipino/Tagalog phrase or two. RELATED READ: Best translation apps for travel How are you (informal): Kumusta ka? (koo-MOOS-tah kah?) How are you (formal): Kumusta po kayo? (koo-moos-TAH poh kah-YOH?) Thank you (informal): Salamat (sah-LAH-maht) Thank you (formal): Salamat po (sah-LAH-maht poh) Yes (informal): Oo (OH oh) Yes (formal): Opo (OH-poh) No (informal): Hindi (HEEN-dee) No (formal): Hindi po (HEEN-dee poh) Goodbye: Paalam (pah AH-lahm) I’m sorry: Paumanhin (pah oo-MAHN-heen) or Patawad (pah-TAH-wad) Is there someone here who speaks English?: Meron ba ditong marunong mag-Ingles? (MEH-rohn bah DEE-tohng mah-ROO-nohng mahg-een-GLEHS?) Help!: Saklolo! (sahk-loh-LOH!) or Tulong! (too-LOHNG) Cheers!: Tagay! (Ta-guy!) Best Tours in Boracay? Come and check out this list of the top activities to do in Boracay which features the best things to do and tours on the island and more! READ NOW • • • Top Things to Do in Boracay 1. Go island & beach-hopping to enjoy the island’s white beaches and turquoise waters! Photo by: Shutterstock MY TOP TIP? Don’t confine yourself in the ‘White Beach’ area. The white beach may be the center of it all — a 4-kilometer-long postcard-perfect stretch that is divided into three stations (Station 1, Station 2, and Station 3). Station 1: Northernmost area that has the widest beachfront. Naturally, this is where all the premium hotels are found. Station 2: This is regarded as the commercial center because you will find most of the establishments here (restaurants, clubs, shops, etc.). Because of this, the station is often the most crowded of the 3. Station 3: Quieter than the rest as it is far from most of the key spots, and it’s also the least developed. You will find a lot of hostels here. » New Boracay Rules NOTE: After the 2018 cleanup, here are the new rules that must be followed by all visitors. Eating and drinking on the beach are NO longer allowed. Pets and single-use plastics are also banned on the beach. A bit of an absurd rule but there should be NO building of sandcastles or sand structures on the beach (you need an official’s approval to do this). » COVID Protocols Tourists should have a copy of their Tourist QR code at all times as it is vital for contact tracing whenever you enter establishments, etc. Wear a mask and face shield at all times. Only 2 passengers are allowed in tricycles and a maximum of 4 on e-trikes. Areas on the beach are marked with red and yellow flags to signal places that you can swim in or note. Swimming is also only allowed from 6AM to 6PM. Establishments are closed by 11PM and any lingering tourists will be asked to return to their accommodations. * * * * * Given that White Beach is the center of the island, expect many people to be there; fortunately, however, there are other white sand beaches in Boracay that you can explore and are less packed. Of course, White Beach holds that iconic splendor that you’ve seen in photos but if you’re looking for more tranquility, you can still achieve it in the rest of the island. You see, the great thing about Boracay is that there are a lot of other areas that you can go to, and they are equally picturesque as that of the prominent White Beach. And the best thing about it? There are 13 of them and they are not too far away from one another because Boracay is a small island that is only approximately 7 kilometers long. ★ Puka Shell Beach Named after ‘Puka‘ shells (shells of cone snails that are bead-like objects that are normally used in making beach anklets, bracelets, and necklaces) this beach is the next crowd favorite in Boracay. Truth be told, its simple surroundings are similar to that of White Beach back when it wasn’t so cramped yet. Simply catch a ride with a tricycle and you’re bound to reach this place is just 20 minutes from White Beach. . ★ Ilig-iligan Beach With the same white sand feature, this is a great spot for snorkeling and it has some scenic limestone islets that you can explore. There are two of these islets: one is deep and the other, shallow. To reach this beach, there are two ways: either join an island-hopping trip that has a stopover here or just simply walk inland from the White Beach. . Lapus-Lapus Beach To the best of my knowledge, this beautiful stretch is privately owned by the Fairways & Bluewater Newcoast Resort, and it is only open to its guests. It really has that feel of seclusion to it, so if you want to visit this part, you have to book with the resort. . ★ Bulabog Beach If you’re into beach sports like kiteboarding, parasailing, and windsurfing, this is the beach for you! You will instantly feel the vibrant vibe due to these adrenaline-pumped water activities done by locals and tourists alike, so if you’re for this kind of thing, make sure to book a hotel on this part of the island. . Lagutan Beach This is actually one of the places where boats dock in Boracay. Though it may not be as scenic as the others, photographers may find the charm of this place frame-worthy. . Tulubhan Beach There are some local villages that live by this beach and they typically go to the sea to look for seafood like fish, urchins, and more. With decent resorts here and there, Tulubhan can be a nice place to stay if you’re looking for a quiet getaway. . ★ Tambisaan Beach Tambisaan is popular for its coral gardens and reefs that are just near the shore. For this, you can simply bring your gear with you and then take your own sweet time snorkeling in these waters. . ★ Crocodile Beach This is a small nearby island in the southeast part of Boracay. Often a trip that comes along in prearranged tours, it’s a favorite destination for underwater activities given the abundant and unspoiled marine life in the area. What’s more, there are also small canyons where you can see some sea snakes. . Manoc-Manoc Beach A lot of locals play here so it can be a bit crowded, but despite the low-key attractiveness of the landscape, it can be a quaint change of scene. . Cagban Beach Much like Lagutan Beach, this is one of the boat docks on the island (it’s actually the main port), but somewhere near this area, you can find private spots to relax in under the sun. . ★ Diniwid Beach This is close to White Beach’s Station 1 and it is full of backpacker-friendly resorts. What I like about this place (that is only 200m long) are the stunning cliffside views! To add, there is also a crowd favorite here called Spider House and it is a great place to hang out. Otherwise, you can lounge in the water or lie down on a floating wooden piece that they have set up. . Balinghai Beach Yet another small private beach but this time, owned by Balinghai Resort and it has a lovely view. Unlike Lapus-Lapus, they permit non-resort guests as long as you pay the entrance fee (wherein the value is consumable in food from the restaurant). With this in mind, take advantage of the scenery by eating your meals by the beach! Just take note that during high tide, the beach is almost entirely submerged so time your visit during low tide. . ★ Punta Bunga & Banyugan Beach An additional private beach of the island, this piece of land is owned by the big chain: Shangri-La Resorts. I have to say that this part of the beach is very idyllic (hence the reason why Shangri-La bought it) and since it’s only open to in-house guests of the resort if you have the budget, this is a great place to book yourself into. *★ = Favorites TIP: There are some smaller islands near Boracay like Crocodile Island, Magic Island, and Crystal Cove that you can explore with this island-hopping tour for a hassle-free experience! • • • 2. Join the island’s lively nightlife and events View this post on Instagram A post shared by ᴘᴀʀᴀᴡ ʙᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴄʟᴜʙ (@paraw.beachclub) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Haqqy Boracay PubCrawl (@pubcrawlph) I personally think that if you were to ever ask Filipinos why they visit Boracay, their answer would be because of two things: (1) the beach and (2) the nightlife. Actually, a huge chunk of the younger population LOVE to go to Boracay for the nightlife scene! Indeed, when I was still in university, every vacation time (around March to April), a lot of my friends would suggest going to Boracay as it was also in those times that the bars and clubs on the island would typically start to do themed parties (think foam party, neon party, etc. etc.). NOTE: The country, in general, has cheap alcohol so if you’re a foreigner (who holds a stronger currency) take advantage of this! In fact, there are ‘happy hours’ in each and every bar in Boracay. So during off-peak times, most drinks will be at half price. If you want to know the places for partying with the right vibrant crowd, consider the most popular bars and clubs below for your things to do in Boracay: Exit Bar One of the well-known bars in Boracay. Back when I was visiting the island, my friends and I spent a good amount of our time here especially since we enjoyed the kind of music that they were playing. . Coco Bar Famous for its neon-lit bar, it’s a vibrant place to be in! Come and enjoy your night here with their signature drinks while playing a game of Jenga. . Guilly’s Island This is where most of the people go for parties, and it has that gung-ho kind of vibe going on. Typically open from 5PM to 4AM, you can enjoy happy hour from 5PM to 9PM. . Epic With a prime location in Station 2 near D’Mall, Epic is one of the classier places for partying with your friends. Come morning though, it’s your typical restaurant spot. (Happy hour starts from 12PM to 10PM). . ★ Cocomangas Shooters Bar Famous for its ’15 Shots’ challenge, one can say that they have profoundly ‘conquered’ Boracay if they managed to win this ordeal. As the name goes, you have to chug down 15 shots consecutively and if you can still manage to stand after drinking it all, you will become a part of the ‘legends‘: you’ll get a shirt stating your achievement, your name will be engraved on the ‘golden’ wall, and then you will be counted to the scoring table that is grouped per country. (Apparently, Filipinos are winning so far!) Given this kind of challenge, Cocomangas can be such a fun and lively place to be! . Club Paraw A favorite of both locals and tourists, you will enjoy a bigger dance floor in this venue. Make sure that you take advantage of happy hour from 4PM to 9PM. . ★ Boracay Pub Crawl If you ever find yourself traveling to Boracay alone, don’t fret! The island is a great place to meet locals and fellow travelers (even expats!), and the best way to start a networking spree? By joining the famous Boracay Pub Crawl! For a low price of only Php 990 ($20~) you will get to ‘hop’ around 5 bars + clubs, have free drinks, get discounted drinks, gain a free iconic shirt + shooter glass, and experience fun get-to-know games with the other group participants all night long! (To book your trip, go online here). . Manic Monkey Crew Why not try a yacht party if you want to escape the crowded beach bars? This crew organizes bi-weekly parties on a 44-feet catamaran sailing yacht as they sail to key locations around Boracay. In just a day, you can enjoy a DJ on board, all-you-can-drink cocktails/beer, BBQ feasts, cliff jumping, snorkeling, and a sunset cruise! *★ = Favorite Of course, there are TONS of other bars and restaurants in Boracay, and as much as I want to list them all, I chose to merely pick the most known ones above. Otherwise, if you’re more into a low-key kind of night, pick a restaurant by the beach and enjoy a show of fire dancers! NOTE: As of 2018, fire dancing on the beach is no longer allowed. Photo by: Shutterstock If you rather want to know the best time for visiting Boracay in order to fully enjoy the peak of the island’s nightlife, that would be during: “LaBoracay” (Month of May) From the words ‘Labor Day’ and ‘Boracay’, Laboracay is the biggest summer party celebration of the island! It’s not an official event though, but it’s a term that is typically used by Filipinos to commemorate the series of big events that commonly happen during this period. It’s not only the locals who come here for LaBoracay but even foreign and local celebrities who are ready to party hard! (From DJs, to actors, etc.). If you want to know the complete list of parties every year, you can check this site. Holy Week Christmas & New Year OTHER TIPS: If you want some novel or quirky fun, check out this theatrical variety show. Otherwise, if you’re a fan of sports, the ‘Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival’ and ‘International Beach Volleyball Tournament‘ are held during the month of May (1st half). Sometime along this same month, the annual ‘Dragon Boat Racing‘ affair of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation is also held. . Come January (2nd half), water sports take place under the event name ‘Boracay International Funboard Cup‘. And since it’s the beach, there is a Frisbee tournament that is done on the White Beach during July (called ‘Boracay Open Asian Beach Ultimate’). • • • 3. Indulge yourself in the local food Photo by: Shutterstock One of the things that you have to understand about Boracay is that if you are not well-informed, you could find all these typical western restaurants that hold no personality of the island’s cuisine. This is not to say that these western restaurants are no good — because they are — but if you really want to enjoy authentic Filipino fare and dishes, follow my advice and tips: Go to D’Talipapa. Because a beach trip is NOT complete without seafood! For sure there are a lot of seafood restaurants in White Beach, for example, but if you want the true-blue way of eating like a local, drop by Station 2 to find D’Talipapa, a wet market that sells fresh seafood ingredients! Once you are done shopping for the food that you would like to eat, simply go to one of the nearby restaurants and have them cook it for you. (They have a wide range of cooking styles that you can choose from such as garlic butter, etc.) . Go to Filipino Restaurants and try local Philippines food! Other than gaining the chance to experience our hearty dishes, these are typically priced cheap too so it’s quite a steal (starting at Php 50 or $1+). For my favorites, try Smoke Resto at D’Mall, Plato D Boracay (also) at D’Mall, Mesa at Station 2, or Boracay Kitchen at Station 1. . Try the street food. To start, taste the local BBQ sticks, pork fat crackers (chicharon), balut (famous fertilized egg), and of course the Chorizo Burger! This is a favorite snack on this island and it’s basically a sweeter version of grilled chorizo with sweet sauce in a bun… BUT the taste is something that everyone and you would go gaga for! (If you’re not a fan of sweet meat then this might not work for you, but it’s still worth a try). . Take advantage of the fresh local fruits. What else but mangoes?! I promise you, we might just have the best mangoes you’ll ever taste in your whole life! Other than this, indulge yourself with coconut juice that is freshly picked. And while we’re on the topic of drinks, take your time in enjoying all the kinds of fresh juice mixes that every establishment serves. If you want to try another favorite, go to Jonah’s Fruit Shake & Snack Bar at Station 1 because the drinks here are absolutely addictive! Apart from being cheap, they are even served in such big quantities, so it’s going to be worth your money. TIP: For big groups, order a ‘boodle fight’ spread wherein copious amounts of food is spread on the table (usually on top of a banana leaf). Filipinos also usually practice ‘kamayan’ for this in which they eat with their hands. . WESTERN DISHES: Check out Station X, Aria at D’Mall for Italian cuisine, Bite Club at Station 2 for burgers, Tres Amigos at D’Mall for Mexican fare, Cafe Marujua for coffee, and Zuzuni at Station 1 for desserts • • • 4. Try out the various water sports and activities! Photo by: Shutterstock Boracay can hold your attention for a looooong while given the array of activities that you can do. Sure, it may be a small island but it sure packs a LOT of fun! Aside from the island-hopping tour activity that I have already suggested back at point #1, also try the water activities below to get the most out of your summer vacation. ★ Fly Fish Ride I absolutely recommend this if you want to have a wild ride with your friends! Basically, you will be riding this HUGE inflatable that’s like a ‘flying fish’. It will be pulled by a speedboat that will abuse its power and speed, and you have to hang on to it (for dear life) as it tries to spin you around at the sea! You can even try to put a challenge among your friends, like who will fall off the most for example! If I can impart another piece of advice, let your competitiveness slide for a bit, and then let yourself get thrown off the ‘fly fish’. Why? Because it’s part of the fun! (A milder alternative for this riding a banana boat). . Snorkeling or Scuba Diving Boracay is not only beautiful above water but underwater too! You won’t see much of a ‘view’ in the shallow waters of White Beach but your snorkeling gear will be put to good use on the other beaches like Ilig-Iligan or Tambisaan. (If you want the full-blown snorkeling experience, you should head to Batangas or Palawan — which are other destinations in the Philippines). If you’re more into scuba diving, you will see more coral reefs in the deeper parts of the Boracay ocean. There are a lot of rental shops around Boracay and PADI-certified divers will only have to pay Php 1,600 ($35+) while beginners can take an introductory course for just Php 3,000 ($50+) only. Beginner diver? Book online for an introductory course. Wanna take the PADI course? Take this licensing course by booking online. . Marine Walk This is an activity that lets you walk on the seabed as you wear a 30kg helmet to keep you down on the floor. This package that is customarily priced at Php 900 ($20+) comes with free compilations of your underwater photos + videos as well as a few pieces of bread that you can feed to the fishes while you’re submerged. (To book this marine walk or helmet diving experience, reserve online.) . ★ Cliff Diving I never leave Boracay without doing a cliff diving spree on the island and I suggest that you do the same! If you want the ultimate experience, I highly recommend signing up for the tour in Ariel’s Point. Priced at Php 2,800 ($50+) per person, it’s a deal with many ‘perks’. Apart from enjoying this special spot’s cliff diving platforms (with heights of 3 meters, 5 meters, 6 meters, 7 meters, and 13 meters) this cost lets you enjoy a roundtrip boat ride, unlimited drinks, BBQ lunch buffet, afternoon snacks, and full use of Ariel Point’s other services (canoes, kayaks, snorkeling gear, and floating raft). Ain’t that a steal?! . Photo by: Shutterstock ‘Mermaiding’ A new ‘thing’ that seemed to have popped up recently… I haven’t tried this for myself but it seems like it’s spearheaded by the Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy. What happens is that you will be joining a ‘mermaid swimming’ course under a professional teacher as you wear a stretchable fabric mermaid tail. You can either get a package where you learn how to swim with your fins or just take photos with it (or both!). I don’t think this is my cup of tea but it could be yours. Besides, the exercise AND the photos that come with it are interesting perks! . ★ Paraw Sailing Paraw is a sailboat with two outriggers to keep it afloat on the sea. This is a GREAT way to enjoy the waves and the view of Boracay with your friends especially since it’s also quite affordable. If I may add a tip, I suggest that you go sailing in a paraw at a time before or during sunset! (To book, reserve online here.) . Zorb and Zipline These are located in certain parts of the island and it’s one of those newer activities that have been on the rise for tourists lately. . ATV Ride Explore Boracay in a swanky ATV! Most of these trips go to Mt. Luho which is the highest peak on the island so it’s a chance for you to get an aerial-like view of it all as a whole. Renting these ATVs is said to cost Php 1,000 ($22+) per person. . ★Other Water Activities Banana Boat Jetski Paddle Board (SUP) Parasailing River Tubing UFO Wakeboarding *★ = Favorites • • • 5. Enjoy the sunrise and sunset Photo by: Shutterstock Ask anyone who has been to this island and they will surely tell you about Boracay’s breathtaking and extraordinary sunsets! It’s a view that will definitely mark its spot in your heart and mind, that up to this day, I myself can still picture the scenes in my mind and it makes me swell with happiness… with a tinge of melancholy (because I miss it a lot!) Feel free to pick your spot on any of the Boracay beaches to watch the sunsets (typically between 5 to 6PM), but I do highly recommend the view by the White Beach for this since the silhouette of the passing boats (or paraws) by the horizon perfectly adds to this spectacular display. …But of course, don’t forget about the sunrise too! It is equally beautiful and it’s always a wonderful thing to welcome the new day by the beach in this way. So enjoy and savor this experience! TIP: Make the most of the sunset views by booking any of the following: – Chartered Paraw Sailing – Sunset Cruise Experience • • • BONUS: Other Best Things to Do in Boracay Avail of massage services. The stretch of White Beach is full of massage shops that are relatively cheap and it’s the perfect day-ender for you after all the arduous activities that you have been through. For this, check out Bella Isla. . Try a “kawa” relaxation treatment. For a more traditional experience, join this day tour wherein after you do white water rafting, visit the Bugtong Bato Falls and some other exciting stops, you’ll get to be pampered in a “kawa” spa. . Get a henna tattoo. If you’re not into the real permanent tattoos but still into the idea of marking your body with some temporary ink, then a henna tattoo is the option for you! You will see a lot of beach-goers who have these marks on their body and if you find it cool enough, join the craze and display that art on your body. The beach is speckled with small stands of these henna artists so just take your pick, choose a design, and then flaunt it all for the rest of your stay. Some of these shops also offer a braiding service wherein they will style your hair in cornrows. . Do a Go-Kart experience with friends. Enjoy an exhilarating Go-Kart activity at Boracay Paradise with your family and/or family. Round trip service transfers are even provided for your convenience — to book your spots, go here. . Marvel at professionally-made sandcastles or make one of your own. There was a time when White Beach had lots of magnificent sand art displayed every day, however, the local government decided to minimize this activity for some reason. Anyhow, this practice is still there so just explore the length of White Beach and you’re bound to see one; or better yet, make your own! UPDATE AS OF 2018: This is NO longer allowed. . Do beach sports with your friends. There are shops that can rent you some but I suggest that you just bring your own volleyball, frisbee, or soccer ball to play with your friends. . Go for a night swim. Do you want to have the sea all to yourself? Then why not a night swim — try it at least once! . Try a unique helicopter flight above Boracay – Get a different perspective of the beauty of Boracay with this exhilarating helicopter ride. Book your spot now online! • • • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Which is the best station area on Boracay’s White Beach? Station 1 is said to have the best and finest stretch of white sand on the entire island; given this fact, most of the luxury hotels and resorts are found there. Meanwhile, Station 2 is the busiest,, especially because most of the shops and restaurants are concentrated there. As for Station 3, it’s a quiet area like Station 1 where you will find most of the cheaper accommodations such as hostels, etc. When is the best time to visit Boracay Island? It is best to visit Boracay during the dry season (November to May, commonly called ‘Amihan’). The White Beach will be very calm so it’s suitable for swimming, whereas, on the other side of the island, strong winds pass by making it suitable for activities like kite surfing or windsurfing. When is the rainy season in Boracay? The wet or rainy season is from June to October (called ‘Habagat’). It’s still ideal to visit the island during these months because travel costs will be a LOT cheaper. Most days you’ll still get to enjoy the sun too; but of course, there is also the risk of rain and typhoons. Which months draw in huge tourist crowds in Boracay? When it comes to tourist seasons, low season is from June to November (June being the wettest month). The high season is from November to May, with the following peak seasons (that usually cover big Philippine holidays) such as Christmas & New Year, Chinese New Year (first half of February), and Easter (late March and up to April, usually when schools are also on vacation break). • • • Overall It should be apparent by now that Boracay is packed with a lot of activities and attractions that can attract every kind of traveler out there. So what are you waiting for…? Start planning your perfect summer escapade to Boracay — go and have the BEST time of your life! IMPORTANT NOTE: Like any responsible tourist and traveler, PLEASE mind your trash when you party and/or stay in Boracay. Don’t leave anything behind. Remember to dispose of your trash properly and responsibly. There have been rising problems of irresponsible visitors over the years and I hope that you don’t become one of them. We really should respect nature more and continue to do our part in saving the environment. Please, and thank you! The post Top Fun Things to Do in Boracay, Philippines (Best Activities & Attractions) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Transform your long Singapore layover into an exciting adventure with these things to do in or out of Changi Airport within 24 hours!

The post Singapore Layover: Things to Do In & Out of the Airport in 24 Hours or Less appeared first on I am Aileen.

It’s no news that travelers detest long flight stopovers — but, if there is one place that I wouldn’t mind having a transit or long layover in, it would be Singapore! After all, with the country’s relaxed immigration and fast transportation, it’s quick and easy to get out of the airport and into the center in order to witness its vibrant “City in a Garden” expanse that’s brimming with an eclectic mixture of cultures, cuisines, energies, sights, and sounds. (Singapore Layover) …Though if the layover hours won’t make the cut, Singapore Changi Airport in itself is worthy of being a ‘separate destination’ because as one of the largest transportation hubs in Southeast Asia, it has over 4 terminals that houses a wide array of shops, services, theaters, gardens, entertainment centers, and more! Besides, did you know that this is the world’s top-ranked airport for six years running? So if you’ve got a Singapore layover ahead of you, prepare to be utterly awed — and of course, look no further because, with this comprehensive transit guide, I will show you the vast options that you have in order to make the most of your brief stay! RELATED READ: Ultimate List of Top Things to Do in Singapore » Quick Travel Planning Top tours & experiences Find best flights to Singapore Visa requirements Best places to stay Travel insurance Stay connected 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! Table of Contents Toggle » Quick Travel Planning Singapore Layover Explore Singapore on your own! Explore Singapore for FREE! Explore Singapore Changi Airport’s wonders! Singapore Travel Guide » Best Time to Visit » Getting in to Singapore » Visa for Singapore » Where to Stay (Singapore Accommodations) » Singapore Currency » Cost of Travel in Singapore » Leaving Luggage at Changi Airport » How to Get Around Singapore » Staying Connected in Singapore » Safety in Singapore » Helpful Singapore Phrases Other Singapore Layover F.A.Q. Singapore Layover To start off, I have sectioned the following Singapore Layover guide into three (3)… Go Outside (DIY): Advisable to follow if you have at least 6 hours of total Singapore layover time. The ‘safest’ is if you have at least 8 hours of a stopover — this is considering traffic during rush hours, etc. Of course, you can also do the suggestions listed under this section if you have lesser hours BUT only if you’re really fast and efficient (…and if you’re willing to take the risk of missing your flight). . Go Outside (FREE Tour): You can only do this outside tour if you have at least 5.5 hours of total layover. This service won’t be given to you if you have less. . Stay Inside (Airport): Obviously, this is best if you don’t have the time to go through immigration and back; hence, it’s ideal if you have 6 hours or less of Singapore layover time — rest assured, there are so many fun things to do inside the airport! IMPORTANT: If you want to GO OUTSIDE, no matter if it’s the DIY or FREE Tour option, you need to have a valid visa to exit the Singapore Changi Airport and clear immigration. Depending on your nationality, you will need a visa to enter Singapore (e.g. if you’re from the Philippines like me, we are issued visas on arrival for stays of up to 30 days). . Take note that one of the requirements for entry into Singapore is to provide proof of onward travel — or basically, proof of a flight ticket back home or to another destination after your stay in Singapore. If flight reservations are enough, you can easily purchase this from OneWayFly for only $16, and then present it to the immigration counter. The following section is in a tabbed format. Simply click the corresponding heading to see its contents. » Go Outside (DIY) » Go Outside (FREE Tour) » Stay Inside (Airport) Explore Singapore on your own! Before you get drawn into the next tab that says the magic word “FREE“, I recommend doing this DIY Singapore layover tour by yourself if you rather want the flexibility to choose the places that you actually want to go to. After all, the free tours offered by Singapore Changi Airport typically don’t give you enough time to explore the city and its stops. This is aside from the fact that they have limited tour time slots. IMPORTANT TIPS: – Much like I’ve already mentioned above, this kind of Singapore layover itinerary is ideal if you have at least 6 hours in between your flights (8 hours being the safest) — this is taking into account traffic, transit, check-in, and immigration times. . – Don’t forget to leave your luggage at the airport. It’s best to leave your carry-on too, as well as any other heavy backpacks because they will be a pain to carry when you explore the city. . – It’s also best that you have all of your flights under the same airline, if not operated by airline partners so that you can have your checked-in luggage go all the way to your destination. (This saves you the hassle of checking in your luggage again after your Singapore layover or stopover). . – To know how to get in and around the city, scroll up and check the “Travel Guide” section below. . – Check out this great-for-value Singapore Pass that will allow you to visit 2, 3, 4, or 5 attractions in Singapore for a discounted package deal! Choose from any of these places: Universal Studios Singapore, Gardens by the Bay Singapore, Singapore Cable Car, Skyhelix Sentosa Singapore, Singapore Flyer ticket, Singapore Zoo, Singapore River Cruise, Big Bus Singapore tour, and many more! The pass has a long validity period of 30 days so it will offer you some flexibility on your schedule. The Fun Top Things to Do in Singapore? Come and check out this list of the top things to do in Singapore which features the best activities and tours in the city and more! (Use code AILEENKLOOK to save 5% off when checking out!) READ NOW Now, I’m NOT telling you to do all of the below activities in one go, because that’s just impossible. Sure, Singapore may be a small mega city but it still holds tons of attractions and activities. So what I suggest instead is that you pick 1 or 2 categories below (colored green, depending on your preference), and then you either do all the activities under it or a few (depending on how long your layover is). ◘◘ The Typical Hotspots Marina Bay Sands: This is an iconic resort complex that faces Marina Bay in Singapore and it features The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Mall, a museum, two large theatres, restaurants, Crystal Pavillions, art-science exhibits, casinos and so much more! SkyPark Observation Deck = Providing breathtaking panoramic views over the city, this observation deck also has the world’s longest elevated swimming pool with a vanishing edge (a.k.a. infinity pool) that’s located 191 meters above the ground. (You can only swim in it though if you’re a guest of the hotel; but still and the same, this is a great spot to be in and you can buy entry tickets through this link). Spectra Light Show = This is an amazing outdoor light and water show that’s displayed along the promenade. The show happens at 8PM and 9PM on Sunday to Thursday, and at 8PM, 9PM and 10PM on Fridays and Saturdays. (If you ask me, it’s better to watch this show from the other side of Marina Bay Sands). Gardens by the Bay: This mystical oasis features more than 500,000 plants and about 18 Avatar-like Supertrees that will take your breath away! To book entrance tickets for this as a part of your Singapore layover, go here. Take note that there are a LOT of attractions here but notable of which are the following… SuperTree Grove: These Avatar-ish trees light up at night and have a music and light show at 7:45PM and 8:45PM daily! It’s even possible to have your dinner inside this SuperTree and feel like a modern Tarzan and Jane (or Jake Sully and Neytiri, in line with the Avatar feel). Cloud Forest: This features the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 35 meters as well as a scenic mist-filled Treetop and Cloud Walk! Flower Dome: This is the largest glass greenhouse in the world as listed in the 2015 Guinness World Records! OCBC Skyway: Placed 22 meters above the ground, this is an amazing stroll that goes through the Gardens and gives you a great view over the Marina Bay skyline as well. Merlion Park: A landmark that you must NOT miss! Located at One Fullerton, you will find here the iconic Merlion, a mythical creature with a lion’s head and the body of fish — a widely used mascot of Singapore Singapore Flyer: Reaching a height of 40 stories, I recommend riding this Ferris Wheel at night to have an amazing view over the entire Marina Bay. You can also try their signature drinks here such as the famous ‘Singapore Sling’ that dates back over 100 years! Also, unlike typical Ferris Wheel rides, the capsules here are huge. (Book your tickets here). Singapore Botanic Gardens: A 158-year-old tropical garden that is honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Singapore’s first!). You will love the fact that entrance here is FREE from 5AM to 12AM (except for the National Orchid Garden – the park’s crown jewel – which is open 8:30AM to 7PM and charges SGD 5). ArtScience Museum: This place is that giant white flower-like building that you see on Marina Bay and it is famous for its varied art and science exhibitions. One of the most popular of which is the Future World exhibition for its impressive light set-ups (in collaboration with teamLab, a renowned Japanese interdisciplinary art collective). Entrance here typically starts from USD $9~ and you can grab discounted rates if you book online. S.E.A. Aquarium: This is said to be the biggest aquarium in the world that features state-of-the-art facilities that let you explore the depths of the oceans and glimpse at several sea creatures. (Book your tickets here). – – – ◘◘ For Shopaholics The Shoppes in Marina Bay Sands: As one of the largest shopping malls in Singapore, this should be on your Singapore layover itinerary if you want to do some luxurious shopping Orchard Road: This is a 2.2-kilometer-long major road in the city that is regarded as a famous shopping street. It holds a lot of fashion favorites, specialist stores, and so much more Haji Lane: Considered a ‘hipster’ neighborhood, you will love the boutique shops in this area (not to mention the impressive wall art). ◘◘ For Nightlife Clarke Quay: This is a historical riverside in the city that is now a hotspot for bars, clubs, and restaurants Orchard Road: After dark, the party animals come out to play at Orchard Road too! Be sure to check out Emerald Hill Road. ◘◘ For Foodies Singapore is passionate about food and you will find some of the best places in the following areas: The Old Airport Road Hawker Centre: This is one of the biggest hawker centers and which a lot of Singaporeans swear by given its long history! You can never go wrong in any of the stalls as you try some of the famous Singapore food items such as chili crab, chicken rice, char kway teow (stir-fried rice cake), lor mee (noodle dish), satay (skewered and grilled meat), and rojak (salad dish) among many others. Kampong Glam: This is a neighborhood in the city that’s filled with watering holes, cafes, and restaurants to fill up your tummy. One of the places you must not miss is Zam Zam in order to try their murtabak (stuffed pancake) that has been famous since 1908. Chinatown: This ethnic enclave is also a place that you must witness, other than its distinct Chinese cultural elements, you should enjoy the area by grabbing a bite at one of the hawker stalls and a drink too in places such as Tea Chapter. Don’t forget to buy some Chinese souvenirs! (Want a guided tour? Reserve your spot online now!) Little India: As the name suggests, this is the center of the Indian community in Singapore. While here, head over to Serangoon Road to enjoy the atmosphere, and don’t forget to try fish head curry! Singapore Cable Car and Sky Dinner: If you’re still in the city during nighttime, I suggest riding the Cable Car Sky Network to soar above the city’s views and then have a romantic dinner. (Book this experience here). Wondering what Singapore food or dishes that you must absolutely try? Check out this blog post to find out: Top Singapore Food Dishes to Try & Where – – – ◘◘ For Out-of-the-City Places Pulau Ubin: If you’ve got the time during your Singapore layover, go ride a bumboat to reach Pulau Ubin, a nearby island that is famous for its wildlife, cycle trails, and footpaths. Truth be told, this might just be the last real ‘kampung’ (village) in Singapore and you will love its unspoiled and rustic charm. MacRitchie Nature Trail: This is a gateway to the city’s natural reserves and it is a well-known spot for nature lovers and exercise enthusiasts. One of the things you must try here is their Treetop Walks, a 250-meter aerial suspension bridge that spans the two highest points within MacRitchie. (Nearest train station: Marymount). ◘◘ For Families Sentosa Island: Not only for the kids but also for the ‘kids-at-heart’, this island resort off the southern coast is a leisure place filled with fun and recreation! (Nearby train station: Harbourfront). Here are just some of the many things you can do here… Universal Studios Theme Park = Go beyond the world of cinematic entertainment to enjoy the seven themed lands here in Singapore’s very own Universal Studios! (Book your tickets here.) Skyline Luge: Ride this fun half-go-kart and half-toboggan-like sled through two different trails. This is the only Asian site of New Zealand’s famous luge activity. (Book your tickets here.) Resorts World Adventure Water Cove: Escape the summer heat and visit this must-see attraction in Resorts World! Your young ones will love the Riptide Rocket and Rainbow Reef! (Book your tickets here.) Singapore Zoo: Occupying 28 hectares of land within the city’s heavily forested area, this zoo has an “open concept” which means that you and your kids will get to closely experience the wonders of nature given that the animals here roam freely in their natural habitats. (Book your tickets here). Night Safari: This is the best way to see the world’s nocturnal animals. As a unique night safari experience and the world’s first nocturnal zoo, you can also board a tram that goes through the 86-acre rainforest! Don’t miss out on this unique experience! (Book your tickets here). River Safari: Can’t get enough of the wildlife? Make a stop at Asia’s first and only river-themed wildlife park where you can encounter manatees, giant pandas, and other creatures! (Book your tickets here.) ◘◘ NEW: Visit Changi Airport’s Jewel Opened in 2019, Jewel Changi Airport is the newest 10-level glass-dome complex that has an array of attractions not limited to gardens, a hotel, aviation facilities, and 300 retail and dining facilities. Some things that you must NOT miss out on are… HSBC Rain Vortex: The world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 40 meters high and the nucleus of Jewel. Open daily from 8AM to 12:30AM. Canopy Garden: Take a stroll along creative garden trails, glide down giant slides, or hide in bowls of gentle mist! Canopy Bridge: Suspended 23 meters above ground, with a glass bottom at the center portion for a gripping vantage point, the Canopy Bridge is sure to thrill and impress. ManuLife Sky Nets: Experience the thrill of being almost weightless as you leap about this giant net! Stretching 250 meters long, even little ones can safely indulge in free play. At its highest point 8 meters above Canopy Park, you’ll feel like you can reach the sky. Discovery Slides: As the name implies, this is a fun playground but also an amazing work of art! Foggy Bowls: Let your child slip in among puffs of cloud and hide away in gentle bowls of non-toxic mist. Kids will love the chance to play in this dreamy setting and let their imaginations take flight. Shiseido Forest Valley: A lush green sanctuary and retreat in the core of Jewel. Hedge Maze: Have a field day weaving your way through Singapore’s largest hedge maze. Be rewarded with a bird’s eye view of the maze’s intricate windings when you reach the watchtower at its core. NOTE: Jewel is found landside of Changi Airport so you need to clear immigration in order to explore this complex. But if you are short on time, you can still get a glimpse of this amazing building if you take the Skytrain that passes from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 and back — or you can join a FREE tour (just click the second tab above for more details). Anyhow, Jewel is easily connected to the Arrival Hall of Terminal 1. A free airport shuttle bus service also goes between Terminal 4 and Terminal 2. TOP TIP: Check out this great-for-value Singapore Pass that will allow you to visit 2, 3, 4, or 5 attractions in Singapore for a discounted package deal! . Choose from any of these places: Universal Studios Singapore, Gardens by the Bay Singapore, Singapore Cable Car, Skyhelix Sentosa Singapore, Singapore Flyer ticket, Singapore Zoo, Singapore River Cruise, Big Bus Singapore tour, and many more! The pass has a long validity period of 30 days so it will offer you some flexibility in your schedule. • • • Singapore Travel Guide » Best Time to Visit Much like most of Southeast Asia, Singapore is customarily hot and humid all year long but with the following months having pronounced differences: October to January: Wettest months February to April: A bit more pleasant May to June: Hottest months July to September: Most festive season and typically the best months – – – » Getting in to Singapore By air. As Southeast Asia’s (SEA’s) largest aviation hub, the main airport, Changi Airport (SIN), is known to many. In order to find the best flight deals from your point of origin, I recommend browsing through Skyscanner. 
 From the airport, there are a number of ways to reach the city: Airport Shuttle: There are Ground Transport Desks in every terminal with different transport options (limousine, 4-seater, etc.), but if you want to avoid the lines, you can already book online. Private Transfer: Apart from taxis, you can get round-trip transfers from the airport and also book this arrangement online. Train or Bus: The trains (MRT) run between T2 and T3, to Tanah Merah. From there, you have to change trains to get to the city and the western part of Singapore. For buses, they pass through all terminals with fares less than $2 (if you pay in cash, an exact fare is required). You can purchase an SG Tourist Pass to get unlimited travel on MRT and LRT lines as well as buses for a number of days. By land. The country is linked by 2 land crossings to Peninsular Malaysia namely the Causeway and the Second Link. You can drive in your own car, ride a bus or even a taxi (but only specially-licensed ones). Otherwise, there is a shuttle train service from Malaysia through Keretapi Tanah Melayu (Malayan Railay or KTMB). By sea. Singapore has 5 ferry terminals: HarbourFront (formerly World Trade Centre) near Sentosa, Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Marina Bay, Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on the East Coast, as well as Changi Ferry Terminal and Changi Point Ferry Terminal, both at the eastern side of the island near the airport. These terminals all link to Indonesia’s province of Riau Islands and the Malaysian state of Johor. – – – » Visa for Singapore Most nationalities can enter Singapore without a visa. For more information, you can check this link. But if you’re from the Philippines like me, we are issued visas on arrival for stays of up to 30 days, whether it’s for touristic or business purposes. Meanwhile, passengers of eligible nationalities may also qualify for VFTF (Visa Free Transit Facility) if the prevailing entry requirements are met. Assessment for this entry is determined by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the point of entry. (For more information, please see here). Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality. – – – » Where to Stay (Singapore Accommodations) To search for the best hotel accommodation in Singapore at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between Agoda and Booking.com. But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB. – – – » Singapore Currency Singapore dollar (sign: S$; code: SGD) wherein USD$1 is equal to about SGD 1.30~ or Php 48~. In the event that you want to exchange your money for SGD, I highly advise that you do NOT exchange your money at the airport since the rates there are not competitive. How to best exchange your currency? Either exchange it at a bank or at a money exchanger in your home country or in the city center. Better yet, just withdraw from an ATM with your debit/credit card — however, you must do one big withdrawal to minimize fees with your bank. Speaking of cards, a lot of establishments accept credit cards but it’s always advisable to have cash on hand because a lot of smaller shops do not accept international credit cards. – – – » Cost of Travel in Singapore To give you an idea, you should expect to travel in Singapore with an average daily cost of about USD $45~ per person on a budget, or at least $120~ if you want to experience more comfort in activities, tours, hotels, and more. (Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges). Hotels: $25 to $75 USD / day Food: $8 to $20 USD / day Fun: $10 to $25 USD / day Transport: $3 to $8 per ride – – – » Leaving Luggage at Changi Airport All terminals in Singapore Changi Airport have baggage storage and counters — plus, they are available 24 hours! Prices for this typically start at USD$4, so it’s great when you have a Singapore layover. For more information, see here. – – – » How to Get Around Singapore Singapore is a small metropolis, so you can either walk (depending on the locations you’re going to) or take the following options: Rail: MRT and LRT trains are cheap and reliable modes of transportation. It’s best to get an EZ-link or Nets FlashPay farecards (this can be bought either from the station or at convenience stores or online), and fares usually cost from $.80 to $2.20. Bus: These are a bit slower but still great for shorter distances. You can pay in cash or coins but it’s best to pay with your Ez-link or Nets FlashPay card, just don’t forget to tap out or you’ll end up paying the maximum fare. Taxi: The flag down rate starts at $3, anyhow you also opt for an Uber-like service by downloading the Grab ride-hailing app (you can pay by cash or credit card). Meanwhile, when you’re mapping out your day-to-day route, just use Google Maps because it will show in detail the fastest connections you can do (by walking, by car, by bus, and by train). – – – » Staying Connected in Singapore Singapore has one of the fastest internet connections in the world so you’ll be assured of great connections wherever you go. To add, most places even offer FREE WiFi — but in order to consistently stay connected online during your Singapore trip, get your own pocket WiFi or SIM Card. – – – » Safety in Singapore Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world with very low crime rates — however, this is NO excuse to get too complacent. ‘Little crime’ does not mean ‘no crime’, so stay vigilant and be “street smart” by using your common sense at all times. Nevertheless, solo travelers don’t have much to worry about in this amazing country. HOW TO: Find the right travel insurance for you – – – » Helpful Singapore Phrases English is widely spoken and it is one of the 4 official languages (the other three being Mandarin, Malay and Tamil). That being said, you won’t have difficulty going around Singapore because everyone speaks English. Nevertheless, below are some helpful Mandarin and Malay phrases. RELATED READ: Best translation apps for travel MANDARIN Hello: Nǐ hǎo (Nee how) Thank you: Xièxiè (shièh shièh) You’re welcome: Bú kèqi Goodbye: Zàijiàn (dsaì jiàn) Excuse me (getting attention): Qǐng wèn I’m sorry: Duìbùqǐ (dweì bú chi) Is there someone here who speaks English?: Zhèlĭ yǒu rén hùi shuō Yīngyǔ ma? Help!: Jiùmìng! Cheers!: Gānbēi! (gon bay) MALAY Hello (formal): Hello Hello (informal): Hai (Hi) Thank you: Terima kasih (TREE-muh KAH-seh) Yes: Ya (YUH) No: Tidak (tee-DAH) Goodbye: Selamat tinggal (SLAH-maht tin-GAHL) [“Safe stay!”] or Selamat jalan (SLAH-maht JAH-lahn) [“Safe trip!”] Excuse me / I’m sorry: Maaf (mah’AHF) or Maafkan saya (mah’AHF-kahn SAH-yuh) Is there someone here who speaks English?: Adakah orang yang cakap Bahasa Inggeris di sini? (AH-duh-kah OH-rahng yahng CHAH-kahp bah-HAH-suh ING-grees dee SEE-nee) Help!: Tolong! (TOH-lohng) Cheers!: Sorakan! • • • Other Singapore Layover F.A.Q. What are the current travel restrictions and quarantine policies in Singapore? Please check their latest travel advisories page for more details. If I exit the airport and enter Singapore, does immigration ask for proof of onward travel? Yes, immigration usually asks for proof of onward travel — or basically, proof of a flight ticket back to your home country or to any other destination after your stay in Singapore. If flight reservations are enough, you can easily purchase this from OneWayFly for only $16, and then present it to the immigration counter. How early do I have to reach my gate for my departing flight? You should make your way to your departure gate at least 60 minutes before your flight departure time. My passport will expire within a month. Can I still travel to Singapore? All visitors to Singapore must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after their date of arrival in the country. What is the power socket used in Singapore? Singapore typically uses plug type C (two round pins), type G (three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern), and type M (three round pins). The country operates on a 230V voltage and a frequency of 50Hz. What is the tipping policy in Singapore? It is not customary in Singapore to tip. In hotels and some restaurants though, you will sometimes see a 5-10% service charge on your bill. Looking for more travel tips for Singapore? Check out my other detailed Singapore travel guides! READ NOW • • • Overall Clearly, a long flight stopover can be so much fun if you’ve got a Singapore layover! All in all, I hope this helped you out. Let me know! The post Singapore Layover: Things to Do In & Out of the Airport in 24 Hours or Less appeared first on I am Aileen.

See the top tips & things to do on Bastille Day when you're in Paris France. A day of fireworks, parties and parades are in store!

The post Things to Do on Bastille Day in Paris, France (Celebration Tips & Travel Guide) appeared first on I am Aileen.

One of the European celebrations that you should NOT miss out on would be the French National Day: ‘Bastille Day‘ in France! Called in many names: La Fête Nationale (The National Celebration), La Fête de la Bastille (Bastille Celebration), or Le Quatorze Juillet (the fourteenth of July), this amazing affair is celebrated annually on the 14th of July. With French people all over the world celebrating this day, naturally, it is a HUGE celebration — more so in Paris as they hold festive events for all tastes and ages from the early hours of the morning till the wee hours of the night. That’s why this year, I was incredibly happy when I was invited to the ‘City of Love‘ to join the fête! Best Tours in Paris? Come and check out this list of the top things to do in Paris which features the best activities and tours to do in and out of the city! READ NOW Table of Contents Toggle About Bastille Day Things to Do on Bastille Day » 9AM: Witness the Military Parade (Défilé Militaire) at Champs-Élysées » Rest of the Day: See Paris’ Sights or Watch a FREE Movie Outdoors » 9PM: Catch the Live Concert and Fireworks Show at Champ de Mars » Late Night: Attend a Fireman’s Ball (Les Bals des Pompiers) About Bastille Day Bastille Day commemorates the Storming of the Bastille (a fortress and prison for those who opposed France’s kings) on July 14, 1789, thereby marking the French Revolution. . Bastille Day only became a national holiday in 1880 and the French continue to celebrate it today as a way of recognizing the significance of this event which ushered the end of the royal monarchy and the beginning of its modern republic. . It is only on Paris’ Bastille Day that you get to witness the oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe! It happens on the morning of July 14 on the Champs-Élysées. So how was it for me? Well, I certainly had a swell time spending Bastille Day in Paris — it was memorable and I highly suggest that you make it a point to attend this too! • • • Things to Do on Bastille Day » 9AM: Witness the Military Parade (Défilé Militaire) at Champs-Élysées As I’ve already mentioned above, this is Europe’s oldest and largest regular military parade; therefore, it’s quite a sight to see! All traffic will usually be closed starting at 7AM in Champs-Elysées and its surrounding streets, and it’s actually around 10AM that the program starts from the Arc de Triomphe — however, I’ve mentioned 9AM because it’s always best to come early. Given the hype that surrounds this military parade, it can get very crowded! So during this parade, trumpets would often first signal the arrival of the President of the French Republic, the Air Force will start cruising low in the sky either doing stunts or spreading colored smoke (of course in the colors of the French flag and it often happens around 10:45AM), and then the elite units of the French army will start to parade down the picturesque avenue down to Place de la Concorde on foot, on motorcycles, on horses, on tanks, on jeeps, etc. Recently, it has even become a custom for France to invite units from its close allies to participate in the parade. For this year, they’ve invited troops from Australia and New Zealand. HELPFUL TIPS: There will be a HUGE crowd. Tons of people will line up on both sides of the avenue of Champs-Elysées and security will also be quite tight! Given this fact, it’s advisable that you come early; or if you can’t, bring a stool to stand on (I’ve seen some people doing this). It’s best to avoid standing underneath a big tree because you can miss seeing the aerial show during the parade. One of the best spots to be in would be below George V avenue. Another option is to come around 8AM or earlier to reserve a seat in one of the open cafés or restaurants in Champs-Elysées that are on an upper level of a building. You can also book an AirBnB or Paris hotel that has the necessary vantage point to look over the avenue (just make sure there are no trees in the way of your view!) Some of the metro stations near Champs-Elysées will be closed from 8AM until 12PM. They’re not always the same every year, but most of the time it’s the stations of Concorde, George V, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Champs Elysees Clemenceau, and Tuileries that will be closed. That being said, do make sure to check before you go! Before and after the show, I took the Saint-Philippe du Roule metro stop and it was just a 5-minute walk to get to the avenue area. To check which metro stations will be closed, go here. After the Bastille Day parade, you can walk on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées until 6PM since it transforms into a pedestrian-only road for the time being so go mad snapping pictures away in this spot! – – – » Rest of the Day: See Paris’ Sights or Watch a FREE Movie Outdoors Though it is a national holiday, a lot of Paris’ restaurants, museums, and attractions stay open — some of them can even be entered for FREE. For that reason, you should make use of this time to visit the Louvre Museum, the Notre Dame de Paris, the Musée d’Orsay, the Chateâu de Versailles and so much more! For ideas, go read my guide here: » READ: Top 10 FREE Things to Do in Paris If however, you just want to chill with friends, you can attend a FREE Open Air Cinema in the green lawns of Parc de la Villette that’s located in the 19th district in the northeastern part of Paris. It runs from July to August as part of its annual Open Air Film Festival — so it’s one of the best things to do on Bastille Day. You can always rent chairs and blankets on site if in case you didn’t get the chance to bring one. But like I said, it’s open for all! If you want to access the lawn on other dates, you need to register on the La Villette website. (Most films, however, are in French but there are also foreign films being played but with French subtitles.) For more info, you can check by here. – – – » 9PM: Catch the Live Concert and Fireworks Show at Champ de Mars Yet another highlight of this day that’s great to do with friends as you bring along a picnic blanket, some food, and bottles of wine! So first and foremost, the live classical concert will start at 9:15PM at the foot of the Eiffel Tower featuring the Orchestre National de France and the Choir of Radio France — this can change in the coming years, but so far they’ve been consistently doing it. They will perform popular show tunes and soundtracks, and by the end of the night (during the fireworks show) they will play the French national song: Le Marseillaise. The Fireworks Show will start at exactly 11PM and the dazzling lights will set off from the Eiffel Tower and the gardens of Trocadéro for about 35 minutes. HELPFUL TIPS: As per usual, Parisians and visitors alike will be flocking to this, so if you want to have the best view, reserve your picnic spot on Champ de Mars at around 5PM. (Some people even start marking their territory at the early hours of the morning!) Rest assured, there are other spots in Paris that are good for watching the fireworks (such as that on a Seine river cruise). I didn’t manage to get a spot in Champ de Mars so I ended up in the bridge of Pont de l’Alma which still had great views of it all (as you can see in my video and in the photo above)! For the other best places to view the fireworks display, you can read my post below… » READ: The Best Spots to Watch Bastille Day Fireworks in Paris, France Be aware that there are very few public toilets and they will end up being crowded too; so I suggest that you prepare some cash beforehand for buying cheap drinks in nearby cafés or bars in order to use their restroom. Much like the Bastille Day Military Parade, metro stations within the vicinity will be closed before and/or after the show. Even if there are nearby metro stations open after the Fireworks Show, they will be packed with people so I suggest that you wear comfortable shoes for walking since you might need to walk a bit further out from the Champs de Mars area to get to a metro station that is open and less crowded. After the show, I had to walk a bit to reach the Iéna metro station (since it was the nearest connection to my hotel located in the Bastille neighborhood). Once I was there, I had to wait for 10 minutes still until the crowd thinned a bit more. To check which metro stations will be closed, go here. If you think you can get a taxi or Uber — don’t. The surrounding area will be in a jam so you’re really better off walking. – – – » Late Night: Attend a Fireman’s Ball (Les Bals des Pompiers) One good way to avoid the busy metro stations after the Fireworks Show: make a detour and attend a nearby Fireman’s Ball! As the name goes, this party takes place in fire stations (casernes) around Paris’ 20 arrondissements — so yes, you can party with (hot) firemen and French folks! *wink* While there are plenty of choices to go for Firemen’s Balls, it is said that the best parties are done on the eve of Bastille Day (July 13). You can see on this link a list of the participating fire stations. These are not only for entertainment but for charity too since there’s always a small entrance fee to be paid for and of course, snacks and drinks to buy. If you’re up for it, the firemen will also be selling raffle tickets and again, all of the proceeds will be given to charities or for the improvement of their own facilities. If you stay in these places up until late night, most of them will transform into a dance club filled with younger people, complete with a DJ. HELPFUL TIPS: These all-night soirees start at around 9PM until the early hours of the morning (but most would wind down around midnight) These parties do not only happen on the 14th of July but also on the 13th; but take note that metro stations are open until 2:15AM only during these days. If you want a complete list of Fireman’s Ball parties going around in Paris, check by this link. • • • » Top Paris Tours « Disneyland® Paris Ticket Go to one of the happiest places on earth! Seine River Sightseeing Cruise Ensure a memorable day or night in Paris Where to Stay in Paris? Come and check out my list of the ‘Best Hotels in Paris’ which features the top recommended choices for cheap to luxurious accommodation choices. READ NOW • • • Overall The month of July is truly a time wherein the whole of France comes alive, and even if you’re not a local, you are always welcome to celebrate Bastille Day with the French people! If you want to be at the center of it all, then for sure a trip to Paris on July 14 is a must. With tons of events and activities to choose from, it’s now my hope that you get the most out of this day with the help of this guide. Bonne Fête Nationale! The post Things to Do on Bastille Day in Paris, France (Celebration Tips & Travel Guide) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Avoid the crowd and save your spot in one of these best places to perfectly watch the Bastille Day Fireworks Show Display!

The post Where to Watch Bastille Day Fireworks in Paris, France (Top Tips & Best Spot) appeared first on I am Aileen.

The Bastille Day Fireworks Show on the 14th of July is a grand event that must not be missed during the French National Day celebrations (Bastille Day / La Fête Nationale) in Paris, France! After all, when the clock strikes 11 in the evening, splashes of bright colors would erupt from the foot of the picturesque Eiffel Tower and the charming gardens of Trocadéro for about 35 minutes — a seemly way of commemorating the start of the country’s French Revolution back in 1789. (Bastille Day Fireworks) Of course, a lot of other cities and towns all across France also hold a Bastille Day Fireworks Show, but I believe that it is in Paris where you should first see such a display! » READ: Things to Do on Bastille Day Best Tours in Paris? Come and check out this list of the top things to do in Paris which features the best activities and tours to do in and out of the city! READ NOW All in all, given the significance of this event as well as the festivities that surround it today, a lot of French people and even non-French folks alike join this annual affair in Paris… and by ‘a lot’, I mean a LOT. So, if you want to catch the Bastille Day Fireworks, you have to be prepared to brave the crowds. The best spot to watch would be Champ de Mars; however, everyone eyes that spot every year like a hawk! Rest assured, there are other places and spots all over Paris that you can go over in order to catch the best view of the Bastille Day Fireworks. First off, let’s start with the best one, which is naturally… Table of Contents Toggle » Champ de Mars » Any cruise along the Seine River » Montparnasse Tower » A terrace restaurant » The balcony of your Parisian friend’s house or your hotel » One of the bridges crossing the River Seine » Boulevard Pasteur » Trocadéro » Montmartre and the Sacré Coeur Basilica » Parc de Belleville » A last alternative… Best Spots for Bastille Day Fireworks » Champ de Mars (FREE) As a large public greenspace smacked right in front of the Eiffel Tower, this is the perfect spot to watch the Bastille Day Fireworks as they set it all off from behind the tower somewhere near Trocadéro. Besides, this is also where you can watch the live concert of the Orchestre National de France and the Choir of Radio France which usually starts at 9PM, and then afterward, hear them loud and clear as they play the French national song Le Marseillaise during the fireworks show. It helps to note though that people start reserving their picnic spot here as early as 5PM, so it’s best that you either go here early or take turns with your friends to keep guarding your ‘territory’. Nearby metro: Champ de Mars / Tour Eiffel on line RER C, Ecole Militaire on Line 8, or Bir-Hakeim on Line 6. – – – » Any cruise along the Seine River ($$) The next best thing you can do — especially if budget isn’t an issue for you — is to book a river boat cruise that goes along the Seine river. A lot of the providers there set a special dinner and tour for this day which spans for a few hours. They will glide along the Seine and then they will stop at a close distance from the Eiffel Tower when it’s time for the Bastille Day Fireworks Show, thereby giving you a prime view! Some of the providers you can book from are: Bateaux Mouches, Vedettes de Paris, PARISCityVISION, and Bateaux Parisiens. – – – » Montparnasse Tower This is a tall office tower that’s close to the Eiffel and it offers a great panoramic view that’s perfect for viewing the Bastille Day Fireworks. ($) Unfortunately, the viewing deck here is usually closed before the start of the fireworks display. If in case it does open in some years, you will have to fight with the crowd apart from paying an entrance fee (around 13 EUR). ($$$) That’s why if you’re willing to pay a bit more while enjoying a nice dinner, you can book a table by the window at Ciel de Paris that’s located on the 56th floor of the tower (best to reserve weeks or even months in advance!) Nearby metro: Paris Montparnasse on Line 6. – – – » A terrace restaurant ($$$) There are several terrace restaurants that offer a great view of the Bastille Day Fireworks up close, namely: Les Ombres, Monsieur Bleu, and Maison Blanche. The same principle as with Montparnasse, it’s best that you book your spot way in advance to secure your spot. – – – » The balcony of your Parisian friend’s house or your hotel (FREE) If you’ve got a pal living in Paris and who has an apartment with a good view of the Eiffel Tower, then this makes it all easier of course! But if you don’t know anyone there, maybe try Couchsurfing to see if there are any hosts who are nearby that are willing to take you in? ($$ – $$$) Otherwise, if you’re going to book your own accommodation, consider these hotels that have really good rooftop views: Hotel Terrass, Hotel Plaza Atheene Paris, Hotel Raphael, and Shangri-La Paris Hotel. – – – » One of the bridges crossing the River Seine (FREE) If you can’t be on Champ de Mars nor on a river cruise, then the next best thing you can do is save a spot in one of the nearby bridges that cross over the River Seine. These would be: Pont Alexandre III, Pont des Arts, Pont de la Concorde, Bir Hakeim, Alma, Grenelle, and Pont de l’Alma. When I celebrated Bastille Day, I went to Pont de l’Alma, and even if it was not facing the official front of the tower like that of the view in Champ de Mars, it provided me nonetheless with such a great ‘side’ view and I can also perfectly hear the music played by the orchestra. – – – » Boulevard Pasteur Photo by: LPLT / Wikimedia Commons (CC License) (FREE) I read somewhere online about how someone found a nice spot over at the corner of Boulevard Vaugirard and Boulevard Pasteur in the Montparnasse neighborhood. Apparently, it’s a street that goes a bit downhill, so it gives a pretty good view of the Eiffel Tower during the Bastille Day Fireworks no matter what part of the street you ended up standing on. Over the years though, it’s not so much of a ‘secret spot’ anymore so there will be people — BUT, probably not as much as the other areas (yet). That being said, go and give it a try! Nearby metro: Pasteur on Line 6. – – – » Trocadéro (FREE) This will be very near the Eiffel Tower — however, you will have a view of the wrong side since this is the area where the fireworks will be set off. This means that you won’t clearly see the tower itself and the whole art of the fireworks display since you’ll be seeing it from “behind” and not from the front. Nearby metro: Trocadéro on Line 9. – – – » Montmartre and the Sacré Coeur Basilica (FREE) Montmartre will give you great panoramic views of Paris from afar. HOWEVER, take heed of the word ‘afar’ in my sentence because even if you get a good spot here in Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower and the fireworks display will be very small in your vision. Additionally, you won’t hear much of the accompanying music, so make this as a last resort if in case you can’t go to any of the former places that I’ve mentioned. Nearby metro: Anvers on Line 2. – – – » Parc de Belleville (FREE) This park is located on the hill of Belleville so it is also a great vantage point for overlooking the whole of Paris. BUT much like Montmartre, this is very far from the Eiffel Tower so take note of this fact. Nearby metro: Couronnes on Line 2. – – – » A last alternative… There’s a different kind of joy to be experienced when you watch the Bastille Day Fireworks up close along with the crowd or with your friends and family. However, if you really couldn’t make it on time to the show due to traffic or whatnot, there’s always the option of just watching it on television! • • • » Top Paris Tours « Disneyland® Paris Ticket Go to one of the happiest places on earth! Louvre Museum Priority Access Beat the notoriously long ticket queues! Where to Stay in Paris? Come and check out my list of the ‘Best Hotels in Paris’ which features the top recommended choices for cheap to luxurious accommodation choices. READ NOW • • • Overall The fireworks display is but only one of the many great ways to celebrate the French National Day. If you want to learn more about Bastille Day and see the other things that you can do during this special day, come check out my article below: » READ:Things to Do in Bastille Day The post Where to Watch Bastille Day Fireworks in Paris, France (Top Tips & Best Spot) appeared first on I am Aileen.

This isn’t your typical island-hopping itinerary: discover the side of slow travel in the Philippines through its culture, cuisine & stories.

The post Slow Travel in The Philippines: Exploring the Country in Depth appeared first on I am Aileen.

Ever tasted Filipino adobo cooked by someone’s grandma in a small-town carinderia, or watched the sunset from atop a 2,000-year-old rice terrace? (Slow travel in the Philippines) If that sounds intriguing, then you’re in for a treat—that’s exactly the kind of genuine encounter the Philippines offers beyond its famous white-sand beaches. With over 7,000 islands, applying for an eTravel Philippines can be your gateway to a colorful mix of history, culture, cuisine, and hidden gems just waiting to be explored. Step away from the typical resorts and you’ll find rice terraces older than the Roman Empire, craggy volcanoes, Spanish-era colonial towns, secret caves, bustling wet markets, remote islands… we could go on and on! Ready to go further? In this article, we’ll show you five ways to go beyond the usual routes and explore the Philippines in depth. Table of Contents Toggle Don’t Just Stick to the Capital Learn More About the Country’s History Go on a Food Tour Learn a Few Words of Tagalog Don’t Just Stick to the Capital Many visitors land in Manila, hop over to Boracay — maybe squeeze in a stop in Cebu — and then call it a day. While these destinations are great, limiting your trip to this trio is a bit like visiting Italy and skipping Florence, Sicily, and Venice. In fact, with 7,000-plus islands to explore, why settle for the most popular spots? Let’s take out the map and let wanderlust lead the way to these hidden gems: If you’re looking to go surfing and enjoy a laid-back pace, head to Siargao, the country’s surfing capital. Beyond catching waves, the island has a relaxed, barefoot charm and natural gems like the Sugba Lagoon and Magpupungko Rock Pools. For something completely different, head north to Batanes. With its rolling hills, stone houses, and windswept cliffs, it’s often called the “Scotland of the Philippines.” Meanwhile, in Davao, you can sample the famously pungent durian fruit and spot the rare Philippine eagle (one of the most endangered eagles in the world). Finally, in northern Palawan, Coron’s turquoise lakes, hidden lagoons, and dramatic limestone cliffs offer an island-hopping paradise for snorkelers and divers. – – – Learn More About the Country’s History To truly understand and do slow travel in the Philippines, you have to get acquainted with its history, and there’s no shortage of places to do so! Let’s start at the very beginning: the Tabon Caves in Palawan. Known as the “Cradle of Philippine Civilization,” this archaeological site is where the oldest human remains in the country were discovered—some dating back over 16,000 years. . From there, head north to Banaue and Batad to marvel at the rice terraces, which were carved into the mountains more than 2,000 years ago and are still used to this day. No wonder it’s a UNESCO Heritage Site that has been described as “a living cultural landscape of unparalleled beauty”. . Now let’s jump ahead to the Spanish colonial period with a visit to the capital, Manila, where the city’s Intramuros district—also known as the “Walled City”—was the center of power during more than 300 years of Spanish rule. Stroll its cobbled lanes, explore Fort Santiago, and admire the grandeur of San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the country. . Some 250 miles to the north is Vigan, another UNESCO-listed site and one of the best-preserved Spanish colonial towns in Asia. Horse-drawn carriages (kalesas), baroque mansions, and heritage homes paint a vivid picture of 18th-century life. . For a deeper dive into more recent history, take a boat to Corregidor Island, where ruins and hidden tunnels offer a look into the defining WWII battles fought between Filipino-American forces and the Japanese. – – – Go on a Food Tour Filipino cuisine is as diverse as its islands—a delicious fusion of Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American influences. To get an authentic taste of it, skip the chain restaurants and head to a carinderia, a small, family-run eatery where you’ll find authentic home-cooked meals. The country’s “unofficial dish” is adobo, a stew of meat, usually pork or chicken, cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and bay leaves — and every island, town, and grandma has their own version. Be sure to try several to find your favorite. Another must-try dish is sinigang, a tamarind-based sour soup that can be made with pork, shrimp, or fish and is beloved for its comforting tang. For something truly festive, there’s lechon, a whole pig roasted over charcoal until the skin is perfectly crisp. Want to check off all the good Filipino food? Visit my list of the top local delicacies that you MUST try! READ NOW – – – Learn a Few Words of Tagalog Filipinos are famously warm and welcoming, but make the effort to learn a few basic Tagalog phrases, and you’ll be rewarded with even bigger smiles. Learning just a handful of everyday words can go a long way. Try saying “Salamat” (thank you) or “Kamusta?” (how are you?) when greeting locals. If you’re enjoying a delicious meal, “Masarap!” (delicious) is always a crowd-pleaser. Shopping in a market? “Magkano ito?” means “How much is this?” and is handy when browsing local stalls. And on a hot day, asking “Pahingi naman po ng tubig” (Can I have some water, please?) might just lead to a refreshing break and a friendly chat. • • • Overall Go and discover your own place by doing slow travel in the Philippines! After all, the Philippines isn’t just another vacation spot—it’s a beautiful mix of cultures, languages, landscapes, and lifestyles. To appreciate its beauty, go beyond the typical routes. Explore further. Try the unfamiliar. Go deeper! And who knows, maybe you’ll find your perfect spot and never want to leave. With thousands of islands to choose from, there’s a good chance one of them might just be “the one”. The post Slow Travel in The Philippines: Exploring the Country in Depth appeared first on I am Aileen.

How to stay in Europe longer and extend your stay in the Schengen Countries / Area for more than 3 months — the legal way? Here's how!

The post How to Stay in Europe Longer Than 90 Days — Including the Schengen Countries: The Ultimate Guide (2025) appeared first on I am Aileen.

“How to stay in Europe longer within the Schengen Countries or Area?” This is one of the most common questions that I get from readers, especially because I have been able to stay in the Schengen Area for more than the usual 90-day limit despite being an unmarried non-EU (non-European Union) national with a third world country passport. I understand that a lot of people want to have the right to stay for more than 90 days or 3 months, especially since going on a complete Eurotrip can’t be done in such a short span of time. So with this post on how to stay in Europe longer, I will be giving you different ideas and options on how you can legally extend your European vacation! NOTE: Europe is a large continent with a number of countries and one of the biggest zones that they have is the Schengen area. For the purpose of this article, I will be focussing on this region to help you make the most of your stay. Table of Contents Toggle Schengen Area Schengen Visa The 90-Day Limit FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) » Get a Europe Student Visa Finland Norway Austria Germany Hungary France Belgium Italy » Find Work or Stay as a Freelancer Apply for Normal Work Teach English Abroad Join a Language Assistant Program Be an Au Pair Do a Working Holiday Apply for a Freelancer/Digital Nomad/Self-Employment Visa Be a Volunteer Do a Cultural Homestay » Do a Union or Reunion in Europe Family reunion Marriage or Fiance Visa Cohabitation Home Stays » Apply for Citizenship Through Marriage Through Purchase or Investments Through Ancestry or Naturalization » Hold a Long-Term Tourist Visa France Sweden Spain » In & Out Hop » Schengen Visa Extensions Schengen Area To date, the Schengen Area is a group of 26 countries and it comprises most of Europe. As part of a unified agreement, all of them have agreed to abolish passports and internal border controls. This means that all the Schengen countries act as if they are only ‘one country’ — so every citizen of each member state is free to go anywhere they want. Meanwhile, outsiders who want to enter the Schengen Area would experience border control once at the first country that they enter; but after that, entering other member countries would no longer require further immigration control. These 26 countries are namely: Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark[1] Estonia Finland France[2] Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands[3] Norway[4] Poland Portugal Slovakia Slovenia Spain[5] Sweden Switzerland [1] Excluding Greenland and the Faroe islands [2] Excluding overseas departments and territories [3] Excluding Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Caribbean Netherlands [4] Excluding Svalbard [5] With special provisions for Ceuta and Melilla From the above list, 4 of these are non-EU (or EFTA member states that may have border control) — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland — whereas 22 are part of the EU. However, to date, there are a total of 28 members of the EU; so what happened to the other 4? Well, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania — are just NOT part of the Schengen Area. TRIVIA: There are 3 additional European microstates — Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican — that can be considered as de facto within the Schengen Countries given how they don’t have border controls with the countries that surround them. However, it’s important to note that they are not official Schengen member states since they have not signed documents for it. (But of course, it’s fine to visit with a Schengen visa). – – – Schengen Visa The Schengen Visa serves as the basic short-term visa that you will need to be able to stay in all of the 26 countries. However, non-Schengen citizens are allowed to enter the area without this said visa (their passport will only get stamped upon arrival and departure) as long as they are residents of: Albania[*] Andorra Antigua & Barbuda Argentina Australia Bahamas Barbados Bermuda Bosnia & Herzegovina[*] Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Canada Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cyprus Dominica El Salvador Georgia Grenada Guatemala Honduras Hong Kong SAR Israel Japan Kiribati Macao SAR Malaysia Marshall Islands Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova[*] Monaco Montenegro[*] Nauru New Zealand Nicaragua North Macedonia[*] Palau Panama Paraguay Peru Romania Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent Samoa San Marino Serbia[*] Seychelles Singapore Solomon Islands South Korea Taiwan[1] Timor Leste Tonga Trinidad & Tobago Tuvalu Ukraine United Arab Emirates USA[1] Uruguay Vanuatu Vatican Venezuela [*] Visa waiver applies only to holders of biometric passports [1] The passport must include an identity number NOTE: This list is as of 2020. Ireland, UK, and their territories are allowed limitless entry to the Schengen Area. – – – If you are NOT a resident of any of the countries above (which mostly comprises citizens of Africa and Asia) you would need to apply at an embassy to obtain a tourist/short-term Schengen Visa. RELATED ARTICLE: Visa Application Tips: 4 Important Things to Get You Approved! READ NOW Alternatively, check out my comprehensive visa guides per country. NOTE: It helps to mention that there are non-Schengen members in Europe that allow entry to their country if you have a Schengen Visa, namely: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, North Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey, and the Vatican City. HOWEVER, you must check these details beforehand since their rules might have changed. Plus, customarily, only multiple-entry Schengen visas are allowed. For starters, you can check this list for a list of countries you can visit with a Schengen visa. – – – The 90-Day Limit Once you are allowed to enter the Schengen Area — with just your passport or with a short-term visa — you are ONLY permitted to stay for 3 months (90 days) in ANY 6-month period (180 days). The 90-day span doesn’t need to be consecutive, it’s treated as cumulative (especially if you have a multiple-entry visa); but the fact remains that after you have stayed in Schengen for a total of 90 days, you have to leave. You are NOT allowed to come back again until the 181st day from the first time you stepped in. IMPORTANT UPDATE (March 2015): As of 18 October 2013, the Schengen member states changed the calculation of the 180-day period. To know more about this and avoid fines, deportations, and bans in Schengen, please check this article. If you don’t leave by the time you hit 90 days, you are subject to a fine or deportation — worst-case scenario, you will be banned from the Schengen Area for a period of time (1-3 years) or indefinitely. It is sometimes considered as ‘okay‘ if you stay for a couple more days and even up to a week, but I advise that you don’t try and push your luck especially if you’re on a visa. And if you stay longer than a week, you should know that you’re going to be in big trouble. Nevertheless, it’s said by most travelers (who are free to enter Schengen countries with just a passport) that southern countries like Greece, France, Spain, and Italy are not so strict on checks. While western countries like Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, and EFTA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) are very firm with entry and exits (primarily at the airports or train stations, more so if you’re going to an isolated island). Still and the same, as I’ve mentioned, you shouldn’t ‘push it‘. Follow the rules and if you really want to know how to stay in Europe longer than the 90-day limit, below are the different ways you can stay longer, legally! FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) I am a dual citizen so I have another passport that I can use to enter and stay longer in Europe’s Schengen Zone. Can I use them and stay in Europe for 3 months per passport? Unfortunately, the Schengen area policy states that if you have more than one passport and none of them is from a Schengen state, the same rule applies: you still need to do the 90-day stay limit within any 180-day period. So technically, the rule is per person, not per passport; hence, it’s not possible to use two separate passports to stay in Europe’s Schengen zone for long. What happens if I overstay in Europe beyond the 90-day limit? Any non-EU national who stays in the Schengen area for more than 90 days (without the appropriate visa such as a long stay or residence one) will usually result in a fine, deportation, and/or re-entry ban to the Schengen area. Can I enter the Schengen area for more than one time during the 90-day period? Yes, as long as you have a visa that allows it (e.g. a double-entry or multiple-entry visa). However, take note that you must calculate your days of stay so as to ensure that you don’t stay for more than 90 days in ANY 180-day period (see here for more info). How do you count the 90-day limit for any 180-day period? It helps to remember that the 180-day period keeps “rolling” — as such, for every entry that you make into a Schengen country, you need to count backward the last 180 days and see if you have been present in the Schengen area for more than 90 days throughout that time. For more info on this (as well as access a more streamlined day calculator), see here. Is it possible to get a multiple-entry tourist visa to the Schengen area for a year or more? Yes, it’s possible! According to the recent Schengen visa code, you can get a 1-year multiple-entry tourist visa if you have obtained and used three (3) Schengen tourist visas in the past. You can get a 2-year multiple-entry tourist visa if you have obtained and used a 1-year multiple-entry visa in the past 2 years. Lastly, you can get a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa if you have obtained and used a 2-year multiple-entry visa in the past 3 years. DISCLAIMER: I am NOT an embassy officer nor a migration agent. I am only here to provide you with ideas on how you can stay in Schengen countries longer. If you ever need any help with visas or procedures, please check these visa guides or the related links I have provided in this article (as well as contact the appropriate departments). It also helps to note that I do not guarantee the timeliness of the information below, so please make it your responsibility to recheck the facts since there could be more recent updates/changes. Thank you! » Get a Europe Student Visa Student visas in all Schengen countries are not hard to obtain as long as you are accepted, enrolled, or invited by a university or school — which, of course, you should apply for before entering a Schengen country. Naturally, you would have to pay for these courses but you can always work part-time while studying since most student visa-holders are allowed to do so. Otherwise, you could try to get a scholarship, apply to an exchange program (if you’re still studying), or simply enroll in FREE universities. Yes, you read that right… free! There are actually several countries in Europe that chose to eradicate tuition fees for both local and international would-be students and they are listed below (along with other countries that have the cheapest tuition). So if you’re looking for ways on how to stay in Europe longer, below are your top options! Finland Lowest yearly tuition fee possible: FREE Regardless of nationality, tuition fees in Finland are absolutely free at whatever level! (Plans of putting tuition fees on non-EU students for 2016 have been totally abandoned). But as per any student application abroad, you would need to prove that you can handle your own living expenses. Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: At least $630+ (Php 27,800+) For more information: See ‘Studying in Finland‘ . Norway Lowest yearly tuition fee possible: FREE No matter your nationality — local or international — state universities and university colleges in Norway do NOT charge tuition fees, and much like Finland, it applies to all levels: undergraduate, masters and Ph.D. (Some specialized courses might still have fees, though small, so always recheck with the university. Private institutions, on the other hand, would still have fees.) Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: At least $1,000+ (Php 44,200+) For more information: See ‘Studying in Norway‘ . Austria Lowest yearly tuition fee possible: FREE or starts at $400 (Php 18,200+) If you’re from a 3rd world country, some universities in Austria will exempt you from paying any tuition, whereas any other non-EU resident will most likely just pay around $400 (at the lowest possible). Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: At least $900+ (Php 40,000+) For more information: See ‘Studying in Austria‘ . Germany Lowest yearly tuition fee possible: FREE or $1,000 (Php 44,200+) As of 2014, all public German universities offer higher education free of charge not only to local but international students! However, it’s important to note that this is true for the undergraduate level only and that there might still be some administration fees (but the cost would start at about $57 or Php 2,500+). Just make sure to check that the course you’re applying for is in English; however, if you’re fluent in German, that’s better. Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: At least $770 (Php 34,000+) For more information: See ‘Cost of Studying in Germany‘, ‘List of Free German Universities‘ and ‘Studying in Germany‘ . Hungary Lowest yearly tuition fee possible: $1,000+ (Php 44,200+) The good thing about Hungary is that, unlike the Scandinavian countries, it is one of the European countries that has a more affordable cost of living, thus, proving your ‘solvency’ would be easier than the others. Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: At least $566+ (Php 25,000+) For more information: See ‘Studying in Hungary‘ . France Lowest yearly tuition fee possible: $1,000+ (Php 44,200+) You’re lucky if you can find a cheap university in Paris because the cheapest ones are actually found outside of the capital (Lyon is one example). I have actually been told that there are public universities that can only cost $300 a year but since I wasn’t provided with the exact university names, I leave it up to you to do the research. Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: At least $500+ (Php 22,000+) For more information: See ‘Studying in France‘ . Belgium Lowest yearly tuition fee possible: $1,100+ (Php 50,000+) I have tried this option before through the University of Antwerp for one of their 1-year Master Programs, and the process of obtaining a student visa was fairly easy given how I was backed up by the university that had accepted my application. The tuition was worth $2,000+ (Php 88,500+) which is almost double the lowest yearly tuition possible; so if you want to get the cheapest, try the University of Leuven, Hasselt University, or the University of Ghent (I didn’t manage to apply for these three since I was late for their deadlines, that’s why I resorted to saving up $2K to pursue the University of Antwerp). Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: At least $730 (Php 32,300+) For more information: See ‘Studying in Belgium‘ . Italy Lowest yearly tuition fee possible: $1,500+ (Php 66,400+) Italy is known for providing studies on fashion, history, and liberal arts at an affordable cost for international students. Living expenses should be easy to handle once you know the economical places to eat and stay in. Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: At least $390 (Php 17,200+) For more information: See ‘Studying in Italy‘ . » READ: How to Save Money for Travel Should undergraduate or master programs remain to be too costly for you, if not the shorter courses that span for a year or below, consider the language programs since these studies are often cheaper! (Italy is one example of this, as well as Spain). TIP: For ‘means of support’, it’s always best to add more to the minimum requirement. It also helps to add a sponsor (even if it’s just on paper) even if you already can support yourself — this is what I’ve done when I applied for a university in Belgium, after all, it’s always best to ‘overdeliver’. Moreover, if you’re from the Philippines or Asia like me, before you can study overseas for a business or graduate school, check if you need to have a GMAT or GRE certification since most Asian universities are not ‘recognized’ abroad. (GRE is said to be the easiest, which I have done. Others reviewed for months on this, but I only reviewed for a day since I was in a rush; and yet I was fine! But surely, I don’t advise that you do the same). Also, if your studies were not conducted in English, a majority of the European schools would need a TOEFL or IELTS from you. – – – » Find Work or Stay as a Freelancer There are different ways to do ‘work’, some are conventional but some are unique. Check out the list below to see what best fits you in order to know how to stay in Europe longer! Apply for Normal Work This is where you go through the usual process of finding a company (in the form of a transfer, internship, part-time, or full-time work) and then apply for a work visa. » For more information: See EuroJobs or Europa . Teach English Abroad This is not the same as those ‘jobs on the road’ where you hold private English classes for people who don’t have it as a first language. Why? Because doing so is a risk. A short-term tourist Schengen Visa is NOT a work permit. Sure, working can still be done in secret (with Spain & Italy as the most tolerant) but if you somehow attract the attention of authorities, it can get nasty. So if you really want to teach legally, secure a work visa or working holiday visa first (that will make you stay longer too) by searching for opportunities in recognized schools or institutions. Teaching English while under a student visa is possible as well. Countries that are typically open to English-teaching jobs are the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Germany, Spain, and Italy. For these jobs, a TEFL certificate is a usual requirement. » For more information: See TEFL or ESLCafe . Join a Language Assistant Program Often run by governments, it gives non-EU citizens a chance to stay in the Schengen countries or area longer in exchange for offering aid in teaching the English language — they even pay you for the service you’re doing. There are only a few European countries that offer this kind of program and below are their basic requirements: France: must come from one of their 60 partner countries, age 20-30, have a basic level of French, completed at least 2 years of university (https://www.ciep.fr/en) Italy: must be a resident of the USA, have Italian proficiency, a university graduate or undergraduate, 3.25 GPA (https://www.indire.it/en/progetto/language-assistants/) Spain: must be a resident of USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, China, or EU, have a basic level of Spanish, a university graduate, or in their last year of university (https://www.educacionyfp.gob.es/) Switzerland: must be a resident of USA, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Austria, France, Italy, or Spain, age 21-30, have sound language knowledge of the region (can be German/French/Italian), a university student or graduate (source) For openings in other countries, check here. . . Be an Au Pair Usually done for at least 6 months or more, working as an au pair is like being a domestic assistant as you live with a host family that provides free accommodation and food. Other than providing childcare, you are also typically asked to do light housework as you receive a salary for it. » For more information: See IAPA, Great Au Pair, or Europa Au Pair . Do a Working Holiday If you are 25 to 31 and a citizen of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, you are eligible to get a working holiday visa that grants you the right to stay, work, or find work in the Schengen Area for one to two years. » For more information: See Work Holiday Visas for how to stay in Europe longer . Apply for a Freelancer/Digital Nomad/Self-Employment Visa With the rise of remote workers or digital nomads — as well as the rise of countries’ need for more tourism especially after the COVID pandemic — a lot of destinations have started to implement new visa programs for online or remote freelancers as well as self-employed individuals. To date, below are examples of countries that implement a digital nomad visa for foreigners: Estonia: Digital Nomad Visa Germany: Residence Permit for Self-Employment Iceland: Long Term Visa …and more! To see a complete list of countries that offer visas for remote workers, read below: UPDATES: 48 Countries That Offer a Digital Nomad Visa Looking for a Long-Term Travel Insurance? Providing great coverage and flexibility without costing a fortune, SafetyWing is currently the preferred travel insurance of digital nomads! GET INSURED NOW! . Be a Volunteer Much like English-teaching jobs, there are volunteer jobs as well that are ‘under-the-table’ — but apart from being risky, it’s not a legal way for how to stay in Europe longer. Examples are fruit-picking jobs, hostel work, etc. (this is why most of the time their websites advise that you don’t mention to immigration officers that you are going to work on a farm, for example). Therefore, to be able to remain or to be able to become a volunteer for a longer period of time, you would have to either get a work visa/permit or sign up for accredited volunteer programs that could whip out a work visa for you. These often come with a fee, but some can be very affordable. » For more information: See Europa or Voluntary Service for how to stay in Europe longer . Do a Cultural Homestay This is not like the informal homestay set-ups that I have discussed in this article: [click]. Instead, this is a more formal arrangement between a non-profit organization and a foreign country wherein they partner with wannabe travelers like you and send you to a host family elsewhere. For instance, the organization Cultural Homestay International has a ‘World Explorers’ program wherein in exchange for your 3-months worth of accommodation abroad, all you have to do is share your native language with your hosts for 15 hours per week. (These casual English conversation lessons usually run 5 days a week, 3 hours a day). If you want to travel for a year, it’s possible for them to combine multiple programs in different destinations to make it all sum up to 12 months! » For more information: See (CHI) World Explorers Program for how to stay in Europe longer – – – » Do a Union or Reunion in Europe The items below are common solutions on how to stay in Europe longer. They have no ‘special’ tricks or tips but they remain to be conventional ways of obtaining a longer visa in the Schengen Area: Family reunion Applicable if you have close kinship ties to a Schengen citizen or permanent resident. . Marriage or Fiance Visa Self-explanatory. If you have fallen in love with a European from any of the Schengen countries this is the way to go! . Cohabitation If you’re not the ‘marrying’ type, you can choose to go for a live-in visa with your boyfriend/girlfriend who is a resident/citizen of one of the Schengen countries. Customarily, applications like this become successful if you can prove that you’re in a relationship for at least 2 years or have lived together for at least 1 year. Belgium, for example, has a great cohabitation visa program because you can apply for it while in the country. . Home Stays There are some European families that are willing to take a foreigner in as a part of their household for a long period of time. This can usually be a part of a student’s schooling experience or as a part of an organization for cultural or language immersion (like #8 of the previous section) who would often need a fee from you. – – – » Apply for Citizenship This (citizenship) is more of an option for those who are really focused on staying in the Schengen Area indefinitely. Obtaining this can be done through different ways: Through Marriage …with a European in the Schengen Area. On average, it takes 3 years; some can only take a year. . Through Purchase or Investments If you got the money, you can obtain EU citizenship through investments or the purchase of property (or even the purchase of citizenship). Examples of these countries are Austria, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, and Slovakia. Take note that the price to pay can start at $320,000+ to millions. There are also Schengen member states like the Netherlands and France that offer residency permits for a limited period of time, in exchange for payments or investments at a minimum of $300,000+. . Through Ancestry or Naturalization I call this the ‘Waiting Game‘. If you are able to obtain a long-term visa that will enable you to stay in a Schengen member state for 5 to 10 years, then your citizenship is ostensibly secured. On the other hand, if you can inspect your family tree and discover that you have ancestors who are citizens or have become residents in EU countries in the past, your years of ‘waiting‘ can be shortened! Examples of these are: Ireland: This is NOT a Schengen member state, but since Irish citizens are allowed to enter Europe without limits, acquiring citizenship through Ireland would be a good step and you can achieve this if you have an Irish parent or grandparent. Your citizenship immediately becomes effective upon registration. Germany: The country freely provides citizenship to children and grandchildren of former Germans who were deprived of their citizenship status between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945, on racial, political, or ethnic grounds. Italy: Once proven that you have Italian ancestors, you can become a citizen by naturalization if you find a way to remain in the country for at least 3 years (it seems long but better than the norm of 10 years). ★ Spain: Like Italy, 10 years is also the usual length required to become a Spanish citizen; but, it can be shortened to 2 years if your country is a former colony of Spain: these are Latin American countries, Sephardic origins, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and the Philippines. But take note that you must be a natural-born citizen in these countries and aside from the 2-year required to stay for naturalization, processing your application can possibly take 2 more years. Source: Spanish Naturalization for how to stay in Europe longer . *As with most cases of naturalization, countries would commonly require that you have basic knowledge of their language, history, and geography before fully processing your citizenship. Also, you must stay there legally; for example, staying for 2 years in Spain without legal papers does not qualify you for naturalization. UPDATE: Try to look into Portugal as well. Any individual who has lived in Portugal as a legal resident for a minimum of five years (by studying, working, self-employment, marriage, or reunification) can apply for citizenship, provided that they can demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and have active ties to the national community. – – – » Hold a Long-Term Tourist Visa A big part of the Schengen Area’s member states do NOT allow long-term tourist visas, except for a few which could grant you a Type D visa (maximum 1 year) with the condition that you will NOT work. These countries are: France As long as you have a solid reason and you have enough money for the duration of your stay (said to be a minimum of $3,000 per month or Php 132,000), you can be granted a long-term visitor visa that can last for a year (but can be subject to a renewal depending on your reason for wanting to stay longer, your financial means to prove that you’re not going to need to work, etc.) Take note that this type of visa would allow you to take residency in France ONLY starting from the 4th month of your stay (you can still tour the rest of the Schengen countries from the 1st to 3rd months). Anyhow, in a sense, you can still travel around after the 4th month because there are no border checks on land; but again, that’s a huge risk and it’s illegal. If you get caught, well… you know what could happen. » For more information: See France Consulate or ask your local French embassy for more details on how to stay in Europe longer . Sweden If you have special grounds or reasons, Sweden is willing to give out a long-stay tourist visa or an extension for 3 more months (you can apply for it while in Sweden or before entry to Sweden). It’s said that most of the people who are successful with this are those who have family or relatives in Sweden, but it’s still worth a try if you’re willing to go through the processing time. » For more information: See Swedish Migration or consult your local Swedish embassy for more details on how to stay in Europe longer . Spain There is a type of tourist residence visa in Spain called “non-lucrative” and it is geared towards retired or rich persons who can stay for 1 year in the country. This is as long as they can provide proof that they don’t need to acquire work in Spain, that they are not carrying out any economic activity in Spain, and/or that their clients are not based in Spain — so basically, that the person generates their income outside of Spain. One important proof they need is for you to show that you have a monthly income of at least 2,130 EUR. » For more information: See Spain Embassy or consult your local Swedish embassy for more details on how to stay in Europe longer . RELATED READ: Countries That Offer Long Term and Digital Nomad Visas – – – » In & Out Hop I have listed out the 26 member states of the Schengen Area at the top of this article — keep these in mind very well, and once you do, plan a EuroTrip that will make you hop in and out of these Schengen countries while managing to technically still remain within the European territory. After all, this is one of the best ways on how to stay in Europe longer! What do I mean by this? Well, you can tour around different Schengen member states like France, Spain, or Germany and by the time you hit your 90-day limit, go and hop over to a non-Schengen European country like Georgia, UK, North Macedonia, or Turkey to wait until you hit the 181st day so that you can come back to the Schengen Area again. Just find the right mix for this, save up, plan it well, and you can definitely manage to stay for a very long time in Europe. This also works best especially if you can get a multiple-entry Schengen visa for at least a year or more so that you can go in and out of the Schengen zone as many times as you want! RELATED READ: Schengen Short Stay Calculator How to get proof of onward travel? Immigration in any country would often require “proof of onward travel” or basically, proof of a return ticket back to your home country or to any other destination aside from the country you’re entering to. If you don’t have concrete plans yet AND if you want to be flexible with your travels, booking a final flight ticket is extremely costly — thankfully, presenting a “flight reservation” usually already works. To get this, I recommend purchasing it from OneWayFly for a small fee of only $16~! READ NOW As I mentioned, this in-and-out hop setup works best for those who: Hold a passport that grants visa-free entry to non-Schengen countries Hold a visa OR visas that allow visa-free entry to non-Schengen countries Hold a double-entry or multiple-entry Schengen visa RELATED READ: Countries You Can Visit Visa-FREE with a UK Visa Countries You Can Visit Visa-FREE with a US Visa Countries You Can Visit Visa-FREE with a Canada Visa Countries You Can Visit Visa-FREE with a Schengen Visa To give you a personal example, I was able to stay for about a year in Europe by jumping from one Schengen country (e.g. France, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, etc.) to a non-Schengen country (e.g. Georgia, Armenia, Serbia, North Macedonia etc.). Overall, if you want to use this method of ‘hopping’ around, just please remember to: Be informed. Take note of the non-Schengen countries’ policies with regard to the number of days that you are allowed to stay in their domain (this is in connection with your passport/visa/nationality). Do your own research. Be updated. Take note of any sudden changes to the Schengen member states’ list. Some people asked me if it’s possible to just apply for 2 or more Schengen visas in one appointment (for later use) in order to stay longer in Europe without going back to their home country to apply for a new one — unfortunately, this is NOT allowed. After all, a succeeding Schengen visa application will render your previous one null or void. There have been a few people though who were able to apply for a new Schengen visa abroad but this can only be done if the individual can properly justify why they are unable to do a new application in their home country. I know of some travelers who have used the reason of “I’m traveling long term” and have ended up as successful in their appeal. However, it’s still important for you to know that it’s customarily a tough case; but then again… there’s no harm in trying, right? – – – » Schengen Visa Extensions This is a delicate subject because almost all Schengen countries do NOT tolerate extensions once you get into the area with a short-term (less than 90 days) tourist visa. Be that as it may, the good news is that it’s still and always possible if you’re resourceful and creative enough. (Extensions for long-term visas for studies, work, etc. are a different matter altogether). If you’re rather one of the nationals who are allowed to come into Schengen countries with just a passport, be mindful that it can prove to be more difficult because you technically don’t have a visa on hand to apply for an extension for — sure, there are chances that you can apply and obtain a visa without a need to go back to your home country; however, as I’ve mentioned previously, I seldom hear of situations that are successful in doing this. (You can try and do your research since some embassies might be able to accommodate such requests depending on your nationality and situation). Now the typical grounds that can grant you an easy extension can be cases of: Force Majeure – unforeseen circumstances that are not under your control (i.e. bad weather conditions, airline strikes, etc.); this is the only situation that does not require fees for extension Humanitarian reasons – if you have fallen ill or a close family member has fallen ill or died Serious personal reasons – individual cases . These can allow you to stay for more days either in the whole of the Schengen Area (very rare case) or just inside the country that you are in (that you chose, that is your point of entry or the place you’ve stayed the longest — it’s a case by case basis but this is what mostly happens when you are granted an extension: you’re only allowed to stay in the country that you applied for). But of course, you wouldn’t want to fall ill nor would you want a family member to die just so you can extend your visa, right? So what other options do you have? Luckily, there seem to be some Schengen countries that are quite lenient with extensions, and the ones that I know of are: PORTUGAL They can offer up to two extensions, for as long as you can support yourself and provide the necessary documents. (It’s said to be best done in Lisbon). » For more information: See Immigration or ask the embassy about how to stay in Europe longer . SWEDEN I’ve heard a lot of successful stories from friends who have managed to extend their visa in Sweden, but it’s important to note that most of them were able to do so because they had a Swedish friend, family, or ‘special someone’ to back them up. I guess it’s a way of ensuring a Migration Board that you have a local who can support you (even if it’s just on paper). » For more information: See Migrationsverket or ask the embassy on how to stay in Europe longer . Note: Some people say that short-stay tourist visas can also be extended in France; however, I couldn’t find any reliable source online for this with regard on how to stay in Europe longer; still and the same, it’s worth looking into – let me know if this is indeed possible. . » Other Possibilities due to Bilateral Agreements with… US Citizens I have read in forums online saying that U.S. citizens can stay for 90 days in Poland, leave for one day, and come back to have another 90-day stay. This is said to be one of the best ways how to stay in Europe longer because of some sort of bilateral agreement or declaration between the U.S. and Poland. I’ve certainly read of accounts that said that they were successful in doing so and have had Polish officials confirming this set-up. However, I advise that you check with them yourself since I can’t find a reliable online source. Make it a point to verify if this is true since it goes beyond the Schengen rules; it’s even possible that the extension will only allow you to stay in Poland only and not in the rest of Schengen. . UPDATE: According to the Dutch American Friendship Treaty and Dutch Japanese Trade Treaty, American and Japanese entrepreneurs or self-employed citizens can apply for a Dutch residence permit to live and work in the Netherlands. It’s pretty straightforward if you plan to build a business or are already doing business in Netherlands, but if you’re a freelancer, you need to have one or more commissions in the Netherlands to carry out. Australian Citizens Australia has bilateral agreements with Denmark and Germany that override the Schengen conditions allowing Australians to stay up to 3 months or 90 days in each of these two countries. In theory, Australians can stay indefinitely by going back and forth between Germany and Denmark every 90 days. Of course, the restriction of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area will come into play if they venture out to other member states. The example scenario for this will usually go like this: on the 90th day of your stay, you have to leave the Schengen zone (you could go to the UK for example). Upon leaving, you have to make sure that you have the stamps from the border police in your passport to be able to prove that you have left the Schengen Area. Afterward, you are allowed to go back to Germany for 90 more days — but only to Germany and you can stay for a total of 180 days there, but no more than that. SOURCE: Visa exemptions for Australians . I have not done extensive research on ALL non-EU nationalities, so I hope you take the action to recheck your rights in the Schengen Area since your home country might have these same bilateral agreements that will allow you to stay longer in Europe. Now, if I may add, I have also discovered several ‘success extension stories’ in other Schengen countries using the methods below which are both worth a shot. But again, be aware that some countries may accept this while some others may not: Register as legal partners – if you have a significant other who is a national of one of the Schengen countries, it’s possible to come into the country with a tourist visa and then immediately jumpstart a live-in or cohabitation agreement (NOT marriage) to be able to remain in the country longer even after the expiry of your tourist visa. Customarily, applications like this only become successful if you can prove that you’re in a relationship for at least 2 years or have lived together for at least 1 year. (Countries that I know of who can take on these kinds of applications are Belgium and the Netherlands.) Partner with an NGO or Tourism Board – if you can find an NGO, tourism board, or organization that can vouch for you, it’s possible to gain an easy extension. Some travel bloggers have been able to use this method as they offer their skills of writing or blog ‘reach’ to the appropriate institutions. This is definitely worth your while, especially if a certain migration office is open to other types of visa applications (i.e. I’ve read an account of someone that’s able to do this in Romania; even if it’s not part of the Schengen Area yet, some legit member states can conceivably acknowledge this circumstance). Looking for more travel tips for Europe? Check out my other detailed Europe travel guides! READ NOW • • • Overall I hope this guide on how to stay in Europe longer helped shed some light on the 90-day limit rule in the Schengen countries; plus, I certainly hope that in one way or another, I helped give you an idea of how you can prolong your European journey without breaking the law! Should you ever have any other tips in mind that should be included in this ‘How to Stay in Europe Longer‘ guide, please feel free to leave a comment below. And if there are any corrections, do kindly let me know of that too! Before I end this post, I leave you with the following general reminders: Do your own research. I cannot stress this enough. Take my advice on how to stay in Europe longer with a grain of salt. Besides, the information that I post here is based on my own findings and experiences, so it’s your responsibility to ensure that the facts that I have here are still up-to-date or true at the time that you are reading this article. I say this because I certainly don’t want you to waste your money or time when you suddenly find out that certain conditions are changed, eradicated, etc. Check migration rules. Be well-informed of the rules that apply to you depending on your nationality or passport. Know your limits and your benefits. Speaking of a passport, always ensure that it is NOT expiring anytime soon. Ultimately, I hope that this whole article on how to stay in Europe longer can also be a way for you to connect to others who have had successful experiences of staying longer in the Schengen Area; therefore, do feel free to post your questions in the comments section below. However, as I said, be reminded that I am NOT an embassy officer nor a migration agent. Any queries relating to such things should be directed to your local embassy or migration board, and NOT to me. Thank you and good luck! The post How to Stay in Europe Longer Than 90 Days — Including the Schengen Countries: The Ultimate Guide (2025) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Discover the best things to do in Doha—from desert adventures to luxury dining and seaside strolls. Plan your perfect Qatar itinerary today!

The post Top 10 Things to Do in Doha, Qatar for First-Time Visitors (Travel Guide & Tips) appeared first on I am Aileen.

When you think of the Middle East, chances are… your mind probably instantly jumped to the thought of Dubai or Abu Dhabi. However, just across the Gulf lies Doha, Qatar’s vibrant capital and a place where futuristic skylines rise above golden deserts, and centuries-old traditions blend effortlessly with world-class art, design, and hospitality. Though often seen as a layover destination, it is more than just a quick stop—it’s actually an experience in itself! After all, this capital of Qatar is bursting with surprises; so, whether you’re visiting for a few days or longer, here are some of the best things to do in Doha! » Quick Travel Planning Top tours & experiences Find best flights to Qatar Visa requirements Best places to stay Travel insurance Stay connected 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! First and foremost, Doha offers travelers a unique combination of luxury and culture. You can wander through bustling souqs, marvel at modern museums, cool off by the turquoise Corniche waters, or sip Karak tea while watching the sun melt over the sand dunes. As such, no matter if you’re a foodie, history buff, art lover, or adrenaline junkie, there’s something in Doha that will surprise and inspire you. Now, as you are planning a visit—or even just dreaming about one—here’s a curated list of the Top 10 Things to Do in Doha that showcase the best this dazzling desert-meets-coast city has to offer! Table of Contents Toggle » Quick Travel Planning Top Things to Do in Doha 1. Stroll through Souq Waqif 2. Dive into history and art with the city’s museums 3. Unwind at the Pearl-Qatar 4. Chill out at a beach club or resort 5. Hit the dunes & the Inland Sea on a desert safari 6. Wander around key districts 7. Sample authentic Qatari & international flavors 8. Explore the Katara Cultural Village 9. Shop (or window-shop) at luxury malls 10. Sail on a traditional Dhow Cruise Doha Travel Guide » Best Time to Visit » Getting into DOHA » Visa for QATAR » Where to Stay (DOHA Accommodations) » Qatar Currency » Cost of Travel in Qatar » How to Get Around Doha » Safety in Qatar » Helpful ARABIC Phrases Top Things to Do in Doha 1. Stroll through Souq Waqif Doha’s old-town market is a joy for the senses—twisting alleys, colorful textiles, dried spices, and ornate arabesques… You’ll definitely find everything from falconry supplies and frankincense to souvenirs and shisha lounges here! And so, don’t skip sampling local treats like karak chai (a style of masala chai tea made of black tea, aromatic spices, sugar, and milk) and freshly grilled meats, eaten right on the street. It helps to note, though, that the Souq comes alive more in the evening with music, chatter, and vibrant lights — and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a parade with camels and horses! It’s surely a great way to take in Qatari culture in an informal and authentic setting. Some key things to take note of: Falcon Souq: Where you can see (and even hold) trained falcons — it’s quite a unique window into Qatari tradition. . Souq Waqif Art Center: Features galleries and studios showcasing local art, paintings, and handcrafted pieces. You might even catch live painting or craft demonstrations. . Gold Souq: Found adjacent to Souq Waqif, this is a good place to go if you’re looking for beautiful gold jewelry and traditional Qatari designs. . Al Terrace at Al Mirqab Boutique Hotel: Qatari and Lebanese cuisine with beautiful views. It’s perfect for a romantic evening, if not a great place for a good breakfast spread. . Chapati & Karak Cafe: Famous for their street-style chapati (roti) wraps and karak tea. It’s great for a quick and tasty snack while you’re roaming around! TIP: Visit just before Maghreb prayer time (usually after sunset) to see families gathering and hear the call to prayer echo through the market! 2. Dive into history and art with the city’s museums Doha is home to some of the most impressive and thoughtfully curated museums in the Middle East as they blend cutting-edge architecture with deep cultural storytelling. I swear to you, their museums here are so tastefully designed that they are wonders in themselves! That said, for your top things to do in Doha, here are the top museums you shouldn’t miss: National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ): Designed after the desert rose (a rose-like crystal that typically forms in the desert), the interactive galleries here take you from Bedouin heritage to modern urban life. Massive-scale installations—like a giant pearl diver—that you can actually walk through are also mesmerizing. Though in hindsight, the architecture alone is worth the trip! . Museum of Islamic Art (MIA): Framing the skyline through massive geometric windows, this architectural icon that’s designed by I.M. Pei houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of Islamic art: from manuscripts and ceramics to textiles and jewelry, spanning over 1,400 years! . Mathaf – Arab Museum of Modern Art: Dedicated to modern and contemporary Arab art, this place features works by both established and emerging artists from across the Middle East and North Africa. If you’re interested in political, social, and cultural narratives of art, this should be on your list. . Msheireb Museums: A cluster of four beautifully restored heritage houses focusing on Qatari social history, slavery, oil discovery, and urban transformation. Found in the modern Msheireb District, you’ll be happy to know that this is FREE to visit and walkable, perfect for a half-day cultural immersion! TIP: For NMoQ and MIA, allow at least an hour or more each for a relaxing, immersive experience. 3. Unwind at the Pearl-Qatar This 4sqm artificial, luxury-infused island feels like a mini Mediterranean town! Did you know…? This is also the first land in Qatar to be available for freehold ownership by foreign nationals. For the best time in this location, you should make time to wander the marina-lined promenades, which have plenty of pastel buildings and cute boutiques — you’ll find Italian gelato, Lebanese mezze, and chic cafés as you stroll. If you’re rather looking for water fun, kayak or paddleboard rentals are available right from the quay from certain providers. Porto Arabia Marina: Think yachts, palm-lined promenades, luxury boutiques, and cafés with waterfront views. This area is perfect for sunset walks, people-watching, or just soaking up the upscale vibe. . Qanat Quartier: A picturesque neighborhood inspired by Venice, it is complete with colorful buildings, canals, arched bridges, and cobblestone streets! Naturally, this is ideal for Instagrammable moments and peaceful strolls. . Dine at World-Class Restaurants: The Pearl offers a wide range of cuisine—from fine dining to trendy brunch spots—featuring restaurants like Megu (Japanese), Sasso (Italian), Burj Al-Hamam (Lebanese), Toro Toro (Latin American), and Evergreen Organics (plant-based), many of which boast stunning terraces with sea or marina views. TIP: Head over here on weekdays to avoid crowding, or visit during the evening to see the lights reflected in the water. Especially during cooler months, keep an eye out for weekend pop-ups, night markets, food truck festivals, and seasonal events. 4. Chill out at a beach club or resort With Qatar’s intense daytime heat, finding a cool escape is a must. For a dose of leisure and laid-back coastal vibes, check out these top spots to unwind until the weather cools down as part of your top things to do in Doha list: Banana Island Resort: Just a fifteen-minute ferry ride from Al Shyoukh Terminal, this private, crescent-shaped island is pure getaway vibes! Their QAR 350‑395 day‑pass includes beach and pool access, QAR 200 food credit, QAR 50–70 activity credit, and round‑trip boat transfers — what more can you ask for? So go and lounge by the surf‑pool, test your aim at bowling, or get your adrenaline up at their Adventure Park with ziplining and giant swings. . Bagatelle Beach Club: This is the city’s newest and most glamorous beach destination, and it blends French Riviera chic with Qatari flair. With Mediterranean cuisine, DJ sets, luxe cabanas, and direct beach access, it’s perfect for upscale day lounging, parties, or sunset cocktails! . The Ritz-Carlton, Doha Beach: Known for its private beach access, luxury spa, and waterfront dining, the Ritz offers a refined, quieter beach escape for guests and members. . Meryal Waterpark: This is a must-add for adventure lovers and families alike, especially with its unique setting on Qetaifan Island and world-class facilities. With over 85 rides, slides, and attractions, this is lauded as the LARGEST waterpark in the region. In fact, their “Icon Tower” is a Guinness World Record–holding waterslide standing at 85 meters (279 feet)! TIP: As usual, weekdays are less crowded across all of these spots! 5. Hit the dunes & the Inland Sea on a desert safari This is definitely a MUST on your top things to do in Doha: a full‑day desert tour that includes dune‑bashing in a 4×4, sandboarding, and wind-swept scenic photo stops! Now the desert tours usually include Bedouin-style camps, light meals, and camel rides. But the highlight is reaching Khor Al Adaid (Inland Sea), where golden dunes meet the sea—a UNESCO World Heritage site with a picture-perfect view near the Saudi border. This is quite special because Qatar is one of the few places in the world where the desert meets the sea. So with this, you’ll get to see towering dunes drop dramatically into the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, and it’s an impressive, rar,e and surreal sight if you ask me. (I booked a private tour and even managed to take a dip in this sea!) For this activity, make sure to bring a scarf, sunscreen, and plenty of water; depending on the season, you’ll need a sun hat and layers for early morning chill. Many tours offer sunset packages, so if they do, expect glowing horizons and professional photo ops! TIP: Book through licensed operators such as this = [click] and I would suggest including a stop to the Inland Sea, even if it is an activity that will take some time; after all, it is a unique spot like no other! 6. Wander around key districts The fun doesn’t stop in Doha—it’s a city of distinct neighborhoods, each offering its own charm, culture, and experiences. So whether you’re in the mood for a scenic stroll, café hopping, art spotting, or luxury shopping, here are a few must-visit districts that should be on your top things to do in Doha list: Corniche: This is Doha’s waterfront ribbon, and it’s a 7 km-long promenade hugging zebra-striped beaches lined with palm trees and manicured gardens. If you’re up for it, this is a great spot for running, cycling, or walking at any time of day. If you stay around golden hour, you can spot some traditional Dhow cruise gliding across the water. . Mina District: Adjacent to the Corniche, this is a wonderful location that offers colorful heritage-style homes, laid-back cafés, and public art installations. It’s a quieter, more local-feeling stroll compared to the touristy Corniche and I absolutely enjoyed taking a lot of photos there! . Crystal Walk (Lusail Marina District): Located in the ultra-modern Lusail City, Crystal Walk is the longest open-air, air-conditioned shopping promenade in the region—and it’s just as luxurious as it sounds. With its glittering crystal-themed design (yes, the place is indeed speckled with real crystals!), shaded walkways, and built-in climate control, it offers a comfortable, high-end shopping and dining experience even in Doha’s warmest months. 7. Sample authentic Qatari & international flavors If you want to truly experience Qatari culture, start with the food—it’s rich, flavorful, and rooted in tradition! Must-tries are: Machboos: A beloved national dish made with spiced rice, slow-cooked meat (usually lamb or chicken), and aromatic herbs, often served with a side of homemade tomato sauce. . Luqaimat: Deep-fried dough balls glazed with date syrup or honey and topped with sesame seeds—crispy on the outside, soft and warm inside. . Harees: A creamy wheat and meat porridge typically served during Ramadan . Balaleet: A unique breakfast dish of sweet vermicelli noodles topped with a saffron-spiced omelet. . Karak Chai: Qatar’s famous sweet, spiced milk tea that’s both comforting and addictive — in fact, don’t be surprised if you crave it every day! TIP: If you’re looking to elevate your culinary experience, book a table at IDAM, located inside the Museum of Islamic Art. Led by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, it offers a refined fusion of Qatari and French Mediterranean flavors, all served with breathtaking views of Doha’s skyline. I had the chance to try this myself and I kid you not: it’s not just a meal—it’s a cultural and visual experience that was delectable! 8. Explore the Katara Cultural Village Katara is a cultural playground: art galleries, amphitheater, beach stages, and pigeon towers. So ready your camera because there are a lot of views here to behold. Katara Cultural Village was built as part of Qatar’s national vision to become a global hub for culture, creativity, and dialogue. In fact, it was envisioned by Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir of Qatar. Opened in 2010, it has since been designed to celebrate Qatar’s rich heritage while fostering intercultural exchange, and to serve as a premier platform for local and international artists, performers, and thinkers. Drop in during the day for exhibitions and public art or come in the evening for concerts and film screenings under the stars. The beach is also calm here and often used for yoga or tai chi sessions. If you’re into art, galleries rotate through local and international shows, and entry is often FREE. Dining options include easy cafés to high-end Riva seafood restaurants. Don’t forget to check the local calendar too—festivals, fireworks, and fashion events happen here regularly! 9. Shop (or window-shop) at luxury malls No matter your budget or style, Doha is a shopper’s paradise. It’s home to a range of malls that cater to everything from high fashion to budget-friendly basics. And let’s be honest, these sprawling, air-conditioned havens are a blessing when the desert heat becomes too much to handle! Place Vendôme: One of Qatar’s newest and most luxurious shopping destinations. Inspired by Parisian elegance, this mega-mall features European-style boulevards, ornate fountains, and even a musical water show by the central canal (happens every hour). It’s home to over 500 stores—including the largest Sephora and Apple Store in the Gulf region—alongside high-end fashion houses, art galleries, cinemas, and opulent cafes. . Villaggio Mall: Famous for its Venetian-themed interiors, complete with indoor canals, gondola rides, and faux-blue skies overhead. You’ll find luxury brands like Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and more, as well as mid-range retail and family-friendly attractions like Gondolania Theme Park, an indoor skating rink, and a bowling alley . City Centre Mall: For a discount vibe, this place offers staples like Zara, H&M, and Mango, alongside local and regional brands. It’s a go-to for everyday needs, casual dining, and for many Filipinos, a nostalgic treat awaits—Jollibee is right there! . Doha Festival City: Qatar’s largest mall, home to IKEA, ACE Hardware, and Angry Birds World theme park. . Mall of Qatar: Located near Education City, this mall boasts over 500 stores, a massive indoor stage for live shows, and a variety of international dining options. . Lagoona Mall: More boutique and lifestyle-focused, located near The Pearl and West Bay Lagoon, with a peaceful, upscale feel. 10. Sail on a traditional Dhow Cruise Cap off your things to do in Doha list with a sunset Dhow Cruise along the Corniche and beyond! These wooden boats were historically used for pearl diving and fishing, so it’s a taste of Qatari maritime heritage. They typically run from Box Park daily (though some also depart from Mina District) at around 5–7 pm during summer hours, letting you float by the skyline, Katara, and Pearl . Cruises include soft drinks, sometimes light snacks, and often commentary. Evenings are cooler, but summer humidity can be intense so I suggest book an evening slot in cooler months or find AC models if you’re sensitive. If you want a more intimate experience with your own clique, small groups can charter private dhow rides; just expect QAR 80–100 per person for a couple hours and it should be complete with food, music, and swimming stops. TIP: Book your Dhow Cruise here = [click] and go from October to April to dodge the heat, and bring a light cardigan for post-sunset breezes. • • • Doha Travel Guide » Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Qatar is from November to early April, when the weather is pleasantly mild with daytime temperatures ranging from 20–28°C (68–82°F). Avoid May to September, when temperatures can exceed 45°C (113°F) with high humidity! Shoulder months would be October & April — warm, but still bearable than the height of summer. SUMMER: May to September WINTER/COOL SEASON: November to April – – – » Getting into DOHA By air. Hamad International Airport (DOH) is the primary international airport of Qatar, and it also serves as the home base of its national flag carrier airline, Qatar Airways. To find the best flight deals from your point of origin, I recommend browsing through Skyscanner. 
 From the airport, getting into the city is easy via the following options: Metro: Take the Red Line directly from the airport to key areas like West Bay, Msheireb, and Katara. Rest assured, the metro is modern, clean, and affordable (QAR 2–4 per trip), and it also runs frequently. Taxi: Primarily operated by Karwa, the official taxi provider. The price is approximately QAR 45–70 to central Doha (you can also book them via their own app). Ride-hailing app: Uber is widely used here, and prices are also almost on par with Karwa. Hotel shuttle or private service: Check with your accommodation, as they might offer this. – – – » Visa for QATAR Qatar offers visa-free entry or visa on arrival to citizens of over 95 countries, including: USA, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Canada, and GCC countries. This lasts for 30 to 90 days, depending on your nationality. Otherwise, if you’re not eligible for their visa-free entry scheme, simply apply via their Hayya portal — it’s easy and costs only about QAR 100. Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality. – – – » Where to Stay (DOHA Accommodations) To search for the best hotel accommodation in Doha at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between Agoda and Booking.com. But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB. – – – » Qatar Currency The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QAR) is Qatar’s official currency. If you want to exchange your local money for QAR, I highly advise that you do NOT exchange your money at the airport, since the rates there are not competitive. How to best exchange your currency? Either exchange it at a bank or at a money exchanger in your home country or in the city center of Doha. Better yet, just withdraw from an ATM with your debit/credit card; however, you must do one big withdrawal to minimize fees with your bank. Speaking of cards, a lot of Doha establishments accept credit cards, but it’s always advisable to have cash on hand because there can be some smaller shops, especially in Souq Waqif, that may not accept cards. – – – » Cost of Travel in Qatar You should expect to travel to Qatar with an average daily cost of about USD $200~ per person on a budget, or at least $400~ if you want to experience more comfort on activities, tours, hotels, and more. (Values below show low-budget to medium-budget ranges only.) Hotels: $50 to $300 USD / day Food: $45 to $150 USD / day Fun: $10 to $35 USD / day Transport: US$10 to $40 on average – – – » How to Get Around Doha By bus. There are buses available run by Mowasalat (Karwa) — but though it’s cheap, it can be confusing to use for visitors. By taxi. Taxis are typically affordable, and you can choose between Karwa or Uber. Personally, it’s the BEST way to go around Doha. By car. Available with a valid international driver’s license, but given how you’re not exactly in tune with local driving rules and practice, it’s best to stick to taxis. TIP: When you’re mapping out your day-to-day route, just use Google Maps because it will show in detail the fastest route you can take. – – – » Safety in Qatar Qatar is considered one of the safest countries in the world: It has a very low crime rate It has a strong police presence and strict laws Solo travelers, including women, typically feel safe Just be mindful of local customs and dress modestly in public areas HOW TO: Find the right travel insurance for you – – – » Helpful ARABIC Phrases The locals’ native language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken. Nevertheless, it can help impress some locals when you know a Chamorro word or two! RELATED READ: Best translation apps for travel Hello: مرحباً (Marḥaban) How are you: كيف حالك؟ (Kayfa ḥāluka?) Thank you: شكراً (Shukran) You’re welcome: على الرحب والسعة (ʿAla al-raḥb wa al-saʿa) or simply ‘Afwan Goodbye: وداعاً (Wadaʿan) or مع السلامة (Maʿ al-salāmah) Good morning: صباح الخير (Ṣabāḥ al-khayr) Good evening: مساء الخير (Masā’ al-khayr) • • • Other Qatar F.A.Q. What is the tipping policy in Qatar? Tipping is NOT mandatory in Qatar, but it is customary and appreciated for good service. Here’s a general guide: — Restaurants: 10–15% of the bill if a service charge isn’t included. — Cafés and casual dining: Round up or leave QAR 5–10. — Hotels: Bellhops and housekeeping staff often receive QAR 5–20. — Taxis/Ride apps: Not expected, but rounding up or adding a small tip is always appreciated. What is the power socket used in Qatar? Qatar typically uses the Type G electrical socket (three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern), which is the same as the UK, and they operate on a 240V supply voltage with a frequency of 50Hz. If you’re from a country that uses a different plug type or voltage, you’ll need a universal adapter and possibly a voltage converter. Can I drink alcohol in Qatar? Yes, alcohol is legal in Qatar, but it comes with strict regulations. It is only available in licensed venues, such as certain hotels, bars, clubs, and specific licensed restaurants in Doha. However, drinking alcohol in public places—including beaches and parks—is strictly prohibited, and public intoxication is a criminal offense. Additionally, travelers are not allowed to bring alcohol into the country in their luggage; any alcohol found at customs will be confiscated. During Ramadan, alcohol service may be temporarily restricted or suspended altogether. What should I wear in Qatar? Qatar has a conservative dress code, influenced by Islamic culture, and modesty is expected in public—especially in malls, government buildings, museums, and during religious occasions like Ramadan. Rest assured, there is no strict dress code, but as a sign of respect, it’s best to keep your shoulders and knees covered. Headscarves are also not required if you’re non-Muslim (though, of course, it might be requested at religious sites like mosques). As for swimsuits, this is generally acceptable within the premises of your hotel or a beach club; on public beaches, however, modest swimwear is advised, and some may discourage bikinis. • • • Overall There’s no shortage of things to see, taste, and experience in Doha—and these ten are just the beginning. Save this post for your itinerary planning, and if you’re heading to Qatar soon, drop any questions in the comments—I’m happy to help! The post Top 10 Things to Do in Doha, Qatar for First-Time Visitors (Travel Guide & Tips) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Try a unique Japan activity and dress up as a miko (shrine maiden): learn more about their customs and duties directly from a Shinto priest!

The post How to Be a Shinto Miko for a Day in Japan (Shrine Maiden Rental) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Have you heard of or watched the popular Japanese anime movie: Your Name (Kimi no Nawa)? If so, you would recall that the main heroine, Mitsuha, worked as a miko — a Shinto shrine maiden — and that was absolutely one of the many parts of the movie that captured my fancy. After all, when I saw her perform kaguramai (a Shinto ritual ceremonial dance with bells and chimes) as a miko in one of the movie’s scenes, I was utterly enthralled. The profession instantly got me curious and I was glad when I found out that as a visitor, I could head over to Hyogo Prefecture’s Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine in Amagasaki City of Japan (near Osaka) to sign up for a miko experience package to try and rent their attire for a day — and so, I did! For a day (or technically, an hour) I did not only learn about the profession but I also got to try being a miko, and you bet that was such an enriching and fun affair! UPDATE: You can now do this experience in Kyoto as well! Check the tour here: [link] Travel Tip — book this tour and input AILEENKLOOK upon checkout to save 5% off! Where to Stay in Osaka…? Come and check out my list of the ‘Best Hotels in Osaka‘ which features the top recommended choices for cheap to luxurious accommodation choices. READ NOW Top photo by: Shutterstock Table of Contents Toggle » What is a miko? » What is Shinto? » How did the miko experience come about in Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine? » What does that 1-hour miko experience entail? Ama Travel Guide » Address » How to book and rent a miko attire » How much is the miko experience » How to get to Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine » Visa for Japan » Safety in Japan » Helpful Japanese Phrases Miko Experienc Photo by: Shutterstock » What is a miko? A miko (巫女) in Japan is a shrine maiden that is trained to perform certain rituals and tasks in order to support Shinto priest(s) in a traditional shrine. They are not be mistaken as fortunetellers or mediums, and as per the fact that they are ‘maidens’, miko must be unmarried females (oftentimes they are priests’ daughters). » What is Shinto? Shinto or kami-no-michi is a polytheistic religion in Japan that primarily revolves around the veneration of many deities known as kami (gods or spirits) or supernatural entities that are believed to inhabit all things. Today, Shinto remains to be the country’s major religion alongside Buddhism with Shinto shrines being the places of worship and homes of kami. » How did the miko experience come about in Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine? Back in 2016, the Amagasaki Hospitality Group proposed this idea to the head priest of Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine, Nobuyo Otagaki, and since then, the program was established as a way for tourists to further understand Japanese culture. TRIVIA: The Shrine is dedicated to Ebisu, a kami or deity of luck and prosperity, and he is one of the 7 Gods of Fortune. With its location, it’s also a prime choice for being one of the fun day trips from Osaka that you can do! » What does that 1-hour miko experience entail? – Shinto shrine and miko lesson by a guide – Try a suzu or Shinto bell and have a glimpse of the kaguramai dance – A chance to dress up in a miko attire and take photos around the shrine It helps to note that a Miko’s traditional attire is a red hakama (long trouser-like skirt tied with a bow), a white kosode (kimono robe), and some white or red hair ribbons. In Shintoism, the color white symbolizes purity, and the garment placed over the kosode during kaguramai or kagura dances is called a chihaya (as pictured above). . Please remember by the way, that this is not a cosplaying event as it is more of an experience to garner further understanding of Shinto faith or the miko profession. • • • Ama Travel Guide » Address Where is Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine? Address: 3-82 Kanda Nakadori, Amagasaki 660-0884 in Hyogo Prefecture In Japanese: 〒660-0884 Hyogo, Amagasaki, 神田中通 ３丁目 ８２ Operation hours: Monday to Friday from 10AM to 5PM UPDATE: You can now do this experience in Kyoto as well! Check the tour here: [link] Travel Tip — book this tour and input AILEENKLOOK upon checkout to save 5% off! – – – » How to book and rent a miko attire You only need to book online a day in advance and that’s it! Go to this inquiry page and fill the form with details of your name, mobile number, desired date, time, and number of participants (minimum of 2). You can fill the form in English or Japanese. Participants must be female for the miko or shrine maiden program; however, accompanying males can wear a Japanese happi or traditional straight-sleeved coat with no charge. Your reservation is confirmed when you receive a response by email, and this email acts as your proof of reservation. Cancellations can be done via email or phone at least 24 hours before. If you stay more than 1 hour, there will be an excess charge. Due to the fact that it is a busy season, the shrine does not offer this miko experience from November to February. However, it is still possible to make an inquiry for your date in case the shrine can accommodate your request. – – – » How much is the miko experience As of 2020, it only costs ¥2,000 per person to undergo the 1-hour program. – – – » How to get to Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine Just head over to Amagasaki Station. For this, it is best to buy a Hanshin Tourist Pass. From there, it’s only a 4-minute walk to the shrine. What is the Hanshin Pass? It’s a 1-day train pass that grants you unlimited rides on the Hanshin-serviced train lines around places like Osaka and Kobe — including the Hanshin Line that passes through Amagasaki (cost: ¥500). OTHER TYPE: You can also try the 1 day or 2-day Hankyu Pass for unlimited travel in Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. (Cost: ¥700 for 1 day / ¥1,200 for 2-day) If you need help when riding the trains, just use the directions feature in Google Maps — I find this as a very helpful tool if I want to reach a certain place from a particular location. However, take note that Google Maps doesn’t work offline if you want routes or transportation schedules, so I recommend that you get a pocket WiFi or a SIM Card to stay connected online). – – – » Visa for Japan If you’re NOT a citizen of any of Japan’s exempted countries, you are then required to avail of a visa beforehand. (If you’re from the Philippines, you can read my guide on how to get a Japan visa in Manila here.) Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality. – – – » Safety in Japan Japan is one of the safest countries in the world with very low crime rates. I have been traveling solo to this country many times now and I have never felt unsafe even in the late hours of the night — however, this is NO excuse to get too complacent. ‘Little crime’ does not mean ‘no crime’, so stay vigilant and be “street smart” by using your common sense at all times. Nevertheless, the Japanese people are one of the kindest and most respectful people I have ever met, so solo travelers don’t have much to worry in this amazing country. HOW TO: Find the right travel insurance for you – – – » Helpful Japanese Phrases Japan may be one of the most developed countries in the world, but a lot of the locals don’t speak English. However, this should not discourage you from traveling to this country because apart from the fact that there are a lot of translation apps that will help you understand and speak Japanese, a lot of the locals are also making the effort to learn and use the English language. RELATED READ: Best translation apps for travel Anyhow, below are some helpful Japanese phrases that will help you along the way! And even if you do encounter a Japanese who can speak English, it doesn’t hurt to say a word or two in their language. Hello: Konnichiwa (Kohn-nee-chee-wah) Thank you (normal): Arigatō. (Ah-REE-gah-tohh) Thank you (less formal): Arigatō gozaimas (Ah-REE-gah-tohh goh-zahy-mahs) Thank you (informal): Dōmo (DOHH-moh) Yes: Hai (Hai) No: Iie (E-eh) Goodbye (long term): Sayōnara (Sah-yohh-nah-rah) Goodbye (informal): Ja ne (Jahh neh) Excuse me: Sumimasen (Soo-mee-mah-SEN) I’m sorry: Gomen nasai (Goh-men-nah-sahy) Is there someone here who speaks English?: Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka? (Dah-reh-kah ey-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs kah?) Help!: Tasukete! (Tahs-keh-teh!) Cheers!: Kanpai! (Kan-pie!) • • • » Top Kansai Tours « Kyoto & Nara Tour Staple trip to do in Kansai! Kimono Rental Try Japan’s traditional clothing in Kyoto! • • • Overall You’ve probably already done a kimono rental before, so why not give a miko experience a try? As you can see, it’s surely going to be memorable! The post How to Be a Shinto Miko for a Day in Japan (Shrine Maiden Rental) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is one of Japan's most scenic mountain routes & its majestic Snow Wall is a must-see!

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If you’re up for incredible and unique nature activities in Japan, it’s a MUST to visit the stunning mountain sightseeing route called Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Arupen Ruto). This 90km route that’s commonly referred to as the “Roof of Japan” goes through the lush scenery of Mt. Tateyama in the Northern Japan Alps as it spans from Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture, up to Omachi Town in Nagano Prefecture. Since its opening in 1971, the path comprises of several stops or stations — with Murodo Station as the highest at 2,450 meters high — and they can be traversed on various different vehicles such as buses, cable cars, and ropeways. A lot of people actually go through Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route for days during its opening season (mid-April to November) as they enjoy the spectacular vistas of the Tateyama Mountain Range which is a part of the Chubu Sanguku National Park in Japan. In fact, all throughout the year’s seasons, there are various hiking and sightseeing activities that can be done; however… when I made a grand tour of the Chubu region earlier this year, I only had a day left to explore the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route so I ended up going on a quick adventure. Basically, I started from Tateyama Station and then up to Shinano-Omachi Station in just 5 hours as I made sure to see the route’s following top 3 highlights! » READ: – Japan Itinerary – Chubu Itinerary Table of Contents Toggle » Snow Wall / Corridor (Yuki-no-Otani) » Tateyama Ropeway » Kurobe Dam » Other Activities to Do Per Season Spring (May to June) Summer (July to Mid-September) Autumn (Late-September to November) Winter (December to Mid-April) » Side Trips & Attractions Tateyama Travel Guide » How to Get to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route » Where to Stay (Toyama Accommodations) » Safety in Japan » Visa for Japan » Helpful Japanese Phrases Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Want to join a guided tour to Tateyama? You can join the following trips below: – Day tour to Tateyama Alpine Route from Kanazawa or Nagoya – 2-Day tour to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from Tokyo BOOK NOW » Snow Wall / Corridor (Yuki-no-Otani) As the highest point on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Murodo Station features a lot of fantastic activities and views. One of the most-known attractions that it has would be the Snow Wall or Yuki-no-Otani which opens from mid-April to mid-June after months of heavy snowfall. (Doesn’t it remind you of ‘The Wall’ from Game of Thrones…?) TRIVIA: Tateyama experiences one of the heaviest snowfalls worldwide! On average, there are about 7 meters (or 23 feet) of snow that accumulates every year, but in the area near the wall, there are times that up to 20 meters (65.6 feet) would accumulate because of snowdrifts! To expel this heavy snow, this famous ‘Snow Wall’ was then born. Running from Bijodaira to Murodo, you will you first witness the 1km passage of the Snow Wall in the bus. Once you get off at the Murodo Bus Terminal, there is approximately a 500-meter-long section of the road where you can walk along the walls of snow and take wondrous photos! I visited here during the last day when the Snow Wall corridor walk was still open (June 22 on 2017) and the walls were about 12-meters high. At that height, I was already in utter awe of its beauty; so you could just imagine, if you were to visit earlier in April, you will get to witness it in its full glory! Though, if you visit late in June, the crowd is a lot less. OPENING TIME: Mid-April to mid or late June (for accurate opening and closing times of the Snow Wall, check this website.) OTHER THINGS TO DO AT MURODO STATION: During late autumn and spring, aside from the Snow Wall, you can enjoy sledding around some areas near the station, as well as visit Mikurigaike which is a crater lake of the Tateyama volcano. In summer and early winter, you can enjoy the surrounding network of hiking trails that have varying levels of difficulty. (In winter, Murodo is not accessible due to heavy snow). For a complete list of things to do in Murodo, see website. DIRECTIONS: From Dentetsu Toyama Station, it takes 2.5hours to get to Murodo via a train, a cable car, and a bus (total of ¥3,500). Alternatively, if coming from the other side’s Shinano-Omachi Station, it takes 2.5hours too but with a total cost of ¥7,000 via several buses, a cable car and a ropeway. To get the best deal on transportation costs, I highly suggest that you just buy the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass (more info on this at the latter part of this article). – – – » Tateyama Ropeway Tateyama Ropeway is a cable car that connects the stations of Daikanbo and Kurobedaira for ¥1,300 one way. It is said that this one of the most unique cable cars because it is the only one in Japan that operates without any support towers for a span of 1.7 kilometers. Riding this ropeway will only take 7 minutes but the grand panoramic sights that you will see around you as you go down will (not to mention the slight thrill!) will make you feel as if you’ve been treated to a long show filled with majestic views. OPENING: Closed from December to mid-April. It’s best to come here either during autumn or when the snow covers the alpine route to enjoy the best views possible. DIRECTIONS: If you don’t plan to go through the whole alpine route and opt to just visit this ropeway, you need to go to Shinano-Omachi Station on JR East Oito Line. Next, take the bus from Oigazawa Station to Kurobe Dam Station where you can walk to Kurobeko Station and head to Kurobedaira Station. Alternatively, if you want to explore all of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, get the best deal on transportation costs by buying the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass (more info on this at the latter part of this article). – – – » Kurobe Dam This place is near the end of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and it’s quite a sight to be seen given that it is the tallest dam in Japan at 186 meters. And if you visit from late June to mid-October, you can get to witness the dam discharging a spectacular amount of water (about 10 tons every second)! According to history, the Kurobe Dam was built across Kurobe Lake for over 7 years; by the time it was completed in 1963, over 171 people have lost their loves due to some problems along the way. Today, it supports a hydropower plant that supplies electricity to the Kansai Region in Japan. Some of the other attractions around the dam are: Dam Observation Deck: located at the eastern end of the dam is a steep long flight of stairs (about 220 steps) wherein you can reach a concrete slope that offers the best view of the dam and its surrounding terrain. Monument to Workers: this is a monument by the side of the dam which is dedicated to the 171 workers who lost their lives during the construction of the dam. Kurobe Cruise Ship (Garube): from early June to early November, you can ride this boat for about 30 minutes as you enjoy the scenery of the Alps and of the Lake Kurobe. Due to its location, this is the highest sailing boat in Japan (at 1,448m above sea level). OPENING: Closed from December to mid-April. It’s best to come here either during autumn or when the snow covers the alpine route to enjoy the best views possible.st views possible. DIRECTIONS: If you don’t plan to go through the whole alpine route and opt to just visit this dam, you need to go to Shinano-Omachi Station on JR East Oito Line. Next, take the bus from Oigazawa Station to Kurobe Dam Station. This whole trip will cost about ¥3,000 (for a total of about 1.5hours). Alternatively, if you want to explore all of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, get the best deal on transportation costs by buying the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass (more info on this at the latter part of this article). – – – » Other Activities to Do Per Season Spring (May to June) During Spring, the whole of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is covered in snow. Aside from the Snow Wall that I already mentioned above, one of the things you could do here is to walk on the snow fields especially around Murodo. I’ve been told that around this time, you might be able to catch sight of a white Alpine ptarmigan, a kind of bird that is referred to as “messengers of God” — because the Japanese believe that if you see a ptarmigan, it will bring you happiness. (Best time to spot them is from late May to June especially in the area around Mikurigaike pond). Summer (July to Mid-September) If you’re looking to do hiking, walks, climbing, and sightseeing, summer would be the best time to visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route! Aside from witnessing the water discharge on Kurobe Dam, you could also witness beautiful carpets of alpine flowers in the surrounding landscapes. Up in Murodo, there can still be some snow up until July; after that, you can enjoy easy trails (such as going around the Mikurigaike pond) and challenging hikes (such as climbing the summit of Mount Tateyama) around the area. Autumn (Late-September to November) The leaves slowly turn into warmer tones at the end of September and this beautiful change first starts at the higher areas. This will take about 6 weeks until the color changes reach the end of the mountain slopes (around late October to early November). If you’re lucky, you can witness greener leaves at the foot of the mountain, autumn leaves in the middle of the route, and then white plains of snow at the top! (Like I mentioned before, the Tateyama Ropeway is a great place for watching the season’s foliage.) . “New Snow”: Most of the time, the first snow of the year already falls in Murodo by September, but then it will melt straight away. It is only around early or mid-November that the snow stays and where you can enjoy a blinding white wonderland! To see this, it’s best to go into the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from the side of Shinano-Omachi station because due to the weather, service is often suspended from Bijodaira Station to Murodo Station. Winter (December to Mid-April) The whole of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is closed during wintertime. To know more info about the whole alpine route, go to https://www.alpen-route.com/en/ – – – » Side Trips & Attractions The following is a list of attractions that are near Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in Chubu region: Kurobe Gorge: this is a sightseeing train that will take you through Japan’s steepest gorge. Shirakawa-go and Gokayama UNESCO villages: protected historic villages that are famous for their gassho-zukuri style farmhouses. Takayama City: lauded as the ‘Little Kyoto of Hida’, this charming old town will delight you at every turn. Matsumoto City: the city where one of Japan’s most beautiful castles is found. Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park: a unique place where you can find wild “Snow Moneys” bathing in an onsen (hot springs). …and more! » READ: An Ideal 5-Day Itinerary for Exploring Some of Chubu or Central Japan’s Best! • • • Tateyama Travel Guide » How to Get to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route From Toyama city, go to Dentetsu-Toyama Station. Ride the Chitetsu Line and get off at Tateyama Station (which is the start of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route). To get to Toyama city from Tokyo, ride the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen which takes about 2 hours. You’ll get to ride this train for FREE if you have a JR pass. Personally, I would highly recommend that you buy the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass for ¥17,500 OR the Takayama-Hokuriku Pass which gives you unlimited rides on JR express trains between Nagoya to Toyama, as well as unlimited use on all transportation within the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route for 5 days — which then makes it the PERFECT pass for exploring the region that the alpine route is in which is Chubu. (If you want a detailed itinerary for exploring the area, see here). TOP TIP: When booking with Klook.com, make sure to use my coupon code AILEENKLOOK to save 5% off (can be used up to 5 times!) If you need further help, use the directions feature in Google Maps — I find this as a very helpful tool if I want to reach a certain place from a particular location. However, Google Maps doesn’t work offline if you want routes or transportation schedules, so I recommend that you get a pocket WiFi or a SIM Card to stay connected online. – – – » Where to Stay (Toyama Accommodations) Budget: Toyoko Inn Toyama Ekimae / Mid-Range: Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyu / Luxury: River Retreat Garaku To search for other hotel accommodation options at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between Agoda and Booking.com. But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB. – – – » Safety in Japan Japan is one of the safest countries in the world with very low crime rates. I have been traveling solo to this country many times now and I have never felt unsafe even in the late hours of the night — however, this is NO excuse to get too complacent. ‘Little crime’ does not mean ‘no crime’, so stay vigilant and be “street smart” by using your common sense at all times. Nevertheless, the Japanese people are one of the kindest and most respectful people I have ever met, so solo travelers don’t have much to worry in this amazing country. HOW TO: Find the right travel insurance for you – – – » Visa for Japan If you’re NOT a citizen of any of Japan’s exempted countries, you are then required to avail a visa beforehand. (If you’re from the Philippines, you can read my guide on how to get a Japan visa in Manila here.) Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality. – – – » Helpful Japanese Phrases Japan may be one of the most developed countries in the world, but a lot of the locals don’t speak English. However, this should not discourage you from traveling to this country because apart from the fact that there are a lot of translation apps that will help you understand and speak Japanese, a lot of the locals are also making the effort to learn and use the English language. RELATED READ: Best translation apps for travel Anyhow, below are some helpful Japanese phrases that will help you along the way! And even if you do encounter a Japanese who can speak English, it doesn’t hurt to say a word or two in their language. Hello: Konnichiwa (Kohn-nee-chee-wah) Thank you (normal): Arigatō. (Ah-REE-gah-tohh) Thank you (less formal): Arigatō gozaimas (Ah-REE-gah-tohh goh-zahy-mahs) Thank you (informal): Dōmo (DOHH-moh) Yes: Hai (Hai) No: Iie (E-eh) Goodbye (long term): Sayōnara (Sah-yohh-nah-rah) Goodbye (informal): Ja ne (Jahh neh) Excuse me: Sumimasen (Soo-mee-mah-SEN) I’m sorry: Gomen nasai (Goh-men-nah-sahy) Is there someone here who speaks English?: Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka? (Dah-reh-kah ey-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs kah?) Help!: Tasukete! (Tahs-keh-teh!) Cheers!: Kanpai! (Kan-pie!) • • • Overall Going up to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route was a spectacular journey — after all, every station led me to a different natural wonder that surely took my breath away! I would love to visit this route every season because of how it offers various unique sights and activities at different times of the year. All in all, from its majestic Snow Wall up to the grand Kurobe Dam, venturing out to this mountain scenery is an absolute MUST when you’re in Japan’s Chubu region! The post The Roof of Japan: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route & Snow Wall (Travel Guide) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Wondering why you should travel to Mallorca? From breathtaking beaches to mouthwatering cuisine, here’s what makes this island a must-visit.

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Are you planning to travel to Mallorca this year? Mallorca is a wonderful destination with so much to see and do. You can swim in Alcudia’s crystal-clear waters, wander around Palma, explore its historic old town, or head out to sea for some snorkeling or scuba diving—the possibilities are endless! So whether you are planning on staying for a few days — or a week or two — there is SO much to do that you won’t get bored. Our best advice would be to look into car rental in Mallorca with ROIG and rent a vehicle for the trip; in this way, you can explore the island and spend time in different areas. After all, there are some beautiful beaches you can drive to! To help inspire you, we have put together a guide on why you should travel to Mallorca in 2025. Table of Contents Toggle The Beautiful Beaches The Delicious Food The Fun Activities You can Do! The Beautiful Beaches The Beautiful Beaches: Travel to Mallorca Mallorca’s beaches are a must-see for any visitor, with their crystal-clear waters and soft sand. Alcudia, in particular, is renowned for its beautiful beaches, but stunning stretches of coastlines can be found all over the island. The best thing to do before visiting is to search Mallorca on Instagram, and you’ll find a few spots that you should visit on your break. If you get the chance, make sure you book a water activity as well; you could go kayaking or snorkeling, which is great fun! – – – The Delicious Food If you are a foodie, you’ll be in heaven in Mallorca. They have so many different cuisines to try, as well as award-winning restaurants for you to dine in. A few local dishes that you should try include Coca Mallorquina, Sopas Mallorquinas, Tapas (there are plenty of tapas restaurants in Palma), Botifarron and Cocarrois. RELATED ARTICLE: Spanish Food – 20 Must-Eat Authentic Local Dishes in Spain READ NOW Nevertheless, TripAdvisor is a useful tool if you are stuck on where to dine. You could also speak to the receptionist of the hotel you are staying at since they will more often than not be able to give you a couple of good recommendations. – – – The Fun Activities You can Do! Mallorca definitely offers a wide variety of activities to suit all interests! History buffs can explore museums, while those seeking adventure can embark on water excursions. Wine enthusiasts can indulge in tasting tours, and nature lovers can discover the island’s beauty through scenic hikes. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the fascinating caves either or wander through the charming old town. When looking into activities, try to book them as far in advance as possible, as this will mean you won’t miss out. After all, there are some excursions which get very busy throughout the year, especially during peak season. • • • Overall We hope you get to travel to Mallorca and have a great time, as we know you will love it! So when are you planning on visiting Mallorca, and what sort of trip are you planning? Why do you think Mallorca is a great place to go? Is there anything missing in my guide that you think I should be adding? Let me know in the comment box below, I look forward to hearing from you! The post Why Travel to Mallorca in 2025 appeared first on I am Aileen.

Food, Travel, Journalism.

Chef Thomas Zacharias has helped spark a grassroots movement in India around local ingredients and disappearing food traditions. Now, through his fast-growing Local Food Club, he’s building something even more ambitious.

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What happens when an Italian coffee dynasty, a filmmaker, an eccentric, and one of the world's great chefs dream up a restaurant? Turin's Condividere is the subject of a new book co-authored by R&K's Eugenio Signoroni.

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A pilot project explores the challenges of sustainable dining in China. Pride on Our Plates is a finalist for the 2025 Food Planet Prize.

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A Swedish innovation may hold the key to cutting the fertilizer industry’s massive carbon footprint—by harnessing the power of lightning. NitroCapt is the winner of the 2025 Food Planet Prize.

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A once-dismissed discovery in Yellowstone’s geothermal soils is now helping farmers worldwide fight drought, boost yields, and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers.

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By integrating traditional Balinese farming wisdom with modern agroecological practices, Astungkara Way works to promote food security, restore degraded farmland, and deepen connections between farmers and the land.

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The post A Balinese Initiative<br> Reimagines Rice Farming appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Roads & Kingdoms is proud to co-release this short film about the opening of the great Franco-Palestinian chef Fadi Kattan's first restaurant in North America—and the first prominent restaurant in Toronto to call itself Palestinian.

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The post A Palestinian Chef’s<br> Quiet Resistance appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

An innovative biotech startup is using nature’s own signals to fight crop-killing insects—without toxic chemicals.

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The post Could Plant Communication Help Save Argentina’s Crops? appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

By helping farmers measure soil moisture with precision, a simple sensor is reducing waste, improving yields, and making agriculture more sustainable.

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The post Could a Device Reshape Farming in Africa? appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

A conversation with the Peruvian photographer whose dreamlike new book is the latest in a rich and truly original body of work that explodes the boundaries between documentary and art photography.

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The post The Photographic Dreamscapes<br> of Musuk Nolte appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The founder of Angola's largest food and travel platform reflects on what the country's current flourishing means not just for Angolans but for the world.

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What did the extended Roads & Kingdoms family learn in the hills of Emilia-Romagna? Let's start with these eight simple rules for travel.

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A father-daughter journalist team reports from Tbilisi, where nearly every night since protests broke out in October, the pioneering chef Tekuna Gachechiladze has been ladling out soup to demonstrators.

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How does one become a successful chef and restaurateur? If there is a standard path, Andy Ricker sure as hell didn’t take it.

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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

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Drinking highballs and talking about life, creation, and food with Roads & Kingdoms co-founder Matt Goulding. A special revival episode of The Trip Podcast.

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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.

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Ahead of our League of Travelers trip to northern Vietnam, R&K’s Charly Wilder caught up with Daniel Nguyen, an activist, distiller, researcher, and our host for this fall's journey into the highlands and beyond.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Ask Beatriz Janer about Seville’s storied Feria de Abril, and you’ll get a quick sense of what makes her photographer’s eye for detail so special.

The post Visions of Andalusia:<br> Q&A with Beatriz Janer appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

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Travel That Cares for Our Planet and Its People

Last Updated on December 8, 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

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Last Updated on December 8, 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? 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 December 8, 2024 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 2024, most of the Berlin Christmas Market open on 25 November 2024 and run until the very end of December or beginning of January 2025. Best Berlin Christmas Markets With around 70 Christmas markets in Berlin, 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 2024: The WeihnachtsZauber market has moved in 2024 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. It is expected that this Christmas will return to its regular location in 2025 after construction ends at Gendarmenmarkt. Neighborhood: Mitte. 2024 dates for the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market: 25 November – 31 December 2024 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 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. 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 2024 Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market: 25 November – 29 December, 2024 Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 1 to 10 pm, Friday to Sunday from 12 to 10 pm, 25 and 26 December from 12 to 10 pm, closed on Christmas Eve 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 2024 Lucia Christmas Market: 25 November – 22 December, 2024 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 also 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. Neighborhood: Spandau Dates for the 2024 Spandau Christmas Market: 25 November – 22 December 2024 Opening hours: Daily from 12:00 – 20:00, closed 24-25 December 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 2024 Historical Christmas Market at RAW: 14 November – 22 December 2024 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 2024 Potsdam Old Town Christmas Market: 25 November – 29 December 2024 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 2024 Alt-Rixdorf Christmas Market: 6-8 December 2024 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 2024 Heissa Holzmarkt: 16 November – 22 December 2024, €2 entry Friday to Sunday Opening hours: Wednesday – 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 2024 Schloss Britz Nordic Market: 30 November – 22 December 2024, 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 €4.50. 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 2024 Domäne Dahlem Christmas Market: 30 November – 22 December 2024, Saturday and Sunday Only Opening hours: Saturday-Sunday 11:00 – 19:00 Berlin Christmas Market 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 (Updated 2024) 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 ... Continue Reading

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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

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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 July 17, 2025 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

The post Exploring Lazio: Off-the-Beaten Path Italy Outside Rome appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on July 17, 2025 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 February 9, 2025 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 February 9, 2025 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. 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. As always, the thoughts contained herein — the what, the why, and the how — are entirely our own. The post The Lost City, Colombia: A Guide to Hiking to La Ciudad Perdida 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 ... 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

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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

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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 December 8, 2024 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 our favorite boat trips, 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. Note: This post was originally published in February 2016 and updated in December 2024. 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 boat trips to 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 boat trips, 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. 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. Speed boat tour around St. Maarten and St. Martin with snorkeling, beaches and lunch: This 6-hour tour around St. Maarten by speed boat takes you to both the Dutch and French sides. You'll have a chance to visit Tintamarre, an uninhabited island within the French Nature Reserve, that is only accessible by boat where you'll have a chance to see sea turtles and sting rays. Other stops include Pinel Island to swim and enjoy a relaxing lunch under palm trees, Creole Rock for snorkeling, Mullet Bay for another stunning beach, and finally to see the jets land over your head at Princess Juliana International Airport (see above). Private charter catamaran trip around St. Maarten: Perfect for families or groups of friends traveling together who want a bit of privacy and luxury. This is a full-day charter (9 hours) that not only includes stops with snorkeling and swimming at Tintamarre Island, Long Bay La Samana, and Happy Bay, but also a gourmet 4-course lunch and open bar. If you're thinking of a splurge during your visit to St. Maarten, this is a good choice. 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). 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.

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I’m not the sort of person who hankers after luxury items. I’m more likely to shop at Asos than I am at Harrods and I’m just as happy at Nando’s as I am at a Michelin restaurant. One arena in which I do fork out, however, is outdoor apparel and gear. The difference between a high-quality hiking boot and one that’s “good enough” is substantial – something I learnt the hard way on the slopes of Cotopaxi. 

High quality, of course, comes with a price tag – one not easily affordable giving the rising cost of living. I personally have had to become more strategic with my spending, so when I saw that the REI winter sale was live, naturally I took a peek.

The post 10 great deals from the REI Labor Day sale – up to 50% off appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

In May 2024, I heard news that two hypothermic, frostbitten climbers were stranded near the summit of Denali, North America’s highest mountain. I scanned the reports for detail, but rangers would not release any information other than to say that the climbers were not from the United States. 

Why my interest? Because Peter, my partner of 14 years, was attempting to summit Denali at that exact same time. The summit rate at that point was a mere 15%, so even if Peter was okay, there was very little chance that he had reached the summit.

The post Why we don’t mourn for daredevil adventurers  appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

There's no question. The GR20 in Corsica is a challenge. It requires early starts, long days and hiking along exposed, steep and technical terrain, but the rewards are myriad: sweeping views over jagged peaks and deep valleys, serene swims in natural pools, the thrill of navigating rugged alpine passes, and the deep satisfaction of completing a legendary trek.

The post Is the GR20 the toughest trek in Europe? appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

Delhi in India is the most polluted capital city in the world, according to the latest World Air Quality Report from IQAir, a Swiss air‐quality technology company.

The post Most polluted capital cities – ranked appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

Abraham Lincoln has an almost saintly place in US history: the 'Great Emancipator' whose leadership during the Civil War preserved the Union and abolished slavery.

Often overlooked among his achievements is legislation he signed in 1864, during the thick of the war, but only marginally related to the conflict. The Yosemite Valley Grant Act preserved the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove in California as a park “held for public use, resort, and recreation … for all time.”

The post US national parks were created at a cost to Native Americans 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.

While Kilimanjaro steals the spotlight, its lesser-known neighbour quietly offers one of East Africa’s most rewarding trekking experiences. Mt Meru, towering above the savannah of Arusha National Park, is often overlooked – but that’s precisely its charm.

The post Trekking Mt Meru: the alternative to Kilimanjaro appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

Trekking has been an enormous part of my life for decades. It has taken me through some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes on the planet, and I have met people from all over the world and made lasting friendships on the trail.

The post 10 best long-distance treks for beginners appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

Our favourite inspirational travel quotes that encouraged us to travel – with abandon – over the years. Maybe they will do the same for you…

For us, there is no such thing as luxury travel; travel is, by default, a luxury. It is a privilege provided by the country of our birth, a privilege that many are not as fortunate to enjoy.

The post 95 most inspirational travel quotes ever penned appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

we asked you to name a famous World Heritage Site, there’s a good chance you would name the Great Pyramids of Giza. Other likely contenders include the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu and Petra. These archaeological sites are some of man’s greatest marvels and are accordingly celebrated and protected. 

Not all World Heritage Sites, however, enjoy the same security. Our own Stonehenge nearly landed on the World Heritage in Danger list last year due to plans to build a two-mile tunnel nearby.

The post 10 stunning archaeological World Heritage Sites in danger appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

New wonders and curiosities added to the Atlas.

One hundred-and-fifty-plus years ago, Pony Express riders galloped across eight states delivering the mail. The states included California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. While the Pony Express was short-lived, lasting just 18 months from April of 1860 to October of 1861, it's still the most famous mail delivery system ever used.

The Pony Express was fueled by the Gold Rush in the West, which created a pressing need for faster mail service between East and West. Riders covered more than 1,800 miles in just 10 days, carrying their mailbags.  

And the mail wasn't carried in just any old bag! Riders used a specially made leather mochila (Spanish for "knapsack"). The mochila had four pockets, or cantinas, with openings cut into the leather so they'd fit over the saddle horn and cantle of the rider's saddle. The monument does a great job of showing the mochila draped over the saddle beneath the rider. 

Riders used some 400 horses, which galloped between relay stations  10 to 15 miles apart. At each of these stations, the riders changed horses until they reached their own "home" station, 90 to 120 miles away. Then a new horse and rider took over.  

The bronze Pony Express Monument is situated in the parking lot of the Cabela's store in the small Nebraska city of Sidney. It was sculpted by American artist Peter M. Fillerup in 2011 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express in 2010. 

Along with the monument, there are flagpoles with flags for each state crossed by the Pony Express. As you walk around, you'll also see stone carvings for Pony Express stations such as Sportsman's Hall in California, Deer Creek Station in Wyoming, and Pumpkinseed Station in Nebraska. 

 

When looking for liquid refreshment, sometimes it can be hard to settle on on one of the many pubs in Brighton & Hove. There are plenty to choose from—it is often said that there is a pub and a church for every day of the year in this city!—and only so many that boast a unique, yet cozy, atmosphere.

Very few have remained in their traditional form over the years, as the trend for craft IPAs, ironic neon and chicken-wire partitions wreaks havoc on the ambience of the traditional British boozer. One pub in particular has not only managed to keep its authentic pub feel but has been carrying hidden local histories on its walls, dating back to its Victorian-era early days. 

You see immediately upon entering the pub that the walls are littered with tobacco tins and boxes from as far back as the 1850s, when the establishment first became a drinking house. Get up close and you’ll find that they are stuffed with paper notes from the pub's many customers over the years.

You’ll find everything from confessions to poems, recipes to jokes, declarations of love to incoherent ramblings. If you like one in particular, tradition dictates that you replace it with a note of your own.

They say, “in vino veritas,” and these little containers filled with the heartfelt rambling of yesteryear’s (and yesterday’s) drinkers are a great example of the true history of a place. So grab a pint of ale and entertain yourself with the many hidden treasures of this great pub’s past.

In the 20th century, this canyon posed a daunting challenge to engineers trying to build a railway line here.

The Industrial Revolution’s need for railway connections prompted the ambitious undertaking of the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR). But this was no small feat. Construction of the Myra Canyon section was incredibly difficult because of its steep terrain and remote location. It required the building of 18 major wooden trestles, two steel bridges, and two tunnels across unstable grounds.

Led by chief engineer Andrew McCulloch, the railway section was completed in 1914 through manual labor, and now stands as a testament to human ingenuity.

However, as time went by, the need for railway infrastructure diminished and the section, although an engineering marvel, fell into disrepair. Luckily, this was not the end for the KVR. Eventually, it found a new life as a recreational area, now enjoyed by both hikers and cyclists.

In 2003, the surrounding area was destroyed by a devastating fire. Thankfully, the trestles and hiking/biking infrastructure were painstakingly rebuilt, largely by volunteers. 

Today, the Myra Canyon welcomes visitors year-round. With the original railway ties and rails long gone, the section is a perfect place to marvel at brilliant engineering and breathtaking valley vistas.

The Prehistoric Sepulcher of Huerta Montero dates back over 4,600 years and was used for collective burials and rituals during the Copper Age. Preserved in exceptional condition, the structure is one of the most remarkable burial sites in Extremadura.

It was built by excavating 2 meters into the limestone and is just over 15 meters long, made up of a stepped ramp, a corridor, and a circular chamber once covered by a false dome. It was used as a burial site for more than 1,000 years, holding the remains of 109 individuals.

Through its orientation aligning with the winter solstice, the tomb also served as a place of ancestor worship, with the sunlight likely part of a ritual honoring the dead. 

Visitors are guided by interpretive panels that provide insights into the cultural significance of the burial. The experience is particularly remarkable if you visit during the winter solstice on December 21st, when, just as in prehistoric times, sunlight floods the circular chamber, revealing its full beauty and creating a moving spectacle.

 

 

The Museum of East Asian Art is the only museum in the UK solely dedicated to the arts and cultures of East and Southeast Asia. It includes over 2,000 objects from the region, with the permanent collection spanning from 5,000 B.C. to the present. Visitors can admire ceramics, metalware, bamboo, jade and lacquerware, among other objects. 

It was founded by Brian McElney OBE (1932–2023), a prominent British lawyer who was born in Hong Kong and was a long-term resident of the city.

The museum is the result of his lifelong passion for collecting Asian art, which began in 1955 when he bought a 17th-century Chinese sculpture. His collection grew to encompass less-commonly collected artifacts such as bamboo and wood carvings, and throughout his life he befriended and learned from art experts based in Hong Kong. 

When he retired, his collection became the basis of the museum, which opened in 1993 as an independent educational charity. His lifelong vision was to share his love of East and Southeast Asian art and to further the understanding of these cultures.

Walking through the auspicious red doors of the museum, set in a typical Georgian townhouse in Bath, to wander among beautiful objects on a rainy English day is a true source of pleasure. 

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Joey Weiss: Upstairs is where we have our classical instruments room.

Dylan Thuras: Oh, I see. I see. Okay. What’s downstairs then? That’s like your synths?

Joey: Downstairs is our 1950s room.

Dylan: I see. Cool.

This is Joey Weiss. All right. So Joey is, he’s my friend. He’s also my neighbor. He lives like five minutes up the road. He’s a really talented musician. He’s a really talented producer of music. And because of that, Joey has a studio next to his house. This incredible little space with a collection of a ton of instruments in it.

All right, so, into the attic of the studio. Cool. We got harps and all kinds of … Can you play any of these? That sounds nice. That sets a mood. That sets a mood.

And the reason I wanted to go visit Joey at the studio is to see one of these instruments in particular. This instrument seemingly made out of a series of glass salad bowls.

Describe what we’re seeing here. What am I looking at?

Joey: You’re looking at a two-and-a-half octave glass armonica. Glass armonica is a series of glass bowls basically turned on their side.

Dylan: They’re like, nested.

Joey: And they’re nested, right. And they’re connected through a rod. In a grotesque way, it kind of looks like a …

Dylan: Like a kebab!

Joey: A kebab on its side.

Dylan: It looks like a glass kebab!

Joey: Because as you would shave it from the middle, it gets ...

Dylan: Oh my God, it looks exactly like a doner kebab.

Joey: Do you want to give it a go?

Dylan: Sure. Sure.

Here’s where I should probably warn you that the thing about this instrument is that since it was invented, it has been followed by a lot of rumors, including that if you hear the sound of the instrument, you might lose your mind. So, if you want to turn off the podcast now and not take the chance, this is the moment to do it.

I’m Dylan Thuras, and this is Atlas Obscura, a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. And today, that includes my neighbor’s music studio, because we’re going to go deep on the history of the glass armonica. It’s a musical instrument that was invented by a founding father, became a hit sensation in Europe, and then became associated with a kind of magical, mystical, medical quackery. And did I mention that one of the people most associated with it also mysteriously disappeared?

This is an edited transcript of the Atlas Obscura Podcast: a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

Dylan: And what are you doing here? You’re dipping your fingers in water?

Joey: Distilled water, water with as little minerals as possible, because what you need to do is ... Benjamin Franklin apparently was enamored with the sound of people playing wineglasses. He set about making a version of it that didn’t require a giant table and a ton of wineglasses, and you could put it in a suitcase and travel with it.

Dylan: Yes. We have Benjamin Franklin to thank for the glass armonica. That, I don’t know, that dude, what the hell? He’s done so many different things. Anyway, like Joey was saying, Ben Franklin spent some time—before the American Revolution—just kind of bumming around London. He was a colonial ambassador there, or equivalent. And at some point in the early 1760s, one of his friends in the Royal Society, a guy named Edmund Delaval, showed him a fun party trick. Edmund lined up a bunch of wineglasses, filled them with different amounts of water, and then he’d wet his finger and run them along the edge of the rim. You have probably seen somebody do this at a party, and if you do it right, they play. They make this kind of ringing, chiming sound, like a single-note musical instrument. But Ben Franklin was, like, really into this. He was like, “Oh, wait a second.”

Franklin was a famous tinkerer. He loved to invent all kinds of things. And so, in good Franklin style, he thinks, how can I invent a better version of this fun wineglass party trick? So, Franklin goes to a glassmaker in London, and he says, “Hey, I need you to create a series of nesting glass bowls in varying sizes, from small to medium-large, and all of them need to have a hole in the middle at the bottom.” And then, once they were made, the bowls could be nested together, and you’d put a rod going through them in this hole in the center. The rod would be made of cork or something like that, so it’d keep them stable and cushioned. And then you’d take this whole contraption, this series of nested bowls on a rod, and you’d put it into something that looked like a side table with a foot pedal, which could turn the rod, and thus, turn the bowls. And once Franklin had done all of this, the glass armonica was born.

For the rest of his life, Ben Franklin pretty much brought an armonica everywhere he went. I mean, you can picture Franklin showing up with his little bifocals—which he also invented—on his nose, and carrying his glass armonica over one hand, and then, you know, he’s like talking about his electricity research. Anyway, but little did Franklin know that this fun party invention of his was about to kick off a craze in Europe, a craze which would end in something of a moral panic and a public health scare. The sweet tones were about to turn sour.

Joey: You know, Mozart composed for the glass armonica.

Dylan: Really?

Joey: Yeah, which is fascinating, because for some reason in my brain, Mozart and Franklin do not cross over, but they do.

Dylan: The armonica took off in Europe right away, and like Joey said, Mozart was a big fan. He composed some pieces for it, and supposedly, Marie Antoinette even received armonica lessons. And it was the guy who introduced the armonica to Mozart that we need to spend some time talking about, because he is about to become central to this story.

Now, he’s not as famous as Franklin or Mozart, but you may have heard his name before. He was a German doctor named Franz Mesmer. Mesmer was an interesting guy. Playing the armonica was kind of a side hobby for him, but his main job was health remedies. I am putting “health remedies” in pretty heavy air quotes here.

Mesmer was really, really interested in magnets. He was a new age guru of that period. He believed the human body was filled with mysterious liquids, or these magnetic fluids. And these magnetic fluids could become blocked. And if they were blocked, they would cause health problems. So to cure this, Mesmer would hold magnets up over his patients and help move these fluids along. This theory became known as animal magnetism. And over time, Mesmer’s treatments got weirder and weirder and more and more theatrical. And a big part of these treatments became the sound of the armonica itself.

Joey: It’s haunting. There’s a sound that happens with the vibrating glass that’s unique. And after about five to 10 minutes of playing, it starts to charge the room in a way where the sound starts to feel as if it’s coming from no source at all.

Dylan: Imagine for a second that we are in some grand salon in Paris in the 1780s. Yes, please. There is a ton of people milling around. They’re all dressed up. The lights are low, the candles are burning, and mirrors are everywhere. There is a giant bathtub in the middle of this room, and the bathtub is filled with bits of iron and glass. And sticking out of this bathtub are these iron rods. Someone in the corner is sitting, playing the glass armonica.

I mean, just a side note, whatever you think of the effectiveness of these treatments, I mean, hell yeah. A+ theatrical presentation. Anyway, Franz Mesmer is in the middle of all this. He’s encouraging people with their stomach aches or headaches to come forward, come, come up, rub your body on these iron rods sticking out of this bathtub.

So for hours, people come up, and they’re rubbing their stomachs, their arms, their other areas on these rods. The armonica player is going hard. And this sensation would cause them to have these strong reactions. They would hiccup or sob or cry or even faint, all with the sound of that devilish glass armonica in the background.

This became enough of a craze that by the late 1780s, the other doctors in Paris were like, “What the—what are you doing?” It got intense enough that the King of France was asked to intervene. And he decided to put together basically a scientific commission to evaluate Mesmer’s claims. For this commission, the King brought together a chemist, a doctor, and he’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere: our old friend, Benjamin Franklin. At this point, he is living in Paris and working there as an ambassador.

So yes, Ben Franklin goes, and he sits into these sessions, and he’s like, “What is my armonica being used for? What is all of this going on?” So the commission declares Mesmer a fraud. Or put another way, these patients had sort of cured themselves using the power of the placebo effect, the imagination, the power of your own belief about yourself.

Mesmer eventually left Paris in a little bit of a cloud of shame. And while Mesmer may not have won his battle with Ben Franklin, he lives on in another way. Even if you have never heard anything about the glass armonica or bathtubs full of iron shavings before, you might still describe the feeling that you get when you’re listening to a glass armonica as mesmerizing. As in Franz Mesmer.

Maybe because of its association with mesmer and mesmerism, the tides began to turn against the armonica. Instead of curing you, rumors began to swirl that the armonica, even just listening to it, could actually make you ill. One popular musical journal warned in 1798 that the armonica could plunge a player into a nagging depression, and hence into a dark and melancholy mood, and that it was an apt method for slow annihilation. An apt method for slow annihilation is a great, like, album title. It went on to say that you should not play the armonica late at night, if you were ill, or had any kind of nervous disorder.

By the 1820s, the armonica had also just fallen out of fashion. It still popped up occasionally in classical music. This is a piece you might recognize. It’s by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. It’s from his Animal Suite, and this part is called, “Aquarium.” Really does feel like watching a jellyfish float by. What this meant is that the armonicas being out of fashion, slightly disreputable, and also highly, highly breakable, they just slowly started to disappear. They became collectibles, sitting in museums, and basically no one played them or thought much about them.

Until the 1980s. Because in the 1980s, a guy named Gerhard Finkenbeiner started making new glass armonicas. Gerhard was based in the Boston area, and he was a high-end glassblower. He made scientific glassware and tools for all the labs in the Boston area. This was super fancy stuff. This was glass for IBM, Raytheon, the glass used in making semiconductors.

One day, he was making quartz tools for semiconductors, and he saw that the cut-off ends of these tubes could make perfect glass armonica bowls. And so Gerhard started to manufacture brand new glass armonicas. And over time, people started collecting and playing these again. They became a kind of niche sort of thing to have if you were into music. And this is how Joey got his hands on one. It was passed through a series of collectors, including a guy in LA who had been using it to do movie soundtracks. However, Gerhard’s story takes a surprising turn.

So what happened to Gerhard?

Joey: So no one really knows what happened to Gerhard. Apparently he was an amateur pilot, and one day, he told his co-workers during lunch that he felt like he needed to go, didn’t mention anything about flying, apparently changed his mind after being home, and he got into his plane, and instead of going north towards his other home in New Hampshire, in his other glassblowing studio, he went south, and then was never heard from again.

Dylan: Gerhard Finkenbeiner disappeared on May 6, 1999. Neither him nor his plane have ever been found. What this means for glass armonicas is that today, they’re pretty hard to come by. Maybe if you’re handy with woodworking and glassblowing, or happen to have a collection of quartz salad bowls, you could potentially make one yourself. Ben Franklin refused to patent any of his inventions, including the glass armonica, and so made no money off of it. So if you wanted to try and make your own, you absolutely should, and Gerhard’s studio does still help fix existing glass armonicas, and I think they may produce even a couple. I think it is long past time for yet another comeback of the glass armonica.

In case you do not have a neighbor who happens to have a glass armonica in their attic, you can go see one in person at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Their armonica is an original that was owned by Franklin himself, and was given to the museum by one of his descendants. They are such cool instruments. They won’t let you play that one, though, unfortunately.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

This episode was produced by Amanda McGowan, and this episode was sound designed by Manolo Morales. Our podcast is a co-production of Atlas Obscura and Stitcher Studios. The people who make our show include Doug Baldinger, Chris Naka, Kameel Stanley, Johanna Mayer, Manolo Morales, Baudelaire, Gabby Gladney, Amanda McGowan, Alexa Lim, Casey Holdford, and Luz Fleming. Our theme music is by Sam Tyndall.

Completed in 1964 and designed by Edward Durrell Stone, this architectural gem would be entirely at home in an episode of Star Trek.

A modern take on a Roman temple, the building exemplifies New Formalism, the mid-20th century architectural style Stone helped pioneer. Rejecting the rigidity of Modernity, the movement blends classical architecture features with contemporary materials, especially concrete. 

The white, circular structure has a seating capacity of 1,136 and regularly hosts concerts, lectures, dance, and theater performances.

Beckman Auditorium is located on the campus of the California Institute of Technology, and most events are open to the public.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

Dylan Thuras: I’m here and no one’s here yet. This is a mailbag episode, and so we’re going to chat and ask each other questions. But it’s just me right now. So I’m going to eat some clementine and get some ASMR of me eating a clementine. People don’t like the sound of other people eating, but too bad. I wonder who figured out ASMR first. Like how old is it? I mean, obviously—

Johanna Mayer: What are you talking about? Just got on the Zoom and it’s Dylan talking to himself eating chips.

Dylan: No, not chips. Orange slices.

Johanna: Oh, much better.

Dylan: I was just doing a little … I was here alone. I was doing a little ASMR of what it sounds like to eat a clementine. You know.

Johanna: Ew.

Dylan: Why not? It sounds ... Honestly, peeling a clementine sounds really good. Hi.

Johanna: What’s up, Amanda?

Amanda McGowan: Hey. What did I miss?

Dylan: The goal for this mailbag is for everyone to enter in the most disorienting moment humanly possible.

Johanna: Yeah.

Dylan: I achieved it twice. I’m feeling good.

Johanna: Okay, Dylan, do you want to do the show intro?

Dylan: Yeah, we better do it. Yeah. I’m Dylan Thuras.

I’m Johanna Mayer.

I’m Amanda McGowan.

Dylan: And this is Atlas Obscura, a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Today, we try to answer questions about solo travel.

This is an edited transcript of the Atlas Obscura Podcast: a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

Johanna: Okay, first question. This one is from a listener named Kara. She says, “I just graduated college, and I’m about to go on a month-long backpacking trip before starting real life in the fall. Honestly, the thing that I’m worried about the most is: I am shy. Am I really not going to talk to anyone for a month? Also, I’m going to be moving around a bunch, and that makes it tough to make friends. Do you have any tips for meeting people while on the move?” What do you think?

Dylan: Yeah, I mean, this is a tip—I think it still holds. It held—I mean, I did a big trip right before college. I was just out of high school. I was still 17. Me and my friend, he was 18. We did like a month and a half.

Johanna: Well, in that case.

Dylan: He was 18.

Johanna: Glad there was an adult there.

Dylan: We had one adult on the trip. And we did a month and a half all across Europe, and at least at that time—it was a long time ago—but hostels do actually provide a lot of opportunity to meet other travelers, especially if you’re young.

Amanda: I also, I went on a trip—I was probably in my early 20s with a friend of mine—and yeah, I remember we were in Rome or something, and we just ended up talking to this group of people. And we all ended up going on this excursion to a neighborhood together and getting lunch together. And it was really fun.

Johanna: Did you ever talk to those people again?

Amanda: No, no, no.

Johanna: Yeah. That’s okay.

Dylan: But that’s how it works.

Amanda: I think we were friends on Facebook maybe for a while.

Dylan: I like that kind of thing. You’re good friends with someone for like 48 hours or like half a week, and then you’re all like, “Bye. I’m literally never going to see you again.” That’s kind of—there’s something really beautiful about it.

Amanda: Yeah.

Johanna: I mean, that dovetails into my answer to this. I have a slightly different thought, which is that I think it’s okay if you don’t talk to anyone for a month. I think it’s totally fine to not make a friend while you’re on this. There are a lot of benefits of being by yourself and being with your own thoughts for an extended period of time, which may never happen again. I would say just don’t worry about it. And the other thing that I want to comment on in this question is Kara said this backpacking trip is supposed to be before she starts, quote, “real life in the fall.” This is real life, Kara.

Dylan: Totally.

Johanna: This is it.

Dylan: This is the realest life.

Johanna: It doesn’t get better.

Amanda: No, real life is creating shareholder value.

Johanna: Okay. Next question. This is from a listener named Dean. He says, “Two years ago I traveled for 10 months, eight months of it I was mostly by myself. Now I have image flashbacks from the trip, not just highlights, but also very mundane moments. They don’t bother me, but at first they surprised me because I don’t remember ever hearing anyone else talk about this as a phenomenon. I call them PTFBs for post-travel flashbacks. I wonder if you or your listeners have similar after-travel experiences.” I 100 percent get this and very, very mundane moments as well.

Dylan: Yeah.

Amanda: Ooh, say more. I wish he had included an example. I want to hear.

Johanna: Well, my example is like I was alone briefly on a larger trip to Indonesia. I spent six days by myself. I separated from the group. The thing that I primarily remember from that trip, I had split off in order to go see a couple temples that I really wanted to see, but I have almost no memory of that. I remember the very long bus ride from the hostel to the downtown area super clearly and how it was heavily air conditioned and the way that the doors opened and the sounds that they made. I also remember some very long walks down very hot dirt roads by myself. And those are the primary memories of that trip. So Dean, it’s not a phenomenon unique to you. I totally get it. Don’t know why exactly that is.

Dylan: I think travel in general, I feel like I have much clearer memories of. I mean, novelty sort of unfolds time in this funny way. A two-week trip can somehow feel like it takes up the same memory buffer as like six months of normal life, right? Because it’s all new and your brain is kind of doing this extra work to like, “What is that? Why is it like that? Where do you put your trash?” And that gives your brain so much to chew on, and that’s part of why it feels delightful and exciting and also sometimes taxing and exhausting. It’s all of that at once. And I feel like being solo on top of that, you’re not doing this other work of being like, “What does that person want? What are they doing? Where’d they go?”

Johanna: Oh, you’ve freed up brain space.

Dylan: Your brain space is fully occupied by your sensory experience, which is why I think your note from before about like, take the whole month, and just like actually—maybe you’ll be a little bit melancholy and lonely at points, but those memories will be like a mountain in your mind. I think that’s like a really—never heard someone describe this post-travel flashback thing, but it’s a thing. You can just get these crystal clear memories of those experiences.

Johanna: Do you guys have any specific examples?

Dylan: There’s a number of—we took a trip to Scotland with the kids, and I have all of these memories where it’s just like walking on a trail. Like it’s a sun-dappled—it’s just a nice sun-dappled trail, and I see my son is ahead of me, and I’m carrying my daughter on my shoulders, and it’s just like this perfect little sensory moment. That’s the kind of stuff that I feel like comes back to mind.

Amanda: I mean, we’ve talked a lot in these Mailbag segments about how the iconic traveling experiences can sometimes be kind of overrated, like going to the thing just to check it off. And it’s just interesting that what the brain—what your mind actually latches onto and remembers is sometimes these just more quiet, more sensory-laden moments. Yeah.

Johanna: Okay. Final question. This is from someone who did not leave their name. I think there might be a reason for it. Okay. This person says, “When I was younger, I loved traveling by myself. It was a huge part of helping me make my own identity, learn things about myself, and build confidence. These experiences gave me some of my most formative memories. Now I’m married, and I’m thinking of starting a family, and of course I want to share travel experiences with my family, but part of me is also a little sad at the thought of losing that part of my life. Is it selfish to continue to take solo trips? Do you have any suggestions for how to fit solo travel into your life?” Dylan’s nodding with a knowing look in his eyes.

Dylan: You guys go first this time. I feel like I’ve been jumping in on everything.

Amanda: My thought immediately is just, I don’t think it’s selfish. And one thing that I like to do is, if you’re going on a trip with the fam, maybe tack on a couple of days at the end and just be like, “Okay, bye family, I’m going to do a little two nights or something by myself,” and then you still get that experience, but you also get the experience of being there as a group.

Johanna: So you don’t think it’s selfish? I think maybe it’s a little selfish. I don’t necessarily think it is selfish. I totally hear what this person is saying about this formative memory as it being a very important experience to you, but I don’t know, if I’m being honest, I do think if my partner just took off on a trip by himself, I think maybe it would be a little hurt or jealous, maybe.

Amanda: And I think you’re so right that there has to be the dialogue there. It can’t always be one person doing the solo trip and the other person corralling the children.

Johanna: That definitely, yeah.

Amanda: That has to be acknowledged, yeah.

Johanna: I will say that definitely do it before you have kids. This person says they’re thinking of starting a family. I think it’s probably a whole other thing once you are ditching your partner with the children.

Dylan: I have strong thoughts on this.

Johanna: Okay. Okay, Dylan, you’re up.

Dylan: Okay. Well, I think you’re both right. Johanna, I do think it can’t work if someone’s constantly just like, peace, I gotta go explore myself. But I also think, actually, I actually think, especially after you have kids, and so much of your life is actually sort of logistical and more kind of like you’re a partnership running the business of your family. That is sort of what happens. And I’m about to take a huge trip with my whole family. And one of the things we’ve been explicitly talking about is making sure that along the way each of us gets like half a day to—I’ll take the kids, and Michelle will go and wander around and go to a flea market for half a day. And then some other time, I’ll do that. Or then we’ll split up and we’ll each take one kid. But like, it is actually oppressive to be in the same group of people for really long periods of time, because it’s stressful, and you don’t get a chance to kind of think. And so I think even on a trip with a partner or with family, actually making time to split up and do separate things and then come back together. It’s hard, because you have to be really explicit about it. I do think it’s good. I think it actually improves everyone’s like mental health and well-being. And then on a bigger perspective, I just think it has to be reciprocal. So maybe your partner is like, well, what I want to do is take a long weekend and go hang out with my friends who I grew up with. And we’re going to do a boy’s weekend or a girl’s weekend. And you’re like, what I want to do is like, actually, I’m going to take four days and go explore this place, or even a week. I mean, there’s probably a limit on total time, but like, which is probably about a week, but like …

Johanna: I think it’s a week, max.

Dylan: It’s a week. It’s a week, max.

Amanda: I think three days would do the job.

Dylan: Long weekend is probably the right scale, week is probably maximum. But I do think if there’s that reciprocality where it’s like, okay, this is just a thing that twice a year, you know, we each just go do a thing. And that’s just in our contract as a relationship, actually, that’s very healthy. I think that’s really good for everybody.

Johanna: You know, you speak the truth. And it’s a good point also that like, I don’t know why there’s this difference in my mind. If my partner came to me and was like, “I want to spend a weekend with my boys. We’re going to go fishing or whatever,” I’d be like, yes, absolutely. Like, go. You need to nurture those friendships. Like, go do that. But if he was just like, “Hey, I’m going to this other city by myself for a long weekend or whatever,” I think I’d be like, “Well, what the hell? I want to do that too.” Maybe it’s not fair. Maybe I need to expand my mind a little bit.

Dylan: I do think it takes a high-trust relationship. I think it takes a high-trust relationship because it does feel a little bit harsh to be like, oh, you’d rather be literally by yourself? Like, excuse me? That’s rude. Like, that’s really rude. But I think if you have that kind of communication, it’s just like this is something that brings me a lot of joy and peace and quiet. And frankly, when you have kids in a family, that is actually really important to get because I think it can become suffocating for people, you know, especially moms in particular because like so much of the expectation is like around sort of constant kid availability, you know what I mean? It’s just like, that’s like, it’s good. It’s going to be good for everybody’s well-being. It’s good for people to have, you know, like to have the kids by themselves, a different experience to have your kids on your own. And it’s like it can be fun. It can be challenging. It makes you appreciate having a partner there in a very serious way. You know, you’re like, oh, thank God you’re back. You know, yeah.

Johanna: So it sounds like the moral of the story is do it now before you have kids and not for too long.

Amanda: Yes. It’s certainly easier that way. Yeah.

Dylan: Do it. Keep doing it. Do it. Just high-trust, high-communication relationship. Johanna’s boyfriend, do not do this. No.

Johanna: It’s my husband, Dylan.

Dylan: No, yeah, your husband, your husband! You guys got married! No. Double no. Super, absolutely not. It makes me want to go solo traveling, to be honest. Like it feels, this all feels very romantic. There’s something romantic about solo traveling.

Johanna: Bye Michelle. Bye the kids.

Dylan: No, this isn’t …

Johanna: No, I’m on board. I’m on board. I’m on board.

Dylan: I travel so much for work and stuff that actually in my own relationship at this point, if I was like, I just want to take a week and do, it’s like, Michelle does do that actually. Michelle will go off by herself for a few days.

Amanda: That’s cool.

Johanna: Where does she go?

Dylan: To a cabin. Like, up to a cabin and she like reads, you know what I mean?

Amanda: She gets it.

Dylan: Dude, she plays the oboe, she’s practicing, she reads, she’s just like …

Johanna: You know what? It’s good. I’ve had a change of heart. Somehow, hearing that Michelle does and I’m like, that’s awesome, good for Michelle.

Dylan: Yeah. I can’t do it. No way. Not me. Uh-uh. Thank you for hanging out with us while we talk about solo travel.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

This episode was produced by Johanna Mayer. Our podcast is a co-production of Atlas Obscura and Stitcher Studios. The people who make our show include Doug Baldinger, Kameel Stanley, Johanna Mayer, Manolo Morales, Amanda McGowan, Alexa Lim, Casey Holford, and Luz Fleming.

The Battle of the Somme may have been a relatively short-lived offensive, lasting only five months from July 1 to November 18, 1916. The resulting carnage, however, claimed the lives of well over 300,000 French, British, and German soldiers. 

The deadly detritus of the world's first industrial-scale slaughter is displayed in this remarkable museum's exhibits: bullets, shell shrapnel, rifles, pistols, mustard gas canisters, grenades, bayonets, and machine guns.

The museum features an extensive collection of wartime attire and accessories, such as helmets and gas masks, uniforms, field glasses, communication equipment, and military insignia of the British and French armies and their German enemy. 

Also on display are many life-size dioramas depicting scenes of everyday life in the trenches, and attempting to convey to the viewer the gritty reality of what it meant to be a soldier fighting in World War I. 

Most haunting and moving of all are the many mundane artifacts that speak to the soldiers' lives and humanity, which were lost in the hellish and apocalyptic carnage of the Somme.

Unopened letters from loved ones back home, a battered tin of peppermint sweets, soap, safety razors, toothpaste, beer bottles, erotica, and an unsmoked packet of cigarettes, whose owners sadly likely died young, speak of the devastating cost of war.

Olso. Capital of Norway. Gateway for many to the country's stunning fjords. The city is home to some of Norway's iconic sights, like the King and Queen's Palace, Vigeland Sculpture Park, and the Viking Ship Museum. While strolling the through the great Nordic city, you might sense the call of nature, and begin a frantic search for a public toilet. If you're in the Spikersuppa area, you're in luck!

But you might be surprised by the three public toilets in Spikersuppa Square. Each toilet is stylized as a stripe of the French flag and they are topped with the words “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité.” Turns out these are not just a quirky piece of public art, but have a much deeper meaning than meets the eye.

The toilets are the brainchild of the Norwegian artist Lars Ramberg, who created them to celebrate one hundred years of Norwegian independence, calling the work “a contemporary Statue of Liberty.”

What do French toilets have to do with Norwegian independence? It might seem like a bit of a stretch, but Ramberg wanted a French symbol as a base, figuring that the two nations shared certain democratic values. That presumably explains the words. Fine so far, but toilets?

Upon the unveiling of the work, known as “Liberté,” a local newspaper had this to say about the meaning: “The freestanding toilets are the smallest cells of public architecture, representing the smallest cell of the people. It offers privacy physically as well as psychologically, yet it is in public. Slightly manipulated and restyled, it supports the idea of individual freedom, physical hygiene and national identity, as a new statue of liberty for both countries.” Pretty heavy stuff to contemplate as you do your business. Even stranger, World War II speeches of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Charles de Gaulle and Norway’s King Haakon play from speakers inside the toilets when a patron enters.

Naturally, the toilets didn't come without controversy; the cheeky concept suffered two years of public squabbling, debates, and attempts to flush the project before finally getting the go-ahead. It all started in 2003, with a competition to award an artist with a project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Norwegian independence. Ramberg’s toilets won, but all hell broke loose as the museum where the toilets were to be placed rejected the idea as, understandably, crass and off the wall.

They were especially upset that the toilets were actually functioning, considering it a slap in the face to the noble idea of Norwegian independence. A debate ensued, resignations were thrown about, and the public joined in the fight. The toilets saw the light of day only after a new location, the Spikersuppa Square, was found. Sadly, they haven't caught on as a beloved Oslo icon and leave most people scratching their heads.

The toilets are still fully functioning today (sort of), but have been mostly canned on Google Reviews due to frequently being out of order or quite dirty. Love them or hate them, you can't deny Oslo needs more public toilets.

A former Australian prison, Fremantle is now preserved as Western Australia's only World Heritage-listed building. Visitors can still explore its cellblocks, perimeter walls, gallows, and and underground labyrinth of tunnels—once home to imperial convicts, colonial prisoners, enemy 'aliens', prisoners of war, and maximum-security detainees. 

Although Western Australia began as a "free" colony, economic hardship led it to ask Britain to send prisoners, who then built the very prison meant to contain them.  When transportation ended in 1868, Fremantle became a prison for locals. Intended for petty offenses, it soon housed inmates convicted of far more serious crimes. 

The establishment was notoriously hard on its inmates, culminating in a riot in 1988. It was fueled in part by extreme heat and growing tensions among prisoners, but also as a cover for a planned escape. It closed in 1991, with inmates moved to a maximum-security facility located in Perth. 

Today, it is one of the largest surviving convict prisons in the world. Visitors can walk the same halls as its inmates once did and learn the site's history. 

Walking around Germany today, one sees few signs of the brutal years of Nazi rule. Aside from concentration camps and a handful of larger sites like Berlin's Olympic Stadium and the Nuremberg Rally Grounds preserved as memorials, Germany has scrubbed away signs of its dark past and replaced them with memorials remembering countless victims. From the early 1930s until 1945, swastikas and Reichsadlers (“eagles of the Reich,” which usually held swastikas in their talons) were splashed over every German city, town, and small village in the country.

Today, it is incredibly rare to find an original “in the wild.” Ironically, a surviving Reichsadler can be found in one of the homes of the National Socialist Movement, Nuremberg, and even more surprising is that the symbol is found on the side of a Burger King. Yes, that Burger King, the home of the Whopper.

Known locally as the “Reichs-Burger-King,” the building is a former power station built between 1937 and 1939. It was meant to power the neighboring Rally Grounds, and at the time could pump out enough power to support a small city. The neo-classical building was designed by notorious Nazi architect Albert Speer himself. Entering the Burger King requires passing through its original massive metal doors, though the interior resembles the modern fast food restaurant that it is. The Reichsadler can be found on the eastern facade. The actual statue was been torn away, but the outline is clearly visible. So how did a symbol of evil escape erasure and end up hosting a burger joint?

After Germany's defeat in 1945, there are many images of Allied forces toppling Nazi symbols. In the case of Nuremberg’s Rally Grounds, next to which the power station stands, American soldiers used dynamite to annihilate the massive swastika crowning the pavilion. At some point, someone ripped the power station’s Reichsadler from its wall, but the outline remained and the building survived.

From 1960 the transformer house was owned by a power company, N-Ergie, which used it for energy supply and storage the late 1990s. In 2002, a proposal was made to construct a high-rise hotel with the power station integrated into the plan as the hotel’s entrance, but this never happened.

Enter the Burger King, which opened in 2006. It's a mystery why the company decided to keep the original exterior, though it's worth noting the building is protected as a historical monument.

The head of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds documentation center, Florian Dierl, describes it as a “curiosity” that an American fast-food chain is staying in a Nazi building of all places, but has stated that he doesn't necessarily see a scandal.

When this theatre opened in 1925, it brought in top Hollywood talents in the worlds of silent films and vaudeville. The biggest star of that era, Mary Pickford, dedicated the theatre on opening night, May 28, 1925. It was the second of the three classics designed by the Los Angeles architecture firm Meyer & Holler, along with Grauman's Egyptian Theatre (1923) and Chinese Theatre (1927) in Hollywood.

In the years that followed, many big names performed on the Fox Fullerton stage, or hosted screenings of their films.

In 1955, the theatre underwent a massive remodeling which installed a very large Cinemascope screen, blocking out the stage from being used. It stayed this way until it closed in 1987.

In the late 1990s, grassroots efforts were made to save the theatre from demolition. That goal was achieved in 2004 when the funds were raised to purchase the building. Ever since that date, the care of the facility has been provided by the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation.

On May 28, 2025, a large public celebration of the 100th anniversary was held, allowing guests to tour the partially refurbished lobby and auditorium.

Restoration work continues.

Legend has it that one October morning, in 1644, when moving close to the window to get better light to conduct his morning toilet, Charles I was almost removed from history. A bullet, shot by a Parliamentarian soldier, crashed through the glass and embedded itself in the wooden panelling, narrowly missing the king of England. 

The bullet hole from this alleged attempt on the king's life can be seen in the King Charles Room in Shaw House, a Tudor mansion. After many years in the hands of various private owners, Shaw House was used to house soldiers in World War II, then became a school, and was then restored by West Berkshire Council to its current state.

But in the 1640s, the area was in the grip of a civil war between the king and his parliament. King Charles demanded absolute power to raise money to fund armies for wars overseas, and was a staunch Catholic. Predominantly Protestant at the time, Parliament objected to his plans, so he dissolved it, upsetting most of the MPs to the point that they rebelled against the crown and raised arms.

In October 1644, the Royalist forces had been split, and the King was attempting to relieve his forces at Basing House to the southeast. His forces occupied strongholds at Donnington Castle, the village of Speen, and at Shaw House. The walls of Shaw House were 6 feet thick in some places, and the cellars provided cover and a place to keep prisoners. Iron Age earthworks on the estate were incorporated into the defenses.

The Parliamentarian forces did their best to outflank the Royalist army and capture the King, but after fierce fighting and heavy losses for both armies, neither side had won, and the King retreated to Oxford. In the aftermath of the king's retreat, Shaw House was ransacked by the Parliamentarians.

In the 1700s, Shaw House was bought by a gentleman named Joseph Andrews, whose son James Petit Andrews was fascinated by history. It is likely that James is the one who had a brass plaque, commemorating the bullet, installed on the panelling in the King Charles Room in 1759.

Recent research undertaken by West Berkshire Council as part of the restoration works indicates that this story, and its commemorative plaque, are apocryphal. Charles I never visited Shaw House, and was garrisoned in Newbury, which was better protected. The historic plaque remains though, as after all, why should fact get in the way of an exciting and romantic story?

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Dylan Thuras: For this conversation, we asked you to choose places that you felt like shaped or influenced your life in some fundamental way.

Paul Scheer: Absolutely.

Dylan: I have to say the three places, when I saw your list of three places.

Paul: Yes.

Dylan: I was filled with a mild sense of anxiety.

Paul: You know, well, I think one of, you know—and I love this point of view—but I think one of the reasons why I picked these three places was because there is trauma in each one of these places, right? And, you know, and I had just finished writing my book, which is called Joyful Recollections of Trauma. And I realized that the things that influenced me, it’s kind of like the way that, you know, a lump of diamond can be squeezed into coal, right? Like, I feel like some of these places did that. I may not have loved it in the moment, but I came out of it better. Sometimes a travel experience is important to kind of change you or challenge you.

I’m Dylan Thuras, and this is Atlas Obscura, a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Today, I’m talking with actor and comedian Paul Scheer about his life in three places. You probably know Paul Scheer. Maybe you know him from TV, things like The League or Black Monday, or you might know him from his very funny, big podcasts, like How Did This Get Made? and Unspooled.

Paul has a really distinctive sense of humor, and it’s very clear in the stories that he chose to tell. Because when I asked him to think of three places that impacted him, he did not choose memories that made him look heroic or good or were like, you know, sweet stories. No, he chose three very funny, fairly personally embarrassing stories. Because as he put it to me: trauma is the fire in which we are forged. Like the story he told about a mishap on a trip to Disney World, or his solo adventures as a kid at a family ranch resort in upstate New York, or the time he worked up the nerve to speak to a big-time celebrity at Comic-Con (and will be the last time he ever does that). Each of these moments changed how he approached his life as a parent and as an actor. But today, these stories, it’s just, they still make him cringe internally. The memories he made in these three places will stay with him forever, whether he wants it or not.

This is an edited transcript of the Atlas Obscura Podcast: a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

Paul: So the first place is Orlando. It is Walt Disney World. Up until I was 18 years old, I visited this place, I would say, once a year, and multiple times twice a year. So yes, I spent many a time at Walt Disney World. And I guess this thing that would happen a lot, my parents were divorced, and a ticket to Orlando, I remember being in the—reading the papers, it’d be $74 to Orlando.

It was almost—it was a very cheap flight. So my dad and I could go and do like a three or four day trip there. And it was at a point when, again, Walt Disney World has become prohibitively expensive for a family. But man, oh man, they made it worthwhile. Like we stayed on property, we would get free tickets, right, to go to the park. It was a whole different ballgame. And so we went there a lot. But one of the first times I went there, we stayed at this hotel. And I can’t remember the name of this hotel. Now I had the problem of this” I was, I am lactose intolerant. And I did not find that out until a trip to Walt Disney World.

Honestly, if you’re lactose intolerant, you’re going to find it out there because everything has milk and cheese in it. And man, oh man, I found out in a way that was intense. Like it was Alien, the movie, the original movie level explosions, right? I was like, my body was wrecked. I destroyed this hotel. I destroyed it to a point where my dad and I snuck out in the middle of the night. We were like, we got to get out of this hotel because it was—there’s only so many things I could soil in so many different ways. And my dad was like, we need to go home.

Now that’s an intense Disney trip, right? I learned I’m lactose intolerant. You know, I can’t eat my Mickey Mouse bars anymore.

Dylan: So, okay. So your first place is Disney World. Your second place is like in a similar vein. And I have to say, I am like 30 minutes away from this place. We could continue this conversation, I could drive there and we would still be talking as I arrived.

Paul: Wow, now that’s fascinating.

Dylan: I didn’t know it existed. I did not know it was there. And so suddenly I was like, what the hell? Okay, so what is this place? Tell me about the second place.

Paul: Okay, so this second place. So now I did say that we went on a lot of family trips to Orlando. And I guess what I should maybe say there’s a caveat is my dad and I did a lot of trips there. My mom and I didn’t do as many trips there. I can count on like really like one hand, the amount of trips I went with my mom to places.

One was a place called the Rocking Horse Ranch. So many people were familiar with this place in the East Coast because I think it was a destination. It was a family style resort that was very much based in ranch related activities. Kind of like a City Slickers meets Club Med for families. So they did have a lot of kid related activities, but it was just like, it was ultimately just horseback riding, which I could do at home. I said, you know—and then it was like horseshoeing. It was, you know, playing a game of horseshoes. You know, it was like a lot of horse related things.

I’m there with my stepsister on this one, but my stepsister is older. She’s in high school. So she basically is like running into the woods, smoking cigarettes, listening to The Who bootlegs. You know, I don’t see her all day. And I’m forced to be with these kids that I don’t know that seemingly have friends or siblings. No one’s making, you know, comments to me. So I just see—sadly see myself eating my boxed lunch alone, doing something that I hate. So I begged my parents. I’m like, please don’t make me go back to this day camp. I hate it. I just let me like—be, I’ll do whatever. And they’re like, “Well, if you don’t go to day camp, there’s nothing for you to do.” And I’m like, “Fine.” Like literally, I will stay in the hotel room.

And I just, you know, as an only child, even though I had the stepsister who was kind of a, she was kind of an occasional feature in my life because her parents, well, her mom, she had, her mom had custody. So she wasn’t always with us—occasionally. So I was used to being an only child and I played a lot by myself.

I’d always act out these like action movies in my head. And I would play like a grizzled cop, you know, men in their thirties and cops divorced, having kids, and I’m out there play acting these scenes. I would just play by myself. It looked to me like, if you saw me in the distance, it looked like a kid that was having a full-blown manic episode. I’m yelling at myself. I’m on my knees begging for mercy. I’m arresting my—putting handcuffs on myself. Now my character did smoke. I didn’t smoke. But you know, what I did was I pocketed a bunch of matches from the hotel room. And I had these matches and I would just, I liked the idea of lighting, right? And I’d light and I’d throw it, you know, and I’d just light, throw. It just felt cool.

And so I was doing that around a lot of dry brush, which, you know, if you’re not stomping out the match well enough, that’s going to cause some problems. And I find that out when in the middle of my playing, a fire starts.

Dylan: Oh my God.

Paul: Like a fire is—and not only does it start, but it grows quickly. And I’m like, oh my God, I don’t know what to do. And as a kid, you’re like, well, I’m not going to call for help because that would show that, A, I’m irresponsible. And I got this, I can figure this out. You know, so I start stamping on it, but the fire has grown too hot. I run inside to my room and I grab like, you know, they have those little bathroom cups. Like, you know, they’re not, they’re not very big, but they’re, you know, they’re just, just big enough to like give you a little gargle after you brush your teeth.

And I run in and I grab one of those and I run out with it and I throw it on the fire. It does nothing. And meanwhile, my step-sister had come back and she can see that I’m panicked. And I, you know, keep on running in and out of the bathroom. I keep on trying to do this. But now on the third try, the third attempt of this fire growing, it has reached—

Dylan: You’re just going back and forth to get little tiny cups of water.

Paul: Little tiny cups of water. I’m passing fire alarms left and right. And my step-sister kind of stops and she’s like, “What are you doing?” I’m like, “Nothing. I’m not doing anything. I’m fine. I’m fine.” And as she says that, from behind her—she’s standing in front of a window of this place—I can see the fire engulfing the window. And man, oh man. And then I pointed at her. I’m like, “it’s a fire, but I didn’t start it. I didn’t start it.” You know, she’s like, “What?” And like, she sees this fire. She’s like, “Holy shit, get your parents.” And I’m like, “No, I can’t. They said I shouldn’t bother them until 5:00.” She’s like, “Get your parents.” Knock on the door.

And I’m like, “There’s a fire. We didn’t start it. I didn’t start it.” And my mom kind of runs out and sees this blaze. Long story short, the firemen come, they put out this fire, minimal damage to the cabin—I think a coat of paint would probably fix it. Burn marks, not like burnt. And they kind of start to question me. And I know if I say that I started this fire, I could go to jail. And I held to my lie. I kept on doubling down. “I just found, I just found it.” And I was like, “You know what? Let me, let me help you, investigate how it could have started,” right? You know, so I go out and I’m looking around and I find my match.

I find that match that I threw out there, you know? And I go, “Oh, here it is. Here it is. The match. It probably—probably someone was smoking. They didn’t mean to.” And they said, and they clearly—you know, I think I’m being smooth—they know this kid’s lying. He set this fire. You know, they’re really kind of, they’re on me. And my stepsister is watching this whole thing. And at one point the guy says, “Empty your pockets.” So I pull out my pockets and there in my pocket is the matches, the matches I had stolen from the hotel.

So now I’ve not only found the incriminating thing, but I also have the other part of it, right? So I’ve now connected the pieces for them. I’ve done the detective work. I’ve busted myself. And, um, my stepsister kind of steps out of this little semicircle of people watching me be questioned by the fire people. And, she’s like, “Oh, he couldn’t have started that. He was with me. We were together and we were watching TV.” And I was like, oh my God, she saved me. My stepsister saved me from going to jail, saved me from this dark version of my life that would have been otherwise. So the Rocking Horse Ranch represents to me this place that I absolutely hated.

Dylan: Paul Scheer, he’s talking to us about places that he’s not ever been able to forget because they are embarrassing, anxiety-inducing stories that have left a deep mark upon him. The first two were from his childhood, but this next one happened a lot later.

Paul: San Diego is the location that—and specifically the San Diego Convention Center. That is my place, the San Diego Convention Center. Because for this one weekend a year, Comic-Con comes through and it is, and it changes the entire city of San Diego. If you’ve ever been there during this time, the streets are filled with people in cosplay, every hotel room is booked. It’s like being in Blade Runner. You’re just in this weird world of costumes and characters, and you’re just pushing your way through, eating the worst stuff.

When I first started with going to Comic-Con, I had done some TV shows already. I had been on Human Giant. And so there was a little bit of notoriety that I was able to cash in on. I could go to parties and stuff like that, and it was kind of fun. And as I got more and more to be a staple of Comic-Con—going back every year, getting my hotel, I got to do different shows—and as the shows opened up doors, I got to host a panel for Lost, the last season of Lost. I hosted that panel. Or not, I hosted the panel, sorry, I did a bit in that panel, which is a whole other story that’s very long, convoluted and involves a velvet painting of a polar bear.

But I had an all access pass. And one of the things—because they’re not paying me to do any of this stuff—was, “Hey, we’ll give you an all access pass. We’ll get you in everywhere. And we’ll give you two.” So I had this card that would allow me backstage anywhere. It was the ultimate backstage pass. And this is awesome. I have a wife who couldn’t be further from anything—not even Twilight is appealing to her. Nerdy sci-fi shit is not gonna, in any way—but I’m like, you know what? If I can bring her to this, and kind of show her the backstage version of it, that’s cool. And so they were doing the Marvel panel. And it was the Marvel panel very early on in the Marvel universe. So much so that Robert Downey Jr. had just flown back from shooting Iron Man 2. And they were gonna premiere some footage of Iron Man 2. So this is like really at the height of when shit is popping for Marvel, right?

Dylan: It’s jumping, yeah.

Paul: And so, you know, I bring June backstage. We go into the Hall H room. And that’s where all the actors and directors and everybody is. They’re lounging before they go out onto the stage. Now, quick—just kind of a pushback, and I’ll make it quick—but I just finished shooting a movie and on this movie, I would travel every day by boat to our location. It sounds more exotic than it was. The movie is called Piranha 3D. So we would travel by boat and you would be sitting on this boat going to set and you just get into these conversations with people beyond your regular cast.

One of the guys on this boat was a really good friend of Robert Downey Jr. Or so he said. So much so they called him RDJ. “Oh, RDJ, RDJ.” He talked about RDJ all the time. And my ears are always open for bullshit. I’m always like, man, I don’t know if I—do you know RDJ? Like, you know, like it sounded a little bit like, oh, I could understand that you’re like tertiarily involved in some world, you’re a producer—right? But he mentions a lot of people that I know that I’m like, oh, well, you may not be full of shit. Like, you know, a lot of non-known people.

So I’ve come to believe him. And I wrapped that movie a couple of days before Comic-Con and he says to me, “Hey, if you ever bump into RDJ, tell him I said, hi.” I was like, “Yes, of course,” knowing that I’ll never do that. I’m like, oh, that’s a weird conversation. You know?

Anyway, they get the call. Hall H gets the call, right? “All right, Ironman 2 cast, or Marvel panel, everybody head down please.” And we’re all heading towards the elevator. Now we get to the elevator and I am standing right—my toe of my foot is at his heel. Like that’s how close we are. It’s not like he’s not across from me. He’s closer than—I just would have to lean forward and I would be touching him.

And, you know, I had some margaritas at lunch because I also got June a margarita to loosen her up a little bit to make her feel like she’s going to enjoy this. And June had been in a movie with, with Robert Downy Jr. It’s a movie called Zodiac. So I’m like, well, I mean, you know, like I did say I’d—

Dylan: You got to weigh in.

Paul: I’d say hi to RDJ. And my wife was in a movie with him. This is, this is casual. This is casual. We’re going on the elevator. And I go, “Hey, Robert,” right? Real casual, real too casual. And he turns and I say—and I won’t reveal this person’s name—and I say, “Oh, you know, I just did this movie with so-and-so. He says, ‘say hi.’”

And when I say that to him, his face looks at me so quizzically like, “What?” I’m like, “Oh, I’m friends with …,” and I say the guy’s name again. And it’s not going forward. It looks like when you’re trying to talk to a dog and the dog is like, “Huh?” Like what are— cocking its head a little bit. And now I start giving way too many—I mean, “Well, he looks like this. He’s got this kind of a thing, and his hairs like that, and his eyes, and he has this tattoo.”

Nothing. And at this point now I feel like, now I’m fluttering. Like I am—

Dylan: You’re panicking.

Paul: I am panicking. My wife, who has been in a movie with him, has let go of my hand and kind of done that Homer Simpson thing where she goes back into the bushes. Like she just disappears into the crowd. I don’t know where she is. So now I’m alone. I feel his bodyguards, they turn, they look at me. And his bodyguards are thick, thick men, men whose necks feel bigger than my thighs. And now I’m starting to get that flop sweat. I don’t know what to do.

And I’m like, “Ah …” And he goes, “Hey man, I don’t know who you’re talking about.” And I’m like, “Oh, Oh, right. Uh, well I must have, um, gotten you confused with somebody else.” Who did I get confused with, Robert Downey Senior, right? I’m like, “I-I-uh,” and he goes, “Oh.”

Like, I’m confusing Robert Downey Jr. for someone else. And then, thank God the elevator comes and I make this choice. I’m like, I can’t go here. And I literally, I just wait. Crowd passes by me. I’m just like, I’m staying. I’m not getting on now. This is the worst moment of all time. You know, he doesn’t know who this is. I feel like I’ve embarrassed myself now. It had caused a little bit of a scene. Everyone gets on the elevator. June turns to me and she’s like, “What the f*** were you doing?” And I go, “I don’t know. My friend said he was a friend with him. He said, ‘say hi!’ He said ‘say hi!’ He said ‘hi!’”

Dylan: And what’s bizarre about this Paul is you’re there with your wife who was in a movie that he was also in. And you’re there talking about someone who’s like a tertiary—

Paul: Yeah. Well, because I’d have to throw June into the thing. I’d have to say like, “My wife was in a movie with you.” And then June would be like, “I don’t want to be a part of this.” My wife has no desire to be in this conversation. So he goes away and I live with this thing. I’m like, I just feel like he’s like, “This guy is weird.”

Dylan: Well, do you feel like it is revealing about yourself that the three places you’ve chosen are all like, not re—they’re all like, uh, simulations of reality.

Paul: Yeah, right?

Dylan: And then they’re simulations of reality where bad things happen to you. I don’t know what that says, but …

Paul: You know, it’s like, it’s so interesting, right? Because I think that, you know, I could tell you about walking around in Paris. I could tell you about going to Japan. And all these places are beautiful and I loved it. And they were like, at some even kind of—really like kind of spiritually fulfilling places. But each one of these, and this is a theory that I’ve said now a bunch, which is trauma is the fire in which we are forged. And there is something about these moments that make me still feel uncomfortable to this day.

Like these moments where I’m like, “Oh my God.” Like I will think about any of those moments: wrecking that hotel embarrassing myself in front of Robert Downey Jr., starting this fire. And I still feel guilt. I, you know, I still feel like this thing. And I think you’re right. It’s like this—I’m supposed to be in the safe place, but I’ve pushed the boundaries too far. And the facade of fake falls down and the real world of awkward, dangerous, and accountable pops up. And then it’s like getting sucker punched. My defenses were down and that was, and that—so yeah, I think you’re right. You really well said, like I have, I have punctured the fake reality of it. Like, you know, you’re only supposed to look, not touch. I touched, the thing broke off in my hand, and now I’m like, “Oh no.” And someone’s like, “You owe us money.” Like, this is it.

And those are these moments. Cause I think it also is—it’s made me approach so many things differently, which is, I never talk to celebrities anymore. I don’t, I will not talk to them. If I’m the biggest fan, I will never meet them. I will never go out of my way. I will try to be casual, but I’m not gonna— I did a movie with Nic Cage. I sat next to him, never said a word. He introduced—he said things to me. I would pop in, but I’m not, I won’t do it. Don’t meet my heroes, or the heroes shouldn’t meet me, whatever the way it should go.

And then finally, you know, I do think that there is this thing where—I do feel like getting sick there and being with my dad and escaping away with my dad, there is something really fun about this. I think, you know, destroying a place like this, but being in it with your dad, being in cahoots with your dad, there was something fun about us escaping this hotel in the middle of the night and getting the hell out of there.

But, yeah, I think a lot of the times I spent as a kid, it was alone. And so I think as a parent now, I try to make sure that I make my kids not feel alone, without feeling like I’m over on them, but I’m like, we’ll get through anything. If you puke in a hotel room and shit in a hotel room, we are going to get out together as a family and never feel bad about it.

Dylan: Thank you, Paul, for taking the time to do this.

Paul: Thank you so much.

Dylan: Check out Paul Scheer’s very funny book, Joyful Reflections of Trauma. If you want to hear more stories like this or follow his excellent podcasts, How Did This Get Made? and Unspooled wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

This podcast is a co-production of Atlas Obscura and Stitcher Studios, and this episode was produced by Tameka Weatherspoon. The production team includes Dylan Thuras, Johanna Mayer, Chris Naka, Doug Baldwin, Kameel Stanley, Manolo Morales, Baudelaire, Gabby Gladney, and Talon Stradley. Our technical director is Casey Holford, and this episode was sound designed by Tomeka Weatherspoon and mixed by Luz Fleming. Our theme and end credit music is by Sam Tyndall.

New York has always been a hungry city, with locals and visitors alike constantly searching for the next best bite. For 19th-century workers, oyster bars provided a cheap snack similar to today’s dollar pizza slice. Meanwhile, members of New York’s elite once toasted each other over terrapin (or turtle) soup at fine hotel restaurants.

But times and tastes change constantly, especially in a global food destination like New York. To see just how much, take a glimpse into the New York Public Library’s massive collection of historical online menus, many originally gathered by Miss Frank E. Buttolph in the early 20th century. One menu for a fine dinner served at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in 1882 features terrapin soup and canvas-back duck, a wild North American bird popular on upper-class menus until it became scarce from overhunting. (The menu itself was printed on pink silk.)

Other foods on these vintage menus will be more familiar to modern New Yorkers. In April of 1904, the Mann Fang Lowe Chinese restaurant, at 3 Pell Street, offered chow mein, chicken with mushrooms, and roast pork.

The Mann Fang Lowe is long gone, as are most restaurants with menus in the New York Public Library’s archives. But some are still going strong, keeping the things that made them special while adapting to the times. Gallaghers Steakhouse still proudly serves up steaks and speakeasy history today, while Serendipity 3 continues to offer outrageous desserts in a quirky setting. These institutions even made some history of their own together by participating in the very first New York City Restaurant Week back in 1992, when well-known restaurants across the city offered three-course lunches for the price of $19.92. The first Restaurant Week was such a hit that it inspired imitations across the country, and in New York, it became such a phenomenon that it’s now held twice a year.

In a sense, Restaurant Week and the historical menu collection are two sides of the same coin: the ongoing effort to highlight the fascinating blend of culinary experiences on offer across every borough of New York City. And if you’re looking to take a historical view on your next culinary adventure, these dishes are the perfect place to start.

“The Other Soup” at Gallaghers Steakhouse — Manhattan

While today it serves steak and oysters entirely aboveboard, Gallaghers, located just steps away from rip-roaring Broadway and Times Square, originally got its start as a speakeasy in 1927. In fact, the restaurant still pays tribute to those years with a certain unorderable menu item. Just try asking for “The Other Soup,” listed at market price. There is, in fact, no “other soup” on offer at Gallaghers, other than French onion or clam chowder; the name was code for alcohol during Prohibition. Can this menu item be used to sneak in a cocktail on your business lunch expense account? You’ll have to let us know.

“She-Crab Soup” at Gage & Tollner — Brooklyn

In 1879, Gage & Tollner first opened in Brooklyn, offering oysters and a menu of Victorian-era delights to its famous guests. Its current location, where the restaurant set up shop in 1892, is a Gilded-Age fantasia of mirrors and columns. The restaurant became a Brooklyn icon, and, in 1975, the interior was designated as a landmark by the New York Landmarks Commission. But tastes and the surrounding neighborhood changed, and the restaurant closed in 2004. Though the interiors were preserved, the space was occupied by various discount shops and fast-food chains for decades.

Yet Gage & Tollner celebrated a glorious rebirth in 2021, with its new owners fixing up the place and bringing many classic dishes back on the menu. One standout is the she-crab soup introduced by Southern chef Edna Lewis, who ran the kitchen from 1988 to 1992. The soup comes with a boat of sherry to pour atop the hot, crab-laced broth.

“Haymaker’s Punch” at Neir’s Tavern — Queens

In nearly continuous operation since 1829, Neir’s Tavern is one of the oldest bars in the country. The bar, however, hasn’t been frozen in time. Though it has a long and fascinating history, it’s still a neighborhood pub with chicken tenders and familiar beers on the menu. But also on the menu is a drink that was popular back when the bar first opened in 1829.

Haymaker’s punch is a sweet-and-sour, vinegar-based beverage that was served as a kind of energy drink for farmers working for hours out in the sun. Neir’s Tavern offers a modern version made with molasses and apple cider vinegar. It comes with or without a shot of rum.

“Frrrozen Hot Chocolate” at Serendipity 3 — Manhattan

This over-the-top dessert palace opened in 1954 as a quirky blend of antique store and café. Though its menu offers much in the way of actual food, from foot-long hot dogs to nachos, the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate has been the main attraction for generations of New Yorkers and tourists. The oxymoronic nature of a hot drink served cold and the novelty of drinking a blend of 14 different types of cocoa from a huge bowl-like glass made it famous, so much so that Serendipity 3 proudly boasts that Jackie Kennedy once asked for the recipe and was turned down. The restaurant mixes it up these days by offering all kinds of variations on the original drink, with ingredients ranging from peanut butter to Fruity Pebbles.

“Charlotte Russe” at Holtermann’s Bakery — Staten Island

This old-school bakery serves the last vestige of what was once a beloved treat across all of New York City. The Charlotte Russe consists of sponge cake, cream, and jam, served up in an ingenious single-serve container that functions like a Push Pop, making it easy to scarf down every scrap. These handheld cakes were once especially beloved in Brooklyn, but Holtermann’s in Staten Island might be the only holdout still making them today.

“Bagna Cauda” at Barbetta — Manhattan

This venerable Italian restaurant is one of the oldest in New York, dating back to 1906. Barbetta claims to have introduced staples such as risotto, polenta, and sun-dried tomatoes into the American pantry, as well as regional dishes such as bagna cauda, a hot dip of garlic, anchovies, olive oil, and wine. In fact, the current Barbetta menu also offers a glimpse into the past. Each dish is listed alongside a year, denoting when the restaurant first began serving it. Guests can dine through the decades, sampling roast peppers bagna cauda-style (1962), linguine al pesto (1914), and panna cotta (1984).

“The Sausage Chandelier” at Calabria Pork Store — The Bronx

Arthur Avenue is lined with food shops and restaurants that have been open for generations, serving the community and earning the area the title of New York’s “real” Little Italy. There’s lots to see and eat, but for an awe-inspiring sight, head over to the Calabria Pork Store, home of the “Sausage Chandelier.” The ceiling bristles with bundles of cured meat hanging overhead. The store got its start in 1973 as a salumeria focusing on the traditional meats of Calabria. The store is still dishing out its famous soppressata and sausages today, and you can also take home a sandwich instead of buying meat to make your own.

Atlas Obscura CEO Louise Story chats with director, actor, screenwriter, and podcast host Rhym Guissé to discuss the process behind creating Charlie’s Place – a new Atlas Obscura podcast co-produced with Rococo Punch in partnership with Pushkin Industries and Visit Myrtle Beach – that tells the story of Charlie Fitzgerald and his mission to turn a Myrtle Beach nightclub into a place of unity and community-building during the Jim Crow era. Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and more. Listen on the Atlas Obscura website and access all episode transcripts here.

The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Louise Story: The first thing I want to ask is how you became interested in “Charlie's Place.” Had you known about it or did you just learn of it recently?

Rhym Guissé: Myrtle Beach brought me on to this project because they know I've done a lot of social justice work before, so I was really aligned. I didn't know what to expect, but I absolutely fell in love with the community and the story. And I really also loved the initiative of wanting to revive the history and revive the community, because this was such an incredible story that was almost lost to time, quite frankly.

Story: That's interesting. You mentioned you've done a lot of social justice work and content around social justice. Can you tell us about some of the things you're most proud of in that space?

Guissé: Oh, my gosh. Most proud of – that's so challenging to say, because it's like choosing your favorite child. All of my storytelling work really centers around the concept of identity, and it has roots of social justice in it. My short film Cartes is about undocumented African immigrants. I'm really proud of it because when I wrote the story and made the film, I didn't think it would be so timely and so relevant. Just in the last couple of months, it's completely catapulted. There have been a lot of anti-immigrant feelings globally leading up to this moment, particularly in Europe and the United States, which I think is why we landed here today with these policies that are anti-immigration. I hope [the film] opens a discourse for us all to just start talking about this.

Story: Indeed, so in our new podcast with you, “Charlie’s Place,” you mentioned that you and your parents are immigrants. Tell me more about your immigration story and experience, and how that affected how you looked at “Charlie's Place.”

Guissé: Oh, absolutely. So, my parents and I immigrated to the States. We moved to Louisiana – the South. So my first American experience was in the Black South of Louisiana, Baton Rouge. My first experience in America as it pertains to cultural specificity is Louisiana, is the South, you know, and every southern state really has its own culture. So, South Carolina and Louisiana, I wouldn't say are the same, but there are so many similarities. Particularly the older Black generation, right? How they comfort themselves, and how they move and navigate through life in the South. I saw similarities when I went to Myrtle Beach.

Story: And how did your immigrant experience in Louisiana affect your understanding of Myrtle Beach?

Guissé: I think that really helped me understand how to code-switch – how to assimilate. It allowed me to listen better when I was doing my interviews in Myrtle Beach and find commonalities with the locals, who are all really just gems, you know, who have endured so much. And these are stories that I had also heard in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which I think connects so much throughout the South with these incredible stories of Black entrepreneurs who were doing fantastically. And then, unfortunately, there were a lot of folks who were for Jim Crow and against this kind of progression.

Story: In listening to your interviews, I could hear how much you connected with the people, and how much it seemed like it gave you satisfaction to include their voices and the way they were thinking about things. Could you talk about one or two of the people who you met along the way who you enjoyed getting to know and including in the podcast?

Guissé: Absolutely. There were so many incredible people. I think the two that resonated with me the most just happened to be the ones that I spoke to the most – the first, is definitely Miss Pat.

Story: In case people are reading this and they haven't listened yet, can you tell us who Miss Pat is?

Guissé: Miss Pat is someone who was born on The Hill, grew up on The Hill, and during her developmental childhood years, Charlie's Place was there. She lived down the street from the nightclub, actually. And she really had the most vivid memories of that time, and was able to give us much more insight on what The Hill was like then. She really was able to describe everything in such a way that I hadn't heard anybody else describe – a lot of affection, but also a lot of crazy stories because she was a kid. She went to the Colored School, and she helped preserve it. The Colored School was the only school at the time in the 1930s and ‘40s that Black kids in the neighborhood could go to.

Story: Who is your other most memorable person?

Guissé: Dino was really fun. Dino was this young Greek kid. His dad actually owned the Kozy Korner, which was a coffee shop. And this was during segregation, of course. So, Charlie was the first Black man to be able to sit down in there and have a meal. And that was shocking for everybody.

Story: Why could Charlie sit down there when other Black people could not?

Guissé: I have theories. I think part of it is that Charlie was light-skinned, so he was a little bit white-passing. I think that was one reason. The other reason also is he was so powerful and influential that it's kind of like, who's going to stand up to him, you know what I mean? Or why bother?

Story: Right. It sounds like Charlie was a real exception to social norms of the time.

Guissé: That's right. He was the exception to the rule. Absolutely. And he was also in business with powerful people in town.

Story: I agree it was gripping hearing what Dino has to say about Charlie in the podcast. So, one more question. Why should people listen to this podcast?

Guissé: There are so many great reasons to listen to this, but I think the biggest reason is to learn about how a small town in South Carolina can be so similar to other towns. There are a lot of similarities with people going about their lives but wanting more for themselves. It's about reinventing yourself. Charlie did that to get a better life. And that really is also the immigrant story. The Black story of wanting a better life in this country is no different than the white story of wanting a better life, no different than the immigrant story of wanting a better life. So this dream, this American dream, was a throughline. And whether people bought into it or not, I don't know – but I think people should listen to it so that they can see the similarities and be inspired.

These people endured crazy obstacles, but they overcame them. They overcame so many hurdles, including segregation. Miss Pat's stories are really heart-wrenching, but she’s still a positive person to this day. She learned to look at the good side of life, and I think that's a lesson we can all learn from.

Beloved. Notorious. Defiant. Folk hero. These are just a few ways to describe Charlie Fitzgerald, the entrepreneur who owned an integrated nightclub during the Jim Crow era in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Charlie broke down racial barriers through the power of music and dance, hosting some of the greatest musicians of our time: Little Richard, Count Basie, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, and many more.

But who was Charlie? How did he rise to power? And what price did he pay for achieving the impossible? This is a story of joy and passion that erupted into violence and changed a community forever.

Episode 1: Whispering Pines

“Myrtle Beach was a good place, if you stay in your place, I’ll put it like that.”

At the height of segregation, when everywhere else was divided. Black and white people danced together to the biggest R&B acts of the time at Charlie’s Place. How was this possible? And who was the proprietor of this mythic space?

Episode 2: Sin City

“All the dancers wanted that Black music. Why? Because it had a danceable backbeat.”

Dance at Charlie’s Place wasn’t just dance; it captured the spirit of an era defined by both segregation and creativity. When white audiences arrived for the music, these moments sparked shifts that transformed Myrtle Beach and resonated far beyond its borders.

Episode 3: Power Cedes to Power

“He helped people. He loaned people. He wasn’t to be trifled with.”

Charlie Fitzgerald built multiple businesses across Myrtle Beach–the hotel, the club, the cab company, the high-stakes poker game–and loaned money to white folks in town to bend the rules in his favor. How long would this last before Charlie became a target?

Episode 4: Mr. Nobody From Nowhere

“And in the minds of many, Charlie Fitzgerald’s dance hall becomes the worst fears of the champions of white supremacy.”

There’s much mystery surrounding Charlie Fitzgerald and who he was before Myrtle Beach. Before he was Charlie Fitzgerald he was Lucious Rucker. So who is Lucious Rucker?

Episode 5: All Costs

“You know, that incident was what many of us consider the ugliest black molar in our local history. It was just pure evil and ugly.”

August 26th, 1950 was the night that changed Myrtle Beach. It changed Charlie and the impact reverberated throughout the south.

Charlie's Place is a podcast series co-produced by Atlas Obscura and Rococo Punch in partnership with Pushkin Industries and Visit Myrtle Beach.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

Dylan Thuras: If you ever find yourself in Portland, Oregon, in the southeast part of the city, it’s a really nice spot to go and poke around. There are a bunch of cool antique shops, furniture makers, restaurants and bars in big old converted industrial buildings. It’s just a nice neighborhood to kind of go exploring in.

And while you are there walking around, it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled for a low-slung building set a little way back from the street. It’s got a bright red door with a sign in both English and Japanese.

Lauren Yoshiko: You can technically go in. They don’t advertise that really broadly. So you almost feel like, am I allowed to be in here? Because you open up the front door, and this steamy, steamy cloud of warm, damp soy vibes kind of immerses you. And there’s no one at the front desk because everyone’s working. And then you’re like, hello? And they say, yeah, what do you want? And you just do an exchange.

Dylan: This is Ota Tofu. If you live in Portland, you’ve probably seen this brand of tofu at the grocery store. But you can actually get it right at the source, right at Ota’s factory, because this is where they make all of their tofu on-site.

Lauren: They grab it out of the vat, freshly made, put it in a bag, like a goldfish, frankly, with some water in it. Or in a little to-go takeout container. There are a handful of people who are all, it looks like they’re fishermen. They’re in tall boots because water is involved with most of the steps. So everyone’s got like Wellington boots on or whatever you call those and hairnets and the whole shebang. It feels like a little bit of a time jump, a little bit of a time machine, because you can tell like this is an old process.

Dylan: This is an old process, brought over from Japan over a hundred years ago. And today, Ota still does things the old-fashioned way.

I’m Dylan Thuras, and this is Atlas Obscura, a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Today’s episode was produced in partnership with Travel Portland. We’re going to Ota, the oldest, longest-running tofu shop in America. And the story of this shop is also the story of a multi-generational family business that is intertwined with the history of Japanese American culture in Oregon. We tell you the surprising story of Ota after this.

This is an edited transcript of the Atlas Obscura Podcast: a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

Dylan: I’ve always had, to be honest, a kind of love-hate relationship with tofu. My wife really likes it and often cooks it, and when it’s good, it’s great. But then, when it’s bad, it’s not, it’s just like it has no flavor to it. But apparently, Ota Tofu is, it’s kind of its own thing. It’s on a very different plane of tofu existence.

Lauren: I think most generic tofu that you can find are, they can have a little bit of a cardboardy taste, where it’s like, you want to dress it up with something else. It’s going to need some other flavors. Ota by itself has a really clean, simple, hard-to-describe flavor.

Dylan: This is Lauren Yoshiko. She’s a food and cannabis writer in Portland. Her family is from the area, and she has been eating Ota since she was a little kid.

Lauren: I grew up outside of Portland, actually. So when we got Ota, it was like a special treat. My mom would be like, Ota is the best.

The traditional Japanese way of eating it is cold, plain, with a little soy sauce and a little chives or grated ginger. When you eat that with any kind of tofu, it’s not always great, but when you eat it with Ota, you can taste the difference. It melts in your mouth. All the flavors really, really stand out, and the texture is soft and smooth and creamy, and it doesn’t need a bunch of other flavors. I think that’s probably the best way to describe it.

Dylan: One of the reasons that Ota has this kind of different flavor is all in the way that it is produced. The shop was founded by two brothers back in 1911, and they brought these techniques with them over from Japan.

It starts basically with soybeans. These soybeans are organic, grown in the Midwest, and then they are soaked for hours and hours, ground up, and then cooked. And this gives you basically soy milk. But then this next kind of transformation starts. The soy milk is then turned into these big, soft tofu curds.

Lauren: So Ota’s tofu is made only with nigari, soy milk, and water, and nigari is a Japanese coagulant extracted from seawater. That’s what’s used to create curds out of the soy milk, and they are really delicate to do it in that gentle way. They simply wouldn’t withstand mass production machines. So the hand-pressing, hand-folding is required for this sort of pure recipe.

Dylan: These curds, like cheese, are stirred and pressed and folded multiple times. And for this tofu, this is all done by hand.

Lauren: And that is why it is so rare. Even in Japan, most people are using mass production machines, not doing it in this style. And that’s what makes Ota incredibly special, that not only is it the only one still doing it this way in America, but it’s one of the only ones doing it globally. It feels very old world in a wonderful way.

Dylan: This is, in fact, a very old-world technique. And it all starts with those two brothers at the beginning of the 1900s.

Lauren: So in the early 1900s, Oregon had an influx of Japanese immigrants because of the anti-Chinese laws that were in place. They started enacting exclusion laws to limit Chinese immigration, but guess what? We still need cheap labor as a country. So the Japanese started moving here in flux to help with timber, to help with canneries.

At the time, Heiji and Saizo Ota were a couple of brothers from Okayama, Japan, who set up the first tofu shop in Nihonmachi in 1911. It was originally called Asahi Tofu.

Dylan: Asahi Tofu was part of Nihonmachi, or Japantown. That was a neighborhood in Portland that had a lot of businesses owned by Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans.

And over time, one of the Ota brothers returned to Japan, and the business was kept going by Saizo and his wife, Shina. They renamed the business Ota Tofu, using this anglicized spelling of their last name.

Lauren: Their customer base grew. They were delivering to restaurants around town, and people from the Japantown neighborhood and others came and bought there.

Dylan: Lauren’s own family has a surprisingly long history with Ota. Her great-grandfather owned a corner market in Portland that sold Ota Tofu.

Lauren: And my mom has memories of needing to go down and grab bulk tofu to sell at the store. And so does my grandma. And they talk about going down, and bringing a bin and filling it up and having all this water and bringing it back to sell there.

Dylan: But then everything turned upside down very abruptly in 1941, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the U.S.’s entering of World War II.

Lauren: The bombing of Pearl Harbor was followed by Executive Order 9066, which forced anyone of Japanese descent, whether you were born in the U.S. or not, to go to incarceration camps.

You had three weeks to sell off all of your possessions because you basically didn’t know if you were coming back. You were told, sell everything, you can bring what you can carry, you’re due at this government address at this time. That was the rule.

Dylan: Saizo and Shina sold off whatever they could, but they left Ota’s tofu equipment in the care of their building’s landlord.

Lauren: Saizo and Shina and the rest of the Nihonmachi neighborhood, many of whom went to Minidoka camp in southern Idaho. It’s actually where my great-grandparents went as well. And unfortunately, Saizo did not survive the camps. When Shina returned, the original building owner had been kind and saved their equipment for them, which is a rare story.

Dylan: Most people lost everything. When she returned to Portland, Shina decided to try and pick up where the family had left off, and she began rebuilding this tofu business.

Lauren: It was called the Soybean Cake Company for a while, I think largely because there was so much anti-Japanese sentiment that having any name relating to anything Japanese was scary and negative. And then in the 1950s, they started to feel more confident. They renamed the shop Ota Tofu to its original spelling, O-T-A.

And then, you know, the ’60s and ’70s, things are happening culturally. People are more interested in tofu. Its appeal is expanding beyond Asian communities.

Dylan: And it’s around this point that the associations I have with tofu enter the scene. The hippies arrive. There is this new growing interest in vegetarian cooking and alternatives to meat. By the early 1980s, Ota was ready to expand to a new location.

Lauren: Shina’s grandson, Koichi, started running things with his wife, Eileen. And those two moved the shop to where it stands today on the east side of Portland.

Dylan: Koichi and Eileen ran the shop until 2019. But by that time, they were getting older and starting to slow down.

Lauren: They were like, look, we are tired. This is hard work. We have only so much we can do. And they did not have clear successors in mind. So at that point, they were starting to talk about finding a buyer, shutting it down. And a friend of Eileen’s, Sharon Hirata, said, I think I want to talk to my son about this.

Dylan: His name was Jason Ogata. He is actually a former professional minor league baseball player. And she tried to get him interested in the family business.

Lauren: He wasn’t exactly in the food world. He had a good job in Virginia, was a new dad, he has twins. But his mom was like, look, this is a special place. It can’t die. It has to keep going. And they’re not going to sell to just anybody.

Dylan: He thought, OK, let’s go, Mom. Let’s do it.

Lauren: When Jason was training to take over the business, he went to work with Koichi at 2 a.m. for a year together to learn exactly how it was made. Because Koichi also was like, I’m not leaving until I know you can do it exactly how I did it. And he has since passed, Koichi. So the timing couldn’t have been better for the traditions to be passed on by hand.

Dylan: Jason still gets up at 2 a.m. to start making tofu. And Ota churns out about 4,000 pounds of tofu a day. A lot of that tofu goes to restaurants around Portland, like Tokyo Sando, this popular food truck and now a brick-and-mortar spot, or Murata, this high-end sushi place in town. Of course, you can go and get this tofu right at the Ota store and factory, where it's just about five bucks a block.

Lauren: It's the best tofu you can get in the U.S. for $5. It’s so accessible and yet so high-end that the poorest of the college student vegetarians and the highest-brow restauranteurs are both like, of course I know what Ota tofu is. That’s where I go.

It was just a really accessible part of the Japanese American community. And as things have shifted and Portland’s neighborhoods have changed, it’s really something that this place still stands the test of time. It’s still there.

These doors that my mom walked through, my grandma walked through, that I get to walk through and get it for barely more than whatever they paid for it. I feel so grateful to have access to that history just very easily down the street.

Dylan: Go check out Ota’s tofu factory for yourself. They’re open every day except Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and Amazon.

Rhym Guissé: A quick warning, some of the language and imagery used to describe this period of time may be upsetting. Please take care while listening.

Betty Singleton: I remember my mother was getting ready to go to the movies with my cousin and they came back. She said, “They’re riding.” And when they say they’re riding, that mean the KKK was riding. You know, once you knew they were riding, you had to stay home for protection.

Patricia Burgess: My granddaddy was sitting in the shop yard and the police told us to go in the house and make sure all the lights was out. And every light on that corner 21st was out. You couldn’t see nothing. My aunt was scared. She had her young, young baby in there crying and shaking her baby, keeping her baby from crying and nobody said a thing.

Rhym: This is Charlie’s Place. I’m Rhym Guissé. Episode 5: All Costs.

This is an edited transcript of the Atlas Obscura Podcast: a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

Rhym: While much of Charlie’s life is shrouded in mystery, this moment is different. We actually have documentation, including very detailed FBI records of what happened that night. It was a Saturday night, August 26th, 1950. Around 8:00, the cars rolled into town like a funeral procession, slow and bumper to bumper. There were men inside the cars in white robes.

Dino Thompson: Twenty-six carloads are driving through slowly. People are walking beside cars. Some of them have rifles on their shoulders. Some are carrying pistols. And they slowly slimed through downtown. And people are terrified.

Bobby Donaldson: These white robed Klansmen fitted every category. There were professionals, there were doctors, there were pharmacists and there were policemen, there were law enforcement officers riding with the Klan.

Dino: So now they come right in front of The Kozy Corner. I remember my mom was crying.

Herbert Riley: The Grand Dragon of the KKK in North and South Carolina was a man named Thomas Hamilton. He led the group into town that night. So, this Thomas Hamilton, Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan, he wanted to be a super big shot. He started pushing this thing because Blacks and whites were partying together and the young Black kids were learning how to dance and taking it back to their community, calling it The Shag. But anyhow, the rumor was spread that Charlie was running a prostitution ring over there. White girls and Black men. They always used the sex thing as a catcall to bring out the lowest elements in their own people.

Rhym: To bring out the Klansmen looking for an excuse for violence. By August, the Grand Dragon Thomas Hamilton had launched a full Klan recruitment campaign in Myrtle Beach. A local judge had helped him organize the Klan motorcade.

Dino: The Grand Dragon’s car was a Lincoln Continental and on the front of his bumper he had a four foot high cross and it was punched out with light bulbs, red light bulbs, and electrified to his battery. And he had a little red light inside like a siren he would turn on occasionally. So it’s a frightening looking thing.

Rhym: It was typical to see cars lining Carver Street outside Charlie’s place on a Saturday night, the busiest night. But not like this.

Herbert: Charlie had a good crowd of people in his club and there wasn’t no white folk in there, strangely enough.

Dino: And people that were there said Charlie came out and stood on the porch. And he said he just stood there, and some of his people were standing there. A lot of people were afraid and ran. As the KKK rolled by, they sent Charlie a message. Somebody had a bullhorn and said, “We’ll be back to see y’all …” the n-word.

Leroy Brunson: And they announced that they would be back at 12:00.

Dino: They intimidated everybody and they left.

Rhym: They promised they would be back. Then the lines of cars snaked away and drove 12 miles up the coast to Atlantic Beach, the Black beach, the one place Black people could put their feet in the water.

Dino: It’s busy. It’s August. It’s summer. Probably 4,000 people are there. They scattered them from fear. People just saw them and just ran.

Rhym: What happened next has different accounts.

Herbert: People always believed that they came back because Charlie dared them to. That’s not the truth. I’ve seen the files. What did happen was this: He called the chief of police.

Rhym: Charlie called the chief of police because he knew him. He knew him well. Several sources mentioned that Charlie and Carlisle Newton had had a special arrangement, Charlie allegedly paying off Carlisle so he could sell illegal liquor. Charlie called Carlisle because he thought, as a chief of police, he could help. But when he called the station, Chief Newton wasn’t there. So Charlie left a message with the radio man …

Herbert: And told him the Klan has been over here, and they say they’re coming back, and the people are not going to sit back and be slaughtered like dogs. They will fight if they come back, and there’ll be some bloodshed. In other words, you’re saying do something about this before it happens.

Rhym: Before the people at Charlie’s place would have to defend themselves. The radio man said he’d tell the chief.

Herbert: In those days they used two-way radios like the military did.

Rhym: And this is where things got tricky, because there were police officers in white hoods in that Klan parade. In fact, some think the head car with the siren blaring and the Grand Dragon Hamilton inside was a police car. And some think that car picked up the message meant for the chief.

Herbert: And when it was radioed to him that Charlie said what Charlie said, Hamilton decided that was the excuse he needed to go back.

Rhym: The Klan cars turned around and headed for Charlie’s place.

Dino: As soon as they came back, people ran.

Herbert: And some people say it was 30 cars. But they’re saying four and five in each car. In other words, you’re talking around 100 people. They formed a skirmish line.

Dino: They actually lined up kind of like soldiers in front of Charlie’s place.

Herbert: This is right after World War II. So you can figure out a large number of them were probably military veterans.

Dino: Now these are good old boys, probably all grew up hunting.

Herbert: They knew how to use weapons.

Dino: They liked to carry bats. A few of them had whips. That’s one of their symbols.

Herbert: They started to move forward. And when they did, they got this guy, his nickname was 230 because he always carried a 32 pistol. They grabbed him and they started beating him, asking where Charlie was. He wouldn’t tell at first. I think that he eventually did.

Rhym: According to one report, a man yelled, “Get your guns ready and everybody get in line.” The Klansmen lined up like soldiers. They started walking toward the club. Anyone who tried to leave was driven back into the restaurant.

Herbert: This is when Charlie played hero. Now, he knew he could have been killed, but he also knew if there’d been a straight out gunfight with 100 men with shotguns and pistols, it would have been a slaughter. So Charlie walked out. He had his weapons on him. He had two weapons on him.

Rhym: One of the Klansmen asked, “Who runs this place?” And Charlie revealed himself. “I run the place,” he said. “My name is Charlie.” “He’s the one we want,” the Klansmen said. And then they knocked him out cold.

Herbert: Three of them approached him. One got him from the back and hit him upside the head with a gun or a bat or something and knocked him down. Then they hit him again and rendered him unconscious temporarily.

Rhym: The Klansmen picked Charlie up, and they threw him in the trunk of one of their cars. But they weren’t ready to leave yet. The Klansmen started shooting.

Leroy: Our place was right here. You walk across the street, just like that. I mean, just like a straight bullet, our house was pointing straight into Charlie’s door. And when the guns start shooting and stuff like that, my mom dragged us out of the bed and said, “Y’all, come on, let’s go.” We didn’t know what was happening. She said, “Come on, let’s go. We got to go get out of here. We got to go hide. So y’all go under the house, hide up under the house.” And we did. And we was, my brother and I, he was two years older than me, we were just laughing and looking at people running and shooting. We didn’t, you know, we were young then, you know, when it came through. And she came back again and got us and took us back behind the house. And we went through the bushes, you know, stood out there for a while. People were running all through the woods and different places when they were shooting.

Clyde “Frankie” Foster: Man, they was running all in the woods. I had all my uncles and aunts and stuff, we’d come to Charlie. They were in the woods, running from them, right behind Whispering Pine.

Rhym: When the Klan members got into the club, they started to destroy the place.

Dino: They roughed Cynthia Harroll, the lady we called Shag. They roughed her up. People said that she sort of confronted a few of them, so they roughed her up and probably hurt her.

Clyde: When Shag grabbed the cash register, they had to beat her in order to get where they want. But when Shag didn’t let them do it, they tried to take the cash register and all this, tried to take everything from him. They tried to destroy the place.

Dino: A waiter from the Pink House restaurant was wounded in the leg. Some other people received shrapnel from glass flying and things like that. Newspaper reports said they shot from 300 to 500 shots into his place. One person was killed, and it was a Klansman who was shot, left in the parking lot, bleeding. Under his Klan sheets, he was still wearing his Conway policeman uniform. He was shot dead. No one knows who shot him.

Rhym: Many people think he was shot by one of his own, since he was shot in the back. Now, Charlie was in the back of a trunk, and a police officer had been shot on his property. The men in robes got back in their cars and drove Charlie away. On Sunday morning, the people on The Hill woke up to a terrible realization: The Klansman had taken Charlie.

Patricia: They said they had gotten Mr. Charlie and they took him someplace. We didn’t know where they took him at that time, but it was so sad. It was one sad day in Myrtle Beach, because nobody could do nothing about it. They didn’t do nothing about it.

Clyde: They thought he was dead.

Rhym: When Ms. Pat went to work that day, she saw her boss’s white KKK robe lying out on the bed. And then, the little girl she babysat came in.

Patricia: And the little girl told me, she said, “You see that thing on that bed?” I said, “Yeah.”

Rhym: What was she talking about?

Patricia: She was talking about the suit her daddy wore to kill Charlie. They had the suits and everything, the Klan suits, laying on the bed, so if anybody go in there, they’d know her daddy was a Klansman. And the little girl told me, “If you hit me, he will kill you too.” And all I could do was cry.

Clyde: I had an aunt, the oldest sister that my mother had. Ever since then, she would never let any white person or anybody, showing me anything, enter the house. My mother had let him in one time to get the receipt and she ran him out. She said, “Don’t let them come in this house. Don’t let them do it.”

Rhym: Because she experienced that night, Charlie’s …

Clyde: Yeah, she said, “Don’t let them come in any place you got.” The insurance man had to write the receipt in the car in the rain and then bring it.

Rhym: Because that night must have traumatized her.

Clyde: Yeah.

Dino: You know, that incident was what many of us consider the ugliest black molar in our local history. You know, just pure evil and ugly.

Leroy: And I learned from that, you know, don’t take anything for granted. You just don’t, you don’t know when it’s gonna happen, how it’s gonna happen, who’s gonna do it to you.

Clyde: Everybody was traumatized. But a lot of Blacks, they were strong men. They destroyed everything. But they didn’t take a lot of heart from a lot of people.

Rhym: People thought Charlie was dead, but they didn’t know the whole story. About a month and a half after the Klan attack on Charlie’s place, Charlie turned up in Washington, D.C. He was very much alive. He was there to give his testimony to the FBI, to tell the story of what happened that night. This is the only record I have of Charlie talking at length about this time, beside a brief quote in the newspaper. The statement he gave is just Charlie in his own words. No speculation. Just what he says he saw and experienced after the Klansmen threw him in that trunk.

Charlie said, “They drove me around for about an hour-and-a-half, and about three or four times during this hour-and-a-half, they stopped. And I heard them say, ‘This is too public. Too many civilians passing.’ Lots of the driving was done on bumpy, dirt roads. When they finally stopped, I did not know where I was.”

Charlie tells the FBI agents that the leader told the men to take off their hoods and put them away. He says, “When I was taken out of the trunk, I was between two cars, and the only light was the taillights of these cars. I saw that I was encircled by men. I lay on the ground face down. Someone stood on each hand, and someone stood on my feet, and somebody else stood on my neck. At this time, my wrists and ankles were cut as a result of their standing on them. The men then took turns in beating me with what felt like a bullwhip. I counted over 80 licks before they began to ask me anything. I heard them say, ‘Come on now, it’s my turn,’ and say, ‘You haven’t hit him hard enough. Hit him.’”

Charlie says they asked him about his connections to the county sheriff, his connections to the chief of police, Carlisle Newton. They asked about the police officer who was shot at his place earlier that night. He heard somebody say, “He couldn’t have done it, as I had him covered.”

The men searched him. He had a men’s diamond ring, eyeglasses, and $235. They took his belongings. Then Charlie said, “They asked me to swear that I would go to church every Sunday, and I would take an oath to leave South Carolina, and not even go back to my place, not go back to my wife, and leave now.”

“Don’t go to Georgia, because we got Ku Klux men there,” one man said.

“He better not stop in North Carolina,” said another.

That’s when Charlie says they decided to mark him. Somebody said, “We ought to swing him to a rope.” Charlie heard a guy say, “I’ve got a penknife, just the thing. Let’s notch his ear.” It was something Klansmen were known to do.

Charlie says he looked up at the man, and that he had a small badge pinned inside his shirt pocket, and a revolver in his holster.

He says, “When the man saw me look up, he kicked me on the side of the head, which still swells, and still requires medical attention. When the man notched my left ear, it apparently bled, and I had an opportunity to jump up, and I jumped toward a nearby ditch. The ditch was about four-and-a-half feet deep. I carried two men with me into the ditch. In the scuffle, I got away and rushed into the nearby bushes. I fell behind a log in the bushes. As I was escaping, they shot 15 or 20 times in my general direction. I then heard them say, ‘Let’s go.’”

The Klansmen left Charlie for dead. But later that night, one of the drivers from his cab company spotted him on the side of the road and picked him up. From there, Charlie got in touch with Police Chief Newton, who told him that he never got the message to send help. Newton called the doctor. The doctor came and gave Charlie a shot to put him to sleep. Then the county sheriff came by to see him, a man named C. Ernest Sasser. Many people call Sheriff Sasser, this white officer, a friend and an ally to Charlie during this time. Charlie once said about Sasser, “I’ve never known a straighter white man in my life.”

Sasser told Charlie it wasn’t looking good. The Klan was after both him and Charlie for the death of a police officer. The robed officer who had been shot at Charlie’s Place earlier that night had died. Sasser said the best thing for him to do was lock Charlie up until he could get it straightened out for his own safety. For over a week, Charlie was moved around to different jail cells throughout the county.

Meanwhile, Sasser went on the radio to try to clear Charlie’s name. In the broadcast, he said Charlie had no part in the shooting. Sasser instead blamed the Klansmen who, “Left him on the ground to die.” Sasser continues. He dispels the prostitution rumors.

“That’s not why the Klan attacked Charlie’s place,” he says. Instead, he suggests another reason. He says, “To my knowledge, some white men and women do go to this place on special occasions to hear the orchestra and watch the colored people dance. I have, on many occasions, told them it was not a good policy.”

Sasser then tells listeners that the Klan has threatened to blow up the Myrtle Beach radio station if they reveal any information about Klan members. The very station where Sasser broadcasts this message, but then quickly adds, “I happen to know a few men that are members. Some are from good families. They were led into this unfortunate thing with no intention of committing a crime.”

This is so revealing. County Sheriff is a political position. Sasser can’t completely denounce the Klan if he wants the votes. They’re that powerful. But he also can’t stand for what they did to his friend. He has to say something. And he’d pay for that. Sasser lost his seat as a County Sheriff in the next election—by a lot. He lost to a known Klan sympathizer. There was one area, though, where Sasser dominated. He carried the precinct known as the Race Path, which included The Hill neighborhood. The Black residents there voted 343 to 6 for Sasser.

All this time, parents in Myrtle Beach had tried to shield their kids from the details of what happened to Charlie. Ms. Pat said years passed before the adults began to talk about it. So the kids were left with a lot of assumptions.

Dino: We had heard different stories. Some people said he was dead. Some people said he was beaten to death. As a child, I heard his ears were cut off. And I remember one day, I don’t know, eight months later, nine months later, he walks into The Kozy Corner.

Rhym: Dino had grown up watching Charlie eat club sandwiches at his dad’s restaurant, The Kozy Corner. Dino thought Charlie was gone for good. And now here he was, walking through the door as if nothing happened.

Dino: And I remember everybody, everybody knew him. The Black cook came out to see him. And the waitresses all knew him. And I remember I was staring at him because I thought his ears had been cut off. And I think he knew what I was doing. And he swooped me up and he said, “You looking at my ears, boy?” “No, sir. No, sir.” And he said, “I got ears.” And he did. You couldn’t tell, you know, that his ears were cut at all. I’m sure it affected him and changed his thinking and perspective of life. But he seemed normal. When I would sit, watch Dad sitting, shooting the breeze, and he still came in The Kozy Corner. He still went to the Broadway theater, sat in the white section. He still did what he wanted to do.

Rhym: Eventually, five Klan members were arrested for the 1950 attack on Charlie’s place, including the Grand Dragon, Thomas Hamilton. If anything, these arrests only emboldened the Klan. They continued to rally around the Carolinas. And they ditched the hoods. They stopped hiding their faces. No shame. No fear of being recognized. And almost immediately after Charlie leaves jail, he’s picked up again for having a gun and an obscene film. Not that it really matters, but Charlie said the film wasn’t his. It was collateral for a $3 loan he had made to a friend who was short of cash. But the gun was for protection. Charlie spoke to the newspaper that covered his arrest.

He said, “I know it was against the law to have that gun, but it was right in my conscience because my life has been threatened and I’m still in danger.” He added, “I’m a free man, and I’m not a free man. I don’t know who is or who isn’t a member of the Klan.” It’s this last line, “I don’t know who is or who isn’t a member of the Klan,” that sticks out. I think that’s a strategic lie on Charlie’s part. I think he was trying to send a public message to his attackers that he wasn’t their threat. All five Klansmen are cleared of all charges. Charlie left Myrtle Beach for a while. He spent time with friends in Philly and New York. He went to D.C. and gave that testimony to the FBI, but nothing came of it.

And eventually, Charlie came home. Even though Dino couldn’t see the difference, Charlie had changed. Some said he got a little meaner. Some say he faded into the background. The club may have been called Charlie’s Place, but it was as much Sarah’s place as it was his. Sarah had always had a hand in its success. In all of their business, they were true partners.

Herbert: After the Klan raid, until that place closed, she had to manage that place. He was there often, but he wasn’t the same. Everybody says Charlie wasn’t the same. But she had to be tough in a man’s world. So, she didn’t take no foolishness.

Rhym: When Charlie took a back seat, Sarah kept it going, and she booked some of the most famous music acts the club ever saw.

Herbert: And she ran it with an iron fist under velvet gloves, so to speak. Ruth Brown and those, they loved her. Bill Pinckney, the last of the original Drifters, he loved her. When Otis Redding and cats like that were coming, that was Ms. Sarah doing. She had Charlie’s old contacts. There was some guy down in Texas. They called him the Peacock. I think he was a gangster, Black gangster. But he controlled all the top Black artists. And he was a friend of hers, so I’m thinking she got it through him. But she had all the artists there. She told me the only person that she didn’t get there to play, and he’d come there, but the only person she didn’t get there to play was James Brown. Everybody says James Brown was there, and they’d see his bus outside. The bus, he’d park the bus there, and I think some of his players would stay there. James would most likely go up to Atlantic Beach because you could be oceanfront up there. But she said James would come, said he was just as nice as could be. He’d sit down, we’d talk and talk. But he just wanted too much money, and I couldn’t afford him. Sarah came and handled all of that.

Rhym: I think the fact that Sarah rebuilt the club and ran it as long as she did helped solidify Carver Street in the minds of its residents. 1950s Carver Street is the symbol of the glory days for many in Myrtle Beach. The people on The Hill remember it as this thriving time when Black people ran their own businesses—for Black people. The fact that Charlie’s Place survived and lived on, even after the KKK attack in August 1950, the fact that the big artists kept coming, it meant that the Klan’s terrorism wasn’t the end of the story. Instead, the attack was a moment of defiance, of resistance, a testament to the strength of the community. Professor Bobby Donaldson says Charlie Fitzgerald’s actions sent a message.

Bobby: So here is someone whose business is riddled with bullets. Here is someone who is thrown in the back of a car and kidnapped, who is stripped and beaten. Here is someone whose ear is slashed with the knife of a Klansman. And I guess an ordinary person would say “To hell with it. I’m going to the promised land. I’m going elsewhere.” But Charlie was not ordinary. And I think the defiance is probably what motivated him to stay right there, that he had already built a business and he was going to rebuild and stay. And he did. And so Charlie Fitzgerald returns to the very space where he defied the Klan and stayed there until his death.

Rhym: It encouraged the community to defend their home at all costs. Clyde Foster gave me an example of this. He’s lived in Myrtle Beach his whole life, where everyone knows him as Frankie.

Clyde: Almost everybody owned businesses on that boulevard, they know about me. You know, because I’m that type of person. I’m a public man.

Rhym: Frankie hadn’t been born when the KKK attacked Charlie’s place in 1950, but he heard the story. His family members and friends had been there, and he saw how it had traumatized them. Frankie’s aunt never let a white person enter her house again after that night. So Frankie grew up expecting that there would be a time when he too would have to fight, when he’d also have to defend his community. And in the 1970s, he thought the time had come. It was a night when The Temptations came to town to play on Carver Street. A rumor got out that the Klan was planning an attack. Frankie was a teenager, and he and his friends wanted to be prepared.

Clyde: We were young. On Carver Street here, almost all the young people, we were in trees and stuff, waiting on them. We had Molotov cocktails. We were young. We weren’t going to let that happen again. We said we would never let them come through here. The older people, they couldn’t do it. They already went through that experience. We was in trees and in the woods on Carver Street, waiting on them to come. We were going to destroy them. We were going to blow them up.

Rhym: But Frankie says the word got out that these kids were ready. He thinks the store where they bought bullets let the Klan know that the community was armed.

Clyde: And the way we figured out, they warned them, said, “Don’t go back in that neighborhood. Them people are ready for you.” And they didn’t come. They did not come back.

Rhym: Charlie died on July 4, 1955, five years after that night in August. He had lung cancer.

Leroy: Because we used to go over there, and he used to be in the bed. He had a tank. He used to walk around with the breathing tank, you know, and stuff like that.

Rhym: According to his death certificate, he died eight months from diagnosis. He returned to Toccoa, Georgia, to be buried, where he was born. He returned home as Lucious Rucker.

Leroy: And Sarah cremated him.

Patricia: She was devastated. And she cried a lot. But she tried to keep the place open. And a lot of Charlie’s friends made sure she had the support for the whole family, the whole yard, but nobody could get her out of that languish she was in. Because she was upset.

Rhym: Finally, in 1965, Sarah decided it was time to close Charlie’s Place. Then she took what seemed like a hard pivot. She left the nightclub life and became a Jehovah’s Witness.

Dino: Ms. Sarah found religion, and she not only gave up that life, but she didn’t want anything to do with it. She never wanted to talk about it. I remember I tried to chat with her, and everybody told me, she will not talk about it. She walked away from that part of her life and never again spoke of it or involved herself in it.

Leroy: And she closed the business down, and a few years later, she tore it down. And people were really upset with her for tearing the building down.

Rhym: But no one who had been there, including Ms. Sarah, would forget. Herbert says Sarah told him that she knew exactly who was in the KKK in town and who raided their club that night. But she would never tell for fear of being taken.

Herbert: She told me something that stuck with me. She said, “You know what? I’m not going to die until I know every last one of them is dead.” And she wasn’t playing, because I got a picture of her with me. She was 94 and still eye candy. And she died about three years later than that. She was working the day she died. She didn’t have to work. She had money, but she liked to work.

Rhym: In the ocean, time is long. The Atlantic Ocean has existed for over a hundred million years. The thundering waves and friction beat rock and glass into pebbles, and eventually into sand. A human life in the scheme of things is a blip, like a grain of that sand. But all those grains add up to something. Still, the physical geography of Myrtle Beach is fragile. The beach erodes. In 1954, Hurricane Hazel hit Myrtle Beach and wiped out 80 percent of its oceanfront properties, virtually erasing the shoreline. Charlie and Sarah Fitzgerald were once fixtures of Myrtle Beach. But decades after they died, people started to forget.

Herbert: Ms. Sarah, I miss her to this day. I thank Ms. Sarah a lot. I told her, I said, “One day I’m going to do something with that property.” I made her a promise, and I was determined to keep it. I pushed and pushed and pushed, and the biggest problem was getting people around here, the younger people, the ones that’s 40, 50 years old, getting them on board, because they didn’t know anything about it. That Klan raid scared Black people, so this is what terrorism does. This is how terrorism wins. It’s not about killing somebody. It’s about putting fear in somebody, and it frightened the people in this community so badly that they didn’t tell their children, because they felt like their children, some of them, may have wanted to retaliate, because they knew who did what. Don’t think they didn’t know who did what. They knew who did what. So when I started talking about Charlie’s Place, nobody knew what I was talking about. None of the young ones, the 40 and 50 years old.

Rhym: In 2016, all that was left of Charlie’s Place was the house Sarah and Charlie lived in. The city decided to knock it down.

Herbert: They were having a demolition party at Charlie’s Place. They billed it as a demolition party. That’s valuable land up there.

Rhym: City Councilman Mike Chestnut says he had a sledgehammer in his hand when he got a call from a neighbor who said, “Don’t you know the history of this place?”

Michael Chestnut: And my phone started ringing off the hook, you know, hey, y’all don’t need to tear that place down. Y’all don’t really know what you got there. We need to save it. And, you know, talk about the history, you know, the early Black community here in Myrtle Beach. And I kid you not, we stopped the demolition that day.

Rhym: He halted the demolition and fought to preserve the building instead as a landmark, which they did. Today, there’s a small business incubator in the old inn. And the Fitzgerald’s house still stands as a museum. A love letter to that time. And every year, jazz and R&B artists from all over come here for the Myrtle Beach Jazz Fest, in the exact same spot where the Whispering Pines once stood.

On my last trip to Myrtle Beach, I went to Jazz Fest. I looked up towards the sky full of stars, at those pine trees swaying above me. I thought about Billie Holiday and Count Basie, Sarah and Charlie. And I noticed the crowd, people from all walks of life, hundreds of people just soaking in the music together. It can be hard to pinpoint how Sarah and Charlie left their mark, beyond the lessons and memories they left with the people that knew them personally. But on nights like this, it’s clear. This is what Charlie and Sarah fought for. A place where everyone could experience the music, no matter who you are or what you look like, in Myrtle Beach. These grounds remain a special place. An echo of what they built is here, for anyone who wants to come and experience it. I thought to myself, “If Charlie and Sarah could see it, they’d really be pleased.”

There’s a memory of Charlie that Roddy Brown shared with me. It’s how I pictured him at the end. It surpasses the cut earlobes and the breathing tanks. Roddy remembers seeing Charlie. It’s an image of him on the beach, the sun kissing his skin. To me, it’s an image of defiance.

Roddy Brown: When I came here in 1951 in December, when we moved in, Charlie was back on the beach. Charlie was going strong. Charlie was doing fine.

Rhym: Roddy had never known Charlie before the Klan attack. He only knew this version after. And to him, it looked good. It’s interesting what’s lost to history and what remains. I had to go digging to find the fragments that were still there. The stories people held onto all these years. The story of Myrtle Beach. And in Roddy’s case, the memory he was left with was a lone Black man on a crowded white beach in summer, flagrantly defying the rules. An image of what might be possible, what they all deserved. As for Ms. Pat, she’s still here too. I feel so lucky to have spent time with her and hear her stories about Myrtle Beach and her life.

Patricia: It was nice growing up in Myrtle Beach. And I never wanted to leave home. Everybody left home and went to New York and went to Florida. I love Myrtle Beach. I love Myrtle Beach all my life. You know, I go visit, but I love my home. And everybody says why don’t you—I don’t want to leave.

Rhym: You can find her in the same spot in Myrtle Beach, like a beacon, just inside her front door in her La-Z-Boy, ready to call out to visitors, waiting for whoever wants to come in and hear a story about a time gone by.

Patricia: Thank you for listening.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and Amazon.

Charlie’s Place is a production of Atlas Obscura and Rococo Punch, in partnership with Pushkin Industries and presented by Visit Myrtle Beach. It’s written and produced by Emily Forman. Our story editor is Erika Lantz. Our team at Atlas Obscura is Doug Baldinger, Chris Naka, Johanna Mayer, Linda Llobell, and Emily Yates.

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Johanna Mayer: Hey, Amanda.

Amanda McGowan: Hey, Johanna. What’s up?

Johanna: I want to start by showing you this photo. First, maybe just describe the photo to me.

Amanda: Yeah. Okay. So we are standing behind like maybe a waist high glass barrier. And beyond that, there’s like a very large white room. The walls are empty. It’s white, high ceilings. And it looks like there’s a thick kind of layer of ... At first I thought it was a carpet. It almost looks like a shag, like a thick shag carpet. But now that I’m looking at the glass, it kind of looks like, almost like concrete or asphalt or something?

Johanna: So what you are looking at is a room full of 280,000 pounds of dirt. It is in a loft in the Soho neighborhood of New York City, and it is likely worth millions of dollars.

Amanda: No way. Oh, cool. Okay. Well, I’m Amanda McGowan.

And I’m Johanna Mayer. And this is Atlas Obscura. Today, we are talking about how 280,000 pounds of dirt wound up in the middle of a very fancy neighborhood in New York City and the man who took care of it.

This is an edited transcript of the Atlas Obscura Podcast: a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

Johanna: So, Amanda, this giant room full of dirt is actually an art installation.

Amanda: Oh, cool.

Johanna: It is called, appropriately, The Earth Room. And it is in this loft in the Soho neighborhood of New York City. And I had heard about this exhibit for years. I was always really drawn to it. I wanted to go see it. And a couple years ago, I was really close to being able to make an episode about this place. I was in touch with the caretaker of The Earth Room.

Amanda: The Earth Room has a caretaker.

Johanna: Yes. This is the person who has maintained this strange piece of art for decades, actually.

Amanda: The same guy for decades.

Johanna: Same guy., 35 years.

Amanda: Oh, cool.

Johanna: But then you know how it goes. It just kind of ran into snags. Eventually, he stopped returning my emails. So I just set it aside. But then a few weeks ago, I woke up in the middle of the night to get just like a glass of water and just sort of on autopilot pulled out my phone and opened up The New York Times app and saw an article that brought this whole thing to the forefront of my mind again. And it was that the caretaker of The Earth Room, this person who had been tending to it for 35 years, had died.

Amanda: Oh, no.

Johanna: A few months prior. It was reported a little later. So I always wanted to talk to him for an episode of this show. Never got to. But I have visited The Earth Room myself. And if you’ve never been to Soho in Manhattan, it is fancy schmancy. There are a lot of tourists there. There are a lot of influencers there. You know, it’s really classic, old, beautiful buildings with firescapes and cobblestone streets. But also now there are storefronts of Prada right across from it, you know. So I visited The Earth Room a couple of years ago. And when we got to the building, there’s a door that’s basically unmarked and a buzzer that just says “New York Earth Room.” And I was very nervous to open it. I was like, am I going to be denied going in here or something? But you do, you buzz, go up a flight of stairs, and then you enter the room. And really, the first thing that you notice when you get in there is the smell. Obviously, it’s very earthy. The air is sort of thick, tropical. It was an early fall day when I visited. So the windows when I got in there were all sort of steamed up. There was kind of a greenhouse effect. It was very vibey, very cool. And there’s also a real hush, like a real sense of silence when you walk in there. Two hundred and eighty thousand pounds of dirt does a lot to dampen the sounds of the street in the city.

Amanda: Really? Yeah, I guess that makes sense. I wouldn’t have thought about that.

Johanna: But yeah. And so of course, then you see the dirt, which is right directly on the floor, like you saw in the photo with the glass barriers that you can see inside. It’s 3,600 square feet of floor space that it covers.

Amanda: Oh, wow. That’s huge.

Johanna: It’s big. It’s like almost an entire apartment.

Amanda: That’s probably three times the size of my apartment.

Johanna: Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s bigger than mine for sure. It’s 22 inches deep, so like almost two feet of this material. And it weighs, like I’ve been saying, 280,000 pounds.

Amanda: Oh, my God. Is it on the first floor? Or do you have to ... No, you said you go upstairs, right?

Johanna: It’s on the third floor, I believe, which made me ... I had never thought about building structural integrity in this way before. I mean, I guess that there’s probably like 280,000 pounds worth of things in my apartment, but I don’t know.

Amanda: That sounds amazing. I have many questions about like, where did this come from? How did this get here? Like who made this?

Johanna: Yes, yeah. So it was made by this really famous artist named Walter De Maria. He was born in 1935, died in 2013. And he was really big in the land art movement, if you’re familiar with that. He made these pieces that were just like gigantic, monumental scale. One of his most famous ones is called The Lightning Field. And that’s this enormous piece of land art at this semi-secret location in New Mexico. Whoa. But so all this to say Walter De Maria was like a lot.

Amanda: He thinks big.

Johanna: He thinks big.

Amanda: Yeah.

Johanna: And so then there’s the Earth Room, which he made in 1977 in this loft in Soho. There were actually two more before it, both in Germany, but neither of them exist to this day. This is the last one.

Amanda: Wow.

Johanna: It’s also interesting because the artist famously refused to explain the meaning behind the work, which I’m like, that rules to have lived in a time where an artist can just be like, I want to put 280,000 pounds of dirt in a loft and no one asked me to explain.

Amanda: Yeah, rock on, man.

Johanna: Rules.

Amanda: Okay. So you mentioned this is like 200,000 pounds.

Johanna: Two hundred eighty thousand pounds, Amanda.

Amanda: Two hundred eighty thousand pounds of dirt. How do you take care of something like this?

Johanna: So this is like perhaps the most hands-on work of art I can think of in terms of caring for it, and also maybe one of the few pieces of art that you can walk on.

Amanda: And he walks? Wait, can visitors walk on it?

Johanna: No, no, no, no, no, no.

Amanda: Oh, okay.

Johanna: No, only the caretaker. But he has to walk on it to take care of it. Yes, yes, because it requires a ton of monitoring the soil health, watering it, raking regularly is a huge part of it. And also sort of sorting through the soil and trying to make sure that there are no intruders like little mushrooms or grasses that are spread in there. Apparently, there was like a bunch of dragonflies hatched out of nests buried in the dirt, and then they had to deal with that in the gallery. And once a visitor apparently threw a can of black beans in there. Not good.

Amanda: Not recommended.

Johanna: Very off limits, disrespectful. But so there’s a lot of constant raking to sort of get through that and maintain the soil health. And for 35 years, this was all done by one man, whose name was Bill Dilworth. He was an artist himself who’s like an abstract painter. He knew Walter De Maria personally. And I think this is so funny, when he took this job, he was not given any real instructions on how to take care of it. He was given a photograph of what the dirt looks like when it was installed, and basically just told like, “Maintain it, please.”

Amanda: Yeah, “Take care of the dragonfly infestation whenever that arises.”

Johanna: Good luck digging out those black beans. And another really sweet thing is that his wife was also the caretaker of another Walter De Maria piece called The Broken Kilometer, which is just a few blocks away. And I read that they had this little routine where every day at 3:00, they would close their installations and meet up and go for a walk in Soho and then return at 3:30 after their break. It’s really sweet.

Amanda: What a cool life.

Johanna: Totally. He seems like one of those people who can just be interested in so many things and like a really contemplative person. One example is that I read that he would sort of mix up his raking patterns occasionally. I think the default was right to left, but then sometimes he would go left to right. And then the next week he’d go top to bottom and just see how it felt.

Amanda: Yeah. I’m picturing those zen gardens where they have the beautiful designs raked in the soil. Maybe the way he raked was reflective of what was going on in his mind that day.

Johanna: Maybe so. But on that day that I visited the earth room a couple of years ago—I know now after seeing pictures of him that he was there, I recognized him. And he was surrounded by visitors that day. Maybe they were old friends. And he was just sort of chatting and kind of holding court, it seemed. And I didn’t speak to him. And I wish I had.

Amanda: I’m just thinking about what you said about how he and his wife would like go for a walk around the neighborhood every day. And I feel like they’re, I mean, similarly, there were probably people that just sort of popped into this earth room like once a week or something, you know, like the regular. It’s just to check on the rake patterns. Okay, so Bill, unfortunately, no longer with us. Does that mean that the Earth Room is going to go away? What’s going to happen?

Johanna: Definitely not. Definitely not. So Bill was already planning to retire and he did. He retired in June of 2024. And according to The New York Times article about his death, before he left, he actually spent a month training his successor, who was someone who worked at the same art foundation that cared for Walter De Maria’s estate. Her name is Dana Avendano. She’s 28 years old. She’s an artist. And before Bill left, he apparently gave her a gift, which was a new rake. I think Bill was a tall guy. And Dana, according to this article, is four foot nine. So she can’t very well use his rake.

Amanda: Nice. That was thoughtful.

Johanna: It’s very sweet. I tried to get in touch with her. She wasn’t available for an interview.

Amanda: Yeah, she’s got a lot of dirt to take care of. She’s got her hands full right now.

Johanna: She’s currently raking, I’m sure.

Amanda: Can people still go visit? Is it open to the public?

Johanna: Yeah, totally. It’s at 141 Wooster Street in Soho in New York City. It’s open Wednesdays through Sundays, twelve to three and then again, three thirty to six.

Amanda: Rock on, Bill and Walter and Dana. I think I should say dirt on.

Johanna: Dirt on. Rake on.

Amanda: Rake on.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

Our podcast is a co-production of Atlas Obscura and Stitcher Studios. The people who make our show include Dylan Thuras, Doug Baldinger, Kameel Stanley, Manolo Morales, Amanda McGowan, Alexa Lim, Casey Holford, and Luz Fleming. Our theme music is by Sam Tyndall.

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Amanda McGowan: Picture a college campus in Southern California in the 1960s. Here is what comes to mind for me. I’m picturing kids with long hair, wearing flower crowns, playing music, protesting, and talking about peace and love. Well, I’m currently looking at a real photo of a college campus in Southern California in 1964, and it really does look like that. This is Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles.

Nellie Scott: People think that they’re protesting because they’re holding these signs and walking and singing and all of the things that we would think of in the late ’60s as like California culture or counterculture.

Amanda: But there is one major difference. A lot of people in this photo are wearing habits, so the head-to-toe black and white uniforms that nuns wear, because a lot of people in this photo are nuns. Yeah, this hotbed of California counterculture was a school run by nuns. The head of this parade was also a nun. Her name was Sister Mary Corita, also known as Corita Kent. She was a teacher and an artist. Her work has this really unique style. It’s super colorful, super pop art with images from brands and advertisements and kind of enigmatic slogans, a little bit of the sacred and a little bit of the profane. And in the 1960s, Corita’s art made her very famous.

Nellie: She was on the cover of Newsweek. She was truly the poster child for the nun going modern.

Amanda: But it also got her into a lot of trouble. In fact, the Catholic Church basically ended up shutting this entire scene down and forcing Corita to choose between her life as a nun and her life as an artist. I’m Amanda McGowan and this is Atlas Obscura, a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Just recently, in the last few months, a brand new art center has opened up in downtown LA dedicated to the work of Corita Kent. And it seems to me that what she was doing back in the 1960s speaks pretty perfectly to our own times. We will meet LA’s hippie nun.

This is an edited transcript of the Atlas Obscura Podcast: a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

Amanda: When I got on a call recently with Nellie Scott, who is the new head of the Corita Art Center, I had sort of a chicken or an egg question for her, which was, what came first for Corita Kent? Becoming an artist or becoming a nun? Because to me, I don’t know, this seemed like kind of a surprising combo.

Nellie: I know, what a juicy story. It’s so cinematic. People definitely are attracted or find this sense of a rebel nun very novel and intriguing, but she’s so much more than that.

Amanda: As it turned out, for Corita, the art came first. She loved making art from a young age, and the center even has some of her work from high school. But then, when she was 18, she enrolled in a religious order that was located pretty close to where she grew up in LA. It was called the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart.

Nellie: She kept that decision very close to the chest to everyone. She surprised her family and friends when she announced that she would be joining the order.

Amanda: But Nellie pointed out to me that Corita was graduating during the Great Depression, and there were just not many options for women at the time, especially if you wanted to continue with your education. So it was a time when lots of women who didn’t want to become housewives became nuns.

Nellie: This was a pathway for her passions.

Amanda: Corita got her bachelor’s at Immaculate Heart College, which was run by her order, and then she went on to get her master’s at USC. And it was around this time that she discovered the medium that she would do most of her most famous work in: screen printing.

Nellie: So she sends away for a do-it-yourself screen printing kit because, of course, it’s Corita. And there’s great stories of her going into the bathroom at USC and, like, printing on paper towels.

Amanda: At first, Corita made art with pretty explicitly religious themes and images. So imagine pictures of, like, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. She’s putting her own spin on it, her own style, but, you know, the kind of stuff that you would expect to see on a Christmas card. And she actually did make Christmas cards and stuff like that. So, sounds somewhat tame, right? But even this apparently raised some eyebrows among the leadership of the Catholic Church in California.

Nellie: By the late ’50s, she starts receiving letters from the local archdiocese here in LA actually asking, you know, they had some choice words about their opinion on her artwork.

Amanda: The cardinal apparently called Corita’s work, “disturbing and scandalous.” And I’m just putting myself in her shoes for a minute. I mean, if I was a nun in the ’60s and the cardinal said that my work was basically blasphemous, I might have considered laying low for a while. And maybe Corita considered that too. But she actually did not stop making art. She just decided that she was going to change her approach. In the late ’50s and early ’60s, there was this new movement in art that was kind of shaking up the scene. It was called pop art. And the idea was artists would use images that the public would know in their work. So things from ads and pop culture and celebrities and things like that. Andy Warhol is probably the example of the pop artist. I mean, picture his Campbell’s soup cans or his images of Marilyn Monroe. So that’s all kind of swirling around in the background.

Nellie: And then a grocery store opens up across the street and next to her studio.

Amanda: Put these elements together and you get one of Corita’s first pop art works. It’s inspired by Wonder Bread, specifically the Wonder Bread bright, colorful packaging with all the dots on it. And in 1962, Corita makes this print called Wonder Bread that is just 12 beautiful, colorful dots.

Nellie: You can enjoy this as a beautiful object. But if you are of faith and you are looking at that Wonder Bread piece, you may see the 12 apostles there. And so the lines begin to blur between, how can the ordinary be extraordinary?

Amanda: Corita also started using text a lot in her work, like she would bring in ad slogans or headlines from the newspaper. And she also started pointing more specifically to social issues, things like poverty, inequality, civil rights, and later on in the ’60s, phrases like “stop the bombing” and text about the Vietnam War. And beyond just her own art, at Immaculate Heart College, Corita was now head of the art department. So the college had this annual thing called Mary’s Day, which was this day to honor the Virgin Mary. And apparently it had been this sort of old school, serious affair. And Corita decided that she wanted to update this.

Nellie: The idea being that they would center these social justice issues, poverty and world hunger. And the idea being that as an order, that if Mary was alive today, she would very much care about the things that brought her son to this earth. And that if Mary was alive today, she would wear orange and she’d go grocery shopping and she would smile and laugh and she would very much be a human.

Amanda: The new Mary’s Day took the form of a sort of joyful protest/celebration. So the nuns and students went across the street to the grocery store to get cardboard, to make big signs to put around campus and to march around with. They had slogans that said things like “peace,” “give us this day our daily bread,” “God likes me.” They played guitar. They danced around in circles. It was all kind of bacchanalian.

Nellie: What they’re trying to do there is build this bridge and say that a revolution—you must include joy.

Amanda: So this was really cutting edge stuff. And the college started to attract a lot of attention. Famous artists and thinkers of the day started stopping by to give workshops. People like Ray and Charles Eames, the furniture designers, Buckminster Fuller, the architect, John Cage, the composer, and Corita herself also became a celebrity. In 1967, she was on the cover of Newsweek magazine, sort of the poster girl of the modern nun. But as you may remember, there were some powerful figures in the Catholic Church in LA who did not like it even when Corita was making Christmas cards of the baby Jesus. So as you can imagine, they were not liking this whole situation. And just as a bit of a brief aside, there was a lot of other activity going on at Immaculate Heart at the time. In fact, the nuns basically had a labor dispute going on because they were sick of teaching for free. They wanted more control over their time. They wanted more freedom in how to express themselves. They didn’t want to wear the habits anymore. And the archdiocese did not like any of that either. That plus Corita’s art was like the final straw. So they gave the sisters an ultimatum: fall in line or leave. Corita had to decide if she wanted to stay a nun or keep making the art that she wanted to make.

Nellie: She goes on sabbatical in 1967 and 1968. And ultimately, you know, she does step away. She does seek dispensation from her vows, does leave the religious life.

Amanda: Corita did decide to leave the order and she moved to Boston where she made a living as an artist for the rest of her life. And actually, if you spend any time in Boston, you have almost definitely seen at least one example of her work. So if you’re coming into the center of town from the south through the Dorchester neighborhood, there’s this huge water tank or tower looking structure on the side of the highway. It’s covered with these big colorful slash marks. And that is actually a piece by Corita Kent. It’s called Rainbow Swash. And Corita was not the only nun from her order to leave. Around 300 other sisters made the same choice and they actually banded together and formed their own community outside of the church called the Immaculate Heart Community. And it’s still going strong to this day 50 years later. Sadly, Corita died of cancer in the 1980s. And when she died, she left her unsold works and copyrights to the Immaculate Heart Community. And this community kept her work in the public eye however they could, even though it wasn’t always super glamorous.

Nellie: We were located and kind of sequestered in a hallway co-located on a high school campus.

Amanda: The last year, the Corita Art Center spun off from this community as its own non-profit. And now it has this new physical space in downtown LA. And they’re experimenting with all these ways to get Corita’s art out in the world. They distribute free art kits. They make it free to visit the museum, things like that. And I’ll just speak for myself for a second and say that learning about Corita and her work has felt very soothing and also at the same time very fortifying. But her focus on joy and being present and caring for her community, it’s a message that I just personally really like right now. I mean, I don’t have to tell you, we live in scary times. And actually the day that Nellie and I spoke over Zoom, the National Guard was actually being sent to downtown LA right next to their art center because of all the protests going on.

Nellie: We have, of course, a lot happening right now as we speak. Truly, there are helicopters above us. We are located downtown LA. We are not well as a whole, as a large community. We are not well. We have an epidemic of isolation. How do we bring people together? How do we gather? How do we kind of take that Mary’s Day spirit and go, there is joy here when we are together and when we lift each other up?

Amanda: I can dig that. Or maybe I should say, amen. The Corita Art Center is open to the public on Saturdays. It is totally free to visit. You just have to make a time reservation online before you go. And if you’re into this topic, I really recommend this documentary from a couple years ago. It’s called Rebel Hearts. It’s all about the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart and Corita and sort of their butting heads with the church. It’s really, really interesting. I am also going to include a link to Corita’s Rules for Creativity. This is this awesome list that she had posted in her classroom at Immaculate Heart College. It’s cool. Check it out.

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Our podcast is a co-production of Atlas Obscura and Stitcher Studios. The people who make our show include Dylan Thuras, Doug Baldinger, Camille Stanley, Johanna Mayer, Manolo Morales, Alexa Lim, Casey Holford, and Luz Fleming. Our theme and end credit music is by Sam Tyndall.

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Elah Feder: A few weeks ago, I contacted someone named Judith Finell, not really expecting to hear back from her, because Judith is a forensic musicologist, and she’s in very high demand. On a typical day, she’s advising companies like Disney and Netflix to help them avoid copyright infringement, or she’s sharing her expertise in high-profile legal cases. Remember when Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams were sued for copying parts of “Blurred Lines”? That was Judith. She was the expert witness that helped clinch the case against them and for Marvin Gaye’s estate. So I really didn’t think that Judith would have any time for my case, but I sent her an email, and she wrote back right away.

Judith Finell: I’m glad you found me, it really gave me a lot to think about, just preparing for this, so thank you.

Elah: Wait, what did it give you to think about? I mean, I feel like you’re dealing with music plagiarism day in, day out.

Judith: I am. I am. From humans.

Elah: That’s right. The case I laid before Judith was both strictly pro bono, and it was against birds. On the east coast of Australia, high up in dense forests of eucalyptus and southern beech trees, there’s a group of birds that appear to have swapped out their usual songs for something more melodic. It’s the only place in the country where these birds are known to sing like this. And it might get them in some trouble, because allegedly, they got these songs from us. I’m Elah Feder, and this is Atlas Obscura, a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Today, lyrebirds in Australia stand accused of copying human music. Specifically, two songs they learned in the 1920s. It’s a story that’s been repeated a few times on the internet as just a fun fact. But is it a fact? A small team set out to investigate.

Hollis Taylor: And along the years of our study, at any one point, I think it’s fair to say that all four of us believed it. And then all four of us maybe had serious doubts about it.

Elah: And I bring Judith Finnell, a case that’s finally worthy of her talents.

Judith: It’s really interesting. Yeah, I mean, it’s sort of surreal that this is even coming up.

This is an edited transcript of the Atlas Obscura Podcast: a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

Hollis: So, shall we say the story?

Elah: Yeah, that’d be great. Hollis Taylor is a violinist, composer, and zoomusicologist living in Australia. And about 15 years ago, she and three friends decided to get to the bottom of this lyrebird story. The lyrebirds in question are these superb lyrebirds, living in forests in and around the New England Tablelands, which is near the coast of New South Wales.

Hollis: Okay, so as the story goes, a lyrebird chick was raised in captivity in the 1920s. He mimicked the household’s flute player, and he learned, allegedly, two tunes and an ascending scale. And then released back into the wild, his flute-like songs were picked up by the other local lyrebirds.

Elah: Generations later, lyrebirds in the area are still singing these old songs, kind of like a living time capsule in the forest. The idea that lyrebirds do this is totally plausible. It’s almost unremarkable if you’ve heard anything about what they’re capable of. Lyrebirds are songbirds, big brown ones that look kind of like pheasants. When male lyrebirds fan out their tails, you see these two long brown feathers on either side and a mess of stringy white feathers in the middle, so that if you squint, the whole thing kind of looks like a lyre, the ancient instrument. When a male lyrebird is trying to seduce a female, he clears out a little area on the ground, makes a kind of performance stage for himself, where he puts on this astoundingly complicated song and dance.

Now, I’ve watched a bunch of videos of this, and it is the most bizarre, goofy display you can imagine. There’s wiggling, there’s chirping, and in at least one video I watched, what I can only describe as the sound of space lasers. And I would love to play it for you here, but in the course of reporting this episode, I’ve become acutely aware of copyright issues. So instead, please enjoy this equally incredible lyrebird, recorded by someone named Marc Anderson, and shared under a Creative Commons license on xeno-canto.org. The songs of the lyrebird are worth talking about in their own right, but peppered throughout each bird’s routine is the thing that makes these birds famous: mimicked sounds.

Hollis: They will imitate other bird calls and songs, they’ll imitate bird wings, and they will even imitate anthropogenic noise.

Elah: And these birds are so good at mimicry. David Attenborough, he once featured a captive lyrebird who could perfectly recreate the sound of a camera shutter and a chainsaw, and you would not know the difference. So could these lyrebirds copy human music? No question about it. But did they? To find out, Hollis and her team went all the way to the source, to the person who first told the story of the lyrebirds to the world. Her name was Martha Manns. Martha first moved to this part of New South Wales in 1936, to run a farm with her family.

Martha Manns: Well, I went to live up there, and late in the night or early hours of the morning, I heard this weird and wonderful sound.

Elah: That’s Martha recorded in 1972, shared here courtesy of Hollis Taylor. And that sound Martha heard that night, it seemed to her like someone was playing the flute just outside her bedroom window.

Martha: I couldn’t imagine anything like a flute being played there at that hour of the day or night.

Elah: Some people might run for cover if they lived on an isolated plot of land and heard someone playing music outside their window in the middle of the night. But by all accounts, Martha was an independent and unflappable kind of person. So she just ran outside to check it out, and she didn’t see a flute player. The sound was coming from high up in a tree.

Martha: And then, investigating later, I found the sound came from a lyrebird.

Elah: Martha also learned that the man who used to live nearby kept a lyrebird as a pet, a man who played the flute, and well, you know the rest. According to Martha, the bird sang scales and two songs. “The Keel Row,” an old Scottish or possibly English folk song, and something called “The Mosquito Dance.” And Martha said that the bird that she heard had really mastered both of these. It never sang a whole song in one stretch. It would sing a section, make some other sounds, then do another section. But each section was impressively accurate. Okay, so that’s the original version of the story. That’s the one that spawned all the stories to come. Now listening to this, Hollis and her team were split. One friend who was a lyrebird expert, he actually met Martha Manns and heard the story directly from her and was totally convinced. Hollis believed it too. But the other two in the research group remained unconvinced.

Hollis: Because lyrebirds tend to be very faithful to their songs and not see a lot of change over years.

Elah: Lyrebirds do mimic sounds they hear around them, but they still always have their own unique signature sound too. And yet here the claim was that these birds had dropped their main song and replaced it with a man’s flute music. And that just didn’t sit right with them. Now you’d think this would be the easiest thing to settle. You just go to the forest and check out what these birds are singing. But take a listen to this one clip Hollis shared with me, recorded in 1970. Does it have a flute-like quality? Sure. But what about the melody? Hollis says she doesn’t hear any “Mosquito Dance” in there. If the original bird sang it, later birds seem to have dropped it. The other song, “Keel Row,” the old folk tune, that Hollis hears. So here’s what that sounds like. And here’s the bird again. Let me pause it. So that beginning part, that sounds reminiscent to “Keel Row”?

Hollis: Yes.

Elah: I was still struggling to hear this. After our call, I tried slowing down the bird clip. I tried playing it over top of “Keel Row.” And after a bunch of listens, I could kind of hear something. Unlike me, Hollis has the ear of a professional musician. But even she acknowledged this isn’t an open and shut case. She went back and forth on it herself over the years.

Hollis: What’s absolutely certain is that all of the lyrebirds in this one area sing something that no other lyrebird anywhere else in the country sings.

Elah: But is it human music? I started having real doubts. If these birds started off singing “Keel Row,” then over the years, it had changed and become almost unrecognizable. So, are we imagining things? Did the birds steal our music? And if so, dollars and cents, what kind of settlement are we looking at? If there was anyone who could settle these particular questions to the satisfaction of a jury, I knew it was Judith Finell. Because she’d helped Marvin Gaye’s family, thanks in large part to her testimony in the “Blurred Lines” case, they got $7.3 million, plus royalties. Judith, I felt, was ready for a real challenge.

Judith: Who’s accusing? I just want to understand, what’s the premise? Is it that the representative of the birds …

Elah: Judith squeezed me in on a busy Thursday morning. I had just 30 minutes of her time. So I quickly explained our predicament and then dove right in, playing her the clips in question. Here is … I think the part that’s relevant starts around here.

Judith: Hm.

Elah: Atlas would not provide me with the funds to hire Judith for a full investigation, but on just a basic listen, it was the differences that stood out to her.

Judith: It doesn’t imitate the rhythms such as the triplets in the sheet music or the dotted rhythms, which I know I’m getting pretty detailed. I mean, it’s definitely very melodious. So I would say, did I hear anything? I definitely heard melodic content partially into it, rather than just chirping.

Elah: Let’s just imagine for one moment that after a long and careful analysis, Judith finds that yes, there is a real resemblance here. She points out that that still would not prove the birds copied this music.

Judith: And if I were on the bird’s side—and say they did go to court—on the bird’s side, so to speak, might be say, well, but the bird has been using that melody for 300 years and here’s an ornithologist to talk about that.

Elah: Another defense, the birds couldn’t have copied it because they never even heard the man who played the flute.

Judith: And they came up with it completely coincidental.

Elah: The plaintiffs would have to prove this was a lie.

Judith: In other words, they have to prove, well, actually I mailed a recording of my song to these birds and, you know, pretty soon they came out with this big hit and it came top on Billboard charts, you know? I mean, that’s really how the conversation goes. And that question of access, in this case, it was going to be very hard to prove a full century later. We’d have to go all the way back to the beginning, to the 1920s, and show that there really was a man who played the flute and a pet lyrebird that heard him. So, tall order. That combined with the fact that these songs didn’t sound like “Keel Row” in a very obvious way, I started to think that none of this happened. Not that anyone had lied. It’s easy to imagine how something like this could have been spun. You know, some birds in the area sounded vaguely flutey. Someone was like, hey, doesn’t Mr. Jones play the flute? And the story took off from there. And if that’s what happened here, it says something a little uncomfortable about us. Like, how vain must we be to take credit for bird music?

Hollis: One of our friends who’s a recordist, he had said, isn’t it like a human to have to make up a story because they can’t just accept that the lyrebirds are doing this amazing thing on their own?

Elah: I was just about ready to chalk this up to humans and our unchecked narcissism when I arrived at one more key piece of evidence that Hollis and her team had gathered. I nearly missed it. It was in one of their papers, this one 8,000 plus words retracing the history of the legend. But near the very end, they shared a transcript of a conversation recorded by Martha Manns in the early 1970s. So remember, Martha herself only ever heard the story of the lyrebirds secondhand from locals in the area. But in this interview, she spoke with a man who claimed to have firsthand knowledge. His name was Gordon, and years before he’d known the family in question. They’d lived on a plot of land neighboring Martha’s, but before she actually moved there.

So Martha asked him about them. She asked, did they have a lyrebird? Yes, Gordon said. They kept it in a big wire cage. Okay. Did the man of the house play an instrument? Yes, Gordon said. A flute. And now for the clincher. Martha asked him if the bird had learned the flute music. Well, Gordon said, one time he was having tea with the family when he heard flute music, but the man who played the flute, he was just sitting there not playing the flute. So where was this music coming from? The family told him it was their pet lyrebird. This is about as close to proof as we’re going to get all these years later. But it still wasn’t quite enough to settle the matter for Hollis’s team. They were still divided. Two for, two against. I wanted just one more person to weigh in. Judith Finell, forensic musicologist to the stars. So in her usual work, she rates the similarity of two pieces of music on a scale of one to ten.

Judith: So one is music that’s completely dissimilar, and ten would be identical, like you lifted something from a recording.

Elah: Clearly the bird song is not identical to “Keel Row.” But is there anything there? Does it lie somewhere in the middle there?

Judith: Well, it lies in the middle enough to say, if I were talking to, you know, the attorneys representing the birds or the other parts, I think this warrants further study.

Elah: Okay. Warrants further study. The story of the lyrebirds isn’t as tidy or certain as the fun facts online, but after talking to Judith and learning all about Hollis’s investigation, I was left feeling like, yeah, some version of this could totally have happened. And if so, good for the birds.

Judith: There’s a whole history of composers using music from birds, either inspired by or actually using recordings in their work. There’s a lot of classical composers who’ve done it for centuries. From Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, inspired by singing birds and buzzing flies, to Baha Man’s “Who Let the Dogs Out,” which included the mournful barks of an uncredited canine, we have borrowed from animals plenty of times. So yeah, I hope the birds did take our music. I hope they keep creeping around forests at night, taunting sleeping people with it. But as for the truth of what actually happened in the 1920s, one might say the lines are blurry. To learn more about Hollis Taylor and her team’s investigation, visit FluteLyrebird.com. You can find the papers they’ve published and some really haunting lyrebird songs.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

Our podcast is a co-production of Atlas Obscura and Stitcher Studios. The people who make our show include Dylan Thuras, Doug Bauldinger, Chris Naka, Kameel Stanley, Johanna Mayer, Manolo Morales, Baudelaire, Amanda McGowan, Alexa Lim, Casey Holford, and Luz Fleming. Our theme music is by Sam Tindall.

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Hi, Dylan here. You have reached the Atlas Obscura podcast line, the last functioning voicemail message machine in the world. Unfortunately, I’m not home right now, but leave me a message about a trip you took to experience some special event in person, whether it was a concert or a convention or a sporting event, whatever it was that you were dying to see and willing to travel for. I want to hear about it. After the beep.

This is an edited transcript of the Atlas Obscura Podcast: a celebration of the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

Dever Probst: Hey, Atlas. My name is Dever Probst and I live in New Mexico and my story is about cicadas. Last year was the first time that broods 13 and 19 emerged together since 1803. So I figured it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity to go see trillions of insects crawling around and decided that the best place for me to go see these insects would be in a forest. So I drove about two hours south to the Shawnee National Forest and I spent all day wandering through the forest. And it was amazing. There were bugs everywhere. There were birds. There was a rattlesnake that I almost stepped on. I got lost a few times, but overall made it out alive.

The one thing that I didn’t see, though, were cicadas. After nearly six hours in the forest, didn’t see a single one. Didn’t even hear them. So I got back to my hotel and I only had really that one day to go look for this. But the next morning I had a little bit of time before I needed to go to the airport, so I decided to go to a park about 10 minutes from my hotel just to relax, kind of sit on the bench, read a little bit. And I drove in there and as soon as I turned the engine off, I could hear them. You could hear the buzz of cicadas.

I opened the door and they were everywhere. The parking lot was covered in them. The lawn of the park was full of these bugs coming out of the ground or crawling around. You could see them buzzing in the trees, flying overhead, and the park was just full of life. There were birds everywhere eating the cicadas. There were chipmunks all over the place, little kids running around picking them up. And I got to spend a good couple of hours just relaxing amidst this buzz of trillions of insects. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience to see these two broods come out at once.

Megan: Hey, Atlas Obscura, this is Megan. Last year, my friend and I got to go to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. My friend and I have known each other since second grade. We have always been Olympics obsessed, and it was absolutely an incredible trip.

I think one of the things that was most surprising was how mundane it was, or almost less exciting than watching at home at some point. I ended up going to 18 events, which for anyone who knows is a massive number of events. I think most people go to something like three to five. But even at 18, we would go and today was the day you saw swimming, or the next day is the day you saw beach volleyball. At home, you throw on the TV and there’s four sports at any one time and you’re always switching back and forth.

So being at the Olympics was actually the least amount of Olympics that my friend and I had ever watched in a given year because we were just seeing the one event live. And so we ended up catching a lot of stuff on TV while in Paris. And then on the other hand, it’s just the most vibrant live experience you could ever imagine.

The most memorable experience for me was watching the men’s gymnastics team finals. And about 10 rows in front of us was a gentleman who very clearly was a family member of one of the teammates. And so it was the very last round. There was only one gymnast left on the floor, and it was a Japanese team on the high bar. And this man, every single time that the gymnast let go from the bar, he would let go of the rail in front of him and then grasp back down, moving in sync with every single one of the gymnasts moves. So he was obviously connected. He knew every single move.

When that gymnast finished and after it was scored, that is what put Japan into the gold medal position and they unexpectedly won gold. And this man was in front of us and just fell to the ground and put his hands to his face and was crying. For me to witness that experience is something I would never, ever have from home. The games are something unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced. I’m so, so glad I got the chance to go.

Kennedy: Hi, my name is Kennedy. Recently, I’ve been really into Thai TV shows, and it’s really interesting because the Thai actors do meet and greets. So I was working in Brussels last summer and they were having a meet and greet in Rome. So I was like, perfect. This was during the same time I could go. So I bought my ticket for the event. Then I was looking for plane tickets.

Because of the Olympics, oh my gosh, plane tickets in Europe were so expensive that summer. Even people who usually use Ryanair were surprised. So my round trip ticket from Brussels to Rome cost me $200. But when I got to the airport, the flight was delayed four hours. So I didn’t end up getting to Rome till midnight. And even though my Airbnb was only two minutes away, my Uber was 50 euro because of how late it was. Luckily, the next morning when I went to the convention center, because it was at the airport, it did not cost me as much, but I didn’t realize how far away the other airport would be. So I chose to land at one airport and leave out the other one to make it cheaper. But I was told on the internet that there was like a train or a bus that would take me from one airport to the next. That was wrong. There was none. So I had to book an Uber and it cost me so much money. And when I got to the airport, the flight was delayed another three hours. So it ended up being a lot of me just sitting around, but the event was really great. I love my Thai actors and I always have fun watching their TV shows.

Drew: Hey, Atlas Obscura. My name is Drew. I love music—like, love music. I’ll listen to all kinds of varieties. And a good way to know if you and I are getting along well is that we will likely share music recommendations.

About six or seven years ago, a dear friend of mine tried to share with me a band he was falling in love with called Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties. At the time, it must not have hit me in the right place or I wasn’t ready for it. I listened maybe once and moved on. Each album is a season in each song and episode. It’s a fictional story. It’s made up of an amalgamation of all the people the band’s ever met, but it’s really a guy who’s had a bad year.

His dad dies. His wife has a miscarriage and then his wife leaves him. It’s a rough start, I know, but stick with me. Fast forward a few years in my life and my youngest son, who was 19 at the time, introduces me again to Aaron West. And this time it sticks. In the interim between these two events, I had done a lot of processing trauma in my life from a messy divorce with the mother of my children, and also struggles with my oldest son, as he had some stumbles in his beginning of his adulthood journey.

The songs of pain and loss, as well as the work of rebuilding a life, really resonated with me deeply. I spent the next two years devouring every aspect of the band. I gifted my youngest son a live stream of the most recent album release concert for his birthday and we watched it together and it was incredible. It was at that moment I knew I’d need to find a way to get him and I to a live show somehow.

This last summer it was announced that they would be having a pair of concerts to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first record. But it was in Philadelphia and that’s a long ways from Nebraska where we’re from. And there were some questions though whether or not there would be more music or more touring, so I knew that now was the time. I bought the tickets the minute they went on sale and in celebration of my son completing half of his bachelor’s degree, we made the trip a reality. We weren’t about to waste 18 hours in town.

We walked to Washington Square Park and we saw the Liberty Bell in Independence Hall. We had a cheesesteak at Campos. We saw the historic Walnut Street Theater which happens to be the longest running English-language theater in America. But that was all followed by a simply incredible celebration of new music that has helped my son and I connect in a meaningful way. And we were able to process a lot of personal things together with it. And I gotta tell you, I will do this again if I can. It was an incredible experience.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.

This episode was produced by Manolo Morales. Our podcast is a co-production of Atlas Obscura and Stitcher Studios. The people who make our show include Doug Baldinger, Chris Naka, Kameel Stanley, Johanna Mayer, Manolo Morales, Baudelaire, Amanda McGowan, Alexa Lim, Casey Holdford, and Luz Fleming. Our theme music is by Sam Tindall.

Though Cincinnati is best known for breweries, another effervescent beverage has a long history in the Queen City: the nectar soda.

Home to the oldest pharmacy college in the U.S. west of the Alleghenies, the Eclectic Medical Institute (1845-1952), and Lloyd Brothers Pharmacists, Cincinnati was long on the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry. The city had a number of apothecaries with soda fountains, as well as confectioners serving countless carbonated concoctions—some claiming to cure a variety of ailments, and others simply providing customers with something sweet and refreshing to drink.

Enter the nectar soda. The flavor is a combination of vanilla and bitter almond, and the drink is pastel pink in color—a nod to the hue of almond flowers, according to Dann Woellert, a Cincinnati food historian, etymologist, and the author of Cincinnati Candy: A Sweet History. Nicknamed the “drink of the gods,” the bitter almond flavor of nectar soda balances out what would otherwise be overly sweet vanilla, creating an addictive taste that grows on you with each sip. 

Nectar sodas have been served in Cincinnati since at least the late 1870s, though, like many iconic foods and beverages, its precise origins are murky. The only other U.S. city to embrace nectar sodas was New Orleans, but unlike Cincinnati, the tradition fizzled out in the Big Easy in the mid-20th century. Plus, Woellert says that the Queen City popularized them first. “They were served in Cincinnati nearly a decade before New Orleans,” he says.

While the Cincinnati nectar soda has multiple origin stories, each crediting a different pharmacist or confectioner, Woellert has concluded that John Mullane created the flavor after traveling to Quebec City to learn the art of confectionery from a prominent Canadian candymaker. He began serving nectar sodas in his confectionery shop in downtown Cincinnati in the late 1870s.

So, why did the nectar soda end up in Cincinnati and New Orleans, of all places? Wollert suspects that the bitter almond and vanilla flavor was used by the French Acadians who settled in both Quebec City and New Orleans.

Though nectar sodas aren’t as common as they were in the early 20th century, when they could be found at countless confectioneries and pharmacy soda fountains across Cincinnati, they’re still served at establishments throughout the city and the surrounding area. Nectar sodas have been on the menu at ice cream and chocolate shop Aglamesis Brothers since it opened in Cincinnati in 1908, if not shortly thereafter. That’s according to company president and CEO Randy Young, who is also a third-generation family member. 

It’s unclear when nectar sodas were added to the menu at Graeter’s, a Cincinnati ice cream and chocolate shop that opened in 1870 and now has locations throughout the city and the Midwest, but Chip Graeter, chief of retail operations and a fourth-generation family member, says that they were especially popular throughout the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

In a January 28, 1947 article in the Cincinnati Enquirer, Tom Moore, the head of the soda department at Dow Drug Store—which operated 32 soda fountains throughout the metropolitan area at that time—said that “nectar is one of the most popular flavors in all of their stores, and has been for many years.” Five years prior, Dow ran an ad in the same newspaper which read: “Be glad you live in Cincinnati, the only place in the country where you can enjoy a Dow double-dip nectar soda.”

Originally, nectar syrup was made by combining half-and-half or milk with water, bitter almond extract, vanilla extract and red food coloring. While Aglamesis eventually switched to a dairy-free shelf-stable syrup, Graeter's recipe has never changed—it still contains milk and needs to be refrigerated. 

Both Aglamesis and Graeter’s make nectar soda by mixing nectar syrup with a dollop of whipped cream, adding a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream, then topping it off with some soda water and more whipped cream.

Though Young says that nectar sodas are most popular with older adults, they’re also a hit with members of younger generations who try them. “People who grew up with them still love them today,” Graeter says. “We still make them in all of our stores, but they're not nearly as popular today as they once were, simply because milkshakes and smoothies have taken over.”  

According to Young, there is a commercially available descendant of the nectar soda. “Commercial soda companies like Barqs and others came out with their version of cream soda—a bright pink soda—which got its flavoring from nectar soda,” he explains.

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.

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.

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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.

Planning a trip to Madinah, Saudi Arabia for a group of people? Here’s a list of family-friendly hotels in Madinah to get you started.

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!

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

This is a guest post by Raimee Iacofano from Raimeetravel. Growing up in Michigan, Ludington was THE place to be. Every summer, my family would pack up the car, blast some classic rock (think Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, and the occasional Lynyrd Skynyrd singalong), and head west for beach days, lighthouse climbs, and the BEST...

The post How to Explore Ludington, Michigan appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

This is a guest post by Raimee Iacofano from Raimeetravel. Growing up in Michigan, Ludington was THE place to be. Every summer, my family would pack up the car, blast some classic rock (think Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, and the occasional Lynyrd Skynyrd singalong), and head west for beach days, lighthouse climbs, and the BEST Superman ice cream you’ll ever have. It was tradition for us each year because my grandparents called Ludington home. As a kid, it felt like pure magic. Falling asleep to the sound of waves, chasing seagulls barefoot in the sand, and sticky fingers from melting cones that somehow always dripped down to my elbow. Ludington wasn’t just a vacation spot for us, it was a special place to make our family memories! But then life happened. I grew up. Things changed. I started traveling the world, chasing new coastlines, and eventually moved across the country to California. My summers became less about beach towels and bonfires on Lake Michigan and more about airports, new countries, and ticking places off my bucket list. And yet, Ludington was always tucked in the back of my mind. No matter how many cliffs I hiked in Ireland, or temples I wandered through in Asia, part of me wanted to come back. To see if it still held the same magic or if I’d outgrown it. Finally, this summer, I returned for the first time in over a decade. And… WOW. Ludington is even more special now. It’s charming and peaceful, yet absolutely packed with things to do. If you’ve been sleeping on West Michigan (or Michigan in general), this is your official wake-up call. I thought this trip would be a little nostalgic, maybe a quiet walk down memory lane. Instead, Ludington completely surprised me with rooftop dinners, breweries with fire pits, gorgeous hiking trails, and so many nearby adventures. Honestly, there’s so much here that you could stay for a week and still leave with a list of things for “next time.” Here’s how I spent my time and everything I’d recommend if you’re planning your own trip to Ludington. Things to Do in Ludington 1. Beach Days & Lighthouse Treks First stop: Stearns Park Beach. It’s totally free and walkable from downtown, which I love. We set up with a ton of snacks, people-watched, and even played a little shuffleboard (yes, there’s free shuffleboard courts right by the beach!). The sand is soft, the vibe is laid back, and the water is that endless deep blue that makes you forget you’re not at the ocean. If you’re up early, or willing to stay late, walk the breakwall to the Ludington North Breakwater Light. The lighthouse is stunning during both sunrise and sunset, and each gives the lake a completely different mood. Pro tip: if you head out around 9 a.m., you’ll catch the SS Badger, a historic coal-fired car ferry, making its way across Lake Michigan to Wisconsin. The tradition is to wave goodbye to the passengers onboard, and it feels like stepping into a moment straight out of small-town Americana. For something more adventurous, head to Ludington State Park. It’s often called the “crown jewel” of Michigan’s state parks—and I get it now. Twenty-five miles of trails wind through forests, dunes, and beaches, with stops at both Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake. The highlight? Hiking out to Big Sable Point Lighthouse. It’s about two miles each way, but the walk is gorgeous and the payoff is huge: a tall, striped lighthouse from the 1800s standing guard against the waves. It’s the kind of spot that makes you pause and think, “Wow, I can’t believe this is in Michigan.” 2. Museum Time (because I secretly love history) One of my favorite travel quirks is that I always end up in at least one museum—no matter where I go. In Ludington, I found two gems: Historic White Pine Village: An outdoor museum with over 30 historic buildings, from a one-room schoolhouse to an old-fashioned courthouse. Walking around felt like stepping back into a simpler time, and it gave me a whole new appreciation for Michigan’s roots. Port of Ludington Maritime Museum: Perfect if you love Great Lakes history, lighthouses, or boats. It’s in a former Coast Guard station and has such a fun mix of interactive exhibits and vintage charm. Bonus: both spots are super photogenic so bring your camera. 3. Water Adventures & Nature Fix If you’re an outdoorsy person, Ludington is basically paradise. You can rent kayaks at Hamlin Lake for a peaceful paddle, or grab a pontoon boat if you want more of a party-on-the-water vibe. Paddleboards are another fun option—great workout, and you get a totally different perspective of the lake. Not into water? There’s also mountain biking, disc golf, and plenty of hiking trails. Ludington really is the best of both worlds: small-town charm mixed with endless outdoor adventures. Where to Eat & Drink in Ludington I’ll be honest: I wasn’t expecting Ludington’s food scene to be this good. But WOW. From breakfast spots to breweries, I was seriously impressed. Breakfast & Casual Bites Café 106: Cozy and cute, perfect for brunch. Their omelets hit the spot after a morning walk. House of Flavors: The most iconic ice cream shop in town. I grew up eating Superman here, but this trip I discovered Carrot Cake ice cream and let me tell you—it changed my life. The Sandbox at Stearns Beach: Right by the water, serving gourmet sliders, seasoned fries, and ice cream. Perfect beach & chill food! Dinner with a View STIX: Near the state park, with a massive biergarten, live music, and even lawn games. It’s part-restaurant, part-entertainment hub. Blu Moon Bistro: Adorable rooftop patio with seasonal dishes. This is where I had the best Reuben sandwich of my life (and I don’t say that lightly). Jamesport Brewing Co. & Ludington Bay Brewing: Two great breweries with outdoor patios—perfect for golden hour. The Perch on Hamlin Lake: A newer spot perched (literally) on a bluff overlooking the lake. Come for dinner, or just grab cocktails on their lower-level patio. Bonus: you can even arrive by boat. Something Sweet + Coffee Kilwin’s: Fudge + chocolates = heaven. Red Rooster Coffee: Cozy, friendly, with iced lattes that hit the spot after a hot day. HumaniTea: If you’re a tea drinker, or just need a reset between activities, this place is perfect. Where to Stay in Ludington There’s a vibe for every type of traveler here. Camping: Ludington State Park has beautiful campgrounds that keep you close to nature. Downtown: Stay at a historic inn, hotel, or B&B for easy access to beaches and restaurants. Lakefront: For something special, look at Hamlin Lake rentals. I stayed at Sunset Bluff Resort, and it was perfect. We had a little yellow A-frame house with cozy cabin vibes but all the essentials. The best part? A private fire pit right by the water. Every night, we roasted s’mores, watched cotton candy sunsets, and cracked open local beers from Ludington Bay Brewing. It was the kind of place that instantly melts the stress away and makes you feel like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. Best Local Shops in Ludington I always carve out time to wander through local shops when I travel—it’s one of the best ways to get a feel for a town. In Ludington, I found some gems along Ludington Avenue and South James Street: Sexy Nomad: My favorite! A beautifully curated shop with vintage clothing, Moroccan jewelry, ceramics, and handmade treasures. It felt like stepping into a global market—but right here in Michigan. Sister Bees: Women-owned and full of natural skincare, beeswax products, and Michigan honey. Such a thoughtful place for gifts. The Windowsill Used & New Books: Cozy, welcoming, and filled with great reads. I picked up a romantasy novel (obviously). The staff was so kind, and it reminded me why I always stop at indie bookstores when I travel. Coming back to Ludington as an adult was like re-reading a childhood book and discovering new magic between the lines. It felt grounding, nostalgic, and fresh all at once. There’s something powerful about revisiting the places that shaped you and realizing they’re just as beautiful—sometimes even better—than you remembered. If you’ve never been to West Michigan, or it’s been a while, put Ludington at the top of your list. It’s a small town with a big heart, stunning landscapes, and a community that makes you feel right at home. Trust me! I’m already planning my next trip back. And maybe, just maybe, it’ll become a tradition again. For more planning info, check out PureLudington.com. Raimee Iacofano grew up in Michigan. Eight years ago, she set off to travel the world and has worked helping creators improve their social media (she even worked for me for a few years). She’s since started her own enterprise helping people travel smarter and off the beaten path. When she’s not roaming the world, she lives in LA. Follow her amazing videos on Instagram and TikTok and download her free guides on her website, Raimeetravel. 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 budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) 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 a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! 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 Explore Ludington, Michigan appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Ruin bars are all the rage in Budapest and have been around since the founding of Szimpla Kert, the mecca of all ruin bars, in 2002. These bars are built in Budapest’s old District VII neighborhood (the old Jewish quarter) in the ruins of abandoned buildings, stores, or lots. This neighborhood was left to decay...

The post The Best Ruin Bars of Budapest appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Ruin bars are all the rage in Budapest and have been around since the founding of Szimpla Kert, the mecca of all ruin bars, in 2002. These bars are built in Budapest’s old District VII neighborhood (the old Jewish quarter) in the ruins of abandoned buildings, stores, or lots. This neighborhood was left to decay after World War II, so it was a perfect place to develop an underground bar scene. These places were very off the beaten path, rough around the edges, and catered to artists, students, and alternative people. But they became very popular and well known by 2010 and have nice gone mainstream, though their setting has not changed. From the outside, these bars look like normal buildings. They don’t have large signs pointing the way, you don’t hear any loud noise, and there’s no line of people waiting to get in. But once you walk in and enter the inner courtyard, you find yourself in the middle of a hip, artsy, and funky bar bustling with crowds talking, dancing, and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere. Large bouncers, along with posted signs, ensure that people are quiet on their way out so as to not disturb the neighbors. Each of these ruin bars has its own personality, but they all follow a few basic principles: find an old, abandoned place, rent it out, set up a bar, fill it with flea market furniture, have a few artists come in to leave their mark on the walls and ceiling, add in some weird antiques, serve alcohol, and watch people flock in. When you’re in these bars, you feel like you’re drinking at your local thrift store. None of the furniture matches. It’s all old. It’s eclectic. It feels like they just ransacked your grandmother’s house. The ceilings are all designed differently and the places haven’t been repaired or fixed up, and there are still holes in the walls and visible pipes everywhere. Though the Ruin Bar movement has become mainstream, many of the bars have done a good job of keeping their character and staying true to their roots — even as they fill up with more tourists. Here is a list of the best ruin bars of Budapest: Szimpla Kert This was the original ruin bar. It opened in 2001, starting this trend. It’s one of the biggest ruin bars and still one of the most popular. Once an abandoned factory, now there’s a large open courtyard, a top floor filled with eclectic furniture, cocktail bars, music, and even an old, stripped-down Trabant (a communist car) to have a drink in. All the rooms have a different theme. They also sell pizza, which, after a few drinks, makes for the perfect walking-home snack. Everyone I take here says it’s one of the coolest bars they’ve ever been to. If you just visit one bar, make it this one. Grandio Grandio is a ruin bar and hostel in one. It’s famous for its outdoor, tree-filled courtyard but is mostly filled with travelers and people on bar crawls since it’s also a hostel. This is a good place to start your night and meet other travelers. During the day you can find locals relaxing here with a drink in the garden. It’s not quite as rowdy as the other bars and, since it’s smaller, it has a bit more of a laid-back and intimate vibe. Dürer Kert A former university building, this ruin bar and music venue lets you tap into your inner college student as you drink a few beers while playing foosball, Ping-Pong, darts, and a French game called pétanque (it’s fun). The courtyard garden is a good spot to enjoy all the live music that happens in this bar. The space is really big and there’s a lot of activity here. Plus, I love how the art and paintings on the wall. Instant-Fogas Complex The Instant-Fogas Complex is located in an entire apartment building and the biggest ruin bar in the city. There are over 20 rooms, 18 different bars, multiple dance floors, and 2 gardens. It’s one of the more club-like ruin bars. In Instant, you can sit in what were once individual apartments and relax on furniture that looks like it was found on the street. They’ve knocked down many of the walls to connect the apartments and make space for the DJs and dancing. Given its popularity and the fact that it’s more “clubby,” drinks here are a little more expensive than in other ruin bars. If you want to dance away the night, this is the bar for you. Doboz I’m not entirely sure if this place fits into the ruin bar culture. It was much fancier and trendier than the other bars I visited. It was like being in a “real” bar. However, I was taken there as part of a ruin bar tour, and, regardless, I loved this place. You walk into the courtyard and are greeted by a tree with a red-eyed robot attached to it. It looks like a Transformer is about to attack you. There are two main rooms: one red, the other blue. They play a lot of dance music, and this place fills up toward the end of the night. The only downside is that it has more limited opening hours than other bars. Mazel Tov This is one of Budapest’s newest ruin bars. Mazel Tov (located in the old Jewish quarter) is a community center and restaurant serving traditional Jewish cuisine by day. At night, the courtyard is a party with DJs and live entertainment entertaining guests. There’s also a restaurant here. I wouldn’t call this a “ruin bar” in the traditional sense but it’s a nice atmosphere, the decor is nice, and it’s got great drinks. It’s fancier than all the others so don’t expect something so “rough and tumble.” Csendes Letterem Café & Bar If you’re looking for a more laid-back vibe to balance out the party atmosphere of some of the other ruin bars but don’t want to sacrifice the cool vintage aesthetic, this is the bar for you. It’s located right in the heart of Budapest and is the perfect place to relax and share drinks with friends or settle in for an evening of conversation. The bar also serves food and has Wi-Fi, so you’ll often find digital nomads mingling here. *** Budapest may sell itself on history and thermal baths, but the ruin bars are by far the most unique thing about this city. Even if you don’t drink, come spend time at these ruin bars because they are such a funky way to see a popular and totally unique aspect of life in Budapest (you can even take a self-guided tour of a few bars that includes skip-the-line entry). You’ll meet a lot of locals when you visit too! So, don’t miss them. 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. Plan your trip to Europe like a pro Get all my best Europe travel tips as well as free planning guides sent straight to you and see more of the country for less! Get your guides here! Book Your Trip to Budapest: 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 suggested hostels, here is a complete list of my favorite hostels in Budapest. If you prefer to stay in a hotel, these are my favorite hotels. And if you’re wondering what part of town to stay in, here’s my neighborhood breakdown of Budapest! 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) 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 Budapest? Be sure to visit my robust destination guide on Budapest for even more planning tips! The post The Best Ruin Bars of Budapest appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. If you fly Delta frequently and want to earn toward elite status while enjoying more travel perks than their Gold card offers but don’t want to pay the high fee of...

The post Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. If you fly Delta frequently and want to earn toward elite status while enjoying more travel perks than their Gold card offers but don’t want to pay the high fee of the Reserve, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is likely the best fit for you. It’s a step up in both annual fee and benefits, giving you tools to reach Medallion status faster, plus credits that can offset travel costs. Here’s my review of the card! Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Overview The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card has an annual fee of $350. (See Rates and Feees.) That is a pretty high annual fee for a lot of people but I would say that if you fly the airline enough to hit their gold status then you are definitely going to want this card over their other ones as it will give you a lot of perks and make your Delta flying experience better. This card offers: Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. 1x Miles on all other purchases Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year 1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year. $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee 15% off award travel redemptions on Delta flights Up to $120 Resy credit (up to $10 monthly in statement credits) Up to $120 Rideshare credit(up to $10 monthly in statement credits) First checked back free How to Redeem Delta SkyMiles Delta uses dynamic pricing for their rewards. That means that the number of points it takes to book a flight isn’t a set number. Instead, the rate varies based on the cash price of a flight. You can also redeem your points as cash at checkout at the rate of 1 cent per mile but I never find that a good redemption and only rarely ever do that. I only ever do this if I am low on points and don’t have enough to redeem a flight but want to save money off the cash price. The 15% off on award redemptions makes flights a lot more affordable so be sure to have your card connected to your SkyMiles account. If you are flexible with your dates, you can use their award calendar to see the best points fare as mixing and matching your dates can lead to better deals. Additionally, Delta offers a lot of award sales so keep an eye out for them. Thrifty Traveler and Point.me are two good websites that can send you alerts. I find Delta miles to be the best for U.S. domestic economy and comfort plus redemptions. Unless there’s a sale, I never book for business or international flights. The redemption value is terrible. Is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Worth It? For regular Delta flyers aiming for Medallion status, the The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a clear upgrade from the Gold card. The companion certificate alone can offset the annual fee. Add in the TSA PreCheck credit, higher earning rates, and MQD boosts, statement credits, and the 15% off rewards and the card pays for itself. I’m a huge fan of this one. I have the business version of it as I have the Reserve for personal use since I am heavy Delta flier but if you’re not, then get this Platinum card. Pros and Cons Pros: Companion certificate each year MQD earning through card spend Higher earn rates on Delta and hotel purchases TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit Free checked bag for you and companions 15% off award flights Cons: Higher annual fee at $350 No Sky Club lounge access Companion certificate is domestic main cabin only *** The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is best for travelers who fly Delta often and are either chasing or maintaining Medallion status. Between the companion certificate, free checked bags, and the ability to earn MQDs on spending, it offers more than enough perks to justify the higher fee for frequent flyers. If you want lounge access or premium upgrades, however, you might want to look at the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card card instead. Click here to learn more and sign up! Stop paying full price for travel! Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It's how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I'll show you: How to Pick a Credit Card How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending How to Redeem Your Points And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips! Get the guide 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 budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) 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 a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! 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 Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. If you fly a few times a year, you know the pain points: baggage fees that add up quickly, boarding last and finding no overhead bin space left, and earning miles...

The post Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. If you fly a few times a year, you know the pain points: baggage fees that add up quickly, boarding last and finding no overhead bin space left, and earning miles at a snail’s pace. That’s where the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card can really change your travel experience. I’m a believer that if you fly one airline at least a few times per year (or have a favorite airline), you should at least get the airline’s lowest tier credit card as it comes with enough perks to justify the cost and will make your travel experience better. If you’re a Delta casual flier who wants solid perks with a $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150, Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the card for you. (See rates and fees.) In this review, we’ll break down the benefits, costs, and potential drawbacks so you can decide if this card is worth adding to your wallet. [TOC] What is the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card ? Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is Delta’s most basic credit card offering and is for people who want to make their airport and flying experience easier but don’t want to pay a high annual fee. The annual fee for this card is $150 per year but is a $0 intro annual fee the first year. This card offers: Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership 2x miles on Delta purchases 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide 1x miles on all other purchases Free checked bag on Delta flights $200 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year 15% off Award Travel redemptions on Delta flights Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights Up to $100 Delta Stays credit 20% back on eligible in-flight purchases savings in the form of statement credits. Using Your Delta Points Delta uses dynamic pricing for their rewards. That means that the number of points it takes to book a flight isn’t a set number. Instead, the rate varies based on the cash price of a flight. You can also redeem your points as cash at checkout at the rate of 1 cent per mile but I never find that a good redemption and only rarely ever do that. I only ever do this if I am low on points and don’t have enough to redeem a flight but want to save money off the cash price. The 15% off on award redemptions makes flights a lot more affordable so be sure to have your card connected to your SkyMiles account. If you are flexible with your dates, you can use their award calendar to see the best points fare as mixing and matching your dates can lead to better deals. Additionally, Delta offers a lot of award sales so keep an eye out for them. Thrifty Traveler and Point.me are two good websites that can send you alerts. I find Delta miles to be the best for U.S. domestic economy and comfort plus redemptions. Unless there’s a sale, I never book for business or international flights. The redemption value is terrible. Is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Worth It? If you fly Delta two or three times a year and don’t have elite status, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card can pay for itself just through the free checked bag benefit as that can save up to $70 on a round-trip per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. Add in priority boarding, the 15% award discount, and occasional statement credits, and you’re getting solid value for a relatively modest annual fee. *** Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card hits a sweet spot for casual-to-regular Delta fliers. The free checked bag alone can offset the annual fee, and the priority boarding and award discount make travel more pleasant and affordable. While it doesn’t offer premium perks like lounge access, it delivers enough value for its price point. If you fly Delta but aren’t ready to commit to a high-fee premium card, this is an easy choice to consider. Stop paying full price for travel! Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It's how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I'll show you: How to Pick a Credit Card How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending How to Redeem Your Points And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips! Get the guide 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 budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) 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 a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! 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 Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. For Delta loyalists who want a VIP experience, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is your best option. I’m a huge fan of Delta and I fly them almost exclusively...

The post Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. For Delta loyalists who want a VIP experience, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is your best option. I’m a huge fan of Delta and I fly them almost exclusively when I’m traveling around the United States. I find them to have the best in-flight experience, food, entertainment, and seats. If you’re a Delta fan and fly them a lot, then I really think the Reserve card is must to have. While it has the highest annual fee, it also has most comprehensive set of benefits, including Sky Club access, upgrade priority, and faster elite status earning. It’s very much worth the cost and I have gotten way more value out of it than the fee. Here’s my review of the card! Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Overview The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is Delta’s premium card that offers frequent travelers a host of benefits and perks and is meant for people who fly a lot on the airline and want more perks as well as faster elite status earning. The annual fee is $650 (See Rates and Fees.) but I think the perks of the card outweigh the cost. This card offers: 70,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months. 3x miles on Delta purchases 1x miles on all other spending 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and unlimited visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card. Free checked bag on Delta flights Earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year A domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Up to $240 Resy credit (up to $20 monthly in statement credits) Up to $120 Rideshare credit(up to $10 monthly in statement credits) Up to $200 Delta Stays credit 15% off Award Flight redemption through delta.com and the Fly Delta app 20% back on eligible in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit In short, there’s a lot of perks with this card and I find that, unlike a lot of other premium cards, they are useful perks! I love the the MQD boost, the hotel credit, the the 15% back on award redemptions, and especially the lounge access. I tend to use the majority of the perks on this card, making the value of it well worth the fee. Using Your Delta Points Delta uses dynamic pricing for their rewards. That means that the number of points it takes to book a flight isn’t a set number. Instead, the rate varies based on the cash price of a flight. You can also redeem your points as cash at checkout at the rate of 1 cent per mile but I never find that a good redemption and only rarely ever do that. I only ever do this if I am low on points and don’t have enough to redeem a flight but want to save money off the cash price. The 15% off on award redemptions makes flights a lot more affordable so be sure to have your card connected to your SkyMiles account. If you are flexible with your dates, you can use their award calendar to see the best points fare as mixing and matching your dates can lead to better deals. Additionally, Delta offers a lot of award sales so keep an eye out for them. Thrifty Traveler and Point.me are two good websites that can send you alerts. I find Delta miles to be the best for U.S. domestic economy and comfort plus redemptions. Unless there’s a sale, I never book for business or international flights. The redemption value is terrible. Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Worth It? If you’re a frequent Delta flyer who values lounge access, wants to earn elite status quickly, and appreciates upgrade priority, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card can be worth every penny. For casual travelers, however, the $650 fee will be hard to justify, especially with limited category bonuses. Pros: Sky Club access and Centurion Lounge access with Delta flights Companion certificate MQDs at double the Platinum earning rate Upgrade priority Free checked bag and priority boarding 15% off award flights Cons: High annual fee Few bonus categories for everyday spending Lounge access has visit limits *** The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is for the most dedicated Delta travelers who want the best experience possible. Between lounge access, upgrade priority, and rapid MQD earning, it offers elite-level travel without having to fly your way there entirely. If you’re in airports and on Delta planes regularly, the Reserve delivers unmatched perks. Click here to learn more and sign up! If the fee is too high or you don’t fly Delta enough, check out the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card which may better suit your needs at a lower cost. Stop paying full price for travel! Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It's how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I'll show you: How to Pick a Credit Card How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending How to Redeem Your Points And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips! Get the guide 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 budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) 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 a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! 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 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

From sea to shining sea, the United States is a very diverse country – both when it comes to culture and natural beauty. I’ve traveled across the continental United States many times over (you never really realize how big Texas is until you drive through it. Damn that state is big!). I think, just on...

The post My 31 Favorite Places to Visit in the USA appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

From sea to shining sea, the United States is a very diverse country – both when it comes to culture and natural beauty. I’ve traveled across the continental United States many times over (you never really realize how big Texas is until you drive through it. Damn that state is big!). I think, just on my roadtrips alone, I’ve spent a collective two years exploring the country. That’s a lot of time and doesn’t even take into account that visit to Portland or Nashville or weekend in Savannah. In short, I’ve seen a lot of this country. And there is a lot worth seeing. In the past, I’ve talked about my favorite restaurants and lessons learned, so it only seems proper to give you a list of the best places to visit in the USA. All these places are near and dear to my heart and really showcase just how special this country is and how many wonderful places there are here. (It took me awhile to narrow down this list!) In no particular order, here’s my detailed list of the best places to visit in the USA: (Note: This list is based only on where I myself have been. There are a lot more breathtaking places I haven’t explored yet, which is why they may not be on this list. It doesn’t mean they aren’t worth seeing. It just means I haven’t been there.) 1. Memphis Gritty, industrial, and a bit run down, Memphis appears like its best days are behind it, but don’t let the rough exterior fool you — the city is still home to some killer food and a vibrant blues music scene. Additionally, there’s Graceland (Elvis’s home) for fans of the King, a big waterfront for walking, and the phenomenal, detailed, and moving Museum of Civil Rights (it’s huge, so don’t rush it!). I enjoyed the city more than I expected and was disappointed when I had to leave. To use a cliché, it’s a hidden gem! WHERE TO STAY IN MEMPHIS: Hostel Memphis – A hip hostel in a century-old building with a fully-equipped kitchen and free Wi-Fi. The hostel is also a non-profit that donates 100% of its profit to social justice causes around the city. 2. Austin I love Austin (I actually moved there in 2016 and stayed for several years before returning to NYC). The warm weather, the lively honky-tonks and live music, funky house bars on Rainey Street, amazing hiking and biking trails, and tons of outdoor activities…Austin has it all. Thanks to everything from the growing food truck population to the flagship Whole Foods store with the incredible salad bar (grilled pineapple!), I eat — and eat well — whenever I’m here. The Austin campus of the University of Texas provides a youthful vigor to the city, and its liberal attitude attracts a diverse and eclectic population. In short, you can’t skip Austin, because if you do, I’ll find you and drag you there. WHERE TO STAY IN AUSTIN: Firehouse Hostel – This centrally-located hostel is located in an old firehall from 1885. They have fast Wi-Fi, plenty of chill common areas, and an amazing on-site bar that serves top-notch craft cocktails. For more travel tips on Austin, check out these posts: My Complete Guide to Austin Where to Stay in Austin: My Favorite Neighborhoods 3. New Orleans New Orleans is a city with soul. It’s seen some hard times, but it lives on with a zest for life unmatched by most places. It has a rich and long history (don’t miss taking a haunted walking tour while you’re here) and is filled with scrumptious French-inspired Creole and Cajun food, live jazz music, street performers, and an appreciation for all the temptations of life. Life is lived well here in the Big Easy. You don’t come here to relax — you come here to indulge! In my opinion, New Orleans one of the most eclectic and vibrant cities in the United States. WHERE TO STAY IN NOLA: HI New Orleans – An award-winning hostel with spacious dorms, comfy beds, privacy curtains, and fast Wi-Fi. Everything a budget traveler needs! For more travel tips on traveling New Orleans, check out my suggested itinerary on how to spend your time there! 4. Asheville Asheville is Portland in the North Carolina mountains: full of tasty craft beer, food, and hipsters. I liked the area a lot, including its proximity to some wonderful and scenic mountain hikes such as the Carolina Mountain Trail. Moreover, the town has a lot of parks for those wanting something closer — and be sure to check out the Asheville Botanical Gardens near the university campus. The beautiful Smoky Mountains are a short drive away, and the gigantic Biltmore estate, the largest privately owned home in the US and once home to George Vanderbilt, is on the outskirts of the city. (If you’ve ever seen Downton Abbey, that’s what the house is like! And, if you haven’t, you should! The show is addicting!) WHERE TO STAY IN ASHEVILLE: Bon Paul & Sharky’s Hostel – A laid-back hostel with a spacious front and back porch for relaxing. There’s free parking, free Wi-Fi, and plenty of nearby restaurants and cafes. 5. The Pacific Coastal Drive The drive up the Pacific Coast is considered one of the most scenic in the world. I have to agree. I didn’t travel the whole coast but the portion I drove (San Francisco to Portland) was incredible: sheer cliffs, forests descending to the shoreline, miles of beaches, and giant redwoods. It’s jaw-dropping all the way. Be prepared to make slow progress, as you’ll be pulling over frequently to stop, hike, and admire the view. I especially liked Bandon and Coos Bay, Oregon, and Mendocino, California. 6. Redwood National Park Along the Pacific Coast is Redwood National Park, a large expanse of giant redwood trees filled with picnic areas, places to camp, and miles upon miles of hiking trails. Trails range from easy to strenuous, and there are many loops that head out to nearby beaches. It’s utterly beautiful, awe-inspiring, and humbling in every way. It’s a must for anyone road-tripping around California. WHERE TO STAY IN REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK: View Crest Lodge – Located on the coast in Trinidad, this rustic budget-friendly lodge has basic amenities like free Wi-Fi and TV, and some of their rooms also have full kitchens. It’s a clean, comfy no-frills place to crash for a night. 7. Glacier National Park Even though I visited when most of the park was still closed (it was too early in the year and there was still snow around), I was still stunned by the area: gorgeous snow-capped mountains rising high into the sky; a beautiful, still lake in which to admire those mountains and large glaciers; and hiking trails galore. It was the most mind-blowing place I saw on my trip, and I can understand why everyone raves about it. I can’t recommend a visit there enough. WHERE TO STAY IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK: Camping – Pack (or rent) a tent and cozy up for a few nights under the stars. You won’t be disappointed. 8. Denver Denver has a mix of outdoor ruggedness and big-city living. It has a huge craft beer scene (be sure to take a beer tasting tour), excellent restaurants (including, Sushi Sasa, one of my favorite sushi restaurants in the world), a large international airport with lots of connections, and proximity to the mountains. It’s clean, and the locals are incredibly friendly. There are few cities in the US I want to live in, but I love Denver enough to say that it’s one of them. WHERE TO STAY IN DENVER: Ember Hostel – This boutique hostel is rated one of the best in the country, offering a swank interior, free jacuzzi, outdoor firepit, comfy beds with blackout curtains, cheap overnight parking, and more. 9. Chicago When the weather is nice, I don’t think there’s a better city in the United States. Set on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago has world-class food (try the deep dish, sushi, and hot dogs), the fun and kitschy Navy Pier, Millennium Park with its famous bean-shaped statue, a kick-ass aquarium, and iconic architecture (be sure to take an architecture tour). And, once the winter deep freeze is over, Chicagoans burst out of their homes to enjoy the summer weather, so there’s a positive, happy vibe emanating through the city. Take advantage of it. WHERE TO STAY IN CHICAGO: HI Chicago – A spacious, clean hostel with female-only dorms, free Wi-Fi, and a great location. The beds are comfy and the common area is huge so it’s easy to meet people. For more travel tips on Chicago, check out these posts: My Ultimate Guide to Chicago Where to Stay: My Favorite Neighborhoods in Chicago 10. New York City The city that never sleeps. ‘Nuff said. I mean, there’s a reason I moved here — and then moved back again after living in Texas. You can’t go wrong here. New York sells itself and there’s nothing I can say here. I know you already want to go. WHERE TO STAY IN NYC: HI NYC – This is one of the biggest and best hostels in the city. It’s super easy to meet people here, they have a chill outdoor patio, and the kitchen is huge so you can cook more meals and save your budget. For travel tips on New York City, check out these posts: The Complete Guide to New York City The Best Walking Tours of New York City My Favorite Places to Eat in NYC How to Spend 4 Days in New York City 11. Natchez I was most surprised by this Mississippi city. I didn’t know anything about it, but Natchez was recommended as a place to see historic 19th-century homes, built by isolated plantation owners wanting to get away in the summer and interact and socialize with each other. As cotton became king, the houses became ever larger and more elaborate. Now, they are historic monuments, and you can tour them while enjoying a view of the Mississippi River. It’s far off the beaten path — and my favorite discovery from my last road trip. WHERE TO STAY IN NATCHEZ: The Beaumont House – If you want to splash out, this recently-renovated B&B in a mansion includes free breakfast and spacious historic rooms as well as modern amenities like Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flatscreen TVs. For more travel tips on Natchez, check out this post on my visit there. 12. Savannah Sitting on Georgia’s coast, Savannah escaped the wrath of the Civil War, allegedly because General Sherman thought it was too pretty to be destroyed. With streets lined with Spanish moss–covered trees, large and inviting parks, and a bustling waterfront, Savannah is a wonderful place to experience the slow pace of the Old South. I had visited this city many, many years ago, but its beauty, Southern comfort food, and tranquility stuck with me over the years. WHERE TO STAY IN SAVANNAH: Thunderbird Inn – This affordable three-star motel is just a short five-minute walk from downtown. Boasting a retro vibe, there’s free coffee and juice every morning, as well as free popcorn available in the lobby. 13. The Grand Canyon Words can’t accurately describe how incredible the Grand Canyon is. It’s breathtaking in so many ways — its sheer size, fantastic depth, red hues, and striking vistas. Most people simply stand at the edge of the canyon and look out across it, but its true size and beauty are best appreciated with a hike down to the bottom. Make the time to hike down to the Colorado River, hike the less visited trails, spend the night, and hike back up for sunset. WHERE TO STAY IN THE GRAND CANYON: Camp – Pack (or rent) a tent and cozy up for a few nights under the stars. You’ll need to reserve a spot early though as they disappear fast! For more travel tips on the Grand Canyon, read this post on hiking the canyon. 14. Nashville A little bit country, a little bit tech, Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, and rightly so. It’s got a wonderful music scene (including the famous Grand Ole Opry), a growing cocktail bar scene, and some down-home Southern restaurants. There’s not a lot of “touristy stuff” to do here, but what makes this city one of my favorites are the music, the food, the wildly friendly and happy people, and the positive energy the city seems to exude. When you’re here, plan to spend a few hours at the Tennessee State Museum. It goes into great (though sometimes very one-sided) detail about the state’s history, but it’s more exciting than you might think. WHERE TO STAY IN NASHVILLE: Red Roof Inn – While it’s not centrally located, this is one of the city’s few affordable two-star options. A quick 13-minute drive from the Grand Ole Opry, this budget-friendly joint boasts an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, and free coffee. For more travel tips on Nashville, check out these posts: Where to Stay: My Favorite Neighborhoods in Nashville The Perfect Nashville Itinerary The Best Hotels in Nashville 15. San Francisco Food of every nature, hipsters, high tech, and a diverse population make San Francisco one of my favorite places to visit. Additionally, it’s close to some wonderful national parks, like Muir Woods, where you can escape the city and go hiking amid giant trees (there are lots of half-day guided tours you can take). San Francisco has so much to do that you need at least four days to really appreciate it. WHERE TO STAY IN SAN FRANCISCO: Green Tortoise – As one of the oldest in town, this hostel is an institution in San Francisco. It offers free breakfast, free dinners multiple times per week, and even a free sauna! It has a huge common room so it’s easy to meet people and has a very fun, social atmosphere. For more travel tips on San Francisco, read these posts: The Complete Guide to San Francisco My Favorite Hotels in San Francisco San Francisco Itinerary: Things to See & Do in 3 Days 16. Miami White sand beaches, Cuban food, wild nightlife, gorgeous people, and amazing warm weather — what’s not to love about Miami! I don’t think I could ever live here, but for a weekend of fun in the sun, Miami is perfect. WHERE TO STAY IN MIAMI: Generator Miami – This hostel has a pool, two restaurants, a bar, and is just minutes away from the beach. It’s massive (there are 8 floors), the beds are more comfortable than the cheap ones you’ll find at the party hostels. For more travel tips on Miami, read these posts: The Ultimate Guide to Miami The Best Hostels in Miami Where to Stay: My Favorite Neighborhoods in Miami 17. San Diego Forever warm and sunny, San Diego’s weather creates a permanently happy population that’s friendly and outgoing and that loves the outdoors — from hiking, days at the beach, or running. And they are always happy to show people their city. The downtown Gaslamp area — as well as the famous Pacific Beach — is full of trendy seafood restaurants, bustling bars, and some seriously life-changing taco stalls. I love San Diego. WHERE TO STAY IN SAN DIEGO: ITH Adventure Hostel – With a focus on sustainable travel (there’s a vegetable garden and backyard chickens), this chill hostel is very friendly and social. It’s clean, and the water pressure in the showers is decent, and the beds are comfy. (For more hostel suggestions, you can read this post. 19. Lake Tahoe Though the water level of the lake, as well as the flora and fauna around it, is sadly depleted due to the California drought, Lake Tahoe is still nonetheless impressive and beautiful. Ringed by tiny mountain communities, this is a terrific place for hiking and boating in the summer and skiing in the winter. WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE TAHOE: Camping – Pack (or rent) a tent and cozy up for a few nights under the stars. You won’t be disappointed. 20. Anywhere in Montana A lot has been written about how stunning Montana is, but it’s all wrong. It’s even better than words can describe. It’s the most crazy beautiful state I’ve ever been to, filled with wondrous mountains and hills as far as the eye can see. The people are super cool, welcoming, and outdoorsy, too. If I had to pick a favorite state, it would be Montana. I just love it. WHERE TO STAY IN MONTANA: Treasure State Hostel – Located in downtown Bozeman, this hotel is quiet, clean, and is home to friendly staff. They organize all kinds of events too, like pub crawls and movie nights, so it’s easy to hang out and meet people. 21. Washington D.C. The capital of the United States is a vibrant, international city, and that’s what I love about it. It’s second only to NYC in diversity of people and food (which is to be expected with so many people from international aid organizations and embassies). You hear a million accents in this town! Throw in the free Smithsonian museums, lots of parks, a riverfront for strolling or running, and some historic government buildings and monuments, and D.C. becomes one phenomenal place to visit, relax, eat, and drink! Be sure to take a tour of Capitol Hill while you’re here! WHERE TO STAY IN WASHINGTON: Highroad Hostel – Offering pod-style bunks, this cool hostel is located in an old Victorian mansion. The beds have thick mattresses, there’s a fully-equipped kitchen, there’s free coffee and tea each day, and they even host a free happy hour each week! For more travel tips on Washington D.C., here are some other articles I’ve written: The Ultimate Guide to Washington D.C. Free Things to do in Washington D.C. 22. Cape Cod I spent a lot of summers on the Cape since it’s where New Englanders escape for the summer. You’ll find plenty of small beach towns along the coast (Provincetown and Hyannis being the most famous but I also love Chatham, Falmouth, Wellfleet, and Brewster). If you’re looking for seafood, beaches, boardwalks, and that perfect family vacation, visit the Cape! WHERE TO STAY IN CAPE COD: Cape Sands Inn – Just a short walk from the beach in West Yarmouth, this three-star property has all the standard amenities (TV, free Wi-Fi), as well as free parking and a relaxing sauna and hot tub. 23. Boston I may be biased because I grew up here, but I love Boston and cherish my visits home. Boston rocks (Go Red Sox!). It’s historic (founded in 1630), small-ish, easy to get around, and filled with awesome and loyal people. It’s home to a ton of activities, like the Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall, the JFK Museum, and the Boston Commons and Public Garden, as well as some of the best Italian and seafood restaurants in the country. Be sure to eat at Zaftigs for the best brunch in the city! It’s wicked! WHERE TO STAY IN BOSTON: HI Boston – This spacious and clean hostel is just a short walk from pretty much everything in the city. They have female-only dorms, free Wi-Fi, and several chill common areas where you can meet other travelers. For more travel tips on Boston, check out these posts: My Detailed Guide to Boston The Ultimate Boston Itinerary Free Things to Do in Boston Where to Stay in Boston: My Fav Neighborhoods The Best Walking Tours in Boston 24. Las Vegas Vegas, baby, Vegas! A lot of people are turned off by the bright lights and gambling, but Vegas is much more than the casinos, expensive clubs, and hotels on the famous Strip. There’s incredible hiking nearby at Red Rocks National Park, a growing art scene, a booming tech scene, and lots of concerts and shows. Get off the Strip, explore the real Vegas (because technically the Strip is located in Paradise, NV, not Las Vegas), and see why people decide to live here. WHERE TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS: Sin City Hostel – Just a short walk from the (in)famous Fremont Street, this is a social hostel that hosts all kinds of events (such as bar crawls, pasta & wine nights, BBQs, casino nights, and more). It’s a great place to connect with other travelers. For more travel tips on Las Vegas, these articles can help: My Ultimate Travel Guide to Las Vegas 12 Things to Do in Vegas That Don’t Involve a Casino How to be a High-Roller in Vegas on a Low-Roller Budget 25. Portland Portland, Oregon is incredible. I would move there if it had a bigger airport with better connections. Here you’ll find an impressive food truck scene, cool bespoke bars and cocktail lounges, a craft beer scene that’s a religion to residents, relaxing parks (including a peaceful Japanese garden), a vibrant art scene, and hiking in the nearby mountains. There’s even an underground donut scene here. WHERE TO STAY IN PORTLAND: HI Portland – Northwest – Rated one of the best hostels in the world, this centrally-located HI hostel offers free breakfast, in-house made craft beer, an outdoor courtyard with a firepit, regular live music, and much more. For more travel tips on Portland, read this post on the city. 26. Seattle Home to a little business called Starbucks, it also boasts an exciting downtown, fresh fish, authentic Asian food, art museums, and funky nightlife. In historic Pioneer Square, you can go on an underground tour of the city’s ruins (a hella cool experience). Moreover, you’re right on the water and, weather permitting, can head out onto Elliott Bay to explore some little islands. Seattle is just a cool city. There’s always something to do there, it’s techy, and everyone is relaxed. Plus, there’s craft beer and coffee — what’s not to love about that! WHERE TO STAY IN SEATTLE: Green Tortoise – Located right across from the iconic Pike Place Market, this social hostel organizes all kinds of activities so it’s easy to meet people. They also offer free breakfast and daily events. It’s one of my favorite hostels in the country. For more travel tips on Seattle, read this detailed planning guide! 27. Deadwood Tucked away in western South Dakota, this town was famous during the Old West days, noteworthy enough to be the focus of an HBO series. Sort of kitschy and re-created, it’s nonetheless a very cool place where you can experience a taste of the old frontier days. It’s also conveniently located near the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore. WHERE TO STAY IN DEADWOOD: Gold Country Inn – This kitschy hotel is one of the cheapest places in town. Located right downtown, they have a mini gambling hall on-site, free Wi-Fi, and free parking. It’s nothing fancy but it won’t break the bank either. 28. Kansas City I really loved this city, which features some of the world’s best BBQ and a lively downtown. There’s also a detailed and enlightening jazz museum here, as well as the eye-opening Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (that was the actual name; I’m not being racist). I wish I could have spent more time, but that’s just more reason to come back. WHERE TO STAY IN KANSAS CITY: Home2 Suites Downtown – With a fitness center, pool, and a decent breakfast spread, this three-star hotel in downtown KC is one of the more affordable places to crash in the city. 29. Louisville Louisville sits on the Ohio River and is the largest city in Kentucky. I was surprised at how much I liked it and how much there was to do here. There’s an established theatre scene, a handful of museums and galleries, tons of delicious places to eat (it’s a solid foodie city), and all the bourbon you can drink. Louseiville has a laid-back, artsy vibe to it. It feels much more like an Austin or a Portland than your traditional southern/midwest city. In the past, it was considered a fly-over city and was skipped by most people. It’s definitely not now. WHERE TO STAY IN LOUISVILLE: Microtel Inn – While it may be 20 minutes from downtown, this budget-friendly inn is affordable, includes free breakfast and free parking, and has free Wi-Fi. It’s a no-frills choice but clean and comfy. 30. Charleston Charleston is another lively city full of delicious food, fun bars, lots of history, and all the southern charm you’d ever need. It’s beautiful, the people are nice, and there’s a high, high concentration of world-class restaurants for such a small city. (If you love seafood, you’re going to love it here. This is one of the best cities in the country for seafood.) WHERE TO STAY IN CHARLESTON: Charlestons NotSo Hostel – Located in a historic neighborhood, this laid-back hostel includes free coffee/tea and oatmeal and free Wi-Fi. The rooms are small but the beds are perfectly comfy. 31. Franklin Located just outside of Nashville, Franklin is bursting with small-town charm. The city is full of history (there was a major Civil War battle here), a historic main street, and some really delicious bars and restaurants. I didn’t expect much and the city really surprised me. It’s the perfect two-night destination. WHERE TO STAY IN FRANKLIN: The Harpeth Hotel – This upscale property features a restaurant on-site, fitness center, bar, and terrace. If you don’t want to splash out, check Booking.com for other options. *** The United States is filled with too many “must-sees” places to visit to list in a single blog post. After all, the country is home to over 329 million people and covers 3.8 million square miles. Just be sure to turn off the highways, head to the small towns, and discover some favorites of your own. The best of the USA is always away from the major highways in the little no-name towns with little diners, quirky shops, and friendly people! For more travel tips on traveling the USA, read these other blog posts: How Road Trip the USA on a Budget 9 Things I Learned While Driving Across the U.S. Detailed Travel Planning Guide on The United States 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 budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) 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 a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! 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 My 31 Favorite Places to Visit in the USA appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I used to think “home” was a dirty word. Out there — on the road — was where life happened, full of exciting adventures, fascinating people, and endless possibilities. No dreary commutes, 30-minute lunch breaks, mind-numbing meetings, or endless lists of to-dos squeezed into a rushed weekend. Why would anyone want to be home, the...

The post Home and Travel: Why You Can’t Appreciate One Without the Other appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I used to think “home” was a dirty word. Out there — on the road — was where life happened, full of exciting adventures, fascinating people, and endless possibilities. No dreary commutes, 30-minute lunch breaks, mind-numbing meetings, or endless lists of to-dos squeezed into a rushed weekend. Why would anyone want to be home, the place where routine seemed to sap your will to exist? It baffled me. My first trip overseas — a vacation to Costa Rica — made me fall in love with travel. For all the reasons mentioned above, I realized why “vacations” were so romanticized in work culture. There was a freedom to them that stood in stark contrast to the daily corporate grind. So, when I finally quit my job, I set off on an adventure to experience all the world had to offer for as long as I could make my money last. I mean, who could possibly tire of life on the road? Well, me. Eventually, I did tire of being a full-time nomad. I craved a stable group of friends, regular workouts, a bar that knew my name, a kitchen to cook in, and my own bed. Suddenly, I realized that “home” wasn’t a dirty word. It just felt that way to a young, restless soul for whom adulthood felt eons away. I had come to understand what someone who is just setting out with romantic notions about travel couldn’t: You can burn out. On my first trip abroad, after 18 months, I hit the wall and decided to cut my trip short. Then, years later, in 2013, I decided that being a nomad was no longer the life for me and decided to stop traveling full-time. It was time to grow up, I said. Time to stay put and move on from nomad to… whatever came next. But the allure of the road — and the business of working in travel — pulled me back constantly. As the years went by, I lived between two worlds: one in which I am traveling, longing for home, and another in which I am home, longing to head out again. There were moments where I longed for a clone so I could live in both and satisfy my dual desires. After all, you can’t — and shouldn’t — live solely in one forever. Because travel and home are complementary forces, yin and yang. Without one, you can’t appreciate the other. All travelers hit a wall, that moment when they look around and go, “I’m ready to stay in one place.” When and why that happens is a product of many factors, but I have yet to meet a traveler who doesn’t have that experience. When I started traveling in my twenties, it took me years to feel that. But now, a couple of decades older, it happens after just a month. To handle life, the brain creates mental shortcuts to help it process information. It’s why we tend to drive the same route to work every day — it’s just easier, and it’s why you feel like “you can do it in your sleep.” Because if your brain had to figure out a new route to work every day, it would tire itself out. These routines let us put a lot of life on autopilot, so we have energy for work, people, emotions, thoughts, etc. But when you travel, you are relearning life skills every day. You have no mental shortcuts. It takes a lot of mental energy to figure out your way in the world anew each day, to repack your bag, say good-bye to the person you met yesterday, and head out and try again to navigate unfamiliar lands, languages, and people as if you had never done so before. It tires you out. Whereas a vacation is a temporary break from life, long-term travel is different. When you travel long-term (or are on the move frequently), there is no break. You’re constantly trying to figure things out and also constantly breaking your routine. Your travel battery drains. Yet in the same way the travel battery needs to be recharged, our “home” battery does too. While some people can follow the same routine their entire lives, most of us can’t. We find it boring. We need a break. After a while in one place, we yearn to break up the monotony of our daily routine. Work, commutes, errands… day in, day out, like ants marching on and on. So we go travel again. We have an adventure, meet new people, try new food, and have new experiences. Maybe be learn, grow, and expand who we are as a person. Maybe we’re away for a week or two or we take a month off. Or we start working remotely and spend months away. But eventually our battery drains: we get tired, and then we head home again. And the cycle repeats. Growing older has made me believe that we can never fully appreciate home or travel without the other. My first years on the road would never have been so amazing if I weren’t trying to break free from a quarter-century of routine. Likewise, my bed never would have felt so good had I not spent so many years on the move, changing rooms, and having erratic sleep. Nor would I have enjoyed the relief that routine brings had I not spent so many days trying to navigate the stresses of the world for so long. The joy of one is amplified by the other. Travel and home are two sides to the same coin. I appreciate each more now than when I was younger, because I get to experience both on my own terms. I’m not trying to run away from either or go to an extreme anymore. I simply follow their ebb and flow and let the battery of life dictate when one or the other happens. And I think that is a wisdom that only comes with age — and experience. How to Travel the World on $75 a Day My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.” Click here to learn more and start reading it today! 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 budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) 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 a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! 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 Home and Travel: Why You Can’t Appreciate One Without the Other appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company. When you run a business, every dollar counts....

The post American Express® Business Gold Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company. When you run a business, every dollar counts. Having the right credit card can not only help you pay the bills, but it can go a long way to help you actually save money. As a business owner, you can qualify for cards that offer better rewards and perks than most personal travel cards. (And don’t forget: freelancers, side hustlers, and really anyone with a bit of income on the side can qualify for business cards too. You don’t need to be an LLC or have a formal business setup!!) One of the cards I love is the American Express® Business Gold Card. It’s simple and straightforward, offering flexible bonus categories that actually match your spending habits (something I wish more cards did), and is especially good if you do a lot of paid online ads. Here’s everything you need to know about the American Express® Business Gold Card to see if it’s right for you: What is the American Express® Business Gold Card? The Business Gold Card is an easy-to-use business card issued by American Express. Its best feature is the ability to earn 4x points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month, from six eligible categories (more on those below). I like that this keeps things simple, instead of offering a laundry list of statement credits to keep track of (though if you are interested in a card that does, check out my review of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express). As an Amex card, you’ll also get access to fantastic customer service, Amex Offers, and some travel protections. Here’s a glance at some of the benefits this card offers: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first three months of Card Membership Earn 4x Membership Rewards points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month, from six eligible categories. While your top two categories may change, you will earn 4x points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1x). Only the top two categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap Earn 3x Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card Earn 1x on all other purchases Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores (that’s up to $240 per year) Earn up to a $12.95 (plus applicable taxes on one membership fee) statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card (that’s up to $155 per year) No foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees) Extended warranty, purchase, and cellphone protection* Secondary car rental and baggage insurance* The card does come with a $375 annual fee (See Rates and Fees). *Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company. Earning Membership Rewards Points As I mentioned, the best feature of this card is the ability to earn 4x in the two categories where your business spends the most (on your first $150,000 of spending each year). It’s important to understand that this doesn’t include all spending categories though, just these six eligible categories: Purchases at US media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio) U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery U.S. purchases at gas stations Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S. The nice part about this benefit is that your top two categories can change from month to month, reflecting your real-time business needs. But one of the ways to really maximize this benefit is that you can get 4x on online ads while most other cards offer a max of 3x. So, if you put all your online ads on this card and keep it as one of your top categories, you can get more points per dollar spent on ads than any other card! And don’t worry about keeping track of which categories are your most used. The card automatically figures out your top two spending categories and awards points accordingly (you’ll see them as 1x until your statement closes, after which your top categories will be determined and points awarded). To me, this is a huge perk because it keeps things simple. After all, as a business owner, you already have enough on your plate. On the flip side, your regular business spending might not align with these categories. If that’s the case, I’d recommend a business card that has an increased earning rate on the ones that you do spend in, or one that earns more across all categories (you can check out which ones I recommend in this post on my favorite business cards). Using Your Membership Rewards Points With the Business Gold Card, you’ll earn Membership Rewards® points, which you can transfer to any of Amex’s 21 airline and hotel partners. Since Amex has a well-rounded suite of travel partners, Membership Rewards points are some of the most valuable points out there. These are Amex’s current travel partners: Aer Lingus AerClub (1:1 ratio) Aeromexico Rewards (1:1.6 ratio) Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1 ratio) Air France-KLM Flying Blue (1:1 ratio) ANA Mileage Club (1:1 ratio) Avianca LifeMiles (1:1 ratio) British Airways Club (1:1 ratio) Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1 ratio) Choice Privileges (1:1 ratio) Delta SkyMiles (1:1 ratio) Emirates Skywards (1:1 ratio) Etihad Guest (1:1 ratio) HawaiianMiles (1:1 ratio) Hilton Honors (1:2 ratio) Iberia Plus (1:1 ratio) JetBlue TrueBlue (250:200 ratio) Marriott Bonvoy (1:1 ratio) Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1 ratio) Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1 ratio) Singapore KrisFlyer (1:1 ratio) Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1 ratio) Most transfers are instant, though some can take up to 48 hours. Remember to only transfer the exact number of points that you need to book your flight or hotel. Transfers are one-way only. You can also use your Membership Rewards points to book flights and hotels in the Amex Travel portal. I would advise against it though. It’s not as good a value as transferring your points to partners. Up to $395 Per Year in Flexible Credit for Business Purchases The Business Gold card offers statement credits in two categories, adding up to a potential annual savings of $395 per year (effectively paying for the cost of the card). First, you can earn up to $20 in statement credits each month after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores. Second, you can earn up to $12.95 in statement credits each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. (Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible.) I find these statement credits a bit random, and they’re not the most helpful if you have an online business like me. I usually max out on the Grubhub credits though! Access to Amex Offers The Business Gold Card also has access to Amex Offers, an ever-changing roster of deals where you can save money or earn bonus points with select retailers. The offers are targeted, so every cardholder has their own unique array of offers at any given time. For these offers, you do have to add them to your card before making a purchase (or you won’t get the deal). Usually, they’re structured as “spend X, get Y amount back as a statement credit” though sometimes they’ll offer bonus points or a percentage back. While you probably won’t be able to take advantage of most offers, the more you can, the more you can offset the card’s annual fee. New offers get added as old ones expire, so it’s worth checking back every so often so you can add any offers to your card that you might use. Who is the Business Gold Card for? The Business Gold card is best for business owners who have regular spending in the six categories where you can earn 4x points. This card is especially ideal for entrepreneurs who don’t want to worry about rotating or pre-selecting bonus categories. All you have to do is use it for your regular business spending and you’ll get your points. Like with any card, if you’re carrying a balance — or think you might — you shouldn’t get this one. Travel cards like this come with high interest rates, and the rewards you earn won’t make up for what you’ll lose in interest charges. Trust me, no amount of points is worth going into debt over! This card is also not for anyone with poor credit, as you need excellent credit to qualify. (If that’s you, check out the best credit cards for improving your score.) *** The American Express Business Gold Card is one of my favorite business cards. The ability to automatically earn 4x points on your top two spending categories each month keeps things simple and helps you rack up points quickly. And more points equals more trips. While it’s not as flashy as its more premium counterpart the Business Platinum, I like to keep the Business Gold in my wallet because it works hard behind the scenes. If you’re looking for a solid business card that works as hard as you do, this one’s worth a closer look. Click here to learn more and sign up! Stop paying full price for travel! Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It's how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I'll show you: How to Pick a Credit Card How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending How to Redeem Your Points And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips! Get the guide 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 budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) 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 a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! 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 American Express® Business Gold Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Budget travelers love saving money — myself included. But one of the expenses that we shouldn’t be cheap with is travel insurance. After over 17 years of traveling the world, I still never leave home without it. Why? Because I’ve seen firsthand how useful it can be — and how much money it can save....

The post SafetyWing Travel Insurance Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Budget travelers love saving money — myself included. But one of the expenses that we shouldn’t be cheap with is travel insurance. After over 17 years of traveling the world, I still never leave home without it. Why? Because I’ve seen firsthand how useful it can be — and how much money it can save. I’ve lost baggage, had my camera broken, and even needed emergency medical help over the years. Travel insurance has been there for me each time. Not only has it saved me money but it’s provided me with peace of mind as I explore. I’ve written extensively over the years about why you need insurance, how to pick the right company, and listed my preferred providers. Today, I want to talk about my favorite travel insurance company: SafetyWing. Who is SafetyWing? SafetyWing is an insurance company that focuses on affordable coverage for budget travelers and digital nomads (though you don’t have to be either to get coverage). It is run by nomads and expats who know exactly what such travelers need. SafetyWing offers basic insurance plans (called “Nomad Essential”) for a fraction of what other companies charge, although they are also less comprehensive. To me, they are the best overall travel insurance company out there. Their standard Nomad Insurance coverage costs just $56.28 USD for 4 weeks (for travelers aged 10-39). That’s one of the lowest prices out there for reliable travel insurance. They are super competitive when it comes to price. Their coverage extends all the way to age 69, however, travelers aged 60-69 should expect to pay upwards of $196 USD per month for coverage. Still very reasonable, to be honest. But is the coverage actually good? What about the customer service? Today I want to review Safety Wing and talk about when it is — and isn’t — worth using so you can better prepare for your next trip and ensure you have the coverage you need. What Does SafetyWing Cover? SafetyWing’s standard Nomad Insurance plan is the Essential plan. It’s just $56.28 USD for four weeks of travel (outside the US). That works out to just $1.87 USD per day! For travelers under age 64, that plan includes the following: $250,000 USD in emergency medical coverage $1,000 USD for emergency dental care $100,000 USD for medical evacuation ($25,000 USD if the cause of medical evacuation is acute onset of pre-existing condition) $10,000 USD for an evacuation due to political upheaval $5,000 USD for a trip interruption Up to $100 a day after a 12-hour delay period requiring an unplanned overnight stay. Subject to a maximum of 2 days. $12,500–25,000 USD for death or dismemberment $20,000 USD for repatriation of remains Be sure to check the description of coverage for any conditions that apply. Its $100,000 USD for medical evacuation is on the low end, but unless you’re heading out into the remote wilderness, that should be fine. (If you want higher coverage, get MedJet.) Its travel-delay payout is pretty low, but airlines and most travel credit cards provide travel delay assistance too so you might not even need the coverage offered by SafetyWing. Additionally, it doesn’t really cover expensive electronics, which sucks if you have a pricey camera or video gear. As with most standard travel insurance plans, this one doesn’t include pre-existing conditions or certain adventure sports, so it’s not a good policy if you’re going to do a lot of adventure activities on the road. They do offer a couple helpful add-ons that I think a lot of travelers will appreciate, including coverage for adventure activities and electronics theft. That means that if you need the coverage, you can pay extra for it. However, if you don’t need it then you don’t have to pay for it, keeping your costs low. I appreciate that, as someone who always needs electronic coverage but who never needs adventure activity coverage (I’m not a big adrenaline junkie). What’s Not Covered? The Essential plan is primarily geared towards covering medical emergencies and basic travel mishaps (like delays and lost luggage). Here are some things that aren’t covered: Alcohol- or drug-related incidents. Extreme sports & adventure activities (unless you purchase the adventure sports add-on, which is available for non-US residents) Pre-existing conditions or general check-ups Trip cancellation Lost or stolen cash Nomad Complete: Coverage for Digital Nomads and Long-Term Travelers In 2023, SafetyWing launched Nomad Health (now called their “Complete” plan). It’s insurance for digital nomads, remote workers, and long-term travelers. This new plan offers a mix of the standard emergency coverage that we’ve been discussing above along with “regular” health care coverage, such as routine visits and preventive care. The Complete plan also offers coverage in 175 countries, includes wellness benefits, mental health care, and the ability for individuals to choose their own doctor while traveling. They will be expanding coverage too, including an add-on for “electronics theft” (which, as someone who has been robbed while traveling, I think is a great idea). It’s like the kind of health insurance you’d find in your home country, ensuring that you’re looked after no matter what happens while you’re abroad. You can learn more and compare the plans here. If you’re just heading out for a couple weeks or a couple months, SafetyWing’s Essential plan is the option for you. It’s perfect for emergencies, is super affordable, and is designed for budget travelers. It’s the plan I use when I travel these days. However, if you’re going to be working abroad or traveling for months (or years), then their new Complete plan is the better option. It offers much more coverage while still being affordable. In fact, it’s the plan I wish I had when I started traveling long-term! You can learn more about the Complete plan in my dedicated review. Making a Claim SafetyWing makes it easy to file a claim through their online portal. You just upload all the required documents, screenshots, and photos, and wait to hear back. While claims can take up to 45 business days, most are handled in less than a week (as of writing, the average wait time is four days). If you read the reviews online, most people who had a negative experience either didn’t know about the deductible (SafetyWing removed their deductible for non-US residents as of 2024) or hated the length of time it took to get paid. But that’s pretty normal for people to complain about. On the plus side, SafetyWing’s average time to handle a claim is down to just four days. That’s way faster than most companies! A Note About COVID SafetyWing does include coverage for COVID-19. As long as the virus was not contracted before your plan starts, then it will be covered (as long as it is medically necessary). SafetyWing also covers quarantine costs (outside your home country) for up to $50 USD/day for 10 days (provided that you’ve had your plan for at least 28 days). Pros and Cons of SafetyWing Here’s a look that the pros and cons of SafetyWing at a glance to help you decide if it’s the best insurance provider for you and your trip: PROS CONS Most affordable travel insurance out there Only covers up to age 69 Offers coverage for COVID-19 Limited coverage for gear/electronics You can buy plans online even if you’re already on your trip Limited coverage for adventure activities Easy to submit claims online No trip cancellation coverage After being abroad for 90 days, you keep your medical coverage for 30 days in your home country (15 days if you’re from the U.S.) Up to 2 children under 10 per family (1 per adult) can be included for free 24/7 assistance hotline No need to set an end date (subscription renews every 4 weeks) Two different plans mean you can easily find one that works for you/your budget Who is SafetyWing Good — and Not Good For? SafetyWing is designed as mainly medical coverage. Since SafetyWing is designed for the budget-conscious digital nomad, it doesn’t cover some areas that might be more of a priority for a shorter-term traveler. Here’s a quick chart to help you decide if SafetyWing is right for you: GOOD FOR NOT GOOD FOR Budget travelers People traveling with a TON of electronics Someone looking for simple emergency coverage Anyone needing comprehensive trip delay or cancellation People without lots of expensive electronics People doing excessive extreme sports/activities Digital nomads who need medical coverage for long-term travel *** Travel insurance is something I never leave home without. I know it’s a boring topic to read about and research, but it can literally save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in bills! I never, ever leave home without it. You shouldn’t either. So, the next time you’re on the road, consider SafetyWing. To me, they are the best travel insurance company out there for budget travelers. You can use the booking widget below to get a quote (it’s free): 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 budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) 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 a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! 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 SafetyWing Travel Insurance Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Paris is filled with famous attractions: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Versailles, the catacombs, the Pantheon, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre-Coeur. The list goes on. There are so many amazing sites here that you could spend days (heck, even weeks) just seeing the main, most well-known ones. But there’s more to Paris than the sites...

The post 14 Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to See and Do in Paris appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Paris is filled with famous attractions: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Versailles, the catacombs, the Pantheon, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre-Coeur. The list goes on. There are so many amazing sites here that you could spend days (heck, even weeks) just seeing the main, most well-known ones. But there’s more to Paris than the sites that attract thousands upon thousands of visitors each day. While I was living in Paris the past few months, I made it my mission to see some of the more unusual, lesser-known (but equally awesome) attractions (that didn’t come with the aggravating crowds that make so many of Paris’ attractions unbearable). And, while some of the things on the list below might not be “super secret” attractions or activities, they do fall into the category of “overlooked attractions” so I included them. Here are some of the best off-the-beaten-path things to see and do in Paris: 1. Musée Édith Piaf Édith Piaf is perhaps the most famous French singer from the 1930s to the 1960s, and known around the world for her songs La vie en rose and Non, je ne regrette rien (which appeared in the movie Inception). She lived in a little apartment in the Ménilmontant district at the start of her career, which has been turned into a tiny museum dedicated to her. You get a glimpse at her life through her gold and platinum records, photographs, clothing, letters from fans, posters, recordings, and sheet music. Admission is free, but you’ll need to make an appointment. 2. Musée Curie Marie Curie was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize (and the only woman to win it twice) for her research into radioactivity (a word that she invented). She was the first female professor at the University of Paris as well as the first woman to be entombed in the Panthéon on her own merits. Located in the 5th arrondissement, this museum, in her old laboratory, highlights her radiological research. It’s insightful and eye-opening for anyone unfamiliar with her historic discoveries. 3. Archives Nationales Opened in 1867, the National Archives houses thousands of historical documents dating back to 625 CE. One of six national archives in the country, the museum sheds light on France’s turbulent past, providing nuanced historical details and context through permanent and temporary exhibitions. Built by the order of Napoleon I, the building itself (known as the Hôtel de Soubise) is absolutely stunning. It is in the late Baroque style, embracing long columns and lots of statues and sculptures. It features immaculate grounds and gardens as well. They always hold a lot of good exhibitions too. 4. Librairie Galignani This bookshop claims to be the oldest English bookstore in continental Europe, having opened in Paris in 1801. Prior to that, they were located in Venice and the Galignani name has been associated with publishing books since the 16th century. Age aside, this is a great place to browse as it is absolutely packed with books. You could easily spend a couple hours here hunting through the stacks and shelves. It’s a quiet, quaint shop and the staff are super knowledgeable. If you’re an avid reader like me, don’t miss it! 5. Paris Point Zero This is the official center of Paris, from which all distances in the city are measured. While it’s just a simple brass star set into the sidewalk near the Notre Dame Cathedral, there are a few popular rituals here that make this a short but fun stop (and since you’ll likely be nearby visiting the Cathedral, you might as well stop here). Some people treat the star as a wishing well, tossing a coin and making a wish (which is why there are usually a handful of coins on the star). Others, however, insist that if you stand on the star with your loved one and kiss, your love will last forever. 6. The Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy Opened in 1898, this gallery is a part of the French National Museum of Natural History. Taking up the ground floor of the building, it’s home to over 1,000 animal skeletons from around the world, including complete skeletons of elephants, large cats, and even dinosaurs. It’s as interesting as it is unsettling: all the animals are facing the same way, making it look like you’re in the midst of some undead stampede! Planning a trip to Europe? Get all my best travel tips along with these guides: Travel Planning 101 61 Savvy Travel Tips The Best Hostels in Europe My Favorite Travel Companies How to Get Free Flights to Europe Enter your info below to get your FREE guides sent to you today! Get the free guide 7. Petite Ceinture In use from 1862 through 1964, the railway circling Paris was abandoned when the city expanded beyond its limits. It’s mostly hidden behind buildings and covered in wild plants and grass now, though some sections are now officially open to the public. You’ll find all sorts of flowers and street art along the tracks. While some sections are illegal to visit, near Parc Georges Brassens you’ll find a section of the tracks known as the ‘Passage de la Petite Ceinture’ that is both free and legal to visit. It’s located in the 15e arrondissement. 8. The Salvador Dalí Sundial This surrealist sundial was created by world-renowned artist Salvador Dalí. Located on Rue Saint-Jacques, it’s a mix of a human face and a scallop shell (the symbol of the Camino to Santiago, since the street is named after the saint). While the sundial doesn’t actually work, it’s nevertheless an easy way to see a piece of artwork by one of the most famous artists in the world. 9. Le Passe-Muraille This iconic bronze sculpture is located near Montmartre, making it an easy stop on your itinerary. It’s based on a character from The Man Who Walked Through Walls (Le Passe-Muraille), a short story by Parisian Marcel Aymé published in 1941. In the story, a man gains the ability to pass through walls and he uses the skill to get up to no good. At the end of the book, though, his power fades just as he is passing through a wall…and he gets stuck. If you get up close to the sculpture, you’ll see that the hands of the statue are extra smooth, thanks to countless people taking photos of themselves trying to pull the man free. 10. Montmartre Cemetery While the Père Lachaise Cemetery is the largest and most popular in Paris, for a more secluded stroll, check out the Montmartre Cemetery. Plenty of people visit the top of Montmartre for Sacré-Coeur and the view, but few take the time to wander this cemetery sitting at the foot of the district. It opened in 1825 and is home to many cobwebbed mausoleums, as well as a handful of stray cats. You won’t see many people here, so you can explore in peace. 11. The Museum of Counterfeiting Opened in 1972, this museum is home to counterfeit items that have been collected by France’s customs agents and police (as well as donated items from brands and consumers alike). There are over 500 items in the museum, ranging from counterfeit art and luxury goods to more mundane items, like cleaning supplies. While some knockoffs are impressive in their duplicity, it’s also funny to see just how bad some counterfeiters were! 12. Promenade Planteé (Coulée verte René-Dumont) This tree-lined walkway is a greenbelt that extends almost 5km along the old Vincennes railway line. The railway line ceased functioning in 1969, with the park being inaugurated a few decades afterward. Until New York built their High Line, it was the only elevated park in the entire world. (And, honestly, this is way nicer than the NYC High Line). You’ll find lots of trees, flowers, ponds, and places to sit along this long path that stretches from Bastille to the edge of Paris. It’s a long, easy, and beautiful walk. You won’t find many people here. Even on a nice day, it’s rather empty. It quickly became one of my favorite things to do in Paris and I can’t recommend coming here enough! 13. Canal Saint-Martin Stretching 4.5km, the Canal Saint-Martin is a man-made waterway commissioned by Napoleon. Construction finished in 1825, connecting the Canal de l’Ourcq to the Seine via both above-ground locks and underground tunnels. While not any secret spot (on a nice day, you’ll find the canal lined with people), it’s mostly a spot for locals who want to have a picnic and relax. So, say no to the Seine, and come have your outdoor picnic along the canal. It’s more relaxing and there will be fewer people! 14. Museé de Montmartre Founded in 1960, this museum is located throughout two buildings that date back to the 17th century. Over the years, the buildings were home to many famous writers and painters. The gardens of the museum were actually renovated to look more like the gardens in Renoir’s paintings (there is also a vineyard nearby that dates back to the Middle Ages but it makes horrible wine). The museum’s permanent collection includes a wide variety of paintings, posters, and drawings. *** While the main sights in Paris are always worth checking out, if you want to be more than a tourist and develop a greater appreciation for the City of Light’s unique and complex history, visit these unconventional and unusual attractions in Paris. Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Paris! For more in-depth information, check out my guidebook to Paris written 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 around Paris. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, transportation and safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today! Plan your trip to Europe like a pro Get all my best Europe travel tips as well as free planning guides sent straight to you and see more of the country for less! Get your guides here! Book Your Trip to Paris: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner. 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 suggested hostels, here is a list of my favorite hostels in Paris. If you prefer to stay in a hotel, these are my favorite hotels. And if you’re wondering what part of town to stay in, here’s my neighborhood breakdown of Paris! 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 budget travelers) World Nomads (for mid-range travelers) 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. Need a Guide? Paris 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. They’re my go-to walking tour company in the city. Want More Information on Paris? Be sure to visit my robust destination guide to Paris for even more blogging tips! The post 14 Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to See and Do in Paris appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

News releases from Gateway National Recreation Area.

Middletown, N.J. – The Leave No Trace organization has selected Sandy Hook as a 2025 Spotlight site. As outdoor areas, including Sandy Hook, continue to experience the impacts of record visitation, this new initiative from Leave No Trace shines a light on communities rising to meet this challenge with multi-day, onsite education and restoration initiatives. From June 19-21, 2025, Leave No Trace will be in Middletown, NJ with Gateway National Recreation Area to work with the community and local land agencies to deliver Leave No Trace education as well as partner on restoration and stewardship projects. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-selected-as-a-2025-leave-no-trace-spotlight.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area will continue to close sections of Jacob Riis Park Beach due to hazardous conditions. Significant beach erosion occurred along the eastern shoreline of Jacob Riis Park Beach. The erosion exposed deteriorated wooden groins, rockwork, and other structures. Access restrictions established in 2024 will continue at Bays 1 and 4 due to these unsafe conditions from beach erosion. Bays 1 and 4 will remain closed to access and swimming. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jacob-riis-park-access-restrictions-2025.htm

Brooklyn, N.Y. –Gateway National Recreation Area (Gateway) is seeking proposals to lease a sports and events center as well as golf facilities in two different locations. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-issues-requests-for-proposals-for-sports-and-events-center-and-outdoor-golf-facilities.htm

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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https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/tu-parque-tu-salud-internships.htm

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

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gmp-open-house-nov-2010.htm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lois and Sig Steine exhibition of artwork at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/steine-artwork-opening.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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams from the Department of the Interior (DOI) and US Forest Service recently completed field data evaluations to produce the Soil Burn Severity (SBS) map for the Dragon Bravo Fire. This map field-verifies the accuracy of burn severity categories (unburned/very low, low, moderate, and high) from satellite images and helps estimate post-fire risks, such as erosion, sediment washing into streams, increased stream flows, and the chances of debris flows. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/doi-usfs-soil-burn-severity-map-available.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. Operational changes include: Camper Services, operated by Delaware North, will reopen to the public. Water spigots in Mather Campground and Desert View Campground will be turned on. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/easing-water-restrictions-august-2025.htm

A multi-agency Department of the Interior (DOI) Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is beginning work this week to assess the impacts of the Dragon Bravo Fire on National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management lands. This process involves identifying the values at risk, determining any post-fire impacts to those values, and prescribing treatments to mitigate impacts. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/baer-team-arrives-to-grand-canyon.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has reopened sections of key corridor trails on the South Rim that were closed July 13, 2025, due to safety concerns following the Dragon Bravo Fire. Effective immediately: •South Kaibab Trail is open from the South Kaibab Trailhead to Tipoff. •Tonto Trail is open from Tipoff to Havasupai Gardens. •Bright Angel Trail is open from the Bright Angel Trailhead to Pipe Creek Resthouse. These reopenings follow significant improvements in air quality in the inner canyon over the past week. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-rim-corridor-trails-partially-reopened.htm

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will implement additional water restrictions and conservation measures. Crews have repaired the broken section of the Transcanyon Waterline; however, due to a mechanical issue at Havasupai Gardens, pumping has not yet resumed to the South Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/additional-water-restrictions-august-9-2025.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will implement water conservation measures for the South Rim of the park. These water restrictions are in response to a broken section of pipeline north of Phantom Ranch. 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-restrictions-south-rim-august-2025.htm

The National Park Service is asking for the public’s help in locating Thomas Daniel Gibbs, 35, of Freehold, New Jersey, who was last heard from on July 22, 2025, at approximately 12 p.m. Gibbs’ family and friends reported him missing on Monday, July 28. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/gibbs-missing-person.htm

Effective immediately, due to high fire danger, Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions for the South Rim and all other areas of the park. The restriction encompasses the entire park including all campgrounds, residential areas, backcountry sites and developed recreation sites. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage-2-fire-restrictions-july-2025.htm

The Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park exhibited extreme and volatile fire behavior the evening of July 12, resulting in a 500-acre expansion. Fire managers have confirmed the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge and numerous historic cabins in the developed area. On July 12, at approximately 10:30 p.m., fire activity intensified rapidly, fueled by sustained winds of 20 mph and gusts reaching up to 40 mph. Firefighters made significant efforts overnight to slow the fire’s progression under dangerous and fast-changing conditions. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dragon-bravo-fire-update-july-13-2025.htm

On July 12, at approximately 3:30 p.m., firefighters responding to the Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim in Grand Canyon National Park reported that the North Rim water treatment facility had caught fire. It was later confirmed that chlorine gas was released from the treatment facility. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/chlorine-gas-leak-july-2025.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park has temporarily closed the North Rim until further notice due to the White Sage Fire near Jacob Lake, Ariz. The White Sage Fire is located on BLM lands and is not currently burning within Grand Canyon National Park. Due to the fire’s progression toward Jacob Lake, which is now under evacuation orders, all visitors on the North Rim are required to evacuate immediately. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-closure-white-sage-fire.htm

On July 8 at approximately 11:50 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an unresponsive hiker on the South Kaibab Trail, below Cedar Ridge. Bystanders immediately initiated CPR while National Park Service (NPS) medical personnel responded via helicopter. All attempts to resuscitate the individual were unsuccessful. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-south-kaibab-july-2025.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has identified the cause of a recent power outage affecting the North Rim as an equipment failure involving a transformer near the Grand Canyon Lodge. Power has been out at the Grand Canyon Lodge since approximately 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 1. Overnight reservations were cancelled starting the evening of June 2 due to the outage. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/update-to-north-rim-power-outage.htm

The thirty-fifth annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 21 through Saturday, June 28, 2025, 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. The event is sponsored by the National Park Service, Grand Canyon Conservancy, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (South Rim), and the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix (North Rim). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-star-party-2025.htm

On May 15, at approximately 4:45 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an unresponsive hiker on the North Kaibab Trail, approximately half a mile below the North Kaibab Trailhead. Despite efforts by bystanders and National Park Service (NPS) personnel to resuscitate the individual, the hiker, identified as Dennis Smith, 74, of Olympia, Washington, was pronounced dead at the scene. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-along-north-kaibab-trail-may-2025.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Thursday, May 15 at 6 a.m. to mark the official start of the 2025 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2025 seasonal operations on this date. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-opens-may-15-for-2025-season.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will reopen the Bright Angel Trail and Campground for public use beginning May 15, 2025. Multiple inner canyon areas were closed last fall for Transcanyon Waterline project construction activities. The Phantom Ranch Canteen and Lodge reopened on schedule, April 1. The River Trail, between River Resthouse and the South Kaibab Trail junction, Silver Bridge and Plateau Point Trail, between the Tonto Trail West junction to Plateau Point, originally scheduled to reopen in May, will remain closed until Oct. 1, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tcwl-trail_closure-modifications-2025.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will implement a fee increase for frontcountry standard campsites at Desert View, North Rim, and Mather Campgrounds starting May 1, 2025. Rates for standard campsites will increase to $30 per night. Group sites will remain $55 per night. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/campground-fee-rate-change-may-2025.htm

On Saturday, February 1, 2025, 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 2026. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/non-commercial-river-lottery-announced-2026.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is seeking the public’s input on a proposed fee increase for non-commercial river trips. The proposed change would begin March 1, 2025. The existing $25 lottery application cost fee would remain the same and the flat rate per-person cost would increase from $90 to $310 for Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek and $0 to $55 for Diamond Creek to Pearce Ferry. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/proposed-fee-increase-noncommercial-river-trips.htm

The National Park Service is actively searching for a missing person last seen at Grand Canyon National Park. On December 10, 2024, Martha Overholser, was last seen at Mather Point on the South Rim and later failed to return on a commercial bus tour. Martha Overholser, 66, is believed to have walked west from the Mather Point area, possibly towards the Bright Angel Lodge or Hermits Rest. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-conducts-missing-person-search-at-grand-canyon-december-2024.htm

Fire managers at Grand Canyon National Park are preparing to conduct a prescribed burn operation on the North Rim this week, which will begin on Tuesday, December 10. These operations will help reduce hazardous fuel loads, improve forest health, and restore natural fire regimes. The burns are expected to occur over several days and will coincide with prescribed burns planned on the North Kaibab Ranger District. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-fire-beginning-dec10-north-rim.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. 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-south-rim-december-2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is implementing mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim, effective immediately. These measures are in response to a pipeline break along the North Kaibab Trail, which has impacted the park's water supply. To help conserve water, all residents, visitors, and park operations are urged to reduce water usage wherever possible, including in homes, hotel rooms, and campgrounds. These efforts are critical to maintaining water availability while still ensuring public health and safety. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-initiates-water-conservation-measures-nov-26-2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) has been awarded National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) grants through the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety (AZ GOHS). This funding will enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety, speed enforcement, and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) prevention efforts within the park. The grants will support a variety of initiatives aimed at improving safety for both community members and the millions of visitors who visit the Grand Canyon each year. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rangers-receive-azgohs-funding-2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is seeking the public’s input on a proposed increase for frontcountry camping fees. This increase would begin April 1, 2025. Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) collects campground fees from visitors for overnight stays. GRCA is seeking public comment on proposed fee increases for standard tent and RV sites at Mather, Desert View and North Rim campgrounds. The current camping fees have remained unchanged for the past 20 years. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/public-comment-on-proposed-campground-fee-increase-november-2024.htm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Adventure Travel Blog

I’m a huge fan of booking flights with points and miles. Trips that can cost thousands in cash …

The post Booking Flights With Points: An Easy Guide appeared first on We Seek Travel.

I’m a huge fan of booking flights with points and miles. Trips that can cost thousands in cash suddenly cost next to nothing. The points game, however, can be incredibly confusing. Earning the points is the easy part; understanding how to book with them is an entirely different beast. While I’m no expert on the ins and outs of airline alliances and transfer partners, I’ve found a few good tools to help me use my points. Why Use Points and Miles to Book Flights Making savvy use of credit card points, which rack up quickly through your every day spending along with the occasional major purchase, can get you on more flights more often for nearly free. Or, if you’re planning a particularly long flight and want a more comfortable trip, credit card points can get you to a business class seat, literally saving you thousands of dollars for a single flight leg. Tip: Some airpoints charge much higher taxes and fees that are still passed on to you when you book with points. Heathrow is a common example of this; I try to avoid flying through Heathrow whenever trying to use points, because I’d still usually end up paying several hundreds of dollars. How to Earn Credit Card Points Quickly Earning points is straightforward. Simply get a travel rewards credit card (ideally with a nice initial bonus once you meet a spending goal) then use it for your everyday purchases. By being smart with your purchases – for instance, using a card that gives you 5x for travel on travel, while using the card that gives you 4x for restaurants on dining – you can quickly rack up a ton of points. Additionally, you can get more credit card points or airline miles by using shopping portals. This is especially nice for major purchases. But after I started earning points, I didn’t realize it takes a bit of leg work to actually use those points. Tip: What you don’t want to do is book your flight directly through your credit card’s travel portal. Those flights (booked through the Amex or Chase travel portal, for instance) always cost an exorbitant number of points and give you a terrible value for those points. You’ll get much better value by transferring those points from the card to a partner airline (or hotel, but for the purposes of this post I’ll focus on flights). Why the Points and Miles System Feels Confusing That’s where the system to book flights with your heard-earned points can get incredibly complicated. Certain cards are partnered with only certain airlines. So if you want to transfer your Amex points to American Airlines, you’re out of luck. But, thanks to the airline alliances (Star, Oneworld, Sky Team), you can book a flight one one member of the alliance via another member. Once you understand that, you will then run into the problem that airlines only release a certain number of award tickets, so it can be hard to find the route you’re looking for. On top of all that to keep track of, some flights will be easily bookable online, whereas other airlines will require you to call to book on an allied airline. It’s a lot to manage, but if you can get the basics down then use helpful booking tools, it’s completely worth the hassle for the money saved. I suggest learning the basics without stressing too much about the details of each airline, then use a booking tool that walks you through step by step. My Personal Strategy for Booking Award Flights There are a swath of bloggers out there who can explain the most efficient ways to use points and tips for “point hacking” much better than I can. There are Facebook communities about only this topic, courses, and even personal consultants. Some of those can be great resources if you want to get really deep into it. But if there’s a spectrum of points aspiration from “I have no interest in getting a rewards credit card” to “I earn millions of points through potentially-illicit point manufacturing and I know exactly how far in advance each airline releases their award seats,” I fall somewhere in the middle, as I think a lot of people do. My general overall style is to 1) take advantage of a few credit card welcome bonuses per year while keeping a diverse portfolio of programs (Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards); 2) use a reward shopping portal (Rakuten, Aadvantage, etc) when I think of it but always when there’s a big purchase; then 3) use the tools below when it comes time to plan my trip. Usually I’m booking at least 6 months in advance, but you can also get great last minute flights. I’m sure I could be more efficient if I planned my trips a year ahead of time and set alerts for the day the award seats opened up on my chosen airline, but it’s just not realistic for me. The Best Tools for Managing and Booking Award Flights Rakuten – this is an online shopping portal to boost my Amex Membership Rewards. When you sign up, the app will default to cashback, but you can set your settings to get “paid” in credit card points rather than cash. As far as I know, Amex is the only travel card that works with Rakuten to earn points. You don’t actually have to use Amex to pay for the item you’re buying; as long as you have your Amex card linked and set to points rather than cash, you can use whatever card you want to pay for your purchase. I don’t use Rakuten all the time (usually because I don’t remember to), but if I know I have a large purchase to make, I do my best to find a store through Rakuten that carries it. Rakuten mobile app Remember to change the setting from cashback to points Notes app. To track my points among various credit cards, hotels, and airlines, I just update a pinned note in my phone’s notes app periodically. Not the most advanced, to be sure, but I’ve tried sites that sync with each of my accounts and keep things automatically updated in the past, and I find them far too buggy. So I just occasionally update the note to keep a general idea of how many points I have. Travel Freely app. I use this to research new credit cards and to track all the cards I have. The app details the perks of each card and reminds me when I have to reach the minimum spend to satisfy the welcome bonus, as well as when the annual fee is coming up. It’s free to use and well designed. If you’re so inclined, you can also include a “player 2” (usually this is your partner/spouse), but I’m not at the level of being able to track credit card spends for two of us. Of course, you should not be trying to play the multiple credit card game unless you can afford to pay off each card every month. Tip: A word on credit card annual fees. You’ll note in the screenshot I used that some of these cards have a very high annual fee. This is important to consider when getting these cards. For most of my cards, I usually get my money’s worth out of the annual fee; but thanks to some recent changes in benefits of the Amex Business Platinum, it’s tough for me to use the $700 in benefits every year. This means I need to downgrade. Usually when you get a new card, you’ll have to pay the annual fee once, but if you go about downgrading the right way, you generally don’t have to pay the annual fee the second year. Pointsyeah.com This is my personal go-to website as an award flight search tool that is free to use but powerful. It’s less popular than some of the other sites out there, but I find it to be incredibly helpful and easy to use. I enter my destination, select a span of a few days if there’s flexibility in my trip, and filter by all the programs I currently have points with. Each open award seat lists exactly how to book; for instance, this is a flight from Dallas to Rome on Finnair. The site tells me to transfer my Citi Thank You points to Aadvantage then links me to the American Airline website to book the Finnair flight. If you’re unsure how to transfer points, there’s a link just below the result explaining. Pointsyeah.com search tool allows you to filter by the bank and/or airline programs you have points with. I currently have the paid subscription ($99/year or $12/month), which makes things a bit more efficient by allowing you to search two departure and arrival cities and search across more travel days at a time. Pointsyeah also allows you to set up flight alerts – 4 for the free version and 32 for the paid. A cool newer feature is their “Daydream Explorer” – a global map where you can enter your departure city and visualize all the possible destination by number of points. Or, you can enter you’re destination city and see where it’s cheapest to fly from. This makes it easy to visualize if you need to take a positioning flight to get a great deal on a long haul flight. Other tools Point.me– This seems to be a fairly popular tool, but in my opinion it does not measure up to Pointsyeah. The free basic plan is limited to the degree that it’s not not all that useful. The standard plan runs around $11/month and offers more features (like searching up to 365 days in advance, allowing for a few flight alerts), but even that tier offers less than the Pointsyeah free version. Point.me’s website does appear cleaner and simpler. They also offer concierge planning services. While I haven’t personally used that service, it seems like it could be handy for the traveler who doesn’t know where to start or doesn’t have time to search award seats. Seats.areo – This is a great tool that I’m starting to use more. It includes some airlines that Pointsyeah doesn’t list, and an extensive list of results sorted in table format pops up in under a second. I suspect this can be a bit more overwhelming to process if you’re not familiar with the ins and outs of points transfers and airline alliances. Similar to Pointsyeah, it also has a tool to explore destination options by continent and filtering by award programs, if you’re flexible on where you’re traveling. There is less hand-holding in terms of how to book the award ticket, but if you’re already family with points game, this is a powerful tool that also has a user-friendly mobile app. The price is around $10/month; there is a free tier that’s much more limited. Seats.aero’s search tool quickly displays availability in table format. Seats.aero’s explore tools allows you to filter by continent, or even by anywhere in the world. Conclusion At the end of the day, points and miles aren’t about chasing every program or gaming the system, but about giving yourself wider travel options by saving money. The key is to keep it simple: get a few rewards credit cards, optimize the right card for the right purchase where you can, and stay organized with the right tools. Over time, these points will add up and open the door to bigger, more meaningful travel experiences.

I’ve used Airalo for a few years now, but recently tested Truely while traveling in Canada. Canada’s mobile …

The post Truely vs Airalo: Which eSIM is Better & Why? appeared first on We Seek Travel.

I’ve used Airalo for a few years now, but recently tested Truely while traveling in Canada. Canada’s mobile data prices are some of the highest in the world, so finding a good-value eSIM can make a real difference. I’ve relied on Airalo across dozens of trips, but this time I wanted to try Truely’s plans, which got my attention from their “Switchless eSIM”, and a promise of global coverage in 200+ destinations, and of course, unlimited data options. Over the past few years, I’ve tested many eSIMs from Southeast Asia to Europe, so I know how much small differences in speed, coverage, and usability can matter on the road. In this guide, I’ll break down how Truely compares to Airalo in pricing, coverage, ease of use, and extra features—plus share where I think each one makes sense. By the end, you’ll know exactly which I’d choose for my next trip. Table of Contents What is Truley eSIM? What is Airalo? Truley vs Airalo: Destinations & Pricing Truley vs Airalo: SIM Setup Process Truely vs Airalo: Pricing Truley vs Airalo: Connectivity & Speed Tests Truley vs Airalo: Managing Plans & Using the Apps Final Verdict My TL;DR Review: Airalo’s great for small, cheap data packs, but Truely’s Switchless eSIM, unlimited daily pricing, and easier app make it a great alternative for multi-country trips, or for more data in a single destination. Tip: Use the code weseektravel for 5% off any Truely eSIM plan. What is Truley eSIM? After testing many eSIMs, including Holafly, Airalo, Sim Local, and JetPac, to name a few, it's nice to test out an eSIM with some unique benefits. Truely caught my eye as an eSIM provider since they let you install one digital SIM, once, and stay online in over 200+ destinations without needing to swap profiles or hunt for local SIMs (and of course avoid roaming charges) It uses what it calls Switchless technology. This is pretty neat since the idea is to install it once, then just select your destination in the app and connect. It's great if you travel to a lot of different countries frequently like me since you won't need to juggle QR codes or reinstall eSIMs on the road for every new country. Their plan structure is simple but also quite unique. It ranges from single-country to regional and all offering unlimited data over a duration you pick (from 1 to 30+ days). I found that the longer the plan, the lower the daily rate, which works especially well for longer trips, or if you travel a lot. As I found out and will show you in the eSIM setup section of this post, the Truley app is also quite handy since it supports one‑click install, shows usage clearly, and offers 24/7 help via WhatsApp or a live chat, and they actually answer (without naming names) compared to a few other eSIM companies I've had to deal with before. What is Airalo? Similarly to Truely, Airalo is an eSIM provider that’s been around for a few years now and is becoming quite a popular option for travelers. I’ve used Airalo a couple of times across a few different countries and it’s always done the job of getting online quickly without hunting for a local SIM card. Airalo is quite similar to Truley in that it also covers over 200 countries and regions and their sims come with options from multiple local carriers. This means you can often choose between the cheapest plan, the fastest network, or a balance of both. Unlike Truely’s Switchless setup, Airalo issues a separate eSIM profile for each country or region, so you’ll need to install a new one whenever you change destinations. It’s not difficult, but it does take a couple more steps when moving between countries. Plans range from 1 GB short-term packages to large multi-GB regional bundles, and pricing is decent but I've noticed it has been increasing in recent years, especially for single-country plans in popular travel destinations. Data is usually prepaid and follows a conventional sim structure, with set expiries after the set duration, and limited data you can top up in-app. Airalo also has an app that is simple and reliable, features clear data tracking, plan management, and in-app top-ups. Support is available through the app as well, though in my experience, responses can take longer compared to Truely’s instant chat. Truley vs Airalo: Destinations & Pricing Both Truely and Airalo cover over 200 countries and regions, so you’ll be able to stay connected almost anywhere you travel. The main difference is how their plans are structured and how you connect when moving between destinations. With Truely, you install the eSIM once and then just switch destinations in the app. So when I went from Canada into the U.S., I didn’t have to set up anything new. This is especially handy if you’re crossing borders often since you’re not juggling multiple eSIM profiles. Airalo also has excellent coverage, but each country or region requires a separate eSIM profile. That means if you’re moving between countries, you’ll need to install a new one each time. It’s still quick to do, but adds an extra step compared to Truely’s Switchless setup. Pricing is where things start to differ more. Truely focuses on unlimited data plans from one to 30+ days, with daily rates getting cheaper the longer you buy. When I tested this in Canada, I found it much easier to budget compared to watching my gigabytes disappear. Airalo works on fixed-data packages, like 1 GB for seven days or 5 GB for 30 days. These can be cheaper for light users or short trips, but if you need more data you’ll need to top up, which can add up quickly, especially in countries with higher rates like Canada or the US. Truley vs Airalo: SIM Setup Process Both Truely and Airalo require you to download their app to purchase and install your eSIM, but the setup experience is slightly different. With Truely, once you’ve purchased your plan, you can use the one-click Install eSIM option in the app. In my case, this worked instantly in Canada without needing to touch my phone’s settings. If that doesn’t work, you can fall back to scanning a QR code or manually entering the SM-DP+ address and activation code shown in the app. The process is the same on iPhone and Android: add a new eSIM in your phone’s network settings, activate mobile data and roaming, and you’re set. I also liked that Truely’s WhatsApp support was quick to respond when I tested it, though I didn't really need the support. With Airalo, you purchase your plan in the app and then go to My eSIMs to view the installation instructions. The easiest way is the Direct install method, which sets everything up for you. If that fails, you can also scan a QR code or manually enter the details. After installation, you’ll need to label the eSIM in your settings and select it for mobile data. I’ve found Airalo’s setup reliable, but responses from support can take longer compared to Truely’s instant chat when I tried it. Quick Comparison: App required? Yes – purchase & install in app Yes – purchase & install via My eSIMs Quickest method One-click “Install eSIM” Direct install from app instructions Fallback options QR code or manual entry QR code or manual entry Support 24/7 live chat & WhatsApp – fast reply In-app ticket system – slower reply Truely vs Airalo: Pricing Since both companies offer huge coverage across hundreds of destinations, it's hard to pinpoint which eSIM provides the best value for money. However, after a bit of searching through the options and the specific options I tested in Canada, I can say that Truely is cheaper overall if you prefer unlimited data. However, this varies depending on how much data you need and how long you’re staying. In Canada where I tested, Airalo offers tiered data packages, starting from 1 GB for 7 days at around US $6, up to 20 GB for 30 days at around US $49. This can be good value if you’re a light user, but these days it’s easy to burn through data quickly. Think maps, social media, and even background updates can chew through a gig in no time. Once you run out, you’ll need to top up, which adds to the total cost. Truely takes a different approach with unlimited data plans across Canada (or North America), where the daily rate gets cheaper the longer you buy. For example, unlimited data starts at around US $6.45 for 2 days, US $36.89 for 7 days, and US $93.93 for 30 days. That’s about US $5.27 per day for a week, or US $3.13 per day for a month, which is easy to budget, and no worrying about running out mid-trip. If you’re a light user and just need a few gigabytes, Airalo’s smaller plans can work out cheaper. But if you use a lot of data or want the peace of mind of not having to track usage, especially in a high-cost country like Canada then I’ve found Truely’s unlimited plans to be the better value. Truley vs Airalo: Connectivity & Speed Tests Perhaps my tests weren't the best to compare connectivity on both Truely and Airalo since coverage in Canada is excellent, espcially in Vancouver. There were no dropouts, strong signal, and reliable data on both plans. Because Canada generally has good urban network coverage, it’s hard to judge how either would perform in more remote or rural regions, or in countries with less developed infrastructure. However, in my speed tests, Truely consistently delivered faster download and upload speeds compared to Airalo. (See screenshots below.) That said, for my day-to-day use which was browsing, calls, social media, and tethering to my laptop for work, the difference wasn’t noticeable in real-world performance. Both handled everything I needed without interruptions. If raw speed is your top priority, Truely edged ahead in my testing. But if you just need a stable, reliable connection for typical travel use, both providers perform well in a place like Canada. Speed test result with Truely Speed test result with Airalo Truley vs Airalo: Managing Plans & Using the Apps Both Truely and Airalo make it easy to manage your eSIM through their apps. You can view your active plans, check data usage, and top up in just a few taps. In my experience, both are reliable and straightforward, with no confusing menus or hidden settings. That said, I found Truely’s app slightly nicer to use. The layout is clean, the one-click install works well, and because the plans are unlimited and priced by the day, it’s easier to keep track of what you’re spending without watching your data counter drop. Airalo’s app works almost the same way, but since plans are fixed-data, you’ll need to keep an eye on usage and top up if you run low. This isn’t difficult, but it does mean one extra thing to manage compared to Truely’s set-and-forget approach. Below are screenshots of what the apps look like. Truely Data Management Page Airalo Data Management Page Final Verdict I’ve been using Airalo for a few years now, mainly because it was one of the first eSIMs I tried and it consistently got the job done. Over that time, it’s been a solid option for quick connectivity in dozens of countries, and I still think it’s a dependable choice especially if you’re looking for smaller, cheaper data packages for short trips. 5% OFF: Use Code "weseektravel" for discounts on all Truely eSIMS. That said, after testing Truely in Canada and spending more time with their system, it’s clear they’re a strong competitor. The Switchless setup makes multi-country travel much smoother, the unlimited daily pricing is easy to budget for, and the app feels a little more streamlined. In my testing, Truely’s speeds were also better, though in day-to-day use the difference was hardly noticeable for regular browsing, calls, and work. For me, the real strength of Truely is in simplifying connectivity when I’m on the move full-time for work. I don’t have to watch my usage, top up mid-trip, or re-install eSIM profiles every time I cross a border, it just works. That’s a big plus when you’re moving quickly and juggling flights, deadlines, and unpredictable travel schedules. That doesn’t mean I’m switching exclusively. I’ll still be comparing plans from Truely, Airalo, and other providers for each trip, because pricing and value can vary a lot by destination. But after this test, Truely has earned a permanent spot in my travel toolkit, and I expect it’ll be the one I reach for most often when I know I’ll be using a lot of data or hopping between multiple countries.

If you’re visiting Cancun, chances are Chichén Itzá is high on your must-see list – and if it’s …

The post How to get to Chichén Itzá from Cancún appeared first on We Seek Travel.

If you’re visiting Cancun, chances are Chichén Itzá is high on your must-see list – and if it’s not, it should be. Located deep in the Yucatán Peninsula, this ancient Mayan city was once a thriving center of science, religion, and politics. The site is massive, well-preserved, and packed with history. You’ll see towering pyramids, intricate stone carvings, sacred cenotes, and the famous Great Ball Court. Today, it draws travelers from around the world who want to walk in the footsteps of one of the Americas’ most advanced civilizations. Chichén Itzá sits just under 200 km from the popular beachfront resort Cancun, so it’s on many visitors’ bucket lists. This means that there is no short supply of options to get there – which can make it hard to decide the best option for you. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to get to Chichén Itzá from Cancún, break down all the transport options, and help you pick the one that fits your style and budget. Let’s get into it! Table of Contents Quick overview of options My favorite Chichen Itza Tour from Cancun Option 2: Renting a Car Why I Recommend How to do it Choose this option if: But keep in mind that: Option 3: Public Transport – ADO Bus & Colectivo Choose this option if: But keep in mind that: Option 4: Private Transfer or Taxi How to book: Choose this option if: But keep in mind that: My Overall Recommendation Quick overview of options There are four main ways of getting to Chichén Itzá from Cancún. These are: Guided full-day tour from Cancun (bus or van, grouped or private) - the most hassle-free option, great for those short on time who want to pack as much in as possible. Renting a car - great for adventurous travelers and those wanting to spend the day on their own schedule. I recommend using DiscoverCars in Cancun as I've found them to be the cheapest. ADO bus + local colectivo (public shuttle) - a cheaper option, ideal for budget backpackers Private transfer or taxi - the most comfortable option, perfect for families or luxury travelers. My favorite Chichen Itza Tour from Cancun I visited Chichén Itzá on my first trip to Mexico, and as I had a pretty packed itinerary, I opted for this guided full-day tour booked through Viator. This was hands-down the best choice I could have made - I was only in Mexico for two weeks and was determined to see Chichén Itzá, but wanted to pick the easiest and most hassle-free option. The day trip started with a hotel pick-up in Cancun - they came to our hotel lobby at 6:30 am in an air-conditioned van. Starting early is key if you want to beat the crowds and the midday heat. It took just over two hours on the road before we arrived at Chichén Itzá just before 9:00 AM. One thing I loved about the tour was that our guide began it before we arrived at the site, by giving us historical and cultural insights along the journey. Having a guide on hand to explain what we were seeing and answer any questions meant that we got so much more out of our visit than we would have done independently. After a few hours touring the site, we headed to the Cenote Saamal for a refreshing dip - the cold waters were a great break from the hot midday sun. The cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula are one of the area's highlights, and I love that this Chichen Itza tour includes a visit to one - it’s great for time-strapped travelers. Following this, we had a traditional Yucatan lunch buffet before heading to our final stop, the colonial town of Valladolid. This stop was the main reason I opted for this tour; on this trip I was only visiting the Yucatan Peninsula, and my time was mainly spent in resort areas, so I was keen to visit somewhere that felt like the ‘real’ Mexico. Visiting Valladolid as part of this tour gave me a taste of this, without taking too much time out of my itinerary. Option 2: Renting a Car Why I Recommend DIY car rental gives you complete flexibility and turns your day trip to Chichén Itzá into a real adventure. You can enjoy the day on your own schedule, making stops along the way at small towns and cenotes that aren’t on the typical day tour route. How to do it There are multiple places to hire a car from in Cancún, but your best bet is to head to the airport where there are a variety of rental agencies. You can expect to pay between $35 - $100 for a one day hire, depending on the size of the car. It’s a very simple journey along the 180D toll route, and it should take just over 2 hours each way. You’ll need to pay about 500 MXN ($26) in toll fees, but the toll road saves hours and is well worth doing. Most toll booths in Mexico are cash only, so make sure to bring plenty of cash with you. The road is well signposted and is very well maintained, making for a very easy ride. Parking at the site is ample, costs around 150 MXN ($8) for the day, and there’s plenty of shaded spots. Gas is cheap (usually around 22 MXN/litre), but prices are higher around larger towns so I recommend filling up before arriving back in Cancún. One of the highlights of hiring a car to get to Chichén Itzá from Cancún is being able to add stops into your day trip. The places I recommend visiting are: Valladolid Cenote Maya Convento de San Bernardino de Siena Punta Laguna Cenote Ik Kil Cenote Saamal Choose this option if: You want to build your own day-trip with side stops You prefer avoiding group tours You’re comfortable driving in a new country But keep in mind that: Rental + toll + insurance + gas + parking can add up (c.£80–£100 total) You need to be comfortable driving unfamiliar roads It’s a full day behind the wheel—be ready for a 6+ hour drive round trip Option 3: Public Transport – ADO Bus & Colectivo Public transport is the cheapest route, but also the least comfortable. Here's how to get to Chichén Itzá using public transport : Catch an ADO bus from the main Cancún Central Bus Terminal to Valladolid (2–3 hours). Tickets can be purchased online or at the Bus Terminal and you’ll need to show a valid photo ID if you’re purchasing tickets at the terminal. Buses run approximately every hour, and the ADO network across Mexico is great - they usually run on schedule and are comfortable and air conditioned. From Valladolid, walk or taxi to the colectivo station. It’s located a few blocks away from the bus terminal where you’ll arrive, on Calle 39 - it’s on google maps and is easy to find. Hop a colectivo out to Chichén Itzá (30–40 min). There’s no real set schedule but the colectivos run very regularly, especially during the mornings. Tickets cost 40 MXN, and this can usually only be paid in cash. The total travel time is around 3-4 hours each way, but this can be longer if you get unlucky with departure times. I recommend checking the ADO website for bus times before heading to the station. This is by far the cheapest way to get to Chichén Itzá from Cancún; the round trip usually costs less than 600 MXN ($30). Buses usually run between 4:00 AM - 9:00 PM - but check specific times for your chosen travel day. Choose this option if: You’re on a strict budget You’re more interested in the journey than comfort You don’t mind a bit of spontaneity (or a day in Valladolid) But keep in mind that: It’s a less structured and relaxing day than opting for a guided tour You’ll need to keep an eye on the time to avoid getting stuck in Valladolid overnight Option 4: Private Transfer or Taxi You can hire a private transfer driver to pick you up in Cancún and take you straight to Chichén Itzá and back. You’ll usually pay a set price for the day and your driver can make stops at other locations if you want - or you can just travel there and back; the choice is yours and the beauty of hiring a driver is you have full freedom. Prices usually start from around 4,000 MXN ($215), so it’s on the more expensive side - but worth it for comfort and flexibility. How to book: Drivers can be booked easily online, like this option on Getyourguide.. You can use other reputable websites like Viator and Tripadvisor; these sites allow you to filter dates to check availability, and you can read reviews before booking. Prices are displayed clearly online so you can compare different options which is helpful. Alternatively, most larger hotels in Cancún have a concierge service which can arrange a driver for you. These can be slightly more expensive than booking independently, but booking through a concierge service removes all the hassle and admin out of the process. Choose this option if: You don’t like sticking to group schedules - private transfers allow you to start at your leisure, stop wherever, and skip the crowds completely. You’re travelling with kids, have mobility concerns, or just want to choose the most comfortable and straightforward option. You want to customize your route, stopping at other attractions throughout the day. But keep in mind that: It’s the most expensive option Quality can vary - make sure to book from a reputable service with insurance, and good reviews. My Overall Recommendation For first-timers looking to spend one great day in Chichén Itzá, I recommend booking this guided tour to get the most out of your visit, without having to put too much thought into planning and organisation. If you’re the sort of traveler who loves steering your itinerary, rent a car - just be prepared and start early. And if you’re an ultra budget-savvy backpacker, use public transport to get to Chichén Itzá from Cancún.

When you picture tropical paradise, the beaches of San Andres are likely exactly what comes to mind. The …

The post 10 BEST Beaches on San Andres Island, Colombia appeared first on We Seek Travel.

When you picture tropical paradise, the beaches of San Andres are likely exactly what comes to mind. The tiny island is located off the coast of Nicaragua (but is Colombian territory) and can be reached from the mainland by a short flight. It’s situated in the Caribbean Sea, so it’s no surprise that its beaches are pretty spectacular – expect white sand, palm-lined shores, flanked by turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs. With over 40 beaches on the island, you might be wondering which ones to visit during your trip – so I’ve rounded up the best beaches in San Andres below. I visited countless beaches during my trip and can definitely say that some are more worth visiting than others; especially if you only have limited time on the island. Table of Contents What I Learned About San Andres’ Beaches 1. Johnny Cay 2. Spratt Bight Beach 3. Rocky Cay 4. Haynes Cay & El Acuario 5. Playa de San Luis 6. Playa Charquitos 7. La Piscinita 8. Sound Bay 9. Ecoparque West View 10. Playa Marrakech Beach Club Where to Stay Near San Andres’ Best Beaches What I Learned About San Andres' Beaches San Andres is blessed with an eclectic mix of coastlines, despite only measuring 26 square kilometres, and a short drive to the other side of the island often offers a completely different beach experience. On San Andres’ east coast, you’ll find calm white sand beaches perfect for swimming and relaxing, like the popular Spratt Bight Beach and Playa Charquitos. A visit to the west coast shores couldn’t be more different; its rocky beaches are the place to go for activities like snorkeling, cliff-jumping, and plunge slides, all of which can be done at West View Beach. Tip: My favorite way to explore San Andre's coastline is to rent a motorbike. I rented mine from my accommodation at In Di House of Reggae Boutique. 1. Johnny Cay Best for: A must-do day trip on San Andrés. How to get there: Take a 15 minute boat ride from the San Andrés main pier. You can also book a tour that includes transportation, lunch, and snorkeling. Located just off the coast of San Andrés, Johnny Cay is one of the island’s most popular beach destinations, and for good reason. Not only is it incredibly beautiful - it’s probably the San Andrés beach with the best atmosphere, and you can expect lively crowds, vendors selling tropical drinks, and reggae music. The calm waters here are perfect for swimming, and you can wade out quite far before the water deepens, making it ideal for families with kids. Plus, the surrounding reef creates an excellent snorkeling spot where you can see heaps of fish and even turtles - if you’re lucky! While Johnny Cay can get crowded during peak times (especially in the afternoon), it's still well worth the visit. If you’re wanting to beat the crowds, arrive early in the morning or opt for a private tour. You can spend all day here if you wish, as there’s a handful of places selling things to eat and drink, and there are toilets on the island. Make sure to bring cash with you, as there’s no ATM on the island and a lot of vendors don’t accept card payments. 2. Spratt Bight Beach Best for: The San Andrés beach with the most to do. How to get there: Located right in the heart of San Andrés town, Spratt Bight Beach is easy to reach wherever you’re staying on the island - it’s walking distance from the main town, and easily accessible from other areas by taxi or scooter. Spratt Bight is the main beach of San Andrés, located right by the island's town center. It’s the go-to beach for most tourists looking for things to do in San Andres, due to its convenient location and beautiful views. The beach is lined with bars, restaurants, and a few hotels, so there’s plenty of facilities nearby. There are a handful of water sport options available here if you’re not the type for spending a beach day lounging around, including jet skis, banana boats and parasailing. If you’re looking for a more laid-back vibe, there are many vendors renting sun loungers and chairs to make use of for the day. This is the most popular beach in San Andrés, so it can get a bit crowded during peak hours - visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon for a quieter experience. It’s worth sticking around and walking along the pier at sunset - it’s one of the best places to take in the island’s stunning views. 3. Rocky Cay Best for: A quiet, rugged beach that’s excellent for snorkeling. How to get there: Rocky Cay is easily accessible from San Andrés town and San Luis by boat. For those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a quieter beach experience, Rocky Cay is the perfect spot. Situated on the island’s western coast, Rocky Cay offers a calm, tranquil atmosphere, with great views of the surrounding coral reefs. There’s a sandbar off the side of the island that extends out into the water, creating a sort of natural causeway. This makes it an excellent spot for snorkeling, as the shallow waters are home to a variety of marine life. There are a few local food vendors and beach bars where you can grab a snack or cold drink, but for the most part, Rocky Cay remains one of the less developed and more unspoiled San Andrés Colombia beaches. It’s well worth the quick ten minute boat trip over. 4. Haynes Cay & El Acuario Best for: Island-hopping, snorkeling, and swimming with starfish and sea turtles. How to get there: Book a tour that includes visits to both Haynes Cay and El Acuario. Alternatively, you can catch a boat from San Andrés town (around 30-40 minutes by boat). No trip to San Andres is complete without a visit to the paradisiacal shores of Haynes Cay and El Acuario, two small islands located just off the mainland. These remote spots are easily some of the best beaches in San Andrés. Haynes Cay is a small, uninhabited island with shallow waters that are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, where you can see starfish, sea turtles, and a variety of tropical fish. Although the island is only small, it has everything you need for a beach day - you can rent chairs and parasols, and there are a few different restaurants and bars Once you’ve spent some time on Haynes Cay, you can walk across the sand bar to El Acuario, which is similarly stunning and a bit quieter than its more famous neighbour. El Acuario is covered in palm trees and vegetation, and you can expect to spot iguanas and blue lizards here. While you can visit on your own by arranging independent boat transfers, it’s definitely worth booking a day trip to the islands - these offer great value and include additional snorkeling stops, as well as a tour of the nearby mangroves. Haynes Cay A crowded day at El Acuario– visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds 5. Playa de San Luis Best for: A quiet, local beach for a relaxing day How to get there: Take a taxi or rent a scooter from the main town - it takes about 20 minutes. If you’re looking for a quiet beach that’s not overrun by tourists, Playa de San Luis is the place to go. Located on the island’s eastern side, this beach is frequented by locals and offers a blissful escape from the more crowded shores of San Andrés. The palm-tree lined beach is located on the east coast of the island,and has calm, shallow waters that are perfect for swimming. You can also enjoy a walk along the coast, as the beach stretches for miles. There are a few little local restaurants along the rest, most of which serve seafood and cold drinks, and some of these have sun loungers available to rent for a small fee. I found that it doesn’t get too busy here during the week, but as it’s a popular spot with locals, it’s slightly busier on weekends. San Luis during a storm 6. Playa Charquitos Best for: An unspoilt beach with a hidden-gem feel. How to get there: Playa Charquitos is located just over ten kilometres from San Andres Town, and you can reach it by scooter or taxi. Playa Charquitos is the best San Andrés beach if you’re looking for a bit of an off-the-beaten-path experience. This secluded spot on the south coast of the island is one of the lesser-known beaches on San Andres, and is small but charming. One of the unique features of the beach are the natural pools that form near the shore, protected from the stronger current by the surrounding reef. You can spot all sorts of sea life here at lower tides, and the water is shallow - making it a great spot for families with kids. The reef area is very rocky so it’s worth bringing a pair of water shoes if you’re planning on spending a lot of time in the water. There isn’t much infrastructure on Playa Charquitos, but there are a few local food vendors selling fresh fruit and snacks - make sure to bring enough cash for these, as none of them accept card payments. In my experience, this one is a very peaceful beach and never gets too busy, so you can visit at any time of day without having to worry about the crowds some of the other beaches on San Andres draw. 7. La Piscinita Best for: Snorkeling - it’s one of the best spots you’ll find on the island. How to get there: Around 20 minutes by taxi or scooter from San Andrés town, located on the southwestern coast. Though not technically a sandy beach, La Piscinita is one of San Andrés’ top spots for water activities. This rocky cove features incredibly clear waters and calm conditions, making it perfect for snorkeling. La Piscinita (which translates to “The Little Pool”) is home to schools of colorful fish, coral formations, and sometimes even stingrays in the deeper areas. There’s a small entrance fee of $4,000 COP and snorkel gear is available to rent if you don’t have your own. You won’t find soft sand here, but there are sun loungers and platforms to relax on. There’s also a small bar where you can grab a drink or snack after your swim. If you're looking to spend a day snorkeling rather than sunbathing, La Piscinita is a must-visit. 8. Sound Bay Best for: Authentic local atmosphere with fewer tourists. How to get there: Take a taxi or scooter ride (about 15–20 minutes from downtown) to the southern part of the island. Located near the village of San Luis, Sound Bay offers a more local experience than many of the island’s other beaches. It’s a long, open stretch of coastline that feels refreshingly uncrowded, and it’s particularly popular with locals and expats. This was one of my favorite beaches on San Andres, because when we visited we pretty much had it to ourselves - a lot of people don’t seem to know about Sound Bay. It has a slightly rugged, windswept feel to it, and there are bigger waves here than the more northern beaches. There are a couple of family-run restaurants nearby where you can fish dishes, coconut rice, and patacones. There weren’t any sun loungers or chairs available to rent when I visited, so make sure you have a towel or blanket with you if you’re planning on staying for a few hours. 9. Ecoparque West View Best for: Adventurous swimming, cliff jumping, and snorkeling in a natural lagoon. How to get there: Located on the island’s west coast, about a 15-minute ride from San Andres town by taxi or scooter. This unique San Andres spot is more of a mini water park than a traditional beach. The Ecoparque West View is a natural ocean lagoon where you can jump into the water from diving platforms and there’s a fun slide to enjoy here as well. The area is surrounded by cliffs and coral reefs, with clear, fish-filled waters that are ideal for snorkeling. You’ll often find parrotfish, angelfish, and other tropical species swimming just below the surface. There’s an entry fee (typically around $5,000 COP), and both snorkel gear and lockers are available to rent for a reasonable price. 10. Playa Marrakech Beach Club Best for: A fun and lively beach day with music, food and drinks How to get there: Take a 15-minute taxi or scooter ride from San Andrés town, to the San Luis area on the island’s east coast. A lot of the beaches in San Andres are completely undeveloped, and are great places to enjoy the island's charm - but if you’re looking for a beach day with a bit more comfort, Playa Marrakech is a fantastic option. It’s a beach club made up of a waterfront area with cabanas and sun loungers, and a restaurant and bar area with a DJ. The atmosphere here is lively, and it's popular with Colombian travelers. The beach itself is beautiful, and it’s a great place to spend a day enjoying a slightly more upscale beach experience. It’s a far cry from the glamorous beach clubs you might find in Bali and Dubai, but it’s probably the closest thing you’ll find on San Andres. Prices vary depending on if there’s an event on or not. If there is no event taking place, you pay a fee for your cabana or lounger - prices don’t seem to be listed online, but we paid $35,000 COP per sun lounger. When there is an event taking place, you pay a higher price, but normally food and drink is included within your entry fee. It’s best to arrive mid-morning to grab a good spot, and while reservations aren’t always required, it’s a good idea to book during busier periods. You can check their instagram to see what events are on and make reservations. Where to Stay Near San Andres' Best Beaches San Andres is quite a small island but there are loads of accommodation options available. The best regions are downtown (El Centro), San Luis, or one of the many resorts along the east and west coasts. Below are my top three recommendations for all budgets. However, don't miss this up-to-date guide to where to stay on San Andres Island, Colombia for more picks and a rundown of the best neighborhoods to book. 1. In Di House of Reggae Boutique Reggae-styled hotel with a large outdoor pool and seating area. An on-site restaurant and colorful rooms with sea views. 1 km from Parceras Beach. 2. Aquamare Hotel Luxury Located only 200 m from Spratt Bight Beach, this 4-star hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, and a bar. Perfect for families or couples looking for a relaxing stay. 3. Villa San Miguel Villa Awesome apartments conveniently located in central near the airport and just a 2-minute walk from Spratt Bight Beach.

Tucked between the Caribbean Sea and the dramatic Sierra Nevada mountains, Santa Marta is one of Colombia’s most …

The post Where to Stay Santa Marta: Best Areas & Hotels appeared first on We Seek Travel.

Tucked between the Caribbean Sea and the dramatic Sierra Nevada mountains, Santa Marta is one of Colombia’s most geographically diverse and culturally rich cities. As the oldest Spanish settlement in South America, founded in 1525, the city’s long history can still be seen through its colonial architecture, palm-lined plazas, and weathered churches today. Santa Marta’s location on Colombia’s north coast makes it a strategic gateway to some of the country’s most iconic destinations, including Tayrona National Park, the Lost City trek, and Minca. Because of that, many travelers pass through quickly. But if you take the time to stay a few nights, you’ll find Santa Marta has more going for it than just its location. It’s a real mix of laid-back coastal living and everyday Colombian bustle, and my experience in the city definitely felt a lot more authentic than other spots I visited. Each of the Santa Marta neighborhoods has a distinctly different vibe, so it’s important to choose one that suits your trip. Whether you’re here for one night before Tayrona or settling in for a week on the coast, here’s everything you need to know about where to stay in Santa Marta. Table of Contents Where to Stay in Santa Marta: Neighborhood Overview My Top Santa Marta Accommodation Picks Stay in Centro Histórico Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina Oasis Fresh Hotel Masaya Santa Marta Stay in El Rodadero Tamacá Beach Resort Hotel Mandalas House Akela Gaira Hotel Stay in Taganga Divanga Hostel Vito Hotel Boutique Taganga Stay in Pozos Colorados or Bello Horizonte Marriott Resort Playa Dormida Casa Verano Santa Marta Where Should You Stay in Santa Marta? FAQ: About Staying in Santa Marta Is Santa Marta safe to stay in? How many days should I spend in Santa Marta? Best area for nightlife in Santa Marta? What’s the best beach area to stay in Santa Marta? Where to Stay in Santa Marta: Neighborhood Overview I visited Santa Marta twice and stayed in different areas each time, plus visited a handful of others throughout my time in the city. Most tourists stick to a handful of pockets around the city, and I would recommend staying in one of these listed below. There are a few different neighbourhoods I recommend staying in around Santa Marta, and each of them offers something slightly different. Below is a brief outline of what you can expect from each one: Centro Histórico: The historic heart of the city, filled with colonial architecture, lively plazas, and plenty of options when it comes to eating and drinking. El Rodadero: A bustling beachside area popular with families and domestic tourists, offering a lively atmosphere with plenty of restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Taganga: A laid-back fishing village mainly visited by backpackers and local tourists, known for its stunning sunsets, diving spots, and proximity to Tayrona National Park. Bello Horizonte & Pozos Colorados: Quieter, more residential areas with large hotels offering a more relaxed beach experience, great for those seeking a calm place to stay. I drove through a couple of more residential areas and noticed that there wasn’t much around (other than houses and the odd shop); staying in these areas would have felt quite isolated, and I’m not sure how comfortable I would have felt walking around after dark. My Top Santa Marta Accommodation Picks 1. Masaya Santa Marta Centro Histórico A modern & social hostel with ultimate comfort and a rooftop pool with incredible views. An ideal choice for solo travelers and digital nomads staying in Santa Marta’s historic center. 2. Akela Gaira Hotel El Rodadero A peaceful hillside escape with panoramic sea views, which is ideal for couples wanting a quiet, romantic stay close to the beach. 3. Marriott Resort Bello Horizonte The best luxury beachfront option in Santa Marta, perfect for unwinding in style after a big trek or celebrating something special. Stay in Centro Histórico Centro Histórico is the area I’d describe as the heart of Santa Marta. It’s a real blend of old and new; the streets are lined with colourful colonial buildings, but lots of them have been turned into modern cafes and shops. It’s quite similar to Cartagena in that way - but on a much smaller scale, and nowhere near as busy. The area is home to some of Santa Marta's main landmarks, such as the Cathedral Basilica of Santa Marta and the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, where Simón Bolívar spent his final days. As you would expect in the historic centre, you’ll find a lot of the city's historic attractions here, so it’s a good spot for activities like walking tours. There’s a lovely atmosphere here in the evenings, with a handful of bars and restaurants that spill out onto the streets, and the air is filled with the sounds of street vendors and local musicians. In my opinion, Centro Histórico is the most charming neighborhood to stay in during a visit to Santa Marta. Best For: Ideal for first-time visitors, history buffs, and anyone wanting to stay in a quaint location with plenty of places to eat and drink. Hotel Price Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina $$$ Oasis Fresh Hotel $$ Masaya Santa Marta $$ Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina Area: Centro Histórico Best for: Families or large groups wanting rooftop spa views overlooking the city. A stylish boutique hotel, located just a short walk from the main attractions, it's ideal for those wanting to stay in the heart of Santa Marta. There’s a beautiful courtyard with a small pool that has hanging sunbeds - they’d make a very relaxing place to retreat from the bustle of Centro Histórico if you need a bit of a break. There are only 15 rooms here, so service is top-notch, and the hotel has its own rooftop restaurant on-site, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Book: Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina Oasis Fresh Hotel Area: Centro Histórico Best for: Couples looking for a comfortable budget stay! This is a great budget-friendly option in Centro Histórico, with modern and comfortable rooms. It’s very centrally located and surrounded by plenty of options for eating and drinking as well as exploring the area's top attractions. Although it’s a budget hotel, it offers really good value for money - there’s a rooftop terrace with a pool, and both the rooms and communal spaces are clean and well-maintained. If you’re just visiting Santa Marta for a night or two and want somewhere cheap to crash after exploring the city, this is a great shout. Book: Oasis Fresh Hotel Check out: Take a day trip to the nearby Tayrona National Park from Santa Marta to spot the elusive Cotton Top Tamarin. Masaya Santa Marta Area: Centro Histórico Best for: Solo Travelers & backpackers looking for an unbeatable hostel I stayed in a few Masaya hostels in Colombia, including this one in Santa Marta. They are a fantastic chain of higher-end hostels, which are still very reasonably priced. Staying in a Masaya dorm is a far cry from what you picture when you imagine a hostel - the beds are huge, incredibly comfortable, and have slide-down (blackout!) blinds, which makes your bunk feel like a private room. There's a beautiful rooftop pool area overlooking views of the Centro Histórico, and as well as sun loungers, there are loads of tables and little areas to sit at. It’s a great place to get some work done if you’re working remotely - wifi speeds are fast, and most of the tables have powerpoints nearby. Masaya runs regular events, with things like salsa classes, walking tours, and happy hour all happening weekly- if you’re a solo traveler, this is a great place to stay in Santa Marta. Book: Masaya Santa Marta Stay in El Rodadero El Rodadero is Santa Marta’s most popular beach destination. The area is known for its long white sand beach that’s set in front of a backdrop of lush green mountains - from the moment you arrive, you’ll see why it's so popular. There’s a boardwalk running alongside the beach, and both the boardwalk and the streets leading off it are lined with numerous restaurants, bars, and shops. There are a handful of attractions within the area, including the Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum, which is home to dolphins and sea turtles among many other species. It’s a popular place to stay, so it’s pretty busy year-round, with a mix of locals and tourists - there’s always a lively atmosphere. It’s probably the most diverse area within Santa Marta when it comes to food and drink; there are endless options of places to spend an evening, and the partying scene here is great. The beach is beautiful, but busy. Vendors walk up and down the long stretch and sell things all day, so don’t expect to come here to relax in peace and quiet - there are quieter beaches nearby which are better for that. Who It’s For: Groups, party animals, and anyone visiting Santa Marta who wants to stay somewhere lively. Hotel Price Tamacá Beach Resort $$$ Hotel Mandalas House $$$ Akela Gaira Hotel $$ Tamacá Beach Resort Area: El Rodadero Best for: Large groups wanting direct ocean access This place is situated right on the beach and has a huge swimming pool with sea views. The rooms are very spacious and have balconies, so this would be a great choice for groups or families visiting Santa Marta. Hotel Tamacá Beach Resort is located on a quieter stretch of El Rodadero, meaning you don’t need to worry about noise levels. There are still a handful of bars and restaurants nearby, though, and there are four different restaurants on-site as well. It’s got a real resort feel, so it's perfect if that’s what you’re looking for. Book: Tamacá Beach Resort Hotel Mandalas House Area: El Rodadero Best for: Groups or couples looking for a relaxing stay in a central location Hotel Mandalas House is a stylish boutique hotel located a few blocks away from El Rodadero Beach. The rooms are beautifully decorated and feel very luxurious, but despite this it’s priced very reasonably. This hotel only has 7 rooms for guests, so you can expect a very peaceful and secluded stay here. Despite its small size, there’s a lovely outdoor area which has a swimming pool and a shaded deck for relaxing. It’s only a 15-minute drive from Simon Bolivar airport, so this is a great place to stay if you’re flying in or out of Santa Marta. Book: Hotel Mandalas House Akela Gaira Hotel Area: El Rodadero Best for: Couples wanting a romantic escape but still close to El Rodadero This is a very unique place to stay in the hills overlooking El Rodadero. The rooms in Akela Gaira all have either sea or mountain views which the hotel have made the most of, by putting in large (virtually panoramic) windows, so that it almost feels like staying in a treehouse. Watching the sunset from your room at this vantage point is pretty special! There’s a pool and restaurant within the hotel, and it has a small and boutique kind of feel. The rooms are pretty basic, but have air conditioning and private bathrooms. There are some friendly dogs on site, and if you're lucky, you'll even have wild monkeys join you when swimming in the pool. Although the location feels very rural because of the epic views, the hotel is only located 1 km away from Rodadero beach. Book: Akela Gaira Hotel Stay in Taganga Taganga is a small fishing village just north of Santa Marta, offering a more laid-back atmosphere compared to the bustling city. It’s a real diving hotspot, and many people choose to base themselves here when exploring the teeming underwater world off the coastline of Santa Marta. I stayed in Taganga and wasn’t sure what to expect - the words ‘backpacker hotspot’ I had read online conjured up a certain image of a gentrified destination catering almost entirely to international travelers. I was really pleasantly surprised though; there’s a bit of a bohemian vibe with a handful of cool cafes and bars, but for the most part, it’s very much still a local fishing village turned domestic tourist holiday spot. There are heaps of local seafood restaurants and eating at these is one of the best parts of Taganga. They have small, simple menus, and before ordering you’re often shown what’s been caught that day so you can pick for yourself. Taganga is a great base for lots of activities - it’s known for its stunning sunsets, and provides easy access to incredible nearby beaches and hiking trails. All in all - it’s a great place to stay. Who It’s For: Ideal for solo travelers, backpackers, and those seeking a more relaxed and authentic experience. Hotel Price Divanga Hostel $$ Vito Hotel Boutique Taganga $$$ Divanga Hostel Area: Taganga Best for: Backpackers & diving enthusiasts looking for an epic stay for a great price I chose to book Divanga Hostel because it was the highest rated on Hostelworld, and I was really impressed with it. It’s located a few streets away from the main strip so it isn’t noisy, but there’s a nice pool area and communal space with a snooker table, so there’s still a good relaxed, social vibe. There’s a well-equipped kitchen (always a win when you’re staying in a hostel!), and they have a small bar that serves food if you don’t fancy cooking yourself. It’s a diving hostel, so you can take lessons if you’re planning on diving in your time in Santa Marta, but you’re able to stay here if you aren’t planning on diving. The dorm rooms are basic but very clean and have wifi and air conditioning. Divanga also has a few private rooms as well as dorms. Overall, I think this is the best hostel option in Taganga. Book: Divanga Hostel Vito Hotel Boutique Taganga Area: Taganga Best for: Couples or singles wanting a memorable stay This small boutique hotel is located a ten-minute walk from the beach, in a very peaceful area - the main street of Taganga can get quite busy with lots of traffic noise, but this area isn’t affected by it. The hotel is family-owned and is run by a friendly mother and daughter (Laura) team who make Vito feel like your home away from home. The rooms and terraces are decorated in a rustic, boho style, which makes the whole hotel blend into its surroundings - it’s situated amongst the trees, on a hill overlooking the sea. Breakfast is included in your booking, and the hotel puts on yoga classes and walking tours for guests as well. It’s a very simple hotel with great value for money, and it’s a great place to stay in Taganga. Book: Vito Hotel Boutique Taganga Stay in Pozos Colorados or Bello Horizonte These are two beach neighborhoods in Santa Marta, located close to the airport, around a 20-minute drive from the main downtown area. These beaches are where you’ll find most of the city's luxury, high-end hotels and resorts - there’s a mix of the big international brands like Mercure and Hilton, as well as independent accommodation options. The atmosphere in this area is a lot more laid-back than El Rodadero and Centro Histórico, and it attracts a lot of families and couples travelling from both Colombian cities and overseas. Both beaches are very calm and don’t get too crowded, and the waves are gentle and great for swimming. While the dining scene in this area doesn’t have as many options as other Santa Marta areas, there are still some great restaurants and beach clubs serving both Colombian and International food. Plus, the more lively areas are easily reachable by a short taxi ride - it’s around a 10-minute drive to El Rodadero, and 20 minutes to Centro Histórico. Although there are lots of upscale hotels and resorts in these neighborhoods, you’ll also find plenty of mid-range and more budget options if you choose to stay here. It’s also a great area to stay in if you’re looking for an apartment to rent, as the beach is lined with high-rise condos and many of these are rented out on a short-term basis. Who It’s For: Ideal for families, digital nomads, and luxury travelers looking for a safe, modern, and slightly more upscale experience in Santa Marta. Hotel Price Marriott Resort Playa Dormida $$$$ Casa Verano Santa Marta $$$ Marriott Resort Playa Dormida Area: Bello Horizonte Best for: Luxurious travellers or couples celebrating an anniversary If you’re looking for a resort experience and wondering where to stay in Santa Marta, the Marriott Playa Dormida is your best bet. It’s located in Bello Horizonte, right on the beach, and has access to its own private beach as well as a huge swimming pool. There are two restaurants on site as well as both a poolside and lobby bar. This is definitely a bit of a splurge, but it’s my top choice if you’re seeking a luxury stay in Santa Marta. It’s the perfect place to relax and treat yourself after a gruelling few days on the Lost city Trek, or if you’re visiting Santa Marta to celebrate a special occasion. Book: Marriott Resort Playa Dormida Casa Verano Santa Marta Area: Pozos Colorados Best for: Adults-only wanting a child-free vacation! This is a great mid-range hotel option in Pozos Colorados. It’s an adults-only hotel (so it promises a peaceful stay!), and I love how lush and green it is - the grounds are packed with trees and make it feel very rural. It’s a beachfront hotel so you don’t have to worry about walking too far back to your room after spending the afternoon enjoying the ocean. As well as this, there are a handful of restaurants and shops within a 15-minute walk, and the area feels very safe and well looked after. Casa Verano is a small hotel, so you can expect a more personal level of service than you might get at some of the larger hotels in Pozos Colorados, and the staff are incredibly friendly. Book: Casa Verano Santa Marta Where Should You Stay in Santa Marta? Choosing the right base in Santa Marta really depends on what kind of trip you’re planning: If you want to soak in the city’s colonial charm, lively nightlife, and be within walking distance of restaurants and historical sites, Centro Histórico is your best bet. If beach vibes and good nightlife appeal to you, El Rodadero is a great choice. For a more chilled, backpacker-friendly scene with direct access to diving, beautiful beaches, and great hikes, Taganga will suit you well. To relax in peace or on family trips, you might be well suited to Bello Horizonte or Pozos Colorados. FAQ: About Staying in Santa Marta Is Santa Marta safe to stay in? Yes, Santa Marta is generally safe for travelers, especially in the main tourist areas listed above. However, like most Colombian cities, petty theft can happen, so it's best to avoid walking alone at night in quiet areas and keep valuables out of sight (don't walk around flashing your phone or wallet). How many days should I spend in Santa Marta? I’d recommend at least 2–3 nights to properly experience what it has to offer. Spend a day exploring Centro Histórico, another day visiting nearby beaches or doing a Tayrona day trip, and if you’re planning on diving or relaxing, an extra night in Taganga or Bello Horizonte is worth it. Best area for nightlife in Santa Marta? El Rodadero has the liveliest nightlife scene, with beachfront bars, nightclubs, and lots of local and tourist-friendly spots open late. Centro Histórico also has a good evening vibe, especially around Parque de Los Novios, with live music and laid-back cocktail bars. What’s the best beach area to stay in Santa Marta? El Rodadero is the most popular beach area with a vibrant atmosphere and easy access to restaurants and activities. For a quieter experience, visit Bello Horizonte or Pozos Colorados as they’re less crowded and have calmer swimming conditions. Taganga Beach or nearby Playa Grande are also good picks. However, you do not need to stay near these beaches and all can be visited on a day trip. If your itinerary allows, I recommend splitting your time in Santa Marta. I stayed in Centro Histórico for a few nights to get a feel for the city, then went off to do the Lost City Trek and booked a relaxing stay by the beach when I returned. This was a really good way to split it and meant I got to fully appreciate the different sides to Santa Marta. The city isn’t huge, though, so you can easily choose one area to base yourself in and explore others during your stay if you’re only planning on visiting for a few days. I hope you have enjoyed this accommodation guide for where to stay in Santa Marta. For more travel guides, adventure inspiration, and activity ideas in Colombia, check out some of our other articles below! 3-Day Itinerary for Cartagena: Find the best things to do and see with this epic guide! Best of Medellín: My Perfect 3-Day Itinerary for exploring the best things to do in Medellín. Palomino Travel Guide: Check out the laid-back town of Palomino, 3 hours from Santa Marta. Getting from Santa Marta to Minca: The easiest ways to travel from Santa Marta to Minca or Cartagena. Accommodation resources: Discover where to stay in Cartagena, the best hotels in Medellin, and my Minca accommodation guide.

Lombok’s quiet coastal roads and jungle-lined mountain passes always felt like they were made for two wheels. After …

The post Lombok Loop: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on We Seek Travel.

Lombok’s quiet coastal roads and jungle-lined mountain passes always felt like they were made for two wheels. After circling the island countless times since my first visit in 2019, I realized the perfect way to tie its surf breaks, reefs, rice terraces, and volcano views into one seamless adventure was a four-day motorbike circuit—the Lombok Loop. The experience was born after several trips to Lombok and after documenting hundreds of activities and publishing the biggest free guide to adventures on the island. Together with my friend Dayat, founder of the Rasymadi Lombok Foundation, we fine-tuned the Loop into an epic group ride that shows travellers more of Lombok in four days than most see in two weeks. Over 450 km of empty coastal asphalt and highland switchbacks, we ride as a small group, staying in family-run homestays, guest houses, and hostels, sharing local food, and diving into Lombok’s best attractions straight off the bike. Our goal is simple: make this the most memorable adventure tour in Indonesia, this is the Lombok Loop. Table of Contents The Lombok Loop Concept Key Trip Facts How to Book the Lombok Loop What to Expect on the Lombok Loop Day 1 – Senggigi to Kuta Day 2 – Kuta to Sembalun Day 3 – Sembalun to the North Day 4: North Coast to Senggigi More History of the Lombok Loop The Lombok Loop Concept The Lombok Loop was inspired by Vietnam’s Ha Giang. We took the good; four-day circumnavigation, tight friendships, unbeatable scenery, scrapped the bad (crowds and convoy chaos), and reshaped it into an itinerary that covers the best of Lombok in just four days. What makes the loop different? Every guest rides pillion with a local rider, who you'll develop a very close relationship with over the four days. We employ local riders since they are the backbone of Lombok, know the roads, and they are the ones who truly make the experience. Oversized groups, self-drive rentals, and reckless races have no place on the Lombok Loop. Key Trip Facts Group size: 6–8 travelers (book early or wait for the next slot). Start/finish: Senggigi—take a small bag with you, large luggage can be securely stored until we return. Highlights: South-coast surf breaks, Tetebatu rice terraces and waterfalls, camping under Mount Rinjani in Sembalun, Tiu Kelep’s hidden cascades, and secret ridge viewpoints. What’s included: Safety gear, all meals daily, drinking water, snacks, all accommodations (shared with private upgrades), all fuel, rider salary, all entrance fees. What’s not: Alcohol, souvenirs, extra snacks or meals, coffees, rider tips, and any extra street-food indulgence you can’t resist. Riding setup: You + a dedicated local rider for the full loop—no self-drive options. More details: Full packing list, seasonal notes, and booking steps live on the Lombok Loop FAQ page. Trips are usually a tight-knit group of six to eight travelers and we intentially cap our numbers each week, so if you don't book ahead, you likely will miss out. Trips depart every Thursday morning from Senggigi. We’ve fine-tuned this itinerary over years of trial laps and local input. Everything’s dialed so you can focus on the ride—and make the Lombok Loop your most memorable adventure in Indonesia. How to Book the Lombok Loop The quickest way is to book directly on the Lombok Loop website. You can also message us on WhatsApp (+62 877-4900-9007)—our friendly local team can help answer any questions you may have. We also list the tour on GetYourGuide and Viator if you already manage trips through those apps, but their service charges make the final price a touch higher. Group size is capped at eight riders, so departures often sell out a week or two ahead; if your first-choice date is full, we’ll automatically offer the next available Thursday. Book: Lombok Loop Experience What to Expect on the Lombok Loop Every tour follows the same four-day rhythm—coastal rides, jungle climbs, local food, interacting with locals, and plenty of unplanned stops—yet we tweak the route each week to keep things fresh (and to stay one step ahead of the copycats). Below is a snapshot from my last ride with an especially lively crew. It hits the big moments without giving away every hidden nook we’ve scouted. Day 1 - Senggigi to Kuta We roll out of Senggigi just after sunrise, cutting up the switchbacks of Melase Hill for a full-island panorama that sets the tone for the trip. A quick drop into a roadside market follows, think sticky rice snacks, fresh coconut, and a chance to chat with vendors before the tourist buses show up. Mid-morning we pull into Dayat’s village for a ten-minute walk-through on traditional coconut oil making, then tuck into a home-cooked lunch. From there it’s throttle-open toward the south-coast beaches: Selong Belanak, Mawi, Mawun, and Tampah if the tides line up. Expect sand between your toes and a rotating lineup of warung snacks in your hand. Late afternoon, we aim our bikes at a hush-hush west-facing cove for sunset and that first “I can’t believe this is day one” moment. We overnight in a social hostel in Kuta (private upgrades available), regroup for dinner, then leave the evening free for you to explore Kuta’s bars or call it early for tomorrow’s mountain leg. Day 2 - Kuta to Sembalun We ease out of Kuta after breakfast, trading surf vibes for the rice-terraced backroads that snake toward Tetebatu. A quick pull-over at a Sasak weaving hamlet lets you watch hand-loomed songket in action before the asphalt turns to single-lane farm track, cutting through emerald rice paddies and sleepy villages. Late morning we duck into Tetebatu waterfall, a clear plunge pool, optional six-meter cliff jump, and a laid-back buffet spread of village dishes waiting when you towel off. From there, the road coils around Mount Rinjani’s southern flank, climbing into a misty monkey forest and topping out at a ridge lookout that feels borrowed from Middle-earth. By mid-afternoon, we descend into Sembalun, the alpine base camp for Rinjani treks, and roll straight onto our private campground. Tents are pre-pitched (bungalow upgrades if you’d rather four walls), dinner’s a Sumbawa-style buffet, and the night wraps around a bonfire with guitars, starlight, and maybe a local palm wine tasting if the group’s in the mood. Day 3 - Sembalun to the North Sunrise in Sembalun is a pure postcard and one of my personal favorite areas to stay in Lombok. Rinjani’s peak glows pink while you dig into a mountain view breakfast. We throttle out to a hilltop strawberry farm for a quick pick-and-taste session, then glide along one of Lombok’s prettiest stretches of tarmac, stopping at a cluster of traditional Sasak houses that still use woven bamboo walls and clay floors. The road tilts north toward Senaru, with detours for roadside snacks, and a peek inside Lombok’s oldest mosque. In Senaru we perch above Tiu Kelep waterfall for that classic curtain-of-water shot; hikers can make the short trek to the base, while the rest of us unwind at a hidden jungle-pool resort that will stay off Google for now. By mid-afternoon, we descend to the north-west coast for our final camp. Expect sunset sea views, a communal dinner, and a send-off party. Usuall,y we have a bonfire, fire-dance, karaoke, guitars, the works: capping the day and sealing new friendships with the Lombok Loop crew. Day 4: North Coast to Senggigi We break camp at a relaxed pace and point the bikes south along a ribbon of coast road most tourists never touch. Terraced rice paddies spill to the ocean on one side; on the other, jungle ridges hide half-forgotten waterfalls we’ll stop to admire from the saddle. After a quick kopi stop in a stilt-house warung, the ascent begins, tight mountain switchbacks rising toward the Pusuk monkey forest, where long-tailed macaques line the guardrails and Rinjani’s summit floats above the clouds. A final sweep brings us to the Malimbu headlands for one last drone-worthy panorama of the Gili Islands. From here it’s an easy roll back into Senggigi, our original starting point. We swap photos, hand back helmets, and, if past tours are any guide, start planning the reunion ride before the engines fully cool! More History of the Lombok Loop I first landed on Lombok in 2019, one year into what would become a seven-year round-the-world journey. While exploring the island’s surf-washed coastlines and still-wild interior, I met Dayat—founder of the non-profit Rasymadi Lombok Foundation, which teaches local kids English so they can work in Lombok’s growing tourism scene. I volunteered at his English club, and we quickly became friends. A few years later I returned, this time with more time, bikes, and a plan to trace every scenic back road on the island. Together, Dayat and I rode farther and asked more questions than any guidebook ever could, hunting down quiet reef bays, hidden waterfalls, and the best stretches of freshly paved coastal asphalt. The spark came from Vietnam’s Ha Giang Loop: if that route could showcase the north’s karst mountains in four days, why couldn’t a similar circuit reveal Lombok’s volcanoes, rice terraces, and coral-fringed beaches? We sketched a 450 km, four-day loop that balances riding with authentic stops—local homestays, warung lunches, quick reef swims, and sunrise treks up jungle trails. That first test ride proved the concept. Since then, we’ve refined the itinerary, capped group sizes for safety and community impact, and kept the experience rooted in Dayat’s local connections. The goal has never changed: turn a good motorbike trip into Indonesia’s most memorable adventure tour, while channeling real benefits back to the island families who host, guide, and feed every rider along the way.

I’ve been living on the road full-time for the past seven years, lugging my camera gear across the …

The post Atlas Adventure Camera Backpack Review for Travel & Hiking appeared first on We Seek Travel.

I’ve been living on the road full-time for the past seven years, lugging my camera gear across the world for my own adventures, photography jobs, tourism campaigns, and multi-day expeditions. My camera backpack is easily one of the most important pieces of gear I own, and over the years, I’ve tested quite a few. For the past two years, I’ve been using the Atlas Adventure Camera Backpack every single day. I live out of my bags, so I can only carry one, and this is the one I use when hiking in the Himalayas, carrying onboard flights, or shooting for hotel clients in the tropics. Honestly, it’s about time I shared a full review of this pack. Table of Contents Overview of the Atlas Adventure Camera Backpack Comfort Space Materials & Durability Does it Work as a Carry-On? What Would I Change About the Atlas Adventure Pack? Where to Buy This Pack Overview of the Atlas Adventure Camera Backpack The truth is, there’s no perfect camera backpack; everyone’s needs are different. But for me, this is the closest thing I’ve found. It’s the most versatile, most comfortable, and most durable camera pack I’ve used. Okay, I’m aiming for a fair review here and I’ll include a few things I’d change below but you’ve probably caught on by now that I’m a big fan of this pack. Here’s a quick rundown of the key features that make the Atlas Adventure stand out: Origami Camera Core: Unique single-fold system replaces bulky cubes - instantly adaptable to different gear setups. Trekking Pack Design: Built like a serious hiking pack with a proper internal frame, full-size hip belt, and padded shoulder straps. Expandable Capacity: Expands from a sleek 35L to a generous 60L - great for travel and multi-day treks. Airline-Compatible: Fits under most airplane seats while still carrying a full kit (even for alpine or remote expeditions). Adventure-Ready Storage: Enough room for jackets, layers, food, and technical gear. Pocket Game Strong: So many pockets I don’t even use them all but they’re there when you need them. Laptop Ready: Full-sized laptop sleeve fits my 16-inch MacBook Pro easily. Size Customization: Comes in different torso sizes - properly fitted to your body like a real trekking pack. Full Specs: Atlas Adventure Backpack Comfort I’ve used a lot of camera packs over the years including the popular F-Stop Tilopa, Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II, and others. They’re all great at protecting gear and ticking travel boxes. But none of them felt truly comfortable to hike with. That’s where the Atlas Adventure stands out. Most camera backpacks are built around the gear not the person carrying it. And when you're lugging a heavy load through airports, up mountains, or across multi-day treks (especially with primes and telephotos at 6,000+ meters altitude), comfort quickly becomes the most important feature. This pack is built like a real hiking backpack, and that's the most important feature for me. Shoulder Straps: Genuinely the thickest I’ve used on a camera pack. More like what you’d find on an Osprey or Deuter trekking pack. That said, they’re almost too thick for a Peak Design Capture Clip but there’s a clever strap running down the front that works as a mounting point. Hip Belt: Wide, dense, and properly shaped (ensure you get the full hiking belt, not the airport belt). This isn’t an afterthought; it’s a hiking-grade load-bearing belt that actually works when the bag is fully packed. Torso Sizing: Maybe the most important part. Atlas offers different pack sizes based on torso length, and they’ll guide you through the fitting process when you order. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all pack, it’s fitted like a serious hiking pack should be. If you're carrying real weight and doing real travel, this is the kind of comfort that matters. Alternative: Atlas Athlete Atlas makes two backpacks, the second is the Atlas Athlete, a smaller, leaner pack that's arguably the most popular. I prefer the Adventure because I carry a lot of gear, but check out how the Athlete compares below. Compare: Atlas Athlete Pack Space The second most important thing is how a backpack manages your gear, and how much room is left for everything else you actually need when traveling and hiking. When I’m in the mountains, this is my day pack. It’s bigger than everyone else’s, sure, but I’m usually loaded up with camera bodies, drones, and multiple lenses. Even with all that, I still manage to fit jackets, water bottles, snacks, and layers for the hike. If you want to know what camera gear I carry, it's easier to watch the video above or read my current camera gear guide here. Drink Holders on Both Sides: Fits standard bottles, and there’s also an internal sleeve for a hydration bladder. Full-Sized Laptop Sleeve: Carries my 16-inch MacBook Pro securely. This is how I travel with both my camera kit and mobile office through airports and across continents. Two External Pockets: I hardly use them, but they’re there for filters, jackets, or other quick-access items. Stretch Front Pocket: Elastic and deep, I always stash a down jacket or Gore-Tex layer here on hikes. Massive Lid Compartment: The biggest I’ve seen on a camera pack. Even when it’s empty, it wraps neatly over the top thanks to the clever shaping. Inside are three zip pockets for organizing smaller items. Top Drawstring Compartment: Where I pack hiking clothes, food, towels, or whatever else I need depending on the day. Easy to access and compresses well. Side Compression Straps: Thoughtfully placed — essential when the pack’s fully loaded. One downside: when it’s packed to capacity, the bag looks massive. That’s not ideal when flying budget airlines. But I’ve gotten around this by cinching everything down with the compression straps — helps it look more compact, and so far, it’s worked. Materials & Durability After two years of daily use through airports, expeditions in Nepal and Pakistan, and island hopping in Asia and the Pacific, the Atlas Adventure Camera Backpack has proven to be exceptionally durable. Key Materials: 240D Double Ripstop Shell: The exterior is crafted from a 240-denier double ripstop fabric, providing a balance between lightweight design and resistance to abrasions and tears. Honestly I don't know much about what this means but I know I haven't got any rips on the outside and I'm pretty rough with it. Weather Resistance: The pack features water-resistant materials and water-tight zippers on the exterior compartments, offering protection against snow and light rain. But when it really pours, you'll want to use the rain cover that's also included. YKK Zippers & Duraflex Buckles: High-quality YKK zippers and Duraflex buckles are used throughout. These I do know, and show the quality and offer real reliability in demanding conditions, including ice and heat. Real-World Performance: I’ve dragged this backpack over rocks, ice, exposed it to saltwater on longtail boats, and left it in extreme cold during high-altitude treks. Despite this, the pack has shown no signs of wear or failure. I'm honestly kind of surprised that the materials have held up so well, with no rips, tears, or broken components to date. Does it Work as a Carry-On? Short answer: yes — as long as you compress it properly. The Atlas Adventure Backpack is deliberately designed to fit within most airline carry-on size limits. The listed dimensions are roughly 21.5 x 13.5 x 9 inches (55 x 34 x 23 cm), which keeps it just within standard international cabin baggage limits, typically around 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm). And at real airports, over two years of full-time travel, I’ve never been forced to check it, even on budget airlines which is what I usually fly. That said, the real issue is weight, not size. Fully loaded with camera gear, the pack EASILY exceeds airline carry-on weight limits (usually 7–10 kg). I usually work around this by stuffing my jacket pockets with lenses before check-in and it hasn't failed me yet. The downside here is that the pack is one of the heaviest camera backpacks for travel (5.95 pounds or 2.7 kg) and built like a legit trekking pack, which is great for support but not for airport scales. Most airlines have a 7 kg (15.4 lb) carry-on weight limit, and due to the weight of the pack I can only ever get away with my laptop, one lens, and a jacket in the bag; the rest go in my jacket or pants pockets until I get to security. What Would I Change About the Atlas Adventure Pack? There’s honestly very little I’d change. I think I’ve found my pack for life. Well, until something truly groundbreaking comes out. All the big boxes are ticked: comfort, space, durability, and carry-on compatibility. But if we’re being thorough, here are a few points worth noting: Weight: At around 2.7 kg (5.95 lb) empty, it’s heavier than most camera packs. If there were a way to shave off some weight without compromising comfort or structure, I’d be all for it. That said, I’d rather carry a few extra grams than deal with flimsy straps or back pain. Price: It’s expensive, no getting around that. But this is a pack you’ll likely use for a decade or more. For serious travel photographers, it’s more of a long-term investment than a splurge. After a long stretch in the tropics, I noticed a bit of mold developing on the camera straps. It was easy enough to clean off with vinegar and hot water, and importantly, nothing got inside the pack. But it would be great if the exterior materials had better mold resistance... maybe a different coating or fabric blend? Overall, these are minor gripes for a pack that’s carried my gear across the world without fail. Where to Buy This Pack The best place to purchase the Atlas Adventure Camera Backpack is directly from Atlas Packs. They offer personalized fitting support, just measure your torso length and select the appropriate size, or reach out to their team for assistance. This ensures you get a pack that fits your body properly, which is crucial for comfort during long treks or long travel trips.

Most travelers skip the Solomons and book a poolside holiday in Fiji instead. But be honest, are you …

The post Solomon Islands Itinerary: 1 Week in the Western Provinces appeared first on We Seek Travel.

Most travelers skip the Solomons and book a poolside holiday in Fiji instead. But be honest, are you really going to remember that fourth spa cocktail? Or will you remember hiking through rainforest to a jungle waterfall on Kolombangara, snorkeling over coral gardens at Imagination Island, or paddling a dugout canoe through a mangrove forest to a remote village in Rendova? That’s why I visited the Solomon Islands, and that’s why I’ve put together this itinerary. It’s adapted from the exact trip I took through the Western Provinces, and if you’re a regular reader of We Seek Travel, you already know what to expect: it’s fast-paced, packed with adventure, and includes both the iconic highlights and the lesser-known spots you won’t find on most blogs. Of course, even if you’re not going that deep, this itinerary should give you plenty of ideas to shape your own Solomon Islands adventure. Table of Contents Solomon Islands Itinerary Overview Travel Logistics Day 1: Arrival in Munda Day 2: Kolombangara Island & Journey to Imbu Rano Day 3: Gizo, Imagination Island & Fatboys Resort Day 4: Kennedy Island, Diving & Snorkeling Adventures Day 5: Zipolo Habu, Skull Island & Vonavona Lagoon Day 6: Titiru Eco Lodge & Cultural Encounters Day 7: Mangroves, Dugouts & Return to Munda My Final Thoughts About Adventure Travel in the Solomon Islands Solomon Islands Itinerary Overview This itinerary focuses on the Western Province, easily the most rewarding region for travelers in the Solomons. It’s where you’ll find the country’s best dive sites, clearest lagoons, and most accessible islands. More importantly, it’s the only region with anything resembling consistent tourism infrastructure, though even that’s still pretty raw. Here’s what to expect from this itinerary: Island-hopping by boat across Munda, Gizo, Kolombangara, Simbo, Rendova & more Jungle hikes to remote waterfalls and volcanic craters World-class snorkeling and SCUBA diving, including Njari Island and Kennedy Island Authentic cultural experiences in small villages like Ughele and Simbo WWII history, including Skull Island and the Peter Joseph Museum Eco-lodges and rustic beachfront resorts, all locally owned and community-focused Don't Miss: Guide to Where to Stay in the Solomon Islands Travel Logistics The most convenient way to explore the Western Province is to fly in and out of Munda, which has direct flights from Brisbane and domestic connections to Honiara. Munda is compact and walkable, with boat access to many nearby islands, making it a perfect jumping-off point for this itinerary. Tip: We did this itinerary in just one week, but I’ll be honest... it was fast-paced. If you’ve got the time, I’d recommend stretching it out to two weeks to properly soak up each location and slow the pace a little. That said, it’s absolutely doable in one if you’re short on time (like we were), especially if you keep transfers efficient and skip a rest day. You can also adjust this plan easily, spend more time at places like Fatboys or Titiru, and cut or shuffle stops depending on your interests. Day 1: Arrival in Munda Visit: Peter Joseph WWII Museum, Roviana Lagoon sunset cruise Stay at: Qua Roviana Guest House or Agnes Gateway Hotel Fly into Munda Airport (MUA). This is the most convenient entry point to the Western Province with direct flights from Brisbane and regular connections from Honiara. You’ll land right by the water, and it’s less than five minutes on foot to Qua Roviana Guest House or Anges Gateway Hotel. These offer a great base for your first night and is what I used as a launchpad for my itinerary through the Western Provinces. Both are right near the village pier and ideal for a short stop. Room at Agnes Gateway After dropping your bags, head to the Peter Joseph WWII Museum, a private collection just outside Munda town. The owner, Barney has collected hundreds of relics from the jungle and reefs, weapons, helmets, even aircraft fragments! Barney is a great storyteller and overall great person. He shared some really interesting stories you won’t find online and I love to see someone so passionate about their interests, it's really infectious. In the late afternoon, if you have time, I recommend joining a sunset cruise on Roviana Lagoon, which you can book through Agnes Gateway Hotel. The boat departs from the waterfront deck and cruises past scattered islands and local villages. If you’re short on time, simply grab a beer and watch the sunset from Agnes' open-air restaurant. They also serve some of the best seafood I've tried in the Solomons (go for the coconut fish), and have the best atosphere in Munda. Just don't get sucked into the Karaoke because day 2 of this Solomon Islands travel itineary involves an early start! Day 2: Kolombangara Island & Journey to Imbu Rano • Visits: Miles Falls hike, Kolombangara rainforest, birdwatching • Stay at: Imbu Rano Lodge, Kolombangara Island Start the day early with a boat transfer from Munda across to Kolombangara Island, a perfectly round volcanic island dominated by dense rainforest and mist-covered ridges. Boats usually depart from the Munda town pier and land at Ringi Cove, the main dock on the island. From here, it’s a rugged 4WD ride (around 45 minutes) inland to Imbu Rano Lodge, perched high on the slopes of the extinct volcano. The road climbs steadily through logging tracks and jungle, with stunning views toward the crater rim. Imbu Rano means mountain mist Imbu Rano is one of the most unique places you can stay in the Solomons, a quiet eco-lodge run by Kolombangara Island Biodiversity Conservation Association (KIBCA). You’ll sleep in a timber cabin surrounded by untouched forest, with panoramic views of the valley below. You can contact them directly to book via the KIBCA website here, or ask Agnes Gateway Hotel or Qua Roviana Guest House to help arrange it in advance. It’s not on most travel radars, but it's one of the most worthwhile stops on this itinerary. After arriving and settling in, relax on the deck with a coffee or lunch, the lodge usually serves simple, hearty meals. In the afternoon, ask your guide to take you on a short hike through the rainforest. You can walk down to the nearby river or continue on to Miles Falls, a series of waterfalls about 2 hours' hike downhill from the lodge. This is a great area for birdwatching, especially in the early evening. Kolombangara is home to several endemic species, including the Kolombangara white-eye and the incredibly rare Roviana rail. Even if you're not a birder, the forest here is pristine and completely quiet — perfect for just sitting back and taking it in. Return to the lodge before dark for dinner and a night completely off the grid, no reception, no traffic, just the sounds of the forest. Easily one of my favorite experiences in the Solomon Islands. Viewing deck at Imbu Rano Day 3: Gizo, Imagination Island & Fatboys Resort • Visits: Gizo town, snorkeling at Imagination Island Resort • Stay at: Fatboys Resort, Gizo Leave Imbu Rano early and take the boat back to Gizo, passing volcanic peaks, reef-fringed islets, and classic Solomon views along the way. This stretch is one of the most scenic legs of the itinerary, keep your camera out. On arrival, stop for lunch at Imagination Island Resort, just a few minutes by boat from Gizo harbor. This tiny manmade island is built entirely over the reef, and if you have time for only one snorkel in Gizo, this is the spot. The reef here is surprisingly vibrant, we spotted reef sharks, large schools of fish, and bright red fan corals growing right beneath the overwater restaurant deck. Totally unexpected. You can jump in straight from the jetty, and there’s even a small beach for sunbathing between swims. After lunch and a snorkel session, take a short boat ride into Gizo town for a quick look around. Walk through the market, pick up a carved souvenir, or grab a cold drink at PT-109 Bar. It’s worth a visit, but you won’t need long. From town, transfer by boat to Fatboys Resort, set on a private island just across the water. This was easily my favorite place to stay in the Solomon Islands. The overwater bungalows, laid-back vibe, and panoramic reef views make it the perfect spot to slow down after a few high-energy days. Spend the afternoon relaxing in your bungalow or, if you’re still feeling adventurous, ask the team about renting a polycraft boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard to explore the surrounding reefs and islets. If you can, ask them about doing a “wine down” sunset session, a short boat trip to a nearby sandbar for drinks as the sun dips below the ocean. It’s a casual but epic way to finish off the day. Dinner is served back at the main deck restaurant, and like everything at Fatboys, it’s laid-back, local, and exactly what you want after a long day in the tropics. Day 4: Kennedy Island, Diving & Snorkeling Adventures Visits: Kennedy Island, wreck dive (The Tao Maru), Gizo reef system Stay at: Fatboys Resort, Gizo Wake up at Fatboys and take full advantage of your location, this is hands down the best base for snorkeling and diving in the Western Province! If you're short on time, make today count. Start the morning with a trip to Kennedy Island, just a short boat ride from the resort. This is a historic island where John F. Kennedy and his crew swam ashore after their patrol boat, PT-109, was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer during WWII. You’ll see a basic sign explaining the story, but the real highlight is chatting with Joel, the island’s caretaker, he’ll happily walk you through the full story. You can snorkel straight off the beach or go for a shallow scuba dive here, the reef is healthy, full of life, and ideal for beginners or those easing back into the water. If you're certified and feeling confident, don’t miss a dive at the Tao Maru, a massive 140-meter Japanese transport ship sunk during WWII just outside Gizo. This was easily one of the best dives of the entire trip, coral-encrusted superstructure, swim-throughs, and tons of marine life. Conditions are usually calm, and the visibility was excellent when we went. Even if you're not diving, Fatboys can arrange snorkel trips to nearby reef sites with crystal-clear water and incredible coral. Back at the resort, you can spend the afternoon however you like. There’s kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, polycraft rentals, or just grab a hammock and relax over the water with a drink in hand. Dinner is served at the overwater restaurant, where you’ll likely end up sharing dive stories with other guests as reef sharks circle below the deck lights. Day 5: Zipolo Habu, Skull Island & Vonavona Lagoon • Visits: Skull Island, Vonavona Lagoon, fishing or a bushwalk • Stay at: Zipolo Habu Resort, Lola Island From Fatboys, take a morning boat transfer west through the reef system and into the Vonavona Lagoon ,a calm, mangrove-lined waterway surrounded by small villages and untouched jungle. After about an hour boat trip through some of the most picturesque waterways I've ever seen, you’ll arrive at Zipolo Habu Resort, located on Lola Island, just across from the village of New Georgia. Zipolo Habu is laid-back and low-key, with timber bungalows set among tropical gardens and a breezy open-air restaurant overlooking the lagoon. It’s a favorite among game fishers, divers, and yachties, but still under the radar for most travelers. You can arrange your stay directly or have Fatboys help coordinate the boat transfer and booking. After lunch, organize a short boat trip to Skull Island, just five minutes from the resort. This sacred site is home to dozens of human skulls placed in traditional shrines, a powerful reminder of the Solomons’ headhunting past. Entry requires a small fee and a local guide, both of which the Zipolo team can arrange. It’s one of the most unique and culturally significant sites in the Western Province. In the afternoon, you’ve got options. Head out on a fishing trip with the Zipolo crew, walk the short bush trail behind the resort, or just chill in a hammock with a cold beer. The resort is surrounded by jungle, and the water is calm enough for a swim right off the beach. Dinner is served at the restaurant, usually something freshly caught, and the vibe is super relaxed. After four big days, this is a great place to slow the pace before heading to Rendova. Day 6: Titiru Eco Lodge & Cultural Encounters • Visits: Ughele Village, Lubaria Island, Rainbow Beach • Stay at: Titiru Eco Lodge, Rendova Island Take a boat transfer from Zipolo Habu across Vonavona Lagoon and Blackett Strait to Titiru Eco Lodge, tucked into a mangrove-lined cove on Rendova Island. Titiru isn’t a resort, it’s a locally run eco-lodge offering something much rarer: connection to place and people. When we arrived, we were welcomed with a full cultural demonstration by members of the local community. I’m not sure if this is standard for all guests, but if you get the chance, don’t miss it. It was honestly one of the most engaging cultural experiences I’ve had anywhere. Over 14 different stations, locals demonstrated everything from traditional cooking methods and storytelling to weaving, carving, and even how they make toys from jungle materials. It really felt like a real effort to share their knowledge and way of life. It stuck with me more than any museum ever has. After lunch, join the lodge’s Coconut Palm & Forest Bush Walk, which takes you through the rainforest to Ughele Village. Your guide will show you how local plants are used for food, medicine, and tools, it’s practical knowledge, passed down for generations. Later in the afternoon, take a boat ride out to Lubaria Island, an off-grid spot with ties to the WWII John F. Kennedy story. On the return trip, stop at Rainbow Beach, a quiet bay with soft sand and vibrant reef just out from the Mangroves. Great for a relaxed snorkel to end the day. Dinner is served back at the lodge, and the atmosphere here is peaceful and real. No generators, no Wi-Fi — just the sounds of the forest and the feeling that you’ve truly arrived somewhere special. Day 7: Mangroves, Dugouts & Return to Munda • Visits: Optional activities from Titiru Eco Lodge • Stay at: Qua Roviana Guest House or Agnes Gateway Hotel, Munda After a packed week, Titiru is the perfect place to slow down. Spend the morning unwinding or pick from a handful of low-key activities, just speak with the team at the lodge and they’ll sort it out for you. You can go crabbing in the mangroves, paddle a traditional dugout canoe, take a guided medicinal plant walk, try hand-line fishing, or just go for a kayak and explore the coastline. There’s also a forest trail behind the lodge if you feel like stretching your legs one last time. If you're tight on time, you’ll want to leave in the late morning or early afternoon for a boat transfer back to Munda, around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the route and sea conditions. For your final night, stay at either Qua Roviana Guest House or Agnes Gateway Hotel — both are close to the airport, making it easy for an early flight out. Most international routes will take you via Honiara, with onward connections back to Brisbane or other hubs. Whether you're flying home or continuing your island travels, a final sunset by the lagoon is the right way to wrap up the trip. My Final Thoughts About Adventure Travel in the Solomon Islands I had a genuinely great time exploring the Solomon Islands. It was a refreshing change of pace, raw, real, and completely different from anywhere else I’ve traveled in the Pacific. Even after a fast-paced week bouncing between islands, it left me wanting more. If I did it again, I’d stretch this itinerary out to two weeks to give each place a bit more breathing room. But whether you follow this plan closely or just use it for ideas, I hope it’s helped you get a feel for what’s possible — and I hope you fall in love with the Solomons like I did. Taggio tumas!

Tucked between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands sit in a part of the Pacific that …

The post Is the Solomon Islands Safe for Travel? appeared first on We Seek Travel.

Tucked between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands sit in a part of the Pacific that doesn’t get much attention, unless it’s for headlines about tribal headhunting history or regional conflict in nearby Papua New Guinea. It’s fair to wonder: Is it actually safe to travel to the Solomon Islands? I get the concern, but after traveling around the Western Provinces, I can tell you the reality is very different from the fear. In this guide, I’ll walk you through what safety in the Solomons really looks like today, from local attitudes and cultural norms to tourism infrastructure and practical tips, all based on my own firsthand experience. Table of Contents Overview: Traveler Safety in the Solomon Islands Safest Places to Travel in the Solomon Islands The People of the Solomon Islands: Curious, Kind & Always Smiling Solomon Islands Headhunter Past Cultural Etiquette & Local Customs in the Solomon Islands Natural Hazards in the Solomon Islands Overview: Traveler Safety in the Solomon Islands Location: The Solomon Islands are an archipelago of nearly 1,000 islands in the South Pacific, located east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu. General Safety: The Solomon Islands are considered politically stable but underdeveloped. Crime is low in rural areas but petty theft can occur in Honiara. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. Travel Advisory (2025): Many government advisories including Australia and United States currently advise travelers to exercise normal safety precautions, which is the same designation as many developed nations including Germany and the United Kingdom. Health & Infrastructure: Medical facilities are basic. Malaria is present across all provinces, though you should consult with a doctor for any medical advice. Cultural Context: While the Solomons have a history of headhunting and tribal warfare (ending in the early 20th century), today’s communities are peaceful, welcoming, and proud to share their culture. Current Events: Though nearby Papua New Guinea has seen recent unrest, the Solomon Islands remain calm. Occasional political protests occur in Honiara but rarely affect travelers. Where to Go: The Western Province (including Gizo, Munda, and Rendova) is one of the safest and most tourist-friendly areas, with laid-back villages, world-class diving, and some of the best accommodations in the Solomon Islands. Connectivity & Comms: Mobile reception is limited outside major towns and eSIMs are honestly a waste of time in the Solomons. Police Presence: Police are under-resourced but present in major towns like Honiara and Gizo. Village-level safety relies more on local custom and community accountability, and it works. Important: I never travel without health insurance. After 7+ years on the road, I’ve only claimed a few times, but when things went wrong, I was glad I was covered. For the Solomons, I used Heymondo, which I use for all my trips now. It’s simple, affordable, and covers remote destinations. Safest Places to Travel in the Solomon Islands Overall, the Solomon Islands is a very safe country for travelers. Violent crime is rare, and tourists are almost never targeted. Most safety concerns come down to remoteness and lack of healthcare infrastructure, not risk. Outside of Honiara, communities are small, tight-knit, and extremely peaceful. Here’s a quick breakdown of the safest and most tourist-friendly regions to visit: Western Province – The best region for first-time visitors. Includes Munda, Gizo, and surrounding islands. Safe villages, great diving, and solid tourism infrastructure. Munda and Gizo both have airstrips and reliable guesthouses that make it easy to kick start an epic Solomon Islands itinerary. Rennell & Bellona – Remote and deeply traditional. Low tourism but very safe for respectful travelers. Great for cultural experiences and untouched nature. Central Province – Home to small islands like Tulagi and Nggela. Quiet and easygoing, with friendly locals and calm waters for kayaking and snorkeling. Guadalcanal (Outside Honiara) – Honiara has the highest crime rate, mostly petty theft. But areas like Tenaru Falls or the WWII relic sites inland are safe with a local guide or driver. The People of the Solomon Islands: Curious, Kind & Always Smiling If there’s one thing I remember most clearly from my time in the Solomons, it’s the people, genuinely warm, endlessly curious, and always ready with a smile. That smile might often be stained red from betel nut (called buai locally), but don’t let that throw you. It can look intimidating at first but it’s completely normal across the Pacific. I’ve seen the same thing in rural parts of India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. The red-stained teeth come from chewing a local nut wrapped in lime and pepper leaf. It’s mildly stimulating, kind of like caffeine, and part of daily life in many island nations. After a few days, you stop noticing it and what you do notice is how friendly and welcoming people are, no matter where you go. When I landed at Munda Airport, the security staff gave me the kind of greeting you just don’t get in airports anymore. Not just a “welcome,” but actual interest, asking me where I was going, where I was heading, all with big smiles and with a curiousity and excitement for tourism. That laid-back, open attitude extends into the villages too. Locals are used to seeing visitors in small numbers and seem genuinely happy to have travelers around. It’s not uncommon for people to wave from the beach or invite you to sit and talk under a palm-thatched shelter. There are big cultural differences here, Christianity is strong, traditional customs are respected, and village life runs on community rhythm, not strict timetables. But the openness makes it easy to feel at home. You’re not treated as a tourist in the usual sense more like a temporary part of the neighborhood. If you’re respectful, patient, and take the time to ask questions, you’ll find the Solomons to be one of the friendliest places in the Pacific. The people of the Solomon Islands are very proud of the WWII history Solomon Islands Headhunter Past The Solomon Islands' tribal past is one of the first things people bring up when they hear you’re traveling there, especially the old stories of headhunters, who raided rival villages and collected skulls as symbols of power and protection. Yes, it’s true. Headhunting was practiced in parts of the Solomons until the early 20th century. But like many parts of the Pacific, it was tied to complex spiritual beliefs, not random violence. The practice ended with the arrival of missionaries and colonial rule, and modern-day Solomon Islanders are nothing like the fearsome image that history (and tourism marketing) sometimes paints. That said, the past hasn’t been erased. You can still visit Skull Island, a sacred site near Munda in the Western Province, where dozens of real skulls are stacked in a traditional shrine. It’s both eerie and fascinating, and it gives real insight into how local customs and spiritual beliefs shaped island life. Today, Solomon Islanders are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people I’ve met. The only heads being “taken” now are through good conversation, shared stories, and maybe a few selfies. Cultural Etiquette & Local Customs in the Solomon Islands Life in the Solomon Islands moves at a different pace. It's called Solomon Time. Expect a slower, more communal, and deeply respectful way of life. As a visitor, a little cultural awareness goes a long way. Greet people – A simple “hello” or wave is expected when passing someone in a village. Don’t just walk by silently. Ask before taking photos – Especially in remote areas. People are generally happy to be photographed, but it’s polite to ask first. Actually in my experience, with my camera out people asked me to take photos of them! Dress normally – Swimwear is fine at resorts or beaches but as with any towns, dress normally in towns. Sundays are sacred – Most locals attend church and spend time with family. Shops close, boats don’t run, and loud activities are frowned upon. Declining offers – If you’re offered food or betel nut, a smile and polite “no thanks” is fine. People won’t be offended, but it’s good to be gracious. You don’t need to speak the language, but even just learning a couple of phrases goes a long way. In Solomon Pijin, “Halo” means hello, and “Taggio tumas” (pronounced tag-gee-oh too-mass) means thank you very much. Natural Hazards in the Solomon Islands The Solomon Islands sit right on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide and volcanoes and earthquakes are part of the natural landscape. That geology is what gives the region its dramatic reefs and islands, but it also means natural hazards, while rare, are possible. Earthquakes are relatively common, though most are small and go unnoticed. Tsunamis are rare, but have occurred. In 2007, a magnitude 8.1 quake triggered a tsunami that struck Gizo and surrounding islands, killing over 50 people and displacing thousands but nothing like it has happened since or in the memory of anyone alive today. Cyclones (tropical storms) are the biggest seasonal risk. The official cyclone season runs from November to April, but major storms aren’t an annual event. Still, delays and rough seas can happen during this time. Volcanic activity exists on some islands (like Tinakula), but eruptions are extremely uncommon in areas visited by tourists. Best time to visit: The dry season runs from May to October, which is the most reliable window for calm seas, sunshine, and travel between islands. This is when most tourism operators run at full capacity, and it’s also when I visited.

The Solomon Islands aren’t built for mass tourism. If you’re after rooftop infinity pools and room service, you’re …

The post Solomon Islands Eco Lodges & Dive Resorts Guide appeared first on We Seek Travel.

The Solomon Islands aren’t built for mass tourism. If you’re after rooftop infinity pools and room service, you’re about 20 years (and one country) too early. But if you’re into waking up to the sound of dugout canoes gliding past your overwater bungalow, or rinsing off a jungle hike with rainwater while parrots and cicadas argue in the trees outside, then this might just be your kind of place. After hopping around remote corners of the Solomon Islands like Rendova, Marovo Lagoon, and Gizo, we stayed in everything from solar-powered eco lodges to overwater dive resorts. Some had cold showers, some had no Wi-Fi, and honestly, most were better for it. This guide is my personal account of what it’s actually like to stay in the Solomon Islands. I’ll walk you through the types of places you’ll find, what they cost, and what to expect when it comes to things like comfort, amenities, and hospitality. If you’re wondering whether this kind of travel is for you, the kind where your host might take you spearfishing before dinner, then this should give you a pretty clear picture. Table of Contents Overview: What’s Accommodation in the Solomon Islands Really Like? Solomon Islands Eco Lodges Titiru Eco Lodge – Rendova Island Imbu Rano Lodge – Kolombangara Island Zipolo Habu Resort – Lola Island Imagination Island Eco Resort Dive Resorts in the Solomon Islands Fatboys Resort – Mbabanga Island Agnes Gateway Hotel – Munda Convenient Place to Stay Before & After Your Trip to the Solomon Islands Overview: What’s Accommodation in the Solomon Islands Really Like? Tourism is centered in the Western Province, think Gizo, Munda, Marovo Lagoon, and remote islands. This is where you’ll find the best diving, surfing, and authentic cultural stays. If you’re deciding where to stay in the Solomon Islands, start there. Lodging options are varied: expect everything from solar-powered eco lodges and family-run guesthouses to rustic overwater dive resorts. Don’t expect the polished finish of a Fijian chain hotel or Balinese boutique places here are proudly independent and honestly refreshing. Getting to the Solomons is still a bit of an adventure. Tourism is growing, but it’s not on autopilot. The recent airport upgrade at Munda now means you can fly direct from Brisbane on an Airbus, which makes things a lot easier. There are also regular connections from Fiji and Papua New Guinea, but most travelers still arrive via Honiara. Prices range from $40 to $200+ per night, but the value comes from real experiences: fresh-caught fish for dinner, local stories, and waking up with the sun. Expect some quirks: patchy Wi-Fi (Starlink is making its wave), rainwater showers, power from a solar panel or the odd generator, and a genuine connection with your hosts. If you want turn-down service, this isn’t your place, but if you want to try mangrove fruit curry after your guided walk, you’re in the right spot. Most accommodations in the Solomon Islands will organize your local adventures, such as diving, village visits, fishing trips, and hikes, often with someone who actually grew up on the island, rather than booking with multinationals. 'Read: My 1 Week Solomon Islands Itinerary Solomon Islands Eco Lodges In the Solomon Islands, especially out in the Western Province, eco lodging isn’t a marketing gimmick, it’s just how things are done. Most of the islands don’t have grid electricity, Wi-Fi, or much in the way of infrastructure, so the lodges here are eco by necessity. Think bungalows built from local timber, rainwater tanks for showers, and off-the-grid solar setups keeping the lights on (when the sun’s out, anyway). It’s “forced eco” in the best way possible, and honestly, I'm here for it. Below are a few standouts from my own travels. Titiru Eco Lodge - Rendova Island Titiru Eco Lodge was founded in 2012 by the late Kilo Paza, a Rendova local who set out to create a lodge that would support his community and share real island culture with guests. Today, it’s run by his two sons, who carry on the same mission: keep things local, keep things real. You’ll find Titiru tucked into Saqiri Cove, surrounded by mangroves and native bushland. The bungalows are basic and built from local materials, overwater or set in the trees with solar fans, mosquito nets, and cold-water showers. My arrival at Titiru was something I’ll never forget. We were greeted with a full cultural reenactment with locals in traditional dress, a welcome drink, and fourteen different hands-on demonstrations of Rendova life, from cooking and crafts to music and ancient fishing techniques. It felt more like being welcomed into a village than checking into a hotel, and every bit was thoughtful, authentic, and genuinely eye-opening. Meals are simple, hearty, and shared with staff and other guests. We ate fresh fish, root veg, and whatever’s growing or swimming nearby. Activities include paddling dugout canoes, mangrove hikes, village visits, even night crabbing and live bamboo band performances. When I stayed, the owners and staff went out of their way to make us part of the place, not just another guest passing through. Facilities are basic: solar power, rainwater, no aircon. But the view over the sea from the overwater bungalows make you forget all about that. It’s a true launchpad for exploring Rendova and the Western Province, and one of the most welcoming, grounded places I’ve stayed anywhere in the Pacific. Imbu Rano Lodge – Kolombangara Island The Solomon Islands aren't all about coconut-lined beaches and coral reefs. If you want to wake up above the clouds, surrounded by dense rainforest and volcanic ridges, Imbu Rano Lodge is the place. Perched 1,000 meters (3,280 ft) up on Kolombangara Island’s crater rim, this off-the-grid eco lodge started as a research outpost and now welcomes travelers keen on real jungle adventure. It’s remote, wild, and still run as a joint project by local conservation groups and Eagon Pacific’s forestry team. Getting here is half the adventure: after a boat ride from Munda or Gizo to Ringgi Station, you’ll jump in the back of a LandCruiser for a steep climb through rainforest and old logging trails. You can expect muddy tracks, waterfalls, parrots, and a serious change in climate as you gain altitude. The lodge itself is simple but comfortable. Three double rooms with proper beds, mosquito nets, and forest views. There’s solar power for charging gear, a shared kitchen where staff whip up hot meals (you’ll want them after hiking), and the main feature, an incredible deck overlooking the cloud forest toward Mt Veve. My stay here was all about hiking and unplugging. The staff were friendly and knew the island well. Our guides led us on jungle hikes to waterfall pools and crater viewpoints, pointing out rare birds and wild palms planted by wartime villagers. Evenings meant warming up by the fire pit and listening to the forest come alive after dark. Imbu Rano is not a luxury lodge, but it’s exactly the kind of place you come for when you want something real and raw. Come for jungle air, honest food, and some of the best high-elevation trekking in the Solomon Islands. Zipolo Habu Resort - Lola Island Zipolo Habu has been a Western Province favorite for years and is a classic Solomon Islands eco lodge with a serious fishing pedigree. The name says it all: “zipolo” is a plant Roviana locals carry for fishing luck, and “habu” means fish. So yes, this is the fishing lodge in the Solomons, and if you’re even remotely interested in casting a line, it’s the spot. Lola Island, Solomon Islands Lola Island sits just off Vona Vona Lagoon, about 30 minutes by boat from Munda. There’s never been any commercial fishing here. For centuries, locals have fished these waters with lines from dugout canoes or by spear. The lack of nets or trawlers means the reefs are loaded. It’s honestly one of the best places for sport and reef fishing in the Pacific, and the lodge staff know exactly where to take you for big GTs, coral trout, or a fresh dinner catch. The owners call this place their lost childhood dream. And it certainly feels like that when you first step off the weathered jetty and into a shaded wooden bar and restaurant built under giant trees, with traditional carvings everywhere you look. They’ve recently built new beachfront bungalows that are more like eco villas with a full lounge room, separate bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette. I only stayed one night, but we managed to squeeze in a fishing trip with local guides, a boat ride to explore Skull Island (a wild and worthwhile stop), and a visit to one of the best right-hand surf breaks I’ve seen totally empty, not a surfer or surfing lodge in sight. If you’re after a spot that combines adventure, real local culture, and a focus on sustainable fishing, Zipolo Habu is the place. Imagination Island Eco Resort Imagination Island Eco Resort is just a ten-minute boat ride from Gizo, but it feels worlds away. I only stopped in for lunch and a quick snorkel, but the place had a buzz to it with a laid-back, eco-conscious hangout with a young crowd playing cards, sharing beers, and swinging in hammocks overlooking the reef. The resort sits right on the water, with rustic overwater bungalows built from local timber, bamboo, and cane. There’s a crocodile skull mounted at the bar, which somehow fits perfectly with the offbeat island vibe. The whole place runs on solar, uses composting toilets, and goes out of its way to keep the island clean. Snorkeling straight off the jetty is top notch: healthy coral, loads of reef fish, and we even spotted small black-tip sharks cruising by. Rumor has it that manta rays and turtles swing through regularly as well. I only spent an afternoon here, but if you want easy access from Gizo, a social crowd, and an authentic island eco-lodge, Imagination Island is well worth a stop. Dive Resorts in the Solomon Islands If you’re coming to the Solomons, chances are it’s for the fishing, the laid-back pace, or the diving. While there are hundreds of dive sites, the thing is, you're not going to have any decision paralysis on booking your Solomon Islands dive resort, because there are only a handful to choose from. I’ve dived all over the world as a dive master, and the Solomon Islands reminded me exactly why I got into it in the first place. We had entire WWII wrecks and vibrant coral walls all to ourselves. There are Japanese transport ships lying upright in 30 meters (98 ft) of water, fully intact fighter planes on sandbanks at 20 meters (65 ft), and reefs where you can drift for hundreds of meters without seeing another soul. It’s the kind of diving where you feel like an explorer, not a customer. Fatboys Resort – Mbabanga Island If I had to pick one place to spend the most time in the Solomons, it’s Fatboys. Set on Mbabanga Island just a ten-minute boat ride from Gizo, this long-standing favorite nails the sweet spot between real island comfort and easy access to some of the best diving in the Pacific. Fatboys has always been known for its relaxed overwater bungalows and that iconic jetty restaurant stretching 100 meters out to sea. But the recent addition of a proper on-site dive shop pushes it into “must-stay” territory if you’re into diving or snorkeling. I’ve never turned up at a dive shop and had to pull the inserts out of the fins myself as the gear here is genuinely brand new, and easily the best I’ve used anywhere. Dives run daily to WWII wrecks, reefs, and coral walls, and there’s no crowding. Most days, you’ll have the boat to yourself or with just a few other divers. But it’s not just about diving. The bungalows are spacious, breezy, and built from local timber and sago palm. They're spacious, feature open-air bathrooms, mosquito-netted beds, and private balconies with reef views. There’s Wi-Fi at the restaurant thanks to Starlink, but you won’t miss it much if you’re out kayaking, paddleboarding, or just exploring the lagoon. Don’t skip the “wine down” sunset trips to the sandbar, which is easily one of the most memorable evenings I had in the Solomons. Meals at Fatboys revolve around what’s fresh. We ate a lot of crayfish and pan-fried reef fish with root vegetables, cooked in coconut milk. Things run on Solomon time, so patience is a virtue, but it fits the rhythm of the place. Agnes Gateway Hotel – Munda Agnes Gateway Hotel is a cornerstone of Munda’s hospitality scene, offering a blend of comfort, history, and access to world-class diving. Situated right on the waterfront of Roviana Lagoon, just a short walk from Munda Airport, it serves as an ideal base for travelers exploring the Western Province I didn’t get a chance to dive with them, but the operation is well-regarded. Magical Munda has helped put Munda on the map for wreck and reef diving, with guided trips to nearby WWII wrecks and vibrant coral gardens that are just a short boat ride from the pier. The waters around Munda boast spectacular walls dropping off to over 600 meters, teeming with marine life including various species of reef sharks, hammerheads, eagle rays, and barracudas. Macro enthusiasts can delight in sightings of pygmy seahorses and fiery dartfish. Additionally, the area is rich in WWII history, with numerous wrecks such as fighter planes and bombers scattered across the seabed. The hotel itself is one of the most professionally run operations I've found in the Solomons, with a range of rooms from simple doubles to family suites with balconies. The Munda Bar, overlooking the lagoon, is a popular spot to unwind and watch the sunset, and we even joined in on karaoke on our last night before flying back to Brisbane. What really stood out for me at Agnes was the food. The restaurant serves up consistently good meals, and the coconut fish was the best thing I ate in the Solomons hands down. If you’re flying in or out of Munda, or just want a comfortable base with sea views, cold beers, and easy access to diving, Agnes Gateway Hotel is a solid pick. Tip: If you’re staying in Munda, make time to visit Barney’s Peter Joseph WWII Museum. This place started as Barney’s personal obsession with digging up WWII relics in his backyard and the hills behind his house. Over the years, his collection grew to include everything from airplane engines to dog tags, and eventually, Tourism Solomons helped him build a shed to properly showcase it all. Convenient Place to Stay Before & After Your Trip to the Solomon Islands For anyone heading to the Western Province, I highly recommend flying directly into Munda. It’s the easiest, most convenient way to reach this part of the Solomons, with regular flights from Honiara and even direct services from Brisbane. You land right in the heart of the region’s adventure hub. That’s where Qua Roviana Guest House comes in. It was both the first and last place I stayed and it's just a five-minute walk from Munda Airport, literally down the end of the road, and right in front of the village pier. Whether you’re arriving, catching a flight out, or just need a night to regroup before heading out to the lagoons, you can’t beat the location. This is a friendly, family-run spot that feels like a home away from home. The rooms are air-conditioned, clean, and great value. I'm not recommending it as an eco-lodge or dive resort in the Solomon Islands, but as an ideal place to stay for a short stopover or overnight stay. To get to your room, you pass through a beautiful communal living area and kitchen, with polished local timber and traditional carvings giving the place real Western Province character. The owners are always happy to help with directions or local tips, making the whole process smooth from the minute you arrive. If you want convenience, affordability, and a genuinely welcoming start or finish to your trip, Qua Roviana is the way to go. Read: Is the Solomon Islands Safe for Travel?

Titiru Eco Lodge was the final stop on my Solomon Islands trip, and unexpectedly, one of my favorites. …

The post Titiru Eco Lodge Review: Rendova’s Best Local Stay appeared first on We Seek Travel.

Titiru Eco Lodge was the final stop on my Solomon Islands trip, and unexpectedly, one of my favorites. Tucked into a quiet coastal cove called Saqiri on Rendova Island, the lodge is surrounded by mangrove forest and native bushland. It’s not trying to be luxurious or polished. What it offers instead is much harder to come by: a genuine connection to Solomon Islands culture, peaceful nature, and a truly local experience. I spent a few days here paddling dugout canoes, relaxing, and taking part in cultural experiences that genuinely blew me away. In this review, I’ll share exactly what staying at Titiru Eco Lodge was like. That’s the good, the unexpected, and why it stood out among the places I stayed in the Western Province. Table of Contents Overview of Titiru Eco Lodge How to Get to Rendova Island & Titiru Lodge Arriving at Titiru Eco Lodge Rooms and Bungalows at Titiru Lodge Facilities at Titiru Eco Lodge Exploring Rendova & Beyond: Activities from Titiru Final Review of Titiru Eco Lodge Overview of Titiru Eco Lodge Location: Titiru Eco Lodge is located in Saqiri Cove between Egholo and Ughele villages on Rendova Island, Western Province, Solomon Islands. It’s surrounded by mangroves, bushland, tucked way in a marine-protected cove called Soqiri Cove. Booking: Direct bookings are available via their Facebook page or by booking online. Expect SBD 500–700 per person per night, depending on room type, season, and inclusions. Activities: Mangrove canoeing, night crabbing, wild cave tours, village visits, flying fox viewing, eel feeding, and bamboo band performances. There’s also hiking to Rendova Peak and visits to tabu sites for the more adventurous. Accommodation: Traditional-style overwater and bushland eco bungalows, including a large family bungalow perched over the cove. All are built from local materials, are basic, and are designed to blend with the natural environment. Meals: All meals are included and cooked by the local team using fresh ingredients. Expect hearty portions, simple village-style cooking, and plenty of seafood. Power & Connectivity: Solar-powered with limited generator backup. Only limited Starlink wifi when the generator is on during the time of writing. My TL;DR Review: Titiru is not for the luxury crowd, but if you’re after real culture, wild nature, and a place that actually feels connected to its surroundings, Titiru hits different. It’s simple, raw, and grounded, a true eco lodge that puts people and place first. Come for Rendova. Stay because you’ll want more time. Check Availability: Titiru Eco Lodge How to Get to Rendova Island & Titiru Lodge I visited Titiru after staying at Zipolo Habu Resort on Lola Island, following a jam-packed week-long itinerary in the Solomons. It took about an hour by boat to reach Saqiri Cove. If you're already traveling through the Western Province, it’s easy to combine Rendova with nearby islands like Gizo, Munda, or Kolombangara. If you're heading straight to Rendova: From Munda: The closest airport is Munda. From here, it's roughly a 45–60 minute boat ride to Titiru. The lodge can help arrange a private transfer. From Gizo: It’s a longer journey: allow around 2.5 to 3 hours by boat depending on sea conditions. You’ll likely pass via Munda or Noro. From Honiara: Fly to Munda with Solomon Airlines (1 hr 15 min), then continue by boat. There are no direct flights or ferries to Rendova. Tip: Contact Titiru in advance to arrange boat pickups and confirm timing. There’s no set ferry or public transport: all travel is by private longboat. Arriving at Titiru Arriving at Titiru Eco Lodge This was one of the most memorable arrivals I’ve ever had at a lodge. As we pulled into Saqiri Cove, we were greeted by warriors in traditional dress, reenacting what an arrival might have looked like in Rendova during the old headhunter days. It was staged as part of a cultural welcome, but it felt immersive and powerful. We were handed a welcome drink, our bags were taken, and before we had time to settle in, the “cultural show” began, something we hadn’t expected but will never forget. We were guided through 14 different cultural “activities,” each one showcasing a different aspect of traditional life on Rendova. From cooking and trying local dishes to learning how homes were built and how babies were washed, it was thoughtful, hands-on, and genuinely eye-opening. It felt like the whole village had come together to welcome us. Everyone was dressed in traditional clothing, and the time and effort taken to share their way of life didn’t go unnoticed. It was humbling, and something I’ll remember for a long time. I won’t spoil the rest. It’s one of those rare check-ins that feels more like stepping into someone’s world than just arriving at a hotel. Rooms and Bungalows at Titiru Lodge Most of the rooms at Titiru are overwater bungalows perched above the mangrove-fringed cove. A few years ago, a king tide storm damaged several of the bungalows, and while not everything has been rebuilt yet, a few have been recently renovated and are looking good. We stayed in the family overwater bungalow, which felt more like a villa than a standard bungalow. It had separate rooms designed for kids, but since we were traveling without children, we didn’t use them. The main bedroom had a queen bed with a full mosquito net, a solar-powered fan that worked through the night, and a private bathroom with a cold-water shower. Overall, the setup is very basic. Don’t come here expecting luxury or modern amenities. There’s no aircon, no hot water, and no Wi-Fi and that’s exactly the point. Places like Titiru aren’t about being pampered. They’re about nature, culture, and raw, unfiltered experience. If you're after polished five-star comfort, head to Fiji. But if you want a real adventure in one of the wildest corners of the Pacific, the Solomon Islands deliver. And Titiru, more than most, offers the kind of stay that actually connects you to the place you’ve come to see. Facilities at Titiru Eco Lodge Facilities at Titiru are basic, but they’re enough to feel comfortable and make it a great base camp for adventures around Rendova and the nearby lagoons. The main common area is the open-air restaurant, where meals are served buffet-style. The in-house cook prepares a variety of dishes using local ingredients. There’s almost always fresh fish, seasonal vegetables, and fruit. One of the highlights for us was trying a mangrove fruit dish after asking about edible plants. The team offered to cook it for us that night, which speaks to how welcoming and generous the whole experience was. Meals are shared with the staff and other guests, giving it a laid-back, family feel. A local family bamboo band who performed for us one night at the restaurant There’s also a small medicinal garden you can walk through, with labeled plants used in traditional remedies, and a grove of native palms behind the main building. You won’t find luxury amenities here, but if you’re looking to disconnect and explore one of the wildest and most beautiful regions in the Solomons, Titiru is the right kind of simple. Exploring Rendova & Beyond: Activities from Titiru Titiru offers a wide range of activities, some free, some paid. But all thoughtfully tied to the local culture and environment. What stood out most to me was how the team has worked closely with nearby villagers to create meaningful experiences that go beyond tourism. We didn't feel like we were observing from the outside, we were being welcomed in. Since this was one of several lodge stops for us, we didn’t have a huge amount of time. Even so, we managed to pack in a lot. We paddled kayaks through the calm waters of Saqiri Cove and into the surrounding mangroves, which were peaceful and full of birdlife. I also got to try a traditional dugout canoe, which was trickier than it looks but a great experience. We toured the lodge’s medicinal and herb garden, learning about the local plants used for everything from fevers to wound care. The mangrove forest walk was another highlight, a quiet, beautiful trail winding through thick roots and native bushland just behind the lodge grounds. We also visited Ughele Village, where we met locals and learned about daily life. Other activities on offer include night crabbing, traditional cooking demonstrations (like fish wrapped in banana leaves or root vegetable dishes cooked under hot stones), and bamboo band performances. For the more adventurous, there’s also the option to climb Mount Lumalilisi (1,050 m), the highest point on Rendova Island. It’s a full-day hike and one I definitely plan to do on my next visit. In all my accommodation reviews, I focus more on the destination than the hotel itself. I’m not traveling around the world to remember the rooms. I’m here for the places, the people, and the nature. How well a place works as a launchpad for adventure is what matters most to me. Titiru does that extremely well. We left feeling like we’d only scratched the surface of what Rendova has to offer, and that’s exactly the feeling I want when I leave a place. Final Review of Titiru Eco Lodge Titiru is a family-run eco lodge, originally founded by the late Kilo Paza in 2012 with the goal of creating something sustainable for Rendova. Titiru is a place that would not only support local livelihoods, but also teach visitors and villagers alike about cultural values and environmental conservation. It’s now run by his two young sons, and honestly, I was impressed by how well they’re carrying that legacy forward. The cultural show during our welcome was easily one of the most genuine and moving cultural experiences I’ve had in seven years of full-time travel. I’ve stayed at plenty of places in the Solomons, Fatboys Resort, Imbu Rano Lodge, and the fishing-focused Zipolo Habu on Lola Island, but Titiru stands apart in how deeply rooted it is in place. It’s not trying to be something else. It is, unapologetically, an eco lodge. That said, you need to know what you’re coming into. The facilities are basic. There's very little internet, limited solar power, and the generator only runs for a few hours a day (though they’re happy to fire it up so you can charge your camera). There’s no printed menu or bar list. Meals are cooked with what’s fresh, laid out buffet-style, and shared with whoever’s around. It’s simple, hearty, and genuinely good. The rooms are also basic. Bed, cupboard, cold-water shower, toilet. No aircon, no frills. But our overwater family bungalow had real charm. The bed was comfortable, the view over the cove erased any thoughts about hot showers or switches that work every time. What really makes Titiru special is the people and the purpose. The staff genuinely want you to experience Rendova Island. It never felt like we were being sold activities or upsold on packages. In fact, most of what we did was free, despite the time and effort it must take to organise. That alone sets Titiru apart from most of the places I’ve stayed. Overall, I really enjoyed my stay. I'd recommend Titiru to travelers who share a similar mindset and philosophy on travel, those who value simplicity, connection, and the kind of raw, unpolished experiences that stay with you. If you’re chasing luxury, aircon, and room service, this probably isn’t for you. But if you want to be immersed in a real place, and leave feeling like there’s more to come back for, Titiru is exactly that kind of lodge.

When most people visit Gizo, they’re here for the diving, but if you’ve got a free morning or …

The post How to Visit Kennedy Island, Solomon Islands & What to Expect appeared first on We Seek Travel.

When most people visit Gizo, they’re here for the diving, but if you’ve got a free morning or afternoon, Kennedy Island is an easy and worthwhile side trip on any Solomons travel itinerary. It’s a tiny, palm-fringed speck just off the coast, best known for its connection to John F. Kennedy’s WWII survival story. These days, it’s a peaceful place to swim, snorkel, and soak in a bit of history. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to visit Kennedy Island, whether you’re staying in Gizo or one of the many great island resorts and lodges in the Western Provinces. I’ll fill you in on what to expect once you get there, how much it costs, and whether it’s actually worth your time, especially if you’re already diving or island-hopping nearby! Table of Contents Overview: What I Learned About Kennedy Island How to Get to Kennedy Island My Experience at Kennedy Island & What to Expect The Wild WWII Story Behind Kennedy Island Scuba Diving at Kennedy Island My Favorite Places to Stay Near Kennedy Island Review: Is Kennedy Island Worth Visiting? Overview: What I Learned About Kennedy Island Location: Just 3 km (1.9 mi) northeast of Gizo, Western Province which is reachable in under 10 minutes by small boat from Gizo jetty Entrance Fee: SBD $50 per person (approx. AUD $9) paid to the local caretaker on arrival Transport: Arrange a return boat trip from Gizo market jetty and expect to pay around SBD $300–$400 total for the boat (solo or shared), or from one of the resorts (options below). Activities: Snorkeling off the beach, learning about its history from the caretaker Joel, walking around the small island, basic BBQ setup and shaded huts available. Famous For: Site where John F. Kennedy swam ashore after PT-109 was struck during WWII Tip: I found there are no shops or facilities so bring your own water, snorkel gear, and any snacks. How to Get to Kennedy Island Kennedy Island is privately owned by Gizo Hotel, bought in 2009 by Shane Kennedy, the late owner of both King Solomon and Gizo Hotel. I visited during my stay at Fatboys Resort, perched on Mbabanga Island, which quickly became one of my absolute favorite places to stay in the Solomons. They seamlessly arranged everything for the day: boat transport, the SBD 50 (≈ AUD 9) entry fee to the island, and even a traditional beach BBQ setup that felt personal and laid-back. If you’re based in Gizo town, most resorts and independent boat operators can also organize a trip for you. Just mention “Kennedy Island” and expect to pay roughly SBD 300–400 for a round-trip boat charter (not per person), plus the SBD 50 entry fee, which goes to the island’s owner. Tip: Bottom line, you don’t need to stay at Gizo Hotel or Fatboys to go. But if you book through Fatboys, you’ll get that relaxed, well-paced experience I had: a short cruise there and back, time to snorkel off the sandy beach, and a casual island-cooked meal all in a half- to full-day outing. My Experience at Kennedy Island & What to Expect As soon as we arrived at Kennedy Island, we had some time to explore. It only takes about ten minutes to walk the full loop around the island, but it’s a beautiful stroll with views back toward Gizo and over the reef flats. The island is quiet, palm-fringed, and feels untouched apart from a few basic facilities like shaded huts, some benches, and a small historical marker. While we waited for lunch, Joel, the friendly caretaker who’s been looking after the place since 2018, came over and shared the full PT-109 story. He showed us exactly where John F. Kennedy and his surviving crew swam ashore after their boat was sunk in 1943, a pretty wild thing to picture while standing on the same beach. (More on that below.) Fatboys put on an amazing lunch for us: grilled fish, crayfish, chicken, rice, fresh veggies, and fruit, all laid out right by the water. After we ate, we grabbed snorkels and jumped in. The best snorkeling we found was around the northern side of the island, where the coral is shallower and more colorful, with loads of reef fish and calm water. Visibility was great, and while it’s not a huge reef, it’s definitely worth a look. Read: My Experience Staying at Kolombangara Island The Wild WWII Story Behind Kennedy Island This little island got its name from one of the most famous survival stories of World War II tied directly to John F. Kennedy, long before he became president of the United States. In August 1943, Kennedy was a 26-year-old Navy lieutenant commanding PT-109, a small torpedo boat on a night mission through the Solomon Islands. While patrolling the Blackett Strait (just offshore), a Japanese destroyer rammed their boat, splitting it in two. Two of his crew were killed instantly. The survivors, including Kennedy, had to swim through the open sea, dragging injured crew members before reaching the safety of this uninhabited island. At the time, it was known as Plum Pudding Island, but locals later renamed it Kennedy Island in his honor. Joel, the caretaker, showed us exactly where they came ashore, a quiet beach that looks almost unchanged. From there, Kennedy swam multiple times between nearby islands, including Olasana and Naru, in search of help, eventually carving a message into a coconut that was delivered to Allied forces by local Solomon Islanders working with the coastwatchers. The original name of Kennedy Island before it was renamed was Plum Pudding Island. This is the name that appears in historical U.S. Navy records and WWII accounts, including the official PT-109 incident reports. It was renamed Kennedy Island by the Solomon Islands government after WWII in honor of John F. Kennedy’s survival and leadership during the PT-109 incident in 1943. Kennedy Island view from Fatboys Resort Scuba Diving at Kennedy Island We also did a shallow dive here with Fatboys. The max depth was around 10–12 meters (33–39 ft) just off the reef drop-off on the east side. It’s a relaxed site, perfect for beginners or anyone looking for an easy dive with good visibility. The corals are really healthy and colorful, but nothing too dramatic. I mean, I'm spoiled now after diving in the Solomons, if this were Asia or the Caribbean I'd be jumping up and down about it. That said, there are so many great diving sites nearby. I suggest that if you have the option to instead dive the Tau Maru wreck, which was absolutely incredible! My Favorite Places to Stay Near Kennedy Island If you’re planning to visit Kennedy Island, it’s best to base yourself in Gizo or on one of the nearby islands with boat access. I've written a complete guide to where to stay in the Solomon Islands but here are my favorites nearby: 1. Fatboys Mbabanga Island My favorite dive resort in the Solomon Islands. Fatboys has a laid-back island vibe with overwater bungalows at decent prices, an epic restaurant that sits on stilts over the reef, and a team that feels like family. It’s a great base for diving, snorkeling, or boat trips to wine-downs on nearby islands. 2. Zipolo Habu Lola Island A long-time favourite in the Western Province with newly opened stunning overwater villas that are some of the nicest stays you’ll find in this region—ideal for couples, families, or anyone looking for that remote island feel without giving up comfort. It’s especially popular with fishers, but it’s also a perfect base for exploring the lagoon. 3. Titiru Eco Lodge Rendova Island Staying at Titiru was more than just a place to sleep—it felt like a full cultural experience. The eco-friendly bungalows are surrounded by forest and coastal gardens, and the lodge regularly hosts local performances that were some of the most authentic I’ve seen anywhere. The food is all locally prepared, and it’s easy to arrange day trips. Review: Is Kennedy Island Worth Visiting? Honestly, there’s not a lot to do on Kennedy Island — it’s small, quiet, and you’ll see it all in under an hour. But the WWII history alone makes it worth it if you’re even slightly a war history tragic. The snorkeling is decent (especially on the north side), and the trip with Fatboys made it totally worthwhile. The BBQ was excellent, the diving relaxed, and Joel the caretaker was a top bloke with some great stories. In my opinion, it’s definitely worth visiting, especially between dives.

Off the Beaten Track Travel Guide & Blog

Wanna travel to the Middle East with Against the Compass? Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kurdistan and more. We have group expeditions scheduled every month to the most exciting destinations in the Middle East. The Middle East… That enormous piece of territory often overlooked as a whole and, usually, only seen as the land of […]

Wanna travel to the Middle East with Against the Compass? Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kurdistan and more. We have group expeditions scheduled every month to the most exciting destinations in the Middle East. LEARN MORE The Middle East… That enormous piece of territory often overlooked as a whole and, usually, only seen as the land of the greatest and most beautiful deserts, endless bazaars of spices and the warm welcome of the Bedouins. Moreover, most of the time, the international media only likes to share images of disasters and bad things happening in the Middle East. This distortion of reality changes people’s perception to the extent that the whole region of the Middle East becomes a dangerous place to travel to as if it was one single country. But, you know what? The Middle East is composed of 14 different countries that differ massively from each other, have boundaries and share borders. Which countries are part of the Middle East? In my opinion, these are the countries that comprise the Middle East: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen Officially, the Middle East also includes Turkey and Cyprus, but this is my blog, and I decided not to include them and, instead, I decided to include Libya in this list. Anyways. After many years of living and traveling around the region, based on my own experience and opinion, I have compiled a list of the 39 best places to travel in the Middle East. These choices are based on their level of security, historical importance, and natural beauty. My objective is to show you not only that the Middle East is a safe place to travel to, but I also want you to see the huge natural and cultural contrast between countries and the relevant role they have in our history. 39 Best places to travel in the Middle East Remember to get travel insurance for the Middle East IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in ALL Middle Eastern countries Get 5% discount if purchasing via this link Please note that this list is just a personal opinion and might not match yours. Further suggestions are more than welcome! 1 – Amadiya – Home to the Three Wise Men Country – Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan) Located in the north of Iraqi Kurdistan, only 10km away from the Turkish border, Amadiya is a lovely, very photogenic village located on the flat top of a mountain, which has no less than 5,000 years of history. From the Assyrians to the Persians, as well as several Jewish and Christian communities, dozens of different civilizations and religions have left their footprint in this historical place. Furthermore, Amadiya is believed to be the home of the Three Wise Man, who made a pilgrimage to Bethlehem to see Jesus Christ after his birth. Today, Amadiya is a Muslim Kurdish village, surrounded by the most striking mountain scenery, characteristic from northern Iraq and one the most beautiful places to travel in the Middle East. You may like: How to visit Mosul Amadiya, one of my top places to visit in the Middle East 2 – Shibam, the Manhattan of the desert Country – Yemen Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982, Shibam is a 7000-inhabitant town, located in the middle of nowhere, composed of 9-story mud-brick buildings, which is why it’s often referred to as the ‘Manhattan of the desert’, even though I don’t really like these comparisons. Unlike other sites of great interest in Yemen, Shibam is located in a region named Hadramut, a relatively safe in Yemen with direct flights from Cairo in Egypt. Read my Yemen travel guide for more information. Wanna travel to Yemen with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Yemen on: November 20th to 26th, 2025 JOIN US IN YEMEN 3 – Esfahan – Jaw-dropping Islamic architecture Country – Iran Esfahan is Iran’s most amazing city and its mosques, composed of giant domes and mind-blowing ceilings with extravagant geometrical forms, are the most impressive buildings in the Middle East, without any doubt. Being one of the most historical cities in the region, Esfahan has always been home to a large community of scholars and prestigious intellectuals and its importance and influence in this part of the world was often compared to Athens and Rome. Today, as per Iranian standards, Esfahan is a surprisingly modern, clean and vibrant city where some of the most educated and brilliant people in the country live. Read more: A 1-to 4-week itinerary in Iran Shah Mosque in Esfahan. Iran is definitely, one of the safest places to visit in the Middle East 4 – The Old City of Damascus Country – Syria Everything here is very old. This is the first thing the hotel receptionist told me on the day I arrived in the city. Damascus is indeed one of the most ancient cities in the world – probably the oldest country capital – established in the second millennium BC, and capital of the Umayyad Caliphate from 661 to 750, one of the most important caliphates ever, extending from Spain to Iran. My favorite place in Damascus was Umayyad mosque, an outstanding mosque which passed from being a Jupiter Temple during the Roman era to a Christian basilica dedicated to John the Baptist and then one of the largest mosques in the world. Today, Damascus is a safe city and, fortunately, the Old City has remained like that during most of the war. I visited it at the beginning of 2019 and had a real blast. For more information, read my Syria travel guide Wanna travel to Syria with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers to visit the wonders of Damascus, Aleppo, Palmyra and more. Sept 23rd to 30th, 2025 JOIN US IN syria The beautiful Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, one of the oldest and largest mosques in the world and one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Middle East 5 – Baalbek – Giant Roman ruins, all by yourself Country – Lebanon Extending from Western Europe to North Africa and the Middle East, the Roman Empire was the greatest empire that has ever existed. Today, most of its ruins, some of them in relatively good condition, are major tourist attractions that receive hundreds of visitors every day. Outside of Rome, the ruins of Baalbek are among the most impressive, not only due to their dimensions and good preservation, but also because you are likely to have the ruins to yourself as, here, we are talking about Lebanon, one of the most off the beaten track destinations in the region, where you can experience the greatest Roman ruins like nowhere else, hence one of the best places to travel in the Middle East. Read more: How to spend 2 weeks in Lebanon The ruins of Baalbek 6 – Ghadames, an ancient caravan city Country – Libya 600km from the capital of Libya (Tripoli) and nestled right at the triple border between Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, Ghadames is an ancient caravan city, one of the most important caravan cities in all of Africa. The Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a massive, entangled maze of streets built in a refreshing oasis in the middle of the desert. It does take one full day to reach Ghadames by car from the capital Tripoli, but the journey is worth the trip. Read my Libya travel guide. Wanna travel to Libya with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Libya on: January 29th to February 4th, 2026 JOIN US IN Libya 7 – Detwah Lagoon view point Country – Yemen (Socotra) From a natural beauty standpoint, the view point overlooking Detwah Lagoon is arguably the most stunning place in the Middle East. Located on the northwest coast of Socotra (Yemen), Detwah is a saline lagoon connected to the Gulf of Aden, separated by a narrow sandspit. There’s a 2-hour hike leading to a panoramic view of the lagoon, which also features a beutiful Bottle Tree, an endemic species unique to Socotra. Read my Socotra Travel Guide Wanna travel to Socotra with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Socotra on: October 28th to November 4th, 2025 JOIN US IN SOCOTRA Detwah Lagoon view point is certainly the most beautiful spot in the Middle East 8 – The twisting Minaret of Malwiya Country – Iraq Malwiya is an outstanding 52-meter-tall minaret with a peculiar spiral shape, absolutely jaw-dropping, and the most iconic building in all Iraq. The minaret belongs to Al-Jami, a 9th century mosque, once one of the largest in the world, but destroyed in the 13th century. The emblematic minaret, however, still stands and today, you can climb it to the very top through a steep spiral ramp with no handrail. The minaret can be visited in the city of Samarra, once the capital of the Abbasid caliphate, the third caliphate to succeed the Prophet Muhammad. Today, Samarra is a UNESCO World Heritage city, which can be easily visited on a day trip from Baghdad, a must-visit in the Middle East. Read: Federal Iraq, 10-day itinerary for independent travelers. Wanna travel to Iraq with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers and visit the wonders of Baghdad, Babylon, Karbala, Mosul, and more. February 7th to 14th, 2026 JOIN US IN Iraq The impressive twsiting minaret 9 – The coastline of Dhofar province Country – Oman Stretching from south Oman all the way to the Yemeni border, Dhofar’s coastline may differ significantly from what you expect from an Omani beach. Vertiginous cliffs, turquoise-blue waters, and empty, epic beaches characterize the beaches of southern Oman, barely discovered by the average traveler, who tends to stick to the northern part of the country. If you are into wild, random camping and road trips, in the Middle East, it doesn’t really get better than this. Read my travel guide to Oman Dhofar coastline, somewhere near the Yemeni border – By the way, this isn’t a drone photo, but it was taken from the top of a cliff 10 – Al Balad, the colorful Old City of Jeddah Country – Saudi Arabia Unfortunately, very little is known about Saudi Arabia but, given that this is the home of Mecca, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Saudi is filled with ancient and historical places, and one of the best examples is Al Balad, the old part of Jeddah, established 1,300 years ago as the gateway for Muslims on their way to Mecca, mostly arriving by sea from Africa. Today a UNESCO World Heritage site, Al Balad is a lively area filled with colorful facades and, by far, the most beautiful Old City from all the Gulf Monarchies. Traveling to Saudi Arabia is getting easier than ever and here you read my tips for Saudi. Jeddah Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site 11 – Jerusalem – The holiest place for the three main monotheist religions Country – Israel, and Palestine Today, Jerusalem is part of Israel but, if Palestine ever becomes an independent state, East Jerusalem, which is mostly inhabited by Arabs, will be the capital of the country. Being one of the most important places for Christians, Muslims, and Jews, Jerusalem is a city that has perfectly combined tradition and history with a 21st-century city, meaning that you can stroll around the old city and its historical sites for days and, at the same time, enjoy the endless nightlife, food scene, and modernity of the new part of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is one of those cities that are worth spending several days in. Read more: A travel guide to Palestine The Old City of Jerusalem – Top 10 places to visit in the Middle East 12 – Golestan – Central Asia in the Middle East Country – Iran What if I tell you that, in a very remote part of Iran, bordering the Turkmenistan border, there is a region with an unexpectedly mystical landscape, home to a large Turkmen community who have more similarities to people from Kyrgyzstan than other Iranians. This region is called Golestan province, one of the least visited provinces in Iran, whose main peculiarity is that most of its inhabitants are ethnically Turkmen, a Central Asian ethnicity originally from Turkmenistan. From Central Asian food, such as plov and kurut, to the way they dress, the Mongolian features in people’s faces and a very Central Asian nomadic life, visible in their love for horses and the yurts they live in, Golestan is a different world from the rest of the Middle East. Read more: A guide to Golestan province in Iran Khalid Nabi in Golestan province – Places to see in the Middle East 13 – Mosul, the open-air museum of Iraq Country – Iraq Mosul is exceptional, one of my favorite cities in all of the Middle East, and the reasons are as follow: First of all, it is a very diverse city. Prior to the war against the Islamic State, Mosul was inhabited by different types of Christians, Muslims and also Yazidis. It was ethnically mixed too, home to Armenians, Kurds, Arabs and Assyrians. When ISIS took it over, however, most of them fled the city but today, many are coming back and the streets are becoming more lively than ever. On the other hand, the Old City of Mosul is an open-air museum, packed with historical mosques and churches, all of them being in the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list. While it’s true that most of the buildings are today largely destroyed due to the recent war, there’s a big UNESCO team working on rebuilding all its wonders, allowing you to witness an exciting moment of living history. Read: Mosul travel guide Wanna travel to Iraq with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers and visit the wonders of Baghdad, Babylon, Karbala, Mosul, and more. February 7th to 14th, 2026 JOIN US IN Iraq The reconstructions of Al Noori Mosque 14 – Erbil – A cosmopolitan Iraqi city Country – Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan) Not many cities in the world have as much history as Erbil has. With almost 30,000 years of history, according to historians, and, today a UNESCO World Heritage site, Erbil is the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, a city with plenty of tradition, filled with plenty of ancient bazaars, epic cafés, and historical sites. Nevertheless, the awesomeness of Erbil doesn’t end up here and, in fact, what may surprise you is that, as well as a classic Middle Eastern Muslim city, this is also a real pro-Western metropolis and a regional business hub where a large expat community lives and, as a consequence, has some of the most awesome nightlife in the Middle East. Read more: Things to do in Erbil Erbil main square – Visit the Middle East 15 – Petra – One of the 7 wonders of the world Country – Jordan Even though this is likely the most touristic site in the region, it would be a sin not to consider one of the 7 wonders among one of the best places to visit in the Middle East. Petra was founded in the VI century B.C. by the Edomites but, it didn’t prosper until the Nabateans (a group of nomadic Arabs) took over the place and built the city by carving it from the rock, making it become an important trading hub. The architecture of Petra leaves you breathless and, besides admiring the Treasury and the Monastery, I recommend getting off the path, going hiking and taking the trails less traveled. The Monastery, Petra – Things to do in the Middle East 16 – Wadi Doa’n Country – Yemen Wadi Doa’n is a canyon-shaped valley located in the region of Hadramut and dotted with fairy-tale-like villages whose architecture is a real blessing to the eyes. The canyon offers plenty of trekking opportunities with spectacular, vertiginous views, and there’s even a pretty cool resort on the top of a cliff where you can stay and which remains open despite the conflict. Many of the people from these villages, especially young kids, have never seen foreigners, so the local life there is pretty raw. To make it even more exciting, there’s one village named Qarht Bahumaish, which is Usama Bin Laden’s hometown. He was born in Saudi but his family comes from there. Read my Yemen travel guide for more information. Wanna travel to Yemen with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Yemen on: November 20th to 26th, 2025 JOIN US IN YEMEN This is Wadi Doa’n 17 – Beirut – The most culturally diverse and liberal city in the Middle East Country – Lebanon Beirut is the capital of Lebanon, a city that suffered one of the longest contemporary Civil Wars (25 years, ending in 1991). Today, among all the destroyed buildings, Beirut brags about being one of the safest cities in the region. With unbelievable economic growth and the rapid rise of the middle class, Beirut is the most liberal and westernized city in the Middle East (outside of Israel). I love Beirut because of its deep, rich and contrasting history. It’s composed of dozens of districts that differ massively from each other: The hipster district of Gemmayzeh, Hezbollah areas like Bourj al-Barajneh, the student neighborhood of Hamra, old Palestinian refugee camps, the Armenian district of Bourj Hammoud, several Christian areas and much, much more! Beirut is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. From the deepest underground parties to the most glamorous clubs, from local eateries to the best fine dining restaurants in the region, Beirut is a city adaptable to any kind of traveler and budget. Read more about it here: Beirut travel guide Beirut – Travel in the Middle East 18 – The green, rolling hills of Jizan Country – Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is a massive country and, as such, it has quite a few geographical areas, the most dramatically different being Jizan, a province bordering the country of Yemen. Asian-like terraced fields, greenery, and monkeys comprise the mountain villages of Jizan, miles away from Saudi Arabia stereotypes, plus the people there are culturally Yemeni, from the food they eat to the way they traditionally dress. Jizan can’t be more off the beaten track. For more information, read my 2-week itinerary for Saudi Arabia. The terrace fields Jizan is famous for 19 – Maaloula, a Christian town in Syria Country – Syria Maaloula is a Christian town located north of Damascus (Syria) with an intriguing history, both ancient and contemporary. On the one hand, this is one of the very few places in the world where they speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus, making it such a unique place. Now that tourists are a rare thing to see, if you visit The Convent of Saint Serge and Bacchus, you are likely to meet the priest, who will certainly be more than happy to recite some words in Aramaic. The recent history of Maaloula, however, isn’t so fortunate, since it was taken by Al Nusra (similar to ISIS) during the war, the legacy of which is still very visible in the many destroyed buildings. In fact, the nuns running the Monastery of Saint Tekla are the ones who were kidnapped by the Muslim extremists, a sad event in which even the Pope intervened. Wanna travel to Syria with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers to visit the wonders of Damascus, Aleppo, Palmyra and more. Sept 23rd to 30th, 2025 JOIN US IN syria The photogenic town of Maaloula 20 – The Dead Sea – The lowest point on Earth Country – Jordan, Israel and Palestine Occupying territory in both Israel & Palestine and Jordan, the Dead Sea is the lake with the highest salt density in the world and also, the lowest point on Earth, 430 meters below sea level. Such is the high concentration of salt that animals and plants can’t live in it, hence the name. Swimming in the Dead Sea is totally fine and, due to the high density of the water, sinking is almost impossible. I’ve only been to the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea and, along the coast, there are several hotels and resorts where you can chill on their beaches and have a mud bath. The Dead Sea from Jordan side and Palestine at the other side – Best places to travel in the Middle East 21 – Liwa Oasis – The purest and wildest image of the Gulf Country – United Arab Emirates Around 500 years ago, a group of Bedouins tapped underground, freshwater recourses to cultivate dates and, as a result, several villages and settlements appeared in the area, which we currently call Liwa, the birthplace of the Nahyan family, the current ruling family of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Since then, and over the years, the cultivation of dates in Liwa has been a key factor in the region’s economic development. Read: Best desert safaris in Dubai Liwa is located in the south of UAE, next to Saudi Arabian border and on the edge of the Empty Quarter, a huge desert spread across UAE, Yemen, Oman, and Saudi Arabia and considered the largest (continuous) sea of dunes on Earth, whose end can’t even be seen from the furthest horizon. In addition, in Liwa you can also find the only real Bedouins in the UAE and the Moreeb dune, one of the highest dunes in the world (300m). Read more: A guide to Liwa Oasis Bedouin in Liwa Oasis – Places to travel in the Middle East 22 – The Citadel of Aleppo Country – Syria Along with Damascus, I also visited Aleppo at the beginning of 2019. Before the war, Aleppo used to be the largest and most touristic city in the country. Being a few thousands years older than Damascus, the Citadel and Old City of Aleppo have been mostly destroyed by the Civil War but after the liberation of the city in 2017, the reconstruction has already begun, Syrians are moving back and shops are, very slowly, reopening. I am pretty sure that, in a matter of years, the beautiful city of Aleppo will return to its maximum splendor. For more information, read my 8-day itinerary for Syria Wanna travel to Syria with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers to visit the wonders of Damascus, Aleppo, Palmyra and more. Sept 23rd to 30th, 2025 JOIN US IN syria The Old City & Citadel of Aleppo 23 – Madain Saleh, like Petra but more epic Country – Saudi Arabia Similar to Tabouk, have you ever been to Petra, in Jordan? Imagine the wonders of Petra but in the desert of Saudi Arabia. That’s Madain Saleh (or Hegra). Hegra was an ancient city founded by local tribes in 3000 BC, but it was not until the 2nd century BC that the Nabateans made it a great city, in a fear of the Romans conquering Petra, so it could serve as the new capital. Still, the Romans conquered both cities, Hegra and Petra, but the more than 100 tombs carved from the giant desert rocks remained, today found in the middle of nowhere. Unlike Petra, however, the tombs of Madain Saleh are spread out across a vast desert but as part of the visit, you can tour around with a pretty cool Vintage Jeep. Read: Saudi Arabia itinerary Epic Hegra 24 – Dahab – The most backpacking-friendly place in the Middle East Country – Egypt Dahab is a lovely touristic beach town inhabited by Bedouins in the Sinai peninsula, which is considered the most backpacking-friendly place (and probably the only one) in the Middle East. For decades, Dahab has attracted travelers from all over the world for having some of the best diving in the country. In Dahab, one comes for two things: either scuba diving or doing literally nothing, as it has this laid-back atmosphere that consists of going to the beach, smoking weed and eating at the several seafood restaurants. Besides, due to the massive drop of the Egyptian Pound, in Dahab, you could easily rent a full apartment (2 beds with Wi-Fi) for less than 9USD a day. Read more: A guide for traveling Egypt (3-week itinerary + tips) Dahab at sunset – Travel to the Middle East 25 – Jerash – Massive and highly accessible Roman ruins Country – Jordan If making a trip to Lebanon to visit the ruins of Baalbek sounds too hardcore for you but you still want to travel to the Middle East, perhaps you should consider visiting Jerash, another of the greatest Roman ruins outside of Italy, constructed in some of the most fertile valleys in the region, today comprising green, rolling hills filled with olive and fig trees. The location, therefore, is not a coincidence because, when it was built around 2,000 years ago, the Romans wanted to make it a great city due to the richness of the land. Jerash, one of the finest Roman ruins to travel in the Middle East 26 – Resafa, the ruined Basilica in Raqqa (Syria) Country – Syria Resafa is an ancient ruined city dating back to the 9th century BC, located in the desert near Raqqa, Syria. The site features an amazing, still standing basilica with Roman columns, something rare to see in such remote areas in the Middle East. After being closed to tourism for years due to the Syrian war, Resafa has recently reopened under the new Syrian Government in January 2025. We visited Resafa it in April 2025, the first visitors to ever enter the site since 2025, but a special permission is required. Resafa was also taken by ISIS before being liberated by Government forces on 19 June 2017. Wanna travel to Syria with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers to visit the wonders of Damascus, Aleppo, Palmyra and more. Sept 23rd to 30th, 2025 JOIN US IN syria This is Resafe, near Raqqa 27 – Musandam – The Norway of the Middle East Country – Oman A rocky desert land composed of stunning fiords, cliffs and one of the largest varieties of wildlife in the Middle East, Musandam (often called the Norway of the Middle East) is a piece of territory within the UAE that belongs to Oman. It’s located north of UAE, projecting into the Strait of Hormuz. Musandam is a pretty common destination among expats living in Dubai but still, the area remains pretty untouched. Along the coast, you find several beaches only occupied by the local Omanis, who like to gather with their families for barbecues during the weekends. Expect several families to invite you to join them. Read: Best excursions and activities to do in Oman In Musandam, you could also rent an abra (a local traditional boat) to sail around the fiords and observe the wildlife. Meeting dolphins is almost guaranteed and, if you are into snorkeling, you can see that the deep and dark waters of Musandam are also home to coral, turtles and manta rays, among other things. Read more: A guide to visiting Musandam in Oman Khor Najd – Places to visit in the Middle East 28 – Hebron – The most troubled city in Palestine Remember to get travel insurance for Middle East IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in ALL Middle Eastern countries Get 5% discount if purchasing via this link Country – Palestine Hebron is the city where the Tomb of the Patriarchs stands, the place where Abraham, Jacob and Isaac are buried. The Tomb of the Patriarchs is one of the holiest places for both Muslims and Jews. This means that both religions are sharing an important holy place but, on top of that, Hebron also happens to be the only city in Palestine where Jewish settlements are within the city itself. The situation is quite sensitive, as there have been endless confrontations between the local Palestinians and the settlers. In the old part of the city, the local Palestinians have built a fence that serves as a roof to prevent the settlers who live in the upper floors throwing garbage to them. To add more tension to the conflict, during the holy month of Ramadan in 1994, a Jew entered the Tomb of Patriarchs (in the mosque inside), opened fire and killed 29 Muslims during prayer time. Since then, the area is strictly controlled and, both Jewish and Muslim prayer areas are strictly separated. Abraham is buried in the middle of the Tomb of the Patriarchs, right between the synagogue and the mosque, so the members of both religions can see his tomb from their prayer room. Read more: A guide to visiting Hebron in Palestine The checkpoint for those few Arabs who live in the Jewish settlement – Places to visit in the Middle East 29 – Qadisha Valley – Lovely Christian mountain villages Country – Lebanon If you either want just to relax, eat good food, visit beautiful Christian monasteries or to go hiking, the Kadisha Valley in Lebanon will always be the perfect place for you. Kadisha means ”holy” and owes this name to the fact that this valley is home to some of the most ancient communities of monastic Christians in the Middle East. In case you don’t know it, monasticism is a way of life for which the person (in this case the Christian monks) renounces to everything to devote himself completely to spiritual work. The valley is full of natural caves, difficult to access, that once served as places of isolation for the monks living lives devoted to Christ. Kadisha is a really unique place to visit in the Middle East. Qadisha Valley, located in the north of the country – Travel to the Middle East 30 – Leptis Magna, first league Roman ruins by the Mediterranean Country – Libya Leptis Magna was a prominent city in Roman Libya, originally a Phoenician town (7th century BCE) that quickly expanded under the Roman Empire. The ruins are in excellent condition, and the whole complex is huge. Its particular attraction is that the ruins are built right next to the shore, including the fantastic amphitheater. Leptis Magna can easily be reached from Tripoli in around two hours, making it the perfect day trip from the capital and a default in all the group expeditions we organize. Read my Libya travel guide. Wanna travel to Libya with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Libya on: January 29th to February 4th, 2026 JOIN US IN Libya Best Roman ruins in the Middle East 31 – The Mesopotamian Marshes Country – Iraq Another great place to visit in the Middle East are the Arab Marshes, a wetland ecosystem located in south Iraq, sort of an aquatic landscape located in the Iraqi desert. It occupies an area of 10,000km2, inhabited by water buffaloes and all sort of animals and plants. The Marshes are also home to a distinct cultural group: the Marsh Arabs, who populate the different islands, living in their sarifas, a peculiar house entirely made of reed. The Marshes can be visited from the southern city of Nasiriyah and the best way to experience it is on a boat tour. Read: A guide to travel in Federal Iraq Wanna travel to Iraq with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers and visit the wonders of Baghdad, Babylon, Karbala, Mosul, and more. February 7th to 14th, 2026 JOIN US IN Iraq A Marsh Arab 32 – Manama – Drugs and rock & roll Country – Bahrain In case you’ve never heard of it, Bahrain is a tiny country (one of tiniest in the world actually) located in the Persian Gulf, between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and Manama is its capital. To make it short, Bahrain is the only Arab Gulf Monarchy that has run out of petrol, or at least, can’t rely on the petrol income anymore. In desperation, looking at alternative ways of gaining income, Bahrain became the party place in the Middle East, where concerning prostitution, alcohol, and parties, in general, are more permissive than in any other Gulf country. Connected to Saudi Arabia by a bridge, every week, thousands of Saudis cross the border to have fun and enjoy a relative level of freedom. Besides, this is the only place in the Middle East where I’ve seen two homosexuals making out in the middle of the street. Manama is also home to many Western expats, who hang out in a popular area called Adliya, which has plenty of bars and wall paintings and makes one forget that he or she is in the Middle East. Bahrain is, unequivocally, one of the most surreal places to travel and visit in the Middle East. A particular wall painting in Bahrain – Best places to visit in the middle east 33 – Luxor – The greatest open-air museum Country – Egypt Established on the shore of the great Nile river and surrounded by both mango plantations and desert, Luxor is the world’s greatest open-air museum. This is the place where the most well-known pharaohs come from, like Tutankhamun for example, and most of the temples are either in excellent conditions or perfectly restored. From large and epic tombs to temples constructed on a giant scale, all of them dating from between 3,200 B.C. and 1,500 B.C, Luxor is an unmissable place to travel in the Middle East. Read more: How to visit Luxor independently, in 2 days The statue of Ramses II in Luxor temple – Visit the Middle East 34 – Palmyra, today the most off the beaten track ruins Country – Syria Not so long ago, the Roman ruins of Palmyra used to receive hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Dating back to the second millennium BC, it has been inhabited for more than 4,000 years before becoming part of the Roman Empire during the first century AD. It used to be an important trade caravan route and its wealth allowed them to build monuments such as the Temple of Bel and the Great Colonnade. Nowadays, the city of Palmyra is a ghost town, a direct consequence of the battle against ISIS but the archaeological area has re-opened for tourists, always escorted by a member of the Syrian Army. The Temple of Bell is practically all ruins but Palmyra is a big complex and many of its marvels are still standing. Wanna travel to Syria with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers to visit the wonders of Damascus, Aleppo, Palmyra and more. Sept 23rd to 30th, 2025 JOIN US IN syria The remains of the Temple of bEL 35 – Salalah – Coconuts, pineapples, and tropical rain Country – Oman What if I tell you that there’s a place in the Persian Gulf where it rains, which it’s full of green meadows and the locals sell coconuts and pineapples? This place is called Salalah, a city found in the most southern part of Oman, very close to the Yemeni border. Salalah, and the region of Dhofar, is an area that experiences a monsoon season. This season is called Khareef and occurs from July till September. During this season, Salalah becomes a beautiful and lush green, which attracts visitors from all over the country, as well as Saudi Arabia and UAE, who want to run away from their disgustingly hot and humid weather. Read more: Salalah travel guide The greenery of Salalah during the Khareef – Things to do in the Middle East 36 – Bethlehem – Take a look at the Wall of Separation between Israel and Palestine Country – Palestine Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus. However, unless you are an ardent Christian, the most interesting part of Bethlehem is to get a close feeling of the consequences of the Israeli occupation as, after the Second Intifada, in 2001, Israel built an 8-meter wall that would finally isolate the West Bank from Israel. The wall, however, was built within Palestinian territory, hence the Israelis stole some of their land. Literally, it passes by the center of the city and it is decorated with plenty of Pro-Palestinian paintings, including a real work from the famous Banksy, the white pigeon. For more information, read my travel guide to Palestine The separation wall of Bethlehem – Must visit the Middle East 37 – Hutan Dara, the Dragon Blood Trees forest Country – Yemen (Socotra) The Dragon Blood Tree is a tree native to Socotra (Yemen), named its blood-like sap. It’s also the national symbol of Socotra. In the heart of Socotra island, you find Hutan Dara, a forest home to thousands of these trees, truly the one of the most magical places in all of Yemen and the Middle East. Wild camping in Huta Dara is allowed and perfectly possible. Read: How to travel in Socotra Wanna travel to Socotra with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Socotra on: October 28th to November 4th, 2025 JOIN US IN SOCOTRA Hutan Dara, the Dragon Blood Trees forest 38 – Qeshm Island – The most authentic Persian Gulf culture Country – Iran Located in the Persian Gulf, right in the Strait of Hormuz, between Oman and Iran, Qeshm is an island with amazing geological formations, as well as very rich wildlife. This is what most travelers come here for but, in my opinion, the most interesting part of the island is to get immersed in the local culture, as this is the only place that has been able to preserve the fast-disappearing Persian Gulf culture, today only visible here and in a few other places in Oman. Unlike the rest of Iran, people here are Sunnis, from the conservative branch actually, Wahabis, but, since they have a great Iranian influence, they are quite laid back. Qeshm is a different world from the rest of Iran and it can be seen not only in the religion, the architecture and their food, which is mainly based on seafood but also in the way their women dress, in such colorful abayas and niqabs, like nowhere else you have ever seen. Read more: A guide to Qeshm Island 39 – Wadi Bajda, authentic Saudi Bedouin life Country – Saudi Arabia Have you ever visited the Wadi Rum in Jordan? The Wadi Rum is a beautiful, red-sand-dune desert that stretches across Jordan and north of Saudi Arabia too, in the region of Tabouk. However, while in Jordan, Wadi Rum has become an extremely touristic place, on the Saudi side, the Saudi Bedouins living there are still genuine and authentic, allowing you to live witness what traditional life is like in Saudi. Amazing rock formations and camel farms, all without a single tourist around. Read: How to travel to Saudi Saudi Bedouin milking a camel That was my list of the best places to travel in the Middle East for next year. Have you been to any? If you have more recommendations or suggestions, feel free to post them in the comments section!

The Nenets are an Indigenous people of Arctic Russia, renowned for their nomadic lifestyle and deep connection to reindeer herding in the remote, unforgiving tundra of northern Siberia, in a region named Yamalia. Despite their isolation, it is now possible for travelers to visit Nenets camps, a rare opportunity to meet a truly nomadic culture, […]

The Nenets are an Indigenous people of Arctic Russia, renowned for their nomadic lifestyle and deep connection to reindeer herding in the remote, unforgiving tundra of northern Siberia, in a region named Yamalia. Despite their isolation, it is now possible for travelers to visit Nenets camps, a rare opportunity to meet a truly nomadic culture, while witnessing one of the rawest travel experiences. In Against the Compass, we offer several expeditions to meet the Nenets throughout year, both in winter and summer. When it’s best to visit the Nenets: winter or summer? Travelers interested in this particular part of Russia are often not sure about which season is best for going to Yamalia. The truth is that both seasons offer incredible experiences, but they’re dramatically different. Here are 30 photos that will help you decide which season is best to travel with us to Yamalia. Remember that we have the following shceuded for Nenets: September 18th to 24th, 2025 (summer) November 16th to 22nd (2025) (winter) March 31st to April 6th (2026) (winter) Nenets in summer Our Nenets summer tour is in: September 18th to 24th (2025) In summer, the landscape is more beautiful, with the tundra being green and covered in wildflowers. Another great advantage is that you are going to see much more reindeers, since in summer, Nenets need to gather them every day for carrying out different types of tasks. In summer, Nenets often don’t wear their traditional reindeer-made clothes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take amazing photos, plus remember the weather is much more pleasant than the freezing Siberian winter. However, the main advantage of coming here in summer is that you’ll get to witness the migration, as Nenets families move with their reindeer and sledges every one or two days—a dynamic, ever-changing scene that few outsiders ever get to see. Nenets in winter Our Nenets winter tours are in: November 16th to 22nd (2025) March 31st to April 6th (2026) In winter, the whole tundra is frozen, and temperatures drop down to -20ºc and -40ºc. The tundra isn’t as beautiful as in summer but the weather and snow add an epic touch into it. From a weather perspective, it’s colder and more uncomfortable, but don’t worry, chums (local tents) are warm and cozy. Nenets wear their traditional, reindeer-made clothes, making them particular photogenic. In winter, you won’t witness Nenets migration (unless staged) but you will be able to see other activities like ice-fishing, or ice collection for their water. 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 How to visit Chechnya How to get visa for Russia

South Ossetia is a breakaway republic that declared independence from Georgia in 2008. However, it has only been recognized as an independent country by a handful of states—Russia, Venezuela, Vanuatu, Nicaragua, and Syria—making it one of those “ghost countries” that exist in a kind of geopolitical limbo. This separatist republic, however, has always been the […]

South Ossetia is a breakaway republic that declared independence from Georgia in 2008. However, it has only been recognized as an independent country by a handful of states—Russia, Venezuela, Vanuatu, Nicaragua, and Syria—making it one of those “ghost countries” that exist in a kind of geopolitical limbo. This separatist republic, however, has always been the most difficult to visit. This blog tell you everything you need to know to travel to South Ossetia, including visas, how to get there, places to visit and more. You will also like: Abkhazia travel guide In this travel guide to South Ossetia, you will find: Table of Contents Intro Visa Getting in People, culture Money & budget Internet Places to visit More information Introduction to traveling to South Ossetia Why are there two Ossetias? In 1922, as part of a broader Soviet strategy to weaken nationalist movements and centralize control the region of Ossetia was split into two: North Ossetia became Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR) within the Russian SFSR South Ossetia became an Autonomous Oblast (AO) within the Georgian SSR – the lowest level of autonomy in the Soviet system. Over the following decades, South Ossetia pushed for a greater autonomy, which was never granted. South Ossetia main flag and emblem South Ossetia becomes an independent territory within Georgia (1991-2008) When the USSR collapsed and Georgia became an independent country, South Ossetia became instantly part of Georgia. Nevertheless, South Ossetians refused to be under their control, so fighting broke out between Georgian forces and South Ossetian separatists. A ceasefire was eventually reached, leaving South Ossetia as a de facto independent territory within Georgia. At the time, Georgians made up roughly one third of the population in South Ossetia, and the border with Georgia was open and fully operational. Tensions, however, always remained. South Ossetia becomes an independent country (2008) In 2008, Georgia started a war by bombarding Tskhinvali, accusing Russia of violating agreements by sending troops through the Roki Tunnel and distributing Russian passports to South Ossetians That short, 5-day war ended with South Ossetia becoming a fully independent country, but only recognized by: Russia Venezuela Nicaragua Syria Vanuatu It is also recognized by the non-recognized Republics of Abkhazia and Transnistria. Read our travel guide to Transnistria. South Ossetian passport first page South Ossetian passport front page Why isn’t Russia absorbing South Ossetia? Russia already absorbed Crimea, while Ukraine is work in progress, why not taking over South Ossetia? Russia already gets a lot of benefits from South Ossetia, they fully control it economically and military, but not making it formally part of Russia benefits them even further: it blocks Georgia from joining NATO, since the alliance won’t admit a country with unresolved border disputes. The Embassy of Transnitria in Tskhinvali How to get a visa for South Ossetia For visiting South Ossetia you will need to apply for a permit, which will allow you to collect your visa on arrival at the border. Permits can only be issued by the South Ossetian migration office, so you’ll need someone local – such as a friend, guide or tour operator – to apply on your behalf. This local person doesn’t necessarily need to be South Ossetian, but Russians can also obtain the permit for you at the respective office in Vladikavkaz (North Ossetia). Keep in mind that permits take 30 to 60 days to be issued, so apply well in advance. What are the South Ossetian permit requirements? A passport copy and a double-entry Russian visa. Russia considers South Ossetia as an independent country so, when entering South Ossetia from Russia, you are technically leaving Russian territory and because the border between South Ossetia and Georgia is closed, you will need to return to Russia the same way you came, so a a double-entry visa is strictly required. How can I get a double-entry Russian visa? Check our updated Russian visa guide for all details. Do you get any stamp or proof in your passport that you have traveled to South Ossetia? No, you don’t. Russia will issue a brand-new migration card, but they won’t stamp your passport. Similarly, the visa for South Ossetia is issued as a separate piece of paper. Therefore, except for your pictures and souvenirs, there won’t be any official proof that you’ve been to South Ossetia, meaning you can travel to Georgia afterwards without issues. The visa for traveling to South Ossetia How to travel to South Ossetia Traveling to South Ossetia from Georgia The border between Georgia and South Ossetia has been closed since 2008. Traveling to South Ossetia from Russia The only way to enter South Ossetia is from Russia via the Roki Tunnel, located 1.5 hours from Vladikavkaz. From the border to Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia, it’s another 1.5 drive, so roughly 3 hours in total. However, border formalities on the Russian side can take up to 4 hours, including waiting time and questioning. In my case, we were 2 foreigners and the total waiting time was 2 hours and 50 minutes. The Russian authorities were friendly but did ask loads of questions, mostly related to my travels – based on the stamps in my passport. They also went through all the pictures on my phone, so make sure to delete any controversial photos before arriving. On the other hand, the South Ossetian side didn’t take more than 10 minutes. To be honest, I don’t know if there is any public transportation between Vladikavkaz and Tskhinvali but either way, I strongly recommend entering South Ossetia with the same person who applied for your permit. The border town in South Ossetia South Ossetians and their culture Ossetians are an ethnic group native to the central Caucasus. Today, the population of Ossetians live spread across North Ossetia and South Ossetia, but they are essentially the same people, with their regional, local differences, just like most nations around the world. Ossetian is the language spoken by all Ossetians, which is highly related to Iranian, but they use the Cyrillic alphabet and virtually everyone speaks impeccable Russian. Other than that, while North Ossetia is today more developed and much closer to the Russian culture, South Ossetia remains more traditional, visible in the rural villages and lifestyle of most people in South Ossetia. Also check: How to visit the Nenets in Yamalia A South Ossetian lady cooking a traditional dish What’s South Ossetian’s opinion on Georgians? The general opinion of South Ossetians toward Georgians is deeply negative. Georgians are widely seen as aggressors and oppressors, blamed for carrying out ethnic cleansing and mass displacement. This sentiment is particularly strong among the younger generation, who have grown up with no contact with Georgians and have been exposed to decades of anti-Georgian propaganda, largely driven by Russia. That’s the general opinion, you asked for it There are some exceptions, of course—especially among older generations who coexisted with Georgians during Soviet times—but the general rule is that, according to South Ossetians, Georgians are the worst of all evils, and Russians are their saviours. If you’re travelling in South Ossetia, it’s important not to contradict them—they are extremely sensitive about the topic, and I say this from personal experience. As someone who lived in Georgia for almost a year and has a big sympathy for Georgians, I tried to give a balanced, unbiased opinion on that matter, not necessarily supporting Georgians, but suggesting that perhaps Georgia’s attack was influenced by obvious Russian provocations—that Russia was looking for an excuse—and that the only real beneficiary of the war was Russia. However, it was simply impossible to convince them of any of this. Some South Ossetians hanging our in a pretty area near Tskhinvali Money & budget for South Ossetia After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Georgia introduced the Georgian lari but Russia retained the ruble as its currency. South Ossetia never fully integrated into post-Soviet Georgia after 1991 so, until 2008, they used both the Georgian lari and the Russian ruble. When South Ossetia became an independent country in 2008, they abandoned the Lari for good, while adopting the Russian ruble as their official currency, mainly because they didn’t have any financial or base to support its own currency, plus they heavily rely on Russian aid, investments and all sorts of support. Therefore, in South Ossetia, they use the Russian ruble. Credit cards, ATM and exchanging money in South Ossetia South Ossetia is economically integrated with Russia, so sanctions imposed on Russia equally apply here. For more information, check the money section of our Russia travel guide. Internet and connectivity in South Ossetia Wi-Fi in South Ossetia During my trip to South Ossetia, I didn’t really connect to Wi-Fi except for when I was at the hotel. It was fine. Internet data in South Ossetia There is weak 3G in cities and towns, good enough for simple browsing. In South Ossetia, they use Russian mobile networks, so the same rules apply. For more information, check the internet section of our travel guide to Russia. Places to visit in South Ossetia: a 3-day itinerary Unless you are planning to do some hiking, South Ossetia is a small region which you can easily visit in a few days. Here are the places we visited in South Ossetia in 3 days. South Ossetia itinerary map Places to visit in South Ossetia in 3 days Tskhinvali, capital of South Ossetia Tskhinvali might be one of the hardest capital names in the world to pronounce. Rather than a proper capital city, Tskhinvali feels more like a small provincial town. Its southern edge lies right at the border with Georgia. The city is about 50km from Gori, a popular town in Georgia for being Stalin’s birthplace. To be honest, there’s not much going on in Tskhinvali, the main highlights being things related to South Ossetia’s independence, such as the Parliament and several Georgian war memorials. The city also houses a very insightful National Museum and intrepid travelers will certainly enjoy dropping by the embassies of Transnistria and Abkhazia, two breakaway republics with a similar status that recognize South Ossetia. In fact, our local fixer turned out to be a friend of the Transnistria main representative, with whom we had a few glasses of wine. The Parliament of South Ossetia is an unmissable place to visit in Tskhinvali Monastery of Tiri Tiri is a beautiful Georgian Orthodox monastery dating back to the 8th century that for centuries, played a key role in the spread of Christianity in the South Caucasus. While some locals – including our fixer – claimed the monastery is Armenian, evidence clearly suggests that it’s Georgian, since it lies within a region that was part of medieval Georgia, plus, architecturally, the ornamentation, and inscriptions are consistent with early medieval Georgian church styles, not Armenian. The Monastery of Tiri is one of the landmarks to visit in South Ossetia Ertso Lake Located at 1,700–1,800 meters above sea level, Ertso lake is a striking, alpine lake easily accessible from the road to Kvaisi, and a great stopover for a picnic lunch. Ertso Lake in a not very beautiful day in South Ossetia Kvaisi Today, Kvaisi is a sleepy town located in western South Ossetia, bordering the province of Racha in Georgia. Back in the day, however, this mountain town was the industrial and mining hub of South Ossetia, the legacy of which can be seen in the abandoned factories, faded murals, and concrete buildings. If you are into urban exploration and crumbling Lenin statues and Soviet stuff, it doesn’t get any better than in Kvaisi. An abandoned mining factory in Kvaisi Akhalgori (Leningor) Akhalgori is the most politically sensitive town in South Ossetia. Until 2008, Akhalgori was the only part in today’s South Ossetia still under Georgian government control, with over 90% of its population being ethnic Georgians. The town saw no direct battle during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war but after the ceasefire was signed, South Ossetian and Russian forces took over that small piece of territory, displacing most of its Georgian population. Akhalgori was the original Georgian name and South Ossetians reverted to its Soviet-era name, Leningor. This is the village of Akhalgori or Leningor Alpine Brewery Just outside of Akhalgori, there is a small beer producer named Alpine Brewery. Your fixer should be able to arrange a visit , followed by a beer tasting, but don’t expect anything fancy. It’s a very local experience, where they’ll likely just hand you a few bottles for you to drink after the tour. This is what our beer tasting consisted of Stalin statue Stalin: Georgian or South Ossetian? 
Some Ossetians claim that Stalin was South Ossetian, but there’s no historical evidence to support this. If you ever hear it while traveling in South Ossetia, consider it a nationalist narrative rather than a fact: Stalin was born in Georgia, he was ethnically Georgian, spoke Russian with a Georgian accent and that claim was never promoted during Soviet times. I have traveled extensively across all the former Soviet Union countries, but it was in South Ossetia where I for the first time I saw a full statue of Stalin (not just a bust) still standing in its original location, exactly where it was first erected in the 1940s. Before this, I had seen other Stalin statues (only a few though) but they were either busts or had been moved to parks or open-air museums—no longer in their original settings. As you know, most Stalin statues across the USSR were removed after the speech and report delivered by Nikita Khrushchev on The Cult of Personality and Its Consequences. This marked the beginning of a broader process of de-Stalinization, during which monuments were dismantled, cities renamed, and Stalin’s legacy critically re-evaluated across the Soviet bloc. One of the very, very few Stalin statues that remain in the former USSR 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. More Travel Guides to Other Unrecognized Countries Transnistria Travel Guide Somaliland Travel Guide Kosovo Travel Guide Travel Guide to Abkhazia Travel guides to former Soviet countries Russia Travel Guide Belarus 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 Kazakhstan Travel Guide

Wanna travel to Russia with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Russia on: September 9th to 16th, 2025 (Russian Caucasus) – APPLY NOW November 16th to 22nd, 2025 (Arctic Russia) – APPLY NOW It’s incredible to see how quickly things have changed when traveling in Russia. […]

Wanna travel to Russia with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Russia on: September 9th to 16th, 2025 (Russian Caucasus) – APPLY NOW November 16th to 22nd, 2025 (Arctic Russia) – APPLY NOW 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 Tours 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 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. Read: Why you should travel the World without censorship 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 This is only a small summary. For more details, check our Russian visa guide 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. 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. We recommend Alfa Strakhovanie, InterMundial (website only in Spanish) or Auras. 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 How to sign up for a tour in Russia Traveling with a group and an expert local guide will make things much easier, and more fun! In Against the Compass, we have the following expedition scheduled for 2025-2026: September 9th to 16th, 2025 (Russian Caucasus). APPLY NOW September 18th to 24th, 2025 (Arctic Russia). SOLD OUT November 16th to 22nd, 2025 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW March 31st to April 6th, 2026 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW April 18th to 25th, 2026 (Russian Caucasus). APPLY NOW Travel Insurance for Russia Remember that having valid travel insurance for travel in Russia is a must requirement for getting your visa at the embassy. Our preferred travel insurance company (IATI Travel Insurance) isn’t covering travel in Russia any longer. Instead, we recommend Alfa Strakhovanie, InterMundial (website only in Spanish) or Auras. 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 Russia with 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. Read our South Ossetia Travel Guide Money and budget in Russia In Russia, they use the Russian Ruble and approximately: 1 USD = 85 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. Check my article about 30 photos that will make you want to visit the Nenets in Siberia 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 sign up for Yandex GO with a local number, unless you already have an account created in a country where they also use Yandex, such as Kazakhstan. 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 a 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. Update June 2025: Obtaining a SIM Card in Russia is becoming increasingly complicated for foreigners, except at the airport. Therefore, I strongly recommend obtaining your SIM card upon arrival in either Moscow or Saint Petersburg. Getting an eSIM for Russia Some eSIM providers such as Airalo, GoMoWorld or Alosim offer eSIM for Russia, but they are expensive compared to the local plans, plus you can’t get a local number, which is necessary to be able to use Yandex GO. 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 A VPN is necessary for traveling in Russia, 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. Download and configure your VPN before traveling to Russia because their websites are often blocked as well. Get a vpn Certain VPNs might sometimes get blocked in Russia, including Express VPN soM if it doesn’t work, try OpenVPN or Planet VPN. 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 How to visit Chechnya How to get visa for Russia 30 photos that will make you want to visit the Nenets in Siberia 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 Pakistan with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Pakistan: May 12th to 21st, 2026 If you ever decide to travel to Pakistan, I promise you that you will have the adventure of your lifetime. From hitchhiking on tractors and psychedelic trucks to driving […]

Wanna travel to Pakistan with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Pakistan: May 12th to 21st, 2026 learn more If you ever decide to travel to Pakistan, I promise you that you will have the adventure of your lifetime. From hitchhiking on tractors and psychedelic trucks to driving over extremely narrow mountain roads built on a cliff 1,500 meters high, soldiers who voluntarily give you their AK-47 for taking a photo, the most striking landscape and the fact that you can camp in the middle of a paradise completely by yourself. Traveling to Pakistan is definitely, the ultimate experience and adventure. However, this isn’t particularly an easy place to travel in. Going on a trip to Pakistan requires a little bit of preparation, as well as quite a lot of things to know beforehand. This Pakistan travel guide contains everything you need to know, including all travel information regarding visas, transportation, cultural etiquette, cultural behavior, costs and more! In this Pakistan travel guide you will find: Table of Contents Pakistan today Visa rules Tours Travel Insurance Best time to visit How to get in Cultural behavior and facts Security & safety Solo female travel Internet Prices and money Transportation Food, alcohol & chai Accommodation More information our recommended travel insurance for Pakistan With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Pakistan. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE What’s it like to travel in Pakistan today Before 9/11, Pakistan used to be a tourist country. Well, not that touristic, but its breathtaking mountains were a popular stopover for backpackers going along the famous Hippie Trail. In fact, in the Northern Areas, you can find a few backpacker hostels which somehow, are the remains of what used to be a popular destination for intrepid backpackers. The 9/11 attacks, however, along with a big bunch of unfortunate events, usually involving Taliban activity and loads of violence, put an end to the emerging tourism industry. Fortunately, things have changed. In the last couple of years, the security situation in Pakistan has dramatically improved and the Northern Areas of Pakistan are, once again, filled with intrepid backpackers who want to visit some of the most jaw-dropping mountain scenery you will ever see, and experience the hospitality Pakistan is famous for. Nevertheless, despite this massive tourism increase, Pakistan still remains raw, authentic, and genuine, and it will stay like that for a very long time, especially because it is not an easy country to travel to: tourist infrastructure is in an embryonic stage, it is difficult to move around and you won’t meet many foreigners, so that’s why I personally believe that only experienced travelers should go to Pakistan. However, traveling in Pakistan is one of the most rewarding traveling experiences one can ever have. random locals, somewhere in Astore Valley How to get a visa for visiting Pakistan Here you have the most updated information Today, it’s possible to travel to Pakistan with an e-visa. Join our Pakistan expedition Join a group of like-minded travelers to visit some remote and off-the-beaten-track valleys in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. May 12th to 21st, 2026 LEARN MORE How to apply for a Pakistani e-visa You can apply through this portal. By the way, they also offer a mobile app (available at the same link) where you can submit your application directly from your smartphone. How long is the Pakistan e-visa valid for? By default, you will get a single-entry visa, which allows you to stay in Pakistan for 3 months. How much does the e-visa for Pakistan cost? As of September 2025, the new e-visa for Pakistan is free of charge. How long does it take to get the e-visa? Although the official website states that processing takes 7–10 days, most travelers report receiving their visa within a few hours of submission. How to make a visa extension for Pakistan If you need a longer stay or multiple entries, you can apply for a multiple-entry visa valid for more than 6 months directly through the same online portal. My visa for Pakistan, with both the entry & exit stamps, which I got at the Consulate of Barcelona. That was back in 2017, when an e-visa for Pakistan wasn’t available yet. How to sign up for a tour in Pakistan Traveling with a group and an expert local guide will make things much easier, and more fun! 14 days exploring the Northern Areas, including driving through the Karakoram Highway, as well as exploring the barely visited valleys of Shimshal and Astore. Against the Compass has the following scheduled Pakistan expedition: September 14th to 27th, 2025. SOLD OUT May 12th to 21st, 2026. APPLY NOW May 22nd to June 4th, 2026. APPLY NOW September 17th to 27th, 2026. APPLY NOW LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PAKISTAN TOURS Travel insurance for traveling in Pakistan Pakistan 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 Rakaposhi Base Camp, one of the top and most accessible mountains I climbed when I visited Pakistan Best time to visit Pakistan Pakistan has many different regions, ranging from sea-level, flat deserts to 8,000-meter peaks, so each season will present its own peculiarities. Traveling in Pakistan in winter (mid-November to February) The best time to visit the south part of the country, especially Sindh province. Those lands may not have the mountains Pakistan is famous for but this is the most religiously diverse region in Pakistan. On the other hand, most mountains in northern Pakistan remain totally inaccessible in the wintertime. You can still get to the Northern Areas through the Karakoram Highway, but you won’t be able to visit any side valley. Traveling in Pakistan in summer (June to September) The best season for visiting the Northern Areas, especially if you like trekking in high-altitude mountains. Traveling in Pakistan in spring & Autumn I personally traveled to Pakistan in April and May and the mountains were at their best, as the weather was gorgeous (most days), plus they weren’t busy with domestic tourism. Traveling in Pakistan during Ramadan A topic by itself, with its pros & cons. Lost with Purpose traveled in Pakistan during Ramadan and wrote this insightful post. This photo was from mid-April. Not bad! How to travel to Pakistan How to travel to Pakistan by air Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad have international airports connecting with Istanbul and many Middle Eastern cities, especially Doha and Dubai. How to travel to Pakistan by land Pakistan shares a border with Iran, Afghanistan, India, and China. How to travel from Afghanistan to Pakistan by land With the new Taliban Government, the border crossing at Khyber Pass is fully open, and no permits are required. We crossed it in 2023, it’s quite an adventure. Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing back in 2023! How to travel from China to Pakistan by land At 4600 meters above sea level, this is one of the highest border crossings in the world. Read my report. How to travel from India to Pakistan by land It’s possible to cross at Wagah. It’s an easy one to cross, despite the diplomatic relationship between the countries. Read this report How to travel from India to Pakistan by land It goes through Baluchistan, and it is quite an adventure. Read this report Khunjerab Pass, the Pakistani-Chinese border and one of the highest border crossing in the world Cultural behavior and facts when traveling in Pakistan Looking for a selection of travel books? The best books on Pakistan Urdu, which is like Hindi, is the official language However, each region has its own (or several) local languages, so different from each other. English is widely spoken among educated people, like in India. Pakistan is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse countries From the South Asian-looking people of Punjab and Sindh; to the people of the Pashtun areas, closer to Iran or Afghanistan; the pagan culture of Kalash; the Shias from Gilgit and Nagar; the Ismailis of lower Hunza and the Wakhis (and also Ismailis) of upper Hunza. Traveling in Pakistan is like traveling in several, different tiny countries. It’s fascinating. Remember, you are the guest People tend to say that, in Iran, Sudan and Iraqi Kurdistan, you find the most hospitable people in the world. Well, clearly, they haven’t visited Pakistan. Whereas it’s true that these countries are very hospitable, Pakistanis bring it to the next level. In this country, you are the guest, which means that the locals strive for you to have the best possible time in their country or region. The hospitality can even be overwhelming During your trip to Pakistan, you’ll be invited for lunch, dinner and even to stay at people’s houses so many times that, on many occasions, you will have to refuse. After your refusal, they will insist once again, over and over. They will also insist on carrying your bag and offering you food one hundred times even if you say that you are full. These are their cultural rules and you are the guest. So overwhelming, but just don’t get angry One day, some random men who I had never seen before came to my hotel at 7:30 am in the morning, knocking at the door of my room, waking me up from a very good sleep. Apparently, they heard that there was a foreigner in the village, so they just wanted to hang out with me. I got a little bit angry, continued sleeping but then I kind of felt bad, as all they wanted was to show me around the village. Paying for meals For some reason, Pakistanis always want to pay for your meals to the extent that it gets awkward. I personally didn’t like it, especially when I could see that the local people didn’t have much money. If possible, try to back them up. Wearing a Shalwar Kameez The traditional Pakistani dress, which 80% or 90% of Pakistanis wear, is called shalwar kameez. Should you wear it? It’s not compulsory but, if you do, the locals will really appreciate it, especially in the Pashtun areas. Islam Pakistan is the most conservative country I’ve ever been to. You should be careful and always respect their rules. If you do, they will also respect you and you will have the best time in their country. Multan shrine, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Pakistan Security and safety when you travel in Pakistan Join our Pakistan expedition Join a group of like-minded travelers to visit some remote and off-the-beaten-track valleys in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. May 12th to 21st, 2026 LEARN MORE Pakistan is not dangerous but you should be cautious. You might have read from other blogs that Pakistan is one of the safest countries in the world. Personally, I wouldn’t say that. Whereas I think that Pakistan is not a dangerous country, in some areas, it’s better to be cautious, especially in the southern part of the country. Read: Is Afghanistan safe? However, the situation is only getting better and better Seriously, safety in Pakistan has improved exponentially. Police are there to help you Throughout your Pakistan travels, you’ll be continuously interrogated by dozens of different policemen and people from the army. Who are you? Why are you here? Where are you going? Unlike in other countries, in Pakistan, the police and military are pretty cool and, for your own security, they are commanded to ask you these questions. Update: This doesn’t really apply in the north of Pakistan any longer, but more like in the south, Sindh and Balochistan provinces. Bring passport & visa photocopies It’s good to bring loads of photocopies because, at some check posts, if you have a passport copy, you don’t have to get out of the car. Otherwise, you are going to waste your time. Occasionally, you get a personal guard, for free For security purposes, in some areas, you will get a personal armed guard. Sometimes, you might have to pay for his meals but, according to the police, you are not forced to. It’s up to you. For more information, read my post: Is Pakistan safe? Update: This doesn’t really apply in the north of Pakistan any longer, but more like in the south, Sindh and Balochistan provinces. Having a personal armed guard seems kind of cool but, to be honest, it’s not that much The first time you get an armed guard you get kind of excited. However, after half an hour, you might start hating him because he will put you under a lot of restrictions. Pakistani intelligence is one of the best secret services in the world One of the reasons why Pakistan is not a dangerous country is thanks to the Pakistani intelligence, which is considered the best intelligence corps in the world, even better than the CIA. Be aware that they are watching your steps and they will always know where you are. I remember that, while hiking around a remote area in the Astore Valley, a man wearing a salwar kameez (the traditional Pakistani clothes), came to me and said, ”You are the Spanish, right?” Yes, he was from Pakistani intelligence. For further information on safety, including which areas are the safest, read my post: Is Pakistan safe? You may also be interested in which countries in the Middle East are safe? I know, I am quite a badass… – My trip to Pakistan Solo female travel in Pakistan Women traveling solo is more common and safer than you think Women tell wonderful things about their experiences during their journeys through Pakistan, but they also say that this is a particularly challenging destination, home to a very conservative, patriarchal society who don’t really know how to deal with foreign women. I’m not the most qualified person to talk about this topic, however, but Spanish traveler Leti Lagarda backpacked in Pakistan solo for 2 months, and has written a compelling guide about it, which will tell you everything you need to know about solo female travel in Pakistan, including: Interaction with men Safety tips Cultural etiquette What to wear And much more Read the ultimate guide to solo women travel in Pakistan Leti Lagarda in Pakistan Internet and connectivity in Pakistan Wi-Fi in Pakistan Wi-Fi is often bad, so I recommend getting a SIM Card for your trip to Pakistan. In larger cities, however, hotels will often have decent wI-Fi, good enough for simple browsing. In the Northern Areas, Wi-Fi is generally awful, if present at all. SIM Card in Pakistan 4G works reasonably well across the country, except in the Northern Areas. I recommend getting either ZONG or Telenor. In the Northern Areas, you can buy a SIM Card from a regional provider named SCOM, whose offices can be found in Gilgit and Karimabad. Nevertheless, remember that there’s very little coverage throughout the region. Hiking around Kalam, Swat Valley, one of the most beautiful places I from my Pakistani trip eSIM for browsing, calling and traveling in Pakistan An eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical card, with the added benefit that you can buy it online before or during your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it in a local store. With Airalo, you can get an eSIM for a wide range of destinations, including Pakistan. Get a VPN for traveling in Pakistan 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 Pakistan. 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. My office for a day Money in Pakistan In Pakistan, they use the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) and approximately: 1USD = 280 PKR Cash & ATMs Pakistan is a cash economy, so better bring cash, especially in the Northern Areas. You can find ATMs in all big cities but not all of them will accept foreign cards. How much does it cost to travel to Pakistan But before, a few things you need to know: In Pakistan, everything is negotiable: Everything can be bargained for, especially the hotel rooms. Expect to pay different amounts from other guests. Always come with a reference: When you travel in Pakistan, contacts are very important and that’s why in either hotels or trekking tour companies if you come referenced by a local, you will get a better price. In any case, this is a pretty cheap country and I think you can easily travel to Pakistan for less than $20 a day, sleeping in private rooms and eating 3 meals outside. These are the (approximate) prices of the most typical things: Local meal – 150PKR Local meal in a mid-range restaurant – 250-500PKR Meal in a fancy restaurant of Lahore – from 1500PKR Private room in a budget hotel – Up to 1500PKR Private room in a mid-range hotel – Around 3,000PKR Long bus rides (Islamabad to Gilgit) – Around 2,500PKR for a VIP ticket (you want to get a VIP, trust me) Pakistani rupees! – Pakistan travel blog Transportation for traveling around Pakistan You’ll get used to the mountain roads Most mountain roads are very scary as they are extremely narrow and built on insanely high cliffs. Don’t panic. You’ll just get used to them! You will learn to be patient In aalmost every long bus journey I took, we had a breakdown. Sometimes, we were stopped for two hours! And one day, we stopped because the bus ran out of gas! Psychedelic trucks are a way of life Everybody falls in love with the trucks in Pakistan, as they are so particularly decorated that they are a blessing to your lens. A typical Pakistani truck! Ways of moving around when you travel in Pakistan Traveling around Pakistan by train Pakistan has an extensive rail network connecting many cities in Sindh, Punjab and also Peshawar. For schedules and prices, check the Pakistan Railway website. I recommend AC Standard, the type of ticket typically purchased by the Pakistani middle class. For more information, check this train guide to Pakistan. Traveling around Pakistan by bus Public buses & minivans go everywhere. Daewoo is a premium bus company that can take you anywhere across Afghanistan. For traveling to the Northern Areas, I recommend NATCO. Both these companies are considered high-end as per Pakistani standards. Alternatively, local minivans are much cheaper, but they are very uncomfortable. One of the worst bus trips I have ever taken was in a local minivan from Mingora to Chitral, a 12-hour ride in the tiniest minivan ever, but a great local adventure and experience. Hitchhiking in Pakistan Hitchhiking in Pakistan is too easy, easier and faster than traveling by public transportation, especially along the Karakoram Highway. Everybody will want to pick you up! As a general rule, on the KKH, I didn’t hitchhike on motorbikes (there are too many accidents) and cars with women inside. Traveling around Pakistan by plane Flying can be pretty convenient as well. Traveling by bus from Islamabad to the Northern Areas, including Chitral, Gilgit and Skardu takes ages (from 15 to 20 hours). There are flights connecting Islamabad with all these cities. You can book them on PIA. Remember, however, that for flying to and from Gilgit, it’s recommended to book several days or weeks in advance. Also, bear in mind that many flights get canceled due to weather condition. Read: 80 Tips for traveling to Iran Crazy (and beautiful) roads – How to visit Pakistan Food, drinks, and alcohol Food is extremely oily Pakistanis love oil too much. They put tons of it in absolutely every meal, including in the steamed rice, which they will always fry afterwards. When you are in a restaurant, always ask for half fried. It’s almost dry In the Sindh province and Islamabad, you can find liquor stores. In the rest of the country, alcohol is only available on the black market, but most locals (who drink) can get it for you easily. Expect to have ten cups of chai a day Chai, which is tea with milk, is a way of life in Pakistan and a sign of hospitality. Tap water, watch out! Don’t dare drink tap water. In the northern part of the country, the locals will tell you that the tap water is good, as it comes from the mountains and glaciers. This may be true, but I still got sick when I drank from a mountain fountain. Always use a water purifier. You’ll get sick I don’t know anyone who didn’t get sick in his stomach when traveling in Pakistan. Try to avoid salad, food stalls with flies (they are hard to find) and don’t drink tap water. This meal, in particular, was one of my favorite ones in Pakistan – Pakistan travel information Accommodation when you are traveling to Pakistan There are all types of hotels across the country, from budget rooms to a few hostels and luxury hotels. Booking sites such as Hostelworld and Booking.com are increasing in popularity but, depending on the destination you travel to, you may not find a lot of options or, at least, no budget hotels. If you want to stay in a budget hotel or local guesthouse, you may have to read blogs or ask anyone online. In my Pakistan Itinerary, I give some options. Anyway, there are a few things you need to know about accommodation in Pakistan: Prices can be negotiated to the extreme Whenever they tell you the price, ask if they have a cheaper room. Seriously, on many occasions, I managed to get half of the initial price. If you are on a budget, always ask if they have a dorm Surprisingly, many hotels have dorms and they don’t tell you until the end of the negotiation. The good thing is that, since there are not many backpackers, you are most likely to get the dorm just for yourself! It can be hard to find decent, cheap accommodation in certain parts of the country In cities like Peshawar, Karachi, Multan, and basically anywhere outside of Swat Valley, Chitral, Northern areas, Islamabad and Lahore, finding decent (budget) accommodation can be challenging. Couchsurfing is very popular! There are loads of profiles, especially in big cities. If you want to know all my hotel recommendations per city, read my Pakistan Itinerary Husseini bridge, Hunza, a top place to visit when traveling to Pakistan More information for traveling to Pakistan 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 Pakistan destination Travel Guide to Fairy Meadows Karokam Highway Travel Guide Astore Valley Travel Guide Pakistan-China border crossing Travel Guide to Rakaposhi Base Camp Travel Insurance in Pakistan Pakistan Itinerary Photos of Pakistan Travel Books about Pakistan Solo Female Travel Guide in Pakistan Is Pakistan Safe? That’s everything you need to know! If you think I forgot something, please let me know! Ah, and remember that, in Pakistan, you shouldn’t plan too much! Welcome to the country of unexpected events. From endless bus breakdowns to time-consuming check posts, new local friends and paradises where you want to spend ages, during your Pakistan travels, you will realize that nothing will go according to your plan. Travel guides to other countries in Central Asia Tajikistan Travel Guide Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide Travel Guide to Uzbekistan Travel Guide to Kazakhstan Afghanistan Travel Guide You might also like our Iran travel guide.

Wanna travel to Pakistan with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Pakistan: May 12th to 21st, 2026 Pakistan is in fashion. Backpackers and travelers alike from around the world are realizing that Pakistan is not only a beautiful country, but it can offer some of the […]