Category Archives: JETSETTER TIPS

Airplane Yoga: 8 Moves to Keep Calm and Stretched on the Go

The verdict is in: sitting is out. Evidence suggests sitting for long periods of time can contribute to cardiovascular problems, on top of general stiffness and discomfort. Not great news for people clocking in a 40-hour work week (by Wednesday). Standing desks, exercise balls and periodic walks are good solutions for the office, but what if your job has you logging lots of seated hours at 30,000 feet? Check out these breathing exercises and modified yoga poses, which can be done just about anywhere, anytime, to make flying easier for mind, body and soul.

1. Ujjayi Breathing

Calmness comes from within, so start by checking in with your breath. Take a moment to notice its tempo and intensity, which is usually a reflection of your energy level and state of mind. Take deep, full breaths in and out through the nose, allowing air to pass through the back of the throat (like the beginning of a yawn) on the exhale. Try to make your exhales slightly longer than your inhales. Known as ujjayi breathing or “ocean breath,” this foundational yoga technique is by itself a powerful stress reliever. A great move to remember the next time you’re stuck in the security check-in line.

2. Neck Rolls

Excessive sitting and carrying heavy bags can both contribute to tension in the neck, shoulders and upper back. This exercise helps to relieve tightness in all three areas. Begin by sitting upright with a straight spine, shoulders slightly back. Exhale and drop your left ear to your left shoulder. Inhale and slowly rotate your head forward until your right ear touches your right shoulder. Keep your head heavy and neutral and your shoulders relaxed. Repeat, moving left to right, 10 times. Reverse, rotating right to left, and repeat another 10 times.

3. Seated Cat-Cow

This subtle move is great for keeping the spine supple and flexible in flight. Seated with a neutral spine, place hands on your thighs. As you inhale, gently puff your chest outward while sliding shoulders back, creating a curve in your back (“the cow”). As you exhale, slide shoulders forward, look down and round the spine, creating an arch (“the cat”). Repeat five times, holding in each position for a breath or two.

4. Seated Spinal Twist

For deeper spinal tension and to relieve knots and kinks, try this gentle twist. Begin by crossing your left knee over your right. Place right hand on left knee and, with an inhale, twist to the left while keeping your spine as straight as possible. Hold the twist for three breaths, looking over your left shoulder. Then, return to a neutral seated position. Repeat three times on each side.

5. Seated Chair Pose

The name might sound redundant, but chair pose is actually an intense quad-strengthening exercise similar to a standing squat. This modified version tones back and arm muscles while lengthening the spine. Begin at the edge of your seat with a straight spine, feet firmly planted on the floor. With an inhale, raise arms straight up. With an exhale, bend forward to a 45-degree angle, keeping your spine straight and chin slightly tucked. Keep arms firmly lifted, relaxing shoulders down and away from your ears. Hold for five breaths. Repeat three times.

6. Thigh Lifts

 This is a great move for warding off that “tingly toes” feeling that often accompanies long flights, with an added bonus of core strengthening. Seated with a straight spine, knees bent, lift one thigh as high as you can on an inhale. Keeping abdominal muscles tight and engaged, hold thigh lifted for two breaths. Repeat 10 times with each leg. For extra tummy toning power, try lifting both legs at the same time, using the arm rests for support if necessary.

7. Ankle Rolls

In addition to improving circulation, this simple move helps to prevent fluid from collecting in the ankles, which can cause swelling and the dreaded “travel cankles.” Sitting with legs stretched slightly out in front of you (ideally with shoes off), roll each ankle in a complete circle several times in each direction. After a few reps, incorporate pointing and flexing of your toes for a deeper stretch of the entire foot.

8. Breath of Fire

This breathing technique is a great way to close your airplane yoga session, or to simply arrive at your destination with a greater sense of calm and energetic focus. Begin by sitting upright and notice the movement of your abdomen as you inhale and exhale. Open your mouth and pant like a dog, noticing the change in abdominal movement. Maintaining the panting action, close your mouth and allow the breath to move rapidly in and out through the nose. Breathe quickly, moving the abdomen rapidly. Each exhale should be as sharp and staccato as possible, but the duration of inhale and exhale should be equal. Continue for three minutes, while keeping the jaw and face muscles relaxed.

Moving Abroad: One of the Scariest, Craziest, and Best Decisions I Ever Made

One day, not unlike any other, I got a call from my husband that would inevitably change our lives forever. There was a job opening for a position in England and he wanted to apply for it. We both thought that it would be an amazing opportunity for us and for our children to try something new and experience a completely different culture. We decided to go for it and let fate decide.

About a week later, he called me and told me that he had been selected for the job. I was equally thrilled and anxious. I’ve always wanted to visit England, but living there would be quite different. We only had three months to prepare for our move and there was so much to do. After we got the big stuff out of the way (passports, visas, and travel plans) I started to feel more excited than anything else. Finally, moving day came and we were on our way. The actual trip over went better than I had imagined. Our infant and toddler rocked the long flights, even with delays and sleep deprivation.

passengers plane blue
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

As we handed our paperwork to the customs officer, it really set in: I live in England. I’m thousands of miles away from everything and everyone I know. We wouldn’t be seeing our families much over the next few years, unless it was on a screen. I suddenly felt displaced and alone. Maybe I would feel better after I got some rest and regained my bearing, I thought.

When the jet lag finally wore off and coffee was enough to pull me out of the haze I was in, I started transitioning to my new life in England. We started looking for a house and a car. There was definitely a bit of culture shock at first. Everything was smaller here. Looking at houses and cars made me panic for a moment. Are we going to find a place that works for us? Are the kids going to be happy? Was moving here the right decision?

Then I realized that I needed to stop comparing everything and just see it for what it is. Things weren’t wrong, they were just different. The second house we looked at was in a small village and had an amazing view of a big potato farm behind it. Unlike the first house we looked at, it wasn’t on a busy,  narrow street. It was also walking distance from my son’s new preschool and a nature preserve. We fell in love with it almost instantly.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

This is an old country, brimming with historical sites and beautiful architecture. However, the layout of the roads is just as old and was designed with horses in mind. I was actually warned upon my arrival to watch out for horses because they’re worth more than my car: no joke. Many roads are barely wide enough for two cars. Parking is scarce so it’s common to see people parked halfway on a curb anywhere along the road. When driving, you have to weave around them, pedestrians, and cyclists while hoping that the drivers coming at you have had enough tea to keep their reflexes sharp. After awhile, it’s become second nature and I’ve honestly wondered if it’ll be just as weird switching back to driving on the right side of the road when I go back to America.

Once we settled in a little, I began to fall in love with England. The skies here are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Breathtaking blue skies and big, fluffy clouds provide the perfect contrast for the bright green, open fields. Every time I look out at the view behind our house, especially at sunset, I feel serene and content.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Of all the places to move abroad, I’m glad I went to England first. There’s a wide variety of accents and, while they use many words and phrases that I’m not used to, it’s still less of a dramatic difference since they speak English. I keep forgetting that I’m the one with the foreign accent now. Most of the locals don’t seem to care at all and almost all of them have been very friendly.

There are castles, cathedrals, Stonehenge, Shakespeare’s home, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace… the list of things to see and do here goes on and on. It’s also just a cheap train ride or a quick flight to many other places in Europe. I love that my kids get to explore these places rather than just reading about them in a book. Also, my son gets the experience of attending British school for the first few years. My daughter is just learning to speak, so it’ll be interesting to see if either of them pick up a British accent.

I miss my family and friends all the time, but I also feel like this is the opportunity of a lifetime and I’m so glad we went for it. If you’re considering moving abroad, I would tell you to let go of the fear of the unknown and take the leap. You won’t regret it.

Odes to Everyday Things from Every Continent

In the spirit of Pablo Neruda’s marvelous poetry about ordinary things, we’ve compiled a photo essay spanning the seven continents. Plato taught us long ago, that the “beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.” Let’s take a moment to celebrate the design of everyday things.

 


 

Africa: Ostrich Egg

Homes all over South Africa include ostrich eggs in their array of objet d’ -art and it’s easy to see why. Perfected by nature, oversized ovals are a unique surface for artisans to decorate. Enameled, painted, or even untouched, save for a stand, the results are astounding.

 

South Africa ostrich eggs
Photo by: flickr/Redmond licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

 

Antarctica: Ice

Contemplating the ice of Antarctica is a meditation in white. Something commonly thought of as one color, is in the purity of the Arctic landscape, many, many hues. Behold shades of ghostwhite, floralwhite, ivory, lavenderblush; yes, lavenderblush, all in sheets and bergs of ice.

 

Antarctica ice
Photo by: stocksnap.io/Casey Kiernan licensed under CC0 1.0

 

Asia: Bangles

Among the most beautiful creations in all corners of the Indian subcontinent are stalls of shimmering, fragile, glassy, colorful bangles sold by the dozen. A proper “sleeve” of bangles requires at least three dozen bangles. Since they’re glass, they’re expected to break. Shattering one by one, it’s time for another visit to the bazaar when they’ve all broken away.

 

bangles
Photo by: flickr/Garry Knight licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

 

Australia: Didgeridoo

Indigenous Australians created this exquisite instrument almost 1500 years ago from hollowed out tree limbs. How does one hollow out tree limbs? Termites do it for you. Decorative motifs vary depending on the provenance of the person making the instrument, and makes for a variety of styles and sounds. Its familiar droning is inextricably linked to the culture and people Down Under.

 

Australia Didgeridoo

 


 

Europe: Tulips

It’s a flower so gorgeous it inspired a frenzy in the 1600s. Legend has it that at the height of their value, certain tulip bulbs commanded prices 10 times the yearly income of a skilled craftsman! To this day, economists use the phrase “tulip mania” when speaking about fluctuations in the intrinsic value of goods in the marketplace.

tulips
Photo by: pixabay under license CC0 1.0

 

North America: Maple Syrup

During early European colonization in northeastern North America, indigenous peoples taught arriving colonists how to harvest sap for survival. Many years later, Civil War abolitionists opted to use maple syrup rather than southern sugar cane. And during WWII, maple syrup was the go-to sweetener in a time of increased rations. This is a flapjack syrup with some serious historical cred.

 

maple syrup
Photo by Unsplash/ Sonja Langford

 

South America: Caipirinhas

The classic libation of Brazil that’s as fun to drink as it is to say: KAI-PE-REEN-YA. A refreshing concoction that goes great with Rio’s hot, hot, hot beaches. You can order them with a variety of fruits like pineapples, grapes or strawberries but we recommend taking it classic: a little lime juice, cachaça (sugar cane hard liquor) and a hint of sugar. Saude!

caipirinha
Cachaca Dave/under license GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The Best Spicy Food Restaurants in the US

Raise your hand if you’re always ordering the spiciest dish on a restaurant’s menu. Sure, your friends may look at you in horror while they munch on their, shall we say, bland dish? But spicy food lovers know the joy of the stages to tasting spice. First you get the flavor, then you get layers of flavor, and then you get the heat.  Plus, according to a study from the University of Vermont, consumption of red hot chili peppers is associated with a 13 percent reduction in total mortality. So really, you’re being healthy when you order that craft beer brewed with ghost peppers. Here are five restaurants in the U.S. that will help satisfy your thirst for spicy food.

 

When in Nashville, make it spicy chicken at Hattie B’s

Nashville is known for its iconic hot chicken, basically, your traditional buttermilk-fried chicken doused in hot sauce. You should order it from Hattie B’s. The no-frills restaurant knows its spice. While they do serve a mild chicken for your friends that can’t stand the heat, you’re going to want to order their five-alarm fried chicken, “Shut the Cluck Up.” Don’t forget the side of mac and cheese.

hattie Bs spicy food
Photo: Jimmy Emerson, DVM via Flickr

 

Drink your spice in North Carolina

You’ve heard of ghost chili peppers, probably even tried them, but have you had them in a beer? Charlotte, North Carolina-based Ass Clown Brewing has two spicy brews you’re going to want to try: the Go Reap Yourself IPA, made with Carolina Reaper peppers, and a Ghost Chili IPA, made with ghost peppers.

 

When in NYC or San Francisco, try Mission Chinese

Eating at one of Mission Chinese Food’s locations (Brooklyn, Manhattan, San Francisco) is like throwing your very own spice party. The food is based loosely on Szechuan cuisine from southwestern China, which, on its own, is known for bringing the heat, but Mission Chinese Food takes it to another level by incorporating classics from around the world. It was one of the favorite NYC restaurants of the late Anthony Bourdain. Order the Chongquing Chicken Wings.

mission chinese spicy food
Photo: Foodie Buddha via Flickr

 

Spice up your BBQ at Big Bad Wolf’s House of Barbecue

Don’t be scared by the dive bar exterior. Baltimore’s Big Bad Wolf’s House of Barbeque is one of the city’s hidden gems, and it has some of the best BBQ in the country. Douse whatever you order in their sauces that range from mild to “Hot Enough for the Devil,” for a sweet and spicy taste you’ll never forget.

 

Some like it hot at Torchy’s Tacos in Texas

Every August, Texas-based Torchy Tacos rolls out a special “Some Like Hot” menu, and every year, people flee from the spicy tacos. (OK, we can’t confirm this, but the tacos seem to get hotter each year.) Even if you don’t hit up the place in August, though, the casual taco joint brings the spice during the rest of the year with classic options like “The Brush Fire: American Jerk Chicken,” with grilled jalapeños, mango, sour cream, and cilantro, with diablo sauce that will have you reaching for a glass of milk.

torch's tacos spicy food
Photo: Michelle Lee via Flickr

10 of the World’s Most Jaw-dropping Parking Spots

Let’s be honest: most of us don’t associate the phrase “natural beauty” with the words “parking spot.” Still, for many car-bound travellers, especially those in metropolitan areas, quality parking spots are a rare and precious treasure. Not all parking spots are created equal: some are simply more spacious than others, while still others are better located, and a few are even—as strange as it is to say—beautiful.

Parking spots might be one of the most (understandably) neglected parts of our visual culture. At their root, most parking spots are simple open rectangles: modular, white, and unforgivingly bland. But their very banality is what makes the exceptions that much more interesting. And some parking spots have actually been impeccably designed, while others are located atop stunning vistas or open plateaus. Here’s a look at 10 of the most stunning parking spots in the world.

1. Los Angeles, CA

The Musem of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
Image via MOCA Facebook Page

Los Angeles: city of endless sun, brilliant cinema, and … parking spots. Tens of thousands of them, to be precise, in a city that continues to be defined by the automobile. While Los Angeles has taken a lot of (well-deserved) flack for its reliance on private transportation, artists have done their best to reclaim the city’s wide open cement-scape. Take, for example, this work, designed by OBEY Giant and infamous street artist, Shepard Fairey. While the surrounding settings might seem pretty prosaic, this violently energetic mural was painted on the walls of a library parking garage!

2. Kansas City, Missouri

flickr Tim Samoff Kansas Library parking spot
Photo by: flickr/Tim Samoff under license CC BY-ND 2.0

In another outrageous (and strange) win for libraries, Kansas City decided to dress up their parking garage by making it look like a Barnes and Noble classics bookshelf. Titles range from “Their Eyes Were Watching God” to “The Invisible Man” to the middle-school favorite (or not-favorite) “Huck Finn.” The concept is brilliant, the execution perfection, and the parking spots: infinitely plentiful.

3. Santa Monica, California

flickr TNS Sofres Santa Monica Parking
Photo by: flickr/TNS Sofres under license CC BY 2.0

Lovingly named the “Santa Monica Civic Center Parking Structure,” this garage has to be one of the only parking garages in the world with five-star reviews (also: Who is spending the time to write free parking garage reviews for Yelp?). Solar panels power this 300,000 square foot structure, and stunning/energy-efficient LED lights light the entire building. This parking garage was the first LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) garage in California.

4. Munich, Germany

BMW Welt

Feel like traveling halfway across the world to see a parking garage? Of course you don’t, but if you’re in Munich, Germany, head over to the awesome BMW Museum, which details the history of the beloved luxury automobile. Even if you don’t like learning about cars, you can’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime parking experience (okay, you can, but—look how stunning!)

5. Detroit, Michigan

flickr TNS Sofres Michigan Theater
Photo by: flickr/TNS Sofres under license CC BY 2.0

Designed in a jaw-dropping French Renaissance style in 1925, The Michigan Theater could once hold up to 4,025 people in its audience. To accommodate all those people, the theater needed not only wait staff and clean bathrooms, but one hell of a parking garage. The theater has since closed and the parking garage fallen into disrepair, but remnants of its original glory remain.

6. Wolfsburg, Germany

flickr Matthias Hensel Autostadt
Photo by: flickr/Matthias Hensel under license CC BY-ND 2.0

Germany: Home to some of the world’s best music, art, and parking garages. Known as Autostadt, this 200 foot parking garage is used exclusively to park Volkswagon cars. The vibrant, white, psychedelic design makes Autostadt feel like it was pulled out an 80’s sci-fi movie: refreshingly modern, creatively bombastic, and deeply, strangely, real.

7. Seoul, South Korea

South-eastern view (by photographer Sun Namgoong)
Photo by: Sun Namgoong/South eastern view Herma Parking Building

You know what they say about South Korea: you come for the culture, you stay for the parking garages. Or maybe they don’t say that, but who cares—the Herma Parking Building of Seoul, South Korea has to be one of the city’s finest pieces of architecture, period. Designed by JOHO Architecture, the Herma building combines a futuristic minimalism with over 600 polycarbonate and 900 stainless steel panels. Perfection.

8. Chicago, Illinois

Marina City
Photo by: O Palsson [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Chicago might be one of the most historic cities in the country, but all of their landmarks simply pale in comparison to their parking garages. At the top of everyone’s list is the Marina City parking garage, an enormous, contemporary, cylindrical, structure that bravely looks out over Lake Michigan.

9. Miami, Florida

1111 Lincoln Road Miami Fl
Photo by: flickr/Forgimind Archimedia under license CC BY 2.0

Designed by famous Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, this stunning parking garage sits atop Miami Beach, offering some of the city’s best views. Known as 1111 Lincoln Road, the building captures the essence of “tropical modernism” with incredible urban-suburban convenience.

10. Birmingham, United Kingdom

Millennium point car park
Photo by: flickr/Tony Hisgett under license CC BY 2.0

Like many cities in England’s Midlands, Birmingham was once an up-and-coming factory town. And while some of that industry might have faded out, Birmingham decided to stay firmly in the present—with a parking garage. Designed by Mark Sloane of Acivico, Millennium Point glows blue at night, signaling unapologetic urbanity, postmodernity, and yes, one hell of a parking spot.

5 Stimulating Blogs for the Thoughtful Traveler

As travel guru Rick Steves says, good travel is thoughtful travel.

Today the world is wide open, and nowadays you can afford to see it on nearly any budget, which means more travelers than ever before are publishing posts and pics from every end of the planet. Google your next potential travel destination and see: countless travel blogs across the web are putting out posts on the best hotels and restaurants, inspiring you over Instagram with super-saturated beachside sunsets, and helping you figure out how to get from A to B. But out there floating among the sea of destination guides and trip reviews, a handful of particularly thoughtful travel blogs stand out for combining gripping storytelling, evocative photography, and a dose of critical reflection to consistently put out thoughtful posts contemplating the world and our place in it.

Thoughtful travel is exploring with an engaged mind, asking why and how, and connecting the dots between here and there, between now and then, or between Us and Them. It’s how you upgrade a vacant-minded vacation to a thought experiment and an exercise in global citizenship. Here are five of the best blogs out there doing just that, and how they’re inspiring readers to be more thoughtful travelers.

 

Green Global Travel

Running a travel blog with a purpose is striking a delicate balance between raising awareness and maintaining reader interest. Green Global Travel strikes that balance expertly with its practical and informative blog that aims to “spread the sustainable philosophies of ecotourism and conservation” through sustainable travel.

Dow Edwards of the Mohawk Hunters tribe, participating in a 'Spy Boy Standoff' on Super Sunday in New Orleans. Photo by Bret Love and Mary Gabbett, courtesy of Green Global Travel[http://greenglobaltravel.com/2015/12/06/treme-new-orleans-birthplace-of-american-culture/].
Dow Edwards of the Mohawk Hunters tribe, participating in a ‘Spy Boy Standoff’ on Super Sunday in New Orleans. Photo by Bret Love and Mary Gabbett, courtesy of Green Global Travel.
The entire blog is full of informative articles for travelers interested in minimizing their ecological footprints, with posts on simple ways to save water or the ethical issues with taking animal selfies[]. But it’s the deeper cultural investigations that stand out, like blog creator Bret’s investigation of the influence of New Orleans’ Tremé neighborhood on mainstream American culture.

 

Heart My Backpack

Silvia is an American-Norwegian backpacker bouncing around familiar locales like Norway and Japan, as well as places many of us still know little about, like Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Kosovo. No matter where she finds herself on or far off the backpacker trail, Silvia always opens her mind up to her readers on Heart My Backpack, sharing her thoughts on travel, local culture, life, or other speculations fueled and inspired by her current surroundings.

Silvia hanging out with her Iranian Couchsurfing host in Tehran during her solo backpacking trip across the country. Photo courtesy of Heart My Backpack[http://www.heartmybackpack.com/heart/backpacking-solo-through-iran/].
Silvia hanging out with her Iranian Couchsurfing host in Tehran during her solo backpacking trip across the country. Photo courtesy of Heart My Backpack.
Unmoved by the negative media images of this country or that one, Silvia treks off solo backpacking through countries like Iran, where the common wisdom tells us it’s too dangerous for such a thing. These glimpses into and curious engagements with the realities of places like Afghanistan, Burma, Kyrgyzstan, or her home base Norway help to correct our often flawed images of parts of the world that seem far away or distant.

Uncornered Market

Audrey and Dan at Uncornered Market are the writers behind one of the most thought-provoking travel blogs on the web, with the self-described goal of creating “a movement of respectful travelers who live at the intersection of adventure, deep travel experiences and caring for our planet and its people.”

Audrey with a local Turkmen woman in 'dangerous' Turkmenistan. Photo courtesy of Uncornered Market[http://uncorneredmarket.com/danger-map-world-fear-awareness/].
Audrey with a local Turkmen woman in ‘dangerous’ Turkmenistan. Photo courtesy of Uncornered Market.
Uncornered Market approaches traditional travel topics by asking us to think about them in a new way. The popular post “The Danger Map of the World: Fear vs. Awareness” is typical of the blog in its rehashing of the idea of “safety” on the road. In exchange for the continuous critical thought and contemplation asked of the reader, the post employs continuously engaging writing and super readable design to guide us through big ideas and concrete actionable tips alike.
Refine your thinking about everything from ethical spending to keeping the peace while traveling with your partner at Uncornered Market.

 

Inside the Travel Lab

Inside the Travel Lab overtly dedicates itself to more thoughtful travel in its challenge to readers to “think and dream as we travel the world”. While first and foremost envisioned as a blog about thoughtful and responsible luxury travel, writer Abi’s posts often delve deeper into the historical contexts and real-world concerns contextualizing her travels.

The blog’s landing page is handily organized into categories like “Make Me Think” and “Inspire Me“, through which you can discover contemplative stories like “The Quest for the Blue Footed Booby” that balance an alluring glimpse of the Galapagos with considerations of the islands’ place in the world’s heritage. Crafting alluring narratives that pull us into the author’s thoughts and reflections, Inside the Travel Lab is a refreshing look at the thoughts and dreams that thoughtful travel can inspire in all of us.

 

Not a Ballerina: The Thoughtful Travel Podcast

It says it on Amanda Kendle’s About page as well as her site header: “I’m not a ballerina. I’m a traveller and a thinker.”

Not a Ballerina is a travel blog that strives to provide fun and meaningful content for travelers in the hopes that they’ll learn more from their travel experiences. Author Amanda writes thoughtfully about topics like reverse culture shock and keeping an interest log, but one of the best resources the blog has to offer engaged travelers is its Thoughtful Travel Podcast, in which she and other travelers and thinkers discuss topics like breaking through stereotypes and navigating your fears on the road.

 

A weekend in a luxury hotel or a meditation retreat is a tempting way to relax and recharge the batteries, but as these bloggers often point out, luxury and relaxation aren’t incompatible with mindfulness and reflection. When you’re busy planning your next trip, take some tips from these bloggers on how to engage with the destinations you visit and learn more about the people with whom you share the world while you explore all it has to offer.

Coziest Mountain-Town Airbnbs

From the rolling Appalachians to the dense, remote Sierra Nevadas, there are dozens of mountain ranges in America to immerse yourself in the serenity of small mountain-towns. While hundreds flock to tourist destinations like Aspen or Vail during ski season, many of the underrated locales on the far east and west are overlooked. Airbnb is a website and mobile application allowing private citizens to rent out anything from spare rooms to entire houses, offering travelers and tourists a more personal, authentic stay in lieu of traditional hotel rooms. Using Airbnb is one of the fastest growing economies, on par with rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. The company even launched its own apartment brand last year. If you do your research, using the marketplace can not only save you money in expensive locations like the Rocky Mountains, but afford you a quirky, unconventional space to meet locals and collect unmatched stories. Whether you’re planning a late-winter snowboarding sabbatical, or just a romantic getaway for two, these charming, five-star Airbnbs will help you kick off the new year right.

 

Peaceful Tower Retreat – Carmel Valley, California

Nightly Rate: $175

tower retreat carmel valley california
Image via Airbnb

This tower-style cabin, embedded in the lush woodlands of California’s Carmel Valley, is just a short drive from world-renowned recreation centers such as Big Sur and Pacific Grove, boasting panoramic views of Garland Park and thousands of acres of biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Bird watching, wine tasting, and a host of other California pastimes are just a few of the activities available to you if you stay in the Carmel Valley. The hosts, Jeanne and “Tiger” Steele, are longtime locals who’re happy to give directions and recommendations. The space is similar to a studio apartment, perfect for a romantic two-person escapade overlooking the California valley.

 

Modern Studio – Rocky Mountain National Park

Nightly Rate: $110

rocky mountain cabin studio
Image via Airbnb

A studio apartment in the homeowner’s walkout basement, the elevation of the space features private, unparalleled views of Rocky Mountain National Park on the slopes of Prospect Mountain. Just four miles from downtown Estes Park, it offers the sought-after solitude of the mountains, in a convenient location to experience the hustle and bustle of nearby mountain-towns. The room comes equipped with a Serta queen-sized mattress with a 3-inch memory foam mattress topper and futon sofa that can be converted to a full size bed, comfortably accommodating three to four people. Even better, the property features a hot tub for stargazing or post-hike relaxation.

 

Bittersweet Cottage – Asheville, North Carolina

Nightly Rate: $250

cottage asheville north carolina
Image via Airbnb

The Blue Ridge Mountains are scenic and mystifying. Known for having a bluish color when seen from a distance, the region’s bouquet of oaks and maples release a compound called isoprene into the atmosphere, giving the mountains its characteristic haze and moody color. On the cusp of the Appalachian Valley, the one-bedroom, two-acre Bittersweet Cottage is nestled between downtown Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway. In business for 14 years, the property owners provide a fully stocked complimentary breakfast, a private hot tub, and interactive Koi pond. Ideal for special occasions, the space may also serve as a casual bed and breakfast for friends.

‘Silo Studio’ Cottage – the Berkshires

Nightly Rate: $225

silo studio cottage air bnb
Image via Airbnb

Located in western Massachusetts, this two-story Berkshire round cabin features 35-foot high ceilings and quaint east coast architecture, including multi-paned mill windows overlooking the brook and lily garden below. This Tyringham Silo cottage looks like something out of a fairy tale, with cobblestone bridges, ponds, and a stone bench seating area with “chiminea” and available firewood. The property is open year-round, each season offering its own experience. The cottage is close to the Appalachian Trail for hiking and a number of ponds for swimming or kayaking.

 

Glacier Park Log Cabin – Glacier National Park

Nightly Rate: $260

glacier park log cabin
Image via Airbnb

This space is perfect for larger groups planning a wilderness vacation. A secluded log cabin on the cusp of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area of Montana’s Glacier National Park, the property features nearly 2,000-square-feet of living space, a garden with strawberry patches, apple trees, three vegetable gardens, and an herb greenhouse. Enjoy mountain views with access to rafting, hiking, fishing, and climbing. And at night, whip up some s’mores under a clear sky using the complimentary fire pit.

The 8 Best Sunset Spots in the Southwest US

The American Southwest is a sprawling amalgamation of desert and mountainous landscapes, with large swaths of uninhabited land that serve as wonderful viewing points for stunning sunsets. Whether you’re in Colorado or California, here are some of the best sunset spots in the American Southwest.

Yavapai Point, Grand Canyon, Arizona

Sunset at Yavapai Point
Sunset at Yavapai Point

The Grand Canyon is the Crown Jewel of the USA’s Southwest, and for good reason. Whether you’re taking 4 days to hike down to the Colorado River and back or just driving around the Rim to take in the beautiful vistas, the Grand Canyon has something for everyone. Skip the crowds and head to the lesser-known Yavapai Point along the South Entrance Road at sunset for a dazzling view over the canyon.

Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Sunset from Sunset Point in Bryce Canyon National Park
Sunset from Sunset Point in Bryce Canyon National Park

The name speaks for itself, but even in high season, Bryce Canyon National Park doesn’t get too crowded. Watch the sun rise or set over the park’s characteristic rock formations, called Hoodoos from Sunset Point. Be sure to take your camera to capture the vibrant purple light cast across the canyon at dusk.

Keys View, Joshua Tree National Park, California

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Sunset from Keys View in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Trees are known to grow in only two places in the entire world, the Mojave Desert, in Joshua Tree National Park and Jerusalem, Israel. If you’re near the park, take this rare opportunity to see the sunset over a landscape populated with such unique and rare trees. Climb to Keys View for the most spectacular views.

Airport Mesa, Sedona, Arizona

View from Airport Mesa in Sedona at sunset
Sunset from Airport Mesa in Sedona

Sedona is a desert town in northern Arizona with red, rocky views in every direction. Though largely a destination for tourists just passing through, there is plenty to see and do in the quaint little town. The best view for sunset is near the airport and lends itself to gorgeous golden vistas over the whole valley.

Horseshoe Bend, Grand Canyon, Arizona

Sunset at Horseshoe Bend in the Colorado Canyon
Sunset at Horseshoe Bend in the Colorado Canyon

Here, the Colorado Rivers meanders around a bend in the shape of a horseshoe, creating a strange and unique scene. The cliff above the river where you can watch the sunset reaches a tall 4,200 feet above sea level with the river rushing by 1,000 feet below. The hike is an easy 1.5 miles off the highway but be careful not to get to close to the edge.

Torrey Pines, San Diego, CA

Sunset from Torrey Pines National Park, San Diego, CA
Sunset from Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in San Diego, CA

There are few things more beautiful than watching the sunset over the ocean. The aqua blue color and often rough seas of the Pacific Ocean make it an especially wonderful view. Catch the sunset from the ledge at Torrey Pines and watch the waves crash below or climb down the steep cliffs and view from the beach.

Red Rocks Amphitheater, Colorado

Early sunset at historic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado
Early sunset at historic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado

Attending a concert or even a yoga class at Red Rocks Amphitheater is an experience in itself, but catching the sunset while you’re there as well… get ready for a breathtaking evening. The rock formation is naturally formed and has made a world famous venue that attracts top performing artists across all genres. Get yourself a drink and watch the scene unfold before you.

Moab, Utah

Sunset in Arches National Park in Moab Utah
Sunset in Arches National Park in Moab Utah

Moab is a small town in southeast Utah that sits on the Colorado Plateau over 4,000 feet above sea level and has an amazing rocky, desert landscape. From Moab you can explore Arches National Park or catch the sunset from the drive on 191, each will give you vibrant orange and gold scenery at dusk.

 

Whether you’re just in the area for a few days or are taking an epic road trip through the American Southwest, you’ll not be short of beautiful places to catch the sunset.

Lost and Found in Popoyo, Nicaragua

In the center of Central America lies Nicaragua, and down several long, rutted, twisty, dusty dirt roads lies a surfer’s paradise called Popoyo. Honk at a few cows wandering through the road, stop to take pictures of the pigs wallowing in the ditch and ask a local how to get to Popoyo.

Nicaragua Cows   Nica22

With almost no street signs, most directions include things like, “Take a left at the green tire shop, then a right at the fruit stand that has colorful hammocks for sale.” It can be unnerving at first, but the people are kind and always happy to help.

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You’ll find yourself – literally and figuratively – in a place like Popoyo. Typical creature comforts of high speed internet, ubiquitous air conditioning and the ability to upload selfies quickly, give way to a slower pace of life filled with laissez faire attitudes, self-reflection and untouched nature seldom found in most parts.

It’s a place of azure waters, white sand beaches, bikinis, Sex-Wax surf wax and heavy beach breaks that barrel over shallow reefs. You’ll find salt-knotted dreadlocks and the salutation, “Buenos dias,” and the unspoken sentiment, “How did you find this place?” and “don’t tell anyone else…” Popoyo provides the feeling of stepping back in time to a simpler era, when life’s needs were a little more basic: food, water, shelter and fun. Oh, and fruit smoothies.

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The surf at Popoyo is usually best in the morning. Offshore winds blow back the faces of waves on a point break that is overlooked by a small restaurant on a campground called The Ranch.

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On a day with particularly epic waves, I find that twelve-time world champion Kelly Slater and bohemian surf master Rob Machado have signed in to The Ranch parking lot before me.

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If you’re not a world champ surfer (or even much of an ocean swimmer), there are plenty of hammocks and Adirondacks to watch the waves come in while you have a fresh fruit smoothie or a cold cerveza.

Looking to the eastern horizon from the water, Mombacho rises in the distance. Mombacho is a 1344 meter high stratovolcano near the city of Granada. As the last eruption occurred more than 400 years ago, today the Mombacho Volcano Nature Reserve is one of 78 protected areas in Nicaragua, and a great place to hike through rainforest while listening for howler monkeys. Walking in literal clouds, one can peer directly into the crater of the volcano and imagine the lava exploding skywards. Those who reach the top are rewarded with a view that would normally be reserved for those seated on an airplane.

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After hiking Mombacho, it’s a sometimes steep, mostly bumpy drive over to Granada where you’ll find a city that seems part Havana, part New Orleans and exactly the kind of place where you’d expect to see Hemingway smoking a cigarillo and writing his next novel. Cafes and restaurants where occupants dine in open-air courtyards among palm trees and vines are hidden behind large wooden doors. Fresh ceviche, wrought iron balconies, and a deep sense of Catholic and familial pride abound in this old, yet unexpectedly cosmopolitan town.

If you can’t get enough of the beach, travel south down the cost to Santa Cruz, where you’ll find a tranquil bay lined with fishing boats and restaurants.

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Local men and women stroll by, selling vases with hand-etched sea turtles and brightly painted wooden birds that double as whistling instruments. They’re the kind of beach trinkets that don’t feel like trinkets. The handmade works of art are authentic and inexpensive. You support the artisans and the local economy when you buy a few pieces.

The sun is likely nearing the horizon again and as the air cools, the waves take shape once again. Head over to Magnific Rock where you can get in another surf or simply take in the sunset from the restaurant and lodge overlooking the beach. Play an available board game or swing in a hammock with a Toña, the national beer of choice.

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Walking on the beach at night, there are no discotecas, but you’re likely to find ex-pats lounging around candle-lit driftwood tables, eating freshly baked clay oven pizza and listening to other expats practicing their guitars or Ukuleles.

This is a place that few people know of and even fewer dare to go. Those who have been hope it stays that way forever.

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5 Island Vacations to Escape the Cold

For many of us around the world, the cold has arrived. As much as we love sweater weather, mulled wine and cozying up around the hearth, we can’t help but start to fantasize about warmer climates and escaping for the beach. To help with your vacation dreaming, we’ve gathered our top five destinations for winter island vacations.

1. Mo’orea, French Polynesia

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Photo by: Flickr/Saïda Under License CC BY-SA 2.0

You’ve probably heard of Tahiti and Bora Bora, but Mo’orea is the lesser-known crown jewel in French Polynesia. Accessible by ferry or a short plane ride from Tahiti, Mo’orea, which means “yellow lizard” and is shaped like a heart, is the Platonic Ideal of a tropical island. White sand beaches, crystal clear water and laidback hospitality greet you on your arrival. Visitors can partake in world-class snorkeling and scuba diving among the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, or simply hold hands while watching the sunset. Paradise.

 

2. Punalu’u Beach, Hawaii

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Photo by: Flickr/Blake Handley Under License CC BY 2.0

Because of volcanic activity, Hawaii’s beaches come in all shades of white, green and even black. None is more breathtaking or mind-bending than Punalu’u Beach on the southeastern Kau coast of the Big Island. Inhabited by endangered species of turtles, seals and other flora and fauna, Punalu’u, also called Black Sand Beach, offers an unusual glimpse of some of the rarest creatures in the world. With a consistency closer to coffee grounds than sugar, the beach’s black sand is made of basalt, created by lava that flows into the ocean. So, pitch a tent (camping is permitted) and drift to sleep as you listen to the waves crash on shore.

 

3. Vieques, Puerto Rico

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Photo by: Flickr/karlnorling Under License CC BY 2.0

What’s better than horses frolicking on the beach? Frolicking puppies, of course. Vieques has both. Just a short 25-minute plane ride from Puerto Rico, Vieques is a world unto itself. Until recently, the 21-mile island was used as a bombing range and testing ground by the US Navy, which lead to massive protests, shutting down the operation in 2003. Because of that, tourism hasn’t infiltrated this gorgeous island in the same way it has other locations in the Caribbean. The W opened a luxury resort not far from the airport, but there are plenty of rentable beach cottages and apartments throughout the island. If horses and puppies aren’t your thing, you can take a nighttime canoe tour of Puerto Mosquito, considered the best example of a bioluminescent bay in the United States.

 

4. Tulum, Mexico

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Photo by: Flickr/mdanys Under License CC BY 2.0

If Cancún is a party girl, Tulum is her hippie (or some would argue, hipster) sister. An hour and a half away from Cancún, Tulum is a gem of a town on the Yucatan nestled among Mayan ruins and pristine white sand beaches. In recent years, it’s been “discovered” by jet-setting fashion editors and media types drawn to the plentiful yoga classes and spicy cuisine. It’s the perfect destination for travelers who are torn between experiencing the scene and the scenery. In Tulum, you can easily have both and at prices that aren’t New York level. Yet.

 

5. Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

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Photo by: Flickr/Curtis Simmons Under License CC BY-NC 2.0

The main attraction on Virgin Gorda, the sleepiest and third-largest of the British Virgin Islands, are The Baths. On the southern part of the island, enormous granite boulders emerge along the beach, forming natural tidal pools of warm water that visitors can tour for just a few dollars. When done visiting The Baths, relax on the beach and enjoy the quintessential breeze that can only be found in the Caribbean.